Turkish and Syrian militaries fight it out over territory

An already tense situation has escalated into a deadly tit-for-tat violent struggle in northwest Syria. The Syrian government troops of President Assad have attacked Turkish troops killing six in an artillery barrage in Idlib. The Turkish military responded with strikes of their own, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reported that they hit over 40 Syrian […]

What’s the role of the military in American foreign policy?

The use of soft power in foreign policy is often aided by the knowledge that should it not be effective, military (hard) power is waiting in the wings. Following this argument, it seems logical to conclude then that when boots are on the ground, soft power has come up short. The military’s mission is to […]

Turkey sends troops to Libya

Turkish troops are now being deployed to Libya, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced. This follows an earlier parliamentary vote, which took place during the first days of the new year, whereby 325 Turkish lawmakers voted in favor of the move, with 184 voting against. According to the Turkish president, their mission will be to bolster […]

Which countries would support the US in a war with Iran?

With Washington and Tehran nearing the brink of war, the rest of the world looks on nervously. But which U.S. allies would actively back the United States should a full-scale war break out? More supportive would most likely be some of the Gulf monarchies such as Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Many of these countries house […]

Will Turkey kick out the Americans?

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated publicly that his country would shutdown two strategic military bases in the country, currently used by the United States, if Washington decides to implement sanctions for Ankara’s decision to purchase S-400 missile systems from Russia. Erdogan specified that “if necessary, we’ll close Incirlik and also Kurecik,” and that if […]

Erdogan threatens closure of US military bases in Turkey

The handwriting was on the wall and now the ongoing flap between the United States and Turkey over the U.S threatening to impose sanctions on Ankara, for buying a Russian missile system, is reaching a tipping point. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened to close two strategic U.S. airbases at Incirlik and Kurecik over these […]

Watch: Turkey’s newest drones are quad-copters armed with machine guns

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles has becomes commonplace on the battlefields of today. But more often than not, the types of drones seeing widespread use in combat are of the high-flying, reconnaissance or air-strike launching variety. However, multiple programs all around the world have begun surfacing in recent months with the aim of using […]

Turkey is now helping make Russian air defenses better at tracking US fighter jets

While Turkey’s decision to purchase Russia’s advanced S-400 air defense system may have cost them access to America’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, it’s are already moving ahead with testing the Russian weapon system against U.S. made F-16s. Some American officials have already voiced concerns over the possibility that Russia will gain access to target acquisition […]

The Pic of the Day: Cypriot commandos and their sniper rifles

A Cypriot operator assigned to the Special Operations Company of the Cypriot National Guard — not an equivalent of the U.S. National Guard — during a military parade. He is carrying an FN SCAR–H TPR (Tactical Precision Rifle). This rifle has been based on SOCOM’s MK-20 SSR. 

Underwear, an informant, and $25 million: The hunt for the leader of ISIS

On Saturday night, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi chose suicide over death or capture at the hands of the Delta operators of A Squadron. The operation, however, had begun months before the Delta shooters came in knocking at the leader of ISIS’ door. The story behind the tracking of the leader of the Islamic State (ISIS) is […]

Just weeks after Syria pullout, US troops return to defend oil fields

Just weeks after President Trump ordered the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Northern Syria, troops have returned to defend oil facilities from falling into the hands of the Islamic State. There were approximately 1,000 American troops in Northern Syria when President Trump announced, “It’s time to come back home,” earlier in October, but with this […]

Wiping the slate clean: How the US obliterated any chance of an al-Baghdadi shrine

Last Saturday night, approximately 70 special operators hailing from Delta Force’s A Squadron and the 75th Ranger Regiment stormed a compound in the Idlib Province of Northeast Syria with orders to kill or capture ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The mission has been hailed as a complete success, with no American troops lost and one […]