Week 131 (06-12/12/2021)

AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST

The government of Syria blamed Israel for attacks on its main port Latakia (07/12). The attacks left shipping containers destroyed and caused a blaze. However, there were no casualties reported. The Israeli authorities have yet to respond to the allegations.

An overcrowded prison in Burundi has been devastated by a fire (07/12). The prison, located in the capital Gitega, held 1,539 inmates despite having the capacity for only 400 prisoners. Report said that the blaze was caused by a short circuit. At least 38 people died and 69 seriously injured as a result.

The Gilgamesh Dream Tablet has finally been put on display in a museum in Iraq for the first time in thirty years (08/12). The 3,500-year-old clay artefact was stolen from an Iraqi museum in 1991 during the Gulf War and smuggled through many countries before being displayed at the Museum of the Bible in Washington DC, the United States (US). The tablet was then seized by the US authorities and returned to Iraq in 2019.

A lab test result in South Africa showed that the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine can neutralized the Omicron variant (08/12). It prevents people who are infected with the new variant from having severe symptoms. However, further research about Omicron’s ability to evade vaccine antibodies is still needed. It is still unclear whether Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and other vaccines also have the same effect as Pfizer against the Omicron.

ASIA

Reported in The Guardian (07/12), China responded angrily to the United States (US)’ recent diplomatic boycott of next year’s Winter Olympics, calling the superpower to stop politicizing sports, and stop disrupting and undermining the Beijing Winter Olympics. The middle kingdom also warned the US that its actions might affect bilateral dialogue and cooperation in important areas and international and regional issues. Previously, the US confirmed that it would not send any official or diplomatic representatives to the Winter Games and Paralympics in February, responding to the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang and other human rights abuses. Meanwhile, more countries said they would consider joining the protest over Beijing’s human rights record and New Zealand announced it would not send representatives to the Games.

Reported in VOA (08/12), as the US aims to begin a new “Indo Pacific Economic Framework” in early 2022, Secretary of State Antony Blinken will be attending a series of in-person meetings with foreign ministers from the ASEAN during the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) gathering in the United Kingdom (UK)—for the first time, ASEAN members are invited to participate in a G7 foreign and development ministers’ meeting. In addition, Blinken will also head to Indonesia to deliver remarks on the significance of the Indo-Pacific region and underscore the importance of the US-Indonesia Strategic Partnership, as well as to Thailand and Malaysia to advance US ties with these countries and address shared challenges. Issues on Myanmar will also be addressed during his visit to the regions.

At least 13 people were killed (08/12) during military helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu state, including India’s defense chief General Bipin Rawat and his wife. The Russian-made Mi-17V5 helicopter was on its way from an air force base to the Defense Services Staff College when it crashed. Meanwhile, the authorities said they have opened an investigation to the incidence, whilst also mentioning that Group Captain Varun Singh survived and is being treated in a military hospital.

Reported in WION (12/12), for the first time in history, all five central Asian countries—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—are invited as the guest at India’s Republic Day. Among the five countries, only Kazakhstan has been the chief guest of India's grand parade in the year 2009. As India's choice of guest at the Republic Day shows its closeness with the country or a region, the invitation comes as a significant outreach to central Asia by New Delhi, which shares cultural, civilizational, and historic linkages.

AUSTRALIA AND OCEANIA

Fiji has detected its first cases of COVID-19 Omicron variant in two of its nationals who just returned from Nigeria via Hong Kong (07/12). The two of them have been fully vaccinated and were quarantining in a border facility when tested positive for the new variant. Fiji had managed to curb the spread of COVID-19 for 12 months before the second wave of Delta variant devastated the nation and caused almost 700 deaths in the nation of one million. Nevertheless, the numbers of infections have dropped since the vaccination rate reached more than 90%. Fiji has also reopened its borders for travelers from selected “travel partner” nations.

To ensure that the young generation never starts smoking, the government of New Zealand plans to ban smoking by raising the legal age for buying tobacco progressively (09/12). Currently, the legal age to buy tobacco in the country is 18. According to Associate Health Minister Dr. Ayesha Verrall, “People aged 14 when the law comes into effect will never be able to legally purchase tobacco.” In addition, the government also makes it an offence to sell or supply smoked tobacco products to youth. The proposed bill will be put before the Parliament in 2022.

On Friday (10/12), Australia was fighting two natural disasters at once. On the west coast region, tourist hotspot Margaret River was engulfed in bushfires that sent smoke billowing high into the sky. Some residents have been asked to evacuate, but there were no damaged buildings or injuries reported. Meanwhile, the east coast region was hit by heavy rainfall and major flooding. It is believed that man-made climate change has worsened Australia’s extreme weather.

The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) has approved USD 53 million to boost Tonga’s education and transportation sectors (10/12). More than half of the fund will go to Tonga Climate Resilient Transport Project II, whereas the rest will go to Tonga Safe and Resilient Schools Project. Support to these projects will strengthen Tonga’s capacity to respond to future disasters and emergencies.

EUROPE

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin will arrive in India on Monday (06/12) to strengthen military and energy ties. India enjoyed a close relationship with the Soviet Union during the Cold War and maintain a friendship with Russia, but it is being courted by the United States (US) to counter the rise of China—Russia’s traditional ally. Nandan Unnikrishnan from New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation think-tank said that Putin’s visit to India was “hugely symbolic”, as “it’s indicative how they do not want the relationship to stagnate or slow down for want of something from the Russian side”.

European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson said that 15 European Union (EU) countries have agreed to take in 40,000 Afghan refugees (09/12). More than half of the numbers will be taken in by Germany. The Netherlands will accept 3,159 refugees, France and Spain 2,500 each, and the rest will take in lower numbers.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron accused the United Kingdom (UK) of not honoring its promises on Brexit and fishing (09/12). Macron also called for the UK’s reengagement in solving the migration issue. He claimed that the UK’s economy relied on illegal labor, which encourages people to cross the Channel. Despite the strained relationship between the two countries, Macron still hopes for a full cooperation with the UK.

In a Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers meeting in Liverpool, the UK’s Foreign Secretary Liz Truss urged France, Germany, Italy, Canada, the US, and Japan to stand up against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (11/12). Many Western countries have warned Moscow that they would impose economic sanctions on Russia if it invaded Ukraine. Russia denied the allegations and instead accused Ukraine of its own aggressive designs. Moreover, Truss encouraged the G7 member countries to work with other countries “to make sure that free democratic nations are able to have an alternative to Russian gas supplies”.

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

Chile legalized same-sex marriage on Tuesday (07/12). This legalization is a long effort that has been started since 2007. This is a historical milestone for a country that is considered conservative in South America.

Nicaragua cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan on Thursday (09/12). Nicaragua now supports the One China Policy. The move was allegedly influenced by China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which brought economic benefits to Nicaragua.

A truck carrying 150 migrants crashed in Mexico on Thursday (09/12). The accident left 54 people dead. As of Sunday (12/12), the accident was not investigated by the local police and the truck driver fled.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) estimates a 25% increase in regional goods exports during 2021. This increase is due to higher prices for basic products more than greater volume. At their announcement on Friday (10/12), ECLAC highlighted the weakness of regional economic integration in South America.

THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA

The United States (US) has announced a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics on Monday (06/11) because of China’s human rights record. American athletes will still compete in the Olympics regardless of the boycott. The boycott garnered bipartisan support at home even though some politicians said the US should announce a full boycott.

The US and Russia held a virtual conference to discuss the situation in Ukraine on Tuesday (07/11). President Biden warned President Putin that an invasion would result in economic penalties and the dispatch of NATO troops. Meanwhile, Putin said that the presence of military forces would lead to avoidable unwanted tensions.

Canada also announced a diplomatic boycott on the 2022 Winter Olympics in China on Wednesday (08/11). With this boycott, there will be no federal government officials at the Olympics. The boycott is due to China’s repeated human rights violations against the Uighur in Xinjiang.

Canada has threatened to impose tariffs on goods from the US (10/12). Deputy Prime Minister of Canada Chrystia Freeland wrote to the US Senate that Canada would impose tariffs if the US didn’t change its tax credit policy on Canadian auto products. The Senate has yet to respond to this threat.