Daily News Brief

September 28, 2022

Top of the Agenda

European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called simultaneous leaks (WaPo) in the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines between Russia and Europe “utterly unacceptable.” While investigations of the leaks are in their early stages, Borrell said all evidence points to a deliberate disruption. The Council of the European Union warned of “a robust and united response” to any possible sabotage.

Denmark’s defense minister said it could take a week or two (FT) to carry out the investigations. Danish and Swedish seismologists detected underwater explosions (NPR) shortly before the leaks began, though neither pipeline was in operation at the time. Separately, Russia’s state gas company Gazprom signaled it could reduce gas supplies flowing to Europe through Ukraine if Swiss arbitrations against the company continue.

Analysis

“These apparent explosions near Nord Stream just highlights again that we have moved from a situation of relative stability in the war in Ukraine back into a period of high escalation risks,” the Stimson Center’s Emma Ashford tweets.

 
“There are a number of uncertainties, but if these pipelines fail, the impact to the climate will be disastrous and could even be unprecedented,” the Clean Air Task Force’s David McCabe tells Reuters.

Pacific Rim

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and climate envoy John Kerry will meet (AP) with more than a dozen Pacific Island leaders and representatives in Washington today to discuss potential U.S. climate assistance to the region. The leaders will meet with President Joe Biden tomorrow. 

CFR’s Zongyuan Zoe Liu discusses U.S.-China tensions in the South Pacific. 

Japan: In Tokyo, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris informed tech executives (Nikkei) about subsidies they could receive if they invest in U.S. chip manufacturing under the new CHIPS and Science Act.

South and Central Asia

Afghanistan’s acting commerce and industry minister told Reuters that the Taliban made a provisional agreement to purchase gasoline, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas, and wheat from Russia.

India: The central government declared (The Hindu) the Popular Front of India (PFI), a Muslim political group, an unlawful organization for alleged links to terrorist groups. The ban comes after more than a hundred PFI members were arrested in raids last week.

Middle East and North Africa

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was named prime minister (The Guardian) in a royal decree. Legal experts say the designation could shield bin Salman from a U.S. lawsuit over his alleged role in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Yemen: After meeting with Yemen’s internationally recognized government and the Houthi rebels, the UN envoy to the country warned (AP) that the warring parties could resume fighting. A monthslong cease-fire is due to expire on October 2.

This Backgrounder unpacks the conflict in Yemen.

Sub-Saharan Africa

A trial opened today (AFP) for former Guinean dictator Moussa Dadis Camara and ten codefendants over their alleged involvement in a 2009 massacre at a political rally.

DRC: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) declared an end (East African) to an Ebola outbreak that emerged six weeks ago in the country’s east.

Europe

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said a massive tax cut package announced by the new government of the United Kingdom (UK) threatens to fuel inflation (FT). The British pound fell upon the announcement of the cuts last week.

Americas

Hurricane Ian caused an island-wide power outage (CNN) after making landfall in Cuba. It has intensified (AP) to nearly a Category 5 hurricane and is expected to hit Florida later today.

Mexico: The prosecutor leading a probe into the 2014 disappearance of forty-three students resigned (Reuters) over disagreements about the investigation process, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said.

United States

The Biden administration opted to maintain that target (AP) even though fewer than 20,000 refugees have been admitted during the current fiscal year, which ends on Friday. That total does not include the roughly 180,000 Ukrainians and Afghans admitted to the country for a two-year humanitarian parole period.

This Backgrounder explains the U.S. refugee system.

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