Latest news with #UN-sanctioned
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
No shortage of terrorists: Former Pakistani foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar accidentally confirms what India always said
Synopsis In an awkward Al Jazeera interview, Pakistan's former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar tried to brush off India's claim that Hafiz Abdul Rauf, a UN-sanctioned Lashkar-e-Taiba leader, led funeral prayers for slain terrorists. But when a journalist confronted her with undeniable proof — a national ID number that matches US terror watchlists — her story began to fall apart. The saga throws fresh light on Pakistan's old habit of shielding known extremists under the guise of denial.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Where are today's global statesmen?
With wars raging in Ukraine and Gaza, the world needs a credible mediator and arbiter like never before. But just when the United Nations (UN) needs to get into the act, it is absent, bordering on irrelevance, instead. It is, of course, not the UN's fault that it is exposed as not fit for purpose. The UN Security Council (UNSC) is tasked with being the global forum to deliberate on political disputes among member states. So war becomes unnecessary. Indeed, only the UNSC is authorised to approve the use of force against recalcitrant nations. The United States did bring the case for invading Iraq to the UN but the subsequent attack was never sanctioned by the UNSC. Russia's case for the invasion of Ukraine was never presented before the UNSC. It is, of course, a fact that in both Iraq and now Ukraine, the invading countries — the US and Russia respectively — are permanent members of the UNSC, each (along with China, the United Kingdom and France) wielding a veto. Faced with the prospect of a US veto over the Iraq war and a Russian one over Ukraine, the UNSC is thus rendered toothless when one of the warring parties carries a veto. In the case of the Gaza war, Israel is generally understood to be backed by the US, which will shield it with a veto should the UNSC attempt to send a peacekeeping force into the territory. In fact, even getting an effective UN-sanctioned humanitarian mission into Gaza right now is problematic. Is it any wonder, then, that the humanitarian disaster in bombed-out Gaza has increasingly bothered the conscience not just of individuals the world over but even governments traditionally close to Israel? But if global institutions such as the UN seem increasingly toothless, we need also ask difficult questions about dispute-resolution and peace-settlement mechanisms in our own backyard. Asean seems unable to put any dent in the intractable political crisis in Myanmar. Another crisis is brewing between Thailand and Cambodia over a border dispute, which has been deliberated upon and decided in the latter's favour, twice. As this crisis seems to be going from bad to worse, Malaysia as the current Asean chair is hoping the offer of its good offices will be taken up. It is disheartening to witness the international trend where nations both big and small revert to the belief that might is right. Where are today's global statesmen who will come forward as they did after the devastation of the last world war, to reform world institutions if not create a new global architecture really fit for purpose, lest we descend collectively and perhaps inexorably into another world war?
Miami Herald
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Kim Jong Un Quietly Advances North Korea's Nuclear Program
North Korea has begun work on a new facility at its main nuclear complex, according to the head of the United Nations-backed atomic watchdog. The facility, which reportedly resembles a suspected enrichment plant just outside of the capital of Pyongyang, could eventually provide fissile material to expand the country's nuclear arsenal. North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to continue building his UN-sanctioned nuclear arsenal, citing the "grave threat" posed by the U.S. and its allies, according to the U.S. Director of National Intelligence. North Korea is estimated to have around 50 nuclear warheads and enough fissile material for as many as 90. Kim's emphasis on expanding this capability—along with frequent ballistic missile tests and the abandonment of reunification as a long-term goal—has driven inter-Korean tensions to their highest level in decades. Newsweek reached out to the North Korean embassy in China and the U.S. Department of Defense with emailed requests for comment. Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said in a June 9 statement that the agency is "monitoring" a new construction at the Yongbyon nuclear complex, located about 60 miles north of Pyongyang. The new building has features and dimensions closely resembling those of the Kangson site, a facility west of the capital long suspected to be a uranium enrichment plant believed to produce uranium-235, the fissile material essential for nuclear weapons. "The continuation and further development of the DPRK's (Democratic People's Republic of Korea's) nuclear programme are clear violations of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and are deeply regrettable," Grossi said, using North Korea's official name. The report comes after news late last year that Kim Jong Un visited the Kangson facility. During the visit, he called for an increase in centrifuge production for weapons-grade material and warned against complacency, according to state media. In April, Grossi warned North Korea's progress on its nuclear agenda was "completely off the charts," with no effective way to monitor its activities. Attempts to stem the flow of materials that could aid Kim's nuclear program became even more problematic last year when Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would have extended the mandate of a panel of experts enforcing sanctions on North Korea. Jenny Town, director of the Stimson Center think tank's Korea Program and North Korea-focused analysis group 38 North, wrote for the Hudson Institute think tank: "Changing how the United States approaches its bilateral relationship with North Korea, not just the nuclear issue, will require enormous political capital, leadership, and resilience to criticism. "The nuclear issue will still need to be part of the discussion, but keeping it as the main determinant of relations will prolong the stalemate and worsen the security environment." U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard warned lawmakers in March that North Korea is "probably prepared" to conduct a seventh nuclear test on short notice. Members of President Donald Trump's team have reportedly discussed reopening dialogue with Kim, according to sources familiar with the discussions. During his first term, Trump met with Kim on three occasions in a failed bid to persuade the North Korean leader to walk back his nuclear weapons program. Related Articles Satellite Image Hints at North Korea's Biggest Military FactoryNorth Korea Airbrushes Commander From Photos After Warship FailKim Jong Un Doubles Down on Destroyers for North Korea's NavyNorth Korea Rejects Trump's Letter to Kim: Report 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Kim Jong Un Quietly Advances North Korea's Nuclear Program
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. North Korea has begun work on a new facility at its main nuclear complex, according to the head of the United Nations-backed atomic watchdog. The facility, which reportedly resembles a suspected enrichment plant just outside of the capital of Pyongyang, could eventually provide fissile material to expand the country's nuclear arsenal. Why It Matters North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to continue building his UN-sanctioned nuclear arsenal, citing the "grave threat" posed by the U.S. and its allies, according to the U.S. Director of National Intelligence. North Korea is estimated to have around 50 nuclear warheads and enough fissile material for as many as 90. Kim's emphasis on expanding this capability—along with frequent ballistic missile tests and the abandonment of reunification as a long-term goal—has driven inter-Korean tensions to their highest level in decades. Newsweek reached out to the North Korean embassy in China and the U.S. Department of Defense with emailed requests for comment. What To Know Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said in a June 9 statement that the agency is "monitoring" a new construction at the Yongbyon nuclear complex, located about 60 miles north of Pyongyang. The new building has features and dimensions closely resembling those of the Kangson site, a facility west of the capital long suspected to be a uranium enrichment plant believed to produce uranium-235, the fissile material essential for nuclear weapons. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends the launch ceremony for a new destroyer at the Raijin shipyard on June 12, 2025. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends the launch ceremony for a new destroyer at the Raijin shipyard on June 12, 2025. Korean Central News Agency "The continuation and further development of the DPRK's (Democratic People's Republic of Korea's) nuclear programme are clear violations of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and are deeply regrettable," Grossi said, using North Korea's official name. The report comes after news late last year that Kim Jong Un visited the Kangson facility. During the visit, he called for an increase in centrifuge production for weapons-grade material and warned against complacency, according to state media. In April, Grossi warned North Korea's progress on its nuclear agenda was "completely off the charts," with no effective way to monitor its activities. Attempts to stem the flow of materials that could aid Kim's nuclear program became even more problematic last year when Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would have extended the mandate of a panel of experts enforcing sanctions on North Korea. What People Have Said Jenny Town, director of the Stimson Center think tank's Korea Program and North Korea-focused analysis group 38 North, wrote for the Hudson Institute think tank: "Changing how the United States approaches its bilateral relationship with North Korea, not just the nuclear issue, will require enormous political capital, leadership, and resilience to criticism. "The nuclear issue will still need to be part of the discussion, but keeping it as the main determinant of relations will prolong the stalemate and worsen the security environment." What's Next U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard warned lawmakers in March that North Korea is "probably prepared" to conduct a seventh nuclear test on short notice. Members of President Donald Trump's team have reportedly discussed reopening dialogue with Kim, according to sources familiar with the discussions. During his first term, Trump met with Kim on three occasions in a failed bid to persuade the North Korean leader to walk back his nuclear weapons program.
India.com
15-06-2025
- Politics
- India.com
These six people took Iran's nuclear programme to next level with exceptional contribution until June 13 when..., they were...
New Delhi: Israeli jets destroyed many military and nuclear sites in Iran on June 13, 2025. Their main focus was on in and around Tehran and Natanz. This attack eliminated some of the most prolific names engaged in the Persian country's nuclear programme and the top brass of the military. However, a few names stand out due to the vital knowledge and expertise. They were the pioneers in Iran's nuclear project. They include Fereydoun Abbasi, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, Motlabizadeh, Syed Amirhossein Feqhi, Ahmadreza Zolfaghari and Abdolhamid Minouchehr. These six scientists were on the radar of Israel's establishment. Let us try to figure out what their deaths mean to Iran. Abdolhamid Minouchehr: Abdolhamid Minouchehr was a nuclear physicist at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran and widely celebrated for his work on uranium enrichment. Minouchehr played a crucial part in advancing Iran's centrifuge systems at Natanz. It was due to his research that Iran could enrich uranium to 20% purity. Ahmadreza Zolfaghari: Ahmadreza Zolfaghari was also from Shahid Beheshti University. He specialised in the design and upkeep of advanced centrifuges. Ahmadreza Zolfaghari had worked with the teams at Natanz and Fordow. He and the teams at Natanz and Fordow pushed the limits of IR-8 technology, an Iranian model capable of enriching uranium at unprecedented speeds. Seyed Amirhossein Feqhi: Seyed Amirhossein Feqhi was a reactor design expert. Seyed Amirhossein Feqhi's work on the Arak heavy water reactor marked a key milestone in Iran's ambitions to produce plutonium. He was deeply involved in the safety architecture of nuclear facilities. Motlabizadeh: Motlabizadeh was an engineer and a senior leader within Iran's Atomic Energy Organization. He was closely linked to dual-use research straddling nuclear technology and ballistic missiles. According to multiple defense analysts, he played a role in developing the trigger mechanisms for nuclear weapons and that made him a prime target. Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi: Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi was president of the Islamic Azad University. He was a physicist who played a vital role in bridging academic research with Iran's nuclear infrastructure, shaping young talent to sustain the country's nuclear programme over the next decade. Fereydoun Abbasi: Fereydoun Abbasi was a former chief of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran and a UN-sanctioned person for his alleged work on nuclear weaponisation. The killing of these professionals has hurt Iran's nuclear programme badly.
