While youngsters worry of potential recruitment to the military, for most Russians – with the exception of billboards glorifying the army and the closure of several Western clothing and food franchises – the distant war is barely felt.
The group traveled to the city to meet with Palestinians following last week's clashes with Israelis. IDF condemns the soldiers' actions, saying "violence used is not consistent with the values of the military."
The announcement comes after Kim inspected a test of the country's new Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), and pledged to counter US nuclear threats with nuclear weapons on Friday.
"They have sacrificed their lives to protect people from rioters ... the presence of Basij shows that the Islamic Revolution is alive," Khamenei said in a televised speech.
In a recent series of meetings with think tank colleagues in the Arabian Gulf I discovered deep disquiet about the emerging Israeli government coalition.
