I’ve already printed out my copy. Watch the show he co-hosted this week with Billy Bob,

Blowback: Exposing Imperial Decline

https://www.youtube.com/@BlowbackExposingImperial-hh8ig

Outline

TOPICAL

TRUTHFUL PROMISE – Holy shit, the rules of West Asia have changed, have been re-written overnight. Sunday was Historic.

WILL ISRAEL REACT? – An open question, for now: Everyone ( friend and foe ) says ‘take the win’. But psychos gonna psycho.

IT’S HARD BEING KULEBA – From begging to demands, to a new level : Open blackmail. I almost – almost! – feel for the guy.

FULL BLOWN PSYCHOSIS – The world has ‘Arsenals of Autocracy’ now. The solution? Sanction more, suppress dissent.

SCHOLZ AND MELONI – Having buyer’s remorse, head to Beijing, to maybe mend fences? Already said to ‘betray Brussels’

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OPERATION TRUTHFUL PROMISE

“Guys, collating the headlines was a failed endeavor and an absolute mess. So here’s an executive dissection” – Ben

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“You can disagree with what Israel is doing, but you cannot say Israel initiated the aggression” – Sunak

THE PRELUDE

– March 10: Ramadan begins with the Crescent moon on Sunday, a holy month : Mohammad delivering the Holy Qur’an.

– April 01: Israel ( never took responsibility ) bombed Iran’s consulate in Damascus, Syria, killing 12, including two generals.

– April 02: UN Security Council fails to condemn attack due to permanent members US, UK and France.

– April 02: China and Russia strongly condemn the attack, and denigrate UNSC for failing to do its job.

– April 02: Iran’s FM Abdollahian says ‘US – via UN – greenlit Israel’s attack, making retaliation inevitable’.

– April 10: Ramadan ends the previous day, the Muslim world celebrates Eid-al-fitr ( breaking the fast ).

– April 11: Iran notified all regional nations 72-hours before the attack took place, so everyone had ample time to prepare.

– April 11: This includes the United States via Swiss intermediaries ( according an unnamed US official )

– April 11: Through this channel Iran warned the US against military cooperation with Israel, also promised not to hit US targets.

– April 12: FinancialTimes publishes about a ‘calibrated’ response Iran is planning, meant to avoid escalation but send a message.

– April 12: US moved its Warships to defend Israel in case of Iranian Attack according to WSJ Exclusive.

– April 12: US Sec. State Blinken on phone tried to enlist China, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia to stop Iranian attacks.

– April 12: US ‘intelligence analysts’ predict no US targets in ‘potential’ Iranian attack as per NYT.

– April 12: US, India, France, Russia, UK issue travel advisories for their citizens not to go to Israel.

– April 13: As world ‘braced itself for war’, Israelis headed for the beach ‘shrugging off warnings’

– April 13: Biden warned an Iranian attack on Israel is expected ‘sooner than later’

– April 13: Netanyahu stated that ‘Israel was ready for direct attack from Iran, will respond in kind’

– April 13: Iran seized Israel-linked MSC Aries in the strait of Hormuz.

– April 14: In the early morning hours, the retribution ( now called Operation Truthful Promise ) is executed.

THE MONEY

– According to Iran, the total cost of the attack was about $85 million, getting rid of old inventory.

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– According to Israel ( Brig Gen Reem Aminoach ) the Israeli defense cost ‘4-5 billion shekels’ or $1.1-1.3 billion

THE RESULT

– Iran says most weapons ( coordinated with allies in Yemen, Syria and Lebanon ) were from old, unwanted arsenals.

– It was the first direct attack from Iran on Israel ever, the longest distance and highest precision strike to date.

– Most WMSM cite that ‘over 300’ Shahid drones, cruise- and ballistic missiles flew towards the Negev desert.

– All WMSM sources conclude that ‘99% of them were intercepted’ and whatever got through caused ‘minimal damage’.

– According to themselves ( self-declared ) ‘interception allies’ are: Israel, US, UK, France, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

– NOTE : The Saudi Royal family at first acknowledged helping ‘defend Israel’ and later denied this at the WTO meeting.

– According to Macron, the French Air Force was engaged in shooting down drones ‘at Jordan’s request’ – amazing!

– At least 9 ballistic Khaybar Supersonic ( Mach 5 ) ICBMs hit two Israeli strategic air bases in the Negev desert:

– 5 hit Nevatim ( source of attack on consulate ) runways, and storage facilities, not far from Dimona.

– 4 hit Ramon, damage unspecified, both bases are F-35 launch sites.

– Apparently the 8200 ( NatSec ) information center was also hit in the Golan, cannot confirm.

– There were no casualties of the attack, even though Israel alleged a young girl was hurt ( disgusting )

– No civilian infrastructure, temples, synagogues, schools, hospitals or housing was hit. Truly calibrated.

– In Jordan it was alleged that shooting down Iranian drones ( the debris ) resulted in the loss of lives, unconfirmed

LOCAL AFTERMATH

– Iran’s Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri says ‘Punishment of Israel completed, no intention to continue’

– Iran’s mission to the UN states the attack is concluded and legal ( via Article 51 ), unless Israel.. Warns the US to stay away.

– Iran’s IRGC commander Hossein Salami said Iran has ‘decided to create a new equation’ – ‘any attack’ on Iran’s interests, assets, personalities, and citizens anywhere will be met with ‘retaliation’.

– Iran’s FM Abdollahian said the failure of the UNSC to uphold international law / Vienna convention caused the retaliations.

– Iran’s FM Abdollahian said Iran will ‘not hesitate to defend its interests against any new aggression’

– Iran’s MFA called on West to appreciate Iran’s restraint, and ‘blame themselves and answer to public opinion for their course’.

– Iran’s President Raisi has said any ‘reckless move by Israel would prompt a 10-fold stronger response’.

– Iran’s UN envoy Amir Saeid said his country was exercising its ‘inherent right to self-defense’.

– Iran’s Former IRGC commander Mohsen Rezaei said ‘Any stupid act will end Zionist regime’s life’.

– Iran official ( allegedly ) threatened Jordan ‘it would be the next target in the event it cooperated with Israel’

– Iran summoned the British, French and German ambassadors for their irresponsible stances on the operation.

——————————————————

– Israeli Opposition leader Yair Lapid said the US administration was ‘appalled’ by the Israeli government and Netanyahu.

– Israeli Opposition leader Yair Lapid also said ‘friends and enemies alike’ ‘smelled weakness’ from the government.

– Israeli Opposition leader Yair Lapid also said ‘the government and Prime Minister have shattered Israeli deterrence’.

– Israel’s former PM Ehud Olmert said ‘it was the perfect time to end the war’, calling it an ‘outstanding success’.

– Israeli PM Netanyahu initially says ‘We have intercepted, we have contained, Together we shall win’

– Israeli NatSecMin Itamar Ben Gvir said ‘Israel must go berserk’ on Iran, advised to ‘not waste time’ before retaliation.

– Israeli Ministers Gantz & Eizenkot wanted ‘immediate counterattack on Iran’ according to Axios, now denied.

– Israeli President Herzog said ‘this is a declaration of war’, very shortly after states ‘we are peacemakers’

– Israeli IDF chief rear admiral Daniel Hagari says ‘Hamas and Iran want to ignite the Middle East’

– Israel’s UN ambassador Gilad Erdan called the strikes ‘a violation of international law that crossed every red line’

– Israel’s UN ambassador Gilad Erdan called for ‘unequivocal condemnation’ and ‘concrete action’, and ‘all possible sanctions’

– Israel’s UN ambassador Gilad Erdan said Iran had ‘hegemonic ambitions of global domination’ that ‘must be stopped’

– Israeli Minister Benny Gantz pushed for a global united front against Iran and ‘exact a price from it’.

– Israeli DM Yoav Gallant said the confrontation with Iran was ‘not over yet’.

– Israel’s Tel Aviv Stock Exchange sees ‘moderate decline after Iran attack’ 

— — — — — — — — — — — — — —

– Israel’s government spokesman David Mencer said ‘Israel retains all its options’ at the 2nd ( Monday ) War Cabinet meeting.

– Israel’s War Cabinet ‘weighs strike on Iran’ to ‘send a message’ while ‘preserving alliance’ acc. To WaPo.

– Israel’s War Cabinet ‘remains determined to act’, but it is ‘not clear at this point if a decision has been made’.

– Israeli IDF chief Herzi Halevi said Iran’s attack ‘will be met with a response’, still unclear exactly how.

– Israel’s War Cabinet said it was ‘set on ‘forceful’ response to Iran, but one that won’t spark wider war’

— — — — — — — — — — — — — —

– The US made a failed bid for Iran to allow a ‘symbolic strike’ by Israel – an Iranian official has said.

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– US president Biden tells Netanyahu to ‘take the win’ on phone call, and that he ‘would oppose an Israeli counterattack’

– US president Biden’s soundbytes: Israel’s ‘remarkable’ defense downing missiles, drones, sent ‘clear message to its foes’.

– US president Biden also told him that the US will not take part in any Israeli retaliatory action against Iran.

– US president Biden’s phone call stopped a planned Israeli retaliation, according to a WSJ / Jpost report.

– US ‘senior official’ said they received no ‘extensive warning’ from Iran as in ‘these will be the targets, so evacuate them’.

– US ‘defense officials’ were ‘concerned’ Israel would respond to Iran ‘without thinking through the potential consequences’ NBC

– US ‘officials’ say that Saudi Arabia, UAE shared intel with the US & Israel to help thwart Iran‘s attack, again as per WSJ.

– US ‘anonymous officials’ said ‘many Iranian missiles failed to launch or crashed before striking their target’ as per WSJ.

– US former Trump advisor Bolton saw ‘opportunity for Israel to destroy Iran’s nuclear program’ on CNN interview.

– US former Trump advisor Bolton said Biden was an ’embarrassment’ to US for urging Israelis not to retaliate, same CNN.

– US NatSec guy Kirby said US ‘doesn’t seek war with Iran’, instead ‘looks to curb Israeli response’ at presser

– US president Biden said he urged the G7 leaders to coordinate ‘united diplomatic‘ response to the ‘Iran‘s brazen attack’

– US engineered G7 ‘unequivocally condemned in the strongest terms Iran’s direct and unprecedented attack against Israel’

– US engineered G7: Italy ‘now open’ to ‘sanctioning Israel’s enemies’ – FM Antonio Tajani says Iran made ‘big mistake’

– US house speaker Mike Johnson ‘promised’ to ‘try to advance’ wartime aid to Israel and Ukraine separately.

– US’s Persian Gulf allies ‘worked overtime to shut down avenues that could link them to a US reprisal against Tehran’ – official

– US’s Persian Gulf allies – Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Kuwait – urge US ‘not to use bases on their territories to attack Iran’.

——————————————————

– Hamas welcomed Iran’s attack on Israel in a statement ‘A natural right and a deserved response’

– Jordan’s Foreign Ministry has summoned Iran’s ambassador to warn Tehran to ‘stop questioning its position’.

– Jordan’s FM Ayman Safadi said Netanyahu is ‘using confrontation with Iran to take attention away from Gaza’

– Iraqi PM Mohammed Shia al-Sudani will visit White House to discuss ‘ties, opportunities’ after US troop withdrawal.

– Saudi Arabia’s MFA expressed ‘deep concern’ and called ‘to exercise the utmost levels of restraint’.

– Egypt’s MFA pretty much mirrored the above ( concern, utmost restraint ), after the FM talked to officials in Israel, Iran, US

GLOBAL AFTERMATH

✓ Condemnation, restraint: G7, US, UK, Canada, Austria, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Argentina, Paraguay, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea

⨉ Condemnation, restraint: UN, Russia, China, Jordan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Algeria, Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, Somalia, Colombia, Bolivia, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Philippines

✓ Celebration, right to self-defense: Iran, Hezbollah, PIJ, Hamas, Yemen, Iraq, Oman, Palestine, likely DPRK ( can’t find )

– British PM Sunak condemned ‘in the strongest possible terms’ Iran’s ‘direct attack against Israel’

– British PM Sunak now ‘rejects the characterization’ that Iran shared advance warning of strikes.

– British PM Sunak will speak with Netanyahu to ‘urge de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East’.

– British FS Cameron called the attacks a ‘total failure’ / ‘double defeat’ for Iran, said ‘British intervention stopped escalation’

– British FS Cameron urged Israel ‘that they shouldn’t escalate’ but ‘had every right to self defense’.

– British FS Cameron recognized the ‘diplomatic cost’ of adding Iran’s military to UK’s ‘terrorist list’, but sanctioned them anyway.

– German FM Baerbock says ‘Iran has taken the Middle East’ to the ‘edge of the precipice’.

– German FM Baerbock also said ‘Israel has shown it can protect itself, Iran is isolated’

– German FM Baerbock said Israel ‘won defensively’ thanks to strong A/D ‘and the efforts of the US, Britain and Arabic states’.

– German FM Baerbock said ‘Israel has our full solidarity at this time’ but worked to ‘prevent further escalation’ with her US allies.

– German BK Scholz warned Iran against ‘further escalation in the Middle East‘

– France‘s Macron condemned the ‘unprecedented attack’ but said ‘we must avoid escalation in Middle East’

– Canada’s Trudeu ‘unequivocally condemned’ the attack, saying ‘we stand with Israel’.

– EU’s von der Leyen called on Iran ‘and its proxies to cease the attacks completely’ while drawing up more sanctions.

– EU’s Borrell condemned ‘in the strongest terms’ the attack and urged ‘all parties to exercise utmost restraint’.

——————————————————

– Colombia’s Gustavo Petro said at the UN : ‘The support of the US, in practice, for a genocide, has ignited the world’.

– Bolivia’s Louis Arce called on the UN to ‘establish peace in the Middle East within the framework of international law’.

– British Sir Richard Dalton, former British ambassador to Iran, says ‘this is not our quarrel’.

– Russia’s Peskov is ‘extremely concerned’ about developments, and calls on regional nations to exercise restraint.

– Russia’s Peskov says a ‘further escalation in the Middle East is in no one’s interests’.

– Argentina’s Javier Milei expressed ‘solidarity and unwavering commitment’ to Israel, and its ‘right to self-defense’

– UN’s Antonio Guterres said the ‘Middle East was on the brink’ and ‘now was the time to defuse and de-escalate’

– UN’s Antonio Guterres also said ‘the Middle East and the world cannot afford more war’ urged ‘maximum restraint’

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BATTLEGROUND WEST ASIA

“It looks like things haven’t even paused, let alone come to a halt“ – Ben

THE BRAZEN COLONY

– ISR: Israel urges sanctions in ‘diplomatic offensive’ against Iran – IRGC and missile program  ( Telegraph UK )

– ISR: Jordan’s help against Iran shows relationship with Israel still strong, despite Gaza – touché! ( TO Israel )

– ISR: Israeli debt doubled since beginning of war on Gaza – $22b > $43b – Israeli Finance Ministry ( Cradle )

– ISR: Iran attack tests Netanyahu’s political staying power – fate may depend on what happens next ( NYT )

– ISR: ‘It’s the right thing to do’ – Israel‘s president says more humanitarian aid flowing into Gaza ( CNN )

– ISR: How Israeli air force could bring Iran to its knees – what if we finally strike back ( Jerusalem Post )

– ISR: Israel delays Rafah offensive plans amid heated debate over response to Iranian attack ( CNN )

– ISR: Israeli FM pushes for sanctions against Iran after military vows response ( France 24 )

GENOCIDE, WAR – NEVER CHANGES

– WEA: Israeli gunfire kills 1 and critically wounds another in West Bank, Palestinian health ministry says ( CNN )

– WEA: Israel targeted Hezbollah sites in Lebanon overnight – South Lebanon, air strikes ( Times UK )

– WEA: 4 IDF soldiers ‘hurt’ just ‘inside Lebanese border’ – evacuated by helicopter ( Jerusalem post )

——————————————————

– GAZ: ‘One of the bloodiest days’ as Israeli forces again attack Nuseirat camp – bombardment continues ( Al Jazeera QT )

– GAZ: Israel destroys over 3,000 buildings in 1 km ‘buffer zone’ inside Gaza border – UN report ( Guardian UK )

– GAZ: Palestinian girl shot in mother’s arms as they attempted to return to home in northern Gaza ( CNN )

– GAZ: Israel continued bombing Gaza during Iran attack – ‘dozens’ of strikes – Hagari ( Times UK )

– GAZ: Palestinians risk attacks to go home over ‘completely terrible’ conditions ( Al Jazeera QT )

– GAZ: Gazans attempting to return to homes in north say Israeli troops fired on them ( NYT )

A RATTLED SPONSOR

– USC: Iran just made a big mistake. Israel shouldn’t follow – global initiative to isolate Iran – Thomas Friedman ( NYT Opinion )

– USC: Iran confrontation poses potential new risks for US troops – ‘thousands’ remain vulnerable to attacks ( Politico US )  

– USC: The Biden administration’s Israel dilemma – Protection or blank cheque? – Gideon Rachman ( FT Opinion )

– USC: Biden administration clings to cease-fire talks with no Plan B – hope for hostage release and aid ( WaPo )

– USC: Israel’s war leaders don’t trust one another – long-simmering grudges and arguments over tactics ( WSJ )

– USC: A diplomatic victory of uncertain staying power – pulled a coalition for one attack, next time? ( NYT )

– USC: Iran‘s attack seemed planned to minimize casualties while maximizing spectacle – huh? ( CNN )

– USC: US Military aid to Israel cannot be unconditional – Editorial board ( WSJ Opinion main story )

– USC: For Israel, revenge should be a dish served cold – Bret Stephens ( NYT Opinion )

– USC: Wave of pro-Palestinian protests closes bridges, major roads across US ( WaPo )

– USC: Biden counsels Netanyahu to ‘slow things down’ after Iranian attack ( WaPo )

– USC: Iran deploying Russian tactics to overwhelm Israel: ISW – huh! ( Newsweek )

– USC: Iran attack tests outer limits of US-backed Israeli air defenses ( Bloomberg )

SYCOPHANTIC FANBOYS

– EUK: Iran has chosen self-destruction, and is happy to take the world down with it – Sherelle Jacobs ( Telegraph UK Opinion )

– EUK: America has just reminded us there is only one world superpower – Richard Dannatt ( Telegraph UK Opinion )

– EUK: Iran wants to bully the world and get a nuclear bomb. We must resist – Nick Timothy ( Telegraph UK Opinion )

– EUK: Would Iran use nuclear weapons against Israel? – ‘never been closer’ to accelerating program ( Times UK )

– EUK: Suella Braverman says it is ‘delusional’ not to ban IRGC as pressure mounts on Sunak ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: The world stands on the brink of all-out war – ‘no choice’ but to respond – Richard Kemp ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: Iran attacks Israel, risking a full-blown regional war – direct strikes ‘cross the rubicon’ ( Economist UK )

– EUK: Ben Wallace: West must stand up to Iranian bullies – must hit Tehran twice as hard ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: BBC presenter sorry for calling strikes on Gaza ‘murders’ – Nick Robinson ( Times UK )

– EUK: Iranians fear their brittle regime will drag them into war ( Economist UK )

——————————————————

– EUK: Germany bars doctor who worked in Gaza, shuts down Palestinian conference – Ghassan Abu Sitta ( WaPo )

– EUK: Germany bans Yanis Varoufakis from entering the country – over a speech about Palestine ( Diem24 )

——————————————————

– EUK: Italian schools will no longer shut for Eid – Meloni banned holiday at end of Ramadan ( Times UK )

——————————————————

– EUK: French, German arms sales to Israel hit by legal action – by human rights lawyers, NGOs ( Politico EU )

A DYSFUNCTIONAL UN

– UN: US warns Iran, calls on Security Council to condemn attack on Israel – fails, produces no statement ( Politico US )

– UN: ‘UNSC failed its duty to maintain international peace‘ – Iran‘s representative Amir Saeid ( Cradle )

– UN: Iran nuclear monitors still operating amid Israel retaliation threats ( Bloomberg )

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BATTLEGROUND 404

“You need to think in your own interests. If your partners are saying: ‘We are giving you seven Patriot batteries, but we have a request for you, please don’t do this and that’ – then there is something to talk about. On the other hand, if ‘no batteries, no aid package’ are being offered in connection with the request, then there is nothing to talk about. Everyone survives as best they can” – Kuleba

——————————————————

“I will call Putin when he realizes that there will be no dictated Peace, and he realizes that he has to cancel his campaign and withdraw troops.” – Olaf Scholz, TAZ interview

——————————————————

“When we have enough forces, we will liberate a whole Russian region. We will set up a government. The rebellion will grow, and we will move on to other regions until we march on Moscow” – Caesar, Politico

——————————————————

“The leader of China will be coming to Paris in a few weeks. I have asked him for help.” – Macron, Olympic ‘ceasefire’

THE GRIM REALITY

– 404: Elensky: Russia destroyed key power plant in Kiev since Ukraine ‘ran out of missiles’ for its defense ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– 404: Situation on Ukraine frontline ‘deteriorating significantly’ last week – superior weapons, numbers – Syrski ( Telegraph UK )

– 404: Scale of Russian air force losses in Ukraine revealed by US NATO commander – 10% in 2 years – Cavoli ( Newsweek )

– 404: Russian troops advance in Ukraine as Kiev runs low on air defenses – Chasov Yar – without US aid, crumble ( WaPo )

– 404: Elensky: We have zero missiles left in Trypillia, that’s why Russians destroyed thermal power plant ( Ukro Pravda )

– 404: Ukraine air defenses overwhelmed as Russia pounds power stations – aid ‘dried up’ – Podolyak ( Guardian UK )

– 404: Russia‘s army is now 15% bigger than when it invaded Ukraine, says US general – Cavoli ( Business Insider )

– 404: Ukraine‘s army chief says eastern front under intense Russian assault – denies losing Chasov Yar ( Reuters )

– 404: In Ukraine’s west, draft dodgers run, and swim, to avoid the war – can’t replenish arsenal and army ( NYT )

– 404: US defense of Israel’s skies sparks Ukrainian envy and ire – ‘people beginning to sour on the US’ ( WSJ )

– 404: Ukraine’s top commander says eastern frontline has ‘significantly worsened’ – Syrski ( FT UK )

– 404: Intense fighting, lack of resources leave wounded soldiers on their own ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

——————————————————

– RUC: Russia accuses UK of overseeing ‘vast majority’ of Kiev‘s Black Sea attacks ( Newsweek )

COPIOUS COPIUM

– 404: Ukraine war briefing: attacks on nuclear plant are Russian ‘false flag’, Kiev tells UN security council ( Guardian UK )

– 404: Russia is sure to lose in Ukraine, reckons a Chinese expert on Russia – westernized NGO guy ( Economist UK )

– 404: Ukraine man’s torture case against Russians seeks justice in Argentina – just like Nazis? ( Reuters exclusive )

– 404: Norway donating F-16s to Ukraine to allow deeper strikes into Russian territory – no they won’t ( Ukrinform )

– 404: Russians attack with motorcycles and Chinese golf carts, infantry gains ground at Chasov Yar ( Kyiv Post )

– 404: Arming Ukraine turns Soviet tank refitter into a billionaire – Michal Strnad, Czech asshole ( Bloomberg )

– 404: Russia aims to capture Chasov Yar by ‘Victory Day’ on May 9 – Syrski says ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– 404: Drones are crowding Ukraine’s skies, largely paralyzing battlefield – ‘halting the advance’ ( WaPo )

– 404: Russian losses soar to 1,030 troops, 23 tanks and 47 ACVs in a day – Kiev ( Newsweek )

– 404: Netherlands allocates $4.7 billion to support Ukraine until 2026 ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– 404: Ukraine may get new British high-power ‘DragonFire’ laser air defense ( Newsweek )

– 404: Putin has a Dam Problem – top tier copium about Orenburg flooding ( Newsweek )

– 404: Netherlands, Germany, Canada to send drones to Ukraine ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– 404: Ukrainian equivalent of Russian Lancet drone shown to Elensky ( Ukro Pravda )

– 404: Russia’s war losses in Ukraine up to 454,420 – General Staff ( Ukrinform )

THE BEGGAR KING(S)

– 404: Foreign Minister Kuleba: Poland capable of covering western regions of Ukraine with Patriot system ( Euromaidan Press )

– 404: ‘Everything Is Possible’ – Ukraine’s Foreign Minister says Patriots in Poland could protect Ukraine’s borders ( Kyiv Post )

– 404: US support vital for Ukraine‘s victory over Russia even if provided as loan, Elensky tells PBS ( NVo Ukraine )

– 404: Elensky: Israel and Ukraine are not in NATO, but we only need will to protect ourselves against terror ( Ukro Pravda )

– 404: Germany to give Ukraine another Patriot anti-missile system – maybe Iris-T and Skynex – Elensky ( Bloomberg )

– 404: Elensky thanks Germany for new Patriot system at ‘critical time’ – calls on others to follow example ( Reuters )

– 404: Ukraine’s foreign minister says Israel’s response to an Iranian aerial attack shows what Kiev needs ( AP )

– 404: NATO must implement separate Black Sea strategy to protect region from Russia – Kuleba ( Ukrinform )

– 404: Ukraine, Norway discuss steps to receive Patriot systems from other countries – Kuleba ( Ukrinform )

– 404: Elensky to US: Iran‘s attack on Israel is ‘wake-up call’ to fortify America‘s allies ( Politico EU )

– 404: Ukraine‘s Elensky condemns Iranian attack, says Ukraine needs help, like Israel ( Reuters )

– 404: Elensky says Iran‘s attack on Israel proves modern air defense systems save lives ( CNN )

– 404: Ukraine, watching US coalition protect Israel, feels alone – give us what we need ( WaPo )

– 404: Kuleba on Israel repelling Iran‘s attack: Ukraine also needs allies’ help ( Ukrinform )

– 404: Elensky warns against Russia‘s and Iran‘s coordinated ‘terror’ attacks ( VOA / CIA )

– 404: Ukraine‘s Elensky calls for same ‘unity’ from allies as for Israel ( France 24 )

– 404: Ukraine‘s Elensky calls for air defenses like Israel‘s against Iran ( NBC )

– 404: Ukraine urgently needs additional Air Defense: FM Kuleba ( Bloomberg )

– 404: Kuleba asked Western countries for Patriots for rent ( Izvestia RU )

THE BLACKMAIL!

– 404: Ukrainian FM publicly blackmails West over oil prices – see quote above ( RT RU )

SPONSORS DIVIDED

– USC: An essential part of modern life that armies should never attack again – energy war crimes – Peter Fairley ( NYT Opinion )

– USC: House GOP vows Israel vote after Iran attack amid bipartisan pressure on aid package – Ukraine no-show ( Politico US )

– USC: Iran attacks add urgency to stalled congressional aid effort for Israel – ‘going to try again this week’ – Johnson ( WaPo )

– USC: Congress must let Ukraine win, say Streisand, Penn, Imagine Dragons, Snyder and other luminaries ( CNN )

– USC: White House effectively rules out option for US forces to intercept Russian missiles – Kirby ( Tass RU )

– USC: J.D. Vance: The math on Ukraine doesn’t add up – troops, shells, patriots ( NYT Opinion )

– USC: US House Speaker promises to push for aid to Israel and Ukraine ( Euronews )

– USC: Johnson gambles on plan separating Israel aid from Ukraine funds ( WaPo )

– USC: Ukraine, Israel aid to hit US House floor as separate bills soon ( Reuters )

– USC: White House opposes standalone Israel funding bill – Kirby ( Politico US )

——————————————————

– EUK: Meet Russia’s Christian soldier who wants to oust Putin – ‘Caesar’ -Free Russian Legion nazis commander ( Politico EU )

– EUK: Ukraine could face defeat in 2024. Here’s how that might look – former UK JF commander Richard Barrons ( BBC UK )

– EUK: European countries rebuff Kiev’s calls for more air defenses – Germany sent a Patriot, ‘reluctant to give more’ ( FT UK )

– EUK: Not if but when, NATO’s deputy chief says about Ukraine’s accession – Mircea Geoană, Romanian ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: What happens if Ukraine loses? – Russian victory ‘debilitating for the West‘, especially for Europe ( Economist UK )

– EUK: Ukraine backers blast ‘double standard’ after allies rush to Israel’s defense – 404, Lithuania, France ( Politico EU )

– EUK: Macron wants to see global ceasefire during Olympic Games 2024 and relies on China’s contribution ( Uatv UA )

– EUK: Macron proposes ceasefire in Ukraine, Middle East during Olympics – will ask China’s Xi for help ( Ukrinform )

– EUK: Deploying jets to protect Ukraine would lead to escalation, UK foreign secretary says ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– EUK: Macron to propose global ceasefire, including Ukraine, during Olympics – China to help ( Ukro Pravda )

– EUK: ‘We will deliver weapons for a long time’ – Scholz interview – I will call Putin when.. ( Tageszeitung DE )

– EUK: Russia fully responsible for risks at ZNPP it is causing – EU at UN Security Council ( Ukrinform )

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STATE OF THE WEST

“Washington calls on EU to use influence in Beijing to halt weapons transfers to Moscow” FT ‘US diplomacy’

“Iran, North Korea and China are Russia’s arsenals of autocracy” – David Axe

COMBINED PSYCHOSES

– USC: US says China shouldn’t see Joe Biden’s meetings with Japan’s Kishida, Philippines’ Marcos as a threat ( SCMP CN )

– USC: House to vote on China’s Iranian oil imports after Israel attack – ‘slew of bills’ apparently – called sanctions ( Bloomberg )

– USC: US warns China is providing Russia with drone, missile components – urges allies to sanction – there it is! ( Bloomberg )

– USC: US expands sanctions on the Belarusian Regime, 3-year anniversary of the fraudulent Presidential election ( Treasury )

– USC: US warns it will hold China accountable if Russia gains in Ukraine – Kurt Campbell, deputy sec. State ( Japan Times )

– USC: US says China is boosting Russia‘s war machine in Ukraine – anonymous ‘officials say’ – China rejects this ( Reuters )

– USC: UK and US block Russian metals to stem funding for ‘Kremlin war machine’ – ‘heavy blow to Putin’ ( Telegraph UK )

– USC: China, Russia and Iran are reviving the age of empires – ‘imperial legacies’ – Hal Brands ( Bloomberg Opinion )

– USC: Russia killed Ukrainian athletes. The Olympics should ban them entirely – Lee Hockstader ( WaPo Opinion )

– USC: Biden unlikely to cut Iran‘s oil lifeline after Israel attack – of course he will ‘sharpen sanctions‘ ( Reuters )

– USC: Russian weapons help Iran harden defenses against Israeli airstrike – intelligence officials ( WaPo )

– USC: US urges EU to tell China to halt transfer of weapons parts to Russia ( FT UK original headline )

– USC: US says China is supplying missile and drone engines to Russia ( FT UK updated headline )

– USC: US and EU consider new sanctions against Iran after its air attack on Israel ( Guardian UK )

——————————————————

– EUK: Putin is like Hitler – he won’t stop, says German DM Boris Pistorius – Europe ‘must prepare for a long war’ ( Times UK )

– EUK: Far right’s ties to Russia sow rising alarm in Germany – cases proliferate in AfD party ‘tool for Russian influence’ ( NYT )

– EUK: Looking at today’s wars as local issues is a huge mistake. One war and it is global – David Axe ( Telegraph UK Opinion )

– EUK: Von der Leyen castigates far-right AfD over Russia scandal – admire ‘democracy despiser in the Kremlin’ ( Politico EU )

– EUK: The West must stand up to Iranian bullies – message to Tehran and Moscow – Ben Wallace ( Telegraph UK Opinion )

– EUK: Insult-hurling president – Milanovic – poses risk to EU in Croatia’s election – opposes Ukraine, NATO ( Bloomberg )

– EUK: German Defense Chief compares Putin to Hitler at Churchill event – book presentation in Berlin ( Bloomberg )

– EUK: Prague purchases first 180,000 artillery shells for Ukraine – famed Czech plan – Petr Fiala ( NVo Ukraine )

– EUK: Belgium launches probe into suspected Russian interference in upcoming EU elections – De Croo ( AP )

– EUK: Polish and Danish Prime Ministers talk about creating an Iron Dome for Europe ( Ukro Pravda )

– EUK: EU goes on China trade offensive after getting ‘played’ for years – investigations ( Bloomberg )

– EUK: ‘Sympathy shifted to Israel’ – ‘many’ fear Iran attack has distracted aid effort ( Guardian UK )

– EUK: Poland‘s Tusk calls on EU to neutralize Russia‘s ‘shadow fleet’ in Baltic Sea ( Online UA )

– EUK: Tusk and Frederiksen discuss idea of iron dome over Europe ( Rbc Ukraine )

– EUK: China’s influence hangs over Solomon Islands election ( Times UK )

——————————————————

– ASO: Marcos questions ‘secret’ Duterte deal with China – US, Japan partnerships ‘extremely important’ ( Bloomberg )

– ASO: Japan may be the US’s most important ally – Kishida hailed US as ‘indispensable’ nation in Congress ( WaPo )

– ASO: China accused of running sleeper cells to sow discord – by Philippines – dismissed as fabrication ( Times UK )

– ASO: China had a ‘special place’ in Modi’s heart. Now it’s a thorn in his side – Western defense ties to Delhi ( NYT )

– ASO: Japan‘s aid for Ukraine signals new distance from Russia – most important ally, billions in aid ( DW DE )

– ASO: US, Japan, Philippines trilateral deal to change dynamic in South China Sea, Marcos says ( Reuters )

– ASO: China feels boxed in by the US but has few ways to push back – Russia, DPRK coordination ( NYT )

ABANDONMENT SYNDROMES

– EUK: Nerve-testing times pose question of European nuclear deterrent – rising concerns about US guarantees ( FT UK )

– EUK: Macron’s push to arm Europe is getting more urgent – and more dangerous – go it alone, allies riled ( Bloomberg )

– EUK: If we don’t rearm, our enemies will crush us – without ‘US protection’ – US ‘tired, probably for ever’ ( Times UK )

– EUK: ‘Rest against West’: Borrell admits failure of EU‘s double standards Foreign Policy ( Sputnik RU )

——————————————————

– ASO: Tony Abbott, a fighter in the cold war with China – worried over US isolationism, hopes will come through ( WSJ Opinion )

– ASO: Marcos says Philippine US, Japan deal to change dynamic in disputed waters, won’t affect China trade ( SCMP CN )

– ASO: The Philippine president says he won’t give US access to more local military bases ( AP )

——————————————————

– EUK: Olaf Scholz is on a telltale China trip – Germany may not really be on board, may ‘undermine Brussels‘ ( Foreign Policy )

– EUK: Germany’s Scholz is bowing to the Chinese dragon – ignoring pressure from US, seeks Beijing’s embrace ( Politico EU )

– EUK: Germany in new push to get China behind Ukraine peace efforts – amid expectations of new offensive ( WSJ Exclusive )

– EUK: Macron and Scholz call for ‘re-balancing’ EU–China trade relations – phone call to ‘spur competitiveness’ ( France 24 )

– EUK: What to expect from Olaf Scholz‘s China visit – ‘balancing act’ – economic interest vs geopolitical concerns ( DW DE )

– EUK: Germany’s leader walks a fine line in China – promote business interests while delivering warnings from EU ( NYT )

– EUK: German leader warns China on overcapacity, echoing US gripes ( Bloomberg )

– EUK: Smoking weed is not compulsory, Scholz tells Chinese students ( Times UK )

——————————————————

– EUK: Meloni seeks China reset after Italy ditches Belt and Road Pact – travel soon, mend ties ( Bloomberg )

– EUK: As a Trump victory becomes likelier, Europe re-engages with China – Scholz, Meloni ( WSJ )

– EUK: Meloni: Italy can improve trade with China after Belt and Road departure ( Reuters )

THE ENERGY WARS

– Russia ruins Ukraine‘s dream of becoming European gas hub – 17 billion m3 gas storage destroyed ( Pravda RU )

context : April 10-11 eight Mig-31s struck massive UGS gas storage with Kinzhals, 50m underground in Stryi, Lvov region

——————————————————

– Germany’s SEFE weighs resuming natural gas storage in Ukraine – envisions ‘postwar’ ( Bloomberg )

context : Ukraine has more storage capacity than any country west of Russia

——————————————————

– EU Parliament approves legal option to block Russian LNG imports – but nobody has indicated they will use it ( Reuters )

– ‘An energy war is being waged’: former oil boss warns of price rises after Ukraine infrastructure attacks ( Guardian UK )

– US teases new sanctions targeting Russian Arctic LNG – ‘There will be more, I promise’ Pyatt says ( High North CA )

– The US is trying to cripple Russia’s vast Arctic LNG project – wants to ensure it’s ‘dead in the water’ – Pyatt ( WSJ )

– Kuleba: ‘Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries have no effect on the global energy market’ ( Agenzia Nova IT )

– War in Ukraine enters new phase that puts Energy in crosshairs – collateral damage on markets ( Bloomberg )

– Oil prices could see ‘super spike well above $100’ if conflict escalates after Iran’s attack on Israel ( CNBC )

– France talks tough on Ukraine while gobbling up more Russian gas – €600 million this year ( Politico EU )

– Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries deepen tensions with US – ‘reckless and raise prices‘ ( WaPo )

– Russia attacks Ukraine gas storage sites, driving prices higher – linked to EU gas networks ( Bloomberg )

– European gas prices through next year rise on persistent risks – futures up 10% ( Bloomberg )

– Oil shoots to 6-Month high as Middle East conflict escalates – Brent $92/barrel ( Bloomberg )

– Markets brace for oil to hit $100 as Saudi slashes production – likely in May ( Telegraph UK )

– Russia restoring oil refining capacity knocked out by Ukraine’s drones ( Reuters Exclusive )

– Elensky irked by US’ request to stop attacking Russian energy infrastructure ( Tass RU )

– US ties renewal of easing of Venezuela oil sanctions to progress on elections ( Reuters )

– US request not to target Russian oil refineries ‘irritated‘ Elensky ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )  

THE ECONOMIC WAR

– USC: ‘Existential threat to the American auto industry’ – Biden urged to ban China-built EVs by influential lawmaker ( Fortune )

– USC: The overlooked threats to the global financial system – shying away from debt reduction – no more ‘safe’ assets ( FT UK )

– USC: How new mines could break US reliance on China’s batteries – China produces 85%, US is ‘racing’ to mine ( WSJ )

– USC: Elon Musk to cut 14,000 Tesla jobs – 10% of global workforce amid competition from China ( Telegraph UK )

– USC: US airlines decry ‘unfair’ competition by China – using Russian airspace ‘artificial’ cost advantage ( RT RU )

– USC: Bird flu is spreading to more US farm animals. Are milk and eggs safe? – 30 herds, 8 states ( AP )

– USC: Boeing employees’ use of safety concern service up 500% after panel blowout ( Guardian UK )

– USC: How immigrant workers in US have helped boost job growth and stave off a recession ( AP )

– USC: Many FBI agents are struggling to make ends meet. Housing costs are to blame ( NPR )

– USC: FBI opens criminal investigation into Baltimore bridge collapse, AP source says ( AP )

– USC: Apple loses smartphone crown to Samsung as Chinese rivals gain ground ( FT UK )

– USC: US lawmakers angry after Huawei unveils laptop with new Intel AI chip ( Reuters )

– USC: US Steel shareholders approve $14.9 bln buyout by Nippon Steel ( Reuters )

– USC: US awards Samsung $6.4 bln in grants for Texas chip complex ( Reuters )

– USC: Rents are still rising and pumping up inflation – 5.7% rise in March ( WSJ )

– USC: Apple faces worst iPhone slump since Covid as rivals rise ( Bloomberg )

– USC: US consumer sentiment slips; inflation expectations increase ( Reuters )

——————————————————

– EUK: Greek voters name skyrocketing prices as their top priority ahead of EU elections – +30% everyday goods ( Euronews )

– EUK: Thyssenkrupp to reduce Duisburg steel production and cut jobs – 13,000 employees, high energy costs ( Reuters )

– EUK: Sunak welcomes Paul Kagame to No 10 as Rwanda scheme hits fresh snags – housing, airlines ( Guardian UK )

– EUK: EU faces decline without market reform, report warns  – must integrate or face losing to US and China ( FT UK )

– EUK: Traditional German, Swiss chocolate makers feel the cocoa crunch – heritage at risk, rising costs ( Bloomberg )

– EUK: ‘Frankly disgusting’: Britain’s sewage pollution crisis – privatization, worst bathing water in Europe ( Euronews )

– EUK: Rishi Sunak hopes for a stroke of luck – but voters are feeling gloomy – economic news / Rwanda ( Times UK )

– EUK: Metals spike on LME after Russian supply hit by US, UK sanctions – Aluminium 9%, Nickel 8% ( Bloomberg )

– EUK: France slams UK over fishing access to protected habitat in British waters – urges EC to take action ( FT UK )

– EUK: The US has denied Sunak an election ‘Hail Mary’ – by no rate cuts – Jeremy Warner ( Telegraph UK Opinion )

– EUK: UK targets four countries for Rwanda deal – Armenia, Ivory Coast, Costa Rica and Botswana ( Times UK )

– EUK: Volkswagen to invest $2.7 billion in China, add EV models – bring new tech to market 30% faster ( Forbes )

– EUK: Liz Truss – No10 Downing was a prison infested with fleas – Johson‘s dog ‘main suspect’ ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: EU signals end of free money for poorer countries – conditions on financing poorer regions ( Politico EU )

– EUK: Inside the race to make Jaguar roar again – battle to stay relevant in world of EVs ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: Draghi: EU must enact ‘radical change’ as US and China refuse to ‘play by the rules’ ( Euractiv )

– EUK: German companies’ dependence on China will last decades, warns Siemens ( FT UK )

– EUK: Aluminium and Nickel prices surge after sanctions on Russian supply ( FT UK )

– EUK: Losing hope of rescue, some European solar firms head to US ( Reuters )

– EUK: American air pilots cite ‘significant spike’ in safety problems ( Bloomberg )

——————————————————

– ASO: Japan’s young workers head abroad as huge wage gap persists – ‘outflow’ to Aus-UK-Can ‘question outlook’ ( Bloomberg )

– ASO: Japan’s native population declines at record rate as births plunge – population declines almost 100 an hour ( FT UK )

– ASO: Japan‘s yen sinks to fresh 34-year low against dollar ( Nikkei )

——————————————————

– RUC: Xi says China exports relieved global inflation in Scholz talks – Olaf committed to rules-based trade system ( Bloomberg )

– RUC: China’s economy grows 5.3% in first quarter – GDP beats expectations, steering manufacturing-led revival ( FT UK )

– RUC: China war sales to Moscow surge as UK and US ban Russian metals – Aluminium, Copper, Nickel ( Euronews )

– RUC: China’s economy, propelled by its factories, grew more than expected – worried ‘flood’ of Chinese goods ( NYT )

– RUC: Raiffeisen Bank trumpets Russia growth plans in dozens of job ads – in U-turn from pledge to exit ( FT UK )

– RUC: Russia, Belarus boosting interaction despite sanctions – record-high trade – PM Mishustin ( Tass RU )

– RUC: A Chinese official meets North Korean leader Kim in Pyongyang in highest-level talks in years ( AP )

– RUC: China‘s Q1 GDP growth solid – 5.3% – but March data shows demand still feeble ( Reuters )

– RUC: China’s economy expands by a surprisingly strong pace in the first quarter of 2024 ( CNN )

– RUC: China‘s foreign trade up 5% in Q1, sets new records ( CGTN  CN )

THE ELECTIONS

– USC: Why’s Joe Biden in trouble? It’s the prices, stupid – Gerard Baker – hurting in the pockets ( Times UK Opinion )

– USC: Salman Rushdie: I may return to UK if Trump wins ( Telegraph UK Exclusive Interview )

– USC: Donald Trump’s historic criminal trial begins with jury selection ( Guardian UK )

– USC: News outlets urge Trump and Biden to commit to Presidential Debates ( NYT )

– USC: Biden has a story to tell about the economy. Inflation gets in the way ( WaPo )

– USC: Half of Trump hush money trial jurors too biased to take part ( Times UK )

– USC: Trump faces criminal trial, a historic first for a former president ( Reuters )

——————————————————

– EUK: Brussels Police close down Viktor Orbán’s Eurosceptic summit while UK’s Farage is on stage ( Euractiv )

– EUK: Sunak resists call to set election date amid leadership threat – maintain element of surprise ( Bloomberg )

– EUK: Europe’s Trumpists warm up for EU elections with series of rallies – Orbán on cover ( Euractiv )

– EUK: Brussels police move to shut down Farage and Orbán’s right-wing jamboree ( Politico EU )

– EUK: Brussels venue withdraws from Orbán conference – NatCon mutli-national ( Politico EU )

– EUK: Encouraging Gen Z voters at the European elections through workshops ( Euronews )

– EUK: Poland gets first payment of EU recovery funds: €6.3 billion ( Euronews )

MILITARY INDUSTRIAL

– USC: An AI-powered attack drone could crush China – just one problem – MQ-58 not ready yet – David Axe ( Telegraph UK )

——————————————————

– EUK: UK ‘needs an Iron Dome’ after wake-up call of Iranian attack on Israel – lacks land-based systems ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: Britain’s crumbling armed forces may soon be utterly outmatched – Hamish DB Gordin ( Telegraph UK Opinion )

– EUK: British Royal Navy recruits no longer need to prove that they can swim ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: Yemen‘s ‘uninhibited’ attacks push French warship to exit Red Sea ( Cradle )

– EUK: In defense of Europe’s tank makers – defense sector surges ( FT UK )  

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THE PERIPHERIC BATTLES

PERIPHERY: Dacia

– USC: Blinken assures Black Sea allies of US support – in Bulgaria > Georgia, Romania, Türkiye ( Euronews )

– EUK: Moldovan President Maia Sandu urges Netherlands to aid Ukraine with air defense systems ( NVo Ukraine )

– EUK: EU candidate Moldova takes action to prevent Russian influence in referendum – in June ( Euronews )

PERIPHERY: Caucasus

– EUK: Russian-style authoritarianism making gains in the Caucasus – rights watchdog ‘Freedom House’ ( Eurasianet )

– EUK: Punch-up in Georgia’s parliament! Ruling party leader assaulted over ‘Russian law’ ( Politico EU )

– EUK: Protesters rally, lawmakers brawl as Georgia debates Russia-style ‘foreign agent’ bill ( Reuters )

– EUK: Protesters demand Georgia government withdraw proposed ‘Russian law’ ( BBC )  

– EUK: Georgian parliament passes bill on foreign agents in first reading ( Tass RU )

PERIPHERY: Africa

– AFR: Russian military trainers arrive in Niger as African country pulls away from US ( Guardian UK )

– AFR: Russian military trainers arrive in Niger as relations deteriorate with the US ( AP )

– AFR: Ghana reaches staff-level deal for $360 Million in IMF Funds ( Bloomberg )

PERIPHERY: Latin America

– LAT: Argentina’s populist president meets billionaire Elon Musk in Texas – and a bromance is born ( AP )

– LAT: Musk and Milei share their love of free markets in first meeting ( FT UK )

PERIPHERY: The Pacific

– ASO: Several injured in Sydney in the second stabbing incident in three days – six people in Bondi area, now a priest ( Reuters )

– ASO: Priest stabbed during – Assyrian Bible – sermon in Sydney’s second knife attack in two days ( WaPo )

– ASO: 75.1% of Malaysians prefer China over the US, new Singaporean Survey finds ( Says )

– ASO: Australia says Assyrian church stabbing was terrorist act ( Reuters )

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APPENDICES

APPENDIX : Videoclips

– Cameron’s hypocrisy : https://twitter.com/tparsi/status/1779899100558701007

– Gilad Erdan at UN : https://twitter.com/MyLordBebo/status/1779966155811131841

– Kirby Ukraine vs Israel : https://twitter.com/DagnyTaggart963/status/1779978764388032939

– Ben Gurion departures : https://twitter.com/richimedhurst/status/1779870410764382368

APPENDIX : Legend

USC = United States + Canada

RUC = Russia + China

EUK = Europe + United Kingdom | 404 = Ukraine

WEA = West Asia, formerly Middle East | ISR = Israel

ASO = Australia + Oceania

AFR = Africa

LAT = Latin America