Archiv: Shanghai Cooperation Organization / Shanghaier Organisation für Zusammenarbeit (SCO / SOZ) / Shanghai Pact / Shanghai Pakt


29.12.2024 - 17:41 [ Daniel Neun / Radio Utopie ]

„Von Vancouver bis Wladiwostok…“

(June 28, 2008)

Durch das aggressiv-expansionistische Ausdehnen der Westblöcke EU und NATO bis an die eigenen Grenzen hat man offenbar gelernt in den Denkfabriken um den neuen Präsidenten Russlands. Man sieht die „globale Situation diktiert von rigiden Regeln“ und rechnet offenbar mit drei strategischen Entwicklungsmodellen:

1. Die Schaffung eines Eurasien Orwell´schen Ausmasses, in der Vision dreier totalitärer Blöcke aus „1984“ (siehe Grafik oben)
2. Einen Deal mit NATO und EU, vielleicht sogar mit dem gesamten Shanghai-Pakt, zur Schaffung eines Superimperiums auf der Nordhälfte des Planeten. Dies käme praktisch einer Weltregierung gleich.
3. Eine Konfrontation zwischen Shanghai-Pakt einerseits und USA, NATO und EU andererseits.

Die Völker, die Demokratien, die Republiken, die Öffentlichkeit, die Verfassungen, sie spielen auf diesem planetaren Schachbrett nicht die geringste Rolle, für keine der imperialen Plutokratien und Apparate, weder in Russland, noch in der EU und schon gar nicht in der NATO.

26.10.2023 - 06:21 [ Haaretz ]

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.

23.10.2023 - 14:34 [ Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht ]

Mehr Zusammenarbeit, Souveränität und Frieden: Für ein neues Selbstverständnis in der Außenpolitik

Eine Militärallianz, deren Führungsmacht in den zurückliegenden Jahren fünf Länder völkerrechtswidrig überfallen und in diesen Kriegen mehr als 1 Million Menschen getötet hat, schürt Bedrohungsgefühle und Abwehrreaktionen und trägt so zu globaler Instabilität bei. Statt eines Machtinstruments für geopolitische Ziele brauchen wir ein defensiv ausgerichtetes Verteidigungsbündnis, das die Grundsätze der UN-Charta achtet, Abrüstung anstrebt, statt zu Aufrüstung zu verpflichten, und in dem sich die Mitglieder auf Augenhöhe begegnen. Europa benötigt eine stabile Sicherheitsarchitektur, die längerfristig auch Russland einschließen sollte.

Unser Land verdient eine selbstbewusste Politik, die das Wohlergehen seiner Bürger in den Mittelpunkt stellt und von der Einsicht getragen ist, dass US-amerikanische Interessen sich von unseren Interessen teilweise erheblich unterscheiden. Unser Ziel ist ein eigenständiges Europa souveräner Demokratien in einer multipolaren Welt und keine neue Blockkonfrontation, in der Europa zwischen den USA und dem sich immer selbstbewusster formierenden neuen Machtblock um China und Russland zerrieben wird.

11.07.2023 - 20:14 [ New York Times ]

U.S. Examines Whether Saudi Nuclear Program Could Lead to Bomb Effort

(Aug. 5, 2020)

Last week, the House Intelligence Committee, led by Representative Adam B. Schiff, Democrat of California, included a provision in the intelligence budget authorization bill requiring the administration to submit a report about Saudi efforts since 2015 to develop a nuclear program, a clear indication that the committee suspects that some undeclared nuclear activity is going on.

The report, the provision stated, should include an assessment of “the state of nuclear cooperation between Saudi Arabia and any other country other than the United States, such as the People’s Republic of China or the Russian Federation.”

23.06.2023 - 10:55 [ Times of India ]

US President Biden and PM Modi‘s joint press conference: Full text

We shared our views to enhance coordination with all countries in this region, along with our Quad partners. India and America stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the fight against terrorism and fundamentalism. We’re in agreement that concrete actions are needed in order to end cross-border terrorism.
The COVID pandemic and the Ukraine conflict have afflicted the countries of the Global South in particular. We believe that in order to resolve these problems, it is absolutely imperative for all countries to unite.

23.06.2023 - 10:49 [ BBC ]

Joe Biden and Narendra Modi hail ‚defining‘ US-India partnership

This included marching bands, a lavish vegetarian dinner and a 21-gun salute on the South Lawn of the White House.

Mr Modi, who is on a state visit, also addressed the US Congress, where he received a standing ovation.

17.06.2023 - 12:20 [ Daniel Neun / Radio Utopie ]

“Von Vancouver bis Wladiwostok…”

(28. Juni 2008)

Durch das aggressiv-expansionistische Ausdehnen der Westblöcke EU und NATO bis an die eigenen Grenzen hat man offenbar gelernt in den Denkfabriken um den neuen Präsidenten Russlands. Man sieht die “globale Situation diktiert von rigiden Regeln” und rechnet offenbar mit drei strategischen Entwicklungsmodellen:

1. Die Schaffung eines Eurasien Orwell´schen Ausmasses, in der Vision dreier totalitärer Blöcke aus “1984” (siehe Grafik oben)
2. Einen Deal mit NATO und EU, vielleicht sogar mit dem gesamten Shanghai-Pakt, zur Schaffung eines Superimperiums auf der Nordhälfte des Planeten. Dies käme praktisch einer Weltregierung gleich.
3. Eine Konfrontation zwischen Shanghai-Pakt einerseits und USA, NATO und EU andererseits.

Die Völker, die Demokratien, die Republiken, die Öffentlichkeit, die Verfassungen, sie spielen auf diesem planetaren Schachbrett nicht die geringste Rolle, für keine der imperialen Plutokratien und Apparate, weder in Russland, noch in der EU und schon gar nicht in der NATO.

16.05.2023 - 16:41 [ NYsun.com ]

Saudi-Israel Peace Deal Could Come Before 2024 Election

(May 3, 2023)

For Mr. Biden, such a deal would be a trophy foreign policy accomplishment going into a presidential election in which he doesn’t otherwise, at least so far, have much to show the voters. For the Saudis, a deal could bring economic benefits and help to put relations with the United States back on a stable track after strains and disruptions related to the Saudi assassination of a Washington Post columnist, Jamal Khashoggi.

For Mr. Netanyahu, the deal could boost Israel strategically and redeem him politically after his attempt at judicial reform met fierce resistance.

30.04.2023 - 11:25 [ IsraelHayom.com ]

Additional efforts taken toward Israeli-Saudi normalization

(today)

Washington is said to be examining demands put forth by Riyadh as conditions for normalization with Jerusalem, one of which is for a civilian nuclear program.

Despite the shocking recent rapprochement between long-time regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, the prospect of normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia is progressing, Israel Hayom has learned.

30.04.2023 - 11:09 [ New York Times ]

U.S. Examines Whether Saudi Nuclear Program Could Lead to Bomb Effort

(Aug. 5, 2020)

Last week, the House Intelligence Committee, led by Representative Adam B. Schiff, Democrat of California, included a provision in the intelligence budget authorization bill requiring the administration to submit a report about Saudi efforts since 2015 to develop a nuclear program, a clear indication that the committee suspects that some undeclared nuclear activity is going on.

The report, the provision stated, should include an assessment of “the state of nuclear cooperation between Saudi Arabia and any other country other than the United States, such as the People’s Republic of China or the Russian Federation.”

17.04.2023 - 16:29 [ Haaretz ]

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.

17.04.2023 - 16:19 [ Oilprice.com ]

U.S. Sends Delegation To Saudi Arabia To Discuss Energy And Security

(Apr 14, 2023)

White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa and the U.S. Special Presidential Coordinator for Global Infrastructure and Energy Security visited Saudi Arabia officials on Friday to discuss regional security and energy matters.

06.04.2023 - 05:02 [ Robert F. Kennedy Jr / Nitter ]

The collapse of U.S. influence over Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom’s new alliances with China and Iran are painful emblems of the abject failure of the Neocon strategy of maintaining U.S. global hegemony with aggressive projections of military power.

(04.04.2023)

China has displaced the American Empire by deftly projecting, instead, economic power. Over the past decade, our country has spent trillions bombing roads, ports, bridges, and airports. China spent the equivalent building the same across the developing world. The Ukraine war is the final collapse of the Neocon‘s short-lived “American Century.” The Neocon projects in Iraq and Ukraine have cost $8.1 trillion, hollowed out our middle class, made a laughingstock of U.S. military power and moral authority, pushed China and Russia into an invincible alliance, destroyed the dollar as the global currency, cost millions of lives and done nothing to advance democracy or win friendships or influence.

05.04.2023 - 10:13 [ Oilprice.com ]

U.S. Losing Influence As Saudi Arabia Joins Shanghai Cooperation Organization

The Kingdom had already signed a memorandum of understanding on 16 September 2022 granting it the status of SCO dialogue partner, as was exclusively reported by OilPrice.com at the time. However, Saudi Arabia did nothing to encourage the release of the news at that point, unlike now – just after it resumed relations with Iran, in a deal brokered by China.

11.03.2023 - 15:32 [ theHill.com ]

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.

10.03.2023 - 20:45 [ Telegraph.co.uk ]

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.

10.03.2023 - 19:56 [ Josh Rogin / Nitter ]

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.

10.03.2023 - 19:53 [ New York Times ]

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.

10.03.2023 - 19:41 [ Wall Street Journal ]

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.

10.03.2023 - 19:08 [ Noga Tarnopolsky נגה טרנופולסקי نوغا ترنوبولسكي / Nitter ]

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)

10.03.2023 - 19:05 [ Haaretz ]

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.

10.03.2023 - 18:50 [ CNN ]

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.

10.03.2023 - 17:59 [ ORF.at ]

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.

01.03.2023 - 09:37 [ GlobalTimes.cn ]

Belarusian president kicks off China visit with trade ties, Ukraine crisis in focus

Analysts said that Belarus‘ support for China‘s position on a political settlement to the Ukraine crisis paves the way for future cooperation in multilateral frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), of which Lukashenko said he expects Belarus will become a full member in 2023.

But as a neighbor of Russia and Ukraine, Belarus faces a tough geopolitical situation, and the risks to its security environment are increasing. If the conflict expands, Belarus could be dragged into it, experts said.

19.02.2023 - 07:43 [ theGuardian.com ]

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.

19.02.2023 - 07:26 [ AlArabiya.net ]

Saudi Arabia, Russia sign deal to develop joint military cooperation

(24 August 2021)

Prince Khalid met with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu earlier in the day to “explore ways to strengthen the military and defense cooperation” between the two countries.

18.02.2023 - 17:59 [ Haaretz ]

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.

14.02.2023 - 07:54 [ TheNationalnews.com ]

Saudi Arabia warns sanctions on Russia could lead to energy shortages

(05.02.2023)

Western sanctions against Russia could result in a shortage of energy supplies in future, Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Saturday.

He was answering a question at an industry conference in Riyadh over how trade measures would affect the energy market.

11.02.2023 - 05:32 [ Wall Street Journal ]

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.

07.02.2023 - 06:54 [ CNN ]

‘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

07.02.2023 - 06:52 [ CNN / Nitter ]

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)

07.02.2023 - 06:39 [ Bloomberg ]

OPEC+ Exports Show Russia Surges While Saudi Arabia Dials Back

(03.02.2023)

It’s also unclear exactly what drove the decrease in Saudi shipments, which dropped by 580,000 barrels a day last month, or about 8%.

26.01.2023 - 14:36 [ Daniel Neun / Radio Utopie ]

“Von Vancouver bis Wladiwostok…”

(28. Juni 2008)

In allen kolpotierten Statements aus Moskau schimmert die Auffassung durch, Europa sei nun quasi als Kontinent frei geworden, weil ihn niemand so recht beherrsche.
Nun, da die Voraussetzung für „die Schaffung einer übernationalen politischen Identität“ in Europa nicht mehr gegeben sei, sei dies eine neue Chance für Russland in der EU einen Fuss in die Tür zu bekommen. Zwar (noch) nicht als Vollmitglied, aber als „voll ausgewachsener Teilnehmer“ am EU-Netzwerk.
Gemeint sein dürfte damit vor allem der seit Jahrzehnten unkontrollierte, ohne parlamentarisch-demokratische Korrektur und Aufsicht gewachsene EU-Beamtenapparat, mitsamt seine Wucherungen in die EU-Staaten hinein.

Auch sieht man in der Elite Russlands gern dem sinkenden Stern des niedergehenden US-Imperiums und seinem schwindenden Einfluss zu und will davon profitieren indem man dessen Platz einnimmt.
Durch das aggressiv-expansionistische Ausdehnen der Westblöcke EU und NATO bis an die eigenen Grenzen hat man offenbar gelernt in den Denkfabriken um den neuen Präsidenten Russlands. Man sieht die „globale Situation diktiert von rigiden Regeln“ und rechnet offenbar mit drei strategischen Entwicklungsmodellen:

1. Die Schaffung eines Eurasien Orwell´schen Ausmasses, in der Vision dreier totalitärer Blöcke aus „1984“ (siehe Grafik oben)
2. Einen Deal mit NATO und EU, vielleicht sogar mit dem gesamten Shanghai-Pakt, zur Schaffung eines Superimperiums auf der Nordhälfte des Planeten. Dies käme praktisch einer Weltregierung gleich.
3. Eine Konfrontation zwischen Shanghai-Pakt einerseits und USA, NATO und EU andererseits.

Die Völker, die Demokratien, die Republiken, die Öffentlichkeit, die Verfassungen, sie spielen auf diesem planetaren Schachbrett nicht die geringste Rolle, für keine der imperialen Plutokratien und Apparate, weder in Russland, noch in der EU und schon gar nicht in der NATO.

07.01.2023 - 19:14 [ Bloomberg ]

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.

07.01.2023 - 19:08 [ White House ]

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.

07.01.2023 - 19:05 [ aawsat.com ]

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.

07.01.2023 - 09:52 [ silkroadbriefing.com ]

Egypt & Saudi Arabia To Join Shanghai Cooperation Organisation As Dialogue Partners

(Sep 01, 2021)

Both Egypt and Saudi Arabia are about to become Dialogue Partners of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The SCO includes China, as well as three EAEU nations Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia, the CIS nations of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in addition to Iran, India, and Pakistan. (…)

In addition to these countries, several others have applied for observer or dialogue status, including Bahrain, Bangladesh, East Timor, Israel, Iraq, Maldives, Syria, Qatar, and Ukraine.

07.01.2023 - 09:48 [ Tehran Times ]

Iran officially joins SCO

(September 17, 2022)

Iran‘s full membership in the SCO was announced by the President of Uzbekistan, which was applauded by the participants. China, Russia, India, Iran, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Mongolia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan attended the 22nd SCO summit.

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi spoke at the second day of the summit on Friday, stressing that maximum interaction and relation with the countries of the region, including the SCO states. (…)

During the summit, an agreement was reached on admitting Bahrain, the Maldives, the UAE, Kuwait and Myanmar as new dialogue partners. Relevant parties noticed that MOUs granting Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar the status of SCO dialogue partners had been signed.

07.01.2023 - 09:21 [ Jerusalem Post ]

Saudi Arabia, Russia sign military cooperation agreement

(August 24, 2021)

Saudi deputy minister of defense Khalid bin Salman said on Twitter on Tuesday that the kingdom and Russia signed an agreement aimed at developing areas of joint military cooperation between the two countries.

07.01.2023 - 09:20 [ theDiplomat.com ]

Russia and Iran Sign Military Cooperation Agreement

(January 21, 2015)

According to the Associated Press, Dehghan furthermore emphasized that, “Iran and Russia are able to confront the expansionist intervention and greed of the United States through cooperation, synergy and activating strategic potential capacities. … As two neighbors, Iran and Russia have common viewpoints toward political, regional and global issues.”

07.01.2023 - 09:12 [ en.mehrnews.com ]

Russia to hold 9 international military exercises in 2023

n addition, eight bilateral exercises are planned to be held at the training grounds of Russia‘s military districts, the ministry noted. According to the ministry, these exercises include Russian-Indian Indra-2023 drills, the joint military anti-terrorist command and staff exercises of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states Peace Mission-2023, the joint Russian-Lao military exercises, the joint Russian-Pakistani exercises Friendship-2023, the Russian-Algerian exercises, exercises with units of the collective forces of the rapid deployment of the Central Asian collective security region Frontier-2023, the Russian-Mongolian exercises Selenga-2023 and the Russian-Vietnamese exercises.

06.01.2023 - 18:46 [ Wall Street Journal ]

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.

04.01.2023 - 18:51 [ Oilprice.com ]

Saudi Arabia May Cut Oil Prices To Asia Even Further

The price was set at a $3.25 premium to the Dubai/Oman benchmark, a cut by $2.20 per barrel from the prior month’s price.

Now, according to the four analysts surveyed by Reuters, Aramco could cut the price of Arab Light by another $1.50 per barrel for February shipments. This would bring the premium over Dubai/Oman to just $1.75 per barrel.

04.01.2023 - 17:46 [ BusinessInsider.com ]

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. 

04.01.2023 - 17:20 [ Jerusalem Post ]

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.

04.01.2023 - 16:44 [ Energyintel.com ]

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.

04.01.2023 - 07:18 [ Times of Israel ]

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.

30.12.2022 - 19:37 [ Reuters ]

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.

30.12.2022 - 19:24 [ Wall Street Journal ]

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.

08.12.2022 - 19:58 [ Reuters ]

Saudi Arabia signs Huawei deal, deepening China ties on Xi visit

Saudi Arabia and China showcased deepening ties with a series of strategic deals on Thursday during a visit by President Xi Jinping, including one with tech giant Huawei, whose growing foray into the Gulf region has raised U.S. security concerns.

King Salman signed a „comprehensive strategic partnership agreement“ with Xi, who received a lavish welcome in a country forging new global partnerships beyond the West.

06.12.2022 - 15:15 [ Bloomberg ]

Xi’s Expected in Riyadh as the Middle East Looks Beyond America

Saudi Arabia announced that Xi will attend a summit with regional leaders from Wednesday. If he shows up, he’ll be stepping in to what has traditionally been viewed as Washington’s sphere of influence.

06.12.2022 - 15:10 [ NBC News ]

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.”

06.12.2022 - 14:26 [ i24news.tv ]

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.

04.12.2022 - 19:17 [ Wall Street Journal ]

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.

04.12.2022 - 18:11 [ theHill.com ]

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.

03.12.2022 - 18:28 [ china-environment-news.net ]

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.

01.12.2022 - 10:55 [ ORF.at ]

EU-Ratspräsident Michel traf Xi Jinping in Peking

Chinas Staats- und Parteichef Xi Jinping hat heute EU-Ratspräsident Charles Michel in Peking empfangen. Bei dem Treffen sollte es um die angespannte geopolitische Lage, den russischen Angriffskrieg in der Ukraine und die künftigen Beziehungen der EU zu China gehen.

25.11.2022 - 08:55 [ BeijingBulletin.com ]

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.

25.11.2022 - 08:40 [ CNBC ]

Canceled sailings from China and ‚radical‘ vessel cuts hit U.S. ability to reach export market

(11.11.2022)

But as of now, for weeks 51 and 52, carriers have scheduled no blank sailings on the Asia-North America West Coast route, which Murphy says is a reflection of the carriers‘ indecision as to how to approach the potential pre-Chinese New Year rush.

„It appears more to be a wait-and-see approach, in terms of whether there will be a seasonal demand spike,“ he added.

25.11.2022 - 08:25 [ Financial Times / todayuknews.com ]

‘No way we can open’: China’s zero-Covid exit plans unravel

With the economic and social costs mounting from conflicting policy directives, Beijing needs to set explicit criteria for reopening based on vaccination coverage and the availability of intensive care units for treating an inevitable exit wave of cases, according to Yu Jie, a senior research fellow at Chatham House, a UK think-tank.

Ultimately, such conditions must be set, she said, “because it is no longer just a public health question, it is an economic question”.

07.11.2022 - 08:07 [ theHindu.com ]

Russia becomes India‘s top oil supplier in October

On being asked if India faces a moral conflict due to import from Russia amid the latter‘s conflict with Ukraine, he had stated: „Absolutely none. There is no moral conflict. We don‘t buy from X or Y. We buy whatever is available. Government does not buy, it‘s the oil companies which do the buying.“

07.11.2022 - 07:48 [ Oilprice.com ]

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.

07.11.2022 - 07:42 [ AtlanticCouncil.org ]

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.

07.11.2022 - 06:46 [ Politico.eu ]

Russia obstructs Iran nuclear deal as the Kremlin frets over its oil income

(March 5, 2022)

Hopes had been high that international negotiators from the permanent five members of the U.N. Security Council, Germany and the EU would be able to secure a deal with Tehran on Saturday to put strict limits on Iran’s atomic work in exchange for sanctions relief for the Islamic Republic.

Such a deal would bring significant volumes of Iranian crude oil back to global energy markets in the months ahead, and that could spell trouble for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

07.11.2022 - 06:35 [ theCradle.co ]

Iran admits to drone delivery to Russia ‘before the war’

(05.11.2022)

The minister added that Tehran’s ties with Putin are based on neighborliness and common interests, the official Iranian news agency IRNA reported.

The Iranian diplomat maintained that during a conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, they agreed that Kyiv would hand over evidence of the use of those Iranian drones in the conflict. “If it is confirmed that Russia used Iranian drones in the war against Ukraine, we will not be indifferent to this issue,” Abdollahian stressed.

03.11.2022 - 04:11 [ New York Times ]

It’s Time to Bring Russia and Ukraine to the Negotiating Table

Ukraine would continue to receive arms and economic support from the West and work toward membership in the European Union, but it would formally embrace the neutral status that it adopted after separation from the Soviet Union in 1991. Earlier in the war, Mr. Zelensky himself suggested that Ukrainian neutrality could be part of a peace deal with Russia.

Second — the harder part — Moscow and Kyiv would need to arrive at a territorial settlement. A reasonable starting point for negotiations would be to aim for a Russian withdrawal to the “line of contact” that existed before Russia’s invasion began in February.

27.10.2022 - 19:49 [ RT.com ]

The US has nothing left to offer the world – Putin

The US no longer has a model which is inspiring to the rest of the world and instead is maintaining its global dominance by throwing its weight around, Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted on Thursday. He added that Washington elites were now even bullying supposed allies who dissent from their neoliberal worldview.

The Russian leader voiced his opinion that „liberal democracy“ has changed beyond recognition and has transformed from a vehicle to promote freedom of speech and expression, to demanding the ‘cancelation’ of anyone with a different perspective.

27.10.2022 - 19:42 [ DailyMail.co.uk ]

Putin‘s deluded rant to the world: War-mongerer says ‚western domination is over‘, calls for a ‚new world order‘ and warns we have entered the most dangerous decade since WW2

– Putin laid out his thoughts on foreign policy in a rambling speech in Moscow and accused West of fanning flames of war in Ukraine
– Also accused West of rejecting his peace plan and stoking tensions over Taiwan and said area is part of China
– Blamed westerners for causing global food crisis, in what appeared to be an appeal to allies in China and Africa
– It is the latest in series of bitter speeches Putin has given since invading Ukraine on February 24 this y

20.10.2022 - 17:29 [ Telegraph.co.uk ]

Iran has declared war on Britain and the West

Following Putin’s visit to Tehran in July, Iran offered to assist Russia with avoiding those sanctions by using its so-called “dark” fleet of oil tankers.

In return, Moscow agreed an arms deal with Iran, including the purchase of 2,400 Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones.

These Iranian kamikaze drones are now at the forefront of Vladimir Putin’s attempts to wreak havoc against Ukraine, with their participation all the more important because the Russian military is running low on stockpiles of its conventional missiles. Nor is Iran’s involvement likely to be confined to providing drones.