Iran says it is ‘not looking for war’
The head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said yesterday that the country “does not seek war”, indicating it would not escalate tensions with the US, but also said Iran was ready to respond if attacked.
Here is the latest.
“We are hearing threatening words from American officials,” said General Hossein Salami, the head of the military organization, according to Iranian state media. “You tested us and we know each other – we will leave no threat unanswered.”
Salami’s comments came after President Biden said he had decided to respond to a drone strike over the weekend that killed three American soldiers and wounded more than 40 others in Jordan. The US said the strike came from an Iranian-backed militia in the region. Biden has not said what America’s response will be.
Iran has denied ordering attacks against US forces, including the drone strike in Jordan. And in an apparent sign that Iran is trying to ease tensions, Kata’ib Hezbollah, the militia that the US says was likely behind the attack in Jordan, said on Tuesday it would suspend its military operations in Iraq. The surprise statement indicated that the militia had come under pressure from both Iran and Iraq.
Western Bank: Anger and resentment are growing in the region, where Israelis and Palestinians live worlds apart but are often separated by only a road — or barricades.
EU summit on aid to Ukraine
EU leaders will meet in Brussels today to try to reach an agreement on a multi-year $54 billion aid package for Ukraine. Without more aid, Ukraine says it faces an economic crisis that analysts say could seriously undermine its ability to successfully fight Russia.
“It’s the economy that wins wars,” said the head of the Ukraine program at Chatham House, a London-based think tank.
That aid will cover about a quarter of Ukraine’s national budget this year, paying for things like teacher salaries, pensions and medical care for the population.
But Prime Minister Viktor Orban — a close ally of President Vladimir Putin of Russia — blocked the EU aid package in December. This time, if he continues to block aid, EU leaders have made it clear they are ready to do whatever is necessary to support Ukraine and are ready to work around him – or even punish him.
In the USA: The Biden administration is also struggling to pass $60 billion worth of military, humanitarian and economic aid this year.
In Ukraine: Tensions between President Volodymyr Zelensky and his top general are running high, but the dismissal of General Valery Zaluzhny could create many problems both in the war and at home.
Thai court condemns Move Forward
A Thai court has dealt a blow to the Move Forward Party, ruling that its push to reform a law against criticism of the monarchy violates the constitution. The decision leaves the progressive party vulnerable to more legal challenges, which could pave the way for its eventual dissolution.
The court ordered Move Forward to cease all activities related to amending the royal defamation law, which is sacred to Thailand’s conservative establishment, and called the proposal an attempt to overthrow the monarchy.
Record: Move Forward won the general election last year with Pita Limjaroenrat at its helm. He was then prevented from becoming prime minister and the party was forced into opposition.
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Asia Pacific
Where Toyko goes to relax
Kagoshima Prefecture, which wraps around the southern tip of the Japanese island of Kyushu, is said to resemble a dragon’s head. While Tokyo and Kyoto attract large numbers of Western tourists, Kagoshima attracts more visitors from Japan and across Asia.
We asked some locals to put together a guide to the area, which inspired the scenery in Hayao Miyazaki’s 1997 animated film “Princess Mononoke.” The forests are breathtaking and temperatures rarely drop below freezing during the day. Shoppers can go to pottery villages, while history buffs can find feudal riches.
