Stigmatise nuclear weapons!

The Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was a signal at the right time. Nuclear threats are unacceptable

01.07.2022 | Anne Balzer

The first Conference of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which took place at the United Nations in Vienna from 20 to 23 June, was signal just at the right time: threats to use weapons of mass destruction are unacceptable. After the treaty was adopted at the United Nations in 2017, the first Conference of the States Parties was held a good year after its entry into force in January 2021, with 49 states parties and 34 states participating as observers. Among the observers were representatives of the German government, who emphasised for the first time that the conference was ‘seen as an important event in international disarmament diplomacy.’

The TPNW builds on existing norms, such as the ban on nuclear weapons testing and the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Treaty (NPT). For the first time, the treaty comprehensively outlaws nuclear weapons because of their catastrophic humanitarian consequences and prohibits the use, development, testing, production, acquisition, possession, and stockpiling as well as the threat of use of nuclear weapons for member states.

Nuclear deterrence is an outdated technology from the last century, which even a bitterly poor state like North Korea could develop.

Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine demonstrates clearly how necessary the stigmatisation of the threats of nuclear weapons really are. Suddenly, the international community and above all the Europeans are confronted with a long-forgotten threat: a confrontation between nuclear-armed Russia and the nuclear alliance of NATO, whose members support Ukraine. In the process, Russia’s President Putin is expanding on this by his implicit nuclear threats – ‘Whoever tries to stop us and threaten our country and our people should know that there will be consequences. Consequences like you have never seen in the West in their history’ – the concept of deterrence in a disturbing way. The reference to nuclear weapons is not only used in case of an existential threat, but to contain the room for manoeuvre of Ukraine’s supporters.

The Conference’s results

That’s why it is so crucial right now that states have united in a multilateral UN forum to raise their voices against nuclear weapons. Every step in the practical design of the TPNW strengthens the norm of the ban on nuclear weapons and undermines the practice of the nuclear-weapon states. The TPNW Conference of States makes it very clear once again: it is a political decision on which concepts states build their foreign and security policy. Nuclear deterrence is an outdated technology from the last century, which even a bitterly poor state like North Korea could develop. It offers no answer to the challenges of our time and is an additional risk in a multipolar world with accelerated communication and decision-making structures.

With regard to the accession of nuclear weapon states, existing arsenals must be destroyed within 10 years in a verifiable process.

The agenda for the conference, which lasted only three days and was chaired by the Austrian diplomat Alexander Kmentt, was understandably packed. Even the short negotiation time of the 2017 treaty, with only two times two weeks, left some legal and technical questions unanswered. Nevertheless, the states were able to find solutions to some issues, including:

First, with regard to the accession of nuclear weapon states, existing arsenals must be destroyed within 10 years in a verifiable process. Second, with regard to the accession of nuclear sharing states, nuclear weapons must be withdrawn in advance or within 90 days. Third, an action plan has been adopted that provides for concrete steps to strengthen the norm against nuclear weapons and to promote the accession of more states. Fourth, formalities and structures for the further implementation of the treaty were elaborated. Fifth, a political declaration was adopted emphasising that ‘the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is a violation of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations. We condemn unequivocally any and all nuclear threats, whether they be explicit or implicit and irrespective of the circumstances.’

In the midst of new arms race

In order to make the best possible use of the limited time available at the conference, the states parties have already worked out so-called ‘working papers’ on urgent topics in advance in working groups. A novelty of the TPNW, for example, is the focus on the victims and environmental destruction caused by nuclear weapons testing, production, and deployment. Therefore, states led by Kiribati and Kazakhstan have been working for months to initiate a kind of international trust fund to provide funds for victim assistance and environmental clean-up. The idea of this fund now needs to be further developed, but it can be a practical step in the process towards nuclear justice.

The statement of the representatives of the German Foreign Office was perceived as particularly constructive in this context. Ambassador Rüdiger Bohn said: ‘We are interested in learning more about the “positive obligations” of the treaty. Indeed, we believe that helping victims and cleaning up the environment after the long-term damage of nuclear testing deserve broader attention and commitment’. If the working groups continue to cooperate so effectively and constructively in the future and prepare the actual conferences in the intersessional meetings now planned, ground-breaking results can also be expected for the second Conference of the Parties at the end of November 2023 under the chairmanship of Mexico.

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is an important piece of the puzzle in the international disarmament and arms control regime.

The conference was a signal at the right time. For a recent SIPRI report warns of a new nuclear arms race and research by ICAN highlights the increased investment in nuclear weapons systems. The German government is also joining this new nuclear arms race with the planned acquisition of the new F-35 fighter jets worth billions for nuclear sharing. This step also thwarts the commitment to a ‘Germany free of nuclear weapons’ as formulated in the coalition agreement. The investment in nuclear sharing will make Germany’s position as a credible actor for disarmament and non-proliferation more difficult in the future, among other things in the negotiations with Iran.

The first Conference of States has shown: The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is an important piece of the puzzle in the international disarmament and arms control regime. It is a treaty of the 21st century: multilateral, inclusive, and anchored in civil society, with a focus on human security. Only with a norm that fundamentally prohibits nuclear weapons, states that shape this norm concretely, and a civil society movement that pushes this norm, is there a chance for future initiatives for bilateral or multilateral disarmament. The resources of the treaty’s member states are limited. But last week’s first conference made it clear that members are serious: they do not accept the nuclear threat, but will use available resources, expertise and dedicated diplomacy to outlaw nuclear weapons.

‘The worst flood in the region in the last 122 years’

Shadhan Kumar Das on the devastating impacts of the historical floods in Bangladesh — and how the country can adapt to climate change

Reuters

In Bangladesh, monsoon rains swamped huge areas of the country, leaving millions of homes underwater

INTERVIEW 05.07.2022

While Bangladesh is used to severe downpours during the monsoon season, the floods that have hit the north of the country have been the most extreme in more than a century. Can you walk us through what exactly happened?

Flooding is normal during the monsoon season in Bangladesh. Each year, the northwestern part of the country experiences floods. But 2022 was unprecedented. Two floods within a month in the region of Sylhet have caused severe suffering for more than 7.2 million people. Their houses, paddy fields, fish ponds, and livestock washed away. Sylhet city and district and the neighbouring Sunamganj and Netrokona districts have been most affected. As of today, nearly 70 people have died in different parts of the country. The neighbouring regions in India were also severely affected.

The first round of flooding occurred on 10 May 2022. It was a massive and unprecedented pre-monsoon flood. When flood waters began to recede on 22 May, a second round of flooding occurred on 16 June because of heavy rains in the upstream Indian region of Assam and Meghalaya. The runoff rainwater flowed down the Himalayan hills into Bangladesh’s northeastern plains. With 2.5 metres above normal tidal surge, it was the highest amount of rain recorded in the region in the last 122 years. It is estimated that more than 90 per cent of the northeastern regional was inundated.

Why was this flood so severe compared to previous ones?

According to the World Weather Attribution, a network of scientists tracing the impacts of climate change, global warming has made extreme rainfall more common and more intense across most of the world. It is predicted that climate change, together with urbanisation and housing patterns, will further aggravate the risks of flooding in the coming years.

In addition, Bangladeshi environmentalists say that the flood was worse because the high volume of rainfall has remained stuck in the Haor region of Sylhet and Netrokona in northeastern Bangladesh. Human intervention has destroyed the 124km passage for discharging stormwater from Cherrapunji in India to Bhairab in Bangladesh. The huge amount of silt brought along by the downpours flows down not only the tributaries and distributaries, but also the flood plains. The recent development of a road network — the ‘All Weather Road’, connecting the three Haor regions Itna, Mithamoin, and Ashtagram — has blocked the drainage passage.

Experts have also spoken about poor waste management as another reason for severe flooding. Municipal waste generated in Sunamganj and Sylhet are all dumped in the Surma river, blocking the discharge system of the floodwater in the cities.

How does the international response to the disaster look like?

Right now, the situation in the northwestern region of Bangladesh is improving. Flood water is receding, and people are returning home from their shelters. But they suffered for quite a long time – they were not only captured in the floodwater but are still encountering post-flood emergencies in terms of rehabilitation, health, and employment.

International development partners and aid agencies have come forward to support this humanitarian cause. Within a very short time, they have allocated funds and provided daily essentials to feed flood victims. For instance, the European Union has allocated €2 million to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to families affected by the flash floods. The EU funding has supported the Bangladesh Red Cross Society in delivering immediate assistance, providing drinking water, emergency sanitation, health services, hygiene parcels, and cash assistance in the Sylhet and Sunamganj districts. Moreover, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched an emergency appeal of $7.8 million to support the Bangladesh Red Crescent to scale up and expand the reach of its localised response and recovery efforts.

Other than those, international and donor-funded national development agencies including UNICEF have been working around the clock to provide relief and rehabilitate the flood victims. The total amount of international support in cash and kind has yet to be calculated, but their contribution has helped the government to enhanced its relief and rehabilitation works.

However, most likely the amount of humanitarian aid from rich countries is less than expected and needed because the economies of many developed countries are facing challenges from the fallout of the recent Russia-Ukraine war, abrupt global inflation including rising food prices, and the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The impression remains that there are too many crises to solve, too many catastrophes to be tackled.

These severe floods are a result of climate change. So it’s crucial that action is taken sooner rather than later and before flooding becomes even more severe in the years to come.

What does the country need to rebuild the northeastern region?

First and foremost, the government has to prioritise the rehabilitation works as well as infrastructural and environmental recovery works to rebuild the northeastern region of Bangladesh. It has to set a short-term and a long-term agenda while developing policies and implementing development projects.

However, there is lack of trust between the two major political parties. They have the support of most of the people in Bangladesh to implement their agenda. But they don't work together. The oppositional Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s Secretary-General said that ‘the government is busy with a festival during this difficult time. They are so busy with the inauguration of the Padma Bridge that they have no time to look at the welfare of people and public sufferings.’ At the same time, the ruling Awami League’s party leaders have heavily criticised the BNP leaders for their lacklustre response to support the flood victims. Thus, the relief and rehabilitation work suffers. If they work together during this national emergency, it would help the country as well as the people living in the flood areas.

The government has to find out a sustainable and permanent solution to the flash floods in the Haor region. An expert group comprising environmentalists, climate change expert, engineers, political leaders, bureaucrats, and journalists has to be formed to investigate the underlying reasons for such devastating flash floods. The recommendations of such a committee have to be implemented in full.

River dredging has to be made a priority task. In addition, unplanned embankment and link roads have to be stopped because human intervention to the ecological and natural system has a severe negative impact. Long-term, the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 – the country’s far-reaching plan to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP to secure the future of water resources and mitigate the likely effects of climate change and natural disasters – needs to be implement if the Haor areas are to be preserved.

Since Bangladesh is one of the most climate vulnerable countries in the world, how can the country prepare for a future with an even more unstable climate? What needs to be done in terms of infrastructure and environmental management to avert future catastrophes?

Bangladesh is prone to natural calamities including floods, cyclones, and droughts. A World Bank report published earlier this month said that salinity, rising sea levels, and other adverse climate impacts could displace as many as 13.3 million people in the coastal areas of Bangladesh by 2050. According to the International Institute for Environment and Development, families in rural Bangladesh spend as much as $2bn a year to prevent climate-related disasters or repairing damages — twelve times the amount the country receives in aid to mitigate climate change effects. Thus, the country has to prepare for a future with an even more unstable climate.

Experts suggest to adopt indigenous knowledge to protect the lives and properties of flooding victims. One environmental expert said that ‘we have to change and update the housing pattern in the disaster-prone regions. And, to build physical infrastructures in a way so that those can protect lives and property, including cyclones in coastal regions, floods in plain land, and landslides in hilly areas.’

The government has a plan for dredging rivers, a very costly endeavour. At the same time, the government has to reclaim grabbed rivers and wetlands and update the drainage system in the cities.

The interview was conducted by Valentina Berndt.

UN mission uncovers new suspected mass graves in Libya

By Cecilia Ologunagba   July 4, 2022

New suspected mass graves have been uncovered in Tarhuna, Libya, a UN Human Rights Council probe reported on Monday.

The report highlighted continuing extreme rights abuses in the country that have affected children and adults alike.

Speaking in Geneva, Mr Mohamed Auajjar, chairman of the Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Libya, told journalists that a culture of impunity still prevailed across the war-torn country.

This, Auajjar said, represented “a great obstacle’’ to national reconciliation, truth and justice for victims and their families.

The report gathered testimonies and found evidence of “widespread and systematic perpetration of enforced disappearances, extermination, murder, torture and imprisonment amounting to crimes against humanity in Tarhuna.

“These were committed by Al Kani (Kaniyat) militias,’’ he said.

Auajjar noted that the mission’s investigations “previously uncovered mass graves in the town’’ which is around 65 kilometres from Tripoli, through the use of advanced technology.

“We don’t know how many now need to be exhumed, but there have been hundreds of persons who have not yet been discovered; who have disappeared,’’ he added.

According to Auajjar, more than 200 individuals are still missing from Tarhuna and the surrounding area, causing “untold anguish to their families, who are entitled to know the truth about the fate of their loved ones’’.

Women and girls have not been spared the fallout of Libya’s destructive spiral since the overthrow of former President Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Auajjar said in spite of recent progress in trying to resolve longstanding differences, the internationally-recognised Government in Tripoli was still at odds with a rival administration and parliamentary authority in the east.

He noted that a disturbing finding was the fact that women who presented themselves in yet-to-be-held national elections became targets of discrimination or violence.

“Some have been abducted, part of a pattern of enforced disappearances which continue unabated in Libya,’’ Aujjar said, citing a member of Parliament Sihem Sirgiwa, who was taken in 2019.

“Discrimination and violence are a feature of daily life for most women and girls in Libya.

“Of particular concern to the Mission is that the failure of the domestic law to provide protection against sexual and gender-based violence is inherent to and contributes to impunity for such crimes,’’Aujjar stressed.

He noted also that cases of violence against women and children, summary executions, arbitrary detention, sexual and gender-based violence, and torture had been on the rise

This, he said, was in spite of the creation of two dedicated courts to rule on such crimes.

The Fact-Finding Mission is to present its third report to the Human Rights Council on Wednesday, July 6. (NAN)

Pakistan imports 3,000 tonnes of Afghan coal per day

By

 News desk

 -

July 5, 2022

1912

According to the reports, Pakistan is using Afghan coal for power plants in various cities.

Pakistan is importing around 3,000 tonnes of coal from Afghanistan each day and this is expected to jump to 20,000 tonnes after the beginning of a coal operation from Kundian in Mianwali district and Sibi in Balochistan, Pakistani media reported, citing the country’s officials.

According to the reports, Pakistan is using Afghan coal for power plants in various cities. The Afghan Ministry of Petroleum and Mines said there is no official contract with the Pakistan government or any Pakistani organization regarding the export of the Afghanistan’s coal.

“We don’t have any contract with any foreign country or any foreign company about the coal. Of course, we have our sales to the private sector and companies and traders,” said Islmatullah Burhan, a spokesman for the ministry.

Economists said that selling Afghanistan coal for Pakistani rupees affects the Afghan economy. “The sale of the coal with Pakistani rupees to Pakistan is an illogical economic movement, I think. This belongs to Pakistan and will benefit Pakistan, but the Afghan government should not do such a thing,” said Sayed Masoud, an economist. This comes as the Afghanistan Chamber of Industry and Mines expressed concerns over the increase in the price of the coal.

“We hope a plan will be formed in which the price will not be very high,” said Sakhi Ahmad Paiman, deputy head of the ACIM. Earlier, Pakistani officials said that Pakistan would make $2.2 billion in savings annually from importing the Afghanistan coal because it us buying in Pakstani rupees to save on conversion costs.—Tolo News

CALLS KHAN A DRAMA QUEEN

Maryam Nawaz Dubs Imran Khan's Foreign Conspiracy Claim As Biggest Drama In Pak History

PML-N's Maryam Nawaz slammed former PM Imran Khan for stagging the "biggest drama" in the history of Pakistan under the name of a foreign conspiracy.

Written By Ajeet Kumar


Image: AP/Facebook/Imran Khan

Ahead of the by-polls in Pakistan, Pakistan Muslim League (N) Vice-President Maryam Nawaz slammed former Prime Minister Imran Khan for stagging the "biggest drama" in the history of Pakistan under the name of a foreign conspiracy. Notably, ever since a no-confidence motion against his government was tabled in the Parliament in April this year, Khan has been dubbing "foreign conspiracy" behind his ouster. According to him, the United States played a crucial role due to his "independent" foreign policy-- potentially pointing fingers at his trip to Russia during the initial days of the war.

Reacting to the allegations levelled by Khan, Nawaz, who was addressing a public rally in Lahore on Monday, said as quoted by Pakistan Today, "Unfortunately, Pakistani politics met with a person who is the biggest liar, chaos-maker and imposter. He used to say to people that we are US slaves. He kept people busy with his conspiracy claims. This is the biggest drama in Pakistan’s history." Lashing out at the PTI chief for ignoring Punjab province, the PML-N leader said that Khan had ignored the aspirations of the country’s most populous province with 120 million people and added the biggest scandals in the country's history surfaced during his tenure.

Maryam Nawaz accuses Khan's wife of indulging in illegal activities

"LNG scandal, Bushra Bibi involvement, sugar scandal you name it… all these scandals came during Imran Khan’s government," she said. She even accused Khan's wife Bushra Bibi of indulging in the illegal activities and added the former PM and his "gang" ruined the country's resources. However, assuring the people of Punjab province, she said the "lion is back" and added the state will prosper as it used to in the past. Notably, the scathing attack comes in the wake of the by-polls on the 20 vacant seats of the Punjab Assembly scheduled to take place on July 17.

Khan speculates rig voting in the forthcoming by-polls

Khan, who has been campaigning for the upcoming by-polls, during a public rally at Islamabad’s Parade Ground last week, cautioned his party workers regarding possible rigging in the elections. According to Khan, the incumbent government has fielded its "umpires", police and all national agencies for the forthcoming elections which would ensure their victory. However, he appealed to the PTI supporters to vote for the "noble cause" and added the party would definitely win the polls. "We have 20 by-elections [coming up] in Punjab. The only way they can win is through the rigging. The people are against them, [but] the umpires are with them," Khan said as quoted by Dawn newspaper. "No matter what tactic they use … whether they rig the election or use the police, the nation will never accept them," added Imran.
Image: AP/Facebook/Imran Khan

State Leaders Raise Constitutionality Concerns After Feds Call For Stop To Protesting Outside Justices’ Maryland Homes

SCOTUS IS THE THIRD BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT

CHEVY CHASE, MD - JUNE 08: A Montgomery County Police officer stands guard as protesters march past Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's home on June 8, 2022 in Chevy Chase, Maryland. An armed man was arrested near Kavanaugh's home Wednesday morning as the court prepares to announce decisions for about 30 cases. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

By Ava-joye Burnett

July 4, 2022 

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Protests continue more than a week after the U.S. Supreme Court decided to overturn Roe v. Wade., even outside the houses of the justices who voted to strike the precedent down.

Pro-abortion rights protesters have brought their outrage outside the private homes of Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Chief Justice John Roberts in Chevy Chase, Maryland, sparking some security concerns.Top VideosStar Spangled Celebration: Mayor Scott Makes ASpecial Entrance At Baltimore's Fourth Of July Celebration

The Marshal of the United States Supreme Court has asked the governors of Maryland and Virginia to enforce local and state laws that “prohibit picketing at the homes of” the justices.

But that request is getting pushback because limiting protests on public property could be a violation of a person’s First Amendment rights.

A spokesperson for the office of Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said “had the marshal taken time to explore the matter, she would have learned that the constitutionality of the statute cited in her letter has been questioned by the Maryland Attorney General’s Office.”

Hogan “has directed Maryland State Police to further review enforcement options that respect the First Amendment and the Constitution” due to the fact that multiple federal entities refuse to act,” the spokesperson said.

The safety of Supreme Court justices started to garner attention in May after a draft opinion on overturning the landmark abortion case was first leaked to the public.

The following month, a man who had traveled from California was arrested outside Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s Maryland home.

Officers arrested 26-year-old Nicholas John Roske had several items in his possession, including a gun, knife, and pepper spray. Roske allegedly wanted to assassinate Kavanaugh.

Two U.S. deputy marshals watched Roske arrive in a taxi at Kavanaugh’s home in the middle of the night. He was dressed in black and carrying a suitcase, CBS News reports.

Shortly after he arrived outside of the house, he called 911 saying that he had a gun and was having suicidal thoughts, according to court documents.

WJZ obtained a recording of the suspect calling 911 outside the justice’s home.

911: You said you came from California. Did you know someone from down here?

CALLER: Brett Kavanaugh. Brett.

911: Red, like the color?

911: Brett?

CALLER: The Supreme Court Justice

911: Again, you’re sitting at the curb?

CALLER: I’m standing now, but I can sit. I want to be fully compliant. Whatever they want me to do I’ll do.

Roske pleaded not guilty on “federal charges of attempting to murder a justice of the United States” in late June.

As safety continues to be a concern, local police are also helping to keep justices safe while protecting the right to protest.

“We have the specific rules that people have to abide by,” Chief Marcus Jones, the head of the Montgomery County Police, said. “They are allowed to be in the neighborhoods but they must continuously walk – they cannot stand specifically in front of the neighborhood with signs and bull horns and yelling.”

In light of recent safety concerns, Congress recently passed a law that would extend security to Supreme Court Justices and their immediate family.

"To save NATO, destroy it"

Portal Politico published a comment that "NATO needs to be destroyed in order to save it", actually calling for the reform of the alliance, as it's "failing".

SOURCE: JUTARNJI LIST FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2022 | 

EPA-EFE JUAN CARLOS HIDALGO

"The transatlantic alliance needs more than a rethink. It needs to be reborn", Politico points out.

At the close of what leaders across the West billed as a “historic” summit on Thursday, which included dinners in the Spanish capital’s sumptuous royal palace and the spectacular Prado museum, superlatives were flying fast and furious.

Calling the summit “transformative” and “far-reaching,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg predicted at the close of the three-day affair that the decisions made there would “ensure that our Alliance continues to preserve peace, prevent conflict, and protect our people and our values.”

Look beyond the staged backslapping, bonhomie and self-congratulation in Madrid, however, and one can see that while the alliance’s unity might be a mile wide, it’s also only an inch deep; its collective sense of purpose as varied as its 30 members.

Start with the issue at hand: That the leaders managed to declare Russia — which has been threatening European security since at least 2007 - the “most significant and direct threat” to security, peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area is more of a sign that they are masters of the obvious than of grand strategy, according to Politico.

The other signal achievement cited by Stoltenberg was a much-heralded deal to bring in Sweden and Finland. This was less the result of high diplomacy and mutual defense than what might politely be called extortion on the part of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The Turkish President held the pair’s accession hostage over his desire to buy new F-16 fighters from the U.S. - and got what he wanted.

That portal even wonders whether Turkey would even send its army in the event of a Russian invasion of the Baltic countries. "Does anyone really believe he can be counted on to send troops to help the Baltics in the event of a Russian invasion? Hardly", Politico concludes.

The text further states that Erdogan and Viktor Orbán's membership in the Alliance not only undermines NATO's claims that it is a community that shares liberal values, but also makes a mockery of them. And they’re not the only ones undermining NATO‘s legitimacy.

Up until Russia’s February 24 assault on Ukraine, France and Germany were still fantasizing about “strategic autonomy” — the notion that Europe should liberate itself from the American security guarantees that allowed the Continent to flourish in the postwar era, and instead seize the reins of European security for itself.

Indeed, just weeks before the Russian invasion, prominent German politicians, including Annalena Baerbock, now foreign minister, were demanding that the U.S. withdraw all of its nuclear warheads from German soil.

Overnight, the same German leaders who had for years ignored U.S. pleas to stop "starving Germany’s military of resources" and start contributing more to NATO defense were transformed into true believers.

This new commitment to NATO, Politico assesses, is the result of fear, not conviction. The glue that binds it is not a unity of vision, but the instinct to cower under America’s nuclear umbrella.

That’s not enough to hold it together — especially if Washington starts to suspect it’s being left to do most of the heavy lifting.

Much of the European public remains divided on how far to go in confronting Putin, in part because their own governments have shied from acknowledging the degree to which all of the Continent is at risk.

If Ukraine continues to lose territory and human lives because it lacks means for defense, Politico assesses, the blame will lie with NATO. Although Biden has now put the USA back in the saddle of NATO, after Trump, who fiercely distanced United States from the Alliance, this does not mean that the USA will continue to see NATO as a priority because of its own problems with China, which again means that it will be less concerned about the situation in Europe.

That is why NATO, as suggested by Politico, should implement a radical reform, stop relying exclusively on the US and expel from the Alliance member countries that do not respect basic democratic norms. Namely, if members don’t adhere to basic democratic norms, they should be forced out.

Similarly, those not willing to contribute to their own defense should be encouraged to seek their security guarantees elsewhere.

"In military circles, the tactic of “destroying a town to save it” is controversial. In NATO’s case, there’s no other option", Politico concludes.

Close associate of Putin: If the Third world war breaks out, lead target would be...

'First to be hit will be London' Russian general warns UK lead target of Moscow's missiles in the event of the Third World War.

SOURCE: DNEVNIK.HR MONDAY, JULY 4, 2022 | 

A close associate of Putin said that London could be the first strategic target in the event of a Third World War. A tool was also designed that shows the consequences of a nuclear bomb explosion in a certain area.

"London will be the first strategic NATO target of the Russian missiles if the World War III breaks out," said Russian General and a close ally to President Vladimir Putin, Andrei Gurulyov, for Russian state television.

"We will destroy a whole group of enemy space satellites during the first air operation. We don't care if they are American or British, we would see them all as NATO," said Gurulyov, as reported by the Independent.

He added Russia “won’t start from Warsaw, Paris or Berlin” as he explained, “it’s crystal clear that the threat to the world comes from the Anglo-Saxons”.

Alex Wellerstein, a nuclear historian at Stevens University Institute of Technology, created one of the tools, the Nukemap simulator, which shows what would happen if a nuclear bomb exploded in an area.

NUKEMAP is a mapping mash-up that calculates the effects of the detonation of a nuclear bomb. "We live in a world where nuclear weapons issues regularly make headlines, but most people still have a very poor impression of what explosive nuclear weapons can actually do," Wellerstein said.

He emphasized that this is only an assessment, not a precise calculation.

GOOD NEWS
Biden Close to Rollback of Chinese Tariffs to Fight Inflation

Jenny Leonard and Eric Martin
Mon, July 4, 2022


(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden may announce as soon as this week a rollback of some US tariffs on Chinese consumer goods -- as well as a new probe into industrial subsidies that could lead to more duties in strategic areas like technology.

Biden has not yet made a final decision, and the timing could slip, according to people familiar with the deliberations, who asked not to be identified without permission to discuss private conversations.

It would mark his first major policy step on trade ties between the world’s two biggest economic powers. The president in recent weeks held a number of meetings with senior economic advisers where options for a decision on the Trump-era tariffs were discussed, according to the people.

Hints that the Biden administration is considering an easing in some of the tariffs on $300 billion in Chinese imports have multiplied as inflation has accelerated, putting pressure on US officials to find ways to tamp down prices paid by consumers for everyday merchandise.

Biden said last month he’ll be talking to Chinese President Xi Jinping “soon” and told reporters he was “in the process” of making up his mind about whether to lift tariffs.

Some members of Biden’s Cabinet suggested he use the upcoming call with Xi to ask him for reciprocal tariff cuts on American goods currently facing import duties, though that idea was quickly shot down, the people said.

A White House spokeswoman said no decision on the tariffs has been made but the administration wants to ensure they are aligned with “economic and strategic” priorities and don’t unnecessarily raise costs for Americans.

The Wall Street Journal previously reported a decision could come as soon as this week.

The Biden administration said in May it was taking the first step toward a review of the tariffs, a process required to keep them from starting to expire in July. Industries that have benefited from duties imposed under former President Donald Trump have until July 6 to comment and request an extension of the levies.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said June 8 that the administration is looking to “reconfigure” Trump-era tariffs, imposed on Chinese goods under what’s known as Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, that “really weren’t designed to serve our strategic interests.”

Trump used Section 301 to hit China with the tariffs starting in July 2018 after an investigation concluded China stole intellectual property from American companies and forced them to transfer technology.

Some existing tariffs have hurt American consumers and businesses, even though tariff policy isn’t a cure-all for inflation, Yellen told lawmakers.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo last month said the administration had decided to keep tariffs on steel and aluminum but was considering dropping them on other goods.

“There are other products -- household goods, bicycles -- it may make sense,” she said June 5 on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, on the other hand, has made clear she’s not convinced that any tariff moves would have an impact on price pressures. In a recent congressional hearing, she told lawmakers “with respect to short term challenges, there’s a limit to what we can do with respect to, especially inflation.”

And Biden is running the risk of irking unions as he mulls lifting some of the tariffs. Labor unions have opposed any such move, saying the levies help protect US factory jobs. Biden has repeatedly pledged to be the most pro-union president in US history, and Democrats are counting on labor support in key mid-term Congressional elections in November.

The White House has asked retail companies for a commitment to lower prices following any tariff cuts but executives rebuffed that request and told US officials it was an unrealistic expectation, the people said.

The Biden administration has been weighing a new investigation into Chinese subsidies and their damage to the U.S. economy as a way to pressure Beijing on trade. That followed a phone call at the time between Biden and Xi in which Biden expressed frustration with the level of China’s engagement with his team.

Read more: Biden Team Weighs China Trade Probe in Bid to Press Beijing

While China’s economy has been hemmed in by Covid-related shutdowns, Chinese exports to the US in the first five months of 2022 in dollar terms grew 15.1% on the year while imports rose 4%, according to official data.

LESBIAN PRISONER IN PUTIN'S HOMOPHOBIC RUSSIA

'I'm terrified': Brittney Griner sends Biden handwritten letter amid trial in Russia

Dennis Romero and Erick Mendoza 

WNBA star Brittney Griner asked President Joe Biden to bring her home from detention in Russia, where she is being tried on drug smuggling charges, telling the president in a handwritten letter: "I'm terrified."

“As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever,” Griner wrote.

A spokesperson who released excerpts of Griner’s letter Monday said the document was delivered to the president at the White House on Monday. The White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter.


© Michael GonzalesBrittney Griner (Michael Gonzales / NBAE via Getty Images file)

Griner, 31, a Houston native who is a center for the Phoenix Mercury, was detained in February by Russian Federal Customs Service agents at Sheremetyevo airport near Moscow. She plays for a Russian team during the WNBA's offseason.

“I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates!” she wrote to Biden. “It kills me to know they are suffering so much right now. I am grateful for whatever you can do at this moment to get me home.”

Russian authorities allege that she was in possession of cannabis-derived vape cartridges. Griner's representatives haven’t addressed the technical substance of what she is alleged to have possessed, and the line between non-psychoactive cannabidiol — better known as CBD, which is popular among athletes as a possible aid in workout recovery — and psychoactive cannabis isn’t recognized in Russia. CBD is generally recognized as legal in the U.S., and the World Anti-Doping Agency removed it from its list of prohibited substances in 2018.

Former Olympic coach to WNBA star Brittney Griner: ‘We know that no one wins in a Russian court.’

In her letter, Griner recognized July Fourth as a time to celebrate the nation’s freedoms.

"On the 4th of July, our family normally honors the service of those who fought for our freedom, including my father who is a Vietnam War Veteran," Griner said. "It hurts thinking about how I usually celebrate this day because freedom means something completely different to me this year."

She implored Biden to continue working to free her.

"I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other American Detainees," she wrote. "Please do all you can to bring us home. I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you. I believe in you. I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore."

The White House has been steadfast in its stance that Griner is being wrongfully detained; officials have said they're working behind the scenes to free her. "The U.S. government continues to work aggressively — using every available means — to bring her home," National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement Monday, adding that the administration is in "regular contact" with her family.

"National Security Advisor Sullivan has spoken twice with Brittney’s wife over the past two weeks and the White House is closely coordinating with the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, who has met with Brittney’s family, her teammates, and her support network," Watson added.

The situation is surely complicated by the animosity between the U.S. and Russia. Griner was arrested less than a week before Russia invaded Ukraine and set in motion economic sanctions, the withdrawal of Western businesses and the shipping of arms and technology to Ukraine.

On June 28, national security adviser Jake Sullivan spoke with reporters about Griner's situation aboard Air Force One en route to Madrid, saying the matter "has the fullest attention of the president."

"The Russian government should release her and allow her to be returned and reunited with her family and come home safe and sound," he said.

Sullivan said he and Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to Griner's wife recently and expressed their sympathy for what the family was going through.

Griner was photographed in Russian court Friday. The next hearing was scheduled for Thursday

WNBA star Brittney Griner sends letter to Biden asking for his help to leave a Russian jail: 'I'm terrified I might be here forever'

John L. Dorman
Mon, July 4, 2022 

Brittney Griner has been detained in Russia since February.Charlie Neibergall/AP

WNBA star Brittney Griner wrote a letter to Biden urging him to help get her released from Russia.

Griner has been detained since February when she was accused of carrying vapes with hashish oil.

"I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you," she wrote to Biden. "I believe in you."

WNBA star Brittney Griner — who has been held in Russia since February — on Monday made a direct appeal to President Joe Biden for his help to release her and other Americans detained while abroad in a handwritten letter delivered to the White House.

Griner's representatives released excerpts of the letter, in which the professional basketball player said she was "terrified" she might never leave Russia.

"As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I'm terrified I might be here forever," the Phoenix Mercury player wrote.

"On the 4th of July, our family normally honors the service of those who fought for our freedom including my father who is a Vietnam War Veteran. It hurts thinking about how I usually celebrate this day because freedom means something completely different to me this year," she added.

Griner, 31, has been held in Russia since mid-February, when officials alleged that they had discovered vape cartridges with hashish oil in her luggage while she was traveling through Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport.

She was in the country to play for UMMC Ekaterinburg, the Russian professional women's team where she spends the WNBA offseason.

Just days after Griner's arrest, Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, which has cratered diplomatic relations with the United States and other western countries, with Biden and other world leaders enacting a raft a sanctions against Moscow.

Griner's trial began on Friday. She faces up to ten years in prison.

In her letter, the player told Biden that she voted for him in the 2020 presidential election and asked that he also work to help free other individuals detained in foreign countries.

"I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don't forget about me and the other American detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home. I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you. I believe in you. I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore," she wrote.

"I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates! It kills me to know they are suffering so much right now. I am grateful for whatever you can do at this moment to get me home," she added.

Last week, Griner's wife, Cherelle Griner, told CNN that the basketball player has been forced into a small cage for hours on end each time she has to make an appearance in court.

Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin, said late last month that Griner was not being held "hostage," but offered no timeline on her potential release.

"She violated Russian law, and now she's being prosecuted," he told NBC News. "It's not about being a hostage. There are lots of American citizens here. They're enjoying their freedoms … but you have to obey the laws."

Adrienne Watson, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, on Monday said in a statement that the government was working to secure Griner's freedom.

Read the original article on Business Insider