2012-08-07 by Richard Weitz Turkish analysts are well aware of Iran’s considerable influence in Iraq. Tehran disposes of several important assets in the country, including (like Turkey) geographic proximity, a newly self-conscious and empowered Shiite majority that appreciates Iran’s centrality to the Shiite faith, and influential pro-Iranian factions embedded within…
2012-08-06 by Ed Timperlake And so it begins, yet again: “President Barack Obama has signed a secret order authorizing U.S. support for rebels seeking to depose Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his government, U.S. sources familiar with the matter said. Obama's order, approved earlier this year and known as an…
2012-08-05 By Richard Weitz Turkey views Iraq as a key area of interest and influence. Turkey has several core interests in Iraq: Cultivating ties with the various Iraqi factions, Preventing terrorists from using northern Iraq as a base of operations; Balancing the influence of Iran; Securing access to Iraqi oil…
The United Kingdom recently accepted the first international Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II in a ceremony with senior representatives of the U.K. Ministry of Defence and the U.S. Department of Defense. Survitec Group is one of a number of select British suppliers and partners and was chosen to provide the…
August 1, 2012 From Az.Com Arizona leaders hailed the Department of Defense's decision selecting Luke Air Force Base to train pilots on the F-35. Numerous local leaders took part in the Luke Forward campaign to advocate for the mission. Governor Jan Brewer: "Today's announcement not only ensures Arizona will continue…
Aug. 3, 2012 by Sonu Munshi http://www.azcentral.com/community/glendale/articles/2012/08/02/20120802glendale-luke-air-force-base-f-35-jets-fall-2013.html (Excerpts) U.S. Air Force announced this week that Luke Air Force Base has landed the F-35 pilot-training mission, with jets likely arriving sometime next year….. Luke has long trained pilots and remains the world's largest F-16 training base. The jets are a common sight…
2012-08-03 By Richard Weitz Iran had several motives for assisting the Iraqi insurgents during the 2005-2008 period. A first goal was to create a security buffer zone. Many Iranians saw Iraq as their first line of defense against a foreign invasion, considering that many past attacks had come from the west.…
2012-08-03 By Scott C. Truver (An earlier version of this was posted on the U.S. Naval Institute News.USNI.org website.) Iran threatens to mine the Strait of Hormuz, petroleum markets react, world economies take notice, and more U.S. and allied naval forces are sent to the region, upping the ante for Tehran and…
