![Image Iraq elections empower ex-militia leader Muqtada al-Sadr, once referred to as 'The Most Dangerous Man in Iraq' [Lima Charlie News] [Image: Reuters / Habi Mizban]](https://limacharlienews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/611134462.jpg)
On May 12th, Iraqis headed to the polls for the first time since the fall of ISIS. These parliamentary elections resulted in victory for the party of Muqtada al-Sadr, a Shia cleric hostile to the U.S. and Iran, once referred to as “The Most Dangerous Man… Keep Reading
![Image Taliban spring offensive begins, as insurgents attack across Afghanistan [Lima Charlie News][Image: Al Jazeera]](https://limacharlienews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Taliban-spring-offensive-begins-as-insurgents-attack-across-Afghanistan-Lima-Charlie-NewsImage-Al-Jazeera-480x320.jpg)
As the Taliban spring offensive begins, a large scale, multi-prong attack left at least 15 dead as the country prepares for its third democratic parliamentary election. At least 15 were left dead after insurgents carried out a three prong attack Wednesday. Two of the attacks… Keep Reading
![Image Israel - Iran tensions rise after U.S. announces withdrawal from Iran Deal [Lima Charlie News]](https://limacharlienews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Israel-Iran-tensions-rise-after-U.S.-announces-withdrawal-from-Iran-Deal-480x320.jpg)
Iran and Israel engage in a series of attacks after the U.S. announcement to withdraw from the Iran Deal, increasing tensions in the region. At midnight on May 10th, 20 rocket projectiles struck Israel Defense Forces (IDF) positions in the disputed territory of the Golan Heights,… Keep Reading
![Image The Killing of Osama Bin Laden. Is there a Doctor in the House? [Lima Charlie News]](https://limacharlienews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/The-Killing-of-Osama-Bin-Laden.-Is-there-a-Doctor-in-the-House-480x319.png)
One of the most significant tactical successes in the Global War on Terror was Operation Neptune Spear, a CIA-led operation to kill the Jihadist leader and idol Osama bin Laden. But what about the doctor who made it possible, then paid for it with his… Keep Reading
![Image Erdogan's high wire act keeps Turkey's economy spinning, for now [Lima Charlie News]](https://limacharlienews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Screen-Shot-2018-05-04-at-5.22.24-PM-480x320.png)
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is fairly popular, his political opponents have been crushed in an ongoing purge, and Turkey’s economy has been growing by leaps and bounds. But the economy is showing cracks, and Erdogan has moved elections forward by 18 months to cash… Keep Reading
![Image Saudis push OPEC, Russia to raise oil prices [Lima Charlie News]](https://limacharlienews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Saudis-push-OPEC-Russia-to-raise-oil-prices-480x319.png)
Oil prices have continued to surge, setting new records, after multiple indicators that Saudi Arabia wants to push prices to $100 per barrel in the coming months. This in turn could lead to a new crisis on the fragile worldwide energy market. Having learned a… Keep Reading
![Image The world has no option but to let Assad stay where he is ... for now [Lima Charlie News]](https://limacharlienews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-world-has-no-option-but-to-let-Assad-stay-where-he-is-...-for-the-time-being-480x320.png)
After the alleged chemical attack on the Syrian city of Douma, a coalition consisting of France, the UK and the US launched a large scale attack against Bashar al-Assad’s chemical warfare capability. If the coalition’s intent was to inconvenience the Syrian government and do some… Keep Reading
![Image Iran joins Russia in banning messaging app [Lima Charlie News]](https://limacharlienews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Iran-joins-Russia-in-banning-messaging-app-480x319.png)
Iran’s highest leader announced that the government will institute a nationwide ban against Telegram, the popular encrypted messaging app, following in the footsteps of Russia. Iran’s highest leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, announced that his government will institute a nationwide ban against Telegram, the popular encrypted messaging… Keep Reading
![Image Pakistan Supreme Court appears to be running the country [Lima Charlie News][Graphic: James Fox]](https://limacharlienews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Pakistan-Supreme-Court-appears-to-be-running-the-country-Lima-Charlie-News-480x320.png)
After a spat with the ruling Islamist party, the Pakistani military has empowered the Judiciary to take over more of the day to day running of the country. Earlier this month, ambassadors from Saudi Arabia, China, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) held a succession… Keep Reading
![Image The French in Syria - a long and tortured history [Lima Charlie News]](https://limacharlienews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-French-in-Syria-a-long-and-tortured-history-480x319.png)
France has taken the position that it is a humanitarian force, eager to bomb Syria for using chemical weapons and to promote regime change. Yet something’s not quite right with this picture. General Patton once famously declared, “I would rather have a German division in… Keep Reading
![Image Macron ignores domestic pressure, attempts take the lead of Western diplomacy in Syria [Lima Charlie News][Image: Reuters / Stephane Mahe](https://limacharlienews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2018_04_08_43616_1523165065._large-1-480x320.jpg)
Following Saturday’s attack on Syria, French President Emmanuel Macron moved to position himself as the head of Western diplomatic efforts to end the Syrian conflict. In spite of his show of strength, he is facing significant domestic concerns. Unlike Prime Minister Theresa May in the UK… Keep Reading
![Image Fight for influence in East Africa turns ugly as foreign powers demand more of a return on investment [Lima Charlie News][Image: Ahmed Jadallah/Reuters]](https://limacharlienews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Fight-for-influence-in-East-Africa-turns-ugly-as-foreign-powers-demand-more-of-a-return-on-investment-480x319.png)
In economically destitute Somalia, a little money goes a long way. Since the country collapsed, local politicians have leaned on foreign support. However, as East African markets have become more lucrative, foreign powers including the UAE, China, Turkey and Saudi Arabia are demanding more of… Keep Reading
MENA News Brief: Regional Low Intensity Conflicts, April 9th to April 15th – Current as of April 16, 2018. This week’s report covers Jordan, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Iraq, Somalia. | Recommended Reading: Dozens killed in alleged chemical-weapons attack in Syria – Read John… Keep Reading
![Image NYPD in Afghanistan, ISIS suffers key setback [Lima Charlie News][NATO photo: Erickson Barnes]](https://limacharlienews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/NYPD-in-Afghanistan-ISIS-suffers-key-setback-480x321.jpg)
KABUL, Afghanistan – Bringing more than 150 years of combined policing experience, this week a New York City Police Department (NYPD) delegation, led by police Commissioner James P. O’Neill, met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, CEO Abdullah Abdullah, NATO leaders of Kabul Security Force (KSF), and several other… Keep Reading
![Image Oil Industry Faces Problems Ahead [Lima Charlie News]](https://limacharlienews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Oil-Industry-Faces-Problems-Ahead-480x314.jpg)
North Sea Oil Brent has recently been trading at over $70 per barrel, indicating a valuation rise of almost 30% in less than a year. In recent years, the battle for the oil market has been fought between the 14 OPEC member states and Russia… Keep Reading
![Image Syria chemical weapons attack is not without skeptics [Lima Charlie News][Image: White Helmets]](https://limacharlienews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Syria-chemical-weapons-attack-is-not-without-skeptics-Lima-Charlie-News-e1523325777112-480x320.jpg)
Russia and Syria deny the alleged chemical attack against the rebel-held Damascus suburb of Douma and question whether the use of chemical weapons against a defeated enemy makes any sense. A Syrian rebel group has accused the Bashar al Assad led government of having deployed… Keep Reading
