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NATO Asks Qatar for Base to Train Afghan Forces Post Withdrawal

NATO officials have approached Qatar regarding the possible use of a base where Afghan special forces could be trained following the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan by September 1.

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Bomb Kills Deputy Governor in Afghan Capital

A deputy governor of Kabul province and his aide were killed by a bomb in the Afghan capital, the latest in a wave of targeted killings in the country.

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Hamas and Israel Strike Deal to End Gaza Escalation

Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas have reached a Qatari-mediated deal with Israel to end more than three weeks of cross-border attacks.

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Egypt’s Sisi Says Turkey/Qatar-Backed Assault on Libya’s Sirte Is ‘Red Line’

Egypt’s president warned Saturday that advances by Turkey-backed Libyan forces on the Libyan city of Sirte could prompt an Egyptian military intervention in the neighboring country in support of Cairo’s ally Khalifa Haftar.  Meanwhile, Ankara has urged forces led by the eastern-based Haftar to withdraw from the strategic city for a ceasefire agreement to be reached. The UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli has made major military gains against Haftar’s forces recently thanks to increased support from its backer Turkey. The key city of Sirte, which lies some 280 miles east of the capital, is under the control of Haftar’s forces, who last year launched a recently aborted attempt to seize control of western Libya. In a televised address, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Sirte is a “red line” for Egypt, citing the need to protect its porous border as grounds for “direct intervention” in Libya. “If the Libyan people asked us to intervene, it is a signal to the world that Egypt and Libya share … common interests, security and stability,” Sisi said on Saturday. The GNA denounced Sisi’s warning, saying any intervention would be a threat to Libya’s security. “We strongly reject what was said …

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US awards Boeing $1.4 billion to support foreign AH-64 Apache helicopter fleets

The US Defense Department awarded Boeing a $1,461,384,102 contract to support foreign military sales of the Apache AH-64D/E

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US Afghanistan envoy Khalilzad to restart talks with the Taliban in Doha

The US negotiator on Afghanistan will resume talks with the Taliban, the State Department said three months after President Donald Trump halted negotiations

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Boeing awarded $500 million Qatar F-15 support contract

The US Defense Department awarded Boeing a $500 million contract to train maintenance and aircrew teams for Qatar's fleet of 36 F-15QAs

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Afghanistan peace talks end without Taliban ceasefire agreement

Talks between Afghan government representatives and Taliban insurgents – concluded with a "roadmap" for a peace deal but no ceasefire

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Intra-Afghan peace talks resume in Qatar

DOHA, Qatar (AFP) – Dozens of powerful Afghans resumed talks with the Taliban on Monday, July 8 in Doha, where a possible ceasefire is on the table along with key issues such as women’s rights. Stakes are high for the talks which follow a week of U.S.-Taliban negotiations with both sides eyeing a resolution to the bloody 18-year conflict. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted that the Afghan gathering “has been a long time coming” and praised the country’s “government, civil society, women, and Taliban” for coming together. Washington has said it wants to seal a political deal with the Taliban ahead of Afghan presidential polls due in September to allow foreign forces to begin to withdraw. Around 70 delegates are attending the two-day gathering which has been organized by Germany and Qatar. “History will remember those who were able to set their differences aside for the sake of the country” said Germany envoy Markus Potzel as he opened the gathering Sunday. A German source confirmed the second day of talks got underway just before 0600 GMT. Delegate Asila Wardak, a member of the High Peace Council established by former president Hamid Karzai to engage with Taliban elements, said …

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US deploys first F-22 fighter jets to Qatar, adding to Gulf buildup

The US has deployed F-22 stealth fighters to Qatar for the first time, adding to a buildup of US forces in the Gulf amid tensions with Iran

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