CIA, Mossad Leaders Hold Hostage, Cease-Fire Talks in Egypt |
The directors of the U.S. and Israeli intelligence services and Qatar’s prime minister are in Cairo today (AFP, Times of Israel) for a meeting about a potential hostage release and cease-fire deal in the Gaza Strip, Egyptian media reported. The talks come after U.S. President Joe Biden said yesterday that he would do “everything possible” (FT) to seek a six-week cease-fire deal that would also see the release of hostages held by Palestinian militant group Hamas. After Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a permanent cease-fire proposal from Hamas last week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said there was still “space for agreement to be reached.”
Biden’s comments on the deal yesterday were some of his most detailed yet and came after he met with Jordan’s King Abdullah II. Biden said he supported a pause that would allow (Bloomberg) “the time to build something more enduring.” He also reiterated U.S. opposition to the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. Biden and Abdullah discussed how to provide more aid to the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
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“The talks are a sign that the window for a negotiated settlement to the four-month war remains open, amid mounting international concern over Israel’s stated plans to press its ground offensive into the southern city of Rafah,” the New York Times’ Victoria Kim and Richard Pérez-Peña write. “The war has caught Israel at perhaps its most divided moment in history,” Haaretz’s Aluf Benn writes for Foreign Affairs. “The fight over Netanyahu’s political survival will become even more intense than it was before October 7, making it hard for the country to pursue peace.”
Read the full suite of Foreign Affairs and CFR.org resources on Israel and the current conflict.
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South Africa to Deploy Nearly Three Thousand Troops to DRC |
The yearlong deployment of 2,900 troops will help (Bloomberg) the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) battle armed groups. It comes at a time when UN peacekeepers are preparing to withdraw from the region. Some South African troops are already in the DRC as part of efforts to battle the M23 rebel group. This Backgrounder by Claire Klobucista and CFR’s Mariel Ferragamo discusses the role of peacekeeping missions in Africa.
Senegal: The Economic Community of West African States sent (Reuters) a delegation to Senegal to meet with authorities and civil society representatives about a delay in the country’s presidential election that has prompted mass protests.
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Former Thai Prime Minister Granted Early Parole |
Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted (Nikkei) in a 2006 coup and fled an eight-year sentence for corruption in 2008, but was jailed upon his return last year. Authorities granted him early parole this week due to health problems, paving the way for his release from a police hospital.
Australia: Canberra plans to question (Reuters) Beijing about a suspended death sentence it gave to an Australian writer at an upcoming World Trade Organization meeting this month, Australia’s trade minister said today. He also said he would push for China to remove trade restrictions on Australian lobsters, meat, and wine.
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Four Armenian Soldiers Killed in Flare-up With Azerbaijan |
Today’s deaths were the first fatalities (RFE/RL) between the two countries in months, Armenia’s defense ministry said. Cross-border shootouts fell dramatically after Azerbaijan carried out a military campaign into the Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh last year. Azerbaijan’s border service accused Armenian forces of destroying a border post ahead of the latest clashes, which Armenia denied. The Center for Preventive Action tracks the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
India/UAE: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met (Indian Express) Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed while on a visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to discuss bilateral partnership and attend a ceremony to inaugurate Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu temple.
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Middle East and North Africa |
Azerbaijan, Brazil, UAE, Hold Climate Talks |
Officials from the three countries met in their capacities as the hosts of the UN climate conferences in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and pledged (Reuters) to continue to work together to reach more ambitious goals that reduce carbon emissions. At the Brazil-hosted climate summit in 2025, almost two hundred countries are scheduled to submit updated emissions reduction pledges. Azerbaijan’s conference this year will focus on a target for climate finance.
This In Brief by CFR’s Noah Berman and Clara Fong takes stock of global climate finance efforts.
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Estonian Intelligence Flags Plan for Russian Security Buildup on NATO Border |
Russia plans to double (FT) its number of troops stationed on its borders with the Baltic states and Finland in the coming years in preparation for possible conflict with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the chief of Estonia’s foreign intelligence service said. Estonia plans to spend more than 3 percent of its GDP this year on defense, above NATO’s 2 percent requirement.
Israel/Netherlands: A Dutch court ruled (FT) that the government should stop sending parts for F-35 fighter jets to Israel over concerns of a risk that Israel is conducting human rights violations in its war against Hamas. The Netherlands’ trade minister said the government would appeal the ruling.
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Russia Pauses Buying Bananas, Flowers From Ecuador Following Ukraine Arms Deal |
Russia announced it is suspending (AFP) its imports of the products following a deal between Ecuador and the United States to provide military equipment to Ukraine. Some 90 percent of Russia’s banana imports come from Ecuador. U.S./Canada/Russia: A Canadian Russian woman pleaded guilty (CBC) in U.S. court to participating in a scheme to send electronic parts to Russia for use in its war against Ukraine. The actions violated export and sanctions laws, U.S. prosecutors said yesterday. |
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U.S. Senate Passes $95.3 Billion Aid Bill for Israel, Taiwan, Ukraine |
The bill was approved (AP) today by a vote of 70–29 after a rare overnight session of debate. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) worked closely on the legislation. The bill must still be approved by the House of Representatives. |
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