Hezbollah Commander, IRGC Senior Official Killed in Israeli Strikes
Israeli strikes reportedly killed a Hezbollah military commander and an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) senior official.
Military
Russia says its air defense systems in Syria intercepted Israeli missiles
Russian anti-aircraft artillery systems in Syria intercepted a number of missiles launched by Israel in airstrikes this week in an area southeast of Aleppo, according to a Russian military official.
Biden, Iraqi leader to discuss U.S. troops, Iran-linked drone strikes
The future of the U.S. war in Iraq will come into focus Monday when President Biden meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi at the White House, with the two leaders expected to finalize a withdrawal plan that could fundamentally reshape America’s military role in the Middle East.
Biden administration spent $2 billion ‘not to build’ border wall, Republicans say
President Joe Biden’s administration has spent roughly $2 billion to pay for military contractors tasked with guarding unused materials after the Democrat put a pause on construction of the border wall.
IDF strikes Gaza after incendiary balloons spark fires in south
Israel Defense Forces jets struck a series of targets in Gaza late Sunday night, hours after incendiary balloons launched from the Strip sparked several fires in southern Israel.
U.S., Iraqi officials to announce U.S. military shift to advisory role in Iraq by year’s end
U.S. and Iraqi officials are finalizing a shift in the U.S. military mission in Iraq to a purely advisory role by the end of the year, marking the official end of the U.S. combat mission in the country, according to a U.S. official and two people familiar with the issue.
U.S. launches airstrikes against Taliban forces
The U.S. launched airstrikes against several targets in Afghanistan to support the government in Kabul in their fight against Taliban insurgents.
Sen. Lindsey Graham warns that IDF may have to launch preemptive strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities soon
Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the most respected foreign and defense policy experts in Washington, fears a new war may be coming to the Middle East sooner than most people realize.
Ben & Jerry’s will stop sales in Israeli settlements of West Bank and East Jerusalem
The US-based ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s announced Monday it will continue doing business with Israel, but will stop sales in Israeli settlements of East Jerusalem and the West Bank, areas it referred to as Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). The Israel-targeted Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement has pressured Ben & Jerry’s to make such a move for years.
Hungary, Other Nations, Spying On Journalists and Activists
Hungary’s government has denied wrongdoing after a worldwide investigation showed authorities infected cellphones to spy on critical journalists, politicians, and business figures.
IDF: Iron Dome shoots down rocket from Lebanon; another lands in open area
Israel’s Iron Dome aerial defense system shot down a rocket from Lebanon after two were fired at Israel Tuesday morning, the Israeli military said.
China military and navy conduct landing exercises near Taiwan in apparent warning to US and Taiwan
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and Navy held joint amphibious landing exercises near Taiwan on Friday, in what should be considered as warnings and a deterrent to the US and to “Taiwan secessionists,” China’s Communist Party-backed Global Times said on Sunday. The exercises were conducted a day after a military plane landed in Taiwan for the second time this year.
Pentagon: 70 percent of service members have received first dose of Covid vaccine
Seventy percent of U.S. active duty service members have received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine, the Pentagon announced on Friday, and 62 percent of the force is now fully vaccinated.
US drone strikes truck in Syria used by Iran-backed militia
A United States drone attack targeted a truck of an Iran-backed militia in eastern Syria on Sunday, destroying the vehicle without causing any casualties, two Iraqi militia officials said.
Patriot missiles shoot down drones in ‘historic’ first
U.S. Army missile defense units have carried out the first ever firing of Patriot surface-to-air missiles in Australia as part of joint exercises with U.S. allies there that are likely to agitate China, which is engaged in its own increasingly aggressive military moves in the region.
‘Islamic State’ poses growing threat across Africa
Last week, Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum said his country needed technological assistance from its European partners to fight jihadis. He complained of swaths of territory in Mali and Niger being taken over by the so-called “Islamic State” (IS) — known also as ISIS — and its affiliates.
IDF requests funding for a potential strike on Iran, reports say
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is reported to have requested major budget increases to the tune of billions to make ready for a potential strike on Iran’s nuclear program.
South Africa looting: Government to deploy 25,000 troops after unrest
The South African government plans to deploy 25,000 troops after days of widespread looting and violence.
Dozens Die As Flooding Hits Germany, Netherlands, Belgium
Dozens of people were dead Thursday as the worst flooding in years struck parts of the low-lying seafaring Netherlands as well as nearby Germany and Belgium.
US to evacuate under-threat Afghan interpreters as Taliban gains ground
Thousands of interpreters who aided US and NATO forces in Afghanistan will be evacuated beginning in late July, Washington announced Wednesday, as Taliban insurgents captured a strategic crossing on the Pakistan border from government forces.