The Secret of Iraq’s Renaissance? The Multi-Confessional PMU Militias Backed by Iran

The Secret of Iraq’s Renaissance? The Multi-Confessional PMU Militias Backed by Iran

On a sandstorm-swept morning in Baghdad earlier last week, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the legendary deputy leader of Hashd al-Shaabi, a.k.a. People Mobilization Units (PMUs) and the actual mastermind of numerous ground battles against ISIS/Daesh, met a small number of independent foreign journalists and analysts. This was a game-changing moment in more ways than one. It…

Will America Survive Washington? Is the US Preparing a Nuclear First Strike on Russia?

Will America Survive Washington? Is the US Preparing a Nuclear First Strike on Russia?

In recent columns posted on my website, I brought attention to two dramatic and dangerous developments between the two major nuclear powers. One was the public statement of the deputy commander of the Russian military’s Operation Command at a recent Moscow security conference. Lt. Gen. Viktor Poznihir, Deputy Chief of the Main Operations Directorate of…

Saudi-Israeli Collusion? Is Israel Seeking Role as Leader of the Sunni Bloc?

Saudi-Israeli Collusion? Is Israel Seeking Role as Leader of the Sunni Bloc?

Israel has instructed its overseas embassies to lobby their respective host countries in support of Saudi Arabia and its apparent efforts to destabilise Lebanon, a recently leaked diplomatic cable shows. The cable appears to be the first formal confirmation of rumours that Israel and Saudi Arabia are colluding to stoke tensions in the region. Sent…

Afghanistan War Crimes Probe a Sham and Cover-Up for US

Afghanistan War Crimes Probe a Sham and Cover-Up for US

When The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) announced it was planning to investigate alleged war crimes in Afghanistan, the timing seemed appropriate. The announcement by the ICC on November 3 came within days of a deadly airstrike by US forces in northern Afghanistan, which UN officials say killed ten civilians. But the history of the…