Report: Obama had secret back channel to Iran in 2008 campaign
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama was said to be maintaining a secret U.S. alliance with Iran. A leading U.S. analyst asserted that Obama’s policy in the Middle East has (more…)
Military command decided manned ops against Hamas not worth risk
TEL AVIV — Israel’s military command consistently rejected the use of special operations forces to decimate the leadership of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. A leading Israeli analyst asserted that (more…)
U.S. called key to Qatar’s covert dealings with terror groups, Iran
TEL AVIV — Qatar has become a major player in the Arab world because of its pro-Islamist policy and support by the United States, a report said. The Institute (more…)
Revised intel: Iran sent aid via Turkey to Al Qaida elements in Syria
WASHINGTON — The U.S. alert of a mass-casualty strike on Independence Day marked a revised assessment of Al Qaida by the American intelligence community. Al Qaida is like the (more…)
Intel: Mohammed Deif returned as Hamas military chief before war
TEL AVIV — Israel’s intelligence community has determined that Mohammed Deif ended nearly a decade underground to resume his role as Hamas’ military chief. Officials said the community assessed (more…)
Turkish opposition charges NATO missile base used to defend Israel
ANKARA — Turkey’s opposition, seeking to capitalize on the anti-Israel backlash, has accused the government of approving a NATO missile base to defend the Jewish state. Turkey’s largest opposition (more…)
Audit in Turkey blames political interference for defense industry woes
ANKARA — Turkey’s defense industry has been hampered by excessive political control, a report said. A report by the State Audit Board said feuding between the government of Prime (more…)
Israel forces make heavy use of combat drones, improved Iron Dome
TEL AVIV — Israel has reported another upgrade of its Iron Dome missile and rocket defense system. Israeli sources said state-owned contractors were enhancing Iron Dome amid the Hamas (more…)
EU’s focus on news, not policy, blamed for diminished role in Mideast
LONDON — The European Union has become marginalized in the Middle East, a report said. Carnegie Europe said the EU has played virtually no role in the crises that (more…)