NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT THURSDAY 12/26/2019

(VERY LIMITED SERVICE WITH POSTING EARLY AND THEN LATER THIS EVENING)

President Trump attacking Syria, Russia and Iran alleging they are going to perpetrate a massacre during the current military offensive in the northwest of Syria against jihadist opposition forces.    That message on Twitter today offered praise for Turkey as a country that is trying to prevent the "massacre"

Turkey will send troops to Libya.

That's what President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his AK Party at a meeting in Ankara today.

Erdogan said he will present legislation when parliament re-opens in January.

He said in part:

"We will provide all kinds of support to the Tripoli government against the coupist general (Haftar), who is supported by various European and Arab countries."

The Turkish president made a surprise visit to the country that neighbors Libya, Tunisia, yesterday.

There is a conflict in Libya going on right now involving the UN-recognized Government of National Accord in Tripoli and the eastern Libyan National Army of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, who has backing including Egypt, France, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.

More from the pro-government "Yeni Safak" in Turkey.......LINK

LATE WORD TONIGHT OF A PLANE CRASH IN THE CENTRAL ASIAN NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN WHERE ITS FRIDAY MORNING.    AT LEAST SEVEN REPORTED DEAD WHEN A PLANE CARRYING MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE CRASHED INTO A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE CITY OF ALMATY.

THE PLANE HAD TAKEN OFF FROM ALMATY ENROUTE TO KAZAKHSTAN'S CAPITAL CITY NUR-SULTAN.

IN IRAQ THE PRESIDENT BARHAM SALIH REFUSING TO DESIGNATE BASRA GOVERNOR ASSAD AL-EIDANI AS THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER TODAY AND THREATENING TO RESIGN.

SALIH SAYING THAT THE APPOINTMENT WILL NOT SATISFY PROTESTERS ON THE STREETS DEMANDING REFORM AND CHANGE IN THE COUNTRY.

Russia announcing its contribution to joint naval drills with China and Iran set to begin in the next 48 hours in the Gulf of Oman.  The frigate "Yaroslav Mudry" along with a tanker and tugboat will be involved.

More from Russia's Tass News Agency....LINK

Reports in the mainstream media say Iran will be the scene of more anti-government protests today this time mourning those killed in riots against a gasoline price hike last month.

The Iranian government reported to have began shutdowns of internet service yesterday in anticipation of today's protest.

Iran also says its intercepted shipments of firearms made in the USA being smuggled into the country for use in rioting.

The story from Iran's "Press TV"......LINK

The primary in Israel's Likud Party today with a victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over challenger Gideon Sa'ar.     Netanyahu won 72.5 percent of the vote to Sa'ar's 27.5 percent.    Netanyahu will lead Likud into Israel's third election in less than a year on March 3rd.

A police raid in Moscow Thursday on the headquarters of an anti-corruption organization led by opposition politician Alexei Navalny.    Navalny was dragged out of the building and detained before being released, it is reported.

The story as reported by Germany's "Deutsche Welle"......LINK

And for now that's the way it really is Thursday December 26th, 2019.