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Ari Cicurel

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Latest from Ari Cicurel

Iran

February 2, 2026

U.S. Interceptors Are Depleted, Making Iran Decision Difficult

As the Trump administration weighs strikes on Iran following the regime’s brutal killing of protestors, it must reckon with a hard lesson from last...

Ari Cicurel • RealClearDefense
APTOPIX Syria Lebanon Border Clashes

Middle East

March 25, 2025

Help Wanted: Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Referee

The fragile, imperfect ceasefire in Lebanon has held. But it could become more tenuous after a recent change to a critical element in its success:...

Ari Cicurel • RealClearDefense

Iran

November 13, 2024

U.S. Should Undercut the Iran-Russia-China Three-Legged Stool

Iran and its proxies in Iraq may soon attack Israel in retaliation for it hitting a series of military targets inside of Iranian territory. Although...

Ari Cicurel • RealClearDefense

Maritime Strategy

December 14, 2023

Deterrence Is More Than Deployments: The Effects, and Limitations, of the Administration's Naval Movements in the Middle East

The United States appears to be confusing deployments for deterrence. The use of U.

Ari Cicurel • RealClearDefense
Israel Palestinians

Iran

May 12, 2023

Israel's Multifront Escalation

This week’s Israeli operation in response to Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) attacks from Gaza, called Shield and Arrow, seeks to enforce redlines and...

Ari Cicurel • RealClearDefense
Iraq

Iran

October 19, 2022

Unparalleled Iranian Attack on Kurds

At the end of September, Iran launched its largest bombardment in decades against Kurdish targets in Iraq. This unprovoked assault on its neighbor...

Ari Cicurel • RealClearDefense

U.S. Navy

October 6, 2021

Fifth Fleet's Task Force 59 Is a Good Start

The United States is stepping up unmanned vehicle operations in the Middle East maritime environment amidst continued escalation from Iran. On...

Ari Cicurel • RealClearDefense

Middle East

October 2, 2020

U.S.-Iraq Strategic Dialogue and Foreign Influence in Iraq

A strategic dialogue scheduled for this week could launch a much-needed reset in Washington-Baghdad relations. Months of tit-for-tat confrontations...

Ari Cicurel • RealClearDefense

Iran

October 2, 2020

Sanctions on Iran Are Not Enough

America should welcome demonstrations in Iran against the brutal regime, but not fool itself that current policy is a success story yet. These...

Ari Cicurel • RealClearDefense
Israel Iran Regional Escalation

Iran

October 2, 2020

Contesting Iran's Gray Zone Strategy

While international attention has shifted to the Syrian-Turkish border this past week, Friday's attack on an Iranian oil tanker offshore of Saudi...

Ari Cicurel • RealClearDefense

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