Surge of IS Violence Seen in Syria
Islamic State militants have increased their terror activity in recent weeks in Syria, carrying out deadly attacks against Syrian regime troops and U.S.-backed forces.
Military
IDF unveils first-of-its-kind unit unifying pilots, tank drivers and more
The Israel Defense Forces on Wednesday created a new type of combat unit bringing together infantry, tanks, combat engineering and air power to serve as a proving ground for new fighting techniques and tactics.
Hundreds of troops deployed to Iraq to defend US embassy as Trump says peace with Iran not likely
The US is scheduled to deploy 750 new troops to defend the US embassy in Iraq, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Tuesday night, following protests by Iran-backed groups that marched on the compound in retaliation for US strikes Sunday that killed 25 Kataeb Hezbollah fighters.
Translation of ISIS video threatens Christians of the world for killing of al-Baghdadi
A translation from a 56-second video released by the Amaq ISIS news outlet showing the beheading and execution of 11 Christians in Nigeria over the Christmas holiday was provided by the Washington-based SITE Intelligence Group in recent days.
Netanyahu praises ‘important’ US strikes on Iran-backed militia
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday praised as ‘important’ the series of US airstrikes a day earlier against an Iranian proxy group that had carried out an attack on American forces in Iraq.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard reportedly seizes ship in Gulf over ‘smuggled fuel’
Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard on Monday seized a ship in the Persian Gulf suspected of carrying smuggled fuel, state media reported.
Russia says US strikes on Iraq and Syria are unacceptable
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday that US airstrikes on Iraq and Syria were unacceptable and counterproductive, and urged all sides to avoid fueling tensions in the region.
Ex-IDF intel chief: Now that US engaged Iran, Israel must be careful
Following Sunday’s US airstrikes on Iranian-affiliated militias in Iraq, Israel must now be more careful about its own airstrikes in Iraq, former IDF intelligence chief Amos Yadlin tweeted on Monday.
US strikes kill 12 Iran-backed soldiers in Syria and Iraq
12 Iran-backed fighters were killed in Iraq and Syria Sunday, as the US retaliated for a Friday strike by Iran proxies that left 4 American servicemen wounded and killed a military contractor.
Russia rolls out first hypersonic weapon as China continues testing, putting US on edge
A Russian missile vehicle capable of traveling 27 times the speed of sound went operational Friday, which in its testing phase Vladimir Putin compared to Russia’s launch of the first satellite, Sputnik I, in 1957.
Russia refuses to continue Iran arms embargo
Russia said it will not extend an arms embargo on Iran that the 2015 nuclear accord with world powers promised to lift within 5 years, raising eyebrows in the US.
US cyber officials consider information warfare to counter Russian meddling in 2020
Cyber officials within the U.S. military have started to examine possible methods of information warfare that could be used to counter interference in elections.
Turkey poised to send troops to Libya, ratcheting up tensions in E. Mediterranean
Turkey is preparing to send troops and advanced weapons to the embattled UN-backed Libyan government. The military muscle-flexing puts it at odds with Russia and several Arab states backing Libya’s rival government.
Iran to hold joint, four-day navy drill with Russia, China
Iran’s armed forces will hold a joint, four-day naval exercise with Russia and China in the northern part of the Indian Ocean, a spokesman said Wednesday.
Putin says Russia is leading world in hypersonic weapons
President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Russia has got a strong edge in designing new weapons and that it has become the only country in the world to deploy hypersonic weapons.
Trump Signs Budget Bill Advancing Religious Freedom Worldwide, Add $400B to Deficit
Friday night, President Donald Trump signed a bill a $1.4 trillion spending package that funds the military and domestic programs, building portions of the border wall and government agencies, including a government commission that monitors religious freedom worldwide.
Israel airstrikes target Iran-linked military base in Syria, state media reports
Israel conducted an airstrike into Syria on Sunday night as air defenses in the country opened fire on missiles that had entered, state media reported.
Trump signs $738B defense bill creating Space Force
President Donald Trump signed a $738 billion defense bill into law, establishing the Space Force in a compromise with Democrats to grant federal employees 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
Hezbollah-backed professor likely candidate for Lebanese premiership
A university professor and former minister received the backing of the Hezbollah terror group and its allies Thursday, making him the likely candidate to be appointed Lebanon’s new prime minister.
U.S., Russian Military Chiefs Meet In Switzerland On Syria, Avoiding Conflicts
The top U.S. and Russian military commanders on December 18 held talks on Syria, where both countries are militarily engaged, and on improving mutual communication.