The US is on a collision course with Iran in the Middle East

The US is on a collision course with Iran in the Middle East

President Trump’s assertive new strategy toward Iran is already colliding with the reality of Tehran’s vastly expanded influence in the Middle East as a result of the Islamic State war. The launch of the strategy signaled an important shift in U.S. Middle East policy away from an ­almost exclusive focus on fighting the Islamic State to an […]

Israel Willing to Stand Alone, Attack Iran to Stop Nuclear Program

Israel Willing to Stand Alone, Attack Iran to Stop Nuclear Program

Israel knows that a nuclear-capable Iran is having a neighbor with a gun to its head and the Iranians have made it clear, they intend to destroy the state of Israel. So the Israeli government is willing to resort to military action, alone if necessary to ensure Iran never acquires nuclear weapons. Israel’s intelligence minister […]

Abadi: Iraq is not the place for U.S. and Iran to fight out their rivalry

Abadi: Iraq is not the place for U.S. and Iran to fight out their rivalry

As Iraqi forces reclaim the last stretches of territory held by the Islamic State, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said he would not allow his country to become an arena for the United States, Iran and Sunni powers to fight out their rivalries. “We would like to work with you, both of you,” Abadi said of […]

US Navy aids Iran fishing boat after pirate attack

US Navy aids Iran fishing boat after pirate attack

An American destroyer has come to the aid of an Iranian fishing boat after a pirate attack off Yemen, the US Navy said on Wednesday. Iran’s coast guard called the US naval command in Bahrain to report Tuesday’s incident and to ask for help after the attack south of Yemen’s Socotra Island, the Navy said […]

Iran saps strength of Revolutionary Guards with arrests and cutbacks

Iran saps strength of Revolutionary Guards with arrests and cutbacks

From its nine-story headquarters in an upscale neighborhood of Tehran, a giant construction company directs its operations across Iran, building mosques, airports, oil and gas installations, hospitals, and skyscrapers. Armed guards stand watch at the doors, and small posters on its exterior walls honor Iranians who have died in the current wars in Syria and […]

One of Netanyahu’s closest allies is turning into a major Trump critic — and it may signal a shift in Israel

One of Netanyahu’s closest allies is turning into a major Trump critic — and it may signal a shift in Israel

Israel’s government initially welcomed the election of Donald Trump to the US presidency. Some right-wing politicians have recently accused Trump of failing on promises he made to Israel during his campaign. One Israeli minister has become extremely outspoken and may signal a shift in the country’s opinion of Trump. A top Israeli government minister has turned into one […]

Trump chooses not to recertify Iran nuclear deal, demands changes from Congress, allies

Trump chooses not to recertify Iran nuclear deal, demands changes from Congress, allies

In a speech that indicates the adoption of a more confrontational foreign policy with Iran, President Trump announced on Friday that he will not be recertifying the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, further hinting that he may choose to terminate it all together if his standards are not met. “History has shown that the longer we […]

How the CIA staged sham academic conferences to thwart Iran’s nuclear program

How the CIA staged sham academic conferences to thwart Iran’s nuclear program

This is an edited excerpt from “Spy Schools: How the CIA, FBI, and Foreign Intelligence Secretly Exploit America’s Universities,” by senior editor Daniel Golden. The excerpt was co-published with The Guardian. The CIA agent tapped softly on the hotel room door. After the keynote speeches, panel discussions and dinner, the conference attendees had retired for the […]

Secretary of Defense James Mattis releases plans to counter global threats

Secretary of Defense James Mattis releases plans to counter global threats

American Secretary of Defense James Mattis released a force wide memo late last week, underscoring the importance of bringing America’s military back into a state of readiness, while also emphasizing the importance of alliance building and business reform in the Department of Defense. Mattis, who echoed these sentiments in a speech he delivered on Monday, […]

U.S. counter-terror official warns of Hezbollah threat to homeland

U.S. counter-terror official warns of Hezbollah threat to homeland

The United States is offering millions of dollars in award money for information that could lead to the arrest of two Hezbollah leaders, a senior State Department official said yesterday. Nicholas Rasmussen, head of the National Counterterrorism Center in Washington D.C., also said Hezbollah has actors within the U.S. homeland as part of its ongoing […]

Reports: In retaliation, Iran may treat US as a ‘terrorist country’

Reports: In retaliation, Iran may treat US as a ‘terrorist country’

Top Iranian officials recently suggested that if the U.S. labels the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), a powerful branch of the Iranian military, as a terrorist organization, Iran may retaliate by naming the U.S. Army a terrorist organization or the entire U.S. as a “terrorist country,” according to Iranian media reports. Speaking to reporters, Iranian […]