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It's simply a mistranslation of "peace through superior fire power" anyway.

 

Although I always thought that was better as "pieces through superior fire power".

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A vast haul of weapons seized by an Australian warship in the North Arabian Sea was bound for Somalia and may have originated in Iran, Defence suspects.

 

But neither their origin or final destination are known for sure.

 

Australian warships operating in the Middle East have seized large hauls of heroin from smuggling vessels in the past but the interception by HMAS Darwin in early March was the first involving a large quantity of weapons.

This haul comprised almost 2000 AK-47 assault rifles, 100 rocket propelled grenade launchers, 49 PKM light machine guns and 20 60mm mortar tubes.

 

HMAS Darwin was operating as part of a multinational taskforce engaged in counter-terrorism patrols.

 

French destroyer FS Provence, a taskforce member, also seized a large cache of weapons when it intercepted a smuggling dhow in the northern Indian Ocean earlier this week, including AK-47s, machine guns and anti-tank weapons.

 

The French military didn't release precise numbers but said they were believed headed for Somalia. Vice Admiral Johnston said this haul was also around 2000 weapons.

 

Both vessels were assessed to be stateless and, as they were bound for Somalia, the weapons were seized under the UN arms embargo.

 

Vice Admiral Johnston says the busts are unusual and could stem from improved intelligence.

 

A Defence spokesman says available evidence suggests the vessel intercepted by HMAS Darwin departed from Iran bound for Somalia, but the vice admiral says there's no firm evidence the vessel came from Iran.

 

Some US officials have suggested the weapons were bound for Yemen, where Iran has been supporting Shia Houthi rebels.

 

"We believe the weapons were bound for Somalia. Whether the US then formed the view that having entered Somalia, they may have been dispersed into Yemen, that's possibly their judgment," Vice Admiral Johnston told reporters in Canberra.

 

However, Somalia is also a point of entry for weapons bound for other parts of northern Africa.

 

The weapons seized by HMAS Darwin were transferred to another unnamed taskforce vessel to be disposed of, which could mean being thrown into the sea or possibly passed on to the allied forces.

 

http://www.9news.com.au/national/2016/03/31/14/40/origin-of-weapons-stash-not-known-for-sure

 

Images from link at the end of the post.

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France also made a seizure of similar size, location, and suspected route.

 

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http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/30/middleeast/weapons-seizure-indian-ocean/

Edited by JasonJ
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The development of bilateral ties between Japan and Iran has now reached the head-of-state level, with Abe to visit to Tehran in August.

 

The establishment of limits to the subordination of Japanese interests to Washington's continues.

Edited by Nobu
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Abe and the LDP wanted to officially designate the Emperor as such via Constitutional revision in 2012 according to both The Economist and The Asia-Pacific Journal, but their efforts to do so are ongoing, I believe.

 

The Economist

June 1, 2013

Back to the Future

 

"The LDP's draft...restores the emperor as the head of the state, and even seems to remove his obligation to uphold the constitution."

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OK, the emperor isn't formally titled head of state. But nor is the prime minister, & he certainly doesn't operate as head of state. The emperor appoints the PM (as chosen by the Diet), & carries out other functions generally reserved for heads of state, such as awarding honours & performance of ceremonial functions. And he makes & receives state visits.

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http://www.isciences.com/blog/2016/8/15/middle-east-water-deficits-forecast-for-the-levant-southern-turkey-saudi-arabia?platform=hootsuite

 

 

 

Impacts

Stepping outside was like "walking into a fire," said a Basra resident as the temperature rose to 129F (53.9C) in this southern Iraqi city. "We're prisoners," said another, explaining that people rarely leave their homes during daylight. Crops have withered, workforce productivity has dropped, hospital admittances have increased, and GDP has fallen an estimated 10 to 20 percent. Daily power cuts are normal, and though mandatory official holidays have been declared, many government employees would rather come to an air-conditioned office than stay home.

The heat wave is not just affecting Iraq: Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, recorded an all-time high of nearly 126F (52.2C), and Mitribah, Kuwait hit 129.2F (54C). Some weather forecasters are predicting temperatures in the Gulf could reach 131F (55C) in the next few months.

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Could Putin make peace between Israel, Palestinians?

By Aaron David Miller
Updated 1539 GMT (2339 HKT) August 25, 2016
Editor's note: Aaron David Miller is a vice president and distinguished scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and author of "The End of Greatness: Why America Can't Have (and Doesn't Want) Another Great President." Miller was a Middle East negotiator in Democratic and Republican administrations. Follow him on Twitter @aarondmiller2. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his.
(CNN) - Earlier this week, Russia's Vladimir Putin reportedly told Egypt's President Abdul Fattah Sisi that he would be willing to host direct talks between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Moscow.
Putin did speak to Netanyahu by phone Tuesday, and according to press reports, they did discuss the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
Having pushed Russia into the middle of Syria's civil war with great effect last September, is Vladimir Putin now making a serious bid to become a Middle East peacemaker too? If he's serious -- and this is far from certain -- Washington should let him try.
Given the moribund state of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and the long odds of success, Putin would almost certainly fail, tarnishing his vaunted image and likely angering Israelis and Palestinians in the process.
Here are some key questions:
Is Putin serious?
Clearly Putin is only testing the waters at this stage. Had he wanted to own his proposal for talks, Putin might have announced the offer publicly himself. By using al-Sisi -- someone he knows is close to the Israelis and also has leverage over the Palestinians --he assured himself a favorable hearing and a way out should the Israelis and Palestinians say no. Sisi has for months offered to host talks between the sides in Cairo -- an idea whose time has clearly not yet come.
If Putin wanted to take his idea a step further without risking failure, he could invite both Netanyahu and Abbas to Moscow again for separate consultations in Moscow to see whether there actually was a basis for getting them together.
What's in this for Putin?
Putin loves the big stage, particularly if the play includes an angle to counter Washington and make the Americans look bad. Traditionally, the peace process -- or what remains of it -- has been a US preserve. And Putin knows how much effort John Kerry has invested in this to little avail.
The pursuit of an Israeli-Palestinian peace is high-stakes, prestigious diplomacy and has been conducted most often over the years with the Russians excluded. But should Russia find a way to nibble around the edges or insert itself in the middle of the game, it would only reinforce the impression that Moscow is a key player and has exploited successfully the vacuum the Obama Administration has created through what its critics charge is an abdication of leadership. Besides whatever comes of the offer to host talks, Putin loves jerking Washington's diplomatic chain.
Would Abbas and Netanyahu agree?
Clearly neither Abbas nor Netanyahu is happy with Washington's mediation efforts. Netanyahu fears the administration will in its final months try to do something on the peace process he can't accept, such as push for a UN Security Council Resolution or pressure him in some way. And Abbas is frustrated because he believes the Americans haven't squeezed Netanyahu hard enough.
It's certainly possible that Netanyahu is already looking beyond President Obama to the next President and would see the Russian offer as a way to hedge his bets and get through the next several months -- just as he encouraged Sisi to host direct talks in Cairo. Anybody but Obama, Netanyahu might muse to himself.
Still, Netanyahu would have to think very hard -- however important Russia is in the context of Israel's stake in Syria and Lebanon -- about the consequences of a Russian centered peace process. Could he trust Russia, whose views traditionally on the issues in the negotiations (borders, Jerusalem and refugees) have been much closer to the Palestinian side than to Israel.
And what would the impact be in the US and Israel, if Netanyahu agreed to a Russian-led process, particularly with Russia growing closer to Iran and when Netanyahu seems so close to signing a 10-year package of security assistance worth billions with the US.
As for Abbas, he may believe that the Russians would indeed take his side on some key issues. But having refused to agree to direct negotiations with the Israelis these many months, Abbas would not allow himself to cede that point for free. He would demand that Moscow provide assurances that Israel would make concessions on key issues. And why would Putin have any more success in that area than the Obama Administration after eight years?
Most likely, Putin's offer is pot stirring, an effort to create drama and news by demonstrating that Russia might be a peace mediator too. And it's certainly possible that some symbolic meeting -- devoid of substance -- could take place in Moscow.
But Putin's idea has failure written all over it. And if the Russian leader persists, Washington should stand back and let him try.
If there ever was a loser issue designed to suck huge amounts of thankless effort out of any would-be mediator without achieving results, it's the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
Not only is the issue not ready for prime time, it's bound to make those who take it on look weak and feckless and earn the anger and animosity of the Israelis and Palestinians to boot.
Putin knows all of this, of course, which is why more than likely he'll steer clear of any serious effort. But who knows. After Ukraine and Syria, maybe he feels like he's on a roll. Having spent 20-plus years trying to push this particular big rock up the hill, I wish him luck.

 

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/08/25/opinions/putin-peace-middle-east-miller/

 

Russia 'more balanced' mediator for Israel talks than US: Palestinian official

By i24news
Published: 09/02/2016 - 01:45pm
PLO official says US is 'not at all interested' in pressuring Israel as Moscow offers to host talks
A senior official in the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) said this week he believes that Russia would be a more "balanced" and "credible" mediator in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks than the United States.
"Russia can fulfill a positive, credible and more balanced role," Israel Radio cited Ahmad Majdalani telling the el-Raad television station, "since the US is not at all interested in pressuring Israel, which is carrying out its policy in the region."
The comments come ahead of a visit to the region by Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa, who is expected to meet with Israeli and Palestinian officials to discuss Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal to broker direct talks between the two sides in Moscow.
Israeli and Palestinian sources earlier this week had confirmed reports of the possibility of a meeting in Moscow between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had offered to host direct negotiations.
The sources said that if such a meeting were to occur, it would likely be in October.
"We expect to hear from the Israeli side what commitments it is willing to make before the date of the meeting will be set," Majdalani told el-Raad.
Sisi, who remains committed to implementing a regional peace initiative, has cautioned that reconciliation between Hamas and the Palestinian Liberation Organization is a prerequisite to the creation of a Palestinian state.
At the time, French special envoy Pierre Vimont will visit Cairo next week to push its own initiative to convene an international peace conference in Paris before the end of the year after a meeting between French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry.
Cairo remains committed to implementing the Arab Peace Initiative, a 2002 Saudi-led peace proposal for Gulf states to recognize Israel in exchange for Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank.
The Palestinians strongly support the French initiative, but Israel has rejected it, calling instead for direct negotiations.
The Israelis and Palestinians have not held negotiations since US-brokered talks collapsed in April 2014.

 

http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/middle-east/124354-160902-russia-more-balanced-mediator-for-israel-talks-than-us-palestinian-official

 

Still No Certainty on Russia-Mediated Talks Between Israeli, Palestinian Leaders

MIDDLE EAST 15:48 05.09.2016 (updated 16:00 05.09.2016)
A possibility of a meeting between Israeli and Palestinian leaders with Russian mediation is not yet clear, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday.
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — There is still no certainty regarding a possible meeting of Israeli and Palestinian leaders with Russian mediation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday.
"Not yet," Peskov told RIA Novosti, asked whether any decisions had been made regarding the summit.
Earlier in August, a diplomatic source told Sputnik that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas could meet in Moscow in late September, while there has been no official confirmation of such a meeting from either side.
Also this month, another source told Sputnik that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov was expected to visit Israel on September 5 to discuss with Netanyahu the possibility of holding direct Israeli-Palestinian talks in the Russian capital.
Relations between Israel and Palestine have been wrecked for decades, as Palestinians have been seeking diplomatic recognition for their independent state on the territories of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which is partially occupied by Israel, and the Gaza Strip. The State of Palestine is recognized by 137 countries, including Russia.

 

http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160905/1044983192/russia-talks-israel-palestine.html

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Does either side really want an end to the conflict? It seems like Netanyahu depends on it to drum up international sympathy and justify a policy of slow invasion by colonization (the "settlements"), while a multitude of Palestinian warlords see the conflict as an opportune setting for gaining prestige and power. As long as Israeli injustices (real or imagined) spur angry Palestinians to join the likes of Hamas, the PLF, etc, why would their leaders seek peace? What's in it for them?

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It is a question build by the ideological fight in grand western world(includes Soviet Union)

No one talks about Zoroastrians, Caldaics, Assyrians etc. Palestinians exist because of Israel existence.

 

 

As long as Israeli injustices (real or imagined) spur angry Palestinians to join the likes of Hamas, the PLF, etc, why would their leaders seek peace? What's in it for them?

So you think that is reason Palestinian join them... Not ideology. They don't have ideas, just react to the "white men"...

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Actually the Palestinians have danced to Arab money. Syrian and Lebanese Pals will almost certainly be recruited into Syria 2.0 and offered citizenship. West Bank and Gaza Pals will not, they chose to worship Saudi riyals.

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Actually the Palestinians have danced to Arab money. Syrian and Lebanese Pals will almost certainly be recruited into Syria 2.0 and offered citizenship. West Bank and Gaza Pals will not, they chose to worship Saudi riyals.

I'll believe it when I see it. It would set a hell of president for Arab countries to actually do anything about the Pals. AFAIK, only Jordan ever got off their ass and gave the refugees citizenship. The rest of the Arabs just complained is my recollection. Always had a soft spot for the Kings of Jordan personally; sure he got sugar coated in service but at least he jumped out of a plane.

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The Palestinian search for their version of MK Gandhi continues. There does not appear to be urgency, however, as the the Mediterranean is calm, the NGO food aid subsidies are endowed, and the perpetual victimhood remains lucrative.

 

At some point, the biggest roadblock in the search may be the Palestinian aristocracy itself. Easily identifiable by the consular plates on the Maybach.

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http://mjbstar.com/2016/10/06/iran-tells-saudi-navy-vessels-to-avoid-iranian-waters-tasnim/

 

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has issued a stern warning to all military vessels partaking in Saudi Arabia's ongoing wargames in the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, noting that any act of transgression into Iran's territorial waters shall be met with an immediate and befitting response.

According to Rear Admiral Al-Qahtani, the exercises are meant to "raise the combat readiness and professional performance" of the naval forces in order to protect "the marine interests of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against any possible aggression", as quoted by the Saudi Press Agency.

The Strait of Hormuz, where some of the exercises are taking place, is one of the world's most important oil shipping routes. This means that, should Iran prevent Saudi Arabia from navigating global waters in the Arabian Gulf, it may be in breach of worldwide law. The campaign, aimed at restoring a government ousted by an Iran-allied militia, is part of a more assertive effort by Riyadh since previous year to counter Iran's influence. Roughly 17 million barrels per day, or 30 percent of oil shipped by sea, passed through the strait in 2013. The United States and Saudi Arabia accuse Iran of sending missiles and other weapons to the rebels, but Tehran denies the charge.

Iranian officials over the past several months have accused Saudi Arabia of backing "terrorist groups" in the region and making efforts aimed at destabilizing Iran's south-eastern and western borders. During the last two years, photos and reports have appeared in the Iranian media portraying Qassem Soleimani in Syria's war-ravaged city of Aleppo, conducting operation in coordination with Russia-backed Assad's forces, aiming to lead Iran's strategy in Syria.

Mutual animosity has escalated ever since last January when Saudi Arabia severed off all political ties with Tehran, triggered by the execution of pro-democracy Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr.

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In other news:

 

"Shortly after Trump was declared the victor, a number of prominent Salafist ideologues linked to jihadist outfits in the Middle East took to social media to cheer the prospect of a Trump presidency.

The remarks signaled the militants' apparent belief that the victory of a candidate like Trump, who has suggested potentially unconstitutional blocks on Muslim immigration and advocated torture, undermines the United States' moral standing in the world."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/11/09/islamist-extremists-celebrate-trumps-election-win/?wpisrc=nl_az_most

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