Iran’s VIPs just got a new IRGC commander

Jamiri has been an influential IRGC commander in Yazd province in central Iran. There he was known for giving zealous speeches supporting the Basij, a paramilitary unit within the IRGC. Seth J. Frantzman April 21, 2019 00:48 Fathollah Jamiri was appointed the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Protection unit on Saturday, according to […]

Terrorists, their sponsors terrified by Iran-Pakistan close ties: Zarif

Tasnim – Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the Islamic Republic stands with the people and the government of Pakistan against terrorism, adding that terrorists and their sponsors are “terrified by the close relations” between the two Muslim countries. “Strongly condemning the recent terrorist attack in Pakistan, just as PM @ImranKhanPTI embarks on his […]

As Turkey drifts away from the US, will Russia give it what it wants?

April 18, 2019 Article Summary Both Turkish and Russian analysts believe Putin has been successful in using President Erdogan to drive a wedge between NATO members. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s reliance on Russia is growing as Turkey’s ties with the United States deteriorate and move toward what might be a breakup of historic proportions. Turkey’s […]

The Syrians Won’t Cede an Inch of Their Land: PA Speaker

BAGHDAD, (ST)- Speaker of the People’s Assembly (PA) Hammouda Sabbagh has stressed that Golan is a Syrian Arab land and the Syrian people won’t rest until they liberate this dear part of the homeland and that hegemony forces must  have realized that they are facing a dignified people who won’t cede an inch of their […]

Abbas seeks Arab backing to foil Trump’s plan

“Any plan not based on two-state solution is doomed to fail.” By Khaled Abu Toameh April 20, 2019 17:49   Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled to hold talks in Cairo on Sunday with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi as Palestinians stepped up their attacks on US President Donald Trump’s administration and its upcoming […]

French envoy: Trump peace plan close to Israeli position, doomed to fail

“Everywhere in the history of mankind, when there is a negotiation between two sides, the more powerful [party] is imposing terms on the weaker party. That’s the basis of Jared Kushner’s [plan].” Tovah Lazaroff April 20, 2019 21:47 Trump’s peace plan is close to what the Israelis want and doomed to fail, outgoing French Ambassador […]

Assad appoints pro-Russian general as Chief of Staff

Lt. Gen. Salim Harba’s appointment as Syrian chief of staff by President Bashar Assad was announced on Friday. Syrian sources say Assad bowed to pressure from Moscow for the appointment. Harba has served 42 years in military combat functions and is seen as Russia’s linchpin for Syria’s political future.

Islamic State: The end of an era or the beginning of a new one?

armyvoice.gr – Apr.  , 2019 The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) supported by the International Coalition for Combating Terrorism recently announced full control over the areas controlled by the Islamic State in eastern Syria, with the end of the Baghuz battle, which lasted more than three months. Following this victory, Washington has not yet defined its […]

IRANIAN IMAM: ‘WHY ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT SANCTIONS? DON’T YOU HAVE A GOD?’

The Iranian cleric also asserted that the flooding that swept Iran at the end of March of this year was a “divine blessing.” BY ZACK EVANS  APRIL 20, 2019 19:47     b An aerial view of flooding in Golestan province, Iran March 27, 2019. (photo credit: IRANIAN PRESIDENCY WEBSITE/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS) Tehran’s interim Friday Prayer Imam […]

Kushner: UNRWA ‘corrupt’ and doesn’t help peace

“Sometimes you have to strategically risk breaking things in order to get there,” wrote Kushner in a confidential email regarding the UN Relief and Work Agency. ZACK EVANS April 20, 2019 22:30 Jared Kushner, senior advisor and son-in-law to President Donald Trump, wrote in a confidential email that the United Nations Relief and Work Agency […]

Gazan projectiles fired towards southern Israel – report

The Red Alert incoming rocket siren was not activated and according to unconfirmed reports, one projectile landed in open territory outside a community in Israel’s Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council. By Anna Ahronheim April 20, 2019 17:56   Residents in southern Israel have reported hearing sounds of an explosion after a projectile were fired from the […]

Palestinian Affairs: Where do the Palestinians go from here?

Ramallah’s public denunciations and rejection of the ‘deal of the century’ will make it almost impossible for the PA to accept the plan or any part of it. Khaled Abu Toameh April 18, 2019 21:14 As the US administration prepares to announce its long-awaited plan for peace in the Middle East, also known as the […]

France said to tell Lebanon: Israel won’t tolerate Iranian-backed missile plant

France has warned Lebanon that Israel will not tolerate the existence of an Iranian-backed manufacturing facility for precision-guided missiles located inside the country, the London-based Arabic-language Al-Hayat newspaper reported on Saturday. Diplomatic sources from within the Arab world told the newspaper details of the facility were conveyed to France from the US and originated with […]

Riding the Tides: Jordan sits at a crossroads of Middle Eastern dilemmas

Jordan still cares about the two-state solution and continues to push for it and is very worried about any annexation plans Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might have. By Seth J. Frantzman April 20, 2019 14:53   Jordan watched the recent election results in Israel with some apprehension. “Netanyahu’s next government can include parts of the […]