David Backes

Senior Trump appointee fired after critical comments

Washington - Arab Today

A senior Trump administration official was fired following criticism in a private speech of President Donald Trump’s policies and his inner circle of advisers. Craig Deare, whom Trump appointed a month ago to head the National Security Council’s Western Hemisphere division, was on Friday escorted out of the Executive Office Building, where he worked in Washington. A senior White HouseRead more

Controversial Trump aide Bannon elevated to White House security council

WASHINGTON - Arab Today

Donald Trump’s controversial senior adviser Steve Bannon will have a permanent seat at White House National Security Council (NSC) meetings, solidifying his role as one of the most powerful members of the president’s inner circle. In an executive memorandum signed on Saturday, Trump elevated Bannon, while downgrading the status of the Director of National Intelligence and the chairman of theRead more

Trump security adviser drops out amid plagiarism claim

Washington - Arab Today

The conservative author and pundit chosen by Donald Trump for a top communications post on the National Security Council has decided not to accept the position amid allegations that she plagiarized key passages in a best-selling book. “After much reflection, I have decided to remain in New York to pursue other opportunities and will not be taking a position inRead more

Kazakhstan detains 16 religious extremists in cell raids

Astana - ArabToday

Kazakhstan's National Security Committee(NSC) said Wednesday it carried out special operations to neutralize the cells of the religious extremist organization Takfir wal-Hijra and detained 16 people. The special operations were launched simultaneously in the Almaty, Aktobe and Atyrau regions and Almaty city. The detainees were accused of participating in the banned organization and inciting religious discord. "A search of theirRead more

South Korea believes DPRK may have conducted its 'most powerful' nuke test

Seoul - Arab Today

South Korea's military believed the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) may have conducted the "most powerful" nuclear test so far on Friday after an artificial earthquake was detected at a site where its fourth nuclear test was carried out earlier this year. A South Korean Defense Ministry official was quoted by Yonhap news agency as saying that it wasRead more

National Security Council probes plane disappearance developments

Cairo - Arab Today

The National Security Council, under President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, discussed the developments of the disappearance of an Egyptian plane that was on its way from Paris to Cairo on Tuesday. Civil Aviation Minister Sherif Fathy presented a report on all the information available so far about the incident. The council decided to continue search efforts for the plane andRead more