Latest news with #MichaelKnights
India.com
17-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Which lethal weapon are Houthis using that scared mighty US Air Force? Are they using..., even F-35 and F-16...
New Delhi: The Houthi rebels of Yemen have intimidated even the American Air Force, which is said to be the most powerful air force in the world. Recently, during airstrikes by the American Air Force in Yemen, the Houthi rebels came very close to shooting down American F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and F-16 Vipers. The interesting thing is that, despite being equipped with advanced systems, the air defense capabilities of the Houthis are largely underdeveloped in front of the American Air Force. This raises the question of what kind of special weapon the Houthis have that poses a threat to American fighters? What missiles do the Houthis have? According to a report from The War Zone, the Houthis possess a stockpile of infrared-guided R-73 and R-27 air-to-air missiles. These missiles have been reconfigured for surface-to-air use. Locally, they are referred to as Thaqib-1 and Thaqib-2. The Yemeni rebel group also has surface-to-air Sakr-series infrared-homing missiles that have manoeuvring capabilities. The capability of the Sakr missiles to target high-flying and fast fighter jets is likely somewhat limited, but the Thaqib-1 and Thaqib-2 have demonstrated the ability to pose a threat to fighter aircraft in the past. The Houthis have released footage taken by infrared cameras after targeting American and other countries' drones with surface-to-air strikes. This indicates that the group is using infrared sensors for missile types beyond just infrared missiles, including radar-guided surface-to-air missile systems. Unlike active radar, infrared sensors are of a passive nature. This means they do not emit signals that would allow pilots to know of an existing threat. This poses challenges for both stealth and non-stealth aircraft. By integrating infrared sensors with radar-guided surface-to-air missile systems, they can help remain hidden by not emitting radiation for a long time in their engagement cycle. This results in very little time for the targeted aircraft to respond. CBS News reported in one of its stories, citing Michael Knights, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, that Houthis and Iranians have used electro-optical systems because they are completely passive systems. These things are difficult to detect because they leave no trace before launch.
Iraq Business
04-05-2025
- Business
- Iraq Business
Iraqi Oil and the Iran Threat Network
By Michael Knights, for the Combating Terrorism Center (CTC) at West Point. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraqi Oil and the Iran Threat Network Iran-backed terrorist groups and militias are developing significant new strands of threat financing using Iraq's oil sector, which combine to provide billions of dollars of illicit value each year. Iraq is thus emerging as Iran's best bet for neutering the Trump administration's renewed maximum pressure campaign. Click here to read the full report. To browse our comprehensive library of reports on Iraq, click here. Tags: AAH, Abu Mahdi al Muhandis, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, Combating Terrorism Center (CTC) at West Point, Dr Mike Knights, featured, Iran, IRGC-QF (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force), Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC), Kata'ib Hezbollah, Kataib Hezbullah, muqawama, terrorism, United States
Iraq Business
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Iraq Business
Knights: "The Danger of Letting Iraq's PMF Authority Law Pass"
By Michael Knights, for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. The Danger of Letting Iraq's PMF Authority Law Pass The Trump administration needs to quietly but firmly signal Baghdad that enshrining the militia umbrella group as a de facto "Iraqi IRGC" would pose an unacceptable threat to U.S. interests. Click here to read the full article. Tags: Donald Trump, Dr Mike Knights, featured, Hamdi Malik, Iran, PMF Law, PMU, Popular Mobilization Forces, Popular Mobilization Units, United States, Washington Institute for Near East Policy
Iraq Business
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Iraq Business
Iraq's PMF Law "Is No Substitute for Real Security Reform"
By Hamdi Malik and Michael Knights, for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq's PMF Law Is No Substitute for Real Security Reform The Trump administration should not be duped by the supposed " reforms " that militia leaders are considering in parliament, which threaten to turn the PMF into another Iranian " Revolutionary Guard " and keep U.S.-designated terrorists in key posts. Click here to read the full report. Tags: Donald Trump, Dr Mike Knights, featured, Hamdi Malik, Iran, PMF Law, PMU, Popular Mobilization Forces, Popular Mobilization Units, United States, Washington Institute for Near East Policy
Iraq Business
06-03-2025
- Business
- Iraq Business
Knights: "Make Iraq Independent of Iranian Energy"
By Michael Knights, for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Make Iraq Independent of Iranian Energy By letting previous waivers expire, the United States can help Baghdad establish other suppliers and stand on its own feet for the first time. Click here to read the full report.
