Nation509

The world’s focus on the Middle East has seemingly shifted back to the Israel-Hamas war following the conflict with Iran that culminated in the historic strikes on Tehran’s nuclear facilities. For more than 20 months, Israel has operated in Gaza following Hamas’ brutal surprise attacks on Oct. 7, 2023.  The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have […]

Earlier this week, President Donald Trump signed an executive order lifting most U.S. sanctions on Syria, in a move experts say reflects growing recognition inside the administration that Syria, long a battleground for Iranian influence and Islamist terror, may now offer the U.S. a rare opportunity to reclaim regional leverage, counter enemies, and support allies

Democratic Rep. Eugene Vindman said he is “furious” that the Pentagon has frozen some shipments of critical weapons to Ukraine.  “The decision to pause critical U.S. weapons shipments — including Patriot missiles and artillery — puts Ukrainian lives and territory at risk,” the Army veteran, who represents Virginia, wrote on X.  “The Ukrainian people are

The “bunker busting” bombs dropped on Iranian nuclear sites last month by U.S. forces have degraded Tehran’s atomic program by up to two years, the Pentagon confirmed Wednesday. “We have degraded their program by one to two years, at least intel assessments inside the Department [of Defense] assess that,” Defense Department spokesman Sean Parnell told reporters.  “We believe that Iran’s nuclear capability

A top Russian Navy commander was killed “during combat operations” in a region bordering Ukraine, Russia’s military announced Thursday.  Major Gen. Mikhail Gudkov, the deputy commander of Russia’s Navy, had just been appointed to his position by Russian President Vladimir Putin in March, according to the state-run TASS news agency.  “On July 2, during combat

Once a revolutionary militia, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps built power through ideology and fear. Now, after devastating losses, its future is uncertain. After major military setbacks, Iran’s IRGC faces a turning point. Experts explain its roots, power, and whether its reign of repression and terror can endure. Once a fringe militia born of revolution,

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian enacted a law passed by the country’s parliament last week that would end Tehran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).  The legislation was approved within days of the U.S. carrying out Operation Midnight Hammer, in which it struck three major nuclear sites in Iran: Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow. The

Hamas confirmed on Wednesday that it is “ready to accept” a ceasefire agreement with Israel, but did not endorse a 60-day pause put forward by President Donald Trump on Tuesday. Hamas official Taher al-Nunu said the terrorist organization is “ready to accept any initiative that clearly leads to the complete end to the war.” Trump

The Pentagon’s decision to halt previously promised air defense systems to Ukraine was met with ominous warnings on Wednesday from Washington-based security experts, who warned the move will “encourage” and possibly “escalate” Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war ambitions. The decision was confirmed by Fox News Tuesday night after Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge

Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama announced Wednesday that the centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist institution will continue after his death, signaling that his successor should be chosen without influence from the Chinese government.  Ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism laid out his succession plans in a recorded