Vol 3 Issue 3 July-September 2020 West Asia Watch Trends & Analysis

West Asia Centre Editor: lEditorial Dr Meena Singh Roy lTurkey and the Tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean Dr. Md. Muddassir Quamar

Editorial Coordinator: lPalestinian Response to the Abraham Accords Dr Prasanta Kumar Pradhan Dr. Adil Rasheed and Mr. Jatin Kumar

lKadhimi's Assertive Approach Towards Iran Mr. Prabhat Jawla

lWest Asia News Survey (Prepared by Dr. Lakshmi Priya, Ms. Nagapushpa Editorial Team: Devendra and Mr. Jatin Kumar) Dr Prasanta Kumar Pradhan Dr Adil Rasheed Dr Md Muddassir Quamar

Copy Editor: Vivek Kaushik

West Asia Centre

Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses No. 1, Development Enclave, Rao Tula Ram Marg, Delhi Cantt, New Delhi – 110 010 Tel. (91-11)2671 7983, Fax: (91-11)2615 4191 Website: http://www.idsa.in EDITORIAL Strategic Realignment in the West Asian Region

The West Asian region witnessed a major strategic development in 26 years as two Gulf States agreed to normalize relations with Israel in September 2020. The UAE and Bahrain respectively became third and fourth Arab states to recognize Israel after Egypt and Jordan. Signing of “Abraham Accords” facilitated by the US reflects a key strategic realignment in the West Asian region with far reaching implications on future geopolitical developments in the region. This growing formalizing relations with Israel by the Gulf countries has been condemned by the Palestinians calling it as a betrayal of their cause. While agreements are proposed to advance lasting peace in West Asia and around the world, however the real outcome is still awaited.

In the context of the new regional alignments and realignments, Jordan, Egypt and met for their 3rd trilateral summit on August 26, 2020 in Amman to discuss ways to expand their economic, trade and investment cooperation and coordinate their efforts to address issues of common concerns. Equally significant development has been the aggressive role played by Turkey in the regional geopolitics and its military adventurism. Ankara’s rising tension in the Eastern Mediterranean has not only drawn other regional countries, but also the European Union. In addition to the above, a major crisis unfolded in Lebanon with a massive explosion on August 04, 2020. The massive explosion on the port of Beirut killed more than 200 people and left another 6,500 injured. Identified as one of the biggest non-nuclear explosion in the history, this explosion resulted in a massive loss to property nearing US$ 15 billion and 3,00,000 people left homeless.

As in the past, Iran-US tensions and the Trump Administration’s ‘maximum pressure’ policy continued to draw attention globally with no consequential results to halt Iran’s regional policy approach. American attempt to push the UN to extend arms embargo on Iran did not get required support. The present US policy reflects the Trump Administration’s desire to push Iran for negotiating a new nuclear deal. However, despite tremendous stress on its economy, Iran remains defiant and undeterred. It has, in fact, managed to outmaneuver the US for now. In response to Washington’s ‘maximum pressure’ policy, Tehran has come up with its ‘maximum resistance’ strategy.

Other significant development in the region was the announcement of the much-hyped Iran-China 25-years Comprehensive Strategic Partnership plan, whereby both countries propose to take their long-term partnership to a new level through the US$ 400 billion agreement. The importance of this plan needs to be viewed in the context of Beijing’s increasing ties with the region and growing tensions between China-US

1 and Iran-US. In the future, Iran may emerge as a stepping stone for more Chinese involvement in security and geostrategic space of West Asia.

Against such a backdrop, the current edition of the Newsletter has tried to capture some important developments covering issues like Turkey and the increasing tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, Palestinian response to the Abraham Accords and Kadhimi’s assertive approach towards Iran.

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COMMENTARY Turkey and the Tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean Md. Muddassir Quamar

Tensions have gripped the Eastern sanctions from the EU. As the Mediterranean (East Med) for the past hostilities continued to rise, the EU few months owning to differences threatened to sanction Turkey but between Turkey, Cyprus and Greece withheld the imposition giving talks a over the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) chance. However, with the rising in the Mediterranean Sea and the right hostilities in Libya, the situation in the to undertake gas exploration activities East Med got convoluted and in the resource- rich waters. The root of intertwined with the Libyan conflict. In the dispute lies in the definition of the November 2019, Ankara signed an EEZ and the 1982 United Nations agreement on maritime boundary in Convention on the Law of the Sea the Mediterranean Sea with the UN- (UNCLOS). Turkey considers itself at a recognised Tripoli-based government disadvantage in the East Med (as well in Libya led by Prime Minister Fayez al- as the Aegean Sea) due to the UNCLOS, Sarraj. The agreement facilitated and hence, has not signed the Turkish military intervention in the Convention. It disputes the EEC claims Libyan conflict on behalf of the Tripoli of Cyprus and Greece that overlap the government that was under serious Turkish definition of the EEZ in the attack by the Libyan National Army of Mediterranean. Moreover, the conflict General Khalifa Haftar that is aligned between Turkey and Cyprus going back with the Tobruk-based government of to 1974 over Northern Cyprus, makes House of Representative (HoR) led by the issue more complex. The exclusion Speaker of the HoR, Aguila Saleh Issa. of Turkey from the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum formed in Notwithstanding the way Turkish early 2019, had alarmed Ankara on its interventions transformed the conflict claims being overlooked by the regional in Libya, it led to Ankara increasing grouping. drilling activities in the East Med claiming the additional justification of a Turkey has since then undertaken pact with the Sarraj-led government. aggressive drilling activities in the East The Turkish activities brought it in Med to explore for hydrocarbon and conflict with Greece and Cyprus as well this has accentuated the matter, as pitched it against Egypt, Israel and especially since both Cyprus and Greece other countries who share the EEZ in are members of the European Union the East Med. France, which unlike (EU) and the Turkish action invited Turkey, has no direct stake in the East

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Med, became involved because of its has put it at odds with all major growing desire under President regional and international actors. Its Emmanuel Macron to play a greater actions in Syria, Qatar and Libya, for role in the Mediterranean and North example, placed it at odds with leading and Sub-Saharan Africa because of its Arab countries including Egypt, the colonial legacies. As member of the EU, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia France came out in the support of as well as Iran. Moreover, its aggressive Greece and Cyprus which led to tense postures in the Middle East and the moments between Paris and Ankara, Mediterranean has created tensions putting them on collision course. Even with Israel. Turkish criticism of the Italy, that in the Libyan conflict was UAE-Bahrain-Israel agreement to sympathetic to the Sarraj government, normalise relations further aggravated took a position against aggressive the situation. In Libya, the Turkish behaviour in the East Med as manoeuvring by Ankara and Cairo have member of the EU. brought the two regional players on the verge of a military conflict. This has led The growing tensions led to the US to Egypt and Israel come out in support joining the theatre to mediate between of Greece and Cyprus in the East Med. the parties involved. The US under the Turkish relations with the EU and the auspices of North Atlantic Treaty US are also at an all-time low. While the Organisation (NATO) has been trying EU has suspended accession talks with to bring Turkey and Greece, both Ankara and weighing economic members of the alliance, on the sanctions, the relations with the US negotiations table and find a workable have nosedived since the Turkish solution to ease the tensions. The US decision to buy S-400 missile defence intervention helped as both Ankara and system from Russia. Turkey’s relations Athens have shown inclination for with Russia have also come under talks. The Turkish decision to withdraw strain due to, among other factors, its exploration and drilling ships Oruc Ankara’s role in escalation of the Reis and Yavuz from the disputed conflict between Armenia and waters have helped tone down the Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, rhetoric on both sides. Ankara and but thus far Moscow has taken a Athens have agreed to establish a considerate position on the issue and bilateral military de-confliction has urged all parties to stop the fighting mechanism to reduce the escalation. and resolve differences through talks Nonetheless, the situation remains and has kept the lines of strained. communications with Ankara open.

The Turkish actions in the East Med are Under President Recep Tayyip part of its larger international relations Erdogan, Turkey has adopted an wherein it has adopted an assertive aggressive foreign policy posture aimed foreign policy to regain its lost at asserting Turkish regional and global international influence. However, this power status. Turkey considers itself a

4 natural regional leader in the Middle seriously fissured due to Erdogan’s East, Mediterranean and the South authoritarian and autocratic style of Caucasus because of its location, governance. demography and size of its economy and wishes to achieve global middle For now, the tensions in the East Med power status. Erdogan believes that the have been brought down due to NATO’s only way Turkey can assert itself in intervention and the willingness of both regional and global politics is by Greece and Turkey to talk. However, regaining lost influence in the the lure for hydrocarbon resources in neighbourhood and its historical area of the Mediterranean remains intact and influence in the Middle East, North the likelihood of a long-term resolution Africa and Central Asia. This brings in the East Med is bleak. Ankara is back memories of the imperialist unlikely to easily give up its claims over overreach of the Ottoman Empire the disputed waters and Erdogan among the regional countries, placing appears bent on mounting a hard them at odds with Turkey and the bargain. Meanwhile, the aggressive condemnation of Erdogan’s “neo- foreign policy posture serves his Ottoman” desires. Foreign policy apart, domestic political agenda. for Erdogan the rhetoric to revive past (Dr. Md. Muddassir Quamar is Associate glory is an effective domestic tool to Fellow at West Asia Centre in the MP- maintain his popularity, especially at a IDSA) time when the Turkish economy has suffered setbacks and the polity is

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Palestinian Response to the Abraham Accords

Adil Rasheed and Jatin Kumar

The recently signed Abraham Accords, the second intending to build a which normalized Israel’s relations common vision for ending the division with the UAE and Bahrain, have proven between Gaza and the West Bank, while historic even in ways not intended by its a third for strategizing the revival of the signatories. For one, the agreements Palestinian Liberation Organization have so incensed most Palestinian (PLO). factions that they have decided to set aside their longstanding internecine Following the meeting, chief differences and put up a rare united Ismail Haniyeh left for Lebanon where front against decision of the UAE and he met leader Hasan Bahrain to normalize relations with Nasrallah to discuss ways of Israel. The decision for an intra- “countering the Zionist plans”. The Palestinian reconciliation came at a leaders also stressed the need to September 3 meeting headed by reiterate the “” against Palestinian Authority President the state of Israel. The Hamas chief was Mahmoud Abbas, Hamas’ Ismail also accorded a hero’s welcome during Haniyeh, Islamic ’s chief Ziyad Al the visit to Ain al Helweh, the largest Nakhala, as well as senior leaders of Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon. other important Palestinian groups. According to UNRWA around 470,000 Palestinian refugees currently live in Fatah, Hamas Patch Up Lebanon. Unity among Palestinian groups is the result of a near The two main Palestinian factions spontaneous outburst of popular Hamas and Fatah have been bitter protests in Palestinian territories that rivals since 2007, when Hamas threw followed the August 13 Israel-UAE out Fatah’s security forces from Gaza normalization deal announcement by following months of tension. However, US President Trump. the two sides are now working to overcome their differences in order to ‘Day of Rage’ Protests counter what Husam Badran, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, A week after the announcement an estimated 2,000 Palestinians took part calls “a treacherous stab in the back of the Palestinians” by some Arab states. at a rally in Turmusaya, a village in the The meeting decided to set up three north of West Bank, “Today we tell the committees: one focusing on forming a world that we are united against ‘the unified leadership of all major deal of the century,’ annexation and Palestinian groups to start popular normalization,” Palestinian Authority struggle against the Israeli ‘occupation’,

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Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh Writing for the news agency Media Line, told the rally in the village. Uri Cohen names the countries that opposed the Palestinian draft resolution: “Countries such as Jordan, Egypt, Sudan Protests continued sporadically until and all Gulf nations elected to vote down the day Israel, the UAE and Bahrain the draft, instead passing an alternative signed the normalization agreements in resolution that holds no condemnation of Washington on September 15, 2020. the UAE’s act. Still, Palestine did not go That day was itself declared a ‘day of home empty-handed, as it managed to rage’ by Palestinian factions, who urged extract a statement from Saudi Foreign supporters of the Palestinian cause to Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud demonstrate in Palestinian areas, reinforcing the Saudis’ commitment to refugee camps as well as in front of the establishment of a Palestinian state embassies of the US, Israel, the UAE, based on the pre-1967 borders with east Bahrain and around the world. Jerusalem as its capital.” However, the public response to this Even Ahmed Abul Gheit, the Secretary call was mixed and the number of General of the League refused to protests have fizzled out since then. condemn the Israel-UAE normalization Palestinian Setback at Arab deal but stressed that the Palestinian League cause was and remains an issue for Arab consensus. He further added that In fact, a bigger setback awaited every Arab country has the “sovereign Palestinian leaders when they attempted and indisputable right” to conduct its to censure the UAE over the foreign policy the way it sees fit. normalization agreement at the Arab League. In a video conference of the Arab In protest of this stance of the Arab League members’ foreign ministers that League, Palestine quit its current was held on September 9, 2020, chairmanship of Arab League meetings. Palestinian representatives presented a Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al proposal for the bloc to issue a formal Maliki was supposed to chair Arab condemnation of the Abraham Accords, League meetings for the next six as it seemed to be in breach of the 2002 months, but he announced that Arab Peace Initiative. However, after Palestine no longer wanted that hours of deliberations the Arab League position stating that “Palestine has dropped the draft resolution that decided to concede its right to chair the condemned the Israeli-UAE League’s Council [of foreign ministers] agreement, even though the final at its current session. There is no communique maintained the League’s honour in seeing Arabs rush towards commitment to the 2002 Arab Peace normalisation during its presidency.” Initiative, the two-state solution, and the land-for-peace principle.

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The Pivot to Turkey a bleeding wound,” and that “Israel is constantly increasing its audacity in the With Palestinian efforts to drum up holy sites in Jerusalem.” international support for their cause tailing off without much traction, Fatah Conclusion and Hamas have started shoring up ties The Palestinian groups have started with Turkey and Qatar that opposed Arab normalization of ties with Israel. uniting under a hard-line position On September 21, Palestinian President against the decision of most Arab states Mahmoud Abbas spoke with his that support normalizing relations with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Israel. In pursuit of this approach, even Erdogan to thank him for his continued moderate Palestinian groups like Fatah support to the Palestinian cause. It is are joining forces with more radical Palestinian groups like Hamas and reported that the two had held several exchanges on phone in the past weeks Islamic Jihad, and are looking for to devise a strategy for reviving the support from non-Arab powers like Palestinian cause. Turkey and Iran. It remains to be seen whether a possible rapprochement For his part, Hamas leader Ismail between Israel and the Arab states is Haniyeh had earlier visited Ankara and sustainable in the absence of an Israel- met Erdogan on August 22, where they Palestine peace settlement. reportedly discussed ways to end internal Palestinian division. A month (Dr. Adil Rasheed is a Research Fellow later, Erdogan minced no words in his at West Asia Centre in the MP-IDSA) speech at the 75th United Nations (Mr. Jatin Kumar is a Research Analyst General Assembly meeting, where at West Asia Centre in the MP-IDSA) he said, “The occupation of Palestine is

8 Kadhimi’s Assertive Approach towards Iran Prabhat Jawla

In May 2020, after months of political views about depoliticizing the Popular wrangling, the Iraqi Parliament Mobilisation Front (PMF)—an (Council of Representatives) approved umbrella organisation of militias, the Government of Mustafa Al which was constituted by a fatwa by Kadhimi, who had been heading the Ayatollah Sistani in June 2014. Major Iraqi National Intelligence Service militias under PMF are Badr (INIS) since 2016. Ever since assuming Organization, Asa’ibAhl al-Haq (AAH), office, Kadhimi has wrestled with Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH), Kata'ib Sayyid various sets of political, economic and al-Shuhada, Harakat Hezbollah al- foreign policy challenges. The most Nujaba, among others. In general, the fascinating of these challenges has been heads of these militias have had a Kadhimi’s management of Iraq-Iran strong affinity with Iran, primarily relations in the light of worsening Iran- because they were exiled in Iran after US relations. His prime ministership the Eight-Years War (1981-88), which seems to have taken a more assertive enables Iran’s strong influence within approach with regards to Iran, where Iraq. rather than confronting Iran directly, Kadhimi has chosen to slowly curb its The PMF established a decentralized influence within Iraq. militia that operates under the office of the Prime Minister, but most of the After being declared as the Prime planning and operational aspects stay Minister-designate in March, Kadhimi with the chairman of the PMF and his faced scathing opposition from the deputy, which renders PMF out of the Fatah Alliance, which is majorly chain of command. Usually, these two composed of Shia groups close to Iran. positions have been held by individuals These groups alleged his closeness to closer to Tehran. Earlier, this year, the Washington as a major impediment in head of the PMF, Abu Mahdi al- supporting him. Even though the Shia Muhandis was killed alongside Iran’s coalition came around, but Kadhimi Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has faced long-drawn criticism of his (IRGC) commander Qassem Soleimani policies being anti-Iranian and pro-US. in a US drone strike, After Muhandis, Abu Fadak al-Mohammadawi replaced A key aspect of Kadhimi’s approach that him, who is also close to Tehran. Soon has differed from his precursors has after his appointment as the head of the been his position on foreign PMF was announced, the Iranian- intervention in various Iraqi linked social media accounts started institutions, particularly in Iraq’s circulating the pictures of Fadak with security structure. In his writings in the Soleimani, where Soleimani is seen Al-Monitor, he had expressed strong

9 kissing his forehead, a respected was visiting Iraq in August, the timing gesture within the culture. of which coincided with the Second US- Iraq Strategic Dialogue. During this Since he came to office, Kadhimi has visit, the Iranian delegation included pursued an assertive policy against the Ismail Ghani, the IRGC commander PMF, which aims to demobilize the who succeeded Soleimani. His entry organization by assimilating it under into Iraq was made conditional on the Iraqi Armed Forces. Such obtaining a prior visa, which was a stark outspoken attempts have led to change under Kadhimi’s predecessors, confrontation between PMF and the who never dared to put such conditions Prime Minister's Office. The critics of on Soleimani. PMF argue that it had fulfilled its mandate of fighting the ; As soon as the lockdown caused by the therefore, it is no longer needed. They COVID-19 pandemic was relaxed, also cite the irregularities and Kadhimi declared Riyadh as his first mismanagement of their funds that destination for a foreign visit. This include salaries, offices and benefits, came as a shock for the groups closer to which are concerning given that such Iran. Though the trip was eventually funds (about $2 billion annually) are cancelled owing to King Salman's provided from the state budget, which health, Kadhimi made his first visit to is already under severe strain owing to Tehran as the Prime Minister, his the economic crisis. decision in this regard reflecting his cold approach towards Iran. Further, in Additionally, he had made significant May 2020, during a visit by Iraq’s changes in Iraq’s security structure, his finance minister, a deal was finalized domain for the last four years. Kadhimi with Riyadh that provided $3 billion to reinstated Lieutenant General Abdul Iraq to meet its budgetary Wahab al-Saadi as the Chief of the Iraqi requirements. Additionally, Riyadh will Counterterrorism Agency, who had make investments in the Iraqi natural faced criticism under the Mahdi gas sector. Iran-backed groups government, who later sacked him. criticized such a move. Other appointments into crucial offices include Qasim al-Araji as National Unlike his predecessors who chose to Security Advisor, replacing Faleh al- pursue a policy of status quo, Kadhimi Fayadh– a prominent figure within the has taken a more assertive tone against PMF, assigning General Abdul-Ghani Iran. However, instead of confronting al-Asadi as the head of national security Iran directly, it has primarily targeted agency and appointments to multiple Iran’s influence within Iraq. He has other positions. Such a change in been able to strike a delicate balance leadership of the PMF is an attempt to between Iraqi interests, without curb the Iranian influence, without upsetting Iraq's relations with Iran. In confronting Tehran directly. moving ahead, the extensive Iranian influence within Iraq is likely to Yet another instance of such behaviour continue under Kadhimi’s term; was when the Iranian energy minister

10 however, the minor incremental with Iran, but his term marks a change changes that he has adopted hold the from the past. potential for change in Iraqi politics. In other words, it is difficult at present to (Mr. Prabhat Jawla is Intern at West assess how much change Kadhimi's rule Asia Centre in the MP-IDSA) will bring to Iraq, as well as its relations

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WEST ASIA NEWS SURVEY

POLITICAL GCC urges UN to extend arms embargo on Iran Israel, UAE and Bahrain sign Abraham Accords RIYADH (10 August, 2020): The GCC’s Secretary General, Nayef Al-Hajraf, WASHINGTON (16 September, 2020): urged the UN to extend the Israel signed normalization agreements international arms embargo on Iran. In with the UAE and Bahrain commonly a letter to the Security Council, he known as the “Abraham Accords”, at mentioned that the embargo should be the White House. The signing of the extended as Tehran supports terrorism. agreements reflects a strategic As per the embargo, the movement of realignment in the West Asian region. conventional weaponry in and out of The UAE and Bahrain are the third and Iran is prevented. The embargo is set to fourth Arab states to normalize ties expire on 18 October 2020 as part of the with Israel after Egypt and Jordan. The terms of the 2015 nuclear deal. Al- three countries agreed that the best way Hajraf, pointed out that in violation of to address challenges is through the deal, Iran “continued to proliferate cooperation and dialogue and that conventional weapons and armed developing friendly relations among terrorist and sectarian organizations states advances the interests of lasting and movements throughout the peace in West Asia and around the region.” world. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Reacting to the agreement, Ammar Abbas Mousavi slammed the GCC for Hijazi, assistant minister of multilateral urging the UN to extend arms embargo affairs for the Palestinian Authority, and said that the GCC Secretariat is said that it was a sad day and the only swayed by the wrong and destructive path for peace is ending this brutal policies and has turned into a Israeli occupation and granting the mouthpiece for anti-Iran elements. The Palestinians their inalienable rights for US welcomed the move as Secretary of self-determination. He added that State Michael Pompeo said, “The GCC’s without that there is no path to peace in letter calling on the UN Security the region. Meanwhile, US President Council to extend the arms embargo on Donald Trump said that he expects Iran is a bold statement.” US has some more Arab countries to normalize warned that if the embargo is lifted, it ties with Israel and predicted the could introduce “snap back” sanctions Palestinians would eventually join as built into the original 2015 deal, well or else be “left out in the cold”.- unilaterally restoring all UN sanctions Times of Israel, Al Jazeera on Tehran.-Arab News, Middle East Monitor

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US imposes sanctions on Iran Jordan’s King Abdullah hosts summit with Egyptian President TEHRAN (20 September, 2020): The and Iraqi Prime Minister Trump administration declared that UN sanctions have once again been AMMAN (26 August, 2020): Jordan’s imposed on Iran, meaning for example King Abdullah II, Egyptian President that the arms embargo scheduled to Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Iraqi Prime expire next month has been extended Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi met for indefinitely, as far as the US is the third trilateral summit between the concerned. “…as far as the US is three countries on 26 August 2020 at concerned” is the key part of that Amman. During the summit, the sentence, because for the most part, the leaders discussed various ways to rest of the world disagrees. The expand economic, trade and remaining participants in the 2015 Iran investment cooperation. The discussion nuclear deal have rejected the US also “covered regional developments argument that it’s still entitled to invoke and means to bolster coordination and that deal’s dispute resolution consultation between Jordan, Egypt mechanism to re-impose the sanctions, and Iraq on issues of mutual despite having quit the deal in 2018. concern”. - Al Arabiya The UN Security Council has simply ignored the US invocation, since apart Houthi-Saudi escalation from the Dominican Republic all the continues amidst prisoners swap other council members similarly reject SANAA (02 July, 2020): The Houthis the claim that the US is entitled to take and Saudi Arabia continue to engage in this step. UN Secretary-General missile and drone attacks. Regardless António Guterres says the UN cannot of the scope, this resumption of heavy act on the US declaration because fighting obviously means that the there’s too much “uncertainty” over the implementation of 2018 Stockholm process. peace process will be further delayed. Even Iran is trying to dunk on the US On 29 September , The government and over this, with President Hassan Houthi rebels agreed on a major exchange of 1081 prisoners, their Rouhani saying that Washington “is approaching a certain defeat in its largest since Yemen’s civil war began sanctions move.” It’s of course one and the first real movement towards thing for everybody to chuckle and roll implementing a 2018 de-escalation their eyes at this most recent rogue agreement in months. That agreement first established a ceasefire in the action by the Trump administration in abstract. – Ynets. News, Aawsat, Yemeni port city of Hudaydah, which Jerusalem Post, Iran International has more or less held, but it mapped out further steps towards peace talks, starting with a prisoner swap, that had hitherto gone nowhere. The swap was the outcome of United Nations-

13 brokered negotiations between the angry rebuke from Ankara. – parties in early September. If all goes en.Qantara.de according to plan, this will be the largest prisoner release in the Yemeni Iraqi Prime Minister Kadhimi war so far, and ideally would help build visits Iran some confidence for further BAGHDAD (21 July, 2020): Iraqi Prime negotiations. -Al Jazeera, Anadolu Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi visited Agency, Ahram Iran on his first overseas trip since Yemen southern separatists pull becoming Prime Minister in May. out of Riyadh agreement talks Kadhimi met with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Supreme Leader ADEN (26 August, 2020): The Ayatollah , the latter separatist Southern Transitional promising not to interfere in Iraq’s Council (STC) has pulled out of relationship with the US. In return, negotiations in Riyadh aimed at Kadhimi promised not to allow Iraqi repairing its relationship with the soil to be used to stage “any aggression Yemeni government. They cited or challenge to Iran.” – Al Jazeera deterioration in “public services” in southern Yemen and escalations by the Series of explosions in Lebanon Yemeni military in Abyan province as lead to public outcry reasons for their withdrawal. This could BEIRUT (10 September, 2020): lead to renewed violence between Beirut’s seaport is on fire. The same government forces and UAE-backed facility that was largely destroyed last STC fighters, though it is too soon to month when an ignored stockpile of say. This could also just be a negotiating ammonium nitrate exploded is now ploy. –Middle East Monitor experiencing a large blaze at a tire Turkey, France row over warehouse. While the fire had been Mediterranean claims mostly extinguished, it apparently destroyed a large cache of ISTANBUL (24 July, 2020): Turkey food shipments and its smoke may be and France are still feuding over the toxic. According to the Lebanese eastern Mediterranean. The Greek government, the death toll from the government put its navy on alert over explosion at Beirut port earlier this Turkish plans to drill for undersea month now stands at 190, with 6500 energy deposits near a Greek island, an injured and three people still missing. area that Turkey nevertheless claims Rescue workers who believed several under a “continental shelf” standard of days ago that they had found signs of a maritime law. This prompted French survivor in the wreckage of Beirut’s President Emmanuel Macron to call for massive seaport explosion last month European Union sanctions against have now concluded that those “signs” Turkey for violating the sovereignty of were actually caused by recovery an EU member state, which led to an workers on site. They have been unable

14 to detect any signs of life in the until Lebanon has a “credible” wreckage. government in place before it sends any more disaster relief assistance to help Lebanon will begin its formal the recovery from the explosion at investigation into the explosion at Beirut’s seaport. Prime Minister- Beirut’s port earlier this month. The designate Mustapha Adib reportedly investigation is being handled by the withdrew himself from consideration Lebanese military and is led by a for the job. Adib ran into a brick wall in military judge. He will be looking at the the form of Lebanon’s two major Shiʿa conduct of some 25 officials involved in parties, Amal and Hezbollah, and their running the port, all of whom are insistence on retaining control over bureaucrats and therefore not really certain offices, most particularly over culpable in having created the political the finance ministry. Adib sought to morass that caused the explosion and is divest the cabinet nomination process Lebanon’s true problem. The from the various political factions that investigation promises to be have have traditionally controlled it, significant political ramifications. ostensibly to create a “government of The Lebanese parliament voted on 13 experts” but more to respond to August to ratify the state of emergency Western concerns over the extent of that has been in place since the Hezbollah influence in Beirut. explosion at Beirut’s port that led to The fallout from Adib’s withdrawal is violent protests. Demonstrators broke still playing out and has been into the offices of the Lebanese superseded by other events, but it may economy, energy, and foreign signal the death knell of a European ministries. The protesters demanded initiative, spearheaded by French political change, and their protests President Emmanuel Macron, to explicitly targeted prominent political reform Lebanese politics using the figures like President Michel Aoun and carrot and stick policy of potential Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, as well European aid as leverage. Macron has as prominent political figures like already blamed Amal and Hezbollah Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. for Adib’s failure and said he was The entire cabinet and members of “ashamed” of Lebanese leaders. –Daily parliament had resigned. –Maritime Star, Al Jazeera, Jerusalem Post Insight, Daily Sabha, Arab News, Middle East Monitor, Al Jazeera, TRT Iran and China discussing 25 World, The Guardian, en.Qantara.de, years strategic partnership Haaretz TEHRAN (11 July 2020): Iran and EU wants a credible government China are discussing their 25 year in Lebanon strategic deal. The partnership, detailed in an 18-page proposed agreement, BEIRUT (13 September, 2020): The vastly expands Chinese presence in European Union is apparently waiting banking, telecommunications, ports,

15 railways and other projects. In crossings open, while the Council voted exchange, China would receive a down two Russian Resolutions limiting regular and heavily discounted supply shipments to one crossing. The of Iranian oil over the next 25 years. Resolution that was finally passed – The document also describes deepening authored by Germany and Belgium – military cooperation, potentially giving only keeps one crossing open but does China a foothold in a region that has so for 12 months (Russia had sought been a strategic preoccupation of the six) and does not contain language United States for decades. It calls for blaming Syria’s humanitarian crisis on joint training and exercises, joint Western sanctions, as the Russian research and weapons development Resolutions had. –Arab News and intelligence-sharing — all to fight “the lopsided battle with terrorism, Turkey-Russia fragile ceasefire drug and human trafficking and cross- DAMASCUS (06 August 2020): There border crimes.” There’s nothing in this are signs the Turkish-Russian ceasefire description about China basing soldiers in southern Idlib province is breaking in Iran or gaining control of any Iranian down, as Turkey has been unable to islands as part of the agreement, but control rebel factions there and those aspects are still heavily rumoured consequently the ceasefire has failed to and have been the source of substantial achieve its main objective— the disagreement over the partnership, reopening of Syria’s M4 highway. within Iran. The Chinese investments Russian and Syrian air and artillery could total as much as $400 billion over attacks are starting to resume, which the life of the deal. –New Yorker could be the precursor to a renewed UN approves aid to Syria’s rebel- full-scale offensive. Local sources seem held area through one border to think the Turks might be willing to crossing trade territory in southern Idlib for Russian concessions in Libya, and DAMASCUS (13 July 2020): In the face maybe to avoid a new military of Russian resistance, the United operation that would push more Nations Security Council voted displaced Syrians towards the border. – to reauthorize humanitarian aid Al Monitor shipments from Turkey into northwestern Syria by only one border Talks on Syria constitution crossing rather than the two that had resumed previously been in operation. The DAMASCUS (2 August 2020): United authorization for all UN aid operations Nations-brokered talks on writing a in Syria had expired and the Council new Syrian constitution has struggled to come to some have resumed in Geneva. The agreement about reauthorization. negotiations, which are aimed at Russia and China vetoed two reaching a political settlement to the Resolutions that would have kept both Syrian war via the constitution, are

16 probably a long shot to succeed and Netanyahu. The Saudi Press Agency were suspended earlier this week after said that the country's civil aviation several attendees tested positive for the authority had granted Abu Dhabi's coronavirus. “Swiss authorities” have request to allow airliners “coming from apparently decided that it’s safe to start and departing to all countries” and again. –Ahram, Al Monitor bound for or leaving one of the UAE's airports, to fly over Saudi Arabia. In UAE launches its nuclear energy 2018, the Kingdom had permitted Tel programme Aviv bound Air India to use its airspace. DUBAI (3 August): With the successful Netanyahu welcomed the move and startup of its Barakah nuclear energy called it the benefits of a genuine peace. plant, the UAE became the first Arab In a video statement, he added that country to launch its own nuclear flying over Saudi airspace will help energy programme. It is a significant develop tourism, lower the costs of step towards its goal of emissions-free flights and cut travel time to East Asia. electricity. The UAE is the newest However, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal member of an exclusive club of 31 bin Farhan Al-Saud said that the countries running nuclear power Kingdom's decision to allow flights operations. It is also the first to launch doesn't change its position on the a nuclear power plant in three decades Palestinian issue. – Haaretz, The after China (1990).The Barakah plant’s Jerusalem Post Unit 1 is the first of the UAE’s planned Kuwait Emir Sheikh Sabah Al four reactors, which, when complete, Sabah passes away are expected to meet 25 per cent of the country’s electricity needs with zero KUWAIT CITY (29 September): carbon emissions. Mohamed Ibrahim Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah AlSabah Al Hammadi, CEO of Emirates Nuclear passed away at the age of 91 after Energy Corp. said, “We are now another undergoing treatment in the US since step closer to achieving our goal of July. His office announced, “With the supplying up to a quarter of our utmost sadness and grief for the Nation’s electricity needs and powering Kuwaiti people, the Islamic and Arab its future growth with safe, reliable and world and people of friendly nations, emissions-free electricity.” Israel and the Emiri Diwan mourns the death of Iran already have nuclear capabilities in Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al the region. –CNBC Sabah.” The Emir had ruled the oil-rich Gulf Arab state since 2006 and had Saudi Arabia allowed use of its overseen its foreign policy for more airspace for UAE-Israel flights than 50 years. The Kuwaiti Dinar fell RIYADH (2 September 2020): Saudi against the US Dollar in the forward Arabia allowed the use of its airspace market and Kuwaiti stocks plunged, for UAE-Israel flights and the move has before the official announcement of the been appreciated by the Israeli PM Emir's death. Kuwait has sworn-in 83-

17 year old Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al- world’s largest listed company by Ahmad AlSabah as the new leader. market capitalization to Apple. Condolences poured in from around the region as Kuwait declared an official ARAMCO’s CEO also said that the mourning for a period of 40 days and company is moving ahead with plans to the closure of official departments for a boost crude output capacity despite period of 3 days. India is to observe cuts in capex this year and the next. one-day state mourning on the demise ARAMCO discovered two new oil and of the Emir, as Prime Minister Modi gas fields in the northern region. Saudi described him as a beloved leader of the energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Arab world and a close friend of India Salman Al-Saud mentioned that the oil and said that the late leader played a giant will carry on with its efforts to leading role in strengthening bilateral estimate the total amount of oil and gas relations and always took special care of in the Abraq Al Toloul oil field and the the Indian community in Kuwait. – Hadabat Al Hajara gas field, and is Khaleej Times, Al Jazeera, Gulf News, drilling more wells to determine their Hindustan Times areas and capacities. -CNBC, Hart Energy, Reuters ECONOMIC Lebanese Pound is the most Saudi ARAMCO income falls by 50 under-valued currency in the per cent world

RIYADH (9 August): Saudi oil giant BEIRUT (12 September 2020): Amid ARAMCO’s net income plunged by 50 political and economic chaos, the per cent and amounted to US$23.2 Lebanese Pound further dropped billion in the first six months of 2020. against the US Dollar on the black In the same period in 2019 the net market, becoming the world’s most income was US$ 46.9 billion. The under-valued currency. The new rate of financial results for the second quarter between LBP/$8,600-LBP/$8,750 reflect the biggest shock to global means the currency has lost 81 per cent energy markets in decades. Total free of its value in the past year since banks cash flow at the ARAMCO came in at began restricting withdrawals of US$21.1 billion for the first half, down Dollars. The government still officially from US$38 billion the year before. maintains the level even as the Pound ARAMCO President and CEO Amin collapses and banks halt all Dollar Nasser said that strong headwinds from withdrawals, except for what are called reduced demand and lower oil prices “fresh” transfers of Dollars from are reflected in ARAMCO’s second overseas.–Saudi Gazette quarter results. In December 2019, ARAMCO went public and has taken measures to build transparency. Earlier, ARAMCO ceded its title as the

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US sanctions cost Iran’s economy asked him to form a new government as US$ 150 billion the country continues to suffer from a severe economic crisis and the ongoing TEHRAN (26 September 2020): Iran coronavirus pandemic. -Al Khaleej lost US$150 billion of revenue since US Today, Al Araby, VOA News, Middle President Donald Trump withdrew East Monitor from the 2015 nuclear deal and re- imposed sanctions on its economy. The DEFENCE and US measures are also hampering SECURITY imports of medical and food supplies. Iran’s economy has shrunk over the US to upgrade Qatar to a non- past two years, inflation and NATO ally unemployment are rising. Crude WASHINGTON (17 September 2020): exports that the nation depends on for US Deputy Assistant Secretary for most of its foreign exchange, are less Arabian Gulf Affairs Timothy than 10 per cent of their level before the Lenderking said that the Trump US withdrew from the multilateral administration is hoping to upgrade its agreement in May 2018. –Gulf News partnership with Qatar to the status of Syrian economy continues to a major non-NATO ally. US Secretary of struggle as sanctions bite, State Mike Pompeo and Qatar Foreign shortages hit Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met in DAMASCUS (08 September, 2020): As Washington a week earlier. Currently, the Syrian Pound dropped to a new low 17 countries including Gulf Arab states (-2,250 pounds for purchase and 2,280 Kuwait and Bahrain enjoy the major pounds for sale), a decrease of 1.3 per non-NATO ally status with the US. The cent from the prices, while the price of status gives a country preferential basic goods continued to skyrocket, access to US military equipment and pro-regime circles scurried to attribute technology, including free surplus blame for the country's material, expedited export processing recent economic woes. It is reported and prioritized cooperation on training. that the bakeries across the country are The move aims to achieve a strong front running out of flour for bread and fuel against Iran as it intends to mend the stations are running out of petrol. As rift between Qatar and the quartet of bakeries in Syria struggle to continue to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and produce bread to feed a hungry Egypt. Secondly, it also intends to test population, the government of waters for a probable Israel-Qatar deal. President Bashar al-Assad is reportedly –Al Jazeera scrambling to keep supply chains going in the face of a major wheat shortage. Series of explosions in Iran

The Syrian President has appointed TEHRAN (23 June 2020): There was Prime Minister Hussein Arnous and another minor catastrophe at an

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Iranian facility. This is the third people on August 21, 2020. According incident in a week. This time it appears to the statement, the cell members were there was a mysterious fire at Iran’s arrested in security operations in uranium enrichment facility in Natanz, northern and central Lebanon. – which follows a mysterious explosion at Anadolu Agency a missile production facility outside of Tehran and another Massive blast in Beirut kill more mysterious explosion at what’s been than 190; sparks nation-wide described as a medical clinic in protest in Lebanon northern Iran. Unlike the previous two BEIRUT (4 August, 2020): A massive incidents (26 and 30 June), after this blast shocked the Beirut port in one, Iranian state media seemed to Lebanon killing at least 190 people and leave open the possibility that the fire injuring 6,500. According to Beirut was the result of sabotage perpetrated Governor Marwan Abboud, the blast by Israel and/or the United States. temporarily displaced 300,000 people Natanz has also been the target of and caused an estimated loss of US$ 10- sabotage in the past. Iran said that it 15 billion. After the blast the was building a new underground government declared a two-week state facility to research advanced centrifuge of emergency. The blast sparked a technologies near its current centrifuge nationwide protest against the facility at Natanz. Iranian officials claim government for its failure in averting that the fire only struck a storage area, the disaster which resulted in the but there are reportedly indications resignation by the Prime from satellite imagery that it may have Minister Hassan Diab on 10 August, hit a more sensitive area, possibly one 2020. Later, in a rushed process prior involved in the production of advanced to French President Emmanuel centrifuges. –Iran Primer, Asharq Al Macron’s visit, the Lebanese president Awsat invited Mustafa Adib to form a new Lebanese security forces arrest government on 31 August, 2020. –Al Islamic State-linked ‘terror cell’ Jazeera and Ha’aretz Israel Sends reinforcement to BEIRUT (5 September, 2020): Lebanon’s army had arrested a “terror Northern Borders amid cell” linked to Islamic State (IS) on 5 Hezbollah threat September, 2020. By giving reference TEL AVIV (23 July, 2020): The Israel to a military statement, Anadolu Defence Forces decided to send Agency reported that the cell was reinforcements to the borders with preparing to launch a terror strike Lebanon amid the threat of retaliation inside Lebanon. The leader of the cell is from Hezbollah over the death of one of said to be Khaled Al Talawy. According its fighters (Ali Kamel Mohsen Jawad) to security forces, his car was used in a in Syria earlier this month. “In light of a shootout that took the lives of three situational assessment that was held in

20 the IDF, it was decided to send a after Israel-Bahrain-UAE-US inked a pinpoint reinforcement of infantry peace deal at Washington DC. troops to the Northern Command,” the According to the IDF, “13 rocket military said. The reinforcement launches were identified, of which 8 comprised the 13th battalion of the were successfully intercepted by the Golani Brigade and a small number of Iron Dome defense system”. In additional troops. In the last few retaliation, the Israeli army targeted months, significant increase in tension Hamas’ military positions in northern has been registered between Israel and and central Gaza. The tensions between Lebanon which has created a possibility Hamas and Israel have significantly of escalation especially after Israel’s increased since Israel has signed the strikes on Hezbollah outposts which peace agreements with the UAE and were facilitating border crossings of Bahrain. – Haaretz terrorists in Israel. – The Times of Israel OPCW condemns use of chemical weapons by Syrian government US military to test Israeli drone system for intercepting drones DAMASCUS (9 July, 2020): The Organisation for the Prohibition of TEL AVIV (8 September, 2020): Chemical Weapons’ (OPCW) executive According to Israel's Ministry of council voted overwhelmingly to Defence, the U.S. military has initiated “condemn” the Syrian government for a new pilot project to test an Israeli- using sarin and chlorine gas in an attack made drone system for intercepting on the town of Ltamenah in March drones. The Skylord drone system, 2017. The OPCW gave Syria 90 days to produced by the Israeli company fully declare its remaining chemical Xtend, is designed to protect troops weapons stockpiles, something from "various inbound aerial threats, Damascus, which denies using particularly drones," the ministry said chemical munitions in Ltamenah, says in a statement. The system allows it did years ago. If the Syrian drones to be controlled remotely using government fails to respond, the OPCW virtual and augmented reality. will probably refer the case to the Currently, IDF has been using the United Nations Security Council. – system to intercept balloons attached Arms Control Today with incendiary materials flown by the militants in the Gaza Strip. –Ha’aretz Bagdad and Erbil agree on security matters Hamas targets Southern Israel after Abraham Accord signing BAGHDAD (18 August, 2020): Iraqi ceremony and Kurdistan Regional Government officials have apparently come to GAZA (15 September, 2020): Multiple an accord creating several joint rockets were launched in Southern operations commands in provinces Israel from the Gaza Strip immediately across central Iraq where the Islamic

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State has been active recently. Ever (alleged) militia attacks to target or since the moved against the even risk targeting civilians. The KRG around Kirkuk in 2017, there have administration said it was “outraged” been major gaps both physically and in by the attack. Kadhimi seems to believe terms of coordination between their it, or at least he’s acting like he believes security forces, and IS has been the it. He is talking about creating a special beneficiary. This agreement may help security force for Baghdad’s Green to tighten things up. Musings on Iraq Zone, where the embassy is located, and appears to be threatening the US announces withdrawal of militias with economic and military troops from Iraq, eyes prospects retaliation in an attempt to bring them of oil deal under tighter state control, but whether WASHINGTON (20 August, 2020):US he can succeed is anybody’s guess. – President Donald Trump hosted Iraqi TRT World, Mohave Daily, Iraqi Files, Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi at Al Arabiya, Musing on Iraq the White House and reiterated his goal INDIA and the REGION of fully withdrawing US military forces from Iraq. Earlier this year, the Iraqi India sends emergency aid to parliament urged the US to withdraw Lebanon its forces from Iraq. Though it was a non-binding vote and the Iraqi NEW DELHI (14 August, 2020): India government has never taken steps to sent 58 tonnes of emergency implement it, partly because at the time humanitarian aid to Lebanon in order Trump threatened sanctions if they did. to help the people of Lebanon in overcoming the damage caused by the –Arab News explosions in Beirut on 4 US warns Iraq of Baghdad August. During briefings about embassy closure if attacks humanitarian aid, the official continue spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Anurag Srivastava, BAGHDAD (29 September 2020): The said “we had offered our assistance to Trump administration has conveyed Lebanon and sought from them an the Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al assessment of their requirement. Based Kadhimi that it will close the US on this, an Indian Air Force C-17 embassy in Baghdad unless his aircraft was deployed to deliver 58 MT government puts an end to rocket of emergency humanitarian aid on attacks targeting that and other US- behalf of the Government of India to related facilities, likely perpetrated by Lebanon”. The Indian aid comprised Iranian-aligned militias. The warning emergency medical supplies, wheat came before word of another rocket flour, sugar, pulses, and relief materials attack near Baghdad’s airport on 29 such as blankets, dignity kits and September, which killed at least six sleeping mats, which Lebanon civilians. It is unusual for these desperately needed in light of the large

22 number of people left homeless by the their strategic bilateral relations by explosion. – The Hindustan Times promoting greater people-to-people exchange. The Agreement was signed at Israel AI-based technologies to the Israeli Foreign Ministry between help tackle COVID-19 Israel’s Foreign Minister Gabi NEW DELHI (12 August, 2020): As a Ashkenazi and India’s Ambassador to part of Israel-India cooperation to fight Israel, Sanjeev Singla. The agreement the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the states that “Both sides are convinced All India Institute for Medical Sciences that this cooperation shall contribute to (AIIMS) has received AI- based state- the development of their relations and of-the-art technologies and high-end to raising awareness, particularly equipment from Israel. The high-end among youth, of the history and culture equipment and technology solutions of the people of both countries. They were formally handed over to AIIMS by also agreed to promote cooperation in the Ambassador of Israel to India, Ron order to improve and strengthen Malka. The technologies included a 12- mutual understanding and friendship hour disinfection product called CPD, between the two countries.” - PTI and non-invasive remote patient Financial Express monitoring system, an AI-based India and UAE held 13th Joint software which is for Ultrasound use Commission Meeting and an app that can be installed on any mobile phone by hospital staff and NEW DELHI (17 August 2020): India makes the work of the hospital staff and the UAE held the 13th session of the effective and easier. While handing Joint Commission Meeting on trade, over the equipment and technologies to economic and technical cooperation AIIMS, Malka said “We are pleased to and the meeting was co-chaired by share the best medical technology Indian External Affairs Minister solutions from Israel with the most Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and his premier medical institute of India. We Emirati counterpart Sheikh Abdullah are confident that these technologies Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two sides will further bolster their capabilities to held wide-ranging discussions on a tackle Covid-19”. Indeed, the COVID-19 number of issues and expressed crisis has deepened the ties between the satisfaction over the sustenance of two nations. – The Hindustan Times, momentum in the bilateral relations in Jagran Josh and Government of Israel various areas for mutual benefit under the aegis of the Comprehensive India and Israel sign cultural Strategic Partnership. The two agreement countries welcomed the close NEW DELHI (20 August, 2020): India cooperation in the fight against the inked a cultural agreement with Israel COVID-19 and discussed a joint which covers a three-year programme strategy to offset the economic and of cooperation to further strengthen social impact of the pandemic. India

23 invited further investments from the funding signals India’s desire and UAE in key sectors of the Indian commitment to be part of the project. – economy while the UAE appreciated Indian Express, The Print the significant contributions made by the Indian expatriate community and India-Turkey spat over Kashmir expressed its willingness to further issue strengthen links in energy and food NEW DELHI (22 September 2020): security.– MEA The Indian government claims that Indian Defence and External Turkey is recruiting Kashmiri Affairs ministers visit Iran journalists as part of its well-planned conspiracy to malign India’s image TEHRAN (9 September 2020): India’s internationally on the Kashmir issue. In defence minister Rajnath Singh met the last few years a large number of with his Iranian counterpart Brigadier Pakistani journalists have been hired by General Amir Hatami in Iran. They Turkish media on Erdogan’s discussed ways to bolster bilateral instructions, to capitalize on extremism cooperation and exchanged views on in domestic politics and to advance the regional security issues, including the propagation of to the situation in Afghanistan. Two days world. Prior to that, India slammed later, Indian External Affairs Minister Turkish President Recep Tayyip S. Jaishankar met Iranian Foreign Erdogan for his remarks on Kashmir Minister Javad Zarif and discussed the during the United Nations General Chabahar Port project and the situation Assembly (UNGA) session, saying the in Afghanistan. The visit comes in the latter's speech constitutes "gross backdrop of strained ties between the interference" in India's internal affairs US and Iran, and China trying to grab and is "completely unacceptable”. –Zee the strategic space in sanctions-hit News, NDTV Iran. India is committed to the Chabahar project; India has allocated (Prepared by Dr. Lakshmi Priya, Ms. Rs 100 crores for the project in this Nagapushpa Devendra and Mr. Jatin year’s Budget. The allocation of the Kumar)

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