Political and security risk updates from around the world. This week: Donald Trump assembles transition team and announces controversial appointments and nominations to key posts; airstrikes by Saudi-led coalition forces continue in Yemen despite 48-hour ceasefire; controversial power-sharing agreement extending presidents term until 2018 comes into effect in DR Congo; and more.
Tag: china
The weekly briefing, 11 October 2016: North Korea likely preparing for new nuclear test, United States blames Russia for recent hacks of American political groups, Ethiopian government declares state of emergency
Political and security risk updates from around the world. This week: North Korea likely preparing for new nuclear test; US intelligence agencies blame Russian government for recent hacks of American political groups and subsequent leaks; Ethiopian government declares state of emergency; and more.
The weekly briefing, 5 October 2016: investigation into downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 concludes plane was shot down by Russian SAM, Houthi rebels in Yemen name ‘prime minister’ and will establish new government of ‘national salvation’, United States confirms reports of new military air base in Agadez in central Niger
Political and security risk updates from around the world. This week: investigation into downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 concludes plane was shot down by Russian SAM brought into Ukraine from Russia and fired from rebel-controlled territory; Houthi rebels in Yemen name ‘prime minister’ and will establish new government of ‘national salvation’ to rival internationally-backed government in the south; United States confirms reports of new military air base in Agadez in central Niger capable of deploying drones; and more.
The weekly briefing, 23 August 2016: Libyan parliament passes vote of no confidence in UN-backed government, Kurdish People’s Protection Units launch major assault against Syrian government forces in Hasaka, violent clashes continue between police and pro-separatist protesters in Indian-administered Kashmir
Political and security risk updates from around the world. This week: Libyan parliament passes vote of no confidence in UN-backed government; Kurdish People's Protection Units launch major assault against Syrian government forces in Hasaka; violent clashes continue between police and pro-separatist protesters in Indian-administered Kashmir; and more.
The weekly briefing, 10 August 2016: Colombian government and FARC agree on UN-brokered deal, large crowds attend rally in support of Turkish president, scores killed during protests in Ethiopian capital
Political and security risk updates from around the world. This week: Colombian government and FARC agree on UN-brokered deal to disarm guerrillas; large crowds attend rally in support of Turkish president following recent coup attempt; scores killed and many arrested during protests in Ethiopian capital; and more.
Iran’s Shanghai dream
Tehran has enjoyed observer status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) since 2005, but has repeatedly pressed its case for full membership. The organisation's two centres of power disagree over Iran's position: Moscow supports Iranian accession but Beijing seemingly opposes such a move. Iran shares with the SCO the ambition to challenge US dominance and the Western-led order. For Iran, the SCO is also the closest it has to an international defence bulwark, since it is not a member of any other regional security organisation.
The weekly briefing, 12 July 2016: UN tribunal rules on South China Sea dispute between Philippines and China; long-awaited Iraq Inquiry report leads to fresh calls for Tony Blair to face legal action over his role in Iraq war; opposition fighters launch attack on government-held districts in Aleppo after Syrian government forces cut supply route into city
Political and security risk updates from around the world. This week: UN International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea rules on dispute between Philippines and China over latter’s claims to South China Sea; long-awaited Iraq Inquiry report finally published and leads to fresh calls for former British prime minster Tony Blair to face legal action over his role in Iraq war; opposition fighters launch attack on government-held districts in Aleppo, Syria, after government forces cut their last supply route into city; and more.
Iran seen from Beijing
China views Iran as a central element in its much-touted Silk Road Economic Belt, which aims to extend Beijing's influence overland through Central Asia to the Persian Gulf and Europe. This article for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Open Briefing analyst Kevjn Lim discusses Iran's importance to China, including the geostrategic Iran plays as China's most convenient non-Russian access route to open waters and the only east-west/north-south intersection for Central Asian trade.
