Biden Announces Advanced Rocket Systems for Ukraine in Op-ed

The United States agreed to send (WaPo) Ukraine advanced rocket systems that can strike targets nearly fifty miles away. The announcement came after Kyiv pledged not to use the weapons for cross-border strikes on Russian territory, an unnamed U.S. official said.

In a New York Times op-ed, U.S. President Joe Biden said the decision was related to the U.S. goal of fostering “a democratic, independent, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine with the means to deter and defend itself against further aggression.” Biden echoed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s comments that the war “will only definitely end through diplomacy,” saying U.S. weapons support seeks to strengthen Ukraine’s negotiating position. He also wrote that he will not pressure Ukraine to make territorial concessions to Russia.

Analysis

“Neither side is ready for a negotiation at this point. They are waiting for the outcome on the battlefield,” CFR Board Member Stephen J. Hadley tells a CFR meeting.

“The [U.S. weapons announcement] illustrates the careful balance Washington is trying to strike to help Ukraine make decisive gains on the battlefield while trying to avoid drawing [the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)] into a larger conflict,” the Financial Times’ Felicia Schwartz writes.

Pacific Rim

Shanghai Reopens After Two-Month COVID-19 Lockdown

While the Chinese city’s twenty-five million residents will no longer be confined to their homes, indoor dining is still banned (Nikkei) and some stores, such as supermarkets, will open gradually.

Australia: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appointed a record ten women (SMH) to his twenty-three-member cabinet.

South and Central Asia

Afghan Taliban Broker Talks Between Pakistani Government, Militant Group

Pakistani authorities and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, sometimes referred to as the Pakistani Taliban, are expected to announce (Express Tribune) an indefinite cease-fire following the latest round of talks in Kabul.

India: A government agency that investigates economic crimes summoned (PTI) Sonia Gandhi, the president of the opposition Congress party, and her son, lawmaker Rahul Gandhi, for questioning in a money laundering probe.

Middle East and North Africa

Russian Foreign Minister Meets With Gulf Officials

Russia’s foreign ministry said that during a meeting in Riyadh, the Russian and Saudi foreign ministers praised (Bloomberg) the level of bilateral cooperation through OPEC+, which consists of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its oil-producing allies.

This Backgrounder looks at OPEC in a changing world.

U.S./Israel/Palestinian territories: On a call with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas criticized the United States’ “silence” (Axios) on recent Israeli actions, according to a Palestinian readout. Abbas cited what he called attacks at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound as one of the actions.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Largest Hospital in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region Suspends Services

After eighteen months of war, the hospital suspended regular operations (BBC) due to power outages and lack of medicine.

South Africa: Authorities extended a tax reduction (City Press) on fuel until the end of August in an effort to counteract rising prices exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.

Europe

Denmark Holds Referendum on Joining EU Defense Policy

Denmark is currently the only member of the European Union (EU) that does not participate (CNN, Reuters) in the bloc’s common security and defense policy.

This Backgrounder explains how the EU works.

Americas

Canada’s British Columbia to Temporarily Allow Possession of Some Drugs

The three-year permission allows adults in the province to carry small amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine, and opioids. The move aims to address (CBC) an overdose crisis that escalated amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mexico: The country’s president banned the sale (AP) of e-cigarettes. Mexico had prohibited their import in October.

United States

California’s Reparations Task Force to Release Report on Harms of Slavery

The report will recommend actions (AP) including expanding voter registration, improving Black neighborhoods, and creating an office that documents people’s eligibility for compensation.

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