Iran appear to be admitting to firing ballistic missles at Irbil in Iraq and very close to the US consulate in the last hour, seems to move things closer to a bad direction
US/UK missile strikes on Houthis rebels doesn't seem to have had the desired effect.
Expect to pay more for your petrol and other goods, as the price of the IDF killing a couple of hundred Palestinians every day.
Expect to pay more for your petrol and other goods, as the price of the IDF killing a couple of hundred Palestinians every day.
Why oh why are we not surprised ...
Despicable
Sounds like a sensible pragmatic approach from Shell to protect ships, cargos and crews.
In other news, Iran now lobbing missiles over to ****stan.
There’s some whataboutery going on there. They aren’t idiots, there will never be any long term solution without a plan for a Palestinian state, everyone knows that (including the Israeli government)
It isn't 'whataboutery' at all. The Saudis have never cared about the Palestinians; it's purely about Saudi egos to demand Israel accepts a two state solution. The Saudis knew Israel would say no, but ultimately are only really interested in perpetuating the flow of wealth. Israel would perhaps agreed to 'talks', or some obscure future 'peace plan', but nothing would actually have changed.
A two-state 'independent' Palestinian bantustan would be no solution. As SA has shown, the only answer to apartheid is a singular secular democratic state where all citizens are treated equally. Oof, we can't have that can we.
is a singular secular democratic state where all citizens are treated equally.
Is the answer to pretty much most of the issues in most of the states in most of the middle east region, no? The lack of democratic accountability. Israel is ****ed, ranked as "Flawed democracy" although that's debateable. Morocco and Tunisia are "Hybrid Regimes" (whatever that means), and every other country is ranked as "Authoritarian"
working well..
the only answer to apartheid is a singular secular democratic state where all citizens are treated equally.
Do a majority of Palestinians want a secular democratic state? Do a majority of Israelis want a secular democratic state? I don't think the militants on either side are fighting for secular democracy and I don't think either side trusts the other side enough to make it possible. One important reason that it was possible in SA was that Nelson Mandela persuaded Black South Africans that peace was better than vengeance and White South Africans were willing to trust him. I don't see any Mandelas on either side of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. All I see is calls for vengeance.
Much the same was said during apartheid SA and Mandela was defined as a 'terrorist' by Thatcher et al.
Even though the Houthis rebels have been operating for about the last 20 years the United States only decided today to designate them as terrorists, despite, as far as I am aware, they haven't actually killed anyone recently.
I guess the definition of terrorist is anyone who threatens US global trade interests.
And awkwardly for the United States what the Houthis are currently demanding appears to be in line with global public opinion, and the United Nations, a ceasefire in Gaza.
How long previously were the Houthis designated terrorists..... a couple of months? It was a last minute decision by Trump before he left office to designate the Houthis rebels as terrorists.
The reality is that for probably 99% of the time they have been involved in armed engagements the Houthis have not been classed as terrorists by the US.
Today's announcement doesn't appear to be connected with a recent terrorist atrocity in which hundreds, or even dozens, have died, but because of the affects of Houthis action on US commerce.
It in effect appears to redefine the term "terrorist".
I guess the definition of terrorist is anyone who threatens US global trade interests.
Isn't it just anyone who is an 'enemy' of Oceania?
<br /><br />The were delisted in Feb 2021 by the Biden administration, becasue of the urgent need to get humanitarian aid to them.<br /><br />
Has that need for humanitarian aid disappeared now?
Today’s announcement doesn’t appear to be connected with a recent terrorist atrocity in which hundreds, or even dozens, have died, but because of the affects of Houthis action on US commerce.
It in effect appears to redefine the term “terrorist”.
Taking their actions on land to one side for a second, the act of launching cruise missiles at a civilian ship is surely intent to conduct a terrorist act?
The only reason it's not happened yet is shear luck. Bulk carriers are big targets that are 95% unmanned, but if one of those missiles hits the accommodation block that's a dozen dead.
Taking their actions on land to one side for a second, the act of launching cruise missiles at a civilian ship is surely intent to conduct a terrorist act?
But isn't it just about perspective and power structures? Western military forces have struck countless civilian 'targets', with countless innocent people dead, carried out extra-judicial killings, terrorised entire nations and regions, yet the T word is never mentioned. Why aren't the Israeli and Saudi military forces and regimes labelled terrorists? Because they're 'our' allies? What if the Houthis see western ships as aiding 'terrorism'? Aren't those ships therefore 'legitimate targets' to them? Who gets to decide, who gets to sit in judgment of all this?
But isn’t it just about perspective and power structures? Western military forces have struck countless civilian ‘targets’, with countless innocent people dead, carried out extra-judicial killings, terrorised entire nations and regions, yet the T word is never mentioned. Why aren’t the Israeli and Saudi military forces and regimes labelled terrorists? Because they’re ‘our’ allies? What if the Houthis see western ships as aiding ‘terrorism’? Aren’t those ships therefore ‘legitimate targets’ to them? Who gets to decide, who gets to sit in judgment of all this?
I'm not saying this in support of western countries and Saudi strikes, but they're all by recognised states, so that's a war crime if the very clear rules of war aren't followed, whereas the Houthi's are not the recognised government of Yeman and therefore are a terrorist organisation engaged in terrorist acts by attacking civilian shipping?
But who gets to define what is, or isn't, 'terrorism'? The USA? The Houthis? Iran? Colombia? Gillian Duffy?
One person's 'terrorist' is another's 'freedom fighter', it's pointless getting hooked up in futile debates about nomenclature. The point is history shows you cannot expect to oppress a people ad infinitum and not get bitten on the bum. I'm being simplistic but when people have f all they have f all to lose, they will fight fearlessly.
One person’s ‘terrorist’ is another’s ‘freedom fighter’,
This - and I think both those terms apply to "non-government" organisations. So the Russian armed forces aren't classed as terrorists even thought they are targeting civilians.
Has that need for humanitarian aid disappeared now?
The US hasn't yet enacted the terrorist designation. The Houthis have 30 days to stop attacking shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
The designation isn't the same as the one that President Biden revoked in 2021.
In 2021 the Houthis were designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). The FTO designation was the bigger problem for humanitarian aid because it prohibits US citizens from knowingly providing material support or resources. It also prevents aid from being organised within the US and puts restrictions on US financial institutions, which is a massive problem when 70% of world trade is conducted in $.
The SDGT will be enacted in 30 days and is less restrictive.
One person’s ‘terrorist’ is another’s ‘freedom fighter’,
Not looking good for this bloke.
Good podcast with Rory Stewart explaining the situation and why bombing will not help.
The only reason it’s not happened yet is shear luck.
No the reason that the Houthis rebels haven't killed anyone yet is because they haven't set out to kill anyone recently. You can be certain that the Houthis could kill lots of people if they wanted to.
I can't imagine that the Houthis rebels are particularly nice people but right now they have become heroes across the Middle East, and probably in much of the global south.
Jo Biden appears to be on a mission to dramatically reduce United States global influence and its perceived moral authority. He is actively supplying the most sophisticated weapons in the world to a rogue state which is currently carrying out a bloodbath against civilians before the eyes of the world.
And if that wasn't enough to turn public opinion across the Middle East and much of the world he then decides to attack people who have won respect for making a stand against the bloodbath.
Message is clear - Joe Biden will tolerate Arab women and children being slaughtered, although admittedly probably reluctantly, but he definitely will not tolerate the increased commercial costs associated with shipping being rerouted.
What does that say about how much Americans value Arab lives? The Iranian leaders in Tehran must be pissing themselves. And not least because US/UK military strikes will have no discernible effect on the Houthis rebels, just crank up more anti-Western feelings.
I am a Zionist.How Joe Biden’s lifelong bond with Israel shapes foreign policy by Reuters
and
The Israeli army just blew up the University of Gaza because………….
https://twitter.com/PeruginiNic/status/1747730495482310771?s=20
The Israeli army just blew up the University of Gaza because…………
Jeezus, why on earth did they do that? As it was a controlled explosion with 315 mines they obviously had fully secured the building top to bottom, so the usual excuse of "Hamas infrastructure" can't be used.
And who released the clip? Surely the IDF can't be proud of doing that?
At this point the Israeli army are at the stage of turning over rocks, pointing at woodlice and shouting “Hamas”, then blowing it up
In keeping with the thread title...
Following Iran launching missiles and drones into ****stan https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-67999465
/a>, ****stan has retaliated and conducted strikes inside Iran targeting Baluchi militants.
Missiles killed three women and four children https://www.reuters.com/world/****stan-has-conducted-strikes-inside-iran-afp-report-2024-01-18/
Let's hope that this is confined to these incidents and no further. ****stan, which has one of the largest armies in the region, and Iran could do massive damage to one another
At this point the Israeli army are at the stage of turning over rocks, pointing at woodlice and shouting “Hamas”, then blowing it up
Steady now.....
Plenty of videos of Palestinians being shot whilst being cuffed abs wearing a blindfold, whilst crossing the road with a group of kids and carrying a white flag, whilst walking away and being shot in the back.....
In this case, yes, the US can define “terrorism”. Iran can as well, which is why they’ve launched missiles and drones into ****stan “Iran’s foreign minister said the operation targeted the militant group Jaish al-Adli, which he described as an “Iranian terrorist group” in ****stan.” https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-67999465
/a>Colombia can and the Houthis have designated US and UK shipping a target, so I guess they can too. Gillian Duffy doesn’t have that power though, despite Gordon Brown’s opinion of her
So the definitions are purely political terms decided upon by regimes, then? Regardless of any consensus on such a definition, as in a dictionary. And herein lies the problem; as we saw with the UK government's approach to South Africa and the ANC, a regime can simply decide that any organisation that it deems hostile to its own interests, is a 'terrorist' one. Which doesn't really seem to solve anything. We saw here in the UK, the absurdity of terrorism legislation being used for all sorts of ridiculous reasons, including the writing of poetry, or photographing bus stations.
Jeezus, why on earth did they do that? As it was a controlled explosion with 315 mines they obviously had fully secured the building top to bottom, so the usual excuse of “Hamas infrastructure” can’t be used.
For anyone genuinely wanting to understand why atrocities such as the genocide we are witnessing right now happen, and how such acts are publicly validated and supported, then this film really is a must watch. Situations that are born of collective and inherited trauma, are far more complex and difficult to resolve than mere economic imperialism. <br /><br /> https://www.israelismfilm.com/
Program just starting on BBC2 now about the impending nuclear apocalypse. 👍
The treatment of this Israeli professor reminds me of another time in history Meir Baruchin, who was fired and jailed for criticising the military, says that many who agree with him are afraid to go public (link to guardian newspaper)
Was an Israeli lad on the radio the other day. 18 years old. Got called up. Refused and ended up in jail. Comes out, gets called up again... 🤔
Was an Israeli lad on the radio the other day. 18 years old. Got called up. Refused and ended up in jail.<br /><br />
There’s a number of interviews with him on YouTube,
He should convert to Haredi Judaism.
https://apnews.com/article/israel-draft-ultraorthodox-military-21b03570632662cce175e47097665c66
Here we go again...
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/yemen-news-houthi-airstrikes-b2482939.html
What I find really interesting, is that China are very silent about this... it's a major trade route and China needs to sell goods as much as 'the west' needs to buy them... it's a symbiotic relationship...
Are they just sitting back and watching the fire works?
Are they just sitting back and watching the fire works?
They need trade open, they need attention away from Taiwan. Tough call.
In other news, BBC reporting on suggestions North Korea is feeling left out and may do something nuts. Weird times.
What I find really interesting, is that China are very silent about this… it’s a major trade route and China needs to sell goods as much as ‘the west’ needs to buy them… it’s a symbiotic relationship…<br />Are they just sitting back and watching the fire works?
The costs to Chinese exporters have increased and their economy was already suffering along with those of everyone else.
I don't think that we'll hear much unless the world decided to realign its suppliers to other countries that are closer. A two-week delay in shipments is more palatable and cheaper if you can knock a week or more off by using manufacturers in Turkey and India, for example.
I'd be very surprised if China wanted to be associated, even in the most indirect way imaginable, with US-proposed UK-backed action. They're more likely to have a quiet chat with Iran, backed up by interested parties such as Egypt who must be losing a fortune in Suez Canal Authority charges
and may do something
So anything we, or the US or NATO do before NK does anything will be completely justified. Not the best narrative to promote peace or dialog.
ITV interviews a man in a group waving a white flag at Israeli forces in Gaza. Once the interview is finished, an Israeli sniper shoots him dead.
https://twitter.com/Lowkey0nline/status/1749927301444174143?s=20
Ernie, please would you give a clue to your youtube links
"...one of the poorest countries in the world...there has been famine..." and yet they're managing to spaff dozens of missiles on international shipping.
Why is it only "mothers" who die in these conflicts? Two per day according to the good Doctor Francois, who has only seen a couple of guys in dinghies threatening warships...
In other news...
https://thebulletin.org/doomsday-clock/ it's still 90 seconds to midnight on the final countdown
Why is it only “mothers” who die in these conflicts?
You obviously watched a different clip to me timba.
In the clip that I watched Myriam François did not say that only mothers die in these conflicts.
What Myriam François was doing in my clip was to both emphasis how indiscriminate the widespread killing of civilians is and the real human cost.
Young children experiencing the deaths of their mothers through bombings and missiles strikes is beyond tragic. That is exactly what is happening currently in Gaza. Although maybe the luckier ones are dying with their parents.
