Protestors took to the streets in A’zaz, speaking out against the poor services and human rights violations which have become part of Turkish rule. “The local council in the city bears the largest part of the responsibility for the low-quality services, especially electricity, because it is not doing its job and is not pressuring the company to improve its performance,” …

Under pressure from advocates and lawmakers, the Veterans Administration fast-tracked some burn pit respiratory illness claims. The change applies to Iraq veterans who served after 1990 and Afghanistan and Syria veterans who served after 2001. The veteran must have been diagnosed with a listed condition within 10 years of returning home. “Through this process, I determined that the evidence provided …

25-year-old Sgt. Dionisio Garza went from twice-decorated war hero to a mass shooter because of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, his mother claimed in an interview. “I saw him go from 0 to 100 in probably three days,” Michelle Garza remarked. At first, Garza’s behavior was simply erratic. He broke into a Metro Houston auto parts store, where he stayed all …

China plans to hold large-scale military exercises in the disputed South China Sea area around the same time as the U.S.-lead Quad Alliance struts its stuff around Guam. Few details were available about the Chinese exercises, except that they are large and will involve live ammunition. Former People’s Liberation Army Colonel Yue Gang said the PLA’s drill was designed to …

As the official U.S. mission winds down, the number of private military contractors in Afghanistan has dropped by more than 50% over the past three months. Many people are concerned about what these cuts mean to Afghanistan’s air force, which is its primary weapon against the Taliban. Former Presidents, including Geroge W. Bush and Barack Obama, have used contractors to …

The ongoing Cabo Delgado insurgency might have reached a new level as Rwandan soldiers faced off against Islamic militants near the Mozambique-Tanzania border. A string of recent successes has prompted more nations to join the fray. South African contractors have already engaged militants on several occasions, in support of Mozambique’s security forces. The Rwandan forces, however, are in country specifically …

One of Beijing’s top diplomats expressed “unwavering support” for Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad and said China was prepared “to make joint efforts with the Syrian side to continue to consolidate the traditional friendship between the two countries.” Minister Wang Yi also stated that “China strongly supports Syria in safeguarding state sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity, and opposes any attempt …

In ancient times, Olympic organizers asked warring states to bury the hatchet at least temporarily, so the Games could continue. Kremlin officials evidently do not have this Olympic spirit. The war games, which began in late July 2021, will continue until late August. Observers believe Russia is taking a harder line over the disputed islands because Japan is doing the …

The assassination of President Jovenel Moïse might go to the highest level, as authorities arrested a top security coordinator as part of an ongoing effort to bring the responsible person(s) to justice. Jean Laguel Civil’s attorney says his client’s arrest is politically motivated. He was taken into custody as Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier, a Port-au-Prince gang leader, led a large group …

Wagner Group mercenaries “couldn’t take part and didn’t take part in any killings or lootings” in the Central African Republic, declared Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. “This is yet another lie,” he added. The issue came up in a UN Security Council meeting. France, Great Britain, and the United States accused Wagner Group mercenaries of committing atrocities in the Bangassou region …

Per a peace agreement, all “foreign” troops must leave the war-torn country by the end of 2021. When that happens, the government will probably lose air superiority. Currently, American contractors maintain most of the fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and drones which roam the skies over Afghanistan largely unmolested by Taliban and other anti-government forces. U.S. President Joe Biden has agreed to …

The House Committee on Veterans Affairs voted along strict party lines to advance the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021 to the House floor. A Senate committee approved a similar, but narrower, bill a few weeks earlier. If approved, both measures would make about 3.5 million veterans eligible for medical care and cash benefits. Both proposals …