Tri-Lightning one-day counter-air exercise involves friendly and adversary aircraft in active and passive defense operations; IAF commander says drill enables Israel Air Force to strengthen capabilities and enhance operational readiness British and American troops joined the Israel Air Force on Tuesday for a one-day exercise in the Negev Desert. The …
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Orban’s Anti-LGBTQ Law Crosses a Red Line for Europe
Violations of democratic norms by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban are nothing new, but the explosion of anger in Europe against the anti-LGBTQ law just approved by the Hungarian parliament, dominated by Orban’s Fidesz Party, suggests Orban has crossed a critical red line. At last week’s European Union summit, no …
Read More »Russia rules out opening second Syria border crossing for aid
Russia’s UN ambassador said his government is still considering whether or not to veto the UN’s mandate for Syria’s last remaining aid crossing. Russia’s UN ambassador on Wednesday said a proposal to open of additional border crossings for humanitarian aid into opposition-held areas of Syria, calling the idea a “nonstarter.” …
Read More »Kurdish-led forces intensify crackdown on Islamic State cells in northeast Syria
Islamic State activities seem to have diminished during the month of June in the Kurdish-controlled areas in northeastern Syria amid a crackdown led by the Syrian Democratic Forces. After the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) cracked down on cells affiliated with the Islamic State (IS), the latter’s activity seems to have …
Read More »Explosion at Baghdad’s Sadr City injures at least 15
At least 15 people were injured in an explosion at a crowded market in Baghdad’s Sadr City. An explosion in a crowded Baghdad market on Wednesday injured at least 15 people, Iraqi officials said. The military confirmed the blast went off in Sadr City, a mostly Shiite section of the …
Read More »Iraq seeks to rehabilitate Islamic State families
Baghdad’s program to allow families of Islamic State adherents to return from a Syrian camp and to reintegrate them back into Iraqi society stirs controversy. The Iraqi government decided June 6 to accept the return of 100 Islamic State (IS) families. The returnees are transferred to Al-Jada camp in Mosul …
Read More »Israel, Morocco take baby steps on diplomatic, social, economic ties
Diplomatic relations are not advancing as rapidly as those with the Emirates and Bahrain, but Israel sees positive trends in ties with Morocco. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin was in the United States this week, for a farewell visit ahead of the end of his term July 9. As part of …
Read More »Turkey’s mixed record against Islamic State
Structural problems continue to keep Turkey from putting in place a comprehensive strategy to combat Islamic State elements in the country, despite numerous operations against networks linked to the radical Islamist group. Turkish security operations against networks linked to the Islamic State (IS) appear on the rise, but how efficient …
Read More »Turkey stalls on withdrawal of foreign forces from Libya
Turkey might have managed to stave off pressure in the Berlin conference on Libya, but as the December elections near, the Turkish military presence in the country will remain a source of tension. Turkey might have managed to stave off pressure to withdraw its military presence in Libya by agreeing …
Read More »Turkey’s illegal renditions of Syrian nationals back in spotlight
Critics say the arrest of Syrian citizens and their extradition to Turkey violates Turkish and international humanitarian law. The rendition of Syrian nationals to Turkey, where they are prosecuted and jailed on thinly evidenced terror charges, has returned to the spotlight with the life sentencing by a Turkish court of …
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