US – European Affairs Magazine

U.S. might ban laptops on all flights into and out of the country

29 Maggio 2017 BreakingNews @en di

The United States might ban laptops from aircraft cabins on all flights into and out of the country as part of a ramped-up effort to protect against potential security threats, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said on Sunday. In March, the government imposed restrictions on large electronic devices in aircraft cabins on flights from 10 airports, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Turkey. Kelly said the move would be part of a broader airline security effort to combat what he called “a real sophisticated threat”. He said no decision had been made as to the timing of any ban.

Trump: Azerbaijan is valued partner of US

28 Maggio 2017 BreakingNews @en di

President of the United States of America Donald J. Trump has congratulated President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, in a letter for the celebration of azeri Republic Day. “Azerbaijan is a valued partner of the United States. Together, we are working to enhance global security through our joint counterterrorism efforts. We stand with the people of Azerbaijan and are committed to strengthening our relationship through dialogue on security, economic cooperation, and democratic principles”, noted the US president. “The United States also strongly supports the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict”, said Trump.

Syrian army advances south toward rebel-held area

26 Maggio 2017 BreakingNews @en di

The Syrian army said it had retaken a swathe of territory from Islamic State in southern Syria on Thursday in a rapid advance near areas held by U.S.-backed Syrian rebels at the border with Jordan and Iraq. Tensions flared in the southern region last week when the U.S.-led coalition mounted an air strike against pro-government forces that U.S. officials said posed a threat to U.S. and U.S.-backed Syrian fighters in the area. Washington described the forces as Iranian-directed. The Syrian army on Thursday declared the capture of areas to the south of Palmyra and to the east of Qaryatayn in southeastern Homs province. An official with one of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebel groups operating in southern Syria told Reuters that government forces appeared to be trying to preempt any rebel move toward Deir al-Zor, another priority target for the government.

Netanyahu: Trump added $75 million in defense aid to Israel

25 Maggio 2017 BreakingNews @en di

Trump added $75 million in defense aid to Israel.Washington announced a $110-billion US sale of ships, tanks and the latest anti-missile systems to Saudi Arabia on Saturday as Trump began a two-day visit to the Gulf state before travelling on to Israel.Trump added package for the missile defense program. According to Lieberman the weapons deals in the Middle East just in 2016 reached $215-216 billion and this is no small sum.The White House said that in talks with Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday, “President Trump underscored the United States’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s security, including to the maintenance of Israel’s qualitative military edge”. The thrust of the deal with Riyadh aims to help the Saudi military bolster its defenses to deter bitter rival Iran and its missile program, which Netanyahu has said potentially poses an existential threat to the Jewish state.

Rouhani says regional stability without Iran is impossible

23 Maggio 2017 BreakingNews @en di

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the Middle East won’t see stability without the help of Iran, responding to criticism of the Islamic Republic from U.S. President Donald Trump. “Who can say regional stability can be restored without Iran? Who can say the region will experience total stability without Iran?” Rouhani said during a press conference, broadcast live on state television. Iran’s president also dismissed a summit which was attended by Trump on Sunday (May 21) in Saudi Arabia as a “ceremonial [event] that had no political value and will bear no results”. Rouhani added that the U.S. administration lacked knowledge about the Middle East. “Americans resorted to many different methods against Iran but failed in all … We are waiting for the new government to find stability and continuity in its policies”, Rouhani said. “The problem is that the Americans do not know our region and those who advise U.S. officials are misleading them”, he continued. U.S. President Donald Trump arrived at the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday along with leaders of more than 50 Muslim countries. Trump said Muslim countries must lead the fight against radicalization in a speech during the summit, adding the deadliest attacks have been carried out against Arab, Muslim and Middle Eastern nations by the militant groups. “In sheer numbers the deadliest toll has been exacted on Arab, Muslim and Middle Eastern nations”, he said. “More than 95% of the victims of terrorism are themselves Muslim”. Trump also said in a speech from Jerusalem on Monday that Iran must immediately stop its financial and military support for “terrorists and militias” and he reiterated that it never be permitted to possess atomic arms. The United States brands Iran a “state sponsor of terrorism.” It says Tehran’s support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Syria’s civil war, Houthi rebels in Yemen’s civil war and the Hezbollah Shia political party and militia in Lebanon have helped destabilize the Middle East.

Sisi Underlines Facing Terrorist Groups without Prejudice, Settling Palestinian Cause

23 Maggio 2017 BreakingNews @en di

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi told the Arab-Islamic-US summit in Riyadh on Sunday that there are four elements to deal with terrorism – facing terrorist groups without prejudice, confronting all dimensions of the terrorism phenomenon, eradicating terrorist groups’ ability to recruit new fighters and settling the Palestinian cause based on a fair, final and comprehensive solution. Al-Sisi told that this summit had a symbolical importance, to show the unity of Islamic World in front of terrorist threat. Sisi praised US President Donald Trump’s vision and decisive policies in facing terrorism. “I have no doubt that the US contribution will bring about the qualitative change needed in the fight against terrorism” told Egypt President.

Algeria – USA: Time For Consultations

23 Maggio 2017 BreakingNews @en di

This week, Algerian Foreign Minister, met Rex Tillerson to the White House. This is the first summit of this kind since the Reagan Presidency. The US Secretary of State listened Foreign Minister about the fight to terrorism, economic cooperation, the security. Americans want to get over current situation, increasing the commercial exchanges. United States appreciated the role of Algeria in the fight to terrorism, as said the Algerian Ambassador to Washington. Algerian Minister remembered the situation in Libya, and Rex Tillerson said that Algeria will play a key role in the crisis. Ramtane Lamamra said that Americans don’t want to create instability in Algeria, because they know what is happened in Syria, they support a keeping of status quo.

North Korea missile detected by THAAD, program progressing faster than expected: South

17 Maggio 2017 BreakingNews @en di

North Korea’s missile program is progressing faster than expected, South Korea’s defense minister said on Tuesday, after the UN Security Council demanded the North halt all nuclear and ballistic missile tests and condemned Sunday’s test-launch. Han Min-koo told South Korea’s parliament the test-launch had been detected by the controversial U.S. THAAD anti-missile system, whose deployment in the South has infuriated China. The reclusive North, which has defied all calls to rein in its weapons programs, even from its lone major ally, China, said the missile test was a legitimate defense against U.S. hostility.

US-Israel spat erupts over 'not your territory' Western Wall remark

17 Maggio 2017 BreakingNews @en di

Israel demanded an explanation from the White House, casting a cloud over the highly anticipated visit by the new president, which is being greeted with a mixture of excitement and nervousness by Israeli officials.The spat reportedly erupted during preparations for Trump’s visit, during which he is planning a stop at the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City.Israel captured the Old City in the 1967 Six-Day War. It considers the entire city of Jerusalem to be its eternal capital and next week, on Jerusalem Day, is set to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of its unification.On the campaign trail, Trump voiced solidly pro-Israel positions. His campaign platform made no mention of an independent Palestinian state. He showed little concern about Israeli settlement construction, expressed support for recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and vowed to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. He also surrounded himself with a core of advisers with strong ties to the settlement enterprise, including his ambassador to Israel, David Friedman.Bennett said he welcomed Trump’s arrival next week, but said Israel also has to stick to its positions. He said Israel must oppose attempts to establish a Palestinian state and insist on Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem “forever”.

Jordan, Egypt, Palestine reiterate commitment to Mideast Peace

16 Maggio 2017 BreakingNews @en di

Jordan, Palestine and Egypt on Sunday reiterated their commitment to the two-state solution as the only solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, expressing keenness to cooperate with the US administration in this regard. During the join press conference, it was reaffirmed the achievement of peace process, purposed during the 28th Arab Summit in Jordan, last month. Discussions also included efforts to end the political stalemate by resuming “serious and effective” negotiations to solve the Palestinian-Israeli issue based on the two-state solution. They also highlight the necessity to involve US administration in the process. The meeting also addressed the issue of the 1,500 Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike in Israeli jails and underlined the need for Israel to respond to their “humanitarian and just demands” in line with the international law and Geneva accords. Safadi, Shukri and Erekat affirmed their keenness to continue the dialogue and communication among each other and the rest of Arab countries, agreeing to meet again in Cairo and after that in Palestine.