US Vice President JD Vance said earlier today that a new “deconfliction mechanism” was established during yesterday’s talks in Burgenstock. According to an earlier Channel 12 report, the new arrangement would replace the one brokered in 2024 under the Biden administration, which included Israel, Lebanon, the US, France, and the UN, with a new body being made up of the US, Iran, Lebanon, Qatar, and Pakistan.
Archiv: (Vor-)Geschichte / (pre-)history
Operation Rubikon
(August 27, 2020)
Jahrzehntelang belauschten BND und CIA die verschlüsselte Kommunikation von über 100 Staaten. Die Operation „Rubikon“ wurde bis heute geheim gehalten. Sie gilt als größter Erfolg des BND.
Opfer des Lauschangriffs waren arabische und südamerikanische Länder, aber auch NATO-Partner. Sie vertrauten der Krypto-Technik eines schweizerischen Herstellers – und wurden betrogen. Welche politischen Folgen hatte das jahrelange Mitlesen geheimer Nachrichten?
Politische Handlungen durch Rubikon
Die „Rubikon“-Papiere belegen erstmals, dass BND und CIA zum Beispiel frühzeitig über den Sturz des chilenischen Präsidenten Allende 1973 und die schweren Menschenrechtsverletzungen durch die argentinische Militärjunta informiert waren. Politische Folgen, etwa in Form von Protesten der Bundesregierung, hatte das nicht.
Auch im Falklandkrieg kamen die für den Sieg der Briten notwendigen Informationen aus der Operation „Rubikon“: Der BND konnte den militärischen Funkverkehr der Argentinier entschlüsseln. Das britische Militär war so über die Bewegungen der argentinischen Streitkräfte informiert. Einer der klar belegbaren Fälle, in denen „Rubikon“ konkrete – und blutige – Konsequenzen hatte.
Kühn und skandalträchtig
Einer der größten Abnehmer für die manipulierten schweizerischen Verschlüsselungsgeräte war der Iran. Jahrzehntelang waren Deutsche und Amerikaner deshalb bestens über die geheimen Regierungskommunikationen des Ajatollah-Regimes informiert und nutzten diese Kenntnisse zum Beispiel in der Geiselaffäre, um die US-Botschaftsangehörigen freizubekommen.
Geheimdienstexperte Prof. Richard Aldrich wertete die dem ZDF exklusiv vorliegenden geheimen Akten aus. Sein Fazit: „Die Operation Rubikon war eine der kühnsten und auch skandalträchtigsten Operationen, denn über hundert Staaten zahlten Milliarden Dollar dafür, dass ihnen ihre Staatsgeheimnisse gestohlen wurden.“
Der Dokumentation liegen langjährige Recherchen von ZDFinfo, „Frontal 21“, der „Washington Post“ und der „Rundschau“ des Schweizer Fernsehens SRG zugrunde.
Cryptoleaks – Wie CIA und BND mit Schweizer Hilfe weltweit spionierten | Doku | SRF Dok
(Februar 13, 2020)
Die CIA und der BND spionierten mit manipulierten Chiffriergeräten der Schweizer Firma Crypto AG jahrzehntelang mehr als 100 Staaten aus, darunter auch befreundete Länder. Dies belegen Recherchen von SRF Rundschau, ZDF und Washington Post.
m Zentrum steht ein Aktenordner mit explosivem Inhalt: 280 Seiten, bisher unbekannte Papiere der Geheimdienste CIA und BND. Sie belegen eine weltweite Geheimdienstoperation. Die geleakten Papiere werfen ein höchst fragwürdiges Licht auf die Schweiz und auf das Zuger Unternehmen Crypto AG, eine Firma für Verschlüsselungstechnik.
Über manipulierte Chiffriermaschinen der ehemaligen Verschlüsselungsfirma horchten die Geheimdienste CIA und BND jahrzehntelang über hundert Staaten ab. Im Nahen Osten, in Asien, in Südamerika und auch in Europa wurde die geheime Kommunikation befreundeter und feindlicher Staaten abgefangen und ausgewertet. Alle abgehörten Länder hatten ihre Crypto-Chiffriermaschinen im guten Glauben in der neutralen Schweiz gekauft.
Welche Folgen hatte die Überwachungsoperation auf die internationale Politik der Nachkriegszeit? Wie gingen die Geheimdienstleute der CIA und des BND vor? Wie wurden die Schweizer Chiffriergeräte manipuliert? Was wussten die Schweizer Behörden? Und was bedeutet dieser Skandal für die Schweizer Neutralität?
Ending the Costly, Unnecessary Iran War Is the Right Thing. Period.
The task now is not to reward Trump politically, nor to excuse the recklessness that produced this war. It is to prevent the war from returning. Democrats can condemn the decision to start it without sabotaging the agreement that ends it. They can hold Trump accountable without helping Netanyahu drag the United States back into conflict. The choice before them is not between opposing Trump and supporting peace. It is between learning from America’s endless wars and repeating them.
Exclusive – Syria‘s al-Sharaa eyes potential Trump meeting at Ankara NATO summit
(June 16, 2026)
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa may travel to Ankara to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the upcoming NATO summit, though he has not received an official invitation to the gathering, according to information obtained by Türkiye Today.
Contrary to the reports published earlier in Turkish media, the Syrian leader is not included on the official guest list for the alliance‘s formal event. However, sources indicate a face-to-face meeting with Trump remains a possibility as global leaders converge on the Turkish capital.
Trump plaudert am G7-Gipfel Plan B aus für Fortsetzung der Kriege in Westasien
Euronews berichtete mit der Schlagzeile, Trump habe Netanjahu zu „mehr Verantwortung“ ermahnt und Syriens Präsidenten als den „Fähigsten“ zur Bekämpfung der Hisbollah bezeichnet. Das ist der Terrorist, auf den die USA davor eine Kopfprämie von 50 Millionen Dollar ausgesetzt hatten und der jetzt für sie arbeitet – als Terrorist. Middle East Eye nannte es eine Bestätigung von Berichten, die „ein hochrangiger US-Beamter ursprünglich dementiert hatte“ — nämlich dass Washington Syrien zu einer Invasion des Libanon drängt.
Syria‘s al-Sharaa rejects military action against Hezbollah despite Trump‘s push – report
New details have also emerged regarding discussions involving Israeli and Lebanese representatives. Reports indicate that Trump proposed a framework in which the Syrian military would play a central role in a future effort to disarm Hezbollah.
The proposal, however, has reportedly faced skepticism from multiple sides. Israeli officials have questioned Syria‘s ability to effectively confront Hezbollah, while Lebanese authorities oppose the presence of foreign troops operating within Lebanon.
Trump Suggests Syria Should ‘Take Care’ of Hezbollah in Lebanon
“I suggested to Israel to let Syria take care of Hezbollah, because to be honest with you, I think they’d do a better job of doing it,” Trump said. He went on to praise Sharaa, formerly known by his al-Qaeda nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, saying he “has pulled that country together very quickly, he’s very capable, and he’s very good for me. He’s protected everything that I’ve asked for.”
Sharraa and his group of jihadists, known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an offshoot of al-Qaeda, took power in Damascus in December 2024, ousting former President Bashar al-Assad. Sharaa has been embraced by Trump and visited the White House despite HTS and affiliated fighters being responsible for massacres of Alawites, Druze, and other minorities in Syria.
Why Trump’s proposal for Syria to fight Hezbollah will send shudders across Lebanon
US President Donald Trump suggested on Tuesday that Israel allow Syria to “deal with Hezbollah,” claiming Damascus would do a “better job.” The proposal, which Trump has now raised twice this month, touches on some of Lebanon’s deepest anxieties: Syria’s long history of interference in its affairs and the jihadist past of the country’s new rulers.
Trump intensifies pressure on Netanyahu over Lebanon attacks
US President Donald Trump says Benjamin Netanyahu must be „more responsible“ in Lebanon and suggests asking Syria to fight Hezbollah „if Israel can‘t do the job without killing everyone else“.
Saudi Arabia welcomes US-Iran deal, hopes for lasting peace and regional stability
In a statement issued Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Kingdom welcomed the efforts of both countries to reach a lasting agreement that would contribute to regional and international security and stability.
The Kingdom also commended the mediation efforts undertaken by Pakistan and Qatar, as well as the positive engagement shown by the United States and Iran, which helped pave the way for the agreement.
Saudi Arabia further emphasized the importance of restoring security for navigation and maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz to the conditions that existed before Feb. 28.
We can strengthen our chances of this deal holding by cutting all military/intel assistance to Israel, they took every opportunity to tank this deal & will likely do so again unless we take action.
We should also quietly get our troops out of the bases in the Gulf that can be reached by Iran. This ensures Iranian hardliners can’t strike us to drag us back into the fight.
Take away every factor that we can control that could force us back into the war on Israel or Iran’s terms.
Set all conditions that we can control in our favor.
Israel’s crack spy agencies rely on help from their friends
(October 16, 2025)
When Israel launched its attacks on Iran in the early morning of June 13, many news reports marvelled at the quality and ingenuity of its intelligence agencies in enabling the Israel Defense Forces to strike with such precision. But one element was not talked about in any detail: Israel’s network of relationships with other countries’ intelligence agencies and their contribution to these covert operations.
(…)
While searching the Swiss national archives, I found a large cache of encrypted telegrams that had been shared in a network called Kilowatt. This network involved 18 countries and shared information such as the movements of specific Palestinian people identified as terrorists, including the safe houses and vehicles they used. Mossad was part of Kilowatt and could use the intelligence it received from European partners to plan and carry out its targeted assassinations in Europe. There is also ample evidence in the cables that western governments knew what Mossad was using the intelligence for.
“Club de Berne” meeting in Switzerland
(April 28, 2004)
The CTG was formed in September 2001. Since then it has provided threat assessments to key EU policymakers. Those assessments are based on information provided by member services having access to all relevant intelligence. CTG also provides a forum for experts to develop practical collaboration and an understanding of the terrorist threat.
Operation Rubicon: How the CIA and BND Spied on the World
(August 2, 2025)
Operation Rubicon was a joint covert operation carried out by the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the West German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) during the Cold War. The operation involved the acquisition and operation of a Swiss company called Crypto AG, which was a leading manufacturer of encryption machines used by governments, militaries, and intelligence agencies around the world.
Under Operation Rubicon, the CIA and BND secretly purchased Crypto AG and then modified the encryption machines to allow the intelligence agencies to eavesdrop on the communications of foreign governments and intelligence services that used the machines. The operation reportedly began in the 1950s and continued until the early 2000s.
The operation was considered one of the most successful and longest-running espionage operations of the Cold War, allowing the CIA and BND to intercept and decipher sensitive communications from numerous countries, including Iran, Argentina, and Libya. However, the operation was eventually exposed in 2020 through investigative reporting by several news organizations, leading to widespread criticism of the intelligence agencies involved and calls for greater transparency and accountability in intelligence operations.
McIver Speaks out Against Unlawful Abuse Against Protestors and Detainees at Delaney
(May 28, 2026)
“I’m hearing from advocates and families on the ground reports of ICE pepper spraying and beating detainees inside Delaney Hall. I have seen the horrific conditions and spoken to those inside about the disgusting food, lack of medical care, and violent and unsanitary conditions as recently as this week. With demoted former USCBP Commander Greg Bovino’s announcement that he is coming to Newark today and his threats online to tear gas our community, I have even more concern that he will only escalate the chaos at Delaney,” said McIver. “More ICE violence has never made a situation safer. The only solution to stop the abuse at Delaney Hall and quell this terror nationwide is to shut down the facility and abolish ICE. We will keep standing up to this administration’s terror campaign and we will keep fighting for justice.”
On Monday, McIver made her fourth visit to Delaney Hall. The chaos created by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) during McIver’s first visit to Delaney Hall, led to the Trump administration bringing baseless charges against her for conducting oversight. Her second visit came on the heels of the death of Jean Wilson Brutus in ICE custody. Her third visit was following the release of the S.O.S. letter signed by 300 detainees.
S.O.S: A Second Letter From Delaney Hall
(May 12, 2026)
We feel vulnerable and, in a way, kidnapped —detained without justification— not to mention that we are being tortured physically and psychologically due to the poor food resources provided in these detention centers. We see with deep helplessness and frustration that our due process, rights, and defense have been violated, disregarding benefits granted under the 4th, 5th, and 6th Amendments of the UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION. Families are being destroyed and separated, where there are children, nieces, and minors who are suffering a very strong psychological impact because they do not understand the situation, and in some cases they have witnessed the arrests of their relatives, who have been struck by tragedy and the economic burden, since in most cases we are heads of household.
El Grito de Nosotros Our Cry: A letter from inside Delaney Hall
(February 2026)
Through this letter, I would like to describe the situation that thousands of immigrants are currently living through:
First, we’d like to apologize for the way we entered the United States, but we were experiencing safety circumstances that endangered our lives and the lives of some members of our family.
Upon entering, we surrendered ourselves to border authorities who processed us. Some of us were given parole or a court date to continue our cases in accordance with the due process afforded to us by the Constitution and laws of the United States. We also attended periodic check-ins, obtained work permits and social security numbers, filed taxes, and were working legally and contributing to the economy. Therefore, we did not pose a threat to the country or the communities where we resided.
We know that ICE agents have orders to arrest immigrants. In our cases, we had already been processed and were complying with legal requirements. There was no judge‘s order for our detention or arrest, since we received a procedural benefit upon our entry, but the ICE officers did not take this into account, nor the fact that we had an immigration court date. They arrested us at scheduled appointments and at USCIS offices.
Detained immigrants issue “Our Cry,” a letter from inside Newark ICE facility pleading for due process
(February 12, 2026)
Kathy O’Leary of Pax Christi, an international Catholic peace organization, said she was blown away by the letter’s careful, measured phrasing, as well as the apology it led with.
“It’s heartbreaking,” she told The Jersey Vindicator. “I can’t imagine being in that situation and having the presence of mind to write a letter like that.”
(…)
The message also comes more than a month after the still-unexplained demise of Jean Wilson Brutus, a 41-year-old Haitian man who died at Delaney Hall, and months of complaints and criticism from immigration advocates, local officials, and federal lawmakers about the facility’s treacherous living conditions.
41-year-old detainee at Newark migrant jail died in custody, ICE says
(December 19, 2025)
This marks the first death of a Delaney Hall detainee since it opened earlier this year. Immigrant advocates are demanding more information from authorities on exactly what happened and why it took a week for ICE to announce Brutus’ death.
Kathy O’Leary, an activist who holds vigils at the detention center, said she was there last week when an ambulance pulled onto the jail’s property, and she heard discussions of someone having a medical emergency over guards’ walkie-talkies. That ambulance was held up leaving the jail by a van dropping off new detainees, she added.
It wasn’t until ICE put out the statement Thursday evening that she learned about Brutus’ death.
Rep. LaMonica McIver charged with assault after Newark mayor’s arrest outside ICE facility
(May 19, 2025)
In a clip released by the Department of Homeland Security, McIver can be seen on the facility side of a chain-link fence before crossing through the gate and joining a crowd shouting „surround the mayor.“ Video shows McIver pressing forward in the crowd, with her elbows making contact with a federal officer.
Homeland Security said the charge followed a „thorough review“ of the footage and an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations.
Kämpfe im Libanon: Israels Armee meldet Einnahme der Burg Beaufort
Israelische Soldaten seien „auf den Gipfel von Beaufort zurückgekehrt und haben dort erneut die israelische Flagge gehisst“, erklärte Verteidigungsminister Israel Katz. Er bezog sich dabei auf die frühere Einnahme der Burg durch Israel im Libanonkrieg 1982. Israelische Truppen hatten die Kreuzfahrerburg damals eingenommen und als Stützpunkt genutzt. Erst im Jahr 2000 bei ihrem Abzug aus dem Libanon zogen sie sich von dort wieder zurück.
Israel seizes strategic castle as it expands invasion of south Lebanon
Beaufort Castle, known in Arabic as Qalaat al-Shaqif, is a strategic vantage point overlooking large parts of southern Lebanon and northern Israel. It is located about 5km from the major southern city of Nabatieh.
Israeli troops previously captured the castle in 1982 and held it until they withdrew from Lebanon in 2000.
America Is Officially an Empire in Decline
(May 3, 2026)
The American-Israeli attack on Iran was more than a bad idea; it has turned into a watershed in the decline of the American empire. Some might prefer the word “hegemony” to describe the world order the United States leads, since its flag does not generally fly over the lands it protects or exploits. But the rules are the same: Imperial systems, whatever you call them, last only as long as their means are adequate to their ends. And with the Iran war, President Trump has overextended the empire dangerously.