Displaying posts categorized under

WORLD NEWS

What will China Do Post-Iran? As Iran reels and Russia weakens, China watches and endures—its challenge to the US is deeper, longer-term, and unlike any adversary of the past century. By Francesco Sisci

https://amgreatness.com/2025/06/25/what-will-china-do-post-iran/

Iran may be unraveling under the massive Israeli attack on its nuclear facilities and command centers. It’s uncertain whether the ayatollahs will survive the humiliation or how they will spin the narrative about the loss of their strategic atomic program.

With that, Russia, entangled in a war in Ukraine that it doesn’t seem able to win, will feel the pressure. Iran has been an essential supplier of military goods and a significant political partner in the complex diplomatic game surrounding the fight.

China, the third pole of this hazy coalition, has now kept its distance from Iran. Unlike with Ukraine or Gaza—where it rushed to pledge support for causes that proved to be lost (Moscow’s invasion or Hamas’s attack)—this time Beijing remained mostly silent, issuing a few bland statements about peace.

Beijing appears to be rethinking its foreign policy and shifting its stance.

This is a new kind of domino effect—unlike the Cold War—because China is fundamentally different from the USSR.

In Iran, the Shia-led regime established in the 1980s stands at odds with the enduring cultural legacy of Persia.

Despite all their efforts, the ruling clerics haven’t managed to wipe out the Persian legacy, which may be stronger than ever. If the ayatollahs were to fall, ancient Persia could reemerge from a very shallow underground.

In Russia, generals and oligarchs can survive. Russia might be better off without Vladimir Putin. If Putin were to fall, Russia could quite easily endure. This isn’t about a U.S.-controlled “regime change.” It’s about a natural historical evolution, without any need for direct U.S. meddling.

The West’s Metaphysical Blind Spot Arman Rahimian

https://quadrant.org.au/news-opinions/middle-east/the-wests-metaphysical-blind-spot/

In the wake of Israel’s pre-emptive strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and the wider war that erupted just two weeks ago—a revealing fracture has split the American and the Australian right. Some of its loudest voices—Steve Bannon, Tucker Carlson, and an army of self-styled realists—now openly question Israel’s actions and America’s commitment to its ally.

Their scepticism, on the surface, is understandable. Decades of American misadventures abroad have left voters instinctively wary of foreign entanglements. But beneath this wariness lies a deeper blind spot that cripples the West’s ability to deal with regimes like Iran: modern Westerners have forgotten what it means to wage politics according to an uncompromising metaphysic.

Iran sits on one of the world’s greatest oil reserves. Its people are literate, resourceful, and capable of great cultural and technological feats. Yet it remains an economic backwater—poor, unstable, and brutal. For the Western materialist mind, this defies reason. Surely, if the regime wanted prosperity, it could have it.

But that is precisely the point: it does not. The Iranian state is not an ordinary government seeking wealth or security. It is an eschatological machine—an empire run by clerics whose sole claim to legitimacy is their absolute commitment to an idea: the destruction of Israel and, in time, the humiliation of the West.

This is not rhetoric for domestic consumption alone; it is the regime’s raison d’être. Westerners, whose secular technocracies run on the premise that all problems can be traded or regulated away, cannot comprehend this. They see a nuclear deal here, a sanctions relief there, and imagine they are negotiating with rational actors who prize prosperity above purpose.

Wars are won on the factory floor To survive the geopolitical turmoil of the 21st century, the West needs to revive its industrial base. Joel Kotkin

https://www.spiked-online.com/2025/06/24/wars-are-won-on-the-factory-floor/

As recent events in Iran have so aptly demonstrated, technological progress married to industrial might produces the most tangible form of power. In the recent conflict in the Middle East, this meant that a second-tier power like Iran was clearly outmatched – first by Israel, then by America.

The West needs to learn this lesson and apply it to its rivalry with a far more formidable foe: China. Unlike the theocrats of Tehran, China’s ambitions are distinctly material. And, until recently, China has made tremendous headway facing relatively little, and largely ineffective, Western opposition.

Fortunately, in America at least, there is an emerging industrial renaissance, led by a wave of new firms investing in key technologies, such as drones, satellites, fuel-efficient jet engines and robotic drilling. These and similar companies remain the West’s best hope of slowing China’s bid for global pre-eminence – a campaign that now extends into space and advanced military systems.

China, the most important ally of Tehran’s beleaguered mullahs, cannot be easily dismissed. Since its accession to the World Trade Organisation in 2000, China has grown to the point where it boasts as many factory exports as the US, Japan and Germany combined. In 2023, the Middle Kingdom forged roughly half the world’s steel and became the world’s largest automobile market – including for electric vehicles, whose batteries are linked to an industrial economy that’s highly dependent on coal-burning power stations. It also accounts for more than half of all shipbuilding.

Arming Authoritarian Regimes in the Middle East Why did Israel have to destroy American-made jet fighters in Iran? by Moshe Phillips

https://www.frontpagemag.com/arming-authoritarian-regimes-in-the-middle-east/

When the Israeli Air Force destroyed two F-14 fighter jets on an Iranian airbase on June 16, many Americans asked the same question:

How did Iran—a sworn enemy of both the United States and Israel—end up with top-tier American-made military aircraft?

The answer, as uncomfortable as it is, should serve as a powerful warning. The U.S. sold those F-14s to Iran before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, when Iran was ruled by the Shah and seen as a strategic American ally in the region. But when the Shah’s regime fell and Islamic extremists seized power, those very same fighter jets fell into the hands of America’s adversaries.

This is not ancient history. It is a lesson in the long-term risks of arming authoritarian regimes—especially in the volatile Middle East—and it is more relevant than ever today.

In recent years, the U.S. has agreed to sell its most advanced aircraft, the F-35 stealth fighter, to countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Bahrain and other authoritarian regimes in the Gulf have also expressed interest in acquiring similar technology. These sales may be seen as diplomatic wins or short-term economic boons, but they represent profound strategic risks.

America’s most sophisticated military assets should not be placed in the hands of authoritarian rulers whose grip on power is inherently unstable. Today’s “friendly” regime can become tomorrow’s adversary. As we saw in Iran, it only takes a single revolution or coup for U.S.-made weapons to be used against American interests—or those of our allies.

Trump Announces ‘Complete and Total’ Ceasefire in Iran-Israel War So what happens to the Mullahs?

https://www.frontpagemag.com/trump-announces-complete-and-total-ceasefire-in-iran-israel-war/

After delivering devastation to Iran’s nuclear program, President Trump announced on Monday that Israel and Iran had agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire.”

This leaves us at FrontPageMag wondering: Does this mean that the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism can get back to its business of terror? Will the terror regime cease and desist from its chants of “Death to America” — and renounce its ideology of our nation being the “Big Satan” and Israel the “Little Satan”? And what happens when Iran goes back to its terror business?

Finally, is the world simply going to stand by and observe the Iranian tyrants continue torturing their own people?

Islamic law stipulates that Muslim forces do not ask for a truce unless they are losing and need time to gather strength so that they can fight again more effectively later. A ceasefire with Muslim terrorists just allows them to regroup for the next war. What guarantee is there or could there possibly be that the Islamic Republic will not continue pursuing its goals of destroying Israel and America as well?

And how does all of this fit with Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi warning the West, on Monday morning, against throwing the Iranian regime a lifeline, stressing that doing so would cause more bloodshed and chaos?

Regime change in Iran can only come from within Iranians’ freedom cannot be delivered by foreign jets. Tim Black

https://www.spiked-online.com/2025/06/23/regime-change-in-iran-can-only-come-from-within/

The spectre of ‘regime change’ in Tehran seems to be haunting the Israel-Iran war. Even more so after US president Donald Trump followed up America’s bombing raid on three Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday with the following social-media post: ‘It’s not politically correct to use the term, “regime change”, but if the current Iranian regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a regime change?’

Trump’s post itself is ambiguous – it’s not clear who or what exactly might change the regime or when it might happen. Today, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt tried to clear up any misunderstanding, claiming Trump was simply asking, ‘why shouldn’t the Iranian people rise up against this brutal terrorist regime?’. Moreover, Trump’s cabinet, including some of its more hawkish members, has been keen to emphasise that regime change in Iran is not the US’s objective. Defence secretary Pete Hegseth said Sunday’s ‘precision operation’ specifically targeted Iran’s nuclear programme and ‘was not and has not been about regime change’. Vice-president JD Vance and secretary of state Marco Rubio have also been at pains to insist that the US is not looking to enter a full-scale war with Iran.

But if we’re to take Trump’s vague post to mean what his constantly hyperventilating critics say it does – that the US is contemplating carrying out regime change itself – then that would indeed be a dangerous, reckless move. The US’s raid was, itself, not without huge risk. For all the talk of ‘precision’ strikes, they could well embroil America in this war. While Israel is right to fight back against Iran’s very real aggression, sucking in the global hegemon risks broadening the conflict. Even so, the US pursuing regime change would be a truly spectacular folly. Which we can only hope isn’t being countenanced.

More than 100 women attending music festivals across France stabbed with syringes and injected with unknown substances By Olivia Murray

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/06/more_than_100_women_attending_music_festivals_across_france_stabbed_with_syringes_and_injected_with_unknown_substances.html

We don’t have to live like this:

At least 145 women across France were targeted in syringe attacks at the Festival of Music 2025 (Fête de la Musique), which offers free concerts in cities across the country.

French authorities have not yet indicated what, if any substances, were involved in these specific attacks.

Before I even knew what kind of individuals perpetrated these needle attacks, I already knew—we probably all do—and it wasn’t the few white Frenchmen left but…Muslim migrants. While most of the creeps are still on the lam, a Bangladeshi suspect has been arrested as well as another man who shouted at his victim in Arabic, claiming to be a doctor.

They kept telling us that the waves of third world migrants they were bringing into the West would be tomorrow’s “doctors” and “engineers” so…well-played.

Some of the cities where needle attacks occurred at the highest rates were Chambéry, Metz, Paris, Montpellier, and Grenoble—and, since many of the women did not experience cognitive issues after being injected, the date-rape drug (GHB), which is typically used, was ruled out. What was in those needles? Semen? HIV?

But the risk of being stabbed with a syringe and injected with an unknown material wasn’t the only violence brought by the migrants during the concerts: there were stabbings, “battles with police,” sexual assault, gang activity, and around 50 cars were lit on fire:

And, here’s a man kicking a young woman on the ground in the head:

While he and his buddies (who fail to intervene) may have French citizenship, they’re certainly not French.

Like I said, we don’t have to live like this—but leftist “progressives” are condemning us to this future—they truly are the biggest blight to ever afflict humanity.

The ‘Forever War’ we should really be worried about Iran’s ceaseless and racist war on the Jewish State is the true cause of the mayhem in the Middle East. Brendan O’Neill

https://www.spiked-online.com/2025/06/23/the-forever-war-we-should-really-be-worried-about/

Two big things happened on Sunday. First, America’s airforce pummelled nuclear sites in Iran. Using B-2 stealth bombers, they spirited bombs weighing 30,000lbs into Iranian airspace and unloaded them over Iran’s three most important uranium-enrichment facilities. The second event was less explosive. It didn’t bother the front pages of the papers nearly as much as America’s strike did. But to my mind it was just as important, certainly for anyone who yearns for a true understanding of what is happening in the Middle East. It was the IDF’s announcement that it had recovered the body of Ofra Kedar from Gaza.

Ofra Kedar was one of the oldest victims of the Hamas-led pogrom of 7 October 2023. She was 70 years old. She was taking her usual morning walk in Kibbutz Be’eri when she happened upon men from the 6,000-strong army of Islamo-fascists that invaded Israel that day. In the moment they drew their guns, ready to slay in cold blood this elderly Jew, Ofra’s daughter-in-law phoned her. She later recounted Ofra’s last words. ‘Why are you shooting at me? What did I do?’, she pleaded with her killers. The call ended. Ofra’s body was dragged to Gaza to be used as a bargaining chip by Hamas in its sick game of torment with the Jewish State.

Iran Launches Missiles At U.S. Bases in Qatar Matt Margolis

https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2025/06/23/breaking-iran-launches-missiles-at-us-bases-in-qatar-n4941087?utm_source=breakingemail&utm_medium=email

In a move dripping with both desperation and stupidity, the mullahs in Tehran have apparently decided to test the resolve of President Donald J. Trump.

Reports indicate that Iran has launched a volley of seven ballistic missiles targeting American military bases in Iraq and Qatar. This is the predictable, impotent lashing out of a cornered regime, coming just days after the United States methodically dismantled Iran’s illicit nuclear infrastructure. The ayatollahs were given a clear choice between peace and annihilation, and it seems they have foolishly chosen the latter. For years, they grew accustomed to the weak-kneed appeasement of the Obama administration, which showered them with pallets of cash in the dead of night, and then, of course, that appeasement continued under the Biden administration.

They clearly forgot that those days are over. This isn’t Obama or Biden’s America anymore.

Witnesses on the ground reported seeing multiple explosions in the air, a clear sign that the robust missile defense systems President Trump had the foresight to deploy to the region are working exactly as intended.

This wasn’t a lucky guess; it was strategic planning. Trump and his team were anticipating this very move, ensuring our troops were protected. The president is scheduled to meet with his national security team this afternoon, and one can only imagine the menu of devastating options being prepared for his review.

Trump also warned the regime about retaliation Saturday night.

What Happens If Iran’s Regime Collapses? Eli Lake

https://www.thefp.com/p/what-happens-if-irans-regime-collapses

Trump says it’s time to Make Iran Great Again. But what’s more likely if the mullahs fall: democracy or anarchy?

A lot has changed in the past 48 hours of this war.

Before American B-2 bombers struck Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz, the message from the White House was that regime change was off the table. Indeed, the chatter out of Washington and Jerusalem was that the White House was spooked by some of Israel’s messaging.

Defense minister Israel Katz instructed the military to destabilize Iran’s regime and threatened that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei “can no longer be permitted to exist” after an Iranian missile hit the Soroka Medical Center in the southern part of the country. Indeed, the operation’s name, “Rising Lion,” is a not-so-subtle nod to the Iranian flag under the Peacock dynasty, which ruled Iran until the Shah was ousted in the Islamic revolution in 1979. The son of the late Shah, Reza Pahlavi, is now calling for a national rebellion. “The Islamic Republic has come to its end and is collapsing. What has begun is irreversible,” he said in a video message from the United States, where he has lived since 1979.

Now, 10 days into the war Israel began against Iran’s nuclear program—the prospect of a regime collapse is very real. President Donald Trump on Sunday evening floated the idea in a post on Truth Social: “It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!”

This kind of talk has gone out of favor in Washington in recent years. The fall of dictatorships in Libya and Iraq led to confessional sectarian war. The fall of Hosni Mubarak in Egypt led briefly to a Muslim Brotherhood government in Cairo before a military coup. But in Iran, a country that has experienced democratic uprisings five times since 2017, it now seems like a real possibility.