The US Secretary of State has expressed concern over the Israeli judicial reforms by urdu jahan
The US Secretary of State has expressed concern over the Israeli judicial reforms
US Secretary of State Brinken, who is visiting the Middle East, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on the 30th. At a joint press conference, Brinken stressed that the rule of law and the protection of human rights are the principles of democracy, and expressed concern over the "judicial reforms" proposed by the Netanyahu government. He also reiterated the importance of "two-state coexistence" with Palestine.
The Netanyahu government, which took office at the end of last year, has advocated introducing a bill that would limit the Supreme Court's power to review laws and allow parliament to "nullify" Supreme Court decisions. “At this rate, the government will become a dictator,” and tens of thousands of people are holding protest rallies every week.
Brinken said the alliance between the two countries is based on mutual support for democratic principles. He did not directly refer to the bill, but said the new policy should be introduced in the "most effective way that is acceptable to the public". He also warned that Israel's reluctance to pursue a "two-state coexistence" with Palestine "will adversely affect Israel's security in the long run."
On the other hand, Prime Minister Netanyahu said at a press conference, "We share values (with the United States). The strong democracies of both countries will not change," and insisted that "judicial reform" would not undermine democracy. He also said Israel's normalization with more Arab countries, with U.S. support, "will help solve the Palestinian problem."
2nd
U.S. administration considers blanket ban on Huawei, Western media reports
The Biden administration is considering a full-scale embargo on Chinese telecommunications equipment giant Huawei. Western media reported on the 30th. The U.S. Department of Commerce has already issued notices to several U.S. companies suspending export licenses for products they previously permitted.
According to the Financial Times, the U.S. administration is considering measures to ban all sales of the company to prevent any U.S. technology from going to the company. Bloomberg reported that discussions within the US administration are still in the early stages, but a decision could be made as early as May.
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U.S. and South Korea agree to strengthen extended deterrence Expand military exercises Defense ministers' meeting
US Secretary of Defense Austin and South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop met in Seoul on January 31. In order to counter North Korea's accelerating nuclear and missile development, the United States agreed to strengthen "extended deterrence" to defend South Korea with nuclear weapons, conventional forces, and missile defense. The scale and scope of joint military exercises between the US and South Korean forces scheduled for the first half of this year, as well as field maneuver training, will also be expanded.
It also officially announced that it would conduct an “extended deterrence operation exercise” in February, assuming the use of nuclear weapons by North Korea. "The United States and South Korea will work closely together in all decision-making processes in response to the North Korean nuclear crisis," Lee said at a press conference. Austin, who was also present, said, "We have experienced record-breaking provocations from North Korea, but the United States and South Korea are united. The United States' pledge to defend South Korea is like steel, and we will continue to strengthen extended deterrence." We will work together," he said.
Last year, in response to a series of provocations from North Korea, including missile launches, the US military frequently deployed the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan and F-35 stealth fighters to and around the Korean Peninsula. Mr. Austin said, "We will do more things like this in the future," and indicated a policy to keep North Korea in check by further demonstrating its overwhelming military power.
It was also confirmed that cooperation among the three countries of Japan, the United States, and South Korea would be accelerated. They also agreed to promote the “real-time sharing of missile warning data,” which was included in the “joint statement” at the Japan-U.S.-ROK summit meeting held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in November last year.
North Korea's Kim Jong-un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, announced at the expanded plenary session of the party's Central Committee at the end of last year that he would mass-produce tactical nuclear weapons and increase the stockpile of nuclear warheads. It is inevitable that North Korea will oppose the moves of the United States and South Korea to strengthen restraint.
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"Prevent China from invading Taiwan both militarily and economically" Emmanuel, U.S. Ambassador to Japan
US Ambassador to Japan Emmanuel, who has been in office for one year, responded to an exclusive interview with the Mainichi Shimbun on the 31st. In order to prevent China from invading Taiwan, he stressed that China's deterrence should be focused not only on military aspects but also on economic aspects. He also said that China was "deepening its isolation due to its own actions," as it was reluctant to share information with other countries in its response to the novel coronavirus.
“If there is a Taiwan Strait contingency, (China) will also suffer a huge economic loss,” Emmanuel said. When discussing deterrence against China, he emphasized that "a lot of the time it comes down to military response. That's important, but we also have to pay attention to the economic loss aspect."
On the other hand, regarding the current Japan-U.S. relationship, he has stated that it is the "best relationship ever." Not only is there no pending issue such as Japan-U.S. economic friction in the past, he said, "Both countries have respect for each other. Their national interests overlap and they are in a balanced relationship."
Regarding US politics, which is markedly divided, he said, "Politics has to be noisy as long as it makes big decisions that people care about. But that noise doesn't have to be nasty." and expressed concern.
Regarding former President Trump, he said, "It cannot be said that the former president was unrelated to the forces that caused the terrible incident. These forces have not disappeared." Later, he also mentioned that gun control laws and infrastructure development laws have been enacted. “It is also true that the US norms and systems have overcome (the ordeal),” he said.
Rahm Emanuel
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, USA. After he joined Democratic President Clinton's campaign, he served as a senior adviser to the president in the Clinton administration. After serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, he became Chief of Staff in the Obama administration. Since 2011, he has served as mayor of his hometown of Chicago for two eight-year terms. After his arrival as ambassador last year, he is also known as a rail fan who often takes subways and bullet trains.
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