Iraq’s New Leader Faces Resistance Trying to Bring Militias Under State Control | New York Times

“Iraq’s new prime minister has met with significant resistance as he attempts to bring the Iran-backed militias in his country under state control, after intense pressure from the Trump administration to rein in the armed groups. . . . [Prime Minister Ali] al-Zaidi, a political newcomer, ordered all armed groups last month to come under direct state authority. Some of the most powerful Iran-linked militias rejected the demand.”

‘A Hunting Ground for Foreign Regimes’: Why Violent Attacks on Dissidents Are on the Rise in Britain | Guardian

“As Pouria Zeraati was crossing the street between his Wimbledon home and his car in south London in March 2024, he was confronted by two men. One held him firmly as the other stabbed him three times in the leg before they both fled. It was later said to be a targeted attack on behalf of the Iranian regime in Tehran. A punishment for Zeraati’s work as a journalist covering Iran. He survived, but the ambush is one of dozens of violent incidents in recent years linked to foreign states. Russia, China, India, Saudi Arabia and Iran have all been blamed for targeting critics and dissidents living in the UK in the past decade, and linked to incidents involving physical assaults, attempted kidnap, stabbings and an acid attack.”