The Washington Post: New York Officials Address Terrorism Concerns Ahead Of Cricket World Cup

“New York state and county officials sought this week to reassure attendees and area residents that extensive security measures are being implemented in response to a threat against an upcoming cricket World Cup event reportedly posted on a pro-ISIS internet platform. “Public safety is my top priority,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said in a statement, “and we are committed to ensuring the Cricket World Cup is a safe, enjoyable experience.” In a first for a competition that has been held eight times since 2007, a number of matches in the International Cricket Council Men’s T20 World Cup are taking place in the United States, which is jointly hosting the event this year with the West Indies. Among the matches slated to take place starting Saturday at a newly constructed, 34,000-seat facility in New York’s Nassau County is a highly anticipated showdown on June 9 between India and Pakistan.””

The Guardian: Quarter Of Political Donations In EU Go To Extremist And Populist Parties, Data Reveals

“A quarter of all private money donated to political parties in the EU is going to far-right, far-left and populist movements, boosting their finances by millions of euros before crucial European parliament elections next week. With the polls predicting a rise in support for hardline conservative, Eurosceptic and pro-Russia parties, the Guardian and other 26 media partners, led by the investigations group Follow the Money, are publishing Transparency Gap, the most extensive analysis yet of political financing in the EU. The data was gathered from the annual reports of more than 200 parties across 25 countries. It shows €150m (£128m), the equivalent of €1 in every €4 of all private donations made between 2019 and 2022, went to populist parties and those with the most extreme political views. Far-right groups have pulled in more than €97m, equivalent to €1 in every €7 of private money.”

CEP Mentions

WTOP News: The Hunt: How Will The Death Of Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi Impact Stability In The Region?

“How will the death of Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi impact stability in the region? On this week’s episode of “The Hunt with WTOP national security correspondent JJ Green”, Dr. Hans Jakob Schindler, senior director at the Counter Extremism Project, says it’s complicated.”

Afghanistan

Voice Of America: Taliban Appear Set To Take Part In UN-Organized Doha Meeting On Afghanistan

“Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers stated their intention Wednesday to join a United Nations-organized meeting in Doha on June 30 that aims to facilitate and coordinate the world’s engagement with the country hit by a multitude of crises. The announcement came a week after a senior U.N. diplomat visited Kabul and extended to the de facto authorities “an advance invitation” to participate in the two-day conference of special envoys on Afghanistan. The international event will be the third Afghanistan-centered gathering in Qatar's capital since U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres initiated the process in May 2023, aiming to increase interaction with Afghanistan “in a more coherent, coordinated and structured manner.” Zakir Jalali, a senior Taliban foreign ministry official, said in a “keynote speech” to its staff in the Afghan capital that “representatives of the Islamic emirate will take part in the main discussions” in Doha. A ministry spokesperson posted details of his remarks on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Wednesday.”

Pakistan

Reuters: Four Pakistanis Killed, 2 Injured By Iranian Forces In Southwestern Pakistan, Officials Say

“Four Pakistanis were killed and two were injured late on Tuesday night, when Iranian forces opened fire in the restive southwestern province of Balochistan in Pakistan, officials said. The shooting took place near the Pakistan-Iran border, in Washuk District, confirmed Umar Jamali, additional deputy commissioner. Naeem Umrani, deputy commissioner Washuk, said an investigation is being initiated to determine the reason for the shooting. Former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi visited Pakistan in April on a three-day official visit as the two Muslim neighbours seek to mend ties after unprecedented tit-for-tat military strikes this year. Raisi's visit was seen as a key step towards normalising ties with Islamabad.

Iran and Pakistan have had a history of rocky relations, but missile strikes in January were the most serious incidents in years, with Pakistan recalling its ambassador to Tehran and not allowing his counterpart to return to Islamabad, as well as cancelling all high-level diplomatic and trade engagements.”

Yemen

Associated Press: Ship Attacked By Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Was Full Of Grain Bound For Iran, The Group’s Main Benefactor

“A Greek-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier that came under attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels earlier this week had a cargo of grain bound for Iran, the group’s main benefactor, authorities said Thursday. The attack on the Laax comes as the Houthis continue their attacks on shipping throughout the Red Sea corridor, part of a campaign they say aims at pressuring Israel and the West over the war in Gaza. However, as shipping through that artery has dropped during the months of attacks, the rebels have struck vessels associated with Iran, as well as Tehran’s economic lifelines of China and Russia. Initially after the attack, the Laax had listed its destination as Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. On Thursday, however, its listed destination instead appeared to be Bandar Khomeini, Iran.”

Middle East

Associated Press: The Latest | 2 Soldiers Are Killed In A West Bank Car-Ramming Attack, Israeli Military Says

“The Israeli military said Thursday that two soldiers were killed in a car-ramming attack in the occupied West Bank. Violence in the West Bank has surged throughout the war in Gaza as Israel raids Palestinian towns in the territory to crack down on militancy, with incursions resulting in the deaths of more than 500 Palestinians. In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians in the border city of Rafah reported heavy fighting Wednesday, and Israel’s military said it seized control of the entire length of Gaza’s border with Egypt. Fighting in Rafah has already spurred more than 1 million Palestinians to flee, most of whom had already been displaced in the war between Israel and Hamas. They now seek refuge in makeshift tent camps and other war-ravaged areas, where they lack shelter, food, water and other essentials for survival, the United Nations says.”

i24: Knesset Advances Bill To Designate UNRWA As A Terrorist Organization

“The Israeli Knesset has passed a preliminary reading of a bill designating the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) as a terrorist organization.  The bill, introduced by MK Yulia Malinovsky, passed with a 42-6 majority on Wednesday. It seeks to abolish the immunities and privileges currently enjoyed by UNRWA employees. The bill, formally titled the "Bill to Abolish the Immunity and Privileges of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)," comes in response to evidence suggesting links between UNRWA employees and Hamas. If passed in the final reading, the Anti-Terrorism Law will apply to UNRWA, ending all ties between Israel and the agency and closing its assets in Israeli territory.”

Associated Press: Israel Says It’s Taken Control Of Key Area Of Gaza’s Border With Egypt Awash In Smuggling Tunnels

“Israel’s military said Wednesday it seized control of a strategic corridor along Gaza’s border with Egypt to cut off smuggling tunnels as it tries to destroy the militant Hamas group in a war now in its eighth month. The capture of the Philadelphi Corridor could complicate Israel’s relations with Egypt, which has complained about Israel’s advance toward its border. Israel says the corridor is awash in tunnels that have funneled weapons and other goods for Hamas — despite a yearslong blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt. Israel also deepened its incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where hundreds of thousands have been seeking shelter from fighting, and where intensifying violence in recent days has killed dozens of Palestinians. The military said that a fifth brigade — up to several thousand soldiers — joined troops operating in the city on Tuesday.”

Somalia

Garowe Online: Somalia Strengthens Military Ties With Turkey

“The Federal Republic of Somalia is seeking to deepen military ties with Turkey, a dependable European country that has been helping the Horn of Africa nation to stabilize, including through training and equipping of local forces. Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, the minister for defence, met his Turkish counterpart Yaşar Güler during the EFES-2024 Exercise's Distinguished Observer Day in Izmir on Wednesday, where close cooperation between the two nations was deliberated. Defense cooperation between Somalia and Turkey has been in the offing, with the two countries signing a pact early this year. Turkey has invested immensely in Somalia’s security forces, including through training and equipping the GorGor elite troops. "Our Turkish brothers play a major role in building our army, developing it, and fighting the Khawarij," said the Somali Defense Minister.”

Europe

BBC: Italy’s PM Says Fascism Is ‘Consigned To History’. Not Everyone Is So Sure

“They line up in military-like formation: a thousand strong, most dressed in black, some with tattoos on shaved scalps. At the spot in Milan where Sergio Ramelli, a far-right student, was killed almost 50 years ago by anti-fascists, a leader summons his battalion of loyalists to attention. He shouts "camerata", or "brother-in-arms", and Ramelli’s name, as if delivering a roll-call. And then it comes: stiff right arms outstretched and raised, palms facing down, the fascist salute in the heart of Italy’s second city, and the crowd reply on the dead man's behalf with a roar: "Present! Present! Present!" It's 2024, but this has frightening echoes of a century ago. While it may seem extraordinary to an outsider – and it was staggering to me, watching it close up – it is not out of the ordinary in Italy, where commemorations of this type take place every year.”

Reuters: European Powers Seek Action Against Iran At IAEA Meeting Despite US Concerns

“Britain, France and Germany have circulated a draft resolution against Iran ahead of the U.N. nuclear watchdog's board meeting next week and appear determined to push it despite opposition from their U.S. ally, three diplomats said on Wednesday. Reuters reported on May 24 that the U.S. and its European partners, known as the E3, were divided over whether to confront Iran with Washington fearing such a resolution could risk further escalation in the region and rock the boat ahead of November's U.S. election. "We are pushing the Americans, but they remain stuck in the thinking that nothing should be done to escalate with Iran," said a senior European official. "That has achieved nothing so far and we believe we need to show firmness now." Tehran bristles at such resolutions and often responds by stepping up its activities.”

China

Reuters: Xi Says China Wants To Work With Arab States To Resolve Hot Spot Issues

“China wants to work with Arab nations to resolve hot spot issues in ways conducive to upholding fairness, justice and achieving long-term peace and stability, President Xi Jinping said in a speech on Thursday that also highlighted the Gaza crisis. China is seeking to strengthen its relations with Arab states as a model for maintaining world peace and stability, Xi was quoted as saying by state media at the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in Beijing. In remarks about the war in Gaza, the Chinese leader said war cannot continue indefinitely, justice cannot be permanently absent and a "two-state solution" should be firmly upheld. "In the face of a turbulent world, mutual respect is the way to live in harmony, and fairness and justice are the foundation of lasting security," Xi was quoted as saying by Xinhua news.”