IDF official warns terror tunnels under northern border pose ‘major threat’

Maj. Gen. Mickey Edelstein, who heads the military’s counter-tunnel warfare development efforts, warns that some of the tactics already developed for underground warfare will soon become obsolete. by  Hanan Greenwood  Published on  12-16-2019 09:14 Last modified: 12-16-2019 13:42 A Hezbollah terror tunnel discovered under the Israel-Lebanon border in January | Photo: JINI/Eyal Margolin Terror tunnels will play […]

Since 1948, Israel has welcomed more than 3 million new immigrants

Report released to mark International Migrants Day shows majority of olim are content with their lives, but far fewer are satisfied with their economic status Yaron Druckman Updated: 12.16.19 , 23:07 Israel has welcomed some 3.3 million immigrants since its creation in 1948, the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) said in a report on Monday. […]

Kurdish Commander Calls on Trump to Prevent ‘Ethnic Cleansing’

The SDF’s Gen. Mazloum Abdi wants international observers to stop Turkish-backed forces from displacing the Kurds. By Lara Seligman| December 16, 2019, 3:56 PM Gen. Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has a message for U.S. President Donald Trump: The United States must act now to bring Turkey in line […]

Trump: We’re watching North Korea very closely

Trump says he would be disappointed if something is “in the works” in North Korea. Elad Benari, 17/12/19  US President Donald Trump said on Monday he would be disappointed if something is “in the works” in North Korea, adding the United States is watching activities in the Asian nation closely. “I’d be disappointed if something […]

The US and Israel should agree on a mutual defense pact

By MICHAEL MAKOVSKY, CHARLES WALD DECEMBER 16, 2019 21:41 It won’t surprise readers of this paper that major war between Israel and Iran is increasingly likely. This directly threatens enduring US interests, yet America’s abrupt drawback in Syria and general inaction against Tehran’s months of provocations only compound the risks of conflict. With Israel bearing […]

Israel signs gas deal with Egypt, becomes major energy exporter

With expected boon, Israel plans to wean itself off coal and potentially revolutionize its economy, potentially aided by EU as it aims to reduce dependence on Russian gas with new delivery routes, something that could also curtail Iranian ambitions to use Syria as gateway to Mediterranean Associated Press Updated: 12.16.19 , 21:08 Israel became a […]

King James Bible, first edition, to be displayed in Saudi Arabia

The bible being displayed is being loaned to the King Faisal Center by a private Saudi collector. ZACHARY KEYSER DECEMBER 16, 2019 21:13 A rare first edition of the King James Bible will be put on display early next year at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, according […]

Erdoğan under Political Siege

By: Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak,  expert on contemporary Turkish politics and foreign policy, Turkish-Israeli relations, and the Kurds. As of 2002, Turkey has been ruled by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP). It is not a secret that one of the most important reasons for the AKP’s constant success in all general election campaigns […]

Iran denies secret negotiations with Saudi Arabia

The denial comes after The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran and Saudi Arabia had been in direct context and also through intermediaries such as Oman, Kuwait, Pakistan and others. SETH J. FRANTZMAN DECEMBER 16, 2019 11:06 Iran’s Foreign Ministry denied that secret negotiations are taking place with Saudi Arabia as rumors mounted that Iran […]

Aoun postpones consultations to name PM for second time

Annahar Staff BEIRUT: President Michel Aoun has postponed the binding parliamentary consultations until December 19, according to a statement from his office. This comes after caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri requested further deliberations between the different stakeholders.

Steinitz’s EastMed gas pipeline stirring up regional conflict

The European pipeline project initiated by the Israeli Energy Minister is provoking regional tension after Turkey claims economic waters to thwart it, angering Egypt, Cyprus and Greece. Will Israel be dragged into a regional conflict developing in the Eastern Mediterranean between Turkey, Greece, Egypt, and Cyprus? Israeli sources sought to make it clear that Israel […]

Russian bombers now transit Iran’s airspace to Syria – rejoinder for US-Israeli air force cooperation

Long-range, heavy Russian bombers are flying from their home bases via Iranian airspace for combat operations in Syria, thereby cutting short flying time. Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran‘s Supreme National Security Council, said on Sunday, Dec. 15, that Iranian and Russian coordination “is comprehensive, embracing different aspects.” He also told the Mehr news agency that, […]

Lebanon’s Interior Minister blames ‘foreign forces’ for protests

Protesters threw fireworks at security forces in Beirut, despite Hasan Nasrallah’s speech blaming the US and Israel for masterminding the demonstrations. YASSER OKBI/MAARIV DECEMBER 16, 2019 05:44  Hezbollah’s leader, Hasan Nasrallah has accused Israel and the United States of being behind the economic protests in Lebanon Tensions continued to run high on Sunday night between […]

Iraq’s former prime minister slams US sanctions on pro-Iran militia leader

Abdul Mahdi also condemned protesters for insulting Iraqi leaders and tearing down posters of them. SETH J. FRANTZMAN DECEMBER 16, 2019 08:02 Former Iraqi prime minister Abdul Mahdi, who resigned in late November, slammed recent US sanctions that targeted a pro-Iranian militia leader in Iraq. On December 6 the US Treasury department sanctioned Qais Khazali […]