Daily Brief: Iran Accuses U.S. of Incitement as Protests Relax
Council on Foreign Relations Newsletter If you are unable to see the message below, click here to view. January 4, 2018 Daily News Brief TOP OF THE AGENDA Iran Accuses U.S. of Incitement as Protests Relax A top general for Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed on Wednesday that "sedition" in the country has ended (FT) as anti-government protests that began last week winded down. Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, in a letter to the UN secretary-general, accused the United States of "inciting" the unrest (Al Jazeera), citing what he called "numerous absurd tweets" from U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. At least twenty-two people died and 450 were arrested in the nationwide demonstrations over dissatisfaction with a poor economy and government corruption. Pro-government rallies took place in several Iranian towns and cities (AP) on Thursday. ANALYSIS "Even though Iran's relentless imperialism is denounced by the protesters who do not want to see their nation’s assets wasted in Arab civil wars, the hardliners aren't likely to change course," CFR's Ray Takeyh writes for Politico Magazine. "These protests don't require talking heads for explanation. They are about fundamental principles of freedom, opportunity, and democracy—long denied in the Islamic Republic," Hamid Yazdan Panah writes for CNN. "[President Hassan] Rouhani comes from a sort of centrist place in the political spectrum in Iran, but he's not really a reformist. And he hasn't been able to enact deep political changes that satisfy the demands of many Iranians," Suzanne Maloney said in an interview on National Public Radio. PACIFIC RIM Australia to Start Cannabis Exports Australia announced it will permit the export of medical cannabis (Reuters), becoming the fourth country to do so. The health minister said he hopes the country will become the "world's number one exporter." JAPAN: Japan and India are planning to launch a joint lunar mission (FT) in what analysts say aims to counter to China's growing space exploration program. SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA Mass Protests in Mumbai Over Caste Tensions Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets and called for a general strike on Wednesday (NYT) in the commercial hub of Mumbai following violence earlier this week against members of India's lowest caste, the Dalit, in nearby Pune. PAKISTAN: On Wednesday, some 1.4 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan received their sixth residency extension (Dawn), the latest for thirty days. A total of 2.7 million Afghans, both registered and unregistered, live in Pakistan (VOA). MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA Gaddafi's Son May Seek Libyan Presidency Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, plans to run in presidential elections (Bloomberg) this year, according to a former head of the country's economic development board and a family spokesperson. Rival factions have not yet agreed on an election schedule. SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA Sudan Extends Unilateral Cease-Fire Khartoum has extended to the end of March (Sudan Tribune) a unilateral cease-fire with rebels that was set to expire in December. The United States lifted sanctions against the country (Reuters) in October, citing counterterrorism cooperation and progress toward ending conflict with armed groups. Yasir Zaidan writes in Foreign Affairs that Washington was right to lift sanctions on Sudan. ZIMBABWE: The justice minister has rejected calls for electoral reform (VOA) before elections later this year despite charges from domestic and international observers of fraud and voter intimidation in past elections. In Foreign Affairs, CFR's John Campbell writes that the coup that ousted former President Robert Mugabe will likely not lead to reform. EUROPE Norway Suspends Arms Exports to UAE The Norwegian foreign ministry said it has suspended delivery of arms and ammunition (Al Jazeera) to the United Arab Emirates over concerns weapons could be used in the conflict in Yemen. In 2016, Norway exported some $9.7 million in weapons to the country. FRANCE: President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday he will push for a new law that would require social media sites to reveal the sources of their content (BBC) in a bid to combat disinformation campaigns. AMERICAS EU's Top Diplomat Condemns Cuba Embargo The EU foreign policy chief, during a visit to Cuba on Wednesday, called the U.S. embargo on the island nation "obsolete" and said it has worsened the quality of life (AFP) for ordinary citizens. VENEZUELA: Venezuela has offered to pay foreign pharmaceutical companies (WSJ) in diamonds, gold, and the metal coltan amid prolonged cash and medicine shortages. This CFR Backgrounder looks at the crisis in Venezuela. UNITED STATES Turkish Banker Found Guilty in Plot to Bypass Iran Sanctions A New York court has convicted a manager for the Turkish state-run bank Halkbank on charges of bank fraud for helping Iran evade sanctions by trading oil and gas for gold, moving some funds through U.S. banks (VOA). Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called the case a U.S. bid to blackmail Turkey. At least seventeen people have died from extremely cold weather and winter storms in recent days that have stretched from Texas to New England (AP). 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From: dailybrief@e.cfr.org
Date: January 04, 2018 at 11:00PM
Daily Brief: North, South Korea Reopen Border Hotline
Council on Foreign Relations Newsletter If you are unable to see the message below, click here to view. January 3, 2018 Daily News Brief TOP OF THE AGENDA North, South Korea Reopen Border Hotline Liaison officers from North and South Korea spoke on a hotline between the countries (Korea Times) on Wednesday for the first time since the line was closed in February 2016. The reopening of the line comes a day after Seoul proposed holding high-level talks with Pyongyang next Tuesday. A spokesperson from the North said that leader Kim Jong-un "welcomed" South Korean President Moon Jae-in's offer to discuss receiving a delegation of athletes from the North (Guardian) for the upcoming Winter Olympics there. The North's tensions with the United States again flared on Tuesday, as President Donald J. Trump tweeted that U.S. nuclear capabilities are "more powerful" than those of Pyongyang (FT). ANALYSIS "Moon sparred with Trump last year over offers of dialogue to North Korea, and has repeatedly sought to reassure his citizens that he's doing everything to prevent a war," Kanga Kong and Jihye Lee write for Bloomberg. "It may not be an unalloyed success for South Korea's progressive President Moon Jae-in, who has staked his political future on improving relations in the North. In reality, it’s an attempt to put him in an impossible bind," CFR's Scott A. Snyder writes for the Atlantic. "Any military strike against North Korea—even with clear signaling from the U.S. that it is not a prelude to a decapitation attempt—would present Kim with a potential use-or-lose dilemma," Jung H. Pak and Ryan L. Hass write for the Brookings Institution [PDF]. PACIFIC RIM China to Top Japan as Largest Natural Gas Importer China is expected to surpass Japan as the world's largest natural gas importer this year amid a crackdown on pollution (Reuters) in the country. China is already the world's largest importer of oil and coal. SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA U.S. Pressures Pakistan on Counterterrorism Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on Tuesday that the United States will soon announce steps it will take to compel Pakistan to increase its counterterrorism efforts (RFE/RL). The move comes after Washington suspended $255 million in military aid (Dawn) to Islamabad. AFGHANISTAN: A U.S. soldier was killed and four other people were wounded in the eastern Nangarhar Province (TOLO) on Monday in what the military said was a "combat engagement." In Foreign Affairs, Kosh Sadat and General Stanley McChrystal (Ret.) discuss America's longest war. MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA Israel Orders African Migrants to Leave Israel's immigration authority has ordered thousands of African migrants in the country to return to their home nations (AP) or move to a third country within ninety days. Authorities said they will begin jailing remaining migrants (BBC) in April. IRAN: Thousands of Iranians took part in state-organized pro-government rallies (FT) across the country on Wednesday following six days of massive anti-government protests. CFR's Ray Takeyh writes in Politico Magazine that Iran is entering a period of prolonged transition. SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA Ethiopia to Release Political Prisoners Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn said that Ethiopia will release all political prisoners (BBC) in a bid to encourage dialogue with the opposition and shutter a police station jail (Addis Standard) where detainees have allegedly been tortured. EQUATORIAL GUINEA: The security minister said that security forces from his country and from Cameroon foiled a plot by mercenaries to oust President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (AFP) last month. This CFR Backgrounder looks at Africa's longest-serving leaders. EUROPE Germany's Jobless Rate at Record Low Following a six-month decrease, the unemployment rate in Germany reached 5.5 percent (Bloomberg) in late 2017. It is the country's lowest rate since 1991 (FT). AMERICAS Petrobras to Pay $3 Billion in U.S. Settlement The Brazilian state-run oil company Petrobras has agreed to pay nearly $3 billion (Reuters) in a class-action lawsuit by U.S. investors who say they lost money due to widespread corruption at the company. The settlement must still be approved by a New York federal judge. HONDURAS: Opposition presidential candidate Salvador Nasralla said on Tuesday that he will continue to challenge the results of a November election (LAHT) over alleged fraud and that his center-left coalition plans to hold rallies this weekend. UNITED STATES U.S. Blocks Sale of MoneyGram to Chinese Firm A U.S. government committee has rejected a planned $1.2 billion merger (Reuters) of the international money transfer service MoneyGram and China's Ant Financial, citing concerns about the security of U.S. citizens' data. U.S. colleges nationwide saw a 7 percent decrease (NYT) in new international students this past fall, according to a new report by the New York-based Institute of International Education. GLOBAL Oil Nears Highest Price Since 2015 The price of oil rose above $67 a barrel on Wednesday; analysts say buying has been stoked by uncertainty (FT) due to popular protests in Iran. Oil prices plummeted after 2014 when U.S. shale swamped the market. Council on Foreign Relations — 58 East 68th Street — New York, NY 10065 CFR does not share email addresses with third parties. Forward This Email | Subscribe to CFR Newsletters | Unsubscribe - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
From: dailybrief@e.cfr.org
Date: January 03, 2018 at 11:05PM
Daily Brief: Iran Death Toll Rises Amid Mounting Protests
Council on Foreign Relations Newsletter If you are unable to see the message below, click here to view. January 2, 2018 Daily News Brief TOP OF THE AGENDA Iran Death Toll Rises Amid Mounting Protests State media in Iran reported that at least nine people, including three policemen, were killed in anti-government protests overnight on Monday. Authorities accused six of the dead of raiding a police station (Al Jazeera). The death toll was believed to be more than twenty (NYT) as the country entered its sixth day of nationwide protests over a suffering economy and corruption. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in his first public comments since the demonstrations began, blamed the "enemies of Iran" (Guardian) for the unrest. On Monday, President Hassan Rouhani said Iran has seen similar incidents in the past (FT) and that the country would "easily pass by" it. ANALYSIS "Iranians aren't 'finally' waking up and 'getting wise,' as Trump suggests. Instead, Iran has a dynamic and active civil society, which has created and embraced opportunities for reformation and progress for decades," Ariane Tabatabai writes for the Atlantic. "If Iranians do choose to rise up and push aside their government, it will not be the result of support from Washington," CFR's Philip H. Gordon writes for the New York Times. "However the events on the streets unfold, their most immediate casualty will be the presidency of Hassan Rouhani and its false claim of pragmatic governance," write Mark Dubowitz and CFR's Ray Takeyh for the Wall Street Journal. PACIFIC RIM Seoul Proposes High-Level Talks With Pyongyang South Korea's unification minister has offered to host high-level talks with North Korea next week (Korea Times) on the South's side of their shared border. The talks would focus on the North's participation in the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expressed willingness over the weekend to send a delegation of athletes. In Foreign Affairs, Michael Fuchs writes that diplomacy is still the best option in North Korea. CHINA: A ban on the trade of ivory came into effect in China (NPR) on Monday in a move hailed by conservationists as critical to combating elephant poaching. SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA Pakistan Summons U.S. Ambassador Over Trump Tweet Pakistan's foreign office has summoned the U.S. ambassador to the country following a Monday tweet by U.S. President Donald J. Trump that accused Islamabad of acting as a safe haven for "terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan" (Dawn). BANGLADESH: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced the construction of two new air bases (PTI), saying the country will soon have a "most modern" air force. MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA Israel's Knesset Votes to Tighten Control Over Jerusalem Israel's legislature passed an amendment on Tuesday that increases the number of votes needed to cede control over any section of Jerusalem to a "foreign party" (Reuters), potentially complicating any future peace deal that involves handing over territory to Palestinians. SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA Hundreds Held by Boko Haram Escape A Nigerian Army spokesman said that some seven hundred people held captive by the militant group Boko Haram on several islands in Lake Chad escaped and reached Borno State (BBC). It was unclear over what time period the abductees fled. SOMALIA: Prosecutors have charged five men for involvement in an October bombing attack in Mogadishu that killed an estimated 512 people (VOA). Four of the accused are in custody. EUROPE Catalan Secession Move Cost €1 Billion, Madrid Says Spain's economy minister said Monday that a political crisis over an October independence referendum in Catalonia caused the relocation of some 3,100 firms (BBC) and slowed economic growth in the region in the last quarter of the year, costing it roughly €1 billion, or $1.2 billion. ICELAND: Legislation came into force on Monday making Iceland the first country to criminalize gender disparities in salaries (Al Jazeera). CFR's Rachel Vogelstein looks at women's rights across the world. AMERICAS Twelve Dead in Costa Rica Plane Crash Ten U.S. citizens and two crew members were killed in a tourist plane crash (AP) on Sunday that authorities said may have been caused by strong winds. VENEZUELA: Venezuelan authorities have arrested a soldier accused of firing on a crowd of protestors and killing a pregnant woman on Christmas Eve (BBC). The woman was waiting in a government ration line for subsidized pork. This CFR Backgrounder looks at Venezuela's political and humanitarian crisis. UNITED STATES Murder Rate Drops in Three Major Cities Chicago, New York, and Washington, D.C., all saw significant declines in homicide totals (AFP) in 2017, according to a new report from the New York University School of Law. Baltimore saw an uptick in the number of murders from 2016. An estimated one in ten young adults in the United States experienced homelessness in the past year (Guardian), according to a new report from the University of Chicago. Council on Foreign Relations — 58 East 68th Street — New York, NY 10065 CFR does not share email addresses with third parties. Forward This Email | Subscribe to CFR Newsletters | Unsubscribe - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
From: dailybrief@e.cfr.org
Date: January 02, 2018 at 11:08PM
Daily Brief: Saudi-Led Coalition, UN Spar Over Yemen
Council on Foreign Relations Newsletter If you are unable to see the message below, click here to view. December 29, 2017 Daily News Brief TOP OF THE AGENDA Saudi-Led Coalition, UN Spar Over Yemen Editor’s note: There will be no Daily Brief on Monday, January 1, for New Year’s Day. The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen accused the United Nations of "bias" in favor of rebels (AP) after a UN official, in remarks on civilian casualties, called the war “absurd.” On Thursday, the thousandth day of the war (CNN), the United Nations reported that 109 civilians had been killed over ten days. The U.S.- and UK-backed coalition carried out intensified air strikes over that period in response to Houthi rebels shooting a ballistic missile toward Riyadh (Guardian). ANALYSIS "With Donald Trump’s hollowing out of the US State Department the capacity to grapple with this conflict is further weakened. Add to that Trump’s enthusiastic embrace of Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, while using increasingly hostile rhetoric towards Iran, and the American president is at risk of extending the devastating war, notwithstanding his recent call for an end to the Saudi blockade," Iona Craig writes for Prospect. "War crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated on an almost daily basis in Yemen have triggered renewed focus on the astonishing lack of accountability for such atrocities," Noha Aboueldahab writes for Al Jazeera. "From Iran’s point of view, engagement with the Houthis in Yemen has the added benefits of providing an opportunity to probe Saudi defence capabilities, and of offering a diplomatic and public relations tool to offset accusations of Iranian-backed atrocities in the Syria conflict and elsewhere," Peter Salisbury writes for Chatham House. Foreign Policy Stories to Watch in 2018 CFR’s James M. Lindsay looks at seven news stories likely to shape the coming year. PACIFIC RIM Vessel Suspected of Delivering Oil to North Korea Seized South Korean authorities seized a Hong Kong–flagged ship they accused of transferring six hundred tons of refined petroleum to a North Korean vessel in violation of UN Security Council sanctions (Korea Times). This CFR Backgrounder lays out the international sanctions on North Korea. MYANMAR: Two foreign journalists working for a Turkish broadcaster and two members of their local staff will be freed after serving a two-month sentence (WaPo) for flying a drone over the parliament. Earlier this week a court extended the detention of two Reuters journalists who face trial for violating state secrets. SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA Pakistan Warns United States Against Military Action Military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor warned warned the United States against taking "unilateral action" (Dawn) against armed groups on Pakistani soil. His comments followed U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s call for Pakistan to fight terrorist groups (Al Jazeera) that have allegedly found safe haven there. AFGHANISTAN: Six children were killed (RFE/RL) by a roadside bomb in Balkh Province as they watched over a herd of animals, according to a district governor. MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA Street Protests in Iran Over High Prices, Foreign Policy Hundreds of antigovernment protesters in Iran's second-largest city, Mashhad, and at least two other cities rallied against the cost of living (BBC). Some also shouted "leave Syria" (Reuters), in reference to Iran's military and financial support for the government of President Bashar al-Assad. Haleh Esfandiari discusses Iran's path to democracy in Foreign Affairs. SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA Weah Wins Liberian Election Former professional soccer player George Weah was declared the winner of Liberia's presidential election, which was held Tuesday, with 61.5 percent of votes as ballot-counting neared completion. He is set to succeed President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Liberia's first democratic transition of power (WSJ) in more than seventy years. SOMALIA: President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo inaugurated an aviation control center in Mogadishu, enabling Somalia to control its skies for the first time since 1992 (VOA), when the United Nations took over the task following the outbreak of civil war. EUROPE Italy Plans to Deploy Troops to Niger The Italian military said that, pending parliamentary approval, it will deploy up to 470 personnel to Niger to help the country’s forces combat migrant smuggling (Reuters). The announcement follows Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni's statement that some of Italy's 1,400 troops in Iraq could be redeployed to the Sahel. The International Rescue Committee’s David Miliband discusses the historic displacement of millions of people this year. AUSTRIA: International luminaries called on European governments to boycott the upcoming EU presidency of Austria in light of its new government’s inclusion of the far-right Freedom Party (DW). The open letter, published in Le Monde, called the party “the heirs of Nazism.” Reinhard Heinisch discusses the Freedom Party's entry into government in Foreign Affairs. AMERICAS Venezuela Accuses Portugal Over Pork Shipments President Nicolas Maduro said that Portugal "sabotaged" pork shipments (BBC) due to arrive in time for Christmas, a charge Lisbon denied. Hundreds of people have protested the holiday-time meat shortage in Caracas. BRAZIL: The Supreme Court partially suspended an annual Christmastime presidential pardon (FT). Critics of President Michel Temer allege that he used the pardon this year to soften punishments for political figures and businessmen charged with corruption. UNITED STATES Trump Administration to Rescind Restrictions on Drilling The Trump administration announced it will rescind Obama-era rules limiting oil and gas drilling (AP) on public lands. The restrictions were support to take effect in 2015 but were subjected to legal challenges. Two Romanians arrested in Bucharest have been charged by the Department of Justice with hacking into computer networks (VOA) used for police surveillance cameras in Washington, D.C. Council on Foreign Relations — 58 East 68th Street — New York, NY 10065 CFR does not share email addresses with third parties. Forward This Email | Subscribe to CFR Newsletters | Unsubscribe - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
From: dailybrief@e.cfr.org
Date: December 29, 2017 at 11:16PM
Daily Brief: Dozens Dead in Kabul Attack on Shia Muslims
Council on Foreign Relations Newsletter If you are unable to see the message below, click here to view. December 28, 2017 Daily News Brief TOP OF THE AGENDA Dozens Dead in Kabul Attack on Shia Muslims Multiple explosions at a cultural center and news agency used by Shia Muslims in the Afghan capital killed an estimated forty people on Thursday in an attack claimed by the self-proclaimed Islamic State (WaPo). Early reports suggested the blasts targeted the office of the Afghan Voice news agency, though a spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry later said the attack was aimed at the cultural center. Guests had gathered there to mark the thirty-eighth anniversary (Al Jazeera) of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. No evidence of links to the Islamic State, also known as Daesh, could immediately be confirmed, while the Taliban denied it carried out the attack (RFE/RL). ANALYSIS "The attack comes weeks after [President Ashraf] Ghani said the Islamic State, which emerged in Afghanistan in late 2014, 'was on the run' in the country following a recent series of joint offensives with U.S.-led troops," Sayed Salahuddin writes for the Washington Post. "The emergence of Daesh is widely talked about but it's a poorly understood and complex phenomena. In many areas, Daesh is comprised of ex-Taliban commanders with no discernable links to the Islamic State," Ashley Jackson said in an interview with Foreign Policy Interrupted. "There is much more Washington can do to set conditions for a peace process—including naming and empowering senior diplomats, aligning regional powers in support of that goal, and ensuring U.S. policy does not undercut Taliban moderates—all while continuing to fight the Taliban, develop Afghan security forces, and strengthen Afghan institutions," writes CFR's Courtney Cooper. Visualizing 2018: The Essential Graphics In this roundup, CFR experts discuss the data worth tracking in the year ahead. PACIFIC RIM Two Dozen Sentenced in Vietnam for Terrorism, Subversion Vietnamese courts sentenced fourteen people on Wednesday for involvement in an April bomb attack on Tan Son Nhat International Airport (AP) in which no one was killed. The court accused the defendants of supporting a California-based exile group (RFA) seeking to overthrow the government. Nine others were sentenced for subversion and spreading propaganda against the communist state. TIBET: Tibetan activist and filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen, jailed by Chinese authorities for nearly ten years, escaped and reached California earlier this week (VOA), where his family lives. SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA Mass Firing at Uzbek Finance Ministry More than 560 people were dismissed from positions at Uzbekistan's Finance Ministry after President Shavkat Mirziyoyev criticized the ministry (RFE/RL) for mismanaging the state budget and accused officials of embellishing economic data. MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA Libya, UN Agency Return Migrants to Guinea The International Organization for Migration flew 142 migrants who were stranded in Libya (Reuters) back to their home country of Guinea on Wednesday. The number of migrants trapped in the North African country has surged this year as armed groups increased patrols of the waters off its coast. The International Rescue Committee's David Miliband discusses the ongoing historic displacement of millions of people this year. IRAN: Tehran's police chief said on Wednesday that authorities will no longer arrest people who fail to respect Islamic values (WSJ) and will instead "educate" infractors. Haleh Esfandiari discusses Iran's path to democracy in Foreign Affairs. SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA U.S. to Sell Fighter Jets, Weapons to Nigeria The Nigerian Air Force said that the United States has agreed to sell it twelve Super Tucano fighter jets (Vanguard) and other weapons and services worth a total of $593 million. CAMEROON: A judge has ordered American author Patrice Nganang to be released from jail and deported (BBC) after he was accused of threatening Cameroonian President Paul Biya in a Facebook post. EUROPE Break in Ukraine Fighting for Mass Prisoner Exchange The Ukrainian military and Moscow-backed separatists paused fighting on Wednesday (NYT) for the exchange of nearly three hundred prisoners in total. It was the first prisoner swap (BBC) between the two sides in fifteen months. TURKEY: The head of a Russian state conglomerate said the country is expected to begin shipments for a $2.5 billion missile deal with Turkey (RFE/RL) in 2020. CFR's Steven A. Cook writes in Salon that Washington's tangled relationship with Ankara is worsening. AMERICAS Argentine Senate Passes Macri-Backed Budget Lawmakers approved on Wednesday a new tax plan and federal budget proposal pushed by President Mauricio Macri (Reuters) in a bid to attract international investment and cut business costs. Last week, Congress approved Macri's pension plan, sparking violent protests and a day-long general strike. UNITED STATES Trump Administration Sees 34% Turnover in a Year Twenty-one of sixty-one senior officials in the Donald J. Trump administration have left their posts in a year (WSJ), according to a new report by the Brookings Institution. The turnover is the highest of any administration in the last forty years. Users of iPhones in three U.S. states and in Israel have filed class-action lawsuits against the tech giant Apple (LA Times), claiming the company did not disclose information about slowing older iPhones to push users to unnecessarily buy newer versions. GLOBAL Children Deliberately Targeted in Conflict Areas, UN Says The UN Children's Fund said Thursday that children in areas of armed conflict have suffered abuses (Al Jazeera) including rape, forced marriages, and recruitment into armed groups on a "shocking" scale in 2017. Council on Foreign Relations — 58 East 68th Street — New York, NY 10065 CFR does not share email addresses with third parties. Forward This Email | Subscribe to CFR Newsletters | Unsubscribe - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
From: dailybrief@e.cfr.org
Date: December 28, 2017 at 11:03PM
Daily Brief: Evacuations Underway in Besieged Syrian Enclave
Council on Foreign Relations Newsletter If you are unable to see the message below, click here to view. December 27, 2017 Daily News Brief TOP OF THE AGENDA Evacuations Underway in Besieged Syrian Enclave Medical evacuations to Damascus began on Wednesday in the opposition-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta, which has been under siege (Reuters) by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The evacuations follow a deal between the opposition group Jaish al-Islam and the government that also involves an exchange of detainees, according to the Syrian American Medical Society, a U.S.-based organization providing medical relief there. On Tuesday, some forty rebel groups rejected a proposal by Russia for peace talks next month (AP), calling it an attempt to subvert UN-led negotiations. The start of evacuations came as Russia's defense minister announced plans to expand military bases in Syria (DW) and form a "permanent presence" in the country. ANALYSIS "President Bashar al-Assad's government has used the presence of rebel groups in the area to justify a campaign of collective punishment against the district [of Eastern Ghouta]," Maryam Saleh, Murtaza Hussain, and Rajaai Bourhan write for the Intercept. "[Russian President Vladimir] Putin supporters will most definitely present Syria as a success story for the Russian military and for the Russian diplomatic school," Max Suchkov said in an interview with Syria Deeply. "Russia has so far employed the 'carrot and stick' model when communicating with local power brokers to ensure its influence, offering up benefits like security protection and financing, while guaranteeing them a place at the negotiating table and a share of reconstruction revenue," Ayman Aldassouky writes for Chatham House. Another Year of Record Displacement In this CFR interview, the International Rescue Committee's David Miliband discusses the ongoing historic displacement of millions from conflict and persecution. PACIFIC RIM U.S. Sanctions Top North Korean Missile Officials The U.S. Treasury Department announced on Tuesday sanctions on two men they say are top officials for North Korea's ballistic missile program (Korea Times). The move follows a new round of UN sanctions Pyongyang condemned as an "act of war" (BBC). This CFR Backgrounder looks at North Korea's military capabilities. MALAYSIA: A Malaysian state development fund made its final payment (WSJ) to Abu Dhabi's state-owned energy investment firm to compensate it for an emergency loan provided after the fund defaulted on its bonds. The fund is under investigation for money laundering (Reuters) in at least six countries. SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA China Hosts Afghanistan-Pakistan Talks In a first, China's foreign minister hosted his Afghan and Pakistani counterparts in Beijing in a bid to boost security cooperation between the two (DW). Pakistan's foreign minister called China "fully supportive" of his country's proposal (VOA) to create working groups on issues such as refugee flows from Afghanistan and intelligence sharing. Lisa Monaco and Emma Sky discussed America's forgotten wars in Afghanistan and Iraq at this Foreign Affairs event. INDIA: India's foreign ministry accused Pakistan on Tuesday of harassing the wife and mother of an Indian naval officer sentenced to death for espionage (Al Jazeera) and of coaching his responses to give a "false narrative" during a Monday meeting with his family. MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA Saudi Arabia Releases Two Dozen Detainees, Local Media Says A Saudi newspaper reported on Tuesday that twenty-three of the roughly two hundred high-profile detainees arrested in a November crackdown for suspected corruption (Reuters) reached agreements with the government and were released. The government said suspects could be freed if they surrender their assets (FT). SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA Turkey to Build Port in Sudan Sudan's foreign minister said that Turkey will rebuild on the African nation's Red Sea coast an Ottoman-era port and construct naval docks for military and commercial vessels. Sudan is seeking to attract foreign investment following nearly two decades of U.S. sanctions (Reuters). Yasir Zaidan discusses lifting sanctions on Sudan in Foreign Affairs. ANGOLA: Angola launched its first satellite into space (Al Jazeera) on Tuesday from a facility in Kazakhstan; the launch was part of a joint project with Russia. EUROPE Madrid Begins Police Withdrawal in Catalonia Spain's central government said on Tuesday it has begun recalling thousands of police (DW) sent to the Catalan region several months ago ahead of an independence referendum it declared illegal. Catalan separatists referred to police deployed there as an "occupying force." EU: Germany's foreign minister said that a "smart" deal for the United Kingdom to exit the European Union (BBC) could serve as a model for relations with non-EU members such as Turkey and Ukraine. AMERICAS Pardoned President Asks Peruvians to Forgive Him Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori released a video on Tuesday asking for Peruvians' forgiveness after receiving a medical pardon from President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, a move that prompted widespread protest. Fujimori was serving a twenty-five year prison sentence (NYT) for human rights violations. BRAZIL: Brazil has expelled Venezuela's top diplomat in the country (BBC) after a similar move by Venezuela. UNITED STATES Cities Sue Defense Dept. Over Background Checks The cities of New York, San Francisco, and Philadelphia have filed a lawsuit against the Department of Defense for failures to report criminal convictions in the military justice system so individuals could be listed on a national gun background-check database (NYT). The lawsuit follows a November mass shooting in Texas by a gunman who received a domestic violence conviction while he was in the Air Force. GLOBAL World's Richest Gained $1 Trillion in 2017 The world's five hundred wealthiest people added roughly $1 trillion to their personal wealth in 2017, an increase of 23 percent from last year, according to a new index by Bloomberg. Council on Foreign Relations — 58 East 68th Street — New York, NY 10065 CFR does not share email addresses with third parties. Forward This Email | Subscribe to CFR Newsletters | Unsubscribe - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
From: dailybrief@e.cfr.org
Date: December 27, 2017 at 10:57PM
Daily Brief: Protests in Peru Over Ex-Leader's Pardon
Council on Foreign Relations Newsletter If you are unable to see the message below, click here to view. December 26, 2017 Daily News Brief TOP OF THE AGENDA Protests in Peru Over Ex-Leader's Pardon Protests continued into Monday night as Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski defended his decision to grant a medical pardon (WSJ) to former President Alberto Fujimori, who was halfway through a twenty-five year prison sentence for corruption and human rights violations. Kuczynski, who announced the pardon on Sunday, said he could not allow Fujimori to "die in prison" (BBC) and urged protestors to accept the decision (Reuters). Kuczynski's political opponents have denounced the move as part of a political deal. Fujimori's son, a lawmaker, withdrew his support for a parliamentary bid to impeach Kuczynski (DW) late last week. ANALYSIS "Even from prison, Mr. Fujimori has exerted influence on politics, and his supporters, so-called Fujimoristas, dominate the legislature," Andrea Zarate writes for the New York Times. "Mr. Fujimori, the son of Japanese immigrants who took office in 1990 after a career in academia, remains a polarizing figure in the Andean nation over seventeen years after his corruption-ridden administration collapsed," Ryan Dube writes for the Wall Street Journal. "[Kuczynski] has long intimated that he would pardon Fujimori. But to do it in this way—after just barely surviving impeachment, on Christmas Eve—is an incredible show of disrespect to the victims of Fujimorismo," Jo-Marie Burt said in an interview with the Guardian. Ten Silver Linings in 2017 CFR editors cite ten areas where progress was made this year, from reducing child mortality and poverty to improving women's rights. PACIFIC RIM China, Russia Call for Peaceful Resolution in North Korea China's foreign ministry called for restraint on the Korean Peninsula while Russia said it hopes the United States does not plan to take military action (VOA) to resolve a standoff there. On Friday, the United Nations passed a resolution ordering all North Koreans working in member states to be sent home within two years to cut off revenue sources for Pyongyang. This CFR Backgrounder looks at North Korea's military capabilities. PHILIPPINES: Paolo Duterte, son of President Rodrigo Duterte, quit his post as vice mayor for the city of Davao on Monday after his daughter wrote a social media post in which she appeared to accuse him of beating her (NYT). SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA Islamic State Claims Kabul Attack A suicide bomber targeting the Afghan intelligence agency (Guardian) killed six civilians an an attack on Monday, according to the Interior Ministry. The self-proclaimed Islamic State said it was behind the attack. PAKISTAN: The mother and wife of an Indian naval officer who faces a death sentence (Dawn) for alleged spying in Pakistan were allowed to visit him on Monday. MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA Second Nation to Move Embassy in Israel Guatemala announced it will follow the United States' lead (NYT) and move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Israel's deputy foreign minister said that more than ten countries are in talks to move their embassies to the city (Haaretz), though she did not name them. CFR's Robert M. Danin discusses President Trump's Jerusalem move in the Octavian Report. YEMEN: At least seventy-one civilians were killed over two days of air strikes (Al Jazeera) carried out by the Saudi-led coalition seeking to restore Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour al-Hadi to power, according to local reports. CFR's Michael P. Dempsey writes that no one can win the war in Yemen (CNN). SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA Liberians Vote in Delayed Runoff A presidential runoff originally scheduled for November 7 was delayed seven weeks after candidate Vice President Joseph Boakai filed charges of fraud and incompetence (DW) by electoral authorities. Bokai faces George Weah, a former soccer star, in the Tuesday runoff. SOMALIA: The country's soccer federation said it will begin hosting international matches in 2018 (VOA) in light of improving security there. Somalia last hosted an international match in 1988. EUROPE Putin Opponent Banned From Election Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny has been formally barred from participating in a presidential election next year (BBC) due to a corruption conviction Navalny says is politically motivated. Navalny called for a boycott (DW) of the vote. TURKEY: Some 2,750 public employees were dismissed from their positions (VOA) on Sunday over accusations of ties to terrorist groups. Ankara also ordered the shutdown of seventeen institutions, including two newspapers. AMERICAS Canada to Expel Top Venezuelan Diplomat In a tit for tat over the weekend, Canada said it will expel Venezuela's ambassador to the country (Globe & Mail) and another senior diplomat after the South American country declared top Canadian and Brazilian diplomats unwelcome there. UNITED STATES UN to See $285 Million Budget Cut, U.S. Says The U.S. Mission to the United Nations said on Sunday it has negotiated a $285 million cut (AP) to the UN budget. U.S. envoy Nikki Haley said she will not allow the international body to take advantage of "the generosity of the American people." A 1970s trade program that grants more than a hundred developing nations tariff-free access to the United States for some 3,500 products is set to expire at the end of this year (FT). Congress failed to agree last week on legislation to renew the program. 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From: dailybrief@e.cfr.org
Date: December 26, 2017 at 10:48PM
