The Iranian-backed Houthis suicide attack on a Saudi Arabian frigate in Western Yemen, in Bab al-Mandab Strait on January 30, resulted in the deaths of two Saudi sailors and wounding three others. The ship struck the rear, was badly damaged. On … [Read more...] about U.S. Warships Need Better Protection*
Yemen
Iran’s Growing Involvement in the Middle East
"Assad remaining in power Iran's redline" - Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei: Revolutionary Guard's deputy commander, General Hossein Salami, threatened on May 4th: “If the … [Read more...] about Iran’s Growing Involvement in the Middle East
Washington: Russia Should use Smart Bombs in Syria*
Washington has ramped up criticism of Russia’s bombing campaign in Syria, complaining that the Russians are using “dumb” bombs when America uses “smart” bombs almost exclusively. Is Washington right, and are the Russians just trying to wipe out … [Read more...] about Washington: Russia Should use Smart Bombs in Syria*
ISIS’s Libyan Expansion
Left: Locations of ISIS presence and control in Libya. It has territorial control over the square outlined in black. Outlined in red are large cities where ISIS is present but not in control, while Misrata and Ajdabiya are on its agenda (Google … [Read more...] about ISIS’s Libyan Expansion
Stupidity is Not a Crime – Funding Terrorism Is
The opaqueness that marks both the Obama administration and Ayatollah Khamenei's regime, makes it difficult to know how many unfrozen billions of dollars are going to the coffers of the Islamic Republic following the lifting of the sanctions. The … [Read more...] about Stupidity is Not a Crime – Funding Terrorism Is
Feeding Iran’s Terrorist Agenda
Left: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif waving [goodbye] to the Peace Dove. (cartoon by Keyvan Varessi, Iranian daily Iranian daily Ghanoon) - The lifting of the sanctions on Iran is significant not only because … [Read more...] about Feeding Iran’s Terrorist Agenda
The Petrokingdom In Peril*
"The decision makers of the Saudi government should not have any doubt that this blood will trouble them. It will haunt them."- Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei - The eastern province, bordering on the Gulf, not only has a concentration of oil, it … [Read more...] about The Petrokingdom In Peril*
The Middle East Poker*
Left:U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and foreign ministers from Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Europe in Vienna, November 14, 2015 in a bid to step up diplomatic efforts to end the four-year-old conflict … [Read more...] about The Middle East Poker*
Spotlight on Iran (September 24 – October 11, 2015)*
Overview: Syria - Official Iranian spokesmen praised the start of Russia's aerial attacks in Syria. Hossein Hamedani, considered the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps' (IRGC) senior military advisor in Syria, was killed in the region of … [Read more...] about Spotlight on Iran (September 24 – October 11, 2015)*
Weekly Review, August 23-28, 2015
Reporting on ISIS and the Global Jihad - Rachel Ehrenfeld - News that White House pressure on military and intelligence brass have led to massaging the truth about the United States led coalition success in defeating ISIS, did not come as a … [Read more...] about Weekly Review, August 23-28, 2015