தினப்பொறி: ஊதிய உயர்வு- சபை வர்த்தமானி தமிழில் இல்லை

 

How a BRICS trio is staring down Israel

Pepe Escobar                                                                    AUG 15, 2024

While Israel increasingly isolates itself on the international stage, BRICS members Iran, Russia, and China are quietly coordinating a full-spectrum effort to support Palestine diplomatically and militarily.

The Global Majority is fully aware that the genocidals in Tel Aviv are trying as hard as they can to provoke an apocalyptic war – with full US military support, of course.  

Contrast that combative mindset with 2,500 years of Persian diplomacy. Iran’s acting Foreign Minister, Ali Bagheri Kani, has recently remarked how Tehran is trying hard to prevent “the Israeli regime’s ‘dream’ of triggering an all-out regional war.”

But one should never interrupt the enemy when he is in total panic. Sun Tzu would have approved this maxim. Iran certainly won’t interfere as the US and G7 members pull out all stops to come up with some semblance of a Gaza ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel to prevent a serious military retaliation by Iran and the Axis of Resistance.  

Earlier this week, that warning bore fruit: Hamas representative in Lebanon, Ahmed Abdel Hadi, reported yesterday that Hamas will not show up at the tentative negotiation round on Thursday – today. The reason? 

The clear climate is full of deceit and procrastination from Netanyahu, playing for time while the Axis prepares a response to the assassination of martyrs [Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail] Haniyeh and [Hezbollah Military Commander Fuad] Shukr… [Hamas] will not enter into negotiations that provide cover for Netanyahu and his extremist government.

So the waiting game, actually a masterclass of strategic ambiguity to rattle Israel’s nerves, will persist. Beneath all the cheap drama of the collective west begging Iran to not respond, there is a void. Nothing is offered in return. 

Worse. Washington’s European vassals – the UK, France, and Germany – issued a statement straight out of Desperation Row, where they “call on Iran and its allies to refrain from attacks that would further escalate regional tensions and jeopardize the opportunity to agree a ceasefire and the release of hostages. They will bear responsibility for actions that jeopardize this opportunity for peace and stability. No country or nation stands to gain from a further escalation in the Middle East.”

Predictably, not a single word about Israel. In this neo-Orwellian formulation, it’s as if the recorded history of the planet started when Iran announced it would retaliate for the assassinations of Haniyeh in Tehran.

Iranian diplomacy swiftly replied to the vassals, stressing its “recognized right” to defend national sovereignty and create deterrence against Israel, the real source of terrorism in West Asia. And crucially, emphasizing they “do not seek permission from anyone” to exercise it. 

The heart of the matter predictably escapes western logic: If Washington had forced a Gaza ceasefire last year, the risk of an apocalyptic war convulsing West Asia would have been avoided.

Instead, the US on Wednesday approved a further $20 billion weapons package to Tel Aviv, showing exactly how committed the Americans are to securing a permanent ceasefire.

Palestine meets the BRICS

The Israeli provocations, especially the assassination of Haniyeh, were a direct affront to three top BRICS members: Iran, Russia, and China.

So, the response to Israel implies a concerted articulation of the trio, deriving from its interlocked comprehensive strategic partnerships. 

Earlier on Monday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi took a crucial phone call from Iranian Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani, during which he adamantly supported all of Tehran’s efforts to ensure regional peace and stability. 

It also signals Chinese support for an Iranian reaction to Israel. Especially considering that the assassination of Haniyeh was seen in Beijing as an unforgivable slap to its considerable diplomatic efforts, taking place only a few days after the Hamas chief, alongside other Palestinian political representatives, signed the Beijing Declaration.

Then, on Tuesday, Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at his Novo-Ogaryovo residence in Moscow. What Putin told Abbas is a gem of an understatement:

It is well known that Russia today, unfortunately, must defend its interests, defend its people with weapons in its hands, but what is happening in the Middle East [West Asia], what is happening in Palestine – certainly does not go unnoticed.

Yet there is a serious problem. The US- and Israeli-backed Abbas is like some sort of broken reed, enjoying scarce credibility in Palestine, with the latest polls revealing that 94 percent of West Bankers and 83 percent of Gazans demand his resignation. Meanwhile, less than 8 percent of Palestinians blame Hamas as responsible for their current, horrible plight. Overwhelming trust is placed in the new Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar.  

Moscow is in a complex position – trying to boost a new political process in Palestine with its instrumental tools of statesmanship, in a much more forceful way than the Chinese. Yet Abbas is resisting it. 

There are some auspicious angles, though. In Moscow, Abbas said that they had discussed BRICS: “We have reached a verbal agreement that Palestine would be invited in the ‘outreach’ format,” and expressed hope that:

A particular format of a meeting could be organized and it will be devoted exclusively to Palestine, so that all countries would voice their views on the developments that are taking place … It will all be as relevant as possible, considering the fact that the countries of this association [BRICS] are all friendly to Palestine.

That, in itself, is a significant Russian diplomatic victory. The optics of Palestine being placed among the BRICS for serious discussions will have an immense impact all across Muslim states and the Global Majority. 

How to calibrate a deadly response 

On the bigger picture – the Axis of Resistance’s response to Israel – Russia is also deeply involved. Recently, a stream of Russian aircraft landed in Iran, reportedly carrying offensive and defensive military hardware, including the game-changing Murmansk-BN system, capable of jamming and scrambling all sorts of radio signals, GPS, communications, satellites, and electronic systems up to 5,000 kilometers away. 

This is the ultimate nightmare for Israel and its NATO helpers. If deployed by Iran, the Murmansk-BN electronic warfare system can literally fry the whole Israeli grid, which is only 2,000 kilometers away, targeting military bases and also the electric grid.

If Iran’s response intends to really go off the charts – teaching the occupation state an epic, unforgettable lesson – that might feature a combination of the Murmansk-BN and new Iranian hypersonic missiles. 

And perhaps some extra Russian hypersonic surprises. After all, Secretary of the National Security Council Sergey Shoigu recently went to Tehran to meet with Iranian Chief of Staff Major General Bagheri, exactly to round up the finer points of their comprehensive strategic partnership, including in the military field.   

Major General Bagheri even let the BRICS cat out of the bag when he said, “We will welcome the tripartite cooperation of Iran, Russia, and China.” That’s how civilization-states unite in practice to combat the Forever War ethos built into the Western “democratic” plutocracy.

As much as Russia and China are supporting Palestine and Iran on several levels, it’s inevitable that the focus of the Forever Wars is now turned against all of them. Escalation is rampant across the board – in Ukraine, Israel, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, plus color revolutions from Bangladesh (successful) to Southeast Asia (aborted). 

Which brings us to the key drama in Tehran: how to carefully calibrate a response that will make Israel regretful, but not lead to bleeding wounds from Iran to Russia and China. 

The overarching clash – between Eurasia and NATO stan – is inevitable. Putin himself revealed it in stark terms when he said, “Any peace talks with Ukraine are impossible as long as it conducts strikes on civilian populations and threatens nuclear power plants.”

The same applies to Israel in Gaza. “Peace talks” – or ceasefire negotiations – are impossible while Gaza and sovereign nations such as Syria, Iraq, and Yemen are being shelled at will.

There’s only one way to deal with it: militarily, with smart force. 

Iran, in consultation with strategic partners Russia and China, may be trying to find a third way. Project Israel is practically shutting down its own economy to safeguard the occupation state from a deadly response by Iran and the Axis of Resistance.

So Tehran may be pushing Sun Tzu to the limit – the waiting game, the psy ops, the unbearable strategic ambiguity – forcing Israeli settlers to stew in their underground bunkers until the whole, across-the-board, coordinated strategy is in place to deliver a killer blow⍐.

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of The Cradle.

இளம் இலங்கை வெளிவிவகார அதிகாரிகளுக்கு இந்தியா பயிற்சி

 

India conducts special course for young Sri Lankan diplomats

A seven-day-long special course was organized at Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, New Delhi for a Sri Lankan delegation comprising 10 officers from the latest batch of Sri Lanka Foreign Service and 13 officers from other Sri Lankan Ministries and Offices. The course was organized at a request from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the course, the participants were provided with in-depth exposure by senior Indian officials and renowned experts on topics such as Trade and Connectivity in the Indo-Pacific Region; Blue Economy; UN Convention on the Law of the Sea; AI and Emerging Technologies; SDGs and Climate Change; Pandemics and Public Health Policy; Digital Empowerment & India Stack; among others. The participants also called on External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S. Jaishankar on 12th August as part of the course.

Young Sri Lankan diplomats with Indian and Sri Lankan officials

The participants also had the opportunity to visit prominent places such as Rashtrapati Bhawan, Election Commission of India, Bharat Mandapam, Maha Bodhi Buddhist Temple and Taj Mahal, as well as participate in a yoga session.

The special course adds to several capacity-building initiatives being undertaken by the Government of India based on the priorities of the Government of Sri Lanka, including through over 400 dedicated slots for Sri Lanka under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme⍐.

The Island  2024/08/15

Prez polls: Lawyer asks EC to reject proxies

Prez polls: Lawyer asks  EC 

to reject proxies

Rejected MPs dominate nominations

By Shamindra Ferdinando The Island  2024/08/15

Attorney-at-Law Dasun Nagasena said that the Election Commission (EC) should reject nominations of proxy candidates for the 2024 presidential poll.

Lawyer Nagasena, who campaigns for Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC of the National Democratic Front (NDF) candidate, said that the EC should prevent inexcusable waste of public funds by proxies joining the fray.

Proxy candidate Siripala Amarasinghe (former JVP MP) in conversation
 with Minister Susil Premjayantha at the inauguration of the 'People's Front'
at a Colombo hotel yesterday(Pic by Jude Denzil Pathiraja)

Nagasena said so in response to The Island query soon after the EC announced that 40 probable candidates paid the stipulated cash deposit by noon yesterday (14).

According to the lawyer, regardless of them paying cash deposits, the EC could refuse to accept their nominations. “Of the 40 candidates, the vast majority are either proxies or those who contest for personal benefits,” Nagasena said. The EC is scheduled to accept nominations today (15).

At the last presidential election, held in Nov 2019, 35 candidates contested the election that was won by Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Nagasena said unless the EC at least acted now, the number of candidates could be even higher than at the previous election.

According to EC Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayaka altogether 40 persons, 22 representing recognised political parties, one representing yet to be recognised political party (Ruhunu Janatha Peramuna) and 17 independent candidates paid cash deposits. According to the country’s supreme law, only sitting and former parliamentarians can obtain the services of unrecognized political party or any voter to pay cash deposit for them.

For the first time in presidential election history, a main candidate is contesting as an independent. UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe declared his intention to contest as an independent after failing to reach a consensus with the SLPP on a common agenda.

Lawyer Nagasena said that he raised the contentious issue of proxies in the fray with the EC. Asked to explain, Nagasena said that though he only named former Hambantota District parliamentarian K. Ananda Kularatne as being a proxy of President Wickremesinghe, in his letter to the EC, there were many others.

Examination of past presidential election results proved that except the two top candidates, all others had been dismal failures.

The EC said the following paid cash deposit: Ranil Wickremesinghe (Indpendent), Sarath Keerthiratne (Ind.), Oshala Herath (Abhinawa Niwahal Peramuna), A.S.P. Liyanage (Sri Lanka Kamkaru Pakshaya), Sajith Premadasa (Samagi Jana Balawegaya), P.W.S.K. Bandaranayake (Jathika Sanwardhana Peramuna), Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe (Jathika Prajathanrawadi Peramuna), K.K. Piyadasa (Ind), Sirithunga Jayasuriya (Eksath Samajawadi Pakshaya), Ajantha de Zoysa (Ruhunu Janatha Peramuna), K. Ananda Kularatne (Ind), Sarath Manamendra (Nawa Sihala Urumaya), Ven. Battaramulle Seelarathana Thera (Janasetha Peramuna), Ven. Akmeemana Dayaratne Thera (Ind.), Siripala Amarasinghe (Ind.), K.R. Krishan (Arunalu Janatha Peramuna), Sarath Fonseka (Ind.), Anura Kumara Dissanayake (Jathika Jana Balawegaya), Pani Wijesiriwardena (Samajawadi Samanatha Pakshaya), Anthony Victor Perera (Ind.), A.M. Illiyas (Ind), Marakkarala Manage Premasiri (Ind.), Anura Sydney Jayaratne (Ind.), D.M. Bandaranayake (Ind.), Priyantha Pushpakumara Wickramasinghe (Nawa Sama Samaja Pakshaya), M. Thilakaraja (Ind.), J.D.K. Wickremaratne (Ape Jana Bala Pakshaya), Roshan Ranasinghe (Ind.), Mahinda Dewage (Sri Lankawe Samajawadi Pakshaya), Anoj de Silva (Prajathanrawadi Eksath Janatha Peramuna), P. S. Ariyaneththiram (Ind.), A.M. Infas (Eksath Prajathanrawadi Sandhanaya), Dilith Jayaweera (Communist Party), Nuwan Bopage (Samajawadi Janatha Sansadhaya), Namal Rajapaksha (Samabima Pakshaya), Anuruddha Polgampola (Ind.), Namal Rajapaksa (Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna), Janaka Ratnayake (Eksath Lanka Podujana Pakshaya), Lalith de Silva (Eksath Jathika Nidahas Peramuna) and Sarath Kumara Gunaratne (Ind.).

Lawyer Nagasena said that each proxy cost the taxpayers as much as Rs 25 mn. It would be the responsibility of the EC to put an end to the nonsense caused by proxies, he said⍐.

Sweden confirms first case of mpox

By Reuters August 15, 2024

STOCKHOLM, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Sweden said on Thursday it had confirmed a first case of mpox, a viral infection that spreads through close contact.

Earlier on Thursday, the World Health Organization  declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to other countries.

"We have now also during the afternoon had confirmation that we have one case in Sweden of the more grave type of mpox, the one called Clade I," Health and Social Affairs Minister Jakob Forssmed told a news conference.⍐

Sri Lanka's love and hate affair with Canada!

Government of Sri Lanka welcomes Canada’s decision to retain LTTE as a terrorist entity

The Government of Sri Lanka welcomes the decision of the Government of Canada to retain the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) along with the World Tamil Movement (WTM) as terrorist entities.

According to the recent review, Canada maintains that the remnants of the LTTE have an international fundraising and procurement network that still exists. The review of the WTM notes that the group continues to play a facilitating role in the LTTE’s terrorist activities by fundraising on their behalf. This decision taken following a rigorous review process, reaffirms the continued threat posed by these organizations.

The Government of Canada first listed the LTTE as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code on 6 April 2006 and it is a statutory requirement to undertake a review every five years. The latest review process concluded in June 2024.

The continued listing of the LTTE by the Government of Canada is presently the third consecutive ban on the LTTE in recent times, with the extensions on proscription of the LTTE having also taken place in India and the European Union, in addition to the judgement of dismissal by the Proscribed Organisations and Appeal Commission (POAC) in the United Kingdom on the application made for the de-proscription of the LTTE in the UK, this year.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Colombo 15 August 2024

Sri Lanka locks horns with Canada once again over genocide allegations

Daily Mirror 15 August 2024

Colombo, August 15 (Daily Mirror)- Sri Lanka, once again, protested with the Canadian authorities over the plan to construct a ‘Tamil genocide monument’ in the area called Brampton in Canada, Daily Mirror learns.

Sri Lankan Consul General of Sri Lanka in Toronto Thushara Rodrigo has written to Brampton mayor Patrick Brown registering Sri Lanka’s protest.

Sri Lanka has locked horns with Canada on multiple occasions over purported genocide allegations.

The Lankan government , in May, hit out at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for engaging in what is called ‘electoral vote bank politics by making an "outrageous allegation" of "genocide" during the island nation's brutal armed conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that ended in 2009. Trudeau, in a statement, noted that Canada's Parliament unanimously voted to recognise May 18 as 'Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day'.

"We will always advocate for justice and accountability for the crimes committed during the conflict, as well as for the hardships faced by all in Sri Lanka. In 2023, we imposed sanctions against four former Sri Lankan government officials in response to their violations of human rights in the country during the armed conflict," Trudeau said in a statement.

However, his statement runs counter to the Federal policy of Canada, which says allegations against Sri Lanka during the war time do not amount to genocide.