Vice President Pence Praises Late Christian Missionary Kayla Mueller
More details emerged about a young Christian missionary killed in Syria after U.S. Vice President Mike Pence dedicated Wednesday‘s vice-presidential debate to her.
Syria
Netanyahu and Putin discuss security and coronavirus
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke on the phone Wednesday to discuss cooperation in fighting COVID-19 as well as security matters in relation to Iran and Syria, World Israel News (WIN) reports.
US reportedly in talks about moving its military base out of Turkey and into either Greece or the UAE
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has had talks with Greek Prime Minister Kyrias Mitsotakis about possibly transferring its highly strategic US airbase from Turkey to Greece, DEBKAfile sources have revealed. The US is also reportedly in talks with Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Zayed of the United Arab Emirates about moving the Turkish base to the Gulf state.
Pence and Harris in Fierce U.S. Vice-Presidential Debate
Millions of Americans and many more worldwide watched U.S. Republican Vice- President Mike Pence and Democratic challenger Kamala Harris facing off in one of the most meaningful vice presidential debates in recent memory.
President of Armenia says Caucasus region may become “another Syria”
The Armenian President warned the international community Wednesday that Caucasus, a region disputed by former Soviet republics Armenia and Azerbaijan, may become “another Syria,” CNBC reported Wednesday. President Armen Sarkissian gave the warning after fighting broke between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus on Sunday.
Israel has not ruled out pre-emptive strike on Iran
Israeli Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Israel is not ruling out a preliminary strike against Iran, the Jerusalem Post reports. The PM made his statement during a memorial service for those who died in the Yom Kippur War, when Arab states led by Syrian and Egyptian armies ambushed Israel in a surprise attack on October 8th 1973. At the time of the strike which led to war, Israel had been observing Yom Kippur, the most solemn and holy day in the Jewish calendar, and a time when the country comes to a standstill.
US to deploy small number of additional troops to Syria
The US is sending around 100 extra troops to Syria to protect against increasing Russian aggression and signs of renewed activity from ISIS in the region, the New York Times (NYT) reported Friday. The newly deployed soldiers will be added to a contingent of some 500 American troops in Syria. Additional military hardware will also be sent and there will be more fighter jet patrols.
State Dept. says it will impose “snap back” sanctions on Iran, despite US withdrawal from Nuclear Deal
As the US believes Iran has continued to develop nuclear weapons, and as the United Nations arms embargo on Iran expires next month, the State Department announced Wednesday that it is pressing forward with “snap back” sanctions that are provided for under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Iran Nuclear deal, Fox News reports. Under the terms of the JCPoA, snapback sanctions can be re-imposed if Iran is perceived to be violating the terms of the agreement. However, as the Trump administration withdrew from the JCPoA in 2018, UNSC members Britain, China, France, Germany, and Russia have unequivocally stated the US has no authority to unilaterally enforce snapback sanctions once the current embargo is lifted on October 18.
EU Chief Von der Leyen Wants Britain and Russia in First Union Speech
European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen has given her first State of the Union speech with angry words about Britain’s plans to renegotiate its divorce deal with the EU.
Israel launches airstrikes in Syria on 9/11 to destroy missiles
It appears Israel launched airstrikes in northern Syria to destroy a missile production facility on Friday, the 19th anniversary of the terrorists attacks on the United States, according to a private Israeli intelligence firm.
Syria Says Israel Carried Out Airstrikes Near Aleppo
The Israeli military fired missiles on suburbs of the Syrian city of Aleppo Friday, Syrian state media reported.
Huge Fire Erupts Again In Devastated Beirut
A massive fire erupted at the Beirut port on Thursday, just weeks after a massive blast at the same site devastated the Lebanese capital.
Iran and Turkey forming “strong foundation” for “cooperation”
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are working toward forming a “strong foundation” for future, high level “cooperation,” the leaders’ respective national media have reported. The Turkish and Iranian media reports followed a video conference the two leaders held on Tuesday, the Jerusalem Post said.
Hezbollah in hot water after Beirut explosion
There are no confirmed ties between Iran-backed Lebanese terror organization Hezbollah and the August 4 explosion in Beirut so far, but the group has found itself coming under fire in the wake of the disaster, the Jewish National Syndicate (JNS) reported Tuesday.
US Vetoes UN Resolution That Does Not Require Countries to Take Back Their Foreign Fighters
President Trump has long expressed exasperation at European governments’ reluctance to repatriate captured ISIS fighters who are their citizens, and on Monday that frustration led to the U.S. veto of a U.N. Security Council resolution that failed to address the issue.
US-Russia Skirmish in Northern Syria Leads to Minor US Injuries
U.S. coalition and Russian military patrols narrowly avoided a serious mishap in the north of Syria Tuesday when vehicles from each side appeared to have tried to outrun each other in a wheat field in northeastern Hasakah province.
Prosecuted Pentecostal Pastor and Wife Flee Iran
A prominent Pentecostal pastor and his wife have fled Iran after their appeal against a 15-year combined prison sentence for Christian activities failed, rights activists and family confirmed late Tuesday.
Netanyahu and Putin discuss UAE deal, Israeli air strikes in Syria
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, with the two discussing cooperation on combating the coronavirus pandemic and regional issues, a statement from the Kremlin said.
US troops attacked in eastern Syria, officials say
U.S. forces stationed in eastern Syria were attacked Monday morning, officials said, reporting no casualties.
Israel has taken out 1/3 of Syrian air defenses in last two years
Israel has destroyed one-third of Syrian air defenses in the past two years, and close to a thousand surface-to-air missiles have been launched towards Israel Air Force jets during missions for its “war-between-wars” campaign targeting Iranian infrastructure in the war-torn country.