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Hezbollah chief: Daesh aims to ignite civil war in Afghanistan

By
IFP Media Wire
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In his speech on Monday, Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah denounced the bombing that took place inside a mosque in Kunduz province a few days ago in Afghanistan.

He stressed that the perpetrator is “Daesh, the Wahhabi terrorist organization”, allocating the responsibility of the attack to the US given that it previously transferred Daesh members from Iraq to Afghanistan.

Nasrallah said that “Daesh job today is to create a state of internal turmoil that would lead to a civil war in Afghanistan”, emphasizing the responsibility of Afghan authorities to protect its citizens regardless of their color or sect.

Nasrallah also addressed the electricity crisis in Lebanon, revealing that multiple offers have been made from Eastern and Western states to solve the local problem.

Furthermore, he stressed the need to respond to the proposal made by Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, which hinged on building two electric power plants in Lebanon, thus largely alleviating the country from the current power outages.

The Secretary-General also demanded the Lebanese Government to prioritize dealing with the electricity crisis by placing it at the top of its agenda in its next session, wondering along the way about the existence of a US veto obstructing the solving of this issue on the internal level.

This attempt by the US would ease the privatization of the energy sector once it collapses.

To counter this sabotaging, he called on the Lebanese government to request an exception from the US, adding, “Let’s allow the Lebanese companies to buy diesel from Iran, as we will subsequently offer them facilitations before completely withdrawing from this issue.”

Nasrallah also touched on the subject of the Beirut Port investigation, stating that the current judge handling the case, Tariq Bitar, is exploiting the victims’ blood in service of political goals as he continues the path set by his predecessor.

Countering doubt about Hezbollah’s commitment to the search for the truth, he asserted the party’s unwillingness to abandon the investigation, notably as it was scathed on the moral, political and reputational level by the Beirut Port explosion.

The Secretary-General wondered how the judge has not yet concluded who the importer of the nitrate was, viewing his approach to the investigation as erroneous and one that will not lead to the truth. He called on assigning an “honest judge” to lead the investigation.

Nasrallah also made an appeal to the Supreme Judicial Council, decrying the unlawful practices of Bitar and suggesting that the government solve this issue in case the Council remains idle towards this issue.

Report: 2k UK police officers accused of sexual misconduct

By
IFP Media Wire
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An investigation by Channel 4 and analysis by The Times have uncovered cases of misconduct within the Metropolitan Police, prompting calls for more transparency.

Nearly 2,000 officers, special constables, and community support officers at 39 forces have faced accusations of sexual wrongdoing since 2017, according to the report. More than half of the allegations failed to result in disciplinary action, while 8% were dismissed.

Nearly 300 officers had previously been reported for misconduct when facing fresh allegations.

Former Prime Minister Theresa May has come out in favour of an investigation into corruption and misconduct in policing.

“Surely now, it is time for the police to properly ensure that where instances of corruption and misconduct do occur, they are rooted out with vigour on every occasion . . . and that this is done openly for all to see,” May said, adding that the public inquiry into the Wayne Couzens case should investigate the transparency issue.

Wayne Couzens, 48, a diplomatic protection officer, kidnapped, raped, and murdered Sarah Everard, 33, in March.

Since Everard’s murder, a national outcry against violence and misconduct by the police has gained momentum in the UK.

The police are required to publish misconduct notices outlining the results of hearings for a minimum of 28 days. After that deadline, most are deleted from the internet, which also happened with the notice from the Met that detailed why Couzens was sacked in July.

“Forces are adhering to the letter of the law but not the spirit of the law. Accused police officers invoke mental health concerns knowing it will result in their case being held in closed session. The public just don’t find out about a lot of these cases,” a policing source stated.

In the past 30 days there were more than 40 misconduct outcome notices published concerning officers and staff in England and Wales, with nearly 50% of them anonymised.

Other reported figures included information about 1,147 hearings since 2018, while the police couldn’t confirm whether 502 of them were held in public or private. In the remainder, one in four were held in private.

Examples of misconduct included instances of a senior officer having sex with a female colleague on police premises, and another officer sleeping with a drug dealer.

Louisa Rolfe, who leads public protection for the National Police Chiefs Council, has suggested that “sadly” some people want to be police officers “because of the power, the control, and the opportunity it affords them”.

She added that the “vetting processes are designed to root those people out”.

A spokesman for Kit Malthouse, the policing minister, said that the police should be transparent “when officers have fallen below the standards the public expect of them, and being clear on the forces’ response”.

Iranian FM congratulates Iraqis on successful vote

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Amirabdollahian expressed hope that with unity and solidarity among all Iraqis and their elected representatives at parliament and with the formation of a new government in Iraq, the country will be on track toward stability and prosperity.

The Iranian foreign minister also announced Iran’s support for Iraq’s stability and security, saying the Islamic Republic is ready for cooperation with Baghdad on the path toward development and progress in relations between the two nations.

Official: Iran soon to stop Covid vaccine imports

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Mohammadreza Shanehsaz said Iranian pharmaceutical companies will meet the domestic demand.

Shanehsaz however noted that the vaccine shipments for which orders were placed will be imported.

The head of Iran’s Food and Drug Organization added that Iran’s Barakat vaccine was nominated to receive the World Health Organization’s approval for use, adding necessary arrangements have been already made for this purpose.

According to Shanehsaz, vaccine imports constituted only 10 percent of the jabs provided for vaccination of citizens.

Domestic production of Covid vaccines and their imports in combination accelerated the inoculation process in Iran.

Covid deaths, infections and hospitalizations have seen a downward trend in recent weeks. And the worst of the crisis is reportedly over.

Diplomats say Iran, Saudi Arabia on verge of normalizing ties

By
IFP Media Wire
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Regional arch-rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran are showing signs of warming relations, but experts say more work is needed to ease tensions after a five-year rift.

Sunni kingpin Saudi Arabia and Shiite-majority Iran cut ties in 2016 after protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in the Islamic republic following the kingdom’s execution of a revered Shiite cleric.

In recent weeks, officials from both countries, on opposing sides in multiple Middle East conflicts, have spoken positively about breakthrough talks held in Baghdad since April.

The discussions were launched under Iran’s former moderate president Hassan Rouhani and have continued under his ultraconservative successor, Ebrahim Raisi.

A foreign diplomat residing in the kingdom who is privy to the negotiations said that the two sides “were on the verge of agreeing… to ease tensions between them and the (diplomatic) proxy war in the region” during the last round of talks.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has confirmed a fourth round took place in September, and expressed hope they would “lay the foundation” to address issues between the countries.

His Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, has stated the discussions are “on the right track”.

“We have achieved results and agreements, but we still need more dialogue,” he noted earlier this month.

The foreign diplomat added the two sides would “most likely put the final touches to an agreement” in a new round of talks that could come within days.

“They, in principle, have reached an agreement to reopen consulates… and I think an announcement of normalisation of ties may come in the next few weeks,” the diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Saudi media have toned down their rhetoric towards Tehran, with the state-run Al-Ekhbariya television last week reporting “direct and honest” discussions that would “achieve stability in the region”.

It also cited Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s statement this year that Riyadh wants “a good and special relationship” with Tehran.

Last month, Saudi King Salman expressed hope that talks with Iran would “lead to tangible outcomes to build trust” and revive bilateral cooperation.

But he also called on Tehran to cease “all types of support” for armed groups in the region, referring especially to Yemen’s Huthi rebels, who have escalated missile and drone attacks on the kingdom.

Since 2015, Riyadh has led a military coalition to support the government against the Huthi insurgents after they seized the capital Sanaa.

Riyadh accuses Iran of supporting the Huthis with weapons and drones, but Tehran says it only provides the rebels with political support.

“Saudi Arabia is interested in ending the conflict in Yemen… which has cost it billions of riyals,” the foreign diplomat stated.

But Tehran also seeks economic opportunities with Riyadh as it looks to revive its sanctions-battered economy, according to the diplomat.

Saudi government adviser Ali Shihabi said that while the atmosphere was positive, Tehran would have to take “substantive” action, particularly on Yemen, before Riyadh would agree to measures like the reopening of embassies.

“Iran needs to take real steps, not just (engage) in nice talk,” Shihabi told AFP.

Yasmine Farouk, of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, noted Saudi Arabia wants attacks on the kingdom to stop as it diversifies its economy away from oil and spends billions on ambitious megaprojects to attract tourists and investors.

“There is a greater chance for an agreement now, because Saudi Arabia is sure there will be no US military response to Iran attacking” the kingdom, she added.

Farouk was referring in particular to a 2019 Huthi-claimed assault that temporarily knocked out half of the kingdom’s crude production and drew international condemnation, but no action.

Despite signs of a “positive atmosphere”, Farouk warned the dialogue lacked assurances that Iran would “commit to what is agreed upon — as well as the international support for such negotiations”.

Hussein Ibish, a Washington-based Middle East expert, said indications of warming ties were mostly coming from Iran and Iraq, which has been positioning itself as a regional mediator.

“Now that the whole region has entered into an era of de-confliction, it’s not that hard to imagine a process leading to the reversal of the rupture… but it’s going to take considerably more progress in my view,” he told AFP.

According to Iranian journalist Maziar Khosravi, Riyadh and Tehran will likely never see eye to eye, but the two have “reached an impasse in their regional rivalry”.

“Both sides realise they have no choice but to reach a compromise,” he added.

Iran, S Africa FMs discuss bilateral ties, cooperation

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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In this telephone conversation, different topics such as holding the 10th political committee at the level of deputy foreign ministers in Tehran, holding the 15th meeting of the joint commission between the two countries at the level of foreign ministers of the two countries, the official visit of the Iranian president to South Africa and others topics of mutual interest were discussed.

Mrs. Pandor expressed satisfaction with the meeting with the Iranian foreign minister on the sidelines of the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. She stressed the importance of developing bilateral relations and South Africa’s interest in this regard. The South African foreign minister also mentioned the Iranian president’s visit to Pretoria and the holding of the 15th meeting of the joint commission, which will be hosted by South Africa during the first six months of 2022 in Pretoria.

The top Iranian diplomat welcomed the planned joint commission meeting, and emphasized on the formation of investment, energy and health subcommittees, as well as working on areas of mutual interest for cooperation and in order to expand trade and economic relations.

At the end of their phone conversation, the two sides stressed the need to strengthen cooperation in international and regional fields.

Iraqi forces nab senior Daesh member

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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“While our heroes in the Iraqi security forces focused on securing the elections, their national intelligence services colleagues were conducting a complex external operation to capture Sami Jasim,” he wrote a day after Iraqis cast their ballots in the parliamentary election.

The Iraqi premier wrote that Sami Jasim was in charge of the terror group’s finances and a deputy of its slain leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

The Iraqi security media cell says Jasim is one of the most important internationally wanted terrorists, close to the Daesh central council and one of the closest men to the current leader of the terror group Abdullah Qardash.

He was a key figure in Daesh battles against popular forces in Iraq and is accused of killing a large number of Iraqis and Syrians.

Some sources say he was captured in Turkey days ago and taken to Iraq.

The Iraqi Army and Popular Mobilization Units defeated Daesh in late 2017 – three years after the armed group seized large parts of northern Iraq.

Ex-Pentagon software chief: US has lost AI battle to China

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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“We have no competing fighting chance against China in 15 to 20 years. Right now, it’s already a done deal; it is already over in my opinion,” Nicolas Chaillan told the Financial Times in his first interview since his shock resignation last month.

Chaillan, who was the first chief software officer for the US Air Force and oversaw the Pentagon’s efforts to boost cybersecurity over the past three years, announced his resignation in September in protest against the sluggish pace of technological progress in the American military.

“Whether it takes a war or not is kind of anecdotal”, but China, which has prioritized artificial intelligence, machine learning and cyber capabilities, is on course for global domination and control of everything from media narratives to geopolitics, he insisted.

Washington might be spending three times more than Beijing on defense, but this money is being used in the wrong areas, said the French-born tech entrepreneur, who became a US citizen in 2016. AI and other emerging technologies are more crucial for America’s future than massive and high-budget hardware projects like fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, he argued.

One thing holding the US back is the ongoing debate on the ethics of artificial intelligence, while Chinese companies are devoting “massive investment” to AI without a second thought, according to Chaillan.

Chinese firms are also actively cooperating with their government on AI, but US companies, like Google, are reluctant to work with the American authorities, he added.

The former software chief also sounded the alarm over the cyber defenses of US government agencies, saying that they were at “kindergarten level” in some areas.

In the coming weeks, Chaillan plans to testify before Congress in relation to the issue to attract more attention to the danger posed to the US by China’s technological advancements.

Chaillan’s resignation made a splash after he announced it in a bombshell letter in early September. He complained that bureaucracy and lack of funding had prevented him from doing his job properly, saying that he was fed up with “hearing the right words without action”.

The Pentagon was “setting up critical infrastructure to fail” by appointing military officials with no expertise in the field in charge of cyber initiatives, the 37-year-old argued.

“We would not put a pilot in the cockpit without extensive flight training; why would we expect someone with no IT experience to be close to successful?” he continued.

He kept criticizing the Department of Defense after his departure, claiming during a CyberSatGov conference earlier this week that American national security satellite providers were unable to develop “at the speed of relevance” finding themselves stuck in the Pentagon’s ecosystem.

NASA was also grilled, with Chaillan saying that it was “a little bit of a disgrace that we had to wait for SpaceX to bring a capability to allow us to send Americans back to the ISS and not depend on the Russians”. Souyz rockets, launched by Russia’s space agency Roscosmos, have been delivering NASA astronauts to orbit from the shutdown of the shuttle program in 2011 till 2020 when SpaceX developed capabilities to send humans to space.

Iran to hold new air defense military drill

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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The commander of the Khatamolanbia Joint Air Defense Headquarters Brigadier General Rahim Zadeh said the operational phase of the drill will began on Tuesday, October 12.

According to Brigadier General Rahim Zadeh, selected units of the Iranian Army’s air defense force, IRGC’s aerospace force and the Iranian Air Force will participate in the maneuver.

Iran has conducted numerous war games in recent years amid repeated threats of attack by adversaries like the US and Israel.

The Islamic Republic has also beefed up its military might most notably its missile capabilities.

Iran says it will never initiate a war but will give a devastating response to any aggression against the country.

Iran new academic year kicks off amid Covid-related concerns

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iran’s President Ebrahim Raeisi said at the opening ceremony of the 1400-1401academic year that the nation can find a higher place with active universities and professors.

Raeisi added that the upstream document of the second step of the Islamic Revolution emphasizes science and scientific progress, expressing hope that this academic year will be different from previous ones and will see big steps being taken.

Raeisi added, “We need a change, and this change must be in basic sciences; if not, it’s going to be subjective”. The president said universities should be the center of change in the country.

According to Raeisi, the university must see, hear, observe and give timely warnings and solutions before others. “The mission of the university must be redefined in order for Iran to become a scientific authority in the world”, he said.

While stressing that the university has been shining during the Covid pandemic, he said that in addition to making vaccines for the disease, Iran must also find a definitive cure for the Coronavirus.

Addressing the academics, the president said the formation of a strong Iran requires the forceful production of science and power is not just about building missiles. Raeisi noted that although making projectiles is a source of pride, but Iran must continue working in many other areas.

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