Global Beat: U.S.-Russia Tensions Mount in Syria, and More
June 23, 2017
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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, Russia vows to shoot down U.S. jets in Syria flying west of the Euphrates; construction of a border wall fuels a diplomatic row between Ecuador and Peru; officials from the BRICS nations meet in South Africa; and more.
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Americas
The construction of a border wall is fueling a diplomatic row in South America between Ecuador and Peru. The wall, which is being built by Ecuador, stretches along one side of the busiest crossing point on the 930-mile border shared by the two countries. The government of Peru has demanded a halt to construction and requested a bilateral meeting to discuss technical and political issues. Ecuador has said that the wall is necessary to stop smuggling. The Peruvian government claims the wall violates a peace agreement signed in 1995, in which the two countries agreed to leave a space of 10 meters on either side of the Zarumilla Canal free from any construction.
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- "You want war?" Venezuela spars with rivals at OAS meeting – Anthony Esposito, Reuters
Central & South Asia
A new air cargo corridor was established between Afghanistan and India this week, a move aimed at boosting commerce between the two countries and bypassing Pakistan. India hopes the route will ease access to conflict-ridden Afghanistan and eventually to other Central Asian countries. Pakistan does not allow India to send any imports through its territory.
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- Pakistan shoots down Iranian drone near border – India Times
China & East Asia
In hopes of easing tension on the peninsula, South Korean sports minister Do Jong-hwan has proposed that North Korea co-host the 2018 Winter Olympics. Along with suggesting North Korea’s Masikryong ski resort as a potential venue for skiing events, Do also proposed forming an inter-Korean women’s ice hockey team to compete at the games. The overture is seen as part of a broader effort by South Korean President Moon Jae-in to engage with Pyongyang. Earlier this month, Moon suggested that the two countries apply to co-host the 2030 World Cup.
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- Otto Warmbier, American student released from North Korea, dies – Sheryl Gay Stolberg, The New York Times
Europe & Russia
Russia is calling the recent downing of a Syrian jet by the United States an "act of aggression" and says it will treat any plane from the U.S.-led coalition flying west of the Euphrates as a potential target. Russia also announced it was suspending the use of a hotline that the U.S. and Russian militaries use to avoid collisions of their aircraft in Syrian airspace, a claim repudiated by U.S. officials. Meanwhile, a Russian jet flew within five feet of a U.S. reconnaissance plane over the Baltic Sea, and a NATO F-16 fighter jet flew close to a Russian plane carrying the defense minister.
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- Avoiding a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland emerges as the biggest challenge in Brexit talks – Charlie Cooper, Politico
Middle East & North Africa
King Salman of Saudi Arabia has ousted his nephew as crown prince, replacing him with his son, Mohammed bin Salman, as the next in line to the throne. The move goes against decades of royal custom and has reordered the power structure inside the kingdom. Since his father ascended to the throne in 2015, the young prince has accumulated vast powers, serving as defense minister, overseeing the state oil monopoly, working to overhaul the Saudi economy, and building ties with foreign leaders. The decision to blockade and isolate Qatar was also led by bin Salman’s office.
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Southeast Asia & Oceania
The Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia have initiated trilateral naval patrols to counter the influence of local Islamist terror groups in the region. The three countries are now sharing information and conducting joint patrols to maintain stability in the face of nontraditional threats. Southeast Asian terror cells aligned with ISIL have been emboldened in recent years, culminating in the month-long battle for the city of Marawi on Mindanao island in the southern Philippines.
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- Duterte begs forgiveness for declaring martial law, pledges to rebuild ISIL-infested Philippine city – Ivan Watson and Euan McKirdy, CNN
Sub-Saharan Africa
Foreign affairs officials from the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) met in South Africa this week, with climate change, trade, and terrorism high on the agenda. The communique released after the meetings also condemned unilateral military interventions and economic sanctions that violate international law. Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed foreign ministers at the conference, saying cooperation among the BRICS nations was entering a "golden decade."
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- Uganda may be best place in the world to be a refugee, but that could change without more money – Julian Hattem, Washington Post
