NATO Leaders to Discuss China, Ukraine War at Madrid Summit

Leaders of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries are expected to label China (Bloomberg) a “systemic challenge” in a ten-year strategy document to be released at their two-day summit in Madrid. The last version, published in 2010, did not mention China. Ahead of the summit, NATO members urged Turkey to remove its veto on letting Finland and Sweden join the alliance.

The summit comes after (NYT) a Russian missile strike on a shopping mall in central Ukraine killed at least eighteen people and in the wake of a Russian cyberattack (Reuters) on Lithuanian government websites. NATO leaders are expected to greenlight a troop increase (NYT) on NATO’s eastern front in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Analysis

“Of the many important ripple effects of the war in Ukraine, the growing rupture between China and Europe is perhaps the least appreciated,” CFR’s Ian Johnson writes for Foreign Affairs.

“American and European leaders may well spend the next days lauding the miraculous recovery of the trans-Atlantic alliance. Yet far from a panacea, America’s support amounts to a Band-Aid covering Europe’s biggest disagreements on defense,” the Atlantic Council’s Emma Ashford writes for the New York Times.

This In Brief discusses how NATO will change if Finland and Sweden become members.

Pacific Rim

China Shortens COVID-19 Quarantine Period for International Travelers

They will now be required (SCMP) to spend seven days at a government quarantine facility instead of fourteen, followed by three days in home isolation.

Australia: The country’s Pacific minister announced that Australia will establish a school (Reuters) to train defense and security forces from Pacific Island countries. The move comes as China aims to increase security ties with the region.

For Foreign Affairs, Charles Edel discusses China’s growing sway over Pacific Island nations.

South and Central Asia

Press Freedom Groups Criticize Arrest of Indian Journalist

Indian authorities arrested Mohammed Zubair (The Hindu), a prominent critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for Twitter posts that allegedly broke laws (WaPo) regarding the “maintenance of harmony” and offended “religious feelings.”

India/Pakistan: In May, a Pakistani court quietly sentenced a militant linked to the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks to fifteen years in jail for unrelated terrorism-financing charges, the Associated Press reported.

Middle East and North Africa

Macron: Saudi Arabia, UAE Are Near Limits of Oil Production

French President Emmanuel Macron said Mohamed bin Zayed, crown prince of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), told him the UAE is “at maximum” output (Bloomberg) and that Saudi Arabia can only quickly add around 150,000 barrels per day.

This timeline traces U.S. oil dependence and foreign policy.

Iran: The country submitted an application (Reuters) to join the BRICS grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, an Iranian official said.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Sudanese Army Attacks Ethiopian Troops in Disputed Border Area

The army reportedly captured (Sudan Tribune) dozens of Ethiopian troops. The attack comes days after Sudan accused Ethiopian forces of killing seven Sudanese soldiers.

Nigeria: President Muhammadu Buhari swore in (Al Jazeera) a new chief justice. The previous one resigned following the leak of a memo in which the justice’s colleagues accused him of failing to address their welfare concerns.

Europe

G7 Countries Pledge Over $4.5 Billion to Address Food Insecurity

More than half of the funding will come from the United States, the White House said. Group of Seven (G7) countries aim to address rising global food prices amid Russia’s war in Ukraine.

This In Brief explains how the war is jeopardizing food security in the Middle East.

Americas

U.S. Envoy Visits Venezuela

The U.S. ambassador to Venezuela will meet with (Bloomberg) representatives of the Venezuelan government and the opposition to encourage ongoing negotiations between the two sides.

Ecuador: The government and Indigenous protesters began talks (EFE) on lowering fuel prices and protesters’ other demands.

United States

Forty-Six Migrants Found Dead in Truck in Texas

San Antonio police said the truck was part of (CNN) “an alleged human smuggling event.” Sixteen people were found alive and taken to health-care facilities.

Council on Foreign Relations

58 East 68th Street — New York, NY 10065

1777 F Street, NW — Washington, DC 20006

Shop the CFR Store

Forward This Email

Manage Your Email Preferences