Bahrain security forces raid home of Shi’ite spiritual leader

Bahraini security forces on Tuesday raided the home of the kingdom’s Shi’ite Muslim spiritual leader and shot dead at least one demonstrator during the operation. Ayatollah Isa Qassim was not among the 50 people arrested during the raid, but the move is likely to raise tensions in Bahrain days after U.S. President Donald Trump said […]

Trump speaks of unity, ‘principled realism’ between U.S. and Muslim world

In a landmark address to major leaders of the Arab and Muslim world this weekend, President Trump spoke of a renewed relationship between the U.S. and the Muslim world, united in a fight against extremism, and bound by the concept of ‘principled realism.’ Speaking in Saudi Arabia in a grand ballroom before the assembled representatives […]

Remembering Bull Simons, A True Legend in the Special Forces Community

On May 21, 1979, Special Forces had one its true legends take from it prematurely. Arthur “Bull” Simons died at the age of 60 and was buried in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida. He was one of the best SF commanders to have ever served but never made it to General Officer rank because he lacked […]

In the race to unseat Iran’s president, two conservatives emerge as contenders

ISTANBUL — Iran’s presidential elections are typically tumultuous affairs. Campaigns last just a few weeks, and a candidate’s star can rise or fall in a matter of days. Ruling clerics approve only a handful of contenders for the race, which takes place every four years. But the results are almost always a surprise, and dark-horse […]

Could China be funneling missile technology to North Korea through Iran?

Iran’s recent failed ballistic missile launch from a submerged “midget” submarine has once again drawn attention to Iran’s military ties with another of America’s most outspoken opponents, North Korea. The failed missile test is said to have been Iran’s first with the Jask-2 underwater cruise missile, a missile design intelligence experts believe to be a […]

Iran’s presidential candidates vow to uphold nuclear deal in televised debate

ISTANBUL — Each of Iran’s six presidential candidates committed Friday to uphold a nuclear deal with world powers should he win the May 19 election, a vote widely seen as a potential referendum on the accord’s benefits for average Iranians. The statements of support came during a debate that was broadcast live on Iranian state […]

Clashes in northwest Syria after de-escalation zones take effect: sources

Syrian government forces and rebels clashed in the northwestern province of Hama on Friday shortly after a Russian-led deal to establish de-escalation zones took effect, a monitor and a rebel official said. Fighter jets fired at the rebel-held village of al-Zalakiyat and nearby positions in the Hama countryside, where the combatants exchanged shelling, the Syrian […]

A Russian-backed deal on ‘safe zones’ for Syria leaves U.S. wary

ISTANBUL — Russia, Iran and Turkey said Thursday that they have agreed to create “de-escalation zones” across four areas in Syria, renewing diplomatic ­efforts to bring warring parties in the country to heel after six years of fighting. Meeting in the Kazakh capital, Astana, the three powers said the cease-fire deal would come into force Saturday and would […]

Pentagon Suspects Iran – North Korea Military Connection

The Pentagon is closely monitoring the recent failed launch of an Iranian underwater cruise missile from a midget submarine as evidence of influence by North Korea with the government in Tehran. The Pyongyang connection theory has some merit as the design of both the sub and missile closely resemble a design of North Korea. According […]

Al-Qaeda in Yemen claims to be fighting alongside U.S.-backed coalition forces

The leader of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has claimed that members of his terrorist organization have fought alongside U.S.-backed forces in Yemen’s civil war. Qasim al-Rimi, the current leader of AQAP, who assumed the position after his predecessor was killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2015, said that his fighters have joined […]