Daily News Brief

December 2, 2022

Top of the Agenda

The countries announced new sanctions (Reuters) on individuals linked to North Korea’s nuclear program in the wake of Pyongyang’s test-launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) last month. While North Korea has launched a record number of missile tests this year, China and Russia have repeatedly blocked the possibility (Foreign Policy) of new UN sanctions against it. 

The United States extended sanctions to three people that the European Union put on a sanctions list in April, while South Korea announced sanctions on others already on a U.S. sanctions list. Japan’s new sanctions included the Lazarus Group, which is suspected of carrying out cyberattacks. The three countries have said they will increase cooperation (Bloomberg) to respond to Pyongyang’s nuclear threat.

Analysis

“Pyongyang can escalate its missile testing program with relative impunity in a geopolitical environment characterized by deepening fissures between the United States and China and Russia,” CFR’s Scott A. Snyder writes.

“U.S. officials and their allies in East Asia have assessed that there is little, if anything, they can do to prevent North Korea from carrying out a seventh nuclear missile test, following years of diplomatic deadlock and a raft of recent ballistic missile tests,” Foreign Policy’s Robbie Gramer writes.

This Backgrounder looks at sanctions on North Korea.

Pacific Rim

The country’s legislature is expected to pass a new criminal code that would punish sex outside marriage with up to a year of jail time, officials told Reuters. Business groups have voiced concerns that it could affect Indonesia’s status as a tourist destination.

South and Central Asia

The U.S. State Department designated (PTI) three leaders from al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and one from Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan as terrorists.

India: As India took over the Group of Twenty (G20) presidency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the world’s top challenges (CNN) are climate change, terrorism, and pandemics. He also said India will seek to depoliticize global supply chains for food, fertilizer, and medical products. 

This Backgrounder discusses the role of the G20.

Middle East and North Africa

The Syrian Democratic Forces, a predominantly Kurdish rebel group, said it stopped all joint operations (Reuters) with the United States and other allies assisting its fight against the self-declared Islamic State after Turkish forces bombed areas under its control.

This timeline looks at the Kurds’ quest for independence.

Israel: Prime Minister–Designate Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly signed a coalition deal granting (Times of Israel) Bezalel Smotrich, a politician from the far-right Religious Zionist party, authority over Israeli settlements and construction by Palestinians in the West Bank.  

Sub-Saharan Africa

Top officials from South Africa’s ruling African National Congress party are expected to deliberate through the weekend (Bloomberg) over their stance on a probe of corruption allegations against President Cyril Ramaphosa. Concerns that he could resign triggered the biggest one-day selloff of African government bonds since 2015 yesterday.

South Korea/Africa: The African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said South Korea will make the first donation (AP) of vaccines for mpox, originally known as monkeypox, to the continent. Africa has recorded 202 deaths from the virus this year.

For Think Global Health, Lillian Posner and CFR’s Isabella Turilli track the 2022 mpox outbreak.

Europe

During a visit from French President Emmanuel Macron, U.S. President Joe Biden said he is willing to speak (FT) with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the war in Ukraine if Putin seeks to end the war. A Kremlin spokesperson said Putin would participate in talks if Washington accepts certain demands (Reuters).

Spain: Authorities upped security measures after letter bombs were mailed (NYT) to the prime minister’s office, the U.S. and Ukrainian embassies, and several other public buildings.

Americas

Groups including the UN refugee agency and the International Organization for Migration appealed to donors to help fund the $1.72 billion plan.

Mexico: The government announced plans to raise the minimum wage (CNN) to almost $11, a 20 percent increase, in 2023. 

United States

Both houses of Congress passed a bill (NPR) that would make an impending railroad strike illegal and force rail unions to accept a tentative deal reached with employers earlier this year. The Senate rejected a measure to offer paid sick days. President Biden is expected to sign the bill as soon as today.

Friday Editor’s Pick

Rest of World shows how the nickel extraction fueling China’s electric vehicle boom is wreaking environmental and social havoc in Indonesia.

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