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تحت سماء أبوظبي، تتوحّد رايات العالم في هوية واحدة… هوية الكونجرس العالمي السادس والأربعين للطب العسكري 2026، المستوحاة من شعار المؤتمر: “جاهزون للاستجابة… راسخون في الصمود.” هوية صُممت لتنطلق برؤية المؤتمر ورسالته نحو آفاق جديدة: صقر يحلّق بشموخ الإمارات، وكرةٌ أرضية تنبض بروح التعاون، وسماعة طبيب تختزل أعرق قيم...

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وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE

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يسلط الكونجرس العالمي السادس والأربعون للطب العسكري أبوظبي 2026 الضوء على الأفكار والابتكارات التي ترسم مستقبل الرعاية الصحية العسكرية.​ من الذكاء الاصطناعي والطب عن بُعد إلى اللوجستيات الطبية والاستجابة للكوارث، يوفّر الكونجرس منصة لتبادل المعرفة العلمية وفتح حوارات تستشرف المستقبل.​ جاهزون للاستجابة،، راسخون في الصمود.​ ​ 9–13 نوفمبر 2026​ مركز أدنيك أبوظبي​ The 46th World Congress of Military Medicine Abu Dhabi 2026 will bring global attention to the ideas and innovations shaping the future of military healthcare.​ From artificial intelligence and telemedicine to medical logistics and disaster response, the congress will create a platform for scientific exchange and future-focused dialogue.​ Ready When Needed.. Resilient When Tested.​ ​ 9–13 November 2026​ ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi​ #وزارة_الدفاع #وزارة_الدفاع_الإماراتية #MOD #UAEMinistryOfDefence ​#جاهزون_للاستجابة #راسخون_في_الصمود #الكونجرس_العالمي_للطب_العسكري_أبوظبي_2026​ #الابتكار_الصحي #أبوظبي #ReadyWhenNeeded #ResilientWhenTested ​ #ICMMAbuDhabi2026 #HealthcareInnovation #AbuDhabi
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يسلط الكونجرس العالمي السادس والأربعون للطب العسكري أبوظبي 2026 الضوء على الأفكار والابتكارات التي ترسم مستقبل الرعاية الصحية العسكرية.​ من الذكاء الاصطناعي والطب عن بُعد إلى اللوجستيات الطبية والاستجابة للكوارث، يوفّر الكونجرس منصة لتبادل المعرفة العلمية وفتح حوارات تستشرف المستقبل.​ جاهزون للاستجابة،، راسخون في الصمود.​ ​ 9–13 نوفمبر 2026​ مركز أدنيك أبوظبي​ The 46th World Congress of Military Medicine Abu Dhabi 2026 will bring global attention to the ideas and innovations shaping the future of military healthcare.​ From artificial intelligence and telemedicine to medical logistics and disaster response, the congress will create a platform for scientific exchange and future-focused dialogue.​ Ready When Needed.. Resilient When Tested.​ ​ 9–13 November 2026​ ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi​ #وزارة_الدفاع #وزارة_الدفاع_الإماراتية #MOD #UAEMinistryOfDefence ​#جاهزون_للاستجابة #راسخون_في_الصمود #الكونجرس_العالمي_للطب_العسكري_أبوظبي_2026​ #الابتكار_الصحي #أبوظبي #ReadyWhenNeeded #ResilientWhenTested ​ #ICMMAbuDhabi2026 #HealthcareInnovation #AbuDhabi

وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE

22,250 Aufrufe • vor 15 Tagen

A Virtual Visit to Hinglaj Mata Temple in the Republic of Balochistan By: Mir Yar Baloch 19 April 2026 Today is the last day of a two week Hinglaj Mata Mela in the Republic of Balochistan. The annual Hinglaj Mata Naani Mandir Mela, which begins in the early days of April, is not merely a religious gathering t is a deeply emotional, cultural, and spiritual journey that echoes through centuries of devotion, resilience, and unity. Set against the rugged, majestic landscape of Balochistan’s Lasbela region, this sacred pilgrimage draws hundreds of thousands of devotees who travel across deserts, mountains, and borders to bow their heads at one of the most revered Shakti Peeths of Maa Bhavani. At the heart of this spiritual epic lies Hinglaj Mata, lovingly called “Naani Mandir” by the local Baloch people. This name itself reflects something profound: a sense of familial reverence, of shared belonging, where the divine is not distant, but close like a grandmother watching over her children. For generations, the Baloch people have embraced this sacred site not only as a religious landmark but as a symbol of coexistence, protection, and honor. It stands as living proof that faith can unite hearts across cultures, languages, and borders. The journey to Hinglaj is as meaningful as the destination itself. Pilgrims often travel in caravans, singing devotional songs, carrying flags, and sharing stories of faith and miracles. The air becomes filled with chants of “Jai Mata Di,” blending harmoniously with the winds that sweep across the arid mountains. Every step taken is seen as an act of devotion, every hardship a test of faith. When pilgrims finally reach the sacred cave shrine, many are overwhelmed with emotion tears of gratitude, hope, and spiritual fulfillment. Surrounding this holy site is the breathtaking Hingol National Park, one of the largest and most ecologically significant protected areas in the region. Spanning thousands of square kilometers, the park is a rare blend of coastal, desert, and mountainous ecosystems. It is home to diverse wildlife, including ibex, chinkara gazelles, marsh crocodiles, and numerous bird species. Unique rock formations, mud volcanoes, and the serene flow of the Hingol River add to its mystical beauty. The park is not only an ecological treasure but also a spiritual landscape, where nature itself seems to bow in reverence to the sacred presence of Hinglaj Mata. The mela attracts nearly half a million pilgrims every year, making it one of the largest religious gatherings in the region. Despite the challenging terrain, the spirit of hospitality shown by the Baloch people remains unwavering. Local communities actively participate in facilitating the pilgrimage offering food, guidance, security, and care. This deep-rooted tradition reflects a powerful cultural message: that protecting sacred spaces and honoring guests is a matter of pride and identity. Hinglaj Mata Mandir today stands as a bridge between Balochistan and India, connecting millions through shared faith and devotion. It transcends political boundaries and reminds the world that spirituality knows no borders. The temple’s status as one of the 51 Shakti Peeths further elevates its importance, making it a cornerstone of Hindu religious heritage. There is also a growing vision for the future—one that seeks to expand facilities, improve accessibility, and accommodate an even greater number of pilgrims. The aspiration to one day welcome millions more reflects not just ambition, but a commitment to preserving and sharing this sacred heritage with the world. Above all, the message to devotees is one of reassurance and hope: that Hinglaj Mata’s doors remain open, her blessings universal, and her land welcoming. The dream of easier access, including visa-on-arrival issued by the Republic of Balochistan for Hindu pilgrims from around the world, symbolizes a future where faith journeys are guided by devotion rather than restricted by borders. In the end, the Hinglaj Mata Naani Mandir Mela is more than an event it is a living story of faith, unity, and humanity. It is where deserts bloom with devotion, where strangers become family, and where the divine presence of Maa Bhavani continues to inspire millions with courage, compassion, and unshakable belief. Hyrbyair Marri #HinglajMataMandir #HinglajTempleBalochistan
2:35

A Virtual Visit to Hinglaj Mata Temple in the Republic of Balochistan By: Mir Yar Baloch 19 April 2026 Today is the last day of a two week Hinglaj Mata Mela in the Republic of Balochistan. The annual Hinglaj Mata Naani Mandir Mela, which begins in the early days of April, is not merely a religious gathering t is a deeply emotional, cultural, and spiritual journey that echoes through centuries of devotion, resilience, and unity. Set against the rugged, majestic landscape of Balochistan’s Lasbela region, this sacred pilgrimage draws hundreds of thousands of devotees who travel across deserts, mountains, and borders to bow their heads at one of the most revered Shakti Peeths of Maa Bhavani. At the heart of this spiritual epic lies Hinglaj Mata, lovingly called “Naani Mandir” by the local Baloch people. This name itself reflects something profound: a sense of familial reverence, of shared belonging, where the divine is not distant, but close like a grandmother watching over her children. For generations, the Baloch people have embraced this sacred site not only as a religious landmark but as a symbol of coexistence, protection, and honor. It stands as living proof that faith can unite hearts across cultures, languages, and borders. The journey to Hinglaj is as meaningful as the destination itself. Pilgrims often travel in caravans, singing devotional songs, carrying flags, and sharing stories of faith and miracles. The air becomes filled with chants of “Jai Mata Di,” blending harmoniously with the winds that sweep across the arid mountains. Every step taken is seen as an act of devotion, every hardship a test of faith. When pilgrims finally reach the sacred cave shrine, many are overwhelmed with emotion tears of gratitude, hope, and spiritual fulfillment. Surrounding this holy site is the breathtaking Hingol National Park, one of the largest and most ecologically significant protected areas in the region. Spanning thousands of square kilometers, the park is a rare blend of coastal, desert, and mountainous ecosystems. It is home to diverse wildlife, including ibex, chinkara gazelles, marsh crocodiles, and numerous bird species. Unique rock formations, mud volcanoes, and the serene flow of the Hingol River add to its mystical beauty. The park is not only an ecological treasure but also a spiritual landscape, where nature itself seems to bow in reverence to the sacred presence of Hinglaj Mata. The mela attracts nearly half a million pilgrims every year, making it one of the largest religious gatherings in the region. Despite the challenging terrain, the spirit of hospitality shown by the Baloch people remains unwavering. Local communities actively participate in facilitating the pilgrimage offering food, guidance, security, and care. This deep-rooted tradition reflects a powerful cultural message: that protecting sacred spaces and honoring guests is a matter of pride and identity. Hinglaj Mata Mandir today stands as a bridge between Balochistan and India, connecting millions through shared faith and devotion. It transcends political boundaries and reminds the world that spirituality knows no borders. The temple’s status as one of the 51 Shakti Peeths further elevates its importance, making it a cornerstone of Hindu religious heritage. There is also a growing vision for the future—one that seeks to expand facilities, improve accessibility, and accommodate an even greater number of pilgrims. The aspiration to one day welcome millions more reflects not just ambition, but a commitment to preserving and sharing this sacred heritage with the world. Above all, the message to devotees is one of reassurance and hope: that Hinglaj Mata’s doors remain open, her blessings universal, and her land welcoming. The dream of easier access, including visa-on-arrival issued by the Republic of Balochistan for Hindu pilgrims from around the world, symbolizes a future where faith journeys are guided by devotion rather than restricted by borders. In the end, the Hinglaj Mata Naani Mandir Mela is more than an event it is a living story of faith, unity, and humanity. It is where deserts bloom with devotion, where strangers become family, and where the divine presence of Maa Bhavani continues to inspire millions with courage, compassion, and unshakable belief. Hyrbyair Marri #HinglajMataMandir #HinglajTempleBalochistan

Mir Yar Baloch

12,867 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten

The St Petersburg International Economic Forum 2026, which seeks to present itself as Russia's version of Davos, actually resembles a theater of the absurd. Each session and each stage set is designed to convince visitors of Russia's greatness. Apparently, the situation in Russia is so bad that the task of rescuing SPIEF 2026 has fallen to the apologists of nuclear Orthodoxy - Dugin, Malofeyev, and Bezrukov. It is not economists or development strategists who are being brought to the country’s main economic forum, but rather the architects of the ideology through which the regime explains that war is Russia’s means of survival. The next step, apparently, will be enshrining ideologue Dugin in the Russian Constitution. The report presented by the Tsargrad Institute offers a model of Russia's desired future. The "good scenario" includes, among other things, the annexation of Kyiv, Odesa, and Kharkiv; the collapse of the EU; and the formation of a Russian macro-region in Eurasia. By 2050, Russia is expected to become one of the guarantors of global security, ensure the "triune unity of the Russian people," and bury the "imperialist plans of the West." The "bad scenario" is no less revealing. Russia's defeat in the war is described as the "colonization of Russia," the loss of sovereignty, and Ukraine's accession to NATO. Between these two poles, there is no scenario for a peaceful post-imperial Russia. The regime cannot imagine prosperity without expansion. It does not think about the future in terms of well-being, economic development, or quality of life. It thinks in terms of status, control, and coercion. The key point appears to be the thesis regarding the necessity of "finally overcoming the sovereign worldview." That is, Russian diplomats and Putin himself are being hypocritical when they speak of UN principles and the sovereign equality of states. In fact, this is a rejection of the principle of sovereign equality of states as the foundation of the UN-centered international order - the very order to which Russian and .... Chinese diplomats constantly appeal. In fact, I am not surprised. I know very well that the Russian authorities and Russian diplomacy classify states according to the principle from Orwell's Animal Farm: "all animals are equal, but Russians are more equal." The most dangerous part of the discussion was the nuclear framework proposed by Andrey Bezrukov. It is built on three theses: that the West is allegedly waging an existential war against Russia; that the world is entering an era of prolonged global conflict; and that Russia's nuclear deterrent is under threat. In effect, this creates a political justification that can be used when needed. How should we view this? Much like cancer, because Russia is now developing like an aggressive form of cancer. It must be fought. For the sake of the world's survival, Russia must be deprived of the ability to use nuclear weapons. Another aspect of the report is equally important. Nearly every measure the authors consider necessary for the "good scenario" concerns domestic policy: autocracy, de-Westernization, state planning, digital sovereignty, the cult of the family, and a new Constitution. External expansion is presented as an internal necessity, as a direct consequence of domestic development. First comes ideological mobilization, centralization of power, and the cleansing of the political space. Then comes territorial expansion and the revision of the international order. For now, the Tsargrad report is not an official Kremlin plan. But it should not be dismissed as a fringe fantasy. This discussion took place not at a closed ideological gathering, but at the country’s main economic venue. And it is an attempt by a part of the Russian ideological and security elite to turn imperial war into the official model for the future. Such a model leads Russia toward catastrophe, but its authors cannot see that because they are blinded by their obsession with greatness. Like Putin himself, they live in their own sick reality. And within that reality, they act entirely rationally. The question here is: is there another part of the Russian elite that is more adequate and capable of a sober assessment of reality? Or has the entire Russian elite and society already been poisoned by this worldview, leaving no hope for Russia?
1:24

The St Petersburg International Economic Forum 2026, which seeks to present itself as Russia's version of Davos, actually resembles a theater of the absurd. Each session and each stage set is designed to convince visitors of Russia's greatness. Apparently, the situation in Russia is so bad that the task of rescuing SPIEF 2026 has fallen to the apologists of nuclear Orthodoxy - Dugin, Malofeyev, and Bezrukov. It is not economists or development strategists who are being brought to the country’s main economic forum, but rather the architects of the ideology through which the regime explains that war is Russia’s means of survival. The next step, apparently, will be enshrining ideologue Dugin in the Russian Constitution. The report presented by the Tsargrad Institute offers a model of Russia's desired future. The "good scenario" includes, among other things, the annexation of Kyiv, Odesa, and Kharkiv; the collapse of the EU; and the formation of a Russian macro-region in Eurasia. By 2050, Russia is expected to become one of the guarantors of global security, ensure the "triune unity of the Russian people," and bury the "imperialist plans of the West." The "bad scenario" is no less revealing. Russia's defeat in the war is described as the "colonization of Russia," the loss of sovereignty, and Ukraine's accession to NATO. Between these two poles, there is no scenario for a peaceful post-imperial Russia. The regime cannot imagine prosperity without expansion. It does not think about the future in terms of well-being, economic development, or quality of life. It thinks in terms of status, control, and coercion. The key point appears to be the thesis regarding the necessity of "finally overcoming the sovereign worldview." That is, Russian diplomats and Putin himself are being hypocritical when they speak of UN principles and the sovereign equality of states. In fact, this is a rejection of the principle of sovereign equality of states as the foundation of the UN-centered international order - the very order to which Russian and .... Chinese diplomats constantly appeal. In fact, I am not surprised. I know very well that the Russian authorities and Russian diplomacy classify states according to the principle from Orwell's Animal Farm: "all animals are equal, but Russians are more equal." The most dangerous part of the discussion was the nuclear framework proposed by Andrey Bezrukov. It is built on three theses: that the West is allegedly waging an existential war against Russia; that the world is entering an era of prolonged global conflict; and that Russia's nuclear deterrent is under threat. In effect, this creates a political justification that can be used when needed. How should we view this? Much like cancer, because Russia is now developing like an aggressive form of cancer. It must be fought. For the sake of the world's survival, Russia must be deprived of the ability to use nuclear weapons. Another aspect of the report is equally important. Nearly every measure the authors consider necessary for the "good scenario" concerns domestic policy: autocracy, de-Westernization, state planning, digital sovereignty, the cult of the family, and a new Constitution. External expansion is presented as an internal necessity, as a direct consequence of domestic development. First comes ideological mobilization, centralization of power, and the cleansing of the political space. Then comes territorial expansion and the revision of the international order. For now, the Tsargrad report is not an official Kremlin plan. But it should not be dismissed as a fringe fantasy. This discussion took place not at a closed ideological gathering, but at the country’s main economic venue. And it is an attempt by a part of the Russian ideological and security elite to turn imperial war into the official model for the future. Such a model leads Russia toward catastrophe, but its authors cannot see that because they are blinded by their obsession with greatness. Like Putin himself, they live in their own sick reality. And within that reality, they act entirely rationally. The question here is: is there another part of the Russian elite that is more adequate and capable of a sober assessment of reality? Or has the entire Russian elite and society already been poisoned by this worldview, leaving no hope for Russia?

Anton Gerashchenko

120,103 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten

Exactly One Year Ago, Everything Changed. On November 26, 2023, I shared one of the biggest decisions of my life with you: acquiring the Punks on Bitcoin collection. It wasn’t just about a collection—it was about stepping into history, about believing in a future where Bitcoin isn’t just the world’s most powerful store of value, but its ultimate canvas for culture and innovation. When I look back, I’m reminded of that first piece: the hoodie alien. It wasn’t just an Inscription ; it was a symbol of what could be—a reminder that Bitcoin is more than blocks and nodes; it’s a story we’re writing together. Today, I’m not here to reflect on the past—I’m here to share where we’re going next. Because this past year wasn’t just about preserving what Punks on Bitcoin is. It was about reimagining what it could become. To mark this anniversary, we’re unveiling two milestones: 1️⃣ Our New Website – A reflection of our identity and vision. More than just a homepage, it’s a statement: sleek, elegant, and true to the ethos of Punks on Bitcoin. It’s where the past meets the future. 2️⃣ Our Virtual Showroom – This is where the experience becomes tangible. Immerse yourself in the world of Punks, interact with the art, and feel what it means to be part of this movement. In addition to these milestones, last October marked another significant moment in our journey. We organized our first 10k Ordinals Night during BTC Amsterdam—a night dedicated to celebrating this movement and its community. What began as a single evening holds the promise of becoming a recurring series, a tradition that brings us together to shape the future of Ordinals. But let’s be clear: these aren’t the endpoints. They’re just the beginning. Every decision we’ve made has been driven by one mission: to position Punks on Bitcoin among the most iconic and impactful projects in the Ordinals ecosystem. This journey is far from over. And if you’re here, reading this, you’re part of it too.
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Exactly One Year Ago, Everything Changed. On November 26, 2023, I shared one of the biggest decisions of my life with you: acquiring the Punks on Bitcoin collection. It wasn’t just about a collection—it was about stepping into history, about believing in a future where Bitcoin isn’t just the world’s most powerful store of value, but its ultimate canvas for culture and innovation. When I look back, I’m reminded of that first piece: the hoodie alien. It wasn’t just an Inscription ; it was a symbol of what could be—a reminder that Bitcoin is more than blocks and nodes; it’s a story we’re writing together. Today, I’m not here to reflect on the past—I’m here to share where we’re going next. Because this past year wasn’t just about preserving what Punks on Bitcoin is. It was about reimagining what it could become. To mark this anniversary, we’re unveiling two milestones: 1️⃣ Our New Website – A reflection of our identity and vision. More than just a homepage, it’s a statement: sleek, elegant, and true to the ethos of Punks on Bitcoin. It’s where the past meets the future. 2️⃣ Our Virtual Showroom – This is where the experience becomes tangible. Immerse yourself in the world of Punks, interact with the art, and feel what it means to be part of this movement. In addition to these milestones, last October marked another significant moment in our journey. We organized our first 10k Ordinals Night during BTC Amsterdam—a night dedicated to celebrating this movement and its community. What began as a single evening holds the promise of becoming a recurring series, a tradition that brings us together to shape the future of Ordinals. But let’s be clear: these aren’t the endpoints. They’re just the beginning. Every decision we’ve made has been driven by one mission: to position Punks on Bitcoin among the most iconic and impactful projects in the Ordinals ecosystem. This journey is far from over. And if you’re here, reading this, you’re part of it too.

imper1um

10,935 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr

🇨🇳🇺🇲 The meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping has officially begun. The presidents of the two countries addressed each other with opening remarks: President of China, Xi Jinping: The whole world is watching our meeting. Currently, a transformation not seen in a century is accelerating across the globe, and the international situation is fluid and turbulent. The world has come to a new crossroads. Can China and the United States overcome the Thucydides Trap and create a new paradigm for major country relations? Can we meet global challenges together and provide more stability for the world? Can we, in the interest of the well-being of our two peoples and the future of humanity, build a brighter future together for our bilateral relations? These are the questions vital to history, to the world, and to the people. They are the questions of our times that you and I, as leaders of major countries, need to answer. I always believe that our two countries have more common interests than differences. Success in one is an opportunity for the other, and a stable bilateral relationship is good for the world. China and the United States both stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. We should be partners, not rivals. We should help each other succeed and prosper together and find the right way for major countries to get along well with each other in the new era. I look forward to our discussions on major issues important to our two countries and the world, and to working together with you to set the course for and steer the giant ship of China-U.S. relations. Let us make 2026 a historic landmark year that opens a new chapter in China-U.S. relations. President of the United States, Donald Trump: First of all, that was an honor like few have ever seen before. I think I was particularly impressed by those children they were happy, they were beautiful. The military is obvious it couldn't be better. But those children were amazing, and they represent so much. And I know they represent so much to you. You and I have known each other now for a long time the longest relationship of our two countries that any president and president has had. And that is, to me, an honor. We have had a fantastic relationship. We have gotten along even when there were difficulties. Whenever we had a problem, we worked it out very quickly. And we are going to have a fantastic future together. I have such respect for China and the job you have done. You are a great leader. I say it to everybody. Sometimes people do not like me saying it, but I say it anyway because it is true. I only say the truth. It is an honor to be with you. It is an honor to be your friend, and the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before.
1:29

🇨🇳🇺🇲 The meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping has officially begun. The presidents of the two countries addressed each other with opening remarks: President of China, Xi Jinping: The whole world is watching our meeting. Currently, a transformation not seen in a century is accelerating across the globe, and the international situation is fluid and turbulent. The world has come to a new crossroads. Can China and the United States overcome the Thucydides Trap and create a new paradigm for major country relations? Can we meet global challenges together and provide more stability for the world? Can we, in the interest of the well-being of our two peoples and the future of humanity, build a brighter future together for our bilateral relations? These are the questions vital to history, to the world, and to the people. They are the questions of our times that you and I, as leaders of major countries, need to answer. I always believe that our two countries have more common interests than differences. Success in one is an opportunity for the other, and a stable bilateral relationship is good for the world. China and the United States both stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. We should be partners, not rivals. We should help each other succeed and prosper together and find the right way for major countries to get along well with each other in the new era. I look forward to our discussions on major issues important to our two countries and the world, and to working together with you to set the course for and steer the giant ship of China-U.S. relations. Let us make 2026 a historic landmark year that opens a new chapter in China-U.S. relations. President of the United States, Donald Trump: First of all, that was an honor like few have ever seen before. I think I was particularly impressed by those children they were happy, they were beautiful. The military is obvious it couldn't be better. But those children were amazing, and they represent so much. And I know they represent so much to you. You and I have known each other now for a long time the longest relationship of our two countries that any president and president has had. And that is, to me, an honor. We have had a fantastic relationship. We have gotten along even when there were difficulties. Whenever we had a problem, we worked it out very quickly. And we are going to have a fantastic future together. I have such respect for China and the job you have done. You are a great leader. I say it to everybody. Sometimes people do not like me saying it, but I say it anyway because it is true. I only say the truth. It is an honor to be with you. It is an honor to be your friend, and the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before.

Visioner

26,443 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten

Mozart’s Adagio K. 622: The Beauty of a Still Lake There are lakes whose beauty is of a special kind. At first glance they appear simply as a smooth, clear surface—quiet and transparent. Yet the longer one gazes, the more one senses the silent depths that lie beneath. As the light shifts and the angle of vision changes, the layers of water and the subtle contours of the lakebed gradually come into view. The lake itself does not change; what changes is the observer’s capacity to perceive the beauty that was always there. The second movement (Adagio) of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A major, K. 622, possesses a similar beauty. It is not only the emotional and the spiritual heart of the last concerto Mozart composed for a solo instrument, but also one of the most exquisite slow movements of the Classical era. Its power to move does not arise from dramatic climaxes or an abundance of musical material. Rather, it comes from the way Mozart allows a seemingly simple melody to reveal ever-deeper layers of meaning through the most delicate transformations of harmony, tone color, and form. Cast in a three-part A–B–A' structure, the movement traces a journey in which the musical flow gradually expands its expressive range before returning, more complete than before. The opening section presents a quiet beauty; the middle section unveils new shades of feeling; and the final section brings the listener back to the familiar melody with a profounder sense of its presence. From the very first measures, Mozart opens a sound world of stillness and clarity. Instead of remaining in A major as in the first movement, he moves to D major, creating a gentler, more restful hue. Against this backdrop the clarinet unfolds a long, cantabile melody of exceptional softness. The line moves mostly by step, with only the lightest leaps that lift the phrase naturally before returning to the continuous flow. The phrases are joined in a single, expansive breath. Combined with the Adagio tempo and long note values, the clarinet seems less an instrument than a human voice singing. This sense of calm is further shaped by Mozart’s restraint in harmony and orchestration. After the clarinet introduces the theme, the orchestra does not offer a new idea; it simply receives and supports the melody with the lightest touch. The harmonic motion is measured, moving gently within closely related harmonic regions—from tonic toward the dominant and quickly back again. This economy creates a transparent harmonic space in which every minute inflection of the melody can be heard with perfect clarity. Together these elements produce a feeling of luminous stillness, like the surface of a quiet lake at dawn—its beauty found in purity and calm. In the middle section (B), Mozart introduces new musical ideas, yet the phrases retain the same cantabile breath, the same soft contour, and the same unbroken flow established at the outset. Because of this unity, the listener does not feel transported to another world, but rather drawn deeper into the original lake, where the lower layers of water slowly become visible. On this foundation Mozart expands the harmony into richer tonal regions, notably shifting toward F-sharp minor and moments that passing through B minor, casting a more contemplative, introspective light than the serene D major of the opening. At the same time, suspensions and dissonances linger longer, so that the harmony no longer resolves as promptly as before. Just when the ear expects equilibrium, the harmony opens gently in another direction, allowing the same melodic material to disclose fresh expressive colors. Mozart also brings forth new shades through the most subtle changes in the clarinet’s tone. He creates contrast not through extreme leaps or technical display, but by allowing the phrases to move naturally between the warm, deep chalumeau register and the brighter, more floating clarion register. These shifts in color accompany a freer treatment of phrase structure: where the opening is balanced, symmetrical, and classically poised, the middle section becomes more flexible, more expansive, and less predictable. Yet even as the phrases grow freer, the singing quality of the clarinet remains soft and continuous. In this way the latent colors of the music gradually emerge, just as the beauty beneath a lake’s surface becomes clearer when the light changes. When the A' section returns, the original theme reappears in its familiar key, completing the ABA' form. On the surface the melody is almost unchanged: the rhythm remains unhurried, the cantabile line still soft, and the harmony gradually returns to its original center. Yet after the harmonic and tonal journey of the middle section, the listener no longer hears the theme as it first appeared. Mozart adds no new climax and introduces no fresh material to close the movement. He simply allows the theme to return to where it began—now carrying a depth that only the intervening journey could have conferred. One may picture the entire course of the Adagio as standing before a still lake while the light upon its surface slowly changes. The water remains calm from beginning to end, yet each subtle shift of light reveals the layers beneath, the life and contours of the depths, in a different hue. The lake itself is unaltered; only the light and the angle of vision allow its inherent depth to become visible. It is not unlike the quiet moment when a person looks back upon himself after many years. The feelings, longings, and memories have always been present within the soul. Yet through the passage of time what was once only dimly sensed becomes clear. The inner life has not changed; it is the act of reflection that allows one to understand more deeply what was already there. Perhaps this is what Mozart’s Adagio leaves with us: that something simple, when listened to with sufficient depth and patience, can open a dimension of meaning far beyond its first appearance. In the video below, the second movement (Adagio) of the Clarinet Concerto in A major, K. 622, is performed by Orchestra La Scintilla of the Opernhaus Zürich under the direction of Ada Pesch, with Robert Pickup as soloist on the basset clarinet—the very instrument for which Mozart wrote the work, intended for his friend Anton Stadler. The warm, mellow sound of the basset clarinet—especially its extended lower register, unavailable on the standard clarinet—offers a sound world closer to that for which Mozart conceived the concerto, allowing the lyrical purity and inward depth of the Adagio to emerge with remarkable clarity.
7:11

Mozart’s Adagio K. 622: The Beauty of a Still Lake There are lakes whose beauty is of a special kind. At first glance they appear simply as a smooth, clear surface—quiet and transparent. Yet the longer one gazes, the more one senses the silent depths that lie beneath. As the light shifts and the angle of vision changes, the layers of water and the subtle contours of the lakebed gradually come into view. The lake itself does not change; what changes is the observer’s capacity to perceive the beauty that was always there. The second movement (Adagio) of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A major, K. 622, possesses a similar beauty. It is not only the emotional and the spiritual heart of the last concerto Mozart composed for a solo instrument, but also one of the most exquisite slow movements of the Classical era. Its power to move does not arise from dramatic climaxes or an abundance of musical material. Rather, it comes from the way Mozart allows a seemingly simple melody to reveal ever-deeper layers of meaning through the most delicate transformations of harmony, tone color, and form. Cast in a three-part A–B–A' structure, the movement traces a journey in which the musical flow gradually expands its expressive range before returning, more complete than before. The opening section presents a quiet beauty; the middle section unveils new shades of feeling; and the final section brings the listener back to the familiar melody with a profounder sense of its presence. From the very first measures, Mozart opens a sound world of stillness and clarity. Instead of remaining in A major as in the first movement, he moves to D major, creating a gentler, more restful hue. Against this backdrop the clarinet unfolds a long, cantabile melody of exceptional softness. The line moves mostly by step, with only the lightest leaps that lift the phrase naturally before returning to the continuous flow. The phrases are joined in a single, expansive breath. Combined with the Adagio tempo and long note values, the clarinet seems less an instrument than a human voice singing. This sense of calm is further shaped by Mozart’s restraint in harmony and orchestration. After the clarinet introduces the theme, the orchestra does not offer a new idea; it simply receives and supports the melody with the lightest touch. The harmonic motion is measured, moving gently within closely related harmonic regions—from tonic toward the dominant and quickly back again. This economy creates a transparent harmonic space in which every minute inflection of the melody can be heard with perfect clarity. Together these elements produce a feeling of luminous stillness, like the surface of a quiet lake at dawn—its beauty found in purity and calm. In the middle section (B), Mozart introduces new musical ideas, yet the phrases retain the same cantabile breath, the same soft contour, and the same unbroken flow established at the outset. Because of this unity, the listener does not feel transported to another world, but rather drawn deeper into the original lake, where the lower layers of water slowly become visible. On this foundation Mozart expands the harmony into richer tonal regions, notably shifting toward F-sharp minor and moments that passing through B minor, casting a more contemplative, introspective light than the serene D major of the opening. At the same time, suspensions and dissonances linger longer, so that the harmony no longer resolves as promptly as before. Just when the ear expects equilibrium, the harmony opens gently in another direction, allowing the same melodic material to disclose fresh expressive colors. Mozart also brings forth new shades through the most subtle changes in the clarinet’s tone. He creates contrast not through extreme leaps or technical display, but by allowing the phrases to move naturally between the warm, deep chalumeau register and the brighter, more floating clarion register. These shifts in color accompany a freer treatment of phrase structure: where the opening is balanced, symmetrical, and classically poised, the middle section becomes more flexible, more expansive, and less predictable. Yet even as the phrases grow freer, the singing quality of the clarinet remains soft and continuous. In this way the latent colors of the music gradually emerge, just as the beauty beneath a lake’s surface becomes clearer when the light changes. When the A' section returns, the original theme reappears in its familiar key, completing the ABA' form. On the surface the melody is almost unchanged: the rhythm remains unhurried, the cantabile line still soft, and the harmony gradually returns to its original center. Yet after the harmonic and tonal journey of the middle section, the listener no longer hears the theme as it first appeared. Mozart adds no new climax and introduces no fresh material to close the movement. He simply allows the theme to return to where it began—now carrying a depth that only the intervening journey could have conferred. One may picture the entire course of the Adagio as standing before a still lake while the light upon its surface slowly changes. The water remains calm from beginning to end, yet each subtle shift of light reveals the layers beneath, the life and contours of the depths, in a different hue. The lake itself is unaltered; only the light and the angle of vision allow its inherent depth to become visible. It is not unlike the quiet moment when a person looks back upon himself after many years. The feelings, longings, and memories have always been present within the soul. Yet through the passage of time what was once only dimly sensed becomes clear. The inner life has not changed; it is the act of reflection that allows one to understand more deeply what was already there. Perhaps this is what Mozart’s Adagio leaves with us: that something simple, when listened to with sufficient depth and patience, can open a dimension of meaning far beyond its first appearance. In the video below, the second movement (Adagio) of the Clarinet Concerto in A major, K. 622, is performed by Orchestra La Scintilla of the Opernhaus Zürich under the direction of Ada Pesch, with Robert Pickup as soloist on the basset clarinet—the very instrument for which Mozart wrote the work, intended for his friend Anton Stadler. The warm, mellow sound of the basset clarinet—especially its extended lower register, unavailable on the standard clarinet—offers a sound world closer to that for which Mozart conceived the concerto, allowing the lyrical purity and inward depth of the Adagio to emerge with remarkable clarity.

🌸🎵 Beautiful Melody 🎶💖

10,541 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

Alastair Crooke: A New War of Systems and Visions of the World Alastair Crooke argues that China’s November offer to Venezuela—followed by a zero-tariff deal at the Shanghai Expo and the entry of firms like CCRC to develop “something like 500 fields”—signals a decisive correction to the old imperial view. This is no longer simply “pumping and taking Venezuelan oil,” he says, but a deeper, infrastructural embedment. It marks a shift from the era when power rested on a blunt premise: “We have the bigger army, and you don’t, you have to do what we say.” The contemporary threat, Crooke suggests, is “not necessarily military in the old conventional sense.” Partly, this is because “military tactics have been upended with missiles and drones and things,” for which the West is unprepared. But more profoundly, the challenge is one of structure: the “penetration of a different order”—of credit, loans, ports, railways, and corridors. This constitutes “an alternative economic structure to that of Bretton Woods and the dollar hegemony,” built not on coercion but on enduring economic presence. The warships idling off Venezuela’s coast, in his reading, articulate a new doctrine: “I’m not going to let it happen… not on our territory, not in our patch, not in the Western Hemisphere.” By blocking Iranian, Chinese, and Russian vessels, Washington aims to arrest what it sees as the “insidious” spread of a rival model. This, for Crooke, is now “a new war of the systems.” The contest has moved beyond forward bases and regime change; it is about preventing an alternative architecture—of economics, payments, and credit—from taking root and radiating across Latin America and the global South. China’s purpose, he states, is explicit. It is “saying, look—there is an alternative,” where nations are “not going to be threatened with sanctions,” punished by the IMF, or trapped in financial cycles that let Wall Street “dive in and force you to privatize your assets.” This is “a very powerful message,” a declaration that “we’re ready now to challenge your model, your vision of the future.” The outcome in Venezuela remains uncertain—it “may turn into a kinetic war.” Yet the deeper transformation is already clear: we have entered a different era, defined not by coups and ultimatums, but by a more fundamental confrontation “between different visions of the world.”
5:49

Alastair Crooke: A New War of Systems and Visions of the World Alastair Crooke argues that China’s November offer to Venezuela—followed by a zero-tariff deal at the Shanghai Expo and the entry of firms like CCRC to develop “something like 500 fields”—signals a decisive correction to the old imperial view. This is no longer simply “pumping and taking Venezuelan oil,” he says, but a deeper, infrastructural embedment. It marks a shift from the era when power rested on a blunt premise: “We have the bigger army, and you don’t, you have to do what we say.” The contemporary threat, Crooke suggests, is “not necessarily military in the old conventional sense.” Partly, this is because “military tactics have been upended with missiles and drones and things,” for which the West is unprepared. But more profoundly, the challenge is one of structure: the “penetration of a different order”—of credit, loans, ports, railways, and corridors. This constitutes “an alternative economic structure to that of Bretton Woods and the dollar hegemony,” built not on coercion but on enduring economic presence. The warships idling off Venezuela’s coast, in his reading, articulate a new doctrine: “I’m not going to let it happen… not on our territory, not in our patch, not in the Western Hemisphere.” By blocking Iranian, Chinese, and Russian vessels, Washington aims to arrest what it sees as the “insidious” spread of a rival model. This, for Crooke, is now “a new war of the systems.” The contest has moved beyond forward bases and regime change; it is about preventing an alternative architecture—of economics, payments, and credit—from taking root and radiating across Latin America and the global South. China’s purpose, he states, is explicit. It is “saying, look—there is an alternative,” where nations are “not going to be threatened with sanctions,” punished by the IMF, or trapped in financial cycles that let Wall Street “dive in and force you to privatize your assets.” This is “a very powerful message,” a declaration that “we’re ready now to challenge your model, your vision of the future.” The outcome in Venezuela remains uncertain—it “may turn into a kinetic war.” Yet the deeper transformation is already clear: we have entered a different era, defined not by coups and ultimatums, but by a more fundamental confrontation “between different visions of the world.”

🅰pocalypsis 🅰pocalypseos 🇷🇺 🇨🇳 🅉

47,431 Aufrufe • vor 9 Monaten

Mozart's Jupiter Finale: Where Abundance Finds Fulfillment in Harmonious Order In the history of Western music, few finales have been praised as highly as the fourth movement (Molto allegro) of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter.” It is not only the conclusion of the last symphony Mozart completed, but also one of the most radiant achievements of the Classical era. The special beauty of this movement does not lie in grandeur or complexity for their own sake. It lies in the way Mozart enables diverse musical ideas to unfold within a single, unified order. If the spirit of the movement could be expressed in one sentence, it would be this: perfect beauty emerges when abundance is sustained by harmonious order. The movement is written in sonata form, with exposition, development, recapitulation, and coda. Yet Mozart does not treat the form as a rigid frame. He uses it as a steady foundation on which each musical idea can unfold naturally—from simplicity to completeness, from separate voices to a greater unity. On this foundation, the art of counterpoint gradually expands, so that several melodic lines may sound at once while each remains clear and distinct. What is striking is that Mozart does not begin with large, imposing themes. He presents five short motifs, each with its own character. One is strong, another gentle, another full of springing energy; and there is the famous four-note motif, so simple it feels almost like a passing thought. They resemble tiny seeds. Their value is not in their size, but in their power to keep growing. In the exposition, Mozart lets the five motifs appear one after another, so the listener can come to know each distinct “voice” before the longer journey of development begins. In the development, Mozart does not look for new material. He explores more and more deeply what has already been given. Each motif is carried into new keys, changed in shape, broken apart, and then joined with the others. Here counterpoint gradually becomes the moving force of the music. What starts as a conversation between two lines grows into an ever-richer weaving of voices. The remarkable thing is that the more lines sound together, the more clearly the listener can still recognize each individual motif. Every idea keeps its own identity while helping the whole structure become larger and more alive. When the recapitulation arrives, the motifs return in the home key of C major, restoring the balance of the form. Yet this is not a simple return to the beginning. After the journey of change and growth, the listener hears the same ideas again, but now with new depth. They are the same motifs, yet they have been transformed by everything that has happened. The return feels like a person coming home after a time of maturing: the place looks the same, but experience has made everything more meaningful. The true summit of the movement comes in the coda. The motifs that were first heard separately now sound together in a brilliant contrapuntal texture. At certain moments, all five motifs sound simultaneously. Each line keeps its own character and direction, yet all blend perfectly with one another. What could easily have become confusion instead shines with astonishing clarity. Here Mozart brings the art of counterpoint to the highest ideal of the Classical age: unity is not created by making every idea the same, but by letting each idea develop to the fullness of its own nature and then come together in a balanced whole. That is why the finale of the “Jupiter” has long been regarded as one of the most perfect achievements of eighteenth-century symphonic music. When one listens to this ending, what remains is not only admiration for Mozart’s skill. What stays more deeply is the sense that every musical idea has been brought to its complete fulfillment. No motif is left behind, and none overwhelms the others. Each idea fulfills its part and then naturally joins a greater whole. The movement therefore gives a rare feeling of completeness—as though everything that needed to be said has found its proper voice. This experience also calls to mind the inner life of a human being. Imagine a father standing at the door as his child leaves home for the first time to begin an independent life. In that single moment he may feel, all at once, pride that his child has grown, joy for the future ahead, concern for the trials that wait, a quiet sadness as the house becomes still, and gratitude for the years they shared. These feelings do not blend by themselves. If worry takes over, love becomes possessive. If longing turns into clinging, it can hinder the child’s growth. Yet when every emotion is guided by love and by what is right, each keeps its proper place. They no longer pull the heart in different directions; together they point toward a greater good. Maturity, then, is not the removal of different feelings, but their right ordering within the moral life of the heart. Perhaps this reflects a still wider law of existence. A lasting society does not require every person to be the same, any more than nature exists in only one form of life. Every human being, every living creature, and every principle of nature has its own value when it fulfills the role that belongs to it within an order that already exists. The completeness of each part gives rise to the completeness of the whole. It may be because the finale of the “Jupiter” reflects this universal principle that it continues to move listeners more than two centuries later. Mozart does not merely close a symphony. Through it he lets us feel that enduring beauty does not appear when all differences are erased, but when every part is allowed to fulfill its own nature and joins in making the whole complete. In this performance, the Vienna Philharmonic under the direction of Karl Böhm performs the fourth movement (Molto allegro) from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 in C major, K. 551, “Jupiter.” Filmed at the Musikverein in Vienna in June 1973, this is widely regarded as one of the classic interpretations of the work. With Böhm’s calm, balanced, and deeply insightful conducting, together with the Vienna Philharmonic’s distinctive sound, the performance brings into focus the unique beauty of the finale, where multiple independent musical ideas unfold and come together within a single, harmonious order. It is this union of richness and unity that has long established the Molto allegro as one of the supreme achievements of the Classical symphonic tradition.
6:28

Mozart's Jupiter Finale: Where Abundance Finds Fulfillment in Harmonious Order In the history of Western music, few finales have been praised as highly as the fourth movement (Molto allegro) of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter.” It is not only the conclusion of the last symphony Mozart completed, but also one of the most radiant achievements of the Classical era. The special beauty of this movement does not lie in grandeur or complexity for their own sake. It lies in the way Mozart enables diverse musical ideas to unfold within a single, unified order. If the spirit of the movement could be expressed in one sentence, it would be this: perfect beauty emerges when abundance is sustained by harmonious order. The movement is written in sonata form, with exposition, development, recapitulation, and coda. Yet Mozart does not treat the form as a rigid frame. He uses it as a steady foundation on which each musical idea can unfold naturally—from simplicity to completeness, from separate voices to a greater unity. On this foundation, the art of counterpoint gradually expands, so that several melodic lines may sound at once while each remains clear and distinct. What is striking is that Mozart does not begin with large, imposing themes. He presents five short motifs, each with its own character. One is strong, another gentle, another full of springing energy; and there is the famous four-note motif, so simple it feels almost like a passing thought. They resemble tiny seeds. Their value is not in their size, but in their power to keep growing. In the exposition, Mozart lets the five motifs appear one after another, so the listener can come to know each distinct “voice” before the longer journey of development begins. In the development, Mozart does not look for new material. He explores more and more deeply what has already been given. Each motif is carried into new keys, changed in shape, broken apart, and then joined with the others. Here counterpoint gradually becomes the moving force of the music. What starts as a conversation between two lines grows into an ever-richer weaving of voices. The remarkable thing is that the more lines sound together, the more clearly the listener can still recognize each individual motif. Every idea keeps its own identity while helping the whole structure become larger and more alive. When the recapitulation arrives, the motifs return in the home key of C major, restoring the balance of the form. Yet this is not a simple return to the beginning. After the journey of change and growth, the listener hears the same ideas again, but now with new depth. They are the same motifs, yet they have been transformed by everything that has happened. The return feels like a person coming home after a time of maturing: the place looks the same, but experience has made everything more meaningful. The true summit of the movement comes in the coda. The motifs that were first heard separately now sound together in a brilliant contrapuntal texture. At certain moments, all five motifs sound simultaneously. Each line keeps its own character and direction, yet all blend perfectly with one another. What could easily have become confusion instead shines with astonishing clarity. Here Mozart brings the art of counterpoint to the highest ideal of the Classical age: unity is not created by making every idea the same, but by letting each idea develop to the fullness of its own nature and then come together in a balanced whole. That is why the finale of the “Jupiter” has long been regarded as one of the most perfect achievements of eighteenth-century symphonic music. When one listens to this ending, what remains is not only admiration for Mozart’s skill. What stays more deeply is the sense that every musical idea has been brought to its complete fulfillment. No motif is left behind, and none overwhelms the others. Each idea fulfills its part and then naturally joins a greater whole. The movement therefore gives a rare feeling of completeness—as though everything that needed to be said has found its proper voice. This experience also calls to mind the inner life of a human being. Imagine a father standing at the door as his child leaves home for the first time to begin an independent life. In that single moment he may feel, all at once, pride that his child has grown, joy for the future ahead, concern for the trials that wait, a quiet sadness as the house becomes still, and gratitude for the years they shared. These feelings do not blend by themselves. If worry takes over, love becomes possessive. If longing turns into clinging, it can hinder the child’s growth. Yet when every emotion is guided by love and by what is right, each keeps its proper place. They no longer pull the heart in different directions; together they point toward a greater good. Maturity, then, is not the removal of different feelings, but their right ordering within the moral life of the heart. Perhaps this reflects a still wider law of existence. A lasting society does not require every person to be the same, any more than nature exists in only one form of life. Every human being, every living creature, and every principle of nature has its own value when it fulfills the role that belongs to it within an order that already exists. The completeness of each part gives rise to the completeness of the whole. It may be because the finale of the “Jupiter” reflects this universal principle that it continues to move listeners more than two centuries later. Mozart does not merely close a symphony. Through it he lets us feel that enduring beauty does not appear when all differences are erased, but when every part is allowed to fulfill its own nature and joins in making the whole complete. In this performance, the Vienna Philharmonic under the direction of Karl Böhm performs the fourth movement (Molto allegro) from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 in C major, K. 551, “Jupiter.” Filmed at the Musikverein in Vienna in June 1973, this is widely regarded as one of the classic interpretations of the work. With Böhm’s calm, balanced, and deeply insightful conducting, together with the Vienna Philharmonic’s distinctive sound, the performance brings into focus the unique beauty of the finale, where multiple independent musical ideas unfold and come together within a single, harmonious order. It is this union of richness and unity that has long established the Molto allegro as one of the supreme achievements of the Classical symphonic tradition.

🌸🎵 Beautiful Melody 🎶💖

12,094 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

In what will certainly become one of the most fundamental speeches of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV told the Spanish Parliament, before receiving a 7-minute standing ovation: "The defense of human life is neither a partisan issue nor a confessional interest: it is a goal of civilization." "If life ceases to be recognized as a fundamental value, what future can our societies have?" he said, speaking to a gathering of politicians, many supporting abortion and euthanasia. "Can a community that casts into the shadows the unborn child, the elderly, the sick, those who suffer in silence, or those who depend entirely on the care of others be called fully just?" "Every human life must be recognized and safeguarded from conception to its natural end, in every circumstance of its existence. When this certainty is obscured, the most vulnerable are the first victims, and the law loses its deepest meaning: to serve and protect every person." "For this reason, the moral greatness of a nation is manifested, above all, in its capacity to accompany, protect and love those lives that are most fragile," he said, repeating what John Paul II emphasized decades ago. Starting his speech he commented that Church's is the "message offered in the spirit of service to the human person." "When the Church addresses anything concerning public life, she does so while respecting the proper mission of institutions and the legitimate responsibility of those who have received the mandate to legislate," Pope Leo said, emphasizing "the Church offers a reflection born of the desire to serve the common good." He hailed Spain as country that "has known how to view the human being as more than just a cog in the social, economic or political order. It has recognized the human being as a creature open to truth, endowed with freedom, and driven by a thirst for eternity that no temporal reality can quench -- in a word, as someone whose dignity takes precedence over all utility and to whose service legislative action is subject." He said it was Catholic orders that "helped to shape a legal and moral consciousness capable of remembering that authority always entails responsibility and that every human being must be recognized as a subject of rights and duties." "That aspiration continues to resonate today: that dignity, justice and the common good should be the measure of social relations, both at the national and international levels." Referring multiple times to his "Magnifica Humanitas" encyclical, he said: "When the common good ceases to be a shared horizon, public action runs the risk of fragmenting into partial interests, incapable of safeguarding what belongs to all." "In this context, the family — the primary human reality and the natural foundation of the community — takes on particular importance," Pope Leo said. "The family will always be the first school of humanity, where one learns, before anywhere else, the basic grammar of living together: welcoming life, caring for others, forgiving, serving and belonging." "Human life can never be treated as a commodity," the pope said. "A law does not attain its true greatness merely by having been formally enacted; it attains it when, in addition to being valid in form, it can stand before the dignity of the person and pass that test without shame." "I invite you, then, to lift your gaze to the world around you, not to turn away from reality, but to remember that every decision by public authorities affects real people, especially those who have less power to make their voices heard." "The expanse of one’s vision consists precisely in looking more deeply at what is at stake in every public decision. This is why, alongside technical solutions and legal reforms, a moral renewal is also needed." Video: Vatican Media (fragment of speech follows)
2:26

In what will certainly become one of the most fundamental speeches of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV told the Spanish Parliament, before receiving a 7-minute standing ovation: "The defense of human life is neither a partisan issue nor a confessional interest: it is a goal of civilization." "If life ceases to be recognized as a fundamental value, what future can our societies have?" he said, speaking to a gathering of politicians, many supporting abortion and euthanasia. "Can a community that casts into the shadows the unborn child, the elderly, the sick, those who suffer in silence, or those who depend entirely on the care of others be called fully just?" "Every human life must be recognized and safeguarded from conception to its natural end, in every circumstance of its existence. When this certainty is obscured, the most vulnerable are the first victims, and the law loses its deepest meaning: to serve and protect every person." "For this reason, the moral greatness of a nation is manifested, above all, in its capacity to accompany, protect and love those lives that are most fragile," he said, repeating what John Paul II emphasized decades ago. Starting his speech he commented that Church's is the "message offered in the spirit of service to the human person." "When the Church addresses anything concerning public life, she does so while respecting the proper mission of institutions and the legitimate responsibility of those who have received the mandate to legislate," Pope Leo said, emphasizing "the Church offers a reflection born of the desire to serve the common good." He hailed Spain as country that "has known how to view the human being as more than just a cog in the social, economic or political order. It has recognized the human being as a creature open to truth, endowed with freedom, and driven by a thirst for eternity that no temporal reality can quench -- in a word, as someone whose dignity takes precedence over all utility and to whose service legislative action is subject." He said it was Catholic orders that "helped to shape a legal and moral consciousness capable of remembering that authority always entails responsibility and that every human being must be recognized as a subject of rights and duties." "That aspiration continues to resonate today: that dignity, justice and the common good should be the measure of social relations, both at the national and international levels." Referring multiple times to his "Magnifica Humanitas" encyclical, he said: "When the common good ceases to be a shared horizon, public action runs the risk of fragmenting into partial interests, incapable of safeguarding what belongs to all." "In this context, the family — the primary human reality and the natural foundation of the community — takes on particular importance," Pope Leo said. "The family will always be the first school of humanity, where one learns, before anywhere else, the basic grammar of living together: welcoming life, caring for others, forgiving, serving and belonging." "Human life can never be treated as a commodity," the pope said. "A law does not attain its true greatness merely by having been formally enacted; it attains it when, in addition to being valid in form, it can stand before the dignity of the person and pass that test without shame." "I invite you, then, to lift your gaze to the world around you, not to turn away from reality, but to remember that every decision by public authorities affects real people, especially those who have less power to make their voices heard." "The expanse of one’s vision consists precisely in looking more deeply at what is at stake in every public decision. This is why, alongside technical solutions and legal reforms, a moral renewal is also needed." Video: Vatican Media (fragment of speech follows)

Paulina Guzik

245,742 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten

"Israeli leadership must realise that there is no military solution to its security concerns." — King Abdullah of Jordan in Cairo One minute into his speech at the Cairo Summit, King Abdullah switched from Arabic "for our friends in Europe and around the world, my message is for them." Full video of his remarks and transcript below: Peace, God’s mercy and blessings be upon you. This is how Muslims and Arabs greet others: with a wish for the other to be blessed with peace and the mercy of God. Our religion came with a message of peace. The Pact of Omar, issued at the gates of Jerusalem almost 15 centuries ago, more than a thousand years before the Geneva Conventions, ordered Muslim soldiers not to kill a child, a woman or an old person, not to destroy a tree, not to harm a priest, not to destroy a church. Those are the rules of engagement that Muslims must accept and abide by, as should all those who believe in our common humanity. All civilian lives matter! I am outraged and grieved by those acts of violence waged against innocent civilians in Gaza, in the West Bank, and Israel. The relentless bombing campaign underway in Gaza as we speak is cruel and unconscionable—on every level. It is collective punishment of a besieged and helpless people. It is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. It is a war crime. Yet, the deeper the crisis cuts of cruelty, the less the world seems to care. Anywhere else, attacking civilian infrastructure and deliberately starving an entire population of food, water, electricity, and basic necessities would be condemned. Accountability would be enforced, immediately, unequivocally. And it has been done before—recently, in another conflict. But not in Gaza. It’s been two weeks since Israel put in place the complete siege of the Gaza Strip. And still, for the most part, global silence. Yet the message the Arab world is hearing is loud and clear: Palestinian lives matter less than Israeli ones. Our lives matter less than other lives. The application of international law is optional. And human rights have boundaries—they stop at borders, they stop at races, and they stop at religions. That is a very, very dangerous message, as the consequences of continued international apathy and inaction will be catastrophic—on us all. We cannot let raw emotions dictate the moment; our priorities today are clear and urgent: First: An immediate end to the war on Gaza, the protection of civilians, and the adoption of a unified position that indiscriminately condemns the targeting of all civilians, in line with our shared values and international law, which loses all value if it is implemented selectively. Second: The sustained and uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid, fuel, food, and medicines to the Gaza Strip. Third: The unequivocal rejection of the forced displacement or internal displacement of the Palestinians. This is a war crime according to international law, and a red line for all of us. This conflict, my friends, did not start two weeks ago, and it will not stop if we continue down this blood-soaked path. We know all too well that it will only lead to more of the same—a zero-sum game of death and destruction, of hatred and hopelessness played on repeat. Today, Israel is literally starving civilians in Gaza, but for decades, Palestinians have been starved of hope, of freedom, and a future. Because when the bombs stop falling, Israel is never held accountable, the injustices of occupation continue and the world walks away, until the next round of violence. The bloodshed we are witnessing today is the price of that, of failing to make tangible progress towards a political horizon that brings peace for Palestinians and Israelis alike. Israeli leadership must realise that there is no military solution to its security concerns, that it cannot continue to sideline the five million Palestinians living under its occupation, denied of their legitimate rights, and that Palestinians lives are no less valuable than Israeli lives. The Israeli leadership must realise, once and for all, that a state can never thrive if it is built on the foundations of injustice. Over the past 15 years, we have seen how the dreams of a two-state solution and the hopes of an entire generation have turned into despair. This has been the policy of hardline Israeli leadership—to focus solely on security over peace and create new illegal realities on the ground that render an autonomous Palestinian state unviable. In the process, it has empowered extremists on both sides. But we must not—we cannot—write off this conflict as too far gone, for the sake of both the Palestinians and the Israelis. Our collective and unified message to the Israeli people should be: We want a future of peace and security for you and for the Palestinians, where your children and Palestinian children should no longer live in fear. It is our duty as the international community to do whatever it takes to restart a meaningful political process that can take us to a just and sustainable peace on the basis of the two-state solution. The only path to a safe and secure future for the people of the Middle East and the entire world—for the Jewish people, for Christians, for Muslims alike—starts with the belief that every human life is of equal value and it ends with two states, Palestine and Israel, sharing land and peace from the river to the sea. The time to act is now.
8:01

"Israeli leadership must realise that there is no military solution to its security concerns." — King Abdullah of Jordan in Cairo One minute into his speech at the Cairo Summit, King Abdullah switched from Arabic "for our friends in Europe and around the world, my message is for them." Full video of his remarks and transcript below: Peace, God’s mercy and blessings be upon you. This is how Muslims and Arabs greet others: with a wish for the other to be blessed with peace and the mercy of God. Our religion came with a message of peace. The Pact of Omar, issued at the gates of Jerusalem almost 15 centuries ago, more than a thousand years before the Geneva Conventions, ordered Muslim soldiers not to kill a child, a woman or an old person, not to destroy a tree, not to harm a priest, not to destroy a church. Those are the rules of engagement that Muslims must accept and abide by, as should all those who believe in our common humanity. All civilian lives matter! I am outraged and grieved by those acts of violence waged against innocent civilians in Gaza, in the West Bank, and Israel. The relentless bombing campaign underway in Gaza as we speak is cruel and unconscionable—on every level. It is collective punishment of a besieged and helpless people. It is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. It is a war crime. Yet, the deeper the crisis cuts of cruelty, the less the world seems to care. Anywhere else, attacking civilian infrastructure and deliberately starving an entire population of food, water, electricity, and basic necessities would be condemned. Accountability would be enforced, immediately, unequivocally. And it has been done before—recently, in another conflict. But not in Gaza. It’s been two weeks since Israel put in place the complete siege of the Gaza Strip. And still, for the most part, global silence. Yet the message the Arab world is hearing is loud and clear: Palestinian lives matter less than Israeli ones. Our lives matter less than other lives. The application of international law is optional. And human rights have boundaries—they stop at borders, they stop at races, and they stop at religions. That is a very, very dangerous message, as the consequences of continued international apathy and inaction will be catastrophic—on us all. We cannot let raw emotions dictate the moment; our priorities today are clear and urgent: First: An immediate end to the war on Gaza, the protection of civilians, and the adoption of a unified position that indiscriminately condemns the targeting of all civilians, in line with our shared values and international law, which loses all value if it is implemented selectively. Second: The sustained and uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid, fuel, food, and medicines to the Gaza Strip. Third: The unequivocal rejection of the forced displacement or internal displacement of the Palestinians. This is a war crime according to international law, and a red line for all of us. This conflict, my friends, did not start two weeks ago, and it will not stop if we continue down this blood-soaked path. We know all too well that it will only lead to more of the same—a zero-sum game of death and destruction, of hatred and hopelessness played on repeat. Today, Israel is literally starving civilians in Gaza, but for decades, Palestinians have been starved of hope, of freedom, and a future. Because when the bombs stop falling, Israel is never held accountable, the injustices of occupation continue and the world walks away, until the next round of violence. The bloodshed we are witnessing today is the price of that, of failing to make tangible progress towards a political horizon that brings peace for Palestinians and Israelis alike. Israeli leadership must realise that there is no military solution to its security concerns, that it cannot continue to sideline the five million Palestinians living under its occupation, denied of their legitimate rights, and that Palestinians lives are no less valuable than Israeli lives. The Israeli leadership must realise, once and for all, that a state can never thrive if it is built on the foundations of injustice. Over the past 15 years, we have seen how the dreams of a two-state solution and the hopes of an entire generation have turned into despair. This has been the policy of hardline Israeli leadership—to focus solely on security over peace and create new illegal realities on the ground that render an autonomous Palestinian state unviable. In the process, it has empowered extremists on both sides. But we must not—we cannot—write off this conflict as too far gone, for the sake of both the Palestinians and the Israelis. Our collective and unified message to the Israeli people should be: We want a future of peace and security for you and for the Palestinians, where your children and Palestinian children should no longer live in fear. It is our duty as the international community to do whatever it takes to restart a meaningful political process that can take us to a just and sustainable peace on the basis of the two-state solution. The only path to a safe and secure future for the people of the Middle East and the entire world—for the Jewish people, for Christians, for Muslims alike—starts with the belief that every human life is of equal value and it ends with two states, Palestine and Israel, sharing land and peace from the river to the sea. The time to act is now.

Yashar Ali 🐘

6,058,596 Aufrufe • vor 2 Jahren

I've become a missionary with one message. Every time I meet a young person, the same words: have children, get married, build a family. I did not decide on this calling. It overtook me. And it overtook me for a single reason. I had no idea. I genuinely did not understand how much joy, how much meaning, how much sheer beauty pours out of a child until I was holding one of my own and felt the floor of my life drop into something deeper than I knew was there. I grew up white, affluent, secular, comfortable, and insulated. That world does not put babies in front of you. None of my friends were starting families. Out of my whole circle, almost no one has a big one. We were not formed by the presence of children. We were formed by their absence, by the strange quiet of homes built for two careers and no cradle. And a person believes what his world shows him. So we believed. What we believed was a lie. It is a lie with an author, and that the author is the enemy of joy himself. It is the gospel of the world, and its commandment is wait. Wait until you are older. Wait until the career is built and the savings are stacked and the twenties are properly spent. Enjoy your freedom. You are not ready. It does not arrive sounding like temptation. It arrives sounding like wisdom, like prudence, like the responsible thing, and that is exactly why it works. The most effective lies are the ones that wear the face of virtue. And the maddening thing is that it collapses from every angle at once. It is not rooted in biology, because the body is made for this work precisely in the years we are told to postpone it. The flesh keeps a calendar the culture pretends not to see. And it is not rooted in theology either. You will not find this deferral anywhere in the Christian imagination, in any of the fathers, in any of the scriptures. So choose whatever lens you like. Take the cold secular measure or the ancient sacred one. By either light the counsel is rotten. It is bad for the body and bad for the soul and bad for the society downstream of both. This is why I have come to see it as one of the central tragedies of my generation. Every age carries its own wound. The Great Depression was a depression of bread, a scarcity in the world of matter, hunger you could measure. Ours is a depression of a different order. It is a famine of the spirit in the middle of abundance. We have more than any people who ever lived and we are starving in a way our ancestors would not recognize, because the thing we are refusing cannot be bought and cannot be banked. The ones most made to give and receive this love are quietly declining it. They are walking away from the one inheritance that actually compounds, and the cruelest part is that they do not feel the loss as loss. You cannot grieve what you were taught not to want. That is the deepest cut of it. The lie does not only steal the thing. It steals the capacity to know the thing was stolen. A man can spend his whole life on the far side of a door he never knew was a door, mistaking the wall for the edge of the world. Because this beauty is not ordinary beauty. It is not the pleasure of a good meal or a clear morning. It is participation in something that comes down from above, the same generative love that spoke everything out of nothing and called it good. To make a person, to be undone and remade by loving that person more than your own life, is to be drawn for a moment inside the very act that holds the cosmos together. A child does not merely add to your life. A child reorders the soul. It teaches you what you are by asking everything of you, and you discover, kneeling there exhausted at three in the morning, that you had a capacity for self gift you never suspected, a depth in yourself you had no other way to reach. In the Gospel of John, on the last night, Jesus prays, these things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. And I have come to understand why family is the road into that fullness, why it is not one path among many but the one most fitted to the shape of the promise. Consider who is praying. Christ does not come to us as a lone figure dropped out of the sky. He comes out of a family older than the world, the eternal communion of Father and Son, the love between them so total and so alive that theologians dared to call it a third person. Before there was anything, there was a family. The deepest fact about reality is not a force or a law or a void. It is a household. It is begetting and being begotten, giving and receiving, a Father who is only a Father because there is a Son. So when Jesus speaks of joy made complete, he is not pointing away from family toward something higher. He is pointing toward the very thing he came from, the life he has known from eternity and came to share. His joy is the joy of belonging utterly to a Father and pouring himself out for those he loves. When you marry, when you bring a child into the world, when you wear yourself down in the small unseen labors of a home, you are not stepping outside that divine life. You are stepping into a small image of it. Your family is a created echo of an uncreated one. The love you give your child rhymes with the love the Father has for the Son. The exhaustion, the tenderness, the way a parent would tear the sky open to protect a sleeping infant, all of it is the heavens pressed faintly into flesh, the eternal household leaving its fingerprint on yours. That is why the joy is not merely added to family but completed in it. We were made in the image of a God who is, at his very root, relation and gift and generation. To found a family is to do the most Godlike thing a creature can do, to participate from below in the begetting that God does from all eternity. Your home becomes a window. Through it, dimly and imperfectly, you glimpse the country you came from and are going to. And now a word for the young people reading this, the ones who do not yet have children. I want to tell you what it is like from where I stand. When I am out somewhere, a restaurant, anywhere, and a large family comes through the door, the noise and the chaos and the small bodies of them, something happens in me on two levels at once. The first is joy. A pure gladness at the sight, the way you feel watching something good and alive. But underneath it, almost in the same instant, a sadness reaches up and takes hold of my heart. Because I know now, at my age, after my own years of waiting, that I will never have that. I will never know the particular fruit of a family that large, the fullness of that table, the weight of all those lives gathered under one roof. The door to it has quietly closed, and I felt it close. And I am telling you plainly, because I love you and have no reason to lie to you: you will feel this too. You will. The day will come when you see what you passed up, and you will recognize the ache for what it is, and it will be too late to answer it. So please, learn from a man who got it wrong. Let my regret be worth something by becoming your wisdom. Do not wait yourself into a grief you cannot undo. Choose now, while the door is open, so that you may step into a joy that does not end.
8:26

I've become a missionary with one message. Every time I meet a young person, the same words: have children, get married, build a family. I did not decide on this calling. It overtook me. And it overtook me for a single reason. I had no idea. I genuinely did not understand how much joy, how much meaning, how much sheer beauty pours out of a child until I was holding one of my own and felt the floor of my life drop into something deeper than I knew was there. I grew up white, affluent, secular, comfortable, and insulated. That world does not put babies in front of you. None of my friends were starting families. Out of my whole circle, almost no one has a big one. We were not formed by the presence of children. We were formed by their absence, by the strange quiet of homes built for two careers and no cradle. And a person believes what his world shows him. So we believed. What we believed was a lie. It is a lie with an author, and that the author is the enemy of joy himself. It is the gospel of the world, and its commandment is wait. Wait until you are older. Wait until the career is built and the savings are stacked and the twenties are properly spent. Enjoy your freedom. You are not ready. It does not arrive sounding like temptation. It arrives sounding like wisdom, like prudence, like the responsible thing, and that is exactly why it works. The most effective lies are the ones that wear the face of virtue. And the maddening thing is that it collapses from every angle at once. It is not rooted in biology, because the body is made for this work precisely in the years we are told to postpone it. The flesh keeps a calendar the culture pretends not to see. And it is not rooted in theology either. You will not find this deferral anywhere in the Christian imagination, in any of the fathers, in any of the scriptures. So choose whatever lens you like. Take the cold secular measure or the ancient sacred one. By either light the counsel is rotten. It is bad for the body and bad for the soul and bad for the society downstream of both. This is why I have come to see it as one of the central tragedies of my generation. Every age carries its own wound. The Great Depression was a depression of bread, a scarcity in the world of matter, hunger you could measure. Ours is a depression of a different order. It is a famine of the spirit in the middle of abundance. We have more than any people who ever lived and we are starving in a way our ancestors would not recognize, because the thing we are refusing cannot be bought and cannot be banked. The ones most made to give and receive this love are quietly declining it. They are walking away from the one inheritance that actually compounds, and the cruelest part is that they do not feel the loss as loss. You cannot grieve what you were taught not to want. That is the deepest cut of it. The lie does not only steal the thing. It steals the capacity to know the thing was stolen. A man can spend his whole life on the far side of a door he never knew was a door, mistaking the wall for the edge of the world. Because this beauty is not ordinary beauty. It is not the pleasure of a good meal or a clear morning. It is participation in something that comes down from above, the same generative love that spoke everything out of nothing and called it good. To make a person, to be undone and remade by loving that person more than your own life, is to be drawn for a moment inside the very act that holds the cosmos together. A child does not merely add to your life. A child reorders the soul. It teaches you what you are by asking everything of you, and you discover, kneeling there exhausted at three in the morning, that you had a capacity for self gift you never suspected, a depth in yourself you had no other way to reach. In the Gospel of John, on the last night, Jesus prays, these things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. And I have come to understand why family is the road into that fullness, why it is not one path among many but the one most fitted to the shape of the promise. Consider who is praying. Christ does not come to us as a lone figure dropped out of the sky. He comes out of a family older than the world, the eternal communion of Father and Son, the love between them so total and so alive that theologians dared to call it a third person. Before there was anything, there was a family. The deepest fact about reality is not a force or a law or a void. It is a household. It is begetting and being begotten, giving and receiving, a Father who is only a Father because there is a Son. So when Jesus speaks of joy made complete, he is not pointing away from family toward something higher. He is pointing toward the very thing he came from, the life he has known from eternity and came to share. His joy is the joy of belonging utterly to a Father and pouring himself out for those he loves. When you marry, when you bring a child into the world, when you wear yourself down in the small unseen labors of a home, you are not stepping outside that divine life. You are stepping into a small image of it. Your family is a created echo of an uncreated one. The love you give your child rhymes with the love the Father has for the Son. The exhaustion, the tenderness, the way a parent would tear the sky open to protect a sleeping infant, all of it is the heavens pressed faintly into flesh, the eternal household leaving its fingerprint on yours. That is why the joy is not merely added to family but completed in it. We were made in the image of a God who is, at his very root, relation and gift and generation. To found a family is to do the most Godlike thing a creature can do, to participate from below in the begetting that God does from all eternity. Your home becomes a window. Through it, dimly and imperfectly, you glimpse the country you came from and are going to. And now a word for the young people reading this, the ones who do not yet have children. I want to tell you what it is like from where I stand. When I am out somewhere, a restaurant, anywhere, and a large family comes through the door, the noise and the chaos and the small bodies of them, something happens in me on two levels at once. The first is joy. A pure gladness at the sight, the way you feel watching something good and alive. But underneath it, almost in the same instant, a sadness reaches up and takes hold of my heart. Because I know now, at my age, after my own years of waiting, that I will never have that. I will never know the particular fruit of a family that large, the fullness of that table, the weight of all those lives gathered under one roof. The door to it has quietly closed, and I felt it close. And I am telling you plainly, because I love you and have no reason to lie to you: you will feel this too. You will. The day will come when you see what you passed up, and you will recognize the ache for what it is, and it will be too late to answer it. So please, learn from a man who got it wrong. Let my regret be worth something by becoming your wisdom. Do not wait yourself into a grief you cannot undo. Choose now, while the door is open, so that you may step into a joy that does not end.

Kirk Rollins

78,143 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten

Address by the Ambassador of Afghanistan to Pakistan H.E. Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb on the occasion of 5th Anniversary of Victory Day: بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم، It is my great pleasure to warmly welcome you all to this dignified gathering, held to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the end of the occupation of Afghanistan and the restoration of the country’s independence. On behalf of the Government and people of Afghanistan, as well as the Embassy of Afghanistan in Pakistan, I sincerely thank each and every one of you for accepting our invitation and honouring this important national occasion with your presence. Five years ago, on 15 August, the Afghan people opened a new chapter in their contemporary history. After more than four decades of war, foreign intervention, and immense suffering, Afghanistan once again took into its own hands the authority to determine its own future. Distinguished Guests, This day is not merely the anniversary of a political transformation; it also marks the beginning of a new chapter. We have left behind the chapter of war and embarked upon a new path—one in which Afghanistan, under unified leadership and within an Islamic system, is confidently moving toward the implementation of Islamic Sharia, strengthening its independent decision-making, consolidating lasting stability, pursuing reconstruction and economic growth, and expanding relations with the international community on the basis of mutual respect. We are confident that this new chapter and the strengthened peace in Afghanistan are not only in the interest of the Afghan people, but also serve the shared interests and needs of the region and the wider world. A peaceful and stable Afghanistan creates significant opportunities for regional connectivity, economic cooperation, and collective security, and can play a constructive role in strengthening peace and prosperity across the region. Our region is among the most promising parts of the world in terms of its potential for growth, connectivity, and economic cooperation. If we manage our shared geographic advantages wisely, Afghanistan can play its historic role as a natural bridge between Central and South Asia, opening new opportunities for trade, transit, investment, and energy cooperation. We firmly believe that the stability of Afghanistan is inseparable from the stability of the region, and the prosperity of the region is closely linked to the prosperity of Afghanistan. Ladies and Gentlemen, In Afghanistan’s foreign policy vision, our neighbours hold the first and most important place. Geography has made us neighbours, but our shared history, common faith and culture, centuries-old trade relations, and the family and social ties connecting millions of people have created bonds between us that cannot be easily separated. These deep ties call for mutual respect, shared interests, and a shared commitment to our common future. For this reason, we do not view our neighbours merely as countries of the region; rather, we consider them natural partners in our shared future prosperity. Based on this vision, Afghanistan seeks relations with all its neighbours, particularly Pakistan, founded on mutual respect, equality of sovereignty, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, and the pursuit of shared interests. We believe that an atmosphere of trust cannot be created through pressure or force. It can only be built through understanding, sustained dialogue, and sincere cooperation. These are principles that are fully consistent with the guidance of Islamic Sharia, the directives of His Excellency the Amir-ul-Momineen, the accepted principles of international relations, and the enduring values of good neighbourly relations. Distinguished Guests, History has shown us that occasional differences between neighbouring countries are natural. However, such differences should not become a reason for greater distance. Rather, during times of disagreement, the path of dialogue, mutual respect, and political wisdom should be pursued. We believe that every challenge, when addressed with sincerity and goodwill, can become a new opportunity to build trust and expand cooperation. This perspective forms the foundation of Afghanistan’s relations with its neighbours and guides our approach to regional affairs. In our view, lasting and sustainable security can only be achieved when there is a shared commitment to mutual trust, sincere cooperation, practical coordination, and respect for each other’s legitimate concerns. The stronger the trust between us, the stronger the foundations of peace, stability, and prosperity throughout our region will become. Afghanistan does not pursue a policy of confrontation, nor does it allow its territory to be used against the security and stability of any other country. In the same spirit, we hope and remain confident that Afghanistan’s legitimate security concerns will be understood and respected, and that no country will allow its territory to be used against Afghanistan. We stand ready to further strengthen practical and constructive cooperation with our neighbours on the basis of these principles. Our vision is clear: an Afghanistan that is not a field for geopolitical competition, but a bridge for regional connectivity, trade, transit, dialogue, and cooperation. Distinguished Guests, Finally, on this historic occasion marking the anniversary of the Victory, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for your distinguished presence and participation. For us, your presence is a reflection of respect, friendship, and mutual goodwill. We pray that Almighty Allah guides our country, our region, and the entire world toward success, peace, stability, and prosperity. Ameen. والله ولي التوفيق. والسلام علیکم ورحمة الله وبرکاته
10:42

Address by the Ambassador of Afghanistan to Pakistan H.E. Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb on the occasion of 5th Anniversary of Victory Day: بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم، It is my great pleasure to warmly welcome you all to this dignified gathering, held to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the end of the occupation of Afghanistan and the restoration of the country’s independence. On behalf of the Government and people of Afghanistan, as well as the Embassy of Afghanistan in Pakistan, I sincerely thank each and every one of you for accepting our invitation and honouring this important national occasion with your presence. Five years ago, on 15 August, the Afghan people opened a new chapter in their contemporary history. After more than four decades of war, foreign intervention, and immense suffering, Afghanistan once again took into its own hands the authority to determine its own future. Distinguished Guests, This day is not merely the anniversary of a political transformation; it also marks the beginning of a new chapter. We have left behind the chapter of war and embarked upon a new path—one in which Afghanistan, under unified leadership and within an Islamic system, is confidently moving toward the implementation of Islamic Sharia, strengthening its independent decision-making, consolidating lasting stability, pursuing reconstruction and economic growth, and expanding relations with the international community on the basis of mutual respect. We are confident that this new chapter and the strengthened peace in Afghanistan are not only in the interest of the Afghan people, but also serve the shared interests and needs of the region and the wider world. A peaceful and stable Afghanistan creates significant opportunities for regional connectivity, economic cooperation, and collective security, and can play a constructive role in strengthening peace and prosperity across the region. Our region is among the most promising parts of the world in terms of its potential for growth, connectivity, and economic cooperation. If we manage our shared geographic advantages wisely, Afghanistan can play its historic role as a natural bridge between Central and South Asia, opening new opportunities for trade, transit, investment, and energy cooperation. We firmly believe that the stability of Afghanistan is inseparable from the stability of the region, and the prosperity of the region is closely linked to the prosperity of Afghanistan. Ladies and Gentlemen, In Afghanistan’s foreign policy vision, our neighbours hold the first and most important place. Geography has made us neighbours, but our shared history, common faith and culture, centuries-old trade relations, and the family and social ties connecting millions of people have created bonds between us that cannot be easily separated. These deep ties call for mutual respect, shared interests, and a shared commitment to our common future. For this reason, we do not view our neighbours merely as countries of the region; rather, we consider them natural partners in our shared future prosperity. Based on this vision, Afghanistan seeks relations with all its neighbours, particularly Pakistan, founded on mutual respect, equality of sovereignty, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, and the pursuit of shared interests. We believe that an atmosphere of trust cannot be created through pressure or force. It can only be built through understanding, sustained dialogue, and sincere cooperation. These are principles that are fully consistent with the guidance of Islamic Sharia, the directives of His Excellency the Amir-ul-Momineen, the accepted principles of international relations, and the enduring values of good neighbourly relations. Distinguished Guests, History has shown us that occasional differences between neighbouring countries are natural. However, such differences should not become a reason for greater distance. Rather, during times of disagreement, the path of dialogue, mutual respect, and political wisdom should be pursued. We believe that every challenge, when addressed with sincerity and goodwill, can become a new opportunity to build trust and expand cooperation. This perspective forms the foundation of Afghanistan’s relations with its neighbours and guides our approach to regional affairs. In our view, lasting and sustainable security can only be achieved when there is a shared commitment to mutual trust, sincere cooperation, practical coordination, and respect for each other’s legitimate concerns. The stronger the trust between us, the stronger the foundations of peace, stability, and prosperity throughout our region will become. Afghanistan does not pursue a policy of confrontation, nor does it allow its territory to be used against the security and stability of any other country. In the same spirit, we hope and remain confident that Afghanistan’s legitimate security concerns will be understood and respected, and that no country will allow its territory to be used against Afghanistan. We stand ready to further strengthen practical and constructive cooperation with our neighbours on the basis of these principles. Our vision is clear: an Afghanistan that is not a field for geopolitical competition, but a bridge for regional connectivity, trade, transit, dialogue, and cooperation. Distinguished Guests, Finally, on this historic occasion marking the anniversary of the Victory, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for your distinguished presence and participation. For us, your presence is a reflection of respect, friendship, and mutual goodwill. We pray that Almighty Allah guides our country, our region, and the entire world toward success, peace, stability, and prosperity. Ameen. والله ولي التوفيق. والسلام علیکم ورحمة الله وبرکاته

AFG Embassy Pakistan

131,347 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

10 Years of #MissionBhagiratha 💧 10 Years of Dignity. 10 Years of Transformation. A decade ago, Telangana embarked on a mission that transformed the lives of millions forever. Mission Bhagiratha was not just a drinking water project - it was an engineering marvel Launched on 7 August 2016 by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at Komatibanda village in Gajwel, Mission Bhagiratha was born from the audacious dream of Shri K. Chandrashekar Rao, that every family, in every village, however remote, deserves safe drinking water right at their doorstep. There was a time when securing a pot of drinking water defined everyday life in Telangana. It meant: • Walking gruelling kilometres with empty pots in search of water. • Waiting endlessly for tankers and fighting over every single drop. • Families consuming fluoride-contaminated water that devastated their health and future generations. • Depending on unsafe water sources that spread disease instead of sustaining life. For decades, this hardship was accepted as normal. It never should have been. Mission Bhagiratha changed that forever. Under KCR Garu’s visionary leadership, Telangana built one of the world’s largest rural drinking water grids. Harnessing the waters of the Godavari and Krishna rivers, the State laid more than 1.2 lakh kilometres of pipeline, delivering treated drinking water to 23,968 rural habitations and crores of people across Telangana. What was once a daily struggle became a basic human right. What was once a burden became dignity. Mission Bhagiratha was never just about pipelines, pumps and reservoirs. It was about healthier families, empowered women freed from the burden of fetching water, happier children, improved public health, and a better quality of life for every household. The success of Mission Bhagiratha drew national attention. It became a benchmark in rural drinking water supply, inspired drinking water initiatives across the country, and demonstrated how visionary leadership, meticulous planning and unwavering political will can transform millions of lives. Today, Mission Bhagiratha completes 10 years. It is a milestone that Telangana should celebrate with immense pride. Yet, in less than three years, the Congress government has pushed many parts of the State back into uncertainty, with people once again facing drinking water shortages and struggling for a reliable supply. KCR filled every empty pot in Telangana. Today, those hard-earned gains are steadily being undone. Mission Bhagiratha is more than an engineering achievement. It is a monument to visionary leadership, a symbol of dignity, and a reminder that governments can transform lives when they dare to dream big. It remains one of Telangana’s proudest achievements a visionary project that quenched the thirst of a State and became an inspiration for India. Mission Bhagiratha is not just Telangana’s water story. It is Telangana’s story of vision, determination, and transformation. #10YearsOfMissionBhagiratha #KCR #Telangana
1:36

10 Years of #MissionBhagiratha 💧 10 Years of Dignity. 10 Years of Transformation. A decade ago, Telangana embarked on a mission that transformed the lives of millions forever. Mission Bhagiratha was not just a drinking water project - it was an engineering marvel Launched on 7 August 2016 by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at Komatibanda village in Gajwel, Mission Bhagiratha was born from the audacious dream of Shri K. Chandrashekar Rao, that every family, in every village, however remote, deserves safe drinking water right at their doorstep. There was a time when securing a pot of drinking water defined everyday life in Telangana. It meant: • Walking gruelling kilometres with empty pots in search of water. • Waiting endlessly for tankers and fighting over every single drop. • Families consuming fluoride-contaminated water that devastated their health and future generations. • Depending on unsafe water sources that spread disease instead of sustaining life. For decades, this hardship was accepted as normal. It never should have been. Mission Bhagiratha changed that forever. Under KCR Garu’s visionary leadership, Telangana built one of the world’s largest rural drinking water grids. Harnessing the waters of the Godavari and Krishna rivers, the State laid more than 1.2 lakh kilometres of pipeline, delivering treated drinking water to 23,968 rural habitations and crores of people across Telangana. What was once a daily struggle became a basic human right. What was once a burden became dignity. Mission Bhagiratha was never just about pipelines, pumps and reservoirs. It was about healthier families, empowered women freed from the burden of fetching water, happier children, improved public health, and a better quality of life for every household. The success of Mission Bhagiratha drew national attention. It became a benchmark in rural drinking water supply, inspired drinking water initiatives across the country, and demonstrated how visionary leadership, meticulous planning and unwavering political will can transform millions of lives. Today, Mission Bhagiratha completes 10 years. It is a milestone that Telangana should celebrate with immense pride. Yet, in less than three years, the Congress government has pushed many parts of the State back into uncertainty, with people once again facing drinking water shortages and struggling for a reliable supply. KCR filled every empty pot in Telangana. Today, those hard-earned gains are steadily being undone. Mission Bhagiratha is more than an engineering achievement. It is a monument to visionary leadership, a symbol of dignity, and a reminder that governments can transform lives when they dare to dream big. It remains one of Telangana’s proudest achievements a visionary project that quenched the thirst of a State and became an inspiration for India. Mission Bhagiratha is not just Telangana’s water story. It is Telangana’s story of vision, determination, and transformation. #10YearsOfMissionBhagiratha #KCR #Telangana

Harish Rao Thanneeru

16,921 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

“Totalitarian” Powers, Fear, And Psychopathy Behind CIA’s Secret Rule Over U.S. The agency remains out of control, beyond the law, and a direct threat to democracy and freedom, including in the U.S. by Michael Shellenberger Last week, we published two stories about a senior CIA whistleblower who was one of four CIA analysts who helped write a January 2017 “Intelligence Community Assessment” (ICA) that falsely claimed, with high confidence, that Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to help elect President Donald Trump in 2016. The person said that the CIA Director under Obama, John Brennan, had a “pathological need for control” and put the writers of the ICA “under duress” to include a mention of a fraudulent dossier, commissioned by the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign. The CIA also included in the classified version of the ICA an annex consisting of the dossier written by a former British spy, which went to roughly 200 people in Washington, some of whom leaked related information to journalists. Unfortunately, the CIA employee said, his employer remains corrupted by “systemic rot” and that crucial steps “have not been put in place" to prevent a Russiagate-like abuse of power from happening again, since the arrival of its new director, John Ratcliffe, in January of this year. “Two critical steps that have not been put in place are,” said the senior analyst turned whistleblower, “to first, formalize expectations about the delivery timeline for sensitive intelligence analyses, and second, to remove the CIA Director from the review process of intelligence reporting or finished analysis.” In response to questions from Public, the CIA said it was taking necessary reforms. “Director Ratcliffe has overhauled the Agency senior ranks and revoked clearances from bad actors and even created a mission center to better execute on Presidential priorities like the Southern Border. The notion that he’s not making significant reforms or holding people and the Agency accountable is not just ridiculously false but beyond absurd.” But the CIA’s revoking security clearances and creating a mission center do not address either of the whistleblower’s recommendations, much less the “systemic rot” within the CIA. The whistleblower called for the removal of the Director of the CIA from review and writing of intelligence analysis, and taking a step to avoid rush jobs, like the kind Brennan used to create a deliberately misleading ICA in January 2017. The whistleblower’s credibility is high. They were one of just four CIA analysts chosen to help write a major ICA. That might make them seem biased toward Brennan, but Ratcliffe has retained the person, rather than fired them, which suggests that the Director or the direct reports he trusts view the person as valuable. Our sense was that the person was loyal to the CIA, wants to engage in objective apolitical analyses, and wants to remain at the CIA. Their two modest proposed reforms are consistent with loyalty to the CIA. As such, the person is precisely the kind of professional the CIA, Congress, and the American people should want to have in our institutions. If a legitimate criticism is to be made of the person it would be that they didn’t turn whistleblower earlier, which is the same criticism that could be made against hundreds and perhaps thousands of people involved in the Russiagate hoax. One might hope that it was just a bad day for the PR people at the CIA, and that Ratcliffe will be out with a new statement this week announcing new reforms, but we are not hopeful. The CIA appears to be following its informal motto, “Admit nothing, deny everything, and make counteraccusations.” That was the advice that former CIA Director Porter Goss said he would give to “a graduating class of CIA case officers” in 2006. The Russiagate hoax is hardly an unusual scandal in the history of the CIA. The agency has “long gone beyond the borders of American values,” noted Tim Weiner in his 812-page history, Legacy of Ashes. The CIA has murdered its employees, overthrown democracies, propped up dictatorships, tortured innocent people, trained death squads, induced mental illness in illegal medical experiments, spied illegally on law-abiding Americans, and may have been behind the assassination of an American president. All of these illegal behaviors required cover-ups, many of them elaborate. “Fundamentally, the founding fathers of U.S. intelligence were liars,” said James Angleton, one of the CIA’s founders, and its Director of Counterintelligence for two decades, on his deathbed in 1987. “If you were in a room with them, you were in a room full of people that you had to believe would deservedly end up in hell. I guess I will see them there soon.” The CIA’s record is poor when evaluated on its own terms. “The CIA was established to prevent unanticipated disasters, such as the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor,” noted John Judis in 2005, “but it has repeatedly failed to warn the White House of looming threats. It missed the North Korean invasion of the South in 1950, and the Chinese entry into the war that fall; Israel, France, and Great Britain's attack on the Suez Canal and Egypt in 1956; the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968; the Shah of Iran's ouster in 1979; the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan that year; the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990; the Indian nuclear tests in 1998 (‘We didn't have a clue,’ CIA director George Tenet remarked afterwards); the attack on the World Trade Center in 1993; the bombing of American military barracks in Saudi Arabia in 1996 and of U.S. embassies in Africa in 1998; the attack on the USS Cole in 2000; and of course the attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon in September 2001.” The truth, admitted a CIA station chief, “was that the agency at the height of its powers had a great reputation and a terrible record.” It never had a single Soviet spy “who had deep insight into the workings of the Kremlin,” and thus didn’t know communism was collapsing. “The one crime of lasting consequence has been the CIA’s inability to carry out its central mission: informing the president of what is happening in the world,” writes Weiner. Its record in the real world is one of “fleeting successes and long-lasting failures.” The politicization and weaponization of the CIA for ideological aims has occurred for decades. The CIA’s charter prevents it from spying on Americans and yet it has done so repeatedly, from opening mail to spying on students. Between 1947 and 1963, the CIA was “a dark and invasive force — at home and abroad — violating citizens’ privacy, kidnapping, torturing, and killing at will,” concluded David Talbot in his 686-page history of the CIA, The Devil’s Chessboard. There were many reforms proposed in the 1970s. In 1975, Congress held hearings, revealing CIA misdeeds around the world, including assassinations using a heart attack gun, and efforts at mind control. Congress then took steps to provide greater oversight of the CIA and more protections for whistleblowers. Calls for reforms began again in the 1990s after a decade of CIA scandals in the 1980s, which included selling weapons to the Iranian government and illegally diverting the money to an equally illegal war in Central America. In 1991 and 1996, the US Senator from New York, Patrick Moynihan, who had been one of America’s most influential public intellectuals for thirty years, proposed abolishing the CIA entirely and reassigning its various functions to the State Department. The proposal never came up for a vote. In 1998, America’s intelligence leaders warned the White House that America would suffer “a catastrophic, systemic failure,” unless the U.S. dramatically changed how it gathered and analyzed intelligence. That didn’t happen. Then, in 2001, the CIA failed to communicate with the FBI and thus played a central role in allowing the 9/11 attacks to happen. In 2002, the CIA manipulated intelligence that led to the catastrophic invasion of Iraq. In response to these failures, Congress in 2004 sought to reform the agency and the broader Intelligence Community. The intent of Congress in passing new legislation was to reduce the power of the CIA, and its Director, and increase the power of a new intelligence coordinator role, which it called the Director of National Intelligence. That didn’t happen. The “CIA is broken,” wrote John Judis one year later. The 2004 reform act didn’t address the “historical problems with the CIA.” “To repair it,” he concluded, “we may need to start from scratch.” That didn’t happen either. In 2016 and 2017, the CIA manipulated intelligence to falsely frame the democratically elected U.S. president as a puppet for a foreign power, and from 2016 to 2020, individuals who worked at the CIA oversaw various efforts to control what people are allowed to say on social media. Neither the Russiagate hoax scandal nor the CIA’s role in creating a Censorship Industrial Complex resulted in reform or even serious calls for it by Congress. Multiple sources tell Public that the CIA remains both the dominant agency of the 18 total in the IC, and the one most resistant to reforms. The Washington Post reported last week that the CIA resisted efforts for greater transparency led by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. And now the CIA has said we should ignore the whistleblowing by one of its most trusted senior analysts, and their demands for reform. None of this is new. In 1947, the year Congress created the CIA, the Secretary of State at the time, Dean Acheson, said he “had the gravest forebodings” about it and “warned the President that neither he” nor anyone else would be able “to control it.” Between 1947 and 2005 there were 14 major studies by various bodies into how to reform the IC. The CIA “has had an almost perfect record of resisting fundamental changes,” noted Weiner in his 2006 book. Meanwhile, Congress has failed its Constitutional duty to provide oversight. “The CIA has tried to assassinate foreign leaders, mined harbors, and most recently, tortured prisoners,” wrote Judis in 2005. “If Congress had openly debated these actions, they would not have been approved.” They didn’t and have never much demanded to be able to. Members of Congress “have been derelict in this work for much of the past three decades,” noted Weiner two years later, “but their conduct since 9/11 has bordered on criminal negligence.” Looking at the full historical record, it is hard not to conclude that the American people only partially govern themselves, that we are burdened with a rogue and violent intelligence agency that continuously interferes not only in foreign elections and governments but also our own, and that many on the Right and the Left who appear to be in a position to change that refuse to do so. Why is that? Why have Congress and the American people failed for 80 years to reform a rogue intelligence agency that is not only ineffective but also destructive to the point of undermining national security? And what, if anything, can be done about it? If you're not already a subscriber, please subscribe now to support Public's defense of free speech and democracy, watch the rest of the video, and read the rest of the article!
7:37

“Totalitarian” Powers, Fear, And Psychopathy Behind CIA’s Secret Rule Over U.S. The agency remains out of control, beyond the law, and a direct threat to democracy and freedom, including in the U.S. by Michael Shellenberger Last week, we published two stories about a senior CIA whistleblower who was one of four CIA analysts who helped write a January 2017 “Intelligence Community Assessment” (ICA) that falsely claimed, with high confidence, that Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to help elect President Donald Trump in 2016. The person said that the CIA Director under Obama, John Brennan, had a “pathological need for control” and put the writers of the ICA “under duress” to include a mention of a fraudulent dossier, commissioned by the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign. The CIA also included in the classified version of the ICA an annex consisting of the dossier written by a former British spy, which went to roughly 200 people in Washington, some of whom leaked related information to journalists. Unfortunately, the CIA employee said, his employer remains corrupted by “systemic rot” and that crucial steps “have not been put in place" to prevent a Russiagate-like abuse of power from happening again, since the arrival of its new director, John Ratcliffe, in January of this year. “Two critical steps that have not been put in place are,” said the senior analyst turned whistleblower, “to first, formalize expectations about the delivery timeline for sensitive intelligence analyses, and second, to remove the CIA Director from the review process of intelligence reporting or finished analysis.” In response to questions from Public, the CIA said it was taking necessary reforms. “Director Ratcliffe has overhauled the Agency senior ranks and revoked clearances from bad actors and even created a mission center to better execute on Presidential priorities like the Southern Border. The notion that he’s not making significant reforms or holding people and the Agency accountable is not just ridiculously false but beyond absurd.” But the CIA’s revoking security clearances and creating a mission center do not address either of the whistleblower’s recommendations, much less the “systemic rot” within the CIA. The whistleblower called for the removal of the Director of the CIA from review and writing of intelligence analysis, and taking a step to avoid rush jobs, like the kind Brennan used to create a deliberately misleading ICA in January 2017. The whistleblower’s credibility is high. They were one of just four CIA analysts chosen to help write a major ICA. That might make them seem biased toward Brennan, but Ratcliffe has retained the person, rather than fired them, which suggests that the Director or the direct reports he trusts view the person as valuable. Our sense was that the person was loyal to the CIA, wants to engage in objective apolitical analyses, and wants to remain at the CIA. Their two modest proposed reforms are consistent with loyalty to the CIA. As such, the person is precisely the kind of professional the CIA, Congress, and the American people should want to have in our institutions. If a legitimate criticism is to be made of the person it would be that they didn’t turn whistleblower earlier, which is the same criticism that could be made against hundreds and perhaps thousands of people involved in the Russiagate hoax. One might hope that it was just a bad day for the PR people at the CIA, and that Ratcliffe will be out with a new statement this week announcing new reforms, but we are not hopeful. The CIA appears to be following its informal motto, “Admit nothing, deny everything, and make counteraccusations.” That was the advice that former CIA Director Porter Goss said he would give to “a graduating class of CIA case officers” in 2006. The Russiagate hoax is hardly an unusual scandal in the history of the CIA. The agency has “long gone beyond the borders of American values,” noted Tim Weiner in his 812-page history, Legacy of Ashes. The CIA has murdered its employees, overthrown democracies, propped up dictatorships, tortured innocent people, trained death squads, induced mental illness in illegal medical experiments, spied illegally on law-abiding Americans, and may have been behind the assassination of an American president. All of these illegal behaviors required cover-ups, many of them elaborate. “Fundamentally, the founding fathers of U.S. intelligence were liars,” said James Angleton, one of the CIA’s founders, and its Director of Counterintelligence for two decades, on his deathbed in 1987. “If you were in a room with them, you were in a room full of people that you had to believe would deservedly end up in hell. I guess I will see them there soon.” The CIA’s record is poor when evaluated on its own terms. “The CIA was established to prevent unanticipated disasters, such as the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor,” noted John Judis in 2005, “but it has repeatedly failed to warn the White House of looming threats. It missed the North Korean invasion of the South in 1950, and the Chinese entry into the war that fall; Israel, France, and Great Britain's attack on the Suez Canal and Egypt in 1956; the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968; the Shah of Iran's ouster in 1979; the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan that year; the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990; the Indian nuclear tests in 1998 (‘We didn't have a clue,’ CIA director George Tenet remarked afterwards); the attack on the World Trade Center in 1993; the bombing of American military barracks in Saudi Arabia in 1996 and of U.S. embassies in Africa in 1998; the attack on the USS Cole in 2000; and of course the attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon in September 2001.” The truth, admitted a CIA station chief, “was that the agency at the height of its powers had a great reputation and a terrible record.” It never had a single Soviet spy “who had deep insight into the workings of the Kremlin,” and thus didn’t know communism was collapsing. “The one crime of lasting consequence has been the CIA’s inability to carry out its central mission: informing the president of what is happening in the world,” writes Weiner. Its record in the real world is one of “fleeting successes and long-lasting failures.” The politicization and weaponization of the CIA for ideological aims has occurred for decades. The CIA’s charter prevents it from spying on Americans and yet it has done so repeatedly, from opening mail to spying on students. Between 1947 and 1963, the CIA was “a dark and invasive force — at home and abroad — violating citizens’ privacy, kidnapping, torturing, and killing at will,” concluded David Talbot in his 686-page history of the CIA, The Devil’s Chessboard. There were many reforms proposed in the 1970s. In 1975, Congress held hearings, revealing CIA misdeeds around the world, including assassinations using a heart attack gun, and efforts at mind control. Congress then took steps to provide greater oversight of the CIA and more protections for whistleblowers. Calls for reforms began again in the 1990s after a decade of CIA scandals in the 1980s, which included selling weapons to the Iranian government and illegally diverting the money to an equally illegal war in Central America. In 1991 and 1996, the US Senator from New York, Patrick Moynihan, who had been one of America’s most influential public intellectuals for thirty years, proposed abolishing the CIA entirely and reassigning its various functions to the State Department. The proposal never came up for a vote. In 1998, America’s intelligence leaders warned the White House that America would suffer “a catastrophic, systemic failure,” unless the U.S. dramatically changed how it gathered and analyzed intelligence. That didn’t happen. Then, in 2001, the CIA failed to communicate with the FBI and thus played a central role in allowing the 9/11 attacks to happen. In 2002, the CIA manipulated intelligence that led to the catastrophic invasion of Iraq. In response to these failures, Congress in 2004 sought to reform the agency and the broader Intelligence Community. The intent of Congress in passing new legislation was to reduce the power of the CIA, and its Director, and increase the power of a new intelligence coordinator role, which it called the Director of National Intelligence. That didn’t happen. The “CIA is broken,” wrote John Judis one year later. The 2004 reform act didn’t address the “historical problems with the CIA.” “To repair it,” he concluded, “we may need to start from scratch.” That didn’t happen either. In 2016 and 2017, the CIA manipulated intelligence to falsely frame the democratically elected U.S. president as a puppet for a foreign power, and from 2016 to 2020, individuals who worked at the CIA oversaw various efforts to control what people are allowed to say on social media. Neither the Russiagate hoax scandal nor the CIA’s role in creating a Censorship Industrial Complex resulted in reform or even serious calls for it by Congress. Multiple sources tell Public that the CIA remains both the dominant agency of the 18 total in the IC, and the one most resistant to reforms. The Washington Post reported last week that the CIA resisted efforts for greater transparency led by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. And now the CIA has said we should ignore the whistleblowing by one of its most trusted senior analysts, and their demands for reform. None of this is new. In 1947, the year Congress created the CIA, the Secretary of State at the time, Dean Acheson, said he “had the gravest forebodings” about it and “warned the President that neither he” nor anyone else would be able “to control it.” Between 1947 and 2005 there were 14 major studies by various bodies into how to reform the IC. The CIA “has had an almost perfect record of resisting fundamental changes,” noted Weiner in his 2006 book. Meanwhile, Congress has failed its Constitutional duty to provide oversight. “The CIA has tried to assassinate foreign leaders, mined harbors, and most recently, tortured prisoners,” wrote Judis in 2005. “If Congress had openly debated these actions, they would not have been approved.” They didn’t and have never much demanded to be able to. Members of Congress “have been derelict in this work for much of the past three decades,” noted Weiner two years later, “but their conduct since 9/11 has bordered on criminal negligence.” Looking at the full historical record, it is hard not to conclude that the American people only partially govern themselves, that we are burdened with a rogue and violent intelligence agency that continuously interferes not only in foreign elections and governments but also our own, and that many on the Right and the Left who appear to be in a position to change that refuse to do so. Why is that? Why have Congress and the American people failed for 80 years to reform a rogue intelligence agency that is not only ineffective but also destructive to the point of undermining national security? And what, if anything, can be done about it? If you're not already a subscriber, please subscribe now to support Public's defense of free speech and democracy, watch the rest of the video, and read the rest of the article!

Michael Shellenberger

48,655 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr

//The Wire//2300Z July 17, 2026// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: GULF WAR ESCALATES AS INFRASTRUCTURE TARGETING BEGINS. SIGNIFICANT IRANIAN RETALIATION REPORTED ON AMERICAN INSTALLATIONS. IRANIAN TARGETING OF MERCHANT SHIPPING REMAINS CONSTANT.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Middle East: The war escalated again overnight, with the United States beginning the series of strikes on bridges and infrastructure targets intended to soften up areas near the coast of Iran. Several bridges were struck in the vicinity of Bandar Abbas, along with the usual nightly strikes on more military targets. On the Iranian side, the targeting of American installations has been substantial over the past few days. In Iraq, Iranian forces successfully struck the Patriot battery in Erbil, with satellite imagery indicating burn scars in the vicinity of where one launcher was previously located. In the UAE, a series of warehouses and probable weapons storage facilities were destroyed at the Zayed Military City. In Kuwait, one of the HIMARS launcher sites on the Iraqi border was targeted, in addition to a desalination plant providing the fresh water supply for Kuwait City. Persian Gulf: The war on the seas continued with many different strikes and incidents being reported around the region. At the northern end of the Gulf, the UKMTO reported an unidentified incident involving a merchant vessel, which was carried out by unknown parties and in the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Sea, several targeting efforts of merchant vessels was reported throughout the day. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: Last night's targeting in Iran possibly offers up a clue as to what the military objective of this specific operation might be. The bridges that were struck by the United States are not specifically military targets, however they did offer high-speed avenues of approach to the coastline. If the IRGC ground force needed to reinforce specifically the area of the coastline to the west of Bandar Abbas, north of Qeshm Island, these would be the bridges they would need to use. The bridges that were taken out also would be a way of isolating Bandar Abbas in terms of trade. In addition to the naval base being a military target, this is also a major civilian port city that handles the import of a lot of cargo for the nation (some reports claim up to 80% of Iran's imports arrive at this port). Under normal circumstances, taking out bridges is a tricky subject in the world of military targeting; if the bridge is predominantly used for military purposes, it's usually a valid target, but if it's predominantly a civilian bridge it's not normally legal to target. This categorization gets really blurry really quickly, but what is very clear is that targeting infrastructure like this isolates the military objective into only a few possibilities. Either the United States is attempting to go scorched-earth on civilian infrastructure so as to make life as miserable as possible and thus attempt to turn the populace against the government...or this is pre-shaping fires for other operations that might take place in the vicinity of the coastline. Neither option makes a whole lot of tactical sense, but making sense has not been a prerequisite for any military objective sought so far during this conflict, so the continued targeting over the next few days will probably shed some light on what the objective is with this latest campaign. As of this afternoon, dozens of refueling tankers are once again making their way into the Middle East from Europe and beyond, so the war is likely to continue escalating for foreseeable future. Analyst: S2A1 Research: NomadNet: 5fa68c88be727a0e1a250a75e5e79269 Disclaimer: No LLMs were used in the writing of this report. //END REPORT//
2:57

//The Wire//2300Z July 17, 2026// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: GULF WAR ESCALATES AS INFRASTRUCTURE TARGETING BEGINS. SIGNIFICANT IRANIAN RETALIATION REPORTED ON AMERICAN INSTALLATIONS. IRANIAN TARGETING OF MERCHANT SHIPPING REMAINS CONSTANT.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events- Middle East: The war escalated again overnight, with the United States beginning the series of strikes on bridges and infrastructure targets intended to soften up areas near the coast of Iran. Several bridges were struck in the vicinity of Bandar Abbas, along with the usual nightly strikes on more military targets. On the Iranian side, the targeting of American installations has been substantial over the past few days. In Iraq, Iranian forces successfully struck the Patriot battery in Erbil, with satellite imagery indicating burn scars in the vicinity of where one launcher was previously located. In the UAE, a series of warehouses and probable weapons storage facilities were destroyed at the Zayed Military City. In Kuwait, one of the HIMARS launcher sites on the Iraqi border was targeted, in addition to a desalination plant providing the fresh water supply for Kuwait City. Persian Gulf: The war on the seas continued with many different strikes and incidents being reported around the region. At the northern end of the Gulf, the UKMTO reported an unidentified incident involving a merchant vessel, which was carried out by unknown parties and in the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Sea, several targeting efforts of merchant vessels was reported throughout the day. -----END TEARLINE----- Analyst Comments: Last night's targeting in Iran possibly offers up a clue as to what the military objective of this specific operation might be. The bridges that were struck by the United States are not specifically military targets, however they did offer high-speed avenues of approach to the coastline. If the IRGC ground force needed to reinforce specifically the area of the coastline to the west of Bandar Abbas, north of Qeshm Island, these would be the bridges they would need to use. The bridges that were taken out also would be a way of isolating Bandar Abbas in terms of trade. In addition to the naval base being a military target, this is also a major civilian port city that handles the import of a lot of cargo for the nation (some reports claim up to 80% of Iran's imports arrive at this port). Under normal circumstances, taking out bridges is a tricky subject in the world of military targeting; if the bridge is predominantly used for military purposes, it's usually a valid target, but if it's predominantly a civilian bridge it's not normally legal to target. This categorization gets really blurry really quickly, but what is very clear is that targeting infrastructure like this isolates the military objective into only a few possibilities. Either the United States is attempting to go scorched-earth on civilian infrastructure so as to make life as miserable as possible and thus attempt to turn the populace against the government...or this is pre-shaping fires for other operations that might take place in the vicinity of the coastline. Neither option makes a whole lot of tactical sense, but making sense has not been a prerequisite for any military objective sought so far during this conflict, so the continued targeting over the next few days will probably shed some light on what the objective is with this latest campaign. As of this afternoon, dozens of refueling tankers are once again making their way into the Middle East from Europe and beyond, so the war is likely to continue escalating for foreseeable future. Analyst: S2A1 Research: NomadNet: 5fa68c88be727a0e1a250a75e5e79269 Disclaimer: No LLMs were used in the writing of this report. //END REPORT//

S2 Underground

16,520 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

🌍🚀 A Defining Chapter in InterLink’s Global Journey 🚀🌍 Today, I had the privilege of leading one of the most impactful community-driven blockchain awareness initiatives ever undertaken within the InterLink ecosystem. The InterLink Private Mainnet Celebrations 2026 was not merely an event—it was a powerful convergence of vision, innovation, leadership, and collective belief in the future of decentralized digital infrastructure. Witnessing an overwhelming response from entrepreneurs, business leaders, technology enthusiasts, students, professionals, and community members reaffirmed a simple truth: When a mission is authentic, people rally behind it. 💜 The enthusiasm surrounding InterLink and LinkersMap demonstrated the growing global appetite for trusted digital identity, real human verification, and meaningful Web3 adoption that extends beyond speculation into real-world utility. 🗺️ Through LinkersMap, we are taking significant strides toward connecting businesses, communities, services, and opportunities across geographical boundaries, creating a truly interconnected ecosystem powered by verified human participation. 🤝 One of the most inspiring aspects of the celebration was the spirit of unity displayed by our community. Individuals from diverse backgrounds came together under a shared vision—to contribute towards a future where technology serves humanity with transparency, trust, and accountability. 🥛 As part of our commitment to community welfare and hospitality, we organized a buttermilk distribution initiative for all attendees, volunteers, supporters, and guests. Small gestures of service often leave the most lasting impressions. 📺 I extend my sincere gratitude to the distinguished media representatives from ETV, ABN Andhra Jyothy, NTV, and Jana Chaitanyam, whose presence and support helped amplify the message of InterLink to a much wider audience. Their participation reflects the increasing relevance of blockchain innovation in mainstream conversations. 🌟 What made this occasion truly special was not the scale of the event, but the strength of the conviction shared by everyone present. Every conversation. Every connection. Every handshake. Every commitment made today contributes to a larger movement that is steadily shaping the future of digital civilization. The Private Mainnet era marks more than a technological milestone—it signifies the emergence of a new paradigm where verified identities, trusted interactions, and human-centric networks become the foundation of tomorrow’s digital economy. As we continue expanding across regions and communities, I remain deeply grateful to every ambassador, volunteer, supporter, media partner, and community member who has contributed to this remarkable journey. 🔹 We are not simply building technology. 🔹 We are building trust. 🔹 We are building opportunity. 🔹 We are building the world’s largest Real Human Network. The momentum is undeniable. The vision is clear. The future has already begun. 🌍 From Local Communities to Global Impact. 🚀 From Vision to Reality. 💜 InterLink is Connecting People, Not Bots. 🌍 From India to the World. — Mahesh Magnus Global Leader & Core Ambassador, India 🇮🇳 #InterLink #InterLinkNetwork #PrivateMainnet #LinkersMap #RealHumanNetwork #Web3Innovation #BlockchainTechnology #DigitalIdentity #CommunityLeadership #DecentralizedFuture #TechnologyForHumanity #GlobalMovement #InterLinkIndia #BuildingTrust #FutureOfWeb3 🚀🌍💜✨ Reina | InterLink Labs KV Scott Harrison Nicolas Bernard Vyx Interlink InterLink Foundation
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🌍🚀 A Defining Chapter in InterLink’s Global Journey 🚀🌍 Today, I had the privilege of leading one of the most impactful community-driven blockchain awareness initiatives ever undertaken within the InterLink ecosystem. The InterLink Private Mainnet Celebrations 2026 was not merely an event—it was a powerful convergence of vision, innovation, leadership, and collective belief in the future of decentralized digital infrastructure. Witnessing an overwhelming response from entrepreneurs, business leaders, technology enthusiasts, students, professionals, and community members reaffirmed a simple truth: When a mission is authentic, people rally behind it. 💜 The enthusiasm surrounding InterLink and LinkersMap demonstrated the growing global appetite for trusted digital identity, real human verification, and meaningful Web3 adoption that extends beyond speculation into real-world utility. 🗺️ Through LinkersMap, we are taking significant strides toward connecting businesses, communities, services, and opportunities across geographical boundaries, creating a truly interconnected ecosystem powered by verified human participation. 🤝 One of the most inspiring aspects of the celebration was the spirit of unity displayed by our community. Individuals from diverse backgrounds came together under a shared vision—to contribute towards a future where technology serves humanity with transparency, trust, and accountability. 🥛 As part of our commitment to community welfare and hospitality, we organized a buttermilk distribution initiative for all attendees, volunteers, supporters, and guests. Small gestures of service often leave the most lasting impressions. 📺 I extend my sincere gratitude to the distinguished media representatives from ETV, ABN Andhra Jyothy, NTV, and Jana Chaitanyam, whose presence and support helped amplify the message of InterLink to a much wider audience. Their participation reflects the increasing relevance of blockchain innovation in mainstream conversations. 🌟 What made this occasion truly special was not the scale of the event, but the strength of the conviction shared by everyone present. Every conversation. Every connection. Every handshake. Every commitment made today contributes to a larger movement that is steadily shaping the future of digital civilization. The Private Mainnet era marks more than a technological milestone—it signifies the emergence of a new paradigm where verified identities, trusted interactions, and human-centric networks become the foundation of tomorrow’s digital economy. As we continue expanding across regions and communities, I remain deeply grateful to every ambassador, volunteer, supporter, media partner, and community member who has contributed to this remarkable journey. 🔹 We are not simply building technology. 🔹 We are building trust. 🔹 We are building opportunity. 🔹 We are building the world’s largest Real Human Network. The momentum is undeniable. The vision is clear. The future has already begun. 🌍 From Local Communities to Global Impact. 🚀 From Vision to Reality. 💜 InterLink is Connecting People, Not Bots. 🌍 From India to the World. — Mahesh Magnus Global Leader & Core Ambassador, India 🇮🇳 #InterLink #InterLinkNetwork #PrivateMainnet #LinkersMap #RealHumanNetwork #Web3Innovation #BlockchainTechnology #DigitalIdentity #CommunityLeadership #DecentralizedFuture #TechnologyForHumanity #GlobalMovement #InterLinkIndia #BuildingTrust #FutureOfWeb3 🚀🌍💜✨ Reina | InterLink Labs KV Scott Harrison Nicolas Bernard Vyx Interlink InterLink Foundation

Mahesh Magnus

16,022 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten