America launches the economic side of the Middle East peace plan amid skepticism

yota691 · June 10, 2018

Putin: We have achieved tangible results for our cooperation with Iran in the settlement of the Syrian crisis

10/6/2018 12:00 am

Reuters / Agencies

Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed the existence of tangible results of cooperation between Russia and Iran in resolving the Syrian crisis and finding solutions.

"We are successfully cooperating in resolving the Syrian crisis," Putin said during a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rowhani on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in China. We have here what we are talking about, because there are concrete results in this regard. " "I welcome this opportunity to work with you on the sidelines of the international meeting within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization." For his part, the Iranian president stressed that the results of interaction with Russia on ensuring the security of the region is concrete. "As for our interaction on issues related to ensuring security and stability in this region, the results appear stronger every day than in the past and we will continue our pursuit of it even more," he said. "The cooperation between Tehran and Moscow on the battlefield in the fight against terrorism and the elimination of various extremist and radical groups has proved to be very successful," Rowhani said. Nasrallah: We will not get out of Syria

At the same time, Hizbullah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah considered that if the whole world met to force Hezbollah out of Syria, it would succeed only at the request of the Syrian leadership.
"There is no problem at any time, place or area. When the Syrian leadership sees that Hezbollah should not be present in Syria, we will be thankful," Nasrallah said in a speech during the celebration of Jerusalem International Day in the southern town of Maroun al-Ras. "If we meet the whole world to force us out of Syria, it will not take us out, but there is one way to do that is to ask the Syrian leadership to do so." He pointed out that Syria «has been subjected to a global war and today, thank God, the largest area of Syria has become safe and it is clear that the hostile axis is seeking to achieve some gains .. Israel was betting on the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and sees the militants interest in it, Syria says the battle in Syria is to get Iran and Hezbollah out of Syria. "
He added: "Confess the Zionists that you were defeated in Syria and failed to drop the pillar of the resistance tent and that your bets on the terrorist groups went out of their way before they came to consider that the battle is to get Iran and Hezbollah out of Syria. I say to every axis that fought in Syria. .

Butifldrm · June 12, 2018

Moqtada al-Sadr welcomes the return of the Jews of Iraq

By Saad Salloum June 11, 2018

BRIEFLY

At a time when the Iraqi constitution avoided mention of the Jewish community and excluded Iraqi legislation from the provisions of the restoration of nationality, the initiative of the Shiite leader Moqtada al-Sadr, the issue of the Jews of Iraq back to the limelight.

In a bold move, Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr welcomed the return of the Jews, who were driven out of Iraq half a century ago. Sadr has published an answer on June 2 to a question from one of his followers read: Is it permissible for Jews Alaracaa origin return to Iraq after their emigration policies earlier in the middle of the last century? Knowing that they have property, and were formerly part of Iraqi society? Sadr responded to the question by the following answer, which is tantamount to a fatwa: If their loyalty to Iraq, they are welcome.

In addition to winning the list of "Suroun" with the highest votes in the current parliamentary elections, and his alliance with the Communist Party in an unprecedented step, the policy of openness to ethnic and religious diversity to reflect a shift In the figure of religious and political leadership Shiite known by the riot and rebellion over the past 15 years.

The follow-up of the positions of the old Muqtada al-Sadr reveal an old positive attitude towards the issue of the Jews of Iraq, in an interview conducted by journalist Sarmad al-Tai with Sadr published in the newspaper " Mada " on 1/4/2013 welcomed Sadr, "the Jew who prefers Iraq to Israel, And between a Muslim or a Christian, and anyone who does not carry out his national duties is not an Iraqi even if he is a Shiite Muslim. "

In an interview with the "Monitor," said the leader of the Sadrist movement, Dia al-Asadi: his current distinguishes between Zionism as a secular political movement behind the establishment of Israel as a state, and the Jews of Iraq as a religious minority rooted in Iraq. Sadr, whose policy of openness to religious diversity is part of his comprehensive reform program to ease the sectarian and religious polarization of Iraqi politics, supports the return of Iraqi Jews and calls for their protection and all citizenship rights for them while criticizing the establishment of the usurped State of Palestine.

Commenting on Sadr's recent position, Sarmad al-Tai said in an interview with Al-Munawwar that Sadr, in his response to the issue of the return of the Jews of Iraq, had defied him by speaking openly about a sensitive issue that included recognition of a forgotten religious community. A political or religious leader Since the immigration of the Jews of Iraq in 1950-1951 to raise this issue in such a clear way before.

Al-Sadr's response sent a sigh of relief to the Jewish community outside Iraq. The Vice-President of British Jewry and the Personal Envoy of the President of the European Jewish Congress, Edwin Shukr, saw the Sadr initiative as an important moment for breaking the ice between the official Islamic religious establishment and the issue of the Jews of Iraq. Has been neglected for more than half a century represents a real revolution has changed the preparations of large sectors of Iraqi society. Edwin thanked Shukr for his willingness to meet Sadr and thank him on behalf of the community.

Professor Ronen Zaidel, a specialist on Iraqi affairs at the University of Haifa, who expressed particular interest in Sadr's policies, saw Sadr's link to the return of the Jews on the condition of "loyalty to Iraq" as a conditional opening to those who hold passports and nationalities other than Israeli nationality.

However, Ronen Zaidel expressed cautious optimism, saying that this could be a first step to start a dialogue with the representatives of Iraq's expatriate Jews on all issues related to the future of the Jewish community in Iraq, and does not raise the ceiling of expectations of a coup in Iraqi politics towards this issue, "Iraqi authorities may allow members of the Jewish community to visit their holy shrines and shrines without further political rights or the restoration of citizenship."

It is known that Iraq includes many of the holy shrines of the Jews, notably: Tomb of the Prophet Haskayl in the province of Babylon, the tomb of Ezra Hsoufir (Azir) in the province of Maysan, the tomb of the Prophet Daniel in the province of Kirkuk, the tomb of the Prophet Yona in Mosul (destroyed by a preacher). Finally, the tomb of the Prophet Nahum in Qush.

In this context, Shaker hoped that "the openness of Sadr will be the start of public interest to preserve the holy Jewish places, which are common symbols of the Abrahamic religious heritage within Iraq, perhaps to pave the way for rebuilding ties between the new generations freed from the contract of hatred and the fears of conflict" .

It is worth mentioning that the Iraqi constitution in 2005 except for the recognition of Judaism, although he said all religions officially recognized, such as: Islam, Christianity, Mandaean, Yezidi (Article 2.2), with the knowledge that the law of sects and religious ofofficially recognized in Iraq 1981 provided for the mention of the Jewish community within the officially recognized denominations, although its designation had changed to "Musawi" after the law was called the "Israeli community" to avoid mentioning the word "Israel" which might raise sensitivities in the atmosphere of conflict with Israel , Fearing that this would be a form of official recognition and approval See the existence of the Jewish state.

The law of sexual of Iraq of the new 2006 spent the return of Iraqi nationality to those who fell on their nationality for political, racial or sectarian decisions (Article 17), and benefited from a number of opponents of Saddam Hussein from politicians and minority Faili and members of other minorities, but it excluded Jews Iraq of its provisions (Article 17 / II).

Finally, under the policy of continuing neglect of the rights of the Jewish community in Iraq, Sadr's open-minded policy toward the return of Iraqi Jews may bring their cause back to the limelight after being forgotten for decades.

Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/ar/originals/2018/06/iraqi-jewish-muqtada-sadr.html#ixzz5IDElOhLZ

Edited June 12, 2018 by Butifldrm

Butifldrm · June 15, 2018

Turkish lira economy is retreating after Erdogan's threats

The Turkish lira is declining after Erdogan's threats

Twilight News

2 hours ago

The Turkish lira fell against the dollar on Thursday in volatile trading ahead of a holiday in the country, with investors ignoring comments from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in which he sharply criticized Moody's.
Mr Erdogan has repeatedly described criticism by credit rating agencies as an attack on Turkey and said in an interview late on Wednesday he would take action against Moody's after the June 24 election.

Last week, Moody's downgraded its ratings of 17 Turkish banks, saying "Turkey's operating environment has deteriorated."

By 14:28 GMT, the Turkish currency hit 4.6853 against the dollar, down slightly from 4.6600 at the close of the previous session.

Turkish voters go to the polls on the 24th of this month in parliamentary and presidential elections.

On the Istanbul Stock Exchange, the main index of shares rose 1.11 percent, to close at 94540.84 points after a brief trading session.

Turkish markets will be closed on Friday, the Eid holiday.

Keywords:

http://www.shafaaq.com/ar/Ar_NewsReader/97c93580-2610-4704-a8a6-b18a55df0ae5

Butifldrm · June 18, 2018

Mike Pence gets USAID to dole out more than $100 million to help Christians and Yazidis in Iraq

by Diana Stancy Correll

| June 16, 2018 10:57 AM

Iraqi Christians attend Mass at Our Lady of Salvation Church in Baghdad, Iraq.

The United States Agency for International Development is set to dole out millions to Christian and Yazidi communities in Iraq, amid the urging from Vice President Mike Pence, a new report says.

According to USAID administrator Mark Green, $10 million will be given to multiple groups, including one overseen by Catholic Relief Services, and another $25 million will go toward assisting “persecuted communities” in Iraq, mostly comprised of Christians and Yazidis.

As a result, the U.S. will provide more than $100 million in this fiscal year to the two religious minorities, the Washington Post reports.

“I want to make a promise to each and every one of you,” Pence said at the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting Wednesday. “We will not rest until we give our fellow Christians and persecuted communities across the Middle East the resources and support they need to recover, rebuild, and flourish in their ancient homeland once again.”

Pence announced in October that President Trump had ordered the State Department to stop funding “ineffective” United Nations relief efforts to combat the persecution of Christians in the Middle East and that instead, the U.S. would support Christians through USAID and faith-based groups.

It's uncertain which groups will receive less or no funding as a result of the U.S. directing funds to religious minorities.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/mike-pence-gets-usaid-to-dole-out-more-than-100-million-to-help-christians-and-yazidis-in-iraq

Butifldrm · June 19, 2018

Unprecedented Israeli Strikes Target Iraqi Shia Militias In Syria

by Tyler Durden

Mon, 06/18/2018 - 23:15

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A day after a mysterious airstrike close to the Iraq-Syria border reportedly killed over 30 Syrian government soldiers and Iraqi paramilitary forces backed by Iran, a US official has told CNN the attack was carried out by Israel and not by the US coalition.

Syrian state media blamed the strike on the US-led coalition — though in the immediate aftermath any level of confirmation or evidence was hard to come by. The claims prompted the US coalition spokesman to issue a formal denial, calling Syria's accusation "misinformation" as US-backed SDF forces are only operating east of the Euphrates, and not near Abu Kamal, which lies west, according to the statement.

If confirmed it would mark the first time in the war that Iraq's paramilitary forces have been targeted by Israel. The Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Units (PMU, or PMF) have increasingly coordinated with the Syrian Army as well as pro-Syrian irregular Shia fighters during anti-ISIS operations along Syria's eastern border of late.

The incident marks the second time in three weeks that the Syrian Army has accused the US Coalition of bombing their troops in southeast Syria; however it is uncertain as yet how Damascus will respond to this new claim of Israeli responsibility.

The CNN source is an unnamed US official, who gave no other details on the strike, including how many jets conducted the mission or the flight path into the Iraq-Syria border area, though CNN notes, "The area is some distance from Israel and Israeli jets would have had to overcome significant logistical hurdles to strike that area."

Joyce Karam

✔@Joyce_Karam

16h

Wow. #Israel carried out Airstrikes against pro Iran Iraqi Militias in #Syria last night. First Target of a Kind, and location for Israel. CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/18/politics/israel-us-strike-syria/index.html …

Joyce Karam

✔@Joyce_Karam

This is a very big deal because it’s first time Israel:
•Targets Iraqi Shi’a Militias in Syria
•Goes as far as BouKamal
•strikes in area with heavy US and Russia and Regime Air Force

1:35 PM - Jun 18, 2018

24

45 people are talking about this

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And as Al Masdar News points out, Israel "has never attacked the Syrian military this far from their border, so if they were behind this – this would be the first time they have every bombed the Deir Ezzor Governorate."

The last confirmed Israeli strike in Deir Ezzor was in 2007, when Israel destroyed an alleged nuclear reactor in al-Kibar. Up until now in the war confirmed there have been acknowledged Israeli attacks in western Syria, around Damascus, and in the Homs desert (T-4 airbase).

Syrian military sources initially told Reuters that the strikes were conducted by attack drones flying from the direction of U.S. lines. Syrian forces did not respond to the attacks which left dozens of Syrian Army, allied National Defense Forces (NDF), and Iraqi paramilitary troops killed and wounded in the town of Al-Harri, in the Abu Kamal countryside.

Though casualty numbers have varied slightly — with opposition media site SOHR citing 38 and pro-government sources citing well over 40 — it marks a significant escalation given the high death toll against units which were in the midst of battling remnant ISIS pockets in Syria's east.

The attack came the same day that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a cabinet meeting, "We will take action - and are already taking action - against efforts to establish a militarily presence by Iran and its proxies in Syria both close to the border and deep inside Syria. We will act against these efforts anywhere in Syria."

Netanyahu's words follow similar statements made last week wherein he accused Iran of importing 80,000 Shia fighters into the Syrian conflict from places like Pakistan and Afghanistan in order to both "covert" Syrian Sunnis and prepare attacks against Israel, claiming that a broader "religious war" would emerge.

“That is a recipe for a re-inflammation of another civil war - I should say a theological war, a religious war - and the sparks of that could be millions more that go into Europe and so on ... And that would cause endless upheaval and terrorism in many, many countries,” Netanyahu said before an international security forum in Jerusalem last Thursday.

“Obviously we are not going to let them do it. We’ll fight them. By preventing that - and we have bombed the bases of this, these Shi’ite militias - by preventing that, we are also offering, helping the security of your countries, the security of the world,” he said.

Currently, new reports of a "massive build-up" of Syrian Army troops and their allies in Syria's south continue to emerge after Assad recently reaffirmed his desire to liberate "every inch" of sovereign Syrian territory. As the army conducts operations increasingly close to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, the likelihood of more direct Syria-Israel clashes to come is high.

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-06-18/unprecedented-israeli-strikes-target-iraqi-shia-militias-syria

Butifldrm · June 19, 2018

The US ambassador talks about the bombing that targeted Iraqi factions in Albu Kamal

Since 54 minutes

The US ambassador to Baghdad, Douglas Seelman, on Tuesday rejected the involvement of his country in the bombing of Iraqi factions in the Syrian area of Albu Kamal.

This came during a meeting with the Vice President of the Republic, Osama Najafi on June 19, 2018, according to a statement issued by the office of the second.

"The US Air Force is not responsible for the long-term attack by some Iraqi factions in Syria," the ambassador said. "There is no US air activity in the region."

The statement added that "the meeting discussed the political files of common interest, where Nujaifi presented the position of the coalition of Iraqi decision on the subject of electoral violations and the decision of the House of Representatives in the third amendment to the electoral law, with reference to the role of the Judicial Council and the Federal Supreme Court in resolving the issues on them in line with justice And concern for the country. "

He pointed out that "the American ambassador listened during the meeting," the vision of Najafi of the issue of the invitation of the Prime Minister and keen to contribute seriously to dismantle the problems and push the political process forward, "reiterating its emphasis on" an efficient government program able to address crises and respond to the aspirations People ".

The statement continued that "Nujaifi for his part listened to" the position of the United States of America expressed by the Ambassador with regard to the files for discussion, "stressing the US's keenness to" support and help Iraq. "

The Popular Propaganda Authority said on Monday that an American bombardment on the Iraqi border with Syria killed 22 members and wounded 12 others .

But the Iraqi army said in a statement later that no forces of the "popular crowd" or other Iraqi forces in charge of securing the Iraqi-Syrian border were hit by any air strike and that the strike took place inside Syrian territory .

An air strike targeting a Syrian military site in the south-eastern suburb of Deir al-Zour killed more than 50 and wounded several others, activists said.

http://www.nrttv.com/Ar/News.aspx?id=1543&MapID=2

Butifldrm · June 19, 2018

Israel quiet on US claims it hit Iraq militia in Syria

1227111-1327806117.jpg?itok=q_5OkqIm

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (AFP/ POOL / Ronen Zvulun )

Updated 13 sec ago

AFP

June 19, 201806:36

310

The Sunday evening strike against the Al-Hari base on the Syrian side of the border with Iraq came less than 24 hours after Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would strike Iran’s “proxies” anywhere in Syria

Syrian authorities and the Iraqi paramilitaries both blamed Washington for the strike, which killed at least 52 fighters, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights

JERUSALEM: Israel declined to comment on Tuesday on a weekend air strike against an Iraqi paramilitary base in eastern Syria after its US ally implicated it in the attack.
The Sunday evening strike against the Al-Hari base on the Syrian side of the border with Iraq came less than 24 hours after Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would strike Iran’s “proxies” anywhere in Syria.
Fighters of Iraq’s Hashed Al-Shaabi paramilitary force, mainly composed of Iran-trained Shiite militia, have played a major role in the war against the Sunni extremists of the Daesh group in Syria as well as Iraq.
But their presence has sparked confrontations with both Washington, which has been supporting a Kurdish-led alliance that controls other parts of eastern Syria, and Israel, which fears Iranian-inspired attacks on its forces in the occupied Golan Heights.
Syrian authorities and the Iraqi paramilitaries both blamed Washington for the strike, which killed at least 52 fighters, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
But US officials denied any involvement and instead pointed the finger at Israel.
“We have reasons to believe that it was an Israeli strike,” one US official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
The Israeli military declined to be drawn on the US claims. “We are not commenting on foreign reports,” a spokeswoman said.
The military has carried out previous strikes against Iranian targets in Syria, but most have been significantly closer to Israel or the Israeli-occupied Golan.
Last month, Israel launched a large-scale attack on what it said were Iranian targets in Syria, raising fears of a major confrontation.
Those strikes followed a barrage of rockets that Israel said was fired toward its forces in the occupied Golan by Iran from Syria.
Even before that, Israel had been blamed for a series of recent strikes inside Syria that killed Iranians, though it has not acknowledged them.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday morning, Netanyahu reiterated his position that “Iran needs to withdraw from all of Syria.”
“We will take action — and are already taking action — against efforts to establish a military presence by Iran and its proxies in Syria both close to the border and deep inside Syria,” the prime minister said.
“We will act against these efforts anywhere in Syria.”
Israeli seized a large swathe of the Golan Heights from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognized by the international community.
Iran has been a close ally of the Syrian regime for some four decades and, with Russia, has been a key supporter in the civil war that broke out in 2011.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1323941/middle-east

MyLadiesDaddy · June 19, 2018

White House says Kushner met Jordan's Abdullah about Israeli-Palestinian peace

by Reuters

Tuesday, 19 June 2018 13:32 GMT

WASHINGTON, June 19 (Reuters) - White House Senior Adviser Jared Kushner, who is also President Donald Trump's son-in-law, met on Tuesday with Jordan's King Abdullah about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the Trump administration's efforts on creating peace between Israel and the Palestinian territories, the White House said on Tuesday.

The meeting, which also included Special Representative for International Negotiations Jason Greenblatt, came one day after a tete-a-tete between the king of the Arab nation and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on advancing regional peace. The Trump administration has been working on an Israeli-Palestinian plan, but it has yet to be made public.

http://news.trust.org/item/20180619133252-9t8jz

Butifldrm · June 19, 2018

international

Sources: Washington will announce its withdrawal officially from the UN Human Rights Council

21:38 - 19/06/2018

Information / follow up

The United States will formally announce on Tuesday its withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council, Bloomberg and Reuters reported.

"The announcement of the departure of the United States from this UN body will come at 17:00 New York time (21:00 GMT and 00:00 Moscow time) by the US Secretary of State," Bloomberg quoted two sources familiar with the debate on this issue in the US administration. , Mike Pompeo, and the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Nicky Hailey.

The United States has repeatedly accused the United Nations Human Rights Council, which was created in Geneva in 2006 and has 47 members, under the current mandate of its current president, Donald Trump, of anti-Israel bias and a systematic campaign against it.

In May, the Human Rights Council adopted a resolution calling for an international investigation into the killing of more than 60 Palestinians by the Israeli army during demonstrations on the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel on May 14 in response to the opening of the US embassy. In Jerusalem, which was contrary to all international resolutions on the settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Tension between the two sides continued at the opening of the 38th session of the council, which began on Monday with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zaid Raad al-Hussein, who called on the president of the United States to stop the "unscrupulous" measures to separate the children of illegal immigrants from their families on the American border South. End 25 n

http://www.almaalomah.com/2018/06/19/319237/

Butifldrm · June 19, 2018

US 'to quit UN human rights council'

1 hour ago

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley attends the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland June 6, 2017

Image copyrightREUTERS

Image caption US ambassador Nikki Haley warned last year the US was thinking of pulling out

The US is set to pull out of the United Nations Human Rights Council, unnamed UN officials say.

The US UN envoy Nikki Haley and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are set make the announcement later on Tuesday.

Ms Haley last year accused the council of "chronic anti-Israel bias" and said the US was reviewing its membership.

Formed in 2006, the council has been criticised for allowing countries with questionable human rights records to be members.

UN officials have not commented on the expected US announcement. "We will wait to hear the details of that decision before commenting further," said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

The reported move comes amid intense criticism over the Trump administration's policy of separating child migrants from their parents at the US-Mexico border.

UN human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad called the policy "unconscionable".

Meanwhile the campaign group Human Rights Watch criticised President Trump's human rights policy as "one-dimensional".

"The UN Human Rights Council has played an important role in such countries as North Korea, Syria, Myanmar and South Sudan, but all Trump seems to care about is defending Israel," said HRW executive director Kenneth Roth.

What is the UN Human Rights Council?

Created in 2006 to replace the UN's Human Rights Commission, which was widely discredited for electing member states with questionable track records on human rights

All of the 47 members are elected for three-year terms

The council aims to shine a spotlight on rights abuses by adopting resolutions but has faced similar criticism to the commission

In 2013, human rights groups complained when China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Vietnam were elected to the body

The US only joined in 2009 under President Barack Obama. It is midway through its current term

In her first address to the council a year ago, Ms Haley said it was "hard to accept" that resolutions had been passed against Israel yet none had been considered for Venezuela, which at the time saw dozens of protesters killed during political turmoil.

"It is essential that this council address its chronic anti-Israel bias if it is to have any credibility," she said.

Israel is the only country that is subject to a permanent standing agenda item, meaning its treatment of the Palestinians is regularly scrutinised.

Leaving the council would would be the latest rejection by the US of multilateral efforts, including the Paris climate agreement and the Iran nuclear deal.

https://www.bbc.com/news/44537372

Butifldrm · June 20, 2018

Parliamentary Security calls for an emergency session to discuss the Israeli aggression on the border

10:04 - 20/06/2018

0

%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9

Information / Baghdad ..

The parliamentary security and defense committee on Wednesday called on the House of Representatives to hold an emergency session to discuss the repercussions of the Zionist air strike on the positions of the Hezbollah Brigades on the Iraqi-Syrian border.

The member of the Committee Iskandar and Tutt said in a statement to the information that "targeting the sites of the Popular Brigades (Hezbollah Brigades) stationed on the border by the Zionist entity is intentional and not by mistake," adding that "the bombing falls within the attempts of the US administration And Israel re-urging to Iraq. "

"The government and the House of Representatives must stand firm against these repeated attacks on the popular groups that are holding the border to prevent the infiltration of criminals calling for Iraqi territory," Wattout said, calling for the parliament to hold an emergency session to discuss the criminal assault on the resistance factions stationed on the border "He said.

The Hezbollah Brigades confirmed on Tuesday that the crime of targeting its fighters on the Iraqi-Syrian border "will reopen the confrontation with the Zionist entity and the American project," noting that it will not hesitate to go towards that confrontation. Ending / 25

http://www.almaalomah.com/2018/06/20/319296/

Butifldrm · June 20, 2018

Politician

Parliamentary security reveals the reasons for the "horror of the US embassy" in Baghdad

15:50 - 20/06/2018

%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%

Information / Special ...

The Security and Defense Committee on Wednesday revealed the reasons for tight security fees and heavy US air traffic around the US embassy in the Green Zone in central Baghdad.

A member of the committee, Iskandar and Tutt said in a statement to the information that "US forces inside the Green Zone have spread heavily and tightened security measures around the perimeter of the embassy in the Green Zone in the center of Baghdad, as well as heavy air traffic over the buildings."

He added that "the strict procedures inside and outside the embassy and the use of internal shelters came in anticipation of adverse reactions after the forces of the popular crowd to air bombing by the International Coalition in the border area with the Syrian border on Monday".

The security source had revealed on Wednesday, the tightening of security measures in the vicinity of the US embassy inside the Green Zone in downtown Baghdad, pointing to the presence of intensive movement of "reconnaissance".

The leader of the Anbar crowd, Tariq al-Honey, on Wednesday, the American soldiers at the base of Ain al-Assad in the west of the province to the sanctuaries of al-Qaeda, following the Israeli strike targeting Hezbollah fighters on the Iraqi-Syrian border, stressing that the Israeli bombing comes in support of the " "The criminal

http://www.almaalomah.com/2018/06/20/319421/

Butifldrm · June 21, 2018

Strange bedfellows are cooperating and sharing intelligence in Iraq

June 20, 2018 at 11:48 am | Published in: Article, Iran, Iraq, Middle East, Opinion, Russia, Syria, US

An Iraqi air force crew chief marshals a King Air 350 intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to the taxiway, at New Al Muthana Air Base, Iraq [US Air Force / Senior Airman Perry Aston]

June 20, 2018 at 11:48 am

12

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Generals from Syria, Iran and Russia convened at the joint-intel centre (JIC) inside Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone last week to discuss matters of national security and cooperation. The meeting was held in response to an official invitation from Iraqi intelligence director Saad Al-Alaq.

Fifteen months after the so-called Islamic State’s blitzkrieg of Iraqi cities, the three states plus Iraq have entered into an intelligence-sharing arrangement to boost efforts to end the scourge of terrorism in the country and across the region. The murky coverage that the meeting received in the Arabic-language media offered few details beyond the need to discuss common security issues between intel-partners.

Al-Alaq expressed quiet confidence in his country’s power, and that of its partners, to strengthen existing relations and coordinate intelligence networks, local reports claimed.

The establishment of the JIC in September 2015 was preceded by a long tally of victories for Iraq’s security forces, allied militias and coalition partners against the terrorist organisation, but Daesh cells continue to operate across the barren desert in western Iraq. The final major battle was fought in the ancient heart of Mosul back in July last year, but security sweeps in and around the Nineveh plains continue almost a year later. In Ar-Rutbah, across the desert in Anbar province, counter-terrorism operations similar to efforts in neighbouring Syria’s Deir Ezzor are currently underway.

Intelligence sharing across both Daesh-infested territories has been central to counterterrorism operations, despite the extremists’ creeping resurgence in the months since Mosul’s liberation was announced.

The willingness to share, as signalled by the 2015 agreement, was welcomed by Iraqi state officials, yet benefits have been slow to materialize. Sharing is generally regarded as a key feature of intelligence, although the process of managing human intelligence networks, technology use and oversight between the four intel-sharing countries remains hidden from public view.

READ: Optimism fades as election results in Iraq are annulled

Benefits and costs, as well as the hierarchical ranking of each country, is better understood within the greater context of alliance formations and the seismic shifts sweeping the Middle East. Of the four states, Iraq — the host of the latest four-member intel-alliance — is perhaps the most subordinate, followed closely by Syria; both answer to Iran. Intelligence they uncover is accessible to the strongest partners, Iran and Russia, whose overseas operations display open disregard for the sovereignty of regional states. Although Russia entered the battlefields of Iraq and Syria at the invitation of the Syrian regime, it has responded and capitalized on the needs of states which are struggling.

The most pressing risk, as the arrangement may soon confirm, is the confirmation of existing policies. Worse still, we could see the normalisation of the military presence of foreign powers which view their role as crusaders fighting against Daesh.

#IRAQ

This is not the first alliance of Iraq’s intel-partners, but is arguably the first of the new partnerships, particularly with Russia, agreed at a time when America draws down its troops in Iraq.

The growing US reticence to supply information with a government allied closely to regional foe Iran has brought the four states closer, but their interests are not shared by the Trump administration. Even so, the powers are connected in more ways than one.

Vladimir Putin’s Russia appears to be applying a thing or two learnt from America’s adventurism playbook by turning the region into its own experimental playground, and blurring the distinction between mercenaries and soldiers. Russia, alongside Iran and America, is the latest powerhouse hoping to steer a new direction in the conflict against Daesh.

A steady stream of intelligence and security cooperation not only serves the war on terror but also bolsters the powers which form the intelligence cell and thus extends the shelf-life of their hegemonic schemes that care little for public interest. The more powers that share Russia’s aspirations, the more likely that America’s eventual and total departure becomes. For now, though, these shared aspirations are keeping some very strange bedfellows bound very closely together.

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180620-strange-bedfellows-are-cooperating-and-sharing-intelligence-in-iraq/

MyLadiesDaddy · June 22, 2018

Kushner, Egypt’s Sissi discuss Israel-Palestinian peace process

Egyptian president calls for two-state solution, with East Jerusalem as Palestinian capital

In this Thursday, June 21, 2018 photo, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, center, meets with US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, second left, and Mideast envoy Jason Greenblatt on the latest stop in a regional tour to discuss a blueprint for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal, in Cairo, Egypt. (MENA via AP)

US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner and his special envoy Jason Greenblatt met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi on Thursday to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Sissi told the US diplomats, who are touring the region in a bid to revive long-stalled talks, that Egypt supports a “just and comprehensive settlement” to the conflict.

He argued in favor of a “two-state solution on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital of the state of Palestine,” the presidency said in a statement.

Trump’s administration sparked anger across the Arab world in December by recognizing Jerusalem as capital of the Jewish state, a move that was welcomed by Israelis across the political spectrum.

The Palestinian leadership responded by freezing all contacts with US officials.

In May Washington moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, sparking mass demonstrations and stoking deadly clashes on Israel’s flashpoint border with Gaza.

The White House said Thursday that Kushner and Greenblatt had discussed increasing cooperation between the US and Egypt.

They also talked about “the need to facilitate humanitarian relief to Gaza, and the Trump administration’s efforts to facilitate peace between the Israelis and Palestinians,” it said.

Sissi’s office said he had told them Egypt maintains “ongoing contacts with the parties concerned to advance efforts to revive negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis.”

He also pointed to Egypt’s efforts to promote reconciliation between the Fatah movement of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and the Hamas terror group, which rules Gaza.

The PA, which sees the Trump administration as biased toward Israel, said Saturday that US plans to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are “doomed to fail.”

Kushner and Greenblatt met Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Amman on Tuesday before visiting Riyadh to meet Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

They are reportedly planning visits to Israel and Qatar.

Butifldrm · June 23, 2018

Madar details "secretly" between Hadi Al Ameri and Trump's smelter in an Arab country

The agency reveals the people who were accompanied by the president of the conquest alliance

40 minutes ago

NRT

Amman - Jordan's Ammoun announced on Saturday a secret meeting between the head of the Fatah alliance, Hadi al-Amiri, and US President Donald Trump's adviser, Jared Kouchner, in Amman .

The agency quoted a source as saying on June 23, 2018 that "Amiri warned Kouchner of (the deal of the century), and dealt with the latest efforts on the Iraqi arena to form the largest bloc and the formation of the next Iraqi government."

Amoun added that the head of the Fatah alliance Hadi al-Amiri, conducted an Arab tour, accompanied by his son and Iraqi politician Izzat Shabandar, in addition to an Iraqi businessman .

"I have no knowledge of any foreign visit by al-Amiri," said Karim al-Nuri, a spokesman for Amiri's Badr Organization.

Iraqi sources said recently that "the head of the Fatah alliance Hadi al-Amiri, conducted an Arab tour, accompanied by his son and Iraqi politician Izzat Shabandar, and an Iraqi businessman."

She added that "a private plane belonging to an Iraqi businessman took the head of the Fatah alliance Hadi al-Amiri and his son in addition to the businessman Sayed Wahab al-Husseini and Izzat Shabandar, in an Arab tour ended in Turkey, and then to Baghdad," noting that the tour began on 19 of this month, On Friday. "

The al-Fath coalition, which includes most of the popular popular factions, won 47 seats in Iraq's May 12 parliamentary elections .

Al-Amiri and the leader of the Sadrist movement Moqtada al-Sadr announced that they would enter into an alliance between the Fatah list and the Sadrists supported by Sadr and won 54 seats in the next parliament.

http://www.nrttv.com/Ar/News.aspx?id=1673&MapID=2

yota691 · June 24, 2018

Trump Fusion: The Middle East plan is about to be finalized and we will publish it soon

Editorial Date: 2018/6/24 12:27 • 266 times read

(Reuters) - US President Donald Trump and his top aide in an interview with the Palestinian daily al-Quds said he was "ready to work with President Mahmoud Abbas."

"I am ready to work with President Abbas if he wants to, and I believe he is committed to peace," said the interview, published on Sunday.
"You deserve to have a bright future. Now is the time for both Israelis and Palestinians to strengthen their leadership, to be open to a solution and not to fear the attempt," Kouchner said in the interview published in Arabic.
Washington has said it has a peace plan but Abbas has refused to meet with Trump after deciding in December to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the US embassy there.
The Palestinians want East Jerusalem to be the capital of their future state.
"I do not want to talk about the details of the deal we're working on," said Kouchner, who took the lead on Trump's plan. "But soon, we're just about to finish," said Kouchner.
"If President Abbas is ready to return to the table, we are ready to participate in the debate, and if not, we will publish the plan publicly."
"I believe that in order to reach an agreement, both parties will gain more than they give and will feel confident that the lives of their people will be better off decades from now because of the concessions they are making."
The interview was published after the White House confirmed that Kouchner and Jason Greenblatt, Trump's envoy to the Middle East, met Saturday in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Ambassador David Friedman "to continue the discussions that began last Friday."
Kouchner and Greenblatt's visit to Jerusalem came after a regional tour that included Jordan, Egypt and Qatar, and held talks in Saudi Arabia, which Israel shares with Iran.

Most analysts doubt the ability of Kouchner and Greenblatt, both of whom have no previous diplomatic experience, to reach an agreement.
Kouchner's remarks to Jerusalem, which she described as his "first ever dialogue with any newspaper" on the US administration's Middle East peace initiative, highlight Trump's attempts to deliver a direct message to the Palestinian people at a time when their leaders refused to meet with The American team.
"They have made it clear that they want to see a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. They want an agreement that will enable the Palestinian people to live in peace and have the same economic opportunities as the citizens of their countries," Kouchner said.
"They want to see a deal that respects the dignity of the Palestinians and provides a realistic solution to the issues that have been discussed for decades, all insist that the Al-Aqsa Mosque should remain open to all Muslims who wish to pray."
Kouchner stressed the economic benefits of the deal and said, "We believe we can attract very large investments in public and private infrastructure" to improve the Palestinian economy.
Asked about the extent to which his plan differs from previous initiatives, Kouchner said: "We did a lot of listening and spent our time focusing on the people and trying to determine what they really wanted."
"I think the Palestinian leadership is saying these things because they are afraid that we will publish our peace plan and the Palestinian people will like it because it will lead to new opportunities for it to achieve a much better life," Kouchner said. .
He said he was not communicating directly with Abbas but "President Abbas knows that we are in the region and we have many common knowledge that brings messages."
"President Abbas says he is committed to peace and I have no reason not to believe him," he said, adding, "I doubt, however, whether President Abbas, or his will, tends to end the deal. He has points of dialogue that have not changed during the five years Twenty years ago, "no peace agreement was reached at the time."
"The situation in Gaza is very sad, the humanitarian situation began long before President Trump came to power, but we must try to make improvements," Kouchner said. "The level of despair is the worst scenario for what happens when Leave these problems unresolved and allow them to continue. "
"The people of Gaza are hostages of bad leadership, they can not communicate with the international community." Israel and the United States consider Hamas a terrorist organization.
The plan is expected to propose detailed solutions to key issues in the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, such as borders, the future of Israeli settlements, the fate of Palestinian refugees and security.
Trump said it would support a two-state solution if both sides agreed, but in the interview Kouchner did not commit to a two-state solution.
Asked about "core" issues amid Kouchner's "strong" focus on economic matters, he said: "The traditional core issues are necessary and we focus on intensively, with great appreciation for the historical differences between the two sides."
"We are committed to finding a package of solutions that both sides can live with, just solving the core issues without creating a path to a better life that will not lead to a lasting solution."

ChuckFinley · June 24, 2018

I would love to see Trump get this done, This could really go a long way to stabilizing all of the ME. :twocents:

nannab · June 24, 2018

One can only hope and pray that this works.

MyLadiesDaddy · June 24, 2018

Trump adviser Kushner says will publish Mideast plan 'soon' -newspaper

by Reuters

Sunday, 24 June 2018

By Stephen Farrell and Nidal al-Mughrabi

JERUSALEM, June 24 (Reuters) - Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump's senior adviser, said that he is "ready to work" with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, a newspaper reported on Sunday.

Kushner, who is married to Trump's daughter Ivanka, spoke in an interview with the Palestinian newspaper Al Quds, the Arabic name for Jerusalem.

In the interview, which was headlined, "I am ready to work with President Abbas, if he wishes" and published in Arabic, Kushner gave a direct message to the Palestinian people: "You deserve to have a bright future, now is the time for both the Israelis and Palestinians to strengthen their leaderships and re-focus them to encourage them to open up towards a solution, and not fear trying," the newspaper reported.

Washington has said it has a peace plan, but Abbas has refused to meet with Trump's team following his decision in December to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to move the U.S. Embassy there. The Palestinians want their own future state with a capital in East Jerusalem.

Kushner, who has taken the lead on Trump's plan, said he did not "wish to talk about the details of the deal that we're working on." But he said it would be ready "soon."

"If President Abbas is ready to go back to the negotiations table, then we are ready to participate in the discussion, but if it's not the case, then we are going to make the plan public."

He added: "I believe that in order to reach an agreement, both parts are going to gain more than they're giving, and both sides will feel confident that the life of their people will be better decades from today because of the concessions that they're offering."

The article was published after the White House confirmed that Kushner and Trump's Mideast envoy Jason Greenblatt met on Saturday in Jerusalem with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and U.S. Ambassador David Friedman "to continue their discussions that began on Friday."

Kushner and Greenblatt's trip to Jerusalem followed a regional tour that included Jordan, Egypt and Qatar. They also held talks in Saudi Arabia, which does not recognize Israel but shares its enmity toward Iran.

The White House has offered few details on a plan that has drawn widespread skepticism even before its unveiling. Most experts question whether Kushner and Greenblatt, both of whom had no prior diplomatic experience, can achieve any deal.

Kushner's remarks to Al Quds, in what the paper billed as his first newspaper interview on the administration's Middle East initiative, highlighted the Trump administration's attempts to deliver a message directly to the Palestinian people, when their leaders have refused to meet with the U.S. team.

Asked by the paper what Arab leaders had told him, Kushner said they "clarified that they want to see a Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital. They want an agreement that enables the Palestinian people to live in peace, and to have the same economic opportunities that their people enjoy."

He added: "They want to see a deal that respects the dignity of the Palestinians, and puts an actual solution to the issues that have been discussed for decades. They all insist that al-Aqsa Mosque should continue to be open to all Muslims who wish to pray."

Kushner emphasised the economic benefits of a deal, saying that he believed "we can attract large investments in the infrastructure from both the private and the public sectors" to improve the Palestinian economy.

Asked by Al Quds editor-in-chief Walid Abu-Zalaf how his plan differs from those that came before, Kushner said he and his team had "spent a lot of time listening, and focusing on the people."

Challenged on the assertion by an Abbas aide that the American plan was "a waste of time and is destined to fail," Kushner said he believed that the Palestinian leadership said such things "because it's afraid that we are going to publish our peaceful plan that will be liked by the Palestinian people."

He said he had not been in direct contact with Abbas, but that intermediaries had passed on messages.

Kushner also made remarks critical of Abbas. The Palestinian lead, Kushner said, "says that he is committed to peace, and I don't have any reason to disbelieve him." But he added: "I question President Abbas' ability, or desire, to finish the deal. He has the same talking points that haven't changed in the past 25 years. A peace hasn't been achieved during that period."

Asked about the situation in Gaza, which is controlled by Abbas' rivals, the Islamist militant group Hamas, Kushner said: "What is happening in Gaza is very sad. The situation started before President Trump came into power but we have to try to make improvements. The level of despair reveals the worst scenario that can happen when things are left without a solution and when it is allowed to continue."

He said Gazans were "hostages to a bad leadership" which was unable to engage with the international community. Hamas is regarded as a terrorist organisation by Israel and the United States.

The plan is expected to propose detailed solutions to core issues in dispute between the Israelis and Palestinians, such as borders, the future of Israeli settlements, the fate of Palestinian refugees and security.

The Trump administration has said it would support a two-state solution if both sides agree to it, but in the interview Kushner did not commit to a two-state solution.

Pressed by the interviewer on the "traditional" issues, as opposed to the economic concerns that he had focused on, Kushner did not go into detail, but said "the fundamental traditional issues are very important" and that his team appreciated "the historical differences between the two sides."

He added: "We are committed to finding a package of solutions the two sides can live with. Resolving fundamental issues without creating a path for a better life will not lead to a lasting solution." (Reporting by Stephen Farrell and Nidal al-Mughrabi Additional reporting by Yara Bayoumy in Washington Editing by Leslie Adler)

navira · June 25, 2018

I wanna bump this to the very top

navira · June 25, 2018

Kushner is a very smart guy and business minded, like his father in law(Trump)...he is doing this for the brighter future for all middleestern countries....and yes the dinar people....very interesting week ahead. Iraq banking system is ramping up...n more...this is not coincidence peeps....peace plan n the banking...and i will say it again...yes the dinar

js214 · June 25, 2018

JERUSALEM, June 24 (Reuters) - Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump's senior adviser, said that he is "ready to work" with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, a newspaper reported on Sunday.

Kushner, who is married to Trump's daughter Ivanka, spoke in an interview with the Palestinian newspaper Al Quds, the Arabic name for Jerusalem.

In the interview, which was headlined, "I am ready to work with President Abbas, if he wishes" and published in Arabic, Kushner gave a direct message to the Palestinian people: "You deserve to have a bright future, now is the time for both the Israelis and Palestinians to strengthen their leaderships and re-focus them to encourage them to open up towards a solution, and not fear trying," the newspaper reported.

Washington has said it has a peace plan, but Abbas has refused to meet with Trump's team following his decision in December to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to move the U.S. Embassy there. The Palestinians want their own future state with a capital in East Jerusalem.

Kushner, who has taken the lead on Trump's plan, said he did not "wish to talk about the details of the deal that we're working on." But he said it would be ready "soon."

"If President Abbas is ready to go back to the negotiations table, then we are ready to participate in the discussion, but if it's not the case, then we are going to make the plan public."