Islamic Societies Review WEEKLY

Thursday, June 08, 2023

The Ukrainian counteroffensive is finally on

Thursday, June 08, 2023 No comments

The Biden administration and NATO leaders are now saying that they supplied with Ukraine with all that is necessary and that they asked for. Such statements make the outcome of this counterattack decisive, not only militarily, but, importantly, politically.

When talks about the Ukrainian counteroffensive was heating up months ago, a prediction was made that that it is unlikely to happen as a full scale attack and if it did, it will be decided by geography, planning according to the presence of natural barriers such as lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. With that thinking, and with Ukrainian stated goal of taking over Crimea, the Zaporozhye direction was the logical frontline that will be used to break through Russian defense lines.

With the destruction of the major dam (Kakhovskaya HPP), the Kherson frontline is taken out the equation.

More reasons to focus on the developments in the Zaporozhye front.

Tuesday, June 06, 2023

US intelligence was informed of the Ukrainian plan to bomb Nord Stream.. It was carried out by Ukrainian military divers working directly under the command of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces

Tuesday, June 06, 2023 No comments

The Washington Post reported today, Tuesday, that three months before the Nord Stream pipeline bombing, "Nord Stream", the administration of US President Joe Biden learned from a close ally that the Ukrainian military had planned the secret attack.

The newspaper quoted US intelligence information suspected of being leaked earlier this year by a computer expert who holds a job in the Air National Guard and has access to many highly classified materials.

"The Kiev authorities developed the plan after a reconnaissance operation carried out by a small team of divers who reported directly to the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Navy," it added.

The leaked documents indicated that an unnamed European intelligence agency had informed the CIA in June 2022, four months after the Russian military operation in Ukraine, that Ukrainian military divers working directly under the command of the country's commander-in-chief were planning the attack.

And the newspaper continued: “European intelligence reports were shared on the Discord chat platform, which were allegedly by US Air National Guard soldier, Jack Teixeira, and the Washington Post obtained a copy from one of his online friends.”

And she confirmed that the intelligence reports were based on information from a Ukrainian element, adding that the CIA shared the report with Germany and other European countries last June.

Specific details included numbers of operatives and attack methods, according to The Washington Post. This means that for about a year, the Western allies had a basis to suspect Kiev of sabotage. This assessment is further reinforced in recent months "when German investigators uncovered evidence that the bombing bore clear similarities to what the European service said Ukraine was planning."

A few days ago, the German newspaper "Der Spiegel" confirmed that there is new evidence in the investigation indicating Ukraine's involvement in sabotage operations targeting the two "Nord Stream" gas pipelines.

The newspaper reported that the metadata of e-mail messages, which were sent during the charter of the boat, indicated the involvement of Ukraine, pointing to the finding in the yacht of traces of the explosive “HMX” substance, which is very widespread in the west as in the previous block in the east.

Numerous underwater explosions ruptured the newly built Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines connecting Russia and Germany across the Baltic Sea on September 26, 2022.

The explosions occurred in the economic regions of Sweden and Denmark. Both countries say the bombings were deliberate, but have not yet determined who was responsible. The two countries, as well as Germany, are investigating the incident.

Washington and NATO described the incident as an "act of sabotage", while Moscow blamed the West. Neither side provided evidence of the perpetrator of the attacks.

In related news, the attacks inside Russia and the attack on the dam might be the next crises the West will be forced to manage.

Just like the Nord Stream explosion, Ukrainian officials denied responsibility and blamed Russia. However, for the incursions inside Russian territories, the armed group was shown to have used Western provided weapons. Western countries said that they provided these weapons on the conditions that are not used to carry out attacks inside Russia. Ukrainian officials have denied any connections. However, if it turns out that Ukraine is involved, the West will have a problem of credibility no matter how one looks at it. Either they are not insisting to Ukrainians on these conditions and don't care; or Ukrainian officials agree to the terms and violate them. In either case, NATO nation-states and Western supporters of the government in Kiev will have to decide how to manage these problems of credibility and loss of control over supplied weapons.

Russian leaders seem to take it one step at the time. The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Belgian ambassador to Moscow.

“On June 6, Belgian Ambassador to Moscow M. Michilsen was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry, who was strongly protested in connection with the revealed facts of the use of Belgian-made weapons by sabotage groups that carried out terrorist attacks on the territory of the Belgorod Region on May 22,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Ukrainian Counteroffensive is on and using dams as weapons of war

Tuesday, June 06, 2023 No comments

According to Russian officials, the Ukrainian army started its counteroffensive two days ago. The Russian ministry of defense released its tally of the two days of action.
Meanwhile, both sides blame each other for the partial destruction of a major dam that could have significant impact on civilian populations and the environment. The next few days will bring more details.
Here is a summary of what has been put in the public domain thus far.

From the Russian Ministry of Defense:

Within three days , the Ukrainian regime launched a long-promised offensive on different sectors of the front , concentrating a large amount of equipment and manpower for this purpose.
On June 4, the forces of the 23rd and 31st mechanized brigades of the AFU attempted an offensive in five areas.
The enemy did not achieve success on any of them, suffered significant losses : 300 military personnel, 16 tanks, 26 armored combat vehicles, 14 vehicles.
On June 5 , the Kiev regime attempted an offensive in seven directions with the forces of five brigades. It was stopped , suffered even more significant losses: more than 1,600 military personnel, 28 tanks, including 8 Leopards and 3 AMX-10 wheeled tanks, 136 units of other military equipment, including 79 foreign ones.
Attempts to attack were thwarted, the enemy was stopped, Russian soldiers and officers showed courage and heroism in battles .
I repeat, the enemy did not achieve his goals, suffered significant and incomparable losses.
The units of the 433rd motorized rifle regiment of the 127th motorized rifle division, the 37th and 60th motorized rifle brigades have distinguished themselves in battle, showing perseverance and stamina.
Special heroism was shown by the 3rd company of the 37th motorized rifle brigade under the command of junior lieutenant Yuri Yurievich Zhelanov and the commander of the 1st battalion of the same brigade, Major Vladimir Vladimirovich Polozhentsev.
These units, being in the direction of the main attack, staunchly defended their positions and inflicted significant losses on the superior forces of the enemy's 37th Marine Brigade . Under the threat of encirclement, Junior lieutenant Zhelanov, being wounded, took his company to pre-equipped defensive positions, where he successfully stopped the advancing enemy units.
It is especially necessary to note the skillful actions of our operational-tactical, attack and army aviation . They used 50 anti-tank guided missiles . As a result , 5 tanks and 29 other armored fighting vehicles were destroyed.
In just 3 days of hostilities in all directions, the losses of the armed forces of Ukraine amounted to 3,715 military personnel, 52 tanks, 207 armored combat vehicles, 134 vehicles, 5 aircraft, 2 helicopters, 48 field artillery guns and 53 unmanned aerial vehicles.
Unfortunately, it was not without our losses. In total, 71 servicemen were killed and 210 were injured during the repulse of the enemy offensive in the Joint Group of Forces. We also lost: 15 tanks, 9 infantry fighting vehicles, 2 vehicles and 9 guns.
Tonight, the Kiev regime committed another terrorist crime : the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station was blown up , which led to the flooding of large areas. The purpose of these actions , according to available data, is as follows .
Having not achieved success in offensive operations , in order to strengthen its potential, the enemy intends to transfer units and equipment from the Kherson direction to the area of its offensive operations , thus significantly weakening its positions in the Kherson direction . The enemy began to build defensive positions on the right bank of the Dnepr , which indicates his intention to go on the defensive here.
In order to prevent offensive actions of the Russian army on this sector of the front , the Kiev regime carried out a sabotage , in fact, a terrorist act , which led to the flooding of large areas and will have severe and long-term environmental consequences.
In addition, according to available data, the discharge of water from the Dnepropetrovsk hydroelectric power station has been significantly increased , which leads to even more flooding of the territories.
This fact indicates a large-scale sabotage planned in advance by the Kiev regime.
Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, Sergei Shoigu.

Monday, June 05, 2023

Report: The new "BRICS" currency poses a threat to the West

Monday, June 05, 2023 No comments

Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said that instead of considering the BRICS currency as an alternative currency, "we will initially work to settle trade between the BRICS countries, and this could, in theory, create conditions for stronger monetary relations between the member states," according to UNHERD website.

Days before Blinken visit to the kingdom, Saudi Arabia welcomes Venezuelan President

Monday, June 05, 2023 No comments

Maduro's visit comes as the kingdom has restored ties with both Iran and Syria, two nations that are also target of the US 'maximum pressure' sanctions campaign.

Previously, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, reviewed with his Venezuelan counterpart Eban Eduardo Gil Pinto, on Monday, aspects of cooperation between the two countries, and ways to enhance and develop them in various fields.

This came during their meeting in Jeddah, where they discussed intensifying joint coordination on many regional and international issues of concern to the two countries, and their efforts to establish international peace and security, and contribute to achieving global sustainable development goals.

US says Iran’s claimed naval alliance with Saudi, Gulf nations "defies reason"

Monday, June 05, 2023 No comments

The US Fifth Fleet and the Combined Maritime Forces agreed on Iran's announcement of its intention to form a naval alliance with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries.

And the "Breaking Defense" website, which specializes in military news, quoted a spokesman for the US Fifth Fleet and the Combined Maritime Forces, Tim Hawkins, as saying, "The alliance that Iran announced its intention to form with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries is illogical and defies reason."

Hawkins claimed that "Iran wants to form a maritime security alliance to protect the waters that threaten it," he said.

This American fear was accompanied by an Israeli fear, as Israeli media published a report describing Iran's decision as "disturbing."

China, on the other hand, through its foreign ministry, welcomed the Iranian-Saudi-Emarati collaboration. "We welcome the alliance that includes Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said. "We welcome the announcement of the formation of a joint naval alliance that includes Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and some other parties. This alliance enhances security and stability in the region." He added.

Sunday, June 04, 2023

A secret meeting of the leaders of the world's major intelligence services in Singapore

Sunday, June 04, 2023 No comments

Five people told Reuters that senior officials from about two dozen of the world's top intelligence agencies held a secret meeting on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Security Dialogue meetings in Singapore earlier this week.

They added that these meetings are organized by the Singapore government and held secretly in a separate location, as well as the security summit for several years. These meetings have not been previously disclosed.

US Director of National Intelligence Avril Heinz participated in the secret meeting representing the United States, while China was among the countries present, despite the state of tension between the two great powers.

An Indian source said Samant Goel, director of India's intelligence service, Research and Analysis Wing, also attended the meeting.

“The meeting is an important component of the international shadow agenda,” said a person familiar with the discussions. “Looking at the group of countries involved, this is not an intelligence meeting, but rather a way to advance a deeper understanding of the intent.”

"There is an unspoken code among the intelligence services that they can talk when they find it difficult to communicate and engage in diplomacy," he said. "It's a very important factor during times of tension, and the Singapore meeting helps reinforce that."

The five sources who discussed the meetings declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.

A spokesman for Singapore's Ministry of Defense said that while attending the Shangri-La Security Dialogue, "participants, including senior officials from intelligence agencies, take the opportunity to meet with their counterparts".

He added, "The Ministry of Defense in Singapore may facilitate some of these bilateral or multilateral meetings... Participants consider that these meetings held on the sidelines of the (dialogue) are useful."

Senegal: dead in protests after the prison sentence of the opposition leader

Sunday, June 04, 2023 No comments

After Senegalese opposition figure Osman Sonko was sentenced to two years in prison for "corrupting the youth", the Senegalese capital, Dakar, and a number of regions are witnessing violence.

On Thursday, the capital of Senegal, Dakar, and a number of regions witnessed violence after a criminal court sentenced opposition leader Osman Sonko, a candidate for the 2024 presidential elections, to two years in prison on charges of “corrupting the youth” and acquitted him of rape charges against him.

Two police officials told "Agence France Presse" that 3 people were killed during demonstrations in Ziguinchor (south), noting that a policeman was stoned to death by young men on the outskirts of Dakar, and no official confirmed this information publicly.

In the evening, it was noted that there were restrictions that greatly impeded access to social networking sites.

"This situation is similar" to what Senegal witnessed in 2021 of bloody violence, "and it is likely to greatly limit people's ability to communicate," NetBlocks, an internet monitoring organization, told AFP.

Attorney Ousmane Thiam, who attended the hearing, explained that “corrupting the youth,” which includes hiring or encouraging the employment of a person under the age of 21, is a misdemeanor under Senegalese law, not a crime like rape.

Sonko would have been stripped of his electoral rights if he had been convicted in absentia of a crime such as rape.

However, the reclassification of the facts as a misdemeanor still under the electoral law appears to threaten Sonko's eligibility and ability to run for president in 2024.

Sonko came third in the 2019 elections.

Sonko, who did not attend the trial and took refuge in the south of the country, confirms that this case is a conspiracy orchestrated by the president, who denies this.

Since February 2021, when the alleged rape case hit the headlines, Sonko has been fighting a battle in the judiciary and the political arena to ensure his survival against President Macky Sall.

About 20 civilians have been killed since 2021 in disturbances largely related to his status, and the authority and his camp exchange accusations in this regard.

Senegal, which is considered a relatively stable country in a turbulent region despite some political problems, witnessed new clashes between Sonko's supporters and the security forces linked to his trial and then his return from the south of the country to Dakar on Friday.

He was able to mobilize the youth, but he was arrested on Sunday and forcibly returned to his home in the capital, where he was kept in the midst of a heavy police presence. Since then, the police have responded with tear gas or even arrest for any attempt to approach him.

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, Sonko announced that he was "detained" and called on Senegalese to demonstrate "in abundance".

Young men attacked and looted the homes of members of the republican camp. The response came with reprisals against the property of members of the opposition and Sonko's party.

President Sall promised, on Wednesday, firmness in the face of violence and decided to start a "national dialogue" that is supposed to reduce tension.

It is noteworthy that Sonko (48 years) is the head of the "Bastef" party and the leader of the opposition in Senegal, and he condemns the exploitation of the judiciary and making it a tool to achieve political ends. He also gives speeches stressing politics and belonging to Africa, and attacks elites and corruption.

He also criticizes the economic and political domination exercised by France and multinational corporations, and defends religious and traditional values, knowing that he is very popular among young people in Senegal.

Friday, June 02, 2023

With the imminent lifting of subsidies, huge queues at petrol stations in Nigeria

Friday, June 02, 2023 No comments

The persistent problem of strategic planning by Africa's leaders is manifesting itself in the most populous and energy rich African country, Nigeria.

The fuel crisis in Nigeria occupies the largest part of the momentum throughout the country, as it fluctuates from time to time between a shortage of imports and their impact on global prices, and the absence of local refining capabilities and the stoppage of refineries.

Since Tuesday, huge queues have formed outside petrol stations across Nigeria, after new President Paula Tinubu announced that fuel subsidies would soon be scrapped, causing panic among consumers.

The new president, Bola Tinubu, 71, who was recently sworn in, said there would be no grant spending in his budget, in line with his campaign promise.

"Instead, we will redirect the money toward better investments in public infrastructure, education, healthcare and jobs that will improve the lives of our citizens," he added.

He pointed out that "support is fading," without specifying a specific date, which led to confusion among the population and prompted motorists to rush to service stations.

Yesterday, Tuesday, the president's communications team said that the subsidy will end at the end of next June, describing the panic buying of fuel as "unnecessary."

Nigeria trades its billions of dollars worth of crude for imported fuel (due to failed state refineries), which it then subsidizes to maintain an artificially low price in the market, creating a financial chasm.

Therefore, it is a very popular measure among the population, but it withdraws billions of dollars from the public treasury every year.

Over the past ten years, the authorities have attempted to abolish this subsidy on several occasions. But to no avail. Each time, they had to back down in the face of public anger that the unions amplified to the limit.

And in 2012, the Nigerian army took to the streets to keep calm during demonstrations against the removal of subsidies.

Thursday, June 01, 2023

The BRICS countries call for a “rebalancing” of the global system.. and Lavrov confirms the discussion of the issue of Saudi Arabia’s acceptance of the alliance

Thursday, June 01, 2023 No comments

The foreign ministers of the BRICS countries, who met Thursday in the Cape, before a summit scheduled for August, whose preparations are dominated by the question of whether Vladimir Putin will come to South Africa or not, called for a "rebalancing" of the global system.

The BRICS countries include South Africa, Brazil, China, India and Russia.

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said at the start of the meeting, "The multipolar world is rebalancing and the old methods cannot handle the new situations."

For her part, South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor said, "Our discussions today will focus on opportunities to strengthen and transform global governance systems."

Pretoria has long called for the BRICS countries to create balance in a world system dominated by the West.

In response to a question by journalists about the Russian president's attendance at the summit in August, the minister confirmed that "an invitation was extended to each of the five heads of state."

Pandor added that the South African government, which has not taken a position on the possible arrest of the Russian president, is studying "legal options."

Putin has been issued an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court for the "deportation" of Ukrainian children as part of Moscow's attack on Ukraine.

In theory, as a member of the International Criminal Court, South Africa is supposed to arrest the Russian president if he enters its territory. But the two countries maintain close relations.

Pretoria refuses to condemn Moscow since the start of the war on Ukraine, stressing that it takes a neutral position and prefers dialogue to resolve the crisis, which raises concern in the international arena.

In April, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Putin put South Africa "in a difficult position".

This week, the South African government granted diplomatic immunity to officials who attended the BRICS summit, saying it was standard procedure for organizing international conferences.

On the other hand, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced today, Thursday, that the issue of accepting Saudi Arabia into the BRICS alliance had already been discussed.

Lavrov told reporters, after a meeting of the BRICS Council of Foreign Ministers, that the foreign ministers of the BRICS countries had already discussed the issue of accepting Saudi Arabia into the group.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said earlier today that "the issue of BRICS expansion will be discussed" during the ministerial meeting in Cape Town.

"There are many strong candidates to join BRICS, and Saudi Arabia is one of them," Ryabkov added.

He continued, "We support their candidacy unconditionally, and will do everything we can to ensure that the process of developing criteria for accepting new members is not delayed."

Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously announced that Russia would continue to develop relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the bilateral and multilateral levels, indicating that Moscow supports Riyadh's accession to the BRICS alliance.

During the last summit (2022), Argentina and Iran formally submitted their applications to join BRICS, a move strongly supported by Russia and China.

And the “BRICS” group is a bloc that includes Russia, China, Brazil, South Africa and India. It was founded in 2006, at a summit hosted by the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, and its name changed from “BRICS” to BRICS in 2011, after South Africa joined it. This international group aims to increase economic relations. between them in local currencies, which reduces dependence on the dollar.