World War Three is approaching fast, and too few are willing to admit why

Are we on the brink of a third world war? In the age of “peak apocalypse”, it is easy to laugh off such a question. After all, we already find ourselves on permanent pandemic-watch, are besieged daily by predictions of ecological collapse, and drip-fed a diet of dystopian drama by crude Netflix algorithms. But the risk of a global war has surely not been so high since America was locked in an existential battle against the USSR.

Around the world, authoritarian regimes are failing. In an era of global stagnation, their inability to deliver on promises to provide jobs, tackle poverty and grow their middle classes is coming to a head. Paranoid about internal dissent, autocrats thus have a growing incentive to bet the farm on shoring up their power by focusing on external enemies, whether via expansionist regional wars or high-risk existential conflicts against the West.

The fast-moving crisis that has erupted following a drone attack on a US base near Jordan’s border with Syria is a perfect example of our frightening new reality. Although Iran has denied any direct involvement, it is clear that it is deeply implicated in what is merely the latest in a string of Tehran-linked attacks designed to drive the US from the Middle East.

Houthis say they are ready for long conflict with .U.S, UK

Mohammed Nasser Al-Atefi, a representative of the Yemeni rebel group Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthis, said it is ready for a long confrontation with the US and UK.

"Our revolutionary leadership and the Supreme Political Council have taken all necessary steps <...> so we are ready for a long confrontation with the forces of tyranny. The Americans, the British and those who coordinated with them must realize the strength of Yemen's sovereign decision and that it is not a matter of discussion or debate," Al-Atefi said on the Houthi-owned Al Masirah television.

Burkina Faso notifies ECOWAS of its withdrawal from organization

Burkina Faso has officially notified the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) of its decision to drop out of the bloc, Reuters quoted the country's Foreign Ministry as saying.

Mali and Niger had also previously sent similar notifications to ECOWAS. On January 28, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS, a regional organization of 15 countries.

On Monday, the Foreign Ministry of Nigeria, which holds the ECOWAS presidency, said the military authorities of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali acted in "bad faith" by making the joint decision to withdraw from the organization.

On Tuesday, the African Union urged the three countries to open a dialogue with ECOWAS' representatives.

Last September, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger signed a charter to create a collective defense organization called the Alliance of Sahel States (ASS). The founding document noted that violation of the sovereignty or territorial integrity of one or more parties to the charter will be considered an aggressive act against all three parties and will require their assistance, individually or collectively, up to and including the use of military force.

[BREAKING] Houthis fired anti-ship cruise missile at U.S. Navy Destroyer

U.S. Central Command reports USS Gravely (DDG-107), an Arleigh Burke-Class Guided-Missile Destroyer, successfully intercepted an anti-ship cruise missile fired by the Houthi terrorist group from Western Yemen tonight, preventing any damage or casualties.