Global Beat: Brazil Election, Korea Summit, and More
September 21, 2018
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Global Beat is your weekly stop for news from around the world. Join us every Friday morning for important stories you should know about.
This week, Brazil’s election season is mired in controversy; the leaders of North and South Korea hold another summit; a second Brexit referendum is a possibility; and more.
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Americas
The days leading up to Brazil’s presidential election on October 7 have been wrought with drama, violence, and controversy, leading to increased polarization in the country. An electoral court banned the nomination of left-wing ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, while right-wing rival Jair Bolsonaro is recovering from an assassination attempt after being stabbed during a campaign rally. Bolsonaro’s rise in polls after the attack is worrisome for some because of his controversial beliefs, specifically on civil war and executions. Meanwhile, candidates Fernando Haddad, Ciro Gomes, Geraldo Alckmin, and Marina Silva are all vying to face Bolsonaro on the October 28 run-off vote.
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Central & South Asia
Shiites in Kabul, Afghanistan, most of them minority ethnic Hazaras, are bracing for more attacks following a dozen terrorist attacks this year on Shiite mosques, education centers, and other sites killed 180 people and wounded more than 400. According to a UN report, more than 400 soldiers and police officers have been killed in the past two weeks, with civilian war casualties reaching 1,692 so far in 2018, a record high.
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China & East Asia
The leaders of North and South Korea held a summit this week and announced several agreements. Kim Jong-un said he would permanently dismantle North Korea’s nuclear weapons program with unspecified conditions from the United States. He also agreed to visit Seoul and to accept international inspectors to monitor the closing of a missile test site. The two leaders also agreed to submit a joint bid to host the 2032 Summer Olympics. And Kim said he wants to have a second summit with President Trump in the near future.
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Europe & Russia
UK’S Treasury Minister Mel Stride admitted that the government may have to hold a second Brexit referendum if the EU rejects UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s plan to withdraw. John Kerr, the British diplomat who drafted article 50 of the EU treaty, agreed, adding that members of parliament could legislate for a second referendum even if May’s government opposes it. Other observers said it would take at least six months to organize a second referendum, making it unlikely that a vote could be held before the UK is scheduled to leave the EU in March 2019.
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Middle East & North Africa
Russia and Turkey came to an agreement on Monday to create a de-militarized zone in Idlib Province. Troops deployed from Russia and Turkey will monitor the application of the truce, which is scheduled to launch in October and includes the removal of all heavy-weapons, mortars, and tanks from opposition forces, in addition to the "withdrawal of all radical fighters" from the city. While the government welcomed the deal, civilians fear that it could pave the way for more aggravated violence should the militants decide to resist, or if Syrian President Bashir al-Assad decides to take over. "We are fine with shelling, but not fine with the regime reconquering Idlib," said anti-government activist Nour Hallak. "We’re afraid Assad is going to commit massacres. He’s going to torture and kill people."
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Southeast Asia & Oceania
A defense cooperation agreement signed by Vietnamese Defense Minister Ngô Xuân Lịch and French Minister Florence Parly in Paris deepened diplomatic ties between the two countries. The officials discussed their efforts "to improve the efficiency of existing cooperation mechanisms and seek ways to enhance cooperation in the fields of their strengths and those of common concern." The joint vision statement also included "maritime security and safety as well as non-traditional security issues; and exchanging experience and seeking new opportunities to co-operate in environmental security."
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Sub-Saharan Africa
Liberia is investigating the mysterious disappearance of $100 million in cash. Officials started investigating the case in August, after "information surrounding the arrival of containers and bags of moneys" at the port and in Monrovia’s international airport surfaced. Liberia banned 15 officials from leaving the country during the search. "The idea is to understand how much money came into the country, how much was ordered, how much was printed, which country it was printed in, and how did it affect the foreign exchange situation in the country," said Liberia’s information minister.
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