• Deal announced today
• Brokered by China
• Re-Opening of embassies
• Al-Aiban, Shamkhani, Wang Yi
• White House: Good for Yemen
• Iraq, Oman roles al-monitor.com/originals/2023…
Hard to understate significance of this, coming on heels of China's improved roles w Saudi &Iran.
US official told @AlMonitor it "welcomes any efforts to help end the war in Yemen & de-escalate tensions in the Middle East region."
Talks between Saudi & Houthis are advancing.
But the crux of this is China: its biggest diplomatic breakthrough in GCC region. Chinese negotiator Wang Yi brokered the deal.
Can China offer guarantees? Will this hold? Time will tell.
Last note on what’s also interesting here:
• Saudi reopens embassy in Iran before Syria, via China mediation
• Talk of Saudi - UAE rift in Yemen
• Israel’s Netanyahu quiet,after saying from day one he wants to normalize with KSA
Geopolitics of MENA region see another toss
• • •
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JUST IN: Two missiles reportedly hit Przewodow #Poland located on border with #Ukraine. Comes as Russia pounded Ukraine with missiles today. Local radio reports 2 fatalities. Poland is a NATO member
Being a NATO member, Poland could opt to invoke Article 5 of "collective defense" that an attack on one is an attack on all.
If Russia is culprit, such move would take Ukraine war to a whole new level
BREAKING: US Intelligence official confirms to AP that “Russian missiles crossed into NATO member #Poland, killing two people.”
This is quickly escalating. Poland’s PM is holding emergency meeting.
Venezuela’s Maduro goes from being on US wanted list in 2020 ( $15 million reward for his capture), to shaking hands with John Kerry in 2022. Video from Egypt today at #COP27 :
State Department trying to walk back the handshake, saying it was "unplanned, nonsubstantive", & that envoy Kerry was caught by surprise.
But this follows careful review of relations with Venezuela from the Biden admin., release of hostages, & possible easing of oil sanctions.
The Kerry-Maduro handshake follows a chummy encounter between Macron and Maduro on Monday. Macron starts off by calling him "Mr President" even though France had recognized opposition leader Guaido as President of Venezuela in 2019:
Despicable. This woman in Texas can’t control her racism and hate of Indian people, harasses four women on street because of their accent and then physically assaults them…Shame:
This happens more than we think it does. I have seen it first hand against Muslim & Asian Americans. Difference this time is it’s caught on camera, hopefully there will be legal ramifications.
UPDATE: Assaulter in video above Esmeralda Upton of Plano Texas has been ARRESTED by Police detectives this afternoon. She faces 2 charges of Assault Bodily Injury and Terroristic threat. Held on $10,000 bond.
BREAKING: Video of hostage situation in #Lebanon at a major bank in downtown Beirut. An armed man is holding bank staff until they release his deposits, he says are $210,000:
Most Lebanese have lost access to their bank deposits/retirement pensions following the crisis in 2019, while many in political elite sent their capital outside country.
This, happening at Bank Beirut, is yet another indication of how explosive the economic situation has become
They’re negotiating w him asking to release a staffer to go get the money. He doesn’t buy it.
Reports of citizens on outside coming to support him.
Many Lebanese live day to day on minimum cash amounts they’re allowed out of bank or what expats send. Lost access to all savings