Archive for September, 2020
Sudan’s Normalization With Israel Could Come at the Expense of Terrorism Victims
Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Comments Off on Sudan’s Normalization With Israel Could Come at the Expense of Terrorism VictimsIf recent news reports are to be believed, Sudan may be on the verge of joining the list of Arab countries to normalize their relations with Israel, pushed by the Trump administration.
Azerbaijan hired jihadist terrorists, militants from Syria to attack Artsakh – names released
Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Comments Off on Azerbaijan hired jihadist terrorists, militants from Syria to attack Artsakh – names releasedThe Human Rights Organization of Afrin has released a list of rebel divisions active in Syria that have been transported to Azerbaijan and hired as mercenaries to fight against the Artsakh military in the ongoing Azeri offensive. According to the organization, 80 fighters from the seven different divisions were killed in action.
War inside NATO: Clashes over Cyprus gas cannot be avoided
Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Comments Off on War inside NATO: Clashes over Cyprus gas cannot be avoidedIn recent months, the conflict between Turkey and Greece has sharply escalated over the disputed gas fields on the Cyprus shelf, which are being developed by Ankara. Moreover, the conflict caused a split in the unity of the European Union, since Cyprus demanded tough measures against Turkey, threatening to block the introduction of sanctions against […]
War inside NATO: Clashes over Cyprus gas cannot be avoided
Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Comments Off on War inside NATO: Clashes over Cyprus gas cannot be avoidedIn recent months, the conflict between Turkey and Greece has sharply escalated over the disputed gas fields on the Cyprus shelf, which are being developed by Ankara. Moreover, the conflict caused a split in the unity of the European Union, since Cyprus demanded tough measures against Turkey, threatening to block the introduction of sanctions against […]
France: More Terrorism, More Silence
Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Comments Off on France: More Terrorism, More SilenceThis brand of extremism has also managed to transform many European citizens into prisoners, people hiding in their own countries, sentenced to death and forced to live in houses unknown even to their friends and families. And we got used to it!
Deutsche Bank: Suspected of facilitating funds to Daesh in Iraq
Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Comments Off on Deutsche Bank: Suspected of facilitating funds to Daesh in IraqThe Islamic State’s infamous rule over vast areas of Iraq during 2014 and 2016 not only led to a humanitarian crisis, but also left the country’s economy depleted. Its expansion in Iraq, marked by its control over vast areas of the country, most notably capturing the city of Mosul in June 2014, also allowed the […]
Military reinforcement | Russian forces send large military column from Al-Qamishli to Ain Issa
Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Comments Off on Military reinforcement | Russian forces send large military column from Al-Qamishli to Ain IssaSyrian Observatory activists have reported seeing large Russian military column of tens of vehicles carrying military and logistical supplies, heading from Al-Qamishli to Ain Issa. It is worth noting that the column set off from Al-Qamishli to Amuda and Tal Tamr in Al-Hasakah countryside, then it headed to Ain Issa in the northern countryside of […]
US Military Use Secretive Assassination Drone Missiles in Syria
Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Comments Off on US Military Use Secretive Assassination Drone Missiles in SyriaOfficially designated as the Hellfire AGM-114R9X– usually shortened to R9X and sometimes known as the “Flying Ginsu” – the deadly missile has been increasingly deployed for targeted assassinations by the US Joint Special Operations Command, according to a Friday report by the UK-based The Guardian daily.
Lebanese Security Forces Kill 2 Members of Armed Group
Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Comments Off on Lebanese Security Forces Kill 2 Members of Armed GroupThe Lebanese security forces killed at least two militants during a heavy exchange of fire on Saturday with an armed group in northeast Lebanon, close to the Syrian border, security sources said according to Reuters.
MiG-41 – a real breakthrough or just Russian speculation
Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Comments Off on MiG-41 – a real breakthrough or just Russian speculationRecently, the president of the UAC, Yuri Slyusar, announced that the entire fleet of MiG-31 fighter-interceptors would be modernized by 2023. “We expect that in the coming years the Aerospace Forces will receive several dozen more modernized MiG-31BMs, so that by 2023 the entire existing fleet will be modernized,” Slyusar said.
Russia: Avangard hypersonic missile could be intercepted by the US, but in the future
Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Comments Off on Russia: Avangard hypersonic missile could be intercepted by the US, but in the futureRussia continues to develop in its arsenal of armed forces various ballistic and hypersonic missiles, as well as hypersonic missile systems, such as the already available Avangard.
US withdraws its nuclear bombs from Incirlik, US-Turkish relations are deteriorating
Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Comments Off on US withdraws its nuclear bombs from Incirlik, US-Turkish relations are deterioratingTurkish policy in recent months in the Balkans and the Middle East will force the United States to withdraw its B-61 nuclear bombs from the Turkish base of Incirlik, according to an Israeli report from the Israeli Institute for Strategy and Security.
Turkey faces renewed Salafist threat
Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Comments Off on Turkey faces renewed Salafist threatIslamist cult leader Ahmet Mahmut Unlu, a pro-government figure, announced that he is ready to name at least 150 Salafi associations, along with their locations, as part of preparations to fight in Turkey.
Myths of the White Working Class
Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Comments Off on Myths of the White Working ClassOn September 22nd, Politico reported on how rank-and-file union members were snubbing Biden for Trump. Perhaps inadvertently, the second sentence reveals what kind of trade unionist this means: “To rank-and-file members in some unions, especially the building trades, it doesn’t matter. They’re still firmly in Donald Trump’s camp.” Historically, construction unions have operated as a […]
Provocation on the High Seas: U.S. Naval Adventures Near the Shores of Russia, China and Iran
Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Comments Off on Provocation on the High Seas: U.S. Naval Adventures Near the Shores of Russia, China and IranThe war on terror is slowly ending. The U.S. military will try to keep bases in Iraq and Afghanistan, but with most troops gone in the next few years, the lives of the few who remain will be at constant risk. Pressure will mount to get those soldiers out. But Pentagon bureaucrats and brass are […]
How many airstrikes has Israel carried out on Syria in 2020? (interactive map)
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Comments Off on How many airstrikes has Israel carried out on Syria in 2020? (interactive map)In the early morning of September 11, Syrian air defenses were suddenly activated; moments later, a series of strikes leveled two buildings in a compound of nondescript, gray concrete structures just south of Aleppo city in northern Syria.
Escaping Idlib: Risking death for a chance at life in Turkey
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Comments Off on Escaping Idlib: Risking death for a chance at life in TurkeyThree days after his attempt to cross the Syrian-Turkish border, Ahmad al-Nasser’s fate remained unknown. “He didn’t send me a message to reassure me as he did during his previous attempts,” al-Nasser’s wife told Syria Direct. “He would always let me know that he was okay.”
SDF continues to recruit child soldiers, despite pledges to stop the practice
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Comments Off on SDF continues to recruit child soldiers, despite pledges to stop the practiceMusa’b (a pseudonym) had always been concerned about the environment his sixteen-year-old son Fawaz was growing up in. His modest income as a crane operator left the family struggling, and he was worried that his son was looking to the People’s Protection Units (YPG), the armed wing of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), who […]
Qatar’s Strategic Positioning
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Comments Off on Qatar’s Strategic PositioningThe decision of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to normalize relations with Israel has not disadvantaged Qatar’s relationship with the Trump administration.
Irish terrorists in Hezbollah weapons sting met with Iranian embassy officials
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Comments Off on Irish terrorists in Hezbollah weapons sting met with Iranian embassy officialsMembers of an Irish group arrested on terrorist charges after seeking arms from Hezbollah met with officials at Iran’s Dublin Embassy, security sources told The National. Former members of the Provisional IRA reactivated Hezbollah contacts to obtain finance and weapons for the New IRA (NIRA).
Israel charges east Jerusalem woman with aiding Hezbollah
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Comments Off on Israel charges east Jerusalem woman with aiding HezbollahAn Israeli court on Friday charged a Palestinian woman from east Jerusalem with membership in a terrorist organization after Israel’s internal security service said the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah had recruited her five years ago.
Islamic State claims killing French aid workers, clashes with al Qaeda in the Sahel
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Comments Off on Islamic State claims killing French aid workers, clashes with al Qaeda in the SahelIn a new issue of the Islamic State’s weekly Al-Naba newsletter, the jihadist group said its men were responsible for the Aug. 9 massacre of six French aid workers and two Nigeriens. Additionally, it reported a series of new clashes with al Qaeda across the Sahel.
Police detain 16 foreign nationals in operations against Daesh in Turkey’s capital Ankara
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Comments Off on Police detain 16 foreign nationals in operations against Daesh in Turkey’s capital AnkaraTurkish police detained 16 foreign nationals over links to the Daesh terrorist group as part of a counterterrorism operation in the capital Ankara. The suspects had been in contact with Daesh terrorists in conflict zones, Ihlas News Agency (IHA) reported, citing security sources.
ISIS leader Al Mawla’s treachery led to death of his comrade in US air strikes
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Comments Off on ISIS leader Al Mawla’s treachery led to death of his comrade in US air strikesThe current leader of ISIS was an informant whose betrayal of his comrades led to at least one commander’s death in a US air strike, newly released American intelligence reports have shown. Amir Al Mawla, who took over the ISIS leadership last October, provided American intelligence officials with “reams” of highly sensitive information on his […]
US accuses Hezbollah of stockpiling weapons and ammonium nitrate across Europe
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Comments Off on US accuses Hezbollah of stockpiling weapons and ammonium nitrate across EuropeState department’s Nathan Sales says group ‘represents clear and present danger to the US’ and urges Europe to take tougher line The US has accused Hezbollah of storing caches of weapons and ammonium nitrate for use in explosives across Europe in recent years, with the alleged aim of preparing for future attacks ordered by Iran.
Islamic State expanding globally amid setbacks: US official
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Comments Off on Islamic State expanding globally amid setbacks: US officialThe Islamic State group continues to expand globally with some 20 affiliates, despite being forced out of Syria and the killing of its leaders, a top US counter-terror official said Thursday.
U.S. blacklists Hezbollah official, Lebanon-based companies
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Comments Off on U.S. blacklists Hezbollah official, Lebanon-based companiesThe United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on a Hezbollah official and two Lebanon-based companies as the country experiences a deep economic crisis, accusing them of being linked to the Iran-backed Shi’ite group.
Syrian army destroyed at least 10 Turkish armored vehicles near Idlib – source
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Comments Off on Syrian army destroyed at least 10 Turkish armored vehicles near Idlib – sourceIn recent hours, Russian media have claimed that the Turkish military has tried to establish control over the Syrian capital Idlib, but has suffered serious damage.
Is Abbas Rival Mohammed Dahlan Plotting a Comeback, With the UAE’s Help?
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Comments Off on Is Abbas Rival Mohammed Dahlan Plotting a Comeback, With the UAE’s Help?After the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain broke with most Arab countries and established diplomatic relations with Israel, there are already signs of growing tensions in the Palestinian territories.
Can Pakistan Reboot Its ‘Belt and Road’ Partnership With China?
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Comments Off on Can Pakistan Reboot Its ‘Belt and Road’ Partnership With China?After a series of setbacks, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a multibillion-dollar assortment of infrastructure projects that constitutes the Pakistani component of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, is poised for a resurgence.
Sudan’s Normalization With Israel Could Come at the Expense of Terrorism Victims
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Comments Off on Sudan’s Normalization With Israel Could Come at the Expense of Terrorism VictimsIf recent news reports are to be believed, Sudan may be on the verge of joining the list of Arab countries to normalize their relations with Israel, pushed by the Trump administration. Gen. Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, the Sudanese military chief who jointly leads the transitional government in Khartoum, met with both U.S. and Emirati officials in […]
Russian dominance in the Black Sea: The Sea of Azov
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Comments Off on Russian dominance in the Black Sea: The Sea of AzovRussia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 was about maximizing power. Moscow aims to turn the Black Sea into a Russian lake to advance its national interest far and wide. For its part, NATO has been slow to respond to this challenge.
Turkey’s Sahel strategy
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Comments Off on Turkey’s Sahel strategyOn Sept. 9, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu embarked on a three-day trip to West Africa, which included stops in Mali, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau. During his trip, Cavusoglu emphasized Turkey’s support for Mali’s post-coup transition process, struck infrastructure-related commercial deals with Guinea-Bissau, and underscored its commitment to engaging with multilateral institutions, such as the United […]
Is Iran Losing Its Grip on Its Proxy Militias in Iraq?
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Comments Off on Is Iran Losing Its Grip on Its Proxy Militias in Iraq?Earlier this month, a prominent researcher and security expert in Iraq, who was close to the new prime minister and to Western governments, was gunned down outside his home in Baghdad. While the identify of his assailants remains unknown, Hisham al-Hashimi had many enemies, given his history of speaking out against the Islamic State and […]
Is Syria’s Assad as Weak as He Appears?
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Comments Off on Is Syria’s Assad as Weak as He Appears?It might seem like an all-too familiar story: With its economy cratered by civil war, and new pockets of anti-regime resistance, Syria is on the verge of state collapse. President Bashar al-Assad isn’t just on the back foot; he is weaker than ever. Is he about to fall?