Iran
Iran Guards wield electoral power behind scenes
Monthly Archives: June 2013
Pillar of Defense versus Cast Lead, 6 months after
In the six months since the end of Operation Pillar of Defense, only 41 rockets and mortars have been fired from Gaza and the Sinai toward Israel. After the earlier Operation Cast Lead, however, over 200 were fired in the six months following the operation.
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Hezbollah’s Safe European Home Funds Terror in the Middle East–and in Europe
Egypt
Among the smugglers of Sinai
Algeria
Bouteflika’s absence leaves Algeria pondering future
Mali
A suicide bomber killed only himself in an attack in Kidal near the home of an MNLA officer and also close to the former home of Ansar Dine leader Iyad Ag Ghaly. The government has vowed to retake Kidal from the Tuareg MNLA before a presidential election in late July.
US offers rewards for Boko Haram, African al Qaeda leaders
The $7 million reward for Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram’s emir, puts him in the top echelon of wanted terrorist leaders. Rewards of $5 million are also offered for Mokhtar Belmokhtar and Yahya Abu Hammam.
United Kingdom
Michael Adebowale and Michael Adelbolajo, prime suspects in the killing of a UK soldier in Woolwich, were given a date of June 28 for a preliminary hearing in the case. Prime Minister Cameron said that although the government has already held three major terrorist trials this year that sent 18 plotters to prison, “excluded more […]
United States
The US levied a new set of sanctions against Iran, targeting Iranian currency for the first time. A US court said KLM Dutch airlines was not responsible for injuries sustained by a passenger who tried to subdue underwear bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab on a flight in late 2009. Secretary of State Kerry said the US […]
Afghanistan
A suicide bomber killed 11 students, two US soldiers, and a member of the Afghan Local Police in an attack in Paktia. The Taliban killed eight civilians in an IED attack in Laghman.
Iraq
Al Qaeda killed two Iraqi soldiers and wounded three more in an IED attack in Husaybah on the Syrian border. Security forces detained 12 al Qaeda members and freed a hostage during a raid on a hideout in Hawijah.
Somalia
Shabaab claimed it overran a Ugandan military base outside of Mogadishu and killed 14 soldiers and captured the base commander. Shabaab also displayed two Kenyan hostages in the town of Idlib.
Canada
Foreign nationals to have harder time getting pardoned in wake of Via terror plot
Germany
German Defense Ministry Continued Drone Program Despite Problems
Afghanistan
US forces to stay in Afghanistan after 2014
Afghanistan
UNAMA Condemns Attacks in Eastern Afghan Provinces
Afghanistan
Afghanistan – MoI Seeks UN’s Help to Handle Pakistan
Denmark
Denmark – Assaults by groups on the rise
Sweden
Left-right split over probe of Stockholm riots
Syria
US withholds millions pledged to help Syrian opposition
Israel
Defense Minister Ya’alon said that Russia will not supply Syria with S-300 anti-aircraft missiles before 2014. Ya’alon previously said Israel would “know what to do” if they arrived in Syria. Ya’alon also confirmed that Israel is operating a field hospital near the border with Syria.
Afghanistan
Engineer-turned-militia leader takes on Taliban
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb
Jebel Chaambi heroes describe border horror
Iran
Israel fast-tracks development of Arrow III defense system over Iran concerns
Israel thwarts Hamas terror plots involving Qatar-based terrorist
Israeli authorities announced the arrest of a Hamas terrorist in the West Bank who was planning terror attacks at the behest of a Hamas terrorist based in Qatar.
Europe
U.S. warned Europe of Hezbollah operations before terror attacks last year
Egypt
Egypt’s government struggles to exert authority in the Sinai
Missing context on the tribal ‘Awakening’ in Panjwai
Recent coverage of the grassroots uprising against the Taliban in Kandahar province fails to account for a long-running tribal feud.
Libya
French President Hollande denied rumors that France was planning a military intervention against Islamists in southern Libya, but voiced concern about lawlessness in the area. The European Union has announced a mission to help Libya secure its borders. The Libyan Defense Ministry denied asking Russia to send weapons to Libya.
Suicide bomber kills 10 Afghan students, 2 US soldiers
The suicide bomber targeted a US and Afghan Local Police patrol as it passed by a high school in Paktia province. The US has stepped up raids against the Haqqani Network in Paktia.