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Israel and Iran recently engaged in a high-stakes confrontation that resulted in direct attacks on each other's soil. Israel initiated the conflict by bombing an annex to the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, killing high-ranking officers of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran responded by launching hundreds of projectiles at Israel, marking the first time they directly attacked Israel without using proxy militias. Despite surviving the attack, Iran's failure to cause significant damage strengthened Israel's position and garnered international support. The clashes also helped Israel regain confidence in its military capabilities. However, the outcome did not significantly improve the prospects for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who continues to face criticism for previous failures. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the declining satisfaction with democracy and the changing public perception of democracy around the world. Authoritarian regimes like Russia and China are attempting to cast doubt on democracy and promote their own authoritarian model. A recent Pew poll found a sharp decline in satisfaction with democracy in several consolidated democracies, and support for democracy in developing economies is also waning. The article highlights the reasons for this disillusionment, including corruption, mismanagement, and political infighting. However, it emphasizes that while citizens are unhappy with their country's democracy, they still recognize the importance of a functioning democratic system. The article concludes by acknowledging the challenges in improving democracy globally, particularly in the face of new technologies and autocratic actors. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the growing crisis in Venezuela following its controversial election results, which have been widely rejected as fraudulent. This situation has become a test for other leftist governments in Latin America, forcing them to choose between supporting President Nicolas Maduro or reaffirming their commitment to democracy. Some leaders are attempting to find a middle path by forming a bloc that can influence Maduro and prevent violence, while still maintaining their ties with Caracas. The article also highlights the catastrophic consequences of Maduro's rule, including economic decline, crime, poverty, and a massive refugee crisis. The international response to the election has been divided, with autocratic regimes and some leftist governments accepting the results, while the nonpartisan Carter Center and several countries have denounced the election as undemocratic. The article concludes that the crisis remains at an impasse, with two possible outcomes: Maduro stays or he goes, but finding a compromise seems unlikely. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the uncertainty surrounding the future presidency of the United States and its potential impact on American Jews and Israel. It highlights the concerns of Jewish voters regarding the rise of antisemitism and the safety of Israel, particularly in light of recent events such as the Hamas massacre and Israel's response. The article examines Kamala Harris' stance on Israel and her support for the Jewish people, noting that while she may express sympathy for Palestinians, she is expected to maintain continuity in foreign policy and support for Israel if she becomes president. The article also mentions the endorsement of Harris by Jewish Democratic groups and the reassurance provided by the high-profile work of her husband, who has embraced Judaism and fought against antisemitism. Overall, the article emphasizes the importance of a strong defender of Israel and a determined opponent of antisemitism for Jewish voters. [Extracted from the article]

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has announced that Armenia will withdraw from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a bloc created after the USSR's dissolution to counter NATO. Pashinyan's decision comes after the CSTO allegedly sided with Armenia's enemy, Azerbaijan, during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. This move is significant for Russia, as Armenia's departure would weaken its influence in the region and potentially impact its strategic position. The US and Europe have pledged aid to Armenia, signaling their support for its democratic future. [Extracted from the article]

When U.S. President Joe Biden decided not to inviteVenezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to last week's Summitof the Americas in Los Angeles, the Venezuelaleader--whose presidency was for years deemed illegitimateby the U.S, the United Kingdom, the European Union andmany of Venezuela's Latin American neighbors, amongothers--set out on a whirlwind international trip aimingto show he still has support in other parts of the world. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left, andVenezuelan President Nicolas Maduro review the honorguard, in Ankara, Turkey, June 8, 2022 (AP photo byBurhan Ozbilici). [Extracted from the article]

Last week, Germany's lower legislative chamber, the Bundestag, held a historic vote to amend the country's constitution to allow for a massive expansion of its military forces. The idea was initially proposed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who on Feb. 27 -- three days after Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine -- stood before the Bundestag and lambasted Putin in a speech that brought an end to Germany's hyper-restrained stance on armed conflict. [Extracted from the article]

For the past week, China's state-controlled media hasbeen gushing about the benefits of the recent visit tothe country by Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations'high commissioner for human rights. Nevertheless, the notion that Bachelet was able to get afull picture of human rights in China was repeated acrossChinese media. [Extracted from the article]

Just before midnight on Monday, Peruvian President Pedro Castillo appeared on television to declare an unprecedented state of emergency for Lima, the capital. Russian President Vladimir Putin may have taken aim at Ukraine, but he is creating instability across the entire planet. [Extracted from the article]

Despite the country's debt burden, the Rajapaksas haveslashed value-added taxes nearly in half, mostlyeliminated capital gains taxes and given special cuts tocertain industries, thereby shrinking state revenues. Populist politicians, who have been sweeping to power incountries across the globe, build their appeal partly onclaims that they will base their policies on the needsand interests of the people. [Extracted from the article]

Europe's far-right parties are vying for power and influence ahead of the upcoming EU Parliament elections. These parties, which are gaining traction across Europe, are divided into separate factions and are attempting to shape their public image to appeal to voters. Recent elections have shown the far-right's growing strength, with parties like the Brothers of Italy, the Party for Freedom in the Netherlands, and Marine Le Pen's National Rally in France leading in polls. However, despite their gains, the far-right remains fragmented and divided on key issues, such as immigration and EU membership. The center-right parties currently have the best prospects for political success. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses Russia's attempts to exert influence over Moldova and potentially annex the country, similar to its actions in Ukraine. Moldova, which is making strides to join the European Union, has seen Russian-controlled regions within its borders, such as Transnistria, and now Gagauzia, draw closer to Moscow. Russian influence operations in Moldova aim to prevent the country from aligning with the West and joining the EU. The article also highlights the role of individuals and organizations, such as Ilan Mironovich Shor and the Shor Party, in promoting Russia's agenda in Moldova. While some believe that a Russian invasion is unlikely at this time, the Kremlin's interest in Moldova is growing ahead of a key election in October. The article emphasizes that Russia is employing non-military means to undermine Moldova's independence and prevent it from aligning with the EU. [Extracted from the article]

Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming trip to Europe coincides with a surge in counterespionage activity, as European police and intelligence agencies have been uncovering and arresting numerous alleged Chinese spies. While previous agreements between China and the West aimed to curb cyber-espionage for intellectual property theft, Chinese spying activities have intensified in other areas, including industrial espionage, military technology advancement, and global influence campaigns. European leaders and intelligence agencies are now focused on dismantling Chinese spying and political influence operations, but the vastness of China's intelligence operations poses a significant challenge. Concerns have also been raised about the social media platform TikTok, owned by a Chinese company, potentially being used to amass user data and influence public opinion. China's elaborate intelligence operation includes the creation of misleading news websites and the dissemination of disinformation. Additionally, China's Fox Hunt campaign has reportedly targeted exiles, including human rights activists and political dissidents, in an effort to capture or lure them back to China. The scale of China's intelligence operations is overwhelming counterintelligence agencies in the West, and this surge in counterespionage activity is likely to strain Europe-China relations. [Extracted from the article]

Iran recently held elections that were widely regarded as sham elections, lacking democratic legitimacy. The opposition launched a successful boycott effort, resulting in low voter turnout and a significant number of blank or spoiled ballots. The Guardian Council, which vets candidates, ensured that there was no room for candidates seeking to change the country's social, religious, political, or foreign policies. As a result, hardliners remain in control of the government, and the elections are unlikely to bring about any meaningful change. [Extracted from the article]

Making matters worse, as the show trials unfolded, Ortega also extended his crackdown to the last bastion for criticism of Ortega's rule: private universities. Nicaragiian President Daniel Ortega surprised precisely no one last year when he won yet another term in an election so farcical it verged on grotesque. [Extracted from the article]

In 2014, after firstdenying Russia's presence in Crimea and later declaring it hadno intention of annexing the territory(https://www.wtvr.com/2014/03/04/putin-russia-has-no-plans-to-annex-ukraines-crimea-region/),Putin deployed a host of rhetoricalcontortions to justify the seizure. When the Soviet Union collapsed three decades ago, theEuropean security architecture suddenly became uncertain, itsfuture put in play. [Extracted from the article]

President Joe Biden took office last year during one of the most turbulent times the United States had experienced in decades. On the campaign trail, Biden promised to reinstate the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran that had been negotiated under then-President Barack Obama and discarded by former President Donald Trump. Of all the foreign policy challenges Biden -- and the United States -- will face in 2022, none is more important than solving the crisis of democracy at home. [Extracted from the article]

When leftist schoolteacher Pedro Castillo became president ofPeru in July, having won the election by a hair's breadth theprevious month, it didn't require uncommon insight to predictthat, sooner or later, the right wing would seek to impeach himand remove him from office. Since his campaign, Castillo hashighlighted his ties to Peru's mountainous farming communities, adopting traditional rural attire--notably alarge broad-brimmed hat--as part of his trademark persona. [Extracted from the article]

It's never a good sign for a country's leader whenfluctuations in the value of the national currency becomea dominant concern for everyday people. That is the casetoday in Turkey, where President Recep Tayyip Erdogan istaking a huge gamble with his monetary policy, setting acontroversial interest rate policy that runs contrary tofirmly established economic theory and has caused thelocal currency, the lira, to nosedive. [Extracted from the article]