Israel
Turkey, With Anti-Israel Stance, Sidelined as Mideast Broker
Yearly Archives: 2012
Afghanistan
Mine detecting dogs to take on Afghanistan’s enemy
Afghanistan
Freed Taliban prisoners now living with their families: Afghan High Peace Council
Afghanistan
France has ended its combat mission in Afghanistan. The Taliban attempted to assassinate the governor and security chief for Helmand. Two policemen and two Taliban fighters were killed during fighting in Helmand. The Taliban killed a policeman in an IED attack in Farah.
Iran
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said there was no evidence that economic sanctions had any affect on Iran’s nuclear program. Iran was still producing enriched uranium at “a quite constant pace.”
Iraq
Security forces killed a senior al Qaeda in Iraq commander in Wasit and detained 13 al Qaeda fighters near Ramadi. The chief of Kurdish military forces warned that a clash with central government forces could happen after fighting took place near Kirkuk.
Hamas
5 Reasons Why The Israeli-Palestinian Fighting Is Different This Time
Israel
A Hamas official said a truce was imminent in Gaza. However, Israel and Egypt said the announcement was premature and that talks were still in progress. A “calming down” announcement scheduled for 9 p.m. local time did not happen. Israel said it would postpone a ground offensive into Gaza to give diplomatic efforts more time.
Syria
Rebels overran a military base in northern Syria, capturing armored vehicles and a large quantity of ammunition. Rebels also captured part of an air defense base. The European Union said the Syrian rebel coalition was legitimate. Extremist Islamist groups rejected the coalition and announced their own “jihadist state.”
Somalia
Somali and African Union forces are advancing on Burhakabo; Shabaab fighters are said to be abandoning the town. The US deported Nuradin Abdi to Somalia. Abdi served a jail sentence for plotting to blow up a mall in Ohio.
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb
Senior religious leaders from Algeria, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Nigeria formed the League of the Ulemas of the Sahel to denounce al Qaeda-linked groups and terrorism. The council denounced al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, the Movement for Tawhid and Jihad in West Africa, and Boko Haram.
Afghanistan
Opium cultivation rises in Afghanistan, prices remain high
Afghanistan
Over $3 billion illegally transferred outside Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghan National Army loses 830 soldiers in 7 months
France
France sees alarming rise in Islamophobia
European Union
EU recognises Syrian National Coalition as ‘legitimate’ representative
Free Syrian Army
Syrian Rebels Have Drifted into Regime Style Violence
Hamas
A Rain of Rockets: How Hamas Terror Works along the Border
Egypt
Analysis of Hamas Military Capability After Six-Day Conflict With Israel
Denmark
About 25 pro-Palestinian protesters vandalized the Israeli Embassy, throwing fireworks and spray-painting graffiti on the embassy walls. One of the vandals was detained.
Syrian jihadist groups reject rebel council, call for Islamic state
Two days ago, 14 jihadist groups, including the Al Nusrah Front, said that the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces was “forced on us” by foreign countries and domestic groups.
United Kingdom
The government recognized the opposition Syrian National Coalition as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people, and promised to provide communications equipment, a team to coordinate with the coalition, and possibly more humanitarian assistance. The UK has not yet advocated for an end to the embargo on selling arms to Syria.
Norway
Poland arrests bomb plotter linked to Norway’s Breivik
Israel
Iron Dome: Missile defense system a game changer, Israelis say
Ansar al Sharia Egypt releases founding statement
Ansar al Sharia Egypt has released a statement outlining its 16 goals. In addition to working toward the implementation of sharia law, the group says it will support the mujahideen opposed to the “Zionist-Crusader” coalition. The group is headed by Ahmed Ashush, a jihadist with longstanding ties to al Qaeda.
Jordan
Jordan’s Islamists doubtful of on-time elections
Pakistan
Pakistan – Attack on imambargah in Karachi : Security on high alert in capital
Afghanistan
President Karzai asked the US to free all Afghan prisoners currently being held at the Bagram detention facility. Security forces arrested a Taliban suicide attack facilitator in Kandahar.
Iraq
Insurgents gunned down an Iraqi journalist in Baghdad. Security forces detained 67 “terror suspects” during the past week. Three al Qaeda in Iraq fighters were captured north of Tikrit.
Israel
Violence in Gaza continued to escalate. The Israeli military attacked 80 sites, including police stations, weapons facilities, and militant buildings. The death toll passed 100. Truce negotiations started in Cairo. Hamas demanded concessions before it halted rocket attacks. A Hamas leader dared Israel to launch a ground invasion and dismissed truce negotiations.