U.S. Official: Chemical Weapons Use in Syria Becoming ‘Routine’
The use of chemical weapons in Syria, namely chlorine and mustard gas, is becoming routine, lamented the U.S. representative of a United Nations-backed chemical weapons watchdog.
Middle East
Iran Hacks State Department Social Media Accounts
Unimpressed by their “historic” nuclear deal with the United States, and its billions of dollars in sanctions relief, Iran’s hackers have escalated their attacks on U.S. government officials over the past four months.
Pakistan Honors First Female Pilot Following Fatal Jet Crash
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Flying Officer Marium Mukhtiar, the nation’s first female fighter pilot, died in a training crash in Kundian, which is located 109 miles southwest of Islamabad.
Krauthammer: Obama Lacks a ‘Modicum of Urgency,’ ‘Modicum of Commitment’ on Defeating Islamic State
Wednesday on Fox News Channel’s “Special Report,” Washington Post columnist Charles Krauthammer criticized the way in which President Barack Obama is handling the war on terror. According to Krauthammer, Obama lacks the will to win the against radical ideologies committed
Islamic State Claims Responsibility for Deadly Attack on Hotel in Egypt
A local Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) affiliate has claimed responsibility for a gun and bomb attack Tuesday on a hotel in Egypt’s volatile Sinai Peninsula that reportedly left seven people dead, including two judges, and at least a dozen more wounded.
Islamic State Releases Ten Assyrian Christians Used in Propaganda Videos
The Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) released ten Assyrian Christians they kidnapped over nine months ago.
Iran General Soleimani Lightly Wounded in Syria
Beirut (AFP) – General Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards’ foreign operations wing, was lightly injured in fighting against Syria rebels near Aleppo, a monitoring group and a security source said Wednesday.
Turkey Could Lose Billions for Downing Russian Jet
Turkey could lose billions in all sectors of their economy after the government shot down a Russian jet on the Turkey-Syria border. Tourism might be the first to suffer, as the country hosts over 4 million Russian visitors a year.
Iran Nuclear Deal Is Not ‘Legally Binding,’ Obama Administration Admits
The nuclear deal agreed upon in July by the P5+1 world powers (US, UK, France, Germany, Russia, China) and the Islamic Republic of Iran has no “legally binding” basis. The deal, paraded by President Obama as a surefire measure to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, is held together simply as a “political commitment” by the parties to the accord, the State Department admitted in a recent letter.
NPR Meets ISIS: What A Liberal Should Tell a Muslim Terrorist
On this busiest travel day of the year, if – Allah forbid! – you should find yourself in some blood-spattered transportation hub, begging an ISIS-affiliated, Kalashnikov-wielding thug for mercy, do you open your backpack to show him your dog-eared copy of “Koran for Dummies?”
Watch: Investigation Shows Alarming Amount of Refugees Being Deported from U.S. for Violent Crimes
Per an investigation by WSBTV, a large number of refugees are being deported for violent crimes. The research revealed that from 2003 through 2013, federal authorities deported 1,033 refugees. In those overall numbers, 713 refugees got shipped out of the United States
Rescued Russian Pilot Claims ‘No Warning’ From Turkish Jets
Tuesday was filled with conflicting news about the fate of the Russian pilots shot down by Turkish forces over Syria. At various points during the day, it was said that both had been killed – possibly riddled with bullets by Syrian rebels as they came down in their parachutes – and that both were alive, and in enemy hands.
Jeb: U.S. Combat Troops May Be Required to ‘Inspire’ Int’l Effort Against Islamic State
Wednesday on CNN’s “New Day,” former Gov. Jeb Bush (R-FL), a candidate for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination, reacted to a question from show host Alisyn Camerota about how Bush if he elected president would handle the threat from ISIS and
Erik Prince: Islamic State Has “Tens-Of-Thousands” Of Soft Targets To Choose From In America
Erik Prince, the former head of defense contracting company Blackwater, which developed an infamous reputation for controversy during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, appeared on Breitbart News Daily to discuss security measures the American people must take to protect themselves amid threats against the nation.
Morell: ‘Environmental Damage’ One Reason US Avoided Hitting Islamic State Oil Wells
Former CIA Director Mike Morell stated that there “seemed” to be a determination not to hit oil wells controlled by ISIS, partially because such strikes would create “environmental damage” on Tuesday’s broadcast of PBS’ “Charlie Rose.” Morrell said, “So, prior
World View: Turkey Shoots Down Russian Warplane, Evoking Memories of Many Crimean Wars
Contents: Putin calls Turkey’s downing of Russian plane a ‘stab in the back’; Turkmen in Syria versus Russians in occupied Crimea; Russia – Turkey crisis evokes memories of centuries of Crimean wars
The Turkey-Russia Confrontation Reminds Us: War Is Too Important to Be Left to Generals
The first thing to remember about the Turkish downing of a Russian fighter-jet is that it could just as easily have happened to an American aircraft. Yes, the situation in Syria is that complex; there’s plenty of risk to go around—and that’s before anyone starts putting “boots on the ground.”
Russia Bombards Syrian Rebels Near Site of Downed Russian Jet
(Reuters) — Russian forces launched a heavy bombardment against insurgent-held areas in Syria’s Latakia province on Wednesday, near where a Russian warplane had been shot down by Turkey the day before, rebels and a monitoring group said.
Arab-Israeli Father Receives Message From Son: ‘I’m Going to Carry out an Attack Today’
An Arab-Israeli from northern Israel was arrested Tuesday after sending an SMS to his father informing him he was going to carry out a terrorist attack – prompting his father to turn to police.
Iran Refutes Report Terror Chief Soleimani Injured by Syrian Rebel Fire
Iranian media are denying a report circulating in various Arab media sources, which has reached the White House, claiming that General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s notorious special Quds Forces, was injured in Syria by rebel fire while fighting on behalf of President Bashar al-Assad.
Russia Deploys Missile Cruiser Near Syria Ordered to ‘Destroy Any Target Posing Danger’
As tensions build between Turkey and Russia following the destruction of a Russian warplane by Turkish F-16s Tuesday morning, Russian state outlet RT.com reports that a missile cruiser has been deployed off the Syrian coast, with orders to “destroy any target posing danger.”
Kuwaiti Media: Russian Ground Troops Are Fighting in Syria
According to a report published in the Kuwaiti newspaper al-Rai, and related by the Jerusalem Post, Russian ground troops are already deployed in considerable force across Syria.
Obama Admin: ‘No Reason’ Russian Plane Should Be Near Turkey’s Airspace
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Obama administration, in response to the Turkish military shooting down a Russian warplane, suggested that Moscow had no business flying near Syria’s border with Turkey because there were no Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) jihadists operating there.
Turkish Military Claims Not to Have Known Downed Jet Was Russian
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan defended Turkey’s defense of its airspace Tuesday evening after Ankara fighter jets shot down a Russian SU-24 warplane earlier in the day, with the Turkish leader claiming that the military was unable to identify the jet that was violating the country’s sovereignty.
Kerry in Ramallah: US Committed to Palestinian Statehood
(AFP) — U.S. Secretary of State Kerry expressed sympathy Tuesday for the Palestinians’ “very dire” situation, but also spoke of his concern “about the violence,” while stressing the ongoing US commitment to a Palestinian state.
