The Trade War Is Just the Start of a US-China Cold War

By Emil Avdaliani June 16, 2019 BESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 1,201, June 16, 2019 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Many observers view the current confrontation on trade between China and the US as temporary. However, the two countries have opposed geopolitical imperatives that make it highly unlikely that a long-term solution will be found. The US will have […]

Iran hints US could be behind ‘suspicious’ tanker attacks

i24NEWS – AFP Latest Revision june 16, 2019, 6:20 AM AP Photo/Tasnim News Agency An Iranian navy boat sprays water to extinguish a fire on an oil tanker in the sea of Oman, Thursday, June 13, 2019. A damaged Japanese tanker arrived Sunday at a UAE anchorage site with the crew reportedly ‘safe and well’ […]

Iran says will take further steps to reduce nuclear deal commitments: Tasnim

DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran said it would announce additional steps to reduce its commitments under the 2015 international nuclear pact, which Washington withdrew from last year, Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday. “Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation tomorrow at the Arak heavy water site will announce preparatory steps that have been taken to further decrease Tehran’s […]

Lebanese MoD comments on possibility of war with Israel

BEIRUT, LEBANON (11:10 P.M.) – Lebanon’s Minister of Defense Elias Bou Saab sat down for an interview with Sputnik Arabic on Saturday to discuss a number of topics, including the possibility of war with Israel. When asked about the possibility of war with Israel, Bou Saab said it is very unlikely that Lebanon would enter […]

Intermediary from Qatar in Gaza; Visit Israel; Seek to End Violence

MICHAEL FRIEDSON 06/16/2019 The intermediary from Qatar who is charged with restoring calm in the Gaza Strip is due in the area on Sunday following another weekend of escalating violence and tension. For 58 weeks, the Palestinians have orchestrated mass demonstrations along the border separating Israel and the Gaza Strip, each week the protests becoming […]

How did Iran plan tanker attack? Links and sources show Iranian media may have given us hints

Iranian media falsely reported that the country rescued all the crew of the tankers, that one sank and even showed fake video. Why? By SETH J. FRANTZMAN Just after six in the morning on Thursday, June 13 the Kokuka Courageous oil tanker off the coast of Iran travelling in a major shipping lane experienced what crew described […]

Lebanon says Russia, Europe eye investment in oil and gas

As progress made in talks with Israel, companies look at Lebanese energy sector as it prepares to start offshore drilling by end of 2019; US says American firms can join By LAYAL ABOU RAHAL and TOI STAFF15 June 2019   Lebanese Energy Minister Nada Boustani displays a map of offshore oil and gas blocks in the Mediterranean, on […]

Fars News: Kurdish forces are being sent to Israel to train with Mossad

The Kurdish forces have been allegedly sent to Iraq, awaiting transport by Israeli authorities to a base stationed in the West Bank for “espionage” training. Zachary Keyser June 16, 2019 11:25 Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga, in a photo taken in 2015.. (photo credit: SETH J. FRANTZMAN) Multiple units of U.S.-backed Kurdish forces are currently being trained […]

The Central Asia summits that show Washington is losing grip

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan host Russia, China, Iran for two important summits that showed how US is losing influence to other world powers Seth J. Frantzman June 15, 2019 22:29 If one wanted to see what a world without US influence looks like, you could have been an observer at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s summit in […]

The Central Asia summits that show Washington is losing grip

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan host Russia, China, Iran for two important summits that showed how US is losing influence to other world powers Seth J. Frantzman June 15, 2019 22:29 If one wanted to see what a world without US influence looks like, you could have been an observer at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s summit in […]

Israel said to Blame Iran’s Revolutionary Guard for Attacks on Oil Tankers

TV report says Israeli intelligence shares US, UK assessment, claims mines and a torpedo were used in Thursday’s strikes in Gulf of Oman By TOI STAFF and AGENCIES Today, 8:48 pm An Iranian navy boat sprays water to extinguish a fire on an oil tanker in the sea of Oman, Thursday, June 13, 2019. (AP […]

Iran Months From Hitting Enriched Uranium Cap Despite Acceleration

June 15, 2019 10:00 am An IAEA inspector at an Iranian nuclear facility. Photo: IAEA. Iran has multiplied the speed at which it enriches uranium but it is still far from the maximum rate possible under its nuclear deal with major powers, meaning it would be months before production ceilings are hit, diplomats who follow […]

Intelligence Report: The Israel-Abu Dhabi connection

Why MBZ has become a close ally of the Jewish state. Yossi Melman June 14, 2019 01:29 The New York Times recently published an elaborate profile of Mohammed Bin Zayed, the crown prince known as MBZ and the de facto ruler of Abu Dhabi. MBZ contrasts starkly with the notorious and controversial MBS – Mohammed […]