Headline Stories from Around the World

June 2021

Debt Relief, IMF, World Bank & Sudan: The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund determined Sudan did the necessary work to earn debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative. If Sudan makes critical reforms during the next three years, the nation’s debt will be reduced by $50 billion US as currently valued. (World Bank press release, June 29, 2021) 

UN, Syria: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for an extension of the measure that allows humanitarian aid to reach Syrian refugees. UN Security Council’s Mandate 2533, which expires in July, allows for aid to cross the Turkey-Syria border to 13.4 million people dependent on the assistance. As the Global Economic Report previously reported, the aid is a lifeline for refugees in northwest Syria. (UN News, June 23, 2021)

Global Economics, G20: G20 Finance ministers meeting in Italy focused on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their meetings and official communique. The document said the pandemic crisis set by the 2030 SDG goals as some developing countries slid back on education, particularly girls’ education, and gender equality. (G20 Communique, June 29, 2021)

Globalization, US-China Relations: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States and European countries are choosing to engage China and focus on cooperative aspects, especially in issues like climate change, and fair competition. “There is increasing convergence on engaging with China together from a common position,” Blinken said. (Source: State Department, June 29, 2021)

Global Business; China: Nike Chief Executive John Donahoe reinforced the company’s business in China during an earnings call. “Nike is a brand that is of China and for China” in response to a question about competition from Chinese brands,” Donahoe said on the call. The company more than doubled its revenue according to its fourth-quarter earnings report. (BBC, June 25, 2021)

US Sanctions, Belarus: The United States added a few more names to its list of individuals at risk of being barred from international financial transactions. (US Treasury OFAC, June 28, 2021)

Political Systems, Hong Kong: Police in Hong Kong authorities arrested a seventh journalist from a pro-democracy outlet. Apple Daily editorial writer Fung Wai-kong was trying to fly to Britain when the Hong Kong police arrested him. (Source SCMP, June 28, 2021)

Human Rights, United Kingdom: The UK’s Ministry of Justice responded to a list of concerns by the UN’s Human Rights Committee. Topics covered included Northern Ireland, Iraq, domestic reforms, and rendition policy. (UK Government, June 24, 2021)

Diplomacy, US-EU: Following a summit, the United State and the European Union affirmed a commitment to democracy, civil society, media freedoms and human rights. Their joint statement also identifies relations with both China and Russia as areas for cooperation. The US-EU statement also called for cooperation in reforming the World Health Organization and mentioned climate change. (US-EU Statement, June 15, 2021)

Diplomacy, EU-US: The United States and the European Union announce stronger ties in a Transatlantic cooperation on supply chain collaboration, vaccine development. US-EU trade represents a third of the world’s GDP and trade and 60 percent of foreign direct investments. (EU Headquarters, June 14, 2021) 

Diplomatic Partnerships, EU: The EU has formally committed to forming “country-specific situations and regional dynamic” partnerships with middle-income countries. These partnerships will help countries recover from the pandemic. It’s meant for countries that are negatively impacted middle-income countries. #development #SDGgoals (EU, June 14, 2021)

Foreign Policy, NATO: For the first time, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization identified China’s “growing influence and international policies” as a challenge. NATO also discussed deteriorating relations with Russia at length. Among other things, it said “Russia continues to breach the values, principles, trust, and commitments outlined in agreed documents that underpin the NATO-Russia relationship.” It said NATO has established a “forward presence in the eastern part of the Alliance,” including Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. Meanwhile, the security alliance also said it would adapt to the impact of climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its military activities. (NATO’s Brussels Summit Communiqué, June 14, 2021)

Diplomacy, G7: G7 leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States agreed on the following joint goals: to stop the spread of coronavirus through increased vaccine availability, to recover each member country’s economy, to promote shared values, to support a green economy, to strengthen partnerships, to build shared values as a foundation. Finally, their communique said they would “harness the power of democracy, freedom, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights to answer the biggest questions and overcome the greatest challenges.” (G7 Communique, June 11-13, 2021)

Defense, Afghanistan: The United States is considering continuing to lend air power to the Afghan government following the withdraw of the U.S. military and NATO troops. The Pentagon is currently discussing whether the US military will provide warplanes and drones if the potential for the Taliban taking over Kabul grows. (NYT, June 9, 2021)

Sanctions, Nicaragua: The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned an additional four individuals that are closely linked to the Ortega regime. The regime has been affiliated with human rights violations such as restricting news media, threatening the country’s democracy, and enacting repressive laws.  (US Treasury OFAC, June 9, 2021)

Human Rights, Political Prisoner in Belarus: Belarus: Still being held at KGB Prisons in Belarus, Sofia Sapega wrote to her family regarding her imprisonment. Sapega’s attorney is unable to discuss the charges against her or what the future of the case looks like. (BBC, June 9, 2021)

Humanitarian Crisis, Syrian Refugees: Columnist Josh Rogin suggests that President Biden and President Putin might discuss Syria’s border crossing issue which would leave more than 3million refugees without necessary resources. The writer suggests that, behind the scenes, “Moscow is looking for sanctions relief from Biden in exchange for reauthorizing the aid route.” (WaPo, June 10, 2021)

Geopolitical, Afghanistan: As part of the United States agreement with the Taliban, roughly 18,000 U.S. contractors are due to leave Afghanistan. Military analysts and Defense officials say that leaves the Afghan government without airpower. Access to airpower has been a substantial aid to the Afghan government in the war against the Taliban, without it, Afghanistan risks maintaining control over the country (NBC News, 6/6/21)

Human Rights, Belarus: An interview with Roman Protasevich, a political prisoner in Belarus, suggested he may be undergoing torture. Human Rights Watch Executive Director Kenneth Roth said the current President of Belarus should be prosecuted in response to the country’s treatment of Protasevich. (The Washington Post, 6/4/21)

Vaccine Distribution Through Multilateral Trade, EU: On June 4th, the EU submitted their proposal for WTO members to engage in a multilateral trade agreement. The goal of the action plan is universal access to COVID-19 vaccines through increased production on a global scale. (European Council, June 4, 2021)

Domestic Politics, Syria: On May 26th, Bashar Al-Assad won relection as the president of Syria despite the low voter turnout. Anti-regime protests in Daraa come in response to the election and were met with government oppression through imprisonment and curfews (Global Voices 6/6/21)

Humanitarian Crisis, Syria: Syrian activist, Qusai Shabib, posted a TikTok video last month demonstrating the living conditions of Syrian refugees. The camps were intended to only serve as temporary housing but due to the continued violence in the country, refugees remain in communities that do not have the essential means for a healthy lifestyle (France 24, 5/21/21) .

May 2021

• Climate Change, Finance: The Asian Development Bank came under pressure from a group of non-governmental organizations for financing gas projects in Asia. Chuck Baclagon, director of the coalition of NGOs, called on the development bank “to immediately stop lending money for coal, gas and oil projects.” (Source: World.350.org, May 3, 2021)

April 2021

• Geopolitical, Afghanistan: President Biden announced plans to withdraw US military from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021. (April 13, 2021)

March 2021

• International Relations, Afghanistan: Russia hosted another “Troika” meeting with the governments of the United States, China and Pakistan. The group issued a joint statement calling for a negotiated settlement. (U.S. State Dept. et al, March 18, 2021)
• Trade, Russia-Saudi Arabia: Russian-Saudi Arabian trade grew by $1.7 billion in 2020 and strengthened bilateral foreign investment. (Russia Foreign Ministry, March 10, 2021)
• Economics, China: As China opens its legislative session, leaders aim for economic growth of 6 percent in 2021 while keeping consumer inflation around 3 percent.

February 2021

• Terrorism, Afghanistan: Al-Qaeda members are integrated into Taliban forces and command structures, according to the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency. (U.S. Defense Dept. Inspector General Report, 2/17/21)
• Technology, Australia: Facebook will end its ban on news content on its content within Australia, according to Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg. (BBC, 2/23/21)
• Notable Quotable, Europe: ECB President Christine Lagarde said the post-pandemic economic recovery will be about “using the thrust of the recovery to transform our economies.” (ECB, 2/23/21)
• Currency, Cryptocurrency: Speaking at a private conference hosted by the New York Times, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Bitcoin is used “often for illicit finance” and is “an extremely inefficient way of conducting transactions.”According to CNBC, the transactions involve high-powered computer consumption that leaves and a high “annual carbon footprint.” (CNBC, 2/22/21)
• Technology, Australia: Facebook restricts will block people and publishers from sharing news content on its platform in response to the country’s proposed media law. Lawmakers proposed the law in December. It would require digital platforms like Google and Facebook to pay media outlets for news. (Various outlets, 2/9/21)
• Economic, Europe: The European Central Bank plans to continue stimulus measures put in place in December. While headline inflation rose in January for the first time in 11 months, the annualized rate of 0.9 percent is still below the normal range. The inflation rate for the European Union was 1.43 percent in 2019 and 1.85 percent in 2018. (FT, 2/18/21 and Statistica)

November 2020

• Employment, U.S.: In the timespan of 40 years, the labor market in the United States witnessed a significant shift: jobs in manufacturing have decreased by 13 percent, while the hospitality industry grew by 4 percent and employment in education and health services grew by 8 percent. (BLS, Nov. 2020)
• Trade, US & Ecuador: The United States and Ecuador held a high-level meeting to discuss strengthening trade and investment between the two countries. Discussions included intellectual property, environment, labor and agriculture. (USTR, Nov. 19, 2020)
• Democracy, India: A human rights group is criticizing an Indian law that regulates foreign funding to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). The International Commission of Jurists says the Indian Foreign Contributions Act “is a tool to silence” civil society in India. (ICJ, Nov. 2020)
• Big Tech, Regulation: The European Union is drafting plans to regulate big internet platforms, like Google. The EU is expected to release the new plans in the next few weeks. Plans are expected to include responsibilities for policing illegal content and counterfeit goods as well as gatekeeper responsibilities. (FT, 11/13/20)
• Global Trade: Least developed countries (LDCs) exported 16 percent less merchandise in the first half of 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, according to the World Trade Organization. That’s a larger decline than the global average dip in exports of 13 percent in the same time period. For LDCs, trade in services may have dropped as much as 40 percent. Travel services dropped by 60 percent. (WTO, 11/11/20)

October 2020

• Trade, U.S.: A U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report analyzes the impact that tariffs have on the domestic U.S. economy as well as the global market. It looks at the secondary effects and unintended consequences. (BLS, October, 2020)

August 2020

• Sanctions, U.S. and China: Individuals are the latest target in a round of economic sanctions by the United States and China. On August 7, the United States placed sanctions on 11 individuals in Hong Kong and China for placing a new national security law on Hong Kong. The sanctions would have an impact if any of the officials have assets in the United States. In response, China announced on August 10 it is imposing sanctions on 11 individuals, including Senators Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, Tom Cotton and Pat Toomey. (Treasury, 8/7/20 and the China’s Foreign Ministry, 8/11/20)
• Security, Afghanistan: U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan will be less than 5,000 by November. While talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban continue, with the release of as many as 400 Taliban prisoners, the Taliban has yet to break off ties with al Qaeda, according to the U.S. Pentagon. (The Hill, 8/9/20)
• Security, Afghanistan: International terrorist group Daesh (IS) launched an assault on a prison in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, killing 29 people, wounding 49. The Washington Post called it “the most ambitious operation” in Afghanistan by Daesh since it established a branch in the country in 2015. (WaPo, 8/3/20)

July 2020

• Cybersecurity: According to British intelligence officials, hackers linked to the Russian government attempted to use malware to steal vaccine research for the COVID-19 virus. The hackers are known as APT29, as called Cozy Bear and the Dukes. The Russian government denied involvement with the hacking. (FT, 7/16/20)

May 2020

• Global Economics, U.S. Dollar: In an opinion piece in Foreign Affairs, former U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson writes that U.S. policy makers need to “be responsive to today’s economic challenges” while “maintaining the country’s fiscal health.” He adds that the United States should “adjust and update” global rules that govern trade, investment and competition in technology. He also warns against “weaponsizing the dollar” by enacting unilateral economic sanctions. (5/19/20, Foreign Affairs)

January 2020

• Humanitarian Crisis: Civilian crisis in Idlib, Syria, senior United Nations humanitarian and political staff told the UN Security Council in a closed-door briefing. Nearly 300,000 civilians have fled since Dec. 12, as Winter conditions set in and the government bombs the region held by rebels. (Jan. 3, UN Security Council).

December 2019

• Foreign Policy, US-Turkey: Turkish President Recep Erdogan threatened to close two military bases that are strategic to the United States and NATO. The warning comes in response to the threat of U.S. economic sanctions against Turkey and increasing tensions between Turkey and its NATO partners. [DW, 12/16/19]
• Democracy, India: Protests in India over a new citizenship law that excludes Muslims grew deadly. Police reportedly killed several demonstrators. The new law is seen as a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s agenda of Hindu primacy. [WaPo, DW, 12/16/19]
• Sanctions, US & Iran: U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and its China-based subsidiary, E-Sail Shipping, and Mahan Air. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that any entity doing business with these firms would face U.S. sanctions as well. [U.S. Treasury, 12/11/19]
• Global Leadership, U.S.: Former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker who helped shape U.S. economic policy over a half century had laid out a withering rebuke of a dismantling of the old world order under U.S. leadership that supported democracy, open markets, free trade and economic growth. [FT, 12/11/19]
• Corruption, Mexico: A U.S. DOJ Attorney’s Office in New York indicted Genaro Garcia Luna, a former top Mexican official in charge of the war on drugs and federal police, for taking cash bribes from the Sinaloa cartel in exchange for allowing the cartel to operate with impunity. [The Guardian, 12/11/19]
• Democracy, India: India’s lower house of Parliament passed a bill that would allow Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Jains, Parsis and Sikhs migrants apply for citizenship. Notably, the legislation would not allow Muslims to apply for citizenship. The ruling Hindu nationalist government is pushing for the bill. Opponents say Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to marginalize India’s 200 million Muslims. (Gulf News & The Guardian, Dec. 10)
• Digital Economy, U.S.: Attorney General William Barr discussed the Dept. of Justice antitrust investigations of online platforms such as Google and Facebook. He said the review has wide bipartisan support due to concerns from stakeholders, consumers and businesses. The review looks at the new business model and the use of data. [DOJ, 12/10/19]
• Annual Events: The 12th Arab Strategy Forum started in Dubai. Discussions included separation of religion and state, global economics, citizen activism, and U.S. and China. (Arab Strategy Forum, Dec. 9)
• Trade, U.S.-France. The U.S. government is considering putting in place new tariffs on French goods in retaliation for France’s tax on digital companies. (Various sources, Dec. 10)
• Foreign Policy, NATO: A month after French President Emmanuel Macron warned NATO allies they could no longer rely on the United States to defend the alliance, NATO members met for a summit. Topics discussed included Russia, arms control and China. [NATO, 12/3/19]

November 2019

• Democracy, Hong Kong: After six months of increasingly violent protests in Hong Kong, the pro-democracy candidates made significant gains in the district council elections. They won 347 of the 452 seats — nearly 77 percent — of the city’s district council. Meanwhile pro-establishment candidates won 60 seats, leaving 45 seats to independents. (South China Morning Post, Nov. 25, 2019)
• Democracy, Israel: The Israeli government expelled Omar Shakir, the Human Rights Watch director for Israel and Palestine, after the Supreme Court upheld the government’s deportation order of Nov. 5. HRW Executive Director Kenneth Roth said the expulsion puts Israel in the same category as Venezuela, Iran and Egypt. (HWR, Nov. 25)
• Trade, EU-Singapore: After nearly a decade of negotiations and eight months of preparation and ratification, the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement came into effect, reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers and making bilateral investment easier. (Straits Times, Nov. 21, 2019)
• Trade, Global: The World Trade Organization‘s dispute-resolution panel for settling trade disputes is down to only three judges, due to a block by U.S. President Donald Trump, and will effectively shut down after Dec. 10 when the terms of two judges expire. On Friday, a group of 117 WTO members called for filling the vacancies. U.S. trade reps started taking issue with the appellate body during the Obama administration. (WTO, Nov. 25)
• Democracy, United States: U.S. House Intelligence Committee Democrats plan to complete a report on impeachment hearings against President Donald Trump. The report would go to the House Judiciary Committee as a next step prior to a vote in the House and an eventual trial in the Senate. Trump is accused of withholding U.S. aid for Ukriane in exchange for an announcement of investigations in that country into Burisma energy and the 2016 U.S. elections. (Nov. 25, 2019)
• Energy, Syrian Oil: S. Vice President Mike Pence told reporters that the oil resources U.S. troops are guarding in Syria would remain “available for the Kurdish people in Syria.” Pence met with Iraqi Kurdistan President Masoud Barzani during a visit to that area as well as a Iraqi Prime Minister Al Mahdi. (White House, Nov. 23, 2019)
• Corruption: Samsung Heavy Industries Co., a South Korean-based company, agreed to pay $75 million in criminal penalties for violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act with millions of dollars of bribes to officials in Brazil. About half the penalities will go to the United States, while the other half may go to Brazil. The bribes involved shipbuilding contracts with Petrobras. (U.S. DOJ, Nov. 22, 2019)
• Trade: After nearly a decade of negotiations and eight months of preparation and ratification, the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement came into effect, reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers and making bilateral investment easier. (Straits Times, Nov. 21, 2019)
• Geopolitics: At the 11th BRICS Summit, leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa affirmed a commitment to multilateralism, respect for national sovereignty, the Paris Agreement on climate change, and international trade. Meanwhile, the BRICS’ New Development Bank aims to shift its loan book away from the U.S. dollar to local currencies, according to the Financial Times. (Nov. 14, 2019)
• Foreign Policy, NATO: In an interview with The Economist, French President Emanuel Macron warned NATO allies they could no longer rely on the United States to defend the alliance. Macron said Europe should plan to become its own geopolitical power. [The Economist, 11/7/19]

October 2019

• Crisis, Civil War: As delegates to the constitutional committee for Syria arrive in Geneva for meetings, the UN Special Envoy for Syria says the constitutional committee alone “cannot and will not resolve the Syrian conflict. The meetings begin on Oct. 30. (Oct. 28, UN TV Watch)
• Geopolitics: Between 24-60 countries in the Non-Alignment Movement of states not aligned with a major power met in Azerbaijan Oct. 25-26. The organization has 120 members, including Cuba, Iran, Malaysia, and Afghanistan 17 observer states. Members own possess more than 75 percent of the world’s oil reserves and more than 50 percent of gas reserves. Discussions included terrorism, climate change and veiled criticism of the United States. (Oct. 25-26)
• Trade, US-China: The U.S.-China trade war is impacting global growth. South Korea, a trade-dependent economy, is impacted and its government is looking at ways to stimulate the economy. (AJ, 10/24/19)

• Environment, Climate Change: Researcher says the Amazon rainforest may reach a “tipping point” within two years as  the 2019 fires and deforestation policies of Brazil’s far-right President Jair Bolsonaro are making it likely the area won’t be able to generate enough rain to sustain itself. (Peterson Institute, 10/24/19)
• Military, U.S.: Iraqi Defense Minister Najah al-Shammari said on Oct. 23 U.S. forces were only “transiting” through Iraqi territory and would depart within four weeks. (Arkansas Democrat Gazette, 10/24/19)