Biden, Lapid discuss Iran's progressing nuclear program

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid promised that "there would be no nuclear Iran" during their Thursday meeting with President Joe Biden to discuss Iran's rapidly developing nuclear programme. The US president, who will visit Saudi Arabia on Friday, reportedly also emphasised to Lapid how crucial it is for Israel to "fully integrate" into the region.

The focus of Biden's 48-hour visit to deepen the existing close ties between the US and Israel will be their one-on-one discussions. The leaders also released a joint statement highlighting military cooperation and a pledge to stop Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon, which Israel views as an adversary.

Lapid told reporters later that day, "We talked about the Iranian threat. Iran won't develop nuclear weapons. Israeli officials have attempted to use Biden's first trip to the Middle East as president to highlight how far forwards Iran's nuclear programme has advanced and to encourage the Biden administration to thwart efforts to resurrect a 2015 agreement with Iran that would have limited it.

As soon as he took office, Biden made reviving the Iran nuclear agreement, which was negotiated by Barack Obama's administration and abandoned by Donald Trump in 2018, a top goal. However, administration officials are growing more gloomy about the prospects of Tehran returning to compliance.

The United States declared in the joint declaration that it is prepared to deploy "all components of its national might" to stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. In an interview with Israel's Channel 12 that aired on Wednesday, Biden gave resounding assurances about his commitment to preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, saying he would be prepared to use force as a "last resort" if required.

Iran revealed last week that it had advanced its uranium enrichment process to a purity level of 60%, which is still below that needed for weapons.

The joint statement that will be made public on Thursday may have significant symbolic significance for Biden's meeting with Arab leaders this weekend in Saudi Arabia as he strives to cement a regional alliance against Iran. After their one-on-one encounter, Biden said, "I talked about how crucial it was... for Israel to be totally integrated in the area."

The meeting on Thursday might also help Lapid, Israel's interim prime minister until the fifth election in less than four years, which will take place in November. The former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is Lapid's biggest rival, and the combined appearance with Biden may enhance Netanyahu's reputation as a statesman and leader.

Additionally, on Thursday, Biden and Lapid planned a joint press conference and took part in a virtual summit with India and the United Arab Emirates, two nations that make up the I2U2 group of nations. The United Arab Emirates declared that it would contribute money to a $2 billion project aiding Indian agriculture.

Lapid, 58, who was previously a journalist and television host, only started working in politics ten years ago. Before becoming the head of the opposition and putting together a broad, eight-party coalition to topple Netanyahu's administration, he served as finance minister under Netanyahu, the nation's longest-serving prime minister.

With Lapid serving as his foreign minister, Naftali Bennett was elected as prime minister. However, the coalition disintegrated following months of squabbling, and Bennett consented to let Lapid take Bennett's place until the election.

Lapid put a lot of effort into establishing himself as a statesman while serving as foreign minister. His aides think that Biden, who is visiting Israel for the tenth time at the age of 79, has earned their trust via personal interactions, public appearances, and displays of goodwill.

Nevertheless, Netanyahu is re-running for prime minister, and according to polls, his right-leaning Likud party will significantly outperform Lapid's centrist Yesh Atid party in the upcoming election in terms of seats won.

Neither party is likely to win the majority of seats necessary to form a government on its own, nor is it uncertain if either candidate could put together a stable government with support from smaller parties.

1 Saudi Move & Impact On West Asian Geopolitics

As one of the most influential players in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia's actions have far-reaching consequences for West Asian geopolitics. In recent years, we've seen several moves from this powerful nation that are shaking up traditional power dynamics and creating new alliances. From its diplomatic spat with Qatar to its growing relationship with Israel, Saudi Arabia is making bold moves that could change the face of West Asia as we know it. Join us as we dive into the geopolitical implications of Saudi Arabia's latest actions and explore what they mean for the future of this critical region. Saudi Arabia has long been a dominant force in the Middle East, wielding its oil wealth and religious influence to shape regional politics. Its alliance with the United States has given it even greater sway on the global stage, making it a key player in shaping West Asian geopolitics. However, Saudi Arabia's role in the region is not without controversy. Its support for conse...

Israeli settlers have once again attacked religious minorities in the region, this time targeting a church in East Jerusalem.

According to reports, the settlers assaulted clerics and worshippers at the Church of the Sepulchre of Saint Charbel, causing damage to the property and injuring several people. This kind of behavior is not only unacceptable but also undermines efforts to promote peace and stability in the region. Attacks on religious minorities are a direct attack on religious freedom and must be condemned by all. The Israeli authorities must take swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice and hold them accountable for their actions. It is also important to ensure the safety and protection of religious minorities and their places of worship, as guaranteed by international law. this incident is a sad reminder of the ongoing conflict in the region and the need for a comprehensive and just solution. It is up to all of us to work together to promote understanding, tolerance, and respect for different beliefs and cultures, and to build a brighter and more peaceful future for all.

Fights break out as Kurds protest the French government's denial of a terrorist attack

Following the murder of three Kurds in what is being considered to be a probable racist incident , there have been widespread protests in Paris. The fact that the authorities did not view the attack at a Kurdish centre as a terrorist act has enraged the Kurdish diaspora in Paris. A 69-year-old man opened fire on a crowd of individuals early on Friday morning at the Ahmet-Kaya centre on Rue d'Enghien in the 10th arrondissement. One of the three victims is badly injured. All of the dead were Kurdish community members who passed away both inside and outside the cultural centre. Agit Polat, a spokesman for the Kurdish centre, charged that French officials "yet again failed to safeguard us... This is a terrorist attack in our eyes, according to the AFP news agency. In the afternoon, a number of protestors, largely from the Kurdish diaspora, got into a fight with the police outside the centre and in the streets close by, throwing rocks and torching trash cans. Police use...

Newsaholic

Search This Blog