Trump just had a top Iranian general killed, and it's triggering an intense debate over whether the strike is legally justified
Win McNamee/Getty Images President Donald Trump ordered the US military to kill top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, a stunning move that has ignited a debate about whether or not the strike was legal and, if it was legal, on what legal-basis it is justified. The Defense and State Departments’ comments on the strike appear to…
Rand Paul Suggests Soleimani’s Death Will Lead to More ‘Instability’ in the Middle East
Senator Rand Paul (R., Ky.) on Friday joined skeptics of President Trump’s decision to authorize an airstrike on Iranian military commander Qassim Soleimani, suggesting in a series of tweets that the move may further destabilize the region and cautioning the administration against further provoking Iran without congressional approval. “The question remains whether the assassination of…
In 1978, A Horrific Terror Attack Tore The Shah's Iran Apart
Key point: Perhaps, given time for more liberalizing reforms, Iran would have transitioned to a different form of government than the Islamic revolutionary state which currently hold power. At 9 PM on August 19, 1978, four men entered the lobby of the Rex Cinema in Abadan after having been disappointed to find the nearby Soheila…
A security expert reveals the possible thinking behind Carlos Ghosn's wild escape from Japan, which involved 2 planes and a mad dash between Turkey and Lebanon
REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom Carlos Ghosn, the former head of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, fled Japan to Lebanon on Sunday. Whoever planned Ghosn’s escape was likely skilled, Tulane professor and security expert Robert Allen said, but this probably wasn’t the work of a reputable security company, which would not want to risk the reputational damage resulting from a…
Family Says Victim Injured in Hanukkah Attack, 72, May Not Regain Consciousness
(Warning: many readers may find the below image to be disturbing.) The family of an Orthodox Jewish man who was severely injured during a machete attack in Monsey, N.Y., on Saturday says that doctors fear he may never wake up. Josef Neumann, 72, was among five people injured when a man brandishing a machete broke…
Suspect indicted on 6 attempted murder charges in Hanukkah machete slashing at rabbi's house
MONSEY, N.Y. — A Rockland grand jury Friday indicted Grafton Thomas on multiple charges of attempted murder in the machete slashing of five Hasidic Jewish men celebrating Hanukkah during a party at their rabbi’s house. Thomas, 37, pleaded not guilty to the charges during a Ramapo Justice Court appearance on Dec. 22 prior to the grand jury presentation.…
'We're not going to cower': Small Jewish communities prepare for increasing anti-Semitic attacks
PORTLAND, Ore. — As Rabbi Ken Brodkin watched the news trickle in from Sutherland Springs, Texas, in November 2017 — 26 killed and 20 wounded after a shooter opened fire during Sunday morning services, one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history — he felt a jolt of realization. Seeing a house of worship become…
Coalition scales back Iraq operations for security reasons: US
Baghdad (AFP) – US-led forces helping Iraqi troops fight jihadists have scaled back operations, a US defence official told AFP Saturday, a day after an American strike killed top Iranian and Iraqi commanders. “Our first priority is protecting coalition personnel,” the official said, saying the US-led force had “limited” their training and other anti-jihadist operations.…
Australia's Morrison faces fresh fury for bushfire 'campaign ad'
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison faced renewed criticism Saturday, after sharing bushfire themed party campaign ads that opponents condemned as “disgusting” and a respected defence association said was “milking” the crisis. Facing sustained anger for his handling of the months-long crisis, Morrison sought to get on the front foot Saturday, announcing increased military assistance to…
Tropical cyclones likely to become another weather worry for Australia amid bushfires
While the dangerous fires in Australia continue to make national headlines this week, the opposite side of the country may be under a different weather threat. “Meteorologists continue to monitor the Timor Sea for development through the weekend and into early this week,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty. In this zone, conditions are favorable…