The shakeup in Israel’s relations with the US came following the establishment of a new coalition government on Sunday. Defense Minister Benny Gantz met with senior US diplomat Michael Ratney on Monday to discuss topics of mutual interest to both Israel and the United States, including Gaza, regional stability and …
Read More »Yearly Archives: 2021
Likely new Iranian president Raisi embraces possible nuke deal
A mark of his campaign has been Iranian self-resilience and the “resistance economy” having the ability to overcome American sanctions. Iran presidential front-runner and Judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi has embraced the possibility of returning to the 2015 nuclear deal as long as Iran’s interests are met, Iranian media reported earlier …
Read More »Khamenei set to tighten grip in Iran vote as frustrations grow
The front-runner in a carefully vetted field is Ebrahim Raisi, a hardline judge seen by analysts and insiders as representing the security establishment at its most fearsome. Iranians elect a new president on Friday in a race dominated by hardline candidates close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with popular …
Read More »UAE, Bahrain welcome new Israeli government, signaling Abraham Accords stability
Historic normalization deals between Israel and 4 Arab nations were hallmark of Netanyahu and Trump administrations; FM Lapid indicates eagerness to expand on ties The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain on Monday welcomed the new Israeli government, indicating that the historic normalization deals forged by former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu …
Read More »IDF prepares for fresh Gaza conflict amid tensions over Jerusalem flag march
Tuesday’s parade by ultranationalist Jews through Old City will be first major test for new government amid Palestinian threats of violence; US embassy issues travel warning The Israel Defense Forces was braced for a resurgence in Gaza fighting and a flare-up of clashes across the West Bank on Tuesday amid …
Read More »G7 and China: Fault lines in the world order
Surely, the friendly ambience has helped Biden to inject a certain Cold War overtone to the G7 proceedings…But without doubt, the G7 has brought to the fore that there is sharp disagreement among the United States and its allies about how to respond to China’s rising power. Europe — especially, …
Read More »On ‘Conflict’, ‘Peace’ and ‘Genocide’: Time for New Language on Palestine and Israel
On May 25, famous American actor, Mark Ruffalo, tweeted an apology for suggesting that Israel is committing ‘genocide’ in Gaza. “I have reflected and wanted to apologize for posts during the recent Israel/Hamas fighting that suggested Israel is committing ‘genocide’,” Ruffalo wrote, adding, “It’s not accurate, it’s inflammatory, disrespectful and …
Read More »New Israeli Government, Same Israeli Apartheid
After 12 years, Israel finally inaugurated a new prime minister. While being hailed by many as the opportunity for a fresh start, Naftali Bennett is at best a continuer of Netanyahu’s policies and at worst an ideologue whose positions are to the right of Netanyahu’s. In 2013, as Middle East …
Read More »Lebanese Army Foils Attempt to Smuggle Migrants to Cyprus
The Lebanese Army Command said on Sunday it has foiled an attempt to smuggle Syrians by sea from northern Lebanon. “A navy patrol unit intercepted a boat that was spotted at a distance of 5.5 nautical miles off the coast of Tripoli, while attempting to smuggle 10 Syrians and one …
Read More »