Biden’s desperation for ‘foreign policy win’ explains why Blinken jumped the gun on Gaza deal
“The US administration is particularly eager to announce an agreement, driven by both diplomatic and domestic pressures,” Dr. Imad Salamey, an assistant professor of political science at Lebanese American University, told Sputnik, commenting on why Israeli officials haven’t confirmed readiness to accept Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s hostages-for-ceasefire “bridging proposal.”
By contrast, “the Israeli government may face significant internal challenges regarding the deal,” the observer noted, adding that “Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government is deeply divided, and any official confirmation could exacerbate these divisions, potentially leading to resignations or even the collapse of the coalition."
"Thus, while the US is keen to publicize progress, Israel might be more cautious, weighing the domestic repercussions of any public acknowledgement of the agreement,” the expert concluded.
Israeli media reports indicate that the government will not agree to the US deal, and “at least in Israel, it’s clear to everyone that there will be no deal,” Tel Aviv-based international affairs observer Dr. Simon Tsipis told Sputnik.
“But in my view, this is just an excuse for the fact that Netanyahu is not interested in making any deal with Hamas, no matter its contents,” the observer said, noting that for Netanyahu, the conflict has become not just a matter of political survival, but his personal freedom, given the criminal investigations inside Israel hanging over his head.
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“The US administration is particularly eager to announce an agreement, driven by both diplomatic and domestic pressures,” Dr. Imad Salamey, an assistant professor of political science at Lebanese American University, told Sputnik, commenting on why Israeli officials haven’t confirmed readiness to accept Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s hostages-for-ceasefire “bridging proposal.”
“The Biden administration views the success of such an agreement as a potential foreign policy win, which could bolster its position ahead of upcoming elections,” Salamey explained.
By contrast, “the Israeli government may face significant internal challenges regarding the deal,” the observer noted, adding that “Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government is deeply divided, and any official confirmation could exacerbate these divisions, potentially leading to resignations or even the collapse of the coalition."
"Thus, while the US is keen to publicize progress, Israel might be more cautious, weighing the domestic repercussions of any public acknowledgement of the agreement,” the expert concluded.
Israeli media reports indicate that the government will not agree to the US deal, and “at least in Israel, it’s clear to everyone that there will be no deal,” Tel Aviv-based international affairs observer Dr. Simon Tsipis told Sputnik.
“Netanyahu has started to refer to the fact that the point of the agreement that does not suit him is the Hamas demand that Israel withdraw its troops from the Philadelphi Corridor border” between Gaza and Egypt Tsipis said, referring to Tel Aviv’s unwillingness to let go of the border area to prevent the resumption of arms smuggling.
“But in my view, this is just an excuse for the fact that Netanyahu is not interested in making any deal with Hamas, no matter its contents,” the observer said, noting that for Netanyahu, the conflict has become not just a matter of political survival, but his personal freedom, given the criminal investigations inside Israel hanging over his head.
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Fully resistant to electronic warfare: Meet Russia’s Knyaz Vandal of Novgorod drone
A mystery new Russian FPV drone has been wreaking havoc on Ukrainian armored columns in Kursk region, with footage leaking online last week showing UAVs attacking an array of NATO military equipment, from an M113 APC to a special purpose Humvee. The drone proved able to make contact with its targets despite powerful enemy jamming.
The new drone goes by the name ‘Knyaz Vandal of Novgorod’, and was created by engineers from Veliky Novgorod’s Ushkuynik Research and Production Center, created last year and specializing in drones and electronic warfare suppression systems.
Knyaz Vandal of Novgorod features an ingenious solution to jamming: control via a fiber-optic cable. That makes it virtually invulnerable to electronic warfare and radio dead zones, and sends back high quality footage via its onboard camera. The cable unwinds as the drone flies distances anywhere from 10-20 km.
◻️ Besides shielding the drone from EW, wire-based controls mean that it’s impossible to detect the UAV’s control center using electronic reconnaissance means, assuring the safety of its operators.
◻️ The unique solution makes the drone “more effective than a conventional drone,” with the enemy’s inability to jam it meaning it isn’t as likely to be grounded, or drop its payload past its target, military expert Viktor Litovkin told Russian media.
◻️ The drone is a new take on the old concept of fly-by-wire anti-tank missiles, whose development dates back to Cold War, and includes an array of weapons, from the Soviet Malyutka and the US TOW to the French MILAN. But these systems have range limitations, usually around the 3 km mark.
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A mystery new Russian FPV drone has been wreaking havoc on Ukrainian armored columns in Kursk region, with footage leaking online last week showing UAVs attacking an array of NATO military equipment, from an M113 APC to a special purpose Humvee. The drone proved able to make contact with its targets despite powerful enemy jamming.
The new drone goes by the name ‘Knyaz Vandal of Novgorod’, and was created by engineers from Veliky Novgorod’s Ushkuynik Research and Production Center, created last year and specializing in drones and electronic warfare suppression systems.
Knyaz Vandal of Novgorod features an ingenious solution to jamming: control via a fiber-optic cable. That makes it virtually invulnerable to electronic warfare and radio dead zones, and sends back high quality footage via its onboard camera. The cable unwinds as the drone flies distances anywhere from 10-20 km.
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◻️ School where heroes are forged: Russia’s unique Spetsnaz university
◻️ Ukraine's outlawing Orthodox church is West’s ‘globalist agenda’
◻️ Why did Blinken jump the gun on Gaza deal?
◻️ Why is the price of gold skyrocketing?
◻️ How the Sahel Region is stopping the Western ‘hegemonic craziness’?
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◻️ Ukraine's outlawing Orthodox church is West’s ‘globalist agenda’
◻️ Why did Blinken jump the gun on Gaza deal?
◻️ Why is the price of gold skyrocketing?
◻️ How the Sahel Region is stopping the Western ‘hegemonic craziness’?
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Sputnik International
The Iranian Armed Forces General Staff has partially refuted Fars' information about the causes of President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter crash.
It further added ”the media needs to publish such news with caution and coordinate with central authorities.”
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“What the Fars publication said about the presence of two people in the helicopter in violation of safety protocols and that this was mentioned as one of the factors in the crash of the helicopter, which did not have enough thrust to adjust its flight altitude, is a lie,” Iranian media, which quoted the General Staff's statement, stated.
It further added ”the media needs to publish such news with caution and coordinate with central authorities.”
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❗️Russian Bryansk Governor Bogomaz announced the suppression of an attempt by a Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group in the Klimovsky district of the region on August 21.
During the battle, the breakthrough attempt was prevented by the forces of the FSB Border Guard Service for the Bryansk Region and units of the Armed Forces. The enemy was inflicted with fire damage.
Currently, the situation at the site of the clash has stabilized and is under the control of the regional operational headquarters.
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During the battle, the breakthrough attempt was prevented by the forces of the FSB Border Guard Service for the Bryansk Region and units of the Armed Forces. The enemy was inflicted with fire damage.
Currently, the situation at the site of the clash has stabilized and is under the control of the regional operational headquarters.
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Earlier, an American military official, answering a question from Sputnik, refused to admit that the Ukrainian Armed Forces moved HIMARS transferred to Ukraine during the attack on the Kursk region.
He also recalled Kiev's assurances that all American weapons are allegedly used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces only within the limits established by the United States.
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Armored BBQ Grills the Enemy
The crew of a Russian T-80 converted it into as ‘tsar-mangal’ (king grill) with air conditioning – and a bed. They installed grates so that the tank could get some air, solid 8 mm thick steel plate, and even a camp bed so that they could rest between combat missions.
The crew’s field of vision after modding their tank is limited, but for assault operations it is just what they need. When smashing through defensive lines, the main threat is from anti-tank mines and FPV drones.
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The crew of a Russian T-80 converted it into as ‘tsar-mangal’ (king grill) with air conditioning – and a bed. They installed grates so that the tank could get some air, solid 8 mm thick steel plate, and even a camp bed so that they could rest between combat missions.
"It all holds tightly, works great. No matter how much we ride, nothing loosens or falls apart," says the tank commander with the call sign Mikhey.
The crew’s field of vision after modding their tank is limited, but for assault operations it is just what they need. When smashing through defensive lines, the main threat is from anti-tank mines and FPV drones.
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Despite utilizing a bulletproof barrier for public events in the aftermath of the failed assassination attempt, Trump ditched the protected podium at a rally in North Carolina after a rally attendee fainted.
Trump's fearless behavior was greeted with applause from the crowd.
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Trump's fearless behavior was greeted with applause from the crowd.
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Protests near Democrat convention won’t move Harris to stop arming Israel – expert
Police in Chicago took additional security measures after 72 demonstrators were arrested during multiple pro-Palestinian protests outside the Democratic party’s national convention, AP reported, adding that the police kept protesters “confined to a block of Madison street.”
“Frankly, I think protests will have minimal impact,” US constitutional historian and political commentator Dan Lazare told Sputnik.
“Harris has gone along with these policies at every step, so there is no way she can escape responsibility now,” Lazare argued, adding that “the result [of the US' pro-Israeli politics] is the anti-Palestinian pogroms on the West Bank and the isolation of Gaza.”
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Police in Chicago took additional security measures after 72 demonstrators were arrested during multiple pro-Palestinian protests outside the Democratic party’s national convention, AP reported, adding that the police kept protesters “confined to a block of Madison street.”
“Frankly, I think protests will have minimal impact,” US constitutional historian and political commentator Dan Lazare told Sputnik.
“With each party claiming to be more pro-Zionist than the other, anyone with the slightest sympathy for the Palestinian plight is reduced to choosing between the really bad and the truly awful,” Lazare said. “For more than half a century, one US administration after another has coddled Israel, loaded it down with arms, and given it carte blanche to wage war against its Arab neighbors.”
“Harris has gone along with these policies at every step, so there is no way she can escape responsibility now,” Lazare argued, adding that “the result [of the US' pro-Israeli politics] is the anti-Palestinian pogroms on the West Bank and the isolation of Gaza.”
The LA Times earlier reported that “Biden has sent billions in military aid to Israel with few (if any) conditions, a move that prolonged the suffering of Palestinians,” explaining the protesters’ “feeling of anger and betrayal.”
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How statements about the West's non-involvement in Ukraine's attack on the Kursk region are crumbling apart
Western countries have repeatedly declared their non-involvement in Ukraine's incursion, shifting responsibility for this decision entirely to the Ukrainian authorities.
The Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder also claimed that Ukraine “did not inform us in advance and yes, we are in consultation, you know, discussing this with them."
Sputnik has looked into how these statements align with Russia’s arguments.
🔶 The Forward Observations Group (FOG), an alleged private military group from the US, has shared photos on social media of its members posing in front of a military vehicle with the caption read "The boys in Kursk". The post’s geolocation was tagged as "Kursk, Russia."
🔶 Zelensky adviser Mykhailo Podolyak himself stated there were “discussions between partner forces, just not on the public level" before the incursion.
🔶 An array of prized NATO hardware has been turned to scrap metal during Ukraine’s ill-fated Kursk operation. Shredded Western weaponry included US-made Stryker, Cougar, MaxxPro, and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, Polish Krab howitzers, Canada’s Roshel armored car, launchers and radar for US Patriots.
🔶 Ukraine’s operation in Russia’s Kursk region was prepared with the participation of the US, UK, and Polish intelligence services, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) said, citing available information, adding that Ukrainian units underwent combat coordination in training centers in the UK and Germany while NATO military advisers are providing assistance and satellite reconnaissance data.
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Western countries have repeatedly declared their non-involvement in Ukraine's incursion, shifting responsibility for this decision entirely to the Ukrainian authorities.
“We had nothing to do with this," White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said, while State Department Deputy Spokesman Vedant Patel said the US “has not been engaged or involved in any of the planning or preparation for that.”
The Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder also claimed that Ukraine “did not inform us in advance and yes, we are in consultation, you know, discussing this with them."
Sputnik has looked into how these statements align with Russia’s arguments.
Earlier Russian presidential aide Nikolai Patrushev dismissed the US Department of State’s claims of non-involvement, saying that “it’s common for the US to say one thing and do just the opposite. Without their participation and direct endorsement, Kiev would have never dared to set its foot on Russian territory."
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A rocket exploded during testing at the United Kingdom's new spaceport on the remote Shetland islands.
A rocket manufacturer has promised to resume normal operations "as soon as possible" following the accident.
The test was conducted by German company Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), which aspires to send the UK’s first vertical-launched rocket into orbit.
Monday's nine-engine test at the SaxaVord Spaceport on the island of Unst, in the archipelago north of Scotland, was one of several experiments that will be conducted before the first launch.
RFA stated that an "anomaly" resulted in "the loss of the stage," but there were no injuries.
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A rocket manufacturer has promised to resume normal operations "as soon as possible" following the accident.
The test was conducted by German company Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), which aspires to send the UK’s first vertical-launched rocket into orbit.
Monday's nine-engine test at the SaxaVord Spaceport on the island of Unst, in the archipelago north of Scotland, was one of several experiments that will be conducted before the first launch.
RFA stated that an "anomaly" resulted in "the loss of the stage," but there were no injuries.
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Mentally disabled man at the DNC...
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"My name is Dr. Joey Perella, pronouns she-her-hers. I am a proud resident of the Garden State. I'm proud to stand with Kamala Harris and Tim Walz because they stand with the LGBTQ community. It's time to turn the page on Trump."
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China calls the US 'the world's biggest creator of nuclear threat risks'
Following US President Joe Biden's reportedly approval of a classified nuclear strategy focused on China's allegedly growing nuclear arsenal, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning noted that “the US is the world's biggest creator of strategic nuclear threat risks.”
Mao Ning stressed that the nature of China's nuclear forces are very different from that of the US, adding that China has a no-first-use policy and follows a strict self-defense nuclear strategy.
She also pointed out that China maintains its nuclear capabilities at the maximum level necessary to ensure national security.
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Following US President Joe Biden's reportedly approval of a classified nuclear strategy focused on China's allegedly growing nuclear arsenal, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning noted that “the US is the world's biggest creator of strategic nuclear threat risks.”
She added that Washington has always hyped up the so-called “Chinese nuclear threat” and that this is “a pretext to avoid its own nuclear disarmament obligations.”
Mao Ning stressed that the nature of China's nuclear forces are very different from that of the US, adding that China has a no-first-use policy and follows a strict self-defense nuclear strategy.
She also pointed out that China maintains its nuclear capabilities at the maximum level necessary to ensure national security.
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Lebanon develops plan of action in case of escalation of conflict with Israel
The Lebanese government has developed a plan of action in case of escalation of the conflict with Israel, but international organizations have not provided the necessary assistance due to pressure from the West, Lebanese Labor Minister Mustafa Bayram told Sputnik.
He also noted that a possible armed conflict with Lebanon "will not be a walk in the park" for the Israel Defense Forces.
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The Lebanese government has developed a plan of action in case of escalation of the conflict with Israel, but international organizations have not provided the necessary assistance due to pressure from the West, Lebanese Labor Minister Mustafa Bayram told Sputnik.
He also noted that a possible armed conflict with Lebanon "will not be a walk in the park" for the Israel Defense Forces.
"The decision on war and peace today is entirely in the hands of Israel, and Lebanon has every right to self-defense ... It is impossible to say that there will not be a large-scale war against Lebanon, and we cannot guarantee what the Israeli army will do. Hezbollah is capable of waging this battle, and Israel does not need any pretext to strike Lebanon," Bayram added.
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Russia collects evidence for lawsuits on arbitrariness of Latvia against Russians — Russian Foreign Ministry
There have been reports in the media that the Latvian authorities have complicated the procedure for extending residence permits to Russian citizens, which now requires confirmation of knowledge of the Latvian language, as well as completion of a questionnaire on their attitude towards the special military operation and Crimea.
"Riga should understand that they will have to answer for all barbaric actions against the Russian-speaking population," she concluded.
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There have been reports in the media that the Latvian authorities have complicated the procedure for extending residence permits to Russian citizens, which now requires confirmation of knowledge of the Latvian language, as well as completion of a questionnaire on their attitude towards the special military operation and Crimea.
"We will continue to collect evidence, based on written statements from compatriots who have suffered from the arbitrariness of the Latvian authorities, for the preparation of individual and collective lawsuits in local and international courts," said Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
"Riga should understand that they will have to answer for all barbaric actions against the Russian-speaking population," she concluded.
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Colombia submits bill to prevent mercenary recruitment - Colombian Foreign Ministry
In early June, the Russian Defense Ministry showed an interrogation video of a captured Colombian mercenary, Angel Cardenas Montilla, who had fought on the side of Ukrainian forces. He said that Ukrainian curators had tricked him into going to the contact line, despite promising that he would be guarding the rear facility.
According to him, he came to Ukraine following an announcement on the Tik-Tok social network, where mercenaries were invited to participate in hostilities against Russia.
Montilla noted that foreigners like him came to Ukraine "as if in a dream", without a clear understanding of where they were going after being deceived by the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
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"Currently, there is no such ban, so Colombians are signing very dangerous contracts with recruiting networks and ending up in the armies of other countries," Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo said.
In early June, the Russian Defense Ministry showed an interrogation video of a captured Colombian mercenary, Angel Cardenas Montilla, who had fought on the side of Ukrainian forces. He said that Ukrainian curators had tricked him into going to the contact line, despite promising that he would be guarding the rear facility.
According to him, he came to Ukraine following an announcement on the Tik-Tok social network, where mercenaries were invited to participate in hostilities against Russia.
Montilla noted that foreigners like him came to Ukraine "as if in a dream", without a clear understanding of where they were going after being deceived by the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
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Sputnik International
How statements about the West's non-involvement in Ukraine's attack on the Kursk region are crumbling apart Western countries have repeatedly declared their non-involvement in Ukraine's incursion, shifting responsibility for this decision entirely to the…
West feigns ignorance of Ukraine's attack on Russian territory
Ukraine prepared an attack on Russia’s Kursk region "secretly and without feedback," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said.
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Ukraine prepared an attack on Russia’s Kursk region "secretly and without feedback," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said.
"Ukraine was preparing its military operation in the Kursk region very secretly and without feedback," Scholz told reporters, following a meeting with Moldova President Maia Sandu.
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Aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln arrives in Mideast as US builds up military presence in region
The US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln with fighter jets on board has arrived in the Middle East, the Central Command of the US Armed Forces (CENTCOM) has announced.
The US is gradually expanding its military presence in the Middle East under the pretext of possible escalation in the region. Earlier in August, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered “adjustments” to the US' “military posture” in the Mideast. Additional weaponry, including the USS Georgia nuclear submarine, was subsequently deployed.
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The US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln with fighter jets on board has arrived in the Middle East, the Central Command of the US Armed Forces (CENTCOM) has announced.
“USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), equipped with F-35C and F/A-18 Block III fighters, has entered the US Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of responsibility. The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 3, is accompanied by Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21 and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9,” CENTCOM posted on X.
The US is gradually expanding its military presence in the Middle East under the pretext of possible escalation in the region. Earlier in August, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered “adjustments” to the US' “military posture” in the Mideast. Additional weaponry, including the USS Georgia nuclear submarine, was subsequently deployed.
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The Russian orchestra performed the famous Russian song "Katyusha."
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