Thomas Fazi: Die wahre Funktion der NATO wurde von ihrem ersten Generalsekretär, Lord Ismay, perfekt auf den Punkt gebracht, der sie damit beschrieb, „die Russen draußen, die Amerikaner drinnen und die Deutschen unten“ zu halten. Das sagt eigentlich schon alles.
Daily Archives: 1. April 2026
Death Toll Passes 1,260 in Lebanon as Israeli Strikes Target Beirut Suburbs
Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 1,268 people in Lebanon, including more than 125 children, since the resumption of hostilities on March 2, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, as a new wave of bombards hit the southern suburbs of Beirut.
In the past 24 hours alone, 21 people were killed and 70 wounded, the ministry’s Emergency Operations Center reported.
Four Arrested in Protest at Knesset Against Death Penalty Law for Palestinians, Petitions to Supreme Court
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) filed a petition with the Supreme Court demanding the repeal of the “Death Penalty for Terrorists Law”, minutes after it passed its second and third readings in the Knesset. On Tuesday morning, Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI), HaMoked: Center for the Defense of the Individual, Physicians for Human Rights and Gisha, together with Hadash-Ta’al MKs Aida Touma-Sliman, Ayman Odeh, and Ahmed Tibi, filed a second urgent petition to the Israeli Supreme Court, demanding that the “Death Penalty for Terrorists Law” be declared null and void. The petitioners argue that the law represents a complete negation of the right to life and imposes cruel and inhuman punishment.
Korrespondent: Unterstützung für Israels Regierung bröckelt
Einer aktuellen Umfrage zufolge wollen 45 Prozent der israelischen Bevölkerung eine Weiterführung des Kriegs gegen Iran, berichtet ARD-Korrespondent Björn Dake aus Tel Aviv. 30 Prozent wollen eine Waffenruhe nach der Zerstörung von Irans militärischer Infrastruktur, knapp 20 Prozent eine sofortige Waffenruhe.
“All those who supported, let alone proposed this bill, should be tried by The Hague.” Ofer Cassif, a member of the Israeli Knesset, has condemned the death penalty bill approved on Monday for Palestinian detainees, labeling it a “genocide law”
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Israeli police use water cannon to disperse people protesting death penalty law
Israeli police used a water cannon on Tuesday to disperse dozens of protesters in Jerusalem after Israel‘s parliament approved the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of murdering Israelis. (AP Video: Paz Bar).
Pentagon declines to reaffirm NATO‘s collective defense, says up to Trump
The remarks by Hegseth at a Pentagon briefing were extraordinary, given that collective defense lies at the heart of the NATO alliance, which was formed in 1949 with the primary aim of countering the risk of Soviet attack on allied territory.
Trump interview: I am strongly considering pulling out of Nato
Singling out the UK, the US president rebuked Sir Keir Starmer for refusing to get involved in the American-Israeli war against Iran, suggesting that the Royal Navy was not up for the task.
“You don’t even have a navy. You’re too old and had aircraft carriers that didn’t work,” he said, referring to the state of Britain’s fleet of warships.
Asked whether the Prime Minister should spend more on defence, Mr Trump added: “I’m not going to tell him what to do. He can do whatever he wants. It doesn’t matter. All Starmer wants is costly windmills that are driving your energy prices through the roof.”
Trump advisers fear GOP midterm losses as gas prices spike
On Tuesday, gasoline prices in the U.S. topped $4 a gallon for the first time since 2022, according to AAA. Several officials concede there will be Republican losses in the midterms if they don‘t turn around the trending numbers.
A Republican source says the House will be difficult for the GOP, but Republicans expect to retain control of the Senate.
Oil plunges, stocks soar after Iranian president offers first signs of willingness to end war with US
In comments first reported by state media, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told EU Council president António Costa that Iran has „the necessary will to end this war“ but expects certain guarantees in exchange.
Pezeshkian also said on Monday that any end to the war in the Middle East must „guarantee the security and interests of the Iranian people,“ according to comments first published by the state news agency IRNA and reported by regional media.
Iran’s FM confirms contact with US envoy Witkoff, denies talks under way
Araghchi explained that they have never had a “good experience” negotiating with the US, adding that one time years ago they secured a deal, only for the US to withdraw from it, alluding to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
“We do not have any faith that negotiations with the US will yield any results. The trust level is at zero”, he said, adding: “We don’t see honesty.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also said on Tuesday that the US does not believe in diplomacy, as Iran was attacked twice during negotiations with Washington, our colleagues at Al Jazeera Arabic reported.
Pezeshkian, who held a phone call with European Council President Antonio Costa on Tuesday, also said that while his country has the “necessary will” to end the ongoing war, guarantees are required to “prevent repetition of the aggression”.
FM says Iran has ‚zero‘ trust in US, dismisses efficacy of American ground attack
Speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera, the top diplomat said messages had been exchanged with the United States, either directly or via regional intermediaries, but stressed that these contacts did not constitute negotiations.
„I receive messages from [US envoy Steve] Witkoff directly, as before, and this does not mean that we are in negotiations,“ he said, according to remarks published by the network on Tuesday.
„There is no truth to the claim of negotiations with any party in Iran,“ he added, categorically rejecting American officials‘ claims of being engaged in such process with Iranian authorities.
Iran says no talks with US, prepared for months of war
“We do not set any deadlines for defending ourselves. We will defend our country and our people as far as necessary and by any means required,” Abbas Araghchi told Al Jazeera.
Araghchi said Tehran is not engaged in direct negotiations with Washington, contradicting US claims of ongoing talks.
“Negotiation is when two countries engage in talks to reach an agreement, and such a thing does not exist between us and the United States,” he said, while acknowledging that messages have been exchanged indirectly through intermediaries.
Indonesia calls for UN investigation into killing of peacekeepers in Lebanon
Speaking during an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council, Indonesia’s representative to the U.N., Omar Hadi, said: “We demand a direct investigation by the United Nations, not merely Israeli excuses.”
Lebanese Army repositions forces in South amid escalating Israeli attacks
The military also said Israeli attacks are ongoing and do not distinguish between soldiers and civilians across various regions.
It warned against incitement and efforts by some media outlets and social media platforms to undermine confidence in the armed forces, noting that such narratives could have negative repercussions for civilians and fuel internal tensions.
Lebanon says Israeli strikes on Beirut area kill seven
Lebanon‘s health ministry said Wednesday that Israeli strikes on Beirut‘s southern suburbs and a nearby town killed at least seven people.
The health ministry said an Israeli raid early Wednesday in the Jnah area killed at least five people and wounded 21 others.
Spotted: 3,500 US Marines, sailors under USS Tripoli mini-carrier group now sailing in Indian Ocean: CentCom
The ship‘s name carries deep historical resonance. It honours the Battle of Derna (1805) during the First Barbary War (Tripolitan War).
In one of the young United States‘ first overseas land battles, a small force of US Marines, soldiers, and international mercenaries led by William Eaton marched across the desert and captured the Libyan port city of Derna from forces of the Pasha of Tripoli.
The victory helped force a peace treaty, ending tribute demands on American shipping and securing safer Mediterranean trade routes.
US positions amphibious forces in Indian Ocean amid speculation of ground operation in Iran
Amid rising speculation over a possible US ground operation against Iran, the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, carrying nearly 1,800 Marines, has been deployed to the Indian Ocean, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a social media post.