IRAQ CIVIL WAR
Israeli strikes kill 6 in Gaza, including kids and UN worker, as truce talks show signs of progress
Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least six people, including two children and a UN worker, amid stalled cease-fire talks with Hamas. Violence also flared in the West Bank, where Israeli forces killed seven individuals during a raid and airstrike in Jenin. As nearly 2 million Palestinians seek refuge, Israeli and Hamas negotiators plan to resume cease-fire discussions. The conflict has escalated, raising humanitarian concerns and fears of a broader regional war, with over 38,000 Palestinians reported dead.
Iran's nuclear policy of pressure and talks likely to go on even after president's death
Iran's nuclear program is nearing weapons-grade uranium enrichment, prompting indirect talks with the U.S. and inviting the UN atomic watchdog for negotiations. This strategy aims to lift economic sanctions crippling Iran's economy. Following a major attack on Israel amid its Gaza conflict, Iran seeks to manage risks from the U.S. Despite the recent helicopter crash killing key Iranian leaders, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei remains in control, continuing efforts to balance pressure and diplomacy. Indirect talks with the U.S. are ongoing, with uncertain outcomes.
Israel bombs Gaza as Middle East tense after Iranian attack
The Israeli army said it had bombed dozens of targets in the Palestinian coastal territory of 2.4 million people, more than six months into the bloodiest ever Gaza war.
Iran's attacks bring long shadow war with Israel into the open
Israel and Iran have engaged in a long-standing conflict across the Middle East, using various means such as drones, missiles, and cyber attacks. While Iran has typically used proxies like Hezbollah to target Israel, Israel has employed targeted assassinations against Iranian military leaders. A recent escalation saw Iran directly launching a barrage of drones and missiles at Israel from its own territory, a significant development in the conflict. The history of the conflict includes airstrikes, assassinations, and retaliatory attacks, showcasing the ongoing tensions between the two nations.
Iran and Israel have a long history of clandestine attacks
Israel's strike in the Syrian capital, Damascus, that killed three top Iranian commanders Monday was the most brazen attack in years, raising fears of a wider confrontation. That would be particularly dangerous in a region already in turmoil on multiple fronts.
LS polls: V K Singh hangs up his boots, BJP fields Atul Garg from Ghaziabad
"I have dedicated my entire life to the service of this nation as a soldier. For the last 10 years, I have worked tirelessly to fulfil the dream of making Ghaziabad a world-class city. In this journey, I am grateful for the trust and love that I have received from the people of the country and Ghaziabad as well as from the members of the BJP. This emotional bond is priceless to me," Singh posted in Hindi on X.
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Iraq's competing Shi'ite armed factions and parties
A visit by the commander of Iran's Quds Force to Baghdad led to a pause in attacks on U.S. troops by Iran-aligned groups in Iraq. The ruling Shi'ite coalition in Iraq opposes attacks on U.S. forces. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, including Kataib Hezbollah, has claimed attacks on U.S. forces.
Five dead including civilians in Israeli strikes on Syria: monitor
Israeli airstrikes in Syria's Homs killed five, including three civilians, with seven injured. Syria's defense ministry reported casualties and shared footage of rescue efforts. Last week, US strikes on Iran-backed groups in Syria and Iraq, alongside Israeli attacks in Syria, heightened tensions. Israel aims to prevent Iranian influence in Syria. The strikes occurred amidst the ongoing civil war, which has claimed over half a million lives and displaced millions since 2011.
U.S. launches retaliatory strikes in Iraq, Syria; nearly 40 reported killed
The strikes are believed to be just the first in a multi-tiered response by President Joe Biden's administration in response to the attack last weekend carried out by Iran-backed militants.
Why Iran is the common link in conflicts from Gaza to Pakistan
The Iran connection stems partly from Iran's decades-long efforts to deter threats and undermine foes by building up like-minded militias across the Middle East. In addition, Iran itself, like neighboring countries, faces armed separatist movements and terrorist groups in conflicts that readily spill over borders.
A defiant Netanyahu says no one can halt Israel's war to crush Hamas, including the world court
Amid a defiant 100-day war against Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israel's unwavering commitment to victory, dismissing International Court of Justice proceedings on South Africa's genocide allegations. Netanyahu vowed to continue the offensive, rejecting potential court orders and deepening Israel's isolation. The conflict, triggered by a deadly attack, faces international pressure, with the U.S. supporting Israel. Netanyahu indicated no immediate return for displaced Palestinians, emphasizing the need to close Gaza's border breaches. The ongoing war has claimed over 23,000 Palestinian lives, intensifying global concerns and geopolitical repercussions.
Israeli defense minister lays out vision for next steps of Gaza war ahead of Blinken visit
Israel's defense minister outlines a "new combat approach" for Gaza, emphasizing northern operations' shift and sustained pressure on Hamas. Proposing post-conflict governance, Israel eyes security control with Palestinian oversight and international aid for reconstruction. However, lacking specifics, the plan diverges from U.S. preferences. Amidst ongoing conflict and devastation, a push for a clearer vision emerges before the U.S. secretary of state's visit, amidst broader regional tensions and fears of escalation.
How many Palestinians have died in Gaza war and how will the counting continue?
A senior Israeli official told journalists on Monday that around a third of those killed in Gaza so far were enemy combatants, estimating their number at less than 10,000 but more than 5,000, without detailing how the estimate was reached. The official said the total count of some 15,000 dead as of Monday given by Palestinian authorities, who do not break down the count between civilians and combatants, is "more or less" right.
Dissent over US policy in Israel-Hamas war stirs unusual public protests from federal employees
As the deaths soar in Gaza, Biden and Congress are facing unusually public challenges from the inside over their support for Israel's offensive. Hundreds of staffers in the administration and on Capitol Hill are signing on to open letters, speaking to reporters and holding vigils, all in an effort to shift US policy toward more urgent action to stem Palestinian casualties.
How the US strikes a delicate balance in responding to attacks on its forces by Iran-backed militias
With a power vacuum and years of civil conflict following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, militias grew and multiplied in Iraq, some supported by Iran. A decade later, as the Islamic State extremist group swept across Iraq, a number of Iran-backed militias came together under the Popular Mobilization Forces umbrella group and fought IS.
Conflict pollution, washed-up landmines and military emissions - here's how war trashes the environment
Armed conflicts not only result in human suffering but also cause significant environmental damage. Artillery strikes, rockets, and landmines release pollutants, destroy forests, and render farmland unusable. Chemical weapons and pollution from weapons leave a toxic legacy in the environment. Explosives and troop movement can destroy landscapes, leading to long-lasting damage. Conflict also causes habitat loss and decreased biodiversity.
What does Hezbollah's arsenal look like?
Hezbollah is the only Lebanese faction to have retained its weapons after the end of Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war, and is now considered to have a more powerful stockpile than the national army.
Who Is Hassan Nasrallah: Hezbollah Chief Who Blames US For Israel- Palestine War
Hassan Nasrallah is largely regarded as one of Lebanon's most prominent and influential political figures.
Lebanon PM says he's working to avoid 'war' with Israel
Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, expressed on Monday his efforts to prevent his country from becoming embroiled in the Hamas-Israel conflict, even as there have been exchanges of cross-border fire between Hezbollah and Israel. Mikati voiced his concerns about the possibility of an escalation in the situation. The recent border skirmishes have raised apprehensions that Hezbollah, a powerful Iran-backed movement in Lebanon, could open a new front in the ongoing tensions with Israel.
World Bank sees oil lower in 2024, but wider Middle East war could spike them
The World Bank's latest Commodity Markets Outlook report noted that oil prices have risen only about 6% since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, while prices of agricultural commodities, most metals and other commodities "have barely budged."
For Hezbollah and Israel, the stakes in any broader war are high
Tensions are escalating on Israel's northern border with Lebanon as rockets are fired by Hezbollah and Israeli towns are on high alert. This comes amid increased fears of a war between Israel and Hezbollah, raising risks for both sides. Lebanon, already facing an economic crisis, could suffer extensive infrastructure damage and casualties from Israeli airstrikes.
What you need to know about Hezbollah, the group backing Hamas against Israel
Lebanon's Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has engaged in a deadly exchange of fire with Israel, escalating tensions in the region. Hezbollah, a Shi'ite Islamist group, has a powerful military with advanced weapons and has played a role in conflicts in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. It has deep ties to Palestinian groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Hezbollah's influence in Lebanon is controversial, with supporters viewing it as a defender against Israel, while opponents accuse it of undermining the state. Western countries, including the US, consider Hezbollah a terrorist organization.
A fire at a wedding hall in northern Iraq has killed more than 100 people and injured 150
A fire at a wedding party in Iraq's Nineveh province has left over 100 people dead and 150 injured. The fire, which broke out after fireworks were lit during the celebration, ripped through a large events hall. Preliminary information suggests that the building was made of highly flammable construction materials, contributing to its rapid collapse. Ambulances and medical crews have been dispatched to the site by federal Iraqi authorities and Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. The search for survivors is ongoing.
Syrian President Bashar Assad arrives in China on first visit since the beginning of war in Syria
Syrian President Bashar Assad has arrived in China for his first visit since the start of the country's conflict. China has been a major supporter of Assad throughout the 12-year conflict and the visit is expected to deepen political and economic cooperation between the two countries. Assad will attend the opening ceremony of the Asian Games and hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Back in the Arab League after 12 years, Syria urges group to invest in war-torn country
However, crippling Western sanctions against Assad's government remain in place and could prevent oil-rich Arab countries from rushing to invest in Syria - or lead to a quick release of reconstruction funds in the war-battered country.
Belt and Road Initiative in West Asia: A tool to secure China’s energy supplies
China's insatiable hunger for energy resources places a high priority on importing energy from West Asia. As the world's largest oil importer, China sources more than 10 million barrels of crude oil daily, with half of this coming from West Asia. Given China's dependence on imported energy and the significant role of oil- producing nations, the region has become an indispensable energy market for China.
Far from becoming a US colony, how Iraq has proved to be fiercely independent
Those that have not followed the twists and turns of Iraqi politics may be surprised to know that the current regime in Baghdad is very pro-Iran. This has naturally dismayed US diplomats, who expected that by toppling Saddam Hussein in 2003, they would create a liberal democracy in Iraq that would instinctively be pro-US and, hence, anti-Iran.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 brings in Destiny-inspired raids
The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is all set to introduce Destiny-style raids. We're hoping Infinity Ward can live up to the complexity and challenges that the word "raid" implies.
How a 92-year-old cleric silently halted Iraq's slide back into war
Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani said nothing in public about the unrest that erupted on Iraq's streets. But government officials and Shi'ite insiders say it was only Sistani's stance behind the scenes that halted a meltdown. The story of Iraq's bloodiest week in nearly three years shows the limits of traditional politics in a country where the power to start and stop wars rests with clerics - many with ambiguous ties to Iran, the Shi'ite theocracy next door.
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