Ukraine and World Affairs: Weekly Update
18th July 2025
On Saturday 12th July, Gaza suffered its bloodiest day for months as 150 Gazans were martyred - including women and children. The following day, 92 Palestinians were martyred. In contrast, the Ukrainians, who also target civilians, rarely manage to kill more than 5 in one day. The Israelis continue to attack, kill and maim Palestinians at aid distribution centres. Their recent strike on a catholic church in Gaza has caused outrage and even rebukes from the Pope and Donald J. A poll conducted this week brought some hope at least: 3 out of 4 Israelis want the peace for hostages deal.
Many Israeli teenagers are burning their draft orders. This was another ray of hope.
In the month of June, 5,800 children were diagnosed with malnutrition in Gaza: many are dying as I write these words. The Israelis are also attacking Lebanon and Syria, while illegal settlers are destroying Palestinian water wells in the West Bank.
Islah mercenaries are operating in Yemen where on July 11th their indiscriminate shelling of Tiaz killed 5 children but Ansar-Allah continues to lob missiles and drones at Israeli targets.
In South West Syria, clashes continue between Druze fighters and Sunni tribesmen backed by the Syrian government. Netanyahu claims to have intervened to protect their ‘brother’ Druze Christians by destroying the tanks that are attacking them. The action is more likely to do with retaining Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights and taking new territory. According to a Yemeni source, the Israelis are striving to ‘exert overarching control over Syria’s internal dynamics, its alliances, military capabilities and policy orientations, to secure Israeli interests and ensure its dominance’.
Israel’s attacks constitute a gross violation of international law according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. The Israelis have also hit government targets in Damascus including a strike near the HQ of Al-Joulani’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. In Sweida, at least 200 have been killed by government backed forces, at least 21 of whom suffered field executions. The Israeli’s are demanding that the HTS/Al-Joulani withdraw government troops from Swedia (Suwayda). A ceasefire was agreed between the Syrian Government forces and the Druze community on July 16th, as you can read here. But the ceasefire was soon broken and Israel continued its air attacks on the suburbs of Sweida. You can read about the Russian response at Tass and Daniel Davis discusses the matter here. Laith Marouf believes that Israel’s objective in Syria is to prevent a government from functioning so that the land remains in a state of chaos and therefore not threatening to Israel. He also points out that Israel probably wants to seize Syrian land at some point in the future1 as part of a ‘Greater Israel’ - so it will continue to interfere. Laith also refers to the possibility of a re-unification of Syria and Lebanon2 which is wanted by the West under its own conditions and rule. But in revealing such a possibility the West has inadvertently stirred up feelings among those in both Syria and Lebanon who believe it would be good to be part of the same country again - but as a sovereign country, free from Western oppression. Now wouldn’t that be a good idea.
False news is being spread about Putin backing ‘zero enrichment’ in Iran which is nonsense. Lavrov made no mention of it at the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting where he defended Iran pointing out that there are many different ways of reaching a peaceful solution that respect Iran’s rights to enrich under the JPCOA. Pezeshkian has claimed that he suffered minor injuries after an Israeli attempt to assassinate him.
In Ukraine, the once great Z, reinvigorated by the resumption of supplies,3 threatened long range strikes into Russia. He is also pressing Trump to provide arms in exchange for Ukrainian drones. Zelensky had a massive government reshuffle this week (see below) while on the fronts, where 70% of forcibly mobilised Ukrainians are deserting, the Russians are making most progress in the Pokrovsk-Myrnograd Direction where a collapse is possible. According to a Ukrainian source, 10,000 troops are in danger of operational encirclement in Konstantinovka. Some Ukrainain sources such as this are predicting a collapse. There are battles for power taking place within the regime while 8.8 million Ukrainians are attempting to survive below the poverty line. The RADA has extended Martial law until November. According to a Ukrainian source, a survey has shown that the Ukrainian people hate the TCC more than the Russians - which must be worrying for them.
The Russians have not received a response from the Ukrainians for more talks and have asked all parties to put pressure on Zelensky.
In Europe, Germany’s Mad Merz has promised Ukraine long range missiles - which will be launched with the assistance of German military personnel. This is part of a ‘joint manufacturing initiative’, according to Tass. In response, Maria Zakharova has warned that Russia considers itself entitled to strike military facilities in countries that participate in long range missile attacks on Russia.
The Russians have closed the Polish consulate in Kaliningrad following the closure of Russia’s consulate in Krakow by the Poles.
In the EU, little Malta is holding up the 18th sanctions package on Russia.
It has been an eventful and interesting week.
Patriots and Secondary Tariffs
Last Saturday, Trump told the world that on Monday he would make a big announcement. He just loves keeping himself in the public eye. I don’t think many expected something earth shattering but the dripping wet squib he delivered on Monday was a let down. If Russia does not agree to a ceasefire in 50 days, he said, a ‘sledgehammer’4 containing ‘100% secondary tariffs’ will fall on any state foolish enough to avail itself of cheap Russian oil or gas. Putin was unfazed by all this and said that Russia will not heed the deadline.
In a vague statement Trump said that the US will provide arms (not specified fully) to NATO and the Europeans will foot the bill, at least that’s what I understood him to be saying. Trump appeared to be saying that the US and/or some other countries will be providing 17 Patriot Missiles Systems5 which would be staggeringly expensive. There are three problems with this: first there is a huge shortage of air defence or ‘interceptor’ missiles, which must be shared between Ukraine and Israel. Second, Patriots are ineffective against many Russian missiles - and third: Russia is very good at destroying them. Russians who are involved in doing so will probably be rewarded handsomely. So, this may sound impressive but it will make little difference to the outcome of the war. But Trump’s statement about the Patriots has been interpreted in different ways. The Old Goat, cited by Simplicius understands Trump to be saying that 17 are available from different sources but only three will be sent immediately. According to one report, the Germans have said that they will not provide Ukraine with Taurus missiles or any of the 6 Patriot systems they have left. According to another report, both Germany and the US will provide a Patriot System each but it will be some time before they are delivered. Hungary and Czechoslovakia have said that they will not get involved in supplying Ukraine with arms. France has also said that it is not planning to participate and neither is Italy. Apparently, Trump didn’t even inform his European allies that this was happening, which is bizarre in the extreme. Kaja Kallas has told Trump that the US must share the burden, which is sensible. The EU has rejected Trump’s proposal but since they are sniveling ‘arse lickers’ they have proposed an alternative. European reluctance is due to the fact that governments can’t afford it as you can read at anti-Spiegel.
It will take some time for these arrangements to be put in place so the Patriots may not be arriving soon.
The Russians will be concerned that this arrangement involves direct contact between NATO and Ukraine - which appears to make the latter a de facto member of the former, as Alexander Mercouris discusses here. Some would argue that this has been the case for years.
Some reports claim Russia, as well as its trading partners, will receive the 100% tariffs. Lavrov, in response to the tariffs warned, wisely, ‘Don’t dig a hole for someone, or else you’ll fall into it'.
Not so long ago, Donald J told the once great Z that he didn’t ‘have the cards’. That was when it was still possible to distinguish Trump from Biden. In spite of Zelensky’s weak hand, Trump is now arranging for him to receive weapons so he can continue to stay in a game he cannot win. It is possible that the Europeans will use Russia’s frozen assets to pay for them. This marks a turning point for Trump who appears to have made the full conversion to Sleepy Joe Biden, complete with cognitive problems. But nothing is certain regarding Donald J who could be giving the appearance of supporting Ukraine without providing it with very much at all. Perhaps he needs to be seen to be conforming to the aspirations of neo-cons such as Lyndsay Graham to keep them on board. This could also mark a turning point for the Russians who were foolish, in my view, to have taken this so far with the Americans. I expect that the hawks in Russia will feel vindicated and will now be more influential. It is possible that all this will soon find reflection on the battlefronts. Many Russians will be saying: ‘take the f’ing gloves off Vladimir’.
Medvedev Responds
Ukraine Government Changes
▪️ Economy Minister Sviridenko will become Prime Minister
▪️ Prime Minister Shmygal will reportedly take over Ukraine's Ministry of Defense
▪️ Defense Minister Umerov was expected to become ambassador to the US – where his family resides. But the US rejected him.
Instead, the existing deputy PM Olga Stefanishyna has been appointed ambassador to the US.
Fight Breaks Out In Rada.
In Ukraine’s RADA, a fight broke out between Goncharenko (left) and Getmantsev.
The People Fight Back
The peoples’ fight back against the TCC mobilisers has been in evidence for some time but recently, according to a Ukrainian source this has become more intense and more organised. Peoples’ patrols are being set up throughout the country which are seeking to protect people against forced mobilization and they are tracking TCC minibuses as part of this initiative.
Ukraine’s New Defence Line
According too some, Ukraine is planning to build a defence line 20 kms west of its existing positions stretching from Kharkov to Zaporozhye. This is being done as part of a tactical withdrawal by Syrsky to more defensible positions as the Ukrainians suffer manpower shortages. It will also make it more difficult for the Russians to surround the Ukrainian army in the Donbass. The fortifications will include: barbed wire fencing; three anti-tank ditches filled with wire obstacles; rows of "dragon’s teeth" tank traps, camouflaged bunkers and shallow trenches. They will call it ‘the new Donbass line’. This will place Ukraine’s forces east of the Dnieper river which can then be used as a fall back position. You can read more at Pravda while Alexander Mercouris discusses the situation here.
Ukraine Terrorist Attacks
11th/12th July
On July 11th, two Ukrainian aerial bomb hit a five story building in Kherson. There will have been many casualties. The village of Sukhodol in the Belovsky district of Sumy suffered drone attacks which injured 4 civilians. In the Belgorod village of Golovchino a woman was injured when a drone hit her house while in Gorlovka (DPR) a man was injured by drone drop. In Shebekino (Belgorod) a woman was killed by a drone attack on her house. Belgorod Stadium was also hit by drones which caused a fire on the roof but this was quickly extinguished. There were no casualties.
12th/13th July
Overnight, 26 drones were shot down over Belgorod; 4 over Kursk; 3 over Lipetsk and 3 over Nizhny Novgorod.
13th/14th July
In Belgorod, a drone attack on a car injured a civilian while a drone injured five near a church in Shebekino. In total, 6 drones were shot down over Oryol; 2 over Bryansk and 1 over Kursk. In Zaporozhye region several civilians were injured from a Ukrainian strike.
14th/15th July
Overnight in Belgorod, a two year old boy was injured by drone attack while a man was injured by a drone attack on his car. Three civilians in Kherson were injured by shelling while two more were injured by drone drops in the DPR. In Voronezh, 20 people were injured when a drone hit a residential building. Belgorod court building was also attacked, injuring one civilian. In total, 32 drones were destroyed over Belgorod; 12 over Voronezh; 3 over Lipetsk (where one person was injured) and 1 each over Rostov and Kursk.
15th/16th July
Overnight in Bryansk, a civilian was injured by a kamikaze drone. In Belgorod, one civilian was injured when a drone attacked his house and another was injured by a drone attack on a social facility while shelling injured one person in Kherson. In Gorlovka (DPR) residential buildings were damaged and 3 civilians injured. The city hospital also came under fire. Later in Belgorod, a man was killed when a drone hit his car while another was injured by unexploded ordnance.
16th/17th July
Overnight in Voronezh, drones hit an apartment building injuring 3 children. In Smolensk, one person was injured when a civilian facility was attacked while in Belgorod 1 civilian was killed and another 6 injured by drone strikes. According to the Majors:
The Russian MoD reported downed drones over the Bryansk, Orel, Lipetsk, and Belgorod regions. Drones were reported in social networks in Shchekino, Tula region. A Carpet plan was introduced at airports, and traffic on the Crimean Bridge was blocked for an hour.
In Belgorod, one civilian was killed and another injured by drones drops on private dwellings while another civilian was injured by shelling. In Razumnoye a man was injured when a drone detonated while another drone hit a tractor injuring the driver. In Volokonovsky District, a drone hit a car, killing the driver outright and injuring a passenger. Elsewhere, a drone attack on a bus injured the driver and a passenger. In Gorlovka (DPR) seven civilians, including a child, were injured by shelling.
According to the Russian MoD:
During the past night, 122 Ukrainian UAVs were intercepted and destroyed by air defense:
43 UAVs – over the territory of the Bryansk region; 38 over Kursk; 10 over Oryol; 6 over Smolensk; 6 over Voronezh; 5 over Belgorod; 3 over Moscow; 3 over Kaluga; 2 over Leningrad; 2 over Lipetsk and 1 over Tula.
17th/18th July
Overnight in Kursk, a woman was injured when a drone struck her car, while in Belgorod another drone attack injured the driver of a vehicle. In Kherson, a man was injured by shelling while in the DPR three civilians were injured by a drone drop that hit a fire tanker truck. According to the War Chronicle:
During the night, 73 UAVs were shot down over the territory of Russia. In the Bryansk region - 31, in the Oryol region - 17, over the territory of the Moscow region - 10.
The Sea War
13th/14th July
Overnight, 1 drone was destroyed over the Black Sea and 1 over Crimea.
14th/15th July
Overnight, 6 drones were destroyed over the Black Sea.
16th/17th July
Overnight, 3 drones were shot down over Crimea.
17th/18th July
Overnight, a total of ten drones ere shot down over the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and Crimea.
The Air War
Russian Missile/Drone Attacks
11th/12th July
According to The Two Majors:
The western part of the former Ukrainian SSR is under strikes from our long-range strike weapons. In addition to the "Geran-1" drones, air-launched missiles from strategic missile carriers were used. Targets were hit in Lvov, Lutsk, Chernivtsi, Rivne, Vinnitsa, Odessa, Cherkasy, Kiev, and Kharkov regions. Demonstrative strikes were carried out during the day on the TCC in Odessa…
The ‘Elektron’ factory in Lvov, which is associated with military production was set on fire by a missile/drone strike. According to the War Chronicle, 600 Geraniums were deployed along with 26 missiles of various types.
12th/13th July
Overnight, Geraniums attacked the Motor Plant at Lutsk. The plant produces rocket and aircraft engines.
13th/14th July
Overnight, explosions were heard in Kiev, Kherson, Kharkov, Sumy and Dnepropetrovsk.
14th/15th July
According to the Majors:
Several dozen "Geraniums" worked overnight on targets in the Dnepropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Zaporozhye, Nikolaev, and Sumy regions. In the evening, footage of fires after arrivals spread from Chuguev in the Kharkov region.
According to a Ukrainian source, 267 Geraniums were deployed.
15th/16th July
Overnight, according to the War Chronicle:
Dozens of explosions - a powerful attack tonight was on Kryvyi Rih. Strikes on the infrastructure facilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were inflicted by at least 50 Geranium-2. Explosions and fires in Kharkiv, at least 10 Geraniums swooped down on one of the targets. Arrivals were also noted in Vinnytsia and Kramatorsk.
Late on the 15th July, Iskander missiles hit the port area of Odessa.
According to a Ukrainian source:
This night, drones flew en masse across Ukraine. Air defense actually cannot cope with such strikes and misses. Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rih, Izmail, Zaporizhzhia, were strongly felt. The Russians are methodically knocking out workshops, warehouses, industrial facilities and repair bases.
16th/17th July
Overnight, the Russians hit targets in Dnepropetrovsk and Zaporozhye. The Orekhovo airfield in Dnepro was targeted. The TCC building in Krivoy Rog was hit by Geraniums.
17th/18th July
Overnight, Geraniums attacked Dnepropetrovsk; Kharkov, Sumy and Pavlograd.
Ukrainian Missile/Drone Attacks
The Ground War
There are rumours of a large Russian Summer Offensive coming soon. It is said that the Russians have 160,000 troops ready in Zaporozhye, Kharkov and Donetsk Oblasts.
Russian MoD Reports - Ukrainian Losses
w/e June 27th 9,130 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 462
w/e July 4th 9,100 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 427
w/e July 11th 8,860 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 523
w/e July 18th 8,495 Casualties killed and wounded: equipment losses 511
The Fronts
Front Line Cats
Kursk
According to the Majors:
On the Kursk section of the border in the Tetkinsky and Glushkovsky directions, the enemy once again tried to break into our territory from Pavlovka. It is reported that the Russian Armed Forces have gained a foothold on the northern outskirts of Ryzhevka, Sumy region (against Tetkino). The forests in the vicinity of Bessalovka are being cleared.
Sumy
On the 16th July, according to the Majors:
In the Sumy direction, the enemy counterattacks at Kondratovka, the Russian Armed Forces meet the enemy with heavy aerial bombs. During the day, the enemy launched six unsuccessful counterattacks: in the areas of the villages of Sadki and Andreevka, as well as two each near Yablonovka and Kondratovka. The Russian Armed Forces continue to storm Varachino
By the end of the week, the Russians were attacking Andreevka and Yunakovka.
Kharkov-Volchansk
By the end of the week, according to Slavyangrad:
The Russian army crossed the Volchya River in Volchansk and is gaining a foothold on the territory of industrial zones. Russian troops broke through to the left bank ofthe Volchya River in Volchansk, Kharkov region, and occupied a vast territory. The promotion area is more than 21 hectares, analysts report. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are shelling, trying to prevent our Russians from gaining a foothold in the second part of the city.
Degtyarnoye
Elsewhere in Kharkov, the village of Degtyarnoye was liberated.
Toretsk
Popov Yar Detail - Marat Khairullin
By the end of the week, the Russians had liberated Popov Yar (near Poltavka).
Pokrovsk - Wide View
Pokrovsk - Detail
South West of Pokrovsk-Konstantinopol
North East of Myrnograd-Konstantinovka
Myrnograd
With the capture of Zvirove on the 15th July, the Russians entered the city limits of Pokrovsk. By the end of the week, according to the Two Majors:
In the Pokrovsky direction, the Russian Armed Forces are creating conditions for covering Mirnograd from the north. Our troops are making their way towards Rodinsky, which, if successful, will allow them to take control of the northern road to Mirnograd. High-intensity fighting is underway.
Novopavlovka - North
Novopavlovka - South
Guliaipole - Malinovka
Zaporozhye - Kamensky (c/o Marat Khairullin)
Kamensky Detail
This week, the liberation of Kamensky was officially confirmed.
The Economic War
US Tariffs - From August 1st 2025
August 1st will be the final deadline according to Politico. Some countries will retaliate and Trump will likely respond. The EU was among the first by proposing €72B in tariffs on US goods. MEP Karin Karlsbro described Trump’s tariffs as blackmail. Brazil’s Lula made the same assessment.
World Politics
Did He Or Didn’t He?
The failure to release the Epstein client ‘list’ is causing much controversy as most of you will know. Trump is claiming that the ‘list’ was actually a Democrat Psyop and advised his MAGA supporters ‘not to waste time and energy’ on it. But they will remember that Trump promised to release the list and will not thank him for insulting their intelligence. Elon Musk was scathing in his criticism of Trump. This could result in a split among MAGA people, many of who will be feeling let down by Trump in many respects. You can read more at Zero Hedge. Tucker Carlson doesn’t believe that Trump indulged in Epstein’s ‘services’ as he explains here. Carlson is one of those who believe in a Mossad connection along with Larry Johnson who believes that the list has been withheld due to Epstein’s involvement with Mosssad and the CIA.
The Epstein ‘list scandal’ - which could be labelled ‘list gate’ has now become a party political football which will be used by the Democrats - who know that many Trump supporters are outraged - in order to get rid of Orange Man Bad. There is a lot of mileage in this for the Democrats because it will resonate with many of its own supporters as well as Republicans. This battle is being fought with next year’s midterms in mind since Trump has small majorities in both houses.
MAGA people have a strong sense of injustice and the US State has acknowledged that crimes have been committed because it jailed Ghislaine Maxwell. It follows that there must be child victims of crimes and perpetrators who took advantage of Epstein’s services and are guilty of have having sex with under age girls. Trump can’t simply throw the evidence in the bin and expect his supporters to tolerate the injustice. This is about paedophilia: not petty theft. According to a report in the Daily Mail, cited here, Maxwell’s appeal is to be heard by the Supreme Court. If evidence does not exist that shows that crimes have been committed then there is no basis for a case against her. Therefore, she could appeal on this basis. But Maxwell has claimed that there is a genuine a client list and she may attempt a plea bargain in return for delivering the list to the DOJ. She could even get a retrial. If it comes to light that the Donald had sex with under age girls his Presidency could be under threat, I imagine. If Donald is involved, it is rather surprising that Trump’s opponents haven’t already attacked him on this basis - as discussed at Zero Hedge. However, if Trump’s would be attackers are also involved then they may not want to draw attention to it. This should be interesting.
Rough Rutte
Following Trump’s announcement, the obsequious Mark Rutte said: ‘If I were President Putin, I would immediately sit down at the negotiating table with Trump’. Of course you would, Plonker - because you are a spineless imbecile6. I wonder how long he has been practicing that ‘tough’ look: maybe he has been studying John Wayne or James Cagney.
North Korea Backs Iran
North Korea has pledged military support to Iran, according to this report from June which I have only just seen. Support could take the form of supplies of missiles, ammunition and artillery; it could involve technical and tactical expertise or the deployment of personnel. Since Russia has a military alliance with North Korea this could become a three way alliance or even a four way alliance to include China.
Ukraine Must Acknowledge Volyn Massacre
Between 1943 and 1945, 100,000 Poles were killed by Ukrainian Nationalists who were allied with the Nazis. Polish President Duda wants the Ukrainians to acknowledge this. When Duda spoke with Zelensky about the matter he denied knowledge of it. Speaking at an event to commemorate the massacre Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz that the issue will continue to plague relations between the two countries until the truth is acknowledged by the Ukrainians. The Poles want the victims, who were buried in mass graves in Ukrainian soil, to be disinterred and given a decent burial. President elect, Karol Nawrocki said that Poles had been:
….denied the right to bury the victims of the Volyn genocide. [The souls of those victims] cry out for a grave, they cry out for a tomb… for memory and as the future president of Poland, I am obliged to speak with their voice.
You can read more at RT.
Irrelevants Sign Agreements
The UK and France, former imperialists, have formed a defence pact that will help them coordinate the use of the 515 nuclear warheads they have between them. Russia has more than 5,000 warheads. This is more blunt sabre rattling by weak countries wanting to look strong. Putin will be shaking in his boots. The UK and Germany have signed a mutual assistance agreement in the event that either is attacked - which reminds me of the agreement France and the UK had with Poland in 1939. That didn’t work out well. Both countries have committed themselves to developing a long range (2kms plus), precision strike missile system. These idiots do not act in accordance with the will of their people as their approval ratings indicate: Merz 36%; Macron 27% and Starmer 23%.
Germany To Supply Ukraine With Long Range Missiles
Ukraine will receive the first batch of long range missiles by the end of July, according to Major General Christian Freuding (pictured). Several hundred will be supplied in total. According to this report, Germany will not be providing Taurus missiles.
Lavrov Meets Kim
Lavrov expressed his gratitude for North Korea’s support in the liberation of Kursk where many of its soldiers were killed while Kim confirmed his unconditional support for Russia’s SMO. Kim will be sending 6,000 engineers and construction workers to rebuild Kursk. 10,000 troops are already in Russia assisting Russian forces.
Thee shared joke (above) came out of Kim and Sergei’s admission that they still smoke.
Al-Udeid Radar Destroyed?
The attack on Ul-Udeid, the largest US base in the Middle East, was not harmed according to Donald J, who also claimed to have totally destroyed Iran’s nuclear facilities and defeated the Houthis. But as with much that comes out of his mouth, this was just another lie since this photo shows that the radar was damaged, at the very least. It doesn’t look very healthy does it?
Hungary Sanctions Ukrainian Officers
Recently, a Hungarian national was beaten to death by TCC forces as they attempted to ‘recruit’ him. Hungarian Foreign Minister, Szijjarto has announced sanctions against the officers involved. Orban (pictured) has called on the EU to take action against Ukraine.
Albanese - Revolutionary Approach to Gaza Needed
Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur for Palestine who was recently sanctioned by the US, has suggested a revolutionary approach to the conflict which the UNSC has failed to resolve due to the US’s Power of Veto. She advised that The Hague Group, comprising nations from the Global South, has proposed joint action by many nations to stop the flow of arms and other goods such as coal to Israel. You can read more at teleSUR. This is desperately needed but the Palestinians are running out of time.
Antwerp-Bruge Port Bans Arms Exports to Israel
In an encouraging development, the Belgian port of Antwerp-Bruge has been ordered by a Belgian Court to halt military supplies to Israel.
Protests
Yemeni Marches
On the 11th July, millions of Yemenis gathered in 500 Squares across Yemen.
Taiz
In Taiz, 67 massive marches were conducted under the slogan ‘Solidarity with Gaza'.
IBB
206 massive marches were held in IBB under the slogan ‘In support of Gaza our marches continue, our operations escalate'.
Dhamar
46 marches were conducted here in support for Gaza.
Hodeidah - Womens’ Rally (Yemen)
The Womens’ Committee held this gathering in solidarity with Gaza.
Al-Jawf
Several rallies were held in Al-Jawf.
Raymah
82 mass rallies were held in Raymah province.
Amran (Yemen)
Hajjah
Mahwit
Hodeida
Dhalea
Mauritania
Thousands gathered in the capital of Mauritania (North West Africa) to protest the genocide in Gaza.
London
Thousands gathered in London on July 12th to protest the labelling of ‘Palestine Action’ as a terrorist group which is nonsense. The IDF is a terrorist group because it kills and maims civilians. ‘Palestine Action’ never killed a soul. 70 people were arrested in London and many more at similar events in Cardiff and Manchester.
Tunis
Thousands in Tunis protested against the genocide in Gaza.
Scottish National Party Recognises Palestinian State
The SNP is calling on the UK government to stop making excuses and follow suit.
Hamburg
On Sunday, thousands marched in Hamburg in support of the Palestinians in Gaza.
San Pedro - California
Morocco
Hundreds of Moroccan women took part in this event where they protested against the starvation and displacement of the Palestinians in Gaza.
Venezuela
Demonstrators called for global action to stop the genocide in Gaza.
Bogota - Columbia
Bogota is hosting an international against the genocide in Gaza. You can read more here.
Freedom Flotilla Sets Sail
The Handala will set sail from Syracuse in Italy with aim of breaking the blockade on Gaza and delivering what must be a token amount of aid. You can read more at telSUR.
The emerging Multi-Polar World
SCO - Foreign Ministers Meeting Beijing
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Foreign Ministers met in Beijing this week where Lavrov took a walk in the park with Wang Yi. Wang said that the relationship between the two countries was the ‘most stable and mature and strategically valuable among major countries in today’s world'. Wang also said:
the priority direction is the joint preparation for the next stage of high-level contacts, deepening comprehensive strategic cooperation, promoting the development and revitalization of both sides, as well as jointly responding to the challenges brought by an unstable and changing world.
In their meeting the two statesmen also discussed the Ukraine conflict; the tensions between Iran and Israel and the Korean peninsular.
On July 15th, Lavrov met with Xi and delivered a good will message from Putin who will meet with Xi soon. At the Foreign Minister’s meeting, Xi called for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to improve its response to security threats and challenges. He also promised Russia extra support in the light of Trump’s threats.
Wang Yi also met with Araghchi and provided some reassurance:
China will continue to support Iran in safeguarding its dignity, resisting power politics and bullying, defending its legitimate rights and interests through political negotiation.
That’s it for another busy and eventful week. Many thanks for your views, subscriptions, shares, restacks, follows, likes and comments. Earlier I published an article which some may not have seen, entitled 'Is The Third World War Here?' Have a good week - Best Rob.
Non subscribers can view Updates on Telegram: https://t.me/UWUupdate.
The IDF is too weak to do this at the moment.
In the past, Lebanon was seen as prt of greater Syria.
I doubt they ever stopped.
Lindsay Graham’s ‘sledgehammer’ was to have been 500% secondary tariffs.
Maybe that was a little harsh: he may not be imbecilic.
'The age of consent' in the USA varies between 16 and 18. In Alabama it is 18 and in California it is 16. The term 'paedophile' in Alabama would include people in California that under Californian law wouldn't be considered 'paedophiles'. The key issue to explore about Epstein is where did he get his huge fortune from and what were his connections with rich men, the US political donations system that literally buys elections - and Mossad. It's great to see the USA tearing itself to pieces over this.
In Ukraine there will be NO 'offensive'until attrition collapses Ukrainian lines. Putin knows exactly what he's doing with Trump- Trumps plan (aka Kellog) is to freeze the conflict so that Ukraine can re-arm and start the war later. Russia is having nothing to do with it. Trumps problem is that a defeat in Ukraine for NATO of which the USA is the key component will be a defeat for the USA round the world. That it cannot afford. Trump is the one with the weak hand.
Contrary to Israel's lies about a deal with Iran, Iran is seeking transparency from Israel, about its nuclear program, and seeking IAEA inspections of same.
The Australian Prime Minister has been snubbed by Trump, who is yet to schedule a meeting with him. Trump is imposed large tariffs on our metals: steel aluminium and copper, (50%?) In the wake of this Albanese travelled to China for cordial meetings with XI.
There is also much local opposition to AUKUS and the US alliance in general. While the US is pressuring us to commit to a war with China, Australians have no appetite for involvement in another US war of attrition. Even our financial support of the war in Ukraine has been done very quietly, and people here were alarmed to hear that we had fighter jets operating in Syria when the US was trying to oust Assad.