https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israeli-media:-saudi-arabia-greatest-winner-from-bidens-trip

Israeli media: Saudi Arabia greatest winner from Biden's trip

A day prior to the arrival of US President Joe Biden to Ben Gurion, an Israeli official told reporters, on Tuesday, that Biden’s trip to the region is an “unprecedented opportunity to change dynamics in the Middle East.”

However, a senior research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies in "Tel Aviv," Yoel Guzansky, said otherwise by stating that “The bigger the expectations, the bigger the disappointment.”

The announcement that "Israel" had been waiting for, which eventually surfaced hours before Biden took off for Jeddah, on Friday, is that the Civil Aviation Authority of Saudi Arabia stated that all commercial aviation carriers could now fly across the nation. Israeli Prime Minister, Yair Lapid, referred to the Saudi statement as "the first official step in normalization with Saudi Arabia" despite the fact that it made no mention of "Israel."

Biden called the step from SA “a big deal… the first tangible step on the path of what I hope will eventually be a broader normalization of relations.”

The Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, on the other hand, immediately cast doubt on such assumptions stating “This has nothing to do with diplomatic ties with Israel.”

Despite the exaggerated messages emanating from official Israeli sources, it ought to have been obvious to everyone that Biden's visit wasn't really about us.

Israeli authorities nonetheless made every effort to exaggerate the significance of the visit to "Israel" despite this. The "Jerusalem Declaration", which Lapid and Biden signed while in "Israel," was described to journalists by a senior Israeli official as "a historic statement… that shows the unique nature of what we have between our countries."

Furthermore, according to the Times of Israel, Lapid had the document framed and hung it himself in the cabinet meeting room on Sunday. That is despite the fact that the document did not offer any new initiatives whatsoever.

Guzansky said that the exaggerated hype by Israeli government officials over the little steps in the Israeli-Saudi relations could have caused “Israel” more harm than good.

“I think Israel caused damage here,” Guzansky said. He even argued that the Israeli government “inflated the Saudi issue with all sorts of leaks and briefings. It wasn’t historic, not in Israel and not in the Saudi aspect,” adding that “I think it reflects a lack of understanding in Israel about where the Saudis stand, what their sensitivities are, what their interests are."

In agreement with Guzansky, Moran Zaga, an expert on the Gulf region at the Mitvim Institute, said that Riyadh has no justification at the moment to provide "Israel" or the US for that matter, any concessions. Any overtures that were made came as a condition of striking a tough deal with the US. Following the conflict in Yemen and the consequences of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, Saudi Arabia tried to reclaim its position as the Arab world's leader and was able to do so during Biden's visit making it the greatest winner of the trip.

Based on what was written in the Times of Israel, the present relationship between “Israel” and Saudi Arabia is not comparable to that of "Israel's" relations with the Emirati prior to the so-called "Abraham Accords," despite intelligence collaboration and shared goals. Israelis were present in multilateral conferences and international contests as the UAE positioned itself as a premier international hub of culture and trade.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/kremlin:-sanctions-are-the-price-russia-and-iran-pay-for-sov

Kremlin: Sanctions are the price Russia and Iran pay for sovereignty

Ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Iran, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has issued several statements, emphasizing that “restrictions and sanctions are the price that Russia and Iran must pay for sovereignty”.

In an interview with the Iranian state-run TV, Peskov stressed that “sanctions against Russia began to be introduced long before the special operation, now they measure in the hundreds and thousands.”

It is worth noting that Russia and Iran are stepping up efforts to strengthen their cooperation. Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Tehran Tuesday to discuss deepening economic ties with Iran, according to the Kremlin.

On his account, Chief of the Economic Commission of Iran’s Parliament Mohammadreza Pour-Ebrahimi affirmed last Tuesday that a positive atmosphere has been formed for mutual cooperation between the two countries, most notably following the recent trip by Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi to Russia.

These statements come as the White House national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said earlier today that information sourced from a US top official suggests that Iran is planning to supply Russia with hundreds of combat drones for use in the war with Ukraine.

It is worth noting that Peskov has lately confirmed that Putin, Raisi, and Erdogan will hold discussions in Tehran on July 19 within the framework of the Astana Peace Talks.

On the situation in Ukraine, Peskov also reiterated remarks by Russian President Vladimir Putin who repeatedly emphasized that “the special operation undoubtedly will end - when all its goals are achieved”.

>> Russian and Iran allies. Iran already flipped.

>>16757770

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/putins-aide:-russia-iran-to-become-strategic-partners

Putin's aide: Russia, Iran to become strategic partners

Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said in a statement on Monday that Russia opposes any actions that would infringe upon Syria's sovereignty.

He added that "As for Turkey's plans to conduct a new operation against Kurdish formations in northern Syria, this issue will naturally be discussed [during Putin’s trip]. Our position in Russia is that we oppose any actions that violate the basic principle of the Syrian settlement, which is enshrined in the relevant Security Council resolutions and in the decisions of the Astana format. This is respect for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Syria.”

Ushakov also added that "We believe that special attention will be paid” to issues regarding the situation “in the territories not controlled by the Syrian government — the regions of Idlib and the Euphrates area."

The US' activity in Syria’s Euphrates area remains a destabilizing factor, the official said, noting that Washington continues to actively encourage separatism.

Furthermore, the Kremlin aide stated that Russia finds the cross-border mechanism to be a violation of Syrian sovereignty and calls for its closure.

During the brief, he said the cross-border mechanism "is a temporary and emergency measure that should be shut down, as it violates international humanitarian law and, most importantly, the sovereignty of Syria."

Ushakov also stressed that Russia previously compromised at the United Nations Security Council when it supported the extension of the mechanism for six months, noting that next time, “our position will be expressed more categorically."

The three presidents plan to adopt a joint statement following their meeting in Tehran said Ushakov.

"Following the results of the Astana format summit in Tehran, it is intended to adopt a joint statement.

The draft has been prepared, and almost already approved. Its adoption will be announced immediately after the meeting of the three presidents," Ushakov told reporters.

In conclusion, Ushakov highlighted that "Iran is an important partner of Russia, relations are of a friendly nature, have a long history, and are developing very effectively in the widest range of areas. Both sides have plans to bring bilateral cooperation to a new level — the level of strategic partnership. A new interstate agreement is being prepared.”

In other words, Ushakov said that Russia and Iran have plans to elevate their relations to the level of a strategic partnership and that a new deal is being drafted.

>> Russia and Iran allies. Iran already flipped.

>>16757780

Notable

Two Down, One to Go

3 last chess pieces.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/putin-raisi-erdogan-to-discuss-war-on-syria-in-tehran

Putin, Raisi, Erdogan to discuss war on Syria in Tehran

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan will travel Tuesday to Tehran for talks with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi about the war on Syria.

Moscow, Tehran, and Ankara have been engaged in the Astana peace process for years now, a forum meant to bring to a close the war on Syria that has been raging on for more than 11 years now.

The talks will come just after Erdogan pledged to launch military offensives in Syria that would further expand Ankara's occupation of the Arab country.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on May 23 that the Turkish army intends to carry out military operations to "combat terrorism" at the Turkish state borders, explaining that his government "will start taking new steps to complete the safe zone 30 km north of Syria."

On June 14, Turkish media reported that Ankara's troops have taken combat formation and are all set to start Turkey's fifth military operation on the northern Syrian border, which it claims is aimed at the Kurdistan Workers' Party and its military wing, the YPG.

Raisi, on the other hand, already warned Ankara that any military action in Syria could destabilize the region, advising Turkey against such action.

Turkey has long been conducting military offensives in Syria under the guise of "combatting terrorism", with the NATO member's occupation soldiers conducting four military operations in Syria since 2016. Ankara's actions in Syria have been met with loud opposition from both Moscow and Tehran.

The summit in Tehran will also make for the first time that the Russian and Turkish counterparts meet since the start of the Ukraine war and the disputes between the two over Ankara's supply of UAVs to Kiev's forces.

Russian envoy to Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, said the possible Turkish military operation in northern Syria would create "new security threats" to Turkey, as "the Kurdistan Workers' Party and the SDF will not disappear under this scenario."

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian stressed from Damascus, Syria, that any foreign intervention in the region was rejected as it would only further complicate the situation. "Any Turkish military action in northern Syria would undermine stability in the region."

>>16757811

Watch the water.

>>16757816

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/syrian-foreign-minister-heads-to-iran-tomorrow

Syrian foreign minister heads to Iran tomorrow

Syrian foreign minister Faisal Mekdad is due to arrive in Tehran on Tuesday to meet with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

An official source told Sputnik that the Syrian foreign minister will meet his Iranian counterpart on Wednesday morning.

The same source added that Mekdad will discuss bilateral relations and the outcomes of the Astana peace talks, which will be held tomorrow with the participation of the Russian, Turkish, and Iranian leaders.

Earlier, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Tehran on July 19, 2022.

The Kremlin's statement came after the Chief of the Economic Commission of Iran's Parliament, Mohammadreza Pour-Ebrahimi, said, as quoted by Iran's state news agency IRNA, that Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Tehran next week.

On his account, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin, Raisi, and Erdogan will hold discussions in Tehran on July 19 within the framework of the Astana peace talks.

The Turkish President's office said on Sunday that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expects to hold bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his planned visit to Iran on July 18-19.

>>16757854

Too many 05 numbers in the recent days.

Anon posting these, thank you.

>>16757871

Love the helmet

>>16757909

>>16758076

>>16758021

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/thai-activists-supporters-hacked-by-israeli-spyware-pegasus

The Israeli NSO Group's Pegasus spyware has preyed on another group of victims: more than 30 Thai activists and their supporters have been found to be in the iron sights of the firm's spyware, civil groups said late Sunday.

The revelation was made as part of Thailand's countrywide campaign, brought to life over a warning from Apple informing iPhone users that they had been targeted.

Apple had warned suspected Pegasus victims in November, which led Thai recipients to contact civic organizations that proceeded to consult iLaw, a local human rights group advocating for a new constitution. The human rights organization then helped locate more victims of the Pegasus spyware.

iLaw identified many of the victims by name in a new report on the spyware, while another came from the Toronto-based Citizen Lab, which found Pegasus to have been the spyware used to hack the devices in 2020 and 2021 after examining digital traces left in the phone.

Amnesty International used a different method to examine some of the phones and found that Citizen Lab's conclusion was in place.

Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto discovered an exploit that allowed NSO users to infect iPhones with the company's Pegasus spyware via a weakness in the iMessage feature.

The victims of the hacks include two iLaw figures, such as the organization's representative, Yingecheep Atchanont, who said he was not surprised to have been a victim of the cyber attack, but the number of times he was hacked.

"I was surprised later when I found out that I was infected so many times during late 2020 and early 2021. That time I was just an observer of the protests, my role is just campaigning on the constitutional amendment," Atchanont told The Washington Post.

New reports on the issue show that a sizeable amount of attacks were carried out at times the targets were involved in rallies demanding constitutional change by elected representatives and protesting against the government's policies.

The reports do not find the Thai government to have been behind the attacks, but Citizen Lab explained that it would be very logical to suspect Thai agencies.

The Thai government has carried out several mass arrest campaigns against activists that criticized its win in the 2019 election. Bangkok has arrested many protest organizers, including some found in the fresh reports to have been hacked.

The Thai government is the main suspect due to NSO's claims that it only sells to government agencies. The group also says it gets the approval of the Israeli occupation's government for each one of its deals.

Apple and Meta have both filed lawsuits accusing NSO of breaking US laws by hacking their platforms and devices, all under the auspices of the Israeli occupation government.

Prior reporting had identified Thailand as a location for surveillance operations, including Pegasus, but the latest reports are distinguished by their explicit naming of victims and providing of context for specific attacks.

"The infections occurred from October 2020 to November 2021, coinciding with a period of widespread pro-democracy protests, and predominantly targeted key figures in the pro-democracy movement," Citizen Lab said. "In numerous cases, multiple members of movements or organizations were infected."

NSO Group had been under fire after an investigation by The Washington Post and 16 media partners found that military-grade spyware leased by the Israeli firm NSO Group to governments was used in attempted and successful hacks of 37 smartphones belonging to journalists, human rights activists, business executives, and the two women closest to the murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi

In February, according to a whistleblower's confidential disclosure to the Justice Department, the NSO Group offered American mobile-security firm representatives "bags of cash" in exchange for access to global cellular networks.

Israeli NSO Group's spyware, notorious for its usage in many cyberattacks around the world, helped authoritarian governments silence their opposition, journalists, human rights activists, and the heads of other states.

The scandal involved the phones of about 50,000 targets, which included many prominent politicians, businessmen, activists, journalists, and opposition figures around the world.

The FBI had previously confirmed to The Guardian that it had obtained access in 2019 to the controversial spyware that put the Israeli occupation under fire, Pegasus, claiming that the purpose of such purchase was only to test the product and evaluate it.

>> It's also connected to this:

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/technology/israeli-pegasus-spyware-hacks-relative-of-rwandan-dissident

>>16758053

>>16758064

>>16758135

>>16758144

>>16758241

Light it up guys

>>16758278

Too many 26 today as well too many 05.

Do you have an idea what it could be?

I have various coms, but too many to narrow it down.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/economics/german-factories-weigh-decreasing-production-recession-on-th

German factories weigh decreasing production, recession on the horizon

On Monday, the Financial Times reported that industrial companies across Germany are facing the possibility of scaling down operations or shutting down completely if Russia were to put natural gas flows to a halt.

ThyssenKrupp, Germany's largest steelmaker, in addition to the world's largest chemicals company, BASF, have both warned that without enough gas supply, factories will be forced to become idle or shut down completely, and could even suffer technical damage.

“[Without Russian gas supplies,] we have to stop [production] immediately, from 100 to zero,” said Petr Cingr, the chief executive of SKW Stickstoffwerke Piesteritz, Germany’s largest ammonia producer and a key European fertilizer supplier.

This warning comes in the midst of uncertainty regarding Russian gas supply, as Gazprom, Russia's most prominent gas company, slashed its gas deliveries by 60% through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline last month over a technical issue.

The maintenance will finish on July 21. However, there are anxieties in Germany and the EU that Russia won't be returning the flow back once the maintenance is done.

According to FT, some companies hope to switch to alternative fuels, such as heating oil or coal, especially if Russia won't be delivering gas. However, only 2-3% of gas consumption can be replaced this way.

Without Russian gas, Berlin will have a severe industrial output declination, which will essentially result in a recession, with a 6% GDP fall by the end of 2023, according to analysts at UBS, a Swiss bank.

Over the past 18 months, in addition to prospects that gas supplies will halt, natural gas in Europe has increased eight times in price, which has significantly increased the cost of living in Europe.

Last month, Berlin suggested the second stage of its national emergency plan, which will introduce gas rationing.

>>16758456