Raise risk level on Middle East

A number of seemingly unconnected events, as examined and analysed this week by World-Check, have resulted in our conclusion that compliance officers should raise their risk estimates for the Middle East. See why we are taking this position, and decide for yourself.

Look at the facts:

• A Syrian general, Brigadier Mohammed Suleiman, was assassinated in the Syrian coastal town of Tartus. He was reportedly responsible for the delivery of long-range missiles into Lebanon for Hizballah.
  

• Iran is reportedly moving weapons into Lebanon through Turkey, without the knowledge and consent of the Turkish government. News of the shipments, which are said to be both overland and via aircraft violating Turkish airspace, has been released by Israel.
  

• Senior Hizballah officials have made several public bellicose statements in recent weeks, again utilising the transparent excuse of the Israeli occupation of the disputed Shebaa Farms area, part of Syria that Israel has held since the 1967 war.
  

• Iran reportedly tested a new anti-ship weapon today, allegedly capable of reaching targets 300 km. away. The announcement was made by the commander of the Revolutionary Guard Corps.
  

• Seven members of the Bahai faith have been arrested in Iran, and charged with having set up an illegal organisation with connections to several countries, including Israel. The religion's governing council is based in Israel.
  

• The deadline set by the United States and the other world powers has now expired, and Iran has threatened to close the Persian Gulf waterway in the event any military action is brought against it.

There's a pattern here, and you should carefully evaluate it yourself, and raise risk levels for the region.