Síntesis informativa - 17 de septiembre 2019

THE NEW YORK TIMES

U.S. Examining Missile and Drone Parts for Clues in Saudi Oil Attacks

WASHINGTON — American intelligence analysts and military investigators are examining a missile guidance mechanism recovered in Saudi Arabia that may provide clues as to the missile’s origins and flight path, as they continue gathering information to make the administration’s case that Iran was responsible for last weekend’s attack against Saudi oil facilities.

Analysts are poring over satellite imagery of the damage sites, and assessing radar tracks of at least some of the low-flying cruise missiles that were used. Communication intercepts from before and after the attacks are being reviewed to see if they implicate Iranian officials.

And, perhaps most important, forensic analysis is underway of missile and drone parts from the attack sites, including at least one mostly intact cruise missile recovered from the area, officials said.

American military investigators are in Saudi Arabia working with counterparts to examine the guidance mechanism in the cruise missile that was recovered. Investigators are hoping they can trace the missile’s flight path, using data in the guidance system, back to its origin — possibly to precise geographic coordinates.

Within the administration, there is much discussion over what retaliatory action to take, if any, and whether such a response would appear to be just doing the Saudis’ bidding.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/17/world/middleeast/iran-attacks-saudi-oil.html

 

Blast at Rally for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Kills at Least 26

A suicide bomber detonated an explosive outside a campaign rally for President Ashraf Ghani in northern Afghanistan on Tuesday, missing the president but killing at least 26 people and wounding at least 32, provincial officials said.

Mr. Ghani was inside a fortified compound at least a half-mile from the blast, which occurred near a police training center, according to the local police chief and the head of the provincial council in Parwan Province, about 35 miles north of Kabul.

The attacker, who was on a motorcycle, detonated the bomb at 11:40 a.m. as people were lining up to undergo security checks at the first entry gate to the compound, said Wahida Shahkar, a spokesman for the provincial governor. Mr. Ghani had arrived earlier by helicopter, local officials said.

The president had mostly been campaigning by videoconference ahead of the Sept. 28 presidential vote but made the short trip to Charikar, the provincial capital, for the rally.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/17/world/asia/afghanistan-bombing-ghani.html

 

Putin Says Saudis Should Buy Russian Missiles, to Laughter From Iran

ISTANBUL — World leaders have condemned the crippling attack on Saudi oil installations last weekend as a blow to the global economy and a threat to regional stability.

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia evidently also saw it as a chance to make a sales pitch, or at least enjoy a joke, at the expense of the West.

Mr. Putin spoke at a joint news conference in Ankara with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and President Hassan Rouhani of Iran on Monday after a meeting about the Syrian conflict.

American officials have blamed Iran for the attack on Saudi Arabia, Turkey is a major regional rival to the kingdom, and Mr. Putin has sought to expand Russian influence on all three countries, including through weapons sales.

“The Quran says that any kind of violence is unacceptable, except for one kind of violence, when you protect your people,” Mr. Putin began.

“We are ready to help Saudi Arabia protect their people,” he said, with a somber face, but beginning to bob slightly in his chair. “They need to make clever decisions, as Iran did by buying our S300, as Mr. Erdogan did by deciding to buy the most advanced S400 air defense systems.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/17/world/middleeast/putin-saudi-iran.html

 

Indonesian Wildfires Choke Region in Blanket of Smoke

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Wildfires burned across Indonesian Borneo and Sumatra on Tuesday, producing thick clouds of smoke that disrupted air travel, forced schools to close and sickened many thousands of people.

About 80 percent of the fires were set intentionally to clear forestland for palm plantations, officials said, and poorly equipped firefighters were unable to bring them under control.

The slash-and-burn conflagrations, which tore through sensitive rainforests where dozens of endangered species live, drew comparisons to the wildfires in the Amazon basin that have raged in recent weeks and destroyed more than 2 million acres.

“That’s how they clear the land, using the cheapest method and conducted by many people,” said Agus Wibowo, a spokesman for Indonesia’s disaster management agency.

The fires in Indonesia and the Amazon contribute to climate change by releasing carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere and by destroying trees and vegetation that remove such emissions from the air.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/17/world/asia/indonesia-fires-photos.html

 

Israel’s Do-Over Election: Déjà Vu or a Chance for Change?

 JERUSALEM — Israelis are voting Tuesday in the second election in five months. The last one ended inconclusively after weeks of negotiations, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, failed to produce a governing coalition with a viable majority for the first time in Israel’s history.

Mr. Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, is once again fighting for his political survival. Polls indicate a tight race even though he is facing possible indictment on accusations of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. This could be his last stand.

Didn’t Israel just hold an election?

Yes, on April 9. Mr. Netanyahu, leader of the conservative Likud party, had appeared poised for another term based on the assumption that he could forge a coalition with the same right-wing and religious parties of his previous one.

But as the deadline for forming a government approached, an ally-turned-nemesis, Avigdor Liberman, refused to join in. The leader of a secular, ultranationalist party, he did so ostensibly because of a dispute with ultra-Orthodox parties over a bill allowing more seminary students to be drafted.

That left Mr. Netanyahu and his allies one seat short of a majority in the 120-seat Parliament. Determined to deprive his rivals of a chance to form a government, Mr. Netanyahu orchestrated the swift dissolution of the newly elected Parliament, leading to Tuesday’s vote.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/16/world/middleeast/israel-election.html

 

Venezuela’s Maduro Trains Sights on Opposition’s Last Bastion: Congress

CARACAS, Venezuela — President Nicolás Maduro’s Socialist Party announced on Monday that its lawmakers are taking back their seats in Venezuela’s congress after a three-year boycott, targeting the power base of the president’s chief rival.

The congress is led by Juan Guaidó, who in January claimed to be the country’s rightful president, and it is the only governing body not under Mr. Maduro’s control.

The re-entry of the Socialist legislators threatens not only the independence of congress but also the platform Mr. Guaidó has used to build his legitimacy domestically and internationally as he challenges Mr. Maduro’s presidency.

The ruling party’s announcement is the latest step in an increasingly complex nine-month political struggle between Mr. Maduro and Mr. Guaidó. While Mr. Maduro retains control of the military and the government bureaucracy, Mr. Guaidó draws on popular support and recognition from the United States and nearly 60 other countries.

Mr. Guaidó’s attempts to unseat Mr. Maduro this year through mass protests, military defections, American sanctions and mediated talks have run up against the government’s brutal repression and skillful political maneuvering, resulting in a tense impasse. Sensing weakness, Mr. Maduro has now gone on the offensive.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/16/world/americas/venezuela-maduro-congress.html

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XINHUA

Spotlight: Attacks on Saudi oil facilities raise global concerns

RIYADH, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Saturday's drone attacks on oil production facilities in eastern Saudi Arabia have raised global concerns over the broader Middle East, while global oil prices have surged.

On Tuesday, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) calculations showed that the price of the OPEC basket of fourteen crudes closed at 66.43 U.S. dollars a barrel on Monday, an over-10-percent rise compared with 60.02 dollars last Friday.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday "it's looking that way" that Iran was behind the recent attacks on Saudi Arabia's key oil facilities.

"We're having some very strong studies done, but it's certainly looking that way at this moment ... As soon as we find out definitively, we'll let you know," Trump told reporters at the White House.

When asked if he will meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on the sideline of the United Nations General Assembly next week, Trump said "I have no meeting scheduled."

U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said in a series of tweets on Monday that he had spoken to Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mohammad bin Salman, and Iraqi Minister of Defense (Najah) al-Shammary over the weekend.

"The United States military, with our interagency team, is working with our partners to address this unprecedented attack and defend the international rules-based order that is being undermined by Iran," he said.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi on Monday rejected U.S. claims that Iran is behind the attacks, calling them "baseless."

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-09/17/c_138398941.htm

 

Iran's top leader rejects any talk with U.S.

TEHRAN, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Tuesday that Iranian officials unanimously rule out talks with the United States at any level.

"Through negotiations, they (the Americans) are seeking to impose their demands on Iran and prove the effectiveness of maximum pressure campaign," Khamenei was quoted as saying by his official website.

Washington's "maximum pressure campaign" against the Iranian nation has failed to achieve its goals, he said.

Talks with the United States will only be possible within the framework of P5+1 group consisting of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany if Washington returns to the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal that it abandoned last year, he said.

"Otherwise, no talks at any level will be held between Iranian and American officials, neither in New York nor in other places," he stressed.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-09/17/c_138398588.htm

 

Chinese premier arrives in Russia for official visit

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in St. Petersburg on Monday afternoon for a three-day official visit to Russia.

During the visit, Li and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev will co-chair the 24th regular meeting between Chinese and Russian heads of government.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of China-Russia diplomatic ties, and bilateral relations have recently been upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, Li said upon his arrival.

A new stage for bilateral relations of higher level and greater development has started, he said. "I hope the regular meeting this time will promote our two countries' all-round pragmatic cooperation to bear new fruits, further enrich the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, and better benefit the two peoples."

Amid complicated and profound changes in the international situation and an increasing downward pressure on the world economy, Li pledged China's willingness to step up coordination and cooperation with Russia on international affairs, jointly defend multilateralism and free trade, and work together for improving global governance, forging an open world economy, and safeguarding regional and world peace, development and prosperity.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-09/16/c_138396333.htm

 

Insurgents' attacks claim 46 lives amid presidential race in Afghanistan

KABUL, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- At least 46 people were confirmed dead and 70 injured in two deadly bombings claimed by the Afghan Taliban outfit in a single day on Tuesday as the electioneering among presidential runners is getting momentum.

The first blast struck a rally of the supporters of presidential runner and incumbent President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani in Parwan's provincial capital Charikar city at 11:40 a.m. local time, killing 24 people and wounding 32 others, head of provincial health department Qasim Sangin told Xinhua.

President Ghani and his running mate Amrullah Saleh escaped unhurt and continued their speeches in the rally to encourage their supporters to vote in the presidential election slated for Sept. 28.

The second explosion happened at 12:57 p.m. local time in the capital Kabul and targeted an office of defense ministry, killing 22 people and wounding 38 others, said a statement of Interior Ministry.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-09/17/c_138399100.htm

 

State Councilor stresses implementation of anti-terrorism measures

BEIJING, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- State Councilor Zhao Kezhi Monday told officials to fully implement various counter-terrorism measures to create a secure and stable political and social environment for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Addressing a national anti-terrorism conference here, Zhao, also chief of a national anti-terrorism leading group, demanded the use of the most stringent requirements and most meticulous measures to prevent violent and terrorist-related incidents and ensure social stability.

Counter-terrorism prevention and emergency preparedness measures should be put in place to ensure timely and efficient response and proper handling in the event of an unexpected situation, Zhao said.

He also required coordinated efforts and full implementation of related duties and measures in the fight against terrorism.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-09/16/c_138396404.htm

 

Major military drills kick off in Russia, Central Asia

MOSCOW, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Tsentr-2019 (Center-2019) military exercises involving eight countries began on Monday in Russia, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

A total of 128,000 troops, more than 20,000 units of weapons and military hardware, about 600 aircraft and up to 15 ships and support vessels will take part in the drills on several training grounds in the three countries and the Caspian Sea.

During the drills that will proceed until Saturday, the troops will practice maneuvers related to combating international terrorism and ensuring security in the Central Asian region.

In the first stage of the exercises, the participants will practice repelling air strikes, reconnaissance, and search and defensive operations.

In the second stage, commanders and personnel will practice delivering a fire strike and conducting offensive operations to defeat a simulated enemy.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-09/17/c_138399103.htm

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AL JAZEERA

Saudi oil attacks: All the latest updates

As tension rises in wake of Saudi oil attacks, supreme leader says Washington's policy of maximum pressure will fail.

The pre-dawn attacks on Saturday knocked out more than half of crude output from the world's top exporter - five percent of the global oil supply - and cut output by 5.7 million barrels per day.

Yemen's Houthi rebels, who have been locked in a war with a Saudi-UAE-led coalition since 2015, claimed responsibility for the attacks, warning Saudi Arabia that their targets "will keep expanding".

But US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo swiftly accused Iran of being behind the assault, without providing any evidence. The claim was rejected by Tehran which said the allegations were meant to justify actions against it.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/saudi-oil-attacks-latest-updates-190916102800973.html

 

Ghani 'unhurt' as blast kills dozens at Afghan president's rally

Taliban claims responsibility for suicide bombing at campaign rally in Charikar, as well as for separate blast in Kabul.

At least 24 people have been killed and more than 30 wounded in a suicide bomb blast near an election rally held by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who is reported to be safe and unharmed.

In a separate incident just hours later, another explosion went off near Kabul's Green Zone, where the defence ministry, US embassy and NATO headquarters are located. The Taliban also claimed responsibility for the blast in Afghanistan's capital, saying it was also a suicide attack.

The Taliban has warned that its fighters will intensify their campaign against the Afghan government and foreign forces to dissuade people from voting in the September 28 vote, when Ghani will bid for a second five-year term.

Last week, US President Donald Trump abruptly ended talks with the Taliban seeking to reach a deal on the withdrawal of thousands of US troops from Afghanistan in exchange for security guarantees from the group.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/bomb-blast-hits-afghan-president-ashraf-ghani-campaign-rally-190917080810578.html

 

Ankara summit on Syria: 'A win for Moscow and al-Assad'

Creation of committee to write Syria's constitution democratises and legitimises Syrian president, analysts say.

Andrew Wilks

Ahmet Evin, professor emeritus at Istanbul's Sabanci University, said the committee would benefit al-Assad.

Putin and Rouhani highlighted the presence of "terrorists" such as Hay'et Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly affiliated to al-Qaeda, as a reason for carrying out military operations.

Despite a ceasefire agreed to at the end of August, there have been reports of artillery attacks and air raids by government forces in recent days.

Russia and Turkey have strengthened their defence and energy ties in recent years, with Putin and Erdogan meeting several times so far this year.

Ankara recently purchased the Russian S-400 missile air defence system from Russia, antagonising the US.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/ankara-summit-syria-win-moscow-assad-190917051916123.html

 

Egypt still at odds with Ethiopia over giant Nile dam

Cairo says Addis Ababa refuses to discuss proposals in talks over Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

Monday's statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Irrigation said two-day negotiations that also included Sudan did not touch on "technical aspects" of the $5bn Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Egypt fears the project will significantly reduce its share of the water from the Nile - the river provides almost all of Egypt's freshwater. Ethiopia, on the other hand, says the GERD will not have any effect on Egypt's share of water and claims the project is necessary for its economic development.

GERD was announced in 2011 and is designed to be the centrepiece of Ethiopia's bid to become Africa's biggest power exporter, generating more than 6,000 megawatts of electricity.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/egypt-odds-ethiopia-giant-nile-dam-190917062431267.html

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AL MAYADEEN

Presidente Nicolás Maduro saluda acuerdos en Mesa de Diálogo con oposición en Venezuela

Maduro añadió  en el propio mensaje que "las puertas del diálogo seguirán abiertas para la tranquilidad de todos los venezolanos".

Por su parte, el dirigente del partido opositor Soluciones, Rafael Marín, reconoció que las medidas coercitivas impuestas por Estados Unidos a Venezuela obstaculizan el diálogo e impiden la solución de los problemas.

Este lunes el Gobierno y la oposición firmaron un acuerdo para la instalación de la Mesa Nacional de Diálogo por la Paz, de conformidad con los principios de soberanía y autodeterminación del país sudamericano.

http://espanol.almayadeen.net/news/politica/1342342/presidente-nicol%C3%A1s-maduro-saluda-acuerdos-en-mesa-de-di%C3%A1logo

 

Amnistía Internacional advierte sobre las consecuencia de una intervención militar de EE.UU. en respuesta a ataques a refinerías sauditas

Estados Unidos atribuye a Irán los ataques con drones del fin de semana en Abqaiq, una de las instalaciones de procesamiento de petróleo más grandes del mundo, y renovó el discurso de que el presidente Donald Trump podría ordenar represalias militares.

Los combatientes hutíes se atribuyeron la responsabilidad del ataque, pero el jefe de la diplomacia estadounidense, Mike Pompeo, dijo que no había evidencia de que se originara en Yemen.

http://espanol.almayadeen.net/news/politica/1342448/amnist%C3%ADa-internacional-advierte-sobre-las-consecuencia-de-un

 

Precios petroleros se disparan tras ataque a refinerías de estatal saudita Aramco

Este carburante ganó 5,17 dólares (8,59 por ciento) respecto al cierre previo, de 60,22 por barril.

Por su parte, la canasta de la Organización de Países Exportadores de Petróleo (OPEP) anotó su tonel el viernes a 60,02 dólares, lo que representó una pérdida de 49 centavos de dólar (0,81 por ciento) respecto al cierre previo.

Trump anunció también que autorizó el uso de las reservas estratégicas estadounidenses de petróleo si fuera necesario, para compensar la caída de producción de Arabia Saudita.

http://espanol.almayadeen.net/news/politica/1342184/precios-petroleros-se-disparan-tras-ataque-a-refiner%C3%ADas-de-e

Tipo de contenido geopolítica