southfront--2020-05-13--U.S. Syria Envoy Speculates That Assad Provided ‘Chemical Weapons’ To Hezbollah

On May 12th , U.S. Special Representative for Syria Engagement and the Special Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS James Jeffrey took part in a Hudson Institute conversation and made some notable statements .
The topic was “ Maximum Pressure on the Assad Regime for its Chemical Weapons Use and Other Atrocities.
” Among other things , Jeffrey apparently hinted that the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad government was supporting Hezbollah against Israel with providing all sorts of weapons and that he questioned the notion that they would stop at providing chemical weapons .
After all , there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using chemical weapons , little evidence , but it ’ s become clear that evidence is not what ’ s important .
He further underlined that US sanctions were “ squeezing ” Iranian presence outside of Syria .
“ We have seen the Iranians pulling in some of their outlying activities and such in Syria because of , frankly , financial problems … in terms of the huge success of the Trump administration ’ s sanctions policies against Iran .
It ’ s having a real effect in Syria , ” said Jeffrey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Iranian-commanded forces .
Some of that is tactical because they are not fighting right now , but it also is a lack of money , ” Jeffrey said .
Just days earlier , there were reports in Israeli media claiming that Iran was withdrawing from Syria , due to an increase in Israeli airstrikes , among other things .
Jeffrey , however , dismissed the claims , saying that it wasn ’ t a withdrawal , since the movements didn ’ t mean any “ major strategic change ” for Iran or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the “ maximum pressure campaign ” was working , and that it should continue , it should even be made tighter .
During the same Hudson Institute conversation , Jeffrey also hinted that , the US forces in Syria had a more important role than fighting terrorists , and , in fact , it was to turn the Middle East into a “ quagmire ” for Russia .
To essentially impede their actions and movement , and , generally , get in the way .
Jeffrey admitted the Russian military has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they don ’ t have a political way out of their problems ” with Syrian President Bashar Assad , and the US aims to offer “ a way forward ” through the UN – presumably referring to Resolution 2254 that Washington has long interpreted as “ Assad must go.
” Jeffrey ’ s mention of a “ quagmire ” like Afghanistan is a sort of a throwback , given that ’ s precisely what the Carter administration did in 1978 , covertly supporting Islamic militants in that country in order to provoke a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s national security adviser , Zbigniew Brzezinski , this was done to lure the USSR into their own costly , never-ending war such as the US experienced in Vietnam .
On May 7th , during the press briefing , Jeffrey said that the US saw Russia was “ unhappy ” with President Bashar al-Assad .
“ We , as I said , do see the Russians unhappy with Assad , and this has been something relatively new that they ’ ve been so vocal about it .
But – and we have seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of it because they don ’ t need as many ground forces and they ’ re expensive at a time when they ’ re under sanctions pressure from the U.S. and also COVID financial pressure .
But these may be tactical actions .
Also , it ’ s typical of the Russians to show more or less tactical flexibility with us on a Syrian solution , while at the end of the day defining what a compromise is in terms that looks like it ’ s 80 percent our compromising and only 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acceptable to us or to the many countries that work with us .
In terms of getting Russia out of Syria , that has never been our goal .
Russia has been there for 30 years .
It has a long-term relationship with Syria .
We don ’ t think it has been healthy for the region .
We don ’ t think it really is even healthy for Russia .
But that ’ s not our policy .
Our policy right now is to restore the situation in 2011 before the conflict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to all of the other military forces that have entered leaving .
Ones were most interested in , of course , are the Iranians and the Iranian-commanded militias.
” MORE ON THE TOPIC : • In Videos : Syrians Block US Military Column In Al-Hasakah Province

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On May 12th, U.S. Special Representative for Syria Engagement and the Special Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS James Jeffrey took part in a Hudson Institute conversation and made some notable statements.
The topic was “Maximum Pressure on the Assad Regime for its Chemical Weapons Use and Other Atrocities.”
Among other things, Jeffrey apparently hinted that the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad government was supporting Hezbollah against Israel with providing all sorts of weapons and that he questioned the notion that they would stop at providing chemical weapons.
After all, there’s ample accusations of the Syrian government using chemical weapons, little evidence, but it’s become clear that evidence is not what’s important.
US Special Representative for Syria Amb. Jim Jeffrey says the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad is passing “all kinds of weapons to Hezbollah, I don’t see them stopping at chemical weapons” — Ryan Browne (@rabrowne75) May 12, 2020
He further underlined that US sanctions were “squeezing” Iranian presence outside of Syria.
“We have seen the Iranians pulling in some of their outlying activities and such in Syria because of, frankly, financial problems … in terms of the huge success of the Trump administration’s sanctions policies against Iran. It’s having a real effect in Syria,” said Jeffrey. “We do see some withdrawal of Iranian-commanded forces. Some of that is tactical because they are not fighting right now, but it also is a lack of money,” Jeffrey said.
Just days earlier, there were reports in Israeli media claiming that Iran was withdrawing from Syria, due to an increase in Israeli airstrikes, among other things.
Jeffrey, however, dismissed the claims, saying that it wasn’t a withdrawal, since the movements didn’t mean any “major strategic change” for Iran or its allied forces.
“What we have not seen — and I want to underline this — is any strategic Iranian commitment not to try to use Syria both as a second launching pad for long-range weapons against Israel and as a conduit — the famous Shia Crescent — on to provide Hezbollah more lethal and more modern precision-guided missiles, again, to threaten Israel,” he said during a May 7 briefing.
According to him, the “maximum pressure campaign” was working, and that it should continue, it should even be made tighter.
“My recipe is more of the same,” Jeffrey said, adding that the United States must “work with the Arab world and Europe to ensure nobody goes wobbly — as Margaret Thatcher once famously said — on sanctions.”
During the same Hudson Institute conversation, Jeffrey also hinted that, the US forces in Syria had a more important role than fighting terrorists, and, in fact, it was to turn the Middle East into a “quagmire” for Russia. To essentially impede their actions and movement, and, generally, get in the way.
“Our military presence, while small, is important for overall calculations. So we urge the Congress, the American people, the president to keep these forces on, but again this isn’t Afghanistan, this isn’t Vietnam, this isn’t a quagmire,” Jeffrey said during the Hudson Institute video event. “My job is to make it a quagmire for the Russians.”
Jeffrey admitted the Russian military has been successful in Syria, but argued “they don’t have a political way out of their problems” with Syrian President Bashar Assad, and the US aims to offer “a way forward” through the UN – presumably referring to Resolution 2254 that Washington has long interpreted as “Assad must go.”
Asked why the American public should tolerate US involvement in Syria, Special Envoy James Jeffrey points out the small US footprint in the fight against ISIS. "This isn't Afghanistan. This isn't Vietnam. This isn't a quagmire. My job is to make it a quagmire for the Russians." — Jared Szuba (@JM_Szuba) May 12, 2020
Jeffrey’s mention of a “quagmire” like Afghanistan is a sort of a throwback, given that’s precisely what the Carter administration did in 1978, covertly supporting Islamic militants in that country in order to provoke a Soviet intervention.
According to Carter’s national security adviser, Zbigniew Brzezinski, this was done to lure the USSR into their own costly, never-ending war such as the US experienced in Vietnam.
On May 7th, during the press briefing, Jeffrey said that the US saw Russia was “unhappy” with President Bashar al-Assad.
“We, as I said, do see the Russians unhappy with Assad, and this has been something relatively new that they’ve been so vocal about it. But – and we have seen some tactical displacement of Iranian, some of it because they don’t need as many ground forces and they’re expensive at a time when they’re under sanctions pressure from the U.S. and also COVID financial pressure. But these may be tactical actions. Also, it’s typical of the Russians to show more or less tactical flexibility with us on a Syrian solution, while at the end of the day defining what a compromise is in terms that looks like it’s 80 percent our compromising and only 20 percent Russia compromising, which is not acceptable to us or to the many countries that work with us. In terms of getting Russia out of Syria, that has never been our goal. Russia has been there for 30 years. It has a long-term relationship with Syria. We don’t think it has been healthy for the region. We don’t think it really is even healthy for Russia. But that’s not our policy. Our policy right now is to restore the situation in 2011 before the conflict began, and that would eventually lead to all of the other military forces that have entered leaving. Ones were most interested in, of course, are the Iranians and the Iranian-commanded militias.”
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southfront--2020-05-13--China Launches Its Second Type 075 Landing Helicopter Dock Just 6 Months After First

China launched its second amphibious ship , the Type 075 Landing Helicopter Dock ( LHD ) at the Hudong Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai on April 22nd .
The vessel is intended for the People ’ s Liberation Army Navy ( PLAN ) .
The first-in-class amphibious vessel , which was launched 6 months ago , and is currently at fitting out stage at the shipyard .
There was an incident on April 11th , which saw the ship catch fire .
Regardless , it is notable that the first ship of the class was launched just 6 months ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ timeline , with Beijing focusing heavily on increasing the capabilities of the PLAN .
This could be dictated by the continuous provocations by the United States in the South China Sea , as China tries to defend its interests in the region , surrounding its artificial islands .
There are also rumors that a third type 075 is also already under construction , which would make the speed at which these massive ships are built even more amazing .
The Chinese Navy officially started development work on the Type 075 in 2011 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ displacing more than 30,000 tonnes .
Its aim is likely to increase the “ vertical ” amphibious assault capability with the very mountainous East Coast of Taiwan in mind .
As for its specifications , rumors speak of “ 36,000 tons of displacement ” , “ capacity of 28 helicopters ” , “ diesel engine with the 9,000 kW 16PC2-6B ” and “ four CIWS including two HQ-10 and two H/PJ-11 ” .
The first Type 075 was constructed in record time ( this has become the norm nowadays , for Chinese shipbuilding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one can match ) .
An even larger amphibious warship is rumored to also be planned for construction .
The Type 075 LHD is designed to give the Chinese navy the ability to launch various types of helicopters to attack naval vessels , enemy ground forces or submarines .
The vessels will also be able to deploy landing craft and troops , plus house command and control operations .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • In Photos : Fire Breaks Out On China ’ s New Type 075 Amphibious Assault Ship • Can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?

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China launched its second amphibious ship, the Type 075 Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) at the Hudong Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai on April 22nd.
The vessel is intended for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
The first-in-class amphibious vessel, which was launched 6 months ago, and is currently at fitting out stage at the shipyard. There was an incident on April 11th, which saw the ship catch fire.
According to several eyewitnesses a fire broke out this morning on the 1st PLAN Type 075 LHD, which is currently being fitted out at the Hudong shipyard in Shanghai. It seems as if the fire was quickly put out but how it will affect the ship's schedule is not clear now. pic.twitter.com/OZCYjbRe1t — @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) April 11, 2020
The communist party of China in Shanghai to build the latest 075 warships. Black smoke curled up the ship. It is one of the PLA navy is building large amphibious assault ships, for the navy's largest amphibious warship, has a hangar, can carry nearly 30 helicopters. pic.twitter.com/RslXZp4n2O — Robin5 (@Robin579384016) April 11, 2020
Regardless, it is notable that the first ship of the class was launched just 6 months ago, this appears to be an incredibly accelerated timeline, with Beijing focusing heavily on increasing the capabilities of the PLAN. This could be dictated by the continuous provocations by the United States in the South China Sea, as China tries to defend its interests in the region, surrounding its artificial islands.
There are also rumors that a third type 075 is also already under construction, which would make the speed at which these massive ships are built even more amazing.
The Chinese Navy officially started development work on the Type 075 in 2011. The project called for a helicopter carrier displacing more than 30,000 tonnes. Its aim is likely to increase the “vertical” amphibious assault capability with the very mountainous East Coast of Taiwan in mind.
As for its specifications, rumors speak of “36,000 tons of displacement”, “capacity of 28 helicopters”, “diesel engine with the 9,000 kW 16PC2-6B” and “four CIWS including two HQ-10 and two H/PJ-11”.
The first Type 075 was constructed in record time (this has become the norm nowadays, for Chinese shipbuilding: extremely fast construction pace that no one can match). An even larger amphibious warship is rumored to also be planned for construction.
The Type 075 LHD is designed to give the Chinese navy the ability to launch various types of helicopters to attack naval vessels, enemy ground forces or submarines. The vessels will also be able to deploy landing craft and troops, plus house command and control operations.
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southfront--2020-05-13--Philip M. Giraldi: “Israel to Annex the United States”

Written by Philip M. Giraldi ; Originally appeared at The Unz Review As the Beatles once put it , “ I read the news today , oh boy… ” One might argue that the “ oh boy ” has been part and parcel of one ’ s morning media review ever since 9/11 , but depending on one ’ s own inclinations , the daily content might well be considered particularly depressing over the past several years .
As regular readers of Unz.com will already know , my particular perception is that the American “ special relationship ” with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States and for the entire Middle East region , to include even Israel itself .
Israel has used the uncritical U.S. support it has enjoyed since the time of Lyndon Johnson to pursue unwise policies vis-à-vis its neighbors that have drawn Washington into conflicts that would have been avoided .
It has meanwhile exploited the power of its formidable domestic lobby to bleed the U.S. Treasury of well over $ 100 billion in direct grants plus three times that much in terms of largely hidden trade and co-production arrangements approved by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controlled media .
In return , the United States has wound up with a “ best friend and ally ” that has spied on the U.S. , stolen its technology , corrupted its government processes and lied consistently about its neighbors to create a so Americans can die in pointless wars rather than Israelis .
The Lavon Affair and the attack on the U.S.S .
Liberty reveal that Israel ’ s government will kill Americans when it suits them to do so , knowing full well that the sycophants in Washington and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the affront .
Over the past three years Donald J. Trump has delivered on his promise to be the “ best friend in Washington that Israel has ever had.
” He appointed his own bankruptcy lawyer and arch Zionist David Friedman as U.S .
Ambassador , a man who clearly sees his mission as promoting Israeli interests rather than those of the United States .
Israel has illegally exploited an American green light to declare all of Jerusalem its capital and Trump has obligingly moved the U.S. Embassy to suit .
The Jewish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legally to be “ Jewish ” and no longer anything like a democracy , has also illegally annexed the occupied Syrian Golan Heights and is now preparing to assimilate much of the formerly Palestinian West Bank .
Expulsion of nearly all remaining Palestinians , even the ones who are Israeli citizens , will no doubt come next and has in fact been called for by some Jewish politicians .
The extreme Israel-philia embraced by the White House and Congress has , , meant unrelenting hostility towards both Iran and Syria , neither of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the American people or to any genuine U.S. interests .
Friedman has even distorted the State Department ’ s use of the English language , the “ occupied ” West Bank is now referred to as “ disputed ” or “ contested.
” Friedman , who has disregarded existing U.S. law by contributing to Israel ’ s illegal settlements , has consistently served as an apologist for Israeli snipers shooting unarmed demonstrators in Gaza and for his much beloved rampaging settlers destroying the livelihoods of Palestinian farmers .
The record is appalling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to return to the “ news today , ” an article that appeared last Thursday in the still had the power to make me spill my cup of coffee in disbelief .
The headline read “ Friedman : Second Trump term could take U.S.-Israel ties to next level .
” I was not sure if I wanted to read the piece at all as I feared that it would probably mandate transferring the U.S. Treasury Department to Jerusalem and placing the Pentagon under the control of Benjamin Netanyahu .
Meanwhile , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checkpoints when traveling between states and would only be able to find Untermensch work growing cabbages on a sprawling network of kibbutzes .
As it turned out , of course , the Friedman interview with journalists was all about Israel , not the United States , even though there was some vague nonsense about the Trump so-called peace plan munificently ending most conflict in the Middle East region and thereby benefiting Americans .
Friedman began with “ We need to maximize mutual benefits of the relationship in ways I don ’ t think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are one ’ s imagination as to where we can go.
” If Friedman meant that the U.S. has not reaped any of the “ mutual benefits ” he is undoubtedly correct , but somehow I don ’ t think that was his intention .
And there certainly has been a lot of imagination in the convoluted and often hidden Israeli Lobby schemes to bilk the American taxpayer over the course of the past 75 years .
Friedman characterized the situation before the Embassy move as “ We were applying a double standard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country in the world .
We were telling Israel , you don ’ t have the right to choose your capital city… And it ’ s not just any capital ; it ’ s Jerusalem.
” Wrong , Dave .
The problem with Jerusalem is that the Jewish state wanted its capital on land that it controlled but did not own under international law and through the agreements that led to the founding of Israel .
Pretending that there is some special right through divine providence doesn ’ t change that one bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment that illustrated just how warped the Trump view of Israel actually is .
Apparently , Friedman and the president-elect had discussions on moving the Embassy prior to inauguration day “ with some officials predicting that he was going to announce the move the same day as his inauguration on January 20 , 2017 .
That didn ’ t happen , Friedman said , because first conversations were needed in all of the different government offices – State Department , the Pentagon and more.
” That Trump was willing to highlight and promote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the very day he was inaugurated is more than just telling , it is bizarre .
Symbols are apparently also dear to the heart of David Friedman .
“ Americans who support Israel understand the significance of Jerusalem .
It ’ s what the Statue of Liberty , the Lincoln Memorial , Plymouth Rock and Valley Forge are… Because America was founded on those types of principles , Americans profoundly understand the importance of Jerusalem to the State of Israel.
” Friedman added that retaining symbols like Hebron , which is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DNA ” is also an important element in the Trump “ peace plan.
” Whoa , David , it ’ s convenient to cite the American experience to justify what Israel is doing but the United States at least ostensibly was founded on the principle that “ all men are created equal.
” Israel is by law an apartheid state based on religion .
And when last I checked Hebron was a predominantly Palestinian city under military occupation to protect the settler interlopers who are working hard to drive out the original residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1994 Ibrahimi Mosque massacre of Palestinian worshippers carried out by Brooklyn-born Jewish fanatic Baruch Goldstein .
Twenty-nine Palestinians were killed .
Yes , “ biblical DNA ” seems to fit just right if one considers the fate of the Canaanites .
And Friedman had something to say about the planned July 1st Israeli annexation of “ West Bank settlements , biblical sites and the Jordan Valley.
” He provided a Trump Administration green light saying “ We will be ready to address this issue if Israel is ready .
Ultimately , as Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s decision .
They have to decide what they want to do.
” According to Friedman , the Trump administration ’ s “ vision for peace ” would allow Israel to directly annex 30 % of the West Bank and exercise control over most of the remainder , which would include “ all settlements and the entire Jordan Valley.
” The Palestinians would have no control over water resources or even their own airspace .
Mapping the precise details is currently subject to “ judgment calls in Israel ’ s court.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is by Israel with the full backing of the United States .
The peace plan has been rightly characterized as a complete surrender to Israeli interests with the Palestinians having no say in the outcome .
Friedman also described the importance of sending a clear message to the Palestinians blaming them for everything to include the denial of basic human rights , which is in fact an Israeli specialty .
“ If you tell the Palestinians that no matter what happens , no matter how recalcitrant you are , no matter how malign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you fail to observe basic human rights for your own people – with all that , you still get to veto the rights of the Jewish people and the State of Israel and their unquestionable capital… it ’ s just the wrong signal.
” And where to go from here ?
Friedman opines that “ the equation of U.S.-Israel relations needs to be flipped .
Rather than Americans seeing themselves as helping Israel , they must realize how much Israel can do for the U.S. – for example , by putting groundbreaking Israeli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first.
” Sure , steal the technology , re-engineer it , and then quietly arrange sweetheart trade deals through one ’ s co-religionists to sell it back to the suckers in the United States .
The interview concludes with Friedman ’ s prediction that “ Should Trump be reelected , there will be many more opportunities for deepening the connections between the U.S. and Israel.
” If that is all true , we Americans might as well surrender our sovereignty right now and save ourselves the pain of going through another corrupt presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is Executive Director of the Council for the National Interest , a 501 ( c ) 3 tax deductible educational foundation ( Federal ID Number # 52-1739023 ) that seeks a more interests-based U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East .
Website is councilforthenationalinterest.org , address is P.O .
Box 2157 , Purcellville VA 20134 and its email is inform @ cnionline.org .

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Written by Philip M. Giraldi; Originally appeared at The Unz Review
As the Beatles once put it, “I read the news today, oh boy…” One might argue that the “oh boy” has been part and parcel of one’s morning media review ever since 9/11, but depending on one’s own inclinations, the daily content might well be considered particularly depressing over the past several years. As regular readers of Unz.com will already know, my particular perception is that the American “special relationship” with the Jewish state has been a disaster for the United States and for the entire Middle East region, to include even Israel itself. Israel has used the uncritical U.S. support it has enjoyed since the time of Lyndon Johnson to pursue unwise policies vis-à-vis its neighbors that have drawn Washington into conflicts that would have been avoided. It has meanwhile exploited the power of its formidable domestic lobby to bleed the U.S. Treasury of well over $100 billion in direct grants plus three times that much in terms of largely hidden trade and co-production arrangements approved by a subservient Congress and endorsed by a controlled media.
In return, the United States has wound up with a “best friend and ally” that has spied on the U.S., stolen its technology, corrupted its government processes and lied consistently about its neighbors to create a casus belli so Americans can die in pointless wars rather than Israelis. The Lavon Affair and the attack on the U.S.S. Liberty reveal that Israel’s government will kill Americans when it suits them to do so, knowing full well that the sycophants in Washington and the Jewish dominated media will hardly whimper at the affront.
Over the past three years Donald J. Trump has delivered on his promise to be the “best friend in Washington that Israel has ever had.” He appointed his own bankruptcy lawyer and arch Zionist David Friedman as U.S. Ambassador, a man who clearly sees his mission as promoting Israeli interests rather than those of the United States. Israel has illegally exploited an American green light to declare all of Jerusalem its capital and Trump has obligingly moved the U.S. Embassy to suit. The Jewish state, which has inevitably declared itself legally to be “Jewish” and no longer anything like a democracy, has also illegally annexed the occupied Syrian Golan Heights and is now preparing to assimilate much of the formerly Palestinian West Bank. Expulsion of nearly all remaining Palestinians, even the ones who are Israeli citizens, will no doubt come next and has in fact been called for by some Jewish politicians. The extreme Israel-philia embraced by the White House and Congress has, inter alia, meant unrelenting hostility towards both Iran and Syria, neither of which poses any real threat or challenge to the American people or to any genuine U.S. interests.
Friedman has even distorted the State Department’s use of the English language, the “occupied” West Bank is now referred to as “disputed” or “contested.” Friedman, who has disregarded existing U.S. law by contributing to Israel’s illegal settlements, has consistently served as an apologist for Israeli snipers shooting unarmed demonstrators in Gaza and for his much beloved rampaging settlers destroying the livelihoods of Palestinian farmers.
The record is appalling, thank you Mr. Trump, but, to return to the “news today,” an article that appeared last Thursday in the Jerusalem Post still had the power to make me spill my cup of coffee in disbelief. The headline read “Friedman: Second Trump term could take U.S.-Israel ties to next level.” I was not sure if I wanted to read the piece at all as I feared that it would probably mandate transferring the U.S. Treasury Department to Jerusalem and placing the Pentagon under the control of Benjamin Netanyahu. Meanwhile, we Americans would be required to cross through checkpoints when traveling between states and would only be able to find Untermensch work growing cabbages on a sprawling network of kibbutzes.
As it turned out, of course, the Friedman interview with Jerusalem Post journalists was all about Israel, not the United States, even though there was some vague nonsense about the Trump so-called peace plan munificently ending most conflict in the Middle East region and thereby benefiting Americans. Friedman began with “We need to maximize mutual benefits of the relationship in ways I don’t think have happened before. The only limits are one’s imagination as to where we can go.” If Friedman meant that the U.S. has not reaped any of the “mutual benefits” he is undoubtedly correct, but somehow I don’t think that was his intention. And there certainly has been a lot of imagination in the convoluted and often hidden Israeli Lobby schemes to bilk the American taxpayer over the course of the past 75 years.
Friedman characterized the situation before the Embassy move as “We were applying a double standard to Israel, relative to every other country in the world. We were telling Israel, you don’t have the right to choose your capital city… And it’s not just any capital; it’s Jerusalem.” Wrong, Dave. The problem with Jerusalem is that the Jewish state wanted its capital on land that it controlled but did not own under international law and through the agreements that led to the founding of Israel. Pretending that there is some special right through divine providence doesn’t change that one bit.
Friedman also had the interesting sidebar comment that illustrated just how warped the Trump view of Israel actually is. Apparently, Friedman and the president-elect had discussions on moving the Embassy prior to inauguration day “with some officials predicting that he was going to announce the move the same day as his inauguration on January 20, 2017. That didn’t happen, Friedman said, because first conversations were needed in all of the different government offices – State Department, the Pentagon and more.” That Trump was willing to highlight and promote a major pander to the Israel Lobby on the very day he was inaugurated is more than just telling, it is bizarre.
Symbols are apparently also dear to the heart of David Friedman. “Americans who support Israel understand the significance of Jerusalem. It’s what the Statue of Liberty, the Lincoln Memorial, Plymouth Rock and Valley Forge are… Because America was founded on those types of principles, Americans profoundly understand the importance of Jerusalem to the State of Israel.” Friedman added that retaining symbols like Hebron, which is in the Jewish people’s “biblical DNA” is also an important element in the Trump “peace plan.”
Whoa, David, it’s convenient to cite the American experience to justify what Israel is doing but the United States at least ostensibly was founded on the principle that “all men are created equal.” Israel is by law an apartheid state based on religion. And when last I checked Hebron was a predominantly Palestinian city under military occupation to protect the settler interlopers who are working hard to drive out the original residents. It is the site of the 1994 Ibrahimi Mosque massacre of Palestinian worshippers carried out by Brooklyn-born Jewish fanatic Baruch Goldstein. Twenty-nine Palestinians were killed. Yes, “biblical DNA” seems to fit just right if one considers the fate of the Canaanites.
And Friedman had something to say about the planned July 1st Israeli annexation of “West Bank settlements, biblical sites and the Jordan Valley.” He provided a Trump Administration green light saying “We will be ready to address this issue if Israel is ready. Ultimately, as Secretary Pompeo said, it’s Israel’s decision. They have to decide what they want to do.” According to Friedman, the Trump administration’s “vision for peace” would allow Israel to directly annex 30% of the West Bank and exercise control over most of the remainder, which would include “all settlements and the entire Jordan Valley.” The Palestinians would have no control over water resources or even their own airspace. Mapping the precise details is currently subject to “judgment calls in Israel’s court.” Note that all the critical decision making is by Israel with the full backing of the United States. The peace plan has been rightly characterized as a complete surrender to Israeli interests with the Palestinians having no say in the outcome.
Friedman also described the importance of sending a clear message to the Palestinians blaming them for everything to include the denial of basic human rights, which is in fact an Israeli specialty. “If you tell the Palestinians that no matter what happens, no matter how recalcitrant you are, no matter how malign your activities are, no matter how you fail to observe basic human rights for your own people – with all that, you still get to veto the rights of the Jewish people and the State of Israel and their unquestionable capital… it’s just the wrong signal.”
And where to go from here? Friedman opines that “the equation of U.S.-Israel relations needs to be flipped. Rather than Americans seeing themselves as helping Israel, they must realize how much Israel can do for the U.S. – for example, by putting groundbreaking Israeli innovations on the market in the U.S. first.” Sure, steal the technology, re-engineer it, and then quietly arrange sweetheart trade deals through one’s co-religionists to sell it back to the suckers in the United States.
The Jerusalem Post interview concludes with Friedman’s prediction that “Should Trump be reelected, there will be many more opportunities for deepening the connections between the U.S. and Israel.” If that is all true, we Americans might as well surrender our sovereignty right now and save ourselves the pain of going through another corrupt presidential election.
Philip M. Giraldi, Ph.D., is Executive Director of the Council for the National Interest, a 501(c)3 tax deductible educational foundation (Federal ID Number #52-1739023) that seeks a more interests-based U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Website is councilforthenationalinterest.org, address is P.O. Box 2157, Purcellville VA 20134 and its email is inform@cnionline.org.
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southfront--2020-05-13--In Videos: Syrians Block US Military Column In Al-Hasakah Province

lolol stop crying motherfucker…..sooner or later you NAZIS will looser thousands of men hahahaha… look how scared the dirty american @ @ @ @ @ sooner or later YOU AMERICANS are Nothing more than JEW SLAVES…..hahahaha sending your sons to @ @ @ @ @ the JEWS .
U FOLKS are so ridiculous…….no Food at home..homelessness…massive heroin epidemic… and the @ @ @ @ @ fucking YOUR USA Kids…….wow you american Folks cant get any lower… .
ps .
was @ @ @ @ @ Girls that JEW EPSTEIN fucked up her american ass ?
?
?

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Patriotic Syrian locals have blocked a US military convoy near the town of Tell Tamra in the province of al-Hasakah. The incident happened near the village of Alkareha.
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southfront--2020-05-13--A Close Look At Efforts Of Pro-NATO Propaganda Units Behind the Scenes Of SouthFront Censorship

Pro-NATO propaganda units have broadcasted a new episode of their censorship excuse series .
On May 5th , the Atlantic Council ’ s Digital Forensic Research Lab ( DFRLab ) , published a new piece designed to label SouthFront as official Russian propaganda .
( LINK ) The article employs a twisted , yet sophisticated , style of mixing words , pictures and public facts in order to support the Atlantic Council ’ s agenda .
It largely attempts to build an association between SouthFront and News Front , and in so doing , relies heavily , if not entirely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SouthFront as official Russian propaganda .
Throughout its report , the DFRLab fails to provide a single example of any association between the two entities , providing zero evidence .
The DFRLab “ hit piece ” fully confirms the conclusions reached by our analysis “ An In-Depth Look Behind the Scenes of SouthFront Censorship ” , published last week .
Thus , we would like to extend a big thank you to the team of DFRLab .
Thanks to their incompetence , they provided us with overwhelming evidence for the upcoming court case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s take a closer look at the DFRLab ’ s published “ report ” .
As we have already pointed out , in order to label SouthFront as official Russian propaganda , NATO propagandists first identify another media site with a similar name , and then proceed to emphasize the similarity of the two brands .
During the entire article , DFRLab proceeds to regularly put the SouthFront name next to that of News Front , as if in a crime witness line-up , and yet 90 % of the text is dedicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paragraphs are dedicated to an overview of open data about the founders and editors of News Front .
In order to paint a picture of the supposed malign behavior of News Front , the DFLab authors added to the report such names as RT , Sputniknews , Mehr , Press TV .
In other words , media sites whose affiliation with state governments is a declared matter of public record .
SouthFront is only sparingly mentioned during this entire segment .
For example , the authors added a single screenshot of the deleted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Most of the assets that DFRLab had access to did not hide their connection to South Front or News Front.
” Any reader , even the most loyal of DFRLab followers , would be surprised by such an almost subliminal attempt to conflate the two organizations .
What is the aim of the authors in presenting to the audience this screenshot ?
If they were trying to display their deep investigative research in concluding that the screenshot belongs to SouthFront , then we can only say , thank you Captain Obvious .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again forgets about SouthFront all together and focuses on publishing screenshots demonstrating that News Front ’ s various Facebook pages were linked with one another .
All Facebook pages run by a single organization are linked .
What a surprise !
Bravo DFRLabs for this brilliant deduction .
We do not know if there are any violations of journalistic norms or Facebook ’ s Terms of Service on the part of News Front .
In any case , it remains unclear how the big international team of authors working under the brand of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to News Front in any way .
Instead the DFRLab authors resort to a little bit of journalistic “ sleight of hand.
” From this quote , it becomes clear that they accuse SouthFront ’ s Facebook page ( https : //www.facebook.com/southFrontEnTwo/ ) of using “ sockpuppet ” accounts to push content ; however , they decline to provide any evidence to confirm this claim , because it is simply a blatant lie .
At this point in the article , DFRLab focuses on juggling screenshots of News Front and Anna News accounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agenda they are trying to peddle to the reader .
Vague conspiracy reasoning of the authors regarding News Front and Anna News continues almost until the end of the article .
After this , they once again , without any pretext , mention SouthFront .
This claim demonstrates that DFRLab team members have never actually read any of the content available on southfront.org and know nothing about SouthFront ’ s long history of accomplished work , content and editorial policy .
Instead , they resort to simple dishonesty .
To push their stated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our old acquaintances from EUvsdisinfo : If EUvsdisinfo is the only source of DFRLab ’ s revelations about SouthFront , this explains the poor quality of the article .
On May 6th , SouthFront released an in-depth look at claims made by EUvsdidinfo regarding SouthFront .
In its recent article vilifying SouthFront , this pro-NATO propaganda unit cherry-picks a mere 3 of approximately 3,000 articles released by SouthFront since the start of the year .
Near the end of the report , having realized that their ‘ investigation ’ is long on inuendo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their imaginary conspiracy , DFRLabs presented the coup de grace .
They found two Facebook pages “ ZuidFront ” and “ South Front Netherlands ” and published 3 screenshots of posts from these pages dated 2015 , 2016 and 2017 .
The Facebook post of “ ZuidFront ” demonstrates the position of then DPR head Alexander Zakharchenko towards Brexit , while two SouthFront Netherlands posts are dedicated to the MH17 case .
The DFRLab article then presents a screenshot of the “ South Front Netherlands ” description which states that the page is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that translate content of SouthFront and other media organizations .
The screenshots posted by DFRLab are below : SouthFront : Analysis & Intelligence is an independent group of authors from around the world that focuses on issues of international relations , armed conflicts and crises .
The individuals that run “ ZuidFront ” and “ South Front Netherlands ” made use of the umbrella brand of SouthFront , but operated independently .
We regularly receive emails and messages from people that want to contribute their efforts to share and promote an independent point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world .
SouthFront always tries to provide them with technical help , advice and other assistance .
We have repeatedly done this in the past and will continue to do this .
Another ridiculous attempt by the DFRLab authors to link SouthFront with News Front is through the use of various screenshots and statistics regarding the posting of content on News Front ’ s Facebook page .
The main point is that News Front published some southfront.org content on their Facebook page .
Until recently , and largely as a result of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little about News Front .
The only contact that we had with any of the other sites mentioned was with Anna News in 2016 , when Anna News translated several SouthFront videos into Russian on their own initiative .
These examples are the few meager “ contacts ” that SouthFront has had with the group of nefarious Russian organizations mentioned in the DFLab hit piece .
Furthermore , DFRLab failed to specify how many News Front articles were published by SouhFront ’ s Facebook page .
Why ?
The answer is simple : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News Front articles .
All content published on our Facebook page originated from southfront.org .
SouthFront is also mentioned again in the conclusion of the DFRLab piece .
The incompetence of the authors is perplexing , as they assert that in general , SouthFront specializes in covering the conflict in Ukraine .
The conflict in eastern Ukraine is just one among the many conflicts covered by SouthFront .
In the recent years , accounting for only 1.5 % of SouthFront content .
Now that we realize how especially concerned the pro-NATO propagandists are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine , we promise to contribute far more time and energy in our efforts to cover developments in Ukraine and Eastern Europe in general .
We suggest that you read the DFRLab piece for yourselves and make your own conclusions regarding this comedy series promoted by DFRLab and EUvsdisinfo , and the intellectual potential of these organizations that operate thanks to taxpayers ’ money .
Their efforts would be truly laughable , if not for their total disregard for journalistic integrity and the pursuit of truth .
YOU CAN HELP SOUTHFRONT TO CONTINUE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via VISA , PayPal , Paysafecard , Bitcoin and other options .
This systems accepts all types of cards , PayPal , Amazon Payments , bitcoin ( FAQ is under the main text , in P.S . )
You can subscribe for a monthly donation of $ 15 ( or any another amount ) OR make one time donation by clicking buttons below

Support SouthFront
Pro-NATO propaganda units have broadcasted a new episode of their censorship excuse series.
On May 5th, the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab), published a new piece designed to label SouthFront as official Russian propaganda. (LINK) The article employs a twisted, yet sophisticated, style of mixing words, pictures and public facts in order to support the Atlantic Council’s agenda. It largely attempts to build an association between SouthFront and News Front, and in so doing, relies heavily, if not entirely on guilt by association, to label SouthFront as official Russian propaganda. Throughout its report, the DFRLab fails to provide a single example of any association between the two entities, providing zero evidence.
The DFRLab “hit piece” fully confirms the conclusions reached by our analysis “An In-Depth Look Behind the Scenes of SouthFront Censorship”, published last week. Thus, we would like to extend a big thank you to the team of DFRLab. Thanks to their incompetence, they provided us with overwhelming evidence for the upcoming court case against Facebook and YouTube.
Let’s take a closer look at the DFRLab’s published “report”. As we have already pointed out, in order to label SouthFront as official Russian propaganda, NATO propagandists first identify another media site with a similar name, and then proceed to emphasize the similarity of the two brands.
The name of this organization is “News Front”, which indeed shares the word “Front” in its name, yet the similarities end there. News Front is an official Russian organization that is located in Crimea and publicly pursues an acute pro-Russian patriotic informational agenda for a Russian speaking audience.
During the entire article, DFRLab proceeds to regularly put the SouthFront name next to that of News Front, as if in a crime witness line-up, and yet 90% of the text is dedicated to News Front. The first 12 paragraphs are dedicated to an overview of open data about the founders and editors of News Front. In order to paint a picture of the supposed malign behavior of News Front, the DFLab authors added to the report such names as RT, Sputniknews, Mehr, Press TV. In other words, media sites whose affiliation with state governments is a declared matter of public record.
SouthFront is only sparingly mentioned during this entire segment. For example, the authors added a single screenshot of the deleted Facebook page of SouthFront claiming that “Most of the assets that DFRLab had access to did not hide their connection to South Front or News Front.”
Any reader, even the most loyal of DFRLab followers, would be surprised by such an almost subliminal attempt to conflate the two organizations. What is the aim of the authors in presenting to the audience this screenshot? If they were trying to display their deep investigative research in concluding that the screenshot belongs to SouthFront, then we can only say, thank you Captain Obvious.
At this point, this brilliant investigation once again forgets about SouthFront all together and focuses on publishing screenshots demonstrating that News Front’s various Facebook pages were linked with one another. All Facebook pages run by a single organization are linked. What a surprise! Bravo DFRLabs for this brilliant deduction.
We do not know if there are any violations of journalistic norms or Facebook’s Terms of Service on the part of News Front. In any case, it remains unclear how the big international team of authors working under the brand of SouthFront: Analysis & Intelligence is linked to News Front in any way. Instead the DFRLab authors resort to a little bit of journalistic “sleight of hand.”
“Though the DFRLab did not find that the accounts involved used inauthentic means at scale, there were clear attempts to use sockpuppet accounts to push content, especially in promoting News Front and South Front stories.”
From this quote, it becomes clear that they accuse SouthFront’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/southFrontEnTwo/) of using “sockpuppet” accounts to push content; however, they decline to provide any evidence to confirm this claim, because it is simply a blatant lie.
At this point in the article, DFRLab focuses on juggling screenshots of News Front and Anna News accounts related to various aspects of the pro-Russian agenda they are trying to peddle to the reader. Vague conspiracy reasoning of the authors regarding News Front and Anna News continues almost until the end of the article. After this, they once again, without any pretext, mention SouthFront.
“South Front features similar content to News Front, but the former mostly posts military-related analysis.”
This claim demonstrates that DFRLab team members have never actually read any of the content available on southfront.org and know nothing about SouthFront’s long history of accomplished work, content and editorial policy. Instead, they resort to simple dishonesty. To push their stated agenda, they enlist the aid of our old acquaintances from EUvsdisinfo:
“According to EUvsDisinfo, the outlet shares Russian talking points “verbatim” and is “frequently featured in [its] database of cases of disinformation.”
If EUvsdisinfo is the only source of DFRLab’s revelations about SouthFront, this explains the poor quality of the article. On May 6th, SouthFront released an in-depth look at claims made by EUvsdidinfo regarding SouthFront. In its recent article vilifying SouthFront, this pro-NATO propaganda unit cherry-picks a mere 3 of approximately 3,000 articles released by SouthFront since the start of the year.
Near the end of the report, having realized that their ‘investigation’ is long on inuendo and short on facts implicating SouthFront in their imaginary conspiracy, DFRLabs presented the coup de grace. They found two Facebook pages “ZuidFront” and “South Front Netherlands” and published 3 screenshots of posts from these pages dated 2015, 2016 and 2017. The Facebook post of “ZuidFront” demonstrates the position of then DPR head Alexander Zakharchenko towards Brexit, while two SouthFront Netherlands posts are dedicated to the MH17 case. The DFRLab article then presents a screenshot of the “South Front Netherlands” description which states that the page is run by a group of Dutch citizens that translate content of SouthFront and other media organizations.
The screenshots posted by DFRLab are below:
SouthFront: Analysis & Intelligence is an independent group of authors from around the world that focuses on issues of international relations, armed conflicts and crises. The individuals that run “ZuidFront” and “South Front Netherlands” made use of the umbrella brand of SouthFront, but operated independently. We regularly receive emails and messages from people that want to contribute their efforts to share and promote an independent point of view on key developments around the world. SouthFront always tries to provide them with technical help, advice and other assistance. We have repeatedly done this in the past and will continue to do this.
Another ridiculous attempt by the DFRLab authors to link SouthFront with News Front is through the use of various screenshots and statistics regarding the posting of content on News Front’s Facebook page. The main point is that News Front published some southfront.org content on their Facebook page.
Until recently, and largely as a result of this issue, the SouthFront team knew very little about News Front. The only contact that we had with any of the other sites mentioned was with Anna News in 2016, when Anna News translated several SouthFront videos into Russian on their own initiative. These examples are the few meager “contacts” that SouthFront has had with the group of nefarious Russian organizations mentioned in the DFLab hit piece. Furthermore, DFRLab failed to specify how many News Front articles were published by SouhFront’s Facebook page. Why? The answer is simple: the SouthFront Facebook page has never posted News Front articles. All content published on our Facebook page originated from southfront.org.
SouthFront is also mentioned again in the conclusion of the DFRLab piece. The incompetence of the authors is perplexing, as they assert that in general, SouthFront specializes in covering the conflict in Ukraine.
The conflict in eastern Ukraine is just one among the many conflicts covered by SouthFront. In the recent years, accounting for only 1.5% of SouthFront content. Now that we realize how especially concerned the pro-NATO propagandists are by alternative coverage of the conflict in Ukraine, we promise to contribute far more time and energy in our efforts to cover developments in Ukraine and Eastern Europe in general.
Dear friends,
We suggest that you read the DFRLab piece for yourselves and make your own conclusions regarding this comedy series promoted by DFRLab and EUvsdisinfo, and the intellectual potential of these organizations that operate thanks to taxpayers’ money. Their efforts would be truly laughable, if not for their total disregard for journalistic integrity and the pursuit of truth.
YOU CAN HELP SOUTHFRONT TO CONTINUE ITS WORK BY YOUR DONATIONS:
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southfront--2020-05-13--Russia Launches Its First Aframax Tanker “Vladimir Monomakh” At Zvezda Shipyard

On May 12 , the first Russian Aframax tanker “ Vladimir Monomakh ” was launched at the Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex @ @ @ @ @ designed to transport oil in unrestricted navigation .
The main and additional power supply units @ @ @ @ @ on both traditional and green fuel , the liquefied natural gas , which meets new @ @ @ @ @ vessel ’ s length is 250m , width 44m , deadweight 114,000t , speed 14.6knots @ @ @ @ @ ice class ICE-1A .
There are 12 orders for vessels of this type in Zvezda @ @ @ @ @ ON THE TOPIC :

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On May 12, the first Russian Aframax tanker “Vladimir Monomakh” was launched at the Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex. The new-generation tanker is designed to transport oil in unrestricted navigation.
The main and additional power supply units of the vessel can operate on both traditional and green fuel, the liquefied natural gas, which meets new world environmental standards. The vessel’s length is 250m, width 44m, deadweight 114,000t, speed 14.6knots. The tanker’s ice class ICE-1A.
There are 12 orders for vessels of this type in Zvezda’s portfolio.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
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southfront--2020-05-13--In Video: Turkish Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles Target Equipment Of Libyan Army Near Tripoli

On May 13 , pro-Turkish sources released a video showing Turkish drone strikes on equipment of the Libyan National Army @ @ @ @ @ hours earlier , the Libyan National Army shot down a Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat @ @ @ @ @ area .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • In Photos : Libyan National Army Shot @ @ @ @ @

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On May 13, pro-Turkish sources released a video showing Turkish drone strikes on equipment of the Libyan National Army near Tripoli.
تواصل طائرات المسيرة تابعة لحكومة_الوفاق_الوطني الليبي استهداف مليشيات #الحفتر التي تهاجم عاصمة #طرابلس. pic.twitter.com/SlH0OOEQJ0 — Clash Report (@clashreport) May 13, 2020
A few hours earlier, the Libyan National Army shot down a Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicle in the same area.
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southfront--2020-05-13--Syrian Army Repels Large ISIS Attack In Northwestern Deir Ezzor

Late on May 11 , ISIS cells launched a large attack on Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) positions in @ @ @ @ @ Deir Ezzor countryside .
SAA troops , backed by the National Defense Forces ( NDF @ @ @ @ @ in the early hours of the next day following fierce clashes .
Heavy weapons were @ @ @ @ @ .
ISIS cells withdrew back to their positions in the Homs desert after the failed @ @ @ @ @ behind some of their equipment including a pick-up truck .
According to the London-based Syrian @ @ @ @ @ SOHR ) , the army lost six of its soldiers in the clashes .
Three @ @ @ @ @ killed .
The attack on Mount Bishri was one of ISIS ’ largest attacks in @ @ @ @ @ The mountain , which rises 825 m above sea level , overlooks vast parts of @ @ @ @ @ Raqqa and eastern Homs .
ISIS ’ attempt to capture positions in the mountain reflects @ @ @ @ @ to reestablish a foothold in western Euphrates .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC :

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Late on May 11, ISIS cells launched a large attack on Syrian Arab Army (SAA) positions in Mount Bishri in the northwestern Deir Ezzor countryside.
SAA troops, backed by the National Defense Forces (NDF), repelled the attack in the early hours of the next day following fierce clashes. Heavy weapons were used by the both sides.
ISIS cells withdrew back to their positions in the Homs desert after the failed attack. The terrorist left behind some of their equipment including a pick-up truck.
NDF caputered ISIS pickup in Bishri mountain after today clashes pic.twitter.com/wywn8cpEPX — ZOKA (@200_zoka) May 12, 2020
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the army lost six of its soldiers in the clashes. Three terrorists of ISIS were also killed.
The attack on Mount Bishri was one of ISIS’ largest attacks in Deir Ezzor this year. The mountain, which rises 825 m above sea level, overlooks vast parts of western Deir Ezzor, southern Raqqa and eastern Homs.
ISIS’ attempt to capture positions in the mountain reflects the group’s ambition to reestablish a foothold in western Euphrates.
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southfront--2020-05-13--Development of the Israeli Air Force Tactical Fighter Fleet

Written by A. Marsov ; Originally appeared at Foreign Military Review # 4 2019 , translated by AlexD exclusively for SouthFront The Israel Defence Ministry is modernising the Air Force combat aircraft fleet on a ten-year period .
The main part of the Israeli attack aircraft at the present stage is tactical fighters ( TF ) F-16 “ Fighting Falcon ” of various modifications , F-15C , D “ Eagle ” and F-15I “ Ra ’ am ” ( about 300 units in total ) .
In addition , in order to rapidly build up the combat potential of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is planned to put into operation at least 150 F-4E “ Phantom ” , “ Kfir ” and A-4 “ Hok ” ( these aircraft are not in operation and are in long-term storage ) .
The main efforts of the Israeli leadership are aimed at purchasing 50 American fifth-generation F-35A Lightning-2 TF before 2024 .
As of December 2018 , the 140th Aviation Squadron Golden Eagle ( AvB Tell el Milch ) received 14 such aircraft .
At the same time , according to the Western expert community , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this type for the Israeli Air Force , including modifications with short ( vertical ) take-off and landing – F-35B .
It should be noted that the enterprises of the Israeli military-industrial complex ( MIC ) are actively involved in the design and mass production of certain components of the fifth-generation aircraft .
In particular , Elbit Systems is one of the leading developers of the HMDS ( Helmet Mounted Display System ) large format target designation system .
This system is part of the on-board radio electronic equipment ( OEM ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation as well as a large array of additional information necessary for the pilot to simultaneously pilot the vehicle , escort , identify and defeat air/ground targets .
In addition , it is planned to establish production of wing consoles F-35 machines on the technological base of the company “ Israel Aerospace Industries ” ( IAI ) .
For this purpose , it is planned to use the IAI ’ s production line , which previously assembled similar elements for the F-16 “ Fighting Falcon ” .
For this purpose , the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 2 billion to the Israeli side with a 10-year contract period .
At the present stage , as part of an additional agreement between the U.S. and Israel , a modification of F-35I “ Adir ” is being created for the Air Force of the Jewish state .
It will differ from the base version of the F-35A “ Lightning-2 ” in increased mass of combat load , as well as in the use of FREO components and aircraft guided weapons produced by Israeli enterprises .
In addition , joint development of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Adir ” is underway .
Its implementation will make it possible to use various radio electronic components produced by the IAI ’ s subsidiary company “ Elta ” as part of the F-35I ’ s BREO .
This equipment , produced for other types of aircraft in container version , will be installed inside the fuselage .
This will keep the aircraft ’ s radar range low visibility .
The nomenclature of onboard arms of F-35I fighters is planned to include additionally guided aircraft bombs and air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles created by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Israel Defence Ministry leadership , these measures will reduce the dependence of the national air force on imports of high-tech products imposed by Washington .
Currently , representatives of Lockheed Martin Corporation are discussing with the customer the features of the upcoming fight tests of the new Adir .
It is expected that they will start this year and will take place in Israel .
The test programme is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2022 .
In the future it is not excluded the possibility of converting all existing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country ’ s Air Force to F-35I “ Adir ” standard .
At the same time , Israeli military experts note a number of shortcomings typical of American aircraft that were identified during the pilot operation of the transferred aircraft : frequent failures in the work of onboard armament as well as in logistics ( ALIS ) .
The leadership of the Department of Defence intends to address these observations during the design phase of a new aircraft modification .
It should be also noted that the Israeli Air Force Command , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its fifth-generation fighter jets , has trained its own specialists in several additional areas required to operate the F-35A Lightning-2 systems ( AvB Nevatim , Adir Training Centre ) .
The Israeli Armed Forces are simultaneously modernising the fourth-generation tactical fighter fleet .
They are intended to ensure that the Air Force maintains a high level of operational readiness during the re-equipment of TF F-35A “ Lightning 2 ” units , whose acquisition programme is behind schedule .
In particular , the possibility of purchasing up to 30 new F-15E Strike Eagle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Their most likely designation in Israel is F-15IA .
These machines have a lower weight of construction , including the use of an innovative remote-control system .
This made it possible to increase the combat load and establish additional points of suspension of the weapon .
The basis of the fighter ’ s BREO will be a multifunctional radar with an active phased array antenna , which has an increased range of detection of air targets , greater resolution and reliability .
The possibility of Tel Aviv receiving credit funds from international financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. government , is currently being discussed .
Taking into account the preparatory activities , the start of deliveries of new aircraft is not expected before 2022 .
At the same time , in the medium term , it is planned to upgrade all existing F-15I Ra ’ am combat vehicles to F-15IA level .
In total , Israel spends a third of the U.S. financial assistance on the acquisition of weapons of its aircraft fleet renewal programme .
Its structure , approved by the U.S. Congress in 2018 , represents annual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This will enable the Israeli Ministry of Defence to maintain the proportion of new and upgraded strike aircraft at up to 80 percent of its staff .
The integration of tactical fighter jets into the unified information space of the Tzayad national armed forces , which is being created , will further improve the quality of task fulfilment .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • An Overview of NATO Efforts To Remotely Embed Malware • Chinese Carrier Strike Groups And Perspectives Of Their Use

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Written by A. Marsov; Originally appeared at Foreign Military Review #4 2019, translated by AlexD exclusively for SouthFront
The Israel Defence Ministry is modernising the Air Force combat aircraft fleet on a ten-year period. The main part of the Israeli attack aircraft at the present stage is tactical fighters (TF) F-16 “Fighting Falcon” of various modifications, F-15C, D “Eagle” and F-15I “Ra’am” (about 300 units in total).
In addition, in order to rapidly build up the combat potential of the Air Force during the threatening period, it is planned to put into operation at least 150 F-4E “Phantom”, “Kfir” and A-4 “Hok” (these aircraft are not in operation and are in long-term storage).
The main efforts of the Israeli leadership are aimed at purchasing 50 American fifth-generation F-35A Lightning-2 TF before 2024. As of December 2018, the 140th Aviation Squadron Golden Eagle (AvB Tell el Milch) received 14 such aircraft. At the same time, according to the Western expert community, it is possible to order another 20 aircraft of this type for the Israeli Air Force, including modifications with short (vertical) take-off and landing – F-35B.
It should be noted that the enterprises of the Israeli military-industrial complex (MIC) are actively involved in the design and mass production of certain components of the fifth-generation aircraft. In particular, Elbit Systems is one of the leading developers of the HMDS (Helmet Mounted Display System) large format target designation system.
This system is part of the on-board radio electronic equipment (OEM), which provides a display of the current situation as well as a large array of additional information necessary for the pilot to simultaneously pilot the vehicle, escort, identify and defeat air/ground targets.
In addition, it is planned to establish production of wing consoles F-35 machines on the technological base of the company “Israel Aerospace Industries” (IAI).
For this purpose, it is planned to use the IAI’s production line, which previously assembled similar elements for the F-16 “Fighting Falcon”. For this purpose, the American firm Lockheed Martin has allocated at least $2 billion to the Israeli side with a 10-year contract period.
At the present stage, as part of an additional agreement between the U.S. and Israel, a modification of F-35I “Adir” is being created for the Air Force of the Jewish state. It will differ from the base version of the F-35A “Lightning-2” in increased mass of combat load, as well as in the use of FREO components and aircraft guided weapons produced by Israeli enterprises.
In addition, joint development of a special software version for the F-35I “Adir” is underway. Its implementation will make it possible to use various radio electronic components produced by the IAI’s subsidiary company “Elta” as part of the F-35I’s BREO. This equipment, produced for other types of aircraft in container version, will be installed inside the fuselage. This will keep the aircraft’s radar range low visibility.
The nomenclature of onboard arms of F-35I fighters is planned to include additionally guided aircraft bombs and air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles created by the national military-industrial complex. According to the Israel Defence Ministry leadership, these measures will reduce the dependence of the national air force on imports of high-tech products imposed by Washington.
Currently, representatives of Lockheed Martin Corporation are discussing with the customer the features of the upcoming fight tests of the new Adir. It is expected that they will start this year and will take place in Israel. The test programme is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2022. In the future it is not excluded the possibility of converting all existing F-35A “Lightning-2” TI from the country’s Air Force to F-35I “Adir” standard.
At the same time, Israeli military experts note a number of shortcomings typical of American aircraft that were identified during the pilot operation of the transferred aircraft: frequent failures in the work of onboard armament as well as in logistics (ALIS). The leadership of the Department of Defence intends to address these observations during the design phase of a new aircraft modification.
It should be also noted that the Israeli Air Force Command, in order to improve the speed of maintenance of its fifth-generation fighter jets, has trained its own specialists in several additional areas required to operate the F-35A Lightning-2 systems (AvB Nevatim, Adir Training Centre).
The Israeli Armed Forces are simultaneously modernising the fourth-generation tactical fighter fleet. They are intended to ensure that the Air Force maintains a high level of operational readiness during the re-equipment of TF F-35A “Lightning 2” units, whose acquisition programme is behind schedule.
In particular, the possibility of purchasing up to 30 new F-15E Strike Eagle fighters from Boeing is under consideration. Their most likely designation in Israel is F-15IA. These machines have a lower weight of construction, including the use of an innovative remote-control system. This made it possible to increase the combat load and establish additional points of suspension of the weapon. The basis of the fighter’s BREO will be a multifunctional radar with an active phased array antenna, which has an increased range of detection of air targets, greater resolution and reliability.
The possibility of Tel Aviv receiving credit funds from international financial organisations for this purpose, guaranteed by the U.S. government, is currently being discussed. Taking into account the preparatory activities, the start of deliveries of new aircraft is not expected before 2022. At the same time, in the medium term, it is planned to upgrade all existing F-15I Ra’am combat vehicles to F-15IA level.
In total, Israel spends a third of the U.S. financial assistance on the acquisition of weapons of its aircraft fleet renewal programme. Its structure, approved by the U.S. Congress in 2018, represents annual tranches of $3.8 billion until 2028.
This will enable the Israeli Ministry of Defence to maintain the proportion of new and upgraded strike aircraft at up to 80 percent of its staff. The integration of tactical fighter jets into the unified information space of the Tzayad national armed forces, which is being created, will further improve the quality of task fulfilment.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
Support SouthFront


southfront--2020-05-13--Officer Of Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Killed In Syria

An officer of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ( IRGC ) named Abolfazl Sarlak was killed in Syria late on May 12 , according the Fars News Agency .
The news agency said the officer , who was a military advisor , lost his life on the Khanaser-Ithriyah highway in southern Aleppo .
The agency didn ’ t share any additional information on the circumstances surrounding Sarlak ’ s death .
Meanwhile , Zaman al-Wsl claimed that Sarlak was killed when a landmine ripped through a vehicle he was aboard on the Khanaser-Ithriyah highway .
The pro-opposition news outlet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ al-Rahel was also killed in the incident .
The fighter , originally from the town of Nubl in northern Aleppo , was allegedly working with Lebanon ’ s Hezbollah .
Last March , a prominent IRGC commander , Brig .
Gen. Farhad Dabirian , was killed in the eastern suburbs of the Syrian capital , Damascus .
No details on the crime were shared .
The Israeli intelligence may be behind the attacks on IRGC commanders in Syria .
Earlier , Tel Aviv carried out similar attacks in the country against Iranian , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IRGC .
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An officer of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) named Abolfazl Sarlak was killed in Syria late on May 12, according the Fars News Agency.
The news agency said the officer, who was a military advisor, lost his life on the Khanaser-Ithriyah highway in southern Aleppo. The agency didn’t share any additional information on the circumstances surrounding Sarlak’s death.
Meanwhile, Zaman al-Wsl claimed that Sarlak was killed when a landmine ripped through a vehicle he was aboard on the Khanaser-Ithriyah highway.
The pro-opposition news outlet said a Syrian fighter named Hussein Mohamad al-Rahel was also killed in the incident. The fighter, originally from the town of Nubl in northern Aleppo, was allegedly working with Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
Last March, a prominent IRGC commander, Brig. Gen. Farhad Dabirian, was killed in the eastern suburbs of the Syrian capital, Damascus. No details on the crime were shared.
The Israeli intelligence may be behind the attacks on IRGC commanders in Syria. Earlier, Tel Aviv carried out similar attacks in the country against Iranian, Palestinian and Lebanese persons affiliated with the IRGC.
MORE ON THIS TOPIC:
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southfront--2020-05-13--Aerospace Force of Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

The Aerospace Forces of Iran ’ s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ( IRGC ) is established on the basis and uniting of the air , missile and space components of the organization .
It is tasked with launching missile attacks on ground , air and naval forces of the enemy as well as their military and economic facilities .
The IRGC Aerospace Force also provides a close air support and lift capabilities for ground and naval units and operates an inventory of short and medium range ballistic missiles .
The number of personnel in the Aerospace Force is estimated at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh .
He has been occupying the post since October 2009 .
Similarly , to the Iranian approach towards the Navy , the Iranian Air Force and the IRGC Aerospace Force are separate branches of the military .
However , both of them share the facilities throughout the country .
According to the US Defense Intelligence Agency , the Aerospace Force maintains a fleet that includes Su-22 Fitters , EMB-312 Tucanos , Y-12s , Dassault Falcon 20s , MFI-17s , IL-76s , and An-74s .
In 2014 , Iran supplied Iraq @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it only maintains just a few of the Russian combat aircraft .
Warplanes of the IRGC Aerospace Force are significantly dated and suffer from the lack of spare parts for a proper maintenance .
An strong sanction pressure and the constant lack of resources forced the IRGC Aerospace Force to use an asymmetric approach .
The IRGC operates various unmanned aerial vehicles ( UAV ) , which it uses to conduct intelligence , surveillance and reconnaissance missions , as well as strike missions .
UAVs are Iran ’ s most rapidly advancing air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employ UAVs , the IRGCAF is the primary operator of their growing fleet .
Iran regularly conducts Intelligence , Surveillance , Reconnaissance ( ISR ) flights along its border and littoral , including the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz .
The IRGCAF has also deployed various armed and unarmed UAVs to Syria and Iraq for ISR and strike missions to support counter-ISIS operations and the Syrian government .
In 2018 , Iran for the first time employed UAVs to conduct long-range , cross-border strike operations , using armed UAVs in concert with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against ISIS in eastern Syria .
The IRGCAF operates the following drones : • The HESA Ababil : a single-engine multirole tactical unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company ( HESA ) .The Ababil comes in two main lines , the Ababil-2 and the Ababil-3 , of which the former has a number of variants .
It is considered a long-range , low-technology drone .
• The Qods Mohajer : a single-engine tactical unmanned aerial vehicle ( UAV ) built by the Qods Aviation Industry Company in four main variants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Mohajer family is primarily used for reconnaissance , and is among the most mature and well-known Iranian UAVs .
• The HESA Karrar : a jet-powered target drone .
The Karrar uses a rocket assist system to take off and is recovered by parachute .
It is also claimed to be capable of air launch .
The Karrar can carry one 500lb Mk 82 general-purpose bomb , with claimed precision guidance , on its centerline hardpoint .
Alternatively , it can carry two Nasr-1 anti-ship missiles , two Kowsar anti-ship missiles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bombs on the underwing stations , or ( since 2019 ) a Balaban satellite-guided glide bomb .
• The Shahed 129 : it is capable of combat and reconnaissance missions and has an endurance of 24 hours ; it is similar in size , shape and role to the American MQ-1 Predator and is widely considered the most capable drone in Iranian service .
Originally , the Shahed 129 carried Sadid-1 anti-tank guided missiles , also known as Sadid-361 or Fat ’ h 362 missiles .
Later , this was replaced by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yasir : a light tactical surveillance and reconnaissance UAV .
The Yasir has swept back wings and a large payload bubble under its nose .
Unlike the Scaneagle , it has an inverted V-tail and a twin-boom empennage .
The Yasir has a single , unidentified , two-bladed propeller engine .
It resembles the US Boeing Insitu ScanEagle suspiciously much .
• The Saegheh-2 : a turbofan/piston-powered flying wing unmanned combat aerial vehicle .
Also known as the Shahed 191 , it carries two Sadid-1 missiles internally and lands on retractable landing skids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combat in Syria .
Another pillar of the IRGC Aerospace Force ’ s power is short and medium-range ballistic missiles .
As of January 2020 , Iran possessed an array of them .
The liquid-propellant Shahab 3 is the main-stay of Iran ’ s medium-range ballistic missile force .
Iran has modified the Shahab 3 , which is based on the North Korean No Dong , to extend its range and effectiveness , with the longest-range variant being able to reach targets at a distance of about 2,000 kilometers .
The Emad 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same range with near-precision accuracy .
Later variants , such as the Emad 2 , were expected to have greater range .
Iran ’ s liquid-propellant short-range ballistic missiles — the Shahab 1 , Shahab 2 , and Qiam-1—are based on Scud technology .
The Qiam-1 has a range of at least 750 kilometers , and variants of the system have been used as part of Iranian strikes on ISIS in Syria .
Iran ’ s solid-propellant close- and short-range ballistic missiles primarily consist of the many variants of the Fateh-110 family of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ranges up to about 300 kilometers , but Iran has unveiled a variant called the Fateh-313 with a 500-kilometer range .
Iran has also advertised several variants of these missiles configured with different terminal seeker technologies , including electro-optical and antiradiation homing , which makes them capable of targeting ships .
These systems—which include the Khalij Fars , Hormuz 1 , and Hormuz 2—reportedly have ranges of about 300 kilometers .
In September 2016 , Iran unveiled the new Zolfaghar short-range ballistic missile , a solid-propellant system with a 700-kilometer range .
Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 strikes against ISIS in Syria .
A part of the arsenal is land-attack cruise missiles ( LACMs ) .
In 2012 , Iran announced the development of its first LACM , called Meshkat .
In 2015 , Iran displayed what it called the Soumar LACM , a ground-launched system that appears to be based on the Russian air-launched AS-15 .
Iran claims the Soumar has a 2,000-kilometer range .
LACMs can provide Iran with a precision-strike capability up to medium-range ballistic missiles ’ ranges that could further complicate missile defenses .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the IRGC Aerospace Force .
Since 2008 , Iran has launched multi-stage space launch vehicles ( SLVs ) that could also aid Iran ’ s development of longer-range ballistic missiles because SLVs use inherently similar technologies .
Iran has conducted multiple launches of the two-stage , liquid-propellant Safir SLV , a mix of successes and failures .
It has also launched the larger two-stage , liquid-propellant Simorgh SLV , which is designed to carry satellites higher into orbit and could also serve as a test bed for developing ICBM technologies .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if configured as a ballistic missile , according to the US .
On April 22nd , 2020 , Iran successfully launched its first ever military satellite with a new Qased space launch vehicle .
The Qased is a three-stage rocket , using a Ghadr liquid-fuelled missile as its first stage , a solid propellant Salman motor as its second stage , and an unknown small kick motor as its third stage .
There is little novelty in the choice of a Ghadr as the Qased ’ s first stage : an improved version @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ghadr is a standard workhorse of the Iranian missile force and has already served as the basis for the Safir rocket in the past .
G_8 ( A ) – Done .
The successes of the Iranian space program is especially valuable because the country has been for a long time existing in the state of the besieged fortress , and suffering from the sanction pressure and technological blockade .
The space program successes in such conditions inspire respect .
Even North Korea , which has been successfully developing its ballistic program , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran .
The North ’ s public and non-public cooperation with China is an example .
The United States argues that the Iranian space program is just a cover-up for the development of medium- and long-range ballistic missiles .
It ’ s an open secret that any state that develops a space program will use the obtained engineer and scientific gap to increase its national defense capability .
In own time this was done by the United States , the USSR , China , France and other powers .
The Iranian space program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others .
As in the case of the IRGC Navy and the usage of swarms of drones , the Iranian space program focused on the most cost-effective approaches .
This lead to the practical minimization of the employed technologies and the usage the most sophisticated ( among accessible ) informational models of the management of systems .
It may sound strange but it is possible that Tehran will , in some kind , follow the path of SpaceX copying some of its approaches .
SpaceX as a formally commercial structure seeks to minimize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on reusable technologies and building a network of micro satellites .
Iran also works to minimize its spending and maximize the results , but with even with higher motivation .
In its case , the failure of the space program is the matter of the national interests and even the survival of the state .
The prospect directions of the development of the Iranian space program is the creation of a large-scale distributed multistatic radar antenna array or global electronic-warfare system based on micro satellites , the creation of own geo-positioning system , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ satellites .
Another format of the Iranian space program progress is the low-cost asymmetric approach , like the one employed by the Soviet Union when it was forced to compete with the huge-funded space program of the United States .
An incredible thing is a usage of a bucket with bolts as an ultimate weapon to damage any sophisticated and costly space system .
Additionally , the modern level of technology does not require pricey space systems to deploy on the orbit a strike suicide satellite equipped with a dirty bomb .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factors – the country ’ s reasonable desire for the peaceful space exploration and the need to guarantee own interests amid the further militarization of space by the United States , Israel and other countries .

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The Aerospace Forces of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is established on the basis and uniting of the air, missile and space components of the organization. It is tasked with launching missile attacks on ground, air and naval forces of the enemy as well as their military and economic facilities. The IRGC Aerospace Force also provides a close air support and lift capabilities for ground and naval units and operates an inventory of short and medium range ballistic missiles.
The number of personnel in the Aerospace Force is estimated at 15,000-20,000. The current commander is Brigadier General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh. He has been occupying the post since October 2009.
Similarly, to the Iranian approach towards the Navy, the Iranian Air Force and the IRGC Aerospace Force are separate branches of the military. However, both of them share the facilities throughout the country.
According to the US Defense Intelligence Agency, the Aerospace Force maintains a fleet that includes Su-22 Fitters, EMB-312 Tucanos, Y-12s, Dassault Falcon 20s, MFI-17s, IL-76s, and An-74s. In 2014, Iran supplied Iraq with most of the Su-25 Frogfoot and it only maintains just a few of the Russian combat aircraft.
Warplanes of the IRGC Aerospace Force are significantly dated and suffer from the lack of spare parts for a proper maintenance. An strong sanction pressure and the constant lack of resources forced the IRGC Aerospace Force to use an asymmetric approach.
The IRGC operates various unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), which it uses to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, as well as strike missions. UAVs are Iran’s most rapidly advancing air capability. Although most Iranian military services employ UAVs, the IRGCAF is the primary operator of their growing fleet.
Iran regularly conducts Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) flights along its border and littoral, including the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. The IRGCAF has also deployed various armed and unarmed UAVs to Syria and Iraq for ISR and strike missions to support counter-ISIS operations and the Syrian government. In 2018, Iran for the first time employed UAVs to conduct long-range, cross-border strike operations, using armed UAVs in concert with ballistic missiles as part of an attack against ISIS in eastern Syria.
The IRGCAF operates the following drones:
The HESA Ababil: a single-engine multirole tactical unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA).The Ababil comes in two main lines, the Ababil-2 and the Ababil-3, of which the former has a number of variants. It is considered a long-range, low-technology drone.
a single-engine multirole tactical unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company (HESA).The Ababil comes in two main lines, the Ababil-2 and the Ababil-3, of which the former has a number of variants. It is considered a long-range, low-technology drone. The Qods Mohajer: a single-engine tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) built by the Qods Aviation Industry Company in four main variants from the 1980s to the present day. The Mohajer family is primarily used for reconnaissance, and is among the most mature and well-known Iranian UAVs.
a single-engine tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) built by the Qods Aviation Industry Company in four main variants from the 1980s to the present day. The Mohajer family is primarily used for reconnaissance, and is among the most mature and well-known Iranian UAVs. The HESA Karrar: a jet-powered target drone. The Karrar uses a rocket assist system to take off and is recovered by parachute. It is also claimed to be capable of air launch. The Karrar can carry one 500lb Mk 82 general-purpose bomb, with claimed precision guidance, on its centerline hardpoint. Alternatively, it can carry two Nasr-1 anti-ship missiles, two Kowsar anti-ship missiles, or two 250-pound Mk 81 general-purpose bombs on the underwing stations, or (since 2019) a Balaban satellite-guided glide bomb.
a jet-powered target drone. The Karrar uses a rocket assist system to take off and is recovered by parachute. It is also claimed to be capable of air launch. The Karrar can carry one 500lb Mk 82 general-purpose bomb, with claimed precision guidance, on its centerline hardpoint. Alternatively, it can carry two Nasr-1 anti-ship missiles, two Kowsar anti-ship missiles, or two 250-pound Mk 81 general-purpose bombs on the underwing stations, or (since 2019) a Balaban satellite-guided glide bomb. The Shahed 129: it is capable of combat and reconnaissance missions and has an endurance of 24 hours; it is similar in size, shape and role to the American MQ-1 Predator and is widely considered the most capable drone in Iranian service. Originally, the Shahed 129 carried Sadid-1 anti-tank guided missiles, also known as Sadid-361 or Fat’h 362 missiles. Later, this was replaced by the Sadid-345 precision-guided munition.
it is capable of combat and reconnaissance missions and has an endurance of 24 hours; it is similar in size, shape and role to the American MQ-1 Predator and is widely considered the most capable drone in Iranian service. Originally, the Shahed 129 carried Sadid-1 anti-tank guided missiles, also known as Sadid-361 or Fat’h 362 missiles. Later, this was replaced by the Sadid-345 precision-guided munition. The Qods Yasir : a light tactical surveillance and reconnaissance UAV. The Yasir has swept back wings and a large payload bubble under its nose. Unlike the Scaneagle, it has an inverted V-tail and a twin-boom empennage. The Yasir has a single, unidentified, two-bladed propeller engine. It resembles the US Boeing Insitu ScanEagle suspiciously much.
: a light tactical surveillance and reconnaissance UAV. The Yasir has swept back wings and a large payload bubble under its nose. Unlike the Scaneagle, it has an inverted V-tail and a twin-boom empennage. The Yasir has a single, unidentified, two-bladed propeller engine. It resembles the US Boeing Insitu ScanEagle suspiciously much. The Saegheh-2: a turbofan/piston-powered flying wing unmanned combat aerial vehicle. Also known as the Shahed 191, it carries two Sadid-1 missiles internally and lands on retractable landing skids. It has reportedly been used in combat in Syria.
Another pillar of the IRGC Aerospace Force’s power is short and medium-range ballistic missiles. As of January 2020, Iran possessed an array of them.
The liquid-propellant Shahab 3 is the main-stay of Iran’s medium-range ballistic missile force. Iran has modified the Shahab 3, which is based on the North Korean No Dong, to extend its range and effectiveness, with the longest-range variant being able to reach targets at a distance of about 2,000 kilometers.
The Emad 1 variant of the Shahab 3 has the same range with near-precision accuracy. Later variants, such as the Emad 2, were expected to have greater range.
Iran’s liquid-propellant short-range ballistic missiles — the Shahab 1, Shahab 2, and Qiam-1—are based on Scud technology. The Qiam-1 has a range of at least 750 kilometers, and variants of the system have been used as part of Iranian strikes on ISIS in Syria.
Iran’s solid-propellant close- and short-range ballistic missiles primarily consist of the many variants of the Fateh-110 family of missiles. Most of these systems have ranges up to about 300 kilometers, but Iran has unveiled a variant called the Fateh-313 with a 500-kilometer range. Iran has also advertised several variants of these missiles configured with different terminal seeker technologies, including electro-optical and antiradiation homing, which makes them capable of targeting ships. These systems—which include the Khalij Fars, Hormuz 1, and Hormuz 2—reportedly have ranges of about 300 kilometers.
In September 2016, Iran unveiled the new Zolfaghar short-range ballistic missile, a solid-propellant system with a 700-kilometer range. Iran used these missiles in its 2017 and 2018 strikes against ISIS in Syria.
A part of the arsenal is land-attack cruise missiles (LACMs). In 2012, Iran announced the development of its first LACM, called Meshkat. In 2015, Iran displayed what it called the Soumar LACM, a ground-launched system that appears to be based on the Russian air-launched AS-15. Iran claims the Soumar has a 2,000-kilometer range. LACMs can provide Iran with a precision-strike capability up to medium-range ballistic missiles’ ranges that could further complicate missile defenses.
The space technologies development is one more priority of the IRGC Aerospace Force.
Since 2008, Iran has launched multi-stage space launch vehicles (SLVs) that could also aid Iran’s development of longer-range ballistic missiles because SLVs use inherently similar technologies. Iran has conducted multiple launches of the two-stage, liquid-propellant Safir SLV, a mix of successes and failures. It has also launched the larger two-stage, liquid-propellant Simorgh SLV, which is designed to carry satellites higher into orbit and could also serve as a test bed for developing ICBM technologies. The Simorgh could be capable of ICBM ranges if configured as a ballistic missile, according to the US.
On April 22nd, 2020, Iran successfully launched its first ever military satellite with a new Qased space launch vehicle. The Qased is a three-stage rocket, using a Ghadr liquid-fuelled missile as its first stage, a solid propellant Salman motor as its second stage, and an unknown small kick motor as its third stage. There is little novelty in the choice of a Ghadr as the Qased’s first stage: an improved version of the Shahab 3, the liquid-fuel Ghadr is a standard workhorse of the Iranian missile force and has already served as the basis for the Safir rocket in the past.
The successes of the Iranian space program is especially valuable because the country has been for a long time existing in the state of the besieged fortress, and suffering from the sanction pressure and technological blockade. The space program successes in such conditions inspire respect. Even North Korea, which has been successfully developing its ballistic program, has an easier access to technologies than Iran. The North’s public and non-public cooperation with China is an example.
The United States argues that the Iranian space program is just a cover-up for the development of medium- and long-range ballistic missiles. It’s an open secret that any state that develops a space program will use the obtained engineer and scientific gap to increase its national defense capability. In own time this was done by the United States, the USSR, China, France and other powers.
The Iranian space program has own features that differ it from others. As in the case of the IRGC Navy and the usage of swarms of drones, the Iranian space program focused on the most cost-effective approaches. This lead to the practical minimization of the employed technologies and the usage the most sophisticated (among accessible) informational models of the management of systems.
It may sound strange but it is possible that Tehran will, in some kind, follow the path of SpaceX copying some of its approaches. SpaceX as a formally commercial structure seeks to minimize its spending and maximize the revenue focusing on reusable technologies and building a network of micro satellites.
Iran also works to minimize its spending and maximize the results, but with even with higher motivation. In its case, the failure of the space program is the matter of the national interests and even the survival of the state. The prospect directions of the development of the Iranian space program is the creation of a large-scale distributed multistatic radar antenna array or global electronic-warfare system based on micro satellites, the creation of own geo-positioning system, or event the deployment of suicide micro satellites.
Another format of the Iranian space program progress is the low-cost asymmetric approach, like the one employed by the Soviet Union when it was forced to compete with the huge-funded space program of the United States. An incredible thing is a usage of a bucket with bolts as an ultimate weapon to damage any sophisticated and costly space system. Additionally, the modern level of technology does not require pricey space systems to deploy on the orbit a strike suicide satellite equipped with a dirty bomb.
The Iranian space program is shaped by two factors – the country’s reasonable desire for the peaceful space exploration and the need to guarantee own interests amid the further militarization of space by the United States, Israel and other countries.
Support SouthFront