English LCCC Newsbulletin For
Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For August 14/2020
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news
The Bulletin's Link on the
lccc Site
http://data.eliasbejjaninews.com/eliasnews21/english.august14.21.htm
News
Bulletin Achieves Since 2006
Click Here to enter the LCCC Arabic/English news bulletins Achieves since 2006
Bible Quotations For today
This people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing,and they
have shut their eyes;so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen
with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn and I would heal them.
Acts of the Apostles 28/23-31/:”After they had
fixed a day to meet him, they came to him at his lodgings in great numbers. From
morning until evening he explained the matter to them, testifying to the kingdom
of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and
from the prophets. Some were convinced by what he had said, while others refused
to believe. So they disagreed with each other; and as they were leaving, Paul
made one further statement: ‘The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your
ancestors through the prophet Isaiah,
“Go to this people and say, You will indeed
listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. For
this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing,and they
have shut their eyes;so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen
with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn and I would heal
them.” Let it be known to you then that this salvation of God has been sent to
the Gentiles; they will listen.’ He lived there for two whole years at his own
expense and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and
teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. “
Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials
published on August 13-14/2021
L’essence du problème…..L’essence de notre problème sera toujours la
trahison et rien que la trahison/Jean-Marie Kassab/August 13/2021
Hezbollah has inter-regional tunnel network stretching hundreds of km/Anna
Ahronheim/Jerusalem Post/August 13/2021
MoPH: 1632 new coronavirus infections, five deaths
President meets Patriarch Al-Rahi, follows up on process of forming government
PM sticks to initial position not to violate constitution, thus won’t convene
cabinet meeting: Press Office
Army commander meets security chiefs
Diab instructs Lebanese diplomatic, consular missions to help students abroad to
pursue their education
Bassil to Salameh and ‘His Supporters’: Stop the Explosion!
Reports: Govt. Formation Possible Next Week
Draft Law Being Mulled to Allow BDL to Continue Subsidizing Fuel
Applications for UK's Chevening Scholarships for a Masters' Degree are Open
Israel Says It Downed a Hizbullah Drone that Crossed Border
Hawat denies rumors about interruption of internet service from 12 midnight
until 7
Hezbollah stokes sectarian tensions to target opponents
Lebanese see standard of living crumble amid fuel crisis
A Message from the President/The LIC Newsletter/Issue02/July 2021
Titles For The Latest English LCCC
Miscellaneous Reports And News published on August 13-14/2021
US welcomes Lapid’s trip tro Morocco, vows to strengthen partnerships
Egypt prepares for Haftar’s candidacy in Libya presidential elections
Ennahda paves the way for Ghannouchi’s resignation as parliament speaker
Kadhimi calls on security forces to develop new plans to protect electricity
pylons
Sudan signs deal with ICC to try Bashir regime for Darfur atrocities
Turkey Holds Dozens More after Attacks on Syrian Shops
U.N. Syria Envoy Alarmed by Hostilities, Civilian Shortages
NATO To Support Afghan Govt 'As Much As Possible'
U.S., UK to Launch Evacuation Flights as Taliban Advance across Afghanistan
UK Says U.S. Pullout from Afghanistan a 'Mistake'
Australia Urgently Evacuates Afghans Threatened by Taliban
Six Dead Including Suspected Gunman in UK Shooting
Two Dead, 17 Injured after Explosion on Russian Bus
Titles For The Latest The Latest LCCC
English analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources published on
August 13-14/2021
Question: "If Jesus paid the price for our sin, why do we still suffer
the consequences of our sin?"/GotQuestions.org/August 13/2021
Ghazni City falls to the Taliban/Thomas Joscelyn/Bill Roggio/FDD's Long War
Journal/August 13/2021
The Hidden Dangers of a Carbon-Neutral Military/Alan Howard/Dr. Brenda Shaffer/|
Foreign Policy/August 13/2021
Does killing of Iranian dissident foreshadow what is to come for
others?/Jonathan Spyer/Jerusalem Post/August 13/2021
Biden has deserted Afghanistan. Europe must act/Luke Coffey/Arab News/August
13/2021
The Latest English LCCC Lebanese &
Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on August 13-14/2021
L’essence du problème…..L’essence de notre problème sera toujours la trahison et
rien que la trahison.
Jean-Marie Kassab/August 13/2021
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/101356/%d8%ac%d8%a7%d9%86-%d9%85%d8%a7%d8%b1%d9%8a-%d9%83%d8%b3%d8%a7%d8%a8-%d8%ac%d9%88%d9%87%d8%b1-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%b4%d9%83%d9%84%d8%a9-%d8%ac%d9%88%d9%87%d8%b1-%d9%85%d8%b4%d9%83%d9%84%d8%aa/
L'Iran est une nation belliqueuse et qui n'a aucun
respect pour l'être humain.
Que voulez vous ? Une nation qui durant la guerre avec Saddam envoyait de force
des bandes de gamins courrir dans les champs de mine et se faire exploser , dans
le but de déminer ces champs.
Le problème est qu'une grosse partie du peuple Libanais les a amenés ici pour
nous occuper.
Regardez autour de vous et vous verrez. Pas besoin de creuser. Les dégats sont
immenses et peut-être irréversibles.
L'essence du problème n'est pas l'essence ou le mazout, liquides vitaux et
nécessaires à notre survie bien súr, l'essence du problème est ce groupe de
traitres dont les 3 présidents et leurs suiveurs qui ont encouragé et permis la
tragédie que nous vivons.
Si l' allégeance transnationale de nombreux chiites soit psychologiquement
compréhensible vu la nature humaine et les liens rituels sans qu' elle ne soit
toutefois acceptable
( Serbes et Russes sont liés par l'orthodoxie et s'epaulent toujours. Les
sunnites du monde ont un lien organique avec l'Arabie Saoudite).
Allez maintenant m'expliquer les Aounistes.
Ils ont largement contribué à l'occupation du Liban par les Iraniens et
actuellement achèvent de le detruire pour 30 pièces d'argent souillées de sang.
Judas n'aurait pas mieux fait.
Les Iraniens font leurs interêt. Ils sont condamnables à titre d'ennemi
haissable. Ils s'en iront un jour que j'espère prochain.
Mais que faire des Aounistes?
L'essence de notre problème sera toujours la trahison et rien que la trahison.
تقرير إسرائيلي يحكي حقيقة وخطورة انفاق حزب الله التي تصل مقراته في بيروت والبقاع
والجنوب ببعضها البعض وبمناطق لبنانية أخرى. انفاق تمتد لمئات الكيلومترات وتسمح
بنقل وتنقل معداته العسكرية ومقاتليه.
Hezbollah has inter-regional tunnel network stretching hundreds of km.
Anna Ahronheim/Jerusalem Post/August 13/2021
http://eliasbejjaninews.com/archives/101360/%d8%aa%d9%82%d8%b1%d9%8a%d8%b1-%d8%a5%d8%b3%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%a6%d9%8a%d9%84%d9%8a-%d9%8a%d8%ad%d9%83%d9%8a-%d8%ad%d9%82%d9%8a%d9%82%d8%a9-%d9%88%d8%ae%d8%b7%d9%88%d8%b1%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%86%d9%81%d8%a7/
The large-scale network was built with the help of
North Korea and is much larger than Hamas’ ‘metro’ network in Gaza.
A new report released by the ALMA Center has exposed a large-scale
inter-regional tunnel network belonging to Hezbollah, stretching across Lebanon
and designed to allow the group to move personnel and weapons.
The report, titled “Land of tunnels” was released on Thursday by the center
which researches security challenges facing Israel on its northern front.
According to the report authored by Major (res.) Tal Beeri, Hezbollah began its
tunnel project after the Second Lebanon War in 2006 with the help of the North
Koreans and Iranians and “is much larger than the Hamas ‘metro’ project in the
Gaza Strip.”
The network supposedly connects the Beirut area, Hezbollah’s central
headquarters, the Beqaa area used by the group as its logistical operational
rear base, to Southern Lebanon. According to the report they allow for “hundreds
of combatants, fully equipped, to pass stealthily and rapidly underground.”
The tunnels are also large enough for motorcycles, ATVs, and other small
vehicles to move through them to allow for troops to maneuver from place to
place “for the purpose of reinforcing defense positions or for carrying out an
attack in a safe, protected, and invisible manner.”
The cumulative length of the network can be in the hundreds of kilometers and in
one area stretches some 45 kilometers, connecting the area of Sidon to the Beqaa.
“According to our findings, it seems that part of the project was conducted in
the geographical area of the Jensnaya Wadi’s – the valley between al- Hasania
and Wadi el Leymoun – Barti – al-Sfenta (between Sniyeh and Bouslaiya) – Mizra
Kafra – south Zhalta. In addition, in the geographical area of al-Tswuan– al -Roummaneh–
Jabal Toura (radar) – Louaizeh – Sejoud – Mizra’a al-Zaghrine – al-Aishia – al-Qotrani-
al- Sriri – Bracha Jabour – Meidoun – continuing to the western Beqaa,” the
report read.
Like Hamas, the tunnels contain underground command and control rooms, weapons
and supply depots, field clinics, and specified designated shafts used to fire
missiles of all types (rockets, surface-to-surface missiles, anti-tank missiles,
and anti-aircraft missiles).
Beeri wrote that the tunnels are also used for artillery attacks, with the
shafts opening for a short period of time before being immediately shut. These
shafts are hidden and camouflaged and cannot be detected above ground.
The tunnels in Lebanon, which do not cross the border with Israel, are the same
as the tunnels in North Korea.
The report stated that Hezbollah’s tunnel network was built with the assistance
of a North Korean company called “the Korea Mining Development Trading
Corporation,” a company that specializes in the development of underground
infrastructure. The actual construction of the tunnels was done by Hezbollah’s
Jihad Construction Foundation.
In 2018 the IDF launched Operation Northern Shield to discover and destroy all
cross-border tunnels dug by Hezbollah into northern Israel. Though the military
said that it has found and destroyed six such tunnels.
The destruction of their cross-border tunnels was a significant hit to the
group, and according to the IDF, they haven’t tried to rebuild them since.
MoPH: 1632 new coronavirus infections, five
deaths
NNA/August 13/2021
Lebanon has recorded 1632 new coronavirus cases and five deaths in the last 24
hours, as reported by the Ministry of Public Health on Friday.
President meets Patriarch Al-Rahi, follows up on
process of forming government
NNA/August 13/2021
Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi affirmed that a new government
must be formed, which is capable of achieving reforms and represent an entry
point for solutions, pointing out that everyone is responsible from his position
in facing difficulties and helping people to stand firm.
Patriarch Al-Rahi called on the media to highlight positive matters and
contribute to alleviating the negative impact of crises on citizens and their
morale. Stances of the Maronite Patriarch came after his meeting with President
of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, this morning at Baabda Palace. The general
situation in the country and latest developments regarding the formation of the
future government were deliberated.
Statement: “I was honored by the visit of His Excellency the President of the
Republic. We discussed the path of forming a new government which is capable of
carrying out structural reforms in various sectors. The new government must be
formed, not to solve all problems and issues, but rather to be an entry point
for resolving crises. What we hope is that it is formed as soon as possible and
we pray for that, and we hope that His Excellency the President and the
PM-designate will be able to form it as soon as possible.
We all know that our people are living in a difficult and bitter waiting state,
and we are trying by various means to support it so that it can withstand, and
stop the bleeding from the elements of strength that characterize Lebanon.
The most important doctors, engineers, nurses, and the most important university
professors, are affected and this is a dangerous matter. You know that the Arab
world, especially the Gulf countries, used to say that Lebanon is our hospital,
our university, the source of our meeting, our bank and the essence of our
tourism.
When we remember these words, we regret the situation we have reached.
Therefore, the future government must face all these issues, and it will be the
gateway to solutions, not the packaged solution to all problems.
We are waiting for this long night to end. Because we are all hungry, but in the
end the night will pass and the dawn will come. This was our conversation with
His Excellency the President, who is also keen to achieve this with all his
heart.
Questions & Answers:
Question: Did you notice, during your meeting with President Aoun, any positive
progress regarding the formation of the government?
Answer: "We all know that there is progress in the path of forming a government
between His Excellency the President and the Prime Minister-designate during
their meetings, according to what the newspapers indicate. We hope and pray that
they will be able as soon as possible to form a government”.
In response to a question about the escalation of the language of communication
between officials, and the attempts to calm down and ease the prevailing
atmosphere to help the formation process, Patriarch Al-Rahi indicated that we
all have to contribute to calming the square and people, alleviating people's
disturbance, and working so that citizens live in tranquility and peace, morally
and materially, through our social work, so that they can continue and live in
dignity and keep their morale high, because if any person or Lebanese loses his
morale, it means that he has fallen on the ground.
I always salute the media, which has to play a major role in helping people by
highlighting the positives and not focusing on everything that is negative and
degrades people’s morale. In Lebanon there are many positive things to highlight
and contribute to helping the citizens”. -- Press Office
PM sticks to initial position not to violate
constitution, thus won’t convene cabinet meeting: Press Office
NNA/August 13/2021
The Press Office of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers issued the
following statement: Since the government has resigned since August 10, 2020,
and in compliance with Article 64 of the Constitution, which limits the powers
of the resigned government to the narrow sense of public affairs conduct, and to
prevent any confusion, caretaker Prime Minister, Hassan Diab, sticks to his
initial position of not violating the constitution and thus not convening a
Cabinet meeting.—PM Press Office
Army commander meets security chiefs
NNA/August 13/2021
Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, on Friday held a meeting at the Army
Command in Yarzeh, attended by General Security Chief, Major General Abbas
Ibrahim, State Security Major General Tony Saliba, Internal Security Forces
chief, Major General Imad Othman, Director of Army Intelligence, Brigadier
General Antoine Kahwaji, Deputy Director General of General Security, Brigadier
General Samir Sinan, ISF Information Branch chief, Brig. Gen. Khaled Hammoud,
and Head of Information Affairs Office, Brigadier General Youssef Medawar.
The meeting’s discussions focused on the repercussions of the economic crisis
and the popular movements in protest against the severe shortage in gasoline and
diesel and its consequences. Conferees agreed to continue coordination and to
take practical steps to prevent the recurrence of the recent security incidents
that took place in more than one region.
Diab instructs Lebanese diplomatic, consular missions to help students abroad to
pursue their education
NNA/August 13/2021
Caretaker Prime Minister, Hassan Diab, sent a letter to the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Emigrants requesting it to instruct Lebanese diplomatic and consular
missions to exert efforts with the aim of enabling students abroad to pursue
their studies. The letter reads as follows: «Following up on the situation of
Lebanese students abroad at the beginning of the new academic year, and in order
to enable them to pursue their studies in light of the economic and financial
conditions that the country is going through, you are requested to instruct the
Lebanese diplomatic and consular missions abroad to make efforts with
governmental and non-governmental associations, university administrations, and
affluent Lebanese community members abroad, urging them to provide assistance to
students abroad, as well as to seek to extend tuition fees payment deadlines and
reduce them when possible.»—PM Press Office
Bassil to Salameh and ‘His Supporters’: Stop the
Explosion!
Naharnet/August 13/2021
Head of the Free Patriotic Movement Jebran Bassil asked the central bank
governor Riad Salameh and all those who are backing up his decision to end fuel
subsidies to “stop the (social) explosion!”He called for a gradual lifting of
the subsidies “until the ration card is distributed.”Bassil blamed Salameh and
his political supporters for the “hijacked fuel tankers, inoperational oxygen
machines and water stations, and for medicine shortages.”He added that President
Michel Aoun and caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab have rejected the decision
to lift subsidies and that the caretaker government “must prove to be the
executive authority.”The new government must be formed quickly, and the coup
against it and against the president “must fail,” Bassil went on saying.“You are
assassinating an entire people, but our people shall not die,” Bassil decried.
Reports: Govt. Formation Possible Next Week
Agence France Presse/August 13/2021
The sectarian and political distribution of ministerial portfolios is “almost
done,” according to circles following up on the government formation
developments.The circles confirmed on Friday that “consultations far from the
spotlight will take place in the next few days to agree on the names of the
ministers.”
They expected the government to be formed during the next week, "if no last
moment obstacles emerge."The sources noted that the decision taken by the
Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh to end fuel subsidies has worsened the
situation in the country, which “pushed towards accelerating the government
formation in order to face the consequences of this decision, whether it is to
be implemented now or later."Moreover, visitors of Ain el-Tineh reported that
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri expressed his satisfaction with the progress
concerning the government formation.
Draft Law Being Mulled to Allow BDL to Continue
Subsidizing Fuel
Agence France Presse/August 13/2021
There are discussions aimed at preparing a draft law that would allow the
central bank to continue subsidizing fuel imports following the bank’s latest
controversial decision to halt subsidies, a ministerial source told the Asharq
al-Awsat newspaper.
President Michel Aoun had warned Thursday in a Baabda meeting in the presence of
Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh that the latter’s decision would have
“dangerous social and economic repercussions that would affect all sectors.”Aoun
also asked Salameh to abide by the government’s decision that linked the end of
subsidization to the approval of the so-called ration card and “allowed the
central bank to use the obligatory reserves to open lines of credit for the
purchase of fuel at a rate of LBP 3,900 for the dollar instead of LBP 1,500.”
Salameh meanwhile stressed that he has no funds and that any use of the
obligatory reserve would require a special law. A ministerial meeting chaired by
caretaker PM Hassan Diab meanwhile stressed that the prices of fuel should not
witness any changes, adding that gasoline and diesel should be distributed to
gas stations according to the latest memo issued by the caretaker energy
minister.
Applications for UK's Chevening Scholarships for a
Masters' Degree are Open
Naharnet/August 13/2021
The British Embassy Beirut has announced the opening of applications for
Chevening Scholarships to study in the UK between 3 August and 2 November 2021,
with applications to be submitted via www.chevening.org/apply
Chevening Scholarships are awarded to individuals from all backgrounds who can
demonstrate that they have the commitment and skills required to create positive
change, and can show how a UK master’s degree will help them do that. The
scholarship offers full financial support for scholars to study for any eligible
master’s degree at any UK university whilst also gaining access to a wide range
of exclusive academic, professional, and cultural experiences. Lebanese and
(Palestinians residing in Lebanon) are eligible to apply under the Lebanon
scheme, including the ‘Rebecca Dykes Chevening Scholarship’ that is granted
every year -- under the same Chevening criteria -- to a female Lebanese or
Palestinian residing in Lebanon to pursue her Master’s Degree in the UK in
subject areas related to Gender Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, Development
and Human Rights and Refugee and Migration Studies and other similar
fields.“This year we are proud to announce our first local partnership with
Siren Associates. The Chevening Siren Associates Scholarship will offer one
scholarship to a Lebanese or (Palestinian national who would be normally
resident in Lebanon) and be located there at the time of making an application.
The scholarship will support this student to undertake a master’s degree in
Governance, International Development, Human Rights, Public Financial Management
/ Administration at one of the UK’s top 20 universities,” the embassy’s
statement said.
“Since the program was created in 1983, over 50,000 professionals have had the
opportunity to develop in the UK through Chevening. There are more than 1,500
scholarships on offer globally for the 2022/2023 academic year, demonstrating
the UK’s ongoing commitment towards developing the leaders of tomorrow,” the
statement added. The Chevening Alumni Association in Lebanon consists of over
200 alumni members.
Israel Says It Downed a Hizbullah Drone that Crossed Border
Associated Press/August 13/2021
Israel downed an unarmed Hizbullah drone that crossed the border from Lebanon,
the Israeli army said Thursday. In a statement, the Israeli army said it downed
the drone after it crossed the border into Israeli airspace. The incident on
Wednesday was the latest uptick in activity along Israel's northern border. Last
week, Hizbullah group claimed credit for firing rockets toward Israel. That was
preceded by a rocket attack launched from Lebanese territory, though it remained
unclear by whom. Israel responded with artillery and rare airstrikes. Lebanon is
experiencing its worst economic and financial crisis in its modern history,
which the World Bank describes as among the worst the world has witnessed since
the mid 1800s. Still, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said the Lebanese
government is responsible for attacks launched from Lebanon toward Israel, no
matter by whom. Israel estimates that Hezbollah possesses over 130,000 rockets
and missiles capable of striking anywhere in the country. In recent years,
Israel also has expressed concerns that the group is trying to import or develop
an arsenal of precision-guided missiles.Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Hizbullah's
leader, said he'd retaliate against any future Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon and
added it would be wrong to assume Hizbullah would be constrained by internal
divisions in Lebanon or the country's harsh economic crisis. U.N.
Secretary-General António Guterres on Sunday said it was important for all sides
"to avoid actions that can further heighten tensions and lead to
miscalculation."
Hawat denies rumors about interruption of internet service from 12 midnight
until 7
NNA/August 13/2021
Caretaker Minister of Telecommunications, Eng. Talal Hawat, on Friday
categorically denied the flurry of rumors that were being circulated by some
electronic news and social media websites about a decision by the Ministry of
Communications to start cutting off the internet service starting next month
from 12 pm until 7 am, in a manner Permanent. Those rumors have been spreading
across Lebanon through an audio message attributed to Ogero General Director,
Imad Kreidieh. “This is absolutely fake news. We’ve been exerting relentless
efforts through contacts with Minister of Energy, Raymond Ghajar, and with
private companies, to secure fuel oil to the transmission stations, and thus
avoid the interruption of the internet and communication services,” Hawat
asserted.
Hezbollah stokes sectarian tensions to target opponents
The Arab Weekly/August 13/2021
BEIRUT--The Lebanese Hezbollah Shia group resorted to inciting sectarian
tensions in an attempt to discredit opponents of Iran’s regional agendas that
the group itself has been serving since its creation. Media reports indicated in
the last few days that Hezbollah has instructed its supporters on social media
networks to accuse Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai of disloyalty and
treason. The practices of Hezbollah prompted President Michel Aoun on Tuesday to
condemn criticism of Lebanon’s Christian Maronite patriarch after he expressed
opposition to the Iran-backed group, warning that insults must be avoided to
safeguard national unity. Following a cross-border salvo between Israel and
Hezbollah, Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai was sharply critical of Hezbollah on
Sunday, saying no group should decide on war and peace and urging the army to
halt rocket fire from the south. The border flare-up on Friday drew criticism
from Hezbollah’s opponents in Lebanon, where hardship is mounting due to a
crippling financial meltdown. Aoun – a Maronite ally of Hezbollah – condemned
the campaigns to which he said Rai was being subjected and emphasised that
freedom of expression was protected by the constitution during a phone call
between the two, the presidency said. Other views should “remain in the
political frame and should not tend to insult or offend, to safeguard national
unity and guarantee general stability in the country”, Aoun said. Rai said that
while Lebanon had not decided to make peace with Israel, neither had it decided
to go to war and Lebanon did not want to be embroiled in military actions that
would “draw destructive Israeli responses.”
Without naming Hezbollah, Rai urged the army to halt rocket attacks from Lebanon
“not out of concern for Israel’s safety, but out of concern for Lebanon’s
safety”. While Hezbollah has not commented on Rai’s comments, its supporters
accused him of surrender and supporting Zionism on social media.
Druze leader Walid Jumblatt tweeted on Monday: “What crime did Rai commit when
he mentioned the armistice agreement? It seems that it is forbidden to discuss
anything outside of the opposition group’s discourse,” sarcastically adding: “A
democratic atmosphere par excellence.”Resigned MP Marwan Hamade accused
Hezbollah of igniting tension on the southern border with Israel and slammed the
group for its attack on the judicial investigator in the Beirut port explosion
crime Judge Tarek Bitar.
Hamade addressed Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, “Your
graciousness has set us back 50 years. “The balance of deterrence advocated by
Hezbollah is a pretext for controlling Lebanon.” Saydet Al-Jabal Gathering
warned that “if this campaign (against Rai) does not stop immediately, we will
take action in several cities.” Earlier this week, Druze residents in the
Hasbaya village of Shuwaya confronted Hezbollah militants and intercepted two
vehicles, including a mobile rocket launcher. Hasbaya residents also handed over
four Hezbollah fighters to the army, after the men fired rockets towards Israeli
forces in the Shebaa Farms area on Friday, in an incident that came after an
exchange of prior rocket launches and retaliatory Israeli airstrikes. The move
of Hasbaya residents showed they refuse to have their village used as a platform
for launching attacks and bringing the country to the brink of war.
A video of Hasbaya residents confronted Hezbollah fighters circulated on social
media at the same moment when Hezbollah was claiming responsibility for the
operation that the group presented as a response to the bombing that targeted
the Damascus area in southern Lebanon on late Wednesday – last Thursday.
Hezbollah later issued a second statement saying, “When the resistance fighters
returned from their mission, and while they were passing through the Shuwaya
area in the Hasbaya district, a number of citizens confronted them.”
Hezbollah considered in its second statement that “the Islamic resistance was,
is, and will remain eager to protect civilians, by not exposing them to any
harm. The Islamic resistance pays from the pure blood of its youth to preserve
the security of Lebanon and its citizens.”Immediately after, people who reject
Hezbollah’s rocket launches from residential areas and others who object to the
group’s activities launched a campaign on social media to denounce Hezbollah’s
commitment to Iran’s agenda. In August of last year, after the Beirut port
blast, the Maronite patriarch called for the state to take control over weapons
in the country and to confine decisions of war and peace to the state. Rai then
called on all parties not to involve Lebanon in any conflict and to take
Lebanon’s interest into consideration first. The patriarch has also repeatedly
called for Lebanon to focus on neutrality and not to enter international and
regional wars which he said have nothing to do with the country.
Lebanese see standard of living crumble amid fuel crisis
The Arab Weekly/August 13/2021
BEIRUT--Lebanon’s worsening fuel crisis has reached a painful crunch point, with
bakeries, businesses and hospitals either scaling back operations or shutting
down completely, making life even harder for Lebanese already enduring a
financial meltdown. As the fuel oil that powers Lebanon has disappeared from the
market, Lebanese have sweltered at home in the summer heat without light or AC,
routinely tossing out the contents of fridges while having to set aside hours to
fill up the car – if increasingly scarce gasoline can be found. Many say living
conditions are worse than during the 1975-90 civil war. It marks a new low in
the financial crisis that erupted in late 2019, the result of decades of
corruption and mismanagement by a ruling elite that has failed to find solutions
as more than half the population has sunk into poverty. In the latest policy
failure, the government is sparring with the central bank over its decision to
end fuel subsidies, a step that would spell sharply higher prices. While the
stand-off continues, importers say the country faced a huge shortage of fuel.
“During the civil war, even with how horrible it was, there weren’t any power
cuts,” said Hassan Khalife, 50, who owns a small barbecue joint near parliament
in Beirut. “The state, which is supposed to take care of its people, is doing
the opposite, it’s trying to humiliate us as much as it can,” he said. Khalife
has downgraded from three refrigerators to one, which he powers via a line from
a neighbour’s generator that whirrs loudly across the street. “We’ve become used
to the sound, it’s like hearing birds or something,” he said. On Wednesday,
Lebanon’s electricity minister told reporters that the country needs 3,000
megawatts of power but only has enough fuel to produce 750. People say they get
one or two hours of electricity from the grid per day, if any.
Black market
The shortage of fuel, known as mazout, means people can’t run their own
generators to fill the gap. “In the last three days I can’t find mazout at all,
neither black market nor white,” says Metri Flouti, who manages generators for
buildings in the upscale Ashrafieh neighbourhood, and is forced by the heat at
home to sleep in his air conditioned office.Key businesses are having the same
problem. Ali Ibrahim, head of the bakeries union, said some bakeries had been
forced to pause this week. “This is people’s food, you can’t play around with
it,” he said.
“Hospitals are going day by day, very few have enough for 2 or 3 days,” said
Suleiman Haroun, head of the private hospitals union, adding that medical
supplies were low and staff lacked petrol to get to work. Souad Akl, general
manager of Alfa Laboratories which produces saline solution and other medical
essentials, told Reuters her factory shut down for the first time in almost 50
years this week. In a city known for its nightlife, Beirut’s downtown and
corniche are plunged into darkness, but still draw some escaping the heat at
home. “I feel my home is dark, and it gives you depression,” said homemaker
Manar Yassine. She has emptied her fridge and waits to do laundry in the
precious hour of electricity from the grid, trying to cut back on generator
costs. Her husband’s once comfortable salary now only covers their generator
subscription, internet, and satellite TV. “I look at my kids, and their
futures,” she said. “If someone gave us the means to emigrate, of course we
would.”
A Message from the President
The LIC Newsletter/Issue 2 | July 2021
The Lebanese Information Center is proud to lead the largest grassroots network
of Lebanese-Americans, committed to both their ancestry in Lebanon and their
homeland in the United States. Our 30 robust chapters are spread out across 21
states and comprise over seven hundred members and thousands of supporters.
These chapters play an invaluable role in the LIC's work. Over the last two
years, and particularly since the devastating Beirut port explosion of August 4,
2020, our members organized successive fundraising campaigns to send vital
humanitarian aid to Lebanon, both through cash and in-kind donations. Our
members also advocate with local and federal officials to further our mission of
a free, democratic, and prosperous Lebanon, which is in the interest of the
United States. In May, they encouraged their representatives to endorse letters
from a bipartisan group of Congressional members to U.S. Secretary of State
Anthony Blinken, proposing a bold and unified set of recommendations to the
Secretary with the goal of assisting Lebanon's people, achieving key reforms,
and maintaining stability in the region. This is a prime example of how our
widespread community organizing complements our national efforts in Washington.
We'll be highlighting more of our grassroots work in the monthly newsletters to
come. If you're interested in joining a chapter, please respond to this email so
we can connect you with a local representative directly.
Lebanon is facing what is perhaps the most difficult period in its recent
history - and that requires us all to join hands to come to its aid. We can do
much more together than apart.
Kind regards,
Dr. Joseph Gebeily/President
The Latest English LCCC
Miscellaneous Reports And News published on August 13-14/2021
US welcomes Lapid’s trip tro Morocco, vows to strengthen partnerships
The Arab Weekly/August 13/2021
WASHINGTON--US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday “the United
States will continue to work with Israel and Morocco to strengthen all aspects
of our partnerships and create a more peaceful, secure, and prosperous future
for all the people of the Middle East.”Blinken also welcomed a visit by Foreign
Minister Yair Lapid to Morocco as Jerusalem and Rabat built on the normalisation
agreement signed last year between their two countries. In a statement, Blinken
called the visit, along with the upcoming reopening of the Israeli liaison
office in Rabat, “significant for Israel, Morocco, and the broader
region.”Morocco and Israel signed on Wednesday three cooperation agreements.
Inked by the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita, and his
Israeli counterpart, the agreements relate to the areas of politics, culture,
youth and sports as well as air services. The normalisation agreements are among
the few Trump foreign policy initiatives that the administration of US President
Joe Biden supports and seeks to build on. Earlier this year, media reports said
Biden will appoint a special envoy tasked with advancing normalisation between
Israel and the Arab world; however, no such announcement has been made. Analysts
believe that while the US administration may support such an initiative in
theory, difficulties may arise in practice as Biden is unlikely to go as far in
incentivising potential candidates in the Arab world as his predecessor Donald
Trump did.
Last year, the United Arab Emirates became the first Arab country in over two
decades to establish ties with Israel, after Egypt and Jordan in 1979 and 1994,
respectively. Following the UAE, Bahrain, and Sudan, Morocco then became the
fourth country in the Arab region to normalise ties with Israel in 2020. In
exchange for resuming ties with Tel Aviv, Rabat benefited from important
security and financial deals with the United States and ensured the recognition
of the kingdom’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.
The Abraham Accords include a general declaration of support for peaceful
relations in the Middle East among Jews, Muslims and Christians, all followers
of religions linked to the patriarch Abraham. The Trump administration saw the
accords partly as paving a path toward full ties with Israel, including in
security and intelligence cooperation to counter common rivals, such as Iran.
The deals Trump struck were “an important achievement, one that not only we
support, but one we’d like to build on,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken
told the House Foreign Affairs Committee last June.
In addition, “we’re looking at countries that may want to join in and, and take
part and begin to normalise their own relations with Israel. That, too, has been
very much part of conversations I’ve had with, with several of my counterparts,”
Blinken added at the time. The accords signed by the four Arab nations so far
seem solidly in place. So too do the big incentives that the Trump
administration threw in to help close the deals, such as US recognition of the
disputed territory of Western Sahara for Morocco.
Egypt prepares for Haftar’s candidacy in Libya presidential elections
The Arab Weekly/August 13/2021
Egypt is renewing its interest in a possible future role for the commander of
the Libyan National Army (LNA) Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, after Turkey failed
to fulfil its pledges by withdrawing its armed forces from Libya. The Egyptian
moves also come in view of the failure of the executive authority in Tripoli to
counter armed groups and militias as well as new indications that elections
might be postponed. Haftar held meetings with officials in Cairo on Wednesday to
discuss political developments. He also attended the graduation ceremony of a
number of Libyan officers at the Military Academy in Cairo, a sign that confirms
Cairo’s keenness to strengthen the LNA under his military command. Egyptian
sources revealed to The Arab Weekly that Haftar’s visit preceded a new round of
the Libyan Political Forum that Cairo intends to host at the end of this week,
with the participation of various parties who were present at the second Berlin
Conference on June 23. The same sources added that the visit of the US Special
Envoy to Libya Richard Norland to Cairo on Tuesday and Wednesday was to hold a
meeting with Haftar and consult with Egyptian officials. Norland, the sources
said, wants to resolve the country’s successive political crises and create an
opportunity for reaching a consensus that allows for holding elections on time
before the end of this year.
Norland’s visit came as part of US efforts to prevent the postponement of
Libya’s parliamentary and presidential elections and look for a solution to end
the dispute over the constitutional basis and the legal framework required for
holding elections on December 24. The file of mercenaries was reportedly
discussed during Norland’s meeting with Haftar in Cairo. Over the last few
months, regional and international players have grown increasingly concerned in
view of the ineffective way the Tripoli-based government has dealt with the
issue of mercenaries. The authorities in Tripoli, sources say, have shown no
interest in tackling the issue, rather adopting a pro-Turkey policy that has
shaken the trust of many other players. Haftar’s visit to Cairo came three days
after Turkey confirmed its unwillingness to withdraw mercenaries and its intent
to keep its military forces in Libya. Turkey’s intentions were clearly stated by
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, who stressed that his country’s forces
will not leave Libya. The expert at the Egyptian Centre for Strategic Studies
Ahmed Aliba told The Arab Weekly that Haftar’s meetings with Egyptian officials
and Norland (and Libyan personalities residing in Cairo) are aimed at
confronting the pitfalls that threaten the political process, particularly
tensions between the centres of power in Libya and a possible delay of
elections. Aliba noted Haftar is concerned with the political developments in
Libya, as he and the LNA remain part of the political process. Haftar, Aliba
said, may be one of the potential candidates in the upcoming elections, pending
the outcome of the discussions on the constitutional basis. Aliba explained that
Egypt is working to bidge differences between rival parties by virtue of its
openness to many Libyan forces. In this regard, Cairo is hoping to maintain
consensus between Haftar and the current transitional authority so as to prevent
a rupture. The forces of political Islam in Libya are reportedly attempting to
obstruct plans to hold elections in Libya while manoeuvring to prevent Haftar
from running for the position of President of the Republic. The Speaker of the
Libyan House of Representatives Aguila Saleh is currently in Cairo. He is
reportedly participating in political consultations and holding meetings with
various parties. Some of the sources who spoke with The Arab Weekly said Prime
Minister of the National Unity Government Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh could visit Cairo
soon, to hold talks on the current crisis with the aim of reaching
understandings that would facilitate Libya’s plan to hold elections. Libyan
political analyst Muhammad al-Salak told The Arab Weekly that there are active
American diplomatic moves in cooperation with Cairo to push the political
process and complete the provisions of Libya’s political roadmap. The focus, he
said, would be on pressuring Turkey to withdraw foreign mercenaries from the
country and ensuring that no national figure would be excluded from running for
elections. He noted that the visits of Haftar and Norland to Cairo came amid
heated discussions about the constitutional basis for upcoming elections. The
Libyan Political Dialogue Forum resumed its meetings on Wednesday, to discuss
the constitutional basis for holding elections next December. Washington
supports the right of the Libyan people to choose their leaders via a free and
fair democratic process. In this regard, it wants Egypt to resume its contacts
so as to increase pressure on Turkey to withdraw its forces and remove
mercenaries from Libya.
Ennahda paves the way for Ghannouchi’s resignation
as parliament speaker
The Arab Weekly/August 13/2021
The statement released Thursday by Tunisia’s Islamist party Ennahda carried
clear indications of its readiness to make concessions, including the
resignation of Rached Ghannouchi from the presidency of Parliament, in order to
overcome the pary’s current predicament. Both inside the party itself or within
the wider political scene, Ennahda is held responsible for the deep crisis that
Tunisia is experiencing. The statement, which for the first time refrained from
describing President’s Kais Saied decisions of July 25 as a coup, reflected a
desire by Ennahda for appeasement with the president and for accommodation of
the Tunisian street by talking about self-critique. Sources close to Ennahda
said that discussions and contacts are taking place with more than one side to
convey a clear offer from the Islamist movement for Ghannouchi’s resignation
from the position of speaker of parliament in exchange for calmer relations with
the president. The sources quoted leading figures within Ennahda as expressing
their conviction that Ghannouchi represents an obstacle to the resolution of the
crisis, not only in terms of relations with President Said, but also when it
comes to the party’s ties to traditional allies who see Ghannouchi’s continued
presence as speaker of parliament as a source of conflict and tension. The same
position is shared by most of the movement’s supporters and by a large segment
of Ennahda’s senior and middle level cadres.
The statement issued by the movement on Thursday said that it will be “flexible
in searching for the best formulas to run parliament, adjust its priorities and
improve its performance, so that it can resume its role soon and contribute to
preparing the country for early elections”. Political activists and observers
considered the projected goals to be a prelude to the dismissal of Ghannouchi in
case Ennahda obtained the concessions it sought from such a step. Abdellatif
Mekki, a leading figure within the Ennahda wing that is opposed to Ghannouchi,
confirmed in a television interview that the speaker of parliament is ready to
relinquish his position if there is “a collective solution” to the crisis facing
the democratic process. The movement is seeking ways to show that it understood
the popular message expressed by the July 25 demonstrations. Internal
assessments within Ennahda are said to have shown a steep decline in the
movement’s popularity and the shrinking of its support base in contrast to the
rise in the popularity of President Saied. Ennahda said in its statement that it
had “received the people’s message, and will courageously announce its
self-critique (..) and will not hesitate to support any tendencies that respect
the constitution, including in particular the enforcement of the law without
exception, the prosecution of the corrupt, the implementation of economic and
political reforms, and the preservation of the stability and unity of the
country.”A number of prominent leaders of the party have called for urgent steps
to alter Ennahda’s perception among its supporters and among Tunisians in
general, after its name was linked to government failures and accusations of
providing cover for corruption. Among these proposed steps are leadership
changes. This would not stop at the resignation of Ghannouchi as it would also
include the dismissal of the executive bureau, and the removal from the fore of
the movement of particularly ill-reputed figures such as the head of the Shura
Council, Abdelkarim Harouni.
A group of party youth, including members of parliament, members of the
executive bureau, members of the Shura Council, members of central and local
offices, and members of municipal councils, called on Ghannouchi to “bear full
responsibility for the failure to meet the people’s demands and to understand
the state of frustration and upheaval.” This group considered that “the
movement’s political, economic and social choices and the way it managed
alliances and political crises were not effective,” and demanded the dissolution
of the executive bureau of the Ennahda party.
In an attempt to stem the wave of anger inside and outside the party, Ennahda
began to change its narrative towards acknowledging its responsibility and
putting an end to the practice of pinning blame on others. In its statement,
Ennahda asserted that “the complex and cumulative crisis that Tunisia has
experienced has reached a degree of deterioration and disruption in the recent
period, which has left it mired in a closed political and constitutional
circle.”It continued, “The presidential decisions of July 25 came to break this
closed circle in search of solutions, but some of those decisions went too far
in gravely breaching the constitution.”The statement also announced the setting
up of a temporary internal committee to manage the political crisis in the
country, headed by a member of the party’s executive bureau, Mohammed Goumani.
It pointed out that “the committee is temporary and has the exclusive mandate on
this issue, and it is the only official body whose positions will bind the
movement.”It added that the committee is to look for “solutions and
understandings” that would prevent Tunisia from lurching into “the worst” and
work for “a return it to a normal institutional situation.”Some analysts in
Tunis as however sceptical about Ennahda’s intent. The party is just maneouvring
to limit the damage it has incurred since July 25″ especially that “it cannot
vie with Saied who has all the balance in his favour,” wrote analyst Hassan
Ayadi in the daily Le Maghreb.
Kadhimi calls on security forces to develop new plans to protect electricity
pylons
The Arab Weekly/August 13/2021
BAGHDAD--Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi stressed the need for security
leaders to develop new plans to protect electricity transmission towers, and
render them less vulnerable to targeting by terrorists and saboteurs,
considering the significant impact of such disruptive acts on electricity
supply.
Kadhimi tweeted, “The hand of terrorism and those who do not want the good of
Iraq are trying to muddle the landscape by striking at the electricity
transmission towers after the unprecedented increase in energy production. This
is further evidence of the despair of terrorists in front of the will of our
people.”
During the past few weeks, Iraq has witnessed increased attacks on electricity
pylons and generating stations, in a country that produces between 19,000 and
21,000 megawatts of electricity but needs more than 30,000 megawatts, according
to official sources. Kadhimi stressed during an emergency security meeting the
need to mobilise security, military and intelligence forces so as to secure the
protection of the transmission towers. He called for reinforcements in
protecting the electricity towers, and redeployment of forces so as to protect
visitors during the holy month of Muharram and secure early elections. Kadhimi
recommended the formation of a crisis task force to monitor the protection of
the pylons. He also said there will be a review of the performance of security
leaders. “Protecting people, their dignity and infrastructure is your duty, and
any failures are unacceptable and will be dealt with firmly,” he told the
security leaders. Successive governments have failed during more than a decade
and a half to overcome electricity shortages, despite the fact that the country
is a major oil producer and exporter. This has been seen as evidence of the
stark failure by governments to manage the state’s resources and meet the basic
needs of citizens, and as a reflection of the encroachment of corruption in
state institutions. On Friday, Iraqi authorities said two electricity pylons
were targeted by explosive devices, northwest of the capital, Baghdad. According
to a statement from the Iraqi ministry of electricity, “the electricity power
transmission lines (Al-Karkh – Nasr) and (Karkh – Tarmiyah) were targeted by a
terrorist act of sabotage with the use of explosive devices.”The statement
added, “The insistence to destroy everything that the ministry of electricity
builds shows an attempt by terrorists and saboteurs to kill life in this
country”.
Sudan signs deal with ICC to try Bashir regime for
Darfur atrocities
The Arab Weekly/August 13/2021
Sudan signed an agreement with the International Criminal Court on Thursday to
move forward in the cases against those accused of atrocities in the Darfur
region, including the country’s former President Omar al-Bashir, a top ICC
prosecutor said. Prosecutor Karim Khan said at a news conference that he would
also be deploying a full-time team from his office to Sudan. The developments
come as Sudan’s government continues to hold al-Bashir in prison. The ICC issued
a warrant for Bashir on war crimes charges more than a decade ago, while he was
in office. The agreement further raises the possibility of Bashir being tried in
The Hague, where the ICC is based, an issue that remains controversial in Sudan.
Khan landed in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum earlier this week and held
meetings with the president of Sudan’s transitional council, Gen. Abdel-Fattah
Burhan, Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok, judiciary officials and civil society
representatives. “This agreement provides a basis for cooperation and exchange
of information in relation to all cases where there are warrants,” he said,
adding that such cooperation will help the ICC build strong cases. Bashir has
been in jail in Khartoum since his ouster in April 2019 amid a public uprising
against his nearly three-decade autocratic rule. The ICC has charged him with
crimes against humanity and war crimes in the Darfur conflict. Though he did not
discuss dates for a handover of Bashir, Khan said he welcomed the Sudanese
Cabinet’s recent approval of a draft bill allowing the East African country to
join the court’s founding treaty, known as the Rome Statute. The decision was a
step forward in the long-awaited trial of those wanted by the ICC. Khan said
that the ratification of that bill is expected to be discussed next week at a
joint meeting of Sudan’s ruling Sovereign Council and Cabinet, which together
serve as an interim parliament. When asked whether Bashir could be tried outside
the Hague, Khan said the Rome Statue says that the ICC may convene away from the
seat — a matter the court’s presidency and judges can decide on.
The conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region broke out when rebels from the territory’s
ethnic central and sub-Saharan African community launched an insurgency in 2003,
complaining of oppression by the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum. Bashir’s
government responded with a campaign of aerial bombings and raids by militias
known as janjaweed. The militias stand accused of mass killings and rapes. Up to
300,000 people were killed and 2.7 million were driven from their homes.
“We cannot march from the darkness into the light without dealing with some of
the crimes and injustices of the past,” Khan said. He also said Sudanese
authorities welcomed his decision to deploy a full-time team of ICC lawyers to
Khartoum for better first-hand knowledge of “the undercurrents and the
complexities” of the dynamics in Sudan. Also indicted by the court are two other
senior figures from Bashir’s rule: Abdel-Rahim Muhammad Hussein, interior and
defence minister during much of the conflict, and Ahmed Haroun, a senior
security chief at the time and later the leader of Bashir’s ruling party. Both
have been under arrest in Khartoum since the Sudanese military, under pressure
from protesters, ousted Bashir. The court has also indicted rebel leader Abdulla
Banda, whose whereabouts are unknown, and janjaweed leader Ali Kushayb, who was
charged in May with crimes against humanity and war crimes. “I have high hopes
of Sudan and her people and the place that you want to hold in the world, which
means closing this dark chapter,” said Khan. “Whether we like it or not, the ICC
is part of that story and the dark chapter will not and cannot close until we
have finished our work.”
Turkey Holds Dozens More after Attacks on Syrian Shops
Agence France Presse/August 13/2021
Turkey's chief prospector on Friday announced the
arrest of 72 more people implicated in attacks on the shops of Syrian migrants
in the capital Ankara. The new detentions bring the total number of people
detained since Wednesday night's violence to 148. The unrest broke out in
response to a fight between locals and migrants in which a Turkish national was
stabbed to death. The Anadolu state news agency said two "foreign nationals"
have been arrested and charged with homicide. Images on social media showed
dozens of shouting men breaking through police cordons and then attacking cars
and shops believed to be owned by Syrian families. They smashed windows with
stones and crowbars and tore down the metal grill of one store before breaking
in and ransacking its shelves. Images obtained by AFP showed police firing tear
gas to disperse the crowds as the violence raged late into the night.
The chief prosecutor's office in Ankara has been detaining people who were
either suspected of being involved in the violence or of disseminating
incendiary social media posts before and during the attacks. The unrest in
Ankara comes with polls showing anti-migrant sentiment on the increase in
Turkey. Turkey has become home to 3.6 million Syrians under a deal struck with
the European Union in 2016 to help avert the continent's migrant crisis. The
sides are currently working on updating the terms. Turkey's main opposition
party last month vowed to send Syrians "back home" if it comes to power in a
general election scheduled for 2023. Analysts link some of the resentment to
economic instability that accelerated in Turkey with the coronavirus pandemic.
U.N. Syria Envoy Alarmed by Hostilities, Civilian
Shortages
Agence France Presse/August 13/2021
The U.N. special envoy for Syria has voiced his growing concern at increased
hostilities in the south of the country and warned of the alarming shortages
faced by civilians. Norwegian diplomat Geir Pedersen reiterated his call for an
immediate end to the violence and urged all parties to uphold the principle of
protecting civilians. "Increased hostilities, which have included heavy shelling
and intensified ground clashes, have resulted in civilian casualties, as well as
damage to civilian infrastructures," his office said in a statement. "Thousands
of civilians have been forced to flee Daraa al-Balad. Civilians are suffering
with acute shortages of fuel, cooking gas, water, and bread. Medical assistance
is in short supply to treat the injured.
"The situation is alarming."
At Thursday's virtual meeting of the International Syria Support Group's
Humanitarian Task Force, Pedersen stressed that immediate, safe and unimpeded
humanitarian access must be granted to all affected areas and communities, and
that the near siege-like situation must end. "There is the potential for
increased confrontations and further deterioration unless there is an immediate
calm and a political way forward," Pedersen's office said. "The special envoy
also continues to hear from people in Daraa, including civil society
representatives on the ground, who have expressed grave fears for their safety."
He also noted an escalation of violence in northwest Syria, and multiple water
security challenges in the northeast. Syria's war has killed around half a
million people since 2011 with a brutal crackdown on anti-government protests.
NATO To Support Afghan Govt 'As Much As Possible'
AFP/August 13/2021
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday the alliance would keep
its civilian diplomatic presence in Afghanistan as it tries to support the
Afghan government and security forces in the face of the Taliban's offensive.
"Our aim remains to support the Afghan government and security forces as much as
possible. The security of our personnel is paramount. NATO will maintain our
diplomatic presence in Kabul, and continue to adjust as necessary," Stoltenberg
said, in a statement following a meeting of NATO envoys.
U.S., UK to Launch Evacuation Flights as Taliban
Advance across Afghanistan
Agence France Presse/August 13/2021
The United States and Britain ordered Friday the deployment of thousands of
troops to Afghanistan to evacuate their nationals, as the Taliban overran more
key regional cities in an offensive that has left the capital dangerously
exposed. The orders came as the Taliban took control of Kandahar, the nation's
second biggest city in the insurgency's heartland, leaving only Kabul and
pockets of other territory in government hands. "Kandahar is completely
conquered. The Mujahideen reached Martyrs' Square," a Taliban spokesman tweeted
on an officially recognized account, referring to a city landmark. The claim was
backed up by officials and a residents, who told AFP government forces had
withdrawn en masse to a military facility outside the southern city. Hours
later, the Taliban said they had also taken control of the Lashkar Gah, the
capital of neighboring Helmand province. A security source confirmed the fall of
the city, telling AFP that the Afghan military and government officials had
evacuated the city after striking a local ceasefire deal with the militants. The
government has now effectively lost control of most of the country, following an
eight-day blitz into urban centers by the Taliban that has also stunned Kabul's
American backers. The offensive was launched in early May after the United
States and its allies all but withdrew its forces from Afghanistan, with
President Joe Biden determined to end two decades of war by September 11.
'Not abandonment'
Biden has insisted he has no regrets with his decision, but the speed and ease
of the Taliban's urban victories in recent days has been a surprise and forced
new calculations. Washington and London announced plans late on Thursday to
quickly pull out their embassy staff and other citizens from the capital. "We
are further reducing our civilian footprint in Kabul in light of the evolving
security situation," US State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters,
while noting the embassy would remain open. "This is not abandonment. This is
not an evacuation. This is not the wholesale withdrawal." The Pentagon said
3,000 US troops would be deployed to Kabul within the next 24 to 48 hours,
underscoring that they would not be used to launch attacks against the Taliban.
Britain's Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said London would send 600 of its troops
to evacuate nationals and former Afghan staff.
Price said the United States would also start sending in daily flights to
evacuate Afghan interpreters and others who assisted the Americans.
'Laid down their arms' -
The conflict has escalated dramatically since May, when US-led forces began the
final stage of their troop withdrawal. After months of taking what were
considered less strategically important rural areas, the Taliban zeroed in on
the cities. In the past week, the insurgents have taken over a dozen provincial
capitals and encircled the biggest city in the north, the traditional
anti-Taliban bastion of Mazar-i-Sharif, which is now one of the few holdouts
remaining. Pro-Taliban social media accounts have boasted of the vast spoils of
war, posting photos of armored vehicles, heavy weapons and even a drone seized
by the insurgents at abandoned military bases. After being under siege for
weeks, government forces on Thursday pulled out of Herat -- an ancient silk road
city near the Iranian border -- and retreated to a district army barracks. Herat
resident Masoom Jan told AFP the city's fall had been abrupt, saying the Taliban
"entered the city in rush. They raised their flags in every corner." On
Thursday, the interior ministry also confirmed the fall of Ghazni, about 150
kilometres (95 miles) from Kabul and along the major highway to Kandahar and the
Taliban heartlands in the south.
'A predictable disaster'
As the rout unraveled, three days of meetings between key international players
on Afghanistan wrapped in Qatar without significant progress Thursday. In a
joint statement, the international community, including the United States,
Pakistan, the European Union and China, said they would not recognize any
government in Afghanistan "imposed through the use of military force." Price
called for a negotiated solution and reiterated Biden's frustration at the
deteriorating situation, saying Afghan government forces outnumbered the Taliban
by more than three to one after billions of dollars of US support over two
decades. Facing pressure at home, Biden was blasted by the top Republican in
Congress on Thursday for his "reckless policy.""Afghanistan is careening toward
a massive, predictable, and preventable disaster," Senator Mitch McConnell said.
UK Says U.S. Pullout from Afghanistan a 'Mistake'
Agence France Presse/August 13/2021
Britain on Friday slammed the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, warning
the Taliban's resurgence would create a breeding ground for extremists that
threatened the world. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace on Thursday announced that
some 600 troops would help evacuate British nationals from the country, as the
Islamists seize more control. But he told Sky News television the U.S. decision
to withdraw troops "leaves a very big problem on the ground", handing momentum
to the Taliban. He predicted it would benefit Al-Qaeda, who were given safe
haven by the Taliban before the September 11, 2001 attacks that prompted the
West's 20-year involvement in Afghanistan. "I'm absolutely worried that failed
states are breeding grounds for those type of people," he added. "Of course
Al-Qaeda will probably come back," he said, warning that would lead to "a
security threat to us and our interests."
"I felt that that was a mistake to have done it that way, that we'll all as an
international community probably pay the consequences of that," Wallace said of
the Doha agreement signed between the United States and the Taliban.
The agreement, signed under former U.S. president Donald Trump last year, left
Britain with no choice but to withdraw its troops, he said.
'A total betrayal'
The 600 British troops being sent to Afghanistan to help with repatriation is
close to the 750 Britain had in the country before the withdrawal. They will
help up to 3,000 British nationals leave, Wallace said. The minister's critical
comments about the withdrawal were among several from senior politicians and
military top brass. The chairman of the influential Foreign Affairs Select
Committee in parliament, Tom Tugendhat, told the BBC: "We've just pulled the rug
from under them," referring to the Afghan people. The Conservative MP added that
Britain's need to send in more troops to facilitate its withdrawal was "a sure
sign of failure".Former international development minister Rory Stewart called
the troop withdrawal "a total betrayal by the U.S. and by the UK" that risked
triggering a civil war between rival warlords currently defending against the
Taliban. Johnny Mercer, a Conservative MP and former veterans minister who
served in Afghanistan, called the withdrawal "a disgrace". "I think it's
humiliating for the UK military, for the families who lost individuals over
there but above all it's a huge tragedy for the people of Afghanistan, who've
been through so much over so many years," he told Times Radio. "We've chosen
this defeat and it's shameful."
Australia Urgently Evacuates Afghans Threatened by Taliban
Associated Press/August 13/2021
Australia is working urgently with the United States to evacuate the last
Afghans who helped Australian troops and diplomats as Taliban insurgents make
rapid territorial gains across Afghanistan, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said
Friday. Australia shut its Kabul embassy in May and withdrew the last of its
troops in June as U.S. and NATO forces pulled out of the Afghanistan conflict
after 20 years. Morrison said Australia since April has resettled 400 Afghans
and their families who would be in danger from the Taliban because they worked
for Australia. Morrison did not say how many more Afghans will be resettled in
Australia under a program that has been shrouded in secrecy. "We have made a lot
of ground on this issue in the last few months. We'll continue to do that. We're
liaising very closely with particularly the United States and others who are
engaged in that area," Morrison said. "We'll continue to implement that program
with a great sense of urgency in partnership with those who also are engaged in
similar activities in that region," he added. The Taliban captured two major
cities, the country's second- and third-largest after Kabul, and a strategic
provincial capital on Thursday, further squeezing the embattled government just
weeks before the end of the American military mission. The seizure of Kandahar
and Herat are the biggest prizes yet for the Taliban, who have taken 12 of
Afghanistan's 34 provincial capitals as part of a weeklong blitz. U.S. President
Joe Biden's administration is rushing 3,000 new troops to the Kabul airport to
help with a partial evacuation of the U.S. Embassy. The State Department said
the embassy will continue functioning, but Thursday's dramatic decision to bring
in thousands of additional U.S. troops is a sign of waning confidence in the
Afghan government's ability to hold off the Taliban surge. Morrison described
the Taliban gains as "not surprising." "But it is concerning and it is very
upsetting," Morrison said. More than 39,000 Australian military personnel have
served in Afghanistan since 2001, and 41 have been killed there. Asked what his
message was to Australians who question whether the 20-year campaign was worth
the sacrifice, Morrison replied: "Fighting for what you believe in is always
worth it."
Six Dead Including Suspected Gunman in UK Shooting
Agence France Presse/August 13/2021
Six people, including the suspected gunman, died Thursday following a "serious
firearms incident" in the southwestern English city of Plymouth, police said,
with reports one victim was a child aged under 10. Devon and Cornwall Police
declared a "critical incident" in the Keyham area of Plymouth early Thursday
evening after the shooting, but later said it was not being considered terrorism
related. Officers responded alongside other emergency services, including air
ambulance staff, to reports of gunshots in the residential neighborhood near
some of the city's docks. "Two females and two males were deceased at the
scene," Devon and Cornwall Police said in an update early Friday after hours of
uncertainty around the incident. Police added another male -- believed to be the
gunman -- was also found dead nearby while another female treated at the scene
died a short time later in hospital. "All are believed to have died from gunshot
wounds," the force said. Shortly after police confirmed the death toll, local
lawmaker Luke Pollard reported one of those killed "was a child under ten years
old". "More people are being treated for their injuries in hospital," the Labor
MP tweeted.
"Just so unspeakably awful. My condolences and thoughts are with the families."
'Shocking'
It was unclear how the victims and suspected perpetrator were connected, with
many details of what unfolded in the city of around 262,000 residents in the
sleepy southwest English county Devon remaining unclear. "Police would stress
this is not a terrorism related incident," Devon and Cornwall Police said,
noting officers were not looking for anyone else in connection with it.
"Investigations are continuing," the force added, urging people with mobile
phone footage of the aftermath of the events not to share it online. Interior
Minister Priti Patel called the incident "shocking" and said her thoughts were
"with those affected" but did not reveal further details of what had happened.
"I have spoken to the Chief Constable and offered my full support," she tweeted.
"I urge everyone to remain calm, follow police advice and allow our emergency
services to get on with their jobs."
'Randomly started shooting'
British media said residents had reported hearing loud bangs and gunshots before
police swarmed the area. Witness Sharron, who did not want to give her full
name, told the BBC she had heard shouting followed by several gunshots. "This
was when the shooter kicked in the door of a house and randomly started
shooting," she said. "He ran from the house shooting as he ran and proceeded to
shoot at a few people". Robert Pinkerton, a second witness, told the
British broadcaster he "walked around the corner" and "bumped into a bloke with
a shotgun" dressed all in black.
South Western Ambulance Service said it had responded with a significant number
of resources, including Hazardous Area Response Teams, air and ground
ambulances, multiple doctors and senior paramedics. Keir Starmer, leader of the
Labor Party, said "tragedy has hit Keyham". "I pay tribute to our emergency
services who ran towards events we'd all run from," he added. Mass casualty
shootings are rare in Britain, where most police officers are unarmed, while
southwest England -- a popular domestic holiday destination -- is typically
known as a tranquil part of the country.
Plymouth, the region's biggest city, is home to the biggest naval base in
western Europe, including nuclear submarines and large warships.
Two Dead, 17 Injured after Explosion on Russian Bus
Agence France Presse/August 13/2021
Two women have died following an explosion on a bus in western Russia that also
left 17 people injured, local authorities said on Friday. The explosion went off
overnight Thursday when the bus carrying 35 passengers was at a stop near a
shopping center. "The number of injured has risen to 19," the governor of
Voronezh region Alexander Gusev said Friday on his Telegram channel. One woman
died shortly after the explosion and another passed away in hospital on Friday
morning, according to Gusev. Several of the wounded remain in serious condition,
the governor said. Video taken by passersby and posted on social media showed
that the blast tore the roof off the vehicle and blew out its windows. The
Voronezh branch of the Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said
Friday that it had opened a negligence case over the upkeep of the bus. It added
that experts from Moscow have been sent to Voronezh to help establish the
circumstances of the explosion. Voronezh deputy governor Sergei Sokolov had
earlier told the Interfax news agency that there was "nothing to indicate that
this was a terrorist attack". Road accidents are frequent in Russia due to the
poor state of road infrastructure and a relaxed attitude towards rules of the
road, particularly driving under the influence.
The Latest LCCC English analysis &
editorials published on
August 13-14/2021
Question: "If Jesus paid the price for our sin, why do we still suffer the
consequences of our sin?"
GotQuestions.org/August 13/2021
Answer: The Bible gives the good news that Jesus paid the price for our sin
(Ephesians 1:7), yet in many ways we still suffer the consequences of our sins.
For example, a drug dealer may become a Christian in prison, but that doesn’t
mean he will be released from prison the next day—he will still experience the
consequences of his past sin. A born-again Christian who falls into adultery may
lose his family, his career, etc.—even after he confesses and forsakes his sin,
the consequences of his sin remain. Coming to Christ does not erase the temporal
effects of sin; rather, our salvation guarantees that we will not face the
eternal consequences of sin.
The consequence of sin is death (Romans 6:23a). As sinners, we deserve to be
eternally separated from God and His holiness. On the cross Christ paid the
penalty of our sin with His own blood. He who knew no sin was made to be sin on
our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:21). On the basis of Christ’s perfect sacrifice,
those who believe are no longer under God’s condemnation (Romans 8:1).
It’s important to understand that, when the believer in Christ experiences
consequences for sin, it is not because he is under God’s condemnation (Romans
8:1), His wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9), or His retribution (2 Thessalonians 1:8).
Believers are under God’s grace (Romans 6:15). Jesus took the wrath of God upon
Himself (Isaiah 53:10). Sin’s consequences still experienced by believers could
be classified in one of these ways:
Universal consequences. Some of sin’s consequences are experienced perpetually
by every human being on earth, because we are all children of Adam. We all have
weeds growing in our gardens, we all face natural disasters, we all get sick and
grow old, and we all eventually die physically (Romans 5:12). As sinners living
in a sinful world, there’s no avoiding these consequences of original sin.
Natural consequences. We live in a world of cause and effect, where the law of
sowing and reaping is in full effect. Some of sin’s consequences are built-in
and practically guaranteed, no matter if the sinner is saved or unsaved. The
Bible warns that sexual immorality is a sin committed against one’s own body (1
Corinthians 6:18). “Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being
burned?” (Proverbs 6:27). If you steal something, you should expect to get
caught and face the natural consequences that follow the sin of theft. If you
resist arrest when you get caught, you pile on more consequences. Sowing and
reaping.
Instructional consequences. Very likely, God allows some of sin’s consequences
to remain in our lives to teach us the heinous nature of sin and to remind us to
depend upon God’s grace. Sin is a serious enough problem for God to have sent
His Son into the world to die. We dare not take sin lightly. In the face of
sin’s consequences, we humble ourselves and seek God’s kingdom and righteousness
all the more (see Matthew 6:33). When Ananias and Sapphira were disciplined for
their sin, it was instructive for the church: “Great fear seized the whole
church and all who heard about these events” (Acts 5:11). See also 1 Corinthians
5:5 and 1 Timothy 1:20.
Disciplinary consequences. Some of sin’s consequences are the result of God’s
treating us as a father should his children. There’s a difference between a
penalty for sin and discipline for sin. As God’s children, we experience
discipline designed to guide us back to the right path. “My son, do not make
light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he
accepts as his son” (Hebrews 12:5–6; cf. Proverbs 3:11–12). Note how many of
God’s children undergo discipline: “everyone” (Hebrews 12:8). We are all wayward
at times. God’s purpose in allowing us to experience disciplinary consequences
of sin, true to His nature, is perfect: “God disciplines us for our good, in
order that we may share in his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10).
The church of Corinth provides an example of Christians facing the disciplinary
consequences of their sin: in partaking of the Lord’s Table in an unworthy
manner, they brought God’s displeasure: “That is why many among you are weak and
sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 11:30). We see
similar disciplinary action taken in 2 Samuel 12. Even after David confessed his
sin and was forgiven, God allowed certain consequences to befall David and his
household (verses 11–14).
God allows us to experience some of the temporal consequences of sin to show His
love for us. If God never disciplined His straying children, He would not be a
good Father. If we were never disciplined or never suffered the consequences for
our wrong action, we would never learn right from wrong. We tend to learn from
our mistakes more readily than we learn from our successes.
Praise the Lord for His goodness. He allows us to experience the temporal
consequences of sin (for our own good). But He has saved us from the eternal
consequences of sin. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins so we will never
experience the second death, which is the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14).
Believers in Christ are promised that the curse and consequences of sin will be
completely removed one day, and “nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy
mountain” (Isaiah 11:9, NLT).
Ghazni City falls to the Taliban
Thomas Joscelyn/Bill Roggio/FDD's Long War
Journal/August 13/2021
Ghazni City, the capital of a southeastern Afghan province with the same name,
is the tenth provincial capital to fall to the Taliban in one week. It is
strategically important terrain for the jihadists, as it sits on the road to
Kabul.
Ghazni Province, which Osama bin Laden once described as a key safe haven for Al
Qaeda, is now effectively under Taliban control. A senior member of al Qaeda’s
global management team was killed during a counterterrorism raid in a
Taliban-controlled area of Ghazni just last year.
The Taliban launched their final assault on Ghazni City yesterday, quickly
capturing the governor’s compound, the police headquarters, the prison, and
other key installations.
Ghazni’s governor, Dawood Laghmani, fled the city after cutting a deal with the
Taliban. So did the police chief. Laghmani was “escorted” out of Ghazni City and
was later arrested by Afghan security forces in Wardak province for “handing
over the city to the Taliban,” according to Afghan journalist Bilal Sarwary. The
Taliban now effectively controls Ghazni province, as it has captured all but
three districts, which are contested, according to an ongoing assessment of the
security situation by FDD’s Long War Journal. Ghazni province, which straddles
both the south and east of Afghanistan is the first province in the region to
fall to the Taliban. Ghazni City, which is on the Ring Road, is a key transit
point between Kabul and Kandahar City. The Taliban has now severed this main
artery between the two major cities and other points south.
The Taliban began its offensive to restore its Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan on
May 1 and swiftly began seizing key districts. More than 160 districts have
fallen, in addition to an estimated 73 districts that were controlled by the
Taliban before the offensive began.
After the Eid holiday at the end of July, the Taliban began its push to take the
cities. In all, 10 of Afghanistan’s 34 provincial capitals have fallen to the
Taliban in the past week. On Aug. 6, Zaranj, the capital of the southwestern
province of Nimruz, was lost after the governor and security forces abandoned
the city. The next day, on Aug. 7, the Taliban seized control of Shibirghan, the
capital of the northern province of Jawzjan. The following day, on Aug. 8, the
Taliban overran the capitals of Kunduz, Sar-i-Pul, and Takhar provinces, also in
the north. On Aug. 9, the Taliban took control of Aybak in Samangan. The Taliban
has also seized control of Farah City in Farah province and Pul-i-Khumri in
Baghlan province in recent days.
The Taliban now controls six of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces in their entirety.
The Taliban and al Qaeda are continuing their offensive to reestablish its
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan by sheer force of arms. The Afghan government,
military and security forces seemingly have no answer for the Taliban onslaught.
Al Qaeda has deep roots in Ghazni
Al Qaeda has a long-established presence in Ghazni. FDD’s Long War Journal can
trace al Qaeda operations in the province back to 2007-2008.
Aafia Siddiqui, dubbed “Lady al Qaeda” in the press, was among the al Qaeda
figures captured or killed during raids in Ghazni in 2008. There have been
multiple operations targeting al Qaeda in Ghazni since then.
Al Qaeda’s role in the fighting in Ghazni is referenced in the files recovered
in Osama bin Laden’s compound. In a June 19, 2010 memo to bin Laden, Atiyah Abd
al Rahman wrote that al Qaeda had “very strong military activity in
Afghanistan.” Rahman, who served as bin Laden’s key lieutenant, listed Ghazni
was one of eight provinces in which al Qaeda “groups” had been “the same for
every season for many years now.” Rahman was killed in a drone strike the
following year.
In subsequent letters that were also written in 2010, bin Laden ordered his
operatives in northern Pakistan to relocate into Afghanistan. Ghazni was one of
several provinces that the al Qaeda founder considered hospitable for his men.
Operational evidence confirms that al Qaeda was still operating in Ghazni years
later. For example, U.S. and NATO forces targeted two al Qaeda-associated
insurgents in Ghazni in mid-2012.
In Feb. 2017, Afghan troops killed Qari Saifullah Akhtar, a senior al Qaeda
leader who also doubled as the emir for Harakat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HUJI), a
Pakistan-based terror group. Later that year, in Dec. 2017, the U.S. killed Omar
Khetab (a.k.a. Omar Mansour), the “second senior leader” in Al Qaeda in the
Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), al Qaeda’s regional branch.
In Aug. 2018, Afghanistan’s defense minister claimed that foreign fighters were
taking part in the Taliban’s offensive in Ghazni. A contemporaneous analysis
published by a team of experts working for the United Nations Security Council
pointed to al Qaeda’s active presence in the province.
In Mar. 2019, the Afghan military claimed it killed 31 AQIS fighters in the
district of Giro. In June 2019, jihadist social media accounts announced the
death in Ghazni of an AQIS fighter from Jammu and Kashmir. In Sept. 2019, Afghan
forces raided a warehouse that AQIS used to house explosives for operations
jointly conducted with Taliban. In Oct. 2020, Afghan officials announced that
Husam Abd-al-Ra’uf, a senior al Qaeda leader also known as Abu Muhsin al-Masri,
had been killed in a raid in Ghazni. Al-Ra’uf’s demise was confirmed by senior
U.S. officials. The native Egyptian had served in al Qaeda for decades and was
part of the group’s senior hierarchy at the time of his death.As the above
timeline makes clear, a victory for the Taliban in Ghazni is a victory for al
Qaeda.
*Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and
the Editor of FDD’s Long War Journal. Thomas Joscelyn is a Senior Fellow at the
Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Senior Editor for FDD’s Long War
Journal. Follow them on Twitter @billroggio and @thomasjoscelyn. FDD is a
nonpartisan think tank focused on foreign policy and national security issues.
The Hidden Dangers of a Carbon-Neutral Military
Alan Howard/Dr. Brenda Shaffer/| Foreign
Policy/August 13/2021
Washington has encouraged the electrification of wide swathes of the U.S.
economy as a way to encourage greater use of renewable energy and reduce carbon
emissions. The U.S. Defense Department, the largest consumer of energy in the
U.S. federal government, is now considering pursuing its own wide-scale
electrification. Such a step would have profound strategic effects that should
cause policymakers to proceed far more cautiously.
In recent months, the Pentagon has launched studies to examine increased use of
electricity by the military, including in battle for vehicles, tanks, ships, and
planes. The Pentagon has even studied the deployment of small nuclear reactors
in the battle space to provide power. NATO is also promoting increased
electrification of its allied militaries. According to NATO Secretary-General
Jens Stoltenberg, “it makes little sense to have more and more electric vehicles
on our streets while our armed forces still rely only on fossil fuels.”
What Stoltenberg said sounds intuitive but may not be true. Each time a military
makes a major change to its energy system, it inevitably has immense
geopolitical implications. When former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill
made the decision to transfer the main source of fuel for the British Royal Navy
from coal to oil, he understood the decision had significant strategic
implications. Fueled by oil, the British Royal Navy could cover larger distances
without refueling and at quicker speed. Yet, through this decision, London would
be dependent largely on foreign-produced oil versus homegrown coal.
Today, the United States’ energy mix is well diversified: oil, natural gas,
coal, nuclear, hydropower, biofuels, wind energy, and solar energy.
Diversification is a key element of any energy security policy and a cornerstone
of a system’s resilience. By relying more heavily on electricity and by
regulating electricity generation in ways that phase out fossil fuels, the
number of major energy sources widely consumed in the United States will
inevitably shrink to a less diversified mix. It will also make the United States
more reliant on foreign actors. The bulk of energy supplies currently consumed
in the United States are homegrown. The United States can supply all its oil,
natural gas, and coal needs as well as uranium for nuclear power. The policy to
rely more on electricity means the United States will need to import minerals
necessary for electricity systems. The bulk of these minerals are found in China
and countries where China is the dominant player in their economies and
infrastructure. Fossil fuels, by contrast, are ample and found in diverse places
around the globe. There no longer is a geopolitical race to put flags on oil or
gas fields since there is enough for all.
The broader renewable energy economy’s dependence on limited rare earths and
other minerals is likely to unleash a great game for minerals that is already
requiring the U.S. government’s attention. To reduce dependency on imported
minerals, Washington is considering granting incentives for domestic mining of
these needed materials. Thus, the United States may soon go from mining coal to
mining lithium, substituting one environmental threat with another.
The U.S. energy system’s increasing concentration on electricity production also
drastically raises the likelihood of cyberattacks. The more interconnected an
energy system is, the more vulnerable it is to severe cyberthreats. Moreover,
hydroelectric and nuclear power plants—though emitting little to no carbon—have
potentially catastrophic cyber vulnerabilities that entail not only the loss of
power production but also plant exploitation, which could lead to massive
flooding or radioactive exposure.
The United States should be strategizing about ways to combat these
vulnerabilities. For it to jump headlong into contributing to those
vulnerabilities by de-diversifying its own energy mix would be a disastrous
folly.
And this is before even considering the specific vulnerabilities posed by an
electrified military battlefield. The more the U.S. military’s equipment,
infrastructure, and personnel depend on electricity, the more vulnerable it will
be to cyberattacks from foreign militaries. The United States’ adversaries have
substantial proven capabilities in cyberspace, some superior to the United
States’ abilities. Greater use of electricity in the battlefield will also
increase U.S. troops’ exposure to foreign surveillance.
The issue of supply lines will also be complicated by electrification. Almost
all of the energy used by the U.S. military today is procured from commercial
entities and delivered along civilian pipelines and transportation. This already
complicates missions in regions far away from the United States and NATO
countries, where access to fuel from friendly countries can be limited. However,
access to electricity in battle will be even more challenging as power lines are
only efficient over short distances. The risks are high for finding oneself too
far from a friendly state. Moreover, those electricity lines, if they exist,
will become easy targets of U.S. adversaries.
The time needed to charge batteries versus fueling with liquid fuels will also
create an additional constraint on the military. Although planes and land
vehicles can be refueled within minutes, charging their batteries could take
hours.
Finally, the electrification of the United States may bring many positive
effects—but it’s also worth scrutinizing its ultimate environmental impact
before extending the transition to all sectors of the economy. Electricity
systems require significant amounts of materials and minerals that are mined,
and the main sources of these minerals are found in countries where mining
practices cause significant environmental damage and are powered by electricity
produced by coal or heavy oil. The mining process is likely to wipe out many of
the potential environmental benefits of the energy transition to electricity.
Transferring from a diversified U.S. energy mix to one concentrated on
electricity will create many new threats to the United States, including its
military. This is especially important to consider in the context of competition
with China, which will have an immense advantage in this new energy era. These
new threats warrant a wider public discussion before the Pentagon flips the
switch.
*Alan Howard is a faculty member at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and is
writing a textbook on Operational Energy for the U.S. Department of Defense.
Brenda Shaffer is a faculty member at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and is
writing a textbook on Operational Energy for the U.S. Department of Defense.
Follow her on Twitter @ProfBShaffer. FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan
research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy.
Does killing of Iranian dissident foreshadow what is to
come for others?
Jonathan Spyer/Jerusalem Post/August 13/2021
Mousa Babakhani was a leading figure in an Iranian opposition party and was
found dead in his hotel room in Iraqi Kurdish territory last week.
Mousa Babakhani, a leading figure in an Iranian opposition party, was found
murdered last Saturday in a hotel room in the Iraqi Kurdish capital city of
Erbil. Babakhani was a member of the central committee of the Kurdish Democratic
Party of Iran (KDP-I). His body, which according to a statement released by the
party, bore “signs of torture,” was found in a room at the Guli Suleimani hotel
in the city.
According to a KDP-I statement, Babakhani had disappeared the previous Thursday.
The Kurdish Human Rights organization Hengaw reported that Babakhani was lured
to the hotel by an old acquaintance who had arrived from Iran. There he was
apprehended by two regime operatives. The three individuals suspected of the
killing then succeeded in leaving Erbil. The KDP-I in its statement blamed the
“Islamic Republic” (of Iran) for the murder.
Babakhani’s killing sent shock waves through the community of Iranian exiles in
Erbil, both Kurdish and non-Kurdish. It is the second-such killing of an Iranian
dissident on Iraqi soil in the last month. There are fears that it could herald
a new hunting season of the Iranian regime against its opponents residing in
northern Iraq.
On July 14, in the Zhaleh neighborhood of Sulaimania city, the prominent Iranian
Kurdish civil society and environmentalist activist Behrouz Rahimi was shot dead
by armed assailants. CCTV footage of the killing shows a black BMW with no
license plate and tinted windows approaching Rahimi. Twenty-one shots were
fired. Rahimi later died of his wounds in the hospital. Rahimi, who left Iran in
2012, was associated with the Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan (PJAK). This
movement is the Iranian franchise of the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK).
Rahimi’s widow, Zoleykha Nasseri, herself a prominent Iranian opposition
activist, told the Middle East Eye website that her husband had been approached
in recent weeks by the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence, which had asked him to
begin cooperating with it. When he refused, he was threatened with death. On
July 14, it appears that the threat was carried out.
Suleimania is located close to the Iraq-Iran border. It is under the control of
the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, which maintains ambiguous relations with the
Iranian regime. Harassment and threats to Iranian opposition activists are
common in the area. Activists accuse the authorities of silence, and on occasion
of cooperation with the Iranian regime. In 2020, Mustafa Salimi, an Iranian
Kurdish activist, escaped from jail in Iran, smuggled himself across the border
into Kurdish northern Iraq and asked for asylum from the Kurdish Regional
Government. Instead, Salimi was handed back to the Iranian authorities, who
reportedly subsequently executed him.
Previous killings generally thought to have been carried out by the Iranian
regime have taken place in the remote and lawless border area between northern
Iraq and Iran. On July 17, 2018, the body of Eghbal Moradi, a well-known Kurdish
activist and the father of an executed political prisoner, was discovered
outside the village of Penjwen, close to the border. He had been shot dead.
The Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan (PJAK) issued a statement accusing the
Iranian regime of responsibility for the murder of Behrouz Rahimi.
The killing of Babakhani has particularly shocked Iranian Kurds because it took
place in Erbil, previously regarded as a safer area for the exiles than the
towns and cities closer to the Iraq-Iran border. While the PUK further east is
close to Iran, the Kurdish Democratic Party, which controls the Erbil area,
maintains links with Turkey and with the US. Erbil has over recent years emerged
as one of the safest areas in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, which itself is the
most secure part of Iraq. The fact that the Iranian regime appears on this
occasion to have been able to send two of its operatives to penetrate the area,
murder one of its opponents and then leave without a trace is thus an ominous
development.
Fars News, a website associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps,
described Babakhani as “leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran
terrorist group, which is supported by the Mossad.”
A KDPI member interviewed by The Jerusalem Post, meanwhile, asserted that the
organization has proof that the assassination was carried out by the IRGC and
added that the organization is currently assisting security authorities in
investigating the murder.
A second member of the organization, contacted by the Post, said that the
assassination has meant that KDPI members are now wary of coming to Erbil. “In
this situation with all the threats against members, it’s not wise. In the past
we were worried about going to Sulaimania as there’s many regime agents
everywhere, in terminals, in bakeries, in groceries, markets, restaurants and
tea houses, hotels... Now we are afraid of coming out of our base and going to
Erbil for a few hours trip. Now we have to worry about Erbil too.”
The activist noted that online harassment of opposition activists and their
families by regime elements has increased in recent weeks. “We get threat
messages, they threaten our family members in Iran,” he told the Post.
“The Etela’at [Ministry of Intelligence] calls our families in Urmia, Bukan,
Mahabad, Kermanshah, Sanandaj, Marivan, Saqqez... they monitor WhatsApp calls
and Instagram. They threaten us by abusing our female family members and
relatives.”
A PROMINENT Iranian opposition journalist resident in Erbil, Ali Javanmardi, has
tweeted photographs of an individual he claims is one of the killers of Mousa
Babakhani.
Javanmardi, with 76,5000 Twitter followers, is an influential voice in Iranian
opposition circles. He identified one of the killers as Sarmad Abdi. Abdi, a
Kurd, hails from Ilam, in Iran. This area is close to Kermanshah, where
Babakhani was from, leading to speculation that Abdi was the “friend” of the
victim’s who led him to the hotel. In his tweet, Javanmardi noted that an
unidentified organization would offer $30,000 for information identifying Abdi’s
location.
The campaign of intimidation and murder against Iraqi opponents of the Shi’ite
militias and the Iranian interest has received some attention in western media
in recent months. The assassination of prominent Iraqi political analyst Hisham
al-Hashimi by the Kataib Hezbollah militia on July 6 in Baghdad was the subject
of broad international coverage. By contrast, the killings of two Iranian
Kurdish dissidents in northern Iraq over the last month have been entirely
ignored in the West.
The murders of Rahimi and Babakhani, however, form an element in a pattern of
increased Iranian assertion across a number of files and locations in the region
in recent weeks. Iranian oppositionists, who had grown accustomed to seeing
Erbil and northern Iraq as a relatively safe space, will be waiting in coming
weeks to see if this perception must now be entirely revised. Two questions
arise: will the discernible pattern of greater Iranian assertion currently
underway include a campaign of executions against stateless Iranian
oppositionists and dissidents in northern Iraq? And will anyone be held to
account for these killings?
Biden has deserted Afghanistan. Europe must act
Luke Coffey/Arab News/August 13, 2021
In the past several days, the Taliban have made sweeping advances across swathes
of Afghanistan. At the time of writing, the group controlled more than a dozen
of the 34 provincial capitals in the country and is contesting several more. As
ever, civilians are suffering. More than 1,000 people have been killed in
fighting during the past month, according to the UN.
The Taliban’s advances show how quickly the situation can change. Just last week
it seemed that the Afghan government was slowly turning the tide against the
militants. The Taliban’s offensive to capture the important city of Herat was
stalled. The 75-year-old former warlord and governor of Herat province, Ismail
Khan, led a defense of the city that inspired thousands of Afghans across the
country to rise up.
However, once Zaranj, the capital of Nimroz province, was captured by the
Taliban last week, reportedly without a shot being fired, other provincial
capitals fell to the Taliban in quick succession. Even Herat finally fell to the
Taliban after Ismail Khan switched sides and joined the Taliban. According to
the latest reports, the militants are advancing on the northern stronghold of
Mazar-i-Sharif.
For his part, US President Joe Biden couldn't care less about what is happening
in Afghanistan. During a recent chat with journalists, Biden said that he did
not regret his decision to withdraw US troops from the country. He encouraged
Afghan leaders to come together to “fight for their nation.”
Former US President Donald Trump and Biden have little in common, but one thing
the two could agree on was the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan. But
there has been a big difference between how the two presidents translated this
desire into policy.
Trump entered office in 2017 and instructed his new national security team to
conduct a review of the situation in Afghanistan. Only once the review was
complete did he implement his own strategy of a phased, but not total,
withdrawal, while simultaneously pursuing a peace plan with the Taliban. By the
end of Trump’s term, only 2,000 US troops remained in the country — but this
seemed to be enough to keep the situation stable.
Conversely, when Biden entered office, he was determined to get the remaining US
troops out, no matter what the cost. Without conducting any assessment or review
before determining the best approach, Biden immediately jumped to the extreme
position of withdrawing all remaining US forces by September. However, by July
all US troops had left. The Taliban saw an opportunity and filled the resulting
security vacuum.
Biden is in denial about the perilous state of Afghanistan. In the absence of
American leadership, Europeans must step up to the plate. There are three
proposals European policymakers should immediately consider.
First, a European member of NATO should invoke Article 4 of the North Atlantic
treaty. Invoking Article 4 is done when a member feels that there is a
significant security threat facing the alliance that needs to be discussed at
the highest level. It is one of the best ways to bring attention to a problem
Biden would be unable to ignore. (This is different from invoking Article 5, the
alliance’s mutual defense clause.) The threat to Europe from instability in
Afghanistan is real. There is not only a counterterrorism threat, but also the
potential for a large number of refugees coming from Afghanistan. This could be
highly destabilizing for Europe.
Afghanistan remained relatively stable due to the limited US military presence.
Now all this has been thrown into jeopardy.
Second, European members of NATO should consider redeploying limited military
capabilities back to Afghanistan, or at least to the broader region for use in
the country. This should be in the form of drone capability and the ground
attack aircraft for close air support. These assets could operate out of Kabul
airport, which remains secure, or from bases in the region, such as in
Uzbekistan or Tajikistan. Both were previously used by European countries for
operations in Afghanistan.
In some cases, small teams of special forces could be inserted to help the
Afghans coordinate the defense of important cities around the country. While
there would be political obstacles, redeploying limited military capabilities
would pose few practical problems. Finally, Europeans need to coordinate their
messaging to pressure Biden to see the error of his way and then correct course.
However, because many leaders in Europe share the same views as the US leader
when it comes to Afghanistan, this is unlikely to happen.
The coming weeks will be critical. Since 2001 and up until last week the Taliban
had captured only two provincial capitals. In each case they were able to hold
the cities for only a few days before being ousted. In the next few weeks it
will be important to see if the Taliban are able to hold on to the provincial
capitals they have captured. This time, it is likely they will hold on to most.
It is a mystery why Biden decided to withdraw all US forces from the country.
Afghanistan was not an issue many Americans thought about, so was hardly a
political consideration for the president. When Biden entered the White House,
there were only a couple of thousand US troops remaining, almost no US
casualties, and the cost to the US taxpayer for operations was minimal. While
not perfect, Afghanistan remained relatively stable due to the limited US
military presence. Now all this has been thrown into jeopardy.
If the US will not act, Europe must.
*Luke Coffey is the director of the Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign
Policy at the Heritage Foundation. Twitter: @LukeDCoffey