Connor Freeman

US Levies Sanctions Over Iran’s Drone Program

by Connor Freeman | Sep 19, 2023 | News

Washington imposed sanctions on four entities and seven people in Russia, China, and Turkey over their alleged assistance with Tehran’s drone program which the US says has significantly benefited Russia in its war with Ukraine. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has denounced the accusations that Tehran has been arming Moscow since the Kremlin launched its invasion last year. The sanctions announced by the Treasury Department on Tuesday target the Iranian drone company Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company – also known as HESA - which was hit with sanctions in 2008, along with its managing...

Despite Rising Tensions, Top U.S.-China Emissaries Hold 12 Hours of Meetings

by Connor Freeman | Sep 19, 2023 | Featured Articles, Foreign Policy

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan held 12 hours of meetings with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Malta this weekend, potentially paving the way for leader-level discussions later this year. Although the talks come as tensions are soaring between the world’s two largest economies, the meeting has been described as “candid, substantive and constructive,” according to separate statements published Sunday by the White House and the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Reportedly, the U.S. side declared its readiness to collaborate with Beijing on the issues of counter-narcotics, artificial...

Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso Establish Military Alliance, Vowing to Collectively Defend Against External Aggression

by Connor Freeman | Sep 17, 2023 | News

The US has resumed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance flight operations in order to maintain “force protection” while some troops and assets are relocated Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have signed a charter establishing a mutual defense pact, dubbed the Alliance of Sahel States, on Saturday. The pact commits the three sides to support one another, including with military forces, in response to any external aggression or armed rebellion. It has been described as a “collective [defense] and mutual assistance framework” by Mali military leader Assimi Goita. The agreement binds the...

US Sanctions Target Russia’s Ability to Acquire Western Tech for Military Purposes

by Connor Freeman | Sep 14, 2023 | News

The US State Department and Treasury announced on Thursday a large sanctions package targeting Moscow’s trade with some of Washington’s allies and partners. The aim of this new sanctions package, one of the largest yet, is to block off Russia’s access to money, financial channels and Western technology allegedly being used to bolster the Kremlin’s war effort. Among those targeted are over 150 businesses and individuals from Russia to Turkey, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Georgia. Also in the crosshairs are the Russian energy sector, including Arctic liquified natural gas projects,...

US, Bahrain Sign Security Agreement and Invite Other Nations to Join

by Connor Freeman | Sep 13, 2023 | News

Washington and Manama signed a strategic security and economic agreement, which furthers plans to build a US-backed military alliance eyeing Iran in the region, on Wednesday. Concurrently, protests against human rights abuses inside Bahrain are ongoing and the White House is striving to forge a Saudi-Israeli normalization deal. Dubbed the “Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement,” the deal was signed during a meeting at Foggy Bottom with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Blinken said the agreement...

Clashes Continue Erupting Between US Backed Militias in East Syria, Civilians Killed and Injured

by Connor Freeman | Sep 12, 2023 | News

Fighting between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Arab tribesman aligned with Deir Ezzor Military Council (DEMC) erupted again Monday night in eastern Syria, reports The New Arab. Both sides used to be united in the fight against the Islamic State (IS). However, now that the terrorist group is all but vanquished, ethnic tensions amongst the two groups exacerbated by the illegal US occupation have turned into clashes during recent weeks. Per local sources speaking with the outlet, in the town of Abu Humam, SDF drone strikes killed an elderly man while he was working on...

US, Bahrain to Sign Strategic Security and Economic Agreement

by Connor Freeman | Sep 11, 2023 | News

The US and Bahrain will ink a deal to upgrade the two nations’ strategic partnership this week, according to Axios. One source briefed on the issue said the White House hopes to use this deal as a framework for other regional agreements. The Joe Biden administration is currently striving to induce Riyadh into normalizing with apartheid Israel. Washington and Manama have a strong partnership, the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet is headquartered at a large base in Bahrain. Since 2002, the Gulf Kingdom has been a major non-NATO ally of the United States, though this does not include a security...

US Pledges Millions Seized from Russian Oligarch in Latest Ukraine Aid Package

by Connor Freeman | Sep 11, 2023 | News

Attorney General Merrick Garland promises this will not be the last time Kiev will be provided with “forfeited Russian funds.” While visiting Kyiv on Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced another pledge of funds to Ukraine worth $1 billion in military and other financial aid. Included in that sum is $5.4 million in seized assets belonging to a Russian oligarch and this will go toward veterans’ services. Blinken declared “those who have enabled Putin’s war of aggression should pay for it.” This is the first time sanctioned Russian oligarchs’ assets will be included in an...