Archive for November, 2019
Gunmen, bomb plots and secret networks: Inside Iran’s alleged campaign of terror in Europe
Wednesday, November 27, 2019 Comments Off on Gunmen, bomb plots and secret networks: Inside Iran’s alleged campaign of terror in EuropeEverywhere Yaghoub al-Tostari goes, an officer from Denmark’s spy service follows him. Wearing an earpiece and armed with a handgun, the official keeps an eye not just on the Arab-Iranian activist, but on those around him – a man lingering on a street corner, a motorcyclist carrying a passenger stopped next to them at the […]
Israel and Syria exchange fire, Syrian aerial defense batteries destroyed, Israeli military says
Wednesday, November 27, 2019 Comments Off on Israel and Syria exchange fire, Syrian aerial defense batteries destroyed, Israeli military saysThe Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it carried out “wide-scale strikes” of targets in Syria belonging to Iranian forces and the Syrian regime, in response to the four rockets launched into Israel in the overnight hours.
Isil leaders with ‘vast amounts of cash’ planning comeback in Turkey, Iraq spy chief claims
Wednesday, November 27, 2019 Comments Off on Isil leaders with ‘vast amounts of cash’ planning comeback in Turkey, Iraq spy chief claimsSenior Islamic State members with access to “huge” amounts of money are in Turkey and plotting a comeback, an Iraqi spy chief has warned. Lieutenant General Saad al-Allaq, head of Iraq’s Military Intelligence, claimed in an interview with CNN that Iraq has given Ankara dossiers on nine alleged leaders of Islamic State of Iraq and […]
Qatar’s Role In 9/11 And Hosting Jihadi Commanders; Afghan Taliban’s Hideouts Move To Safe Haven Of Doha
Wednesday, November 27, 2019 Comments Off on Qatar’s Role In 9/11 And Hosting Jihadi Commanders; Afghan Taliban’s Hideouts Move To Safe Haven Of DohaIntroduction This report examines Qatar’s relationships with jihadi organizations. Right through the 1980s, Afghan mujahideen – backed by the U.S., Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Arab donors – fought against the Soviet troops from their hideouts in the mountainous terrains of Afghanistan. Since the 9/11 attacks on New York, the Pentagon, and other American targets, the […]
HAMMER: Terror-Funding Qatar Once Again Proves It Is Not America’s Friend
Wednesday, November 27, 2019 Comments Off on HAMMER: Terror-Funding Qatar Once Again Proves It Is Not America’s FriendThe enigmatic Gulf emirate of Qatar, which is obscenely wealthy due to its fortuitous location above the world’s largest natural gas field, has a longstanding problem with Sunni jihadism. The wealthy petrochemical sheikh minority of the majority slave state Qatari populace is, along with Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Turkey, disproportionately responsible for funding and exporting more […]
ISIS Fighters Are Gaining Strength After Trump’s Syria Pullout, U.S. Spies Say
Wednesday, November 27, 2019 Comments Off on ISIS Fighters Are Gaining Strength After Trump’s Syria Pullout, U.S. Spies SayThe Defense Intelligence Agency says ISIS is resurgent inside Syria and has a greater ability to mount terrorist attacks against the West as a result of President Donald Trump’s decision to hastily withdraw American troops from the war-torn country last month.
Trends in Global Terrorism
Wednesday, November 27, 2019 Comments Off on Trends in Global TerrorismAccording to the U.S. State Department, global terrorism clustered in three regions in 2018, with South Asia, the Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for nearly 85 percent of global attacks.
Russia This Week – Focus On Russia’s Bilateral Relations – November 21, 2019
Wednesday, November 27, 2019 Comments Off on Russia This Week – Focus On Russia’s Bilateral Relations – November 21, 2019Russia This Week is a weekly review by the MEMRI Russian Media Studies Project, covering the latest Russia-related news and analysis from media in Russia, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe.
The Iraqi Newspaper ‘Tuktuk’ – The Voice Of The Demonstrators At Baghdad’s Tahrir Square, In The Shadow Of Censorship And Shutdowns Of Access To Internet
Wednesday, November 27, 2019 Comments Off on The Iraqi Newspaper ‘Tuktuk’ – The Voice Of The Demonstrators At Baghdad’s Tahrir Square, In The Shadow Of Censorship And Shutdowns Of Access To InternetAs the protests in Iraq against the government and the widespread corruption in the country that began in early October 2019 and escalated on October 25,[1] continue to gain momentum, some Iraqi journalists have launched a newspaper called Tuktuk to cover them. Based at the demonstrations’ center, Baghdad’s Tahrir Square, the newspaper covers protest events […]
Tensions et malaise entre le Mali et le Burkina : Le Colonel-major Silas Keita à Bamako pour exiger des comptes!
Tuesday, November 26, 2019 Comments Off on Tensions et malaise entre le Mali et le Burkina : Le Colonel-major Silas Keita à Bamako pour exiger des comptes!Le Mali et le Burkina Faso sont deux pays confrontés aux mêmes défis et aux mêmes menaces. De ce fait, le contexte devrait nécessiter plus de coordination et d’action pour faire à la nébuleuse terroriste.
Soldats maliens tombés à Tabancort : Le bilan s’alourdit à 43 morts
Tuesday, November 26, 2019 Comments Off on Soldats maliens tombés à Tabancort : Le bilan s’alourdit à 43 mortsAprès l’embuscade contre les FAMa dans la région de Menaka, précisément à Tabancort, le bilan initial provisoire de 24 morts était passé à une trentaine de corps inhumés hier à Gao.
Mali – Embuscade de Tabankort: Le récit des évènements
Tuesday, November 26, 2019 Comments Off on Mali – Embuscade de Tabankort: Le récit des évènementsDes combats ont fait plus de 40 mo rts dans les rangs de l’armée malienne, lundi 18 novembre, dans l’est du Mali dans un contexte de dégradation sécuritaire continue.
Iran Military Power Report Statement
Tuesday, November 26, 2019 Comments Off on Iran Military Power Report StatementThe following remarks were delivered by Christian Saunders, the Senior Defense Intelligence Analyst for Iran, Defense Intelligence Agency.
Thanks to Trump, the Mullahs Are Going Bankrupt
Tuesday, November 26, 2019 Comments Off on Thanks to Trump, the Mullahs Are Going BankruptOne of the reasons behind IMF’s gloomy picture of Iran’s economy is linked to the Trump administration’s decision not to extend its waiver for Iran’s eight biggest oil buyers; China, India, Greece, Italy, Taiwan, Japan, Turkey and South Korea.
Iran: Hard Times for Ayatollahs
Tuesday, November 26, 2019 Comments Off on Iran: Hard Times for AyatollahsIt is an irony that not even the most devoted supporters of the ayatollahs can ignore that a country such as Iran, that prides itself on being one of the world’s largest oil producers, is unable to produce enough fuel to satisfy the needs of its own population.
Gaza stops fire as Israel agrees to Islamic Jihad demands: Islamic Jihad
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on Gaza stops fire as Israel agrees to Islamic Jihad demands: Islamic JihadThe Gaza-based Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement says it is holding fire after the regime in Israel accepted its key demands, including stopping targeted killings, as part of an Egypt-mediated truce aimed at ending the military confrontation between the two sides.
China’s 2nd aircraft carrier holds likely 9th sea trial, could feature fighter jets: report
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on China’s 2nd aircraft carrier holds likely 9th sea trial, could feature fighter jets: reportChina’s second aircraft carrier, the first to be domestically built, appears to have left the Dalian Shipyard on Thursday for its ninth sea trial, where it might receive fighter jets before its official commissioning, reports said.
US, Allies Split Over Fate of IS Foreign Fighters
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on US, Allies Split Over Fate of IS Foreign FightersThe United States and other members of the coalition to defeat the Islamic State failed to reach consensus on what to do with captured foreign fighters, one of several issues threatening to reverse gains made against the terror group in Syria and Iraq.
Iraq’s Sistani urges lawmakers to restore public faith in electoral process
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on Iraq’s Sistani urges lawmakers to restore public faith in electoral processIraq’s prominent Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani has called on legislators to promptly introduce a fair electoral law that would restore people’s faith in elections in the wake of weeks of protests in the capital Baghdad and a host of southern cities.
UK Pitches its State-of-the-Art Super Aircraft Carrier to Make it in India
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on UK Pitches its State-of-the-Art Super Aircraft Carrier to Make it in IndiaThe statement comes days after Indian Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh highlighted the requirement of three aircraft carriers for the Navy to overcome critical capability voids during a naval commanders’ conference in New Delhi.
Lithuania, Russia, Norway Carry Out Three-Way Spy Swap
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on Lithuania, Russia, Norway Carry Out Three-Way Spy SwapTwo Lithuanian men convicted of spying in Russia “have been reunited with their families” after they were released as part of a spy swap, the chief of Lithuania’s counterintelligence, Darius Jauniskis, announced on November 15.
Old Tricks and the Iraqi Genie
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on Old Tricks and the Iraqi GenieThey claim since force cannot impose democracy, it was wrong for the US to invade Iraq and dislodge Saddam Hussein. They ignore the fact that though force cannot impose democracy, impediments to democracy can, and have been, removed by force.
A Better Iran Deal Is Within Reach
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on A Better Iran Deal Is Within ReachWhen the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump ratcheted up its “maximum pressure” campaign last May, with the professed aim of driving Iran’s oil exports to zero, it didn’t take long for Tehran to respond with escalation of its own. In the months since, Iran has reportedly attacked pipelines, tankers, and one of the world’s […]
Iran condemns US show of support for ‘rioters’
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on Iran condemns US show of support for ‘rioters’Iran condemned the United States’ support for “rioters” in a statement issued late Sunday, after two days of violent protests in the Islamic republic against a petrol price hike.
Turkish-Backed Syrian Fighters Seek Control of Major Highway in NE Syria
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on Turkish-Backed Syrian Fighters Seek Control of Major Highway in NE SyriaFighting reportedly intensified between Turkish-backed Syrian fighters and U.S.-backed Kurdish forces Sunday over a major highway and a strategic town in northeastern Syria.
Partnership with Kurds against ISIS still strong, says US coalition general
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on Partnership with Kurds against ISIS still strong, says US coalition generalA senior U.S. coalition commander said Friday the partnership with Syrian Kurdish forces remains strong and focused on fighting the Islamic State group, despite an expanding Turkish incursion into areas under Kurdish control.
Lebanon’s Protests Divide Hezbollah. Will It Strike Back?
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on Lebanon’s Protests Divide Hezbollah. Will It Strike Back?He has fought Israel since the 1990s and killed many fighters in Syria’s civil war, but the increasing difficulty of working-class life in Lebanon and a popular revolt against the country’s leaders has forced Abu Hussein to reevaluate his decades-long service to Hezbollah.
Russian troops take command of U.S. airbase in northern Syria
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on Russian troops take command of U.S. airbase in northern SyriaRussian troops have taken command of a U.S. airbase in northern Syria — and without firing a shot. Russian state media showed commandos staging what looked like a military invasion.
U.S. designates ISIS-supporting brothers based in Turkey
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on U.S. designates ISIS-supporting brothers based in TurkeyThe U.S. Treasury Department has announced a new round of counterterrorism designations targeting the Islamic State’s support network. Among those sanctioned are two brothers — Ismail and Ahmet Bayaltun — who are based in Turkey and have acted as procurement agents for the group.
US Lawmakers Renew Calls For Sanctions on China Following Document Leak on Xinjiang Abuses
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on US Lawmakers Renew Calls For Sanctions on China Following Document Leak on Xinjiang AbusesU.S. lawmakers and experts have renewed calls for sanctions against China over rights abuses in its Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), in a swift response to the leak of hundreds of pages of documents detailing a crackdown on ethnic Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities ordered by President Xi Jinping.
US Pressing Japan to Pay 300% More for American Troops Deployment – Reports
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on US Pressing Japan to Pay 300% More for American Troops Deployment – ReportsThe Trump Administration has already stepped up pressure on its NATO allies, namely Germany and Canada, to increase defence spending. Now the US wants to get more from its closest allies in Asia, Tokyo and Seoul, which are already paying billions to cover the cost of stationing tens of thousands of American troops.
US No Longer Recognizes Israeli Settlements as Breaking International Law – Pompeo
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on US No Longer Recognizes Israeli Settlements as Breaking International Law – PompeoIn a Monday statement, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Washington no longer regards Israeli settlements in the West Bank as violating international law, reversing the Obama administration’s position and taking no legal position on the question or that of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank itself.
Protesters force postponement of Lebanese parliament session
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on Protesters force postponement of Lebanese parliament sessionThousands of protesters rallying against the Lebanese political elite blocked roads in central Beirut on Tuesday, preventing lawmakers from reaching the parliament and forcing the postponement of a legislative session.
Hezbollah feels political heat of protest movement in Lebanon
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on Hezbollah feels political heat of protest movement in LebanonYoung men chanting “people want to bring down the regime” gathered outside the office of Lebanese legislator Mohammed Raad, the powerful head of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc. A man grabbed a metal rod and swung it at the sign bearing Raad’s name, knocking it out of place as others cheered.
Qatar’s silence on Iran’s ship attacks ‘devastating at all levels’
Friday, November 22, 2019 Comments Off on Qatar’s silence on Iran’s ship attacks ‘devastating at all levels’A western intelligence report showing Qatar knew of Iranian plans to attack four ships off the coast of the UAE could have “devastating” legal implications for Doha, an international relations expert said.