CEP Mentions
Daily Mail: Iran Rejects ‘Impudent' Calls From West To Stand Down Threat To Attack Israel As IDF Approves Multi-Front Battle Plan To Retaliate Against Tehran And Hezbollah
“Iran today rejected the 'impudent' calls from the West to de-escalate its threat against Israel over the alleged killings of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut last month.… Edmund Fitton-Brown, Senior Advisor to the Counter Extremism Project and former Ambassador of the UK to Yemen, told MailOnline this evening 'it could all very easily spiral out of control'.'But Iran both want to be seen to respond to the Israeli assassinations. The F-15 aircraft, which will begin to be delivered in 2029, will upgrade Israel's current fleet and include radars and secure communications equipment. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US' ambassador to the UN, stressed today that the overall American goal in the Middle East is still to 'turn the temperature down'.”
The Standard: Rioters Could Serve Less Time Behind Bars Amid Bid To Cut Prison Overcrowding
“... Former prison governor Ian Acheson, an adviser to the Counter Extremism Project think tank, said rioters should not get “any additional discount” on their sentences. Speaking to PA, he said: “The full force of the law does not mean the same thing as it meant in 2011 because… you’ve got a system that’s on its knees already. So the priority must be that justice is seen to be done. “I think the Ministry of Justice should go further, exceptionally in these circumstances, and say that anybody who is convicted of a riot-connected offence should not be eligible for the discount. “Because I think the most important thing that the state needs to do right now is assert its authority again. These are exceptional circumstances. The exclusions that apply are fairly specific so they would need to be changed.” But he also questioned whether any changes “would fly” without legal challenge.”
United States
Voice Of America: Pentagon: Iran-Backed Attack Injured 8 US Troops In Syria
“Eight U.S. service members in Syria were injured in a drone attack by Iranian-backed militants last week, Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder said on Tuesday. Tuesday marked the first time that the Pentagon blamed Iranian proxies for Friday's attack. "We assess that it was conducted by Iranian-backed militia, but we're still digging into the specifics," Ryder said in response to a question from VOA at a Pentagon briefing. Ryder told reporters the service members had been treated for smoke inhalation and traumatic brain injury. Three of the injured troops have returned to duty, he added. Earlier, the U.S. military said several American and coalition personnel had been wounded in a drone attack late Friday at Rumalyn Landing Zone in eastern Syria but stressed that "none of the injuries are life threatening."”
Turkey
Associated Press: Turkey Says Ethiopia And Somalia Have Made ‘Notable Progress’ In Talks To Settle Dispute
“Ethiopia and Somalia have made “notable progress” in efforts to settle a dispute sparked by Ethiopia’s deal with the breakaway region of Somaliland, Turkey’s foreign minister said Tuesday. Hakan Fidan made the comments at the end of a second round of talks between the foreign ministers of Somalia and Ethiopia that are being mediated by Turkey. “I am pleased to announce that the number and extent of issues we discussed, has increased significantly, compared to the first round. We were able to focus on the details and technicalities of concrete steps,” Fidan said in a video message recorded at his ministry. “We believe that a collaborative and constructive solution is within reach.” Flanked by his counterparts from Ethiopia and Somalia, Fidan added that a third round of talks would be held on Sept. 17.”
Afghanistan
Associated Press: The Taliban Are Celebrating Three Years In Power, But They’re Not Talking About Afghans
“The Taliban celebrated the third anniversary of their return to power at a former U.S. air base in Afghanistan on Wednesday, but there was no mention of the country’s hardships or promises of hope for the struggling population. Under blue skies and blazing sunshine at Bagram — once the epicentre of America’s war to unseat the Taliban and hunt down the al-Qaida perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks — members of the Taliban cabinet lauded achievements like strengthening Islamic law and establishing a military system that provides “peace and security.” The speeches were aimed at an international audience, urging the diaspora to return and for the West to interact and cooperate with the country’s rulers. “The Islamic Emirate eliminated internal differences and expanded the scope of unity and cooperation in the country,” said deputy prime minister Maulvi Abdul Kabir, employing the term the Taliban use to describe their government.”
Pakistan
Associated Press: Pakistani, Afghan Taliban Forces Trade Fire At Torkham Border Crossing, Killing 3 Afghan Civilians
“Pakistani and Afghan Taliban forces traded cross-border fire near a key northwestern crossing, killing a woman and two children on the Afghan side of the border, officials said Tuesday. There was no immediate word on casualties on the Pakistani side of the Torkham border which was shut, disrupting trade and movement of people between the two countries, local Pakistani official Zahid Khan said. Torkham, a key border crossing, is located in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. It was unclear who initiated the attack, though such cross-border fire is common along the Afghan-Pakistan border. Each side has in the past closed Torkham, and also the southwestern Chaman border crossing in Pakistan, for various reasons. Both crossings are vital for trade and travel for Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
Middle East
Associated Press: Public Spat Highlights Cracks In Netanyahu’s Coalition As Israel Braces For Feared Iran Attack
“Cracks are widening in a public tiff between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his moderate defense minister, the latest spat showing growing discontent with Netanyahu’s handling of the war at a sensitive time. Israel is bracing for potential Iranian retaliation after a blast in Tehran killed Hamas’ leader — an attack blamed on Israel. And a new round of cease-fire negotiations between Israel and Hamas is set to begin later this week. On Monday, the Israeli media reported that Defense Minister Yoav Gallant condemned Netanyahu’s “nonsense about ‘total victory’” a phrase the prime minister has frequently repeated during the 10-month-old war in Gaza. The war, which began with a Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and left about 250 hostage in Gaza, has killed more than 39,000 Palestinians.”
Europe
Reuters: Austria Plans Tougher Counter-Terrorism Moves After Taylor Swift Plot
“Chancellor Karl Nehammer said on Tuesday he would introduce steps to bolster Austria's counter-terrorism capacity after authorities last week foiled a suspected ISIS-inspired plot against a concert due to be held by Taylor Swift in Vienna. In a post on X, Nehammer said he was presenting a package of measures to enable "decisive action against terrorist activities", linking to a media report setting out his plans to beef up domestic intelligence services. The report referenced by Nehammer in Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung set out four points, including giving security services the ability to monitor communications sent on messaging apps - currently not permitted in the country. Nehammer, a conservative seeking re-election next month, said after the alleged plot was uncovered that Austria needed to give intelligence agencies more powers to decrypt messages.”
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