Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed pledged to continue a military operation (AP) in the northern region of Tigray, raising the prospect of civil war despite international calls for restraint.

Federal and regional forces clashed yesterday after Abiy ordered military action in response to an alleged attack by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), once a dominant force in Ethiopian politics. An unnamed diplomat told Reuters that dozens of federal troops were killed in the first day of fighting. Telephone lines, internet, and electricity in the region have been cut off (BBC), and the central government has imposed a six-month state of emergency. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for de-escalation on Twitter, but also appeared to back Abiy’s claim that the TPLF attacked a military base.

Tensions remain high as the handful of states that will decide the presidential election continue to count (NYT) ballots. Former Vice President Joe Biden has more paths to victory than President Donald J. Trump after winning the states of Michigan and Wisconsin, but Trump’s campaign has initiated multiple lawsuits challenging vote counts. As the count proceeded yesterday, the United States recorded more than one hundred thousand new coronavirus cases, a single-day record (NYT). Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said that a new stimulus bill (WaPo) to respond to the economic turmoil caused by the pandemic should be ready by the end of the year.

In an speech during the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for countries to work together (SCMP) to address the economic challenges caused by the pandemic. He also pledged to further open China’s internet and digital economy, without giving details.

CFR’s Brad W. Setser explains how the global economy could be headed for a dark winter.

Thailand: Pro-democracy protesters plan to hold a rally (Bloomberg) this weekend after rejecting a reconciliation panel set up by the Thai parliament, calling it a “political ploy to buy time.”

CFR’s Joshua Kurlantzick and Pavin Chachavalpongpun explain the Thai protests.

India is pushing to boost ties (ThePrint) with Myanmar ahead of Myanmar’s general elections on Sunday. As part of that effort, India gifted Myanmar (FT) with a diesel-electric submarine.

Kyrgyzstan: Parliament Speaker Kanatbek Isaev said he would step down and indicated that he would join a growing field of candidates (RFE/RL) in the country’s January presidential election. He had been expected to assume presidential powers next month, when acting President Sadyr Japarov is expected to step down to run himself.

Riyadh will ease restrictions on foreign workers (Al Jazeera) next year, allowing them to change jobs and leave the country without their employer’s permission. The restrictions are part of the sponsorship system for migrant labor in several Gulf states, which ties a foreign worker’s legal status to their employer.

Israel: Israeli forces razed a village (Guardian) in the occupied West Bank, displacing seventy-three people, including forty-one children, according to the United Nations. It was the largest such displacement in recent years.

President John Magufuli was sworn in for a second five-year term (Al Jazeera). Opposition parties rejected the results of the October 28 election and called for demonstrations demanding a new election.

President Hashim Thaci confirmed that a Kosovar court has indicted him for war crimes (RFE/RL) and crimes against humanity and that he would follow through on his earlier pledge to resign. He has denied the charges.

Poland: Following weeks of protests, the government said it would delay the implementation (NYT) of a court ruling banning nearly all abortions.

At least three people died as Tropical Storm Eta, previously a hurricane, slammed Nicaragua (AP). The slow-moving storm is expected to dump huge amounts of rain on Honduras and other countries in the region, and could eventually reach Cuba.

Iran/Venezuela: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arrived in Venezuela yesterday for a tour of Latin America that will also include stops in Bolivia and Cuba. He said Tehran is looking to boost ties with Caracas (RFE/RL).