Tony Aguilar—combat veteran of Iraq, Afg, and Syria who retired as a lieutenant colonel—describing what he calls the “barbaric use of force against an unarmed population,” including (starting at 21min) an IDF lieutenant colonel ordering IDF snipers to fire at children for crowd-control purposes.

We geolocated the view out of the window as Jeremy Bowen's team filmed packages falling from a plane over Gaza yesterday. They were dropped into a "dangerous combat zone", which Palestinians are warned not to enter because it would put their lives at risk. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cd...

🚨SCOOP: Israeli military preparations fueled US diplomats’ drawdown from Iraq Western intelligence on Israeli military activity at Nevatim air base preceded the Trump administration's decision to draw down its embassy staff in Iraq, @jmszuba.bsky.social reports. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

BREAKING: Trump appoints Turkey ambassador Tom Barrack as envoy to Syria: What to know via @jmszuba.bsky.social www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

NEW: Trump promises arms sales to the Gulf, but can he deliver? Trump has touted billions in arms sales to Saudi Arabia & Qatar this week, yet the bulk of these deals don't appear to be new, and the White House's numbers may not add up. Via @jmszuba.bsky.social www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

NEW: Joel Rayburn commits to helping lift Syria sanctions, boxing in Iranian influence Via @jmszuba.bsky.social www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

New @al-monitor.bsky.social: The Pentagon authorized a significant military buildup in the Middle East to support Trump’s warnings to Iran over nuclear enrichment. But there are concerns Israel may jump the gun. "We may not have full control of the shot clock." www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Pay close attention to the details in this story:

New: The Pentagon approved plans to deploy a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East after Trump gave Iran's leader a two-month ultimatum to reach a new nuclear agreement. US also plans to send more air defenses to region. Read more @al-monitor.bsky.social www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

NEW: Pentagon sends second aircraft carrier to Middle East as Trump warns Iran www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

It's not yet clear what this deal means for the US military's mission to contain ISIS in Syria, which continues unabated. But Syrian executive committees are supposed to implement the agreement by year's end. Via @adamlucente.bsky.social @al-monitor.bsky.social www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

New: Reports that the leader of Syria's Kurdish-led YPG/SDF Mazlum Abdi has signed a deal with the head of the country's overall ruling faction based in Damascus, Ahmed al-Shara'a

Trump’s Pentagon policy chief pick signals more military pressure on Iran, @jmszuba.bsky.social reports www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...

Podcast 🎙️ How does US view the rebel advance in Syria? www.al-monitor.com/podcasts/how...

Three US troops in Syria evaluated for brain injuries after Deir ez-Zor incident - https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2024/12/three-us-troops-syria-evaluated-brain-injuries-after-deir-ez-zor-incident