إسرائيل تبحث خيارات ضربات «باردة وموجعة» لإيران

أي مواجهة قد تهدد الأردن ونصائح بـ«عدم تنفيذ رغبات السنوار»

القائد السابق للقوات الجوية الإسرائيلية دورون غافيش متحدثاً إلى الصحافيين (رويترز)
القائد السابق للقوات الجوية الإسرائيلية دورون غافيش متحدثاً إلى الصحافيين (رويترز)
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إسرائيل تبحث خيارات ضربات «باردة وموجعة» لإيران

القائد السابق للقوات الجوية الإسرائيلية دورون غافيش متحدثاً إلى الصحافيين (رويترز)
القائد السابق للقوات الجوية الإسرائيلية دورون غافيش متحدثاً إلى الصحافيين (رويترز)

على الرغم من أن أوساطاً مقربة من رئيس الوزراء الإسرائيلي، بنيامين نتنياهو، تقول إن «خطة الرد الإسرائيلي على الهجوم الإيراني أصبحت جاهزة وتنتظر فقط اختيار التوقيت المناسب»، فإنه قد أكدت مصادر سياسية في تل أبيب أن الأمور لم تحسم بعد حتى داخل إسرائيل، وكذلك مع الإدارة الأميركية، وعدد من دول الغرب، وأن هناك قلقاً شديداً من تصعيد شديد للتوتر يؤدي إلى حرب إقليمية واسعة.

وقالت مصادر إسرائيلية تعارض في أن يكون الرد الإسرائيلي كبيراً ومؤذياً، إن «توسيع حلقة الصدام إلى حرب إقليمية هو الحلم أو الأمل الذي يضعه نصب عينيه يحيى السنوار. فهو، عندما خطط لهجوم 7 أكتوبر (تشرين الأول) الماضي، كان قد بنى برنامجه الاستراتيجي على إشعال حرب إقليمية يجر إليها (حزب الله) وإيران والدول العربية. لكنه فشل، وينبغي على الحكومة الإسرائيلية ألا تلعب لديه الآن وتحقق له أهدافه».

في غضون ذلك، نقلت «وكالة الصحافة الفرنسية» عن رئيس الوزراء الإسرائيلي بنيامين نتنياهو الأربعاء تأكيده لوزيري خارجية بريطانيا وألمانيا أن إسرائيل «تحتفظ بالحق في حماية نفسها». وبعد لقاء نتنياهو وزير خارجية بريطانيا ديفيد كاميرون ونظيرته الألمانية أنالينا بيربوك، ألقى كلمة أمام مجلس الوزراء قال فيها إنه تلقى «جميع أنواع الاقتراحات والنصائح» من حلفاء بلاده، مضيفاً أنه «مع ذلك، أود أيضاً أن أوضح أننا سنتخذ قراراتنا بأنفسنا».

تهدئة محتملة لعيد الفصح

وكان رئيس أركان الجيش الإسرائيلي، هرتسي هليفي، قد أعلن أن إسرائيل سترد حتماً على الهجوم الإيراني. ولكنه في الوقت نفسه دعا الجمهور اليهودي إلى الاحتفال بشكل طبيعي بعيد الفصح، الذي يبدأ الأحد ويستمر طيلة الأسبوع. وقد فهمت هذه التهدئة بأنها واحد من ثلاثة أمور: فإما هي خدعة حربية لتنويم طهران، وإما هي تعبير عن قرار بأن يكون الرد خفيفاً لا يستدعي رداً قوياً، وإما أن يكون ذلك تأكيداً بأن الرد الإسرائيلي سيكون بعد العيد. ولكن تصريحات القادة السياسيين، خصوصاً في اليمين المسيطر على حزب «الليكود» بقيادة نتنياهو وعلى أحزاب الصهيونية الدينية، يظهر كمن يطلب أن يوجه ضربة حربية كبيرة لإيران، وأن يتجند العالم كله إلى جانب إسرائيل وعدم تركها وحدها، وفي الوقت نفسه رفض المشاريع الدولية لتغيير واقع الشرق الأوسط لما فيه مصلحة السلام.

ناقلة تابعة لقوات «اليونيفيل» تدخل قاعدة عسكرية للأمم المتحدة في جنوب لبنان (أ.ف.ب)

ويعد عنصر التوقيت أساسياً في الاعتبارات الإسرائيلية. وقد حاول عضوا مجلس قيادة الحرب، بيني غانتس وغادي ىيزنكوت، وهما شغلا منصب رئيس أركان الجيش سابقاً، إقناع المجلس بالرد الفوري على الهجوم الإيراني حال انطلاقه باتجاه إسرائيل. ولكن نتنياهو رفض ورضخ للضغوط الأميركية. وبناء عليه، يرى غانتس الآن أن التركيز يجب أن يعود إلى التحالف الذي تجلى في مواجهة الهجوم الإيراني مع الولايات المتحدة وبريطانيا وألمانيا وفرنسا. فهذه الدول تعارض ضربة حربية شديدة، حتى لا تنشب حرب إقليمية قد تجر إلى حرب عالمية، وتضع خططاً لإحداث منعطف في الشرق الأوسط ضد المحور الإيراني، يقوم على فتح آفاق سياسية جديدة للسلام، وتحاول إيجاد شركاء في إسرائيل في حال تقاعس نتنياهو عن الانخراط.

خلافات إسرائيلية داخلية

بحسب الجنرال المتقاعد، عاموس مالكا، الذي شغل منصب رئيس الدائرة السياسية والعسكرية في وزارة الدفاع، فإن الخلافات الإسرائيلية الداخلية في الموضوع، تلحق ضرراً كبيراً. فكل تأخير في توجيه الضربة الإسرائيلية رداً على إيران سيقلل من قيمتها وتأثيرها. وإذا تأخرت أكثر من اللازم، فينبغي تغيير البرنامج وجعلها ضربة رمزية، تنطوي على ضرب هدف سمين ولكن ليس بهجوم حربي يستخدم فيه الطيران. وأضاف، خلال لقاء له مع قناة 14 اليمينية للتلفزيون، إن «الهجوم الإيراني بالطائرات المسيرة والصواريخ الباليستية يستدعي ضربة مماثلة، والامتناع عن ذلك سيفهم خطأ في طهران ولدى بقية أعداء إسرائيل. وينبغي إقناع الإدارة الأميركية بذلك، فهذه مصلحة مشتركة لنا ولها ولحلفائها. وفي الفشل، ينبغي إيجاد أهداف أخرى».

وقال جنرال آخر، هو غيورا آيلاند، الرئيس السابق للاستخبارات العسكرية، إن «الاعتبارات التي يطرحها مؤيدو الهجوم على أهداف في إيران نفسها، مفهومة بل وتنطوي على منطق، ولكن توجد على الأقل خمسة أسباب لماذا يجب الامتناع عن هجوم علني في الأرض الإيرانية. أولا، إذا كان الهجوم مجرد مسخرة لرفع العتب، فإن ضرره سيكون أكبر من منفعته، وإذا كان مكثفاً فهو سيجرّ على نحو شبه مؤكد رداً إيرانياً يدخلنا دون أن نقصد في معركة طويلة مع إيران».

وتابع آيلاند «ثانياً، أي رد إيراني قد يكون أيضاً ضد مصالح أميركية في المنطقة، وعندها سوف نتدهور إلى حرب إقليمية فيما الدول العربية التي تعرضت للهجوم ستتهم إسرائيل بأنها دفعت إلى ذلك. وثالثاً، لدى إسرائيل مصلحة أكثر إلحاحاً من إيران وهي إعادة الواقع على الحدود الشمالية إلى الحالة الطبيعية والسماح بعودة سكان الجليل إلى بيوتهم».

وعدّ آيلاند أنه «من الصواب استغلال الدعم الدولي الذي تلقيناه حتى الآن وتعزيزه باستعدادنا للاستماع إلى نصائح لندن، وواشنطن وباريس، والمطالبة في المقابل بدعم غير متحفظ في الموضوع اللبناني، وهو الدعم الذي يترجم بضغط ناجع (أميركي وفرنسي) لتسوية في الشمال. وإذا لم ينجح الأمر في وقت قصير فدعم غير متحفظ لعملية عسكرية إسرائيلية كبيرة في لبنان».

وأضاف: «رابعاً المصلحة الإسرائيلية العليا حيال إيران هي منع السلاح النووي عنها. صحيح حتى الآن يبدو أن إيران تبحر بأمان إلى هذا الهدف الخطير. والهجوم الإيراني الأخير يعطي دليلاً على خطورة هذا السلاح النووي على إيران وليس فقط على إسرائيل».

وخامساً: «إذا دخلت إسرائيل وإيران في مواجهة عسكرية طويلة، فمن شأن ذلك أن يؤثر على الاستقرار في الأردن. والأردن، مثل السودان، هما الدولتان التاليتان اللتان تتطلع إيران للتسلل إليهما والمس بسيادتيهما».

مواصلة الأعمال في سوريا

موظف بالسفارة الإيرانية في دمشق يعيد رفع العلم بعد استهدافها وتدمير جزء منها (أ.ف.ب)

اختتم آيلاند قائلاً: «ليس في كل ما قيل أعلاه توصية بعدم العمل على الإطلاق. أكثر من هذا، الحدث الأسبوع الماضي وقع بسبب رد إيراني على هجوم إسرائيلي في سوريا، وفي هذا الموضوع محظور التراجع. الأعمال الإسرائيلية في سوريا في السنوات التسع الأخيرة منعت إقامة منظمة (حزب الله) ثانية في هذه الدولة، والأعمال ضد أهداف إيرانية في سوريا يجب مواصلتها. أقدر بأن الإيرانيين لن يردوا في هذه الحالة. وإذا ما ردوا ضدنا فسيكون من الأسهل خلق تحالف هجومي ضدهم. توجد لإسرائيل جملة إمكانيات أخرى للرد على إيران، لنقل رسالة ردع لكن ليس بالضرورة عمل ذلك بشكل يلزم إيران بالعودة إلى مهاجمتنا».

وعن هذه «الإمكانيات الأخرى»، يتحدث الإسرائيليون عن «اللجوء إلى ردود باردة وموجعة مثل مواصلة الاغتيالات وتوجيه ضربات سرية». ويقولون إن «إسرائيل التي تعرف بشكل دقيق أين ينام كل شخص إيراني رفيع، وفي أي سيارة يسافر أولاد وأحفاد إسماعيل هنية، تتصرف وكأنها تتلمس الطريق في الظلام عندما يتعلق الأمر بتحليل وفهم نيات الأعداء. وهي لا تحسن تقدير رد فعل إيران على هجوم كبير». وقال المحلل العسكري في صحيفة «هآرتس»، عاموس هرئيل، الأربعاء، إن المداولات في إسرائيل حول هجوم ضد إيران لا تزال جارية، وأنه «ليس مؤكداً أنه سيتم شنه فوراً»، وقد يكون محبذاً أن يتم شيء مقبول لدى الإدارة الأميركية، أي الهجوم المحدود والمركز من أجل منع نشوب حرب إقليمية.

وأضاف: «فيما تتواصل الحرب على غزة من دون أن تحقق إسرائيل أهدافها حتى الآن، ثمة شك بالغ في أنه سيكون بالإمكان تحقيقها في الوضع الحالي. وتحويل جلّ الاهتمام والتركيز الإسرائيلي على مواجهة مع إيران سيكون على حساب التعامل مع مشكلة غزة، ومن شأنه أن يطيل الحرب في جميع الجبهات، وشمل (حزب الله) فيها بشكل كامل، إذا قرر الإيرانيون ضم قدرات (حزب الله) الصاروخية إلى خطوات انتقامية مستقبلية ضد إسرائيل».



What's Next for Iran's Government after Death of its President in Helicopter Crash?

The Iranian flag is seen flying over a street in Tehran, Iran, February 1, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
The Iranian flag is seen flying over a street in Tehran, Iran, February 1, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
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What's Next for Iran's Government after Death of its President in Helicopter Crash?

The Iranian flag is seen flying over a street in Tehran, Iran, February 1, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
The Iranian flag is seen flying over a street in Tehran, Iran, February 1, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

The death of Iran's president is unlikely to lead to any immediate changes in Iran's ruling system or to its overarching policies, which are decided by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

But Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash Sunday, was seen as a prime candidate to succeed the 85-year-old supreme leader, and his death makes it more likely that the job could eventually go to Khamenei's son, The AP reported.

A hereditary succession would pose a potential crisis of legitimacy for the Islamic Republic, which was established as an alternative to monarchy but which many Iranians already see as a corrupt and dictatorial regime. Here's a look at what comes next.

HOW DOES IRAN'S GOVERNMENT WORK?

Iran holds regular elections for president and parliament with universal suffrage.

But the supreme leader has final say on all major policies, serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces and controls the powerful Revolutionary Guard.

The supreme leader also appoints half of the 12-member Guardian Council, a clerical body that vets candidates for president, parliament and the Assembly of Experts, an elected body of jurists in charge of choosing the supreme leader.

In theory, the clerics oversee the republic to ensure it complies with Islamic law. In practice, the supreme leader carefully manages the ruling system to balance competing interests, advance his own priorities and ensure that no one challenges the Islamic Republic or his role atop it.

Raisi, a hard-liner who was seen as a protege of Khamenei, was elected president in 2021 after the Guardian Council blocked any other well-known candidate from running against him, and turnout was the lowest in the history of the Islamic Republic. He succeeded Hassan Rouhani, a relative moderate who had served as president for the past eight years and defeated Raisi in 2017.

After Raisi's death, in accordance with Iran's constitution, Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, a relative unknown, became caretaker president, with elections mandated within 50 days. That vote will likely be carefully managed to produce a president who maintains the status quo.

That means Iran will continue to impose some degree of Islamic rule and crack down on dissent. It will enrich uranium, support armed groups across the Middle East and view the West with deep suspicion.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR SUCCESSION?

Presidents come and go, some more moderate than others, but each operates under the structure of the ruling system.

If any major change occurs in Iran, it is likely to come after the passing of Khamenei, when a new supreme leader will be chosen for only the second time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Khamenei succeeded the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Khomeini, in 1989.

The next supreme leader will be chosen by the 88-seat Assembly of Experts, who are elected every eight years from candidates vetted by the Guardian Council. In the most recent election, in March, Rouhani was barred from running, while Raisi won a seat.

Any discussion of the succession, or machinations related to it, occur far from the public eye, making it hard to know who may be in the running. But the two people seen by analysts as most likely to succeed Khamenei were Raisi and the supreme leader's own son, Mojtaba, 55, a Shiite cleric who has never held government office.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE SUPREME LEADER'S SON SUCCEEDS HIM?

Leaders of the Islamic Republic going back to the 1979 revolution have portrayed their system as superior.

The transfer of power from the supreme leader to his son could spark anger, not only among Iranians who are already critical of clerical rule, but supporters of the system who might see it as un-Islamic.

Western sanctions linked to the nuclear program have devastated Iran's economy. And the enforcement of Islamic rule, which grew more severe under Raisi, has further alienated women and young people.

The Islamic Republic has faced several waves of popular protests in recent years, most recently after the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, who had been arrested for allegedly not covering her hair in public. More than 500 people were killed and over 22,000 were detained in a violent crackdown.

Raisi's death may make the transition to a new supreme leader trickier, and it could spark more unrest.

 

 

 

 

 

 


CENTOM: More Than 569 Tons of Aid Delivered Across Floating Pier Into Gaza

This handout satellite image courtesy of Maxar Technologies shows tents and shelters for Palestinians displaced by the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas at the Mawasi camp near Rafah in the south of the Palestinian territory on May 15, 2024. (Photo by Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies / AFP)
This handout satellite image courtesy of Maxar Technologies shows tents and shelters for Palestinians displaced by the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas at the Mawasi camp near Rafah in the south of the Palestinian territory on May 15, 2024. (Photo by Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies / AFP)
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CENTOM: More Than 569 Tons of Aid Delivered Across Floating Pier Into Gaza

This handout satellite image courtesy of Maxar Technologies shows tents and shelters for Palestinians displaced by the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas at the Mawasi camp near Rafah in the south of the Palestinian territory on May 15, 2024. (Photo by Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies / AFP)
This handout satellite image courtesy of Maxar Technologies shows tents and shelters for Palestinians displaced by the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas at the Mawasi camp near Rafah in the south of the Palestinian territory on May 15, 2024. (Photo by Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies / AFP)

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Tuesday more than 569 metric tons of humanitarian assistance has been delivered so far across a temporary floating pier to Gaza, but not all the aid has reached warehouses.

Aid deliveries began arriving at a US-built pier on Friday as Israel comes under growing global pressure to allow more supplies into the besieged coastal enclave, Reuters reported.

The UN said that 10 truckloads of food aid - transported from the pier site by UN contractors - were received on Friday at a World Food Program warehouse in Deir El Balah in Gaza.

But on Saturday, only five truckloads made it to the warehouse after 11 others were cleaned out by Palestinians during the journey through an area that a UN official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said has been hard to access with humanitarian aid.

The UN did not receive any aid from the pier on Sunday or Monday.


AI-intensive Sectors are Showing Productivity Surge, PwC says

AI (Artificial Intelligence) letters and robot hand miniature in this illustration taken, June 23, 2023. (Reuters)
AI (Artificial Intelligence) letters and robot hand miniature in this illustration taken, June 23, 2023. (Reuters)
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AI-intensive Sectors are Showing Productivity Surge, PwC says

AI (Artificial Intelligence) letters and robot hand miniature in this illustration taken, June 23, 2023. (Reuters)
AI (Artificial Intelligence) letters and robot hand miniature in this illustration taken, June 23, 2023. (Reuters)

The types of business which are most likely to use artificial intelligence are seeing growth in workers' productivity that is almost five times faster than elsewhere, raising hopes for a boost to the broader economy, accountancy firm PwC said.

Productivity in professional and financial services and in information technology grew by 4.3% between 2018 and 2022 compared with gains of 0.9% across construction, manufacturing and retail, food and transport, PwC said.

The data suggested that the rise of artificial intelligence could help countries to break out of a rut of low productivity growth which would boost economic growth, wages and living standards, PwC said in a report published on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

Carol Stubbings, leader of PwC Global Markets and Tax & Legal Services, said highly productive sectors had faster growth in job ads for people with AI skills than without, suggesting AI played a role in these sectors' higher productivity.

The trend of productivity growth generated by the technology was likely to accelerate as companies increasingly deployed generative AI which can be used by non-AI specialists, she said.

"The challenge with AI, and particularly generative AI, is the speed of the change," Stubbings said.

Last week the head of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva said AI was hitting the global labour market "like a tsunami" and was likely to have an impact on 60% of jobs in advanced economies in the next two years.

The PwC report tracked and analysed over half a billion job ads from 15 rich countries and used data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

It said jobs that require AI skills - including AI-specialist and non-specialist roles - carried a average premium of 25% in the US and 14% in Britain.


Samsung Electronics Picks Veteran Executive to Tackle 'Chip Crisis' amid AI Boom

A Samsung sign is displayed, during the GSMA's 2023 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain March 1, 2023. (Reuters)
A Samsung sign is displayed, during the GSMA's 2023 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain March 1, 2023. (Reuters)
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Samsung Electronics Picks Veteran Executive to Tackle 'Chip Crisis' amid AI Boom

A Samsung sign is displayed, during the GSMA's 2023 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain March 1, 2023. (Reuters)
A Samsung sign is displayed, during the GSMA's 2023 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain March 1, 2023. (Reuters)

Samsung Electronics has replaced the chief of its semiconductor division to help the group overcome a "chip crisis", amid a booming market for AI chips where analyst say the world's biggest memory chipmaker lags peers.

The South Korean manufacturer on Tuesday said it has appointed Young Hyun Jun, effective immediately, moving him from the role as head of its future business planning unit.

Jun previously led Samsung's memory chip department after working on the development of DRAM and flash memory chips.

The move is likely aimed at catching up in the market for top-end chips used in artificial intelligence (AI) such as high bandwidth memory (HBM) chips where Samsung has fallen behind rivals such as SK Hynix, analysts said, Reuters reported.

"This is a preemptive measure to strengthen future competitiveness by renewing the atmosphere internally and externally," Samsung Electronics said in a statement.

The firm said Jun, a former chief executive at battery arm Samsung SDI and former executive at Samsung Electronics' memory chip business, would help overcome the "chip crisis" with his management know-how.

Replacing such a high-ranking position in the middle of the year is unusual, given most personnel changes at Samsung normally take place in the beginning of the year, analysts said.

Current chip division chief Kye Hyun Kyung will succeed Jun as head of the future business unit.

"The chip division has been lagging in competitiveness on various fronts. It also missed a lot of the global AI upward trend," said analyst Lee Min-hee at BNK Investment & Securities.


Oil Prices Fall on Fear of High US Interest Rates Depressing Demand

The sun is seen behind a crude oil pump jack in the Permian Basin in Loving County, Texas, US, November 22, 2019. REUTERS/Angus Mordant
The sun is seen behind a crude oil pump jack in the Permian Basin in Loving County, Texas, US, November 22, 2019. REUTERS/Angus Mordant
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Oil Prices Fall on Fear of High US Interest Rates Depressing Demand

The sun is seen behind a crude oil pump jack in the Permian Basin in Loving County, Texas, US, November 22, 2019. REUTERS/Angus Mordant
The sun is seen behind a crude oil pump jack in the Permian Basin in Loving County, Texas, US, November 22, 2019. REUTERS/Angus Mordant

Oil prices fell in early Asian trade on Tuesday, with investors anticipating higher-for-longer US inflation and interest rates will depress consumer and industrial demand.

Brent crude futures declined 12 cents, or 0.1%, to $83.34 a barrel by 0041 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) eased 8 cents, or 0.1%, to $79.72 a barrel.

Both benchmarks fell less than 1% on Monday as US Federal Reserve officials said they were awaiting more signs of slowing inflation before considering interest rate cuts, Reuters reported.

"Fears of weaker demand led to selling as the prospect of Fed rate cut became more distant," said analyst Toshitaka Tazawa at Fujitomi Securities.

Fed Vice Chair Philip Jefferson said on Monday it was too early to tell if the inflation slowdown is "long lasting," while Vice Chair Michael Barr said restrictive policy needs more time. Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic said it will "take a while" for the central bank to be confident that price growth slowdown is sustainable.

Lower interest rates reduce borrowing costs, freeing up funds which could boost economic growth and demand for oil.


Saudi Sports for All Federation Delegation Meets with Greek Sports Executives

The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) concludes visit to Athens, Greece - SPA
The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) concludes visit to Athens, Greece - SPA
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Saudi Sports for All Federation Delegation Meets with Greek Sports Executives

The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) concludes visit to Athens, Greece - SPA
The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) concludes visit to Athens, Greece - SPA

The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) concluded a visit to Athens, Greece, from May 7 to 10. The visit focused on exchanging expertise, exploring international best practices in community sports, and learning about popular sports facilities and effective techniques for promoting sports participation.oard of Directors, and Executive Director Shaima Saleh Al-Husseini, met with the Greek Minister of Education, Religious Af
The federation delegation, led by Prince Khalid bin Alwaleed bin Talal, Chairman of the Bfairs, and Sports, Jiannis Frutis, and the Secretary General for Sports Affairs, George Mavrotas.

Discussions covered governance, the role of sports in promoting mental health and quality of life, and the unveiling of the "Kouros" platform, a unique digital tool that tracks sports participation and performance data. This platform aids in data-driven decision-making and talent development across 63 federations. The Greek team also reviewed financial incentives for sports clubs and innovative community sports programs, SPA reported.
The delegation also met with the Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, and his team to discuss the importance of community sports policies and initiatives. The Greek side highlighted efforts to reduce car usage and encourage cycling and other means of transportation. Plans for international events, including the "Tour of Hellas," were discussed to activate cycling trails and promote cultural exchanges among community members.
On the last day of the visit, the SFA delegation toured the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, the Peace and Friendship Stadium, and the Athens Olympic Museum to explore and transfer international best practices to the Kingdom.


Tickets for Whittaker vs. Chimaev at UFC's First Event in Saudi Arabia Now on Sale

Tickets for Whittaker vs. Chimaev at UFC's First Event in Saudi Arabia Now on Sale
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Tickets for Whittaker vs. Chimaev at UFC's First Event in Saudi Arabia Now on Sale

Tickets for Whittaker vs. Chimaev at UFC's First Event in Saudi Arabia Now on Sale

The capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, is set to host the first event for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the world's premier mixed martial arts organization, on June 22. The main fight will be between Australian Robert Whittaker and Russian Khamzat Chimaev, SPA reported.
Tickets for the event are available to the public through the webook platform.
Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker (26-7-0) is returning to the octagon to continue his winning streak in the highly anticipated matchup at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh against Khamzat Chimaev. Whittaker, a professional mixed martial artist since 2009, has left a significant mark on the sport, becoming the UFC middleweight champion at UFC 213. He most recently defeated Brazil's Paulo Costa at UFC 298.
Chimaev (13-0-0) is looking to maintain his undefeated record and continue his rise in the middleweight rankings as a rising star. He has achieved six wins by knockout, five by submission, and eight wins in the first round.
As part of the UFC's inaugural event in the Kingdom, fans will witness an exhilarating showdown in the octagon as Russia's Sergei Pavlovich (18-2) faces compatriot Alexander Volkov (37-10) in a clash of heavyweight titans.


Saudi National Team Participates in World Youth Weightlifting Championships in Peru

Saudi National Team Participates in World Youth Weightlifting Championships in Peru
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Saudi National Team Participates in World Youth Weightlifting Championships in Peru

Saudi National Team Participates in World Youth Weightlifting Championships in Peru

The Saudi weightlifting team will participate in the World Youth Weightlifting Championship Under 17, which will be held in Lima, Peru, from May 22-26, 2024. The championship will be attended by 284 weightlifters, representing 51 countries.
The team's weightlifters set up a preparatory camp for 33 days in Morocco before heading to Peru to participate in the tournament.

Head of the Saudi mission, Mohamed Al-Harbi, stressed the keenness of the Saudi Arabian Weightlifting and Bodybuilding Federation to prepare the players physically and psychologically for the tournament, by establishing such camps.

The federation aims to prepare a promising generation that competes on continental, global and Olympic platforms.


Saudi Karate Team Wins 5 Medals in World Youth League Championship in Spain

File photo of Saudi Arabia's flag.
File photo of Saudi Arabia's flag.
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Saudi Karate Team Wins 5 Medals in World Youth League Championship in Spain

File photo of Saudi Arabia's flag.
File photo of Saudi Arabia's flag.

The Saudi karate team concluded participation in the World Youth League Championship of the International Karate Federation, SPA reported.

The event featured the categories of U-14, juniors, youth, and Olympic, and was held in Acrona, Spain May 16 to 19.
The Saudi team won five medals, including gold, silver, and three bronze, across various categories in martial-arts competitions.


GCC Sec-Gen Affirms Support to All International Efforts to Achieve Stability in Yemen

Meeting between the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary General to Yemen - SPA
Meeting between the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary General to Yemen - SPA
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GCC Sec-Gen Affirms Support to All International Efforts to Achieve Stability in Yemen

Meeting between the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary General to Yemen - SPA
Meeting between the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary General to Yemen - SPA

The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, stressed that the GCC countries support all international efforts that contribute to achieving security, stability, development and peace in Yemen.
This came during his meeting with the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary General to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, at the Secretariat General's headquarters in Riyadh.
During the meeting, they reviewed the latest developments in Yemen, and several issues of common interest.

The discussions focused on the firm position of the Cooperation Council regarding supporting legitimacy in Yemen and ending the Yemeni crisis by reaching a political solution in accordance with the three terms of reference: the Gulf Initiative and its executive mechanism, the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue Conference (NDC), and Security Council Resolution 2216.
Albudaiwil also reaffirmed the statements made by the Supreme Council of the GCC in its 44th session held in Doha in December 2023. These statements included full support for the Presidential Leadership Council headed by Dr. Rashad Muhammad Al Alimi and the entities supporting him to achieve security and stability in Yemen.