Latest news with #Lavrov
See - Sada Elbalad
11 hours ago
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Pentagon approves $4.7bn surface-to-air missile package to Egypt
Basant Ahmed The Pentagon announced on Wednesday that the State Department has approved a potential sale of advanced air defense systems to Egypt for approximately $4.67 billion. The sale includes NASAMS advanced surface-to-air missile systems, a wide range of missiles, radars, and technical support and training equipment. According to a statement from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the deal includes a comprehensive package of weapons and equipment, most notably the NASAMS air defense system, a medium- to long-range mobile system used to protect airspace from aircraft, cruise missiles, and drones. The deal also includes four AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel radars, which are advanced 3D radars for detecting air threats with high accuracy, as well as 100 AMRAAM-ER missiles and 100 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM missiles, two of the latest radar-guided air-to-air missiles effective against long-range targets. 'This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major non-NATO ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,' the Defense Security Cooperation Agency statement said, referring to Egypt. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
See - Sada Elbalad
a day ago
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
US Reaffirms Commitment to Gaza Ceasefire and Humanitarian Relief
H-Tayea The US Department of State has reaffirmed that Washington remains committed to supporting a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, with the primary goal of enabling the delivery of urgent humanitarian and relief assistance to civilians in the besieged territory. This statement comes amid intensifying international efforts to address the deepening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, which has been subjected to continuous Israeli military operations since October 7, 2023. The crisis has been widely described by international observers and humanitarian agencies as one of the most severe in recent history, with entire neighborhoods destroyed and access to food, water, and medical care critically limited. The US administration's emphasis on securing a humanitarian ceasefire aligns with broader diplomatic initiatives aimed at halting the violence, facilitating emergency aid access, and opening space for negotiations toward a longer-term political resolution. Washington's position adds to growing global pressure on all parties to prioritize civilian protection, uphold international humanitarian law, and enable relief efforts in a region where over two million people remain trapped in conditions of extreme danger and deprivation. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
See - Sada Elbalad
a day ago
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Egypt, 10 Nations Strongly Condemn Israeli Sovereignty Vote Over Occupied West Bank
H-Tayea Egypt, alongside ten other Arab and Islamic nations and major regional organizations, has issued a strong condemnation of the Israeli Knesset's recent approval of a declaration calling for the imposition of so-called 'Israeli sovereignty' over the occupied West Bank. The statement denounces the move as a blatant violation of international law and a clear breach of multiple UN Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), and 2334 (2016), all of which reject any attempts to legitimize occupation or settlement activity on Palestinian land. Joining Egypt in the joint declaration are the Kingdom of Bahrain, Republic of Indonesia, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Federal Republic of Nigeria, State of Palestine, State of Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, the League of Arab States, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The statement affirms that Israel holds no sovereignty over any part of the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, which remains legally and historically an inseparable part of Palestine. It stresses that Israel's unilateral declaration has no legal validity and cannot alter the internationally recognized status of these lands. The signatories warn that this latest Israeli action will only intensify regional instability, especially as it comes amid ongoing military aggression in Gaza and a rapidly worsening humanitarian disaster in the Strip. The group urged the international community, including the UN Security Council and all responsible actors, to take urgent action to stop Israel's illegal policies, which aim to impose realities on the ground by force. These efforts, they said, are undermining prospects for peace and threatening to eliminate the possibility of a two-state solution altogether. The statement concluded with a renewed commitment to the two-state solution based on international law and the Arab Peace Initiative, reaffirming the goal of establishing an independent and sovereign Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
See - Sada Elbalad
a day ago
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Hamas Submits Response to Egyptian, Qatari Mediators on Latest Ceasefire Proposals
Ahmed Emam The Palestinian group Hamas has officially submitted its response to the latest ceasefire and hostage deal proposals to Egyptian and Qatari mediators, according to Alqahera News . The response reportedly outlines Hamas's position on two critical issues: the redeployment of Israeli forces within the Gaza Strip and the number of Palestinian prisoners the group demands be released as part of any agreement. The development comes as international pressure mounts to reach a ceasefire deal and bring an end to the months-long conflict in Gaza. The details of the proposals and Hamas's full response have not yet been made public. Egypt and Qatar have been playing key roles in mediating indirect talks between Hamas and Israel, with the support of the United States and other international actors. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
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![[Wang Son-taek] As NATO falters, the SCO advances](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fall-logos-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fkoreaherald.com.png&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
[Wang Son-taek] As NATO falters, the SCO advances
When the Cold War ended in 1991, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization inevitably faced serious concerns over its continued existence. NATO had been a multilateral alliance ensuring peace and stability against potential invasion by the Soviet-led socialist bloc. But with the collapse of the Soviet Union and other socialist forces, the justification for NATO's existence disappeared. After much deliberation and debate, NATO has sought to redefine its role by emphasizing its function as a supporter of the US-led liberal international order on a global scale. However, NATO now finds itself seriously weakened by the "ally-bashing" policy of US President Donald Trump. In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while NATO member states agree on the need to strengthen military capabilities, they find themselves bewildered and betrayed by the excessively aggressive demands of the United States. While NATO member states are suffering from dizziness, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, led by China and Russia, is displaying a contrasting vitality. Judging by the recent diplomatic movements of the two leading nations, it is clear that the SCO is gaining new momentum. It cannot be ruled out that the SCO may become a meaningful multilateral alliance capable of rivaling NATO. Among those engaged in SCO-related diplomacy, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has shown the most dynamic activity. On July 9 and 10, he attended the ASEAN Regional Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and articulated Russia's position. In normal times, his participation would not be particularly noteworthy. But now it holds significance. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the country has borne the stigma of a war criminal state and shown signs of diplomatic isolation for more than three years. This time, by attending the ASEAN forum, Russia signaled a more active diplomatic posture. Following his Kuala Lumpur visit, Lavrov flew to Wonsan, North Korea. He was warmly received by Chairman Kim Jong Un, and they discussed enhancing strategic cooperation between North Korea and Russia. Lavrov demonstrated solidarity with North Korea by actively participating in tourism promotion events celebrating the opening of the Wonsan-Kalma tourist zone, one of Chairman Kim's flagship projects. Lavrov's efforts to manage the relationship with North Korea will likely help Russia escape its diplomatic isolation. Lavrov's next destination after Wonsan was Tianjin, China, to attend the SCO foreign ministers' meeting. He held a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and paid a courtesy visit to President Xi Jinping. During the talks, Lavrov coordinated the schedule for Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Beijing. Putin is scheduled to attend the SCO summit in Tianjin at the end of August and then participate in China's Victory Day military parade in early September. This summit, following Xi Jinping's visit to Moscow in May, marks the second summit between the Chinese and Russian leaders in four months. Lavrov also met with India's Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar in China and reaffirmed a commitment to deepening the strategic partnership between the two countries. Notably, he proposed reviving the RIC (Russia-India-China) trilateral cooperation framework. This initiative, aimed at building a multipolar order to replace the US-centered unipolar world, is significant as it seeks to structurally reshape the international system. China has also been exhibiting dynamic diplomacy this year. In April, President Xi Jinping toured three countries — Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia. In May, he paid a state visit to Russia. In June, he visited Kazakhstan to attend the China-Central Asia Summit. While Xi's foreign travels are not unprecedented, in light of rumors suggesting his political downfall, his recent trips symbolize a proactive diplomatic posture. Xi notably met with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar during the SCO foreign ministers' meeting. Despite ongoing tensions over border issues, China's success in improving relations with India could position it as a mediator in the India-Pakistan conflict, thereby expanding its diplomatic influence. This indicates that China is trying to turn the tide diplomatically through the SCO summit. The frantic diplomatic moves by China and Russia are significantly influenced by the bizarre foreign policy of the United States. Since taking office in January, President Trump has imposed absurdly high tariffs on other countries and demanded concessions in return for reducing them. Most notably, he has pressured US allies — key pillars of American hegemony — to increase defense spending and cost-sharing, often behaving like an unpredictable hegemon. Many countries around the world remain anxious and uncertain, unable to find proper responses to the intimidation by the world's sole superpower. The problem is that, while the United States is undermining its own leadership, the next most powerful nation — China — is widely perceived as a bully due to its lack of empathy and rigid leadership style. As a result, it has not been seen as a viable alternative. In particular, China experienced a dark chapter in October 2022, ahead of Xi Jinping's third-term inauguration. During that period, multiple senior Chinese diplomats issued a flurry of threatening messages to certain countries, claiming to showcase the greatness of China. This heavy-handed approach backfired and led to a substantial loss of soft power. However, China now seems to be working to reverse that image, portraying itself as a possible alternative to the US amid American leadership fatigue. If China successfully hosts this year's SCO summit, its image and international standing are likely to improve. While the SCO has 10 full members, it also includes two observer states and 14 dialogue partners, indicating considerable potential as a multilateral cooperation body. If President Trump continues his current foreign policy line, we will soon witness the SCO expanding and gaining weight. Conversely, should the US revise its current course, China and Russia's recent diplomatic momentum may subside, and NATO could find space to recover. Whether the SCO emerges as a genuine counterweight to NATO depends less on China and Russia, and more on the choices made in Washington.
