Monday, April 30, 2018

The Afghan Taliban Choose War Over Elections

Suicide bomb attack in Kabul April 30, 2018. Reuters

Ruchi Kumar, The Hindu: Taliban chooses war over elections

The Taliban has turned down an offer from President Ashraf Ghani to join the much-delayed parliamentary elections in Afghanistan. In a speech made earlier this month in Kabul, while launching the voter registration process, the Afghan President appealed to the group that has been waging an increasingly bloody insurgency to shun violence and participate in the democratic process.

“Transparent elections are the only tool through which political reforms can take place and the politics of coercion can be replaced with productive politics,” he said, reiterating his offer to negotiate a peace deal with the Taliban made in February. “The Taliban can act as a political party and utilise this opportunity and the peace offer,” Mr. Ghani said. “Afghan people should no longer be subject to suffering from the ongoing war.”

Read more ....

WNU Editor: In all my years of following the Taliban I can say with confidence that the only time that the Taliban were ever  interested in participating in peace talks was with the expectation that everyone was going to leave, and that they would then assume power. Bottom line .... there is going to be no peace in Afghanistan until the people in Afghanistan say enough is enough .... which I do not see happening any time soon.

Experts Believe That A Second Wave Of Arab Revolutions Is 'Inevitable'

(Click on Image to Enlarge)

Ali Younes, Al Jazeera: Second wave of Arab revolutions 'inevitable', experts say

Economic and urbanisation challenges will reignite calls for change in Arab world, speakers at Al Jazeera Forum predict.

Doha, Qatar - Eight years after the so-called Arab Spring, the region is facing the prospect of another phase of revolts due to pressing financial, urbanisation and unemployment challenges, experts have argued.

Several Arab leaders were deposed in the aftermath of the popular 2010 and 2011 uprisings, while others' grip on power was loosened.

Speaking during the 12th Al Jazeera Forum, held this weekend in Qatar's capital, Doha, a number of regional experts said it is "inevitable" that change will come to a region with one of the world's highest percentages of youth.

"Massive uncontrolled urbanisation, pressure on the job markets are among other socioeconomic factors the leading causes behind greater expectations of the youth in the Arab societies," said Mohamed Mahjoub Haroon, professor of social science at the University of Khartoum, in Sudan.

Read more ....

WNU Editor:  I concur with this consensus.

War Of Words Escalating Between Israel And Russia

An S-300 air defense missile system launches a missile. Photo: Reuters/Maxim Shemetov

Asia Times: Israel threatens to strike Russian air defense systems headed to Syria

If the anti-aircraft equipment is attacked, there will be ‘catastrophic consequences,’ warns Moscow

There is no shortage of reasons to be concerned about the entangled drama unfolding in Syria, as Russia maneuvers on a shifting landscape that could see Israel and Iran collide in a direct confrontation.

Commentary in The Wall Street Journal on Monday urged caution on the part of Moscow, arguing that Russia has already nudged the regional arch-enemies closer to war. A recent Israeli strike on a base in Syria that killed seven Iranians, including four Quds Force officers, might have been swept under the rug by Iran, according to the author Dennis Ross, but Russia’s decision to call out Israel for the strike has forced Iran’s hand, increasing the likelihood of retaliation to save face.

Against this backdrop, Israel is warning Russia that air defense systems to be delivered to Syria will be in the Israeli air force’s crosshairs. Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed reports this week that it planned to send Russian S-300 defense systems to the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad, prompting a response from Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Russian efforts to act as a mediator in the Middle East are not working .... and they have failed in trying to defuse tensions that have been ongoing for decades. In fact .... a case can now be made that they are making the situation worse. Am I surprised .... no. While Syria will try to accomodate Russian interests, Iran will not. And right now Iran is determined to be the dominant player in the Middle East .... whether the Russians like it or not. The problem is that the Russians now find themselves between Israel and Iran/Syria ..... a definite no-win situation for Moscow.

Israel Warns Iran That A Proxy War Against Iran's Allies Will Become A War Against Iran


Washington Times: Israel ready to bomb Iran if necessary: Report

Israeli defense officials have told their American and Russian counterparts that if Iranian-backed forces attack Israel from inside Syria, Jerusalem will not hold back from retaliating with direct strikes against Tehran or other targets in Iran.

The officials delivered the message ahead of a national security statement expected Monday from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in response to Iranian threats to hit Israel after recent strikes on Tehran-backed assets in Syria, according to a report by Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper.

The developments come amid growing concern in Washington that Israel and Iran are on the verge of a clash that could spill dangerously beyond Syria, where there were reports Monday that missile strikes had killed more than two-dozen mostly Iranian forces supporting the Syrian government of Bashar Assad.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: So much for the story that Russia is acting as a buffer between Iran and Israel .... Russia acting as buffer between Israel, Iran (Al-Monitor).

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- April 30, 2018

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's historic peace talks with South Korea's Moon Jae-in is all part of a plan he's pursued since 2012. (Korea Summit Press Pool)

Stan Grant, ABC News Online: Analysis - North Korea's Kim Jong-un has a plan and it's coming to pass

For many, last Friday was the first time they heard the voice of the Supreme Leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un.

It was — to some — a surprisingly steady voice, far from the cartoonish image of North Korean leaders fixed in our minds from too many Hollywood films and ill-informed media commentary.

It took me back to April 2012, the birth anniversary of North Korea's founding father and eternal President, Kim Il-sung.

Read more ....

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- April 30, 2018

What America Must Do Now, After North Korea's Summit with South Korea -- James Stavridis, Time

Here Is Why North Korea Will Give Up Its Nuclear Weapons -- Gordon G. Chang, National Interest

It is not a done deal yet, but if North Korea comes in from the cold, who are the winners and who are the losers, region-wide? -- William Pesek, Asia Times

Russia’s Use of Armed Contractors in Syria Gives the U.S. Leverage -- James Durso, RCD

Next Steps for U.S. Policy in Syria and Iraq -- James Phillips and Luke Coffey, Heritage Foundation

Why Can’t China Make Semiconductors? -- Adam Minter, Bloomberg

China’s ‘new’ map aims to extend South China Sea claims -- Richard Javad Heydarian, Asia Times

The China-India-Nepal Triangle -- Kamal Dev Bhattarai, The Diplomat

How Russia Crafted a Three-Dimensional Strategy to Regain Global Influence -- Steven Metz, WPR

Muslim radicalization in Britain: countering the extremists' rationale -- Shamil Shams, DW

Nicaragua on the Brink, Once Again -- Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker

Venezuela’s swelling tide of migrants tests Brazil's limits -- Ernesto Londono, Sydney Morning Herald

Time for a New U.S. Foreign Policy Narrative -- Ian Bremmer and Joe Kennedy III, Foreign Affairs

Israel Exposes Iran's Nuclear Lies, and the Limits of U.S. Intelligence -- Eli Lake, Bloomberg

Why a Israeli bombshell on Iran's nuclear program and an overnight airstrike didn’t move the oil price -- David Goldman, Asia Times

World News Briefs -- April 30, 2018 (Evening Edition)



Reuters: Israel presents Iran nuclear files, putting pressure on U.S. to scrap deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stepped up pressure on the United States to pull out of a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, holding a primetime address on Israeli TV to present what he called evidence of a secret Iranian nuclear weapons program.

Intelligence experts and diplomats said he did not seem to have presented a “smoking gun” showing that Iran had violated the agreement, although he may have helped make a case on behalf of hawks in the U.S. administration who want to scrap it.

Most of the purported evidence Netanyahu unveiled dated to the period before the 2015 accord was signed, although he said Iran had also kept important files on nuclear technology since then, and continued adding to its “nuclear weapons knowledge”.

Tehran dismissed Netanyahu as “the boy who cried wolf”, and called his presentation propaganda.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Iran says Netanyahu's allegations were 'ridiculous and childish': report. Iranian state TV dismisses Netanyahu's nuclear presentation as 'propaganda'.

Mattis plays down odds of Syria pullout before peace agreement.

Syria's Assad presses offensive, missile strikes raise escalation risk.

Missile strikes on Syria kill 26, mostly Iranian, forces.

U.S.-backed forces say they regain villages seized by Syrian army. Syria: SDF reclaim territory hours after government capture.

Pompeo blasts Iran as 'greatest sponsor of terror,' assures Israel, Saudis.

Tehran dismisses Pompeo's 'unfounded' accusations.

Israeli military kills three Palestinians along Gaza Strip border.

Saudi crown prince says Palestinians need to take US peace offers: report. MBS: Palestinians should 'accept Trump proposals or shut up'.

Pompeo says US 'fully supports Israel's right to defend itself'. Pompeo puts onus on Palestinians to rejoin peace talks.

Israel hopes spy Pollard can emigrate for US embassy opening.

ASIA

Trump says Korea's Peace House, Singapore could be Kim summit sites.

Deadliest day for Afghan journalists; 10 killed in two attacks.

U.N. envoys meet with Myanmar leader over refugee crisis.

Thousands flee in Myanmar amid fighting between army and Kachin rebels.

Suicide bombing in Afghanistan's Kandahar leaves 11 children dead.

North Korea must take 'irreversible' steps to denuclearization, US warns.

Trump suggests meeting Kim Jong-un at Peace House on South Korea border.

South Korean loudspeakers silenced for good as relations with North thaw.

Thai environment protesters stage largest demonstration since start of military rule.

Former Fiji MP jailed for two years for spray-painting anti-government graffiti.

Pashtuns continue to rally for greater rights in Pakistan.

India says all villages have electricity.

First person convicted under Malaysia's fake news law.

AFRICA

Gabon court orders prime minister to resign, parliament dissolved.

Suspected rebel fighters kill dozens of Tuareg in Mali.

South Sudan rebels accuse Kiir of cancelling ceasefire accord.

Ethiopia's Desalegn says Kiir has failed South Sudan, must step aside.

Armed groups’ clashes rock Libya capital at dawn.

Nigeria's Buhari set to meet Trump in Washington.

Chad lawmakers to vote on new constitution.

Comoros president eyes controversial second term.

Somalia calls for international support as floods displace thousands.

US threatens to cut funding to South Africa.

EUROPE

Israel to send experts to Germany, France to share Iran intelligence.

UK government defeated as Lords back powers to block or change EU exit deal.

Michel Barnier: Brexit talks at risk of collapse over Irish border.

Hopes growing for Scottish independence after Brexit.

European powers reaffirm support for Iran nuclear deal.

UK PM May replaces minister as immigration scandal widens.

Armenians stage further rallies ahead of key vote.

Anti-migrant League party wins big in Italian regional vote.

Trade tariffs: Deadline looms on US exemption for EU.

Thousands rally in Moscow for internet freedom.

Russia's floating power plant branded 'nuclear Titanic' sets sail on controversial first voyage.

Austria probes UN Golan troops over deaths of Syrians.

Legal row over who owns France.com domain.

AMERICAS

Canada wants U.S. cooperation in turning back asylum seekers.

Central American migrants from Mexico 'caravan' camp out on U.S. border.

Dozens of migrants in caravan stuck at US-Mexico border.

Majority of Americans support National Guard on border: Reuters/Ipsos poll.

Exclusive: Democrats lose ground with millennials - Reuters/Ipsos poll.

Murdered students draw new attention to Mexico's drug war.

Rio's militias go from vigilantes to feared gangsters.

Thousands of Nicaraguans demand justice for killing of protesters.

Colombian civilians caught in crossfire as rebel factions fill violent vacuum.

Former military dictator of Bolivia dies.

Peru's brutal murders renew focus on tourist boom for hallucinogenic brew.

Human trafficking: 350 victims rescued in Caribbean and Latin America.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

U.S.-led coalition signals end of major operations against Islamic State in Iraq.

Qatari hostage payments funded Al Qaeda group now Syria's most powerful militant faction.

Iraqi court hands life sentence to 19 Russian women for Islamic State links - TV.

US already fighting Al Qaeda before 9/11, military judge rules in landmark decision.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall Street slides as healthcare drags but manages monthly gain.


Oil prices climb after Netanyahu announcement; stocks fall.

Global shares start busy data week solidly.

The new stock-market fear: Signs that a period of harmonious global growth is crumbling.

T-Mobile to acquire Sprint Corp in $26 billion deal.

'Avengers: Infinity War' breaks global record with $630 million opening.

Many In Washington Believe President Trump Will Use Today's Disclosures On The Iran Nuclear Program By Israeli PM Netanyahu To Terminate The Nuclear Deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that his intelligence services have obtained documents proving that Iran maintained a secret nuclear program in violation of a landmark agreement Tehran reached with the West. Netanyahu points to a slide which is purported to show 'massive safes' where Iran's 'secret archive' were stored

Washington Free Beacon: U.S. Confirms Authenticity of Secret Iran Nuclear Docs, Officials See Game Over for Deal

Trump administration officials praise Netanyahu's 'powerful presentation'

U.S. officials and congressional insiders view the disclosure Monday by Israel of Iran's ongoing efforts to develop a nuclear weapon as game over for the landmark nuclear deal, telling the Washington Free Beacon that new evidence of Iran's top secret nuclear workings makes it virtually impossible for President Donald Trump to remain in the agreement.

Senior Trump administration officials confirmed the findings as authentic and praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's for disclosing thousands of secret documents proving Iran lied about its past work on a nuclear warhead, telling the Free Beacon the revelation was a "powerful presentation" by Israel outlining why the Iran deal must be fixed or killed.

U.S. officials who reviewed the secret documents confirmed their authenticity and said that Israel has shared the information fully with the United States, most likely to help build the case for Trump to abandon the nuclear deal, rather than try to fix what the White House views as a series of insurmountable flaws.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Apparently the documentation of the entire Iran nuclear was put in an insecure building in safes .... that were then broken into by Israeli intelligence .... Insane Israeli operation smuggled 110,000 secret nuclear files out of Iran (Washington Examiner). Clearly the Iranians did not value the security of these documents. As to the intellgeince that was retrieved, some are saying that this is not a surprise, and that these programs were known to inspectors in the past .... Netanyahu's Bizarre PowerPoint Presentation on Iran (The Atlantic). What's my take .... todays disclosures will be used by President Trump to terminate the Iran nuclear agreement before May 12.

Armenian Opposition Leader Becomes Sole Candidate For Interim Prime Minister Job

Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan gestures to his supporters at a rally in Yerevan, Armenia April 30, 2018. REUTERS/Gleb GaranichReuters

DW: Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan formally nominated for premier by supporters

Two weeks of protests have been suspended as Nikol Pashinian holds talks with other political leaders ahead of a key vote in parliament. He only needs six more votes from other parties to become prime minister.

Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinian was formally nominated by his supporters for the vacant post of prime minister on Monday. He needs support from several more lawmakers to be assured of winning the vote on Tuesday in parliament.

The formal nomination is the latest step in Pashinian's progress from leader of the protests which forced unpopular Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan to resign to premier with a reform program for the former Soviet republic.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan is the only candidate that has been nominated for Prime Minister .... so yes .... it looks like he will have the job. A remarkable change in Armenia after two weeks of peaceful protests.

More News On Armenian Opposition Leader Being The Sole Candidate For The Interim Prime Minister Job

Armenian Opposition Leader Becomes Sole Candidate for Interim PM Job -- US News and World Report/Reuters
Armenian Protest Leader Pashinian Only Candidate For Premier -- RFE
Armenian opposition bloc nominates protest leader as premier -- AP
Armenian opposition leader outlines his first steps if elected prime minister -- ARKA

Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu Gives Statement On Iran Nuclear Deal




WNU Editor: Iran has a security problem in keeping its secrets. This is far more than what I expected. Supporters of the Iranian nuclear deal will say that this is old stuff .... that Iran has changed, and this evidence no longer applies. I hope they are right.

Update: President Trump has already responded to Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech .... says he has always been right when it comes to Iran.

Update #2: As I had predicted .... Netanyahu's Bizarre PowerPoint Presentation on Iran: Israel’s leader says Iran cheated on the nuclear deal, adding doubts about the agreement’s survival. But he mostly described past programs. (The Atlantic)

Daily Mail: Iran's secret nuclear weapons program revealed by Netanyahu: Israeli prime minister presents documents that 'prove Tehran has been hiding its A-bomb ambitions from the world'

* Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a nationally televised address on Monday
* Premier said Israel recently uncovered 55,000 documents and 183 CDs of information from Iran's 'nuclear archives'
* The documents prove that Iran has maintained a secret nuclear weapons program in violation of the landmark 2015 nuclear deal, Netanyahu says
* Netanyahu says the documents were moved to a 'highly secret' location in Tehran after the nuclear deal was signed
* Israel is urging Trump administration to withdraw from nuclear deal when issue comes up for a decision in 12 days

Israel's prime minister says that his intelligence services have obtained documents proving that Iran has maintained a secret nuclear program in violation of a landmark agreement Tehran reached with the West.

Benjamin Netanyahu gave a televised address on Monday evening during which he presented documents allegedly stolen from inside Iran.

'Iran’s leaders repeatedly deny ever pursuing nuclear weapons,' said Netanyahu during a prime-time televised address carried by Israeli networks.

'Tonight I’m here to tell you one thing: Iran lied.'

Read more ....

More News On Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu's Statement On The Iran Nuclear Deal

Israel says documents prove Iran lied about nuclear program -- AP
Israel's Netanyahu says Iran stored nuclear documents after 2015 deal -- Reuters
Israel says Iran hid nuclear arms programme -- BBC
Nuclear deal: Netanyahu accuses Iran of cheating on agreement -- The Guardian
Israel: Benjamin Netanyahu accuses Iran of hiding nuclear weapons activity -- DW
Netanyahu accuses Iran of 'secretly' pursuing nuclear programme -- Al Jazeera
Netanyahu: Iran Nuclear Deal Is Based on Lies – Here's the Proof -- Haaretz
Netanyahu shows slides, shelves of docs claiming Iran has nuclear weapons program -- RT

Israeli PM Netanyahu To Address The Country With 'Dramatic News About Iran' Monday Night

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Abir Sultan, Reuters

Daily Mail: Israeli PM Netanyahu says he will reveal 'dramatic news about Iran' and the nuclear deal in press conference tonight

* Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make a speech this evening
* His office said the Prime Minister will 'disclose dramatic news about Iran'
* Addresses 'significant development regarding the nuclear agreement with Iran'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to make a televised speech this evening to reveal 'dramatic news' about Iran, his office said today.

Netanyahu has called a special meeting of his Security Cabinet before he is set to speak on a 'significant development' on the Iran nuclear deal.

His speech follows the visit by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo yesterday, during which the pair discussed Iran and the accord.

Read more ....

More News On Israeli PM Netanyahu To Address The Country Wwith 'Dramatic News About Iran' Monday Night

The Latest: Israeli PM to speak on Iran nuclear deal -- AP
Israel's Netanyahu to make 'significant' announcement on Iran -- Reuters
Israeli leader schedules special announcement on Iran -- ABC News/AP
Netanyahu to speak on 'significant development' on Iran nuclear deal -- The Telegraph
Netanyahu to address country with 'dramatic news about Iran' Monday night -- Jerusalem Post
Netanyahu to address nation with 'significant intel' on Iran nuclear program -- i24 News
Netanyahu to announce 'significant' new info on Iran's nuclear program -- The Times of Israel
Israel's Netanyahu to make 'significant' announcement on Iran nuclear deal -- The National

South Korean President: President Trump Deserves To Get The Nobel Peace Prize For His Work On North Korea

Presidents Donald Trump and Moon Jae-in in November. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Business Insider: South Korea's president calls for Trump to get the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on North Korea

* President Trump should win a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end a standoff with North Korea over nuclear weapons, according to South Korea's president.
* Moon Jae-in said Monday: "President Trump should win the Nobel Peace Prize. What we need is only peace."
* Trump threatened war with North Korea several times and pushed harsh sanctions on the country after its nuclear and missile tests.
* Moon thinks that hardline move could have tipped the balance toward a deal.

President Donald Trump should win the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end the standoff with North Korea over its nuclear-weapons program, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Monday.

"President Trump should win the Nobel Peace Prize. What we need is only peace," Moon told a cabinet meeting, according to a media release.

Moon met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Friday, where the pair pledged to end hostilities and work toward the "complete denuclearization" at the first inter-Korean summit since 2007.

Read more ....

Update #1: Trump should win the Nobel Peace Prize, says South Korea's Moon -- CNBC
Update #2: Trump Should Get Nobel Prize, South Korean Leader Says -- Wall Street Journal

WNU Editor: As I had mentioned in a previous post .... it is waaaayyyy too early to think about who gets a Nobel Prize or not. But the South Korean President's remarks does tell me one thing .... behind the scenes President Trump probably played a far greater role in getting North Korea to the negotiating table than what we have been told. Afterall .... President Moon did try last year to get Kim Jong-Un to the negotiating table, and he failed miserably. It was only when the White House made it a priority at the end of 2017 to push for the imposition of real and serious sanctions that North Korea responded to President Moon's invitation to the Olympics .... thereby leading to last week's summit. As to my own personal opinion ... if everything does work out and the process of reconciliation and peace on the Korean peninsula does occur .... the Nobel Peace Prize sould be given to Trump, Xi, Moon, and Kim.

President Trump Suggests DMZ Border Village As The Meeting Spot For U.S.-North Korean Summit


The Hill: Trump suggests border village as meeting spot for Korean summit

President Trump on Monday suggested his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un take place in the Truce Village between the borders of North Korea and South Korea.

“Numerous countries are being considered for the MEETING, but would Peace House/Freedom House, on the Border of North & South Korea, be a more Representative, Important and Lasting site than a third party country? Just asking!” Trump wrote on Twitter, referring to the location where the leaders of North Korea and South Korea recently met.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The North Koreans are not going to object.

More News On President Trump Suggesting The DMZ Border Village As The Meeting Spot For A U.S.-North Korean Summit

Trump floats DMZ as location for North Korea meeting -- AP
Trump suggests Korean truce village for Kim summit -- AFP
Trump Indicates Willingness to Meet North Korean Leader in the DMZ -- New York Times
Trump suggests meeting Kim Jong-un at Peace House on South Korea border -- The Guardian
Trump suggests Korea's Panmunjeom for Kim summit -- Korea Times

Scores Killed Including 10 Journalists In Multiple Suicide Bombing Attacks In Afghanistan



Daily Mail: BBC reporter is 'shot dead' in Afghanistan and a group of journalists killed in a suicide blast in Kabul on a day of bloodshed that saw 11 children die in NATO convoy attack

* WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
* ISIS blasts in the central Shash Darak area of Kabul, Afghanistan, have killed at least 25 and left dozens injured
* A group of journalists had gathered to cover an initial attack, carried out by a suicide bomber on a motorbike
* But another suicide attacker, posing as a reporter among the journalists, then set off second deadly explosion
* An AFP photographer and several local journalists were among those killed in twin blasts claimed by ISIS
* Hours later 11 children were killed in a suicide attack on a foreign convoy in the southern province of Kandahar
* Meanwhile, BBC says one of its Afghan reporters, Ahmad Shah, has been killed in Khost province with a local official saying he was shot dead

A BBC reporter has been shot dead in Afghanistan on the same day that a group of journalists was killed in a bomb blast in the capital Kabul, it has emerged.

Afghan reporter Ahmad Shah, 29, was killed in an attack in the eastern Khost province on what has been the deadliest day for journalists in the country since the Taliban's fall in 2001.

Earlier in the day, AFP photographer Shah Marai and several local journalists were among those killed after a man pretending to be a reporter carried out a suicide attack in the capital Kabul.

Read more ....

More News On Today's Suicide Bomb attacks In Afghanistan

Twin ISIL suicide blasts kill 29 in Afghanistan's Kabul -- Al Jazeera
Twin Kabul suicide blasts kill at least 25, including journalists -- AFP
Double Kabul suicide bombing kills 25, including 9 reporters -- AP
Ten journalists among 36 killed in Afghanistan attacks -- The Guardian
Kabul hit by twin suicide blasts, several deaths reported -- DW
Afghanistan dual-suicide bombing kills 25, including veteran photographer -- ABC News Online
11 children killed in Afghan suicide attack on foreign convoy: officials -- AFP
Kabul bombings: Photographer Shah Marai among 25 dead -- BBC
Tributes pour in for AFP photographer slain in Kabul -- AFP
'A dark day': Tributes for journalists killed in Kabul -- Al Jazeera

Missile Strikes Hit Syrian Bases In Hama And Aleppo. Israel Suspected.



Al Jazeera: 'Enemy' rockets hit Hama, Aleppo army positions: Syrian state TV

Blasts reportedly hit Hama and Aleppo countryside in what a military source called 'a new aggression'.

Syrian state TV says that rockets have struck military positions in the countryside of Hama and Aleppo provinces.

A military source was quoted as saying by SANA that the "new aggression" by Syria's enemies had taken place at around 10:30pm (19:30 GMT) on Sunday.

The state TV outlet aired images of what it said was the explosions. It had earlier reported that successive blasts were heard in the Hama and Aleppo countryside and that authorities were investigating the cause.

SANA did not say who was responsible for the attacks.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Iran is denying reports that missiles hit their military bases in Syria .... Iran denies missiles hit its military bases in Syria (Jerusalem Post).

More News On Last Night's Suspected Missile Strikes In Syria

Syria monitor: Missile attack kills 26, mostly Iranians -- AP
Missile strikes on Syria kill 26, mostly Iranian, forces -- AFP
WATCH: Syrian army says 'enemy' rocket attacks strike at military bases -- Jerusalem Post
Suspected Israeli strikes hit Iran-linked targets in Syria, escalating regional tensions -- Washington Post
Syria war: Missile strikes on military sites 'kill pro-Assad fighters' -- BBC
At least 26 dead in missile strikes on Syria base -- UPI
Missile attack on Syria kills pro-Assad fighters, say observers -- The Guardian
Syria state media: 'Enemy missiles' fired against government outposts -- DW
Israel eyed after Hama, Syria, attack reportedly kills Iranians -- NBC
Mystery Syria Missile Strikes Kill Iranians Fighting for Assad, Observers Say -- Newsweek
Assad renews offensive as missile strikes raise escalation risk -- Reuters

World News Briefs -- April 30, 2018



BBC: Syria war: Missile strikes on military sites 'kill pro-Assad fighters'

Missile strikes on military sites in northern Syria overnight reportedly killed a number of pro-government fighters, including Iranians.

The Syrian military said facilities in Hama and Aleppo provinces were struck.

It did not say if there were any casualties. But a UK-based monitoring group said four Syrians and 22 foreigners, mostly Iranians, died.

It is not known who was behind the attacks. Western nations and Israel have previously hit sites in Syria.

Earlier this month, the US, UK and France bombed three facilities they said were associated with the Syrian government's alleged chemical weapons programme.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Missile strikes on Syria kill 26, mostly Iranian, forces.

Netanyahu to address country with 'dramatic news about Iran' Monday night.

U.S.-backed forces say they regain villages seized by Syrian army. Syria: SDF reclaim territory hours after government capture.

Pompeo blasts Iran as 'greatest sponsor of terror,' assures Israel, Saudis.

Tehran dismisses Pompeo's 'unfounded' accusations.

Israeli military kills three Palestinians along Gaza Strip border.

Saudi crown prince says Palestinians need to take US peace offers: report. MBS: Palestinians should 'accept Trump proposals or shut up'.

Pompeo says US 'fully supports Israel's right to defend itself'. Pompeo puts onus on Palestinians to rejoin peace talks.

Israel hopes spy Pollard can emigrate for US embassy opening.

ASIA

Thousands flee in Myanmar amid fighting between army and Kachin rebels.

Suicide bombing in Afghanistan's Kandahar leaves 11 children dead.

North Korea must take 'irreversible' steps to denuclearization, US warns.

Trump suggests meeting Kim Jong-un at Peace House on South Korea border.

South Korean loudspeakers silenced for good as relations with North thaw.

Thai environment protesters stage largest demonstration since start of military rule.

Former Fiji MP jailed for two years for spray-painting anti-government graffiti.

Pashtuns continue to rally for greater rights in Pakistan.

India says all villages have electricity.

First person convicted under Malaysia's fake news law.

AFRICA

Suspected rebel fighters kill dozens of Tuareg in Mali.

South Sudan rebels accuse Kiir of cancelling ceasefire accord.

Ethiopia's Desalegn says Kiir has failed South Sudan, must step aside.

Armed groups’ clashes rock Libya capital at dawn.

Nigeria's Buhari set to meet Trump in Washington.

Chad lawmakers to vote on new constitution.

Comoros president eyes controversial second term.

Somalia calls for international support as floods displace thousands.

US threatens to cut funding to South Africa.

EUROPE

Michel Barnier: Brexit talks at risk of collapse over Irish border.

Hopes growing for Scottish independence after Brexit.

European powers reaffirm support for Iran nuclear deal.

UK PM May replaces minister as immigration scandal widens.

Armenians stage further rallies ahead of key vote.

Anti-migrant League party wins big in Italian regional vote.

Trade tariffs: Deadline looms on US exemption for EU.

Thousands rally in Moscow for internet freedom.

Russia's floating power plant branded 'nuclear Titanic' sets sail on controversial first voyage.

Austria probes UN Golan troops over deaths of Syrians.

Legal row over who owns France.com domain.

AMERICAS

Dozens of migrants in caravan stuck at US-Mexico border.

Majority of Americans support National Guard on border: Reuters/Ipsos poll.

Exclusive: Democrats lose ground with millennials - Reuters/Ipsos poll.

Murdered students draw new attention to Mexico's drug war.

Rio's militias go from vigilantes to feared gangsters.

Thousands of Nicaraguans demand justice for killing of protesters.

Colombian civilians caught in crossfire as rebel factions fill violent vacuum.

Former military dictator of Bolivia dies.

Peru's brutal murders renew focus on tourist boom for hallucinogenic brew.

Human trafficking: 350 victims rescued in Caribbean and Latin America.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Qatari hostage payments funded Al Qaeda group now Syria's most powerful militant faction.

Iraqi court hands life sentence to 19 Russian women for Islamic State links - TV.

US already fighting Al Qaeda before 9/11, military judge rules in landmark decision.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Global shares start busy data week solidly.

The new stock-market fear: Signs that a period of harmonious global growth is crumbling.

T-Mobile to acquire Sprint Corp in $26 billion deal.

'Avengers: Infinity War' breaks global record with $630 million opening.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 30, 2018

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph F. Dunford Jr. (L) and US Secretary of Defense James Mattis talk before a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill April 26, 2018 in Washington, DC. Brendan Smialowski, AFP

France 24: French special forces bolstering US-led operations in Syria, US defence secretary says

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Thursday that French special operations forces arrived in Syria over the past two weeks to help boost US-led efforts against the Islamic State group.

Speaking to senior lawmakers in Washington, Mattis responded to a question about whether the United States was planning on pulling out of Syria -- something President Donald Trump has said would happen "very soon."

Right now, "we are not withdrawing," Mattis told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"You'll see a reenergized effort," he said.

Read more ....

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 28, 2018

We'd 'probably regret' pulling forces out of Syria says defense chief Mattis as he reveals French special forces are now backing up American troops -- Daily Mail/Reuters

Mattis Foresees 'Re-energized' Fight Against ISIS in Syria
-- Military.com/AP

US reaffirms its ‘ironclad commitment’ to defend South Korea -- Military Times

US flies B-52 bombers over South China Sea -- The Hill

US B-52s flew close to China in what may been a message to Beijing about Taiwan — but China says it will not work -- Business Insider

Moscow holds night rehearsal for WWII Victory Day military parade -- TASS

‘Carrier-killer’ nuclear sub to take part in Russia’s naval parade — source -- TASS

Greece to upgrade its US F-16 military jets amid tensions with Turkey -- DW

German Defense Minister von der Leyen wants €12 billion more for Bundeswehr -- DW

Nukes Should Stay: German Court Rules Against Removal of US Weapons From Country -- Sputnik

German military dogs may be equipped with camera systems -- DW

Newly confirmed Pompeo stresses defense spending target at first NATO meeting -- Defense News

US makes it cheaper for foreign nations to buy American weapons -- Defense News

Pentagon Acknowledges Mistakes As It Briefs Families Of Troops Killed In Niger -- NPR

Fired 7th Fleet admiral speaks out on what caused the Fitzgerald and McCain collisions -- Navy Times

Report: Navy Ship Designed for Fast Transport Has Problems -- Military.com/Virginia Pilot

The Pentagon is poised to send the LCS to thwart narcos -- Defense News

The Corps is on track to fully field the M38 marksman rifle, despite setbacks for the M27 IAR -- Marine Times

Marines want Russian-styled aircraft to realistically practice challenging them -- Marine Times

The Inside Scoop of How Deadly the 'New' F-35 Will Be -- National Interest

Air Force blames pilot error after two F-16s collide head-on in midair -- Air Force Times

Army’s Future Vertical Lift team working out how to get a helo within a decade -- Defense News

BAE Systems picked to field interim missile warning system for Army helos -- Defense News

The Pentagon Could Get Self-Driving Vehicles First -- Bloomberg

The Pentagon Is Making a Ray Gun to Stop Truck Attacks -- Defense One

The Pentagon’s New R&D Chief Has a Mandate for Change -- Defense One

Lawmakers Push Pentagon on Reforms, AI, New Missiles -- Breaking Defense

The Pentagon Needs to Take Advantage of Budget Stability -- National Interest

Pentagon Overspends $16 Million for Electric Breast Pumps: IG Report -- Military.com
How a Pentagon Contract Sparked a Cloud War -- NextGov

Green Beret dies in non-combat incident while serving in Papua New Guinea -- Army Times

Why America's next Fighter Ace Won't Be a Drone -- Michael Peck, National Interest

Military Page Admin: I Wish I’d Handled That Dino Puppet Video Differently -- Task & Purpose

The Week Ahead in Defense: April 30, 2018 -- Military.com

Is The Army's M17 Pistol That Good?



Warrior Maven: Army Sends New M17 Pistol to War - Says it Changes Combat

Service weapons say the new M17 pistol changes combat for infantry

In recent months, soldiers with the Army’s 101st Airborne Division were the first to receive the services’ new high-tech 9mm pistol engineered to give dismounted infantry a vastly increased ability to fight and close with an enemy in caves, tunnels, crawl spaces, houses and other close quarter combat scenarios.

Service weapons developers and soldiers say the new M17 and M18 pistol, designed as a next-generation handgun to follow the Army’s current M9 Beretta, is expected to substantially change combat tactics, techniques and strategies for dismounted soldiers on-the-move.

“You can close with the enemy in close quarter combat and engage the enemy with one hand. It is tough to do this with the M9,” Lt. Col. Martin O’Donnell, spokesman for the 101st Airborne, told reporters several months ago.

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WNU Editor: Apparently the soldiers like it.

KA-BAR Celebrates 120 Years Of Knife-Making



Task & Purpose: KA-BAR Celebrates 120 Years Of Knife-Making And ‘BAR’ Slaying

Few pieces of gear are steeped in as much martial history as the KA-BAR Fighting Utility Knife — from stories of brutal close-quarters combat to myths about the knives being so durable that they were sent along with wooden shipping crates instead of crowbars during World War II.

Today marks the 120th anniversary of the company that gave the military its most iconic blade.

Even the name KA-BAR has its roots in legend. As the story goes, a fur trapper in the 1900s wrote a letter about killing a grizzly bear with a knife from the Union Cutlery Company, which began producing its first knives in 1898. The letter was so smudged, all that was made out from the passage was: “K A Bar.” And so the KA-BAR trademark was born, and years later, Union Cutlery was renamed after the brand.

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WNU editor: you can nver go wrong if you give such a knife as a gift to a friend.

China Posts Videos Of Its Military Exercises Around Taiwan





CNN: China's release of images reinforces vow to keep Taiwan as a territory

China's military put out a strong message on Taiwan on Saturday, vowing to "safeguard the territory of our motherland."

The People's Liberation Army air force released a video and series of commemorative envelopes showing recent Chinese air force missions around the island, which Beijing views as a breakaway province.

"It is the sacred duty of any PLA pilot to safeguard the territory of our motherland," reads the text on the envelopes, which feature pictures of PLA warplanes and pilots on flights near Taiwan.

The democratic island of Taiwan (officially the Republic of China) is separated from China (the People's Republic) by a thin stretch of water and has been self-governed since a bloody civil war ended in 1949.

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Update: The Great Game in Asia: How China Sees Taiwan (Quinn Marschik, National Interest)

WNU Editor: The problem for Beijing is that the people of Taiwan like (and prefer) their independence.

Iranians Are Using Banknotes To Spread Protest Messages


BBC: Iranians launch banknote protest to get round censorship

A group of Iranian Twitter users are spreading protest messages by writing slogans on banknotes.

"Banknotes are our un-censorable messengers," one user wrote, referring to a rumoured plan to permanently block the popular messaging app Telegram, which is by far the most popular digital communication tool in Iran.

Slogans included "I am an overthrower".

Some of the sayings were originally chanted during mass anti-establishment protests at the turn of the year.

In late December, demonstrators took to the streets then to express their dissatisfaction with the social and economic situation in the country.

Telegram was believed to have been the main platform people used to obtain and share information about the protests, which took place across Iran from late December 2017 to January 2018.

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WNU Editor:  I do not think the mullahs who run Iran are as strong as we in the West like to believe they are. The protests are not stopping, and measures by the Iranian government to limit news information and social media is back-firing.

A Revealing Look At The Culture At Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works (Video)

A Look At Some Of The U.S. Air Force’s Most Secretive Drone Squadrons

The Warzone/The Drive: Shedding Some Light On The Air Force's Most Shadowy Drone Squadron

We've been able to uncover a lot of details about the secretive reconnaissance squadron and an obscure detachment that preceded its establishment.

One of the U.S. Air Force’s most secretive drone squadron appears to have been hiding, at least in part, in plain sight for at least five years. Following an in-depth investigation, including official statements and information we previously obtained via the Freedom of Information Act, we at The War Zone can now provide an exclusive and unprecedented look at what is now known as the 44th Reconnaissance Squadron and offer insight as to what tasks the shadowy unit might be performing today.

The 44th Reconnaissance Squadron officially stood up at Creech Air Force Base on April 1, 2015. At that time, it joined the 732nd Operations Group, part of the Air Force’s main drone unit, the 432nd Wing, which also calls the base located north of Las Vegas in Indian Springs, Nevada home.

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WNU Editor: Another sign on how drones have become a critical part of the U.S. military.

Is Kim Jong Un Afraid Of President Trump And His Advisers?

Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in walk together after a tree-planting ceremony at the truce village of Panmunjom on April 27, 2018. Photo: Korea Summit Press Pool

Lucio Blanco Pitlo III, National Interest: Washington's Hawks Frighten Kim Jong Un

The Beijing visit and Kim’s next stop at Seoul may undercut U.S. advantage ahead of the Trump-Kim submit.

The emerging formation of a possibly more hawkish U.S. foreign policy may had played a big factor behind Kim Jong-un’s sudden secretive visit to Beijing ahead of his upcoming talks with President Trump. The Trump administration's recent cabinet designations (i.e. Bolton, Pompeo) and strongly worded official documents (i.e. NDS, NSS) provide face and grounding to this transformation. The DPRK Supreme Leader seem to attach high importance to the upcoming meeting with his U.S. counterpart, realizing that serious consequences may take place if the talks failed.

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WNU Editor: North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has a lot of things to worry about .... a few Washington hawks around President Trump is not one of them. Personally ....I am confident that a Trump-Kim summit will be successful. It is in everyone's interest to have a successful summit, and I am sure they will find common ground.

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