Latest news with #KimJong-Un
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First Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Is Iran the Next North Korea? How Tehran's isolation may deepen due to war with Israel
As the Israeli campaign has reduced Iran to a shadow of its former self, the regime appears set to become the next North Korea in terms of isolation. Here is how the Islamic Republic's isolation is set to increase irrespective of the way the ongoing conflict ends. read more Iranian flags fly as fire and smoke from an Israeli attack on Sharan Oil depot rise, following Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran. Reuters For years, Iran had remained one of the two powerhouses of West Asia despite being piled with sanctions over its nuclear programme. A network of allies across the world and proxies in the region were central in achieving the feat. But that changed last week. Over the past six days, Israel has reduced Iran to a mere shadow of its former self — its military leadership is largely dead, scores of military sites have been destroyed, critical infrastructure has been hammered, and air defence systems have essentially been neutralised. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As neither its allies, Russia and China, nor its proxies, such as Hezbollah, are in a position to support Iran, the regime appears set to fall into isolation like that of North Korea — if not worse. Unlike Ayatollah Khamenei of Iran, Kim Jong-Un of North Korea at least has nuclear weapons as ultimate deterrence. New power dynamics to drive Iran into isolation While wars with Hamas and Hezbollah after the October 7 attack had already changed power dynamics in West Asia, the conflict between Israel and Hamas has further solidified it. Iran was the military powerhouse of West Asia on the back of its military strength, its network of proxies, strategic depth in Syria, and alliance with China and Russia. However, since the October 7 attack, the war in the Gaza Strip has reduced Hamas to a shadow of its former self, the war in Lebanon has battered Hezbollah, and the conflict with Houthis in Yemen has degraded their abilities. Iran has also lost its strategic depth in Syria with the ouster of Bashar al-Assad. With no direct substantial support from Russia and China and having lost its own strength and that of its proxies, Iran is no longer is in a position to assert power. This is bound to increase Iran's isolation in the world and reduce its relevance even for its allies. With mounting sanctions, poor economy, and a battered economy, Iran appears set to be the next North Korea, but without nuclear weapons, which at least assure dictator Kim security. No good options with Iran Even if Iran survives this war and develops a nuclear weapon under the belief that only nuclear weapons can assure its security, the regime would be headed towards a future like North Korea. While Russia and Iran don't want Iran to be defeated, they also don't want it to have a nuclear weapon. Developing a nuclear weapon would put Iran in a situation where it could get security guarantee at the cost of even its allies giving up on the relationship. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Nuclear weapons is a red line even for allies. Regarding the war in Ukraine, China had conveyed to Russia that the usage of nuclear weapons should be off the table. Internal troubles to worsen problems Unlike North Korea, Iran has visible disgruntlement against the rulers that comes to a boil every few years. In 2022, after the regime's morality police killed a young woman for the purported violation of hijab laws, hundreds of thousands of people took to streets for weeks in an uprising that shattered the impression of Khamenei's grip on Iranians. While the regime cracked down on the movement with brute force and the movement eventually died, it showed the world that a large chunk of the population is just waiting for the opportunity to rise against the regime. The weakening of the regime as a result of the war with Iran and subsequent isolation could provide grounds for another uprising.
The Onion
4 days ago
- Business
- The Onion
Trump Organization Launches Trump Mobile Cell Phone Service
The Trump Organization unveiled a mobile phone plan and a $499 smartphone that is set to launch in September, with the new service being dubbed Trump Mobile. What do you think? 'Sorry, I'm locked in a two-year cell contract with Kim Jong-Un.' David Rupert, Lunch Orderer 'If the founding fathers didn't want presidents to sell phones named after themselves, they would've said so.' Nabil Amjadi, Egg Pickler 'I've fallen for too many Trump scams to not also fall for this one.' Abby Salazar, Suede Marketer
Daily Mirror
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Close to a million Russian troops dead or injured in Vladimir Putin's war
Russian losses in Putin's war on Ukraine are staggering - but the Kremlin is preparing a fresh offensive even whilst talks are ongoing to achieve a peace settlement Russia has lost close to a million troops to death or injury in the war in Ukraine, latest intelligence estimates declare. The number of troops put out of battle in ferocious clashes stands at 986,080 - with a staggering 1,140 killed or injured and taken from the frontline in just 24 hours. In addition, intelligence analysis suggests, Moscow has lost 10,865 tanks and almost 40,000 drones to Ukraine's defence of the invasion. Ukraine has destroyed 1,172 anti-aircraft systems, 372 warplanes, 336 helicopters, 28 warships and boats and even a submarine. The staggering claims of Russian losses have led to Moscow having to recruit as many as 14,000 North Korean soldiers who have also suffered losses. It is believed at least 1,000 of Kim Jong-Un's troops are believed to have died in battles in Russia 's effort to drive Ukraine invading troops out of Kursk. It comes as Russia is believed to be building up a huge force of 50,000 assault troops in readiness for a new Summer offensive near Sumy, in Ukraine's north east. Kyiv has confirmed Moscow forces have managed to capture four villages close to the region's border with Russia. It is believed the Kremlin has ordered a buffer of several miles in the region. But the Sumy regional governor stated that the residents of these settlements had been evacuated long ago, and "there is no threat to civilians." The attack on Sumy was originally planned for last year but was interrupted by Ukraine's mini-invasion into Russia's Kursk region. Ukraine is also believed to have suffered significant losses although there are no official figures available. Recently, the Ukrainian military also warned that Russia may be preparing new attacks on Kharkiv as Moscow gathered its troops close to the border with the region. Fighting has intensified along all of Ukraine's frontlines, stretching for over 800 miles and across multiple regions of the country. This week Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky s aid Russia mobilises around 40,000 to 45,000 men for its military every month, while Ukraine mobilises about 25,000 to 27,000. He said it is yet another indicator of Moscow intensifying its war efforts despite numerous calls from Kyiv, Brussels and Washington to agree to an unconditional ceasefire. Zelensky added: "When the US sends signals that it wants to do something positive with Russia, then Russia ramps up its mobilisation.' It comes as Ukraine's weapons developers are pushing forward with making futuristic defences using artificial intelligence. One breakthrough has been the 'robot tank' officially dubbed the Sky Sentinel which is a high-power .50-caliber M2 Browning machine gun which shoots down missiles and drones. Fitted onto a turret the device is placed near the frontline and independently of humans once it is programmed, it detects, tracks, calculates the trajectory of incoming weapons and fires. It can engage moderately fast, low-flying targets moving at speeds of up to 500mph – enough to intercept Russia's 'Kamikaze' Shahed drones, which operate at less than 120mph.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kim Jong-Un's Stunning Message To Trump; Leads Huge Artillery Parade, Signals War Preparedness
Kim Jong-Un's Stunning Message To Trump; Leads Huge Artillery Parade, Signals War Preparedness Source: North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un was all smiles as he oversaw a military artillery drill, according to state media KCNA. The drill came shortly after a failed warship launch that reportedly left the leader angry. In contrast, Kim looked pleased during the latest exercise, which included intense artillery firing contests. He used the event to reinforce the importance of frequent, warfare-like drills to maintain combat readiness. Flanked by senior officers, Kim also led a military commission meeting to strengthen the army. He urged party bodies to address all challenges in military operations and defense buildup. The artillery display adds to a string of military activities in May, including missile and air drills.#northkorea #kimjongun #militarydrill #kcna #pyongyang
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Expensive Type Of Steak Kim Jong-Un Eats
Kim Jong-Un was not originally supposed to succeed his father, Kim Jong-Il, as the Supreme Leader of North Korea. For a time, it seemed that the dictator might be replaced by his eldest son, Kim Jong-Nam, or his second-oldest son, Kim Jong-Chol. But Jong-Nam made mistakes (most notably getting caught in Japan with a fake passport trying to visit Tokyo Disneyland), and Jong-Chol was reportedly seen as too feminine for Jong Il's tastes. Jong-Un was the most like his father, not only in terms of ruthlessness, but in terms of his preference for expensive cuts of steak. (This, despite the fact that the people of North Korea have been dealing with famine and food shortages for decades.) Kenji Fujimoto, the personal sushi chef for Kim Jong-Il who correctly predicted that Jong-Un would succeed him as leader, spilled some tea about Jong-Un's expensive tastes. He would often make sushi for the future leader when preparing meals for Jong-Un's father, and recalled banquets with rich, decadent foods such as shark fin soup and, indeed, Kobe steak -- a kind of Wagyu beef with intricate marbling that makes it incredibly tender and flavorful. Because the standards for what can be called Kobe beef are so exacting, it's incredibly expensive, costing anywhere between $200 and $500 per pound. But for men like Kim Jong-Un, money (or consideration for his populace) is clearly no object. Read more: 11 Best Smokers For Brisket, According To Reviews Kim Jong-Un acquired his expensive taste from his father. They often ate Kobe steak together. Chef Kenji Fujimoto reported that both Jong-Il and Jong-Un favored the toro (the fatty meat of the tuna belly) when eating sushi. Beyond the influence of his father, Kim Jong-Un has been known to consume a litany of luxurious foods: caviar, foie gras, lobster, Parma ham, and expensive whiskeys, cognacs, and champagnes. He has also displayed some tastes which are more pedestrian, like meaty pizzas and Emmental cheese (which can be used to top your French onion soup). However, Kim may have taken them to extremes. It was once rumored that he ate cheese so much that he began hiding from the public. As for the rest of North Korea, they don't eat quite so luxuriously. Common dishes include injo gogi bap (a kind of sausage made out of soybeans), kimchi (a dish they have in common with their neighbors to the south, despite South Korea's occasional kimchi shortage), and maize porridge. For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout.
