US to restore sanctions suspended under Obama Iran deal

Former Connecticut senator and chairman of United Against Nuclear Iran praises President Trump for pulling the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal, hopes the re-imposition of sanctions will force Tehran back to the negotiating table. The U.S. on Monday will restore major sanctions against Iran that had been suspended under former President Barack Obama's 2015 nuclear deal, threatening to further unravel the Islamic country's already-struggling economy.

Congressman duped by Sacha Baron Cohen whines about coverage, still lists fake award

Two days after blaming his staff for listing a fake award on his website, Rep. Scott Perry hasn't fixed it yet. On Friday, ThinkProgress reported that Rep. Scott Perry had been tricked into listing a fake award on his campaign website.

Republican congressman is still touting fake pro-Israel award from Sacha Baron Cohen

As part of his effort to trick conservative activists and lawmakers into embarrassing themselves on his Showtime series Who is America? , Sacha Baron Cohen presented a fake pro-Israel award to an array of political figures called "70 at 70." On behalf of a non-existent Israeli outlet called "Yerushalayim Television," Cohen's team told its unsuspecting victims they were being honored for their "significant contributions to the State of Israel." But weeks after the rouse was revealed, it appears that Rep. Scott Perry still doesn't realize he was duped.

Trump imposes sanctions over Turkey’s detaining of minister

The White House is announcing that the Treasury Department is imposing sanctions on two Turkish officials over a detained American pastor who is being tried on espionage and terror-related charges. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders says the Trump administration will sanction Turkey's minister of justice and minister of interior over the holding of 50-year-old Andrew Craig Brunson.

US-Backed Kurds Propose rejoining Syria if it will Decentralize

The Syrian Democratic Forces alliance, which controls a swathe of the north and northeast, said it had agreed with the government to form joint committees to discuss the major issues after a first round of talks on Thursday and Friday. The SDF's political arm, the Syrian Democratic Council, said the aim was to "clear the way for a broader and more comprehensive dialogue" and forge a "roadmap leading to a democratic and decentralised Syria".

U.S. Diplomats Held Face-to-Face Talk With Taliban, Insurgents Say

American diplomats held face-to-face talks with Taliban representatives in Qatar a week ago without Afghan government officials present, in a reversal of a longstanding United States policy, two senior Taliban officials said on Saturday. The United States State Department has not denied that its diplomats had taken part in such talks - a significant shift in American strategy toward the Taliban in Afghanistan.

US-Backed Leftist Kurds Holds talks with Damascus on Future of Northeast

Between them the Damascus government and the Syrian Democratic Forces control some 90 percent of the country, after a series of Russian-backed victories over rebel groups in recent months saw the government reassert its authority over much of the south. The delegation from the SDF's political wing is discussing the future of the autonomous administrations it has set up in areas of northern and northeastern Syria under its control, the alliance official said.

Saudis & Allies Renew Bombing of Yemen Port City, Sparking Famine Fears

The Saudi-led coalition launched heavy air strikes on Yemen's main port city of Hodeidah on Friday, in an apparent resumption of military operations on the city after the Iranian-aligned Houthi movement attacked two Saudi oil tankers, residents said. The coalition on July 1 halted an attack on the Houthi-held city to aid UN efforts at a political solution that would avert an all-out assault on the Red Sea port, which the United Nations fears could trigger a famine throughout the country.

IDF shoots down Syrian fighter jet that entered Israeli airspace

Smoke trails from two Israeli Patriot interceptor missiles that Israel says shot down a Syrian fighter jet are seen in northern Israel on July 24, 2018. The Israeli Air Force shot down a Syrian fighter jet that traveled two kilometers into Israeli airspace on Tuesday afternoon, the military said.

Trump threatens Iran — in All-Caps Tweet

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has launched an exceptionally raw attack on Iran, in a tone reminiscent of his war on words with North Korea last year -- sparking questions about US strategy towards the Islamic republic. The threatening tweet, sent late Sunday and written in all capital letters, was quickly hailed Monday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who praised the US leader's "tough stand."