Author: Steven Sahiounie

The U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) announced its intention to deploy the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) missile defense system in Israel. This system is designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles and will be accompanied by U.S. military personnel who will oversee its operation. In a statement released by its press office on Sunday, the Pentagon explained that the deployment of the THAAD battery and the associated American military personnel comes “at the direction of President Joe Biden and under the authorization of Secretary Lloyd Austin.” The Pentagon justified the deployment, stating it aims “to enhance Israel’s air defenses…

An Israeli court in Jerusalem ordered the release of American journalist Jeremy Loffredo after he was detained for four days by Israeli police. Loffredo had been accused of revealing the locations where Iranian missiles struck during an early October attack on Israel, in a YouTube video. Loffredo works for the U.S.-based news outlet The Grayzone, known for its left-leaning perspectives, according to a report by Haaretz. The report also stated that Loffredo was questioned “on suspicion of providing information to the enemy and assisting during wartime.” Although the Jerusalem court ordered his release, Loffredo was banned from leaving Israel for…

Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “two days ago” during Netanyahu’s visit to the United States. Trump made these remarks in an interview aired by Fox News on Sunday. He said, “The meeting happened around two days ago, and Netanyahu came to my home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, with his wife, who was very friendly.” Trump had previously hosted Netanyahu at his Palm Beach resort in Florida in July, marking their first meeting since Trump’s presidency ended. It is unclear whether Trump was referring to that same visit…

A double attack involving drones and rockets, launched by Hezbollah, killed 4 Israeli soldiers and injured 67 others on Sunday. The attack targeted Haifa in northern Israel, marking the deadliest strike since the war began. The Israeli army confirmed in a statement that 4 soldiers were killed and 67 injured after a drone exploded in Binyamina, south of Haifa. However, the army did not specify whether all casualties were military personnel. Details of the Attack A senior Hezbollah leader told to media that the Binyamina operation was carried out using a swarm of explosive drones. He emphasized that Hezbollah’s resistance…

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent request to remove UN peacekeeping forces (UNIFIL) from southern Lebanon stems from a broader strategy. This strategy targets the United Nations and its Secretary-General, António Guterres, while considering military factors on the ground. Israel’s Shift in Stance Towards the UN Political analyst Ali Shukr explained that Israel has moved from hostile rhetoric against the UN to taking direct actions. The presence of UNIFIL forces along the Lebanese-Israeli border plays a key role in this shift. These forces are stationed at strategic points that benefit the Israeli military by offering vital intelligence on Lebanese positions.…

Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator On October 10, an Israeli Mekava tank attacked the UNIFIL headquarters in southern Lebanon, injuring two Indonesian peacekeepers who are recovering in hospital, although Israel is also bombing hospitals and killing paramedics in Lebanon.Indonesia, a steadfast supporter of Palestine, and critic of Israel, has about 1,232 personnel currently deployed with UNIFIL in Lebanon.The International community was united in strong condemnation of the Israeli breach of international law. Israel was aware of the location of the UNIFIL watchtower in Naqoura, and that the UN personnel are to remain safe from attacks. The Israeli Ambassador to…

21st CenturyWire correspondant Arnaud DEVELAY caught up with elected Member of the Russian State Duma and Ranking Member of the Duma’s Commission for International Affairs, Maria BUTINA. Q: Let us start with what has been a crackdown on free speech around the world with the raid on Scott Ritter’s house, the arrest of individuals in the UK for merely posting comments on social networks and the arrest in France of Telegram founder and CEO, Pavel Durov. What can you tell us about this worrying development? Maria Butina: I view it as purely political in nature. First of all, there’s a…

West Jerusalem could launch its retaliation against Tehran “at any time,” unnamed officials told the channel Israel’s retaliatory strike against Iran may come as early as this weekend, with the list of potential targets allegedly narrowed down to Tehran’s military and energy infrastructure, NBC News reported on Saturday, citing anonymous US and Israeli officials. Israel has yet to make a final decision on whether to target Iran’s nuclear facilities or carry out targeted assassinations, but so far there is “no indication” that West Jerusalem would go that far, US officials believe, according to the channel. The Middle East is on…

The conflict between Moscow and Kiev cannot be resolved with “more weapons,” Sahra Wagenknecht has said Berlin should make more active diplomatic efforts if it wants the ongoing conflict between Moscow and Kiev to end, German MP Sahra Wagenknecht told Funke Media Group on Friday. “More weapons” for Ukraine would not bring peace to Europe, she argued. The veteran politician has repeatedly criticized Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government over its stance on the Ukraine conflict, asserting that Berlin’s current policy only helps to fan the flames of war. “We need more diplomatic efforts,” said Wagenknecht, once of Left Party’s parliamentary faction…

International newspapers continue to discuss Israel’s indifference toward halting its aggression on Lebanon and the Palestinian Gaza Strip, highlighting how the United States is focusing on reshaping the region by force, while largely ignoring Israel’s desire to continue its war efforts. In its editorial titled “The Cowardly Abandonment of Lebanon,” Le Monde stated that Israeli authorities seem uninterested in stopping the fighting in Lebanon or Gaza. The French newspaper pointed out that the U.S. rarely addresses this issue compared to its emphasis on reshaping the region through force. Le Monde also noted how Israel “continues to enjoy complete impunity, from…