via ABC News: Top Stories — President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28.

The Chokepoint of Empires: Turkey, Israel, and the Illusion of Western Hegemony in a Fracturing Middle East

Στο εσωτερικό της κυβέρνησης Τραμπ, αξιωματούχοι εκφράζουν φόβους ότι το Ιράν βρίσκεται σε «προχωρημένο στάδιο» σχεδιασμού επιθέσεων εναντίον Αμερικανών αξιωματούχων.

Ο ισραηλινός στρατός ανακοίνωσε ότι ξεκίνησε τη νύχτα εκτεταμένη επιχείρηση καταστολής στην πόλη Χεβρώνα της Δυτικής Όχθης, μετά τη δολοφονία δύο Ισραηλινών στρατιωτών από Παλαιστίνιους ενόπλους.

Η αμερικανική κυβέρνηση έχει θέσει σε κατάσταση αυξημένης επιφυλακής το προσωπικό της σε ολόκληρη τη Μέση Ανατολή, ενώ παράλληλα προχωρά στη μείωση του αριθμού των υπαλλήλων που υπηρετούν σε πρεσβείες...

The Philippines has secured a $1.5 billion loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to help cushion the economic impact of the ongoing Middle East crisis. This financial assistance aims to support the country's efforts in managing rising fuel and food prices, which have been exacerbated by global supply chain disruptions linked to the conflict. The ADB, a regional development bank headquartered in Manila, has been a key financial partner for the Philippines, providing support for infrastructure projects and economic stability initiatives. The loan, which will be disbursed over several years, is part of the ADB's broader strategy to assist developing economies facing external shocks. The Philippine government has emphasized that this funding will be allocated to critical sectors such as energy, agriculture, and social protection programs to ensure that vulnerable populations are shielded from the worst effects of inflation. The Middle East crisis, which began with the Israel-Hamas conflict, has triggered global market volatility, affecting oil prices and trade routes. The Philippines, as an import-dependent economy, is particularly vulnerable to these fluctuations. By securing this loan, the government aims to stabilize the domestic economy and prevent further deterioration of living standards for its citizens. The ADB's support underscores the importance of international financial institutions in helping countries navigate complex global challenges. This move also aligns with the Philippines' broader economic strategy to build resilience against external economic shocks. The government has not specified the exact repayment terms, but the loan is expected to be repaid over a period of 15 to 20 years, with favorable interest rates. The announcement comes as the country continues to face challenges from natural disasters and the lingering effects of the pandemic. The ADB's involvement highlights the bank's commitment to supporting sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region. The Philippines has been a long-standing member of the ADB, and this latest financial assistance reflects the strong partnership between the two entities. The government has stated that the funds will be used to implement targeted interventions to protect the most affected sectors of the economy. This includes subsidies for essential goods, support for small and medium enterprises, and investments in renewable energy projects to reduce dependency on imported fossil fuels. The loan is expected to provide immediate relief while also contributing to long-term economic stability. The ADB has praised the Philippines' proactive approach in addressing the challenges posed by the Middle East crisis, noting that the country has demonstrated strong fiscal management and a clear strategy for economic resilience. The government has also committed to transparency in the allocation and use of these funds, ensuring that they reach the intended beneficiaries without corruption or mismanagement. This financial support is seen as a critical step in safeguarding the Philippine economy during a period of unprecedented global uncertainty.

The Collapse of Maritime Deterrence, an Energy Chokepoint in Flames, and the Unravelling of Western Supremacy

US rejects reports Iran sent $200m to Hezbollah, says group must disarm for Lebanon aid

TikTok video by National News

Του Χρήστου Καζαντζόγλου

via World news | The Guardian — US president Donald Trump says he is weighing whether the US will join Saudi strikes against the Iran-backed Houthis As you can expect, passengers have been avoiding Saudia Arabia’s main international airport since the major attack yesterday. King Khalid remains closed today. It remains to be seen if operations will continue at other Saudi airports. Continue reading...

The Levant and its surrounding theatres enter Wednesday with several conflicts moving at once. The Houthis have carried the war ...

YouTube video by Oneindia News

When Carrier Strike Groups Drift A Thousand Kilometres Away, Global Deterrence Gives Way to Structural Realignment

As carriers redeploy, Washington faces an overstretched fleet against Tehran’s lethal arsenal.

Για περισσότερο από έναν αιώνα, η Μέση Ανατολή φτάνει στο δυτικό κινηματογραφικό κοινό μέσα από έναν στενό και απολύτως αναγνωρίσιμο φακό: κεχριμπαρένια φίλτρα, το κάλεσμα του μουεζίνη πάνω από την ει...

Press TV cites unnamed regional source alleging plan linked to incident involving flydubai flight diverted to Saudi Arabia | Anadolu