Aug 1-15, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 27
INDIA NEWS
WORLD THIS WEEK Contributed by the National Institute for Advanced Studies, Bengaluru
cultural rights, and freedom of religious belief. It also showed development in the region from 1955 to 2020 when "GDP soared from 1.2 billion yuan to 1.4 trillion yuan."
Compiled by Joeana Cera Matthews, Udbhav Krishna P, Abigail Miriam Fernandez, Sukanya Bali, Sourina Bej and Avishka Ashok
Japan: Strengthens Trans-Pacific Partnership with Australia
Europe: EU’s climate package amidst the rains and floods
Photo Courtesy: Reuters
What happened?
Photo Courtesy: Voice of America
What happened? On 15 July, German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated about the flood situation in Germany: "... there is a dramatic increase in such unusual weather phenomena and we have to contend with this." On 16 July, she said: "My thoughts are with you, ... will do everything under the most difficult conditions to save lives, alleviate dangers and to relieve distress." The torrential rains and floods have hit Germany and Belgium the hardest. It has claimed at least 143 lives in Germany and 27 in Belgium, while hundreds remain missing. It has been attributed to be Germany's worst natural disaster in half a century as power and communications remain cut in several regions across the country. Showing the direness of the situation, France's national weather service said that two months of average rain had fallen in two days. The Netherlands also remains on alert, taking precautionary measures against potential floods. On 14 July, the European Commission announced its 'Fit for 55' package as Europe experiences scorching temperatures and floods over the past few weeks. The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: "It is our generational task... [to secure] the wellbeing of not only our generation, but of our children and grandchildren. Europe is ready to lead the way." What does it mean? Europe seems to have taken the first step in a long road. The proposed climate package is nothing short of transformational, given its scale and impact range. However, questions on the practicality of the package and its ability to curb the adverse effects of climate change loom large.
The SCO Summit: The call to end violence in Afghanistan
What happened?
On 14 July, foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member
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Lebanon: Deepening political crisis
states held the fourth meeting of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The joint statement said: "We condemn the ongoing violence and terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, whose victims are civilians and representatives of State authorities, and call for their early cessation. We note that the activity of international terrorist organizations remains a key factor of instability in that country." It read: "As friendly neighbors and important partners of Afghanistan, the SCO Member States are interested in making the country peaceful, stable and prosperous, and reaffirm their respect for the traditions and culture of all peoples inhabiting Afghanistan. We urge all parties involved in the conflict in Afghanistan to refrain from the use of force and actions that could lead to destabilization and unpredictable consequences in areas along Afghanistan's borders with SCO Member States." Additionally, the foreign ministers in their speeches raised concerns over the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and cautioned the resurgence of international terrorist forces in the country. They also call for firmly advancing the political settlement for the Afghan issue and for the SCO to play a key role in achieving peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. The meeting was also attended by the SCO Secretary-General, the Director of the Executive Committee of the Regional AntiTerrorist Structure of the SCO, and the Afghan Foreign Minister, who attended the meeting specially to provide updates on the situation in Afghanistan. What does it mean? First, the space for SCO in Afghanistan. With the situation in Afghanistan changing, the SCO could become a regional forum to address the Afghan problem, given the proximity the group has to the region. Second, the SCO needs a unified Afghan strategy. Given that there exist several disagreements between SCO members on several important matters related to Afghanistan, the organization would have to redraw its strategy amid the recent developments in Afghanistan. The failure to do so would lead to regional power politics paving the way for proxy wars and instability in the region.
On 15 July, Lebanon Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri stepped down after failing to form a government over the past eight months. Hariri resigned, following a brief meeting with President Aoun at Baabda Palace. Aoun accused Hariri of having already decided to step down prior to their meeting. According to Al Jazeera, the President's office said, "Hariri rejected any amendments related to changes in ministries, their sectarian distribution, and the names associated with them." On the same day, during an interview with Lebanon's Al Jadeed TV, Hariri said he selected his candidates based on their expertise and their ability to reform the economy, but Aoun did not. Following Hariri's step down, his supporters took to the street and there were few clashes with Lebanese soldiers. The Lebanese pound hit a new alltime low exceeding USD 21,000. Reuters reported: French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Lebanese leaders seemed unable to find a solution to the crisis that they had created, calling the failure to form a cabinet another terrible incident. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Hariri's decision was "disappointing" and urged Lebanese leaders to put aside their differences and form a government. What does it mean? Prime Minister Hassan Diab is staying in a caretaker capacity. A parliamentary election is due to be held next May; some believe the political vacuum will continue till then. With no candidate in place to replace Hariri, Lebanon's sectarian-based political system has been thrust into a period of further uncertainty. The continuation of a political vacuum will also impact Lebanon's ability to bring international aid to manage the economy.
ALSO IN NEWS
China: State Council Information releases White paper on Human Rights progress in Xinjiang On 14 July, Beijing's State Council Information released a white paper document, "Respecting and Protecting the Rights of All Ethnic Groups in Xinjiang" detailing the human rights progress of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region since 2016. According to Global Times, the document introduces seven fields of rights such as civil rights, political rights, economic and
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On 15 July, Japan and Australia agreed to promote the TransPacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership to channelize the pandemic hit economy. Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Minister and Australia's minister for trade, tourism and investment in the meeting reaffirmed cooperation for 'Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.' As per the joint statement released after the meeting, "Ministers were united in their commitment to free and fair trade as foundational principles and to the objectives and strengthening of the rulesbased multilateral trading system." Australia: Condemns EU's proposed carbon border tariffs On 15 July, Australia's ruling coalition condemned the EU proposed carbon border tariff. Canberra showed concerns that "other nations might follow." The Strait Times reported: "Australia's Trade Minister Dan Tehan said the EU's policy was designed to raise revenue rather than reduce emissions and risked breaching global trade rules." He also said: "We think it would be much better to incentivize countries to deal with emissions reduction, rather than penalizing them." India: ISRO conducts third hot test of liquid propellant On 15 July, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) conducted the third longduration test of the liquid propellant Vikas engine for the country's first manned mission to space 'Gaganyaan program.' The space agency said the test was conducted for the core L110 liquid stage of the human-rated GSLV MkIII vehicle as part of the engine qualification requirements for the program. The engine was fired for 240 seconds at ISRO Propulsion Complex facility Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. Afghanistan: The US to evacuate the Afghan interpreters On 15 July, the Biden administration said, the US is prepared for the evacuation flights for Afghan interpreters and translators. According to the White House, Operation Allies Refuge flights from Afghanistan will be available for special immigrant visa applicants. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said: "The reason that we are taking these steps is because these are courageous individuals." He added, "We want to make sure we recognize and value the role they've played over the last several years." According to the State Department, the US embassy in Kabul has issued "299 immigrant visas in March, 356
WORLD THIS WEEK in April and 619 in May." The US Federal government recorded 2,500 immigrant visa approval since January. South Africa: Ex-President's arrests stir violence and instability
On 16 July, the death toll in South Africa reached 212, with 100 fatalities in the last 24 hours. On the same day, President Cyril Ramaphosa claimed that the riots were pre-planned and deployed over 25,000 armed forces personnel to control the situation in the country. More than 180 people died in KwaZuluNatal, the city where the violence originated when ex-President Jacob Zuma was arrested. The initial protests against the arrests gradually transformed into violent looting and destruction of public property. Although the government has denied the food shortage, the riots have led to a disruption of supply chains as protestors continue attacking major roadways and modes of transport. The US: President Biden blames Facebook and social media for
Photo Courtesy: The White House
the failure of vaccination goal On 16 July, US president Joe Biden claimed that misinformation spread by social media platforms such as Facebook are responsible for the failure of the US in successfully achieving the goal of vaccinating 70 per cent of the American population by 4 July. He said: "They're killing people. The only pandemic we have is among the unvaccinated. And they're killing people." However, Facebook also reacted to the statement and explained that over 85 per cent of its users have already been vaccinated or intend to do so. The company spokesperson said: "President Biden's goal was for 70 per cent of Americans to be vaccinated by 4 July. Facebook is not the reason his goal was missed." About the authors Joeana Cera Matthews and Udbhav Krishna P are research interns in the School of Conflict and Security Studies at the National Institute of Advanced Studies. Abigail Miriam Fernandez, Sukanya Bali and Avishka Ashok are Research Associates at NIAS. Sourina Bej is a PhD scholar from the University of Bonn. The report has been modified by India News due to space considerations.
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