Iran And Saudi Arabia - A Common Future Looking East
In March 2023 Iran and Saudi Arabia restored their diplomatic ties with each other. The deal had been mediated by China.
As I remarked at that time:
This is huge!
...
Reviving relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran will make a lot of new things possible.That Iran and Saudi Arabia accepted China's mediation is a recognition of Beijing's new standing in world policies. That alone is enough reason for the White House to hate the deal.
I later summarized the diplomatic action in the Middle East:
For the last 30 years the U.S. considered the Middle East as its backyard. Twenty years ago it illegally invaded Iraq and caused 100,000nds of death and decades of chaos. Now China, by peaceful means, changed the balance in the Middle East within just one month.
...
Xi and Putin are now running the multilateral global show. Biden and the hapless 'unilateral' people around him are left aside.
Amwaj.media, which translates everything into Persian, Arabic and English, has published a piece written by two academics from Iran and Saudi Arabia. Such cooperation is still rare. This can then be seen as a semi-official explanation and/or vision of those countries' global policies.
The piece confirms the loss of U.S. influence and the rise of China's role in the Middle East:
How Gaza war is pushing the region eastward
The unwavering US support for Israel’s war on Gaza has left a bitter taste in the region. Anger is mounting not only in the Arab world but also across the Global South, over what is seen as western double standards towards Israel’s continued onslaught. There is a unified demand for a ceasefire and sharp criticism of what it viewed as unchecked Israeli aggression.
...
One main trend of regional dynamics in recent years has been a pivot to the east. Underscoring this shift, Iran and Saudi Arabia in Mar. 2023 struck a deal to resume diplomatic ties in a historic agreement brokered by China. In particular, Beijing’s role in the breakthrough sent a clear message to Washington that it is not the only diplomatic heavyweight in the region.Both Iran and Saudi Arabia have their own individual reasons for prioritizing better relations with their neighbors. For Tehran, getting closer to Riyadh presents a unique opportunity to break free from its economic isolation—after enduring years of US sanctions—by diversifying economic and political partnerships.
...
For Saudi Arabia, looking east is part and parcel of its ambitious Vision 2030—an extensive reform plan aimed at diversifying its economy. China, India, and Russia are key partners in realizing this vision, given their expansive trading relations with Riyadh. [...]
Overall, Riyadh understands that the success of Vision 2030, particularly the touristic aspect of it, partially hinges on a safer neighborhood. The attacks on Saudi oil installations in 2019, which were blamed on Tehran but claimed by Yemen’s Ansarullah movement—better known as the Houthis—marked a turning point.
The Kingdom was shocked by the lack of US action, [...]
The U.S. plan to bring the Arab states and Israel together into an anti-Iranian coalition gets rejected, the scholars write, because of lack of U.S. pressure on Israel to pursue a two state solution.
In consequence:
[T]he US is losing its standing among regional countries as a security partner. To many, the full-fledged western support for Israel is incomprehensible—and jeopardizes their own safety. [...]
All in all, pivoting towards Asia has become an attractive alternative for regional players seeking to counter US hegemony. Non-western countries are less open to adhering to Washington’s rules for the game, and this inclination will further consolidate intra-regional relationships—especially as key actors find more similarities than differences.Although the perception of US double standards is not new, the willingness of non-western countries to challenge this amid a changing global order has increased. Previously, regional players tolerated the status quo as the US was seen as the sole superpower. However, with the rise of new global powers in the east, these actors see no reason to stay silent about the suffering in Gaza while passively accepting the moral arguments of the US regarding Russia’s war on Ukraine. If the current trend continues, western influence in a region where it has long been dominant will diminish.
This is quite a slap to the Biden administration which still seems to dream that it can broker some Saudi-Israeli deal and isolate Iran with it.
The times where the U.S. could dictate to the Middle East are definitely over.
Posted by b on April 17, 2024 at 16:13 UTC | Permalink
Deconstruction of Liar-US Empire proceeding everywhere.
It is nice to see solidarity between China and Russia, and the Middle East , Global South slowly rising up.
because It looks like...
The former are the rich bandits who call themselves democrats, while the latter are the democratic union of 'ordinary people in the region'.
Our planet has been manipulated for decades by western capitalist puppets who call themselves democracy.
However, the trend is slowly changing.
I welcome this, of course.
Posted by: Nokaz | Apr 17 2024 16:32 utc | 2
> Xi and Putin are now running the multilateral global show.
---
About that multilateral global show, and otherwise apropos of nothing. Except I'm doing and electronics thing and I came across this via AliExpress.
Altera FPGAs are a necessary component for advanced drones and sundry rockets. Gina Raimondo knows.
On AliExpress I can buy a EP4SGX530HH35C2N FPGA for ~€660. The equivalent part from Western suppliers costs ~€17000.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005510159704.html
https://www.digikey.ch/en/products/detail/intel/EP4SGX360HF35C2G/10818679
Gina Raimondo knows.
Posted by: too scents | Apr 17 2024 16:55 utc | 3
Pepe Escobar acknowledges Nichael Hudson as source and witness to plan of insiders to dominate planet Earth...
Then read/listen to MH tell you directly...
https://michael-hudson.com/2024/04/gaza-the-strategic-imperative/
Posted by: chu teh | Apr 17 2024 16:55 utc | 4
Posted by: JAB | Apr 17 2024 16:57 utc | 5
In my native Kingdom of Norway, the commentators work to copy Brito-US opinions as if thay still were inNabokovs lost realm of "Zwmlya"(cf. Novaya Zwmlya, two islands infested with Soviet radiation afte Nuke-testing in the first half of the nineteen-sixties.)
Those "Western capitalist puppets that call themselves democracies: This is of course a major caseof mis-nomers: The Atlanticist powers were never democra=cies in the sensw that thay had "one -man-one-vote: In the US, a Senate vote in Delaware or Wyoming is worth 30 times more tha a vote for US Senators in California. In England --alike to tin the US of A -- only the majority candidate to the national assembly gets elected, while all the other votes for other candidates get overlooked, Thus, 49percent of voters may be k´left without representation, This is NOT "democracy"!
In Zemlia/Norway/No-way the central authoritarian law-givers have now ganged up to make counties bigger and ing´creased the nummber of tignators needed to launch and register a list of candidates in the elections. I suspect the same strategems are at work in other previouslu´y independent states. --Please give diteils of like developpesments otherwhere in Europe!
Posted by: Tollef Ås/秋涛乐/טלפ וש | Apr 17 2024 17:03 utc | 6
P.S: The congdom of "Zemlyia" was where the strange hero of Vladimir Nabokows "Pale Fire" imagined that he had been king.
Posted by: Tollef Ås/秋涛乐/טלפ וש | Apr 17 2024 17:06 utc | 7
@ Tollef Ås/秋涛乐/טלפ וש | Apr 17 2024 17:06 utc | 7
In the original English it's "Zembla."
Posted by: malenkov | Apr 17 2024 17:12 utc | 8
Posted by: Tollef Ås/秋涛乐/טלפ וש | Apr 17 2024 17:03 utc | 6
The US is a representative Republic as the small states didn't want to join the Union as their votes would be diluted in Congress-the compromise was giving equal representation in the Senate now matter the size of the state-and the House of Reps were done by population-democratically.
Republics have Constitutions that are difficult to amend-usually needs 67% majority form the states; Democracies less so.
Until 1912 the State legislators elected the Senators, not the people.
But you are right the US is not a Democracy
IMO, it's time to again read and ponder Herman Hesse's Journey to the East as IMO there's new meaning to be found within it given how events have changed the Big Picture.
As for the Persian Gulf Region, it will prosper once the Outlaw US Empire is ousted along with its Zionist ally, which is something the Gulf States can accelerate if they begin acting together in their joint interests, the first of which being their collective security as suggested by Russia and Iran. Yes, lots of satraps to be ousted as well. Hopefully, BRICS+ well help advance that project.
The US is losing its influence in the Middle East also because of the strong growth of the population in the Middle East. When governments in the Middle East are getting more concerned about the well being of their own population instead of pleasing the US then that will also mark a MAJOR shift in the middle eastern policies, at the expense of US influence in the Middle East. But then the Middle East has to come up with one or more structural and long term policies that are going to solve that overpopulation problem for the long term.
ON the same token that very strong growth of the middle eastern population also is a (VERY) large ticking time bomb in that same Middle East. Precisley because of that demograpic ticking time bomb I fear the near future is going to be (VERY) violent for the MIddle East. I consider the "war in Gaza" to be just only ONE "violent event" - among many others in the past say 70 years - that will shape the Middle East for the next say 25 years. It's going to be interesting to see how this going to play out.
Posted by: WMG | Apr 17 2024 17:29 utc | 11
On AliExpress I can buy [...]
Posted by: too scents | Apr 17 2024 16:55 utc | 3
As a longtime buyer of small stuff at AliExpress, this reminds me of the Shakespeare joke:
“Glendower: I can call the spirits from the vasty deep.
Hotspur: Why, so can I, or so can any man;
But will they come, when you do call for them?”
― William Shakespeare, King Henry IV, Part 1
For instance, this usually applies to impossibly large SSDs at impossibly low prices - hint, look up the 1-star reviews from people who tested the products and were sorely disappointed.
Any scamp can put up a store and march off into the sunset with whatever people didn't timely get refunds on.
May not be the case, but I wouldn't bet my own money.
Posted by: pessoa | Apr 17 2024 17:45 utc | 12
I’m not so sure. It appears to me that all regional and non-regional actors simply want a return to status-quo.
They all want hostilities to end in Gaza, and to go back to “normal”. US will never recognize Palestine or initiate a 2 state solution.
Colonel Wilkerson predicted ( and feared) outcome is a return to “normalcy” with another major outbreak again in 10 or so years.
Israel will not “win” (ethnically cleanse and annihilation of Palestinians) or take all of Gaza ect.
Palestinians won’t win a Free Palestinian state or territory.
With the successful refocus of Iran and Israel volley, Palestinians are now forgotten & unless foot/ground soldier protection for them emerges, all players will return to their corners and this is over.
A wider war is the only guarantee of a break from “status quo”…
I once believed it was guaranteed. Now, it doesn’t look like it, Israel will hit Iranian targets in Syria soon, and Iran will do nothing. Game over, status quo returned.
As soon as ceasefire happens, Hezbollah & Yemen will return to their corners.
All these lives, for nothing.
The only guarantee for change, was change, not deaths and PR. As it is, nothing at all has changed. Even though Israel “lost” the battles, it has won the war pulling out the Iran card. Nuttyahoo will cut a deal to walk, Israel will go to Gantz or some other dictator, ceasefire will commence and Israel goes back under the radar & carry’s on it’s nasty dirty mini day by day genocide.
Who in the world actually believes evil doesn’t triumph?
We see it everyday these days.
What a waste.
Posted by: Trubind1 | Apr 17 2024 17:50 utc | 13
Thanks for a posting talking about common futures for humanity
We are currently in a civilization war that is challenging the centuries of Might-Makes-Right patriarchal and monotheistic control over much of the world.
The future for empire was and is the destruction of nations and cultures to be subsumed under empire control. Michael Hudson is very clear on describing how countries are robbed of their sovereignty via global private financial manipulation backed by warships in everyones neighborhood to insure compliance.
Russia is proving that, sans MAD, the West is a military paper tiger and is defeating that paper tiger in Ukraine.
Hamas and the ME axis of resistance are proving that the outstations of its empire as physically and culturally/religiously intended are not going to survive.
China is setting the example of a shared future with public finance run by the government as a public utility instead of the existing class jackboot global private finance under the God Of Mammon cult which favors an inherited elite.
Humanity is standing up and saying strongly that it will no longer live under unipolar Western rules based order. We are watching geopolitical sausage being made into a multipolar bifurcation of the old unipolar order. How it ends up is anyones guess but unipolar rules based order is the bully being put down.
Posted by: psychohistorian | Apr 17 2024 17:53 utc | 14
As a longtime buyer of small stuff at AliExpress, this reminds me of the Shakespeare joke:
Posted by: pessoa | Apr 17 2024 17:45 utc | 12
---
If its a joke why do you keep buying?
Posted by: t | Apr 17 2024 17:58 utc | 15
Not sure if the 4-14 Palestine thread would be more appropriate -but
Al-Manar and Al-Mayadeen both post about Hezbollah doing a large uptick in heavier strikes on various sites in northern Israel including a probable destruction of an Iron Dome placement.
https://english.manartv.com.lb/2090079
video on the Iron Dome
If nothing else, more data on air defenses to share to members of the axis of resistance.
Yesterday ret Army Col MacGregor pretty sure that israel will retaliate against Iran and his take on the sheer folly of israel doing that. judgenap.com is my go to place to listen to his take.
As always, one can have the mental lens that it is the "Art of war", but the "Science of Math" should be an integral part of that "art".
Myself, it is more the barbarity of war, but it is incumbent to be able to get into other peoples intellectual shoes.
Posted by: paxmark1 | Apr 17 2024 18:03 utc | 16
Not sure if the 4-14 Palestine thread would be more appropriate -but
Al-Manar and Al-Mayadeen both post about Hezbollah doing a large uptick in heavier strikes on various sites in northern Israel including a probable destruction of an Iron Dome placement.
https://english.manartv.com.lb/2090079
video on the Iron Dome
If nothing else, more data on air defenses to share to members of the axis of resistance.
Yesterday ret Army Col MacGregor pretty sure that israel will retaliate against Iran and his take on the sheer folly of israel doing that. judgenap.com is my go to place to listen to his take.
As always, one can have the mental lens that it is the "Art of war", but the "Science of Math" should be an integral part of that "art".
Myself, it is more the barbarity of war, but it is incumbent to be able to get into other peoples intellectual shoes.
Posted by: paxmark1 | Apr 17 2024 18:03 utc | 17
It was a prearranged show, as exposed by The House of Saud.
Posted by: KitaySupporter | Apr 16 2024 2:05 utc | 335
Extent of Saudi Arabia's involvement of the US/Israel struggle.
HOUSE OF SAUD
Gulf Allies, Including Saudi Arabia, Provided Critical Intelligence on Planned Iranian Attack
Reacting to Iran’s threat, US officials sought help from Arab governments regarding intelligence about Iran’s plans and for countering any potential attack.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates eventually assented to privately sharing information, while Jordan acquiesced to allow the US and other countries’ military aircraft to use its airspace. The Jordanian government also agreed to use its own jets for interception.
It is revealed that two days prior to the attack, Iranian officials informed Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states of their retaliation plan against Israel, including the attack profile and timing, enabling these nations to secure their own airspace. This information, shared with the US, was instrumental in formulating defense strategies for both the US and Israel
A significant majority of the drones were eliminated mostly by Israeli and US fighters, with contributions from Jordanian, British, and French warplanes.
https://houseofsaud.com/gulf-allies-including-saudi-arabia-provided-critical-intelligence-on-planned-iranian-attack/
Posted by: KitaySupporter | Apr 17 2024 18:34 utc | 18
Before fully breaking free of Washington - The various Arabs need to slowly exit their financial investments in the U.S. and EU to prevent these investments from being stolen under a likely sanctions regime. This takes years and must be done delicately.
My guess is the exiting process began in mid-2022 and then accelerated after 2.Oct 2023.
SFSN
Posted by: Exile | Apr 17 2024 18:37 utc | 19
Posted by: KitaySupporter | Apr 17 2024 18:34 utc | 18
As indicated in the previous thread, houseofsaud.com is a dubious site registered in the US, and probably no official relationship with the saudi state.
Posted by: laguerre | Apr 17 2024 18:45 utc | 20
I cant tell a lie, things are looking really bad right now. Hours or days. We all know it but no ones wants to say.
Any time now this will start, and esculate in momments, a chain reaction thats unstopable.
Their will be no winners.
Sorry.
Posted by: Mark2 | Apr 17 2024 19:04 utc | 21
All suggestions that Saudi is about to sign with Israel, or indeed act in Israel's favour, can usually be traced back to an Israeli source. There are no neutral sources; it's always an Israeli origin. It's evidence of an intense Israeli desire to achieve that signature. But it never works, and it's discredited once again here over Saudi "help" for Israel over the Iranian barrage.
That doesn't mean, b, that Saudi and Iran are really close (yet). Sectarian hatred of Shi'a by Sunnis is very profound and long-lasting. The Saudis have treated the Shi'a in their Eastern Province like shit for a long time (like the Bahrain regime treat their majority Shi'a). It won't be easy to change the habits of a lifetime, just for strategic advantage, but the issue of Palestine could do it, and does seem to be uniting many.
Posted by: laguerre | Apr 17 2024 19:05 utc | 22
I'd pose a question.
Who's going to do their utmost to bring any form of reconciliation between SA and Iran to an acrimony end?
Posted by: jpc | Apr 17 2024 19:13 utc | 23
The US will attempt to ruin every Middle East nation that opposes its imperialist goals. Can the US destroy every one of them that do attempt to free themselves from the suzerainty of US authority? The US war lords will make the attempt and kill a lot of people.
Posted by: Wilikins | Apr 17 2024 19:30 utc | 24
Pepe Escobar acknowledges Nichael Hudson as source and witness to plan of insiders to dominate planet Earth...
Posted by: chu teh | Apr 17 2024 16:55 utc | 4
Thanks for that.
Posted by: anon2020 | Apr 17 2024 19:48 utc | 25
Pepe Escobar has a new article up, "Pepe Escobar: Iran’s 'New Equation' Reaches Way Beyond West Asia". I suspect Zionist use of MEK to deliver a terror attack to mask/distract from whatever else it has planned.
Posted by: too scents | Apr 17 2024 16:55 utc | 3
A "FCPGA" is a programmable "one task chip" , a kind of "best of two worlds" electronics "grail" of doing more math with less transistors. A nerd thing ... just trying to explain the "GA" part will be boring. Let's make an AI for it !
Understand the "chip act" now ?
Posted by: Hiro Masamune | Apr 17 2024 20:02 utc | 27
Pepe Escobar has a new article up at Sputnik, whose URLs now also block comments: "Pepe Escobar: Iran’s 'New Equation' Reaches Way Beyond West Asia". I suspect Zionist use of MEK to deliver a terror attack to mask/distract from whatever else it has planned.
The Crazies in the US Congress will never learn as RT reports:
"The US House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to condemn the chant “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” as hate speech."
The US Congress is clearly more brain-dead than Biden.
thanks b... i appreciate the reminder of this seminal event from last year...
@ laguerre.. thanks for your posts and insights..
@ 28 karlof1.... that is quite a pathetic display of power.. loss of power is really what it reflects when they have to stoop that low..
Posted by: james | Apr 17 2024 20:12 utc | 30
karlof1 | Apr 17 2024 17:22 utc | 10
...Hopefully, BRICS+ well help advance that project
Yeah, 'cause as we know, income inequality in those parts is among the highest in the world.
And the Global South, in general, is rife with mismanagement and messy urban calamities chock full of displaced people who are squeezed like lemons and shaken down like old rugs.
Immigration funk leaves its mark. Its ancestry is fleeting, like dust motes in slanted sun rays. Then there's nothing, just apolitical blues.
Hopefully...
Posted by: john | Apr 17 2024 20:15 utc | 31
Thanks for the Pepe Escobar link karlof1 and let me quote what I consider to be the interesting part
At least 9 ballistic missiles penetrated the dense Israeli defense network and hit the Nevatim and Ramon bases. Israel is absolutely mum on the fate of its Golan Heights intel installation – hit by cruise missiles.
Is it possible that Iran tapped out more high worth folks at the Golan Heights intel installation than were taken out by Occupied Palestine with their bombing of the Iranian consulate?
Posted by: psychohistorian | Apr 17 2024 20:18 utc | 32
"In England --alike to tin the US of A -- only the majority candidate to the national assembly gets elected, while all the other votes for other candidates get overlooked, Thus, 49percent of voters may be k´left without representation, This is NOT "democracy"!"
Posted by: Tollef Ås/秋涛乐/טלפ וש | Apr 17 2024 17:03 utc | 6
If only the electoral system in Britain was as representative as you believe - each candidate to the House of Commons (the parliament/National Assembly) has to come first in their own (geographically defined) constituency. So, where there are several candidates - each of whom has a relatively strong showing - there's often the situation where the winner obtains thirty-something percent of the votes cast and is elected. The other sixty-something percent of votes cast are disregarded. This is such that, nationally, governments are formed by a single party obtaining a majority of elected individuals in the Parliament, with the usual situation that a government has 100% of the power despite having somewhere between 35-38% of the total votes cast. Now, that's NOT democracy.
Posted by: Tobeapilgrim | Apr 17 2024 20:28 utc | 33
Did Saudis effectively intermediate between Iran and US?
Two days before the attack, Iranian officials briefed counterparts from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries on the outlines and timing of their plan for the large-scale strikes on Israel so that those countries could safeguard airspace, the officials said. The information was passed along to the U.S., giving Washington and Israel crucial advance warning. According to anon sources in WSJ https://archive.ph/vAIT0#selection-2861.0-2861.359
Further escalation would be bad for business with the GCC. And Saudis looking to extricate themselves from Yemen for some time also
If its a joke why do you keep buying?Posted by: t | Apr 17 2024 17:58 utc | 15
AliExpress is a huge market, most vendors sell good products at a good price - nearly all of the small stuff is OK, the sort you buy from Amazon at a markup. They also have a pretty good refund policy if you get stuff that does not work and can show a pic or two.
I'm just saying there are *also* scammers selling fakes at impossible prices. People complain of the same in Amazon.
Posted by: pessoa | Apr 17 2024 21:07 utc | 35
This is good news. China has gone through the gaslighting of USUKIS Empire and emerged stronger. Empire is now shown the door. The Silk Road will never go through any part of the planned Greater Israel. Iran Turkey Bulgaria. Israelis a pariah.
Posted by: Giyane | Apr 17 2024 21:37 utc | 36
Posted by: laguerre | Apr 17 2024 19:05 utc | 22
Everyone got a beef with another at some point in time. Iran with Russia, Russia and China, remember the one that Germany had with almost everyone?
My take is the path chosen by China, Russia and Iran is showing the greatest potential for all of humanity.
Sure, rosy tints on. There will always be loonies derailing human advancement.
Enjoy your views, by the way.
Cheers
These countries are learning to move ahead inspite of their differences.
Cheers
Posted by: Suresh | Apr 17 2024 21:58 utc | 37
Posted by: laguerre | Apr 17 2024 18:45 utc | 20
Thanks.
Posted by: KitaySupporter | Apr 17 2024 23:27 utc | 38
Posted by: laguerre | Apr 17 2024 18:45 utc | 20
Posted by: KitaySupporter | Apr 17 2024 23:27 utc | 36
https://safewebtalk.com/check-site/houseofsaud-com-reviews
Pros and cons about Houseofsaud.com
WHAT WE LIKE IN Houseofsaud.com:
This website is safe according to DNSFilter
The domain name was registered a long time ago
This website is more than 6 months old
This website is over 1 year old
This website has a valid SSL certificate and allows for a secure connection.
WHAT WE DON'T LIKE IN Houseofsaud.com:
Security rating appears low : 26
Social media accounts that we could not find on the website.
Posted by: KitaySupporter | Apr 17 2024 23:40 utc | 39
KitaySupporter @ 37
Thank you, your efforts have been noticed.
I, speaking for myself remain unconvinced.
I wish you success in your future endeavours.
Cheers
Posted by: Suresh | Apr 17 2024 23:46 utc | 40
Academic freedom, freedom of speech, and now the University of Southern California now joins the cowards cabal ....
Will the ‘cancel culture’ crowd speak up about the silencing of Asna Tabassum? Don’t hold your breath
[...] Asna Tabassum, a first-generation south Asian American Muslim from near Los Angeles, is the latest person to learn this lesson the hard way. Tabassum, who is graduating from the University of Southern California (USC) with a major in biomedical engineering and a minor in resistance to genocide, was recently named her class valedictorian and due to give a speech at her May graduation. Giving a valedictorian address, in which a student reflects on shared experiences and imparts wisdom about the future, is a major honour. It would have been a high point in Tabassum’s academic life.
Then on Monday, USC abruptly cancelled her speech. Instead of being recognized for her academic achievements, Tabassum found herself in the middle of a controversy which brings together some of the most emotive issues of the moment: the war on college campuses, the anti-Palestinian assaults on free speech, and the one-sided nature of “cancel culture”.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/17/usc-valedictorian-speech-canceled-palestine
Posted by: Don Firineach | Apr 17 2024 23:55 utc | 41
I have mentioned this in my posts before.
Unless the zionist state is disolved completely, along with it the empire, this misery will continue in the ME. There is no alternative. No systems of checks and balances can tame this beast.
I’m afraid they will find a way to sabotage any peace and prosperity agreement, especially when the west is left out of it without a say.
Maybe Iran will single handedly put the beast to bed permanently. One can only hope and dream.
Posted by: Alpi | Apr 17 2024 23:57 utc | 42
psychohistorian | Apr 17 2024 20:18 utc | 31--
Thanks for your reply. Given the nature of that item and the 72 hrs advance warning that military bases would be the targets, there's a chance that site was occupied given its function, but we won't know anytime soon as the Zionists didn't even acknowledge its existence. The gear that was there is likely kaput and won't be replaced very soon. IMO, Iran will automatically assume Outlaw US Empire involvement with any Zionist attack on Iran, thus automatic retaliation against Empire regional assets, and that will place huge pressure on Zionists as they so dearly want to directly attack Iran. Team Biden's notice that it won't participate was clearly in response to Iran's promise that it would attack; something was learned from 2020's retaliation strike.
john | Apr 17 2024 20:15 utc | 30--
Thanks for your reply. Establishing equitability is going to be a very big task going forward. IMO, the first step is to make the Four Freedoms real for the entire Global South/RoW, particularly Freedom From Want and Freedom From Fear. That means eliminating poverty.
Posted by: KitaySupporter | Apr 17 2024 18:34 utc | 18
It's hard to believe that Iran would trust the Saudis. I find it more plausible that Iran gave the Saudi's information that they knew would be leaked to the US and Israel. Perhaps Iran wants to further expose the duplicity of the and Jordan to the Arab world.
Posted by: Turk 152 | Apr 18 2024 1:53 utc | 44
Yes, those days are over. The whole structure of the US civilization has developed on the assumption that Washington could benefit from and control all other countries. That foundation is crumbling and the whole edifice is under much stress and the Western politicians are anxious.
All they have to do to find their way out of the dead end is to open Google Earfh and see by themselves that the combined landmass of Europe and the US occupies just a small fraction of our common living space. Look at the names of the authors in scientific publications; not that many names of European origins anymore. Obviously it is absurd for Washington to believe it can control the whole world all by itself by acting as a bully.
Better make friends with the rest of the world and blend in, and not bring chaos to their lands.
Posted by: Richard L | Apr 18 2024 2:21 utc | 45
I appreciate the optimism, however Shia and Sunni hate each other, and that's not going to change.
Posted by: JackG | Apr 18 2024 2:29 utc | 46
Posted by: JackG | Apr 18 2024 2:29 utc | 44
This isn’t a MIC talking point forum.
Posted by: Turk 152 | Apr 18 2024 2:45 utc | 47
Posted by: t | Apr 17 2024 17:58 utc | 15
my guess is that he really finds the joke funny.
Posted by: frkorz | Apr 18 2024 2:51 utc | 48
Posted by: Suresh | Apr 17 2024 23:46 utc | 38
Posted by: Turk 152 | Apr 18 2024 1:53 utc | 42
Thank you much. I agree, but the story read plausible. Whatever, the myth of Fortress Israel is gone. All that's left is a game of narratives.
Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to resume ties in talks brokered by China in March, 2023. Some semblance of ties must have been there, even with whatever tensions reported by the western news media. That is what I was looking for.
Posted by: KitaySupporter | Apr 18 2024 2:52 utc | 49
This is all well and good until the USA puts a spanner in the works.
MBS might go the same way as King Faisal.
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Apr 18 2024 3:15 utc | 50
@Arch Bungle, I left reply for you and Bemildred over at "Iranian Missiles hit Israel" thread.
Posted by: Sakineh Bagoom | Apr 18 2024 3:26 utc | 51
Thank you, b. And you remain correct in your assessment. Keep up the good work.
—
US can no longer hide its intentions in west Asia. For decades it obfuscated its policy by paying lip service to two state solutions. All states at their core knew US’ favoritism and love of all things apartheid, but the populations of the region were in the dark. TV and Internet changed all of that.
Genocide is now televised. Who loves you baby: Mama Merika.
Many don’t understand the empire is imploding at the core, as it canibalizes itself, by undermining the international rules/laws that IT helped create.
Genocide is easy though. For those that were born (creation of US American state) on gencide (_______ fill in the blank) is easy. How it works is through the ISM that beats all other ISMs : CapitalISM. Thus, any venture is always viewed, not from a humanistic view, but, from a bottom-line view that always has to stay in the black. (I believe an alternate view is coming soon.)
This system is well wedded to so called democracy. I just don’t care to get in the subject of “democracy,” and its promotion around the world right now. Don’t care to explain to many how undemocratic their countries are.
More on topic though, many cannot fathom that KSA can have policy of its own, due to historic issue of petrodollar. But what this misses, is that many — RoW — are now more enlightened to the calculations of the West, re their resources, population, etc, and are saying: go east young man. Go east.
I’m sure petro-yuan was created for this very moment.
As for the sectarian issue of Shia vs Sunni, it’s really non existent, except that the empire likes to divid and rule.
Regardless of the hoopla created over KSA helping the empire shoot downs, KSA and Iran have open embassies at each others capital and are in communication. They are not divided like the seven years of ostracism. That’s what counts.
h/t to Telly Savalas for : who loves you baby.
Posted by: Sakineh Bagoom | Apr 18 2024 3:28 utc | 52
Re Sunni and Shia hating each other.
Palestine is majority Sunni. Yet Iran which is Shia is fighting on their side. Hezbollah Sunni, and Palestine Shia warriors, are fighting side by side on Israel's northern border.
In Yemen there is a mixture of Sunni and Shia, with the majority being Sunni. They are uniting and getting stronger as well.
Seems that the two sects are putting aside their differences to fight a common enemy. They are becoming more resistant to the divisive tactics that their enemy has sown amongst them for so many years to keep them separated.
Posted by: golddigger | Apr 18 2024 3:40 utc | 53
The gurgling of the drain….
TASS:
“New US bill calls for $26 bln in assistance to Israel
The bill also includes a proposal to earmark $2.4 billion to fund US Armed Forces operating in the Middle East in response to threats against Israel
WASHINGTON, April 17. /TASS/. A new standalone bill on aid to Israel that was submitted to the US House of Representatives calls for spending more than $26 billion to support that country amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
According to the bill, $4.4 billion would go toward the operation and maintenance of weapons transferred to Israel. Another $4 billion is proposed to be allocated to replenish the inventory of missiles for the Iron Dome and David’s Sling air defense systems.
The bill also includes a proposal to earmark $2.4 billion to fund US Armed Forces operating in the Middle East in response to threats against Israel.”
14 Billion has ballooned to 26 Billion after “Iranian attack”…
Posted by: Trubind1 | Apr 18 2024 4:20 utc | 54
Sy Hersh has lost all semblance of skeptical reportage, passing on a silly conspiracy theory about arranging through a Russian back-channel (unbeknownst to Biden!) for Iran to stage a fake attack so that we could pretend to shoot everything down. Evidently Hersh's sole source has chosen this moment to make a fool of him, to watch poor old Sy twist slowly in the wind. Larry Johnson can only sigh in dismay:
I don’t know what has happened to my friend. He is being used to put out propaganda.
https://sonar21.com/the-iran-attack-what-did-the-u-s-know-and-when-did-it-know/
Posted by: Aleph_Null | Apr 18 2024 4:42 utc | 55
What are the common future folk going to say about this Reuters posting title
UN Security Council to vote Friday on Palestinian UN membership
I have read that the US will veto the vote but the world needs to bear witness to that moral failure.
Posted by: psychohistorian | Apr 18 2024 5:32 utc | 56
Aleph_Null | Apr 18 2024 4:42 utc | 53
When it comes to continued empire and hegemony, Hersh has made his choice. He is not some sucker being taken for a ride.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Apr 18 2024 5:51 utc | 57
psychohistorian | Apr 18 2024 5:32 utc | 54
The Empire will be slipping if it lets this one slip. Bojo would certainly be tearing his hair out though he seems more concerned with the Heartland.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Apr 18 2024 6:08 utc | 58
So 1.3bln$ for missiles turn to 4bln$ over night. Not surprising.
I am fairly sure Israel didn't evacuate any of their personnel from the secret base that night.
That would have been so bad for morale and such an admission of vulnerability it's not possible in the mindset.
Regarding the USNC vote I have a morbid curiosity what lines US might pull out of their hat to veto. What would you put on the bingo card?
Posted by: SOS | Apr 18 2024 6:44 utc | 59
Gold digger @ 51:
Hezbollah is Shi'ite and Hamas is Sunni.
I understand the differences between Shi'ites and Sunnis are mainly historical, jacked up by the Ottomans and the Safavids back in the 1500s when they were fighting over the lands that are now part of Iraq, and there are very few ideological differences between the two denominations.
Posted by: Refinnejenna | Apr 18 2024 6:50 utc | 60
The US speaks with forked tongue. Hopefully Iran knows it's a trap. Biden's lies when he says the US will not fight Iran for Israel. Recall April Gillespi lied when she told Saddam the US would not get involved if Iraq attacked Kuwait for slant drilling and stealing Iraq's oil. Saddam thought he had permission and fell for the ruse and Daddy Bush attacked Iraq for invading Kuwait. Who can forget the Highway of Death.
Posted by: Willow | Apr 18 2024 7:22 utc | 61
🇮🇷 An Iranian military official:"We now have a full understanding of Israel's defences. Our tactics will be different when we strike Israel again.
The Fattah 1-2 hypersonic missiles were developed several years ago and are not the latest ones we have."
*That is why Israel now wants to attack Iran at any cost. It wants to gather information about Iran's air defenses.
https://twitter.com/Megatron_ron/status/1780866109949776301
Posted by: unimperator | Apr 18 2024 8:00 utc | 62
Truly a pity for my humans in my territory in the USA. A loss of potential friends all around to keep a faction's pet project. I can "eet ze bugz" and bird seed, but they cannot. :(
I tell you though how to fight back: find what these nincompoops like and rely on for money and power and deny them utterly. BDS just like Apartheid South Africa. >:) Or if you're like and can fly, poop on them mid-flight.
Ok, off to tell my feathered friends! If you get pooped on, it's because you should have Freed Palestine already! Otherwise slow roll your buying Western goods!
/cheep cheep
/flies away
Posted by: titmouse | Apr 18 2024 8:05 utc | 63
A thought.
Israel perpetrates some spectacular atrocity in Iran. Say they blow up a large public building or assassinated some revered leader or leaders. Not acknowledging anything, although perhaps leaving traces intended to show Iran whodunit.
The usual suspects chant that it's the latest protest by women objecting to wearing hijabs, or shout "False flag!" in chorus.
What does Iran do then? Do they respond anyway, with real doubt that anybody would support them? (And if anybody like Russia does support them, what would happen?) Or do they allow the Israelis and the Americans and NATO to get away with it? And either way, is that the West's game-plan?
Posted by: MFB | Apr 18 2024 8:26 utc | 64
'The U.S. plan to bring the Arab states and Israel together into an anti-Iranian coalition gets rejected, the scholars write, because of lack of U.S. pressure on Israel to pursue a two state solution.'
This is the only false note in their otherwise sensible essay.
Like the former East and West Pakistan, Gaza and the West Bank are geographically divided and cannot function as a Palestinian state. Moreover, one look at the map will show that the West Bank is fractured into far more pieces than the former South African bantustans. Cut off from sea access, the West Bank has no prospect of becoming a sovereign state with the ability to conduct international trade.
The 'two-state solution' is a cynical canard. Its only purpose is to stall for time while Israel gobbles up more of the West Bank, while seeking to deport the Gazans.
To accept a non-viable Palestinian state would be a gross error. It would amount to renouncing Palestinian claims to the pre-1948 Palestine, including its sea access, its water resources, its Mediterranean oil claims, and its best land.
Anyone who speaks of a mythical, impossible 'two-state solution' is a dupe -- witting or unwitting -- of the Israelis. You don't need no PhD in Economic Geographic to grok that the 'two-state solution' is a ludicrous sham to bamboozle the uninformed.
Posted by: Jim H | Apr 18 2024 9:48 utc | 65
Zelenskyy Compares Ukraine to Israel
New NATO war narrative coming to your home soon …
Zeleynskyy: “I’m a Jew too … treat Ukraine the same as Israel … we fight for your values.”
A beacon of light protecting Western (capitalistic) values from Jungle states ...
Ukraine calls for NATO Council
meeting focused on the protection
of skies and the supplies of air
defense systems and missiles.
Soon Iran will be called out as an identical pariah state as Russia and next to adding harsher sanctions, will be a prime target for reprisal bombing raids like flattening the Gaza Strip, the Land of Palestine.
New war narrative by Zelenskyy ...
Jewish Ukrainian World Congress (UWC)
https://www.ukrainianworldcongress.org/president-zelenskyy-ukraine-will-request-a-nato-ukraine-council-meeting/
Palestinians and Iranians are terrorists like Russians.
https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1780314154340905094We are working tirelessly to strengthen Ukraine's relations with partners, receive more tangible support, and ensure true equality in the protection from terror. So that when we face the same terror and strikes with missiles and drones, the rules are equal in Ukraine, Europe, and other parts of the world.
We have heard a lot over the last two days. We have heard about different conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, different levels of threat, and different airspace. Despite the fact that "Shahed" drones and ballistic missiles are the same.
#DEFEATRUSS!A
@ Trubind1 13
"It appears to me that all regional and non-regional actors simply want a return to status-quo".
You are of course spot on.
It's not so much that the parties like the status quo. It's just the case that's it not in the interests what I call the "high contracting parties" to have a wider Middle East war and they will do everything to prevent it which they seem to have done.
Posted by: Old Sovietologist | Apr 18 2024 9:59 utc | 67
@ Posted by: Jim H | Apr 18 2024 9:48 utc | 63
Even a cursory glance at the US partition plan of 1948 shows that the zionist antisemites were to get the coast, the entrepots and the fertile lowlands and the rightful owners of Palestine would be left with the scrag-end. It was a one-state solution in stages.
Posted by: Squeeth | Apr 18 2024 10:03 utc | 68
Erdogan just said Israel's war crime surpassed Hitler.
Therefore, trade will continue?
Posted by: unimperator | Apr 18 2024 10:23 utc | 69
Posted by: unimperator | Apr 18 2024 10:23 utc | 67Of course!Erdogan just said Israel's war crime surpassed Hitler.
Therefore, trade will continue?
The ubiquitous Hitler comparisons are primitive attempts to get attention, in a world where that that doesn't really work anymore. NAFOs are still writing "Putler" and, not to be outdone, we get to read:
"Iran's Leader Is Worse Than Hitler and Wants to Spread Islam to America, Says Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman" (Newsweek, not necessarily true MBS quote, only the headline counts).
Downplaying industrial-scale genocide and WW2, to catch a click and a like by someone scrolling through news...
Posted by: Konami | Apr 18 2024 10:36 utc | 70
Seems that the two sects are putting aside their differences to fight a common enemy. They are becoming more resistant to the divisive tactics that their enemy has sown amongst them for so many years to keep them separated.
Posted by: golddigger | Apr 18 2024 3:40 utc | 51
A couple of reflections that are useful.
1. Apart from minor theological issues it was always a question of political legitimacy
2. The Abassid were happy enough to have Sunni Turks taking over Persia to reduce Persia’s alternative
3. Arabs, Egyptians , Syrian Lebanese and Libyans , Iraq , Iran all fight for leading islam as they once did (the Turks are on a different cycle, they rose latter and still falling) but there are two issues, one it’s too early, second it’s still a down cycle for most.
Hope it’s taken as context and not OT
Posted by: Newbie | Apr 18 2024 10:49 utc | 71
RT
The deployment of American intermediate-range missiles in the Philippines is another blow to global stability, Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov has said
US deployment of intermediate-range missiles in the Philippines is another step by Washington towards escalating military confrontation in the Asia-Pacific, Russian ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov has said.
Last week, in what the US Army Pacific said was a “landmark” deployment that showcased “the extensive reach and logistical precision” of the American military, a Typhoon Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system was flown to the island of Luzon in the Philippines, 250 km from Taiwan. Typhoon systems, which were first introduced in 2023, can fire both the Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) and Tomahawk missiles, with the latter having a range of up to 2,500km.
“The Pentagon’s public demonstration of its capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region for the rapid deployment of missile weapons previously banned under the INF (Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces) Treaty raises deep concern,” Antonov wrote in a post on Telegram.
By delivering a Typhoon system to the Philippines, “the US side is bringing an entire class of destabilizing weapons out of the shadows to ensure its military superiority over opponents,” he stressed.
Such actions by the US signify “another powerful blow to strategic stability,” the ambassador said, adding that “Asia has already accumulated a lot of ‘hot’ material, and the region is rapidly militarizing.”
The US is “purposefully escalating the level of military confrontation and fueling hotbeds of tension” in the Asia-Pacific in an attempt to “return the world to the darkest times of the Cold War and balancing on the brink of a nuclear conflict,” he said.
”We urge the US not to open Pandora’s Box and follow our country’s example by taking all necessary steps to ensure global stability and predictability,” Antonov stated.
The 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) banned Russia and the US from fielding ground-based missiles with a range of between 500km (310 miles) and 5,500km (3,418 miles) in Europe. The US unilaterally withdrew from the deal in 2019. This left Russia no choice but to cease its participation in the INF as well.
However, Moscow introduced a moratorium on fielding weapons that used to be covered by the treaty.
Antonov reminded that this moratorium “has clear conditions: we will not deploy such systems until similar US-made systems appear in any region of the world.” But if it happens, “all responsibility for a new surge of tension in the world will fall on Washington,” he stressed.
Posted by: Lavrov's Dog | Apr 18 2024 10:52 utc | 72
All MUSLIMS have more in common than any other religion or belief system but the US and UK have been using the divide and conquer strategy for a very long time and capitalizing the few differences between Muslim communities is just a small example of it.
However, there are divides between the two otherwise the US & UK wouldn't have been able to use the divide and conquer strategy.
The Wahhabis, a sect of Sunni Islam, consider the killing of Shiites as a reason to enter paradise. So, they prefer the Jew to the Shia.
Posted by: Old Sovietologist | Apr 18 2024 11:40 utc | 73
It's rapidly getting to shit or get off the pot time for the clown world west and the Zionists.
It's all about the oil and nothing else!
And the safety of the oil fields.
The Israeli's know this but a very mental strain seems to have taken command of the country.
Anyone care to hypothesise on where the escalation will stop?
Posted by: jpc | Apr 18 2024 11:41 utc | 74
I'm increasingly of the view that there is no "US Foreign Policy", but instead a collection of economic interests that sometimes align, and work/use the US government to benefit themselves. If viewed through this lens, then tension, chaos, evil almost-superpowers, and limited wars between other countries are fine, but anything that would actually threaten these economic interests is not. This would suggest that an actual US/China war will not happen, and instead the aim is a new cold war that blocks Chinese goods, requires trillion dollar weapons systems to contain China, all the while vacuuming Taiwan's industry to the US for "safe-keeping".
Posted by: Paul L | Apr 18 2024 11:49 utc | 75
Just when Qatar announces it will pull out from the negociations the Gaza civil defense WH 2.0 get more coverage. Wait and see.
Posted by: Minaa | Apr 18 2024 11:54 utc | 76
The Cradle
Washington has greenlighted Israeli plans for an invasion of Gaza’s southern city of Rafah in exchange for Israel limiting its response to the Iranian operation last weekend
According to what an informed western diplomat told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, “Netanyahu was able, through political maneuvering, to obtain American [acceptance] for the [planned] military operation in Rafah, which had not been welcomed by the United States, in exchange for retreating from carrying out a large-scale military operation against Iran.”
Iran has vowed a tenfold response to Israel should it retaliate to the hundreds of drones and missiles launched at Israel on 13 April, which came as a response to an attack on Iran’s consulate in Damascus at the start of the month.
Posted by: ld | Apr 18 2024 12:11 utc | 77
@75
IDF response on Iran would have further embarrassed the irrelevant military of the empire.
Posted by: paddy | Apr 18 2024 12:37 utc | 78
@ Trubind1 13 is correct.
Listen to Professor Norman Finkelstein. Not one Arab state brought a case of genocide against Israel. South Africa did. Not one Arab state stepped in a provided aid when funding for UNRWA was cut off from the west.
As Professor Norman Finkelstein said, the Arab states do not care for the Palestinians and would like them to go away.
Nothing is changing.
Posted by: JoeSixPack | Apr 18 2024 12:55 utc | 79
Iran has effectively check mated the IDF.........
Apparently Iran does have a deliverable tactical nuclear war head.
Its ME MAD now. Without ME MAD, the IDF would have struck in a major sense against the Iranian homeland.
Its a whole new era in the neighborhood...............
Posted by: Tobias Cole | Apr 18 2024 13:06 utc | 80
Listen to Professor Norman Finkelstein. Not one Arab state brought a case of genocide against Israel. South Africa did. Not one Arab state stepped in a provided aid when funding for UNRWA was cut off from the west.
As Professor Norman Finkelstein said, the Arab states do not care for the Palestinians and would like them to go away.
Posted by: JoeSixPack | Apr 18 2024 12:55 utc | 77
Classic hasbara, that. I don't know whether he quotes Finkelstein accurately, but the sentiment is hasbara. The reason the Arabs did not go to the ICJ, is that an outsider would be more convincing than an interested party.
It is Israel, not Finkelstein, that is desperately attempting to convince us that "the Arab states do not care for the Palestinians and would like them to go away". All that has changed since Oct 7th, and the genie is not going back in the bottle. JoeSixPack can only be a hasbara agent.
Posted by: laguerre | Apr 18 2024 13:07 utc | 81
Posted by: Tobias Cole | Apr 18 2024 13:06 utc | 78
I was under the impression that Iran does NOT have any nuclear weapons capability. Do you have a source for your claim? Thanks.
Posted by: KMRIA | Apr 18 2024 13:12 utc | 82
….. Washington has greenlighted Israeli plans for an invasion of Gaza’s southern city of Rafah in exchange for Israel limiting its response to the Iranian operation last weekend…….
translation - Washington approves more genocide
Posted by: Exile | Apr 18 2024 13:22 utc | 83
Thanks again for your diligence and tireless work. This is one of the best blogs - my go to source for facts presented with integrity
Posted by: Chris N | Apr 18 2024 13:40 utc | 84
The Wahhabis, a sect of Sunni Islam, consider the killing of Shiites as a reason to enter paradise.
Posted by: Old Sovietologist | Apr 18 2024 11:40 utc | 73
You really believe your BS? Try some Coolaid.
You become a Wahabi you may still be deprived of Paradise because of your BS spreading inclinations.
Posted by: Joey | Apr 18 2024 13:51 utc | 85
….. Washington has greenlighted Israeli plans for an invasion of Gaza’s southern city of Rafah in exchange for Israel limiting its response to the Iranian operation last weekend…….
translation - Washington approves more genocide
Posted by: Exile | Apr 18 2024 13:22 utc | 83
An attempt to justify the attack on Rafah with the Iranian response to the IDF embassy attack. Your translation works too. Just pointing out that the Embassy attack and Iranian response in no way justifies the coming attack on Rafah.
Posted by: Bemildred | Apr 18 2024 13:55 utc | 86
Posted by: laguerre | Apr 18 2024 13:07 utc | 81
The reason the Arabs did not go to the ICJ, is that an outsider would be more convincing than an interested party.
Excellent argument. It is much stronger for South Africa, rather than Arabs and Muslims, to bring the case to the ICJ.
Posted by: laguerre | Apr 17 2024 19:05 utc | 22
The Saudis have treated the Shi'a in their Eastern Province like shit for a long time (like the Bahrain regime treat their majority Shi'a).
This doesn't accord quite well with my experience of many years working with the Saudis in the Eastern Province. This province is receiving large amounts of investment in infrastructure, like other provinces have low unemployment, and I met quite a few Shias that worked for the government, some in powerful positions. Sunnis predominate of course, but sometimes a Sunni boss would tell me in a low voice that that other boss across the room was Shia.
Posted by: Johan Kaspar | Apr 18 2024 13:55 utc | 87
Ref JoeSixPack
Wrong.... Arab states are even accused to have paid the SA legal team and several countries stepped in to give extra funding for unrwa
Posted by: Minaa | Apr 18 2024 13:55 utc | 88
April 18th Resistance daily round up:
Comment - article focused on Hezbollah strike on a IDF camp. Southern Front - D9 bulldozer struck, plus heavy firefight in another location. eastern front - no report
Posted by: Exile | Apr 18 2024 14:13 utc | 89
Israel Arms Imports by Country:
1. US: 69%
2. Germany: 30%
3. Italy: .9%
Trade Imports to Israel:l by country:
1. China 14%
2. US 11%, Arms Imports
3. Germany 7.7%
4. Switzerland 6.6%
5. Turkey 6.2%
6. Belgium 5%
7. Netherlands 4.2%
This MIC talking point about Turkey’s imports to Israel is so the dumb Goyim can say, “See, it’s the Muslims that are doing to themselves.”. Opt out.
Posted by: Turk 152 | Apr 18 2024 14:13 utc | 90
Will Iran build the bomb?
A week ago I speculated that the rational Iranian response for the embassy bombing was to build three nuclear weapon pits out of highly enriched uranium. Today it looks possible that Iran will do just that.
Iran May Rethink Nuclear Policy in Light of Threat From Israel - IRGC — Sputnik, April 18, 2024Iran may also reconsider its nuclear policy in the light of the threat from Israel.
"If Israel attempts to use the threat of attacking our country's nuclear centers as a means to pressure Iran, it is possible and conceivable that the Islamic Republic may reconsider its nuclear doctrine and policies, potentially deviating from previously announced stances," Haghtalab was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.
The Iran nuclear deal (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) makes all non-UN sanctions on Iran illegal. The US violated the agreement (and the corresponding UNSC resolution) by imposing sanctions on Iran. This enabled Iran to increase enrichment to 80%. The EU is now saying they will impose illegal sanctions on Iran. If this happens – I believe – it would be legal for Iran to produce weapons-grade uranium.
Iranian scientists have recently stated that Iran has the infrastructure and the know-how to build a nuclear bomb. In yesterday's video, Alexander Mercouris noted that his anonymous sources tell him that Russia believes that Iran has a certain "capability". He did not want to publicly revealed what this supposed capability was, but I suspect it was some kind of nuclear capability.
I do not think that Iran will at this stage assemble a bomb. They will build the individual components and store them separately in laboratories. Even if they decide to build the bomb, they will never announce it publicly.
This nuclear ambiguity creates deterrence, but at the same time if feeds into Netanyahu's fear mongering.
Posted by: Petri Krohn | Apr 18 2024 14:19 utc | 91
The more subtle argument which is equally spurious, but slightly more credible is that Turkey sells weapons to US who them sells them to Turkey.
US Arms Imports by Country:
1. Italy
2. United Kingdom
3. Israel
4. France
5. Netherlands
6. Germany
7. Jordan
8. Canada
9. Norway
10. Brazil
Posted by: Turk 152 | Apr 18 2024 14:26 utc | 92
This doesn't accord quite well with my experience of many years working with the Saudis in the Eastern Province. This province is receiving large amounts of investment in infrastructure, like other provinces have low unemployment, and I met quite a few Shias that worked for the government, some in powerful positions. Sunnis predominate of course, but sometimes a Sunni boss would tell me in a low voice that that other boss across the room was Shia.
Posted by: Johan Kaspar | Apr 18 2024 13:55 utc | 87
Thanks for that evidence. I've also worked in/on Saudi, though not as much as you. The basic problem is that the Eastern Province is majority Shi'a, and has *all* Saudi's oil. The rest of Saudi, including the capital region of Najd/Riyadh, doesn't have a drop. The Saudis, being Wahhabi/extreme Sunni, are naturally and constantly nervous of a revolt or breakaway, which could easily reduce them to a poverty of the class of Yemen. And discontentment with the Najdis is not limited to the eastern province; it's pretty much everywhere. Much money has to be spent to keep everybody in line. What you say corresponds well with this kind of analysis.
Posted by: laguerre | Apr 18 2024 14:41 utc | 93
- I understand the differences between Shi'ites and Sunnis are mainly historical, jacked up by the Ottomans and the Safavids back in the 1500s when they were fighting over the lands that are now part of Iraq, and there are very few ideological differences between the two denominations.
Posted by: Refinnejenna | Apr 18 2024 6:50 utc | 58
Basic need to understand the differences, alliances and US misconceptions of the whole Middle East and Islam. Especially during 8 years of the Obama administration major flaws and stupid decisions were made. Libya, Mali, Sahel, Yemen, Sudan, all culminated in a flawed policy on Syria to remove Bashar al-Assad.
Obama continued the Clinton-Bush foreign policy of Brzezinski-Albright flavoured with Neocon dogma to “defend” the Jewish State of Israel. The military leadership in the Pentagon fail to realize difference in Arabian clans on the Saudi peninsula as they had no idea of the large number of tribes in the Libyan desert of strongman Gaddafi.
The Shifting Sands of the Sahara 😊
Hillary Clinton, Susan Rice and Samantha Power were the three principal advocates of war against Libya in 2011, setting the North African nation on a free fall ever since. The foreign jihadists and mercenaries were transported into Syria with shiploads of arms, vehicles and munitions. A joint operation by Sunni Arab states with Muslim Brotherhood nations of Qatar and Türkiye. Morsi was MB and his jail break was organized by Islamic Jihad from the Sinai with Hamas support. Morsi was ousted when MB forced his hand to build an Islamic State … Saudi Arabia and Emirates prevented that by giving their support to General Sisi, educated by US military. Obama wasn’t happy as HRC was the darling of Al Jazeera and strongman Erdogan. See funding of the Clinton Foundation.
That made the reconciliation between Tehran and Riyadh extraordinary and historic. Well done Xi Jinping. Biden’s attitude to Arab leaders was quite similar to his posture vs the Palestinians of Gaza, West Bank and PA HQ in Ramallah. Joe continues his 50 year losing streak on US foreign policy.
Re: Petri Krohn | Apr 18 2024 14:19 utc | 91
Perhaps Iran could make a statement with SA to repeat Israel’s test.
The Vela Incident: South Atlantic Mystery Flash in September 1979 —coordination with Israel on development WMDs.
The Islamic nuclear bomb exists with the approval from the White House and CIA, who were well informed by the Dutch PM Lubbers of AQ Khan’s movement and theft of Urenco and Nikhef blue prints of uranium enrichment.
There has been a flurry op “diplomatic” activity in recent weeks between MFA Saudi Arabia and Pakistan … buying the bomb as the conditions of nuclear development under the Abraham Accords have been derailed.
@Arch Bungle, I left reply for you and Bemildred over at "Iranian Missiles hit Israel" thread.
Posted by: Sakineh Bagoom | Apr 18 2024 3:26 utc | 51
Responded on that thread, but to summarize, I agree.
Posted by: Bemildred | Apr 18 2024 16:09 utc | 96
A few years back there were claims that France assisted Israel with its testing of thermaonuclear devices by conducting simultaneous tests down the same hole on Mururoa Atoll to hide Israelli development of such devices. Perhaps North Korea and Iran have done the same thing down a hole at the North Korean Test Sight.
Posted by: Ghost Ship | Apr 18 2024 18:49 utc | 97
Ghost Ship @ 97
Yeah thats right and bush an blair said Iraq had weapons of mass distrution.
You must be american then, ha ha ha
Posted by: Mark2 | Apr 18 2024 19:26 utc | 98
Regarding the USNC vote I have a morbid curiosity what lines US might pull out of their hat to veto. What would you put on the bingo card?
peace process
Posted by: persiflo | Apr 18 2024 21:36 utc | 99
The comments to this entry are closed.
Hence the false reports of Saudi Arabia's enthusiastic defence of Israel after the recent Iranian attack.
Incidentally to illustrate the way in which the cloth eared Empire is driving Saudi Arabia, and most of humanity 'eastwards' here is a clip from Middle East Eye's coverage of Gaza today.
Just when you thought that the IDF had plumbed new depths of depravity it digns even deeper:
"Israeli quadcopters are employing a "bizarre" new tactic of playing audio recordings of crying infants and women in order to lure Palestinians to locations where they can be targeted.
"On Sunday and Monday night, residents of the northern parts of Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp woke up to the sounds of babies crying and women calling out for help.
"When they went outside to locate the source of the cries and provide aid, Israeli quadcopters reportedly opened fire directly at them.
"Samira Abu al-Leil, a resident of the refugee camp, told Middle East Eye that she heard Israeli quadcopters opening fire during and shortly after playing the recorded sounds, which lasted for several minutes and recurred multiple times on Monday night.
"I heard a woman crying and screaming for help, saying, ‘Help me, my son was martyred’. The sounds were coming from the street and they were bizarre," the 49-year-old said.
“Some men rushed out to the rescue, only to be shot by the quadcopters that kept roaming all night long."..."
Posted by: bevin | Apr 17 2024 16:19 utc | 1