Babak Taghvaee

Babak Taghvaee is a defense and security journalist, researcher, historian, and book author based in Europe. With over 16 years of experience, he specializes in defense and security topics for various prestigious international publications. As an OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) expert, he has written hundreds of evidence-based reports and articles for news media such as Radio Free Europe, Israel Hayom, and the BBC.

Articles by this Author
The active radar guided beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile Meteor of multirole fighter Eurofighter Typhoon at a 2022 exhibition in Berlin.
Middle East Forum Observer
Why Is France Undermining Security in the Eastern Mediterranean?
Limiting Turkey’s Ability to Challenge Greece and Israel in the Air Would Ensure Regional Stability and Security
February 18, 2025
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Babak Taghvaee
Internet Starlink satellite in space near Earth.
Middle East Forum Observer
How Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell Service Could Help Iranians Overthrow Their Regime
The High Black-Market Cost of Starlink’s Terminals and Subscriptions Limit Their Use Primarily to Iran’s Upper Class
February 3, 2025
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Babak Taghvaee
A sampling of Turkish daily local newspapers.
Middle East Forum Observer
Turkey’s Propaganda Campaign to Tar Syrian Kurds as Iranian Allies
Policymakers, Think-Tankers, and the Media Should Critically Assess and Withhold Unverified Turkish Reports
January 19, 2025
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Babak Taghvaee
A plane makes it final approach to Beirut International Airport in Lebanon.
Middle East Forum Observer
Turkey Replacing Syria as Air Corridor to Hezbollah
Eleven Recent Mahan Air Flights over Turkey Suggests Cooperation Between the Turkish Government and Iran’s IRGC
January 4, 2025
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Babak Taghvaee
A Mahan Air Airbus A340-600 passenger plane prepares to land at Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
Middle East Forum Observer
Nigerian Airline Has Become Iran’s Partner in Aviation Sanctions Evasion
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Mahan Air Uses Nigeria to Circumvent of the Sanctions and Acquire Airbus A340s
December 14, 2024
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Babak Taghvaee
Ahnaf Kalam
Middle East Forum Observer
Does Iranian Intelligence Purposely Feed Fake News About Khamenei’s Ill-Health?
Disinformation Given to Mainstream Media Normalizes News of the Supreme Leader’s Death and Could Suppress Protests When It Happens
November 23, 2024
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Babak Taghvaee
A "Woman, Life, Freedom" protest in London in 2022. Women's rights activists in Iran are the largest group of dissidents forced to wear ankle monitors.
Middle East Forum Observer
The U.S. Should Sanction Companies Helping Iran Repress Political Prisoners
Companies That Mass Produce Devices to Incarcerate Iranian Protestors Instead Could Assist Them
November 4, 2024
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Babak Taghvaee
A Mahan Air airbbus at Istanbul Ataturk Airport in Turkey.
Middle East Forum Observer
Turkey May Render the EU’s Sanctions on Iran Ineffective
The Improved Relationship Between Turkey and Iran Has Made Turkey a Safe Haven for Sanctions Evaders
October 16, 2024
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Babak Taghvaee
An intelligence officer is silhouetted against the Iranian flag.
Middle East Forum Observer
How Does Iranian Intelligence Recruit Iranians in the West as Spies?
The Intelligence Ministry and IRGC Identify Iranians for Espionage in the Tech Sector, Foreign Governments, and Military Forces
September 17, 2024
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Babak Taghvaee
Ahnaf Kalam
Middle East Forum Observer
What Can Washington Learn From Germany’s War on Iran’s Influence Operations?
The United States should follow Germany’s lead and close all Iran-linked Islamic centers, which are potent influence operation weapons.
September 9, 2024
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Babak Taghvaee
Winfield Myers
Middle East Forum Observer
How to Stop Iran’s Airlift to Hezbollah
September 1, 2024
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Babak Taghvaee