Moises Venancio

Retired

[Financial Times @FT]

‘Society is exhausted’: Ukraine is losing on the battlefield in the east of the country and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is under growing pressure from western partners https://t.co/7Q3TAQnYkc

[Joshua Landis @joshua_landis]

An American leader of the @Syrian opposition - Dr. Zaher @sahloul - asked my thoughts about the future of the Middle East following Israel's invasion of Lebanon.

My answer is as follows:

My assessment is dark and nihilistic, Zaher @sahloul , as you suggest, alas.

I have difficulty foreseeing a realistic solution that either of us would welcome.

1. The Lebanese leaders are so fragmented and impotent that they are unlikely to seize the moment or close ranks to provide an alternative to Hezbollah. I imagine that Hezb will rebuild but at a much reduced power. Hard to imagine it rebuilding the reputation or status it held under Nasrallah.

2. As for the broader resistance front, I don't foresee it crumbing. Assad was left in contol of Damascus by US/Israel and the European powers because they feared the alternative. There is no reason to expect a change in this collective decision. Neither Israel not the U.S. is likely to bomb the presidential palace.

3. US policy makers have been so captured by Israeli interests that there is no separating Netanyahu from Biden. I suspect the same will be true with our next president.

This means that Washington will abdicate its role as choirmaster to rally Middle Eastern leaders or push through a compromise.

4. The future is wide open to Netanyahu's choices and vision. He and his allies are happy with war - or "mowing the lawn," at which Israel has been so successful. This leaves Israeli planes free to patrol the skys of the region, and settlers to take ever more Palestinian land with minimal US pushback.

5. Israel/US will be tempted to try to impose a new government on Lebanon, as it tried and failed to do in 1982. Few Lebanese leaders have much purchase over their people; most are seen as corrupt. How can they build a more effective Lebanese government? Can Lebanese efforts be more successful than those of Syrians or Iraqis over the last 2 decades? Skepticism seems the safest bet.

6. That leaves Arab leaders to pick up the pieces. But it is hard to see them uniting or having much leverage over the outcome, beyond a bit of money. This is a dark picture of Mideastern political fragmentation, unbridled Israeli power, and an impotent, if not complicite, U.S.

I would be very interested in your take on how events may play out, and whether the blow to Hizb and Iran will substantially change the balance of power in Syria.

[Moises Venancio @MmvMoises]

And it's a start of summer full of climate change!

[United Nations @UN]

Sunday is #SocialMediaDay!

You can follow the UN here in these languages:

🇺🇳French: @ONU_fr

🇺🇳Spanish: @ONU_es

🇺🇳Arabic: @UNarabic

🇺🇳Russian: @UnitedNationsRU

🇺🇳Hindi: @UNinHindi

🇺🇳Kiswahili: @UmojaWaMataifa

🇺🇳Portuguese: @NacoesUnidas

https://t.co/AyC07FSk2l

[UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency @Refugees]

#PrideMonth may be coming to an end, but our fight for human rights never ends.

When it comes to the right to enjoy asylum, there is no room for homophobia, transphobia, intersexphobia and biphobia.

#Pride

[United Nations @UN]

If average global temperatures increased by 2°C, coral reefs would almost completely disappear, which would be catastrophic for people & planet.

We must #ActNow.

Get ideas on how you can take #ClimateAction to protect our future: https://t.co/yUfFWZlUJS

[UN Environment Programme @UNEP]

Friday's 1st-ever International Day of the Markhor highlights challenges caused by habitat loss, illegal hunting, including poaching, and climate change. Info: https://t.co/mXf2OGRRzu

[The Elders @TheElders]

Member of The Elders and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights @raad_zeid welcomes the @CIJ_ICJ's ruling on #Israel’s military offensive in #Rafah:

“The ICJ has today ordered Israel to immediately halt its military offensive in Rafah to protect Palestinians in Gaza who are facing inhumane, catastrophic conditions that threaten their lives. It has also ordered Israel to keep the Rafah crossing open to allow unhindered provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance at scale. Israel has a legal obligation to implement all the ICJ’s provisional measures in full. Its unlawful approach is causing unjustifiable suffering in Gaza, and cannot continue. No country is above the law.

All UN member states are obliged to respect ICJ decisions. States providing arms to Israel have a particular responsibility to ensure they are not complicit in any violation of the Court’s orders.

To end this carnage, the international community must redouble its efforts to secure an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and an end to all forms of siege and blockade in Gaza. There is no military solution. Only a political pathway forward can ensure the lasting peace that Israelis and Palestinians want.”

[The Elders @TheElders]

We need leaders who understand the urgency of the existential threats facing humanity, and believe in our ability to overcome them.

Add your voice to over 3,000 signatories who have already signed our open letter calling for bold #LongviewLeadership:

https://t.co/g6WFkxDwlK

[United Nations Geneva @UNGeneva]

From Gaza to Sudan, DRC, Myanmar, Syria, Ukraine & elsewhere, the world is witnessing a widespread failure to safeguard civilians during armed conflicts.

Wars have rules that all parties to conflict must respect. Protecting civilians is NOT negotiable. #NotATarget #PoCWeek2024

[Mike Hudema @MikeHudema]

"We know it is still possible to make the 1.5° limit a reality. It requires tearing out the poisoned root of the climate crisis: fossil fuels. And it demands a just, equitable renewables transition." @antonioguterres

We have the solutions. Implement them. #ActOnClimate

#climate

[United Nations @UN]

Tea 🫖 has many health benefits thanks to its anti-inflammatory & antioxidant properties.

On Tuesday's #InternationalTeaDay, @FAO has more about one of the world's most popular beverages: https://t.co/6PiU3D2B5M

[UN Environment Programme @UNEP]

🐝 This #WorldBeeDay, here are 5 ways to help save the bees! From planting bee-friendly gardens to reducing pesticide use, every small step contributes to big changes.

[UN Environment Programme @UNEP]

Art can be a powerful, inclusive force for good and, as artist @thevonwong told @andersen_inger at the latest #PlasticsTreary talks, it leads us to have different conversations that can inspire action to #BeatPlasticPollution: https://t.co/trymKl974s

[BNO News @BNONews]

WATCH: Large meteor streaking across the sky in Portugal

[Neutralious @Neutralious]

One of the coolest videos from the meteor yesterday in Portugal

[UN Environment Programme @UNEP]

Who's behind a third of the world’s food production? Bees! 🐝 They’re not just honey makers; they're key for pollinating crops.

Yet, they face threats from pesticides to pollution. Ahead of #WorldBeeDay, see why they are vital #ForPeopleForPlanet: https://t.co/1FBTP97gby

[United Nations @UN]

Hate speech can take many different forms.

But no matter what it looks like, hate speech has real consequences.

See how you can take action and say #NoToHate: https://t.co/LiLrhbvu01

[Sulaiman Ahmed @ShaykhSulaiman]

PORTUGAL SINGER IOLANDA’S DRESS AT EUROVISION WAS CREATED BY A PALESTINIAN DESIGNER.

The dress draws inspiration from the poignant themes explored by Palestinian satirical cartoonist Naji Al Ali, known for his work that delves into themes of corruption, greed, resistance, betrayal, and colonialism.

The design incorporates elements emblematic of Palestinian identity and history, such as the Keffiyeh, which is styled to resemble a fisherman’s net, symbolizing the resilience of Palestinian fishermen. Additionally, motifs representing the "separation nets of colonialism" and the destructive allure of "oil and greed" are integrated, evoking the image of oil spilling over the body.

The dress also reflects the theme of censorship, a nod to Naji Al Ali’s daring work that challenged the Zionist entity and global leadership, ultimately leading to his assassination in 1987.

Source: @trashyxclothing @SuppressedNws

#Eurovision2024

[The Spectator Index @spectatorindex]

Most peaceful countries in the world.

1. 🇮🇸 Iceland
2. 🇩🇰 Denmark
3. 🇮🇪 Ireland
4. 🇳🇿 New Zealand
5. 🇦🇹 Austria
6. 🇸🇬 Singapore
7. 🇵🇹 Portugal
8. 🇸🇮 Slovenia
9. 🇯🇵 Japan
10.🇨🇭 Switzerland

15. 🇩🇪 Germany
19. 🇲🇾 Malaysia
21. 🇶🇦 Qatar
22. 🇦🇺 Australia
24. 🇳🇴 Norway
29. 🇵🇱 Poland
32. 🇪🇸 Spain
34. 🇮🇹 Italy
37. 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
41. 🇻🇳 Vietnam
43. 🇰🇷 South Korea
53. 🇮🇩 Indonesia
54. 🇦🇷 Argentina
58. 🇨🇱 Chile
60. 🇬🇷 Greece
67. 🇫🇷 France
80. 🇨🇳 China
92. 🇹🇭 Thailand
119. 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
121. 🇪🇬 Egypt
126. 🇮🇳 India
130. 🇿🇦 South Africa
131. 🇺🇸 United States
132. 🇧🇷 Brazil
136. 🇲🇽 Mexico
143. 🇮🇱 Israel
144. 🇳🇬 Nigeria
146. 🇵🇰 Pakistan
147. 🇹🇷 Turkey
158. 🇷🇺 Russia
163. 🇦🇫 Afghanistan

(Source: Global Peace Index, 2023)