Welcome to World Brief. Here's a look at the world's reaction. Israel targeting Iranparliamentary elections Indiaand NATO approval of air defense deliveries to ukraine.
Israel attacks Iran
International leaders called for calm on Friday after Israel launched retaliatory strikes against Iran. Small drones reportedly targeted locations in the Iranian cities of Isfahan and Tabriz. Isfahan, home to the country's largest nuclear research facility and several military facilities, is believed to have been one of several launch sites used by Iran in its attack on Israel last Saturday. Initial reports detailed no significant damage, and the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that no nuclear facilities were damaged. Iranian officials said the attack on Tabriz, about 500 miles north of Isfahan, was thwarted by the country's air defenses.
“The time has come to end the dangerous cycle of retaliation in the Middle East,” Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, said on Friday. Israel did not comment on the attack or say whether further action would occur. Meanwhile, the Iranian government appears to have downplayed the attack as a “failed and humiliating” operation. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi had previously warned that Iran would respond “sternly” to attacks on Iranian territory, but a senior Iranian official told Reuters the country had no plans to respond. .
“We're not completely out of the woods,” Ali Baez, Iran project director at the International Crisis Group, told FP's Amy McKinnon and Christina Lu. “Both sides can still miscalculate and intentionally or inadvertently cross vague new red lines.”
Israeli officials warned the United States on Thursday that it plans to attack Iran within 24 to 48 hours. bloomberg report. But Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Friday that the United States had informed the G7 that it had been “informed at the last minute,” and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken declined to comment on the timeline, saying the U.S. was not involved. I just said that I haven't. Any “offensive operation”. A US official told CNN that the Biden administration “does not support” Israel's actions.
G7 foreign ministers gathered for a meeting in Italy on Friday, as did European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who called on all parties to prevent escalation. “It is absolutely necessary to maintain stability in the region and for all parties to refrain from further action,” he said, speaking from Finland. The foreign ministers also called for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages held by Hamas, increased aid to Palestinians, and a postponement of Israel's planned operation against the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Ta.
Middle Eastern countries also called for restraint. Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi warned against any action that “threatens to drag the region into war,” Egypt called for de-escalation at the “highest level” and Oman urged foreign leaders to avoid regional instability. He called for focused efforts to “address the causes and roots” of the problem. On “a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian cause.” Turkey condemned Israel's first attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria on April 1, threatening a permanent conflict.
China opposed any escalation and said it would “continue to play a constructive role in defusing the situation.” Beijing is Iran's largest trading partner, and U.S. officials have publicly urged China to use its economic influence to rein in Iranian behavior. But as Lu reports, that's easier said than done.
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New Delhi vote. India began its first wave of parliamentary elections on Friday, with more than 960 million voters eligible to vote, making it the world's largest election. Incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is seeking his third five-year term. New Delhi's multi-phase general election will conclude on June 1, with results expected on June 4. The BJP is expected to maintain a majority over the opposition Indian National Congress party.
Since taking office in May 2014, Mr. Modi has promoted a Hindu nationalist agenda, pushed for infrastructure projects to counter China, more than tripled internet access and pursued a tough foreign policy. . “Prime Minister Modi is projecting an image of a stronger, more powerful and proud nation, and Indians are captivated by that self-portrait,” FP's Ravi Agrawal wrote in FP's spring issue. But rights groups have accused Mr. Modi of concentrating power around the Bharatiya Janata Party, undermining India's democratic institutions and discriminating against minorities.
NATO news. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told the NATO-Ukraine Council on Friday that NATO has agreed to provide Ukraine with additional air defenses in the near future. These could include Patriot and SAMP/T systems, as well as spare parts to maintain weapons already in Ukraine. Countries that cannot supply such air defense systems will provide financial assistance.president of ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky On Friday, Kiev said it needed at least seven more Patriot systems or similar weapons in its war against Russia.
On Thursday, Argentina formally requested to join NATO as a “global partner.” This is a sub-level designation available to countries outside NATO's geographic area of “Allies.'' Global partners are not required to participate in collective military action and, like full members, are not subject to the mutual defense provisions of NATO Article V. However, your partnership status may give you access to advanced technology and other resources that are not otherwise available.
Far-right Argentine President Javier Millay is seeking the designation to strengthen ties with the West and increase foreign investment. In recent months, Milay has shifted Buenos Aires' foreign policy to a staunchly pro-American stance. If all 32 NATO members approve Argentina's proposal, Buenos Aires will become the second country in Latin America to join the alliance, after Colombia. Other partners are Afghanistan (currently suspended), Australia, Iraq, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand, and Pakistan.
Fatal helicopter crash. Kenyan authorities on Friday launched an investigation into a helicopter crash that killed Defense Secretary Gen. Francis Omondi Ogola and nine other military officers in a remote area the day before. Two people survived Thursday's crash, including the pilot. The cause of the fatal accident is unknown. In response, President William Ruto announced three days of mourning. Ogola, who was appointed defense secretary in April last year, became the first Kenyan military commander to die during his tenure.
Terrorism in Pakistan. The U.S. consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, warned its citizens Friday to avoid luxury hotels in the city, citing reports of a possible terrorist attack. He also urged people to avoid crowds and keep a low profile in the coming days.
This warning was issued on the same day that a suicide bomber attempted to attack a vehicle carrying five Japanese nationals. Police arrested the suspects and the target escaped unharmed, but officials said one bystander was killed. No group has claimed responsibility, and there appears to be no evidence linking the U.S. warning to the attempted attack.
What on earth?
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Tuesday that he had asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to stop doing something.
A. Exporting electric vehicles to Europe
B. Support for Russia's War Effort in Ukraine
C. Human rights violations in Xinjiang
D. Bellicose rhetoric against Taiwan
Probability and outcome
Prince Harry is swapping tea and crumpets for apple pie and fried chicken. The British Royal Family confirmed this week that they are now US residents, listing the United States as their primary address. The documents mark the latest rift between Prince Harry, who stepped away from royal duties four years ago, and the royal family.It feels a little similar red, white, royal blue— but there probably won't be any enemies-to-lovers stories.
The answer is…
B. Support for Russia's War Effort in Ukraine
Scholz's recent visit to China has been closely watched, with observers curious to see whether he would act in line with the West's hardline approach to China or take a more flexible approach, Noah said. Birkin wrote.
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