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Lord Cameron warns of Iran’s ‘malign influence’ and global threat The former prime minister described Hamas, the Houthis and Hezbollah as ‘proxies’ for Iran and said they are contributing to an ‘extremely high’ level of ‘danger and insecurity’ around the world David Cameron has warned that Britain will

measures against Iran, and it’s important

Friday to “make clear these threats will

not tolerate the escalation of Iran’s “malign”

that we do that. The level of danger and

not be tolerated”. It comes amid growing

activities on the world stage.

insecurity in the world is at an extremely

concern in government at Iran’s increasing

The former prime minister described Hamas,

high level compared with previous years and

aggression on the world stage.

the Houthis and Hezbollah as proxies for Iran

decades, and the Iran threat is a part of that

Grant Shapps also sounded the alarm over

and said they are contributing to an “extremely

picture.”

the deteriorating situation in the Gulf, with

high” level of danger and insecurity around the

It comes as Iranian-backed Houthi soldiers

Houthis attacking commercial ships in the

world.

have stepped up attacks on commercial

Red Sea.

Lord Cameron, who was made a peer in order

shipping vessels in the Red Sea in recent

The defence secretary said the UK would not

to become Rishi

allow the critical

Sunak’s

foreign

maritime route to

last

become a no-go

secretary

area.

month, said Iran must be sent a clear

message

interview

will

with The Sunday

not be tolerated.

Times, Mr Shapps

And he promised

said:

“We

are

that Britain would

committed

work with allies to

protecting British

develop a strong

interests [in the

set of deterrent

Gulf]

measures against

sailing

Tehran.

UK flag, or with

escalation

–

vessels under

British sailors or After a trip to

carrying

France,

Italy,

destined for our

Jordan

and

shores.

Egypt,

Lord

“We

Cameron told the

the

disruption

Telegraph:

the

terrorist

“Iran

goods

have

seen

is a thoroughly

attacks

malign influence

caused

—

in the region and

major

operators,

in the world –

including Maersk

there’s no doubt

and BP, avoiding

about

that.

the

region.

the

can’t

allow

any

You’ve

got

Houthis, got you’ve

have with

you’ve

maritime area to

Hezbollah,

become a no-go

got

the

area,

Iranian-backed militias in Iraq that have actually been attacking

British

particularly

such a vital route. and

American

weeks.

bases,

troops.

But wider than that, we need to promote a safer world. The spate of illegal attacks

The Houthi rebels are understood to be

represent a direct threat to international

targeting ships using the Bab el-Mandeb

commerce and maritime security.”

“And, of course, Hamas. So you’ve got all

Strait, with the pro-Hamas group seeking to

He added that the “rules-based world

of these proxies, and I think it’s incredibly

disrupt ships set for Israel.

order” means Britain must be committed to

important that, first of all, Iran receives an

Last week, oil giant BP became the latest

repelling the attacks and protecting global

incredibly clear message that this escalation

major firm to pause shipping through the

trade.

will not be tolerated.

Red Sea over the attacks.

“Second of all, we need to work with our allies

Lord Cameron summoned Iran’s most senior

to develop a really strong set of deterrent

diplomat in the UK to the foreign office on

By Archie Mitchell 24. December 2023

EU foreign policy chief says world must ‘impose’ solution to Gaza war Josep Borrell warns that the killing of a Hamas leader in Lebanon could lead to an escalation of the Israel-Hamas war.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep

it killed al-Arouri. Army spokesperson Daniel

Borrell has said the international community

Hagari said forces were in a high state of rea-

must impose a solution to the Israel-Hamas

diness and prepared for any scenario.

began on October 7. “What happened yesterday with the death of one of the leaders of Hamas is yet another

war as both sides are unable to come to terms. Hamas politburo member Husam Badran said

factor that could push the conflict to escalate,”

“I believe that we have learned in these 30

in a eulogy for al-Arouri, “We say to the crimi-

Borrell said.

years that the solution has to be imposed

nal occupation [Israel] that the battle between

from outside because the two parties will

us is open.”

Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is

never be able to reach an agreement,” Borrell

Israel had previously accused al-Arouri of

due to make a speech in Beirut later on Wed-

said at an event in

nesday after he

Lisbon, Portugal,

previously warned

on Wednesday.

Israel against carrying out

“If this tragedy

assassinations on

doesn’t end soon,

Lebanese soil and

the entire Middle

promised a “seve-

East might end up

re reaction”.

in flames”, he said. Israel has bombar-

The United

ded the besieged

Nations peace-

Gaza Strip since

keeping mission

October 7, when

in Lebanon

Hamas fighters

warned that any

from the Pales-

escalation “could

tinian territory

have devastating

stormed into

consequences

southern Israel, ki-

for people on

lling around 1,200

both sides of the

people, and taking

border”.

around 240 others hostage, according

Borrell added that

to Israeli officials.

he is planning to visit the Middle

In response to the

East, including Le-

Hamas attack,

banon, to “explore

Israel declared

ways out” of the

war, launched a

war and would

devastating bom-

present to EU

bardment of Gaza

member states a

and later ordered

proposal to create

a ground invasion

a mission in the

that has left much

Red Sea.

of the territory in ruins. More than 22,000

orchestrating attacks on its citizens. A Hamas

people, mostly women and children, have

official said al-Arouri was “at the heart of

Yemen’s Houthis have been targeting vessels

been killed in the Israeli assault, according to

negotiations” conducted by Qatar and Egypt

in the Red Sea since October in what they say

Palestinian authorities.

over the release of hostages held by armed

are acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

groups in Gaza. Several shipping lines have suspended opera-

The war reached the Lebanese capital Beirut on Tuesday, when a senior Hamas official was

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said the

tions through the Red Sea due to the attacks

killed in a blast. Hamas said its deputy leader,

death of al-Arouri on Lebanese territory aims

and have changed routes to take the longer

Saleh al-Arouri, was assassinated in an Israeli

to “draw Lebanon” deeper into the war, as the

journey around Africa instead.

drone attack.

Lebanese armed group, Hezbollah, has traded

Israel has neither confirmed nor denied that

near-daily fire with Israeli forces since the war

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA 03. January 2024

First US moon lander since Apollo prepares to blast off on Monday Commercial Peregrine mission aims to deliver Nasa scientific equipment to moon along with mementos and ashes of Star Trek creator Final

preparations

are

under

way

that Peregrine was a commercial mission

Cape Canaveral in Florida for a milestone

Peregrine is the first mission to fly under

and that Nasa was not in a position to tell

mission to put a US lander on the moon,

Nasa’s commercial lunar payload services

Astrobotic what they could and could not fly.

an achievement not seen in more than 50

(CLPS) initiative, a new scheme in which the

years since the end of the Apollo project.

space agency pays private companies to

Peregrine

deliver scientific equipment to the moon.

flow called Sinus Viscositatis, or the Bay of

Last-minute

glitches

aside,

bound

for

ancient

lava

Peregrine

Peregrine carries five Nasa payloads and

Stickiness, so named because the formations

mission one, named after the fastest animal

15 others. One, a shoebox-sized rover from

suggest the lava had an unusual consistency.

on Earth, will roar into the sky at 7.18am

Carnegie Mellon University, is set to become

UK time Monday. After looping around the

the first US robot to take a spin on the moon.

will measure radiation levels, surface and

planet, it will head to the moon and slip into

all

goes

well,

Peregrine’s

instruments

subsurface water ice, the magnetic field, and

lunar orbit before an attempted landing

“This whole task is not easy,” said Chris

the extremely tenuous layer of gas called the

soon after local sunrise on 23 February.

Culbert,

manager

exosphere. The readings are expected to help

at Nasa’s Johnson Space Center. “Landing

minimise risks and harness the moon’s natural

on the moon is extremely difficult. We

resources when humans return to its surface.

Even in the white-knuckle world of space

the

CLPS

programme

recognise that success cannot be assured.”

exploration, the mission is considered risky.

“It is high risk, for sure, but we knew

While Nasa has instruments aboard the

Not all the payloads are scientific: along for

that when we got into this game,” said

robotic lander, this is a commercial operation.

the ride is a copy of Wikipedia, a physical coin

Simeon Barber, a senior research fellow at

No private company has ever achieved a soft

loaded with one bitcoin and DHL “moonboxes”

the Open University and the lead UK co-

landing on the moon or any other celestial body.

carrying mementos ranging from novels and

investigator on the Peregrine ion-trap mass

photographs to a small lump of Mount Everest.

spectrometer, or PITMS instrument, a mini

“There’s a lot riding here,” said John Thornton,

Also onboard, courtesy of the space memorial

mass spectrometer that will sniff molecules

the chief executive of Astrobotic, the Pittsburgh

firms Elysium Space and Celestis, are cremated

as they bounce along the moon’s surface.

firm leading the mission. “It’s a mix of emotions.

human remains and DNA, some of which belong

There’s thrill and excitement, but I’m also a

to Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek.

bit terrified because there’s a lot on the line.”

PITMS

will

analyse

the

composition

the lunar exosphere and monitor how it The latter payloads have proved divisive. In a

changes over the eight or so Earth days that

Adding to the nerves is the fact that the

letter to Nasa, Buu Nygren, the president of

the lander will operate. Researchers hope

Vulcan rocket Peregrine sits on has never

the Navajo Nation, emphasised that the moon

to see the effect of natural cycles, such as

flown before, though its manufacturer, United

was sacred to many Indigenous cultures, and

temperature swings from 100C to -100C, and

Launch Alliance, has had a 100% mission

said depositing the material was “tantamount

the lander’s own activities. “We’ve asked the

success rate with its predecessor rockets.

to desecration”. In response, Culbert stressed

rover team to do a doughnut to kick up some

gasses,” Barber said. “They said they’ll try.” As a potential resource for future missions, water is a key molecule to find. PITMS may reveal how water molecules are released from the surface during daytime and trapped again at night, shedding light on the circulation of lunar water. Peregrine is but the first in a wave of landers destined for the moon under the CLPS scheme. The next, built by the Houston-based Intuitive Machines, is due to launch in mid-February. It will take a more direct route to the moon and may even touch down before Peregrine. While many scientists welcome the surge in commercial interest in the moon, some have called for agreements to protect sites of special interest, such as potential future bases for lunar telescopes or gravitational wave detectors. “People should think about this now,” said Prof Katherine Joy at the University of Manchester, a member of the Prospect science team, which will use a drilling and sampling instrument on a future CLPS mission to assess resources on the moon. “We are a long way from space mining, but

companies

are

taking

those

first

steps to understand where would you go and what technology would you deploy. We need to think about the regulatory framework before things move too quickly.”

By Ian Sample Science editor 05. January 2024.

Israel tries to appease US with proposals for Gaza as Blinken heads to Middle East Washington wants concessions from the Netanyahu administration, as critics say plans lack detail or commitment Israeli officials are scrambling to head off

the right approach but you have to let them

intensifying attacks on the densely populated

mounting frustration in Washington in the run-

choose,” said Mairav Zonszein, a senior analyst

areas of Maghazi, Bureij and Nuseirat in the

up to a potentially difficult meeting between

on Israel and Palestine with the International

centre of Gaza.

the top US diplomat and Benjamin Netanyahu

Crisis Group.

In southern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands

by offering a series of policy proposals on Gaza

The plan outlined by Gallant differs starkly from

of Palestinians have moved on Israeli advice,

that critics say lack detail or commitment.

US calls for a revitalised Palestinian Authority,

six Palestinians were killed in a strike on Khan

The US has offered staunch support to Israel

which is based in the occupied West Bank,

Younis, local health officials said.

since the outbreak of its war with Hamas three

to take control of Gaza too and a start to new

Another concern for the Biden administration

months ago but is anxious to secure some

negotiations towards creating a Palestinian

has been calls by far-right members of

concessions from Netanyahu to lower regional

state alongside Israel.

Netanyahu’s cabinet for Palestinians to be

tensions and help avert a wider conflict in the

“We don’t expect every conversation on this trip

encouraged to leave Gaza en masse.

Middle East.

to be easy … There are obviously tough issues

On Sunday Bezalel Smotrich, the finance

Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state,

facing the region and difficult choices ahead,”

minister who has been excluded from the

arrived in Turkey on Friday to begin a week-long

Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the state

war cabinet and discussions of day-after

Middle East tour. During his upcoming visit to

department said.

arrangements in Gaza, called for Palestinian

Israel, Blinken is expected to put pressure on

The Biden administration has previously taken

residents of Gaza to leave the besieged enclave,

Netanyahu to do more to protect civilians in

credit for coaxing Israel on several aid issues,

making way for Israelis who could “make the

Gaza, allow more aid to reach the territory and

including allowing limited fuel and commercial

desert bloom”.

rein in outspoken far-right ministers who have

trucks to enter the Gaza Strip. This week Israeli

A day later, Itamar Ben-Gvir, the national

called for the mass resettlement of Palestinians

officials suggested further entry points from

security minister, said the conflict was an

– rhetoric that the US has condemned as

Israel may be opened to allow more aid to reach

opportunity to “encourage the migration of the

inflammatory and irresponsible.

northern Gaza. Gallant also indicated a more

residents of Gaza,” which he said would be “a

Netanyahu has also angered Washington by so

precise approach to targeting Hamas fighters

correct, just, moral and humane solution”.

far refusing to engage in any detailed planning

and their leaders, in what appears to be another

Such statements, coming amid unconfirmed

for the governance of Gaza when Israel’s

response to pressure from Washington.

reports in Israel of proposals to convince

military offensive ends and by rejecting the

The US has been pushing Israel to shift to

other countries to accept large numbers

US’s preferred options.

lower-intensity military operations in Gaza

of Palestinians, have created fears in much

In recent days, senior Israeli ministers have

that more precisely target Hamas, which

of the Arab world that Israel wants to drive

rushed to offer some postwar proposals and to

took over the territory in 2007. In rare public

Palestinians off land where they want to build a

repeat earlier promises that the Israeli military

criticism, Biden warned last month that Israel

future state, repeating the mass dispossession

would transition to tactics less costly to civilians.

was losing international support because of its

of Palestinians in the wars surrounding the

On Thursday, the Israeli defence minister

“indiscriminate bombing”.

creation of Israel in 1948.

suggested that Israel would keep security

Rwanda on Friday described reports by an

control of Gaza but with an undefined, Israeli-

Israel’s campaign in Gaza has killed more

Israeli news outlet of talks between Rwanda

guided

day-to-

than 22,400 people, more than two-thirds of

and Israel on the transfer of Palestinians from

day administration and the US, the EU and

them women and children, according to the

Gaza as “completely false disinformation …

regional partners taking responsibility for the

Hamas-run health ministry in the territory, with

[that] should be ignored”.

reconstruction of the territory.

thousands more thought to be buried under

Under Yoav Gallant’s plan, Israel’s offensive

rubble and tens of thousands wounded.

Smotrich, whose hard-right Religious Zionism

in Gaza would continue until hostages taken

The offensive was launched after Hamas sent

party draws support from Israel’s settler

during the Hamas attack on Israel on 7

thousands of militants into southern Israel,

community, has made similar comments in

October were freed and Hamas’s “military and

who killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians,

the past, angering the US. Biden is believed to

governing capabilities” dismantled.

and abducted about 240 others.

have made clear to Netanyahu that he holds

Then, a new phase would begin during which

Gallant’s statement said that in northern

him responsible for ministers’ statements. “We

unspecified Palestinian bodies – apparently

Gaza, Israeli forces would shift to a “new

have been clear, consistent, and unequivocal

local civil servants or communal leaders –

combat approach”, which would emphasise

that Gaza is Palestinian land and will remain

would take over the territory’s governance.

raids, destruction of tunnels, “air and ground

Palestinian land, with Hamas no longer in

Israeli observers, however, have noted that

activities and special operations”.

control of its future and with no terror groups

Gallant’s proposals are not official policy, are

It was not immediately clear how this might

able to threaten Israel,” Miller, of the state

yet to be submitted to other ministers and are

differ from current operations, though Israel’s

department, told reporters.

unlikely to work.

recent troop withdrawal from Gaza may signal

“The Israeli military is presenting their plan

an imminent change in tactics.

In a further apparent effort to reassure the US

for the politicians to consider. It’s a recipe

Palestinians said there had been no let up

as Blinken’s visit approached, Gallant said that

for disaster. The idea that you want local

in Israeli airstrikes and shelling since the

though Israel would reserve its right to operate

Palestinians to do domestic government is

announcement,

inside the territory, his plan foresaw “no Israeli

Palestinian

body

running

with

planes

and

tanks

civilian presence in the Gaza Strip after the

no schools, no roads, no house,” said one UN

goals of the war have been achieved”.

administrator who has been living in a crowded

Some in Gaza are reluctantly considering

entering, according to the UN.

shelter near Khan Younis since his home was

On his trip, Blinken will visit Israel, the

destroyed a little more than two months ago.

Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and

leaving the territory in the future.

five Arab countries, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Much of northern Gaza is in ruins. About

Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the state

“I know it is what the Israelis want but I think

85% of Gaza’s 2.3 million people have been

department said.

about my children’s future and wonder where

displaced and are being forced to live in ever

we could go. I would never want to leave in

smaller areas. A quarter of the population is

ordinary times but there is nothing here now:

now starving because not enough supplies are

By Jason Burke 05 January 2024.

Afghans need our help – there must be no empty seats on New Zealand’s rescue mission hat is unfolding now in Afghanistan is a

government, women with education and a

Judges, call on the New Zealand government

moment that Afghans can’t turn away from.

voice they happen to have used publicly. As

to secure safe passage for Afghan women

It will mean separated families, death, torture

former refugees, we know how important these

judges and their families, knowing they would

and sexual slavery – women, the rainbow

lifelines are, we know the anxiety that went into

be at grave risk.

community, journalists and human rights

sending information out into the world hoping

defenders will be most zealously targeted. At

to be believed, hoping for humanity. Ex-UN

The New Zealand Afghan community held

this critical moment, they have hope of rescue.

aid workers, diplomats and human rights

rallies before the current Covid-19 lockdown.

But in Aotearoa New Zealand, our government

campaigners have all been in touch advocating

is at risk of letting this hope slip away. History

for targeted Afghans they’ve worked with. They

When I arrived, the organisers – middle-aged

judges uninterested bystanders harshly. It isn’t

know New Zealand is at least sending a plane,

men whom I would have called uncle – told

like us to be one of those.

landing and able to bring people back – so they

me they were prioritising the voices of young

beg us to do more. It would be unforgivable

women, who would speak first. The fierce

This week our government announced we

if our plane leaves Kabul with even a single

and eloquent speeches that followed were

would send a New Zealand defence force

empty seat.

heartbreaking and hope-giving. This is a

(NZDF) vessel to bring a limited category of

While it is a relief to have our own people –

community of survivors.

people back from Kabul. On Thursday one of our

and the interpreters who helped us – finally

air force Hercules planes left for Afghanistan,

rescued, “like-minded” nations such as the

It is also a community of Kiwis with family

and I acknowledge the risks our defence force

UK and Canada have committed to taking

trapped under one of the most violent and

personnel are taking in this time of Covid-19

thousands of at-risk Afghans, while we have

oppressive forces of the modern world. How can

to save the lives of people who have helped

not. New Zealand is already unlikely to fill its

we not do all we can to reunite these families,

us. But we will take only Kiwis and a group

refugee resettlement quota this year because

to keep human rights defenders or journalists

of interpreters who assisted the NZDF in its

of Covid-19. In that context, rescuing lives from

safe? Right now, there is a brief window when

operations there, together with their families.

the clutches of the Taliban and out of Kabul is

we can land at that airport and save lives. This is

We will not bring back the families of Kiwi

within our existing intake levels.

a moment when our human community either

Afghans, nor will we help any other targeted

These harrowing events are befalling a people

rises to the challenge or looks away. We must

group. It is worth noting that the threat the

and culture far from the violent oppression

not let this moment pass.

interpreters faced from persistent Taliban

of the Taliban. Afghan women were often

presence has been known to the government

educated professionals before that force first

There must be no empty seats on New

for some time. There was never cause to leave

took over, and came back to that life after the

Zealand’s plane.

them in Afghanistan until an outbreak of civil

Taliban’s first fall. As a lawyer, I was proud to

war or fully-fledged Taliban occupation.

see our own Justice Grazebrook, the president of the International Association of Women

Over the past week, the messages and calls from Afghan New Zealanders and Afghans on the ground have flooded in. In my office we scroll through pages of identity documents, photos and location details, sent by family members here grasping for any lifeline for their loved ones. I have my dad translating Farsi notes sent from people who let us know of death threats, and of how they change their locations daily because the Taliban comes looking for them with printed copies of those same photo IDs. They detail the grounds for their persecution: work for foreign organisations, for the deposed

Golriz Ghahraman 20. August 2021.

A vision for the Palestinians after the war

US President Joe Biden has warned voters

power to the example set by Washington, who

against re-electing Donald Trump in this

stepped down willingly after two terms as the

year’s election, saying the likely Republican

first US president.

presidential nominee presents a serious risk to

Again (MAGA) campaign. More than 1,230 people have been charged with federal crimes for their participation,

the country and described him as a threat to

Trump seeking ‘revenge’

including felonies such as assaulting police

democracy.

Biden said Trump’s re-election bid was

officers and seditious conspiracy.

based on trying to seek “revenge and

Biden ‘destroyer of democracy’

The speech on Friday came one day before the

retribution” against his political enemies. He

Trump hit back during a speech on Friday

third anniversary of the January 6 attack when

reminded Americans that Trump has called

in Sioux Center, Iowa, and called Biden’s

a violent group of Trump’s supporters stormed

his opponents “vermin,” the “same exact

record “an unbroken streak of weakness,

the US Capitol in a desperate bid to keep him

language used in Nazi Germany”.

incompetence, corruption and failure”.

“He told the crowd to fight like hell. And all hell

“How dare he? Who in God’s name does he

Ahead of Biden’s speech, the Trump campaign

was unleashed,” Biden said at a community

think he is?” said Biden.

released an advertisement accusing him of

college in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. “Then

Trump, president from 2017 to 2021, is leading

being “the true destroyer of democracy” citing

as usual he left the dirty work to others. He

the field for the Republican nomination for

special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into

retreated to the White House.”

president. He contested his defeat in the

Trump’s actions on January 6.

in power after his 2020 election loss.

2020 election, prompting thousands of his Biden characterised Trump and his followers

supporters to attack the US Capitol.

as dangerous outliers and asked Democrats,

Smith, a veteran prosecutor known for pursuing mob bosses, has charged Trump

independents and “mainstream Republicans”

The failed bid to stop formal certification of the

with conspiring to illegally subvert the results

who cherish US democracy to back him.

result caused the deaths of five people and

of the 2020 election. The former president

injured dozens of police officers.

faces four criminal counts as part of the

“Democracy is on the ballot. Your freedom is

Biden also criticised Republicans for changing

indictment.

on the ballot,” he said.

their tone on Trump, saying that when the attacks of January 6 took place, “there was

Trump, who has pleaded not guilty to the

“Donald Trump’s campaign is obsessed with

no doubt about the truth” and that some

charges and denied any wrongdoing, has

the past, not the future,” Biden said. “Trump’s

Republican members of Congress and

accused prosecutors of conducting a politically

assault on democracy isn’t just part of his past.

Fox News commentators had publicly and

motivated “witch hunt” to derail his 2024 re-

It’s what he’s promising for the future.”

privately condemned the uprising.

election bid.

Before his speech, Biden toured the

“But now as time has gone on – politics, fear,

Valley Forge site of George Washington’s

money – have all intervened. And those MAGA

Revolutionary War-era winter headquarters in

voices who know the truth about Trump

late 1777 and early 1778.

and January 6th have abandoned the truth and abandoned our democracy,” Biden said,

He contrasted Trump’s bid to hang on to

referring to Trump’s Make America Great

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES 06. January 2024.

T20 World Cup 2024: India vs Pakistan scheduled on June 9 in New York enthusiasts worldwide have been eagerly

India and Pakistan will face each other in New York in their group-stage match at the T20

“The T20 World Cup 2024 marks an exciting

World Cup 2024.

expansion of our sport with more teams than

awaiting this announcement,” Graves said.

ever before set to compete in this event,” ICC

“Now that it is available, it provides a roadmap

The cricketing rivals have been scheduled to

chief executive Geoff Allardice said.

for the thrilling journey that lies ahead.”

play at the 34,000-seat modular stadium in

“It’s going to be an incredible spectacle

Long Island on June 9.

bringing together teams from Africa, the

India were defeated finalists on home soil

Tournament co-host, the United States, will

Americas, Asia, East-Asia Pacific and Europe.”

at the recent 50-over World Cup as Australia upset the odds to win by six wickets in

open the ninth edition of the event against its North American neighbour, Canada, on June

Florida completes the three US venues to

Ahmedabad. They were also left frustrated in

1 in Dallas.

host group stage matches, although the

the 2021 T20 World Cup, finishing just outside

tournament thereafter will solely be staged in

the qualification spot from their Super 12

the Caribbean.

group.

The schedule for the 2023 Cricket World

Pakistan topped that group, beating India

Cup, the one-day international equivalent

by 10 wickets on the way, but were knocked

The International Cricket Council (ICC)

ICC event, was only announced four months

out at the semifinal stage by Australia. They

announced the schedule on Friday, six months

before the tournament, leaving fans irked

finished fifth in the group to miss out on

before the expanded 20-team tournament,

by the timeframe for which to make travel

a place in the last four at the 2023 50-over

which runs until June 29 when joint co-hosts,

arrangements. Cricket West Indies chief

tournament in India, where the host nation

the West Indies, will host the final in Barbados.

executive Johnny Graves said Friday’s

exacted revenge for the 2021 defeat.

The defending champions, England, are in the same group as Ashes rivals Australia, and will play each other on June 8 in Barbados.

announcement marked a “significant The top two teams from each of the four

milestone” in their preparations.

groups will progress to the Super Eight round in an event that will comprise 55 matches.

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES 05. January 2024.

“We know that teams, fans and cricket

Sudan’s army chief al-Burhan says ‘no reconciliation’ with paramilitary RSF Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan

The United States has accused both the army

“He is humiliating the Sudanese people, he is

has promised to continue a nine-month war

and RSF of war crimes, and it says the RSF is

killing them, insulting them, and some people

between the military and the paramilitary

also responsible for crimes against humanity

are clapping for him and laughing with him,”

Rapid Support Forces (RSF), rejecting the

and ethnic cleansing.

al-Burhan said.

latest peace efforts.

The war that began on April 15 has devastated

RSF head Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti”

wide swaths of Sudan and displaced more

The RSF has faced growing popular resistance

than 7.5 million people.

in northern Sudan after it last month raided

Dagalo agreed earlier this week to a ceasefire

Gezira state and ransacked farming villages.

proposed by civilian groups, contingent on

‘Coward’

the military also agreeing. But observers

With the RSF appearing to gain the upper

Al-Burhan said he would arm Sudanese

responded sceptically in light of the

hand in the fight, the Intergovernmental

people who wanted to fight the RSF and

paramilitary force’s prior unfulfilled promises.

Authority on Development, an African trade

urged them to join the military.

bloc, got al-Burhan and Dagalo last month to “The whole world witnessed these rebel

agree to an in-person meeting.

forces committing war crimes and crimes

The country faces the threat of falling under “bondage and colonialism”, al-Burhan said.

against humanity in West Darfur and the

But al-Burhan on Friday ruled that out and

It was an apparent reference to the United

rest of Sudan. For that reason, we have

called his rival a “clown”, “traitor” and “coward”.

Arab Emirates, which the army accuses of

no reconciliation with them, we have no

He rejected the ceasefire deal Dagalo signed

supporting the RSF.

agreement with them,” al-Burhan, who is also

in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, this week.

Sudan’s head of state, told troops gathered in

Dagalo has shared photos in which he was

Port Sudan in video released by his office on

Al-Burhan also criticised leaders of African

disembarking from a jet owned by an Emirati

Friday.

countries including South Africa, Ethiopia and

airline that flight records show has gone to the

Kenya who received Dagalo as a statesman

places on his regional tour.

He was referring to ethnic cleansing in and

during visits this week and Sudanese

around the West Darfur city of El Geneina.

politicians who met him in Ethiopia.

SOURCE: REUTERS 05. Jauary 2024.

‘Vote doesn’t count’: Bangladesh’s ‘bizarre’ election tests ties with West The nation of 170 million people votes on Sunday in elections that the main opposition has boycotted and whose credibility the West has questioned. Bangladesh is going to hold its national

longer makes sense. “Awami League is urging

Rahman told Al Jazeera the Awami League’s

election tomorrow amid a boycott by the

people to vote, knowing their vote will not

main aim in this election is to show the

principal opposition party, a crackdown on

matter as it will win anyway,” said Tanvir

world that even without the main political

protesters and intense pressure from Western

Siddiqui, a businessman in Dhaka. “And BNP is

opposition in Bangladesh’s essentially “two-

countries who have warned for months about

declaring hartal (a protest) on an election day

party politics,” the turnout could be high.

a lack of the vote’s credibility damaging the

to stop people going to the booth! I have never

“This would help them to establish the

nation’s democracy.

seen anything more bizarre than this.”

narrative that Bangladesh’s democracy has

With the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP),

When asked whether he would vote in

evolved into a multi-party democracy where

the main political opposition, not contesting,

Sunday’s election, Siddiqui told Al Jazeera,

the BNP is no longer relevant while Awami

Sunday’s outcome is almost a foregone

“What’s the point? Our vote has stopped

League very much is,” Rahman said. “But I am

conclusion, with Prime Minister Sheikh

counting since the 2014 election.”

not sure who is buying that. Surely neither

Hasina’s Awami League widely expected to

Murshid was also sceptical about the

the common people nor the whole world.

win its fourth consecutive term.

likelihood of a reasonable voter turnout. “AL

Probably Awami League itself is not convinced

But that win might come with a loss – political

has a huge supporter base but I am not sure

about it,” Rahman added.

pundits and analysts say the manner in which

even many of their own supporters will bother

Rahman described the election as a “stage-

the election is being conducted could affect

to visit the poll booth,” she said.

managed mockery of democracy”. More than

the South Asian nation’s diplomatic and

For the Awami League, voter turnout, however,

the outcome or the process of the poll, he said

economic relationships with Western partners,

is a major concern. “In fact, this is our only

he was worried about its aftermath.

most notably, the United States.

concern now,” said Bahauddin Nasim, joint

“Yes, the BNP is not participating but the

The Biden administration has repeatedly

secretary general of the party.

election doesn’t mean the poll day, rather it

criticised the Bangladesh government for its

Since Bangladesh’s democratic transition from

means the whole period since the declaration

handling of the election, and in September

military rule in the early 1990s, the country has

of the election schedule. We have seen

declared visa restrictions on select individuals

witnessed two one-sided elections. In 1996,

how the Awami League has repressed the

accused of subverting the democratic process.

when the BNP was in power and the Awami

opposition with brute force and through court

Bangladesh’s previous two elections were

League boycotted the election, the turnout

cases,” said Rahman.

also similarly tainted: the BNP boycotted the

was only 28 percent.

In the last six weeks, the ruling Awami League

election in 2014 and the 2018 vote was marred

In 2014, when the roles were reversed – the

had launched what the US-based Human

by allegations of major vote-rigging.

Awami League was in power and the BNP

Rights Watch (HRW) has termed a “violent

A more significant backlash from the US

boycotted – only 39 percent of voters showed

autocratic crackdown” against the BNP and

could strain Bangladesh’s already fragile

up at polling booths. In both cases, the

arrested thousands of their top leaders and

economy and take its seething political unrest

boycotting opposition parties said even those

activists. More than a dozen were also killed in

– witnessed in large protests over recent

numbers were inflated.

police violence.

months – to a boiling point.

Nasim, however, said he was hopeful about

The US and European nations should take of

The ruling Awami League has tried to give the

a strong turnout and cited the millions of

these recent events in deciding whether they

election a competitive veneer by fielding a

new voters whom he claimed would be keen

want to give legitimacy to a post-election

number of what they, themselves call “dummy

to exercise their democratic right. As per

Hasina government, Rahman said, if they “are

candidates” and running full-fledged election

the election commission’s data, about 15.6

true to their words of promoting democracy”.

campaigns which ended early on Friday

million new voters have registered since the

Sreeradha Datta, professor at the Jindal School

morning.

last election of 2018. The country’s voting

of International Affairs in Sonepat, India,

The BNP, meanwhile, has declared a 48-

population now stands at 119.6 million.

however, told Al Jazeera that she doesn’t

hour nationwide strike from Saturday after

“Most of these voters are very excited about

expect any “dramatic reactions” from the US

conducting its own campaign urging people

casting their first votes,” said Nasim, “And by

or other Western countries to a Hasina victory.

not to vote. “Boycott the election for public

holding the election on time, we are giving

India, Bangladesh’s neighbour and South

interest, for civil liberties and in the interest

them this opportunity.” Nasim also said that

Asia’s biggest power, will almost certainly

of basic freedom of the people,” Ruhul Kabir

since the BNP wasn’t able to secure any

go to “congratulate Hasina and the Awami

Rizvi, the joint secretary general of the BNP

significant number of parliamentary seats in

League” and their bilateral relationship will be

and one of the few top leaders who are out of

the last three elections, they are soon fading

back to “business as usual,” Datta said.

jail, told the media on Friday.

away from people’s minds.

“The USA will point out the anomalies in

He also urged the government not to “push

“Besides, 28 out of 44 registered political

the process but when all other important

the country towards danger by forcing

parties are taking part in this election.

neighbours like China, India and Russia accept

dummy and one-sided elections,” and warned

There are 1970 candidates for 300 seats in

the election verdict there is very little that the

that “power cannot be retained by cheating

the parliament. This will be a participatory

USA can do apart from sanctions which they

the people in this way”.

election,” Nasim added.

have already threatened,” she said.

A low voter turnout?

How will the world react?

To many common people, this election no

Dhaka-based political analyst Zahed Ur

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES 06. January 2024.

Good Luck to the ICJ, Israelis Should Hope It Will Decree to Stop the Gaza Operation Israel did not go to war in order to commit genocide – there is no doubt about that – but it is committing it in practice, even without intending to. Every day that goes by in this war, with its hundreds of deaths, reinforces the suspicion Anyone who sees the pointless continuation

of intent to carry out ethnic cleansing. Israel

crimes. Ethnic cleansing of Gaza and then of

of the war and the dimensions of the killing

deserves to stand trial for both.

the West Bank is already a topic for debate.

and destruction in the Gaza Strip, who wants

The mass killing of Gaza residents is not even

to put an end to the inhumane suffering of

Israel did not go to war in order to commit

more than two million human beings has to

genocide – there is no doubt about that – but

an issue in the Israeli discourse.

hope, even if only deep in their heart, that the

it is committing it in practice, even without

The problem of Gaza was birthed by Israel in

International Court of Justice in The Hague

intending to. Every day that goes by in this

1948 when it expelled hundreds of thousands

will issue a provisional measure ordering a

war, with its hundreds of deaths, reinforces

of people into the territory in what was

suspension of Israel's military operations in the

the suspicion. In The Hague, intent will have to

certainly a complete ethnic cleansing of

Strip.

be proved, and it is possible that it will not be

southern Israel: Ask Yigal Allon. Israel has never

proved. Does this exonerate Israel?

accepted responsibility for this.

order against his country that could also lead

The suspicion of plans for ethnic cleansing,

Now cabinet members are calling for the

to punitive measures against it, but is there

which will not be discussed at The Hague for

job to be finished in the Strip as well. The

any other way to stop the war?

now, is more well-founded. Here the intention

sickening manner in which the question of

is open and declared. Israel's line of defense,

"the day after" is being addressed – the main

It is not easy to know that your state is

according to which its most senior ministers

thing being that Israel will decide what and

being sued by a state that knows a thing or

do not represent the government, is ridiculous.

who will be in Gaza – only shows that the spirit

two about unjust regimes and evil, whose

It's doubtful that anyone will take it seriously.

of 1948 has not died. This is what Israel did

It is not easy for an Israeli to wish for a court

founding leader was a moral role model for

then, and this is what it wants to do again.

the entire world. It is not easy to be brought to

If the pro-transfer Bezalel Smotrich does not

the world court by South Africa; it is not easy

represent the government, what is he doing

The International Court of Justice will decide

to be accused of genocide that was allegedly

in it? If Benjamin Netanyahu has not fired

whether this is enough for a conviction of

committed by a state that was founded on the

Itamar Ben-Gvir, how is the prime minister

genocide or other war crimes. From the

ashes of the largest genocide in history.

blameless?

perspective of conscience, the answer has

It is no longer possible to ignore the fact

already been given.

that suspicions of the worst crimes against

But it is the general atmosphere in Israel,

humanity and international law are hovering

which should disturb us even more than what

over Israel's head. People have stopped

is happening in The Hague. The zeitgeist

speaking of occupation; they speak of

points to broad legitimacy for committing war

apartheid, of involuntary population transfer, ethnic cleansing and genocide. What could be more egregious than these? It appears that today there is no other state that stands accused of all these offenses. These accusations cannot be dismissed out of hand, nor blamed on antisemitism. Even if some of them are exaggerated and even baseless, the indifference with which they are met here – and, as always, turned against the accuser – might be a good route to denial and repression, but not to clearing the name of Israel, much less to the repair and healing of the country. More than 20,000 dead in three months, including thousands of children, and the total destruction of entire districts, can only raise suspicions of genocide. The unbelievable remarks of important Israeli figures about the need to cleanse the Strip of its inhabitants or even to destroy them raises the suspicion

By Gideon Levy 07. January 2024.

Life, death and zombie mushrooms: in search of the Amazon’s rarest fungi

Mycologists Alan Rockefeller and Mandie Quark are on a mission to meticulously document species in Ecuador’s jungle – before they vanish

well as recording the microscopy of the spores and generating DNA “barcode data”. Through this methodology, they aim to ensure each recorded mushroom contributes to the current understanding of fungal biodiversity. “Knowing what you have is really important for conservation,” Rockefeller says. “You can’t just say you have a rare unnamed mushroom – that doesn’t work. “If you can give it a name, then you can preserve it. And if people are going to do chemical analysis to try to make a new discovery based on these fungi, they need a name they can use to communicate about which fungus they’re using. So taxonomy is really important for that reason.” Most people will never have the opportuni-

wilight is falling in the Ecuadorian jungle

species of fungi dot the landscape, many still

ty to visit the rainforest and observe these

when the two scientists spot their first

unnamed and awaiting discovery. Rockefeller

diverse and elusive fungi, so Rockefeller and

zombie. The smell of damp earth and vege-

and Quark carefully collect data by photogra-

Quark have been sharing their findings on

tation rises as Alan Rockefeller takes slow,

phing and cataloguing each specimen for

social media and app-based platforms, such

careful steps, scanning the forest floor with an

submission to the national herbarium in Quito

as iNaturalist, Mushroom Observer, GenBank,

ultraviolet light.

and eventual DNA sequencing.

and MycoMap, to enable others to scrutinise

Suddenly, a fragment of undergrowth glows:

"You can’t just say you have a rare unnamed

strands of luminous cordyceps, turned fluo-

mushroom. If you can give it a name, then you

rescent by the torch. Dubbed the “zombie

can preserve it"

While navigating challenging Amazonian

fungus”, cordyceps is known for colonising

Rockefeller and Quark’s ultimate aim is to

terrain, they aim to open a window to the im-

its insect hosts compelling them to seek a

share their discoveries about Amazonian fungi

mense potential of fungi, and the importance

suitable spot to release spores. That is the spot

with the world, helping ecological conser-

of preserving irreplaceable ecosystems.

where the host will die.

vation efforts in Ecuador and beyond. They

the intricate details – in some cases, before the species vanish.

work alongside the Indigenous Sacha Wasi

“It is hard to stay in the present moment these

Mandie Quark kneels in the wet, spongy

community, who have invited the scientists to

days – we always have a million things trying

earth, carefully digging her fingers around the

operate on their land, exchanging information

to grab our attention,” Quark says. “But the

entomopathogenic fungus to unveil the insect

on different fungi species and their culinary or

work we are doing is drawing attention to the

nestled beneath the surface: a thumb-sized

ecological potential.

here and now, and inspiring others to do the

beetle. The pair carefully light and photograph

same.”

their find before beginning their two-mile trek

At the core of the process lies the art of

home.

myco-photography. Each click of the shutter

She adds: “Mushrooms exist at the precipice of

is an attempt to capture a fleeting moment

life and death. They remind us that existence

Here in the mountains of Ecuador, the two

in the cycle of these fragile organisms, which

is fleeting, and our human experience is also

mycologists have embarked on a research ex-

spend most of their life underground. “My

fleeting. Being there at the perfect moment

pedition in the unprotected rainforests of the

goal is to take the best photo possible to get

to find a beautiful mushroom, you have to be

upper Amazon. Their mission is to meticulous-

people excited about biodiversity and make

present in all of your senses to appreciate that

ly document some of the world’s rarest fungi,

them want to learn more about mushrooms,”

blip in time when the mushroom is at its most

which have been rapidly declining due to

Rockefeller says.

pristine.”

changes in climate, illegal logging and mining. The pair’s methods include macro photograThe Amazon rainforest brims with some of the

phy with focus stacking, a technique that cap-

world’s most diverse flora and fauna. Countless

tures every intricate detail of a mushroom, as

Words and photographs by Rachel Bujalski 05. January 2024.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II presses Blinken to push for a ceasefire in Gaza The top US diplomat is travelling across the Middle East amid growing calls for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. Jordan’s King Abdullah II has urged US

After visiting Jordan, Blinken will travel to

nations to prepare to play a role in the recons-

Secretary of State Antony Blinken to push for

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab

truction, governance and security of Gaza.

a ceasefire in Gaza and bring an end to the

Emirates, Israel and the occupied West Bank,

humanitarian crisis in the besieged Palestinian

where he will deliver a message that Washing-

The US delegation aims to gather Arab states’

territory, as the months-long war continues to

ton does not want a regional escalation of the

views on the future of Gaza before taking

rage.

Gaza conflict.

those positions to Israel, the official said, ack-

The top US diplomat also hopes to make

nowledging there would be a significant gap

The king met Blinken in the Jordanian capital

progress in talks about how Gaza could be

between the different parties’ positions.

Amman on Sunday and warned him of the

governed after the war.

“catastrophic repercussions” of the continua-

Humanitarian crisis

tion of the war which began three months

Future of Gaza

After his meeting with Jordanian officials,

ago, the royal palace said.

Earlier on Sunday Blinken met Jordan’s Fo-

Blinken visited the World Food Programme’s

reign Minister Ayman Safadi, who discussed

regional coordination warehouse near the

At least 22,835 people have been killed – in-

a future scenario that would bring the West

Jordanian capital and highlighted that “it is

cluding 9,600 children – in Israel’s assault on

Bank and Gaza together as the basis of a

imperative” to “maximise assistance to people

Gaza since October 7, according to Palestinian

two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians,

in need”, by getting the aid in and distributing

officials. At least 1,139 people were killed in

according to a statement from Jordan’s Minis-

it effectively.

Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, according

try of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.

to Israeli authorities.

Inside the warehouse, stocked with pallets of Jordan signed a peace treaty with Israel in

canned food aid, the senior UN official in Jor-

The king reiterated “the important role of

1994 and King Abdullah reaffirmed the need

dan, Sheri Ritsema-Anderson, described the

the United States in bringing pressure for an

for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palesti-

situation in Gaza as unlike anything she had

immediate ceasefire in Gaza, protection of ci-

nian question and underlined Jordan’s “total

seen during 15 years in the Middle East.

vilians, and guaranteeing delivery” of medical

rejection” of any forced displacement of

and humanitarian aid, the royal palace said.

Palestinians from Gaza and the occupied West

It is “catastrophic”, she told reporters.

Bank. Blinken, who kicked off a weeklong trip across

Blinken said the US was working to keep aid

the Middle East on Friday, aimed at calming

Washington also insists on a two-state so-

tensions in the region and ensuring the war

lution, something rejected by Israeli Prime

routes into the strip open and multiply them.

does not spread, arrived in Jordan from Turkey

Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, some of whose

“We are intensely focused on the very difficult

and Greece, where he noted that there was

cabinet members have also called for Palesti-

and indeed deteriorating food situation for

“real concern” over the Israel-Lebanon border.

nian inhabitants of Gaza to leave.

men, women and children in Gaza, and it’s

“We want to do everything possible to make

A senior US State Department official trave-

sure that we don’t see escalation there” and to

lling with the top diplomat told Reuters that

avoid an “endless cycle of violence”, he said.

Blinken will continue pressing hesitant Muslim

something we’re working on 24/7.” SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES 07. January 2024.

Israel Presses Egypt to Better Secure Borderland Against Hamas Smugglers Israel says Philadelphi Corridor has been used by Hamas to smuggle weapons and people through underground tunnels

Israel and Egypt are negotiating the future of

came as Secretary of State Antony Blinken

be “in our hands,” in a Dec. 30 news confe-

a corridor between Egypt and Gaza that Israel

visited the region to prevent the conflict from

rence and that control of the border between

says has been used by Hamas to smuggle

spreading, increase humanitarian aid to Gaza

Gaza and Egypt is key to ensuring the demili-

weapons and people through underground

and plan for governance of the territory after

tarization of Gaza.

tunnels and is key to destroying the militant

the war.

group.

“It must be closed,” he said. “It’s clear that any On Sunday, Blinken met with Jordanian King

other arrangement won’t guarantee the disar-

Israel has requested that sensors be installed

Abdullah II. During the meeting, Blinken

mament that we want.”

along the Philadelphi Corridor—the sliver of

“stressed U.S. opposition to forcible displace-

The corridor is a roughly 9-mile-long buffer

land controlled by Egypt that borders Gaza—

ment of Palestinians from the West Bank and

running the length of the Gaza frontier with

according to senior Egyptian officials, to alert

Gaza and the critical need to protect Palesti-

Egypt. The security buffer was initially establi-

Israel in case Hamas attempts to rebuild a

nian civilians in the West Bank from extre-

shed by the 1979 peace treaty between Egypt

tunnel and smuggling network after the war.

mist settler violence,” said State Department

and Israel and was controlled by Israel to

Israel, which used to control the corridor, also

spokesman Matthew Miller. The comments

prevent the movement of weapons and goods

requested direct notifications if the sensors

come after some far-right members of the

between Egypt and Gaza. But Israel relinqui-

are triggered and the right to send survei-

Israeli government advocated for displacing

shed that control to Egypt and Palestinian

llance drones into the area in case of such a

Palestinians and building Israeli settlements

authorities after Israel unilaterally pulled out

trigger, the officials said.

in Gaza.

from Gaza in 2005.

In response, Egypt said that it would consider

On Monday, Blinken is set to meet leaders in

Since Hamas took over the enclave in 2007,

adding the sensors but that a direct notifica-

the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia

Israel alleges the corridor has become the

tion or approval of drones would be a violation

before flying to Israel.

militant group’s main avenue for smuggling

of Egyptian sovereignty, the officials said. The

weapons and illicit goods into the Gaza Strip.

negotiations, which have taken shape over

As Israel has set out to destroy Hamas, the

the past two weeks, are currently stuck on this

frontier between Egypt and Gaza has come

“It’s clear that the Egyptians failed to stop the

issue, the officials said.

under focus. Israel has curtailed the delivery

flow of munitions and weapons into Gaza in

of aid through the border as part of a drive to

the past 18 years; they can’t deny it,” said Giora

The Israeli government didn’t immediately

ensure Hamas doesn’t misdirect it for military

Eiland, a retired Israeli general.

respond to a request for comment.

uses. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netan-

The negotiations with Egypt come as Israel

The negotiations between Egypt and Israel

yahu said that the Philadelphi Corridor must

focuses its war against Hamas on the southern

part of the enclave.

killed freelance journalist Mustafa Thuraya,

the south.

who was in the car leading a small convoy of The Israeli military said on Saturday that it has

journalists reporting on the war, the survivors

Some 1.9 million Gazans have been displa-

managed to destroy Hamas’s military struc-

and eyewitnesses said.

ced since the war began, according to the

ture in northern Gaza, although it still doesn’t

United Nations, representing 90% of the strip’s

have full military control over the area. Israel

In response to questions about the airstrike,

population. More than 22,000 people, mostly

has killed key leadership and severed com-

the Israeli military said that it hit a “terrorist

women and children, have been killed since Is-

mand lines, rendering the 12 Hamas battalions

who operated an aircraft that posed a threat”

rael launched a war in Gaza aimed at toppling

in northern Gaza unable to fight in an organi-

to Israeli troops. The Israeli military said it was

Hamas from power, according to Palestinian

zed manner, said Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the

aware of reports that “two other suspects who

health officials. The number doesn’t distingui-

Israeli military’s chief spokesman. Israel has

were in the same vehicle as the terrorist were

sh between combatants and civilians.

also destroyed several miles of subterranean

also hit.”

tunnel and military infrastructure in northern Gaza, he said.

Gazans who are being asked to evacuate their As of Jan. 2, some 77 journalists and media

homes by Israeli forces are struggling to find

workers had been killed since the beginning

a place to go. Fatima Khalaf, 35, said she had

Hamas didn’t immediately respond to a re-

of the war, according to the Committee to Pro-

no room to host her sister, who was forced

quest for comment.

tect Journalists, which called for an indepen-

to evacuate her home in Nuseirat, in central

Violence continued to flare in the Israeli-oc-

dent investigation of Sunday’s killings. It said

Gaza. “I could not help her,” she said. Khalaf,

cupied West Bank, where an Israeli citizen

that Thuraya was a freelance videographer

who is farther south in Deir al-Balah, said she

was killed by gunmen, according to the Israeli

who worked with AFP.

worries she too could face evacuation orders

police. It came after a violent night in the West

and won’t have anywhere to go.

Bank city of Jenin, where Islamic Jihad—a

“The continuous killings of journalists and their

militant group that, like Hamas, has been de-

family members by Israeli army fire must end,”

“You need to sign up and wait for a week until

signated a terrorist organization by the U.S.—

said Sherif Mansour, the group’s Middle East

you get a tent,” she said. “The humanitarian

took responsibility for an explosion that hit an

and North Africa program coordinator.

situation is rapidly deteriorating.”

The Israeli military also said it conducted a

Israel has been under pressure from the U.S.

In a meeting with Qatar’s prime minister and

strike on militants who fired on troops. Eight

and other allies to transition to lower-intensity

foreign minister in Doha, Blinken said he plans

Palestinians were killed, Palestinian health

fighting, which analysts say might happen

to speak to Israel about doing more to prevent

officials said.

in phases across the Strip, likely starting with

civilian harm, including increasing aid.

Israeli border police vehicle, killing one officer.

northern Gaza, where Israel has made the On Sunday, two Palestinian journalists were

most progress and is already withdrawing

“An immediate increase in aid is essential, as is

killed in Gaza when an Israeli airstrike hit a car

forces.

improving deconfliction procedures to ensure

marked with press signs, according to survi-

its safe and secure delivery, including to nor-

vors of the attack and eyewitnesses. Among

High-intensity battles are expected, however,

those killed was Hamza al-Dahdouh, son of

to continue in central and southern Gaza,

Wael al-Dahdouh, the Gaza bureau chief for

which represent newer and more complicated

Al Jazeera, whose wife and two other children

fronts, the Israeli military said, as the area is

were killed in previous strikes. The blast also

full of civilians who have fled from the north to

thern Gaza,” Blinken said.

By Carrie Keller-Lynn 07. January 2024.

Jackson continues: “I have to talk with Dad every day. He’s a junkie for this stuff. He’s in a wheelchair and not moving around as fast but his mind is super sharp as he has challenges from Parkinson’s. He knows the terrain better than anyone I can imagine.” He describes serving in Congress as a “tremendous honour” that often yields “awe and wonderment”. But some days, he chuckles, “it feels like a bad high school that you’ve transferred into” and on others “you feel like you’re walking a tightrope over a pool of sharks without a safety net”. Jackson is a believer in God’s grace. He and his father were arrested outside the South African embassy in DC in 1986 while protesting against racial apartheid, and then again some 35 years later outside the supreme court while protesting for voting rights. One of six siblings, Jackson recalls the family home in Chicago always buzzing with activity and engagement with social causes. He says: “Our phone at the house would ring like a switchboard and my mother and father were both activists, if you will. “I remember the last time we saw President Nelson Mandela of South Africa and he could barely walk any more. He heard my father was in the country and asked him to come to visit him. My father came in the room. The president was trying to stand up and he hollered out to my father: ‘Freedom fighter!’

Congressman Jonathan Jackson on Biden, Gaza and making his famous father proud

“I would like to think that I come from the background of freedom fighters, not politicians of who’s dividing the pie, who gets what, when, where and how?”

After a lifetime of activism, a son of Jesse Jackson marks his first year as a politician representing Illinois

When Jesse Jackson first ran for president in 1984, Jonathan was 18 and able to vote for the first time. He was also a campaign surrogate and witness to the backlash from a nation resistant to the idea of a Black major-party

Jonathan Jackson’s eyes brim with tears as

man Bobby Rush, whom he calls “Uncle Bo-

nominee. He says: “We started registering the

he recalls the 1984 campaign of his father,

bby”, retired after three decades representing

record amount of death threats and it was just

Jesse, to become the United States’ first Black

Chicago’s South Side.

insane.

president. “To see my great-grandmother, who

In an interview at his Washington office on Ca-

“The headlines: what does he want, can he

couldn’t read or write, vote,” the US congress-

pitol Hill, Jackson – whose wife, Marilyn, leads

run? Like, the audacity of being able to run? I

man says, his voice faltering. “It let me see how

the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Ken-

remember one time we were in a motorcade

meaningful it was to be able to vote.”

tucky – admits that it had been the last thing

coming down through from Washington to

Jackson is a lifelong political activist who has

on his mind until he took part in a radio show

Virginia and they still had chain gangs out

come to elected office late in the game. He

and was urged to run. “My parents were 80.

here on the highway, and to see those men

was a spokesperson for the Rainbow Push

The family’s been through a lot. I want to make

stop and wave with pride, you realised it was a

Coalition, an international human and civil

Mom and Dad proud and so I jumped in there

bigger issue.”

rights organisation founded by his father. In

and it was a good uplift for them,” he says.

Jesse won four contests and 18% of the popular vote, finishing third behind Walter Mondale

Chicago the younger Jackson fought against the closure of public schools and worked on

Jackson’s parents, Jesse and Jacqueline

and Gary Hart. Four years later, when he tried

false-confessions cases involving the police.

Jackson, are veterans of the civil rights move-

again, Jonathan finished college early so he

More recently, he co-sponsored a House reso-

ment. Jesse witnessed Martin Luther King’s

could travel the country with his father.

lution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

assassination in 1968, twice ran for president

“I would describe that experience as sitting in

in the 1980s and is now living with Parkinson’s

the cockpit of American history, that we saw

Next month Jackson will turn 58 and mark his

disease. (Jackson’s brother Jesse Jackson Jr

all these things happening and we saw it on

first year representing Illinois’s first congres-

served time in prison after pleading guilty to

the news the next day. By 88, you realised this

sional district in the House of Representatives.

spending $750,000 in campaign money on

was 20 years after the Rev Martin Luther King’s

He stepped up after the Democratic congress-

personal items.)

assassination and how much pride my father

had in trying to move King’s dream for political empowerment, justice, economic empowerment forward,” Jackson said. This time Jesse won 13 contests and 29% of the popular vote but still came in behind Michael Dukakis for the nomination. At the 1988 Democratic national convention, he shared a stage with Rosa Parks, whom he introduced as the “mother of the civil rights movement”. Jackson muses that he must find a photograph of that moment so he can put it up in his office. “It wasn’t a political campaign. It was a more of a moral crusade and, from that, we’re so grateful to see President Obama win and Mrs

leave you blind and snaggletoothed. You’ve

If you … agree that the Palestinian people are

Harris become vice-president and [Raphael]

got to break the cycle of pain.”

being held hostage and you agree that Hamas

Warnock become a US senator from Georgia

The world was aligned in sympathy for Israel

is a terrorist organisation, you don’t kill the

and that tipped the balance of power to save

but Israel has squandered that opportunity,

hostage by going after the hostage taker.”

the democracy again.”

Jackson argues: “What happened to Israel was

Jackson’s Illinois district includes an area

Jesse also channeled energy into social justice

horrific and it was brutal. It was a massacre,

known as Little Palestine. In October he atten-

and freelance diplomacy, risking friction with

disgraceful, and there was so much goodwill

ded the funeral of Wadea Al-Fayoume, a six-

US officials by inserting himself into fraught

and I said, this man is going to mess this up.

year-old Palestinian American boy stabbed 26

global hotspots. Jackson was at his father’s

It’s just not in him. He’s a one-string guitar. The

times by his family’s landlord because he was

side during negotiations with Syrian president

only tool he has is a hammer and he’s not a

Muslim, according to police. For Jackson, such

Hafez al-Assad for the release of the captured

peacemaker.”

concerns are more pressing than whether

US navy lieutenant Robert Goodman, and with

Biden stands to lose Arab American votes in

Fidel Castro for the release of 22 Americans

The Hamas attack signified failures of both in-

the 2024 presidential election.

held in Cuba.

telligence and diplomacy, Jackson argues, but

“I get a call almost every other day when

going forward there are lessons to learn from

one of these bombs goes on the pain that

“When we went to visit Saddam Hussein and

countries such as South Africa and Rwanda in

someone is suffering because of a family’s

they were talking about the weapons of mass

seeking reconciliation: “After 400 years, African

relative has died. I get a call once a week from

destruction and the human shields, we didn’t

Americans have never been told to pick up

someone that’s still in Gaza trying to get on

have the portfolio of the United States gover-

arms, to seek any sort of reparations or any

a state department list, so I can’t think about

nment. We didn’t have a ranking member or

sort of vengeance.

November and who’s voting for calling the

chairmanship or United States military, went

“We’ve been taught reconciliation, so my

state department and other agencies to try

over there with just a Bible and some imams

position was clear morally from my cultural

and still get people out,” he says.

and rabbis,” Jackson says.

point of view: to seek reconciliation and that

Opinion polls show Biden struggling among

“I believe in the faith community. I’ve seen

starts now. The spirit of Rev Martin Luther

African American voters after his efforts to

it work and that’s been at the core. It’s not

King that peace is not the absence of noise,

pass racial justice and voting rights legislation

been politics. It’s been faith that had us travel

peace is the presence of justice. The Scripture

stalled in Congress. Jackson comments simply:

around the world in some dangerous places

that stayed on my mind was: ‘Blessed are the

“Some parts of his record will rival that of LBJ

with God’s grace.”

peacemakers, for they will be called children of

[the former president Lyndon Baines Johnson].

God.’ Peace is possible if you seek it and I have

I am proud of his work. Let me leave it with,

This philosophy informs Jackson’s decision to

not seen Mr Netanyahu seek peace.”

there’s a lot has been done and there’s a lot

sign on as an original co-sponsor of a House

The elder Jackson served in the Senate from

more to do.”

resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. A

1991 to 1997 as a shadow delegate for the Dis-

Then he bursts out laughing.

member of the House foreign affairs commit-

trict of Columbia but never quite lost his out-

What of his father, who was born in the Jim

tee, he had visited Israel a month before the 7

sider status. It would be understandable if his

Crow era and lived to see Obama assume the

October attack by Hamas. During a meeting

son were still breaking in life in Congress like a

mantle of first Black president – only to see a

with Benjamin Netanyahu, he posed a ques-

pair of new shoes. But when asked about Joe

backward lurch to Trump and white nationa-

tion about a reciprocal visa waiver programme

Biden’s handling of the war – seen by many on

lism?

but found the prime minister evasive.

the left as ostentatiously pro-Israel and lacking

“We are eternally optimistic. There are so many

“I can see that he’s a blame shifter. He will not

empathy for Palestinians – Jackson is deftly

stories of progress and hope. Although this

answer the question,” he says. “He took the

on-message.

is very dangerous, we’ve not been here: two

time to answer all the other questions but

speakers to turn over in one year; we went

not that. I’ve never seen him seek a two-state

“President Biden is doing a tremendous job,”

20 days without one of our three branches

solution in all these many years … I’ve seen him

he says. “Like any of us in office, we have re-

functioning. We saw a violent insurrection ha-

court Hamas, not wanting the PLO [Palestine

grets. I don’t know what his will be at the end

ppen here and all of the insurrectionists have

Liberation Organization] to have influence over

of the day, but I know he would like to see an

not been prosecuted. So he’s very concerned

the Gaza territories.

alternative option.

about the fragility of our democracy. We’ve

“I know his involvement in this territory over

“These people are now almost defenceless,

never been here before.”

the years and so my basic frame of reference

certainly the babies, so I want the humanita-

on asking for a ceasefire is not to seek revenge.

rian aid to flow. Intelligence is what is needed

An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth will

now more than bombs to find these people.

By David Smith 01. January 2024.

There are deviations from standard Iskander missiles, which we previously saw during strikes on Kharkiv. This missile is similar to one of the North Korean missiles,” Dmytro Chubenko, the spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office, told media as he displayed the remnants. He said the missile was slightly bigger in diameter than the Russian Iskander missile, while its nozzle, internal electrical windings and rear parts were also different. On Friday, the United States said Russia was using ballistic missiles from North Korea and seeking close-range ballistic missiles from Iran. In a post on X on Friday, United Kingdom Defence Minister Grant Shapps warned, “The world has turned its back on Russia, forcing Putin into the humiliation of going cap in hand to North Korea to keep his illegal invasion going. In doing so, Russia has broken multiple UNSC resolutions and put the security of

Ukraine says Russian missile attack kills 11 in eastern town Eight people were wounded after Russian forces hit the town of Pokrovsk with S-300 missiles, the regional governor said.

another world region at risk.” United Nations Security Council resolutions – approved with Russian support – ban countries from trading weapons or other military equipment with North Korea. While the Kremlin has not yet commented on the recent evidence, relations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un have warmed in recent

At least 11 people, including five children, have

82 injured.

months, with the two leaders also meeting in

been killed by a Russian missile attack in and

Crimea attack

person in Russia last September.

around the eastern Ukrainian town of Pokro-

Earlier on Saturday, Ukraine’s military claimed

vsk, according to the regional governor.

it successfully attacked the Saki military air

Eight people were also wounded when Rus-

base in the west of the Russian-occupied

sian missiles hit the area, Vadym Filashkin, the

Crimean Peninsula.

governor of the Ukrainian-controlled part of

“Saki airfield! All targets were hit!” Air Force

the Donetsk region, said on Saturday.

commander Mykola Oleshchuk wrote on

“The main blow was dealt to Pokrovsk and

Telegram.

Rivne in the community of Myrnograd,” he

Russian officials did not comment on the

wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

alleged attack but Russia’s Defence Ministry said in the early hours of Saturday that it had

He said S-300 missiles had been used in a se-

successfully downed four Ukrainian missiles

ries of attacks and one hit a house of a family

over the peninsula overnight.

of six.

Later on Saturday, the ministry reported that

Filashkin released photographs showing res-

its air defence forces had shot down six an-

cuers working through the debris in the after-

ti-ship missiles over the Black Sea.

math of the bombardment. He said the attack

Ukraine has targeted Crimea, annexed by

showed Russian forces were “trying to inflict as

Russia in 2014, since the start of Moscow’s

much grief as possible on our land”.

full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy,

North Korean missiles?

in his nightly video address, expressed his

Meanwhile, as Russia’s nearly two-year-long

condolences to the families of the victims and

war in Ukraine continues, the Kharkiv region

accused Russia of once again deliberately

prosecutor’s office provided evidence on

targeting civilian objects.

Saturday that Russia attacked Ukraine with

“And Russia must feel – feel every time – that

missiles supplied by North Korea, showcasing

none of these attacks will end without conse-

the fragments.

quences for the terrorist state,” Zelenskyy said.

Russia attacked Kharkiv with several missiles

The town of Pokrovsk, about 50km (30 miles)

this week, killing two people and injuring more

from the front line of the fighting, had already

than 60 in one of its biggest missile and drone

been hit by a deadly bombardment last Au-

raids since the start of the war.

gust, which left at least eight people dead and

“The production method is not very modern.

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA 07. January 2024.

Hamza, son of Al Jazeera’s Wael Dahdouh, killed in Israeli attack in Gaza

An Israeli attack targeted the car he was travelling in with two other journalists.

Hamza Dahdouh, the eldest son of Al Jazeera’s

yet resigned, saying he was one of the droves

His composure and strength have made Wael

Gaza bureau chief, Wael Dahdouh, has been

of people in Gaza today who are bidding bitter

Dahdouh much more than the Al Jazeera

killed by an Israeli missile strike in the western

farewells to their loved ones every day.

Arabic bureau chief in Gaza. He is the face of

part of Khan Younis, Gaza.

the channel’s coverage of Israel’s war on Gaza He vowed to remain on his path of showing the

Journalist Mustafa Thuraya was also killed

world what is happening in Gaza, despite the

in the attack, when the vehicle they were

pain of one loss after another.

and a symbol of the resilience of Gaza’s people. When he lost his wife, son, daughter, and

travelling in near al-Mawasi, a supposedly safe

grandson to the Israeli air raid at the end of

area towards the southwest, was struck by the

“Hamza was everything to me, the eldest boy,

October, the world watched, aghast, as he ran

missile. A third passenger, Hazem Rajab, was

he was the soul of my soul … these are the tears

into the hospital where the bodies of his four

seriously injured.

of parting and loss, the tears of humanity,” he

loved ones had been moved.

said. According

reports

from

Jazeera

After saying his emotional goodbyes to his

correspondents, Hamza and Mustafa’s vehicle

The

Jazeera

was targeted as they were trying to interview

condemned

civilians displaced by previous bombings.

assassination of Mustafa and Hamza … whilst

the

Media

Network

attack,

strongly

adding:

“The

children, grandchild, and life partner, he also seemed more determined than ever to perform his job.

they were on their way to carry out their duty Hamza, 27, was a journalist like his father.

in the Gaza Strip, reaffirms the need to take

Then in mid-December, he was badly injured

Mustafa was also in his 20s.

immediate necessary legal measures against

in an attack that killed his colleague Samer

the occupation forces to ensure that there is no

Abudaqa, but he was again out and about

impunity.”

covering the news shortly after.

Reacting to the news, Gaza’s media office

The

condemned the killing of the two journalists,

documented the killing of 102 journalists and

denouncing “in the strongest terms this

the injury of 71 others by Israeli forces since

heinous crime”.

hostilities began in October.

Continuous pain

The list of Al Jazeera journalists and staff who

Hamza was extremely attached to his family

have lost members of their families or have

and was devastated when he heard on October

died themselves is also growing.

Speaking from the cemetery where his son had been laid to rest, Wael seemed subdued

Palestinian

Journalists

Syndicate

has

25 that an Israeli raid had hit the house his family was sheltering at in the Nuseirat refugee

In December, Anas al-Sharif lost his father to an

camp.

Israeli air raid that struck his family’s house in Jabalia.

He found out shortly after that his mother Amna, brother Mahmoud, 15, sister Sham, 7,

A few days earlier, on December 6, Moamen Al

and nephew Adam, 1, had been killed in the

Sharafi, a correspondent for Al Jazeera Arabic,

Israeli attack. His grief after their loss seemed

had 22 members of his family killed when an

to motivate him to work harder on covering the

Israeli attack hit the house they were sheltering

war on Gaza, according to his colleague.

in at the Jabalia refugee camp.

As news of Hamza’s killing spread, his wife of

In late October, broadcast engineer Mohamed

one year rushed to the cemetery, as did his

Abu Al-Qumsan lost 19 members of his family,

surviving siblings, for one last look before he

including his father and two sisters, during

was buried.

Israeli air raids on the same refugee camp.

Wael stood by his son’s head, consoling the rest of his family as they tried to comprehend the sudden loss.

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA 07. January 2024.

How Saudi Arabia is approaching Israel's war on Gaza With Saudi-Israel normalisation frozen for now, Riyadh has stepped up its public diplomacy over the Gaza war but is still treading cautiously.

audi

bin

Saudi Crown Prince, commonly known as MBS,

own civilian nuclear program. Facilitating this

Salman last week called on all countries to

Crown

Prince

Mohammad

has also reiterated calls for a two-state solution,

normalisation would provide US President Joe

cease arms exports to Israel - posing another

as spelt out in the 2002 Saudi-led Arab Peace

Biden with a major foreign policy win before

roadblock in Washington’s monumental plan

Initiative.

the 2024 election.

But as the war rages on and civilians are being

Aiming to return to the international stage, the

killed at an unprecedented pace, the Saudis’

Saudis have recalibrated their foreign policy

Just weeks before the deadly 7 October

“status quo” rhetoric is not enough to meet

goals and are arriving at the centre of high-

Hamas attack, a US-brokered normalisation

swelling public anger. “The Saudis are under

stakes diplomacy and mediation efforts, Jacobs

agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia

pressure to come up with something a bit more

wrote in a recent ICG paper. Before the war, this

was underway. The deal would have been a

powerful, a stronger position,” Jacobs added.

had left the ground fertile for a Saudi-Israel

to get Saudi Arabia and Israel to normalise relations.

significant geopolitical shift in the region with

normalisation to take root.

serious implications for the Palestinian national

And so “calling for an arms embargo on Israel is

movement and was potentially one of the key

a way for Riyadh to say, ‘we’re trying to intensify

Jacobs said that normalisation with Israel

drivers of the Hamas attack.

our criticism’”, to appease public sentiment as

remains one of MBS’ long-term objectives, but

opposed to taking action, she stated.

there are “many pieces” that have to fall into

However, now almost two months into the Israel-Hamas war, any steps towards Saudi

place. For instance, the Saudis’ demands for a Normalisation 'on the table'

return to a full Palestinian peace process and

normalisation with Israel have come to a halt.

a formal US security guarantee, despite their Although

Saudi-Israeli

normalisation

widely criticised human rights record, would be

“Any sort of Saudi-Israel normalisation talks

frozen for now, Saudi Arabia’s investment

difficult for Israel and the US to deliver, she said.

would be too toxic for Riyadh at this time,”

minister Khalid al-Falih confirmed during an 8

Anna Jacobs, the senior Gulf analyst at the

November forum that normalisation is still “on

Under

International Crisis Group (ICG), told The New

the table”.

initiative, Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom is

Arab. As the mass atrocities committed by

MBS’

ambitious

development

strengthening its diplomatic ties and working

Israel on Gaza “galvanise” the Saudi public and

For Israel, normalising ties with Saudi Arabia

to resolve the region’s long-standing feuds to

the Arab world, a resumption of normalisation

- the region’s economic powerhouse and

open a space for smoother economic exchange

talks would be “politically radioactive” for

home to Islam’s holiest sites - would be the

and investment, according to the ICG paper.

Riyadh, Jacobs said.

“holy

agreements.

Over the past year, the Kingdom has hosted

Riyadh would benefit from a strengthened US

a slew of international summits and stepped

Demonstrations have erupted throughout the

defence pact, including fewer restrictions on

up to make amends with its worst enemies,

region calling for an end to Israeli aggression in

US arms sales, and assistance in developing its

notably Iran.

Gaza, and even in support of Hamas. Although strict bans on speech freedoms have left Saudi streets quieter than in neighbouring countries, Saudi social media channels are loud with anger towards Israel, Jacobs said. The Saudi leadership is treading carefully in its wartime rhetoric, balancing a public increasingly frustrated

Israel,

with

its

interest in keeping the Israeli normalisation agreement on the table. Riyadh has taken the lead in public diplomacy, Jacobs said. The ArabIslamic summit held in Riyadh early this month brought together dozens of Arab leaders who called for an immediate end to Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The

grail”

normalisation

And now, Saudi Arabia is continuing to use its “growing diplomatic clout” to rise as a leader in calling for an end to Israel’s war on Gaza, Jacobs said. “Saudi

Arabia

has

taken

concrete

steps

to express solidarity with the Palestinians including by suspending its normalisation talks with Israel. This does set Saudi Arabia apart from other Arab states that have been less willing to match their rhetoric with diplomacy and action,” Elham Fakhro, an associate fellow with Chatham House and a senior Gulf analyst, told TNA. It was during one of the Saudis’ chain of wartime summits, this time with the BRICS alliance, when MBS made its call for the arms embargo. The BRICS is an economic alliance of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Saudi Arabia, as well as Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE were offered membership in August. call for Saudi Arabia to provide military and

and Saudi Arabia”.

However, it is still unclear how MBS’ call will

administrative personnel to govern post-war

Sabaileh said that Qatar’s relationship with

impact Israeli arms sales. Israeli arms exports to

Gaza, while the “more modest” proposals assign

Hamas, and the growing need for the country

India, for example, are estimated at $1.5 billion

Saudis with financing Gaza’s reconstruction.

to defend itself from the “sponsor of terrorism”

to $2 billion, with Israel the top exporter of arms

allegations, will leave it less suited to be an

to New Delhi after Russia. Jacobs expressed her

But Jacobs also said that the Saudis’ playing

influential actor in the peace negotiations

doubts that the Saudi call for an arms embargo

a larger role in Gaza’s post-war governance

of the long term. And although Jordan has

will have any significant impact.

would be “extremely complicated”.

hardened its stance on Israel during the war,

Saudis as the 'gate to peace'

However, the US administration is still keeping

it is still “completely out of the game” he said. its channels open with Saudi Arabia as a

In the future “peace with the Saudis is the only

Although the Saudis have clamped down on

promising future broker in Israel-Palestine

peace Israel will seek after this war”, Sabaileh

Israel with more aggressive rhetoric, they are

negotiations,

said. “The Saudis will be the gate to any peace.”

still treading lightly, veering away from politics

Blinken called the Saudi FM to discuss the

by focusing on the humanitarian side.

ceasefire in Gaza, posting on X after the call

Sabaileh

noted.

Last

week,

that: “A sustainable peace between Israelis and MBS’ call for an arms embargo was not political, but rather an act “taken to stop a humanitarian catastrophe”,

Amer

Sabaileh,

Jordanian

political analyst, told TNA. By entering the conflict from the humanitarian side, the Saudis “are putting themselves on the front line while taking a realistic approach” - leaving them better positioned to play a key role in political negotiations in the war’s aftermath, he added. Meanwhile,

the

current

wartime

negotiations, Saudi Arabia has been left out, lacking channels with Hamas, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood and proxy of Iran. Jacobs referenced the Saudis’ poor state of relations with the Palestinians and said that although they have expressed willingness to improve ties with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas “it hasn’t happened explicitly”. Circulating within American diplomatic circles are proposals for Arab states, notably Saudi Arabia, to play a role in the administration of post-war Gaza. The “most ambitious” proposals

Palestinians is a shared priority for both the U.S.

By Hanna Davis 30. November 2023.

Russians abandoned in -30°C without heating while Putin spends billions on war As Vladimir Putin is spending billions of pounds on his war in Ukraine, people across Moscow have been left freezing without heating or hot water. Temperatures in the capital plummeted

connected with the problems.

is responsible is still unclear…we get only

to -30°C, and the old heating network is

According to reports, Klimovsk ‘is heated by

excuses.’

reportedly unable to withstand the weather.

one departmental boiler house of the local

A resident complained: ‘The police arrived

cartridge plant’, which has broken down.

quickly to disrupt us. I wish they would bring

This has meant that more than 20,000

It is understood that government officials

back the heating as fast as they dispatched

residents have been abandoned freezing in

only learnt about the issue from social media

the cops [to disperse us].’

sub-zero temperatures recorded in their own

where residents were complaining en-masse.

‌In Lytkarino, Moscow region, another power

homes for days.

station broke down leaving people to light

A married couple and their dog reportedly

There was even a spontaneous protest on the

fires outside in the icy temperatures to try and

died from carbon monoxide poisoning while

main square of the town on January 5, with

get warmth.

trying to keep warm in the city Kolomna,

people saying that the temperature in their

Moscow region.

apartments dropped to -10°C.

Footage circulating on Telegram shows

Several sign that read ‘SOS – We are freezing

windows and doors covered with layers of ice

– Punish the guilty’ were seen, but officials

amid the cold, and people were seen burning

have been unable to say when heating will be

wood on the streets to keep warm.

restored.

Meanwhile, water mains burst in multiple

A protest video said: ‘Since yesterday they

buildings only worsening the situation for

promise nothing. Grandmothers are freezing

people.

at home.

This comes amid rumours of an incident

‌’Children dressed in coats are sick, coughing.

at one of the largest ammunition plants in

The hospitals are cold, everywhere is cold.

the town of Klimovsk, which some claim is

‌’We eed to do something to solve this. Who

By Gergana Krasteva 07. January 2024.

South Africa files genocide case against Israel at International Court of Justice over Gaza war South Africa has filed an application at the

“Israel is committed to international law

been massive, capable of killing or wounding

International Court of Justice to begin proce-

and acts in accordance with it, and directs

people more than 1,000 feet away, analysis

edings over allegations of genocide against

its military efforts only against the Hamas

by CNN and artificial intelligence company

Israel for its war against Hamas in Gaza, the

terrorist organization and the other terrorist

Synthetaic has suggested.

court said on Friday.

organizations cooperating with Hamas,” its

Proponents of Israel’s campaign in Gaza argue

South Africa accuses Israel of being “in vio-

statement said, adding that it has made “every

that such heavy munitions act as bunker bus-

lation of its obligations under the Genocide

effort to limit harm to the non-involved and

ters, helping to destroy Hamas’ underground

Convention” in its application and argues that

to allow humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza

tunnel infrastructure. However such bombs

“acts and omissions by Israel … are genocidal in

Strip.”Israel’s aerial bombardment and ground

are normally used sparingly by Western mili-

character, as they are committed with the re-

invasion of Gaza, in response to Hamas’ deadly

taries, experts say. International humanitarian

quisite specific intent … to destroy Palestinians

terror attacks and kidnapping rampage on

law prohibits indiscriminate bombing.

in Gaza,” according to the ICJ.

October 7, have caused widespread devas-

South Africa’s application came as Israel’s

Over 21,507 people have been killed in Gaza

tation in the densely-inhabited coastal strip,

military said Friday that it is expanding its ope-

since October 7, according to the enclave’s

prompting outcry from aid groups and the

rations in southern Gaza, where civilians were

Hamas-controlled Health Ministry. Among

international community.

previously told to seek refuge. It also claimed

the dead are at least 308 people who were

US President Joe Biden said earlier this month

to have destroyed a network of tunnels and

sheltering in United Nations shelters, per the

that that Israel is engaged in “indiscriminate

one of the “hideout apartments” belonging to

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for

bombing” in Gaza. US intelligence assessment

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. CNN cannot inde-

Palestinian Refugees.

suggests that nearly half of the air-to-ground

pendently verify the IDF’s claims. South Africa

Israel has rejected South Africa’s claims and

munitions that Israel has used in Gaza in

and Israel are both parties to the Genocide

application to the world court, saying through

its war with Hamas have been unguided,

Convention, according to the ICJ, which is also

its Ministry of Foreign Affairs that South Africa

otherwise known as “dumb bombs.” Unguided

known as the World Court and is the principal

“is calling for the destruction of the State of

munitions are typically less precise and can

judicial organ of the United Nations.

Israel, and that its “claim lacks both a factual

pose a greater threat to civilians.

and a legal basis.”

Many of the bombs used in Gaza have also

By Pierre Meilhan 29. December 2023,

TBangladesh Prime Minister and Awami

election or not it is important to me. So, I don’t

to make the election look democratic, reported

League chief Sheikh Hasina has been

care about their (foreign media) acceptance.

Reuters. Hasina’s bloc has denied the claim.

re-elected to the Parliament from the

No matter what did the terrorist party say or

Gopalganj-3 constituency on Sunday. Despite

not?” PM Hasina said.

BNP’s

a decisive victory in the general elections, the

current

leader,

the

exiled

Tarique

Rahman has also called the process a “sham”.

electoral process faced challenges, including

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, meanwhile,

The BNP wanted the election to be held under

sporadic violence and a boycott by the primary

on Sunday said that BNP abstained from

a “caretaker government” to ensure a fair and

opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist

participating in the parliamentary election due

unbiased process, however, Hasina did not

Party (BNP). She has clinched the Gopalganj-3

to the anticipation of an expected defeat.

relent.

seat for the eighth time since 1986 with

“The BNP has taken a strategy of boycotting

249,965 votes as against closest rival M Nizam

the election with various excuses, various

Amid tensions, the BNP, which also boycotted

Uddin Lashkar from the Bangladesh Supreme

demands.

2018

polls in 2014, has urged people to boycott the

Party who has secured just 469 votes,

election and got some parliamentary seats, but

polls and called a two-day nationwide strike till

bdnews24 reported.

this year they did not participate knowing they

Sunday night.

They

participated

the

would be defeated,” Khan, a senior leader of tej The ruling Awami League candidates are

ruling Awami League, was quoted as saying by

Besides the scepticism around the fairness of

leading in most of the seats, according to the

the Dhaka Tribune newspaper.

the electoral process and Hasina’s autocratic

results so far. Earlier, the counting of votes

Bangladesh has around 20 million voters,

tendencies, the state of the economy is another

started after the polling ended in the general

while nearly 2,000 candidates are in the fray

factor in the elections as well. While Hasina

elections. Bangladeshis on Sunday turned up

for the 300 parliamentary seats. There are 436

has been credited with taking Bangladesh’s

in low numbers to cast their votes for polls.

independent candidates — the most since

economy to a good place, the cost of living

2001.

has jumped as the country struggles to pay

The counting of votes is currently underway,

for costly energy imports amid weakening

and results are expected by Monday. According

Why has the opposition boycotted elections?

domestic

to the Election Commission’s initial estimates,

The boycott by the Bangladesh Nationalist

reserves.

the voter turnout is around 40 per cent but the

Party (BNP) and its smaller allies has put a blot

figure could change after the final count. This

on the credibility of elections, with the BNP

stands in contrast to the overall turnout of over

alleging that the Awami League has propped

80% recorded in the previous election held in

up “dummy” candidates as independents to try

2018.

currency

and

depleting

dollar

Hasina’s message for India In a video message on voting day. Sheikh Hasina extended her wishes for India and highlighted India’s

Meanwhile,

voting

was

support during the Liberation

cancelled at three centres —

War in 1971. She said, ”We are

one in Narsingdi and two in

very lucky…India is our trusted

Narayanganj. As per reports,

friend. During our Liberation

the Election Commission has

War, they supported us…After

ordered the arrest of Industries

1975, when we lost our whole

Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud

family…they gave us shelter. So

Humayun’s son on charges of

our best wishes to the people of

electoral fraud in Narsingdi.

India,” reported ANI. The PM also appeared to vote

PM Sheikh Hasina on Sunday

expressed her indifference to

she spoke to Reuters and said:

the approval of the polls by

“Bangladesh

foreign

emphasising

country and people are my

that her primary concern is the

power.. I am trying my best to

acceptance of the election by

ensure that democracy should

the people of the country. She

continue in this country.”

media,

Sunday,

following is

which

sovereign

made these remarks following the casting of her vote. “Whether people accept this

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES 06. November 2023,

WHY IS GERMANY SO VICIOUSLY ANTIPALESTINIAN?

German support for Israel is used as a cover to ramp up racist anti-immigration policies and downplay homegrown antiSemitism. Since Israel launched its latest war on Gaza, Germany has stood firmly by its ally. Even

Anti-Palestinianism as a state policy

The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), one of

as warnings of a genocide committed by

The marginalisation of Palestinians within

Germany’s leading parties, has also made clear

Israeli forces have mounted, the German

German society and the suppression of pro-

that the words “free Palestine” have no place

government has not budged. On October

Palestinian activism are not a new phenomenon

in Germany and denounced the phrase as “a

12, Chancellor Olaf Scholz proclaimed that

in Germany. Long before October 7, the anti-

war cry of an internationally active terror gang”,

“there is only one place for Germany” which

Palestinian tactics of the German authorities

claiming it would mean “the extinction of the

is “side by side with Israel” and indeed it has

were already escalating. Protests were banned,

Jewish state, the only democracy in the region,

not moved from this stance.

pro-Palestinian

by Islamist terrorists”.

voices,

including

those

Jewish activists, were silenced, and cultural

The German government has not only provided

wide-ranging

political

events and award ceremonies were cancelled.

and

Free

speech

has

been

under

attack

educational institutions as well. With German

diplomatic support for Israel, but has also

It is thus unsurprising that the crackdown on

universities following the government’s pro-

fast-tracked arms exports to facilitate the

protests and police violence have increased

Israel stance, students who have protested on

Israeli slaughter of Palestinian civilians.

in recent weeks. Numerous pro-Palestinian

campus have faced police violence and smear

demonstrations have been banned, sometimes

campaigns in the media.

The German political elite has vehemently

only minutes before they were supposed to

rejected calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and

begin, or allowed to take place only with heavy

Pro-Palestinian symbols, such as the keffiyeh

relentlessly repeated the false claim that

police presence. Bureaucrats have cited threats

scarf, have been banned by some institutions.

under international law, Israel has the

to public safety and potential display of anti-

In one school in Berlin, a teacher physically

“right to defend itself” from the Palestinian

Semitism as reasons for the bans.

assaulted a student who raised the Palestinian

population it occupies. It continues to

Hundreds of protesters were detained in the

flag.

disregard decades of apartheid and ethnic

first weeks after Israel launched its war on

cleansing.

Gaza. Many have experienced police violence

This systematic suppression of pro-Palestinian

The German political elite has justified its

and some have been put under investigation

activism reflects the dystopian-like reality in

stance with the alleged feeling of guilt for

for incitement to hatred. Even anti-Zionist

Germany in which opposition to genocide is

the Holocaust and the need to make amends

voices among the small Jewish minority have

viewed as an act of disloyalty to the German

by supporting Israel, considering its security

come under attack.

state and could thus justify criminalisation.

cover of “acting morally” and “atoning for its

The freedom of speech in regards to pro-

The German authorities have clearly identified

crimes”, German politicians and officials are

Palestinian activism has also been suppressed.

anti-Palestinianism as a national interest and

actually seeking to further normalise anti-Arab

Recently, the Federal Ministry of the Interior

a state policy. They wholeheartedly support

and anti-Muslim racism, justify more draconian

banned the slogan “from the river to the sea”,

Israel’s existence in its current apartheid form

anti-immigration

downplay

considering it a call to destroy Israel. The state

which requires continuous violence against the

the persisting anti-Semitism among white

of Bavaria has labelled the phrase a “symbol of

indigenous Palestinian population. This is, of

Germans.

terrorism”.

course, not in contradiction to Germany’s own

“Germany’s reason of state”. But under the

policies,

and

genocidal history and continuous racism.

of it. Since the terrorist attack by Hamas on

persists in Germany. According to official

Israel, we are experiencing a new dimension

statistics, the vast majority of documented

Blaming immigrants for German racism

of hatred in our country – against our values,

anti-Semitic incidents are committed by the

The genocide in Gaza has further strengthened

democracy, and against Germany.”

political right.

racist sentiments in Germany. The German

Then it goes on to declare that Germany must

It is not coincidental that the far-right party

authorities have actively sought to portray

say “NO!” to anti-Semitism and that “we love

AfD has reached an all-time peak in popularity

Muslims and Arabs in particular, and ethnic

life, not death”, “we say please and thank you”,

in recent weeks. According to polls from mid-

minorities in general, as dangerous to German

“we don’t wear masks or veils” and “we don’t

December, it is now standing at 23 percent,

society.

marry off children. And men can’t have more

second only to the right-wing CDU and far

than one wife.”

ahead of any of the parties in the current

the already omnipresent xenophobic and

On November 8, German President Frank-

governing coalition.

Walter Steinmeier called on Germans of

The rabid Islamophobia of the manifesto is

Palestinian and Arab descent to distance

more than apparent. But beyond that, it reflects

AfD representatives have glorified German

themselves from Hamas and anti-Semitism.

the absurdity of white Germans considering

ethno-nationalism

Thus, he implicitly put an entire demographic

themselves “under threat” and “victims” at a

crimes of the Nazi regime while consistently

under general suspicion of terrorism, as the

time when the Palestinian population is facing

insisting that immigrants are anti-Semitic

Palestinian resistance movement has been

genocide in their own homeland.

and demanding that the federal government

designated a “terrorist organisation” by the German state.

prioritise It

also

exposes

the

deep-rooted

white

and

combatting

downplayed

“imported

the

anti-

Semitism”.

supremacy in German society. Indeed, the A little more than a week later, a draft law was

reaction of the German authorities to what is

This combination of Zionism and toxic German

submitted to the German parliament that tied

going on in Gaza demonstrates that they want

nationalism may further fuel racist violence

German citizenship to a formal commitment

to strengthen and solidify racist hierarchies

against

to “Israel’s right to exist”. A month later, the

in German society: white Germans at the top

community.

state of Saxony-Anhalt issued its own decree,

and people from “the Third World”, including

demanding from applicants for citizenship to

victims of Israeli violence, at the bottom, doing

Germany’s

declare their support for “Israel’s right to exist”.

in silence dirty menial jobs and being expected

be viewed not as a reaction to, but rather

to show their gratitude and “integrate” into

a continuation of, Germany’s racist crimes.

German society.

Palestinians and other victims of Israeli and

In November, Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann said in an interview: “We do not want anti-Semites to become German citizens.”

minorities,

including

the

anti-Palestinianism

Jewish

needs

German violence have never been considered Covering up German anti-Semitism

human enough.

But there is something even more pernicious The claims that immigrants pose a terror risk

about

Like Germany’s colonial genocides and its

and carry and spread anti-Semitism have been

Germany as a foreign “import”, brought to

misrepresenting

support for apartheid in South Africa and racist

used as a justification to change Germany’s

the country by non-white immigrants. This

regimes elsewhere – which never received

migration and refugee policy.

increasingly popular lie obfuscates Germany’s

sufficient attention in public discourse – its

brutal,

somehow

role in the genocide in Palestine upholds

CDU leader Friedrich Merz said Germany could

dumps blame for the suffering of Jewish

racist hierarchies and its own self-image as a

not accommodate more refugees from Gaza,

people onto Palestinians who are victims of a

“civilised” and “morally superior” nation.

claiming, “We have enough anti-Semitic young

European racist, settler-colonial regime.

anti-Jewish

anti-Semitism

history

and

men in the country.” Already, legal measures are being taken to decrease immigration. In October, the federal government backed a draft law allowing for a tougher deportation policy that would make it easier to expel rejected asylum seekers. But the unhinged racist and xenophobic sentiments in the country are not only reflected in policies. They now define what appears to be a society-wide consensus captured in a manifesto published by German right-wing tabloid BILD, lecturing immigrants on how they needed to behave in Germany. Referencing the arrival of Arab refugees in the past decade, the newspaper laid out 50 points of instruction on what is permissible or not accepted in Germany. The introduction to the manifesto states: “Our world is in chaos, and we are right in the middle

The German-backed slaughter of Palestinians It also covers up the German society’s anti-

thus serves to strengthen the fantasies of

Semitic present. Anti-Jewish sentiment still

white, ethnic German supremacy. By Denijal Jegić 07. January 2024.

Ukraine’s hopes for victory fade in the face of waning Western support and Putin’s relentless war machine

fundamental legacy. But as the economist John Maynard Keynes once said, “In the long run we are all dead.” In the short-term Putin appears unassailable. Reelection in March is a formality (the Kremlin has already acknowledged as much.) Contrast that with the US, where a febrile year of campaigning might end with Donald Trump preparing for his second term. That is Kyiv’s

A year ago, a resolute President Volodymyr

Zelensky, who by his own recent admission

Zelensky traveled direct from the battlefield

is tired, has an ever-harder job as Ukraine’s

of Bakhmut to address the US Congress and

chief salesman, with events in the Middle East

The deeply partisan mood in Congress has

meet with President Joe Biden. He was feted

diverting attention from Ukraine as the num-

scuppered the Biden’s administration’s

as a hero; Ukraine’s determination to resist

ber-one international crisis.

request for further aid for Kyiv. Currently

Russian aggression met with strong bipartisan backing in Washington.

nightmare and Moscow’s dream.

allocated funds for military equipment are On the first anniversary of the invasion, he

nearly drained. One Democratic senator, Chris

predicted that “2023 will be the year of our

Murphy, said starkly: “We are about to aban-

One year on, the outlook looks much grimmer.

victory!” He’s unlikely to make the same opti-

don Ukraine.”

A long-anticipated Ukrainian offensive in

mistic forecast for the coming year.

the south has made scant progress. Russia

The mantra in Western capitals on supporting

appears to have weathered international sanc-

As December came to a close, Ukraine suffe-

Ukraine has been “as long as it takes.” But

tions, for now, and has converted its economy

red the biggest Russian air attack since the

standing next to Zelensky this month, Biden

into a war machine.

start of the full-scale invasion. Russia fired 158

said the US would support Ukraine “as long as

drones and missiles – including hypersonic

we can.”

The Russian way of war, absorbing hideous

Kinzhals – at targets across Ukraine on Friday,

losses of men and materiel but throwing yet

killing at least 18 people and injuring scores

Battlefield slog

more into the fight, has blunted the Ukrainian

more. Zelensky said Russia used “nearly every

While the global metrics for Ukraine deteriora-

military’s tactical and technological edge, as

type of weapon in its arsenal” in the strikes.

te, so the frontlines offer little cheer.

Russia is not without its own vulnerabilities,

The much-anticipated Ukrainian counteroffen-

but they are more long-term. The conflict has

sive launched in June was meant to display

The mood in Moscow seems grimly determi-

exacerbated its demographic crisis throu-

the superiority of NATO’s strategy of combined

ned: the goals of the “special military opera-

gh emigration and battlefield losses. Nearly

arms warfare, drilled into newly-minted Ukra-

tion” will be achieved, and the fighting will

750,000 people left Russia in 2022; analysts

inian brigades who were trained in muddy

continue until they are.

expect an even higher number will have voted

fields in Germany. But it was alien to Ukrainian

As the long frontline becomes ever more cal-

with their feet this year.

military culture and was not matched by supe-

cified, the Kremlin senses greater skepticism

Labor shortages are stoking rising wages and

riority in the skies.

among Kyiv’s Western backers that Ukraine

therefore inflation. Evading sanctions and

can recover the 17% of its territory still occu-

maintaining industrial production comes at a

What should have been a dash south to the

pied by Russian forces.

price, with much of that production now devo-

Black Sea became a quagmire in dense min-

ted to replacing the stunning battlefield losses

efields, with Western armor picked off from

and the budget deficit exploding accordingly.

the air by Russian drones and aviation.

hington, where many in the Republican Party

The long-term prognosis for the Russian eco-

Ukrainian units took at most 200 square kilo-

are questioning the purpose of sending Ukrai-

nomy is grim – and that may be Putin’s most

meters of territory over six months. The goals

its top general admitted in a candid essay last month.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is relishing the much more partisan atmosphere in Was-

ne another $61 billion worth of aid as requested by the Biden administration, assessing that it will achieve little on the battlefield. At his first year-end news conference since the conflict began, Putin scoffed: “Ukraine produces almost nothing today, everything is coming from the West, but the free stuff is going to run out some day, and it seems it already is.” At the same time, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban blocked a $55 billion EU package of financial aid for Ukraine, prompting one German politician to say that it was like having Putin himself sitting at the table. That jeopardizes government spending on everything from salaries to hospitals

of reaching the coastline, Crimea and splitting

simply don’t have enough people to fight,”

Russian forces in the south remained a distant

Zaluzhny told the Economist in November.

dream.

ground. To others, such a shift would essentially reward

With the frontlines frozen, Kyiv’s intelligence

The arrival of F-16s fighter jets in the spring

aggression, enabling Russia to pause and

agencies have turned to more spectacular

will undoubtedly help the Ukrainian air force

regroup, with potentially dangerous conse-

attacks: sinking a Russian landing ship in

challenge Russian combat planes and support

quences for others in Russia’s near-abroad. It

Crimea this week and even sabotaging railway

their own ground forces, but they will be no

would also send the wrong message about US

lines as far as the Russian Far East. Success in

silver bullet. Basic training is one thing; flying

commitment to other allies, such as Taiwan.

the Black Sea has allowed for relatively safe

into the teeth of Russian air defenses another.

And it’s a non-starter, politically, in Kyiv.

passage for merchant ships, despite Moscow abandoning a UN-brokered deal last summer.

Biden said during Zelensky’s visit that “Putin is The same would apply even if the US agreed

banking on the United States failing to deliver

to supply longer-range Army Tactical Missile

for Ukraine. We must, we must, we must prove

However, despite their audacity, such opera-

Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine. (UK-supplied

him wrong.”

tions won’t alter the fundamental balance of

Storm Shadow missiles have helped target the

the conflict.

Russian rear.)

Zaluzhny put it bluntly: “The level of our tech-

In any event, the paralysis over funding has

incoming resources to its long-term security

nological development today has put both us

blocked the pipeline of US weaponry and Eu-

and prosperity instead of expending it on the

and our enemies in a stupor.” The use of sur-

rope does not have the capacity to fill the gap.

battlefield for little gain.”

of the element of surprise within the confines

Some leading analysts conclude it’s time for a

There are certainly signs of tensions within

of the battlefield.

clear-eyed reassessment.

Ukrainian society as the conflict nears its se-

“The simple fact is that we see everything the

“Ukraine and the West are on an unsustaina-

to start growing again, after shrinking by one-

enemy is doing, and they see everything we

ble trajectory, one characterized by a glaring

third. The longer several million Ukrainians live

are doing.”

mismatch between ends and the available

elsewhere in Europe, the less likely they are to

means,” write Richard Haass and Charles Kup-

come back.

It smacked of desperation. Haass and Kupchan say, “Ukraine would be wise to devote

veillance and strike drones deprives both sides

cond anniversary and the economy struggles

But the Russians’ vast reserves of manpower

chan in Foreign Affairs.

and hardware (Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu

For now Zelensky and his inner circle show no

boasted that he could raise 25 million men if

Ukraine’s goal of recovering all its territory is

sign of compromise. Zelensky won’t counte-

necessary) mean they can continue bludgeo-

“out of reach,” they say bluntly. “Where we are

nance a truce or negotiations. “For us it would

ning the smaller Ukrainian military, making

looks at best like a costly deadlock.”

mean leaving this wound open for future

incremental gains at enormous cost.

generations,” he told TIME in November. They recommend that Ukraine shifts to a de-

So it was around Bakhmut last winter; perhaps

fensive posture in 2024 to stem losses, which

Instead, barring some unlikely collapse in

the same will apply to the ruined Donetsk

would “shore up Western support by de-

morale on either side, the same towns and vi-

town of Avdiivka in the next few weeks.

monstrating that Kyiv has a workable strategy

llages destroyed over the last two years will still

The pool of military recruits in Ukraine has

aimed at attainable goals.”

be fought over in the next. Ukraine will have

substantially shrunk; battlefield losses have

the means to survive, but not to win.

deprived the military of tens of thousands of

The Russian military, which has by and large

experienced soldiers and mid-rank officers.

proved inept in offensive operations, would

“Sooner or later we are going to find that we

thereby find it even more difficult to take By Clea Skopeliti 09. November 2023

NORTH KOREA THREATENS SEOUL AS TENSION BUILDS OVER MILITARY DRILLS Pyongyang conducts live-fire drills close to its coast for the third time in a row as it threatens Seoul. North Korea has threatened an immediate

news agency reported, citing a military source.

military strike against South Korea in response to any “provocation”.

In her statement on Sunday, Kim denied the Kim Yo Jong, one of the most powerful

artillery shell firings on Saturday and said the

members of Kim Jong Un’s government, said

North had detonated explosives as a deception

Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister and key ally

in a statement carried by state news agency

tactic.

of leader Kim Jong Un, made the threat on

KCNA that the safety catch on the trigger of the

Sunday, as Pyongyang reportedly fired artillery

Korean People’s Army (KPA) had already been

South Korea’s military rejected Kim’s statement

shells near its border with South Korea for the

slipped.

as low-level psychological warfare, urging

third day in a row.

North Korea to cease military activity that raises “As already declared, the KPA will launch an

The remarks follow South Korean military

immediate military strike if the enemy makes

reports that said the North had fired more

even a slight provocation,” Kim said.

than 60 artillery rounds on Saturday near their disputed maritime border.

tension near the border. Relations between the two Koreas are at their lowest points in decades after Kim Jong Un

Tensions high

last year enshrined his country’s status as a

Although South Korea held its own fire drills

nuclear power into the constitution and test-

A similar volley of more than 200 rounds was

in the sea on Friday in response to the artillery

fired several advanced intercontinental ballistic

reported the previous day. North Korea fired

shells, Yonhap reported there was no plan to do

missiles.

more than 90 rounds on Sunday, according to

so after Saturday’s events.

the South.

At Pyongyang’s yearend policy meetings, Kim The drills on both sides of the border on Friday

threatened a nuclear attack on the South and

been

sparked warnings for residents of South Korean

called for a build-up of his country’s military

conducting the drills north of the South Korean

border islands to seek cover in bomb shelters,

arsenal before an armed conflict, which he

front-line island of Yeonpyeong since about

although there were no reports of shells

warned could “break out any time”.

4pm [07:00 GMT],” the South Korean Yonhap

crossing the maritime border.

“The

North

Korean

military

has

AL JAZEERA 07. January 2024.

ISRAEL’S SUPREME COURT DEALS HUGE BLOW TO NETANYAHU, BUT ONE HE MAY HAVE TO SWALLOW It’s all in the timing. On New Year’s Day, a little

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

election were to be held tomorrow, he’d be out

under three months since Hamas’ terrorist

refused to be drawn into whether he’d abide

of the job.

attacks,

by a Supreme Court decision that went against

historic ruling. In an 8-7 decision, it struck

him. Now that it has, the usually pugilistic

And so it was left to Yariv Levin, Netanyahu’s

down a controversial amendment to a Basic

premier has kept shtum.

Justice Minister and the architect of the judicial

Israel’s

Supreme

Court

issued

Law that removed the court’s own power to

overhaul plans, to say something. But all he did

quash government decisions on the grounds

“I don’t think he has the ability,” to respond,

was assail the timing of the decision (which

of “reasonableness.”

says Amit Segal, chief political analyst at Israel’s

wasn’t in the Supreme Court’s gift due to the

Channel 12. “Prior to the war, his allies (far-

impending retirement of two judges), saying it

The decision was unprecedented: never before

right ministers, Itamar) Ben Gvir, and (Bezalel)

was the opposite of the unity the country now

had the court thrown out one of Israel’s Basic

Smotrich would have demanded him to do

demanded.

Laws, which act as an informal constitution,

so and dragged him to do it. Now they can’t

or an amendment to one. It did so, it said,

because it’s a war and after the war, I think it

“Instead of turning this into a crisis,” says Hazan,

because of the “severe” and “unprecedented”

will be the least of his problems.”

“the government is basically going to swallow

blow the law posed to the core characteristic

The judicial overhaul package was Netanyahu’s

this and continue trying to prosecute the war

of Israel as a democratic state. And so, the

flagship policy in his latest stint as prime

and not go back to polarizing the country.”

court will once again have the power to act

minister. Having the one law from it that he

against government decisions, as it did when

managed to pass thrown out by the Supreme

It helps that opponents of the bill also took the

it prevented a convicted tax fraudster from

Court is a blow against him personally, and

ruling in their stride. Benny Gantz, the leader

serving in cabinet.

against his right-wing government’s divisive

of the National Unity political bloc who now

policies.

sits in the war cabinet, said the verdict must be

In normal times, the decision may have

respected, and Israel had to avoid reopening

precipitated a constitutional crisis, or worse. “If

But as Segal says, he has bigger problems right

the wounds of the past year. “We are brothers,”

we didn’t have the (Hamas) war, we would have

now. After October 7, Netanyahu’s reputation

he said. “We all have a common destiny.”

had an internal war and we’ve avoided that,”

as “Mr. Security” has been shredded. As well as

Reuven Hazan, professor of political science at

overseeing the fight against Hamas in Gaza,

the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, tells CNN.

he’s fighting for his own political life: recent

When interviewed by CNN’s Wolf Blitzer in July,

polling by Israel Channel 13 suggests that if an

Analysis by Elliott Gotkine, CNN 02. January 2024.

large population increases. But with nowhere to disperse to, dense populations can damage the habitat or force difficult and expensive relocations. Large culls have also been used in the past to control unsustainable numbers. The mass death of 350 elephants in northern Botswana in 2020 may have resulted from the inability of the herd to migrate, said Huang. “It was probably caused by toxic algal blooms in the water and these elephants had no choice but to drink it,” he said. “The ability to move and disperse is what creates that kind of natural flexibility in these areas to allow a stable population.” The researchers also found that some areas in southern Africa still suffered severe declines from

poaching,

such

south

Tanzania,

Zambia and Zimbabwe. Poaching in east and west Africa, not covered by the study, is also

African elephant populations stabilise in southern heartlands

thought to be high. Katherine Elliott, WWF’s senior programme adviser for Africa, said: “It is encouraging that southern savannah elephant populations have stabilised and is a testament to dedicated conservation populations

efforts. have

However,

experienced

several

significant

African elephant populations have stabilised

work done that has basically turned the tide

declines and we cannot be complacent.”

in their southern heartlands after huge

and that story has never really been told.”

“Improved connections across landscapes are

losses over the last century, according to

Dr Ryan Huang, also at the University of

essential for elephants and other species,” she

the most comprehensive analysis of growth

Pretoria, said: “This is a good news story for a lot

said. “Human activity is increasingly disrupting

rates to date.

of elephants. We’re changing from just halting

connectivity,

declines and to trying to achieve long term

agriculture and mining. With increasing threats

stability.”

from the climate crisis, habitat connectivity

The

latest

analysis

also

provides

the

strongest data so far showing that protected

including

roads,

fences,

is more important than ever so species can

areas that are connected to other places are

Prof Stuart Pimm, of Duke University in the US,

move away from places where conditions are

far better than isolated “fortress” parks at

and also part of the team, said: “We need to

becoming less favourable.”

maintaining stable populations, by allowing

protect elephants, but we also need to connect

Researchers

have

the elephants to migrate back and forth

them. We have fragmented the world and we

connections

between

between areas as they did naturally in the

need to stitch it back together again.”

elephant

past.

The research, published in Science Advances,

of reducing conflicts between people and

When numbers rise in highly protected core

used 713 population surveys from 103 protected

elephants requires careful consideration of

areas, corridors into less protected buffer

areas from Tanzania southwards to calculate

local factors and are still being worked out, said

areas allow the animals to disperse. They may

rates of growth or decline from 1995-2020.

Guldemond:

also migrate if poaching increases or drought

This covered more than 290,000 savannah

strikes. If numbers later fall in the core areas, or

elephants, 70% of the total in Africa.

“If you don’t take care of the people in the

conditions improve, elephants can flow back

The scientists found that overall, populations

landscape, then it doesn’t matter what you try

again. However, many more people live in the

had grown at 0.16% a year for the past quarter

to do for elephants.” Savannah covers almost

buffer areas and the scientists said careful

of a century. “Conservation has halted the

half of Africa and is home to half a billion

planning was crucial to minimise conflicts

decline of elephants in southern Africa over the

people.

with the elephants, which can kill people and

last 25 years,” said Pimm.

The total population of African elephants

populations,

mapped southern but

potential Africa’s

planning

ways

is estimated to be 415,000. There may have

destroy crops. The most stable populations were mostly

been more than 25 million roaming the plains

In contrast to the connected areas, the

found in large, well-protected lands that

centuries ago, but the expansion of human

scientists found that isolated parks, which

were connected to buffer areas. Elephant

populations means such numbers will not be

keep animals in and people out, can lead to

populations in buffer areas were more likely

seen again.

unsustainable population booms, and in turn

to decline as a result of less suitable habitat or

sometimes mass deaths or culling.

being killed, but they serve a useful function,

• This article was amended on 8 January 2023

said Pimm: “It is about trying to restore a sort

to refer more accurately to Zambia as a whole,

“For decades, news from southern Africa was

of natural dynamic, and natural dynamics can

rather than northern Zambia specifically, in

dominated by waves of poaching and other

be brutal.”

relation to areas in southern Africa still affected by poaching.

threats,” said Dr Robert Guldemond at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and part of

Isolated and highly protected parks recorded

the study team. “But there’s been a lot of good

maximum growth rates in some cases and

By Damian Carrington Environment editor 05. January 2024.

Red Sea attacks: What has happened and what does it mean for prices?

Global shipping firms have continued to

– How could it impact me? Some retailers such

pause shipments through the Red Sea after

as Next and Ikea have warned that persistent

attacks on commercial vessels have caused

disruption could delay its deliveries and affect

Interest rates, which are used as a tool to

weeks of disruption along the important

the availability of some products.

control rising prices, currently stand at 5.25%

trade route.

interest rates,” she said.

and economists think they could be cut later It could also mean retailers are forced to

on this year if the cost-of-living crisis continues

The boss of fashion chain Next said on

push up prices of their products as a result of

to cool.

Thursday that it could delay stock deliveries

increased shipping costs.

and impact sales.

– What does it mean for energy costs? However, Ben May, director of global macro

Here the PA news agency looks at what has

research at Oxford Economics, said that

Energy prices have risen this week, as concerns

happened and what the knock-on effects

while the recent wave of attacks has “major

have grown over the escalation of conflict in

could be for people in the UK.

ramifications” for the shipping industry, it is not

the Middle East and what it could mean for oil

yet clear what the impact on consumer prices

supply.

– What is happening in the Red Sea?Since

will be.

late November, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in

Joshua Mahoney, chief market analyst for

Yemen have attacked container ships going

He said: “The key question is how quickly

Scope Markets, said: “With the US-led coalition

through the Red Sea, one of the world’s

shipping firms will be prepared to allow their

struggling to contain Red Sea attacks, there are

busiest shipping routes.

fleets to return to sailing through the Red Sea.

concerns that we could see the flow of goods

The attacks began in response to the conflict

impacted for a prolonged period of time.”

in Gaza, with the group claiming it has been

“If the threat from Houthi attacks passes

targeting cargo ships with links to Israel.

quickly, then the implications for inflation are

– What is being done about the issue?

likely to be minimal. – Why is it important?The Suez canal is

The British Government and 11 other countries

crucial for transporting energy, commodities,

“After all, shipping costs are volatile and

issued a final warning to militants to ease

and consumer goods, with about 30% of

firms are likely to – at least initially – absorb

hostilities in the trade route on Wednesday.

all container shipping passing through the

fluctuations in shipping costs.

The allied nations called for an “immediate end”

gateway between the East and the West.

to the attacks and said they are “determined to – Could it worsen inflation?

Shipping firms having to reroute means

hold malign actors accountable for unlawful seizures and attacks”.

sending vessels around Africa’s Cape of Good

Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets

Hope, which is much longer and can add about

for Hargreaves Lansdown, said the issue could

Mr May from Oxford Economics concluded:

two weeks to journey times.

cause a “fresh inflationary headache” for Bank

“The importance of the Red Sea shipping route

of England policymakers, who decide UK

increases the likelihood of a relatively quick

interest rates.

resolution to the problem.”

Some major shipping companies such as Maersk and Evergreen, and oil giant BP, have been forced to pause shipments or reroute due

“Middle East tensions could be a big spanner

to safety concerns.

in the works for any hope that the Bank of England might start tinkering early with

Jordan army kills drug runners at Syria border amid soaring Captagon trade One Jordanian soldier was killed and another injured in shootout near border with Syria.

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA 05. January 2024.

Jordan’s army has said that it killed several

our national security,” the Jordanian army

Jordan has also raised concerns about the

drug smugglers near the Syrian border,

statement said.

drug trade with Syrian authorities and their

cracking down on the trade of the highly addictive drug Captagon.

ally Russia, they say. The army did not specify where exactly the

But Syria’s government denies involvement

breach occurred, but Syrian sources told

and says it is doing its best to stop the drug

The amphetamine-like stimulant is mass-

the Reuters news agency that the incident

trade.

produced in Syria and channelled through

occurred northeast of the city of Mafraq in

Jordan into the Gulf states. It is thought

Jordan.

to generate billions of dollars for Syria’s

The United States, meanwhile, has promised to send more military aid to boost Jordan’s

government and Iran-aligned militias that

Transit to the Gulf

border security, Jordanian officials said, adding

control swaths of southern Syria.

The border clash comes just a week after three

to more than $1bn Washington has provided

Dozens of drug runners crossed the Syrian

other smugglers were shot dead while trying

since Syria’s conflict broke out in 2011.

border on Tuesday, shrouded in dense fog

to traffic large quantities of Captagon pills into

which reduced visibility, and fired at Jordanian

Jordan.

border guards, Jordan’s army said in a

However, impatient over what it says are broken promises to curb the trade, Jordan

statement. One Jordanian officer and “several”

Smugglers often sneak the drugs into Jordan

took matters into its own hands earlier this

drug dealers were killed in the shootout, the

in transit to wealthy Gulf states, which fuel

year, waging several strikes against Iran-linked

army said. One soldier was injured.

most of the business, according to Western

drug factories in Syrian territory, local and

narcotics control officials.

Western intelligence sources said, according

Many dealers reportedly escaped back into

to Reuters.

Syria, which shares a 370km (230-mile) mostly

Jordanian officials echo Western claims

desert border with Jordan.

that Lebanon’s Hezbollah group and other

Officials expect the smuggling runs into

Iran-allied militias are behind the smuggling

Jordan to spike as winter sets in, as poorer

networks, accusations Hezbollah denies.

visibility makes it easier for traffickers to move

“We act forcefully to protect our borders and prevent any attempt to undermine

undetected.

Opinion:

I had a friend who had deep wisdom, but he expressed it with a joke and a smile...He said to me one day, my friend, there are two things you should start your day with with a joke and a laugh. I told him who they are: the politician in the morning and the wife in the evening? I was surprised and said to him: How did you combine the two? He said: A politician's funny joke makes him relax comfortably all day and make the right decision with pleasure. The wife's joke makes her laugh at night relaxed and gives you the most beautiful pleasure. I told him it could be upside down. The politician makes his decisions at night and the wife during the day? He told me: It would be the worst decision for both of them. This friend's words reminded me of Blinken, the US Secretary of State, who makes his decisions while on the plane day and night. So what will you be like? Rudwan Musa

Morocco to lead UN Human Rights Council despite South Africa’s disapproval Morocco has won a vote to lead the United

what the council stands for”.

Moroccan and international nongovernmental

Nations Human Rights Council despite

“For a country with all these challenges to

organisations (NGOs) have regularly

protests from South Africa that Rabat’s

aspire to be the face of Human Rights Council,

condemned the repression of journalists,

human rights record mean it is unfit to lead

and God forbid if they get elected this will

activists and human rights through the use

the council.

shatter whatever shred of legitimacy this

of trials for common law crimes, particularly

council ever had,” he added, speaking on

sexual offences, or through digital surveillance.

In a vote in Geneva on Wednesday, Morocco’s

Tuesday.

Ambassador Omar Zniber was elected council

Morocco is also accused of using Pegasus

president after he received 30 votes, while his

Morocco, in response, accused South Africa

spyware to hack the phones of journalists,

South African opponent, Ambassador Mxolisi

and other African states of undermining its

activists and politicians, both Moroccan and

Nkosi, secured 17.

efforts to hold the prestigious but mostly

foreign.

symbolic position.

But authorities have refuted the claims, calling

It was Africa’s turn to take the presidency of

them “unjust and fantasist” allegations.

the UN Human Rights Council, but because

“The Kingdom’s election, supported by a

African nations could not agree on a candidate

large number of countries around the globe

NGOs have also criticised the alleged

from among the 13 members, a secret ballot

in spite of Algeria’s and South Africa’s efforts

persistent discrimination against women and

was conducted.

to counter it, demonstrates the trust and

minorities.

the credibility inspired by Morocco’s external Following his success, Zniber said the council’s

actions,” the Morocco Ministry of Foreign

The UN Human Rights Council was

work was “so important and so fundamental:

Affairs said.

established in 2006 and is tasked with

the promotion of, respect toward and

protecting and promoting human rights

guarantee of human rights as universally

Western Sahara

recognised”, according to a statement from

Part of the dispute between the countries

the body.

revolves around Morocco’s sovereignty claim

Its presidency rotates each year between the

over Western Sahara, where the Algeria-

five regional groupings.

Morocco also said it “sees a strong signal sent

around the world, and addressing violations.

backed Polisario Front seeks independence.

by the international community in favour of

The president mainly oversees council

its constructive approach, and its unifying

Morocco has denied allegations of rights

meetings, but is also in charge of appointing

leadership on key subjects such as inter-

abuses against its opponents there.

the independent experts who investigate

religious dialogue, tolerance and the fight

While Rabat has been courting countries to

countries’ alleged rights abuses, and can

against racial hatred, the right to a healthy and

back its sovereignty claims, it has yet to gain

determine how hard to crack down on cases

sustainable environment, migrants’ rights and

the support of South Africa, which helped

of state intimidation against those who

the impact of new technologies”.

organise an event in Geneva last year to

cooperate with the body.

promote the self-determination of the Sahrawi Prior to the vote, Nkosi told the Reuters news agency that Morocco was the “antithesis of

people. SOURCE: AL JAZEERA 10. January 2024.

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