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December 17, 2024 at 2:30 PM

Syrian Rebel Leader Calls For Lifting Of Sanctions, As Al-Assad Defends Exit

“Ahmed al-Shara, the leader of the rebel coalition that swept into Damascus last week and ousted the Assad regime, urged the United States and other nations to remove sanctions imposed on the country, saying in an interview on Monday that all constraints needed to be lifted so that Syria could rebui…

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December 16, 2024 at 2:31 PM

A Diminished Hezbollah Is Made Even Weaker By The Toppling Of Assad In Syria

“A severely hobbled Hezbollah was in no position to help defend former Syrian President Bashar Assad, a longtime ally, from the lightning-fast insurgency that toppled him. With Assad gone, the militant group based in Lebanon is even weaker. Hezbollah was dealt a major blow during 14 months of war wi…

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December 13, 2024 at 2:30 PM

Hamas Concedes On Israeli Troops In Gaza, Raising Hopes For Hostage Deal

“Hamas has yielded to two of Israel’s key demands for a cease-fire deal in Gaza, Arab mediators said, raising hopes of an agreement that could release some hostages within days despite the repeated collapse of previous negotiations. The militant group told mediators for the first time that it would …

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December 12, 2024 at 2:31 PM

Afghan Blast Kills Key Minister, Shocking Taliban

“Senior Taliban minister Khalil Haqqani was killed in an attack Wednesday, the Taliban’s chief spokesman said, marking the highest-profile government casualty since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan three years ago. Haqqani was the acting minister for refugees and a key member of the Haqqani netwo…

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December 11, 2024 at 2:30 PM

Rebel-Backed Figure Takes Charge As Syria's Interim Prime Minister

“Syria's new interim leader announced on Tuesday he was taking charge of the country as caretaker prime minister with the backing of the former rebels who toppled President Bashar al-Assad three days ago. In a brief address on state television, Mohammed al-Bashir, a figure little known across most o…

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December 10, 2024 at 3:01 PM

Assad's Fall In Syria Weakens Iran But May Fuel Islamist Resurgence

“The ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, after rebel forces swept into Damascus this weekend, shattered Iran's network of influence in the Middle East but Israel, the United States and Arab powers must now deal with the risk of instability and extremism from the mosaic of forces that replace…

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December 9, 2024 at 2:30 PM

With Assad Gone, New Era Starts In Syria As The World Watches

“Syrians awakened on Monday to a hopeful if uncertain future, after rebels seized the capital Damascus and President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia, following 13 years of civil war and more than 50 years of his family's brutal rule. With a curfew declared by the rebels, Damascus was calm after dawn,…

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December 6, 2024 at 2:30 PM

Iran, Hezbollah Aim To Bolster Assad As Rebels Bear Down On Homs

“Iran will send missiles, drones and more advisers to Syria, a senior Iranian official said on Friday, as rebel forces pushed their lightning offensive south towards the city of Homs in the biggest challenge for years to President Bashar al-Assad's rule. Seizing Homs would cut off Syria's capital Da…

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December 5, 2024 at 11:18 PM

CounterPoint Brief: Rebels Seize Aleppo, Renewing Fighting in Decade-Long Syrian Conflict

On November 27, 2024, Syrian rebel forces advanced into Aleppo and its surrounding villages, launching the largest offensive against the Syrian government in years. Dubbed Operation Deterrence of Aggression, the rebels are led by the internationally designated terror group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)…

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December 5, 2024 at 2:30 PM

Exclusive: Lebanon's Hezbollah Aims To Rebuild Longer Term Despite Israeli Blows, US Intel Says

“Lebanon's Hezbollah has been significantly degraded militarily by Israel, but the Iran-backed group will likely try to rebuild its stockpiles and forces and pose a longterm threat to the U.S. and its regional allies, four sources briefed on updated U.S. intelligence told Reuters. U.S. intelligence …

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December 4, 2024 at 7:15 PM

Counterpoint Brief: The Fear of Blasphemy Laws in Britain

Last week, British Labour MP Tahir Ali asked Prime Minister Keir Starmer if the government would “commit to introducing measures to prohibit the desecration of all religious texts and the prophets of the Abrahamic religions.” Starmer did not immediately dismiss the idea of adopting such legislation,…

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December 4, 2024 at 2:41 PM

Israel Threatens To Expand War If Hezbollah Truce Collapses

“Israel threatened on Tuesday to return to war in Lebanon if its truce with Hezbollah collapses, and said this time its attacks would go deeper and target the Lebanese state itself, after the deadliest day since the ceasefire was agreed last week. In its strongest threat since the truce was agreed t…

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December 3, 2024 at 2:30 PM

Deadly Israeli Strikes Hit Southern Lebanon After Hezbollah Attacks, Testing Shaky Ceasefire

“Israeli strikes killed at least nine people in southern Lebanon, Lebanese authorities said Monday, the deadliest day since a ceasefire brokered by the United States and France came into effect last week. The strikes in the Nabatiyeh governorate near the Israeli border killed five people in the town…

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December 2, 2024 at 2:30 PM

Lebanon Cease-Fire Appears To Hold Despite Israeli Strike

“The uneasy truce between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah largely held through its second day in Lebanon on Thursday, although Israel conducted an airstrike that it said targeted militants violating terms of the cease-fire deal. The Israeli strike was the first of its kind since the U.S.-bac…

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November 27, 2024 at 2:30 PM

Ceasefire Between Israel And Lebanon's Hezbollah Militants Has Begun

“A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect at 4 a.m. Wednesday local time. Israel agreed Tuesday to the ceasefire to stop the war it has been fighting with the Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon for more than a year. "The Security Cabinet approved the United States' proposal for a…

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November 26, 2024 at 2:30 PM

Yemeni Fighters Reportedly Join Russia’s War In Ukraine

The Russian military has recruited "hundreds" of Yemeni fighters, according to a new report, as Moscow pays dearly in casualty counts for gains in eastern Ukraine. Yemeni citizens were promised high wages and Russian citizenship before traveling to Russia to be "forcibly inducted into Moscow's army …

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November 25, 2024 at 2:32 PM

Four Italian U.N. Peacekeepers Wounded As Israel And Hezbollah Militants Clash In Lebanon

“Four Italian soldiers were lightly hurt Friday in a rocket "attack" on the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon amid reported intense clashes between Hezbollah militants and Israeli forces, Rome said Friday. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said initial evidence pointed to Hezbollah being be…

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November 22, 2024 at 2:30 PM

Death Toll In Gaza From Israel-Hamas War Passes 44,000, Palestinian Officials Say

“The death toll in the Gaza Strip from the 13-month-old war between Israel and Hamas has surpassed 44,000, local health officials said Thursday. The Gaza Health Ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count, but it has said that more than half of the fatalities are wome…

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November 21, 2024 at 2:45 PM

US Envoy In Israel After Progress On Hezbollah Ceasefire

“A US envoy has arrived in Israel to continue negotiations on a ceasefire with Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, after reporting “additional progress” during a second day of talks in Beirut. Amos Hochstein, who has led the Biden administration’s efforts to end more than one year of conflict, was expecte…

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November 20, 2024 at 4:50 PM

Iran Defies International Pressure, Increasing Its Stockpile Of Near Weapons-Grade Uranium, UN Says

“Iran has defied international demands to rein in its nuclear program and has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, according to a confidential report by the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog seen Tuesday by The Associated Press. The report by the International Ato…

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November 19, 2024 at 2:30 PM

Israel Finds Large Troves Of Russian Arms In Hezbollah’s Hands

“As Israel advances its invasion of southern Lebanon, its troops are finding large troves of Russian weapons, confirming longstanding suspicions in Israel that Hezbollah is enhancing its fighting capacity with the help of sophisticated Russian arms. Some of the weapons, which include modern Kornet a…

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November 18, 2024 at 2:39 PM

Taliban Relocation Plan Could Worsen Humanitarian Crisis In Afghanistan, Analysts Say

“The Taliban's Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation announced plans this week to return millions of internally displaced people (IDP) to their home villages and provinces in Afghanistan, a move analysts warn could worsen the country's humanitarian crisis. “In the first phase, 5,000 displaced famili…

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November 15, 2024 at 2:30 PM

Lebanese Ceasefire Efforts Inch Ahead As Israel Keeps Up Fierce Bombardment

“Diplomacy aimed at securing a ceasefire in Lebanon showed tentative signs of progress on Thursday as Israel pounded its northern neighbour including heavy airstrikes on the stronghold of armed group Hezbollah near Beirut. Pressing its offensive against the Iran-backed group, Israel hit Beirut's Hez…

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November 14, 2024 at 3:06 PM

US Concerned By Russia-North Korea Ties And Technology Exchanges

“The United States is concerned by Russia's growing relationship with North Korea and by what technology the two countries may be exchanging, the top U.S. arms control official said on Wednesday. Speaking to Reuters in Bucharest at a forum on preventing nuclear and radiological terrorism, Under Secr…

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November 13, 2024 at 2:31 PM

Israeli Strikes Pound Lebanon, Hezbollah Strikes Back

"The Israeli military pounded Beirut's southern suburbs with airstrikes on Tuesday, mounting one of its heaviest daytime attacks yet on the Hezbollah-controlled area, and struck the middle of the country where more than 20 people were killed. Smoke billowed over Beirut as around a dozen strikes hit …

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November 12, 2024 at 2:30 PM

Iran Says It Will Pursue 'Its Interest' When Asked About Possibility Of Trump Talks

“Iran will pursue whatever secures its interest, government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said on Tuesday, when asked if there could be direct talks with the Trump administration. "Whatever secures the country's interest and values of the revolution will be pursued by the government," Mohajerani t…

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November 9, 2024 at 1:30 PM

Antisemitic Violence Instigated by Pro-Palestinian Protestors in Amsterdam

Counter Extremism Project (CEP) CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace and Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler issued the following statement in response to a wave of antisemitic violence from pro-Palestinian protestors targeting fans of the Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer club following a game against FC Ajax…

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November 8, 2024 at 3:22 PM

Hezbollah Calls For US Action, Not Words, As Trump Reclaims White House

“Hezbollah welcomes any effort to stop the war in Lebanon but does not pin hopes for a ceasefire on any particular U.S. administration, Hezbollah lawmaker Ibrahim al-Moussawi said on Thursday when asked about Donald Trump's election victory., opens new tab "It might be a change in the party who is i…

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November 7, 2024 at 2:34 PM

FBI Foils New York Man's 'Evil Plan' To Wage Jihad On ISIS' Behalf In Syria: DOJ

“FBI agents stopped a New York man from boarding a flight from New York to the Middle East, where he was allegedly going to join the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) to wage jihad, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ said in a press release that Syed Aman, a U.S. citizen an…

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November 6, 2024 at 2:30 PM

Bomb Threats In Swing States Disrupt A Mostly Smooth Election Day

“A series of bomb threats across multiple battleground states and baseless claims of wrongdoing by former President Donald Trump disrupted an otherwise smooth Election Day that capped a tumultuous presidential campaign. The bomb threats in parts of Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania on Tuesday turned…

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November 5, 2024 at 2:30 PM

States Prepare For Electoral College Violence: ‘The Threat Of Domestic Terrorism Is Too Great’

“Officials across the country are steeling for the possibility that violent protestors or armed extremists could try to disrupt the meetings of presidential electors next month. After the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the capitol, many state officials no longer feel they can take the once-ceremonial aspects…

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November 4, 2024 at 2:30 PM

Iran’s Supreme Leader Threatens Israel And US With ‘A Crushing Response’ Over Israeli Attack

“Iran’s supreme leader on Saturday threatened Israel and the U.S. with “a crushing response” over attacks on Iran and its allies. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spoke as Iranian officials are increasingly threatening to launch yet another strike against Israel after its Oct. 26 attack on the Islamic Republi…

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November 1, 2024 at 1:30 PM

Rocket Fire From Lebanon Kills 7 In Israel As US Officials Try To Push For Cease-Fires

“Rocket barrages from Lebanon into northern Israel killed four foreign workers and three Israelis on Thursday, Israeli medics said, the deadliest cross-border strikes in Israel since it invaded Lebanon. Israel kept up airstrikes it says targeted Hezbollah militants across Lebanon, where health autho…

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October 31, 2024 at 1:33 PM

U.S. Military Says It Killed Up To 35 Islamic State Militants In Syria

“U.S. airstrikes hit several Islamic State camps in the Syrian desert on Monday, killing up to 35 of the group’s operatives, the United States Central Command said in a statement on Wednesday. The strikes targeted multiple senior leaders in the early evening, the statement said, and there were no kn…

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October 30, 2024 at 1:30 PM

Man Accused Of Taylor Swift Dance Class Murders Now Faces UK Terror Charge

“The teenager accused of murdering three children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the U.K. earlier this year now faces an additional terror-related charge, British prosecutors announced Tuesday. Axel Rudakubana, 18, has already been charged with the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, Bebe …

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October 29, 2024 at 3:50 PM

Israeli Strike In Northern Gaza Kills At Least 60, Officials Say, As Hezbollah Announces New Leader

“An Israeli strike on a five-story building where displaced Palestinians were sheltering in the northern Gaza Strip killed at least 60 people early Tuesday, more than half of them women and children, Gaza’s Health Ministry said. In a separate development, Lebanon’s militant group Hezbollah said it h…

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October 28, 2024 at 1:31 PM

More Than 120 Killed In Paramilitary Rampage In East-Central Sudan, UN And A Doctors Group Say

“Fighters from the notorious paramilitary Rapid Support Forces ran riot in east-central Sudan in a multi-day attack that killed more than 120 people in one town, a doctors group and the United Nations said. It was the group’s latest attack against the Sudanese military after suffering a series of se…

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October 25, 2024 at 1:41 PM

Five Killed, 22 Injured In Terror Attack On Turkish Aerospace Company

“Armed assailants launched a deadly “terror” attack on Turkey’s state-run aerospace company near the capital Ankara on Wednesday, government officials said. At least five people were killed and 22 injured in the “terrorist attack” on the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) headquarters in the outsk…

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October 24, 2024 at 2:12 PM

Blinken Urges Israel To Seek Enduring Deal, As Officials Say A Limited Cease-Fire Has Been Discussed

“Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that Israel needs to pursue an “enduring strategic success” in Gaza after its tactical victories against Hamas, urging it to seek a deal that would end the war and bring back dozens of hostages. He spoke before traveling from Israel to Saudi Arabia o…

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October 23, 2024 at 1:30 PM

Blinken Urges Israel To Seek Deal After Tactical Gains As Truce Efforts Remain Stalled

“Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that Israel needs to pursue an “enduring strategic success” after its tactical victories against Hamas, urging it to seek a deal that would end the war in the Gaza Strip and bring back dozens of hostages. He spoke before traveling from Israel to Saud…

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October 22, 2024 at 1:30 PM

Who Will Lead Hamas After Killing Of Yahya Sinwar?

“Two Hamas officials told the BBC discussions to choose a successor for the group's leader Yahya Sinwar, whose killing was confirmed on Thursday, will begin very soon. The officials said that Khalil al-Hayya, Sinwar's deputy and the group's most senior official outside Gaza, is considered a strong c…

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October 21, 2024 at 1:31 PM

Israel And Hamas Signal Resistance To Ending Gaza War After Sinwar’s Death

“Hamas confirmed Friday that its leader, Yahya Sinwar, was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza and reiterated its stance that hostages the militant group took from Israel a year ago will not be released until there is a cease-fire in Gaza and a withdrawal of Israeli troops. The group’s staunch position…

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October 18, 2024 at 7:45 PM

Statement on the Death of Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar

(New York, N.Y.) — Counter Extremism Project (CEP) CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace and President Fran Townsend issued the following statement today, on the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza following a successful Israel Defense Force operation: Statement on the Death of Hamas Leader Yahya S…

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October 18, 2024 at 1:30 PM

Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar Killed In Gaza By Israeli Forces, Officials Say

“Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip, Israel Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Thursday. Sinwar has been credited as the mastermind behind the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel that led to the deaths of 1,200 people, the worst terrorist attack in Israel's history. "…

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October 17, 2024 at 1:31 PM

Israeli Fire Kills 11 In Gaza City As Its Forces Tighten Siege In The North

“Israeli airstrikes killed 11 Palestinians in Gaza City on Thursday, medics said, while Israeli forces sent tanks into Jabalia in the north, where Palestinians and United Nations officials expressed alarm over shortages of food and medicine. Residents of Jabalia said Israeli forces blew up clusters …

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October 16, 2024 at 1:30 PM

ISIS-K Behind Foiled Election Day Terrorism Plot, U.S. Officials Say

“ISIS-K, the Afghan branch of the Islamic State, directed an Afghan man’s foiled U.S. Election Day terror plot, according to two senior U.S. officials briefed on the matter. Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, was arrested by the FBI last week in Oklahoma and is accused of planning to purchase two AK-47 rifles…

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October 15, 2024 at 9:02 PM

ISIS Redux: The Central Syria Insurgency In September 2024

Following is the September 2024 installment of “ISIS Redux: The Central Syria Insurgency,” a monthly chronicle of attacks by the terrorist group ISIS in central Syria. All previous 2024 monthly installments can be found here, as well as a review of developments throughout 2023, 2022, and 2021. A ful…

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October 15, 2024 at 1:16 PM

Deadly Hezbollah Strike Shows Growing Threat Posed By Drones

“Four Israeli soldiers were killed and dozens wounded in a drone attack by Hezbollah on a military base in central Israel, while at least four Palestinians were killed in an Israeli air strike on a packed tent encampment for displaced people in central Gaza. A drone launched by Hezbollah on Sunday n…

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October 14, 2024 at 1:50 PM

US Will Send A Missile Defense System And Troops To Run It To Israel To Aid Defense Against Iran

“The United States will send a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery to Israel, along with the troops needed to operate it, the Pentagon said Sunday, even as Iran warned Washington to keep American military forces out of Israel. Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement that…

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October 11, 2024 at 1:27 PM

Leaders Of Jordan And Southern Europe Meet In A Bid To Help De-Escalate Middle East Crisis

“The leaders of nine southern European Union countries and Jordan are meeting in Cyprus on Friday to come up with ways to de-escalate the crisis in the Middle East that is threatening to engulf Lebanon and trigger a wider humanitarian crisis. Jordan’s King Abdullah will join the leaders of the so-ca…

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