Middle Orient

Israeli authorities seize cryptocurrency transfer from Hamas

The sum which was seized reportedly included funds meant for, but not limited to, the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades (the Hamas military wing). Israel’s National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing (NBCTF) last week released information regarding the seizure of cryptocurrencies which had been transferred to the Hamas organization. The report detailed …

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Diplomatic push is on to prevent another Israel-Hamas war in Gaza

Imports of medical equipment, fishing equipment, raw materials for industry and textiles will be permitted through Gaza crossing. There is a diplomatic push to find a resolution to prevent another Gaza escalation, or even war, by removing some of the points of conflict between Israel and Hamas. As a sign …

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Bedouin businessman arrested for providing intelligence to Iran

Abu-alQian was arrested on June 10th following a joint investigation by the Shin Bet and Israel police. Bedouin businessman Yaakub Abu Alqian was indicted on serious offenses including contact with a foreign agent and providing intelligence to an enemy country, the Shin Bet internal security agency announced on Monday. Abu-alQian …

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Israel is leading the way as drone swarms come to the Middle East

Evidence shows not the creation of “killer robots,” but rather the networking of drones and other autonomous or unmanned systems. Israel used drone-swarm technology in the recent Gaza war. Much of that technology and how it was used has not been revealed, but what is important is the wider context. …

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Jarba Offers Initiative to Three Arab Countries to Break Deadlock

The leader of the Syria Tomorrow movement has offered an initiative to three Arab countries, in a bid to end the political deadlock, according to al-Souria Net. The leader of the Syrian Tomorrow Movement (Al-Ghad Movement), Ahmad al-Jarba, announced the introduction of an initiative for three Arab countries, Saudi Arabia, …

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Israel’s Kamikaze Drones Are Causing Problems for Syria

Key point: It is difficult to shoot down a lot of drones all at once, especially if those drones don’t intend to survive in the first place. On January 21, Iranian, Syrian and Israeli forces unleashed a hail of missiles upon each other in what is becoming yet another flare-up …

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Leader of National Defense Assassinated in Daraa Countryside

A leader of the pro-regime National Defense militia was assassinated after he was attacked by unknown gunmen, according to al-Etihad press. Unidentified gunmen assassinated the leader of a group in the National Defense (pro-regime militia, editor’s note), who also works for the Air Force intelligence. This came after he was …

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Syria’s president decrees 50% salary hike amid harsh crisis

Syrian President Bashar Assad issued a decree Sunday giving hundreds of thousands of civil servants and military members a 50% salary increase amid a harsh economic and financial crisis and price increases for vital products. Assad’s decision came a day after the state doubled the price of bread, the country’s …

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After gestures to US, Turkey turns to placating Russia

Turkey is back to its balancing act between Moscow and Washington after a series of moves to win favor with the Biden administration at the expense of irritating Russia. The lead-up to the June 14 NATO summit saw Turkey take a series of steps in the Black Sea region to …

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With Syria’s Last Aid Crossing on the Line, Can U.S., Russia Make a Deal?

The upcoming U.N. border crossing vote comes at a time of significant humanitarian suffering across Syria. A crucial deadline that will determine the future of humanitarian aid to Syria looms this week, as the authorization for the Bab al-Hawa crossing on the Turkey-Syria border expires on July 10. The crossing …

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