Iran’s regional proxies ensure it will never fight alone
In the event of war with the United States, Iran ‘will not be alone.’
Syria
U.S. and Israeli Intelligence: ‘Multiple, credible threats’ from Iran Endanger U.S. Middle East Personnel
Iran is ‘considering retaliating against U.S. interests in the Gulf’ in response to the Trump administration’s ever-tightening restrictions against the Islamic Republic, according to an anonymous senior Israeli intelligence official.
Russia-Backed Assad Forces Pummel Syria’s Idlib
Syrian and Russian warplanes have been escalating airstrikes on the last remaining rebel redoubt in northern Syria. The air raids are as much a message to Turkey as to die-hard rebels and jihadists in the province of Idlib, say analysts.
USCIRF Annual Report Highlights China’s ‘Tragedy’ of Religious Freedom
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released its annual report Monday, detailing religious rights abuses around the world and recommending state actors for the U.S. State Department to earmark as “Countries of Particular Concern” (CPCs).
US Urges Russia to End ‘Escalation’ in Syria’s Idlib
The United States on Tuesday urged Russia to abide by its commitments and end an ‘escalation’ in Syria’s northwestern Idlib region after a monitor said air strikes killed 10 civilians.
Iranian Foreign Minister Set to Meet with North Korean Leaders ‘Soon’
Iran’s foreign minister Mohammed Javad Zarif is planning to meet with North Korean leaders ‘soon,’ according to the Islamic Republic’s state-run IRNA television.
IS chief Baghdadi emerges on video for first time in five years
The elusive chief of the Islamic State group Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi appeared for the first time in five years in a propaganda video released Monday by the jihadist organization.
Israel Air Force opens second F-35 squadron
The Israeli Air Force opened a second squadron of F-35 stealth fighter jets, The Jerusalem Post learned on Thursday.
321 Killed in Sri Lankan IS Attacks
Christians in Sri Lanka are reeling from a series of coordinated attacks Sunday that killed 323 people and injured 500 others.
U.S. offers $10M for financial disruption to Hezbollah
The U.S. government on Monday offered a $10 million reward for information leading to a financial disruption to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
Muslim Kurds Convert to Christianity in War-torn Northern Syria
Many Muslim Kurds disillusioned with Islam are converting to Christianity in the Syrian border town of Kobani.
Moscow Close To Finalizing Deal To Lease Syria’s Tartus Port For 49 Years
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met senior Russian officials for talks in Damascus on April 20, with both countries’ state media saying a deal was close to lease out Syria’s Tartus port to Russia.
Trump to help Iraqi Christians wreak justice on Islamic State militants
The Islamic State’s ‘caliphate’ in the heart of the Middle East may be no more, but some Iraqi Christians, with an assist from the Trump administration, want to ensure the group that terrorized their community and other minorities faces justice for its crimes.
Report: Israel used special missile in Syria attack
For the first time, Israel fired advanced Rampage stand-off air-to-surface missiles against Syria in order to overcome the advanced Russian-made S-300 interceptor, foreign media reported on Wednesday.
Christianity grows in Syrian town once besieged by Islamic State
A community of Syrians who converted to Christianity from Islam is growing in Kobani, a town besieged by Islamic State for months, and where the tide turned against the militants four years ago.
US publishes first map showing Golan as Israeli territory
The US has for the first time published a map showing the Golan Heights as Israeli territory, three weeks after President Donald Trump recognized Israeli sovereignty over the strategic plateau.
Iranian forces said killed in reported Israel airstrike on Syria missile factory
A number of Iranian forces were reportedly killed in an airstrike on a Syrian military position near the city of Masyaf in western Hama province overnight Friday-Saturday. Syrian state media said Israeli jets carried out the raid in the middle of the night, firing missiles while flying in Lebanese airspace.
Russia, Turkey, Iran back Syrian territorial integrity
Lawmakers from Russia, Iran and Turkey are calling for Syria’s territorial integrity to be preserved as remarks from Israel and the United States have renewed long-standing land disputes.
Syria denounces US labeling Iran Guards a terror group as ‘blatant attack’
The Syrian government condemned as irresponsible a US decision on Monday to designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guards a ‘terrorist group,’ calling it a ‘badge of honor’ for the Islamic republic.
Russia’s Putin hosts Turkey’s Erdogan to discuss Syria, ties
Russian President Vladimir Putin is hosting his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for talks expected to focus on the situation in Syria and their two nations’ booming economic ties.