Middle East Experience

Former US Secretary of State under the Trump administration Mike Pompeo criticized the Biden administration for not taking “actual steps” to build relationships with Gulf nations, in an exclusive interview with Al Arabiya on Friday.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Having previously stated that the Biden administration’s policy towards Iran and the Guld region endangers the security of the US, according to Pompeo, the work he did under former US President Donald Trump contributed to “creating stability in the [Gulf] region.”“I haven't seen them take actual steps that build our relationships with our partners in the region. The Abraham Accords were part of it. The work that we did to make sure that the nations in the region had Patriot missile batteries and weapon systems, America’s forward footprint and al-Udeid in the fifth fleet in Bahrain… these were all elements of creating stability in the region,” he told Al Arabiya.Pompeo was referring to Trump’s success in pushing for the normalization of relations between the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, Morocco and Israel under the Abraham Accords, one of his administration’s most renowned achievements.Also under the Trump administration, the US attempted to establish the Middle East Strategic Alliance which, in theory, aimed to improve the region’s military capabilities and focus on countering Iran, among other mutual threats. Aside from the US, this involved Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, and Egypt.“I’ve not seen this administration continue to reinforce those in a way that I think is meaningful and sends messages both to our adversary in Iran, and our friends, more broadly, our Israeli friends, Saudi friends, our Emirati friends, that the United States is prepared to help them secure their nations.”Read more:‘So much at stake,’ Biden’s pick to be US envoy to Saudi Arabia saysUS President Biden to visit Saudi Arabia at the invitation of King SalmanSaudi, US officials discuss ways to boost economic partnership
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Pompeo says Biden admin. not reinforcing support to secure Israel, ‘friends’ in Gulf

The United Arab Emirates urged Iran on Friday to provide reassurances on the peaceful nature of its nuclear program after the International Atomic Energy Agency denounced Tehran’s lack of cooperation.“There are concerns,” said the permanent representative of the UAE to the IAEA, Hamad al-Kaabi.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.In response to an AFP question during a press conference on the Emirates’ own nuclear program, he called on Iran to “closely cooperate with the IAEA” and “provide reassurances to regional and international countries regarding the peacefulness of its nuclear program.”Iran has a nuclear power plant outside the coastal city of Bushehr, as well as a controversial uranium enrichment program.Kaabi’s statements come after Iran disconnected some IAEA cameras monitoring its nuclear sites this month, shortly after the US and its European allies pushed through a resolution at the UN agency denouncing Tehran’s lack of cooperation.A 2015 deal with world powers gave Iran relief from sanctions in return for guarantees that it could not develop a nuclear weapon - something Tehran has always denied wanting to do.The United States unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear agreement in 2018 under then-president Donald Trump, before imposing biting sanctions on the Islamic republic. Iran in turn began reneging on its own commitments.US President Joe Biden has said he is ready to again embrace the deal so long as Iran also respects its own pledges under it.Washington’s Secretary of State Antony Blinken in April said the “breakout time” for Iran to develop a nuclear bomb, if it so chooses, is “down to a matter of weeks” after the deal had pushed it beyond a year.The UAE has ruled out developing any enrichment program or nuclear reprocessing technologies, underlining that the Barakah nuclear plant has welcomed more than 40 international reviews and inspection missions. Read more:Iran president hits out at US over new sanctionsUS targets Chinese, Indian brokers in new Iran sanctionsIran confirms upcoming rocket launch after satellite photos show preparation
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE concerned by Iran nuclear program, seeks reassurances

US senators introduced bipartisan legislation on Friday, which would see Taiwan receive close to $4.5 billion in security aid over the next four years and become a major non-NATO ally as China steps up its threats against the island.Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez, a Democrat, and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham announced the Taiwan Policy Act of 2022 “in the wake of last week’s threats by Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe that China will ‘not hesitate to start a war’ and ‘smash to smithereens’ Taiwan.”For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The two senators said this legislation would be the most comprehensive restructuring of US policy towards Taiwan since the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979.In 1979, then-President Jimmy Carter acknowledged China’s One China policy, severing normal ties with Taiwan. Later that year, the Taiwan Relations Act, passed by Congress, said Washington could give Taiwan defensive arms.The latest resolution from Menendez and Graham is meant to deter China’s aggression against Taiwan and impose “steep costs” against Beijing for any “hostile action” by setting up a sanctions regime.And after Russia invaded Ukraine, with Beijing’s implicit support, Menendez warned China against invading Taiwan. “I thank Senator Graham for working with me on this landmark legislation to send a clear message to Beijing not to make the same mistakes with Taiwan that Vladimir Putin has made in Ukraine,” he said.Graham said the bill would allow for the most significant expansion of military and economic ties between Washington and Taiwan, adding that “China is sizing up America and our commitment to Taiwan.”He added: “The danger will only grow worse if we show weakness in the face of Chinese threats and aggression toward Taiwan.”Earlier this year, Menendez and Graham headed a congressional delegation (CODEL) to Australia, Taiwan and Japan. They met with Taiwan’s top officials, including the president, foreign minister and defense minister.Tensions have soared between the US and China in recent years, especially as China looks to expand its influence into foreign capitals and continues its labor abuses and genocides against Uyghur Muslims.Read more: US targets Chinese, Indian brokers in new Iran sanctions
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: New bipartisan bill would see US provide Taiwan with .5 bln in military aid

Putin said the United States considered itself "God's emissary on Earth" and that Western sanctions were founded on a false premise that Russia had no economic sovereignty.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Putin accuses West of crushing Russia with economic 'blitzkrieg'

Ukraine was not happy with the decision, with Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko demanding more negotiations on the issue.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: UK to replace Ukraine as next Eurovision hosts due to Russian war

A white vehicle riddled with bullet holes was in the area, where Israeli forces have stepped up operations in recent months..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Three Palestinians killed in Israeli West Bank operation

I will describe some coping tools that were used to help three of my clients deal with negative trigger situations in their lives.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: How to cope with emotional triggers

The numerous fad diets out there might meet your immediate goals but at what cost?
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Diets vs nutrition: Losing weight and being healthy

In Hebrew, the event is known as "Tza'adat Hamufkarot," with the word Mufkarot chosen for its double meaning of both "slut" and "abandoned."
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: 600 people protest violence against women in annual Jerusalem SlutWalk

Russia calls its action in Ukraine a..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Ukrainian grain transported by Russian ships to Syria