Iranian Military Cooperation with US Adversaries: Iran and key US adversaries likely shared tactical and technological lessons on December 2 as part of a five-day military exercise in Iran. IRGC-affiliated media published photos of Iranian forces using first person view drones during the exercise, which are widely used by both Russia and Ukraine and have changed the character of the modern battlefield.
Iraqi Government Formation: Iraqi media reported on December 2 that US Special Envoy to Iraq Mark Savaya is pressuring the Shia Coordination Framework to exclude Iranian-backed candidates from the premiership and key ministerial positions. The exclusion of certain candidates who are publicly aligned with Iranian-backed Iraqi militias or parties from key ministerial positions is unlikely to curb Iran’s influence within Iraqi government institutions, however.
Suwayda Political Consolidation: The anti-Syrian government Suwayda National Guard conducted several politically motivated arrests and killings of prominent Druze individuals in Suwayda Province on November 28, likely as part of an effort by the anti-Syrian government Suwayda Autonomous Government to discourage dissent and to consolidate political control.
Syrian Democratic Forces’ Integration: Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan presented a plan for Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) integration into the Syrian Ministry of Defense that aligns with the SDF leadership’s federalized vision for Syria as the March 10 agreement’s December 31 deadline approaches. Both the SDF and the Syrian government have refused to concede their fundamental negotiating positions, which would require them to change their views on the centralization of state power. The lack of compromise increases the risk of renewed conflict in the short term.
Iran Update, December 2, 2025 (Institute for the Study of War)
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