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The Financial Times, June 18, 2026

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Subject: [Salon] Fwd: Juan Cole: "How Israel Is Trying to Burn Down
 International Law." (6/20/26)
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*https://www.juancole.com/2026/06/israel-trying-international.html
<https://www.juancole.com/2026/06/israel-trying-international.html>*

*How Israel Is Trying to Burn Down International Law*

*Hugh J. Curran <https://www.juancole.com/author/hugh-j-curran> 06/20/2026*

*Orono, Maine (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) =E2=80=93 According to
OXFAM =E2=80=9CIsrael copied and pasted its war crimes from Gaza to Lebanon=
. But
=E2=80=A6we haven=E2=80=99t heard just how dire the situation really is. Th=
ousands of
civilians have been killed. 450,000 people have had their water systems
damaged or destroyed. More than one million people are facing acute food
insecurity=E2=80=9D.*

*Why is Israel pursuing military policies that alienate its neighbors and
horrifies many? The recent assassination by Israel, with the assistance of
=E2=80=9CCIA tracking=E2=80=9D, of the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Al=
i Khamenei, with
his family, shocked the world. Then an American missile bombed a school
with 165 young girls in Minab resulting in a global condemnation. There
seemed no clear purpose to these atrocities other than instigating a reign
of fear. More recently Israeli bombs have been dropped on the ancient city
of Beirut, and simultaneously on villages in southern Lebanon.*

*A fundamental principle of civilization is to negotiate with leaders of
adversarial nations, not to assassinate them during peace discussions.
Israeli bombers made an attempt to assassinate Hamas negotiators in Doha,
Qatar, in the midst of discussions. The perversity in this form of
negotiating raises a question concerning the validity of the intentions of
the negotiating party and the presumption that even rational discussions of
peace are paid little attention. *

*According to Alastair Crooke, a former Middle East Advisor: =E2=80=9CIsrae=
l is a
believer in making its adversaries suffer so severely that they will
surrender=E2=80=9D. Crooke also observed: =E2=80=9CIran adheres to the =E2=
=80=9CJust War=E2=80=9D views of
Islam which =E2=80=9Cstrictly prohibits the targeting of civilians=E2=80=9D=
. In
contrast Israel does not believe that there are =E2=80=9Cinnocents=E2=80=9D=
 among their
adversaries since they assume that Palestinian children will grow up to be
terrorists. Since Oct 2023 Israel has adopted the doctrine of =E2=80=9Cperm=
anent
security=E2=80=9D which replaced a less lethal form of =E2=80=9Cconflict ma=
nagement=E2=80=9D. *

*In recent airstrikes across Lebanon, 3800 have been killed and over 11,000
wounded, The intention seems clear, that Israel=E2=80=99s  goal in Lebanon =
is to
displace the Lebanese people. Defense Minister Katz declared that the
=E2=80=9C600,000 Lebanese who lived south of the Litani River would not be =
allowed
to return at the end of the war, and their homes near the border would be
destroyed=E2=80=9D, presumably to create a buffer zone. At least 68 hospita=
ls have
been bombed, in Lebanon, according to the World Health Organization and 17
have been totally destroyed. In addition WHO estimated that over 100
schools across Southern Lebanon are unable to function.*

*This destruction of infrastructure is contrary to International
Humanitarian Law as well as the 1949 Geneva Conventions which explicitly
=E2=80=9Cprotects individuals not actively participating in hostilities=E2=
=80=9D
Humanitarian Law asserts that =E2=80=9Cbelligerents are expected to take al=
l
feasible precautions to protect civilians=E2=80=9D. What has become more an=
d more
evident is that Israel ignores International Humanitarian Laws in favor of
a =E2=80=9Cpermanent security=E2=80=9D strategy. *

*Originally, the =E2=80=9Dconflict management=E2=80=9D strategy was intende=
d to maintain
deterrence and to contain Gaza, but this appears to no longer be viable as
Israel is applying their own version of =E2=80=9Cpermanent security=E2=80=
=9D to much of the
Middle East. Under this doctrine, international law no longer exists,
political compromise is of no consequence and ceasefires no longer bind
Israel, neither in Gaza nor in Lebanon. The result of this strategy of
perpetual war is that Israel exploits its military superiority to eliminate
every threat. To apply this doctrine to Iran demanded a compliant U.S.
President to support its failed attempts, with the result that Iran=E2=80=
=99s
infrastructure has been severely damaged, and will require enormous
investments of finances and manpower to reconstruct. *

*Vali Nasr, Professor of Middle East Studies at John Hopkins, noted in an
interview that the war with Iran has shifted the balance of power; It has
put serious limits on American power, equivalent to a =E2=80=9CSuez moment=
=E2=80=9D which
shattered Britain=E2=80=99s illusions of global dominance. Nasr continued:
=E2=80=9CAmerica=E2=80=99s influence and prestige have become battered=E2=
=80=A6five years from now
we will see a new reality taking shape=E2=80=A6 allies and enemies will be
compelled to recalculate what is possible and to pivot=E2=80=9D to new
strategies=E2=80=9D. *

*Even as the gross atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank have been taking
place near Israel=E2=80=99s cities, only a small percentage of its citizens=
 have
spoken out. A former Mossad chief, witnessing violence on the West Bank
against Palestinian villages said: =E2=80=9CWhat I saw makes me ashamed to =
be a
Jew=E2=80=9D. Major General Yaakov Or also remarked that =E2=80=9Cthere is =
a huge gap
between what is happening on the ground and what the public knows=E2=80=A6P=
eople
are suppressing it. They do not want to know=E2=80=9D.*

*Despite this, =E2=80=9CAlliance for Middle East Peace=E2=80=9D (ALLMEPS) i=
ncludes 170
peace groups such as: =E2=80=9CCombatants for Peace=E2=80=9D;=E2=80=9CParen=
ts Circle=E2=80=9D;  EcoPeace
Middle East; =E2=80=9CStanding Together=E2=80=9D and  =E2=80=9CLand for All=
=E2=80=9D; Yet an estimated  80%
of Israeli people continue to support government policies in Lebanon, Gaza
and Iran. Perhaps they have become  emotionally disconnected or are living
under an illusion of divine protection. Whatever the reason, 75,000
civilians in Gaza have been killed by Israel=E2=80=99s bombs, 70% women and
children, according to human rights organizations. The world has taken
notice. Images of genocide have circulated on mass media and the result is
that in a recent =E2=80=9CGlobal Country Perceptions Index =E2=80=9C Israel=
 is ranked the
=E2=80=9Cmost negatively perceived among 129 evaluated nations=E2=80=9D.*

*Ehud Olmert, the former PM of Israel recently wrote an Op-Ed in Israel=E2=
=80=99s
Haaretz News in which he stated that =E2=80=9CThe government of Israel is c=
urrently
waging a war without purpose, without goals or clear planning and with no
chances of success=E2=80=9D. He accused =E2=80=9CBenjamin Netanyahu of lead=
ing a =E2=80=9Ccriminal
gang=E2=80=9D which =E2=80=9Chas set a precedent without equal in Israel=E2=
=80=99s history.=E2=80=9D And
that =E2=80=9Cshort of extermination, government policy carried out indiscr=
iminate
killing of civilians and denied them food and medicine=E2=80=A6This was don=
e with
vicious and malicious intent. Israel is committing war crimes. It is time
to halt.=E2=80=9D Ehud Olmert concluded =E2=80=9CEnough is enough!*

*Photo of Gaza by Emad El Byed
<https://unsplash.com/@emad_el_bayed?utm_source=3Dunsplash&utm_medium=3Dref=
erral&utm_content=3DcreditCopyText>
on Unsplash
<https://unsplash.com/photos/a-stop-sign-on-the-side-of-a-road-sCSHUYHEDlk?=
utm_source=3Dunsplash&utm_medium=3Dreferral&utm_content=3DcreditCopyText>*

*Israel=E2=80=99s leaders have begun to realize that its Messianic aspirati=
on to
destroy all potential enemies by force of arms is no longer viable since it
has over-estimated its influence in the U.S. and is experiencing a rapid
decrease in public support. The serious miscalculation concerning its
abilities to change the leadership of Iran is bringing a willingness to
resee its role in the Middle East and to consider a more cooperative,
rather than a combative relationship, with its neighbors. There is a
growing imperative, among a minority, that Israel should remain within its
borders. Former Prime Minister David Ben Gurion has been quoted saying: =E2=
=80=9CIf
I had to choose between a small Israel with peace and a large Israel
without peace, I would prefer a small Israel=E2=80=9D. *

*A smaller Israel may be inevitable, as out-migration has been increasing
with educated and highly skilled professionals making an exodus out of the
country. Itai Ater, economics professor at Tel Aviv University, told The
Times of Israel that =E2=80=9Cmany engineers, physicians, and academics are
leaving, which is a major sign of concern and poses a strategic threat to
the future of Israel, if this wave continues, Israel [being] a country with
few natural resources, is dependent on the quality of its human capital,
and without the knowledge and expertise of the people driving high-tech
innovation, academia, and healthcare, the economy=E2=80=A6 will collapse=E2=
=80=9D.*

--0000000000000020620654afafbe
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"font-family:georgia,serif;backgro=
und-color:transparent"><a href=3D"https://www.juancole.com/2026/06/israel-t=
rying-international.html" target=3D"_blank">https://www.juancole.com/2026/0=
6/israel-trying-international.html</a></b></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=
=3D"ltr"><div style=3D"font-family:georgia,serif"><b><br></b></div><div><h1=
 style=3D"font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;line-height:1.2141em;marg=
in-top:0px;margin-bottom:0.5em;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font si=
ze=3D"4"><i>How Israel Is Trying to Burn Down International Law</i></font><=
/h1><div style=3D"font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;margin-bottom:1.4=
5em;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><p style=3D"margin:0px;max-width:10=
0%;display:inline"><b><span style=3D"margin:0px;max-width:100%;clear:both;d=
isplay:inline"><a href=3D"https://www.juancole.com/author/hugh-j-curran" re=
l=3D"author" style=3D"text-decoration:none;margin:0px;color:rgb(27,27,27);m=
ax-width:100%;display:inline" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"margin:0px;m=
ax-width:100%">Hugh J. Curran</span></a></span><span>=C2=A0</span><span sty=
le=3D"margin:0.07em 0.45em 0px;padding:0px;max-width:100%;display:inline"><=
/span>06/20/2026</b></p></div><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27=
)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Orono, Maine (Special to Informed Comme=
nt; Feature) =E2=80=93 According to OXFAM=C2=A0=E2=80=9C<em style=3D"max-wi=
dth:100%">Israel copied and pasted its war crimes from Gaza to Lebanon. But=
 =E2=80=A6we haven=E2=80=99t heard just how dire the situation really is. T=
housands of civilians have been killed. 450,000 people have had their water=
 systems damaged or destroyed. More than one million people are facing acut=
e food insecurity=E2=80=9D.</em></font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;c=
olor:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Why is Israel pursuing=
 military policies that alienate=C2=A0its neighbors and horrifies=C2=A0many=
? The recent assassination by Israel,=C2=A0with the assistance of =E2=80=9C=
CIA tracking=E2=80=9D,=C2=A0of the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Kh=
amenei, with his family, shocked the world. Then an American missile bombed=
 a school with 165 young girls in Minab resulting in a global condemnation.=
 There seemed no clear purpose to these atrocities other than instigating a=
 reign of fear. More recently Israeli bombs have been dropped on the ancien=
t=C2=A0city of Beirut, and simultaneously on villages in southern Lebanon.<=
/font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif">A fundamental principle of civilization is to negotiate=
 with leaders of adversarial nations, not to assassinate them during peace =
discussions. Israeli bombers made an attempt to assassinate Hamas negotiato=
rs in Doha, Qatar, in the midst of discussions. The perversity in this form=
 of negotiating raises a question concerning the validity of the intentions=
 of the negotiating party and the presumption that even rational discussion=
s of peace are paid little attention.=C2=A0</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-w=
idth:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">According t=
o Alastair Crooke, a former Middle East Advisor: =E2=80=9CIsrael is a belie=
ver in making its adversaries suffer so severely that they will surrender=
=E2=80=9D.=C2=A0Crooke also observed: =E2=80=9CIran adheres to the =E2=80=
=9CJust War=E2=80=9D views of Islam which =E2=80=9Cstrictly prohibits the t=
argeting of civilians=E2=80=9D. In contrast=C2=A0Israel does not believe th=
at there are =E2=80=9Cinnocents=E2=80=9D among their adversaries=C2=A0since=
 they assume that Palestinian children will grow up to be terrorists. Since=
 Oct 2023=C2=A0Israel has adopted the doctrine of =E2=80=9Cpermanent securi=
ty=E2=80=9D which=C2=A0replaced a less lethal form of =E2=80=9Cconflict man=
agement=E2=80=9D.=C2=A0</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(=
27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">In recent airstrikes across Leb=
anon, 3800 have been killed and over 11,000 wounded, The intention seems cl=
ear, that Israel=E2=80=99s=C2=A0=C2=A0goal in Lebanon is to displace the Le=
banese people. Defense Minister=C2=A0Katz=C2=A0declared=C2=A0that the =E2=
=80=9C600,000 Lebanese who lived south of the Litani River would not be all=
owed to return at the end of the war, and their homes near the border would=
 be destroyed=E2=80=9D, presumably to create a=C2=A0buffer zone. At least 6=
8 hospitals have been bombed, in Lebanon,=C2=A0according to the World Healt=
h Organization and=C2=A017 have been totally destroyed. In addition WHO est=
imated that over=C2=A0100 schools across Southern Lebanon are unable to fun=
ction.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><fo=
nt face=3D"georgia, serif">This destruction of infrastructure is contrary t=
o International Humanitarian Law as well as the 1949 Geneva Conventions whi=
ch explicitly =E2=80=9Cprotects individuals not actively participating in h=
ostilities=E2=80=9D Humanitarian Law asserts that =E2=80=9Cbelligerents are=
 expected to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians=E2=80=9D. W=
hat=C2=A0has become more and more evident is that=C2=A0Israel ignores Inter=
national Humanitarian Laws in favor of a=C2=A0=E2=80=9Cpermanent security=
=E2=80=9D strategy.=C2=A0</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rg=
b(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Originally, the =E2=80=9Dconf=
lict management=E2=80=9D strategy was intended to maintain deterrence and t=
o contain Gaza, but this appears to no longer be viable as Israel is applyi=
ng their own version of =E2=80=9Cpermanent security=E2=80=9D to much of the=
 Middle East. Under this doctrine<span style=3D"max-width:100%">,=C2=A0</sp=
an>international law no longer exists, political compromise is of no conseq=
uence and ceasefires no longer bind Israel, neither in Gaza nor in Lebanon.=
<span style=3D"max-width:100%">=C2=A0</span>The result of this strategy of =
perpetual war is that Israel exploits its military superiority to eliminate=
 every threat. To apply this doctrine to Iran demanded a compliant U.S. Pre=
sident to=C2=A0support its failed attempts, with the result that Iran=E2=80=
=99s infrastructure has been severely damaged, and will require enormous in=
vestments of finances and manpower=C2=A0to reconstruct.=C2=A0</font></b></p=
><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, =
serif">Vali Nasr, Professor of Middle East Studies at John Hopkins, noted i=
n an interview that the war with Iran has shifted the balance of power; It =
has put serious limits on American power, equivalent to a =E2=80=9CSuez mom=
ent=E2=80=9D which shattered Britain=E2=80=99s illusions of global dominanc=
e. Nasr continued: =E2=80=9CAmerica=E2=80=99s influence and prestige have b=
ecome battered=E2=80=A6five years from now we will see a new reality taking=
 shape=E2=80=A6 allies and enemies will be compelled to recalculate what is=
 possible and to pivot=E2=80=9D to new strategies=E2=80=9D.=C2=A0</font></b=
></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georg=
ia, serif">Even as the gross atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank have been=
 taking place near Israel=E2=80=99s cities, only a small percentage of its =
citizens have spoken out. A former Mossad chief, witnessing violence on the=
 West Bank against Palestinian villages said: =E2=80=9CWhat I saw makes me =
ashamed to be a Jew=E2=80=9D. Major General Yaakov Or also remarked that =
=E2=80=9Cthere is a huge gap between what is happening on the ground and wh=
at the public knows=E2=80=A6People are suppressing it. They do not want to =
know=E2=80=9D.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)=
"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Despite=C2=A0this,=C2=A0=E2=80=9CAllianc=
e for Middle East Peace=E2=80=9D (ALLMEPS) includes 170 peace groups such a=
s:=C2=A0=E2=80=9CCombatants for Peace=E2=80=9D;=E2=80=9CParents Circle=E2=
=80=9D;=C2=A0=C2=A0EcoPeace Middle East; =E2=80=9CStanding Together=E2=80=
=9D and=C2=A0=C2=A0=E2=80=9CLand for All=E2=80=9D; Yet an estimated=C2=A0=
=C2=A080% of Israeli people continue to support government policies in Leba=
non, Gaza and Iran. Perhaps they have become =C2=A0emotionally disconnected=
 or are living under an illusion of divine protection. Whatever the reason,=
=C2=A075,000 civilians in Gaza have been killed by Israel=E2=80=99s bombs, =
70% women and children,=C2=A0according to human rights organizations. The w=
orld has taken notice. Images of genocide have circulated on mass media and=
 the result is that in=C2=A0a recent =E2=80=9C<em style=3D"max-width:100%">=
Global Country Perceptions Index</em>=C2=A0=E2=80=9C Israel is ranked the =
=E2=80=9Cmost negatively perceived among=C2=A0129 evaluated nations=E2=80=
=9D.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font=
 face=3D"georgia, serif">Ehud Olmert, the former PM of Israel recently wrot=
e an Op-Ed in Israel=E2=80=99s Haaretz News in which he stated that =E2=80=
=9CThe government of Israel is currently waging a war without purpose, with=
out goals or clear planning and with no chances of success=E2=80=9D. He acc=
used =E2=80=9CBenjamin Netanyahu of leading a =E2=80=9Ccriminal gang=E2=80=
=9D which =E2=80=9Chas set a precedent without equal in Israel=E2=80=99s hi=
story.=E2=80=9D And that =E2=80=9Cshort of extermination, government policy=
 carried out indiscriminate killing of civilians and denied them food and m=
edicine=E2=80=A6This was done with vicious and malicious intent. Israel is =
committing war crimes. It is time to halt.=E2=80=9D Ehud Olmert concluded =
=E2=80=9CEnough is enough!</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:r=
gb(27,27,27)"><img src=3D"https://media.juancole.com/images/2026/06/emad-el=
-byed-sCSHUYHEDlk-unsplash.jpg" alt=3D"" width=3D"412" height=3D"280" style=
=3D"margin:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"><i style=3D"max-width:100%">=
<small style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Photo of G=
aza by<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://unsplash.com/@emad_el_bayed?utm=
_source=3Dunsplash&amp;utm_medium=3Dreferral&amp;utm_content=3DcreditCopyTe=
xt" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" tar=
get=3D"_blank">Emad El Byed</a><span>=C2=A0</span>on<span>=C2=A0</span><a h=
ref=3D"https://unsplash.com/photos/a-stop-sign-on-the-side-of-a-road-sCSHUY=
HEDlk?utm_source=3Dunsplash&amp;utm_medium=3Dreferral&amp;utm_content=3Dcre=
ditCopyText" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:=
100%" target=3D"_blank">Unsplash</a></font></b></small></i></p><p style=3D"=
max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Israel=
=E2=80=99s leaders have begun to realize that its Messianic aspiration to d=
estroy all potential enemies by force of arms is no longer viable since it =
has over-estimated its influence in the U.S. and is experiencing a rapid de=
crease in public support. The serious miscalculation concerning its abiliti=
es to change the leadership of Iran is bringing=C2=A0a=C2=A0willingness to =
resee its role in the Middle East and to consider a more cooperative, rathe=
r than a combative relationship, with=C2=A0its neighbors.=C2=A0There is a g=
rowing imperative, among a minority, that Israel should remain within its b=
orders.=C2=A0Former Prime Minister David Ben Gurion=C2=A0has been quoted sa=
ying:=C2=A0=E2=80=9C<em style=3D"max-width:100%">If I had to</em><em style=
=3D"max-width:100%">=C2=A0choose between a small Israel with peace and a la=
rge Israel without peace, I would prefer a small Israe</em>l=E2=80=9D.=C2=
=A0</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font =
face=3D"georgia, serif">A smaller Israel may be inevitable, as out-migratio=
n has been increasing with educated and highly skilled professionals making=
 an exodus out of the country.=C2=A0Itai Ater, economics professor at Tel A=
viv University, told<span>=C2=A0</span><em style=3D"max-width:100%">The Tim=
es of Israel</em><span>=C2=A0</span>that =E2=80=9Cmany engineers, physician=
s, and academics are leaving, which is a major sign of concern and poses a =
strategic threat to the future of Israel, if this wave continues,=C2=A0Isra=
el [being] a country with few natural resources, is dependent on the qualit=
y of its human capital, and without the knowledge and expertise of the peop=
le driving high-tech innovation, academia, and healthcare, the economy=E2=
=80=A6 will collapse=E2=80=9D.</font></b></p></div></div>
</div>
</div></div>

--0000000000000020620654afafbe--

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Subject: [Salon] Israelis feel betrayed and angry after Iran peace deal
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*[No evidence of self-reflection or consideration of non-military means of
threat reduction that might work when the all-military approach of the past
78 years has consistently failed. No evidence of anything but a sense of
entitlement in the relationship with Washington.  Not a good look.  Where
does Israel go from here?]*

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/20/israelis-betrayed-angry-after=
-iran-peace-deal-donald-trump?CMP=3DGTUS_email

=E2=80=98It=E2=80=99s a big mistake=E2=80=99: Israelis feel betrayed and an=
gry after Iran peace deal

In =E2=80=98middle Israel=E2=80=99 there are fears Iran could rebuild stron=
ger =E2=80=93 and there
is particular ire for Donald Trump
Jason Burke <https://www.theguardian.com/profile/jasonburke> in Rehovot and
Jerusalem
Sat 20 Jun 2026
Share

In the Tree brasserie off Herzl Street in Rehovot, there was much that
almost everyone agreed on. Few contested that the ceasefire deal concluded
by Iran and the US a few days earlier
<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/17/trump-us-iran-war-mou-deal> =
was
very bad for Israel. =E2=80=9CWe were betrayed by President Trump,=E2=80=9D=
 said Avi Perez,
55.

They believed, too, that Israel <https://www.theguardian.com/world/israel>,
more than ever, was surrounded by danger that it would have to confront
alone. =E2=80=9CIt is strange. One day we were in the [bomb] shelters with =
our
children =E2=80=A6 The next day, everything is supposed to be normal. But n=
othing
has been resolved,=E2=80=9D said Shaham Nowick, 35, as he studied the menu.

Rehovot, 12 miles from Tel Aviv, has long been held up by pollsters as the
epitome of =E2=80=9Cmiddle Israel=E2=80=9D, if such a thing exists in such =
a diverse and
divided country. Rows of Israeli and pride flags flew on major streets,
loud rave music blasted on one street corner, Orthodox Jewish men gathered
on another, and weekend traffic built up around construction sites for a
new bus system.

Some had come to the brasserie for a break from the news, which on Friday
morning was dominated by headlines about renewed fighting in Lebanon
<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/19/us-iran-talks-in-switzerland=
-cancelled>,
where Israeli forces had launched waves of airstrikes, killing 18 people
and wounding 33, after Hezbollah, which has close links to Iran, had killed
four Israeli soldiers, including a senior officer, in an attack on a tank.

Many Israelis believe the deal negotiated by the US with Iran
<https://www.theguardian.com/world/iran> is a betrayal. Commentators have
condemned the deal as a surrender and a humiliation that was =E2=80=9Ceven =
worse
than Israel had feared=E2=80=9D.

There widespread concern not only that will Iran be able to rebuild
stronger than before the conflict, but also that the agreement imposed in
Lebanon will restrict Israel=E2=80=99s ability to combat Hezbollah, which i=
s seen
as a major threat to the Israel=E2=80=99s north.

=E2=80=9CIsraelis believe that the war in Lebanon is a just war,=E2=80=9D s=
aid Udi Tenne, a
political strategic adviser and international campaign manager in Israel.
=E2=80=9CEveryone living in Israel understands that Iran and Hezbollah are =
one and
the same.=E2=80=9D

In Metulla, a northern town metres from Lebanon, there was anger. =E2=80=9C=
Everyone
was very pleased with the war [against Iran] but the US agreement is really
not good for Israel =E2=80=A6 It=E2=80=99s a big mistake,=E2=80=9D said Dan=
iel Dorfmann, a
restaurateur.

Others spoke of the =E2=80=9Cabject failure=E2=80=9D of Israel to achieve i=
ts war aims of
regime change, the destruction of Iran=E2=80=99s nuclear programme and the
elimination of its ballistic missiles.

Worse, after starting the war =E2=80=9Cshoulder to shoulder=E2=80=9D with t=
he US, Israel
had ended the conflict marginalised by Washington and dismissed as =E2=80=
=9Ca small
power=E2=80=9D by Donald Trump last week.

Instead of being invited to the White House to advise Trump, Benjamin
Netanyahu has received expletive-laden tirades
<https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/02/trump-shouted-and-cursed-n=
etanyahu-over-threat-to-resume-beirut-bombing>
and
criticism over the civilian casualties caused by Israel=E2=80=99s relentles=
s
offensive in Lebanon, where more than 3,900 people have been killed.

Nadav Eyal, a columnist in the daily newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, wrote:
=E2=80=9CThe words =E2=80=98shock=E2=80=99 and =E2=80=98grief=E2=80=99 fail=
 to describe the feeling in certain
parts of the establishment in Israel. A lot of salt is being poured into
their wounds now.=E2=80=9D

Netanyahu, who is 76 and on trial for corruption, now faces the difficult
challenge of convincing voters that only he can keep Israelis safe.

Prof Tamar Hermann, a specialist in public opinion at the Israel Democracy
Institute <https://en.idi.org.il/>, said: =E2=80=9CNetanyahu showed a kind =
of
hubris in defining his aims so clearly. When you fail to achieve them, you
are thought of as incapable of fulfilling your promises.=E2=80=9D

Rehovot, where there are very few Palestinian citizens of Israel, is also a
bellwether town for Jewish voters, who comprise three-quarters of the
electorate in Israel. National polls are now expected in October. =E2=80=9C=
The
coming election will be a major turning point,=E2=80=9D said one opposition=
 party
senior official last week. =E2=80=9CIt=E2=80=99s hard to exaggerate how imp=
ortant this will
be for the country.=E2=80=9D

Faith in Netanyahu was deeply shaken, even among supporters, by the
failures that led to the October 2023 attack by Hamas, in which 1,200
people, mostly civilians, were killed and about 250 abducted. Israel=E2=80=
=99s
relentless and bloody war in Gaza, which killed more than 73,000 people
<https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/mar/23/gaza-ceasefire-=
paramedic-father-killed-civilian-death-toll>,
mostly civilians, brought international isolation. Israel now controls
<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/28/netanyahu-orders-israeli-arm=
y-seize-70-gaza-strip-violating-ceasefire-deal>
70%
of Gaza but Hamas still rules over most of the 2.3 million population.
Successive offensives in Lebanon against Hezbollah have proved inconclusive=
.

Despite the backlash, there are some who remain loyal to Netanyahu. When
undecided voters were asked last week who would best stand up to Iran, 43%
said a Netanyahu-led coalition.

At the brasserie, Perez, an engineer, said: =E2=80=9CNetanyahu is human, so=
 he
makes some mistakes, but he knows how to fix things. He knows what Israel
needs. He speaks for his country. Trump speaks for his businesses.=E2=80=9D

Such sentiments mean the coming election is likely to be closely fought.
Netanyahu, a veteran of such struggles, may still outmanoeuvre all rivals,
analysts say. Hermann said: =E2=80=9CI think he is in trouble but I=E2=80=
=99m not sure what
he might have up his sleeve. He is a political Houdini.=E2=80=9D

Lee Novick, 34, a doctor in Rehovot, said Israelis were more divided on
many issues than ever before. =E2=80=9CNetanyahu has been trying to divide =
us and
it has worked. This has been going on for years. And in the meantime, no
one cares about the basic stuff =E2=80=93 house prices, for example, or inf=
lation,=E2=80=9D
she said.

=E2=80=9CI believe Iran when it says it wants to destroy Israel. Why wouldn=
=E2=80=99t I?
But this government is exploiting the war [to get] divisive laws through
and just to stay in power.=E2=80=9D

Officials in opposition political parties also said Jewish Israelis were
more divided than ever before. =E2=80=9CIsraelis are talking past each othe=
r. The
common ground isn=E2=80=99t there,=E2=80=9D one said.

Harmann disagrees, however, and pointed out there had been other moments of
extreme polarisation in recent decades, such as the 1990s. Instead, she
said, most Jewish voters share more than divides them: a belief in an
economically liberal model but a strong welfare state funded by progressive
taxation, a tough line on security, Israel existing as a Jewish state and a
belief that any two-state solution to the conflict with Palestinians is
unrealistic.

More immediately, most support the war in Lebanon and fiercely oppose laws
giving Israel=E2=80=99s orthodox communities exemption from conscription.

=E2=80=9CAll the talk of polarisation is possibly a bit of a self-fulfillin=
g
prophecy,=E2=80=9D Harmann said.

In Rehovot, Dahlia Perez, 55, said last week=E2=80=99s events had taught he=
r that
=E2=80=9Cpeace will never come=E2=80=9D.

=E2=80=9CI was hoping for an end to wars but I think we are always going to=
 have to
live by our swords,=E2=80=9D she said. =E2=80=9CWe understand now that we h=
ave no friends
and we cannot trust anyone.=E2=80=9D

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div><i>[No evidence of self-reflection or consideration o=
f non-military means of threat reduction that might work when the all-milit=
ary approach of the past 78 years has consistently failed. No evidence of a=
nything but a sense of entitlement in the relationship with Washington.=C2=
=A0 Not a good look.=C2=A0 Where does Israel go from here?]</i></div><div><=
br></div><a href=3D"https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/20/israelis-=
betrayed-angry-after-iran-peace-deal-donald-trump?CMP=3DGTUS_email">https:/=
/www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/20/israelis-betrayed-angry-after-iran-p=
eace-deal-donald-trump?CMP=3DGTUS_email</a><br><div><br></div><div><div cla=
ss=3D"gmail-dcr-shrpec" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0=
px;border:0px;font-variant-ligatures:common-ligatures;font-variant-numeric:=
inherit;font-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;fon=
t-stretch:inherit;font-size:medium;line-height:inherit;font-family:&quot;Ti=
mes New Roman&quot;;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feat=
ure-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(18,18,18)"><div clas=
s=3D"gmail-dcr-1jwoxwb" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0=
px 0px 36px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"><h1 class=3D"g=
mail-dcr-1k1a1x" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:4px 0px =
0px;border:0px;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:500;font-stretch:inherit;fo=
nt-size:2.125rem;line-height:1.15;font-family:&quot;GH Guardian Headline&qu=
ot;,&quot;Guardian Egyptian Web&quot;,Georgia,serif;font-size-adjust:inheri=
t;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baselin=
e;color:rgb(139,0,0)">=E2=80=98It=E2=80=99s a big mistake=E2=80=99: Israeli=
s feel betrayed and angry after Iran peace deal</h1></div></div><div class=
=3D"gmail-dcr-m5tuef" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px=
;border:0px;font-variant-ligatures:common-ligatures;font-variant-numeric:in=
herit;font-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;font-=
stretch:inherit;font-size:medium;line-height:inherit;font-family:&quot;Time=
s New Roman&quot;;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-featur=
e-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(18,18,18)"><div class=
=3D"gmail-dcr-b3fmmo" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px=
 0px 14px;border:0px;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:1.=
25rem;line-height:1.15;font-family:&quot;GH Guardian Headline&quot;,&quot;G=
uardian Egyptian Web&quot;,Georgia,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kern=
ing:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;max-width=
:540px;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;paddi=
ng:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">In =E2=80=98middle =
Israel=E2=80=99 there are fears Iran could rebuild stronger =E2=80=93 and t=
here is particular ire for Donald Trump</p></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-=
dcr-ich95x" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0p=
x;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"></div><div class=3D"gmail-dcr-1v9sl=
a6" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:i=
nherit;vertical-align:baseline"><div class=3D"gmail-dcr-5oiine" style=3D"bo=
x-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:2px 0px 0px;border:0px;font:inherit;=
vertical-align:baseline"><div class=3D"gmail-dcr-1kpcv08" style=3D"box-sizi=
ng:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align=
:baseline;display:flex"><div style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padd=
ing:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"><address style=3D"=
box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertic=
al-align:baseline"><div class=3D"gmail-dcr-16bbvim" style=3D"box-sizing:bor=
der-box;margin:0px;padding:0px 0px 8px;border:0px;font-style:italic;font-va=
riant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.15;fon=
t-family:&quot;GH Guardian Headline&quot;,&quot;Guardian Egyptian Web&quot;=
,Georgia,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-s=
ettings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(199,0,0)"><a rel=3D"autho=
r" href=3D"https://www.theguardian.com/profile/jasonburke" style=3D"box-siz=
ing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:normal;font-var=
iant:inherit;font-weight:700;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-he=
ight:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inhe=
rit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(199,0,0=
);text-decoration:none">Jason Burke</a><span style=3D"box-sizing:border-box=
;margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">=
=C2=A0in Rehovot and Jerusalem</span></div></address><div class=3D"gmail-dc=
r-lp0nif" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 6px;padding:2px 0px=
 0px;border:0px;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:0.75rem=
;line-height:1.3;font-family:GuardianTextSans,&quot;Guardian Text Sans Web&=
quot;,&quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,&quot;Lucida Grande&quot;,=
sans-serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-setti=
ngs:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(84,84,84)">Sat 20 Jun 2026=C2=
=A0</div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-dcr-9dgpdq" style=3D"box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;margin:0px 0px 8px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-al=
ign:baseline;display:flex"><div class=3D"gmail-dcr-16lnb0w" style=3D"box-si=
zing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:8px 0px 0px;border-width:0.8px 0px 0px;b=
order-style:solid none none;border-color:rgb(220,220,220) currentcolor curr=
entcolor;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"><span name=3D"ShareButton" s=
tyle=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><button type=3D"button" class=3D"gmail-dcr-1=
25qj9d" style=3D"display:inline-flex;background-image:initial;background-po=
sition:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background=
-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;white-space:nowrap;vertical-align:m=
iddle;font-family:GuardianTextSans,&quot;Guardian Text Sans Web&quot;,&quot=
;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,&quot;Lucida Grande&quot;,sans-serif;=
font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.3;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;min-h=
eight:36px;padding:0px 16px 2px;border-radius:36px;border-width:1px;border-=
style:solid;border-color:rgb(220,220,220);color:rgb(199,0,0);width:105px;he=
ight:36px">Share<div class=3D"gmail-src-button-space" style=3D"box-sizing:b=
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eline;width:8px"></div></button></span></div><div class=3D"gmail-dcr-1csot3=
r" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;border-width:0.8px=
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color currentcolor;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;display:flex"><div =
class=3D"gmail-dcr-14baf59" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;paddi=
ng:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;display:flex"><div s=
tyle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inheri=
t;vertical-align:baseline"></div></div></div></div><br></div></div><div cla=
ss=3D"gmail-dcr-l3z1yk" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0=
px;border:0px;font-variant-ligatures:common-ligatures;font-variant-numeric:=
inherit;font-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;fon=
t-stretch:inherit;font-size:medium;line-height:inherit;font-family:&quot;Ti=
mes New Roman&quot;;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feat=
ure-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(18,18,18)"><div clas=
s=3D"gmail-dcr-1a4fred" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0=
px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;width:620px"><div id=3D"=
gmail-maincontent" class=3D"gmail-dcr-ydnaza" style=3D"box-sizing:border-bo=
x;margin:0.75rem 0px 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align=
:baseline"><div class=3D"gmail-article-body-commercial-selector gmail-artic=
le-body-viewer-selector gmail-dcr-6d4g12" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;ma=
rgin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"><p cl=
ass=3D"gmail-dcr-130mj7b" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 0.7=
5rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-=
size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.4;font-family:GuardianTextEgyptian,&quot;Guard=
ian Text Egyptian Web&quot;,Georgia,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-ker=
ning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;word-bre=
ak:break-word"><span class=3D"gmail-dcr-15rw6c2" style=3D"box-sizing:border=
-box;margin:0px 4px 0px 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-=
variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:7rem;line-height:5.75rem;fon=
t-family:&quot;GH Guardian Headline&quot;,&quot;Guardian Egyptian Web&quot;=
,Georgia,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-s=
ettings:inherit;vertical-align:text-top;float:left;text-transform:uppercase=
;color:rgb(139,0,0)">I</span>n the Tree brasserie off Herzl Street in Rehov=
ot, there was much that almost everyone agreed on. Few contested that the c=
easefire deal=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/17=
/trump-us-iran-war-mou-deal" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padd=
ing:0px;border-width:0px 0px 0.8px;border-style:none none solid;border-colo=
r:currentcolor currentcolor rgb(220,220,220);font:inherit;vertical-align:ba=
seline;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(199,0,0)">concluded by Iran and the U=
S a few days earlier</a>=C2=A0was very bad for Israel. =E2=80=9CWe were bet=
rayed by President Trump,=E2=80=9D said Avi Perez, 55.</p><p class=3D"gmail=
-dcr-130mj7b" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 0.75rem;padding=
:0px;border:0px;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:1.0625r=
em;line-height:1.4;font-family:GuardianTextEgyptian,&quot;Guardian Text Egy=
ptian Web&quot;,Georgia,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit=
;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;word-break:break-wor=
d">They believed, too, that=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.theguardian.com/wor=
ld/israel" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;border-wid=
th:0px 0px 0.8px;border-style:none none solid;border-color:currentcolor cur=
rentcolor rgb(220,220,220);font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;text-decora=
tion:none;color:rgb(199,0,0)">Israel</a>, more than ever, was surrounded by=
 danger that it would have to confront alone. =E2=80=9CIt is strange. One d=
ay we were in the [bomb] shelters with our children =E2=80=A6 The next day,=
 everything is supposed to be normal. But nothing has been resolved,=E2=80=
=9D said Shaham Nowick, 35, as he studied the menu.</p><div id=3D"gmail-sig=
n-in-gate" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px=
;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"></div><p class=3D"gmail-dcr-130mj7b"=
 style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 0.75rem;padding:0px;border:0=
px;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:1.0625rem;line-heigh=
t:1.4;font-family:GuardianTextEgyptian,&quot;Guardian Text Egyptian Web&quo=
t;,Georgia,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature=
-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;word-break:break-word">Rehovot, 1=
2 miles from Tel Aviv, has long been held up by pollsters as the epitome of=
 =E2=80=9Cmiddle Israel=E2=80=9D, if such a thing exists in such a diverse =
and divided country. Rows of Israeli and pride flags flew on major streets,=
 loud rave music blasted on one street corner, Orthodox Jewish men gathered=
 on another, and weekend traffic built up around construction sites for a n=
ew bus system.</p><p class=3D"gmail-dcr-130mj7b" style=3D"box-sizing:border=
-box;margin:0px 0px 0.75rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant:inherit;fon=
t-stretch:inherit;font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.4;font-family:GuardianT=
extEgyptian,&quot;Guardian Text Egyptian Web&quot;,Georgia,serif;font-size-=
adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-=
align:baseline;word-break:break-word">Some had come to the brasserie for a =
break from the news, which on Friday morning was dominated by headlines abo=
ut=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/19/us-iran-ta=
lks-in-switzerland-cancelled" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;pad=
ding:0px;border-width:0px 0px 0.8px;border-style:none none solid;border-col=
or:currentcolor currentcolor rgb(220,220,220);font:inherit;vertical-align:b=
aseline;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(199,0,0)">renewed fighting in Lebano=
n</a>, where Israeli forces had launched waves of airstrikes, killing 18 pe=
ople and wounding 33, after Hezbollah, which has close links to Iran, had k=
illed four Israeli soldiers, including a senior officer, in an attack on a =
tank.</p><p class=3D"gmail-dcr-130mj7b" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;marg=
in:0px 0px 0.75rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch=
:inherit;font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.4;font-family:GuardianTextEgypti=
an,&quot;Guardian Text Egyptian Web&quot;,Georgia,serif;font-size-adjust:in=
herit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:bas=
eline;word-break:break-word">Many Israelis believe the deal negotiated by t=
he US with=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.theguardian.com/world/iran" style=3D=
"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;border-width:0px 0px 0.8px;bo=
rder-style:none none solid;border-color:currentcolor currentcolor rgb(220,2=
20,220);font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;text-decoration:none;color:rgb=
(199,0,0)">Iran</a>=C2=A0is a betrayal. Commentators have condemned the dea=
l as a surrender and a humiliation that was =E2=80=9Ceven worse than Israel=
 had feared=E2=80=9D.</p><p class=3D"gmail-dcr-130mj7b" style=3D"box-sizing=
:border-box;margin:0px 0px 0.75rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant:inhe=
rit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.4;font-family:Gu=
ardianTextEgyptian,&quot;Guardian Text Egyptian Web&quot;,Georgia,serif;fon=
t-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;ve=
rtical-align:baseline;word-break:break-word">There widespread concern not o=
nly that will Iran be able to rebuild stronger than before the conflict, bu=
t also that the agreement imposed in Lebanon will restrict Israel=E2=80=99s=
 ability to combat Hezbollah, which is seen as a major threat to the Israel=
=E2=80=99s north.</p><p class=3D"gmail-dcr-130mj7b" style=3D"box-sizing:bor=
der-box;margin:0px 0px 0.75rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant:inherit;=
font-stretch:inherit;font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.4;font-family:Guardi=
anTextEgyptian,&quot;Guardian Text Egyptian Web&quot;,Georgia,serif;font-si=
ze-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertic=
al-align:baseline;word-break:break-word">=E2=80=9CIsraelis believe that the=
 war in Lebanon is a just war,=E2=80=9D said Udi Tenne, a political strateg=
ic adviser and international campaign manager in Israel. =E2=80=9CEveryone =
living in Israel understands that Iran and Hezbollah are one and the same.=
=E2=80=9D</p><p class=3D"gmail-dcr-130mj7b" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;=
margin:0px 0px 0.75rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant:inherit;font-str=
etch:inherit;font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.4;font-family:GuardianTextEg=
yptian,&quot;Guardian Text Egyptian Web&quot;,Georgia,serif;font-size-adjus=
t:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align=
:baseline;word-break:break-word">In Metulla, a northern town metres from Le=
banon, there was anger. =E2=80=9CEveryone was very pleased with the war [ag=
ainst Iran] but the US agreement is really not good for Israel =E2=80=A6 It=
=E2=80=99s a big mistake,=E2=80=9D said Daniel Dorfmann, a restaurateur.</p=
><p class=3D"gmail-dcr-130mj7b" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0=
px 0.75rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit=
;font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.4;font-family:GuardianTextEgyptian,&quot=
;Guardian Text Egyptian Web&quot;,Georgia,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;fo=
nt-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;wo=
rd-break:break-word">Others spoke of the =E2=80=9Cabject failure=E2=80=9D o=
f Israel to achieve its war aims of regime change, the destruction of Iran=
=E2=80=99s nuclear programme and the elimination of its ballistic missiles.=
</p><p class=3D"gmail-dcr-130mj7b" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0p=
x 0px 0.75rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inhe=
rit;font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.4;font-family:GuardianTextEgyptian,&q=
uot;Guardian Text Egyptian Web&quot;,Georgia,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit=
;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline=
;word-break:break-word">Worse, after starting the war =E2=80=9Cshoulder to =
shoulder=E2=80=9D with the US, Israel had ended the conflict marginalised b=
y Washington and dismissed as =E2=80=9Ca small power=E2=80=9D by Donald Tru=
mp last week.</p><p class=3D"gmail-dcr-130mj7b" style=3D"box-sizing:border-=
box;margin:0px 0px 0.75rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant:inherit;font=
-stretch:inherit;font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.4;font-family:GuardianTe=
xtEgyptian,&quot;Guardian Text Egyptian Web&quot;,Georgia,serif;font-size-a=
djust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-a=
lign:baseline;word-break:break-word">Instead of being invited to the White =
House to advise Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu has=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.t=
heguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/02/trump-shouted-and-cursed-netanyahu-over-=
threat-to-resume-beirut-bombing" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;=
padding:0px;border-width:0px 0px 0.8px;border-style:none none solid;border-=
color:currentcolor currentcolor rgb(220,220,220);font:inherit;vertical-alig=
n:baseline;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(199,0,0)">received expletive-lade=
n tirades</a>=C2=A0and criticism over the civilian casualties caused by Isr=
ael=E2=80=99s relentless offensive in Lebanon, where more than 3,900 people=
 have been killed.</p><p class=3D"gmail-dcr-130mj7b" style=3D"box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;margin:0px 0px 0.75rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant:inherit=
;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.4;font-family:Guard=
ianTextEgyptian,&quot;Guardian Text Egyptian Web&quot;,Georgia,serif;font-s=
ize-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;verti=
cal-align:baseline;word-break:break-word">Nadav Eyal, a columnist in the da=
ily newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, wrote: =E2=80=9CThe words =E2=80=98shock=E2=
=80=99 and =E2=80=98grief=E2=80=99 fail to describe the feeling in certain =
parts of the establishment in Israel. A lot of salt is being poured into th=
eir wounds now.=E2=80=9D</p><p class=3D"gmail-dcr-130mj7b" style=3D"box-siz=
ing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 0.75rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant:i=
nherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.4;font-family=
:GuardianTextEgyptian,&quot;Guardian Text Egyptian Web&quot;,Georgia,serif;=
font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit=
;vertical-align:baseline;word-break:break-word">Netanyahu, who is 76 and on=
 trial for corruption, now faces the difficult challenge of convincing vote=
rs that only he can keep Israelis safe.</p><p class=3D"gmail-dcr-130mj7b" s=
tyle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 0.75rem;padding:0px;border:0px=
;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:=
1.4;font-family:GuardianTextEgyptian,&quot;Guardian Text Egyptian Web&quot;=
,Georgia,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-s=
ettings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;word-break:break-word">Prof Tamar H=
ermann, a specialist in public opinion at the=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://en.id=
i.org.il/" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;border-wid=
th:0px 0px 0.8px;border-style:none none solid;border-color:currentcolor cur=
rentcolor rgb(220,220,220);font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;text-decora=
tion:none;color:rgb(199,0,0)">Israel Democracy Institute</a>, said: =E2=80=
=9CNetanyahu showed a kind of hubris in defining his aims so clearly. When =
you fail to achieve them, you are thought of as incapable of fulfilling you=
r promises.=E2=80=9D</p><p class=3D"gmail-dcr-130mj7b" style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box;margin:0px 0px 0.75rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant:inher=
it;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.4;font-family:Gua=
rdianTextEgyptian,&quot;Guardian Text Egyptian Web&quot;,Georgia,serif;font=
-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;ver=
tical-align:baseline;word-break:break-word">Rehovot, where there are very f=
ew Palestinian citizens of Israel, is also a bellwether town for Jewish vot=
ers, who comprise three-quarters of the electorate in Israel. National poll=
s are now expected in October. =E2=80=9CThe coming election will be a major=
 turning point,=E2=80=9D said one opposition party senior official last wee=
k. =E2=80=9CIt=E2=80=99s hard to exaggerate how important this will be for =
the country.=E2=80=9D</p><p class=3D"gmail-dcr-130mj7b" style=3D"box-sizing=
:border-box;margin:0px 0px 0.75rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant:inhe=
rit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.4;font-family:Gu=
ardianTextEgyptian,&quot;Guardian Text Egyptian Web&quot;,Georgia,serif;fon=
t-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;ve=
rtical-align:baseline;word-break:break-word">Faith in Netanyahu was deeply =
shaken, even among supporters, by the failures that led to the October 2023=
 attack by Hamas, in which 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed and =
about 250 abducted. Israel=E2=80=99s relentless and bloody war in Gaza, whi=
ch killed more than=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.theguardian.com/global-deve=
lopment/2026/mar/23/gaza-ceasefire-paramedic-father-killed-civilian-death-t=
oll" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;border-width:0px=
 0px 0.8px;border-style:none none solid;border-color:currentcolor currentco=
lor rgb(220,220,220);font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;text-decoration:n=
one;color:rgb(199,0,0)">73,000 people</a>, mostly civilians, brought intern=
ational isolation. Israel now=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.theguardian.com/w=
orld/2026/may/28/netanyahu-orders-israeli-army-seize-70-gaza-strip-violatin=
g-ceasefire-deal" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;bor=
der-width:0px 0px 0.8px;border-style:none none solid;border-color:currentco=
lor currentcolor rgb(220,220,220);font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;text=
-decoration:none;color:rgb(199,0,0)">controls</a>=C2=A070% of Gaza but Hama=
s still rules over most of the 2.3 million population. Successive offensive=
s in Lebanon against Hezbollah have proved inconclusive.</p><p class=3D"gma=
il-dcr-130mj7b" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 0.75rem;paddi=
ng:0px;border:0px;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:1.062=
5rem;line-height:1.4;font-family:GuardianTextEgyptian,&quot;Guardian Text E=
gyptian Web&quot;,Georgia,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inher=
it;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;word-break:break-w=
ord">Despite the backlash, there are some who remain loyal to Netanyahu. Wh=
en undecided voters were asked last week who would best stand up to Iran, 4=
3% said a Netanyahu-led coalition.</p><p class=3D"gmail-dcr-130mj7b" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 0.75rem;padding:0px;border:0px;fon=
t-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.4;=
font-family:GuardianTextEgyptian,&quot;Guardian Text Egyptian Web&quot;,Geo=
rgia,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-setti=
ngs:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;word-break:break-word">At the brasserie=
, Perez, an engineer, said: =E2=80=9CNetanyahu is human, so he makes some m=
istakes, but he knows how to fix things. He knows what Israel needs. He spe=
aks for his country. Trump speaks for his businesses.=E2=80=9D</p><p class=
=3D"gmail-dcr-130mj7b" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 0.75re=
m;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-siz=
e:1.0625rem;line-height:1.4;font-family:GuardianTextEgyptian,&quot;Guardian=
 Text Egyptian Web&quot;,Georgia,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kernin=
g:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;word-break:=
break-word">Such sentiments mean the coming election is likely to be closel=
y fought. Netanyahu, a veteran of such struggles, may still outmanoeuvre al=
l rivals, analysts say. Hermann said: =E2=80=9CI think he is in trouble but=
 I=E2=80=99m not sure what he might have up his sleeve. He is a political H=
oudini.=E2=80=9D</p><p class=3D"gmail-dcr-130mj7b" style=3D"box-sizing:bord=
er-box;margin:0px 0px 0.75rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant:inherit;f=
ont-stretch:inherit;font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.4;font-family:Guardia=
nTextEgyptian,&quot;Guardian Text Egyptian Web&quot;,Georgia,serif;font-siz=
e-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertica=
l-align:baseline;word-break:break-word">Lee Novick, 34, a doctor in Rehovot=
, said Israelis were more divided on many issues than ever before. =E2=80=
=9CNetanyahu has been trying to divide us and it has worked. This has been =
going on for years. And in the meantime, no one cares about the basic stuff=
 =E2=80=93 house prices, for example, or inflation,=E2=80=9D she said.</p><=
p class=3D"gmail-dcr-130mj7b" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px=
 0.75rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;f=
ont-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.4;font-family:GuardianTextEgyptian,&quot;G=
uardian Text Egyptian Web&quot;,Georgia,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font=
-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;word=
-break:break-word">=E2=80=9CI believe Iran when it says it wants to destroy=
 Israel. Why wouldn=E2=80=99t I? But this government is exploiting the war =
[to get] divisive laws through and just to stay in power.=E2=80=9D</p><p cl=
ass=3D"gmail-dcr-130mj7b" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 0.7=
5rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-=
size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.4;font-family:GuardianTextEgyptian,&quot;Guard=
ian Text Egyptian Web&quot;,Georgia,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-ker=
ning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;word-bre=
ak:break-word">Officials in opposition political parties also said Jewish I=
sraelis were more divided than ever before. =E2=80=9CIsraelis are talking p=
ast each other. The common ground isn=E2=80=99t there,=E2=80=9D one said.</=
p><p class=3D"gmail-dcr-130mj7b" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px =
0px 0.75rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inheri=
t;font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.4;font-family:GuardianTextEgyptian,&quo=
t;Guardian Text Egyptian Web&quot;,Georgia,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;f=
ont-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;w=
ord-break:break-word">Harmann disagrees, however, and pointed out there had=
 been other moments of extreme polarisation in recent decades, such as the =
1990s. Instead, she said, most Jewish voters share more than divides them: =
a belief in an economically liberal model but a strong welfare state funded=
 by progressive taxation, a tough line on security, Israel existing as a Je=
wish state and a belief that any two-state solution to the conflict with Pa=
lestinians is unrealistic.</p><p class=3D"gmail-dcr-130mj7b" style=3D"box-s=
izing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 0.75rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant=
:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.4;font-fami=
ly:GuardianTextEgyptian,&quot;Guardian Text Egyptian Web&quot;,Georgia,seri=
f;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inher=
it;vertical-align:baseline;word-break:break-word">More immediately, most su=
pport the war in Lebanon and fiercely oppose laws giving Israel=E2=80=99s o=
rthodox communities exemption from conscription.</p><p class=3D"gmail-dcr-1=
30mj7b" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 0.75rem;padding:0px;b=
order:0px;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:1.0625rem;lin=
e-height:1.4;font-family:GuardianTextEgyptian,&quot;Guardian Text Egyptian =
Web&quot;,Georgia,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-=
feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;word-break:break-word">=E2=
=80=9CAll the talk of polarisation is possibly a bit of a self-fulfilling p=
rophecy,=E2=80=9D Harmann said.</p><p class=3D"gmail-dcr-130mj7b" style=3D"=
box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 0.75rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-va=
riant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.4;font=
-family:GuardianTextEgyptian,&quot;Guardian Text Egyptian Web&quot;,Georgia=
,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:=
inherit;vertical-align:baseline;word-break:break-word">In Rehovot, Dahlia P=
erez, 55, said last week=E2=80=99s events had taught her that =E2=80=9Cpeac=
e will never come=E2=80=9D.</p><p class=3D"gmail-dcr-130mj7b" style=3D"box-=
sizing:border-box;margin:0px 0px 0.75rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-varian=
t:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.4;font-fam=
ily:GuardianTextEgyptian,&quot;Guardian Text Egyptian Web&quot;,Georgia,ser=
if;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inhe=
rit;vertical-align:baseline;word-break:break-word">=E2=80=9CI was hoping fo=
r an end to wars but I think we are always going to have to live by our swo=
rds,=E2=80=9D she said. =E2=80=9CWe understand now that we have no friends =
and we cannot trust anyone.=E2=80=9D</p></div></div></div></div></div></div=
>

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Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
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*https://strategic-culture.su/news/2026/06/19/russia-vindicated-as-top-us-i=
ntel-confirms-lethal-pentagon-funded-biolabs-ukraine/
<https://strategic-culture.su/news/2026/06/19/russia-vindicated-as-top-us-i=
ntel-confirms-lethal-pentagon-funded-biolabs-ukraine/>*

*Russia vindicated as top U.S. intel confirms lethal Pentagon-funded
biolabs in Ukraine*

*6/19/26*

*The highest American intelligence official, Tulsi Gabbard, revealed
<https://www.dni.gov/index.php/newsroom/press-releases/press-releases-2026/=
4163-pr-10-26>
that
the Pentagon and other federal agencies have been supporting more than 40
laboratories in Ukraine involved in producing dangerous pathogens and
diseases.*

*This is exactly what Russia uncovered more than four years ago when it
launched its special military operation in Ukraine to confront the
NATO-backed regime. However, back then, the U.S. government and Western
media dismissed Russia=E2=80=99s claims as propaganda to =E2=80=9Cjustify i=
ts invasion=E2=80=9D of
Ukraine.*

*Russian military investigators led by the late Lt. Gen. Igor
Kirillov compiled
<https://mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/international_safety/1873584/?TSPD_101_R0=
=3D08765fb817ab2000d74cd82d7944aaf51fd4066b8688fa5e54aeef849d17ee406fe90484=
1c74d7b208879460ac143000e18e2dcca46b94965c1cfdd3cfcfc58df3d5495ea3e36513c3c=
c1028f52b45818698240e07cc7aa1d4b7297c6e347091>
evidence
showing that the Pentagon had spent years and hundreds of millions of
dollars building up a network of biolabs in Ukraine. The pathogens and
diseases that were identified implicated the laboratories in the
development of biological weapons.*

*Kirillov was assassinated in December 2024 in a bomb attack at a residence
in Moscow. Ukrainian military intelligence claimed responsibility for his
murder. Weeks before his assassination, the British government labelled
Kirillov as a war criminal, accusing him of overseeing the use of chemical
weapons in Ukraine.*

*In reporting <https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyx4kvz4l0o> his death,
the British state-owned BBC callously referred to Kirillov as a =E2=80=9CKr=
emlin
mouthpiece.=E2=80=9D*

*The BBC report commented: =E2=80=9CKirillov earned his notoriety from the =
start of
the war with a series of claims directed towards both Ukraine and the West,
none of which was based on fact. Among his most outrageous claims was one
that the U.S. had been building biological weapons laboratories in Ukraine.
It was used in an attempt to justify the full-scale invasion of its smaller
neighbour in 2022.=E2=80=9D*

*Now, the smear by the BBC and its intelligence handlers looks particularly
odious in light of the revelations made by the U.S. Director of National
Intelligence (DNI).*

*Tulsi Gabbard, who is stepping down as DNI due to her husband=E2=80=99s ca=
ncer
illness, dropped a bombshell last week by releasing declassified documents
<https://www.dni.gov/files/BIOLAB_Slides.pdf> showing extensive involvement
of the U.S. government in running biolabs around the world. She said her
findings were the product of months of research into files held by
intelligence agencies. Gabbard said the information showed that the U.S.
government had funded over 120 biolabs in 30 countries. One of those
countries was Ukraine, where more than 40 laboratories were conducting
biological research financed by the Pentagon and other federal agencies.*

*Gabbard warned that the biolabs in Ukraine were engaged in research on
highly contagious pathogens. She did not describe the facilities as
biological warfare, but that is the grave implication, as Russia=E2=80=99s =
military
investigations have concluded.*

*DNI Gabbard stated: =E2=80=9CUntil now, evidence regarding the full existe=
nce and
funding of these laboratories had been knowingly withheld from the American
people. The information surrounding the existence, history, locations, and
funding of these U.S.-funded biolabs has been intentionally covered up by
powerful people falsely claiming that they do not exist and accusing anyone
who says otherwise of being foreign assets and traitors to America.=E2=80=
=9D*

*She added: =E2=80=9CMany of these U.S. government-funded biolabs are curre=
ntly or
have previously engaged in research using hazardous and highly contagious
pathogens, in some cases to include dangerous Gain-of-Function [more
lethal] research, with very little visibility or oversight.=E2=80=9D*

*Gabbard did not pull punches. She accused the Biden administration
(2022-25) of lying about the biolabs. =E2=80=9CDespite the obvious potentia=
l for
catastrophic global impact research on dangerous pathogens in biolabs can
have, politicians, so-called health professionals like Dr [Anthony] Fauci
[former chief of Center for Disease Control and Prevention], and entities
within the Biden administration=E2=80=99s national security team lied to th=
e
American people about the existence of U.S.-funded and supported biolabs,
and threatened those who attempted to expose the truth.=E2=80=9D*

*This is an astounding admission by the top U.S. intelligence official. It
vindicates the well-founded claims made by Russian intelligence about the
existence of lethal biolabs in Ukraine. It validates Russian concerns that
the U.S. was running biological warfare programs targeting Russia.*

*It was not just Russia that held these concerns. Professor Francis Boyle,
an internationally renowned American expert on biological warfare,
highlighted the very same concerns as far back as March 2022, when evidence
was being uncovered of Pentagon programs in Ukraine. See this interview
<https://regist.substack.com/p/ukrainian-biolabs-we-knew-it-years?triedRedi=
rect=3Dtrue>
with
Regis Tremblay in which Prof Boyle detailed the history of U.S. violations
of the 1975 Biological Warfare Convention, systematically pursuing the
clandestine and illegal development of bioweapons. He believed that Ukraine
was playing a vital role in the U.S. global network of secret biolabs.*

*The revelations also expose the sinister role of the U.S. and Western
media in covering up the scandal. People like Prof Boyle, who died in
January 2025, have been vilified as =E2=80=9CRussian propagandists=E2=80=9D=
 for daring to
ask questions and expose the truth. Regis Tremblay=E2=80=99s podcast was
deplatformed from YouTube for broadcasting Boyle=E2=80=99s insights.*

*Even after the top intelligence report was released last week, the Western
establishment media have kept silent, or have sought to discredit Gabbard
as a =E2=80=9Cconspiracy theorist.=E2=80=9D*

*To its credit, the U.S. publication, Military Daily News, reported with
fair editorial comment: =E2=80=9CGabbard Releases Biolab Records Years Afte=
r
Disinformation Accusations=E2=80=9D. Its report
<https://www.military.com/gabbard-releases-biolab-records-years-after-disin=
formation-accusations>concluded:
=E2=80=9CThe debate is no longer whether U.S.-supported laboratories exist
overseas, as the newly declassified documents establish that they did. The
larger question raised by Gabbard=E2=80=99s release is whether Congress,
policymakers, and the public had a complete understanding of how many
facilities existed, what research they conducted, and what pathogens they
contained.=E2=80=9D*

*What needs to be done urgently now is the commission of an independent and
international investigation into the U.S. biolabs in Ukraine and dozens of
other countries. These labs are not only potentially a criminal violation
of international laws and treaties that Washington signed up to, but also
constitute an extreme danger to global public health. Have recent outbreaks
of Ebola, avian flu, tularemia, TB, SARS, MERS, COVID, and others been the
result of clandestine biowarfare programs funded by the U.S.?*

*We have already seen the disgraceful role of the BBC in distorting the
Russian claims as =E2=80=9Cdisinformation=E2=80=9D and smearing the Russian=
 commander who
led the ground-breaking biolab investigations in Ukraine as a Kremlin
mouthpiece.*

*In that regard, the comments <https://tass.com/world/2146531> by Fauzan
al-Rasyid, an Indonesian journalist and researcher with the Global
Fact-Checking Network, were powerfully apt. Speaking to Russian news outlet
TASS, he said: =E2=80=9CThe facts are finally out. They reveal a terrifying=
 reality
where the true disinformation didn=E2=80=99t come from the East. It was eng=
ineered
in Washington, broadcast from London, and amplified by anti-Russian
embassies across the globe =E2=80=93 including in Jakarta =E2=80=93 to pers=
uade millions
that Russia was lying, that reports of biolabs were nothing more than
propaganda, and that Moscow=E2=80=99s warnings were delusions. The evidence=
 now
suggests otherwise.=E2=80=9D*

*The journalist added: =E2=80=9CThis revelation does not just expose the Pe=
ntagon;
it fundamentally destroys the credibility of the BBC, which acted as an
unquestioning public relations megaphone for Western intelligence.=E2=80=9D=
*

*The Western cover-up of the biolabs in Ukraine is part of the wider
cover-up of the entire U.S. and NATO-led war in Ukraine, a war that
threatens to spiral out of control into a world conflagration, as Russian
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned again this week. The =E2=80=9CUkraine
Project=E2=80=9D is an integral part of a decades-long operation to wage wa=
r on
Russia for geopolitical domination. The revelations by the U.S. Director of
National Intelligence =E2=80=93 the top intelligence official =E2=80=93 are=
 the ultimate
vindication of what Russia has been consistently saying about the conflict,
its root causes, the proxy NeoNazi regime in Kiev, and why Russia needed to
take action to defeat the existential threat to its nation.*

--0000000000006e93e30654afd82d
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><a href=3D"=
https://strategic-culture.su/news/2026/06/19/russia-vindicated-as-top-us-in=
tel-confirms-lethal-pentagon-funded-biolabs-ukraine/" target=3D"_blank">htt=
ps://strategic-culture.su/news/2026/06/19/russia-vindicated-as-top-us-intel=
-confirms-lethal-pentagon-funded-biolabs-ukraine/</a><br></font></b></div><=
div><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><br></font></b></div><div><h1 style=3D=
"line-height:1.2141em;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0.5em;max-width:100%;col=
or:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif" size=3D"4"><i>Russia vindic=
ated as top U.S. intel confirms lethal Pentagon-funded biolabs in Ukraine</=
i></font></h1><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><strong style=
=3D"max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif">6/19/26</font></strong></=
p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia,=
 serif">The highest American intelligence official, Tulsi Gabbard,<span>=C2=
=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.dni.gov/index.php/newsroom/press-releases/=
press-releases-2026/4163-pr-10-26" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(=
65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">revealed</a><span>=C2=A0</spa=
n>that the Pentagon and other federal agencies have been supporting more th=
an 40 laboratories in Ukraine involved in producing dangerous pathogens and=
 diseases.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b=
><font face=3D"georgia, serif">This is exactly what Russia uncovered more t=
han four years ago when it launched its special military operation in Ukrai=
ne to confront the NATO-backed regime. However, back then, the U.S. governm=
ent and Western media dismissed Russia=E2=80=99s claims as propaganda to =
=E2=80=9Cjustify its invasion=E2=80=9D of Ukraine.</font></b></p><p style=
=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Ru=
ssian military investigators led by the late Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov<span>=
=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/international_safe=
ty/1873584/?TSPD_101_R0=3D08765fb817ab2000d74cd82d7944aaf51fd4066b8688fa5e5=
4aeef849d17ee406fe904841c74d7b208879460ac143000e18e2dcca46b94965c1cfdd3cfcf=
c58df3d5495ea3e36513c3cc1028f52b45818698240e07cc7aa1d4b7297c6e347091" style=
=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_b=
lank">compiled</a><span>=C2=A0</span>evidence showing that the Pentagon had=
 spent years and hundreds of millions of dollars building up a network of b=
iolabs in Ukraine. The pathogens and diseases that were identified implicat=
ed the laboratories in the development of biological weapons.</font></b></p=
><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, =
serif">Kirillov was assassinated in December 2024 in a bomb attack at a res=
idence in Moscow. Ukrainian military intelligence claimed responsibility fo=
r his murder. Weeks before his assassination, the British government labell=
ed Kirillov as a war criminal, accusing him of overseeing the use of chemic=
al weapons in Ukraine.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(2=
7,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">In<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"=
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyx4kvz4l0o" style=3D"text-decoration:no=
ne;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">reporting</a><sp=
an>=C2=A0</span>his death, the British state-owned BBC callously referred t=
o Kirillov as a =E2=80=9CKremlin mouthpiece.=E2=80=9D</font></b></p><p styl=
e=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">T=
he BBC report commented: =E2=80=9CKirillov earned his notoriety from the st=
art of the war with a series of claims directed towards both Ukraine and th=
e West, none of which was based on fact. Among his most outrageous claims w=
as one that the U.S. had been building biological weapons laboratories in U=
kraine. It was used in an attempt to justify the full-scale invasion of its=
 smaller neighbour in 2022.=E2=80=9D</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:10=
0%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Now, the smear by =
the BBC and its intelligence handlers looks particularly odious in light of=
 the revelations made by the U.S. Director of National Intelligence (DNI).<=
/font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif">Tulsi Gabbard, who is stepping down as DNI due to her h=
usband=E2=80=99s cancer illness, dropped a bombshell last week by releasing=
 declassified<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.dni.gov/files/BIOLAB=
_Slides.pdf" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:=
100%" target=3D"_blank">documents</a><span>=C2=A0</span>showing extensive i=
nvolvement of the U.S. government in running biolabs around the world. She =
said her findings were the product of months of research into files held by=
 intelligence agencies. Gabbard said the information showed that the U.S. g=
overnment had funded over 120 biolabs in 30 countries. One of those countri=
es was Ukraine, where more than 40 laboratories were conducting biological =
research financed by the Pentagon and other federal agencies.</font></b></p=
><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, =
serif">Gabbard warned that the biolabs in Ukraine were engaged in research =
on highly contagious pathogens. She did not describe the facilities as biol=
ogical warfare, but that is the grave implication, as Russia=E2=80=99s mili=
tary investigations have concluded.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100=
%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">DNI Gabbard stated:=
 =E2=80=9CUntil now, evidence regarding the full existence and funding of t=
hese laboratories had been knowingly withheld from the American people. The=
 information surrounding the existence, history, locations, and funding of =
these U.S.-funded biolabs has been intentionally covered up by powerful peo=
ple falsely claiming that they do not exist and accusing anyone who says ot=
herwise of being foreign assets and traitors to America.=E2=80=9D</font></b=
></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georg=
ia, serif">She added: =E2=80=9CMany of these U.S. government-funded biolabs=
 are currently or have previously engaged in research using hazardous and h=
ighly contagious pathogens, in some cases to include dangerous Gain-of-Func=
tion [more lethal] research, with very little visibility or oversight.=E2=
=80=9D</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><fo=
nt face=3D"georgia, serif">Gabbard did not pull punches. She accused the Bi=
den administration (2022-25) of lying about the biolabs. =E2=80=9CDespite t=
he obvious potential for catastrophic global impact research on dangerous p=
athogens in biolabs can have, politicians, so-called health professionals l=
ike Dr [Anthony] Fauci [former chief of Center for Disease Control and Prev=
ention], and entities within the Biden administration=E2=80=99s national se=
curity team lied to the American people about the existence of U.S.-funded =
and supported biolabs, and threatened those who attempted to expose the tru=
th.=E2=80=9D</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)">=
<b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">This is an astounding admission by the top=
 U.S. intelligence official. It vindicates the well-founded claims made by =
Russian intelligence about the existence of lethal biolabs in Ukraine. It v=
alidates Russian concerns that the U.S. was running biological warfare prog=
rams targeting Russia.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(2=
7,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">It was not just Russia that held=
 these concerns. Professor Francis Boyle, an internationally renowned Ameri=
can expert on biological warfare, highlighted the very same concerns as far=
 back as March 2022, when evidence was being uncovered of Pentagon programs=
 in Ukraine. See this<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://regist.substack.=
com/p/ukrainian-biolabs-we-knew-it-years?triedRedirect=3Dtrue" style=3D"tex=
t-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">i=
nterview</a><span>=C2=A0</span>with Regis Tremblay in which Prof Boyle deta=
iled the history of U.S. violations of the 1975 Biological Warfare Conventi=
on, systematically pursuing the clandestine and illegal development of biow=
eapons. He believed that Ukraine was playing a vital role in the U.S. globa=
l network of secret biolabs.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color=
:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The revelations also expos=
e the sinister role of the U.S. and Western media in covering up the scanda=
l. People like Prof Boyle, who died in January 2025, have been vilified as =
=E2=80=9CRussian propagandists=E2=80=9D for daring to ask questions and exp=
ose the truth. Regis Tremblay=E2=80=99s podcast was deplatformed from YouTu=
be for broadcasting Boyle=E2=80=99s insights.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max=
-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Even afte=
r the top intelligence report was released last week, the Western establish=
ment media have kept silent, or have sought to discredit Gabbard as a =E2=
=80=9Cconspiracy theorist.=E2=80=9D</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100=
%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">To its credit, the =
U.S. publication,<span>=C2=A0</span><em style=3D"max-width:100%">Military D=
aily News,</em><span>=C2=A0</span>reported with fair editorial comment: =E2=
=80=9CGabbard Releases Biolab Records Years After Disinformation Accusation=
s=E2=80=9D. Its<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.military.com/gabba=
rd-releases-biolab-records-years-after-disinformation-accusations" style=3D=
"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blan=
k">report</a>concluded: =E2=80=9CThe debate is no longer whether U.S.-suppo=
rted laboratories exist overseas, as the newly declassified documents estab=
lish that they did. The larger question raised by Gabbard=E2=80=99s release=
 is whether Congress, policymakers, and the public had a complete understan=
ding of how many facilities existed, what research they conducted, and what=
 pathogens they contained.=E2=80=9D</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100=
%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">What needs to be do=
ne urgently now is the commission of an independent and international inves=
tigation into the U.S. biolabs in Ukraine and dozens of other countries. Th=
ese labs are not only potentially a criminal violation of international law=
s and treaties that Washington signed up to, but also constitute an extreme=
 danger to global public health. Have recent outbreaks of Ebola, avian flu,=
 tularemia, TB, SARS, MERS, COVID, and others been the result of clandestin=
e biowarfare programs funded by the U.S.?</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-wid=
th:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">We have alrea=
dy seen the disgraceful role of the BBC in distorting the Russian claims as=
 =E2=80=9Cdisinformation=E2=80=9D and smearing the Russian commander who le=
d the ground-breaking biolab investigations in Ukraine as a Kremlin mouthpi=
ece.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font=
 face=3D"georgia, serif">In that regard, the<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"h=
ttps://tass.com/world/2146531" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,1=
10,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">comments</a><span>=C2=A0</span>by=
 Fauzan al-Rasyid, an Indonesian journalist and researcher with the Global =
Fact-Checking Network, were powerfully apt. Speaking to Russian news outlet=
 TASS, he said: =E2=80=9CThe facts are finally out. They reveal a terrifyin=
g reality where the true disinformation didn=E2=80=99t come from the East. =
It was engineered in Washington, broadcast from London, and amplified by an=
ti-Russian embassies across the globe =E2=80=93 including in Jakarta =E2=80=
=93 to persuade millions that Russia was lying, that reports of biolabs wer=
e nothing more than propaganda, and that Moscow=E2=80=99s warnings were del=
usions. The evidence now suggests otherwise.=E2=80=9D</font></b></p><p styl=
e=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">T=
he journalist added: =E2=80=9CThis revelation does not just expose the Pent=
agon; it fundamentally destroys the credibility of the BBC, which acted as =
an unquestioning public relations megaphone for Western intelligence.=E2=80=
=9D</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font =
face=3D"georgia, serif">The Western cover-up of the biolabs in Ukraine is p=
art of the wider cover-up of the entire U.S. and NATO-led war in Ukraine, a=
 war that threatens to spiral out of control into a world conflagration, as=
 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned again this week. The =E2=80=
=9CUkraine Project=E2=80=9D is an integral part of a decades-long operation=
 to wage war on Russia for geopolitical domination. The revelations by the =
U.S. Director of National Intelligence =E2=80=93 the top intelligence offic=
ial =E2=80=93 are the ultimate vindication of what Russia has been consiste=
ntly saying about the conflict, its root causes, the proxy NeoNazi regime i=
n Kiev, and why Russia needed to take action to defeat the existential thre=
at to its nation.</font></b></p></div></div>
</div>
</div></div>

--0000000000006e93e30654afd82d--

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Subject: [Salon] As populations fall,
 nations that can tap human potential will succeed
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[image: Albert Bakhtizin] <https://www.scmp.com/author/albert-bakhtizin>
Opinion
Albert Bakhtizin <https://www.scmp.com/author/albert-bakhtizin>
As populations fall, nations that can tap human potential will succeed

Countries that use today=E2=80=99s demographic window to accumulate human a=
nd
technological capital will gain a long-term advantage
SCMP
[image: Illustration: Craig Stephens]
Albert Bakhtizin <https://www.scmp.com/author/albert-bakhtizin>
Albert Bakhtizin is director of the Central Institute of Economics and
Mathematics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a member of the academy and
a professor at Lomonosov Moscow State University.
Published: 5:30am, 20 Jun 2026

For much of the 20th century, many were accustomed to thinking of people as
an ever-expanding resource. As the number of people grew, so did labour
markets, consumer markets, scientific communities, production systems and
armies. In 1950, the world=E2=80=99s population was about 2.5 billion. In 2=
026, it
is reaching 8.3 billion. In just 75 years, the population has increased
more than 3.3 times.

In this sense, the current human population may turn out not to be a
permanent norm, but a historical anomaly produced by the demographic surge
of the past two centuries. Dean Spears and Michael Geruso have developed a
similar logic in their book *After the Spike*: if low fertility becomes
entrenched as a new pattern, the world=E2=80=99s population may begin to de=
cline
naturally due to people=E2=80=99s everyday decisions.

People remain the primary source of economic, technological and military
development for almost any country. The population growth of the past two
centuries coincided with an unprecedented acceleration of science,
technology and productivity. A simple probabilistic logic emerged: more
people mean more potential ideas and a higher chance of producing the human
capital capable of creating breakthrough solutions.

But numbers alone are not enough. What matters is the quality of human
capital: a country=E2=80=99s ability to educate engineers, scientists, skil=
led
workers and specialists in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.

This is becoming a new dimension of international competition. As long as
countries still have large working-age generations, they can use this
demographic window to make a technological leap.

In the mid-20th century, the total fertility rate was about five children
per woman. Today, it is around 2.2. But if global fertility settles at
1.4-1.5, the world=E2=80=99s population will begin to decline steadily afte=
r
reaching its peak. Some calculations show that the global population could
fall to 1 billion in roughly 150-200 years. This is not the most extreme
scenario, but rather a continuation of trends already taking shape.

Even Europe=E2=80=99s most prosperous countries no longer ensure simple pop=
ulation
replacement. The total fertility rate is 1.18 in Italy, 1.1 in Spain and
1.36 in Germany. Even in Scandinavia, long seen as a model of family
policy, it is only around 1.3-1.5.

The situation is more acute in Asia; in many economies, it is no longer
enough to speak simply of low fertility. It is increasingly a demographic
crisis. After falling to 0.75, South Korea=E2=80=99s birth rate rose only t=
o 0.8 by
early 2026. In Taiwan, it is around 0.7; in mainland China, about 1; and in
Japan, 1.13.

In other words, low fertility is no longer a distinctive feature of a few
rich countries. It is becoming a general trend across the urbanised world.
What will differ is not the direction, but the speed at which countries
enter the age of demographic contraction.
Despite large-scale support for families, direct payments, tax breaks,
subsidies and the development of social infrastructure, no country has yet
found a durable way to reverse the downward trend in fertility
<https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3353701/amid-falling-fe=
rtility-rate-china-certify-birth-friendly-cities-and-workplaces?module=3Din=
line&pgtype=3Darticle>
.

Fertility above replacement level is still supported by sub-Saharan Africa.
There, the fertility rate is about four children per woman. But the region
also has exceptionally high under-five mortality. In Nigeria and Niger, for
example, the under-five mortality rates per 1,000 live births are 115.6 and
110.7, respectively, according to the World Bank=E2=80=99s latest figures. =
That=E2=80=99s
compared with 5.7 in China. Even in these countries, however, fertility is
falling noticeably.

Meanwhile, the mere existence of large populations in sub-Saharan Africa or
India does not mean that global leadership will automatically shift to
those regions. Demographic scale becomes an advantage only when it is
combined with education, an industrial base, infrastructure and
institutions. The UN projects Africa=E2=80=99s population to reach 4 billio=
n by the
end of the 21st century. However, despite important examples of indigenous
technological innovation and some progress, the continent still faces
development hurdles.

Countries will, therefore, have to look for other ways to preserve economic
and technological dynamism =E2=80=93 through productivity growth, robotics,=
 AI and
industrial automation.
This is where the demographic question becomes a technological one. For
example, China is one of the world=E2=80=99s largest industrial robotics ma=
rkets
<https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3346775/chinas-industrial-ro=
bot-output-accelerates-factories-ramp-deployment?module=3Dinline&pgtype=3Da=
rticle>.
In 2024, China accounted for 54 per cent of all new industrial robot
installations, while its operational stock exceeded 2 million units =E2=80=
=93 the
largest in the world.

The United States retains leadership in another key dimension of the
technological race. In AI investment, it remains far ahead. Private AI
investment in the US reached US$285.9 billion in 2025, more than 23 times
China=E2=80=99s US$12.4 billion. Stanford notes, however, that private inve=
stment
alone may underestimate China=E2=80=99s overall scale because of the role o=
f state
funds and directed financing.

The US also dominates in infrastructure. According to Stanford, the country
has 5,427 data centres, more than 10 times the number in any other country.=
0

But robots and AI do not emerge in a vacuum. They are created, deployed,
maintained and scaled by people.

Therefore, the coming decades will become a race for technological
advantage. Countries that can use today=E2=80=99s demographic window to acc=
umulate
human capital, develop robotics-based production, deploy AI and strengthen
their industrial base will gain a long-term advantage.

In a world where a population can no longer be treated as an automatically
expanding source of power, what matters most will not be the number of
people alone, but the ability of states to turn human potential into
technological advancement, productivity and strategic strength.
[image: Albert Bakhtizin] <https://www.scmp.com/author/albert-bakhtizin>
Albert Bakhtizin <https://www.scmp.com/author/albert-bakhtizin>
Albert Bakhtizin is director of the Central Institute of Economics and
Mathematics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a member of the academy and
a professor at Lomonosov Moscow State University. His research focuses on
national power

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io: auto 1 / 1; inline-size: 80px; block-size: 80px; border-radius: 50%; ba=
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></a></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-1pw8h04 ea45u6l25" style=3D"box-sizing:b=
order-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;fo=
nt-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inhe=
rit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inh=
erit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:flex"><span class=3D"er6t7f=
e7 gmail-css-1sa5xqq e1q1c9am0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;p=
adding:0px;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:700;font-stretch:inherit;line-h=
eight:normal;font-family:Merriweather,&quot;Merriweather fallback&quot;,ser=
if;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inhe=
rit;font-size:18px;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:rgb(42,161,145)=
">Opinion</span><div class=3D"er6t7fe32 gmail-css-7qldf6 eybiz6w3" style=3D=
"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-varia=
nt:inherit;font-weight:700;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:normal;font-siz=
e-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertica=
l-align:baseline;border:0px"><a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e163ld431 gmail-c=
ss-uvyeg2 ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/author/albert-bakhtizin" s=
tyle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-variant-ligatures=
:inherit;font-variant-caps:inherit;font-variant-numeric:lining-nums proport=
ional-nums;font-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;=
font-stretch:inherit;line-height:normal;font-family:Merriweather,&quot;Merr=
iweather fallback&quot;,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit=
;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-size:18px;vertical-align:baseline;borde=
r:0px;display:inline-block;color:rgb(0,0,0);text-decoration:none">Albert Ba=
khtizin</a></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-1t9p0vv ea45u6l24" sty=
le=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-variant:inherit;fon=
t-stretch:inherit;line-height:50.4px;font-family:&quot;Crete Round&quot;,se=
rif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inh=
erit;font-size:36px;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><h1 class=3D"er6t7f=
e4 gmail-css-19c0w99 e298i0d3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;pa=
dding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:400;font-stre=
tch:inherit;line-height:43.2px;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inheri=
t;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-size:36px;vertical-align:baseline;bord=
er:0px;display:flex"><span class=3D"gmail-css-0 e298i0d2" style=3D"box-sizi=
ng:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inheri=
t;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:=
inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings=
:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px">As populations fall, nations t=
hat can tap human potential will succeed</span></h1></div><div class=3D"gma=
il-css-1mcwqol ea45u6l23" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding=
:0px;font-variant-ligatures:inherit;font-variant-caps:inherit;font-variant-=
numeric:lining-nums proportional-nums;font-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-=
variant-alternates:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:30px;font-famil=
y:Merriweather,&quot;Merriweather fallback&quot;,serif;font-size-adjust:inh=
erit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-size:20px;vert=
ical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51)"><h3 class=3D"er6t7fe3 g=
mail-css-19mvk5a e1ql5f172" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;paddi=
ng:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-str=
etch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inher=
it;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-size:20px;vertic=
al-align:baseline;border:0px"><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0=
k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font:inherit;vert=
ical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">Countries that use today=E2=
=80=99s demographic window to accumulate human and technological capital wi=
ll gain a long-term advantage</p></h3></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-13i1oe5=
 ea45u6l20" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-styl=
e:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;lin=
e-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:=
inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;di=
splay:flex"><div class=3D"gmail-css-1w8suq2 ea45u6l18" style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;f=
ont-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inh=
erit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:in=
herit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:flex"><div class=3D"er6t7f=
e19 gmail-css-1lkjrpx e17crirv3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;=
padding:0px;font-variant-ligatures:inherit;font-variant-caps:inherit;font-v=
ariant-numeric:lining-nums proportional-nums;font-variant-east-asian:inheri=
t;font-variant-alternates:inherit;font-weight:700;font-stretch:inherit;line=
-height:normal;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-s=
ettings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:flex;color:rgb(1=
14,114,114);white-space:nowrap"><span class=3D"gmail-css-fel87u e17crirv1" =
style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;fo=
nt-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inh=
erit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font=
-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px">SCMP</span></=
div></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-km3tje ea45u6l19" style=3D"bo=
x-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-variant-numeric:inherit;fon=
t-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;font-stretch:i=
nherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:Roboto,&quot;Roboto fallback&quot;,s=
ans-serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settin=
gs:inherit;font-size:14px;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:rgb(0,0,=
0)"><div class=3D"er6t7fe23 gmail-css-1xdhyk6 e14wegc30" style=3D"box-sizin=
g:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit=
;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:i=
nherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:=
inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-css-bjn8wh =
e1gf69pb3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style=
:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line=
-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:i=
nherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><s=
pan style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><img alt=3D"Illustration: Craig Stephen=
s" class=3D"e1gf69pb2 gmail-css-16ak3ue e445x7d0" src=3D"https://cdn.i-scmp=
.com/sites/default/files/styles/1020x680/public/d8/images/canvas/2026/06/19=
/5d55aef8-2ac1-41ba-a656-347f9064c54d_a5547399.jpg?itok=3D28DwCJRM&amp;v=3D=
1781837513" style=3D"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; fon=
t-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch=
: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing:=
 inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-se=
ttings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: =
inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: 0px; display: block; inline-size=
: 712px; block-size: 474.663px; color: transparent; background: transparent=
; object-fit: cover; overflow: hidden; aspect-ratio: auto 3 / 2;"></span></=
div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-1d2w7us ea45u6l32" style=3D"box-siz=
ing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-variant-numeric:inherit;font-var=
iant-east-asian:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;font-stretch:inheri=
t;line-height:inherit;font-family:Roboto,&quot;Roboto fallback&quot;,sans-s=
erif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:in=
herit;font-size:14px;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:grid;color:=
rgb(0,0,0)"><div class=3D"gmail-css-1oetv63 ea45u6l17" style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;f=
ont-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inh=
erit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:in=
herit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:flex"><div class=3D"er6t7f=
e32 gmail-css-7qldf6 eybiz6w3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;pa=
dding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:700;font-stre=
tch:inherit;line-height:normal;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inheri=
t;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><a targ=
et=3D"_self" class=3D"e163ld431 gmail-css-uvyeg2 ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://=
www.scmp.com/author/albert-bakhtizin" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin=
:0px;padding:0px;font-variant-ligatures:inherit;font-variant-caps:inherit;f=
ont-variant-numeric:lining-nums proportional-nums;font-variant-east-asian:i=
nherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:nor=
mal;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inh=
erit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:inline-block;color:rgb(0,0,=
0)">Albert Bakhtizin</a></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-ybouy1 ea45u6l0=
" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;=
font-variant-ligatures:inherit;font-variant-caps:inherit;font-variant-numer=
ic:lining-nums proportional-nums;font-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-varia=
nt-alternates:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:=
18.2px;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:=
inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:rgb(90,90,90)"><div class=
=3D"er6t7fe6 gmail-css-1xdhyk6 e1q7ts0l0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;ma=
rgin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:in=
herit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-siz=
e-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertica=
l-align:baseline;border:0px">Albert Bakhtizin is director of the Central In=
stitute of Economics and Mathematics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a =
member of the academy and a professor at Lomonosov Moscow State University.=
</div></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-14nqcp8 ea45u6l16" style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;f=
ont-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:normal;font-family:inhe=
rit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inh=
erit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"er6t7fe26 gmail-css-=
1jj3xkn efakuk42" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;fon=
t-style:inherit;font-variant-ligatures:inherit;font-variant-caps:inherit;fo=
nt-variant-numeric:lining-nums proportional-nums;font-variant-east-asian:in=
herit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inhe=
rit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inh=
erit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:rgb(102,102,102)">Published:=
=C2=A05:30am, 20 Jun 2026</div></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-15nugz2 ea45u6=
l12" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inher=
it;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family=
:Merriweather,&quot;Merriweather fallback&quot;,serif;font-size-adjust:inhe=
rit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-size:18px;verti=
cal-align:baseline;border:0px;color:rgb(34,34,34)"><div class=3D"gmail-js-r=
eading-0-percent-completion-tracker gmail-css-19icq8a ekyy9du0" style=3D"bo=
x-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:=
inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-f=
amily:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-se=
ttings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div><p class=3D"e8zc9q=
40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;pa=
dding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-=
stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inh=
erit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:base=
line;border:0px;color:inherit">For much of the 20th century, many were accu=
stomed to thinking of people as an ever-expanding resource. As the number o=
f people grew, so did labour markets, consumer markets, scientific communit=
ies, production systems and armies. In 1950, the world=E2=80=99s population=
 was about 2.5 billion. In 2026, it is reaching 8.3 billion. In just 75 yea=
rs, the population has increased more than 3.3 times.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q=
40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;pa=
dding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-=
stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inh=
erit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:base=
line;border:0px;color:inherit">In this sense, the current human population =
may turn out not to be a permanent norm, but a historical anomaly produced =
by the demographic surge of the past two centuries. Dean Spears and Michael=
 Geruso have developed a similar logic in their book=C2=A0<em class=3D"gmai=
l-css-1mniedq ex3nmsa15" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:inherit;font-=
weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit">A=
fter the Spike</em>: if low fertility becomes entrenched as a new pattern, =
the world=E2=80=99s population may begin to decline naturally due to people=
=E2=80=99s everyday decisions.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec=
74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:in=
herit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-he=
ight:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inher=
it;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:i=
nherit">People remain the primary source of economic, technological and mil=
itary development for almost any country. The population growth of the past=
 two centuries coincided with an unprecedented acceleration of science, tec=
hnology and productivity. A simple probabilistic logic emerged: more people=
 mean more potential ideas and a higher chance of producing the human capit=
al capable of creating breakthrough solutions.</p><div class=3D"gmail-js-re=
ading-20-percent-completion-tracker gmail-css-19icq8a ekyy9du0" style=3D"bo=
x-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:=
inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-f=
amily:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-se=
ttings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div><p class=3D"e8zc9q=
40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;pa=
dding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-=
stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inh=
erit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:base=
line;border:0px;color:inherit">But numbers alone are not enough. What matte=
rs is the quality of human capital: a country=E2=80=99s ability to educate =
engineers, scientists, skilled workers and specialists in artificial intell=
igence (AI) and robotics.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k=
1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit=
;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:=
28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;fo=
nt-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inheri=
t">This is becoming a new dimension of international competition. As long a=
s countries still have large working-age generations, they can use this dem=
ographic window to make a technological leap.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail=
-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0p=
x;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:=
inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;fon=
t-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;bor=
der:0px;color:inherit">In the mid-20th century, the total fertility rate wa=
s about five children per woman. Today, it is around 2.2. But if global fer=
tility settles at 1.4-1.5, the world=E2=80=99s population will begin to dec=
line steadily after reaching its peak. Some calculations show that the glob=
al population could fall to 1 billion in roughly 150-200 years. This is not=
 the most extreme scenario, but rather a continuation of trends already tak=
ing shape.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box=
-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:i=
nherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-fam=
ily:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-sett=
ings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">Even Europe=
=E2=80=99s most prosperous countries no longer ensure simple population rep=
lacement. The total fertility rate is 1.18 in Italy, 1.1 in Spain and 1.36 =
in Germany. Even in Scandinavia, long seen as a model of family policy, it =
is only around 1.3-1.5.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1"=
 style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;f=
ont-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28=
.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font=
-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit"=
>The situation is more acute in Asia; in many economies, it is no longer en=
ough to speak simply of low fertility. It is increasingly a demographic cri=
sis. After falling to 0.75, South Korea=E2=80=99s birth rate rose only to 0=
.8 by early 2026. In Taiwan, it is around 0.7; in mainland China, about 1; =
and in Japan, 1.13.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" sty=
le=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-=
variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px=
;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-fea=
ture-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">In =
other words, low fertility is no longer a distinctive feature of a few rich=
 countries. It is becoming a general trend across the urbanised world. What=
 will differ is not the direction, but the speed at which countries enter t=
he age of demographic contraction.</p><div class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1xdh=
yk6 ec74h0k0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-st=
yle:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;l=
ine-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kernin=
g:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"=
>Despite large-scale support for families, direct payments, tax breaks, sub=
sidies and the development of social infrastructure, no country has yet fou=
nd a durable way to reverse the=C2=A0<a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e1yy41x40=
 ef9u0v01 gmail-css-1ankfgb ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/economy/=
china-economy/article/3353701/amid-falling-fertility-rate-china-certify-bir=
th-friendly-cities-and-workplaces?module=3Dinline&amp;pgtype=3Darticle" tit=
le=3D"" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:in=
herit;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-si=
ze-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertic=
al-align:baseline;border:0px;display:inline;color:rgb(44,70,146);word-break=
:break-word"><span class=3D"gmail-css-0 ef9u0v00" style=3D"box-sizing:borde=
r-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-w=
eight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;=
font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit=
;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;word-break:break-word">downward trend i=
n fertility</span></a>.</div><div class=3D"gmail-js-reading-50-percent-comp=
letion-tracker gmail-css-19icq8a ekyy9du0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;m=
argin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:i=
nherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-si=
ze-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertic=
al-align:baseline;border:0px"></div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 =
ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:=
inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-=
height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inh=
erit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color=
:inherit">Fertility above replacement level is still supported by sub-Sahar=
an Africa. There, the fertility rate is about four children per woman. But =
the region also has exceptionally high under-five mortality. In Nigeria and=
 Niger, for example, the under-five mortality rates per 1,000 live births a=
re 115.6 and 110.7, respectively, according to the World Bank=E2=80=99s lat=
est figures. That=E2=80=99s compared with 5.7 in China. Even in these count=
ries, however, fertility is falling noticeably.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gma=
il-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:=
0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretc=
h:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;f=
ont-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;b=
order:0px;color:inherit">Meanwhile, the mere existence of large populations=
 in sub-Saharan Africa or India does not mean that global leadership will a=
utomatically shift to those regions. Demographic scale becomes an advantage=
 only when it is combined with education, an industrial base, infrastructur=
e and institutions. The UN projects Africa=E2=80=99s population to reach 4 =
billion by the end of the 21st century. However, despite important examples=
 of indigenous technological innovation and some progress, the continent st=
ill faces development hurdles.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec=
74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:in=
herit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-he=
ight:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inher=
it;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:i=
nherit">Countries will, therefore, have to look for other ways to preserve =
economic and technological dynamism =E2=80=93 through productivity growth, =
robotics, AI and industrial automation.</p><div class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css=
-1xdhyk6 ec74h0k0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;fo=
nt-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inhe=
rit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-k=
erning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border=
:0px">This is where the demographic question becomes a technological one. F=
or example, China is one of the=C2=A0<a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e1yy41x40=
 ef9u0v01 gmail-css-1ankfgb ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/tech/tec=
h-trends/article/3346775/chinas-industrial-robot-output-accelerates-factori=
es-ramp-deployment?module=3Dinline&amp;pgtype=3Darticle" title=3D"" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-va=
riant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inh=
erit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:base=
line;border:0px;display:inline;color:rgb(44,70,146);word-break:break-word">=
<span class=3D"gmail-css-0 ef9u0v00" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:=
0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit=
;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adj=
ust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-ali=
gn:baseline;border:0px;word-break:break-word">world=E2=80=99s largest indus=
trial robotics markets</span></a>. In 2024, China accounted for 54 per cent=
 of all new industrial robot installations, while its operational stock exc=
eeded 2 million units =E2=80=93 the largest in the world.</div><p class=3D"=
e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:=
0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit=
;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adju=
st:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-alig=
n:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">The United States retains leadership i=
n another key dimension of the technological race. In AI investment, it rem=
ains far ahead. Private AI investment in the US reached US$285.9 billion in=
 2025, more than 23 times China=E2=80=99s US$12.4 billion. Stanford notes, =
however, that private investment alone may underestimate China=E2=80=99s ov=
erall scale because of the role of state funds and directed financing.</p><=
p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-=
box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-wei=
ght:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;fon=
t-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;ve=
rtical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">The US also dominates in in=
frastructure. According to Stanford, the country has 5,427 data centres, mo=
re than 10 times the number in any other country.<span style=3D"color:rgb(2=
55,255,255);font-family:&quot;Roboto Condensed&quot;,&quot;Roboto Condensed=
 fallback&quot;,sans-serif;font-size:20px;font-variant-ligatures:inherit;fo=
nt-variant-caps:inherit;font-weight:700;font-style:inherit;background-color=
:transparent">0</span></p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" =
style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;fo=
nt-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.=
8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-=
feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">=
But robots and AI do not emerge in a vacuum. They are created, deployed, ma=
intained and scaled by people.</p><div class=3D"gmail-js-reading-90-percent=
-completion-tracker gmail-css-19icq8a ekyy9du0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-=
box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-wei=
ght:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;fo=
nt-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;v=
ertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6=
uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-s=
tyle:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;=
line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kernin=
g:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;=
color:inherit">Therefore, the coming decades will become a race for technol=
ogical advantage. Countries that can use today=E2=80=99s demographic window=
 to accumulate human capital, develop robotics-based production, deploy AI =
and strengthen their industrial base will gain a long-term advantage.</p><p=
 class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-b=
ox;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weig=
ht:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font=
-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;ver=
tical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">In a world where a populatio=
n can no longer be treated as an automatically expanding source of power, w=
hat matters most will not be the number of people alone, but the ability of=
 states to turn human potential into technological advancement, productivit=
y and strategic strength.</p><div class=3D"gmail-css-1auxnbl evaaos91" styl=
e=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-v=
ariant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit=
;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-fea=
ture-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"e11=
v3ui10 e11v3ui11 gmail-ad-with-size-0x0 gmail-css-kcdza6 evaaos90" style=3D=
"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-varia=
nt:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:0;font-fami=
ly:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-setti=
ngs:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:flex"></div></div><d=
iv class=3D"gmail-js-reading-100-percent-completion-tracker gmail-css-19icq=
8a ekyy9du0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-sty=
le:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;li=
ne-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning=
:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px">=
</div></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-1kfpym9 ea45u6l2" style=3D"box-sizing:b=
order-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;fo=
nt-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inhe=
rit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inh=
erit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-1fek=
98n ea45u6l9" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-st=
yle:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;l=
ine-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kernin=
g:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"=
><div class=3D"er6t7fe31 gmail-css-13q2d2o e7gba4u1" style=3D"box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;fon=
t-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inher=
it;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inhe=
rit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-css-tbgdr e13gy=
t08" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inher=
it;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-heigh=
t:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit=
;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:g=
rid"><div class=3D"gmail-css-1btmqbx e13gyt07" style=3D"box-sizing:border-b=
ox;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weig=
ht:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;fon=
t-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;ve=
rtical-align:baseline;border:0px"><a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e1yqjx3e1 gm=
ail-css-127t9hs ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/author/albert-bakhti=
zin" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inher=
it;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-heigh=
t:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit=
;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:i=
nline-block;color:rgb(0,18,70);text-decoration:none"><img alt=3D"Albert Bak=
htizin" class=3D"e1yqjx3e3 gmail-css-98w27l e445x7d0" src=3D"https://img.i-=
scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=3Dcontain,width=3D300,format=3Dauto/sites/defaul=
t/files/styles/300x300/public/d8/images/author/pic/2025/07/10/Bakhtizin-(1)=
.jpg?itok=3Ds7m9L0BA&amp;v=3D1752572765" style=3D"box-sizing: border-box; m=
argin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-=
weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: =
inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kern=
ing: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inhe=
rit; font-language-override: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: 0px=
; display: block; color: transparent; overflow: hidden; aspect-ratio: auto =
1 / 1; inline-size: 40px; block-size: 40px; border-radius: 50%; background:=
 rgb(218, 222, 222); object-fit: cover; object-position: 50% 50%;"></a></di=
v><div class=3D"gmail-css-14c29lv e13gyt05" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;=
margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:=
700;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:16px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adj=
ust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-ali=
gn:baseline;border:0px;display:flex"><a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e13gyt02 =
e163ld431 gmail-css-1j77t19 ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/author/a=
lbert-bakhtizin" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font=
-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inheri=
t;line-height:16px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kernin=
g:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;=
display:inline-block;color:rgb(0,13,55)">Albert Bakhtizin</a><div class=3D"=
e13gyt06 gmail-css-nzko5h e7f0hzg3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0=
px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;=
font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adju=
st:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-alig=
n:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"e7f0hzg1 gmail-css-1ve11rc e1plt2it0" =
style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;fo=
nt-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:0;f=
ont-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-featu=
re-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div></div></div><=
div class=3D"gmail-css-gy7cxa e13gyt01" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;marg=
in:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inhe=
rit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-=
adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-=
align:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"e13gyt00 gmail-css-1y5q2jx e12du4v=
60" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inheri=
t;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height=
:16px;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:i=
nherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:-webkit-box;text-overflow=
:ellipsis;overflow:hidden">Albert Bakhtizin is director of the Central Inst=
itute of Economics and Mathematics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a me=
mber of the academy and a professor at Lomonosov Moscow State University. H=
is research focuses on national power</div></div></div></div></div></div></=
div>

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Subject: [Salon] Resistance stands firm until full Israeli withdrawal: MP
 Fadlallah
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*https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/resistance-stands-firm-until-=
full-israeli-withdrawal--mp-fad
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/resistance-stands-firm-until-=
full-israeli-withdrawal--mp-fad>*

6/20/26

*Resistance stands firm until full Israeli withdrawal: MP Fadlallah*
[image: image.png]

*Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah, a member of the Loyalty to the Resistance
bloc, said in a video statement shared via Telegram that recent
developments in southern Lebanon reflect continued escalation
following confrontations in the area of Ali al-Tahir
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/hezbollah-confronts-israeli-a=
dvance-in-southern-lebanon>.
*

*He explained that resistance fighters there confronted an Israeli force,
inflicting heavy losses and preventing it from advancing or taking control
of the area.*

*Fadlallah said the enemy is attempting to compensate for its failure to
achieve its declared objectives
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/like-sitting-ducks--troops-dy=
ing-for-nothing-in-lebanon---is>,
including controlling southern Lebanon, destroying the resistance, and
eliminating its presence, through increased attacks on civilians
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israeli-rampage-in-south-leba=
non-right-after--ceasefire--tak>
in
recent hours.*

*He added that the Israeli occupation army sought to expand its control
over Lebanese territory, stressing that the Resistance exercised its
legitimate right to self-defense. "The resistance has the full right to
confront this enemy when it attacks us, as it is the aggressor and the
occupier".*
'Only option is to stand firm and resist': Fadlallah

*Speaking at a commemorative event for Martyr Dr. Ossama Adib, held by
Hezbollah in Beirut=E2=80=99s Jnah area, Fadlallah said that the Israeli oc=
cupation
has not adhered to the ceasefire and is responsible for violating it. He
emphasized that the only option is to "stand firm, resist, and prevent the
enemy from remaining on our land"*

*Fadlallah stressed that what matters is a full and comprehensive Israeli
commitment to a ceasefire
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israeli-rampage-in-south-leba=
non-right-after--ceasefire--tak>,
including an end to attacks on Lebanese villages and any attempts to seize
additional territory.*

*He said the ceasefire framework includes a 60-day negotiation period and
provisions related to Lebanon, which involve joint understandings between
Iran and the United States. However, he stressed that the Iranian side
would not move forward with any final agreement if an Israeli withdrawal is
not implemented.*

*The MP also said the enemy is attempting to undermine the Iran=E2=80=93US
memorandum of understanding, claiming it failed to meet its ambitions and
disrupted its objectives.*
Domestic political criticism in Lebanon

*Concerning Lebanon, Fadlallah praised Iran=E2=80=99s position, saying it r=
emained
committed and consistent in supporting Lebanon and acknowledged that Tehran
suspended negotiations in line with its stance, describing it as a
"historic and principled decision".*

*=E2=80=9CIran has fulfilled its commitment and remained sincere and consis=
tent in
its position with us, our country, and our people, making a ceasefire,
ending the war, and the withdrawal of the enemy the top priority, through a
clear commitment from the United States to preserve Lebanon=E2=80=99s unity=
 and
territorial integrity.=E2=80=9D He said the memorandum received broad inter=
national
support, except for "Israel," which emerged as the loser.*

*Iran has made it clear that the US must implement its commitments and
ensure Israeli compliance
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/us-intelligence-warns--israel=
--may-undermine-iran-us-mou>;
he said, otherwise, negotiations will not continue.*

*Fadlallah also criticized domestic political authorities, accusing them of
making wrong decisions and offering concessions to the enemy, urging them
to reconsider their approach and warning against the "misinterpretation of
regional and international shifts".*
Resistance and strategic positioning

*Fadlallah reaffirmed confidence in Iran=E2=80=99s support for Lebanon, str=
essing
that there is no concern regarding its commitments. He warned that during
the 60 days, the enemy will attempt to evade and escalate attacks, but
resistance forces will continue to respond on the ground.*

*He stressed that no political concessions would be allowed
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/era-of-foreign-guardianship-o=
ver-lebanon-is-over--hezbollah>
to
grant the enemy what it failed to achieve militarily, emphasizing
resistance and national unity as the only alternative.*

*"While expressing full readiness to cooperate and extend a helping hand to
save our country, we warn against making any concessions or commitments to
the enemy in direct negotiations, which we reject. There are attempts to
obstruct a major achievement that could be realized in the country=E2=80=99=
s
interest through US-Iranian negotiations, and the authorities should
neither persist in denial nor refuse to acknowledge reality". *

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"background-color:transparent"><fo=
nt face=3D"georgia, serif"><a href=3D"https://english.almayadeen.net/news/p=
olitics/resistance-stands-firm-until-full-israeli-withdrawal--mp-fad" targe=
t=3D"_blank">https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/resistance-stands=
-firm-until-full-israeli-withdrawal--mp-fad</a></font></b></div><div dir=3D=
"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><span style=3D"background-color:transparent"><br=
></span></div><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><span style=3D"backgrou=
nd-color:transparent">6/20/26</span></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"=
><div><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><br></font></b></div><div><h1 style=
=3D"line-height:1.2141em;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0.5em;max-width:100%;=
color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif" size=3D"4"><i>Resistance=
 stands firm until full Israeli withdrawal: MP Fadlallah</i></font></h1><di=
v><img src=3D"cid:ii_mqmc2j3n0" alt=3D"image.png" width=3D"412" height=3D"2=
58"><br></div><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif">Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah, a member of the Loyalty =
to the Resistance bloc, said in a video statement shared via Telegram that =
recent developments in southern Lebanon reflect continued escalation follow=
ing<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politi=
cs/hezbollah-confronts-israeli-advance-in-southern-lebanon" style=3D"text-d=
ecoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">conf=
rontations in the area of Ali al-Tahir</a>.=C2=A0</font></b></p><p style=3D=
"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">He ex=
plained that resistance fighters there confronted an Israeli force, inflict=
ing heavy losses and preventing it from advancing or taking control of the =
area.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><fon=
t face=3D"georgia, serif">Fadlallah said the enemy is<span>=C2=A0</span><a =
href=3D"https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/like-sitting-ducks--tr=
oops-dying-for-nothing-in-lebanon---is" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color=
:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">attempting to compensate=
 for its failure to achieve its declared objectives</a>, including controll=
ing southern Lebanon, destroying the resistance, and eliminating its presen=
ce, through<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://english.almayadeen.net/new=
s/politics/israeli-rampage-in-south-lebanon-right-after--ceasefire--tak" st=
yle=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D=
"_blank">increased attacks on civilians</a><span>=C2=A0</span>in recent hou=
rs.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font =
face=3D"georgia, serif">He added that the Israeli occupation army sought to=
 expand its control over Lebanese territory, stressing that the Resistance =
exercised its legitimate right to self-defense. &quot;The resistance has th=
e full right to confront this enemy when it attacks us, as it is the aggres=
sor and the occupier&quot;.</font></b></p><h2 style=3D"max-width:100%;color=
:rgb(27,27,27)"><font size=3D"2" face=3D"georgia, serif">&#39;Only option i=
s to stand firm and resist&#39;: Fadlallah=C2=A0</font></h2><p style=3D"max=
-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Speaking =
at a commemorative event for Martyr Dr. Ossama Adib, held by Hezbollah in B=
eirut=E2=80=99s Jnah area, Fadlallah said that the Israeli occupation has n=
ot adhered to the ceasefire and is responsible for violating it. He emphasi=
zed that the only option is to &quot;stand firm, resist, and prevent the en=
emy from remaining on our land&quot;</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:10=
0%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Fadlallah stressed=
 that what matters is a<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://english.almaya=
deen.net/news/politics/israeli-rampage-in-south-lebanon-right-after--ceasef=
ire--tak" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100=
%" target=3D"_blank">full and comprehensive Israeli commitment to a ceasefi=
re</a>, including an end to attacks on Lebanese villages and any attempts t=
o seize additional territory.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;colo=
r:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">He said the ceasefire fra=
mework includes a 60-day negotiation period and provisions related to Leban=
on, which involve joint understandings between Iran and the United States. =
However, he stressed that the Iranian side would not move forward with any =
final agreement if an Israeli withdrawal is not implemented.</font></b></p>=
<p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, s=
erif">The MP also said the enemy is attempting to undermine the Iran=E2=80=
=93US memorandum of understanding, claiming it failed to meet its ambitions=
 and disrupted its objectives.</font></b></p><h2 style=3D"max-width:100%;co=
lor:rgb(27,27,27)"><font size=3D"2" face=3D"georgia, serif">Domestic politi=
cal criticism in Lebanon</font></h2><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27=
,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Concerning Lebanon, Fadlallah pra=
ised Iran=E2=80=99s position, saying it remained committed and consistent i=
n supporting Lebanon and acknowledged that Tehran suspended negotiations in=
 line with its stance, describing it as a &quot;historic and principled dec=
ision&quot;.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)">=
<b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">=E2=80=9CIran has fulfilled its commitment=
 and remained sincere and consistent in its position with us, our country, =
and our people, making a ceasefire, ending the war, and the withdrawal of t=
he enemy the top priority, through a clear commitment from the United State=
s to preserve Lebanon=E2=80=99s unity and territorial integrity.=E2=80=9D H=
e said the memorandum received broad international support, except for &quo=
t;Israel,&quot; which emerged as the loser.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-w=
idth:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Iran has ma=
de it clear that the<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://english.almayadee=
n.net/news/politics/us-intelligence-warns--israel--may-undermine-iran-us-mo=
u" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" targ=
et=3D"_blank">US must implement its commitments and ensure Israeli complian=
ce</a>; he said, otherwise, negotiations will not continue.</font></b></p><=
p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, se=
rif">Fadlallah also criticized domestic political authorities, accusing the=
m of making wrong decisions and offering concessions to the enemy, urging t=
hem to reconsider their approach and warning against the &quot;misinterpret=
ation of regional and international shifts&quot;.</font></b></p><h3 style=
=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font size=3D"2" face=3D"georgia, s=
erif">Resistance and strategic positioning</font></h3><p style=3D"max-width=
:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Fadlallah reaff=
irmed confidence in Iran=E2=80=99s support for Lebanon, stressing that ther=
e is no concern regarding its commitments. He warned that during the 60 day=
s, the enemy will attempt to evade and escalate attacks, but resistance for=
ces will continue to respond on the ground.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-w=
idth:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">He stressed=
 that<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://english.almayadeen.net/news/poli=
tics/era-of-foreign-guardianship-over-lebanon-is-over--hezbollah" style=3D"=
text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank=
">no political concessions would be allowed</a><span>=C2=A0</span>to grant =
the enemy what it failed to achieve militarily, emphasizing resistance and =
national unity as the only alternative.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width=
:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">&quot;While exp=
ressing full readiness to cooperate and extend a helping hand to save our c=
ountry, we warn against making any concessions or commitments to the enemy =
in direct negotiations, which we reject. There are attempts to obstruct a m=
ajor achievement that could be realized in the country=E2=80=99s interest t=
hrough US-Iranian negotiations, and the authorities should neither persist =
in denial nor refuse to acknowledge reality&quot;.=C2=A0</font></b></p></di=
v></div>
</div>
</div></div>

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for
more
Lavrov: NATO & The Ukraine Crisis
<https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=3D1580975&post_id=3D2028=
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ck>NATO
negotiations as a smokescreen for more war preparations

Lisa Savage <https://substack.com/@went2thebridge>
Jun 20
<https://substack.com/@went2thebridge>

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<https://substack.com/redirect/a7facf78-5107-4999-8f7f-081f312d868b?j=3DeyJ=
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Moscow
oil refineries struck with =E2=80=9Ckerosene drones=E2=80=9D
<https://substack.com/redirect/8075b9d3-69c2-47ea-9a98-674388315ba0?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>
release
an instant plumes of black smoke on June 18, 2026 after drone strikes by
Ukraine/NATO

In the U.S. it=E2=80=99s still common for pro-Ukrainian fascism to creep in=
to
=E2=80=9Cprogressive=E2=80=9D discourse, mostly because the Democratic Part=
y has ownership
of the Ukraine proxy war. As the overture to another world war continues
playing, I recommend this clear examination of where Eurasia is at and how
it got there by Russia=E2=80=99s Foreign Minister Lavrov. (It=E2=80=99s bee=
n getting a lot
of play since Democrat-aligned media Politico Europe rejected the article.)
*Some reflections on resolving the Ukrainian crisis, Europe and global
security*

*by Sergey Lavrov*

Thanks for reading Lisa=E2=80=99s Substack! Subscribe for free to receive n=
ew posts
and support my work.
Pledge your support
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=3Dsubscribe-widget-preamble&utm_content=3D202822779>

At a meeting in London on June 7, 2026, the leaders of Britain, France, and
Germany, as well as Vladimir Zelensky, laid out five preconditions for
Russia to secure a *=E2=80=9Cjust and lasting peace=E2=80=9D* in Ukraine. U=
nited Europe now
presents this list of demands as the basis for dialogue with Moscow.
*Background*

More than two decades of negotiations with Europe, as part of the
collective West, lead to only one conclusion: engaging Russia in dialogue
has served as a diplomatic smokescreen for the geopolitical expansion of
Western institutions, above all NATO and the European Union, eastwards,
right up to Russia=E2=80=99s borders.

Europe=E2=80=99s complicity in fueling the Ukrainian crisis is undeniable. =
Together
with the United States, European countries orchestrated the Orange
Revolution in Kiev in 2004. To create an anti-Russian bridgehead in
Ukraine, they spent years buying off politicians and entire parties,
rewriting history and educational curricula, cultivating and nurturing
Ukrainian nationalism, and going to great lengths to pull Ukraine away from
Russia.

In 2013, the European Union outright rejected our proposal for a compromise
on the association agreement =E2=80=93 a deal Brussels had long been pressi=
ng
Viktor Yanukovich to sign. It is worth recalling that Ukraine was offered
unilateral market opening without reciprocal commitments =E2=80=93 terms th=
at would
have proved incompatible with Kiev=E2=80=99s continued membership in the CI=
S
free-trade zone. When Viktor Yanukovich requested a deferral, the Europeans
incited street riots that swiftly escalated into a coup d=E2=80=99=C3=A9tat=
 in Kiev in
February 2014.

Germany, France, and Poland then proved themselves to be equally
treacherous. Having guaranteed that the agreement reached between the
opposition and Viktor Yanukovich would be honored, they washed their hands
of it the moment that same opposition, their own handiwork, took power.
*=E2=80=9CDemocracy,=E2=80=9D* they shrugged, *=E2=80=9Ctakes unexpected tu=
rns.=E2=80=9D*
<https://substack.com/redirect/1e582722-c518-47da-9596-385d662de4fe?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>
U.S.
=E2=80=9Cdiplomat=E2=80=9D Victoria Nuland in Maidan Square Source: =E2=80=
=9COdessa Massacre: Point
of no return that marked Ukraine=E2=80=99s slide into Nazism=E2=80=9D *Orin=
oco Tribune
<https://substack.com/redirect/6836c642-c0ed-4328-bf96-6b6dfe45090b?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>*
<https://substack.com/redirect/6836c642-c0ed-4328-bf96-6b6dfe45090b?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>

Europe thereafter lent its backing to the new authorities. In Odessa on May
2, 2014, the burning alive of dozens of innocent supporters of closer ties
with Russia did not draw a single word of condemnation from European
capitals.

As co-guarantors of the 2015 Minsk Agreements, France and Germany
effectively encouraged the Ukrainian regime to sabotage its own
commitments. As Angela Merkel and Fran=C3=A7ois Hollande later conceded =E2=
=80=93 after
the special military operation had already begun =E2=80=93 Kiev=E2=80=99s i=
mplementation of
the Minsk Agreements, unanimously approved by the UN Security Council, was
never genuinely intended. The objective, they admitted, was merely to buy
time: to shore up the Armed Forces of Ukraine and flood them with Western
weaponry.

Russia, for its part, explored every diplomatic avenue to defuse Europe=E2=
=80=99s
security crisis. However, in January 2022, the United States and NATO
rejected Russia=E2=80=99s proposal for legally binding mutual security guar=
antees.
European NATO members actively endorsed that rebuff.

Following the launch of the special military operation, United Europe threw
its support behind the British prime minister=E2=80=99s efforts to sabotage=
 the
Istanbul negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Boris Johnson=E2=80=99s a=
ppeal to
Kiev =E2=80=93 *=E2=80=9Cdon=E2=80=99t sign anything, just fight=E2=80=9D* =
=E2=80=93 slammed the door on genuine
diplomacy for the foreseeable future.
*Current situation*

So what has prompted European leaders to suddenly shift their rhetoric and
start talking about negotiations, and what are they aiming to achieve with
these statements? For instance, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has
stated that the purpose of any dialogue with Russia is to dictate Europe=E2=
=80=99s
terms. These include paying *=E2=80=9Creparations=E2=80=9D* to Ukraine; wit=
hdrawing troops
from Transnistria and the South Caucasus; abolishing the *=E2=80=9Cforeign
agents=E2=80=9D* law;
and accepting strict limits on the size of the Russian Federation=E2=80=99s=
 Armed
Forces. In her framing, *=E2=80=9Cthere can be no just and lasting peace wi=
thout
accountability for Russia.=E2=80=9D* During the UN Security Council session=
 on May
19, 2026, an EU representative made the point unequivocally: *=E2=80=9CSupp=
orting
Ukraine militarily does not contradict the pursuit of peace, but rather
serves as a fundamental prerequisite for any credible, good-faith
negotiations.=E2=80=9D*

Europe=E2=80=99s plan is to talk with Russia while simultaneously pressing =
ahead
with a campaign of legal warfare orchestrated through the Council of
Europe. Within this once-respected organization, an entire infrastructure
is being assembled for the express purpose of *=E2=80=9Cholding Russia acco=
untable=E2=80=9D*:
a Register of Damage, a Claims Commission, and a Special Tribunal.
<https://substack.com/redirect/fa68bbab-8c16-4bdc-b3c5-5bf8c9b7334a?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>
=E2=80=9CRoyal
Marine commandos.. seized the [Russian oil] tanker Smyrtos in the Channel
early on Sunday in the first UK-led operation to capture a sanctioned
vessel and it has since been formally prevented from leaving the UK.=E2=80=
=9D
Source: *Falmouth Packet
<https://substack.com/redirect/6d8587ef-9c20-43be-8f7d-900f27f2d777?j=3DeyJ=
1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8>*

The European Union has also given the green light to detaining merchant
vessels on the high seas. Several incidents have already taken place in the
Baltic and the Atlantic. At the same time, the West studiously averts its
gaze from the terrorist acts of sabotage perpetrated by the Armed Forces of
Ukraine in the Black and Mediterranean Seas.

The real objective of Europe=E2=80=99s leaders, then, is not to negotiate w=
ith
Russia. It is to shore up the Zelensky regime and preserve it as a
launchpad for continued confrontation against Russia. With this in mind,
European leaders are scrambling to secure a ceasefire as quickly as
possible and for one reason only: to prevent the collapse of the Armed
Forces of Ukraine on the battlefield. The plan is to *=E2=80=9Cfreeze=E2=80=
=9D* the
conflict without addressing its root causes, and then rapidly deploy
military contingents from the Anglo-French *=E2=80=9Ccoalition of the willi=
ng=E2=80=9D* onto
Ukrainian soil.

It is widely known that European elites have invested their *=E2=80=9Cpolit=
ical
capital=E2=80=9D* in the confrontation with Russia, pouring hundreds of bil=
lions of
dollars into propping up the Kiev regime and ramping up the military
budgets of EU member states and NATO. Europe now aims to achieve *=E2=80=9C=
defense
readiness=E2=80=9D* against Russia by 2030. Until then, they mean to buy ti=
me by
whatever means are available. In a strikingly candid remark this April,
Belgium=E2=80=99s chief of staff put it bluntly: *=E2=80=9CWe still have a =
few years.
Thanks to the courage and blood of the Ukrainians, who are buying us that
time.=E2=80=9D*

United Europe continues to dream of expansion. It intends to absorb Ukraine
and Moldova while pulling Armenia into its sphere of influence. NATO has
already expanded eastward, swallowing up Finland and Sweden. As for
Ukraine, it is increasingly being eyed as the *=E2=80=9Cstriking fist=E2=80=
=9D* of a future
European military force, independent of the United States and independent
of NATO.
*Risks to global security*

This state of affairs poses serious threats to global security. A direct
confrontation between NATO and Russia could rapidly escalate into an
exchange of nuclear strikes, with catastrophic consequences.

Under the banner of *=E2=80=9Cstrategic autonomy,=E2=80=9D* Europe is witne=
ssing a
significant build-up of its military capabilities, including in the nuclear
sphere. Paris=E2=80=99s intention to extend its *=E2=80=9Cnuclear umbrella=
=E2=80=9D* to several EU
and NATO member states is a source of deep concern. This will do nothing to
strengthen the security of France itself or of the recipients of its
so-called protection.

For all that, Europe=E2=80=99s political and military establishment continu=
es to
attribute aggressive plans to Russia =E2=80=93 plans that, they claim, reac=
h far
beyond Ukraine. The Russian president has stated on numerous occasions that
all of this is nonsense, provocation, and disinformation, aimed solely at
extracting budget funds for the fight against Russia. That is scarcely the
climate for substantive dialogue.
*Russia=E2=80=99s position*

As for negotiations, Vladimir Putin reiterated at the St. Petersburg
International Economic Forum that Russia is not opposed to contacts with
any party. We see Europe, however, as a party bent on Russia=E2=80=99s defe=
at =E2=80=93 a
stance the Europeans themselves openly avow. Dialogue with Europe,
therefore, cannot be conducted as though it were an impartial third-party
observer.

Russia would prefer to achieve the goals of the special military operation
through diplomacy.

That requires reliably guaranteeing security along Russia=E2=80=99s western=
 borders
and ensuring respect and dignity for our citizens and compatriots,
including the right to speak their native Russian language and practice the
Orthodox Christian faith. Further military, political, and economic
expansion by the West is unacceptable: it runs counter to the imperatives
of a multipolar world.

European leaders should recognize that the model of regional security built
in Europe over decades, ever since the adoption of the Helsinki Final Act
in 1975, has been destroyed by their own hands. And it will never be
restored. We must now move toward creating a continent-wide security
architecture open to all Eurasian countries and reflective of today=E2=80=
=99s
multipolar reality.

The principle of equal and indivisible security, trampled upon by the
Euro-Atlanticists, can be embodied within a new Eurasian architecture. When
the time is ripe, Europe too will be able to join this great effort.

The key point is that meaningful dialogue requires the restoration of
trust, shattered by the anti-Russian actions of the West, and Europe as
part of it, in the post-Cold War era. Trust can be recovered only through
concrete steps that demonstrate a sincere commitment to moving away from
using diplomacy as a cover for expansionist ambitions. Trust cannot be
restored, nor can dialogue be resumed, through ultimatums such as the one
issued to Russia in London on June 7, 2026.

*P.S.* It is noteworthy that the London ultimatum was unequivocally
reaffirmed by the ambassadors of Britain, France, and Germany at the
meeting at the Russian Foreign Ministry on June 11, 2026 =E2=80=93 a meetin=
g they
had so insistently requested. That was the sole purpose of their visit to
the ministry.

Thanks for reading Lisa=E2=80=99s Substack! Subscribe for free to receive n=
ew posts
and support my work.
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=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ET-_!,w_36,c_scale,f_png,q_auto=
:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2Ficon%2FLucideArrowU=
pRight%3Fv%3D4%26height%3D36%26fill%3Dnone%26stroke%3D%2523808080%26strokeW=
idth%3D2" width=3D"18" height=3D"18" alt=3D"" class=3D"gmail-CToWUd" style=
=3D"min-width: 18px; min-height: 18px; border-width: medium; border-style: =
none; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: initial; vertical-align: mi=
ddle; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; max-width: 18px;"></a></td></tr>=
</tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></=
tr><tr height=3D"16"><td height=3D"16" style=3D"font-size:0px;line-height:0=
">=C2=A0</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"pa=
dding:32px 0px 0px;line-height:26px"><div dir=3D"auto" style=3D"text-align:=
initial;line-height:26px;width:550px;word-break:break-word;margin-bottom:16=
px"><div style=3D"line-height:26px;margin:0px auto 32px"><table width=3D"10=
0%" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=
=3D"text-align:center"></td><td align=3D"left" width=3D"1179" style=3D"text=
-align:center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/a7facf78-5107-4999-=
8f7f-081f312d868b?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smAp=
SnC1GYC_8" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"padding:0px;width:auto;height:auto;bo=
rder-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;text-decorati=
on:none;display:block;margin:0px"><img alt=3D"" width=3D"550" height=3D"310=
.68702290076334" src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!q4Vg!,w_110=
0,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-po=
st-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F929a42ba-0fd1-4b03-8064-8f1a9=
a74ed69_1179x666.jpeg" class=3D"gmail-CToWUd" style=3D"vertical-align: midd=
le; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; border=
-width: medium; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; border-imag=
e: initial; width: auto;"></a></td><td style=3D"text-align:center"></td></t=
r></tbody></table>Moscow oil refineries struck with=C2=A0<a href=3D"https:/=
/substack.com/redirect/8075b9d3-69c2-47ea-9a98-674388315ba0?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk=
4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" target=3D"_blank">=E2=
=80=9Ckerosene drones=E2=80=9D</a>=C2=A0release an instant plumes of black =
smoke on June 18, 2026 after drone strikes by Ukraine/NATO</div><p style=3D=
"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">In the U.S. it=
=E2=80=99s still common for pro-Ukrainian fascism to creep into =E2=80=9Cpr=
ogressive=E2=80=9D discourse, mostly because the Democratic Party has owner=
ship of the Ukraine proxy war. As the overture to another world war continu=
es playing, I recommend this clear examination of where Eurasia is at and h=
ow it got there by Russia=E2=80=99s Foreign Minister Lavrov. (It=E2=80=99s =
been getting a lot of play since Democrat-aligned media Politico Europe rej=
ected the article.)</p><h1 style=3D"font-family:&quot;SF Pro Display&quot;,=
-apple-system-headline,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Seg=
oe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;=
,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;margin:1em 0px 0.62=
5em;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:1.16em"><strong>Some reflections on res=
olving the Ukrainian crisis, Europe and global security</strong></h1><p sty=
le=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px"><strong>by =
Sergey Lavrov</strong></p><div style=3D"line-height:26px"><div style=3D"fon=
t-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Ro=
boto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe U=
I Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:1=
.5;max-width:560px;margin:24px auto;text-align:center;padding:0px 32px;dire=
ction:ltr"><div style=3D"margin-top:16px;font-size:18px;max-width:384px;wid=
th:fit-content;line-height:22px;display:flex;margin-left:auto;margin-right:=
auto"><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;line-height:26px;font-size:16px">Than=
ks for reading Lisa=E2=80=99s Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new p=
osts and support my work.</p></div><div style=3D"margin:0px 0px 1em;directi=
on:ltr;line-height:26px"><div style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:non=
e;line-height:26px;border-radius:4px"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redir=
ect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93ZW50MnRoZWJyaWRnZS5zdWJzdGFjay5jb20vc3Vic2NyaWJlP=
3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9cG9zdCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249ZW1haWwtY2hlY2tvdXQmbmV4dD1odHRwcyUz=
QSUyRiUyRndlbnQydGhlYnJpZGdlLnN1YnN0YWNrLmNvbSUyRnAlMkZsYXZyb3YtbmF0by1hbmQ=
tdGhlLXVrcmFpbmUtY3Jpc2lzJnI9MXk4MHcmdG9rZW49ZXlKMWMyVnlYMmxrSWpvek1qYzJNek=
l3TENKcFlYUWlPakUzT0RFNU5UQXpOellzSW1WNGNDSTZNVGM0TkRVME1qTTNOaXdpYVhOeklqb=
2ljSFZpTFRFMU9EQTVOelVpTENKemRXSWlPaUpqYUdWamEyOTFkQ0o5LnlpY3FESWdLdkVCWUJQ=
TE91QVBCOUY3ZjAxYlpHa0lKbzh5S2p3MG92NlUiLCJwIjoyMDI4MjI3NzksInMiOjE1ODA5NzU=
sImYiOnRydWUsInUiOjMyNzYzMjAsImlhdCI6MTc4MTk1MDM3NiwiZXhwIjoyMDk3NTI2Mzc2LC=
Jpc3MiOiJwdWItMCIsInN1YiI6ImxpbmstcmVkaXJlY3QifQ.92B72DQ80DFYsyKXsJoaI0VSd6=
xubnZQ0QqzQfcETTI?&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;utm_source=3Dsubscribe-widget=
-preamble&amp;utm_content=3D202822779" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"display:i=
nline-block;box-sizing:border-box;border-width:medium;border-style:none;bor=
der-color:currentcolor;border-radius:8px;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;fo=
nt-weight:600;opacity:1;outline:none;white-space:nowrap;margin:0px auto;bac=
kground-color:rgb(234,130,255);padding:12px 20px;height:auto;color:rgb(255,=
255,255);text-decoration:none">Pledge your support</a></div></div></div></d=
iv><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">At=
 a meeting in London on June 7, 2026, the leaders of Britain, France, and G=
ermany, as well as Vladimir Zelensky, laid out five preconditions for Russi=
a to secure a=C2=A0<em>=E2=80=9Cjust and lasting peace=E2=80=9D</em>=C2=A0i=
n Ukraine. United Europe now presents this list of demands as the basis for=
 dialogue with Moscow.</p><h3 style=3D"font-family:&quot;SF Pro Display&quo=
t;,-apple-system-headline,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;=
Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&qu=
ot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;margin:1em 0px 0=
.625em;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:1.16em"><strong>Background</strong><=
/h3><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">M=
ore than two decades of negotiations with Europe, as part of the collective=
 West, lead to only one conclusion: engaging Russia in dialogue has served =
as a diplomatic smokescreen for the geopolitical expansion of Western insti=
tutions, above all NATO and the European Union, eastwards, right up to Russ=
ia=E2=80=99s borders.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55=
);line-height:26px">Europe=E2=80=99s complicity in fueling the Ukrainian cr=
isis is undeniable. Together with the United States, European countries orc=
hestrated the Orange Revolution in Kiev in 2004. To create an anti-Russian =
bridgehead in Ukraine, they spent years buying off politicians and entire p=
arties, rewriting history and educational curricula, cultivating and nurtur=
ing Ukrainian nationalism, and going to great lengths to pull Ukraine away =
from Russia.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-he=
ight:26px">In 2013, the European Union outright rejected our proposal for a=
 compromise on the association agreement =E2=80=93 a deal Brussels had long=
 been pressing Viktor Yanukovich to sign. It is worth recalling that Ukrain=
e was offered unilateral market opening without reciprocal commitments =E2=
=80=93 terms that would have proved incompatible with Kiev=E2=80=99s contin=
ued membership in the CIS free-trade zone. When Viktor Yanukovich requested=
 a deferral, the Europeans incited street riots that swiftly escalated into=
 a coup d=E2=80=99=C3=A9tat in Kiev in February 2014.</p><p style=3D"margin=
:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">Germany, France, and Po=
land then proved themselves to be equally treacherous. Having guaranteed th=
at the agreement reached between the opposition and Viktor Yanukovich would=
 be honored, they washed their hands of it the moment that same opposition,=
 their own handiwork, took power.=C2=A0<em>=E2=80=9CDemocracy,=E2=80=9D</em=
>=C2=A0they shrugged,=C2=A0<em>=E2=80=9Ctakes unexpected turns.=E2=80=9D</e=
m></p><div style=3D"line-height:26px;margin:32px auto"><table width=3D"100%=
" border=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"=
text-align:center"></td><td align=3D"left" width=3D"1456" style=3D"text-ali=
gn:center"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/1e582722-c518-47da-9596=
-385d662de4fe?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1=
GYC_8" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"padding:0px;width:auto;height:auto;border=
-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;text-decoration:n=
one;display:block;margin:0px"><img alt=3D"" width=3D"550" height=3D"389.835=
16483516485" src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!RI0v!,w_1100,c_=
limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-m=
edia.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F86343038-3f9e-4133-bd39-c55bc0d66=
cf2_1920x1361.jpeg" class=3D"gmail-CToWUd" style=3D"vertical-align: middle;=
 display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; border-wi=
dth: medium; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: =
initial; width: auto;"></a></td><td style=3D"text-align:center"></td></tr><=
/tbody></table>U.S. =E2=80=9Cdiplomat=E2=80=9D Victoria Nuland in Maidan Sq=
uare Source: =E2=80=9COdessa Massacre: Point of no return that marked Ukrai=
ne=E2=80=99s slide into Nazism=E2=80=9D=C2=A0<em><a href=3D"https://substac=
k.com/redirect/6836c642-c0ed-4328-bf96-6b6dfe45090b?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.=
seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" target=3D"_blank">Orinoco Trib=
une</a></em><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/6836c642-c0ed-4328-bf9=
6-6b6dfe45090b?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC=
1GYC_8" target=3D"_blank"></a></div><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:r=
gb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">Europe thereafter lent its backing to the ne=
w authorities. In Odessa on May 2, 2014, the burning alive of dozens of inn=
ocent supporters of closer ties with Russia did not draw a single word of c=
ondemnation from European capitals.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;colo=
r:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">As co-guarantors of the 2015 Minsk Agreem=
ents, France and Germany effectively encouraged the Ukrainian regime to sab=
otage its own commitments. As Angela Merkel and Fran=C3=A7ois Hollande late=
r conceded =E2=80=93 after the special military operation had already begun=
 =E2=80=93 Kiev=E2=80=99s implementation of the Minsk Agreements, unanimous=
ly approved by the UN Security Council, was never genuinely intended. The o=
bjective, they admitted, was merely to buy time: to shore up the Armed Forc=
es of Ukraine and flood them with Western weaponry.</p><p style=3D"margin:0=
px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">Russia, for its part, exp=
lored every diplomatic avenue to defuse Europe=E2=80=99s security crisis. H=
owever, in January 2022, the United States and NATO rejected Russia=E2=80=
=99s proposal for legally binding mutual security guarantees. European NATO=
 members actively endorsed that rebuff.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;=
color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">Following the launch of the special m=
ilitary operation, United Europe threw its support behind the British prime=
 minister=E2=80=99s efforts to sabotage the Istanbul negotiations between R=
ussia and Ukraine. Boris Johnson=E2=80=99s appeal to Kiev =E2=80=93=C2=A0<e=
m>=E2=80=9Cdon=E2=80=99t sign anything, just fight=E2=80=9D</em>=C2=A0=E2=
=80=93 slammed the door on genuine diplomacy for the foreseeable future.</p=
><h3 style=3D"font-family:&quot;SF Pro Display&quot;,-apple-system-headline=
,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Hel=
vetica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&=
quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;margin:1em 0px 0.625em;color:rgb(54,55,55=
);line-height:1.16em"><strong>Current situation</strong></h3><p style=3D"ma=
rgin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">So what has prompte=
d European leaders to suddenly shift their rhetoric and start talking about=
 negotiations, and what are they aiming to achieve with these statements? F=
or instance, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has stated that the purpos=
e of any dialogue with Russia is to dictate Europe=E2=80=99s terms. These i=
nclude paying=C2=A0<em>=E2=80=9Creparations=E2=80=9D</em>=C2=A0to Ukraine; =
withdrawing troops from Transnistria and the South Caucasus; abolishing the=
=C2=A0<em>=E2=80=9Cforeign agents=E2=80=9D</em>=C2=A0law; and accepting str=
ict limits on the size of the Russian Federation=E2=80=99s Armed Forces. In=
 her framing,=C2=A0<em>=E2=80=9Cthere can be no just and lasting peace with=
out accountability for Russia.=E2=80=9D</em>=C2=A0During the UN Security Co=
uncil session on May 19, 2026, an EU representative made the point unequivo=
cally:=C2=A0<em>=E2=80=9CSupporting Ukraine militarily does not contradict =
the pursuit of peace, but rather serves as a fundamental prerequisite for a=
ny credible, good-faith negotiations.=E2=80=9D</em></p><p style=3D"margin:0=
px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">Europe=E2=80=99s plan is =
to talk with Russia while simultaneously pressing ahead with a campaign of =
legal warfare orchestrated through the Council of Europe. Within this once-=
respected organization, an entire infrastructure is being assembled for the=
 express purpose of=C2=A0<em>=E2=80=9Cholding Russia accountable=E2=80=9D</=
em>: a Register of Damage, a Claims Commission, and a Special Tribunal.</p>=
<div style=3D"line-height:26px;margin:32px auto"><table width=3D"100%" bord=
er=3D"0" cellspacing=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0"><tbody><tr><td style=3D"text-a=
lign:center"></td><td align=3D"left" width=3D"1280" style=3D"text-align:cen=
ter"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/fa68bbab-8c16-4bdc-b3c5-5bf8c=
9b7334a?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jqa_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8"=
 target=3D"_blank" style=3D"padding:0px;width:auto;height:auto;border-width=
:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;text-decoration:none;di=
splay:block;margin:0px"><img alt=3D"" width=3D"550" height=3D"366.5234375" =
src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!NttI!,w_1100,c_limit,f_auto,=
q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazo=
naws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9276a881-7821-48cf-a895-dd27fffaff48_1280x853.=
webp" class=3D"gmail-CToWUd" style=3D"vertical-align: middle; display: bloc=
k; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; border-width: medium; b=
order-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: initial; width=
: auto;"></a></td><td style=3D"text-align:center"></td></tr></tbody></table=
>=E2=80=9CRoyal Marine commandos.. seized the [Russian oil] tanker Smyrtos =
in the Channel early on Sunday in the first UK-led operation to capture a s=
anctioned vessel and it has since been formally prevented from leaving the =
UK.=E2=80=9D Source:=C2=A0<em><a href=3D"https://substack.com/redirect/6d85=
87ef-9c20-43be-8f7d-900f27f2d777?j=3DeyJ1IjoiMXk4MHcifQ.seDb6u63dHJYRLBe0Jq=
a_jxsZrGdt2smApSnC1GYC_8" target=3D"_blank">Falmouth Packet</a></em></div><=
p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px"></p><p=
 style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">The Eur=
opean Union has also given the green light to detaining merchant vessels on=
 the high seas. Several incidents have already taken place in the Baltic an=
d the Atlantic. At the same time, the West studiously averts its gaze from =
the terrorist acts of sabotage perpetrated by the Armed Forces of Ukraine i=
n the Black and Mediterranean Seas.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;colo=
r:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">The real objective of Europe=E2=80=99s le=
aders, then, is not to negotiate with Russia. It is to shore up the Zelensk=
y regime and preserve it as a launchpad for continued confrontation against=
 Russia. With this in mind, European leaders are scrambling to secure a cea=
sefire as quickly as possible and for one reason only: to prevent the colla=
pse of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the battlefield. The plan is to=C2=A0=
<em>=E2=80=9Cfreeze=E2=80=9D</em>=C2=A0the conflict without addressing its =
root causes, and then rapidly deploy military contingents from the Anglo-Fr=
ench=C2=A0<em>=E2=80=9Ccoalition of the willing=E2=80=9D</em>=C2=A0onto Ukr=
ainian soil.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-he=
ight:26px">It is widely known that European elites have invested their=C2=
=A0<em>=E2=80=9Cpolitical capital=E2=80=9D</em>=C2=A0in the confrontation w=
ith Russia, pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into propping up the Ki=
ev regime and ramping up the military budgets of EU member states and NATO.=
 Europe now aims to achieve=C2=A0<em>=E2=80=9Cdefense readiness=E2=80=9D</e=
m>=C2=A0against Russia by 2030. Until then, they mean to buy time by whatev=
er means are available. In a strikingly candid remark this April, Belgium=
=E2=80=99s chief of staff put it bluntly:=C2=A0<em>=E2=80=9CWe still have a=
 few years. Thanks to the courage and blood of the Ukrainians, who are buyi=
ng us that time.=E2=80=9D</em></p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb=
(54,55,55);line-height:26px">United Europe continues to dream of expansion.=
 It intends to absorb Ukraine and Moldova while pulling Armenia into its sp=
here of influence. NATO has already expanded eastward, swallowing up Finlan=
d and Sweden. As for Ukraine, it is increasingly being eyed as the=C2=A0<em=
>=E2=80=9Cstriking fist=E2=80=9D</em>=C2=A0of a future European military fo=
rce, independent of the United States and independent of NATO.</p><h3 style=
=3D"font-family:&quot;SF Pro Display&quot;,-apple-system-headline,system-ui=
,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Ari=
al,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quo=
t;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;margin:1em 0px 0.625em;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-hei=
ght:1.16em"><strong>Risks to global security</strong></h3><p style=3D"margi=
n:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">This state of affairs =
poses serious threats to global security. A direct confrontation between NA=
TO and Russia could rapidly escalate into an exchange of nuclear strikes, w=
ith catastrophic consequences.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb=
(54,55,55);line-height:26px">Under the banner of=C2=A0<em>=E2=80=9Cstrategi=
c autonomy,=E2=80=9D</em>=C2=A0Europe is witnessing a significant build-up =
of its military capabilities, including in the nuclear sphere. Paris=E2=80=
=99s intention to extend its=C2=A0<em>=E2=80=9Cnuclear umbrella=E2=80=9D</e=
m>=C2=A0to several EU and NATO member states is a source of deep concern. T=
his will do nothing to strengthen the security of France itself or of the r=
ecipients of its so-called protection.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;c=
olor:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">For all that, Europe=E2=80=99s politic=
al and military establishment continues to attribute aggressive plans to Ru=
ssia =E2=80=93 plans that, they claim, reach far beyond Ukraine. The Russia=
n president has stated on numerous occasions that all of this is nonsense, =
provocation, and disinformation, aimed solely at extracting budget funds fo=
r the fight against Russia. That is scarcely the climate for substantive di=
alogue.</p><h3 style=3D"font-family:&quot;SF Pro Display&quot;,-apple-syste=
m-headline,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,=
Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe=
 UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;margin:1em 0px 0.625em;color:rg=
b(54,55,55);line-height:1.16em"><strong>Russia=E2=80=99s position</strong><=
/h3><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">A=
s for negotiations, Vladimir Putin reiterated at the St. Petersburg Interna=
tional Economic Forum that Russia is not opposed to contacts with any party=
. We see Europe, however, as a party bent on Russia=E2=80=99s defeat =E2=80=
=93 a stance the Europeans themselves openly avow. Dialogue with Europe, th=
erefore, cannot be conducted as though it were an impartial third-party obs=
erver.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:2=
6px">Russia would prefer to achieve the goals of the special military opera=
tion through diplomacy.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,=
55);line-height:26px">That requires reliably guaranteeing security along Ru=
ssia=E2=80=99s western borders and ensuring respect and dignity for our cit=
izens and compatriots, including the right to speak their native Russian la=
nguage and practice the Orthodox Christian faith. Further military, politic=
al, and economic expansion by the West is unacceptable: it runs counter to =
the imperatives of a multipolar world.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;c=
olor:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">European leaders should recognize that=
 the model of regional security built in Europe over decades, ever since th=
e adoption of the Helsinki Final Act in 1975, has been destroyed by their o=
wn hands. And it will never be restored. We must now move toward creating a=
 continent-wide security architecture open to all Eurasian countries and re=
flective of today=E2=80=99s multipolar reality.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0=
px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">The principle of equal and in=
divisible security, trampled upon by the Euro-Atlanticists, can be embodied=
 within a new Eurasian architecture. When the time is ripe, Europe too will=
 be able to join this great effort.</p><p style=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;colo=
r:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px">The key point is that meaningful dialogue=
 requires the restoration of trust, shattered by the anti-Russian actions o=
f the West, and Europe as part of it, in the post-Cold War era. Trust can b=
e recovered only through concrete steps that demonstrate a sincere commitme=
nt to moving away from using diplomacy as a cover for expansionist ambition=
s. Trust cannot be restored, nor can dialogue be resumed, through ultimatum=
s such as the one issued to Russia in London on June 7, 2026.</p><p style=
=3D"margin:0px 0px 20px;color:rgb(54,55,55);line-height:26px"><strong>P.S.<=
/strong>=C2=A0It is noteworthy that the London ultimatum was unequivocally =
reaffirmed by the ambassadors of Britain, France, and Germany at the meetin=
g at the Russian Foreign Ministry on June 11, 2026 =E2=80=93 a meeting they=
 had so insistently requested. That was the sole purpose of their visit to =
the ministry.</p><div style=3D"line-height:26px;margin-bottom:0px"><div sty=
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ive new posts and support my work.</p></div><div style=3D"margin:0px 0px 1e=
m;direction:ltr;line-height:26px"><div style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-=
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com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93ZW50MnRoZWJyaWRnZS5zdWJzdGFjay5jb20vc3Vi=
c2NyaWJlP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9cG9zdCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249ZW1haWwtY2hlY2tvdXQmbmV4dD1=
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Subject: [Salon] Fwd: The National,
 Cuba: "We are not a threat': Raul Castro's grandson 'Raulito' makes
 Cuba's case to US and world." (6/19/26)
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Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
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*https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2026/06/19/we-are-not-a-threat-rau=
l-castros-grandson-raulito-makes-cubas-case-to-us-and-world/
<https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2026/06/19/we-are-not-a-threat-rau=
l-castros-grandson-raulito-makes-cubas-case-to-us-and-world/>*

'*We are not a threat': Raul Castro's grandson 'Raulito' makes Cuba's case
to US and world**In his first interview, the next generation of the ruling
revolutionary dynasty tells The National that Cuba is ready to talk*

*Salim A. Essaid   6/19/26*

*Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro sat down for his first media interview at
a time when his country could scarcely afford to look weak. *

*Cuba's electricity grid is failing
<https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2026/06/14/life-under-embargo-cuba=
ns-face-blackouts-and-scarcity-amid-us-blockade/>,
its currency is continuously losing value, and US warships have
repositioned in the Caribbean. His grandfather, Raul Castro Sr, had just
been indicted by US authorities over the 1996 downing of two civilian
planes.*

*Raulito, as he is known, does not hold an official title in government,
but is regarded as a highly influential figure with a direct line to Cuba's
leadership, which is in one of the world's most-watched diplomatic
standoffs with the US, one that has escalated dramatically since January.*

*Despite the pressure, he did not come to plead. He came with a message.*

*=E2=80=9CCuba does not represent the slightest threat to the interests and
national security of the United States =E2=80=A6 We continue to offer that
civilised relationship, that relationship of respect and equal footing,=E2=
=80=9D he
told The National.*

*=E2=80=9CSince the very first days of the revolution, our historical leade=
rs
always projected, and made it known to the world and to the different
governments of the United States, that Cuba and its revolutionary
government have always been willing to maintain a cordial relationship,=E2=
=80=9D he
said. =E2=80=9CWhy shouldn't it even be a normal and natural relationship? =
It has
not been Cuba that has thwarted that desire.=E2=80=9D*

*Cuba is at a pivotal moment. On Thursday, the ruling Communist Party
approved an emergency economic package with unprecedented free-market
measures, expanding private enterprise, municipal autonomy and foreign
investment incentives. *

*President Miguel Diaz-Canel said the plan draws on China and Vietnam's
model of market-oriented reform under one-party rule. US Vice President JD
Vance offered a wait-and-see response. *

*=E2=80=9CWe're going to see what they do. If they make smart decisions, we=
're
going to have a much better relationship with that island,=E2=80=9D Mr Vanc=
e said.*

*The backdrop is grim. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk
this month warned that the fuel restrictions imposed since January,
combined with extraterritorial sanctions
<https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2026/06/14/life-under-embargo-cuba=
ns-face-blackouts-and-scarcity-amid-us-blockade/>
targeting
traders, insurers, shipping companies and financial institutions, have
driven daily blackouts that regularly exceed 20 hours. Children are dying
as doctors are cut off from essential medical supplies and medicine.*
*Olive branch and a firm line*

*Raulito was careful to frame Cuba's overtures as consistency, not
concession. =E2=80=9CWe continue to believe that the path of dialogue is th=
e one
that brings us closer, not confrontation,=E2=80=9D he said. =E2=80=9CBut th=
ose
opportunities will never be based on conditioning, on impositions, and our
people bowing to demands that will not be possible.=E2=80=9D*

*He was equally candid about the conditions under which those conversations
are taking place. =E2=80=9CIt is really difficult to sustain any type of
conversation, discussion, negotiation or dialogue in a very hostile
environment of coercive measures, threats and pretensions of conditioning
and imposition,=E2=80=9D he said.*
*[image: The coastline of Cuba's capital, Havana. Photo: Salim A Essaid /
The National]*

*On military confrontation, he was equally firm. =E2=80=9CThere is no reaso=
n for
the United States to militarily aggress Cuba. It has been demonstrated,
even US agencies have acknowledged, that Cuba represents no risk to the
national security of the United States. Our people will not be
subjugated.=E2=80=9D *

*He added: =E2=80=9CWe are included on a list of countries that supposedly =
sponsor
terrorism, when it is known that Cuba has no relationship with terrorism,
and this is recognised internationally and particularly in the United
States.=E2=80=9D*

*His colleague, Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Carlos
Mendez, addressed the American business community directly. =E2=80=9CWe wan=
t US
businesspeople to know and understand that Cuba is a country open to
investment =E2=80=A6 ranging from mining, tourism, real estate, banking and
finance,=E2=80=9D he said. =E2=80=9CDifferences exist between our governmen=
ts that should
not prevent the business community from participating in the Cuban
economy.=E2=80=9D*
*Rubio's war, Trump's deal*

*For analysts, Raulito's message lands in a fractured political environment
where the identity of the decision-maker matters as much as the decision. *

*Prof William LeoGrande of American University is unequivocal in his view.
=E2=80=9CRubio, I think unquestionably [Marco] Rubio,=E2=80=9D he says of w=
ho is driving
the pressure campaign, noting that the Secretary of State himself once
captioned a post to the effect that he and fellow Cuban-American
congressman Mario Diaz-Balart write President Donald Trump's Cuba policy.
=E2=80=9CTypically, he'll say a sentence or two =E2=80=A6 and then he turns=
 it over to
Rubio to actually give a substantive answer.=E2=80=9D*

*That matters because Mr Trump's instincts have historically been
transactional. Helen Yaffe, professor of Latin American political economy
at the University of Glasgow, notes that Mr Trump sent business
representatives to Cuba in the 1990s to explore hotel and golf course
opportunities. *

*=E2=80=9CThey have a different objective, a slightly different approach,=
=E2=80=9D Prof
Yaffe says of the President and the Secretary of State. For Mr Rubio, the
motivation is something closer to vengeance. =E2=80=9CHis career was built
representing that lobby =E2=80=A6 he wants nothing short of regime change, =
and it's
like a vengeance thing.=E2=80=9D*

*Arturo Lopez-Levy, a Cuba research fellow at Georgia College, frames it in
starker terms. =E2=80=9CAll his political life is based on the idea that th=
e Cuban
revolution was an accident,=E2=80=9D he says of Mr Rubio. *

*It is, Mr Lopez-Levy warns, =E2=80=9Ca formula for disaster=E2=80=9D, but =
this is rational
on Mr Rubio's terms, since without full American backing, the exile
community has no path to victory.*

*The deeper obstacle may lie inside Cuba itself. Geopolitical analyst Mario
Braga at RANE Network, a global risk intelligence company, identifies an
internal impasse: different factions have not agreed on how far to go,
generating frustration in the Trump administration. *

*At the centre sits GAESA, the military-run conglomerate estimated to
control 40 to 70 per cent of the economy. =E2=80=9CThey would be much less =
inclined
to agree to a US demand, for example, to break up this conglomerate, to
open it to private-sector participation, to improve transparency rules,
because they would have direct stakes to lose,=E2=80=9D Mr Braga says.*
*Agreement out of reach*

*When Mr Mendez was asked directly whether the two sides were close to
lifting the embargo, he was candid. =E2=80=9CI would like to answer yes to =
that
question, but the reality is no,=E2=80=9D he said. =E2=80=9CWe have no sanc=
tions against
the United States. What we have is the willingness to welcome US
businesses.=E2=80=9D*

*Prof LeoGrande thinks there could be a shift if the US accepts it will not
get regime change. =E2=80=9CI think there's a lot of room for movement on t=
he
economic issues =E2=80=A6 that might be enough to get a deal. But I don't k=
now.=E2=80=9D*

*=E2=80=9CAs long as the revolution exists, Cuba will not leave any Cuban b=
ehind or
forgotten,=E2=80=9D Raulito said in closing. =E2=80=9CThat outlook, that vi=
sion, is a great
priority.=E2=80=9D*

--00000000000044cbb30654b0455b
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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"background-color:transparent"><fo=
nt face=3D"georgia, serif"><a href=3D"https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/=
us/2026/06/19/we-are-not-a-threat-raul-castros-grandson-raulito-makes-cubas=
-case-to-us-and-world/" target=3D"_blank">https://www.thenationalnews.com/n=
ews/us/2026/06/19/we-are-not-a-threat-raul-castros-grandson-raulito-makes-c=
ubas-case-to-us-and-world/</a></font></b></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D=
"ltr"><div><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><br></font></b></div><div><h1 s=
tyle=3D"line-height:1.2141em;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0.5em;max-width:1=
00%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font size=3D"2" face=3D"georgia, serif">&#39;</fo=
nt><font face=3D"georgia, serif" size=3D"4"><i>We are not a threat&#39;: Ra=
ul Castro&#39;s grandson &#39;Raulito&#39; makes Cuba&#39;s case to US and =
world</i></font></h1><h2 style=3D"color:rgba(27,27,27,0.65);line-height:1.2=
7275em;max-width:100%"><font face=3D"georgia, serif" size=3D"4"><i>In his f=
irst interview, the next generation of the ruling revolutionary dynasty tel=
ls The National that Cuba is ready to talk</i></font></h2><div style=3D"mar=
gin-bottom:1.45em;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><a style=3D"margin:0p=
x;max-width:100%;display:inline"><p style=3D"margin:0px;max-width:100%;disp=
lay:inline"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Salim A. Essaid=C2=A0 =C2=A06/=
19/26</font></b></p></a></div><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif"><img type=3D"image" alt=3D"" src=3D"https://www.thenati=
onalnews.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.jwplayer.com%2Fv2%2Fmedia%2F6aOVy=
41d%2Fposter.jpg%3Fwidth%3D480%26thumbnail_version%3D1?smart=3Dtrue&amp;aut=
h=3D241cff0874c1dfeefe7da45f342249e39ea7a6680cb1271e8f7c6f6c4bf0eca3&amp;wi=
dth=3D400&amp;height=3D225" width=3D"400" height=3D"225" style=3D"margin:0.=
5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"></font></b></span><p style=3D"max-width:1=
00%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"ge=
orgia, serif">Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro sat down for his first media =
interview at a time when his country could scarcely afford to look weak.<sp=
an>=C2=A0</span></font></b></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(=
27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">=
<a href=3D"https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2026/06/14/life-under-em=
bargo-cubans-face-blackouts-and-scarcity-amid-us-blockade/" rel=3D"" title=
=3D"https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2026/06/14/life-under-embargo-c=
ubans-face-blackouts-and-scarcity-amid-us-blockade/" style=3D"text-decorati=
on:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">Cuba&#39;s =
electricity grid is failing</a>, its currency is continuously losing value,=
 and US warships have repositioned in the Caribbean. His grandfather, Raul =
Castro Sr, had just been indicted by US authorities over the 1996 downing o=
f two civilian planes.</font></b></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;colo=
r:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, s=
erif">Raulito, as he is known, does not hold an official title in governmen=
t, but is regarded as a highly influential figure with a direct line to Cub=
a&#39;s leadership, which is in one of the world&#39;s most-watched diploma=
tic standoffs with the US, one that has escalated dramatically since Januar=
y.</font></b></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><sp=
an style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Despite the pr=
essure, he did not come to plead. He came with a message.</font></b></span>=
</p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-widt=
h:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">=E2=80=9CCuba does not represent t=
he slightest threat to the interests and national security of the United St=
ates =E2=80=A6 We continue to offer that civilised relationship, that relat=
ionship of respect and equal footing,=E2=80=9D he told<span>=C2=A0</span><i=
 style=3D"max-width:100%">The National.</i></font></b></span></p><p style=
=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><=
font face=3D"georgia, serif">=E2=80=9CSince the very first days of the revo=
lution, our historical leaders always projected, and made it known to the w=
orld and to the different governments of the United States, that Cuba and i=
ts revolutionary government have always been willing to maintain a cordial =
relationship,=E2=80=9D he said. =E2=80=9CWhy shouldn&#39;t it even be a nor=
mal and natural relationship? It has not been Cuba that has thwarted that d=
esire.=E2=80=9D</font></b></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(2=
7,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">C=
uba is at a pivotal moment. On Thursday, the ruling Communist Party approve=
d an emergency economic package with unprecedented free-market measures, ex=
panding private enterprise, municipal autonomy and foreign investment incen=
tives.<span>=C2=A0</span></font></b></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;c=
olor:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia=
, serif">President Miguel Diaz-Canel said the plan draws on China and Vietn=
am&#39;s model of market-oriented reform under one-party rule. US Vice Pres=
ident JD Vance offered a wait-and-see response.<span>=C2=A0</span></font></=
b></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D=
"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">=E2=80=9CWe&#39;re going =
to see what they do. If they make smart decisions, we&#39;re going to have =
a much better relationship with that island,=E2=80=9D Mr Vance said.</font>=
</b></span></p><div style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span styl=
e=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><img type=3D"image" a=
lt=3D"" src=3D"https://www.thenationalnews.com/resizer/v2/MJHUHEA2N5AXVHMMF=
QGUNAHLDQ.jpg?smart=3Dtrue&amp;auth=3D749552898be1f9c3c460c4eebe8c0f727ab04=
6ffd31a1449c1256c4bcd78f7d8&amp;width=3D400&amp;height=3D400" width=3D"400"=
 height=3D"400" style=3D"margin:0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"></font>=
</b></span></div><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span styl=
e=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The backdrop is grim.=
 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk this month warned that t=
he fuel restrictions imposed since January, combined with<span>=C2=A0</span=
><a href=3D"https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2026/06/14/life-under-e=
mbargo-cubans-face-blackouts-and-scarcity-amid-us-blockade/" rel=3D"" title=
=3D"https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2026/06/14/life-under-embargo-c=
ubans-face-blackouts-and-scarcity-amid-us-blockade/" style=3D"text-decorati=
on:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">extraterrit=
orial sanctions</a><span>=C2=A0</span>targeting traders, insurers, shipping=
 companies and financial institutions, have driven daily blackouts that reg=
ularly exceed 20 hours. Children are dying as doctors are cut off from esse=
ntial medical supplies and medicine.</font></b></span></p><h2 style=3D"max-=
width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b style=3D"max-width:100%"><font size=3D"2=
" face=3D"georgia, serif">Olive branch and a firm line</font></b></h2><p st=
yle=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><=
b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Raulito was careful to frame Cuba&#39;s ove=
rtures as consistency, not concession. =E2=80=9CWe continue to believe that=
 the path of dialogue is the one that brings us closer, not confrontation,=
=E2=80=9D he said. =E2=80=9CBut those opportunities will never be based on =
conditioning, on impositions, and our people bowing to demands that will no=
t be possible.=E2=80=9D</font></b></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;col=
or:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, =
serif">He was equally candid about the conditions under which those convers=
ations are taking place. =E2=80=9CIt is really difficult to sustain any typ=
e of conversation, discussion, negotiation or dialogue in a very hostile en=
vironment of coercive measures, threats and pretensions of conditioning and=
 imposition,=E2=80=9D he said.</font></b></span></p><div style=3D"max-width=
:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"=
georgia, serif"><img type=3D"image" alt=3D"The coastline of Cuba&#39;s capi=
tal, Havana. Photo: Salim A Essaid / The National" src=3D"https://www.thena=
tionalnews.com/resizer/v2/3IN3KPCCARFPXKVEQL63QASMNY.jpg?smart=3Dtrue&amp;a=
uth=3D50271e0b093e218397231e2c0c4e44e1c1d02b9d41425896a59662db7a5198bf&amp;=
width=3D400&amp;height=3D300" width=3D"400" height=3D"300" style=3D"margin:=
0.5em 0px 0.5em auto;display:block"></font></b></span><p style=3D"max-width=
:100%;margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.4em"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif=
"><label for=3D"m_-7538123272744639660cap-4fc2027f-32a3-40c3-b7c9-b00fc1b68=
946" aria-label=3D"Show Caption" style=3D"max-width:100%"></label></font></=
b></p></div><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"=
max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">On military confrontation,=
 he was equally firm. =E2=80=9CThere is no reason for the United States to =
militarily aggress Cuba. It has been demonstrated, even US agencies have ac=
knowledged, that Cuba represents no risk to the national security of the Un=
ited States. Our people will not be subjugated.=E2=80=9D<span>=C2=A0</span>=
</font></b></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span=
 style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">He added: =E2=80=
=9CWe are included on a list of countries that supposedly sponsor terrorism=
, when it is known that Cuba has no relationship with terrorism, and this i=
s recognised internationally and particularly in the United States.=E2=80=
=9D</font></b></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><s=
pan style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">His colleague=
, Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Carlos Mendez, addressed =
the American business community directly. =E2=80=9CWe want US businesspeopl=
e to know and understand that Cuba is a country open to investment =E2=80=
=A6 ranging from mining, tourism, real estate, banking and finance,=E2=80=
=9D he said. =E2=80=9CDifferences exist between our governments that should=
 not prevent the business community from participating in the Cuban economy=
.=E2=80=9D</font></b></span></p><h2 style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27=
,27)"><b style=3D"max-width:100%"><font size=3D"2" face=3D"georgia, serif">=
Rubio&#39;s war, Trump&#39;s deal</font></b></h2><p style=3D"max-width:100%=
;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georg=
ia, serif">For analysts, Raulito&#39;s message lands in a fractured politic=
al environment where the identity of the decision-maker matters as much as =
the decision.<span>=C2=A0</span></font></b></span></p><p style=3D"max-width=
:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"=
georgia, serif">Prof William LeoGrande of American University is unequivoca=
l in his view. =E2=80=9CRubio, I think unquestionably [Marco] Rubio,=E2=80=
=9D he says of who is driving the pressure campaign, noting that the Secret=
ary of State himself once captioned a post to the effect that he and fellow=
 Cuban-American congressman Mario Diaz-Balart write President Donald Trump&=
#39;s Cuba policy. =E2=80=9CTypically, he&#39;ll say a sentence or two =E2=
=80=A6 and then he turns it over to Rubio to actually give a substantive an=
swer.=E2=80=9D</font></b></span></p><div style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(=
27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">=
</font></b></span><p style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom=
:0.4em"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><label for=3D"m_-75381232727446396=
60cap-e1dac8a0-67e6-4ec2-9f08-2f48756ad74a" aria-label=3D"Show Caption" sty=
le=3D"max-width:100%"></label></font></b></p></div><p style=3D"max-width:10=
0%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"geo=
rgia, serif">That matters because Mr Trump&#39;s instincts have historicall=
y been transactional. Helen Yaffe, professor of Latin American political ec=
onomy at the University of Glasgow, notes that Mr Trump sent business repre=
sentatives to Cuba in the 1990s to explore hotel and golf course opportunit=
ies.<span>=C2=A0</span></font></b></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;col=
or:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, =
serif">=E2=80=9CThey have a different objective, a slightly different appro=
ach,=E2=80=9D Prof Yaffe says of the President and the Secretary of State. =
For Mr Rubio, the motivation is something closer to vengeance. =E2=80=9CHis=
 career was built representing that lobby =E2=80=A6 he wants nothing short =
of regime change, and it&#39;s like a vengeance thing.=E2=80=9D</font></b><=
/span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"ma=
x-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Arturo Lopez-Levy, a Cuba re=
search fellow at Georgia College, frames it in starker terms. =E2=80=9CAll =
his political life is based on the idea that the Cuban revolution was an ac=
cident,=E2=80=9D he says of Mr Rubio.<span>=C2=A0</span></font></b></span><=
/p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width=
:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">It is, Mr Lopez-Levy warns, =E2=80=
=9Ca formula for disaster=E2=80=9D, but this is rational on Mr Rubio&#39;s =
terms, since without full American backing, the exile community has no path=
 to victory.</font></b></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,2=
7,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The =
deeper obstacle may lie inside Cuba itself. Geopolitical analyst Mario Brag=
a at RANE Network, a global risk intelligence company, identifies an intern=
al impasse: different factions have not agreed on how far to go, generating=
 frustration in the Trump administration.<span>=C2=A0</span></font></b></sp=
an></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-w=
idth:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">At the centre sits GAESA, the m=
ilitary-run conglomerate estimated to control 40 to 70 per cent of the econ=
omy. =E2=80=9CThey would be much less inclined to agree to a US demand, for=
 example, to break up this conglomerate, to open it to private-sector parti=
cipation, to improve transparency rules, because they would have direct sta=
kes to lose,=E2=80=9D Mr Braga says.</font></b></span></p><h2 style=3D"max-=
width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b style=3D"max-width:100%"><font size=3D"2=
" face=3D"georgia, serif">Agreement out of reach</font></b></h2><p style=3D=
"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><fon=
t face=3D"georgia, serif">When Mr Mendez was asked directly whether the two=
 sides were close to lifting the embargo, he was candid. =E2=80=9CI would l=
ike to answer yes to that question, but the reality is no,=E2=80=9D he said=
. =E2=80=9CWe have no sanctions against the United States. What we have is =
the willingness to welcome US businesses.=E2=80=9D</font></b></span></p><p =
style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"=
><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Prof LeoGrande thinks there could be a sh=
ift if the US accepts it will not get regime change. =E2=80=9CI think there=
&#39;s a lot of room for movement on the economic issues =E2=80=A6 that mig=
ht be enough to get a deal. But I don&#39;t know.=E2=80=9D</font></b></span=
></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><span style=3D"max-wid=
th:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">=E2=80=9CAs long as the revolutio=
n exists, Cuba will not leave any Cuban behind or forgotten,=E2=80=9D Rauli=
to said in closing. =E2=80=9CThat outlook, that vision, is a great priority=
.=E2=80=9D</font></b></span></p></div></div>
</div>
</div></div>

--00000000000044cbb30654b0455b--

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Subject: [Salon] Ben Gvir's genocidal rhetoric on Lebanon draws
 international backlash
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*https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/ben-gvir-s-genocidal-rhetoric-on-lebanon-draws-international
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/ben-gvir-s-genocidal-rhetoric-on-lebanon-draws-international>*

6/20/26

*Ben Gvir's genocidal rhetoric on Lebanon draws international backlash*
[image: image.png]

*Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's call for Lebanon to "burn" in
response to the killing of four Israeli soldiers while invading southern
Lebanon brought a wave of backlash, with figures across the political
spectrum condemning the remarks as openly genocidal.*

*UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper wrote on X that calling for "all of
Lebanon to burn" is "a horrendous and abhorrent statement from an Israeli
Minister who has rightly been sanctioned by the UK Government." She called
on occupier and occupied, both "Israel" and Hezbollah, to "comply with the
agreed ceasefire, and ensure that all civilians are protected."*

*US Republican Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/vance-slams-israeli--freakout--over-mou--says-will-have-to-c>
also
condemned the remarks, calling Ben Gvir "a murdering psychopath" and
writing, "how about no mother, of any kind, should shed a tear."*

*Meanwhile, British broadcaster Piers Morgan
<https://english.almayadeen.net/videos/west-s-propaganda-machine-parrots-false-narratives-on-iran>
asked,
"How can anyone still support this Israeli govt when psychopathic monsters
like Ben Gvir are ministers in it, advocating genocide in Lebanon?
Disgusting."*

*CNN anchor Jake Tapper also weighed in, and described the post as
"hideous," writing that "Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir, an
anti-Arab racist zealot, says 'all of Lebanon must burn.' That's almost 6
million people."*

*The backlash also drew commentary on what the remarks revealed about
Israeli political discourse itself. Writer and activist Alon Mizrahi who
identifies as ex-Israeli wrote that the post "everyone is sharing aghast"
is in fact "a perfectly normal and common Israeli view, held by millions,"
adding that it reflects "the Israeli mainstream, and not extreme in the
least," and that he "grew up hearing that endlessly."*

Araghchi slams Ben-Gvir

*Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was among the first to condemn
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/araghchi-slams-ben-gvir---genocidal-death-cult--in-tel-aviv>
the
genocidal remarks by Ben-Gvir. "This is not a rant by a random genocidal
lunatic. It's a public post by the national security minister of the
Israeli regime," Araghchi posted.*

*Furthermore, he cited "the genocidal death cult headquartered in Tel Aviv"
as proof that "Israel" is "a threat to all of humanity. It threatens all
humans."*

*"Its only interest is permanent war," he concluded.*
What Ben-Gvir said

*Ben-Gvir's post came on Friday, shortly after reports confirmed that four
Israeli soldiers, including a battalion commander, were killed
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israeli-officer-among-four-killed-in-southern-lebanon-hezbol>
in
fierce confrontations with the Lebanese Resistance in southern Lebanon.*

*"All of Lebanon must burn," he wrote, adding that "for every tear shed by
an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers should cry."*

*"In the Middle East, you don't win with measured responses and restraint;
you need to go berserk. To obliterate. To crush the terror," he wrote,
explicitly pushing back against international pressure and calls from the
United States for restraint.*
Vance to 'Israel': You can't just kill your way out

*A day earlier, on Thursday, US Vice President JD Vance
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/vance-slams-israeli--freakout--over-mou--says-will-have-to-c>
rebuked
Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for undermining the US-Iran
deal.*

*"What is your exact proposal? You're a country of nine million people. You
can't just kill your way out of solving every single national security
problem," Vance told The New York Times.*

*He added that "Israel" should "wake up and smell the reality."*

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><a href=3D"=
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/ben-gvir-s-genocidal-rhetoric-=
on-lebanon-draws-international" target=3D"_blank">https://english.almayadee=
n.net/news/politics/ben-gvir-s-genocidal-rhetoric-on-lebanon-draws-internat=
ional</a><br></font></b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>6/20/26</div><div>=
<b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><br></font></b></div><div><h1 style=3D"lin=
e-height:1.2141em;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0.5em;max-width:100%;color:r=
gb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif" size=3D"4"><i>Ben Gvir&#39;s ge=
nocidal rhetoric on Lebanon draws international backlash</i></font></h1><di=
v><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><img src=3D"cid:ii_mqmbqrny0" alt=3D"image.=
png" width=3D"412" height=3D"242"><br></font></div><p style=3D"max-width:10=
0%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Israeli Police Min=
ister Itamar Ben-Gvir&#39;s call for Lebanon to &quot;burn&quot; in respons=
e to the killing of four Israeli soldiers while invading southern Lebanon b=
rought a wave of backlash, with figures across the political spectrum conde=
mning the remarks as openly genocidal.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:=
100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>UK Foreign Secre=
tary Yvette Cooper wrote on X that calling for &quot;all of Lebanon to burn=
&quot; is &quot;a horrendous and abhorrent statement from an Israeli Minist=
er who has rightly been sanctioned by the UK Government.&quot; She called o=
n occupier and occupied, both &quot;Israel&quot; and Hezbollah, to &quot;co=
mply with the agreed ceasefire, and ensure that all civilians are protected=
.&quot;</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"></p><=
p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif=
"><b>US Republican Former Congresswoman<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https:=
//english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/vance-slams-israeli--freakout--over-=
mou--says-will-have-to-c" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,21=
0);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">Marjorie Taylor Greene</a><span>=C2=A0=
</span>also condemned the remarks, calling Ben Gvir &quot;a murdering psych=
opath&quot; and writing, &quot;how about no mother, of any kind, should she=
d a tear.&quot;</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27=
)"></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgi=
a, serif"><b>Meanwhile, British broadcaster<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"ht=
tps://english.almayadeen.net/videos/west-s-propaganda-machine-parrots-false=
-narratives-on-iran" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);ma=
x-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">Piers Morgan</a><span>=C2=A0</span>asked, &=
quot;How can anyone still support this Israeli govt when psychopathic monst=
ers like Ben Gvir are ministers in it, advocating genocide in Lebanon? Disg=
usting.&quot;</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"=
></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia,=
 serif"><b><em style=3D"max-width:100%">CNN</em><span>=C2=A0</span>anchor J=
ake Tapper also weighed in, and described the post as &quot;hideous,&quot; =
writing that &quot;Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir, an anti-Ara=
b racist zealot, says &#39;all of Lebanon must burn.&#39; That&#39;s almost=
 6 million people.&quot;</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb=
(27,27,27)"></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif"><b>The backlash also drew commentary on what the remark=
s revealed about Israeli political discourse itself. Writer and activist Al=
on Mizrahi who identifies as ex-Israeli wrote that the post &quot;everyone =
is sharing aghast&quot; is in fact &quot;a perfectly normal and common Isra=
eli view, held by millions,&quot; adding that it reflects &quot;the Israeli=
 mainstream, and not extreme in the least,&quot; and that he &quot;grew up =
hearing that endlessly.&quot;</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;colo=
r:rgb(27,27,27)"></p><h2 style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font=
 size=3D"2" face=3D"georgia, serif">Araghchi slams Ben-Gvir</font></h2><p s=
tyle=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><=
b>Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"=
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/araghchi-slams-ben-gvir---geno=
cidal-death-cult--in-tel-aviv" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,1=
10,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">among the first to condemn</a><sp=
an>=C2=A0</span>the genocidal remarks by Ben-Gvir. &quot;This is not a rant=
 by a random genocidal lunatic. It&#39;s a public post by the national secu=
rity minister of the Israeli regime,&quot; Araghchi posted.</b></font></p><=
p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"></p><p style=3D"max-width:10=
0%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Furthermore, he ci=
ted &quot;the genocidal death cult headquartered in Tel Aviv&quot; as proof=
 that &quot;Israel&quot; is &quot;a threat to all of humanity. It threatens=
 all humans.&quot;</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27=
,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>&quot;Its only interest is permanent=
 war,&quot; he concluded.</b></font></p><h2 style=3D"max-width:100%;color:r=
gb(27,27,27)"><font size=3D"2" face=3D"georgia, serif">What Ben-Gvir said</=
font></h2><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"geo=
rgia, serif"><b>Ben-Gvir&#39;s post came on Friday, shortly after reports c=
onfirmed that four Israeli soldiers, including a battalion commander,<span>=
=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israel=
i-officer-among-four-killed-in-southern-lebanon-hezbol" style=3D"text-decor=
ation:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">were kil=
led</a><span>=C2=A0</span>in fierce confrontations with the Lebanese Resist=
ance in southern Lebanon.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rg=
b(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>&quot;All of Lebanon must bur=
n,&quot; he wrote, adding that &quot;for every tear shed by an Israeli moth=
er, a thousand Lebanese mothers should cry.&quot;</b></font></p><p style=3D=
"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>&quot=
;In the Middle East, you don&#39;t win with measured responses and restrain=
t; you need to go berserk. To obliterate. To crush the terror,&quot; he wro=
te, explicitly pushing back against international pressure and calls from t=
he United States for restraint.</b></font></p><h2 style=3D"max-width:100%;c=
olor:rgb(27,27,27)"><font size=3D"2" face=3D"georgia, serif">Vance to &#39;=
Israel&#39;: You can&#39;t just kill your way out</font></h2><p style=3D"ma=
x-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>A day ea=
rlier, on Thursday,<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://english.almayadeen=
.net/news/politics/vance-slams-israeli--freakout--over-mou--says-will-have-=
to-c" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" t=
arget=3D"_blank">US Vice President JD Vance</a><span>=C2=A0</span>rebuked B=
en-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for undermining the US-Iran d=
eal.</b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font fa=
ce=3D"georgia, serif"><b>&quot;What is your exact proposal? You&#39;re a co=
untry of nine million people. You can&#39;t just kill your way out of solvi=
ng every single national security problem,&quot; Vance told<span>=C2=A0</sp=
an><em style=3D"max-width:100%">The New York Times.</em></b></font></p><p s=
tyle=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><=
b>He added that &quot;Israel&quot; should &quot;wake up and smell the reali=
ty.&quot;</b></font></p></div></div>
</div>
</div></div>

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Subject: [Salon] Ben Gvir appoints families of Israelis killed as prison
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https://x.com/SettlersFW/status/2068051955826475083?s=20



Israeli Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has appointed members of families of
Israelis killed in attacks as prison monitors in prisons holding
Palestinian prisoners to further tighten prison conditions. Some observers
warn this could expose Israel to international legal scrutiny.

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><a href=3D"https://x.com/SettlersFW/status/20=
68051955826475083?s=3D20" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"font-family:-webkit-st=
andard,serif;font-size:11.5pt">https://x.com/SettlersFW/status/206805195582=
6475083?s=3D20</a></div><div class=3D"msg1717844444876187829"><div lang=3D"=
EN-GB" link=3D"#0563C1" vlink=3D"#954F72" style=3D"word-wrap:break-word"><d=
iv class=3D"m_1717844444876187829WordSection1"><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span=
 style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Optima"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u></span><=
/p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:13.0pt;font-family:&quot=
;Segoe UI&quot;,sans-serif;color:#0f1419;background:white">Israeli Minister=
 Itamar Ben Gvir has appointed members of families of Israelis killed in at=
tacks as prison monitors in prisons holding Palestinian prisoners to furthe=
r tighten prison conditions. Some observers warn this could expose Israel t=
o international legal scrutiny.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class=3D"MsoNorm=
al"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Optima"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u=
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Iran says it is closing Strait of Hormuz, testing fragile agreement with
U.S.

As Iran cited Israel=E2=80=99s attacks in Lebanon as the reason it would cl=
ose the
strait again, Pakistan said more talks were planned for Sunday in
Switzerland.


The Washington Post, 20 June 2026
June 20, 2026 at 11:09 a.m.

Oil tankers, cargo carriers, commercial vessels and traditional Omani
fishing boats remain anchored off Qaboos Port in Muscat, Oman, on Friday.
(Elke Scholiers/Getty Images)
By Maegan Vazquez <https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/maegan-vazquez/>

Iran=E2=80=99s military command said Saturday it is closing the Strait of H=
ormuz in
response to Israeli strikes on Lebanon, according to state media, testing a
fragile ceasefire agreement intended to lead to broader peace talks with
the United States.

Stranded vessels had cautiously begun to transit
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/06/19/stranded-ships-begin-cross=
-hormuz-after-initial-us-iran-deal/>
the
Strait of Hormuz following a preliminary agreement between the U.S. and
Iran in which the countries agreed to lift all restrictions on movement
through the strategic maritime corridor.

As Iran cited Israel=E2=80=99s attacks in Lebanon as the reason it would cl=
ose the
strait again, mediator Pakistan said that more talks were planned for
Sunday in Switzerland.

Around the same time as Iran=E2=80=99s announcement, Vice President JD Vanc=
e told
=E2=80=9CFox & Friends=E2=80=9D on Saturday morning that =E2=80=9Cthe strai=
ts are now open=E2=80=9D and
that it was possible that he would join talks in Switzerland =E2=80=9Cas so=
on as
tomorrow.=E2=80=9D

Iran negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were already on the ground
talking with lower-level officials, he said.

Iran=E2=80=99s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei confirmed that =
Iran=E2=80=99s
negotiating team will head to Switzerland to follow up on implementation of
the agreement, according to Iranian state media.

Scores of diplomats, journalists and activists had gathered in Zurich on
Friday for what was intended to be the kickoff of the next phase of
negotiations
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/06/20/diplomats-expect-hurdles-u=
s-iran-talks-which-are-already-delayed/>
toward
a full-fledged peace accord.

A signing ceremony of the loosely defined memorandum of understanding was
expected to feature Vance and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi,
followed by negotiating team meetings.

Iran initially called off its delegation, citing Israeli attacks in
southern Lebanon, and Vance also called off his travel hours before he was
due to depart.

By Friday afternoon in the Middle East, Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to
renew a ceasefire
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/06/19/four-israeli-soldiers-kill=
ed-combat-lebanon-imperils-us-iran-deal/>,
before the latest fighting appeared to pose another stumbling block.

*This is a developing story and will be updated.*

*Michael Birnbaum, Steve Hendrix, Lior Soroka, Imogen Piper and Suzy
Haidamous contributed to this report.*

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><br><div><br></div><div><div class=3D"gmail-grid-full-inne=
r-standard" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:=
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ult-topper" class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-hxwzRc gmail-wpds-c-hxwzRc-ieZkKsh-css" s=
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GZjv-css" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;padding-top:48px;background-image:=
none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repea=
t;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box"><div class=3D"g=
mail-wpds-c-cBzrLX gmail-wpds-c-cBzrLX-cmVlgk-isCenterNS-false gmail-wpds-c=
-cBzrLX-iyHTpF-useUATStyles-true gmail-wpds-c-cBzrLX-ieuxqEo-css" style=3D"=
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ft:auto;margin-right:auto;width:640px"><h1 id=3D"gmail-main-content" class=
=3D"gmail-wpds-c-dXnrMy gmail-wpds-c-dXnrMy-dHdMuz-isOnSplitTopper-false gm=
ail-wpds-c-dXnrMy-iPJLV-css" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;font-size:48px;=
margin:0px;font-family:Postoni,garamond,serif;line-height:1.1">Iran says it=
 is closing Strait of Hormuz, testing fragile agreement with U.S.</h1><p cl=
ass=3D"gmail-wpds-c-ckOSsQ gmail-wpds-c-ckOSsQ-iPJLV-css" style=3D"box-sizi=
ng:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:Franklin,arial,sans-serif;font-size:20=
px;line-height:1.25">As Iran cited Israel=E2=80=99s attacks in Lebanon as t=
he reason it would close the strait again, Pakistan said more talks were pl=
anned for Sunday in Switzerland.</p><p class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-ckOSsQ gmail-w=
pds-c-ckOSsQ-iPJLV-css" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-fami=
ly:Franklin,arial,sans-serif;font-size:20px;line-height:1.25"><br></p><p cl=
ass=3D"gmail-wpds-c-ckOSsQ gmail-wpds-c-ckOSsQ-iPJLV-css" style=3D"box-sizi=
ng:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:Franklin,arial,sans-serif;font-size:20=
px;line-height:1.25">The Washington Post, 20 June 2026</p><div class=3D"gma=
il-wpds-c-bEimne gmail-wpds-c-bEimne-dyECYW-theme-default" style=3D"box-siz=
ing:border-box;overflow:hidden;margin-bottom:16px;font-size:16px"><div clas=
s=3D"gmail-wpds-c-eUMOSL" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;di=
splay:inline-block"><span class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-bASIGw gmail-wpds-c-bASIGw-=
inNKvU-css gmail-overrideStyles" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin-top:=
0px;display:inline-block">June 20, 2026 at 11:09 a.m.=C2=A0</span></div><di=
v class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-eUMOSL" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hid=
den;display:inline-block"><span class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-bASIGw gmail-wpds-c-b=
ASIGw-inNKvU-css gmail-overrideStyles" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margi=
n-top:0px;display:inline-block"><br></span></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-=
wpds-c-PJLV gmail-wpds-c-PJLV-uyDXS-isHiddenNS-false" style=3D"box-sizing:b=
order-box"></div></div></div><div id=3D"gmail-topper-lede-art" class=3D"gma=
il-wpds-c-iseLPC gmail-wpds-c-iseLPC-icGSbyN-css" style=3D"box-sizing:borde=
r-box;background:linear-gradient(0deg,rgb(255,255,255) 25%,rgb(255,255,255)=
 0%) 0% 0%/auto repeat scroll padding-box border-box rgba(0,0,0,0)"><div cl=
ass=3D"gmail-wpds-c-fBNlXc" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;flo=
at:right;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:50px;margin-right:50px;height:auto;w=
idth:300px;max-width:300px"></div><div class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-klfsiG gmail-w=
pds-c-klfsiG-igITFUq-css gmail-overrideStyles" style=3D"box-sizing:border-b=
ox;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:640px;max-width:640px"><div wid=
th=3D"600" height=3D"400" class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-hQNCQc" style=3D"box-sizing=
:border-box;line-height:0;height:auto;width:640px;max-width:100%"><img alt=
=3D"" width=3D"600" height=3D"400" class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-fCbEVg gmail-wpds-=
c-fCbEVg-iPJLV-css" style=3D"box-sizing: border-box; background-position: c=
enter center; background-size: cover; object-fit: cover; height: auto; widt=
h: 640px; max-width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 600 / 400;"></div></div></div>Oil =
tankers, cargo carriers, commercial vessels and traditional Omani fishing b=
oats remain anchored off Qaboos Port in Muscat, Oman, on Friday. (Elke Scho=
liers/Getty Images)</div></div><div class=3D"gmail-grid-body" style=3D"box-=
sizing:border-box;max-width:inherit;margin-left:0px;margin-right:0px;width:=
2048px"><div class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-ffLlrl gmail-wpds-c-ffLlrl-WxNPu-isVisib=
le-true gmail-wpds-c-ffLlrl-iPJLV-css" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;displ=
ay:flex;margin-bottom:24px;max-width:640px"><div class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-kkHk=
JQ" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;width:600px"><div class=3D"=
gmail-wpds-c-cNdzuP gmail-wpds-c-cNdzuP-hSmMVC-isLive-false gmail-wpds-c-cN=
dzuP-igKRIQW-css" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(42,42,42);margin=
-bottom:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-PJLV gmail-wpds-c-PJLV-kxYKtF-isLiv=
e-false gmail-wpds-c-PJLV-iPJLV-css gmail-overrideStyles" style=3D"box-sizi=
ng:border-box;margin-bottom:4px"><div class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-PJLV gmail-wpds=
-c-PJLV-UazGY-isMultiple-false" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:flex=
"><div class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-cEPQfw" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display=
:flex;line-height:0;margin-right:8px"><div class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-iMISAP" st=
yle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:40px;height:40px"><img src=3D"https://ww=
w.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=3Dhttps://author-service-images-p=
rod-us-east-1.publishing.aws.arc.pub/washpost/2c70332e-a600-4043-b63d-be734=
128f384.png&amp;h=3D196&amp;w=3D196" alt=3D"" width=3D"196" height=3D"196" =
class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-jwLfnj" style=3D"box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 1=
00%; height: auto; border-radius: 9999px;"></div></div><span class=3D"gmail=
-PJLV" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><div class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-dhzjXW" s=
tyle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:flex"><div class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-byuV=
AJ gmail-wpds-c-byuVAJ-iPJLV-css" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:in=
line-block;font-size:16px"><span class=3D"gmail-PJLV" style=3D"box-sizing:b=
order-box">By=C2=A0</span><a class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-PJLV gmail-wpds-c-PJLV-k=
tcktv-isLink-true gmail-overrideStyles gmail-js-itid-click" href=3D"https:/=
/www.washingtonpost.com/people/maegan-vazquez/" rel=3D"author" style=3D"box=
-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(42,42,42);text-decoration:underline 1.12px">Ma=
egan Vazquez</a></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div><div class=
=3D"gmail-meteredContent gmail-grid-center" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"=
><div class=3D"gmail-teaser-content" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><div c=
lass=3D"gmail-wpds-c-PJLV gmail-article-body gmail-type-text" style=3D"box-=
sizing:border-box;max-width:640px"><p class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-heFNVF gmail-wp=
ds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css gmail-overrideStyles gmail-font-copy" dir=3D"null" st=
yle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:georgia,&quot;Times New=
 Roman&quot;,serif;padding-bottom:24px;line-height:1.6;font-size:1.25rem">I=
ran=E2=80=99s military command said Saturday it is closing the Strait of Ho=
rmuz in response to Israeli strikes on Lebanon, according to state media, t=
esting a fragile ceasefire agreement intended to lead to broader peace talk=
s with the United States.</p></div><div class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-PJLV gmail-ar=
ticle-body gmail-type-text" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;max-width:640px"=
><p class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-heFNVF gmail-wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css gmail-overri=
deStyles gmail-font-copy" dir=3D"null" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margi=
n:0px;font-family:georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;padding-bottom:=
24px;line-height:1.6;font-size:1.25rem">Stranded vessels had=C2=A0<a href=
=3D"https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/06/19/stranded-ships-begin-cr=
oss-hormuz-after-initial-us-iran-deal/" rel=3D"" target=3D"_blank" title=3D=
"https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/06/19/stranded-ships-begin-cross=
-hormuz-after-initial-us-iran-deal/" class=3D"gmail-js-itid-click" style=3D=
"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(17,17,17);text-decoration:underline 0.0625=
em rgb(17,17,17);border-bottom:0px">cautiously begun to transit</a>=C2=A0th=
e Strait of Hormuz following a preliminary agreement between the U.S. and I=
ran in which the countries agreed to lift all restrictions on movement thro=
ugh the strategic maritime corridor.</p></div></div><div style=3D"box-sizin=
g:border-box"></div><div class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-PJLV gmail-article-body gmai=
l-type-text" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;max-width:640px"><p class=3D"gm=
ail-wpds-c-heFNVF gmail-wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css gmail-overrideStyles gmail-=
font-copy" dir=3D"null" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-fami=
ly:georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;padding-bottom:24px;line-heigh=
t:1.6;font-size:1.25rem">As Iran cited Israel=E2=80=99s attacks in Lebanon =
as the reason it would close the strait again, mediator Pakistan said that =
more talks were planned for Sunday in Switzerland.</p></div><div class=3D"g=
mail-wpds-c-PJLV gmail-wpds-c-PJLV-bHCGeL-isStandardLayoutAd-true gmail-art=
icle-body gmail-type-inline-ad gmail-subtype-desktop gmail-preceding-anchor=
" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;max-width:none;margin-left:0px;margin-righ=
t:0px;width:2048px"></div><div class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-PJLV gmail-wpds-c-PJLV=
-bHCGeL-isStandardLayoutAd-true gmail-article-body gmail-type-inline-ad gma=
il-subtype-mobile" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;max-width:none;margin-lef=
t:0px;margin-right:0px;width:2048px"></div><div class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-PJLV =
gmail-article-body gmail-type-rail-ad gmail-subtype-rail" style=3D"box-sizi=
ng:border-box;max-width:inherit;margin:0px 50px;width:300px;height:auto;dis=
play:flex;float:right"></div><div class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-PJLV gmail-article-=
body gmail-type-text" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;max-width:640px"><p cl=
ass=3D"gmail-wpds-c-heFNVF gmail-wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css gmail-overrideStyl=
es gmail-font-copy" dir=3D"null" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;=
font-family:georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;padding-bottom:24px;l=
ine-height:1.6;font-size:1.25rem">Around the same time as Iran=E2=80=99s an=
nouncement, Vice President JD Vance told =E2=80=9CFox &amp; Friends=E2=80=
=9D on Saturday morning that =E2=80=9Cthe straits are now open=E2=80=9D and=
 that it was possible that he would join talks in Switzerland =E2=80=9Cas s=
oon as tomorrow.=E2=80=9D</p></div><div class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-PJLV gmail-ar=
ticle-body gmail-type-text" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;max-width:640px"=
><p class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-heFNVF gmail-wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css gmail-overri=
deStyles gmail-font-copy" dir=3D"null" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margi=
n:0px;font-family:georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;padding-bottom:=
24px;line-height:1.6;font-size:1.25rem">Iran negotiators Steve Witkoff and =
Jared Kushner were already on the ground talking with lower-level officials=
, he said.</p></div><div class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-PJLV gmail-article-body gmai=
l-type-text" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;max-width:640px"><p class=3D"gm=
ail-wpds-c-heFNVF gmail-wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css gmail-overrideStyles gmail-=
font-copy" dir=3D"null" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-fami=
ly:georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;padding-bottom:24px;line-heigh=
t:1.6;font-size:1.25rem">Iran=E2=80=99s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmae=
il Baqaei confirmed that Iran=E2=80=99s negotiating team will head to Switz=
erland to follow up on implementation of the agreement, according to Irania=
n state media.</p></div><div class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-PJLV gmail-article-body =
gmail-type-text" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;max-width:640px"><p class=
=3D"gmail-wpds-c-heFNVF gmail-wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css gmail-overrideStyles =
gmail-font-copy" dir=3D"null" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;fon=
t-family:georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;padding-bottom:24px;line=
-height:1.6;font-size:1.25rem">Scores of diplomats, journalists and activis=
ts had gathered in Zurich on Friday for what was intended to be the kickoff=
 of=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/06/20/diploma=
ts-expect-hurdles-us-iran-talks-which-are-already-delayed/" rel=3D"" target=
=3D"_blank" title=3D"https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/06/20/diplom=
ats-expect-hurdles-us-iran-talks-which-are-already-delayed/" class=3D"gmail=
-js-itid-click" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(17,17,17);text-dec=
oration:underline 0.0625em rgb(17,17,17);border-bottom:0px">the next phase =
of negotiations</a>=C2=A0toward a full-fledged peace accord.</p></div><div =
class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-PJLV gmail-article-body gmail-type-text" style=3D"box=
-sizing:border-box;max-width:640px"><p class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-heFNVF gmail-w=
pds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css gmail-overrideStyles gmail-font-copy" dir=3D"null" s=
tyle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:georgia,&quot;Times Ne=
w Roman&quot;,serif;padding-bottom:24px;line-height:1.6;font-size:1.25rem">=
A signing ceremony of the loosely defined memorandum of understanding was e=
xpected to feature Vance and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, follo=
wed by negotiating team meetings.</p></div><div class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-PJLV =
gmail-wpds-c-PJLV-bHCGeL-isStandardLayoutAd-true gmail-article-body gmail-t=
ype-inline-ad gmail-subtype-mobile" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin-r=
ight:0px;max-width:none;margin-left:0px;width:2048px"></div><div class=3D"g=
mail-wpds-c-PJLV gmail-article-body gmail-type-text" style=3D"box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;max-width:640px"><p class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-heFNVF gmail-wpds-c-heFN=
VF-iPJLV-css gmail-overrideStyles gmail-font-copy" dir=3D"null" style=3D"bo=
x-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&qu=
ot;,serif;padding-bottom:24px;line-height:1.6;font-size:1.25rem">Iran initi=
ally called off its delegation, citing Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon,=
 and Vance also called off his travel hours before he was due to depart.</p=
></div><div class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-PJLV gmail-article-body gmail-type-text" =
style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;max-width:640px"><p class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-he=
FNVF gmail-wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css gmail-overrideStyles gmail-font-copy" di=
r=3D"null" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:georgia,&q=
uot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;padding-bottom:24px;line-height:1.6;font-si=
ze:1.25rem">By Friday afternoon in the Middle East, Israel and Hezbollah ha=
d=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/06/19/four-isra=
eli-soldiers-killed-combat-lebanon-imperils-us-iran-deal/" rel=3D"" target=
=3D"_blank" title=3D"https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/06/19/four-i=
sraeli-soldiers-killed-combat-lebanon-imperils-us-iran-deal/" class=3D"gmai=
l-js-itid-click" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(17,17,17);text-de=
coration:underline 0.0625em rgb(17,17,17);border-bottom:0px">agreed to rene=
w a ceasefire</a>, before the latest fighting appeared to pose another stum=
bling block.</p></div><div class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-PJLV gmail-article-body gm=
ail-type-text" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;max-width:640px"><p class=3D"=
gmail-wpds-c-heFNVF gmail-wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css gmail-overrideStyles gmai=
l-font-copy" dir=3D"null" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-fa=
mily:georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;padding-bottom:24px;line-hei=
ght:1.6;font-size:1.25rem"><i style=3D"box-sizing:border-box">This is a dev=
eloping story and will be updated.</i></p></div><div class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-=
PJLV gmail-article-body gmail-type-text" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;max=
-width:640px"><p class=3D"gmail-wpds-c-heFNVF gmail-wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css=
 gmail-overrideStyles gmail-font-copy" dir=3D"null" style=3D"box-sizing:bor=
der-box;margin:0px;font-family:georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;pa=
dding-bottom:24px;line-height:1.6;font-size:1.25rem"><i style=3D"box-sizing=
:border-box">Michael Birnbaum, Steve Hendrix, Lior Soroka, Imogen Piper and=
 Suzy Haidamous contributed to this report.</i></p></div></div></div></div>=
</div>

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Subject: [Salon] Trump: I have completely destroyed all of Iran's military
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*https://harici.com.tr/trump-iranin-tum-askeri-gucunu-tamamen-yok-ettim/
<https://harici.com.tr/trump-iranin-tum-askeri-gucunu-tamamen-yok-ettim/>*

*Trump: I have completely destroyed all of Iran's military power*
*Harici.com.tr <https://harici.com.tr/author/hariciadmin/>20.06.2026
14:11Author*
*In a private interview with the Axios media organization, US President
Trump made statements on many issues, from military operations in foreign
policy to his relations with global leaders, from the artificial
intelligence race to the renovation work he carried out in the White House.
Stating that he established a much stronger administration compared to the
first term of his term of office, Trump detailed the consequences of the
military intervention against Iran and the technology competition with
China.*

*In a  <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DUuxNyX7We5U>special interview
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DUuxNyX7We5U>with the Axios media
organization, US President Donald Trump detailed how he used power in his
second term, bilateral relations with global leaders, the background of
Iran and Venezuela operations, and national security strategies in the
field of artificial intelligence.*

*Expressing that he has a much stronger administration compared to the
first term of his term of office, Trump emphasized the importance of
combining experience and talent.*

*Referring to his dominant position at the G7 Summit, which he recently
attended, US President Trump said, =E2=80=9COur first term was also good; w=
e had
the best economy, we rebuilt the military and did a lot of good work.
However, I feel that this period is much stronger than the first. This is
due to both experience and the fact that the person who served before you
is a disaster," he said.*

*=E2=80=9CI said I'm the boss and it was a joke=E2=80=9D*

*Clarifying a dialogue between other leaders at the G7 Summit, US President
Donald Trump confirmed that world leaders entered while sitting in the hall
and said, "I am the boss."*

*Stating that he was surprised that this statement resonated on a global
scale, Trump said:*

*=E2=80=9CActually, I was just joking. Only seven leaders sat around a very=
 long
table, the table was normally for thirty people. I went in, looked at all
the leaders and said, 'I'm the boss, don't forget that.' It was a cute joke
made purely for humor. I wasn't trying to be the boss.=E2=80=9D*

*Evaluating the leaders on the world stage, US President Trump praised
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Expressing that the leaders in India
have constantly changed in the past, but Modi has been in office for more
than twelve years, Trump said, "Modi is a very solid leader. He acts with
great calmness, but in fact he is not a calm person at all, he is an
extremely tough leader. I know him very well," he said.*

*In response, stating that he has no positive or negative opinion about
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Trump said, "Frankly, I
don't think about him, I don't even care. However, I can say that he is a
very variable character, I saw this variable structure in his speech," he
said.*

*=E2=80=9CWe have a very good relationship with Xi Jinping=E2=80=9D*

*US President Donald Trump, who described Chinese President Xi Jinping as a
strong and extremely intelligent leader, drew attention to the agreement
achieved in the relations between the two countries.*

*Touching on Xi Jinping's physical posture and charisma, Trump said, "If
you were to make a movie about him, you would not find something like it in
Hollywood. He is over ninety tall, has a great posture, great
self-confidence and is extremely intelligent," he said.*

*Sharing a concrete example of his relationship with Chinese President Xi
Jinping, US President Trump used the following statements:*

*=E2=80=9CWe have a very good relationship with Xi Jinping. I thanked him y=
esterday
for not interfering with the Iran issue. If he wanted, he could have sent
an oil tanker surrounded by twelve warships and tried to pass through the
blockaded area. I asked him not to interfere in this process, and he did
not intervene, showing a great stance. I don't think anyone else but me can
make such a request from him. Xi Jinping is a strong leader who works
completely business-oriented and non-game games.=E2=80=9D*

*Referring to the governance structure in Pakistan, US President Trump said
that he was impressed by the harmony between the Commander of the Land
Forces As=C4=B1m Munir and the prime minister.*

*Trump said, =E2=80=9CThere is a great commander Munir and the prime minist=
er in
Pakistan. The relationship between them is perfect. It is very good to see
that the military leader shows full respect to the prime minister. They
helped us a lot in the agreement with Iran, they know the people of the
region well," he said.*

*=E2=80=9CWe completely defeated Iran militarily=E2=80=9D*

*Answering the question of whether there are limits to US power in the
military tension with Iran, US President Donald Trump emphasized that he
knows no limits in the use of force.*

*Defending that Iran's military presence has been completely eliminated,
Trump said:*

*=E2=80=9CWe completely defeated Iran militarily. Pakistan asked us not to =
go any
further, and I stopped because I loved them. However, there is no such
thing as a limit. We have the strongest army in the world. Who else could
make the sea blockade we applied? We didn't let a single ship pass. There
were those who tried to pass, but these attempts were very short-lived.
This pressure forced Iran to sit at the table.=E2=80=9D*

*Claiming that the agreement means unconditional surrender for Iran, US
President Donald Trump shared the following information about the details
of the operation:*

*=E2=80=9CThere are no military forces left at the moment. All of the one h=
undred
and fifty-nine ships they own are at the bottom of the sea. I completely
destroyed the air force, anti-aircraft weapons. Our planes fly in that
region without any obstacles, we even turned off their privacy systems
because there is nothing left to resist us. During the Barack Obama era,
their military forces, navy or air forces were not touched. Moreover, I
also targeted the leadership staff. I eliminated Kas=C4=B1m S=C3=BCleymani =
and
Ayatollah. The other Ayatullah was seriously injured. There was an air
force of two hundred aircraft in the middle, now there is none. All of the
first squad leaders are gone. The second group that came to their place was
very bad, we took care of them too. The third group we face now is the
smartest ones, and in my opinion, this is a regime change. Because the
people in the administration have now completely changed and are much less
radical than the previous ones.=E2=80=9D*

*Responding to the criticism that the military intervention could be
tougher, US President Trump said, "The only way to be tougher would be to
continue bombing for another two or three weeks. However, it would not be
of any use to us. The Strait of Hormuz was completely closed, everywhere
was filled with mines and missiles would fly over billions of dollar ships.
As long as you keep throwing bombs, that throat will be closed. Right now,
our stock market is breaking records, oil prices are declining and ships
are leaving the region safely. If I had listened to the demands of some
hard-minded people to attack more, we could have caused an economic crisis
around the world," he said.*

*'Cuba is dying to meet'*

*Stating that the military operation in Venezuela was successfully
completed in a short period of forty-eight minutes, US President Donald
Trump gave the following answer to the question of whether it was time for
Cuba after this success:*

*=E2=80=9CI defeated Venezuela one hundred percent. The main difference bet=
ween
Venezuela and Cuba operations is that Venezuela has oil, while Cuba does
not have oil. However, Cuba has a very beautiful location and coastline.
The Cuba operation can be carried out in a similar way to Venezuela.
Venezuela was a militaryly powerful state, we entered the castle with only
two hundred and one soldiers, where there were thousands of soldiers, and
our pilot was very brave. Iran, on the other hand, has been doing these
works for forty-seven years and uses the press very well.=E2=80=9D*

*Stating that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio closely follows the Cuba
issue, Trump said, "Since Marco's family is from Cuba, he attaches great
importance to this issue. The Cuban administration is eager to meet with
us. I got support from ninety-five percent of Cuban Americans and I love
them very much.=E2=80=9D*

*=E2=80=9CArtificial intelligence will advance solutions in the field of me=
dicine
for twenty-five years=E2=80=9D*

*Stating that he closely follows the developments in the field of
technology and artificial intelligence, US President Donald Trump stated
that artificial intelligence is a bigger revolution than the internet.
Noting that artificial intelligence will provide great benefits to humanity
if used correctly, Trump said, "Thanks to this technology, treatments and
inventions in the field of medicine will take place twenty-five years
earlier. Of course, we must also be extremely careful about abuse
scenarios," he said.*

*Referring to the developments regarding the artificial intelligence
company Anthropic and its founder Dario Amodei, US President Trump made the
following statement:*

*=E2=80=9CWe were not satisfied with the activities of Anthropic and warned=
 them.
They responded to our requests very quickly and responsibly. Because such
issues require very serious legal responsibilities and prison sentences. I
met with the founder of the company, Dario Amodei, at the G7 Summit, he is
an extremely intelligent person. They do not pose a threat to national
security at the moment. Essentially, one of the partners of the company
reported the situation to us due to his concern about the studies and the
process was connected to the dessert."*

*Stating that the artificial intelligence sector has developed a unique
idea to solve the high electrical energy problem it needs, Trump said,
"Artificial intelligence centers need twice the total electricity produced
by this country. I also allowed the companies that built artificial
intelligence factories to establish their own electricity production
facilities. Thus, they do not tire our old electricity grid and sell back
the excess electricity they produce to the grid at a cheap price. In this
way, we are far ahead of China in the artificial intelligence race," he
said.*

*=E2=80=9CI cover the renovation costs of the White House out of my own poc=
ket=E2=80=9D*

*Stating that there is more than two and a half years before the end of his
term of office and that he will make the most of this period, US President
Donald Trump talked about the restoration works he carried out in the White
House building.*

*Expressing that he sees the maintenance of the historical building as a
hobby, Trump concluded his words as follows:*

*=E2=80=9CThere were broken marbles and poor quality materials in the White=
 House.
I personally took care of it and laid very beautiful granite floors here. I
pay all these expenses out of my own pocket, I do not demand a single penny
from the state. I am also building one of the safest meeting rooms in the
world in the White House. We make a roof that is completely bulletproof
glass and protected against unmanned aerial vehicles. There will also be a
runway of unmanned aerial vehicles on the roof. I finance this project with
my own means of patriotic companies like Apple and Microsoft. Although some
dissident judges do not like this situation, we have made Washington an
unsafe place and one of the safest cities in America.=E2=80=9D*

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"font-family:georgia,serif;backgro=
und-color:transparent"><a href=3D"https://harici.com.tr/trump-iranin-tum-as=
keri-gucunu-tamamen-yok-ettim/" target=3D"_blank">https://harici.com.tr/tru=
mp-iranin-tum-askeri-gucunu-tamamen-yok-ettim/</a></b></div><div dir=3D"ltr=
"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div style=3D"font-family:georgia,serif=
"><b><br></b></div><div style=3D"font-family:georgia,serif"><h1 style=3D"li=
ne-height:1.2141em;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0.5em;max-width:100%;color:=
rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><font size=3D"4"><i>=
Trump: I have completely destroyed all of Iran&#39;s military power</i></fo=
nt></h1><div style=3D"margin-bottom:1.45em;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,2=
7);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b><a href=3D"https://harici.co=
m.tr/author/hariciadmin/" rel=3D"author" style=3D"text-decoration:none;marg=
in:0px;color:rgb(27,27,27);max-width:100%;display:inline" target=3D"_blank"=
>Harici.com.tr</a><span style=3D"margin:0.07em 0.45em 0px;padding:0px;max-w=
idth:100%;display:inline"></span>20.06.2026 14:11Author</b></div><div style=
=3D"max-width:100%;margin-bottom:1.15em;line-height:1.5em;font-family:-appl=
e-system-font;color:rgba(0,0,0,0.65)"><img src=3D"https://harici.com.tr/wp-=
content/uploads/2026/06/Donald-Trump-1.jpeg" alt=3D"" style=3D"margin:auto =
0px auto auto;display:block;clear:both" width=3D"412" height=3D"232"></div>=
<h5 style=3D"margin:1em 0px;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:=
&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><strong style=
=3D"max-width:100%"><font size=3D"2">In a private interview with the Axios =
media organization, US President Trump made statements on many issues, from=
 military operations in foreign policy to his relations with global leaders=
, from the artificial intelligence race to the renovation work he carried o=
ut in the White House. Stating that he established a much stronger administ=
ration compared to the first term of his term of office, Trump detailed the=
 consequences of the military intervention against Iran and the technology =
competition with China.</font></strong></span></h5><p style=3D"max-width:10=
0%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b><span st=
yle=3D"max-width:100%"><a href=3D"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DUuxNyX7=
We5U" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer nofollow" style=3D"text-decoration:none;co=
lor:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">In a<span>=C2=A0</spa=
n></a></span>special<span>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><a hr=
ef=3D"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DUuxNyX7We5U" rel=3D"noopener norefe=
rrer nofollow" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-widt=
h:100%" target=3D"_blank">interview<span>=C2=A0</span></a></span>with the A=
xios media organization, US President Donald Trump<span>=C2=A0</span>detail=
ed how he used power in his second term, bilateral relations with global le=
aders, the background of Iran and Venezuela operations, and national securi=
ty strategies in the field of artificial intelligence.</b></p><p style=3D"m=
ax-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;">=
<b>Expressing that he has a much stronger administration compared to the fi=
rst term of his term of office, Trump emphasized the importance of combinin=
g experience and talent.</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,=
27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>Referring to his dominant p=
osition at the G7 Summit, which he recently attended, US President Trump sa=
id, =E2=80=9COur first term was also good; we had the best economy, we rebu=
ilt the military and did a lot of good work. However, I feel that this peri=
od is much stronger than the first. This is due to both experience and the =
fact that the person who served before you is a disaster,&quot; he said.</b=
></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times=
 New Roman&quot;"><strong style=3D"max-width:100%">=E2=80=9CI said I&#39;m =
the boss and it was a joke=E2=80=9D</strong></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;=
color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>Clarifying =
a dialogue between other leaders at the G7 Summit, US President Donald Trum=
p confirmed that world leaders entered while sitting in the hall and said, =
&quot;I am the boss.&quot;</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,2=
7,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>Stating that he was surpr=
ised that this statement resonated on a global scale, Trump said:</b></p><p=
 style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Ro=
man&quot;"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b>=E2=80=9CActually, I was just =
joking. Only seven leaders sat around a very long table, the table was norm=
ally for thirty people. I went in, looked at all the leaders and said, &#39=
;I&#39;m the boss, don&#39;t forget that.&#39; It was a cute joke made pure=
ly for humor. I wasn&#39;t trying to be the boss.=E2=80=9D</b></span></p><p=
 style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Ro=
man&quot;"><b>Evaluating the leaders on the world stage, US President Trump=
 praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Expressing that the leaders i=
n India have constantly changed in the past, but Modi has been in office fo=
r more than twelve years, Trump said, &quot;Modi is a very solid leader. He=
 acts with great calmness, but in fact he is not a calm person at all, he i=
s an extremely tough leader. I know him very well,&quot; he said.</b></p><p=
 style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Ro=
man&quot;"><b>In response, stating that he has no positive or negative opin=
ion about Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Trump said, &quot;=
Frankly, I don&#39;t think about him, I don&#39;t even care. However, I can=
 say that he is a very variable character, I saw this variable structure in=
 his speech,&quot; he said.</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,=
27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><strong style=3D"max-width:=
100%">=E2=80=9CWe have a very good relationship with Xi Jinping=E2=80=9D</s=
trong></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;=
Times New Roman&quot;"><b>US President Donald Trump, who described Chinese =
President Xi Jinping as a strong and extremely intelligent leader, drew att=
ention to the agreement achieved in the relations between the two countries=
.</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;T=
imes New Roman&quot;"><b>Touching on Xi Jinping&#39;s physical posture and =
charisma, Trump said, &quot;If you were to make a movie about him, you woul=
d not find something like it in Hollywood. He is over ninety tall, has a gr=
eat posture, great self-confidence and is extremely intelligent,&quot; he s=
aid.</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quo=
t;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>Sharing a concrete example of his relationship =
with Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Trump used the following st=
atements:</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family=
:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b>=E2=80=9CWe=
 have a very good relationship with Xi Jinping. I thanked him yesterday for=
 not interfering with the Iran issue. If he wanted, he could have sent an o=
il tanker surrounded by twelve warships and tried to pass through the block=
aded area. I asked him not to interfere in this process, and he did not int=
ervene, showing a great stance. I don&#39;t think anyone else but me can ma=
ke such a request from him. Xi Jinping is a strong leader who works complet=
ely business-oriented and non-game games.=E2=80=9D</b></span></p><p style=
=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&qu=
ot;"><b>Referring to the governance structure in Pakistan, US President Tru=
mp said that he was impressed by the harmony between the Commander of the L=
and Forces As=C4=B1m Munir and the prime minister.</b></p><p style=3D"max-w=
idth:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>T=
rump said, =E2=80=9CThere is a great commander Munir and the prime minister=
 in Pakistan. The relationship between them is perfect. It is very good to =
see that the military leader shows full respect to the prime minister. They=
 helped us a lot in the agreement with Iran, they know the people of the re=
gion well,&quot; he said.</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27=
,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><strong style=3D"max-width:10=
0%">=E2=80=9CWe completely defeated Iran militarily=E2=80=9D</strong></p><p=
 style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Ro=
man&quot;"><b>Answering the question of whether there are limits to US powe=
r in the military tension with Iran, US President Donald Trump emphasized t=
hat he knows no limits in the use of force.</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:10=
0%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>Defendin=
g that Iran&#39;s military presence has been completely eliminated, Trump s=
aid:</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quo=
t;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b>=E2=80=9CWe comp=
letely defeated Iran militarily. Pakistan asked us not to go any further, a=
nd I stopped because I loved them. However, there is no such thing as a lim=
it. We have the strongest army in the world. Who else could make the sea bl=
ockade we applied? We didn&#39;t let a single ship pass. There were those w=
ho tried to pass, but these attempts were very short-lived. This pressure f=
orced Iran to sit at the table.=E2=80=9D</b></span></p><p style=3D"max-widt=
h:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>Clai=
ming that the agreement means unconditional surrender for Iran, US Presiden=
t Donald Trump shared the following information about the details of the op=
eration:</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:=
&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b>=E2=80=9CThe=
re are no military forces left at the moment. All of the one hundred and fi=
fty-nine ships they own are at the bottom of the sea. I completely destroye=
d the air force, anti-aircraft weapons. Our planes fly in that region witho=
ut any obstacles, we even turned off their privacy systems because there is=
 nothing left to resist us. During the Barack Obama era, their military for=
ces, navy or air forces were not touched. Moreover, I also targeted the lea=
dership staff. I eliminated Kas=C4=B1m S=C3=BCleymani and Ayatollah. The ot=
her Ayatullah was seriously injured. There was an air force of two hundred =
aircraft in the middle, now there is none. All of the first squad leaders a=
re gone. The second group that came to their place was very bad, we took ca=
re of them too. The third group we face now is the smartest ones, and in my=
 opinion, this is a regime change. Because the people in the administration=
 have now completely changed and are much less radical than the previous on=
es.=E2=80=9D</b></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);f=
ont-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>Responding to the criticism that=
 the military intervention could be tougher, US President Trump said, &quot=
;The only way to be tougher would be to continue bombing for another two or=
 three weeks. However, it would not be of any use to us. The Strait of Horm=
uz was completely closed, everywhere was filled with mines and missiles wou=
ld fly over billions of dollar ships. As long as you keep throwing bombs, t=
hat throat will be closed. Right now, our stock market is breaking records,=
 oil prices are declining and ships are leaving the region safely. If I had=
 listened to the demands of some hard-minded people to attack more, we coul=
d have caused an economic crisis around the world,&quot; he said.</b></p><p=
 style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Ro=
man&quot;"><strong style=3D"max-width:100%">&#39;Cuba is dying to meet&#39;=
</strong></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&qu=
ot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>Stating that the military operation in Venezue=
la was successfully completed in a short period of forty-eight minutes, US =
President Donald Trump gave the following answer to the question of whether=
 it was time for Cuba after this success:</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%=
;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><span style=
=3D"max-width:100%"><b>=E2=80=9CI defeated Venezuela one hundred percent. T=
he main difference between Venezuela and Cuba operations is that Venezuela =
has oil, while Cuba does not have oil. However, Cuba has a very beautiful l=
ocation and coastline. The Cuba operation can be carried out in a similar w=
ay to Venezuela. Venezuela was a militaryly powerful state, we entered the =
castle with only two hundred and one soldiers, where there were thousands o=
f soldiers, and our pilot was very brave. Iran, on the other hand, has been=
 doing these works for forty-seven years and uses the press very well.=E2=
=80=9D</b></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-fa=
mily:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>Stating that US Secretary of State Mar=
co Rubio closely follows the Cuba issue, Trump said, &quot;Since Marco&#39;=
s family is from Cuba, he attaches great importance to this issue. The Cuba=
n administration is eager to meet with us. I got support from ninety-five p=
ercent of Cuban Americans and I love them very much.=E2=80=9D</b></p><p sty=
le=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&=
quot;"><strong style=3D"max-width:100%">=E2=80=9CArtificial intelligence wi=
ll advance solutions in the field of medicine for twenty-five years=E2=80=
=9D</strong></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:=
&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>Stating that he closely follows the develop=
ments in the field of technology and artificial intelligence, US President =
Donald Trump stated that artificial intelligence is a bigger revolution tha=
n the internet. Noting that artificial intelligence will provide great bene=
fits to humanity if used correctly, Trump said, &quot;Thanks to this techno=
logy, treatments and inventions in the field of medicine will take place tw=
enty-five years earlier. Of course, we must also be extremely careful about=
 abuse scenarios,&quot; he said.</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rg=
b(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>Referring to the de=
velopments regarding the artificial intelligence company Anthropic and its =
founder Dario Amodei, US President Trump made the following statement:</b><=
/p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times N=
ew Roman&quot;"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b>=E2=80=9CWe were not sati=
sfied with the activities of Anthropic and warned them. They responded to o=
ur requests very quickly and responsibly. Because such issues require very =
serious legal responsibilities and prison sentences. I met with the founder=
 of the company, Dario Amodei, at the G7 Summit, he is an extremely intelli=
gent person. They do not pose a threat to national security at the moment. =
Essentially, one of the partners of the company reported the situation to u=
s due to his concern about the studies and the process was connected to the=
 dessert.&quot;</b></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27=
);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>Stating that the artificial i=
ntelligence sector has developed a unique idea to solve the high electrical=
 energy problem it needs, Trump said, &quot;Artificial intelligence centers=
 need twice the total electricity produced by this country. I also allowed =
the companies that built artificial intelligence factories to establish the=
ir own electricity production facilities. Thus, they do not tire our old el=
ectricity grid and sell back the excess electricity they produce to the gri=
d at a cheap price. In this way, we are far ahead of China in the artificia=
l intelligence race,&quot; he said.</b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color=
:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><strong style=3D"ma=
x-width:100%">=E2=80=9CI cover the renovation costs of the White House out =
of my own pocket=E2=80=9D</strong></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(=
27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;"><b>Stating that there is=
 more than two and a half years before the end of his term of office and th=
at he will make the most of this period, US President Donald Trump talked a=
bout the restoration works he carried out in the White House building.</b><=
/p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times N=
ew Roman&quot;"><b>Expressing that he sees the maintenance of the historica=
l building as a hobby, Trump concluded his words as follows:</b></p><p styl=
e=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27);font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&q=
uot;"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><b>=E2=80=9CThere were broken marbles =
and poor quality materials in the White House. I personally took care of it=
 and laid very beautiful granite floors here. I pay all these expenses out =
of my own pocket, I do not demand a single penny from the state. I am also =
building one of the safest meeting rooms in the world in the White House. W=
e make a roof that is completely bulletproof glass and protected against un=
manned aerial vehicles. There will also be a runway of unmanned aerial vehi=
cles on the roof. I finance this project with my own means of patriotic com=
panies like Apple and Microsoft. Although some dissident judges do not like=
 this situation, we have made Washington an unsafe place and one of the saf=
est cities in America.=E2=80=9D</b></span></p></div><div style=3D"font-fami=
ly:georgia,serif"><b><br></b></div><div style=3D"font-family:georgia,serif;=
font-size:small"><br></div></div>
</div>
</div>
</div></div>

--0000000000009e605f0654b184a2--

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How China=E2=80=99s Navy Is Tightening the Noose on Taiwan
Beijing has built a near-constant naval presence around the island since
the start of the decade, as it has stepped up efforts to bring Taipei under
its control
145
<https://www.wsj.com/world/china/how-chinas-navy-is-tightening-the-noose-on=
-taiwan-7c8ab9bd?mod=3Ddjem10point#comments_sector>
------------------------------
Gift unlocked article
------------------------------

Listen

(7 min)

By
Niharika Mandhana <https://www.wsj.com/news/author/niharika-mandhana>

,
Joyu Wang <https://www.wsj.com/news/author/joyu-wang>

 and
Daniel Kiss <https://www.wsj.com/news/author/daniel-kiss>

June 19, 2026 11:00 pm ET

Late last month, Chinese navy ships, including large guided-missile
destroyers, were positioned all around Taiwan
<https://www.wsj.com/topics/place/taiwan>. The map below shows their
approximate positions, which were shared with The Wall Street Journal by
security officials in the region.

East China Sea

Intelligence ship

China

Frigate

Taipei

Quanzhou

Frigate

Frigate

Taiwan

Destroyer

Destroyer

Pacific Ocean

South China Sea

Destroyer

Destroyer

100 miles

100 km

This wasn=E2=80=99t a military drill intended to show force. In 2026, it is=
 an
ordinary day.

Since the start of the decade, China has sharply accelerated its efforts to
close in on Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory and is
seeking to bring under its control. It wields a vast tool kit to pressure
the island democracy=E2=80=94one that has expanded as China has cemented it=
s
position as a global power.

In the diplomatic realm, Chinese leader Xi Jinping is using his country=E2=
=80=99s
clout to isolate Taiwan, taking aim at a crucial lifeline: American support
<https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/taiwan-presses-its-case-after-trump-puts-ar=
ms-sales-in-question-aca88429?mod=3Darticle_inline>.
At the same time, Chinese forces constantly fly, sail, probe and patrol
close to Taiwan, signaling to the island=E2=80=99s 23 million people that B=
eijing=E2=80=99s
hard-power buildup makes their resistance to a takeover futile.

A key player in this pressure campaign is China=E2=80=99s navy, a well-equi=
pped
force numerically larger than any other in the world.

For years, a lone Chinese warship was tasked with sailing up and down the
Taiwan Strait.

That changed quietly but decisively in 2020. Beijing added two more
warships that year, one each off Taiwan=E2=80=99s northern and southern coa=
sts,
according to security officials who closely track these movements.

Two years later, a fourth warship took up station=E2=80=94off Taiwan=E2=80=
=99s eastern
coast=E2=80=94resulting in a near-nonstop presence on all four sides.

A fifth warship joined to the east in 2024 and, since then, a sixth ship
has also usually been present on that side.

Each escalation followed a political development Beijing didn=E2=80=99t lik=
e, such
as the results of Taiwan=E2=80=99s 2020 presidential election and a high-pr=
ofile
American visit to Taipei in 2022, the officials said. Today, five or six
Chinese warships surround Taiwan at almost all times, with the count
frequently higher as other naval ships make intermittent visits.

=E2=80=9CIt represents a tightening of the noose,=E2=80=9D said Michael Dah=
m, a retired
U.S. Navy intelligence officer and senior resident fellow at the Mitchell
Institute for Aerospace Studies.

As the numbers have grown, what used to be mainly frigates has become a mix
of frigates and larger destroyers, reflecting Beijing=E2=80=99s more aggres=
sive
posture toward Taiwan and the expansion of its navy=E2=80=99s fleet. China =
has
rapidly built destroyers and now has 48 of them.

The operations are emblematic of how, in a handful of years, Chinese forces
have changed the everyday reality in the waters and airspace around Taiwan.

On most days, military aircraft take off from China and cross the =E2=80=9C=
median
line=E2=80=9D that divides the Taiwan Strait, probing Taiwan=E2=80=99s defe=
nses. China=E2=80=99s
coast guard pushes into waters around smaller Taiwanese islands. Since the
summer of 2022, Beijing has launched a string of military drills with names
such as Justice Mission
<https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/five-takeaways-from-chinas-military-drills-=
around-taiwan-47c64aee?mod=3Darticle_inline>and
Strait Thunder, surrounding Taiwan with warships, jet fighters, bombers,
drones and more.

Chinese authorities didn=E2=80=99t respond to a request for comment.
A large-scale Chinese military exercise in Dec. 2025

Sorties by Chinese military aircraft over 48 hours

China coast guard

China navy

34

17 rockets landed

Matsu Islands

(Taiwan)

China

100

Taipei

24 nautical mile

contiguous zone

Kinmen Islands

(Taiwan)

Taiwan

10 rockets landed

Penghu

4

Amphibious warships

69

100 miles

100 km

Source: Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense
Bumping the boundary

China=E2=80=99s round-the-clock naval patrols are more than just tools for
political messaging. They offer its forces daily opportunities to gather
data and experience in waters where they might one day fight. If Beijing
launched an invasion across the Taiwan Strait, the Chinese navy would play
a pivotal role
<https://www.wsj.com/world/china/how-china-chinese-invasion-taiwan-ba7e3916=
?mod=3Darticle_inline>=E2=80=94a
contingency for which it is training.

In peacetime today, each of the half-dozen Chinese warships around Taiwan
stays out for about two weeks at a time, the security officials said. When
one leaves, it is replaced. Rather than draw from a small pool of ships,
China=E2=80=99s navy dispatches a variety of different ships for the rotati=
ons,
giving more crews a chance to operate and gain confidence in the area, they
said.

The ships tend to stay outside the 24-nautical-mile contiguous zone Taipei
claims, but not always. They frequently break into so-called joint combat
readiness patrols=E2=80=94periods of heightened activity when they push inw=
ard by a
few miles in a choreographed tactic some security officials call =E2=80=9Cb=
umping
the boundary.=E2=80=9D

Taiwan, which recorded 40 such patrols last year and 15 so far this year,
responds by sending its warships and coast-guard vessels to shadow the
Chinese ships until they leave the 24-nautical-mile boundary. This
back-and-forth has been growing in duration, now often lasting up to 48
hours, the officials said.

The maneuvers put a heavy burden on Taiwan=E2=80=99s navy, which is far sma=
ller
than China=E2=80=99s and is battling manpower shortages. Taiwanese warships=
 must be
ready at all times to respond, delaying their regular maintenance and
cutting into rest periods for crew, according to Taiwanese officials.
[image: A Taiwanese naval officer monitors the Chinese destroyer Yinchuan
during a joint combat readiness patrol.]A member of Taiwan=E2=80=99s navy m=
onitored
a Chinese destroyer during a joint combat readiness patrol in May
2026. Taiwan=E2=80=99s
Ministry of National Defense

China, meanwhile, is collecting troves of information on Taiwanese forces:
how they move, operate and communicate, and how they respond to Chinese
activities. =E2=80=9CIt will be harder to surprise the Chinese navy in the =
future,=E2=80=9D
Dahm said, adding: =E2=80=9CFor Taiwan it means fewer options, less places =
to hide,
less possibility for deception.=E2=80=9D

Operating to Taiwan=E2=80=99s east allows China to study the waters there,
potentially uncovering hiding spots for enemy submarines, Dahm said. In a
conflict, that would also have implications for U.S. forces if they joined
the defense of Taiwan. It would be harder for American subs to sneak up on
Chinese navy ships arrayed off Taiwan=E2=80=99s eastern seaboard.

On that side, the Chinese navy ships are also often stationed off key
Taiwanese military bases at Hualien and Taitung, the security officials
said. While that may be an intimidation tactic, it also serves a clear
operational rationale: collecting data and building a better picture of the
potential battlefield, said Collin Koh, a senior fellow at the S.
Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

Chinese destroyers sailing past those bases today could, in war, be tasked
with striking and destroying them, said Koh.
Types of ships around Taiwan in early April

China coast guard

Frigate

China

Taipei

Frigate

Hualien's Chiashan

Air Base

Intelligence ship

Taiwan

Frigate

Penghu

Destroyer

Taitung's Chihhang

Air Base

Frigate

100 miles

100 km

Sources: Kuan Bi-ling, Minister of Taiwan's Ocean Affairs Council;
Xinhua/Shutterstock (photo)
Inflection point

Security officials say 2020 was an inflection point for China=E2=80=99s mil=
itary
activities around Taiwan. There are a few reasons they believe that
happened.

A year earlier, Xi had directed his country=E2=80=99s armed forces to have =
the
capabilities in place by 2027 to take Taiwan by force if ordered to do so,
moving up the timeline from 2035, according to U.S. intelligence
assessments. 2027 wasn=E2=80=99t an invasion date
<https://www.wsj.com/world/china/china-isnt-planning-to-invade-taiwan-in-20=
27-u-s-concludes-1fbedcbd?mod=3Darticle_inline>
but
a readiness target that nonetheless meant China=E2=80=99s military needed t=
o move
faster.

Then in 2020, Taiwan re-elected its president
<https://www.wsj.com/articles/taiwans-president-incumbent-who-challenged-ch=
ina-set-to-win-re-election-11578748281?mod=3Darticle_inline>
at
the time, Tsai Ing-wen, who had cast herself as a firm defender of Taiwan=
=E2=80=99s
democracy=E2=80=94a result seen as a rebuke to Beijing. That year, China in=
creased
its naval presence around Taiwan from one to three warships.

A string of events after that brought more ships: then-U.S. Speaker Nancy
Pelosi=E2=80=99s 2022 trip to Taipei
<https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/nancy-pelosi-heads-to-taipei-as-china-warns=
-of-disastrous-consequences-11659442605?mod=3Darticle_inline>
, another Taiwan election
<https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/taiwan-presidential-elections-2024-baa62e17=
?mod=3Darticle_inline>
that
went poorly for Beijing in 2024, and the deaths of two Chinese fishermen in
an incident involving Taiwan=E2=80=99s coast guard that year.

Now, security officials are watching to see if the count of Chinese ships
off Taiwan=E2=80=99s shores edges up again.
U.S.-China Tensions

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<span class=3D"gmail-css-fb9r2w" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;=
font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:=
13px;line-height:17.3333px;letter-spacing:0.806px;font-stretch:normal;paddi=
ng:0.5px 0px;display:block">China</span></span></span></a></li></ol></div><=
div class=3D"gmail-css-15yf0dn" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;text-align:c=
enter;width:780px"><h1 class=3D"e14qnq3o0 gmail-css-1gse2c6-HeadlineBlock" =
style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Escrow Compress=
ed&quot;,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;font-size:40px;line-height:42px;=
letter-spacing:0px;font-stretch:normal;padding:0.5px 0px;color:rgb(17,17,17=
)">How China=E2=80=99s Navy Is Tightening the Noose on Taiwan</h1></div><di=
v class=3D"eilk0u60 gmail-css-oqepcm-DekWrapper" style=3D"box-sizing:border=
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:18px;line-height:23.9999px;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0px;font-stretch=
:normal;padding:0.5px 0px">Beijing has built a near-constant naval presence=
 around the island since the start of the decade, as it has stepped up effo=
rts to bring Taipei under its control</h2></div><div class=3D"eilk0u62 gmai=
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l-css-11k10ko" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:inline-flex"><div cla=
ss=3D"epvx9354 gmail-css-nb8fez-BylineContainer" style=3D"box-sizing:border=
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t" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;display:inline">By=C2=A0</p><a=
 href=3D"https://www.wsj.com/news/author/niharika-mandhana" target=3D"_self=
" aria-label=3D"Author page for Niharika Mandhana" class=3D"epvx9353 gmail-=
css-1y23mou-AuthorLink" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:inline-block=
;color:rgb(34,34,34)"><span class=3D"gmail-css-17x5lw" style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box;display:flex;height:20px"><span class=3D"gmail-css-1wc2zh5" styl=
e=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;display:block">Niharika Mandhana</spa=
n></span></a><p class=3D"epvx9352 gmail-css-1fmy8f5-AuthorPlaintext" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;display:inline">,=C2=A0</p><a href=3D"=
https://www.wsj.com/news/author/joyu-wang" target=3D"_self" aria-label=3D"A=
uthor page for Joyu Wang" class=3D"epvx9353 gmail-css-1y23mou-AuthorLink" s=
tyle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:inline-block;color:rgb(34,34,34)"><sp=
an class=3D"gmail-css-17x5lw" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;h=
eight:20px"><span class=3D"gmail-css-1wc2zh5" style=3D"box-sizing:border-bo=
x;margin:0px;display:block">Joyu Wang</span></span></a><p class=3D"epvx9352=
 gmail-css-1fmy8f5-AuthorPlaintext" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0=
px;display:inline">=C2=A0and=C2=A0</p><a href=3D"https://www.wsj.com/news/a=
uthor/daniel-kiss" target=3D"_self" aria-label=3D"Author page for Daniel Ki=
ss" class=3D"epvx9353 gmail-css-1y23mou-AuthorLink" style=3D"box-sizing:bor=
der-box;display:inline-block;color:rgb(34,34,34)"><span class=3D"gmail-css-=
17x5lw" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;height:20px"><span clas=
s=3D"gmail-css-1wc2zh5" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;display:b=
lock">Daniel Kiss</span></span></a></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-cs=
s-11paagg" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><div class=3D"gmail-css-125u1fj"=
 style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;height:10.8px"><div class=3D"g=
mail-css-1o99qvy" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:inline-flex"><div =
class=3D"gmail-css-nr8oy5" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;heig=
ht:auto"><p class=3D"es486sg1 gmail-css-1r8enoi-TimeTag" style=3D"box-sizin=
g:border-box;margin:0px;color:rgb(111,111,111);font-family:Retina,Arial,Hel=
vetica,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;letter-spacing:0px;font-s=
tretch:normal;padding:0.5px 0px;display:inline-block">June 19, 2026 11:00 p=
m ET</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p class=3D"e13wjo0=
r2 e1bc1vag0 gmail-css-1uzoyz5-StyledNewsKitParagraph" style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box;margin:0px;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Exchange,Georgia,seri=
f;letter-spacing:0px;font-stretch:normal;word-break:break-word;font-size:18=
px">Late last month, Chinese navy ships, including large guided-missile des=
troyers, were positioned all around=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.wsj.com/top=
ics/place/taiwan" target=3D"_blank" class=3D"ekxajjj0 gmail-css-i0lbhy-Over=
ridedLink" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:inline;color:rgb(34,34,34=
);text-decoration:none;border-bottom:1px solid rgb(34,34,34)">Taiwan</a>. T=
he map below shows their approximate positions, which were shared with The =
Wall Street Journal by security officials in the region.</p><div class=3D"g=
mail-media-layout gmail-css-fb2dui-Layout-baseCss ertdlv30" style=3D"box-si=
zing:border-box;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-=
size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background=
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ss=3D"gmail-css-1wy0j8t-Wrapper exq6cte1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><=
div class=3D"gmail-css-dq845b-SizesPerWidthContainer exq6cte0" style=3D"box=
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-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-or=
igin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box"><div style=3D"box-sizing:borde=
r-box"><div id=3D"gmail-g-CWARSHIPS0-box" class=3D"gmail-ai2html_export" st=
yle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px auto;max-width:700px;min-width:300p=
x;width:700px"><div id=3D"gmail-g-CWARSHIPS0-_700px" class=3D"gmail-g-artbo=
ard" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;margin:0px auto;width:7=
00px;height:479.264px"><div style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"></div><img id=
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=3D"gmail-g-text_copy_3 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-siz=
ing:border-box;width:106px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle0" style=3D"box-sizin=
g:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Ari=
al,sans-serif;font-style:italic;line-height:12px;height:12px;opacity:1;lett=
er-spacing:0.08em;font-size:13px;text-align:center;color:rgb(137,137,137);p=
adding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;white-space:nowrap"=
>East China Sea</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-2" class=3D"gmail-g-ships g=
mail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:111p=
x"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;f=
ont-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-style:=
italic;line-height:22px;height:22px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:=
15px;color:rgb(96,96,96);padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:=
normal;white-space:nowrap">Intelligence ship</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai=
5-3" class=3D"gmail-g-text_copy_3 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:65px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle2" style=3D=
"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Hel=
vetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:12px;height:12px;opacity:1;letter-spaci=
ng:0.08em;font-size:15px;text-align:center;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-transfo=
rm:uppercase;padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;white=
-space:nowrap">China</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-4" class=3D"gmail-g-sh=
ips gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width=
:61px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0=
px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-st=
yle:italic;line-height:22px;height:22px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-s=
ize:15px;color:rgb(96,96,96);padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-m=
ode:normal;white-space:nowrap">Frigate</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-5" c=
lass=3D"gmail-g-text_copy_3 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box=
-sizing:border-box;width:55px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle3" style=3D"box-si=
zing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,=
Arial,sans-serif;line-height:12px;height:12px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;=
font-size:15px;color:rgb(34,34,34);padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-b=
lend-mode:normal;white-space:nowrap">Taipei</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5=
-6" class=3D"gmail-g-text_copy_3 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:78px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle3" style=3D=
"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Hel=
vetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:12px;height:12px;opacity:1;letter-spaci=
ng:0em;font-size:15px;color:rgb(34,34,34);padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0p=
x;mix-blend-mode:normal;white-space:nowrap">Quanzhou</p></div><div id=3D"gm=
ail-g-ai5-7" class=3D"gmail-g-ships gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" styl=
e=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:61px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle1" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,=
Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-style:italic;line-height:22px;height:22px;o=
pacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:15px;color:rgb(96,96,96);padding-bott=
om:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;white-space:nowrap">Frigate</p=
></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-8" class=3D"gmail-g-ships gmail-g-aiAbs gmail=
-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:61px"><p class=3D"gmai=
l-g-pstyle1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Re=
tina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-style:italic;line-height:=
22px;height:22px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:15px;color:rgb(96,9=
6,96);padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;white-space:=
nowrap">Frigate</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-9" class=3D"gmail-g-text_co=
py_3 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;widt=
h:77px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle2" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:=
0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-h=
eight:12px;height:12px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0.08em;font-size:15px;text-=
align:center;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-transform:uppercase;padding-bottom:0p=
x;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;white-space:nowrap">Taiwan</p></div=
><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-10" class=3D"gmail-g-ships gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-ai=
PointText" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:77px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-p=
style1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina =
Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-style:italic;line-height:22px;=
height:22px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:15px;color:rgb(96,96,96)=
;padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;white-space:nowra=
p">Destroyer</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-11" class=3D"gmail-g-ships gma=
il-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:77px">=
<p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font=
-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-style:ita=
lic;line-height:22px;height:22px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:15p=
x;color:rgb(96,96,96);padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:nor=
mal;white-space:nowrap">Destroyer</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-12" class=
=3D"gmail-g-text_copy_3 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-siz=
ing:border-box;width:110px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle4" style=3D"box-sizin=
g:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Ari=
al,sans-serif;font-style:italic;line-height:12px;height:12px;opacity:1;lett=
er-spacing:0.08em;font-size:13px;text-align:center;color:rgb(137,137,137);t=
ext-transform:uppercase;padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:n=
ormal;white-space:nowrap">Pacific Ocean</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-13"=
 class=3D"gmail-g-text_copy_3 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"b=
ox-sizing:border-box;width:114px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle0" style=3D"box=
-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helveti=
ca,Arial,sans-serif;font-style:italic;line-height:12px;height:12px;opacity:=
1;letter-spacing:0.08em;font-size:13px;text-align:center;color:rgb(137,137,=
137);padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;white-space:n=
owrap">South China Sea</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-14" class=3D"gmail-g=
-ships gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;wi=
dth:77px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margi=
n:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font=
-style:italic;line-height:22px;height:22px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;fon=
t-size:15px;color:rgb(96,96,96);padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blen=
d-mode:normal;white-space:nowrap">Destroyer</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5=
-15" class=3D"gmail-g-ships gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box=
-sizing:border-box;width:77px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle1" style=3D"box-si=
zing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,=
Arial,sans-serif;font-style:italic;line-height:22px;height:22px;opacity:1;l=
etter-spacing:0em;font-size:15px;color:rgb(96,96,96);padding-bottom:0px;pad=
ding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;white-space:nowrap">Destroyer</p></div><=
div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-16" class=3D"gmail-g-scale_copy_2 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail=
-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:64px"><p class=3D"gmai=
l-g-pstyle5" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Re=
tina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:11px;height:11px;o=
pacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:12px;color:rgb(34,34,34);padding-bott=
om:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;white-space:nowrap">100 miles<=
/p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-17" class=3D"gmail-g-scale_copy_2 gmail-g-a=
iAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:54px"><p cla=
ss=3D"gmail-g-pstyle5" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-famil=
y:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:11px;hei=
ght:11px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:12px;color:rgb(34,34,34);pa=
dding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;white-space:nowrap">=
100 km</p></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-djai2html-foot" style=3D"box-sizi=
ng:border-box;width:700px;margin:0px auto;padding-top:10px"></div></div></d=
iv></div></div></div></div><p class=3D"e13wjo0r2 e1bc1vag0 gmail-css-1uzoyz=
5-StyledNewsKitParagraph" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;color:r=
gb(34,34,34);font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;letter-spacing:0px;font-str=
etch:normal;word-break:break-word;font-size:18px">This wasn=E2=80=99t a mil=
itary drill intended to show force. In 2026, it is an ordinary day.</p><div=
 class=3D"gmail-paywall gmail-css-1u1nl00-PaywalledContentContainer e1qcjy9=
n0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><p class=3D"e13wjo0r2 e1bc1vag0 gmail-c=
ss-1uzoyz5-StyledNewsKitParagraph" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0p=
x;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;letter-spacing:0px=
;font-stretch:normal;word-break:break-word;font-size:18px">Since the start =
of the decade, China has sharply accelerated its efforts to close in on Tai=
wan, which Beijing claims as its own territory and is seeking to bring unde=
r its control. It wields a vast tool kit to pressure the island democracy=
=E2=80=94one that has expanded as China has cemented its position as a glob=
al power.</p><p class=3D"e13wjo0r2 e1bc1vag0 gmail-css-1uzoyz5-StyledNewsKi=
tParagraph" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;color:rgb(34,34,34);f=
ont-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;letter-spacing:0px;font-stretch:normal;wo=
rd-break:break-word;font-size:18px">In the diplomatic realm, Chinese leader=
=C2=A0Xi Jinping=C2=A0is using his country=E2=80=99s clout to isolate Taiwa=
n, taking aim at a crucial lifeline:=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.wsj.com/wo=
rld/asia/taiwan-presses-its-case-after-trump-puts-arms-sales-in-question-ac=
a88429?mod=3Darticle_inline" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"" class=3D"ekxajjj0 g=
mail-css-i0lbhy-OverridedLink" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:inlin=
e;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-decoration:none;border-bottom:1px solid rgb(34,3=
4,34)">American support</a>. At the same time, Chinese forces constantly fl=
y, sail, probe and patrol close to Taiwan, signaling to the island=E2=80=99=
s 23 million people that Beijing=E2=80=99s hard-power buildup makes their r=
esistance to a takeover futile.</p><p class=3D"e13wjo0r2 e1bc1vag0 gmail-cs=
s-1uzoyz5-StyledNewsKitParagraph" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px=
;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;letter-spacing:0px;=
font-stretch:normal;word-break:break-word;font-size:18px">A key player in t=
his pressure campaign is China=E2=80=99s navy, a well-equipped force numeri=
cally larger than any other in the world.</p><div class=3D"gmail-media-layo=
ut gmail-css-1u3r67o-Layout-baseCss ertdlv30" style=3D"box-sizing:border-bo=
x;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;back=
ground-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-b=
ox;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:22px;padding:0px;width:204=
0.5px;clear:both"><div class=3D"gmail-css-1gdkxsn-InsetBackgroundWrapper e2=
kht60" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;background-image:none;background-posi=
tion:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:=
padding-box;background-clip:border-box"><div style=3D"box-sizing:border-box=
"><div class=3D"gmail-parallax-gallery-wrapper" id=3D"gmail-parallax-galler=
y-wrapper-b6510213-14f6-4c06-9d19-cc8b1d253990" style=3D"box-sizing:border-=
box;margin-bottom:22px"><div id=3D"gmail-parallax-gallery-b6510213-14f6-4c0=
6-9d19-cc8b1d253990" class=3D"gmail-pg-main-wrapper gmail-fade gmail-pg-the=
me-news gmail-pg-no-negative-space-insets gmail-pg-loaded gmail-article-new=
-template" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;width:100vw"><div clas=
s=3D"gmail-pg-shown-element" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:100vw;hei=
ght:661px;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-s=
ize:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-=
clip:initial;overflow:hidden"><div class=3D"gmail-pg-image-wrapper gmail-pg=
-media-wrapper gmail-pg-media-wrapper-0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;wid=
th:2048px;height:939.6px"><div class=3D"gmail-pg-media gmail-pg-inset-wrapp=
er" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;height:939.6px"><div class=3D"gmail-pg-m=
edia" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;height:939.6px"><div class=3D"gmail-pg=
-iframe-wrapper" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"></div></div></div></div><d=
iv class=3D"gmail-pg-image-wrapper gmail-pg-media-wrapper gmail-pg-media-wr=
apper-1 gmail-pg-hidden" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:2048px;height=
:939.6px"><div class=3D"gmail-pg-media gmail-pg-inset-wrapper" style=3D"box=
-sizing:border-box;height:939.6px"><div class=3D"gmail-pg-media" style=3D"b=
ox-sizing:border-box;height:939.6px"><div class=3D"gmail-pg-iframe-wrapper"=
 style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"></div></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmai=
l-pg-image-wrapper gmail-pg-media-wrapper gmail-pg-media-wrapper-2 gmail-pg=
-hidden" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:2048px;height:939.6px"><div c=
lass=3D"gmail-pg-media gmail-pg-inset-wrapper" style=3D"box-sizing:border-b=
ox;height:939.6px"><div class=3D"gmail-pg-media" style=3D"box-sizing:border=
-box;height:939.6px"><div class=3D"gmail-pg-iframe-wrapper" style=3D"box-si=
zing:border-box"></div></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-pg-image-wrapp=
er gmail-pg-media-wrapper gmail-pg-media-wrapper-3 gmail-pg-hidden" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:2048px;height:939.6px"><div class=3D"gmail-=
pg-media gmail-pg-inset-wrapper" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;height:939.=
6px"><div class=3D"gmail-pg-media" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;height:93=
9.6px"><div class=3D"gmail-pg-iframe-wrapper" style=3D"box-sizing:border-bo=
x"></div></div></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-pg-element gmail-pg-el=
ement-0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;min-height:100vh;margin-top:330.5px=
"><div class=3D"gmail-pg-text-wrapper gmail-pg-light gmail-pg-left gmail-pg=
-border" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;text-align:center;margin:0px 0px 0p=
x 81.9125px;max-width:640px;padding:1.5em 1.5em 100vh;color:rgb(34,34,34);f=
ont-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;font-size:18px;line-height:1.58824;min-wi=
dth:320px"><div class=3D"gmail-pg-media-text" style=3D"box-sizing:border-bo=
x;padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:28px;display:inline-block;margin:0px auto=
;text-align:left;border:1px solid rgb(34,34,34);color:rgb(0,0,0);background=
-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;backgrou=
nd-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><p sty=
le=3D"box-sizing:border-box;font-size:19.04px;line-height:1.58824;color:rgb=
(34,34,34);margin:0px;padding-left:30px;padding-right:30px">For years, a lo=
ne Chinese warship was tasked with sailing up and down the Taiwan Strait.</=
p></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-pg-element gmail-pg-element-1" styl=
e=3D"box-sizing:border-box;min-height:100vh"><div class=3D"gmail-pg-text-wr=
apper gmail-pg-light gmail-pg-left gmail-pg-border" style=3D"box-sizing:bor=
der-box;text-align:center;margin:0px 0px 0px 81.9125px;max-width:640px;padd=
ing:1.5em 1.5em 100vh;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Exchange,Georgia,seri=
f;font-size:18px;line-height:1.58824;min-width:320px"><div class=3D"gmail-p=
g-media-text" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;padding-top:30px;padding-botto=
m:28px;display:inline-block;margin:0px auto;text-align:left;border:1px soli=
d rgb(34,34,34);color:rgb(0,0,0);background-image:initial;background-positi=
on:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-ori=
gin:initial;background-clip:initial"><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;font=
-size:19.04px;line-height:1.58824;color:rgb(34,34,34);margin:0px;padding-le=
ft:30px;padding-right:30px">That changed quietly but decisively in 2020. Be=
ijing added two more warships that year, one each off Taiwan=E2=80=99s nort=
hern and southern coasts, according to security officials who closely track=
 these movements.</p></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-pg-element gmail=
-pg-element-2" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;min-height:100vh"><div class=
=3D"gmail-pg-text-wrapper gmail-pg-light gmail-pg-left gmail-pg-border" sty=
le=3D"box-sizing:border-box;text-align:center;margin:0px 0px 0px 81.9125px;=
max-width:640px;padding:1.5em 1.5em 100vh;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:E=
xchange,Georgia,serif;font-size:18px;line-height:1.58824;min-width:320px"><=
div class=3D"gmail-pg-media-text" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;padding-to=
p:30px;padding-bottom:28px;display:inline-block;margin:0px auto;text-align:=
left;border:1px solid rgb(34,34,34);color:rgb(0,0,0);background-image:initi=
al;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:in=
itial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><p style=3D"box-si=
zing:border-box;font-size:19.04px;line-height:1.58824;color:rgb(34,34,34);m=
argin:0px;padding-left:30px;padding-right:30px">Two years later, a fourth=
=C2=A0warship took up station=E2=80=94off Taiwan=E2=80=99s eastern coast=E2=
=80=94resulting in a near-nonstop presence on all four sides.</p></div></di=
v></div><div class=3D"gmail-pg-element gmail-pg-element-3" style=3D"box-siz=
ing:border-box;min-height:100vh"><div class=3D"gmail-pg-text-wrapper gmail-=
pg-light gmail-pg-left gmail-pg-border" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;text=
-align:center;margin:0px 0px 0px 81.9125px;max-width:640px;padding:1.5em 1.=
5em 100vh;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;font-size:=
18px;line-height:1.58824;min-width:320px"><div class=3D"gmail-pg-media-text=
" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:28px;displ=
ay:inline-block;margin:0px auto;text-align:left;border:1px solid rgb(34,34,=
34);color:rgb(0,0,0);background-image:initial;background-position:initial;b=
ackground-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;=
background-clip:initial"><p style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;font-size:19.04p=
x;line-height:1.58824;color:rgb(34,34,34);margin:0px;padding-left:30px;padd=
ing-right:30px">A fifth warship joined to the east in 2024 and,=C2=A0since =
then,=C2=A0a sixth ship has=C2=A0also usually been=C2=A0present on that sid=
e.</p></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-pg-gallery-dots" style=3D"box-s=
izing:border-box;opacity:0"><div class=3D"gmail-pg-dot" style=3D"box-sizing=
:border-box;width:4px;height:18px;padding:2px 0px"></div><div class=3D"gmai=
l-pg-dot" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:4px;height:18px;padding:2px =
0px"></div><div class=3D"gmail-pg-dot" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width=
:4px;height:18px;padding:2px 0px"></div><div class=3D"gmail-pg-dot" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:4px;height:18px;padding:2px 0px"></div></di=
v></div></div></div></div></div><p class=3D"e13wjo0r2 e1bc1vag0 gmail-css-1=
uzoyz5-StyledNewsKitParagraph" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;co=
lor:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;letter-spacing:0px;fon=
t-stretch:normal;word-break:break-word;font-size:18px">Each escalation foll=
owed a political development Beijing didn=E2=80=99t like, such as the resul=
ts of Taiwan=E2=80=99s 2020 presidential election and a high-profile Americ=
an visit to Taipei in 2022, the officials said. Today, five or six Chinese =
warships surround Taiwan at almost all times, with the count frequently hig=
her as other naval ships make intermittent visits.</p><p class=3D"e13wjo0r2=
 e1bc1vag0 gmail-css-1uzoyz5-StyledNewsKitParagraph" style=3D"box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;margin:0px;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;=
letter-spacing:0px;font-stretch:normal;word-break:break-word;font-size:18px=
">=E2=80=9CIt represents a tightening of the noose,=E2=80=9D said Michael D=
ahm, a retired U.S. Navy intelligence officer and senior resident fellow at=
 the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.</p><p class=3D"e13wjo0r2 e1b=
c1vag0 gmail-css-1uzoyz5-StyledNewsKitParagraph" style=3D"box-sizing:border=
-box;margin:0px;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;lett=
er-spacing:0px;font-stretch:normal;word-break:break-word;font-size:18px">As=
 the numbers have grown, what used to be mainly frigates has become a mix o=
f frigates and larger destroyers, reflecting Beijing=E2=80=99s more aggress=
ive posture toward Taiwan and the expansion of its navy=E2=80=99s fleet. Ch=
ina has rapidly built destroyers and now has 48 of them.</p><p class=3D"e13=
wjo0r2 e1bc1vag0 gmail-css-1uzoyz5-StyledNewsKitParagraph" style=3D"box-siz=
ing:border-box;margin:0px;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Exchange,Georgia,=
serif;letter-spacing:0px;font-stretch:normal;word-break:break-word;font-siz=
e:18px">The operations are emblematic of how, in a handful of years, Chines=
e forces have changed the everyday reality in the waters and airspace aroun=
d Taiwan.=C2=A0</p><p class=3D"e13wjo0r2 e1bc1vag0 gmail-css-1uzoyz5-Styled=
NewsKitParagraph" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;color:rgb(34,34=
,34);font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;letter-spacing:0px;font-stretch:nor=
mal;word-break:break-word;font-size:18px">On most days, military aircraft t=
ake off from China and cross the =E2=80=9Cmedian line=E2=80=9D that divides=
 the Taiwan Strait, probing Taiwan=E2=80=99s defenses. China=E2=80=99s coas=
t guard pushes into waters around smaller Taiwanese islands. Since the summ=
er of 2022, Beijing has launched a string of military drills with names suc=
h as=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/five-takeaways-from-chi=
nas-military-drills-around-taiwan-47c64aee?mod=3Darticle_inline" target=3D"=
_blank" rel=3D"" class=3D"ekxajjj0 gmail-css-i0lbhy-OverridedLink" style=3D=
"box-sizing:border-box;display:inline;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-decoration:n=
one;border-bottom:1px solid rgb(34,34,34)">Justice Mission=C2=A0</a>and Str=
ait Thunder, surrounding Taiwan with warships, jet fighters, bombers, drone=
s and more.</p><p class=3D"e13wjo0r2 e1bc1vag0 gmail-css-1uzoyz5-StyledNews=
KitParagraph" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;color:rgb(34,34,34)=
;font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;letter-spacing:0px;font-stretch:normal;=
word-break:break-word;font-size:18px">Chinese authorities didn=E2=80=99t re=
spond to a request for comment.</p><div class=3D"gmail-media-layout gmail-c=
ss-fb2dui-Layout-baseCss ertdlv30" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;backgroun=
d-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repe=
at:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box;width:70=
0px;margin:32px 32px 22px 0px;clear:both"><div class=3D"gmail-css-1wy0j8t-W=
rapper exq6cte1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><div class=3D"gmail-css-q4=
3ifa-SizesPerWidthContainer exq6cte0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;min-he=
ight:573px"><div class=3D"gmail-css-tpgr6e-Wrapper e1c0sezf0" style=3D"box-=
sizing:border-box;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;backgroun=
d-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;backgrou=
nd-clip:border-box"><div style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><div id=3D"gmail-g=
-CWARSHIPSdrills-box" class=3D"gmail-ai2html_export" style=3D"box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;margin:0px auto;max-width:700px;min-width:300px;width:700px"><h4 c=
lass=3D"gmail-djai2html-title" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px au=
to;padding:0px 0px 8px;font-family:Retina,&quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvet=
ica,Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:500;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-size:15px;lin=
e-height:20px;width:700px"><span class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle0" style=3D"box-siz=
ing:border-box;overflow:hidden">A large-scale Chinese military exercise in =
Dec. 2025</span><br style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"></h4><div id=3D"gmail-g=
-CWARSHIPSdrills-_700px" class=3D"gmail-g-artboard" style=3D"box-sizing:bor=
der-box;overflow:hidden;margin:0px auto;width:700px;height:517.563px"><div =
style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"></div><img id=3D"gmail-g-CWARSHIPSdrills-_7=
00px-img" class=3D"gmail-g-CWARSHIPSdrills-_700px-img gmail-g-aiImg" alt=3D=
"" src=3D"https://www.wsj.com/ai2html/7bdc889c-7227-4477-8920-a43b534c7b22/=
CWARSHIPSdrills-_700px.jpg" style=3D"box-sizing: border-box; top: 0px; disp=
lay: block; width: 700px;"><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-1" class=3D"gmail-g-legen=
d gmail-g-aiAbs" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:206.988px"><p class=
=3D"gmail-g-pstyle0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;line-height:=
15px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:14px;color:rgb(50,50,50);paddin=
g-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;height:auto">Sorties by =
Chinese military aircraft over 48 hours</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-2" =
class=3D"gmail-g-legend gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-siz=
ing:border-box;width:131px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle1" style=3D"box-sizin=
g:border-box;margin:0px;line-height:22px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-=
size:14px;color:rgb(50,50,50);padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-=
mode:normal;height:22px;white-space:nowrap">China coast guard</p><p class=
=3D"gmail-g-pstyle1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;line-height:=
22px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:14px;color:rgb(50,50,50);paddin=
g-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;height:22px;white-space:=
nowrap">China navy</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-3" class=3D"gmail-g-ICON=
S gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:3=
7px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle2" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px=
;line-height:16px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:13px;color:rgb(0,9=
3,136);padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;height:16px=
;white-space:nowrap">34</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-4" class=3D"gmail-g=
-text_copy_2 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:border-=
box;width:110px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-bo=
x;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-ser=
if;line-height:14px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:14px;text-align:=
center;padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;height:14px=
;white-space:nowrap">17 rockets landed</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-5" c=
lass=3D"gmail-g-text_copy_2 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box=
-sizing:border-box;width:94px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle4" style=3D"box-si=
zing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,=
Arial,sans-serif;line-height:14px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:14=
px;text-align:center;padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:norm=
al;font-style:italic;height:14px;white-space:nowrap">Matsu Islands</p><p cl=
ass=3D"gmail-g-pstyle4" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-fami=
ly:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:14px;op=
acity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:14px;text-align:center;padding-bottom:=
0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;font-style:italic;height:14px;whi=
te-space:nowrap">(Taiwan)</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-6" class=3D"gmail=
-g-text_copy_2 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:borde=
r-box;width:62px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle5" style=3D"box-sizing:border-b=
ox;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-se=
rif;line-height:14px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0.08em;font-size:14px;text-al=
ign:center;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-transform:uppercase;padding-bottom:0px;=
padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;height:14px;white-space:nowrap">China=
</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-7" class=3D"gmail-g-ICONS gmail-g-aiAbs gm=
ail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:44px"><p class=3D"g=
mail-g-pstyle2" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;line-height:16px;=
opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:13px;color:rgb(0,93,136);padding-bot=
tom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;height:16px;white-space:nowra=
p">100</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-8" class=3D"gmail-g-text_copy_2 gmai=
l-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:56px"><=
p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle6" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-=
family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:14p=
x;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:15px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-to=
p:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;height:14px;white-space:nowrap">Taipei</p></div=
><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-9" class=3D"gmail-g-text_copy_2 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail=
-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:99px"><p class=3D"gmai=
l-g-pstyle7" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Re=
tina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:14px;opacity:1;let=
ter-spacing:0em;font-size:13px;text-align:center;color:rgb(96,96,96);paddin=
g-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;height:14px;white-space:=
nowrap">24 nautical mile</p><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle7" style=3D"box-sizin=
g:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Ari=
al,sans-serif;line-height:14px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:13px;=
text-align:center;color:rgb(96,96,96);padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mi=
x-blend-mode:normal;height:14px;white-space:nowrap">contiguous zone</p></di=
v><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-10" class=3D"gmail-g-text_copy_2 gmail-g-aiAbs gma=
il-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:100px"><p class=3D"g=
mail-g-pstyle4" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot=
;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:14px;opacity:1;=
letter-spacing:0em;font-size:14px;text-align:center;padding-bottom:0px;padd=
ing-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;font-style:italic;height:14px;white-space=
:nowrap">Kinmen Islands</p><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle4" style=3D"box-sizing=
:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Aria=
l,sans-serif;line-height:14px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:14px;t=
ext-align:center;padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;f=
ont-style:italic;height:14px;white-space:nowrap">(Taiwan)</p></div><div id=
=3D"gmail-g-ai5-11" class=3D"gmail-g-text_copy_2 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPo=
intText" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:73px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pst=
yle8" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Na=
rrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:14px;opacity:1;letter-spa=
cing:0.08em;font-size:14px;text-align:center;text-transform:uppercase;paddi=
ng-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;height:14px;white-space=
:nowrap">Taiwan</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-12" class=3D"gmail-g-text_c=
opy_2 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;wid=
th:111px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margi=
n:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line=
-height:14px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:14px;text-align:center;=
padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;height:14px;white-=
space:nowrap">10 rockets landed</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-13" class=
=3D"gmail-g-text_copy_2 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-siz=
ing:border-box;width:61px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle4" style=3D"box-sizing=
:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Aria=
l,sans-serif;line-height:14px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:14px;t=
ext-align:center;padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;f=
ont-style:italic;height:14px;white-space:nowrap">Penghu</p></div><div id=3D=
"gmail-g-ai5-14" class=3D"gmail-g-ICONS gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" =
style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:30px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle2" sty=
le=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;line-height:16px;opacity:1;letter-sp=
acing:0em;font-size:13px;color:rgb(0,93,136);padding-bottom:0px;padding-top=
:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;height:16px;white-space:nowrap">4</p></div><div =
id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-15" class=3D"gmail-g-text_copy_2 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-ai=
PointText" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:135px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-=
pstyle9" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina=
 Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:16px;opacity:1;letter-=
spacing:0em;font-size:14px;text-align:center;color:rgb(50,50,50);padding-bo=
ttom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;height:16px;white-space:nowr=
ap">Amphibious warships</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-16" class=3D"gmail-=
g-ICONS gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;w=
idth:37px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle2" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;marg=
in:0px;line-height:16px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:13px;color:r=
gb(0,93,136);padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;heigh=
t:16px;white-space:nowrap">69</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-17" class=3D"=
gmail-g-scale gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:border=
-box;width:64px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle10" style=3D"box-sizing:border-b=
ox;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-se=
rif;line-height:12px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:12px;color:rgb(=
34,34,34);padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;height:1=
2px;white-space:nowrap">100 miles</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-18" class=
=3D"gmail-g-scale gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;width:54px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle10" style=3D"box-sizing:bord=
er-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,san=
s-serif;line-height:12px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:12px;color:=
rgb(34,34,34);padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;heig=
ht:12px;white-space:nowrap">100 km</p></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-djai2=
html-foot" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px auto;padding-top:10px;=
width:700px"><p class=3D"gmail-djai2html-source" style=3D"box-sizing:border=
-box;float:left;padding:0px;font-size:13px;line-height:17px;margin:0px;colo=
r:rgb(102,102,102);white-space:pre-wrap;font-family:Retina,&quot;Whitney SS=
m&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><span class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle12" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden">Source: Taiwan&#39;s Ministry of=
 National Defense</span><br style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"></p></div></div=
></div></div></div></div></div><h3 class=3D"gmail-css-drfk52-Subhed e1ql5nk=
k0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(34,34,34);direction:ltr;font-f=
amily:&quot;Escrow Condensed&quot;,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;font-s=
ize:22px;margin:24px 0px 16px">Bumping the boundary</h3><p class=3D"e13wjo0=
r2 e1bc1vag0 gmail-css-1uzoyz5-StyledNewsKitParagraph" style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box;margin:0px;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Exchange,Georgia,seri=
f;letter-spacing:0px;font-stretch:normal;word-break:break-word;font-size:18=
px">China=E2=80=99s round-the-clock naval patrols are more than just tools =
for political messaging. They offer its forces daily opportunities to gathe=
r data and experience in waters where they might one day fight. If Beijing =
launched an invasion across the Taiwan Strait, the Chinese navy would=C2=A0=
<a href=3D"https://www.wsj.com/world/china/how-china-chinese-invasion-taiwa=
n-ba7e3916?mod=3Darticle_inline" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"" class=3D"ekxajj=
j0 gmail-css-i0lbhy-OverridedLink" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:i=
nline;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-decoration:none;border-bottom:1px solid rgb(=
34,34,34)">play a pivotal role</a>=E2=80=94a contingency for which it is tr=
aining.</p><p class=3D"e13wjo0r2 e1bc1vag0 gmail-css-1uzoyz5-StyledNewsKitP=
aragraph" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;color:rgb(34,34,34);fon=
t-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;letter-spacing:0px;font-stretch:normal;word=
-break:break-word;font-size:18px">In peacetime today, each of the half-doze=
n Chinese warships around Taiwan stays out for about two weeks at a time, t=
he security officials said. When one leaves, it is replaced. Rather than dr=
aw from a small pool of ships, China=E2=80=99s navy dispatches a variety of=
 different ships for the rotations, giving more crews a chance to operate a=
nd gain confidence in the area, they said.</p><p class=3D"e13wjo0r2 e1bc1va=
g0 gmail-css-1uzoyz5-StyledNewsKitParagraph" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box=
;margin:0px;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;letter-s=
pacing:0px;font-stretch:normal;word-break:break-word;font-size:18px">The sh=
ips tend to stay outside the 24-nautical-mile contiguous zone Taipei claims=
, but not always. They frequently break into so-called joint combat readine=
ss patrols=E2=80=94periods of heightened activity when they push inward by =
a few miles in a choreographed tactic some security officials call =E2=80=
=9Cbumping the boundary.=E2=80=9D</p><p class=3D"e13wjo0r2 e1bc1vag0 gmail-=
css-1uzoyz5-StyledNewsKitParagraph" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0=
px;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;letter-spacing:0p=
x;font-stretch:normal;word-break:break-word;font-size:18px">Taiwan, which r=
ecorded 40 such patrols last year and 15 so far this year, responds by send=
ing its warships and coast-guard vessels to shadow the Chinese ships until =
they leave the 24-nautical-mile boundary. This back-and-forth has been grow=
ing in duration, now often lasting up to 48 hours, the officials said.</p><=
p class=3D"e13wjo0r2 e1bc1vag0 gmail-css-1uzoyz5-StyledNewsKitParagraph" st=
yle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Exc=
hange,Georgia,serif;letter-spacing:0px;font-stretch:normal;word-break:break=
-word;font-size:18px">The maneuvers put a heavy burden on Taiwan=E2=80=99s =
navy, which is far smaller than China=E2=80=99s and is battling manpower sh=
ortages. Taiwanese warships must be ready at all times to respond, delaying=
 their regular maintenance and cutting into rest periods for crew, accordin=
g to Taiwanese officials.</p><div class=3D"gmail-media-layout gmail-css-fb2=
dui-Layout-baseCss ertdlv30" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;background-imag=
e:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:rep=
eat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box;width:700px;ma=
rgin:32px 32px 22px 0px;clear:both"><span class=3D"gmail-css-u314cv" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:block;padding-top:0px;height:auto;width:7=
00px;border-radius:0px"><img alt=3D"A Taiwanese naval officer monitors the =
Chinese destroyer Yinchuan during a joint combat readiness patrol." width=
=3D"700" height=3D"525" src=3D"https://images.wsj.net/im-89035631?width=3D7=
00&amp;height=3D525" class=3D"gmail-css-1hzqsjo" style=3D"box-sizing: borde=
r-box; opacity: 1; display: block; border-radius: inherit; margin-bottom: 8=
px; max-width: 100%; width: 700px; height: auto;"></span><span class=3D"e1m=
33gv80 gmail-css-426zcb-CaptionSpan e1m33gv81" style=3D"box-sizing:border-b=
ox;font-size:14px;line-height:1.42857;margin-bottom:4px;color:rgb(17,17,17)=
;font-family:Retina,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;letter-spacing:0px;font-stre=
tch:normal">A member of Taiwan=E2=80=99s navy monitored a Chinese destroyer=
 during a joint combat readiness patrol in May 2026.</span>=C2=A0<span clas=
s=3D"gmail-css-7jz429-Credit eq0esvu0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;direc=
tion:ltr;font-size:12px;line-height:1.42857;text-transform:uppercase;color:=
rgb(111,111,111);font-family:Retina,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;letter-spaci=
ng:0px;font-stretch:normal">Taiwan=E2=80=99s Ministry of National Defense</=
span></div><p class=3D"e13wjo0r2 e1bc1vag0 gmail-css-1uzoyz5-StyledNewsKitP=
aragraph" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;color:rgb(34,34,34);fon=
t-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;letter-spacing:0px;font-stretch:normal;word=
-break:break-word;font-size:18px">China, meanwhile, is collecting troves of=
 information on Taiwanese forces: how they move, operate and communicate, a=
nd how they respond to Chinese activities. =E2=80=9CIt will be harder to su=
rprise the Chinese navy in the future,=E2=80=9D Dahm said, adding: =E2=80=
=9CFor Taiwan it means fewer options, less places to hide, less possibility=
 for deception.=E2=80=9D</p><p class=3D"e13wjo0r2 e1bc1vag0 gmail-css-1uzoy=
z5-StyledNewsKitParagraph" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;color:=
rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;letter-spacing:0px;font-st=
retch:normal;word-break:break-word;font-size:18px">Operating to Taiwan=E2=
=80=99s east allows China to study the waters there, potentially uncovering=
 hiding spots for enemy submarines, Dahm said. In a conflict, that would al=
so have implications for U.S. forces if they joined the defense of Taiwan. =
It would be harder for American subs to sneak up on Chinese navy ships arra=
yed off Taiwan=E2=80=99s eastern seaboard.</p><p class=3D"e13wjo0r2 e1bc1va=
g0 gmail-css-1uzoyz5-StyledNewsKitParagraph" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box=
;margin:0px;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;letter-s=
pacing:0px;font-stretch:normal;word-break:break-word;font-size:18px">On tha=
t side, the Chinese navy ships are also often stationed off key Taiwanese m=
ilitary bases at Hualien and Taitung, the security officials said. While th=
at may be an intimidation tactic, it also serves a clear operational ration=
ale: collecting data and building a better picture of the potential battlef=
ield, said Collin Koh, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of Inter=
national Studies in Singapore.</p><p class=3D"e13wjo0r2 e1bc1vag0 gmail-css=
-1uzoyz5-StyledNewsKitParagraph" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;=
color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;letter-spacing:0px;f=
ont-stretch:normal;word-break:break-word;font-size:18px">Chinese destroyers=
 sailing past those bases today could, in war, be tasked with striking and =
destroying them, said Koh.</p><div class=3D"gmail-media-layout gmail-css-fb=
2dui-Layout-baseCss ertdlv30" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;background-ima=
ge:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:re=
peat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box;width:700px;m=
argin:32px 32px 22px 0px;clear:both"><div class=3D"gmail-css-1wy0j8t-Wrappe=
r exq6cte1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><div class=3D"gmail-css-1yol47k=
-SizesPerWidthContainer exq6cte0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;min-height=
:496px"><div class=3D"gmail-css-smd025-Wrapper e1c0sezf0" style=3D"box-sizi=
ng:border-box;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-si=
ze:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-c=
lip:border-box"><div style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"><div id=3D"gmail-g-CWA=
RSHIPStypes-box" class=3D"gmail-ai2html_export" style=3D"box-sizing:border-=
box;margin:0px auto;max-width:700px;min-width:300px;width:700px"><h4 class=
=3D"gmail-djai2html-title" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px auto;p=
adding:0px 0px 8px;font-family:Retina,&quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,=
Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:500;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-size:15px;line-he=
ight:20px;width:700px"><span class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle0" style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box;overflow:hidden">Types of ships around Taiwan in early April</sp=
an><br style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"></h4><div id=3D"gmail-g-CWARSHIPStyp=
es-_700px" class=3D"gmail-g-artboard" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;overfl=
ow:hidden;margin:0px auto;width:700px;height:440.508px"><div style=3D"box-s=
izing:border-box"></div><img id=3D"gmail-g-CWARSHIPStypes-_700px-img" class=
=3D"gmail-g-CWARSHIPStypes-_700px-img gmail-g-aiImg" alt=3D"" src=3D"https:=
//www.wsj.com/ai2html/410bc699-92a7-4137-a72a-b698059a6252/CWARSHIPStypes-_=
700px.jpg" style=3D"box-sizing: border-box; top: 0px; display: block; width=
: 700px;"><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-1" class=3D"gmail-g-text_copy_3 gmail-g-ai=
Abs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:131px"><p cla=
ss=3D"gmail-g-pstyle0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;line-heigh=
t:22px;height:22px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:14px;color:rgb(50=
,50,50);padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;white-spac=
e:nowrap">China coast guard</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-2" class=3D"gma=
il-g-text_copy_3 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:bor=
der-box;width:56px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle1" style=3D"box-sizing:border=
-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-=
serif;font-style:italic;line-height:22px;height:22px;opacity:1;letter-spaci=
ng:0em;font-size:13px;color:rgb(96,96,96);padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0p=
x;mix-blend-mode:normal;white-space:nowrap">Frigate</p></div><div id=3D"gma=
il-g-ai5-3" class=3D"gmail-g-text_copy_3 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText"=
 style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:62px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle2" st=
yle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quo=
t;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:14px;height:14px;opacity:1;letter=
-spacing:0.08em;font-size:14px;text-align:center;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-t=
ransform:uppercase;padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal=
;white-space:nowrap">China</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-4" class=3D"gmai=
l-g-text_copy_3 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:bord=
er-box;width:54px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-=
box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-s=
erif;line-height:14px;height:14px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:14=
px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;white-space:now=
rap">Taipei</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-5" class=3D"gmail-g-text_copy_3=
 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:56=
px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;=
font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-style=
:italic;line-height:22px;height:22px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size=
:13px;color:rgb(96,96,96);padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode=
:normal;white-space:nowrap">Frigate</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-6" clas=
s=3D"gmail-g-text_copy_3 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-si=
zing:border-box;width:119px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle4" style=3D"box-sizi=
ng:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Ar=
ial,sans-serif;line-height:15px;height:15px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;fo=
nt-size:14px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;white=
-space:nowrap">Hualien&#39;s Chiashan</p><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle4" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,=
Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:15px;height:15px;opacity:1;letter-sp=
acing:0em;font-size:14px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:=
normal;white-space:nowrap">Air Base</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-7" clas=
s=3D"gmail-g-text_copy_3 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-si=
zing:border-box;width:99px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle1" style=3D"box-sizin=
g:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Ari=
al,sans-serif;font-style:italic;line-height:22px;height:22px;opacity:1;lett=
er-spacing:0em;font-size:13px;color:rgb(96,96,96);padding-bottom:0px;paddin=
g-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;white-space:nowrap">Intelligence ship</p></=
div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-8" class=3D"gmail-g-text_copy_3 gmail-g-aiAbs gm=
ail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:73px"><p class=3D"g=
mail-g-pstyle5" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot=
;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:14px;height:14p=
x;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0.08em;font-size:14px;text-align:center;text-tra=
nsform:uppercase;padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;w=
hite-space:nowrap">Taiwan</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-9" class=3D"gmail=
-g-text_copy_3 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:borde=
r-box;width:56px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-b=
ox;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-se=
rif;font-style:italic;line-height:22px;height:22px;opacity:1;letter-spacing=
:0em;font-size:13px;color:rgb(96,96,96);padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;=
mix-blend-mode:normal;white-space:nowrap">Frigate</p></div><div id=3D"gmail=
-g-ai5-10" class=3D"gmail-g-text_copy_3 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" =
style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:61px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle6" sty=
le=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot=
;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:14px;height:14px;opacity:1;letter-=
spacing:0em;font-size:14px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mod=
e:normal;white-space:nowrap">Penghu</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-11" cla=
ss=3D"gmail-g-text_copy_3 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-s=
izing:border-box;width:70px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle1" style=3D"box-sizi=
ng:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Ar=
ial,sans-serif;font-style:italic;line-height:22px;height:22px;opacity:1;let=
ter-spacing:0em;font-size:13px;color:rgb(96,96,96);padding-bottom:0px;paddi=
ng-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;white-space:nowrap">Destroyer</p></div><di=
v id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-12" class=3D"gmail-g-text_copy_3 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-=
aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:120px"><p class=3D"gmail-=
g-pstyle7" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Reti=
na Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:15px;height:15px;opa=
city:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:14px;text-align:center;padding-bottom:0=
px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;white-space:nowrap">Taitung&#39;s =
Chihhang</p><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle7" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;mar=
gin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;li=
ne-height:15px;height:15px;opacity:1;letter-spacing:0em;font-size:14px;text=
-align:center;padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;whit=
e-space:nowrap">Air Base</p></div><div id=3D"gmail-g-ai5-13" class=3D"gmail=
-g-text_copy_3 gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=3D"box-sizing:borde=
r-box;width:56px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-b=
ox;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-se=
rif;font-style:italic;line-height:22px;height:22px;opacity:1;letter-spacing=
:0em;font-size:13px;color:rgb(96,96,96);padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;=
mix-blend-mode:normal;white-space:nowrap">Frigate</p></div><div id=3D"gmail=
-g-ai5-14" class=3D"gmail-g-scale gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:64px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle8" style=3D=
"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,Hel=
vetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:12px;height:12px;opacity:1;letter-spaci=
ng:0em;font-size:12px;color:rgb(34,34,34);padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0p=
x;mix-blend-mode:normal;white-space:nowrap">100 miles</p></div><div id=3D"g=
mail-g-ai5-15" class=3D"gmail-g-scale gmail-g-aiAbs gmail-g-aiPointText" st=
yle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:54px"><p class=3D"gmail-g-pstyle8" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:&quot;Retina Narrow&quot;,=
Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;line-height:12px;height:12px;opacity:1;letter-sp=
acing:0em;font-size:12px;color:rgb(34,34,34);padding-bottom:0px;padding-top=
:0px;mix-blend-mode:normal;white-space:nowrap">100 km</p></div></div><div c=
lass=3D"gmail-djai2html-foot" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px aut=
o;padding-top:10px;width:700px"><p class=3D"gmail-djai2html-source" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;float:left;padding:0px;font-size:13px;line-height=
:17px;margin:0px;color:rgb(102,102,102);white-space:pre-wrap;font-family:Re=
tina,&quot;Whitney SSm&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><span class=3D"gma=
il-g-pstyle10" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden">Sources: Kua=
n Bi-ling, Minister of Taiwan&#39;s Ocean Affairs Council; Xinhua/Shutterst=
ock (photo)</span><br style=3D"box-sizing:border-box"></p></div></div></div=
></div></div></div></div><h3 class=3D"gmail-css-drfk52-Subhed e1ql5nkk0" st=
yle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(34,34,34);direction:ltr;font-family:=
&quot;Escrow Condensed&quot;,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;font-size:22=
px;margin:24px 0px 16px">Inflection point</h3><p class=3D"e13wjo0r2 e1bc1va=
g0 gmail-css-1uzoyz5-StyledNewsKitParagraph" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box=
;margin:0px;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;letter-s=
pacing:0px;font-stretch:normal;word-break:break-word;font-size:18px">Securi=
ty officials say 2020 was an inflection point for China=E2=80=99s military =
activities around Taiwan. There are a few reasons they believe that happene=
d.=C2=A0</p><p class=3D"e13wjo0r2 e1bc1vag0 gmail-css-1uzoyz5-StyledNewsKit=
Paragraph" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;color:rgb(34,34,34);fo=
nt-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;letter-spacing:0px;font-stretch:normal;wor=
d-break:break-word;font-size:18px">A year earlier, Xi had directed his coun=
try=E2=80=99s armed forces to have the capabilities in place by 2027 to tak=
e Taiwan by force if ordered to do so, moving up the timeline from 2035, ac=
cording to U.S. intelligence assessments. 2027 wasn=E2=80=99t=C2=A0<a href=
=3D"https://www.wsj.com/world/china/china-isnt-planning-to-invade-taiwan-in=
-2027-u-s-concludes-1fbedcbd?mod=3Darticle_inline" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D=
"" class=3D"ekxajjj0 gmail-css-i0lbhy-OverridedLink" style=3D"box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;display:inline;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-decoration:none;border-bot=
tom:1px solid rgb(34,34,34)">an invasion date</a>=C2=A0but a readiness targ=
et that nonetheless meant China=E2=80=99s military needed to move faster.=
=C2=A0</p><p class=3D"e13wjo0r2 e1bc1vag0 gmail-css-1uzoyz5-StyledNewsKitPa=
ragraph" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;color:rgb(34,34,34);font=
-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;letter-spacing:0px;font-stretch:normal;word-=
break:break-word;font-size:18px">Then in 2020, Taiwan=C2=A0<a href=3D"https=
://www.wsj.com/articles/taiwans-president-incumbent-who-challenged-china-se=
t-to-win-re-election-11578748281?mod=3Darticle_inline" target=3D"_blank" re=
l=3D"" class=3D"ekxajjj0 gmail-css-i0lbhy-OverridedLink" style=3D"box-sizin=
g:border-box;display:inline;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-decoration:none;border=
-bottom:1px solid rgb(34,34,34)">re-elected its president</a>=C2=A0at the t=
ime, Tsai Ing-wen, who had cast herself as a firm defender of Taiwan=E2=80=
=99s democracy=E2=80=94a result seen as a rebuke to Beijing. That year, Chi=
na increased its naval presence around Taiwan from one to three warships.</=
p><p class=3D"e13wjo0r2 e1bc1vag0 gmail-css-1uzoyz5-StyledNewsKitParagraph"=
 style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:=
Exchange,Georgia,serif;letter-spacing:0px;font-stretch:normal;word-break:br=
eak-word;font-size:18px">A string of events after that brought more ships: =
then-U.S. Speaker=C2=A0Nancy Pelosi=E2=80=99s=C2=A02022=C2=A0<a href=3D"htt=
ps://www.wsj.com/world/asia/nancy-pelosi-heads-to-taipei-as-china-warns-of-=
disastrous-consequences-11659442605?mod=3Darticle_inline" target=3D"_blank"=
 rel=3D"" class=3D"ekxajjj0 gmail-css-i0lbhy-OverridedLink" style=3D"box-si=
zing:border-box;display:inline;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-decoration:none;bor=
der-bottom:1px solid rgb(34,34,34)">trip to Taipei</a>,=C2=A0<a href=3D"htt=
ps://www.wsj.com/world/asia/taiwan-presidential-elections-2024-baa62e17?mod=
=3Darticle_inline" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"" class=3D"ekxajjj0 gmail-css-i=
0lbhy-OverridedLink" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;display:inline;color:rg=
b(34,34,34);text-decoration:none;border-bottom:1px solid rgb(34,34,34)">ano=
ther Taiwan election</a>=C2=A0that went poorly for Beijing in 2024, and the=
 deaths of two Chinese fishermen in an incident involving Taiwan=E2=80=99s =
coast guard that year.</p><p class=3D"e13wjo0r2 e1bc1vag0 gmail-css-1uzoyz5=
-StyledNewsKitParagraph" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;color:rg=
b(34,34,34);font-family:Exchange,Georgia,serif;letter-spacing:0px;font-stre=
tch:normal;word-break:break-word;font-size:18px">Now, security officials ar=
e watching to see if the count of Chinese ships off Taiwan=E2=80=99s shores=
 edges up again.</p><div class=3D"gmail-media-layout gmail-css-fb2dui-Layou=
t-baseCss ertdlv30" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;background-image:none;ba=
ckground-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;backg=
round-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box;width:700px;margin:32px=
 32px 22px 0px;clear:both"><div class=3D"gmail-css-1gdkxsn-InsetBackgroundW=
rapper e2kht60" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;background-image:none;backgr=
ound-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;backgroun=
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Subject: [Salon] 'Syria and Turkiye represent bigger threat to Israel than
 Iran': Israeli minister
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*https://thecradle.co/articles/syria-and-turkiye-represent-bigger-threat-to=
-israel-than-iran-israeli-minister
<https://thecradle.co/articles/syria-and-turkiye-represent-bigger-threat-to=
-israel-than-iran-israeli-minister>*

6/19/26

*'Syria and Turkiye represent bigger threat to Israel than Iran': Israeli
minister*

*On 18 June, Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli declared in
an interview with Israeli Army Radio that Tel Aviv =E2=80=9Cwill be at war =
with
Syria sooner or later,=E2=80=9D highlighting that the alliance between Dama=
scus and
Turkiye poses a =E2=80=9Cstrategic challenge=E2=80=9D to his country.*

*The Likud official said, =E2=80=9CThere is no way that a jihadist regime r=
ooted in
ISIS and Al-Qaeda, whose aspiration is the unification of Jerusalem, can
live in peace alongside the State of Israel.=E2=80=9D *

*MiddleEast politics*

*In a separate interview with Kol Barama, a prominent Israeli
ultra-Orthodox radio station, Chikli identified Syria as part of a =E2=80=
=9Cradical
Sunni axis of evil=E2=80=9D involving Qatar, Turkiye, and Pakistan, labelin=
g it
=E2=80=9Cfar more troubling=E2=80=9D than Iran, and claimed that these nati=
ons shaped a
recent US=E2=80=93Iran memorandum of understanding (MoU) intended to end re=
gional
hostilities.*

*While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed the memorandum as an
=E2=80=9Cimportant development,=E2=80=9D Chikli joined other Likud lawmaker=
s in branding
Turkiye an =E2=80=9Cenemy state.=E2=80=9D *

*He claimed that Turkiye holds =E2=80=9Cvery clear ambitions=E2=80=9D compr=
omising Israeli
interests, saying that Ankara and Damascus are =E2=80=9Cten thousand times =
more
concerning than Iran.=E2=80=9D*

*Following the ousting of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in
December 2024, the Israeli military continues to occupy Syrian land and
destroy military equipment, using the new government as a pretext for
escalation and territorial expansion.*

*Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu now demands total
demilitarization from south Damascus to the 1973 demarcation line.*

*Since December 2024, Israeli military violations in southern Syria have
escalated beyond periodic airstrikes to a sustained campaign involving
ground incursions, raids, and the establishment of checkpoints. *

*According to a daily tracker launched by Levant24, Israeli forces have
carried out approximately 1,128 ground incursions and 1,055 airstrikes,
advancing more than 20 kilometers beyond the occupied Golan Heights. These
actions have resulted in over 197 detentions and at least 36 fatalities.*

*MiddleEast politics*

*This expansion also includes property destruction and the systematic
mapping of military positions, reflecting a broader pattern of activity
that extends deep into Syrian territory.*

*Self-appointed Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa is reportedly resisting
intense pressure
<https://thecradle.co/articles/syria-unwilling-unprepared-to-attack-lebanon=
-despite-us-pressure-report>
from
the US to launch a military incursion into Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah. *

*Despite a framework proposed by US President Donald Trump for the Syrian
military to lead this offensive, Sharaa remained =E2=80=9Cunprepared and
unwilling,=E2=80=9D according to  Israel=E2=80=99s Broadcasting Corporation=
 (KAN).*

*He cited concerns that such an attack would damage his regional legitimacy
by appearing to serve Israeli interests, especially while Israel continues
to occupy Syrian territory. *

*Although US envoy Tom Barrack has threatened Lebanon with a Syrian assault
to dismantle Hezbollah, Sharaa has dismissed the reports as =E2=80=9Crumors=
,=E2=80=9D
asserting his goal is to end the war rather than expand it. *

*Israeli War Minister Israel Katz told Channel 14 that =E2=80=9CWe do not n=
eed
Julani. Julani, the terrorist in a suit, does not need to come and help us.
We know Syria well. He is not going to help us in Lebanon.=E2=80=9D*

*He added that Sharaa =E2=80=9Cshould stay in Syria, not interfere with us,=
 and not
make us interfere with him.=E2=80=9D *

*=E2=80=9CDo you know what really hurts the jihadists?=E2=80=9D Katz said, =
going on to
assert that killing them would not hurt them as much as =E2=80=9Cwhen you t=
ake
territory from them and destroy their homes =E2=80=93 and that's what we di=
d.=E2=80=9D*

--0000000000001161900654b19c8a
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:geor=
gia,serif;background-color:transparent"><a href=3D"https://thecradle.co/art=
icles/syria-and-turkiye-represent-bigger-threat-to-israel-than-iran-israeli=
-minister" target=3D"_blank">https://thecradle.co/articles/syria-and-turkiy=
e-represent-bigger-threat-to-israel-than-iran-israeli-minister</a></b></div=
><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"=
gmail_attr">6/19/26</div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><font color=
=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b><br></b></font></div><div><h1 style=
=3D"line-height:1.2141em;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0.5em;max-width:100%"=
><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif" size=3D"4"><i>&#39;Syria a=
nd Turkiye represent bigger threat to Israel than Iran&#39;: Israeli minist=
er</i></font></h1><div style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-bottom:1.15em;line-he=
ight:1.5em"><img src=3D"https://thecradle-main.oss-eu-central-1.aliyuncs.co=
m/public/articles/750533e6-6bf8-11f1-92f7-00163e02c055.jpeg" alt=3D"" style=
=3D"margin:auto 0px auto auto;display:block;clear:both" width=3D"412" heigh=
t=3D"232"></div><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"max-width:100%">=
<font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>On 18 June, Israeli Dias=
pora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli declared in an interview with Israeli =
Army Radio that Tel Aviv =E2=80=9Cwill be at war with Syria sooner or later=
,=E2=80=9D highlighting that the alliance between Damascus and Turkiye pose=
s a =E2=80=9Cstrategic challenge=E2=80=9D to his country.</b></font></span>=
</p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=
=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>The Likud official said, =E2=80=9CT=
here is no way that a jihadist regime rooted in ISIS and Al-Qaeda, whose as=
piration is the unification of Jerusalem, can live in peace alongside the S=
tate of Israel.=E2=80=9D=C2=A0</b></font></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:1=
00%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b><span style=3D"max-=
width:100%"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"></span><span style=3D"max-width:=
100%">Middle</span></span><span style=3D"max-width:100%">East politics</spa=
n></b></font></p><p></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"max-widt=
h:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>In a separate in=
terview with Kol Barama, a prominent Israeli ultra-Orthodox radio station, =
Chikli identified Syria as part of a =E2=80=9Cradical Sunni axis of evil=E2=
=80=9D involving Qatar, Turkiye, and Pakistan, labeling it =E2=80=9Cfar mor=
e troubling=E2=80=9D than Iran, and claimed that these nations shaped a rec=
ent US=E2=80=93Iran memorandum of understanding (MoU) intended to end regio=
nal hostilities.</b></font></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span sty=
le=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Wh=
ile Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed the memorandum as an =E2=
=80=9Cimportant development,=E2=80=9D Chikli joined other Likud lawmakers i=
n branding Turkiye an =E2=80=9Cenemy state.=E2=80=9D=C2=A0</b></font></span=
></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=
=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>He claimed that Turkiye holds =E2=
=80=9Cvery clear ambitions=E2=80=9D compromising Israeli interests, saying =
that Ankara and Damascus are =E2=80=9Cten thousand times more concerning th=
an Iran.=E2=80=9D</b></font></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span st=
yle=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>F=
ollowing the ousting of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in December=
 2024, the Israeli military continues to occupy Syrian land and destroy mil=
itary equipment, using the new government as a pretext for escalation and t=
erritorial expansion.</b></font></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><spa=
n style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif">=
<b>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu now demands total demilitariza=
tion from south Damascus to the 1973 demarcation line.</b></font></span></p=
><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"=
#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Since December 2024, Israeli military v=
iolations in southern Syria have escalated beyond periodic airstrikes to a =
sustained campaign involving ground incursions, raids, and the establishmen=
t of checkpoints.=C2=A0</b></font></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;mar=
gin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.4em"></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span st=
yle=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>A=
ccording to a daily tracker launched by<i style=3D"max-width:100%"><span>=
=C2=A0</span>Levant24</i>, Israeli forces have carried out approximately 1,=
128 ground incursions and 1,055 airstrikes, advancing more than 20 kilomete=
rs beyond the occupied Golan Heights. These actions have resulted in over 1=
97 detentions and at least 36 fatalities.</b></font></span></p><p style=3D"=
max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b><span st=
yle=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"></span><span style=3D=
"max-width:100%">Middle</span></span><span style=3D"max-width:100%">East po=
litics</span></b></font></p><p></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.=
4em;margin-bottom:0.4em"></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"max=
-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>This expans=
ion also includes property destruction and the systematic mapping of milita=
ry positions, reflecting a broader pattern of activity that extends deep in=
to Syrian territory.</b></font></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><font=
 color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b><span style=3D"max-width:100%=
">Self-appointed Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa is reportedly=C2=A0</span=
><a href=3D"https://thecradle.co/articles/syria-unwilling-unprepared-to-att=
ack-lebanon-despite-us-pressure-report" style=3D"text-decoration:none;max-w=
idth:100%" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"max-width:100%">resisting inten=
se pressure</span></a><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><span>=C2=A0</span>fro=
m the US to launch a military incursion into Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah.=
=C2=A0</span></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"max-=
width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Despite a fr=
amework proposed by US President Donald Trump for the Syrian military to le=
ad this offensive, Sharaa remained =E2=80=9Cunprepared and unwilling,=E2=80=
=9D according to=C2=A0 Israel=E2=80=99s Broadcasting Corporation (KAN).</b>=
</font></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"max-width:100%=
"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>He cited concerns that=
 such an attack would damage his regional legitimacy by appearing to serve =
Israeli interests, especially while Israel continues to occupy Syrian terri=
tory.=C2=A0</b></font></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D=
"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Althoug=
h US envoy Tom Barrack has threatened Lebanon with a Syrian assault to dism=
antle Hezbollah, Sharaa has dismissed the reports as =E2=80=9Crumors,=E2=80=
=9D asserting his goal is to end the war rather than expand it.=C2=A0</b></=
font></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0=
.4em"></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><font =
color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>Israeli War Minister Israel Ka=
tz told Channel 14 that =E2=80=9CWe do not need Julani. Julani, the terrori=
st in a suit, does not need to come and help us. We know Syria well. He is =
not going to help us in Lebanon.=E2=80=9D</b></font></span></p><p style=3D"=
max-width:100%"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=
=3D"georgia, serif"><b>He added that Sharaa =E2=80=9Cshould stay in Syria, =
not interfere with us, and not make us interfere with him.=E2=80=9D=C2=A0</=
b></font></span></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><span style=3D"max-width:10=
0%"><font color=3D"#000000" face=3D"georgia, serif"><b>=E2=80=9CDo you know=
 what really hurts the jihadists?=E2=80=9D Katz said, going on to assert th=
at killing them would not hurt them as much as =E2=80=9Cwhen you take terri=
tory from them and destroy their homes =E2=80=93=C2=A0and that&#39;s what w=
e did.=E2=80=9D</b></font></span></p></div></div>
</div>
</div></div>

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https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2026/06/19/ukraine-russia-drones-att=
ack-00967074?nname=3Dpolitico-toplines&nid=3D0000018f-3124-de07-a98f-3be4d1=
400000&nrid=3D00000170-cfce-dc29-adf9-ffde5a6c0000

=E2=80=98This War Has Now Reached Your Homes=E2=80=99: Ukraine=E2=80=99s St=
artling New Message for
Russia

Inside Kyiv=E2=80=99s secret drone program that=E2=80=99s hitting targets d=
eep inside
Russia.
[image: A GUR operative assembles a Liutyi long-range kamikaze drone.]

An intelligence operative assembles a Liutyi long-range kamikaze drone at a
secret facility inside Ukraine. These drones are striking targets deep
inside Russia. | Photos by Viktor Lysenko for POLITICO
By Ibrahim Naber06/19/2026 05:00 AM EDT

   -
   <https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=3Dhttps://politi.co/3S7U6A=
R>
   -
   <https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=3Dhttps://politi.co/3S7U6AR&text=
=3D%E2%80%98This%20War%20Has%20Now%20Reached%20Your%20Homes%E2%80%99:%20Ukr=
aine%E2%80%99s%20Startling%20New%20Message%20for%20Russia&via=3Dpolitico>
   -
   -

*Ibrahim Naber is a WELT foreign correspondent who has spent more than a
year reporting from Ukraine. In 2025, he received the George Weidenfeld
Prize for his coverage of global conflict and crisis zones.*



UNDISCLOSED LOCATION, Ukraine =E2=80=94 At a secret warehouse, in the darkn=
ess of
night, masked specialists from Ukraine=E2=80=99s military intelligence serv=
ice GUR
drill and hammer as they assemble a line of 15-foot-long aircraft. These
are Ukrainian Liutyi long-range kamikaze drones, carrying explosive
payloads of up to 150 pounds and capable of traveling nearly 1,300 miles.
Later that night, they will be launched toward targets inside Russia.

=E2=80=9CThey are now our most important card in this war,=E2=80=9D says a =
Ukrainian
commander using the call sign =E2=80=9CVector,=E2=80=9D as he taps the wing=
 of one of the
drones. He leads a unit specializing in so-called deep strikes =E2=80=94 at=
tacks
conducted far behind Russian lines.

A drone campaign that began in early 2024 with only a few dozen aircraft
per month has evolved into a large-scale operation. President Volodymyr
Zelenskyy=E2=80=99s forces are now launching an average of *200 to 300 dron=
es*
<https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/articles/2026/04/27/8032007/> against
targets in Russian territory every night.
[image: Top: The =E2=80=9CPeklo=E2=80=9D (=E2=80=9CHell=E2=80=9D) missile d=
rone, capable of speeds of up to
1,000 kilometers per hour. Bottom: A technician with Ukraine=E2=80=99s mili=
tary
intelligence service (GUR) works on a Liutyi long-range kamikaze drone.]

Top: The =E2=80=9CPeklo=E2=80=9D (=E2=80=9CHell=E2=80=9D) missile drone, ca=
pable of speeds of up to 1,000
kilometers per hour. Bottom: A technician with Ukraine=E2=80=99s military
intelligence service (GUR) works on a Liutyi long-range kamikaze drone.

On Thursday, Ukraine unleashed its largest attack yet deep inside
Russia,* targeting
an oil refinery near Moscow*
<https://www.politico.eu/article/ukrainian-drones-strike-moscow-setting-oil=
-refinery-ablaze/>.
The explosions sent plumes of black smoke billowing above the capital=E2=80=
=99s
suburbs and shut down flights at four airports for hours. Russian officials
reported downing hundreds of drones in the skies above Moscow and other
cities.

A reporting team from the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network, which
includes POLITICO, was granted permission to observe one night of mission
preparations earlier this month under restrictions aimed at protecting the
unit=E2=80=99s security: Mobile phones were prohibited, the faces of intell=
igence
personnel could not be filmed, and their voices must be altered in any
video.

The intelligence officials explained that the attacks rely on a
difficult-to-counter combination of explosive-laden long-range kamikaze
drones, decoy drones designed to confuse air defenses and missile-type
drones. Their primary targets are military installations and oil facilities
=E2=80=94 sites crucial to both the conduct and financing of Russia=E2=80=
=99s war effort.

=E2=80=9CAt the beginning, Russians believed they were conducting a special
military operation. Now they understand that this is a war,=E2=80=9D Comman=
der
=E2=80=9CVector=E2=80=9D said. The message to Russia, he adds: =E2=80=9C=E2=
=80=98This war has now reached
your homes as well.=E2=80=99 We hope that message helps Russia bring this w=
ar to an
end.=E2=80=9D

Zelenskyy is counting on the drone campaign shifting the war in Ukraine=E2=
=80=99s
favor. He recently published an open letter addressed to Putin, urging him
to engage in direct peace negotiations. He repeatedly referenced Ukraine=E2=
=80=99s
drone strikes, including *a similar attack *
<https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0e2vqd3j1vo>on St. Petersburg on June 3
that embarrassed the Russian leader as he convened an economic summit
beneath plumes of black smoke.
[image: Liutyi long-range kamikaze drone]

Liutyi long-range kamikaze drones can reach targets more than 2,000 miles
away and cost over $200,000.

=E2=80=9CAs you know very well, that distance is not the limit of our
capabilities,=E2=80=9D Zelenskyy wrote
<https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2062616228817154218>, highlighting the
consequences of the attacks for ordinary Russians: fuel shortages, rising
prices and, not least, fear.

=E2=80=9CThey do not like our drones and missiles,=E2=80=9D Zelenskyy said =
in the letter.
The Ukrainian leader has spent recent weeks cheekily describing the attacks
as =E2=80=9Clong-range sanctions.=E2=80=9D

Ukraine=E2=80=99s long-range drone campaign is already producing measurable
economic consequences inside Russia. During the St. Petersburg summit,
Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak acknowledged publicly for the first
time that Russian oil production has declined
<https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/russias-novak-says-oil-production-=
lower-than-start-year-due-unscheduled-2026-06-04/>since
the beginning of the year. He attributed the slowdown to unscheduled
maintenance work at refineries =E2=80=94 a bureaucratic euphemism for facil=
ities
damaged by Ukrainian drone strikes. Several major refineries in central
Russia have been forced to reduce output or suspend operations altogether
after coming under attack.

Ben Hodges, former commanding general of the U.S. Army Europe, argues that
Russia=E2=80=99s greatest strength through the centuries is now its disadva=
ntage:
its vastness.

=E2=80=9CNow, because of what Ukraine has accomplished in terms of long-ran=
ge
precision strike, what once was Russia=E2=80=99s strength is now a major
vulnerability,=E2=80=9D he says in an interview. =E2=80=9CThey cannot prote=
ct everything.
Every refinery, every shipyard, every factory =E2=80=94 everything =E2=80=
=94 is now
reachable, including targets [in Siberia].=E2=80=9D

Military analyst Franz-Stefan Gady, who regularly visits Ukrainian units
near the front, argues that Russia faces a structural disadvantage in a
drone war because of its continental scale.

=E2=80=9CThe cost asymmetry is turning against the defender,=E2=80=9D Gady =
says.

To be sure, Russia=E2=80=99s economy remains a long way from collapse. Yet =
attacks
on refineries are no longer producing only dramatic images of towering
fireballs and black smoke. They are beginning to create tangible
disruptions across parts of the Russian energy sector.

Industry data and market assessments suggest that repeated strikes have
periodically sidelined a significant share of Russia=E2=80=99s oil-product =
export
infrastructure this year, forcing operators to adjust production schedules
and redirect supplies. The effects are increasingly visible beyond
industrial facilities themselves.Depending on the model, some can now
travel as far as 2,000 miles and carry payloads of more than 500 pounds,
according to Commander =E2=80=9CVector.=E2=80=9D

=E2=80=9CBe assured that we can reach any location up to the Urals,=E2=80=
=9D he says,
naming the mountain range that marks the eastern edge of European Russia
and the beginning of Siberia. =E2=80=9CAnd with a bit of luck, perhaps even=
 beyond.=E2=80=9D

The cost of each drone is estimated at roughly $230,000, although the price
varies depending on the configuration.

Russia has struggled to stop the attacks because Ukraine has continuously
adapted its operational methods. Night after night, under cover of
darkness, multiple small teams disperse across the country =E2=80=94 often =
in
eastern Ukraine =E2=80=94 to launch drones from different locations.

=E2=80=9CIf the Russians destroy some launch sites or a few individual dron=
es, we
still have 10 or 20 others. That is very important for us,=E2=80=9D Command=
er
=E2=80=9CVector=E2=80=9D says.

The approach resembles a form of guerrilla warfare that fits Ukraine=E2=80=
=99s
broader strategy of asymmetric conflict and is difficult to counter.

A few meters away from the larger aircraft lie smaller decoy drones that
carry no explosives. During attack missions, they are often launched first
to occupy and confuse Russian air defenses. Ukraine also says it employs
so-called missile drones as part of its combined strike packages. These
weapons are several times faster than the Liutyi drones.

Technicians from the GUR are preparing several of them for launch alongside
the larger aircraft. They call the jet-powered model =E2=80=9CPeklo=E2=80=
=9D =E2=80=94 Ukrainian
for =E2=80=9CHell.=E2=80=9D

=E2=80=9CIt is extremely precise and extremely fast... Thanks to a special
navigation system and a specially developed antenna, it can strike even
very small targets with high accuracy,=E2=80=9D explains a Ukrainian techni=
cian
using the call sign =E2=80=9CLogist.=E2=80=9D

Markus Reisner, an Austrian colonel and military analyst, believes Russia=
=E2=80=99s
air defenses are increasingly overwhelmed by the scale and complexity of
the attack waves. Drones guided by artificial intelligence are also
resistant to electronic jamming, he notes, neutralizing what has so far
been one of Russia=E2=80=99s most effective defensive capabilities.

How data-driven Ukraine=E2=80=99s drone campaign has become is evident in a=
 side
room of the warehouse.

There, military intelligence pilots are planning the routes for the drones
scheduled to strike targets inside Russia later that night. Their screens
display a constant stream of real-time information: weather conditions,
Russian positions and flight data.

=E2=80=9CFor every day and every hour, we know how they move their air-defe=
nse
systems and electronic warfare assets. Every night we use different flight
routes. We never repeat them,=E2=80=9D says =E2=80=9CVector.=E2=80=9D


   1.

[image: =E2=80=9CPrisma,=E2=80=9D the AI-assisted software at the heart of =
Ukraine=E2=80=99s drone
campaign, processes real-time data on flight paths and Russian air
defenses.]

=E2=80=9CPrisma,=E2=80=9D the AI-assisted software at the heart of Ukraine=
=E2=80=99s drone
campaign, processes real-time data on flight paths and Russian air defenses=
.

At the heart of the operation is an AI-assisted software platform called
Prisma, which integrates battlefield data into a continuously updated
operational picture. The experience and data collected during countless
missions have become one of Ukraine=E2=80=99s most valuable assets, the com=
mander
says.

=E2=80=9CWe can compare routes and operations from different years. We know=
 which
corridors work best.=E2=80=9D

Ukrainian long-range drones have now penetrated even the heavily protected
Moscow region. When was the last time he personally planned an attack on
Moscow, we ask =E2=80=9CVector.=E2=80=9D Unfortunately, he says, he cannot =
discuss that
publicly.

For the first time all night, he bursts out laughing.

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84.375rem] gmail-m-auto gmail-px-5 gmail-sm:px-[1.875rem] gmail-lead-box" s=
tyle=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:auto=
;max-width:84.375rem;padding-left:1.875rem;padding-right:1.875rem"><div cla=
ss=3D"gmail-w-full" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:b=
order-box;width:1290px"><div class=3D"gmail-max-w-[62.5rem] gmail-mx-auto g=
mail-!pt-0 gmail-!md:pt-0 gmail-text-center" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(=
229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;max-w=
idth:62.5rem;text-align:center;padding-top:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-mx-auto=
" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin-l=
eft:auto;margin-right:auto"><h1 class=3D"gmail-!text-headline gmail-sm:!tex=
t-headline-lg gmail-md:!text-headline-lg-2 gmail-lg:!text-headline-xl gmail=
-tk-jubilat gmail-mt-2 gmail-text-2xl gmail-font-bold gmail-leading-[1.12] =
gmail-tracking-[-.02rem] gmail-sm:leading-none gmail-sm:tracking-[-.05rem] =
gmail-md:text-[1.75rem] gmail-lg:text-[2.5rem]" style=3D"border:0px solid r=
gb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;font-size:2.5rem;margin:0.5rem 0px 0p=
x;font-family:jubilat,sans-serif;letter-spacing:-0.12rem;line-height:1">=E2=
=80=98This War Has Now Reached Your Homes=E2=80=99: Ukraine=E2=80=99s Start=
ling New Message for Russia</h1><p class=3D"gmail-mb-4 gmail-mt-2 gmail-tex=
t-sm gmail-leading-[1.4] gmail-text-gray-vulcan-44 gmail-md:text-base gmail=
-md:leading-[1.4] gmail-lg:text-[1.3125rem] gmail-tk-din-2014" style=3D"bor=
der:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:0.5rem 0px 1rem=
;font-family:din-2014,sans-serif;font-size:1.3125rem;line-height:1.4;color:=
rgb(105,109,112)">Inside Kyiv=E2=80=99s secret drone program that=E2=80=99s=
 hitting targets deep inside Russia.</p></div></div></div><div class=3D"gma=
il-w-full" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box=
;width:1290px"><div class=3D"gmail-order-2 gmail-mx-auto gmail-mt-[0.9375re=
m] gmail-block gmail-text-left gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-classes" style=
=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin-left:aut=
o;margin-right:auto;margin-top:1.875rem"><span style=3D"border:0px solid rg=
b(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box"><img alt=3D"A GUR operative assembles=
 a Liutyi long-range kamikaze drone." class=3D"gmail-aspect-image-3x2 gmail=
-w-full" src=3D"https://www.politico.com/dims4/default/resize/630/quality/9=
0/format/webp?url=3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fstatic.politico.com%2F3f%2F35%2F01497abf4=
2168fb2ffe0178f3c72%2Fa-gur-operative-assembles-a-liutyi-long-range-kamikaz=
e-drone-one-of-the-aircraft-ukraine-uses-to-strike-targets-deep-inside-russ=
ia.jpg" style=3D"border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-b=
ox; display: block; vertical-align: middle; height: auto; max-width: 100%; =
aspect-ratio: auto 3 / 2; width: 1290px;"></span></div></div></div></div></=
div><div class=3D"gmail-mx-auto gmail-max-w-[1350px] gmail-gap-x-[30px] gma=
il-px-5 gmail-text-center gmail-sm:px-[30px] gmail-md:grid gmail-md:grid-co=
ls-[1fr,300px] gmail-lg:grid-cols-[300px,1fr,300px]" style=3D"border:0px so=
lid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin-left:auto;margin-right:au=
to;max-width:1350px;column-gap:30px;padding-left:30px;padding-right:30px;te=
xt-align:center;display:grid;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:din-2014,&quot;He=
lvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><div class=3D=
"gmail-mx-auto gmail-w-full gmail-max-w-[630px] gmail-text-left gmail-lg:w-=
full" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;marg=
in-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:300px;max-width:630px;text-align:left"=
><div class=3D"gmail-flex gmail-flex-col" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229=
,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;display:flex"><div class=3D"gmail-flex gmai=
l-flex-col gmail-mb-5 gmail-md:mb-[1.875rem] gmail-pt-2.5 gmail-gap-[0.4687=
5rem] gmail-sm:pt-5 gmail-md:pt-[1.875rem] gmail-lg:pt-[2.34375rem] gmail-l=
g:mb-0" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;ma=
rgin-bottom:0px;display:flex;padding-top:2.34375rem"><div class=3D"gmail-gr=
id gmail-w-full gmail-grid-cols-1 gmail-gap-2 gmail-md:grid-cols-[minmax(0,=
1fr)_max-content] gmail-md:grid-rows-[auto_auto_auto] gmail-md:gap-y-0 gmai=
l-md:gap-x-4 gmail-lg:grid-cols-1 gmail-lg:gap-2 gmail-lg:gap-x-0 gmail-lg:=
gap-y-2" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;d=
isplay:grid;width:300px"><div class=3D"gmail-row-start-1 gmail-w-full gmail=
-md:col-span-2 gmail-md:row-start-1 gmail-lg:col-span-1 gmail-lg:row-start-=
4" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;width:3=
00px"><p class=3D"gmail-order-none gmail-lg:order-2 gmail-lg:border-b-0 gma=
il-lg:border-t gmail-lg:pb-0 gmail-lg:pt-2.5 gmail-mb-2.5 gmail-border-b gm=
ail-border-gray-200 gmail-pb-2.5 gmail-text-sm gmail-leading-[1.2] gmail-te=
xt-gray-vulcan-44 gmail-md:pt-0 gmail-lg:pt-0" style=3D"border-width:1px 0p=
x 0px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-bo=
x;margin:0px 0px 0.625rem;padding-bottom:0px;font-size:0.875rem;line-height=
:1.2;color:rgb(105,109,112);padding-top:0.625rem">An intelligence operative=
 assembles a Liutyi long-range kamikaze drone at a secret facility inside U=
kraine. These drones are striking targets deep inside Russia. | Photos by V=
iktor Lysenko for POLITICO</p></div><div class=3D"gmail-flex gmail-flex-col=
 gmail-md:col-start-1 gmail-md:row-start-2 gmail-md:mt-[0.46875rem] gmail-l=
g:row-start-auto gmail-lg:mt-0" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);=
box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;margin-top:0px"><span class=3D"gmail-tex=
t-xs gmail-leading-normal gmail-tracking-[0.1rem] gmail-text-gray-vulcan-44=
" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;font-siz=
e:0.75rem;line-height:1.5;letter-spacing:0.1rem;color:rgb(105,109,112)">By=
=C2=A0<span class=3D"gmail-uppercase gmail-hover:text-current" style=3D"bor=
der:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;text-transform:upperca=
se">Ibrahim Naber</span></span><span class=3D"gmail-text-xs gmail-leading-n=
ormal gmail-tracking-[0.1rem] gmail-text-gray-vulcan-44" style=3D"border:0p=
x solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;font-size:0.75rem;line-heigh=
t:1.5;letter-spacing:0.1rem;color:rgb(105,109,112)">06/19/2026 05:00 AM EDT=
</span></div><div class=3D"gmail-gap-1 gmail-md:col-start-2 gmail-md:row-st=
art-2 gmail-md:mt-[0.46875rem] gmail-md:flex gmail-md:flex-col gmail-md:ite=
ms-end gmail-md:justify-center gmail-md:gap-0 gmail-lg:col-start-auto gmail=
-lg:row-start-auto gmail-lg:mt-0 gmail-lg:flex-col gmail-lg:items-start" st=
yle=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin-top:0=
px;display:flex"><div class=3D"gmail-h-[2rem] gmail-w-[9.875rem] gmail-pr-[=
2px]" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;heig=
ht:2rem;width:9.875rem;padding-right:2px"><ul class=3D"gmail-flex gmail-ite=
ms-center gmail-justify-between" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235)=
;box-sizing:border-box;list-style:none;margin:0px;padding:0px;display:flex"=
><li style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box"><a h=
ref=3D"https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=3Dhttps://politi.co/3S7=
U6AR" target=3D"_blank" aria-label=3D"Facebook (opens in a new window)" cla=
ss=3D"gmail-focus:outline-solid gmail-inline-block gmail-rounded-[50%] gmai=
l-focus:outline gmail-focus:outline-2 gmail-focus:outline-black gmail-js-te=
alium-tracking" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:borde=
r-box;color:inherit;text-decoration:none;display:inline-block;border-radius=
:50%"><span class=3D"gmail-share-tools" aria-hidden=3D"true" style=3D"borde=
r:1px solid rgba(156,163,175,0.35);box-sizing:border-box;border-radius:9999=
px;display:flex;height:2rem;width:2rem"></span></a></li><li style=3D"border=
:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box"><a href=3D"https://twitt=
er.com/intent/tweet?url=3Dhttps://politi.co/3S7U6AR&amp;text=3D%E2%80%98Thi=
s%20War%20Has%20Now%20Reached%20Your%20Homes%E2%80%99:%20Ukraine%E2%80%99s%=
20Startling%20New%20Message%20for%20Russia&amp;via=3Dpolitico" target=3D"_b=
lank" aria-label=3D"X (opens in a new window)" class=3D"gmail-focus:outline=
-solid gmail-inline-block gmail-rounded-[50%] gmail-focus:outline gmail-foc=
us:outline-2 gmail-focus:outline-black gmail-js-tealium-tracking" style=3D"=
border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;color:inherit;text-=
decoration:none;display:inline-block;border-radius:50%"><span class=3D"gmai=
l-share-tools" aria-hidden=3D"true" style=3D"border:1px solid rgba(156,163,=
175,0.35);box-sizing:border-box;border-radius:9999px;display:flex;height:2r=
em;width:2rem"></span></a></li><li class=3D"gmail-relative" style=3D"border=
:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box"><button type=3D"button" =
aria-label=3D"Copy link to article" class=3D"gmail-share-tools" style=3D"bo=
rder-width:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(156,163,175,0.35);font-=
family:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-size:16px;font-weight:inh=
erit;letter-spacing:inherit;line-height:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;back=
ground-image:none;border-radius:9999px;display:flex;height:2rem;width:2rem"=
><span aria-hidden=3D"true" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-=
sizing:border-box"></span></button></li><li class=3D"gmail-relative" style=
=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box"><button type=
=3D"button" aria-label=3D"More sharing options" class=3D"gmail-share-tools"=
 aria-expanded=3D"false" style=3D"border-width:1px;border-style:solid;borde=
r-color:rgba(156,163,175,0.35);font-family:inherit;font-feature-settings:in=
herit;font-size:16px;font-weight:inherit;letter-spacing:inherit;line-height=
:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;background-image:none;border-radius:9999px;=
display:flex;height:2rem;width:2rem"><span aria-hidden=3D"true" style=3D"bo=
rder:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box"></span></button></li=
></ul></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-md:col-span-full gmail-md:col-start-1=
 gmail-md:row-start-3 gmail-md:mt-[0.46875rem] gmail-md:flex gmail-md:flex-=
col gmail-md:gap-1 gmail-lg:col-start-auto gmail-lg:row-start-auto gmail-lg=
:mt-0" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;mar=
gin-top:0px;display:flex"><div style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);b=
ox-sizing:border-box"><p class=3D"gmail-font-text gmail-italic gmail-leadin=
g-[1.6] gmail-text-gray-vulcan-44" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,23=
5);box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;font-family:Georgia,Times,serif;font-st=
yle:italic;line-height:1.6;color:rgb(105,109,112)"><i style=3D"border:0px s=
olid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box">Ibrahim Naber is a WELT foreig=
n correspondent who has spent more than a year reporting from Ukraine. In 2=
025, he received the George Weidenfeld Prize for his coverage of global con=
flict and crisis zones.</i></p></div></div></div></div></div></div><div cla=
ss=3D"gmail-mx-auto gmail-w-full gmail-max-w-[630px] gmail-text-left" style=
=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin-left:aut=
o;margin-right:auto;width:630px;max-width:630px;text-align:left"><p class=
=3D"gmail-is-first-paragraph gmail-font-text gmail-text-lg gmail-leading-[1=
.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine"=
 style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:1.=
875rem 0px 0px;font-family:Georgia,Times,serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-heig=
ht:1.6"><span style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-=
box;font-weight:bolder"><br></span></p><p class=3D"gmail-is-first-paragraph=
 gmail-font-text gmail-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[=
1.875rem] gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" style=3D"border:0px solid r=
gb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font-family:G=
eorgia,Times,serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.6"><span style=3D"borde=
r:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;font-weight:bolder"><br>=
</span></p><p class=3D"gmail-is-first-paragraph gmail-font-text gmail-text-=
lg gmail-leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-has-drop-cap=
 gmail-is-magazine" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:b=
order-box;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font-family:Georgia,Times,serif;font-size=
:1.125rem;line-height:1.6"><span style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235)=
;box-sizing:border-box;font-weight:bolder">UNDISCLOSED LOCATION, Ukraine</s=
pan>=C2=A0=E2=80=94 At a secret warehouse, in the darkness of night, masked=
 specialists from Ukraine=E2=80=99s military intelligence service GUR drill=
 and hammer as they assemble a line of 15-foot-long aircraft. These are Ukr=
ainian Liutyi long-range kamikaze drones, carrying explosive payloads of up=
 to 150 pounds and capable of traveling nearly 1,300 miles. Later that nigh=
t, they will be launched toward targets inside Russia.</p><p class=3D"gmail=
-font-text gmail-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875r=
em] gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229=
,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font-family:Georgia=
,Times,serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.6">=E2=80=9CThey are now our =
most important card in this war,=E2=80=9D says a Ukrainian commander using =
the call sign =E2=80=9CVector,=E2=80=9D as he taps the wing of one of the d=
rones. He leads a unit specializing in so-called deep strikes =E2=80=94 att=
acks conducted far behind Russian lines.</p><p class=3D"gmail-font-text gma=
il-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-has-=
drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-=
sizing:border-box;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font-family:Georgia,Times,serif;f=
ont-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.6">A drone campaign that began in early 202=
4 with only a few dozen aircraft per month has evolved into a large-scale o=
peration. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy=E2=80=99s forces are now launching =
an average of=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/articles/2026/0=
4/27/8032007/" class=3D"gmail-js-tealium-tracking" style=3D"border:0px soli=
d rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(10,124,196);text-decorat=
ion:none"><u style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-b=
ox">200 to 300 drones</u></a>=C2=A0against targets in Russian territory eve=
ry night.<br style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-b=
ox"></p></div><div class=3D"gmail-hidden gmail-md:col-start-2 gmail-md:col-=
end-2 gmail-md:row-start-1 gmail-md:row-end-5 gmail-md:block gmail-lg:col-s=
tart-3 gmail-lg:col-end-3 gmail-lg:row-start-1 gmail-lg:row-end-3" style=3D=
"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box"><div class=3D"gma=
il-flex gmail-flex-col" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizi=
ng:border-box;display:flex"></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-max-w-[10=
0%] gmail-p-0" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border=
-box;max-width:100%;padding:0px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:din-2014,&quot=
;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><div class=
=3D"gmail-order-2 gmail-mx-auto gmail-mt-[0.9375rem] gmail-block gmail-text=
-left gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-px-[1.25rem] gmail-sm:px-[1.875rem]" sty=
le=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin-left:a=
uto;margin-right:auto;margin-top:1.875rem;padding-left:1.875rem;padding-rig=
ht:1.875rem"><span style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:bo=
rder-box"><img alt=3D"Top: The =E2=80=9CPeklo=E2=80=9D (=E2=80=9CHell=E2=80=
=9D) missile drone, capable of speeds of up to 1,000 kilometers per hour.
Bottom: A technician with Ukraine=E2=80=99s military intelligence service (=
GUR) works on a Liutyi long-range kamikaze drone." class=3D"gmail-aspect-im=
age-3x2 gmail-w-full" src=3D"https://www.politico.com/dims4/default/resize/=
630/quality/90/format/webp?url=3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fstatic.politico.com%2F8b%2F6=
e%2F50df2b3443faac370ebd8a401a6f%2Fnaber-secondary1.jpg" style=3D"border: 0=
px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; display: block; vertic=
al-align: middle; height: auto; max-width: 100%; aspect-ratio: auto 3 / 2; =
width: 770px;"></span><p style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-siz=
ing:border-box;margin:0px">Top: The =E2=80=9CPeklo=E2=80=9D (=E2=80=9CHell=
=E2=80=9D) missile drone, capable of speeds of up to 1,000 kilometers per h=
our. Bottom: A technician with Ukraine=E2=80=99s military intelligence serv=
ice (GUR) works on a Liutyi long-range kamikaze drone.</p></div></div><div =
class=3D"gmail-mx-auto gmail-max-w-[1350px] gmail-gap-x-[30px] gmail-px-5 g=
mail-text-center gmail-sm:px-[30px] gmail-md:grid gmail-md:grid-cols-[1fr,3=
00px] gmail-lg:grid-cols-[300px,1fr,300px]" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(2=
29,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;max-wi=
dth:1350px;column-gap:30px;padding-left:30px;padding-right:30px;text-align:=
center;display:grid;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:din-2014,&quot;Helvetica N=
eue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><div class=3D"gmail-mx=
-auto gmail-w-full gmail-max-w-[630px] gmail-text-left" style=3D"border:0px=
 solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin-left:auto;margin-right=
:auto;width:300px;max-width:630px;text-align:left"></div><div class=3D"gmai=
l-mx-auto gmail-w-full gmail-max-w-[630px] gmail-text-left" style=3D"border=
:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin-left:auto;margin-r=
ight:auto;width:630px;max-width:630px;text-align:left"><p class=3D"gmail-fo=
nt-text gmail-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem]=
 gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,23=
1,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font-family:Georgia,Ti=
mes,serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.6">On Thursday, Ukraine unleashe=
d its largest attack yet deep inside Russia,<a href=3D"https://www.politico=
.eu/article/ukrainian-drones-strike-moscow-setting-oil-refinery-ablaze/" cl=
ass=3D"gmail-js-tealium-tracking" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235=
);box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(10,124,196);text-decoration:none"><u styl=
e=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box">=C2=A0targeti=
ng an oil refinery near Moscow</u></a>. The explosions sent plumes of black=
 smoke billowing above the capital=E2=80=99s suburbs and shut down flights =
at four airports for hours. Russian officials reported downing hundreds of =
drones in the skies above Moscow and other cities.</p><p class=3D"gmail-fon=
t-text gmail-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] =
gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231=
,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font-family:Georgia,Tim=
es,serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.6">A reporting team from the Axel=
 Springer Global Reporters Network, which includes POLITICO, was granted pe=
rmission to observe one night of mission preparations earlier this month un=
der restrictions aimed at protecting the unit=E2=80=99s security: Mobile ph=
ones were prohibited, the faces of intelligence personnel could not be film=
ed, and their voices must be altered in any video.</p><p class=3D"gmail-fon=
t-text gmail-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] =
gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231=
,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font-family:Georgia,Tim=
es,serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.6">The intelligence officials exp=
lained that the attacks rely on a difficult-to-counter combination of explo=
sive-laden long-range kamikaze drones, decoy drones designed to confuse air=
 defenses and missile-type drones. Their primary targets are military insta=
llations and oil facilities =E2=80=94 sites crucial to both the conduct and=
 financing of Russia=E2=80=99s war effort.</p><p class=3D"gmail-font-text g=
mail-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-ha=
s-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);bo=
x-sizing:border-box;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font-family:Georgia,Times,serif=
;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.6">=E2=80=9CAt the beginning, Russians be=
lieved they were conducting a special military operation. Now they understa=
nd that this is a war,=E2=80=9D Commander =E2=80=9CVector=E2=80=9D said. Th=
e message to Russia, he adds: =E2=80=9C=E2=80=98This war has now reached yo=
ur homes as well.=E2=80=99 We hope that message helps Russia bring this war=
 to an end.=E2=80=9D</p><p class=3D"gmail-font-text gmail-text-lg gmail-lea=
ding-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-ma=
gazine" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;ma=
rgin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font-family:Georgia,Times,serif;font-size:1.125rem;li=
ne-height:1.6">Zelenskyy is counting on the drone campaign shifting the war=
 in Ukraine=E2=80=99s favor. He recently published an open letter addressed=
 to Putin, urging him to engage in direct peace negotiations. He repeatedly=
 referenced Ukraine=E2=80=99s drone strikes, including=C2=A0<a href=3D"http=
s://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0e2vqd3j1vo" class=3D"gmail-js-tealium-track=
ing" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;color=
:rgb(10,124,196);text-decoration:none"><u style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229=
,231,235);box-sizing:border-box">a similar attack=C2=A0</u></a>on St. Peter=
sburg on June 3 that embarrassed the Russian leader as he convened an econo=
mic summit beneath plumes of black smoke.<br style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(=
229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box"></p></div><div class=3D"gmail-content-c=
enter gmail-hidden gmail-md:col-start-2 gmail-md:col-end-2 gmail-md:row-sta=
rt-1 gmail-md:row-end-5 gmail-md:block gmail-lg:col-start-3 gmail-lg:col-en=
d-3 gmail-lg:row-start-1 gmail-lg:row-end-3" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(=
229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box"><div class=3D"gmail-flex gmail-flex-col=
" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;display:=
flex"></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-max-w-[100%] gmail-p-0" style=
=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;max-width:100%;=
padding:0px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:din-2014,&quot;Helvetica Neue&quot=
;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><div class=3D"gmail-order-2 gm=
ail-mx-auto gmail-mt-[0.9375rem] gmail-block gmail-text-left gmail-md:mt-[1=
.875rem] gmail-px-[1.25rem] gmail-sm:px-[1.875rem]" style=3D"border:0px sol=
id rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin-left:auto;margin-right:aut=
o;margin-top:1.875rem;padding-left:1.875rem;padding-right:1.875rem"><span s=
tyle=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box"><img alt=
=3D"Liutyi long-range kamikaze drone" class=3D"gmail-aspect-image-3x2 gmail=
-w-full" src=3D"https://www.politico.com/dims4/default/resize/630/quality/9=
0/format/webp?url=3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fstatic.politico.com%2Fa6%2F6b%2Fbf8663814=
574aa1d99d5b23b6998%2Fliutyi-long-range-kamikaze-drones-are-among-ukraines-=
key-strike-weapons-depending-on-the-variant-they-can-reach-targets-up-to-3-=
500-kilometers-away-and-cost-roughly-200-000-dollar-apiece-source-gur.jpg" =
style=3D"border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; disp=
lay: block; vertical-align: middle; height: auto; max-width: 100%; aspect-r=
atio: auto 3 / 2; width: 770px;"></span><p style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(22=
9,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px">Liutyi long-range kamikaze dro=
nes can reach targets more than 2,000 miles away and cost over $200,000.</p=
></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-mx-auto gmail-max-w-[1350px] gmail-gap-x-[=
30px] gmail-px-5 gmail-text-center gmail-sm:px-[30px] gmail-md:grid gmail-m=
d:grid-cols-[1fr,300px] gmail-lg:grid-cols-[300px,1fr,300px]" style=3D"bord=
er:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin-left:auto;margin=
-right:auto;max-width:1350px;column-gap:30px;padding-left:30px;padding-righ=
t:30px;text-align:center;display:grid;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:din-2014=
,&quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><div=
 class=3D"gmail-mx-auto gmail-w-full gmail-max-w-[630px] gmail-text-left" s=
tyle=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin-left=
:auto;margin-right:auto;width:300px;max-width:630px;text-align:left"></div>=
<div class=3D"gmail-mx-auto gmail-w-full gmail-max-w-[630px] gmail-text-lef=
t" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin-=
left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:630px;max-width:630px;text-align:left"><p=
 class=3D"gmail-font-text gmail-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmai=
l-md:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" style=3D"border:0p=
x solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font=
-family:Georgia,Times,serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.6">=E2=80=9CAs=
 you know very well, that distance is not the limit of our capabilities,=E2=
=80=9D=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2062616228817154218=
" target=3D"_blank" class=3D"gmail-js-tealium-tracking" aria-label=3D"opens=
 in a new window" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:bor=
der-box;color:rgb(10,124,196);text-decoration:none">Zelenskyy wrote</a>, hi=
ghlighting the consequences of the attacks for ordinary Russians: fuel shor=
tages, rising prices and, not least, fear.</p><p class=3D"gmail-font-text g=
mail-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-ha=
s-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);bo=
x-sizing:border-box;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font-family:Georgia,Times,serif=
;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.6">=E2=80=9CThey do not like our drones a=
nd missiles,=E2=80=9D Zelenskyy said in the letter. The Ukrainian leader ha=
s spent recent weeks cheekily describing the attacks as =E2=80=9Clong-range=
 sanctions.=E2=80=9D</p></div><div class=3D"gmail-content-center gmail-hidd=
en gmail-md:col-start-2 gmail-md:col-end-2 gmail-md:row-start-1 gmail-md:ro=
w-end-5 gmail-md:block gmail-lg:col-start-3 gmail-lg:col-end-3 gmail-lg:row=
-start-1 gmail-lg:row-end-3" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box=
-sizing:border-box"><div class=3D"gmail-flex gmail-flex-col" style=3D"borde=
r:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;display:flex"></div></di=
v></div><div class=3D"gmail-max-w-[100%] gmail-p-0" style=3D"border:0px sol=
id rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;max-width:100%;padding:0px;color:=
rgb(0,0,0);font-family:din-2014,&quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,=
sans-serif;font-size:16px"></div><div class=3D"gmail-mx-auto gmail-max-w-[1=
350px] gmail-gap-x-[30px] gmail-px-5 gmail-text-center gmail-sm:px-[30px] g=
mail-md:grid gmail-md:grid-cols-[1fr,300px] gmail-lg:grid-cols-[300px,1fr,3=
00px]" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;mar=
gin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;max-width:1350px;column-gap:30px;padding-le=
ft:30px;padding-right:30px;text-align:center;display:grid;color:rgb(0,0,0);=
font-family:din-2014,&quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;=
font-size:16px"><div class=3D"gmail-mx-auto gmail-w-full gmail-max-w-[630px=
] gmail-text-left" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:300px;max-width:630px;tex=
t-align:left"></div><div class=3D"gmail-mx-auto gmail-w-full gmail-max-w-[6=
30px] gmail-text-left" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizin=
g:border-box;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:630px;max-width:630px=
;text-align:left"><p class=3D"gmail-font-text gmail-text-lg gmail-leading-[=
1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine=
" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:1=
.875rem 0px 0px;font-family:Georgia,Times,serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-hei=
ght:1.6">Ukraine=E2=80=99s long-range drone campaign is already producing m=
easurable economic consequences inside Russia. During the St. Petersburg su=
mmit, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak acknowledged publicly for the f=
irst time that=C2=A0<a href=3D"https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/russ=
ias-novak-says-oil-production-lower-than-start-year-due-unscheduled-2026-06=
-04/" target=3D"_blank" class=3D"gmail-js-tealium-tracking" aria-label=3D"o=
pens in a new window" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing=
:border-box;color:rgb(10,124,196);text-decoration:none">Russian oil product=
ion has declined=C2=A0</a>since the beginning of the year. He attributed th=
e slowdown to unscheduled maintenance work at refineries =E2=80=94 a bureau=
cratic euphemism for facilities damaged by Ukrainian drone strikes. Several=
 major refineries in central Russia have been forced to reduce output or su=
spend operations altogether after coming under attack.</p><p class=3D"gmail=
-font-text gmail-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875r=
em] gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229=
,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font-family:Georgia=
,Times,serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.6">Ben Hodges, former command=
ing general of the U.S. Army Europe, argues that Russia=E2=80=99s greatest =
strength through the centuries is now its disadvantage: its vastness.</p><p=
 class=3D"gmail-font-text gmail-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmai=
l-md:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" style=3D"border:0p=
x solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font=
-family:Georgia,Times,serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.6">=E2=80=9CNo=
w, because of what Ukraine has accomplished in terms of long-range precisio=
n strike, what once was Russia=E2=80=99s strength is now a major vulnerabil=
ity,=E2=80=9D he says in an interview. =E2=80=9CThey cannot protect everyth=
ing. Every refinery, every shipyard, every factory =E2=80=94 everything =E2=
=80=94 is now reachable, including targets [in Siberia].=E2=80=9D</p><p cla=
ss=3D"gmail-font-text gmail-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md=
:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" style=3D"border:0px so=
lid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font-fam=
ily:Georgia,Times,serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.6">Military analys=
t Franz-Stefan Gady, who regularly visits Ukrainian units near the front, a=
rgues that Russia faces a structural disadvantage in a drone war because of=
 its continental scale.</p><p class=3D"gmail-font-text gmail-text-lg gmail-=
leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is=
-magazine" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box=
;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font-family:Georgia,Times,serif;font-size:1.125rem=
;line-height:1.6">=E2=80=9CThe cost asymmetry is turning against the defend=
er,=E2=80=9D Gady says.</p><p class=3D"gmail-font-text gmail-text-lg gmail-=
leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is=
-magazine" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box=
;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font-family:Georgia,Times,serif;font-size:1.125rem=
;line-height:1.6">To be sure, Russia=E2=80=99s economy remains a long way f=
rom collapse. Yet attacks on refineries are no longer producing only dramat=
ic images of towering fireballs and black smoke. They are beginning to crea=
te tangible disruptions across parts of the Russian energy sector.</p><p cl=
ass=3D"gmail-font-text gmail-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-m=
d:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" style=3D"border:0px s=
olid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font-fa=
mily:Georgia,Times,serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.6">Industry data =
and market assessments suggest that repeated strikes have periodically side=
lined a significant share of Russia=E2=80=99s oil-product export infrastruc=
ture this year, forcing operators to adjust production schedules and redire=
ct supplies. The effects are increasingly visible beyond industrial facilit=
ies themselves.<span style=3D"font-size:1.125rem;background-color:transpare=
nt">Depending on the model, some can now travel as far as 2,000 miles and c=
arry payloads of more than 500 pounds, according to Commander =E2=80=9CVect=
or.=E2=80=9D</span></p></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-mx-auto gmail-max-w-=
[1350px] gmail-gap-x-[30px] gmail-px-5 gmail-text-center gmail-sm:px-[30px]=
 gmail-md:grid gmail-md:grid-cols-[1fr,300px] gmail-lg:grid-cols-[300px,1fr=
,300px]" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;m=
argin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;max-width:1350px;column-gap:30px;padding-=
left:30px;padding-right:30px;text-align:center;display:grid;color:rgb(0,0,0=
);font-family:din-2014,&quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-seri=
f;font-size:16px"><div class=3D"gmail-mx-auto gmail-w-full gmail-max-w-[630=
px] gmail-text-left" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:=
border-box;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:630px;max-width:630px;t=
ext-align:left"><p class=3D"gmail-font-text gmail-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.=
6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" =
style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:1.8=
75rem 0px 0px;font-family:Georgia,Times,serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-heigh=
t:1.6">=E2=80=9CBe assured that we can reach any location up to the Urals,=
=E2=80=9D he says, naming the mountain range that marks the eastern edge of=
 European Russia and the beginning of Siberia. =E2=80=9CAnd with a bit of l=
uck, perhaps even beyond.=E2=80=9D</p><p class=3D"gmail-font-text gmail-tex=
t-lg gmail-leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-has-drop-c=
ap gmail-is-magazine" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing=
:border-box;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font-family:Georgia,Times,serif;font-si=
ze:1.125rem;line-height:1.6">The cost of each drone is estimated at roughly=
 $230,000, although the price varies depending on the configuration.</p><p =
class=3D"gmail-font-text gmail-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail=
-md:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" style=3D"border:0px=
 solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font-=
family:Georgia,Times,serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.6">Russia has s=
truggled to stop the attacks because Ukraine has continuously adapted its o=
perational methods. Night after night, under cover of darkness, multiple sm=
all teams disperse across the country =E2=80=94 often in eastern Ukraine =
=E2=80=94 to launch drones from different locations.</p><p class=3D"gmail-f=
ont-text gmail-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem=
] gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,2=
31,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font-family:Georgia,T=
imes,serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.6">=E2=80=9CIf the Russians des=
troy some launch sites or a few individual drones, we still have 10 or 20 o=
thers. That is very important for us,=E2=80=9D Commander =E2=80=9CVector=E2=
=80=9D says.</p><p class=3D"gmail-font-text gmail-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.=
6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" =
style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:1.8=
75rem 0px 0px;font-family:Georgia,Times,serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-heigh=
t:1.6">The approach resembles a form of guerrilla warfare that fits Ukraine=
=E2=80=99s broader strategy of asymmetric conflict and is difficult to coun=
ter.</p><p class=3D"gmail-font-text gmail-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.6] gmail=
-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" style=3D=
"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:1.875rem 0p=
x 0px;font-family:Georgia,Times,serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.6">A=
 few meters away from the larger aircraft lie smaller decoy drones that car=
ry no explosives. During attack missions, they are often launched first to =
occupy and confuse Russian air defenses. Ukraine also says it employs so-ca=
lled missile drones as part of its combined strike packages. These weapons =
are several times faster than the Liutyi drones.</p><p class=3D"gmail-font-=
text gmail-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] gm=
ail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,2=
35);box-sizing:border-box;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font-family:Georgia,Times=
,serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.6">Technicians from the GUR are pre=
paring several of them for launch alongside the larger aircraft. They call =
the jet-powered model =E2=80=9CPeklo=E2=80=9D =E2=80=94 Ukrainian for =E2=
=80=9CHell.=E2=80=9D</p><p class=3D"gmail-font-text gmail-text-lg gmail-lea=
ding-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-ma=
gazine" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;ma=
rgin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font-family:Georgia,Times,serif;font-size:1.125rem;li=
ne-height:1.6">=E2=80=9CIt is extremely precise and extremely fast... Thank=
s to a special navigation system and a specially developed antenna, it can =
strike even very small targets with high accuracy,=E2=80=9D explains a Ukra=
inian technician using the call sign =E2=80=9CLogist.=E2=80=9D</p><p class=
=3D"gmail-font-text gmail-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:m=
t-[1.875rem] gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" style=3D"border:0px soli=
d rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font-famil=
y:Georgia,Times,serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.6">Markus Reisner, a=
n Austrian colonel and military analyst, believes Russia=E2=80=99s air defe=
nses are increasingly overwhelmed by the scale and complexity of the attack=
 waves. Drones guided by artificial intelligence are also resistant to elec=
tronic jamming, he notes, neutralizing what has so far been one of Russia=
=E2=80=99s most effective defensive capabilities.</p><p class=3D"gmail-font=
-text gmail-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] g=
mail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,=
235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font-family:Georgia,Time=
s,serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.6">How data-driven Ukraine=E2=80=
=99s drone campaign has become is evident in a side room of the warehouse.<=
/p><p class=3D"gmail-font-text gmail-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5=
 gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" style=3D"bord=
er:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px=
;font-family:Georgia,Times,serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.6">There,=
 military intelligence pilots are planning the routes for the drones schedu=
led to strike targets inside Russia later that night. Their screens display=
 a constant stream of real-time information: weather conditions, Russian po=
sitions and flight data.</p><p class=3D"gmail-font-text gmail-text-lg gmail=
-leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-i=
s-magazine" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-bo=
x;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font-family:Georgia,Times,serif;font-size:1.125re=
m;line-height:1.6">=E2=80=9CFor every day and every hour, we know how they =
move their air-defense systems and electronic warfare assets. Every night w=
e use different flight routes. We never repeat them,=E2=80=9D says =E2=80=
=9CVector.=E2=80=9D<br style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizin=
g:border-box"></p></div><div class=3D"gmail-content-center gmail-hidden gma=
il-md:col-start-2 gmail-md:col-end-2 gmail-md:row-start-1 gmail-md:row-end-=
5 gmail-md:block gmail-lg:col-start-3 gmail-lg:col-end-3 gmail-lg:row-start=
-1 gmail-lg:row-end-3" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizin=
g:border-box"><div class=3D"gmail-flex gmail-flex-col gmail-w-[300px]" styl=
e=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;w=
idth:300px"><div class=3D"gmail-mt-[1.25rem] gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem]" style=
=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin-top:1.87=
5rem"><div class=3D"gmail-" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-=
sizing:border-box"><div class=3D"gmail-border gmail-text-left" style=3D"bor=
der:1px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;text-align:left"><h2 c=
lass=3D"gmail-text-xs gmail-font-bold gmail-leading-[1.2] gmail-tracking-[0=
.1rem]" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;fo=
nt-size:0.75rem;margin:0px;line-height:1.2;letter-spacing:0.1rem"><br></h2>=
<ol class=3D"gmail-p-5" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizi=
ng:border-box;list-style:none;margin:0px;padding:1.25rem"><li class=3D"gmai=
l-relative gmail-mt-[0.9375rem] gmail-border-t gmail-pt-[0.9375rem] gmail-p=
l-[1.875rem]" style=3D"border-width:1px 0px 0px;border-style:solid;border-c=
olor:rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin-top:0.9375rem;padding-le=
ft:1.875rem;padding-top:0.9375rem"><div class=3D"gmail-flex gmail-items-sta=
rt gmail-leading-[1.2] gmail-before:absolute gmail-before:left-0 gmail-befo=
re:text-xs gmail-before:font-bold gmail-before:leading-[1.5] gmail-before:t=
ext-red-politico-47 gmail-before:content-[attr(count)]" style=3D"border:0px=
 solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;display:flex;line-height:1.2"=
></div></li></ol></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-ma=
x-w-[100%] gmail-p-0" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing=
:border-box;max-width:100%;padding:0px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:din-201=
4,&quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><di=
v class=3D"gmail-order-2 gmail-mx-auto gmail-mt-[0.9375rem] gmail-block gma=
il-text-left gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-px-[1.25rem] gmail-sm:px-[1.875re=
m]" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin=
-left:auto;margin-right:auto;margin-top:1.875rem;padding-left:1.875rem;padd=
ing-right:1.875rem"><span style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-si=
zing:border-box"><img alt=3D"=E2=80=9CPrisma,=E2=80=9D the AI-assisted soft=
ware at the heart of Ukraine=E2=80=99s drone campaign, processes real-time =
data on flight paths and Russian air defenses." class=3D"gmail-aspect-image=
-3x2 gmail-w-full" src=3D"https://www.politico.com/dims4/default/resize/630=
/quality/90/format/webp?url=3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fstatic.politico.com%2F06%2F2a%2=
Fbb0f70bf4fd4acee0703cac0e468%2Fprisma-the-ai-assisted-software-at-the-hear=
t-of-ukraines-drone-campaign-processes-real-time-data-on-flight-paths-and-r=
ussian-air-defenses-1.png" style=3D"border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); b=
ox-sizing: border-box; display: block; vertical-align: middle; height: auto=
; max-width: 100%; aspect-ratio: auto 3 / 2; width: 770px;"></span><p style=
=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px">=E2=
=80=9CPrisma,=E2=80=9D the AI-assisted software at the heart of Ukraine=E2=
=80=99s drone campaign, processes real-time data on flight paths and Russia=
n air defenses.</p></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-mx-auto gmail-max-w-[135=
0px] gmail-gap-x-[30px] gmail-px-5 gmail-text-center gmail-sm:px-[30px] gma=
il-md:grid gmail-md:grid-cols-[1fr,300px] gmail-lg:grid-cols-[300px,1fr,300=
px]" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margi=
n-left:auto;margin-right:auto;max-width:1350px;column-gap:30px;padding-left=
:30px;padding-right:30px;text-align:center;display:grid;color:rgb(0,0,0);fo=
nt-family:din-2014,&quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;fo=
nt-size:16px"><div class=3D"gmail-mx-auto gmail-w-full gmail-max-w-[630px] =
gmail-text-left" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:bord=
er-box;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:300px;max-width:630px;text-=
align:left"></div><div class=3D"gmail-mx-auto gmail-w-full gmail-max-w-[630=
px] gmail-text-left" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:=
border-box;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:630px;max-width:630px;t=
ext-align:left"><p class=3D"gmail-font-text gmail-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.=
6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" =
style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:1.8=
75rem 0px 0px;font-family:Georgia,Times,serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-heigh=
t:1.6">At the heart of the operation is an AI-assisted software platform ca=
lled Prisma, which integrates battlefield data into a continuously updated =
operational picture. The experience and data collected during countless mis=
sions have become one of Ukraine=E2=80=99s most valuable assets, the comman=
der says.</p><p class=3D"gmail-font-text gmail-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.6] =
gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" sty=
le=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:1.875r=
em 0px 0px;font-family:Georgia,Times,serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1=
.6">=E2=80=9CWe can compare routes and operations from different years. We =
know which corridors work best.=E2=80=9D</p><p class=3D"gmail-font-text gma=
il-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875rem] gmail-has-=
drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);box-=
sizing:border-box;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font-family:Georgia,Times,serif;f=
ont-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.6">Ukrainian long-range drones have now pen=
etrated even the heavily protected Moscow region. When was the last time he=
 personally planned an attack on Moscow, we ask =E2=80=9CVector.=E2=80=9D U=
nfortunately, he says, he cannot discuss that publicly.</p><p class=3D"gmai=
l-font-text gmail-text-lg gmail-leading-[1.6] gmail-mt-5 gmail-md:mt-[1.875=
rem] gmail-has-drop-cap gmail-is-magazine" style=3D"border:0px solid rgb(22=
9,231,235);box-sizing:border-box;margin:1.875rem 0px 0px;font-family:Georgi=
a,Times,serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.6">For the first time all ni=
ght, he bursts out laughing.</p></div></div></div></div>

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Subject: [Salon] Who's the Weak Link? The New York Times Strikes Again
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*https://bracingviews.substack.com/p/whos-the-weak-link?utm_source=3Dpost-e=
mail-title&publication_id=3D1156402&post_id=3D202828426&utm_campaign=3Demai=
l-post-title&isFreemail=3Dtrue&r=3D210kv&triedRedirect=3Dtrue&utm_medium=3D=
email
<https://bracingviews.substack.com/p/whos-the-weak-link?utm_source=3Dpost-e=
mail-title&publication_id=3D1156402&post_id=3D202828426&utm_campaign=3Demai=
l-post-title&isFreemail=3Dtrue&r=3D210kv&triedRedirect=3Dtrue&utm_medium=3D=
email>*

*Who's the Weak Link?**The New York Times Strikes Again*
*Bill Astore* <https://substack.com/@bracingviews>

*I love getting The New York Times daily summary of the news. It makes for
great hilarity.*

*Here=E2=80=99s today=E2=80=99s example:*
*Top News**Lebanon Emerges as Weak Link in U.S.-Iran Deal to End War
<https://nl.nytimes.com/f/newsletter/TZg-p0FTRgLvpV6aR8LNTw~~/AAAAARA~/b8fE=
msFNCVn6EfTAMlDuRepIoMrFewDIuNMoT0_xcRHRiA01-pYDGjUnD-kx6iW2JwiwoHufzI3S5ep=
CDlPfrHAm_TwHF7gDdIikRZg_LFtRMuRvqCCNoBKCXyJa4gQldIocJL4oV-GRY1-_3dWTy-FmfD=
pFWXbWBDKE2yiXXXqt678IpZ1Z7_msNJm_br8C86hft4N8r8Ieh-5UfAUTAPRmfTVHllrrriXh1=
XwH_VZCTi0Vwh8_b8pN289ebGgOBSy9znnUHgGcxVw0OX28PFSLSQUqFPDnjV6o7g4mTQaUrxji=
_85Vl_vDk9IjY3Mp5GEdH9J4IIHud6bxX92tqEQuMkZzIwSWbKKNswl_ZBvb1V3mDbWaUE_ik7X=
JaOEZMLOhGjSNV7Cj1EFnWICp3g~~>*

*The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, once seen as a secondary front
to the American-Israeli war on Iran, has become one of the main obstacles
to ending it.*
<https://nl.nytimes.com/f/newsletter/TZg-p0FTRgLvpV6aR8LNTw~~/AAAAARA~/b8fE=
msFNCVn6EfTAMlDuRepIoMrFewDIuNMoT0_xcRHRiA01-pYDGjUnD-kx6iW2JwiwoHufzI3S5ep=
CDlPfrHAm_TwHF7gDdIikRZg_LFtRMuRvqCCNoBKCXyJa4gQldIocJL4oV-GRY1-_3dWTy-FmfD=
pFWXbWBDKE2yiXXXqt678IpZ1Z7_msNJm_br8C86hft4N8r8Ieh-5UfAUTAPRmfTVHllrrriXh1=
XwH_VZCTi0Vwh8_b8pN289ebGgOBSy9znnUHgGcxVw0OX28PFSLSQUqFPDnjV6o7g4mTQaUrxji=
_85Vl_vDk9IjY3Mp5GEdH9J4IIHud6bxX92tqEQuMkZzIwSWbKKNswl_ZBvb1V3mDbWaUE_ik7X=
JaOEZMLOhGjSNV7Cj1EFnWICp3g~~>

*******

*It=E2=80=99s not Lebanon that=E2=80=99s the weak link here=E2=80=94it=E2=
=80=99s Israel.*

*Israel is the attacker. The aggressor. The country that wants to scupper
the MOU between the USA and Iran. Everyone knows this=E2=80=94except the NY=
T,
apparently.*

*I like too how the NYT describes it as the =E2=80=9CAmerican-Israeli war o=
n Iran.=E2=80=9D
At the very least, it should be Israeli-American war of aggression against
Iran.*

*And when was Lebanon a =E2=80=9Csecondary front=E2=80=9D to the USA? Ameri=
ca has no desire
to seize land and water in southern Lebanon. That goal is entirely
Israel=E2=80=99s, as is its fight against Hezbollah, which is responding to=
 Israeli
aggression.*

*The Iran War has been a huge loser (to put it in Trumpian terms) for the
U.S., and only Israel seeks to prolong it. Again, who=E2=80=99s the weak li=
nk in
the U.S.-Iran deal to end the war?*

*I=E2=80=99ve been playing with Trumpian language to describe the Iran War =
and its
outcome. As Trump might say, it=E2=80=99s been a defeat for America the lik=
es of
which we=E2=80=99ve never seen before. No other defeat comes close.*

*I think Trump finally understands that. The question is, will =E2=80=9Cwea=
k link=E2=80=9D
Israel let him withdraw or will the war become even more catastrophic?*

--000000000000fe15870654b1b086
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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"font-family:georgia,serif;backgro=
und-color:transparent"><font color=3D"#000000"><a href=3D"https://bracingvi=
ews.substack.com/p/whos-the-weak-link?utm_source=3Dpost-email-title&amp;pub=
lication_id=3D1156402&amp;post_id=3D202828426&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-post=
-title&amp;isFreemail=3Dtrue&amp;r=3D210kv&amp;triedRedirect=3Dtrue&amp;utm=
_medium=3Demail" target=3D"_blank">https://bracingviews.substack.com/p/whos=
-the-weak-link?utm_source=3Dpost-email-title&amp;publication_id=3D1156402&a=
mp;post_id=3D202828426&amp;utm_campaign=3Demail-post-title&amp;isFreemail=
=3Dtrue&amp;r=3D210kv&amp;triedRedirect=3Dtrue&amp;utm_medium=3Demail</a></=
font></b></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div style=3D"font-family:=
georgia,serif"><b><font color=3D"#000000"><br></font></b></div><div style=
=3D"font-family:georgia,serif"><h1 style=3D"line-height:1.2141em;margin-top=
:0px;margin-bottom:0.5em;max-width:100%;font-family:-apple-system-font"><fo=
nt color=3D"#000000" size=3D"4"><i>Who&#39;s the Weak Link?</i></font></h1>=
<h2 style=3D"line-height:1.27275em;max-width:100%;font-family:-apple-system=
-font"><font color=3D"#000000" size=3D"4"><i>The New York Times Strikes Aga=
in</i></font></h2><div style=3D"margin-bottom:1.45em;max-width:100%;font-fa=
mily:-apple-system-font"><a href=3D"https://substack.com/@bracingviews" sty=
le=3D"text-decoration:none;margin:0px;max-width:100%;display:inline" target=
=3D"_blank"><b><font color=3D"#000000">Bill Astore</font></b></a></div><p s=
tyle=3D"max-width:100%;font-family:-apple-system-font"><font color=3D"#0000=
00"><b><span style=3D"max-width:100%">I love getting<span>=C2=A0</span></sp=
an><em style=3D"max-width:100%">The New York Times</em><span style=3D"max-w=
idth:100%"><span>=C2=A0</span>daily summary of the news. It makes for great=
 hilarity.</span></b></font></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;font-family:-app=
le-system-font"><font color=3D"#000000"><b>Here=E2=80=99s today=E2=80=99s e=
xample:</b></font></p><h2 style=3D"max-width:100%;font-family:-apple-system=
-font"><strong style=3D"max-width:100%"><font size=3D"2" color=3D"#000000">=
Top News</font></strong></h2><h3 style=3D"max-width:100%;font-family:-apple=
-system-font"><strong style=3D"max-width:100%"><a href=3D"https://nl.nytime=
s.com/f/newsletter/TZg-p0FTRgLvpV6aR8LNTw~~/AAAAARA~/b8fEmsFNCVn6EfTAMlDuRe=
pIoMrFewDIuNMoT0_xcRHRiA01-pYDGjUnD-kx6iW2JwiwoHufzI3S5epCDlPfrHAm_TwHF7gDd=
IikRZg_LFtRMuRvqCCNoBKCXyJa4gQldIocJL4oV-GRY1-_3dWTy-FmfDpFWXbWBDKE2yiXXXqt=
678IpZ1Z7_msNJm_br8C86hft4N8r8Ieh-5UfAUTAPRmfTVHllrrriXh1XwH_VZCTi0Vwh8_b8p=
N289ebGgOBSy9znnUHgGcxVw0OX28PFSLSQUqFPDnjV6o7g4mTQaUrxji_85Vl_vDk9IjY3Mp5G=
EdH9J4IIHud6bxX92tqEQuMkZzIwSWbKKNswl_ZBvb1V3mDbWaUE_ik7XJaOEZMLOhGjSNV7Cj1=
EFnWICp3g~~" style=3D"text-decoration:none;max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank=
"><font size=3D"2" color=3D"#000000">Lebanon Emerges as Weak Link in U.S.-I=
ran Deal to End War</font></a></strong></h3><p style=3D"max-width:100%;font=
-family:-apple-system-font"><a href=3D"https://nl.nytimes.com/f/newsletter/=
TZg-p0FTRgLvpV6aR8LNTw~~/AAAAARA~/b8fEmsFNCVn6EfTAMlDuRepIoMrFewDIuNMoT0_xc=
RHRiA01-pYDGjUnD-kx6iW2JwiwoHufzI3S5epCDlPfrHAm_TwHF7gDdIikRZg_LFtRMuRvqCCN=
oBKCXyJa4gQldIocJL4oV-GRY1-_3dWTy-FmfDpFWXbWBDKE2yiXXXqt678IpZ1Z7_msNJm_br8=
C86hft4N8r8Ieh-5UfAUTAPRmfTVHllrrriXh1XwH_VZCTi0Vwh8_b8pN289ebGgOBSy9znnUHg=
GcxVw0OX28PFSLSQUqFPDnjV6o7g4mTQaUrxji_85Vl_vDk9IjY3Mp5GEdH9J4IIHud6bxX92tq=
EQuMkZzIwSWbKKNswl_ZBvb1V3mDbWaUE_ik7XJaOEZMLOhGjSNV7Cj1EFnWICp3g~~" style=
=3D"text-decoration:none;max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank"><b><font color=
=3D"#000000">The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, once seen as a seco=
ndary front to the American-Israeli war on Iran, has become one of the main=
 obstacles to ending it.</font></b></a></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;font-=
family:-apple-system-font"><b><font color=3D"#000000">*****</font></b></p><=
p style=3D"max-width:100%;font-family:-apple-system-font"><b><font color=3D=
"#000000">It=E2=80=99s not Lebanon that=E2=80=99s the weak link here=E2=80=
=94it=E2=80=99s Israel.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;font-famil=
y:-apple-system-font"><b><font color=3D"#000000">Israel is the attacker. Th=
e aggressor. The country that wants to scupper the MOU between the USA and =
Iran. Everyone knows this=E2=80=94except the NYT, apparently.</font></b></p=
><p style=3D"max-width:100%;font-family:-apple-system-font"><b><font color=
=3D"#000000">I like too how the NYT describes it as the =E2=80=9CAmerican-I=
sraeli war on Iran.=E2=80=9D At the very least, it should be Israeli-Americ=
an war of aggression against Iran.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%=
;font-family:-apple-system-font"><b><font color=3D"#000000">And when was Le=
banon a =E2=80=9Csecondary front=E2=80=9D to the USA? America has no desire=
 to seize land and water in southern Lebanon. That goal is entirely Israel=
=E2=80=99s, as is its fight against Hezbollah, which is responding to Israe=
li aggression.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;font-family:-apple-=
system-font"><b><font color=3D"#000000">The Iran War has been a huge loser =
(to put it in Trumpian terms) for the U.S., and only Israel seeks to prolon=
g it. Again, who=E2=80=99s the weak link in the U.S.-Iran deal to end the w=
ar?</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;font-family:-apple-system-font=
"><b><font color=3D"#000000"><span style=3D"max-width:100%">I=E2=80=99ve be=
en playing with Trumpian language to describe the Iran War and its outcome.=
 As Trump might say,<span>=C2=A0</span></span><span style=3D"max-width:100%=
">it=E2=80=99s been a defeat for America the likes of which we=E2=80=99ve n=
ever seen before. No other defeat comes close</span><span style=3D"max-widt=
h:100%">.</span></font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;font-family:-appl=
e-system-font"><b><font color=3D"#000000">I think Trump finally understands=
 that. The question is, will =E2=80=9Cweak link=E2=80=9D Israel let him wit=
hdraw or will the war become even more catastrophic?</font></b></p></div></=
div>
</div>
</div></div>

--000000000000fe15870654b1b086--

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Asia=E2=80=99s shaky food supply shudders as =E2=80=98super=E2=80=99 El Nin=
o arrives

Every few years, the Pacific runs a fever. This year, it could be worse
than anything seen for decades, scientists warn
SCMP
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3357703/asias-sha=
ky-food-supply-shudders-super-el-nino-arrives?d=3D1c13e062-091c-49fa-8ddc-0=
76d78d97093
[image: Illustration: Huy Truong]
Aidan Jones <https://www.scmp.com/author/aidan-jones>andBiman Mukherji
<https://www.scmp.com/author/biman-mukherji>
Published: 8:00am, 20 Jun 2026
In the mist-wrapped hills of northern Thailand
<https://www.scmp.com/topics/thailand?module=3Dinline&pgtype=3Darticle>, wh=
ere
cacao trees erupt from the rich, nutrient-dense soil, three little words
are spreading fear through a community of farmers.

=E2=80=9CThere is no way to know for certain,=E2=80=9D Koranut Rattanayanyo=
ng told This
Week in Asia. =E2=80=9CBut it could be a total wipeout.=E2=80=9D
The weather event Koranut is dreading? A =E2=80=9Csuper=E2=80=9D El Nino
<https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3350988/asia-bra=
ces-food-shortages-super-el-nino-iran-war-effects-collide?module=3Dinline&p=
gtype=3Darticle>
.
Earlier this month, the climate phenomenon officially started to form
<https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3356808/el-nino-back-and-it-could-=
be-one-history-books?module=3Dinline&pgtype=3Darticle>
over
the Pacific, with a bloom of ocean heat running 2.5 degrees Celsius (4.5
degrees Fahrenheit) above normal temperatures.

The forecasts emanating from meteorological agencies across the world in
the days since have been almost uniform in their alarm.
[image: A tropical storm forms over the Pacific Ocean on June 3. El Nino
tends to intensify Asia=E2=80=99s tropical storms. Photo: CIRA/NOAA/AP]
A tropical storm forms over the Pacific Ocean on June 3. El Nino tends to
intensify Asia=E2=80=99s tropical storms. Photo: CIRA/NOAA/AP

Australia=E2=80=99s Bureau of Meteorology said on Tuesday that this year=E2=
=80=99s El Nino
=E2=80=9Ccould peak at levels among the highest observed since 1950=E2=80=
=9D. Its US
counterpart gave almost two in three odds that it would be =E2=80=9Cvery st=
rong=E2=80=9D.

And UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned on June 2 that this year=
=E2=80=99s
event =E2=80=9Cwill hit even harder, travel even farther and cross borders =
with
devastating speed=E2=80=9D.

El Nino is a recurring disruption. In essence, one forms when the Pacific
Ocean runs a fever, redistributing heat and moisture in ways that can
shatter the climatic rhythms on which billions of people depend. It brings
drought to some regions, catastrophic flooding to others and the kinds of
climatic extremes =E2=80=93 hot days, dry soils, then sudden deluges =E2=80=
=93 that can
overwhelm crops.
[image: A worker is seen in a sugar cane field in Thailand=E2=80=99s Ratcha=
buri
province in 2016, during a previous =E2=80=9Csuper=E2=80=9D El Nino event. =
Photo: Reuters]
A worker is seen in a sugar cane field in Thailand=E2=80=99s Ratchaburi pro=
vince in
2016, during a previous =E2=80=9Csuper=E2=80=9D El Nino event. Photo: Reute=
rs
A =E2=80=9Csuper=E2=80=9D event, scientists warn, would do all of that and =
more, across a
wider geography, with greater intensity, for longer. It has levelled
harvests before: a decade ago
<https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/1978134/el-nino-drou=
ght-leaves-millions-hungry-and-need-drinking?module=3Dinline&pgtype=3Dartic=
le>,
a super El Nino devastated Indian soybean yields, Thai rice, Vietnam=E2=80=
=99s
Robusta coffee crop and the palm oil output of both Indonesia and Malaysia.

For Asia and its 4.7 billion people =E2=80=93 hundreds of millions of whom =
still
live off the land =E2=80=93 what comes next could be devastating.
Fuel on the fire

Koranut has spent years building something unusual in the hills of Chiang
Mai: a cacao economy.

Growers and grinders, processors and craft chocolatiers, all connected
through his company Cocoa Baan Suan, operate a direct, farm-to-wrapper loop
that ends in chocolate-coated nuts, dense brownies and bars of trendy
=E2=80=9CDubai chocolate=E2=80=9D.

This, he wants to show the world, is what rural Thailand could do if it
moved up the value chain, from raw commodity to finished product, from
subsistence to sophistication.

But cacao trees are highly sensitive to variations in heat and rainfall.
[image: Cacao pods on a cacao tree at Cocoa Baan Suan farm in the
Sankamphaeng district of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Photo: Aidan Jones]
Cacao pods on a cacao tree at Cocoa Baan Suan farm in the Sankamphaeng
district of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Photo: Aidan Jones

=E2=80=9CEven if our water supply is good, if the heat above is that intens=
e, the
trees can=E2=80=99t survive,=E2=80=9D Koranut said. =E2=80=9CIf there is wa=
terlogging, the cacao
trees will develop fungal problems. And if the yields are down =E2=80=A6 yo=
u can
forget about all of this.=E2=80=9D

Now, Koranut is waiting for a weather event that could erase it all. And he
is far from alone.
In Pakistan
<https://www.scmp.com/topics/pakistan?module=3Dinline&pgtype=3Darticle>,
agriculture accounts for around 24 per cent of gross domestic product; in
Laos <https://www.scmp.com/topics/laos?module=3Dinline&pgtype=3Darticle>, a
similar share; in India
<https://www.scmp.com/topics/india?module=3Dinline&pgtype=3Darticle>, the
government estimates that roughly 145 million people farm for a living,
making up 16 per cent of the entire economy.
Even Southeast Asian industrial powerhouses such as Indonesia
<https://www.scmp.com/topics/indonesia?module=3Dinline&pgtype=3Darticle> an=
d
Vietnam <https://www.scmp.com/topics/vietnam?module=3Dinline&pgtype=3Dartic=
le>,
not often thought of as agrarian economies, still depend on agriculture for
14 and 13 per cent of their output, respectively.

El Nino conditions will pour fuel on the fire of a warming world

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres
This year=E2=80=99s super El Nino is arriving against a troubling backdrop.
Sky-high fertiliser and fuel prices, a result of supply disruptions caused
by the US-Israel war on Iran
<https://www.scmp.com/topics/us-israel-war-iran?module=3Dinline&pgtype=3Dar=
ticle>,
led many Asian farmers to use less than needed this planting season.

Currencies across the region have also weakened, making food imports more
expensive just as domestic production may be about to fall.

=E2=80=9CThe challenge is compounded =E2=80=A6 by the energy crisis, supply=
 chain
disruptions and the impact of weakening currencies on imports across
markets from Indonesia to India,=E2=80=9D said Vikash Sharma, director of G=
odrej
International Trading and Investments, a Singapore-based commodity trading
house.

=E2=80=9CAn El Nino of this nature will also have a ripple effect on places=
 like
Singapore and Hong Kong, both of which rely heavily on food imports.=E2=80=
=9D
[image: A butcher speaks to customers at a fresh food market in Hong Kong
on June 10. Photo: AFP]
A butcher speaks to customers at a fresh food market in Hong Kong on June
10. Photo: AFP

Nowhere, in other words, is likely to escape unscathed.

Ratings agency Fitch has warned of =E2=80=9Csustained shortages=E2=80=9D ac=
celerating
inflation. Futures prices for Arabica coffee, cacao and sugar have all
climbed on commodity exchanges in anticipation of the fallout.

=E2=80=9CFarm commodity markets are going to be highly volatile,=E2=80=9D s=
aid Desh Ratna,
a commodity market specialist operating out of Vietnam=E2=80=99s Ho Chi Min=
h City.

=E2=80=9CSome parts of the world will experience dryness while others will =
see more
rainfall. This, in turn, will impact yields and result in price spikes.=E2=
=80=9D

That asymmetry may produce its own dislocations: if El Nino damages
American soybean output =E2=80=93 the foundation of the global animal feed =
supply =E2=80=93
prices could rise across every food category that relies on it.
05:00
A =E2=80=98super=E2=80=99 El Nino is forming: what is it, and what=E2=80=99=
s coming?

Some supply loss may be partially offset by farmers in India pivoting from
water-hungry crops such as sugar cane and corn towards soybean, as
officials there expect. But the overall direction of travel is clear.

>From Bangkok to Tokyo, Asia=E2=80=99s cities were already adapting to a war=
ming
baseline. Cool rooms are being installed in public spaces. Outdoor workers
are being sent home at midday.
Last year=E2=80=99s record temperatures
<https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3347542/flashing-red-un-alarmed-he=
at-trapped-earth-hits-record-high?module=3Dinline&pgtype=3Darticle>
extracted
a grim toll in heatstroke deaths that governments are not eager to repeat.
The Philippines
<https://www.scmp.com/topics/philippines?module=3Dinline&pgtype=3Darticle>,
perennially battered by Pacific storm systems
<https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3335387/why-phil=
ippines-cant-escape-its-endless-cycle-disaster?module=3Dinline&pgtype=3Dart=
icle>,
is steeling itself for a more violent typhoon season. Across Asia,
conservationists are sounding alarms about biodiversity corridors that
could be severed by wildfires if this year=E2=80=99s dry season turns extre=
me.

=E2=80=9CEl Nino conditions will pour fuel on the fire of a warming world,=
=E2=80=9D UN
chief Guterres warned this month. And the world is not ready.
Here it comes
In Nepal <https://www.scmp.com/topics/nepal?module=3Dinline&pgtype=3Darticl=
e>=E2=80=99s
Chitwan district, not far from the flat agricultural plains that stretch
south towards the Indian border, Ramesh Chandra Puri is worried about his
summer rice crop.

=E2=80=9CWe have heard that this kind of weather is coming soon,=E2=80=9D t=
he 63-year-old
said of the forecasts of unusually dry weather that have begun filtering
through to his village. =E2=80=9CBut the government has not given us any su=
pport to
prepare for it.=E2=80=9D

His most recent harvest has been disrupted by weeks of heavy, unseasonal
rain =E2=80=93 too much water now, potentially too little later. The local =
traders
paying to buy his grain are offering roughly half the government-mandated
price of 3,600 Nepalese rupees (US$24) per 100kg.

That is rapidly eating away at the funds he needs to prepare his fields for
the next crop, sown in late June or early July =E2=80=93 without even takin=
g into
account the water needed to nourish it.
[image: A woman walks in a field in Nepal after planting rice in 2021, a
year with adequate rainfall. Photo: EPA-EFE]
A woman walks in a field in Nepal after planting rice in 2021, a year with
adequate rainfall. Photo: EPA-EFE

=E2=80=9CIf conditions are really dry this summer, we will have to resort t=
o boring
groundwater,=E2=80=9D Puri said. =E2=80=9CBut if the hot and dry weather ge=
ts too intense,
even boring does not work.=E2=80=9D

A version of the predicament Puri finds himself in =E2=80=93 caught between=
 the
immediate cruelty of low prices and the gathering threat of a climate event
he cannot control =E2=80=93 is now playing out among farmers across the con=
tinent.

For those who have irrigation, groundwater reserves or dams filled by last
year=E2=80=99s rains may be enough to get through, according to Ajay Jakhar=
, who
chairs Bharat Krishak Samaj, a farmers=E2=80=99 welfare organisation based =
in
Punjab, one of India=E2=80=99s most productive agricultural states.
=E2=80=9CThe problem, however, is with farmers=E2=80=99 livelihoods in rain=
-fed areas such
as Vidarbha in Maharashtra,=E2=80=9D he said. Vidarbha, a region long assoc=
iated in
India with agrarian distress, severe debt and high rates of farmer suicides
<https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/article/1835037/suicide-epide=
mic-among-indebted-indian-farmers-amid-crop?module=3Dinline&pgtype=3Darticl=
e>,
does not need another bad season.
[image: A farmer and his wife harvest radishes in fields outside New Delhi
in temperatures near 40 degrees Celsius earlier this month. Photo: AFP]
A farmer and his wife harvest radishes in fields outside New Delhi in
temperatures near 40 degrees Celsius earlier this month. Photo: AFP

Roughly 45 per cent of the world=E2=80=99s most populous nation =E2=80=93 s=
ome 660 million
people =E2=80=93 relies, directly or indirectly, on agriculture.

India=E2=80=99s Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a high-leve=
l
meeting on Tuesday to outline a strategy for dealing with this year=E2=80=
=99s El
Nino by redirecting resources and helping farmers pivot to more
drought-resistant crops ahead of the monsoon planting season.

=E2=80=9CFull preparations should be made in advance in those districts whe=
re there
is a possibility of low rainfall or uneven rainfall,=E2=80=9D he told the a=
ssembled
officials present, adding that =E2=80=9Cweekly meetings will be held=E2=80=
=9D to prepare.

India can boast community-led adaptation models, new irrigation techniques
and a track record of feeding its population through shocks that would have
caused crises a generation ago.
[image: A Indian farmer sprinkles organic biofertiliser on a field in
Bichpuri village, Uttar Pradesh, on June 9. Photo: AFP]
A Indian farmer sprinkles organic biofertiliser on a field in Bichpuri
village, Uttar Pradesh, on June 9. Photo: AFP

But the fertiliser shortage triggered by the Strait of Hormuz crisis =E2=80=
=93 only
now expected to ease as a US-Iran peace deal edges towards completion =E2=
=80=93
will still be felt in the soil this season. And the heat has already been
exceptional this year, even before El Nino arrives in earnest.

=E2=80=9CThe ongoing extreme heat conditions are causing alarm,=E2=80=9D sa=
id Devinder
Sharma, an independent food and trade policy analyst. =E2=80=9CWe are expec=
ting El
Nino, whose effect would be visible in July or August. This is a deadly
combination for India.=E2=80=9D

Should New Delhi=E2=80=99s confidence in its own resilience turns out to be
misplaced, the consequences could spiral far beyond its borders.

=E2=80=9CIf there is any doubt about production, India will stop exporting =
food,=E2=80=9D
Jakhar said.

In a year when harvests are already under threat from Thailand to Indonesia
to Vietnam, an export ban by India =E2=80=93 one of the world=E2=80=99s lar=
gest food and
agricultural exporters and its leading producer of rice =E2=80=93 would lan=
d like a
tonne of bricks on global markets.
[image: Koranut Rattanayanyong at his cacao farm in the San Kamphaeng
district of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Photo: Aidan Jones]
Koranut Rattanayanyong at his cacao farm in the San Kamphaeng district of
Chiang Mai, Thailand. Photo: Aidan Jones
=E2=80=98We have to fight=E2=80=99

Back in Chiang Mai, Koranut=E2=80=99s son Pinyawat thinks about the ecosyst=
em his
father has spent years building as the rain patters down.

=E2=80=9CReally, we=E2=80=99re just getting started,=E2=80=9D he said, shar=
ing his hope that one
day, cacao could become a valuable cash crop for the region.

Thailand produces around 1,500 to 2,000 tonnes of cacao each year: a
fraction of the 600,000 tonnes produced by Indonesia, the world=E2=80=99s N=
o 3
producer behind only the Ivory Coast and Ghana.

=E2=80=9CBut if the climate works against us, the yields won=E2=80=99t just=
ify the costs,=E2=80=9D
Pinyawat said.

His father is more defiant, though not naively so. He talks about planting
shade trees to protect the smaller cacao plants from direct heat, about new
irrigation technology that might carry the crop through the driest
stretches.

=E2=80=9CEvery problem has a solution,=E2=80=9D Koranut said. =E2=80=9CWe j=
ust have to keep solving
it =E2=80=A6 We have to fight.=E2=80=9D
<https://www.scmp.com/author/aidan-jones>
Aidan Jones <https://www.scmp.com/author/aidan-jones>
Aidan Jones is a Senior Correspondent on SCMP's Asia desk. He previously
worked at the Agence France-Presse.
[image: Biman Mukherji] <https://www.scmp.com/author/biman-mukherji>
Biman Mukherji <https://www.scmp.com/author/biman-mukherji>
Biman Mukherji has more than two decades of reporting and editing
experience in Asia, focusing on Indian and Asia business.

--000000000000b82c8d0654b1cbc1
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x"><h1 class=3D"er6t7fe4 gmail-css-19c0w99 e298i0d3" style=3D"box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;fon=
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djust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-size:=
40px;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:flex"><span class=3D"gmail-=
css-0 e298i0d2" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-=
style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit=
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ing:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0p=
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Nino arrives</span></h1></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-1mcwqol ea45u6l23" st=
yle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-variant-ligatures:=
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px;color:rgb(51,51,51)"><h3 class=3D"er6t7fe3 gmail-css-19mvk5a e1ql5f172" =
style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;fo=
nt-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inh=
erit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font=
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er-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0=
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4)"><div class=3D"gmail-js-reading-0-percent-completion-tracker gmail-css-1=
9icq8a ekyy9du0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font=
-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inheri=
t;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-ker=
ning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0=
px"></div><div class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1xdhyk6 ec74h0k0" style=3D"box-s=
izing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inh=
erit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-fami=
ly:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-setti=
ngs:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px">In the mist-wrapped hills o=
f northern=C2=A0<a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e1yy41x40 ef9u0v01 gmail-css-1=
ankfgb ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/topics/thailand?module=3Dinli=
ne&amp;pgtype=3Darticle" title=3D"" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0=
px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit=
;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-fea=
ture-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:inline;col=
or:rgb(44,70,146);word-break:break-word"><span class=3D"gmail-css-0 ef9u0v0=
0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit=
;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:=
inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;f=
ont-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;word-break:=
break-word">Thailand</span></a>, where cacao trees erupt from the rich, nut=
rient-dense soil, three little words are spreading fear through a community=
 of farmers.</div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D=
"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-varia=
nt:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font=
-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-=
settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">=E2=80=
=9CThere is no way to know for certain,=E2=80=9D Koranut Rattanayanyong tol=
d This Week in Asia. =E2=80=9CBut it could be a total wipeout.=E2=80=9D</p>=
<div class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1xdhyk6 ec74h0k0" style=3D"box-sizing:bord=
er-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-=
weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit=
;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inheri=
t;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px">The weather event Koranut is dreading=
?=C2=A0<a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e1yy41x40 ef9u0v01 gmail-css-1ankfgb ec=
gc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3=
350988/asia-braces-food-shortages-super-el-nino-iran-war-effects-collide?mo=
dule=3Dinline&amp;pgtype=3Darticle" title=3D"" style=3D"box-sizing:border-b=
ox;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-stre=
tch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inher=
it;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display=
:inline;color:rgb(44,70,146);word-break:break-word"><span class=3D"gmail-cs=
s-0 ef9u0v00" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-st=
yle:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;l=
ine-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kernin=
g:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;=
word-break:break-word">A =E2=80=9Csuper=E2=80=9D El Nino</span></a>.</div><=
div class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1xdhyk6 ec74h0k0" style=3D"box-sizing:borde=
r-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-w=
eight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;=
font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit=
;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px">Earlier this month, the climate phenom=
enon officially=C2=A0<a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e1yy41x40 ef9u0v01 gmail-=
css-1ankfgb ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/33568=
08/el-nino-back-and-it-could-be-one-history-books?module=3Dinline&amp;pgtyp=
e=3Darticle" title=3D"" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0=
px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height=
:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-setting=
s:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:inline;color:rgb(44,70=
,146);word-break:break-word"><span class=3D"gmail-css-0 ef9u0v00" style=3D"=
box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-varian=
t:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font=
-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-=
settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;word-break:break-word">=
started to form</span></a>=C2=A0over the Pacific, with a bloom of ocean hea=
t running 2.5 degrees Celsius (4.5 degrees Fahrenheit) above normal tempera=
tures.</div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-s=
izing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inh=
erit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-famil=
y:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settin=
gs:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">The forecasts =
emanating from meteorological agencies across the world in the days since h=
ave been almost uniform in their alarm.</p><div class=3D"gmail-image-inline=
-container e1a5rv550 gmail-css-1llrc1m e1yqhwb40" style=3D"box-sizing:borde=
r-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0p=
x;color:inherit;word-break:break-word"><div class=3D"gmail-image-inline gma=
il-caption e1fvabeq0 gmail-css-19sk4h4 ea9pn0s0" style=3D"box-sizing:border=
-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-we=
ight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;f=
ont-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;=
vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-css-bjn8wh e1gf69pb=
3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit=
;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:=
inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;f=
ont-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><img alt=
=3D"A tropical storm forms over the Pacific Ocean on June 3. El Nino tends =
to intensify Asia=E2=80=99s tropical storms. Photo: CIRA/NOAA/AP" class=3D"=
e1gf69pb2 gmail-css-18uoenx e445x7d0" src=3D"https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi=
/image/fit=3Dcontain,width=3D1024,format=3Dauto/sites/default/files/d8/imag=
es/canvas/2026/06/19/86e7804d-87aa-4a56-aa8b-76a6fcb74ff3_db2aa40c.jpg" tit=
le=3D"A tropical storm forms over the Pacific Ocean on June 3. El Nino tend=
s to intensify Asia=E2=80=99s tropical storms. Photo: CIRA/NOAA/AP" style=
=3D"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-style: inherit;=
 font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-h=
eight: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-si=
ze-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; =
font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; vertical=
-align: baseline; border: 0px; display: block; inline-size: 600px; block-si=
ze: 399.6px; color: transparent; background: transparent; object-fit: cover=
; overflow: hidden; aspect-ratio: auto 2 / 1; cursor: pointer;"></div>A tro=
pical storm forms over the Pacific Ocean on June 3. El Nino tends to intens=
ify Asia=E2=80=99s tropical storms. Photo: CIRA/NOAA/AP<div class=3D"gmail-=
css-mkkf9p e11xd9ce0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px=
;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:i=
nherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;fon=
t-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;bor=
der:0px"></div></div></div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1"=
 style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;f=
ont-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28=
.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font=
-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit"=
>Australia=E2=80=99s Bureau of Meteorology said on Tuesday that this year=
=E2=80=99s El Nino =E2=80=9Ccould peak at levels among the highest observed=
 since 1950=E2=80=9D. Its US counterpart gave almost two in three odds that=
 it would be =E2=80=9Cvery strong=E2=80=9D.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-c=
ss-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;=
font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:in=
herit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-=
kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;borde=
r:0px;color:inherit">And UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned on Ju=
ne 2 that this year=E2=80=99s event =E2=80=9Cwill hit even harder, travel e=
ven farther and cross borders with devastating speed=E2=80=9D.</p><p class=
=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;mar=
gin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inh=
erit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-=
adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-=
align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">El Nino is a recurring disruption.=
 In essence, one forms when the Pacific Ocean runs a fever, redistributing =
heat and moisture in ways that can shatter the climatic rhythms on which bi=
llions of people depend. It brings drought to some regions, catastrophic fl=
ooding to others and the kinds of climatic extremes =E2=80=93 hot days, dry=
 soils, then sudden deluges =E2=80=93 that can overwhelm crops.</p><div cla=
ss=3D"gmail-image-inline-container e1a5rv550 gmail-css-1llrc1m e1yqhwb40" s=
tyle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font:inherit;vertical-=
align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit;word-break:break-word"><div class=
=3D"gmail-image-inline gmail-caption e1fvabeq0 gmail-css-19sk4h4 ea9pn0s0" =
style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;fo=
nt-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inh=
erit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font=
-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D=
"gmail-css-bjn8wh e1gf69pb3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padd=
ing:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-st=
retch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inhe=
rit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:basel=
ine;border:0px"><img alt=3D"A worker is seen in a sugar cane field in Thail=
and=E2=80=99s Ratchaburi province in 2016, during a previous =E2=80=9Csuper=
=E2=80=9D El Nino event. Photo: Reuters" class=3D"e1gf69pb2 gmail-css-18uoe=
nx e445x7d0" title=3D"A worker is seen in a sugar cane field in Thailand=E2=
=80=99s Ratchaburi province in 2016, during a previous =E2=80=9Csuper=E2=80=
=9D El Nino event. Photo: Reuters" src=3D"https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/im=
age/fit=3Dcontain,width=3D1024,format=3Dauto/sites/default/files/d8/images/=
canvas/2026/06/19/692559c9-106e-4664-b836-8326114dedf2_6114a0af.jpg" style=
=3D"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-style: inherit;=
 font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-h=
eight: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-si=
ze-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; =
font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; vertical=
-align: baseline; border: 0px; display: block; inline-size: 600px; block-si=
ze: 399.6px; color: transparent; background: transparent; object-fit: cover=
; overflow: hidden; aspect-ratio: auto 2 / 1; cursor: pointer;"></div>A wor=
ker is seen in a sugar cane field in Thailand=E2=80=99s Ratchaburi province=
 in 2016, during a previous =E2=80=9Csuper=E2=80=9D El Nino event. Photo: R=
euters<div class=3D"gmail-css-mkkf9p e11xd9ce0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-=
box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-wei=
ght:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;fo=
nt-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;v=
ertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div></div></div><div class=3D"e8zc9q40=
 gmail-css-1xdhyk6 ec74h0k0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padd=
ing:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-st=
retch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inhe=
rit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:basel=
ine;border:0px">A =E2=80=9Csuper=E2=80=9D event, scientists warn, would do =
all of that and more, across a wider geography, with greater intensity, for=
 longer. It has levelled harvests before:=C2=A0<a target=3D"_self" class=3D=
"e1yy41x40 ef9u0v01 gmail-css-1ankfgb ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.co=
m/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/1978134/el-nino-drought-leaves-millions-=
hungry-and-need-drinking?module=3Dinline&amp;pgtype=3Darticle" title=3D"" s=
tyle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;fon=
t-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust=
:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:=
baseline;border:0px;display:inline;color:rgb(44,70,146);word-break:break-wo=
rd"><span class=3D"gmail-css-0 ef9u0v00" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;mar=
gin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inh=
erit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size=
-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical=
-align:baseline;border:0px;word-break:break-word">a decade ago</span></a>, =
a super El Nino devastated Indian soybean yields, Thai rice, Vietnam=E2=80=
=99s Robusta coffee crop and the palm oil output of both Indonesia and Mala=
ysia.</div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-si=
zing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inhe=
rit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family=
:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-setting=
s:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">For Asia and it=
s 4.7 billion people =E2=80=93 hundreds of millions of whom still live off =
the land =E2=80=93 what comes next could be devastating.</p><h3 type=3D"h3"=
 class=3D"eh0yk8h0 gmail-css-17x7qa9 e1pqa4re1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-=
box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-str=
etch:inherit;line-height:31.2px;font-family:Roboto,&quot;Roboto fallback&qu=
ot;,sans-serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-s=
ettings:inherit;font-size:24px;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:i=
nherit;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Fuel on the fire</h3><div class=3D"gmail-js-readin=
g-20-percent-completion-tracker gmail-css-19icq8a ekyy9du0" style=3D"box-si=
zing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inhe=
rit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-famil=
y:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settin=
gs:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 g=
mail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;paddin=
g:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stre=
tch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit=
;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline=
;border:0px;color:inherit">Koranut has spent years building something unusu=
al in the hills of Chiang Mai: a cacao economy.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gma=
il-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:=
0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretc=
h:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;f=
ont-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;b=
order:0px;color:inherit">Growers and grinders, processors and craft chocola=
tiers, all connected through his company Cocoa Baan Suan, operate a direct,=
 farm-to-wrapper loop that ends in chocolate-coated nuts, dense brownies an=
d bars of trendy =E2=80=9CDubai chocolate=E2=80=9D.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40=
 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padd=
ing:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-st=
retch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inher=
it;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseli=
ne;border:0px;color:inherit">This, he wants to show the world, is what rura=
l Thailand could do if it moved up the value chain, from raw commodity to f=
inished product, from subsistence to sophistication.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q4=
0 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;pad=
ding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-s=
tretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inhe=
rit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:basel=
ine;border:0px;color:inherit">But cacao trees are highly sensitive to varia=
tions in heat and rainfall.</p><div class=3D"gmail-image-inline-container e=
1a5rv550 gmail-css-1llrc1m e1yqhwb40" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin=
:0px;padding:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inhe=
rit;word-break:break-word"><div class=3D"gmail-image-inline gmail-caption e=
1fvabeq0 gmail-css-19sk4h4 ea9pn0s0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:=
0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit=
;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adj=
ust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-ali=
gn:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-css-bjn8wh e1gf69pb3" style=3D"=
box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-varian=
t:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font=
-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-=
settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><img alt=3D"Cacao pods=
 on a cacao tree at Cocoa Baan Suan farm in the Sankamphaeng district of Ch=
iang Mai, Thailand. Photo: Aidan Jones" class=3D"e1gf69pb2 gmail-css-18uoen=
x e445x7d0" title=3D"Cacao pods on a cacao tree at Cocoa Baan Suan farm in =
the Sankamphaeng district of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Photo: Aidan Jones" src=
=3D"https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=3Dcontain,width=3D1024,format=
=3Dauto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2026/06/19/fed1be5c-1d42-4f9b-=
b422-42b3a1453c77_aaead8f7.jpg" style=3D"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0p=
x; padding: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: i=
nherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; =
font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inhe=
rit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font=
-language-override: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: 0px; display=
: block; inline-size: 600px; block-size: 336.913px; color: transparent; bac=
kground: transparent; object-fit: cover; overflow: hidden; aspect-ratio: au=
to 2 / 1; cursor: pointer;"></div>Cacao pods on a cacao tree at Cocoa Baan =
Suan farm in the Sankamphaeng district of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Photo: Aida=
n Jones<div class=3D"gmail-css-mkkf9p e11xd9ce0" style=3D"box-sizing:border=
-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-we=
ight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;f=
ont-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;=
vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div></div></div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 =
gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;paddi=
ng:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-str=
etch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inheri=
t;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baselin=
e;border:0px;color:inherit">=E2=80=9CEven if our water supply is good, if t=
he heat above is that intense, the trees can=E2=80=99t survive,=E2=80=9D Ko=
ranut said. =E2=80=9CIf there is waterlogging, the cacao trees will develop=
 fungal problems. And if the yields are down =E2=80=A6 you can forget about=
 all of this.=E2=80=9D</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" =
style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;fo=
nt-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.=
8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-=
feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">=
Now, Koranut is waiting for a weather event that could erase it all. And he=
 is far from alone.</p><div class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1xdhyk6 ec74h0k0" s=
tyle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;fon=
t-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inhe=
rit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-=
feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px">In=C2=A0<a tar=
get=3D"_self" class=3D"e1yy41x40 ef9u0v01 gmail-css-1ankfgb ecgc78b0" href=
=3D"https://www.scmp.com/topics/pakistan?module=3Dinline&amp;pgtype=3Dartic=
le" title=3D"" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-s=
tyle:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;=
font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit=
;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:inline;color:rgb(44,70,146);wor=
d-break:break-word"><span class=3D"gmail-css-0 ef9u0v00" style=3D"box-sizin=
g:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit=
;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:i=
nherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:=
inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;word-break:break-word">Pakistan<=
/span></a>, agriculture accounts for around 24 per cent of gross domestic p=
roduct; in=C2=A0<a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e1yy41x40 ef9u0v01 gmail-css-1=
ankfgb ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/topics/laos?module=3Dinline&a=
mp;pgtype=3Darticle" title=3D"" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;p=
adding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;lin=
e-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature=
-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:inline;color:r=
gb(44,70,146);word-break:break-word"><span class=3D"gmail-css-0 ef9u0v00" s=
tyle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;fon=
t-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inhe=
rit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-=
feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;word-break:brea=
k-word">Laos</span></a>, a similar share; in=C2=A0<a target=3D"_self" class=
=3D"e1yy41x40 ef9u0v01 gmail-css-1ankfgb ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp=
.com/topics/india?module=3Dinline&amp;pgtype=3Darticle" title=3D"" style=3D=
"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-varia=
nt:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inheri=
t;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baselin=
e;border:0px;display:inline;color:rgb(44,70,146);word-break:break-word"><sp=
an class=3D"gmail-css-0 ef9u0v00" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px=
;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;fo=
nt-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust=
:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:=
baseline;border:0px;word-break:break-word">India</span></a>, the government=
 estimates that roughly 145 million people farm for a living, making up 16 =
per cent of the entire economy.</div><div class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1xdhy=
k6 ec74h0k0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-sty=
le:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;li=
ne-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning=
:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px">=
Even Southeast Asian industrial powerhouses such as=C2=A0<a target=3D"_self=
" class=3D"e1yy41x40 ef9u0v01 gmail-css-1ankfgb ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://w=
ww.scmp.com/topics/indonesia?module=3Dinline&amp;pgtype=3Darticle" title=3D=
"" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit=
;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-ad=
just:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-al=
ign:baseline;border:0px;display:inline;color:rgb(44,70,146);word-break:brea=
k-word"><span class=3D"gmail-css-0 ef9u0v00" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box=
;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight=
:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-=
size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vert=
ical-align:baseline;border:0px;word-break:break-word">Indonesia</span></a>=
=C2=A0and=C2=A0<a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e1yy41x40 ef9u0v01 gmail-css-1a=
nkfgb ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/topics/vietnam?module=3Dinline=
&amp;pgtype=3Darticle" title=3D"" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px=
;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;l=
ine-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-featu=
re-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:inline;color=
:rgb(44,70,146);word-break:break-word"><span class=3D"gmail-css-0 ef9u0v00"=
 style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;f=
ont-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:in=
herit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;fon=
t-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;word-break:br=
eak-word">Vietnam</span></a>, not often thought of as agrarian economies, s=
till depend on agriculture for 14 and 13 per cent of their output, respecti=
vely.</div><blockquote class=3D"gmail-css-1twxibn e1t6i3s45" style=3D"box-s=
izing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inh=
erit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.6px;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-=
kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-size:22px;vertical-align=
:baseline;border:0px;quotes:none;color:rgb(0,0,0)">El Nino conditions will =
pour fuel on the fire of a warming world</blockquote><div class=3D"gmail-cs=
s-1yupmj4 e1t6i3s44" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;=
font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:in=
herit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font=
-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;bord=
er:0px;display:flex;column-gap:8px"><div class=3D"gmail-css-xd3tjd e1t6i3s4=
3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit=
;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:=
inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;f=
ont-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div>UN S=
ecretary General Antonio Guterres</div><div class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1xd=
hyk6 ec74h0k0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-s=
tyle:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;=
line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerni=
ng:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px=
">This year=E2=80=99s super El Nino is arriving against a troubling backdro=
p. Sky-high fertiliser and fuel prices, a result of supply disruptions caus=
ed by the=C2=A0<a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e1yy41x40 ef9u0v01 gmail-css-1a=
nkfgb ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/topics/us-israel-war-iran?modu=
le=3Dinline&amp;pgtype=3Darticle" title=3D"" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box=
;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-stretc=
h:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit=
;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:i=
nline;color:rgb(44,70,146);word-break:break-word"><span class=3D"gmail-css-=
0 ef9u0v00" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-styl=
e:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;lin=
e-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:=
inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;wo=
rd-break:break-word">US-Israel war on Iran</span></a>, led many Asian farme=
rs to use less than needed this planting season.</div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 =
gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;paddi=
ng:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-str=
etch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inheri=
t;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baselin=
e;border:0px;color:inherit">Currencies across the region have also weakened=
, making food imports more expensive just as domestic production may be abo=
ut to fall.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"bo=
x-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:=
inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-fa=
mily:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-set=
tings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">=E2=80=9CTh=
e challenge is compounded =E2=80=A6 by the energy crisis, supply chain disr=
uptions and the impact of weakening currencies on imports across markets fr=
om Indonesia to India,=E2=80=9D said Vikash Sharma, director of Godrej Inte=
rnational Trading and Investments, a Singapore-based commodity trading hous=
e.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;f=
ont-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inhe=
rit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inh=
erit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">=E2=80=9CAn El Nino =
of this nature will also have a ripple effect on places like Singapore and =
Hong Kong, both of which rely heavily on food imports.=E2=80=9D</p><div cla=
ss=3D"gmail-image-inline-container e1a5rv550 gmail-css-1llrc1m e1yqhwb40" s=
tyle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font:inherit;vertical-=
align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit;word-break:break-word"><div class=
=3D"gmail-image-inline gmail-caption e1fvabeq0 gmail-css-19sk4h4 ea9pn0s0" =
style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;fo=
nt-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inh=
erit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font=
-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D=
"gmail-css-bjn8wh e1gf69pb3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padd=
ing:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-st=
retch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inhe=
rit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:basel=
ine;border:0px"><img alt=3D"A butcher speaks to customers at a fresh food m=
arket in Hong Kong on June 10. Photo: AFP" class=3D"e1gf69pb2 gmail-css-18u=
oenx e445x7d0" title=3D"A butcher speaks to customers at a fresh food marke=
t in Hong Kong on June 10. Photo: AFP" src=3D"https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cg=
i/image/fit=3Dcontain,width=3D1024,format=3Dauto/sites/default/files/d8/ima=
ges/canvas/2026/06/19/bed061f5-4369-4d52-b1d9-b778d4581b65_b44b8767.jpg" st=
yle=3D"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-style: inher=
it; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; lin=
e-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font=
-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-feature-settings: inheri=
t; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; verti=
cal-align: baseline; border: 0px; display: block; inline-size: 600px; block=
-size: 399.6px; color: transparent; background: transparent; object-fit: co=
ver; overflow: hidden; aspect-ratio: auto 2 / 1; cursor: pointer;"></div>A =
butcher speaks to customers at a fresh food market in Hong Kong on June 10.=
 Photo: AFP<div class=3D"gmail-css-mkkf9p e11xd9ce0" style=3D"box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;fon=
t-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inher=
it;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inhe=
rit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div></div></div><p class=3D"e8zc9=
q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;p=
adding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font=
-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:in=
herit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:bas=
eline;border:0px;color:inherit">Nowhere, in other words, is likely to escap=
e unscathed.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"b=
ox-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant=
:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-f=
amily:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-se=
ttings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">Ratings ag=
ency Fitch has warned of =E2=80=9Csustained shortages=E2=80=9D accelerating=
 inflation. Futures prices for Arabica coffee, cacao and sugar have all cli=
mbed on commodity exchanges in anticipation of the fallout.</p><p class=3D"=
e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:=
0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit=
;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adju=
st:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-alig=
n:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">=E2=80=9CFarm commodity markets are go=
ing to be highly volatile,=E2=80=9D said Desh Ratna, a commodity market spe=
cialist operating out of Vietnam=E2=80=99s Ho Chi Minh City.</p><p class=3D=
"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin=
:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inheri=
t;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adj=
ust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-ali=
gn:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">=E2=80=9CSome parts of the world will=
 experience dryness while others will see more rainfall. This, in turn, wil=
l impact yields and result in price spikes.=E2=80=9D</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q4=
0 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;pad=
ding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-s=
tretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inhe=
rit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:basel=
ine;border:0px;color:inherit">That asymmetry may produce its own dislocatio=
ns: if El Nino damages American soybean output =E2=80=93 the foundation of =
the global animal feed supply =E2=80=93 prices could rise across every food=
 category that relies on it.</p><div class=3D"gmail-methode-html-wrapper gm=
ail-oembed-wrapper e1a5rv550 gmail-css-1llrc1m e1yqhwb40" style=3D"box-sizi=
ng:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;b=
order:0px;color:inherit;word-break:break-word"><div class=3D"gmail-c1 e2gky=
7d0 e1drg7e30 e1ciypty0 ehdmpxk0 gmail-css-1avyp1d e1hpd36k0" style=3D"box-=
sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:in=
herit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-fam=
ily:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-sett=
ings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-css-8o=
wkf6 e1hpd36k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-=
style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit=
;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kern=
ing:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0p=
x"><div class=3D"e1hpd36k2 gmail-css-146w5nr e1o401183" style=3D"box-sizing=
:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;=
font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:in=
herit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:i=
nherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:flex;background-image:url=
(&quot;https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9tJR5KOHS2M/maxresdefault.jpg&quot;);backgrou=
nd-position:center center;background-size:cover"><div class=3D"gmail-css-19=
ot62f e1o401182" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font=
-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inheri=
t;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-ker=
ning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0=
px;background:linear-gradient(rgba(0,0,0,0),rgba(0,0,0,0.6))"></div><div cl=
ass=3D"gmail-css-hv11vq e1o401180" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0p=
x;padding:0px;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:700;font-stretch:inherit;lin=
e-height:normal;font-family:&quot;Roboto Condensed&quot;,&quot;Roboto Conde=
nsed fallback&quot;,sans-serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inheri=
t;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-size:20px;vertical-align:baseline;bord=
er:0px;color:rgb(255,255,255)">05:00</div></div></div><div class=3D"e1hpd36=
k3 gmail-css-79hwxn e1x11wau0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;pa=
dding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-=
stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:in=
herit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:bas=
eline;border:0px;display:flex"><div class=3D"gmail-css-0 e1x11wau2" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-va=
riant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:22.4px;f=
ont-family:Roboto,&quot;Roboto fallback&quot;,sans-serif;font-size-adjust:i=
nherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;font-size:16px;ve=
rtical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:rgb(0,0,0)">A =E2=80=98super=E2=80=
=99 El Nino is forming: what is it, and what=E2=80=99s coming?</div></div><=
/div></div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-si=
zing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inhe=
rit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family=
:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-setting=
s:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">Some supply los=
s may be partially offset by farmers in India pivoting from water-hungry cr=
ops such as sugar cane and corn towards soybean, as officials there expect.=
 But the overall direction of travel is clear.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmai=
l-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0=
px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch=
:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;fo=
nt-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;bo=
rder:0px;color:inherit">From Bangkok to Tokyo, Asia=E2=80=99s cities were a=
lready adapting to a warming baseline. Cool rooms are being installed in pu=
blic spaces. Outdoor workers are being sent home at midday.</p><div class=
=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1xdhyk6 ec74h0k0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;mar=
gin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inh=
erit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size=
-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical=
-align:baseline;border:0px">Last year=E2=80=99s=C2=A0<a target=3D"_self" cl=
ass=3D"e1yy41x40 ef9u0v01 gmail-css-1ankfgb ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.s=
cmp.com/news/world/article/3347542/flashing-red-un-alarmed-heat-trapped-ear=
th-hits-record-high?module=3Dinline&amp;pgtype=3Darticle" title=3D"" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-va=
riant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inh=
erit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:base=
line;border:0px;display:inline;color:rgb(44,70,146);word-break:break-word">=
<span class=3D"gmail-css-0 ef9u0v00" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:=
0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit=
;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adj=
ust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-ali=
gn:baseline;border:0px;word-break:break-word">record temperatures</span></a=
>=C2=A0extracted a grim toll in heatstroke deaths that governments are not =
eager to repeat.</div><div class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1xdhyk6 ec74h0k0" st=
yle=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font=
-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inher=
it;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-f=
eature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><a target=3D"_s=
elf" class=3D"e1yy41x40 ef9u0v01 gmail-css-1ankfgb ecgc78b0" href=3D"https:=
//www.scmp.com/topics/philippines?module=3Dinline&amp;pgtype=3Darticle" tit=
le=3D"" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:in=
herit;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-si=
ze-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertic=
al-align:baseline;border:0px;display:inline;color:rgb(44,70,146);word-break=
:break-word"><span class=3D"gmail-css-0 ef9u0v00" style=3D"box-sizing:borde=
r-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-w=
eight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;=
font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit=
;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;word-break:break-word">The Philippines<=
/span></a>, perennially=C2=A0<a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e1yy41x40 ef9u0v0=
1 gmail-css-1ankfgb ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health=
-environment/article/3335387/why-philippines-cant-escape-its-endless-cycle-=
disaster?module=3Dinline&amp;pgtype=3Darticle" title=3D"" style=3D"box-sizi=
ng:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inheri=
t;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-ke=
rning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:=
0px;display:inline;color:rgb(44,70,146);word-break:break-word"><span class=
=3D"gmail-css-0 ef9u0v00" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding=
:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stret=
ch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit=
;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline=
;border:0px;word-break:break-word">battered by Pacific storm systems</span>=
</a>, is steeling itself for a more violent typhoon season. Across Asia, co=
nservationists are sounding alarms about biodiversity corridors that could =
be severed by wildfires if this year=E2=80=99s dry season turns extreme.</d=
iv><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:bor=
der-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font=
-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit=
;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inheri=
t;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">=E2=80=9CEl Nino condit=
ions will pour fuel on the fire of a warming world,=E2=80=9D UN chief Guter=
res warned this month. And the world is not ready.</p><h3 type=3D"h3" class=
=3D"eh0yk8h0 gmail-css-17x7qa9 e1pqa4re1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;ma=
rgin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:i=
nherit;line-height:31.2px;font-family:Roboto,&quot;Roboto fallback&quot;,sa=
ns-serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-setting=
s:inherit;font-size:24px;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:inherit=
;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Here it comes</h3><div class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1xdhy=
k6 ec74h0k0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-sty=
le:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;li=
ne-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning=
:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px">=
In=C2=A0<a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e1yy41x40 ef9u0v01 gmail-css-1ankfgb e=
cgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/topics/nepal?module=3Dinline&amp;pgty=
pe=3Darticle" title=3D"" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:=
0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-heigh=
t:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settin=
gs:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:inline;color:rgb(44,7=
0,146);word-break:break-word"><span class=3D"gmail-css-0 ef9u0v00" style=3D=
"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-varia=
nt:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;fon=
t-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature=
-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;word-break:break-word"=
>Nepal</span></a>=E2=80=99s Chitwan district, not far from the flat agricul=
tural plains that stretch south towards the Indian border, Ramesh Chandra P=
uri is worried about his summer rice crop.</div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-=
css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px=
;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:i=
nherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font=
-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;bord=
er:0px;color:inherit">=E2=80=9CWe have heard that this kind of weather is c=
oming soon,=E2=80=9D the 63-year-old said of the forecasts of unusually dry=
 weather that have begun filtering through to his village. =E2=80=9CBut the=
 government has not given us any support to prepare for it.=E2=80=9D</p><p =
class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-bo=
x;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weigh=
t:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-=
size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vert=
ical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">His most recent harvest has b=
een disrupted by weeks of heavy, unseasonal rain =E2=80=93 too much water n=
ow, potentially too little later. The local traders paying to buy his grain=
 are offering roughly half the government-mandated price of 3,600 Nepalese =
rupees (US$24) per 100kg.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k=
1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit=
;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:=
28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;fo=
nt-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inheri=
t">That is rapidly eating away at the funds he needs to prepare his fields =
for the next crop, sown in late June or early July =E2=80=93 without even t=
aking into account the water needed to nourish it.</p><div class=3D"gmail-i=
mage-inline-container e1a5rv550 gmail-css-1llrc1m e1yqhwb40" style=3D"box-s=
izing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baselin=
e;border:0px;color:inherit;word-break:break-word"><div class=3D"gmail-image=
-inline gmail-caption e1fvabeq0 gmail-css-19sk4h4 ea9pn0s0" style=3D"box-si=
zing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inhe=
rit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-famil=
y:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settin=
gs:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-css-bjn8=
wh e1gf69pb3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-st=
yle:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;l=
ine-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kernin=
g:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"=
><img alt=3D"A woman walks in a field in Nepal after planting rice in 2021,=
 a year with adequate rainfall. Photo: EPA-EFE" class=3D"e1gf69pb2 gmail-cs=
s-18uoenx e445x7d0" title=3D"A woman walks in a field in Nepal after planti=
ng rice in 2021, a year with adequate rainfall. Photo: EPA-EFE" src=3D"http=
s://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=3Dcontain,width=3D1024,format=3Dauto/s=
ites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2026/06/19/b817f0d2-350e-47b7-a7e7-7ac8=
dc1183b7_a7b51386.jpg" style=3D"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; paddin=
g: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; f=
ont-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-opti=
cal-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font=
-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language=
-override: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: 0px; display: block; =
inline-size: 600px; block-size: 410.737px; color: transparent; background: =
transparent; object-fit: cover; overflow: hidden; aspect-ratio: auto 2 / 1;=
 cursor: pointer;"></div>A woman walks in a field in Nepal after planting r=
ice in 2021, a year with adequate rainfall. Photo: EPA-EFE<div class=3D"gma=
il-css-mkkf9p e11xd9ce0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:=
0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretc=
h:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;=
font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;=
border:0px"></div></div></div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0=
k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inheri=
t;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height=
:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;f=
ont-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inher=
it">=E2=80=9CIf conditions are really dry this summer, we will have to reso=
rt to boring groundwater,=E2=80=9D Puri said. =E2=80=9CBut if the hot and d=
ry weather gets too intense, even boring does not work.=E2=80=9D</p><p clas=
s=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;ma=
rgin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:in=
herit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size=
-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical=
-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">A version of the predicament Puri=
 finds himself in =E2=80=93 caught between the immediate cruelty of low pri=
ces and the gathering threat of a climate event he cannot control =E2=80=93=
 is now playing out among farmers across the continent.</p><p class=3D"e8zc=
9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;=
padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;fon=
t-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:i=
nherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:ba=
seline;border:0px;color:inherit">For those who have irrigation, groundwater=
 reserves or dams filled by last year=E2=80=99s rains may be enough to get =
through, according to Ajay Jakhar, who chairs Bharat Krishak Samaj, a farme=
rs=E2=80=99 welfare organisation based in Punjab, one of India=E2=80=99s mo=
st productive agricultural states.</p><div class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1xdh=
yk6 ec74h0k0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-st=
yle:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;l=
ine-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kernin=
g:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"=
>=E2=80=9CThe problem, however, is with farmers=E2=80=99 livelihoods in rai=
n-fed areas such as Vidarbha in Maharashtra,=E2=80=9D he said. Vidarbha, a =
region long associated in India with agrarian distress, severe debt and=C2=
=A0<a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e1yy41x40 ef9u0v01 gmail-css-1ankfgb ecgc78=
b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/article/1835037/su=
icide-epidemic-among-indebted-indian-farmers-amid-crop?module=3Dinline&amp;=
pgtype=3Darticle" title=3D"" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padd=
ing:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-h=
eight:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-se=
ttings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:inline;color:rgb(=
44,70,146);word-break:break-word"><span class=3D"gmail-css-0 ef9u0v00" styl=
e=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-v=
ariant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit=
;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-fea=
ture-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;word-break:break-w=
ord">high rates of farmer suicides</span></a>, does not need another bad se=
ason.</div><div class=3D"gmail-image-inline-container e1a5rv550 gmail-css-1=
llrc1m e1yqhwb40" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;fon=
t:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit;word-break:break=
-word"><div class=3D"gmail-image-inline gmail-caption e1fvabeq0 gmail-css-1=
9sk4h4 ea9pn0s0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font=
-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inheri=
t;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-ker=
ning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0=
px"><div class=3D"gmail-css-bjn8wh e1gf69pb3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-bo=
x;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weigh=
t:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font=
-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;ver=
tical-align:baseline;border:0px"><img alt=3D"A farmer and his wife harvest =
radishes in fields outside New Delhi in temperatures near 40 degrees Celsiu=
s earlier this month. Photo: AFP" class=3D"e1gf69pb2 gmail-css-18uoenx e445=
x7d0" title=3D"A farmer and his wife harvest radishes in fields outside New=
 Delhi in temperatures near 40 degrees Celsius earlier this month. Photo: A=
FP" src=3D"https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=3Dcontain,width=3D1024,=
format=3Dauto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2026/06/19/a051621c-11e4=
-4ebb-8170-2d84f1a8fc40_7056e14e.jpg" style=3D"box-sizing: border-box; marg=
in: 0px; padding: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-wei=
ght: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inh=
erit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning=
: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit=
; font-language-override: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: 0px; d=
isplay: block; inline-size: 600px; block-size: 399.6px; color: transparent;=
 background: transparent; object-fit: cover; overflow: hidden; aspect-ratio=
: auto 2 / 1; cursor: pointer;"></div>A farmer and his wife harvest radishe=
s in fields outside New Delhi in temperatures near 40 degrees Celsius earli=
er this month. Photo: AFP<div class=3D"gmail-css-mkkf9p e11xd9ce0" style=3D=
"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-varia=
nt:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;fon=
t-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature=
-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div></div></div><p =
class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-bo=
x;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weigh=
t:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-=
size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vert=
ical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">Roughly 45 per cent of the wo=
rld=E2=80=99s most populous nation =E2=80=93 some 660 million people =E2=80=
=93 relies, directly or indirectly, on agriculture.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40=
 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padd=
ing:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-st=
retch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inher=
it;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseli=
ne;border:0px;color:inherit">India=E2=80=99s Agriculture Minister Shivraj S=
ingh Chouhan held a high-level meeting on Tuesday to outline a strategy for=
 dealing with this year=E2=80=99s El Nino by redirecting resources and help=
ing farmers pivot to more drought-resistant crops ahead of the monsoon plan=
ting season.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"b=
ox-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant=
:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-f=
amily:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-se=
ttings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">=E2=80=9CF=
ull preparations should be made in advance in those districts where there i=
s a possibility of low rainfall or uneven rainfall,=E2=80=9D he told the as=
sembled officials present, adding that =E2=80=9Cweekly meetings will be hel=
d=E2=80=9D to prepare.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" =
style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;fo=
nt-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.=
8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-=
feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">=
India can boast community-led adaptation models, new irrigation techniques =
and a track record of feeding its population through shocks that would have=
 caused crises a generation ago.</p><div class=3D"gmail-image-inline-contai=
ner e1a5rv550 gmail-css-1llrc1m e1yqhwb40" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;m=
argin:0px;padding:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color=
:inherit;word-break:break-word"><div class=3D"gmail-image-inline gmail-capt=
ion e1fvabeq0 gmail-css-19sk4h4 ea9pn0s0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;ma=
rgin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:in=
herit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-siz=
e-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertica=
l-align:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-css-bjn8wh e1gf69pb3" styl=
e=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-v=
ariant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit=
;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-fea=
ture-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><img alt=3D"A Ind=
ian farmer sprinkles organic biofertiliser on a field in Bichpuri village, =
Uttar Pradesh, on June 9. Photo: AFP" class=3D"e1gf69pb2 gmail-css-18uoenx =
e445x7d0" title=3D"A Indian farmer sprinkles organic biofertiliser on a fie=
ld in Bichpuri village, Uttar Pradesh, on June 9. Photo: AFP" src=3D"https:=
//img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=3Dcontain,width=3D1024,format=3Dauto/sit=
es/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2026/06/19/fa1c0d95-fd20-44c5-b429-db4847=
b747a7_5e45772e.jpg" style=3D"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding:=
 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; fon=
t-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optica=
l-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-f=
eature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-o=
verride: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: 0px; display: block; in=
line-size: 600px; block-size: 399.6px; color: transparent; background: tran=
sparent; object-fit: cover; overflow: hidden; aspect-ratio: auto 2 / 1; cur=
sor: pointer;"></div>A Indian farmer sprinkles organic biofertiliser on a f=
ield in Bichpuri village, Uttar Pradesh, on June 9. Photo: AFP<div class=3D=
"gmail-css-mkkf9p e11xd9ce0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padd=
ing:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-st=
retch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inhe=
rit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:basel=
ine;border:0px"></div></div></div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec=
74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:in=
herit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-he=
ight:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inher=
it;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:i=
nherit">But the fertiliser shortage triggered by the Strait of Hormuz crisi=
s =E2=80=93 only now expected to ease as a US-Iran peace deal edges towards=
 completion =E2=80=93 will still be felt in the soil this season. And the h=
eat has already been exceptional this year, even before El Nino arrives in =
earnest.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-s=
izing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inh=
erit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-famil=
y:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settin=
gs:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">=E2=80=9CThe o=
ngoing extreme heat conditions are causing alarm,=E2=80=9D said Devinder Sh=
arma, an independent food and trade policy analyst. =E2=80=9CWe are expecti=
ng El Nino, whose effect would be visible in July or August. This is a dead=
ly combination for India.=E2=80=9D</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr=
6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-styl=
e:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;lin=
e-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:i=
nherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;col=
or:inherit">Should New Delhi=E2=80=99s confidence in its own resilience tur=
ns out to be misplaced, the consequences could spiral far beyond its border=
s.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;f=
ont-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inhe=
rit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inh=
erit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">=E2=80=9CIf there is=
 any doubt about production, India will stop exporting food,=E2=80=9D Jakha=
r said.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-si=
zing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inhe=
rit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family=
:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-setting=
s:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">In a year when =
harvests are already under threat from Thailand to Indonesia to Vietnam, an=
 export ban by India =E2=80=93 one of the world=E2=80=99s largest food and =
agricultural exporters and its leading producer of rice =E2=80=93 would lan=
d like a tonne of bricks on global markets.</p><div class=3D"gmail-image-in=
line-container e1a5rv550 gmail-css-1llrc1m e1yqhwb40" style=3D"box-sizing:b=
order-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;borde=
r:0px;color:inherit;word-break:break-word"><div class=3D"gmail-image-inline=
 gmail-caption e1fvabeq0 gmail-css-19sk4h4 ea9pn0s0" style=3D"box-sizing:bo=
rder-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;fon=
t-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inher=
it;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inhe=
rit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-css-bjn8wh e1gf=
69pb3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inh=
erit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-hei=
ght:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inher=
it;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><img a=
lt=3D"Koranut Rattanayanyong at his cacao farm in the San Kamphaeng distric=
t of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Photo: Aidan Jones" class=3D"e1gf69pb2 gmail-css=
-18uoenx e445x7d0" title=3D"Koranut Rattanayanyong at his cacao farm in the=
 San Kamphaeng district of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Photo: Aidan Jones" src=3D=
"https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=3Dcontain,width=3D1024,format=3Da=
uto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2026/06/19/e0d83dc2-8e15-4317-a162=
-467c1baf7eca_aaead8f7.jpg" style=3D"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; p=
adding: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inher=
it; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font=
-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit;=
 font-feature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-lan=
guage-override: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: 0px; display: bl=
ock; inline-size: 600px; block-size: 336.913px; color: transparent; backgro=
und: transparent; object-fit: cover; overflow: hidden; aspect-ratio: auto 2=
 / 1; cursor: pointer;"></div>Koranut Rattanayanyong at his cacao farm in t=
he San Kamphaeng district of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Photo: Aidan Jones<div c=
lass=3D"gmail-css-mkkf9p e11xd9ce0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0=
px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;=
font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adju=
st:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-alig=
n:baseline;border:0px"></div></div></div><h3 type=3D"h3" class=3D"eh0yk8h0 =
gmail-css-17x7qa9 e1pqa4re1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padd=
ing:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-h=
eight:31.2px;font-family:Roboto,&quot;Roboto fallback&quot;,sans-serif;font=
-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;fon=
t-size:24px;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:inherit;color:rgb(0,=
0,0)">=E2=80=98We have to fight=E2=80=99</h3><div class=3D"gmail-js-reading=
-90-percent-completion-tracker gmail-css-19icq8a ekyy9du0" style=3D"box-siz=
ing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inher=
it;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family=
:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-setting=
s:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gm=
ail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding=
:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stret=
ch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;=
font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;=
border:0px;color:inherit">Back in Chiang Mai, Koranut=E2=80=99s son Pinyawa=
t thinks about the ecosystem his father has spent years building as the rai=
n patters down.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-va=
riant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;f=
ont-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-featu=
re-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">=E2=
=80=9CReally, we=E2=80=99re just getting started,=E2=80=9D he said, sharing=
 his hope that one day, cacao could become a valuable cash crop for the reg=
ion.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizin=
g:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit=
;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:in=
herit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:i=
nherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">Thailand produces =
around 1,500 to 2,000 tonnes of cacao each year<span class=3D"gmail-css-1mn=
iedq ex3nmsa17" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:inherit;font-weight:70=
0;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit">:</span>=C2=A0=
a fraction of the 600,000 tonnes produced by Indonesia, the world=E2=80=99s=
 No 3 producer behind only the Ivory Coast and Ghana.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q=
40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;pa=
dding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-=
stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inh=
erit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:base=
line;border:0px;color:inherit">=E2=80=9CBut if the climate works against us=
, the yields won=E2=80=99t justify the costs,=E2=80=9D Pinyawat said.</p><p=
 class=3D"e8zc9q40 gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-b=
ox;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weig=
ht:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font=
-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;ver=
tical-align:baseline;border:0px;color:inherit">His father is more defiant, =
though not naively so. He talks about planting shade trees to protect the s=
maller cacao plants from direct heat, about new irrigation technology that =
might carry the crop through the driest stretches.</p><p class=3D"e8zc9q40 =
gmail-css-1c6uqr6 ec74h0k1" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;paddi=
ng:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-str=
etch:inherit;line-height:28.8px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inheri=
t;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baselin=
e;border:0px;color:inherit">=E2=80=9CEvery problem has a solution,=E2=80=9D=
 Koranut said. =E2=80=9CWe just have to keep solving it =E2=80=A6 We have t=
o fight.=E2=80=9D</p><div class=3D"gmail-js-reading-100-percent-completion-=
tracker gmail-css-19icq8a ekyy9du0" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0=
px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;=
font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adju=
st:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-alig=
n:baseline;border:0px"></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-1kfpym9 ea45u6l2=
" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;=
font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:i=
nherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;fo=
nt-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div><div =
class=3D"gmail-css-1fek98n ea45u6l9" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:=
0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit=
;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adj=
ust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-ali=
gn:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"er6t7fe31 gmail-css-13q2d2o e7gba4u1"=
 style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;f=
ont-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:in=
herit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;fon=
t-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><div class=
=3D"gmail-css-tbgdr e13gyt08" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;pad=
ding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-s=
tretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inh=
erit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:base=
line;border:0px;display:grid"><div class=3D"gmail-css-1btmqbx e13gyt07" sty=
le=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-=
variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inheri=
t;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-fe=
ature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><a target=3D"_se=
lf" class=3D"e1yqjx3e1 gmail-css-127t9hs ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp=
.com/author/aidan-jones" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:=
0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretc=
h:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;=
font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;=
border:0px;display:inline-block;color:rgb(0,18,70);text-decoration:none"></=
a></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-14c29lv e13gyt05" style=3D"box-sizing:borde=
r-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-w=
eight:700;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:16px;font-family:inherit;font-si=
ze-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertic=
al-align:baseline;border:0px;display:flex"><a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e13=
gyt02 e163ld431 gmail-css-1j77t19 ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/au=
thor/aidan-jones" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;fon=
t-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inher=
it;line-height:16px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerni=
ng:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px=
;display:inline-block;color:rgb(0,13,55)">Aidan Jones</a><div class=3D"e13g=
yt06 gmail-css-nzko5h e7f0hzg3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;p=
adding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font=
-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:i=
nherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:ba=
seline;border:0px"><div class=3D"e7f0hzg1 gmail-css-1ve11rc e1plt2it0" styl=
e=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-v=
ariant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:0;font-=
family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-s=
ettings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div></div></div><div =
class=3D"gmail-css-gy7cxa e13gyt01" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0=
px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;=
font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adju=
st:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-alig=
n:baseline;border:0px"><div class=3D"e13gyt00 gmail-css-1y5q2jx e12du4v60" =
style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;fo=
nt-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:16p=
x;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inher=
it;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:-webkit-box;text-overflow:ell=
ipsis;overflow:hidden">Aidan Jones is a Senior Correspondent on SCMP&#39;s =
Asia desk. He previously worked at the Agence France-Presse.</div></div></d=
iv><div class=3D"gmail-css-tbgdr e13gyt08" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;m=
argin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:i=
nherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-si=
ze-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertic=
al-align:baseline;border:0px;display:grid"><div class=3D"gmail-css-1btmqbx =
e13gyt07" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:=
inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-=
height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:in=
herit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><a =
target=3D"_self" class=3D"e1yqjx3e1 gmail-css-127t9hs ecgc78b0" href=3D"htt=
ps://www.scmp.com/author/biman-mukherji" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;mar=
gin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inh=
erit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size=
-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical=
-align:baseline;border:0px;display:inline-block;color:rgb(0,18,70);text-dec=
oration:none"><img alt=3D"Biman Mukherji" class=3D"e1yqjx3e3 gmail-css-98w2=
7l e445x7d0" src=3D"https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=3Dcontain,widt=
h=3D300,format=3Dauto/sites/default/files/styles/300x300/public/d8/images/a=
uthor/pic/2022/12/27/208578_10150159472613737_3685613_n.jpg?itok=3D6O7WIpqO=
&amp;v=3D1672133776" style=3D"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding:=
 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; fon=
t-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-optica=
l-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-f=
eature-settings: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-language-o=
verride: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; border: 0px; display: block; co=
lor: transparent; overflow: hidden; aspect-ratio: auto 1 / 1; inline-size: =
40px; block-size: 40px; border-radius: 50%; background: rgb(218, 222, 222);=
 object-fit: cover; object-position: 50% 50%;"></a></div><div class=3D"gmai=
l-css-14c29lv e13gyt05" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0=
px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:700;font-stretch:inh=
erit;line-height:16px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-ker=
ning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0=
px;display:flex"><a target=3D"_self" class=3D"e13gyt02 e163ld431 gmail-css-=
1j77t19 ecgc78b0" href=3D"https://www.scmp.com/author/biman-mukherji" style=
=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-va=
riant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:16px;fon=
t-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature=
-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px;display:inline-block;c=
olor:rgb(0,13,55)">Biman Mukherji</a><div class=3D"e13gyt06 gmail-css-nzko5=
h e7f0hzg3" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-styl=
e:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;lin=
e-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:=
inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0px"><=
div class=3D"e7f0hzg1 gmail-css-1ve11rc e1plt2it0" style=3D"box-sizing:bord=
er-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-=
weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:0;font-family:inherit;font-=
size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vert=
ical-align:baseline;border:0px"></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-g=
y7cxa e13gyt01" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-=
style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit=
;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kern=
ing:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;border:0p=
x"><div class=3D"e13gyt00 gmail-css-1y5q2jx e12du4v60" style=3D"box-sizing:=
border-box;margin:0px;padding:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;f=
ont-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;line-height:16px;font-size-adjust:i=
nherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:ba=
seline;border:0px;display:-webkit-box;text-overflow:ellipsis;overflow:hidde=
n">Biman Mukherji has more than two decades of reporting and editing experi=
ence in Asia, focusing on Indian and Asia business.</div></div></div></div>=
</div></div></div>

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https://wcoats.blog/2026/06/20/scoring-the-iran-war/=EF=BF=BC
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Video: https://x.com/SuppressedNws1/status/2068316025423012331?s=3D20



A UN hearing descended into chaos after Israel=E2=80=99s ambassador Danny D=
anon
demanded the resignation of senior UN official Pramila Patten over a report
that BLACKLISTED Israel for conflict related sexual violence. When UN
official Vanessa Frazier responded that the findings were based on
=E2=80=9CVERIFIED EVIDENCE,=E2=80=9D Danon cut her off: =E2=80=9CYOU WILL B=
E QUIET NOW.=E2=80=9D



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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><span style=3D"color:black;font-family:-webki=
t-standard,serif;font-size:11.5pt">Video: </span><a href=3D"https://x.com/S=
uppressedNws1/status/2068316025423012331?s=3D20" target=3D"_blank" style=3D=
"font-family:-webkit-standard,serif;font-size:11.5pt">https://x.com/Suppres=
sedNws1/status/2068316025423012331?s=3D20</a></div><div class=3D"msg1365325=
573557100900"><div lang=3D"EN-GB" link=3D"#0563C1" vlink=3D"#954F72" style=
=3D"word-wrap:break-word"><div class=3D"m_1365325573557100900WordSection1">=
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Optima">=
<u></u>=C2=A0<u></u></span></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-s=
ize:13.0pt;font-family:&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,sans-serif;color:#0f1419;backgr=
ound:white">A UN hearing descended into chaos after Israel=E2=80=99s ambass=
ador Danny Danon demanded the resignation of senior UN official Pramila Pat=
ten over a report that BLACKLISTED Israel for conflict related sexual viole=
nce. When UN official Vanessa Frazier responded that the findings were base=
d on =E2=80=9CVERIFIED EVIDENCE,=E2=80=9D Danon cut her off: =E2=80=9CYOU W=
ILL BE QUIET NOW.=E2=80=9D</span><span style=3D"font-family:&quot;Aptos&quo=
t;,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=
=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Optima"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u></span></p><p =
class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Optima"><im=
g border=3D"0" width=3D"518" height=3D"283" style=3D"width:5.3958in;height:=
2.9479in" id=3D"m_1365325573557100900Picture_x0020_2" src=3D"cid:ii_19ee696=
f6e74ce8e91" alt=3D"Image"> <img border=3D"0" width=3D"285" height=3D"279" =
style=3D"width:2.9687in;height:2.9062in" id=3D"m_1365325573557100900Picture=
_x0020_1" src=3D"cid:ii_19ee696f6e75b006a2" alt=3D"Image"><u></u><u></u></s=
pan></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:=
Optima"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u></span></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=
=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Optima"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u></span></p></d=
iv></div>
</div></div></div>

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Zelensky Gives Belarus 7-Day Ultimatum in Unexpected Threat
<https://substack.com/@simplicius76>
Simplicius <https://substack.com/@simplicius76>
Jun 19, 2026

There continues to be growing confirmation that Zelensky has been waging
his accelerated psyop campaign of empty strikes to conceal a worsening
crisis in his own country. Today we were treated to footage which revealed
how his latest magician=E2=80=99s parlor tricks work.

It turns out yesterday=E2=80=99s mass strikes on Moscow which were meant to
coincide with the Euro Council meeting were pure Hollywood spectacle: the
drones themselves were stuffed full of kerosene mixtures in the way
Hollywood stages car explosions to look more =E2=80=9Cdramatic=E2=80=9D by =
producing thick
plumes of oily smoke.

In the video below, a shot-down drone can be seen jettisoning its special
FX package:

What did you expect from the *Kvartal 95 *cartel? Smoke and mirrors=E2=80=
=94*and
latex*=E2=80=94are their specialties.

It now makes perfect sense how Ukraine was able to fabricate such an
eye-catching mise-en-scene, as each downed drone managed to pockmark the
horizon with its own PR-ready plume:
<https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yfrm!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progre=
ssive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fi=
mages%2F5d62227b-7fd4-4b33-a4bb-413f49a24031_1246x651.png>

The actual damage to the refinery itself turned out to be disappointing, as
only a few oil storage tanks were actually destroyed:
<https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!oz_q!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progre=
ssive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fi=
mages%2Fe1c11651-d8ce-4834-8e32-5743f2755854_1200x1107.jpeg>

In fact, much of Ukraine=E2=80=99s recent narratives have been rapidly fall=
ing
apart. The Crimean =E2=80=9Cisolation=E2=80=9D turned out to be a total bus=
t, as even top
Ukrainian accounts have outlined the steps Russia swiftly took to reverse
any issues Ukrainian drone attacks have managed to temporarily cause.

For instance, all the bridges out of Crimea have been strengthened with
traffic returning to normal as this top pro-UA account laments:
<https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!sAe8!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progre=
ssive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fi=
mages%2Fe32c808f-0754-4afe-80ff-ecc5c6b56967_1118x1629.png>

Russia quickly managed to build earthen embankments across the canal, seen
here in new satellite photos:
<https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!NSDI!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progre=
ssive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fi=
mages%2F915b86e0-bf84-4201-9099-da13ac2a1251_1280x720.jpeg>

And even the bridge itself took little damage=E2=80=94mere potholes=E2=80=
=94as can be seen
by the center photo, where single-lane traffic was still passing.

Now it=E2=80=99s being reported that Russian Mobile Fire Teams are escortin=
g fuel
tankers all along the Crimean corridors, and Ukrainians continue to
complain that their =E2=80=98Hornet=E2=80=99 drones are having less and les=
s success as
Crimean fuel shortages have disappeared.

Subsequently, Zelensky inadvertently revealed his true game plan, which
follows the idea we discussed last time: that Ukraine=E2=80=99s long term f=
unding
and prospects are evaporating, and Zelensky badly needs momentary PR boosts
to float his entire regime.

Not only has the Euro Council meeting pushed further pressure on Russia to
force Putin into =E2=80=9Cdiplomacy=E2=80=9D, but Zelensky revealed a newfo=
und desperation
to end the war *specifically* by this coming winter. The reason? He openly
states that, after having a massive =E2=82=AC90B loan gift approved by the
Europeans, Ukraine will badly need a *new* funding package if the war is
not successfully wrapped up by then.

Listen at the 0:20 second mark below wherein he states Ukraine will need a
separate =E2=80=9Cwinter aid package=E2=80=9D:

*=E2=82=AC90B sure doesn=E2=80=99t last as long as it used to!*





*Ukraine and the United States are discussing freezing the war along the
front line, The Economist reports, citing sources.The two sides are in
daily contact. Informal talks with Russia have also resumed.*

*=E2=80=9COne idea being discussed is a two-stage ceasefire: first, limitin=
g
hostilities to a 50-70 km zone on both sides of the front line, followed by
a broader agreement,=E2=80=9D the report states.*

















*Ukraine expects to end the war before the onset of winter, =E2=80=94 Zelen=
sky at a
meeting of the European Council=F0=9F=94=B4 A showman, actor, TV host, come=
dian, and
president of a country with real citizens once again talks about the need
to increase pressure on Russia from the EU.=F0=9F=A4=94 He also stated that=
 if the
hostilities continue for another winter, Ukraine will need a separate
support package.=F0=9F=94=B4 We are talking about supplies of gas, diesel, =
energy
equipment, and missiles for air defense.=F0=9F=94=B4 And once again, in a r=
ude
manner, he called for peace.*

But what demonstrated Zelensky=E2=80=99s desperation in most disturbing fas=
hion was
the direct threat to Belarus that the little Green Man issued for the first
time.

He explained that Belarus has been constructing relay towers to aid Russian
drones=E2=80=94something we covered here weeks ago=E2=80=94and that he is g=
iving Lukashenko
a *one week* ultimatum to take them down, or Ukraine will =E2=80=9Cdo it fo=
r them=E2=80=9D:

Here he reiterates the threat on his official account, but adds an even
more disturbing twist:
<https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!y2Jo!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progre=
ssive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fi=
mages%2F8e13c821-619f-47bc-97a4-d2c48f7acbbe_1128x1086.png>

You see, not only is Zelensky now threatening to, presumably, conduct
first-strikes against Belarus, effectively widening the war by forcing
Belarus to enter it, but in his desperation he appears to even be
threatening Belarus=E2=80=99s oil sector as well.
<https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Mp7j!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progre=
ssive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fi=
mages%2Fd349b433-3a2f-4c25-976a-7f36bfc9c61d_1114x224.png>

The intent is clear:

   1.

   Zelensky understands that his campaign against Russian refineries has
   been unsuccessful, and the ploy of trying to slow down the Russian econo=
my
   has failed, which means Ukraine continues teetering on the precipice of
   collapse without any answer.
   2.

   Zelensky badly needs to expand the war to include as many countries as
   possible in order to change the deterministic calculus which ends with
   Ukraine=E2=80=99s collapse.

By bringing Belarus into the conflict, Zelensky and his European curators
can galvanize a new propaganda campaign in an effort to mobilize the whole
Western =E2=80=9Calliance=E2=80=9D in stopping this new threat=E2=80=94whic=
h, as always, would
include renewed militarization, massively more funding, etc. The operation
would likely include false flags with Belarus =E2=80=9Cattacking Poland=E2=
=80=9D and things
of that nature to heighten the effect.

Other theories abound:
<https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YVkj!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progre=
ssive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fi=
mages%2Fcd7d4144-a524-4075-8a44-6fd286cd7253_1105x207.png>

The other reason is that Russia=E2=80=99s relay station capabilities give R=
ussia a
counter to Ukraine=E2=80=99s Starlink advantage by allowing Russia to likew=
ise
control aerial assets at long ranges. Zelensky knows that Starlink was
Ukraine=E2=80=99s last extant advantage, and for Russia to nullify it with =
their
own asymmetrically comparable system would badly set Ukraine back,
particularly in that corridor west of Kiev where Russia has begun to
replicate Ukraine=E2=80=99s own deep rear strikes against road logistics an=
d fuel
carriers.

And by the way: the hypocrisy of Zelensky=E2=80=99s threats is that Ukraine
boastfully utilizes all kinds of allied infrastructure outside the country.
Western aircraft patrol all along Russian borders sending Ukrainian drones
target corrections, not to mention satellites and everything else that
constitutes the Ukrainian =E2=80=9Crear=E2=80=9D which exists outside Ukrai=
ne itself. But
for some reason when Russia utilizes allied infrastructure for assistance,
this greatly offends the Kiev dwarf=E2=80=99s wartime ethical sensibilities=
.
<https://x.com/InformNapalm/status/2067210940903219459>
InformNapalm@InformNapalm
<https://x.com/InformNapalm/status/2067210940903219459>
A drone belt along #Belarus border: #Russia developing infrastructure for
the launch, tracking, and relay of attack UAVs
<https://x.com/InformNapalm/status/2067210940903219459>
informnapalm.org/en/a-drone-bel=E2=80=A6
<https://informnapalm.org/en/a-drone-belt-along-belarus-border/>
7:41 AM =C2=B7 Jun 17, 2026 =C2=B7 12.3K Views
------------------------------
45 Reposts =C2=B7 75 Likes

In light of the newly revealed desperation, it=E2=80=99s clear to see just =
*why* the
phony Moscow refinery Hollywood show was badly needed at this present
moment. It=E2=80=99s clear Ukraine is doing far worse than they=E2=80=99re =
letting on,
particularly now that Russian troops have again begun advancing at an
improved clip this past week. Once Konstantinovka and Lyman fall, it will
shatter the narrative of the past several months that Ukraine has =E2=80=9C=
frozen
the front line=E2=80=9D, that the war has reached =E2=80=9Cstalemate=E2=80=
=9D, or that Ukraine has
infact reversed fortunes entirely and is now advancing on Russia and
recapturing territory.

Once these cities fall, there will be no way to hide the manufactured psyop
of Ukraine =E2=80=9Cwinning=E2=80=9D=E2=80=94and Zelensky is seething with =
desperation on how to
continue stifling Russia=E2=80=99s victories. By engineering a new flashpoi=
nt
against Belarus, Zelensky can once more cleverly deflect *all *media
attention away from the badly collapsing Ukrainian frontline onto a new
point of focus. This is the plan. But the plan has diminishing returns,
because it requires a new manufactured campaign literally every week; this
week it=E2=80=99s the Hollywood Kerosene Theater in Moscow, next week the B=
elarus
Roadshow, and the week after that a new gimmick will need to be invented.
The life of an oligarchic transvestite grifter masquerading as a
=E2=80=9Cdemocratic leader=E2=80=9D is not an easy one.

And after recent EU elections, fortunes continue to dwindle for Ukraine:
<https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!JbkE!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progre=
ssive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fi=
mages%2F304e6959-728f-4e82-b2d7-2882ff330f17_712x655.jpeg>

Bloomberg reports Russia is doing better than ever:
<https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rFaN!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progre=
ssive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fi=
mages%2F65e83fdb-dd49-418b-9ca9-d175ba331083_705x409.jpeg>
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-16/russia-s-oil-exports-nea=
r-record-pace-as-ukraine-s-drones-target-its-refineries
<https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!C5ha!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progre=
ssive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fi=
mages%2F87a23b9f-fae7-40d0-b1ea-815beae7e0f3_1129x743.jpeg>

What do you think, will Zelensky actually try to widen the war in his
desperation, or is it merely empty threat-making?
POLL
Will Zelensky actually attack Belarus?
Yes, badly needs major escalation
No, empty bluff from panicked dwarf
1725 VOTES =C2=B7 2 DAYS REMAINING
------------------------------

*Your support is invaluable. If you enjoyed the read, I would greatly
appreciate if you subscribed to a monthly/yearly pledge to support my work,
so that I may continue providing you with detailed, incisive reports like
this one.*

*Alternatively, you can tip here: buymeacoffee.com/Simplicius
<http://buymeacoffee.com/Simplicius>*

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<div dir=3D"auto" class=3D"gmail-body gmail-markup" style=3D"width:728px;ma=
rgin-bottom:16px;word-break:break-word"><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margi=
n:0px 0px 20px">There continues to be growing confirmation that Zelensky ha=
s been waging his accelerated psyop campaign of empty strikes to conceal a =
worsening crisis in his own country. Today we were treated to footage which=
 revealed how his latest magician=E2=80=99s parlor tricks work.</p><p style=
=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">It turns out yesterday=E2=80=99s=
 mass strikes on Moscow which were meant to coincide with the Euro Council =
meeting were pure Hollywood spectacle: the drones themselves were stuffed f=
ull of kerosene mixtures in the way Hollywood stages car explosions to look=
 more =E2=80=9Cdramatic=E2=80=9D by producing thick plumes of oily smoke.</=
p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">In the video below, a =
shot-down drone can be seen jettisoning its special FX package:</p><div id=
=3D"gmail-media-3ba46a85-e7e3-43e9-8b48-3e01500f4eff" class=3D"gmail-videoS=
crollTarget-SzB20Y" style=3D"scroll-margin-top: 70px;"><div class=3D"gmail-=
videoEmbed-_FycLU" style=3D"margin-top:1.5em;margin-bottom:2em"><div role=
=3D"region" aria-label=3D"Video player" class=3D"gmail-with-preview gmail-v=
ideo-player-with-background gmail-video-player-wrapper" style=3D"flex-grow:=
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-with-background gmail-videoPlayer-vlcedM" style=3D"width:728px;padding-bot=
tom:436.8px;height:0px;background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0)"><div class=3D"gmail-=
pencraft gmail-pc-position-absolute gmail-pc-reset gmail-buttonContainer-tH=
3LP9 gmail-video-player-button" style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:n=
one"><button tabindex=3D"0" type=3D"button" aria-label=3D"s" class=3D"gmail=
-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-pencraft gmail-media-XfKJl4 gmail-size_md-gC=
DS3o gmail-priority_primary-RfbeYt gmail-iconButton-mq_Et5 gmail-iconButton=
Base-dJGHgN gmail-buttonBase-GK1x3M gmail-buttonStyle-r7yGCK gmail-size_md-=
gCDS3o gmail-priority_primary-RfbeYt gmail-rounded-SYxRdz" style=3D"color:r=
gb(255,255,255);white-space:nowrap;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,Blin=
kMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot=
;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&q=
uot;;font-size:unset;line-height:unset;text-decoration:unset;background:0px=
 0px rgba(40,40,40,0.75);border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color=
:currentcolor;outline:none;margin:0px;padding:0px;list-style:none;width:72p=
x;height:72px;display:flex;border-radius:9999px"></button></div></div></div=
></div></div><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">What did yo=
u expect from the=C2=A0<em>Kvartal 95=C2=A0</em>cartel? Smoke and mirrors=
=E2=80=94<em>and latex</em>=E2=80=94are their specialties.</p><p style=3D"l=
ine-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">It now makes perfect sense how Ukrain=
e was able to fabricate such an eye-catching mise-en-scene, as each downed =
drone managed to pockmark the horizon with its own PR-ready plume:</p><div =
class=3D"gmail-captioned-image-container" style=3D"margin:32px auto"><a tar=
get=3D"_blank" href=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yfrm!,f_auto=
,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amaz=
onaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5d62227b-7fd4-4b33-a4bb-413f49a24031_1246x651=
.png" class=3D"gmail-image-link gmail-image2 gmail-is-viewable-img gmail-ca=
n-restack" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:none;display:flex;p=
adding:0px;margin:0px auto;width:auto;height:auto;border:0px"><div class=3D=
"gmail-image2-inset" style=3D"display:flex"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn=
.com/image/fetch/$s_!yfrm!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive=
:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages=
%2F5d62227b-7fd4-4b33-a4bb-413f49a24031_1246x651.png" width=3D"1246" height=
=3D"651" alt=3D"" class=3D"gmail-sizing-normal" style=3D"display: block; ma=
x-width: 100%; height: auto; margin: 0px auto;"><div class=3D"gmail-image-l=
ink-expand" style=3D"display:flex;height:32px;opacity:0"><div class=3D"gmai=
l-pencraft gmail-pc-display-flex gmail-pc-gap-8 gmail-pc-reset" style=3D"te=
xt-decoration:unset;list-style:none;display:flex"><button tabindex=3D"0" ty=
pe=3D"button" class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-pencraft gmail-i=
con-container gmail-restack-image" style=3D"display:flex;width:32px;height:=
32px;background:none 0% 0%/auto repeat scroll padding-box border-box rgba(4=
0,40,40,0.75);border-width:0px;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;=
outline:0px;border-radius:8px;text-decoration:unset;list-style:none"></butt=
on><button tabindex=3D"0" type=3D"button" class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-=
reset gmail-pencraft gmail-icon-container gmail-view-image" style=3D"displa=
y:flex;width:32px;height:32px;background:none 0% 0%/auto repeat scroll padd=
ing-box border-box rgba(40,40,40,0.75);border-width:0px;border-style:none;b=
order-color:currentcolor;outline:0px;border-radius:8px;text-decoration:unse=
t;list-style:none"></button></div></div></div></a></div><p style=3D"line-he=
ight:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">The actual damage to the refinery itself tu=
rned out to be disappointing, as only a few oil storage tanks were actually=
 destroyed:</p><div class=3D"gmail-captioned-image-container" style=3D"marg=
in:32px auto"><a target=3D"_blank" href=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fe=
tch/$s_!oz_q!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstac=
k-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe1c11651-d8ce-4834-8e32-5=
743f2755854_1200x1107.jpeg" class=3D"gmail-image-link gmail-image2 gmail-is=
-viewable-img gmail-can-restack" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decorati=
on:none;display:flex;padding:0px;margin:0px auto;width:auto;height:auto;bor=
der:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-image2-inset" style=3D"display:flex"><img src=
=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!oz_q!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_a=
uto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaw=
s.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe1c11651-d8ce-4834-8e32-5743f2755854_1200x1107.jp=
eg" width=3D"1200" height=3D"1107" alt=3D"" class=3D"gmail-sizing-normal" s=
tyle=3D"display: block; max-width: 100%; height: auto; margin: 0px auto;"><=
div class=3D"gmail-image-link-expand" style=3D"display:flex;height:32px;opa=
city:0"><div class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-display-flex gmail-pc-gap-8 g=
mail-pc-reset" style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;display:flex"=
><button tabindex=3D"0" type=3D"button" class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-re=
set gmail-pencraft gmail-icon-container gmail-restack-image" style=3D"displ=
ay:flex;width:32px;height:32px;background:none 0% 0%/auto repeat scroll pad=
ding-box border-box rgba(40,40,40,0.75);border-width:0px;border-style:none;=
border-color:currentcolor;outline:0px;border-radius:8px;text-decoration:uns=
et;list-style:none"></button><button tabindex=3D"0" type=3D"button" class=
=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-pencraft gmail-icon-container gmail=
-view-image" style=3D"display:flex;width:32px;height:32px;background:none 0=
% 0%/auto repeat scroll padding-box border-box rgba(40,40,40,0.75);border-w=
idth:0px;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;outline:0px;border-rad=
ius:8px;text-decoration:unset;list-style:none"></button></div></div></div><=
/a></div><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">In fact, much o=
f Ukraine=E2=80=99s recent narratives have been rapidly falling apart. The =
Crimean =E2=80=9Cisolation=E2=80=9D turned out to be a total bust, as even =
top Ukrainian accounts have outlined the steps Russia swiftly took to rever=
se any issues Ukrainian drone attacks have managed to temporarily cause.</p=
><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">For instance, all the b=
ridges out of Crimea have been strengthened with traffic returning to norma=
l as this top pro-UA account laments:</p><div class=3D"gmail-captioned-imag=
e-container" style=3D"margin:32px auto"><a target=3D"_blank" href=3D"https:=
//substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!sAe8!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:s=
teep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2=
Fe32c808f-0754-4afe-80ff-ecc5c6b56967_1118x1629.png" class=3D"gmail-image-l=
ink gmail-image2 gmail-is-viewable-img gmail-can-restack" style=3D"color:rg=
b(54,55,55);text-decoration:none;display:flex;padding:0px;margin:0px auto;w=
idth:auto;height:auto;border:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-image2-inset" style=
=3D"display:flex"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!sAe8!=
,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubst=
ack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe32c808f-0754-4afe-80ff=
-ecc5c6b56967_1118x1629.png" width=3D"564" height=3D"821.7853309481217" alt=
=3D"" class=3D"gmail-sizing-normal" style=3D"display: block; max-width: 100=
%; height: auto; margin: 0px auto;"><div class=3D"gmail-image-link-expand" =
style=3D"display:flex;height:32px;opacity:0"><div class=3D"gmail-pencraft g=
mail-pc-display-flex gmail-pc-gap-8 gmail-pc-reset" style=3D"text-decoratio=
n:unset;list-style:none;display:flex"><button tabindex=3D"0" type=3D"button=
" class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-pencraft gmail-icon-containe=
r gmail-restack-image" style=3D"display:flex;width:32px;height:32px;backgro=
und:none 0% 0%/auto repeat scroll padding-box border-box rgba(40,40,40,0.75=
);border-width:0px;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;outline:0px;=
border-radius:8px;text-decoration:unset;list-style:none"></button><button t=
abindex=3D"0" type=3D"button" class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-=
pencraft gmail-icon-container gmail-view-image" style=3D"display:flex;width=
:32px;height:32px;background:none 0% 0%/auto repeat scroll padding-box bord=
er-box rgba(40,40,40,0.75);border-width:0px;border-style:none;border-color:=
currentcolor;outline:0px;border-radius:8px;text-decoration:unset;list-style=
:none"></button></div></div></div></a></div><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;m=
argin:0px 0px 20px">Russia quickly managed to build earthen embankments acr=
oss the canal, seen here in new satellite photos:</p><div class=3D"gmail-pe=
ncraft gmail-pc-display-flex gmail-pc-flexDirection-column gmail-pc-gap-8 g=
mail-pc-reset" style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;display:flex"=
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-reset gmail-imageRow-_Y6x8T" style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:non=
e;display:flex;height:230px"><span style=3D"display:flex"><img src=3D"https=
://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CRjT!,w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,f=
l_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpu=
blic%2Fimages%2F5255b834-d82d-45e1-bdf8-853ea0c75645_1168x809.jpeg" alt=3D"=
" width=3D"474" class=3D"gmail-img-OACg1c gmail-image-IE_pDY gmail-small-AA=
4Dt8 gmail-zoom-YdDT6p gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-pressable-lg-kV7=
yq8 gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-reset" style=3D"display: flex; max-width: 100%;=
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bic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1), border 0.25s cubic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1), =
border-radius 0.25s cubic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1), opacity 0.25s cubic-bez=
ier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1), filter 0.25s cubic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1), stroke =
0.25s cubic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1), transform 0.25s cubic-bezier(0.19, 1,=
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bezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1); cursor: zoom-in; object-fit: cover; width: 237.32=
5px;"></span><span style=3D"display:flex"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.c=
om/image/fetch/$s_!KsWr!,w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:st=
eep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F=
fd74a649-cf05-4359-a012-62e09d12edd6_1280x938.jpeg" alt=3D"" width=3D"474" =
class=3D"gmail-img-OACg1c gmail-image-IE_pDY gmail-small-AA4Dt8 gmail-zoom-=
YdDT6p gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-pressable-lg-kV7yq8 gmail-pencra=
ft gmail-pc-reset" style=3D"display: flex; max-width: 100%; height: 230px; =
margin: 0px; text-decoration: unset; list-style: none; will-change: transfo=
rm; transition: color 0.25s cubic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1), background-colo=
r 0.25s cubic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1), box-shadow 0.25s cubic-bezier(0.19,=
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25s cubic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1), opacity 0.25s cubic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.2=
2, 1), filter 0.25s cubic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1), stroke 0.25s cubic-bezi=
er(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1), transform 0.25s cubic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1), scale=
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0.22, 1); cursor: zoom-in; object-fit: cover; width: 237.337px;"></span><sp=
an style=3D"display:flex"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$=
s_!__h8!,w_474,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%=
2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5ac80519-7883-4f=
8b-83a0-6d2041351436_1129x1280.jpeg" alt=3D"" width=3D"474" class=3D"gmail-=
img-OACg1c gmail-image-IE_pDY gmail-small-AA4Dt8 gmail-zoom-YdDT6p gmail-pe=
ncraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-pressable-lg-kV7yq8 gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-res=
et" style=3D"display: flex; max-width: 100%; height: 230px; margin: 0px; te=
xt-decoration: unset; list-style: none; will-change: transform; transition:=
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ezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1), box-shadow 0.25s cubic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1), b=
order 0.25s cubic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1), border-radius 0.25s cubic-bezie=
r(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1), opacity 0.25s cubic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1), filter 0=
.25s cubic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1), stroke 0.25s cubic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.2=
2, 1), transform 0.25s cubic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1), scale 0.25s cubic-be=
zier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1), outline 0.25s cubic-bezier(0.19, 1, 0.22, 1); curso=
r: zoom-in; object-fit: cover; width: 237.337px;"></span></div></div><div c=
lass=3D"gmail-captioned-image-container" style=3D"margin:32px auto"><a targ=
et=3D"_blank" href=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!NSDI!,f_auto,=
q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazo=
naws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F915b86e0-bf84-4201-9099-da13ac2a1251_1280x720.=
jpeg" class=3D"gmail-image-link gmail-image2 gmail-is-viewable-img gmail-ca=
n-restack" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:none;display:flex;p=
adding:0px;margin:0px auto;width:auto;height:auto;border:0px"><div class=3D=
"gmail-image2-inset" style=3D"display:flex"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn=
.com/image/fetch/$s_!NSDI!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive=
:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages=
%2F915b86e0-bf84-4201-9099-da13ac2a1251_1280x720.jpeg" width=3D"602" height=
=3D"338.625" alt=3D"" class=3D"gmail-sizing-normal" style=3D"display: block=
; max-width: 100%; height: auto; margin: 0px auto;"><div class=3D"gmail-ima=
ge-link-expand" style=3D"display:flex;height:32px;opacity:0"><div class=3D"=
gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-display-flex gmail-pc-gap-8 gmail-pc-reset" style=
=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;display:flex"><button tabindex=3D=
"0" type=3D"button" class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-pencraft g=
mail-icon-container gmail-restack-image" style=3D"display:flex;width:32px;h=
eight:32px;background:none 0% 0%/auto repeat scroll padding-box border-box =
rgba(40,40,40,0.75);border-width:0px;border-style:none;border-color:current=
color;outline:0px;border-radius:8px;text-decoration:unset;list-style:none">=
</button><button tabindex=3D"0" type=3D"button" class=3D"gmail-pencraft gma=
il-pc-reset gmail-pencraft gmail-icon-container gmail-view-image" style=3D"=
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l padding-box border-box rgba(40,40,40,0.75);border-width:0px;border-style:=
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n:unset;list-style:none"></button></div></div></div></a></div><p style=3D"l=
ine-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">And even the bridge itself took littl=
e damage=E2=80=94mere potholes=E2=80=94as can be seen by the center photo, =
where single-lane traffic was still passing.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6=
em;margin:0px 0px 20px">Now it=E2=80=99s being reported that Russian Mobile=
 Fire Teams are escorting fuel tankers all along the Crimean corridors, and=
 Ukrainians continue to complain that their =E2=80=98Hornet=E2=80=99 drones=
 are having less and less success as Crimean fuel shortages have disappeare=
d.</p><div id=3D"gmail-media-a708b1e7-5cd1-4dda-8a90-0faecb8c1876" class=3D=
"gmail-videoScrollTarget-SzB20Y" style=3D"scroll-margin-top: 70px;"><div cl=
ass=3D"gmail-videoEmbed-_FycLU" style=3D"margin-top:1.5em;margin-bottom:2em=
"><div role=3D"region" aria-label=3D"Video player" class=3D"gmail-with-prev=
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"flex-grow: 1;"><div class=3D"gmail-video-player gmail-video-player gmail-v=
ideo-player-with-background gmail-videoPlayer-vlcedM" style=3D"width:728px;=
padding-bottom:436.8px;height:0px;background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0)"><div clas=
s=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-position-absolute gmail-pc-reset gmail-buttonC=
ontainer-tH3LP9 gmail-video-player-button" style=3D"text-decoration:unset;l=
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ss=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-pencraft gmail-media-XfKJl4 gmail=
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=3D"color:rgb(255,255,255);white-space:nowrap;font-family:system-ui,-apple-=
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e;width:72px;height:72px;display:flex;border-radius:9999px"></button></div>=
</div></div></div></div><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">=
Subsequently, Zelensky inadvertently revealed his true game plan, which fol=
lows the idea we discussed last time: that Ukraine=E2=80=99s long term fund=
ing and prospects are evaporating, and Zelensky badly needs momentary PR bo=
osts to float his entire regime.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0p=
x 0px 20px">Not only has the Euro Council meeting pushed further pressure o=
n Russia to force Putin into =E2=80=9Cdiplomacy=E2=80=9D, but Zelensky reve=
aled a newfound desperation to end the war=C2=A0<em>specifically</em>=C2=A0=
by this coming winter. The reason? He openly states that, after having a ma=
ssive =E2=82=AC90B=C2=A0<span style=3D"text-decoration:underline 1px">loan<=
/span>=C2=A0gift approved by the Europeans, Ukraine will badly need a=C2=A0=
<em>new</em>=C2=A0funding package if the war is not successfully wrapped up=
 by then.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">Listen at t=
he 0:20 second mark below wherein he states Ukraine will need a separate =
=E2=80=9Cwinter aid package=E2=80=9D:</p><div id=3D"gmail-media-fd5b19ca-27=
ab-445c-8a54-59b0bd48b08a" class=3D"gmail-videoScrollTarget-SzB20Y" style=
=3D"scroll-margin-top: 70px;"><div class=3D"gmail-videoEmbed-_FycLU" style=
=3D"margin-top:1.5em;margin-bottom:2em"><div role=3D"region" aria-label=3D"=
Video player" class=3D"gmail-with-preview gmail-full-width gmail-video-play=
er-with-background gmail-video-player-wrapper gmail-full-width" style=3D"fl=
ex-grow: 1;"><div class=3D"gmail-video-player gmail-video-player gmail-vide=
o-player-with-background gmail-videoPlayer-vlcedM" style=3D"width:728px;pad=
ding-bottom:408.737px;height:0px;background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0)"><div class=
=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-position-absolute gmail-pc-reset gmail-buttonCo=
ntainer-tH3LP9 gmail-video-player-button" style=3D"text-decoration:unset;li=
st-style:none"><button tabindex=3D"0" type=3D"button" aria-label=3D"s" clas=
s=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-pencraft gmail-media-XfKJl4 gmail-=
size_md-gCDS3o gmail-priority_primary-RfbeYt gmail-iconButton-mq_Et5 gmail-=
iconButtonBase-dJGHgN gmail-buttonBase-GK1x3M gmail-buttonStyle-r7yGCK gmai=
l-size_md-gCDS3o gmail-priority_primary-RfbeYt gmail-rounded-SYxRdz" style=
=3D"color:rgb(255,255,255);white-space:nowrap;font-family:system-ui,-apple-=
system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-=
serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe =
UI Symbol&quot;;font-size:unset;line-height:unset;text-decoration:unset;bac=
kground:0px 0px rgba(40,40,40,0.75);border-width:medium;border-style:none;b=
order-color:currentcolor;outline:none;margin:0px;padding:0px;list-style:non=
e;width:72px;height:72px;display:flex;border-radius:9999px"></button></div>=
</div></div></div></div><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">=
<em>=E2=82=AC90B sure doesn=E2=80=99t last as long as it used to!</em></p><=
blockquote style=3D"border-left:4px solid rgb(81,180,233);margin:20px 0px;p=
adding:0px"><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px 20px"><em><st=
rong>Ukraine and the United States are discussing freezing the war along th=
e front line, The Economist reports, citing sources.</strong><br><br><br><b=
r>The two sides are in daily contact. Informal talks with Russia have also =
resumed.</em></p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px 20px"><e=
m><strong>=E2=80=9COne idea being discussed is a two-stage ceasefire: first=
, limiting hostilities to a 50-70 km zone on both sides of the front line, =
followed by a broader agreement,=E2=80=9D the report states.</strong></em><=
/p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px 20px"><em><strong>Ukra=
ine expects to end the war before the onset of winter,</strong>=C2=A0=E2=80=
=94 Zelensky at a meeting of the European Council<br><br><br><br>=F0=9F=94=
=B4 A showman, actor, TV host, comedian, and president of a country with re=
al citizens once again talks about the need to increase pressure on Russia =
from the EU.<br><br><br><br>=F0=9F=A4=94 He also stated that if the hostili=
ties continue for another winter, Ukraine will need a separate support pack=
age.<br><br><br><br>=F0=9F=94=B4 We are talking about supplies of gas, dies=
el, energy equipment, and missiles for air defense.<br><br><br><br>=F0=9F=
=94=B4 And once again, in a rude manner, he called for peace.</em></p></blo=
ckquote><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">But what demonst=
rated Zelensky=E2=80=99s desperation in most disturbing fashion was the dir=
ect threat to Belarus that the little Green Man issued for the first time.<=
/p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">He explained that Bel=
arus has been constructing relay towers to aid Russian drones=E2=80=94somet=
hing we covered here weeks ago=E2=80=94and that he is giving Lukashenko a=
=C2=A0<em>one week</em>=C2=A0ultimatum to take them down, or Ukraine will =
=E2=80=9Cdo it for them=E2=80=9D:</p><div id=3D"gmail-media-783ccede-b9ae-4=
5ce-b69e-7981ab784f00" class=3D"gmail-videoScrollTarget-SzB20Y" style=3D"sc=
roll-margin-top: 70px;"><div class=3D"gmail-videoEmbed-_FycLU" style=3D"mar=
gin-top:1.5em;margin-bottom:2em"><div role=3D"region" aria-label=3D"Video p=
layer" class=3D"gmail-with-preview gmail-full-width gmail-video-player-with=
-background gmail-video-player-wrapper gmail-full-width" style=3D"flex-grow=
: 1;"><div class=3D"gmail-video-player gmail-video-player gmail-video-playe=
r-with-background gmail-videoPlayer-vlcedM" style=3D"width:728px;padding-bo=
ttom:409.5px;height:0px;background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0)"><div class=3D"gmail=
-pencraft gmail-pc-position-absolute gmail-pc-reset gmail-buttonContainer-t=
H3LP9 gmail-video-player-button" style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:=
none"><button tabindex=3D"0" type=3D"button" aria-label=3D"s" class=3D"gmai=
l-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-pencraft gmail-media-XfKJl4 gmail-size_md-g=
CDS3o gmail-priority_primary-RfbeYt gmail-iconButton-mq_Et5 gmail-iconButto=
nBase-dJGHgN gmail-buttonBase-GK1x3M gmail-buttonStyle-r7yGCK gmail-size_md=
-gCDS3o gmail-priority_primary-RfbeYt gmail-rounded-SYxRdz" style=3D"color:=
rgb(255,255,255);white-space:nowrap;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,Bli=
nkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&quo=
t;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&=
quot;;font-size:unset;line-height:unset;text-decoration:unset;background:0p=
x 0px rgba(40,40,40,0.75);border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-colo=
r:currentcolor;outline:none;margin:0px;padding:0px;list-style:none;width:72=
px;height:72px;display:flex;border-radius:9999px"></button></div></div></di=
v></div></div><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">Here he re=
iterates the threat on his official account, but adds an even more disturbi=
ng twist:</p><div class=3D"gmail-captioned-image-container" style=3D"margin=
:32px auto"><a target=3D"_blank" href=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetc=
h/$s_!y2Jo!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-=
post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8e13c821-619f-47bc-97a4-d2c=
48f7acbbe_1128x1086.png" class=3D"gmail-image-link gmail-image2 gmail-is-vi=
ewable-img gmail-can-restack" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:=
none;display:flex;padding:0px;margin:0px auto;width:auto;height:auto;border=
:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-image2-inset" style=3D"display:flex"><img src=3D"=
https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!y2Jo!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:=
good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.co=
m%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8e13c821-619f-47bc-97a4-d2c48f7acbbe_1128x1086.png" w=
idth=3D"583" height=3D"561.2925531914893" alt=3D"" class=3D"gmail-sizing-no=
rmal" style=3D"display: block; max-width: 100%; height: auto; margin: 0px a=
uto;"><div class=3D"gmail-image-link-expand" style=3D"display:flex;height:3=
2px;opacity:0"><div class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-display-flex gmail-pc-=
gap-8 gmail-pc-reset" style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;displa=
y:flex"><button tabindex=3D"0" type=3D"button" class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmai=
l-pc-reset gmail-pencraft gmail-icon-container gmail-restack-image" style=
=3D"display:flex;width:32px;height:32px;background:none 0% 0%/auto repeat s=
croll padding-box border-box rgba(40,40,40,0.75);border-width:0px;border-st=
yle:none;border-color:currentcolor;outline:0px;border-radius:8px;text-decor=
ation:unset;list-style:none"></button><button tabindex=3D"0" type=3D"button=
" class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-pencraft gmail-icon-containe=
r gmail-view-image" style=3D"display:flex;width:32px;height:32px;background=
:none 0% 0%/auto repeat scroll padding-box border-box rgba(40,40,40,0.75);b=
order-width:0px;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;outline:0px;bor=
der-radius:8px;text-decoration:unset;list-style:none"></button></div></div>=
</div></a></div><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">You see,=
 not only is Zelensky now threatening to, presumably, conduct first-strikes=
 against Belarus, effectively widening the war by forcing Belarus to enter =
it, but in his desperation he appears to even be threatening Belarus=E2=80=
=99s oil sector as well.</p><div class=3D"gmail-captioned-image-container" =
style=3D"margin:32px auto"><a target=3D"_blank" href=3D"https://substackcdn=
.com/image/fetch/$s_!Mp7j!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A=
%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd349b433-3a2=
f-4c25-976a-7f36bfc9c61d_1114x224.png" class=3D"gmail-image-link gmail-imag=
e2 gmail-can-restack" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:none;dis=
play:flex;padding:0px;margin:0px auto;width:auto;height:auto;border:0px"><d=
iv class=3D"gmail-image2-inset" style=3D"display:flex"><img src=3D"https://=
substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Mp7j!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_=
progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpubl=
ic%2Fimages%2Fd349b433-3a2f-4c25-976a-7f36bfc9c61d_1114x224.png" width=3D"1=
114" height=3D"224" alt=3D"" class=3D"gmail-sizing-normal" style=3D"display=
: block; max-width: 100%; height: auto; margin: 0px auto;"><div></div></div=
></a></div><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">The intent is=
 clear:</p><ol style=3D"margin-top:0px;padding:0px"><li style=3D"margin:8px=
 0px 0px 32px"><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px;box-sizing:border-b=
ox;padding-left:4px">Zelensky understands that his campaign against Russian=
 refineries has been unsuccessful, and the ploy of trying to slow down the =
Russian economy has failed, which means Ukraine continues teetering on the =
precipice of collapse without any answer.</p></li><li style=3D"margin:8px 0=
px 0px 32px"><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px;box-sizing:border-box=
;padding-left:4px">Zelensky badly needs to expand the war to include as man=
y countries as possible in order to change the deterministic calculus which=
 ends with Ukraine=E2=80=99s collapse.</p></li></ol><p style=3D"line-height=
:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">By bringing Belarus into the conflict, Zelensky=
 and his European curators can galvanize a new propaganda campaign in an ef=
fort to mobilize the whole Western =E2=80=9Calliance=E2=80=9D in stopping t=
his new threat=E2=80=94which, as always, would include renewed militarizati=
on, massively more funding, etc. The operation would likely include false f=
lags with Belarus =E2=80=9Cattacking Poland=E2=80=9D and things of that nat=
ure to heighten the effect.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px=
 20px">Other theories abound:</p><div class=3D"gmail-captioned-image-contai=
ner" style=3D"margin:32px auto"><a target=3D"_blank" href=3D"https://substa=
ckcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YVkj!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/htt=
ps%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcd7d414=
4-a524-4075-8a44-6fd286cd7253_1105x207.png" class=3D"gmail-image-link gmail=
-image2 gmail-can-restack" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:non=
e;display:flex;padding:0px;margin:0px auto;width:auto;height:auto;border:0p=
x"><div class=3D"gmail-image2-inset" style=3D"display:flex"><img src=3D"htt=
ps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YVkj!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:goo=
d,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2=
Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcd7d4144-a524-4075-8a44-6fd286cd7253_1105x207.png" width=
=3D"1105" height=3D"207" alt=3D"" class=3D"gmail-sizing-normal" style=3D"di=
splay: block; max-width: 100%; height: auto; margin: 0px auto;"><div></div>=
</div></a></div><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">The othe=
r reason is that Russia=E2=80=99s relay station capabilities give Russia a =
counter to Ukraine=E2=80=99s Starlink advantage by allowing Russia to likew=
ise control aerial assets at long ranges. Zelensky knows that Starlink was =
Ukraine=E2=80=99s last extant advantage, and for Russia to nullify it with =
their own asymmetrically comparable system would badly set Ukraine back, pa=
rticularly in that corridor west of Kiev where Russia has begun to replicat=
e Ukraine=E2=80=99s own deep rear strikes against road logistics and fuel c=
arriers.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">And by the w=
ay: the hypocrisy of Zelensky=E2=80=99s threats is that Ukraine boastfully =
utilizes all kinds of allied infrastructure outside the country. Western ai=
rcraft patrol all along Russian borders sending Ukrainian drones target cor=
rections, not to mention satellites and everything else that constitutes th=
e Ukrainian =E2=80=9Crear=E2=80=9D which exists outside Ukraine itself. But=
 for some reason when Russia utilizes allied infrastructure for assistance,=
 this greatly offends the Kiev dwarf=E2=80=99s wartime ethical sensibilitie=
s.</p><a href=3D"https://x.com/InformNapalm/status/2067210940903219459" tar=
get=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer" class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc=
-display-contents gmail-pc-reset" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decorat=
ion:unset;list-style:none;display:contents"></a><div class=3D"gmail-pencraf=
t gmail-pc-display-flex gmail-pc-flexDirection-column gmail-pc-gap-12 gmail=
-pc-padding-16 gmail-pc-reset gmail-bg-primary-zk6FDl gmail-outline-detail-=
vcQLyr gmail-pc-borderRadius-md gmail-sizing-border-box-DggLA4 gmail-pressa=
ble-lg-kV7yq8 gmail-font-text-qe4AeH gmail-tweet-fWkQfo gmail-twitter-embed=
" style=3D"background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:=
auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip=
:border-box;display:flex;max-width:550px;margin:20px auto;border-color:rgb(=
221,221,221);border-style:solid;border-width:0.8px;direction:ltr;border-rad=
ius:12px;padding:16px;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFon=
t,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color =
Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;font-siz=
e:14px;line-height:20px;box-sizing:border-box;text-decoration:unset;list-st=
yle:none;outline:rgb(221,221,221) solid 0.8px"><a href=3D"https://x.com/Inf=
ormNapalm/status/2067210940903219459" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener nor=
eferrer" class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-display-contents gmail-pc-reset" =
style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;display:=
contents"><div class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-display-flex gmail-pc-flexD=
irection-row gmail-pc-gap-12 gmail-pc-alignItems-center gmail-pc-reset" sty=
le=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;display:flex"><div class=3D"gma=
il-pencraft gmail-pc-display-flex gmail-pc-flexDirection-column gmail-pc-re=
set gmail-flex-grow-rzmknG" style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;=
display:flex"><span class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-weight-sem=
ibold-uqA4FV gmail-reset-IxiVJZ" style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:=
none;color:unset;margin:0px;font-weight:600">InformNapalm</span><span class=
=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-color-secondary-ls1g8s gmail-reset-=
IxiVJZ" style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;color:rgb(130,131,13=
1);margin:0px">@InformNapalm</span></div></div></a><div class=3D"gmail-penc=
raft gmail-pc-reset gmail-line-height-20-t4M0El gmail-font-text-qe4AeH gmai=
l-size-15-Psle70 gmail-weight-regular-mUq6Gb gmail-reset-IxiVJZ gmail-text-=
aFN1BV" style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;color:unset;margin:0=
px;font-size:15px;line-height:20px;white-space:pre-line"><a href=3D"https:/=
/x.com/InformNapalm/status/2067210940903219459" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"no=
opener noreferrer" class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-display-contents gmail-=
pc-reset" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:unset;list-style:non=
e;display:contents">A drone belt along <span class=3D"gmail-tweet-fake-link=
" style=3D"color:rgb(81,180,233)">#Belarus</span> border: <span class=3D"gm=
ail-tweet-fake-link" style=3D"color:rgb(81,180,233)">#Russia</span> develop=
ing infrastructure for the launch, tracking, and relay of attack UAVs
</a><a class=3D"gmail-tweet-url" href=3D"https://informnapalm.org/en/a-dron=
e-belt-along-belarus-border/" style=3D"color:rgb(81,180,233);text-decoratio=
n:none">informnapalm.org/en/a-drone-bel=E2=80=A6</a></div><div class=3D"gma=
il-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-bg-black-dCpgGg gmail-outline-detail-vcQLy=
r gmail-pc-borderRadius-sm gmail-overflow-hidden-WdpwT6 gmail-container-aGH=
Q9p" style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;border-radius:8px;outli=
ne:rgb(221,221,221) solid 0.8px;background-color:rgb(0,0,0);overflow:hidden=
;max-width:100%"><img src=3D"https://pbs.substack.com/media/HLA1ZMuXoAAm0AC=
.jpg" class=3D"gmail-image-c_FmAR" style=3D"display: block; max-width: 100%=
; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; cursor: pointer; width: auto; max-height:=
 420px;"></div><div class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-display-flex gmail-pc-=
flexDirection-column gmail-pc-gap-8 gmail-pc-reset" style=3D"text-decoratio=
n:unset;list-style:none;display:flex"><div class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc=
-reset gmail-color-secondary-ls1g8s gmail-line-height-20-t4M0El gmail-font-=
text-qe4AeH gmail-size-13-hZTUKr gmail-weight-regular-mUq6Gb gmail-reset-Ix=
iVJZ" style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;color:rgb(130,131,131)=
;margin:0px;font-size:13px;line-height:20px"><span class=3D"gmail-pencraft =
gmail-pc-reset gmail-reset-IxiVJZ" style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-styl=
e:none;color:unset;margin:0px">7:41 AM =C2=B7 Jun 17, 2026</span><span clas=
s=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-reset-IxiVJZ" style=3D"text-decora=
tion:unset;list-style:none;color:unset;margin:0px">=C2=A0=C2=B7=C2=A0</span=
><span class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-reset-IxiVJZ" style=3D"=
text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;color:unset;margin:0px">12.3K=C2=A0Vi=
ews</span></div><div role=3D"none" class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-display=
-flex gmail-pc-flexDirection-row gmail-pc-reset gmail-container-jte8en" sty=
le=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;display:flex"><hr class=3D"gmai=
l-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-divider-Ti4OTa" style=3D"margin:0px;padding=
:0px;height:0px;background:0px 0px;border-width:0.8px medium medium;border-=
style:solid none none;border-color:rgb(221,221,221) currentcolor currentcol=
or;text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;width:516.4px"></div><div class=3D=
"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-color-secondary-ls1g8s gmail-line-heig=
ht-20-t4M0El gmail-font-text-qe4AeH gmail-size-13-hZTUKr gmail-weight-regul=
ar-mUq6Gb gmail-reset-IxiVJZ" style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:non=
e;color:rgb(130,131,131);margin:0px;font-size:13px;line-height:20px"><span =
class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-reset-IxiVJZ" style=3D"text-de=
coration:unset;list-style:none;color:unset;margin:0px">45=C2=A0Reposts</spa=
n><span class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-reset-IxiVJZ" style=3D=
"text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;color:unset;margin:0px">=C2=A0=C2=B7=
=C2=A0</span><span class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-reset-IxiVJ=
Z" style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;color:unset;margin:0px">7=
5=C2=A0Likes</span></div></div></div><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0=
px 0px 20px">In light of the newly revealed desperation, it=E2=80=99s clear=
 to see just=C2=A0<em>why</em>=C2=A0the phony Moscow refinery Hollywood sho=
w was badly needed at this present moment. It=E2=80=99s clear Ukraine is do=
ing far worse than they=E2=80=99re letting on, particularly now that Russia=
n troops have again begun advancing at an improved clip this past week. Onc=
e Konstantinovka and Lyman fall, it will shatter the narrative of the past =
several months that Ukraine has =E2=80=9Cfrozen the front line=E2=80=9D, th=
at the war has reached =E2=80=9Cstalemate=E2=80=9D, or that Ukraine has inf=
act reversed fortunes entirely and is now advancing on Russia and recapturi=
ng territory.</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">Once th=
ese cities fall, there will be no way to hide the manufactured psyop of Ukr=
aine =E2=80=9Cwinning=E2=80=9D=E2=80=94and Zelensky is seething with desper=
ation on how to continue stifling Russia=E2=80=99s victories. By engineerin=
g a new flashpoint against Belarus, Zelensky can once more cleverly deflect=
=C2=A0<em>all=C2=A0</em>media attention away from the badly collapsing Ukra=
inian frontline onto a new point of focus. This is the plan. But the plan h=
as diminishing returns, because it requires a new manufactured campaign lit=
erally every week; this week it=E2=80=99s the Hollywood Kerosene Theater in=
 Moscow, next week the Belarus Roadshow, and the week after that a new gimm=
ick will need to be invented. The life of an oligarchic transvestite grifte=
r masquerading as a =E2=80=9Cdemocratic leader=E2=80=9D is not an easy one.=
</p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">And after recent EU =
elections, fortunes continue to dwindle for Ukraine:</p><div class=3D"gmail=
-captioned-image-container" style=3D"margin:32px auto"><a target=3D"_blank"=
 href=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!JbkE!,f_auto,q_auto:good,f=
l_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpu=
blic%2Fimages%2F304e6959-728f-4e82-b2d7-2882ff330f17_712x655.jpeg" class=3D=
"gmail-image-link gmail-image2 gmail-is-viewable-img gmail-can-restack" sty=
le=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:none;display:flex;padding:0px;mar=
gin:0px auto;width:auto;height:auto;border:0px"><div class=3D"gmail-image2-=
inset" style=3D"display:flex"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fet=
ch/$s_!JbkE!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3=
A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F304e6959-72=
8f-4e82-b2d7-2882ff330f17_712x655.jpeg" width=3D"400" height=3D"367.9775280=
8988764" alt=3D"" class=3D"gmail-sizing-normal" style=3D"display: block; ma=
x-width: 100%; height: auto; margin: 0px auto;"><div class=3D"gmail-image-l=
ink-expand" style=3D"display:flex;height:32px;opacity:0"><div class=3D"gmai=
l-pencraft gmail-pc-display-flex gmail-pc-gap-8 gmail-pc-reset" style=3D"te=
xt-decoration:unset;list-style:none;display:flex"><button tabindex=3D"0" ty=
pe=3D"button" class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-pencraft gmail-i=
con-container gmail-restack-image" style=3D"display:flex;width:32px;height:=
32px;background:none 0% 0%/auto repeat scroll padding-box border-box rgba(4=
0,40,40,0.75);border-width:0px;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;=
outline:0px;border-radius:8px;text-decoration:unset;list-style:none"></butt=
on><button tabindex=3D"0" type=3D"button" class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-=
reset gmail-pencraft gmail-icon-container gmail-view-image" style=3D"displa=
y:flex;width:32px;height:32px;background:none 0% 0%/auto repeat scroll padd=
ing-box border-box rgba(40,40,40,0.75);border-width:0px;border-style:none;b=
order-color:currentcolor;outline:0px;border-radius:8px;text-decoration:unse=
t;list-style:none"></button></div></div></div></a></div><p style=3D"line-he=
ight:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">Bloomberg reports Russia is doing better th=
an ever:</p><div class=3D"gmail-captioned-image-container" style=3D"margin:=
32px auto"><a target=3D"_blank" href=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch=
/$s_!rFaN!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-p=
ost-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F65e83fdb-dd49-418b-9ca9-d175=
ba331083_705x409.jpeg" class=3D"gmail-image-link gmail-image2 gmail-is-view=
able-img gmail-can-restack" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:no=
ne;display:flex;padding:0px;margin:0px auto;width:auto;height:auto;border:0=
px"><div class=3D"gmail-image2-inset" style=3D"display:flex"><img src=3D"ht=
tps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rFaN!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:go=
od,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%=
2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F65e83fdb-dd49-418b-9ca9-d175ba331083_705x409.jpeg" widt=
h=3D"483" height=3D"280.20851063829787" alt=3D"" class=3D"gmail-sizing-norm=
al" style=3D"display: block; max-width: 100%; height: auto; margin: 0px aut=
o;"><div class=3D"gmail-image-link-expand" style=3D"display:flex;height:32p=
x;opacity:0"><div class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-display-flex gmail-pc-ga=
p-8 gmail-pc-reset" style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;display:=
flex"><button tabindex=3D"0" type=3D"button" class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-=
pc-reset gmail-pencraft gmail-icon-container gmail-restack-image" style=3D"=
display:flex;width:32px;height:32px;background:none 0% 0%/auto repeat scrol=
l padding-box border-box rgba(40,40,40,0.75);border-width:0px;border-style:=
none;border-color:currentcolor;outline:0px;border-radius:8px;text-decoratio=
n:unset;list-style:none"></button><button tabindex=3D"0" type=3D"button" cl=
ass=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-pencraft gmail-icon-container gm=
ail-view-image" style=3D"display:flex;width:32px;height:32px;background:non=
e 0% 0%/auto repeat scroll padding-box border-box rgba(40,40,40,0.75);borde=
r-width:0px;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;outline:0px;border-=
radius:8px;text-decoration:unset;list-style:none"></button></div></div></di=
v></a><a href=3D"https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-16/russia-=
s-oil-exports-near-record-pace-as-ukraine-s-drones-target-its-refineries">h=
ttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-16/russia-s-oil-exports-near=
-record-pace-as-ukraine-s-drones-target-its-refineries</a></div><div class=
=3D"gmail-captioned-image-container" style=3D"margin:32px auto"><a target=
=3D"_blank" href=3D"https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!C5ha!,f_auto,q_=
auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazona=
ws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F87a23b9f-fae7-40d0-b1ea-815beae7e0f3_1129x743.jp=
eg" class=3D"gmail-image-link gmail-image2 gmail-is-viewable-img gmail-can-=
restack" style=3D"color:rgb(54,55,55);text-decoration:none;display:flex;pad=
ding:0px;margin:0px auto;width:auto;height:auto;border:0px"><div class=3D"g=
mail-image2-inset" style=3D"display:flex"><img src=3D"https://substackcdn.c=
om/image/fetch/$s_!C5ha!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:s=
teep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2=
F87a23b9f-fae7-40d0-b1ea-815beae7e0f3_1129x743.jpeg" width=3D"1129" height=
=3D"743" alt=3D"" class=3D"gmail-sizing-normal" style=3D"display: block; ma=
x-width: 100%; height: auto; margin: 0px auto;"><div class=3D"gmail-image-l=
ink-expand" style=3D"display:flex;height:32px;opacity:0"><div class=3D"gmai=
l-pencraft gmail-pc-display-flex gmail-pc-gap-8 gmail-pc-reset" style=3D"te=
xt-decoration:unset;list-style:none;display:flex"><button tabindex=3D"0" ty=
pe=3D"button" class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-pencraft gmail-i=
con-container gmail-restack-image" style=3D"display:flex;width:32px;height:=
32px;background:none 0% 0%/auto repeat scroll padding-box border-box rgba(4=
0,40,40,0.75);border-width:0px;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;=
outline:0px;border-radius:8px;text-decoration:unset;list-style:none"></butt=
on><button tabindex=3D"0" type=3D"button" class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-=
reset gmail-pencraft gmail-icon-container gmail-view-image" style=3D"displa=
y:flex;width:32px;height:32px;background:none 0% 0%/auto repeat scroll padd=
ing-box border-box rgba(40,40,40,0.75);border-width:0px;border-style:none;b=
order-color:currentcolor;outline:0px;border-radius:8px;text-decoration:unse=
t;list-style:none"></button></div></div></div></a></div><p style=3D"line-he=
ight:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px">What do you think, will Zelensky actually t=
ry to widen the war in his desperation, or is it merely empty threat-making=
?</p><div class=3D"gmail-poll-embed"><div class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-=
display-flex gmail-pc-flexDirection-column gmail-pc-gap-24 gmail-pc-reset g=
mail-poll-wrapper gmail-poll-web" style=3D"border-color:rgb(221,221,221);bo=
rder-style:solid;border-width:0.8px;padding:24px;border-radius:12px;font-fa=
mily:&quot;SF Pro Display&quot;,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,=
&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Em=
oji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;margin:32p=
x auto;width:600px;max-width:600px;box-sizing:border-box;text-decoration:un=
set;list-style:none;display:flex"><div id=3D"gmail-poll-617968" class=3D"gm=
ail-poll-anchor-target" style=3D"left: -56px; top: -93px;"><div class=3D"gm=
ail-poll-anchor-copy-button" style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;width:48px;heig=
ht:48px;padding:14px;border-radius:20px"></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-pe=
ncraft gmail-pc-display-flex gmail-pc-flexDirection-column gmail-pc-gap-4 g=
mail-pc-reset" style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;display:flex"=
><div class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-display-flex gmail-pc-gap-4 gmail-pc=
-alignItems-baseline gmail-pc-reset gmail-poll-title" style=3D"color:rgb(13=
0,131,131);text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;display:flex"><div class=
=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-color-secondary-ls1g8s gmail-line-h=
eight-20-t4M0El gmail-font-meta-MWBumP gmail-size-11-NuY2Zx gmail-weight-me=
dium-fw81nC gmail-transform-uppercase-yKDgcq gmail-reset-IxiVJZ gmail-meta-=
EgzBVA" style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;margin:0px;font-size=
:11px;line-height:20px;font-family:&quot;SF Compact&quot;,-apple-system,sys=
tem-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Roboto,Helveti=
ca,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot=
;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.2px=
">POLL</div></div><h3 class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-reset gmail-color-pu=
b-primary-text-NyXPlw gmail-line-height-28-s562kJ gmail-font-display-nhmvtD=
 gmail-size-24-lFU3ly gmail-weight-bold-DmI9lw gmail-reset-IxiVJZ gmail-pol=
l-question" style=3D"font-family:&quot;SF Pro Display&quot;,-apple-system-h=
eadline,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,Rob=
oto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI=
 Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;margin:0px;line-height:28px;font-s=
ize:24px;text-decoration:unset;list-style:none">Will Zelensky actually atta=
ck Belarus?</h3></div><div class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc-display-flex gm=
ail-pc-flexDirection-column gmail-pc-gap-12 gmail-pc-reset gmail-poll-optio=
ns" style=3D"text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;display:flex"><div class=
=3D"gmail-poll-option gmail-hide-votes" style=3D"line-height:21px;font-weig=
ht:600;font-size:14px;min-height:41px;box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(130,1=
31,131);border-color:rgb(221,221,221);border-style:solid;border-width:0.8px=
;border-radius:8px;padding:9px 24px 9px 12px;text-align:center"><div class=
=3D"gmail-poll-option-background"><div class=3D"gmail-poll-option-text">Yes=
, badly needs major escalation</div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-poll-op=
tion gmail-hide-votes" style=3D"line-height:21px;font-weight:600;font-size:=
14px;min-height:41px;box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(130,131,131);border-co=
lor:rgb(221,221,221);border-style:solid;border-width:0.8px;border-radius:8p=
x;padding:9px 24px 9px 12px;text-align:center"><div class=3D"gmail-poll-opt=
ion-background"><div class=3D"gmail-poll-option-text">No, empty bluff from =
panicked dwarf</div></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-pencraft gmail-pc=
-reset gmail-color-secondary-ls1g8s gmail-line-height-20-t4M0El gmail-font-=
meta-MWBumP gmail-size-11-NuY2Zx gmail-weight-medium-fw81nC gmail-transform=
-uppercase-yKDgcq gmail-reset-IxiVJZ gmail-meta-EgzBVA gmail-poll-status" s=
tyle=3D"color:rgb(130,131,131);text-decoration:unset;list-style:none;margin=
:0px;font-size:11px;line-height:20px;font-family:&quot;SF Compact&quot;,-ap=
ple-system,system-ui,-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,&quot;Segoe UI&quot;,=
Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif,&quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe=
 UI Emoji&quot;,&quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;;text-transform:uppercase;letter=
-spacing:0.2px">1725 VOTES =C2=B7=C2=A02 DAYS REMAINING</div></div></div><d=
iv><hr style=3D"margin:32px 0px;padding:0px;height:1px;background:none 0% 0=
%/auto repeat scroll padding-box border-box rgb(221,221,221);border:0px"></=
div><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px"><em>Your support is =
invaluable. If you enjoyed the read, I would greatly appreciate if you subs=
cribed to a=C2=A0<strong>monthly/yearly pledge</strong>=C2=A0to support my =
work, so that I may continue providing you with detailed, incisive reports =
like this one.</em></p><p style=3D"line-height:1.6em;margin:0px 0px 20px"><=
em>Alternatively, you can tip here:=C2=A0<strong><a href=3D"http://buymeaco=
ffee.com/Simplicius" style=3D"color:rgb(81,180,233);text-decoration:none">b=
uymeacoffee.com/Simplicius</a></strong></em></p></div></div></div></div></d=
iv>

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 The New York Times
<https://www.nytimes.com/section/opinion>

Nicholas Kristof
Trump Was Right. The War Ended With a Surrender.
June 20, 2026
[image: President Trump delivers a televised address.]
Credit...Jason Hendardy for The New York Times
[image: Nicholas Kristof] <https://www.nytimes.com/by/nicholas-kristof>

By Nicholas Kristof <https://www.nytimes.com/by/nicholas-kristof>

Opinion Columnist
See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Times on
Google <https://www.google.com/preferences/source?cs=3D0&hl=3Den&q=3Dnytime=
s.com>

President Trump declared in March that a deal to end his war with Iran
would require =E2=80=9Cunconditional surrender
<https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/2029923412269809980>,=E2=80=9D but that wa=
sn=E2=80=99t
quite right. The preliminary agreement
<https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/17/us/politics/us-iran-agreement-deal-text=
.html>
he just reached with the Iranian regime was more like a conditional
surrender =E2=80=94 by the United States.

In the past few days, various Republicans and war hawks have emerged,
seemingly bewildered, to criticize the deal. =E2=80=9CTrump has surrendered=
 to
Iran,=E2=80=9D wrote <https://x.com/EWErickson/status/2066513637250945326> =
Erick
Erickson, a conservative commentator. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas warned
<https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5929040-cruz-iran-deal/>, =E2=80=9CGiv=
ing
billions of dollars to theocratic lunatics who want to murder us is not a
good idea.=E2=80=9D

The criticisms are correct: The Iran deal is a major setback. It gives
immediate relief to Iran, including the prompt unfreezing of billions of
dollars of Iranian assets and later a $300 billion fund to help rebuild
Iran. And it appears to open the door to Iran gaining at least partial
control over the Strait of Hormuz, with the ability, 60 days hence, to char=
ge
fees
<https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/17/us/politics/us-iran-agreement-deal-text=
.html>
of ships transiting the strait.

=E2=80=9CThis is the worst foreign policy blunder in decades,=E2=80=9D lame=
nted
<https://x.com/SenBillCassidy/status/2067318744552997372> Senator Bill
Cassidy of Louisiana.

Yet these denunciations miss the most important point. Trump=E2=80=99s fund=
amental
mistake was not ending the war but getting into it in the first place.

At this stage, Trump was right to retreat, for he had no good options and
continuing the war would surely have cost more lives. It was already
shattering the global economy and Republicans=E2=80=99 chances in the midte=
rms.
Sign up for the Opinion Today newsletter  Get expert analysis of the news
and a guide to the big ideas shaping the world every weekday morning. Get
it sent to your inbox.

=E2=80=9CIf we didn=E2=80=99t do this deal, we could have dropped more bomb=
s for another
three weeks, two weeks, four weeks, two years; you would never have the
Hormuz Strait open,=E2=80=9D Trump said
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DpcFJ-e3DMKE>. =E2=80=9CI didn=E2=80=99t =
want to see
economic catastrophe.=E2=80=9D

The unpalatable truth is that Iran won the war, and that=E2=80=99s why it w=
on the
negotiation. Trump dawdled as long as he could, because he realized any
deal he could hope to reach would be a humiliation =E2=80=94 but the failur=
e of the
war had left him with no good exit.

The lesson to be learned from this debacle is to avoid starting needless
wars, to temper our hubris that everything will work out perfectly and to
rely far more on diplomacy to solve global problems.

In this case, the hawks who were most determined to destroy Iran have done
the most to strengthen it, and that should be a cautionary tale.

We had a solution =E2=80=94 a highly imperfect one =E2=80=94 to the Iran nu=
clear problem
back in 2015 with President Barack Obama=E2=80=99s nuclear deal. Iran shipp=
ed nearly
all
<https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/29/world/middleeast/iran-hands-over-stockp=
ile-of-enriched-uranium-to-russia.html>
of its enriched uranium out of the country, limited enrichment and opened
itself to rigorous inspections. But Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu of Israel and the hawks denounced it.

Obama=E2=80=99s Iran deal =E2=80=9Cwas so bad,=E2=80=9D Trump said
<https://x.com/Acyn/status/2067081144408179076> in 2018, focusing on money
that was returned to Iran as part of the agreement. Last year he said that
he would =E2=80=9Chave never given them back the money=E2=80=9D as part of =
a deal. He
added, =E2=80=9CI would have won that negotiation.=E2=80=9D

Well, perhaps not.

After Trump tore up the Obama deal eight years ago, Iran=E2=80=99s leaders
predictably built up their nuclear program until they created a crisis.
Trump probably could have secured a good bargain in February of this year,
on the eve of war, but instead he rashly began dropping bombs, without any
exit strategy and, apparently, without calculating how he would respond to
the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

This lesson about avoiding needless wars is not a new one but apparently
must be learned afresh by every generation. In the =E2=80=9CIliad,=E2=80=9D=
 Achilles
lamented =E2=80=9Cthis insane voyage=E2=80=9D to wage the Trojan War, =E2=
=80=9Cfighting other
soldiers to win their wives as prizes.=E2=80=9D

Indeed, ever since Homer wrote of the Greeks=E2=80=99 attempted regime chan=
ge in
Troy, we=E2=80=99ve seen that the grander the military ambition, the more w=
ary we
should be.

The new Iran deal punts serious questions about Iran=E2=80=99s nuclear capa=
bilities
into a further period of negotiations. And I fear one result of this war is
that Iran will be more likely to pursue nuclear weapons. My guess is that
the 60-day negotiating period will be extended, that Iran will slow-walk
nuclear negotiations and that Trump will be reluctant to accept anything
that looks like the Obama accord. Then Trump will lose interest in the same
way he seems to have forgotten about Gaza. There will be almost no appetite
in America for another Iran war, and the newly empowered Islamic
Revolutionary Guards Corps will weigh whether to adopt North Korea=E2=80=99=
s
strategy and try to build a nuclear arsenal to seal its regional primacy.

The cost of this war is a weakened America and thousands of lost lives,
mostly Iranian and Lebanese but also those of 13 American service members.
Linda Bilmes, a Harvard expert on war financing, tells me that she believes
the eventual total bill for this war =E2=80=94 including repair of bases,
replacement of munitions and years of benefits to injured veterans =E2=80=
=94 is
very likely to be $1 trillion. Instead of paying for Medicaid, college,
child care or humanitarian aid, vast sums were squandered in the Persian
Gulf.

Those whom we have betrayed the most are ordinary Iranians. In January,
after the Iranian regime massacred thousands of its own people, Trump said
<https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/13/world/middleeast/trump-iran-antigovernm=
ent-protests.html>,
=E2=80=9CHelp is on its way.=E2=80=9D Instead we have left Iranians to suff=
er under a more
oppressive government =E2=80=94 and with less hope for change. As a tribute=
 to
American indifference, the Trump administration this month reportedly
deported
<https://apnews.com/article/central-african-republic-immigration-deportatio=
ns-trump-iran-0ad513dc07d1ab39d906e2c8632b9e74>
an
Iranian woman
<https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/11/world/africa/deportations-central-afric=
an-republic-migrants-iran-women.html>
to the Central African Republic, a war-ravaged country that the State
Department advises not to visit =E2=80=9Cfor any reason
<https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/central=
-african-republic.html>
.=E2=80=9D

So by all means, denounce this failed Iran war agreement. But the tragedy
here is not Trump=E2=80=99s exit from the war but the war itself, and the l=
esson of
history is that when you see a cast of overconfident hawks promising
painless victory, beware.

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<div dir=3D"ltr">
<div class=3D"gmail-css-1s9y8so"><div class=3D"gmail-css-42igfv"><a href=3D=
"https://www.nytimes.com/section/opinion" class=3D"gmail-css-11ux3av"><div =
class=3D"gmail-css-8gwjun eh23e0">The New York Times</div></a></div></div><=
div class=3D"gmail-css-16mnyy8 ezjkxib0"><p class=3D"gmail-css-1ca3kv7 e1a6=
ym290">Nicholas Kristof</p></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-1vkm6nb emiu63g0">=
<h1 id=3D"gmail-link-26747915" class=3D"gmail-css-1khwk7e e1pbsr240">Trump =
Was Right. The War Ended With a Surrender.</h1></div><div class=3D"gmail-cs=
s-ki3vv6">June 20, 2026</div><div><div class=3D"gmail-css-1xb94ky"><span><i=
mg alt=3D"President Trump delivers a televised address." class=3D"gmail-css=
-rq4mmj" src=3D"https://static01.nyt.com/images/2026/06/21/multimedia/21kri=
stof-ljfp/20kristof-ljfp-articleLarge.jpg?quality=3D75&amp;auto=3Dwebp&amp;=
disable=3Dupscale" width=3D"600" height=3D"450"></span></div><span class=3D=
"gmail-css-iwa86d ecmr7cu0"><span class=3D"gmail-iqSOia_accessibilityLabel"=
>Credit...</span><span><span aria-hidden=3D"false">Jason Hendardy for The N=
ew York Times</span></span></span></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-1qzveyh"><d=
iv class=3D"gmail-css-1e4xg23"><div class=3D"gmail-css-1von7hd"><div class=
=3D"gmail-css-b8gc4a"><div class=3D"gmail-css-79elbk"></div><div class=3D"g=
mail-css-uepebd"><div class=3D"gmail-css-1nnq2i0"><a href=3D"https://www.ny=
times.com/by/nicholas-kristof" class=3D"gmail-css-uwwqev"><img alt=3D"Nicho=
las Kristof" title=3D"Nicholas Kristof" src=3D"https://static01.nyt.com/ima=
ges/2018/04/03/opinion/nicholas-kristof/nicholas-kristof-thumbLarge-v2.png"=
 class=3D"gmail-css-owy2rv e8lt1uc2" width=3D"60" height=3D"60" style=3D"ma=
rgin-right: 0px;"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class=3D"gma=
il-css-p6m5rf"><div class=3D"gmail-byline-container gmail-css-t91cuf e194t5=
1w2"><div class=3D"gmail-css-ehpuw4 e194t51w1"><p class=3D"gmail-css-1tx0lh=
j e5uya0i1"><span class=3D"gmail-byline-prefix">By </span><a href=3D"https:=
//www.nytimes.com/by/nicholas-kristof" class=3D"gmail-last-byline gmail-css=
-ojhyzr e5uya0i0">Nicholas Kristof</a></p><div class=3D"gmail-css-4q3lf8 e1=
94t51w0"><div id=3D"enhanced-byline" class=3D"gmail-css-8atqhb"><p class=3D=
"gmail-css-1npznau e1bs99pu0">Opinion Columnist</p></div></div></div></div>=
</div><div id=3D"gmail-NYT_ABOVE_MAIN_CONTENT_REGION"><div><div><div><div c=
lass=3D"gmail-css-17ih8de gmail-interactive-body" id=3D"embed-id-1000000108=
05361">
     =20
    <a class=3D"gmail-gps-link" id=3D"gmail-gpsLink" href=3D"https://www.go=
ogle.com/preferences/source?cs=3D0&amp;hl=3Den&amp;q=3Dnytimes.com"><span c=
lass=3D"gmail-gps-body"><span class=3D"gmail-gps-en">See more of our covera=
ge in your search results.</span></span> <span class=3D"gmail-gps-cta"><spa=
n class=3D"gmail-gps-en">Add The New York Times on Google</span><span class=
=3D"gmail-gps-caret-sep"></span> </span></a></div></div></div></div></div><=
div class=3D"gmail-css-s99gbd gmail-StoryBodyCompanionColumn"><div class=3D=
"gmail-css-53u6y8"><p class=3D"gmail-css-140ip4z e1me5xab0">President Trump=
 declared in March that a deal to end his war with Iran would require =E2=
=80=9C<a class=3D"gmail-css-yywogo" href=3D"https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status=
/2029923412269809980" title=3D"" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer" target=3D"_bla=
nk">unconditional surrender</a>,=E2=80=9D but that wasn=E2=80=99t quite rig=
ht. The preliminary <a class=3D"gmail-css-yywogo" href=3D"https://www.nytim=
es.com/2026/06/17/us/politics/us-iran-agreement-deal-text.html" title=3D"">=
agreement</a> he just reached with the Iranian regime was more like a condi=
tional surrender =E2=80=94 by the United States.</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-1=
40ip4z e1me5xab0">In
 the past few days, various Republicans and war hawks have emerged,=20
seemingly bewildered, to criticize the deal. =E2=80=9CTrump has surrendered=
 to=20
Iran,=E2=80=9D <a class=3D"gmail-css-yywogo" href=3D"https://x.com/EWEricks=
on/status/2066513637250945326" title=3D"" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer" targe=
t=3D"_blank">wrote</a> Erick Erickson, a conservative commentator. Senator =
Ted Cruz of Texas <a class=3D"gmail-css-yywogo" href=3D"https://thehill.com=
/homenews/senate/5929040-cruz-iran-deal/" title=3D"" rel=3D"noopener norefe=
rrer" target=3D"_blank">warned</a>, =E2=80=9CGiving billions of dollars to =
theocratic lunatics who want to murder us is not a good idea.=E2=80=9D</p><=
p class=3D"gmail-css-140ip4z e1me5xab0">The
 criticisms are correct: The Iran deal is a major setback. It gives=20
immediate relief to Iran, including the prompt unfreezing of billions of
 dollars of Iranian assets and later a $300 billion fund to help rebuild
 Iran. And it appears to open the door to Iran gaining at least partial=20
control over the Strait of Hormuz, with the ability, 60 days hence, to <a c=
lass=3D"gmail-css-yywogo" href=3D"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/17/us/pol=
itics/us-iran-agreement-deal-text.html" title=3D"">charge fees</a> of ships=
 transiting the strait.</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-140ip4z e1me5xab0">=E2=80=
=9CThis is the worst foreign policy blunder in decades,=E2=80=9D <a class=
=3D"gmail-css-yywogo" href=3D"https://x.com/SenBillCassidy/status/206731874=
4552997372" title=3D"" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">lament=
ed</a> Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana.</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-140ip4z =
e1me5xab0">Yet
 these denunciations miss the most important point. Trump=E2=80=99s fundame=
ntal=20
mistake was not ending the war but getting into it in the first place.</p><=
/div></div><div><div class=3D"gmail-css-8atqhb"></div></div><div class=3D"g=
mail-css-s99gbd gmail-StoryBodyCompanionColumn"><div class=3D"gmail-css-53u=
6y8"><p class=3D"gmail-css-140ip4z e1me5xab0">At
 this stage, Trump was right to retreat, for he had no good options and=20
continuing the war would surely have cost more lives. It was already=20
shattering the global economy and Republicans=E2=80=99 chances in the midte=
rms.</p><div id=3D"gmail-NYT_MAIN_CONTENT_1_REGION" class=3D"gmail-css-9tf9=
ac"><div><div><div><div class=3D"gmail-css-9tf9ac"><div class=3D"gmail-css-=
15x7ld"><div class=3D"gmail-css-81mraw"><div class=3D"gmail-css-le223v"><di=
v class=3D"gmail-css-1ibyhwt"><div class=3D"gmail-css-myrxjz"><div class=3D=
"gmail-css-13brihr"><span class=3D"gmail-css-1dx7gx1">Sign up for the Opini=
on Today newsletter=C2=A0=C2=A0</span><span class=3D"gmail-css-1uk1gs8">Get=
 expert analysis of the news and a guide to the big ideas shaping the world=
 every weekday morning.  <button class=3D"gmail-css-1mywdgm" type=3D"button=
"><span class=3D"gmail-css-im3bau">Get it sent to your inbox.</span></butto=
n></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>=
<p class=3D"gmail-css-140ip4z e1me5xab0">=E2=80=9CIf
 we didn=E2=80=99t do this deal, we could have dropped more bombs for anoth=
er=20
three weeks, two weeks, four weeks, two years; you would never have the=20
Hormuz Strait open,=E2=80=9D Trump <a class=3D"gmail-css-yywogo" href=3D"ht=
tps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DpcFJ-e3DMKE" title=3D"" rel=3D"noopener nor=
eferrer" target=3D"_blank">said</a>. =E2=80=9CI didn=E2=80=99t want to see =
economic catastrophe.=E2=80=9D</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-140ip4z e1me5xab0">=
The
 unpalatable truth is that Iran won the war, and that=E2=80=99s why it won =
the=20
negotiation. Trump dawdled as long as he could, because he realized any=20
deal he could hope to reach would be a humiliation =E2=80=94 but the failur=
e of=20
the war had left him with no good exit.</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-140ip4z e1=
me5xab0">The
 lesson to be learned from this debacle is to avoid starting needless=20
wars, to temper our hubris that everything will work out perfectly and=20
to rely far more on diplomacy to solve global problems.</p><p class=3D"gmai=
l-css-140ip4z e1me5xab0">In
 this case, the hawks who were most determined to destroy Iran have done
 the most to strengthen it, and that should be a cautionary tale.</p></div>=
</div><div><div class=3D"gmail-css-8atqhb"></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-=
css-s99gbd gmail-StoryBodyCompanionColumn"><div class=3D"gmail-css-53u6y8">=
<p class=3D"gmail-css-140ip4z e1me5xab0">We
 had a solution =E2=80=94 a highly imperfect one =E2=80=94 to the Iran nucl=
ear problem=20
back in 2015 with President Barack Obama=E2=80=99s nuclear deal. Iran shipp=
ed <a class=3D"gmail-css-yywogo" href=3D"https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/29=
/world/middleeast/iran-hands-over-stockpile-of-enriched-uranium-to-russia.h=
tml" title=3D"">nearly all</a>
 of its enriched uranium out of the country, limited enrichment and=20
opened itself to rigorous inspections. But Trump, Prime Minister=20
Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and the hawks denounced it.</p><p class=3D"gma=
il-css-140ip4z e1me5xab0">Obama=E2=80=99s Iran deal =E2=80=9Cwas so bad,=E2=
=80=9D Trump <a class=3D"gmail-css-yywogo" href=3D"https://x.com/Acyn/statu=
s/2067081144408179076" title=3D"" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer" target=3D"_bl=
ank">said</a>
 in 2018, focusing on money that was returned to Iran as part of the=20
agreement. Last year he said that he would =E2=80=9Chave never given them b=
ack=20
the money=E2=80=9D as part of a deal. He added, =E2=80=9CI would have won t=
hat=20
negotiation.=E2=80=9D</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-140ip4z e1me5xab0">Well, per=
haps not.</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-140ip4z e1me5xab0">After
 Trump tore up the Obama deal eight years ago, Iran=E2=80=99s leaders=20
predictably built up their nuclear program until they created a crisis.=20
Trump probably could have secured a good bargain in February of this=20
year, on the eve of war, but instead he rashly began dropping bombs,=20
without any exit strategy and, apparently, without calculating how he=20
would respond to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.</p><p class=3D"gmail-=
css-140ip4z e1me5xab0">This
 lesson about avoiding needless wars is not a new one but apparently=20
must be learned afresh by every generation. In the =E2=80=9CIliad,=E2=80=9D=
 Achilles=20
lamented =E2=80=9Cthis insane voyage=E2=80=9D to wage the Trojan War, =E2=
=80=9Cfighting other=20
soldiers to win their wives as prizes.=E2=80=9D</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-14=
0ip4z e1me5xab0">Indeed,
 ever since Homer wrote of the Greeks=E2=80=99 attempted regime change in T=
roy,=20
we=E2=80=99ve seen that the grander the military ambition, the more wary we=
=20
should be.</p></div></div><div><div class=3D"gmail-css-8atqhb"></div></div>=
<div class=3D"gmail-css-s99gbd gmail-StoryBodyCompanionColumn"><div class=
=3D"gmail-css-53u6y8"><p class=3D"gmail-css-140ip4z e1me5xab0">The
 new Iran deal punts serious questions about Iran=E2=80=99s nuclear capabil=
ities
 into a further period of negotiations. And I fear one result of this=20
war is that Iran will be more likely to pursue nuclear weapons. My guess
 is that the 60-day negotiating period will be extended, that Iran will=20
slow-walk nuclear negotiations and that Trump will be reluctant to=20
accept anything that looks like the Obama accord. Then Trump will lose=20
interest in the same way he seems to have forgotten about Gaza. There=20
will be almost no appetite in America for another Iran war, and the=20
newly empowered Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps will weigh whether to
 adopt North Korea=E2=80=99s strategy and try to build a nuclear arsenal to=
 seal
 its regional primacy.</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-140ip4z e1me5xab0">The cost=
 of=20
this war is a weakened America and thousands of lost lives, mostly=20
Iranian and Lebanese but also those of 13 American service members.=20
Linda Bilmes, a Harvard expert on war financing, tells me that she=20
believes the eventual total bill for this war =E2=80=94 including repair of=
=20
bases, replacement of munitions and years of benefits to injured=20
veterans =E2=80=94 is very likely to be $1 trillion. Instead of paying for=
=20
Medicaid, college, child care or humanitarian aid, vast sums were=20
squandered in the Persian Gulf.</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-140ip4z e1me5xab0"=
>Those
 whom we have betrayed the most are ordinary Iranians. In January, after
 the Iranian regime massacred thousands of its own people, Trump <a class=
=3D"gmail-css-yywogo" href=3D"https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/13/world/midd=
leeast/trump-iran-antigovernment-protests.html" title=3D"">said</a>,
 =E2=80=9CHelp is on its way.=E2=80=9D Instead we have left Iranians to suf=
fer under a=20
more oppressive government =E2=80=94 and with less hope for change. As a tr=
ibute
 to American indifference, the Trump administration this month=20
reportedly <a class=3D"gmail-css-yywogo" href=3D"https://apnews.com/article=
/central-african-republic-immigration-deportations-trump-iran-0ad513dc07d1a=
b39d906e2c8632b9e74" title=3D"" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer" target=3D"_blan=
k">deported</a> <a class=3D"gmail-css-yywogo" href=3D"https://www.nytimes.c=
om/2026/06/11/world/africa/deportations-central-african-republic-migrants-i=
ran-women.html" title=3D"">an Iranian woman</a> to the Central African Repu=
blic, a war-ravaged country that the State Department advises not to visit =
=E2=80=9C<a class=3D"gmail-css-yywogo" href=3D"https://travel.state.gov/en/=
international-travel/travel-advisories/central-african-republic.html" title=
=3D"" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">for any reason</a>.=E2=
=80=9D</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-140ip4z e1me5xab0">So
 by all means, denounce this failed Iran war agreement. But the tragedy=20
here is not Trump=E2=80=99s exit from the war but the war itself, and the l=
esson
 of history is that when you see a cast of overconfident hawks promising
 painless victory, beware.</p></div></div>

<br></div>

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https://www.economist.com/leaders/2026/06/18/dont-restrict-chinese-biotech?=
giftId=3DZDJkODZjNGMtYzRkOS00MTA3LTg5ZGEtMDQ3NDYzNTNhY2Mz

Wrong prescription
Don=E2=80=99t restrict Chinese biotechPatients benefit from faster, cheaper
treatments, wherever they are invented
[image: Employees work in a factory of Fusen Pharmaceutical Company in
Nanyang, Henan Province, China]Photograph: Alamy
Jun 18th 2026|3 min read
Listen to this story

Someone whose life is saved by a new medicine is unlikely to care whether
it was invented at home or on the other side of the world. Yet America=E2=
=80=99s
policymakers have begun treating China=E2=80=99s biotechnology industry as =
the next
front in the tech war. A bill before Congress would amend the COINS Act,
which restricts American investment in sensitive technologies abroad, to
include licensing Chinese biotech. Some want the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), America=E2=80=99s drug regulator, to disregard clinic=
al-trial
data from China.

America=E2=80=99s worries have been brought about by a remarkable shift in =
where
innovation happens. Chinese firms ran nearly a third of the world=E2=80=99s
clinical trials last year, up from just 6% a decade earlier. China is now
the world=E2=80=99s second-largest source of new drugs, behind only America=
 itself.
In 2025 nearly half of licensing deals worth $50m or more were struck with
Chinese firms, up from none in 2020. In some categories, such as
antibody-drug conjugates, a promising class of cancer treatments, Chinese
firms accounted for almost all the licensing.

To view Chinese medical innovation as anything other than good news would
be a mistake. In AI and semiconductors, America worries about its
intellectual property leaking to China. In biotechnology the flow of
information runs in the opposite direction. And though anxiety about
China=E2=80=99s dominance in the physical supply chain for drugs is
understandable=E2=80=94the country accounts for over 70% of the active
pharmaceutical ingredients for essential drugs=E2=80=94manufacturing resili=
ence and
scientific collaboration are different issues. America cannot lose from
gaining new knowledge.

Setting aside Chinese advances would be especially foolish, given that drug
development suffers from poor productivity. Bringing a new medicine to
market now costs roughly $2.8bn and can take well over a decade.
Policymakers often complain about the rising cost of medicines. Yet
proposals such as disregarding Chinese clinical-trial data would lengthen
development timelines, raise costs and make drug discovery less productive.
Does Congress really want pioneering treatments to be available in Europe
or Asia before they reach Americans?

Some politicians fear that if drug firms spend their research budgets
licensing Chinese molecules, less capital will be available for American
biotechnology. But investment is not a lump to be divvied up. As the AI
boom shows, when opportunities grow, so capital flows in. What matters is
to make sure that American biotech is not hindered by bad policies.
Fortunately, American firms remain the world=E2=80=99s leaders in drug disc=
overy.
They possess deep expertise in taking promising molecules through
late-stage clinical trials, regulatory review and commercial launch.
Chinese biotechnology executives privately acknowledge the FDA as the
global regulatory leader.

America=E2=80=99s recent choices are blunting its edge. The FDA has suffere=
d high
turnover among senior officials, including the resignation of Marty Makary,
its head. Decision-making has been politicised: firms can receive =E2=80=9C=
priority
vouchers=E2=80=9D that speed up reviews in return for lowering their prices=
 and
investing in domestic manufacturing. Funding for the National Institutes of
Health, the largest funder of biomedical research in the world, has been
slashed. Research programmes have been cancelled for ideological reasons.
At the same time, immigration policies are making America a less attractive
destination for the scientists on whom the industry depends, including many
talented researchers from China.
Take the red pill

America should fix those problems rather than locking out Chinese
innovation. The best world for patients is one in which both China and
America develop cheap and effective drugs. Diseases cross borders. So
should their cures. =E2=96=A0

--0000000000007e82e10654b6810b
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div><a href=3D"https://www.economist.com/leaders/2026/06/=
18/dont-restrict-chinese-biotech?giftId=3DZDJkODZjNGMtYzRkOS00MTA3LTg5ZGEtM=
DQ3NDYzNTNhY2Mz">https://www.economist.com/leaders/2026/06/18/dont-restrict=
-chinese-biotech?giftId=3DZDJkODZjNGMtYzRkOS00MTA3LTg5ZGEtMDQ3NDYzNTNhY2Mz<=
/a></div><div><br></div><div>
<div class=3D"gmail-css-129jqss e1a1lgff0"><div class=3D"gmail-css-1nbyogb =
e4384g60"><span class=3D"gmail-css-z3012 e17k1v3f0">Wrong prescription</spa=
n></div><h1 class=3D"gmail-css-1tik00t e1qjd5lc0">Don=E2=80=99t restrict Ch=
inese biotech</h1><h2 class=3D"gmail-css-1xjkmih e6h2z500">Patients benefit=
 from faster, cheaper treatments, wherever they are invented</h2><div class=
=3D"gmail-css-bcvd5n e1c90fta0"><div class=3D"gmail-flex_mb-flex__6laMs gma=
il-flex_mb-flex--row__44kW8 gmail-flex_mb-flex--gap-sm__rAZkB gmail-flex_mb=
-flex--wrap__pcDfg"></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-vpmedt e1a1lg=
ff0"><img alt=3D"Employees work in a factory of Fusen Pharmaceutical Compan=
y in Nanyang, Henan Province, China" width=3D"1280" height=3D"720" style=3D=
"color: transparent;" src=3D"https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=
=3D1424,quality=3D80,format=3Dauto/content-assets/images/20260620_LDP502.jp=
g"><span class=3D"gmail-css-1st60ou e15o9k8g1">Photograph: Alamy</span></di=
v><div class=3D"gmail-css-129jqss e1a1lgff0"><div class=3D"gmail-css-15hjsn=
d euf71ye0"><div class=3D"gmail-css-1qcvsun e1g8zjgp0"><div class=3D"gmail-=
css-jbc7vr el417p50"><div class=3D"gmail-css-zr3q0n e5z0ibw0"> Jun 18th 202=
6<span class=3D"gmail-css-1x6wy4g e1g8zjgp1">|</span><span class=3D"gmail-c=
ss-cskdai e1g8zjgp2">3 min read</span></div></div></div><div class=3D"gmail=
-css-ei3lv3 e1or0ueq0"><div class=3D"gmail-css-s6z5ja e2uyjhs0"><div>Listen=
 to this story</div></div><p class=3D"gmail-css-1l5amll e1y9q0ei0"><span>S<=
/span><small>omeone</small> <small>whose</small>
 life is saved by a new medicine is unlikely to care whether it was=20
invented at home or on the other side of the world. Yet America=E2=80=99s=
=20
policymakers have begun treating China=E2=80=99s biotechnology industry as =
the=20
next front in the tech war. A bill before Congress would amend the <small>C=
OINS</small>
 Act, which restricts American investment in sensitive technologies=20
abroad, to include licensing Chinese biotech. Some want the Food and=20
Drug Administration (<small>FDA</small>), America=E2=80=99s drug regulator,=
 to disregard clinical-trial data from China.</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-1l5a=
mll e1y9q0ei0">America=E2=80=99s
 worries have been brought about by a remarkable shift in where=20
innovation happens. Chinese firms ran nearly a third of the world=E2=80=99s=
=20
clinical trials last year, up from just 6% a decade earlier. China is=20
now the world=E2=80=99s second-largest source of new drugs, behind only Ame=
rica=20
itself. In 2025 nearly half of licensing deals worth $50m or more were=20
struck with Chinese firms, up from none in 2020. In some categories,=20
such as antibody-drug conjugates, a promising class of cancer=20
treatments, Chinese firms accounted for almost all the licensing.</p><p cla=
ss=3D"gmail-css-1l5amll e1y9q0ei0">To view Chinese medical innovation as an=
ything other than good news would be a mistake. In <small>AI</small>
 and semiconductors, America worries about its intellectual property=20
leaking to China. In biotechnology the flow of information runs in the=20
opposite direction. And though anxiety about China=E2=80=99s dominance in t=
he=20
physical supply chain for drugs is understandable=E2=80=94the country accou=
nts=20
for over 70% of the active pharmaceutical ingredients for essential=20
drugs=E2=80=94manufacturing resilience and scientific collaboration are=20
different issues. America cannot lose from gaining new knowledge.</p><p cla=
ss=3D"gmail-css-1l5amll e1y9q0ei0">Setting
 aside Chinese advances would be especially foolish, given that drug=20
development suffers from poor productivity. Bringing a new medicine to=20
market now costs roughly $2.8bn and can take well over a decade.=20
Policymakers often complain about the rising cost of medicines. Yet=20
proposals such as disregarding Chinese clinical-trial data would=20
lengthen development timelines, raise costs and make drug discovery less
 productive. Does Congress really want pioneering treatments to be=20
available in Europe or Asia before they reach Americans?</p><p class=3D"gma=
il-css-1l5amll e1y9q0ei0">Some
 politicians fear that if drug firms spend their research budgets=20
licensing Chinese molecules, less capital will be available for American
 biotechnology. But investment is not a lump to be divvied up. As the <smal=
l>AI</small>
 boom shows, when opportunities grow, so capital flows in. What matters=20
is to make sure that American biotech is not hindered by bad policies.=20
Fortunately, American firms remain the world=E2=80=99s leaders in drug=20
discovery. They possess deep expertise in taking promising molecules=20
through late-stage clinical trials, regulatory review and commercial=20
launch. Chinese biotechnology executives privately acknowledge the <small>F=
DA</small> as the global regulatory leader.</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-1l5aml=
l e1y9q0ei0">America=E2=80=99s recent choices are blunting its edge. The <s=
mall>FDA</small>
 has suffered high turnover among senior officials, including the=20
resignation of Marty Makary, its head. Decision-making has been=20
politicised: firms can receive =E2=80=9Cpriority vouchers=E2=80=9D that spe=
ed up reviews
 in return for lowering their prices and investing in domestic=20
manufacturing. Funding for the National Institutes of Health, the=20
largest funder of biomedical research in the world, has been slashed.=20
Research programmes have been cancelled for ideological reasons. At the=20
same time, immigration policies are making America a less attractive=20
destination for the scientists on whom the industry depends, including=20
many talented researchers from China.</p><h2 class=3D"gmail-css-1vv6jyl e18=
nv6n10">Take the red pill</h2><p class=3D"gmail-css-1l5amll e1y9q0ei0">Amer=
ica
 should fix those problems rather than locking out Chinese innovation.=20
The best world for patients is one in which both China and America=20
develop cheap and effective drugs. Diseases cross borders. So should=20
their cures. <span class=3D"gmail-ufinish">=E2=96=A0</span></p></div></div>=
</div>

<br></div></div>

--0000000000007e82e10654b6810b--

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https://www.economist.com/asia/2026/06/18/the-real-winner-in-myanmars-civil=
-war-is-china
The real winner in Myanmar=E2=80=99s civil war is ChinaIt doesn=E2=80=99t w=
ant to fix the
war-torn country but is fine managing it
Illustration: Ricardo Santos
Jun 18th 2026|Singapore and Yangon|5 min read
Listen to this story

WHEN MIN AUNG HLAING, then chief of Myanmar=E2=80=99s army, led a coup in F=
ebruary
2021, China called it =E2=80=9Ca major cabinet reshuffle=E2=80=9D. On June =
16th Xi Jinping,
China=E2=80=99s leader, needed no euphemisms to justify meeting Mr Min Aung=
 Hlaing
on his first visit to Beijing as Myanmar=E2=80=99s president. It was a clea=
r
political endorsement from China of a sham election in December and
January=E2=80=94held during a civil war with no big opposition parties and =
won
overwhelmingly by an army-backed party.

Mr Min Aung Hlaing will have relished being welcomed as a head of state, as
he was earlier this month in India. The election has not fully ended his
status as the pariah leader of a pariah regime. But he is making progress.
The regional club, the Association of South-East Asian Nations, still bars
him from its summits, but is split between members that want to continue to
shut out his junta and those tempted to make moves to accommodate it.

America, which once led the campaign to isolate him, has drifted into
indifference. A year ago, the junta was delighted by a letter from Donald
Trump threatening Myanmar with tariffs of 40% on its exports, because it
named the general and so could be taken as implicit recognition of him.
Since, America has quietly lifted sanctions on several of his cronies.
Meanwhile, the feeding of USAID, America=E2=80=99s aid agency, into the woo=
dchipper
has forced ordinary people in Myanmar to rely on the junta=E2=80=99s hospit=
als and
news outlets.

The regime has leant on a narrow set of patrons: Russia and China for
diplomatic cover at the United Nations, as well as aircraft, the fuel to
fly them, and drones and drone-jamming kit, lending it a technological
advantage in the civil war; China and Thailand for revenues from exports of
Myanmar=E2=80=99s natural gas.

China is Myanmar=E2=80=99s largest foreign investor. In return, the general=
s offer
what China wants: access to the Indian Ocean, allowing Chinese trade to
bypass the potential choke-point of the Malacca Strait. Relations are
transactional. Over the past year China has used its sway over powerful
rebel groups on the shared border to help the junta. Several have signed
ceasefire agreements and handed territory to the army. Not all the
battlefield gains can be attributed to China=E2=80=99s help=E2=80=94a consc=
ription drive
begun in 2024 has swelled the army=E2=80=99s ranks past 100,000.

The junta has pushed forward across the country, taking towns in northern
Sagaing province in April and May. As the rainy season begins, the army
will almost certainly advance further, says Anthony Davis, a security
analyst who studies the conflict. Its troops are moving towards trading
posts in areas currently controlled by rebels along Myanmar=E2=80=99s borde=
rs with
India, Thailand and China.

This is ominous for the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), an ethnic armed
organisation that controls much of northern Myanmar but not Myitkyina,
capital of Kachin state. Together Myanmar and China produce around 90% of
the world=E2=80=99s heavy rare earths, says Jason Bedford of the East Asia
Institute at the National University of Singapore. Nearly half of the
world=E2=80=99s supply of these elements, used in electric vehicles, defenc=
e
technology and satellites, comes from KIA-controlled mines. The ore is then
shipped to China for processing.
Map: The Economist

China has long been pragmatic in its dealings with Myanmar, control of
which is splintered between the junta, the KIA and other rebel groups, each
dependent on Chinese markets, weapons routes and goodwill. China is the
indispensable broker to all of them. It can exert pressure on the KIA by
threatening to stop buying its rare earths or jade, by choking the routes
through which it buys weapons, or by detaining leaders who live on the
Chinese side of the border. And it can put pressure on the junta through
the very trade and investment Mr Min Aung Hlaing went to China to court.

This leverage is not the same as control. Myanmar remains a low priority in
the Chinese Communist Party=E2=80=99s global calculations=E2=80=94an irrita=
ting border
problem to manage, not a project to finish. China wants the rare earths
flowing, its pipelines and railways open and a south-western frontier
stable enough to stem the spillage of refugees, drugs and scams across it.
It does not need a unified Myanmar for any of that; it needs a Myanmar
where it is the one party that every side must deal with.

Mr Min Aung Hlaing was accompanied to Beijing by the chief ministers of
Kachin and Shan states, which abut China, suggesting the visit focused on
border trade, including rare earths, and restarting Myitsone dam
<https://www.economist.com/asia/2026/06/18/myanmars-junta-revives-a-hated-d=
am-to-court-china>,
a $3.6bn Chinese project in Kachin that has been frozen since 2011 after a
public outcry.

China=E2=80=99s reach into Myanmar is more than just commercial. It is incr=
easingly
shaping not just what comes out of the ground inside the country but what
can be known and said about it internationally. On June 3rd China detained
Min Zin, a prominent Myanmar-born scholar of Myanmar politics, while he was
visiting Kunming, a city in southern China. An American citizen, Mr Min Zin
was accused of espionage. His detention may be more to do with China=E2=80=
=99s
relations with America than with China doing the junta a favour by
silencing a leading critic. But the episode has sent a chill through the
community of academics and others who study China and Myanmar. As China=E2=
=80=99s
grip on Myanmar tightens, both regimes are becoming harder than ever to
understand. =E2=96=A0

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Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div><a href=3D"https://www.economist.com/asia/2026/06/18/=
the-real-winner-in-myanmars-civil-war-is-china">https://www.economist.com/a=
sia/2026/06/18/the-real-winner-in-myanmars-civil-war-is-china</a></div><div=
>
<div class=3D"gmail-css-129jqss e1a1lgff0"><h1 class=3D"gmail-css-1tik00t e=
1qjd5lc0">The real winner in Myanmar=E2=80=99s civil war is China</h1><h2 c=
lass=3D"gmail-css-1xjkmih e6h2z500">It doesn=E2=80=99t want to fix the war-=
torn country but is fine managing it</h2><div class=3D"gmail-css-bcvd5n e1c=
90fta0"><div class=3D"gmail-flex_mb-flex__6laMs gmail-flex_mb-flex--row__44=
kW8 gmail-flex_mb-flex--gap-sm__rAZkB gmail-flex_mb-flex--wrap__pcDfg"></di=
v></div></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-vpmedt e1a1lgff0"><img alt=3D"" width=
=3D"1280" height=3D"720" style=3D"color: transparent;" src=3D"https://www.e=
conomist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=3D1424,quality=3D80,format=3Dauto/content-=
assets/images/20260620_ASD002.jpg"><span class=3D"gmail-css-1st60ou e15o9k8=
g1">Illustration: Ricardo Santos</span></div><div class=3D"gmail-css-129jqs=
s e1a1lgff0"><div class=3D"gmail-css-15hjsnd euf71ye0"><div class=3D"gmail-=
css-1qcvsun e1g8zjgp0"><div class=3D"gmail-css-jbc7vr el417p50"><div class=
=3D"gmail-css-zr3q0n e5z0ibw0"> Jun 18th 2026<span class=3D"gmail-css-1x6wy=
4g e1g8zjgp1">|</span><span class=3D"gmail-css-xfxm4c ejjdbn60">Singapore a=
nd Yangon</span><span class=3D"gmail-css-1x6wy4g e1g8zjgp1">|</span><span c=
lass=3D"gmail-css-cskdai e1g8zjgp2">5 min read</span></div></div></div><div=
 class=3D"gmail-css-ei3lv3 e1or0ueq0"><div class=3D"gmail-css-s6z5ja e2uyjh=
s0"><div>Listen to this story</div></div><p class=3D"gmail-css-1l5amll e1y9=
q0ei0"><span>W</span><small>HEN MIN AUNG HLAING</small>,
 then chief of Myanmar=E2=80=99s army, led a coup in February 2021, China c=
alled
 it =E2=80=9Ca major cabinet reshuffle=E2=80=9D. On June 16th Xi Jinping, C=
hina=E2=80=99s=20
leader, needed no euphemisms to justify meeting Mr Min Aung Hlaing on=20
his first visit to Beijing as Myanmar=E2=80=99s president. It was a clear=
=20
political endorsement from China of a sham election in December and=20
January=E2=80=94held during a civil war with no big opposition parties and =
won=20
overwhelmingly by an army-backed party.</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-1l5amll e1=
y9q0ei0">Mr
 Min Aung Hlaing will have relished being welcomed as a head of state,=20
as he was earlier this month in India. The election has not fully ended=20
his status as the pariah leader of a pariah regime. But he is making=20
progress. The regional club, the Association of South-East Asian=20
Nations, still bars him from its summits, but is split between members=20
that want to continue to shut out his junta and those tempted to make=20
moves to  accommodate it.</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-1l5amll e1y9q0ei0">Ameri=
ca,
 which once led the campaign to isolate him, has drifted into=20
indifference. A year ago, the junta was delighted by a letter from=20
Donald Trump threatening Myanmar with tariffs of 40% on its exports,=20
because it named the general and so could be taken as implicit=20
recognition of him. Since, America has quietly lifted sanctions on=20
several of his cronies. Meanwhile, the feeding of <small>USAID, </small>Ame=
rica=E2=80=99s aid agency<small>,</small> into the woodchipper  has forced =
ordinary people in Myanmar to rely on the junta=E2=80=99s hospitals and new=
s outlets.</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-1l5amll e1y9q0ei0">The
 regime has leant on a narrow set of patrons: Russia and China for=20
diplomatic cover at the United Nations, as well as aircraft, the fuel to
 fly them, and drones and drone-jamming kit, lending it a technological=20
advantage in the civil war; China and Thailand for revenues from exports
 of Myanmar=E2=80=99s natural gas.</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-1l5amll e1y9q0e=
i0">China
 is Myanmar=E2=80=99s largest foreign investor. In return, the generals off=
er=20
what China wants: access to the Indian Ocean, allowing Chinese trade to=20
bypass the potential choke-point of the Malacca Strait. Relations are=20
transactional. Over the past year China has used its sway over powerful=20
rebel groups on the shared border to help the junta. Several have signed
 ceasefire agreements and handed territory to the army. Not all the=20
battlefield gains can be attributed to China=E2=80=99s help=E2=80=94a consc=
ription drive
 begun in 2024 has swelled the army=E2=80=99s ranks past 100,000.</p><p cla=
ss=3D"gmail-css-1l5amll e1y9q0ei0">The
 junta has pushed forward across the country, taking towns in northern=20
Sagaing province in April and May. As the rainy season begins, the army=20
will almost certainly advance further, says Anthony Davis, a security=20
analyst who studies the conflict. Its troops are moving towards trading=20
posts in areas currently controlled by rebels along Myanmar=E2=80=99s borde=
rs=20
with India, Thailand and China.</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-1l5amll e1y9q0ei0"=
>This is ominous for the Kachin Independence Army (<small>KIA</small>),
 an ethnic armed organisation that controls much of northern Myanmar but
 not Myitkyina, capital of Kachin state. Together Myanmar and China=20
produce around 90% of the world=E2=80=99s heavy rare earths, says Jason Bed=
ford=20
of the East Asia Institute at the National University of Singapore.=20
Nearly half of the world=E2=80=99s supply of these elements, used in electr=
ic=20
vehicles, defence technology and satellites, comes from<small> KIA</small>-=
controlled mines. The ore is then shipped to China for processing.</p><div =
class=3D"gmail-css-izf7kx enls6fv1"><img alt=3D"" width=3D"608" height=3D"8=
17" style=3D"color: transparent;" src=3D"https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/=
image/width=3D1424,quality=3D80,format=3Dauto/content-assets/images/2026062=
0_ASM949.png"><span class=3D"gmail-css-1st60ou e15o9k8g1">Map: The Economis=
t</span></div><p class=3D"gmail-css-1l5amll e1y9q0ei0">China has long been =
pragmatic in its dealings with Myanmar, control of which is splintered betw=
een the junta, the <small>KIA</small>
 and other rebel groups, each dependent on Chinese markets, weapons=20
routes and goodwill. China is the indispensable broker to all of them.=20
It can exert pressure on the <small>KIA</small> by threatening to stop=20
buying its rare earths or jade, by choking the routes through which it=20
buys weapons, or by detaining leaders who live on the Chinese side of=20
the border. And it can put pressure on the junta through the very trade=20
and investment Mr Min Aung Hlaing went to China to court.</p><p class=3D"gm=
ail-css-1l5amll e1y9q0ei0">This
 leverage is not the same as control. Myanmar remains a low priority in=20
the Chinese Communist Party=E2=80=99s global calculations=E2=80=94an irrita=
ting border=20
problem to manage, not a project to finish. China wants the rare earths=20
flowing, its pipelines and railways open and a south-western frontier=20
stable enough to stem the spillage of refugees, drugs and scams across=20
it. It does not need a unified Myanmar for any of that; it needs a=20
Myanmar where it is the one party that every side must deal with.</p><p cla=
ss=3D"gmail-css-1l5amll e1y9q0ei0">Mr
 Min Aung Hlaing was accompanied to Beijing by the chief ministers of=20
Kachin and Shan states, which abut China, suggesting the visit focused=20
on border trade, including rare earths, and restarting <a href=3D"https://w=
ww.economist.com/asia/2026/06/18/myanmars-junta-revives-a-hated-dam-to-cour=
t-china">Myitsone dam</a>, a $3.6bn Chinese project in Kachin that has been=
 frozen since 2011 after a public outcry.</p><p class=3D"gmail-css-1l5amll =
e1y9q0ei0">China=E2=80=99s
 reach into Myanmar is more than just commercial. It is increasingly=20
shaping not just what comes out of the ground inside the country but=20
what can be known and said about it internationally. On June 3rd China=20
detained Min Zin, a prominent Myanmar-born scholar of Myanmar politics,=20
while he was visiting Kunming, a city in southern China. An American=20
citizen, Mr Min Zin was accused of espionage. His detention may be more=20
to do with China=E2=80=99s relations with America than with China doing the=
=20
junta a favour by silencing a leading critic. But the episode has sent a
 chill through the community of academics and others who study China and
 Myanmar. As China=E2=80=99s grip on Myanmar tightens, both regimes are bec=
oming
 harder than ever to understand. <span class=3D"gmail-ufinish">=E2=96=A0</s=
pan></p></div></div></div>

<br></div></div>

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Subject: [Salon] =?utf-8?q?War_On_Iran=3A_=E2=80=93_Trump=3A_=27It_Really?=
 =?utf-8?q?_Probably_Is_Unconditional_Surrender?=
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*https://www.moonofalabama.org/2026/06/war-on-iran-trump-it-really-probably=
-is-unconditional-surrender.html
<https://www.moonofalabama.org/2026/06/war-on-iran-trump-it-really-probably=
-is-unconditional-surrender.html>*

*War On Iran: =E2=80=93 Trump: =E2=80=9CIt Really Probably Is Unconditional=
 Surrender=E2=80=9D =E2=80=93
Moon of Alabama*

*June 20, 2026 *

*War On Iran: =E2=80=93 Trump: =E2=80=9CIt Really Probably Is Unconditional=
 Surrender=E2=80=9D *

*On Wednesday, June 17 2026, Trump signed a Memorandum of Understanding
with Iran in Versailles
<https://www.politico.eu/article/iran-us-sign-preliminary-peace-agreement/>=
.
That palace has seen
<https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/trump-versailles-us-iran-peac=
e-deal-palace-of-versailles-treaties-history-126061800398_1.html>
a
lot of defeats.*

*Asked about the MoU he called it an =E2=80=9Cunconditional surrender=E2=80=
=9D:*

*Caputo also asked Trump about his original promise that the war would end
with an =E2=80=9Cunconditional surrender=E2=80=9D from Tehran, pointing to =
the memorandum
of understanding he signed on Wednesday.*


*=E2=80=9CWell, it really probably is unconditional surrender,=E2=80=9D Tru=
mp told the
outlet.Trump says there are =E2=80=98no limits=E2=80=99 to his power
<https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5931777-trump-iran-war-power/>
=E2=80=93 The
Hill*

*But Trump leaves this open: Surrender by whom?*

*His declared war aims and demands for Iran were regime change, no
ballistic missiles and no nuclear program.*

*Now Trump himself is fearing regime change. He defends Iran=E2=80=99s reli=
ance on
ballistic missiles and no longer minds it having nuclear stuff.*

*March 6 2026:*





*President Trump declared on Friday that he would settle for nothing short
of =E2=80=9Cunconditional surrender=E2=80=9D by Iran, the latest and broade=
st expansion of
his goals for the conflict, =E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6Six days into the Israeli and=
 American
bombing campaign, Iran has shown no interest, at least publicly, in
surrendering.=E2=80=A6Mr. Trump declared on Saturday, in the opening hours =
of the
U.S. attack, that Iran=E2=80=99s people should rise up and overthrow their
government.*

*But in the following days, both Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense
Secretary Pete Hegseth pivoted away from the emphasis on regime change,
saying that the United States was simply focused on assuring that Iran=E2=
=80=99s
nuclear program was permanently destroyed, and that it no longer had the
missile capability to attack Israel, its Arab neighbors, and perhaps
someday America.*

*Trump Demands =E2=80=98Unconditional Surrender=E2=80=99 by Iran
<https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/06/us/politics/trump-unconditional-surrend=
er-iran.html>
(archived
<https://archive.ph/mcUeK#selection-521.0-521.47>) =E2=80=93 Mar 6 2026 =E2=
=80=93 NY Times*

*June 18 2026:*

*President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he was motivated to finalize
the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran to prevent =E2=80=9Ceconomi=
c
catastrophe=E2=80=9D if the war was not resolved soon.*







*=E2=80=9CSo rather than possibly going into a depression, rather than havi=
ng your
favorite president be Herbert Hoover, he was always the one I didn=E2=80=99=
t want
to be,=E2=80=9D Trump said of the 31st president whose policies are often b=
lamed
for starting the Great Depression.=E2=80=A6Trump also said he was open to a=
llowing
Iran to maintain its stockpile of ballistic missiles, claiming it was
=E2=80=9Cunfair=E2=80=9D for Iran to not be able to have the weapons if the=
ir neighbors
do.=E2=80=A6And despite his insistence that the memorandum states that Iran=
 cannot
develop or obtain a nuclear weapon =E2=80=94 one of his chief concerns duri=
ng
negotiations, Trump also appeared softer during the press conference on
Wednesday in his position on whether Iran could develop a nuclear program
for civilian purposes in the future.=E2=80=A6=E2=80=9CYou know, it=E2=80=99=
s also, it is a little
hard though when you say that somebody wants=E2=80=94other people have it, =
other
adjoining states have it and you=E2=80=99re not letting them have it for pu=
rposes
of electricity and things like that. It=E2=80=99s always a little tough. Yo=
u have
to use a little common sense,=E2=80=9D Trump added.*

*Trump didn=E2=80=99t want =E2=80=98Herbert Hoover=E2=80=99 presidency with=
 Iran; said it has to
have =E2=80=98some=E2=80=99 missiles
<https://abcnews.com/Politics/trump-herbert-hoover-presidency-iran-missiles=
/story?id=3D133979678>
=E2=80=93
Jun 18, 2026 =E2=80=93 ABCnews*

*Professor Mearsheimer was quite explicit in his latest talk
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DYNME3CUvYpk> (vid) with Judge Napolitano=
:
Trump must shut the war down, whatever it politically might cost, to save
the economy and his presidency.*

*After he had launched the war he had to surrender, unconditionally, to
prevent a global depression (which still may well happen).  It may still
take while, and maybe even another round of fighting, until that really
sinks in.*

*Posted by b on June 20, 2026 at 17:28 UTC | Permalink
<https://www.moonofalabama.org/2026/06/war-on-iran-trump-it-really-probably=
-is-unconditional-surrender.html>*

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"background-color:transparent"><fo=
nt face=3D"georgia, serif"><a href=3D"https://www.moonofalabama.org/2026/06=
/war-on-iran-trump-it-really-probably-is-unconditional-surrender.html" targ=
et=3D"_blank">https://www.moonofalabama.org/2026/06/war-on-iran-trump-it-re=
ally-probably-is-unconditional-surrender.html</a></font></b></div><div dir=
=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><b><font face=3D"georgia, s=
erif"><br></font></b></div><div><h1 style=3D"line-height:1.2141em;margin-to=
p:0px;margin-bottom:0.5em;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><i><font face=
=3D"georgia, serif"><font size=3D"4">War On Iran: =E2=80=93 Trump: =E2=80=
=9CIt Really Probably Is Unconditional Surrender=E2=80=9D =E2=80=93 </font>=
<font style=3D"font-weight:normal" size=3D"4">Moon of Alabama</font></font>=
</i></h1><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"g=
eorgia, serif">June 20, 2026<span>=C2=A0</span></font></b></p><p style=3D"m=
ax-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">War On =
Iran: =E2=80=93 Trump: =E2=80=9CIt Really Probably Is Unconditional Surrend=
er=E2=80=9D<span>=C2=A0</span></font></b></p><div style=3D"max-width:100%;c=
olor:rgb(27,27,27)"><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, s=
erif">On Wednesday, June 17 2026, Trump signed a Memorandum of Understandin=
g with Iran<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.politico.eu/article/ir=
an-us-sign-preliminary-peace-agreement/" style=3D"text-decoration:none;colo=
r:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">in Versailles</a>. That=
 palace<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.business-standard.com/worl=
d-news/trump-versailles-us-iran-peace-deal-palace-of-versailles-treaties-hi=
story-126061800398_1.html" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,2=
10);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">has seen</a><span>=C2=A0</span>a lot =
of defeats.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"geor=
gia, serif">Asked about the MoU he called it an =E2=80=9Cunconditional surr=
ender=E2=80=9D:</font></b></p><blockquote style=3D"color:rgba(0,0,0,0.65);m=
argin-left:2px;margin-right:6px;padding-left:16px;border-left-width:3px;bor=
der-left-style:solid;border-left-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.1);max-width:100%"><p s=
tyle=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Caputo also asked =
Trump about his original promise that the war would end with an =E2=80=9Cun=
conditional surrender=E2=80=9D from Tehran, pointing to the memorandum of u=
nderstanding he signed on Wednesday.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:10=
0%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><span style=3D"max-width:100%">=E2=80=
=9CWell, it really probably is unconditional surrender,=E2=80=9D Trump told=
 the outlet.</span><br style=3D"max-width:100%"><a href=3D"https://thehill.=
com/homenews/administration/5931777-trump-iran-war-power/" style=3D"text-de=
coration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">Trump=
 says there are =E2=80=98no limits=E2=80=99 to his power</a><span>=C2=A0</s=
pan>=E2=80=93<span>=C2=A0</span><i style=3D"max-width:100%">The Hill</i></f=
ont></b></p></blockquote><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georg=
ia, serif">But Trump leaves this open: Surrender by whom?</font></b></p><p =
style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">His declared war =
aims and demands for Iran were regime change, no ballistic missiles and no =
nuclear program.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D=
"georgia, serif">Now Trump himself is fearing regime change. He defends Ira=
n=E2=80=99s reliance on ballistic missiles and no longer minds it having nu=
clear stuff.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"geo=
rgia, serif">March 6 2026:</font></b></p><blockquote style=3D"color:rgba(0,=
0,0,0.65);margin-left:2px;margin-right:6px;padding-left:16px;border-left-wi=
dth:3px;border-left-style:solid;border-left-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.1);max-width=
:100%"><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Preside=
nt Trump declared on Friday that<span>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"max-width=
:100%">he would settle for nothing short of =E2=80=9Cunconditional surrende=
r=E2=80=9D<span>=C2=A0</span></span>by Iran, the latest and broadest expans=
ion of his goals for the conflict, =E2=80=A6<br style=3D"max-width:100%">=
=E2=80=A6<br style=3D"max-width:100%">Six days into the Israeli and America=
n bombing campaign, Iran has shown no interest, at least publicly, in surre=
ndering.<br style=3D"max-width:100%">=E2=80=A6<br style=3D"max-width:100%">=
Mr. Trump declared on Saturday, in the opening hours of the U.S. attack, th=
at Iran=E2=80=99s people should rise up and overthrow their government.</fo=
nt></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">But=
 in the following days, both Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Sec=
retary Pete Hegseth pivoted away from the emphasis on regime change, saying=
 that the United States was simply focused on<span>=C2=A0</span><span style=
=3D"max-width:100%">assuring that Iran=E2=80=99s nuclear program was perman=
ently destroyed</span>, and that it<span>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"max-wi=
dth:100%">no longer had the missile capability</span><span>=C2=A0</span>to =
attack Israel, its Arab neighbors, and perhaps someday America.</font></b><=
/p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><a href=3D"=
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/06/us/politics/trump-unconditional-surrende=
r-iran.html" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:=
100%" target=3D"_blank">Trump Demands =E2=80=98Unconditional Surrender=E2=
=80=99 by Iran</a><span>=C2=A0</span>(<a href=3D"https://archive.ph/mcUeK#s=
election-521.0-521.47" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);=
max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">archived</a>) =E2=80=93 Mar 6 2026 =E2=80=
=93<span>=C2=A0</span><i style=3D"max-width:100%">NY Times</i></font></b></=
p></blockquote><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"=
>June 18 2026:</font></b></p><blockquote style=3D"color:rgba(0,0,0,0.65);ma=
rgin-left:2px;margin-right:6px;padding-left:16px;border-left-width:3px;bord=
er-left-style:solid;border-left-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.1);max-width:100%"><p st=
yle=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">President Donald Tr=
ump said Wednesday that he was motivated to finalize the memorandum of unde=
rstanding (MOU) with Iran<span>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"max-width:100%">=
to prevent =E2=80=9Ceconomic catastrophe=E2=80=9D if the war was not resolv=
ed soon</span>.</font></b></p></blockquote><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><=
font face=3D"georgia, serif"><span style=3D"max-width:100%"></span></font><=
/b></p><blockquote style=3D"color:rgba(0,0,0,0.65);margin-left:2px;margin-r=
ight:6px;padding-left:16px;border-left-width:3px;border-left-style:solid;bo=
rder-left-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.1);max-width:100%"><p style=3D"max-width:100%"=
><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">=E2=80=9CSo<span style=3D"max-width:100%"=
><span>=C2=A0</span>rather than possibly going into a depression</span>, ra=
ther than having your favorite president be Herbert Hoover, he was always t=
he one I didn=E2=80=99t want to be,=E2=80=9D Trump said of the 31st preside=
nt whose policies are often blamed for starting the Great Depression.<br st=
yle=3D"max-width:100%">=E2=80=A6<br style=3D"max-width:100%">Trump also sai=
d he was<span>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D"max-width:100%">open to allowing =
Iran to maintain its stockpile of ballistic missiles</span>, claiming it wa=
s =E2=80=9Cunfair=E2=80=9D for Iran to not be able to have the weapons if t=
heir neighbors do.<br style=3D"max-width:100%">=E2=80=A6<br style=3D"max-wi=
dth:100%">And despite his insistence that the memorandum states that Iran c=
annot develop or obtain a nuclear weapon =E2=80=94 one of his chief concern=
s during negotiations, Trump also appeared<span>=C2=A0</span><span style=3D=
"max-width:100%">softer during the press conference on Wednesday in his pos=
ition on whether Iran could develop a nuclear program for civilian purposes=
 in the future</span>.<br style=3D"max-width:100%">=E2=80=A6<br style=3D"ma=
x-width:100%">=E2=80=9CYou know, it=E2=80=99s also, it is a little hard tho=
ugh when you say that somebody wants=E2=80=94other people have it, other ad=
joining states have it and you=E2=80=99re not letting them have it for purp=
oses of electricity and things like that. It=E2=80=99s always a little toug=
h. You have to use a little common sense,=E2=80=9D Trump added.</font></b><=
/p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"><a href=3D"=
https://abcnews.com/Politics/trump-herbert-hoover-presidency-iran-missiles/=
story?id=3D133979678" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);m=
ax-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">Trump didn=E2=80=99t want =E2=80=98Herbert=
 Hoover=E2=80=99 presidency with Iran; said it has to have =E2=80=98some=E2=
=80=99 missiles</a><span>=C2=A0</span>=E2=80=93 Jun 18, 2026 =E2=80=93<span=
>=C2=A0</span><i style=3D"max-width:100%">ABCnews</i></font></b></p></block=
quote><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Professo=
r Mearsheimer was quite explicit in<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://ww=
w.youtube.com/watch?v=3DYNME3CUvYpk" style=3D"text-decoration:none;color:rg=
b(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">his latest talk</a><span>=
=C2=A0</span>(vid) with Judge Napolitano: Trump must shut the war down, wha=
tever it politically might cost, to save the economy and his presidency.</f=
ont></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Af=
ter he had launched the war he had to surrender, unconditionally, to preven=
t a global depression (which still may well happen).=C2=A0 It may still tak=
e while, and maybe even another round of fighting, until that really sinks =
in.</font></b></p></div><div style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><=
b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Posted by b on June 20, 2026 at 17:28 UTC |=
<span>=C2=A0</span><a href=3D"https://www.moonofalabama.org/2026/06/war-on-=
iran-trump-it-really-probably-is-unconditional-surrender.html" style=3D"tex=
t-decoration:none;color:rgb(65,110,210);max-width:100%" target=3D"_blank">P=
ermalink<br></a></font></b></div></div></div>
</div>
</div>
</div></div>

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Subject: [Salon] =?utf-8?q?Widespread_protests_in_Israel_demand_Netanyahu?=
 =?utf-8?q?=E2=80=99s_departure=2C_criticize_his_policies?=
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--0000000000008b88ac0654b98f67
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

*https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/widespread-protests-in-israel-demand-=
netanyahu-s-departure-criticize-his-policies/3973377
<https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/widespread-protests-in-israel-demand-=
netanyahu-s-departure-criticize-his-policies/3973377>*

6/21/26

*Widespread protests in Israel demand Netanyahu=E2=80=99s departure, critic=
ize his
policies*Police in Jerusalem confiscate sound equipment used by protesters,
citing noise prevention.
[image: Content media]

*Several Israeli cities witnessed demonstrations Saturday against the
government of Benjamin Netanyahu, while police in Jerusalem confiscated
sound equipment used by protesters.*

*The Hebrew newspaper Haaretz reported that hundreds of Israelis took part
in protests at various locations across the country against the government,
while 1,000 demonstrators joined the main rally at Habima Square in central
Tel Aviv.*

*The newspaper added that Israeli police in Jerusalem continued measures
they began last week, temporarily confiscating sound equipment from
protesters at Paris Square near Netanyahu=E2=80=99s residence, citing the
prevention of noise.*

*During the main demonstration in Tel Aviv, Carmit Palty Katzir, whose
father was killed Oct. 7, 2023, and whose mother and brother were taken
captive in the Gaza Strip before being released, criticized the
government=E2=80=99s policies.*

*She said more than 1,000 Israelis had been killed since that date and tens
of thousands had been physically and psychologically wounded.*

*Katzir accused Netanyahu of prolonging the war without a political
horizon, arguing that his main goal was =E2=80=9Cpolitical survival,=E2=80=
=9D according to
the newspaper.*

*Meanwhile, Eran Etzion, former deputy head of Israel=E2=80=99s National Se=
curity
Council, warned during his participation in a demonstration in the northern
city of Haifa, against demands for =E2=80=9Cnational unity=E2=80=9D before =
elections,
saying they are used to numbing =E2=80=9Cthe public=E2=80=9D and blurring =
=E2=80=9Cpolitical
differences,=E2=80=9D according to Haaretz.*

*Similar demonstrations were held in cities and junctions in northern
Israel, including Karkur, Afula, Rosh Pina and Nahariya, in addition to
protests in the southern city of Beersheba.*

*The protests come amid a domestic debate about the policies of Netanyahu=
=E2=80=99s
government and the security and military developments taking place in the
region.*

*The signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding by US President
Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had set the stage for
direct talks in Switzerland.*

*The US and Iran were set to hold talks in Switzerland on Friday to begin a
60-day negotiation period.*

*After securing a ceasefire on April 8, Pakistan hosted the highest=E2=80=
=91level
direct talks between the two nations on April 12 - 13 since they severed
diplomatic ties in 1979.*

--0000000000008b88ac0654b98f67
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Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><b style=3D"background-color:transparent"><fo=
nt face=3D"georgia, serif"><a href=3D"https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/=
widespread-protests-in-israel-demand-netanyahu-s-departure-criticize-his-po=
licies/3973377" target=3D"_blank">https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/wide=
spread-protests-in-israel-demand-netanyahu-s-departure-criticize-his-polici=
es/3973377</a></font></b></div><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr"><span =
style=3D"background-color:transparent"><br></span></div><div dir=3D"ltr" cl=
ass=3D"gmail_attr"><span style=3D"background-color:transparent">6/21/26</sp=
an></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><b><font face=3D"georgia, s=
erif"><br></font></b></div><div><h1 style=3D"line-height:1.2141em;margin-to=
p:0px;margin-bottom:0.5em;max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><font face=3D=
"georgia, serif" size=3D"4"><i>Widespread protests in Israel demand Netanya=
hu=E2=80=99s departure, criticize his policies</i></font></h1><h2 style=3D"=
line-height:1.27275em;max-width:100%"><font size=3D"2" face=3D"georgia, ser=
if"><font color=3D"#000000">Police in Jerusalem confiscate sound equipment =
used by protesters, citing noise prevention</font><span style=3D"color:rgba=
(27,27,27,0.65)">.</span></font></h2><div style=3D"max-width:100%;margin-bo=
ttom:1.15em;line-height:1.5em;color:rgba(0,0,0,0.65)"><img alt=3D"Content m=
edia" src=3D"https://web-cdnprod.aa.com.tr/uploads/Contents/2026/06/21/thum=
bs_b_c_e8399d32a188f726f274809213baee04.jpg" style=3D"margin:auto 0px auto =
auto;display:block;clear:both" width=3D"412" height=3D"232"></div><p style=
=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Se=
veral Israeli cities witnessed demonstrations Saturday against the governme=
nt of Benjamin Netanyahu, while police in Jerusalem confiscated sound equip=
ment used by protesters.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb=
(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The Hebrew newspaper Haaretz r=
eported that hundreds of Israelis took part in protests at various location=
s across the country against the government, while 1,000 demonstrators join=
ed the main rally at Habima Square in central Tel Aviv.</font></b></p><p st=
yle=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif"=
>The newspaper added that Israeli police in Jerusalem continued measures th=
ey began last week, temporarily confiscating sound equipment from protester=
s at Paris Square near Netanyahu=E2=80=99s residence, citing the prevention=
 of noise.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b=
><font face=3D"georgia, serif">During the main demonstration in Tel Aviv, C=
armit Palty Katzir, whose father was killed Oct. 7, 2023, and whose mother =
and brother were taken captive in the Gaza Strip before being released, cri=
ticized the government=E2=80=99s policies.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-wi=
dth:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">She said mor=
e than 1,000 Israelis had been killed since that date and tens of thousands=
 had been physically and psychologically wounded.</font></b></p><p style=3D=
"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Katzi=
r accused Netanyahu of prolonging the war without a political horizon, argu=
ing that his main goal was =E2=80=9Cpolitical survival,=E2=80=9D according =
to the newspaper.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,=
27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Meanwhile, Eran Etzion, former deputy=
 head of Israel=E2=80=99s National Security Council, warned during his part=
icipation in a demonstration in the northern city of Haifa, against demands=
 for =E2=80=9Cnational unity=E2=80=9D before elections, saying they are use=
d to numbing =E2=80=9Cthe public=E2=80=9D and blurring =E2=80=9Cpolitical d=
ifferences,=E2=80=9D according to Haaretz.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-wi=
dth:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">Similar demo=
nstrations were held in cities and junctions in northern Israel, including =
Karkur, Afula, Rosh Pina and Nahariya, in addition to protests in the south=
ern city of Beersheba.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(2=
7,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The protests come amid a domesti=
c debate about the policies of Netanyahu=E2=80=99s government and the secur=
ity and military developments taking place in the region.</font></b></p><p =
style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, seri=
f">The signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding by US President=
 Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had set the stage for=
 direct talks in Switzerland.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;colo=
r:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font face=3D"georgia, serif">The US and Iran were set =
to hold talks in Switzerland on Friday to begin a 60-day negotiation period=
.</font></b></p><p style=3D"max-width:100%;color:rgb(27,27,27)"><b><font fa=
ce=3D"georgia, serif">After securing a ceasefire on April 8, Pakistan hoste=
d the highest=E2=80=91level direct talks between the two nations on April 1=
2 - 13 since they severed diplomatic ties in 1979.</font></b></p></div></di=
v>
</div>
</div></div>

--0000000000008b88ac0654b98f67--

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Subject: [Salon] =?utf-8?q?Researcher_Ben_Sabti_posted_=28and_quickly_edi?=
 =?utf-8?q?ted=29_that_the_U=2ES=2E_=E2=80=9Cmaybe_needs_another_Pe?=
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https://x.com/MarioNawfal/status/2068460959656808698
Researcher Ben Sabti posted (and quickly edited) that the U.S. =E2=80=9Cmay=
be needs
another Pearl Harbor or 9/11=E2=80=9D to remember who its real enemies and =
friends
are.

To give you all context, Beni Sabti is an Iranian-born Israeli Iran expert
at a major security think tank, Israel=E2=80=99s Institute for National Sec=
urity
Studies.

He quickly tried walking it back, claiming he doesn=E2=80=99t wish for an a=
ttack,
but said that America=E2=80=99s current approach is dangerously na=C3=AFve.

Even with the clarification, it shows how frustrated some hardliners in
Israel are with Trump=E2=80=99s Iran policy.

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><a href=
=3D"https://x.com/MarioNawfal/status/2068460959656808698" rel=3D"noreferrer=
" target=3D"_blank">https://x.com/MarioNawfal/status/2068460959656808698</a=
><br>
Researcher Ben Sabti posted (and quickly edited) that the U.S. =E2=80=9Cmay=
be needs another Pearl Harbor or 9/11=E2=80=9D to remember who its real ene=
mies and friends are.<br>
<br>
To give you all context, Beni Sabti is an Iranian-born Israeli Iran expert =
at a major security think tank, Israel=E2=80=99s Institute for National Sec=
urity Studies.<br>
<br>
He quickly tried walking it back, claiming he doesn=E2=80=99t wish for an a=
ttack, but said that America=E2=80=99s current approach is dangerously na=
=C3=AFve.<br>
<br>
Even with the clarification, it shows how frustrated some hardliners in Isr=
ael are with Trump=E2=80=99s Iran policy.<br>
</div></div>

--0000000000000fb5ac0654b9958f--

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Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="000000000000992bb90654b998ca"
Subject: [Salon] The NYT's Jerusalem correspondent parrots every Israeli
 complaint
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https://x.com/aaronjmate/status/2068009453593542932
The NYT's Jerusalem correspondent parrots every Israeli complaint about
Trump's Iran agreement.

By potentially forcing Israel to withdraw from Lebanon, "the agreement
seeks to handcuff Israel." If only Israeli leaders could be handcuffed and
arrested for invading Lebanon in the first place.

Iran getting some stolen money back "could wind up funding more missiles in
Iran and aiding Tehran=E2=80=99s militia allies." Or it could help Iran reb=
uild the
destroyed infrastructure caused by US-Israeli missiles.

And the deal defers talks on Iran's nuclear program, which is an
"existential threat to Israel." He's writing this about a country that
doesn't have nuclear weapons, while sitting in a country that does have
nuclear weapons.

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><a href=
=3D"https://x.com/aaronjmate/status/2068009453593542932" rel=3D"noreferrer"=
 target=3D"_blank">https://x.com/aaronjmate/status/2068009453593542932</a><=
br>
The NYT&#39;s Jerusalem correspondent parrots every Israeli complaint about=
 Trump&#39;s Iran agreement. <br>
<br>
By potentially forcing Israel to withdraw from Lebanon, &quot;the agreement=
 seeks to handcuff Israel.&quot; If only Israeli leaders could be handcuffe=
d and arrested for invading Lebanon in the first place.<br>
<br>
Iran getting some stolen money back &quot;could wind up funding more missil=
es in Iran and aiding Tehran=E2=80=99s militia allies.&quot; Or it could he=
lp Iran rebuild the destroyed infrastructure caused by US-Israeli missiles.=
 <br>
<br>
And the deal defers talks on Iran&#39;s nuclear program, which is an &quot;=
existential threat to Israel.&quot; He&#39;s writing this about a country t=
hat doesn&#39;t have nuclear weapons, while sitting in a country that does =
have nuclear weapons.<br>
</div></div>

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Subject: [Salon] Another Week from Hell
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A bid to end a war might be sabotaged by Netanyahu
Philip Giraldi <https://www.unz.com/author/philip-giraldi/> =E2=80=A2 June =
20, 2026
Mo <https://www.unz.com/pgiraldi/another-week-from-hell/#>
https://www.unz.com/pgiraldi/another-week-from-hell/
<https://www.unz.com/pgiraldi/another-week-from-hell/>

The week started on a positive note with President Donald Trump
uncharacteristically declaring that a =E2=80=9Cmemorandum of understanding=
=E2=80=9D (MOU)
had been achieved by US and Iranian negotiators assisted by Pakistani and
Qatari mediators to suspend military action and begin sixty days of
discussions in pursuit of a peace agreement. The move was based on a what
was described as a fourteen-point listing of the steps that would be
undertaken to move the process along, including concessions dealing with
what are being called =E2=80=9Cred lines=E2=80=9D by both parties. The nego=
tiations are
predicated on certain steps being taken right away, including toll-free
opening of the Strait of Hormuz, ceasing Israeli attacks on and occupation
of Lebanon, ending US sanctions against Iran, and returning some frozen
cash to Tehran.

The MOU was signed electronically by both US President Trump and the
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday, with a formal hard copy
signing in Switzerland by Vice President JD Vance and the head of the
Iranian delegation scheduled for Friday. That signing would initiate sixty
days of negotiations that hopefully would lead to a final peace agreement
ending the war. Interestingly, the meeting site, originally planned for
Geneva, may have been changed to a more easily securable ski resort in
Burgenstock, by one report due to fears that Israel might try to sabotage
the gathering, possibly by assassinating one or more members of the Iranian
delegation.

Unfortunately, however, Israel predictably did in any event do its best to
cancel the ceasefire leading to peace talks by doubling down on its bombing
and other attacks on Lebanon. It was known that Iran had demanded a
cessation of hostilities directed at ally Lebanon as a condition for
starting the talks and it now appears that Tehran will again close the
Strait due to Israel=E2=80=99s aggression. This provocative response was
more-or-less expected coming from Netanyahu and done without any heed for
the explicit warnings that came from both Trump and Vance that touched on
the lopsided bilateral relationship with Israel. Israel=E2=80=99s National =
Security
Minister Ben-Gvir nevertheless ignored possible consequences and asserted
on Friday that =E2=80=9CAll Lebanon must burn!=E2=80=9D and that =E2=80=9CI=
n the Middle East =E2=80=A6 you
have to go berserk. To obliterate.=E2=80=9D

Trump, who this week declared that there are =E2=80=9Cno limits on his powe=
r=E2=80=9D, for
his part, reportedly cursed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a
phone call after Netanyahu publicly asserted his right and willingness to
do whatever it takes to =E2=80=9Cdefend=E2=80=9D his country. Trump even de=
nounced Israel=E2=80=99s
=E2=80=9Coverkill=E2=80=9D bombing of apartment buildings in Beirut just be=
cause, it was
claimed, a suspected Hezbollah supporter had walked into them. Vance went
so far as to remind Israel that if indeed, as Israel and its supporters
keep asserting, the Jewish state has a right to defend itself, =E2=80=9Cwha=
tever
that takes,=E2=80=9D then Iran has the same right. And he also warned Netan=
yahu and
his hardliners that =E2=80=9CIf I was in the Cabinet of the Israeli governm=
ent, I
might not be attacking [the United States] the only powerful ally that I
have anywhere left in the entire world.=E2=80=9D Vance concluded with =E2=
=80=9CYou can=E2=80=99t
just kill your way out of every problem.=E2=80=9D
<https://israelpalestinenews.org/jd-vance-speaks-truth-to-israel-you-cant-j=
ust-kill-your-way-out-of-every-problem-daily-update/>

Vance=E2=80=99s warning may have had an effect as there were unconfirmed re=
ports on
Friday that Israel and Hezbollah might have come together for some kind of
ceasefire though the issue of Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon was not
addressed. Solving the Lebanon problem, even on a temporary basis, is
critical to proceeding farther with the conditions established in the MOU.
Predictably, the demands to comply on Lebanon coming from the Trump
Administration most definitely did produce a predictable response
<https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5931984-vance-israel-iran-randy-fine/?e=
mail=3D2d1060d7dd502db44c3573f326879541c4c57f6b&emaila=3Db4385c2e9a95cd36ab=
19092d6f8adb93&emailb=3D21932280655c3b5e055a588320a0ea59049e08725f48002c63b=
4ca4288b71d6f&utm_source=3DSailthru&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_campaign=3D6.19.=
26%20CT%20News-Alert-Fine-Vance>
from
congressman Randy Fine, a Jewish Israel-first-last-and-always overweight
slug from Florida who opined that =E2=80=9CI thought JD=E2=80=99s comments =
yesterday were
absolutely inappropriate and frankly disgusting.=E2=80=9D

Curiously, Netanyahu also climbed on board with a rebuttal, claiming that
Israel=E2=80=99s compulsion to go to war with Iran and destroy it is only d=
ue to
fear that the Iranians will develop a nuclear weapon and use it on the
Jewish state. This is a fake argument that is regularly produced by Israel
and its friends like Fine and the Republican Senatorial troika of Ted Cruz,
Tom Cotton and Lindsey Graham. The reality, however, is that it is Israel
that has nuclear weapons in a secret and undeclared arsenal of possibly 400
or more bombs while US intelligence has reliably declared that Iran has no
such thing nor even a program to move in that direction. Israel has even
crafted a policy referred to as the *Samson Option*, which could lead to
nuclear attacks on numerous countries that might be considered not
supportive enough of Israel. That presumably might include the United
States if the White House were to end its involvement in the war against
Iran=E2=80=A6

Iran, in fact, subsequently postponed Friday=E2=80=99s Swiss signing and
technical-level talks with the US on Thursday in protest against
=E2=80=9Ccontinued=E2=80=9D Israeli ceasefire violations, mainly in souther=
n Lebanon,
consisting of the sustained attacks that were supposed to be stopped per
the very first clause in the text of the MOU. One presumes that Iran,
which, for good reasons does not trust the US and its controller Israel in
negotiations, which previously have been set-ups that have led to
assassinations. This time around Iran will not commit without considerable
evidence that there will be honest dealing from both Washington and Tel Avi=
v

In the current situation, Pakistani government sources revealed that
<https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-diplomacy/signing-of-the-agreement-betw=
een-the-us-and-iran-at-the-b%C3%BCrgenstock/91597954>
Tehran=E2=80=99s
chief negotiator Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were
=E2=80=9Call set=E2=80=9D to leave for Switzerland to hold the direct talks=
 with
Washington, but they pulled out of their scheduled trip at the last minute
following =E2=80=9Cdirectives=E2=80=9D from the =E2=80=9Ctop Iranian leader=
ship=E2=80=9D objecting to the
Israeli behavior.

Iran did not specify whether the decision came directly from Supreme Leader
Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, who has already said he has a =E2=80=9Cdifferent v=
iew=E2=80=9D on
the US-Iran deal to end the war, possibly implying that he is not prepared
to concede anything to Israel/US. US Vice President JD Vance wisely
canceled his trip to Switzerland after Islamabad conveyed Tehran=E2=80=99s =
decision
to Washington. No new date or venue for the talks has been decided
according to the Pakistanis but they did leave the door open, declaring
that =E2=80=9CPakistan is in touch with both sides to set a new date for th=
e
technical-level talks to reach a final agreement.=E2=80=9D

Trump is meanwhile taking considerable heat from his former close
associates who identify as Zionists, though one might refer to them more
accurately as =E2=80=9CIsrael Firsters=E2=80=9D given that that is where th=
eir actual
loyalty lies. This already includes his principal donor Miriam Adelson who
has called him a =E2=80=9Cbetrayer.=E2=80=9D This list of enemies inevitabl=
y includes the
many members of Congress from both parties, who have been bribed by
Israel=E2=80=99s American-Jewish billionaires, with clowns like Senator Ted=
 Cruz
from Texas inevitably leading the charge. And then there is the Jewish
dominated media, with talk show Zionist fanatics like Mark Levin screaming
his outrage at =E2=80=9Cgiving things=E2=80=9D to Iran in the MOU. Ironical=
ly, Levin
notoriously some months back declared a grinning Trump to be America=E2=80=
=99s
first Jewish president. Trump responded =E2=80=9CIt=E2=80=99s true!=E2=80=
=9D

So Trump has uncharacteristically decided to rein in his Israeli masters
because he desperately needs peace to give time to repair the increasingly
energy deprived world economy which is threatening to impact negatively on
the US due to his collaboration in Netanyahu=E2=80=99s awful choice to dest=
roy
Iran. There is a midterm election coming up which looks likely to return
the Democrats to power in Congress and if that happens, there is already
talk of impeachment for Trump!

What all of the above really comes down to is an understanding that Israel
is poison for the United States and also for the other countries mostly in
Europe that choose to look the other way as it commits war crimes currently
including the horrific genocide in Gaza and the invasion and bombing of
Lebanon. Israel is manifestly a rogue nation that must be constrained and
discouraged rather than coddled and protected. It gets away with what it
gets away with largely due to the lopsided relationship with a powerful
United States that it has obtained through corruption of the US political
system. Ironically, Washington even looks the other way when Israel cold
bloodedly kills Americans as it did with the 34 crewmen on the *USS Liberty=
* in
1967. More recently, it has killed American journalists and visitors
without any consequences coming from the US State Department. And beyond
the killing, there are the wars that the United States enters into due to
Israel including its involvement in Lebanon in the 1980s, as well as with
Syria, and with Iraq.

And the killing tendency suggests possibilities that are even more dreadful
to contemplate, with an increasing number of Americans convinced that
Israel was involved in the assassination of President John F Kennedy and in
9/11 just for starters, both of which might quite plausibly have been
carried out in support of =E2=80=9CIsraeli interests=E2=80=9D since they en=
abled the Jewish
state to acquire nuclear weapons and make Washington a partner in the war
against =E2=80=9Cradical Islam.=E2=80=9D And there is also the strange case=
 of the more
recent murder of Charlie Kirk, bits of which are only starting to surface
now. As is well attested, shortly before his death Kirk openly declared his
rejection of Israel=E2=80=99s dominant role in US foreign policy under pres=
idents
Joe Biden and Donald Trump in particular. There have been some serious
questions raised about the technical aspects of the killing itself which
continue to be unanswered by the FBI in particular, but one interesting
connection was recently described by *Greyzone* journalist Max Blumenthal
<https://ronpaulinstitute.org/israeli-foreign-agent-took-over-the-charlie-k=
irk-show-days-after-his-killing/>
=E2=80=9CCharlie
Kirk=E2=80=99s media empire and his right-wing activist organization, Turni=
ng Point
USA (TPUSA), have come under the control of the Israel-directed forces he
spent the last months of his life antagonizing. Erika Kirk now claims her
husband supported Israel to the end, while TPUSA misrepresents his
opposition to war on Iran. The Charlie Kirk Show is now distributed by a
federally registered agent of Israel tasked with seeding American media
with Zionist propaganda. It is part of a $46 million dollar annual contract
between the Israeli government and Brad Parscale, the former chief of staff
for Donald Trump=E2=80=99s 2020 presidential campaign. This may be the larg=
est
lobbying contract in the history of foreign influence operations in the US.=
=E2=80=9D

Kirk was assassinated on September 10, 2025 during his *American Comeback
Tour* in Utah. Within two hours of the killing, Benjamin Netanyahu appeared
on Israeli television and said that his country had not done it, which
certainly aroused suspicions that it had! Eight days later, Parscale, a
registered foreign agent of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
acquired responsibility for a propaganda agenda
<https://responsiblestatecraft.org/israel-chatgpt/> =E2=80=9Ctailored to Ge=
n Z
audiences across platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, podcasts,
and other relevant digital and broadcast outlets.=E2=80=9D Since Kirk=E2=80=
=99s killing,
his successors have done their best to bury his strongly expressed
opposition to war on Iran, as well as his anger with Netanyahu and his army
of well-funded lobbyists in the US. Kirk=E2=80=99s widow and replacement as=
 TPUSA
CEO, Erika Kirk, now insists
<https://twitter.com/Antunes1/status/2000333891618652484> falsely that she
and her husband never wavered in their support for Israel.

So Israel is continuing to behave as Israel behaves, which is abominably.
Will Trump, who only recently showed up an hour late at an important G7
meeting in Paris, announcing that
<https://news.abplive.com/news/world/i-am-the-boss-donald-trump-says-after-=
arriving-at-g7-working-session-video-1850881>
=E2=80=9CI
am the boss!=E2=80=9D to the assembled heads of state, have the intestinal
fortitude to confront Netanyahu and his friends? Will a muddled Trump have
the confidence to take on Netanyahu and his army of US lobbyists
particularly if they are willing to reveal blackmail material on him
generated by Jeffrey Epstein?

Trump has plenty of ego but will that be enough as he can also be
embarrassingly stupid and pretentious, alienating people he has to work and
cooperate with. For example, in a brief interview in Paris Trump said in a
demeaning tone that
<https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5931927-giorgia-meloni-trump-g=
7-greene/?email=3D2d1060d7dd502db44c3573f326879541c4c57f6b&emaila=3Db4385c2=
e9a95cd36ab19092d6f8adb93&emailb=3D21932280655c3b5e055a588320a0ea59049e0872=
5f48002c63b4ca4288b71d6f&utm_source=3DSailthru&utm_medium=3Demail&utm_campa=
ign=3D6.19.26%20CT%20News-Alert-Greene-Meloni>
Italian
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni =E2=80=9Cwanted a picture with me so badly=E2=
=80=A6 She=E2=80=99s
probably happy I talked to her. I didn=E2=80=99t have to talk to her.=E2=80=
=9D He
reportedly then elaborated =E2=80=9CShe begged me to take a picture with he=
r. She
wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn=E2=80=99t have taken it, but I =
felt
sorry for her.=E2=80=9D

Giorgia Meloni responded that the whole thing from Trump was a lie and
=E2=80=9Cmade up=E2=80=9D so she wondered why he felt compelled to do that =
sort of thing at
a top level foreign policy gathering saying =E2=80=9CI do not know why the
president of the United States behaves this way toward his allies =E2=80=94=
 it is
certainly not the first time this has happened.=E2=80=9D And there were
consequences. Shortly after Meloni=E2=80=99s response was posted online, It=
alian
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that he was canceling a visit to
the US <https://twitter.com/Antonio_Tajani/status/2067915395764244672?s=3D2=
0>
that
was scheduled for next week demonstrating that the way Trump comports
himself does have a impact on how potentially friendly foreign nations have
begun to regard the United States.

So how will Donald Trump deal with Netanyahu if he seriously wants to end
the war with Iran? Israel =E2=80=98s frequently violent response when other=
s stand
up to it is to use threats that sometimes develop into false flag attacks
or even exploding pager assassinations such as were used in Lebanon and
more. Corrupted politicians who are loyal to Israel infest the US
government and other Zionist loyalists control much of America=E2=80=99s cr=
itical
infrastructure most notably the national media. So where will it go?
Believe me, it just might get a lot worse!

*Philip M. Giraldi, Ph.D., is Executive Director of the Council for the
National Interest, a 501(c)3 tax deductible educational foundation (Federal
ID Number #52-1739023) that seeks a more interests-based U.S. foreign
policy in the Middle East. Website is *
<https://councilforthenationalinterest.org/>*https://councilforthenationali=
nterest.org
<https://councilforthenationalinterest.org/> **address is P.O. Box 2157,
Purcellville VA 20134 and its email is **inform@cnionline.org*
<inform@cnionline.org>.

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><br><div><span style=3D"font-family:inherit;font-size:18px=
;font-style:italic;font-variant-ligatures:inherit;font-variant-caps:inherit=
;font-weight:inherit;background-color:transparent">A bid to end a war might=
 be sabotaged by Netanyahu</span></div><div><div class=3D"gmail-itemblock" =
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nherit;font-size:15px;line-height:inherit;font-family:Georgia,Times,serif;f=
ont-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;=
vertical-align:baseline;clear:both"><div class=3D"gmail-byline" style=3D"ma=
rgin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;fon=
t-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:14px;line-height:1.4em;font=
-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:in=
herit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(3,93,=
166);text-transform:uppercase"><a rel=3D"author" title=3D"Articles, Columns=
, and Major Blog Posts by Philip Giraldi" href=3D"https://www.unz.com/autho=
r/philip-giraldi/" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;=
vertical-align:baseline;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(3,93,166)">Philip Gi=
raldi</a><span class=3D"gmail-datewords" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;bo=
rder:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">=C2=A0=E2=80=A2=C2=A0June 20=
, 2026</span><a class=3D"gmail-nc_tweet gmail-swp_share_link" rel=3D"nofoll=
ow noreferrer noopener" target=3D"_blank" href=3D"https://www.unz.com/pgira=
ldi/another-week-from-hell/#" style=3D"font-style:inherit;font-variant:inhe=
rit;text-align:center;margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-weight:bold;fo=
nt-stretch:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:Lato,sans-serif;font-siz=
e-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertica=
l-align:baseline;color:white;height:30px;font-size:18px;text-decoration:non=
e;display:inline!important"><span class=3D"gmail-swp_count gmail-swp_hide" =
style=3D"margin:0px auto;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-var=
iant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:14px;line-h=
eight:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inh=
erit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;width:auto;displ=
ay:inline!important"><span class=3D"gmail-iconFiller" style=3D"margin:0px a=
uto;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-wei=
ght:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:18px;line-height:inherit;font-fa=
mily:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-set=
tings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;display:inline!important;height:30px;=
overflow:hidden;width:30px"><span class=3D"gmail-spaceManWilly" style=3D"ma=
rgin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;displa=
y:inline!important;width:120px"><span class=3D"gmail-swp_share" style=3D"ma=
rgin:0px 0px 0px 6px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant=
:inherit;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:14px;line-height=
:32px;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;fon=
t-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;display:inline!important=
;height:30px;max-width:none">Mo</span></span></span></span></a></div></div>=
<div class=3D"gmail-button-holder" id=3D"gmail-top-buttons" style=3D"margin=
:5px 0px 0px;padding:7px 0px 0px;border-width:1px 0px;border-style:solid no=
ne;border-color:rgb(204,204,204) currentcolor;font-variant-numeric:inherit;=
font-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;font-stretc=
h:inherit;font-size:15px;line-height:inherit;font-family:Georgia,Times,seri=
f;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inher=
it;vertical-align:baseline;clear:both;height:27px"><a href=3D"https://www.u=
nz.com/pgiraldi/another-week-from-hell/">https://www.unz.com/pgiraldi/anoth=
er-week-from-hell/</a></div><div class=3D"gmail-closeable gmail-holders-0" =
id=3D"gmail-toplist-container" style=3D"margin:8px 0px 0px;padding:5px 0px =
0px;border:0px;font-variant-numeric:inherit;font-variant-east-asian:inherit=
;font-variant-alternates:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:15px;line-h=
eight:inherit;font-family:Georgia,Times,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font=
-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"></d=
iv><a class=3D"gmail-page-thumb" href=3D"https://www.unz.com/pgiraldi/anoth=
er-week-from-hell/" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:10px 1em 0px;border-width:m=
edium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;font-variant-numeric:inhe=
rit;font-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inherit;font-st=
retch:inherit;font-size:15px;line-height:inherit;font-family:Georgia,Times,=
serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:i=
nherit;vertical-align:baseline;text-decoration:none;display:block;max-width=
:600px;overflow:hidden;text-align:center"><img width=3D"600" height=3D"400"=
 src=3D"https://www.unz.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Netanyahu-image-600x=
400.jpg" class=3D"gmail-attachment-page-thumbsize gmail-size-page-thumbsize=
 gmail-wp-post-image" alt=3D"" style=3D"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: =
0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-height: 700px;"></a><span=
 id=3D"gmail-_top" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant-=
numeric:inherit;font-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-variant-alternates:inh=
erit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:15px;line-height:inherit;font-family:Ge=
orgia,Times,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-featur=
e-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"></span><div class=3D"entry" id=
=3D"gmail-contents-holder" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px 0px 10px;border:=
0px;font-variant-numeric:inherit;font-variant-east-asian:inherit;font-varia=
nt-alternates:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:16px;line-height:1.5em=
;font-family:Georgia,Times,serif;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inhe=
rit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;overflow:hidden">=
<div class=3D"gmail-premium-overlay" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border=
:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"></div><div class=3D"gmail-sectio=
n-holder" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-=
align:baseline"><p class=3D"gmail-container" id=3D"gmail-p_1_1" style=3D"ma=
rgin:0.7em 0.4em 0.7em 1em;padding:0.3em;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-a=
lign:baseline"><span class=3D"gmail-contents" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0=
px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">The week started on a p=
ositive note with President Donald Trump uncharacteristically declaring tha=
t a =E2=80=9Cmemorandum of understanding=E2=80=9D (MOU) had been achieved b=
y US and Iranian negotiators assisted by Pakistani and Qatari mediators to =
suspend military action and begin sixty days of discussions in pursuit of a=
 peace agreement. The move was based on a what was described as a fourteen-=
point listing of the steps that would be undertaken to move the process alo=
ng, including concessions dealing with what are being called =E2=80=9Cred l=
ines=E2=80=9D by both parties. The negotiations are predicated on certain s=
teps being taken right away, including toll-free opening of the Strait of H=
ormuz, ceasing Israeli attacks on and occupation of Lebanon, ending US sanc=
tions against Iran, and returning some frozen cash to Tehran.</span></p><p =
class=3D"gmail-container" id=3D"gmail-p_1_2" style=3D"margin:0.7em 0.4em 0.=
7em 1em;padding:0.3em;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"><spa=
n class=3D"gmail-contents" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:=
inherit;vertical-align:baseline">The MOU was signed electronically by both =
US President Trump and the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday=
, with a formal hard copy signing in Switzerland by Vice President JD Vance=
 and the head of the Iranian delegation scheduled for Friday. That signing =
would initiate sixty days of negotiations that hopefully would lead to a fi=
nal peace agreement ending the war. Interestingly, the meeting site, origin=
ally planned for Geneva, may have been changed to a more easily securable s=
ki resort in Burgenstock, by one report due to fears that Israel might try =
to sabotage the gathering, possibly by assassinating one or more members of=
 the Iranian delegation.</span></p><p class=3D"gmail-container" id=3D"gmail=
-p_1_3" style=3D"margin:0.7em 0.4em 0.7em 1em;padding:0.3em;border:0px;font=
:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"><span class=3D"gmail-contents" style=3D"m=
argin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">Unfo=
rtunately, however, Israel predictably did in any event do its best to canc=
el the ceasefire leading to peace talks by doubling down on its bombing and=
 other attacks on Lebanon. It was known that Iran had demanded a cessation =
of hostilities directed at ally Lebanon as a condition for starting the tal=
ks and it now appears that Tehran will again close the Strait due to Israel=
=E2=80=99s aggression. This provocative response was more-or-less expected =
coming from Netanyahu and done without any heed for the explicit warnings t=
hat came from both Trump and Vance that touched on the lopsided bilateral r=
elationship with Israel. Israel=E2=80=99s National Security Minister Ben-Gv=
ir nevertheless ignored possible consequences and asserted on Friday that =
=E2=80=9CAll Lebanon must burn!=E2=80=9D and that =E2=80=9CIn the Middle Ea=
st =E2=80=A6 you have to go berserk. To obliterate.=E2=80=9D</span></p><p c=
lass=3D"gmail-container" id=3D"gmail-p_1_4" style=3D"margin:0.7em 0.4em 0.7=
em 1em;padding:0.3em;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"><span=
 class=3D"gmail-contents" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:i=
nherit;vertical-align:baseline">Trump, who this week declared that there ar=
e =E2=80=9Cno limits on his power=E2=80=9D, for his part, reportedly cursed=
 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call after Netanyahu =
publicly asserted his right and willingness to do whatever it takes to =E2=
=80=9Cdefend=E2=80=9D his country. Trump even denounced Israel=E2=80=99s =
=E2=80=9Coverkill=E2=80=9D bombing of apartment buildings in Beirut just be=
cause, it was claimed, a suspected Hezbollah supporter had walked into them=
. Vance went so far as to remind Israel that if indeed, as Israel and its s=
upporters keep asserting, the Jewish state has a right to defend itself, =
=E2=80=9Cwhatever that takes,=E2=80=9D then Iran has the same right. And he=
 also warned Netanyahu and his hardliners that =E2=80=9CIf I was in the Cab=
inet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking [the United States=
] the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world.=E2=
=80=9D Vance concluded with=C2=A0<a title=3D"https://israelpalestinenews.or=
g/jd-vance-speaks-truth-to-israel-you-cant-just-kill-your-way-out-of-every-=
problem-daily-update/" href=3D"https://israelpalestinenews.org/jd-vance-spe=
aks-truth-to-israel-you-cant-just-kill-your-way-out-of-every-problem-daily-=
update/" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font=
-variant:inherit;font-weight:bold;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;li=
ne-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning=
:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;text-decorat=
ion:none;color:rgb(3,93,166)">=E2=80=9CYou can=E2=80=99t just kill your way=
 out of every problem.=E2=80=9D</a></span></p><p class=3D"gmail-container" =
id=3D"gmail-p_1_5" style=3D"margin:0.7em 0.4em 0.7em 1em;padding:0.3em;bord=
er:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"><span class=3D"gmail-contents"=
 style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:bas=
eline">Vance=E2=80=99s warning may have had an effect as there were unconfi=
rmed reports on Friday that Israel and Hezbollah might have come together f=
or some kind of ceasefire though the issue of Israeli withdrawal from south=
 Lebanon was not addressed. Solving the Lebanon problem, even on a temporar=
y basis, is critical to proceeding farther with the conditions established =
in the MOU. Predictably, the demands to comply on Lebanon coming from the T=
rump Administration most definitely did produce=C2=A0<a title=3D"https://th=
ehill.com/homenews/house/5931984-vance-israel-iran-randy-fine/?email=3D2d10=
60d7dd502db44c3573f326879541c4c57f6b&amp;emaila=3Db4385c2e9a95cd36ab19092d6=
f8adb93&amp;emailb=3D21932280655c3b5e055a588320a0ea59049e08725f48002c63b4ca=
4288b71d6f&amp;utm_source=3DSailthru&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;utm_campaig=
n=3D6.19.26%20CT%20News-Alert-Fine-Vance" href=3D"https://thehill.com/homen=
ews/house/5931984-vance-israel-iran-randy-fine/?email=3D2d1060d7dd502db44c3=
573f326879541c4c57f6b&amp;emaila=3Db4385c2e9a95cd36ab19092d6f8adb93&amp;ema=
ilb=3D21932280655c3b5e055a588320a0ea59049e08725f48002c63b4ca4288b71d6f&amp;=
utm_source=3DSailthru&amp;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;utm_campaign=3D6.19.26%20C=
T%20News-Alert-Fine-Vance" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-=
style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:bold;font-stretch:inherit;fo=
nt-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:in=
herit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:bas=
eline;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(3,93,166)">a predictable response</a>=
=C2=A0from congressman Randy Fine, a Jewish Israel-first-last-and-always ov=
erweight slug from Florida who opined that =E2=80=9CI thought JD=E2=80=99s =
comments yesterday were absolutely inappropriate and frankly disgusting.=E2=
=80=9D</span></p><p class=3D"gmail-container" id=3D"gmail-p_1_6" style=3D"m=
argin:0.7em 0.4em 0.7em 1em;padding:0.3em;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-=
align:baseline"><span class=3D"gmail-contents" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:=
0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">Curiously, Netanyahu a=
lso climbed on board with a rebuttal, claiming that Israel=E2=80=99s compul=
sion to go to war with Iran and destroy it is only due to fear that the Ira=
nians will develop a nuclear weapon and use it on the Jewish state. This is=
 a fake argument that is regularly produced by Israel and its friends like =
Fine and the Republican Senatorial troika of Ted Cruz, Tom Cotton and Linds=
ey Graham. The reality, however, is that it is Israel that has nuclear weap=
ons in a secret and undeclared arsenal of possibly 400 or more bombs while =
US intelligence has reliably declared that Iran has no such thing nor even =
a program to move in that direction. Israel has even crafted a policy refer=
red to as the=C2=A0<em style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-vari=
ant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line=
-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:i=
nherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">Samson Option=
</em>, which could lead to nuclear attacks on numerous countries that might=
 be considered not supportive enough of Israel. That presumably might inclu=
de the United States if the White House were to end its involvement in the =
war against Iran=E2=80=A6</span></p><p class=3D"gmail-container" id=3D"gmai=
l-p_1_7" style=3D"margin:0.7em 0.4em 0.7em 1em;padding:0.3em;border:0px;fon=
t:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"><span class=3D"gmail-contents" style=3D"=
margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">Ira=
n, in fact, subsequently postponed Friday=E2=80=99s Swiss signing and techn=
ical-level talks with the US on Thursday in protest against =E2=80=9Ccontin=
ued=E2=80=9D Israeli ceasefire violations, mainly in southern Lebanon, cons=
isting of the sustained attacks that were supposed to be stopped per the ve=
ry first clause in the text of the MOU. One presumes that Iran, which, for =
good reasons does not trust the US and its controller Israel in negotiation=
s, which previously have been set-ups that have led to assassinations. This=
 time around Iran will not commit without considerable evidence that there =
will be honest dealing from both Washington and Tel Aviv</span></p><p class=
=3D"gmail-container" id=3D"gmail-p_1_8" style=3D"margin:0.7em 0.4em 0.7em 1=
em;padding:0.3em;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"><span cla=
ss=3D"gmail-contents" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inher=
it;vertical-align:baseline">In the current situation, Pakistani government =
sources=C2=A0<a title=3D"https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-diplomacy/signi=
ng-of-the-agreement-between-the-us-and-iran-at-the-b%C3%BCrgenstock/9159795=
4" href=3D"https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-diplomacy/signing-of-the-agre=
ement-between-the-us-and-iran-at-the-b%C3%BCrgenstock/91597954" style=3D"ma=
rgin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;fon=
t-weight:bold;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;fo=
nt-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-featur=
e-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(3=
,93,166)">revealed that</a>=C2=A0Tehran=E2=80=99s chief negotiator Bagher Q=
alibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were =E2=80=9Call set=E2=80=9D t=
o leave for Switzerland to hold the direct talks with Washington, but they =
pulled out of their scheduled trip at the last minute following =E2=80=9Cdi=
rectives=E2=80=9D from the =E2=80=9Ctop Iranian leadership=E2=80=9D objecti=
ng to the Israeli behavior.</span></p><p class=3D"gmail-container" id=3D"gm=
ail-p_1_9" style=3D"margin:0.7em 0.4em 0.7em 1em;padding:0.3em;border:0px;f=
ont:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"><span class=3D"gmail-contents" style=
=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"=
>Iran did not specify whether the decision came directly from Supreme Leade=
r Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, who has already said he has a =E2=80=9Cdifferent=
 view=E2=80=9D on the US-Iran deal to end the war, possibly implying that h=
e is not prepared to concede anything to Israel/US. US Vice President JD Va=
nce wisely canceled his trip to Switzerland after Islamabad conveyed Tehran=
=E2=80=99s decision to Washington. No new date or venue for the talks has b=
een decided according to the Pakistanis but they did leave the door open, d=
eclaring that =E2=80=9CPakistan is in touch with both sides to set a new da=
te for the technical-level talks to reach a final agreement.=E2=80=9D</span=
></p><p class=3D"gmail-container" id=3D"gmail-p_1_10" style=3D"margin:0.7em=
 0.4em 0.7em 1em;padding:0.3em;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:basel=
ine"><span class=3D"gmail-contents" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:=
0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">Trump is meanwhile taking conside=
rable heat from his former close associates who identify as Zionists, thoug=
h one might refer to them more accurately as =E2=80=9CIsrael Firsters=E2=80=
=9D given that that is where their actual loyalty lies. This already includ=
es his principal donor Miriam Adelson who has called him a =E2=80=9Cbetraye=
r.=E2=80=9D This list of enemies inevitably includes the many members of Co=
ngress from both parties, who have been bribed by Israel=E2=80=99s American=
-Jewish billionaires, with clowns like Senator Ted Cruz from Texas inevitab=
ly leading the charge. And then there is the Jewish dominated media, with t=
alk show Zionist fanatics like Mark Levin screaming his outrage at =E2=80=
=9Cgiving things=E2=80=9D to Iran in the MOU. Ironically, Levin notoriously=
 some months back declared a grinning Trump to be America=E2=80=99s first J=
ewish president. Trump responded =E2=80=9CIt=E2=80=99s true!=E2=80=9D</span=
></p><p class=3D"gmail-container" id=3D"gmail-p_1_11" style=3D"margin:0.7em=
 0.4em 0.7em 1em;padding:0.3em;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:basel=
ine"><span class=3D"gmail-contents" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:=
0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">So Trump has uncharacteristically=
 decided to rein in his Israeli masters because he desperately needs peace =
to give time to repair the increasingly energy deprived world economy which=
 is threatening to impact negatively on the US due to his collaboration in =
Netanyahu=E2=80=99s awful choice to destroy Iran. There is a midterm electi=
on coming up which looks likely to return the Democrats to power in Congres=
s and if that happens, there is already talk of impeachment for Trump!</spa=
n></p><p class=3D"gmail-container" id=3D"gmail-p_1_12" style=3D"margin:0.7e=
m 0.4em 0.7em 1em;padding:0.3em;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:base=
line"><span class=3D"gmail-contents" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border=
:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">What all of the above really com=
es down to is an understanding that Israel is poison for the United States =
and also for the other countries mostly in Europe that choose to look the o=
ther way as it commits war crimes currently including the horrific genocide=
 in Gaza and the invasion and bombing of Lebanon. Israel is manifestly a ro=
gue nation that must be constrained and discouraged rather than coddled and=
 protected. It gets away with what it gets away with largely due to the lop=
sided relationship with a powerful United States that it has obtained throu=
gh corruption of the US political system. Ironically, Washington even looks=
 the other way when Israel cold bloodedly kills Americans as it did with th=
e 34 crewmen on the=C2=A0<em style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;fon=
t-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inheri=
t;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-ker=
ning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">USS Lib=
erty</em>=C2=A0in 1967. More recently, it has killed American journalists a=
nd visitors without any consequences coming from the US State Department. A=
nd beyond the killing, there are the wars that the United States enters int=
o due to Israel including its involvement in Lebanon in the 1980s, as well =
as with Syria, and with Iraq.</span></p><p class=3D"gmail-container" id=3D"=
gmail-p_1_13" style=3D"margin:0.7em 0.4em 0.7em 1em;padding:0.3em;border:0p=
x;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"><span class=3D"gmail-contents" styl=
e=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline=
">And the killing tendency suggests possibilities that are even more dreadf=
ul to contemplate, with an increasing number of Americans convinced that Is=
rael was involved in the assassination of President John F Kennedy and in 9=
/11 just for starters, both of which might quite plausibly have been carrie=
d out in support of =E2=80=9CIsraeli interests=E2=80=9D since they enabled =
the Jewish state to acquire nuclear weapons and make Washington a partner i=
n the war against =E2=80=9Cradical Islam.=E2=80=9D And there is also the st=
range case of the more recent murder of Charlie Kirk, bits of which are onl=
y starting to surface now. As is well attested, shortly before his death Ki=
rk openly declared his rejection of Israel=E2=80=99s dominant role in US fo=
reign policy under presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump in particular. The=
re have been some serious questions raised about the technical aspects of t=
he killing itself which continue to be unanswered by the FBI in particular,=
 but one interesting connection was recently described by=C2=A0<em style=3D=
"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit=
;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inh=
erit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:in=
herit;vertical-align:baseline">Greyzone</em>=C2=A0<span style=3D"margin:0px=
;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"><a title=3D"h=
ttps://ronpaulinstitute.org/israeli-foreign-agent-took-over-the-charlie-kir=
k-show-days-after-his-killing/" href=3D"https://ronpaulinstitute.org/israel=
i-foreign-agent-took-over-the-charlie-kirk-show-days-after-his-killing/" st=
yle=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:in=
herit;font-weight:bold;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:i=
nherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;fo=
nt-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;text-decoration:none;co=
lor:rgb(3,93,166)">journalist Max Blumenthal</a></span>=C2=A0=E2=80=9CCharl=
ie Kirk=E2=80=99s media empire and his right-wing activist organization, Tu=
rning Point USA (TPUSA), have come under the control of the Israel-directed=
 forces he spent the last months of his life antagonizing. Erika Kirk now c=
laims her husband supported Israel to the end, while TPUSA misrepresents hi=
s opposition to war on Iran. The Charlie Kirk Show is now distributed by a =
federally registered agent of Israel tasked with seeding American media wit=
h Zionist propaganda. It is part of a $46 million dollar annual contract be=
tween the Israeli government and Brad Parscale, the former chief of staff f=
or Donald Trump=E2=80=99s 2020 presidential campaign. This may be the large=
st lobbying contract in the history of foreign influence operations in the =
US.=E2=80=9D</span></p><p class=3D"gmail-container" id=3D"gmail-p_1_14" sty=
le=3D"margin:0.7em 0.4em 0.7em 1em;padding:0.3em;border:0px;font:inherit;ve=
rtical-align:baseline"><span class=3D"gmail-contents" style=3D"margin:0px;p=
adding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">Kirk was assass=
inated on September 10, 2025 during his=C2=A0<em style=3D"margin:0px;paddin=
g:0px;border:0px;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inhe=
rit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adj=
ust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-ali=
gn:baseline">American Comeback Tour</em>=C2=A0in Utah. Within two hours of =
the killing, Benjamin Netanyahu appeared on Israeli television and said tha=
t his country had not done it, which certainly aroused suspicions that it h=
ad! Eight days later, Parscale, a registered foreign agent of the Israeli M=
inistry of Foreign Affairs, acquired responsibility for a=C2=A0<a title=3D"=
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/israel-chatgpt/" href=3D"https://responsi=
blestatecraft.org/israel-chatgpt/" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0=
px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:bold;font-stretch:in=
herit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-a=
djust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-a=
lign:baseline;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(3,93,166)">propaganda agenda</=
a>=C2=A0=E2=80=9Ctailored to Gen Z audiences across platforms, including Ti=
kTok, Instagram, YouTube, podcasts, and other relevant digital and broadcas=
t outlets.=E2=80=9D Since Kirk=E2=80=99s killing, his successors have done =
their best to bury his strongly expressed opposition to war on Iran, as wel=
l as his anger with Netanyahu and his army of well-funded lobbyists in the =
US. Kirk=E2=80=99s widow and replacement as TPUSA CEO, Erika Kirk, now=C2=
=A0<a title=3D"https://twitter.com/Antunes1/status/2000333891618652484" hre=
f=3D"https://twitter.com/Antunes1/status/2000333891618652484" style=3D"marg=
in:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-=
weight:bold;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font=
-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-=
settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(3,9=
3,166)">insists</a>=C2=A0falsely that she and her husband never wavered in =
their support for Israel.</span></p><p class=3D"gmail-container" id=3D"gmai=
l-p_1_15" style=3D"margin:0.7em 0.4em 0.7em 1em;padding:0.3em;border:0px;fo=
nt:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"><span class=3D"gmail-contents" style=3D=
"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">So=
 Israel is continuing to behave as Israel behaves, which is abominably. Wil=
l Trump, who only recently showed up an hour late at an important G7 meetin=
g in Paris,=C2=A0<a title=3D"https://news.abplive.com/news/world/i-am-the-b=
oss-donald-trump-says-after-arriving-at-g7-working-session-video-1850881" h=
ref=3D"https://news.abplive.com/news/world/i-am-the-boss-donald-trump-says-=
after-arriving-at-g7-working-session-video-1850881" style=3D"margin:0px;pad=
ding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:bol=
d;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:in=
herit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:i=
nherit;vertical-align:baseline;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(3,93,166)">an=
nouncing that</a>=C2=A0=E2=80=9CI am the boss!=E2=80=9D to the assembled he=
ads of state, have the intestinal fortitude to confront Netanyahu and his f=
riends? Will a muddled Trump have the confidence to take on Netanyahu and h=
is army of US lobbyists particularly if they are willing to reveal blackmai=
l material on him generated by Jeffrey Epstein?</span></p><p class=3D"gmail=
-container" id=3D"gmail-p_1_16" style=3D"margin:0.7em 0.4em 0.7em 1em;paddi=
ng:0.3em;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"><span class=3D"gm=
ail-contents" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;verti=
cal-align:baseline">Trump has plenty of ego but will that be enough as he c=
an also be embarrassingly stupid and pretentious, alienating people he has =
to work and cooperate with. For example, in a brief interview in Paris=C2=
=A0<a title=3D"https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5931927-giorgia-=
meloni-trump-g7-greene/?email=3D2d1060d7dd502db44c3573f326879541c4c57f6b&am=
p;emaila=3Db4385c2e9a95cd36ab19092d6f8adb93&amp;emailb=3D21932280655c3b5e05=
5a588320a0ea59049e08725f48002c63b4ca4288b71d6f&amp;utm_source=3DSailthru&am=
p;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;utm_campaign=3D6.19.26%20CT%20News-Alert-Greene-Me=
loni" href=3D"https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5931927-giorgia-m=
eloni-trump-g7-greene/?email=3D2d1060d7dd502db44c3573f326879541c4c57f6b&amp=
;emaila=3Db4385c2e9a95cd36ab19092d6f8adb93&amp;emailb=3D21932280655c3b5e055=
a588320a0ea59049e08725f48002c63b4ca4288b71d6f&amp;utm_source=3DSailthru&amp=
;utm_medium=3Demail&amp;utm_campaign=3D6.19.26%20CT%20News-Alert-Greene-Mel=
oni" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-var=
iant:inherit;font-weight:bold;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-h=
eight:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inh=
erit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;text-decoration:=
none;color:rgb(3,93,166)">Trump said in a demeaning tone that</a>=C2=A0Ital=
ian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni =E2=80=9Cwanted a picture with me so badl=
y=E2=80=A6 She=E2=80=99s probably happy I talked to her. I didn=E2=80=99t h=
ave to talk to her.=E2=80=9D He reportedly then elaborated =E2=80=9CShe beg=
ged me to take a picture with her. She wanted a picture with me so badly. I=
 wouldn=E2=80=99t have taken it, but I felt sorry for her.=E2=80=9D</span><=
/p><p class=3D"gmail-container" id=3D"gmail-p_1_17" style=3D"margin:0.7em 0=
.4em 0.7em 1em;padding:0.3em;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baselin=
e"><span class=3D"gmail-contents" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0p=
x;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">Giorgia Meloni responded that the w=
hole thing from Trump was a lie and =E2=80=9Cmade up=E2=80=9D so she wonder=
ed why he felt compelled to do that sort of thing at a top level foreign po=
licy gathering saying =E2=80=9CI do not know why the president of the Unite=
d States behaves this way toward his allies =E2=80=94 it is certainly not t=
he first time this has happened.=E2=80=9D And there were consequences. Shor=
tly after Meloni=E2=80=99s response was posted online, Italian Foreign Mini=
ster Antonio Tajani announced that he was=C2=A0<a title=3D"https://twitter.=
com/Antonio_Tajani/status/2067915395764244672?s=3D20" href=3D"https://twitt=
er.com/Antonio_Tajani/status/2067915395764244672?s=3D20" style=3D"margin:0p=
x;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weigh=
t:bold;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-fami=
ly:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-setti=
ngs:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(3,93,166=
)">canceling a visit to the US</a>=C2=A0that was scheduled for next week de=
monstrating that the way Trump comports himself does have a impact on how p=
otentially friendly foreign nations have begun to regard the United States.=
</span></p><p class=3D"gmail-container" id=3D"gmail-p_1_18" style=3D"margin=
:0.7em 0.4em 0.7em 1em;padding:0.3em;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align=
:baseline"><span class=3D"gmail-contents" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;b=
order:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">So how will Donald Trump de=
al with Netanyahu if he seriously wants to end the war with Iran? Israel =
=E2=80=98s frequently violent response when others stand up to it is to use=
 threats that sometimes develop into false flag attacks or even exploding p=
ager assassinations such as were used in Lebanon and more. Corrupted politi=
cians who are loyal to Israel infest the US government and other Zionist lo=
yalists control much of America=E2=80=99s critical infrastructure most nota=
bly the national media. So where will it go? Believe me, it just might get =
a lot worse!</span></p><p class=3D"gmail-container" id=3D"gmail-p_1_19" sty=
le=3D"margin:0.7em 0.4em 0.7em 1em;padding:0.3em;border:0px;font:inherit;ve=
rtical-align:baseline"><span class=3D"gmail-contents" style=3D"margin:0px;p=
adding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"><em style=3D"ma=
rgin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;fo=
nt-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inheri=
t;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inher=
it;vertical-align:baseline">Philip M. Giraldi, Ph.D., is Executive Director=
 of the Council for the National Interest, a 501(c)3 tax deductible educati=
onal foundation (Federal ID Number #52-1739023) that seeks a more interests=
-based U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Website is=C2=A0</em><a titl=
e=3D"https://councilforthenationalinterest.org/" href=3D"https://councilfor=
thenationalinterest.org/" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-s=
tyle:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:bold;font-stretch:inherit;fon=
t-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inh=
erit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:base=
line;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(3,93,166)"><strong style=3D"margin:0px;=
padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:=
bold;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family=
:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-setting=
s:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"><em style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;bord=
er:0px;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-s=
ize:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inheri=
t;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baselin=
e"></em></strong></a><strong style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;fon=
t-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:bold;font-stretch:inherit;=
font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:=
inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:b=
aseline"><em style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant:inheri=
t;font-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:in=
herit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;fon=
t-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"><a href=3D"https://coun=
cilforthenationalinterest.org/" title=3D"https://councilforthenationalinter=
est.org" style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font=
-variant:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit=
;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-fea=
ture-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;text-decoration:none;color:rg=
b(3,93,166)">https://councilforthenationalinterest.org</a>=C2=A0</em></stro=
ng><em style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-variant:inherit;font=
-weight:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;=
font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feat=
ure-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">address is P.O. Box 2157, Pur=
cellville VA 20134 and its email is=C2=A0</em><a title=3D"mailto:inform@cni=
online.org" href=3D"mailto:inform@cnionline.org" style=3D"margin:0px;paddin=
g:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;font-weight:bold;f=
ont-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-family:inher=
it;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inherit;font-feature-settings:inhe=
rit;vertical-align:baseline;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(3,93,166)"><stro=
ng style=3D"margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-varia=
nt:inherit;font-weight:bold;font-stretch:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-hei=
ght:inherit;font-family:inherit;font-size-adjust:inherit;font-kerning:inher=
it;font-feature-settings:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">inform@cnionline.=
org</strong></a>.</span></p></div></div></div></div>

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