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Category: War

As Ukraine’s economy burns, Russia clings to a semblance of prosperity

As Ukraine’s economy burns, Russia clings to a semblance of prosperity

The Guardian reports: Factories destroyed. Roads blown to pieces. Power plants put out of action. Steel exports decimated. A flood of refugees out of the country. Ukraine – the poorest country in Europe – has paid a heavy economic price for a two-year war against Russia waged almost entirely on its own soil. The figures are stark. More than 7 million people – about a fifth of the population – have been plunged into poverty. Fifteen years of human development…

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How to break the cycle of violence in a one-state reality

How to break the cycle of violence in a one-state reality

Marc Lynch and Shibley Telhami write: The excesses of the war on Gaza have been so extreme that to many international observers, they have left international law in tatters. One outcome has been to isolate Washington and undermine its claim of defending international norms and the liberal international order. The fact that South Africa, one of the leaders of the global South, has accused Israel of the extraordinary charge of genocide before the International Court of Justice suggests the extent…

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U.S. intelligence casts doubt on Israeli claims of UNRWA-Hamas links, report says

U.S. intelligence casts doubt on Israeli claims of UNRWA-Hamas links, report says

The Guardian reports: A US intelligence assessment of Israel’s claims that UN aid agency staff members participated in the Hamas attack on 7 October said some of the accusations were credible, though could not be independently verified, while also casting doubt on claims of wider links to militant groups. The assault precipitated a full-scale invasion by Israel of Gaza that has killed upwards of 30,000 Palestinians. Earlier this year, Israel accused 12 employees of the United Nations Reliefs and Works…

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Michigan may soon show just how badly Biden’s ceasefire stance is hurting him

Michigan may soon show just how badly Biden’s ceasefire stance is hurting him

Politico reports: Joe Biden and his campaign know they’re paying a political price with some voters by not calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. But inside the critical battleground state of Michigan, some Democrats fear the president’s team doesn’t appreciate the depths of discontent from Arab American and young voters over Biden’s response to the Israel-Hamas war. And they worry that even a widely expected protest vote in next week’s primary won’t give them the wakeup call that’s needed….

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Egyptian-American comedian Bassem Youssef wants Biden to lose over his pro-Israel policy

Egyptian-American comedian Bassem Youssef wants Biden to lose over his pro-Israel policy

  They lied. . They still do . They bully you to accept their lies . They lie to justify the daily massacre they are committing . Their own media called out their lies . Shame on you western media for not even reporting the Israeli reports on how they lied . You spread their lies… pic.twitter.com/d5vo2MicUm — Bassem Youssef (@Byoussef) February 22, 2024

Iran sends Russia hundreds of ballistic missiles

Iran sends Russia hundreds of ballistic missiles

Reuters reports: Iran has provided Russia with a large number of powerful surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, six sources told Reuters, deepening the military cooperation between the two U.S.-sanctioned countries. Iran’s provision of around 400 missiles includes many from the Fateh-110 family of short-range ballistic weapons, such as the Zolfaghar, three Iranian sources said. This road-mobile missile is capable of striking targets at a distance of between 300 and 700 km (186 and 435 miles), experts say. Iran’s defence ministry and the…

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Israeli forces fired on food convoy in Gaza, UN documents and satellite analysis reveals

Israeli forces fired on food convoy in Gaza, UN documents and satellite analysis reveals

CNN reports: Israeli forces fired on a United Nations convoy carrying vital food supplies in central Gaza on February 5, before ultimately blocking the trucks from progressing to the northern part of the territory, where Palestinians are on the verge of famine, according to documents shared exclusively by the UN and CNN’s own analysis. CNN has seen correspondence between the UN and the Israeli military that show the convoy’s route was agreed upon by both parties prior to the strike….

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These are the Jewish megadonors helping fund Biden’s reelection campaign

These are the Jewish megadonors helping fund Biden’s reelection campaign

Haaretz reports: U.S. President Joe Biden’s reelection bid has some tough sledding ahead if the majority of polls that have emerged in recent months are to be believed. His fundraising efforts tell another story, though, with his reelection campaign already raking in significant donations – many coming from longtime Jewish Democratic megadonors. An analysis of campaign finance disclosures showing contributions to Biden’s campaign and pro-Biden PACs and super PACs for 2023 illustrates a deep groundswell of support from Jewish-Democratic benefactors….

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Biden sees ongoing slaughter of Palestinians as useful leverage for securing release of Israeli hostages

Biden sees ongoing slaughter of Palestinians as useful leverage for securing release of Israeli hostages

Reuters reports: The United States on Tuesday again vetoed a draft United Nations Security Council resolution on the Israel-Hamas war, blocking a demand for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire as it instead pushes the 15-member body to call for a temporary ceasefire linked to the release of hostages held by Hamas. Thirteen council members voted in favor of the Algerian-drafted text, while Britain abstained. It was the third U.S. veto of a draft resolution since the start of the current fighting…

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Biden campaign official in Michigan: Israel-Hamas war not likely to end ‘anytime soon’

Biden campaign official in Michigan: Israel-Hamas war not likely to end ‘anytime soon’

The Detroit News reports: A top Biden campaign official maintained Monday that President Joe Biden was not ignoring the concerns of Michigan residents over the deaths of civilians in the Israel-Hamas war, but he doesn’t expect the conflict is “going to end anytime soon.” Biden campaign co-chair Mitch Landrieu said the ongoing war between Israel and the Hamas militant group is “troublesome and problematic.” But no one’s concerns are being dismissed and the Democratic president is doing the best he…

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Why the U.S. should start telling the whole truth about Israel’s nuclear weapons

Why the U.S. should start telling the whole truth about Israel’s nuclear weapons

William Burr, Richard Lawless, and Henry Sokolski write: With the Israel-Hamas war, a nuclear Rubicon of sorts has been crossed: Two elected Israeli officials — a government minister and a member of parliament — not only publicly referenced Israel’s possession of nuclear weapons but suggested that they be detonated over Gaza. This was a disturbing first. Meanwhile, in Washington, a long-standing secret executive order has prohibited American officials from even acknowledging that Israel has nuclear arms. Given the increasing risks…

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UN experts appalled by reported human rights violations against Palestinian women and girls

UN experts appalled by reported human rights violations against Palestinian women and girls

UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: UN experts today expressed alarm over credible allegations of egregious human rights violations to which Palestinian women and girls continue to be subjected in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Palestinian women and girls have reportedly been arbitrarily executed in Gaza, often together with family members, including their children, according to information received. “We are shocked by reports of the deliberate targeting and extrajudicial killing of Palestinian women and children…

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Systematic violation of human rights: The incarceration conditions of Palestinians in Israel since Oct 7

Systematic violation of human rights: The incarceration conditions of Palestinians in Israel since Oct 7

Physicians for Human Rights Israel: Since October 7th, any semblance of restraint has been cast aside regarding the treatment of Palestinians in Israeli incarceration and detention facilities. Forced disappearances, torture, and severe violations of human rights, particularly in terms of health, are now inherent in the practices and policies of Israeli security bodies responsible for Palestinians in custody. These actions have garnered support and, at times, were explicitly demanded by the political ranks. Simultaneously, the judicial system has allowed these…

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A key withdrawal shows Ukraine doesn’t have enough artillery to fight Russia

A key withdrawal shows Ukraine doesn’t have enough artillery to fight Russia

The Associated Press reports: Dwindling ammunition threatens Ukraine’s hold on the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line under withering assault by Russian artillery. Defensive lines are in jeopardy. Ukrainian forces withdrew from the city of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region on Saturday after daily Russian onslaughts from three directions for the last four months. Avdiivka was a stronghold for Ukrainian positions deeper inside the country, away from Russia. A frontline city ever since Russia first invaded Ukraine in 2014, the fortified settlement…

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Denmark will donate its ‘entire artillery’ to Ukraine

Denmark will donate its ‘entire artillery’ to Ukraine

The Kyiv Independent reports: Denmark has decided to deliver all the artillery rounds from its stockpiles to Ukraine, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told the Ukrainian Lunch at the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 17. Artillery shells are among the most crucial military supplies for Ukraine, as they are used daily in high numbers on the Ukrainian battlefields. “If you ask Ukrainians, they are asking us for ammunition now, artillery now. From the Danish side, we decided to donate our…

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Why are Israel and its Western allies targeting UNRWA?

Why are Israel and its Western allies targeting UNRWA?

  About 20 countries have announced suspension of funding to UNRWA, the agency that has been providing services to Palestinian refugees since 1950. The official reason for the suspension was Israel’s accusation that a dozen UNRWA employees in Gaza had participated in the October 7 Hamas attacks. To understand the potential consequences of undermining UNRWA – especially amid a humanitarian catastrophe – host Steve Clemons speaks with Leila Hilal, a former adviser to the UNRWA commissioner-general, and Anne Irfan, lecturer…

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