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☆ Iran launches missile strikes in northern Iraq and Syria, claims to destroy Israeli spy base
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Helen Regan | Hamdi Alkhshali | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

ISIS claimed responsibility for the deadly twin blasts near Soleimani’s burial site, in what was the deadliest attack in Iran since its 1979 revolution. Authorities and others gather near the site where missiles hit near the US consulate in Erbil, Iraq, on January 15, 2024. Rudaw TV/AP“Iran is claiming this is in response to the terrorist attacks in Kerman, Iran, and Rask, Iran, with a focus on ISIS. US troops in Iraq and Syria have repeatedly come under rocket and drone attacks from Tehran’s proxies. Last week, a senior Hezbollah commander was killed in an Israeli drone strike on his car in southern Lebanon, a Lebanese security source told CNN.

Persons: CNN —, Qasem Soleimani, “, ”, Masrour Barzani, ” Barzani, –, Washington, Hassan Nasrallah, Wissam Tawil, Saleh Al Organizations: CNN, CNN — Iran’s, Guards, Monday, Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Security, Quds Force, ISIS, Authorities, Rudaw, AP, US State Department, Erbil, New, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, of Health, United Nations ’, Israel, US, Sunday Locations: Iraq, Iran, Syria, United States, Israel, Erbil, Kurdistan, Kurdistan Region, ”, Kerman, Rask, Gaza, South Africa, Red, Houthi, Yemen, Baghdad, Lebanon, Lebanese, Beirut

☆ Last letters from Japan’s young kamikaze pilots offer rare WWII insights
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

But these are some of the real faces of the kamikaze that line the walls of the Kanoya Air Base museum and the Chiran Peace Museum, both located on Japan’s Kyushu island. Three women look at photos of Japanese kamikaze pilots, who gave their lives in WWII suicide attacks against US forces, hanging on a wall at the Chiran Peace Museum. A re-creation of a bunker where kamikaze pilots spent their last night before their missions on the grounds of the Chiran Peace Museum. Brad Lendon/CNNAlso among the pictures on the walls of the Chiran museum is one of an American, Capt. Kenta Torihama, great-grandson of Tome Torihama, a confidant of the kamikaze pilots, outside his restaurant near the Chiran Peace Museum.

Persons: It’s, David Guttenfelder, Yasuo Tanaka, Torao Kato, “, –, Yoshio Itsui, Itsui, ” Itsui, ‘, ”, Brad Lendon, Masaji, ” Takano, Adm, Takijiro, General Yoshisugu Saito, Shigeaki, Tome Torihama, Kenta Torihama, it’s, Saigo Takamori, Saigo Organizations: Japan CNN, Kanoya Air Base, Self, Defense Force, Young Boy Pilots, CNN, US Army, Pacific, Visitors, Kanoya, Base, US Navy, Heritage Command, US Defense Department, Atomic Heritage Foundation Locations: Kagoshima, Japan, Kyushu, Chiran, Hawaii, Europe, Okinawa, Imperial, East, Southeast Asia, Saipan, American, Taiwan, Philippines, Kagoshima prefecture, Kagoshima city, Fukuoka

☆ Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin released from hospital
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Oren Liebermann | Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was released from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Monday, according to the Pentagon, two weeks after he was admitted for complications following prostate cancer surgery. Austin will work remotely “for a period of time” before returning to the Pentagon, the Pentagon statement said. His discharge comes after Austin was hospitalized on January 1 for complications from a prostate cancer procedure in December. But a little over a week later on January 1, Austin began experiencing severe pain and was taken back to the hospital in an ambulance. “The Department of Defense is the most vital element of the United States government,” Reed and Wicker said.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Austin, ”, John Maddox, Gregory Chesnut, ” Austin, Biden, Joe Biden, “, John Kirby, Pat Ryder, Jake Sullivan, CQ Brown, Erik Kurilla, ” Ryder, Austin’s, Walter Reed, Dr, Oliver Sartor, Otis Brawley, Sen, Jack Reed, Member Sen, Roger Wicker, ” Reed, Wicker Organizations: CNN, US, Walter Reed National Military Medical, Pentagon, Trauma, Center, Prostate Disease, Murtha Cancer, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, House, Defense, National Security, Air Force, Joint Chiefs, Staff, US Central Command, Central Command, Cancer Disease, Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, Senate Armed Services, Member, Department of Defense, United, Department Locations: Iraq, Syria, Yemen, United States

☆ Opinion: We’ll finally get some answers from Iowa about Trump
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Richard Galant | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +18 min

It is a feat former President Donald Trump is trying to duplicate this year. The first true test of Trump’s comeback occurs Monday in Iowa, where caucusgoers will venture into sub-zero temperatures to choose between Trump, Florida Gov. After months of speculation, we’ll finally get some answers to a few questions: Is there an opening for any Republican aside from Trump? Most of our contributors thought Haley won Wednesday’s CNN debate in Iowa against DeSantis, but Trump’s absence from the stage again loomed large. “Haley sounded like someone looking to take on the genuine article — the Republican frontrunner,” wrote W. James Antle III.

Persons: George Washington’s, Grover Cleveland, ”, Troy Senik, Donald Trump, Cleveland, “, —, Republican frontrunner’s, Cleveland didn’t, Benjamin Harrison —, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, we’ll, Will DeSantis, he’s, Haley, Wednesday’s, “ Haley, James Antle III, ’, ” Clay Jones, Chris Christie, Trump, ” Antle, who’s, Facebook Sophia, Nelson, “ Haley isn’t, Todd Graham, she’d, it’s, ” DeSantis, John Avlon, Laurence Tribe, Norman Eisen, Taylor Redd, Florence Pan, John Sauer, ” Bill Bramhall, Frida Ghitis, Ghitis, DeSantis, Julian Zelizer, Dean Obeidallah, Nikki Haley’s Lisa Benson, Peter Bergen, Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Biden, ” Walt Handelsman, Max, Drew Sheneman, Hassan Shahidi, Shahidi, Oprah, Oprah Winfrey, John Salangsang, Adrienne Bitar, WeightWatchers, couldn’t, Rose Blanchard, Sarah Gundle, Blanchard, Claudine ‘ Dee Dee ’ Blanchard, Gypsy Rose, ” Dee Dee, Gundle, Dee Dee Blanchard, Pope Francis, ” Jill Filipovic, Filipovic, Pope, ” Lloyd Austin’s, Lloyd Austin, Joe Biden, Austin, isn’t, Bill Bramhall, “ Oppenheimer, “ Barbie, “ Barbie ”, Gene Seymour, Oppenheimer, Emma Stone, ” Seymour, Don’t, Michael Bociurkiw, Ukraine Lanhee J, Chen, Noah Berlatsky, Belichick Bill Belichick, Vince Lombardi, Jeff Haynes, Bill Belichick, Will Leitch, Jeff Pearlman, Nick Saban, ” “ Belichick, Saban, ’ Pearlman, Lou Piniella, ‘ Organizations: CNN, University of Michigan, Cleveland, Republican, Trump, Trump , Florida Gov, Wednesday’s CNN, DeSantis, New, New Jersey Gov, Twitter, Facebook, Florida Gov, DC, Agency, Capitol, GOP, US, UK, Alaska Airlines, Boeing, Max, Portland International, Flight, Foundation, Golden Globe, Globes, Catholic, Biden, Warner Bros ., Academy, Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Belichick, New England Patriots, Reliant, Patriots, Carolina Panthers, Getty, Super, Football, NFL, Minor League NFL, University of Alabama, Schlitz, Seattle Mariners Locations: Cleveland, Iowa, Trump , Florida, Trump, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Graham, Houthi, Yemen, Red, “, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Bergen, Iran, Iraq, Iranian, Oregon, Beverly Hills , California, Ukraine, Houston , Texas, AFP, Swiss

☆ A wider war doesn’t suit Iran, even as it benefits from rising tensions
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Tamara Qiblawi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The strikes risk further fanning the flames of a wider regionaI conflict that neither the US nor the Houthis’ backers in Iran appear to want. Houthi rebels launched a series of attacks on commercial ships and Western military vessels in the Red Sea, a major artery for international trade. Houthi forces seize and board the cargo ship Galaxy Leader in the Red Sea on November 19, 2023. The clashes will also continue to give Tehran leverage, argues IISS’s Momtaz, as evidenced by the strikes in Yemen on Thursday. “They need to restore freedom of navigation and secure international trade in the Red Sea while continuing to make sure that the other fronts don’t escalate into a real war.”

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Israel, ” Biden, ”, Rym Momtaz, Amir Levy, Parsi, Benjamin ) Netanyahu, ” Parsi, Biden, IISS’s Momtaz Organizations: Lebanon CNN, US, United Nations ’, Galaxy, Houthi Media, European Foreign Policy, Security, Quincy Institute Locations: Beirut, Lebanon, Yemen, Red, Iran, Israel, Gaza, Iraq, Syria, Tehran, Saudi Arabia, Houthi, Israeli

☆ Opinion: How did we get to this point in Yemen?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Peter Bergen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

(Not a great time to have had an initially incommunicado, and still-hospitalized, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who authorized the strikes in Yemen from his hospital bed on Thursday.) The Houthis, who were once a ragtag militia with the purely local aim of trying to overthrow the Yemen government, are now projecting Iranian power, not only in the Red Sea but across the region. In other words, just as Hezbollah in Lebanon, 1,500 miles to the north of Yemen, is effectively an arm of the Iranian government, so too now are the Houthis. Those weapons have also been used to attack oil facilities in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, the capital of the Saudi-allied United Arab Emirates, and, more recently, have targeted Israel as well. Yet, Saudi Arabia is a key reason that the Houthis are now so closely allied to Iran and so well armed.

Persons: Peter Bergen, Osama bin Laden, Joe Biden, Defense Lloyd Austin, Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, “, Biden Organizations: New, Arizona State University, Apple, Spotify, CNN, Defense, United Nations, United Locations: New America, Yemen, Israel, Red, Suez, Lebanon, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Riyadh, Gaza, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Iranian

☆ Iran vows revenge after Israel kills top military commander in Syria
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-26 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Israel killed Iranian general Seyed Razi Mousavi in Syria, where he coordinated Iran-backed forces. Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi vowed revenge on Israel. Iran-backed groups in Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq have launched attacks on Israel and its allies in support of Hamas. Hossein Akbari, Iran's ambassador to Syria, condemned the killing, saying that Mousavi was in Syria as a "formal military advisor." Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on targets inside government-controlled parts of war-torn Syria in recent years.

Persons: Israel, Seyed Razi Mousavi, Ebrahim Raisi, —, Daniel Hagari, Mousavi, Bashar Assad's, Qassim Soleimani, Houthi, IRNA, Hossein Akbari, Akbari, IRNA didn't Organizations: Service, Iranian, Revolutionary Guard, Reuters, Quds Force, Hamas, Monday, Human Rights, Syrian Locations: Syria, Iran, Israel, Damascus, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Lebanon, Irbil, U.S, Britain, Lebanese, Russia

☆ A US Navy warship had to gun down more threats as American forces get pulled deeper into fights being fueled by Israel's war with Hamas
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

A US Navy destroyer responding to the incidents had to battle off multiple drones during the day. It's the latest example of how American forces are increasingly engaging hostile Iran-backed groups. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. American destroyers like the Carney have shot down scores of drones and missiles launched from Houthi-controlled territory in recent weeks. "And so we will continue to focus on that mission, as well as ensuring that our forces are protected."

Persons: —, Carney, Arleigh Burke, CENTCOM, MCS2 Aaron Lau, Khaled Abdullah Analysts, Washington, Pat Ryder Organizations: US Navy, Service, Hamas, Central Command, Pentagon, Washington Institute for Near East, Missiles, REUTERS, Institute for, Business, Pentagon Press, Air Force Locations: Iran, Red, Yemen, Suez, Israel, Iran's, Tehran, Gaza, Hezbollah, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Sanaa, Washington ,, United States, American, Islamic State

☆ Trump’s avalanche of dishonesty: Fact-checking 102 of his false claims from this fall
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Daniel Dale | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +111 min

Below is a fact check of 102 of Trump’s false claims from the 12 speeches. But contrary to Trump’s claim, it’s not true that people had been attempting for decades to create such an initiative. Trump’s aid to farmersIn speech after speech, Trump claimed that he had given US farmers $28 billion from China. Even if the poll result is off, it’s clear that Trump’s claim that “nobody wants them” is not true. He said he was an airline pilot.”Facts First: Trump made a false claim while mocking Biden for making false claims.

Persons: Donald Trump, –, Trump, Joe Biden, Biden, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, “, ”, Mexico’s, ‘ Trump, Defense Department –, ” Theresa Cardinal Brown, CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez, ” Trump, I’ve, Todd Harrison, Harrison, It’s, Trump’s, ” Ben Cahill, Nobody, Jimmy Carter’s, Barack Obama, isn’t, El Salvador –, Obama, we’d, Obama’s, Webster, Covid, Wuhan ”, They’d, they’d, you’d, Scott Gottlieb, ” Gottlieb, Trump Trump, it’s, Abraham, Aaron David Miller, Miller, Dana El Kurd, Qasem Soleimani, they’ve, we’re, We’re, ’, Iran haven’t, ” Matt Smith, Biden’s, Smith, Ali Vaez, Kpler, Biden Trump, Iran “, Democrats ”, that’s, Jimmy Carter, Carter “, Carter, ‘, Hillary Clinton, Kari Lake, Bill Gates, Gates, ” Chris Wallace, Chris Wallace, Hunter Biden, “ Chris Wallace, ‘ He’s, ‘ ” Trump, Wallace, “ you’re, “ Biden, ‘ You’re, Wallace interjected, Rather, you’ve, ’ ” Pavel Molchanov, Raymond James &, ” Molchanov, Tim Woody, Woody, autoworkers, CNN’s Ella Nilsen, Joe Biden’s, Erin Mellon, Gavin Newsom, Mellon, ” Vonette Fontaine, Biden “, CNN’s Matt Egan, Egan, ” Biden, Europe Trump, United Kingdom “, Brent, Pavel Molchanov, Raymond James, Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy, De Haan, Matt Smith, Matt Egan, Afghanistan Trump, we’ve, Krista Wiegand, Wiegand, ” Netanyahu, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Qasem, Bibi, Netanyahu, Soleimani, Asad, Mark Milley, Hezbollah Trump, Steven Cheung, John Kirby, Cheung, Kirby, Iran’s, ” Ali Vaez, Joseph Amon, Washington –, Faiq Zidan, Zidan’s, Zidan, Abu Mahdi al, China Trump, Ukraine Trump, Letitia James, James, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Matthew Colangelo, You’re, Bragg, Colangelo, Tanya Chutkan, I’m, Jack Smith, Bill Clinton, That’s, everybody’s, Letitia James –, Al Capone’s, Al Capone, Capone, Brad Schwartz, CNN couldn’t, Schwartz, Eliot Ness, MAGA, “ MAGA, …, White, CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, Inflation Trump, Bacon, Joe, PolitiFact, Trump . Howard Gleckman Organizations: Washington CNN —, CNN, Republican, Trump Trump, Republican Jewish Coalition, Department, ISIS, Trump’s, Democratic, Congress, Defense Department, former Defense Department, Center, US Customs, Trump, American Enterprise Institute, Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Energy Security, Center for Strategic, International Studies, US, IHS, Islamic, The State Department, Customs Enforcement, Policy Institute, ICE, El Salvador, ”, Merriam, The New York Times, Food and Drug Administration, FDA, Abraham Accords, United Arab Emirates, West Bank, Hezbollah, State Department, Carnegie Endowment, International, Arab Center Washington DC, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force, Obama, US International Trade Commission, Washington Post, U.S . International Trade Commission, New England lobstermen, England lobstermen, Americas, Crisis, government’s Energy, Administration, Washington Free Beacon, Energy Information Administration, Democrats, Biden, Electoral, Georgia, Michigan, Carter, Democrats can’t, Republicans, Alabama, Arizona, Fox News, ” Energy, Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, Wildlife, Alaska Industrial Development, Export Authority, Raymond James & Associates, Wilderness Society, Cox Automotive, Pew Research Center, New York Times, National Oceanic, California Gov, California, American Petroleum Institute, Union, West, Energy, American Automobile Association, AAA, GasBuddy, New Hampshire, Houston, Keystone XL, Obama administration’s State Department, –, Foreign, Military, DoD, Afghan, Defense, Policy, Taiwan News, “, University of Tennessee’s Center for National Security, Foreign Affairs, Israeli, NBC, Jerusalem Post, Yahoo, Pentagon, ” CNN, Joint Chiefs, Staff, Post, National Security, Group, US government’s Defense Intelligence Agency, Narcotics Bureau, Global Health, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Justice Department, Washington, Judicial, Popular Mobilization Forces, Customs and, Middle East, Customs, Protection, CBP, Border Protection, Kiel Institute, European Union, New York, New, ExxonMobil, Trump University, Trump Foundation, Manhattan, Attorney, federal Justice Department, Department of Justice, Washington DC, Presidential Records, Presidential, Mar, Biden White, MAGA Republicans, Inflation, Heritage Foundation, Trump ., Brookings Tax, Urban Institute Locations: New Hampshire, New York City, Saudi, Florida, al Qaeda, New York, Texas, Iowa, Mexico, “, U.S, Houston, Iraq, Israel, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Nord, Germany, Russian, Trump’s, Russia, Ukraine, Europe, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, El, Washington, ”, ” In Texas, Covid, China, Wuhan, Italy, France, Abraham, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Yemen, Libya, Palestine, Afghanistan, Somalia, Pakistan, New England, England, Kpler, Malaysia, Oregon, Alabama, Maricopa County, Arizona, Arizona’s, Moscow, Alaska, East, South Carolina, California, “ California, West Virginia, Virginia, United Kingdom, West Texas, “ U.S, Los Angeles, Venezuela, Mississippi , Louisiana, Canada, United States, Paris, Taiwan, “ China, Iranian, that’s, –, Singapore, Iraqi, San Diego, Kiel, York, Manhattan, York’s, Chicago, Philadelphia, Georgia, Qaeda

☆ Satellite photos show how the US Air Force is reclaiming a WWII-era airfield from the jungle to prepare to dodge Chinese missiles
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Christopher Woody | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

The US Air Force is developing more dispersed bases to counter the threat posed by China's missiles. US engineers quickly began building what became the biggest and busiest air base of the war. "Air Force engineers are scheduled to remove the vegetation that have penetrated through the cracks and joints of the old pavement surfaces," Peden added. Money is allotted for work at Tindal air base — including $93 million to build a parking apron for six B-52 bombers — and Darwin air base, both of which are in Australia's Northern Territory. The Air Force is working with the rest of the military to address those challenges, Thomas Lawhead, acting deputy chief of staff for Air Force Futures, said at an event this month.

Persons: —, Gen, Kenneth Wilsbach, Wilsbach, Lance Cpl, J, Gage, Capt, Gerald Peden, Peden, Jason Robertson, Cesar Basa, Michael S, Murphy, Frank Kendall, Kendall, Sgt, JT May III, Thomas Lawhead, Joseph P, Lawhead Organizations: US Air Force, China's, Service, Airport, US Pacific Air Forces, an Air and Space Forces Association, Field, International Airport, Commonwealth of, Marines, Air Force, Google, Air, Tinian's, US Marine Corps, KC, Pacific Air Forces, Tech, Northwest Field, Tindal, Pentagon, Air Force Futures, Army Locations: Tinian, SkyFi, Japan, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, West, Commonwealth, Northern Mariana Islands, Pacific, —, Guam, Northern Territory, Philippines, Manila, Philippine, China, North Korea, Northern Mariana

☆ US fires on and kills hostile forces after attack in Iraq, US official says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Haley Britzky | Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A US military aircraft fired on a vehicle and killed hostile forces following an attack on US and coalition forces at Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq on Monday evening, a US official told CNN on Tuesday. It’s unclear how many hostiles were killed and whether US personnel were injured in the attack on Al-Asad. As of Monday afternoon, there had been at least 64 attacks on US and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria, including several on forces at Al-Asad. It’s unclear if an AC-130 has been used to respond to attacks in this way since October 17, though a US official said the US has returned fire on hostile forces multiple times. The US has also carried out three strikes in Syria in response to the continuous attacks on US troops.

Persons: Asad, Abu Kamal, Mayadin, Sabrina Singh Organizations: CNN, US, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Pentagon Locations: Al, Asad Airbase, Iraq, Syria, Abu, Iranian, Maysalun, Deir Ezzor, Israel, Gaza

☆ The Taliban appears to be patrolling Kabul on rollerblades while carrying AK-47s, video shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A video appears to show Taliban security forces patrolling Kabul on rollerblades. The Taliban took complete control of Afghanistan in 2021 following the withdrawal of US troops. A video posted on YouTube shows what appears to be several uniformed Taliban members carrying AK-47s and "skitching," holding on to a truck while being pulled along. The slick video appears to have been made for propaganda purposes and is a departure from the types of content previously posted by the YouTuber. AdvertisementFollowing the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban took complete control of the country.

Persons: — Organizations: AK, Service, Kabul — rollerblades, YouTube, Hollywood, Islamic Locations: Kabul, rollerblades, Afghanistan, Kabul —, Afghan, Emirate

☆ The US is sending more Patriot defense systems to the Middle East. They cost $1.1 billion each.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Patriot is a missile air defense system that can reach aerial targets up to 66,000 feet. It's a highly sought-after defense system that costs $1.1 billion each. Still, people familiar with the matter told the Journal that the US had sent six, doubling the number of defense systems that were already deployed. According to the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, a nonprofit that promotes ballistic missile defense development, Israel currently operates three Patriot batteries. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe missile defense systems are produced by Raytheon, a contractee of the US government, and cost about $1.1 billion each.

Persons: —, Defense Lloyd J, Austin, It's Organizations: US, Service, Patriot, Street Journal, Pentagon, Associated Press, Defense, of Defense, Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, DOD, Raytheon, Congressional Research Service, CRS, Center for Strategic & International Studies Locations: Iraq, Syria, Iran, East, Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, Russian

☆ US conducts more strikes in eastern Syria, defense secretary says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( Oren Liebermann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The US carried out another set of strikes against targets affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in eastern Syria, according to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, following continued attacks on US forces in the region. In total, there have been at least 46 attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria since October 17, and at least 56 troops have been injured. Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said Thursday the injuries were a combination of traumatic brain injuries and minor injuries. The strikes targeted a weapons storage facility and an ammunition storage facility. But the attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria have persisted, even as the US has tried to separate the conflict in Gaza from the rest of the region.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Austin, Joe Biden, Abu Kamal, Mayadin, Sabrina Singh, “, ” Austin, IRGC Organizations: CNN, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Pentagon, US Locations: Syria, Iraq, United States, Iran, Gaza

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military conducted airstrikes on two locations in eastern Syria involving Iranian-backed groups, hitting a training location and a weapons facility, according to the Pentagon and U.S. officials. It marks the third time in a bit more than two weeks that the U.S. has retaliated against the militants for what has been a growing number of attacks on bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria. The militant groups, many operating under the umbrella of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, have carried out nearly 50 attacks since Oct. 17 on bases housing U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria. And a number of groups have vowed retaliation against the U.S. for backing Israel in the war against Hamas. According to the Pentagon, about 56 U.S. personnel have been injured in the attacks in Syria and Iraq, but all have returned to duty.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, ” Austin, Israel Organizations: WASHINGTON, Pentagon, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, U.S Locations: Syria, Iranian, Iraq, Abukama, Iran, United States, Gaza, Israel

☆ Israel is looking to World War II in its Gaza fight, and it risks taking lessons from the wrong war
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( Sam Fellman | Sonam Sheth | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

It's a critical question that will define whether Israel's war succeeds, experts on military strategy told Insider. Smoke and flame rise after Israeli air forces targeting a shopping center in Gaza Strip, Gaza on October 07, 2023. In the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, Israel has abandoned "mowing the grass" in favor of a much more far-reaching and deadly strategy. Marcus Yam/Getty ImagesIn this war, Israeli leaders have used heated rhetoric while their forces maintain a deadly bombing campaign. Not the destruction of Israel of course, but a state on the West Bank and in Gaza," Mansoor said.

Persons: it's, —, Israel, Raphel Cohen, Peter Mansoor, Israel —, — Israel, we've, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, " Cohen, Ashraf Amra, Cohen, Israel couldn't, Jalaa Marey, Colin Powell, George W, Bush, G.I.s, Aysar, Amer, Jawad Turki, Nasser Ishtayeh, David Petraeus, Mansoor, Mansoor —, They're, Marcus Yam, that's Organizations: RAND, Service, AIR FORCE, US Army, Israel Defense Forces, ABC News, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Hamas, Islamic State, of Health, Post, Manila . Ohio Army National Guard, Israel, US, Jihad, West Bank, National Force, Ohio State University, Royal Air Force Locations: Iraq, Afghanistan, United States, Gaza, Israel, Lebanon, Mosul, Iraqi, Fallujah, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines, Pearl, Jenin, Tel Aviv, al Qaeda, Geneva, Hiroshima, Nagasaki

☆ Iran envoy says Tehran had no direct role in Hamas’ Israel rampage, or proxy attacks on US forces
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Jennifer Deaton | Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Iravani said there was cooperation and collaboration, but that Iran was not directing any of those operations. He likened Iran’s role to that of the US in providing assistance to Israel. Tehran has long been accused of arming Hamas and other Iran-aligned groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen, as regional attacks by its proxies have escalated and become increasingly frequent. CNN pressed Iravani as to whether Iran supported Hamas’ murder of women and children and its hostage-taking on October 7. Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shi’a movement based in Lebanon with one of the most powerful paramilitary forces in the Middle East, has also said that Hamas’ attack was kept secret from them.

Persons: Amir Saeid Iravani, Iravani, “, ”, Defense Lloyd Austin, General Hassan Nasrallah, Nasrallah Organizations: CNN, Republic’s United Nations, UN, United States, Pentagon, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Defense, Quds Force, US, Hamas, Israel Locations: Iran, Lebanon, Israel, Houthis, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, IRGC, UN, Tehran, Gaza, East

☆ US forces have been targeted in 4 more attacks since US strikes in Syria on Wednesday
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

On Wednesday evening, there were two multi-rocket attacks on US and coalition forces at Omar Oil Fields near Mission Support Site Green Village, Syria, and a one-way drone attack on forces at Mission Support Site Euphrates, Syria. One of the rocket attacks on Green Village resulted in three US troops suffering minor injuries, the official said. The fourth attack came on Thursday morning, when a one-way drone attack targeted forces at Al-Asad Airbase, Iraq. Before the US’ strike on an IRGC weapons facility on Wednesday, there were two attacks — multiple one-way drones targeting forces at Bashur, Iraq, and a previously reported rocket attack on forces at Shaddadi, Syria. In total, the recent attacks mark at least 46 on US and coalition forces since October 17.

Persons: Sabrina Singh, Asad, Singh, “ We’ve, ” Organizations: CNN, US, Oil, Pentagon, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Locations: Syria, Al, Asad Airbase, Iraq, Bashur, Shaddadi, Maysalun, Deir Ezzor

☆ US carries out airstrikes in eastern Syria targeting IRGC and Iranian-backed groups weapons storage facility
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Haley Britzky | Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Two US F-15 fighter jets conducted an airstrike on a weapons storage facility in eastern Syria used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated groups, the Pentagon announced Wednesday. “This precision self-defense strike is a response to a series of attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria by IRGC-Quds Force affiliates,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement. On October 26, a US F-15 and two F-16s used precision-guided munitions to strike two facilities linked to Iran-backed militias in eastern Syria. More than 40 troops sustained minor injuries in attacks before the US’ strike on October 26, including at least 20 traumatic brain injuries. The US strike comes the same day that an unmanned US MQ-9 Reaper drone was shot down off the coast of Yemen by Iran-backed Houthi forces.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, ”, Wednesday’s Organizations: CNN, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Pentagon, U.S, Quds Force, ”, US, Command, Hamas, Patriot, Area Defense Locations: Syria, Iraq, IRGC, United States, Iranian, Iran, US, Shaddadi, Yemen, East, Israel

☆ Top Biden administration officials head to Asia to show China remains a top priority amid Israel-Hamas war
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Washington CNN —The Biden administration’s senior-most national security officials are traveling this week to the Indo-Pacific, signaling that the administration’s China strategy remains a priority as it grapples with an increasingly volatile Middle East. Blinken and Austin will both travel to India for a 2+2 Dialogue with their counterparts. Meanwhile, talks between US and Chinese officials stalled until this summer when Blinken met with senior Chinese officials in Beijing. Asked by CNN on Monday if Austin would be meeting with any PRC officials during his travel, Pentagon spokesman Brig. The senior officials’ travel also comes as the White House is preparing for a meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month in San Francisco.

Persons: Washington CNN —, Biden, Antony Blinken, Defense Lloyd Austin, CQ Brown, Brown, Austin, Blinken, —, Nancy Pelosi’s, Ely Ratner, John Aquilino, “, ”, Li Shangfu, Pat Ryder, Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink, ” Kritenbrink, Blinken —, Israel —, ’, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, “ It’s, Karine Jean, Pierre said, Jennifer Hansler Organizations: Washington CNN, Biden administration’s, Defense, Joint Chiefs, Staff, West Bank, Security, Relations, US Air Force, US, East, Military, Pacific Command, ASEAN Defense, China’s, CNN, Pentagon, East Asian, Pacific Affairs, State Department, Hamas, Israel Locations: China, East, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Israel, Jordan, Turkey, Japan, Taiwan, Chinese, South China, Beijing, Pacific, Iranian, Iraq, Syria, Gaza, San Francisco

☆ Israel’s cyber defense chief tells CNN he is concerned Iran could increase severity of its cyberattacks
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Sean Lyngaas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

So far, suspected Iranian hackers appear to have had minimal impact on their publicly claimed targets in Israel in the last month. But Portnoy said those hackers have been relatively quiet in the latest Israel-Hamas war (Israeli airstrikes have decimated internet infrastructure in Gaza.) “There is a gap between their [cyber] capabilities and their rhetoric,” the official told CNN, referring to Iran-backed hackers. “Even the successful, real cyberattacks are probably not going to be about the actual attack,” John Hultquist, Mandiant’s chief analyst, told CNN. This campaign is “maybe the most sophisticated we have seen from Iran on a technological level,” Sergey Shykevich, threat intelligence group manager at Check Point, told CNN.

Persons: “, ”, Gaby Portnoy, ” Portnoy, Portnoy, –, Christopher Wray, ” Wray, ” Eric Goldstein, CrowdStrike, ” John Hultquist, “ It’s, Solomon, Israel, Adam Meyers, CrowdStrike’s, ” Meyers, Sergey Shykevich Organizations: CNN, Israel National Cyber Directorate, Lebanese, Hezbollah, Palo Alto Networks, Hamas, Infrastructure Security Agency, FBI, Boston Children’s Hospital, ” CNN, Iranian, United Nations, “, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Locations: Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, East, Iranian, Syria, Iraq, Tehran, –, Palo, Gaza, Palestine, China, Russia

☆ Your world in 10 minutes: Blinken's Mideast meetings
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaches Turkey in his whirlwind diplomatic tour of the Middle East – after pro-Palestinian protesters tried to storm an air base holding US troops. In Israel’s near ghost town Sderot, one high tech business is carrying on. Plus, the latest Biden poll, a K-pop star questioned over drug use and other top headlines. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. Further ReadingIsraeli strikes on Gaza intensify, pressure mounts over civilian casualtiesRussia, Ukraine give conflicting Zaporizhzhia frontline accountsBusinesses on Israel's Sderot frontline keep trading despite Gaza warPro-Palestinian crowds try to storm air base housing U.S. troops in TurkeyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Antony Blinken Organizations: Apple, Google, Reuters, Biden, Thomson, Reading, Gaza Locations: Turkey, Sderot, Ukraine, Gaza, Russia

☆ US troops came home feeling 'cursed' and seeing ghosts after intense artillery battles with the Islamic State
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The New York Times reported that some troops returned seeing ghosts and feeling "cursed." But many of those troops have nonetheless come back with debilitating psychological issues, The New York Times reported Sunday, an apparent product of that US strategy. At issue, it seems, is the sheer number of times US soldiers fired artillery rounds at Islamic State targets. One man came back seeing "the ghost of a dead girl" in his kitchen, an apparition he believed was an Islamic State hex. Indeed, many of those deployed in artillery units "came home feeling cursed," The Times reported.

Persons: —, Gary Kamimori, Kamimori Organizations: ISIS, New York Times, Service, Islamic, Times, Army Locations: United States, Iraq, Syria, State, Vietnam

☆ Blinken makes unannounced visit to Iraq
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-05 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Baghdad, Iraq CNN —Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced visit to Iraq on Sunday – a significant stop on his whirlwind trip through the region. Blinken met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in Baghdad for more than an hour. In the wake of Hamas’ October 7 attack, Iranian-backed proxy groups have scaled up attacks aimed at US troops in Iraq and Syria. Ahead of his stop in Iraq, Blinken on Sunday also met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah amid escalating Israeli settler violence in the West Bank. Before Blinken’s visit to Iraq, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was the highest-ranking Biden administration official to travel to the country, when he made an unannounced trip to Baghdad in March.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Mohammed Shia, “, ” Blinken, Matthew Miller, ” Miller, Mahmoud Abbas, Blinken’s, Defense Lloyd Austin, Biden, CNN’s Jack Forrest, Abby Baggini, Oren Liebermann Organizations: Iraq CNN, Sunday, Iraqi, Embassy, US, State Department, Palestinian, West Bank, Defense Locations: Baghdad, Iraq, Sudani, Israel, Iranian, Syria, Gaza, Ramallah, Jordan, Cyprus, Turkey

☆ Israel's missile ships are joining US combat power in the Red Sea as more Iran-backed militants fire weapons its way
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Israel said it deployed missile ships to the Red Sea, where they'll join US Navy vessels in the area. AdvertisementAdvertisementAfter a series of attacks from Iran-backed militants, Israel has deployed several ships capable of launching missiles to the Red Sea, where they will join US Navy vessels already there. The IDF said "all aerial threats were intercepted outside of Israeli territory," with some of them downed by Israeli fighter jets around the Red Sea to the south. Israel Defense ForcesIsraeli Navy ship in the Red Sea. US Missile Defense AgencyThe Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) transits the Suez Canal, Oct. 18.

Persons: Israel, they'll, —, Yemen's, Carney, Arleigh Burke, we've, Pat Ryder, Aaron Lau, Hezbollah —, Lloyd Austin Organizations: US Navy, Service, Navy, Israel Defense Forces, US, IDF, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces Israeli Navy, IAF, Aerial Defense, Pentagon, Air Force, Interceptor, US Missile Defense Agency, Hezbollah, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, U.S Locations: Yemen, Israel, Iran, Israeli, Israel's, Eilat, Red Sea, Red, Suez, Saudi, Tehran, Iraq, Syria

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