Jonathan Hessen retweeted
أن نحارب الإرهاب دون محاربة التطرف كمن يسقي البحر ماءاً عذباً في انتظار تحول البحر إلى نهرٍ عذب
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Jonathan Hessen retweeted
New @StateDept “the announcement of the ratification of the Turkish-Libyan delimitation memorandum of understanding has raised tensions in the region and is unhelpful and provocative and our position on this matter has not changed.”
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Jonathan Hessen retweeted
Brink: Inside America's Confrontation with Iran.
My Iran Breakdown discussion with @brett_mcgurk on his new book that takes us inside the room during the Middle East wars: youtube.com/live/oCazfL2RK…
My Iran Breakdown discussion with @brett_mcgurk on his new book that takes us inside the room during the Middle East wars: youtube.com/live/oCazfL2RK…
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Jonathan Hessen retweeted
فخامة الرئيس السيسي: أي رهان على قبول #مصر بفرض الأمر الواقع أو التفريط في حقوقها المائية هو رهان خاسر
#eXtranews
#eXtranews
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Jonathan Hessen retweeted
“I didn’t have to fire a missile.” - President Obama on Iran.
That’s right, Mr. President. You didn’t.
Not when Iran-backed militias in Iraq killed American service persons there.
Not as the IRGC deepened ties with the Taliban (but also al-Qaeda and the Haqqani network) as it killed Americans in Afghanistan.
Not when the IRGC-QF plotted to kill the Saudi Ambassador to Washington in a Georgetown restaurant via Mexican drug cartels
Not as Iran began enriching uranium to 20 percent purity, which is highly enriched.
Not as Iran began enriching uranium in centrifuges in its highly fortified underground Fordow facility for the first time.
Not as Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz.
Not as IRGC-Navy fast attack craft routinely harassed American Navy vessels and commercial traffic in and around the Persian Gulf.
Not as Iran tested medium range ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear payloads with genocidal phrases against Israel written in Hebrew.
Not as Iran continued to work on space launch vehicles with the ultimate goal of developing longer-range strike platforms that could one day threaten the European continent and the US homeland.
Not as Iran beefed up its drone program.
Not as the regime successfully co-opted the Houthis in Yemen and began to provide them with material support as the group entered the Axis of Resistance.
Not as the Islamic Republic backed Assad’s slaughter of Syrians to the hilt and intervened decisively, later along with Russia, in that theater and created a security and humanitarian catastrophe I the Middle East and refugee crises that has thrown a massive curveball into European politics and demographics.
And last but certainly not least, not as Iranians whose calls for support you ignored during the Green Movement were killed, arrested, beaten, and tortured.
That’s right, Mr. President. You didn’t.
Not when Iran-backed militias in Iraq killed American service persons there.
Not as the IRGC deepened ties with the Taliban (but also al-Qaeda and the Haqqani network) as it killed Americans in Afghanistan.
Not when the IRGC-QF plotted to kill the Saudi Ambassador to Washington in a Georgetown restaurant via Mexican drug cartels
Not as Iran began enriching uranium to 20 percent purity, which is highly enriched.
Not as Iran began enriching uranium in centrifuges in its highly fortified underground Fordow facility for the first time.
Not as Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz.
Not as IRGC-Navy fast attack craft routinely harassed American Navy vessels and commercial traffic in and around the Persian Gulf.
Not as Iran tested medium range ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear payloads with genocidal phrases against Israel written in Hebrew.
Not as Iran continued to work on space launch vehicles with the ultimate goal of developing longer-range strike platforms that could one day threaten the European continent and the US homeland.
Not as Iran beefed up its drone program.
Not as the regime successfully co-opted the Houthis in Yemen and began to provide them with material support as the group entered the Axis of Resistance.
Not as the Islamic Republic backed Assad’s slaughter of Syrians to the hilt and intervened decisively, later along with Russia, in that theater and created a security and humanitarian catastrophe I the Middle East and refugee crises that has thrown a massive curveball into European politics and demographics.
And last but certainly not least, not as Iranians whose calls for support you ignored during the Green Movement were killed, arrested, beaten, and tortured.
Former US President Barack Obama accused President Donald Trump of launching an unnecessary war with Iran that had left Tehran in a stronger strategic position, killed American troops and pushed up prices.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Michigan on Saturday, Obama challenged aims of victory, saying the conflict had exposed US allies and bases to attacks while giving Iran greater control over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
“The current president chose to make a series of bad decisions,” Obama said. “The most important of which was he decided to start an unnecessary war nobody asked for and nobody voted for.”
He contrasted Trump’s decision to go to war with his own administration’s nuclear diplomacy, saying Iran did not possess nuclear weapons and that the 2015 agreement reached during his presidency had curbed its nuclear program.
“I didn’t have to fire a missile. I engaged in diplomacy,” Obama said.
iranintl.com/en/202610241981
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Jonathan Hessen retweeted
That JCPOA sure funded Iran's missile program though. And the IRGC's Quds Force was pleased receiving more funds to spread around to their terror militias, all from that peaceful diplomacy.
OBAMA: Iran didn't have nuclear weapons because I had put a deal in place and I didn't have to fire a missile to do it. I just had to engage in diplomacy.
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Jonathan Hessen retweeted
Sadly, @yechielleiter knows this pain from a deep personal place & speaks with authority as one of his sons was killed by Hamas in Gaza & another fights for his life in the hospital after being attacked by a terrorist in Judea.
Another Palestinian terrorist attack in Judea and Samaria today, killing 2 Israeli soldiers and injuring 3 more.
Palestinian terrorists continue their lethal attacks on Jews in a doomed effort to remove us from our homeland.
Will the media cover the scourge of Palestinian terrorism the way it has covered the olive harvest? Of course not. It doesn’t fit the narrative.
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Jonathan Hessen retweeted
The “Make in India” and related military transformations by India was a strategic calculation that has proven very effective at vitalizing India’s private sector, academia and innovations — ultimately shifting India position in the world, its military technology and equipment will continue to advance and be some of the leading items in the world. Congrats. U.S., Israel, and India. Our competitors should continue to buy in China.
India has emerged as the third largest export of military equipment to Europe, after US and Israel.
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Jonathan Hessen retweeted
Several news outlets and reporters started to take down and remove these stories or append additional context realizing that the transcript reveals the headline is completely false. @FT should run a correction and just own the error.
Editorial note: Earlier @c14english ran a post based on an FT report. After reviewing the transcript, we are removing the post as it inaccurately characterizes Amb. Waltz’s comments, saying he said something he didn’t say. After the Sabbath in Israel we will post a correction via @c14english - @USAmbUN
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Jonathan Hessen retweeted
Dear President @realDonaldTrump:
Our ambassador in Turkey and Envoy to Syria and Iraq @USAMBTurkiye is inflicting irreparable damage on the image and standing of the United States in the Middle East.
In the video below, Barrack endorses the Iranian narrative, that Tehran does not trust America, and that we are the cause of the Iranian mistrust, because we supported the coup against Musaddagh and installed Khomeini, and that we have to earn Iranian trust today (this is exactly what the Islamic regime is saying) as the only way toward a solution for the standoff with the Islamic Iran regime.
This is the conspiracy theory endorsed by the likes of Hollywood (the intro to the movie Argo) and some pro-Islamic Iran propaganda in Washington. When a top Trump official traffics in such conspiracy tropes, it will spread far and wide, and it will linger for generations to come, and will tarnish America's image and reputation and make it hard to repair.
Dear Prez Trump, either ask Barrack to clear all his statements with the Department of State before he delivers them, or take the car keys out of his hands.
Our ambassador in Turkey and Envoy to Syria and Iraq @USAMBTurkiye is inflicting irreparable damage on the image and standing of the United States in the Middle East.
In the video below, Barrack endorses the Iranian narrative, that Tehran does not trust America, and that we are the cause of the Iranian mistrust, because we supported the coup against Musaddagh and installed Khomeini, and that we have to earn Iranian trust today (this is exactly what the Islamic regime is saying) as the only way toward a solution for the standoff with the Islamic Iran regime.
This is the conspiracy theory endorsed by the likes of Hollywood (the intro to the movie Argo) and some pro-Islamic Iran propaganda in Washington. When a top Trump official traffics in such conspiracy tropes, it will spread far and wide, and it will linger for generations to come, and will tarnish America's image and reputation and make it hard to repair.
Dear Prez Trump, either ask Barrack to clear all his statements with the Department of State before he delivers them, or take the car keys out of his hands.
توم براك: نحن من نصّبنا الخميني
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Jonathan Hessen retweeted
U.S. and Israel advanced space technology cooperation is a win for both countries writes, @FDD Emmerson Overell fdd.org/analysis/the-u…
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Jonathan Hessen retweeted
There is in fact, one more task that the @USNavy & @CENTCOM deserve immense credit for that is seldom discussed in policy spaces: mine clearance.
From April 11 - Aug 29 this year, U.S. forces also had to clear sea mines during an active conflict with the Islamic Republic and employed divers and unmanned surfaced vessels to do so.
This successful clearance and the conditions under which Washington did so brings this case to the top of the list of U.S. mine clearance during hostilities (as also seen during the Korean War, Tanker War, and first Persian Gulf War).
From April 11 - Aug 29 this year, U.S. forces also had to clear sea mines during an active conflict with the Islamic Republic and employed divers and unmanned surfaced vessels to do so.
This successful clearance and the conditions under which Washington did so brings this case to the top of the list of U.S. mine clearance during hostilities (as also seen during the Korean War, Tanker War, and first Persian Gulf War).
Some were ready to declare defeat and hand the Strait of Hormuz to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
But the reality is that we are seeing progress in the Strait of Hormuz – thanks to the U.S. military.
It is performing two tough tasks simultaneously: 1) implementing a naval blockade of Iran; and 2) facilitating the export of non-Iran oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
The blockade is depriving the regime of billions of dollars in revenue, making it more difficult for Iran to fund domestic repression, bankroll international terrorism, rebuild its military, and pursue nuclear weapons.
And we are seeing a significant number of merchant vessels sail through the Strait each week.
That is possible because the U.S. military has dealt a serious blow to Iran’s Navy, cleared the strait’s international shipping lanes of mines, and degraded Tehran’s missile and drone capabilities.
But it is too soon to declare mission accomplished. Moscow and Beijing are supporting Tehran. Iran's attacks on ships will continue.
But progress is real, and we owe that to the capability of the U.S. military.
The strain on the U.S. Navy is real, but the best response is for Congress to pass the defense appropriation bill without delay and stop relying on continuing resolutions.
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False.
The Druze conveyed their list to Damascus and to the Biden Administration in parallel, even before Assistant Secretary Leaf met with a-Sharaa.
The deep concern at the time was rooted in the massacres that Jabhat al-Nusra (HTS) committed against the Druze and Christians in Idlib, years prior. In addition to the massacres in Idlib, al-Julani’s men were responsible for land confiscations, displacement, and forced conversions.
The subsequent agreements were reached between Bakhour and Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, particularly after the attacks by government-aligned militants against Jaramana and Ashrafiat Sahnaya. Moreover, the massacres of the Alawites on March 6 were also in the background.
The initial attack on a Druze-owned lorry, which left a man brutally beaten on the side of the road while transporting vegetables via route 109 on July 7, and the subsequent events that followed, to include the deadly attacks and forced displacement against innocent civilians on July 13-17 have naturally hardened the Druze leadership’s position vis-à-vis Damascus.
The Druze conveyed their list to Damascus and to the Biden Administration in parallel, even before Assistant Secretary Leaf met with a-Sharaa.
The deep concern at the time was rooted in the massacres that Jabhat al-Nusra (HTS) committed against the Druze and Christians in Idlib, years prior. In addition to the massacres in Idlib, al-Julani’s men were responsible for land confiscations, displacement, and forced conversions.
The subsequent agreements were reached between Bakhour and Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, particularly after the attacks by government-aligned militants against Jaramana and Ashrafiat Sahnaya. Moreover, the massacres of the Alawites on March 6 were also in the background.
The initial attack on a Druze-owned lorry, which left a man brutally beaten on the side of the road while transporting vegetables via route 109 on July 7, and the subsequent events that followed, to include the deadly attacks and forced displacement against innocent civilians on July 13-17 have naturally hardened the Druze leadership’s position vis-à-vis Damascus.
I met with Hijri twice in early-2025.
Both times, he used precisely the same line when asked about talks with the gov’t:
- “There’s no deal to be made with the takfiri jihadists in #Damascus.”
The idea that Hijri was pro-talks & open to a deal is fiction. Others were though.
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Jonathan Hessen retweeted
In two years, Syria has not built a single reliable institution that asserts justice and the rule of law, and thus has not won investors’ confidence. Consequently, the economy is underperforming, basic government services remain in shambles, and lawlessness persists across the Syrian countryside.
But go ahead and dunk on Netanyahu if it makes you feel better. Introspection is the starting point. Blaming others is the opposite of introspection.
But go ahead and dunk on Netanyahu if it makes you feel better. Introspection is the starting point. Blaming others is the opposite of introspection.
In early 2025, Syria was discussing normalization with Israel. Today, Syrians are protesting against it over Netanyahu’s policies.
Netanyahu is turning a historic opportunity for peace into a new source of hostility—and potential partners into adversaries.
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These remarks are outright false. Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri sought to negotiate integration into the “new Syria” early on. The request relayed to Damascus included a list of demands that aimed to guarantee protection to the Druze and Christians living in Suweyda. HTS rejected those demands outright. Nevertheless, with Israel in the background two agreements were struck late March and early May 2025, in which Damascus pledged to provide confidence-building measures, to include protection of the routes leading into Suweida. Since then, multiple attacks were recorded in Druze towns south of Damascus, and a massacre of the Druze and Christians of Suweida in July 2025, in which almost 2000 people, including women and children, were butchered, hundreds were kidnapped, and thousands more were wounded. Ambassador Barrack called this massacre a “hiccup”.
Were it not for Israel’s involvement, the death toll would have been much higher.
Since then, Damascus has maintained a blockade on Suweida, limiting essential goods from entering the region, hoping to choke the region into submission. This situation is ongoing to date, and more than 190 Druze remain in Damascus’ jails.
Were it not for Israel’s involvement, the death toll would have been much higher.
Since then, Damascus has maintained a blockade on Suweida, limiting essential goods from entering the region, hoping to choke the region into submission. This situation is ongoing to date, and more than 190 Druze remain in Damascus’ jails.
U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack on Syria:
It's not Israel that worries me. It's a particular Druze sheikh who utilizes the perception of Israeli backing and some alignment with America to persecute other Druze.
Source: @MarioNawfal
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A welcomed stance by King Abdullah II.
The terrorist attack against Karak will be met with the harshest retaliation. Those who delude themselves into thinking that they can divide Jordanians with their bullets have no chance in the face of our unity. All Jordanians, from north to south, are partners in land and fate, and nothing stands between them. Our deepest condolences to the families of the martyrs and we wish a speedy recovery to those injured.
Every Jordanian life is precious, and we will strike with an iron fist against those who dare to threaten our nation
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Jonathan Hessen retweeted
Devastating news coming out of Karak, Jordan.
Praying for the victims, their families, and all those affected by this depraved and brutal attack on a house of worship.
Attacks on Christians continue to escalate worldwide and must be stopped.
x.com/osint613/statu…
Praying for the victims, their families, and all those affected by this depraved and brutal attack on a house of worship.
Attacks on Christians continue to escalate worldwide and must be stopped.
x.com/osint613/statu…
At least 7 people are dead in southern Jordan.
Per a Jordanian media outlet, gunmen opened fire inside a church in the city of al-Karak, in the south of the kingdom.
Kann news.
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