The US&nbsp;Senate remained at a stalemate on Friday over how to proceed with the impeachment trial of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-trump-ordered-action-against-irans-quds-force-commander-soleimani-us-department-of-defence-271773">President Donald Trump</a>, as the chamber's leaders wrangled over whether White House aides will be called as witnesses and the top Democrat appealed to a handful of Republicans who could help break the impasse.

After a two-week holiday recess, there was still no clarity about when Trump's impeachment trial might begin.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, said that in any case the trial could not start without the articles of impeachment, which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not yet sent to the Senate.

The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives voted in December to impeach Trump for pressuring Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a potential rival in the 2020 presidential election.

A trial would be held in the Senate, and Trump is expected to be acquitted by the Republican-controlled chamber. But McConnell and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer have been at loggerheads since late last year over how it should be conducted.

McConnell said on Friday that once the Senate receives the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-senator-schumer-outlines-documents-he-wants-for-impeachment-trial-269912">articles of impeachment</a> from the House, it could start the trial and resolve the dispute over witnesses "mid-trial." He said this would follow the precedent set in former President Bill Clinton's impeachment trial two decades ago. Clinton, a Democrat, was acquitted by the Senate.

"Just like 20 years ago," McConnell said, "we should address mid-trial questions such as witnesses after briefs, opening arguments, senator questions and other relevant motions."

Watch:&nbsp;Pelosi calls Trump threat to US&nbsp;in House debate before impeachment vote

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Setting 'a trap'

Schumer, speaking after McConnell, said the majority leader was trying to set a trap by waiting to consider witnesses until after opening presentations.

By that time, Schumer said, McConnell would want to wrap things up and would accuse Democrats of wanting to "drag the whole affair out" by calling witnesses. The witnesses Democrats want to call have not previously testified - unlike in the Clinton trial, Schumer said.

He has asked for testimony from Mick Mulvaney, the acting White House chief of staff, along with former national security adviser John Bolton and two other <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-announces-partial-ban-on-flavored-e-cigarettes-271789">White House aides</a>.

"So if we don't get a commitment up front that the House managers will be able to call witnesses as part of their case, the Senate will act as little more than a nationally televised meeting of the 'Mock Trial Club,'" Schumer declared.

In an appeal to Republicans who may have concerns about McConnell's stance, Schumer also noted that a decision on the parameters of the trial "ultimately rests with a majority of the senators in this chamber."

Republicans have a 53-seat majority in the Senate, where 51 votes are needed to pass a set of rules for the Trump trial.

At least two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, expressed concerns over the holiday break about McConnell's approach to the trial after he said he was acting in "total coordination" with the White House and would not be an impartial juror.

The actual impeachment trial in the Senate would need a two-thirds majority vote for a conviction, requiring more than 20 Republicans to break with their party to remove the president.

Schumer said Trump administration correspondence released this week bolstered Democrats' case that Trump withheld military aid from Ukraine in an effort to pressure Kiev to investigate the Bidens.

The two Senate leaders spoke after a US&nbsp;air strike in Baghdad killed Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force and architect of its growing military influence in the Middle East. The attack was authorized by Trump, and Iran has promised harsh revenge.

Clinton ordered four days of bombing on Iraq in 1998 as he was facing an impeachment vote in the House. Those airstrikes delayed the vote, but did not prevent it.

The US Senate remained at a stalemate on Friday over how to proceed with the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, as the chamber's leaders wrangled over whether White House aides will be called as witnesses and the top Democrat appealed to a handful of Republicans who could help break the impasse.

The US Senate remained at a stalemate on Friday over how to proceed with the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, as the chamber's leaders wrangled over whether White House aides will be called as witnesses and the top Democrat appealed to a handful of Republicans who could help break the impasse. After a two-week holiday recess, there was still no clarity about when Trump's impeachment trial might begin. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, said that in any case the trial could not start without the articles of impeachment, which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not yet sent to the Senate. The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives voted in December to impeach Trump for pressuring Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a potential rival in the 2020 presidential election. A trial would be held in the Senate, and Trump is expected to be acquitted by the Republican-controlled chamber. But McConnell and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer have been at loggerheads since late last year over how it should be conducted. McConnell said on Friday that once the Senate receives the articles of impeachment from the House, it could start the trial and resolve the dispute over witnesses "mid-trial." He said this would follow the precedent set in former President Bill Clinton's impeachment trial two decades ago. Clinton, a Democrat, was acquitted by the Senate. "Just like 20 years ago," McConnell said, "we should address mid-trial questions such as witnesses after briefs, opening arguments, senator questions and other relevant motions." Watch: Pelosi calls Trump threat to US in House debate before impeachment vote Setting 'a trap' Schumer, speaking after McConnell, said the majority leader was trying to set a trap by waiting to consider witnesses until after opening presentations. By that time, Schumer said, McConnell would want to wrap things up and would accuse Democrats of wanting to "drag the whole affair out" by calling witnesses. The witnesses Democrats want to call have not previously testified - unlike in the Clinton trial, Schumer said. He has asked for testimony from Mick Mulvaney, the acting White House chief of staff, along with former national security adviser John Bolton and two other White House aides. "So if we don't get a commitment up front that the House managers will be able to call witnesses as part of their case, the Senate will act as little more than a nationally televised meeting of the 'Mock Trial Club,'" Schumer declared. In an appeal to Republicans who may have concerns about McConnell's stance, Schumer also noted that a decision on the parameters of the trial "ultimately rests with a majority of the senators in this chamber." Republicans have a 53-seat majority in the Senate, where 51 votes are needed to pass a set of rules for the Trump trial. At least two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, expressed concerns over the holiday break about McConnell's approach to the trial after he said he was acting in "total coordination" with the White House and would not be an impartial juror. The actual impeachment trial in the Senate would need a two-thirds majority vote for a conviction, requiring more than 20 Republicans to break with their party to remove the president. Schumer said Trump administration correspondence released this week bolstered Democrats' case that Trump withheld military aid from Ukraine in an effort to pressure Kiev to investigate the Bidens. The two Senate leaders spoke after a US air strike in Baghdad killed Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force and architect of its growing military influence in the Middle East. The attack was authorized by Trump, and Iran has promised harsh revenge. Clinton ordered four days of bombing on Iraq in 1998 as he was facing an impeachment vote in the House. Those airstrikes delayed the vote, but did not prevent it.

Trump impeachment row: US Senate in stalemate over how to proceed

Over a day after Iran's top commander <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-contributed-to-plotting-terror-attacks-in-new-delhi-london-trump-272027">Qasem Soleimani's assassination in US airstrikes</a>, the message from Iran's top leadership remains loud and clear.&nbsp;

From the Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, foreign minister Javad Zarif to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's top leaders have vowed to avenge <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-gather-in-baghdad-to-mourn-soleimani-others-killed-in-us-airstrike-272067">Soleimani's killing</a>&nbsp;but what possible options can Iran take and is military retaliation a possibility?&nbsp;

Regional conflict

This conflict is regional and both the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mike-pompeo-accuses-europeans-of-not-being-helpful-after-us-strikes-272098">United States</a> and Iran will be looking to keep the confrontation within West Asia. Therefore, the American troops in West Asia are the most vulnerable at this point.

The US has its troops in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, and in Iraq and Syria.&nbsp;

Iran, incidentally, has proxy forces that can strike these troops. The small regiment of troops in Syria are especially vulnerable considering Iran's clout in the country.

In Iraq, the pro-Iranian Shia militants, who are already in a tussle with the US, are a threat to the US troops.

US embassies and consulates

Other possible targets are US embassies and consulates. Earlier this week, the US embassy in Iraq was stormed by Shia militants. Iran's proxies in the neighbouring countries could possibly mount a similar attack.

The recent escalation has also put one particular group of nations uneasy - the American allies in West Asia. The likes of Israel and Saudi Arabia will be watching the developments closely.

For Iran, it wouldn't even require a policy change, as most US allies are sworn enemies of Iran too and they have the means to do it as well. The Hezbollah in Lebanon have mounted attacks on Israel and the Houthi rebels - backed by Iran - are staunch opponents of Saudi Arabia.

<img alt="Iran " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a63e78ed-ed6e-43db-a27a-673d0c16bce0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/iran%20oil.jpg" />

US citizens

American citizens abroad could be possible targets as well, therefore the travel advisories issued by the US.&nbsp;

One thing to understand is the clout that the Iranian proxies have in the neighbourhood.

The Hezbollah are major powerbrokers in Lebanon and the Shia militants in Iraq are integrated into their security forces.

Ports of entries like airports and seaports could be such areas where US citizens could be nabbed by pro-Iranian security forces.

Oil supply

Iran can strangle the world's oil supply. Iranian proxies have hit Saudi oil fields as recently as last September. However, the biggest threat is that of shutting down the Strait of Hormuz.

If the Iranian forces shut the Strait of Hormuz completely, it would put at stake as much as thirty per cent of the world's oil trade. This would starve not just the US but also American allies who are dependent on this oil supply chain.

<img alt="oil" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="129f6695-8efc-493a-b2df-6527ed0ed945" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/oil.jpg" />

Cyberattack

Experts even hint at a possible cyberattack by Iran. Rouhani-led nation has stepped up its cyber arsenal. They have wiper malware that can infiltrate and destroy computer software.&nbsp;

The over-arching trend in the options available for Iran is the use of proxies. They give Iran a wider reach and also the option of plausible deniability.

Ironically, it was Qasem Soleimani who played a crucial role in creating this network of proxies in the first place and now, Iran could very well use his creation to avenge his death.

Over a day after Iran's top commander Qasem Soleimani's assassination in US airstrikes, the message from Iran's top leadership remains loud and clear. From the Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, foreign minister Javad Zarif to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's top leaders have vowed to avenge Soleimani's killing but what possible options can Iran take and is military retaliation a possibility?

Over a day after Iran's top commander Qasem Soleimani's assassination in US airstrikes, the message from Iran's top leadership remains loud and clear. From the Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, foreign minister Javad Zarif to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's top leaders have vowed to avenge Soleimani's killing but what possible options can Iran take and is military retaliation a possibility? Regional conflict This conflict is regional and both the United States and Iran will be looking to keep the confrontation within West Asia. Therefore, the American troops in West Asia are the most vulnerable at this point. The US has its troops in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, and in Iraq and Syria. Iran, incidentally, has proxy forces that can strike these troops. The small regiment of troops in Syria are especially vulnerable considering Iran's clout in the country. In Iraq, the pro-Iranian Shia militants, who are already in a tussle with the US, are a threat to the US troops. US embassies and consulates Other possible targets are US embassies and consulates. Earlier this week, the US embassy in Iraq was stormed by Shia militants. Iran's proxies in the neighbouring countries could possibly mount a similar attack. The recent escalation has also put one particular group of nations uneasy - the American allies in West Asia. The likes of Israel and Saudi Arabia will be watching the developments closely. For Iran, it wouldn't even require a policy change, as most US allies are sworn enemies of Iran too and they have the means to do it as well. The Hezbollah in Lebanon have mounted attacks on Israel and the Houthi rebels - backed by Iran - are staunch opponents of Saudi Arabia. US citizens American citizens abroad could be possible targets as well, therefore the travel advisories issued by the US. One thing to understand is the clout that the Iranian proxies have in the neighbourhood. The Hezbollah are major powerbrokers in Lebanon and the Shia militants in Iraq are integrated into their security forces. Ports of entries like airports and seaports could be such areas where US citizens could be nabbed by pro-Iranian security forces. Oil supply Iran can strangle the world's oil supply. Iranian proxies have hit Saudi oil fields as recently as last September. However, the biggest threat is that of shutting down the Strait of Hormuz. If the Iranian forces shut the Strait of Hormuz completely, it would put at stake as much as thirty per cent of the world's oil trade. This would starve not just the US but also American allies who are dependent on this oil supply chain. Cyberattack Experts even hint at a possible cyberattack by Iran. Rouhani-led nation has stepped up its cyber arsenal. They have wiper malware that can infiltrate and destroy computer software. The over-arching trend in the options available for Iran is the use of proxies. They give Iran a wider reach and also the option of plausible deniability. Ironically, it was Qasem Soleimani who played a crucial role in creating this network of proxies in the first place and now, Iran could very well use his creation to avenge his death.

Qasem Soleimani's killing: What options does Iran have to avenge top commander's assassination

While the killing of Iran's top military commander Qasem Soleimani is going to have magnitudes of repercussions on west Asia and the United States foreign policy. One of these developments wider implications could be a message to North Korea. As North Korea is another foreign power since the Trump administration has missed no opportunity to aggravate the United States efforts to get the country to denuclearize. Denuclearization of Iran was the cornerstone of the Obama era administration. #QasemSoleimani #Soleimani #US #Iran #WION

Ayatollah Khamenei vows 'severe revenge' after Soleimani killed by U.S.

It seems like the U.S. is not quite finished with its operations in West Asia. Reports have claimed that the U.S. launched fresh airstrikes on the northern part of Baghdad targeting a militia convoy. U.S. President Donald Trump said, "Qasem Soleimani has plotted attacks in Delhi & London, now the reign of his terror is over." #QasemSoleimani #Soleimani #US #Iran #DonaldTrump #WION

Did Soleimani plot attacks in India?

Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces performed the last rites for Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Iranian Major-General Qasem Soleimani, top commanders of the Revolutionary Guards' elite force, who were killed in a US airstrike late Thursday with their convoy at Baghdad Airport. #SoleimaniFuneral #Iraq #QasemSoleimani #Soleimani #US #Iran #DonaldTrump #WION

Iraq perform last rites for commanders killed in U.S. air strike

On Saturday at the Holy Shrine of Imam Moussa al-Qadim in Baghdad, Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and the head of the elite force Irani Major-General Kasli Soleimani were cremated, both of them were in Baghdad on Friday when they were killed in US drone attack outside the airport. #SoleimaniFuneral #Iraq #QasemSoleimani #Soleimani #US #Iran #DonaldTrump #WION

Funeral procession attended by hundreds of people, held Iraqi flags to honour chief

Iran's supreme leader appointed the deputy commander of the Quds Force, Brigadier General Esmail Ghaani, as the replacement for Qassem Soleimani, the former head of the elite force who was killed in a U.S. airstrike on Friday. #EsmailGhaani #QasemSoleimani #QudsForceChief #Soleimani #US #Iran #WION

Iran: Brigadier Gen Esmail Qaani appointed as country's Quds Force chief replacing Soleimani

The World is One News, WION examines global issues with in-depth analysis. We provide much more than the news of the day. Our aim is to empower people to explore their world. #IranianGeneral #US #Soleimani #Iran #Iraq #SoleimaniKilling

Gravitas: US kills top Iranian general Soleimani

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elizabeth-warren-and-bernie-sanders-defend-progressive-policies-in-us-democratic-debate-239616">Bernie Sanders</a> raised more than $34.5 million in the last quarter of 2019, the largest three-month haul for a 2020 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/big-democratic-field-taking-shape-for-2020-us-presidential-race-213249">Democratic presidential candidate</a>, while Republican President Donald Trump drew $46 million on the heels of his impeachment, their campaigns said on Thursday.

Former Vice President Joe Biden announced on Thursday that his campaign raised $22.7 million in the same period, up from the $15.2 million he brought in the previous three months.

The new figures took Sanders' total campaign fundraising last year to $96 million, making him the leading fundraiser so far among 14 Democrats vying to face Trump in November's presidential election. States begin choosing candidates next month with the Iowa Caucuses on February&nbsp;3.

Trump, a polarizing president popular with a large majority of Republicans but vilified by many Democrats, maintained his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/from-joe-biden-to-donald-trump-music-choices-help-rally-supporters-269653">formidable fundraising edge</a> over Democrats with a surge of donations following his impeachment last month by the Democratic-led House of Representatives.

"Democrats and the media have been in a sham impeachment frenzy and the president's campaign only got bigger and stronger with our best fundraising quarter this cycle," his campaign manager, Brad Parscale, said in a statement.

The Trump campaign's latest quarter eclipsed a third-quarter fundraising haul of nearly $41 million.

Biden's campaign pointed to continued attacks by Trump as the reason for his uptick in fundraising.

"These numbers clearly demonstrate Donald Trump's lies and attacks on the vice president have only cemented and expanded his support, serving as a constant reminder to Democratic primary voters that Trump is terrified by the idea of facing Joe Biden in a general election," Greg Schultz, Biden's campaign manager, said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-may-consider-obama-as-supreme-court-judge-if-he-becomes-president-271019">Biden</a>, despite continuing to lead most national public opinion polls, had lacklustre fundraising totals after the third quarter. His $22.7 million in the fourth quarter is likely to keep him competitive with rivals.

Pete Buttigieg raised $24.7 million in the fourth quarter, a hefty total expected to land him among the top fundraisers in the Democratic field. Businessman Andrew Yang raised $16.5 million, well over the nearly $10 million he took in previous quarter.

The other candidates, including Senator <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democratic-candidate-warren-discloses-details-of-past-legal-work-showing-2-million-in-compensation-267187">Elizabeth Warren</a>, who currently remains in the top tier of hopefuls, have not released their latest figures.

Sanders, a US&nbsp;senator from Vermont who wants to reduce the sway of corporate America and economic inequality, has built his campaign on small donations, largely through online fundraising from an ethnically diverse, mostly young coalition of supporters.

Campaign manager Faiz Shakir said Sanders' "grassroots movement" showed he was the best placed candidate to defeat Trump.

"He&nbsp;is proving each and every day that working class Americans are ready and willing to fully fund a campaign that stands up for them and takes on the biggest corporations and the wealthy," Shakir said in a statement.

Sanders, 78, bounced back from a heart attack in early October to win growing support for his platform of expanding government-run healthcare, making college free, and investment in renewable energy paid for with higher taxes on the wealthy.

Two billionaires in the Democratic race, Tom Steyer and Michael Bloomberg, are relying on their own money to fund their campaigns but have not released latest funding figures.

Watch: Donald Trump vs Michael Bloomberg - The battle of the millionaires

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Bloomberg has spent more than $76 million on television ads since November&nbsp;16, while Biden, Warren, Sanders and Buttigieg have spent a combined $13.2 million all year, according to an analysis by the Wesleyan Media Project citing Kantar/CMAG political ad data.

The New York media mogul, who only entered the race in November, has outspent Steyer, who has put more than $72 million into TV ads this year.

Bernie Sanders raised more than $34.5 million in the last quarter of 2019, the largest three-month haul for a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, while Republican President Donald Trump drew $46 million on the heels of his impeachment, their campaigns said on Thursday.

Bernie Sanders raised more than $34.5 million in the last quarter of 2019, the largest three-month haul for a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, while Republican President Donald Trump drew $46 million on the heels of his impeachment, their campaigns said on Thursday. Former Vice President Joe Biden announced on Thursday that his campaign raised $22.7 million in the same period, up from the $15.2 million he brought in the previous three months. The new figures took Sanders' total campaign fundraising last year to $96 million, making him the leading fundraiser so far among 14 Democrats vying to face Trump in November's presidential election. States begin choosing candidates next month with the Iowa Caucuses on February 3. Trump, a polarizing president popular with a large majority of Republicans but vilified by many Democrats, maintained his formidable fundraising edge over Democrats with a surge of donations following his impeachment last month by the Democratic-led House of Representatives. "Democrats and the media have been in a sham impeachment frenzy and the president's campaign only got bigger and stronger with our best fundraising quarter this cycle," his campaign manager, Brad Parscale, said in a statement. The Trump campaign's latest quarter eclipsed a third-quarter fundraising haul of nearly $41 million. Biden's campaign pointed to continued attacks by Trump as the reason for his uptick in fundraising. "These numbers clearly demonstrate Donald Trump's lies and attacks on the vice president have only cemented and expanded his support, serving as a constant reminder to Democratic primary voters that Trump is terrified by the idea of facing Joe Biden in a general election," Greg Schultz, Biden's campaign manager, said. Biden, despite continuing to lead most national public opinion polls, had lacklustre fundraising totals after the third quarter. His $22.7 million in the fourth quarter is likely to keep him competitive with rivals. Pete Buttigieg raised $24.7 million in the fourth quarter, a hefty total expected to land him among the top fundraisers in the Democratic field. Businessman Andrew Yang raised $16.5 million, well over the nearly $10 million he took in previous quarter. The other candidates, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, who currently remains in the top tier of hopefuls, have not released their latest figures. Sanders, a US senator from Vermont who wants to reduce the sway of corporate America and economic inequality, has built his campaign on small donations, largely through online fundraising from an ethnically diverse, mostly young coalition of supporters. Campaign manager Faiz Shakir said Sanders' "grassroots movement" showed he was the best placed candidate to defeat Trump. "He is proving each and every day that working class Americans are ready and willing to fully fund a campaign that stands up for them and takes on the biggest corporations and the wealthy," Shakir said in a statement. Sanders, 78, bounced back from a heart attack in early October to win growing support for his platform of expanding government-run healthcare, making college free, and investment in renewable energy paid for with higher taxes on the wealthy. Two billionaires in the Democratic race, Tom Steyer and Michael Bloomberg, are relying on their own money to fund their campaigns but have not released latest funding figures. Watch: Donald Trump vs Michael Bloomberg - The battle of the millionaires × Bloomberg has spent more than $76 million on television ads since November 16, while Biden, Warren, Sanders and Buttigieg have spent a combined $13.2 million all year, according to an analysis by the Wesleyan Media Project citing Kantar/CMAG political ad data. The New York media mogul, who only entered the race in November, has outspent Steyer, who has put more than $72 million into TV ads this year.

Happy New Year for Sanders, Trump in campaign fundraising hauls

Iranian Major-General <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rocket-attack-on-baghdad-airport-top-iran-commander-killed-271756">Qassem Soleimani</a>, head of the elite Quds Force, and&nbsp;Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed early on Friday in an airstrike on their convoy at Baghdad airport, an&nbsp;Iraqi militia spokesman told Reuters.

"The American and Israeli enemy is responsible for killing the mujahideen Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Qassem Soleimani," said Ahmed al-Assadi, a spokesman for&nbsp;Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces umbrella grouping of Iran-backed militias.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-carries-out-airstrikes-against-militant-groups-in-iraq-syria-270892">Strikes</a> had been carried out against two targets linked to Iran in Baghdad on Thursday, US&nbsp;officials told sources. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, declined to give any further details.

Watch: Reports - Air strike on Baghdad airport, 8 killed including Iranian Major-General Soleimani

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&nbsp;

Iraqi paramilitary groups said on Friday that three rockets hit Baghdad International Airport, killing five members of&nbsp;Iraqi paramilitary groups and two "guests."

The rockets landed near the air cargo terminal, burning two vehicles, killing and injuring several people.
<img alt="Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a commander in the Popular Mobilization Forces" data-caption="Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a commander in the Popular Mobilization Forces was also killed in the airstrikes conducted by the US airstrike which killed Iranian Quds Forces commander Qassem Soleimani." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aee4b6d8-1e77-4abd-8835-569336dc06dd" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%286%29_7.jpg" />
Soleimani, who has led the foreign arm of the Revolutionary Guards and has had a key role in fighting in Syria and&nbsp;Iraq, acquired celebrity status at home and abroad.

He was instrumental in the spread of Iranian influence in the Middle East, which the United States and Tehran's regional foes Saudi Arabia and Israel have struggled to keep in check.

He survived several <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-it-foiled-plot-to-kill-quds-force-chief-qassem-suleimani-253699">assassination attempts</a> against him by Western, Israeli and Arab agencies over the past two decades.

Soleimani's Quds Force, tasked with carrying out operations beyond Iran's borders, shored up support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad when he looked close to defeat in the civil war raging since 2011 and also helped militiamen defeat Islamic State in&nbsp;Iraq.

Soleimani became head of the Quds Force in 1998, a position in which he kept a low profile for years while he strengthened Iran's ties with Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government and Shi’ite militia groups in&nbsp;Iraq.

Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed early on Friday in an airstrike on their convoy at Baghdad airport, an Iraqi militia spokesman told Reuters.

Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed early on Friday in an airstrike on their convoy at Baghdad airport, an Iraqi militia spokesman told Reuters. "The American and Israeli enemy is responsible for killing the mujahideen Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Qassem Soleimani," said Ahmed al-Assadi, a spokesman for Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces umbrella grouping of Iran-backed militias. Strikes had been carried out against two targets linked to Iran in Baghdad on Thursday, US officials told sources. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, declined to give any further details. Watch: Reports - Air strike on Baghdad airport, 8 killed including Iranian Major-General Soleimani × Iraqi paramilitary groups said on Friday that three rockets hit Baghdad International Airport, killing five members of Iraqi paramilitary groups and two "guests." The rockets landed near the air cargo terminal, burning two vehicles, killing and injuring several people. Soleimani, who has led the foreign arm of the Revolutionary Guards and has had a key role in fighting in Syria and Iraq, acquired celebrity status at home and abroad. He was instrumental in the spread of Iranian influence in the Middle East, which the United States and Tehran's regional foes Saudi Arabia and Israel have struggled to keep in check. He survived several assassination attempts against him by Western, Israeli and Arab agencies over the past two decades. Soleimani's Quds Force, tasked with carrying out operations beyond Iran's borders, shored up support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad when he looked close to defeat in the civil war raging since 2011 and also helped militiamen defeat Islamic State in Iraq. Soleimani became head of the Quds Force in 1998, a position in which he kept a low profile for years while he strengthened Iran's ties with Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government and Shi’ite militia groups in Iraq.

Iran's Soleimani and Iraq's Muhandis killed in US air strike - militia spokesman

In this segment of WION Dispatch, our correspondent Daniele Pagani and journalist Amichan Stein explain- How Iran and Iraq respond to US airstrike on Iraq. #Iraq #IraqAirStrike #US #IranGeneral #Soleimani

WION Dispatch: How Iran and Iraq respond to US airstrike on Iraq

In this segment of WION Dispatch, our correspondent Simon Marks explains - what all went behind the scenes of US airstrikes on Iraq? #Iraq #IraqAirStrike #US #IranGeneral #Soleimani

WION Dispatch: What all went behind the scenes of US airstrikes on Iraq?

Killing of Qasem Soleimani can have repercussions on west Asia and US foreign policy

The United States stirred a hornet’s nest that stretches far beyond Iraq when it this weekend attacked an Iranian-backed militia.

The fallout of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deputy-commander-of-quds-force-to-replace-soleimani-irans-supreme-leader-ayatollah-ali-khamenei-271905">US strikes</a> was immediate in Iraq with pro-Iranian militiamen besieging the US embassy in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rocket-attack-on-baghdad-airport-top-iran-commander-killed-271756">Baghdad</a> in scenes reminiscent of the run-up in 1979 to the 444-day occupation of the American diplomatic mission in Tehran.

The strikes put a question mark on&nbsp;the future of the US military presence in Iraq, 17 years after US-led forces toppled the regime of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-hails-iraqi-dictator-saddam-hussein-for-killing-terrorists-1924">Saddam Hussein</a>.

They came at a moment that mass anti-government demonstrations are demanding a radical overhaul of Iraq’s political system.

If protesters focussed their demand for a withdrawal of all foreign forces primarily on Iranian influence prior to the US strikes, they now focus equally on the presence of US forces.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-orders-killing-of-qassim-suleimani-in-baghdad-271821/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

&nbsp;

Of equal, if not more far-reaching consequence, is the fact that the strikes potentially bolster efforts to counter moves by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-over-200-arrested-over-public-indecency-harassment-271232">Saudi Arabia</a> to position itself as an Islamic hegemon based on its financial muscle and appeal as the custodian of Islam’s two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina.

The backing of the efforts by allies and states with whom the United States maintains, sometimes increasingly complex relationships, including Malaysia, Turkey, and Qatar, complicates issues for the Trump administration.

The efforts involve both joint initiatives that last month culminated in an Islamic summit in Kuala Lumpur outside of the confines of the Riyadh-based, Saudi-controlled <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-call-taken-by-organisation-of-islamic-cooperation-on-foreign-minister-meet-on-kashmircaa-yet-271129">Organisation of Islamic Cooperation</a> (OIC) that groups 57 Muslim majority states.

Ultimately, the summit dashed hopes that an anti-Saudi block would challenge the kingdom by taking on major problems confronting the Muslim world, including China’s crackdown on Turkic Muslims in its troubled, north-western province of Xinjiang; repression of Rohingya in Myanmar that has prompted hundreds of thousands to seek refuge in neighbouring Bangladesh; and civil wars in Syria and Yemen.

Despite its billing, the summit avoided such sensitive issues. Nonetheless, it signaled strong currents in the Muslim world that seek to counter the influence of America’s closest allies in the Middle East.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
If it’s true Suleimani is dead, this is bigger than bin-Laden. Bigger than Mugniyeh. Bigger than Baghdadi. 
 
For two decades, Suleimani has been the most powerful, savvy &amp; effective terrorist on the planet. He’s enjoyed full backing of powerful terrorist state. 
 
Irreplaceable.
— Mark Dubowitz (@mdubowitz) <a href="https://twitter.com/mdubowitz/status/1212916879611879424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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&nbsp;

Part of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/uae-crown-prince-arrives-in-pakistan-to-boost-bilateral-ties-271674">Kuala Lumpur summit</a>’s problem was that rivalries in the Muslim world transcend political and geopolitical fault lines in an environment of a few cash-rich and a majority of economically and financially troubled states.

Countries like Saudi Arabia; the United Arab Emirates, the kingdom’s closest ally; Turkey; and Iran are, moreover, competing with one another globally using religious soft power by investing in the building of mosques and religious entities in countries as far-flung and seemingly marginal as Cuba and New Zealand and the funding of key Muslim institutions.

The rivalries are also fought geopolitically in Libya, the Eastern Mediterranean gas race and the Horn of Africa where rivals back opposing sides.

The US military strikes, widely viewed as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty, potentially handed a whip to Saudi Arabia’s detractors at a moment that the summit spotlighted the divisions in the Muslim world and participation in the gathering was determined in part by the kingdom’s ability to wield its financial muscle to prevent states from attending.

Russia and Iran were quick to condemn the US strikes. So far, others have remained silent.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
US air strike which killed Qasem Soleimani was the correct response to repeated Iranian provocations and apparent US intelligence about more to come. Iranian conduct cannot be ignored and <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> is to be commended for responding to awful Iranian actions!
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovChristie/status/1212940478162882561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

That could, however, change with Iraqi public demands for a withdrawal of all foreign forces and pro-Iranian militias ending their siege of the US embassy in Baghdad on condition that parliament adopts a timeline for the withdrawal.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/the-killing-of-iranians-general-qasem-soleimani-and-its-consequences-271884">Pro-Iranian militias</a> are counting on the fact that they are Iraqis with close ties to the Iraqi security establishment, which they expect will exclude them from the moves to withdraw foreign forces that would primarily target the United States.

For its part, the Trump administration is likely counting on Saudi and UAE financial muscles to prevent the Iraqi crisis sparking a groundswell of anti-US sentiment elsewhere in the Muslim world.

Saudi financial muscle persuaded Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan, believed to be one of the instigators of the Kuala Lumpur summit, from attending the gathering.

Saudi Arabia reportedly threatened to withdraw some $ 10billion-plus in investments and financial aid to Pakistan if Khan participated.

Saudi opposition to the gathering coupled with Chinese concerns that it would target the crackdown in Xinjiang influenced Indonesian president Joko Widodo’s decision not to participate.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
UK supports moral and legal basis of U.S. strike on Iranian terror mastermind by emphasizing "the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qasem Soleimani." Contradicts top UNHRC official Agnes Callamard's declaration that it was illegal.<a href="https://t.co/3fdJ0aGQrI">https://t.co/3fdJ0aGQrI</a>
— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) <a href="https://twitter.com/HillelNeuer/status/1213041174686117888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Indonesian vice-president Amin Ma’ruf, a leading figure in Nahdlatul Ulema, the world’s largest Muslim organization, cited medical reasons for not attending.

A forced US withdrawal from Iraq, even if countries like Saudi Arabia are able to limit the fallout in the Muslim world, would significantly bolster anti-US forces and hand them a victory on par with the defeat of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in the 1980s.

<img alt="US strikes" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aebc5e1d-c621-4642-896a-1bd0c2e8f8b6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%289%29_9.jpg" />

The anti-Soviet insurgents, despite being backed by the United States and Saudi Arabia, ultimately turned their backs on their benefactors.

A forced US withdrawal from Iraq would likely not spark the jihadist movement that emerged from Afghanistan, but it would put considerable wind in the sails of those seeking to counter US and Saudi influence in the region.

“Everyone is breathing a sigh of relief. A situation that could have easily escalated out of control was handled with tactical restraint, and everyone was able to walk away,” said Charlie Dietz, a spokesman for the US military in Baghdad, after protesters withdrew from the US embassy.

The problem is the relief is temporary at best. Seventeen years of engagement in Iraq and $1 trillion later, the United States risks the kind of humiliation it suffered from the 1979 occupation of its Tehran embassy.

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Iran announces Suleimani's successor as commander of the Quds Force: Esmail Qaani (pronounced Terr-or-eest). <a href="https://t.co/rhR4Tl2jEN">https://t.co/rhR4Tl2jEN</a>
— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) <a href="https://twitter.com/HillelNeuer/status/1213051990437244929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Only this time, it may occur against the backdrop of the United States that has suffered a loss of credibility and whose power is perceived to be waning, irrespective of whether by design or default. 
 
(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The United States stirred a hornet’s nest that stretches far beyond Iraq when it this weekend attacked an Iranian-backed militia. The fallout of the US strikes was immediate in Iraq with pro-Iranian militiamen besieging the US embassy in Baghdad in scenes reminiscent of the run-up in 1979 to the 444-day occupation of the American diplomatic mission in Tehran.

The United States stirred a hornet’s nest that stretches far beyond Iraq when it this weekend attacked an Iranian-backed militia. The fallout of the US strikes was immediate in Iraq with pro-Iranian militiamen besieging the US embassy in Baghdad in scenes reminiscent of the run-up in 1979 to the 444-day occupation of the American diplomatic mission in Tehran. The strikes put a question mark on the future of the US military presence in Iraq, 17 years after US-led forces toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein. They came at a moment that mass anti-government demonstrations are demanding a radical overhaul of Iraq’s political system. If protesters focussed their demand for a withdrawal of all foreign forces primarily on Iranian influence prior to the US strikes, they now focus equally on the presence of US forces. Watch Video: Of equal, if not more far-reaching consequence, is the fact that the strikes potentially bolster efforts to counter moves by Saudi Arabia to position itself as an Islamic hegemon based on its financial muscle and appeal as the custodian of Islam’s two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina. The backing of the efforts by allies and states with whom the United States maintains, sometimes increasingly complex relationships, including Malaysia, Turkey, and Qatar, complicates issues for the Trump administration. The efforts involve both joint initiatives that last month culminated in an Islamic summit in Kuala Lumpur outside of the confines of the Riyadh-based, Saudi-controlled Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) that groups 57 Muslim majority states. Ultimately, the summit dashed hopes that an anti-Saudi block would challenge the kingdom by taking on major problems confronting the Muslim world, including China’s crackdown on Turkic Muslims in its troubled, north-western province of Xinjiang; repression of Rohingya in Myanmar that has prompted hundreds of thousands to seek refuge in neighbouring Bangladesh; and civil wars in Syria and Yemen. Despite its billing, the summit avoided such sensitive issues. Nonetheless, it signaled strong currents in the Muslim world that seek to counter the influence of America’s closest allies in the Middle East. If it’s true Suleimani is dead, this is bigger than bin-Laden. Bigger than Mugniyeh. Bigger than Baghdadi. For two decades, Suleimani has been the most powerful, savvy & effective terrorist on the planet. He’s enjoyed full backing of powerful terrorist state. Irreplaceable. — Mark Dubowitz (@mdubowitz) January 3, 2020 × Part of the Kuala Lumpur summit’s problem was that rivalries in the Muslim world transcend political and geopolitical fault lines in an environment of a few cash-rich and a majority of economically and financially troubled states. Countries like Saudi Arabia; the United Arab Emirates, the kingdom’s closest ally; Turkey; and Iran are, moreover, competing with one another globally using religious soft power by investing in the building of mosques and religious entities in countries as far-flung and seemingly marginal as Cuba and New Zealand and the funding of key Muslim institutions. The rivalries are also fought geopolitically in Libya, the Eastern Mediterranean gas race and the Horn of Africa where rivals back opposing sides. The US military strikes, widely viewed as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty, potentially handed a whip to Saudi Arabia’s detractors at a moment that the summit spotlighted the divisions in the Muslim world and participation in the gathering was determined in part by the kingdom’s ability to wield its financial muscle to prevent states from attending. Russia and Iran were quick to condemn the US strikes. So far, others have remained silent. US air strike which killed Qasem Soleimani was the correct response to repeated Iranian provocations and apparent US intelligence about more to come. Iranian conduct cannot be ignored and @realDonaldTrump is to be commended for responding to awful Iranian actions! — Governor Christie (@GovChristie) January 3, 2020 × That could, however, change with Iraqi public demands for a withdrawal of all foreign forces and pro-Iranian militias ending their siege of the US embassy in Baghdad on condition that parliament adopts a timeline for the withdrawal. Pro-Iranian militias are counting on the fact that they are Iraqis with close ties to the Iraqi security establishment, which they expect will exclude them from the moves to withdraw foreign forces that would primarily target the United States. For its part, the Trump administration is likely counting on Saudi and UAE financial muscles to prevent the Iraqi crisis sparking a groundswell of anti-US sentiment elsewhere in the Muslim world. Saudi financial muscle persuaded Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan, believed to be one of the instigators of the Kuala Lumpur summit, from attending the gathering. Saudi Arabia reportedly threatened to withdraw some $ 10billion-plus in investments and financial aid to Pakistan if Khan participated. Saudi opposition to the gathering coupled with Chinese concerns that it would target the crackdown in Xinjiang influenced Indonesian president Joko Widodo’s decision not to participate. UK supports moral and legal basis of U.S. strike on Iranian terror mastermind by emphasizing "the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qasem Soleimani." Contradicts top UNHRC official Agnes Callamard's declaration that it was illegal.https://t.co/3fdJ0aGQrI — Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) January 3, 2020 × Indonesian vice-president Amin Ma’ruf, a leading figure in Nahdlatul Ulema, the world’s largest Muslim organization, cited medical reasons for not attending. A forced US withdrawal from Iraq, even if countries like Saudi Arabia are able to limit the fallout in the Muslim world, would significantly bolster anti-US forces and hand them a victory on par with the defeat of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in the 1980s. The anti-Soviet insurgents, despite being backed by the United States and Saudi Arabia, ultimately turned their backs on their benefactors. A forced US withdrawal from Iraq would likely not spark the jihadist movement that emerged from Afghanistan, but it would put considerable wind in the sails of those seeking to counter US and Saudi influence in the region. “Everyone is breathing a sigh of relief. A situation that could have easily escalated out of control was handled with tactical restraint, and everyone was able to walk away,” said Charlie Dietz, a spokesman for the US military in Baghdad, after protesters withdrew from the US embassy. The problem is the relief is temporary at best. Seventeen years of engagement in Iraq and $1 trillion later, the United States risks the kind of humiliation it suffered from the 1979 occupation of its Tehran embassy. Iran announces Suleimani's successor as commander of the Quds Force: Esmail Qaani (pronounced Terr-or-eest). https://t.co/rhR4Tl2jEN — Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) January 3, 2020 × Only this time, it may occur against the backdrop of the United States that has suffered a loss of credibility and whose power is perceived to be waning, irrespective of whether by design or default. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

US military strikes in Iraq stir regional hornet’s nest

According to the latest news reports, a US airstrike at Baghdad International Airport killed the commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force unit, General Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy head of the Iran-backed Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), a Shia paramilitary force made up of former militias with close ties to Iran.

The US Department of Defence says Soleimani and his Quds Force was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more. The Pentagon also blamed Soleimani and the PMF for orchestrating assaults on coalition bases in Iraq in recent months, including the December 27 attack that culminated in the deaths of additional American and Iraqi personnel.

Just days ago, PMF supporters and members attempted to storm the US Embassy in Baghdad in protest of American airstrikes against PMF bases and personnel in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for the December 27 PMF attack.

Subsequent to the PMF assault on the US Embassy, US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper warned that the US “Will take preemptive action” if an imminent attack is detected.

The US airstrike that killed Soleimani and al-Muhandis has been described by an American official as 'target of opportunity.” Indeed. Suleimani and his co-conspirator al-Muhandis were, quite literally, caught at the scene of the crime.

As noted&nbsp;by Vox’s Daniel Byman, because Iran’s conventional forces are weak, Tehran often works through militias, terrorist groups, and other proxies to advance its interests abroad. The IRGC, with the Quds Force in the lead, is the key Iranian liaison with the Lebanese Hezbollah, the strongest paramilitary organisation in Lebanon and one that has attacked Israel and the US at Iran’s behest. The Quds Force also works with Palestinian terrorist groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad, among other nefarious organisations in other countries.

Soleimani can, therefore, be considered responsible for the deaths and injuring of tens of thousands. No one should shed a tear for his demise and, in fact, many Iraqis and Iranians are reportedly celebrating.

In his first official reaction to the strike that killed Suleimani, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vows “harsh revenge awaits the criminals.”

Undoubtedly, attacks on US forces and facilities in Iraq should be expected. Tehran has spent years building up extensive networks among militia groups and politicians in Iraq. One indication of that was Iran’s ability to rapidly mobilise local proxies to violently demonstrate at the US Embassy in Baghdad, creating a grave security risk to personnel there. It eventually led to the airstrike that killed Soleimani and PMF leader al-Muhandis, the apparent organisers of the attack on the embassy.

The effect on Iraqi politicians may be significant, many of whom by necessity or by choice, have close ties to Iran. Pressure may grow to oust US forces from the country, which could undermine efforts against the Islamic State as well as other US objectives in the region.

The killing of Soleimani and the targeting of pro-Iranian figures in Iraq like al-Muhandis will rachet up the already dangerous tension between the US and Iran.

By ordering the airstrike on Soleimani&nbsp;and al-Muhandis, President Donald Trump demonstrated decisive action against America’s enemies, but the eventual outcome, whether the United States emerges stronger, whether war can be avoided and bloodshed limited, will depend on Trump’s ability and those of his administration to remain steadfast, formulate a long-term strategy and work closely with allies. 
 
(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

According to the latest news reports, a US airstrike at Baghdad International Airport killed the commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force unit, General Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy head of the Iran-backed Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), a Shia paramilitary force made up of former militias with close ties to Iran.

According to the latest news reports, a US airstrike at Baghdad International Airport killed the commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force unit, General Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy head of the Iran-backed Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), a Shia paramilitary force made up of former militias with close ties to Iran. The US Department of Defence says Soleimani and his Quds Force was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more. The Pentagon also blamed Soleimani and the PMF for orchestrating assaults on coalition bases in Iraq in recent months, including the December 27 attack that culminated in the deaths of additional American and Iraqi personnel. Just days ago, PMF supporters and members attempted to storm the US Embassy in Baghdad in protest of American airstrikes against PMF bases and personnel in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for the December 27 PMF attack. Subsequent to the PMF assault on the US Embassy, US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper warned that the US “Will take preemptive action” if an imminent attack is detected. The US airstrike that killed Soleimani and al-Muhandis has been described by an American official as 'target of opportunity.” Indeed. Suleimani and his co-conspirator al-Muhandis were, quite literally, caught at the scene of the crime. As noted by Vox’s Daniel Byman, because Iran’s conventional forces are weak, Tehran often works through militias, terrorist groups, and other proxies to advance its interests abroad. The IRGC, with the Quds Force in the lead, is the key Iranian liaison with the Lebanese Hezbollah, the strongest paramilitary organisation in Lebanon and one that has attacked Israel and the US at Iran’s behest. The Quds Force also works with Palestinian terrorist groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad, among other nefarious organisations in other countries. Soleimani can, therefore, be considered responsible for the deaths and injuring of tens of thousands. No one should shed a tear for his demise and, in fact, many Iraqis and Iranians are reportedly celebrating. In his first official reaction to the strike that killed Suleimani, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vows “harsh revenge awaits the criminals.” Undoubtedly, attacks on US forces and facilities in Iraq should be expected. Tehran has spent years building up extensive networks among militia groups and politicians in Iraq. One indication of that was Iran’s ability to rapidly mobilise local proxies to violently demonstrate at the US Embassy in Baghdad, creating a grave security risk to personnel there. It eventually led to the airstrike that killed Soleimani and PMF leader al-Muhandis, the apparent organisers of the attack on the embassy. The effect on Iraqi politicians may be significant, many of whom by necessity or by choice, have close ties to Iran. Pressure may grow to oust US forces from the country, which could undermine efforts against the Islamic State as well as other US objectives in the region. The killing of Soleimani and the targeting of pro-Iranian figures in Iraq like al-Muhandis will rachet up the already dangerous tension between the US and Iran. By ordering the airstrike on Soleimani and al-Muhandis, President Donald Trump demonstrated decisive action against America’s enemies, but the eventual outcome, whether the United States emerges stronger, whether war can be avoided and bloodshed limited, will depend on Trump’s ability and those of his administration to remain steadfast, formulate a long-term strategy and work closely with allies. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani and its consequences

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-prices-steady-on-track-for-biggest-yearly-rise-since-2016-271227">Oil prices</a> soared more than four per cent Friday and equities reversed early gains following news that the US had killed a top Iranian general, fanning fresh fears of a conflict in the crude-rich region.

The head of Iran's Quds Force, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deputy-head-of-group-irans-quds-force-head-qasem-soleimani-killed-hashed-al-shaabi-271762">Qasem Soleimani</a>, was hit in an attack on Baghdad's international airport early Friday, according to Hashed, a powerful Iraqi paramilitary force linked to Tehran.

The Indian Rupee weakened and shares slipped as oil prices surged after US airstrikes killed a top Iranian commander, intensifying geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Other Asian markets also tumbled following news of the airstrikes, in which the head of Iran's elite Quds Force and a top Iraqi militia leader were killed early on Friday at Baghdad airport.

The Rupee weakened by 0.26 per cent to 71.5525 against the dollar. India, the world's third-biggest oil consumer, imports about 80 per cent of its oil needs, making it highly susceptible to crude price swings.

Brent surged 4.4 per cent to $69.16 and WTI jumped 4.3 per cent to $63.84 as investors grow increasingly worried about a possible flare-up in the tinderbox Middle East.

"This is more than just bloodying Iran's nose," said AxiTrader's Stephen Innes. "This is an aggressive show of force and an outright provocation that could trigger another Middle East war."

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rocket-attack-on-baghdad-airport-top-iran-commander-killed-271756">killing of Soleimani</a> is a dramatic escalation of tensions between the US and Iran and comes after a pro-Iran mob this week laid siege to the US embassy in Iraq following deadly American airstrikes on the hardline Hashed faction.

The attack on the embassy highlighted new strains in the US-Iraqi relationship, which officials from both countries have described to sources as the "coldest" in years.

It also comes as tensions between the US and North Korea worsen, with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korean-leader-skips-set-piece-new-years-speech-271374">Kim Jong Un</a> declaring a self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests had ended, with talks with the US going nowhere.

"We are waking up to a less safe world than it was only hours ago, especially if we combine this with simmering tension in the Korean peninsula," Innes added.

The drama sent investors rushing for the hills and safe-haven units rallied with the yen up 0.7 per cent against the dollar and gold climbing more than one per cent.

High-risk currencies retreated against the greenback, with South Korea's won down 0.6 per cent, Australia's dollar down 0.4 per cent and the South African rand down more than one per cent.

Equities sank into the red, having been enjoying the second day of the year rallying on trade optimism.

Hong Kong fell 0.2 per cent, while <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-halts-british-stock-link-over-political-tensions-sources-271591">Shanghai</a> shed 0.1 per cent. Singapore retreated 0.2 per cent, Seoul lost 0.1 per cent and Taipei eased 0.3 per cent. However, Sydney, Wellington, and Manila held in positive territory.

Markets had all been well up before news of the strike, thanks to ongoing optimism fuelled by the China-US trade agreement, looser central bank monetary policies and easing Brexit worries.

Oil prices soared more than four per cent Friday and equities reversed early gains following news that the US had killed a top Iranian general, fanning fresh fears of a conflict in the crude-rich region.

Oil prices soared more than four per cent Friday and equities reversed early gains following news that the US had killed a top Iranian general, fanning fresh fears of a conflict in the crude-rich region. The head of Iran's Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, was hit in an attack on Baghdad's international airport early Friday, according to Hashed, a powerful Iraqi paramilitary force linked to Tehran. The Indian Rupee weakened and shares slipped as oil prices surged after US airstrikes killed a top Iranian commander, intensifying geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Other Asian markets also tumbled following news of the airstrikes, in which the head of Iran's elite Quds Force and a top Iraqi militia leader were killed early on Friday at Baghdad airport. The Rupee weakened by 0.26 per cent to 71.5525 against the dollar. India, the world's third-biggest oil consumer, imports about 80 per cent of its oil needs, making it highly susceptible to crude price swings. Brent surged 4.4 per cent to $69.16 and WTI jumped 4.3 per cent to $63.84 as investors grow increasingly worried about a possible flare-up in the tinderbox Middle East. "This is more than just bloodying Iran's nose," said AxiTrader's Stephen Innes. "This is an aggressive show of force and an outright provocation that could trigger another Middle East war." The killing of Soleimani is a dramatic escalation of tensions between the US and Iran and comes after a pro-Iran mob this week laid siege to the US embassy in Iraq following deadly American airstrikes on the hardline Hashed faction. The attack on the embassy highlighted new strains in the US-Iraqi relationship, which officials from both countries have described to sources as the "coldest" in years. It also comes as tensions between the US and North Korea worsen, with Kim Jong Un declaring a self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests had ended, with talks with the US going nowhere. "We are waking up to a less safe world than it was only hours ago, especially if we combine this with simmering tension in the Korean peninsula," Innes added. The drama sent investors rushing for the hills and safe-haven units rallied with the yen up 0.7 per cent against the dollar and gold climbing more than one per cent. High-risk currencies retreated against the greenback, with South Korea's won down 0.6 per cent, Australia's dollar down 0.4 per cent and the South African rand down more than one per cent. Equities sank into the red, having been enjoying the second day of the year rallying on trade optimism. Hong Kong fell 0.2 per cent, while Shanghai shed 0.1 per cent. Singapore retreated 0.2 per cent, Seoul lost 0.1 per cent and Taipei eased 0.3 per cent. However, Sydney, Wellington, and Manila held in positive territory. Markets had all been well up before news of the strike, thanks to ongoing optimism fuelled by the China-US trade agreement, looser central bank monetary policies and easing Brexit worries.

Oil prices surge after US strike kills Iranian general Soleimani

North&nbsp;Korea's leader plans to further develop nuclear programmes and to introduce a "new&nbsp;strategic&nbsp;weapon" in the near future, state media said on Wednesday, but he left&nbsp;room&nbsp;for dialogue with the United States after it ignored a year-end deadline he had set for&nbsp;talks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-un-has-everything-to-lose-donald-trump-after-north-koreas-significant-test-267034">Kim&nbsp;Jong Un</a> presided over a four-day meeting of top Workers' Party officials this week amid rising tensions with the United States, which has not responded to his repeated calls for concessions to reopen negotiations. Washington has dismissed the deadline as artificial.

Kim&nbsp;said there were no grounds for&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;to be bound any longer by a self-declared moratorium on testing nuclear bombs and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), according to a statement on the results of the policy meeting carried by the official KCNA news agency.

Kim&nbsp;accused the United States of making "gangster-like demands" and maintaining a "hostile policy", including by holding continued joint military drills with South&nbsp;Korea, adopting cutting edge weapons and imposing sanctions.

He pledged to continue bolstering his country's nuclear deterrent but said the "scope and depth" of that deterrent will be "properly co-ordinated depending on" the attitude of the United States.

"The world will witness a new&nbsp;strategic&nbsp;weapon to be possessed by the DPRK in the near future,"&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;said, using the initials for&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea's official name the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-leaders-of-china-north-korea-watch-grand-performance-229137"> Democratic People's Republic of&nbsp;Korea</a>.

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"We will reliably put on constant alert the powerful nuclear deterrent capable of containing the nuclear threats from the US&nbsp;and guaranteeing our long-term security."

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said it would be "deeply disappointing" if&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;reneges on denuclearisation commitments and&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;would hopefully "choose peace and prosperity over conflict and war."

In his latest comments on Tuesday in the United States, President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-stocks-rattled-after-donald-trump-says-no-deadline-on-us-china-trade-deal-266025">Donald Trump</a> said he had a good relationship with&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;and thought the&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korean leader would keep his word.

There were no official reports as of noon on Wednesday in South&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;that&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;had delivered an annual New Year's address.

Kim&nbsp;had previously said he might have to seek a "new path" if Washington failed to meet his expectations. US&nbsp;military commanders said Pyongyang's actions could include test-firing an ICBM alongside nuclear warhead tests.&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;last test-fired an ICBM in 2017.

Jeffrey Lewis, a non-proliferation expert at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California, said it was difficult to predict&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea's next move. But it might involve firing a solid-fuel ICBM and an atmospheric nuclear test, he said.

Tension had been rising ahead of the year-end as&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;conducted a series of weapons tests and waged a war of words with US&nbsp;President Donald Trump.

The nuclear&nbsp;talks&nbsp;have made little headway though&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;and Trump have met three times since 2018. Working-level&nbsp;talks&nbsp;in Stockholm in October fell apart, with a&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korean chief negotiator accusing US&nbsp;officials of sticking to their old stance.

Kim&nbsp;said there will "never be denuclearisation on the&nbsp;Korean peninsula" if Washington adheres to what he calls its hostile policy.

We "will steadily develop necessary and prerequisite&nbsp;strategic&nbsp;weapons for the security of the state until the US&nbsp;rolls back its hostile policy towards the DPRK and lasting and durable peace-keeping mechanism is built,"&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;said.

He called for&nbsp;North&nbsp;Koreans to brace for an "arduous and prolonged struggle" and foster a self-reliant economy because of a delay in the anticipated lifting of sanctions.

"The present situation warning of long confrontation with the US&nbsp;urgently requires us to make it a fait accompli that we have to live under the sanctions by the hostile forces in the future, too, and to strengthen the internal power from all aspects."

Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korean Studies in Seoul, said the party assembly results made clear&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;wants US&nbsp;security guarantees before taking substantial action towards denuclearisation.

"And he is suggesting that he will take the bull by the horns to achieve that goal, while promoting self reliance at home and still being open to&nbsp;talks&nbsp;depending on how Trump handles 'hostile policy,'" Yang said.

North Korea's leader plans to further develop nuclear programmes and to introduce a "new strategic weapon" in the near future, state media said on Wednesday, but he left room for dialogue with the United States after it ignored a year-end deadline he had set for talks.

North Korea's leader plans to further develop nuclear programmes and to introduce a "new strategic weapon" in the near future, state media said on Wednesday, but he left room for dialogue with the United States after it ignored a year-end deadline he had set for talks. Kim Jong Un presided over a four-day meeting of top Workers' Party officials this week amid rising tensions with the United States, which has not responded to his repeated calls for concessions to reopen negotiations. Washington has dismissed the deadline as artificial. Kim said there were no grounds for North Korea to be bound any longer by a self-declared moratorium on testing nuclear bombs and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), according to a statement on the results of the policy meeting carried by the official KCNA news agency. Kim accused the United States of making "gangster-like demands" and maintaining a "hostile policy", including by holding continued joint military drills with South Korea, adopting cutting edge weapons and imposing sanctions. He pledged to continue bolstering his country's nuclear deterrent but said the "scope and depth" of that deterrent will be "properly co-ordinated depending on" the attitude of the United States. "The world will witness a new strategic weapon to be possessed by the DPRK in the near future," Kim said, using the initials for North Korea's official name the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "We will reliably put on constant alert the powerful nuclear deterrent capable of containing the nuclear threats from the US and guaranteeing our long-term security." US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said it would be "deeply disappointing" if Kim reneges on denuclearisation commitments and Kim would hopefully "choose peace and prosperity over conflict and war." In his latest comments on Tuesday in the United States, President Donald Trump said he had a good relationship with Kim and thought the North Korean leader would keep his word. There were no official reports as of noon on Wednesday in South Korea that Kim had delivered an annual New Year's address. Kim had previously said he might have to seek a "new path" if Washington failed to meet his expectations. US military commanders said Pyongyang's actions could include test-firing an ICBM alongside nuclear warhead tests. North Korea last test-fired an ICBM in 2017. Jeffrey Lewis, a non-proliferation expert at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California, said it was difficult to predict North Korea's next move. But it might involve firing a solid-fuel ICBM and an atmospheric nuclear test, he said. Tension had been rising ahead of the year-end as North Korea conducted a series of weapons tests and waged a war of words with US President Donald Trump. The nuclear talks have made little headway though Kim and Trump have met three times since 2018. Working-level talks in Stockholm in October fell apart, with a North Korean chief negotiator accusing US officials of sticking to their old stance. Kim said there will "never be denuclearisation on the Korean peninsula" if Washington adheres to what he calls its hostile policy. We "will steadily develop necessary and prerequisite strategic weapons for the security of the state until the US rolls back its hostile policy towards the DPRK and lasting and durable peace-keeping mechanism is built," Kim said. He called for North Koreans to brace for an "arduous and prolonged struggle" and foster a self-reliant economy because of a delay in the anticipated lifting of sanctions. "The present situation warning of long confrontation with the US urgently requires us to make it a fait accompli that we have to live under the sanctions by the hostile forces in the future, too, and to strengthen the internal power from all aspects." Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said the party assembly results made clear Kim wants US security guarantees before taking substantial action towards denuclearisation. "And he is suggesting that he will take the bull by the horns to achieve that goal, while promoting self reliance at home and still being open to talks depending on how Trump handles 'hostile policy,'" Yang said.

North Korea threatens to resume nuclear testing, introduce 'new strategic weapon'

Iran's supreme leader Wednesday strongly condemned deadly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/what-made-us-president-donald-trump-threaten-iran-271452">US strikes on Iraq</a> and warned his country was ready to confront threats after US President Donald Trump issued one against the Islamic republic.

"I and the government and the nation of Iran strongly condemn this American crime," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a speech broadcast on state television.

They were his first remarks since Sunday's deadly US strikes on the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary network in western Iraq.

The United States carried out the raids in retaliation for rocket fire that killed an American civilian contractor at a base in northern Iraq on Friday.

In a tweet on Tuesday, Trump accused Iran of "orchestrating" that day's storming of the US embassy in Baghdad by protesters angry at the American air strikes.

Trump said: "Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities. They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat."

In response, Khamenei retweeted the post and said: "That guy has tweeted that we (the United States) see Iran responsible for the events in Baghdad and we will respond to Iran.

"First of all, you can't do a damn thing! This has nothing to do with Iran," the supreme leader in his televised address.

"Secondly, be logical... The people of this region hate America. Why don't Americans understand this?" he said.

"You Americans have committed crimes in Iraq, you have committed crimes in Afghanistan. You have killed people."

Khamenei said <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-embassy-attack-iran-summons-envoy-over-us-warmongering-but-trump-says-he-doesnt-want-war-271439">Iran was ready to respond to any threat</a>.

"If the Islamic republic decides to oppose or fight against a country, it will do this explicitly," he said.

"We are strongly committed to the interests of our country... We are strongly committed to the dignity of our nation. We are strongly committed to the progress and greatness of the nation of Iran.

"Should anyone threaten these, we will confront him without any hesitation and will strike our blow," Khamenei said.

"We will never... drag the country towards war. But if others want to impose anything on this country, we will stand against them with all our might."

US-Iran tensions have soared since Washington pulled out of a landmark nuclear agreement with Tehran in 2018 and reimposed crippling sanctions.

Iran's supreme leader Wednesday strongly condemned deadly US strikes on Iraq and warned his country was ready to confront threats after US President Donald Trump issued one against the Islamic republic.

Iran's supreme leader Wednesday strongly condemned deadly US strikes on Iraq and warned his country was ready to confront threats after US President Donald Trump issued one against the Islamic republic. "I and the government and the nation of Iran strongly condemn this American crime," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a speech broadcast on state television. They were his first remarks since Sunday's deadly US strikes on the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary network in western Iraq. The United States carried out the raids in retaliation for rocket fire that killed an American civilian contractor at a base in northern Iraq on Friday. In a tweet on Tuesday, Trump accused Iran of "orchestrating" that day's storming of the US embassy in Baghdad by protesters angry at the American air strikes. Trump said: "Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities. They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat." In response, Khamenei retweeted the post and said: "That guy has tweeted that we (the United States) see Iran responsible for the events in Baghdad and we will respond to Iran. "First of all, you can't do a damn thing! This has nothing to do with Iran," the supreme leader in his televised address. "Secondly, be logical... The people of this region hate America. Why don't Americans understand this?" he said. "You Americans have committed crimes in Iraq, you have committed crimes in Afghanistan. You have killed people." Khamenei said Iran was ready to respond to any threat. "If the Islamic republic decides to oppose or fight against a country, it will do this explicitly," he said. "We are strongly committed to the interests of our country... We are strongly committed to the dignity of our nation. We are strongly committed to the progress and greatness of the nation of Iran. "Should anyone threaten these, we will confront him without any hesitation and will strike our blow," Khamenei said. "We will never... drag the country towards war. But if others want to impose anything on this country, we will stand against them with all our might." US-Iran tensions have soared since Washington pulled out of a landmark nuclear agreement with Tehran in 2018 and reimposed crippling sanctions.

Khamenei condemns US, warns Iran will confront threats

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued a threat to Iran, blaming it for the attack on the US embassy in Iraq.&nbsp;

"Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities. They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat. Happy New Year!," he tweeted.

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....Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities. They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat. Happy New Year!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1212121026072592384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The threat came following the violent protests by the Iranian-backed force, the Kataib Hezbollah militia, at the US embassy in Baghdad. 
 
This event has heightened the tensions between Iran and the US since Washington cancelled the nuclear deal with Iran in 2018.

Why did protesters attack&nbsp;US embassy in Baghdad

The US on Sunday carried out airstrikes&nbsp;in Iraq and Syria, targetting the Kataib Hezbollah militia, in retaliation of a rocket attack that killed an American civilian contractor at an Iraqi military base.

At least 25 militias were killed in the US airstrikes. The protesters chanted anti-US slogans, hurled stones towards the embassy compound and also burned US flags.

Agitated protesters said they won't leave the embassy until US forces quit Iraq. The US immediately rushed a rapid response team of marines to help guard the compound.

There were no reports of casualties from the attack. The State Department said all US personnel were safe and there were no plans to evacuate the embassy.

Why did the US target the Kataib Hezbollah militia

The US has designated Kataib Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation in 2009, which is a hardline faction of Iranian-trained Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force. Washington claims that the group has long targetted the US forces in Iraq.&nbsp;

Kataib Hezbollah group receives financial and military support from Iran.&nbsp;

US soldiers and diplomats, deployed in Iraqi military bases, have faced a series of attacks by the pro-Iran groups.

The US described the attacks in Iraq and Syria as 'defensive strikes'. Earlier, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had warned Iran, saying the US will not tolerate any attacks by the Iranian-backed forces targetting Americans.

Baghdad attack brings back memories of Benghazi

Baghdad episode is being compared to the attack on the US consulate in Libya's&nbsp;Benghazi in 2012.

The 2012 attack was carried by the Islamic militant group, Ansar al-Sharia, on two United States government facilities in Benghazi.&nbsp;

US Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, communications officer Sean Smith, CIA contractors Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods were killed in the attack.

To avoid a repeat of the deadly attack, the Trump administration took a quick decision to send&nbsp;Marines to the&nbsp;embassy in Baghdad. The US is also set to deploy around&nbsp;750 soldiers in the region immediately. This is being seen as a precautionary action taken in response to increased threat levels against US personnel and facilities.

How did Iran react

The United States and Iran are at the loggerheads over influence in Iraq, the nuclear deal and imposition of economic sanctions by Washington.

Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has strongly condemned the US airstrikes and warned that his country was ready to confront any threats issued by the United States.

Khamenei said Iran was ready to respond to any threat without any hesitation. We will never... drag the country towards war. But if others want to impose anything on this country, we will stand against them with all our might," he said.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued a threat to Iran, blaming it for the attack on the US embassy in Iraq. "Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued a threat to Iran, blaming it for the attack on the US embassy in Iraq. "Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities. They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat. Happy New Year!," he tweeted. ....Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities. They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat. Happy New Year! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2019 × The threat came following the violent protests by the Iranian-backed force, the Kataib Hezbollah militia, at the US embassy in Baghdad. This event has heightened the tensions between Iran and the US since Washington cancelled the nuclear deal with Iran in 2018. Why did protesters attack US embassy in Baghdad The US on Sunday carried out airstrikes in Iraq and Syria, targetting the Kataib Hezbollah militia, in retaliation of a rocket attack that killed an American civilian contractor at an Iraqi military base. At least 25 militias were killed in the US airstrikes. The protesters chanted anti-US slogans, hurled stones towards the embassy compound and also burned US flags. Agitated protesters said they won't leave the embassy until US forces quit Iraq. The US immediately rushed a rapid response team of marines to help guard the compound. There were no reports of casualties from the attack. The State Department said all US personnel were safe and there were no plans to evacuate the embassy. Why did the US target the Kataib Hezbollah militia The US has designated Kataib Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation in 2009, which is a hardline faction of Iranian-trained Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force. Washington claims that the group has long targetted the US forces in Iraq. Kataib Hezbollah group receives financial and military support from Iran. US soldiers and diplomats, deployed in Iraqi military bases, have faced a series of attacks by the pro-Iran groups. The US described the attacks in Iraq and Syria as 'defensive strikes'. Earlier, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had warned Iran, saying the US will not tolerate any attacks by the Iranian-backed forces targetting Americans. Baghdad attack brings back memories of Benghazi Baghdad episode is being compared to the attack on the US consulate in Libya's Benghazi in 2012. The 2012 attack was carried by the Islamic militant group, Ansar al-Sharia, on two United States government facilities in Benghazi. US Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, communications officer Sean Smith, CIA contractors Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods were killed in the attack. To avoid a repeat of the deadly attack, the Trump administration took a quick decision to send Marines to the embassy in Baghdad. The US is also set to deploy around 750 soldiers in the region immediately. This is being seen as a precautionary action taken in response to increased threat levels against US personnel and facilities. How did Iran react The United States and Iran are at the loggerheads over influence in Iraq, the nuclear deal and imposition of economic sanctions by Washington. Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has strongly condemned the US airstrikes and warned that his country was ready to confront any threats issued by the United States. Khamenei said Iran was ready to respond to any threat without any hesitation. We will never... drag the country towards war. But if others want to impose anything on this country, we will stand against them with all our might," he said.

Explained: What made US President Donald Trump threaten Iran

Paramilitary groups who have been protesting against <a href="Protesters burn security post at US Embassy in Iraq; Pentagon sending additional troops to region">US&nbsp;airstrikes</a> in Iraq began to withdraw from the perimeter of the US&nbsp;Embassy in Baghdad on Wednesday, although some supporters remained.

By Wednesday afternoon many had left the embassy and started setting up a protest camp in front of a nearby hotel. A small group of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/expect-iraq-to-use-its-forces-to-protect-us-embassy-in-baghdad-trump-271292">protesters</a> remained and said they would not leave till US&nbsp;forces were expelled from Iraq.

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he expects Iraq to "use its forces" to protect the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tear-gas-fired-at-iraq-protesters-storming-us-baghdad-embassy-271237">US embassy in Baghdad</a>&nbsp;after pro-Iran protesters breached the outer wall of the compound.

"We expect Iraq to use its forces to protect the Embassy, and so notified!" Trump tweeted.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;US&nbsp;targets Iran-based Kataib Hezbollah Group In Iraq

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Iraqi supporters of pro-Iran factions attacked the embassy early Tuesday, breaching its outer wall and chanting "Death to America" in anger over weekend airstrikes that killed two dozen fighters.

It was the first time in years that protesters have been able to reach the US embassy, which is sheltered behind a series of checkpoints in the high-security Green Zone.

Trump blamed Iran for organising the attack and warned Tehran would be held accountable.

"Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the US Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsible," he tweeted.

Paramilitary groups who have been protesting against US airstrikes in Iraq began to withdraw from the perimeter of the US Embassy in Baghdad on Wednesday, although some supporters remained.

Paramilitary groups who have been protesting against US airstrikes in Iraq began to withdraw from the perimeter of the US Embassy in Baghdad on Wednesday, although some supporters remained. By Wednesday afternoon many had left the embassy and started setting up a protest camp in front of a nearby hotel. A small group of protesters remained and said they would not leave till US forces were expelled from Iraq. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he expects Iraq to "use its forces" to protect the US embassy in Baghdad after pro-Iran protesters breached the outer wall of the compound. "We expect Iraq to use its forces to protect the Embassy, and so notified!" Trump tweeted. Watch: US targets Iran-based Kataib Hezbollah Group In Iraq Iraqi supporters of pro-Iran factions attacked the embassy early Tuesday, breaching its outer wall and chanting "Death to America" in anger over weekend airstrikes that killed two dozen fighters. It was the first time in years that protesters have been able to reach the US embassy, which is sheltered behind a series of checkpoints in the high-security Green Zone. Trump blamed Iran for organising the attack and warned Tehran would be held accountable. "Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the US Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsible," he tweeted.

Iraqi militias start withdrawing from US Embassy in Baghdad

A partial new <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-prices-slip-as-weak-china-exports-highlights-trade-war-impact-267079">US-China trade</a> agreement will be signed in the middle of next month, US President Donald Trump said Tuesday, announcing that he will also then travel to China for continued talks.

"I will be signing our very large and comprehensive Phase One Trade Deal with China on January 15," Trump tweeted moments before Wall Street was due to open.

"The ceremony will take place at the White House. High-level representatives of China will be present."

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I will be signing our very large and comprehensive Phase One Trade Deal with China on January 15. The ceremony will take place at the White House. High level representatives of China will be present. At a later date I will be going to Beijing where talks will begin on Phase Two!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1212014713808273410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Trump said he would then travel to Beijing to continue negotiations "at a later date."

Word of the deal, and the de-escalation of the trade conflict, has driven a Wall Street rally this month but US stocks were lower at the open early Tuesday.

The two sides earlier this month announced a "Phase One" deal in their nearly two-year trade confrontation, with Washington cancelling and reducing some tariffs in exchange for Chinese pledges to increase purchases of US exports and adopt trade reforms.

The text of the agreement has not yet been made public pending legal and translation reviews, US officials say, and details remain scant.

Watch:&nbsp;U.S-China Trade War: Certain US Goods exempted by China

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US and Chinese officials said <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/what-trade-war-chinese-companies-wow-with-third-quarter-report-card-263154">the agreement</a> includes protections for intellectual property, food and farm goods, financial services and foreign exchange, and a provision for dispute resolution.

A partial new US-China trade agreement will be signed in the middle of next month, US President Donald Trump said Tuesday, announcing that he will also then travel to China for continued talks.

A partial new US-China trade agreement will be signed in the middle of next month, US President Donald Trump said Tuesday, announcing that he will also then travel to China for continued talks. "I will be signing our very large and comprehensive Phase One Trade Deal with China on January 15," Trump tweeted moments before Wall Street was due to open. "The ceremony will take place at the White House. High-level representatives of China will be present." I will be signing our very large and comprehensive Phase One Trade Deal with China on January 15. The ceremony will take place at the White House. High level representatives of China will be present. At a later date I will be going to Beijing where talks will begin on Phase Two! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2019 × Trump said he would then travel to Beijing to continue negotiations "at a later date." Word of the deal, and the de-escalation of the trade conflict, has driven a Wall Street rally this month but US stocks were lower at the open early Tuesday. The two sides earlier this month announced a "Phase One" deal in their nearly two-year trade confrontation, with Washington cancelling and reducing some tariffs in exchange for Chinese pledges to increase purchases of US exports and adopt trade reforms. The text of the agreement has not yet been made public pending legal and translation reviews, US officials say, and details remain scant. Watch: U.S-China Trade War: Certain US Goods exempted by China US and Chinese officials said the agreement includes protections for intellectual property, food and farm goods, financial services and foreign exchange, and a provision for dispute resolution.

US-China 'phase one' trade deal to be signed January 15: Trump

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he expects Iraq to "use its forces" to protect the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tear-gas-fired-at-iraq-protesters-storming-us-baghdad-embassy-271237">US embassy in Baghdad</a> after pro-Iran protesters breached the outer wall of the compound.

"We expect Iraq to use its forces to protect the Embassy, and so notified!" Trump tweeted.&nbsp;

Iraqi supporters of pro-Iran factions attacked the embassy early Tuesday, breaching its outer wall and chanting "Death to America" in anger over weekend airstrikes that killed two dozen fighters.

It was the first time in years that protesters have been able to reach the US embassy, which is sheltered behind a series of checkpoints in the high-security Green Zone.

Trump blamed Iran for organising the attack and warned Tehran would be held accountable.

"Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the US Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsible," he tweeted.

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Iran killed an American contractor, wounding many. We strongly responded, and always will. Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsible. In addition, we expect Iraq to use its forces to protect the Embassy, and so notified!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1211981022084128768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The demonstrators were protesting against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-embassy-guards-in-baghdad-fire-stun-grenades-at-protesters-271265">US airstrikes</a> that killed at least 25 fighters from a hardline Hashed faction known as Kataeb Hezbollah (Hezbollah Brigades) on Sunday.

Those strikes were in response to a 36-rocket attack last week that killed one American contractor at an Iraqi base, the latest in a string of attacks on areas where US troops are deployed.

They have not been claimed, but US security assessments have largely blamed them on Kataeb Hezbollah.

In his tweet, Trump said the US had "strongly responded" to the attack that killed the US contractor and "always will" in similar situations.

Relations between Washington and Tehran have deteriorated since the US in 2018 pulled out of the landmark Iran nuclear deal.

Trump has since imposed sweeping sanctions aimed at curbing the clerical regime's regional influence.

Iraq had long feared being caught in the middle of escalating tensions between the two countries, which are its main allies.

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he expects Iraq to "use its forces" to protect the US embassy in Baghdad after pro-Iran protesters breached the outer wall of the compound.

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he expects Iraq to "use its forces" to protect the US embassy in Baghdad after pro-Iran protesters breached the outer wall of the compound. "We expect Iraq to use its forces to protect the Embassy, and so notified!" Trump tweeted. Iraqi supporters of pro-Iran factions attacked the embassy early Tuesday, breaching its outer wall and chanting "Death to America" in anger over weekend airstrikes that killed two dozen fighters. It was the first time in years that protesters have been able to reach the US embassy, which is sheltered behind a series of checkpoints in the high-security Green Zone. Trump blamed Iran for organising the attack and warned Tehran would be held accountable. "Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the US Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsible," he tweeted. Iran killed an American contractor, wounding many. We strongly responded, and always will. Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsible. In addition, we expect Iraq to use its forces to protect the Embassy, and so notified! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2019 × The demonstrators were protesting against US airstrikes that killed at least 25 fighters from a hardline Hashed faction known as Kataeb Hezbollah (Hezbollah Brigades) on Sunday. Those strikes were in response to a 36-rocket attack last week that killed one American contractor at an Iraqi base, the latest in a string of attacks on areas where US troops are deployed. They have not been claimed, but US security assessments have largely blamed them on Kataeb Hezbollah. In his tweet, Trump said the US had "strongly responded" to the attack that killed the US contractor and "always will" in similar situations. Relations between Washington and Tehran have deteriorated since the US in 2018 pulled out of the landmark Iran nuclear deal. Trump has since imposed sweeping sanctions aimed at curbing the clerical regime's regional influence. Iraq had long feared being caught in the middle of escalating tensions between the two countries, which are its main allies.

Expect Iraq to 'use its forces' to protect US embassy in Baghdad: Trump

Security guards at the United States embassy in Baghdad fired stun grenades at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tear-gas-fired-at-iraq-protesters-storming-us-baghdad-embassy-271237">protesters today</a>, Reuters reported.

The US ambassador to Iraq and other staff had been evacuated from the embassy earlier for their safety.

Thousands of protesters and militia fighters outside the gate denounced US airstrikes in Iraq.

On Sunday, US planes had attacked bases belonging to an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/massive-protests-choke-baghdad-southern-iran-despite-fridays-attack-266998">Iranian-backed militia</a>, a move that risks drawing Iraq further into a proxy conflict between Washington and Tehran at a time when mass protests are challenging Iraq's political system.

The attack on the Kataib Hezbollah militia was in response to the killing of a US civilian contractor in a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base.

Outside the embassy, protesters threw stones at the gate while others chanted, "No, no, America! ... No, no, Trump!" Iraqi special forces were deployed around the main gate to prevent them from entering the embassy.

Iraqis have been taking to the streets in their thousands almost daily to condemn, among other things, militias such as Kataib Hezbollah and their Iranian patrons that support Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's government.

But on Tuesday, it was these militias who were spraying "Closed in the name of the people" on the gates of the U.S. Embassy and smashing the surveillance cameras around the building with bricks and stones.

Qais al-Khazali, leader of the Iranian-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia, and many other senior militia leaders were among the protesters.

"Americans are unwanted in Iraq. They are a source of evil and we want them to leave," Khazali told Reuters. Khazali is one of the most feared and respected Shi'ite militia leaders in Iraq, and one of Iran's most important allies.

Kataib Hezbollah is one of the smallest but most potent Iranian-backed militias. Its flags were hung on the fence surrounding the embassy.

Militia commander Jamal Jaafar Ibrahimi, also known as Abu Mahdi al-Mohandes, and Badr Organisation leader Hadi al-Amiri were also at the protest.

Abdul Mahdi has condemned <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/rockets-hit-military-base-near-baghdad-airport-6-wounded-military-statement-267191">the airstrikes</a>, which killed at least 25 fighters and wounded 55. 
&nbsp;

Security guards at the United States embassy in Baghdad fired stun grenades at protesters today, Reuters reported. The US ambassador to Iraq and other staff had been evacuated from the embassy earlier for their safety.

Security guards at the United States embassy in Baghdad fired stun grenades at protesters today, Reuters reported. The US ambassador to Iraq and other staff had been evacuated from the embassy earlier for their safety. Thousands of protesters and militia fighters outside the gate denounced US airstrikes in Iraq. On Sunday, US planes had attacked bases belonging to an Iranian-backed militia, a move that risks drawing Iraq further into a proxy conflict between Washington and Tehran at a time when mass protests are challenging Iraq's political system. The attack on the Kataib Hezbollah militia was in response to the killing of a US civilian contractor in a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base. Outside the embassy, protesters threw stones at the gate while others chanted, "No, no, America! ... No, no, Trump!" Iraqi special forces were deployed around the main gate to prevent them from entering the embassy. Iraqis have been taking to the streets in their thousands almost daily to condemn, among other things, militias such as Kataib Hezbollah and their Iranian patrons that support Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's government. But on Tuesday, it was these militias who were spraying "Closed in the name of the people" on the gates of the U.S. Embassy and smashing the surveillance cameras around the building with bricks and stones. Qais al-Khazali, leader of the Iranian-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia, and many other senior militia leaders were among the protesters. "Americans are unwanted in Iraq. They are a source of evil and we want them to leave," Khazali told Reuters. Khazali is one of the most feared and respected Shi'ite militia leaders in Iraq, and one of Iran's most important allies. Kataib Hezbollah is one of the smallest but most potent Iranian-backed militias. Its flags were hung on the fence surrounding the embassy. Militia commander Jamal Jaafar Ibrahimi, also known as Abu Mahdi al-Mohandes, and Badr Organisation leader Hadi al-Amiri were also at the protest. Abdul Mahdi has condemned the airstrikes, which killed at least 25 fighters and wounded 55.

US embassy guards in Baghdad fire stun grenades at protesters

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/microsoft-increases-data-protection-responsibilities-for-european-union-262842">Microsoft&nbsp;</a>Corp said on Monday it has taken control of web domains which were used by a hacking group called "Thallium" to steal&nbsp;information.

Thallium is believed to be operating from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-warns-of-retaliation-against-us-south-korea-military-drills-261949">North&nbsp;Korea</a>,&nbsp;Microsoft&nbsp;said in a blog post, and the&nbsp;hackers'&nbsp;targeted government employees, think tanks, university staff members and individuals working on nuclear proliferation issues, among others.

Most of the targets were based in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-china-trade-deal-may-not-be-signed-this-year-263497">United States</a>, as well as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/typhoon-hagibis-how-does-how-japan-survive-earthquakes-and-other-natural-calamities-255761">Japan</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-koreas-acquisition-of-us-f-35-fighter-aimed-at-opening-gate-to-invade-north-north-korea-state-media-234830">South&nbsp;Korea</a>, the company said.&nbsp;

Thallium tricked victims through a technique known as "spear-phishing", using credible-looking emails that appear legitimate at first glance.

Microsoft&nbsp;said it now has control of 50 web domains used by the group to conduct its operations, following a case filed against the hacking group in the US&nbsp;District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, and a subsequent court order.

Thallium also used malware to compromise systems and steal data, and is the fourth nation-state group against which&nbsp;Microsoft&nbsp;has taken legal action, the company said.

Microsoft Corp said on Monday it has taken control of web domains which were used by a hacking group called "Thallium" to steal information. Thallium is believed to be operating from North Korea, Microsoft said in a blog post, and the hackers' targeted government employees, think tanks, university staff members and individuals working on nuclear proliferation issues, among others.

Microsoft Corp said on Monday it has taken control of web domains which were used by a hacking group called "Thallium" to steal information. Thallium is believed to be operating from North Korea, Microsoft said in a blog post, and the hackers' targeted government employees, think tanks, university staff members and individuals working on nuclear proliferation issues, among others. Most of the targets were based in the United States, as well as Japan and South Korea, the company said. Thallium tricked victims through a technique known as "spear-phishing", using credible-looking emails that appear legitimate at first glance. Microsoft said it now has control of 50 web domains used by the group to conduct its operations, following a case filed against the hacking group in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, and a subsequent court order. Thallium also used malware to compromise systems and steal data, and is the fourth nation-state group against which Microsoft has taken legal action, the company said.

North Korea-linked hackers stole sensitive information: Microsoft

December 29 in history: From foundation of Hyundai Motors to introduction of two nation theory in India

The United States and Somalia govt claimed to neutralise 4 Al-Shabaab terrorists after the horrendous car explosion in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, on Saturday which claimed the lives of around 80 people. #WIONDispatch #WION

WION Dispatch: U.S., Somalia govt neutralised 4 Al-Shabaab terrorists

Chinese-Russian military and geopolitical cooperation is flourishing – for now.

If, however, the weapons industry is anything to go by, fraying at the edges of close ties between the two Asian powers may be on the horizon.

To be sure, Russia remains by far China’s foremost arms supplier even if China has no scruples about stealing Russian military technology, much like it allegedly does in the West.

So far, Russia, with a weak economy desperately in need of the revenues of weapons sales that undergird Moscow’s geopolitical heft, has been willing to look the other way.

The question is for how long.

By the same token, it’s a question that also applies to various other opportunistic alliances such as relationships between Russia, Turkey and Iran that are driven by short-term interests, first and foremost a desire to institutionalise a multi-polar world in which US power would be counterbalanced by others.

These alliances, adopting pragmatic approaches, have so far worked by focussing on immediate interests while carefully managing significant differences.

Those differences, nonetheless, surface regularly. Recently, alleged Chinese intellectual property theft as well as diametrically opposed Turkish, Russian and Iranian policies towards conflicts in Syria and Libya that have figured prominently in media reports.

Russian state defence conglomerate Rostec this month, in a rare public display of friction that echoed long-standing US allegations of Chinese technology theft, accused China of illegally copying Russian military hardware and weapons.

&nbsp;“Unauthorised copying of our equipment abroad is a huge problem. There have been 500 such cases over the past 17 years. China alone has copied aircraft engines, Sukhoi planes, deck jets, air defence systems, portable air defence missiles, and analogues of the Pantsir medium-range surface-to-air systems,” said Yevgeny Livadny, Rostec’s chief of intellectual property projects.

Livadny appeared to be referring among other things to alleged Chinese intellectual property theft after Russia sold to China in 2015 - six S-400 anti-aircraft systems and 24 Su-35 fighter jets for $5 billion.

China is thought to have benefitted from Russian technology when it in 2017 rolled out its fifth-generation Chengdu J-20 fighter that is believed to be technologically superior to Russia’s SU-57E.

Similarly, China is suspected of having based its J-11 fighter jet and HQ-9 surface-to-air missiles on Russia’s Su-27 fighter jets and S-300 missile systems purchased in the 1990s.

Chinese technology theft is unlikely to persuade Russia any time soon to forego the strategic advantages of its geopolitical cooperation with China.

But with China’s defence industry significantly improving its technological capabilities, Russia needs to ensure that it remains crucial to the People’s Republic’s military development for economic reasons as well as in a bid to maintain a balance in an alliance that is based on pursuing short-term common interests while kicking potential friction points down the road.

When it comes to arms, Russia is pressuring China to engage in joint weapons development while seeking to maintain a technological edge.

Russia last week sought to press its technological advantage by announcing that its new Avangard hypersonic intercontinental glide vehicle that can fly 27 times the speed of sound had become operational.

Positioning Russia as the first country to have hypersonic weapons, the Avangard is launched atop an intercontinental ballistic missile, but unlike a regular missile warhead that follows a predictable path after separation, it can make sharp manoeuvres in the atmosphere en route to the target, making it much harder to intercept.

In geopolitical terms, the Avangard may give Russia the first-starter advantage but at best is yet another band-aid to work around the fragility of not only the Russian Chinese alliance but also alliances like that of Turkey with Russia and with Iran.

The fragility of those alliances is evident in Turkish and Russian attempts to balance their competing interests in Syria and Libya. Turkey has criticised the ongoing Syrian-Russian assault on Idlib, the last Syrian rebel stronghold, and called for an immediate ceasefire.

Turkey and Russia are also at odds when it comes to Russian interference in Ukraine, the exploitation of natural gas reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict in the Caucasus over Nagorno-Karabagh and they compete for influence in the Balkans and Central Asia.

In Libya, Russia supports rebel Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar while Turkey has responded positively to a request by the United Nations-recognised government headed by prime minister Fayez al-Sarraj for military assistance.

“We believe that foreign interference will hardly help,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in response to reports that Turkey would deploy its navy to protect the Libyan capital of Tripoli, the seat of Al Sarraj’s government which has been under attack by Haftar’s Russian, Egyptian, United Arab Emirates and French-backed forces for the past eight months.

Peskov conveniently ignored the presence of hundreds of Russian mercenaries and snipers that are supporting Haftar’s insurgents.

To be sure, Turkey and Russia’s alliances tap into long-standing anti-Western civilisationalist ideologies adopted by men like prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Vladimir Putin who envision a Turkish and a Russian world that serve as spheres of influence.

In discussing the fragility of the Turkish Russian alliance scholars Gonul Tol and Omer Taspinar could in varying degrees have just as well as been talking about relationships between Russia and China, Russia and Iran or Turkey and Iran.

“Moscow and Ankara disagree on almost all issues of regional and strategic significance. In other words, a Eurasianist Turkey may very well be frustrated with both Washington and Brussels, but its military arrangement with Moscow does not automatically translate into harmony based on shared national interests in relations with Russia,” the two scholars wrote. 
 
(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Chinese-Russian military and geopolitical cooperation is flourishing – for now. If, however, the weapons industry is anything to go by, fraying at the edges of close ties between the two Asian powers may be on the horizon.

Chinese-Russian military and geopolitical cooperation is flourishing – for now. If, however, the weapons industry is anything to go by, fraying at the edges of close ties between the two Asian powers may be on the horizon. To be sure, Russia remains by far China’s foremost arms supplier even if China has no scruples about stealing Russian military technology, much like it allegedly does in the West. So far, Russia, with a weak economy desperately in need of the revenues of weapons sales that undergird Moscow’s geopolitical heft, has been willing to look the other way. The question is for how long. By the same token, it’s a question that also applies to various other opportunistic alliances such as relationships between Russia, Turkey and Iran that are driven by short-term interests, first and foremost a desire to institutionalise a multi-polar world in which US power would be counterbalanced by others. These alliances, adopting pragmatic approaches, have so far worked by focussing on immediate interests while carefully managing significant differences. Those differences, nonetheless, surface regularly. Recently, alleged Chinese intellectual property theft as well as diametrically opposed Turkish, Russian and Iranian policies towards conflicts in Syria and Libya that have figured prominently in media reports. Russian state defence conglomerate Rostec this month, in a rare public display of friction that echoed long-standing US allegations of Chinese technology theft, accused China of illegally copying Russian military hardware and weapons. “Unauthorised copying of our equipment abroad is a huge problem. There have been 500 such cases over the past 17 years. China alone has copied aircraft engines, Sukhoi planes, deck jets, air defence systems, portable air defence missiles, and analogues of the Pantsir medium-range surface-to-air systems,” said Yevgeny Livadny, Rostec’s chief of intellectual property projects. Livadny appeared to be referring among other things to alleged Chinese intellectual property theft after Russia sold to China in 2015 - six S-400 anti-aircraft systems and 24 Su-35 fighter jets for $5 billion. China is thought to have benefitted from Russian technology when it in 2017 rolled out its fifth-generation Chengdu J-20 fighter that is believed to be technologically superior to Russia’s SU-57E. Similarly, China is suspected of having based its J-11 fighter jet and HQ-9 surface-to-air missiles on Russia’s Su-27 fighter jets and S-300 missile systems purchased in the 1990s. Chinese technology theft is unlikely to persuade Russia any time soon to forego the strategic advantages of its geopolitical cooperation with China. But with China’s defence industry significantly improving its technological capabilities, Russia needs to ensure that it remains crucial to the People’s Republic’s military development for economic reasons as well as in a bid to maintain a balance in an alliance that is based on pursuing short-term common interests while kicking potential friction points down the road. When it comes to arms, Russia is pressuring China to engage in joint weapons development while seeking to maintain a technological edge. Russia last week sought to press its technological advantage by announcing that its new Avangard hypersonic intercontinental glide vehicle that can fly 27 times the speed of sound had become operational. Positioning Russia as the first country to have hypersonic weapons, the Avangard is launched atop an intercontinental ballistic missile, but unlike a regular missile warhead that follows a predictable path after separation, it can make sharp manoeuvres in the atmosphere en route to the target, making it much harder to intercept. In geopolitical terms, the Avangard may give Russia the first-starter advantage but at best is yet another band-aid to work around the fragility of not only the Russian Chinese alliance but also alliances like that of Turkey with Russia and with Iran. The fragility of those alliances is evident in Turkish and Russian attempts to balance their competing interests in Syria and Libya. Turkey has criticised the ongoing Syrian-Russian assault on Idlib, the last Syrian rebel stronghold, and called for an immediate ceasefire. Turkey and Russia are also at odds when it comes to Russian interference in Ukraine, the exploitation of natural gas reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict in the Caucasus over Nagorno-Karabagh and they compete for influence in the Balkans and Central Asia. In Libya, Russia supports rebel Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar while Turkey has responded positively to a request by the United Nations-recognised government headed by prime minister Fayez al-Sarraj for military assistance. “We believe that foreign interference will hardly help,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in response to reports that Turkey would deploy its navy to protect the Libyan capital of Tripoli, the seat of Al Sarraj’s government which has been under attack by Haftar’s Russian, Egyptian, United Arab Emirates and French-backed forces for the past eight months. Peskov conveniently ignored the presence of hundreds of Russian mercenaries and snipers that are supporting Haftar’s insurgents. To be sure, Turkey and Russia’s alliances tap into long-standing anti-Western civilisationalist ideologies adopted by men like prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Vladimir Putin who envision a Turkish and a Russian world that serve as spheres of influence. In discussing the fragility of the Turkish Russian alliance scholars Gonul Tol and Omer Taspinar could in varying degrees have just as well as been talking about relationships between Russia and China, Russia and Iran or Turkey and Iran. “Moscow and Ankara disagree on almost all issues of regional and strategic significance. In other words, a Eurasianist Turkey may very well be frustrated with both Washington and Brussels, but its military arrangement with Moscow does not automatically translate into harmony based on shared national interests in relations with Russia,” the two scholars wrote. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

China-Russia partnership is driven by short-term interests

Longtime civil rights activist and House Representative from Georgia - John Lewis, 79, on Sunday said that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

The member of the Democratic Party had led several sit-ins and 'bus-rides' in a bid to integrate the African-American community with the rest of American society in the 1960s and 1970s.

He also led several marches to demonstrate for equal voting rights for his community.

He has represented the 5th District of Georgia at the US House of Representatives since 1986 when he was first elected.

In 2011, Lewis was awarded the highest civilian award in the US - the Presidential medal of Freedom - by then-President Barrack Obama.&nbsp;

In the coming days, Lewis is expected to return to Washington for treatment.

Longtime civil rights activist and House Representative from Georgia - John Lewis, 79, on Sunday said that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The member of the Democratic Party had led several sit-ins and 'bus-rides' in a bid to integrate the African-American community with the rest of American society in the 1960s and 1970s.

Longtime civil rights activist and House Representative from Georgia - John Lewis, 79, on Sunday said that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The member of the Democratic Party had led several sit-ins and 'bus-rides' in a bid to integrate the African-American community with the rest of American society in the 1960s and 1970s. He also led several marches to demonstrate for equal voting rights for his community. He has represented the 5th District of Georgia at the US House of Representatives since 1986 when he was first elected. In 2011, Lewis was awarded the highest civilian award in the US - the Presidential medal of Freedom - by then-President Barrack Obama. In the coming days, Lewis is expected to return to Washington for treatment.

Civil rights activist John Lewis diagnosed with cancer

The United States would be very disappointed if <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-holds-top-party-meeting-ahead-of-us-deadline-270787">North Korea</a> tested a long-range or nuclear missile and would take appropriate action as a leading military and economic power, White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien said on Sunday.

Washington has many "tools in its tool kit" to respond to any such test, O'Brien said in an interview with ABC's "This Week."

"We'll reserve judgment but the United States will take action as we do in these situations," he said. "If Kim Jong Un takes that approach we'll be extraordinarily disappointed and we'll demonstrate that disappointment."

North Korea has asked Washington to offer a new initiative to iron out differences over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program. It warned Washington this month that failure to meet its expectations could result in an unwanted "Christmas gift."

US&nbsp;military commanders have said the North Korean move could involve the testing of a long-range missile - something North Korea has suspended, along with nuclear bomb tests, since 2017.

O'Brien said the United States and North Korea had open channels of communication but did not elaborate. He said Washington hoped North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would live up to his commitments to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.

The United States was still the leading military power in the world and had tremendous economic power, said O'Brien. "There's a lot of pressure that we can bring to bear," he said.

North Korea threatened a Christmas surprise, despite the fact that Trump and Kim have engaged in personal diplomacy over the years and have a good personal relationship, O'Brien said.

"So perhaps he's reconsidered that," O'Brien added. "But we will have to wait and see. We're going to monitor it closely. It's a situation that concerns us, of course."

Kim convened a meeting of top ruling party officials on Saturday to discuss important policy matters ahead of the year-end deadline set by Kim for the United States, the state news agency said on Sunday.

Senator Ben Cardin, a Democrat on the US&nbsp;Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said meetings between the two leaders have produced "very little" on denuclearization.

"So what I want to see, I want to see is the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, make a full declaration of his nuclear weapons program and make a real commitment to start to dismantle that," he said. "We haven’t seen any of that during the Trump administration."

The United States would be very disappointed if North Korea tested a long-range or nuclear missile and would take appropriate action as a leading military and economic power, White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien said on Sunday.

The United States would be very disappointed if North Korea tested a long-range or nuclear missile and would take appropriate action as a leading military and economic power, White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien said on Sunday. Washington has many "tools in its tool kit" to respond to any such test, O'Brien said in an interview with ABC's "This Week." "We'll reserve judgment but the United States will take action as we do in these situations," he said. "If Kim Jong Un takes that approach we'll be extraordinarily disappointed and we'll demonstrate that disappointment." North Korea has asked Washington to offer a new initiative to iron out differences over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program. It warned Washington this month that failure to meet its expectations could result in an unwanted "Christmas gift." US military commanders have said the North Korean move could involve the testing of a long-range missile - something North Korea has suspended, along with nuclear bomb tests, since 2017. O'Brien said the United States and North Korea had open channels of communication but did not elaborate. He said Washington hoped North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would live up to his commitments to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. The United States was still the leading military power in the world and had tremendous economic power, said O'Brien. "There's a lot of pressure that we can bring to bear," he said. North Korea threatened a Christmas surprise, despite the fact that Trump and Kim have engaged in personal diplomacy over the years and have a good personal relationship, O'Brien said. "So perhaps he's reconsidered that," O'Brien added. "But we will have to wait and see. We're going to monitor it closely. It's a situation that concerns us, of course." Kim convened a meeting of top ruling party officials on Saturday to discuss important policy matters ahead of the year-end deadline set by Kim for the United States, the state news agency said on Sunday. Senator Ben Cardin, a Democrat on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said meetings between the two leaders have produced "very little" on denuclearization. "So what I want to see, I want to see is the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, make a full declaration of his nuclear weapons program and make a real commitment to start to dismantle that," he said. "We haven’t seen any of that during the Trump administration."

United States promises action on any North Korea missile test: White House

A plane crash near Lafayette Regional Airport in Louisiana has claimed the lives of five people. The small aircraft crashed into a post office with 6 people on-board, shortly after take-off.

A plane crash near Lafayette Regional Airport in Louisiana has claimed the lives of five people. The small aircraft crashed into a post office with 6 people on-board, shortly after take-off. The plane was carrying students who were heading to the peach bowl in Atlanta to watch a college football game. One passenger survived the crash and has been taken to the hospital while another bystander near the post office is also said to have suffered injuries. The private aircraft encountered a problem after take-off and tried to make an emergency landing. According to an eye-witness, the plane hit a powerline while trying to land, leading to the crash. The plane ultimately came down in the city of Layafette, just a mile away from the regional airport.

United States: 5 killed in Louisiana plane crash 

Reports have been claimed that United States President Donald Trump may appoint the new 'Secretary of State' very soon after Mike Pompeo. #DonaldTrump #USSecretaryOfState #MikePompeo

Reports: U.S. President Trump to appoint new 'Secretary of State' soon

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