South Korea’s military has recently taken action to remove approximately 1,300 surveillance cameras manufactured in China from its bases due to concerns over potential security threats, as reported by Yonhap news agency on Friday, citing an unnamed military official.

These cameras were intended to connect to a specific server located in China; however, there has been no evidence of data breaches, according to Yonhap. The cameras were provided by a South Korean company, and their Chinese origin was identified during inspections of the equipment earlier this year, as noted by the official.

While these cameras were not utilized for security operations along the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea, they were employed for monitoring training groups and perimeter fences at military installations.

On Friday, South Korea’s defense ministry announced that it is in the process of retrieving the foreign-made cameras and replacing them with alternatives, although the ministry did not disclose the cameras’ country of origin.

Last year, Australia’s foreign minister indicated that its defense and foreign ministries were also removing surveillance cameras produced by Chinese-operated companies from their facilities due to concerns regarding security risks associated with the technology.

European & Muslim countries gather in Spain to discuss Palestinian statehood

Hammad Saeed

September 13, 2024

Spain convened a high-level meeting on Friday with several Muslim and European nations to discuss strategies for ending the Gaza conflict, emphasizing the need for a definitive timeline for the international community to implement a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares stated, “We gather to advocate for an end to the violence in Gaza and to find a resolution to the ongoing conflict between Palestinians and Israelis. The path forward is evident: the two-state solution is the sole viable option.”

Attendees included foreign ministers from Norway and Slovenia, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, and representatives from the Arab-Islamic Contact Group for Gaza, which comprises Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Turkey.

Albares noted a “clear willingness” among participants, who notably excluded Israel, to transition from dialogue to actionable steps towards establishing a timeline for the effective realization of a two-state solution, beginning with Palestine’s admission to the United Nations.

He clarified that Israel was not invited due to its absence from the contact group but expressed openness to Israel’s participation in any discussions focused on peace and the two-state solution.

On May 28, Spain, Norway, and Ireland officially recognized a unified Palestinian state governed by the Palestinian Authority, encompassing the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem designated as its capital.This recognition brings the total to 146 out of 193 United Nations member states acknowledging Palestinian statehood.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has consistently asserted that the coexistence of two sovereign states in the territory of former Mandatory Palestine represents the only feasible route to regional peace. Although the two-state solution was outlined in the 1991 Madrid Conference and the Oslo Accords from 1993 to 1995, the peace process has remained stagnant for years. Nonetheless, efforts to find a peaceful resolution continue.

Canada has started efforts to join AUKUS, a three-member alliance of the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom

Hammad Saeed

September 13, 2024

Canada is currently engaged in discussions regarding its potential participation in an expanded AUKUS agreement involving the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, aimed at addressing China’s increasing military presence in the Asia Pacific region, according to Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair.

Canada has expressed interest in joining a second component of AUKUS that focuses on collaboration in advanced military technologies, such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, although specific details of these discussions have not yet been disclosed. “Significant conversations have taken place regarding processes and platforms on a project-specific basis, exploring how other nations, including Japan and ourselves, might be involved,” Blair stated during an interview in Tokyo, where he met with his Japanese counterpart, Minoru Kihara.

“I would respectfully wait until they reach their conclusion, but I am quite optimistic,” he added. Blair noted that he and Kihara discussed AUKUS, which is already considering collaboration with Japan.

The initial phase of AUKUS focuses on developing nuclear submarine technology for Australia.

This marks Blair’s first visit to Japan as defence minister, following his trip to South Korea, which is also exploring a role in AUKUS. Canada aims to enhance its security presence in Asia and has prioritized strengthening relationships with Japan and South Korea.

As its defence obligations grow both domestically and internationally, the country is increasing its military budget. “Next year, my defence budget will increase by 27% compared to this year, and, frankly, over the next three to four years, our defence spending will triple,” Blair remarked.

He and Kihara also addressed recent Chinese incursions into Japanese territory, which led Tokyo to file protests with Beijing last month. Concerns regarding Chinese military activities may be raised at an upcoming meeting of the Group of Seven defence ministers in Italy next month, according to Blair.

“This presents a crucial opportunity for us to engage in discussions among G7 partners about activities that are of significant concern to Japan, Canada, the United States, and others.”

Russia is developing new attack drones with Chinese engines, European intelligence sources claim

Asif Shahid

September 13, 2024

Members-of-police-demining-unit-remove-a-warhead-from-a-Russian-kamikaze-unmanned-aerial-vehicle-landed-by-a-radio-electronic-warfare-during-one-of-latest-drone-strikes,-amid-Russia's-attack-on-Ukraine — Members of police demining unit remove a warhead from a Russian kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicle landed by a radio electronic warfare during one of latest drone strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine.

According to two sources from a European intelligence agency and documents reviewed by Reuters, Russia commenced the production of a new long-range attack drone named the Garpiya-A1 last year, utilizing Chinese engines and components, which have been deployed in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The intelligence, which included a production contract for the drone, correspondence regarding the manufacturing process, and financial records, revealed that IEMZ Kupol, a subsidiary of the Russian state-owned defense contractor Almaz-Antey, manufactured over 2,500 units of the Garpiya from July 2023 to July 2024.

The presence of this new Russian drone featuring Chinese technology has not been previously disclosed. Neither IEMZ Kupol nor Almaz-Antey responded to inquiries for comment.

The intelligence sources indicated that the Garpiya, translating to Harpy in Russian, has been utilized against both military and civilian targets in Ukraine, inflicting damage on critical infrastructure and resulting in casualties among civilians and military personnel alike.

They provided Reuters with what they claimed were images of a Garpiya wreckage in Ukraine, although further details were not disclosed. While Reuters found corroborating information, it was unable to independently verify the images.

The sources requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the information and asked that specific details, including dates related to the documents, be kept confidential.

Samuel Bendett, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, a think tank based in Washington DC, stated to Reuters that if the existence of the Garpiya is confirmed, it would signify a shift away from Russia’s dependence on Iranian designs for long-range drones. “If this is indeed occurring, it may suggest that Russia is increasingly capable of relying on domestic development, as well as on China, given that both parties in this conflict are dependent on numerous Chinese components for drone manufacturing,” he remarked.

Iran, which did not provide a comment for this report, has delivered over a thousand Shahed “kamikaze” drones to Russia since the onset of the conflict.

North Korea has released photos of its uranium enrichment center for the first time

Asif Shahid

September 13, 2024

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un tours facilities during a visit to the Nuclear Weapons Institute and the production base of weapon grade nuclear materials. — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un tours facilities during a visit to the Nuclear Weapons Institute and the production base of weapon-grade nuclear materials at an undisclosed location in North Korea.

For the first time, North Korea displayed images of the centrifuges utilized for producing fuel for its nuclear weapons on Friday, during a visit by leader Kim Jong Un to a uranium enrichment facility.

He emphasized the need for increased production of weapons-grade material to enhance the country’s arsenal. The state media’s coverage of Kim’s visit to the Nuclear Weapons Institute and a facility dedicated to the production of weapon-grade nuclear materials included the inaugural photographs of the centrifuges, offering a rare glimpse into North Korea’s nuclear program, which is prohibited under various United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The images depicted Kim traversing long rows of metal centrifuges, the apparatus responsible for uranium enrichment. The report did not specify the timing of the visit or the location of the facility.

Kim urged the workforce to increase the production of materials for tactical nuclear weapons, asserting that the nuclear arsenal is essential for addressing threats posed by the United States and its allies. He stated that these weapons are necessary for “self-defense and the capability for a preemptive strike.”

According to the report, Kim remarked that “anti-DPRK nuclear threats” from the “U.S. imperialists-led vassal forces” have surpassed acceptable limits.

In response, South Korea condemned North Korea’s revelation of its uranium enrichment facility, reiterating that it will never accept Pyongyang’s possession of nuclear weapons, as stated by the South’s unification ministry.

It is believed that North Korea operates several uranium enrichment sites. Analysts have noted that commercial satellite imagery has indicated construction activity in recent years at the Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center, including its uranium enrichment plant, suggesting potential expansion.

Uranium, a naturally occurring radioactive element, undergoes various processes to produce nuclear fuel, resulting in a material with a higher concentration of the isotope uranium-235.

On Monday, International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi reported that the U.N. nuclear watchdog had detected activities consistent with reactor operations.

Russia has expelled six British diplomats from the country

Asif Shahid

September 13, 2024

On Friday, Russia’s FSB security service announced the revocation of accreditation for six British diplomats in Moscow, citing allegations of espionage and sabotage.

This action reflects the Kremlin’s displeasure with what it perceives as London’s significant involvement in supporting Ukraine. The British government dismissed these claims as “completely baseless,” interpreting the move as a retaliatory measure following the UK’s expulsion of the Russian defense attaché and the revocation of diplomatic status for several Russian properties in May.

The expulsions were declared just hours before discussions in Washington between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.S. President Joe Biden, which are pivotal for securing approval for Ukraine to deploy long-range missiles against Russian targets.

President Vladimir Putin warned on Thursday that if the West permitted Ukraine to attack Russian territory with Western-supplied long-range missiles, it would signify a direct confrontation with Russia, fundamentally changing the dynamics of the conflict.

The Kremlin asserted that Putin had conveyed a clear and unequivocal message to the West, which it believes was duly noted. Washington and London regard Iran’s recent provision of ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine, as reported by U.S. officials this week, as a significant escalation, prompting accelerated discussions regarding Ukraine’s long-range missile capabilities, according to three Western sources.

Both Russia and Iran have denied these allegations. The FSB, the principal successor to the Soviet KGB, claimed to possess documents indicating that a British Foreign Office department responsible for Eastern Europe and Central Asia was orchestrating what it termed “the escalation of the political and military situation,” with the objective of ensuring Russia’s strategic defeat in its conflict with Ukraine.

The FSB’s statement concluded that the evidence presented warranted the classification of the activities of the British diplomats in Moscow as a threat to the security of the Russian Federation.

The United States has enacted sanctions against suppliers involved in Pakistan’s ballistic missile program

Asif Shahid

September 12, 2024

On Thursday, the U.S. State Department announced sanctions against a Chinese research institute and several companies linked to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program.

In a similar move, three companies based in China were sanctioned in October 2023 for providing missile-related materials to Pakistan.

According to Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, the Beijing Research Institute of Automation for Machine Building Industry collaborated with Pakistan to acquire equipment for testing rocket motors for the Shaheen-3 and Ababeel systems, as well as potentially for larger systems.

The sanctions also included China-based firms Hubei Huachangda Intelligent Equipment Co, Universal Enterprise, and Xi’an Longde Technology Development Co, in addition to Pakistan-based Innovative Equipment and a Chinese individual, for knowingly transferring equipment in violation of missile technology regulations, Miller stated.

“These actions illustrate the United States’ commitment to countering proliferation and related procurement activities of concern, regardless of their location,” Miller added.

The embassies of China and Pakistan in Washington have not yet responded to requests for comment.

Ukraine says Russian strike targeted a grain vessel close to Romania

Asif Shahid

September 12, 2024

On Thursday, Ukraine accused Russia of employing strategic bombers to target a civilian grain vessel in a missile strike within the Black Sea, close to NATO member Romania, heightening tensions between Moscow and the military alliance.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reported that the vessel, which was transporting Ukrainian grain to Egypt, was struck by a Russian missile shortly after departing from Ukrainian territorial waters, although he confirmed there were no casualties.Russia has not yet issued a response.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the attack as “a blatant violation of freedom of navigation and a threat to global food security.”

According to Ukraine’s navy, Russian Tupolev Tu-22 bombers launched several cruise missiles at 11:02 p.m. local time (2002 GMT) on Wednesday. This incident marks the first missile strike on a civilian grain transport at sea since the onset of Moscow’s invasion in February 2022, although some vessels have previously been damaged while docked at Ukrainian ports.

The attack occurs as Zelenskiy seeks to engage with the Global South, including nations like Egypt, to garner support for Ukraine in the ongoing conflict.

Additionally, NATO allies are deliberating on permitting Ukraine to conduct deeper strikes into Russian territory, a move that Moscow has warned would provoke a response.

The West has also accused Iran of escalating the situation by supplying ballistic missiles to Russia. British maritime security firm Ambrey reported that a bulk carrier flagged by Saint Kitts and Nevis was hit by a missile launched by Russia after leaving the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk in the Odesa region.

The vessel, identified as the Aya bulk carrier, suffered damage to its port side, affecting both a cargo hold and a crane.

Ship tracking data indicated that the last known position of the vessel was near the Romanian port of Constanta, and attempts to reach its Athens-based manager, VRS Maritime Services, for comment were unsuccessful. Traders noted the developments.

Spain to host Foreign ministers from Muslim and European nations on Palestinian statehood

Sadia Asif

September 12, 2024

Foreign ministers from various Muslim and European nations are set to convene in Madrid on Friday to explore the implementation of a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as announced by the Spanish and Norwegian governments.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares will preside over the meeting, which will include his European counterparts, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, and representatives from the Arab-Islamic Contact Group for Gaza.

The two-state solution, originally proposed during the 1991 Madrid Conference and reaffirmed in the 1993-95 Oslo Accords, has long been regarded by the international community as the most effective means to resolve the protracted conflict, although the peace process has stagnated for years. Recent developments, including the ongoing 11-month conflict in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas, which has resulted in significant casualties, as well as rising violence in the occupied West Bank, have intensified the urgency for a peaceful resolution.

This recognition brings the total to 146 out of 193 United Nations member states that acknowledge Palestinian statehood. On May 29, Albares facilitated a diplomatic meeting with the Gaza Contact Group, where participants deliberated on actionable steps toward advancing the two-state solution.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has consistently emphasized that the coexistence of two sovereign states within the territory of former Mandatory Palestine represents the only feasible route to peace in the region.

The West Bank, including East Jerusalem, has been under Israeli occupation since the 1967 Middle East war, with the expansion of Jewish settlements further complicating the situation. Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem in 1980 remains largely unrecognized internationally, and the country asserts that security guarantees are of utmost importance.

Biden to host Quad summit September 21 in Delaware

asifshahid73@gmail.com

September 12, 2024

On September 21, U.S. President Joe Biden will convene a summit with the leaders of Australia, India, and Japan in Delaware, as announced by the White House on Thursday.

White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre stated, “The Quad Leaders Summit aims to strengthen the strategic alignment among our nations, promote our collective vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, and provide tangible benefits to partners in the region across critical sectors.”

45 Indian citizens released from the Russian military

Hammad Saeed

September 12, 2024

Approximately 45 Indian citizens have been released from the Russian military, with ongoing efforts to secure the release of an additional 50 individuals, according to a spokesperson from the Indian Foreign Ministry on Thursday.

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to Moscow in July, Russia committed to releasing any Indians who had been misled into joining its armed forces and subsequently compelled to engage in active combat in Ukraine.

A Russian hawk advocates for more stringent nuclear weapons policy

Asif Shahid

September 12, 2024

An influential foreign policy advocate has urged Russia to explicitly communicate its readiness to deploy nuclear weapons against nations that “support NATO’s aggression in Ukraine.”

Sergei Karaganov, in an interview with Kommersant newspaper, emphasized that Moscow could potentially execute a limited nuclear strike on a NATO member without escalating to a full-scale nuclear conflict.

He accused the United States of dishonesty regarding its assurances of nuclear protection for its allies. According to Karaganov, the primary objective of Russia’s nuclear strategy should be to instill confidence in both current and future adversaries that Russia is prepared to utilize nuclear arms.

Following Ukraine’s recent territorial gains in the Kursk region, he stated, “It is essential to announce our right to respond to any significant attacks on our territory with a nuclear response, which includes any occupation of our land.”

Western security analysts closely monitor Karaganov’s remarks as they reflect Russian perspectives on foreign, defense, and nuclear policies. While his views do not officially represent Kremlin policy, he has been given numerous platforms to express them, including direct discussions with President Vladimir Putin.

For over a year, he has been a leading voice advocating for revisions to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, which the Kremlin has indicated it will update.

The existing doctrine asserts that Russia would consider using nuclear weapons in response to a nuclear strike from another nation or a conventional attack that threatens the state’s survival.

Karaganov criticized this doctrine as reckless and potentially self-destructive, arguing that it fails to effectively deter adversaries and fosters the belief that there are few scenarios in which Russia would resort to nuclear weaponry.

Iran summons heads of four European embassies

asifshahid73@gmail.com

September 12, 2024

Iran’s foreign ministry called in the ambassadors of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Netherlands on Thursday, as reported by the Iranian judiciary’s Mizan news agency.

This action followed allegations regarding missile transfers to Russia and the announcement of new sanctions. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Tuesday that Russia had acquired ballistic missiles from Iran, which are expected to be deployed in its ongoing conflict in Ukraine within a matter of weeks.

In response, the U.S., along with Britain, Germany, and France, introduced additional sanctions targeting Iran, including restrictions on its national airline, Iran Air.

The Kremlin dismissed Blinken’s claims as unfounded. Iran characterized the allegations concerning missile transfers to Russia as “false and misleading” and criticized the new sanctions, which also entail the termination of bilateral air service agreements with the three European nations.

Mizan reported that the summoning of the embassy heads was a reaction to the ongoing unconstructive remarks from certain European nations aligned with the U.S., which falsely assert Iranian involvement in the Ukraine conflict and impose sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

Additionally, Iran’s top diplomat in London was summoned by the British foreign ministry on Wednesday, while the Dutch foreign ministry summoned Iran’s ambassador, advocating for “new, robust EU sanctions” against Tehran.

The United States advocates for the inclusion of two permanent seats for Africa on the UN Security Council

asifshahid73@gmail.com

September 12, 2024

The United States is advocating for the establishment of two permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council for African nations, along with one seat designated for rotation among small island developing states, as announced by U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, on Thursday.

This initiative is part of the U.S. effort to mend relations with Africa, where there is significant discontent regarding Washington’s backing of Israel’s actions in Gaza, and to strengthen ties with Pacific Island nations that are crucial for countering Chinese influence in the area.

Thomas-Greenfield expressed to Reuters her aspiration that this announcement will “advance this agenda in a manner that allows us to realize Security Council reform in the future,” framing it as a component of President Joe Biden’s legacy.

The proposal for two permanent seats for African nations and a rotating seat for small island developing states complements the U.S.’s longstanding endorsement of permanent seats for India, Japan, and Germany on the council.

Developing countries have persistently called for permanent representation on the Security Council, the most influential entity within the United Nations. However, years of discussions regarding reform have yielded little progress, and it remains uncertain whether U.S. backing will catalyze action.

Prior to her announcement at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, Thomas-Greenfield clarified to Reuters that the U.S. does not support the expansion of veto power beyond the current five permanent members.

The Security Council is responsible for upholding international peace and security, possessing the authority to impose sanctions, enforce arms embargoes, and authorize military action.

When the U.N. was established in 1945, the Security Council consisted of 11 members, which increased to 15 in 1965, comprising 10 elected members serving two-year terms and five permanent members with veto power: Russia, China, France, the U.S., and the United Kingdom.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres advocates for reform of the Security Council, stating, “You have a Security Council that corresponds exactly to the situation after the Second World War.”

China and Singapore must boost coordination, Wang Yi says

asifshahid73@gmail.com

September 12, 2024

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the need for enhanced strategic coordination and communication between China and Singapore during a meeting with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan in Beijing on Monday.

This meeting marked their second engagement in under two months, following discussions at a regional ministerial conference in Vientiane, Laos, on July 27.

Wang expressed China’s readiness to collaborate with Singapore to align their development strategies and implement the newly established framework of an “all-round, high-quality and forward-looking partnership,” as agreed upon by the leaders of both nations.

This upgraded bilateral relationship was first announced in April of the previous year during a meeting between then-Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

Following Lee’s resignation in May after over two decades in office, Lawrence Wong has taken over, with Balakrishnan noting the new government’s commitment to strengthening ties with China.

Wang described both countries as “stabilizing forces” in a tumultuous global landscape, urging for increased coordination and communication.

The ministry’s statement did not reference any other nations. Wang commended Singapore’s early involvement in China’s reform and opening-up initiatives and proposed more frequent exchanges of leadership and enhanced dialogue across various levels.

Potential areas for deeper collaboration include a “new land-sea corridor” connecting China’s western provinces with Southeast Asian countries, as well as sectors such as the digital economy, green development, and maritime energy. Additionally, Wang underscored the importance of visa-exemption policies to promote personnel exchanges, talent development, youth initiatives, local cooperation, and think tank collaborations.

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