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Written by Eric Michael Johnson Senior Writer, Digital News
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Good morning. Twenty years after Operation Medusa, Canadian veterans are reflecting on one of the fiercest battles of the war in Afghanistan — more below on its lasting impact. Plus, why experts say Trump's Venezuela oil deal poses little immediate threat to Alberta, and Atari bets on nostalgia with new, physical releases of classic games.
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(Atta Kenare/AFP/Getty Images)
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Iran attacks U.S. bases after reports of deadly strike on wedding
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U.S. forces struck targets on Iran's southern coast while Iran fired at American bases across the region and accused Washington of hitting a wedding party, killing five people and wounding dozens.
What's happening: Iran attacked what it said were U.S. assets in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Iraq, saying it aims to drive U.S. forces out of their military bases across the Middle East. Tehran reported at least 12 deaths from U.S. strikes, including five people said to have been killed while celebrating a wedding at a home in Sirik, a town along the coast of the Strait or Hormuz.
Why it matters: The hostilities on Wednesday marked the biggest exchange of fire between Iran and the U.S. since July — sending Asian and European stocks down while raising oil prices and compounding the economic impact of a global sell-off in bonds as disrupted energy supplies fuel inflation worldwide.
After six months of on-again, off-again fighting, Iran's battered economy and degraded conventional forces have left it stretched thin, while Washington has used up much of its stocks of air defence munitions and burned through its precision long-range missiles.
– This section compiled by Sean Davidson |
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FEATURED STORIES
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(The Canadian Press)
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Operation Medusa remembered 20 years later
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Twenty years after one of Canada's fiercest battles in Afghanistan, veterans are reflecting on the intensity of Operation Medusa and the toll it took on Canadian troops.
What's happening: The NATO offensive began Sept. 2, 2006, near Kandahar, where more than 1,000 Canadian soldiers took part alongside Afghan and allied forces. Canadian troops encountered heavily entrenched Taliban fighters in close combat. Four Canadians were killed during an early ambush, and another soldier died when a U.S. A-10 mistakenly attacked Canadian positions, wounding more than 30 others.
Why it matters: Operation Medusa became Canada's largest battle since the Korean War and a pivotal moment in the Afghan campaign. NATO forces ultimately pushed the Taliban from key positions, forcing insurgents back toward hit-and-run tactics, but the battle also underscored the human cost of Canada's mission and left lasting physical and psychological wounds for veterans.
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Trump announced a new U.S.-Venezuela oil deal, but Canada's oilpatch isn't worried
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U.S. President Donald Trump is touting a new Venezuelan oil deal as a warning to Canada, but energy experts say Alberta's oilpatch has little reason for immediate concern.
What's happening: Trump says the U.S. will gain majority control over 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil reserves through a new arrangement involving a private company. But details remain unclear, and experts say Venezuela's aging infrastructure, political instability and years of underinvestment mean any major production increase could still be five to 10 years away.
Why it matters: Venezuelan heavy crude could eventually compete with Alberta's oil for U.S. Gulf Coast refineries. For now, however, Canadian production is setting records, the U.S. continues to increase its crude oil imports from Canada and new pipeline capacity is opening access to overseas markets. Experts say Alberta's established infrastructure and political stability give it a significant advantage.
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