Israel not to engage with Biden on Iran nuclear strategy

Israel has openly declared, it would not engage with US President Joe Biden on strategy regarding the Iranian nuclear program, urged tougher sanctions and a credible military threat against Iran, its arch-enemy. 

"We will not be able to be part of such a process if the new administration returns to that deal," Ambassador to United States, Gilad Erdan told Israel's Army Radio.

The remarks by Israel's envoy to Washington came at a touchy juncture for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Up for re-election next month, he has revived his hard line on Iran, while not yet having any direct communication with Biden.

Joe Biden has expressed repeatedly, the US return to a 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran - which former President Donald Trump had quit, restoring sanctions - if the Iranians recommit to their own obligations. Washington has also said it wants to confer with allies in the Middle East about such moves.

"We will not be able to be part of such a process if the new administration returns to that deal," Ambassador Gilad Erdan told Israel's Army Radio.

Netanyahu aides have privately questioned whether engaging with US counterparts might backfire, for Israel, by falsely signaling its consent for any new deal that it still opposes.

Israel was not a party to the 2015 deal. It has powerful advocates within the US Congress. However, Netanyahu's threats to take unilateral military action on Iran if he deems diplomacy a dead end also figure into big-power planning.

"We think that if the United States returns to the same accord that it already withdrew from, all its leverage will be lost," Erdan said.

"It would appear that only crippling sanctions - keeping the current sanctions and even adding new sanctions - combined with a credible military threat - that Iran fears - might bring Iran to real negotiations with Western countries that might ultimately produce a deal truly capable of preventing it breaking ahead (to nuclear arms)."

The Biden administration has said it wants to strengthen and lengthen constraints on Iran, which denies seeking the bomb.

Android based apps spying on Pakistanis

According to a US based cyber security company, two malware programs based on an Android platform that emerged in India have been spying on sensitive institutions. The report said it has discovered the two malware, Hornbill and SunBird, which are used by a cyber group named Confucius that first appeared in 2013 as a state-sponsored, pro-India actor primarily pursuing Pakistani and other South Asian targets.

"Targets of these tools include personnel linked to Pakistan’s military, nuclear authorities, and Indian election officials in Kashmir," the statement said.

"Hornbill and SunBird have sophisticated capabilities to exfiltrate SMS, encrypted messaging app content, and geo-location, among other types of sensitive information," it added.

Confucius had created in the past malware for Windows operating systems, but the group has been known developing mobile malware since 2017 when the spying app ChatSpy was created.

While SunBird has a remote access function that can execute commands on a device by an attacker, Hornbill is a surveillance tool that can extract data from users.

"SunBird has been disguised as applications that include Security services, such as the fictional “Google Security Framework”, Apps tied to specific locations (“Kashmir News”) or activities (“Falconry Connect” and “Mania Soccer”), Islam-related applications (“Quran Majeed”)," the report said.

The majority of applications appear to target Muslim individuals, the report added.

Both malware, which are circulated as fake Android apps, can access users' call logs, contacts, images, browser history, and they take screenshots and photos with the device camera.

Some major targets included an ''individual who applied for a position at the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, individuals with numerous contacts in the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), as well as officers responsible for electoral rolls (Booth Level Officers) located in the Pulwama district of Kashmir", the analysis found.

"The data included information on victims in Europe and the United States, some of which appear to be targets of spouse ware or stalkerware. It also included data on Pakistani nationals in Pakistan, India, and the United Arab Emirates that we believe may have been targeted by Confucius APT campaigns between 2018 and 2019," the detailed report added.

 

India trying to widen breach between Pakistan and Bangladesh

Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami on Monday indicated the trial of genocide committed by Pakistan during the 1971 liberation war can take place anytime as there is no statute of limitations in terms of times, reports UNB.

“I think we should be clear about it without getting into legal formalities…in other words, even if something happened long ago,” he said.

The High Commissioner said that there was no statute of limitation on any kind of arrangement that may have been arrived in and this is something entirely within the jurisdiction of the Government of Bangladesh to assess the history and see how this goes forward.

Doraiswami came up with the remarks when asked which provision of the 1974 tripartite agreement is holding back to try the Pakistani Generals who committed genocide during the war of liberation in 1971.

“History is history,” said the High Commissioner noting that the question is historically very relevant in this historic year when Bangladesh is set to celebrate the 50 years of its Independence.

The Indian diplomat was speaking at ‘DCAB Talk’ organized by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the Jatiya Press Club. DCAB President Pantho Rahman and General Secretary A K M Moinuddin also spoke at the event.

Bangladesh has recently reiterated the importance of resolving outstanding bilateral issues with Pakistan, including an official apology from Pakistan for the genocide it committed during Bangladesh’s liberation war in 1971.

Bangladesh also sought completion of the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh, and settling the issue of the division of assets.

Bangladesh has made it clear that it cannot forget the atrocities committed by Pakistan in 1971 and the pain will remain there forever.

United Arab Emirates appoints first ambassador to Israel

Ruler of Dubai and Vice President of United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has sworn in the country's first ambassador to Israel, Mohammed Mahmoud Al-Khaja, according to the Dubai Media Office.

The UAE's cabinet last month approved the establishment of an embassy in Tel Aviv in Israel, state media said, while Israel announced its embassy had opened in Abu Dhabi, after the UAE and Israel agreed to normalize relations.

Hundreds of Israelis booked flights and went to visit the Gulf state after the historical signature of the Abraham Accords. In light of this, the Tourism Ministry is hoping to attract many new tourists from the UAE as soon as travel returns when COVID-19 infection rates drop.

However, due to Israel closing its border in efforts to contain new coronavirus variants, hundreds of Israeli remained stuck in Dubai. 

In addition to tourism, Israel and the UAE are currently building bridges in a variety of sectors, from hi-tech to space exploration and ag-tech.

The UAE's Hope Probe success in entering orbit around Mars last week places it in the unique club of only five agencies able to reach the red planet so far. The Gulf state even has plans for settlements on Mars, which it hopes would become a reality in less than a century. 

Israel's own Beresheet moon project is meant to launch a second mission in three year's time. The scientific cooperation between the Start up Nation and the UAE is likely to be at the focus of diplomats, and think tanks, from both countries in the near future.

Israel and the UAE both had important milestones last year points to how important the current relations are. Israel and the UAE have many shared interests, whether it is a shared regional outlook about threats and instability, or the fact that both countries are close partners of the United States.

Both countries are also pioneering technology products, whether in fintech or food tech or other sectors, many of which have been on display, or will be soon, in joint ventures and exhibitions in the UAE which Israelis are taking part in.

For instance, Israeli companies flocked to the GITEX trade show last year and hope to be at IDEX in Abu Dhabi this month and also GISEC this summer.

Need for further consolidating Pakistan-Brazil diplomatic and trade relations

Brazil can be rightly termed an emerging economic power in the world – 6th by GDP after US, China, Japan, Germany and France. Brazil has been expanding its presence in international financial and commodities markets and is one of a group of four emerging economies called the BRIC countries.

The relations between Pakistan-Brazil are friendly and face zero issues. Brazil considers Pakistan an important country, and wants to promote relations in areas of trade, agriculture, defense, tourism and education. Brazil has been granting scholarships to Pakistani students and this number has been increasing over the years.

Brazil is keen in boosting bilateral trade ties with Pakistan as both countries have great potential to enhance trade in diverse fields. Pakistan produces a number of products which are in high demand in Brazil. Pakistani exporters should make efforts to enhance their exports to Brazil.

It is worth noting that number of Pakistani products go to Europe and then sold to other countries, including Brazil at high prices. Pakistan has opportunity to focus on promoting direct exports to achieve better results.

Although, Brazil was among the 5 largest world producers in 2013, its textile industry is very little integrated into world trade.

Brazil has great expertise in producing renewable energy. The country has been producing around 65% of its energy from water and using ethanol along with bio-fuels instead of costly petroleum products.

Pakistan has enormous potential for hydropower generation while it is also one of the largest sugar producers in the world. Brazil could cooperate with Pakistan in energy production from renewable sources including hydro and ethanol sources.

Keeping in view that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project will open trade doors for Pakistan with other countries, Brazil can find new markets in Pakistan and adjoining countries.

Pakistani handicrafts, carpets, fresh dry fruit, sporting equipment and other products enjoy reputation in international markets and can also find buyers in Brazil.

It is on record that Brazil is keen in investing in Pakistan. Brazilian government understands the need of international investment in Pakistan, particularly Baluchistan.

In the mining sector, Brazil stands out distinguished in the extraction of iron ore (second largest world exporter), copper, gold, bauxite (one of the 5 largest producers in the world), manganese (one of the 5 largest producers in the world), tin (one of the largest producers in the world), niobium (concentrates 98% of reserves known to the world) and nickel.

International Energy Agency paints pessimistic outlook for crude oil

Oil prices climbed more than 2% on Friday, hitting the highest levels in more than a year on hopes that the US stimulus package will boost the economy and fuel demand, as supplies tighten due largely to output cuts by top producing countries.

Brent crude settled up at US$62.43/barrel by 1:32 1832 GMT, after rising to a session high of US$62.83, the highest since 22nd January 2020. The US benchmark WTI ended the session at $59.47 after rising to a session high of US$59.82, the highest since 9th January 2020.

While Brent rose 5.3%, WTI notched a weekly gain of about 4.7%. The rally was in anticipation of the US President Joe Biden meeting with a bipartisan group of mayors and governors as he keeps pushing for approval of a US$1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan to bolster economic growth and help millions of unemployed workers.

Oil prices have risen in recent weeks due to production cuts from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allied producers in the group OPEC+.

Oil prices held onto their recent gains this week, buoyed by further signs that crude stocks, particularly in the US were falling.

Analysts anticipate that inventories will fall further later this year as transport fuel demand revives in tandem with the easing of virus-related restrictions on travel.

Still, OPEC this week ratcheted down expectations for global oil demand to recover in 2021, trimming its forecast to 5.79 million bpd.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) said oil supply was still outstripping global demand, though COVID-19 vaccines are expected to support a demand recovery.

The (IEA) report paints a more pessimistic picture than market participants have presumably been envisaging given the current high prices.

Demand data from the world’s biggest oil importer also paints a bleak picture.

The number of people who travelled in China ahead of Lunar New Year holidays plummeted by 70% from two years ago as coronavirus restrictions curbed the world’s largest annual domestic migration, official data showed.

The US drillers this week added oil and natural gas rigs for a 12th week in a row, the longest streak of additions since June 2017.

According to secondary sources, OPEC crude oil production averaged 25.50 million bpd in January 2021, up 180,000 bpd from December 2020, with output rising in top producer Saudi Arabia, as well as in Venezuela and Iran, which are exempt from the OPEC+ cuts.

Joe Biden team dominated by Jews

US President Joe Biden has appointed a strong and experienced team, among them half of Jews, one wonders if there has ever been a more Jewish US administration. Here are the 15 Jews who comprise Biden’s team. It is believed that a vigorous American presence in world affairs, spearheaded by the Jewish team, is in Israel’s long-term interest, more than an ‘America first’ which makes the US largely irrelevant in global affairs.

• Antony Blinken, Secretary of State, is a veteran career diplomat. His stepfather, Samuel Pisar, was the only Holocaust survivor of some 900 children in his Polish school. He was rescued after fleeing from a Nazi death march and finding refuge in a US armed corps tank – an episode Blinken recounted movingly when Biden introduced him.

• David Cohen, Deputy CIA Director returns to this role after filling it from 2015 to 2017. Cohen is the son of a prominent Boston Jewish physician.

• Janet Yellen, Secretary of the Treasury is the first woman to fill this role; previously, she headed the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. A 2016 Trump attack ad featured three Jews, including Yellen, and reflected anti-Semitic tropes. She is a renowned labor economist. 

• Merrick Garland, Attorney-General was blocked from becoming a Supreme Court Justice by then-Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, in the last year of the Obama presidency. After being nominated Garland spoke of his grandparents, who fled antisemitism in Europe and moved to the US.

• Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence was deputy director of the CIA under Obama, the first woman to hold this job. Her mother was a well-known Jewish painter, Adrian Rappin (Rappaport) and Haines identifies with Israel; she visited Israel with her non-Jewish father. 

• Ron Klain, Chief of Staff was also Biden’s chief of staff in his vice presidential days. Klain speaks of his childhood synagogue in Indianapolis, where he learned multiple Torah portions for his bar mitzvah, and of his commitment to raising Jewish children. 

• Eric Lander, Director, Office of Science & Technology Policy is a leading geneticist. His position has been elevated to Cabinet level. Lander has spoken of being the subject of antisemitic criticism by James Watson, discoverer of the DNA double helix. 

• Rachel Levine, Deputy Secretary, Health and Human Services grew up in a Conservative Jewish home in Massachusetts. She is the first open transgender person to be nominated for a position requiring Senate confirmation.

• Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security was the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security under Obama. He was born in Cuba, to a Cuban Jewish father and Romanian Jewish mother who survived the Shoah. He has worked closely with Jewish groups in the past. 

• Anne Neuberger, Director of Cybersecurity, National Security Agency is an Orthodox Jew, from Brooklyn, educated through college in Orthodox schools. She helped establish the US Cyber Command and led security efforts in the 2018 midterm elections. Her grandparents are Holocaust survivors and her parents were among the passengers on the Air France flight in 1976, kidnapped to Uganda and rescued in Israel’s Entebbe operation. She founded Sister to Sister, an NGO that serves single mothers across the US.

• Wendy Sherman, Deputy Secretary of State was born in Maryland to a Jewish family. Her father served in the Marines. She is the first woman to be appointed Deputy Secretary of State. A career diplomat, she was the lead negotiator for the controversial Iran nuclear deal. 

• Jeff Zients, COVID-19 Coordinator was born in Washington, DC, and was raised in Kensington, Maryland. His family is Jewish. From 2014 through 2017 he was the director of the National Economic Council. He will fill the crucial role of directing and coordinating efforts to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Rochelle Walensky, Director, Center for Disease Control and her husband are members of Temple Emanuel, in Newton, Massachusetts, a prominent Conservative synagogue. She is an expert on AIDS and HIV and served as Chief of Infectious Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital, and professor at Harvard Medical School.

• Jared Bernstein, member, Council of Economic Advisors was the chief economist and economic adviser to Biden under Obama. 

• Douglas Emhoff is husband of US Vice President Kamala Harris. He is the first-ever husband of a US Vice President to enjoy a key position. He was born in Brooklyn, son of Jewish parents Barbara and Michael Emhoff. He grew up in New Jersey. He is an entertainment lawyer and teaches at Georgetown University Law Center.