China possibly gearing up to quash Hong Kong Protests
China has doubled its troop presence in the former British colony of Hong Kong.
Military
Syria demands withdrawal of U.S., Turkish forces, warns of countermeasures
Syria’s Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem on Saturday demanded an immediate withdrawal of all U.S. and Turkish troops from his country and warned that Syrian government forces had the right to take countermeasures if they refused.
New allegations that Assad is behind attacks on Christians undercuts ‘protector’ narrative
Despite public domestic Christian support for Syrian President Bashar Assad, some members of minority Christian groups argue he manipulates and threatens them.
Nasrallah: We are prepared to enter ‘occupied Palestine’
The leader of the Lebanese-based terror group Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, claimed over the weekend that his organization was in possession of a large amount of military intelligence on Israel and warned that his forces were prepared to enter ‘occupied Palestine’ at any time.
Saudi prince: ‘Firm’ action needed against Iran to prevent devastating war
Saudi Arabia’s crown prince said in an interview aired Sunday that war with Iran would devastate the global economy and he prefers a non-military solution to tensions with his regional rival.
US deploys air defense systems, troops to Saudi Arabia
The US is sending a Patriot missile battery and four ground-based radar systems to Saudi Arabia, the Pentagon said Thursday, in what officials describe as the first steps to help the kingdom protect itself against Iranian attacks.
‘Iran could fire cruise missiles at Israel from Iraq’
The IDF’s intelligence branch thinks that Iran could fire missiles at Israel like the ones it sent flying at a Saudi oil field last week, the head of Military Intelligence’s Research Division, Brig. Gen. Dror Shalom, told Israel Hayom in a special Rosh Hashanah interview.
Hong Kong braces for weekend of mass protests ahead of China’s National Day
Hong Kong braces for another weekend of mass protests.
Egypt braces as actor calls for millions to take to the streets against Sisi’s rule
Egypt’s government is bracing for a repeat of last Friday’s protests when hundreds of people took to the streets in Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and other cities, to demand the overthrow of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Syrian Forces Again Used Chemical Weapons, US Says
Syrian forces used chemical weapons during an attack in Latakia province in May, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday.
Satellite Photos Show Construction of Iranian Base on Iraq-Syria Border
A military complex on the Iraq-Syria border suspected of being used by Iran shows continued construction despite multiple recent airstrikes targeting it, new satellite images reveal.
Military wants to use gene editing to protect troops against chemical and biological weapons
The Pentagon’s research agency wants to explore the possibility of editing a soldier’s genetic makeup to protect against chemical and biological attacks.
Iran asks West to leave Persian Gulf as tensions heightened
Iran’s president called Sunday on Western powers to leave the security of the Persian Gulf to regional nations led by Tehran, criticizing a new U.S.-led coalition patrolling the region’s waterways as nationwide parades showcased the Islamic Republic’s military arsenal.
U.S. Army banks on artificial intelligence to beat China and Russia
A key piece of the Pentagon’s plan to beat China and Russia in the high-stakes artificial intelligence race lies inside a research facility along the Allegheny River here, where a small but select U.S. Army team has been tasked with creating the weapons, vehicles and sensors needed for 21st-century combat.
Syria Ups Military Presence Along Israeli Border
The Syrian army sent military reinforcements consisting of tanks, vehicles, soldiers, ammunition, and weapons to the towns of Jamlah and Aabdyn near the Syrian border with the Israeli Golan Heights for unknown reasons, reported the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) on Saturday.
After US sends troops to Mideast, Rouhani warns foreign forces to ‘stay away’
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday that the presence of foreign forces creates ‘insecurity’ in the Gulf, after the US ordered the deployment of more troops to the region.
White House mulling military options against Iran ranging from cyberattacks to war
A White House meeting Friday will see Pentagon officials present President Trump with ‘a broad range of military options’ targeting Iran, AP reports.
Pentagon to send troops to bolster Saudi defenses after attack
U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday approved sending American troops to bolster Saudi Arabia’s air and missile defenses after the largest-ever attack on the kingdom’s oil facilities, which Washington has squarely blamed on Iran.
Saudi Arabia drone attacks – Johnson refuses to rule out military action
Britain has formally identified Iran as being behind drone and missile strikes on Saudi Arabian oil fields, raising the chance of the UK joining military efforts in the Middle East.
Pentagon To Brief Trump On Potential Military Responses To Attack On Saudi Oil
The Pentagon is set to present a wide range of military options to President Donald Trump as he considers how to respond to an attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil industry that many in the administration have blamed on Iran.