Syria army vows to ‘end IS’ in Raqa, Deir Ezzor after Palmyra win
Syria’s army vowed Sunday to follow its victory against the Islamic State group in the city of Palmyra with an advance against the jihadists in their other strongholds.
World News
ISIS has sent 400 fighters to attack Europe, officials say
The Islamic State group has trained at least 400 fighters to target Europe in deadly waves of attacks, deploying interlocking terror cells like the ones that struck Brussels and Paris with orders to choose the time, place and method for maximum carnage, officials have told The Associated Press.
How ISIS terrorists carried out the brazen Brussels terror attacks that killed dozens
The triple terrorist bombings that killed at least 31 people on Tuesday morning in the heart of Brussels — the European Union’s capital – prompted a swift reactions from European leaders, with France’s prime minister declaring that “we are at war” and Britain’s prime minister asserting that “we will never let these terrorists win.”
Obama arrives in Cuba in first for US president in 88 years
Stepping into history, President Barack Obama opened an extraordinary visit to Cuba on Sunday, eager to push decades of acrimony deeper into the past and forge irreversible ties with America’s former adversary.
Kerry declares ISIS committing genocide against Christians, others
Secretary of State John Kerry declared Thursday that the Islamic State is committing genocide against Christians and other minorities in the Middle East, after facing heavy pressure from lawmakers and rights groups to make the rare designation.
China, Russia Planning Space Attacks on U.S. Satellites
China and Russia are preparing to attack and disrupt critical U.S. military and intelligence satellites in a future conflict with crippling space missile, maneuvering satellite, and laser attacks, senior Pentagon and intelligence officials told Congress on Tuesday.
Iran says it’s not bound by UN resolution banning missile tests
Tehran’s recent ballistic missile tests did not violate a UN resolution and were not illegal, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Tuesday after being questioned on the issue by Australia.
Putin orders start of Russian forces’ withdrawal from Syria
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday ordered his military to start the withdrawal of the main part of Russia’s forces from Syria, saying that the Russian military intervention had largely achieved its objectives.
US, France warn Syria regime ahead of new peace talks
The United States and France warned the Syrian regime on Sunday against trying to disrupt the fragile ceasefire as the warring sides prepared for fresh peace talks to end the brutal conflict.
Iran fires 2 missiles marked with ‘Israel must be wiped out’
Iran test-launched two ballistic missiles Wednesday emblazoned with the phrase “Israel must be wiped out” in Hebrew, Iranian media reported, in a show of power by the Shiite nation as U.S. Vice President Joe Biden’s visited Jerusalem.
Top U.S. general recommends more troops for Iraq and Syria
A top general said more U.S. troops will be needed to retake key areas from ISIS and has sent recommendations outlining that request up the chain of command.
North Korea threatens nuclear strike as U.S.-South Korea war games begin
North Korea on Monday issued its latest belligerent threat, warning of an indiscriminate ‘preemptive nuclear strike of justice’ on Washington and Seoul, this time in reaction to the start of huge U.S.-South Korean military drills.
Report: Putin freezes S-300 missile transfer to Iran
Russia has decided to freeze its shipment of S-300 anti-aircraft missile system to Iran, Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida reported on Saturday.
Israel claims Syria used chemical weapons during cease-fire
Israel on Tuesday accused Syrian government forces of using chemical weapons against civilians since the start of a cease-fire brokered by the U.S. and Russia aimed at ending the bloody conflict.
Magnitude-7.8 earthquake strikes off Indonesia
A magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck Wednesday off the coast of Indonesia, another major tremor in an area known for those — though, thankfully, this one didn’t immediately appear to cause widespread death or destruction.
Army’s Delta Force begins to target ISIS in Iraq
The U.S. Army’s elite Delta Force operations to target, capture or kill top ISIS operatives have begun in Iraq, after several weeks of covert preparation, an administration official with direct knowledge of the force’s activities told CNN.
Russia using Syrian civil war as testing ground for new weapons
Russia has been using the Syrian civil war to test some of its new weapons, as the West accuses Russian President Vladimir Putin of indiscriminate aerial bombardments that have killed many civilians.
Putin encircles Turkey in massive troop buildup
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plans in the Middle East are becoming clearer. In a bid to exact revenge on Turkey and in an attempt to split the NATO alliance, Russia is rapidly building up pressure on NATO’s southern flank. The new Russian satellite state of Armenia on Turkey’s northeastern border is now hosting a massive Russian troop build up with the recent signing of an air defense agreement between Russia and Kremlin.
US calls proposed sanctions on NKorea a ‘major upgrade’
The United States on Thursday introduced a draft U.N. Security Council resolution that it said will significantly increase pressure on North Korea in response to its latest nuclear test and missile launch.
Radioactive material stolen in Iraq raises security concerns
Iraq is searching for “highly dangerous” radioactive material whose theft last year has raised fears among Iraqi officials that it could be used as a weapon if acquired by Islamic State.