The US’s Middle East Strategy Might Be Fraying

By Jonathan Ariel May 21, 2019 Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, photo via Office of the President of Russia   BESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 1,178, May 21, 2019 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Egypt’s withdrawal from the formation of an “Arab NATO” against Iran is a warning that both Israel and the US need to urgently rethink […]

US Defense Secretary: Iranian threats ‘on hold’

Patrick Shanahan says deployment of US military weaponry prevented potential attacks by Iran or its proxies in the Middle East. Elad Benari, 22/05/19  Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan Tuesday credited the deployment of US military weaponry with preventing potential attacks by Iran or its proxies in the Middle East. “We have put on hold […]

Iran’s reach puts U.S. forces, allies in striking range

Iran backs militias in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, where U.S. troops are also based, and in Lebanon and Yemen, located next to Washington’s closest regional allies Israel and Saudi Arabia. REUTERS May 21, 2019 15:19 BAGHDAD/DUBAI/KABUL – Threats of conflict between the United States and Iran have highlighted the places and ways their forces, proxies […]

Merkel, Macron and Putin discuss Iran situation

Published:  05.21.19 , 23:13 The German government says Chancellor Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron have discussed the situation in Iran in a joint telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.   Merkel’s office said in a statement Tuesday that the three leaders “underlined the need to persuade Iran to remain in the nuclear agreement, […]

DoD: US Deterred Possible Iranian Attacks Based on Posture of Forces – Report

Acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan and other top defence and security officials were on Capitol Hill on Tuesday to provide closed-door briefings to members of Congress on Iranian threats and steps the Trump administration is taking to protect its interests in the Middle East. Shanahan said Tuesday after the briefing on Iran that Pentagon has had deterred […]

Iran’s isolated national intranet system is 80 percent complete – report

The intranet is intended to promote Islamic content and raise digital awareness among the public. By TZVI JOFFRE May 21, 2019 23:40   2 minute read. A computer engineer checks equipment at an internet service provider in Tehran February 15, 2011. (photo credit: CAREN FIROUZ / REUTERS) Iran’s national information network (ININ), a intranet system […]

Israel Condemns Top UN Official for Meeting With Hezbollah Leader

Israel on Tuesday condemned a top UN official for meeting with a Hezbollah leader in Lebanon. A day earlier, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jan Kubis tweeted, “Grateful for an open and substantive discussion on a broad range of topics with Deputy Secretary General Naim Qassem of Hizbullah. On top I received a copy of […]

Drop the cynicism. The Bahrain economic confab is a big step forward

Peace won’t break out after the Manama summit, but the mere fact than an Arab capital is hosting the rollout of Trump’s initiative is highly meaningful By RAPHAEL AHREN Today, 12:52 pm     US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (C-R) is greeted by Bahraini Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa (C-L) after arriving in Manama […]

Bahrain says it is hosting US peace workshop to support Palestinian cause

Bahrain responds to the refusal by the Palestinians to participate in next month’s economical workshop initiated by the United States, saying the Arab country’s hosting it was a manifestation of its support for the Palestinian cause. The Gulf nation’s foreign minister, Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, says on Twitter that there is no hidden motive […]

Trump: US Will Respond With ‘Great Force’ if Iran Attacks Interests

by Reuters and Algemeiner Staff     US President Donald Trump speaks upon his departure from West Palm Beach, Florida, March 24, 2019. Photo: Reuters / Kevin Lamarque. President Donald Trump warned on Monday Iran would be met with “great force” if it attacked US interests in the Middle East, and government sources said Washington strongly suspects […]

U.S. Army officer: Here is how the U.S. military could confront Iran

Pregent’s map shows a variety of pressure points where Iran, its allies and proxies are present. Seth J. Frantzman May 21, 2019 14:10 Members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards march during a parade to commemorate the anniversary of the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88), in Tehran September 22, 2011.. (photo credit: REUTERS/STRINGER) The US has many options […]

Iran Warns UN: US after Another Crisis in Middle East

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Majid Takht Ravanchi, in a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, cautioned against US’ provocative behavior in the Middle East, reminding that his country will vigorously exercise its inherent right to self-defense in case a war is imposed. Takht Ravanchi warned Guterres about […]

Europe will not succumb to Iran ultimatums, says French finance minister

PARIS, May 21 (Reuters) – Europe will not succumb to ultimatums from Iran, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Paris on Tuesday. “I do not think that Europe will get drawn into this idea of an ultimatum,” Le Maire told reporters. Le Maire said Europeans were facing extremely strong pressure from the United States […]