Global Pulse #1

Global Pulse

September 1st Week

Jake Sullivan's China Visit Highlights Urgency of ‘Intense Diplomacy’ Ahead of US Election

Writer: Vanshika Saklani 

In a critical move, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan's recent visit to China has highlighted the Biden administration's growing focus on "intense diplomacy" as the 2024 presidential election draws near. The visit aimed to de-escalate tensions between the two global superpowers, addressing contentious issues such as trade imbalances, Taiwan's status, and security concerns in the Asia-Pacific region.

Amidst an increasingly polarized US political climate, the administration is keen on avoiding further deterioration in the US-China relations, which could have significant implications for both global stability and domestic electoral outcomes. Sullivan's engagement with Chinese officials is part of a broader strategy to keep diplomatic channels open, manage competition, and seek avenues for cooperation, particularly as the US navigates its complex relationship with China during a crucial political juncture. The visit reflects a concerted effort to balance firm stances on key issues with the need for diplomatic flexibility, recognizing the high stakes involved in this pivotal international relationship.

 Pope Francis arrives in Indonesia to begin ambitious Asia-Pacific tour

Writer: Harman Kaur Minhas

The Asia-Pacific tour of Pope Francis will last for 12 days. It will be his longest trip yet with his return scheduled to Rome on September 13th. The main aim of this visit  would be to raise global action on the pressing issue of climate change. His first official event would be to address and converse with Indonesia’s political leaders. He was  firm about addressing the 2015 Paris climate agreement to enlighten everyone about the dangers of global warming and climate change. 

He describes this as a historic visit and shares that Indonesia and the Vatican aim to cultivate peace and brotherhood. The Pope hopes the conversation will raise awareness during the tour.

Ethiopia Alarmed by Egypt- Somalia Defence Pact Amid Rising Regional Tensions.

Writer: Vanshika Saklani 

Ethiopia has voiced  deep concerns over a recent defense pact between Egypt and Somalia, a move that is heightening tensions in the already volatile Horn of Africa. The agreement, which encompasses military cooperation and the exchange of arms, is seen by Ethiopia as a potential threat, especially given its ongoing disputes with Egypt over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and strained relations with neighboring countries.

Addis Ababa is apprehensive that the defense deal could shift the balance of power in the region, potentially undermining its security and influence. The alliance between Egypt and Somalia is particularly alarming for Ethiopia as it faces internal conflicts, including the  repercussions of the Tigray War. The situation adds a new layer of complexity to the geopolitical landscape of the Horn of Africa, where strategic alliances and rivalries are intensifying, potentially destabilizing the region further.

Al-Qaeda-linked group commits massacre in central Burkina Faso: At least 100 people killed in the latest Jihadi attack

Writer: Rohan Shah

Amidst the chaos and destruction of social structures in the Sahel region of West Africa, Burkina Faso has had to face the brutal reality of recurring militia-based violence among the very periphery of their nation. An armed group linked to al-Qaeda, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), has claimed responsibility for what was an attack on June 11th that killed more than 100 Burkina Faso soldiers in the Mansila area near the border with Niger, the SITE Intelligence Group said. June’s attack has been one of the deadliest suffered by the West African Sahel nation’s army. Moreover, the country has topped the recent Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) list of the world’s most neglected displacement crises.The violence resulted in  more than 8,400 people deaths last year, double the number from the previous year, according to the NRC. About two million civilians were trapped in 36 blockaded towns across Burkina Faso by the end of 2023.

Germany witnesses historic victory of far-right party in regional elections for first time since world war 2.

Writer: Aniket Vijayvargiya

In a historic turn, German far-right party “Alternative for Germany” or “AfD” witnessed a significant victory in the eastern state of Thuringia, marking it the first time for the win of a far right party in state parliament elections in Germany since World War Two. The AfD’s leading and controversial candidate Björn Höcken hailed it as a “historic victory” as it came out nine points ahead of the conservative CDU and left behind Germany’s three governing parties with AfD securing almost 33% of the votes in the state. The suggested goals of the AfD range from hardened laws on refugees and asylums to the termination of weapons supplies to Ukraine. While the victory of the far right marks a significant change in German politics, the AfD requires a majority to rule in Thuringia, which is only possible through the support of other parties, this can prove to become a major obstacle for the AfD given that the CDU has rejected any plan to work with the AfD and the controversial party has received very limited support from the other parties contesting. The rise of the AfD has begun to worry many German citizens as the growing debate regarding it’s association with Nazi policies widens the divide between it’s population, officially establishing a new turn in the History of German politics.

Escalating Strikes:  Frequency of deadly Russian Attacks On Ukrainian Cities increases, Sparking Calls for Western Support.

Name: Delisha Clara Rao

Over the past two days, a wave of deadly Russian missile and drone strikes has devastated several Ukrainian cities, including Lviv and Poltava. These attacks are among the deadliest of the year. Missiles attacked residential areas in Lviv, causing damage to over fifty residences, two schools, and medical facilities. At least seven  individuals , including a toddler and a medical worker, were killed and 35 others were injured. The Russian missile attack on a military academy and local hospital the day before claimed over fifty lives in Poltava, making it the bloodiest attack of the year. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Western allies to send longer-range weapons, highlighting the necessity of more robust defensive artillery as Russian assaults become more frequent throughout the nation.

The High Commissioner of Human Rights demands the immediate and unconditional release of the detained UN staff in Yemen. 

Writer: Aditya Meharwade

Friday, 6th September marks three months since six Human Rights Commission staff have been arbitrarily detained by the “Ansar Allah” de facto authorities in Yemen. The six UN Human Rights Staff, five men and one woman, were arrested on 6th June along with seven other UN personnel. Furthermore, two UN Human Rights and two staff from other UN agencies have been arbitrarily detained by the de facto authorities since 2021 and 2023 respectively.

This brings the number of UN staff detained in Yemen to 17. 

The High Commissioner of Human Rights demands the immediate and unconditional release of the detained UN staff in Yemen, and  all human rights and humanitarian workers similarly arrested and detained without legal protections. 

The Commission has called upon the de facto authorities in Sana’a to facilitate the working of the  UN in order to  protect and promote the human rights of the people of Yemen.    

Netanyahu demands control of Philadelphi Corridor in any ceasefire deal.

Writer: Delisha Clara Rao

There is increasing pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from both the domestic and international arenas to achieve the release of captives that Hamas is holding in Gaza. President Benjamin Netanyahu is committed to holding onto control of the Philadelphi Corridor, which Israel says is essential for stopping Hamas from transporting weapons, despite protests in Israel and criticism from the U.S. President Joe Biden. Though negotiations mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt have stagnated, Biden has stated that the United States will soon offer a final proposal to both sides. In the event where Israel completely evacuates Gaza, Hamas has indicated its willingness to support a ceasefire. Following a Hamas strike on Israel in October, the fighting intensified, leaving hundreds of people dead and causing widespread displacement in Gaza. 

Amidst the Venezuelan chaos, the country's defense minister expresses apprehension over a coup d'etat attempt.

Writer: Manushree Mahat

The Venezuelan presidential election, held on the 28th of July, declared incumbent President Nicolas Maduro the winner, which led to a wave of protests from the opposition. What followed was a series of human rights abuses, reported by the Human Rights Watch(HRW), that the national guard, police force, and armed forces called ‘collectivos’, killed 23 protestors protesting against the elections.  Recently, Maduro and his allies were carrying out an elaborate operation called Operation Tun Tun, directed at reporting people participating in the protests. According to the Human Rights Watch(HRW) report, the aftermath has resulted in the arrests of more than 2,400 people. In the ensuing chaos of the much disputed Presidential elections, the Venezuelan Defense Minister, Vladimir Padrino Lopez, warned that a coup d’état against the country was underway, with possibility of   hands being engaged by other countries on the same.

Chile set to expand defense industry ties with India following the footsteps of Brazil. 

Writer: Aditya Meharwade 

Chilean Foreign Minister, Alberto Van Klaveren, completed a historic visit to India seeking defense industry partnership which includes exports that suit the Chilean military. 

The visit covered not only defense but also aspects of agriculture as well as Indian investments in Chile.

The two nations have signed a preferential trade agreement that has bolstered India’s presence in Chile’s plentiful lithium and copper mines that would meet the former’s requirements. 

Furthermore, negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) are underway between the two nations which will boost trade relations to a larger degree and ease up trade inflow and outflow.

South America is a region rich with resources that has untapped potential while India seems to be making strong strides towards extracting resources from the continent in the form of Brazil and Chile.