UPDATE: Twin suicide bombs rocked a busy market in central Baghdad on Thursday morning, killing at least 28 people and injuring 73 others, a security official told CNN.
Not my favorite source, but under Biden Middle East becomes a powder keg again.
Tag: Iran
Israel to Become Part of CENTCOM Amid Geopolitical Shift in Region @BeholdIsrael.org
In what was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, the president ordered that Israel be integrated into Central Command (CENTCOM) for the first time ever, making it the 21st country to join.
Though part of the United States European Command (EUCOM) for many years, Israel is set to become the 21st country to join CENTCOM, which presides over the Middle East and Gulf region. This is of great significance concerning military strategy in the region, especially concerning the growing tension that involves the Gulf States, Israel, the US, and Iran.
In light of the recent normalization of diplomatic ties between Israel and multiple Arab nations over the last four years, the Military Times said, “It is the crowning piece of Trump’s efforts to stitch together disparate nations with a common enemy, following the signing of the Abraham Accords, in which Israel normalized relations with former enemies Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.”
The Abraham Accords, which have largely been accomplished in the last three months, have normalized diplomatic ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco, with others believed to follow in the future.
According to the Pentagon, the Abraham Accords opened the door for Israel to join CENTCOM. The Pentagon said, “The easing of tensions between Israel and its Arab neighbors subsequent to the Abraham Accords has provided a strategic opportunity for the United States to align key partners against shared threats in the Middle East.”
They added, “Israel is a leading strategic partner for the United States, and this will open up additional opportunities for cooperation with our U.S. Central Command partners while maintaining strong cooperation between Israel and our European allies.”
Israel’s integration into CENTCOM provides the means for a significant upgrade in intelligence and military transparency in the region.
Retired Marine and former head of the Central Command, General Anthony Zinni, also voiced his optimistic outlook on the news. He presented that while in the past, such a move would have created more friction due to the lack of trust between Israel and the Gulf States. However, amid Israel’s longstanding friendship with the US and ever-improving relationship with Arab nations, he pointed out that there very well may be no better time than now.January 15th, 2021
Israel—Plans for Military Action
IDF Drawing Up Plans to Strike Iran’s Nuclear Progam
The Israel Defense Forces is drawing up plans for an attack on Iran’s nuclear program, the Israel Hayom daily reported Thursday in a front-page article.
The newspaper said that IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi has asked for three alternate proposals to derail Tehran’s program, without elaborating on them. It only indicated one of the proposals is a military strike, noting that such a plan would require a significant budgetary boost for the Israeli military.
Iran resumed enriching uranium to 20 percent last week, well in excess of the threshold set out in its landmark 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and a short technical jump from the 90% level of enrichment needed to produce weapons.
https://watch.org/ The Koenig’s Eye View
Pompeo Claims Significant Ties Between Iran and Terrorist Group Al-Qaeda @ BeholdIsraeel.org
Prior to the Trump administration leaving the White House, the secretary of state has released intel regarding the Islamic Republic’s ties to the notorious terror organization.
With the Trump administration soon transitioning out of the White House, his team has been moving quickly to “seal the deal” in regards to several matters related to the Middle East. Several of these matters relate to Israel’s renewed relationship with multiple Arab nations in the region. However, on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo revealed troubling news related to Israel’s greatest enemy in the region, Iran.
Pompeo claimed that the Iranian regime is acting as host to the Islamic terror organization, Al-Qaeda. He referred to the Islamic Republic as “the new home base” for the organization, and added that “Tehran gives sanctuary to the terror group’s senior leaders as they plan attacks against America and our allies.”
Pompeo continued stating, “Tehran has allowed al-Qaida figures in the country to freely communicate with other al-Qaeda members and perform many functions that were previously directed from Afghanistan and Pakistan, including authorization for attacks, propaganda, and fundraising.”
Earlier in 2020, Al-Qaeda’s number two in command, Abu Muhammad al-Masri was gunned down in the streets of Tehran, which provides strength to the secretary’s claims. Furthermore, the White House is now designating two leaders of the organization who are based in Iran as global terrorists. These include Muhammad Abbatay and Sultan Yusuf Hasan al-‘Arif.
Of course, his claims were met with serious opposition from the Iranian regime. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif responded via Twitter with tough words.
Pompeo further warned that “the Iran-al-Qaeda axis poses a grave threat to the security of nations and to the American homeland itself, and we are taking action.”January 12th, 2021
TWO MORE GOP LAWMAKERS Call on Liz Cheney to Step Down as House Conference Chair Before She Destroys Party — It May Be Too Late
Iran
Keep your eyes on the Middle East. Things are brewing and getting pretty hot.
Iran
A Pentagon official:
“We are following Iranian preparations for attacks on US targets in Iraq. The situation is very dangerous and the threats are serious.”@BeholdIsrael
US Deploys B-52 Bombers to Persian Gulf, Warning Iran Against Possible Attacks
The United States flew two B-52 bombers over the Persian Gulf on Wednesday as a forewarning to Iran against any potential attacks against American or allied targets in the Middle East.
Additionally, the senior military official said there could be a “potential for other more complex attacks” against Americans in Iraq. “I think it is likely that the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad would be attacked again in some manner.”
He added, “We’re seeing planning for, particularly in Iraq for complex attacks that require Iranian assistance in order to be pulled off. It’s unclear to us, whether it’s contingency planning, or whether it’s a plan that is advancing because approval has been given and they’re just trying to get all the pieces in place and execute.”
Christian Conservative Coalition 