Global Beat: Syria Evacuations, Trade War, and More
Jordi Bernabeu Farrús
March 23, 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, Syrian rebels evacuate Ghouta; the Trump administration imposes more tariffs; Finland hosts talks between the United States, South Korea, and North Korea; and more.
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Americas
As President Trump has moved forward with steel and aluminum tariffs, and now $50 billion in tariffs against China (sparking concerns of a trade war), World Trade Organization (WTO) member states are concerned with the organization’s credibility going forward. WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo said the recent unilateral trade measures have the potential to escalate tensions. The U.S. move to impose steel and aluminum tariffs for national security reasons has member states worried that the claim "national security" will be used as a nuclear option and lead to a breakdown of rules-based trade. Member-states are working to uphold the free trade regime that the WTO supports.
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Central & South Asia
Afghanistan’s first city, Kabul, is facing increasing pressure from former refugees returning to Afghanistan. Over 58,000 refugees returned to Afghanistan from neighboring countries in 2017, and the UNHCR counted 1.8 million internally displaced people, and 2.3 million people of concern. This comes as the Taliban has increased its influence and ISIL has gained a foothold in the country. Kabul is one of the fastest growing cities in the world and is expected to be home to over 50 million people by 2100.
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China & East Asia
South Korea has claimed that North Korea committed to denuclearization. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha stated that Kim Jong-un told him directly that North Korea will commit to denuclearization. Representatives from the United States, North Korea, and South Korea were in Finland this week for an informal diplomatic engagement in a run up to a possible U.S.-North Korea summit in May. The host of these talks, Finland, has said that denuclearization is not on the agenda. The talks ended on Wednesday.
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- Emboldened Xi to protect ‘every inch’ of China’s territory – Associated Press
Europe & Russia
A former Russian spy was poisoned in the United Kingdom by a deadly Soviet-era nerve agent. Though Russia denies carrying out the assassination, the ensuing diplomatic spat has resulted in diplomatic expulsions on both sides. Both Russia and the UK kicked out 23 of the other side’s diplomats.
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- Ex-French president Sarkozy held on claims Gaddafi funded his 2007 campaign – Associated Press
Middle East & North Africa
Residents and rebels living in Eastern Ghouta, Syria, are trying to evacute some towns after months of entrapment and heavy bombardment by government forces. Rebel forces departed Harasta after handing it over to the government, and the Syrian and Russian governments have seemingly committed to provide safe passage to fighters and their families. Not all rebel groups have laid down arms, and residents are pleading for safe passage. Doctors and other members of civil society penned an open letter to the United Nations demanding action.
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Southeast Asia & Oceania
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull spoke with Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi about Rohingya Muslims fleeing state violence in northern Myanmar. Turnbull urged Suu Kyi to resettle the Rohingya in Myanmar and end the ethnic violence. A Suu Kyi spokesman said "pressure" was unhelpful in solving the conflict in Rakhine, which he called "the Bengali problem." "Bengali" is used as a slur against Rohingya, insinuating they do not belong in Myanmar. Over 600,000 Rohingya have escaped ethnic cleansing and are living in Bangladesh.
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- Australia uses ASEAN to poke at United States, China – Asia Times
Sub-Saharan Africa
Canada will send a peacekeeping force to Mali, highlighting the deployment of women in peacekeeping roles. Six helicopters and 250 troops will be joining the UN peacekeeping mission already in place in Mali and the Sahel. The peacekeeping operation is one of the deadliest in the world, with 162 peacekeepers killed since 2013.
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