The 1948 Irgun Re-Born? – OpEd

The signposts are there for all to read: The West – in deliberately overlooking such explicit markers – cannot then complain, or escape, the ensuing consequences.

No, the “tin ear” is not some new western derangement – a unique mass collapse of sanity – that we are living through. It is something worse: a return to a dogmatic, authoritarian version of truth which dissident physicist Eric Weinstein complains has (in the West) also destroyed true science – ignoring and silencing its most important dissident voices, whilst amply rewarding Science’s frauds.

Israël dirige les États-Unis. Non, les États-Unis dirigent Israël. Non, attendez …

Ce discours dérangé que Bibi Netanyahou a prononcé devant une session conjointe du Congrès le mois dernier : Je n’arrive pas à le chasser de mon esprit. Cela n’a rien changé – ni le Premier ministre israélien ni ses hôtes ne semblent vouloir ou avoir l’intention de changer quoi que ce soit dans les relations américano-israéliennes. Ainsi, il n’y a pas grand-chose à dire sur cette heure bizarre que le premier terroriste du monde – oui, pensez-y et dites-moi que je me trompe – a passée à la tribune, sous la rotonde du Capitole. Mais le discours a clarifié certaines choses, et puis il a soulevé une question importante. Voyons ce qu’il en est.

Comment Washington a utilisé les mouvements takfiri et l’islamophobie pour atteindre ses objectifs géopolitiques

Au cours des deux derniers siècles, l’islam a été une identité culturelle manipulée par les Anglo-Saxons, d’abord par les Britanniques, puis par les Américains. Les États-Unis d’Amérique – au cours du XIXe siècle et jusqu’aux suites immédiates de la Première Guerre mondiale – ont eu une stratégie nationale qui a éclipsé toute politique extra-américaine dans la stratégie générale des États-Unis, lesquels ont accordé à leurs affaires intérieures une priorité bien plus grande qu’aux affaires étrangères. Cette stratégie, appelée «construire la différence», s’est traduite par la mise en place d’un gouvernement national et la stabilisation du système national d’autorité politique, ainsi que par l’expansion des activités économiques et l’augmentation de la capacité industrielle du pays.

The absolute control of Hezbollah of the border crossings to Syria is critical to its survival and leads to the destruction of the state of Lebanon

For many years now, Hezbollah has served as a major instrument of Iran to take over Lebanon, not only as a territory but as a sovereign state. Many Western countries would like to avoid that and invest in the former “Pearl of the Middle East”, led by France. These efforts are futile in view of the Iranian circumvention apparatus, who’s main mechanism is allocated in the border crossings between Syria and Lebanon. No matter how much pressure is put on a state level, Hezbollah will survive and even prosper, as long as one does not put an end to Hezbollah’s control over these main smuggling routes.

Mali cuts ties with Ukraine, claiming Kyiv’s involvement in rebel attacks

Mali has announced that it has cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine, accusing Kyiv of involvement in attacks on Malian soldiers in the West African country in late July.

The Ukrainian government said no evidence was provided to support the allegation.

But the announcement came late Sunday after Andriy Yusov, spokesman for Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, the GUR, commented on fierce battles in northern Mali between Tuareg rebels and Malian and Russian paramilitary troops on Ukrainian government-backed TV.

IntelBrief: Iran and Hezbollah Poised to Retaliate

Bottom Line Up Front

  • Iran and its allies in the “Axis of Resistance” likely perceive recent Israeli attacks as an escalation designed to provoke a broader regional confrontation on Israel’s terms.
  • Iran is likely to launch missiles and armed drones at Israel, aiming to cause extensive damage, in contrast to its April barrage that was mostly intercepted.
  • Iran’s most potent partner, Lebanese Hezbollah, is likely to join any attack in force as a response not only to the Haniyeh killing but also to retaliate for Israel’s Beirut strike last week that killed a top commander, Fuad Shukr.
  • U.S. officials are building up forces in the region to signal to Iran that a major attack on Israel risks bringing Iran into an unwanted conflict with the United States, something Tehran also hopes to avoid.

Syria Today – U.S. Investigating 2019 Baghdadi Strike Again; Can Northeast Syria Delink from the PKK?

Today’s news round on Syria covers critical developments shaping the region’s complex landscape. The Pentagon is reinvestigating claims of civilian casualties during its 2019 raid targeting ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, prompted by new accounts and congressional pressure. In eastern Syria, pro-government fighters, backed by Iran, launched attacks on U.S.-supported positions, resulting in fatalities and escalating tensions in Deir el-Zour. Meanwhile, the Atlantic Council’s report by JP Reppeto examines the possibility of delinking northeast Syria from the PKK, a significant point of contention between the U.S. and Turkey, as both nations seek to address the deep-rooted PKK influence while maintaining regional stability and combating ISIS.

Syria Today – Iran Issues Warning on Escalation; Government Forces Clash with SDF

Today’s news round on Syria highlights the ongoing and escalating violence within the region. Syrian officials issued a stern warning to Israel over potential escalations following a deadly strike in Majdal Shams, resulting in the deaths of a dozen children and teenagers. Additionally, a truck bomb in Azaz killed 10 people at a rebel checkpoint, exacerbating the conflict between Kurdish-led SDF and Turkish-backed rebels. In Deir ez-Zor, fierce clashes between Syrian government forces and the SDF resulted in multiple casualties. Meanwhile, the Syrian National Party and tribal leaders in Hasakah reiterated their support for the SDF, denouncing external forces attempting to destabilize the region.

Tehran’s Strategy: Leveraging Tribal and Clan Forces to Counter Washington East of the Euphrates

The recent attacks by “Tribal and Clan” forces on areas controlled by the SDF have reignited the debate about the nature and affiliations of these forces. Critics of the Autonomous Administration view these groups as Arab forces striving to liberate their territories from PKK control, denying any ties to Iran or the Syrian regime. Conversely, supporters of the Autonomous Administration argue that these forces are an Iranian initiative aimed at destabilizing the region.

Russia’s Mounting Economic Problems

For around two and a half years since the start of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, many analysts have predicted an inevitable economic crisis that sooner or later would hit Russia. However, by early 2024, these forecasts had proved wrong. The war with the neighboring country elevated the government military spending; the wave of emigration resulted in labor shortages and therefore pushed wages higher; the capital controls locked money inside the country and thus increased domestic demand. In addition to all this, Russian exports have not collapsed even despite the European and American energy embargo and the oil price cap,[1] remaining more or less at their 2021 levels after an extraordinary surge in 2022. In 2023, the Russian economy grew by 3.6 percent,[2] the ruble-to-dollar exchange rate was just 15 percent lower than before the attack on Ukraine (which is, I would say, much less than the accumulated inflation for both 2022 and 2023),[3] and the real wages shot up by 8.5 percent while the inflation was accelerating, but still “remained under control” at 7.42 percent.[4]