Russia strikes Syrian Democratic Forces near Deir Ezzor
Forces from the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were struck by Russian air assets near the Deir Ezzor frontline on September 16th, this according to a statement made by the Combined Joint Task Force –… Keep Reading
Middle East – North Africa News Brief
MENA BRIEF, SITREP September 10 – September 17: Middle East and Northern Africa Regional Low Intensity Conflicts. [HIGHLIGHT]: Qatar The Qatari diplomatic crisis remains ongoing, and several regional sources have indicated that Saudi Arabia will soon… Keep Reading
President Trump remembers the sacrifices of armed forces on POW/MIA Recognition Day
Today marks the 38th POW/MIA Recognition Day, which is observed annually on the third Friday of September. Beginning in 1979, President Jimmy Carter first acknowledged POW/MIA Recognition Day to honor those who were prisoners of… Keep Reading
China’s Surprise Attack Preparations: Defensive Posturing or Strategic Signaling?
Last Wednesday, China reportedly conducted military exercises as a means to cope with a sea-based “surprise attack” emanating from the Korean peninsula. On the surface, the story isn’t all that interesting. However, when one considers… Keep Reading
Zapad 2017 kicks off as Russia’s “West” war games challenge NATO
Russia began its newest round of war games, “Zapad-2017” (the Russian word for “West”), on Thursday. According to Russian officials the exercise will involve 13,000 troops, but some NATO representatives assert that Russia will be… Keep Reading
Russia arms deal marks ever widening gap between NATO and Turkey
Despite, or in spite, of its NATO allies’ objections Turkey has proceeded with the purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system. The first downpayment was sent to Moscow late last week. Domestically, the move… Keep Reading
The Final Movement of the Islamic State
The grand symphony of Death and Destruction continues to play itself out across the streets of Deir Ezzor. A mortar round detonates. A curious fluttering and whooshing sound passes, culminating in a sudden, violent crescendo… Keep Reading
DACA Dreamers – my family story
My dad, Jose Louis Perez, was the youngest of 10 children. He was born in Mexico. In the early 60’s, his parents decided that life in Mexico didn’t present the opportunities that America did. It was… Keep Reading
Middle East – North Africa News Brief
MENA BRIEF, SITREP September 3 – September 10: Middle East and Northern Africa Regional Low Intensity Conflicts. [BAHRAIN]: The past week saw an increase in Shia opposition groups calling for nationwide protests. Despite the surge in… Keep Reading
Florida economy, 4th largest US, 18th in the World, braces for Irma impact
Hurricane Irma’s impact on Florida’s economy, the forth largest in the United States, and the 18th largest in the world if ranked by GDP, could be severe as the Category 4 storm surges north bringing… Keep Reading
Syrian Army breaks through ISIS lines at Deir Ezzor
The shadows of the Russian Air Force have been covering the ground of Deir Ezzor, striking Islamic State positions throughout. From moonless nights to full moon, every effort has been made to mercilessly strike the… Keep Reading
‘Rebel in the Rye’ – A Conversation with Hollywood rebel Danny Strong
REBEL IN THE RYE director Danny Strong’s directorial debut is about the birth of a writer and how that writer, a World War II veteran, was transformed by war. The writer, J.D. Salinger, would go… Keep Reading
The solution to North Korea won’t come from a tweet
North Korea (‘DPRK’) announced it has tested a new ‘hydrogen bomb’ as its sixth test to date in the development of a nuclear program. The DPRK also announced that this new bomb was small enough… Keep Reading
Middle East – North Africa News Brief
MENA BRIEF, SITREP August 26 – September 2: Middle East and Northern Africa Regional Low Intensity Conflicts. [GENERAL]: August 30th marked the official beginning of the Hajj pilgrimage, a sacred journey for Muslims worldwide to go… Keep Reading
ISIS is pushed to the brink of extinction in the race to Deir Ezzor
The last remaining major Islamic State enclave in Syria, Deir Ezzor, is stuck between a proverbial rock and a hard place. With its self-declared caliphate in ruins, all that remains of ISIS is a handful… Keep Reading
Tal Afar: Battle at the ‘Gates of Hell’
The soundtrack of war is playing across the Iraqi frontline. The white noise of monotonous clinks and thuds, shots and mortar rounds hitting their intended and unintended targets alike. In the background, isolated shots ring… Keep Reading
A Different Perspective of the US-North Korea Conflict – China’s Media Coverage
While covering the tension between the U.S. and North Korea, Chinese media emphasizes three principles in general: denuclearization and stabilization on the Korean Peninsula; solving the issue through peaceful means and dialogues; and assuring PRC’s… Keep Reading
Middle East – North Africa News Brief
MENA BRIEF, SITREP August 19 – August 26: Middle East and Northern Africa Regional Low Intensity Conflicts. [GENERAL]: The annual Hajj, the sacred pilgrimage for Muslims, officially begins on the evening of AUG30, or AUG31, depending… Keep Reading