Archiv: foreign policy establishment
I’m not sure that avoiding a conflict with Netanyahu rises to the level of a Star Trek Prime Directive, but @aarondmiller2 does a great job of outlining Biden’s political calculations in deciding if he should confront Bibi the way we wish he would.
While I am a strong supporter of the Biden Admin on many things, they have been too timid with their criticism of Bibi Netanyahu and the threat he represents not only to Israel but to US interests in the Middle East. This is no time for the „compromise“ the US has called for.
Putin arrest warrant court ‚fundamentally illegitimate‘ – Bolton
“I believe and have for many years [that] the International Criminal Court is fundamentally illegitimate,” Bolton told Sky News on Monday, adding that its arrest warrant for Putin is “not something that the United States should cooperate with.”
“It’s a very dangerous institution,” he continued. “It is an exercise of governmental power in a vacuum without any constitutional framework to restrain it.”
U.S. Embassy Protesters Demand Biden Pressure Israeli Government to Halt Judicial Overhaul
Protesters outside the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv are asking the U.S. government to pressure Israel’s coalition into halting a judicial overhaul, with some suggesting concrete penalties such as withholding economic and military support if the legislation passes
CON-STI-TU-TION!
(picture)
In front of the American embassy, calling for our friends to help us #SaveIsraeliDemocracy
UAE halts purchase of Israeli defense shields following Iran-Saudi deal
(March 13, 2023)
”Until we make sure that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a government that he controls, we will not be able to do common things, “said UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.
Netanyahu in 1993: Iran will have bomb by 1999
(04.03.2015)
The prime minister has been warning for over 20 years that Tehran is close to achieving its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
China-brokered Iran-Saudi deal raises red flags for US
The deal also comes as Saudi Arabia is demanding certain security guarantees, a steady flow of arms shipments and assistance with its civilian nuclear program in order to normalize relations with Israel, a major U.S. ally, the White House confirmed on Friday.
Speaking to reporters, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the U.S. was “informed” about the Saudi Arabia-Iran talks but played no role in them.
Saudi Arabia asks US for nuclear help, stoking fears of Iran arms race
(09.03.2023)
Saudi Arabia is reportedly asking for US help to develop its civilian nuclear programme, raising fears that the kingdom may seek to develop a nuclear weapon and accelerate an arms race with Iran.
Saudi officials want US support to enrich uranium and develop their own fuel production system, while Washington is in return seeking a normalisation with another Middle East ally, Israel, according to a new report by The Wall Street Journal.
Saudi Clown Prince MBS (Mr Bone Saw) reportedly wants US security guarantees, nuclear power and advanced weapons in exchange for ending hostilities with Israel. They can call the deal Extortion for Peace.
Saudi Arabia Offers Its Price to Normalize Relations With Israel
(March 9, 2023)
Saudi Arabia is seeking security guarantees from the United States, help with developing a civilian nuclear program and fewer restrictions on U.S. arms sales as its price for normalizing relations with Israel, people familiar with the exchanges say.(…)
A normalization deal would also fulfill one of the most cherished goals of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, capping what he considers a legacy of increasing Israel’s security against its archenemy, Iran.
Biden Turns the U.S. Into a Shadow Member of OPEC
(13.12.2022)
President Biden has urged the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to increase production of oil and criticized the cartel harshly when it declines to do so—most recently on Dec. 4. But actions speak louder than words. Under the Biden administration, the U.S. has been acting as shadow member of the cartel.
Lapid: „Netanyahu briefed that I’m to blame for the Saudi-Iran deal. Its delusional. During our time in govt we signed the Saudi aviation agreement, the tripartite security deal with Egypt & the accord on direct flights during Hajj. Pres Biden flew directly from Tel Aviv to KSA…
(today)
Israel, Saudi Arabia Reportedly in Talks Over Increasing Military and Intelligence Ties
(18.02.2023)
The talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which are backed by the U.S., were held before the U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council Working Group gathering in Riyadh, which was focused on defense and security, Bloomberg reported several anonymous sources involved in the meetings as saying.
More meetings between the two countries are expected to occur this weekend in Prague, during the Munich Security Conference, according to several of the sources.
Archrivals Iran and Saudia Arabia agree to end years of hostilities in deal mediated by China
They also plan to reimplement a security pact signed 22 years ago under which both parties agreed to cooperate on terrorism, drug-smuggling and money-laundering, as well as reviving a trade and technology deal from 1998.
Friday’s announcement is also a diplomatic victory for China in a Gulf region that has long been considered part of the US’ domain of influence. It comes as the Biden administration tries to notch its own win in the Middle East by trying to broker a normalization pact between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Diplomatischer Coup: Teheran und Riad wollen Eiszeit beenden
Nach jahrelanger Eiszeit, die im Nahen Osten die Spannungen gefährlich erhöht hat, wollen der Iran und Saudi-Arabien die diplomatischen Beziehungen wieder aufnehmen. Der Deal kam offenbar unter Vermittlung Chinas zustande. Gelingt die Annäherung, wäre das für Peking ein wichtiger Erfolg als geopolitischer Player vis-a-vis den USA.
Biden administration approves potential sale of missiles for F-16s to Taiwan
(today)
The official noted Taiwan will use its own funds for the purchase. (…)
A news release from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency on Wednesday said the defense contractors for the munitions and equipment will be Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.
Lawmakers Return From Taiwan Clamoring to Speed Up Weapons Deliveries
(22.02.2023)
Mr. Gallagher was one of five House lawmakers who traveled to Taiwan during the congressional recess, meeting with top political, national security and business leaders to discuss how to enhance security and economic cooperation between Taipei and Washington.
House Republican: Ukraine war has been wake-up call for Taiwan to stockpile weapons
(22.02.2023)
Gallagher, a former Marine Corps intelligence officer and chairman of the House select committee on China, also said it is urgent for the U.S. to send weapons to Taiwan in an effort to prevent China from invading the country and the possibility of a third World War from happening.
Following Sunday’s deadly settler riot in the West Bank village, MK Zvika Fogel (from Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit party), said he „looks favorably on the results“
Palestinian ‚Village of Hawara Needs to Be Wiped Out‘: Israel’s Far-right Finance Minister Justifies ‚Disproportionate‘ Response to Terrorism
Israel’s Finance Minister called for the destruction of a West Bank Palestinian village on Wednesday, days after it was attacked by a mob of settlers who torched dozens of homes and reportedly killed one resident.
“The village of Hawara needs to be wiped out. I think that the State of Israel needs to do that [and] not, God forbid, private individuals,” said Bezalel Smotrich, when asked why he had “liked” a tweet by deputy Samaria Regional Council head Davidi Ben Zion calling for Hawara to be “wiped out today.”
China accuses US of ‘outright bullying’ with Russia-linked sanctions
“While the U.S. has intensified its efforts to send weapons to one of the parties to the conflict, resulting in an endless war, it has frequently spread false information about China’s supply of weapons to Russia, taking the opportunity to sanction Chinese companies for no reason. This is outright bullying and double standards,” Mao Ning told reporters, as reported by The Associated Press.
Live: Ukraine intelligence chief sees no sign China plans to arm Russia
But when asked about the possibility in a lengthy interview with Voice of America published on Monday, Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said: „I do not share this opinion.“
„As of now, I do not think that China will agree to the transfer of weapons to Russia,“ he said. „I do not see any signs that such things are even being discussed.“
Video: CIA chief says US ‘confident’ China is mulling arms for Russia’s war on Ukraine
(27 February 2023)
The United States is “confident” that China is considering providing lethal equipment to support the Russian forces invading Ukraine, according to CIA director William Burns.
Such a step by China would be “a very risky and unwise bet,” the intelligence chief said in an interview aired Sunday on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”
GOP Megadonor Is Funding a Far-Right Israeli Think Tank — and Establishment Democrats
Pulling from the playbook of the American Legislative Exchange Council — a Koch-backed group that writes model legislation for conservative lawmakers across the U.S. — Kohelet’s founder helped draft the law that became Israel’s Basic Law on the Nation-State in 2018. The controversial policy established Jewish people as having the sole right to self-determination, downgraded Arabic from its status as an official language, and declared the development of Jewish settlement a “national value.” Kohelet also drafted a new law that gives Israel’s Parliament the power to override Supreme Court decisions, grants the government complete control over judicial appointments, and abolishes the courts’ reasonableness doctrine, which was most recently used to disqualify a thrice-convicted criminal and Netanyahu ally from serving as health and interior minister.
Meeting between Saudi and Syrian intelligence chiefs hints at detente
The Saudi delegation was led by Gen Khalid Humaidan, the head of the country’s General Intelligence Directorate. He was received by Syria’s Gen Ali Mamlouk, the architect of the push to crush the early years of the anti-Assad revolution and the key interlocutor with Russian forces, which took a significant stake in the conflict from September 2015.
Two years earlier, Riyadh had been central to a plan to oust Assad by arming anti-Assad forces near Damascus and encouraging defections to nearby Jordan, from where the Saudi leadership had expected Barack Obama to launch a push by US proxies to take the Syrian capital.
Israel, Saudi Arabia Reportedly in Talks Over Increasing Military and Intelligence Ties
The talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which are backed by the U.S., were held before the U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council Working Group gathering in Riyadh, which was focused on defense and security, Bloomberg reported several anonymous sources involved in the meetings as saying.
More meetings between the two countries are expected to occur this weekend in Prague, during the Munich Security Conference, according to several of the sources.
Biden Turns the U.S. Into a Shadow Member of OPEC
(13.12.2022)
President Biden has urged the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to increase production of oil and criticized the cartel harshly when it declines to do so—most recently on Dec. 4. But actions speak louder than words. Under the Biden administration, the U.S. has been acting as shadow member of the cartel.
Netanyahu in 1993: Iran will have bomb by 1999
(04.03.2015)
The prime minister has been warning for over 20 years that Tehran is close to achieving its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Israeli Mossad is striking Iranian military centers and leaders, anywhere in the world
Aside from the biblical stories of persecution, Jews in Russia, Portugal and even Brooklyn, New York, have been the victims of anti-Jewish hate killings. Then, of course, there’s Nazi Germany.
Iran is just the latest to threaten the annihilation of the Jewish people, but this time, the Jewish people have a state of their own, a military that rivals anything in the region, and an intelligence service that is notoriously willing and able to do whatever it takes to protect the world’s Jews, especially those inside Israel.
‘There is only so much patience one can have’: Biden appears to back off vow to punish Saudi Arabia
(03.02.2023)
Now almost a month into the new session of Congress, lawmakers have yet to hear from administration officials about launching a coordinated review of the US-Saudi relationship, despite repeated statements over the past few months by the White House that congressional input would be key to such an assessment
Months after President Biden promised Saudi Arabia would suffer “consequences” after OPEC+ announced it would cut production, his administration has no plans to punish – let alone significantly reorient its posture toward – the country, sources say
(03.02.2023)
There’s a subtext to the @IlhanMN expulsion effort that echoes through US history: From Paul Robeson to Muhammed Ali to Andrew Young. Black public figures who endorse anti-imperial critiques of US foreign policy are almost always punished.
@RepAOC @AOC defends Rep. @Ilhan Omar: „Don’t tell me this is about consistency. Don’t tell me that this is about a condemnation of anti-Semitic remarks…This is about targeting women of color in the United States of America.“
See Omar’s fiery speech as GOP votes to remove her from committee
The Republican-led House of Representatives voted to pass a resolution to remove Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) from the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
House Republicans vote to oust Democrat Ilhan Omar from key committee, citing Israel comments
The Republican-led House voted after raucous debate Thursday to oust Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar from the chamber’s Foreign Affairs Committee, citing her anti-Israel comments, in a dramatic response after Democrats in the last session booted far-right GOP lawmakers over incendiary remarks.
Germany forced to apologise to the African Union
GERMANY was forced to apologise on Thursday for using a leopard emoji in a childish jibe at Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Twitter that ended up offending some Africans.
The German foreign ministry poked fun at Russia’s top diplomat during his tour of Africa when it tweeted that he wasn’t there looking for leopards, but using the trip to try and justify Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Hi @GermanyDiplo .Your boss @ABaerbock visited the @_AfricanUnion based in one of the more than 20 African countries that Germany enjoys reciprocal diplomatic relations with. Did she come to see animals? Or is the Continent of Africa, its people & wildlife just a joke to you?
(25.01.2023)
Netanyahu’s hard-right government poses challenge for old friend Biden
(20.01.2023)
On a sweltering day last July, US President Joe Biden, on his first presidential visit to Israel, made sure to seek out his old friend Benjamin Netanyahu in the crowd of Israeli delegates welcoming him to the Holy Land.
At the time, Mr Netanyahu’s political fortunes were diminished. After more than a decade in power, he was now opposition leader, having been replaced by a fragile alliance of younger leaders.
Mr Biden’s overture on the tarmac of Ben Gurion Airport appeared to be simply a recognition of their decades-long friendship.
Netanyahu is Israel’s own worst enemy. Why won’t western allies confront him?
A few have issued veiled warnings. None has imposed the sort of sanctions or boycotts levelled in the past on political extremists in other countries.
The coalition’s objectionable plans raise a broader, uncomfortable question for the US and Europe reaching beyond the too-familiar abuses and impunity of military occupation. In short, can Israel still be considered a reliable, law-abiding ally that shares a set of common values and standards with the western democracies? Maybe this is why governments are keeping stumm.
Israel braces for massive protests as far-right government targets courts
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to power in November elections after a year and a half on the sidelines, propelled by a bloc of once-fringe, far-right partners. In the two weeks since its inauguration, his government has embarked on a blitz of legislative initiatives, characterizing them as a “revision” to right the “imbalance among the three branches of government.”
But critics say the measures amount to a “coup d’etat” that will destroy the nation’s system of checks and balances to save Netanyahu from prosecution in three separate corruption cases and embolden his extremist religious partners to advance legislation supporting the expansion of Jewish settlement in the West Bank and the application of conservative Jewish law to public institutions.
Netanyahu Tells AIPAC It’s Time for the US and Israel to ‘Close Ranks’ on Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) on Monday and said it was time for the US and Israel to become more closely aligned on Iran.
“It’s time to close ranks between Israel and the United States – and others. And I look forward to discussing this issue with President Biden and his team. I think there is more of a meeting of the minds today than there has ever been,” Netanyahu said in a video address to AIPAC members in Washington.
Netanyahu is a staunch opponent of the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal, known as the JCPOA, and played a major role in convincing the Trump administration to pull out of the agreement in 2018 and reimpose sanctions on Iran. Now that he’s presiding over a new Israeli government, Netanyahu is set to continue Israel’s hawkish approach toward Tehran.
Israel, US to hold air drill simulating striking Iran nuclear program
(November 28, 2022)
The NIS 58 billion defense budget set for the IDF in the coming year is expected to allow the Israeli military to focus on the threats posed by Iran across the region, with some NIS 3.5b. designated specifically for this.
Weiterer USA-Israel-Gipfel mit vier arabischen Staaten
Israel und die USA wollen in diesem Jahr erneut ein Gipfeltreffen mit vier arabischen Staaten abhalten. Das Treffen sei in den kommenden Wochen in Marokko geplant, vermutlich im März, sagte ein Sprecher des israelischen Außenministeriums gestern in Abu Dhabi. Dort finden bis morgen erstmals Treffen von Arbeitsgruppen aus Israel, den USA, Ägypten, Bahrain, Marokko und den Vereinigten Arabischen Emiraten (VAE) statt.
The Untold Story Behind Saudi Arabia’s 41-Year U.S. Debt Secret
(May 31, 2016)
The basic framework was strikingly simple. The U.S. would buy oil from Saudi Arabia and provide the kingdom military aid and equipment. In return, the Saudis would plow billions of their petrodollar revenue back into Treasuries and finance America’s spending.
It took several discreet follow-up meetings to iron out all the details, Parsky said. But at the end of months of negotiations, there remained one small, yet crucial, catch: King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud demanded the country’s Treasury purchases stay “strictly secret,” according to a diplomatic cable obtained by Bloomberg from the National Archives database.
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby, January 6. 2023
Q Thank you. I have two foreign policy questions, John. First, on — the Wall Street Journal is reporting that the administration easing tension with Saudi Arabia, and they might not go ahead with the review. Can you comment if this is actually accurate? And how far are we in the review?
And second, on Turkey: As you know, there’s this kind of rapprochement between Turkey and the Assad regime, with the mediation of the Russians. Do you believe that this is the right step from the administration’s point of view? And will the Kurds pay the price for this?
MR. KIRBY: To the second question, the answer — short answer is: No. We haven’t normalized relations with the Assad regime, and we — we wouldn’t encourage any nation-state to normalize relations with the Assad regime.
But we’ll see where these talks go and what actually comes out of this. I don’t want to get ahead of where they are. But we obviously don’t support normalization with Assad.
On — I’m sorry, your first question was?
Q On the Saudis.
MR. KIRBY: Saudis. Thank you. The President has been consistent and clear that he wants this bilateral relationship, like any bilateral relationship we have, to be well suited to the interests of the American people and to our national security. And we’re going to continue to take a look at that relationship.
Look, Saudi Arabia is a strategic partner — 80-some-odd years. And — and it’s important that that strategic partnership continue, but it’s also important that it continues in a way that is completely consistent with our values and our interests. And the President wants to continue to take a look at it to make sure that that’s the case.
US Confirms Strategic Partnership with Saudi Arabia
(7 January, 2023)
The United States has once again expressed its keenness to maintain its 80-years strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia.
NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby reiterated in an interview with Al-Arabiya channel that Saudi Arabia is a „strategic partner“ of the United States, recalling that the bilateral relations date back to more than 80 years.
U.S.-Saudi Tensions Ease as Concerns About Iran Grow
The Biden administration has dropped threats to retaliate against Saudi Arabia for an oil-production cut last year and is moving to step up security coordination to counter Iran in 2023, U.S. and Saudi officials said, three months after ties hit a historic low point.
Officials pointed to signs of improved U.S.-Saudi cooperation in recent weeks as falling U.S. gasoline prices, better-than-expected midterm election results for Democrats, and heightened concerns about Iran take the edge off a long-simmering spat that spilled into the open in October when the Saudis rebuffed White House requests to delay the production cut.
How Saudi Arabia’s crown prince snubbed Biden repeatedly to forge ties with authoritarian China and Russia
(Jan 1, 2023)
Crown Prince Mohammed has more affinity with the ideology of fellow strongmen Xi or Putin than with the US, said Alterman.
„They share a belief that a significant liberalization of domestic life would lead to social chaos, the collapse of morality, and political polarization,“ said Alterman.
„The Saudi leadership is much more comfortable with Saudi Arabia pursuing the Chinese path of tightly managed politics, strong state-owned companies, and limited social freedoms than pursuing the US model,“ he said.
Israel can normalize ties with Saudi Arabia – with Biden’s help – opinion
“First, a written agreement defining our strategic partnership and what the US commitment is to our security if we’re attacked.
“Second, a status that assures us that US weapons sales will be reliable. It’s intolerable that from one month to the next we don’t know anymore if the US will fulfill its commitments. We need to be treated more like NATO or Israel where we can disagree on political and economic issues, but the underlying commitment to sell us what we need to defend ourselves doesn’t change.
US Holds Back on Saudi Moves as Tensions Ease
(27.12.2022)
Despite threats of „consequences“ made by the Biden administration during the run-up to US midterm elections in early November, no concrete actions have materialized.
One of the top potential measures, passage of the „Nopec“ antitrust legislation, has not advanced, after quietly failing to be included in a targeted bill this month.
UN Security Council slated to meet on widely decried Temple Mount visit by Ben Gvir
A date has not been set for the Security Council meeting — which was formally requested by the United Arab Emirates and China on behalf of the Palestinian and Jordanian UN missions — but it could take place as early as Thursday, a diplomat on the top panel told The Times of Israel.
Israel’s far-right Ben Gvir visits flashpoint Jerusalem holy site as Palestinians slam ‚provocation‘
Ben Gvir entered the compound on Tuesday but not the Al-Aqsa Mosque building itself. The lawmaker’s visit was his first since he was sworn in last week as national security minister, in what is set to be the most right-wing government in Israel’s history. It is led by Netanyahu, who has returned for his sixth term as prime minister at the head of a coalition that includes several extremist parties.
Eli Cohen makes first phone call to Russian counterpart Lavrov as Israeli foreign minister
Mr Cohen, a senior member of returning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new government, spoke to Mr Lavrov a day after he gave his first speech as Foreign Minister.
Mr Cohen said Israeli aid to Ukraine would continue, during his address on Monday, adding that there would be “less talk” on the Russia-Ukraine issue.
Team Biden’s Effusiveness to Netanyahu Is Thirty Years Outdated
Israel, Cohen said, will take a more pro-Russian position on the Ukraine war. Israel will not condemn Russia, he added, noting that he will speak with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday. The Foreign Ministry, he ceremoniously promised, will “prepare a detailed presentation to the security cabinet on the issue.”
That’s quite the statement from a man with less than 24 hours’ foreign policy experience, slated to serve as foreign minister for just a year (later returning for a further year in rotation).
Israel’s Netanyahu urges US to reaffirm commitment to Saudi Arabia – Al Arabiya
(December 15, 2022)
„The traditional (U.S.) alliance with Saudi Arabia and other countries, has to be reaffirmed. There should not be periodic swings, or even wild swings in this relationship, because I think that the alliance…is the anchor of stability in our region,“ Netanyahu told the Saudi-owned website.
„I’m to speak to President Biden about it,“ Netanyahu said according to a published transcript of the interview.
Biden Turns the U.S. Into a Shadow Member of OPEC
(13.12.2022)
President Biden has urged the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to increase production of oil and criticized the cartel harshly when it declines to do so—most recently on Dec. 4. But actions speak louder than words. Under the Biden administration, the U.S. has been acting as shadow member of the cartel.
U.S. climate envoy Kerry hails holding COP28 conference in OPEC member UAE
(Dec 7, 2022)
U.S. Special Climate Envoy John Kerry on Wednesday hailed the decision to hold next year’s COP28 climate summit in OPEC member the United Arab Emirates, saying fossil fuel economies should be encouraged to lead the transition to clean energy
How the US Congress could defang OPEC and keep gas prices low in one stroke
(30.11.2022)
The idea was first put forth back in 2000, when antitrust lawyer Seth Bloom wrote the NOPEC Act. It stands for No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels. The law would explicitly permit the US government to pursue price-fixing claims against oil-producing countries.
Judge dismisses Khashoggi lawsuit against Saudi prince; Biden granted him immunity
(December 6, 2022)
A federal judge in Washington on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit filed by the fiance of slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi against Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, citing President Biden’s grant of immunity.
U.S. District Judge John Bates suggested he was reluctant to throw out the lawsuit but had no choice given the Biden administration’s decision.
Biden vowed ‚consequences‘ for Saudi Arabia after oil production cut. But the U.S. has no plans to follow through.
(03.12.2022)
“This is an eight decades long relationship and we will continue to assess relations with Saudi Arabia methodically and strategically, and in line with what’s in our interests,” one official said in a statement.
“We will judge the way forward based on their actions as well as our ongoing consultations with partners and allies, the new Congress, and the Saudis.”
Exclusive: Saudis say normalization with Israel ‘matter of time‘
Senior diplomatic officials shared with i24NEWS that the Gulf state is looking to normalize relations with Israel, but that this will take time.
„The direction of Saudi-Israeli relations is normalization, but it will take more time and we must not put the cart before the horse.“ So said Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir in a meeting held in recent weeks with members of the American Jewish community (AJC), as revealed in an official document obtained by i24NEWS.
OPEC+ Keeps Oil Curbs Despite Russia Price Cap
During a virtual meeting, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and the Russia-led bloc—a group collectively known as OPEC+—decided to maintain production cuts of 2 million barrels a day, initially agreed to in October, OPEC said.
OPEC+ agrees to stay with existing oil output targets
Oil-producing alliance OPEC+ agreed on Sunday to keep its same production targets, dealing another setback for the U.S. and western allies seeking to curb high gas prices.
Biden’s Saudi recalibration a potential setback to prospects for Saudi-Israel normalization
(October 21, 2022)
Schneider is a co-chair of the Abraham Accords Caucus, as well as a lead sponsor of the DEFEND Act, which seeks to promote the creation of an integrated Middle East air-defense infrastructure, potentially including both Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), also an Abraham Accords Caucus co-chair and lead DEFEND Act sponsor, raised concerns that the White House was “disrupting… momentum” toward integrated air defense by postponing a United States-Gulf Coordination Council meeting focused on the issue following the oil production cut announcement.
How the US Congress could defang OPEC and keep gas prices low in one stroke
(30.11.2022)
The idea was first put forth back in 2000, when antitrust lawyer Seth Bloom wrote the NOPEC Act. It stands for No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels. The law would explicitly permit the US government to pursue price-fixing claims against oil-producing countries.
Egypt, Saudi Arabia & Qatar join Shanghai Cooperation Organisation as ‘Dialogue Partners’
(September 14, 2022)
Egypt and Qatar have been granted Dialogue Partner status of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) following the admission procedure launched in September 2021 at the Dushanbe summit.
This is an excellent conversation with our friends @ShibleyTelhami & @ChrisVanHollen. Thank you, Sen Van Hollen, for calling out Ben-Gvir and Smotrich’s extremism and bigotry and highlighting the important work being done by progressive groups in Israel and the US to oppose them.
Declaration of Independence
(14TH MAY,1948)
THE STATE OF ISRAEL will be open for Jewish immigration and for the Ingathering of the Exiles; it will foster the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants; it will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture; it will safeguard the Holy Places of all religions; and it will be faithful to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
VP Harris‘ visit is signal to China of US support for South China Sea
During a visit to the Philippines, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will demonstrate America’s commitment to defending its treaties by flying to an island province facing the disputed South China Sea.
This week, Harris met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for talks aimed at reinforcing Washington’s oldest treaty alliance in Asia and strengthening economic ties.
Biden mulls 2024 plans as Democrats weigh generational shift
For Biden, coming off a stronger-than-expected midterm result for Democrats is sure to factor heavily in the decision, along with the potential for a rematch against former President Trump. And while the White House has insisted for months Biden plans to run again, the president has left the door open to making a final decision after discussing with family during the holidays.
Meta’s Adversarial Threat Report, Third Quarter 2022
This quarterly threat report includes our findings about three networks we took down in the United States, China and Russia. The latter two we originally reported on September 27, 2022.
The US network — linked to individuals associated with the US military — operated across many internet services and focused on Afghanistan, Algeria, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Somalia, Syria, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Yemen.
Meta links phony accounts to people ‘associated with the US military’
It marks a rare instance of the Silicon Valley-based company tying an influence campaign to the U.S. rather than a foreign nation.
Meta said that the people behind the operation “attempted to conceal their identities,” but the company’s investigation “found links to individuals associated with the US military.”
Biden administration sticks to ‚vague‘ wording on Saudi ties after immunity decision
US will continue to review its relationship with Saudi Arabia despite the administration saying the crown prince has immunity from Khashoggi lawsuit
The last time the NOPEC bill came this close to passing was in 2007, when it got approved by the House of Reps in a 345-72 vote and the Senate by 70-23, only to die after George W. Bush threatened a veto. (good relations between George W. & the Kingdom in the aftermath of 9/11)
(17.10.2022)
Explainer: What is NOPEC, the U.S. bill to pressure the OPEC+ oil group?
(05.10.2022)
But several attempts to pass NOPEC over more than two decades have long worried OPEC’s de facto leader Saudi Arabia, leading Riyadh to lobby hard every time a version of the bill has come up.
With the Senate Judiciary Committee passing the bill in May, it needs to pass the full Senate and House and be signed by the president to become law.
Oil rises after Saudis deny report of OPEC+ supply increase
„late last night, the Biden administration quietly gave Saudi Arabia’s Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman, immunity from a lawsuit for the murder of Khashoggi, who had criticized the crown prince’s policies“
Saudis may boost oil production after Biden admin shields crown prince from punishment in death of Jamal Khashoggi
A production increase of up to 500,000 barrels a day is now under discussion for OPEC’s December 4 meeting, delegates said.
Saudi Arabia is the biggest beneficiary of the war in Ukraine
(16 May 2022)
Cracks in the resolve began to show up immediately. Amid calls for more solar, wind and nuclear power, the UK government started to double down on domestic oil and gas production, and Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, flew to Saudi Arabia to ask the regime to increase its oil output.
„The chances of getting NOPEC passed are actually declining,“ says @rbccm Global Head of Commodity Strategy @CroftHelima. „Democrats were really driving for this. I don’t really sense a lot of Republican enthusiasm.“ #Election2022 #Midterms2022 #OPEC
Explainer: What is NOPEC, the U.S. bill to pressure the OPEC+ oil group?
(05.10.2022)
But several attempts to pass NOPEC over more than two decades have long worried OPEC’s de facto leader Saudi Arabia, leading Riyadh to lobby hard every time a version of the bill has come up.
With the Senate Judiciary Committee passing the bill in May, it needs to pass the full Senate and House and be signed by the president to become law.
Saudi Arabia Reiterates Commitment To China, Regardless Of U.S. Concerns
(Nov 01, 2022)
Saudi Arabia’s strategic pivot effectively marks the end of the 1945 core agreement between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia that defined their relationship up until extremely recently.
Riyadh crosses the Rubicon toward Russia
(October 11, 2022)
This decision stands in stark contrast to the careful, muted responses of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian President Narendra Modi to Putin’s accelerating aggression in Eastern Europe and mounting threats to unleash nuclear war on the continent. Apart from buying Russian oil (at major discounts, most recently about $25 below Brent prices), neither the Chinese nor the Indians have offered Putin much in the way of diplomatic cover, military materiel or other direct substantive support since the earliest weeks of the illegal Russian invasion.
‚Sensitive‘ Israeli Intelligence on Iranian Nuke Program Shifting the Tide, Israeli Official Says
(12.09.2022)
According to a diplomatic source, Prime Minister Yair Lapid presented the Germans with intelligence that ‚proves the Iranians are cheating as we speak,‘ claiming the Americans‘ hardened their stance in response to the information
2024 National Democratic Primary Poll, Without Biden: Harris 25% Clinton 17%
(…)
Saudi Arabia quells dissent inside the United States: Report
According to a report released by the European Saudi Organization for Human Rights (ESOHR), during the first half of 2022, Saudi Arabia executed 120 people, a number higher than that of 2020 and 2021 combined. The kingdom is on its way to surpassing the record of 186 executions set in 2019.
Most of the executions carried out this year took place on 12 March, when Saudi officials killed 81 detainees on charges of “terrorism-related activities.”
Biden’s Saudi recalibration a potential setback to prospects for Saudi-Israel normalization
(October 21, 2022)
Schneider is a co-chair of the Abraham Accords Caucus, as well as a lead sponsor of the DEFEND Act, which seeks to promote the creation of an integrated Middle East air-defense infrastructure, potentially including both Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), also an Abraham Accords Caucus co-chair and lead DEFEND Act sponsor, raised concerns that the White House was “disrupting… momentum” toward integrated air defense by postponing a United States-Gulf Coordination Council meeting focused on the issue following the oil production cut announcement.
Netanyahu assured Putin „I will be back soon“ after losing election
(Oct 13, 2021)
Days after being ousted as prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu passed a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin promising a quick comeback, a source close to Netanyahu and a European diplomat told me.
Why it matters: Netanyahu and Putin had a close relationship that grew even closer after Russia began its military involvement in Syria in 2015.
As the election fog clears, Netanyahu poised to ride a hungry, far-right tiger
Conflicting priorities to maximize the performance of their own anchor slates and also strengthen the market shares of their allied factions—with which they would aspire to craft ruling coalitions—were the source of schizophrenic messaging by Likud and Yesh Atid, which left voters to choose in whom to place their trust. Those decisions shaped the current playing field.
Explainer: What is NOPEC, the U.S. bill to pressure the OPEC+ oil group?
(05.10.2022)
But several attempts to pass NOPEC over more than two decades have long worried OPEC’s de facto leader Saudi Arabia, leading Riyadh to lobby hard every time a version of the bill has come up.
With the Senate Judiciary Committee passing the bill in May, it needs to pass the full Senate and House and be signed by the president to become law.
Deep OPEC Output Cuts Upend Biden’s Attempt To Lower Oil Prices
In an effort to combat rising prices, earlier this year President Biden began the largest drawdown of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in U.S. history.
OPEC+ undid Biden’s SPR release by making deep output cuts, starting in November.
OPEC+ interests are fundamentally different than the interests of the U.S. consumer.
OPEC’s decision to slash oil production is a slap in the face to American interests. It’s time we restore the balance in this relationship. Today, @RepCindyAxne and I urged congressional leadership to bring up the NOPEC Act to crack down on the autocrats driving up PA gas prices.
(20.10.2022)
Opec+ oil cut: The birth pangs of a new world order
Riyadh is apparently set on another course. It intends to join Brics and is increasing its cooperation with China, including through its unprecedented consideration of trading oil for yuan instead of dollars. The UAE is also making moves, with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed recently visiting Moscow, and his energy minister saying Russia is irreplaceable in the oil market.
Biden’s Saudi recalibration a potential setback to prospects for Saudi-Israel normalization
(October 21, 2022)
Schneider is a co-chair of the Abraham Accords Caucus, as well as a lead sponsor of the DEFEND Act, which seeks to promote the creation of an integrated Middle East air-defense infrastructure, potentially including both Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), also an Abraham Accords Caucus co-chair and lead DEFEND Act sponsor, raised concerns that the White House was “disrupting… momentum” toward integrated air defense by postponing a United States-Gulf Coordination Council meeting focused on the issue following the oil production cut announcement.
Why OPEC Is Cutting Oil Production (and Why There’s Not Much the U.S. Can Do About It)
(Oct. 24, 2022)
If the United States follows through on its threats, the Biden administration would be a true maverick in Middle East policy, because no other administration — Republican or Democratic — has ever retaliated against Saudi Arabia in any serious manner for its oil policies.
The last time the NOPEC bill came this close to passing was in 2007, when it got approved by the House of Reps in a 345-72 vote and the Senate by 70-23, only to die after George W. Bush threatened a veto. (good relations between George W. & the Kingdom in the aftermath of 9/11)
(17.10.2022)
U.S. Senate panel advances bill to rein in OPEC+ over oil output cut
(19.10.2022)
The legislation could be debated by lawmakers after the Nov. 8 midterm elections.
WATCH NOW: Ukraine’s Zelenskyy to Haaretz: ‘Isn’t It Time for [Israel] to Choose Sides? The Democratic World, or Russian Terror?’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed Haaretz Democracy Conference on Monday, saying that Moscow’s military cooperation with Tehran will likely result in Russia assisting Iran with the development of its nuclear program.
In the prerecorded video message, the Ukrainian leader said that Iran’s sale of suicide drones and provision of military instructors to Russian forces operating in his country would not have been possible without Israel’s decision to stay neutral in the conflict.
‚Time to Take a Side‘: U.S. Lawmakers Push Israel on Aid to Ukraine
Murphy, who chairs the Senate subcommittee dedicated to the Middle East, noted that Israel is not the only country that possesses the Iron Dome missile defense system that could potentially help Ukraine.
“The United States, in fact, could move toward transferring some of our Iron Dome capabilities to Ukraine, as well. I think Israel can do much more here,” the Connecticut senator said, adding: “These drones are absolutely devastating when they hit civilian areas“.
As missiles strike Ukraine, Israel won’t sell its vaunted air defense
(12.10.2022)
Israel’s Iron Dome air defense, which boasts a 90 percent success rate against rockets fired against it, will stay out of Ukraine’s reach, experts said, as Jerusalem seeks to maintain strategic relations with Russia in Syria and other hot spots.
Israel’s Defense and Foreign ministries and the prime minister’s office uniformly declined to comment Wednesday on long-standing requests from Ukraine and its supporters for it to give, sell or loan Ukraine the system, including calls made since Monday’s barrage.
The Party is Over
It is fascinating that both the Tory and Labour parties have now adopted exactly the same mechanism to prevent the membership electing a leader again with views outside the narrow Establishment consensus – in both parties that mechanism being an increase in the number of MPs who have to nominate, before a candidate can get their name before the party membership.
The professionals are to radically limit the options of the members.
The last time the NOPEC bill came this close to passing was in 2007, when it got approved by the House of Reps in a 345-72 vote and the Senate by 70-23, only to die after George W. Bush threatened a veto. (good relations between George W. & the Kingdom in the aftermath of 9/11)
NOPEC Bill Would Mean The End Of Aramco And OPEC As We Know Them
(17.10.2022)
Riyadh’s alignment with Russia definitively started during that War and was irrevocably strengthened when Moscow agreed to support then-beleaguered Saudi Arabia and OPEC in their first post-Oil Price War production announcement at the end of 2016, forming ‘OPEC+’ (‘plus’ Russia) in the process. And Saudi Arabia’s move towards the autocracies of the East, with which its own autocracy is naturally aligned, was definitively concluded with China when Beijing allowed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) to save face, and probably his eventual succession to the kingship as well, by offering to privately buy in 2017 all five percent of his disastrously conceived initial public offering of Saudi Aramco. Last week’s Saudi-led shock two million barrels per day (bpd) collective crude oil production cuts shows that MbS personally has nothing but contempt for the U.S., so it is little wonder that key figures in the West Wing of the White House are taking it so personally.
Explainer: What is NOPEC, the U.S. bill to pressure the OPEC+ oil group?
(05.10.2022)
But several attempts to pass NOPEC over more than two decades have long worried OPEC’s de facto leader Saudi Arabia, leading Riyadh to lobby hard every time a version of the bill has come up.
With the Senate Judiciary Committee passing the bill in May, it needs to pass the full Senate and House and be signed by the president to become law.
OPEC+ members endorse output cut after U.S. coercion accusation
(17.10.2022)
Khalid bin Salman on Sunday said he was „astonished“ by claims his country was „standing with Russia in its war with Ukraine“.
„It is telling that these false accusations did not come from the Ukrainian government,“ he wrote on Twitter.
After OPEC+ Cuts Oil Supplies, Nearly Half of U.S. Voters Support ‘NOPEC’ Bill
(October 12, 2022)
There appears to be plenty of room for persuasion on the issue: Over a third of voters said they didn’t know or had no opinion on the topic.
US politicians are at it again: trying to pass the „No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels“ or NOPEC Act. But let me show you a piece of history: 21 years ago, then Senator Biden (with the late Senator Specter) wrote to President Clinton urging the White House to sue OPEC
(17 Nov 2021)
The Biden-Spetcer letter explored two ways in which the two senators thought the US government could sue the cartel, one in US federal court and another one in, be prepared for it, the International Court of Justice at the Hague. The record is here:
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2000-03-30/pdf/CREC-2000-03-30.pdf
Another piece of trivia-history. In 2007, then Senator Biden was a ‚co-sponsor‘ of NOPEC legislation in the Senate (via an amendment). Despite co-sponsoring the amendment, Biden later „did not vote“ for it (abstention). The record is here:
https://www.congress.gov/110/crec/2007/06/14/CREC-2007-06-14.pdf
Jake Sullivan says Biden has no plans to meet with the Saudi crown prince at the G20 summit.
This Iranian opposition group was labeled a terrorist organization. Now it has supporters in the White House
(29.07.2019)
For decades, the United States categorized the Mujahedin Khalq, or MEK, as a terrorist organization. In the Trump era, members of the Iranian dissident group, which seeks to topple the government in Iran, have found key allies in Washington.
People close to President Trump, including national security advisor John Bolton, and Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudolph W. Giuliani, are supporters of the Mujahedin Khalq. For years, Bolton and Giuliani have called for a change of government in Tehran and have described the Mujahedin Khalq as a viable alternative to the government of the Islamic Republic.
Congress eyeing ‘NOPEC’ bill to take on Saudi Arabia
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) recently floated using the legislation, known as “NOPEC,” as one way to respond to the group, which includes Saudi Arabia and Russia.
Some lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have gone even further, saying that the decision by the Saudi-led group to reduce production by 2 million barrels a day is a reason to significantly shift relations with Riyadh.
Biden vows ‘consequences’ for Saudis after OPEC+ cuts output
“There’s going to be some consequences for what they’ve done, with Russia,” Biden said. “I’m not going to get into what I’d consider and what I have in mind. But there will be — there will be consequences.”
Sen. Bob Menendez calls for end all cooperation with Saudi Arabia over OPEC+ oil cut
„The United States must immediately freeze all aspects of our cooperation with Saudi Arabia, including any arms sales and security cooperation beyond what is absolutely necessary to defend U.S. personnel and interests,“ wrote Menendez, who represents New Jersey and serves as the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Saudi-Russian Collusion in Broad Daylight Sends a Clear Message to Biden
This is extremely rancid geopolitics on the Saudis’ and Russians’ part. The former are cynical, intent on raising the price of oil and increasing revenue. They’re also a political ingrate in their relationship with the United States. With the Russians, it’s all about creating discord between the United States and European Union in the hope that the EU will pressure Ukraine into accepting annexations by Russia and achieve a cease-fire.
The United States and the EU must now realize a strategic fact of life: They have no ally in OPEC.
OPEC’s Slap in the Face Shows Biden Critics Were Right About Meeting With Murderous Saudi Prince
President Joe Biden has a lot of reasons to be furious with his national security team who, against his better judgment, systematically pressured him for 18 months to do an about-face on Saudi Arabia.
The White House has reportedly been in a state of „spasm and panic“ since Wednesday, when it became clear that several of the U.S.’s Persian Gulf partners, led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, were set to commit what the White House considered „a hostile act“: an extensive cut in oil production coordinated with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, which will send oil prices soaring and very likely harm Democrats in the U.S. midterm elections in November.
Inside the White House’s failed effort to dissuade OPEC from cutting oil production to avoid a ‘total disaster’
(05.10.2022)
But that effort appears to have failed, following Wednesday’s crucial meeting of OPEC+, the international cartel of oil producers that, as expected, announced a significant cut to output in an effort to raise oil prices. That in turn will likely cause US gasoline prices to rise at a precarious time for the Biden administration, just five weeks before the midterm elections.
Iran Nuclear Deal: Protests in Iran make restoring the JCPOA more urgent than ever
If the idea of withdrawing from the JCPOA was always bad, it is even more detrimental now considering the political shifts in Tehran. The moderate administration of Hassan Rouhani which sought better relations with the West has been wholly discredited by Trump’s aggressive policies. The hardliners who now dominate the whole political landscape in Iran have always been skeptical of the JCPOA.
Moreover, an influential faction within the hardline camp sees the JCPOA as irrelevant at best and constraining Iran’s security options at worst. According to this line of thinking, Iran has already weathered the storm of the U.S. sanctions. Following on from that, what Iran needs now is not to get sanctions lifted, but rather to further immunize Iran from them by seeking closer ties with Russia and China. Iran notably has become a full-fledged member of the Shanghai Security Organization.
To Support Iranians, Abandon the JCPOA
(October 5, 2022)
Though official numbers are unknown, opposition groups have reported 300 deaths and 15,000 arrests in the protests. With ubiquitous chants of “death to Khamenei” (referring to Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei) and “death to the dictator,” Iranians have made their intentions clear: they are fighting for a complete overthrow of the ruling theocracy and will not be satisfied with meaningless “reforms” that preserve the illegitimate regime.
Will protests in Iran end the Islamic Republic?
Suzanne Maloney, vice president and director of Foreign Policy at Brookings, speaks with David Dollar about what the continuing demonstrations in Iran over the death of Mahsa Amini could mean for regime stability, plus Iran’s economic situation, the prospects of Iran returning to some form of a nuclear deal with the West, and what it would take for the U.S. and Iran to have a better relationship.
‚Sensitive‘ Israeli Intelligence on Iranian Nuke Program Shifting the Tide, Israeli Official Says
(12.09.2022)
According to a diplomatic source, Prime Minister Yair Lapid presented the Germans with intelligence that ‚proves the Iranians are cheating as we speak,‘ claiming the Americans‘ hardened their stance in response to the information
Obama Charges Netanyahu as a World Leader Who Fueled ‚Putinism‘, Report Reveals
„What I worry about most is, there is a war right now of ideas, more than any hot war, and it is between Putinism — which, by the way, is subscribed to, at some level, by [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan or Netanyahu or [former Philippines President Rodrigo] Duterte and [former U.S. President Donald] Trump — and a vision of a liberal market-based democracy that has all kinds of flaws and is subject to all kinds of legitimate criticism, but on the other hand is sort of responsible for most of the human progress we’ve seen over the last 50, 75 years,“ he told reporters in off-the-record comments first published by Bloomberg.
Covert Military Information Operations and the New NDAA: The Law of the Gray Zone Evolves
(December 10, 2019)
Section 1631(b) expressly affirms that the Defense Department can conduct “military operations” in the information environment, “including clandestine operations,” for certain purposes. I’ll have more to say about that reference to “clandestine” below. First, let’s note the broad list of purposes.
The military’s role comes into play in three scenarios. First, defense of the United States itself. Second, defense of allies. Third, defense of the “interests” of the United States. The statute notably does not clarify what nature or degree of threats to these objects count, and so the invitation can only be described as quite broad.
Pentagon opens sweeping review of clandestine psychological operations
(September 19, 2022)
The measure, known as Section 1631, allows the military to carry out clandestine psychological operations without crossing what the CIA has claimed as its covert authority, alleviating some of the friction that had hindered such operations previously.
“Combatant commanders got really excited,” recalled the first defense official. “They were very eager to utilize these new authorities. The defense contractors were equally eager to land lucrative classified contracts to enable clandestine influence operations.”
After Congress passed Section 1631 allowing the military to conduct covert online propaganda, the Pentagon created droves of accounts spreading fake news against designated enemies, including one claiming Iran was harvesting organs in Afghanistan
(20.09.2022)
Blinken Says Iran’s Demands Make Nuclear Deal ‚Unlikely‘ for Now
„What we’ve seen over the last week or so in Iran’s response to the proposal put forward by the European Union is clearly a step backward and makes prospects for an agreement in the near term, I would say, unlikely,“ Blinken said in a visit to Mexico City.
‚Sensitive‘ Israeli Intelligence on Iranian Nuke Program Shifting the Tide, Israeli Official Says
According to a diplomatic source, Prime Minister Yair Lapid presented the Germans with intelligence that ‚proves the Iranians are cheating as we speak,‘ claiming the Americans‘ hardened their stance in response to the information
Israel’s Lapid, on Germany Visit, Calls to Continue Fight Against Iran’s Nuclear Program
The official added that he believes that the agreement might only come to fruition after the midterm election in the United States in November. Israel is now working, mainly behind the scenes, with senators and Congress members in an attempt to persuade them to support its positions on the matter.
Lapid: Israel conducting ‘successful’ campaign to thwart Iran nuke deal, but still ‘long way’ to go
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Sunday described as “successful” his government’s diplomatic offensive against a revival of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. However, he conceded that there was a “long way” to go to ensure that Tehran does not benefit to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars should an accord be reached.
PM Lapid: „I thank France, the United Kingdom, and Germany for their strong position on this matter. In recent months, we held a discreet and intensive dialogue with them, and presented them with up-to-date intelligence information about Iranian activity at nuclear sites.“
(11.09.2022)
Iran – Joint statement by France, Germany and the United Kingdom (10 September 2022)
Our position remains clear and steadfast. Iran must fully and, without delay, cooperate in good faith with the IAEA. It is up to Iran to provide technically credible answers to the IAEA’s questions on the whereabouts of all nuclear material on its territory. The JCPoA can in no way be used to release Iran from legally binding obligations that are essential to the global non-proliferation regime.
Given Iran’s failure to conclude the deal on the table we will consult, alongside international partners, on how best to address Iran’s continued nuclear escalation and lack of cooperation with the IAEA regarding its NPT safeguards agreement.
On Thursday, Mossad Director David Barnea concluded a “security-diplomatic” visit to Washington whose main goal was to dissuade the Biden administration from signing the JCPOA.
(09.09.2022)
Israel believes Iran deal unlikely before November
“In my estimation, it’s not going to happen in the very near future, not in the next few weeks,” one source, speaking not for attribution, said Sept. 6. “I think we’ll see continuation of a dialogue, very low key, until after the midterm elections.”
The assessment comes as the head of Mossad was the latest senior Israeli official to arrive for consultations in Washington this week.
However, Mossad director David Barnea has canceled earlier plans to brief the Senate Intelligence committee on Israeli objections to the Iran deal, sources said, and a committee spokesperson confirmed.
Barnea has completed a series of meetings with Burns, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and other top US national security officials.
During those meetings, he presented „sensitive intelligence“ to highlight the Islamic Republic’s lies.
Mossad chief Barnea flies to Washington to try to halt Iran nuclear deal
(06.09.2022)
Mossad Director David Barnea left on Monday for Washington DC to hold a series of meetings with top officials from the White House, CIA Director William Burns, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Pentagon and the State Department to try to halt the reportedly impending Iran nuclear deal.
Eilmeldung: Über 5.000 ehemalige hochrangige israelische Offiziere schreiben einen Brief an Biden, in dem sie ihn auffordern, kein neues Atomabkommen mit dem Iran zu unterzeichnen. Ich habe zu diesem @FoxNews Bericht beigetragen.
(01.09.2022)
Fighting between U.S. troops and militias draws scrutiny to Syria role
(27.08.2022)
President Biden’s order to strike targets belonging to Iranian-backed groups reflects a decision to act — “to protect and defend the safety of our personnel, to degrade and disrupt the ongoing series of attacks against the United States and our partners, and to deter the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iran-backed militia groups from conducting or supporting further attacks on United States personnel and facilities,” the president said in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
Since Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla took over U.S. Central Command in April, there has been a push to ensure that Iran cannot carry out attacks against U.S. forces and assets with impunity, according to a person familiar with planning, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.
I’ve been permanently demonetized & suspended (twice) by YouTube, permanently banned from PayPal/Venmo, permanently banned from Twitch, lost my merch stores on Represent & Teezily, & now I’m being warned by Discord that my entire server might get nuked. So much for free speech.
Bernie doesn’t even pretend any more to have anything resembling a left-wing foreign policy or any minimal divergence from the neocon-driven Dem Party’s foreign policy dogma. Opposing NATO expansion was long a mainstream liberal view. Now only Hawley & Paul will get near it:
Bernie Turns Pro-War & Votes To Expand NATO
The United States Senate has voted 95-1-1 to approve the entry of Sweden and Finland into NATO, further engorging the ever-growing “defensive” alliance – this despite the fact that NATO was formed as a pact among nations to protect one another from the Soviet Union, a country that hasn’t existed for more than 30 years. Even onetime peace activist Bernie Sanders voted in favor, showing that the Vermont Senator has essentially given up any semblance of independence and is a good Democrat who will never cross the party leadership on substantive matters.
China Relationship Is Casualty of Truss-Sunak Battle to Lead UK
Britain’s next prime minister is guaranteed to be a China hawk no matter who wins.
The U.S.-China crisis over Taiwan was wholly predictable
As Jeffrey Bader, President Barack Obama’s top adviser on Asia, has noted of the Biden team: Despite having criticized Trump’s foreign policy bitterly, “when it comes to the greatest foreign policy challenge facing the United States — how to deal with the rise of China — [Biden officials] have continued and mimicked Trump’s destructive approach.”
Bader added, “This has prompted glee among departed Trump officials, who proudly declare themselves innovators and the Biden administration unimaginative and dutiful implementers.”
Ryan Hass, another top Obama China expert, argued that “communication channels for managing tensions have collapsed.”
Wang Yi: China lehnt Provokationen und politisches Glücksspiel der USA in der Taiwan-Frage entschieden ab
Der chinesische Außenminister nannte die USA „den größten Zerstörer des Friedens in der Taiwan-Straße und den größten Unruhestifter der regionalen Stabilität“ und appellierte an alle Parteien, die Ursache und den Inhalt der gegenwärtigen Krise zu erkennen sowie sich gemeinsam den Risiken und Provokationen der US-Seite entgegenzustellen.
Bei einem Treffen mit dem kambodschanischen Premierminister Hun Sen in Phnom Penh hatte Wang am Mittwoch erklärt, die Provokation der USA in der Taiwan-Frage sei kein Zufall, sondern eine sorgfältig geplante Farce, die das hässliche Gesicht des Verrats offenbare.
Äußerungen zu Taiwan : China legt Protest gegen Baerbock ein
Angesichts der Spannungen um Taiwan hatte die Grünen-Politikerin am Montag in New York vor einer Eskalation gewarnt:
Wir akzeptieren nicht, wenn das internationale Recht gebrochen wird und ein größerer Nachbar völkerrechtswidrig seinen kleineren Nachbarn überfällt – und das gilt natürlich auch für China.
America’s Coming War with China
(Jun 8, 2021)
Given the rise in anti-Chinese sentiment spawned by the off-shoring of America’s production base to China, the impact of COVID-19, and hyperbolic rhetoric in Washington regarding China’s alleged malevolent aspirations, any number of observers of American politics might easily conclude that Washington is on the precipice of blundering into another war—this time with China. After all, a similar climate of deep-seated paranoia and military hysteria steered the world’s great powers blindly into war in 1914.
China reagiert auf Erklärung der G7- und EU-Außenminister
Die Sprecherin des chinesischen Außenministeriums, Hua Chunying, hat am Donnerstag auf die gemeinsame Erklärung der Außenminister der G7-Gruppe und des Hohen Vertreters der EU für Außen- und Sicherheitspolitik am Mittwoch reagiert.
Hua sagte, die G7-Außenminister dachten wohl, sie lebten in der Zeit der Vereinigten acht Staaten vor über 120 Jahren.
Die Welt brennt und die USA zündeln weiter
Zuletzt erkannte der US-Präsident Donald Trump – seiner antichinesischen Rhetorik zum Trotz – 2017 die Ein-China-Politik der Volksrepublik als auch für die USA bindende Richtlinie an.
Dies änderte sich Stück für Stück mit der Amtsübernahme von Joe Biden. Biden war der erste US-Präsident seit der Wende der US-China-Politik in den späten 1970ern, der zu seiner Amtseinführung offiziell einen Gesandten Taiwans empfing. Im letzten Jahr erklärte er dann, dass die USA Taiwan im Falle eines Angriffs Chinas militärisch beistehen würden – das war überraschend, da das offizielle Beistandsabkommen 1980 ausgelaufen ist und nie verlängert wurde. Mit Bidens Amtsübernahme setzten sich auch die Waffenlieferungen der USA nach Taiwan nahtlos fort, die bereits unter seinen Vorgängern Obama und Trump stets neue Rekordzahlen erreicht hatten.
Netanyahu Fans Design Golden ‚Loyalty Necklace‘ in His Image
Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu is known for his fervent supporters, many of whom refer to him as “King Bibi,” but a prominent Likud activist took things even further on Sunday evening at a party event when she attempted to drape a golden medallion featuring the former prime minister’s visage around lawmaker Israel Katz’s neck.
In a video clip widely circulated online, Heidi Mozes could be heard declaring that the necklace was “a declaration of allegiance to our party,” adding “we are proud to be in this party that we have excellent elected officials and a wonderful soon to be Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.”
So apparently #Biden’s betrayal of progressives extends to foreign policy. Look at this love fest with #Netanyahu. PRIMARY CHALLENGER!!!
While Israeli Prime Minister Lapid got a fist-bump from @POTUS @JoeBiden on the red carpet upon his arrival, Biden gave former @netanyahu a firm handshake. #Biden told #Netanyahu – „you know I love you“
Biden to sign joint pledge with Israel to prevent Iran going nuclear
U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid will sign a joint pledge to deny Iran nuclear weapons on Thursday, closing ranks after long-running disputes between the allies over global diplomacy with Tehran.
Saudis Unwilling To Upset Putin As Biden Begs For More Crude
(Jul 03, 2022)
The world’s largest crude oil exporter, Saudi Arabia, continues to keep close ties with Russia while the top oil consumer, the United States, pleads with major producers—including the Kingdom—to boost supply to the market and help ease consumers’ pain at the pump. While the U.S. and its Western allies are sanctioning Moscow and banning oil imports from Russia, U.S. President Joe Biden is also turning to Saudi Arabia to ask it to pump more oil as Americans pay on average $5 a gallon for gasoline.
Biden’s Quest for Saudi Oil Faces Reality-Check of Slim Capacity
The US president’s visit to a country he once vowed to isolate represents a significant thawing of relations, but the Saudis and their OPEC partners have limited spare production capacity to offer in return for this political concession. Some market watchers also question whether tapping this supply buffer would calm energy markets, or just make matters worse.
“A surge in Saudi production seems unlikely,” said Ben Cahill, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
The Masochist in Chief: Biden, Israel and the Middle East
Israel is the only “western country” where Biden is less popular than Trump, even though his Middle East policy looks a lot like his predecessor’s – “the nuclear deal is out, the Saudis are in, and human rights are down”. And Israel is, once again, front and centre. If you thought his trip to Saudi Arabia is about Saudi Arabia or oil, think again. The main aim of his trip is to increase Israel’s security and deepen its integration in the region.
True, Biden is not the first president to spoil Israel rotten, but there is something much more bizarre about Biden’s relationship with Israel. It is sort of a sado-masochistic relationship – the greater the abuse the bigger the schmooze.
White House weighs restarting arms sales to Saudis as Biden visits: report
Senior Saudi officials have been in talks with their US counterparts in Riyadh and Washington for months about setting aside the ban that was established by President Biden in February 2021, Reuters reported.
Biden, who leaves Tuesday for a four-day trip to Israel, the West Bank and Saudi Arabia, is keen on resetting relations at a time when the US needs Saudi help to increase the global oil supply to bring down fuel prices that have reached record highs in recent months.
Netanyahu says will make peace with Saudis if back in power
In what he called a ‚policy statement,‘ at the start of his election campaign former PM says Biden visit important because of his direct flight from Israel to Saudi Arabia; extended appreciation to Saudi crown prince for his role in Abraham accords
Rishi Sunak ‘dirty dossier’ sent around Tory WhatsApp groups as leadership race turns nasty
The memo circulated on Tory WhatsApp group reportedly attacks the former chancellor personally and accused him of having a “big tax and big spend agenda”.
According to The Telegraph, which first reported the “mucky memo”, the 424-word anti-Sunak missive was written by someone on the Thatcherite right of the party.
Tory right battles to stop Rishi Sunak reaching No 10 as challengers row over tax, Brexit and trans rights
Jeremy Hunt, Sajid Javid, Grant Shapps and Mr Zahawi all promised to cut the tax burden on Sunday, while Mr Sunak has insisted it would be irresponsible to do so while the UK is still running a large budget deficit.
Ministers who are close to Mr Johnson have publicly denounced Mr Sunak’s track record and warned that he will reverse the achievements of the Government.
Jacob Rees-Mogg told Channel 4: “I will not be supporting Mr Sunak.” He has previously referred to him as “the socialist Chancellor” because of the pandemic spending he introduced.
France Says Western Powers Should Open Oil Markets to Iran and Venezuela
President Nicolás Maduro: “I would tell President Macron: Venezuela is ready to receive all the French companies that want to come to produce gas and petrol for the European market, for the global market. You are welcome to come whenever. The road is paved. We are prepared, ready and happy to do it.”
#BREAKING France wants oil from Iran, Venezuela back on the market: Macron’s office
(19 hours ago)
Powers need to study all oil options, including Iran, Venezuela -France
„There are resources elsewhere that need to be explored,“ a French official said on the sidelines of a G7 summit in Germany, when asked about how to alleviate high oil prices.
Maduro Forms Energy Commission With Kuwait, Continuing Pushback Against US “Blackmail”
(15.06.2022)
In Kuwait on Tuesday, the fourth stop of his tour of the Middle East and North Africa, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, formed a joint oil and gas commission aimed at strengthening the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) and stabilising global oil prices.