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Hamas Hopes Ties Deepen with Iran in Opposition to Israel

June 17, 2013 Peace and Conflict, Terrorism
IDF image of Beersheba damage from Gaza rockets. Photo Courtesy of IDF Spokesperson.

IDF image of Beersheba damage from Gaza rockets. Photo Courtesy of IDF Spokesperson.

Here’s a recipe for Middle East conflict: Take one terrorist-sponsoring dictatorship with money and hate to burn, add a local terror group, add water and mix well. Ok, so the water isn’t necessary. But Hamas—Israel’s most antagonistic terror enemy in the last 20 years—is looking for deeper ties with Iran after Hassan Rouhani was elected president there. And their mutual hate of Israel is key motivation.

“For sure we hope that the Iranian support will continue especially that Hamas encourages Iran against Israel,” senior Hamas party leader Ahmad Yousef told the Ma’an News Agency. Iran has been a financial supporter of Hamas in the past, and Ma’an reported that Yousef hopes the relationship will only get better under Rouhani. … Continue Reading

Iran Increased Global Terrorism in 2012

May 31, 2013 News, Terrorism
Iranian President Ahmadinejad. Photo Courtesy of UN Photo/Marco Castro

Iranian President Ahmadinejad. Photo Courtesy of UN Photo/Marco Castro

For those who think that states that support terrorism in the Middle East, such as Iran, are not our business in the United States or Europe, a new report from the US State Department highlighted Iran’s terror activities from last two years. Among Iran’s actions were plots in Asia, Africa, Europe… and even the US.

The US incident mentioned was a 2011 plot to murder the Saudi Ambassador to the US—inside the US—by an Iranian-American working on behalf of Iran’s version of the CIA—the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. “The thwarted plot demonstrated Iran’s interest in using international terrorism—including in the United States—to further its foreign policy goals,” said the latest “Country Reports on Terrorism” publication. … Continue Reading

War Threat Increases between Syria and Israel

May 19, 2013 News, Syria, Terrorism
Photo Courtesy of UN-Photo/Marco Castro

Photo Courtesy of UN-Photo/Marco Castro

Tensions between Syria and Israel have risen in recent weeks over reported Israeli air strikes on Syrian missiles bound for terrorists, and the flames aren’t dying down. Instead, the diplomatic temperature is getting hotter after Syria reportedly put its missiles on ready in case Israel acts again.

The Sunday Times reported that Syria’s top missiles have instructions to strike Tel Aviv—the New York of Israel—if Israel bombs Syrian targets again. The British newspaper reported on its website that reconnaissance satellites have been watching Syria’s efforts to set up the missiles. … Continue Reading

Terror Leader: We’re Ready for ‘Game-Changing’ Syrian Weapons

May 10, 2013 Syria, Terrorism
Sign showing the distance between Jerusalem and Lebanese capital city. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock

Sign showing the distance between Jerusalem and Lebanon’s capital city. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock

Syria’s role in promoting Middle East terrorism and the threat it could further embolden Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon was emphasized on Thursday—by Hezbollah’s own leader. Proudly emphasizing the military aid the Syrian regime has given terrorists fighting Israel, the terror leader said they were open to getting even more powerful weapons.

“We are ready to receive any game-changing weapons, and we are ready to possess and protect them, and use them,” Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah was quoted as saying by the Lebanese television station Al Manar. Nasrallah highlighted Syria’s long-standing role as transferring Iranian weapons to terrorists in Lebanon. … Continue Reading

Gaza Terror Attacks on Israel Rise in April

May 8, 2013 News, Terrorism
Spent Gaza Rocket. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock

Spent Gaza Rocket. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock

The conflict between Gaza and Israel continues to grow, as Gaza-linked terror attacks rose for the third straight month. After January saw zero rocket attacks following a ceasefire between Gaza and Israel reached last November, 17 rockets and five mortars were fired at Israel in April.

This contrasts to 14 rockets fired in one salvo in March, according to the monthly terrorism report on the Israel Security Agency (ISA) website. The upsurge in terrorism raises concerns about the risk of further conflict in the Middle East, which threatens Israel—America’s top ally in the region—and could result in higher oil prices. … Continue Reading

Israel Responds to Terror Attack, Kills Rocket Specialist

April 30, 2013 Peace and Conflict, Terrorism
Spent Gaza Rocket. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock.

Spent Gaza Rocket. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock.

Israel had said they would respond to the April 17 rocket attacks against the Israeli coastal city of Eilat, and on Tuesday they found their opportunity. Israeli aircraft took out one of those involved in the rocket fire, a terrorist the Israeli military said “manufactured, improved and traded” weapons, specializing in rockets and explosive devices.

It marks the first time that Israel has assassinated such a key terrorist in the Gaza Strip since the last major operation in the Gaza Strip back in November. Gaza rocket attacks have increased in recent months, breaching the ceasefire that ended last year’s war. The rocket fire highlights the risk of further conflict in the Middle East, which isn’t good for Israel—America’s top ally in the Middle East—or the oil market. Tuesday’s assassination is intended to boost Israel’s deterrence and to prevent future terrorist rocket attacks, similar to American strikes on al-Qaeda leaders. … Continue Reading

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