Türkiye cashing in early its investment in Syria's rebels; other regional leaders are following US footsteps and visiting Damascus

Türkiye cashing in early its investment in Syria's rebels; other regional leaders are following US footsteps and visiting Damascus

    Monday, December 23, 2024   No comments

Media review: How some media outlets, commentators, and politicians from the Middle East are reacting to the fast moving developments in Syria.

In a visit that could be considered a celebration of the success of the efforts to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who was the head of intelligence and is considered one of the most prominent figures who contributed to supporting the “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham” organization that overthrew Assad, arrived in the Syrian capital, Damascus, to hold consultations with the new authorities in the country, represented by Ahmed al-Sharaa (Abu Muhammad al-Julani), the leader of the organization and commander of military operations, whom Turkey helped transform from a “jihadist leader” to a “statesman.” However, the visit, which coincides with the continuation of international political deliberations, in which Ankara plays a prominent role, took on a clear protocol form, as part of Ankara’s efforts to establish the legitimacy of the ruling authorities at the present time, especially after Washington announced its involvement in relations with the “Hayat.” Fidan’s keenness to demonstrate his strong relationship with al-Sharaa and demonstrate Turkey’s victory in the Syrian battle was also evident through a visit to Mount Qasioun, where the two men drank tea from the highest peak in Damascus. Turkish statements similar to those of the "High Commissioner" during the French mandate, by talking about the future of Syria and identifying the names that will rule the country, are accepted by the new American administration headed by Donald Trump, who will enter the White House in less than a month, which will provide Turkey with a large space for political and security work in Syria, by establishing a government loyal to Ankara on the one hand, and reducing the Kurdish role that the latter is still fighting, on the other hand.

The Turkish Foreign Minister, in statements he made after a meeting with "al-Julani" during which he discussed the political developments in Syria and the issue of Syrian refugees in Turkey and ways to open the door for their return, indicated that he conveyed the greetings of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, continuing, in his victory speech, that "the Baath regime that lasted 61 years left behind great suffering, and we are here today to stand with you in achieving your aspirations." He added: "Your joy is our joy and your sadness is our sadness, and we are proud to support the truth and stand by you," stressing the need to "draft a new constitution that respects all components of Syrian society and guarantees the rights of minorities," in a way that opens the door to "building a new Syria, with full Turkish support." He pointed out that "President Erdogan issued his instructions to support you in everything you need to achieve progress. We are here to begin a new phase of construction." 

For its part, and in the context of what Ankara considers a "victory" for it, the Turkish "Anadolu" agency broadcast two photos; the first of which shows Fidan with "al-Julani", and the other of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi with al-Assad, on the first of this month, noting that the time difference between the two photos is 3 weeks. 

Turkish relations with new Syrian leaders will be determined by how the Kurdish matter will be handled. Here is what the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, said in that regard:

"We must take action immediately. The territorial integrity of Syria is non-negotiable. I would like to clarify once again that there is absolutely no place for Kurdish armed groups in Syria."

Advanced steps, therefore, cannot be taken until some of the outstanding problems with the factions in the north and south are resolved, in addition to reaching an agreement under which the Kurds in the "SDF" are integrated into the new administration. However, the last mission seems somewhat difficult in light of the ongoing battles between the factions of the "National Army" affiliated with Turkey and the "SDF" in many areas, most notably the "Tishreen Dam" area, which field sources reported that the battles taking place in its vicinity caused severe damage to it. 

After the one-family rule collapses in Syria, Is Egypt's one man rule next?

After the one-family rule collapses in Syria, Is Egypt's one man rule next?

    Sunday, December 08, 2024   No comments

"Syria, Assad, wa-bass (and that is it), was no winning slogan. Future of country's cannot be built long-term on the basis of a single figure or a single family. What happened in Syria in the last 14 years is a good example of this political truith.

The fall of the single party single family rule in Syria has collapsed. Egypt's one man rule through the exclusion of any significant political force could put that regime on a path to weakness and possible collapse, too. These small steps by the government in Egypt may suggest their awareness of the dangers of exclusion.

Egypt's government releases political prisoners, Azhar welcomes the move

Al-Azhar welcomes Sisi’s directives to remove hundreds of people from terrorist lists and calls for investing in them and building on them.. A debate between those who welcome and those who are cautious and Amr Adeeb: Either us or the Brotherhood.

The repercussions of the decision to remove hundreds of Egyptians from terrorist lists are still ongoing, and no voice is louder than them.

The new thing was in the statement of the Grand Imam, Prof. Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, and his deep welcome of the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic, which paved the way for removing hundreds of people from the terrorist lists, and giving them the opportunity to start a new page to live normally in their homeland and reunite their families, stressing that it represents a good step, and everyone must invest in it and build on it; for the benefit of our beloved country, calling on God Almighty to preserve our Egypt, and protect it from all harm and evil.

Al-Azhar's statement was met with varying opinions, between those who welcomed it and those who expressed reservations about it.

These developments cannot be understood in isolation from what has been happening in Syria. Arab rulers and governments of neighboring countries are fact-spinning the development to limit their wider effects.

Of note, Egyptian media reported that security forces arrested a group of Syrians in Egypt after they participated in celebrations of the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Turkey's Fidan: The Syrian opposition must unite and form a new, non-exclusionary administration

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stressed that "the new Syria should not pose a threat to its neighbors, but should eliminate threats."

Fidan called from Doha for "establishing a new Syrian administration that is non-exclusionary and without a desire for revenge", and for preserving Syrian institutions, and also called for "the opposition forces to unite."

He pointed out that "the Syrian opposition forces consist of different groups, but the coordination mechanism will improve in the coming days."

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that “a 14-year era of instability in Syria has ended,” noting that “Ankara does not know anything about the fate of President Bashar al-Assad.” Fidan revealed in a press conference held today that “the Syrian regime could have taken advantage of the opportunity of the Astana talks to reach national reconciliation, but it did not want to,” noting that “President Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended his hand to achieve unity in Syria, but the Syrian regime refused.” At the same time, Fidan expressed his country’s concern about “organizations such as ISIS that may exploit these developments in Syria, and Turkey is closely monitoring them to ensure that they do not control any parts of Syria in any way, and we are coordinating with friends such as the United States in this regard.” Regarding the Kurdistan Workers' Party, Fidan said, "Any extension or expansion of the Kurdistan Workers' Party militia cannot be considered a legitimate entity in Syria, and America is aware of the sensitivity of our position towards it." He continued, "The PKK cannot be part of the Syrian opposition and factions, because they are not Syrian factions, but terrorist factions, and everyone knows that, so there will be no cooperation with them at all." He stressed that "Turkey will take appropriate measures towards any threats."

Iran calls for Syria's fate to be determined and a government formed "without foreign interference"

Iran called for "determining the fate" of Syria's future, and forming an inclusive government that represents all segments of the Syrian people, "without destructive foreign interference or external imposition," stressing that it is "the exclusive right of the Syrians."

The Iranian Foreign Ministry indicated that it will closely monitor developments in Syria and the region, and will take appropriate positions based on the ongoing analysis of the performance of influential players in the Syrian political and security arena.

It also stressed respect for Syria's unity, governance, and territorial integrity, pointing to supporting Syria's stability and security through cooperation with all active parties in the region.

It explained that achieving stability "requires ending military conflicts quickly, preventing terrorist acts, and starting national dialogues with the participation of all components of society, with the aim of forming an inclusive government that represents all segments of the Syrian people."

The Iranian statement also stressed the importance of ensuring the security of Syrian citizens and nationals of other countries, and protecting holy and diplomatic sites in accordance with international laws.

Iran affirmed its continued support for the United Nations mechanisms, under Resolution 2254, to support the political process in Syria.

It also expressed its keenness to continue historical relations and friendship with Syria on the basis of common interests and commitment to international conventions.

Iranian Ambassador to Syria, Hossein Akbari, said that "the Israeli Prime Minister is now expressing his happiness at the removal of one of his enemies," but he pointed out Benjamin Netanyahu's concern that the new forces "may pose an additional threat to him."

Akbari said in a live televised call with state television that "the Syrian Council of Ministers decided in its session last night to avoid any confrontations in Damascus and to hand over power and government peacefully, which was confirmed by the Syrian Prime Minister in a statement addressed to the people and the armed forces."

He added: "Bashar al-Assad's crime was his support for the axis of resistance, and today there are multiple currents inside Syria, some of which are extremist, even if they differ from (ISIS) in some beliefs."

Akbari pointed out that "the current situation in Syria has produced complex alignments between the northern and southern forces, which may turn the country into an arena for conflict between some Arab and Islamic countries and Turkey."

Akbari continued that "Netanyahu considers this a personal gain for him, but at the same time he is concerned that the stability and strength of the new forces in Syria may pose an additional threat to him."

Akbari explained that “these concerns stem from the lack of guarantees for the establishment of a strong and disciplined government in Syria, and from ethnic and ideological divisions, in addition to the possibility of Syria turning into an arena for conflict between regional countries.” He added: “These conditions may destabilize the central government and create cross-border threats.”

Pentagon official: Our presence in eastern Syria is to prevent the return of ISIS

A Pentagon official said that "the presence of US forces in eastern Syria is not related to other aspects of the conflict in the country," stressing "continuing to take the necessary measures to defend our forces and our partners" and to maintain this presence "which aims only to ensure the sustainability of the defeat of ISIS and prevent its resurgence." In an interview with Reuters today, he called on all parties in Syria to "protect civilians, especially minorities, respect international standards and work to reach a comprehensive political settlement," stressing the continuation of "close consultations with partners in the region affected by this crisis to support their security needs."

Statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry: 

'We are following the dramatic events in Syria with extreme concern. As a result of negotiations between Bashar al-Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic, he decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully

Russia did not participate in these negotiations. At the same time, we appeal to all parties involved with a strong call to renounce the use of violence and resolve all governance issues by political means.

In this regard, the Russian Federation is in contact with all groups of the Syrian opposition. We call for respect for the opinions of all ethno-confessional forces of Syrian society, and support efforts to establish an inclusive political process based on the unanimously adopted UN Security Council Resolution 2254. 

We expect that these approaches will be taken into account by the UN and all interested players, including in the context of the implementation of the initiative of the UN Secretary General's Special Representative for Syria, Georg Pedersen, to urgently organize inter-Syrian inclusive negotiations in Geneva.

At the same time, all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety of our citizens in Syria. Russian military bases in Syria are on high alert. There is currently no serious threat to their security.'

Statement by some Arab leaders meeting in Doha

Future of Syria based on post-Assad Syria: Kurds, Islamist, and everyone else

The bigger picture: how (in)stability in Syria could impact a region with uneasy borders

Convergence of interests between Trump and Biden may result in an agreement to end the war in Gaza

Convergence of interests between Trump and Biden may result in an agreement to end the war in Gaza

    Wednesday, November 27, 2024   No comments

Trump has been consistent with his demand that "finishes the job in Gaza quickly." In fact, he wants the war to end before he takes office so that he can focus on his domestic agenda which is expected to take most of his energy. Biden, who has been involved in a balancing act of supporting Israel and listening to young Americans most of whom see the war in Gaza as genocide, to enable his party to win elections is now free to focus on his personal legacy and achieve something in the Middle East. This convergence of interest may lead to an end of the war in Gaza, which will bring down the level of tension in the region.

With a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon in place, Biden is now looking to end the war in Gaza, which will reduce violence in the region. To this end, Biden will launch a new push on Wednesday to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and release hostages, after Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a truce in Lebanon, his national security adviser Jake Sullivan said.

The truce that began early Wednesday in southern Lebanon means Hezbollah is no longer fighting in support of Hamas in Gaza. It will increase pressure on the Palestinian movement to accept a ceasefire and release the hostages, Sullivan told MSNBC.

Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu just before the US- and French-brokered truce with Hezbollah was announced Tuesday and they agreed to try again to reach a deal on Gaza, Sullivan said.

“President Biden intends to begin this work today by engaging his envoys with Turkey, Qatar, Egypt and other actors in the region,” he said.

“We believe this is the beginning of an opportunity for a more stable Middle East where Israel’s security is assured and the interests of the United States are secure,” he added.

The agreement between Israel and Hezbollah was seen as an achievement for Biden as he prepares to leave the White House and hand over power to Donald Trump on January 20.

In parallel with announcing the agreement on Tuesday, Biden said that the United States, Turkey, Egypt, Qatar and Israel will again seek a ceasefire in Gaza, where Israel is still fighting a war against Hamas after an October 7, 2023 attack on its territory.

Biden confirmed that Washington will also push for a long-discussed agreement to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Media review: reactions to the ceasefire in Lebanon

Israeli media focused on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement that the Security Cabinet had agreed to a ceasefire with Lebanon under US mediation. While politicians opposed the agreement and considered it a surrender, analysts and journalists welcomed it, saying that there were political and military circumstances that pushed for signing it with all its negatives and loopholes, as they described them.

Kan 11 political affairs correspondent Suleiman Masouda said, "There are circumstances that are not only political, but also operational (military) that push for signing this agreement. We are entering the winter season, and the United States has not been supplying Israel with all the ammunition it requests for a while now, and there is a broad arms export ban."

Doron Kadosh, military affairs correspondent for Army Radio, described the agreement as "bad and with negatives and loopholes," but said that the army is demanding the agreement.

However, the Israeli correspondent explained that "there are immediate positives regarding ammunition and the issue of reserve soldiers who are collapsing under the pressure of military service and are no longer able to endure, in addition to the need to focus efforts on the Gaza Strip and recover the kidnapped soldiers."

For his part, Channel 13 military affairs analyst Alon Ben David explained that they in the security establishment acknowledge that the agreement with Lebanon "is not an ideal agreement, but from the beginning the army did not claim that it would eliminate Hezbollah's military power, because that would mean occupying all of Lebanon."

Former head of the Military Intelligence Division, Amos Malka, said that the war in Lebanon could end in three ways: the first is: "with the proposed agreement, the second with a security belt, and the third with a war until the last breath in an attempt - as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said - to eliminate Hezbollah."

He pointed out that the third possibility is not possible "because it will be a different war, and I do not think we have international support, and I do not think we have military plans for that."

Moshe Saada, a member of the Knesset for the Likud party, commented on the subject of the agreement with Lebanon by saying: "The situation is very complicated, and there are threats to ban the supply of weapons to us, and there are threats of UN resolutions against Israel."

As for the head of the "Israel Beiteinu" party, Avigdor Lieberman, he said, "This is a short ceasefire for 5 or 6 years, until the Fourth Lebanon War breaks out," noting that within 5 or 6 years "they (Hezbollah) will have 40,000 drones in Baalbek."

For his part, Yair Golan, leader of the opposition Democrats party and a former deputy chief of staff, described the agreement as “an interim agreement with clear justification, which we reached with a very exhausted army.”

"Hasty and irresponsible decision"... Anger in Israel over ceasefire agreement with Lebanon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented the agreement in the context of what he said were “unprecedented achievements” made by Israel over the past year of war on seven fronts.

He said that Israel had set Hezbollah back decades and that it was no longer the same group it once was, according to the BBC.

Netanyahu indicated that the ceasefire would also allow Israel to “focus on the Iranian threat,” stressing that his country would retain full military freedom to confront any new threat from Hezbollah.

But Netanyahu’s political rivals, and even some of his allies, view the agreement as “de facto surrender.”

A poll conducted yesterday indicated that more than 80 percent of Netanyahu’s support base opposes the agreement, and that residents of northern Israel, who have been evacuated in large numbers due to Hezbollah strikes in the area, are also angry.

In Israel, the deal was deeply divided. One poll showed that 37 percent of Israelis support the ceasefire, 32 percent oppose it, and 31 percent do not know that there is an agreement at all.

Shelly, an English teacher in the town of Shlomi, said the ceasefire was “an irresponsible, hasty political decision.”

Rona Valenci, who was evacuated from Kibbutz Kfar Giladi in northern Israel on October 8 last year, said she wanted to return home and that a ceasefire was necessary, but the idea of ​​Lebanese residents returning to villages near Kfar Giladi, such as the Lebanese village of Adaisseh, gave her “a sense of anxiety and fear”.

“The only thing I can hope for is that Hezbollah does not infiltrate such nearby villages and build a new network there,” she said.

“There is nothing real that can make me feel safe except for these villages to be completely wiped out, and for no one to be there.”

The BBC said it had spoken to many Israelis who believe Netanyahu should continue the war in Lebanon, and wonder why the prime minister, who has vowed to continue fighting in Gaza until “complete victory”, would sign a ceasefire in Lebanon?!

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir opposed the agreement, calling it a “historic mistake”.

“This is not a ceasefire, it is a return to the concept of quiet for quiet, and we have already seen where this leads,” Ben-Gvir wrote in a post on the X website explaining his opposition to the agreement. He predicted that “in the end we will need to return to Lebanon again.” In contrast, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich asserted that “this agreement may guarantee Israel’s security forever.”

Le Figaro: 4 reasons why Israel accepted a ceasefire in Lebanon

Le Figaro reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a ceasefire in Lebanon on Tuesday, saying that the duration of the agreement depends on what happens there, and asked about the military and diplomatic issues that could explain this agreement. To shed light on this, the French newspaper met with researcher David Khalfa, co-director of the North Africa and Middle East Observatory, and responsible for the "geopolitical meetings" of the Jean Jaurès Foundation, to decode this announcement.

Experts to Asharq Al-Awsat: Ceasefire agreement does not prevent Hezbollah from returning to what it was

So far, the contents of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah are still unclear. Does the agreement, which appears to have been divided between Hezbollah and Israel, mean that Hezbollah’s military hand will remain free in Lebanon, despite talk of transforming it into a political party?

Hezbollah will continue its policies

Asharq Al-Awsat posed questions to two American researchers regarding the expected agreement to be signed. Michael Rubin, a senior researcher at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, expressed his fear that “Hezbollah will continue to maintain its capabilities to continue its policies,” while David Daoud, a senior researcher at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington, said that “although the language of the agreement seems stronger than the language of Resolution 1701,” it does not seem sufficient to stop Hezbollah’s activities in the future.

The draft ceasefire agreement includes a 60-day transitional period during which the Israeli army will withdraw from southern Lebanon, the Lebanese army will deploy in areas near the border, and Hezbollah will move its heavy weapons north of the Litani River. The deal includes a US-led oversight committee to monitor implementation and address violations.

The ICC and Hezbollah’s Money

“It is true that there has been significant progress, but it is unfortunate that the ICC’s accusations against Netanyahu have shifted these matters in another direction, forcing some mediators in the region to halt direct visits to Jerusalem and prevent Netanyahu from traveling to third countries,” said Michael Rubin. “My greatest concern about Hezbollah is that its financial and criminal network in Africa and South America remains intact. If Hezbollah turns its guns on the rest of the Lebanese, it will have the financial means to support itself,” Rubin added.

According to the agreement, the United States agreed to give Israel a letter of guarantees that includes support for Israeli military action against imminent threats from Lebanese territory, and to take measures to disrupt operations such as the re-establishment of Hezbollah’s military presence near the border, or the smuggling of heavy weapons. Under the agreement, Israel will take such action after consulting with the United States, if the Lebanese army does not deal with the threat.

Israel’s approval is incomprehensible

David Daoud says: “Although the language of the agreement seems stronger than the language of international resolution (1701), the Netanyahu government’s approval of this type of agreement cannot be explained, as long as international law gives the right to any country that is attacked, or sees that there is an imminent attack on it, to respond to it.” He pointed out that “Hezbollah’s breach of the agreement without causing a new imminent war is possible, as it can, for example, build a weapons factory that does not, according to the text of the agreement, constitute a direct threat to Israel.”

“The agreement guarantees Hezbollah’s continued dominance and control over Lebanon in light of the Lebanese people’s inability to confront it, and the Lebanese army’s inability to enter into a war with it, and cause a new civil war,” he said. Daoud believes that “the new reality resulting from the International Criminal Court’s decision against Netanyahu may complicate matters, and the internal Israeli situation may put him in a predicament, which may expose the agreement to collapse... Despite that, we are facing a 60-day agreement, which may give the new Trump administration (credibility) that it has entered an era free of wars in the Middle East, but nothing guarantees that it will not explode again in the coming years if its causes are not (removed).”

Did Israel's war in Lebanon achieve its goals?

Israeli leaders argued that the war was necessary to remove the threat of Hezbollah so that Israelis can return to their settlements in the north. The ceasefire agreement does not include any stipulation that could realize those aims. Hezbollah will not disarm, and at best will be expected to limit its presence south of Litani river. However, given that Hezbollah's rockets reached south of Tell Aviv just days before the ceasefire, 30 miles north of the border will not make any difference. This conclusion is clear in the mind of most Israelis, especially those of the north who are yet to start returning, and they may not return until after the 60 days had passed to see if this 60-day agreement is going to be made permanent. making the agreement permanent may depend on another ceasefire in Gaza; without an end to the war in Gaza, resumption of violence is a possibility and that will prevent many Israelis from returning to the north.  Military solutions rarely produce permanent solutions unless they are followed by a political solution. Israeli leaders have no interest in settling the conflict with the Palestinians in a way that will make wars unnecessary. 

Media Review: Malaysia will not recognize the occupation entity under any circumstances

Media Review: Malaysia will not recognize the occupation entity under any circumstances

    Monday, November 18, 2024   No comments

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim affirmed his country's full commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian people in various international forums, stressing that Malaysia will not recognize the occupation entity under any circumstances.

Ibrahim indicated - in an interview with Aljazeera Mubasher - that he was subjected to great pressure due to his declared positions against Israel, but he stressed that his country will continue this approach without change.

In the context of his speech, the Malaysian Prime Minister likened the path of the former heads of the Hamas Political Bureau, Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, to the path of the late South African leader Nelson Mandela, who struggled to liberate his country from the apartheid regime.

Ibrahim called for the necessity of expelling Israel from the United Nations, noting that Malaysia is currently working on a draft resolution to submit to the United Nations General Assembly in light of the continued Israeli crimes against the Palestinians, including targeting civilians and hospitals. Malaysia has also submitted a request to the International Court of Justice to hold Israel accountable for its crimes in the Gaza Strip, stressing that it will continue its legal and diplomatic efforts in all regional and international forums.

Ibrahim said, "We have not left any international or regional forum without raising our voices loudly in it to support the rights of the Palestinian people and establish their independent state and work to end their tragedy."

Malaysia's Position

At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru, Ibrahim expressed his country's support for Palestine to US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, but noted that they "did not listen."

The prime minister accused these countries of colluding with Israel by remaining silent on the ongoing crimes in the Gaza Strip and the occupied territories since October 7, 2023. He wrote on the "X" platform that the West "continues to turn a blind eye to the atrocities committed by Israel, which makes it a de facto partner in these crimes against humanity."

Ibrahim stressed that his country continues to send humanitarian aid to Gaza, including treating wounded women and children in Malaysian hospitals. He also praised the role played by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in providing humanitarian relief, noting that Malaysia will continue to support its activities in the sector.

At the end of his speech, the Malaysian prime minister sent a message of solidarity to the Palestinian and Lebanese people, calling on them to stand firm in the face of challenges. "Stand firm, we are with you, we support you and we pray for your victory," he said.

In December 2023, Malaysia announced a ban on ships flying the Israeli flag and preventing ships heading to Israel from loading goods at its ports. The government explained that these measures come in response to Israel's continued violations of international law and humanitarian principles.

This position comes after a similar one was declared by Saudi Arabia, which stated that "normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel is not on the table until the "two-state solution" is achieved and a Palestinian state is established.

KSA FM: Normalization with KSA is off the table... What is happening in northern Gaza ... can only be described as a form of genocide

KSA FM: Normalization with KSA is off the table... What is happening in northern Gaza ... can only be described as a form of genocide

    Thursday, October 31, 2024   No comments

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan said on Thursday that normalization between Saudi Arabia and "Israel" is not on the table until the "two-state solution" is achieved and a Palestinian state is established.

He stressed, during a dialogue session within the activities of the "Future Investment Initiative" in Riyadh, that "the issue of normalization is not the only one at stake now, but the situation in the entire region as well, if we do not find a solution and a clear path to establish a Palestinian state."

Bin Farhan hoped "that the Israeli leadership will see that this is the right and just thing to do, and it also serves Israel's security and strategic interests."

The Saudi Foreign Minister said that establishing a Palestinian state is linked to the principles of international law, not to recognition by "Israel."

He pointed out that the ceasefire negotiations in Gaza have repeatedly collapsed due to new demands from "Israel". He said that "the Israeli occupation is committing genocide in Gaza".

He added: "We are working to ensure that the Palestinians obtain their legitimate rights, and that Palestine is a member of the international community".

In a related context, he stressed that the Kingdom supports international efforts to stop the escalation in Lebanon.

He believed that Saudi-Iranian relations are moving in the right direction, but are complicated by regional conditions.

He touched on "Vision 2030", noting that Saudi Arabia aims through it to stabilize neighboring countries.

CIA: Iran capable of producing a nuclear bomb in a week

CIA: Iran capable of producing a nuclear bomb in a week

    Tuesday, October 08, 2024   No comments

CIA Director William Burns said that Iran is capable of producing a nuclear bomb within a week, but there is no evidence that it has decided to do so.

NBC quoted Burns - during a security conference in Georgia - as saying that Iran has made progress in its nuclear program by accumulating depleted uranium to levels that allow for the manufacture of nuclear weapons.

As a result, Burns continued, Iran may be able to quickly obtain enough fissile material to make an atomic bomb if it chooses to do so, and there will be less time for the outside world to respond.

He added that there is no evidence that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has reversed his decision taken in late 2003 to suspend the nuclear weapons program, and said that American intelligence agencies believe that Iran has suspended its program in accordance with Khamenei's declaration last year.

The US intelligence chief explained that Tehran has developed "conception methods" by building a missile arsenal, noting that Iran has become closer to producing a nuclear bomb since the US withdrawal from the nuclear agreement in 2018.

In response to recent rumors that an earthquake in Semnan province near the capital Tehran was related to a nuclear test, the Nour News website, which is close to the Iranian National Security Council, stated that "the suspicious rumors spread by foreign media about the first Iranian nuclear test are completely false and contradict Iran's nuclear and defense doctrine."

Burns' statements and talk of a nuclear test came amid Israeli threats to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities in response to Tehran targeting Israel with dozens of missiles after the assassination of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and Abbas Nilforoushan, deputy commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, in Israeli raids on Beirut, and the assassination of Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh on Iranian soil.

The CIA confirms similar statements by US officials that essentially concluded that building a nuclear weapons is now in the hands of Iranian leaders. In July of this year, the head of the State Department, Blinken, also stated that Iran was a week to a week and half from the breakout stage for developing nuclear weapons. Other Western officials confirmed that US assessment is accurate. Given the timeline, this means that the decision for building a nuclear weapon is entirely in the hands of Iranian leaders. The developments and threats since July 2024 can only push them to building a weapon. Alternatively, and absent in Western assessment of Iran capabilities, is whether Iranian leaders have thought of using depleted uranium in their rockets, especially after reports that Israel may have used depleted uranium bombs in its assassination of Hassan Nasrallah and Abbas Nilforoushan in Beirut last month.

Also, if Western assessment about Iran's nuclear capabalities is true, restoring the 2015 nuclear deal that Trump withdrew from in 2028 becomes moot. The starting point for any new deal will start with the Iran preserving what it has achieved and what the West can offer to limit increased nuclear activities.