"A wide-ranging investigation published by The Australian has highlighted a series of troubling allegations concerning a rise in antisemitism within Australia’s healthcare system since the attacks of October 7, 2023."

"More than 30 doctors, nurses, midwives and other healthcare professionals described an increasingly politicized workplace, alleged discrimination against Jewish patients and staff, and incidents that have caused growing concern within the country’s Jewish community."

"According to the testimonies gathered by the newspaper, pro-Palestinian activism that emerged on Australian streets after October 7 gradually spread into hospitals and other medical institutions."

"Staff members at several hospitals in Melbourne and Sydney were reportedly seen wearing badges or displaying posters bearing the slogan “From the river to the sea.” Political stickers were also allegedly placed in hospital departments, including one depicting a Star of David crossed out with a red line."

i24NEWS  

"Anti-Israel activism began almost immediately after the October 76 massacre when the protests that unfolded in Australian cities spilled into the wards and staff rooms of hospitals in Melbourne, Sydney and other capital cities."

"At the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, which has received tens of millions of dollars from Jewish philanthropists, such stickers [Star of David with red line through it] were stuck to the bedside wall of an elderly Jewish patient in the hours before he died."

Megan Goldin article in The Australian

 

"Doctors and nurses were posting Nazi symbols and little caricatures of Jewish people but using the word 'Zionist' instead of 'Jews'."

Jewish pediatric neurologist Carly Debinski 

Sydney, Australia  Mark Baker/AP

 

A report published by The Australian following an investigation into a seeming pandemic of antisemitic acts by Australian health-care workers against Jewish patients, caught the attention of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, characterizing it as a "deeply  troubling picture and should serve as a wakeup call. We call upon the Australian government to confront antisemitism forcefully. No Jew should ever feel compelled to hide their identity to receive medical care in an Australian hospital", wrote Israel's Foreign Ministry.

 

A link to The Wentworth Report quoting large sections of an article written by Megan Goldin in The Australian was included in the ministry's statement. The article detailed a number of egregious antisemitic behavioral examples by hospital staff toward Jewish patients in medical facilities in Australia. The article revealed statements by 30 doctors, nurses, midwives and health professionals who were interviewed describing their experiences since the October 7, 2023 massacre, where anti-Israel activist health-care workers were "turning hospitals and medical clinics into ideological war zones instead of safe spaces".

 

The case of Elon Glassberg, former surgeon general of the Israel Defense Forces was cited by interviewees, whose scheduled appearance at a medical conference in Perth was cancelled last year when anti-Israel doctors and nurses threatened to protest. Immediately following October 7, anti-Israel medical staff wore protest symbols at work. Bathroom stalls and hallways were covered with stickers, one of which represented a Star of David with a red line struck through it. 

 

Facebook group Jewish members have been vilified or ejected should they speak of Israeli hostages, much less the horrendous atrocities perpetrated by Palestinian terrorists and ordinary Palestinian civilians, led by Hamas on October 7. A Jewish intensive care unit nurse at a Melbourne hospital was cited, (who requested anonymity), resigned her position of over ten years in response to management's having refused to address hateful speech online, by hospital staff. "If these people are willing to share these things on social media, imagine how they treat a patient face-to-face."

 

A doctor who described Jews as "loathed slime" online and posted a Hitler quote faced no consequences. Complaints of any number of other doctors who posted antisemitic, pro-Hamas positions also faced no consequences. "That pattern was repeated across the country as hospitals and healthcare regulators tolerated conduct against Jews that would have triggered disciplinary action if the conduct had targeted any other minority group, say numerous medical professionals who experienced this double standard" reported The Australian. 

  

Anti-Israel protesters in Sydney, Australia   ASSOCIATED PRESS

 

"The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and the Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Ms Jillian Segal AO, not only condemn antisemitism in all its forms but also reaffirm their shared commitment to eliminating antisemitism – together with all forms of racism and discrimination – in healthcare."

"Antisemitism causes real and lasting harm. In healthcare, it erodes trust, creates fear and exclusion, and can prevent people from seeking or receiving care. It also undermines the safety and wellbeing of Jewish health practitioners and staff. There is no place for antisemitism in a system dedicated to protecting health and saving lives."

"The Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism said:

‘Healthcare should be a safe space for the entire community – patients, practitioners and workers alike. The antisemitism we’ve seen recently puts everyone at risk, and it has no place in our health system. I commend Ahpra for adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism and committing to putting in place further measures to help push antisemitism to the margins.’

Ahpra is strengthening its capability to respond effectively when antisemitism is identified through its regulatory processes. This includes ensuring staff have the necessary training, clear guidance and expert advice to ensure matters are handled with cultural understanding, sensitivity and rigour."

"Ahpra CEO Justin Untersteiner said: ‘Antisemitism costs lives and has no place in healthcare. Ahpra is committed to working with the Special Envoy and partners to eliminate antisemitism from the health system, because everyone should feel safe when accessing care.’

Ahpra has adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism as a reference tool, supported by the Special Envoy’s handbook to support a consistent understanding of antisemitism in its contemporary forms in our regulatory work.

Ahpra is reviewing its Vexatious Notifications Framework in response to concerns about weaponisation of the notifications process and is establishing an advisory panel of practitioners – including those with lived experience of notifications underpinned by antisemitism - to inform improvements to systems and processes and strengthen safeguards."

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) 

 

Marie McKinerney, Croakey Health Media

 

"The tipping point was realizing this wasn't a series of isolated failures in a few organizations affecting a handful of employees."

"It was a systemic breakdown of values and principles within global organizations that shape democratic life -- with public trust as the real casualty -- and the situation was only getting worse."

"[The Israel/Palestine director of Human Rights Watch was] repeatedly calling the Hamas-led Ministry of Health figures reliable and credible."

Danielle Haas, executive director EiGHT

 

"Global rights NGOs operate not only as investigators and advocates, but as strategic actors seeking to shape public narratives."

"[This represents] hostile behaviour related to Jews, Israel, or Israelis [within organizations claiming to defend human rights]."

"[There is] systematic patterns of discrimination, bias, and accountability failure across the sector."

"[This 63-page report by EiGHT founded by NGO insiders is] the first independent and extensive account [of its kind]." 

EiGHT -- Insiders Speak: NGO Antisemitism, Failed Accountability, and Their effect on Social Cohesion

 

"That is how credibility dies: institutional certainty, slogan repetition, and refusal to self-correct."

"The reality is that many of these organizations now function less like watchdogs and more like unelected political parties -- powerful actors inside left-leaning public opinion but increasingly detached from rigorous standards and from the basic human rights principles they claim to defend."

Global human rights NGO staffer

Associated with Human Rights Watch for about 14 years, Danielle Haas finally left the organization in 2023 after having raised her concerns respecting methodological failures and compromised standards in an exit email. She is involved in a new report where 70 former and current staff from humanitarian and rights groups formed an alliance to educate the public on a matter that is vital to the complete understanding of the abandonment of neutral human rights issues by groups whose purpose was to defend them without fear or favour. 

 

The resulting report was subsequently filed through recognized official mechanisms, forwarded to five United Nations Special Rapporteurs along with Australia's Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. The report by NGO insiders includes interviews with affected Jews and non-Jews. They took issue with managers, staff and leaders in various NGOs who indulged in airing to the public "dehumanizing views toward Israel and Jews", a tone set from the top down.

 

Citing Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres/MSF), Greenpeace, Human Rights Watch, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mercy Corps, Plan International, Save the Children and UNICEF, the report alleges that the Internal Souk communication platform of Doctors Without Borders featured posts like "Stop playing the Jewish card"; posts accessible to 67,000 staff and association members.

 

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was publicly praised by an Amnesty International Australia staffer who spoke of him online as "Legend!!" The interviewees whose responses formed part of the report spoke anonymously in fear of backlash. Growing numbers of Jewish professionals across organizations reported concealing their identity in part, or leaving the sector altogether, with one staffer describing "soft ostracism, ghosting, quiet exclusion" instead of direct confrontation when concerns were raised.

 

Ex-press-officer Diane Richard at Plan International France questioned the organization's silence respecting the Hamas October 7 sexual violence victims. She was subjected to retaliation and subsequent dismissal. Interviewees described being "eliminated" following their concerns being raised of alleged antisemitism, and then saw the same positions reappear. A global environmental NGO in Australia saw an employee describe post-9/11 events as  "increasingly characterized by hostility toward Israel and Jews, including Holocaust comparisons, minimizing or justifying Hamas violence, and promoting BDS-related activity".

 

Yet another described "systemic pollution of international NGO spaces ... with the constant demonization of Israel, the total acquittal of Palestinian leadership, and the adoption of anti-Israel language, like genocide, intifada, settler-colonialism, etc." Complaint systems that appear designed to preserve institutional reputations were included in the report. Many of the interviewees said that concerns of alleged antisemitism, discrimination or Israel-Palestine issues were dismissed, reframed as political disagreement, or treated differently from other discriminatory complaints.

 

However, movements such as #MeToo and Black Lives Matter warranted swift institutional responses. Staff spoke of non-disclosure agreements used as intimidation, where NDAs at Plan International and Greenpeace resulted in "marginalization, role elimination, and enforced silence".  

A boy and his mother at a clinic run by Doctors Without Borders in Gaza City in 2022. The group is one of the NGOs named for antisemitism and/or anti-Israel bias in a new report. Photo by Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images

 

"Any form of antisemitism, racism, discrimination, or bigotry by MSF staff is unacceptable and fundamentally incompatible with our humanitarian principles. MSF understands how dangerous antisemitism is and we are committed to taking it seriously."

"Throughout our more than 40-year history, MSF has spoken out against abuses committed by governments and armed actors around the world whenever they have endangered patients, health-care workers, or civilians. We apply this same standard consistently, regardless of the country or parties."

"The way Israel has prosecuted this war has resulted in immense civilian suffering, repeatedly placed medical personnel and patients at risk, and severely undermined access to life-saving health care and humanitarian assistance."

"We believe these actions raise profound concerns under international humanitarian law and are incompatible with the obligation to protect civilians, medical facilities, and humanitarian workers during armed conflict."

Claudia Blume, MSF spokesperson 

Amnesty International members hold up signs calling for an end to the Israel-Hamas conflict at an anti-Israel rally on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on April 12, 2025. In the EiGHT report, some Amnesty staffers from around the world describe being punished or frozen out after raising concerns over antisemitism or anti-Israel bias. Photo by Paula Tran/Postmedia

  

"We saw trusted, household-name NGOs becoming so infested by ideology, that they have ignored and even excused racism, violated core principles like neutrality and universalism, grown comfortable with being militant-adjacent, openly courted money from rights-abusing countries like Qatar, and pumped compromised work into the public sphere. And instead of showing concern or acting when these issues were raised, managers repeatedly and consistently ignored, denied, and excused them -- sidelining, and retaliating against people who spoke up."

"The result is that flawed or incomplete reporting infused by ideology is shaping public understanding and democratic decision-making."

"The problem isn't influence. It's influence without independent accountability. No institution that shapes democratic decision-making should be left to judge its own standards and claim rigour without being challenged. It's downright dangerous."

Danielle Haas, executive director, EiGHT 

"There's no place to hide in Crimea."

"The Ukrainians have the ability to touch every single place where there's an air defense weapon or a logistics hub or an airfield."

Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, retired commanding general of U.S. Army Europe 

 

"To achieve the final objective, this blockade must be intensified."

"This situation must be maintained for a sufficiently long period of time."

Kostiantyn Mashovetz, Ukrainian military analyst

 

"According to announcements by Ukraine’s drone forces, the USF (Unmanned Systems Forces), dozens of electrical substations or other power infrastructure have been hit by Ukrainian robot aircraft across Crimea in recent weeks, with 38+ strikes claimed in the first week of July and 45+ in the second week of July. Besides power transmission and generation infrastructure, attacks have hit gas distribution stations and compressor stations."

"Most of the strikes have been carried out by Ukraine’s workhorse FP-2 push propeller drone, a slow-flying plane roughly the size of a large sofa. USF commanders have said attacks against the Russia-run power grid in Crimea are succeeding because of months of preliminary attacks that hit and destroyed Russian air defenses. The top Ukrainian target in those preparatory drone attacks has been Russia’s Pantsir gun/missile system, an air defense weapon designed to shoot down drones."

Stefan Korshak, Kyiv Post Senior Defense Correspondent 

Temporarily occupied Crimea (Photo: Reuters)

 

Crimea, annexed by Vladimir Putin in 2014 is being given very special attention at this point in time, a dozen  years later by the Ukraine military, where attacks in recent weeks have been increased substantially for the dual purpose of returning the critical geography to its rightful owner, as well as depriving the Russian military of its supply lines. The Kerch Strait Bridge is in Ukraine's crosshairs, the sole direct link to Russia. Ukraine has targeted bridges and roads in its bid to transform the peninsula from its current status as a Russian-occupied fortress into a military nightmare for the Kremlin.

 

This most recent wave of attacks saw Ukraine targeting air defense and radar systems across the peninsula. The energy grid and fuel reserves have also received attention from the Ukrainian military, battered to the extent that blackouts occur, shaking life in Crimea. Causing Russian forces along the southern front to shift into defensive mode. 

 

In the last week alone, Russia bombarded Kyiv, killing 30 people, in its own show of retaliatory force; its usual tactics, targeting civilian enclaves claiming they were aiming at military targets. A stark contrast in military priorities, where Kyiv focuses on military installations or fuel depots to deprive Russia of its critical fuel lines, and Moscow's response is to hit civilian areas.

 

Moscow's special attention toward its prize restoration of Crimea as part of Russia saw to it that years were spent fortifying the geography with advanced air defenses and coastal batteries, fighter jets and bomber-packed airfields -- while on land, missile launch systems abounded. Russia gave itself direct access to Crimea when it built the $3.7 billion Kerch Strait Bridge. 

 

Even in the conflict's first years, Ukraine had targeted Russia's naval headquarters in Sevastopol, driving Russian warships from Crimean ports. They were limited however, by the weapons in Ukraine's possession at that time. According to Ukrainian officials now, their arsenal is capable of inflicting more pain, in essence sufficiently so, to convince Moscow it needed to return to the negotiating table. 

The view from a Ukrainian drone during what the military says was a strike against Russian tankers in the Sea of Azov. (Commander of Unmanned Aerial Systems Force/Reuters)

 

Videos were posted by Ukrainian military units in June of their Crimean strikes. The clips are a vital part of Ukraine's wartime propaganda, illustrating battlefield successes against Russia. Russian forces were increasingly attempting to counteract Ukrainian drone strikes by patrolling critical southern routes with drones and interceptor units, according to Kateryna Stepanenko, analyst at the Institute for the Study of War. "But they need more mobile air defense to blunt the impact of Ukrainian strikes" she noted. 

 

Ukrainian commanders anticipate that Russian troops would adapt, to shift their tactics in turn: "Adaptation can take days, weeks or months, but we consistently find new ways to strike in any direction, at any depth, with whatever assets we have", stated Artem Bielienkov, chief of staff of Ukraine's 412th Unmanned Systems Brigade. 

 

Widespread blackouts in Crimea have resulted from strikes on fuel facilities. Local authorities have declared a state of emergency, gas stations have run out of fuel, and thousands fled the peninsula since the latest strikes began by Ukraine. There were Ukrainian strikes on oil and gas storage facilities, compression stations and power plants.  

 

"The occupiers' attempts to fix the  damage to key facilities -- like the Tavria and Balaklava thermal power plants, major substations and fuel terminals -- are running into complex technical and logistical problems."

Hennadii Riabtsev, Ukrainian energy analyst 

Will Israel and Turkey Soon Match F-35 Fleets at a Time of Heightened Threats?

"Since Trump entered the White House, Israel has been undergoing a steady decline in its status as the leading US partner and the only regional ally with Washington's ear."

"Following Israel's failed operation in Qatar, Doha received a US defense commitment and protective umbrella that effectively serve as an insurance policy against similar Israeli actions in the future."

"Turkey has also been drawing closer to the US, beginning with the central role it played in the agreement to end the war in Gaza."

"The status Trump granted Erdogan, including Erdogan's signature on Trump's 20-point plan, and now the sale of advanced fighter jets place Turkey in a similar position."

Zvika Haimovich,  Israel Hayom   

Trump and Erdogan   Photo AFP 

 

Qatar is privileged as a reflection of its vast treasury leading to its generosity in U.S. university investments and pleasing the American president no end with the gift of a $400M presidential jet. But it is President Donald Trump's assessment of Recep Tayyip Erdogan's persona as a strongman that elicits the president's approval of this man. It took this president no time at all to assess Syria's new (interim) president as a 'nice young man' belying his terrorist credentials, now recognizable as a dependable ally.

 

The American government's recognition of Israel as the only democracy in the Middle East, one to which it has pledged its support unremittingly in a myriad of ways, not the least of which supplying the Jewish state with technologically advanced planes and weaponry through various administrations, came full circle when Donald J. Trump was once again elected for a second term as president. The personal relationship between Mr. Trump and Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu who himself resumed another stint as Prime Minister seemed forged in steel.

 

Trump and Erdogan. A challenge to Israel's national security. Photo: Reuters

 

Unfortunately that steel has not withstood the test of time -- and not all that much time to be sure -- which opened a wedge of  unexpected distance where once there was only warmth, mutual admiration, support and cooperation. Israel, moving forward with its own homegrown defensive weaponry still remains dependent on the U.S. for its planes and where at one time it was taken for granted that the U.S. would ensure Israel had the advantage in its acquisition of U.S. advanced weaponry and planes it seems that its greatest threat aside from Iran may now be deemed by President Trump to be trusted with F-35s much to Israel's and Greece's dismay.

 

Donald Trump has ears and eyes and a mind that is capable of hearing and seeing the threats emanating against Israel by Turkey's Erdogan. But here is Erdogan promising Trump that he will return the NATO-problematic S-400 missile systems to Russia. Alternately passing them off with Russia's permission to a third party. And with the S-400 out of the way so they can no longer be perceived as a risk element with the F-35s, Erdogan is discussing the purchase of the American planes for his airforce, the 2nd largest standing military force in NATO. 

 

F-35s. Photo by MANDEL NGAN /AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

 

When Turkey acquired Russia's S-400 batteries, it was barred from access to the advanced F-35 jets. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the matter is "extremely sensitive".  He stated that Russia "Had contacts with the Turkish side on this matter, and we'll continue those contacts". As for Mr. Trump, he reiterated that he hadn't yet decided whether to permit Turkey to buy the Lockheed Martin Corp. F-35 jets yet. "I haven't totally made up my mind, but my inclination is to say, look, he's done everything. He's helped us in so many different ways." 

 

That's a long way from the time that saw Turkey attempting to buy U.S.-made Patriot missiles a decade ago when Washington failed to finalize a deal. Which led to Ankara's turning to Russia for the S-400s -- and the United States acted as a result to lock Ankara out of the F-35 program, invoking the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act in 2020 to ensure that Turkey's defense industry was locked out of access to other sensitive technology.  

 

President Donald Trump, left, meets with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as he arrives for the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (Osmancan Gürdoğan, Pool Photo via AP)

"The United States is imposing a heavy cost by continuing to degrade Iran's ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the strait."

"[A Cyprus-flagged container ship was hit by Iran and suffered] significant engine room damage [and a civilian crew member is missing]."

U.S. Central Command 

 

"[Multiple vessels] disregarded our warnings and instructions to correct their course and proceed along the approved route. [One of them] was struck by a warning shot and brought to a stop."

"[The strait will remain closed] until further notice. We will consider targeting] additional enemy bases in the region [should more attacks take place]."

Revolutionary Guards Corps 

 

 

The global community has considered the Hormuz Strait to be an international waterway for as long as most shippers could recall. The Islamic Republic, which with Oman sits closest to the strait now feels entitled to proclaim that the strait is under its control. That being the case it is their prerogative to charge ships moving through the strait. The United States, on the other hand, has urged mariners to transit a southern route through the territorial waters of Oman.

 

The IRGC has discussed the situation with Oman, a long-time supporter of the Islamic Republic, to convince its neighbour that they should both be exacting transit fees from ships transiting each 'their' side of the waterway, treating it as a legitimate commercial enterprise to benefit each country. Oman has stated that it and Iran have agreed to continue discussions on the Strait of Hormuz "at the technical and political levels".

 

A statement confirmed by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi who had himself stated prior to the new round of strikes -- with the United States and Iran once again blaming each other for stepping away from the Memorandum of Understanding that was to have led to a cessation of kinetic hostilities -- that he had met with his Oman counterpart to discuss "appropriate mechanisms for ensuring the safe passage of ships".

 

Vessels navigate the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, on Wednesday. (Reuters)

 

For the present, Iran has announced the closure once more of the Strait of Hormuz, following a warning shot fired by its military that struck a vessel that it claimed was making use of an 'unauthorized' route through the waterway, jeopardizing the fragile ceasefire agreement with the United States. It took little time for the United States to respond, when U.S. Central Command announced its forces had re-initiated a third round of strikes against Iran. 

 

Explosions took place in Bandar Abbas and Sirik, two towns along the shores of the strait. Negotiations to further cement last month's agreement to end the war will now have its progress halted without securing the strait, according to senior U.S. officials in Washington. With Iran's notification that it had closed the strait again to shipping, the U.S. announced its new strike rounds.

 

"Iran made a poor choice Now they pay", stated Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on social media. Iran and Oman's foreign ministers Saturday meeting to discuss the strait that intersects their shores after days of Iranian attacks on ships and U.S. retaliation dealing a blow to the interim deal to end the war precipitated the latest flurry of shots from both sides.

 

A man holds a poster of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a gathering commemorating him at a square in Tehran on Saturday.Vahid Salemi/AP

Still unseen in public since February's first aerial bombardment by the U.S. and Israel of Iran's targeted leaders, its nuclear installations and weapons depots, Iran's new supreme leader's first statement since his father's funeral was Iran's intention to avenge the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Supreme Leader Mujtaba Khamenei's statement carried on state television hours following U.S. President Donald Trump's threat of continued missile attacks was that such revenge "is the will of our nation and must certainly be carried out".  

"We pledge to avenge the blood of the martyred leader and all the martyrs of these two wars from the criminal and disgraced killers."

"This vengeance is the will of our nation and must inevitably be carried out. These criminals — of whom we have a complete list from top to bottom — will take with them to their graves the wish for a peaceful death in bed."

"This matter depends neither on my personal existence nor on that of other officials. Whether we are present or not, it will come to pass. Soon individuals among the freedom-seekers across the world will each carry out part of this divine mission."

Supreme Leader Mujtaba Khamenei  

A Hezbollah supporter flashes a victory sign while holding a poster of Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei during a gathering against the US-Israeli military operation with Iran and its allies in Dahiyeh, Lebanon, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

 

Firefighters try to put out a fire at a city marketplace following a Russian missile and drone attack in Kyiv, 15 June, 2026 AP Photo

"To intercept ballistics, we need the means for interception."

"Russians are certainly using the fact that there is a serious deficit of interceptor missiles now, in Ukraine and the world."

Ukrainian air force spokesman Yurii Ihnat

 

"As long as Patriot missiles remain in our allies' stockpiles, Russia is only encouraged to keep 'vanquishing' residential buildings."

"The United States and Europe have enough strength to stop this terror."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy 

 

"When we were leaving the building, bodies were lying there."

"When we got downstairs, cars started exploding, and we came out from under the rubble straight into the fire."

Khrystyna Piatetska, 20, Kyiv's Darnytskyi district 

Rescuers use a crane to remove debris while they work at the site of an apartment building, which was hit during Russian missile and drone strikes in Kyiv. (Oleksandr Ratushniak/Reuters

 

 It goes on and on. So far, Vladimir Putin's 'special military operation' has been the death of 15,000 Ukrainian civilians. The Russian military claims it aims its missiles and drones only at military targets. The reality is Moscow considers civilian infrastructure to be 'military targets' in its campaign to demoralize Ukrainians and place pressure on Ukraine's government to collapse its resistance against Russia's goals of annexing as much Ukrainian territory into Greater Russia as can be accomplished before Mr. Putin is satisfied that what he set out to accomplish has been achieved -- perhaps less than more -- but satisfactorily to the extent that he can rest on his land-grab laurels and agree to a Russo-advantaged 'peace' agreement. 

 

In the latest attacks on Ukraine, civilians have been killed and wounded as is usual for Russian attacks. Ukraine, on the other hand, has tasked its forces to damage over two dozen Russian tankers and other such shipping vessels in the Sea of Azov. Ukraine's achievements have been a world of difference from Russia's. Its intention is to hit Russian oil refineries across Russia in a bid to undercut its war plans. Ukraine's Russia infrastructure hits have succeeded to a considerable degree, triggering a widespread fuel crisis of notable gasoline shortages. 

 

The Kremlin's rather less-than-honourable response has been to intensify Kyiv bombardment along with other cities, knowing full well Ukraine's vulnerable state in fending off ballistic missiles. According to Ukraine's General Staff, 21 tankers meant to transport oil and petroleum products were most recently damaged overnight as well as four tugboats, two cargo ships and a dredging vessel. Russia reported a single individual dead as well as their count of ships having been struck as being no more than four in total.

 

A local resident inspects a damaged car after a Russian missile attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, July 6, 2026. (Efrem Lukatsky/The Associated Press)

 

Two Russian aerial glide bombs struck a crowded area in Ukraine's northeast Sumy region killing four, a child included, wounding many others. Another eleven civilians were wounded in missile and drone attacks overnight on Kyiv -- while in Odessa, two people were dead following a building struck by a Russian missile. Across Kyiv's Solomianskyi, Darnytskyi and Dniprovski districts, according to the emergency service, explosions and fires were reported.

 

A dozen missiles, among them six ballistic missiles, as well as 121 drones were launched by Russia overnight, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who went on to state that most of the drones and some of the missiles had been shot down. The ballistic missiles, however, reached their targets, a reflection of dire air defence gaps in Ukraine's defensive armaments. 

 

Two missiles and 111 drones were shot down or electronically suppressed according to Ukrainian air defences, while according to the air force, direct hits were recorded at 11 locations. Russian forces, according to its Defence Ministry, targeted drone production facilities in Kyiv. The ports of Izmail and Chornomorsk in the Odesa region were also targeted. 

 

Although Oleksseandr Syrsky, Ukraine's commander-in-chief spoke of a turning point in the war with Russia was "still a long way off" in spite of a string of recent successes for his troops, Kyiv's military has stopped the Russian advance in recent months across much of the front line, while delivering a string of major long-range attacks on Russian oil refineries. In Ukraine, many observers, along with some of their European backers feel that the Ukrainian troops are now on the front foot in the four-year war.

 

A Ukrainian serviceman of K-2 brigade of the Unmanned Systems Forces operates a midrange drone during a flight towards Russian positions at the frontline, 21 June, 2026 AP Photo

 

"Taken together, size does not change the direction of travel, but it does influence the pace."

"Larger, more globally integrated firms are responding earlier and at greater scale, while smaller firms remain earlier in the cycle."

"This highlights both the potential scale of the shift and the likelihood that similar patterns may emerge across other sectors."

KPMG Canada 

 

"While most manufacturers are staying, many are reassessing where future investment, growth and production will occur. The decisions made today will shape Canada's manufacturing sector for years to come."

"Businesses can only operate in endurance mode for so long."

"At some point, uncertainty begins to shape long-term decisions about where investment, production and growth will occur."

"[While Canadian manufacturing still has a part to play in North America], the question is how strong that position will be." 

Anamika Gadia, KPMG Canada partner/national leader, industrial markets

Trade uncertainty is prompting more Canadian manufacturers to shift production to the U.S. and delay investments in Canada, a new survey finds. Photo by Peter Power

 

Ongoing and worsening trade uncertainty with Canada's largest trading partner across the long 'undefended' border with the United States is creating an atmosphere of economic destabilization in Canada the likes of which have never in anyone's living memory ever before been seen. The situation has led a growing number of Canadian manufacturers to move their enterprises or to plan to move a portion of their production to the U.S. A majority, responding to a recent survey, plan to restrain themselves in their Canadian investments.

 

This is a scenario seen before in a much more prolonged manner when China in the process of becoming the manufacturing behemoth it now is, began flooding the international market with consumer goods to be sold at prices that appealed hugely to the purchasing public throughout Europe and North America. Cheaper goods, widely available, because of cheap Chinese labour and government support (subsidies) eventually convinced manufacturers throughout the Western world that since they were unable to match the pricing and wide range of Chinese-produced goods, it was best to fold their manufacturing and submit to the inevitable.

 

Under this volatile administration with a president who believes himself an expert on deal-making, and who has been accusing all countries globally that have or were doing business with the United States of taking 'advantage' of the most powerful economic force on the planet, and he wasn't going to take it any longer, so here's tariffs for you, and you, and you, the world is reeling. Try that on for size. And as much as global manufacturing had been altered by the world's premier production manufacturing in China, the world economy was far more immediately and deeply beleaguered and beggared by the new Trump-led upending of world trade alliances.

 

According to the 2026 KPMG Canada manufacturing poll, four in ten (42 percent) of Canadian companies have latterly adjusted their horizons by shifting or planning to shift production to the United States, 29 percent of whom had already taken the plunge in banking on the move to further their bottom line. Another 13 percent plan to do likewise, while 77 percent of that group anticipate committing within two years  under the operating environment as it is at present. 

 

Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

 

"I love Canada [but I'm] not going to bend."

"The United States can't subsidize a country for $200 billion a year, We don't need their cars. We don't need their energy. We don't need their lumber. We don't need anything that they give."

"We do it because we want to be helpful. But it comes a point when you just can't do that."

"[Canada, a longtime ally, would be much better off without tariffs -- as part of the U.S.]"

"[Not to use military force against Canada, only] economic force."

"That would really be something [taking control of Canada]."

"You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like. And it would also be much better for national security. They’re great, but we’re spending hundreds of billions here to protect it [subsidies include substantial military support while the United States loses out through trade deficits]."

U.S. President Donald Trump  

The majority (49 percent) represent businesses with over $300 million in gross revenue, mostly having made the move in full or in part. A third (34 percent) of companies generating less than $300 million have or are planning to move, leaving a mere fifth (20 percent) which have as yet chosen to take no action. "Higher margins when producing and selling within the U.S. than when exporting from Canada", reported a third (32 percent) of respondents, attesting to "stronger margins on international sales from the U.S."

 

Lower operating costs in some states, more favourable tax environment and easier supply chains when customers are already in the U.S. are cited by some firms choosing to migrate south -- outside of the tariffs issue. When queried what circumstances could alleviate the situation to the point where owners would prefer to remain in Canada, corporate executives and decision-makers representing 275 companies polled responded that certainty around free trade, continued tariff relief, lower corporate taxes, cheaper energy, better access to skilled workers and lower housing costs for workers. 

 

 The survey revealed capital investment projects have been "paused, reduced or cancelled" by 57 percent of firms, with 42 percent operating similarly with respect to their research and development.          Roughly half of those polled stated they were focused on weathering the economic tempests driven largely by U.S. President Donald Trump and his trade policies. The poll revealed as well that 61 percent felt they would be unable to remain in business lacking access to the U.S. market. Almost all (96 percent) stated their products qualified for tariff-free treatment under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement. An Agreement that is now lacking stability given the U.S. refusal to renegotiate.

 

U.S. President Donald Trump (left) and Prime Minister Mark Carney (right) attend a work lunch as part of the G7 summit, in Evian, France, June 16, 2026. Photo by Evelyn Hockstein / POOL / AFP /Getty Images

 

"While tariffs are an obvious factor, Canadian manufacturers are making long-term decisions about where to locate based on a broader assessment of where they are most likely to have a competitive advantage."

"Otherwise, Canadian exporters may have to depend on U.S. customers to act as importer of record, potentially straining key commercial relationships."

Joy Nott, KPMG Canada partner, trade and customs 

"They asked for a time out [from military action]. They wanted to go to the funeral of Khamenei. And I said, ‘Give it to them.’ And they started shooting missiles. I mean, it was the craziest thing."

"I don’t want to deal with them anymore. They’re scum. You know what scum is? They’re scum. They’re sick people. They’re led by sick people and they’re vicious, violent people. And if they had a nuclear weapon, they’d use it. As far as I’m concerned, it’s over."

"They’re liars. If I make a deal with them, we have a deal. And he [the Iranian negotiator] goes out, he talks. We make a deal, everyone’s agreed: no nuclear weapon. We make a deal, they [the Iranian delegation] go outside, talk to the press, and they say, ‘We never even talked about it.’ There’s something wrong with them. They’re cuckoo. As far as I’m concerned, it’s over."

U.S. President Donald Trump

 

 

On again, off again. Decisions made spontaneously reflecting an impulsive of-the-moment thought process, leavened with emotional irritation. An incendiary situation whose outcome is vital to the well-being not only of the population of the Islamic Republic who have suffered since 1979 under the theocratic rule of a totalitarian state imposing its will, meting out imprisonment, torture and death to all who oppose it. And to the larger community inhabiting the Middle East, as the source of inciting to terrorism through sponsorship of select militias whose formation is vital to the regime's agenda of conquest where the al-Quds branch of the Islamic Republican Guard Corps recruited, trained, armed and  tasked them as proxy militias to carry out its death-cult orders.

 

From Hezbollah to Hamas to Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Iraqi Shia militias all loyal to the regime, the noose tightened not only on Israel, marked for annihilation by the Ayatollahs, but Sunni-majority countries in the region as well; not for annihilation but the conquest of domination. Its weapons' focus as a means to assert its dominance through technological means with missiles and drones, and aspirationally, a nuclear program to allow the Iranian regime to wield the most fearful of all weapons to achieve its goals.

 

 

 

Upended briefly and temporarily when joint aerial strikes by Israel and the United States complicated those plans by assassinating through pinpoint, intelligence-gathered strikes, military commanders, religious figures, including the most senior  cleric whose direct messaging from above moved the strings of the dread and powerful IRGC puppets to action along with nuclear scientists, and strategic strikes on nuclear sites and weapons depots. Any other country would reel from the strength of those blows, but not Iran.

 

It had only months earlier destroyed the lives of thousands of its disaffected people whose effrontery  in massing by the tens of thousands in street demonstrations throughout the country to demand an end to the regime, and the right to live as free people, enjoying liberty as a human right, refusing the straitjackets of passivity in fear of consequences. Their punishment by state police, the Basij and the  Iranian military was swift, decisive and deadly. Battling military-to-military of two well-armed attacking countries required another tack; the manipulation of circumstances and in this case cutting off global shipping to inflict pain internationally. 

"They want recognition of Iran basically having control of the Strait of Hormuz. That is their bottom line. That is their leverage with the United States and the West that has replaced earlier enriching higher and higher levels of uranium."

"Fundamentally, they think time is on their side. They can suffer more than the Americans and the Gulf and that's what they're gambling on."

Alex Vatanka, senior fellow, Middle East Institute 

The Strait of Hormuz became the winning move for Iran in this chess game of a war. Following the February 28-initiated strikes on Iran, since April 8, President Trump declared one ceasefire initiative with Iran after another as oil prices gushed skyward and Washington grappled with the dilemma of lifting itself out of a quagmire it had no stomach to pursue, in a war that proved hugely unpopular with American voters. This was a president who had given the impression that he meant what he said; no more U.S. troops involved in endless MidEast wars.

 

 

 

Instead, Mr. Trump had to focus on the measure that Iran took to disrupt world energy supplies, along with fertilizer and other critical supplies to a dependent world. Any tankers or cargo ships leaving the Gulf States for their usual destinations crossing through the Strait risked Iranian drones or missiles and before long ships one after another were stranded awaiting an opportunity that never came. Then came the system of fees inaugurated by the IRGC for safe passage. Followed by negotiations and a Memo of Understanding and the war footing went limp, all in abeyance.

 

While the U.S. administration faces the democratic anger of its population persuading it to leaven its actions accordingly, no such constraints face the Islamic Republic, for its population is forcibly mute and as much as it detests its government, the fear, anger and resentment of up to 35,000 lives destroyed only a few months ago, acts as an anchor to further action against a government that will not be dislodged. The Islamic regime has decided to wait things out. Until enough pressure from the U.S. public and the international community against a continuation of the war, forces the U.S. military to withdraw. 

 

US Vice President JD Vance speaks to members of the media before boarding Air Force Two, after the US and Iran held high-level talks at the Lake Lucerne Summit, at Emmen Military Air Base, Emmen, Switzerland, June 22, 2026. Photo: REUTERS/Nathan Howard/Pool

 

"Iran is trying to avoid another full-scale war. But it also believes that failing to respond caries its own risks because it would project weakness and invite further pressure."

"Iran's calculation is that calibrated, limited escalation can restore deterrence without crossing the threshhold into all-out war."

Negar Nirtazavi, senior fellow, Center for International Policy