ISDEI Instituto de Seguridad, Defensa y Estudios Internacionales

Barrett M107A1. Photo: Jim Watson / AFP On December 20, the US Department of State officially confirmed that the White House has approved US commercial sale of lethal defensive weapons to Ukraine. “The Department of State has licensed the commercial export of a limited number of small arms and light weapons to Ukraine from U.S. manufacturers,” a State Department official told  the Russian state-run news agency TASS . He added that the US has “never had any policy that restricts such commercial sales.” According to earlier reports, an administration of US President Donald Trump approved a commercial license for exports to Ukraine of Barrett M107A1 sniper systems, munitions and spare parts for them to a sum of $41.5 million. “We have crossed the Rubicon, this is lethal weapons and I predict more will be coming,”  the Washington Post quoted  a senior congressional official. However, the official version of the US State Departement went in another direction. Washington sa

If you’re able, and if you like our content and approach, please support the project. Our work wouldn’t be possible  without your help: PayPal:  southfront@list.ru  or via:  http://southfront.org/donate/   or via:  https://www.patreon.com/southfront ,  BTC:  13iYp9CDYZwgSnFXNtpEKgRRqaoxHPr2MH The Current State of Affairs At present time, Israel’s top political leadership is in the state of outright hysteria regarding  Lebanese Hezbollah .  Senior Israeli officials have repeatedly claimed that Israel will not allow Hezbollah and Iran to concentrate its forces in border areas and to expand their influence in the region, particularly in Syria and Lebanon. The already difficult situation in southern Lebanon and Syria was further complicated by the series of events, which contributed to the growing tensions in the region in November and early December. It started with a resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri announced from Saudi Arabia on November 7, continued with Sa

A screenshot from the video The Russian Aerospace Forces actively used Tu-22M3 strategic bombers during the final stages of the anti-ISIS operation of the Syrian Arab Army and its allies in the Euphrates Valley. The massive strikes by Tu-22M3 bombers destroyed a large number of strong pots, HQs and weapon depots belonging to ISIS and opened a way to the lbieration of the cities of al-Mayadin and al-Bukamal. SouthFront would like to bring to your attention a well-done analysis and documentary about Tupolev Tu-22 / Tu-22M series made by our friend,  Matsimus Gaming : More about: Click to see the full-size image

Illustrative image North Korea has rejected a US suggestion to discuss its nuclear program and described it as an attempt to advance a UN Security Council resolution on new sanctions against the North, the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the North Korean Workers’ Party said on December 19. “The US is trying to shift responsibility for tensions on the Korean Peninsula to us with its offensive dialogue. The move is seen as being intended to set the tone for manipulating new UN Security Council resolutions that may include a maritime blockade if we do not accept dialogue aimed at discussing the abandonment of our nuclear weapons… There is no change in our stance that we will not budge an inch in our march toward strengthening our nuclear force,” the newspaper wrote. The statement came a week after US State Secretary Rex Tillerson announced that the US was “ready to talk anytime” with North Korea “without precondition” adding that “the diplomatic effort has to be

Illustrative image Last night, artillery units of the Ukrainian Army delivered a massive strike on the town of Stahanov controlled by forces of the Lugansk People’s Republic in eastern Ukraine. According to reports, at least 15 buidlings were damaged as a result of the strike. Pro-Kiev sources also reported that the Ukrainian Army shelled the town of Gorlovka controlled by forces of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR). In turn, DPR forces reportedly shelled army positions of the Ukrainian Army near the settlement of Novoluganskoe. Accoridng to pro-Kiev sources, 4 civilians were injured in this area.

On December 19, Yemen’s Houthi forces launched a Burkan-2 ballistic missile at the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The pro-Houthi media claimed that the missile hit Al Yamama Royal Palace in Riyadh. The Saudi state-run media said that the missile was intercepted south of the capital. 38 m AFP news agency ✔ @AFP # BREAKING  Yemen rebels say fired missile at Riyadh palace AFP news agency ✔ @AFP # BREAKING  Saudi intercepts Yemen rebel missile over Riyadh: state media 12:11 - 19 Dec 2017   4 4 Replies     64 64 Retweets     17 17 likes Twitter Ads information and privacy Meanwhile, local sources reported a balst in the capital. Manal H. AlJeffrey @taioba525 Happening now in  # Riyadh   11:56 - 19 Dec 2017  ·  Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia   11 11 Replies     74 74 Retweets     42 42 likes Twitter Ads information and privacy The photos below allgedly shows the inter