IS Stepping Up Attacks in Iraq’s North
Islamic State (IS) militants killed four security officials late Wednesday near the northern city of Kirkuk, local officials said.
Security
Rebels, Militants Kill Dozens In Yemen’s Aden; Saudi Arabia Blames Iran
Iran-backed Huthi rebels say they launched missile and drone attacks on a military parade in Yemen’s southern port of Aden, the headquarters of the Saudi-backed government, that killed more than 30 people.
Syrian Christians in US fear deportation as their protected status is in ‘jeopardy’
Thousands of Syrian immigrants in the U.S., including Christians, could be at risk of deportation back to their dangerous and deadly home country. A decision by the Trump administration to extend their longstanding temporary protected status has yet to be made as a crucial deadline looms, advocates say.
Senate bill calls for new U.S.-Israeli cybersecurity center
A pair of U.S. senators have introduced legislation aimed at creating a joint cybersecurity apparatus with Israel, which would join multiple information sectors to safeguard key infrastructure of both nations.
Report: Israel believes Hamas, Iran agreed on Gaza front in case of northern war
Israeli intelligence officials believe Hamas and Iran have come to an agreement for the Gaza-based terror group to open a war front against Israel from the southern coastal Strip in the event of conflict breaking out with Iran’s allies on the Jewish state’s northern border, according to a report Wednesday.
Jared Kushner meets with Netanyahu in Israel as U.S. doubles down on peace plan
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Wednesday evening with senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, who is on a tour of five Middle East countries before Washington decides on the next step following June’s economic workshop in Bahrain.
Major non-NATO ally: Trump clears path for military partnership with Brazil
President Trump designated Brazil Wednesday night as a major non-NATO ally, paving the way for sharing military intelligence and privileged acquisition of military equipment.
A Give-Away Of Sensitive U.S. Military Technology’: Trump Vetoes Resolutions Blocking Saudi Arms Sales
A series of arms sales by the Trump administration to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia were pushed through Monday, after Republicans and Democrats failed to buoy resolutions blocking the sales against vetoes from Trump.
A Turning-Point in Tehran-Moscow Military Relations’: Iran and Russia Shore Up Ties in Planned Naval Exercise
Russia and Iran moved to strengthen their military ties this week, ahead of a joint Russian-Iranian naval drill slated to take place between the Indian Ocean and contested strait of Hormuz over the next year.
Pompeo: US will maintain Strait of Hormuz, as Iran continues to reject talks
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stressed on Monday that the United States will keep the Strait of Hormuz open to maritime traffic amid increasing tensions with Iran, which has repeatedly rejected U.S. overtures to come to the negotiating table.
US to extend Iran nuclear sanctions waivers
The Trump administration will reportedly announce the renewal of sanctions waivers this week allowing foreign firms to work on Iran’s civil nuclear program.
Capital One reveals historic data breach after FBI arrests Seattle suspect
Capital One revealed a massive data breach today that affected more than 100 million people, exposing credit card applications, bank account information and Social Security numbers in possibly the biggest bank breach ever.
Iran slams proposed European naval mission in Persian Gulf
Iran on Sunday condemned the United Kingdom’s proposal for a European-led naval mission in the Persian Gulf as ‘provocative.’
Senate report on 2016 election interference faults FBI, finds ‘extensive activity’ against ‘US election infrastructure’
The Senate Intelligence Committee released the first volume of its long-awaited bipartisan report into Russian election interference efforts on Thursday, providing new details on how Russian government hackers ‘directed extensive activity against U.S. election infrastructure’ — and potentially identified vulnerabilities that they can exploit in upcoming elections.
Palestinian President Declares End to All Agreements, Security Coordination With Israel
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared on Thursday a cessation to all agreements with Israel, including the security coordination between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.
US blocks UN draft condemning demolition of Palestinian homes
The United States on Wednesday reportedly blocked an attempt to get the UN Security Council to issue a formal condemnation of Israel’s demolition of Palestinian homes on the edge of Jerusalem earlier this week.
US spars with key allies at UN over Mideast peace approach
The U.S. derided the viability of reaching “international consensus” on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict Tuesday, further distancing itself from the two-state solution preferred by most of the world and drawing rebukes from its European allies.
US House overwhelmingly passes anti-BDS resolution
The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a resolution on Tuesday that rejects the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel, after some Democrats expressed concern last week that the measure could cause infighting within the party leading up to the 2020 election.
Israel: Iran smuggling dual-use items for Hezbollah arms by sea into Beirut port
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations on Tuesday accused Iran of exploiting civilian companies and maritime channels to smuggle weapons manufacturing equipment to its Lebanese proxy group, Hezbollah.
Greenblatt: Palestinians have aspiration, not right, to East Jerusalem capital
The forthcoming US peace plan will not be based on ‘fictions of international consensus’ or on international law, the Trump administration’s Middle East peace envoy Jason Greenblatt said Tuesday.