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).         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 04, 2018 at 11:00PM