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☆ In a US showdown with China, there are some missions with no special-operations 'easy button'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Special-operations forces have been a centerpiece of US military operations for two decades. US leaders should remember that special operators aren't suited for some tasks, one expert says. But in an era of strategic competition with China, there are some missions with no special-ops "easy button," according to David Ucko, a professor and expert on irregular warfare. First, the US special-operations community should consolidate its core strengths, particularly irregular warfare, which is "highly relevant" to strategic competition with China. US Navy SEALs train with Philippine Navy special-operations and Australian army special-operations troops in Palawan in April 2022.

Persons: David Ucko, David Devich, Ucko, US Army John F, Mario A, Ramirez, Jared N, Stavros Atlamazoglou Organizations: Service, US Special Forces, US Army, Royal United Services Institute, China, Air Force, RAF Mildenhall, US Air Force, Tech, Westin Warburton, Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, State, Justice, Treasury, US Navy, Philippine Navy, US Marine Corps, Army Green Beret, Philippine National Police, Coast Guard, British SAS, Commonwealth, Group, SAS, Allies, Army Delta Force, Delta Force, US Army Rangers, US Army Green Berets, Psychological Operations, Boat Service, Hellenic Army, 575th Marine Battalion, Army, Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins, School, International Locations: China, Wall, Silicon, SOF, Afghanistan's Ghazni, British, Russia, North Carolina, Palawan, Ukraine, Taiwan, North Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan, Johns

☆ It's official. UN says the world just endured its hottest summer on record
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The world just experienced its hottest three months on record by a substantial margin, according to the UN weather agency, prompting the UN chief to call for world leaders to take urgent climate action. The average temperature for those three months was 16.77 degrees Celsius (62.19 degrees Fahrenheit), which was 0.66 degrees Celsius above average for the period. The month of August was found to be the hottest on record by a large margin and the second hottest month after July 2023. The global average surface air temperature of 16.82 degrees Celsius for August was 0.71 degrees Celsius warmer than the 1991 to 2020 average for the month, and 0.31 degrees Celsius warmer than the previous hottest August, logged in 2016. The UN chief said that this latest global heat record must coincide with world leaders urgently pursuing climate solutions.

Persons: Copernicus, António Guterres, Guterres Organizations: UN, Meteorological Organization, Wednesday, Northern Locations: Iraqi, Baghdad

☆ A Love of Pomegranates, and a Perfect Baked Fish for Rosh Hashana
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Joan Nathan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

(Nimrod, according to biblical legend, was a great-grandson of Noah.) For Mr. Halahmy and many others, pomegranates are also a major part of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, which this year begins at sundown on Sept. 15 and ends Sept. 17. “Pomegranates remind me of Mesopotamia, my ancestral home, whether I am in Jerusalem, Baghdad or New York,” Mr. Halahmy said. “Rosh Hashana starts in Babylon with pomegranates,” he said. Mr. Halahmy included these memories and customs in a self-published cookbook called “Iraqi Cooking: Exile Is Home,” which calls for pomegranates in stews, soups and sorbets.

Persons: Nimrod, Noah, Halahmy, ” Mr, “, Rosh Hashana, ” Organizations: Metropolitan Museum of Art Locations: Rosh Hashana, Jerusalem, Baghdad, New York, Jaffa, Israel, Iraq

Stills pulled from the Aleppo security camera footage were shared with CNN exclusively by the Commission for International Justice and Accountability (CIJA). Another still image pulled from the Aleppo security camera footage, provided to CNN by CIJA, shows men in a stairwell. Photo of Arkel, in the Netherlands, where Ayham al S. was arrested on January 17, 2023. So people are not always so willing to talk to the judicial authorities.”By all accounts, Ayham al S. led a quiet life in Arkel. ‘Not a safe haven for war criminals’The legal principle that allows the Dutch government to pursue Ayham al S. is known as universal jurisdiction.

Persons: ”, Chris Engels, “ We’re, ” CIJA, Stills, Didier Francois, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, “, ” Francois, Francois, Engels, CIJA, –, “ It’s, ” Engels, ” Mirjam Blom, Mick Krever, Ayham, Nicole van den, ” Blom, Ayham al, Blom Organizations: CNN, ISIS, Commission, International Justice, Islamic, CIJA, Global Coalition, European Union, Netherlands Public Prosecution Service, Syrian Center for Media, ICC, Criminal, Counterterrorism, Security Locations: Syrian, Aleppo, Aleppo’s Qadi, Europe, French, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, Arkel, Damascus, Qaeda, Rotterdam, Netherlands

☆ Iraqi security forces deploy in Kirkuk after four protesters killed in ethnic clashes
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A view of the city of Kirkuk shows a flame from an oilfield in the distance, October 25, 2010. Four protesters were shot dead on Saturday in clashes between ethnic groups in Kirkuk that broke out after days of tensions. But security forces had deployed additional troops on the streets to "prevent violence and protect civilians", he said. Military helicopters flew over the city on Sunday, according to four Kirkuk residents who spoke to Reuters by phone. Arab residents and minority groups, who say they suffered under Kurdish rule, have protested the KDP's return to the city.

Persons: Saad Shalash, Amir Shwani, Shwani, Ahmed Rasheed, Ros Russell, Hugh Lawson Organizations: REUTERS, Security, SULAIMANIYA, Police, Kurdistan Democratic Party, KDP, Military, Reuters, Sunday, Iraq's Shi'ite, Thomson Locations: Kirkuk, Iraq

☆ Bill Richardson, U.S. diplomat and troubleshooter, dead at 75
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Will Dunham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

As a congressman in 1994, Richardson visited reclusive communist-ruled North Korea to discuss a nuclear accord struck by Clinton. As Richardson was traveling to the country, North Korea shot down a U.S. military helicopter that had entered its territory, killing one pilot and capturing the other. Richardson stayed for weeks to negotiate, flying home with the dead pilot's remains while the surviving pilot was released soon thereafter. In 1996, Richardson negotiated the release of an American named Evan Hunziker, jailed on spy charges in North Korea. Richardson later attended a prep school in Massachusetts, where he became a star baseball pitcher with dreams of a professional career.

Persons: New Mexico Bill Richardson, Gus Ruelas, Bill Richardson, Richardson, Mickey Bergman, Bergman, Bill Clinton, you've, You've, Barack Obama, Obama, Danny Fenster, Clinton, Evan Hunziker, Saddam Hussein, Fidel Castro, William Blaine Richardson, Will Dunham, Lucia Mutikani, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: University of Southern California's Schwarzenegger Institute for State, Global, REUTERS, Rights, New, Richardson Center, U.S, Richardson, Democratic, U.S . House, Representatives, United Nations, Foreign Policy, Cuban, Citibank, Tufts University, State Department, Thomson Locations: New Mexico, Los Angeles , California, U.S, Chatham , Massachusetts, Mexican, American, United States, North Korea, Myanmar, Sudan, Iraq, Iran, Cuba, New Hampshire, Iowa, Korean, Kuwait, Iraqi, Miami, Pasadena , California, Mexico City, Oaxaca, Massachusetts, Washington

☆ Protester killed, dozen wounded in clashes in Iraq city of Kirkuk, police say
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BAGHDAD, Sept 2 (Reuters) - A protester was shot dead and a dozen wounded on Saturday during clashes between ethnic groups in the northern Iraqi oil city of Kirkuk that broke out after days of tensions, security forces and police said. Security officials and police in the city say they were investigating the circumstances of how a protester - a Kurd - was killed, and who opened fire. People from both protest groups were wounded as stones were thrown and metal bars used to attack, said Kirkuk police. Kurdish forces controlled Kirkuk city after driving Islamic State out in 2014 but were ejected by the Iraqi army in 2017, bringing the city back under Baghdad's control. But Arab residents and minority groups who said they suffered under Kurdish rule, such as the Turkmen, have protested the KDP's return.

Persons: Mohammed al, Sudani, Ahmed Rasheed, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Kurdistan Democratic Party, Security, Iraq's Shi'ite, Thomson Locations: BAGHDAD, Kirkuk, Iraq, State, Iraqi

☆ Russia and Ukraine are fighting the kind of drone war the US military has been worrying about, and it's scrambling to prepare for a future that's already here
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Christopher Woody | Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

The scale of the drone war in Ukraine is one of the most striking features of the conflict. "ISIS figured out how to arm their drones and attack us either with 'kamikaze' explosive-laden drones or drones that dropped" modified munitions, Townsend said. Soldiers with the 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment train on an Avenger air-defense system in in July. In 2018, the Army reactivated the 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, returning a short-range-air-defense capability to Europe. AdvertisementAdvertisement"The war is showing how much [drones are] here and are affecting the war every day.

Persons: Ukraine isn't, Mara Karlin, wasn't, Karlin, that's, John Moore, Stephen Townsend, Townsend, Frank McKenzie, MAHMOUD TAHA, I've, Syria —, Richard Clarke, Clarke, Tom Karako, " McKenzie, McKenzie, Maj, Sean Gainey, Gainey, FADEL SENNA, Douglas Bush, Bush, they've, Col, Michael Parent, Narciso Contreras, Parent Organizations: Pentagon, Service, Defense Writers, US Marine, US Army, US Africa Command, ISIS, Getty, Army, US Special, Command, Aspen Security Conference, Missile Defense, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Patriot, —, US Air Force, Congressional Research Service, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Spc, Yesenia, Asymmetric Warfare Group, Battalion, Stryker, Washington DC, Marine Corps, US Army Yuma, US, Anadolu Agency, Pacific . The Defense Department Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Mosul, Syria, Homs, Europe, Washington, Russian, Kyiv, Russia, Lviv Oblast, China, Pacific

☆ A massive Iranian missile attack on a US base offered a glimpse of the long-lasting injuries US troops will face in a war with Russia or China
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

In January 2020, Iran fired nearly a dozen ballistic missiles at an Iraqi base housing US troops. The hundreds of US troops at the base experienced what has been described as "the largest ballistic attack against Americans in history." The troops only received a few hours of warning, and the base had no air defenses capable of intercepting the missiles. US soldiers inspect damage from Iranian missiles at Al Asad air base on January 13, 2020. The Al Asad attack was a relatively small-scale demonstration of the lethal dangers that US troops will face on the battlefields of the future.

Persons: Qassem, Al Asad, Saddam Hussein, John Davison, Robert Hales, TBIs, Sarah Mattison, Kenneth McKenzie, McKenzie, Paul Iddon Organizations: Service, Reuters, US, American College of Surgeons, Iranian, Anadolu Agency, Getty, US Air National Guard / Tech, Marine Corps, Senate Armed Services Committee, US Central Command Locations: Iran, Wall, Silicon, Iranian, Iraq, Baghdad, Erbil, Al, Handout, Ukraine, Vermont

☆ Oil set for 2nd weekly fall on firm dollar as supply worries ebb
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Muyu Xu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Brent crude rose 30 cents, or 0.4%, to $83.66 a barrel by 0434 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was up 31 cents, also 0.4%, at $79.36 a barrel. Crude prices are set to fall between 1.5%-2.5% for the week, a second consecutive week of decline. A strong dollar makes oil more expensive for holders of other currencies, denting demand. Further weighing on market sentiment, U.S. officials are drafting a proposal that would ease sanctions on Venezuela's oil sector, allowing more companies and countries to import its crude oil. Analysts estimated that the top oil exporter will likely roll over a voluntary oil cut of 1 million barrels per day for a third consecutive month into October, amid uncertainty about supplies and as the kingdom targets drawing down global inventories further.

Persons: Chen Aizhu, Jerome Powell, Brent, Jun Rong, Powell's, Laura Sanicola, Muyu Xu, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: China National Petroleum Corporation, Dalian Petrochemical Corp, REUTERS, Companies United, Federal, U.S, West Texas, IG, Haitong Futures, Analysts, Thomson Locations: China, Dalian, Liaoning province, Companies United States, America, Turkey, Kurdistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia

Brent crude was down 36 cents at $84.10 a barrel by 11:45 a.m. EDT (1545 GMT). China, the world's second-largest economy, is considered crucial to shoring up oil demand over the rest of the year. Amplifying demand concerns, U.S. central bank officials have not ruled out further interest rate hikes to contain inflation. A preliminary Reuters poll showed that crude oil and gasoline inventories were expected to have fallen last week, with data from American Petroleum Institute due later on Tuesday. Separately on Monday, Shell (SHEL.L) said it was investigating a possible leak on the 180,000 bpd Trans Niger oil pipeline, though no force majeure has been declared.

Persons: Lucy Nicholson, Brent, Jim Ritterbusch, majeure, Natalie Grover, Paul Carsten, Muyu Xu, Katya Golubkova, Tomasz Janowski, David Evans, David Goodman, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, Companies Shell, West Texas Intermediate, Saudi, Ritterbusch, Associates, American Petroleum Institute, of Commerce, Shell, Thomson Locations: Bakersfield , California, China, Russian, Galena , Illinois, U.S, Iraqi, Turkey, Iraq, Saudi, Niger, London, Singapore, Tokyo

☆ Oil dips on possible easing of tight supply, China woes hurt demand outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Muyu Xu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"Crude oil struggled to keep its head above water on signs of supply tightness easing," said Brian Martin and Daniel Hynes, analysts from ANZ Bank in a note to clients. Iraq's oil minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani arrived in the Turkish capital Ankara to discuss several issues including the resumption of oil exports through the Ceyhan oil terminal, a source in the minister's office told Reuters on Monday. Meanwhile, gloom over the economic outlook in China, the world's second biggest oil consumer, continued to pressure oil prices and heighten worries about fuel demand. Putting a floor to oil prices, U.S. crude oil and gasoline inventories were expected to have fallen last week, a preliminary Reuters poll showed, as the American Petroleum Institute industry group is due to release data later on Tuesday. U.S. economic data over recent weeks has bolstered expectations for the Fed to keep rates higher for longer, putting a dampener on the demand outlook for oil and a broad range of consumer goods.

Persons: Lucy Nicholson, Brent, Brian Martin, Daniel Hynes, Hayan Abdel, Ghani, Muyu Xu, Katya Golubkova, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, . West Texas, ANZ Bank, Reuters, International Chamber of Commerce, of, Petroleum, Eurasia Group, American Petroleum Institute, Energy Information Administration, U.S . Department of Energy, PMI, Federal, Jackson, Fed, Thomson Locations: Bakersfield , California, OPEC, Turkish, Ankara, Turkey, Iraq, China, Beijing, Eurasia, Singapore, Tokyo

☆ Iraq oil minister in Turkey to discuss resuming northern oil exports -sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BAGHDAD, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Iraq's oil minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani arrived in the Turkish capital Ankara to discuss several issues including the resumption of oil exports through the Ceyhan oil terminal, a source in the minister's office told Reuters on Monday. Iraqi oil minister will meet his Turkish counterpart to discuss energy issues, on top of which is the resumption of Iraq's northern oil exports via Turkey's Ceyhan port, said an oil official. Turkey halted Iraq's 450,000 barrels per day (bpd) of exports through the northern Iraq-Turkey pipeline on March 25 after an arbitration ruling by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Turkey wants to negotiate regarding the size of damages it was ordered to pay in the arbitration ruling and also seeks clarification on other open arbitration cases. "Iraq's oil minister is in Turkey to discuss obstacles delaying the resumption of oil exports and how to resolve lingering issues," said an oil ministry official who is close to the Iraqi northern oil exports operations.

Persons: Hayan Abdel, Ghani, Ahmed Rasheed, Ahmed Elimam, Susan Fenton, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Reuters, International Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Commerce, ICC, Kurdistan Regional Government, Thomson Locations: BAGHDAD, Turkish, Ankara, Turkey, Iraq, Paris, Iraqi Kurdistan, Baghdad, Ceyhan, Kurdistan

CNN —Iraqi authorities have switched off electronic advertising boards in Baghdad after pornographic footage was broadcast on one of the screens. A man has now been arrested by the police after the x-rated material was broadcast to passers-by in the capital, local media reported. Over the past year, the government has also cracked down on social media influencers. A platform called “Report” was launched this year to allow citizens to anonymously report “negative” or “immoral” content seen online. It prohibited all phone and internet companies licensed by it from using the terms in any of their mobile applications.

Persons: “, ” Organizations: CNN, Shafaq, Iraqi Interior Ministry, ministry’s Federal Intelligence, Investigation Agency, Facebook, Federal Intelligence, Communications, Media Commission Locations: Baghdad, bin, Iraq

☆ Iraq set in 'battle' against dollar smugglers, c.bank governor says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Timour Azhari | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Last month, the U.S. Treasury Department and the Fed barred 14 Iraqi banks from conducting dollar transactions as part of a wider crackdown on dollar smuggling to Iran via the Iraqi banking system, U.S. officials said. Allaq said that action related to transfers from 2022, before a new platform that aimed to improve transparency went live. He said the central bank was undertaking a review of the banking sector and introducing new regulations that he said would likely see some banks close. "It would be very normal in the coming period to see a reduction in the (number of private banks)," he said. Since January the central bank has asked banks to provide detailed information on senders and recipients of transfers via an online platform.

Persons: Ali al, Allaq, Timour Azhari, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Reuters, U.S . Treasury Department, Fed, U.S . Federal, U.S, Thomson Locations: Iraq, Iran Baghdad, Washington, Tehran Banking, BAGHDAD, Iran, Turkey, Syria, United States, U.S, Tehran, Iraq's

☆ Explosions heard in Syrian capital Damascus - state media
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

CAIRO, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Explosions were heard in the vicinity of the Syrian capital Damascus early on Sunday, state media said, adding that the cause was not known. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor, said the explosions hit and damaged warehouses storing rockets belonging to Iran-aligned groups. It said there were no confirmed deaths or injuries, adding the cause of the blasts was not known. Iran has been a major backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during the country's 12-year conflict. Reporting By Moaz Abd-Alaziz Writing by Maya Gebeily Editing by William Mallard and Frances KerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Bashar al, Assad, Moaz Abd, Maya Gebeily, William Mallard, Frances Kerry Organizations: Syrian Observatory, Human Rights, Thomson Locations: CAIRO, Damascus, Iran, Lebanese, Tehran Iraqi, Syria, Israel

☆ Iraq bans media from using term ‘homosexuality,’ says they must use ‘sexual deviance’
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Reuters —Iraq’s official media regulator on Tuesday ordered all media and social media companies operating in the Arab state not to use the term “homosexuality” and instead to say “sexual deviance,” a government spokesperson said and a document from the regulator shows. The Iraqi Communications and Media Commission (CMC) document said the use of the term “gender” was also banned. It prohibited all phone and internet companies licensed by it from using the terms in any of their mobile applications. The regulator “directs media organizations … not to use the term ‘homosexuality’ and to use the correct term ‘sexual deviance,’” the Arabic-language statement said. More than 60 countries criminalize gay sex, while same-sex sexual acts are legal in more than 130 countries, according to Our World in Data.

Persons: Reuters —, ”, …, ’ Organizations: Reuters, Iraqi Communications and Media Commission Locations: Iraq, Sweden, Denmark

☆ Iraq bans media from using term ‘homosexuality’, says they must use ‘sexual deviance’
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

An Iraqi national flag is seen near Iraqi embassy ahead of a demonstration in Stockholm, Sweden July 20, 2023. TT News Agency/Caisa Rasmussen via REUTERS/File PhotoAug 8 (Reuters) - Iraq's official media regulator on Tuesday ordered all media and social media companies operating in the Arab state not to use the term "homosexuality" and instead to say "sexual deviance," the regulator said. The Iraqi Communications and Media Commission (CMC) said in a statement that the use of the term "gender" was also banned. It prohibited all phone and internet companies licensed by it from using the terms in any of their mobile applications. The regulator "directs media organisations ... not to use the term 'homosexuality' and to use the correct term 'sexual deviance'," the Arabic-language statement said.

Persons: Caisa Rasmussen, Timour Azhari, Omar Abdel, Angus MacSwan Organizations: TT News Agency, REUTERS, Iraqi Communications and Media Commission, Thomson Locations: Iraqi, Stockholm, Sweden, Iraq, Denmark, Razek, Cairo

☆ Escaped bear delays flight in Dubai
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Celine Alkhaldi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Abu Dhabi CNN —A bear being transported on an Iraqi Airways flight from Baghdad to Dubai Friday caused delays after it escaped from a crate in the cargo hold. The bear was sedated by a specialist team in Dubai and taken off the plane, Iraqi Airways said in a statement shared with CNN. The airline issued an apology on Saturday, saying the bear had escaped the crate “upon arrival to Dubai Airport.”“The company apologizes to the passengers on the flight from Baghdad International Airport to Dubai Airport for reasons beyond the control of the company,” it said. “Upon arrival to Dubai Airport, the animal escaped the crate specified for its shipment,” the airline said, adding that it was being transported in line with international animal welfare guidelines. “Two small, endangered bears were shipped from Baghdad, and when the flight arrived in Dubai, one of the bears broke his cage, forcing health and environment authorities at Dubai airport to sedate it,” the statement said.

Persons: Mohammed Shia Organizations: Abu Dhabi CNN, Iraqi Airways, ”, CNN, Dubai Airport, United Arab Locations: Abu Dhabi, Baghdad, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

☆ Displaced Afghan students face uncertain future as they await approval to come to US
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —For a group of roughly two dozen displaced Afghan university students, the future feels uncertain. More than 100 displaced Afghan students – 80 of whom were in Iraq – have already come to the US, where they are studying at more than 45 universities, according to sources familiar with the situation. The students told CNN they don’t have any clear sense of when they will get approval to come to the US, and they are worried about what the continued delay means for their future. “We Afghans lost almost everything, and this scholarship in the US is a very big opportunity for us,” a third student told CNN. A US State Department spokesperson said they are “aware of the Afghan students at the American University of Iraq-Sulaimani,” but could not comment on individual cases.

Persons: Barham Salih, “ It’s, I’m, ”, “, Iraq –, “ I’m, Vance Serchuk, Institute of International Education “ Organizations: CNN, American University of Afghanistan, American University of Iraq, Afghan Future Fund, Qatar, Project, AUAF, US State Department, U.S . Refugee, Afghan Futures Fund, Qatar Fund For Development, Institute of International Education, American University Locations: Kabul –, –, Afghanistan, Iraqi Kurdistan, United States, Iraq, U.S

☆ South Korean defense stocks power ahead as overseas interest grows for weapon systems
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

In this handout image released by the South Korean Defense Ministry via Dong-A Daily, a missile is fired during a joint training between the United States and South Korea on June 6, 2022 in East Coast, South Korea. South Korean Defense Ministry | Getty ImagesSouth Korean defense stocks have recorded stellar gains over the past 12 months, with one stock soaring more than 60% as tensions on the Korean Peninsula accelerate. The company manufactures air defense systems, armored fighting vehicles and artillery systems. Escalating tensions in the Korean Peninsula have also kept interest in South Korean weapon platforms high. Tech and industrial baseMorgan Stanley is optimistic about the outlook for the South Korean defense industry.

Persons: Ukraine —, Morgan Stanley, National Defense Mariusz Blaszczak, Maffei, Janes, Youngsoo Han, Kayoung Lee, KAI, Victor Cha, Cha, Yoon Suk Organizations: South Korean Defense Ministry, Getty, Hanhwa Aerospace, Hanhwa Group, Peace Research Institute, The, North, South Korea —, South Korean, K9, Hyundai Rotem, Korea Aerospace Industries, Korean, Poland's, National Defense, Nikkei, NATO, Krauss, South, FA, Samsung Securities, ., Center for Strategic, International, CNBC Locations: United States, South Korea, East Coast , South Korea, Ukraine, South, Stockholm, The U.S, East, Europe, Korean, U.S, Jeju, North Korea, Asia, Russia, Poland, Polish, South Korean, Malaysia, . Tech, Korea

☆ Sweden and Denmark consider ban on Quran-burning protests as security fears rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —A spate of Quran-burning protests in Sweden and Denmark has caused angry demonstrations in Muslim-majority countries, heightened security fears at home and left both Scandinavian nations questioning whether they need to review their liberal laws on freedom of speech. But both countries signaled Sunday that they are exploring legal ways to prevent such protests, amid security and geopolitical concerns. While freedom of speech has long been a constitutional right in Sweden and Denmark, the scrapping of blasphemy laws was a more recent development. But neither country tightened their free speech laws in response to these attacks. “Sweden is right now the target of influence campaigns, supported by states and state-like actors, whose purpose is to harm Sweden and Swedish interests,” said Bohlin.

Persons: “, Ulf Kristersson, Denmark “, Salwan Momika, Momika, Ahmad Al, ” Marten Schutlz, ” Sofie Blomback, ”, Bruno Jerup, Chris McGrath, Blomback, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Sweden’s Kristersson, Posten, Prophet Mohammed, Lars Vilks, Mohammed, ” Kristersson, Carl, Oskar Bohlin, ” Bohlin, ” Schulz Organizations: CNN, NATO, of Islamic Cooperation, ”, Danish, Protesters, Getty, Stockholm University, Sweden’s, Appeal, Mid Sweden University, Sweden’s Civil Defense Locations: Sweden, Denmark, Stockholm, Turkey, Danish, Copenhagen, ” Sweden, Iraqi, Sweden's, Baghdad, Iraq, AFP, Swedish, United States, Istanbul, Ukraine, Vilnius, Turkish, Russia

☆ Saudi Arabia may raise Sept crude prices for a third month
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Muyu Xu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SINGAPORE, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, may raise its price for Arab Light crude for sale to Asian refiners for a third month as its voluntary output cuts may be extended, further tightening the supply of high-sulphur, or sour, crude. The supply reductions have boosted oil prices, particularly for sour crude, since the end of June. Arab Light prices are also supported by improving refining margins in Asia, in particular for middle distillates. Most of the survey respondents expected Saudi Arabia to raise prices for heavier grades Arab Medium and Arab Heavy by more than Arab Extra Light as the light crude is oversupplied. The Arab Extra Light OSP typically tracks premiums of Murban, a light sour crude from the United Arab Emirates.

Persons: Backwardation, Saudi Aramco's, Muyu Xu, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Saudi Aramco, Organization of, Petroleum, Ministerial, United, Brent, Saudi, Kuwaiti, bbl, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Saudi Arabia, State, Saudi, Oman, Dubai, OPEC, Saudi Aramco, Asia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Americas, West Africa

Even so, Koran burnings took place in both countries on Monday. In Denmark, anti-Muslim protesters burned the Koran outside the Saudi Arabian embassy in Copenhagen, with several more planned for later in the day. The Nordic countries have deplored the burnings of the Koran but cannot prevent it under constitutional laws protecting freedom of speech. OIC foreign ministers convened in an extraordinary session on Monday to discuss the recent developments where it strongly condemned the Koran burnings. The foreign ministries of Denmark and Sweden were not immediately available for comment after the OIC meeting had ended.

Persons: Rasmussen, Tobias Billstrom, Islamophobic, Nikolaj Skydsgaard, Johan Ahlander, Moaz Abd, Alaziz, Adam Makary, Marie Mannes, David Evans, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Nordic, Saudi, of Islamic Cooperation, OIC, Thomson Locations: COPENHAGEN, STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Denmark, Stockholm, Iraqi, Saudi Arabian, Copenhagen, Swedish

There were just 120 drip irrigation systems allotted to farmers in Mr. Sahlani’s province last year to save water — and the farmers had to pay for them. Past the urban sprawl of northern Naseriyah, with its small auto repair shops and vegetable stands, the land empties out. A short drive off the highway, deeper into the desert, lies Al Najim, a village being blown off the map. Qahatan Almihana, an agricultural engineer, pointed at the town’s landmarks: buildings half-covered in sand, doors buried too deep to open. “The land was good, the soil was good,” he explained.

Persons: ” Mohammed Raed, Sahlani, ”, Ghazwan Abdul Amir, Al Najim, Qahatan, Sheikh Muhammad Ajil Falghus Organizations: Tufts Locations: Turkey, Iran, Naseriyah, Sahlani’s

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