Middle Orient

Yemen: Houthis Vow ‘Strong Response’ After New US Strike

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis have threatened a “strong and effective response” after the US carried out another strike in the country, ratcheting up tensions as Washington vows to protect shipping from attacks by the group. The latest strike, which the US said hit a radar site, came a day after dozens …

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US Bombs Drop and Risk of Wider War Rises

Sometimes it is even more clear than usual, the priorities of US capitalism: near 24,000 civilian lives lost is acceptable, a 20% drop in Red Sea traffic is not. Assuring Israel’s survival as a US base in the Middle East is essential, minimizing the risk of wider war in the …

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Iran’s Growing Ballistic Missile Threat

Because of the apparent lack of oversight from world leaders, especially the United States, the rising provision of ballistic missiles by Iran to non-state actors –including terrorist and militia groups, as well as rogue states — now presents a significant source of concern for global security. The regime continues to …

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Futile and Dangerous: Bombing Yemen in the Name of Shipping

What a show. As US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was promoting a message of calm restraint and firm control in limiting the toxic fallout of Israel’s horrific campaign in Gaza, a decision was made by his government, the United Kingdom and a few other reticent collaborators to strike targets …

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The Case for Genocide

The International Court of Justice may be all that stands between the Palestinians in Gaza and genocide. The exhaustive 84-page brief submitted by South Africa to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) charging Israel with genocide is hard to refute. Israel’s campaign of indiscriminate killing, wholesale destruction of infrastructure, including …

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Houthis Undeterred After US Coalition Pummels Over 60 Targets With Tomahawk Missiles, Airstrikes

The Thursday night US and UK-led major strikes on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, while posing a significant risk for escalating the Gaza war into a regional conflict, still apparently have not deterred the Iran-backed rebel group’s resolve to attack Red Sea shipping and even Western naval vessels. Houthi spokesman Brig. …

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Gaza War Expands As US, UK Warplanes Bomb Houthi Strongholds In Yemen

Reuters and VOA are reporting that US and UK warplanes have begin striking Houthi targets in Yemen, in what marks the first major regional expansion of the Gaza war. According to Politico: The U.S. and U.K, with support from Australia, the Netherlands, Bahrain, and Canada, conducted joint strikes tonight against …

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Mossad chief’s warning, Middle East terror, Qatar intrigue, Taiwan jitters and more

Israeli Spy’s Warning: Tamir Pardo, a former director of Mossad, warned Israelis that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “extremist” government threatens to destroy the strategic relationship with the United States. In a column on the website of Israel’s Keshet 12 TV channel, Pardo writes, “The great risk for the State of …

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Kenneth Katsman: Hezbollah and Iran not ready for war

“A new full-scale war will be more destructive for Israel itself.” A rocket strike in a Beirut suburb this week has reawakened fears of an expansion of war in the Middle East. The death of Saleh al-Aruri, one of Hamas’s longest-lived and most powerful leaders, and two commanders from the …

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IntelBrief: Major Powers Struggle to Deter Houthi Shipping Attacks

The United States and its allies face a shortage of viable options to stop escalating Houthi attacks on commercial shipping and other targets. Houthi attacks have caused several large commercial shipping firms to avoid Red Sea routes, putting pressure on the United States and its allies to respond to the …

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