Iran Guards wield electoral power behind scenes

In the six months since the end of Operation Pillar of Defense, only 41 rockets and mortars have been fired from Gaza and the Sinai toward Israel. After the earlier Operation Cast Lead, however, over 200 were fired in the six months following the operation.

Among the smugglers of Sinai

Bouteflika’s absence leaves Algeria pondering future

A suicide bomber killed only himself in an attack in Kidal near the home of an MNLA officer and also close to the former home of Ansar Dine leader Iyad Ag Ghaly. The government has vowed to retake Kidal from the Tuareg MNLA before a presidential election in late July.

The $7 million reward for Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram’s emir, puts him in the top echelon of wanted terrorist leaders. Rewards of $5 million are also offered for Mokhtar Belmokhtar and Yahya Abu Hammam.

Michael Adebowale and Michael Adelbolajo, prime suspects in the killing of a UK soldier in Woolwich, were given a date of June 28 for a preliminary hearing in the case. Prime Minister Cameron said that although the government has already held three major terrorist trials this year that sent 18 plotters to prison, “excluded more preachers of hate from this country than ever before,” and closed militant websites that featured 5,700 “items of terrorist material,” it was clear the government needed to do more.

The US levied a new set of sanctions against Iran, targeting Iranian currency for the first time. A US court said KLM Dutch airlines was not responsible for injuries sustained by a passenger who tried to subdue underwear bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab on a flight in late 2009. Secretary of State Kerry said the US has come “late” to the process of negotiating an end to the Syrian conflict and warned that “time is running out” for peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

A suicide bomber killed 11 students, two US soldiers, and a member of the Afghan Local Police in an attack in Paktia. The Taliban killed eight civilians in an IED attack in Laghman.

Al Qaeda killed two Iraqi soldiers and wounded three more in an IED attack in Husaybah on the Syrian border. Security forces detained 12 al Qaeda members and freed a hostage during a raid on a hideout in Hawijah.

Shabaab claimed it overran a Ugandan military base outside of Mogadishu and killed 14 soldiers and captured the base commander. Shabaab also displayed two Kenyan hostages in the town of Idlib.

Foreign nationals to have harder time getting pardoned in wake of Via terror plot

German Defense Ministry Continued Drone Program Despite Problems

US forces to stay in Afghanistan after 2014

UNAMA Condemns Attacks in Eastern Afghan Provinces

Afghanistan – MoI Seeks UN’s Help to Handle Pakistan

Denmark – Assaults by groups on the rise

Left-right split over probe of Stockholm riots

US withholds millions pledged to help Syrian opposition

Defense Minister Ya’alon said that Russia will not supply Syria with S-300 anti-aircraft missiles before 2014. Ya’alon previously said Israel would “know what to do” if they arrived in Syria. Ya’alon also confirmed that Israel is operating a field hospital near the border with Syria.

Engineer-turned-militia leader takes on Taliban

Jebel Chaambi heroes describe border horror

Israel fast-tracks development of Arrow III defense system over Iran concerns

Israeli authorities announced the arrest of a Hamas terrorist in the West Bank who was planning terror attacks at the behest of a Hamas terrorist based in Qatar.

U.S. warned Europe of Hezbollah operations before terror attacks last year

Egypt’s government struggles to exert authority in the Sinai

French President Hollande denied rumors that France was planning a military intervention against Islamists in southern Libya, but voiced concern about lawlessness in the area. The European Union has announced a mission to help Libya secure its borders. The Libyan Defense Ministry denied asking Russia to send weapons to Libya.

The suicide bomber targeted a US and Afghan Local Police patrol as it passed by a high school in Paktia province. The US has stepped up raids against the Haqqani Network in Paktia.
