Ukraine Conflict Has never been just about Ukraine: The Danger Catastrophic of Out-of-Control Escalation is Real

Ukraine Conflict Has never been just about Ukraine: The Danger Catastrophic of Out-of-Control Escalation is Real

    Thursday, October 27, 2022   No comments

After warning that the military operation in Ukraine could  turn into a world war three, Russia now says it could become a space war, too.

Konstantin Vorontsov, Deputy Director of Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Affairs in the Russian Foreign Ministry, announced that "American satellites may become legitimate targets for striking them if they are used in the conflict in Ukraine."

"We want to focus on a very dangerous trend that was clearly demonstrated in the course of events in Ukraine. We are talking about the use by the United States and its allies of civilian infrastructure components in space, including commercial ones, in armed conflicts," he said during the meeting of the First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly. .

He noted that "US quasi-civilian infrastructure may become a legitimate target to strike. As a result of the West's actions, peaceful space activities and the world's social and economic processes, on which the well-being of people primarily depends in developing countries, are exposed to unjustified risks."

And the company "Starlink" owned by the American businessman and billionaire Elon Musk announced, last March, to send equipment to provide Internet in Ukraine.

It is noteworthy that the provision of free internet services to Ukraine, through Starlink, is one of the most effective tools on the battlefield, by obtaining secure and impenetrable communications by the Russian army, and able to provide the Ukrainian side with the locations and movements of the Russians, thus facilitating the possibility of Targeted by modern Western weapons.

In this regard, the American “Axios” website said, earlier, that “private space companies parallel, and often exceed, the capabilities of governments, which gives not only technological power but also geopolitical power to those who run them,” referring to Starlink owned by Musk.

Russia had announced, earlier, that it would treat any penetration of its satellites as a justification for war.

Also, the Director of the Non-Proliferation and Arms Control Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, Vladimir Yermakov, confirmed earlier that "American weapons to Kiev bring Russia and NATO closer to a direct confrontation."

   

Soccer, Religion, Culture, and Politics: Qatar may live to Regret hosting the Global Event

Soccer, Religion, Culture, and Politics: Qatar may live to Regret hosting the Global Event

    Tuesday, October 25, 2022   No comments

The Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, expressed his regret that his country is being subjected to an "unprecedented campaign" due to its hosting of the 2022 World Cup, whose matches will start in the emirate in less than a month.

In a speech he delivered at the opening of the Shura Council, Tamim said: "Since we won the honor of hosting the World Cup, Qatar has been subjected to an unprecedented campaign that no host country has faced."

He added, "We initially dealt with the matter in good faith, and even considered that some criticism is positive and useful that helps us develop aspects of ours that need to be developed."

Sheikh Tamim also expressed his regret, because “it soon became clear to us that the campaign continues and expands and includes slander and double standards, until it reached such a ferocity that many wondered, unfortunately, about the real reasons and motives behind this campaign.”

And while the Emir of Qatar considered that “criticism is useful only if it is based on correct information and an understanding of the contexts,” he stressed that “hosting the World Cup combines several elements and challenges, including civilizational and cultural openness.”

Sheikh Tamim stressed that his country’s hosting of the World Cup in football is “an occasion in which we show who we are, not only in terms of the strength of our economy and our institutions, but also in terms of our civilizational identity,” considering that “this is a great test for a country the size of Qatar, which impresses the whole world with its You have done it and you have done it.”

Emphasizing that "Qatar is currently more like a workshop in preparation and preparation for the occasion," Tamim recalled that it is the first time that an Arab country will host such an occasion, saying: "We have accepted this challenge (...) in recognition of the importance of hosting a major event such as the World Cup. in the Arab world".

He added, "This is a tournament for everyone, and its success is everyone's success."

With the approaching date of the most expensive World Cup ever, Qatar finds itself facing a growing torrent of criticism and attacks, due to various issues, ranging from the emirate's hot climate and conservative society, to its record in the field of human rights and freedoms.

The Qatari authorities have made unremitting efforts to refute the accusations leveled against them, noting in particular that they have carried out in recent years reforms to their laws, while the President of the "International Football Association" (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, confirmed that this version of the World Cup would be "the best ever".

  

Iranian FM: U.S. sends message to Iran, "in hurry" to reach nuke agreement

Iranian FM: U.S. sends message to Iran, "in hurry" to reach nuke agreement

    Saturday, October 22, 2022   No comments

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian revealed that "Washington sent a new message to Iran, three days ago, regarding negotiations over Iran's nuclear program," noting that "Tehran's assessment of the message is that the US side puts the agreement at the top of its priorities."

Amir Abdollahian said in a press statement, after his meeting with the Prime Minister of Armenia in Yerevan, Armenia, today, Saturday: "Our assessment of the American message indicates that the agreement is not only one of their priorities, but that they are in a hurry to get it and sign it, but they are also trying to ignite the recent events in Iran." .

He added, "The Americans are contradictory in their words and behavior, and we assured them that the issue of the accusations leveled by the International Atomic Energy Agency must be resolved."

Amir Abdullahian stressed, "We will not negotiate with the American side to make concessions, we will move within a logical framework and an agreement that respects Iran's red lines, but at the same time, we will never leave the negotiating table."

He believed that "the American behavior is hypocritical. They tell Iran that we are concerned about the nuclear agreement, and they say in the media that negotiations are not their priority."

The Iranian foreign minister stressed that "we will not allow the United States to incite chaos in Iran by making some statements."

Two days ago, the Coordinator of Strategic Communications for the US National Security Council, John Kirby, announced that "Washington has moved away from returning to the agreement with Iran over its nuclear program," noting that it "is not currently focusing its attention on it."

"Honestly, the nuclear deal is not currently our top priority," Kirby said.

US State Department spokesman Ned Price said that "the deal does not appear imminent."

Regarding the allegations of Iran supplying drones to Russia for use in Ukraine, Amir Abdollahian stressed that "Iran has not and will not give any weapons to the Russian side for use in the Ukraine war."

Tehran demanded that Ukraine "provide documents" related to the news of the use of Iranian drones by the Russian side in the current war.

US Admin: Iranian soldiers are in Crimea to help Russia operate drones to launch strikes across Ukraine

US Admin: Iranian soldiers are in Crimea to help Russia operate drones to launch strikes across Ukraine

    Friday, October 21, 2022   No comments

The United States said on Thursday it believed Iranian military personnel had been deployed to Crimea to help Russian forces operate Iranian-made drones for attacks in Ukraine, as the West imposed sanctions on Tehran in response.

Drones were used to destroy Ukrainian power plants and other facilities during attacks apparently aimed at disrupting and demoralizing as winter approaches. On Thursday, Ukrainians experienced scheduled blackouts for the first time since the war began, as authorities sought to start repairing the damage.

“Russian military personnel stationed in Crimea are directing and using Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to conduct strikes across Ukraine, including in Kyiv,” State Department spokesman Ned Price told a news briefing, referring to the drones.

"Our assessment is that ... there are Iranian military personnel on the ground in Crimea and assisting Russia in these operations," he added.

Neither Russia's defense and foreign ministries have yet responded to a request for comment. Tehran denied that the drones were Iranian-made.

The European Union announced that the members of the bloc agreed on new measures against Iran in response to its supply of drones to Russia, and Britain imposed sanctions on prominent Iranian military personnel and a company that it said was involved in supplying Russia with Iranian drones.

"Iran's support for Putin's brutal and illegal war on Ukraine is deeply reprehensible," British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said.

A White House spokesman announced that Washington is considering imposing new sanctions on Tehran over the drones and is studying air defense solutions for Ukraine.

On Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed that the United States and its partners are using rumors about Iran's supply of combat drones to put pressure on Tehran.

"The rumors spread by American news agencies regarding Iranian drones were denied by Iranian and Russian officials," Zakharova said, during a press briefing.

She asked: "Is there a need to comment on these allegations against us and Tehran?", Commenting: "I don't think so, because all this is nothing more than a set of undocumented conclusions and far-fetched assumptions."

The Czech presidency of the European Union announced the imposition of sanctions on three Iranian individuals and an entity, against the background of "Russia's delivery of drones used to bomb Ukraine," according to a statement by the presidency.

"After three days of talks, the ambassadors of the European Union agreed on measures against the entities that supply (Russia) Iranian-made drones that strike Ukraine," the presidency said in a tweet on Twitter. The sanctions will go into effect on Thursday.

These sanctions, according to the list of the Union, affect the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Mohammad Bagheri, the officer in logistical affairs, Major General Seyyed Hojjatullah Qureshi, and the commander of the Revolutionary Guard's unmanned aircraft department, Brigadier General Saeed Aqa Jani. It also targeted the Iranian "Shahid" company for aerospace industries linked to the Revolutionary Guards.

"The European Union is also ready to expand sanctions to include four other Iranian entities that were already on a previous sanctions list," the statement added.

Ukraine accused Russia of using Iranian-made drones to bomb Kyiv and other cities.

On the other hand, the Kremlin denied this accusation and explained that it had no knowledge of its army's use of Iranian-made drones in Ukraine.

In parallel, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian stressed in a phone call today with the European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell that Iran's clear policy is to oppose the war and its escalation in Ukraine.

Amir Abdollahian added that the claim of sending "missiles to Russia to be used against Kyiv" is baseless, stressing that "there is defense cooperation with Russia, but it is certainly not our policy to send weapons and drones against Ukraine."

Amir Abdollahian said that Iran is trying to stop the conflicts in Ukraine through diplomacy and recommended that "the Europeans look at this issue with a realistic approach."

For his part, Borrell said, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry's statement, that "Iran's position in confirming that it will not send weapons and drones for use in the war in Ukraine is important and deserves appreciation."

On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian confirmed that Tehran's claim that Tehran sent weapons to Russia to be used against Ukraine is "incorrect."

"I reiterated to the European Foreign Minister Josep Borrell that our clear policy is to oppose the war in Ukraine," Amir Abdollahian said in a press statement.

The Iranian foreign minister pointed out that "Tehran has defense cooperation with Russia, but there is no doubt that its policy is not to send weapons and drones to be used against Ukraine."

The Iranian Foreign Minister demanded that Ukraine provide documents related to the news of the use of Iranian drones by the Russian side in the current war.

Responding indirectly to this issue, the Iranian leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, said: 

"A few years ago, when pictures of our advanced missiles and drones were published, they said they’re photoshopped pictures. Now they say Iranian drones are dangerous. Why do you sell them to so and so?"

On Tuesday, the Iranian Leader's advisor for military affairs, Major General Rahim Safavi, confirmed that 22 countries have sent requests to purchase Iranian drones.

Safavi said: "The current candidate countries to buy rallies are Armenia, Tajikistan, Serbia, Algeria, Venezuela and other countries."

Safavi also pointed out that "Iran, which used to import 80% of its military needs from abroad before the victory of the Islamic Revolution, is now producing 80% of its defense equipment."

Use of drones in Ukraine, Russian forces claim these drones are Russian drones. On Firday, they released this footage of the drones at work:

A first since the start of the war, Chechen women visit the frontlines in Ukraine

A first since the start of the war, Chechen women visit the frontlines in Ukraine

    Thursday, October 20, 2022   No comments

Members of the president of the Chechen Republic, led by Aishat Kadyrova, a government minister makes a visit to the frontlines in Ukraine.

This marks the first time high profile Muslim women were shown visiting the war zone in Ukraine.

Rustam Aguev, the head of the department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation for the Kurchaloy region of the Chechen Republic updated them about the situation on the battlefield in this region and expressed gratitude to the delegation for the visit.

The visitors included the president’s children Akhmat, Eli and Adam.

  

The head of the delegate reported to the president upon her return.

  

Josep Borell, EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Chief: "Europe is a garden... the rest of the world is a jungle"

Josep Borell, EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Chief: "Europe is a garden... the rest of the world is a jungle"

    Wednesday, October 19, 2022   No comments

 After days of mounting international backlash, Josep Borrell, the European Union's outspoken foreign policy chief, has apologised for people being hurt by his comments, but necessarily for what he said.

"My reference to 'jungle' has no racist, cultural or geographical connotation," the diplomat said. "Unfortunately, the 'jungle' is everywhere, including today in Ukraine."

Josep Borell, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has triggered a controversy by saying that Europe was a garden and “most of the rest of the world” was a jungle. He warned in a speech at the European Diplomatic Academy on the 13th of October that the “jungle could invade the garden”.

“The gardeners should take care of it, but they will not protect the garden by building walls. A nice small garden surrounded by high walls in order to prevent the jungle from coming in is not going to be a solution. Because the jungle has a strong growth capacity, and the wall will never be high enough in order to protect the garden. The gardeners have to go to the jungle. Europeans have to be much more engaged with the rest of the world. Otherwise, the rest of the world will invade us, by different ways and means.”

"Europe is a garden. We have built a garden. Everything works. It is the best combination of political freedom, economic prosperity and social cohesion that the humankind has been able to build – the three things together," Borrell said during the event.

"The rest of the world," he went on, "is not exactly a garden. Most of the rest of the world is a jungle, and the jungle could invade the garden."

Borrell then appeared to refer to EU ambassadors as "gardeners" and urged them to "go to the jungle," that is to carry out their diplomatic work around the world and advance the bloc's geopolitical agenda.

"A nice small garden surrounded by high walls in order to prevent the jungle from coming in is not going to be a solution. Because the jungle has a strong growth capacity, and the wall will never be high enough in order to protect the garden," he said.

"Europeans have to be much more engaged with the rest of the world. Otherwise, the rest of the world will invade us, by different ways and means."

But over the weekend, the "garden vs jungle" metaphor gained traction across social media, fuelling backlash against the diplomat for what many saw as condescending, out-of-touch and racist undertones and a stark reflection of the Western sphere's superiority complex over the Global South.

Video clips on Twitter received hundreds of thousands of views. International media, such as the New York Times and Al Jazeera, offered critical coverage of the fallout.

The United Arab Emirates summoned the acting head of the EU delegation in the country and asked for explanations over the "inappropriate and discriminatory" remarks.

Marc Botenga, a Belgian MEP from the Left, said Borrell's words were "rooted in colonialism and racism."

On Monday morning, when asked about the growing criticism against his remarks, Borrell said he was "very okay" and that "every day is as much as intense as the previous one."

Standing his ground

By Tuesday evening, as backlash continued, the diplomat, who is affiliated with the socialist party, offered a careful apology but stood his ground and stuck to the metaphor.

"The metaphor of 'the garden' and 'the jungle' is not my invention. Some truly dislike it because, among others, it has been used by US neo-conservatives, but I am far from this school of political thought," he wrote in his personal blog.

"Regrettably, the world in which we live today looks more and more like a 'jungle' and less and less like a 'garden', because in many parts of the world, the law of the strongest is eroding agreed international norms."

Borrell said Europe had managed to replace centuries of war with lasting peace, cooperation and the rule of law, while other countries outside the continent, such as Russia, were resorting to "force, intimation and blackmail to get their way."

"I also have enough experience to know that neither Europe nor 'the West' is perfect and that some countries of 'the West' have at times violated international legality," he admitted.

On suspicion of ties to Russian intelligence, Germany dismisses the head of cybersecurity

On suspicion of ties to Russian intelligence, Germany dismisses the head of cybersecurity

    Tuesday, October 18, 2022   No comments

 The German Interior Ministry has dismissed the head of the Federal Office for Information Technology Security (BSI), Arne Schönbaum, over reports of possible ties to Russian intelligence.

A spokesman for the German Interior Ministry stated that Interior Minister Nancy Wieser decided to prevent Schönbaum from carrying out his official duties as head of the "BSI" office with immediate effect, noting that the background to the decision is in particular the accusations announced by the media and widely discussed.

He added that these accusations "permanently damaged the necessary confidence on the part of public opinion in the impartiality and integrity of the office's leadership as head of the most important German cybersecurity service," noting that this matter applies more in light of the current crisis situation due to the Russian-Ukrainian war.

The spokesperson stated that the accusations raised affected the necessary trust relationship on the part of the Minister with the leadership of the office.

Schönbaum has been in a critical situation since the media revealed his relationship with a cybersecurity advisory association suspected of having had contact with Russian intelligence services.

Schönbaum, 53, co-founded and managed the "Cyber ​​Security Council-Germany" advisory a decade ago, which includes experts from public institutions and the private sector, and German media said that among its members was "a company founded by a former Russian intelligence agent."

The Home Office said the study of these allegations was continuing, and added that "pending the conclusion of this study, the presumption of innocence naturally applies to the person of Mr. Schönbaum."

The German government announced more than a week ago that it was thoroughly investigating the media reports.

The dismissal comes at a time when Germany has been placed on alert against possible acts of sabotage by Moscow after the leakage in the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines to transport Russian gas to Europe, and this country was subjected to widespread sabotage of railways on the eighth of October, where it occurred Some expressed the hypothesis that Russia was behind the operation in the context of the war on Ukraine.

Reference:

Skulls were returned from France to Algeria do not all belong to the resistance fighters

Skulls were returned from France to Algeria do not all belong to the resistance fighters

    Tuesday, October 18, 2022   No comments

The New York Times reported, on Monday, that the skulls that Algeria recovered from France in 2020 do not all belong to the resistance fighters, and that these remains all remained French property even after they were handed over.

Documents from the Museum of Man and the French government, obtained by the American newspaper, revealed that 18 skulls were of uncertain origin, among the 24 skulls recovered by Algeria.

These skulls were returned under an agreement signed by the two governments on June 26, 2020, which included a 4-page appendix detailing the identities of the remains, according to Al-Hurra.

The document obtained by the "New York Times" showed that among the remains recovered by Algeria were imprisoned thieves, and three Algerian infantrymen who served in the French army.

Neither government has publicly acknowledged these facts as they seek to extract a "diplomatic advantage" from the recall, according to the New York Times.

And in July of 2020, the Algerian President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, received a C-130 Hercules plane coming from France, carrying the remains of 24 Algerian fighters against French colonialism on board.

The plane landed at Algiers International Airport, after being escorted by fighters from the Algerian army, where the coffins received an official reception. They drew the Algerian national flag and were carried by soldiers from the guard of honor with 21 artillery rounds.

The American newspaper says that the process of France's return of these remains, which were on display in the Museum of Humanity, was accepted by Algeria, where the two countries celebrated the gesture as a milestone in their efforts to rebuild relations.

The Algerian government did not respond to The New York Times' requests for comment, and it remains unclear why it accepted some skulls that did not belong to popular resistance fighters, especially as it was highly critical of aspects of French President Emmanuel Macron's policy towards the country, at least until Snow melt in recent years.

Macron's office also declined to comment, redirecting questions to the Foreign Ministry, which said the list of the skulls returned was "approved by both parties."

Upon the handover in 2020, the French presidency stated that "this gesture is part of a process of friendship and healing of all wounds throughout our history."

She added, "This is the meaning of the work that the President of the Republic started with Algeria, which will continue with the respect of all in order to reconcile the memories of the French and Algerian peoples."

During a visit to Algeria in December 2017, President Macron pledged to return the Algerian human remains, which are in the Museum of Man of the National Museum of Natural History.

The American newspaper described the process as a "flawed return", which revealed a broader problem than returns, which are often "secret and muddled" and do not rise to the level of correcting the mistakes of the colonial era.

"Diplomatic issues prevailed over historical issues," said Catherine Maureen Desailly, the center-right French senator who has long worked to return mortal remains.

Tens of thousands protest in Paris against Macron, and Melenchon calls for a general strike

Tens of thousands protest in Paris against Macron, and Melenchon calls for a general strike

    Sunday, October 16, 2022   No comments

Today, Sunday, a demonstration of the left and environmentalists began in the French capital, Paris, to protest against the high cost of living, and against the economic plans of the government of French President Emmanuel Macron.

During his participation in the event, the leader of the Left Alliance, Jean-Luc Melenchon, explained that "there is a kind of popular front taking shape at the present moment."

Mélenchon added: "We will have an extraordinary week, and we must all think about how we will help each other," stressing that "France is living in chaos not because of you, but because of them."

He stressed that "national unity is the solution to the crisis," adding that "popular unity can become a popular front."

Melenchon called on the demonstrators to participate widely in the demonstration next Tuesday, addressing them by saying: "Do not leave your place in the battle for others, do not surrender and prevent the theft of your wealth."

Related to this, French media reported that "Melenchon called for a general strike."

Jean-Luc Melenchon, the leader of the left-wing "France Proud" party, planned the rally long before the current strikes began, but organizers hope the current labor movements will give their demonstration more momentum.

"The rise in prices is unbearable...it is the biggest decline in purchasing power in 40 years," said Manon Aubry, an MP for the "France Proud" party.

It is noteworthy that the Left Alliance turned into the first opposition force, and the strongest in the French Parliament, after winning 149 seats, compared to Macron's camp, which won 244 seats in the French legislative elections last June.

For the first time, Russia shows a video of its "Lancet" suicide march attacks in Ukraine

For the first time, Russia shows a video of its "Lancet" suicide march attacks in Ukraine

    Friday, October 14, 2022   No comments

Russian Drones

Increased use of drones by Russian forces operating in Ukraine led to much speculation about Russia's acquisition of Iranian drones. Now, and for the first time, the Russian Ministry of Defense released footage documenting its use of Russia's own superpowered Lancet suicide attack on Ukrainian fighters.

The footage shows drones that pounce on a number of targets on the ground before detonating them.

The Russian statement that accompanied the footage of the drone attacks:

Destruction of armored vehicles and weapons of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with high-precision strike UAV systems.

UAV crews of the Airborne Forces in the Nikolaev-Kryvyi Rih direction attacked the positions of self-propelled artillery howitzers, armored personnel carriers manufactured by NATO countries, tanks and other weapons used by the militants of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

As a result of the use of UAVs, several tanks, self-propelled artillery mounts, wheeled vehicles, including those supplied by NATO countries, were destroyed.

Previously, Russian media showed scenes of the use of a copy of the Russian "Lancet", which was developed by the Zala-Aero company, a subsidiary of the Russian "Kalashnikov" company, against opposition factions in Syria.

An official in the Ukrainian President's office said that drones bombed - yesterday, Thursday - vital infrastructure facilities in the Kyiv region, as part of the intensive bombing campaign launched by Russia on Monday in response to the bombing of the Crimean Bridge.

Kirillo Tymoshenko, Deputy Director of the Ukrainian President's Office - stated - in a post via Telegram - that these facilities were targeted by attacks from "kamikaze" drones, a name given to suicide bomber aircraft, originally due to the unit of suicide pilots in the Japanese Air Force during World War II.

The statement by Yury Ushakov, assistant to the Russian president, who denied that President Vladimir Putin had discussed with the Iranian leadership the issue of delivering Iranian drones to Moscow, did not end the controversy in this regard, and the media is still discussing this file.

Irania Drones

The story began when the United States, through its Foreign Ministry spokesman, Ned Price, announced its willingness to impose new sanctions on Iran if it agreed to provide Russia with drones.
Drones have proven effective in modern conflicts. Their use in the zone of the NWO is an urgent need.

Russian leaders seem aware of the fact that Russia has yet to establish a large-scale production of various types of UAVs. At the Special Technology Center LLC enterprise in St. Petersburg, during a visit by Medvedev, drones were shown in production line were technicians conducted a control check of the supply of Orlan drones under the state defense order with the participation of federal executive authorities and law enforcement agencies.