Eurasia

Congress wants Pentagon to bolster Arab, Israeli air defenses against Iran

The Abraham Accords could enable Israel to share missile defense technology with Arab Gulf countries in a joint defensive architecture against Iran. Bipartisan legislation introduced in Congress today would require the Pentagon to present a strategy for integrating the air defense capabilities of Israel and Arab states in order to …

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After Turkey, Venezuela’s Maduro heads to Iran

The South American leader said one goal of the visit is to boost tourism between Venezuela and Iran. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro visited Iran today. During a two-day visit, he will meet with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported. Maduro sat down with the Iranian …

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Muqtada al-Sadr threatens to withdraw from parliament

After failing to form a national majority government, Iraqi populist cleric Muqtada al-Sadr asked his party members in parliament to prepare to resign. Leader of the Sadrist Movement Muqtada al-Sadr insisted in a public speech on forming a national majority government or otherwise his bloc will withdraw from parliament. “We …

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Turkish-backed forces step up military drills ahead of potential operation in northern Syria

Free Syrian Army factions are holding major military drills and parades to beef up their combat readiness to take part in the Turkish military operation against Kurdish forces in northern Syria. Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) factions have completed their preparations for the military operation that Turkish President Recep Tayyip …

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Iran, Turkey brace for face-off in Syria

Iran has been trying to dissuade Turkey from a fresh intervention in Syria while making military preparations on the ground to protect its interests amid a growing rift between the two neighbors. Driven apart by clashing regional interests, Turkey and Iran appear headed for a face-off in Syria, with Tehran …

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Ukraine Update: U.S. In The Dark On Military Operations, Says New York Times

The U.S. government has better information on Russian troops in Ukraine than on Ukrainian forces, The New York Times reported on Wednesday, citing U.S. officials. Kiev is keeping its biggest military sponsor in the dark, possibly even misleading Washington to protect the generous flow of American military aid into the …

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The impact of the war in Ukraine on regional cooperation in the South Caucasus

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the South Caucasus has been unable to find a model for regional cooperation or form regional organizations. As I have noted elsewhere, “Over the past three decades, various initiatives for regional cooperation have been proposed, including the ‘Peaceful Caucasus Initiative’ (Eduard Shevardnadze), ‘Stability …

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Liberia, Suriname pledge to open offices in Jerusalem

The announcements come as Israel seeks to reinforce and expand its relationships in Africa. Liberian senior officials said June 8 the country intends to open a trade office in Jerusalem that will eventually become an embassy. Israeli press was citing members of a visiting Liberian delegation headed by Minister of …

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Russia remains committed to Syria’s Assad despite Ukraine war, Pentagon says

Reports that Moscow has been readying tens of thousands of Syrians to fight in Europe are “disinformation,” senior US defense official tells Congress. A senior Pentagon official threw cold water on recent news reports that Russia has been redirecting significant numbers of its troops and local mercenaries from Syria to …

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After IAEA criticizes Iran, Israeli prime minister meets with Emirati leader

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett made a quick visit to the Emirates, where he met privately with Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met this afternoon in Abu Dhabi with Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. The trip was announced to the press only after Bennett landed …

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