Noxious Air Moves Across the United States, Prompting Health and Climate Concerns

Smoke that blew south from Canada to blanket northeastern U.S. cities such as New York City and Washington, D.C. yesterday has spread, prompting health alerts (NYT) in large parts of the country. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity (WaPo) of wildfires, a Canadian forest official said. New York City Mayor Eric Adams also said that climate change accelerated the conditions (Guardian) that led to the polluted haze and urged further action to address such issues.

The quality of air in parts of New York and Pennsylvania yesterday was classified as “very unhealthy” and even “hazardous” by government alerts. Canada’s government said that hot and dry conditions will increase the risk of wildfires in the country for the remainder of June.

Analysis

“Many people, especially in low and middle-income countries, regularly face poor air quality—we must make much more progress toward clean air globally and increase our resilience to climate shocks,” CFR expert Tom Frieden tweets.

“We’re evolutionarily designed to fight bacteria and viruses. We can’t do smoke particles. Our immune systems just keep working overtime, which can start to affect other organs, like the heart, brain and kidneys,” the University of British Columbia’s Michael Brauer tells MacLean’s.

Pacific Rim

FT: U.S., Japan, Taiwan to Share Real-Time Data From Naval Drones

Beginning in 2025, the United States will deliver four naval drones to Taiwan that can track and target enemy ships and radars, the Financial Times reported. Sharing such information is considered “extremely sensitive” and is part of an effort to strengthen cooperation in the Taiwan Strait.

Indonesia/Malaysia: The two countries pledged to work together (SCMP) to combat European Union (EU) regulations on palm oil that they claim are “discriminatory.” Together, Indonesia and Malaysia produce more than 80 percent of the world’s palm oil exports.

South and Central Asia

UNICEF Queries Taliban Over Reported Ban of Global Education Aid

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) sought clarification from the Taliban (Reuters) over reports that international aid organizations could be banned from supporting education projects in the country. This could prevent more than five hundred thousand children, including over three hundred thousand girls, from getting an education.

This Backgrounder by Lindsay Maizland looks at how the Taliban has ruled Afghanistan.

Sri Lanka: Hundreds of students protested in the country’s capital (Al Jazeera) to demand the release of demonstrators detained during last year’s anti-government marches.

Middle East and North Africa

UAE, Egypt to Build Africa’s Biggest Wind Farm

Three United Arab Emirates (UAE) companies and Egypt’s renewable energy agency signed a deal (Egypt Independent) to build a 10 gigawatt wind farm valued at an estimated $10 billion. The project will contribute toward Egypt’s goal of generating 42 percent of its power from renewable energy sources by 2030.

Oman/Russia: Officials from both countries signed a deal to prevent double taxation (Reuters), Russia’s finance ministry said, heralding the deepening of bilateral economic ties.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Ukraine Announces New Embassies, Plans to Boost Grain Exports to Africa

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said yesterday that Kyiv plans to open ten new embassies (Bloomberg) in Africa and boost grain exports to the continent. Ukraine has expressed concern in the past over African countries’ ties with Russia.

South Africa/UAE: After holding talks with UAE officials, South Africa’s justice ministry announced that it will renew efforts (Bloomberg) to extradite two businessmen brothers wanted on fraud and money laundering charges.

Europe

Deaths, Shootings Reported in Aftermath of Ukrainian Dam Collapse

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said yesterday that Russian forces were shooting at Ukrainians (CNN) trying to rescue people from flooded areas following Tuesday’s collapse of the Nova Kakhovka dam. At least three people have died, an exiled Ukrainian mayor said, and the humanitarian organization CARE International said that landmines are likely floating in the floodwaters.

EU/China: A new European Council on Foreign Relations survey of eleven EU countries found that 46 percent of people viewed China as an “ally or necessary partner” (Bloomberg) while 35 percent viewed it as a “rival or adversary.” Sixty-two percent said they want to stay out of a potential conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan.

CFR expert Robert D. Blackwill lays out policy prescriptions for U.S.-China relations.

Americas

U.S. Vice President to Renew Push for Military Force in Haiti

Kamala Harris will meet with Caribbean leaders in the Bahamas today where she is expected to renew calls for an international force (Miami Herald) to respond to Haiti’s ongoing security crisis. U.S. officials have called for such a force for months, but no country has offered to lead one.

For Foreign Affairs, Monique Clesca argues how military intervention would worsen Haiti’s crisis.

Chile: The prominently conservative constitutional assembly began drafting a new charter (Reuters) for Chile for the second time in three years.

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