Global Beat: U.S. Troops in Iraq, East Timor’s Oil, and More
Department of Defense
September 30, 2016
In:
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, an additional 600 U.S. troops will assist Iraqi forces in retaking Mosul from ISIL; an international court will oversee negotiations between Australia and East Timor regarding ownership of a large undersea gas and oil field; the United States will soon deploy an anti-missile system to South Korea; and more.
____________________
Americas
On Monday, Colombia's government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) signed an historic peace agreement following 52 years of war that claimed the lives of at least 220,000 people and displaced five million more. Now rebel fighters are figuring out how to reenter society, including running for political office. Colombians still need to approve the deal in a referendum on Oct. 2 for it to take full effect.
Also check out:
- World’s first baby born using DNA from three parents in Mexico – Ian Sample, The Guardian
Central & South Asia
China agreed this week to finance and build eleven outposts along the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border. The mountainous border between the two countries is the site of routine clashes between border patrols and armed drug smugglers looking to move hauls of Afghan poppies. Concern is growing in Beijing over possible “spillover” from increased Taliban activity in North Afghanistan and the possibility that smuggling routes could be used by terrorists.
Also check out:
- Pakistani soldiers killed after Indian strike, Pakistan captures one Indian soldier – Sophia Saifi, Huizhong Wu, and Ben Westcott, CNN
China & East Asia
The United States will deploy an anti-missile system to South Korea “as soon as possible” in response to the heightened pace of North Korea’s nuclear tests. China, whose support is crucial for the success of UN sanctions against North Korea, firmly opposes the installation of the system. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel said the system is a “nonnegotiable” aspect of the sanctions debate. The United States is also in talks with international partners to stop North Korean access to international banking and to cut off revenue streams from coal and overseas workers.
Also check out:
- Brexit revives stalled Japan-EU trade deal – Alberto Mucci, Politico
Europe & Russia
Dutch investigators found that Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was brought down in 2014 by a Russian-made Buk missile shot from a town under the control of pro-Russian separatists in Eastern Ukraine. The flight was en route to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam when it was hit, killing all 298 passengers aboard. The investigation found that the missile was brought into Ukraine from Russia and subsequently returned, an assertion vehemently denied by Russian officials. Prosecutors are still seeking a clearer picture of the chain of command surrounding the decision to fire at the plane.
Also check out:
- EU hopes to move 30,000 refugees from Greece by the end of 2017 – Danny Kemp, Yahoo News
Middle East & North Africa
The White House has authorized the deployment of an additional 600 troops to Iraq to assist Iraqi forces in an upcoming battle to retake Mosul from ISIL. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter stated that the troops will be “in the support role,” and will aid Iraqi and Kurdish forces with logistics and intelligence at military bases in the region. An offensive to Mosul was first proposed in early 2015, but was repeatedly delayed as Iraqi forces trained and focused on driving militants from cities closer to Baghdad. U.S. and Iraqi commanders have now stated that the offensive will be ready by early to mid-October.
Also check out:
Southeast Asia & Oceania
The International Court of Arbitration will oversee negotiations between Australia and East Timor regarding ownership of a large undersea gas and oil field. East Timor argues that Australia receives more than its designated share of oil from the field, while Australia’s government insists the current arrangement is in accord with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The negotiations will take place behind closed doors during the next year, and both countries have agreed to accept the court’s final ruling.
Also check out:
- Under pressure, Amnesty International cancels briefing on torture in Thailand – Mike Ives, The New York Times
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sixteen-year-old South African student Kiara Nirghin won the grand prize at the 2016 Google Science Fair with her creation of a biodegradable, low-cost water retention material made from orange peels. Her material was developed in response to the drought in South Africa, and provides an alternative to more expensive commercial products. Nirghin said she hopes her project will help farmers save money and improve their crop yields.
Also check out:
- Deadly fighting in DRC kills at least 13 – Nandini Krishnamoorthy, International Business Times
