SCO Defense Ministers Meet in China

Against the backdrop of intensifying global conflicts, defense ministers from the ten member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) convened this week in China’s eastern city of Qingdao, reaffirming their commitment to dialogue, multilateralism, and regional stability.

Hosted by Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, the annual SCO Defense Ministers’ Meeting on June 26 emphasized strategic coordination in the face of growing international uncertainty—particularly as tensions escalate in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

During a bilateral meeting on June 25, Chinese Defense Minister Dong met with his Iranian counterpart Aziz Nasirzadeh, who is in China to attend the SCO gathering. Dong reaffirmed China’s support for Iran’s legitimate position and criticized unilateralism and hegemonic behavior, calling them major sources of global instability.  

“In a world undergoing profound changes, unilateralism, protectionism, and power politics are eroding the international order,” Dong said. “The defense departments of SCO member states must uphold founding principles of the SCO, deepen practical cooperation, and safeguard a peaceful environment for development.”  

In response, Minister Nasirzadeh thanked China for its understanding and support in the face of the recent aggression.  

“Iran has recently come under attack, and we are grateful for China’s just position. We hope China will continue to play a constructive role in preserving the ceasefire and easing regional tensions,” he said.

In a joint statement released on June 23, the SCO expressed serious concern over the recent escalation in the Middle East, strongly condemning the United States' military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, which the organization said violated international law, the UN Charter, and the SCO Charter, particularly the principle of non-use of force in international relations.  

“The attack on Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity has seriously undermined regional and global peace and stability,” the statement read, calling for the crisis to be resolved through political and diplomatic means.  

The meeting also saw defense chiefs from India and Pakistan share the same table for the first time since a military flare-up in Kashmir last month.

Belarus and Iran, the SCO’s newest full members, participated in the event for the first time in this capacity—highlighting the organization’s growing breadth and influence.  

Dong welcomed all attendees with a call for greater defense coordination under the Global Security Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, which promotes common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security.  

Xiao Bin, Deputy Secretary-General of the SCO Research Center at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, described the SCO as a rare example of a multilateral security platform that emphasizes non-alignment, non-confrontation, and consensus-based cooperation.  

“It plays a unique role in stabilizing the regional landscape, curbing destabilizing factors, and promoting peaceful dialogue in times of conflict,” Xiao said.

As the rotating chair, China has overseen a year of active defense diplomacy. According to Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, recent SCO events have helped build trust and amplify the organization’s collective voice on global security.  

“These meetings provided a vital platform for dialogue and consensus-building among all member states,” Zhang noted.  

The Qingdao meeting, held in a city symbolic for being where China first proposed the “SCO Community of Shared Destiny” in 2018, delivered a timely reminder of the group’s mission, to uphold peace, sovereignty, and shared development in an increasingly fragmented world.

As tensions mount across multiple regions, the SCO has emerged as a platform where strategic communication, mutual respect, and regional cooperation can still flourish.

 

 

Deep rooted Arab-Iran animosity still prevails

One is amazed to read the condemnation of Iranian attack on the US base in Qatar, let me reiterate, it was not an attack on Qatar, but targeting of the US base in the emirate.

It may also be recalled that some of the gulf countries, including Qatar have been providing their airspace to Israel and United States for the attacks on Iran and also intercepting missiles fired by Iran on Israel

Qatar presented a luxury jet to US president, who has been vetoing UN resolution to stop Israeli genocide in Gaza.

It has been reported in media that Iran informed Qatar in advance and also that no Qatari was killed in this attack.

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and foreign ministers of other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states at the Emiri Diwan in Doha on Tuesday. GCC Secretary General Jassim Albudaiwi also attended the meeting.

During the meeting, the GCC foreign ministers condemned the Iranian aggression against its territory and affirmed their solidarity with Qatar.

“This aggression constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the principles of good neighborliness,” they said while reiterating that the attack is unacceptable and unjustifiable under any circumstances.

I ask my readers to search through the internet if gulf countries has issued any condemnation of airstrikes on Iran by Israel and United States.

They should also ask their conscience, should Qatar has allowed an airbase to United States, the country that has been sponsoring Israeli genocide in Gaza, by supplying the most lethal weapons?

Netanyahu speech: Nothing but heap of lies

The world knew what to expect when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walked in to address the elected members. Every word of his speech was laced with the same tired lies that have been repeatedly debunked for the last 10 months – and the last 76 years.

It is on record that at least 40,000 Palestinians are confirmed dead and experts estimate the final death toll will be as high as 186,000. Hundreds of thousands more have been gravely injured, including children who have had to get their limbs amputated without anesthesia because Israel is blockading medical supplies and destroying health infrastructure.

Yet Netanyahu claimed that civilian casualties were “practically none.”

Israel has continuously blocked aid from entering Gaza, shutting down access points and slow-walking aid with “security checks.” Israeli protesters have been caught on camera multiple times destroying food trucks. For months experts have warned that Gaza is descending into famine, and shocking photos emerged of emaciated children that looked identical to images of Jewish prisoners in Nazi concentration camps.

Yet Netanyahu claimed that if Gaza isn’t getting enough food “it’s because Hamas is stealing it.”

Israel has sabotaged or walked away from multiple ceasefire negotiations, repeatedly rejecting proposals that Hamas accepted which included every key provision – such as returning all remaining hostages that Israel says they want. They’ve resisted calls for even a temporary ceasefire to allow for the process of peace.

Yet Netanyahu claimed that it is Hamas that doesn’t want a ceasefire.

While in the US Netanyahu refused to tell the truth. He perpetuated the dangerous lie that non-violent protesters “stand with Hamas” and are funded by Iran.

With those protesters outside of Congress his lies would never be loud enough to drown out protestors’ demand for justice for Palestine.

While protestors marched and demanded justice, the vast majority of the members of Congress – from both of the corporate parties – gave this genocidal monster a hero’s welcome.

Vice President Kamala Harris (now the presumptive Democratic nominee) issued a statement condemning the protest and spreading dangerous propaganda that threatens the very fundamentals of protected speech.

She showed her true colors. After days of glowing coverage that Kamala would be “better on Gaza” than the current president, she revealed her allegiance with Israeli propaganda by repeating Netanyahu’s talking points.

The election has radically transformed in the space of a few days, but as Joe Biden once said, nothing has changed fundamentally.

 

Pezeshkian wants better ties with Iraq and Pakistan

Iran's president-elect, Masoud Pezeshkian, has emphasized the importance of strengthening relations with both Iraq and Pakistan in separate phone calls with the leaders of both countries. 

During his conversation with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, Pezeshkian highlighted the strong bonds between Iran and Iraq, stating, "The extent of political, economic, cultural and religious ties between Iran and Iraq needs no explanation." He expressed hope that these relations "will be further deepened in the new era with the cooperation of the high officials of the two countries." 

President Rashid reciprocated these sentiments, congratulating Pezeshkian on his election victory and describing the relationship between the two countries as "deep, strong, and in line with the interests of the two nations." He added that Iraq is "interested in maintaining and promoting these relations and also creating a basis for further cooperation in the new era."

In his conversation with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pezeshkian reiterated his commitment to strengthening ties between the two nations, stating, "I express my desire to further deepen relations between the two brotherly nations."

Sharif echoed this sentiment, highlighting the positive momentum built during the late President Ebrahim Raisi's visit to Pakistan, stating, "The agreements between the two countries... paved the way for a mutually beneficial partnership." He further emphasized Pakistan's commitment to "developing all-out ties with Iran" and discussed ways to enhance cooperation "particularly in trade, commerce & investment, and foster a stronger partnership for regional stability." He concluded by stating, "As brothers and neighbors, our two countries have a shared vision for building a better future together for our people."

Iran, which shares its longest borders with Iraq and Pakistan, has been adamant about advancing cooperation with the two countries, particularly in trade and security. It signed security pacts with both states during the Raisi administration in order to tackle terrorist groups funded by extra-regional forces. 

Pezeshkian has vowed to continue the late Raisi’s path, who emphasized the strengthening of ties with neighboring and regional countries. Additionally, the president-elect pledged to enhance cooperation with Russia and Turkey during separate phone calls on Monday.

The president-elect has also addressed Resistance forces in recent days, indicating that he plans to continue the previous administration’s support for freedom fighters in the region.

In his letter to Hezbollah’s secretary-general, Pezeshkian vowed Iran would continue to back the Resistance, dashing Zionist hopes for a diminished emphasis on resistance groups with a reformist Iranian government in office.