445 articles
I have smoked on and off routinely for the better part of a decade now, and I’m attempting to quit yet again. I love cigarettes, and there is nothing better when you’re stuck in a conflict zone doing soldiery things, but I’m done with that and can’t think of a good reason to keep smoking […]
The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has made threats towards the distribution of oil should the nation’s sales be affected by the upcoming sanctions from the United States. Khamenei stated that, “If Iran’s oil export is blocked, no other country in the region will export oil either,” during a meeting between various diplomats, Ministry of Foreign […]
I shouted for him to exit the vehicle with his hands visible, my arms locked out in an extended position with a death grip on my Glock 17. I had at least half a magazine left in it by my guesstimation. My stance was wide and low, ready for a fight as the adrenaline surged […]
Islamic State occupied territory near Makhmour, a region that shares a border with Iraq and Kurdistan, was cleared out earlier this week by Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and Kurdish Peshmerga working unilaterally with coalition air support. Operation Inherent Resolve coalition spokesperson Colonel Sean Ryan expressed great delight at the achievement, given the circumstances. The cooperation between the […]
The Iranian Minister of Education claims that formal education in languages other than Farsi should be outlawed due to its “dangerous” connotations. The notion was dismissed as unconstitutional and absurd by Iranian members of parliament. Minister of Education Mohammad Bathaei stated that, “In some areas, we have seen teaching in local languages, which is a very dangerous […]
According to the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Ministry of Peshmerga, the United States will be assisting in the inclusion of two new Peshmerga brigades this year; they will be providing weapons, training, and vehicles. The Ministry’s secretary general, Lieutenant General Jabar Yawar, told local Kurdish media that, “Many times, due to disclosing the type and amount […]
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) intends to improve its electrical grid through partnerships with Japanese agencies, organizations, and companies. The news comes only a week after the KRG admitted that the autonomous region was suffering from crippling power outages that needed to be remedied promptly. The KRG Prime Minister stated that, We are thanking the […]
A Turkish blogger was arrested by Security Services of Ukrainian (SBU) agents this week in Kiev. The man identified as Yusuf Inan was detained at Turkey’s request for being involved with the failed 2016 military coup in Turkey against the recently re-elected President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Turkish state-sponsored media reported that Yusuf Inan was extradited from Ukraine via […]
There are so many puns and jokes to be had here — but where to start? I was going to say that the Bundeswehr is going to need these new weapons for when they show up late and have to clean up the mess left behind by larger, more active militaries. It could also be that […]
A delegation met with Iraq’s sitting Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi to discuss the protests and future of Najaf this week. Prime Minister Abadi expressed support for peaceful protesting and condemned anyone who was using the public outcry to commit vandalism, further injuring the country. Abadi’s office released a statement saying, The head of the council of […]
Knives are excellent backup weapons if you’re carrying a pistol. They also make good primary weapons for an everyday carry if you are unable to carry a pistol. Often when traveling abroad, I have found it exponentially easier to obtain a good knife than a reliable (or affordable) pistol. They are usually cheaper and easier […]
Crowds of Syrian refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) have fled to the Israeli border to escape threats including the Islamic State, various militias, and Syrian regime forces. However, Israel wants no part in taking in refugees, Israeli soldiers guard the border and issue warnings to would be crossers. In a video released by local […]