The long-awaited counteroffensive last year failed. Russia has recaptured Avdiivka, its biggest war gain in nine months. President Volodymyr Zelensky has been forced to quietly acknowledge the new military reality. The Biden Administration’s strategy is now to sustain Ukrainian defense until after the U.S. presidential elections, in the hope of wearing down Russian forces in a long war of attrition.
This strategy seems sensible enough, but contains one crucially important implication and one potentially disastrous flaw, which are not yet being seriously addressed in public debates in the West or Ukraine. The implication of Ukraine standing indefinitely on the defensive—even if it does so successfully—is that the territories currently occupied by Russia are lost. Russia will never agree at the negotiating table to surrender land that it has managed to hold on the battlefield.
This does not mean that Ukraine should be asked to formally surrender these lands, for that would be impossible for any Ukrainian government. But it does mean that—as Zelensky proposed early in the war with regard to Crimea and the eastern Donbas—the territorial issue will have to be shelved for future talks.
The Russian strategy at present appears to be different. They have drawn Ukrainians into prolonged battles for small amounts of territory like Avdiivka, where they have relied on Russian superiority in artillery and munitions to wear them down through constant bombardment. They are firing three shells to every one Ukrainian; and thanks in part to help from Iran, Russia has now been able to deploy very large numbers of drones.
In 2017, Thailand agreed to buy a submarine from China for $369 million. However, in October 2023, Thailand’s defense minister announced the suspension of the purchase:
The government accepted the Royal Thai Navy’s proposal to instead procure a frigate from China with the funding allocated for the submarine.
The frigate will be a “diplomatic substitute” to the Chinese-built S26T diesel-electric attack submarine.
The Yuan-class is a diesel-electric submarine designed to operate in shallow coastal waters.
The announcement of mobilization was seen as a significant escalation of Russia’s military efforts in the war with Ukraine. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that Russia had a “huge mobilization reserve” and planned to mobilize 300,000 recruits.The precise details of the mobilization plans are currently unclear, however, as the exact number of people to be mobilized is classified.
russian soldier preparing somewhere in siberia
russian soldiers in syria
On 28 October, Shoigu told Russian president Vladimir Putin that mobilization had been completed, which was followed an announcement by Putin of its completion. However, it has been speculated that mobilization will only end after Putin signs a relevant decree, and that covert mobilization would still occur. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refuted this claim, but as of late December numerous military analysts and media outlets maintain that mobilization continues to take place in Russia.
Native name
Частичная мобилизация в России (Chastichnaya mobilizatsiya v Rossii)
≈300,000 people (according to the Ministry of Defense)Clause No. 7, which details the exact number of people to be mobilized, is classified.
from wikipedia
According to The Moscow Times, Russian authorities had repeatedly rejected the possibility of mobilization at least 15 times prior to the announcement of partial mobilization.For example, on 8 March, Vladimir Putin publicly promised that no reservists would be called upon to fight in Ukraine.
On 19 February 2022, general mobilization began in the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics (DNR and LNR), which at that time were not recognized by any sovereign state, including Russia. Tens of thousands of local residents were forcibly mobilized for the war (according to one estimate, up to 140,000 people by mid-June 2022).
The mobilization was accompanied by mass raids on men of military age. In the enterprises of the region, up to 80% of employees were called up, which led to shutdown of mines and public transport, as well as the paralysis of cities and public services. To avoid mobilization, residents hid or tried to illegally leave the republics.
The mobilization revealed numerous problems of the armed forces of the DNR and LNR. Recruits without training and combat experience found themselves on the front lines without adequate supplies: the units lacked uniforms, weapons, food, and medicines. Human rights activists reported a huge death toll among mobilized recruits in clashes with the better-trained Ukrainian military – up to 30,000 as of August 2022.
Distribution of mobilization summonses for reservists began in April. The summonses handed out did not indicate the purpose of the call-up. Presumably, they were sent out to invite men to military registration and enlistment offices, where they would draft contracts to take part in the mobilization of reserves.
the war started on oct. 7 when hamas and islamic jihad sent around 1000 fighters into israel who killed 1,200 israelis.
one of the flags showing resistance against israel’s occupation.(of west bank and gaza)
this is also one of the posters after israeli invasion of gaza.
israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu announces war against hamas.
for knowing more about this war we must know about hamas
PALESTINIAN LIBERATION ORGANISATION(PLO)
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO; Arabic: منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية Munaẓẓamat at-Taḥrīr al-Filasṭīniyyah) is a Palestinian nationalist coalition that is internationally recognized as the official representative of the Palestinian people.
ORGINS OF HAMAS(HOW A CHARITY GROUP TURNED INTO A TERRORIST GROUP)
Hamas, militant Palestinian nationalist and Islamist movement in the West Bank and Gaza Strip that is dedicated to the establishment of an independent Islamic state in historical Palestine. Founded in 1987, Hamas opposed the secular approach of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, rejected attempts to cede any part of Palestine, and embraced the use of violence, including acts of terrorism, as a means to achieve its goals.
The Gaza War, also known as Operation Cast Lead (Hebrew: מִבְצָע עוֹפֶרֶת יְצוּקָה),also known as the Gaza Massacre (Arabic: مجزرة غزة), and referred to as the Battle of al-Furqan (معركة الفرقان) by Hamas, was a three-week armed conflict between Gaza Strip Palestinian paramilitary groups and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that began on 27 December 2008 and ended on 18 January 2009 with a unilateral ceasefire. The conflict resulted in 1,166–1,417 Palestinian and 13 Israeli deaths. Over 46,000 homes were destroyed in Gaza, making more than 100,000 people homeless.
A six month long ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ended on 4 November, when the IDF made a raid into Deir al-Balah, central Gaza to destroy a tunnel, killing several Hamas militants. Israel said the raid was a preemptive strike and Hamas intended to abduct further Israeli soldiers,[37][38] while Hamas characterized it as a ceasefire violation,[37][39] and responded with rocket fire into Israel.[40][41] Attempts to renew a truce between Israel and Hamas were unsuccessful. On December 27, Israel began Operation Cast Lead with the stated aim of stopping rocket fire.[42][43] In the initial air assault, Israel attacked police stations, military targets including weapons caches and suspected rocket firing teams, as well as political and administrative institutions, striking in the densely populated cities of Gaza, Khan Yunis and Rafah.[44] After hostilities broke out, Palestinian groups fired rockets in retaliation for the aerial bombardments and attacks.[45] The international community considers indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian structures that do not discriminate between civilians and military targets as illegal under international law
An Israeli ground invasion began on 3 January. On 5 January, the IDF began operating in the densely populated urban centers of Gaza. During the last week of the offensive (from 12 January), Israel mostly hit targets it had damaged before and struck Palestinian rocket-launching units.[49] Hamas intensified its rocket and mortar attacks against mostly civilian targets in southern Israel, reaching the major cities of Beersheba and Ashdod for the first time during the conflict.[50][51][52] Israeli politicians ultimately decided against striking deeper within Gaza amid concerns of higher casualties on both sides and rising international criticism.[citation needed] The conflict ended on 18 January, when the IDF first declared a unilateral ceasefire, followed by Hamas’ announcing a one-week ceasefire twelve hours later.[6][7] The IDF completed its withdrawal on 21 January.[53]
In September 2009, a UN special mission, headed by the South African Justice Richard Goldstone, produced a report accusing both Palestinian militants and the Israeli army of war crimes and possible crimes against humanity, and recommended bringing those responsible to justice.[54] In 2011, Goldstone wrote that he does not believe that Israel intentionally targeted civilians in Gaza as a matter of explicit policy.[55] The other authors of the report, Hina Jilani, Christine Chinkin, and Desmond Travers, stated that no new evidence had been gathered that disputed the report’s findings.[56][57] The United Nations Human Rights Council ordered Israel to conduct various repairs of the damages. On 21 September 2012, the United Nations Human Rights Council concluded that 75% of civilian homes destroyed in the attack were not rebuilt
One Egyptian border guard officer killed and three wounded, and two children wounded.[25][26] Over 50,800 Gaza residents displaced.[27]Over 4,000 homes destroyed; around $2bn worth of damage to Gaza[28]
*255 (PCHR)[22] or 265 (B’Tselem)[21] police officers were killed.
table imported from wikipedia
IRAN INVOLVEMENT
The Islamic Republic of Iran is a key patron of the Palestinian militant organization Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2006. Iran provides Hamas with funds, weapons, and training.
According to a 2020 U.S. State Department report, Iran provides about $100 million annually to Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas. As of 2023, according to an Israeli security source, Iran had significantly increased its funding for Hamas to $350 million a year.
OCTOBER 7 ATTACKS (OPERATION AL-AQSA FLOOD)
At around 6:30 a.m. Israel Summer Time (UTC+3) on Saturday, 7 October 2023, Hamas announced the start of the operation, which it called Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. Hamas commander Mohammed Deif, in an audio message, declared the operation was “to end the last occupation on Earth”.eif said the attack was in response to the 16-year blockade of Gaza, Israeli incursions in West Bank cities, violence at Al-Aqsa mosque, and Israeli settler violence.[91] Shortly thereafter, Hamas Prime MinisterIsmail Haniyeh made a similar announcement in a televised address.
Deif said more than 5,000 rockets had been fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel in a span of 20 minutes at the start of the operation. Israeli sources reported the launch of 3,000 projectiles from Gaza, killing five. Explosions were reported in areas surrounding Gaza and in the Sharon Plain, including Gedera, Herzliyya, Tel Aviv, and Ashkelon. Air raid sirens were activated in Beer Sheva, Jerusalem, Rehovot, Rishon Lezion, and Palmachim Airbase. Hamas issued a call to arms, with Deif calling on “Muslims everywhere to launch an attack”.
Palestinian militants also opened fire on Israeli boats off the Gaza Strip, while clashes broke out between Palestinians and the Israel Defense Forces in the eastern section of the Gaza perimeter fence. In the evening Hamas launched another barrage of about 150 rockets towards Israel, with explosions reported in Yavne, Givatayim, Bat Yam, Beit Dagan, Tel Aviv, and Rishon Lezion.
Soon after the start of the Hamas operation, there were reports that many civilians and soldiers had been taken as captives back to the Gaza Strip. Later in the day Hamas announced it had captured enough Israeli soldiers to force a prisoner swap,[194] and Israel confirmed hostages had been taken.[195]
In Be’eri, up to 50 people were taken hostage; after an 18-hour standoff between militants and IDF forces, they were freed.[196] Hostages were also reported taken in Ofakim, where policemen led by Chief SuperintendentJayar Davidov engaged Palestinian militants in a shootout;[when?] Davidov and three of his men were killed, and the IDF later rescued two Israeli hostages in the suburb of Urim.[196] There were reports of militants killing and stealing family pets.[197]
Hamas took many hostages back to Gaza. On 16 October, they said they were holding 250 hostages[198] and that it had done so to force Israel to release its Palestinian prisoners.[199] Some of the hostages, including three members of the Bibas family, were subsequently handed over to other militant groups. Palestinian Islamic Jihad ended up holding at least 30 of the hostages, but it is unclear whether they or Hamas originally kidnapped them.
According to Ariel Merari, the raiders “were ordered to kidnap as many [people] as possible… [and] they intentionally kidnapped a populace that is sensitive from the aspect of Israeli public opinion”.[200] Merari doubts that Hamas will agree to releasing all of the hostages in “one go” regardless of how many of its prisoners are released, since the hostages are its only guarantee against complete destruction at Israel’s hands.[200] He believes Hamas will try to force a ceasefire and protract the release for weeks or months, until an Israeli offensive is no longer seen as viable
RUSSIA
Russia has diplomatic relations with the political wing of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist organization which rules the Gaza Strip. Russia has not designated Hamas as a terrorist organization, though it has condemned Hamas attacks as “terrorism” and has taken a hard line against Islamist terrorism. Russia has also maintained relations with Israel.
INDIA REACTION
india has condemned the october 7 attacks and so did china.
US BENEFITS ON WAR
US has benefitted a lot from the war with israel buying lots of weapons from usa.
china has been investing heavely on myanmars infrastructure
China is a key supplier of military aid to Myanmar, including jet fighters, armored vehicles, and naval vessels. China has also trained Myanmar’s army, air force, and naval personnel since 1989.
China’s investment in Myanmar is also significant:
Since 1988, China has been an approved investor in Myanmar, accounting for 26% of total foreign direct investment (FDI) until 2019.
China has invested $113 million in Myanmar since the military coup in 2021.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has led to consistent investments in physical infrastructure projects through the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC).
In addition, China’s diplomatic intervention in Myanmar has been described as supporting the junta. China may be helping to slow the evolution of the resistance movement, which could ensure the long-term survival of the junta.
China’s involvement in Myanmar is due to its strategic location, where big powers have long jostled for influence
myanmar purchases more chinese military equipment especially j-20
The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) is an organization that was formed in 2013 when Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of al-Qaida’s Iraqi branch, merged with al-Qaida’s Syrian franchise. At its peak in 2014, ISIS controlled a large portion of Syria and Iraq, including government resources, industry, commerce, and agriculture. By December 2017, ISIS had lost 95% of its territory, including Mosul and Raqqa. In March 2019, ISIS was forced out of the last of its territory in Syria and Iraq
Iraqi special forces in mosul after capturing mosul from islamic state(ISIS) (ISIL)
THE RISE OF ISIS
The Islamic State – also known as ISIS, ISIL, or Daesh – emerged from the remnants of al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), a local offshoot of al Qaeda founded by Abu Musab al Zarqawi in 2004. It faded into obscurity for several years after the surge of U.S. troops to Iraq in 2007. But it began to reemerge in 2011. Over the next few years, it took advantage of growing instability in Iraq and Syria to carry out attacks and bolster its ranks.
The group changed its name to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in 2013. ISIS launched an offensive on Mosul and Tikrit in June 2014. On June 29, ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi announced the formation of a caliphate stretching from Aleppo in Syria to Diyala in Iraq, and renamed the group the Islamic State.
A U.S.-led coalition began airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq on August 7, 2014, and expanded the campaign to Syria the following month. On October 15, the United States named the campaign “Operation Inherent Resolve.” Over the next year, the United States conducted more than 8,000 airstrikes in Iraq and Syria. ISIS suffered key losses along Syria’s border with Turkey, and by the end of 2015, Iraqi forces had made progress in recapturing Ramadi. But in Syria, ISIS made gains near Aleppo, and still firmly held Raqqa and other strongholds.
In 2015, ISIS expanded into a network of affiliates in at least eight other countries. Its branches, supporters, and affiliates increasingly carried out attacks beyond the borders of its so-called caliphate. In October, ISIS’s Egypt affiliate bombed a Russian airplane, killing 224 people. On November 13, 130 people were killed and more than 300 injured in a series of coordinated attacks in Paris. And in June 2016, a gunman who pledged support to ISIS killed at least four dozen people at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida.
Basil Zamo † (1st Coastal Division chief of staff)[68] Abu Yahia al-Hamawi[69] (Leader of Ahrar al-Sham) Nimr Al-Shukri † (Top military commander of Ahrar al-Sham)[70] Zahran Alloush† (emir of Jaysh al-Islam) Abu Rida al-Turkistani † (Leader of TIP)[71] Abu Mohammad al-Julani (Emir of Tahrir al-Sham) Abdullah al-Muhaysini (Top sharia judge of the Army of Conquest and later a senior member of Tahrir al-Sham) Abu Jaber (Second Emir of Ahrar al-Sham, First Emir and current Shura head of Tahrir al-Sham) Salahuddin Shishani † (Former al-Nusra Front commander and current Tahrir al-Sham top military commander)[72] Abu Salman al-Belarusi (Abu Rofiq) † (Leader of Malhama Tactical)[73] Abu Ubeidah al-Kansafra † (Top military commander of Tahrir al-Sham)[74][unreliable source?] 12 unknown military commanders †[75]
“Mohammed Emwazi”[3] “John the Beatle”[4] “Jailer John”[5] Abu Abdullah al-Britani[6] Abu Muharib al-Yemeni[7] Mohammed al-Ayan[8] Muhammad ibn Muazzam[9] Mohammed Al-Zuhary[10] Abu Muharib al-Muhajir[11] Jihadi John[3]
Mohammed Emwazi (born Muhammad Jassim Abdulkarim Olayan al-Dhafiri; Arabic: محمد جاسم عبد الكريم عليان الظفيري; 17 August 1988 – 12 November 2015) was a British militant of Kuwaiti origin seen in several videos produced by the Islamist extremist group Islamic State (IS) showing the beheadings of a number of captives in 2014 and 2015. A group of his hostages nicknamed him “John” since he was part of a four-person terrorist cell with English accents whom they called ‘The Beatles‘; the press later began calling him “Jihadi John“.[3]
On 12 November 2015, United States officials reported that Emwazi had been hit by a drone strike in Raqqa, Syria.[16] His death was confirmed by IS in January 2016.[11]
Emwazi was born Muhammad Jassim Abdulkarim Olayan al-Dhafiri[17] on 17 August 1988 in Kuwait[1] as the eldest of five children[18] to Jassem and Ghaneyah Emwazi.[15] The family, who were Bidoon of Iraqi origin,[15] lived in the Taima area of the town of Al Jahra, which was known as a “slumtown” where stateless people were ghettoized by the Kuwaiti government.[19] They were undocumented, considered stateless and without Kuwaiti citizenship status.[19] The family moved to the United Kingdom in 1994 when he was six.[20] They settled in inner west London, moving between several properties in Maida Vale,[18] later living in St John’s Wood and finally in Queen’s Park.[18][21] Emwazi attended St Mary Magdalene Church of England primary school, and later Quintin Kynaston School.[22]
Emwazi was given the nickname “John” by a group of his hostages. The hostages said that he guarded Western hostages while handling communications with their families, and was part of a terrorist cell they called ‘The Beatles‘ because the cell members all had British accents.[23] The nickname refers to John Lennon of the Beatles; the three other group members were each given the first name of one of the other Beatles.
The nicknames “Jihadi John”, “Jailer John” and “John the Beatle” were created by journalists.[3] “Jihadi John” was used on 20 August 2014 in the conservative magazine The Spectator in a piece titled “Jihadi John – a very British export” by Douglas Murray, a frequent critic of Islam,[24] and soon after joined by the BBC and other sources.[25]
In a video uploaded to YouTube on 19 August 2014, Foley read a prepared statement criticising the United States, the recent airstrikes in Iraq, and his brother who serves in the US Air Force.[26] Emwazi, wearing a mask, also read a prepared statement in which he criticised US and President Barack Obama and made demands to cease the 2014 American-led intervention in Iraq.[26] The masked man then beheaded Foley off-camera, after which he threatened to behead Steven Sotloff if his demands were not met.[27] The FBI and US National Security Council confirmed that the video, which included footage of Foley’s beheaded corpse, was genuine.[26]
On 12 November 2015, two United States drone aircraft[88] along with a British drone conducted an airstrike in Raqqa that targeted Emwazi as he left a building and entered a vehicle.[89] US officials stated he had been killed,[90] and a senior US military official was quoted as saying, “we are 99% sure we got him.”[88] A US official called it a “flawless” and “clean hit” with no collateral damage and that Emwazi was “evaporated.”[90] On 14 December 2015, US President Barack Obama stated Emwazi had been “taken out”.[91]
UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, stated the UK and the US had been working “hand in glove, round the clock” to track Emwazi’s location, and that the drone strike was “an act of self-defence.”[16][92]
On 19 January 2016, in the IS magazine Dabiq, the group confirmed that Emwazi had been killed by a drone strike in Raqqa.[93] The obituary showed him unmasked and referred to him as Abu Muharib al-Muhajir.[11][94] Further photographs showing him unmasked in Syria were released on 26 January 2016.[95]
FALL OF ISIS
The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) lost control of all of its Middle Eastern territories by 2019. In March 2019, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the U.S.-led Global Coalition took control of Al-Baghouz, the last stronghold of ISIS in Syria. On March 23, 2019, Baghouz fell, formally ending ISIS’s claim to any territory
Although losing its territories in iraq and syria ISIS is still capable of combat operations on iraqi government forces.
Ukraine invasion: what happens if Kyiv falls and Volodymyr Zelensky’s government is toppled?
The Ukrainian president has voiced his intention to stay, but experts say if the capital fell to Russian forces he would either be killed or become a prisoner
If Zelensky fled, he could set up operations in western Ukraine, and Putin would likely install his hand-selected government in Kyiv
As Russia’s pounds Ukraine, causing death and destruction, it has not yet seized the nation’s capital, Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who says he’s the Kremlin’s No 1 target, has vowed to stay in the country, even as Russian troops bear down on Kyiv.
“According to our information, the enemy marked me as target No 1, my family, as target No 2,” Zelensky said in a video statement on Thursday. “They want to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the head of state. We have information that enemy sabotage groups have entered Kyiv.”
Zelensky’s whereabouts are under wraps after he told European leaders in a call on Thursday that they might not see him again alive. But he said he will be staying in the capital.
On Friday, Zelensky posted a short video proclaiming Ukraine’s continued defence against the Russian invasion. His defiance came even as questions swirled on social media about whether leaders had begun fleeing.
“We are all here,” said Zelensky, who was surrounded by a handful of leaders.
“Our is here, citizens are here. We are all here defending our independence, our state and it will be so further. Glory to our defenders, glory to Ukraine!”Zelensky also spoke with US President Joe Biden for 40 minutes on Friday about strengthening sanctions against Russia and other steps to retaliate for Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
A few hours later, the Biden administration announced that it will join the European Union in imposing fresh sanctions against Russian PresidentVladimir Putin and some of his deputies.
Putin ordered an invasion of the neighbouring country, an assault that began in eastern Europe’s predawn hours on Thursday.
Here is what it would mean for Zelensky if Russia seized Kyiv: