https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/nato-decision-to-declare-russia-enemy-destabilizes-europe:-p

NATO decision to declare Russia enemy destabilizes Europe: Patrushev

Russian Security Council Secretary, Nikolai Patrushev, considered NATO's decision to declare Russia an enemy escalates tensions, destabilizes security in Europe, and contradicts the NATO-Russia Founding Act.

At a meeting on national security in the Russian Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk, Patrushev said that "Russia, which is defending its national interests and sovereignty, has been declared an enemy by the United States and its allies, which is reflected in doctrinal documents, including those adopted at the NATO summit in Madrid."

The Russian official recalled that the United States and its allies refused to engage in a constructive dialogue with Russia in the area of strategic stability and completely ignored Moscow's demands for security guarantees.

Patrushev indicated that "NATO's military infrastructure is approaching our borders, military forces and means are being actively built up on the eastern flank. Decisions have been made on the admission of Finland and Sweden to the alliance. A new military bloc, AUKUS, has been created."

The Russian Security Council secretary stressed that "These decisions and actions not only lead to an escalation of tension and destabilization of European security, but also clearly contradict the Russia-NATO Founding Act, which, by the way, continues to operate de jure."

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/nato-launches-ratification-process-for-sweden-finland-member

NATO launches ratification process for Sweden, Finland members

The process to ratify Sweden and Finland as NATO's newest members was formally launched on Tuesday, according to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

"This is a good day for Finland and Sweden and a good day for NATO," Stoltenberg told reporters in a joint press statement with the Swedish and Finnish foreign ministers.

"With 32 nations around the table, we will be even stronger and our people will be even safer as we face the biggest security crisis in decades," he added.

The NATO secretary-general was speaking ahead of a meeting at which NATO's 30 member states' ambassadors were expected to sign the accession protocols for the two Nordic countries, kicking off a months-long period for alliance countries to ratify their membership.

"We are tremendously grateful for all the strong support that our accession has received from the allies," said Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde.

"We are convinced that our membership would strengthen NATO and add to the stability in the Euro Atlantic area," she added.

Following the Russian military operation in Ukraine in February, Sweden and Finland announced their intention to abandon their military non-alignment status and join NATO.

NATO summit in Madrid

Last week's NATO summit in Madrid endorsed that move by inviting the two after Turkey won concessions on concerns it had raised and a US promise that it would receive new warplanes.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused Sweden and Finland of harboring Kurdish militants he has sought to persecute and of encouraging "terrorism." He also demanded that they lift arms embargoes imposed in preparation for Turkey's military incursion into Syria in 2019.

However, Erdogan has kept the rest of NATO on edge by threatening to block Sweden and Finland's bids if they do not follow through on their promises, some of which were kept secret, such as possible extradition agreements.

NATO to sign protocol accepting Finland, Sweden accession

On Monday, the formal procedure to join the Western military alliance was discussed by Sweden and Finland with NATO authorities in Brussels. This indicated a significant change from the Nordic nations' long-standing military nonalignment policies.

The July 4 negotiations, which come after an accord with NATO member Turkey last week that saw Ankara give up its opposition to their membership, are being led by Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde and her Finnish counterpart Pekka Haavisto.

>>16604537

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/a-uk-drone-squadron-with-no-drones

A UK drone squadron with no drones?

The UK drone test squadron that supposedly embodies the Royal Air Force's (RAF) "futuristic and ambitious" vision has no drones and hasn't conducted any trials since its reactivation more than two years ago. An article by The Telegraph cites a Ministry of Defence response to a freedom of information request made by the campaign group Drone Wars UK.

Furthermore, the 216 Squadron has only four full-time personnel assigned to it, though the unit also uses reservists, according to the response.

Chris Cole, the founder of Drone Wars UK, a campaign group that advocates for greater public transparency regarding the use of this type of weaponry, filed the request. His investigation was conducted in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, which grants access to information held by the UK's public authorities.

“216 Squadron has not conducted any UAV tests since it was reactivated on 1 April 2020… There were no UAVs listed on the inventory of 216 Squadron at the time of your request. This means that the answer to the third part of your request was ‘zero’,” the reply read.

Nonetheless, at the Global Air Chiefs' Conference in 2021, Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston praised 216 Squadron, saying it had demonstrated the "disruptive and innovative utility of swarming drones."

“We have been focused on confusing and overwhelming adversary air defenses but we are already contemplating new disruptive missions that I will leave to your imagination,” said the air marshal at the time.

Cole, meanwhile, said that “defense companies and politicians repeatedly overpromise results and underestimate costs while giving less and less information about military programs.”

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/ukraine:-scores-of-foreign-mercenaries-killed-over-past-10-d

Ukraine: Scores of foreign mercenaries killed over past 10 days

Tens of foreign mercenaries have been killed in Ukraine over the past 10 days, according to Russian Defense Minister, Sergey Shoigu.

Shoigu spoke at a ministry meeting, saying that as a "result of the successful offensive" by both the Russian and Donbass republics' forces, “the number of foreign mercenaries and employees of private military companies operating in the country has decreased.”

“Over the past 10 days, 170 foreign mercenaries have been killed, 99 have refused to participate in combat and left the territory of Ukraine,” he said.

On Tuesday, Damien Magrou, a spokesperson for the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine, confirmed that a French fighter that goes by the name Adrien D was killed in Kharkov. The legion is a foreign military unit created at the start of the war at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The fighter died of injuries on June 25 after spending some time in a coma at a hospital, and he was one of the first foreign fighters to join the Ukrainian ranks - and, the second French national to die.

On June 1, Wilfried Bleriot, his colleague, was also killed in the same region.

According to RTL, there are reports that around 50 French nationals fighting for Ukraine, and Magrou revealed that foreigners from 55 countries serve in the region, with most coming from Poland, the US, UK, and Canada.

Magrou added that the foreigners “are servicemen in the Ukrainian Armed Forces,” and that they should be considered prisoners of war protected by the Geneva Conventions.

“We hereby call on Russian authorities and Russian proxies to respect international humanitarian law and refrain from politically motivated criminal proceedings against lawful members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces," Magrou said in a statement.

In response, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, "They are not (in the) Ukrainian army, so they are not subject to the Geneva Conventions."

"They're soldiers of fortune and they were involved in illegal activities on the territory of Ukraine. They were involved in firing and shelling our military personnel. They were endangering their lives," Peskov said.

"They should be held responsible for those crimes that they have committed," he added. "Those crimes have to be investigated."

Russian Military Spokesperon Major General Igor Konashenkov last month said that hundreds of foreign mercenaries in Ukraine have been killed by Russian long-range precision weapons “shortly after their arrival at the places where they were undergoing additional training and where the tactical units were coordinated.” However, most of them, according to the Spokesperson, were killed “due to a low level of training and a lack of real combat experience.”

Russian Defense Ministry data revealed that 6,956 foreign citizens from 64 countries arrived in Ukraine to fight alongside Ukrainian troops between February 24 and June 17. Around 1,956 of those have been killed, while 1,779 have left the country, the Ministry said.

Russian Defense Ministry data revealed that 6,956 foreign citizens from 64 countries arrived in Ukraine to fight alongside Ukrainian troops between February 24 and June 17. Around 1,956 of those have been killed, while 1,779 have left the country, the Ministry said.

Two new British mercenaries charged in DPR

Dylan Healy, 22, and Andrew Hill, 35, both UK nationals, were captured by DPR forces during fighting in April.

British broadcaster Sky News described Hill as a "military volunteer". Hill was charged on Tuesday by DPR forces alongside Healy for acting as mercenaries for Ukraine's armed forces.

Russia's TASS news agency reported that both men have refused to cooperate and are currently imprisoned in the DPR.

"Criminal cases have been initiated and charges were presented for (mercenarism) against British citizens Dylan Healy and Andrew Hill, currently in detention in DPR. Investigation operations are under way as the investigators look for evidence of the crimes, committed by the British, because they do not want to testify and refuse to cooperate on their criminal cases," a DPR source informed TASS.

Britain's Foreign Office released a statement on Saturday condemning "the exploitation of prisoners of war and civilians for political purposes."

"We are in constant contact with the government of Ukraine on their cases and are fully supportive of Ukraine in its efforts to get them released," the statement added.

>> 55 countries.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israeli-media:-hamas-attempted-to-hack-phones-of-iof-soldier

Israeli media: Hamas attempted to hack phones of IOF soldiers

Israeli media quoted the IOF as claiming that it had thwarted dozens of Hamas attempts to hack the phones of Israeli soldiers during the recent period.

According to Israeli media, this came after a joint operation between "Military Intelligence and the Cyber ​​Division of the Shin Bet."

The IOF claimed that using fake profiles, specialized groups in the Hamas movement tried to convince IOF soldiers to download a game on their phones that allows Hamas to gain complete control of the device.

Israeli news website i24 said that this is not the first time that Hamas has tried to hack the phones of IOF soldiers and gather intelligence information through fake accounts and special applications.

In the same context, it is noteworthy that Israeli media reported in mid-March that the mobile phone of the wife of the Israeli Mossad Chief David Barnea was hacked and its contents were published on an anonymous Telegram account.

This came days after a cyberattack - attributed to Iranian hackers - paralyzed all Israeli occupation government websites.

In late January, an Iranian hacker group going by the name of "Moses Staff" hacked into the Israeli closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) on occupied Palestinian streets.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/lapid-to-visit-macron-discuss-karish-and-jcpoa

Lapid to visit Macron, discuss Karish and JCPOA

Israeli occupation Prime Minister Yair Lapid issued a threat to Lebanon, urging the containment of Hezbollah in order to protect what it allegedly claims to be its right in the oil and gas assets in the Karish field.

Lapid spoke to the media before boarding a flight for Paris, where he will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and discuss with him matters pertaining to the Mediterranean Sea and Israeli fears of Hezbollah's threats to their illegal activities in the Karish field. Lapid hopes to increase pressure on Lebanon through his French counterparts.

Lapid said that “Israel will not tolerate these attacks,” adding that “Anyone who does this is taking an unnecessary risk," in reference to the three drones operation most recently conducted by the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon over the Karish natural gas field.

Lapid threatened the Lebanese government by stating that they need to “rein in Hezbollah from these attacks, or else we will need to do it,” adding that “Hezbollah should not play with fire,” and that a strike on a gas platform “could be a very dangerous act,” and result in “a deterioration that we are not interested in.”

Pressure on Iran over JCPOA

On a different topic, Lapid emphasized that France's membership in the E3 group of European nations that are negotiating the Iran nuclear deal is a crucial aspect of his trip.

“It is important that our opinion against this dangerous agreement be heard at this time, against Iran’s nuclearization,” he said. “It is also important that the international community knows that on the Iranian issue, Israeli society stands together, as one body, with one position.”

A broader meeting with the two presidents' aides will follow Lapid's mid-afternoon meeting with Macron, whom he describes as "a personal friend", in the Elysee Palace. Later on Tuesday, he will fly back to occupied Palestine.

The Israeli PM said that the meeting with Macron will be an opportunity for him to convince France to synchronize pressure on Iran by both "Israel" and the West.

Israeli officials are expected to emphasize that Iran must not be allowed to extend negotiations, which recently began in Qatar after a months-long break, by the US and the E3 (Germany, the UK, and France).

“We expect that there will be some end to these never-ending talks,” said the official and added that “There is nothing fundamentally different in these talks [in Doha] than in the previous ones.”

On the 4th of July, advisor to the Iranian negotiating team Mohammad Marandi told Sputnik that the United States and European countries are in need of a new Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) deal with Iran as they are under excessive pressure due to the crisis they created in Ukraine.

"Americans and Europeans are under a lot of pressure due to the wars they have had and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as due to the crisis in Ukraine, which they themselves created, so the Americans need an agreement," Marandi said.

The advisor continued to say that while Western nations want to reach a deal, doing so will require them to adhere to Iran's reasonable conditions and demands.

>> The nose. It's all in the nose.

Israel very agitated today.

>>16604916

>>16604913

>>16604931

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/gantz-meets-greek-cypriot-defense-ministers

Gantz meets Greek, Cypriot defense ministers

Israeli Security Minister Benny Gantz held a meeting with Greek and Cypriot defense ministries along the sidelines of the Economist Government Roundtable conference in Greece.

Gantz claimed that he discussed "challenges of mutual interest in the [Eastern Mediterranean] and areas of collaboration that are vital for the protection of our citizens and for peace and stability in the region" with Cyprus' Defense Minister Charalambos Petrides.

Gantz also said he spoke with Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, the Greek Defense Minister, after their meeting about "growing collaboration between the [country'] military industry, as well as extra difficulties we are facing, mainly the Iranian threat."

Last March, an Israeli official made the suggestion of buying uninhabited islands in Greece to evacuate Israeli settlers in the event of crisis or war, per Israeli media.

The proposal came amid Israeli and US concerns regarding Iran's growing missile and UAV capabilities as the US CENTCOM chief General Kenneth McKenzie recently said the Islamic Republic had more than 3,000 ballistic missiles.

>> Not Bojo. I agree, they always have a worm wiggling in their rear, but today is different. They are afraid.

Check the articles. I'm going to post a third one related to this after i read it. >>16604913

Something's up, or they wouldn't have made those visits and comments.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/iranian-presence-in-red-sea-most-significant-in-a-decade:-ga

Iranian presence in Red Sea most significant in a decade: Gantz

While attending the Annual Economist Government Roundtable in Greece, Israeli Security Minister Benny Gantz revealed new satellite photographs showing four Iranian military ships in the Red Sea.

According to Gantz's claims, Iran is "expanding its aggressive operations in the region in general and in the naval arena in particular," adding that it's been "unusually" patrolling the Red Sea with its military ships.

Gantz informed the audience that Iran has been extending its marine activity. “Today, we can confirm that Iran is methodically basing itself in the Red Sea, with warships patrolling the southern region,” he stated.

The Israeli minister released satellite photographs of four Iranian military ships in the Red Sea, including the "Hengam" landing ship, two "Bandar Abbas" auxiliary ships, and the "Mowj" frigate.

He called it the most "significant" presence in a decade and a "direct threat to trade, energy, and the global economy."

Iran has recently modernized its navy introducing new ships and submarines to supplement older models.

Gantz reiterated "Israel's" paranoid worries, dubbing the country a "regional threat", which is not new, going as far this time as accusing them of potentially threatening Central Europe.

Iran has successfully tested the launch of the locally produced civilian satellite carrier Zoljanah, which is powered by a compound-fuel engine, according to state media, citing the Iranian Defense Ministry's space department.

Citing department spokesperson Ahmad Hosseini, the second launch, like the first, was for scientific purposes, according to IRNA.

Regarding Hezbollah, Gantz accused the Lebanese resistance of "sabotaging" negotiations concerning the Karish gas field dispute, by releasing three drones operated by Hezbollah days ago.

Gantz called the event "an attack on Lebanese citizens, who face extreme economic hardship,” and “shows that Hezbollah is an extension of the Ayatollahs regime - operating to destabilize the region and to cause miscalculations.”

Gantz spoke with the Greek and Cypriot defense ministers on the margins of the conference earlier in the day.

They “covered challenges of mutual interest in the East-Med and areas of cooperation that are critical for the security of our citizens and for the peace and stability in the region,” during his meeting with Cyprus' Defense Minister Charalambos Petrides.

Gantz stated that he met with Greece's Defense Minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos and addressed "increasing cooperation between the [countries’] military industries, and additional challenges we are facing, first and foremost the Iranian threat.”

>> What's scaring him this much?