This is Beirut

G7 Raises Tone on Iranian Arms Shipments to Moscow

G7 countries warned Iran on Friday, March 15, against delivering any ballistic missiles to Russia, which would lead to "significant new sanctions" against Tehran, according to a joint communiqué. G7 countries warned Iran on Friday that they will impose "significant" new sanctions if Tehran transfers ballistic missiles to Russia for use in ...

Russia’s First Election Day Marred by Protest Incidents

The first day of a locked Russian election came to a close on Friday March 15, amid President Vladimir Putin's threats against Ukraine and protest incidents that marred the electoral process. President Vladimir Putin on Friday vowed a strong military response to a string of Ukrainian attacks on Russia's border that he described as an attempt by ...

Israel Strikes Syria Weapons Depot

Israeli strikes on Syria targeted at least two sites in Damascus province on Saturday night, including a weapons depot, a war monitor said, while state media said that a soldier was wounded in the attack. Israel has launched hundreds of airstrikes on targets in Syria since the civil war broke out in 2011, mainly targeting Iran-backed forces, ...

US Neutralizes Houthi Drones

The United States shot down a drone fired by Houthis toward the Red Sea and destroyed more of their weaponry on Saturday, according to its military. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that on Saturday morning, the Houthis launched two drones towards the Red Sea, a commercially vital seaway that the Iranian-backed ...

North Korea Fires Ballistic Missiles as Blinken Visits Seoul

North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles on Monday in what analysts said was a calculated move to grab attention as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits South Korea for talks. Blinken is attending the third Summit for Democracy and met President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul early on Monday. He is also meeting his South Korean ...

How the World Reacted to Vladimir Putin's Re-Election

Global reactions to Vladimir Putin's re-election reflect a divided international community, split between Russia's allies and its opponents. Friends and allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin were quick to congratulate him on his election win but Western leaders denounced what they called an "illegal election." China Beijing congratulated ...

Iran's Widespread Human Rights Abuses Criticized at UN Meeting

Several countries criticized Iran's widespread human rights abuses in a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council on Monday. Several countries condemned on Monday the extent of human rights violations in Iran during a UN meeting, denouncing the sharp increase in death sentences and executions. A handful of nations, including Russia, China and Cuba, ...

Syria: Deadly Air Strike Hits Pro-Iranian Forces

An air strike targeting pro-Iranian armed groups in the town of Al-Mayadeen in the Deir Ezzor countryside in eastern Syria has killed five people, including a senior Hezbollah commander, Al-Hadath reported, citing special sources. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said explosions had sounded in the town of al-Mayadeen in rural Deir Ezzor, ...

Russia Targets Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure in Deadly Attack

Russia launched a devastating offensive in Ukraine on Friday, targeting critical infrastructure, including power plants and residential areas. #Russia Targets Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure in Deadly Attackhttps://t.co/ONUBpHv65Z pic.twitter.com/VbUKoKuTdA — This is Beirut (@ThisIsBeirut_) March 22, 2024 Russia launched a massive wave of ...

Putin Vows Revenge, Assailants Arrested

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday called the attack on a concert hall that killed more than 130 on Friday, a "barbaric terrorist act" and vowed harsh retribution to all those involved. In a televised address, Putin said all four gunmen had been arrested before they had a chance to cross the border into Ukraine. "I am speaking to you ...

US Intervenes After Houthi Attack on Chinese Tanker in Red Sea

The Houthis targeted the Chinese oil tanker Huang Pu with ballistic missiles on Saturday, starting a fire on board, before the US military neutralized six Houthi-launched drones. A Chinese-owned oil tanker was attacked off Yemen on Saturday by ballistic missiles fired by the Houthis, who have intensified strikes on Red Sea shipping, the US ...

Poland: Russia Breaches Airspace, Air Defense Systems Activated

After a Russian missile breached its airspace as part of increased attacks on Ukraine on Sunday, Poland said that it will demand an explanation from Moscow and has activated its air defense systems. Poland said on Sunday that it would demand an explanation from Moscow after a Russian cruise missile fired at towns in western Ukraine and ...