The conflict ignited around midnight Monday following the circulation of an audio recording on social media containing criticism of Islam‘s Prophet Muhammad, attributed to a Druze cleric. However, cleric Marwan Kiwan denied responsibility for the controversial audio in a social media video.
Archiv: the same procedure / story / bullsh*t as every year / month / week / war / decade / whatever
Over 100 Killed as Sectarian Fighting Surrounding Syrian Druze Community Rages
(May 1, 2025)
The anti-Druze sentiment started overnight Monday into Tuesday. An audio recording was released online insulting the Prophet Muhammad and quickly went viral. It was attributed to an unnamed Druze leader in Suwayda, though that has not been confirmed, and it has been speculated it was specifically released to inflame sectarian violence.
If that was the purpose, mission accomplished, because attacks on the Druze in Jaramana were happening the very next day.
Air Force: 57 out of 99 enemy UAVs shot down overnight, 36 lost in location
It is reported that on the night of March 24 (from 20:00 on March 23), the enemy attacked with 99 Shahed attack UAVs and imitator drones of various types from the directions: Millerovo, Kursk, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk – Russia.
The air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units and mobile fire groups of the Air Force and Defense Forces of Ukraine.
After injunction against Bar’s dismissal, Ben Gvir demands ‘judicial overhaul now!’
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir responds to the High Court’s temporary injunction against the dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar with a post on X reading: “Judicial overhaul now!”
Ben Gvir was reinstated to his post earlier this week when his Otzma Yehudit party returned to the government following Israel’s resumed offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Kursgewinne im DAX erwartet: Börse reagiert erleichtert auf Wahlausgang
Anleger goutieren, dass es nach dem Wahlsonntag nun für eine Koalition der CDU/CSU mit der SPD reicht, nachdem es in der Vorwoche noch nach unklaren Mehrheiten oder gar einem nötigen Dreierbündnis ausgesehen hatte.
Vorläufiges Ergebnis: Union stärkste Kraft, FDP und BSW draußen
Vorläufiges Ergebnis der Bundestagswahl: Die Union gewinnt mit 28,52 Prozent. Ein Kanzler Merz wird aber einen Partner zum Regieren brauchen. Auf Platz zwei kommt die AfD – im Osten wird sie sogar stärkste Kraft. FDP und BSW scheitern an der Fünf-Prozent-Hürde.
Netanyahu testimony likely to take another 9 to 14 months, court told
(February 17, 2025)
To date, Netanyahu has been scheduled to testify three times a week, although that has yet to transpire since he began his testimony on December 10, 2024. And his defense attorneys requested on Monday that the scheduled hearings be pared back to two a week, meaning that the 126 hearings to come would take another 63 weeks to complete.
The trial began in May 2020 and is now rapidly approaching its fifth year. Even after Netanyahu’s testimony ends, his defense team will have a list of other witnesses to call to the stand. If convicted, Netanyahu would be entitled to appeal to the Supreme Court.
High Court gives government another delay for answer on establishing Oct. 7 state commission of inquiry
The High Court of Justice agrees to a request by the government to grant it another 90 days before updating the court as to its position on establishing a state commission of inquiry into the failures leading up to, during and after the October 7, 2023, Hamas invasion and atrocities.
The government must now provide the court with a new update by May 11.
Live German election results
The expected winner on election night and traditionally conservative bloc is made up of former chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union. The “Union”, as it is usually called, stands for low taxes, budget discipline, conservative-liberal values and a strong, central role for Germany within the European Union and NATO.
Stimmung vor der Bundestagswahl: Unsicher und pessimistisch an die Wahlurne
Ein Novum bei dieser Bundestagswahl ist auch, dass gleich drei Parteien in der Nähe der Fünf-Prozent-Hürde sind. Während die Linke von oben auf die Marke schaut, konnten FDP und BSW die magische Fünf im ARD-DeutschlandTrend der vergangenen Wochen nicht erreichen. Allerdings sind beide Parteien so nah an der Marke, dass ein Einzug ins Parlament durchaus möglich ist. Ein Bundestag mit fünf, sechs oder sieben Fraktionen – das wird eine entscheidende Rolle bei der Bildung von Mehrheiten und Koalitionen spielen.
Kash Patel‘s views on surveillance ‚willfully ignore the Constitution‘: GOP ex-rep
(January 31, 2025)
Specifically, Amash took issue with Patel‘s admission to senators that he opposes a potential requirement to obtain a warrant to engage in surveillance under the controversial Section 702 program of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which is used to gather intelligence on foreign adversaries, saying it “is just not comported with the requirement to protect American citizenry.”
„Kash Patel’s position that a warrant should not be required to search the communications of Americans under FISA 702 is disqualifying,“ said Amash. „The Constitution of the United States is the law. It requires a warrant. Anyone who willfully ignores the Constitution should not head the FBI.“
FBI nominee Kash Patel confirmed in narrow Senate vote
And in another message meant to assuage senators, Patel said he didn’t find it feasible to require a warrant for intelligence agencies to surveil U.S. citizens suspected to be involved in national security matters, referring to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
„Having a warrant requirement to go through that information in real time is just not comported with the requirement to protect American citizens,“ Patel said. „It’s almost impossible to make that function and serve the national, no-fail mission.“
„Get a warrant“ had become a rallying cry of right-wing conservatives worried about the privacy of U.S. citizens, and almost derailed the reauthorization of the surveillance program entirely.
French PM Bayrou uses special constitutional powers to force 2025 budget through parliament
French Prime Minister François Bayrou used special executive powers on Monday to force his government’s 2025 budget through parliament without a vote. France‘s hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party has said it will put forward a no-confidence motion which is likely to take place on Wednesday.
Frankreich: Bayrou setzt Haushalt per Sonderartikel durch
Artikel 49.3 der französischen Verfassung ermöglicht unter anderem die Verabschiedung eines Haushalts ohne Abstimmung in der Nationalversammlung, wenn die Regierung ein anschließendes Misstrauensvotum übersteht. Die linke Partei La France Insoumise (LFI) hat bereits angekündigt, ein solches Votum zu beantragen. Sollte eine Mehrheit der Abgeordneten der Regierung das Vertrauen entziehen, wäre auch der Haushalt durchgefallen.
Dies gilt jedoch als unwahrscheinlich, da die Sozialisten sich hinter die Mitte-Rechts-Regierung stellen wollen: kein einziger Abgeordneter wolle für den Antrag der LFI stimmen, hieß es in der Fraktion der Sozialisten.
Israel to Extend Military Presence in Lebanon With Trump Administration’s Blessing
The Israeli security cabinet authorized the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) late Thursday to remain in some areas of southern Lebanon past the 60-day withdrawal deadline set to expire on Sunday. Under the terms of the Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire agreement approved last November, both sides must fully remove all of their troops from the region by Jan. 26 to reinstate the borders laid out in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
White House Calls for Israel to Stay in Lebanon Past Truce Deadline
The White House is calling for Israeli troops to be allowed to remain in Lebanon past the expiration date of a cease-fire next week, giving Israel more time to complete its mission but heightening the risks that the truce will unravel altogether.
Lebanese army stresses adherence to directives, vows readiness for full deployment in border zones
The army is also implementing an operational plan to enhance its deployment south of the Litani River, as mandated by the cabinet, starting from the first day the ceasefire agreement took effect.
This is being executed in successive and specific phases in coordination with the five-nation committee overseeing the agreement‘s implementation and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
„Delays in some phases have occurred due to Israeli procrastination in withdrawing, complicating the army‘s deployment mission. Nonetheless, the army remains ready to complete its deployment as soon as the Israeli army withdraws,“ the statement said.
Israel procrastinating in northern border withdrawal, Lebanese army claims
Lebanon‘s army accused Israel of procrastinating in withdrawing troops from south Lebanon as required under a ceasefire that ended the war with Hezbollah, a day after Israel said its forces would remain beyond a Sunday deadline for their departure.
Staying beyond deadline: Israel insists on delaying withdrawal from Lebanon, citing Hezbollah threats
Israel submitted a list of strategic areas it intends to retain control over, particularly those overlooking northern Israeli towns, without specifying a timeline for the extended presence.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials are debating the creation of a buffer zone along the border, with no clear timeframe for its establishment.
Israel says it won’t withdraw from Lebanon by Sunday deadline
“The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) withdrawal is conditional upon the Lebanese army deploying in southern Lebanon,” the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement. “Since the ceasefire agreement has not yet been fully enforced by Lebanon, the gradual withdrawal process will continue, in full coordination with the United States.”
Netanyahu delays cabinet vote on Israel-Gaza ceasefire deal and hostage release
An Israeli cabinet meeting to approve a ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas was delayed Thursday morning after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the militant group of “reneging” on parts of the agreement.
Israel gov‘t expected to vote on Gaza deal by Thursday, according to FM statement
Israel‘s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said he was cutting his visit to Europe short on Wednesday so that he could take part in security cabinet and government votes on a Gaza hostage release and ceasefire deal.
Officials tout a Gaza ceasefire deal and plan to free hostages. Israel says details still in flux
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said final details were being ironed out, saying in a statement that it hoped “details will be finalized tonight.”
Is Biden Teeing Up an Iran War for Trump?
(January 3, 2025)
President Joe Biden has less than a month in office, but that might be enough time to leave a very big mess on President-elect Donald Trump‘s desk. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan presented Biden with plans to bomb Iranian nuclear sites before the end of his term „in a meeting several weeks ago,“ Axios reported on Thursday. A source told Axios that Biden‘s inner circle believes that he has both „an imperative and an opportunity to strike“ now.
Syria: France claims strikes on IS positions
France has belonged to the Inherent Resolve international coalition against IS since 2014, for Iraq, and 2015 for Syria. French troops involved in the operations are based in the region, including in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
France announced that it carried out missile strikes against Islamic State positions in Syria
“On Sunday, French Air Force forces carried out targeted strikes against Islamic State positions on Syrian territory,” Lecorni wrote on the social media platform X.
The French airstrikes followed a similar US military strike in Syria, which the US said claimed the lives of two Islamic State members.
Magdeburg-Anschlag: Der Innenausschuss auf Spurensuche
Auch Bundesinnenministerin Nancy Faeser stellte sich den Fragen des Gremiums. Sie sicherte Aufklärung und besseren Schutz der Bevölkerung zu: „Alle Hintergründe müssen gründlich ermittelt werden“, sagte die SPD-Politikerin. Es werde jeder Stein umgedreht. Der Täter habe „unfassbar grausam und brutal gehandelt“. Klar sei, „dass wir unsere Sicherheitsbehörden stärken müssen“.
Report: Israel Sees Opportunity To Bomb Iran After Downfall of Assad
Israeli officials now say they have total air superiority over Syria due to the lack of air defenses, which could make it easier to launch airstrikes on Iran. Israeli warplanes used to have to avoid air defenses when bombing Syria, but now Israeli officials say they’re able to fly over Damascus without having to worry about getting shot down by Russian-made air defenses.
Will Iran Become More Dangerous After Assad’s Ouster in Syria?
(December 8, 2024)
The Bashar al-Assad regime’s rapid collapse deals a heavy blow to Iran’s “axis of resistance” and its ability to project power in the region, and it raises fears Iran will focus more on developing its nuclear program.
Iran: “Revolutionsgarden” kommen wieder mal ihren rechtsradikalen Kumpanen in Washington und Jerusalem zu Hilfe
(9. März, 2016)
Jeder Idiot, wenn auch kein “Linker” heutztage, begreift, dass ein Angriff von außen nur die herrschenden, autoritären und auf Krieg angewiesenen Kräfte stärkt.
Jeder “Politiker”, jeder Militär, jeder Funktionär ist zum Erbrechen, wo man nur hinschaut.
Fazit:
Im Westen nichts Neues.
One year after Oct. 7 attacks, Netanyahu is on a winning streak
He now has the political capital for negotiations that could set the country‘s next budget and allow him to continue to call the shots for at least another year in the multi-front regional war Israel is fighting.
„He feels he is winning,“ one of Netanyahu‘s aides told Axios.
The six-time prime minister will outlast President Biden, who has largely failed in his attempts to contain the conflict in the Middle East and rein in Netanyahu.
Netanyahu seeks continuous war as Israeli centre left favours state power
Even more surprising is the Israeli public’s near-total embrace over the last three weeks of Netanyahu’s declared desire to prosecute a war for “total victory”. Prior to this, hundreds of thousands of people were out on the streets, demanding a “deal now” and accusing the prime minister of prolonging the war for his own ends.
Now, it seems the majority of Israel’s Jewish public, from Ben Gvir supporters to fans of the centre-left Zionist Yair Golan, wants a never-ending war. Even the first casualties from the ground invasion of Lebanon are not shifting this support – at least so far.
The Middle East Is Always At War Because The West Keeps Pushing It That Way
I hate when people say “Bah the middle east has always been at war, it’s just how they are.” No you asshole, it’s been at war because of western interventionism and Israel.
Israel Planning Major Attack on Iran
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Tuesday that the US would work with Israel to ensure Iran faces “severe consequences.” President Biden has also said he is working with Israel on a response but said Wednesday that he wouldn’t support strikes on Iran’s nuclear facility.
“All seven of us agree that they have a right to respond, but they have to respond proportionally,” he said, referring to the Group of Seven nations.
Actually, We Absolutely Do Need to Escalate in Iran
…a theological explanation for why Israel had come into existence..
…“The Jews will gather from all parts of the world…
…the Antichrist and the end of the world but rather that Allah… final and decisive battle,,,“
…for killing all Jews…
…What if one of those missiles had been tipped with a nuclear warhead…
…Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that Iran was within a week or two of being able to produce enough weapons-grade uranium for a nuclear bomb…
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.
Fmr. Defense Secy: Israel will conceivably target Iran‘s nuclear facilities
Fmr. Defense Secy William Cohen joins The Lead
Israel weighs a counterattack after the Iranian missile barrage.
But after Iran fired about 180 missiles in an attack that went on for roughly half an hour, Israel’s challenge was not whether to attack Iran, but how powerfully to respond, said Yaakov Amidror, a retired major general who served as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s national security adviser.
The only question, General Amidror said, was “how much can we harm them versus their capacity to harm us.” He added he believed that the damage Israel inflicted on Hezbollah had diminished the threat of Iran’s proxies.
Even an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities — long a source of fear for Israel, which worries about Tehran gaining a nuclear weapon — “should be considered,” General Amidror added.
Three civilians martyred, nine others injured in Israeli aggression on Damascus
“At about 2:05 am on Tuesday morning the Israeli enemy carried out an air aggression with military aircraft and drones from the direction of the occupied Syrian Golan, targeting a number of points in the city of Damascus. “A military source said in a statement.
The air defense forces responded to the aggression’s missiles and downed some of them “the military source added.