A Russian T-72 B3 tank fires during the Peace Mission 2021, a counterterrorism military exercise for Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, at Donguz training area in Orenburg Region, Russia. (C) Sputnik / Alexey Kudenko

RT: ‘Russian troops dismember the armed forces of Ukraine’: how a war between Moscow & Kiev could play out, and why it won’t happen

The costs of a war between Russia and Ukraine far outweigh the benefits. It brings significant risks to the economy, political stability and Russian foreign policy, fails to solve key security problems, but creates many new ones.

That’s according to Valdai Club Programme Director Ivan Timofeev. The top Moscow think tank is closely connected with President Vladimir Putin. Timofeev, one of Russia’s leading foreign experts, is skeptical about the possibility of a conflict, but he has outlined how such an operation could be conducted.

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WNU Editor: The Valdai Club is a think tank with close ties to the Kremlin. They usually voice what Putin and his inner circle are thinking.

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Over the past two years, Israeli intelligence operatives have been linked to major explosions at four Iranian nuclear and missile facilities (AFP/File photo)

BBC: Iran nuclear programme: Threat of Israeli strike grows

In the turquoise waters of the Red Sea, Israeli, Emirati and Bahraini naval forces for the first time just days ago rehearsed joint security operations with a US warship.

It followed a war-game at a desert airbase just north of the Israeli port city of Eilat last month, which sent fighter planes from Israel and seven other countries roaring into the skies.

Such drills aim to send a strong warning to Iran, which has recently been holding its own large military exercises, and stress strategic alliances.

But they come at a time when many in Israel are worrying about whether this small country could soon feel forced to act alone to attack Iran’s nuclear programme militarily.

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More News On Escalating nuclear Tensions Between Israel And Iran

Israel signals readiness to escalate Iran confrontation — Al Jazeera

Israel sees Iranian atomic bomb in five years, deal or no deal — Reuters

Israel digs in heels on military action, warns revived nuke deal won’t thwart Iran — times of Israel

PM Naftali Bennett: Israel will not be bound to nuclear deal with Iran — FOX News

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Antiwar.com: US to Pursue ISIS-K, al-Qaeda, in Over-the-Horizon Mission in Afghanistan

Austin: US will show relentless focus.

Over the weekend, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin talked up the long-promised “over-the-horizon” missions to keep attacking Afghanistan without being in Afghanistan.

Austin said this would be part of a relentless focus on terrorism, talking of action coming against ISIS-K and al-Qaeda. US troops left Afghanistan after the Taliban routed the US-backed government in all major cities.

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Update: US to Pursue ‘Over-the-Horizon’ Mission in Afghanistan (TOLO News)

WNU Editor: On what intelligence will they act on?

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