Putin Likely Didn’t Order Death of Russian Dissident Alexei Navalny, U.S. Intel Agencies Say

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American intelligence agencies have found that the death of Russian opposition leader and dissident Alexei Navalny was likely not ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Navalny’s February death in a prison camp in Russia’s Arctic regions prompted the United States and other countries to levy additional sanctions on the Russian economy, and derailed negotiations on prisoner exchanges. However, multiple American intelligence agencies, including the State Department and the Central Intelligence Agency, have assessed that Putin did not directly order the death of Navalny, according to the WSJ.

“The idea of Putin being not informed and not approving killing Navalny is ridiculous,” Navalny ally Leonid Volkov said, according to the WSJ. Navalny survived being poisoned with a Russian nerve agent in August 2020.

“Navalny was a high-value prisoner, politically, and everybody knew that Putin was personally invested in his fate. The chances for this kind of unintended death are low,” Polish Institute of International Affairs director Slawomir Dębski told the WSJ.

However, the American intelligence assessment did not clear Putin of any culpability for the death of the Russian opposition leader who was reportedly to be part of a proposed prisoner swap that could have also included jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and ex-Marine Paul Whelan in exchange for a Russian operative accused of assassinating a Georgian dissident. (Read more from “Putin Likely Didn’t Order Death of Russian Dissident Alexei Navalny, U.S. Intel Agencies Say” HERE)

Christian Homes in Egypt Attacked and Burned by Islamist Extremists

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Islamist extremists reportedly set fire to several Christian houses and businesses in southern Egypt last week.

The violence broke out on Tuesday night in the village of Al-Fawakher, which is home to about 3,000 Christian families. The local Christian community had recently received a permit to construct a new church building, prompting backlash from some Muslim hardliners.

“The attacks are believed to have been triggered by an attempt to build a new church in Al-Fawakher village in Minya [province],” one local source, who asked to remain anonymous, told The New Arab. “When religious fanatics failed to expel Christians from their homes as a form of punishment, the extremists [reportedly] burned down their houses while they were still inside.”

Video circulating on social media appears to show crowds of people dancing and celebrating in front of the burning buildings. (Read more from “Christian Homes in Egypt Attacked and Burned by Islamist Extremists” HERE)

Zelensky Reveals U.S. And Ukraine ‘Working’ on Scheme for 10 Years of Military Aid

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that the United States and Ukrainian governments are “working on a bilateral security agreement” that would result in sending additional monetary aid to Ukraine over the next ten years.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Zelensky noted he had spoken to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) thanking “him and all the congressmen for their support” of Ukraine and for voting to send a $61 billion aid package out of a $95 billion foreign aid package.

Zelensky added that during his conversation with Jeffries, he had “emphasized the need for Patriot systems.” . . .

“Also, our teams, Ukraine and the United States, are currently working on a bilateral security agreement, and we are already working on a specific text. Our goal is to make this agreement the strongest of all. We are discussing the specific foundations of our security and cooperation,” Zelensky said. “We are also working on fixing specific levels of support for this year and for the next ten years, including armed support, financial, political, and joint arms production. The agreement should be truly exemplary and reflect the strength of American leadership. I am grateful to both our team and the team of the American side for the progress in drafting the agreement.” (Read more from “Zelensky Reveals U.S. And Ukraine ‘Working’ on Scheme for 10 Years of Military Aid” HERE)

Ukraine Bill Allocates Funds for Increased Immigration to U.S.

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The recently proposed Ukraine aid bill championed by House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) has drawn attention for its allocation of at least $481 million towards facilitating further migration into the United States, amid broader provisions for economic and military assistance to Ukraine.

President Joe Biden has been advocating for this funding since August, facing repeated obstacles due to pressure from voters and Republican lawmakers. The bill, primarily focused on providing Ukraine with substantial economic aid and military support, includes a provision on page 18 directing $481 million to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for refugee and entrant assistance activities authorized by immigration laws.

While much of the aid is intended for humanitarian efforts, raising concerns about the potential ramifications of increased migration. There’s a likelihood that significant portions of the funds will be allocated to Democrat-led cities, which they label as “Ponzi-scheme cities,” and argue that deliberate migrant influxes may displace American citizens.

Additionally, the bill includes $300 million for bolstering border security in Ukraine, alongside an Israel aid package totaling $3.5 billion for addressing humanitarian needs. However, the wording of the bill does not explicitly prohibit the allocation of funds towards facilitating migration to the United States.

Critics, including William Gheen, founder of the pro-American group ALIPAC, expressed concerns about the potential national security implications of increased migration to the United States. Gheen asserts that policies contributing to a weaker, more divided America are being pursued by both Democrats and certain Republican factions aligned with globalist interests.

Israel Strikes Iranian Sites Near Suspected Nuclear Facilities, Reports Say

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Reports have surfaced indicating that Israel launched airstrikes targeting multiple Iranian sites, including areas near suspected locations of Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Israel’s Army Radio disclosed early Friday morning local time that ABC News had identified Israeli strikes near the town of Isfahan, Iran, as well as in regions within Syria and Iraq. The Times of Israel further detailed:

According to Iran’s Fars news agency, explosions were heard near the airport in Isfahan, central Iran. However, the cause of these explosions remains unknown, with investigations ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.

Isfahan province hosts several Iranian nuclear sites, including Natanz, which serves as a focal point for Iran’s uranium enrichment efforts.

Speculation circulated on social media suggesting that the targets in Syria and Iraq might be associated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the external terrorist arm of the Iranian military.

The Israeli strikes are believed to be in response to a significant missile and drone assault launched by Iran against Israel over the preceding weekend. Despite interception by Israeli and allied air defenses, this marked the first direct attack by Iran against Israel from Iranian territory.

Israel had previously issued warnings that any attack originating from Iran would prompt retaliatory strikes within Iranian borders.

For years, Israel has contemplated the possibility of targeting Iran’s nuclear program, regardless of support from the United States.

Assessments indicate that the Iranian regime lacks substantial air defense capabilities. Dr. Shay Har-Zvi of the Institute for Policy and Strategy (IPS) at Reichman University, speaking to Breitbart News, noted that Iran’s air defenses, supplied primarily by Russia, have yet to incorporate the latest generation systems like the S-400. He suggested that Israeli actions might be motivated by concerns over potential Russian-Iranian collaboration, which could lead to the deployment of advanced air defense systems by Iran. However, he also emphasized Russia’s reluctance to directly engage in a confrontation between Iran and Israel.

Iran Closes Nuclear Facilities Over Fears They Could Be Targeted in Strike

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The Islamic Republic of Iran temporarily closed its nuclear facilities this week over “security considerations” that they could be targeted by Israel in an airstrike in retaliation for Iran’s unprecedented missile and drone barrage.

“We are always concerned about this possibility,” said International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi at a U.N. Security Council meeting. “What I can tell you is that our inspectors in Iran were informed by the Iranian government that [Sunday], all the nuclear facilities that we are inspecting every day would remain closed on security considerations.”

Grossi kept inspectors back on Monday over fears that Israel could hit the facilities after Iran launched combined more than 300 missiles and drones at Israel over the weekend — the first time the country has ever directly attacked Israel.

Several foreign policy and military experts urged Israel to strike Iran’s nuclear program following the attack, arguing that the window was closing for them to do so. (Read more from “Iran Closes Nuclear Facilities Over Fears They Could Be Targeted in Strike” HERE)

Israel Decides on Response to Iranian Missile Attack: Report

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Israeli media reported on Tuesday evening that the country’s war cabinet has decided how it will respond to Iran’s unprecedented attack over the weekend with the timing being the only factor that has not yet been determined.

The war cabinet — which consists of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and a former head of Israel’s military, Benny Gantz — is now waiting for “opportunity to be exploited” so that the attack can be launched, according to Israel’s Kann News.

Government officials advised Netanyahu that he needed to attack “sensitive facilities in Iran” in response to the Islamic Republic launching more than 300 missiles and drones at Israel, the report said.

One government official said that the longer the response takes to carry out, the less likely it is to be significant in scale or impact. (Read more from “Israel Decides on Response to Iranian Missile Attack: Report” HERE)

Saudi Arabia Publicly Acknowledges It Helped Defend Israel This Weekend

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Saudi Arabia formally acknowledged that it helped shoot down kamikaze drones heading for Israel. It’s part of the Kingdom’s not-so-secret “cozy” relationship with the Jewish state over the past few years. There are no formal diplomatic ties between these two countries yet.

Still, there’s hope that the Trump-era Abraham Accords, where Morocco, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, and Sudan signed a normalization treaty with Israel, can be built upon and expanded. There should be cautious optimism. These new revelations reveal that the Middle East, by and large, might not want to be thrust into a destructive regional war. However, recognizing Israel’s right to exist might still be a diplomatic work in progress. Arab nations provided Israel and American forces with vital intelligence during Iran’s assault against Israel over the weekend[.] (Read more from “Saudi Arabia Publicly Acknowledges It Helped Defend Israel This Weekend” HERE)

‘The U.S. MUST STAY AWAY!’ Iran Warns America Against Helping Israel

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Iran is threatening a wider attack should Israel respond militarily to its massive drone and missile assault, while also warning the United States against further involvement.

The Islamic Republic fired more than 300 missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles from its territory toward Israel overnight Saturday, in what Tehran says was retaliation for the April 1 killing of several Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officers in Syria by Israel.

“If the Zionist regime (Israel) or its supporters demonstrate reckless behavior, they will receive a decisive and much stronger response,” Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said in a statement on Sunday.

“We used an attack with ballistic and cruise missiles. The operation was designed to attack the air base from which the Israeli planes that attacked the consulate [in Damascus] were launched. There were direct hits in the attack. We only targeted military bases,” said Mohammad Bakri, chief of staff of the Iranian Army.

“We sent a message to the U.S. that if it cooperates with Israel in the next steps, its bases will not be safe,” he added. (Read more from “‘The U.S. MUST STAY AWAY!’ Iran Warns America Against Helping Israel” HERE)

Iran Targeted ‘Major Civilian Areas’; Biden Admin Told Iran Attack Had to Be ‘Within Certain Limits’: Reports

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Iran intended to kill large numbers of people with the unprecedented attack that it launched against Israel over the weekend, according to a new U.S. intelligence assessment.

Reuters reported that the Biden administration communicated to Iran, through the Turkish government, that it’s attack on Israel had to be “within certain limits”.

Senior U.S. officials told Semafor that that the attack — which included hundreds of one-way suicide drones and missiles — was “designed to cause mass casualties and infrastructure damage,” the report said.

Israeli officials said that Iran crossed a major red line with its attack, the first time the Islamic Republic has ever directly attacked Israel, and would pay a steep price for the terror inflicted against the Jewish state.

They said that despite Iran’s claims that it was only targeting military infrastructure, Iran also targeted “major civilian areas” and that a direct military response would be required. (Read more from “Iran Targeted ‘Major Civilian Areas’; Biden Admin Told Iran Attack Had to Be ‘Within Certain Limits’: Reports” HERE)