Latest news with #Statecraft
Miami Herald
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Iran Threatens to Reveal Secret Israel Nuclear Data: What We Know
Iran's intelligence minister has said the country holds a vast trove of classified Israeli documents and plans to release them soon. The files detail Israel's nuclear program, foreign relations, and defense capabilities, according to state media. The Israeli government has not commented on the claim, which comes amid rising tensions between the two countries and renewed scrutiny of Iran's own nuclear activities. Newsweek has reached out to the Iranian and Israeli foreign ministries for comment. The disclosure adds a new layer of uncertainty to a region already on edge. Any release of secret Israeli nuclear data could destabilize diplomatic relations, provoke military retaliation, or undermine U.S.-led negotiations with Tehran. The episode also highlights the deepening mistrust between Iran and the West over nuclear ambitions, espionage, and covert operations. Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib said Tehran had acquired thousands of Israeli documents, describing them as a "treasure trove" capable of strengthening Iran's strategic position. He said the materials had been transferred under heavy secrecy to secure locations in Iran and would be published "soon." "Talking of thousands of documents would be an understatement," Khatib said, adding that the transfer required "confidential" methods and a period of "media silence," according to Iran's state broadcaster. Iran has not revealed how it obtained the documents it says it has or if they relate to the 2023 cyberattack on an Israeli nuclear center. State media called the transfer part of a wider intelligence campaign, highlighting its secrecy and complexity. Recent arrests of Israelis accused of spying for Tehran, though not officially linked, have raised speculation of a connection. Meanwhile, a social media account closely linked to Iran's armed forces also posted a message in Hebrew shortly after the announcement, stating: "We know all your secrets now." The post appeared to signal a coordinated effort to amplify Tehran's claims and increase psychological pressure on Israeli officials. Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and a leading expert on Middle East geopolitics, told Newsweek that "an intelligence war has been ongoing between Israel and Iran," and that based on recent arrests in Israel, "it does appear as if Tehran has succeeded in recruiting a large number of informants in Israel." He added, "Whether the documents Tehran claims it has obtained come from those recruits and whether they contain important revelations, remains to be seen." The announcement is the latest salvo in a protracted campaign of hostilities between Iran and Israel. Iran has blamed Israel for assassinating its nuclear scientists, while Israel accuses Tehran of arming regional militias targeting Israeli assets. Last year, the two exchanged limited strikes after Israel bombed Iran's consulate in Damascus. Though escalation was avoided, tensions remain high. Those tensions now intersect with renewed international scrutiny of Iran's nuclear program. Just as Tehran threatens to expose Israeli secrets, a recent report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) accused Iran of carrying out undeclared nuclear activities. While Iran maintains its ambitions are peaceful, the U.S. has renewed calls for curbs on uranium enrichment and greater transparency. Negotiations between Washington and Tehran remain stalled, with Iran saying the latest U.S. proposal does not include the lifting of sanctions-a core demand for Tehran-signaling a potential deadlock. Iran is expected to submit a counteroffer soon. Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, told Newsweek: "Tehran may seek to shed a spotlight on Israel's undeclared nuclear weapons program. But unlike Iran, Israel is not a party to the NPT and, as a result, has never committed legally to refrain from building nuclear weapons." Esmail Khatib, Iranian Intelligence Minister, said, "The transfer of this treasure trove was time-consuming and required security measures... the documents should be unveiled soon." Any publication of Israeli documents could escalate diplomatic tensions and reshape regional dynamics-diverting international scrutiny just as nuclear negotiations reach a fragile stage. The IAEA Board of Governors is expected to censure Iran over its nuclear program later this week. Meanwhile, Iran is preparing a counter-proposal after rejecting the U.S. nuclear offer, prompting President Donald Trump to caution that "time is running out." Related Articles Trump Changes Top Middle East General For Strong Iran HawkFive Signs Israel and Iran Could Be Headed Toward Open WarIran Importing Missile Fuel From China as US Tensions Rise: ReportTrump's New Travel Ban Threatens to Upend World Cup and Olympics for Fans 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
The Star
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Trump urged to take slow and steady approach to North Korea to end nuclear stalemate
The US should adopt a pragmatic approach towards North Korea, taking a 'slow and paced' tack on denuclearisation and engaging regional stakeholders such as China, according to a US think tank. The proposal by researchers at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft coincides with reports that the administration of US President Donald Trump is consulting experts on reviving talks with Pyongyang. During his first term, Trump held a series of historic talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on the issue. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. The first summit in Singapore in 2018 resulted in a joint statement with vague commitments to denuclearisation while a second in Hanoi, Vietnam, a year later ended abruptly without a deal, suggesting disagreements over sanctions relief and the scope of North Korea's nuclear disarmament. Months later Trump met Kim at the heavily fortified demilitarised zone between North and South Korea and the two agreed to restart negotiations, but Pyongyang continued to advance its nuclear and missile programmes. In a research note published on Monday, Stephen Costello, a non-resident fellow at the institute, argued that the Trump administration should aim for a deal allowing for slow and paced denuclearisation, which he said was more realistic. Full denuclearisation should be an agreed long-term aspiration that would take at least a decade, he added. 'For security, the administration should aim for an early halt to all fissile material, nuclear weapons, and the production of intercontinental ballistic missiles, or ICBMs,' Costello wrote, adding that a deal would also entail on-the-ground inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency. In return, the US should offer credible civilian sanctions relief, such as from the five 'extreme' sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council in 2016 and 2017 that targeted civilian livelihood and 'prevented all diplomacy', according to Costello. The mainly economic and non-military sanctions banned the export of North Korean mineral resources and seafood, as well as restricted imports of crude oil and refined petroleum products, among others. During the 2019 Hanoi summit, North Korea requested relief from the sanctions, as they were seen as disproportionately harming its economic stability and civilian livelihoods. The US, however, rejected the proposal. Costello said experienced non-proliferation experts agreed that the US should have accepted the deal offered at Hanoi. The proposal involved dismantling all Yongbyon nuclear facilities and initiating talks on capping and rolling back the rest of the programme in exchange for lifting five 'extreme' sanctions deemed not affecting security. The Quincy Institute researcher, who is a visiting scholar at George Washington University, suggested that any potential agreement should include multiple signatories, as it would lack credibility if the US alone had the authority to decide when suspended sanctions should be reimposed. 'The combination of reciprocal actions by the [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] and active support, oversight and guarantees by China, Russia, Europe and Asia would be far more effective,' he wrote, referring to North Korea by its official name. 'Mutually reinforcing actions, aligned with the core interests of multiple players, would ultimately provide the most confidence in any agreement.' Costello described China's involvement as crucial in the North Korea issue, and said it could allow for additional US-China cooperation on other matters, including nuclear de-escalation. Beijing supports denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula while making regional stability a priority. It has advocated a 'dual-suspension' approach, urging Seoul and Washington to halt joint military drills while Pyongyang freezes its missile and nuclear programmes. 'They could provide credible guarantees in support of the deal, so that they are present at many of the 'capping' sites and in many of the 'rollback' talks. Chinese buy-in could be strong and durable,' Costello wrote in the brief. With its nuclear expertise and strong ties to Pyongyang, Russia could complement China's role in providing guarantees, offering additional assurance to both Washington and Pyongyang that the deal would be upheld, according to Costello. He also emphasised the need for South Korea to have a deeper, more integrated role, starting from the planning stages through to the deal's signing and implementation. 'The South Koreans should be the party to carry much of the weight of follow-through. To do this, they should be brought in from the beginning on planning and meetings.' James Park, a research associate in the Quincy Institute's East Asia programme, advocated on Monday for a shift in the US-South Korea alliance's deterrence strategy on the Korean peninsula, moving away from 'deterrence by punishment' towards more flexible and proactive 'deterrence by denial' to proportionately retaliate or exercise restraint. These involved shifting the focus of joint military exercises from offensive operations to defensive readiness, cutting or curbing the visibility of highly provocative drills and reducing the frequency of US nuclear asset deployments. 'Combined with successful arms control negotiations, this new approach to deterrence would create a more durable foundation for stable coexistence on the Korean peninsula,' Park said. More from South China Morning Post: For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2025.
IOL News
01-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Freedom in the crucible of South Africa's challenges
Pope John Paul II wisely stated: 'Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.' FREEDOM is not a state; it is an act. These words by John Lewis resonate deeply as we reflect on the meaning of freedom in South Africa today. The word 'freedom' is so frequently used — and often abused — that it risks becoming a cliché. Yet, its essence remains profound and indispensable. In her book Another Freedom, Svetlana Boym offers a fresh perspective on this age-old concept. Exploring the cross-cultural history of freedom — from ancient Greece to the present — Boym argues that imagining freedom requires contemplating both 'what is' and 'what if'. She examines relationships between freedom and liberation, modernity and terror, political dissent and creative estrangement. While highlighting global differences, she affirms lasting solidarities rooted in critical reflection. Boym's nuanced portrait of freedom carries implications for the future, urging us to think critically about the constraints shaping our lives while envisioning possibilities for progress. The German-American historian Hannah Arendt famously called freedom 'the raison d'être of politics'. The concept often oscillates between abstraction and ideal, exemplified by Isaiah Berlin's notions of negative and positive liberty, and Philip Pettit's idea of freedom as non-domination. Yet, in lived experience, freedom is shaped by context-specific constraints and expressed through cultural practices. Joanna Williams, in Academic Freedom in an Age of Conformity, argues that the freedom to challenge conventions is vital for individual liberty and societal progress. This principle dates back centuries, notably to Immanuel Kant, who in 1784 described enlightenment as 'freedom to make public use of one's reason'. Kant's ideas influenced thinkers like John Stuart Mill, who emphasised the necessity of freedom for intellectual growth, and Albert Einstein, who argued that 'intellectual and individual freedom' drives advances in knowledge and invention. In How Democracies Live: Power, Statecraft, and Freedom in Modern Societies, Stein Ringen observes that democracy has faced significant challenges in the 21st century. After the triumph of democracy at the end of the Cold War, core democracies like those in America and Britain succumbed to polarisation and misrule. Dictatorships grew assertive, while new democracies embraced ideologies of 'illiberal democracy'. Ringen argues that democracy must be rooted in a culture enabling citizens to exchange views and information freely with each other and their leaders. South Africa's journey underscores the importance of civic leadership in preserving freedom. As Brian O'Connell notes in Civil Society: The Underpinnings of American Democracy, the greatest threats to democracy often come from within. Misunderstandings about what democracy entails and its relevance to governance can undermine even the strongest systems. Chief Justice Warren Burger aptly summarised the role of constitutional frameworks when he said: 'The Constitution does not solve our problems. It allows people the freedom and opportunity to solve their own problems.' Ultimately, the fate of any constitution depends on civic leaders who strengthen institutions and uphold ethical standards. Freedom comes with responsibility — a truth too often forgotten. Leaders must act decisively, addressing issues TNT (today, not tomorrow). Brian Cowen's observation rings true: leadership can be isolating, but the practical application of ideas is paramount. Judgments made under pressure will inevitably attract criticism, yet accountability is intrinsic to public service. Those in power bear the burden of decision-making; those outside it must avoid populist rhetoric that offers no real solutions during crises. Let us remember the sacrifices of those who fought for our liberty. Their courage paved the way for the freedoms we enjoy today. Alexander Solzhenitsyn once remarked: 'Courage and victory come to us only when we are prepared to make sacrifices.' Law professor Derrick Bell echoed this sentiment, stating that an ethical life enriches daily existence beyond material wealth. We owe it to these patriots to honour their legacy by safeguarding and advancing the ideals they died for. True freedom is more than the ability to do anything one desires. As Pope John Paul II wisely stated: 'Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.' It is freedom from oppression, injustice, prejudice, and racism. George Bernard Shaw captured this ethos beautifully when he described the joy of dedicating oneself to a purpose greater than personal gratification. He wrote: 'I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.' Such selflessness inspires collective action toward rebuilding lives devastated by floods or striving for a better future for all. Martin Luther King Jr's vision of virtuous leadership provides a guiding light. He urged us to create leaders embodying moral principles worthy of trust and confidence. High standards, unwavering support for merit, and a commitment to ethical ambition are essential. In the wake of recent apocalyptic floods, we are reminded of the sacrifices required to rebuild shattered lives and continue forging a brighter tomorrow. Two roots sustain liberty: human selfhood and divine sonship. Every individual possesses a unique individuality demanding expression. Democratic constitutions derive legitimacy from protecting individual rights. However, unchecked licentiousness leads to Plato's warning in The Republic: democracy degenerates into tyranny unless balanced by virtue. May we heed this lesson as we navigate uncertainty. Mark Draper, in his Song of Freedom, reminds us that loving freedom means engaging actively in the political fray. Dwight D Eisenhower emphasised the role of citizenship in preserving democracy, stating: 'Politics ought to be the part-time profession of every citizen who would protect the rights and privileges of free people and preserve what is good and fruitful in our national heritage.' South Africa's democracy and freedom have not been spared global challenges. Political and economic uncertainties highlight the depth of our national crisis. Once admired for its resilience, South Africa now shows signs of deterioration. As Nelson Mandela warned, overcoming past obstacles prepares us for current struggles. These are uncertain times, but they demand decisive action. Despite uncertainty, we must pursue long-term goals and adapt our responses to the unique demands of the present. Now is the time to focus on fundamentals. My fellow compatriots, I am — we are — the proverbial horseshoe nails, and together, we can and will make a difference. Let us resolve never to take our freedom lightly. Together, through total commitment, we shall shape the future of generations to come and safeguard the sacred flame of liberty — a beacon of hope for all humankind. Let the enduring love for freedom ignite our path forward once again. For if we work together, we shall continue to shape the future of the next generations and safeguard on those shores the sacred flame of liberty that remains a beacon of hope for all humankind. * Dr Vusi Shongwe works in the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture in KwaZulu-Natal and writes in his personal capacity. ** The views expressed here do not reflect those of the Sunday Independent, Independent Media or IOL.
Al Jazeera
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Can the US broker a Ukraine ceasefire?
The deal offered by the United States is an 'unfortunate compromise' that should be accepted by Russia and Ukraine, argues Anatol Lieven, director of the Eurasia programme at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Lieven tells host Steve Clemons that Ukraine's leaders should acknowledge that the Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia over the past years are lost. He adds that Russia – by accepting a ceasefire on current battle lines – has 'given up' on trying to occupy all the territory of Ukraine it had hoped for. Meanwhile, Europe 'has nothing serious to offer' to end the fighting, Lieven says.
South China Morning Post
13-02-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
South China Sea: US urged to avoid frontal role, enable Philippines to lead
The United States should avoid a frontal military role in countering Beijing's actions in the South China Sea and instead enable the Philippines to take the lead, according to a report published this week by an American think tank. Advertisement Washington has suggested providing armed escorts to the Philippines' resupply missions to Second Thomas Shoal, a move which ups the ante on a feature of less than vital interest to the US. '[This] risks a direct US-China naval clash that can easily spiral out of control,' said the report titled 'Defending Without Provoking: The United States and the Philippines in the South China Sea'. Written by Sarang Shidore, director of the Global South Programme at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, the report noted that with China's ongoing volatile and coercive behaviour and the Philippines exercising greater autonomy, Washington 'does not hold all the cards'. 'But it can initiate a virtuous cycle of de-escalatory steps, and reduce the risk to American, Philippine, and other lives,' it added. Two Philippine Air Force FA-50 fighter jets fly with two US Air Force B-1 bomber aircraft during a joint patrol and training over the South China Sea on February 4. Photo: Philippine Air Force via AP The report also called on Washington to halt pulling in US allies, particularly extra-regional ones, militarily into South China Sea disputes as this would 'counterproductively' heighten Chinese perceptions of bloc-formation and armed encirclement.
