Maryam Rashid, PMP®

If you missed our webinar - How to Determine the Truth about Israel, Hamas, and Gaza, it's now on YouTube! Head over to https://lnkd.in/gzg5JGrT and check it out! #MiddleEast #MiddleEastPeace #Myths #Facts #CMEPEducates #Webinar

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Three questions for Samantha Power: 1) Why did you spend more on USAID photographers for your post-genocide visit to Armenia 9/23 than on humanitarian aid programs in Artsakh over your first three years in office? 2) Why did you refuse to call starvation caused by Azerbaijan's blockade a crisis? 3) As a genocide scholar, why did you not condemn Azerbaijan's blockade of Artsakh as a Genocide, under Article II, (c) of the Genocide Convention: “Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction”? 

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1983 - BEIRUT / USA vs ISRAEL This is how invitations to America to "oversee" devolve -- and REAGAN (who LOVED Israel!) was President. Israel must rely upon no one but itself. Accepting help? - Sure. But, invitations to "oversee" and continued reliance/dependence upon America for spare parts and munitions (let alone weapons systems) is a terribly misguided strategic doctrine, given America's internal divisions -- whether in Lebanon or elsewhere. The next four years of an abundant "Trump-harvest" must be used to prepare national resilience and self-sufficiency for the lean four years and longer that may well yet come thereafter (see Joseph's dreams and the Egyptians forward planning). https://lnkd.in/gNKCj_e8

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"Hezbollah confirms leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in Israeli airstrike". Spoke about it with CNBC https://lnkd.in/dsUee7cr Nasrallah's death and the outcomes of 10 days of consecutive Israeli special operations against Hezbollah produce a game-changing moment. For years, Israel regarded Hezbollah as its most significant immediate security threat. Apparently, Israel prepared itself accordingly to counter it, as proven by its decisive strikes against Hezbollah's leadership and capabilities. Till now, Hezbollah's retaliations are less damaging than expected, although they still bring many more Israelis under fire, and can evolve in more escalatory directions.   As the one-year mark of October 7 is approaching, Israel's success against Hezbollah stands in stark contrast to the devastating failure a year ago vis-à-vis Hamas. A sense of accomplishment is now widespread among Israeli society, which has been agonizing for a year. The sense is that Israel's lost deterrence is making an impressive comeback. This is mixed with deep concern for the fate of hostages held by Hamas.   Israel now awaits to see whether Iran will join retaliation on behalf of Hezbollah, leading to an even greater regional escalation. But, recent developments also provide an opportunity for an off-ramp. After diminishing Hezbollah's power, Israel should finally be ready for a ceasefire in Gaza, which will enable the return of the Israeli hostages and may improve the situation in the north. Netanyahu rejected this so far, but the Biden administration should make a genuine effort to change this now.   What happens to Hezbollah will not impact Israel-only. It is likely to have domestic repercussions in Lebanon as well, perhaps eventually changing the internal balance of power, and enabling Lebanon to solve its long-lasting political and economic crisis.

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The 101 Israeli hostages have been held by Hamas for more than 400 days. Last week, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum's health committee released a report on their health. They are suffering from severe malnutrition, with some having lost up to 50 percent of their body weight. They are also vulnerable to hypothermia and respiratory tract infections. Their families fear they won't survive a second winter in captivity. And that's without even considering the constant danger to their lives from both Hamas and Israeli army operations. But the hostages' situation, the danger to their lives and the suffering of their families don't interest the government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government are alienated from the hostages. They have already overcome the shame barrier. Every day, another person in the cruelest governing coalition in Israel's history puts on another show of extreme hardheartedness. This week, it was Knesset Constitution Committee chairman Simcha Rothman, who prevented the brother of hostage Matan Angrest from playing a recording of him in captivity during the committee's hearing. At the same time, the public is being exposed to the full picture of the psychological warfare Netanyahu's close associates apparently waged against Israelis, including the hostages' families, with the goal of reducing support for a hostage deal.... Netanyahu's sole concern is his government's survival. But unlike an agreement in the north, an end to the war in Gaza and the release of the hostages would cost Netanyahu his government. That is why the war in Gaza is likely to continue forever, at the price of the abandonment of the hostages, the death of soldiers and continued disproportionate harm to Gazan civilians. The goals of the war in Gaza have been vague from the start. But judging by what is happening on the ground, the government is determined to push the Palestinians southward and is preparing to stay in Gaza indefinitely, including by building Jewish settlements there. The war must end on all fronts. Gaza and the hostages must not be sacrificed on the altar of the government's survival. In addition to seeking an agreement in the north, we must also seek a hostage deal and an end to the war in Gaza. Israel At War: Get a dail

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New Video Alert! Iran's Missile Attack on Israel: What Really Happened? In my latest video, I dive into the recent missile attack by Iran on Israel. What led to this escalation? How will it impact the region and the world? Watch the full video on my YouTube channel Vision Academy to understand the geopolitical implications and the potential outcomes of this conflict. https://lnkd.in/dRMUNAYa Don't forget to Like, Share, and Subscribe to stay updated with more in-depth analyses on global issues! #Iran #Israel #MiddleEastConflict #Geopolitics #MissileAttack #VisionAcademy #CurrentAffairs #InternationalRelations #SubscribeNow

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DC Department of Small & Local Business Development (DSLBD) DC Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) D.C. State Board of Education (SBOE) ☺️ For government agencies, a style guide is essential to ensure consistent, clear, and accessible communication with the public. It standardizes visual and editorial elements such as logos, color schemes, typography, tone, and language, allowing government materials to present a unified identity across platforms. This consistency builds public trust, as citizens are more likely to recognize and rely on familiar, cohesive communication. A style guide streamlines the creative process for government teams, providing clear guidelines that reduce confusion and speed up production. It also enhances cross-departmental collaboration, ensuring all agencies align on visual and verbal standards, preventing fragmented messaging. Importantly, style guides in government settings include accessibility and inclusivity standards, like font sizes, color contrast, and language sensitivity, making information accessible to all citizens, including those with disabilities. Government agencies will be able to incorporate modern design trends carefully, updating visuals while maintaining trust. This approach helps agencies stay current and effectively engage the public, fostering a clear, professional, and approachable government identity. #GovernmentCommunication #StyleGuide #PublicTrust #ConsistencyMatters #Accessibility #InclusiveDesign #GovernmentBranding #ClearCommunication

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"Our assessment together is that Israel's campaign in Gaza and US support for it has been disastrous by every measure." "For years any serious discussion of rethinking US policy has been actively suppressed or subject to self censorship both inside and outside government." "Question policies that you think are unjust or illegal... challenge those decisions, organize among your colleagues, don't be afraid to bring this up." Earlier this week nine of us who have resigned from the U.S. Government over the Biden Administration's intransigent policy of lethal military support to Israel's war crimes in Gaza participated in our first joint event, a webinar hosted by DAWN and facilitated by Sarah Leah Whitson. Over the course of 90+ minutes we walked through our recent Joint Statement: Service in Dissent, and answered questions from the audience on issues ranging from foreign policy to U.S. politics to the question of what those still in government should do in an immensely difficult situation. Do give it a watch: https://lnkd.in/e2Tquhm5 A rough transcript is here: https://lnkd.in/eTDf_bXv Our Joint Statement is here: https://lnkd.in/eZqtJUyE

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Please repost! Dear Presidential and Elected Office Candidates, If you aspire to lead this nation, you must act with a conscience. Our unconditional support for Israel is making Americans less safe and fueling anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab sentiments, deepening societal divisions. As a superpower, we cannot allow a war criminal like Netanyahu to be rewarded for sabotaging ceasefires, obstructing hostage releases, and escalating conflicts into Lebanon with a massive "terrorist attack" (former CIA Director Leon Panetta.) Netanyahu’s aim to extend the war and evade corruption charges, dragging the United States into a broader conflict with Iran, supported by Russia and China, must be stopped. American soldiers should not be endangered, nor should American tax dollars support an illegal occupation and apartheid system (ICJ, ICC, U.N.). Nations like Germany, Spain, Canada, and the UK have taken action by suspending certain arms exports due to Israel’s violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). While the U.S. claims to uphold these principles through its Conventional Arms Transfer Policy, recent events expose contradictions in our actions, values, Leahy laws, and the Foreign Assistance Act. The U.S. Department of Justice aggressively pursues justice for Americans killed abroad by extremists, yet Israeli officials responsible for similar atrocities continue to evade consequences. The killing of American activist Aysenur Eygi by Israeli forces is a stark example of this double standard. This selective application of justice not only undermines our moral authority but also weakens America's standing as a global leader. As an occupying power, Israel is bound by law yet consistently disregards these obligations. Widespread reports of detainee rape, torture mistreatment, ethnic cleansing, and severe human rights abuses in Gaza demand immediate attention. The targeting of civilians is a clear human rights violation and cannot be justified as self-defense. As a superpower, our foreign policy must reflect our national interests and values. The Geneva Conventions are clear in their protections for those in occupied territories, yet Israel’s actions erode these protections. Ignoring the rule of law allows tyranny to prevail and undermines our credibility. Across the U.S., a growing movement demands an end to this violence. College students, civil rights groups, faith leaders, and the public call for suspending military support for Israel. An overwhelming 68% of Americans support an immediate ceasefire (Jill Stein, 2024). America’s ongoing support for policies resulting in human rights violations and the loss of innocent lives jeopardizes our global leadership and tarnishes our legacy. We cannot be remembered as the generation that stood by while atrocities, massive war, crimes, and potential genocide occurred. This is about our moral responsibility to lead with integrity and compassion! Sincerely, American Voices for Peace

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“[E]scalating tensions between Israel and its regional antagonists…has stoked fears of an expansion of the war in Gaza, a factor that has muted criticism of the retreat from democracy by the US and other western allies who view Kuwait as a crucial partner and a bulwark of stability in a dangerously volatile region. The diplomatic breathing space figures to benefit the Kuwaiti regime as it makes use of its expanded powers to make rapid progress on the long-stalled program of economic diversification, a goal offered up by [Emir] Mishal as the primary justification for what is ostensibly only a temporary abandonment of democratic governance.” Our latest Country Risk and Economic Forecasts for Kuwait (and other countries in the Middle East) have been released. Includes back tested political regime probability scenarios over an 18-month and five-year outlook, along with the risks associated with each regime to over eleven acts of government involvement in the economy, from equity restrictions to trade barriers. Intra-regional comparisons, econometric data, and rankings also provided. Our data drives. Now over 6 million individually vetted geopolitical risk data points, extending to the early 1980s for over 140 countries. The PRS Group: Challenging Borders, Challenging Risk www.PRSGroup.com www.christophermckee.net #middleeast #israel #hamas #war #lebanon #egypt #conflict #emergingmarkets #geopoliticalrisk #politicalrisk #ai #datanaytics #investmentrisk

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https://lnkd.in/dsr9cQTU The international community must be ashamed, hide and withdraw, and the word “humanity” must be removed or erased from all literatures, narratives and studies. The Nazis, Fascists, and Chauvinists did not do to the civilian victims who do not directly take part in military hostilities what occupying Israel has been perpetrating to the distressed Palestinians since 1967. How can a researcher, jurist, or government official talk about self-defense and deny “the longest and most heinous military occupation in contemporary history?” How can a researcher or legal jurist talk about Palestinian terrorism though the Palestinian people are the only people in the world who have not yet obtained their right to self-determination? How can a researcher or legal jurist talk about “Hamas terrorism” on the 7th October 2023 and do not mention what Israel has been perpetrating since October 2023 until now? Ayman Salama #Rafah # Israel #Gaza

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Unfortunately, based on its historical trend of demonizing Israel, it is no surprise that Amnesty International released a report this week finding that Israel is committing “genocide” against Palestinians in Gaza. What is surprising is that people are latching onto this idea and think that it’s true! We need to be careful what we accept as truth. Let's be clear. The loss of innocent civilian lives is a profound tragedy. However, the term "genocide" is not just inaccurate in this case—it's a dangerous misrepresentation that ignores critical context. Urban warfare experts have consistently noted that Israel has implemented unprecedented measures to minimize civilian casualties. Unlike many military operations throughout history, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) take extraordinary steps to warn civilians, including: ✔ Dropping leaflets and making phone calls to alert residents before strikes ✔ Using precision munitions to target specific military installations ✔ Allowing humanitarian aid corridors and evacuations I urge you to read the National Post article at the link below and learn, from firsthand accounts, just how far Israel has gone to limit civilian casualties in this war.  https://lnkd.in/gnGJeS7e In this article, urban warfare expert John Spencer is quoted as saying the Israeli army is doing "harm mitigation at a level that nobody's ever tried." These actions stand in stark contrast to Hamas' strategy, which deliberately embeds military infrastructure within, and in tunnels underneath, civilian areas. This tactic, recognized by international law experts, effectively uses Gaza's population as human shields. When military targets are intentionally placed in schools, hospitals, and residential areas, the resulting civilian casualties are a direct consequence of Hamas' strategy—not Israel's intent. It seems to me that people are overlooking a crucial fact: Hamas is not just a political organization, but a designated terrorist group committed to the destruction of Israel. Their charter explicitly calls for the elimination of the Jewish state, a goal they pursue through indiscriminate rocket attacks and terrorist infiltrations. Israel's response is not an act of aggression, but of self-defense—a fundamental right of any sovereign nation facing existential threats. The complexity of this conflict cannot be reduced to simplistic narratives that ignore decades of historical context and the nuanced realities on the ground. As believers, our call is to pray for peace, to seek understanding, and to recognize humanity on all sides of this conflict. We must hold space for the pain of all people while also standing firm against ideologies that seek to destroy life. Let us continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, for the protection of innocent lives on both sides of the conflict, and for wisdom for those in leadership positions who can ultimately broker genuine peace.

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I stand with the family of Edan Alexander, an Israeli-American hostage still in Hamas’s captivity inside Gaza, and with all the hostage families who are desperate for information about the fate of their loved ones. Hamas released a disturbing propaganda video of Edan, showing him vulnerable, weak, sad, alone, in the dark, isolated, and disconnected from others. After 420 days in captivity, Edan, like dozens of other Israeli hostages, is desperate for bold and courageous leadership in Israel, the United States, and beyond to make decisions that end the war through a deal – a deal that 69% of Israelis have consistently supported according to polls; a deal that could have spared the lives of so many Israelis and Palestinians; a deal that capitalizes on Hamas’s military weakness and the decimation of its infrastructure. And no, a deal doesn’t mean allowing Hamas to resume control and power as it did on October 6. Twitter experts and ignorant comments consistently overlook the fact that there are multiple scenarios, options, plans, and possibilities on the table for initiating political transformation in Gaza to prevent the return of Hamas to governance. But this requires ending the war, withdrawing Israeli troops, and not fulfilling far-right aspirations to resettle Gaza. It is my sincere hope that President-elect Trump applies maximum pressure on Netanyahu to expedite the end of the war before his inauguration, per reports and statements from Senator Lindsey Graham. Separately, I plead with those who are in solidarity with the Palestinian people’s horrendous suffering in Gaza to hold space and empathy for Israeli hostages, who, for no fault of their own, are suffering terribly and paying a heavy personal price. You can be outraged at the administrative detentions and other forms of unjust and illegal imprisonment of Palestinians by Israeli security forces. Still, normalizing the idea of hostage-taking in pursuit of Palestinian freedom is immoral, it’s wrong, it’s ineffective, and highly damaging to the very cause you’re championing. Acknowledging Israeli suffering and that of hostage families does not take away from one’s heartbreak and sadness for the tragedy unfolding in Gaza. Palestinians and Israelis share the same blood, human bodies, human aspirations, roots, desires, and goals to live in freedom, dignity, and safety – they both will also need to share the land from the river to the sea as their fates are intricately intertwined. May Edan and all Israeli hostages be released from the dark tunnels and dungeons of Gaza; their freedom will give hope for a new life to 2.3 million Palestinians in the coastal enclave – InshAllah soon.

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“Over the last 30 years, the Israeli public has moved to the right on the question of how to deal with the Palestinians. Why did this happen? How has this changed Israeli politics and the strategy of the Palestinians? Listen, as journalist Haviv Rettig Gur explores the political and military history of the last three decades in Israel with EconTalk's Russ Roberts. The conversation ends with lessons for the future and a discussion of the differences between American and Israeli Jews.” Another long format share, but another good one. I’ve paid attention to I/P affairs since I first visited in 1998, and then I took courses in grad school co-taught by Israeli and Palestinian professors, before going back to live in the WB in 2014. Hearing the exposition of Israeli history, from the Israeli perspective, and how events over the last 30 years have shaped the Israeli body politic is super informative. And Haviv Retrig Gur remains an authoritative, unbiased, politically agnostic, and extraordinarily well informed voice to lay out the exposition. Very interesting is a breakdown of the first and second intifadas on mainstream Israeli thought. The first was seen as understandable, even justified. But the second… “What was the second intifada even about?” How this dovetails into the impact 10/7 has and will have on the openness of Israeli society to some of the options on the theoretical table seem obvious after hearing this chat.

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