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From sanctuaries in Pakistan’s tribal areas, the Haqqani family hosts a variety of high-value terrorists, including senior members of al-Qaeda, Pakistani Taliban, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Lashkar-e Taiba and smaller terrorist entities linked to attacks in the UK. It also supports a global jihadist ideology that transcends objectives in Afghanistan.

Despite the overwhelming media attention given to Homs and Damascus, the ongoing showdown between rebel and regime forces in Aleppo City is rooted in the months-old conflict in Aleppo’s northern countryside.

This backgrounder will review how Israel has responded to these two threats with what has become a core component of Israeli defense strategy, the world’s first battle-tested, integrated missile defense shield.

In an unprecedented single session of Parliament on August 4th, the Lower House dismissed the Afghan defense and interior ministers, Abdul Rahim Wardak and Bismillah Khan Mohammadi, following successive no-confidence votes.

The Syrian port of Tartus is the only naval base outside of the former Soviet Union still held by the Russian military, and the Russian government has asserted its strategic significance.