Yearly Archives: 2019

Pakistan Seeks More Proof From India in Kashmir Attack Probe

Pakistan said Wednesday it has sought more evidence from India to determine whether any Pakistani nationals had played a role in last month’s deadly Kashmir bombing that pushed the nuclear-armed rival nations to the brink of war. New Delhi submitted its dossier of evidence to Islamabad a month ago, linking …

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Russia to keep forces in Venezuela 'as long as needed' despite US call for removal

Russia says it will keep the roughly 100 servicemen it sent to Venezuela over the weekend, despite the US call for their removal. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that the forces would remain in the Latin American country “for as long as needed.” A Russian Air Force …

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Bishkek, Moscow Agree To Expand Russian Base In Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK — During Russian President Vladimir Putin’s one-day visit to Kyrgyzstan, the sides have agreed to expand the territory of Russia’s military base in the Central Asian country by 60 hectares, or 0.6 square kilometers. According to a protocol placed on Russia’s legal documents website, the annual rent for Russia’s …

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Landmark terror finance resolution adopted by Security Council

28 March 2019 – The UN is hailing a new Security Council resolution adopted on Thursday as a landmark step in suppressing the funding of terror groups worldwide. Speaking via video-link from Rome, where he has been meeting specialist Italian law enforcement officials to discuss building closer ties to tackle …

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Belgium – MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Belgium of MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $600 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on March 25, …

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Morocco – F-16 Block 72 New Purchase

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Morocco of F-16C/D Block 72 aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3.787 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on March 22, 2019.

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THE GROWING INFLUENCE OF IRAN-BACKED MILITIAS IN IRAQ

Iran is pursuing a strategy in Iraq similar to that which it employed in Lebanon, where it built Lebanese Hezbollah into a major military and political force. Hezbollah has become a ‘kingmaker,’ determining who occupies key leadership positions in the Lebanese government. Similarly, with Iran’s extensive assistance, several Iraqi militias …

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On terrorism and Iran’s targets

The Islamic Republic is gathering “target packages”, according to several former US intelligence officials. The objective of such acts is to conduct assassinations or carry out terrorist attacks against those who are listed in such a checklist.

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Brian Hook to Asharq Al-Awsat: Sanctions Curbed Iran’s Ability to Finance Terrorism

Since the announcement of its withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal in May last year, the United States has sought to tighten the grip on Tehran’s sources of income to prevent it from spending on its hostile activities and financing terrorism in the region.

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