FDD's Long War Journal

Iran

Despite sanctions’ toll on Iran, US sees no shift in nuclear behavior

Syria

Syrian Conflict Extends To Border With Israel

Afghanistan

After The Afghan Pullout, The Dangers For Central Asia

The opposition Syrian National Coalition met in Istanbul to form an interim government. After a yearlong siege, rebels broke through a blockade of the city of Homs. Government jets attacked Syrian rebels inside Lebanon; the US State Department called it a “significant escalation.”

Boko Haram

Nigeria: Boko Haram and Alamieyesaigha – Effect On Nigeria-US Relations

Saudi Arabia

The Execution of the Saudi Seven

Israel

The 33rd government of Israel was sworn in. In his address before the Knesset, Prime Minister Netanyahu said “Israel will use any means necessary to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of hostile organizations.” The IDF is planning on moving most of its headquarters from Tel Aviv to mega-bases in the south of the […]

Egypt

Authorities detained 10 Palestinians who were trying to transport ammunition from the Gaza Strip into the Sinai. Hamas’ Ismail Haniyeh declared that “Hamas will remain a protecting shield of Egypt and all attempts to drive a wedge between Palestine and Egypt will fail.” Soldiers in Suez were given new uniforms after the recent discovery of […]

Palestinian Territories

An Israeli was wounded in a drive-by shooting by Palestinians near the Kedumin settlement in the West Bank. Palestinian terrorists fired a rocket from Deir Al Balah towards the Mediterranean Sea. Palestinian Authority President Abbas called on the EU to delist Hamas as a terror organization. Palestinians in Bethlehem protested the upcoming visit of President […]

Egypt

Egyptians Turn to Vigilante Justice as Economy Worsens

→

From student to spy, and back again

Somalia

A suicide bomber killed 10 people in a bombing near the Presidential Palace in Mogadishu. The suicide bomber detonated a car packed with explosives as senior security officials passed by.

Ethiopia

Security forces arrested four members of Shabaab in Moyale near the Somali border who are suspected of plotting to attack and kidnap foreign aid workers from an Ethiopian camp for Somali refugees. In January security forces arrested 15 members of a Shabaab terror cell in Ethiopia.

Mali

The US ambassador to Mali said great progress has been made in the country since the beginning of the military intervention in January. She urged that elections be scheduled and an imprisoned Malian journalist be freed. Abu Dardar, a leader of the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa, allegedly fled the region two […]

ISAF targets IMU suicide bombing network following deadly attack

The operational tempo against the al Qaeda-linked Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan is increasing. So far this year, ISAF has already conducted 11 operations against the IMU, about twice as many as were conducted during the same January- March period in each of the two previous years.

United States

The State Department categorically rejected charges by acting Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro that the CIA and the Pentagon were plotting to kill his opposition rival and trigger a coup. Citing development problems and lack of funds, the US cancelled the Phase 4 long-range missile interceptors that had been planned for Poland and Romania.

Al Qaeda

Controversial weapon Pakistan seeks UN ban on unilateral drone strikes

Iran

Israel’s new, less experienced security cabinet seems more hawkish on Iran

Mali

Terror Haven in Mali Feared After French Leave

Palau

Five Uighurs released from Guantanamo and resettled in Palau in 2009 want to move to a different country but authorities are having difficulty finding a country to receive them. A sixth Uighur ex-detainee, Adel Noori, left Palau last month and made it to Turkey.

Syria

The War Creeps Closer To Damascus

North Korea

North Korea said it would not negotiate over its nuclear weapons program. “Nuclear weapons serve as an all powerful treasured sword for protecting the sovereignty and security of the country,” the foreign ministry said.

Malaysia

The Philippine Navy arrested 35 followers of the Sulu Sultanate fleeing Malaysia’s security operation in Sabah. The Malaysian military claimed that the leader of the group had fled Malaysia; the Moro National Liberation Front dismissed the claim.

Israel

Israel to ask Obama to use air strikes in case of Syrian missile transfer

Afghanistan

Eight policemen defected to the Taliban in Herat. A policeman gunned down his commander in Khost. A US Blackhawk pilot was one of five soldiers killed in a helicopter crash in Kandahar earlier this week. An ISAF soldier was killed yesterday in a helicopter crash in the south.