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Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two were martyred in an initial toll of the Israeli drone strike that targeted the al-Asira neighborhood in the city of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the al-Asira neighborhood east of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are the greatest resistance. Know that 'Israel' will fall because it embodies aggression, crime, and occupation; victory is truly yours
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: The value of what you are doing despite your wounds is immense, and here you are, treading the path of the Master of Nation's Martyrs and the leaders
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are moving forward with insight deeper than sight itself. The enemy sought to eliminate your role in the battle, yet you remain steadfast and continue the fight
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors one year later: You are healing from your wounds and rising above them. You have successfully passed the test
Palestinian media: Reports of stabbing operation in occupied al-Quds.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in Arava in South, near Ramon Airport.
Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouli: Egypt is targeted in plans to redraw regional map
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: Our presence in IAEA General Council and fact-checking helped in preventing unilateral rhetoric that aims to portray Iran as an unregulated country

Austin looks forward to seeing Sweden in NATO 'as soon as possible'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 5 Apr 2023 12:00
2 Min Read

The US Secretary of Defense reveals that he intends to visit Sweden later this month to discuss the Scandinavian country’s accession to NATO.

  • x
  • Current Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, 16 September 2015. (AP)(AP)
    US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, on 16 September 2015 (AP)

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin congratulated Finland on becoming the 31st member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on the 74th anniversary of the alliance.

Austin added that he looks "forward to seeing Sweden join the Alliance as soon as possible."

The US Secretary of Defense revealed that he intends to visit Sweden later this month to discuss the Scandinavian country’s accession to NATO.

Touching on the US-led military alliance's expansion, Austin claimed that "Putin’s war is not the result of NATO enlargement—it is the cause of NATO enlargement."

He reaffirmed the US support for Ukraine saying, "The United States is determined to stand with Ukraine’s brave defenders for as long as it takes."

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Austin also pointed to NATO’s supposed role of "upholding the rules-based international order," claiming that the US and its allies will continue "supporting sources of freedom" across the world.

Historically, NATO members have been noncompliant with the rules and regulations that make up the current international order. For instance, the NATO-led bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999 is one of many incidents in which NATO members disregarded international law to claim their interests.

Finland’s accession into NATO comes after a year-long refusal by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkey demanded that Finland complete a set of demands including full cooperation in Ankara’s fight against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the abandonment of arms embargo agreements that affect Turkey.

One request vs. a long list of conditions
While #Turkey had a long list of conditions from #Finland and #Sweden, all the two Nordic states wanted was to join #NATO.
Here's your guide to understanding on what basis the agreement was made. pic.twitter.com/Aw7Jtu7frp

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 28, 2022

Erdogan made similar demands to Sweden, who failed to complete any of them. Ankara remains the biggest obstacle in the face of Sweden’s accession to NATO.

  • Nato
  • Lloyd Austin
  • Nato Alliance
  • Finland
  • United States
  • US
  • Turkey
  • Erdogan
  • Sweden
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

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