Blowback: Taliban target US intel’s shadow army

The Kabul Airport bombing shows there are shadowy forces in Afghanistan, willing to disrupt a peaceful transition after US troops leave. But what about US intel's own 'shadow army,' amassed over two decades of occupation? Who are they, and what is their agenda?

Lebanon’s army chief in Qatar under shadow of political interference

Qatar, Saudi Arabia, France, and the US have all sought to interfere in Lebanon's internal election process to make sure the army chief becomes the country's next president

Former US-trained shadow operatives bolstering the ranks of ISIS in Afghanistan: Report

Thousands of Afghan spies and soldiers left behind by Washington have turned to ISIS as the terror group intensifies attacks against the Taliban

Taliban officials announce hundreds of ISIS fighters arrested in Afghanistan

The interim authorities also claim that the armed group "is not considered a threat"

Taliban chief warns of ‘rogue elements’ working against the group’s interests

The warning comes just as Afghanistan's interim leaders are facing increased terror attacks by an ISIS cell operating in the country

CIA airlifted thousands of death squad members out of Afghanistan days ahead of Taliban takeover: Report

According to intelligence officials, the paramilitary fighters, responsible for countless war crimes, have been given asylum in the US

Leaked files: How Britain trains Jordan to spy on its citizens

The British government covertly trained Jordanian security services in techniques known as “digital media exploitation” which has been used to monitor, manipulate, and disrupt dissent in the kingdom.

Iran executes four nationals accused of working for Mossad

The judiciary said the accused were guided by Israeli intelligence when they engaged in destroying public and private property

Less than half of US citizens trust the military establishment: Poll

As trust for the US army continues to erode at home, only 50 percent of citizens say they have confidence in the army's ability to defend their country

Iranian colonel assassinated by Israel near Damascus: IRGC

The IRGC reported that an explosive device on the side of the road near Damascus killed the Iranian general on 22 November

Terror on Crimea Bridge forces Russia to unleash Shock’n Awe

The western narrative of a 'losing Russia' has just been decimated by Moscow's blitzkrieg against Ukraine and its foreign-backed terror operations

Lebanon reviews maritime border proposal as clock ticks on Israel’s gas drilling plan

The US and France are pushing for an agreement to be reached before October in the hopes of softening a major fuel crisis battering the west

Ukraine asks Israel for half a billion dollar loan: Report

The request by Kiev comes at a time when Russia has warned Israel of 'repercussions' if they provide military assistance to Ukraine

Turkey bombs northern Syria, including positions held by US coalition

The bombardment came just hours after the Turkish president said his troops 'will clean up Tel Rifaat and Manbij'

UK lawmakers blast Afghanistan withdrawal as a ‘disaster and betrayal’

The chaotic withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan last year left hundreds dead and caused worldwide condemnation

Turkish president reveals intentions to launch new military campaign in Syria

Erdogan's bellicose statements come just days after he announced his intention to block the ascension of Finland and Sweden into NATO

The ultimate explainer to Lebanon’s 2022 elections

Even the Lebanese struggle to understand the mechanics of their elections. So The Cradle has provided a handy guide to understand the basics.

US ousts Imran Khan but his revolutionary narrative endures

Washington has reactivated old cronies in Islamabad to unseat PM Imran Khan, but the latter has sown seeds of immense dissatisfaction with the old guard and their US backers within the Pakistani public. And Khan's domestic and foreign allies will not sit by idly either.

Blood and oil: why Saudi Arabia will be bombed until the siege on Yemen is lifted

Riyadh refused Washington's pressure to increase oil production, then faced blistering attacks on its oil facilities and infrastructure from Yemen. Under increasing pressure to end its siege on Yemen, what will the Saudis do?

In Ukraine crisis, will Iran emerge a winner and Israel a loser?

West Asian developments play second fiddle to the Great Power battle over Ukraine. But regional states must pick a side because events in Kiev will trickle back home.

Double cross: how Lebanon’s military intelligence spies for London

Torchlight, a British security contractor with high-level security clearances from the UK government, has access to the Lebanese Army's military intelligence unit and its data files on Lebanese citizens. Why would a sovereign nation tolerate this foreign penetration of its most sensitive intel establishment?

Iran comes to terms with the Taliban

Iran and the Taliban are turning the page on their messy history. But can the Afghan militant group that was once steeped in Wahhabi ideology govern as realists with the help of its neighbors? Tehran is cautiously optimistic.

Former Turkish Black Sea Commander: Erdogan is bartering away Turkey’s national interests

Turkey's former Black Sea Commander, Rear Admiral Türker Ertürk, tells us why his country's policies in Cyprus, Libya, Afghanistan and West Asia are so erratic – for one, President Erdogan's "outdated ideology" and its servile need to placate the West to the detriment of Turkish national interests.

Tension with Riyadh and tea in Tel Aviv – what is MbZ’s real goal in the region?

Who is MbZ, why is he punching above his weight, and what are his global aspirations? We take a deep dive into the calculations of this enigmatic Gulf emir.