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🇮🇱 🇾🇪 #BREAKING A large-scale fire has broken out at the port and fuel depot in #AlHudaydah, #Yemen, following suspected airstrikes by #Israel/#IDF (GEO: 14.83034030126419, 42.93617024121075). @AtlasNewsTelegram

This comes in apparent retaliation to a #Houthi drone attack against #TelAviv early Friday, which left one person dead and several others wounded. Via theatlasnews.co

First photo and video from Yemen today, second two videos from Israel yesterday.
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🇺🇸 #BREAKING President Joe #Biden has officially dropped out of the #UnitedStates presidential race. He has endorsed VP Kamala Harris to become the Democratic Party's presidential nominee. @AtlasNewsTelegram

Biden wrote on social media that he was ending his campaign for re-election and that he would address the nation in the coming weeks, kicking off an unprecedented scramble among Democrats. Via theatlasnews.co
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🇺🇦 🇷🇺 A #Ukrainian drone attack targeted an oil refinery in #Tuapse, northeast coast of the #BlackSea, #Russia, causing a fire. @AtlasNewsTelegram

The refinery, owned by the #Russian oil giant Rosneft, includes a port terminal, and primarily exports its products, with 90% of its output destined for international markets. The refinery has an estimated annual processing capacity of 240,000 barrels per day.

Russian officials reported that no casualties occurred and nearly one hundred emergency responders managed to contain the fire. The blaze was attributed to falling drone debris by regional authorities, who accused #Ukraine of targeting civilian infrastructure.

The extent of the damage remains unclear, and it is unknown if the refinery is operational. Via theatlasnews.co
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🇨🇾 🇬🇷 🇹🇷 Fifty years after the 1974 Turkish invasion and ongoing occupation of approximately 40 percent of #Cyprus, the island nation is embarking on a significant upgrade and expansion of the “Evangelos Florakis” naval base with support from #Greece. On July 17, Vasilis Palmas, the Defense Minister of the Republic of Cyprus, announced these plans, which aim to enhance the island’s naval capabilities and its geo-strategic position in the Eastern Mediterranean. @AtlasNewsTelegram

The expansion of the Evangelos Florakis naval base is a strategic move intended to bolster Cyprus’s role as a key hub for humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza under the US and EU-approved Amalthia Initiative. Greece is set to provide technical expertise and assistance. This strategic focus comes during increasing geopolitical tensions in the region. The upgrade aligns with past agreements allowing the French Navy permanent access to the base and, more recently, a scheduled visit by the USS Arleigh Burke destroyer on April 9 during its deployment with the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group in the region.

Cyprus’s aeronautical capabilities have been desperately lacking in the 50 years since the invasion. Despite significant modernization efforts for the Cypiot National Guard, the balance of power remains heavily skewed in favor of #Turkey’s 43,000 troops, made up of infantry, heavy armor, and artillery commanded by Ankara’s occupation garrison, the “Cyprus Turkish Peace Force Command.” Cyprus’s standing forces of around 15,000 and Greek bolstering troops of a few thousand have only Cypriot reserves to pull from further, around 20 to 30 thousand depending on different estimates.

Full article: https://theatlasnews.co/latest/2024/07/20/cyprus-to-build-new-naval-base-half-a-century-after-invasion/
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🇲🇲 300 Junta Troops Reportedly Defect to #MNDAA in #Shan State, #Burma / #Myanmar – via theatlasnews.co

Opposition media outlet, Khit Thit Media, is reporting that 300 junta soldiers from the Lashkent Military Council (#SAC / #Tatmadaw) have defected to the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) in what appears to be the single largest surrender and defection since the coup in 2021. @AtlasNewsTelegram Their report reads below:

“A total of 317 troops were surrendered to MNDAA, led by 1 Commander, 2 Colonels, and 5 Commanders of the Military Councils in Lasho County, Northern Shan, reports the MNDAA.

At 10:00 a.m. on July 21, a commander of the military council took two colonels, including five commanders and soldiers A total of 317 members of the council were reported to have surrendered to the MNDAA and expressed their desire to join the Allied forces to fight king Aung Thai’s dictatorship.”

From February 1st, 2021, to July 5th, 2024, there have been a reported 12,341 junta troops that have defected to the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), a shadow NGO attempting to aid military and political dissidents from the junta. However, there have been few, if any, mass defections to rebel groups with the aim to take up arms against their former junta comrades.

More on theatlasnews.co
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🇺🇬 #Ugandan police and military have upped their presence in the country’s capital, #Kampala, in anticipation of a youth-led anti-corruption ‘March2Parliament’ today, an early indication that the historic “Gen-Z” protests that swept Kenya last week could be reverberating on the continent. Via theatlasnews.co @AtlasNewsTelegram

In the lead up to the protests, #Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni stated, “we are busy producing wealth…and you here want to disturb us. You are playing with fire because we cannot allow you to disturb us.”

Using social media and inspired by the recent anti-government protests in Kenya, young Ugandans began organizing a march to parliament to protest corruption in the country. This has been a long-running grievance and is seen by many as a major hindrance to economic prosperity.

And despite the heavy police presence and warnings from the likes of Museveni and the police, young Ugandans are still stating their willingness to take part in the protest.

Much of the youth’s grievances stem from the nation’s well-documented history of high-level government corruption. Most recently, in February, the hashtag ‘UgandaParliamentExhibition’ illustrated instances of this alleged corruption and specifically focused on the country’s speaker of Parliament, Anita Among.

In April, Among was sanctioned by the UK government for “stealing from the poorest communities in Uganda,” after she profited from the sale of iron sheets meant for the building of housing for the country’s poor.

In May, Among was then sanctioned by the US, “due to [her] involvement in significant corruption tied to her leadership.”

Furthermore, many of the youth, speaking on X, have called for the resignation of President Museveni, who has ruled the African nation since 1986.

Full article: https://theatlasnews.co/latest/2024/07/22/museveni-uganda-protestors-playing-with-fire/
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🇬🇪 #Georgia’s “Foreign Agent” Law Faces Challenge in Constitutional Court: https://theatlasnews.co/latest/2024/07/23/georgias-foreign-agent-law-faces-challenge-in-constitutional-court/

In Georgia, the controversial “foreign agent” law, which has sparked widespread opposition, violent demonstrations, and multiple legal challenges across the country for several months, is set for review in the Constitutional Court. @AtlasNewsTelegram

When first introduced, the law raised concerns about the country’s European Union aspirations, as it mandates that organizations receiving more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad would be required to register as “foreign agents.”

Passed by the ruling Georgian Dream party, the law is being linked by its detractors to similar legislation in Russia.

Despite international and domestic pressures, Georgian Dream has defended the law as a measure to enhance transparency in NGO funding.

Full article at theatlasnews.co
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🇵🇸 🇨🇳 #Hamas and #Fatah End Rift in #Beijing, But Will Compromise Endure?: https://theatlasnews.co/latest/2024/07/23/hamas-and-fatah-end-rift-in-beijing-but-will-compromise-endure/

Several #Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Fatah, have signed a “national unity” agreement in Beijing, demonstrating #China’s push as a mediator in a diplomatic area normally influenced by the United States. The agreement aims to end intra-#Palestine divisions and establish a joint platform to govern post-war #Gaza—although it will not end the current war in Gaza as the Israeli government has rejected any proposal featuring Hamas or the Fatah-controlled Palestinian Authority. The signing marked the conclusion of three days of reconciliation dialogue involving 14 different Palestinian groups. @AtlasNewsTelegram

Previous reconciliation attempts between Palestinian factions have been unsuccessful, yet the ongoing conflict in Gaza has reignited these initiatives. In April, Hamas and Fatah convened in China following an earlier discussion in Russia in February to address their 17-year-long rivalry since Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip from Fatah officials in 2007.

Fatah and Hamas have been political rivals for decades, competing for leadership in both the Palestinian Authority and the broader Palestinian liberation efforts. Violent clashes between the factions followed Hamas’ 2006 legislative election victory, which resulted in Hamas gaining control over Gaza.

Currently, Hamas remains the de facto ruling power in Gaza, while the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority administers the occupied #WestBank.

Full article on theatlasnews.co
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🛰 🌎 The New Aviation Threat the FAA Isn’t Telling You About – via theatlasnews.co

Recent data reveals a troubling surge in #GPS spoofing incidents, significantly impacting flight safety. The average number of flights encountering GPS spoofing has skyrocketed from 200 per day during January-March 2024 to approximately 900 daily in the second quarter of 2024. On some days, the number has soared to 1,350 flights. Flight crews are also reporting an increase in the intensity of spoofing, raising serious concerns about #aviation safety. @AtlasNewsTelegram

Initially, GPS spoofing was predominantly reported in northern Iraq, Egypt, and Israel. However, recent months have seen new hotspots emerging in the Black Sea, Cyprus, the Korean border, and Russia. The number of affected locations has expanded from three to more than ten, complicating efforts to mitigate the risks.

For flight crews, the increasing frequency and intensity of GPS spoofing pose evolving safety risks. Initially, spoofing mainly caused navigational issues, such as unexpected autopilot turns and loss of Inertial Reference Systems (IRS). However, air traffic control (ATC) could often resolve these issues through radar vectors.

This year, a second set of more severe risks has emerged. GPS is deeply integrated into many aircraft systems, making them vulnerable to spoofing. The Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS), crucial for preventing Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) accidents, has become unreliable. False alerts, sometimes occurring hours after a spoofing event, have led crews to inhibit the system, undermining trust in this critical safety device.

Moreover, go-arounds caused by spoofing are becoming more common, driven by false EGPWS alerts, incorrect wind indications on the Navigation Display, and unusual autopilot or glideslope/localizer behaviors. Each go-around increases crew workload and reduces the safety margin, highlighting the need for urgent action.

Other aircraft systems affected by spoofing include Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), Head-Up Displays (HUD), and transponders. The aircraft clock, often one of the first systems to fail during a spoofing encounter, disrupts functions like Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC), adding to the complexity of managing spoofed flights. Eurocontrol reports daily occurrences of these issues.

In oceanic and remote regions, where onboard navigation accuracy is critical, air traffic control has become increasingly challenging. Shanwick and Gander Oceanic Control Centers frequently handle aircraft unable to meet Required Navigation Performance 4 (RNP4) standards due to spoofing, sometimes necessitating diversions to Iceland.

These evolving safety risks are largely unaddressed, posing latent dangers that will only become evident when an accident attributable to spoofing occurs. A significant layer of aviation safety, the “Swiss Cheese” model, has been compromised.

Read the full article at https://theatlasnews.co/latest/2024/07/19/the-new-aviation-threat-the-faa-isnt-telling-you-about/
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🇨🇳 🇵🇭 Agreement in the Balance: #Philippines and #China Address South China Sea Resupply Protocols: https://theatlasnews.co/latest/2024/07/23/agreement-in-the-balance-philippines-and-china-address-south-china-sea-resupply-protocols/

On July 21st, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced that the Philippines and China reached a “provisional agreement” regarding the resupply missions to the Second Thomas Shoal. The announcement, dated July 19th, provided scant details other than that both sides reached the agreement after discussions during the 9th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the #SouthChinaSea (SCS) in early July 2024. @AtlasNewsTelegram

The DFA said that the Philippines and China “reached an understanding of principles and approaches that will be observed by both sides in order to avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation in the conduct of the Philippines’ lawful and routine rotation and resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal [Second Thomas Shoal].” The countries negotiated the pact after “a series of consultations following the frank and constructive discussions between the two sides” during the 9th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the SCS held in Manila. However, the announcement pointed out that the Philippines and China “continued to recognize the need to de-escalate the situation in the SCS and manage differences through peaceful means.” The agreement will also be under regular review through the consultation mechanism, and “the principles and approaches will not prejudice” either country’s position in the SCS. However, the Philippines will continue to “assert its rights and jurisdiction in its maritime zones under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including in Ayungin Shoal [Second Thomas Shoal], which is within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf.”

China released two statements through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on July 22nd that refuted the DFA’s statement about the agreement. The MFA released a statement that rejected the Philippines’ announcement and reiterated China’s three points regarding the situation around the Second Thomas Shoal. China emphasized that the shoal is “a part of China’s Nansha Islands [Spratly Islands], and China has sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including Ren’ai Reef [Second Thomas Shoal], and its adjacent waters.” The statement explained the three-point position regarding the current situation at Second Thomas Shoal.

Full article on theatlasnews.co
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🇺🇸 Kamala #Harris Breaks Single-Day #UnitedStates Presidential Campaign Donation Record: https://theatlasnews.co/latest/2024/07/23/kamala-harris-breaks-single-day-presidential-campaign-donation-record/

The Kamala Harris presidential campaign raised a record-high $81 million in the 24 hours after Biden dropped out of the race, from 888,000 donors reportedly. Future Forward, the largest Democratic super-PAC in the country, announced that it had also secured $150 million in new commitments over the same period, largely from fence-sitting voters who were reluctant to support Biden. @AtlasNewsTelegram

In a statement, campaign spokesperson Kevin Munoz said, “The historic outpouring of support for Vice President Harris represents exactly the kind of grassroots energy and enthusiasm that wins elections. Already, we are seeing a broad and diverse coalition come together to support our critical work of talking to the voters that will decide this election.”

#Biden’s withdrawal from the race came as a surprise to many; the President had denied the possibility of dropping out on multiple occasions. In one interview, Biden told ABC News’s George Stephanopoulos that only “The Lord Almighty” could convince him to end his campaign. Despite this, twenty-two Democrat officials publicly called on him to step down.

Substituting Harris for Biden appears to be an effective strategic move for the Democratic party. Analysis conducted by the Washington Post of 11 recent polls found that on average, Harris trails Republican nominee Donald Trump by 1.5 points. This is an improvement over Biden, who trailed Trump by an average of 1.9 points in the same polls.

In response to the switch, #Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to call for the Democratic party to reimburse his campaign for fraud, saying, “So, we are forced to spend time and money on fighting Crooked Joe Biden, he polls badly after having a terrible debate, and quits the race. Now we have to start all over again. Shouldn’t the Republican Party be reimbursed for fraud in that everybody around Joe, including his doctors and the Fake News Media, knew he was not capable of running for, or being, President? Just askin’?”

In an official statement accepting Biden’s endorsement, Harris set her sights on uniting her party and winning the White House in 2024, saying, “I am honored to have the President’s endorsement, and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party—and unite our nation—to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda.”

From the full article on theatlasnews.co
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🇮🇶 🇺🇸 Iraq Wants U.S. Troops Out Within One Year: https://theatlasnews.co/latest/2024/07/24/iraq-wants-us-troops-out-within-one-year/

#Iraq is pushing for the drawdown of all #UnitedStates forces in the country starting in September, according to sources close to the issue, and has proposed a formal end to the U.S.-led coalition by September 2025. The informal dialogue between Iraq and U.S. officials in Washington this week comes on the heels of a jaw-dropping public statement from the United States Armed Forces Central Command (CENTCOM) on July 16th that the Islamic State is on pace to “more than double” the number of attacks in Syria and Iraq it claimed in 2023. Even then, the estimate of 153 attacks so far this year is considered low, as the methodology only counts attacks ISIS officially claims, and experts say the group has been claiming only a fraction in order to conceal its true rise. The group and its affiliates have also carried out recent attacks in Iran and Russia, as well as in Oman for the first time. @AtlasNewsTelegram

While U.S. officials have noted that there is no formal agreement or timetable, the U.S. has been quietly attempting to extricate itself from decades-long engagements in the Middle East for years. The US currently has approximately 2,500 troops in Iraq as part of a more than 80-member coalition that was first formed in 2014 to repel the Islamic State as it rampaged across Iraq and Syria. The coalition was successful, eventually ejecting the Islamic State from its last remaining stronghold in Baghuz, Syria, in 2019.

It was unclear from the discussions how many troops would withdraw under a deal, but Iraqi sources said they expect “most” to eventually depart, while the U.S. is reportedly considering a trimmed-down advise-and-assist mission.

Iraq has challenged the status quo on coalition forces in the country before. In January, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani issued a statement indicating that the government was beginning the process to remove U.S. troops. “We stress our firm position in ending the existence of the international coalition after the justifications for its existence have ended,” Sudani was quoted as saying in the statement. In response, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin released a statement saying that the U.S. government would look at the presence of U.S. forces in the country while considering the threat the militants pose, the requirements that remain, and the Iraqi military’s capabilities.

Sudani’s statement came just one day after a U.S. airstrike killed a militia leader in downtown Baghdad, prompting anger among Iranian-aligned groups and powerful Shiite factions, demanding a response. The targeted operation, which killed a key figure in the Iranian-backed group Kataib Hezbollah—which is responsible for scores of attacks on U.S. forces in the region—underscores the deeply tactical back-and-forth nature of the conflict in which there seems to be no strategic recourse.

Iraq frequently denounces these strikes, and after the January operation, which occurred in a busy market in the capital city, an Iraqi military spokesman called the strikes “a clear aggression and violation of Iraqi sovereignty” and vowed to “hold the American side and the coalition forces responsible for the repercussions of these dangerous actions that threaten the security and safety of the country.” For Iraq, the continued push to remove U.S. forces from the country is highly politicized, part of reclaiming its sovereignty and demonstrating to hardline factions in its government that it can expel the occupier, while the U.S. aims to prevent Iran and its allies from claiming a victory. The U.S. views its presence in Iraq as a counterbalance to Iranian foreign policy and has served to maintain security in Iraq’s Kurdistan region, which will become much more vulnerable to Shiite militias if the U.S. were to depart.

Full article on theatlasnews.co
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🇺🇦 🇩🇪 Rheinmetall Officially Requested to Build Ammunition Factory in Ukraine – via theatlasnews.co @AtlasNewsTelegram

Rheinmetall AG, a #German defense and automotive manufacturing company, has been formally requested to build an ammunition factory in #Ukraine by the #Ukrainian government. The announcement reads below:

“Rheinmetall has now received its first important order from the Ukrainian government for the construction of an ammunition factory in the Ukraine, which was announced in February 2024, and marks the starting point for the realization of the project. The order for the Duesseldorf-based technology group Rheinmetall covers the complete technical equipment of the factory through to commissioning. This involves a total value ranged in a low three-digit million-euro range, which will be booked as incoming order at the start of the third quarter of 2024. It is foreseen to begin in short term and to be completed within a few years. The intention is to start the ammunition production in the Ukraine within 24 months. Together with its Ukrainian joint venture partner, Rheinmetall will also be responsible for operating the plant.”

Armin Papperger, the CEO of Rheinmetall also commented on the request, affirming the company had received the request and intended to fulfill it. This comes only two weeks after it was reported by the U.S. and Germany that they had foiled a Russian intelligence plan to assassinate Papperger. It is likely that any Rheinmetall factory on Ukrainian soil would be subject to Russian targeting and probable destruction.

Read more on theatlasnews.co
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🇺🇸 🇮🇱 🇵🇸 Netanyahu Pledges "Total Victory" in Gaza, Thousands Protest in Capitol: @AtlasNewsTelegram

"Thousands of #UnitedStates protesters against the war in #Gaza, #Palestine, converged on #WashingtonDC on Wednesday to condemn Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin #Netanyahu’s visit, chanting and marching toward the Capitol before police deployed pepper spray on some in the crowd.

Demonstrators calling for an end to the war that has killed more than 39,000 Palestinians filled several blocks as they weaved through the streets of the nation’s capital carrying Palestinian flags and signs with messages such as “arrest Netanyahu” and “end all U.S. aid to #Israel.” Outside Union Station, protesters removed American flags and hoisted Palestinian ones in their place to massive cheers in the crowd.

Throngs of demonstrators rallied near the Capitol before starting their march ahead of Netanyahu’s joint address to Congress, but police blocked them from getting close to the building. Police said they used pepper spray after some protesters became “violent” and “failed to obey” orders to move back from the police line. Batons were also used during brawls at various points.

Outside of Union Station, at least four protesters were handcuffed and taken away by police. The Capitol Police said about 200 people were arrested Tuesday on charges stemming from the sit-in at the Cannon building. Jewish Voice for Peace, which organized the protest, said many more than that were arrested, rabbis among them.

Families of some of the remaining hostages held a protest vigil Tuesday evening on the National Mall, demanding that Netanyahu come to terms with #Hamas and bring home the approximately 120 Israeli hostages remaining in Gaza.

Netanyahu pledged in a scathing speech to Congress on Wednesday to achieve “total victory” against Hamas and denounced American opponents of the war in Gaza as “idiots,” taking a combative stance in a visit the Biden administration hopes can yield progress to negotiations.

Netanyahu used the high-profile address to a joint meeting of Congress to emphasize longstanding and close ties between the United States and Israel. The speech was marked by dozens of Democratic lawmakers boycotting the address and thousands of protesters outside the Capitol condemning the war and the humanitarian crisis created by it.

Speaking for nearly an hour to frequent applause from U.S. lawmakers, as well as stony silence from many leading Democrats, Netanyahu said the U.S. has a shared interest in his country’s fight against Hamas and other Iran-backed armed groups.

“America and Israel must stand together. When we stand together something really simple happens: We win, they lose,” said Netanyahu.

The Israeli leader soon pivoted as he derided those protesting the war on college campuses and elsewhere in the U.S., gesturing to demonstrations happening on the streets outside the Capitol. He called protesters “useful idiots” for Israel’s adversaries.

Netanyahu — making his first trip abroad since the war started — made no direct mention of months of U.S.-led mediation for a cease-fire and hostage-release.

“Israel will fight until we destroy Hamas’s military capabilities and its rule in Gaza and bring all our hostages home,” he said. “That’s what total victory means. And we will settle for nothing less.”–AP

https://apnews.com/article/netanyahu-congress-gaza-hamas-israel-6ea5daf3cd1988b0ad6e874bd450f9bf
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While addressing Congress, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested that the United States and Israel “forge an alliance in the Middle East to counter the growing Iranian threat.” Via theatlasnews.co

“All countries at peace with Israel and all those countries that will make peace with Israel should invited to join this alliance,” he added.

He said that he saw a “potential glimpse” of the alliance on April 14 when the US and other ally nations helped intercept drones and missiles fired at Israel by Iran.

“The new alliance I envision would be a natural extension of the Abraham Accords…we should call it the Abraham Alliance.”
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