News

FILE – In this Nov. 9, 2017 file photo, an American flag is flown next to the Chinese national emblem during a welcome ceremony for visiting U.S. President Donald Trump outside the Great Hall of the People in BeijingChinese Ambassador: Beijing Still Committed to Trade Talks With US – Reports

by

Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai told Fox News on Tuesday that Beijing was ready to continue trade talks with Washington. “China remains ready to continue our talks with our colleagues to reach a conclusion. Our door is still open”, Cui said in an interview with Fox News Channel. The two countries have […]

US: Signs that Syrian gov’t is using chemical weapons

by

State Department says there are signs that Syrian government may be using chemical weapons, warns of response. Elad Benari, 22/05/19  The United States sees signs that the Syrian government may be using chemical weapons, including an alleged chlorine attack on Sunday in northwest Syria, the State Department said on Tuesday, according to Reuters. “We are […]

Israel has agreed to discuss disputed borders with Lebanon, US says

by

A top US envoy has said Israel agreed to discuss disputed land and sea borders with Lebanon, which is eyeing hydrocarbon exploration off its coast, two Lebanese officials say. The Israeli Foreign Ministry does not immediately respond to a request for comment from AFP. Last year, Lebanon signed its first contract to drill for oil […]

2,000-year-old Jewish bones found in Jericho receive burial in Kfar Adumim

by

Hundreds of tombs were found in a complex of dozens of burial caves, in which unique inscriptions were found and provided details of the deceased. By Rachel Bernstein May 21, 2019 19:04   2 minute read. Hundreds of bones from a massive Jewish burial cave dating from the Second Temple period were reburied on Tuesday […]

PM dismisses generals’ claims that West Bank annexation would endanger Israel

by

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responds to former security senior security officials who reportedly warned earlier today against annexing parts of the West Bank. Dismissing the claims that such a move — pledged by the premier days before last month’s elections — would “endanger the citizens of Israel,” Netanyahu says that “regions in Judea and Samaria […]

IRGC commander: Iran on brink of ‘all-out clash with the enemy’

by

Attacks on a key Saudi oil pipeline and tankers in the Port of Fujairah, both of which are alternative oil export routes to the Strait of Hormuz, were a pointed message to Saudi Arabia and the United States. Lt. Col. (ret.) Michael Segall (May 20, 2019 / Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) The Iranian leadership […]

Israel Using Holocaust to ‘Blackmail’ Germany, Palestinians Claim in Response to Bundestag Condemnation of BDS

by

 by Ben Cohen The Palestinian Authority (PA) has issued a furious rebuke of the German parliament’s decision last week to define the anti-Zionist boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign as “antisemitic” — falling back on a well-known antisemitic trope as it did so, by accusing Israel of invoking the Nazi Holocaust to “blackmail” European countries. In […]

The US’s Middle East Strategy Might Be Fraying

by

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’

by

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

by

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 […]

US, Israeli officials to dedicate Golan town named for Trump in June

by

Netanyahu and others to lay cornerstone for new community to be built next to existing village of Kela Alon; actual name of town still unknown By TOI STAFFToday, 5:24 pm   Aerial view of the small village of Kela Alon in the Golan Heights, the site of a new settlement to be renamed to honor US President […]

Merkel, Macron and Putin discuss Iran situation

by

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

by

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

by

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 […]