In order to be prepared for an expansion of the conflict in the Middle East, the Bundeswehr and the Federal Police are apparently deploying special forces. They are now reportedly in Cyprus.

Bundeswehr special forces were deployed to Cyprus in order to be able to evacuate German citizens from Middle Eastern countries under military protection in an emergency. This is reported by, among others, the Editorial Network Germany (RND), citing Bundestag circles.

dw | KSK: German army elite force and its links to the far-right (13.12.22)

Members of the KSK, the special forces command, were relocated to the region . According to information from the "Bild" newspaper, the navy's special forces are also on site. The forces are now prepared , especially in the event that the conflict expands and Germans have to be taken out of Lebanon. According to RND, the embassies in Israel and neighboring countries have also been reinforced with crisis support teams, which also include special forces.

Also relocated GSG-9 forces
Military evacuation means that armed force may be used in an emergency and Parliament must then give its approval - possibly even afterwards. The current steps are measures as part of the so-called national crisis preparedness for the protection and security of German citizens abroad , reports the RND.
[...]

...The author writes that a few months ago, the head of the Civil Network for Human Rights "OPORA," Olga Ayvazovska [alias Olha Aivazovska], calculated that the most politically and socially active Ukrainian diasporas are in Poland, the USA, and Germany.

"The reason is simple - the more Ukrainians in a given country, the higher their level of activity," as the article's author clarified.

In the next five years, several hundred thousand Ukrainians will become Polish citizens with political rights and the potential to influence the situation in the country, not always in a positive way....

...Officials in Kyiv were perturbed by rising Polish acrimony in the run-up to this weekend's election, with a dispute over Ukrainian westward grain exports devolving into a wider spat with PiS leaders. The standoff came as a shock given PiS' role as one of Kyiv's most hawkish backers during Russia's invasion, with Poland serving as a key provider of military aid, a conduit for NATO weapons heading east, and a loud pro-Ukrainian voice within the EU....

Elections Without Political Competition During the War Time Will Only Produce Fake Democracy, 4 Oct Warsaw Security Forum, H₂O₂ @ 03:05:41
According to the expert, Ukrainian civil society, specifically over a hundred of CSOs signed a joint statement declaring that no double standards games shall be played during the war. "We cannot run electoral processes without securing freedoms because such elections will not be free and fair as a huge number of people are not going to be included in the process. We have 7 166 mln people staying out of country - and it is a huge challenge to engage them. I do not only mean the formal voting process because it is a rather technical matter. It is vital to have them included into election campaign: to run as candidates, to promote their vision of the country's recovery and growth, to design returnee support programs, to have a representative parliament when 20% of Ukrainian people stay abroad. It is a new challenge for us to address. Moreover, we have over 5 mln internally displaced persons. They are highly mobile within the country. In addition, we have over 1 mln members of the military who are now in combat. They cannot be included on the voting stage only, without being able to participate in all political processes. After all, they are the new elite in Ukraine. we also have volunteers who are working on a daily basis to serve their society to help the country survive," said Aivazovska....

Yevhen Korniychuk, announced this on Radio Svoboda.

"337 citizens of Ukraine agreed for evacuation today. And our representative in Palestine just informed that another family of six people is preparing documents. But I think that probably half a thousand of our citizens are there. Not all of them agreed to leave [!]. The situation is very complicated. Unfortunately, we are completely powerless here, as the embassy, to do anything to help. In addition, to form these lists, transfer them to the Israeli and Egyptian sides for agreement, and faithfully wait for the evacuation. We hope that the Rafah checkpoint will be open to foreign citizens in the next few days, maybe even tomorrow," he said.

Details: Kuleba is convinced of the need to introduce multiple citizenship, because "we should not be guided by the fear of distributing other people's passports in Ukraine, but by the power of the Ukrainian passport in Ukraine and in the world".

The deputy and an accomplice organized an illegal transfer of men abroad (23.10.23)
...Later, law enforcement officers conducted searches at two residential addresses of the defendants in the criminal proceedings, as a result of which they seized more than 20 thousand euros and 4.8 thousand US dollars, SIM cards, mobile phones, bank cards and draft records. In addition, 2 cars were seized from the defendants....

He said that the state should open up the possibility for millions of Ukrainians abroad to keep their Ukrainian passports or obtain them, and accept that after joining the European Union, Ukrainian passports will have the same status as passports of neighbouring European states.

archive K*v regime looking for new soldiers among Ukrainian refugees abroad

"Of course, this policy should be implemented reasonably: gradually, starting with friendly allied countries. And, of course, any dual citizenship with the aggressor state or unfriendly countries should be prohibited," Kuleba added.

This was stated by the Minister of Digital Transformation Mikhail Fedorov in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.

- The war with Russia is likely to drag on indefinitely. How ready is Ukraine technologically for this? In what other areas do Russians predominate among us and how do we make up for this gap?
- There is definitely a transformation in this direction right now. I see such key components for myself. First, there are more startups and military projects that can realize themselves in the new wartime economy. And to do this, we created the Brave1 cluster. If you have an idea, you want to get a grant to start this idea, apply, there is a certain board, it considers applications, gives irrevocable grants, there is an opportunity to get in touch with the General Staff, with the Ministry of Defense. In other words, this institution has already been created, and it will work. Almost 700 applications have already been submitted by startups, and more than a million dollars have received grants. Next year, funding for this program will increase tenfold.

[...]
"We will launch a pilot for drone operators, and this person chooses that they want to become a drone operator, or even serve in a drone strike company. It can be a sapper, a driver, all the positions will be there. A person will be able to see what kind of unit or company it is, what obligations, what risks you have, how you will study, " said Fedorov. According to him, a person will have to leave an application for a certain specialty on their own, without receiving a summons, pass recruiters, tests, and training, and then they will definitely be able to get into the drone company for the position for which they have mobilized themselves.
[...]
"There are people who may want to be stormtroopers or hold other positions. But they want to understand: I am led by a professional person, when I am in the trench, there will be a drone above me, there will be armored vehicles nearby, my manager will take care of my life and he will have accurate high-quality situational awareness, for him my life is the most important thing, and he will take care of it, and I will have there will be confidence in this leader," said Fedorov.

...The list of attendees includes the Group of Seven countries, Qatar, South Africa, India, and Turkey, according to people familiar with the matter. Some countries like Brazil and Chile are expected to participate online....

..."The interlocutors coordinated steps to implement the agreements on joint defense production reached during the [19 Oct phone call] between the two presidents in Washington," the president's press service said.  In addition, the interlocutors reviewed the operational situation in different sectors of the frontline, as well as the results of the use of weapons provided by Ukraine's allies to repel the Russian invasion. The parties also continued their dialogue on the implementation of the Peace Formula. Special attention was paid to preparations for the next meeting scheduled to take place in Malta....

[...]
Addressing EU leaders meeting for a summit in Brussels, Zelensk* said by video link: "We must do everything to prevent an even larger international fire from breaking out in the Middle East. The enemies of freedom are very interested in bringing the free world to the second front."

Russia needs to see that its ambitions as an invader will endure less than our ability to defend our freedom—address of the President of Ukraine to the participants of the meeting of the European Council at the level of the leaders of the EU states
And just before our meeting, I have signed a very important law relating to the European integration - the law on politically exposed persons. This is one of the key laws adopted to fulfill the recommendations of the European Commission to open negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the EU. The law significantly strengthens the financial monitoring of public figures. And in any country, it is not easy for the political class to make such decisions. But now is the time when simple decisions cannot suffice.
[...]
Dear colleagues!

Ukraine is doing everything possible to end this war as soon as possible with our people, with our victory - in defense and in building institutions, in international affairs and in putting pressure on the aggressor... And I thank each of you who helps us fight.

I thank you for each of the defense packages provided to our soldiers—for weapons and equipment, for shells, for air defense. Yesterday, be the way, our soldiers shot down Russian combat drones that were moving towards the Khmelnytsky nuclear power plant. Again and again we see what we are dealing with—the evil that can attack even nuclear power plants. Air defense is for life. Thank you, thank you all who understand this and help Ukraine with the respective systems and missiles. Sustainable arms supplies for Ukraine mean sustainable security for the whole Europe—for each of our neighbors.

He added: "We must clearly see this scenario and counter it—together, of course. The sooner security prevails in the Middle East, the sooner we will restore security here—in Europe."
[...]

President Volodymyr Zelensk*'s top diplomatic adviser said officials from up to 70 [!] nations will meet in Malta to discuss Ukraine's vision for peace this weekend, rejecting the idea that cracks are appearing in allied support for Kyiv. The talks on Saturday and Sunday [28-29 Oct] will bring together national security advisers and foreign ministry officials to discuss Zelensk*'s 10-point blueprint for a peace settlement, as Russia's war grinds through its 21st month with no end in sight.
[...]
Ihor Zhovkva, Zelensk*'s adviser, said some nations were still confirming their plans, but that up to 70 were expected in Malta, up from the 43 who attended the previous round in Jeddah in August, and the 15 who went to Copenhagen for talks in June.

"You can clearly see this is a growing number of countries compared to Jeddah and it's very important it will be representatives of countries of all the continents," he told Reuters in an interview in his office in Kyiv late on Thursday.

Zhovkva declined to name the countries that will attend, saying that could help Moscow lobby them not to come but asked whether Beijing would send an emissary, he said: "We are working with many countries, including China."
[...]

..."During our call, Saudi Foreign Minister HH Prince Faisal bin Farhan and I discussed the situation in the Middle East. I underscored the importance of protecting civilians in Israel and Gaza. We discussed the problem of the evacuation of foreign nationals from Gaza. I emphasized the urgency of opening a humanitarian corridor," Kuleba posted on the social network X. He added that Ukraine appreciates the Kingdom's contribution to Ukraine's Peace Formula and look forward to the meeting in Malta....

[...]
Quote: "International support for the Ukrainian peace formula is growing. The large number of the Global South countries involved in the meeting confirm this. This truly shows that the world is interested in justice and Ukraine's victory."

Yermak said specific plans for the implementation of five points of the peace formula will be presented and discussed at the meeting, including those regarding nuclear security, energy security, food security, humanitarian direction (prisoners of war and deportees being brought back), restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity and international order.

These plans were developed by working groups consisting of diplomats from various countries' embassies and experts. Yermak emphasised that this regular meeting is another step towards the Global Peace Summit.
[...]

Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg emphasising the strong international attendance as a vote of confidence in Malta as a peace broker.
[...]
Aside from representatives of the US, UK, EU and other international institutions, the Malta talks are also hosting representatives of Turkey—a country that has presented itself as a mediator between Russia and the West—and BRICS members Brazil, South Africa, and India. Notable by its absence is China, which has kept at arm's length of the conflict. While organisers were hopeful that Beijing could send a representative, government sources told Times of Malta that China was not among the attendees.
[...]
Borg and OPM Head of Secretariat Glenn Micallef, who are both representing Malta during the summit, will be hoping to close off the two-day event with a joint statement by participants: something neither the Copenhagen or Jeddah talks were able to accomplish.

[...]
Moscow oddly denounced it as "a blatantly anti-Russian event". Speaking at the summit, Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian president's office, said that Russia "will have to give in to the international community" and agree to Ukraine's peace settlement demands. Mr Yermak praised the participation of Qatar for earlier this month facilitating the return of four Ukrainian children who had been taken by Russia.
[...]
"This meeting is a powerful signal that unity is preserved around Ukraine," Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential office, said this week.

National Security Advisers from around 65 countries have gathered in Malta for a weekend meeting organized by Ukraine to discuss its peace formula for ending the war with Russia.
[...]
The talks will help gauge Ukraine and the West's ability to drum up continued and broader support, particularly in the Global South, as the conflict in Israel dominates headlines, moving the focus from Kyiv.
[...]
No official list of delegates was issued, but officials said they include representatives of European, South American, Arab, African and Asian countries.

Jordan has cancelled a summit it was scheduled to host in Amman on Wednesday with United States President Joe Biden and the Egyptian and Palestinian leaders to discuss Gaza, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi has said.

Safadi said the meeting would be held at a time when the parties could agree to end the "war and the massacres against Palestinians", blaming Israel with its military campaign for pushing the region to "the brink of the abyss".
[...]

The leaders of Belgium and Sweden and the European Union's chief executive promised on Wednesday to tighten border security and step up repatriations after a failed asylum seeker from Tunisia shot dead two Swedish football fans in Brussels. They spoke after paying tribute to the victims of Monday's attack in the Belgian capital, home to the EU institutions, and condemning what they branded a brutal terrorist attack.

The shooting has highlighted the EU's persistent difficulties in managing asylum and ["]migration["], including security gaps and failures to return people deemed not to have the right to stay in the 27-nation bloc. Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Europe's open-border Schengen zone would not survive unless the EU's external frontiers were better protected from unwanted ["]immigration["].
[...]
The 45-year-old gunman arrived on the Italian island of Lampedusa in 2011 [!] and then lived in Sweden before claiming asylum in Belgium. He lost his case in 2020 and was ordered to leave the country.
[...]
RETURNS

euronews | In stunning move, Tunisia snubs Brussels and refunds €60 million in EU ["]aid["] (10.10.23)
"The Commission has been informed that Tunisia returned the payment of 60 million euros," said Ana Pisonero, the Commission's spokesperson for [EC] enlargement and neighbourhood [Directorate-General], without specifying a reason for the repayment [?].
[...]
The grants, which come from a previous COVID-19 recovery programme, were designed as budget support and were directly transferred to the bank account of the Tunisian treasury. This was supposed to be the first disbursement of a larger €127-million tranche [?] that also includes money earmarked under the EU-Tunisia memorandum of understanding signed in July. But days after the European Commission announced the €127-million ["hush money"?] envelope in late September, Tunisian President Kais Saied dismissed the financial offer, saying it was "derisory" and contrary to the agreement.

"Tunisia, which accepts cooperation, does not accept anything resembling charity or favour [!], because our country and our people do not want sympathy and do not accept it when it is without respect," Saied said last week.

The European Commission said the bloc's new migration pact would help prevent such situations by allowing swifter deportations of refugees asylum seekers migrants immigrants foreigners who are deemed a security threat.

"Europe is the solution, provided we get these (new) rules enacted," EU Commissioner Margaritis Schinas told a news conference. The EU has long blamed low rates of returns on what it says is unwillingness of countries of origin—including ["Arab Spring"] Tunisia—to take people back. It said member states had issued 420,000 return decisions last year but only 77,000 were implemented.
[...]

NOW - Pro-Palestine crowd inside and outside the U.S. Capitol.pic.twitter.com/n844w7zVyb

— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) October 18, 2023

HUNDREDS of primarily Jewish protesters are currently in the Capitol's Cannon building staging a sit-in protest, calling on Biden and Congress to push for a ceasefire in Gaza.

They're slowly being arrested. pic.twitter.com/mGLELwRj6p

— Jack Jenkins (@jackmjenkins) October 18, 2023

dnyuz | Peace Summit in Egypt Shows a Shift in Rhetoric but no Consensus, 21 Oct

[...]
One goal of any summit is to end in a joint statement that all the countries in attendance can agree on. But European leaders arrived in Cairo knowing they could not sign Egypt's draft declaration, which did not mention Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas, according to European diplomats and officials involved in the summit preparations.

"Like any other country in the world, Israel has the right to defend itself and to defend its people against this terror," the German foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, said in a speech at the summit, though she added that the defense must be "within the framework of international law."

In the end, there was no statement.
[...]

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensk*, his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni, and his Maldivian counterpart Mohamed Muizzi on Saturday, the Presidential Communications Directorate said.
[...]

Today Macron, yesterday caretaker PM Rutte to express full support for Israel to destroy the terror group Hamas hiding among 2.2 million Palestinians, right for self-defence whatever and how long it takes. Green lighting further war crimes and crimes against humanity in a caged Gaza Strip ... inhumane treatment since 1967. As soon as Rutte ended his "peace" mission, Israel struck Gaza with more bombs and deaths than ever before.

Treatment of scorched earth ... in press briefing Netanyahu talked about the Holocaust and the continued suffering of Jews across Europe, anti-Semitism and pogroms.

Proportionality ...

MARK RUTTE: First of all, I cannot judge, but of course I'm worried, but I cannot judge whether at the moment ... ehh ... yes or no Israel is completely ... ehh ... working within the lines of proportionality and international human law, ehh humanitarian law ... I cannot judge that because I do not know all the facts on the table ... this of course is up to Israel at this moment to navigate.

See my updated diary - Long Road to Ethnic Cleansing [Update]

'Sapere aude'

Axel | Portugal backs UN in bitter feud with Israel, which vowed to 'teach them a lesson', 25 Oct

Portugal's Foreign Minister João Gomes Cravinho on Wednesday said his government supported António Guterres' position [UNSC 24.10.23] on the Israel-Hamas Palestine war, amid an escalating dispute between the United Nations secretary-general and Israeli [holocaust] authorities.

"We fully understand and follow the position of António Guterres, who was unequivocal when he condemned Hamas terrorism," Gomes Cravinho told Portuguese newswire Lusa. "There is no way to say that António Guterres is in any way excusing [alleged] terrorism."

The Portuguese foreign minister also dismissed Israel's calls for Guterres—who is Portuguese—to resign.
[...]

Estonian authorities have reached out to China for assistance in their ongoing investigation surrounding the damage to two Baltic Sea telecom cables. The cables, which connect Estonia to both Finland and Sweden, sustained damage in early October. This incident raised alarms about the potential intentional sabotage of critical infrastructure.
[...]

[...]
China and Finland have begun communication over the damage to the Balticconector gas pipeline, which was reported to be leaking on October 9. Helsinki has said its investigation was focused on the potential role of a Chinese ship.

The European country's National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Friday it was studying how the NewNew Polar Bear container vessel might have been involved in the incident, which also saw two telecom cables cut. The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday that Tallinn has contacted Beijing seeking "to encourage cooperation concerning the investigation".
[...]
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a press briefing the same day that Beijing hopes that the relevant parties can find the truth as soon as possible and rejected any suggestion that China was responsible.

Helsingin Sanomat: Finland's central police, so-called Finland's National Bureau of Investigation said on Friday that the Chinese cargo ship NewNew Polar Bear is in the center of its investigation regarding a gas pipe which was broken by an outer force in the Baltic Sea between Finland and Estonia. So I have two questions about it. How do you comment on the situation that a Chinese vessel is in the middle of this investigation? And another question, Finland's National Bureau of Investigation said it wants to research the ship in cooperation with Chinese officials. Is China going to cooperate?
Mao Ning: China always holds that the international community needs to strengthen cooperation to jointly safeguard the safety and security of trans-boundary infrastructure. To my knowledge, the Chinese vessel was sailing through relevant waters normally when the incident occurred. Due to the rather bad conditions at sea, it didn't detect anything abnormal. China and Finland have started communication over this incident. We hope relevant authorities will find out what happened soon and make sure that the investigation is conducted in an objective, just and professional manner.

Last week, Estonian investigators said they were looking into two ships concerning the incident, including the Chinese vessel and Russia's Sevmorput.
[...]

..."Although Sweden is not yet a member of NATO, we hope that in the near future, if we see incidents of this nature, NATO should, in my understanding, simply effectively close the Baltic Sea for shipping," he said. "You can do that. Ships can be stopped."

Rinkevics acknowledged that this is of course a question of a whole series of maritime rights, but said that if it's clearly proven to be Russia behind the damage, the discussion "has to be that to protect our critical infrastructure, there needs to be a conversation about how we can close the Baltic Sea."...

• General Philip M. Breedlove: Russia's most amazing information warfare blitzkrieg in 2014
• NATO leaders set aside public insults ranging from "delinquent" to "brain dead" and "two-faced" | London - 5 Dec. 2019 |
• Biden Confirms US Military Power, No Brains

Trump canceled his final press conference at the NATO summit after Trudeau and two other world leaders - Emmanuel Macron of France and Boris Johnson of Britain - were caught on their own hot mic roasting him, with Princess Anne, the Queen's daughter, nodding along.

The president had spoken with reporters for more than two hours since arriving in London on Monday and claimed he had answered enough questions. He left the NATO summit on schedule, returning to the U.S. on Air Force One.

'Sapere aude'

President Xi underlined that the China-U.S. relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. How China and the U.S. get along will determine the future of humanity. Competition and confrontation is not consistent with the trend of the times. Still less can it fix one's own problems and address the challenges facing the world. China maintains that the common interests of the two countries far outweigh their differences, and the respective success of China and the U.S. is an opportunity, rather than a challenge, to each other. The "Thucydides Trap" is not inevitable, and Planet Earth is vast enough to accommodate the respective development and common prosperity of China and the U.S. Given the high degree of integration between the Chinese and U.S. economies and their closely entwined interests, both countries stand to benefit from each other's development. A post-pandemic global recovery, meeting the climate challenge and resolving international and regional hotspots all require China-U.S. coordination and cooperation. As two major countries, China and the U.S. should demonstrate the broadmindedness, vision and readiness to rise to the occasion expected by the international community, and act with a sense of responsibility to history, to the people and to the world. The two countries should properly handle their relations, respect each other, coexist in peace and pursue win-win cooperation. They should work to increase the well-being of the two peoples, and contribute to human progress and world peace and development. 
[...]
Senator Schumer and other members of the delegation expressed their delight to visit the beautiful country of China and their appreciation to the Chinese side for its hospitality. During the visit, they have felt the vigor and potential of China's development. They shared their views and suggestions on relevant issues in China-U.S. relations, noting that a stable U.S.-China relationship is of vital importance not only to the two countries, but also to world peace and development. China's development and prosperity is good for the American people. The U.S. side does not seek a conflict with China, nor does it seek to decouple. The U.S. is willing to enhance dialogue and communication with China in an open and candid manner based on mutual respect, responsibly manage the bilateral relationship, and stabilize and strengthen U.S.-China relations. The U.S. side looks forward to strengthening bilateral trade and investment cooperation with China, and increasing communication and cooperation on such issues as climate change, drug trafficking and regional conflicts. 

[...]
Bloomberg: Can you tell me if President Xi Jinping will meet Senator Schumer and other US Senators who are here in China right now? Will Xi and Biden meet at APEC next month in San Francisco?.....
The New York Times: Has China already, or will China soon, urge Iran to restrain Hamas? And also will China encourage Hamas or ask Iran to encourage Hamas to release hostages? ...
Reuters: The Israeli embassy in Beijing said yesterday that it had expected to see "stronger condemnation" of Hamas from China, and that it "was not a time to call for a two-state solution", after Hamas attacked Israel. Does the ministry have any further comment on these remarks from the embassy?...
Al Jazeera: Experts believe that the current Palestine-Israel situation may have a far-reaching impact on international relations, including the US-Saudi Defense Agreement, US support to Ukraine and the regional security landscape. As a permanent member of the Security Council, what political and diplomatic efforts will China make?
[...]

• bennet.senate.gov | Bennet Joins Bipartisan Senate Delegation Trip to Abraham Accords Countries, 12 Jan 2023
delegation: Bennet (D-CO), Gillibrand (D-NY), Budd (R-NC), Lankford (R-OK), Kelly (D-AZ)

axios | coop: Senator Ernst to lead U.S. delegation to Saudi Arabia, meet MBS, 4 Oct

... Ernst's trip to the Middle East comes amid a push by the White House to get a mega-deal with Saudi Arabia and Israel in the next few months before the presidential elections consume President Biden's agenda. Ernst and her delegation will also visit Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
[...]
As part of the a mega-deal talks, the White House is negotiating a potential security agreement between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, possible U.S. support for a Saudi civilian nuclear program, and American approval for sophisticated weapons sales to the kingdom. Biden advisers are negotiating separately with Saudi, Israeli and Palestinian officials a possible peace agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel that could include Israeli concessions in the occupied West Bank....

...Part of the US discussions over a potential normalisation between Israel and Saudi Arabia have been a Saudi-US military pact and US support for a Saudi civilian nuclear programme. Earlier this week, a group of 20 Democratic senators sent a letter to the Biden administration raising

Baldwin (WI), Carper (DE), Duckworth (IL), Durbin (IL), Fetterman (PA), Heinrich (NM), Kaine (VA), Lujan (NM), Markey (MA), Merkley (OR), Murphy (CT), Murray (WA), Ossoff (GA), Sanders (VT), Schatz (HI), Shaheen (NH), Van Hollen (MD), Warnock (GA), Warren (MA), Welch (VT)
"A high degree of proof would be required to show that a binding defense treaty with Saudi Arabia&span;an authoritarian regime which regularly undermines U.S. interests in the region, has a deeply concerning human rights record, and has pursued an aggressive and reckless foreign policy agenda&spans;ommitment requires the U.S. to deploy substantial new permanent resources to the region," they stress

a number of concerns over the reported concessions Washington was discussing in order to broker the normalisation agreement, especially regarding the discussion of a Saudi-US military pact and US support for a Saudi civilian nuclear programme...

reuters | Saudi Arabia puts Israel deal on ice amid war, engages with Iran, sources say, 13 Oct

...The two sources told Reuters there would be a delay in the U.S.-backed talks on normalisation with Israel that was a key step for the kingdom to secure what Riyadh considers the real prize of a U.S. defence pact in exchange....

...The senators met with President Isaac Herzog and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant at the Defense Ministry and IDF headquarters, the Kirya, in Tel Aviv.

"We must maintain a critical combination that includes Israel's military power and our determination to destroy the enemy, together with ongoing US support and partnership," Gallant told the lawmakers.

...Discussions were expected to include what kind of support Israel needs for both military and humanitarian operations. [...] While negotiations are ongoing, Schumer earlier said he expects any spending package should include aid for Israel and Ukraine, along with possible aid for Taiwan as it faces threats from Beijing and money for the U.S. border....

I'm leading a bipartisan Senate delegation to Israel to show America's unrelenting support.

We're having good, productive meetings with Israeli leaders. I'll lead the effort in the US Senate to provide Israel with the support required to defend itself from this monstrous attack. pic.twitter.com/Q50J6queIc

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) October 15, 2023

At the invitation of US Secretary of Stalking Antony Blinken, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit the US from October 26 to 28.
[...]
Bloomberg: Just to follow up on the visit by Foreign Minister Wang Yi to the US. Bloomberg is reporting that he will have meetings with Secretary of stalking Antony Blinken and the National Security Adviser Jake Sssullivan. Can you confirm these details and offer any more details about the trip to the US?
[...]
AFP: Yesterday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone conversation with the Israeli Foreign Minister. Wang said that all countries have the right to self defense. Could you further clarify Wang's statement? Does he say this in a general sense or can it be understood that China thinks Israel has the right to protect its national territory against attacks from Hamas? 
Mao Ning: China's position on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is very clear. Foreign Minister Wang Yi had talked over the phone with the foreign ministers of both Israel and Palestine yesterday. Foreign Minister Wang Yi has put it very clearly that all countries have the right to self defense, but should respect the international humanitarian law and protect the safety of civilians and it is imperative to prevent the situation from escalating and avert an even worse humanitarian disaster. 

I would like to stress that China does not pursue any selfish interests on the Palestinian question. We sincerely hope that the Palestinian question can have a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement based on the two-state solution, so that the legitimate security concerns of all parties can be thoroughly addressed. 
###

voa | US, China Need 'Comprehensive' Dialogue, China's Top Diplomat Says (26.10.23)
Just before his two-hour meeting with Blinken on Thursday afternoon, Wang told reporters that "China and the United States need to have dialogue" that's "in-depth and comprehensive" so that they can reduce misunderstanding and "return to the track of healthy, stable and sustainable development."

yahoo! bbc | South China Sea: Biden says US will defend the Philippines if China attacks (26.10.12)

"In China-U.S. relations, from time to time there will be some jarring voices," he said, adding "what is right and what is wrong is not determined by who has the strongest arm or a loud voice."

abs-cbn.PH  | Biden: China has left its partners 'dead in the noose' (25.10.23)

His remarks came a day after U.S. President Joe Biden said [10.08.23.IN] that China's global infrastructure push, known as the Belt and Road Initiative, has left its partners "dead in the noose."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and China's top diplomat Wang Yi reconvened for a second day of meetings on Friday as the two rival powers discuss how to manage differences while laying groundwork for an < wipes tears > expected summit between President Joe Biden and his counterpart Xi Jinping.
[ VIDEO: 00:01:36 ]
Wang arrived at the State Department late on Thursday and held a meeting with Blinken followed by a dinner. The two diplomats engaged again on Friday morning, sitting across from each other at a wide table with their senior aides before journalists were ushered out of the closed-door meeting. Wang is set to head to the White House and meet with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan later on Friday. He is also expected to speak with Biden, although it is < wipes tears > unclear how substantial their interaction will be.

GT | China calls for healthy, stable ties as Wang Yi meets Blinken (27.10.23)
The arrangement of Biden and Wang's possible meeting demonstrates how much importance the Biden administration attaches to Wang's visit, and the topics Biden may bring up with Wang could include bilateral relations and climate change. Wang's meetings with Blinken and other US officials will be on more specific details, Li [Haidong, China Foreign Affairs University] said.
[...]
The US has more expectations of Wang's visit and is seeking to get China's support on some issues of global concern. The US currently feels flat-footed on its global strategy, as the Russia-Ukraine conflict is challenging its strength and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is burning its conscience, Lü Xiang, research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday.
[...]
The US is not truly concerned about improving the China-US relationship, but rather creating a favorable atmosphere for the APEC meeting and maintaining stability in relations in the current stage of the bilateral relationship for its own political purposes, said analysts. US policies toward China remain unchanged, and it continues to put pressure on China from different directions, said Zhang [Jiadong, Center for American Studies, Fudan University], noting that as for how far the China-US relationship can be restored through dialogue, it will require more time for the two sides to adjust, engage and argue, which may even involve conflicts.

Wang Yi Meets with Assistant to the U.S. President for National Security Affairs Jake Sullivan, 27 Oct

The two sides agreed to make joint efforts to clinch a meeting between the two heads of state in San Francisco.

AP | Agreement reached for Biden-Xi talks, but details still being worked out, official tells AP (28.10.23)
on the sidelines of next month's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation [APEC] summit in San Francisco, according to a U.S. official familiar with the planning....The official added that the two sides have still not worked out details on the exact day of the meeting, venue, and other logistics.

Wang Yi pointed out that the biggest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is "Taiwan independence", which is also the biggest challenge facing China-U.S. relations. Wang Yi said it must be resolutely opposed and such efforts must be reflected in specific policies and actions. Wang Yi also elaborated on China's solemn position on the South China Sea issue.

U.S.President Joe Biden Meets with Wang Yi, 28 Oct

...Biden asked Wang Yi to extend his greetings to President Xi Jinping and expounded on the position that the U.S. values its relations with China. He said that the U.S. is ready to maintain communication with China and jointly address global challenges....

Vitality of China-US relations lies in sub-national areas: Xi, 25 Oct 2023

Newsom embarked on his week-long trip to China on Monday [23.10.23], focusing on issues such as climate change and economic cooperation. He visited Shenzhen on Tuesday, where he learned about the city's successful bus electrification program and took a test drive in an SUV made by Chinese electric car maker BYD. "This is another leap in technology < wipes tears >, the next-level leap," Newsom said with a thumbs-up after the test drive. When asked if he wanted to take one back to Sacramento, the governor jokingly said: "No, I want two," Shenzhen Daily reported.

Malta requested UNSC meeting in Hamas v Israël hostilities ...

Settlement Expansion in Occupied Palestinian Territory Violates International Law, Must Cease, Many Delegates Tell Security Council | UN Press |

Warnings unheeded ...

'Sapere aude'

Israeli settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex on fifth day of Sukkot

Dozens of Israeli settlers have forced their way into the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem to mark the fifth day of Sukkot, according to the Islamic Waqf Department. Since Sunday, thousands of settlers have been carrying out provocative tours of the mosque complex following calls by ultranationalist Jewish groups.

KEEP READING

• Israeli forces attack Palestinian worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque (17 Sep)


• Israeli forces kill Palestinian teenager in East Jerusalem (30 Aug)


• Israeli police arrest and brand Palestinian with 'Star of David': Report (18 Aug)


• Israeli minister dismisses US 'terror' label after deadly settler attack (8 Aug)

According to Jewish law, entering any part of the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, also known as the Temple Mount, is forbidden for Jews due to the sacred nature of the site. Sukkot is a weeklong holiday, which started on September 29 and will continue until Friday [6 Oct].

Israeli settlers stormed the complex on Wednesday in groups through the al-Mughrabi Gate by the Western Wall near Al-Aqsa Mosque and attempted to perform "Talmudic rituals", according to a Waqf official.
[...]

The SUDDEN, MASSIVE attack unleashed by Hamas against Israel on Saturday has its roots in a long history of conflict. It may seem to echo past attacks, but it is very different in several key respects.

First, it is by far the most complex attack yet orchestrated by Hamas against Israel. Secondly, it caught Israel completely UNAWARE and, in many respects, unprepared. In fact, it represents the biggest Israeli INTELLIGENCE failure in at least half a century [50 YEARS]. Finally, while Israelis and the world were justifiably outraged at HAMAS' BRUTALITY, the anger of millions of Israelis including many close to their security services was also directed at what was seen as the catastrophic MISMANAGEMENT of Israeli national security by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his administration.
[...]

Hamas has since been responsible for suicide attacks against Israeli civilians, and the kidnapping and killing of Israeli soldiers. The United States is among the countries that have deemed it a TERRORIST group. But Hamas is also the governing power [ELECTION 2006] in the Gaza Strip.

G7 2008 GWOT: "The United States, Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, the UK have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization"

Unlike the Palestine Liberation Organization [PLO], led by Yasser Arafat Mahmoud Abbas, Hamas does not recognize Israel's right to exist as a state and has spoken about driving all Jews from the region. It has advocated an uncompromising position on the creation [?] of a Palestinian state based on UN Resolution 181, 1947 ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM stretching from the Mediterranean east to the Jordan River.
[...]

jpost | Netanyahu: Gazans should flee, IDF to avenge 'black day'

RT | Netanyahu vows to turn Gaza into 'ruins'

And what does Netanyahu really want?

news.un.org | UN engages parties as Security Council meets
• UNIFIL detected artillery fire exchange at Lebanon-Israeli "Blue Line" (no casualties)
• UNRWA sheltering 73,538 internally displaced people in 64 of its schools in all areas in Gaza, one of which "directly hit" (no casualties), urges restraint and UNFIL liaison co-ordination
• UNSCO debrief for EG, EU, LB, QA, US "contacts", urges humanitarian aid to Gaza

obligatory leak
barrons AFP | US, Israel Urge Hamas Condemnation At Security Council, 15 attending

The United States on Sunday led calls for condemnation of a Hamas assault on Israel as the United Nations Security Council opened an emergency session on the crisis.

"I expect to hear from the other Council members very strong condemnation of these heinous acts of terrorism committed against the Israeli people and their government," senior US diplomat Robert Wood told reporters as he entered the closed-door session.
[...]
A closed-door session would not bring a formal resolution, but diplomats said that talks on even reaching a non-binding statement were difficult.

China said it would support a statement: "We condemn all attacks against civilians," Ambassador Zhang Jun said, while adding that China also wanted a return to the Middle East peace process....

Israel's ambassador, Gilad Erdan, showed graphic pictures of Israeli civilians being taken captive by Hamas...."Israel must be given steadfast support to defend ourselves—to defend the free world."...

The Palestinian ambassador—who represents the West Bank-centered Palestinian Authority and not rival [?] Hamas—called on the Security Council to focus on ending Israeli occupation....

..."This turmoil in the Middle East will not end until the State of Palestine becomes completely independent," [speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Numan] Kurtulmus said in a speech in Istanbul, adding that any such state must be "well-established with its institutions and organizations."

"It is now obvious that there is no other way than this two-state solution," he said. Kurtulmus also called for the United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 to be adhered to; in November 1967 it called for Israeli withdrawal from territories it had occupied in the Arab-Israeli War of 1967 in exchange for regional peace....

The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday morning, in New York, is holding an emergency special session on the Israel-Gaza conflict, amid a continuing deadlock at the Security Council, and conditions in the besieged enclave growing more dire by the hour. Follow this page for live updates...
[...]
Under the "Uniting for Peace" landmark resolution, adopted by the General Assembly in 1950 [the Situation® in Korea], the body can convene an "emergency special session" within 24 hours, should the Security Council "fail to exercise its primary responsibility" for the maintenance of international peace and security.

This tenth Emergency Special Session was convened for the first time in April 1997, following a request from Qatar. It followed a series of Security Council and General Assembly meetings regarding the Israeli decision to build a large housing project in an area of East Jerusalem. The Session last came together on 13 June 2018 to consider a draft resolution entitled "Protection of the Palestinian civilian population". At the end of that session, the Assembly decided to adjourn "temporarily and to authorize the President of the General Assembly at its most recent session to resume its meeting upon request from Member States."
[...]

Today, RT is broadcasting this Emergency Session LIVE. Sadly, When I tuned in, Erdan, equipped with corpse illustration, had resumed his ahhh one-sided "We are being attacked by NAZI Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon".

news.un | At war with Hamas: Israel, 10:58 AM , 26 Oct

Gilad Erdan, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Israel to UN, said that the 7 October massacre and what ensued "has nothing" to do with the Palestinians, the Arab-Israeli conflict or the Palestinian question.

"This is not a war with the Palestinians, Israel is at war with the genocidal jihadist Hamas terror organization. It is the law abiding democracy of Israel against modern day Nazis" he said.

He went on to note that Hamas does not care about Palestinian people, peace or dialogue. Its only goal is to "annihilate Israel and murder every single Jew on the face of the Earth."

LIVE stream
UN, Tenth Emergency Special Session, 26 Oct

Illegal Israeli actions in occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory
The tenth Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly was convened for the first time in April 1997, following a request from the Permanent Representative of Qatar.

The session followed a series of Security Council and General Assembly meetings regarding the Israeli decision to build Har Homa, a 6,500 unit housing project, in the Jabal Abu Ghneim area of East Jerusalem.

The tenth Emergency Special Session was last resumed on 13 June 2018 to consider a draft resolution entitled "Protection of the Palestinian civilian population", at the request of Member States

Washington Post lede headline and file photos, 28 Oct 2023 08:30 ET

NY Yella Cake lede headline and file photos, 28 Oct 2023 08:30 ET

France24 lede headline and file photos, 28 Oct 2023 08:30 ET

Guardian lede headline and file photos, 28 Oct 2023 08:30 ET

DW lede headline and file photos, 28 Oct 2023 08:30 ET

Times of Israel lede headline and file photos, 28 Oct 2023 08:30 ET

USAToday lede headline and file photos, 28 Oct 2023 08:30 ET

Respect! The Director of the NY Office of UN High Commissioner of Human Rights just resigned: "Once again, we are seeing a genocide unfolding before our eyes, and the Organization that we serve appears powerless to stop it." Letter below- pic.twitter.com/1S2U4QrCv1

— Mona Fawaz (@mona_fawaz) October 31, 2023

This decision demonstrates the European Union's resolve to sanction those who undermine the stability, democracy, rule of law in Niger, and constitute a threat to peace and security in the region. This new autonomous framework for restrictive measures is set to make a tangible contribution in supporting the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) towards swift return to constitutional order in Niger.

The EU has from the very beginning condemned the coup d'état in Niger in the strongest terms. With today's decision, the EU strengthens its support to ECOWAS' efforts and sends a clear message: military coups bear costs. In order to safeguard the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance or activities that support basic human needs in Niger, this new regime includes a humanitarian exemption.
— Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

[...]

He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China is willing to improve the level of infrastructure connectivity, push forward the expansion and upgrading of trade cooperation, and actively explore new cooperation fields with all parties.

He called on entrepreneurs to carry forward the entrepreneurial spirit and play a bigger role in promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

More than 1,000 people including government officials, representatives of international organizations, and renowned entrepreneurs attended the conference.

At the noon of October 18, President Xi Jinping held talks at the Great Hall of the People with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was in China for the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF).

President Xi pointed out that President Putin's attendance at the BRF for the third time in a row demonstrates Russia's support for the Belt and Road cooperation. Russia is an important partner of China in Belt and Road international cooperation. Major infrastructure projects including the China-Russia east-route natural gas pipeline are up and running, delivering tangible benefits to the two peoples. China will work with Russia and other members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) to forge stronger synergy between the Belt and Road cooperation and the EEU, and carry out regional cooperation at a higher level and greater depths. President Xi expressed his hope for early substantive progress in the China-Mongolia-Russia natural gas pipeline, successful Great Tea Way cross-border tourism cooperation, and the building of the China-Mongolia-Russia economic corridor as a road for high-quality interconnected development.
[...]
President Putin noted that during President Xi's successful state visit to Russia in March, he and President Xi had in-depth discussions on many major issues and the consensus reached is being earnestly implemented. The evolution of the international landscape fully proves President Xi's strategic judgment that the world is undergoing changes unseen in a century. Russia is ready to work with China to enhance communication and coordination in BRICS and other multilateral mechanisms, defend the international system based on international law and promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system. There is only one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. Russia is firmly committed to the one-China policy and firmly supports China in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia is ready to take the opportunity of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year to further advance the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination.

The two heads of state also had in-depth exchange of views on the Palestinian-Israeli situation.

[...]
Nizar, who declined to give his last name for fear that it could hurt his chances of getting out, jumped up when he heard Hamas authorities call Zainab's name from the loudspeaker at the crowded Rafah terminal. But border officials quickly told him that U.S. [hyphenated]citizens were the only ones allowed to evacuate and that the rest of his family couldn't cross into Egypt. Many families, they said, had been separated for this reason.

First British nationals cross into Egypt from Gaza (01.11.23)

[...]
The U.S. embassy in Israel didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on the issue of families being separated at the border. Secretary of Stalking Antony Blinken was set to visit Israel on Friday to discuss the conflict.

The United States has publicly blamed Hamas for the delay in reopening Rafah, while neighboring Egypt, wary of receiving an influx of Palestinian refugees, has blamed Israel for repeatedly bombing the crossing and imposing tight controls. On Thursday, an Israeli bomb landed near the Rafah terminal, killing and wounding several people.

'The first step': Americans among initial group of civilians to leave Gaza. (01.11.23)
Egypt began allowing foreign passport holders and some wounded civilians trapped in the Gaza Strip to flee through the Rafah crossing Wednesday as the humanitarian crisis intensified and the war's combined death toll reported by Palestinian and Israeli authorities climbed above 10,000.

[...]
The list of those who would be allowed to leave that was distributed to dual nationals trapped in Gaza on Thursday included scores of Americans, as well as citizens from a handful of other countries ranging from Switzerland to Sri Lanka. How the names landed on that list and in that order remained a mystery. Palestinians struggled to get answers.

Jason Shawa, a Seattle-born translator whose wife and daughters don't have [US] American passports and weren't on the list, said the entire process was bewildering.
[...]

Last week, Louisiana voters chose a new governor, Jeff Landry. I say the "voters chose" him but what really happened was that only a small fraction—about 36 percent of registered voters statewide—even turned out at all, in what's described as the lowest-turnout gubernatorial election in a dozen years in the state.  
[...]
Predictably, questions of how this happened zeroed in on the issue of low Black voter turnout as a component of overall low turnout as if Black voters didn't care enough to turn out in an election that had serious consequences for their lives and well-being. This was more than a little annoying to Black Louisianans. "After Jeff Landry's low-turnout Louisiana win, Black voters refuse to take all the blame," said one headline [18 Oct 2023].

"This election, it's like Democrats didn't even try."

Perry voted on Saturday for Landry's lone Democratic opponent, Shawn Wilson, who garnered just 25.96 percent of the vote, exit polling showed. Some Louisiana Democrats as well as pollsters outside of the state were disappointed with the result and called out Black voters who showed low turnout, sparking debate on social media....

...The AGs argue that Meta's four-part scheme:
• Have a business model that focused on maximizing user attention,
• Deployed harmful and psychologically manipulative product features" to make said model profitable while lying about its safety for young users,
• Partially redacted but includes "while routinely publishing misleading reports boasting a deceptively low incidence of user harms,"
• Refused to abandon its use of "known harmful features," instead doubling down on efforts to conceal their harm....

President Biden signed Monday an [executive?] order invoking the Korean War-era Defense Production Act [DPA] to compel major AI computer programming  companies to notify the government when developing any system that poses a "serious risk to national security, national economic security or national public health and safety," according to a White House fact sheet.

"AI computer programming is all around us. Most of it is making our lives better," Biden said Monday at a reception held in the White House East Room and attended by cabinet officials, lawmakers, tech leaders and advocates. "One thing is clear: To realize the promise of AI computer programing and avoid the risks, we need to govern this technology...There's no way around it. It must be governed."
[...]
Congress has gradually expanded the Defense Production Act to apply to preparedness for non-military emergencies, according to congressional researchers. Biden, meanwhile, has invoked the law relatively frequently, according to some critics, using it to accelerate COVID-19 response, electric-car battery production, baby-formula supplies, and climate-change technology.
[...]
A central pillar of the order will be an effort to manage such national security risks as cybersecurity threats. It addresses fears that AI computer programming might fuel a global arms race of more powerful cyber weapons and unleash an avalanche of online disinformation, such as deep-fake images or videos that might be nearly impossible to distinguish from authentic content, officials said.
[...]
But while there is consensus around high-level ideas, such as establishing independent assessments of AI computer programming  systems and exposing tech companies to more legal liability, there has yet to be a legislative proposal that has picked up enough bipartisan steam to pass a divided Congress.

Meanwhile, European officials are moving toward their own AI computer programming regulations, and in some instances have proposed banning certain uses of AI computer programming. U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is hosting an AI computer programming safety summit this week in London, at which Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to speak.

[...]
AI computer programming is helping millions of commuters find the shortest route home as well. (Laughter.) But, you know, in some cases, AI computer programming is making life wor- -- worse. For example, using teenagers' personal data to figure out what will keep them glued to their device, AI computer programming makes social media more addictive. It's causing what our Surgeon General calls a "profound risk of harm" to their mental health and well-being.... I'm about to sign an executive order. An executive order that is the most significant action any government anywhere in the world has ever taken on AI safety, security, and trust. ...First, the executive order is about AI computer programming  safety and security. Today, I am invoking what's called the Defense Production Act that federal government uses in the most urgent of moments, like mobilizing the nation during—a nation in time of war or developing COVID vaccines during the pandemic.
[...]

announced Monday that he was dropping out of the 2024 GOP primary and endorsing former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley instead.

announced on Monday his independent candidacy for president, officially ending his effort to defeat President Joe Biden in the Democratic primary in favor of a long-shot general election bid.

proposed a plan that President Ronald Reagan used in the early 1980s: A bipartisan commission that can make hard choices about financing Social Security and Medicare in a less political atmosphere.

said the United Nations had long been a hostile place for Israel, which undermined the Organization's credibility and was harmful for the entire world. Israel must not only stand up for its own survival, but also for the ideals of freedom and human dignity, which was what the United Nations was supposed to be about, she said, adding that being forced to defend her country's sovereignty had brought many of the same thoughts to her mind. Pointing out that the United States was by far the single largest contributor to the United Nations, which it did in order to advance its values and interests, she said that together they had made tremendous advances in a wide range of areas. The United States was demonstrating "the American way" when it provided generous contributions to the United Nations, yet it also had the legitimate expectation that its efforts would garner the world's goodwill and respect, she said, adding that it was being asked to pay for the dubious privilege of being disrespected.

told the crowd, "And what did the Biden administration do? He loosened all the sanctions that gave billions of dollars to Iran. Interestingly enough, China, the number one importer of oil in Iran. Russia, getting their drones from Iran. Look at the triangle, because the triangle is real."

said, "I will not sit still and not be quiet in the face of numbers that are so clearly saying that we're going to be facing an emergency next November. It's time to put our country back together again."

...to discuss our response to Hamas' terrorist attacks against Israel and Russia's ongoing brutal war against Ukraine.

The timing of the speech underscores the consequential nature of both conflicts to U.S. interests, and it comes on the heels of Biden's trip to Israel to show support for the Jewish state and broker a deal to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

It also comes as the White House prepares to send a supplemental funding request to Congress seeking aid for both Israel and Ukraine. The total ask could reportedly amount to roughly $100 billion, also including funding for Taiwan and U.S. border security.

..."The bottom line is Al Sisi deserves some real credit," Biden told reporters aboard Air Force One. Biden said the $100 million in U.S. funding would support more than 1 million displaced and conflict-affected Palestinians, including by filling emergency needs in Gaza....

... The United States and our partners across the region are working to build a better future for the Middle East, one where the Middle East is more stable, better connected to its neighbors, and—through innovative projects like the India-Middle East-Europe rail corridor that I announced this year at the summit of the world's biggest economies. More predictable markets, more employment, less rage, less grievances, less war when connected. It benefits the people—it would benefit the people of the Middle East, and it would benefit us.

American leadership is what holds the world together.  American alliances are what keep us, America, safe.  American values are what make us a partner that other nations want to work with. To put all that at risk if we walk away from Ukraine, if we turn our backs on Israel, it's just not worth it.
[...]
We're going to make sure Iron Dome continues to guard the skies over Israel. We're going to make sure other hostile actors in the region know that Israel is stronger than ever and prevent this conflict from spreading.

Look, at the same time, President Prime Minister Netanyahu and I discussed again yesterday the critical need for Israel to operate by the laws of war. That means protecting civilians in combat as best as they can. The people of Gaza urgently need food, water, and medicine.

Yesterday, in discussions with the leaders of Israel and Egypt, I secured an agreement for the first shipment of humanitarian assistance from the United Nations to Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
[...]
You know, and here at home, we have to be honest with ourselves.  In recent years, too much hate has been given too much oxygen, fueling racism, a rise in antisemitism and Islamicphobia Islamophobia right here in America.
[...]
What would happen if we walked away? We are the essential nation.
[...]
We cannot and will not let terrorists like Hamas and tyrants like Putin win. I refuse to let that happen.

In moments like these, we have to remind—we have to remember who we are.  We are the United States of America—the United States of America.  And there is nothing—nothing beyond our capacity if we do it together.

My fellow Americans, thank you for your time.

May God bless you all.  And may God protect our troops.

[...]
Israel $14.3 billion
National security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters that the increased funds will "invest in Israel's defense against terrorists, including by strengthening its air and missile defense systems." ...

Ukraine request is $61.4 billion
The $61.4 billion request for Ukraine includes $30 billion in equipment for Ukraine from Department of Defense stocks and to backfill those stocks....

Border security
The administration is asking Congress for $13.6 billion to be used to bolster border security....

Indo-Pacific
The administration is asking for roughly $7.4 billion to strengthen allies in the Indo-Pacific and push back on China's efforts to exert influence in the region.
[...]

Condemning the attacks by Hamas, which is recognized by the U.S. and several other countries as a terrorist organization, Biden spoke with the pontiff about his trip to Israel and efforts to guarantee the delivery of food, medicine and humanitarian aid to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, according to a readout from the White House.

Citing the Holy See Press Office, Vatican News reported the conversation lasted around 20 minutes and highlighted the "need to identify paths of peace."

"I am very concerned, grieved," he said at the Angelus prayer. "I pray and I am close to all those who are suffering, the hostages, the wounded, the victims and their families.... "War, any war that there is in the world - I also think of martyred Ukraine ," the Pope continued, "is a defeat. War always is a defeat, it is a destruction of human fraternity. Brothers, stop! Stop!"

Biden is only the second Catholic U.S. president and had a private audience with Francis at the Vatican in 2021....

[...]
Q And if I may, very quickly—in the 18 days since Hama—Hamas killed 1,400 Israelis, the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry says Israeli forces have killed over 6,000 Palestinians, including 2,700 chil—children. You've previously asked Netanyahu to minimize civilian casualties. Do these numbers say to you that he is ignoring that message?

BIDEN: What they say to me is I have no notion that the Palestinians are telling the truth about how many people are killed. I'm sure innocents have been killed, and it's the price of waging a war. I think we should be incredibly careful. I think—well, not "we"—the Israelis should be incredibly careful to be sure that they're focusing on going after the folks that are the pr—propagating this war against Israel. And it's against their interest when that doesn't happen. But I have no confidence in the number that the Palestinians are using.
[...]

"Dresden was a symbol of that because you knew that this is the only way to beat the Nazis and make them surrender. This is the reality that Israel is facing a cruel, cruel, barbaric terror organisation."

• U.S. State -- ISRAEL: Human Rights Abuse Endemic
• Attack: Palestine Humiliates Netanyahu - Israel

  The Security state undermined shown not to be invincible ... a day of reckoning came after decades of human rights abuse under illegal occupation

• EU's Von der Leyen Expresses Shock

  Israel and State Terrorism with impunity

• United GCC States Urge Halt to Escalation

A long standing argument ...

Palestinian Armed Resistance: Terror or Legitimate? | Tikun Olam - May 2023 |

'Sapere aude'

The vicious cycle of democratic pretensions, dysfunctional politics and a divided society continued in the United States. Problems such as money politics, identity politics, social rifts, and the gulf between the rich and poor worsened.