Daily News Brief
October 23, 2020
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Top of the Agenda
Warring Libyan Factions Agree to Cease-Fire 
Libya’s two main warring parties agreed to a cease-fire today (NYT), raising hopes for an end to the bloody civil war that has lasted since Muammar al-Qaddafi’s overthrow nearly a decade ago.

​The United Nations’ Libya mission said both sides had agreed (Al Jazeera) to “a permanent cease-fire in all areas of Libya.” The deal came after talks in Geneva between military representatives of the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) and of rebel commander Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA). The military talks are set to be followed by political discussions in Tunisia next month. Both sides have been backed by foreign powers (Reuters). Italy, Turkey, and Qatar support the GNA, while Egypt, France, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates back Haftar.
Analysis
“Libya has a long history of failed peace initiatives and the reaction of the foreign sponsors that have driven the long-running war, on both sides of the conflict, will be crucial to the success of the cease-fire,” Nick Cumming-Bruce and Declan Walsh write for the New York Times. 

​“The United States should redouble its efforts to support economic reform in Libya. Libya’s conflict stems, in part, from grievances about the uneven distribution of oil wealth in the capital and in the west of the country,” Frederic Wehrey and Jalel Harchaoui write in Foreign Affairs

This CFR In Brief explains who’s who in Libya’s war.
What Are the Global Threats to Watch?
CFR’s Center for Preventive Action is compiling its thirteenth annual Preventive Priorities Survey to help policymakers plan for conflicts that could erupt or escalate in the coming year.

Pacific Rim
Vatican, Beijing Extend Agreement on Bishop Appointments
Despite opposition from the United States, the Vatican extended an agreement with Beijing (NYT) over the appointment of bishops in China. Under the deal, China agrees to recognize the Pope’s authority, while the Roman Catholic Church recognizes the legitimacy of bishops that were appointed by Beijing and excommunicated by the church. Some experts see the move as presaging diplomatic relations with China, which could mean the Vatican severs ties with Taiwan.

​South Korea: Fears are mounting over a spate of deaths that have followed flu vaccinations (Yonhap), though no connection between the deaths and vaccines has been confirmed. More than thirty people have died after receiving a flu shot, but authorities have pledged to move ahead with the vaccination program.

South and Central Asia
Kyrgyz Parliament Votes to Suspend Elections
Kyrgyzstan’s parliament rushed legislation (RFE/RL) to suspend the country’s parliamentary elections pending constitutional reforms as acting President Sadyr Japarov moves to consolidate power. Elections had been set for December 20, but Japarov seeks to amend the constitution so he can run.

​Sri Lanka: A majority of the country’s Parliament voted to approve a constitutional amendment expanding the powers of the president (AP), reversing previous reforms aimed at curtailing authoritarianism.

Middle East and North Africa
U.S. Sanctions Iran Over Election Interference
The United States sanctioned five Iranian groups (Al Jazeera) it said attempted to interfere in the U.S. presidential election. The groups include the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the IRGC’s elite Quds Force. Iran denies the accusations.

​Israel/Sudan: The two countries are reportedly nearing a deal (Times of Israel) to normalize relations, which would make Sudan the third Arab country to do so this year, after Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

Sub-Saharan Africa
Ivorian Opposition Rejects Election Concessions
Opposition candidates in the Ivory Coast rejected concessions (AFP) offered by the government in its attempt to end their boycott of the country’s presidential elections. At least seven people have been killed in recent days during preelection clashes.

Nigeria: In a televised address, President Muhammadu Buhari called for an end to countrywide protests (Guardian) against police brutality, but did not comment on security forces’ shooting of protesters. Buhari said young people should instead engage with the government to resolve the unrest.

​CFR’s John Campbell explains the protests in Nigeria.

Europe
U.S.: Russian Hackers Targeted State, Local Governments
The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency announced that state-sponsored Russian hackers have targeted state and local government systems (RFE/RL) ahead of the U.S. presidential election. The agencies said there was no evidence that election data was compromised nor aviation, education, or government operations disrupted, but warned that the hackers could be seeking access for future cyberattacks.

​Poland: Police used pepper spray on hundreds of people protesting a recent court decision that almost completely bans abortions (BBC).

Americas
Mexico Reaches Water Deal With U.S.
Mexico reached an agreement to honor a 1944 water-sharing agreement (Reuters) with the United States, Mexico City announced. A drought in northern Mexico has raised concerns about the country being able to meet its obligations.

Canada/China: Beijing warned Canadian lawmakers (Guardian) to stop their “blatant interference” in its internal affairs after a Canadian parliamentary committee found that China’s oppression of Muslim Uighurs in the Xinjiang region constituted genocide and called for sanctions.

​This CFR Backgrounder explains China’s repression of Uighurs in Xinjiang.

United States
Trump, Biden Offer Competing Visions in Final Debate
President Donald J. Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden clashed over a range of issues, including the coronavirus pandemic and the U.S. response to election interference, during the final presidential debate (NYT). The candidates touched on foreign policy issues, including how to handle China (NYT) and North Korea. Trump defended his personal diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, while Biden said he would focus on making China abide by international rules.

CFR tracks the candidates’ positions on foreign policy.

Armenian and Azerbaijani diplomats will meet separately with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington today amid waning hopes for peace (RFE/RL) in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The leaders of both Armenia and Azerbaijan have downplayed the prospects for a diplomatic solution.

Global
U.S. Signs International Declaration Challenging Abortion Rights
The United States joined Brazil, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, and Uganda in sponsoring a nonbinding antiabortion declaration (WaPo). The other cosponsors have severe abortion restrictions. Secretary Pompeo declared that there is no international right to abortion.
Friday Editor’s Pick
GQ examines the CIA’s lack of response to a mysterious Russian weapon thought to have incapacitated U.S. diplomats and spies worldwide.
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