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☆ Opinion: Small-town water systems are global cyber targets. Is your city next?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Opinion Robert M. Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The town of Abernathy also reported a water system hack, and the towns of Lockney and Hale Center said hackers tried to breach their water infrastructure but did not succeed. Unlike how David was ready to take on Goliath, our most vulnerable critical infrastructure systems – including water infrastructure – are ill-prepared. The water attacks we’ve seen so far have not had serious consequences for the people they serve. According to the EPA, 90% of the nation’s community water systems are small, public systems bringing water to 10,000 or fewer customers. If we really want to help water utilities defend against cyber threats, we have to close the resource gap.

Persons: Robert M, Lee Dragos, David, we’ve, –, Iran –, Homeland Security’s Organizations: CNN, Cyber Army, Hale Center, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, FBI, Rehabilitation, Government, Department, Homeland, Infrastructure Security Agency, National Security Agency, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Homeland, Local Locations: Russia, Texas, Muleshoe, Abernathy, Lockney, Aliquippa , Pennsylvania, United States, China, North Korea, Iran, Department of Homeland Security’s State

☆ Israeli and Iranian strikes transform Middle East geopolitics
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —Israel and Iran have now thrust the Middle East into a dangerous new era by erasing the taboo against overt military strikes on one another’s territory. Most immediately, the ball is in Iran’s court after Israel conducted strikes near the city of Isfahan early Friday. Initial reports suggest that the action was limited and, according to US officials, did not target Iranian nuclear sites in the area. Hours before the Israeli strikes, for instance, Iran had warned that any Israeli attack would be met with a robust response. “I do think it sends a message to Tehran that really they are more vulnerable to Israeli strikes than they would like to admit,” Davis said.

Persons: CNN —, Israel, Hossein Amir, Abdollahian, John Kennedy, Netanyahu, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden’s, it’s, Antony Blinken, Donald Trump, ” Aaron David Miller, ” Israel, they’d, Malcolm Davis, CNN’s Michael Holmes, ” Davis, Israel – Organizations: CNN, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iran’s, Cuban, Israel, American, Hamas, Republicans, Democratic, US, Australian Strategic Policy Institute Locations: CNN — Israel, Iran, Isfahan, Israel, Syria, Iraq, Damascus, Gaza, United States, Washington, Italy, Lebanon, Tehran

☆ Can China play a role in avoiding an all-out war in the Middle East?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Nectar Gan | Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

“China calls on the international community, especially countries with influence, to play a constructive role for the peace and stability of the region,” the ministry added. The decision by Iran’s leaders to strike at Israel directly has pushed the shadow war between the two regional foes into the open. That’s why China does not condemn Iran,” said Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Washington-based Stimson Center think tank. Beijing meanwhile denounced the strike as a “barbarian act,” with protests erupting outside US diplomatic compounds across China. “For China, had US applies enough pressure on Israel, neither the Israeli attack nor the Iranian retaliation would have taken place.

Persons: Beijing’s, Antony Blinken, Wang Yi –, Saudi Arabia –, ”, William Figueroa, Figueroa, “, Xi Jinping, China’s, Iran ”, Israel, ” Figueroa, Wang Wenbin, Wang, Yun Sun, Bill Clinton, Jiang Zemin, ” Sun, Kishida, Jaishankar, Israel Katz, Hossein Amirabdollahian Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Foreign Ministry, Washington, US State Department, Hamas, Beijing, Tehran, University of Groningen, Global Security Initiative, CNN, Chinese Foreign Ministry, Stimson, NATO, Embassy, Japan’s, Israel’s Foreign, Iranian Locations: China, Hong Kong, East, Iran, Israel, Beijing, Gaza, Tehran, Damascus, Republic, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Palestinian, Red, Tehran –, Netherlands, underinvestment, United States, Israeli, Syria, Quds, Washington, Belgrade, That’s, Yugoslavia, Asia, ”, India, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia

Iran has warned that it will respond with “stronger and more resolute” actions if Israel retaliates over this weekend’s strikes, according to Tehran’s ambassador to the United Nations. Biden will also meet with G7 leaders on Sunday “to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack,” according to a statement released by the White House. US defensive assets moved to the region earlier this week and “helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles,” according to the statement. US forces intercepted more than 70 one-way attack drones and at least 3 ballistic missiles Iran fired toward Israel, according to two US official familiar with the situation. US fighter jets were also part of the US’ response to Iran’s attack on Saturday and shot down drones launched towards Israel, another US official told CNN.

Persons: Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Iran –, “, ”, Biden, Netanyahu, Jordan, ” CNN’s Nic Robertson, –, Mohammed Reza Zahedi, Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, Donald Trump, IRGC, Qassem Soleimani, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ebrahim Raisi, IRNA, ” Israel, General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, Iran’s, António Guterres, Josep Borrell, Rishi Sunak, Javier Milei, Manuel Adorni, CNN’s Paul Murphy Organizations: CNN, Israel, United Nations, Iran, White House, US Navy, US, Revolutionary Guards, Iran’s Defense, Foreign Ministry, UN, British Locations: Iran, Syria, Israel, Republic, Haifa, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Gaza, Damascus, Baghdad, Lebanese, Quds, East, Europe, America, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, France, Netherlands, Austria, Czech Republic, Spain, Portugal, China, Beijing, Chile, Mexico, Denmark

☆ Former Trump national security advisor John Bolton says Gaza war is still 'in the very early stages'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Former U.S. national security advisor John Bolton believes Israel's war in Gaza is "still in the very early stages" and says it has been complicated by Iran's involvement. Framing the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas as "an Iranian war against Israel," Bolton told CNBC's Dan Murphy: "The fact that Iran has not yet been held to account for any of it, suggests that we're still in the very early stages of the war." "This is not a Gaza versus Israel war, or a Palestinian versus Israel war, or an Arab versus Israel war. This is an Iranian war against Israel, fought through terrorist proxies," he told CNBC on Wednesday. Bolton is a noted foreign policy hawk and has previously advocated for regime change by the U.S. in Iran.

Persons: John Bolton, Bolton, CNBC's Dan Murphy, we're, Israel Organizations: National Security, National Council of Resistance, U.S, Representative, Willard InterContinental Hotel, Washington , DC, Former U.S, Israel, Palestinian Islamist, CNBC, Wednesday, Bolton Locations: Iran, Washington ,, Gaza, Israel, Palestinian, Iranian, U.S, Syrian, Damascus, Tehran

☆ Vladimir Putin set to win 2024 Russian presidential election
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-17 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Minutes after polls closed on Sunday, the head of the Russian Central Election Commission (CEC) said Putin was in the lead with 87.9% of the vote, with 24.4% of the count in. More constitutional changes in 2020 removed presidential term limits, potentially allowing Putin to stay in power until 2036. Russia also held the presidential election in four Ukrainian regions it annexed during its full-scaled invasion. APThe election comes after more than two years of war which have exacted huge costs on the Russian population. After the election, Russia is set to continue to press home its growing advantage in Ukraine.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin, Russia’s, Joseph Stalin, – Putin, ”, Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Alexey Navalny, Navalny, Novichok, “, Navalny’s, Yulia Navalnaya, Molotov, Ella Pamfilova, Dmitri Lovetsky, Levada Organizations: CNN, Kremlin, Russian, Election Commission, Russian Security Service, Sunday, CEC, West Locations: Soviet, Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, St . Petersburg, Germany, China, North Korea, Iran, Avdiivka, United States, Europe

A screengrab from a video, geolocated by CNN to the town of Qaim, Iraq, shows the aftermath of US military strikes in the area according to the Iraqi Military. US officials say the strikes hit four facilities in Syria and three in Iraq, where security officials reported damage in the city of Al-Qaim. The sites allegedly belonged to various Iran-backed militias, which the US blames for the strike in Jordan. The US does not plan to strike inside Iran: A senior official with the Biden administration told CNN the US will not strike inside Iran – only focusing on targets outside of the country. Striking inside Iran would have been a huge escalation, and officials have telegraphed that is unlikely to happen.

Persons: Joe Biden, Lloyd Austin, Biden, Jordan, Douglas Sims, Sims, John Kirby Organizations: CNN, White House, Pentagon, Defense, Air Force, National Security Locations: Qaim, Iraq, Iraqi, Jordan, Syria, Al, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Yemen, Gen

☆ The Red Sea crisis tests China’s global ambitions
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

China’s responseThe Houthi rebels in Yemen started firing missiles and drones at ships in the Red Sea in mid-November, in what they say is an act of solidarity with Palestinians. Chinese officials repeatedly stressed that the Red Sea crisis is a “spillover” from the conflict in Gaza, citing an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas as the top priority. Beijing’s reluctance to wade into the Red Sea crisis reflects these geopolitical calculations. The Chinese government readout of the meeting between Wang and Sullivan did not mention the Red Sea. Egypt is losing millions of dollars per day from the reduced traffic at the Suez Canal at the northern end of the Red Sea.

Persons: Houthi, “, ”, Mordechai Chaziza, Xi Jinping, Israel, ” Chaziza, Wang Yi, Jake Sullivan, Iran ”, we’re, Wang, Sullivan, Ebrahim Raisi, Yan Yan, OOCL, Kuehne + Nagel, Jonathan Fulton, “ can’t, ” Fulton, William Figueroa, Xi Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Ashkelon Academic College, Beijing, Iran, People’s Liberation Army Navy, Britain, United Nations Security Council, Global, Western, Chinese Foreign, White House, Reuters, Chinese Foreign Ministry, China, Shanghai Shipping Exchange, Atlantic Council, University of Groningen, Xi’s Global Security Initiative, GSI, Hamas Locations: Hong Kong, Red, Israel, Ashkelon, United States, China, Europe, Yemen, Gulf, Aden, Djibouti, Beijing, Gaza, Bangkok, Iran, Tehran, Africa, Switzerland, Francisco, Shanghai, Abu Dhabi, Egypt, Suez, Sea, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands

Islamabad, Pakistan CNN —Pakistan and Iran have both conducted strikes on each other’s territories in an unprecedented escalation of hostilities between the neighbors, at a time when tensions have risen sharply across the Middle East and beyond. Iran claimed it had “only targeted Iranian terrorists on the soil of Pakistan” and that no Pakistani nationals were targeted. In 2015, the group claimed responsibility for an attack that killed eight Iranian border guards, with militants reportedly crossing into Iran from Pakistan. Iran’s strikes on Tuesday sparked a diplomatic spat, with Pakistan recalling its ambassador from Iran and suspending all high-level visits from its neighbor. And after Pakistan’s strikes, Iran on Thursday demanded “an immediate explanation” from its neighbor, Tasmin reported.

Persons: Islam –, hideouts, Jaish al, ”, Karim Sadjadpour, Wesley Clark, “, Jaish, CNN What’s, Tasmin, Matt Miller, Washington, “ We’ve, –, Miller, ” Pakistan’s Organizations: Pakistan CNN —, Adl, Justice, Iran’s, Carnegie Endowment, International, US Army, CNN, Hamas, US, National Counterterrorism Center, US State Department, US State, Pakistan – Locations: Islamabad, Pakistan, Pakistan CNN — Pakistan, Iran, Balochistan, Sistan, Baluchestan, restive Baloch, Gaza, Here’s, Pakistan’s Balochistan, Iran’s, Iran’s Sistan, Baluchestan province, Islam, ”, United States, Iraq, Syria, Israel, Lebanon, Yemen, Red, NATO, Afghanistan, Tehran, Pakistan’s, Iranian, India, ” China

Here’s what else you should know about the ICJ and South Africa’s case against Israel. For the case brought by South Africa, the panel will also be expanded to include one judge from South Africa and one from Israel. Does South Africa’s Genocide Case Against Israel Matter? How Is Israel Responding to the Genocide Charges by South Africa? Israeli officials have denied the allegations in the strongest possible terms, and even vigorously attacked South Africa for bringing the charges.

Persons: –, ”, Benjamin Netanyahu, what’s, France –, Joan Donoghue, “, Sarang Shidore, Al Jazeera, Eylon Levy, Netanyahu, it’s, Biden, Antony Blinken, Israel – Hamas, Iran –, William Schabas, Malcolm Shaw, Long Organizations: International Court of Justice, United, Israel, United Nations, Court, International Justice, General Assembly, Security, ICC, Criminal Court, Central American, Nicaraguan, Security Council, Fisheries, Embassy, South, Biden Administration, Global, Quincy Institute, Middlesex University, New York Times Locations: Israel – South Africa, Israel, Gaza, Africa, United Nations, The Hague, Netherlands, U.S, Russia, China, France, Slovakia, Lebanon, Brazil, Somalia, South Africa, Nicaragua, Nicaragua’s, Norway, Iran, Canada, Syria, Washington, United States, United, Ukraine, The State, Hague, ” U.S, Ireland, Guatemala, Hungary, British

☆ Opinion: The deep moral dilemma at the heart of the hostage deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Frida Ghitis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The deal, however, is hardly the stuff of unalloyed joy – for Palestinians or for Israel. And the deal arguably strengthens Hamas, allowing it to claim credit, catch its breath and regroup. But their voices were drowned by the strength of the hostages’ families. They simultaneously support the government’s aim of fighting Hamas so it can no longer threaten Israel. It’s a sign of a deep moral dilemma that will continue playing out in profound human suffering.

Persons: Frida Ghitis, Israel, –, Cpl, Gilad Shalit, Shalit, Yahya Sinwar, Israel –, It’s, Frida Ghitis It’s, Benjamin Netanyahu, Mohammed Al, Masri, embeds, Iran –, ”, “ Organizations: CNN, Washington Post, Politics, Hamas, Frida Ghitis CNN, Gaza, Israel’s Locations: Israel, Gaza, Sinwar, Egypt, Sinai, Iran, Palestinian

☆ China's plan to seize on global chaos and supplant the US may be working
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

China's Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden are meeting in San Francisco at the APEC summit. AdvertisementPresident Joe Biden seems keen to ease tensions with his main global rival, China's leader Xi Jinping, against a backdrop of global chaos and conflict. Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose with heads of delegations participating in the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on October 18, 2023. Sun, the Stimson Center expert, said Xi will be seeking to use the meeting to burnish his image as a global statesman and head off China's economic woes. But whatever agreements Xi brokers with the US president it's unlikely to change his core mission: Chinese global dominance.

Persons: China's Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, —, Xi Jinping, SERGEI, Jonathan Ward, Vladimir Putin, Biden, Xi, Putin, GRIGORY SYSOYEV, Ward, Yun Sun, Jeremy Chan, SAUL LOEB, Xi's, it's Organizations: APEC, Service, Economic Cooperation, Getty Images, Atlas Group, Russia's, Forum, Stimson Center, Eurasia Group, Getty Locations: San Francisco, China, Ukraine, Asia, East, Russia, Iran, Getty Images China, Beijing, Gaza, Israel, Palestine, Europe, Ethiopia, Argentina, Nusa Dua, Bali, Taiwan

☆ Why oil is down since the Hamas-Israel conflict started and whether that can last
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

A risk premium should be present somewhere in oil prices, Papic wrote. "If the Hamas attack leads to a regional conflict in the world's most important oil producing geography, then oil prices should catch a bid… any bid. Beijing's crude oil imports rose in October, but the country's overall exports fell more than expected, indicating the global economy may be slowing. The biggest risk for oil prices is a decline in Iranian oil exports by 300,000 to 500,000 barrels per day, the bank cautioned. The U.S. House of Representatives last week passed a bill to harden sanctions on Tehran's crude exports in an overwhelming bipartisan vote following the Hamas' attacks.

Persons: Netanyahu, Marko Papic, Papic, Oil's, Ellen Wald, Wald, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Giovanni Staunovo, Staunovo, Joe Biden, Mike Rothman, Rothman Organizations: Brent, West Texas, Clocktower, U.S . Energy, UBS, OPEC, U.S . House, Iran's, Bank, World Bank, Gulf Cooperation Council, GCC, Washington, Cornerstone Analytics, JPMorgan Locations: Israel, @CL, Gaza, Yemen, Lebanon, Iran, Syria, China, U.S, Europe, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Strait, Hormuz, Ukraine, Riyadh, India, Japan, South Korea, Republic, Staunovo, Tehran, Gulf States

☆ Mike Johnson tests his new power with risky gambit on Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —New House Speaker Mike Johnson is already tying Washington in new partisan knots. Johnson surprises by picking Israel funding as his first test of credibilityJohnson’s hard ball play on Israel funding came as a surprise given that some of the urgency for ending the speakership impasse last week was to swiftly clear a funding package following the Hamas attacks. The Biden administration on Tuesday formally threatened to veto the House GOP’s standalone Israel aid bill. The inclusion of the offsets could indicate that Johnson needs to placate his most hardline members even to pass a measure as popular as Israel funding. Some other Senate conservatives are also at odds with their leader, backing the decoupling of Israel and Ukraine aid.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden’s, Mitch McConnell, McCarthy, McConnell, Johnson, ” Beth Sanner, “, Biden, ” Sanner, Johnson’s, ’, Jared Moskowitz, ”, “ I’m, Marjorie Taylor Greene of, Rashida, Greene, George Santos, McConnell –, Donald Trump, –, Vladimir Putin, don’t, Rand Paul, he’s, ” Paul, CNN’s Manu Raju, Chuck Schumer, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Lloyd Austin, Putin, ‘ I’m Organizations: CNN, New, Washington, Republican, Republicans, stoke, Internal Revenue, GOP, Louisiana Republican, Democratic, Senate, National Intelligence, Central ”, White, Israel, National Republican, Extreme, Democrats, Jewish Democrat, “, GOP Rep, Democratic Rep, Democrat, New York Rep, titans, Taiwan, New York Democrat, US, NATO Locations: Israel, Louisiana, Ukraine, China, Russia, Washington, Gaza, Florida, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Palestinian American, Michigan, Kyiv, Kentucky, United States, Moscow, Iran, Tehran, Baltic

☆ Why Hasn’t Israel Invaded Gaza?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Cecelia Smith-Schoenwalder | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +9 min

While Israel has performed raids in Gaza, the larger ground invasion hasn’t happened, and the delay could expose further challenges for Israel’s operations. Additionally, the Biden administration has raised concerns that Israel lacks achievable military goals in Gaza, and the delay could help the country refine its objectives. So far, outside interests have remained mostly on the sidelines of the conflict, but a ground invasion could change that. There has also been some speculation that the ground invasion could be more limited in scope than what has been imagined so far. But waiting any longer for a ground invasion could create a dilemma for Israel: waning international support.

Persons: It’s, ” Natan Sachs, Benjamin Netanyahu, John Kirby, Israel, We’re, we’re, ” Kirby, Joe Biden, “, ”, Biden, doesn't, Ian Hurd, it's, ” Biden, ” Dan Byman, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Jonathan Conricus, Byman, Kirby, We’ve Organizations: Hamas, Brookings Institution, Pentagon, United, United Arab Emirates, White, National Security, Israeli Defense Forces, Northwestern University, Street, Iran’s Quds Force, Quds Force, Center for Strategic, International Studies, ” Iran's, United Nations, General, Israel Defense Forces, ABC Radio Melbourne, Israel, Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service Locations: Gaza, U.S, Israel, Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab, Iran, The U.S, Tehran, Iran’s Quds, Beirut, Palestine, United States

“The United States does not seek conflict with Iran. We do not want this war to widen,” Blinken said at a convening of the U.N. Security Council in New York City. Do not attack Israel's partners.’”War in Israel and Gaza View All 69 Images“And we urge partners to go a step further,” Blinken added. “Make clear that if Iran or its proxies widen this conflict and put more civilians at risk, you – you – will hold them accountable. Act as if the security and stability of the entire region and beyond is on the line.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, ’, ”, John Kirby, Kirby, Carney, we're Organizations: . Security, Iran, Israel, White House, Defense Department, Navy, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Locations: Iran, U.S, Tehran, Israel, United States, New York City, Gaza, Iraq, Syria, Red, Iranian, Yemen

Shadi Tabatibi/Reuters Relatives mourn for a family killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on October 21. Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images Palestinians inspect a destroyed area following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza on October 21. Ronen Zvulun/Reuters A woman mourns over a dead man at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Gaza City on October 18. Fatima Shbair/AP People react at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City on Saturday, October 14. Ramez Mahmoud/AP A plume of smoke rises in the sky over Gaza City during an Israeli airstrike on October 9.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Zhai Jun, Beijing’s, Zhai, ”, Sanam Vakil, ” Jonathan Fulton, Said Khatub, Leon Neal, Hatem Moussa, Nir Oz, Wolfgang Schwan, Yousef Masoud, Alexi J . Rosenfeld, Shadi Tabatibi, Ali Jadallah, Belal al Sabbagh, Mohammed Saber, Khan, Rizek Abdeljawad, Ahmad Gharabli, Janis Laizans, Abed Khaled, Mohammed Dahman, Yoav Gallant, Gallant, Yasser Qudih, Ofir Libstein, Aza, Ronen Zvulun, Belal Khaled, Abed Rahim Khatib, Hod, Ayal Margolin, Antony Blinken, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Brendan Smialowski, Biden, Netanyahu, Kenny Holston, Ariel Schalit, Mohammed Abed, Kfar Aza, Ilia Yefimovich, Mustafa Hassona, Mahmoud Khaled, Samar Abu, Fatima Shbair, Dor Reder, Violeta Santos Moura, Shir Torem, Wahaj Bani Moufleh, Antonio Macías, Macías, Francisco Seco, Eli Albag, Liri, Mohammed Talatene, Sergey Ponomarev, Hatem Ali, Dor Kedmi, Mahmud Hams, Saher, Abraham Cohen, Valentin Ghnassia, Ghnassia, Yuri Cortez, Ibrahim Hams, Bashar Taleb, Baz Ratner, Jack Guez, Yahya Hassouna, Mapal Adam, Abed Zagout, Tamir Kalifa, Agha, Ibraheem Abu Mustafa, Reuters Itzik, Miriam Shafir, Dor Shafir, Savion Kiper, Maya Alleruzzo, Mohammed Salem, CNN Sergey Ponomarev, Eden Guez, Atef Safadi, Ohad, Mohammed Soboh, Said, Noam Elimeleh Rothenberg, Amir Cohen, Ilai Bar Sade, Erik Marmor, Oren Ziv, Majdi, Ramez Mahmoud, Roi Levy, Alleruzzo, Tali Touito, Jalaa Marey, Oded, Khan Younis, Ahmad Hasballah, Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa, Tsafrir, Ilan Rosenberg, Eyad Baba, Itai Ron, Hadas Parush, Xi Jinping, ” Vladimir Putin, Putin, ” Zhai, Mikhail Bogdanov, Putin’s, Israel –, Israel, “, Li Mingjiang, Li, China’s, Mao Zedong, Fulton, Zhao Tong, Vakil, China doesn’t Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, United, Palestine, Chatham House, Atlantic Council, Getty, Pictures, Tel Aviv University, AP, New York Times, Reuters, Reuters Civil, AP Rockets, AP Israel's, Regional, Al, Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, Israel's, Ahli Baptist Hospital, Israel Defense Forces, Israeli, Ben Gurion International, Shifa, Palestinian, West Bank, Aris Messinis, Haim, Mount, Mount Herzl Military, Nova, Anadolu Agency, CNN, Nova Festival, Ben Gurion, Rockets, United Nations, Reuters Police, Reuters Rockets, Biden, US, UN, Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University ., Israel, Carnegie Endowment, International Locations: China, Hong Kong, United States, Israel, Beijing, Palestinian, Qatar, Egypt, Gaza, peacemaking, East, North Africa, Abu Dhabi, Rafah, AFP, Tel Aviv, Deir al, Anadolu, Khan Younis, Europe, Zahra City, Gaza City, Xinhua, East Jerusalem, Ras, Israel's, Yehuda, Aqsa, Hod HaSharon, Kiryat Shmona, Al, Ahli, Sderot, Gan, Kfar, North Sinai, Samar, Samar Abu Elouf, Beit Kama, Haifa, Cyprus, Nablus, West, Lebanon, Kfar Saba, Israeli, Be'eri, Rehovot, Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, Kibbutz Be'eri, Modiin Maccabim, Kfar Aza, Ashkelon, Mount Herzel, Yassin, Beitar Ilit, Ramat Gan, Itai, Beit Hanun, Rishon Lezion, Ukraine, Russia, Chatham, Iran, Africa, Moscow, Washington, Xinjiang, Leningrad, Communist China, United Nations, Palestine, Beijing –, Saudi Arabia, Lebanese, Tehran

☆ Intelligence shows Iranian-backed militias are ready to ramp up their attacks against US forces in the Middle East
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Natasha Bertrand Katie Bo Lillis Zachary Cohen Jennifer Hansler | Natasha Bertrand | Katie Bo Lillis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The US has intelligence that Iranian-backed militia groups are planning to ramp up attacks against US forces in the Middle East, as Iran seeks to capitalize on the backlash in the region to US support for Israel, according to multiple US officials. The militia groups have already launched multiple drone attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria. But the US now has specific intelligence that those same groups could escalate even further as the war between Israel and Hamas continues. Officials said that at this point, Iran appears to be encouraging the groups rather than explicitly directing them. In the case of the recent drone attacks on bases housing US forces, “Iran is certainly more culpable than in the case of the Hamas attack in Israel,” said another person familiar with the intelligence.

Persons: John Kirby, ”, Kirby, “, Matthew Miller, they’re, ” “ It’s, Defense Lloyd Austin, Naledi, Hossein Amir, Abdollahian, ” Abdollahian, ” Austin Organizations: CNN, Israel, Officials, National Security, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, Quds Force, State, State Department, ISIS, Defense, Pentagon, US Navy, Iran’s Locations: Iran, Iraq, Syria, Israel, Tehran, Qatar, Iranian, Yemen, East

And as if to punctuate the tragedy and horror of the conflict, an explosion rocked a hospital in Gaza, causing hundreds of civilian casualties. "There is a significant U.S. interest here, showing strong support for Israel," which Biden did immediately after the attack and subsequently, she says. Hamas is based in Gaza, where civilian Palestinians have fought the Israeli government – Netanyahu especially – for civil and human rights. But while there are indeed Palestinians who support Hamas, not all do – and half of Gaza residents are children who are vulnerable as Israel seeks to erase Hamas forever. Biden and Netanyahu have had a chilly relationship going back to the Iran nuclear deal negotiated when Biden was vice president and which Netanyahu opposed.

Persons: Joe Biden, nudging, Biden, Biden doesn't, Benjamin Netanyahu, Jordan, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Mahmoud Abbas, Abdel Fattah el, Eileen Babbitt, Babbitt, Kamala Harris, Israel –, Chris Christie, Nikki Haley, Robert Lieberman, Israel, Lieberman, – Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Doug Schoen, Schoen, hamstrung Organizations: Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian National, White, Israel, The Fletcher School, Tufts University, Foreign, New, United Nations, Biden, Johns Hopkins University Locations: U.S, Israel, nudging Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, Egypt, Afghanistan, New Jersey, American, United States, Russia, China

☆ Analysis: Biden's Middle East mission was thrown into turmoil even before he left
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

A devastating blast at a hospital in Gaza believed to have killed hundreds of people prompted Jordan to cancel the second leg of Biden’s trip. And like any major presidential intervention in a troubled world, Biden’s visit carries the possibility of failure that could damage his political standing at home. Hamas accused Israeli forces of attacking the hospital and killing between 200 to 300 people. A global outpouring of support for Israel risks overshadowing the growing human toll of its attacks against Hamas targets in Gaza. Clashes have already broken out in Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank after the Gaza hospital blast.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Jordan, he’d, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, –, Biden, he’ll, David Axelrod, CNN’s Oren Liebermann, Zachary Cohen, Israel, King Abdullah, Abdel Fattah el, Mahmoud Abbas, ”, Ayman Safadi, Antony Blinken, Israel Biden, Netanyahu, Netanyahu’s, ” Biden, Donald Trump, Trump, ” Trump Organizations: CNN, West, –, Israel Defense Forces, Islamic, Zachary Cohen Tuesday, Biden, Andrews Air Force Base, Palestinian Authority, West Bank, Jordan’s, White, Hamas, Israel, Fury, Trump Locations: Washington, Gaza, Israel, Amman, West Bank, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Tunisia, Middle East, United States, Maryland, Jordan, Al Jazeera, Egypt, Ramallah, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, New York

☆ America’s Short-Lived Show of Unity
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Susan Milligan | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +8 min

Then America's deep political divisions surfaced with a vengeance, with politicians blaming political foes for the crisis, and others turning the terrorist attack into a judgment of Israel, its government, Jews in general and the plight of the Palestinian people. Later, Trump extended his jabs at U.S. ally Israel, saying in a campaign speech that the country's defense minister was "a jerk." Trump also said Hezbollah, another designated terrorist group in Lebanon is "very smart," angering U.S. and Israeli officials alike. Some progressives are pushing back at fellow members of the Democratic Socialists of America, who have been holding pro-Palestinian rallies just days after the Hamas attack. "Some are using really over-the-top rhetoric to try to score political points against the Biden administration.

Persons: Israel, Joe Biden, Ukraine –, Bill Ackman, Strawn –, ”, Rashida, Steve Scalise, Summer Lee, Scalise –, Brett Bruen, Barack Obama, unfroze, Qatar –, –, Biden, it's, Sen, Tim Scott, Nikki Haley, Donald Trump, Trump, John Kirby, Shlomo Karhi, Tlaib, Jack Bergman, Alexandria Ocasio, Shri Thanedar, American University professor Jordan Tama, Tama Organizations: Harvard, Winston, Defamation League, Democratic, Republican Rep, GOP, Republican, Israel, Georgetown University, Biden, White, United, South Carolina Republican, Security, Tlaib, Democratic Socialists of America, Cortez , New York Democrat, Times, American University professor Jordan, . Foreign, Cooperation Locations: Israel, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Iran, Qatar, United States, Russia, China, U.S, New Hampshire, Lebanon, Alexandria, Cortez , New York

Cheap, second-hand, and purloined weapons comprised Hamas’ deadly makeshift arsenal that fueled a devastating, multi-pronged attack on Israel over the weekend. CNN analyzed dozens of photos and videos of Hamas militants during the surprise assault to identify the weapons used to kill at least 1,200 people in Israel. In previous battles with Israel, Hamas was known to have fired rockets made of old water pipes, the researcher noted. BulldozersPhoto-illustration: CNN/Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa/ReutersSeveral experts who spoke to CNN emphasized the ad hoc nature of the Hamas attack. In some videos, Hamas militants can be seen driving Israel Defense Forces (IDF) vehicles and using Israeli weapons that were likely taken during the initial fighting.

Persons: presumedly, ”, Mike Lyons, Lyons, “, Oren Ziv, ” Lyons, John Spencer, toted, Stephen Biddle, “ It’s, they’re, Spencer, Saddam Hussein, “ They’re, Din, ” Ali Baraka, Frank McKenzie, Jack Guez, David Benson, ” Benson, Biddle, ” Spencer, Paragliders, Sean Elliott, ” Elliott, –, Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa, — Organizations: CNN, US State Department, US, Urban Warfare, Modern, Institute, ” AK, toted AK, Columbia University, Hamas ’ Telegram, AK, ” Rockets, Telegram Hamas, Israel’s, ’, Hamas, Hamas National Relations, US Central Command, Nova, Industry & Regulatory, Experimental Aircraft Association, Israel Defense Forces Locations: Israel, Iran, Gaza, Egypt, Soviet, West, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, British, Jihad, Lebanon, Russia, Kalashnikovs, Sderot, Kfar Aza, Beit Lahia, Palestinian, Spain

☆ Iran intelligence: Initial US intel suggests Tehran was surprised by the Hamas attack on Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Zachary Cohen Katie Bo Lillis Natasha Bertrand Jeremy Herb | Zachary Cohen | Katie Bo Lillis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The United States has collected specific intelligence that suggests senior Iranian government officials were caught by surprise by Saturday’s bloody attack on Israel by Hamas, according to multiple sources familiar with the intelligence. The existence of the intelligence has cast doubt on the idea that Iran was directly involved in the planning, resourcing or approving of the operation, sources said. The sources stressed that the US intelligence community is not ready to reach a full conclusion about whether Tehran was directly involved in the run-up to the attack. They continue to look for evidence of Iranian involvement, which caught both Israel and the United States by surprise. “We’re looking to acquire further intelligence,” national security advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters at the White House on Tuesday.

Persons: Mike McCaul, “, Tehran doesn’t, Jake Sullivan, ” Organizations: CNN, Capitol, Foreign, Texas Republican, Hamas, White Locations: United States, Israel, Iran, Tehran, Texas, Gaza

“We have no evidence or proof” that Iran was behind the attack, Maj. Nir Dinar, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, told Politico on Monday. More recently, Tehran has stepped up the training assistance it provides Hamas inside Iran, according to a former Western defense official. Hamas received Iranian weapons and military technology, and learned from the Iranians about planning operations. “Everything we have seen in the last four days, we can’t say it’s an Iranian plan or an Iranian effort,” Milshtein said. “It’s a Hamas plan that got Iranian help.”Searching for a motivationUS intelligence officials are also working to understand Hamas’ immediate motivation for launching the attack.

Persons: Jake Sullivan, “, ” Sullivan, Privately, Sullivan, ”, “ We’ve, we’ve, Biden, Tehran doesn’t, –, Ismail Haniyeh, Frank McKenzie, Mahmud Hams, Zohar Palti, Nir, it’s, Israel —, Norm Roule, ” Roule, Amir Cohen, Mike Knights, Michael Milshtein, “ They’ve, Milshtein, ” Milshtein, ’, “ It’s, McKenzie, ” McKenzie Organizations: Washington CNN, Hamas, Biden, White, CNN, intel, State Department, US Central Command, Getty, Israel’s Ministry of Defense, Israel Defense Forces, Israel, CIA, Reuters, Washington Institute, ” Knights, Department, Palestinian Affairs, Knights, Hezbollah, Palestinian Authority, Gaza Locations: Iran, Israel, Tehran, Gaza, Gaza City, AFP, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Ashkelon, “, Yemen, Jihad, Lebanon

☆ America’s political turmoil hampers its capacity to lead through yet another global crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

But no one could foresee just how quickly the paralysis in Washington would test the country’s reaction to a major global crisis. A situation this dangerous requires a calm, united and thoughtful US response, supported across the political spectrum. This means, at best, the United States will spend the coming months preoccupied by its own political plight. As president, I will once again stand with Israel,” Trump said. A growing sense abroad that America’s political problems are limiting its ability to lead globally could also have a devastating effect on its power.

Persons: –, Kevin McCarthy, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, “ Joe Biden, Israel, ” Trump, Biden, autocrats, doesn’t, Michael McCaul, Xi, Michael Lawler, “, ” Lawler, CNN’s Dana Bash, McCarthy, Jim Jordan, Trump, Steve Scalise, Ukraine –, America’s, Russia –, Antony Blinken, ”, Nikki Haley, Blinken, ” Haley, GOP Sen, Tim Scott of, Biden – Organizations: CNN, Republicans, Israel, Republican, Trump, Hamas, House Foreign Affairs, Texas Republican, GOP, Senate, Democratic, White, Russia, Republican Party, US Treasury Department, Union, United Nations, Press, Washington Locations: Israel, United States, Washington, Ukraine, Iran, Russia, China, “ State, Texas, New York, Kyiv, Beijing, Moscow, Tehran, Gaza, Islamic Republic, Saudi Arabia, Tim Scott of South Carolina

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