Archive for August, 2019
International Politics of Syrian Refugee Return: The Case of Lebanon
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Comments Off on International Politics of Syrian Refugee Return: The Case of LebanonIntroduction The Syrian refugee crisis has been one of the major challenges facing the Lebanese government in recent years. Since the eruption of the civil war in Lebanon in 2011, over one million Syrians, many of whom are not officially registered as refugees, have flooded the country. Given the magnitude of this refugee influx and […]
Israel fires on militants at Gaza border, Palestinians say three killed
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Comments Off on Israel fires on militants at Gaza border, Palestinians say three killedIsraeli forces opened fire at a group of Palestinian gunmen as they tried to cross the Gaza border, the military said on Sunday and Palestinian health officials said three of the men were killed.
Hezbollah’s pernicious influence spans the globe
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Comments Off on Hezbollah’s pernicious influence spans the globeThe message from the US administration over the past week has been loud and clear: the menace from Iran-backed proxy Hezbollah is a spider’s web that spans the globe. At a press conference yesterday in Argentina, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo took the opportunity to talk of its pernicious influence from the other side […]
Netanyahu says he’s ‘not impressed’ by Hezbollah chief’s threats
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Comments Off on Netanyahu says he’s ‘not impressed’ by Hezbollah chief’s threatsAfter Nasrallah warns Israel against attacking Lebanon and claims Jerusalem afraid, prime minister points out that terror leader rarely emerges from hiding
Brazil Considers Labeling Hezbollah as Terrorists in Pivot to U.S.
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Comments Off on Brazil Considers Labeling Hezbollah as Terrorists in Pivot to U.S.Brazil is considering designating Lebanese group Hezbollah a terrorist organization, as President Jair Bolsonaro increasingly aligns his government with the U.S. on foreign policy.
Russia Disappointed by US Missile Testing, Which Aggravates Global Security Situation – Putin
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Comments Off on Russia Disappointed by US Missile Testing, Which Aggravates Global Security Situation – PutinEarlier, after Sunday’s test of a treaty-violating missile at a US test range in California, Russia and China formally requested a UN Security Council meeting to discuss Washington’s plans to test and deploy new medium-range ground-based missiles.
China vows to impose sanctions on US firms
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Comments Off on China vows to impose sanctions on US firmsMainland enjoys huge military edge despite jet sales, says expert China has vowed to impose sanctions on US firms participating in arms sales to Taiwan after the US State Department announced that the Trump administration had given formal approval for the sale of fighter jets and other military aircraft to the island worth $8 billion.
India, France May Start Discussion on Purchase of 36 More Rafale Fighter Jet Deal
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Comments Off on India, France May Start Discussion on Purchase of 36 More Rafale Fighter Jet DealPrior to departing for a three-nation state visit on Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India and France have “excellent” bilateral ties and said he hoped the visit would “further promote our long-standing and valued friendship”.
S. Korea to quit military intel-sharing pact with Japan
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Comments Off on S. Korea to quit military intel-sharing pact with JapanWe begin with a big announcement from South Korea’s top office South Korean government says it will leave the military intelligence sharing pact with Japan.
From “compassionate Islamism” to “Turkey first”
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Comments Off on From “compassionate Islamism” to “Turkey first”Debates about populism often lump Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan together with Donald Trump in the US, Vladimir Putin in Russia, and Viktor Orban in Hungary. All four are kindred spirits who have used the same tactics to gain and hold onto power. They stir up fear, divide societies, fuel social conflict, criminalize the opposition, […]
Israel’s new front in the fight against Iran
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Comments Off on Israel’s new front in the fight against IranOn Aug. 12, an explosion took place inside an ammunition warehouse in the al-Saqr military base in southern Baghdad, triggering hundreds of mortars and rockets to fire off in all directions throughout urban, populated areas. One person was killed and 29 wounded, as munitions and debris scattered as far as 5 kilometers away. The base […]
There Is No “Status Quo”: Drivers of Violence in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Comments Off on There Is No “Status Quo”: Drivers of Violence in the Israeli-Palestinian ConflictThe Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains a destabilizing element in an already volatile Middle East. The Palestinians are too weak to wrest their independence from Israel. But as long as their right to self-determination is denied, they are likely to engage in regular violence targeting Israel. Absent outside intervention, Israel is powerful enough that it can suppress […]
Islamist terror plots in Europe declining, but schemes getting more ‘creative,’ analysis says
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Comments Off on Islamist terror plots in Europe declining, but schemes getting more ‘creative,’ analysis saysDespite being driven from its former Iraq and Syria strongholds six months ago, ISIS continues to find ways to wreak havoc across the Middle East, remaining an innovative — if less strategically successful — terror force.
ISIS Is Regaining Strength in Iraq and Syria
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Comments Off on ISIS Is Regaining Strength in Iraq and SyriaFive months after American-backed forces ousted the Islamic State from its last shard of territory in Syria, the terrorist group is gathering new strength, conducting guerrilla attacks across Iraq and Syria, retooling its financial networks and targeting new recruits at an allied-run tent camp, American and Iraqi military and intelligence officers said.
Israel blames Islamic Jihad for Gaza violence, tells Hamas to clamp down
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Comments Off on Israel blames Islamic Jihad for Gaza violence, tells Hamas to clamp downThe Israel Defense Forces on Thursday blamed the Iran-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad for the recent increase in violence from the Gaza Strip and called for Hamas, the de facto ruler of the enclave, to rein in the terror group. “We do not plan to accept terror attacks and rocket fire against our citizens,” the IDF’s […]
Two Israeli Arabs Indicted for Plotting ISIS Attacks
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Comments Off on Two Israeli Arabs Indicted for Plotting ISIS AttacksThe two men, both from Tamra, downloaded Islamic State content and manuals, made contact with members of the terror group and wanted to set up a car bomb in a Jewish city, indictment says.
US welcomes Paraguay’s action against Hezbollah
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Comments Off on US welcomes Paraguay’s action against HezbollahThe United States has welcomed Paraguay’s decision to designate Hezbollah and Hamas as terrorist organisations, describing it as an important step to cut funding and support for such groups in the western hemisphere.
Support for terrorism main reason behind mayor suspensions
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Comments Off on Support for terrorism main reason behind mayor suspensionsThe suspensions of the mayors of three southeastern provinces were the result of the mayors’ monetary and psychological support for the PKK terrorist organization, Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu said Thursday.
Pro-Iranian Iraqi militia threatens missile attacks on US bases after arms depot explosions
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Comments Off on Pro-Iranian Iraqi militia threatens missile attacks on US bases after arms depot explosionsA powerful pro-Iranian militia in Iraq has threatened to attack American bases if explosions such as those at four of its warehouses continued, despite the US denying any involvement.
Iran unveils new missile defence system, calls US talks ‘useless’
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Comments Off on Iran unveils new missile defence system, calls US talks ‘useless’Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has inducted a locally built air-defence system into the country’s missile defence network at an unveiling ceremony in the capital, Tehran.
America’s Key to Keeping ISIS Defeated
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Comments Off on America’s Key to Keeping ISIS DefeatedEastern Syria sits at the crossroads of critical policy decisions in Washington. The region is at the center of an escalating crisis in U.S.-Turkey relations, while maintaining America’s presence there blocks Iranian and Russian gains in Syria. It also is key to keeping ISIS defeated. Washington should see eastern Syria as one of the most […]
State Department to Assess Funding, After White House Abandons Fight Over US Foreign Assistance
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Comments Off on State Department to Assess Funding, After White House Abandons Fight Over US Foreign AssistanceThe State Department says it will assess its programming and redirect all funding on foreign aid, after U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned plans to cut $4 billion in spending on the grounds that it was wasteful and unnecessary.
Norwegian Researchers Say Data May Point To Second Blast At Russian Test Site
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Comments Off on Norwegian Researchers Say Data May Point To Second Blast At Russian Test SiteResearchers at a Norwegian institute believe that there may have been two explosions, not one, at the Russian naval test site on the White Sea earlier this month, an incident that killed at least five people and raised new questions about Russia’s weapons research.
Putin: Russia to Ensure its Security Following US Withdrawal From INF Treaty, Missile Testing
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 Comments Off on Putin: Russia to Ensure its Security Following US Withdrawal From INF Treaty, Missile TestingEarlier, the Russian president said Moscow was “disappointed” by the US’s recent ground-based medium-range missile testing activities, which Moscow considers a blatant violation of the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Washington completed its withdrawal from the INF earlier this month.
China rules out repeat of Tiananmen incident in Hong Kong
Tuesday, August 20, 2019 Comments Off on China rules out repeat of Tiananmen incident in Hong KongChina has issued yet another stern warning against weeks-long protests in Hong Kong, saying it will not sit idly by and watch as the unrest continues. The Chinese media, however, brushed off concerns about a possible “repeat” of the deadly Tiananmen Square crackdown 30 years ago if Beijing moves to end the unrest in Hong […]
Russia, Venezuela defense chiefs sign naval pact on warship port visits
Tuesday, August 20, 2019 Comments Off on Russia, Venezuela defense chiefs sign naval pact on warship port visitsDefense chiefs of Russia and Venezuela have signed an agreement overseeing visits by warships of both nations to each other’s ports amid persistent US efforts to undermine the government in Caracas.
A Syria safe zone will create more problems than it solves
Monday, August 19, 2019 Comments Off on A Syria safe zone will create more problems than it solvesThe United States and Turkey have agreed on a way forward that may marginalize Kurdish forces.
Listen to the Voices of Syria
Monday, August 19, 2019 Comments Off on Listen to the Voices of SyriaOver eight years ago, Syrian men, women, and children took to the streets, often holding hands or clutching roses, calling for political reform. Wahed, Wahed, Wahed, al-Shaab al-Suri Wahed, they chanted — “One, One, One, the Syrian People are One!” But the regime did not listen; instead, we were shot at, gassed, and later bombed. […]
Wanted al Qaeda leader warns of Turkish influence on jihad in Syria
Monday, August 19, 2019 Comments Off on Wanted al Qaeda leader warns of Turkish influence on jihad in SyriaYesterday, a jihadist Telegram channel published a short statement (seen below) attributed to Saif al-Adel, a wanted terrorist who has worked for al Qaeda since the 1990s. The message addresses the jihadist scene in Syria, specifically dealing with the controversies surrounding relations with Turkey and Turkish-backed rebel groups.
US team begins establishing op center in Turkey for ‘safe zone’ in Syria
Saturday, August 17, 2019 Comments Off on US team begins establishing op center in Turkey for ‘safe zone’ in SyriaA US delegation has arrived in Turkey to set up an operation center in the country for the stated purpose of creating a “safe zone” in Syria.
Taliban, US End Latest Round of Talks Without Announcing Outcome
Saturday, August 17, 2019 Comments Off on Taliban, US End Latest Round of Talks Without Announcing OutcomeThe United States and the Taliban have concluded the eighth round of talks aimed at reaching an agreement between the two adversaries to end the 18-year-old war in Afghanistan and jumpstart intra-Afghan peace negotiations.
South Korea Capable of Countering Missiles Tested by Pyongyang – Seoul
Saturday, August 17, 2019 Comments Off on South Korea Capable of Countering Missiles Tested by Pyongyang – SeoulThe South Korean Armed Forces are capable of countering the short-range missiles that are now being tested by North Korea, a spokesperson for the South Korean presidential administration said on Monday.
Chinese Police Trucks Seen in Hong Kong-Neighboring Shenzhen Amid Protests
Saturday, August 17, 2019 Comments Off on Chinese Police Trucks Seen in Hong Kong-Neighboring Shenzhen Amid ProtestsFears of Beijing intervening in the Hong Kong anti-extradition bill protests were raised Monday after footage emerged showing several armored trucks belonging to China’s People’s Armed Police traveling through Shenzhen, which borders the autonomous city.
Report: Hypersonic, Dual-Capable Missiles Pose Huge Global Threat
Saturday, August 17, 2019 Comments Off on Report: Hypersonic, Dual-Capable Missiles Pose Huge Global ThreatNew missile technologies, including so-called hypersonic systems capable of traveling at more than 25 times the speed of sound, are fueling a new global arms race, according to a new report from analyst group the European Leadership Network.
Russia Vows To Make New Weapons Amid U.S. Suspicion Of Blast That Killed Five Scientists
Saturday, August 17, 2019 Comments Off on Russia Vows To Make New Weapons Amid U.S. Suspicion Of Blast That Killed Five ScientistsRussia’s chief nuclear official has vowed to continue developing new weapons while attending a funeral on August 12 of five Russian nuclear researchers who were killed in an explosion in what U.S. experts suspect was a mishandled test of a new nuclear-powered engine.