Judge pushes U.S. to explain why it’s holding an American citizen in secret in Iraq

In a case that defense lawyers warned could create a “constitutional black hole,” a federal judge expressed exasperation Thursday at the U.S. government’s secret detention of an American citizen in Iraq for more than two months. The American, who has not been publicly identified, allegedly fought for Islamic State in Syria and surrendered to a U.S.-backed militia […]

Saudis call Iran enemy to cover up defeats: Hassan Rouhani

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia presents Iran as an enemy because it wants to cover up its defeats in the region. “Saudi Arabia was unsuccessful in Qatar, was unsuccessful in Iraq, in Syria and recently in Lebanon. In all of these areas they were unsuccessful,” Rouhani said in the live […]

There’s confusion about US troop levels in the Middle East, and Trump may keep it that way

The Defense Department has released conflicting numbers about the number of US troops deployed overseas. It has acknowledged the differences and promised to be more transparent about troop levels. But comments by President Donald Trump and ongoing operations suggest that discrepancies will remain. Recent data on troop levels in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria released by […]

Leaving the military without PTSD

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 10% of veterans of the war in Afghanistan are diagnosed with PSTD, 11% from Iraq.  In “the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, about 1 in 10 (10%) returning soldiers seen in VA have a problem with alcohol or other drugs.” It seems like an easy match, if […]

US-Backed SDF Deny They Allowed ISIS Fighters to Escape Raqqa

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the US-backed peshmerga fighters are denying reports that they approved a deal with the Islamic State last month to allow safe passage to hundreds of trapped ISIS and foreign fighters evacuating from Raqqa, the de facto capital of the so-called Islamic State in northern Syria. The BBC on Sunday published a report, […]

Iraqi Kurds accept court decision to ban secession from Baghdad

Iraqi Kurdish authorities said on Tuesday they would accept a court decision prohibiting the region from seceding, signalling a new phase in efforts to restart stalled negotiations over its future. Iraq’s Kurds voted overwhelmingly for independence in a referendum in September, defying the central government in Baghdad – which had ruled the ballot illegal – […]

Hundreds dead and thousands injured as earthquake strikes Iran and Iraq

The death toll is currently at 407 and counting following a 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck Iran near the Iraqi border on Sunday.  There have been 13 deaths reported in Iraq and Kurdish territory as well. Rescuers continue to dig through the rubble in the Western provinces of Iran, particularly in Kermanshah, where the earthquake […]

Celebrating Veterans Day In Our Schools Is Possibly the Most Meaningful

First of all, a belated Happy Veterans Day to all of those who serve, have served and especially for those who are about to serve. Last week was a very busy one for the veterans in our small town in Central Massachusetts. Members of our local Veterans Council, the VFW, and the American Legion were […]

UK to end ISIS bombing campaign

London, England—The Royal Air Force’s campaign against ISIS is coming to an end. Operation Shader, which began in 2014, is set to conclude next year, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD). First to depart will be the RAF’s Eurofighter Typhoon jets and GR4 Tornado fighter-bombers. RAF manned and unmanned planes have conducted around 1600 […]

Two Suicide Bombers Hit Paramilitary Force in Kirkuk, Iraq

Kirkuk, Iraq was rocked by two suicide bombers that killed at least five people and wounded another 20 more. The city, in the northeast area of Iraq, was the scene of a battle between Islamic State fighters and the Iraqi government troops before another confrontation in October when Iraqi government and Shiite militias moved quickly […]