I’ve already printed out my copy. Watch the show he co-hosted this week with China Writers’ Group member Billy Bob (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003511545399),

Blowback: Exposing Imperial Decline

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

Outline

TOPICAL

WHAT ABOUT US? – Ukraine compares the defense of Israel to its own failing defense. Looks like the West is not a reliable ally.

SCHOLZ MEETS XI – He got lectured by the Professor, sent home with nothing, while his Economy Minister snuck into Kiev.

G7 MEETS BLINKEN – Begging for AD for Ukraine, while Blinken wants them to pressure China on Russia. Diplomacy!

SANCTIONS ERA ENDS – Russian metals, Chinese shipbuilding, Iran’s drones? Re-shackling DPRK? Sanctions will only help.

EU LOST THEIR MINDS – Seriously declaring Putin ‘illegitimate’, inviting Russians to Normandy but not the President?

WILL ISRAEL STRIKE? – Everybody seems to be asking. They are just stupid enough to risk blowing up West Asia.

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BATTLEGROUND 404

“Unfortunately, we have not yet seen a million artillery shells from the European Union that were discussed so much. Also, some other initiatives have not yet been fully implemented, and this is primarily reflected in what our soldiers can use at the front. We need the European Union to deliver what it had promised, and our people need to see Ukraine moving closer to full membership”

Elensky to G7 leaders

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“I’m an Orthodox Christian and a truly Russian man – not Soviet – and I couldn’t just sit and watch what was happening with this criminal war and not do anything. 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‘ of ‘Free Russian Legion’

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“A part of the important effort we are now making across the NATO alliance to step up our delivery of air defense systems to Ukraine, but Ukraine needs even more. That is why if allies face a choice between meeting NATO capability targets and providing more aid to Ukraine, my message is clear: send more to Ukraine“

Jens Stoltenberg

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“The situation is very, very grave and we have to send them what they ask for, which is ammunition and air defense. We just can’t afford that Ukraine is losing the war or the whole security situation in Europe is in grave danger”

Kaja Kallas

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“Slovakia needs a neutral Ukraine. Our interests will be threatened if it becomes a NATO member state because that is the basis of a large world conflict” 

Robert Fico

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“Western countries, Japan, Canada, the US, Europe, have to take quicker decisions in order to support Ukraine more because we cannot afford Putin’s victory” 

Josep Borrell

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“If all the words that were said in the last years here in Brussels about common defense could be changed into bullets and rocket launchers, Europe would have become the strongest power in the world. And the safest place” 

Donald Tusk

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“US aid package will literally, without exaggeration, help save Ukrainians from Russian missile slaughter” – Kuleba

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“Ukraine cannot hold the present lines now without the rapid resumption” of American help” – Fred Kagan, ISW

OUT OF EVERYTHING

– 404: Looking for a fight –  we spent four days at outpost manned by soldiers who ‘signed up from abroad’  – Bra, Col, Pol ( NYT )

– 404: The Ukraine war is lost, but Hollywood and DC don’t know it – lack of people, broken war machine, bad leadership ( Fox )

– 404: Ukraine’s big vulnerabilities: ammunition, soldiers and air defense – shortages add up to dire situation for Ukraine ( NYT )

– 404: Lacking support from the US, Ukraine has spent $4 billion from its budget on armaments & ammunition ( NVO Ukraine )

– 404: Elensky: Russia fires 10 times more shells, uses 300 aircraft in Ukraine only – PBS interview ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– 404: Ex-defense ministry officials formally accused of embezzlement – including former deputy DM ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– 404: The futility of the war in Ukraine has become more apparent – sanctions, weapons won’t work ( The Hill Opinion )

– 404: Ukraine’s chances of pushing Russia out look increasingly grim – unless US provides more military aid ( WSJ )

– 404: Ukraine is heading for defeat – West‘s failure to send weapons put Putin on course for Victory ( Politico EU )

– 404: Russia prepares for a major offensive in Ukraine, eyes Chasov Yar – experts, officials ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– 404: Not a single case of arms smuggling from Ukraine recorded – Ministry of Internal Affairs ( Ukro Pravda )

– 404: Ukraine ‘ran out of missiles’ to thwart Russian strike on power plant, Elensky says  ( CNN )

– 404: Ukraine says it ‘ran out of missiles’ to stop Russian strike ruining power station ( Reuters )

– 404: The talks that could have ended the war in Ukraine –  a ‘hidden history’ of diplomacy ( FT )

– 404: Russia ramps up weapons production, using mass quantity to outgun Ukraine ( WaPo )

– 404: Ukraine ‘ran out of missiles’ in failed defense of Trypilska power station ( Times UK )

– 404: Ukraine‘s growing arms sector thwarted by cash shortages and attacks ( Reuters )

– 404: Polish man arrested for allegedly helping with a plot to kill Elensky ( Bloomberg )

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– RUC: Ukraine strikes hospital & blood donation center in Donbass, injuring eight – Denis Pushilin ( Rt RU )

– RUC: Russian forces destroy Ukrainian command post, two S-300 missile launchers over day ( Tass RU )

– RUC: Kiev continues to openly announce terrorist attacks on Russia – Zakharova ( Tass RU )

– RUC: Ukrainian children ‘kidnapped’ by Moscow found in Germany ( RT RU )

– RUC: Russia charges four Ukrainian colonels with mass murder ( Rt RU )

WHAT ABOUT US?

– 404: The morale of the troops is gloomy, all ranks are tired and irritated – disappointment with West visible ( NVo Ukraine )

– 404: When was Ukraine’s ‘war’ downgraded to ‘conflict’? – Steve Brown on Kirby Ukraine–Israel ( Kyiv Post Opinion )

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

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

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

– 404: Ukraine, watching US coalition protect Israel, feels alone – instant, direct assistance ( WaPo )

– 404: Ukraine sees ‘hypocrisy’ after Western allies helped intercept Iran’s attack on Israel ( NYT )

– 404: Ukraine demands Israel-style security guarantees – Andriy Yermak ( Iran front page IR )

– 404: Ukraine sees allies protecting Israel from Iran attack and asks: What about us? ( NBC )

– 404: Time’s 100 most influential: Yermak in, Elensky out – a ‘surprising twist’ ( NVo Ukraine )

– 404: Ukraine calls out Western double standard in defense support for Israel ( WaPo )  

– 404: Elensky calls for same defense from allies as for Israel ( VOA / CIA )

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– USC: The US says it won’t shoot down drones over Ukraine, despite doing the same to protect Israel ( Business Insider )

– USC: If only the West backed Ukraine as it did Israel – the contrast is shameful – Marc Champion ( Bloomberg Opinion )

– USC: Ukraine’s air defense struggle shows risks to Israel – could face a similar plight, depleted interceptors ( FT UK )

– USC: Time’s 100 most influential people of 2024 – Julia Navalnaya by Kamala Harris ( Time cover story )

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– EUK: ‘Actions to defend Israel must lead to boosted air defense for Ukraine‘ Lithuania says – Nauséda ( Guardian UK )

– EUK: Macron said it was impossible to build the same air defense system for Ukraine as Israel‘s ( Pravda RU )

– EUK: EU leaders vow to impose tougher sanctions against Iran as Ukraine‘s president pleads for support ( AP )

– EUK: European Union official urges G7 to step up air defense for Ukraine and expand Iran sanctions ( AP )

– EUK: EU fiddles on Middle East as Ukraine burns – still not ‘flexing real muscle’ against Putin ( Politico EU )

– EUK: European Union official urges G7 to step up air defense for Ukraine and expand Iran sanctions ( AP )

– EUK: Lithuanian president says ‘double standards’ in play in Western support to Israel, Ukraine ( Lrt LT )

– EUK: EU introduces new sanctions against Iran, reiterates ‘full’ support for Ukraine ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– EUK: Borrell says protection of Israeli, Ukrainian airspace ‘cannot be compared‘ ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– EUK: EU will impose new sanctions on Iran for attacking Israel – drone and missile programs  ( NYT )

– EUK: EU leaders back new Iran sanctions, pledge more assistance to Ukraine ( Euractiv )

THE WESTERN AID

– 404: This defiant Ukrainian general has no smile – and surprising remarks on Trump – Budanov / Ignatius ( WaPo Opinion )

– 404: ‘Even a person like him can’t resolve this issue in one day’ HUR chief on Trump‘s promises – Budanov ( NVo Ukraine )

– 404: US Chamber of Commerce hosts Ukraine partnership forum – ‘public-private’ support for recovery ( Kyiv Post )

– 404: PM Shmyhal meets with US Treasury Secretary Yellen – frozen Russian assets debate ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– 404: Speaker Johnson advances aid bills, but time running out as Ukraine’s supplies dry up ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– 404: Elensky says deadly strike ‘wouldn’t have happened’ if West gave Ukraine more air defenses ( Politico EU )

– 404: The enemy within the US is letting Russia get away with murder – Askold Lozynski ( Kyiv Post Opinion )

– 404: Kharkov at risk of becoming ‘second Aleppo’ without US aid, mayor Ihor Terekho says ( Guardian UK )

– 404: Ukraine requests NATO–Ukraine Council to strengthen protection of its skies – Elensky ( Ukro Pravda )

– 404: Ukrainian prime minister warns of possibility of world war three if Ukraine loses war ( Guardian UK )

– 404: Ukraine warns of WW3 ahead of long-stalled Congress aid vote – PM Shmyhal interview ( BBC )

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– USC: Moment of truth on Ukraine & Israel – aid urgent, ‘brazen adversaries‘ seeking ‘annihilation’ – Joe Biden ( WSJ Opinion )

– USC: Will America let Ukraine collapse? – failure would ‘haunt US security‘ Fred Kagan -The Editorial Board ( WSJ Opinion )

– USC: Canada sets aside funding – $1.16 billion – over five years for lethal and humanitarian aid to Ukraine ( NVo Ukraine )

– USC: Russia’s war in Ukraine remains barrier to growth – IMF chief Georgieva – will need $42bn this year ( Guardian UK )

– USC: CIA director warns Ukraine could lose war with Russia by the end of the year unless US sends more aid ( CNN )

– USC: Iran’s attack on Israel complicates GOP fight on Ukraine aid as some argue US ‘stretched way too thin’ ( NYP )

– USC: G7 countries do not plan to unfreeze Russian assets until Ukraine is compensated for its losses ( UNN UA )

– USC: Mike Johnson defies GOP critics, setting up Ukraine–Israel aid showdown – vote over Weekend ( WSJ )

– USC: Johnson pushes ahead on Foreign Aid Bill, teeing up a weekend vote – Saturday vote expected ( NYT )

– USC: US House Intelligence Committee calls for immediate approval of assistance to Ukraine ( Ukro Pravda )

– USC: Here are the US congressional districts benefiting from Ukraine aid – Marc Thiessen ( WaPo Opinion )

– USC: Iran attack puts pressure on US House speaker to pass aid bill for Israel and Ukraine ( Guardian UK )

– USC: G7 eyeing using frozen Russian assets as collateral for Ukraine loans, EU official says ( Reuters )

– USC: Blinken and Kuleba stress urgency of Congress backing aid – meeting in Capri, Italy ( Kyiv Post )

– USC: MAGA is using Israel to undermine Ukraine, harming them both – Josh Rogin ( WaPo Opinion )

– USC: Mike Johnson moves ahead with foreign aid bills despite threats to oust him ( Guardian UK )

– USC: Johnson needs democrats on Ukraine, handing them power to shape aid plan ( NYT )

– USC: G7 ministers fail to agree on Russian asset use for Ukraine aid ( Euromaidan Press )

– USC: Biden once again calls on US Congress to unblock aid for Ukraine ( Ukro Pravda )

– USC: Biden backs Johnson plan for Ukraine, Israel; calls for vote this week ( The Hill )

– USC: Mike Pence warns Putin will wage war on NATO if Ukraine loses ( Politico US )

– USC: Biden calls for quick congressional passage of Ukraine, Israel aid ( VOA / CIA )

– USC: G7 to keep Russian assets frozen until reparation to Ukraine paid ( Al Jazeea )

– USC: Doing ‘the right thing’ may cost Johnson his speaker’s gavel ( CNN )

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– EUK: German key weapon manufacturer to transfer new Iris-T air defense system to Ukraine in coming weeks ( NVo Ukraine )

– EUK: ‘We cannot rely on US‘ to help Ukraine, EU tells G7 – Borrell – empty the warehouses as ‘war is raging’ ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: Greedy Belgian taxman should keep hands off Russian assets, West tells Brussels – will send it anyway ( Politico EU )

– EUK: If Ukraine falls, catastrophic turning point in history – and an utter humiliation for the West – Boris Johnson ( Mail UK )

– EUK: Denmark announces $313 million military aid package for Ukraine – ‘Invest’ in drone capabilities ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– EUK: Ukraine’s allies see ‘bleak times‘ ahead without more air defenses – G7, Baerbock, Kallas ( Bloomberg Exclusive )

– EUK: The Baltic balancing act over the threat from Russia – a ‘nightmare scenario‘ would test NATO‘s resolve ( FT UK )

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

– EUK: Stoltenberg called on Ukraine to independently provide itself soldiers, NATO will supply weapons ( Ria RU )

– EUK: Denmark, Czechia, the Netherlands look to support air defense for Ukraine – ‘looking for ways’ ( Euractiv )

– EUK: EU leaders under pressure to bolster Ukraine’s struggling air defenses – ‘flagging political will‘ ( Euronews )

– EUK: German Economy Minister makes unexpected visit to Kiev – Habeck urges ‘fight for freedom’ ( Kyiv Post )

– EUK: Poland would defend Lithuania, I cannot imagine any other way – interview with President Duda ( Lrt LT )

– EUK: If not donate, partners could sell Patriot systems to Ukraine – Dutch PM Mark Rutte ( NVo Ukraine )

– EUK: NATO’s Stoltenberg asks allies to give air defense systems to Ukraine – immediately ( Politico EU )

– EUK: Ukraine creditors form committee as Kiev seeks debt restructuring – debt ‘unsustainable‘ ( FT UK )

– EUK: ‘Giving Ukraine aid saves American jobs and tax dollars’, Kaja Kallas says ( Guardian UK )

– EUK: NATO should choose Ukraine aid over own defense – Stoltenberg ( RT Ru )

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– RUC: US ‘not forgetting’ to help itself with aid to Ukraine – Dmitri Peskov ( Tass RU )

CAUCASUS FRONT

– 404: Ukraine‘s Foreign Ministry outraged by Georgian PM’s statement about “foreign agents” law and Ukraine ( Rbc Ukraine )

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– EUK: Russia and Iran strive to forge new ‘geo-economic reality’ in the South Caucasus – Dutch ‘think tank’ report ( Eurasianet )

– EUK: Russia launching ‘stealth invasion’ of Georgia – Zourabichvili – Putin ‘trying to derail hopes of joining EU’ ( Time UK )

– EUK: Georgia won’t give up on foreign agents bill despite criticism from other countries – PM Irakli Kobakhidze ( Tass RU )

– EUK: Georgia may become the new Belarus – ‘Russian law on foreign agents’ is a ‘threat’ – Dekanoidze ( NVo Ukraine )

– EUK: Georgia ruling party presses on with ‘foreign agents’ bill opposed by EU – final approval Wednesday ( Euractiv )

– EUK: EU urges Georgia not to pass ‘foreign influence’ law – simple 20% of more funds from abroad ( Euronews )

– EUK: Don’t do it: EU urges Georgia not to pass ‘foreign influence’ law – Borrell, Várhelyi statement ( Euronews )

– EUK: PM Kobakhidze: Law on Foreign Agents is intended to “prevent Ukrainization“ of Georgia ( UNN UA )

– EUK: Georgia: Stop the bill “On transparency of foreign influence” that threatens civil society ( Amnesty Intl )

– EUK: 20,000 rally in Georgia as MPs advance controversial ‘Foreign Influence’ Law ( ‘Moscow’ Times NL )

– EUK: ‘Foreign influence’ law pushes Georgia away from EU dream, says Charles Michel ( Euronews )

– EUK: Georgia‘s Zourabichvili: Contentious ‘foreign influence’ bill a copy of Russian law ( France 24 )

– EUK: US slams Georgia’s ‘Kremlin-inspired’ foreign agent bill – Miller, State Dept. ( Politico US )

– EUK: Thousands rally in Georgia as parliament debates ‘foreign influence’ law ( VOA / CIA )

– EUK: Georgia presses on with Putin-style ‘foreign agent’ bill despite huge protests ( CNN )

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– EUK: France, Russia stand on opposite sides of Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict – accused of damaging relations ( Rfi FR )

– EUK: Azerbaijan accuses France of ‘undermining’ normalization with Armenia as Paris recalls envoy ( RFA / CIA )

– EUK: France recalls its ambassador to Azerbaijan, accuses Baku of ‘damaging’ ties ( France 24 )

– EUK: Azerbaijan slams ‘threats’ from France after Paris recalls ambassador ( France 24 )

——————————————————

– RUC: Russian peacekeepers start withdrawing from Azerbaijan‘s Karabakh region ( Reuters )

– RUC: Russia announces total withdrawal of troops from Nagorno-Karabakh ( Politico EU )

THE TAJIK COVER

– USC: 3 reasons this obscure country – Tajikistan – is a top ISIS recruiting ground ( NYT )

– USC: An ISIS terror group draws half its recruits from tiny Tajikistan ( NYT )

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– RUC: Russian, Tajik troops kick off joint military drills near Afghan border ( Tass RU )

– RUC: Soldiers from Russia and Tajikistan stage counter-terrorist drills ( Reuters )

– RUC: Tajikistan holds largest-ever military drill ( DW DE )

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BATTLEGROUND WEST ASIA

“Iran has identified the location of all Israeli military facilities and is ready to strike them at any moment in the event of Tel Aviv’s aggression”

IRGC Statement

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“The Israeli nuclear compounds are identified, and the necessary information about all the targets is at our disposal”

IRGC commander Brigadier General Ahmad Haghtalab 

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“The only option when Iran and Russia hit is to hit back twice as hard and not stop until they get the message” 
Ben Wallace

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“Israel trying to spread conflict across region through provocations” – Erdogan

THE BIRTHDAY ‘ATTACK’?

context: It is Ayatollah Khomeini’s 85th birthday

– ISR: Ben Gvir tweets alleged reprisal was ‘lame’ – endangering security by revealing origin of strike ( TO Israel )

– ISR: Iran says no retaliation planned, as both sides seek distance from Isfahan attack ( TO Israel )

– ISR: Hard-right Israeli official labels attack ‘lame’ – Itamar Ben Gvir ( Telegraph UK )

– ISR: Israeli missile hits Iran, US officials confirm ( Telegraph UK )

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– WEA: Situation normal after air defenses fire at ‘suspicious objects’ in Isfahan, Iran ( PressTV IR )

– WEA: ‘Stop any further Israeli adventurism’ – Iran FM tells UN Security Council ( PressTV IR )

– WEA: ‘No damage’ to Iran’s nuclear sites, says UN atomic watchdog – IAEA ( Telegraph UK )

– WEA: No plan for immediate retaliation against Israel, senior Iranian official says ( Reuters )

– WEA: Oman condemns ‘Israeli attack’ on Iran: Foreign ministry ( Barron’s / WSJ )

– WEA: Israeli warplanes, Daesh terrorists attack Syria, Iraq ( PressTV IR )

——————————————————

– EUK: G7 foreign ministers are meeting to discuss their response to last night’s attack by Israel on Iran ( Guardian UK )

– EUK: European leaders call for calm after reported Israeli retaliation against Iran ( Euronews )

– EUK: European markets plunge after Israel retaliates against Iran ( Telegraph UK )

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– USC: Israel has carried out an attack on Iran, US officials say, after blasts reported near Isfahan ( Guardian UK )

– USC: US embassy in Israel imposes travel ban for families and staff ( Telegraph UK )

THE BRAZEN COLONY

– ISR: Netanyahu brushes off calls for restraint, saying Israel will decide how to respond to Iran’s attack ( AP )

– ISR: More than half of Israelis oppose a strike on Iran as Israel’s deterrence capacity shatters ( MEMO UK )

– ISR: Israel delaying Iran revenge attack until after Passover – begins Monday, until 30 April ( Telegraph UK )

– ISR: Israel will ‘make its own decision’ on Iran after UK and Germany call for restraint ( Guardian UK )

– ISR: Striking Iran‘s nuclear facilities on the table, says ex-Mossad official – Yalda Hakim ( Sky UK )

– ISR: Israel reportedly deploys extra weapons for assumed Rafah offensive ( Guardian UK )

– ISR: Israel considered striking Iran on Monday but decided to wait, officials say ( Axios )

– ISR: Israel’s threat to invade Rafah regains strength after Iran’s attack ( El Pais ES )

– ISR: Israel weighs response to Iran attack, with each choice a risk – two officials describe ‘options’ ( NYT )

        – Aggressive strike on Iran target like IRGC – lacks ‘symmetry’

        – Strike on symbolic target inside Iran – may anger Americans

        – Cyber Attack on Iran infrastructure – expose capabilities prematurely

        – Accelerate targeted assassinations – not ‘public’ because not claimed

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

– WEA: Iran warns Israel it knows where its nukes are hidden – IRGC Brigadier General Ahmad Haghtalab ( Rt RU )

– WEA: Iran struck Israel using outdated missiles – IRGC Commander Amir-Ali Hajizadeh ( Sputnik RU )

– WEA: Tehran warns of “massive and harsh” response if Israel again bombs Iran ( Andalou TR )

– WEA: Iran, Iraq, Syria sign Memorandum of Understanding to counter terrorism ( Irna IR )

– WEA: Hamas: Iran’s attack ended Israel’s era of hit-and-run – statement ( PressTV IR )

– WEA: Iran warns of shift in nuclear stance if Israel threatens atomic sites ( FT UK )

THE GENOCIDE

– PAL: Gaza‘s IVF embryos destroyed by Israeli strike – 4,000 embryos, 1,000 frozen specimens – Basma IVF center ( Reuters )

– PAL: Palestinian paramedics – Israel gave them safe passage to save a 6-year-old girl in Gaza – They were all killed ( WaPo )

– PAL: ‘5,000 lives in one shell’ – Israeli strike destroyed IVF embryos in Gaza’s largest fertility clinic in December ( Haaretz )

– PAL: A Gazan describes losing four nieces and nephews in an attack that killed children playing in the street ( NYT )

– PAL: Israeli army withdraws from Gaza refugee camp, leaving behind bodies, trail of destruction ( MEMO UK )

– PAL: Homes burned, animals killed: Palestinians describe Israeli settler rampage – WestBank ( WaPo )

– PAL: Israeli settlers uproot 30 olive trees in West Bank violence: Report ( Al Jazeera QT )

– PAL: Israeli attacks in Gaza‘s Nuseirat refugee camp leave 520 dead ( daily Sabah TR )

DIVIDED NATIONS

– UN: US leads group of 48 – ‘mostly Western’ – UN members in condemning Iranian attack on Israel – of 193 ( TO Israel )

– UN: UNSC must consider sanctions against Israel ‘without delay’ Russian envoy to UN says – Nabenzya ( Sputnik RU )

– UN: The UN Security Council‘s formal resolution must not be disregarded by any party ( Global Times CN Editorial )

– UN: White House opposes Palestinian statehood – leaked cables – lobbying UN members to least abstain ( Rt RU )

– UN: US vetoes Palestinian membership at United Nations – 12 for, 2 abstain ( UK-Swiss ), 1 no ( Al-Monitor UK )

– UN: Iran warns Israel against further military action during Thursday UN meeting ( Jerusalem Post )

– UN: China and Indonesia: ‘Would fully support Palestine’s membership in UN’ ( Telegraph UK )

– UN: Palestinian Authority, Hamas slam US for vetoing UNSC motion on statehood ( TO Israel )

– UN: UN Security Council slated to vote on full Palestinian membership on Friday ( TO Israel )

– UN: Palestinian ‘president’ rejected US requests to hold off on UN membership vote ( Axios )

– UN: US expected to veto Palestinian request for full UN membership ( Euractiv )

THE RELUCTANT SPONSORS

– USC: How to be pro-Palestinian, pro-Israeli and pro-Iranian – Thomas Friedman – ‘leadership’ change in all 3 ( NYT Opinion )

– USC: Israel has no choice but to strike back against Iran – ‘urging restraint’ produced 10-7 – Elliot Kaufman  ( WSJ Opinion )

– USC: What was Iran thinking? Not what you think – ‘Islamist regime’s internal weakness’ – Jason Rezaian ( WaPo Opinion )

– USC: Miscalculation led to escalation in Israel and Iran clash – didn’t think Iran would react, notified US ‘last minute’ ( NYT )

– USC: Michael Bloomberg launches regional innovation hubs in war-stricken Israeli cities ( Jerusalem Post Exclusive )

– USC: US makes failed bid for Iran to allow ‘symbolic strike‘ by Israel – Iranian defense official ( Cradle Exclusive )

– USC: US will sanction Iranian drone program after attack on Israel – coordinating with G-7 nations ( Bloomberg )

– USC: US slaps new sanctions on Iran’s drone program as Israel considers response to weekend attack ( CNN )

– USC: US approves Rafah operation in exchange for no Israeli counter-strikes on Iran ( Jerusalem Post )

– USC: US imposes new curbs on Iran’s access to ‘low-level’ tech after attack on Israel ( Reuters )

– USC: Senator Tom Cotton urges citizens to forcibly confront pro-Palestinian protesters ( NYT )

– USC: Pro-Palestinian protests across US could foreshadow a summer of upheaval ( WaPo )

– USC: Israel‘s defenses would trump Iran‘s in any air war, but at a high cost ( Reuters )

– USC: Google just fired 28 employees who protested its contract with Israel ( WaPo )

– USC: Hit the mullahs and hit ‘em hard, Israel – Michael Goodwin ( NYP Opinion )

——————————————————

– EUK: Can Russia and China cool the Israel–Iran crisis? – G7 can’t restrain Netanyahu, Iran ‘indulged’ by RU–CN ( Times UK )

– EUK: Sunak warns Netanyahu a revenge attack on Iran would leave Israel ‘less secure’ – phone call ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: EU looking to expand sanctions on Iran following attack on Israel – sanctioning drone program ( Euronews )

– EUK: UK won’t proscribe Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as terrorists, Cameron tells Netanyahu ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: ‘We are on the edge of regional war in the Middle East’ – says EU foreign policy chief ( Guardian UK )

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

REGIONAL UPHEAVAL

– WEA: Qatar reconsiders mediator role between Hamas and Israel – complains of ‘narrow interests’ of US politicians ( FT UK )

– WEA: Netanyahu aims to trap West into war across Middle East, says Iranian diplomat – top diplomat in UK ( Guardian UK )

– WEA: Erdogan’s trade embargo on Israel is entirely self-serving – 54 products, election loss, realign with USA ( Cradle )

– WEA: Iran’s conflict with Israel puts ‘US ally’ Jordan on edge – protests in Amman concern Saud, UAE ( Bloomberg )

– WEA: Erdogan says Türkiye ‘firmly’ backs terror group Hamas, compares Netanyahu to Hitler ( TO Israel )

– WEA: Israel acts like a ‘spoiled child’: Erdogan accuses West of double standards ( Palestine Chronicle )

– WEA: Qatar reassesses role as mediator in Gaza negotiations – criticized by US and Israel ( Times UK )

– WEA: Jordan walks a tightrope after downing Iranian drones and missiles – tough balancing act ( CNN )

– WEA: In Türkiye, Erdogan’s charges of Western hypocrisy stick – Iranian official ( Economist UK )

– WEA: Qatar threatens to quit ‘exploited and abused’ Israel–Hamas peace talks ( Telegraph UK )

– WEA: Türkiye‘s Erdogan says Israeli PM Netanyahu no different from Hitler ( Al Jazeera QT )

– WEA: Erdogan blasts West‘s double standards over Iran Israel response ( Euronews )  

– WEA: Dubai airport reopens after UAE suffers 18 months of rain in a day ( Times UK )

– WEA: Netanyahu to blame for Iranian attack on Israel – Erdoğan ( Telegraph UK )

– WEA: Israel has surpassed Hitler in committing crimes – Erdogan ( Rt RU )

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BATTLEGROUND EURASIA

“China’s word carries weight in Russia. I asked President Xi to bear upon Russia so that Putin finally breaks off his insane campaign, withdraws his troops and ends this terrible war”

Olaf Scholz

——————————————————

“Indirectly, they damage the entire international order, because they violate a principle of the United Nations Charter: the principle of the inviolability of state borders”

Olaf Scholz

——————————————————

“China supports all efforts towards a peaceful resolution, including the organization of an international peace conference, recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, with equal participation from all sides.”

Xi Jinping

• First, we should give priority to maintaining peace and stability and refrain from seeking selfish gains.
• Second, we should cool down the situation instead of adding fuel to the fire.
• Third, we should create conditions for restoring peace and refrain from further escalating tensions.
• Fourth, we should reduce the negative impact on the global economy and refrain from undermining the stability of global industrial and supply chains.

WESTERN MAN ESCAPES

– 404: China calls for peace conference to resolve war, but insists on joint participation of Russia and Ukraine ( Ukro Pravda )

– 404: China insists on Russia‘s participation in Ukraine peace conference ( Rbc Ukraine )

——————————————————

– EUK: German chancellor urges Xi Jinping to press Russia to end Ukraine war – ‘China’s word carries weight’ ( Guardian UK )

– EUK: Scholz wants Xi to stop Russia’s war – Xi wants Europe to stop trade war ( Politico EU )

– EUK: The German chancellor presses China on Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine ( WaPo )

——————————————————

– RUC: China, Germany send strong message of mutually beneficial cooperation to stabilize world ( Global Times CN  Editorial )

– RUC: The only way out of Ukraine crisis is to go back to the negotiation table: Chinese FM ( Global Times CN )

– RUC: China–Germany cooperation not ‘risk’ but opportunity – Xi ( Global Times CN )

– RUC: China proposes new four-point Peace Plan for Ukraine–Russia ( Newsweek )

– RUC: Scholz‘s visit an exploration of the ‘real China‘ ( Global Times Opinion )

– RUC: Xi puts forth four principles to resolve Ukraine crisis ( China Daily )

——————————————————

– USC: Xi Jinping is hyping China as Ukraine‘s peacemaker – while actually helping Russia‘s invasion ( Business Insider )

– USC: Europe wants two things from China. It may not get far on either of them – Ukraine, and trade ‘imbalance’ ( AP )

– USC: Why Germany can’t break up with China – an export-driven economy and the largest market ( NYT )

– USC: Between the US and a hard place, Germany’s Scholz ‘re-engages’ with China ( Reuters )

– USC: German chancellor’s trip to China a wasted opportunity ( Human Rights Watch )

– USC: Germany: Scholz should stand firm on rights in China ( Human Rights Watch )

LARGER ECONOMIC WAR

– USC: The desperate alignment of Russia, China, Iran and DPRK – glued by sanctions – ripping them apart will be hard ( WaPo )

– USC: Announcement of new actions to protect US steel and shipbuilding industry from China’s unfair practices ( White House )

– USC: Global turn away from free-market policies worries economists – security and independence ‘slow global growth’ ( NYT )

– USC: King Dollar risks becoming Greenback the Bully – strength of USD risks ‘fracturing global trade’ ( Bloomberg Opinion )

– USC: Nasa chief Bill Nelson warns China is masking military presence in space with civilian programs ( Guardian UK )

– USC: Biden’s options for retaliating against Iran risk antagonizing China – considering ‘economic penalties’ ( WaPo )

– USC: US wheat farmers face bleak crop economics as grain oversupply hits – prices low, consts high ( Reuters )

– USC: Chinese exports are threatening Biden’s industrial agenda – increasingly hitting back with tariffs ( NYT )

– USC: IMF slams Biden spending as US debt balloons past $34 trillion: ‘Something will have to give’ ( NYP )

– USC: China ‘fuelling fentanyl crisis in US‘ with tax breaks for opioid’s chemical makers ( Telegraph UK )

– USC: Vix ‘fear gauge’ soars on Middle East tension and interest rate shift – Volatility Index ( FT UK )

– USC: Yellen to meet US allies during IMF, World Bank meetings, press China on growth ( Reuters )

– USC: Booming AI demand threatens global electricity supply – power-hungry datacentres ( FT UK )

– USC: Mexico, facing US pressure, will halt incentives to Chinese EV makers ( Reuters Exclusive )  

– USC: Blinken to raise China‘s support for Russia‘s defense industrial base during visit ( Reuters )

– USC: US prepared to ‘take further steps’ as it warns China against enabling Russia ( VOA / CIA )

– USC: At G7, Blinken seeks European support for pressure on China ( Barron’s /  WSJ )

– USC: IMF steps up warning to US over spending and ballooning debt ( Bloomberg )

– USC: US deficit poses ‘significant risks’ to global economy, warns IMF ( FT UK )

——————————————————

– EUK: In ‘de-risking’ – China – the Transatlantic partners enjoy an edge. But can they capitalize? ‘robust & resilient’ ( CEPA )

– EUK: Faced with US and China, EU call for competitiveness deal – reverse worrying trend of industrial decline ( Euronews )

– EUK: Nord Stream insurers deny policies covered war risks in UK lawsuit – Lloyds and Arch won’t pay €400m ( Reuters )

– EUK: UK signals potential curbs on Chinese investment amid ‘derisking’ push – deliver on pledge to Biden ( Politico EU )

– EUK: Time for a European single market ‘with teeth’ to take on China, India, leaders told – subsidies ( Politico EU )

– EUK: FTSE – UK flagship stock index – suffers worst plunge in nine months amid global sell-off  ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: UK Sport – Olympic and Paralympic program – to cut 25% of its staff amid financial pressure ( Times UK )

– EUK: A new inconvenient truth: Europe’s global plans all require money no one has – trillions ( Politico EU )

– EUK: UK insurers refuse to pay Nord Stream because blasts were ‘government’ backed ( Grayzone )

– EUK: EU leaders talk battle plan to counter US green subsidies – Enrico Letta report ( Politico EU )

– EUK: Drivers forced to choose between food and unaffordable car cover, MPs told ( Times UK )

– EUK: Drug shortages, now normal in UK, made worse by Brexit, report warns ( Guardian UK )

– EUK: Average British car insurance bill climbs to almost £1,000 – MPs warn ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: Lacking support in battle with China, European solar firms head to US ( Japan Times )

– EUK: UK set to grow less than expected this year as IMF revises forecasts down ( Sky UK )

– EUK: German economy ‘probably’ grew in first quarter, Bundesbank says ( Bloomberg )

– EUK: Traders are already gaming the new Russian metal sanctions ( Bloomberg )

– EUK: Ships docked, trains halted as Greek workers strike over rising costs ( Reuters )

– EUK: ASML orders dive as chipmakers pause high-end gear purchases – 60% by Taiwan, South Korea ( Bloomberg )

——————————————————

– RUC: Metals sanctions push Russia further into China‘s embrace – Shanghai only big player to accept metal ( Bloomberg )

– RUC: China’s semiconductor output jumps 40% in first quarter amid growing dominance in legacy chips ( SCMP CN )

– RUC: Western narrative ‘China‘s overcapacity impacting the world’ is flawed: Foreign Ministry ( Global Times CN )

– RUC: China slams US probe into its shipbuilding industry, says move is a ‘mistake on top of a mistake’ ( CNBC )

– RUC: Russia builds new Asia trade routes to weaken sanctions over war – India, Iran, Arctic ( Bloomberg )

– RUC: Russia to grow faster than all advanced economies sys IMF – US, UK, France, Germany ( BBC )  

– RUC: China denounces US probe into shipbuilding sector – US plan to open investigation ( WSJ )

– RUC: At Chinese trade fair, exporters despair their goods are ‘as cheap as cabbage’ ( Reuters )

– RUC: Lithuania resumed purchasing Russian grain after a six-month hiatus ( Sputnik RU )

——————————————————

– AFR: Russia offering African governments ‘regime survival package’ in exchange for resources, research says ( CNBC )

– AFR: Food fight: Russia‘s ‘grain diplomacy’ reshaping global markets – muscle out US and Australia ( Asia Times )

– AFR: Russia surpassing EU in wheat supplies to North Africa – USDA report ( RT RU )

– AFR: Drought pushes millions into ‘acute hunger’ in Southern Africa ( NYT )

——————————————————

– ASO: TSMC to charge customers more for chips made outside Taiwan – ‘incremental cost’ of setting up plants shared ( FT UK )

– ASO: US and Asia allies push for new panel to monitor North Korea sanctions – possibly outside the UN ( Reuters )

– ASO: Envoy says US and allies are mulling options ‘both inside and outside the UN’ to monitor North Korea ( AP )

– ASO: New Zealand‘s Education Ministry latest to announce cuts – 12% – as public service downsizes ( Reuters )

– ASO: US, Japan and South Korea seek to limit dollar’s rise – ‘serious concerns’ ( FT UK )

THE ENERGY ASPECT

– 404: ‘Their tactics have changed’ – Russia’s bid to blow apart Ukraine’s power grid – Deputy Energy Minister Grynchuk ( CNN )

– 404: Elensky dismisses US VP Harris‘ request to stop attacking Russian refineries – requests stay requests ( NVo Ukraine )

– 404: Russia destroys almost all of Ukraine’s thermal power generation, Nuclear Plants under threat – Elensky ( Kyiv Post )

– 404: Electricity import from Europe cannot cover deficit in Ukraine – Ukroenergo CEO Vladimir Kudritsky ( Tass RU )

– 404: Due to the shortage of electricity, Ukraine again asked for help from Europe – Ukroenergo ( UNN )

– 404: Ukraine is ignoring US warnings to end drone operations inside Russia ( Economist UK )

——————————————————

– WEA: Iran oil exports hit 6-year high as west prepares sanctions – surge in sales to China show limits of US/EU attempts ( FT )  

– WEA: Fuel price warning if Iran conflict escalates, raising threat of new recession ( iNews UK )

– WEA: Direct Iran–Israel war could spike oil by $30 to $40, Bank of America says ( CNBC )

– WEA: Middle East tensions pose risk to bringing down inflation, warns IMF ( Times UK )

– WEA: Middle East conflict risks a sharp rise in oil prices, says IMF ( Guardian UK )

——————————————————

– USC: Biden winks at Iranian oil exports – will he support sanctions in Chinese firms buying it? – Editorial board ( WSJ Opinion )

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

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

– USC: Yellen says Iran’s actions could cause global economic spillovers as White House vows new sanctions ( AP )

– USC: US benefits from energy price hikes, unlike Europe – IMF Chief Kristalina Georgieva ( Sputnik RU )

——————————————————

– EUK: Putin is bombing Ukraine into darkness – and leaving Europe short of power – EU relies on Kiev for energy ( Politico EU )

– EUK: The EC said that EU pays an astronomical price for gas imports – 3-4 times higher than US, China ( Tass RU )

– EUK: ‘Russia doesn’t care’: Sweden sounds alarm over unsafe oil fleet – apparently ‘unseaworthy’ ( Guardian UK )

– EUK: Putin ‘causing havoc’ as furious Sweden sounds alarm over ‘dangerous’ ships in Baltic Sea ( Express UK )

– EUK: France has become the main buyer of Russian gas among EU countries – displacing Hungary ( Ria RU )

——————————————————

– RUC: Russian crude shipments surge to the highest in almost a year – swelled to 3.95 million BPD ( Bloomberg )

THE MILITARY ASPECT

– USC: Russian–Iranian cooperation and threats to US Interests – can defeat NATO in Ukraine and Israel ( Washington Institute )

– USC: In a budgetary first, Air Force will launch two programs without asking Congress in advance – 2024 NDAA ( Defense One )

– USC: The F-35 program is costing more and doing less, GAO says – $1.15 trillion for maint. readiness declines ( Defense One )

– USC: What will NATO do with its giant Arctic footprint? – agitating already frail relations with Russia ( Responsible Statecraft )

– USC: Mideast missile duels have cost US Navy nearly $1B, SecNav says – Red Sea – make it supplemental ( Defense One )

– USC: US Navy, senators argue over who is to blame for a too-small fleet – Navy puts blame on Industry ( Defense News )

– USC: Foiling Iran’s missile attack probably cost more than $1 Billion – Reem Aminoach ( Bloomberg )

– USC: Drone-and-missile warfare tests supply-strapped defense systems – high demand, and long wait ( WSJ )

context: Patriot : 8 years, $1 billion without interceptors – Interceptors a problem for everybody – Tom Karako, CSIS

——————————————————

– EUK: China is a threat to Europe’s gunpowder supply, defense boss warns – Saab boss says Beijing dominates ( Politico EU )

– EUK: In a world at war, drone swarm attacks are something we all have to think about – Tom Sharpe ( Telegraph UK Opinion )

– EUK: European defense sovereignty doesn’t mean turning away from NATO – vd Leyen – NATO officials worry ( Politico EU )

– EUK: Belgium postpones Red Sea deployment after frigate mishaps – ‘failed a number of technical tests’ ( Defense News )

– EUK: Britain’s air defenses may no longer resist a Russian first strike – Justin Bonk ( Telegraph UK Opinion )

– EUK: Suicide drones threaten to bankrupt Western militaries – Richard Kemp ( Telegraph UK Opinion )

——————————————————

– ASO: US Army deploys mid range missile for first time in Philippines – ‘Mid-Range-Capability’ MRC ( Defense News )

– ASO: Australia increases defense spending by $32bn in response to China build-up – pay for Aukus ( FT UK )

– ASO: Missiles, drones and warships the priority as Australia plans $32 bln defense boost ( Reuters )

– ASO: Philippines says decision to strengthen ties with Japan, US a ‘sovereign choice’ ( Reuters )

– ASO: Philippines, New Zealand to elevate relations to ‘comprehensive partnership’ ( Reuters )

– ASO: Philippines plans ambitious exercise with US as concerns over China grow ( WaPo )

——————————————————

– LAT: Argentina requests to become NATO‘s Global Partner – Defense Minister ( Sputnik RU )

– LAT: NATO Deputy Secretary General meets with Minister of Defence of Argentina ( NATO )

– LAT: Argentina signs $300M contract for 24 Danish F-16 fighter jets ( Defense Post )  

– LAT: Argentina submitted a request to become a global partner of NATO ( Tass RU )

——————————————————

– AFR: Chad’s government threatens to kick out US troops as Russia expands influence in Africa ( CNN )

– AFR: More US trouble in Africa as Chad threatens to boot out US troops ( Al Mayadeen LB )

– AFR: Chad: The Sahel’s last domino to fall – undermining US national security ( CSIS )

——————————————————

– RUC: Chinese scientists increase F-22 fighter jet’s radar signature 60,000 times with new detection method: study ( SCMP CN )

– RUC: France ‘eroding’ its sovereignty by handing aircraft carrier over to NATO command – Zakharova ( Sputnik RU )

– RUC: US bringing destabilizing weapons out of the shadows – about Philippines – Anatoly Antovov ( RT RU )

EU GONE INSANE

– EUK: Estonian Defence Forces chief adamant Estonia would win war against Russia – General Martin Herem ( Ukro Pravda )

– EUK: PACE – Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe – recognizes Russian leader Putin as ‘illegitimate’ ( NVo Ukraine )

– EUK: PACE recognizes Russian President Putin as illegitimate, Ru-Orthodox Church as propaganda tool ( Interfax Ukraine )

– EUK: PACE urges the international community no longer to recognise Putin’s legitimacy as president beyond 2024 ( PACE )

– EUK: EU activates crisis response corps to fight Russian interference – task force for monitoring and information ( Euractiv )

– EUK: Putin ‘not welcome’ at D-Day 80th anniversary celebrations – Russians invited by France to Normandy ( Times UK )

– EUK: ‘Russian spies’ accused of plot to bomb military bases in Germany – two German–Russians ‘scouting‘ ( Times UK )

– EUK: North Korea deploys Chinese surveillance technology to workplaces – ‘repressive state’ – report ( Times UK )

– EUK: More than 50 Tory MPs call on Rishi Sunak to proscribe ‘Iranian corps’ – designate as terrorists ( Times UK )

– EUK: Moscow’s influence ‘active’ in all EU political groups, Morawiecki claims – ‘infiltrated’ by Russia ( Euractiv )

– EUK: North Korea ‘using genetic engineering in germ warfare programme’ – blame covid on Kim?? ( Times UK )

– EUK: ‘Russian spies’ arrested in Germany attempting to attack weapons deliveries to Ukraine ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: PACE recommends that Kosovo becomes a member of the Council of Europe ( European Council )

– EUK: Islamists and the woke Left are uniting to topple the West – David Frost ( Telegraph UK Opinion )

– EUK: The Paris Olympics’ one sure thing: cyberattacks – ‘We will be attacked‘ – Franz Regul ( NYT )

– EUK: UK warns universities China could steal secret tech – IP theft and more.. ( Politico EU )

– EUK: PACE has adopted a resolution calling for the decolonization of Russia ( Pravda RU )

– EUK: EDF chief Martin Herem: I am absolutely certain Estonia could win a war ( Err ET )

‘DEMOCRACY’

– EUK: Rishi Sunak’s approval rating hits record low for a PM, suggests poll – minus 59%, same as Major 1994 ( Guardian UK )

– EUK: Croatian election results: Populist wins chance to steer Zagreb away from pro-EU, pro-Ukraine path ( Politico EU )

– EUK: Orbán’s top political adviser says Hungarians don’t have the ‘luxury’ of leaving the EU ( Politico EU )

– EUK: Europe’s hard-right bags big win after ‘own goal’ by Brussels mayors – ‘Bolshewokism‘ ( Politico EU )

– EUK: Poverty is bigger issue for EU voters than migration, new EP survey shows ( Guardian UK )

– EUK: Support for Ukraine at stake as Croatia votes in parliamentary election ( Guardian UK )

– EUK: Orbán claims Europe slipping into ‘everyday fascism’ ( Times UK )

——————————————————

– USC: Biden seeks higher tariffs on Chinese steel, aluminum to support US firms – also keep US steel American ( Bloomberg )

– USC: Joe Biden calls for tripling of tariffs on Chinese steel – and shipbuilding as campaign fights for Pennsylvania ( FT UK )

– USC: One thing Biden and Trump agree on – keeping this $10,000 Chinese EV out of the US ( Market Watch )

– USC: Biden counters RFK Jr. with Kennedy family endorsements – Kerry and siblings in Philly ( Bloomberg )

– USC: Microsoft says Russian disinformation campaign targeting US election has begun ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– USC: Google, Facebook should use AI to combat conspiracy theories – Parmy Olson ( Bloomberg Opinion )

– USC: How a union for 60,000 steel workers became a force in US politics – United Steel Workers ( FT UK )

– USC: US to Investigate China‘s shipbuilding as Biden calls for new steel tariffs ( Maritime Executive )

– USC: Why Donald Trump ‘hates Ukraine’ – blames the country for political woes ( Politico EU )

– USC: Trump and Poland’s Duda discuss ongoing wars during NYC meeting ( Politico US )

– USC: Biden calls China ‘xenophobic’ – ramping up 2024 campaign rhetoric ( Bloomberg )

– USC: Fifteen Kennedy family members back Joe Biden in blow to RFK Jr ( Times UK )

– USC: Trump falls $75mn behind Biden in money race as donor base shrinks ( FT UK )

– USC: Don’t vote for a billionaire, Biden urges workers in his home state ( Times UK )

– USC: ‘He’s my friend’: Trump welcomes Poland president Duda in US ( Euronews )

– USC: Trump trial suffers setback with dismissal of two jurors ( Times UK )

——————————————————

– LAT: Meet Argentina’s Axel Wahnish, first-ever rabbi to be appointed ambassador to Israel ( TO Israel )

– LAT: Top Argentina CEOs to heap praise on Milei at Patagonia retreat – exclusive event ( Bloomberg )

– LAT: US says oil companies in Venezuela can still operate despite ‘regime oppression’ ( WSJ )

– LAT: US reimposes oil sanctions on Venezuela after broken election promises ( FT UK )

– LAT: US reimposes sanctions on Venezuela as hope for democracy crumbles ( Guardian UK )

– LAT: US to reimpose oil sanctions on Venezuela over ‘election concerns‘ ( Reuters )

– LAT: US restores oil sanctions on Venezuela as hopes dim for ‘free election’ ( NYT )

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APPENDICES

APPENDIX : Videoclips

– Boris isn’t wrong Ukraine : https://twitter.com/Xx17965797N/status/1780279651312521359

– US Air Force pays for shit : https://twitter.com/MyLordBebo/status/1780854807139328021

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

– Stoltenberg demilitarize : https://twitter.com/Dal_Libano/status/1780629882747154584

– Stoltenberg on Patriots : https://twitter.com/simpatico771/status/1780782661713178694

– Johnson Ukraine-pilled : https://twitter.com/simpatico771/status/1780798090443677956

– Ursula smirks at protester: https://twitter.com/RnaudBertrand/status/1780954249897378256

– Freedom over Democracy : https://twitter.com/BowesChay/status/1781059404068008292

– US not against Palestine statehood? : https://twitter.com/Dal_Libano/status/1781199337508204941

– US house bill passing : https://twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1781765412549517811

– Putin is very afraid of us : https://twitter.com/RothLindberg/status/1782009115201380584

– Marandi advice for Piers : https://twitter.com/Zlatti_71/status/1782031315715453387

– Blinken G7 Capri to Putin : https://twitter.com/SecBlinken/status/1782184833180901887

– Ukrainians outside House : https://twitter.com/RothLindberg/status/1782184011848167455

APPENDIX : Legend

USC = United States + Canada

RUC = Russia + China

EUK = Europe + United Kingdom | 404 = Ukraine

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

ASO = Australia + Oceania

AFR = Africa

LAT = Latin America

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