For review: 1. US Carrier Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) Departs CENTCOM AOR. The Carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) is heading back home eight months into its deployment, Pentagon officials announced on Thursday. 2. IDF Reports 13 kilometers of Tunnels Destroyed in Rafah. Brigadier General Itzik Cohen, 162d Division Commander said that his comba…

For review: 1. Israel Defense Minister - Hamas as Military Formation is Gone. Hamas is no longer an organized military force in the Gaza Strip after Israel’s 11-month ongoing military campaign, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told foreign journalists on Monday. 2. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said US will present new formula for Hostage Deal …

For review: 1. Israel - Hamas Hostage Deal Remote. The chances of a phased hostage-ceasefire agreement being achieved on the basis of Israel’s May proposal are “close to zero” and there is “very broad pessimism” among the Israeli negotiators. 2. Germany to Provide 155mm Howitzers to Ukraine. Germany will deliver a batch of 12 x Panzerhaubitze 2000 …

For review: 1. Egypt's Army Chief of Staff Visits Gaza Border. Egypt’s army chief of staff Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa made a surprise visit on Thursday to the country’s border with the Gaza Strip to inspect the security situation. 2. IDF Infantry Brigade Prepares for Combat in North. The IDF’s Yiftah Brigade carried out a drill over the past …

For review: 1. Israel PM - IDF Potentially Off Philadelphi Corridor in Phase 2 but Not Without Security Arrangements. PM Netanyahu: “The conditions that we shall have for a permanent ceasefire must include a situation where the Philadelphi Corridor cannot be perforated.” 2. Slovakia to Procure Barak MX Air Defense Systems. The Slovak government has…

For review: 1. US White House reports that new Hostage Deal has Israel mvoing off populated areas of the Philadelphi Corridor. White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby: “The deal itself, including the bridging proposal that we started working with… includes the removal of Israeli Defense Forces from all densely populated areas……

For review: 1. According to final investigation report, the helicopter crash that killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in May 2024, was caused by bad weather. The main cause of the helicopter crash was the “complex climatic and atmospheric conditions of the region in the spring.” 2. IDF Recovers Bodies of Six Hostages Murdered by Hamas. Prime Min…

For review. 1. USAID Report on Gaza Pier- available at USNI News. 2. Israeli Security Cabinet Supports Remaining on Philadelphi Corridor. Israel's security cabinet voted Thursday to back Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s position in favor of maintaining IDF presence along the Gaza-Egypt border as part of any potential ceasefire and hostage releas…

For review: 1. Among Hostage Negotiations, Israel PM faces tough decisions on status of Philadelphi Corridor. 2. IDF Says 80% Tunnels Destroyed on Philadelphi Corridor - Rafah Brigade Collapsed. 3. Israel & Hamas likely to agree to humanitarian truce for child polio vaccinations. Unnamed Egyptian sources as expecting a truce to kick off within days…

For review. 1. Hezbollah attacks Northern Israel with missiles and drones in retaliation for strike on senior commander. 2. US SEC DEF: 2 x US Carriers to Remain in CENTCOM AOR. With the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), there will now be 2 x aircraft carriers and their warships available for US Central Command. …

For review: 1. Israel & Hamas Negotiations Continue - No Deal Yet. Philadelphi Corridor still a sticking point. Egypt-based Alghad TV reported Saturday, citing citing an unnamed informed source, that Israel had notified Cairo it was prepared to withdraw under a deal from five security points out of eight discussed along the Philadelphi Corridor. Th…

Join Kyle Oakley as he interviews Matt Smith, Lebanon Baptist Church's lead pastor. Episode 17

For review: 1. US Carrier Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) Arrives in the Middle East according US Central Command. The Lincoln is set to relieve USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), which has been operating in the Middle East since June. 2. IDF Recovers Bodies of Six Hostage in Khan Younis. 3. Israel - Hamas Negotiations losing momentum. 4. Ukraine Kursk oper…

For review: 1. Israel Accepts US "Bridging Proposal" in Negotiations. Statement from Israeli Prime Minister's Office: “The Prime Minister reiterated Israel’s commitment to the current American proposal on the release of our hostages, which takes into account Israel’s security needs, which he strongly insists on." 2. Ukraine Destroys Key Bridges in …

For review: 1. US Carrier (USS Abraham Lincoln CVN-72) & Guided-Missile Submarine (USS Georgia SSGN-728) Moving Toward CENTCOM AOR. 2. Israel - Hamas Negotiation Update. The US “bridging proposal” does not provide for an ongoing Israeli presence along the Gaza-Egypt border or for a mechanism in central Gaza to prevent the return of armed Hamas forc…

For review: 1. US President: Significant Progress on Negotiations. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas were the most constructive that mediators had seen in months, a senior Biden administration official told reporters on Friday. 2. IDF Combat Engineers have destroyed over 50 tunnels along the Philadelphi Corridor. The IDF did not detail how many…

Join Pastor Matt Smith as he interviews Brandon Sams, Pastoral Resident. Brandon will be departing from Lebanon in September to begin the process of planting a church in Baltimore. Episode 15

For review: 1. President Biden hopeful that successful negotiations between Israel & Hamas will stave off Iran retaliatory strike. President Biden was asked by reporters if he expected Iran to hold off on a retaliatory strike if a deal is reached. “That’s my expectation,” the President replied. 2. IDF 98th Division Commander Discusses Gaza Operatio…

For review: 1. Forbes Report: Ukraine Combat Brigades Digging In at Kursk. There’s growing evidence that some or all of the 5 x Ukraine Combat Brigades- have plans to stay. (The Russians are digging in, too.) 2. Hamas Supports Negotiations But Will Not Send Delegation to Upcoming Talks. It (Hamas) said it had asked mediators to present a plan based…

For review: 1. Ukraine Sends 5 x Combat Brigades into Russia's Kursk Oblast. Russia declared a “federal-level” emergency in the region and sent reinforcements there on Friday. Russia’s Defense Ministry said reinforcements were on their way to Kursk to counter Ukraine’s raid. 2. Ukrainian First Person View Drone takes down Russian MI-28 Havok Attack…

Join Pastor Matt Smith as he interviews Ryan Fulk, Student Ministry and Outreach Director. Episode 15

For review: 1. Secretary of National Security Sergei Shoigu, delivers Russian President Putin's message of restraint during his visit to Tehran on Monday. 2. Organization of Islamic Cooperation Meets in Saudi Arabia. Iranian and Palestinian officials called for Wednesday’s gathering of the 57-member OIC in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah, saying t…

For review: 1. US Forces in Iraq Struck in Rocket Attack. Several US personnel were injured in a suspected rocket attack at a military base in Iraq, Defense officials said Monday. 2. Russian National Security Council Secretary Shoigu Visits Tehran. Russian state news agencies reported that Sergei Shoigu was scheduled to meet with Iranian President …

For review: 1. Iran State TV reports that a short-range projectile was behind the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh- and not an explosive device planted in the building beforehand (as previously reported by other media). The televised statement says a rocket with a seven-kilogram warhead was used to target the residence of Haniyeh in …

For review: 1. US to exit final installation (Air Base 201) in Niger next week. Air Base 201 was the final US military site in the West African country after forces exited Air Base 101 in July. The US spent years building it to launch drone operations and has used its military presence to train Nigerien forces as well. 2. Getting Ready for Iran: US…

Join Pastor Matt Smith as he interviews Dan Alderman, Lebanon's visitation pastor.Episode 14

For review: 1. Iran Supreme Leader Orders Direct Strike on Israel. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has ordered a direct strike on Israel for the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh. Israel has not commented on the incident. 2. IDF Tough Response to Hezbollah. The IDF confirms that top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed in an Israeli ai…

For review: 1. Diplomats Work to De-escalate Israeli Response to Druze Village Rocket Attack. Israeli officials suggested that the response would be serious but not lead to an all-out conflagration (conflagration = an extensive fire which destroys a great deal of land or property). 2. Spain to provide another Hawk Air Defense System to Ukraine. Spa…

1. Boeing to Purchase Spirit AeroSystems - Shaking Up US Army FLRAA Program. Bell (winner of the FLRAA competition), intends to step away from Spirit AeroSystem as the fuselage provider for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft after the Boeing acquisition is finalized. 2. Israel PM: Hezbollah Will Pay Heavy Price for Druze Village Rocket Attack. …

For review: 1. Israel - Saudi Arabia Normalization Still Possible. A normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia is still possible before the US presidential election, a top Israeli official told reporters Friday, adding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the matter with US President Joe Biden during their Thursday meeting…

Pastor Matt interviews Brandon Sams and Caroline Ingold about the Missions Trip to Hungary. Episode 13

For review: 1. Gaza Post-War Plan Discussions in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Officials from Israel, the United States and the United Arab Emirates reportedly held a secret meeting in Abu Dhabi last week to discuss plans for a postwar Gaza. 2. From Farnborough Air Show: Israel Aerospace Industries announces air-to-surface missile named Wind Dem…

For review: 1. Royal Australian Navy Destroyer Employs Naval Strike Missile at RIMPAC 2024. Royal Australian Navy destroyer HMAS Sydney (DDG-42) successfully fired a Naval Strike Missile and sank former amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA-1) in the waters off Hawaii during the biennial Rim of the Pacific 2024 exercise. 2. China & Philippines op…

For review: 1. Israeli Response: IAF F-35s and F-15s Strike Houthi Port Facilities in Yemen. At least a dozen IAF aircraft, including F-35 stealth fighter jets, F-15 fighters, reconnaissance aircraft and refueling planes were involved in the attack — the latter of which was due to the target being some 1,800 kilometers (1,100 miles) from Israel. 2.…

For review: 1. Last Story on US-built Gaza Pier (I think). 2. Houthi-launched explosive drone hits Tel Aviv. The drone, identified by the IDF as an Iranian-made Samad-3, had been modified to have an extended range, had flown to the country for several hours at a low altitude. 3. Lebanon files complaint with the UN over GPS jammed Southern Lebanon. …

Join Steve Wagner and Matt Smith as they discuss the past two Sundays in the series 'The Doctrine of God'. Episode 12

For review: 1. IDF monitored Hamas' Khan Yunis Brigade Commander's residence for weeks before airstrike. Senior Hamas Commander was reported to have been at the compound for significant periods in recent months, 2. Israel is a Real-Time Proving Ground for Layered Air Defense- Short, Medium, & Long-range systems. 3. US & Armenia Conduct Eagle Partne…

For review: 1. US President and Secretary of Defense Statements on Former President Donald Trump assassination attempt. 2. Israeli Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) press conference at IDF Headquarters in Tel Aviv. Prime Minister discusses strike on Senior Hamas Commander and reasons for the Rafah operation. 3. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. General Herz…

For review: 1. Israel PM (Benjamin Netanyahu) Denies IDF Withdrawal from Philadelphi Corridor as part of Hostage Negotiations. Israeli PM statement: “The prime minister insists that Israel remain in the Philadelphi Corridor.” 2. NATO to Open Liasson Office in Jordan. 3. Northrup Grumman Ammo Co-Production in Ukraine. Northrup Grumman Spokesperson: …

Join Pastor Matt Smith as he interviews Kyle Oakley, Lebanon's recreational director. BOOK SUGGESTIONS Knowing and Doing the Will of God Band of Brothers The Billy Graham Story

For review: 1. Hezbollah to cross-border Stop Attacks with Israel-Hamas Ceasefire. Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said Wednesday his Lebanese terror group would accept Palestinian ally Hamas’s decision on Gaza hostage negotiations and would stop cross-border attacks on Israel if a ceasefire were reached. 2. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at…

1. Pitch Black Exercise in Australia will see 20 nations participating. Of these, 16 are contributing combat jets to the exercise, with more than 140 aircraft and over 4,000 personnel. The three-week exercise will run 12 July - 02 August 2024. 2. US Navy vessel rundown in the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. 3. IDF Hamas tunnel assessment in Gaz…

For review: 1. Reformist candidate (Masoud Pezeshkian) wins Iranian Presidential election. President-elect Pezeshkian advocates for improved ties with the West, "except for Israel." 2. IDF Strikes Key Figure in Hezbollah Air Defense Unit. Prominent Hezbollah member was killed by an IDF drone strike in Northeastern Lebanon, about 100 kilometers from…

For review: 1. Israel - Hamas Negotiations Resume. Israel said the Friday talks were only an initial meeting, and their delegation will return to Doha next week to resume talks. 2. Report from Reuters: Masoud Pezeshkian leads rivals in Iran Presidential race. Masoud Pezeshkian is reported to be moderate and has pledged to open Iran to the world and…

Join Pastor Matt Smith as he interviews Steve Wagner, Lebanon's operations manager.

For review: 1. IDF Strikes Senior Hezbollah Commander in Southern Lebanon. 2. Lebanon's Foreign Minister (Abdullah Bou Habib) statement to Israel: "We are interested in peace, we do not want war.” Message to Israeli Foreign Minister (Israel Katz) was delivered via Azeri Foreign Minister (Jeyhun Bayramov). Bayramov said that the Lebanese had chosen …

For review: 1. US Military raises security alert level of bases in European Command. 2. Israeli Defense Minister (Yoav Gallant) visits Rafah. Defense Minister Gallant vowed the IDF will “continue and push until we reach a situation where we choke [Hamas’s] windpipe, and do not allow it to rebuild its strength. This is the goal of this operation.” 3…

For review: 1. Iran UN Mission Threatens "Obliterating War" if IDF Offensive in Lebanon. 2. IDF has 2 x Divisions and 1 x Mountain Brigade on Northern Border. These units are back-up by two more Divisions. 3. Finland to Procure Border Surveillance Aircraft (2). Finland has selected Sierra Nevada Corporation’s (SNC) Bombardier Challenger 650 (with s…

For review: 1. NATO Statement: Outgoing Netherlands Prime Minister set to become the new NATO Secretary General on 01 October 2024. The position is a four year term, which can be extended repeatedly. 2. Pentagon Inspector General (IG), in collaboration with US Agency for International Development (USAID), will investigate the effectiveness of the G…

Join Pastor Matt Smith as he interviews David Jackson, Lebanon's worship and next steps pastor.