June, 2021

• 25 June

  How Biden Helped Hardliner Raisi Win Iran Election

  

  It was common knowledge that a U.S. failure to rejoin the Iran nuclear deal (known as the JCPOA) before Iran’s June presidential election would help conservative hard-liners to win the election. Indeed, on Saturday, June 19, the conservative Ebrahim Raisi was elected as the new President of Iran. Raisi has …

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• 25 June

  Living with World’s End in Plain Sight

  

  Groton and New London, Connecticut, are home to about 65,000 people, three colleges, the Coast Guard Academy, 15 nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed submarines capable of destroying the world many times over, and General Dynamics’ Electric Boat, a multi-billion-dollar private corporation that offers stock options to its shareholders and mega-salaries to its top …

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• 25 June

  The Insurgency Against Big Oil

  

  While Australian politicians languish in a world blotched by climate change scepticism and fossil fuel love-ins, global oil and gas companies have been shaken. Three titans of oil fame – Shell, ExxonMobil and Chevron – faced a range of decisions in May that promise to dramatically shape their future operations. …

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• 25 June

  Egypt looks to Islamic bond market for foreign investment boost

  

  Egypt’s sovereign bonds bill paves the way for Egypt to join the Islamic finance market, allowing foreign investment in national projects such as the Suez Canal and Aswan Dam, which affects Egyptian national security. The Egyptian parliament gave June 6 initial approval for a bill on the issuance of Sharia-compliant …

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• 25 June

  Egypt uses soft power in pursuing medical projects in Africa

  

  Egypt announces health projects and agreements with South Sudan, Djibouti and Rwanda. In a Facebook post on June 19, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the establishment of a malaria control project in South Sudan to be funded by the ministry’s Agency of Partnership for Development. The announcement came …

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• 25 June

  Turkey needs to build support for new Afghan mission

  

  Turkey’s offer to secure Kabul’s airport might turn into a perilous mission unless it reaches some understanding with the Taliban and secures the critical support of regional actors such as Pakistan and Iran. Turkey is out to drum up support for its offer to take charge of Kabul’s airport after …

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• 25 June

  Some variety possible in new Iranian president’s cabinet

  

  With Iranian news outlets speculating about Raisi’s future cabinet, some analysts believe he will form an inclusive government — within limits. Iran’s Interior Ministry announced the official results of the presidential election, cementing President-elect Ebrahim Raisi’s win at over 18 million votes. Raisi received over 60% of the vote in …

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• 25 June

  55 US House members introduce Hamas International Financing Prevention Act

  

  The bill seeks “to impose financial sanctions on foreign persons, agencies, and governments that assist Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or their affiliates.” A bipartisan group of 55 House members has introduced the Hamas International Financing Prevention Act that seeks “to impose financial sanctions on foreign persons, agencies, and governments …

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• 25 June

  What might be the real target of the sabotage in Iran? – analysis

  

  If a major centrifuge manufacturing site was hit and substantially damaged, it could severely set back Iran’s program for enriching uranium. Contradictory reports about whether the sabotage succeeded and how the sabotage occurred, or was attempted, leave the situation regarding Wednesday’s incident at the buildings of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization …

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• 25 June

  Iran’s new fears: From drones to remote control weapons, sabotage

  

  Confronting its own claims that it is suffering sabotage, attacks by remote control weapons and now drones, must leave the Iranian regime concerned about its internal security. Iranian sources said on Wednesday that a facility in Karaj was targeted by a quadcopter-style drone. Iran says it shot down the drone. …

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