Politics and Government – Page 6 – War Watch

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Inside Iran’s Preparations for War and Plans for Survival
ByFarnaz Fassihi February 22, 2026February 28, 2026

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has entrusted Ali Larijani, the top national security official, to ensure the Islamic Republic endures any military attacks and targeted killings.

Read More Inside Iran’s Preparations for War and Plans for Survival
al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | Careers and Professions | Cosmetics and Toiletries | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Politics and Government | Recalls and Bans of Products | Syria | Women and Girls | Women's Rights

A Makeup Ban in Syria for Women in Government and Public Sector Stirs Outrage
ByRaja Abdulrahim February 20, 2026February 20, 2026

A provincial governor wants to prohibit women in government and public sector jobs from wearing makeup, stirring outrage and many, many memes.

Read More A Makeup Ban in Syria for Women in Government and Public Sector Stirs Outrage
Deaths (Fatalities) | Defense and Military Forces | Demonstrations, Protests and Riots | Funerals and Memorials | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Khamenei, Ali | Politics and Government | United States International Relations

Iranians Mourn Slain Protesters With ‘Revolutionary Rage’
ByErika Solomon and Leily Nikounazar February 17, 2026February 17, 2026

The authorities moved to suppress shows of defiance at ceremonies commemorating 40 days since the death of protesters.

Read More Iranians Mourn Slain Protesters With ‘Revolutionary Rage’
Deaths (Fatalities) | Defense and Military Forces | Demonstrations, Protests and Riots | Funerals and Memorials | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Khamenei, Ali | Politics and Government | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations

Memorials for Iran’s Slain Protesters Wil Test of State Crackdown
ByErika Solomon and Leily Nikounazar February 17, 2026

Ceremonies commemorating the 40 days after protesters were killed are planned this week, challenging the authorities’ ability to restrain them.

Read More Memorials for Iran’s Slain Protesters Wil Test of State Crackdown
al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | Aleppo (Syria) | Defense and Military Forces | Deir al-Zour (Syria) | Hasaka (Syria) | Hayat Tahrir al-Sham | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Kurds | Politics and Government | Raqqa (Syria) | Secession and Independence Movements | Syria | Syrian Army | Syrian Democratic Forces | War and Armed Conflicts

Syrian Army Crosses New Threshold With Advances in Kurdish Regions
ByCarlotta Gall, Hussam Hammoud and Nanna Heitmann February 16, 2026February 16, 2026

The advance of the Syrian Army into Kurdish regions could put nearly all the country under one authority. But it ends a dream of autonomy for ethnic Kurds.

Read More Syrian Army Crosses New Threshold With Advances in Kurdish Regions
Anger (Emotion) | Communications and Media Blackouts | Deaths (Fatalities) | Demonstrations, Protests and Riots | Human Rights and Human Rights Violations | internal-open-access-from-nl | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Khamenei, Ali | Politics and Government | Tehran (Iran)

Rage. Grief. Anxiety. The New Mood in Iran.
ByFarnaz Fassihi and Leily Nikounazar February 16, 2026February 16, 2026

In the aftermath of another wave of antigovernment unrest, Iran is gripped by a mood of collective grief and uncertainty about the future.

Read More Rage. Grief. Anxiety. The New Mood in Iran.
Amnesties, Commutations and Pardons | Ethics and Official Misconduct | Herzog, Isaac | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Netanyahu, Benjamin | Politics and Government | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations

Trump’s Stinging Attack on Israel’s President Touches a Nerve
ByIsabel Kershner February 15, 2026February 18, 2026

President Trump called President Isaac Herzog of Israel “disgraceful” because he has not yet pardoned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his corruption trial.

Read More Trump’s Stinging Attack on Israel’s President Touches a Nerve
Demonstrations, Protests and Riots | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Khamenei, Ali | Munich (Germany) | Pahlavi, Reza (1960- ) | Politics and Government | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations

Thousands Rally for Iran Regime Change in Cities Around the World
BySanam Mahoozi, Jonathan Wolfe and Abdi Latif Dahir February 14, 2026February 14, 2026

People protesting the Iranian government gathered near the security conference in Munich, as well as in other cities. More U.S.-Iran talks are expected Tuesday.

Read More Thousands Rally for Iran Regime Change in Cities Around the World
al-Shara, Ahmed (Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) (1982- ) | Detainees | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Iraq | Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Politics and Government | Syria | Syrian Democratic Forces | Terrorism | United States Defense and Military Forces

U.S. Transfers Thousands of ISIS Prisoners to Iraq From Syria
ByEric Schmitt February 13, 2026February 13, 2026

The moves appear to highlight lingering doubts in Washington about the new Syrian government’s ability to ensure security.

Read More U.S. Transfers Thousands of ISIS Prisoners to Iraq From Syria
Cellular Telephones | Censorship | Citizen Lab | Communications and Media Blackouts | Computers and the Internet | Demonstrations, Protests and Riots | Facial Recognition Software | Holistic Resilience (Org) | Huawei Technologies Co Ltd | Infrastructure (Public Works) | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Isfahan (Iran) | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Miaan (Org) | Mobile Applications | Politics and Government | Starlink Satellite Constellation (SpaceX) | Surveillance of Citizens by Government | Telephones and Telecommunications | Text Messaging | Wireless Communications | ZTE Corp

Iran Turns to Digital Surveillance Tools to Track Down Protesters
ByAdam Satariano, Paul Mozur and Farnaz Fassihi February 13, 2026

As Iranian authorities restore some online services after crushing antigovernment demonstrations, they are using a technological dragnet to target attendees of the protests.

Read More Iran Turns to Digital Surveillance Tools to Track Down Protesters