Any military intervention in Niger to restore deposed President Mohamed Bazoum would be considered a "declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali", the two countries said in a joint statement Monday.
SS: In response to an ultimatum by the The Economic Community of West African States (ecowas) that a military intervention would occur if the recent military coup was not overturned, other nations Mali and Burkina Faso vowed to step in to defend Niger in the event of a military intervention. These Sahel nations also faced military coups against nominally democratic incumbents. Ecowas nations have tried to show themselves as democratic bastions and have intervened in coups int he region before. By challenging the group, these autocratic nations are challenging the aspirations and legitimacy of their ability to affect change int the region. As more nations fall to coups and are plagued by extremism, regional powers and foreign interests may determine the long term stability of the region.
SS: In this article, the author argues for US and western policy to move more aggressively towards decoupling from China. The author argues that simply derisking and onshoring/friend shoring sensitive industries is not enough. Continuing to entangle with Chinese markets while they remain illiberal will only reduce the economic potential of the US and help prop up an authoritarian rival. Unless the US makes a much more thorough break it risks exposing its investors and citizens to economic backlash from an authoritarian regime seeking to upend its place in the world. It also discourages the emergence of a truly liberal and democratic economy in China.
Russia has halted a breakthrough wartime deal that allows grain to flow from Ukraine to countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where hunger is a growing threat and high food prices have pushed people into poverty.
SS: Russian has pulled out of the deal to ship Ukrainian grain citing issues with getting restrictions on its own agricultural and fertiliser exports lifted. It is unclear if this move will drive further food insecurity in the global south however, as other nations have stepped up their own production and export of grains. Europe has also been a majority purchaser of Ukrainian grains which adds more credibility to the Russian argument that poor nations will not suffer as much from halting Ukrainian grain shipments. How this plays out and how it effects global perception of Russia's war in Ukraine is yet to be seen.
A Chinese naval flotilla set off on Sunday to join Russian naval and air forces in the Sea of Japan in an exercise aimed at "safeguarding the security of strategic waterways", according to China's defence ministry.
SS: Russian and Chinese forces are conducting joint military operations in the Sea of Japan. These types of drills aren't uncommon, but show a commitment to increasing interoperability and cooperation with one another. It is unlikely that Russia and China will directly cooperate with one another in the event of conflict with an outside power, but strategic planning and synchronizing logistics may help each other in their respective conflicts.
SS: As geopolitical polarization increases, Iran and Russian cooperation also improves. Expanding their activities outside if Caspian weapons trading, Iran and Russia seek to pressure the US out if the Levant.
India’s multi-billion-dollar purchases of U.S. arms are less about shifting its reliance on Russian defence equipment and moving towards the West - it's more about developing its own domestic weapons industry, security officials and analysts say.
SS: Despite recent progress in bilateral relations, there is still a long way forward for the US in diminishing Russian influence over India. For the US weaning India off Russian weapons reduces Russian influence over India while also promoting interoperability with Western forces in the region. India is recieved more favorably compared to Pakistan and shares many of Washington's concerns over China's recent expansionist tendencies. For India, Washington may prove to be a more reliable supplier and a supplier of arms that are more effective compared to their Russian counterparts. This is especially noted after Russia's performance in its war against Ukraine and subsequent supply chain melt down that has left India struggling to catch up with routine shipments.
SS: In recent weeks, delays between the EU foreign ministry and China have been noted during to various external factors. This opinion piece notes that the facade of politeness between diplomatic exchanges is overshadowed by a fundamental disagreement between strategic views. China supports Russia and promotes a Russian narrative over the cause of the war in Ukraine. Similarly, European nations support the US in its tech trade war with China and against China in the Taiwan dispute. While these nations claim mutual interests in multiple geopolitical poles and independent strategies, they face an uncertain future as major policies are at odds.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, in an unexpected move, said on Monday the European Union should open the way for Ankara's accession to the bloc before Turkey's parliament approves Sweden's bid to join the NATO military alliance. Turkey's bid to join the EU has been frozen for years after membership talks were launched in 2005...
SS: In a new move of shifting goal posts, Turkish president Erdogan has linked Swedish accession with renewed talks if Turkish EU membership. This is expected to be aimed at domestic audiences as Sweden is already covered by mutual defense treaties with neighbors and is closely aligned with NATO members. It is not expected to integrate Turkey into the EU anytime soon as it would disturb the balance of power within the alliance. Rapid EU expansion resulting in a debt crisis and political instability within the Union have also made members more wary of bringing in new members without heavy vetting.
in fairness, these rules are being skirted within the EU constantly. Bypassing checks and balances and overall centralization of power seems to be a theme for many nations. Admitting Turkey without both fixing the EU's internal rules/structure to better allow for reform and compliance to values as well as Turkey getting in line with EU standards on issues like human rights, judicial independence, freedom of expression, etc.
I'm not sure if it will be in my life but I expect all these issues to eventually be rectified and integration to happen.
SS: Different opinions and narratives are shared at the 2023 SCO meeting in India. As each party speaks about their goals and views on global affairs, the security group admits Iran and announces plans to bring Belarus into the organization.
SS: In an escalation of the chip trade war going on between the US and China, the PRC has issued limits and new regulations on the exports of specific metals used in chip manufacturing and other tech sectors. China supplies a majority of the global supply of gallium - up to 94%. While it is unclear to what extent Beijing will reduce exports, it is clear that that the trade conflict will only continue to escalate. These moves come amidst a global effort to reduce strategic vulnerabilities in their supply chains.
from what the article says, it will be a licensing requirement issued by the PRC. How they enforce it will be interesting. There is speculation that they might just block suppliers of components for US defense companies and exclude civillian applications. This would severely slow down GaAs and GaN radars, advanced components for ships, planes, thaad, etc. but wouldnt necessarily upend global supply chains for solar panels or the next iPhone.
Niger Intervention Would Be 'Declaration Of War' On Burkina Faso And Mali: Statement (www.barrons.com)
Any military intervention in Niger to restore deposed President Mohamed Bazoum would be considered a "declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali", the two countries said in a joint statement Monday.
The Case for a Hard Break With China (www.foreignaffairs.com)
Why economic de-risking is not enough.
Russia halts landmark deal that allowed Ukraine to export grain at time of growing hunger (apnews.com)
Russia has halted a breakthrough wartime deal that allows grain to flow from Ukraine to countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where hunger is a growing threat and high food prices have pushed people into poverty.
China, Russia to start joint air and sea drill in Sea of Japan (www.reuters.com)
A Chinese naval flotilla set off on Sunday to join Russian naval and air forces in the Sea of Japan in an exercise aimed at "safeguarding the security of strategic waterways", according to China's defence ministry.
Iran and Russia working to push US out of Syria, Pentagon official says (www.washingtonexaminer.com)
Iran and Russia are working in concert to force the U.S. military out of Syria, a senior defense official told reporters on Friday.
U.S. military deals not enough to wean India off Russian arms yet (www.reuters.com)
India’s multi-billion-dollar purchases of U.S. arms are less about shifting its reliance on Russian defence equipment and moving towards the West - it's more about developing its own domestic weapons industry, security officials and analysts say.
Name something sexier (i.imgflip.com)
A question on Static vs Poison Point
What is the balance reason for some abilities to ignore type effectiveness while others don't....
China's stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine is a big obstacle to maintaining good relations with Europe (www.bloomberg.com)
Erdogan links Sweden's NATO membership to Turkey's EU accession (news.yahoo.com)
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, in an unexpected move, said on Monday the European Union should open the way for Ankara's accession to the bloc before Turkey's parliament approves Sweden's bid to join the NATO military alliance. Turkey's bid to join the EU has been frozen for years after membership talks were launched in 2005...
SCO says not against any country as it expands reach, welcomes Iran (www.reuters.com)
SCO opposes bloc, ideological approaches to security challenges...
China Restricts Export of Chipmaking Metals in Clash With US (www.bloomberg.com)
Beijing will limit gallium and germanium exports from Aug. 1. Both metals are indispensable for producing some chips
Drug agency chief calls on China and Mexico to help stem US fentanyl crisis (www.theguardian.com)
The majority of the extremely powerful illegal opioid entering the US is manufactured in Mexico using Chinese precursors