United States

US Sanctions Iranian 'Weapons Networks' after UN Reimposes Restrictions

The United States has sanctioned an alleged Iranian weapons procurement network supporting the country's ballistic missile program following the UN decision to reimpose sanctions on Tehran, the Treasury Department announced Wednesday. Washington said it was targeting 21 companies and 17 individuals who "pose a significant threat to US service ...

US and Allies Reducing Forces in Iraq

US and allied forces are reducing their presence in Iraq, the Pentagon said Wednesday, winding down a more than decade-long mission there against the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group as planned. Washington and Baghdad agreed last year that the international coalition against IS, established in 2014 to help local forces retake territory seized by ...

US Govt Shutdown Begins after Congress Fails to Reach Deal

The US government began shutting down Wednesday after lawmakers and President Donald Trump failed to break a budget impasse during acrimonious talks that hinged on Democratic demands for health care funding. Republicans and Democrats immediately blamed each other for the deadlock that will impact hundreds of thousands of government workers and ...

Lebanon's Half Measures Lead to Growing US Skepticism

As Lebanese leaders continue to implement half measures that fail to address pressing issues decisively, voices in Washington are increasingly questioning the US's support for Beirut. The context is troubling. From across the Atlantic, it is clear that Lebanese officials have yet to confront their fear of a "weak and defeated" Hezbollah, while the ...

Tony Blair: Former UK Premier Central to Trump's Gaza Plan

Tony Blair, Britain's former Prime minister whose legacy was heavily tarnished by the 2003 war in Iraq, has long been a contentious figure in the Middle East and beyond. His potentially leading role in Donald Trump's peace plan for Gaza will likely do little to change that. Blair, 72, who is set to sit on the board of a proposed international ...

Trump Gives Hamas Ultimatum on Gaza Deal

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday gave Hamas an ultimatum of "three or four days" to respond to his plan to end the war in Gaza, as the militant group reviewed the proposal backed by Israel. The plan calls for a ceasefire, the release of hostages by Hamas within 72 hours, a disarmament of Hamas, and the gradual Israeli withdrawal ...

US Sending Anti-Drone System to Denmark for EU Summit

The United States is sending anti-drone defenses to Denmark as it hosts an EU summit this week, Copenhagen's defense ministry said Tuesday, after drones over the Nordic country closed several airports. Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Sweden have also all sent anti-drone technology ahead of the summit to Denmark, ...

Trump Tells Generals US Faces 'War from Within'

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States faces a "war from within" from crime and immigration in a darkly authoritarian speech to a rare meeting of the top US military officers. Addressing generals and admirals summoned from around the world by Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, Republican Trump warned that the military would be ...

Game Over for Hamas

President Trump does not lend his name to a plan lightly. His 21-point program to end the Gaza War has garnered unprecedented support from Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Qatar, and Pakistan. For Hamas, the options are stark: Accept the plan or face collective ruin. But why did it take nearly two years to ...

Venezuela's Maduro Ready to Declare State of Emergency Over US 'Aggression'

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said Monday he is ready to declare a state of emergency over the threat of US "aggression," following a spate of deadly US strikes on suspected Venezuelan drug boats. "Today the consultation process began...to declare a state of emergency in accordance with the constitution and protect our people, our peace, ...