May 05, 2020

Daily News Brief

May 05, 2020

Top of the Agenda

U.S. Navy Ships Begin New Arctic Patrol 

U.S. Navy warships entered the Barents Sea (CNN) off Russia’s Arctic coast for the first time in three decades as part of the U.S. military’s increased focus on the Arctic. Moscow is tracking (Moscow Times) the three warships and one supply ship, which are accompanied by a British frigate.  

The U.S. military said the operation aims to demonstrate U.S. commitment to freedom of navigation and cooperation with allies. Current U.S. strategy (Nikkei) is based on the possibility that Moscow and Beijing will pursue agendas that clash with U.S. interests in the region, a U.S. State Department official said. Russia has expanded its military capabilities in the Arctic, and both China and Russia have expressed interest in new shipping routes (RFE/RL) that are opening up due to rising sea temperatures. 

Analysis

“The Arctic has been an area of renewed attention for NATO amid tensions with Russia. The U.S. Navy has been spending more time there to gain experience with the unique challenges it poses to naval operations,” Christopher Woody writes for Business Insider. 

“Climate change, globalization, and the return of great-power rivalry is turning the region into a geopolitical hot spot, and Washington should continue to partner with allies to set and enforce the rules,” writes CFR’s Brian L. Sittlow. 

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Pacific Rim

Australia, New Zealand Consider ‘Travel Bubble’ Between Countries 

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison discussed easing travel restrictions (NZ Herald) between their countries. The leaders said they were committed to creating a travel zone, but it is yet not safe to enact it. 

China: Four companies have begun human trials for possible coronavirus vaccines as Beijing slashes red tape (NYT) on vaccine development. China’s vaccine industry has suffered from bribery scandals and faulty products in recent years. 

South and Central Asia

U.S. Stops Releasing Data on Air Strikes in Afghanistan, Middle East 

The U.S. Air Force will cease publishing regular reports (VOA) on its air strikes in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria due to diplomatic concerns, including that such reports could “adversely impact ongoing discussions with the Taliban,” a spokesperson said. 

India: The country is reportedly designating land (Bloomberg) in several states—totaling more than 460,000 hectares, double the size of Luxembourg—to attract firms considering moving business out of China. 

In Foreign Affairs, Anubhav Gupta and Puneet Talwar write that the coronavirus pandemic gives a struggling India a chance to reset. 

Middle East and North Africa

Iran to Slash Four Zeros From Currency 

Iran’s legislature approved a move to slash four zeros (FT) from its currency, the rial, which will be renamed the toman, in an effort to fight inflation. The country’s central bank pledged to carry out the measure. 

Syria: Syrian air defense systems foiled an Israeli missile attack (Haaretz) in the northern governorate of Aleppo, state media said. It was the latest in a reported uptick in Israeli attacks on suspected Iranian targets in Syria. 

Sub-Saharan Africa

Nigeria Says Strikes on Militants Killed Dozens 

Nigeria’s defense ministry said its forces killed 134 members (Al Jazeera) of the Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province militant groups and arrested 16 informants in the country’s northeast. 

For CFR’s Africa in Transition blog, John Campbell looks at the surge in jihadi violence in West Africa.  

DRC: The Cooperative for the Development of the Congo (CODECO) militant group said it would cease fighting (Reuters) in the country’s northeast and called for a dialogue with the government. 

Europe

Germany Seeks ECB Justification for Bond-Buying 

A German court ruled that a European Central Bank (ECB) bond-buying program that has been used to stabilize the eurozone since 2015 partially violates the German constitution (BBC) and that the ECB must justify its purchases within three months.  

This CFR Backgrounder looks at the role of the ECB. 

France: The French government stipulated that airline Air France will be ineligible for a relief loan until it cuts some domestic flights (BBC) to reduce carbon emissions. 

Americas

Colombia Used Equipment From U.S. to Surveil Activists, Journalists 

A Colombian army intelligence unit used equipment provided by the United States to surveil political opponents, journalists, and human rights activists, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The intended purpose of the equipment was to strengthen Colombian efforts against organized crime. 

Canada: North America’s first plant to refine cobalt for car batteries is set to open (FT) north of Toronto this year. Canada aims to build renewable supply chains outside of China, which refines more than 80 percent of the world’s cobalt. 

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