2/29/16

* Netanyahu: Israel ranked the eighth strongest country in the world  PM counters claims from Liberman and Lapid that Israel's standing in the world is the worst its ever been by citing Wharton School survey. 

* Iran elections: Reformists make gains in Assembly of Experts  Moderates and reformists have dealt another blow to Iran's hardliners, winning all but one of the seats for Tehran in the Assembly of Experts. 

* Settler group accuses EU envoy of supporting 'terror state'  In video, 'Jerusalem Periphery Forum' shows ambassador Faaborg-Andersen in Hannibal Lecter mask, slams EU housing aid to Palestinians. 

* Temple Mount cameras won't include mosques  Temple Mount organizations warn Israel is backing down from its demands that Temple Mount security cameras document mosque incitement. 

* Watch: Iran gears up for chemical war  In unveiling new weapons including chemical suits, medicine for chemical agents, Defense Minister vows to continue 'foiling' US sanctions. 

* Sisi: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict feeds international terror organizations  Speaking at the Japanese Parliament Monday, Sisi claimed that Egypt remains committed to its peace treaty with Israel. 

* Israeli defense establishment skeptical Syria truce will hold  'We're not counting on it,' defense source says; Meanwhile, former national security advisor Amidror tells Post: Rebels agreed to truce because Russia is backing Assad. 

* Aliyah from China: Jewish history in the making  Arutz Sheva welcomes home 5 women from ancient Chinese Jewish community after thousands of years, in 'fulfillment of prophecy.' 

* Pope says Islamist terror is uniting Christians  In meeting with Ethiopian Orthodox leader, Pope Francis says 'blood of martyrs of different churches will be seed of Christian unity.' 

* Orban: EU leaders lack will to stop migrants  Hungary's prime minister, Viktor Orban, said Sunday (28 February) EU leaders had no will to get a grip on the migration crisis, and vowed to fight pressure from Brussels to take in more refugees.

2/27/16

* Al-Nusra Front leader urges rejection of ceasefire  Mohammad al-Jolani, head of Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, says ceasefire is shameful and should be rejected. 

* Rouhani, moderates make gains in high-stakes Iran votes  President Hassan Rouhani won a resounding vote of support and his moderate allies made a strong showing in high stakes elections that could speed Iran's post-sanctions opening to the world, according to early partial results on Saturday. 

* Syria conflict: Attacks reported as truce comes into effect  The first major temporary truce in Syria's five-year civil war has come into effect. 

* Canadian PM: 'Islam is compatible with secular West'  In two separate TV interviews, Trudeau insists that Islam is 'not incompatible with free and open Western societies'. 

* US college backs professor's free speech rights after anti-Semitic rants  Joy Karega, an assistant professor of rhetoric and composition, had made comments accusing Israel and 'Rothschild-led bankers' of responsibility for downing a Malaysian airliner over Ukraine in 2014. 

* In the shadow of Iran, Israeli-US joint defense drill a success  'Juniper Cobra' exercise simulates real-life scenarios - including the threat of multiple air and missile attacks from north and south. 

* Israel welcomes first Egyptian ambassador since 2012  Credentials of new Egyptian envoy Hazem Ahdy Khairat accepted by President Rivlin, signaling warming of ties with Cairo. 

* 'No Plan B for Syrian settlement' - Russian Foreign Ministry  Moscow is not discussing alternative plans for a political settlement in Syria, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov has said.

* Ya'alon warns: Iran operating 'sleeper cells' in Europe  In Cyprus, Defense Minister warns that Iran is building an international terror network and plans attacks on the United States and Europe. 

* Next school year to be 'Year of Jerusalem Unity', Bennett declares  Amid a wave of terror attacks in Israel's capital, education minister announces expanded curriculum emphasizing the importance of an undivided Jerusalem and its heritage 50 years after the city's reunification.

2/25/16

* In the shadow of Iran, Israeli-US joint defense drill a success  'Juniper Cobra' exercise simulates real-life scenarios - including the threat of multiple air and missile attacks from north and south. 

* 'No Plan B for Syrian settlement' - Russian Foreign Ministry  Moscow is not discussing alternative plans for a political settlement in Syria, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov has said. 

* Iraqi militia seize ISIS chemical weapons store (VIDEO)  Iraqi militia fighters have captured two locations with vast deposits of highly toxic agents used by Islamic State terrorists to arm mortar shells and rockets, potentially for use against civilian targets. 

* Hitler's 'Mein Kampf' is now a best-seller in Germany  Who's buying Mein Kampf? After 70-year ban lifted Nazi leader's anti-Semitic creed is the country's second-best selling nonfiction book. 

* Where Does the History of Israel Begin?  In the never-ending debate between political rivals, the latest fracas erupted after right-wing Minister of Education Naftali Bennet posted to Facebook this week stating, "I am proud to announce that fifty years after Jerusalem was freed, the educational system will devote the next year to our united capital." 

* Somalia's al-Shabab killed '180 Kenyan troops' in el-Ade  At least 180 Kenyan troops were killed when al-Shabab attacked their base last month, Somalia's president has said. 

* Egypt jails Coptic Christians for insulting Islam  An Egyptian court has sentenced three Coptic Christian teenagers to five years in prison for insulting Islam after they appeared in a video apparently mocking Muslim prayers. 

* IDF reveals its deep-water diving bell  Unique underwater chamber enables Yaltam scuba divers to operate at depth of 100 meters. 

* Israel welcomes first Egyptian ambassador since 2012  Credentials of new Egyptian envoy Hazem Ahdy Khairat accepted by President Rivlin, signaling warming of ties with Cairo. 

* Ya'alon warns: Iran operating 'sleeper cells' in Europe  In Cyprus, Defense Minister warns that Iran is building an international terror network and plans attacks on the United States and Europe.

2/24/16

* EU warns Russia and Turkey are headed for open war  EU foreign policy chief warns a 'hot war' between Russia and Turkey may be imminent as Syrian war spins into 'something bigger.' 

* Putin's Newest Satellite State  Two days before Christmas, as American policymakers were settling into the holidays, Russia quietly signed a sweeping air defense agreement with Armenia, accelerating a growing Russian military buildup that has unfolded largely under the radar.

* Ahead of election, Iran's leader warns of Western 'plot'  Iran's top leader warned voters on Wednesday the West was plotting to influence elections pitting centrists close to President Hassan Rouhani against conservative hardliners in a contest that could shape the Islamic Republic for years to come. 

* 'This is how the Nazi movement started'  Mayor of Efrat sees dangerous precedent in London Underground anti-Semitic BDS campaign. 

* Israeli Students to Focus on 'Unity of Jerusalem'  The next Israeli school year (2016-2017) will focus studies on the 'unity of Jerusalem,' Education Minister Naftali Bennett announced this week. 

* eBay for jihadis: Al-Qaeda fighters using FACEBOOK to buy and sell 'CIA weapons'  One post on a Facebook page shows an AGS-17 Soviet-Era grenade launcher available for $3,800 (£2,731). 

* Are the Jews of Today Really Descendants of Abraham Who Should Inherit the Land?  There are those who claim that present day Jews are not the descendants of the original Hebrews and therefore have no claim to the land. 

* Dead Sea Scroll research enters the digital era  New digital tools make Dead Sea Scrolls available in ways they never were before. 

* Ya'alon: Iran readying sleeper cells to attack US, Europe  Defense minister in Cyprus accuses Tehran of being anchor of axis that includes Baghdad, Damascus, Beirut, Saana and elsewhere. 

* Russia takes concrete steps towards Syria ceasefire, Turkey continues shelling - MoD  Moscow has started taking concrete steps towards ceasefire in Syria, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. 

2/22/16

* Syria conflict: US-Russia brokered truce 'to start at weekend'  A ceasefire in Syria agreed by Russia and the US is scheduled to come into effect at midnight on 27 February, a draft of the plan reveals. 

* Russian Defense Minister delivers 'special message' to Rouhani  Russia's Defense Minister visits Tehran amid continued reports of military deals between the two countires. 

* Palestinians: Kerry and the Game of Obfuscation  U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is back in town. 

* Next school year to be 'Year of Jerusalem Unity', Bennett declares  Amid a wave of terror attacks in Israel's capital, education minister announces expanded curriculum emphasizing the importance of an undivided Jerusalem and its heritage 50 years after the city's reunification. 

* 'Juniper Cobra 16' military exercise begins  Joint ballistic missile exercise involving US European Command and IDF commences. 

* Battle of the Bible: Knesset members stand divided on origin of the Jews  "Sorry for the triviality, but shouldn't the Education Minister know that according to the Torah, we came here from Egypt?" asked Stav Shafir. 

* Battle shapes up over site where Napoleon and Saladin fought  Druze are concerned plans for a new town may upset Palestinians, while others argue it could harm a nearby national park. 

* Egypt tightens security coordination with Hezbollah amid Syrian civil war  Hezbollah delegation visits Cairo as both parties seek to prevent the conflict in Lebanon between Hezbollah and the pro-Saudi establishment from deteriorating into a proxy-war. 

* Canadian PM: 'Islam is compatible with secular West'  In two separate TV interviews, Trudeau insists that Islam is 'not incompatible with free and open Western societies.' 

* Cameron set for EU showdown with MPs  British prime minister David Cameron will make his case for the UK to stay in the European Union on Monday (22 February) after London mayor Boris Johnson announced over the weekend that he would be campaigning to quit the 28-member bloc.

2/20/16

* Officials Fear Nuclear Material Stolen by ISIS From Iraq, Could Be Used For Dirty Bomb  A recent report stated fears that nuclear material that had gone missing in Iraq might end up in the hands of the Islamic State (ISIS) and could easily be used to make a 'dirty bomb'. 

* 'Russia a major military': President Obama backtracks on Moscow's defense capabilities  Russia's military campaign in Syria seems to have changed President Barack Obama's opinion of its armed forces. 

* Russia to initiate UN Security Council meeting over Turkey's plans to invade Syria  A UN Security Council meeting is to be called at Russia's request on Friday to discuss Ankara's plans for a ground operation in Syria, the Russian Foreign Ministry has said. 

* 5,000 ISIS militants trained in Syria & Iraq walk free in Europe - Europol  Between 3,000 and 5,000 so-called 'foreign fighters' - EU citizens trained in Islamic state terror camps - have returned to Europe and pose a 'completely new challenge,' according the continent's top police chief. 

* Russia and Assad heading to a crisis?  After Assad vows to retake all of Syria, Moscow tells him to tone it down, warning he may find himself in 'a very difficult situation.' 

* Extreme finger pointing over potential ISIS 'dirty bomb'  Swiss and American inspections groups scramble to exonerate themselves following report that radioactive material was stolen. 

* Iran prayer leaders urge voters to pick anti-US candidates  Cleric in Mashhad calls on the faithful to elect lawmakers with 'Death to America' written 'on their foreheads'. 

* Iran wants Russia to build its army  Defense Minister Gen. Hossein Dehghan visited Moscow to present the offer to Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to Debkafile. 

* UN envoy: Israeli 'settlements' are an impediment to peace  UN's Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov singles out Israel while ignoring a request to condemn Hezbollah. 

* EU referendum: Cameron sets June date for UK vote  The UK will vote on whether to remain in the EU on Thursday 23 June, Prime Minister David Cameron has said.

2/18/16

* 'Russia a major military': President Obama backtracks on Moscow's defense capabilities  Russia's military campaign in Syria seems to have changed President Barack Obama's opinion of its armed forces. 

* IS Camp Speicher massacre: Iraq sentences 40 to death Iraq has sentenced 40 men to death over the killing of up to 1,700 military recruits at a former US base in 2014. 

* Pending Iranian Space Launch Contrary to U.N. Nuclear Resolution  Iran is expected to conduct a rocket test this month in violation of the recent UN resolution on the Iranian nuclear deal that bans long-range missile tests, according to U.S. intelligence officials. 

* Seoul says North Korea preparing 'terror attacks'  South Korea seeking to pass anti-terrorism laws after it says Pyongyang's Kim Jong Un recently ordered assaults. 

* Ankara blast: Turkey accuses Syria Kurds of deadly attack  Turkey's president says there is evidence to prove the Kurdish YPG militia based in Syria were behind Wednesday's deadly bombing in Ankara. 

* 'Highly dangerous' radioactive material in Iraq stolen - report  Fearing an Islamic State dirty bomb, officials are searching for Ir-192 that went missing from a US-owned facility in Basra. 

* Hungary Central Bank Stockpiles Guns, Bullets Citing Terror Risk  Hungary's central bank, already facing criticism for a spending spree ranging from real estate to fine art, is now beefing up its security force, citing Europe's migrant crisis and potential bomb threats among the reasons. 

* Pope Francis Rips Capitalism, American Immigration Policy at Mexican Border  Pope Francis, apparently desperate to reach out to the Catholic Church's growing base in Latin America, spent the day slapping Americans in the face from across the US-Mexico border. 

* Pope Francis questions Donald Trump's Christianity  The Pope has questioned US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's Christianity over his call to build a border wall with Mexico. 

* Fatah draws map of 'Palestine' with terror blood  Dying terrorist's blood photo-shopped to form map of 'Palestine,' erasing Israel's existence.

2/17/16

* China 'has deployed missiles in South China Sea' - Taiwan  China has deployed surface-to-air missiles on a disputed island in the South China Sea, Taiwan says. 

* Report: Russia will send first S-300 missile system to Iran on Thursday  Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan is visiting Moscow this week. 

* '5 horrible years': Libya marks 5th anniversary of Western-backed uprising to oust Gaddafi  Libya's Western-backed popular uprising officially began on February 17, 2011, resulting in the toppling of long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi. 

* Nasrallah threatens to bomb chemical facility, kill thousands of Israelis  Head of Lebanese terror group says strike on Haifa amonia storage facility would have impact similar to nuclear attack. 

* Exclusive: Radioactive material stolen in Iraq raises security fears  Iraq is searching for "highly dangerous" radioactive material stolen last year, according to an environment ministry document and seven security, environmental and provincial officials who fear it could be used as a weapon if acquired by Islamic State. 

* RAF jets sent to intercept Russian bombers heading to UK  RAF Typhoons have been scrambled to intercept two Russian bombers heading towards UK airspace, the Ministry of Defence has said. 

* Iran snubs Doha proposal, won't freeze on oil output level  OPEC members travel to the Islamic Republic to convince it to freeze oil output, but find disappointment. 

* Palestinian Leaders: Who Are They Fooling?  It is a puzzle: are the leaders of the Palestinian Authority (PA) playing dumb, or do they believe their own ridiculous rhetoric? 

* EU leaders haggle over key UK issues in final push for deal  EU leaders are preparing for a final push in the negotiations on the UK's renegotiation of its EU membership as fine tuning on cutting benefits for EU workers and eurozone governance remain the main sticking points. 

* Observers: Russia Prolonging Conflict in Ukraine  Moscow hopes to preserve gains, win relief from sanctions.

2/16/16

* Defiant Iran ignores UN ban, hits up Putin for high-tech tanks, fighter jets  Iran's defense minister met Tuesday in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin about delivery of the advanced S-300 air defense system -- and the purchase of powerful offensive weapons, including Russia's most sophisticated tank and jet fighters. 

* Turkey calls on US, allies to launch ground operation in Syria  Turkey called Tuesday on the United States and its allies to take part in a joint ground operation in Syria, saying it is 'impossible to stop this war' without a greater effort against a Moscow-backed Syrian government offensive. 

* Russia's Trap: Luring Sunnis into War  After Russia's increasingly bold military engagement in war-torn Syria in favor of President Bashar al-Assad and the Shiite bloc, the regional Sunni powers -- Turkey and its ally, Saudi Arabia -- have felt nervous and incapable of influencing the civil war in favor of the many Islamist groups fighting Assad's forces. 

* 'ISIS planning chemical attack against US'  American and European intelligence chiefs say the Islamic State group is manufacturing chemical weapons on an industrial scale, and have already used WMDs 'numerous times' in Iraq and Syria. 

* 'Hezbollah is covertly watching us, waiting for the day of battle'  Lt.-Col. Yehonatan Steinberg, Commander of Battalion 931, said his forces did not encounter Hezbollah on the border fence daily, but that did not mean their forces and 100,000 rockets were not there. 

* Arab, Islamic Nations Prepare for 'Northern Thunder' Assault  Thousands of soldiers from 20 countries started arriving in the Saudi city of Hafr Al-Batin in the past several days ahead of what organizers said are the largest military exercises in the region, labeled 'Northern Thunder'. 

* Israel '15 years ahead' in cyber warfare capabilities  Senior IDF official says cyber attacks against Israel down overall in 2015 - but many significant threats remain. 

* Oil falls despite Saudi-Russian output deal  Oil prices fell on Tuesday despite Saudi Arabia and Russia agreeing to freeze oil output at January levels if other producers follow suit. 

* PA and France Team Up Against Israel to Push for 'International Peace Conference'  France formally presented Israel with its foreign plan to restart talks for a two-state solution on Tuesday. 

* Turkey clashes with allies over attack on Syria Kurds  France and the US have urged Nato ally Turkey to stop firing on Kurdish groups in Syria, putting at risk a new 'cessation of hostilities' accord.

2/15/16

* Israel may be in trouble if Assad wins, former US official says  Regime and allies' tactics are "ethnic cleansing" based on "Chechnya model," says Syria expert. 

* Arab states are seeking nuclear weapons to counter Iran, Israel warns  Defense minister Moshe Ya'alon says his country is seeing signs of a much-feared nuclear arms race in the Middle East. 

* Saudi Arabia launches military exercise with 20 nations  Saudi Arabia launched a massive military exercise that will include troops from 20 nations, state media reported Monday. 

* Watch: Power hopes to see 'Palestine' at UN  US Ambassador says 'UN tries to delegitimize Israel,' but notes 'the problem isn't the UN, it's the players active there.' 

* Syria crisis: Strikes on hospitals and schools kill 'up to 50'  Up to 50 people have been killed in missile attacks on schools and hospitals in northern Syria, according to the United Nations. 

* Syrian rebel group: Assad built secret underground base below Damascus  In new documentary film, the Islamist Jaish al-Islam opposition group claims to reveal complex built to house military and political leaders under the Syrian capital. 

* Israel calls on world nations to regulate social media anti-Semitism  Ministry official states that while the issue is certainly controversial for Americans, it is important to discern the nature of the Internet and to act accordingly. 

* 'Europe's Jews are worried - and for a good reason'  The European Union now does sometimes resemble a replay of Weimar's combination of institutional perfection with violent and nationalist forces aimed at tearing down the "system." 

* Launching a 'little prayer book' at the Western Wall  The new siddur will be available at the Western Wall for children to use and will also be on sale at the Kotel Tunnels cashier. 

* Donald Tusk: 'Real' risk of break-up over EU referendum talks  Negotiations over the UK's EU reform demands are at a "critical moment" and the risk of break-up "is real", EU Council president Donald Tusk has said.

2/13/16

* US says NATO may join anti-ISIS coalition  Carter announces NATO is 'exploring the possibility' of joining the coalition as an active member, significantly raising coordination. 

* Assad: We welcome peace but won't stop fighting 'terrorists'  Syria's President vows to retake the entire country from 'terrorists' even if a ceasefire agreement is reached. 

* First Islamic State Celebrates Anniversary  The first Islamic State since World War II celebrates its anniversary this week. And it isn't the one you might think. 

* Syria conflict: Pressure grows on Russia over civilian bomb deaths  Pressure is increasing on Russia over civilian deaths in Syria, with France and the US urging greater caution. 

* World leaders focus on Syria at annual Munich Security Conference  The Syrian issue was top priority on the first day of the conference. 

* Pentagon: North Korea Nuclear, Missile Threat Increasing  North Korea poses an increasing danger of using long-range missiles capable of striking the United States with nuclear warheads and is fielding new road-mobile and submarine-launched missiles, the Pentagon said in a report to Congress made public Friday. 

* Saudi Arabia to send planes to Turkey for Islamic State fight  Saudi Arabia has resumed its participation in air strikes against Islamic State in recent weeks and US Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Thursday welcomed its commitment to expand its role. 

* Abdullah: Israel-Palestine stalemate 'a festering wound exploited by ISIS'  Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon met Abdullah on the sidelines of the Munich security conference. 

* Unity call as Pope Francis holds historic talks with Russian Orthodox Patriarch  Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill have called for restored Christian unity between the two churches at historic talks in Cuba. 

* Russian PM: Foreign offensive in Syria could spark 'world war'  After Saudis say their decision to deploy troops in Syria is 'final,' Medvedev issues a dire warning.

2/11/16

* Iranians take missile selfies, deride US to mark revolution  Anniversary comes 2 weeks ahead of crucial parliamentary elections, where President Rouhani hopes for shift away from hard-liners. 

* Syria conflict: Bashar Assad vows to retake whole country  Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said that he intends to retake "the whole country" from rebel forces.

* Turkey's Haunted Border with Syria  Six years ago, Turkey's official narrative over its leaders' Kodak-moment exchanges of pleasantries with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime in Damascus promised the creation of a Muslim bloc resembling the European Union. 

* Netanyahu: Situation not ripe for two-state solution  PM tells Knesset Israel can't afford to sign an agreement with Palestinians until they agree to recognize Jewish state, demilitarize their own. 

* Israel, Turkey begin new normalization talks  Next set of covert rapprochement talks start in Geneva, as Ankara continues to demand Israel lift naval blockade on Hamas. 

* Pope Francis in historic talks with Russian Orthodox leader  Pope Francis has begun a historic first meeting with Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, in Cuba.

* Kurds seize key military base in northern Syria  Rebels left reeling after losing their only military airport in Aleppo province, while Kurds keep on advancing. 

* Kurds turn to 'great power' Russia as Turkey fumes  'Russia not just an actor, it writes the script'; Kurds turn to increasingly assertive Russia - which is happy to oblige in swipe at Turkey. 

* Erdogan to EU: 'We're not idiots,' threatens to send refugees  Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed out against the EU on Thursday (11 February) and threatened to send millions of refugees in Turkey to the bloc's member states, just as NATO agreed to deploy ships in the Aegean Sea to ease the migrant crisis. 

* Nato orders fleet to deploy in Aegean Sea 'to help end Europe's refugee crisis'  The Nato fleet is being deployed to the Aegean Sea immediately in a bid to end the flow of refugees crossing the sea into Europe from Turkey.

2/10/16

* VIDEO: Revealing the Buried Treasures of the Temple Mount  For years, Muslim authorities carrying out illegal construction projects atop the Temple Mount have unceremoniously dumped tons of earth and debris containing treasures of Jewish history outside the Old City walls. 

* Turkish soldiers clash with Kurdish militants crossing from Syria  One Turkish soldier was killed and another wounded when security forces clashed with Kurdish militants crossing over from Syria, the army said on Wednesday, hours after Ankara summoned the U.S. ambassador over Washington's support for Syrian Kurds. 

* Scant hope of Syria peace breakthrough as Russia pounds rebels  Major powers meeting in Germany on Thursday aim to revive Syria peace efforts, but with Russia backing a government push for a military victory, opposition delegates and Western officials see little hope of a diplomatic breakthrough. 

* In Latest Blood Libel, US Prof Accuses Israel of Harvesting Arab Organs, Assassinating Teenagers  Vassar College in upstate New York is once again in the news as a hotbed of anti-Semitism, as a professor accused Israel of assassinating teens, harvesting organs and stunting Palestinians' growth, Israel National News reported Tuesday. 

* Watch: Hamas video clip calls to 'roast' Jewish flesh  Some cultures dream of peace and love. Hamas dreams of flying body parts, as this video shows. 

* Fatah, Hamas reportedly make progress in reconciliation; PA nods toward unity gov't  The Fatah and Hamas negotiators, who have been holding discussions in Doha since Sunday, announced that they have reached agreement on a 'limited practical perception.' 

* Turkey's Erdogan denounces US support for Syrian Kurds  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has lashed out at the US over its support for Syria's main Kurdish group. 

* Netanyahu unveils plan to 'surround entire state with a fence'  Threat from 'predatory animals' in neighboring countries necessitates sophisticated barriers, says PM. 

* Iran to upgrade missiles, get Russian defense system: minister  Iran will unveil an upgrade of its Emad ballistic missiles this year, the defense minister was quoted as saying, advancing a program that has drawn criticism from the United Nations and sanctions from the United States. 

* ISIS leaders remain in close contact with Ankara - Lavrov  The leaders of Islamic State maintain a constant liaison with the Turkish government, working out a new approach to the war in Syria as the Russian Air Force cuts off traditional smuggling routes, says Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

2/9/16

* Analysis: Iran Infiltrates the West Bank  The "Patient Ones" are seeking Palestinians as a group to become an Iranian proxy in the region. 

* Saudi Arabia prepared for ground war in Syria, military spokesman says  A Senior Saudi defense official said that his country wants to defeat Islamic State. 

* Pentagon, South Korea to Deploy Advanced Missile Defenses  After delaying nearly two years, the Pentagon on Monday announced plans to deploy advanced missile defenses in South Korea as soon as possible. 

* Israel: Palestinians using UN chief's words to justify terror  Envoy calls on Ban to retract statement about reacting to occupation, but spokesperson says he 'stands by every word' and 'absolutely nothing, nothing, justifies terrorism'. 

* Iraqi army clears ISIS from Ramadi area, opens road to Baghdad  Iraqi government forces chalk up another victory, chipping away at ISIS control in west to secure capital Baghdad. 

* US election 2016: New Hampshire begins voting in key primary  People in the US state of New Hampshire are voting in the contests to select the Republican and Democratic presidential candidates. 

* Russian military deployed near Ukraine for huge exercises  Russia is holding combat readiness exercises involving 8,500 troops, with dozens of ships and aircraft, in a southern region near areas of eastern Ukraine held by pro-Russian rebels. 

* Elkin says religious Israelis will soon become the majority  At J'lem Conference, Jerusalem Affairs Minister insists that as religious sector grows stronger, Israel must try to prevent 'culture wars. 

* Watch: Jew arrested for singing Hatikvah on Temple Mount  Teen arrested for singing Israeli national anthem handed distancing order from Temple Mount; father slams 'surrender to Muslim terror'. 

* Drought: Over 50,000 Somali children face death, says UN  As drought hits, about 4.7 million people, nearly 40% of the population, need some kind of humanitarian assistance.

2/8/16

* Iran Infiltrates the West Bank  Emboldened by its nuclear deal with the world powers, Iran is already seeking to enfold in its embracing wings the Arab and Islamic region. 

* Israel criticizes North Korean rocket launch  Israel joins international condemnation after illicit North Korean launch. 

* Haniyeh headlines Turkish conference to 'liberate Jerusalem'  Despite rapprochement talks with Israel, Ankara hosts Hamas head at event calling for 'armed struggle' to conquer Jerusalem. 

* Satellites Show Mystery Construction at Iran's Top-Secret Military Site  A series of images, taken from space, show furious construction at a key Iranian facility. Was it to hide nuclear weapons work? 

* Syria 'exterminating detainees' - UN report  The Syrian government has carried out a state policy of extermination against thousands of detainees, UN human rights investigators say. 

* How Brazil Helped the Palestinians Rewrite History and Steal the Temple Mount While Nobody Noticed  In what may be seen as merely diplomatic maneuvering surrounding the Israeli ambassador in Brazil, a major attack has been waged against the Jewish right to Jerusalem, and it seems that Israel has already lost the battle in Brasilia. 

* Iraq deploying thousands of troops to retake Mosul  Iraqi army amassing troops for biggest battle yet with ISIS in Iraq's second city. 

* Palestinians quote UN's Ban to justify terror  Danon demands UN head retract his 'two categories' of terror, after Fatah spokesman cites 'natural response' praising Hadar Cohen's murder. 

* Germany, Turkey want Nato help to police coast  Germany and Turkey are seeking Nato help to police the Turkish coast guard along the Aegen Sea to clamp down on people smugglers. 

* Hamas and Fatah make yet another try at reconciliation  On the eve of the talks, both Hamas and Fatah expressed cautious optimism regarding the prospects of reaching a deal that would end their rift.

2/6/16

* Not a victory but a bitter defeat  There have always been different opinions and different ways of doing things, but Jerusalem was the place that unified everyone. 

* Israel's air force still keeps eye on Iran despite nuclear deal  The effort is overseen by the IAF's Air Operations, established in the midst of Operation Protective Edge in 2014, as the body responsible for activating and building up Israeli air power. 

* Russia says it suspects Turkey of preparing military incursion in Syria  Russian jets have been striking rebel and jihadi fighters for four months in Syria, including Islamic State militants as well as fighters backed by Turkey and Gulf Arab states. 

* Abbas signals solidarity for terrorism, as Gaza talks of war again  PA chief, like Arafat before him, seems to be riding terrorist tiger; meanwhile, Hamas getting its tunnels ready for possible pre-emptive strike. 

* Syrian FM: Foreign troops who come here will go home 'in coffins'  Threat comes after Saudi army spokesman says his country is willing to send soldiers to war-torn region. 

* With 55,000 en route, Turkey pledges 'open borders' for Syrian refugees  Ankara, already home to 2 million displaced by civil war, vows to keep helping those 'fleeing aggression, Assad and Russian air strikes'. 

* 5 Reasons Why Saudi Arabia Is Driving Oil Prices Through the Floor  Now that the sanctions against Iran have been lifted and Iranian oil can return to the world market, some people are wondering if Saudi Arabia is trying to sabotage Iran by holding down oil prices. 

* Iran wants to dump dollar in crude trade - report  Iran wants post-sanctions' oil contracts denominated in dollars and have buyers pay in euros, Reuters reported. 

* Iraq building security wall around Baghdad  Iraq is building a three-metre-high security wall and trench defences around Baghdad in an effort to thwart jihadist attacks, a security official said on Thursday. 

* Mideast Christian Suffering, U.S. Denial  When a 1,400-year-old Iraqi Christian monastery was destroyed by the Islamic State (ISIS) most of the world condemned the demolition -- except for spokesman for the U.S. military's Operation Inherent Resolve, Col. Steve Warren.

2/5/16

* Israel's air force still keeps eye on Iran despite nuclear deal  The effort is overseen by the IAF's Air Operations, established in the midst of Operation Protective Edge in 2014, as the body responsible for activating and building up Israeli air power. 

* Three's company: Israel, Turkey, and Egypt  Can Israel mend ties with Ankara without alienating Cairo? 

* US weighs options as IS presence soars in Libya  Islamic State fighters have streamed into Libya in recent months, a US official said Thursday, heightening fears the extremists are gaining ground and influence in the north African country. 

* Saudi official: Kingdom ready to send troops to Syria  Army spokesman says decision hinges on agreement by coalition leaders during upcoming meeting in Brussels. 

* Not a victory but a bitter defeat  There have always been different opinions and different ways of doing things, but Jerusalem was the place that unified everyone. 

* To silence propaganda, Iraq seeks to take ISIS offline  Social media apps like Twitter and Telegram are scrambling to limit Islamic State's cyber-activities. 

* Syria war: Thousands fleeing fighting mass at Turkey border  At least 15,000 Syrian refugees fleeing fighting in northern Aleppo province have gathered at a border crossing with Turkey, UN and Turkish officials said. 

* Super Bowl 50: Santa Clara security tight ahead of big game  US officials in California have been seeking security advice from French officials, as the San Francisco area prepares to host the Super Bowl. 

* Turkey planning $5 billion for Gaza seaport  Amid rapprochement talks with Israel, Turkish team meets with Hamas officials to plan seaport - even though Israel adamantly opposes. 

* Map shows Christians facing violent Muslim persecution  Christian aid group publishes 'Prayer Map' highlighting countries where Christians face violent persecution by Islamic extremists.

2/4/16

* Russia says it suspects Turkey of preparing military incursion in Syria  Russian jets have been striking rebel and jihadi fighters for four months in Syria, including Islamic State militants as well as fighters backed by Turkey and Gulf Arab states. 

* ISIS release chilling video of English-speaking child beheading hostage and threatening America  A chilling ISIS video has emerged showing an English-speaking child beheading a hostage. 

* Embassy of 'Palestine' established in Brazil  PA erects its first embassy in the Americas, raising the security concerns of locals over the 'sovereign Hamas area'. 

* Iraq building security wall around Baghdad  Iraq is building a three-metre-high security wall and trench defences around Baghdad in an effort to thwart jihadist attacks, a security official said on Thursday. 

* Iran army chief: Missile program a threat to our enemies, Israel should know what that means  Opposition to Israel, which Tehran refuses to recognize since its 1979 Islamic revolution, is a central policy in the Muslim Shi'ite-dominated country. 

* Smuggled gold bars and steroids uncovered in EU diplomat's car at Israel-Jordan border  The goods were discovered by customs officials as the representative and his driver attempted to enter into Israel from Jordan. 

* Former Shas head Yishai: Western Wall plan will see Reform Jews 'putting tefillin on dogs'  Former leader of Sephardic ultra-Orthodox party blasts cabinet decision to create egalitarian prayer space "an attack on the Holy of Holies." 

* Analysis: Kurds taking baby steps toward independence  While the constellation of events on the ground appears to work to the Kurds' advantage, internal divisions, opposition from regional states and geography continue to impede rapid progress. 

* 10,000 French immigrants expected to arrive in 2016  Arielle Di Porto, director of aliya at the Jewish Agency, said that most of those coming from France are young families with children. 

* EU referendum: Leaders 'not happy' with UK reform proposals  None of David Cameron's fellow EU leaders are happy with his reform proposals as they stand, a source close to the negotiations has told the BBC.

2/3/16

* Shutting off smuggling through Turkey-Syria border key condition for ceasefire in Syria - Lavrov  Ending smuggling across the Turkish-Syrian border is a key condition to make the ceasefire work in the Syrian conflict, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said, stressing that he sees no reason to stop the Russian counter-terrorist operation in Syria. 

* 'Which terrorist are you' Facebook page  Facebook page promotes emulating Palestinian terrorists via a GIF. In spite of thousands of complaints, Facebook has yet to take it down. 

* Attitudes and facts: US, Russia diplomats spar on Twitter over World War 3 map in vintage magazine  A Russian and a US diplomat engaged in a Twitter spat over a 1950s magazine cover depicting a hypothetical map of Europe.

* EU states tentatively approve draft UK deal  The EU's draft agreement with the UK received moderate backing from governments in eastern Europe, who had been critical of British prime minister David Cameron's plans to curb benefits for EU workers. 

* Watch: Meet the new IDF 'Commando Brigade'  First IDF Commando Brigade completes 4-day long integrated training drill. 

* Israel to become official member of UN Committee on Space Affairs  Israel's experts in the field will be able to participate in subcommittees and in innovative projects. 

* Japan orders SDF to shoot down North Korean missile  Japan on Wednesday condemned Pyongyang's plan to launch a space rocket, calling it a thinly disguised test of a long-distance ballistic missile. 

* Danon: I experience anti-Semitism daily in the UN  'New York is a strong Jewish city, but cross one street into the UN and it is a different world,' said the Israeli ambassador. 

* Judea and Samaria exporters to find new markets in Asia  Foreign Ministry, IEI pledge to help Israeli businesses impacted by EU labeling find new markets in Asia. 

* 'Mini' black holes could power world's electricity, but destroy civilization - Stephen Hawking  In his latest scientific theory, renowned physicist Stephen Hawking has said 'mini' black holes could power the world's electricity supply - but the same holes could destroy civilization if they weren't controlled.

2/2/16

* Al-Qaida reveals new details about the inspiration for September 11 attacks  al-Qaida claimed that the inspiration for the September 11 attacks was the story of Gamil al-Batouti, the Egyptian co-pilot who crashed EgyptAir flight 990 into the Atlantic Ocean in 1999. 

* Hamas: The "Merchants of War" Who Seek to Destroy Israel  The myth that Hamas uses tunnels to smuggle food and other necessities to the "besieged" Gaza Strip has been buried under the rubble of the tunnel that collapsed last week east of Gaza City. 

* Mideast Christian Suffering, U.S. Denial  When a 1,400-year-old Iraqi Christian monastery was destroyed by the Islamic State (ISIS) most of the world condemned the demolition -- except for spokesman for the U.S. military's Operation Inherent Resolve, Col. Steve Warren. 

* Could the Muslim vote swing the US election?  Muslim Brotherhood-linked group calls on American Muslims to 'turn your Islamic centers and mosques into voter registration centers.' 

* Russia to test new S-500 defenses in 2016  The system is said to have a range of 600 km and could simultaneously intercept up to 10 ballistic missiles. 

* Syria conflict: Jordanians 'at boiling point' over refugees  King Abdullah of Jordan says his country is at "boiling point" because of an influx of hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees. 

* US to quadruple military spending in Europe  The US plans to quadruple spending on its military presence in Europe in order to deter Russian aggression, leading US media say. 

* Zika virus: WHO declares global public health emergency, says causal link to brain defects 'strongly suspected'  The World Health Organization designated the Zika virus and its suspected complications in newborns as a public health emergency of international concern Monday. 

* Putin's revenge: Turkish tourist industry collapsing  More than 1,300 hotels along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts are up for sale as Russian sanctions bite. 

* Iran says it has received $100 bn, not White House $50bn, in frozen assets  The White House has been claiming Iran, as part of the nuclear deal with the Obama administration, would only get access to $50 billion immediately but it turns out that number was off by a lot.

2/1/16

* 60% of Jordanian students have never heard of 'Al-Aqsa'  A new survey offsets a basic Islamic belief: Most Jordanian students do not know about the 'Holy' mosque in Jerusalem. 

* Why Iran really, truly doesn't want the bomb ... for now  Tehran can wreak much more havoc as a non-nuclear power, says proliferation expert Francois Heisbourg. 

* Reform prayer section to erase last signs of Temple destruction  Archaeologist warns government compromise to expand non-Orthodox Kotel prayer section will destroy priceless Jewish heritage. 

* One on One: Egypt's fragile alliance with the US as it faces terrorist threat  Middle East expert David Schenker discusses Egypt's challenges in facing the terrorist threat, the responsibility and concerns of the US and cooperation between Cairo and Jerusalem. 

* Grand Mufti condemns new Jewish egalitarian prayer section at Western Wall  In a press statement he released on Monday, Hussien claimed that the prayer space adjacent to the Western Wall is 'the property of the Islamic waqf that was taken by the Israeli occupation in 1967." 

* Poll Claims 25% of Israelis Fear a Second Holocaust  Israelis are worried for the future of world Jewry, a new poll has found, with a quarter of respondents believing another Holocaust could take place and almost a third agreeing that European Jews should move to Israel. 

* More Than One Million March on Rome for 'Family Day' to Protest Gay Unions Bill  Caravans of coach buses carrying families from all over Italy streamed into Rome Saturday, meeting in the enormous Circus Maximus. 

* Human Rights Watch criticizes Kerry for his role in Syria talks  The criticism sounded by the Human Rights Watch chief comes amid a wider attack by the Syrian opposition on Kerry, claiming that he accepted diktats from Russia and Iran regarding the Geneva talks. 

* An Internet of Things that will number ten billions  By 2020, there will be 21 billion connected devices in a global Internet of Things: Gartner Group. 

* Race for the White House begins today in Iowa  Iowa primaries open with Trump as the front runner for the Republicans and Clinton leading the Democratic field.