Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش
@banafshkeynoush.bsky.social
PhD | Author | Int. Geopolitical Consultant | Faculty member | Board Member, Cambrian Futures | Tufts, Fletcher Alum
I am in disbelief and saddened by the sudden passing away of a Project SEPAD colleague Dr. Aziz AlGhashian. He belonged to a rare & rising generation of Saudi political analysts who became especially active in recent weeks, analyzing events in #SaudiArabia. mei.edu/person/aziz-...
Aziz Alghashian - Middle East Institute
mei.edu
What does #Russia want by mediating #IranUS war? I detail them in my book: 1-No #nuclear-armed Iran; 2-No Iran ideology influence in Central Asia / Eurasia /Caucasus; 3-No foreign military intervention in Iran 4-Working with US to contain Iran if needed. caspianpost.com/iran/russian...
At #OICCFMBaghdad Iran FM says his country supports political solution to #SaudiHouthis conflict in #Yemen, against all odds: www.pbs.org/newshour/wor...
Saudi diplomat says Iran is encouraging Houthi escalation of attacks on the kingdom
The escalation between the Saudis and the rebels in neighboring Yemen has exposed the kingdom’s challenges in intercepting the attacks in the latest front in the Iran war, while further rattling globa...
pbs.org
I recently shared a roadmap to deescalate Middle East conflicts incl. b/w #SaudiIran: www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2026-... #US can share some of the region's resources/burdens with #Russia #China. Today @POTUS waives some Russia sanctions under #RussiaIran Act. www.iranintl.com/en/202610174...
The Battle of Titans: Saudi Arabia vs. Iran
Join us this evening for a deep-dive military and geopolitical program analyzing the decades-long regional cold and hot wars, proxy conflicts, and strategic power struggles for dominance in the Middle...
commonwealthclub.org
In my #book & at my talk I said why the Houthis escalate war in #SaudiArabia is b/c the #US has failed to replenish the balance of power b/w the kingdom & Iran. The @reuters report rephrases my point, made last week again at: www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2026-... www.reuters.com/world/middle...
پیروز مجتهدزاده، پژوهشگر جغرافیای سیاسی و مسائل خلیج فارس، درگذشت Pirouz #Mujtahedzadeh passes away, the political geographer who worked on Iran-Persian Gulf-Gulf boundaries, whose books informed me and whom I met on more than one occasion. May the scholar rest in peace
It is standard Iran policy to deny allegations. It says it was not involved in Houthi strikes on #Riyadh (placing burden of proof on Riyadh). Why #Iran says it has more than one reason. It de-escalates after escalation, making direct confrontation harder. www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_ent...
Iran denies Saudi accusation of involvement in Houthi attacks
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timesofisrael.com
Muslim scholars with unbending views are increasingly vocal in #SaudiArabiaIran as tensions b/w them increase. Today, the radical Hojjatiehs in Iran attempted to openly assassinate a reformist politician. They want war with #USIsrael & #SaudiArabia. old.iranintl.com/en/iran/like...
Likely Presidential Runner Says Iran Has Five Competing Governments
A former Iranian minister says that the country has five government, not one, with executive resposibility confused between government, parliament and other centers of power.
old.iranintl.com
Don't forget to join our event on Nov 4 on Iran & the Arab Shia. I discuss Iran's view on events in the region against the backdrop of how events in the Arab world affect #Shia mobilization and politics, in Yemen, Iraq, #SaudiArabia, Lebanon, Bahrain.... www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2026-...
The Shi’a in the Arab World and Iran
The program examines the Arab Shi’a communities and Iran’s political influence, transnational connections, geopolitics, and what it means for the Middle East, U.S. foreign policy and the U.S.-Iran con...
commonwealthclub.org
When this is how a country gets married (#Iran, source Gooya) implying these are generations giving birth to new ones willing to die & kill for ideology and land, history becomes a distorted reality. #Marriage is a sanctified occasion, not a militarized entity to be celebrated as a production line.
I discuss why Houthi strikes on #Makkah #Medinah are not a #sectarian issue. History shows Iran & Saudi Arabia worked together to end tribal battles over them in 1927-1929. This sacred land must never be attacked. www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2026-... www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia...
The Battle of Titans: Saudi Arabia vs. Iran
Join us this evening for a deep-dive military and geopolitical program analyzing the decades-long regional cold and hot wars, proxy conflicts, and strategic power struggles for dominance in the Middle East between Saudi Arabia and Iran. At the heart of this analysis lies their relationship with the United States, which is a linchpin of the Saudi-Iranian conflict and the solution to ending it.
commonwealthclub.org
Rarely if ever does #SaudiArabia abandon caution to openly accuse or charge Iran of transgressions. But this time, after 20 Houthi strikes on Riyadh's airport since Oct. 1st, the Kingdom's official says it believes Iran encourages the attacks. ua.news/en/world/sau...
Saudi Arabia accuses Iran of encouraging Houthis — Dawn
Saudi Arabia accused Iran of encouraging and supporting the Houthis as the kingdom reports a series of attacks on airports, ports and oil facilities.
ua.news
The Houthis & Tehran escalate tensions on Arab territorial land or water to distract #US from aiming at Iran while GCC faces urgent threats; and, to discourage #GCC from escalating against Iran. When the war expands against Iran, the US & GCC will be more battle weary. www.wsj.com/world/middle...
Two Cargo Ships Sink Near Strait of Hormuz, as Iranian Attacks Increase
Strikes come as U.S. military is successfully shepherding more oil through the strait
wsj.com
Saudi (mis)calculation will bring unwanted results: It engages it in the war to pay a heavier price; Iran will pressure #Qatar in #Taiz where pro-Qatar & pro-Houthi groups clash; Iran will threaten cutting off Qatari internet cables in Strait of #Hormuz. www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia...
Saudi Cabinet backs operations of coalition forces in Yemen, warns Houthis over attacks
Saudi Cabinet backs operations of coalition forces in Yemen, warns Houthis over attacks
arabnews.com
Mehrdad Akhlaghi (noornews), defense minister candidate sanctioned by #EU #UN, has worked on Iran's aerospace & missile programs that will likely rely on rapid domestic & regional missile proliferation, light aircraft production & pivot t/w acquiring Asian technology thru #military #diplomacy.
The Pope is in my prayers for what I see to be signs of his courage, faith, refusal to bend to idols, being himself, straightforwardness & humanity incl. in the face of overblown billionaire nonsense ascribing a soul to AI to push the idol-money worshipers to follow. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/13/w...
Pope Leo Has Lung Cancer, Vatican Says
The surgeons removed the lower lobe of the pope’s right lung after finding a cancerous nodule.
nytimes.com
Threats by #Iran against #UK expand across military targets & #AI warfare, after Iran warns it will reexamine ties with London mindful of London's support for Saudi Arabia in the war in Yemen and its support for the US in the war against Iran. www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/1...
MI5 chief says Iran is targeting military sites and suspected plot at RAF Fairford is 'not unique’
The head of MI5 says Iran is trying to hit military sites in the U.K. and the suspected plot to attack a U.S.-run military air base in September is not unique
washingtonpost.com
The Saudi-led Coalition to Restore Legitimacy sees members disengaging or lessening commitment incl UAE, Sudan, Egypt (active members) Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Morocco, Senegal. Why? Which Yemen? Riyadh has tried since 9/11 to gift Yemen legitimacy, but failed. Why? #diplomacy is falling short.
The suggestion by @booker.senate.gov that #US engages in a cowboy foreign policy at times points to a bipartisan national trait, not just republican. But when Murphy says end the job with Iran, the Q is: how? how quickly? human toll? consequence? www.foxnews.com/politics/boo...
Booker ‘wowed’ by GOP challenger’s blunt message to Trump
Justin Murphy told Trump to "finish it" on Iran, drawing applause and a stunned reaction from Cory Booker during their New Jersey Senate debate.
foxnews.com
In a ground attack, #Iran has the largest army in the Middle East, larger than the combined armies of the tripartite #Saudi-#Turkey-#Pakistan pact. The Red Cross warns of a human catastrophe if fresh war breaks out across the region. www.wsj.com/world/middle...
Iran Fortifying Nuclear Sites and Rallying Its People for Return to Fighting
The regime, convinced President Trump is ready to attack again, sees the preparations as a deterrent.
wsj.com
President Trump says the U.S. may have gone too far targeting the Islamic Republic of Iran's top leaders. International law calls for #retributive and #restorative #justice tools managed through civilian oversight and non-violently in order to transform nations.
Two #Muslim-led forces aim to stop the Middle East breakup but work on opposite sides that might hasten, slow down, or fail to prevent the breakup: pro-#Iran Axis of Resistance vs. pro-#Saudi security pacts. I explain here: www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2026-... www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia...
The Battle of Titans: Saudi Arabia vs. Iran
Join us this evening for a deep-dive military and geopolitical program analyzing the decades-long regional cold and hot wars, proxy conflicts, and strategic power struggles for dominance in the Middle...
commonwealthclub.org
I explain here why the U.S. is well advised not to enter the #war in #Yemen. Today the Houthis issue warning. www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2026-... www.turkiyetoday.com/region/houth...
The Battle of Titans: Saudi Arabia vs. Iran
Join us this evening for a deep-dive military and geopolitical program analyzing the decades-long regional cold and hot wars, proxy conflicts, and strategic power struggles for dominance in the Middle...
commonwealthclub.org
Riyadh cannot accept the offer to join #Israel to fight #Houthis. Riyadh cannot join #AbrahamAccords. There is no guarantee Israel will stay a longterm partner & ensure permanent security for Saudi Arabia. It is also unthinkable to Muslims that the Kingdom openly joins Israel to fight other Muslims.
Rima I Anabtawi@rimaanabtawi.bsky.social · 7d ago😆 Netanyahu seeks to join Saudi's fight against Houthis, crown prince opposes move www.haaretz.com/middle-east-...
The European nations on this list remind me of how the #West aligned in WWII against Nazi Germany. This time, it is aligning against the Isl Rep of #Iran and its axis. It is West Against Iran, IRI. Before Iran is destroyed or the West harmed, #diplomacy must shape. swedenherald.com/article/us-u...
US, UK and 27 allies warn Iran after arrests linked to RAF Fairford incident | Sweden Herald
The United States, Britain and 27 other countries are warning Iran following an incident at the British air base RAF Fairford
swedenherald.com
There is a lesson in this for Saudi Arabia. Asking the US to fight the #Saudi #war in #Yemen will bring unintended results as it did after 9/11 when the US fought with the Saudis in Yemen to defeat Al-Qaeda. Never mind the group is back. The US & Saudi Arabia lost Yemen.
Banafsheh Keynoush بنفشه کی نوش@banafshkeynoush.bsky.social · last wk.America tires of its #wars, always #Vietnam #Iraq #Yemen #Afghanistan #Iran #Ukraine, this time telling Zelensky it is time to leave. What is the lesson here? Regional leaders must not expect the US to fight their wars, or think that by offering it, they can win. www.bbc.com/news/article...
America tires of its #wars, always #Vietnam #Iraq #Yemen #Afghanistan #Iran #Ukraine, this time telling Zelensky it is time to leave. What is the lesson here? Regional leaders must not expect the US to fight their wars, or think that by offering it, they can win. www.bbc.com/news/article...
'Time for Ukraine to get new president,' says Trump after Zelensky condemns diesel deal
Ukraine's leader had said the deal with Russia to release diesel into the US would help Moscow fund the war.
bbc.com
Saudi Arabia cannot defend itself & needs help despite being a #US #arms purchaser. Why? Born in 1932 not by a unified history or identity but by one clan, its sense of nationhood lacks strong supplies of foot soldiers ready to die for it; and, its military lacks strong indigenous capacity. Details: