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Israeli soldiers stand guard as they deny access to Palestinian farmers to harvest olives, in Burqa near Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank October 20, 2024.
US probes intel leak, drones hit Bibi’s house
Washingtonis investigating a leak of highly classified intelligence about Israel’s preparations for a strike on Iran. Two reports, marked “top secret” and intended only for the US and its Five Eyes allies (Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand), began circulating last week on Telegram, a messaging app. They appear to have beenprepared by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and detail Israeli air force exercises and movements of munitions in retaliation for Iran’s Oct. 1 missile attack on Israel.
House Speaker Mike Johnson described the leak as“very concerning” with the potential to damage relations between the US and Israel. They were posted to Telegram around the same time Washington gave Israel 30 days to increase aid to Gaza or risk cuts to its military aid.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah intensified its attacks on Israel’s northern border while one of its dronesstruck the home of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday morning. Netanyahu, who was not home at the time, declared that nothing could deter Israel from winning the war and that “The attempt by Iran’s proxy Hezbollah to assassinate me and my wife today was a grave mistake.” Iran denied responsibility for the attack, trying to distance itself from Hezbollah.
We’re watching how it affects US-Israeli relations ahead of the US election, and whether Washington will follow through on its threats over Gaza.Russian President Vladimir Putin stands with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu during the Naval Parade marking Navy Day.
War and peace on Putin’s mind
Three Ukrainian drone strikes lit up the night sky in Moscow this weekend, damaging office towers and causing a brief closure of the city’s Vnukovo International Airport. The Russian defense ministry labeled it an “attempted terrorist attack” and reported that one Ukrainian UAV was destroyed and that two more were “suppressed” by electronic warfare. No injuries were reported.
Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, suggested he might be open to peace talks … but (and it’s a big one) only if Ukraine halts its offensive. Volodymyr Zelensky promised the exact opposite, vowing instead to increasingly take the war to Russia, which he called "an inevitable, natural, and absolutely fair process.”
But after being accused for a year of siding with Russia – and against a backdrop of Russia and the West vying for support from developing countries over Ukraine – Saudi Arabia is set to hold peace talks next weekend in Jeddah. The Gulf kingdom has invited 30 countries, including Egypt, Mexico, Chile, Zambia, the UK, South Africa, and Poland. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan is reportedly set to attend the talks, which exclude Russia.
The goal? To begin forging a framework and international support for ending the war – perhaps leading to a peace summit later this year.
Putin, however, has shown no signs of letting up. In recent days, he has halted the Black Sea grain deal, launched missiles at grain storage facilities in Ukraine, maneuvered to enlarge his army, and announced the purchase of 30 new ships.
We’ll be watching to see who gathers in Jeddah on Aug. 5.