WASHINGTON: A senior White House official on Thursday (Dec 19) said nuclear-armed Pakistan is developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities that eventually could allow it to strike targets well beyond South Asia, making it an “emerging threat” to the United States. Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer’s surprise revelation underscored how far the once-close ties between … Read more
Iran is deferring the implementation of the “Law on Protecting the Family through the Promotion of the Culture of Chastity and Hijab,” originally set to take effect on December 13, with lawmakers proposing it be amended, the London-based Iran International news outlet reported earlier this week. The move reportedly comes following severe criticism of … Read more
The alleged escape of Ali Mamlouk, a senior Syrian intelligence officer and confidant of former president Bashar al-Assad to Beirut has raised several questions in Lebanon, Lebanese newspaper Nidaa al-Watan reported in recent days. Nidaa al-Watan reported that Mamlouk is hiding at a luxury hotel in the southern suburbs of Beirut under Hezbollah’s protection … Read more
Syria’s interim government filed a complaint with the UN Security Council regarding Israeli airstrikes in the country and the IDF’s expansion of the buffer zone, according to letters obtained by the Associated Press. Israel decided to extend the buffer zone in Syria after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)-led rebel groups overthrew Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad … Read more
THE HAGUE: The World Court concludes hearings on Friday (Dec 13) on countries’ legal obligation to fight climate change and whether large states contributing most to greenhouse gas emissions may be liable for damage caused to small island nations. The International Court of Justice will issue an opinion on those questions, likely in 2025, that … Read more
The United States is reportedly considering removing the Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led the revolution in Syria from its list of terrorist organizations, Politico reported on Monday, citing senior US officials. According to the United States Counterterrorism Guide, HTS is a coalition of Sunni Islamist insurgent groups that stemmed from … Read more
The Jerusalem Post, on Wednesday, participated in a dramatic visit to Tel Kudne in southern Syria, embedded with the IDF, as part of the first Israeli media visit to that country since the 1973-1974 Yom Kippur War and armistice. An abandoned Syrian military outpost used by the Assad regime, December 11, 2024 (credit: YONAH … Read more
The global travel industry is set to fully recover from the Covid-19 pandemic this month, according to U.N. Tourism. During the first nine months of 2024, international arrivals worldwide reached 98% of pre-pandemic levels, compared to the same period in 2019, it said. The remaining 2% gap will close this month, according to the organization, … Read more
IDF soldiers from the 210th Batallion of the Paratroopers Brigade took proactive measures to ensure the safety of Israel’s border in the Golan Heights on Sunday as Syrian rebels took over Damascus, the military announced on Monday. Paratroopers joined up with brigades already stationed in the area to establish secure perimeters within the buffer … Read more
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday that the future of Syria is a matter for the Syrians to determine and that his special envoy, Geir Pedersen, “will be working with them towards that end.” “There is much work to be done to ensure an orderly political transition to renewed institutions. I reiterate … Read more
