Iran threat brings US and Israeli militaries together
Major meetings between US top military leaders and Israeli military in November seemed to presage an imminent conflict with Iran.
Military
Pompeo: Economic Woes Driving Protests in Iran the Result of Regime Policies, Not US Pressure
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the weekend denied that the U.S. pressure campaign on Iran was responsible for the economic grievances that sparked the current wave of protests, saying regime policies predating the restoration of sanctions were to blame.
Top US general meets Israeli brass amid Iran tensions
The top US general is visiting Israel for meetings with top military leaders, the latest in a series of high-level military meetings amid heightened tensions with Iran.
‘US and Israel are common enemies of the Muslim world,’ says Iranian commander
‘America and Israel are common enemies of the Muslim world,’ the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami, said Thursday during a meeting with the chief of staff of Pakistan’s military, Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa.
U.S. Warns Turkey, Egypt About Purchase Of Russian Military Equipment
A senior State Department official has lashed out at Turkey and Egypt for military deals they have struck with Russia, warning of sanctions against the U.S. allies if they don’t reverse course.
Indian house church pastor doesn’t fear persecution anymore
A house church pastor in eastern India was accosted in his home by Hindu extremists while praying, leading to severe injuries for his whole family and accusations of witchcraft.
Iran points to foreign conspiracy of Israel, US, Saudis behind fuel protests
Members of Iran’s Basij militia made interesting claims in the wake of nationwide protests against fuel hikes over the weekend.
U.S. warships sail in disputed South China Sea amid tensions
U.S. Navy warships, on two occasions in the past few days, have sailed near islands claimed by China in the South China Sea, the U.S. military told Reuters on Thursday, at a time of tension between the world’s two largest economies.
Wave of Indian persecution of Christians descends into Kashmir conflict
India’s Jammu and Kashmir state is now shrouded in a 105 day-long internet and communications blackout that has prevented Christians from assembling together without extreme harassment.
White House holding up $100M in Lebanon aid, official confirms
The United States is withholding security assistance to Lebanon to the tune of over $100 million, leaving lawmakers and policymakers in the dark, a senior State Department official confirmed on Tuesday.
Sondland implicates top officials on Ukraine, but says he ‘never heard’ quid pro quo from Trump
European Union ambassador Gordon Sondland tied top officials to the ‘potential quid pro quo’ involving U.S. military aid to Ukraine and investigations desired by President Trump during his highly anticipated impeachment hearing testimony on Wednesday – yet said he never heard that link from the president himself.
Foreign Fighters Reported Killed In Israeli Strikes On ‘Iranian Targets’ In Syria
The Israeli military says it has struck Iranian targets in Syria in what it said was retaliation for rockets fired on the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights region.
ISIS rebuilds in Syria after Turkish incursion and U.S. drawdown, Pentagon watchdog says
The Islamic State militant group used the drawdown of U.S. troops from Syria and the Turkish incursion to regroup and strengthen its abilities to plan terror attacks abroad — and will likely rebound from the death of leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, a new internal report from the Defense Department’s watchdog says.
IDF attacks IRGC Quds targets in southern Damascus
A spokesperson for the IDF says that IAF fighter jets performed targeted airstrikes on dozens of military targets belonging to the Iranian Quds Force (IRGC) and the Syrian army on Tuesday night in Syria. The targets included air-to-ground missiles, headquarters, IDF warehouses, and military bases.
IDF launches surprise military drill in northern Israel
The Israel Defense Forces on Monday launched a two-day surprise military exercise in northern Israel, the army said.
BRICS back Paris agreement, oppose Syria military solution
Members of the BRICS group of nations said Thursday that they are committed to implementing the Paris climate agreement and there cannot be a military solution to Syria’s conflict.
Two more rockets fired from Gaza hours after ‘cease-fire’ declaration; Israel responds by striking Islamic Jihad ‘terror’ targets: IDF
Rockets continue to be launched from Gaza into southern Israel, hours after a cease-fire was declared between Israel and Gaza’s militant Islamic Jihad group early Thursday, according to Israel Defense Forces (IDF), which added that the Israeli military is responding by striking ‘terror’ targets.
American troops at Syria base say they’ll keep pressure on ISIS
At a base in eastern Syria, a senior U.S. coalition commander said Monday that American troops who remain in Syria are redeploying to bases, including in some new locations, and working with the Kurdish-led forces to keep up the pressure on the Islamic State militants and prevent the extremists from resurging or breaking out of prisons.
IDF strikes Islamic Jihad rocket production facility as barrages pummel south
The Israeli military on Wednesday conducted large-scale strikes against Palestinian Islamic Jihad sites in Gaza, including a major weapons manufacturing facility, as terror groups continued firing regular barrages at southern Israel in response to the assassination of one of its senior commanders the day before.
Trump eyes executive order tying foreign aid to religious freedom
The White House is reportedly drafting plans to condition U.S. foreign assistance on religious freedom.