Archive for July, 2019
In siding with Iran, Hezbollah could put Lebanon’s future at serious risk
Friday, July 26, 2019 Comments Off on In siding with Iran, Hezbollah could put Lebanon’s future at serious riskWhile Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu have been quick to use the Gulf’s escalating tensions to rattle sabres, analysts downplayed the likelihood that the exchange of threats would develop into full-scale conflict in the immediate future.
Kurdish officials vow region will not turn into terror hub following Erbil shooting
Friday, July 26, 2019 Comments Off on Kurdish officials vow region will not turn into terror hub following Erbil shootingThe Kurdistan Region of Iraq will not become a hub for terrorism, Kurdish officials said on Sunday, after authorities arrested the man suspected of shooting dead a Turkish diplomat last week.
Even as Tensions With Iran Rise Over Seized Ship, U.K. Stays ‘Committed’ to Nuclear Deal
Friday, July 26, 2019 Comments Off on Even as Tensions With Iran Rise Over Seized Ship, U.K. Stays ‘Committed’ to Nuclear DealBritain took new steps on Monday to distance itself from the Trump administration’s escalating confrontation with Iran, even while pushing for the release of an oil tanker seized by Tehran three days earlier.
Exclusive – Turkey, Qatar and the Return of ISIS to Libya
Friday, July 26, 2019 Comments Off on Exclusive – Turkey, Qatar and the Return of ISIS to LibyaAre Turkey and Qatar openly backing terrorists in Libya? And if so, why has the international community remained silent over the issue? Why hasn’t it taken serious action to address the situation and resolve the Libyan crisis once and for all?
American citizen accused of becoming ISIS sniper and weapons trainer
Friday, July 26, 2019 Comments Off on American citizen accused of becoming ISIS sniper and weapons trainerAn American citizen was arrested in Syria after becoming a sniper and weapons trainer for the Islamic State of Syria and Iraq (ISIS), federal authorities in New York said Friday. Ruslan Maratovich Asainov, 42, was transferred to FBI custody Wednesday and brought to the United States after his detention overseas by the Syrian Democratic Forces.
Delhi Denies Asking Trump to Mediate Kashmir Dispute
Friday, July 26, 2019 Comments Off on Delhi Denies Asking Trump to Mediate Kashmir DisputeThe White House is standing by President Donald Trump’s assertion India’s prime minister asked him to mediate the longstanding dispute between New Delhi and Islamabad over the Kashmir region.
Iran has intercontinental drones, will use them if necessary: Navy chief
Friday, July 26, 2019 Comments Off on Iran has intercontinental drones, will use them if necessary: Navy chiefNavy Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi says Iran is in possession of intercontinental drones and will definitely put them to use if the need for a long-haul mission arises.
Russian Foreign Ministry Unveils Concept of Collective Security in Persian Gulf Region
Friday, July 26, 2019 Comments Off on Russian Foreign Ministry Unveils Concept of Collective Security in Persian Gulf RegionThe situation in the Persian Gulf has been overshadowed by a series of incidents, including attacks on oil tankers in June and the seizure of the UK-flagged Stena Impero vessel last week.
WikiLeaks, Julian Assange and Decoding the National Security Commentariat
Thursday, July 25, 2019 Comments Off on WikiLeaks, Julian Assange and Decoding the National Security CommentariatThe Fourth Estate, that historical unelected grouping of society’s scrutineers, has become something of a rabble, and, as a confederacy of strewn dunces and the ongoing compromised, is ripe for analysis. An essential premise in the work of WikiLeaks was demonstrating, to a good, stone-throwing degree, how media figures and practitioners had been bought by […]
Report: China’s Huawei Helped Develop North Korean Wireless Network
Thursday, July 25, 2019 Comments Off on Report: China’s Huawei Helped Develop North Korean Wireless NetworkHuawei Technologies, China’s giant tech firm enmeshed in Beijing’s trade dispute with the United States, secretly helped North Korea develop a commercial wireless network in recent years, The Washington Post reported Monday.
India Successfully Launches its Ambitious Second Moon Mission, Chandrayaan2
Thursday, July 25, 2019 Comments Off on India Successfully Launches its Ambitious Second Moon Mission, Chandrayaan2India has launched its second Moon Mission, Chandrayaan-2 into lunar orbit successfully. The spacecraft, initially slated to be launched on 15 July, had to be abandoned 53 minutes before take-off due to a “technical snag” in the engine’s cooling system.
Trump: US, Pakistan Cooperating to Try to End War in Afghanistan
Thursday, July 25, 2019 Comments Off on Trump: US, Pakistan Cooperating to Try to End War in AfghanistanThe United States and Pakistan are jointly seeking a way to end the war in Afghanistan, U.S. President Donald Trump said alongside Pakistani Prime Imran Khan in the Oval Office on Monday.
Iran intelligence says identified 17 CIA spies
Thursday, July 25, 2019 Comments Off on Iran intelligence says identified 17 CIA spiesIranian Intelligence Ministry official said on Monday that 17 spies affiliated with Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) have been identified.
From Iraq to Yemen, drones raise U.S. alarm over Iranian plans
Tuesday, July 23, 2019 Comments Off on From Iraq to Yemen, drones raise U.S. alarm over Iranian plansThe increased use of drones by Iran and its allies for surveillance and attacks across the Middle East is raising alarms in Washington. The United States believes that Iran-linked militia in Iraq have recently increased their surveillance of American troops and bases in the country by using off-the-shelf, commercially available drones, U.S. officials say.
Iran Says It Seized Foreign Tanker, Escalating Regional Tensions
Tuesday, July 23, 2019 Comments Off on Iran Says It Seized Foreign Tanker, Escalating Regional TensionsThe Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps of Iran has detained a foreign oil tanker it said had been smuggling fuel, Iranian news media reported on Thursday, days after a United Arab Emirates vessel with the same name disappeared in the Persian Gulf.
Syrian rebels say Moscow deploys ground forces in Idlib campaign
Tuesday, July 23, 2019 Comments Off on Syrian rebels say Moscow deploys ground forces in Idlib campaignRussia has sent special forces in recent days to fight alongside Syrian army troops in northwestern Syria where they have been struggling for more than two months to seize the last opposition bastion, senior rebel commanders said. Moscow, a staunch ally of President Bashar al-Assad, denied on Thursday that it had sent special forces to […]
Turkey bombs Kurdish region in Iraq after diplomat killed
Tuesday, July 23, 2019 Comments Off on Turkey bombs Kurdish region in Iraq after diplomat killedTurkish defence minister said the attack ‘dealt a heavy blow’ to the ‘terrorist’ Kurdish armed group, PKK, in Qandil. Turkey on Thursday launched an air attack on the Kurdish region in northern Iraq in response to the killing of a Turkish diplomat in the region, the country’s defence minister said.
Moscow Sends Troops to Front Lines in Syria- report
Tuesday, July 23, 2019 Comments Off on Moscow Sends Troops to Front Lines in Syria- reportRussian Defense Ministry releases statement categorically rejecting claim its troops are participating in Idlib offensive. Russia has reportedly dispatched special forces to the front line of an ongoing Syrian regime offensive in the northwestern province of Idlib, the last major bastion controlled by rebels, mainly from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an al-Qaida-linked group.
IRGC releases drone footage, belying US claim of downing
Tuesday, July 23, 2019 Comments Off on IRGC releases drone footage, belying US claim of downingIran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has released footage captured by an Iranian drone flying over the Strait of Hormuz and monitoring a United States Navy vessel, belying a claim by Washington that the unmanned aircraft was shot down by the American forces.
IRGC says captures British oil tanker in Strait of Hormuz
Tuesday, July 23, 2019 Comments Off on IRGC says captures British oil tanker in Strait of HormuzIran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has said that it has captured a British oil tanker for breaching international maritime law while crossing the Strait of Hormuz.
Britain Offers To Help Release Tanker If Given Guarantees By Iran
Saturday, July 20, 2019 Comments Off on Britain Offers To Help Release Tanker If Given Guarantees By IranBritain has offered Iran a way out of the crisis over its seized oil tanker in Gibraltar, saying it will “facilitate release” of the Grace 1 if Tehran provides guarantees the vessel will not travel on to Syria in violation of European Union sanctions.
Ambassador: Trump’s Withdrawal from Iran Deal Was ‘Diplomatic Vandalism’
Saturday, July 20, 2019 Comments Off on Ambassador: Trump’s Withdrawal from Iran Deal Was ‘Diplomatic Vandalism’The former British ambassador to the U.S. believed President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal was an act of “diplomatic vandalism” against his predecessor Barack Obama, according to newly leaked diplomatic cables.
Macron announces creation of French space force command
Saturday, July 20, 2019 Comments Off on Macron announces creation of French space force commandFrench President Emmanuel Macron has approved the creation of a military space force command to boost the country’s military capabilities amid a precarious state of ties with the US.
US Cuts Turkey Out of F-35 Fighter Jet Program
Saturday, July 20, 2019 Comments Off on US Cuts Turkey Out of F-35 Fighter Jet ProgramThe United States is officially removing Turkey from its F-35 stealth fighter jet program after Ankara accepted the Russian delivery of its S-400 missile defense system.
Iran Rejects Pompeo’s Suggestion It Is Willing to Negotiate Over Missile Program
Saturday, July 20, 2019 Comments Off on Iran Rejects Pompeo’s Suggestion It Is Willing to Negotiate Over Missile ProgramSecretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday that Iran appeared willing to negotiate over its missile program “for the first time,” in what he and President Trump presented as evidence that sanctions and military pressure were working, less than a month after the president halted a planned military strike against Iran.
Pentagon: ‘Robust’ counter-terrorism efforts in Afghanistan must continue — even if peace deal is reached
Saturday, July 20, 2019 Comments Off on Pentagon: ‘Robust’ counter-terrorism efforts in Afghanistan must continue — even if peace deal is reachedThe Pentagon is warning that a “robust” counter-terrorism capability must remain in Afghanistan against groups including al-Qaida, even if a peace deal with the Taliban is secured.
Iran Says It Aided Oil Tanker, Amid Reports of Missing U.A.E. Ship
Saturday, July 20, 2019 Comments Off on Iran Says It Aided Oil Tanker, Amid Reports of Missing U.A.E. ShipThe Iranian Foreign Ministry has said that security forces recently came to the aid of a foreign oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, hours after reports that Iran might have seized a tanker from the United Arab Emirates in the area.
Turkey: Out in the Cold
Thursday, July 18, 2019 Comments Off on Turkey: Out in the ColdThe fight for Tripoli has killed more than 750 people – not a stunning number when compared to 9/11, but not small enough to be ignored like a bomb blowing up in Paris, Istanbul or Berlin.
Qatar opens largest naval base amid US-Saudi military drills
Thursday, July 18, 2019 Comments Off on Qatar opens largest naval base amid US-Saudi military drillsQatar, which is home to the biggest US military base in the Middle East, has opened its own largest naval base amid ongoing tensions with Saudi Arabia, currently holding joint military drills with American forces.
Russia rejects starting talks with Japan on return of islands: Kyodo
Thursday, July 18, 2019 Comments Off on Russia rejects starting talks with Japan on return of islands: KyodoRussia has rejected starting talks with Japan on the return of two disputed islands despite an agreement last year, in a move that could further delay the signing of a peace treaty, Kyodo news agency says.
PLAYING A DANGEROUS GAME: EXTERNAL SUPPORT TO CIVIL WARS & INSURGENCIES
Thursday, July 18, 2019 Comments Off on PLAYING A DANGEROUS GAME: EXTERNAL SUPPORT TO CIVIL WARS & INSURGENCIESThe United Arab Emirates has dumped weapons into conflict zones throughout the Middle East. Given how unstable the situation in Libya remains and the more external actors involved, the more prolonged and bloody the conflict is likely to become.
Germany – Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) Missiles Segment Enhanced
Tuesday, July 16, 2019 Comments Off on Germany – Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) Missiles Segment EnhancedThe State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Germany of Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) Missiles Segment Enhanced (MSE) with support for an estimated cost of $401 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on July 12, […]
Greece – MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters
Tuesday, July 16, 2019 Comments Off on Greece – MH-60R Multi-Mission HelicoptersThe State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Greece of MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters with support for an estimated cost of $600 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on July 12, 2019.
Turkey Challenges US as Russian Missiles Arrive
Tuesday, July 16, 2019 Comments Off on Turkey Challenges US as Russian Missiles ArriveRussia is delivering its S-400 missile system to Turkey, a move that threatens to rupture Turkish-U.S. relations and puts Russian military technology inside a key NATO alliance member.
Islamic State Turkey province video claims new wilayah in old turf
Tuesday, July 16, 2019 Comments Off on Islamic State Turkey province video claims new wilayah in old turfISIS released a propaganda video from ‘Wilayah Turkey,’ showing a small group of militants pledging bayah, or allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The eighth in the “And the best outcome is for the righteous” series, the video is the first from this new province, but ISIS already has a complex presence in Turkey.