Russia ‘Unilaterally’ Postpones Arms Control Talks
Russia “unilaterally” postponed (WSJ) a meeting with U.S. officials focused on the New START treaty on arms control, the U.S. State Department said in a statement. Russian officials have not given a reason for the delay in talks, which were set to begin in Egypt today.
Washington is seeking the resumption of nuclear weapons inspections under the treaty, which were paused in 2020 due to the pandemic. Washington called for a restart to inspections in August, but Moscow said international restrictions on Russian air travel prevented them. U.S. officials have said the talks are needed to mitigate the risk (CNN) of nuclear conflict during the war in Ukraine.
Analysis
“It is disappointing and unprofessional that Russia has suddenly canceled a meeting it said it wanted,” the Arms Control Association’s Daryl G. Kimball tells the Wall Street Journal.
“The question now is whether we are on the cusp of a new era of expanding nuclear arsenals, a more prominent role for them in geopolitics, and efforts by more countries to acquire them. Adding to the danger is the sense that the nuclear taboo against possessing or even using nuclear weapons is fading,” CFR President Richard Haass writes.
Japan: Prime Minister Kishida Fumio ordered Japan’s defense and finance ministers to make plans to increase (Kyodo) the country’s annual defense budget to 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2027. It has long been capped at 1 percent.
The militant group Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan told its fighters to carry out attacks (Dawn) across Pakistan, breaking the cease-fire declared earlier this year.
Uzbekistan: The trial of twenty-two people who joined anti-government protests in July opened in Bukhara (RFE/RL).
Middle East and North Africa
Germany, Qatar Sign Fifteen-Year Natural Gas Contract
Iran: A top official from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps acknowledged that over three hundred protesters and security force members have been killed (AFP) during two months of anti-government protests. Norway-based Iran Human Rights says authorities have killed 416 people.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Fresh Round of Congo Peace Talks Opens in Kenya
Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta is facilitating the talks, which aim to disarm militant groups (AP) in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on behalf of the East African Community regional bloc.
U.S./Cameroon: Three U.S. citizens of Cameroonian descent were detained and are being probed (Reuters) for allegedly funding separatists in Cameroon, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Europe
Russia Reportedly Asks India for Products for Critical Sectors
Moscow sent New Delhi a list of over five hundred products needed to keep its economy running, including components for cars, aircraft, and trains, Reuters reported.
Americas
Colombia Plans New Offensive Against Militants on Border
Colombia’s interior minister said he appealed to neighboring countries (Reuters) for help confronting criminal groups in its border regions. Bogotá has also announced plans for peace talks with militants who wish to disarm.
Argentina: In an effort to curb inflation, Buenos Aires announced caps (MercoPress) on fuel price increases for the next three months.
United States
Interior Department Proposes Rule on Methane Leaks From Drilling on Federal Lands
The rule would tighten limits on gas flaring (AP) and require oil and gas companies to increase their efforts to detect methane leaks. The government will accept comments on the rule through early February.
This In Brief explains how cutting methane emissions can move the needle on climate change.
