NATO To Hold Its Largest Exercise Next Week Since The Cold War

 

Reuters: NATO to hold biggest drills since Cold War with 90,000 troops 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -NATO is launching its largest exercise since the Cold War, rehearsing how U.S. troops could reinforce European allies in countries bordering Russia and on the alliance's eastern flank if a conflict were to flare up with a "near-peer" adversary. 

Some 90,000 troops are due to join the Steadfast Defender 2024 drills that will run through May, the alliance's top commander Chris Cavoli said on Thursday.  

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NATO To Hold Its Largest Exercise Since The Cold War 

 NATO to start biggest wargames in decades next week, involving around 90,000 personnel -- AP  

NATO to kick off biggest drills in decades with some 90,000 troops -- CNA  

NATO to start biggest wargames in decades next week, involving around 90,000 personnel -- El Pais 

Biggest NATO drills since Cold War to start next week -- Al Jazeera  

NATO Deploying 90,000 Troops in Largest Drill Conducted Since Cold War -- KNewsZ  

Is NATO Mobilizing 90,000 Troops for War With Russia? What to Know -- Newsweek

Pentagon Says US Bases In Middle East Attacked 140 Times Since October 2023

(Photo credit: AFP) 

TASS: US bases in Middle East attacked 140 times since October 2023 — Pentagon 

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said that 57 of these attacks targeted US bases in Iraq and 83 - in Syria

WASHINGTON, January 18. /TASS/. US bases in Iraq and Syria have been attacked around 140 times since October, 2023, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh has told reporters. 

She said that 57 of these attacks targeted US bases in Iraq and 83 - in Syria. 

In a statement, posted on the Telegram messenger, Shiite groups earlier warned the United States that they will step up their attacks in Syria and Iraq, because "the American enemy continues to provide military aid to the Israeli army, which is killing civilians in the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon.  

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WNU Editor: Make it 141 attacks since October 2023 .... Iraqi Resistance targets US base near Erbil Airport with drones (Almayadeen).

U.S. President Biden Admits Airstrikes Have Failed To Stop The Houthis

 

The Guardian: US carries out fifth strike against Houthis as Biden admits bombing isn’t stopping attacks  

Defiant Houthi leader mocks US president and calls for boycott of Israeli goods as Biden tells reporters attacks are ‘going to continue’ 

The US has carried out a fifth strike against Houthi rebel targets in Yemen, even as Joe Biden acknowledged that bombing the rebels has yet to stop their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. 

Late on Thursday US warplanes targeted anti-ship missiles that “were aimed into the southern Red Sea and prepared to launch,” according to US Central Command. 

But in an exchange with reporters in Washington DC, the US president was frank about the efficacy of the US airstrikes. “When you say working, are they stopping the Houthis? No. Are they going to continue? Yes.”  

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More News On The U.S. Led Coalition War Against Yemen  

Middle East crisis live: Houthis claim another attack on US ship in Gulf of Aden; US launches fifth round of strikes on Houthis -- The Guardian  

US forces strike Houthi sites in Yemen as Biden says allied action hasn’t yet stopped ship attacks -- AP  

US strikes Houthi targets again, officials say, as Biden vows attacks will continue -- ABC News  

Airstrikes have failed to stop Houthis – Biden -- RT  

US strikes Houthi anti-ship missiles, shipping disruptions grow -- Reuters 

US forces strike 2 Houthi anti-ship missiles, two defense officials say -- FOX News  

Super Hornets Hit Houthi Missiles Prior To Launch In Yemen (Updated) -- The Warzone  

Houthis strike US ship in Gulf of Aden — statement -- TASS 

U.S., Houthis Continue to Trade Strikes For Fifth Day -- USNI News 

The US has moved from shooting Houthi threats out of the sky to blowing them up before they even get off the ground -- Business Insider  

US battle with Houthi rebels shows no signs of stopping -- The Hill

Israel One Of The The 'Worst Jailors' Of Journalists In The World

FILE - Palestinian journalists are seen during a protest march heading toward a United Nations office in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Nov. 7, 2023.  

The Guardian: Israel added to list of ‘worst jailers of journalists’ for first time 

Israel is in sixth place after the Committee to Protect Journalists recorded 19 Palestinian journalists in its jails Israel has joined a notorious band of authoritarian states with a history of imprisoning journalists by detaining Palestinian reporters without trial since the beginning of the latest war in Gaza. 

A report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) released on Thursday said that for the first time Israel figures in its list of “worst jailers of journalists”, putting it on a par with Iran.  

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Update #1: Israel Ranks Among World’s Worst Jailers of Journalists, Report Finds (VOA)

Update #2: Israeli arrests of Palestinian journalists soared in 2023: CPJ (Al Jazeera)  

WNU Editor: Israel is not what I call in good company .... Israel Jailed Record High Number of Journalists in 2023, Tying With Iran: Report (The Messenger). And it gets worse .... Israel’s War on Journalists: More Reporters Killed in Gaza in 3 Months Than Any Country Over Entire Year (Democracy Now!).

Israel - Hamas War -- News Updates January 18, 2024

 

BBC: Netanyahu publicly rejects US push for Palestinian state 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has told the United States that he opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state once the conflict in Gaza comes to an end.

In a news conference, a defiant Mr Netanyahu vowed to press on with the offensive in Gaza "until complete victory": the destruction of Hamas and return of the remaining Israeli hostages, adding that it could take "many more months". 

With almost 25,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, and 85% of the strip's population displaced, Israel is under intense pressure to rein in its offensive and engage in meaningful talks over a sustainable end to the war.  

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WNU Editor: Now we know what is the Israeli government's eventual goal .... Benjamin Netanyahu Just Said “From the River to the Sea” (The New Republic).  

Update: Yup .... Netanyahu Says ‘From the River to the Sea,’ a Phrase Zionists Claim is Genocidal (Rolling Stone).  

Update #2: I am willing to bet that the real true number is significantly higher .... Almost 25K now dead in Gaza as Israeli airstrikes pound Khan Younis (UPI). 

Israel - Hamas War -- News Updates January 18, 2024  

Netanyahu says he has told US he opposes Palestinian state in any postwar scenario -- AP  

Netanyahu tells US he opposes creation of Palestinian state after Gaza war -- The Guardian 

Netanyahu says he has told U.S. he opposes Palestinian state in any postwar scenario -- Politico  

US says 'no way' to solve Israel security, Gaza war without Palestinian state -- Reuters 

White House Dismisses Netanyahu's Opposition to Palestinian Statehood -- VOA  

Israel has destroyed two thirds of Hamas regiments, Netanyahu says -- Reuters  

Israeli forces hit southern and central Gaza despite fears of hostage families -- Washington Post  

IDF releases video, photos of raid uncovering Hamas training area in southern Gaza -- FOX News  

Troops killed around 40 Hamas operatives around Khan Younis over past day, says IDF -- Times Of Israel  

Israel says 60 militants killed in Gaza in past day -- DPA 

Israeli troops engaged in close-quarter combat in south Gaza -- RTE  

Israel says troops reach farthest south in Gaza so far -- RFI/AFP

New wave of violence sweeps West Bank as Israel launches series of raids -- The Guardian  

Mexico and Chile ask International Criminal Court to investigate possible crimes in Gaza -- AP  

Mexico, Chile refer Israel-Hamas conflict to ICC over potential crimes -- Reuters  

Harsh Israeli rhetoric against Palestinians becomes central to South Africa’s genocide case -- AP  

Snubbed by Netanyahu, Red Cross toes fine line trying to help civilians in Israel-Hamas conflict -- AP  

Gaza communications blackout, the longest of the war, hits one-week mark -- CNN

Russia -Ukraine War -- News Updates January 18, 2024

 

CNN: Putin’s war must not become ‘frozen,’ Zelensky warns as Ukraine’s troops face shortages of weaponry and aid  

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a passionate plea to leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, urging them not to allow Russia’s war in Ukraine to become “frozen.” 

Speaking in person at the conference for the first time since Russia launched its full-scale invasion nearly two years ago, Zelensky said Ukraine had defied expectations in repelling Moscow’s forces for so long and that its allies “know what’s needed” to allow “progress on the ground,” which has been in short supply for many months. 

At the start of Zelensky’s address, which he delivered in English, he said he understood many in the audience would be asking difficult questions: “When will the war end? Is the third world war possible? Is it time to negotiate with Putin?”  

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Russia -Ukraine War -- News Updates January 18, 2024  

Ukraine war updates: Kremlin shares its view of Davos after being snubbed; Russia says Kyiv attacked Baltic oil terminal -- CNBC  

Russia-Ukraine war: Russia seizes village in eastern Donetsk, officials say; Ukraine claims drone strike in St Petersburg – as it happened -- The Guardian  

Ukraine war latest: Ukrainians told they must 'face being part of Russia'; Kyiv detains spy 'plotting environmental disaster' -- SKY News  

Russia mocks British efforts to support Ukraine; Blinken warns of ‘real problem’ if Kyiv gets no extra funding -- CNBC 

Blinken Assures Zelenskyy of 'Strong Enduring Support for Ukraine' -- VOA  

Biden adviser says US aid for Ukraine to get done in ‘coming weeks’ -- The Hill  

Ukraine launches drone strike on Russian city of Voronezh -- Euronews/AP  

Ukraine Situation Report: Drones Strike Russian City Of Voronezh -- The Warzone  

Russia intercepts 10 Ukrainian missiles over Belgorod region -- La Prensa  

Russian Troops Liberate Veseloye Settlement in Donetsk People's Republic - MoD -- Sputnik  

Russia Strikes Ukraine With Drones, Missiles in Overnight Attacks -- Moscow Times/AFP  

Strikes on mercenaries in Ukraine ‘painful for the West’ – Finnish editor -- RT  

Paris dismisses Russian claim of French 'mercenaries' in Ukraine -- France 24  

World not producing enough weapons to beat Russia – Zelensky -- RT  

Ukraine buys six French Caesar howitzers, France to supply missiles -- Reuters 

France ramps up weapons production for Ukraine and says Russia is scrutinizing the West’s mettle -- AP  

France to produce 78 Caesar howitzers for Ukraine in one year -- Ukrainska Pravda  

US, France to lead artillery coalition for Ukraine -- Defense News  

Russia now knows West cannot be trusted, says Lavrov -- TASS  

West worried Zelensky ‘getting out of control’ – Lavrov -- RT

For The First Times Since The Start Of The War Russia Downs Drone Over St. Petersburg

 

Newsweek: Ukraine Drone Targets Putin's Home Region for the First Time 

A drone has targeted Russian President Vladimir Putin's home region, Leningrad, for the first time since full-scale war in Ukraine began, Russia said on Thursday. 

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that a drone was shot down over the Leningrad region overnight. 

Putin was born in Leningrad, which changed its name to St. Petersburg in 1991. However, the region, or oblast, around the city retains its Soviet-era name.  

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WNU editor: This Ukraine minister is saying the drone that was used to strike St. Petersburg has a 1,250km range .... Minister confirms Ukraine hit 'a target' near St Peterburg with homegrown drone (Kyiv Independent). 

For the First Times Since The Start Of The War Russia Downs Drone Over St. Petersburg  

Ukrainian drone downed near St. Petersburg – MOD -- RT  

In First, Russia Downs Drone Over St. Petersburg -- Moscow Times  

Ukraine says it hit targets in St Petersburg with domestic-made drone -- Reuters  

Ukraine targets Putin’s hometown in ‘new phase’ of drone strikes against Russia -- The Independent  

Ukraine Claims It Hit St. Petersburg Oil Terminal With Drone Strike -- Messenger  

Ukrainian drones hit oil depot in St Petersburg -- Ukrainska Pravda  

For the first time since start of full-scale war, Russian Defense Ministry reports drone downed over Russia’s Leningrad region -- Meduza

Russia - Ukraine War News Updates -- January 18, 2023 (Videos)

 

WNU Editor: Not a good day for Ukraine. Russian advancements are being reported at numerous sections along the frontlines.

IDF Chief Believes War In Lebanon Is Becoming Much More Likely

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi (center) meets troops during a drill in northern Israel, January 17, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces) 

Times of Israel: Visiting north, IDF chief says war in Lebanon becoming much more likely  

Halevi says lessons from fighting in Gaza will be applied to fight against Hezbollah and its allies, as Hamas rocket barrage from Lebanon targets Rosh Hanikra 

The likelihood that Israel will be drawn into a war in Lebanon is growing, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said Wednesday, hours after Hamas terrorists fired a barrage of rockets at a northern Israel town. 

With visiting troops drilling for a simulated offensive inside Lebanon, as the army winds down its most intense stages of fighting in Gaza, Halevi said Israel was “increasing readiness for fighting in Lebanon,” as it seeks to stabilize its northern border and allow tens of thousands of Israelis evacuated from the region to return home.

The IDF has “a very clear goal in Lebanon — to return the residents to the north, all the communities in the north,” Halevi said.  

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Update: IDF chief Herzi Halevi warns likelihood of Israel going to war in Lebanon is 'higher than before' -- NYPost  

WNU Editor: It looks like Israel is now focusing its attention on Lebanon .... IDF shifts focus from Gaza to Lebanon, West Bank (Long War Journal).

Kim Jong Un Says North Korea Will No Longer Pursue Reconciliation With South

 

BBC: North Korea's Kim Jong Un abandons unification goal with South 

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said unification with the South is no longer possible, and that the constitution should be changed to designate it the "principal enemy". 

Mr Kim also said three organisations dealing with reunification would shut down, state media KCNA reported. South Korea's president said it would respond "multiple times stronger" to any provocation from the North. 

The two Koreas have been divided since the Korean War ended in 1953.  

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 Kim Jong Un Says North Korea Will No Longer Pursue Reconciliation With South  

North Korea will no longer pursue reconciliation with South, Kim Jong Un says -- AP  

North Korea abandons unification goal with South Korea amid heightened tensions -- Semafor  

North Korea’s Kim vows to dismantle father’s unification arch as he declares South Korea ‘principal enemy’ -- CNN 

Kim Jong Un moves to modify North Korean constitution, write in South Korea as ‘No. 1 enemy’ -- FOX News  

A Fundamental Shift or More of the Same? A Rebuttal -- North 38  

Analysis: North Korea's rejection of the South is both a shock, and inevitable -- AP