Iraq Closes In On Drones, Helicopters And EW From Turkey

Iraq Closes In On Drones, Helicopters And EW From Turkey
Iraq Closes In On Drones, Helicopters And EW From Turkey

Iraq wants 12 T-129 ATAK helicopters, six Koral electronic warfare systems, and an unspecified number of TB2 Bayraktar armed drones as part of the deal, which would tie the two countries closer.

NATO Kicks Off New Burden-Sharing, Tech Efforts

NATO Kicks Off New Burden-Sharing, Tech Efforts
NATO Kicks Off New Burden-Sharing, Tech Efforts

“It’s no secret that over the last four years we had some difficult discussions inside NATO,” Secretary General Stoltenberg said. “But now we look to the future, and the future is that we now have an administration in the United States.”

Profile: Medal of Honor Recipient Sgt. Maj. Thomas Patrick Payne

Profile: Medal of Honor Recipient Sgt. Maj. Thomas Patrick Payne
Profile: Medal of Honor Recipient Sgt. Maj. Thomas Patrick Payne

“Every man on the mission that night was engaged in their own unique problem set. My teammates were also looking for some way to liberate those hostages,” said Payne.

US-Israel Talks Focus On Iran, Syria, & Arms

US-Israel Talks Focus On Iran, Syria, & Arms
US-Israel Talks Focus On Iran, Syria, & Arms

Israeli defense ministry officials told their Pentagon counterparts that the US underestimates the danger from Tehran. Israel is also seeking more US-made F-35s, F-15s, and KC-46As.

US Will Retaliate For Tajji Deaths: Esper & Milley

US Will Retaliate For Tajji Deaths: Esper & Milley
US Will Retaliate For Tajji Deaths: Esper & Milley

Hours after the Defense Secretary and Joint Chiefs Chairman promised action, the US struck five Kata’ib Hizbollah “weapons storage” sites — but the militia’s Iranian backers are likely off the hook, for now.

US Builds Several New Bases In Iraq Near Iran

US Builds Several New Bases In Iraq Near Iran
US Builds Several New Bases In Iraq Near Iran

Israeli experts say the U.S realized withdrawing from Iraq would leave policymakers and the military with greatly reduced influence in a region that has seen rapid and extensive Russian penetration into the region.

War With Iran Could Be Sharp & Short With Fifth Gen Aircraft: Deptula

War With Iran Could Be Sharp & Short With Fifth Gen Aircraft: Deptula
War With Iran Could Be Sharp & Short With Fifth Gen Aircraft: Deptula

PRELUDE: Early morning, 0240 Baghdad time on January 17, 2020 (1840 EST 16 Jan 2020), marked the 29th anniversary of the start of Operation Desert Storm. It was a turning point in the conduct of warfare and set the conditions for modern warfare. The recent hostilities between Iran and the United States reinforce the importance…

‘Massive Improvement’ In Accuracy Of Iran Missiles Over Scud-B

‘Massive Improvement’ In Accuracy Of Iran Missiles Over Scud-B
‘Massive Improvement’ In Accuracy Of Iran Missiles Over Scud-B

  If you’re looking for an exigesis of the politics of the conflict between the United States and Iran, read elsewhere. This is an authoritative analysis — based on open source material– of the implications of the Iranians’ use of a Scud missile in the strike against the Al Asad Air Base in reaction to…

China, Russia Press For Mideast Gains While US Talks Of Withdrawal

China, Russia Press For Mideast Gains While US Talks Of Withdrawal
China, Russia Press For Mideast Gains While US Talks Of Withdrawal

Moscow is making sure no one forgets the role it has played in the Middle East, while Beijing searches for inroads in a region President Trump has pledged to leave.

The Mistaken Memo That Turned The Pentagon On Its Side

The Mistaken Memo That Turned The Pentagon On Its Side
The Mistaken Memo That Turned The Pentagon On Its Side

The US withdrawal from Iraq isn’t happening today, but the existence of a leaked draft memo to Iraqi military officials shows that the writing is not only on the wall, it’s on paper.

Thousands of Marines Sail To Middle East; Iraqis Vote To Eject US Troops

Thousands of Marines Sail To Middle East; Iraqis Vote To Eject US Troops
Thousands of Marines Sail To Middle East; Iraqis Vote To Eject US Troops

As President Trump threatens strikes on Iranian military and civilian targets, British warships and a US Marine MEU head to the Middle East.

Israelis: Soleimani Intercept Sparked Drone Strike; US Reinforces Region

Israelis: Soleimani Intercept Sparked Drone Strike; US Reinforces Region
Israelis: Soleimani Intercept Sparked Drone Strike; US Reinforces Region

TEL AVIV: Five days ago, an undisclosed intelligence agency intercepted a telephone call made by the head of Iran’s Quds Force, Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, in which he was heard ordering his proxies in Iraq to attack the US embassy in Baghdad, as well as other Israeli and American targets, with the aim of taking hostages, Israeli sources say.…

SecDef Esper Warns Iran: US May Take ‘Preemptive Action’

SecDef Esper Warns Iran: US May Take ‘Preemptive Action’
SecDef Esper Warns Iran: US May Take ‘Preemptive Action’

While Washington warns of conflict with Iran, some former Trump administration officials complain the persistent problems in the Middle East are hurting the promised reset to meet Chinese, Russian challenges.

CSIS Bad Idea: Pulling The Troops Home

CSIS Bad Idea: Pulling The Troops Home
CSIS Bad Idea: Pulling The Troops Home

Alliances, including forward-stationing of US forces abroad, make the United States safer, its allies more secure, and all more prosperous.