Weekly News Digest for October 25th, 2024
Compiled by Lydia Wong, Nila Karunakaran, Tobyn Smith, Joey Quinn, Layla Jeeth, Trinity De Lima, Mary Wahn
Edited by John Wilson, Lydia Wong, Grey Cohen, Ryan Simons, Sara Anis Ali
Asia and the Pacific
Arrests and Terror Threats Undermine Sri Lankan Stability
On Thursday, local police arrested three Sri Lankan nationals in Sri Lanka’s Arugam Bay, following threats of a terror attack on the local Chabad House. The arrests come a day after Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo, increased military and police presence in the tourist town. Officials cited warnings of a potential disruption at the Israeli-run Jewish community center. Israel’s National Security Council subsequently advised citizens “to leave the country or at least move to the capital Colombo, where there is a high presence of local security forces.” The warning also encouraged Israelis to postpone travel to the rest of the country, avoid public display of Israeli symbols, and minimize group gatherings.
Protests in Sri Lanka have echoed global backlash against Israel’s war in Gaza and Lebanon, and created tension between Jewish tourists and Arugam Bay’s Muslim majority. Locals accused Israeli tourists of overstaying their visas to operate businesses in Sri Lanka’s tourism hubs and build Chabad Houses near Mosques in the area. The current situation has sparked widespread apprehension amongst Sri Lankans about the broader effects of Israeli tourism across the state.
In response to the looming threat, the U.S. also issued a warning, alongside Israel, intended to spotlight security concerns for Israelis. However, it has inadvertently fueled local scrutiny over Israeli visitors' involvement in unauthorized businesses, particularly in tourist hubs like Arugam Bay. Social media users, politicians, and business owners have voiced concerns about Israelis allegedly operating businesses without proper visas or permits. Growing calls for stronger visa enforcement and business regulation against Israelis in tourist-heavy centers have placed added pressure on the local government to address these issues.
Central America and the Caribbean
Escalating Violence and Humanitarian Crisis in Haiti
Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, has seen a surge in violence as armed gangs continue to terrorize the region, displacing more than 10,000 people in the past week alone. The gang coalition of Viv Ansanm has escalated attacks in attempts to expand their control in Haiti, worsening the country’s already alarming humanitarian situations. Famine-level hunger is now a critical concern as gangs siege farmlands and block transport routes, leaving many Haitians without access to food or income. Currently, over 700,000 people are displaced nationwide because of this crisis.
In response to this security threat, the U.S. embassy in Port-au-Prince has begun to evacuate 20 non-essential diplomatic staff following targeted gang attacks. The gang fired upon U.S. armored vehicles and a UN helicopter carrying 18 passengers was hit by gunfire, further escalating concerns over the safety of international personnel in the country. Humanitarian organizations were forced to suspend some of their operations due to the risk of further attacks.
This growing instability in Haiti poses significant challenges for the United States, particularly regarding immediate diplomatic security. As the U.S. supports a UN-backed security mission in Haiti, a gridlock caused by opposition from China and Russia represents a broader geopolitical divide complicating global efforts to stabilize the region. China and Russia are often critical of U.S. led initiatives and often leverage their veto power in the Security Council to hinder actions that would support U.S. influence. Both countries view the growing instability in Haiti as an opportunity to challenge American authority. China’s interest of expanding its Belt and Road initiative into the Caribbean and Russia’s aims to counter NATO and other Western alliances pose a risk for U.S. efforts. This opposition not only complicates U.S. stabilization efforts but also deepens the risk of increased migration flows and further regional destabilization. For the U.S., this crisis is not only a humanitarian concern but also a foreign policy challenge that threatens to increase migration and destabilize neighboring regions.
Europe
EU and China Butt Heads About Taiwan
This week, China sent a scathing warning to the European Parliament after the EU passed a resolution that denounced Beijing from justifying its claims of Taiwanese occupation that has riddled Taiwanese-Chinese relations for the last decade. This follows a vote on the proposition on whether or not China should cease all military and economic intimidation aimed towards Taiwanese citizens, ending in 432 votes in favor and 60 against amongst EU member-states. Chinese officials responded, stating that “this is a red line that should not be crossed”, insinuating the EU should “act prudently” over their messaging. This comes on the heels of a dispute between China and Taiwan over the autonomy of this land, with the Chinese Communist Party threatening to invadeTaiwan, asserting their claim to the territory. The ongoing war in Ukraine has delayed all progress on this proposition.
In recent months, the new Taiwanese President, Lai Ching-te, has been attempting to strengthen ties between Taiwan and Europe by visiting various European countries to meet with the state leaders of France, Belgium and the Czech Republic. This decision from Europe to pass a resolution solidifies the success of these recent diplomatic meetings as the EU is willing to go against the wishes of China.
Middle East and North Africa
Turkey Strikes Iraq and Syria in Response to Terrorist Attacks
On Wednesday, October 23rd, terrorists attacked the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS), a state-owned defense company in Ankara, Turkey. According to government officials, the attackers killed 5 people and injured 22 others. The assailants used explosive devices and assault rifles. Some news sources also reported kidnappings, but details are too limited to substantiate the claims. Turkey’s Minister of Interior, Ali Yerlikaya, blamed the attack on the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a internationally-recognized terrorist organization which has been active in Turkey since 1984. No organization has officially accepted responsibility for the event. Despite this, the Turkish military launched a series of air strikes on Kurdish territories the following day. On October 24th, the Ministry of National Defense claimed to have eliminated 20 targets in Iraq and 18 in Syria.
A pro-Kurdish political party in Turkey, the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), has denounced the Ankara attack. According to the DEM, the strike came just as a dialogue began to end the conflict. The Turkish government and the PKK have been engaged in a decades-long battle for an independent Kurdistan, which encompasses parts of Turkey, Syria, Iran, Iraq, and Armenia. While the issue has not always been violent, it has been a persistent source of friction. The United States, a longstanding Turkish ally, has historically collaborated with the Kurds for armed conflicts in the Middle East. When the U.S. proclaimed victory over the Islamic State and pulled its troops out of northern Syria in 2019, it disrupted an uneasy status quo. Turkey began a series of military campaigns in areas formerly occupied by U.S. troops. Recent military operations in the area and years of unsolved conflict have led many to believe that a diplomatic solution is vital to finding a solution and avoiding a situation like the Gaza war.
North America
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin Confirms North Korean Troops Sent to Russia
On Wednesday, United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed that North Korean troops have been sent to Russia. In a statement, Secretary Austin further added “What exactly they are doing is left to be seen. These are things that we need to sort out.” He also went on to say that it is a “very, very serious issue” if North Korea intends to participate in the Russia-Ukraine war in support of Russia.
Last week, South Korean intelligence officials reported that they had evidence of North Korea sending troops to Russia, possibly to fight in the Russia-Ukraine War. The South Korean National Intelligence Service, also known as NIS, confirmed that approximately 1,500 North Korean special operations forces were transported to Valdivostok, a Russian coastal city near North Korea, between October 8th and October 13th. Earlier this week, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte posted on X that he met with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to discuss NATO’s partnership with South Korea, and how the Russia-Ukraine War would escalate if North Korea were to actually send their troops to fight in the ongoing conflict.
On October 18th, U.S. House of Representatives’ Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner sent a letter to United States President Joe Biden addressing concerns over the movement of North Korean troops into Russia. Turner wrote that the movement of North Korean troops is “alarming” and would escalate the conflict in Ukraine. He also emphasized that the United States and NATO allies should respond to the troop movement to avoid further conflict. Turner also requested a classified briefing for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence on the “possible engagement of North Korean troops in a potentially escalating and broadening Ukrainian conflict.” On Wednesday, following the U.S. Secretary of Defense’s statement acknowledging the North Korean troops in Russia, Chairman Turner released another statement demanding that the “Biden-Harris Administration must make clear that North Korean troops entering this conflict are a red line for the United States.”
South America
Brazil Blocks Venezuela’s Admission to BRICS
The 2024 BRICS Summit commenced on October 22nd and ended two days after. During this summit, Brazil openly denied Venezuela’s petition to become a member of the BRICS organization. Brazil’s reasoning for the denial included the recent accusations of fraud regarding Venezuela’s election of President Nicolás Maduro. Venezuelan officials responded with criticism of this action, and the foreign ministry described it as an act of “immortal aggression”. Due to Venezuela’s close allyship with Russia, President Vladimir Putin offered his insight and disdain on the block stating, “Our positions do not coincide with those of Brazil on the issues concerning Venezuela. I am speaking openly about this.”
The BRICS stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The group formed to unite the world's developing nations otherwise known as the “Global South” and counter the global dominance of the dollar currency of the “Global North” which is comprised by North America and Western Europe. After its formation, other countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates have joined. The coalition is responsible for the creation of a new international bank called the “New Development Bank” to represent emerging economies and counter the “Global North’s” banks such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. The New Development Bank lends money to infrastructure and in its duration raised $32bn for developing states including new roads, railways, and water supply projects making it a valuable asset to the “Global South” states such as Venezuela. The aftermath of Venezuela’s rejection is unknown but there could be further appeals or potential retaliation.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Mozambique’s Ruling Party Wins Recent Election Amid Accusations of Voting Fraud
Daniel Chapo won the recent election in Mozambique, securing nearly 71% of the vote. As the young presidential candidate for the ruling party, Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo), his victory extended the party's decades-long control of the country. Venancino Mondlane, who earned 20% of the vote, emerged as the primary opposition candidate, replacing Renamo, the former rebel group. Modlane also recently accused the election of being rigged. The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) reported its surveillance of the election, noting irregularities in vote counts and unjustified alterations of results at both local polling stations and the district level. The EU EOM also remarked on the increase in electoral-related violence in Mozambique and pledged to remain in the country to assess the next stages of the electoral process.
Before the announcement of election results, opposition protesters filled the streets, demanding democratic elections and opposing the predicted Frelimo victory. This led to a violent clash in Mozambique’s capital Maputo, where police fired teargas and bullets at the protesters. Even last week, gunmen killed opposition lawyer Elvino Dias and opposition party representative Paulo Guambe in a neighborhood near Maputo. These murders heightened tensions, with many interpreting them as a warning to the opposition.
Frelimo has dominated Mozambique’s political scene for nearly 50 years, since the country gained independence from Portugal in 1975. Accusations of election fraud have also long shadowed the party’s rule. Last year, protests erupted after Frelimo secured sweeping victories in local elections. Mondlane, running as an independent candidate, offered voters an alternative, especially young people frustrated by corruption and unemployment.
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