I. United States
Politics and Society
Trump Looks to Arms Sales to Deepen Ties with India, 4 August 2020.
The Trump administration is looking to ramp up arms sales to India in the wake of the country’s deadly border clashes with China, opening a new front of tensions between Washington and Beijing, U.S. officials and congressional aides told Foreign Policy. The Trump administration in recent months has laid the groundwork for new arms sales to India that go above and beyond what previous administrations considered, including longer-term weapons systems with higher levels of technology and sophistication, such as armed drones, according to the officials. Click here to read...
U.S. sending highest official to Taiwan since ties cut in 1979, 5 August 2020.
The U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services is scheduled to visit Taiwan in coming days in the highest-level visit by an American Cabinet official since the break in formal diplomatic relations between Washington and Taipei in 1979. The visit by Alex Azar, and especially a planned meeting with Taiwan’s president, will likely create new friction between the U.S. and China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory to be annexed by force if necessary. Click here to read...
Trump Signs Executive Order That Will Effectively Ban Use Of TikTok In the U.S., 6 August 2020
President Trump on Thursday invoked his emergency economic powers to impose broad sanctions against TikTok, a move that steps up pressure on the Chinese-owned app to sell its U.S. assets to an American company. In the order, which takes effect in 45 days, any transactions between TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, and U.S. citizens will be outlawed for national security reasons. Click here to read...
Taiwan's president seeks to begin free trade talks with U.S., 8 August 2020
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen expressed hope of beginning free trade talks with the United States, a long-sought goal that likely would further increase tensions between Washington and Beijing. "Past months have shown us the importance of economic linkages and supply chain security for both Taiwan and the U.S.," Tsai said during a video presentation hosted by the Hudson Institute and Center for American Progress. Click here to read...
Trump postpones G7 summit until after US election, 10 August 2020
President Donald Trump said that he will look to postpone the G7 meeting until after the election in November, after a previous delay due to Covid concerns. The presidency of the G7 rotates annually, and Trump is this year's chair. The summit was slated to be held at Camp David in June, and after a tentative plan to postpone the meeting and switch to a virtual conference, Trump had floated in May the idea of doing it in person in the fall. Click here to read...
US, Slovenia to Sign 5G Joint Declaration, 13 August 2020
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his Slovenian counterpart Anze Logar have signed a joint declaration on 5G technology. State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said the memorandum of understanding signed in Slovenia recognizes “the critical importance of 5G security – both within NATO and the EU.” In a tweet she said “Slovenia joins a growing community of nations dedicated to protecting their security, privacy and intellectual property.” Click here to read...
U.S. jobless claims fall below 1 million but remain high, 13 August 2020
The number of Americans applying for unemployment dropped below 1 million last week for the first time since the coronavirus outbreak took hold in the U.S. five months ago, but layoffs are still running extraordinarily high. Applications for jobless benefits declined to 963,000, the second straight drop, from 1.2 million the previous week, the government said Thursday. That signals layoffs are slowing, though the weekly figure still far exceeds the pre-outbreak record of just under 700,000, set in 1982. The figures show that the crisis continues to throw people out of work just as the expiration of an extra $600 a week in federal jobless benefits has deepened the hardship for many - and posed another threat to the U.S. economy. Click here to read...
US to treat Chinese cultural organization as an arm of Beijing's government, 14 August 2020
The US State Department designated a Chinese cultural and educational institution as a foreign mission, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced, in the latest move by Washington against Beijing. The Confucius Institute US Center (CIUS) says it promotes a network of institutes that provide programming focused Chinese language and culture. They are funded by the Chinese government. The State Department said there are around 500 Confucius classrooms, which are K-12, in the US, which "are affiliated with a university-based Confucius Institute." The Department said they are tracking 75 Confucius Institutes in the US -- 65 of which are actively operating on university campuses, the rest which are standalone. Under the designation, the CIUS will be required to register with the State Department and provide information on its personnel and property in the US and obtain permission for future property acquisition. The move follows designations of a number of Chinese media outlets in the US as foreign missions. Click here to read...
US Election
Joe Biden picks Sen. Kamala Harris as his 2020 vice presidential running mate, 11 August 2020
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has announced California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate for the 2020 election, making her the first Black woman and first Asian American person on a major party's presidential ticket. Harris, who early on was a Biden opponent for the nomination, brings the political prowess of winning state-wide election in the largest state while also personifying the diversity that key Democratic activists have said is crucial to building grassroots enthusiasm for the ticket. Click here to read...
Health and Environment
Birx warns US is 'in a new phase' of coronavirus pandemic with more widespread cases, 2 August 2020
Dr. Deborah Birx has said the US is in a new phase in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic, saying that the deadly virus is more widespread than when it first took hold in the US earlier this year. "What we are seeing today is different from March and April. It is extraordinarily widespread. It's into the rural as equal urban areas," Birx, the White House coronavirus task force coordinator, told CNN's Dana Bash on "State of the Union. Click here to read...
Health and Environment
Dangerous heat wave forecast for south-western areas of US, 1 August 2020.
US weather forecasters have issued warnings of a potentially life-threatening heat wave over the weekend in south-western areas of the country. The National Weather Service (NWS) said temperatures could reach 50C (122F) in southern California on Saturday.Parts of Utah, Arizona and Nevada, including the city of Las Vegas, may also be hit with a heat wave of up to 49C.Forecasters said a high-pressure system was moving through the south-west and causing temperatures to rise. Click here to read...
'Extreme' California wildfire forces hundreds to evacuate, 15 August 2020
Firefighters scrambled to protect thousands of homes from a wildfire racing through brush-covered mountains north of Los Angeles on Friday that caused hundreds of evacuations and burned 21 structures. The blaze, dubbed the Lake Fire, swelled to over 17,000 acres (6,880 hectares), forcing up to 1,500 people from their houses after erupting on Wednesday afternoon in the Angeles National Forest. Click here to read...
Perspective
It’s Time to Rethink Our Russia Policy, 8 August 2020
An open letter, signed by 103 foreign-policy experts, was published by Politico which stated that America’s current mix of sanctions and diplomacy isn’t working and there is a reconsider US approach to Putin-and whoever comes next. The latter noted that “Our strategic posture should be that which served us well during the Cold War: a balanced commitment to deterrence and détente. Thus, while maintaining our defense, we should also engage Russia in a serious and sustained strategic dialogue that addresses the deeper sources of mistrust and hostility and at the same time focuses on the large and urgent security challenges facing both countries”. Click here to read...
II. Europe
Politics and Society
Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into the proposed acquisition of Fitbit by Google, 4 August 2020
The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess the proposed acquisition of Fitbit by Google under the EU Merger Regulation. The Commission is concerned that the proposed transaction would further entrench Google's market position in the online advertising markets by increasing the already vast amount of data that Google could use for personalisation of the ads it serves and displays. Click here to read...
Spain's embattled ex-King Juan Carlos leaves country, 4 August 2020
Spain's former King Juan Carlos has left the country for an unknown destination, weeks after he was linked to an inquiry into alleged corruption. Juan Carlos, 82, announced the move in a letter to his son, Felipe, to whom he handed power six years ago. He said he would be available if prosecutors needed to interview him. In June, Spain's Supreme Court opened an investigation into the alleged involvement of Juan Carlos in a high-speed rail contract in Saudi Arabia. Click here to read... Carlos was later reported to be in Saudi ArabiaClick here to read...
EU holds urgent talks on Greece-Turkey energy dispute, 14 August 2020
European Union foreign ministers held urgent talks on Friday about current military tensions between Greece and Turkey over drilling rights in the eastern Mediterranean. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had said Turkey would press ahead with its search for oil and gas in the disputed waters until August 23 as planned. But after talks with Germany, he signalled that Ankara and Berlin had agreed to a “softening” of positions after that date. There was no indication as to whether Athens had been consulted, or agreed, on the matter. Click here to read...
EU announces sanctions against Belarus over 'violence' on protesters and electoral 'falsification', 14 August 2020
The EU has agreed on imposing sanctions against "those responsible for violence and falsification" in Belarus following a controversial presidential election that sparked mass protests in the country. The announcement came by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell after a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. Click here to read...
Belarus: Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the presidential elections, 11 August 2020
The EU released an official statement on the Presidential elections that took place in Belarus on 9 August. The statement noted that “the elections were neither free nor fair” and the electoral process did not meet the international standards expected of an OSCE participating State. It called on the Belarusian authorities to release immediately and unconditionally all detained. Click here to read...
Cambodia loses duty-free access to the EU market over human rights concerns, 12 August 2020
Beginning 12 August, some of Cambodia's typical export products such as garments, footwear and travel goods are subject to the European Union's customs duties. The EU's decision to partially withdraw Cambodia's duty-free quota-free access to the EU market is now effective. The preferential treatment enjoyed by Cambodia under “Everything But Arms” (EBA) – the EU's trade arrangement for Least Developed Countries – is now temporarily lifted due to serious and systematic concerns related to human rights ascertained in the country. The EU enforces this measure while staying open to engage with Cambodia on the necessary reforms. Click here to read...
Health and Environment
Glaxo, Sanofi to supply EU with vaccine doses, 3 August 2020
GlaxoSmithKline PLC and Sanofi said on Monday that it is in advanced discussions with the European Union to supply up to 300 million doses of a Covid-19 vaccine. The British pharmaceutical giant said the vaccine candidate uses Sanofi's technology to produce an influenza vaccine, and GSK's adjuvant technology. The company said the doses would be manufactured in Europe. Click here to read...
Second COVID-19 wave has already hit Germany, warns doctor's union, 4 August 2020
Europe’s concerns of a coronavirus resurgence have been heightened again amid a warning that Germany has already entered a second wave of the virus, while France braces for worse to possibly come. The head of Germany's doctors' union Susanne Johna told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper that she believes her country is currently undergoing "a second, shallow upswing" of COVID-19. Click here to read...
Mass COVID-19 study finds BAME community in England worst affected, 14 August 2020
People from black, Asian and ethnic minority groups in England have been worst affected by COVID-19, according to a government at-home anti-body test that is the largest of its kind. It found COVID-19 antibodies in 17% and 12% of black and Asian people who took part in the test respectively compared to 5% of people with white ethnicity. Click here to read...
Renewables Generate More Energy than Fossil Fuels in Europe For The First Time Ever, 14 August 2020
Over a fifth of Europe’s energy was generated by solar panels and wind turbines in the first half of 2020. Solar and wind energy generation was higher in some European countries. Denmark came out on top, generating 64 per cent of its energy from these renewable sources, closely followed by Ireland (49 per cent) and Germany (42 per cent), according to the report from independent climate think-tank Ember. Click here to read...
Perspective
Will Brexit Change the European Union? 2 August 2020
The United Kingdom left the European Union on January 31, 2020. Trade barriers have not gone up immediately, because a transition period is in place until December 31, 2020. The EU and the UK negotiators are working on an agreement to govern trade and other aspects of relationships across the English Channel. It is not clear whether or not a new deal will be in place by the end of the year. An Atlantic Council of some sort might need to be created, involving the United States, the UK, and the EU, for discussion of political, foreign policy, economic, and regulatory matters that are outside the scope of NATO. Click here to read...
III. Russia
Politics and Society
Cyprus has agreed to Russia’s terms on raising the tax on dividend and interest to 15%, Russia’s Finance Ministry informed, 10 August 2020
Cyprus has agreed to Russia’s terms on raising the tax on dividend and interest to 15%, Russia’s Finance Ministry said in a statement. As part of the talks the Republic of Cyprus agreed to the terms of the Russian Federation on making changes to the Russian-Cypriot agreement on avoidance of double taxation regarding increase of the tax of the source to 15% on dividends and interest," the statement reads. Click here to read...
Russia may host India, China Defence Ministers in September, 11 August 2020
Russia has proposed to host the first meeting of Russia-India-China (RIC) defence ministers in Moscow in September, providing an opportunity for India and China to keep their communication channels open amid the Line of Actual Control standoff. This will be defence minister Rajnath Singh’s second visit to Moscow since June if he undertakes the trip. He represented India at the Victory Day Parade in Moscow on June 24, which provided him an opportunity to seek assurances on critical defence supplies, including early delivery of the S-400 system. An Indian contingent was part of the parade. Click here to read...
India-Russia to scale up military cooperation; To ink IGA later this week, 12 August 2020
Ahead of the annual India-Russia summit later this year, several high level exchanges are scheduled between the officials of both sides. This year the annual summit scheduled for October will take place in India when Russian President Vladimir Putin will come accompanied by a high-level delegation. The focus of talks has been on the regional and international issues; also on enhancing the military cooperation as well as expediting the delivery of some platforms India has ordered. Click here to read...
Russian Navy upgraded missile frigate takes to sea for trials, 13 August 2020
The Pacific Fleet’s frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov capable of employing Kalibr and Uran cruise missiles after its upgrade took to the Sea of Japan for continuing shipbuilders’ sea trials, the Fleet’s press office reported. The Marshal Shaposhnikov entered service with the Russian Navy as a large anti-submarine warfare ship. Its upgrade involved installing standardized shipborne launchers for Kalibr-NK and Oniks missiles, which boosted its combat capabilities and allowed it to be qualified as a frigate. In the future, the frigate will get Tsirkon hypersonic missiles. Following the upgrade of the Marshal Shaposhnikov, all the Project 1155 other seven ships are slated for their modernization. Click here to read...
Haavisto-Lavrov discussed cooperation between Arctic and Barents structures, 13 August 2020
While Russia takes over the Chair of the Arctic Council next year, Finland will have the responsibility of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council in the same two-year period, 2021-2023. On the initiative of the Finnish Foreign Ministry, the phone conversation took place between Sergey Lavrov and Pekka Haavisto on August 12. The ministers agreed on close cooperation as the two countries will be in charge of the two multilateral formats of northern cooperation, the Arctic and the European Barents Region. Click here to read...
Lukashenko and Putin discussed the situation in Belarus, 15 August 2020
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko and Russian leader Vladimir Putin discussed the situation in Belarus during a telephone conversation. This was reported by the BelTA agency on August 15. Earlier on the same day, the Belarusian leader announced his intention to contact Putin, as there is a threat to the Union State. According to Lukashenko, the aggression against Belarus unfolds according to the scenario. “The defense of Belarus today is no less than the defense of our entire space, the Union State, and an example to others. If the Belarusians fail, this wave will roll there,” he said. Click here to read...
Health and Environment
First registered COVID-19 vaccine worldwide is named Sputnik V, 11 August 2000
The world's first registered vaccine against the coronavirus infection which was developed in Russia was named Sputnik V, the official vaccine website launched mentioned. "In 1957, the successful launch of the first man-made satellite by the Soviet Union activated space research in the entire world. Thanks to this comparison, the vaccine received the name of Sputnik V," the website explains. Click here to read...
Serbian leader Vucic says ready to be first to take Russian coronavirus vaccine, 11 August 2020
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that he is ready to be the first person to be injected with the coronavirus vaccine developed in Russia, he told reporters when asked about registration of the world's first coronavirus vaccine in Russia. Later, the President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte also volunteered to test the Russian vaccine against the coronavirus on himself. Click here to read...
Bubonic plague: Russia forced to vaccinate thousands as China outbreak spreads, 13 August 2020
Russia's bubonic plague panic has grown with the country vaccinating thousands of citizens against the disease amid fears it will spread. Moscow’s actions come following the outbreaks of bubonic plague that hit Mongolia and China. In Siberia 2,500 adults and 623 children have been vaccinated so far. The region in Russia shares a border with Mongolia. Click here to read...
Vietnam to purchase Russian COVID-19 vaccine, 14 August 2020
Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has applied for the purchase of the Russian-made coronavirus vaccine, Acting Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said at a meeting of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control. According to the acting minister, Vietnam plans to order from 50 to 150 million doses of the vaccine from Russia. There is no information on the dates for the delivery yet. Click here to read...
Perspective
India and Russia in a Changing World, 13 August 2020
Thanks to the extraordinary circumstances of 2020, everyone has time to stop, take stock, and discuss important topics in detail (albeit at a distance), perhaps re-evaluate their priorities and formulate a strategy for the future in a significantly changed environment. Not only connections between people, but also relations between countries are being tested for strength under the influence of unforeseen conditions. Click here to read...
The Emperors League: Understanding Sino-Russian Defense Cooperation, 6 August 2020
Russian and Chinese elites describe their relationship as one of “strategic cooperation and comprehensive partnership.” Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping have met more than 30 times in the past six years, calling each other best friends and the like. The relationship certainly has a great deal of formality in terms of contacts, pronouncements, and agreements signed, but activity is not achievement. So how should we think about it analytically? While some have proclaimed an alliance, others have dismissed this as nothing more than cosplay, no less contentious is the debate on whether this alignment will last. A cogent case can be made for why the current relationship is not simply transactional, an axis of convenience (or other similar terms of art), and at the same time unlikely to become a military alliance. It appears durable, but highly dependent on elite machinations, and there’s not much evidence that either side will reap enough benefits to seek a more formalized alliance beyond the current alignment. Click here to read...
