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The Cradle is an online news magazine covering West Asian geopolitics from within.
SWIFT’s decline: How global powers are escaping the dollar trap
The US weaponized SWIFT to punish its enemies – but now allies and adversaries alike are building escape routes from the dollar-dominated global financial system.
By Aidan J. Simardone
❗️Fayez Abu Samra, a young Palestinian boy, was shot dead by Israeli occupation forces while risking his life to go back to his neighborhood in Gaza City's Shujaiya to bring flour for his sisters.
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BREAKING | US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and his deputy Alex Wong are set to depart from the Trump administration in the coming days. Real estate developer and special envoy Steve Witkoff is under consideration to replace Waltz, though no final decision has been made.
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⭕️ Netanyahu says defeating Hamas more important than returning captives, sparking backlash
While speaking at the annual 'Independence Day' International Bible Quiz today, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said that while returning the Israeli captives in Gaza is a very important goal, "in war there is an ultimate goal – and this ultimate goal is victory over our enemies."
Israel's Hostages and Missing Families Forum responded to his speech, saying that the captives' return is not less important, but rather "the supreme goal that should guide the Israeli government."
The forum went on to say that the captives' families were "concerned," as Netanyahu aligns himself with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, while the "overwhelming majority" of the Israeli public want the return of the captives above all else.
"I understand that Netanyahu has more important goals than bringing back my sick son, who has been chained up for a year and a half and drinking water from the toilet in the Nazi tunnels in Gaza ... Because of this, it is clear to me that in order to bring back my son - my goal from this moment on is to oust Netanyahu from power," said Einav Zangauker, mother of Gaza captive Matan Zangauker.
(Jerusalem Post)
❗️An armed Jewish Israeli settler on horseback attacked the Arab al-Malihat community near Jericho in the occupied West Bank, spraying tear gas at activists and Palestinians.
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❗️Israeli army says it assassinated a member of Hezbollah's Radwan Force in its attack on Mays al-Jabal earlier today.
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BREAKING | Oman announces that the upcoming round of US-Iran nuclear negotiations, initially set for 3 May, are postponed due to logistical issues.
New dates will be confirmed once both sides reach a mutual agreement, Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi stated in a post on X.
❗️Ministry of Health Gaza:
– "18 martyrs including 1 martyr who was recovered and 77 injuries arrived at Gaza Strip hospitals during the past 24 hours."
– "The death toll and injuries since 18 March 2025 has reached 2,326 martyrs, 6,050 injuries."
⭕️ Turkiye remains committed to building a canal aimed at easing congestion in the heavily trafficked Bosphorus Strait, a government minister said on Thursday, noting that the project will proceed once funding is arranged, despite broad concerns about potential environmental consequences. Initially unveiled by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over a decade ago as his "crazy project," the canal was projected to cost approximately 75 billion lira ($1.95 billion).
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Massive wildfires rage for second day as Israel at standstill
Tel Aviv has been accused of ignoring years of warnings about its lack of preparedness to deal with the threat of wildfires
❗️Syria TV reports that Israeli occupation forces stormed Quneitra in southern Syria.
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Syria’s Druze leadership makes ‘urgent appeal’ for international support
Dozens of people including civilians have been killed since earlier this week in violent clashes between Druze fighters and Syrian security forces
❗️Israel preparing to expand war on Gaza:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will "convene a situational assessment and planning approval meeting tomorrow afternoon with senior security officials, ahead of expanding combat operations and maneuvers in the Gaza Strip."
So far, Israeli army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Defense Minister Israel Katz have approved the plans, which are now being submitted for the prime minister’s final approval.
(Channel 13 correspondent Moriah Asraf, Israeli army radio correspondent Doron Kadosh)
❗️Iran and Azerbaijan have agreed to boost bilateral trade to $5 billion following Iranian President Pezeshkian’s visit to Baku, where both sides signed seven cooperation documents and pledged to remove trade barriers, ease student travel, reopen land borders, and increase flights between major cities.
(IRNA)
❗️Key points from the statement issued by Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, spiritual leader of the Druze Unitarian community in Syria – 1 May 2020:
– Condemnation of massacres: Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri denounced the recent attacks on civilians in Syria, describing them as ISIS-style Takfiri massacres aimed at spreading terror and domination without justification.
– Rejection of the government's narrative: He rejected claims that the victims were armed groups, stating: “Our people were peaceful in their homes and defended themselves. They were not gangs, and never have been.”
– Call for justice and reform: Hijri called for a new Syrian constitution that guarantees justice, freedoms, and decentralized civil governance, “a government that emerges from the people and truly represents them.”
– Loss of faith in the state: He expressed complete loss of trust in what he called a so-called government, accusing it of “massacring its people through its Takfiri factions and then blaming rogue elements.”
– Call for international protection: Hijri issued an urgent appeal to the international community to intervene immediately to stop the “systematic, documented mass killings” and prevent further atrocities.
– Rejection of sectarian extremism: He criticized the government and its affiliates for pushing a sectarian Takfiri ideology, saying they view even moderate Sunnis as enemies, and warned this threatens Syria’s pluralism.
– Support for Syrian unity: Emphasizing solidarity across all sects, he said the Druze community “stands united with all components of Syrian society in opposing terrorism and sectarian division.”
Syria signs 30-year deal with French shipping giant to operate Latakia Port
CMA CGM plans to invest €230 million over the next several years to modernize the port situated in one of the cities where government forces have been conducting sectarian massacres of civilians
❗️The Israeli army continues to isolate Beita after soldiers were injured in an IED explosion.
– Israeli bulldozers have begun sealing off the entrances to the town with earth mounds.
– Israeli soldiers fired directly at water tanks.
– The Israeli military confirmed that its forces imposed a “security cordon” on Beita in search of the attackers.
(Ultra Palestine)
Fourth round of US–Iran nuclear talks postponed for 'logistical reasons'
Reports in US media say Washington 'never confirmed its participation' in the fourth round of Omani-mediated negotiations
⭕️ Gulf stock markets close with mixed results on Thursday
Saudi Arabia’s main index (TASI) dropped by 1.1%, dragged down by a 0.9% dip in Alrajhi Bank (1120 SE), and a 2.2% decline in the country’s largest lender, Saudi National Bank (1180 SE). Saudi Aramco (2222 SE) slipped by 0.6%.
In Abu Dhabi, the index (FTFADGI) inched up by 0.2%, supported by a 0.4% gain in conglomerate International Holding (IHC AD).
Meanwhile, Qatar’s benchmark index (QSI) slipped 0.1%, as petrochemical producer Industries Qatar (IQCD QA) dropped 2.9%.
⭕️ Syria signed a 30-year agreement today with French shipping and logistics giant CMA CGM, which includes constructing a new berth at Latakia port and committing an additional investment of 230 million euros ($260 million) over the duration of the partnership.
(Reuters)
Israel sets up new outposts in southern Syria overlooking Lebanon: Report
Israeli leadership has vowed that its occupation in both Syria and Lebanon is indefinite, as permanent outposts have been established in both countries
Iran, Iraq move forward with plans to boost trade to $25bn annually
The plans include finalizing the Shalamcheh-Basra railway project, an approximately $100mn initiative which could significantly enhance trade
⭕️ A stablecoin created by US President Donald Trump's crypto initiative, World Liberty Financial, is being utilized by an Abu Dhabi investment firm as part of its $2 billion investment in cryptocurrency exchange Binance, one of World Liberty’s co-founders said today.
In March, World Liberty announced the launch of USD1, a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar and backed by US Treasuries, cash, and similar liquid assets, with the goal of offering financial services without relying on traditional intermediaries such as banks.
WATCH | While Israelis point fingers at Palestinians for the current wave of wildfires, maps reveal a striking overlap with areas heavily forested by the Jewish National Fund (JNF) using non-native trees poorly adapted to the natural climate and terrain of Palestine.
Since its founding in 1901, the JNF has planted around 240 million such trees across occupied Palestinian land: fast-growing conifers that not only disrupt native ecosystems, but also act as tinder in the face of rising heat and drought.
❗️Hossam Warour, the mayor of southern Syria's Sahnaya, and his only son, Haidar Warour, were reportedly executed today, 1 May.
Local reports attribute the killings to government security forces, while government-aligned media say they were murdered by 'unknown assailants.'
Just yesterday, Warour appeared in a video wearing a light blue shirt, welcoming members of the HTS-led General Security to the town. He also gave a televised interview on Syria TV expressing support for their presence.
❗️Iraq and Iran are advancing plans to boost bilateral trade to $25 billion annually, more than doubling current levels.
This initiative includes finalizing agreements on the Shalamcheh–Basra railway and establishing joint free trade and industrial zones along their border. A recent Iraqi delegation to Tehran, led by Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani’s advisor Hazem al-Khalidi, focused on these projects, which are expected to enhance cross-border commerce and infrastructure.
The 36-kilometer railway, once completed, will connect Basra to Iran’s rail network, facilitating the transport of up to three million passengers per year and supporting the development of border markets and industrial zones.
❗️Israel has killed at least 18 Palestinians in strikes across the Gaza Strip since dawn today, according to medical sources in Gaza.
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BREAKING | Three people killed in an Israeli drone strike on a vehicle in Mays al-Jabal, southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
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⭕️ The UK is in talks with France and Saudi Arabia about the potential recognition of a Palestinian state at a June conference convened by the two countries to advance the political path toward a two-state solution in West Asia, according to the British foreign secretary.
David Lammy’s comments mark the first public acknowledgment that the UK and France are discussing a recognition process in connection with the upcoming conference.
⭕️ China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during a meeting on Wednesday with a top Iranian national security official, expressed Beijing’s appreciation for Tehran’s diplomatic initiatives related to its nuclear programme, just days before a fresh round of US-Iran talks set for Saturday.
According to a summary of the meeting with Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, released by China’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday, Wang said "China values Iran's commitment not to develop nuclear weapons" and "appreciates Iran's diplomatic efforts."
Wang also noted that "(China) is pleased to see ongoing dialogue between Iran and other parties and supports Iran's necessary cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency."