Left: On January 31, 2016, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei awarded the ‘Fath’ medal on Commander of the IRGC Navy Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi as well as four others for capturing 2 US Navy patrol boats and 10 US Marines on January 12, … [Read more...] about Spotlight on Iran*
Shia
China’s New Grand Strategy for the Middle East*
Chinese President Xi Jinping with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Tehran, January 23, 2016 - After decades of distance, China is moving closer to the region’s sectarian feuds — and its vital oil reserves At the start of 2016, prospects … [Read more...] about China’s New Grand Strategy for the Middle East*
The Volcano of Islamic Terrorism*
Terrorism has dominated the history of Islam, as demonstrated by the murder of three of the first four caliphs who succeeded the Prophet Muhammad: Umar ibn Abd al-Khattab (644 C.E.), Uthman Ibn Affan (656 C.E.) and Ali ibn Abi Talib (661 C.E.). … [Read more...] about The Volcano of Islamic Terrorism*
A Response to Bernard-Henri Lévy*
On November 16, 2015, French public intellectual Bernard-Henri Lévy published a commentary in which he urges the West to acknowledge that it is at war and must call things by their right names. He subsequently argues that we must battle Islamic jihad … [Read more...] about A Response to Bernard-Henri Lévy*
What the Downing of the Russian Plane May Portend
Left: The remains of a Russian airliner are inspected by military investigators at the crash site at the al-Hasanah area in El Arish city, north Egypt. (Reuters). It is now generally accepted that the Russian commercial airliner that crashed in the … [Read more...] about What the Downing of the Russian Plane May Portend
Qasem Soleimani – A Portrait*
Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps' ((IRGC) Qods Force, is "the instigator of Iranian subversion and terrorism in the Middle East and around the Globe," writes. Dr. Raz Zimmet*, who studied … [Read more...] about Qasem Soleimani – A Portrait*
Iran’s Growing Intervention in the Middle East
Left: Iran sends fighters to Syria, using cover from Russia’s air campaign (CBS News, Oct. 14, 2015) Palestinian attacks against Israelis/Jews are stoked by radical Sunni and Shia Muslims alike. Both ISIS and Iran target their propaganda campaign at … [Read more...] about Iran’s Growing Intervention in the Middle East
Would Turkey’s Military Stand By?
Left: Turkish police officers stand on guard, securing the site of the explosion in Ankara. Protesters clashed with riot police after the bombings, accusing officers of blocking a road being used by ambulances to transport the wounded. (Burhan … [Read more...] about Would Turkey’s Military Stand By?
Weekly Review, September 7-11, 2015
Europe’s refugee crisis a warning to Israel - Norman A. Bailey - There are certain situations that do not lend themselves to any reasonable solution which will fulfill all the objectives of the actors in the drama. The tidal wave of political and … [Read more...] about Weekly Review, September 7-11, 2015
Russians facing up to a Syrian climax?
Left: Syria has reportedly received six MiG-31"Foxhound" interceptor aircraft from Russia, although there has so far been no official confirmation of this. Source: Russian Air Force With Pres. Obama’s self admission that the U.S. has no Syria … [Read more...] about Russians facing up to a Syrian climax?