Kissinger: Biden Must Uphold Trump Administration’s “Brilliant” Policy In The Middle East

BY TYLER DURDENSATURDAY, MAR 06, 2021 – 23:30

Authored by Katabella Roberts via The Epoch Times,

Former secretary of state Henry Kissinger has advised President Joe Biden’s administration to continue to uphold the “brilliant” policy in Middle Eastern politics achieved under the Trump administration.

Kissinger, who was secretary of state under the Nixon and Ford administrations, made the remarks during a seminar from the Richard Nixon Foundation focused on national security and foreign policy on March 3.

Former secretary of state Mike Pompeo, former national security adviser Robert O’Brien, Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), and former deputy national security adviser Matt Pottinger also participated in the seminar.

Kissinger likened Donald Trump’s diplomatic achievements in the Middle East to Nixon’s opening of China in 1972, and warned that the Biden administration should continue the tough Trump policy on Iran.

He also called the Trump administration’s Abraham Accords a breakthrough in Arab-Israeli relations.

“I think that one of the great successes of the previous administration was that they had lined up, that they had achieved two things in the Middle East,” Kissinger said.

“One, to separate the Palestinian problem from all of the other problems so that it did not become a veto over everything else.

“Secondly, of lining up the Sunni states in actual or potential combination against the Shiite states, which is Iran, that was developing a capacity to threaten them. I think that this was a brilliant concept. We were just at the beginning of it.”

The Abraham Accords, brokered by former President Donald Trump, established new cooperation and normalization between the United States, Israel, and Arab countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sudan, and Morocco.

(L-R) Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif al-Zayani, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. President Donald Trump, and UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan hold up documents after participating in the signing of the Abraham Accords where the countries of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates recognize Israel, at the White House in Washington on Sept. 15, 2020. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

It also opened up economic, social, and cultural ties between the Arab world and the Jewish state and strengthened the Gulf states’ and Israel’s defenses against Iran, earning the former president Nobel Peace Prize nominations.

“This was a brilliant concept. We were just at the beginning of it. It was like the beginning of the China opening. The evolution of it was just beginning,” Kissinger said.

Kissinger urged the Biden administration to uphold the current policy in the Middle East cemented by Trump.

“We should not give up the pressures that exist on Iran until we know where they are heading,” Kissinger said.

“If we break out the Iranian issue from the overall Middle Eastern issue, we run the risk of losing the two achievements, namely of separating the Palestinian issue, which removes it as a veto over everything else, and the Sunni cooperation with Israel, which is unique in its openness.”

Elsewhere during Wednesday’s seminar, Former secretary of state Mike Pompeo likened Trump’s “unique” approach to international affairs and foreign policy to President Nixon’s.

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference held in the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 27, 2021. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

“This was a president that came at foreign policy problems in a unique way,” he said of Trump.

“I wanted to make sure the senior people, at least I brought around to the team, understood the environment which we were going to be working in and how we were going to effectively deliver operationally President Trump’s foreign policy. So, I wanted to make sure—while we know Washington is occupied by a lot of folks and a lot of big egos—there were people who were prepared to make sure they were working as part of the team that President Trump wanted to deliver on foreign policy he had put forward to the American people.”

The United States on Feb. 25 launched airstrikes against militants in eastern Syria, targeting sites connected to Shia militias groups backed by the Iranian regime believed to be involved in recent attacks against U.S. targets in Iraq.

Biden has also announced that the United States is rejoining or moving to rejoin the pact with Iran, the Paris climate accords, and the United Nations’ Human Rights Council, among other international agreements or entities.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/kissinger-biden-must-uphold-trump-administrations-brilliant-policy-middle-east

In his fourth stop, the Pope arrives in the capital of the Kurdistan Region, and Nechirvan Barzani arrives at his reception

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Kurdistan RegionErbilbreakingVisitthe pope 2021-03-06 23:13A- A A+

Shafaq News / Pope Francis arrived on Sunday morning in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, from Baghdad, on the fourth stop of his historic papal visit to Iraq.

As soon as the pontiff arrived at Erbil International Airport, he was received by the President of the region, Nechirvan Barzani, the Prime Minister of the region, Masrour Barzani, in addition to religious and civil figures.

The President of the Region will meet the Pope in the Presidential VIP Hall at Erbil Airport.

The Pope visited Najaf, as part of the second leg of his historic papal visit to Iraq.

During his visit to the city, which is the capital of Shiism in the world, he met the religious authority, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.

After visiting Najaf, the Pope went to the city of Nasiriyah, the local capital of Dhi Qar Governorate, in southern Iraq, and performed a unified prayer called the prayer of the sons of Abraham in the birthplace of the Prophet in the ancient city of Ur.

On Friday, the fifth of this March, the Supreme Pontiff began his historic visit to Iraq from the capital, Baghdad, beginning with a meeting with the Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi and the President of the Republic, Barham Ahmed Saleh.

The Pope delivered a speech during his meeting with bishops, priests, civilians, consecrated persons, preachers and teachers at the Syriac Catholic “Our Lady of Deliverance” cathedral in Baghdad.

And committed the organization of the so – called Islamic State of Iraq , the al – Qaeda in Mesopotamia in the era of 31 October of the year 2010 massacre of Our Lady of Salvation church in Baghdad ‘s Karrada district when gunmen stormed the church during the ceremony of the performance of the Mass . The incident ended with the militants blowing themselves up and killing and injuring hundreds of those inside the church.

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Rome Reports- Pope Francis meets with Supreme Religious Authority Sistani

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Erbil announces that it has delivered all oil data to Baghdad: We are committed to transparency

Politics

Kurdistan Region

Baghdad

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Oil

2021-03-06 13:24

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Shafaq News / The Kurdistan Regional Government announced, on Saturday, that it had delivered all data on oil and non-oil revenues and expenditures, as well as electronic data on the region’s employees.

Government spokesman Jotiar Adel said in a statement received by Shafaq News, that the Kurdistan Regional Government renews its commitment to all the duties that result from it and its belief in the transparency adopted by the work program of the ninth cabinet of the government.

He added that its affirmation of its obligations comes at a time when the issue of approving the general Iraqi budget has reached its final stages, after lengthy dialogues with all concerned parties.

Adel explained that the regional government provided the Finance Committee in the Iraqi parliament last December, with all the details related to oil revenues and expenditures, based on the audit and follow-up report carried out by the international “Deloitte” company.

He continued by saying that the regional government also sent figures related to non-oil revenues from the crossings and other areas, in addition to electronic data on the number of the region’s employees. 

Adel affirmed the territorial government’s commitment to the principle of transparency, referring to the answers to all questions received from the Federal Ministries of Finance and Oil, as well as the Finance Committee in the House of Representatives. 

And he expressed the regional government’s readiness to answer any other question related to this issue in order to clear the ambiguity that has an impact on the path of understanding and agreement between the two sides.

Last December, Baghdad and Erbil reached an agreement on the financial budget, stipulating that the region hand over 250 thousand barrels of oil per day, and half of the revenues from border crossings and others to the federal government, in exchange for a share in the budget of 12.6 percent.

The agreement was included in the draft budget, but political blocs in Parliament reject the agreement, which hinders its passage in Parliament.  

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The US ambassador: Iraq has proven its ability to host all personalities of all backgrounds

03/2021/06 20:21

The number of readings 34

Section : Iraq

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Baghdad / Obelisk: The US ambassador to Iraq, Matthew Toller, said on Saturday, March 6, 2021, that Iraq has proven its ability to host all personalities of various backgrounds.

In a press statement, Tueller said, “We congratulate the Iraqi people on the historic visit of Pope Francis, and all those who contributed to the success of this visit.”

He added, “This visit demonstrated Iraq’s ability to host all personalities of various backgrounds, and the proof of this is that we came from different countries to attend this visit.”

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The British Ambassador: Iraq will witness a great openness to the world

03/2021/06 20:17

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Section : Iraq

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Baghdad / Obelisk: The British Ambassador to Iraq, Stephen Hickey, said Saturday, March 6, 2021 that Iraq will witness a great openness to the world.

Hickey said in a press statement, that he is “very happy with the visit of Pope Francis, to Iraq,” noting that “this visit represents an important symbol of peaceful and pluralistic coexistence in Iraq.”

He added, “The whole world is now focusing on Iraq, because the Pope is an important symbol for the whole world,” noting that “we will witness the opening of Iraq to the world significantly.”

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Washington congratulates Baghdad on the Pope’s visit: It highlights the importance of Iraq as the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham

03/2021/06 19:17

The number of readings 40

Section : Iraq

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Baghdad / Obelisk: The American Embassy in Baghdad, Saturday, March 6, 2021, offered its congratulations to Iraq for hosting the Pope and his accompanying delegation, while the visit was considered to shed light on Iraq.

“Ambassador Matteo Tueller was honored to be among those who welcomed His Holiness Pope Francis at the presidential reception yesterday,” the embassy said in a statement.

And she added, “The United States congratulates the government and people of Iraq for hosting the Pope and his accompanying delegation.”

“We are sure that this historic visit will shed light on the importance of Iraq as the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham, and the welcoming hearts of the Iraqi people,” the embassy added.

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Al-Kazemi designates the sixth of March every year as a national day for tolerance and coexistence in Iraq

Political | 04:40 – 06/03/2021

Baghdad – Mawazine News

, the Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kazemi, announced, on Saturday, the designation of the sixth of March of each year, as a national day for tolerance and coexistence in Iraq.

Al-Kazemi said, in his tweet on the Twitter platform: “On the occasion of the historic meeting between the poles of peace and tolerance, His Eminence, the Supreme Leader Ali al-Sistani and His Holiness Pope Francis, and the meeting of religions in the historic city of Ur, we announce the designation of the sixth of March of each year. A national day for tolerance and coexistence in Iraq.

Today, Saturday, the province of Al-Najaf witnessed a historic meeting that brought together the Supreme Authority, Ali Al-Husseini Al-Sistani, and the Pope of the Vatican, Pope Francis.

Earlier today, Saturday, the office of the Supreme Religious Authority, Ali al-Sistani, revealed the details of the meeting of the Supreme Leader, Pope Francis, in the Old City of Najaf Governorate.

The office stated in a statement that Mawazine News received a copy of, that “His Eminence Al-Sistani met this morning with the Grand Priest (Pope Francis), Pope of the Catholic Church and Head of State of the Vatican, and during the meeting the conversation revolved around the great challenges that humanity faces in this era and the role of faith in God. The Almighty, with His messages, and commitment to the sublime moral values to overcome them. ”

The statement added, “His Eminence spoke about the injustice, oppression, poverty, religious and intellectual persecution, suppression of basic freedoms, and the absence of social justice, especially the wars, acts of violence, economic blockade and displacement suffered by many in our region. And others, especially the Palestinian people in the occupied territories. ”

And the statement of the reference office stated, “His Eminence indicated the role that the great religious and spiritual leaders should play in curbing these tragedies, and what is hoped for in urging the concerned parties – especially in the great powers – to give priority to reason and wisdom and to reject the language of war,” And not to expand caring for their self-interests at the expense of peoples’ rights to live in freedom and dignity. ”

The statement clarified that the reference “emphasized the importance of concerted efforts to consolidate the values of harmony, peaceful coexistence and human solidarity in all societies, based on the care of rights and mutual respect among followers of different religions and intellectual trends.”

The statement pointed out that “His Eminence praised the status of Iraq and its glorious history and the Muhammad of its honorable people with all their affiliations, and expressed his hope that he will overcome his current ordeal in a not long time.”

According to the statement, the reference emphasized “his interest in the Christian citizens living like all Iraqis in security and peace and in full to their constitutional rights, and he referred to a part of the role that the religious authority played in protecting them and all those who had been wronged and hurt in the incidents of the past years, especially during the period during which the terrorists seized control.” Over vast areas in several Iraqi provinces, and they practiced criminal acts there.

The office of the reference Sistani concluded his statement, saying, “His Eminence wished the Great Pontiff, the followers of the Catholic Church, and the general public of humanity good and happiness, and thanked him for taking the trouble to travel to Najaf to make this visit.”

https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=144428

Basra Light crude oil touches $ 70 per barrel

Time: 03/06/2021 13:14:29 Read: 2,613 times

{Follow-up: Al Furat News} The price of Basra Light crude rose today, Saturday, to approach $ 70 per barrel, and the price of Basra heavy crude also rose during its close on Friday.

Western economic media reported that Basra light oil to Asia rose to 69.75 dollars per barrel, an increase of 4.37% over last Thursday, while Basra heavy oil prices recorded 64.75 dollars per barrel, an increase of 4.76%.

Basrah Light Oil scored the highest prices compared to other OPEC oils, while Saudi Arabian Light Oil scored 66.64 dollars per barrel, and the Emirati Murban Mix scored 67.42 dollars per barrel, while the Algerian Mix Sahran scored 68.40 dollars per barrel, and the Nigerian Light Bonny Light reached 67.69 dollars.

Global oil prices rose on Friday, closing Brent crude at 69.54 dollars, and West Texas crude at 66.29 dollars.

Hussein Hatem

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The Vatican on the historic meeting: The Pope thanked Ayatollah Sayyid al-Sistani for raising his voice with the Shiite community in the face of violence in defense of the weakest and most persecuted

2021/03/06 09:59

The number of readings 221

Section : Iraq

Baghdad / Obelisk: The Press Office of the Pope of the Vatican issued, on Saturday, March 6, 2021, a statement revealing the details of Pope Francis’ meeting with the supreme religious authority, Sayyid Ali al-Sistani, in the Old City of Najaf Governorate.

The office stated in his statement, which was followed by the “obelisk”, that His Holiness the Pope met Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani in Najaf, and during the visit, which lasted about forty-five minutes, the Holy Father stressed the importance of cooperation and friendship between religious sects so that we can develop respect through Mutual and dialogue, from contributing to the good of Iraq and the region, to all mankind.

The statement added that the meeting was an opportunity for the Pope to thank Grand Ayatollah Sistani, because he raised his voice with the Shiite community in the face of violence and great difficulties in recent years, in defense of the weakest and most oppressed, stressing the sanctity of human life and the importance of the unity of the Iraqi people.

The statement continued: On the leave of the Grand Ayatollah, His Holiness the Pope repeated his prayers to God, the Creator of all, for a peaceful and fraternal future for the beloved land of Iraq, the Middle East and the whole world.

This historic meeting between the reference Sistani and the Pope is the first meeting in history between the Catholic papacy and the Shiite authority, after the Najaf governorate received the Supreme Pontiff.

Pope Francis went to the holy city of Najaf during a historic visit in which he met, His Eminence, Ali al-Sistani, after he arrived in Iraq last Friday.

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