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Military · Geopolitical

China stripped six military lawmakers of their seats in the national parliament in the latest sign that President Xi Jinping is continuing with a purge of key defense establishment personnel.

Military · Geopolitical

US President Donald Trump on Friday blamed Iran for carrying out a drone strike on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a “foolish violation” of the ceasefire agreement with the US. One drone damaged the upper deck of the ship but the ship was able to proceed, Trump said. The US shot down three other drones aimed at the ship, he said. His post on social media did not identify the ship or the time of the strike, but on Thursday the British military said a vessel was hit by a...

Military · Geopolitical

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a decree enacting decisions by the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine to extend sanctions against entities serving Russia's military-industrial complex and impose sanctions on collaborators who have betrayed Ukraine.

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South Korea's air force carried out its first live-fire exercise against a simulated swarm drone attack. Military forces used Vulcan air-defense guns, a portable laser and shotguns to intercept all 50 drones during the drill.

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Ukraine has brought 160 Ukrainian citizens back from Russian captivity in the latest prisoner exchange.

Military · Geopolitical

Amid the complicating military-political situation in the world and NATO’s openly hostile stance, Russia stands for continuing active military and military-technical cooperation with its allies and partners, Army General Viktor Goremykin stated

Military · Geopolitical

Israel will remain in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza 'without time limit' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz have said that troops will maintain an indefinite presence in southern Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip. They were both speaking at a graduation for combat officers in southern Israel on Thursday. “We dominate southern Lebanon, from the summit of the Beaufort, and we will remain as long as required in the security zone,” Netanyahu said. “We do not intend to withdraw from it. ” Katz said: “The Israeli military will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, in Syria and in Gaza without any time limit. ” He said that Israel opposed withdrawal from Lebanon “despite all the pressures that exist and those that are yet to come”. Read more: Netanyahu and Katz say Israel will remain in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza 'without time limit'

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Russia-US tensions mount as Lavrov escalates argument with Rubio Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on Friday for “clarification” of the US role in trying to end the war in Ukraine, in a letter to his counterpart Marco Rubio. Tension between Russia and the US over Washington's efforts to end the Ukraine war has grown since the US and Israel launched their war on Iran in February. Russia has welcomed efforts to end the war on Iran and has provided some military and intelligence assistance to Tehran. In written answers to media questions, Lavrov escalated an argument with Rubio about whether presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump had reached an understanding on the outlines of a Ukraine peace deal when they met in Alaska last year. Russia says there was indeed such an understanding, which it has often referred to as “the spirit of Anchorage”. But Rubio, speaking to reporters on Thursday, denied that any agreement was reached. “There was a proposal in Alaska, but there was no agreement in Alaska. If there had been an agreement, we would have had an end of the war,” Rubio said. In response, Lavrov said Putin went through a series of US proposals that Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff had brought to Moscow days earlier, listing them point by point and checking with Witkoff – who was present at the summit along with Trump and Rubio — that he, Putin, had noted them correctly. Lavrov, who was also at the meeting, said Witkoff had answered each time in the affirmative. “Therefore, when my colleague M. Rubio says that there were only proposals in Alaska but no agreement, it raises a question regarding what we actually mean by 'agreement',” Lavrov said.

Military · Geopolitical

Netanyahu and Katz say Israel will remain in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza 'without time limit' Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 06/26/2026 - 11:13 The Israeli leaders, speaking during graduation for combat officers, also threaten to attack Iran again Israeli soldiers patrol along the border with Lebanon on 10 April 2026 (Jalaa Marey/AFP) Off Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz have said that troops will maintain an indefinite presence in southern Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip. They were both speaking at a graduation for combat officers in southern Israel on Thursday. “We dominate southern Lebanon, from the summit of the Beaufort, and we will remain as long as required in the security zone,” Netanyahu said. “We do not intend to withdraw from it. ” Katz said: “The Israeli military will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, in Syria and in Gaza without any time limit. ” He said that Israel opposed withdrawal from Lebanon “despite all the pressures that exist and those that are yet to come”.. push({}); “There is another important message, which I hope is clearly understood in Tehran: if Iran attacks Israel because of our activities in Lebanon, or for any other reason, we will strike it with full force in a way that will clearly demonstrate the gap in power between us,” the defence minister added. On Friday, the Israeli military continued operations across southern Lebanon, with Lebanon's National News Agency reporting that troops bulldozed and burned homes in the town of Markaba. Speaking at a graduation for combat officers in southern Israel on Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said that forces will maintain an indefinite presence in southern Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip pic. twitter. com/A4V3dCiclY — Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) June 26, 2026 The report said that air strikes killed two people in Mayfadoun and wounded another, citing the country's health ministry. A separate strike was also reported in Nabatieh al-Fawqa. The Israeli military said four soldiers, including two officers, were injured during what it described as a close-quarters clash with a Hezbollah fighter in Beit Yahun. It said the fighter threw a grenade before being killed in an exchange of fire. Israeli forces have killed at least 4,230 people in Lebanon since re-launching hostilities in early March, days after the US-Israeli war on Iran began.. push({}); Daily Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon have killed scores of people, despite a ceasefire having been agreed a week ago. Meanwhile in Syria, Israel continues to occupy the strategic heights of Mount Hermon, which overlooks Israel, Lebanon and Syria. Israeli forces seized that territory, which had been a UN buffer zone, as Bashar al-Assad’s government fell in December 2024. It has not left the area since, and Israeli forces have also carried out more than 1,000 air strikes and 400 ground incursions, according to Syrian authorities. Meanwhile, senior Israeli security officials met on Tuesday to discuss the possibility of expelling Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, despite repeated previous failures to advance such plans, according to Haaretz.. push({}); 'Voluntary' emigration The Israeli daily reported that Shmuel Ben Ezra, head of the National Security Council, convened an urgent meeting with defence officials to discuss what was described as “encouraging voluntary emigration” from Gaza. Officials from the Israeli army, Shin Bet and Mossad were among those invited. During the meeting, Mossad representatives reportedly said the intelligence agency has not identified any country willing to accept Palestinians from Gaza. US considering moving Gulf bases damaged by Iran to Israel Read More » Last month, Netanyahu ordered the army to occupy 70 percent of the Gaza Strip, in clear violation of an October ceasefire. At the time the ceasefire came into effect, Israeli forces controlled around 53 percent of Gaza, including large areas in the north, south and east of the enclave. Since then, the Israeli military has expanded its control to roughly 60 percent of the territory. A further expansion to 70 percent would confine Gaza’s 2.2 million Palestinians to just 109 square kilometres of land. Israel has killed more than 73,000 people since the genocide began in October 2023, and wounded more than 173,000 others. Since the ceasefire was agreed in October last year, Israeli forces have killed at least 1,024 people in Gaza and wounded a further 3,260. Israel's genocide in Gaza News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0

Military · Geopolitical

Alex Murdaugh’s conviction for the murder of his wife and son was recently overturned. Where does the truth lie? In March 2023, 54-year-old Alex Murdaugh received two life sentences for murdering his wife and younger son at the family’s hunting lodge in Colleton County, South Carolina. Since the early 20th century, three generations of his family had been elected as state prosecutors in the “Lowcountry”, a sprawling stretch of lush, rancid swampland on the southern eastern seaboard, marked by severe economic and social inequality. The Murdaughs were the people who could send you to jail or the electric chair, all the while maintaining a veneer of good ol’ southern gentility. In parallel with these public duties, the family ran a large law firm, specialising in personal injury. In a land of chronic alcoholism and rusty farm equipment, the Murdaughs conducted a brisk business in multimillion-dollar settlements for those who had lost a limb, a parent or their cognitive faculties thanks to someone else’s carelessness. But instead of passing on these life-changing wins to vulnerable clients, Alex Murdaugh used them to fund a lavish lifestyle, featuring big cars, prostitutes, opioid pills and a military-grade private arsenal. For good measure, he also embezzled many millions from his legal partners. Continue reading...

Military · Geopolitical

Iran negotiations. Iran’s ballistic missile program was not included in the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran because it was “never on the agenda” of peace talks in Switzerland, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said. He argued that Iran has the same right as any other country to possess such weapons. Sharif [… ] The post Daily Memo: Talks in Islamabad, Russian Military Mobilization appeared first on Geopolitical Futures.

Military · Geopolitical

Kyiv’s warning. Ukraine needs to prepare for a renewed Russian incursion from the north, Ukraine’s top military commander, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, said. Syrskyi warned that Moscow is planning to expand its operations in northern Ukraine, with the support of Belarus, which began mobilization preparations earlier this month. According to him, Russia hopes this will increase [… ] The post Daily Memo: Ukraine Warns of New Russian Offensive appeared first on Geopolitical Futures.

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China urges United States to stop expanding 'military company' list

Military · Geopolitical

The US Senate on Tuesday passed a war powers resolution on Iran, restricting President Donald Trump from launching further military operations in Iran without congressional approval.

Military · Geopolitical

Israel vows to maintain military presence in Lebanon, Gaza and Syria Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defence minister Israel Katz said Israeli forces will remain in parts of southern Lebanon, Syria and Gaza for as long as the government considers necessary, reaffirming Israel's intention to maintain its military presence in those areas. Speaking at a military graduation ceremony, Netanyahu said troops would stay in what he described as "security zones", while Katz reiterated that Israel would not withdraw from southern Lebanon even if requested by the Trump administration. Their remarks come despite the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, which calls for the immediate and permanent end of military operations in Lebanon and affirms the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Military · Geopolitical

Video: Israeli forces to remain in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza ‘without limit’ Speaking at a graduation for combat officers in southern Israel on Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said that forces will maintain an indefinite presence in southern Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip. "The Israeli military will remain in the security zones in Lebanon, in Syria, and in Gaza without any time limit," he said. Speaking at a graduation for combat officers in southern Israel on Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said that forces will maintain an indefinite presence in southern Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip pic. twitter. com/A4V3dCiclY — Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) June 26, 2026

Military · Geopolitical

Report: Iran attacks prompt US review of Gulf military presence The United States is weighing changes to its military footprint in the Middle East, prompted primarily by Iranian attacks on its bases in the Gulf nations, according to a report. Citing serving and former US service members, analyses of satellite imagery and social-media footage, the Wall Street Journal reported that the damage to the US Navy's headquarters in Bahrain was extensive—damage that the Pentagon has not publicly disclosed. The command headquarters and at least a dozen other buildings had been especially hit hard, the Journal added. This has prompted a reassessment of the vulnerability of American bases within range of Iranian missiles and drones. The report said that US officials are considering rebuilding the Bahrain naval facility while reducing the military footprint in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. One option under discussion is relocating some US bases and operations to Israel, the newspaper reported.

Military · Geopolitical

Israeli raid kills two in southern Lebanon, ministry says Two people were killed and another was wounded in an Israeli air raid on the southern Lebanese town of Mefdoun in Nabatieh district, Lebanon's health ministry said. According to the National News Agency, the ministry said the figures were a revised casualty toll. The strike came as Al Jazeera Arabic reported another Israeli air strike on the nearby town of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, despite ongoing efforts to maintain the ceasefire in southern Lebanon. A man walks among damaged headstones at the cemetery in the southern Lebanese village of Srifa after Israeli military strikes, 24 June 2026 (Fadel Itani/AFP)

Military · Geopolitical

Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, Israeli attacks continued across southern Lebanon after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ruled out a withdrawal from occupied areas, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. Meanwhile, the IAEA outlined possible approaches to Iran's uranium stockpile, while Washington and Gulf allies reaffirmed support for unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Here are the latest updates: Israeli air strikes hit southern Lebanon, including Nabatieh al-Fawqa, as Netanyahu said Israeli troops would not withdraw from occupied areas. Lebanon-Israel negotiations were extended for an additional day, with no agreement expected immediately. Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc rejected direct negotiations with Israel and urged Lebanese authorities not to concede territory north of the Litani River. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said reducing Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium is among the options under consideration. Trump said the Strait of Hormuz remained open, claiming a record 19 million barrels of oil moved through the waterway in a single day. Iranian authorities warned that vessels using routes outside designated Hormuz transit corridors would not be covered by safe-passage guarantees. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Gulf Cooperation Council partners rejected any Iranian fees or restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The US and GCC reaffirmed support for continued Lebanon-Israel negotiations aimed at reducing tensions. Hezbollah said two civilians were killed in an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon as cross-border violence continued. Regional attention remained focused on the durability of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, Lebanon negotiations and security in the Strait of Hormuz. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio listens as Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa speaks at Al-Sakhir Palace near Zallaq, Bahrain, 25 June 2026 (Eric Lee/Pool/AFP)

Military · Geopolitical

Iran minister: Italy, Romania face accountability for aiding US attacks Iran's deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs has warned that Italy and Romania could face international responsibility, after NATO's secretary general said the two countries had allowed bases on their territory to support the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, Iranian media reported. Mehr News Agency reported that Kazem Gharibabadi wrote on X late Thursday: "The NATO Secretary General's statements regarding the US using bases in Italy and Romania to attack Iran entail international responsibility for these countries. " He cited UN General Assembly Resolution 3314, arguing that a state which permits its territory to be used by a third party to commit aggression against another state is itself guilty of an act of aggression.

Military · Geopolitical

Israeli forces bulldoze homes, continue military operation in Lebanon The Israeli military continued operations across southern Lebanon, with Lebanon's National News Agency reporting that troops bulldozed and burned homes in the town of Markaba. The report said that air strikes killed two people in Mayfadoun and wounded another, citing the country's health ministry. A separate strike was also reported in Nabatieh al-Fawqa. The Israeli military said four soldiers, including two officers, were injured during what it described as a close-quarters clash with a Hezbollah fighter in Beit Yahun. It said the fighter threw a grenade before being killed in a subsequent exchange of fire. People walk past a collapsed building in the southern Lebanese town of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, 23 June 2026 (Fadel Itani/AFP)

Military · Geopolitical

Syria after Assad: How Israeli settlers are trying to establish new facts on the ground Submitted by Wesam Sharaf on Wed, 06/17/2026 - 16:21 Emboldened by decades of violence and impunity in the occupied West Bank, settlers are now attempting to extend their reach into southern Syria Halutzei HaBashan activists call for the construction of settlements in Syria in April 2026 (X) Off Since the 2024 collapse of the Assad government and the subsequent expansion of Israel ’s occupation of the Golan Heights beyond the 1974 ceasefire line into southern Syria, a number of right-wing groups have advocated the establishment of Jewish settlements on this land. Among the most prominent is Halutzei HaBashan (“Pioneers of Bashan”), a movement launched last year by settlers from the occupied West Bank. Taking advantage of the Israeli military’s incursions, they have been calling for the construction of Israeli settlements in southwestern Syria, an area they call the Bashan region, which they view as part of the historic “Land of Israel”. In addition to organising marches into Syrian territory and attempting to establish new facts on the ground, the group has demanded protection from Israeli occupation forces, despite occasional clashes. The first documented incursion by settlers from Halutzei HaBashan occurred in August 2025, when they announced the establishment of Neveh HaBashan (“Oasis of Bashan”) - even laying a foundation stone in the Quneitra countryside. Israeli soldiers ultimately intervened and removed the group’s members. Another notable attempt took place last November, when settlers associated with the movement crossed the 1974 ceasefire line into the Syrian village of Bir Ajam, and declared their intention to establish a settlement there.. push({}); And this past April, around 40 settlers associated with Halutzei HaBashan entered the village of Hader on the slopes of Mount Hermon, taking over a building and hoisting Israeli flags. While Israeli police have warned that crossing into Syria or Lebanon is a criminal offence punishable by up to four years in prison, the settler group has yet to face any tangible legal consequences. This raises concerns about the long-term implications of their incursions, as Israeli authorities have seemingly turned a blind eye to these infractions. Lack of political will Israeli settlements are considered illegal under international law, but Israeli politicians and even ministers have expressed support for Halutzei HaBashan’s objectives in Syria. Such statements, combined with the lack of any formal condemnation of the group’s illegal activities, contribute to perceptions of political tolerance. This is despite the fact that the Israeli army has consistently acted to prevent settlers from establishing a permanent presence on Syrian land, demanding a halt to such activity, which it deems “a criminal offence that endangers civilians and [Israeli military] forces”. After the April incursion by Halutzei HaBashan, participants were reportedly transferred to Israeli police custody for questioning, but there was no announcement of charges or criminal proceedings. This raises questions about the state’s will to establish any measures of deterrence against future incursions. How to prove Israel is not a settler colony even as it pursues 'Greater Israel' Read More » Under international law, areas of southern Syria that came under Israeli military control after December 2024 are viewed as occupied territory. Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention explicitly prohibits the establishment of civilian settlements in occupied areas. This means, beyond direct governmental transfer, the Israeli state must not support or facilitate the activities of settler movements like Halutzei HaBashan. Israeli authorities thus have an obligation to ensure effective law enforcement against unauthorised incursions, and to protect the rights and properties of the population living under military occupation. Their response so far has done little to ensure this duty is met. At the same time, the recent settler incursions into southern Syria mark a clear attempt to replicate what has developed over decades in the occupied West Bank. There, ongoing Israeli settlement expansion has been enabled by the creation of facts on the ground, starting with the establishment of civilian outposts that later receive formal governmental authorisation. In both the occupied West Bank and Syria, settler movements rely heavily on historical, biblical and nationalist narratives to justify their activities, portraying their incursions as an attempt to reclaim part of the “ancestral homeland” of the Jewish people. Alongside the implications from an international law standpoint, the recent actions by Halutzei HaBashan should raise a red flag for the Syrian government, which must take all available legal and diplomatic measures to ensure that no illegal settlements are established in areas occupied by the Israeli military after the fall of the Assad regime. The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye. Occupation Opinion Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:29 Update Date Override 0

Military · Geopolitical

‘Repel the enemy’: Crimean Tatars have become a key asset for Ukraine’s war effort Submitted by Driss Rejichi on Fri, 06/26/2026 - 09:33 The Ukrainian Muslim minority has gained growing recognition in military, political and cultural spheres as it struggles to end Russia’s occupation of Crimea Commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the deportation of the indigenous population of Crimea by the USSR, on Independence Square in Kiev, 18 May 2019 (Genya Savilov/AFP) Off On the edge of the Ukrainian capital, inside the Kyiv Islamic Cultural Centre, a handful of Crimean Tatars conclude their Friday prayer with the taslim greeting. Isa Akayev exits the masjid last. Even though he has been retired since December, the 60-year-old veteran still proudly wears a shirt bearing the symbol of the Ukrainian Military Intelligence, along with his beard and taqiyah hat. “War has changed a lot, the head-on assaults we were doing before, all of this is now impossible,” he told Middle East Eye, sitting on a traditional Crimean bench in the hallway of the Islamic centre, which also hosts the Religious Administration of Muslims of Crimea. “Now, it’s mostly artillery and FPV drones doing the work. The kill zone can stretch up to 30 kilometres and you have to walk to avoid drawing attention. ” The battle-hardened Tatar reckons he is no longer suited to this high-intensity conflict.. push({}); In 2014, as Russian soldiers occupied Crimea, Akayev founded the first Tatar unit fighting for Ukraine, the Crimea Battalion. It sought to defend the interests of the Muslim indigenous community living in Crimea, more than 250,000 people at the time, most of whom had returned to the peninsula after decades of deportation under Soviet rule. Since then, Crimean Tatars have continued fighting for their homeland, where Russia staged a referendum on annexation in March 2014. More than 96 percent voted in favour of the “republic” status given by Moscow, but the vote was declared illegal by the United Nations. After the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, “very visible Crimean Tatar units and soldiers” emerged in the Ukrainian military, explains Filiz Tutku Aydin, professor of political science at the ⁠Social Sciences University of Ankara. This includes the Noman Celebicihan Battalion and the Grey Wolves squad, in addition to the historic Crimea Battalion.. push({}); These units, as well as Crimean Tatars serving in the regular army, have fought on the front lines and paid a heavy price. “There are announcements within the community when they died, that is, when they became shaheed [martyrs],” Aydin said, underlining the spiritual significance that the struggle for Crimea holds among them. Crimean Tatars, veterans of war against Russia-backed separatists, take part in a memorial ceremony on Independence Square in Kiev on 18 May 2019 (Genya Savilov/AFP). push({}); Some Tatars have also risen to prominent positions, such as politician Rustem Umerov, a close adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who served as defence minister from September 2023 to July 2025. “It was a total surprise,” Akayev said. The appointment carried a strong political meaning as Umerov became the first Crimean Tatar to serve as a minister. If not always fighting on the front lines, the Crimean Tatar community living in mainland Ukraine also remains active in political and civic engagement. ‘[… Now numbering 30,000 to 50,000 individuals, the Turkic ethnic group represents a visible minority among the roughly 30 million Ukrainians still living in the country, while more than 200,000 Tatars remain in Crimea, according to Russian statistics. ] as long as God gives me strength, I will continue to fight by every means permitted by Sharia for our homeland to return to us’ - Isa Akayev, founder of the Crimea Battalion In 2023, the mainland Tatars created the platform “Crimean Front”, a structure bringing together businessmen, volunteers and organisations who all support the war effort. “The goal was to remind the public that Crimean Tatars are also permanently contributing,” Lenur Mambetov, one of the founders of the Crimean Front, told MEE. “We all have a common goal: not only to repel the enemy, but also gain back our territories and return home, to Crimea,” he added. Russia's tightening grip on Crimea and growing repression on the peninsula since 2022 have made its liberation an even more urgent cause for the community. “Ukraine’s victory is perhaps more important for Crimean Tatars than Ukrainians because as a depopulated nation, it is a matter of life-and-death for them,” Aydin said. Keeping Crimea on the agenda “Of more than 300 political prisoners in Crimea, the majority are Crimean Tatars, which underscores our community’s pro-Ukrainian stance,” said Akhtem Seitablayev, sitting in his office in Kyiv. A prominent actor, screenwriter and director, Seitablayev heads the Crimean House, a state-funded cultural institution. Its mission is “to provide cultural and educational services, particularly to people displaced from the occupied territories”, he told MEE. Since joining the army in 2022, Seitablayev has continued to participate in cultural initiatives to raise awareness on the Crimean Tatar cause. The hallways of the Crimean House are lined with posters from films about Crimea, including many movies Seitablayev was involved in. Among them is Haytarma (2013), a historical drama depicting the May 1944 deportation of the Crimean Tatars. One of the largest forced population transfers of the Soviet era, the “surgunlik” or “exile” saw over 190,000 people - overwhelmingly Tatars, with some Greeks, Armenians and other non‑Slavic groups added in June - deported by train to Asia in just three days, erasing the Tatar presence from the peninsula. Commemoration of the 76th anniversary of the 1944 deportation of Crimea's Tatars by the USSR, on the Independence Square in Kiev on 18 May 2020 (Genya Savilov/AFP) Many scholars describe the “surgunlik” as ethnic cleansing, while Crimean Tatars regard it as a genocide. The deportation resulted in a high mortality rate, shattered Crimean Tatar culture and dispersed the community across a diaspora that never fully returned. Like Akayev and Mambetov, Seitablayev was born in Uzbekistan, where most Crimean Tatars were moved. They returned to Crimea only as the USSR collapsed in 1991. Haytarma is regularly screened at Ukrainian embassies ahead of 18 May, the deportation remembrance day. Seitablayev attended one of the last screenings in Berlin, in May this year. "After the beginning of the war in 2014, and especially after 2022, interest toward Crimean Tatar artists increased, and this cannot but please us," he said. To promote their collective memory and narrative, Crimean Tatars also rely on a vast diaspora stretching from Central Asia to the United States. ‘Many viewed the Crimean Tatars returning from exile as a threat. Some politicians even claimed that we would seek to seize the peninsula or bring it under Turkish influence’ - Refat Chubarov, chairman of the Mejlis The largest and most vocal community is found in Turkey, where hundreds of thousands settled during the Tzarist era before 1922, fleeing the persecution that followed the Russian conquest of Crimea in 1783. Anatolia offered geographical proximity and a familiar cultural environment, as Turks and Crimean Tatars share closely related languages and traditions. The diaspora grew further in 2014, and then 2022. “Turkey is a reliable partner because it has maintained the same position since 2014: support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and opposition to the occupation of Crimea,” Refat Chubarov, chairman of the Mejlis (assembly), told MEE. As the representative body of the Crimean Tatar people, the Mejlis became an important diplomatic channel for Ukraine during wartime. In April, Chubarov and several Mejlis members took part in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, where they met with Turkish officials. “We mainly discussed the issue of the persecution of Crimean Tatars in occupied Crimea, as well as support for Ukraine,” Chubarov said. Mejlis chairman Refat Chubarov during an event in front of the Russian embassy in Kiev on 21 February 2022 in support of Tatars detained by Russia in Crimea (Genya Savilov/AFP) Even though Ankara never provided direct military help, the Crimean Front maintains ties with Ankara since it started working in the humanitarian sphere. “We also try to get help from other countries for our projects: Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE,” Mambetov said. Through the Crimean Front, Riyad provided assistance after the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in 2023, while the UAE supplied generators. Crimean Tatars networks are also active beyond the Middle East. “In Canada and across Europe, Crimean Tatar communities work closely with the Ukrainian diaspora,” Aydin noted. “Ukraine does not fully take advantage of it, although things have improved,” he added. The rapprochement itself is recent. For decades, relations between Ukrainian authorities and Crimean Tatars were partly shaped by mistrust. A newfound prominence shaped by war In April, Zelensky signed a decree aimed at safeguarding the identity of the Crimean Tatar people and recognising the legal status of the Mejlis. The move was hailed as a milestone by the community, capping years of progress in the recognition of its rights. ‘Ukraine thinks integrating Crimean Tatars is necessary for re-integrating Crimea’ - Filiz Tutku Aydin, professor of political science in Ankara According to Chubarov, even after 1991, decades of Soviet influence left Ukrainians see Russians as their “closest brothers” while mistrusting the Tatars. “Many viewed the Crimean Tatars returning from exile as a threat,” Chubarov said. “Some politicians even claimed that we would seek to seize the peninsula or bring it under Turkish influence. ” Since then, relations have notably improved with Zelensky. In 2023, he established a new tradition of “official iftar” with Crimean Tatar representatives during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. “It was a shock, seeing the president give such importance to Muslims and Crimean Tatars was unprecedented,” Mambetov said. The recognition of Crimean Tatar identity has now extended beyond politics to culture and history. In 2024, the president unveiled a memorial in Kyiv commemorating the “surgunlik”. “Since 2014, perceptions of Crimean Tatar artists and culture have changed dramatically, for the better,” Seitablayev said. “To some extent, of course, the war helped in this. But I also believe it was part of the Almighty’s plan. ” According to Mambetov, many Ukrainians have also begun to challenge their prejudices about Islam. “People now have a better understanding of our religion,” Seitablayev said. How Russia is trying to erase Tatar Muslims Read More » The steps taken by Kyiv to guarantee the integration and autonomy of the community, now “ingrained in the legal structure”, has helped to build trust with the Crimean Tatar movement, Aydin told MEE. “Ukraine thinks integrating Crimean Tatars is necessary for re-integrating Crimea,” he said, adding this stance effectively prevents any form of separatism. As a result, the dual position of pursuing autonomy while respecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity “is not contradictory for the Crimean Tatars”, Aydin argued. This is also the stance of the Mejlis and most leading figures of the community. “Allah created it so that Crimea is part of Ukraine, how can we go against His will? ” Akayev asked with a smile. Although the idea of ceding Crimea to Russia has occasionally been floated as a possible basis for negotiations in the current war, including by US President Donald Trump, the veteran commander rejects it. “I do not know what the future holds, but as long as God gives me strength, I will continue to fight by every means permitted by Sharia for our homeland to return to us,” Akayev said. “Because the graves of my ancestors are there. Because I want to be buried there myself. Because without Crimea, there would be no Crimean Tatars. ” Russia-Ukraine war Kyiv News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0

Military · Geopolitical

Iran calls US-GCC statement 'interventionist' The Iranian foreign ministry said on Friday that a joint statement by the US and Gulf Cooperation Council contained “interventionist, irresponsible and provocative positions”, and described the US military presence in the Gulf as a source of insecurity and division in the region. In the statement, the ministry reiterated its position that the Strait of Hormuz should be governed with Oman in line with terms of the MOU with the US. In their earlier statement, the US and GCC rejected any tolls or attempts to control passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The US-GCC statement also condemned "attacks by Iranian proxies in Iraq against GCC countries, including drone attacks damaging civilian facilities, critical infrastructure, and energy security".

Military · Geopolitical

Italy rejects Nato chief's claim it assisted US in Iran war According to Iran's IRNA news agency, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Thursday evening to reject allegations made by Nato's secretary general that US military bases in Italy were used for military operations against Iran. Responding to US President Donald Trump's frustrations about a lack of European assistance in the war, Mark Rutte told Fox News on Wednesday that Rome played a key role by allowing 500 US military aircraft to use Italian air bases. Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, rejected Rutte's "confusing" account on Thursday. "We did not participate in the conflict with Iran," she said. During his call with Araghchi, Tajani also firmly rejected Rutte's remarks. The Italian foreign minister stressed that no Italian military base had been used in any attack on Iran and that no such action would be permitted in the future, IRNA reported.

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The European Commission has proposed to extend temporary protection for Ukrainians until 4 March 2028, but not to grant it to newly arrived Ukrainian citizens who are prohibited from leaving Ukraine due to military service obligations.

Military · Geopolitical

Who would have imagined that just over 100 days could so change the world? The US-Israeli “war of choice” on Iran has fundamentally – perhaps, permanently – shifted the global balances of economic, military and political power, and not in America’s favour. Mix the direct impact of this gratuitous military conflict with the broader effects on global security, efforts to mitigate climate change, contain soaring public debt and “de-risk” after America’s unilateral efforts to unravel globally agreed...

Military · Geopolitical

For the first time, the complete court records from the Tokyo Trial have been published in Chinese, offering the public in China a detailed look at Japanese war crimes, according to state media. The translation, which spans 40 volumes, took a team of hundreds more than a decade to produce. It filled “a critical gap in domestic historical records”, state news agency Xinhua reported on Thursday. The International Military Tribunal for the Far East – also known as the Tokyo Trial – lasted from May...

Military · Geopolitical

The British military said a cargo ship on the new Omani UN-backed route sustained bridge damage from a projectile, hours after the IRGC warned that vessels without Iranian permission were transiting "illegally".

Military · Geopolitical

The United States said Thursday it was deploying two warships, transport planes and helicopters and mobilizing $150 million in aid to assist earthquake-hit Venezuela. The aid push follows back-to-back 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that struck near Venezuela's Caribbean coast on Wednesday, collapsing buildings, damaging the country's main airport and prompting warnings of heavy casualties. At least 235 people have died. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.