Link to article: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56316649 In a letter to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has called for a UN-led peace effort in Afghanistan. He made the push for a 90-day reduction in violence and a transitional government formed from both sides. Also in the letter, he asked for President Ghani to demonstrate “urgent leadership” and reflected… Read more »
Link to article: https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/03/16/afghanistan-targeted-killings-civilians-escalate Insurgent groups in Afghanistan have escalated their targeted killings of women and religious minorities. The recent surge of killings, including at least five women and seven factory workers from the minority Hazara community, is intended to eliminate women from public life and produce fear among minority communities. In addition to women and religious minorities, journalists, civil… Read more »
Link to article: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/16/iran-reveals-underground-missile-city-as-regional-tensions-rise.html Iran has recently aired footage of a new Revolutionary Guard base; a “missile city” armed with cruise and ballistic weapons. There appears to be advanced munitions including scores of missiles lined up along concrete walls inside of the facility, and electronic warfare equipment, including radar, monitoring devices, and simulation and disruption system outside. The underground facility… Read more »
Article: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3123786/vietnam-coal-project-supported-japan-south-korea-continue The European asset manager for Nordea has urged buisnesses involved in the Vung Ang 2 project, such as Japan’s Mitsubishi and Korea’s Kepco, to withdraw. Both of these two firms have annouced they will go forth along with Samsung C&T Corporation, but vowed that they will no longer support future coal-fired projects. The rising pressure to end fossil… Read more »
Link: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/1/sticky-bombs-in-kashmir-set-off-alarm-bells-among-indian-forces In recent months, small magnetic bombs, which have been creating mass destruction in Afghanistan, have been seized during raids in the disputed region of Kashmir. Security forces in the Indian-administered Kashmir are extremely alarmed by these “sticky bombs”. According to three senior officials, the explosive devices, which have been described as small but powerful, were seized during raids… Read more »
Link: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/1/taliban-attacks-increased-in-afghan-capital-says-us-watchdog Attacks in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, have been on the rise. These attacks have been targeted towards government officials, civil society leaders, and journalists. A new report by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstructions (SIGAR) has been released as President Biden begins to reproach peace agreements between the Taliban and the U.S. that were established during… Read more »
Link: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/3/us-moves-carrier-from-gulf-in-a-sign-of-ebbing-tensions Recently, the Biden administrations withdrew an aircraft carrier from the Gulf, a clear effort to ease tensions with Iran. During the previous administration, the precarious relationship strained when the US withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and imposed economic sanctions on Iran. John Kirby, a spokesman for the Pentagon, explained that the aircraft carrier was relocated from the… Read more »
Link: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/22/india-china-complete-disengagement-of-troops-from-the-border India and China agreed to pull back their military forces from the disputed border along Pangong Tso, a glacier lake that has become a critical area in their disagreement. Tensions have been rising between the two nuclear-armed countries since last April, when India accused Chinese troops of intruding on their side of the border. But, after months of… Read more »
Link to article: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56156233 The UN is enacting a new resolution to hold Sri Lankan human rights abusers to account for and deliver justice to victims of its 26-year civil war. Sri Lankan forces and Tamil rebels have been accused of acts of malfeasance during the war, and communities await justice for loved ones murdered or missing, having to deal… Read more »
Link to article: https://apnews.com/article/iran-imposes-curbs-un-nuclear-inspection-5d8d58dc633c0e2944b7933591083bc9 Iran has begun restricting international inspections of its nuclear facilities, to persuade European countries and U.S. President Joe Biden to lift economic sanctions and restore the 2015 nuclear deal. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported confidentially that Iran had added 38.8 pounds of uranium to its stockpile as of last week. Iran has violated the 3.67%… Read more »