Category: Politics

On Wednesday, a multilateral maritime security operations exercise in the Red Sea was started by the forces from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Israel, and the United States Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT).

This is reported as the first joint naval drill between the two Gulf countries, the United States, and Israel. It will be a five-day exercise that will include training on the USS Portland Vessel. According to the US, its focus is on enhancing the interoperability among the participating force’s maritime interdiction teams.

In respect to the drills, an Israeli naval officer said that this could help counter Iran’s “power projection” under the US auspices.

Under the US-broken deal “Abraham Accords”- the UAE and Bahrain normalized diplomatic relations with Israel last year. The normalization of the agreements leads to the drill among the nations. An unknown source said that it will increase the cooperation and safety of the Red Sea and Iranian terror in the region.

The 5th Fleet of America is based in the Gulf Island state of Bahrain. The Fleet will operate in the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, and parts of the Indian Ocean.

On Wednesday, the UN Security Council council expressed deep concern about the increasing violence in Myanmar. An immediate end to the fighting was called along with the military to exercise utmost restraint, in a rare statement that was agreed by the 15-members.

In the Feb 1 coup, after the military ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government, a militia group was formed. To flush them out, an imminent army attack was suggested as a buildup of heavy weapons and troops in Chin state was being reported amid the statement issued by the UN.

The statement said, “The members of the Security Council expressed deep concern at further recent violence across Myanmar. They called for an immediate cessation of violence and to ensure the safety of civilians”.

However, the Junta of Myanmar has not issued any comment on the situation of Chin which has become a forefront of resistance against military rule. The government of Myanmar is helpless due to the protest and violence. In the country, the junta is struggling to govern the nation and face armed resistance from militias and ethnic minority rebels. The rebels are called “terrorists” with a shadow government.

Asia-Pacific trade group minister’s called the forum of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to meet virtually, on October 22. In view to recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic and addressing other issues that will include climate change.

The 21-economy group that involves the United States, China, Japan, and Singapore will conduct the meeting of finance ministers. It came as a disruption to the global economy that recovered from Covid-19 and cloud the outlook for governments and central banks alike.

The recovery process has been uneven, with some groups disproportionately affected by the pandemic, such as women and indigenous peoples.

It is likely that the group will acknowledge that economic activity is rising across the region, but there is still a long way to go since new strains of the virus are preventing a full-scale recovery, and recovery rates vary across countries.

Several regional member nations, including Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, have seen a decline in infections from earlier this year’s peaks. However, vaccination rates and balancing reopening against the risk of a spike in cases remain major policy considerations.

At the two official meetings between the Indian and Afghan sides on the sidelines of the ‘Moscow Format meeting’, the Taliban said that India offered extensive humanitarian assistance to the Afghans.

In Russia, the Indian delegation led by Joint Secretary JP Singh, PAI (Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran Division), and the Taliban delegation led by Deputy PM Maulavi Abdul Salam Hanafi met on the sidelines of the ‘Moscow Format’ meet, in the Taliban controlled Afghanistan. It was stated by the Taliban that both sides took into account each other’s “concern”.

In a statement Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s spokesperson said, “Meeting with Mr. JP Singh, Special Representative of India for and the accompanying delegation. Both sides consider it necessary to take into account each other’s concerns and improve diplomatic and economic relations. The Indian side finally expressed readiness to provide extensive humanitarian assistance to the Afghans”.

Afghanistan’s inclusive government and the validity of using Afghan territory against India for terrorist activities have been a source of concern for India. New Delhi has been contemplating how much to engage the current leadership, yet in the joint statement of the Moscow Format, the participating nations agreed to provide “humanitarian assistance” to Afghanistan.

On Thursday, New Zealand’s first indigenous Maori woman swears in as the Governor-General. Dame Cindy Kiro is now formally a part of the largely ceremonial role in parliament in Wellington who pledged to reach out to migrants and marginalized citizens.

Dami spoke to a small audience at the swearing-in ceremony and said she was proud of her dual Maori and British heritage. She will remain the country’s official head of state who will carry out constitutional and ceremonial duties in the former British colony on behalf of the British monarch.

She said, “I will connect to new migrants and former refugees, and celebrate the many diverse cultures and religions gifted to our nation by those who have chosen to make New Zealand their home”. She further added, “Communities develop resilience when people feel connected, have a sense of belonging, and have a place to stand”.

The new General-Governor had a career in academics and held leadership roles in various universities in New Zealand. She was the first in her family to have a university qualification and to hold a Ph.D. in Social Policy and an MBA (Exec) in Business Administration from the University of Auckland and Massey University.

Nearly 17% of the population of Maori in New Zealand still face disadvantages socially and economically.

Despite investing tens of billions of dollars in upgrading its missile defenses, China is said to have launched a hypersonic missile into orbit, raising fears that the Pentagon’s missile defenses are being quickly neutralized.

On Saturday, it was reported by a leading news agency that the Chinese military had sent a nuclear-capable missile into low-orbit space nearly two months ago. The missile was around the globe before it cruised down to its target. However, the weapon missed its mark nearly 24 miles away from the target. According to the agency, if the technology is perfected it could be used against the US by sending nuclear warheads over the South Pole and America’s anti-missile system in the northern hemisphere.

On Monday, China denied the allegations and its Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian described it as a “routine test of a space vehicle that was used to check the technology for spacecraft reusability”. He further clarified and compared it with the system that is being developed by private companies. According to him, China will peacefully work with different countries and use space for the benefit of mankind.

By doing so, Xi Jinping appears to be exploring the possibility of orbital strikes as a counterbalance to American weapons advancements such as shooting down ballistic missiles before they threaten the US homeland.

Last week, the Lower Chamber of Parliament was dissolved by the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a general election to be held on October 31. The upcoming elections in Japan will have economy, defense, and diversity as their key issues.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) swore to attain “fairer wealth distribution” after the growth failed to translate into higher wages years before pre-pandemic. It worsened the rich-poor gap and the party pledged for a “comprehensive and ambitious” stimulus package.

However, the opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) is asking for the consumption tax to be halved to 5% from 10%. In both scenarios, the Finance ministry top bureaucrat Koji Yano took it as a nightmare and wrote in an op-ed, “these ideas give the impression that Japan has an ultimate amount of money in its coffers”.

The LDP stresses a key plank of foreign and defense policy of Japan’s partnership with the US, Quad, ASEAN, Europe, and Taiwan, with the Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision.

As per the diversity is concerned, the LDP is stuck on the status quo and retain the longstanding pledge of creating a more conducive environment for women at work and in society

Myanmar’s ruling military won’t allow Asean Envoy to meet detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi as she is charged with crimes. The military will however not block the special Southeast Asian envoy to visit the country.

Zaw Min Tun Junta’s spokesman said in a comment that the military issued a statement dated Wednesday that describes a delay in the United Nations approving the military government’s UN ambassador nomination as political intentions. The country has been in political and economic paralysis since the military’s February 1 coup. It has triggered an outpouring of anger and people protested with some civilians forming militias to take on the powerful army.

Erwan Yusof, the bloc’s special envoy said last week on the ASEAN plan that Junta’s inaction was “tantamount to backtracking”. Some member countries were in “deep discussion” to exclude Min Aung Hlaing from a summit this month. The special envoy is in consultations with the parties in Myanmar who mentioned that he does not take sides or political positions and looks forward to visiting the nation.

According to the Junta Spokesman, the chief justice was appointed by the previous government to handle Aung San Suu Kyi’s case.

After a dramatic walkout three and a half years ago, the United States is returning to the UN Human Rights Council. On Thursday, new members of the UN’s top right body were elected by the United Nations General Assembly.

In 2018, the US has quit the council after accusing it of hypocrisy and obsession with haranguing Israel under former president Donal Trump’s rule. However, under President Joe Biden, Washington will come face to face with a fortified China that took advantage of the US absence to flex its muscles.

With 18 countries standing for 18 seats, the election is a non-contest and members are selected through a secret ballot. The UN Human Rights Council is commissioned for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide and to address the violation and make recommendations.

According to one of the European diplomats, “the Chinese and all those who are fundamentally against human rights as the Europeans understand them. Oppose economic, social, and cultural rights. It is not a trend, but it is undeniably growing stronger”.

The executive director of the Universal Rights Group think-tank in Geneva said that the US has “basically focused on just one thing which is China”.

On Thursday, Japan’s powerful lower house of parliament was dissolved in a formal step for an October 31 general election that could decide the stay for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in office.

As soon as Kishida took office as prime minister, the election came in less than three weeks. These elections could determine the faith of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party if there is any major loss of seats. This has increased the chances of the leader to be dispatched through the “revolving door” that claimed six previous Japanese premiers between 2007-2012.

Kishida is positive to achieve the modest target of 465-seat House of Representatives to maintain his ruling coalition majority. Before the dissolution, LDP and its junior partner Komeito together controlled more than 300 seats and it would allow for a significant reduction in numbers. They have forged an alliance that includes the Japanese Communist Party while none of the opposition boasts support for more than a single figure.

The party is cooperating in various constituencies to try to reduce the ruling coalition’s majority. The leader has focused his election pledges on establishing a “new capitalism” that will result in economic growth that is widely spread.