Report: U.S.-Backed Free Syrian Army Dwindling as Number of Desertions Rise
The Free Syrian Army (FSA), which includes fighters trained by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), has reportedly been decimated by widespread desertions.
Middle East
Why Turkey’s Erdogan Won a Surprise Election Victory
The shouts ricocheted across cyberspace, on Twitter and Facebook, in e-mails and messages and banners: “Turkey votes for Islam!” “Islam wins! America loses!”
Christians, Muslims, Assad Troops Fight as One to Defend Biblical Town from ISIS
Hundreds of Christians have teamed up with many Muslims in the ranks of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad’s army to prevent the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) from conquering the biblical town of Sadad, according to the leader of the Syriac Orthodox church.
Syrian Media Claims Israeli Planes Hit Targets in Damascus
Syrian state media are reporting that Israeli warplanes struck targets near the Damascus airport at around 6:00 PM Wednesday evening, in an operation similar to a purported attack against a weapons convoy in Syria two weeks ago.
Egypt May Lose $280 Million A Month in Tourism Following Sinai Crash
Egypt is on pace to lose $280 million dollars a month from lost tourism revenues following the United Kingdom, Russia, and several other nations’ decisions to indefinitely suspend flights to the country.
Carson: If Russian Planes Enter No-Fly Zone ‘You Shoot Them Down’
Wednesday on the “Simon Conway Show,” Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson said the United States should establish a no-fly zone at the Turkish-Syrian border and shoot down any Russian plane that enters it. Carson said, “If they do come
Video: ISIS Threatens to Attack Russia ‘Soon, Very Soon’
As an apparent reaction to recent Russian military incursions in Syria, the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS) has released a graphic video promising attacks in Russia “soon, very soon,” while threatening to make their wives concubines and their children ISIS slaves.
Pakistani Author Launches Anti-Malala Book, Claims ISIS ‘Created’ Malala
A Pakistani author has penned a new book titled I Am not Malala, supposedly providing a counternarrative to Nobel Peace Prize recipient Malala Yousafzai’s book, I Am Malala.
ISIS Threatens to Kill Captive Ramadi Citizens Who Raise White Flags in Event of Invasion
Iraqi military forces are reportedly moving into position for the long-anticipated offensive to retake the captive city of Ramadi from ISIS, which has responded by threatening to kill Ramadi residents if they raise white flags.
Mika Brzezinski: Carson’s Foreign Policy ‘Frightening and Detrimental’
Thursday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” co-host Mika Brzezinski described Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson’s foreign policy as “frightening and detrimental.” After playing clips of Carson saying China is also in Syria, Brzezinski said, “It’s completely confusing, it’s vexing and really frighting
State Department: American Contractor Held by Iran-Backed Houthis Has Died
Former U.S. Army Master Sergeant John Hamen, abducted by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen on October 20, has died in captivity. The exact circumstances of his death have not yet been disclosed.
Iranian Journalist Sentenced to Prison for Allegedly Insulting Ayatollah Khamenei
On Tuesday, an Iranian judge who is well-known for handing down harsh sentences for journalists, sentenced Solmaz Ikdar, 33, to three years in prison for allegedly insulting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and promulgating propaganda against the state.
Egyptian Media Blame Western ‘Conspiracy’ for Russian Plane Crash
Growing confidence among Western intelligence agencies that a terrorist bomb brought down the Russian Metrojet airliner over Sinai on Oct. 31 is not being received well by some in Egypt, where tourism is a major part of the economy.
Thousands in Afghanistan Protest ISIS Beheading of Civilians, Including a Girl
Protesters in Afghanistan stormed the presidential palace in Kabul on Wednesday, carrying the coffins of seven civilians from the Hazara Shiite minority, recently beheaded by Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL)-linked terrorists.
Turkish Police Raid Anti-Erdogan Newspaper Headquarters
Turkish police have raided the headquarters of the newspaper Zaman, a publication known to publish pieces critical of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Police are demanding to search the building and, according to witnesses, are equipped with water cannons.
Russian Intel: ISIS Has 80,000 Jihadis in Iraq and Syria
Russian intelligence reports are claiming that the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) terror group has amassed 80,000 soldiers in Iraq and Syria for its drive towards the goal of a global caliphate.
Russian Officials Submit Syrian Peace Plan to UN
The Russian government provided the United Nations with an 18-month plan to end the Syrian civil war. Syrian opposition groups resist the plan, as it makes no mention of a transition process for President Bashar al-Assad to step down.
Putin Charm Ensnares Donald Trump at GOP Debate
GOP presidential frontrunner Donald Trump spoke in praise of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin during Tuesday night’s Republican debate in Milwaukee, insisting that he was “all for” Moscow’s actions in Syria against ISIS.
Turkey May Send Ground Troops into Syria, but Not Unilaterally
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour that Turkey would consider sending ground forces into Syria to fight the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS), but not unilaterally.
Russia Will Fulfill Contract for Advanced Surface-to-Air Missiles with Iran
Although the timing on delivery remains unclear, Russia has vowed to fulfill its contract for advanced surface-to-air missiles with Iran, despite protests from the United States and other Western nations.
Carson on ISIS: ‘Destroy Their Caliphate’
Dr. Ben Carson, a GOP presidential frontrunner and retired neurosurgeon, expressed foreign policy aptitude during Tuesday night’s Republican presidential debate.
Exclusive: Christian Army Fighting ISIS Pleads For U.S. Support: ‘We’re Done’
The Assyrian Army is in dire need of military support from the United States to protect Christian communities in Iraq and Syria against the genocide they are facing at the hands of the barbaric Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL), according to a decorated American military veteran advising the force.
Rouhani Plans Eurotrip, Axes Lunch Meeting With French Pres Over Wine, Halal Meat
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is set to make official visits to France, Italy, and the Vatican next week. In doing so, he will be the first Iranian president to make state visits through Europe in a decade, according to reports.
Turkey: From Empire to Ataturk to Erdogan — and Back Again
Seventy-seven years ago today, the founder of the independent Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, died in his bedroom at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul.
Netanyahu: Obama White House Meeting Was ‘One of the Best We Have Had’
In what may have been the most cordial meeting between U.S. President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since Obama’s ascendancy to the White House, the two leaders discussed how to protect Israel’s interests during the ongoing civil war in neighboring Syria.
