How China Is Remaking Its Vast Western Frontier

Ukrainian Expert Dismisses Trump Pledge On Patriot Missile License As Empty PR President Trump's declaration from the NATO summit in Turkey this week saying that he'll give Ukraine a license to produce Patriot defense systems has been met with a lot of skepticism, both among Ukrainians and internationally.  "We’ll give them the right to make Patriots. We’ll show them how to do it," Trump had said. "I think they can produce them pretty quickly." via Associated Press Zelensky seized on the opening, telling reports on Thursday, "America has recognized Ukraine as a country...

Israeli Defense Chief Lashes Out At Trump Policy For Preventing Destruction Of Hezbollah Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz in a talk before reporters Monday ripped the Trump administration, blaming the US for giving into Iran's demands that a peace framework incorporate the Lebanon front. Trump "exerted pressure" on Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu within several telephone calls "in the run-up to the signing of the memorandum of understanding" - and ultimately prevented Israel from disarming and destroying Hezbollah, he asserted. Katz expressed "regret" at the US linking up Iran and Lebanon, saying: "The...

American Journalist Shelly Kittleson Kidnapped In Baghdad American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson, who reports primarily on Middle Eastern and Afghan affairs, was kidnapped in Baghdad earlier today. She has written for outlets including Al-Monitor, Foreign Policy, BBC News, Politico, and others. Alex Plitsas, a CNN national security analyst and former senior Pentagon official under former President Barack Obama, confirmed on X that Kittleson was "abducted and may have been taken hostage in Baghdad by Kataib Hezbollah." 🚨🚨🚨 I can confirm that my friend Shelly Kittleson was abducted and may have taken hostage...