Secretary Hegseth appears as happy as ever during his meeting with Netanyahu.

Iran to Receive Hundreds of Chinese Air-Defense Missiles Within Weeks

Iran is preparing to receive up to 400 Chinese-made shoulder-fired air-defense missile launchers in a $70 million procurement of QW-12 and FN-16 systems, to be delivered within weeks.

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Unlike Israel's occupation in southern Syria, Türkiye's military presence in northern Syria is taking place with the consent and at the invitation of the Syrian government, a US official said.

Source: Axios

Turkish President Erdogan:

Israel's current war-driven government continues to push our region toward instability through its provocations and orchestrated actions.

By disregarding fundamental human rights and trampling international law, Israel is gradually occupying Palestinian territories step by step.

Israel's occupation, its illegal settlements, and its policies of displacement, intimidation, and oppression against Palestinians in the West Bank—just as it has done in Gaza—are the primary source of the problems in our region.

The cost of this aggression is being borne not only by our Palestinian brothers and sisters, and not only by the brotherly people of Lebanon, but also by people of different faiths and by the region as a whole.

For example, because of the conflicts in our region, the global oil supply is experiencing one of the largest shocks in history.

Unfortunately, it is not only oil. Prices for many key inputs in global markets—including natural gas, fertilizers, diesel fuel, and petrochemical products—have also risen rapidly.

Turkish President Erdogan:

20 July 1974 was a historic turning point that secured the existence, freedom, and security of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Within the framework of its rights and responsibilities as a guarantor under international agreements, Türkiye put an end to the oppression endured by the Turkish Cypriots and took the lead in establishing peace and stability on the island.

Turkish President Erdogan:

Today, it is not possible to reach a sound conclusion on the Cyprus issue by ignoring historical realities.

The issue in Cyprus goes beyond a technical debate over power-sharing between two communities; it is fundamentally a matter of recognizing the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Therefore, no initiative that disregards the sovereign equality, inherent rights, and legitimate interests of the Turkish Cypriots in the Eastern Mediterranean can succeed.

Turkish President Erdogan:

We are closely monitoring every step taken by those who seek to exploit the tensions in our region, turning Cyprus into part of new military alignments and geopolitical calculations.

To those who are making this miscalculation, I would like to reiterate this fact: just as it has throughout history, and just as it did 52 years ago, Türkiye will never leave its Turkish Cypriot brothers and sisters alone.

Whatever the cost, it will never again allow the tragedies of the past to be repeated.

Reza Pahlavi:

We will find the best place for a nice Israeli embassy in Tehran once the regime falls.

BMW Targets 8,000 Job Cuts Globally, Offers Voluntary Severance in Germany

BMW AG will cut approximately 8,000 jobs globally, offering voluntary severance packages to thousands of white-collar employees in Germany.

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Germany's Chancellor Merz on Israel:

Germany has a special responsibility toward the State of Israel.

We cannot and will not support a general sanctions regime against Israel.

That position will remain unchanged for the foreseeable future.

Germany's Chancellor Merz:

Over the next four years, the German federal government will reduce the number of positions in the federal administration by 8 percent.

That is why I also want to say to the European Commission: it is not acceptable for 2,500 new positions to be created for the European institutions.

We will not accept that.

Zohran Mamdani on ICE:

I believe it's a cruel agency. I believe it's inhumane. I believe it does nothing to serve in the interest of public safety.

I believe it should be abolished.

Source: The Root

Zelensky and Polish PM Tusk met in Lublin today to discuss bilateral relations, Ukraine's diplomatic efforts, air defense, regional security, and support for Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

Federal Reserve leaves rates unchanged at 3.5%–3.75%.

A U.S. official said Tuesday night's U.S.-Saudi strikes in Iraq killed about 20 Iranian advisers, including IRGC members and technical advisers.

The sites were targeted to kill them and weaken Iran-backed militias' missile and drone capabilities.

Source: NYT

Former Israeli PM Naftali Bennett on U.S. selling F-35 jets to Türkiye:

We cannot allow our enemies to be armed, because then we won't be able to defend ourselves against this very advanced weaponry.

Former Israeli PM Naftali Bennett:

Qatar are terrorists in suits. That's the only difference between Iran and Qatar, is that Qatar wears suits, and they pretend to be all Western and all advanced and all, you know, progressive.

But these guys have been funding terror across the world.

Alex Jones calls for Trump's impeachment and 25th Amendment.

Ukrainian Air Force lost contact with an F-16 during an air-defense mission on July 29.

The pilot ejected after an onboard emergency, was safely rescued, and is undergoing medical evaluation.

Alarmed by shifting U.S. public opinion, Israeli officials are pursuing a long-term strategy to more deeply embed Israel within America's military and national security establishment, making the alliance harder for future administrations to unwind, according to a confidential CIA assessment.

Source: Capital & Empire

Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman met with JD Vance in Washington on Wednesday as tensions with Iran continued to rise.

The visit came a day after the US and Saudi Arabia carried out joint strikes on Iran-linked logistics and weapons sites in Iraq.

During the meeting, Khalid discussed the strikes, Saudi Arabia’s response to attacks on its infrastructure, and delivered a personal message from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Saudi Arabia believes Iran will continue escalating through allied militias in Iraq and Yemen’s Houthis.

Source: CNN