Global Geopolitical Series: Key updates from across the world

Here are some key events to keep a tab on,

• Israel-Palestine-Jerusalem: Speaking at Davos last week, President Trump once again threatened the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to cut off aid further if it refuses to get back to the negotiating table. There are reports in the media that former Secretary of the State John Kerry having secret talks with PLO leaders to counter Trump.    
   
• U.S. government shutdown: Both Republicans and Democrats agreed to avert a government shutdown but the next deadline looms on February 8th.  
   
• Saudi purge: Saudi Arabia’s detention of high profile businessmen and princes are likely coming to an end. Saudi Arabia’s billionaire Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal has reportedly been released. It is not clear at the moment, how much he had to pay for his release.
   
• Turkey-Kurds-Syria: Turkey’s President Recep Tayipp Erdogan hinted that he might expand military operations in Syria as he vowed to attack wherever there are terrorists. The Turkish army has been bombing Syrian town of Afrin, which has been a base for Kurdish militia supported by the United States.