Military & Security

By Abdel Bari Atwan The surprises keep coming in Syria, one after the other. They reflect radical changes in the local, regional and international dynamics that have long governed the conflict ravaging the country. Following the Syrian Arab Army’s recovery of the town of as-Sukhna in the governorate …

US special operations forces are teaming with the Lebanese Army to coordinate a strike against Daesh from Lebanon as the paramilitary group Hezbollah is reportedly engaging Daesh from the Syrian flank, Haaretz reported Monday. A Pentagon spokesman confirmed that US Special Forces personnel were presently “providing training and …

As expected, the intra-Syrian agreement on a cessation of hostilities between the Syrian army and the armed factions in what was seen as a principled success of the deal could lead to ending the six-year war in Syria. Moscow explained that it was in contact with the American …

Philip Wen and Ben Blanchard • BEIJING (Reuters) – China loves peace but will never compromise on defending its sovereignty, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday while marking 90 years since the founding of the People’s Liberation Army. China has rattled nerves around Asia and globally with its increasingly assertive stance …

Polina Tikhonova • As Turkey turns its back on the West and seeks rapprochement with Russia, Pakistan has formally asked Moscow to help stabilize Afghanistan. Turkey, Pakistan and Russia are pushing toward a peaceful world with Turkey backing Moscow’s diplomatic initiative to resolve the Syrian conflict. Meanwhile, Pakistan, China and Russia working …

“Relations between the Russian and Chinese Air Forces are developing successfully”, said PLAAF commander Gen. Ma Xiaotian BEIJING, July 31. /TASS/. Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) attaches great importance to developing relations with the Russian Aerospace Forces, PLAAF commander Gen. Ma Xiaotian said at the opening …

ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iraqi Vice President Nuri al-Maliki discussed supplies of Russian T-90 battle tanks at a meeting in St Petersburg on Tuesday, according to a Russian military official present at the meeting. Russia’s Izvestia newspaper cited the Kremlin last week …

America’s plan to divide and conquer Iraq continues to backfire spectacularly as Iraq’s Defence Minister arrives in Tehran to sign a memorandum for future military cooperation. By Adam Garrie / The Duran / Ever since Iraq restored a measure of self-government after the illegal 2003 invasion and occupation …

Iraq is embracing Iran, Russia and Syria while actively distancing itself from the US and its multiple bases in the country. Iraq’s Vice President Nouri al-Maliki is in Moscow where he openly declared that he seeks a military and political alliance with the Russian Federation. After talks with …