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Day: July 21, 2026
As Ukraine hits Moscow, Zelenskyy faces a political test at home | DW News – YouTube youtube.com/watch?v=M5GCSyZz…
DeVore said the next phase of the conflict could hinge on whether Israel resumes strikes against senior Iranian leadership figures after months of U.S.-led operations targeting the country’s military infrastructure, News.Az reports.
“And here’s the tell,” DeVore said. “When does Israel get reengaged? If Israel is reengaged, it means that leadership targets are back on the table.”
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Asked whether eliminating commanders of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) would bring the conflict to a close, DeVore said such strikes would likely signal a broader political turning point rather than an immediate end to the fighting.
“It’s the beginning of the end,” he said.
DeVore argued that Iran’s leadership is increasingly vulnerable because of what he described as widespread public dissatisfaction with the government.
“If you look at the polling that was done recently and released to the public, this Iranian regime is not popular with Iranians,” he said. “They have suppressed and tortured the Iranian people since 1979. I think that they’ve had enough.”
He said the primary uncertainty is whether opposition groups inside Iran possess the organization and resources needed to challenge the government and whether the country’s conventional military would side with civilians if unrest intensified.
“The issue is, do they have any weaponry? Do they have any organization to overthrow the military?” DeVore said. “The other interesting thing is, does the regular army, for example, intervene on behalf of the people against the IRGC and against the Basij?”
The Basij is a volunteer paramilitary force affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that has played a prominent role in suppressing anti-government protests in Iran.
While DeVore predicted that military pressure could eventually contribute to political change, he acknowledged that Iran has continued adapting its tactics during the conflict.
“What happens during warfare is that the enemy adapts,” he said. “Frequently what you’ll see is the side that adapts the most quickly will have an advantage.”
He also argued that the scale of Iranian attacks has declined compared with the early months of the conflict, attributing the reduction to U.S. operations targeting missile production facilities and supply chains.
“What you’re beginning to see is a diminution of attacks,” DeVore said.
During the interview, DeVore also addressed the political challenges facing U.S. President Donald Trump as the conflict continues, saying prolonged military engagement could erode domestic support even if the administration believes it has reduced a longer-term security threat.
“We can’t blame the American public for not being in favor of war,” he said.
He added that the administration has not received sufficient recognition for preventing what he described as the potential future threat posed by Iran’s advancing missile and nuclear capabilities.
“The president really isn’t getting credit for the disaster that didn’t happen,” DeVore said.
DeVore’s remarks reflect his personal assessment of the trajectory of the conflict and Iran’s political future. U.S. and Israeli officials have generally said their military operations are intended to counter threats posed by Iran’s missile and nuclear programs, rather than publicly declaring regime change as an official objective.
The post Chuck DeVore: “It’s the beginning of the end” – VIDEO appeared first on azeritimes.com.
The case has attracted widespread attention because investigators believe it may be linked to family violence and because the person arrested is the woman’s 16-year-old son, News.Az reports.
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Emergency services responded to the home early on Tuesday morning after receiving a report of an incident. Upon arrival, officers located the woman deceased inside the residence. At around the same time, the injured 12-year-old girl, who had managed to escape from the home despite suffering serious injuries, was found in a neighboring suburb by members of the public. She was taken to hospital for urgent medical treatment.
Investigators said the injuries suffered by both the deceased woman and the injured child were consistent with stab wounds. Detectives immediately secured the property and began treating the case as a major crime investigation. A second crime scene was established at the location where the injured girl was found in order to gather additional evidence and better understand the sequence of events.
Police believe the incident occurred entirely within one family, making it a suspected case of family violence. However, investigators continue to stress that the inquiry remains in its early stages and many important questions remain unanswered. Detectives are working to establish exactly what happened inside the home, how events unfolded, and whether any additional factors contributed to the tragedy. As the investigation progresses, authorities are expected to provide further updates while continuing to gather forensic evidence and interview witnesses.
Who was arrested and what do police know so far?
Police arrested a 16-year-old boy shortly after the incident and identified him as the son of the deceased woman and the older brother of the injured 12-year-old girl. Because the suspect is a juvenile, Australian law limits the amount of personal information that authorities can publicly disclose, including his identity.
At this stage, police have confirmed only the arrest and have not publicly released detailed information regarding formal charges or legal proceedings. Investigators are continuing to examine all available evidence before determining the next steps in the criminal investigation. As is common in serious homicide investigations, detectives are carefully reviewing forensic evidence, witness statements, and the timeline of events before making further public announcements.
Authorities have emphasized that an arrest does not automatically answer every question surrounding the case. Investigators must still determine the precise circumstances that led to the woman’s death and the girl’s injuries. Detectives are also working to establish the sequence of events inside the home and whether there were any previous incidents or warning signs that may be relevant to the investigation.
Police have urged the public to avoid speculation while the inquiry continues. Cases involving juveniles require additional legal protections, and investigators must ensure that any future court proceedings are not affected by inaccurate or premature public commentary. As more evidence becomes available, authorities are expected to provide additional information regarding the legal process and the progress of the investigation.
Why are police investigating the case as suspected family violence?
Investigators have described the incident as a suspected family violence homicide because all of the individuals directly involved belong to the same immediate family. Family violence refers to violence occurring between family members and can involve parents, children, siblings, spouses, or other close relatives. While many people associate domestic violence only with intimate partner relationships, Australian law recognizes that violence within any family relationship may fall under the broader definition of family violence.
Police have not yet released details explaining exactly what led investigators to classify the case in this way. However, the known relationship between the deceased woman, the injured child, and the arrested teenager has led detectives to investigate the incident through the framework commonly used in family violence cases.
Family violence investigations are often particularly complex because they involve private family relationships, emotional histories, and events that occur inside the home with few outside witnesses. Detectives therefore rely heavily on forensic evidence, medical reports, witness interviews, digital evidence, and crime scene reconstruction to determine what occurred.
Authorities continue to stress that the investigation remains ongoing and that no conclusions should be drawn until all available evidence has been examined. Police also recognize that incidents involving family violence can have devastating consequences not only for the immediate victims but also for extended family members, friends, neighbors, schools, healthcare professionals, and the wider community. As a result, these investigations are conducted with considerable care to ensure that every aspect of the case is fully understood before legal decisions are made.
How did the 12-year-old girl survive the attack?
One of the most remarkable aspects of the case is that the 12-year-old girl managed to escape despite suffering serious injuries. According to police, she fled the family home following the incident and was later discovered in a neighboring suburb by members of the public. Those who found her contacted emergency services, allowing paramedics to transport her to hospital for urgent treatment.
Authorities have confirmed that the girl’s injuries were consistent with stab wounds but have released few additional details regarding her condition. Police have also not disclosed exactly how far she traveled or the circumstances that enabled her to leave the home. Protecting the privacy of a child victim remains a priority while the investigation continues.
Her survival may prove significant for investigators. Once doctors determine that she is medically able to speak with detectives, she could potentially provide important information about the sequence of events. However, police have emphasized that her recovery comes first and that any interview would only take place under appropriate circumstances.
The fact that she escaped the scene also allowed emergency services to become aware of the incident quickly. Combined with evidence gathered at both crime scenes, investigators hope to establish a clear timeline of what happened inside the family home during the early hours of Tuesday morning.
What happens next in the investigation?
The investigation is expected to continue for some time as detectives work to establish a complete picture of what occurred. Major homicide investigations typically involve extensive forensic examinations, interviews with witnesses, analysis of physical evidence, and close cooperation between investigators, forensic scientists, medical experts, and prosecutors.
Police have already established multiple crime scenes connected to the incident. Forensic specialists will examine the home in detail, documenting evidence that may help reconstruct the events leading up to the woman’s death and the girl’s injuries. Investigators may also analyze digital devices, communications, and other materials that could provide additional insight into the circumstances surrounding the case.
The injured 12-year-old girl may also play an important role in the investigation if and when her medical condition allows her to provide information to detectives. Any statement she may be able to give could help investigators better understand the timeline of events, although authorities will prioritize her medical recovery and wellbeing throughout the process.
As the investigation develops, prosecutors will determine whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed with criminal charges. If charges are filed, the matter will move into Australia’s judicial system, where legal proceedings involving a juvenile suspect will follow procedures designed specifically for young offenders. Until then, investigators continue to gather evidence while urging the public to rely only on officially confirmed information. The case remains active, and authorities have indicated that additional updates will be released as the investigation progresses.
The post Why was a teenager arrested after his mother was found dead in Australia? appeared first on azeritimes.com.
Beijing accused Tokyo of showing signs of renewed militarism and warned that the international community should remain vigilant about Japan’s evolving defense posture, News.Az reports.
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The exchange comes as regional security challenges continue to intensify, driven by North Korea’s nuclear program, China’s expanding military capabilities, Russia’s growing military cooperation with China, and shifting U.S. alliances in the Indo-Pacific. Against this backdrop, even political discussions about nuclear policy have become highly sensitive.
While Japan has long maintained its non-nuclear identity under the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, growing security concerns have fueled domestic debate over whether the country should reconsider some aspects of its defense strategy. China’s latest criticism reflects broader geopolitical competition and differing visions for regional security in East Asia.
What did Japan’s defense minister say about nuclear policy?
The latest diplomatic dispute began after Japan’s defense minister called for unrestricted discussions regarding nuclear-related policies. Although the minister did not announce any change in Japan’s official nuclear policy or propose the development of nuclear weapons, the suggestion that nuclear issues should be openly debated immediately attracted international attention.
Japan’s postwar security policy has traditionally avoided public debate over acquiring nuclear weapons because of the country’s unique historical experience as the only nation to suffer atomic bomb attacks during wartime. As a result, discussions surrounding nuclear policy remain politically and emotionally sensitive within Japan.
However, the regional security environment has changed significantly over the past decade. North Korea continues to advance its nuclear and missile capabilities, China has expanded its military presence across the Indo-Pacific, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has prompted many countries to reassess their national defense strategies. These developments have encouraged some Japanese policymakers and security experts to argue that long-standing assumptions about national security should at least be discussed openly.
Supporters of broader debate argue that discussing nuclear deterrence does not necessarily mean abandoning Japan’s existing policies. Instead, they believe democratic governments should be free to examine every possible security option in response to changing threats. Critics, however, fear that even opening such discussions could gradually weaken Japan’s longstanding commitment to remaining a non-nuclear state and create uncertainty among neighboring countries.
The defense minister’s remarks therefore became controversial not because Japan announced a policy shift, but because they touched upon one of the country’s most politically sensitive security issues.
Why did China react so strongly?
China’s Foreign Ministry condemned the remarks, arguing that they reflected dangerous political thinking within Japan and raised concerns about Tokyo’s long-term strategic intentions. Beijing described the comments as highly provocative and claimed they revealed ambitions to move away from the principles that have guided Japan’s post-World War II security policy.
Chinese officials frequently frame Japan’s defense modernization through the lens of history. Beijing argues that memories of Japanese militarism before and during World War II require constant vigilance whenever Tokyo expands its military capabilities or discusses changes to its security doctrine. Chinese leaders regularly emphasize that Japan must adhere to its postwar commitments and avoid actions that could undermine regional stability.
The latest criticism also reflects broader geopolitical competition between China and Japan. The two countries disagree on numerous strategic issues, including territorial disputes in the East China Sea, Taiwan, military activities in the Indo-Pacific, and competing regional security partnerships. As trust between Beijing and Tokyo has declined, even statements that might once have attracted limited attention now generate significant diplomatic friction.
From China’s perspective, discussions about nuclear policy are particularly sensitive because they could signal a gradual shift in Japan’s defense thinking. Even if Tokyo has no immediate intention of changing its official policy, Beijing worries that repeated public debates could eventually normalize ideas that were previously considered politically unacceptable.
China also seeks to reinforce its narrative that Japan is moving away from its postwar pacifist identity. By highlighting such remarks, Beijing presents itself as defending the postwar international order while criticizing what it views as Japan’s expanding military ambitions.
What are Japan’s Three Non-Nuclear Principles?
Japan’s Three Non-Nuclear Principles have served as the cornerstone of the country’s nuclear policy for more than five decades. First announced in 1967 by then-Prime Minister Eisaku Sato, the principles commit Japan to not possessing nuclear weapons, not producing nuclear weapons, and not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons into Japanese territory.
Although the principles are not formally written into Japan’s constitution, they have become one of the country’s most important political commitments and enjoy broad public recognition. They reflect Japan’s unique historical experience following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, events that continue to shape public attitudes toward nuclear weapons.
At the same time, Japan remains protected under the United States’ extended nuclear deterrence, commonly known as the U.S. nuclear umbrella. This arrangement means Japan does not possess nuclear weapons itself but relies on Washington’s strategic capabilities for deterrence against potential nuclear threats.
Over the years, some security analysts have questioned whether the Three Non-Nuclear Principles remain fully suited to today’s increasingly complex security environment. North Korea’s expanding nuclear arsenal, China’s rapid military modernization, and growing tensions around Taiwan have prompted renewed discussion about whether Japan should reconsider aspects of its defense policy.
Nevertheless, successive Japanese governments have consistently reaffirmed their commitment to the principles. Any attempt to formally abandon them would likely face significant domestic political opposition as well as international scrutiny. For that reason, even limited public discussion about nuclear policy often generates intense debate both inside Japan and abroad.
Why has nuclear policy become a bigger issue in East Asia?
Nuclear security has become increasingly important across East Asia because the regional strategic environment has changed dramatically over the past two decades. Multiple security crises are unfolding simultaneously, creating greater uncertainty for governments throughout the region.
North Korea continues to develop increasingly sophisticated nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic missiles capable of reaching neighboring countries and potentially the United States. These advances have significantly altered regional security calculations and prompted closer military cooperation among Japan, South Korea, and the United States.
China has also undertaken one of the world’s fastest military modernization programs. Alongside expanding its conventional military capabilities, Beijing has invested heavily in modernizing its nuclear forces. Many defense analysts believe China’s nuclear arsenal will continue growing substantially over the coming years, changing the strategic balance in the Indo-Pacific.
Meanwhile, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has reinforced concerns among many governments that military conflict between major powers remains a realistic possibility. The war has also revived debates about nuclear deterrence, strategic stability, and alliance commitments across Europe and Asia.
For Japan, these developments create difficult policy questions. While the government continues to support its non-nuclear principles, it must also ensure that its defense strategy remains credible in an increasingly uncertain security environment. This explains why discussions surrounding nuclear policy have become more frequent, even if official policy has not changed.
China, however, views these debates differently. Beijing worries that expanded discussions about nuclear deterrence could eventually encourage greater military cooperation among U.S. allies and alter the regional strategic balance. As a result, statements concerning nuclear policy often become flashpoints in the broader geopolitical rivalry between China and Japan.
What could this dispute mean for China-Japan relations?
The latest exchange is unlikely to trigger an immediate diplomatic crisis, but it illustrates the persistent lack of trust that continues to shape China-Japan relations. Although the two countries maintain extensive economic ties and cooperate on various regional issues, political and security disagreements frequently overshadow their relationship.
Historical memory remains one of the most significant obstacles to improving bilateral relations. China continues to emphasize Japan’s wartime actions as an important element of its foreign policy messaging, while Japan argues that its postwar commitment to peace demonstrates that it has fundamentally changed. These competing historical narratives continue to influence contemporary political disputes.
Security issues have become another major source of tension. Both countries have increased defense spending, expanded military activities, and strengthened strategic partnerships with regional allies. Territorial disputes in the East China Sea, concerns over Taiwan, and competing visions for the Indo-Pacific further complicate bilateral relations.
Although diplomatic dialogue between Beijing and Tokyo continues, statements involving defense policy or military modernization often generate immediate reactions from both sides. The latest disagreement over nuclear discussions reflects this broader pattern, where even hypothetical policy debates quickly become symbols of larger geopolitical competition.
Going forward, relations between China and Japan are likely to remain shaped by a combination of economic interdependence and strategic rivalry. While both governments have strong incentives to prevent tensions from escalating into open confrontation, disagreements over military policy, regional security, and historical interpretation are expected to remain recurring sources of friction for the foreseeable future.
The post Why is China criticizing Japan over nuclear remarks? appeared first on azeritimes.com.