China’s state media applauds ‘heroic’ ramming of Vietnam vessel
A ramming incident between a Chinese and a Vietnamese maritime vessel on June 1 highlighted the escalation of violence in the South China Sea between the two communist countries (more…)
Report: Syrian rebels conducting secret meetings with Israel
WASHINGTON — Western-backed Syrian rebels have been quietly meeting with Israel, a report said. A U.S. think tank asserted that a prominent Syrian opposition member was conducting a dialogue (more…)
Russia promoting new attack copter to clients in SE Asia, Mideast
MOSCOW — Russia has intensified marketing of a new attack helicopter. The state-owned arms export agency Rosoboronexport has launched a drive to export the Mi-28NE attack helicopter. In 2014, (more…)
Sudan decides against Iran SAMs out of deference to Gulf states
CAIRO — Sudan has rejected the prospect of acquiring Iranian air defense systems. The Sudanese Foreign Ministry said the Khartoum regime decided against deploying Iranian surface-to-air missiles. In a (more…)
Al Qaida ‘cell’ targeted Tunis cabinet ministers and their families
CAIRO — Al Qaida-aligned insurgents have begun targeting Tunisia’s leadership. Officials said Al Qaida fighters were attacking senior members of the pro-Western government in Tunis. They said the fighters (more…)
Spain and Morocco break up Al Qaida cell recruiting for Mali, Libya ops
LONDON — Spain has dismantled a suspected Islamist cell in North Africa. The Spanish Interior Ministry reported the arrest of six suspects linked to Al Qaida in the Spanish (more…)
Bahrain prosecutors charge Shi’ites in plot against U.S. Fifth Fleet HQ
ABU DHABI — Bahrain has reported a Shi’ite plot against the U.S. Navy. Prosecutors have charged five Shi’ites with planning attacks against the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth (more…)
Pirates target small fishing boats in Gulf, evade Fifth Fleet’s radar
ABU DHABI — Piracy has increased in the Gulf. Diplomats said piracy operations rose significantly in the Gulf in 2014. They said attacks on fishing and other vessels along (more…)
Japan suspends aid to Vietnam for widespread corruption
On June 2, Japan officially informed Vietnam that the Japanese government would temporarily suspend official development assistance [ODA] because of a series of alleged corruption and kickback cases involved (more…)