Middle East Sitrep 12/31/17

The current situation in the Middle East is really not all that different from before the Islamic State took control of huge swaths of land. Small pockets of Islamic State resistance are still in existence throughout the formerly occupied regions of Iraq and Syria. As such, it is inevitable that small attacks and minor combat […]

Coptic Christian Church in Cairo Attacked by Gunman, 11 Dead

A gunman, said to be part of the Islamic Stated killed at least 11 people on Friday in attacks on a Coptic Orthodox church and a Christian-owned shop near Cairo. Police forces then shot and wounded the gunman who was then arrested, the Egyptian interior ministry and church officials said. The Islamic State, as is […]

SERE: A foreign military volunteer’s perspective

Any everyday carry SERE (survival, evasion, resistance, escape) kit is a valuable piece of equipment. They can be applicable to any potentially dangerous situation. A well put together kit should try to cover a wide array of scenarios but also be as minimalist as possible; if it’s cumbersome to carry in casual situations, you probably […]

Putin Says War in Syria Shows Off Russia’s Military Might

Russian President Vladimir Putin boasted of his nation’s military strength at a ceremony where he praised Russian soldiers for their actions in Syria. The Russians supported the government of President Assad in ridding Syria of the Islamic State. Speaking at a Kremlin awards ceremony for troops who fought in Syria, Putin says Russia has “made the main, […]

Suicide Bomber Kills Dozens In Afghan Capital of Kabul

A suicide bomber struck in the Afghan capital of Kabul on Thursday morning killing at least 40 people and wounding about 30 more. The Islamic State claimed credit for the attack, while Taliban spokesmen claimed that they had nothing to do with the bombing. A Shia cultural organisation was the target but the Afghan Voice […]

Egypt hangs 15 over attacks on security forces in Sinai

Egyptian prison authorities on Tuesday executed 15 people convicted of attacks on security forces, police officials said. The men were hanged in two prisons where they had been held since being sentenced for the attacks in the restive Sinai where militants are waging a campaign. It was the largest mass execution carried out in the […]

Australia To End Airstrikes in Iraq Due to Defeat of ISIS

Australia will begin to pull out its attack aircraft from Iraq following an announcement from their Defense Minister. Marise Payne announced that after discussions with the Iraqi government and other allies, Australia will begin to scale back its air operations due to the crushing of the Islamic State in both Iraq and Syria. The country’s […]

US: Russian’s Increasingly Violating Syria Agreement, Crossing Airspace

The Russians are pushing the envelope in regard to violating an agreement that is intended to prevent accidental clashes in the air over Syria and the Pentagon isn’t happy about it. The US has accused Russia of intentionally violating this agreement following another recent unsafe encounter between US F-22s and Russian Su-25 ground attack jets. […]

After ISIS campaign, Iranian-backed militias vow to oust US troops from Iraq

You were waiting for this… right? The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) who are backed by Iran, that they’ve helped push the Islamic State from much of Iraq, is training its sights on the remaining U.S.-led coalition troops scattered across the country. The 100,000-thousand-member force has fought both with and against Americans in Iraq. This can […]

US military presence in Syria ‘must end’, says Russia envoy

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s envoy for Syria said on Thursday that there was no reason for US forces to remain in Syria and that Washington’s stated arguments for maintaining a military presence there were groundless. Alexander Lavrentiev was speaking in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, ahead of a new round of Syrian peace talks between […]

After ISIS Campaign, Iranian-backed Militias Vow to Oust US Troops From Iraq

You were waiting for this… right? The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) who are backed by Iran, that they’ve helped push the Islamic State from much of Iraq, is training its sights on the remaining U.S.-led coalition troops scattered across the country. The 100,000-thousand-member force has fought both with and against Americans in Iraq. This can […]