Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid:

We call on the people of Pakistan to urge their officials not to pursue the path of war, but instead to engage with Afghanistan in a positive and constructive manner.

We also want the problems that arise in the region to be resolved peacefully and through dialogue and mutual understanding.

Our message to all countries in the region is that Afghanistan as a country in this region can serve as a bridge connecting the region.

If Afghanistan has a strong economy, that will have a positive impact on both security and the economy across the region.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir:

A week before October 7, I was sitting in the cabinet saying, "Let’s bomb Gaza. Let’s bomb. Let’s carry out targeted killings. Let’s kill, let’s kill."

Everyone looked at me — everyone, including Netanyahu, our prime minister — and said, "Leave them alone. Leave them alone."

I’m telling you, it was a huge missed opportunity.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid:

The unrest in Pakistan did not begin today. It has existed for the past 20 years. Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Baloch groups, and other internal problems already existed there.

Pakistan therefore should not attribute its internal situation to Afghanistan.

If Pakistan is being harmed by activities originating from anywhere inside Afghanistan, it should provide us with the information and cooperate with us so that we can address and prevent it.

We control all Afghan territory and the country’s borders, and we do not see any such activity taking place.

Moscow Denies Potential US Business Deals Before Ukraine War Ends

Russia says Washington has given no indication that it wants to conclude economic agreements with Russia before the Ukraine war is settled, despite a report suggesting otherwise.

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Ukraine’s SBU says it has developed and successfully deployed a new interceptor drone designed to counter jet-powered Shahed drones.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:

Decades of foreign intervention, military pressure, and endless wars in the Middle East have proven an undeniable truth: military intervention does not create security, and the exertion of pressure and coercion does not lead to peace.

War has been normalized as a primary instrument of international relations and has led to the perpetuation of a pattern of perpetual confrontation and conflict.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:

What is taking place in Gaza is not merely a humanitarian tragedy. It is a test of the conscience and collective responsibility of the international community.

The slaughter of civilians, forced displacement, collective punishment, and the destruction of vital infrastructure, having gone without effective accountability, have extended to Lebanon as well.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:

If international law is disregarded whenever the interests of major powers dictate, one can no longer speak of the rule of law.

If human rights are an inherent right for some nations and a conditional privilege for others, they can no longer be called universal.

MS NOW said its journalists were denied access to the White House grounds earlier Saturday and vowed to take steps to defend its First Amendment rights.

Saudi Aramco fuel tank near Riyadh airport caught fire.

Source: AFP

European leaders fear Putin is preparing to intensify the war in Ukraine and expand hybrid attacks against NATO allies.

Western intelligence officials say Russia is making administrative preparations for a possible “stealth mobilisation” after elections, though they doubt a full public mobilisation of 300,000 troops is likely.

Officials say Moscow is increasing recruitment efforts, including targeting people with legal or financial problems, while European leaders warn Russia’s hybrid operations against Europe are escalating.

Source: The Telegraph

Secretary Hegseth is doing PT again.

CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper:

We are forming a new coalition attack drone unit.

Trump has privately acknowledged that his decisions, including the war with Iran, may have contributed to the Republican Party’s difficult position ahead of the midterm elections, according to people familiar with his discussions.

Advisers have become “increasingly blunt” with Trump about poor polling and the party’s political challenges.

One person said: “He definitely feels like some of his decisions have led to the dynamics where he’s unpopular and things aren’t looking great for the midterms.”

Trump has previously dismissed negative polls as fake, but advisers say he is now paying closer attention to data showing weak support for him and Republicans.

Trump has responded by increasing his focus on the midterms, approving around $140 million in spending from allied super PACs and pledging to campaign in competitive races.

He has told advisers he wants to “fight like hell until Election Day.”

Source: WaPo

CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper:

Over one billion barrels of crude have been shipped from Gulf partners through the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran has exported zero barrels, thanks to our ironclad blockade.

The Iran war is driving fuel prices higher worldwide, causing protests and economic pressure in countries far from the conflict.

Import-dependent nations such as Pakistan, Myanmar and Kenya have been hit especially hard, while the U.S. is also facing higher gasoline prices due to global oil markets.

Governments are responding with fuel subsidies, price caps and tax cuts, but the IMF has warned that prolonged support measures could strain public finances.

Source: Axios

NATO Military Chief Giuseppe Cavo Dragone:

For hybrid activities, there is not an automatic Article 5 request because, I mean, they usually stay under the threshold.

I mean, a direct attack is not on the agenda. But a direct attack is an Article 5 request immediately, basically.

NATO Military Chief Giuseppe Cavo Dragone:

We have 4,000 pages of plans for the eastern flank, and this goes from the minimal crisis or interference on our soil with Article 5 and on and on.

The alliance is ready. The structure is ready. The soldiers, the system, the weapons are ready.

In case of an attack, I can tell you that today they have much more to lose than to gain, that’s for sure, and that’s deterrence.

Ben-Gvir Says Displacing Palestinians from Gaza Would Be 'Doing Them a Favor'

The Israeli minister branded the potential mass displacement of Palestinians from devastated Gaza as a humanitarian act, while pitching the territory as a settlement area.

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