<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[The National Council for Strategic Defense]]></title><description><![CDATA[Empowering Strategic Defense Solutions]]></description><link>https://www.ncsdefense.org/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Mon, 01 Jun 2026 17:09:29 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.ncsdefense.org/ar/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[The Hormuz Stranglehold: Intelligence Gaps and Asymmetric Persistence in the Dual‑Blockade Era]]></title><description><![CDATA[By Mukhlis Mukhlis The declaration that U.S. military action against Iran “terminated” on May 1, 2026, is political craftsmanship—but it is also a strategic contradiction. The Executive Branch may tell Congress the War Powers clock has stopped, yet the situation on the water and ashore in the Arab Gulf is far more complicated. The conflict has not ended; it has shifted. What follows is a transition from open kinetic warfare to a period of sustained geo‑strategic constriction. This...]]></description><link>https://www.ncsdefense.org/post/the-hormuz-stranglehold-intelligence-gaps-and-asymmetric-persistence-in-the-dual-blockade-era</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f7a6c85caf4ed272b83779</guid><pubDate>Sun, 03 May 2026 19:59:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c3d79_fefb22d867f6441297cb6d77ee288299~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_832,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mukhlis Mukhlis </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Iran-Iraq Nexus: Analyzing the PMF’s Power Dynamics and Proxy Warfare]]></title><description><![CDATA[By: Mukhlis Mukhlis   Background   The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), known in Arabic as Hashd al-Shaabi, were established in 2014 following a fatwa issued by Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani to combat the rise of ISIS. By 2016, the PMF had evolved into a formalized paramilitary force integrated within Iraq's security framework. The PMF encompasses approximately 67 factions, representing a diverse spectrum of ethnic and sectarian groups, though it is predominantly composed of Iran-aligned...]]></description><link>https://www.ncsdefense.org/post/the-iran-iraq-nexus-analyzing-the-pmf-s-power-dynamics-and-proxy-warfare</link><guid isPermaLink="false">694db38ddd47cad8b9f26702</guid><pubDate>Thu, 25 Dec 2025 22:03:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c3d79_25e8d9d2cde049d0974cc98e34ccefc6~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mukhlis Mukhlis </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Indus-Persian Nexus: Pakistan as Iran’s "Nuclear Flank"]]></title><description><![CDATA[The spectacular failure of the "High-Stakes Accord" in Islamabad on April 11–12, 2026, between U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Iranian Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, marks a watershed moment in 21st-century geopolitics. While the Beltway remains focused on the collapse of the formal agenda, the true significance of the summit lies in its exposure of a long-denied reality: Pakistan’s role as the indispensable "Nuclear Flank" of the Iranian Revolutionary state. For decades, U.S. foreign...]]></description><link>https://www.ncsdefense.org/post/the-indus-persian-nexus-pakistan-as-iran-s-nuclear-flank</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f1600f24f9d3e5cd71b751</guid><pubDate>Wed, 29 Apr 2026 01:52:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c3d79_197042da0706463680363173841db55b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_832,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mukhlis Mukhlis </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Operation Epic Fury and the Doctrine of Protraction: A Comprehensive Assessment of Iranian Strategic Depth and Logistical Choke Points]]></title><description><![CDATA[The first quarter of 2026 has witnessed a fundamental phase shift in the Middle Eastern security architecture. Following the intensive kinetic degradation of Tehran’s conventional ballistic and nuclear infrastructure during Operation Epic Fury, the Iranian regime has retreated into a doctrine of "Strategic Sustainment and Attrition." This is no longer a war of state-on-state parity, but a desperate, decentralized struggle for regime survival. By weaponizing the temporal dimension and...]]></description><link>https://www.ncsdefense.org/post/operation-epic-fury-and-the-doctrine-of-protraction-a-comprehensive-assessment-of-iranian-strategic</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b6176a24df0b96f9d0e19c</guid><pubDate>Sun, 15 Mar 2026 02:29:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c3d79_fedfccaab4e345a686f2b4951626545c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mukhlis Mukhlis </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Kurdistan Region: A Strategic Anchor for Stability ]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Kurdistan Region: A Strategic Anchor for Stability  The False Narrative of Centralization As we navigate the opening months of 2026, the Middle Eastern Area of Operations (AO) is shivering under the weight of a profound geopolitical realignment. Legacy regimes are flickering out across the map, and in the resulting power vacuum, a seductive but hazardous diplomatic ghost has resurfaced in high-level policy circles: the doctrine of the "Benevolent Centralizer." This narrative suggests that...]]></description><link>https://www.ncsdefense.org/post/the-kurdistan-region-a-strategic-anchor-for-stability</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6987104296663872686100b8</guid><pubDate>Sat, 07 Feb 2026 10:16:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c3d79_3f0331cf472b44bda6418731b113ce5c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mukhlis Mukhlis </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA["Shadows of Influence: The Evolution of Iranian Factions in Iraq from Militias to Covert Cartels"]]></title><description><![CDATA[By: Mukhlis Mukhlis The ongoing discourse regarding the disarmament of Iraqi factions is framed as a crucial step toward achieving national stability and consolidating state authority. However, recent intelligence analysis suggests that this disarmament may not represent the elimination of a threat but rather a strategic evolution into more insidious forms of influence and control. This assessment examines the dynamics of Iraqi pro-Iranian factions transitioning from overt militias to covert...]]></description><link>https://www.ncsdefense.org/post/shadows-of-influence-the-evolution-of-iranian-factions-in-iraq-from-militias-to-covert-cartels</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69586ff17098baf6022206d7</guid><category><![CDATA[Proxy Warfare]]></category><category><![CDATA[National Security, Foreign Policy,]]></category><category><![CDATA[Middle East Politics]]></category><category><![CDATA[Militia Dynamics]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 03 Jan 2026 01:30:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c3d79_400c9e0244764780aa14f1fe14e34f9c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mukhlis Mukhlis </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Beyond the Brink: Iran’s Evolving Crisis and Regional Implications]]></title><description><![CDATA[By: Mukhlis Mukhlis As we near the end of 2025, Iran is deeply entrenched in a complex crisis marked by serious economic and social upheaval. Much of this turmoil stems from the cumulative effects of international sanctions and a steep decline in oil revenues, which have long been the cornerstone of the Iranian economy. The value of the Iranian rial has plummeted to alarming lows against the U.S. dollar, sparking widespread protests in urban areas and increasing pressure on the ruling regime...]]></description><link>https://www.ncsdefense.org/post/beyond-the-brink-iran-s-evolving-crisis-and-regional-implications</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69583a6dedad85458dd91cb2</guid><pubDate>Fri, 02 Jan 2026 21:55:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c3d79_451a0a7431bd450598eadd1e3e20eb9d~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Mukhlis Mukhlis </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Collaborative Initiatives in Counterterrorism: Practical Policy Recommendations]]></title><description><![CDATA[In the realm of national security and counterterrorism, collaborative initiatives play a crucial role in developing effective strategies to combat threats effectively. As threats continue to evolve in an ever-changing geopolitical landscape, it is imperative for stakeholders from various sectors to come together to share knowledge, resources, and expertise. This collaboration between academia, government, and the private sector can lead to innovative solutions and insightful analysis that can...]]></description><link>https://www.ncsdefense.org/post/collaborative-initiatives-in-counterterrorism-practical-policy-recommendations</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67a18641f0d6f42a5b4f4fcd</guid><pubDate>Tue, 04 Feb 2025 03:15:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c3d79_e243adac995345beb3e9548eb004f986~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_896,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>NCSD Publication </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Innovative Solutions for National Security Challenges: Strategic Analysis]]></title><description><![CDATA[In today's ever-evolving geopolitical landscape, national security is of paramount importance. As threats continue to emerge and adapt, the need for innovative solutions to address these challenges has never been more critical. The National Council for Strategic Defense Research is at the forefront of providing insightful analysis and comprehensive research to aid policymakers and defense professionals in navigating these complex issues. Through a combination of in-depth research, policy...]]></description><link>https://www.ncsdefense.org/post/innovative-solutions-for-national-security-challenges-strategic-analysis</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67a18641f0d6f42a5b4f4fcc</guid><pubDate>Tue, 04 Feb 2025 03:15:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c3d79_48ffc75698484721ba62d17589a9435a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>NCSD Publication </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Enhancing U.S. Middle Eastern Affairs Strategies: Expert Insights]]></title><description><![CDATA[In the ever-evolving landscape of U.S. Middle Eastern affairs, it is crucial to continuously enhance strategies to effectively navigate the complex challenges faced by policymakers and defense professionals. The National Council for Strategic Defense Research, comprised of a team of experts, scholars, and practitioners, is dedicated to advancing the understanding and implementation of impactful strategies in this key area. Through in-depth research, policy analysis, and collaborative...]]></description><link>https://www.ncsdefense.org/post/enhancing-u-s-middle-eastern-affairs-strategies-expert-insights</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67a18641f0d6f42a5b4f4fcb</guid><pubDate>Tue, 04 Feb 2025 03:15:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9c3d79_7b336838c7384a9489a7f989657064d5~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>NCSD Publication </dc:creator></item></channel></rss>