Wars & Rumors of War

My Way News - Carter calls 1st commando mission into Syria a success
My Way News reports: "Defense Secretary Ash Carter says the first mission by a new team of special operations forces into Syria was successful in identifying Syrian Arab fighters the coalition can work with to oust Islamic State militants from their self-proclaimed capital of Raqqa. [...] The administration announced in late October that President Barack Obama had approved sending up to 50 special operations troops to Syria on the first open-ended mission by U.S. ground forces in that country."

My Way News - Buyer of guns used in massacre faces terrorism charge
My Way News reports: "The man who bought the assault rifles his friend used in the San Bernardino massacre was charged Thursday with a terrorism-related charge alleging he plotted earlier attacks at a college they attended and on a congested freeway. The duo, who had become adherents to radicalized Islam ideology as neighbors in Riverside, plotted in 2011 and 2012 to maximize carnage by using pipe bombs and guns to kill innocent people at a campus cafeteria and those stuck in rush hour traffic, court documents said. "

My Way News - Hezbollah slams Saudi-led anti-terror alliance
My Way News reports: "Lebanon's [Iranian backed] Hezbollah group on Thursday denounced this week's announcement of a new Saudi-led 'Islamic military alliance' and the Lebanese prime minister's decision to join it. The Shiite militant group also accused the Sunni kingdom of practicing "state terrorism" and spreading extremist ideology. [...] Hezbollah said Thursday the alliance was a 'U.S. project' and aims to create a Sunni armed force in the region to avoid sending U.S. ground troops to conflict areas."

My Way News - Putin: Russia, US have narrowed their differences on Syria
My Way News reports: "President Vladimir Putin was both cordial and coarse in his year-end news conference Thursday, saying the U.S. and Russia have narrowed their differences on Syria and share the same view of how to settle the conflict. [...] Putin said the Russian air campaign in Syria, which began Sept. 30, will continue until a political process begins, adding that Moscow would back the latest U.S. proposals for a peace process in the civil war."

My Way News - Germany: Man suspected of having worked for IS arrested:
My Way News reports: "German authorities say a man suspected of having worked for the Islamic State group has been arrested at a refugee accommodation center. The Dortmund prosecutor's office said the 31-year-old was arrested in the western town of Unna on Thursday, news agency dpa reported. It stressed that the investigation is at a very early stage. "

My Way News - UK won't ban Muslim Brotherhood but finds link to extremism
My Way News reports: "Some members of the Muslim Brotherhood have supported violence and involvement with the group can be an indicator of extremism — but it should not be banned in Britain, the government said Thursday."