Global Geopolitical Series: Key updates from across the world

Here are some key events to keep a tab on,

• Russia-Israel- Syria: After reaching an agreement over Idlib, Turkey is now under pressure to act on it and drive the extremists out of the region. In the latest rise of tensions, Moscow is blaming Israel over its indirect rose in downing a Russian military jet. Iran has launched missile attacks in Syria targeting militants, in response to an attack on its revolutionary guards' parade.
   
• Korean Peninsula: This month’s inter-Korean meeting was a huge success with military chiefs of the two countries signing a cooperation agreement and two countries jointly bidding to host the 2032 summer Olympic. Chairman Kim of North Korea has agreed to take specific steps to denuclearization such as allowing international inspectors to be present during the dismantling of nuclear sites, missile test sites etc. Another meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chairman Kim is being planned for. However, in a blow to Trump, North Korean envoy at the United Nations’ General Assembly announced that there would be no denuclearization unless the United States takes trust-worthy steps such as removing sanctions.
   
• Palestine - Israel: After intense firefighting, airstrikes and rocket fires along the Gaza border, Israel was inching closer in forging a truce agreement with Hamas over the Gaza Strip, Palestinian Authority leaders have foiled the move and the focus has now turned to solve the West Bank issue first before any truce along Gaza. As the Palestinian Authority (PA) leaders heightened the harsh rhetoric, President Trump of the United States has called of as much as $200 million aid to PA.  President Trump has also reportedly revived the confederation idea between Jordan and West Bank, which was initially proposed by King Hussain of Jordan and Yasser Arafat, the PA President. The plan was abandoned by Jordan in 1988. President Trump is also negotiating with Arab leaders to provide citizenships to Palestinian refugees living in their country. Recently, Paraguay, which had said that it would follow the U.S. footsteps in recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital by moving its embassy, scrapped the move, angering Israel which has chosen to close its embassy in Paraguay. According to the latest reports, violence has once again erupted across West Bank. Israel is likely to go ahead with its planned but controversial demolition of a Bedouin village as it has given its residents 8 days to clear area earlier this week.  Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Palestine called on countries to recognize Israel as a state which fundamentally violates the rights of children.
   
• Turkey-United States: The relations have taken a turn for the worse, as President Trump has imposed sanctions against Turkey's justice and interior ministers due to the detention of an American pastor. In response to the U.S. sanctions, Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan ordered the authorities to freeze assets of America’s justice and interior minister. However, it is unclear who that would affect, due to differing Cabinet roles in the United States than in Turkey, or if the U.S. officials even have any holdings in Turkey. President Trump has doubled the metal tariffs on Turkey citing sharp currency declines. And Erdogan responded by increasing tariffs on several U.S. goods including iPhone. Turkey is trying to warm up to Russia, and the European Union amid diplomatic crisis with the United States. In the latest move, defiant Turkey has announced that it would move ahead with the decision to purchase Russian made S400 missile defense systems, despite being a NATO ally to the United States and despite NATO’s opposition. Turkey is now spearheading the effort to forge a global alliance against U.S. economic attacks. However, the crisis continues in Turkey. In the latest move, Turkish President Erdogan has taken control of the country’s $200 billion sovereign wealth fund and its central bank sold billions of dollars’ worth of gold to improve its liquidity position. Latest reports suggest that Turkey might release the U.S. Pastor soon. Speaking at the UNGA, Turkish president Erdogan slammed the sanctions by the United States over the Pastor’s release. However, remains confident that the relationship would get over turbulent times.
   
• Trade war: President Trump has toughened his trade rhetoric towards China and Canada, after reaching an agreement with Mexico on NAFTA but not with Canada. In the latest move, China and the United States have imposed tariffs on $260 billion bilateral trade, with the U.S. imposing tariffs on $200 billion. In response to the harshened rhetoric, China canceled a security summit, where U.S. defense secretary was to attend. According to the latest reports, U.S. has reached agreements with both Canada and Mexico to save the trilateral deal known as NAFTA by implementing reforms.
   
• Saudi Arabia- Canada: Saudi Arabia has severed economic and diplomatic ties with Canada in response to Canada’s criticism of Saudi Arabia’s handling and capture of activists. Saudi Arabia ordered the expulsion of the Canadian ambassador and the halting of all new trade and investment deals between the two countries after Canada said it was gravely concerned about the recent arrests of Saudi civil society and women’s rights activists. It has also called back its diplomats from Canada. Saudi Arabia has suspended flights to Toronto as the escalation is showing no signs of abating. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced last week that Canada is engaging diplomatically with Saudi Arabia to resolve the dispute, however, no reports of any breakthrough yet. Canada tried the UNGA meetings to resolve disputes, however, no breakthrough yet as Saudi Arabia speaking to UNGA demanded official apologies from Canada over the comments and called on the country to stop testing the kingdom as a banana republic.
   
• India-Pakistan: Speaking at UNGA, Pakistan blamed India Over a school shooting in Peshawar province that took place in 2014 to counter India’s claim over the militants’ attacks in the Kashmir state of India. Both accused that in either of the cases the militants were backed by the opponent.
   
• Sweden election: Sweden in political deadlock as elections fail to deliver a decisive majority. The ruling Social Democratic Party won 101 seats in 349 members’ parliament, 12 seats less than the last election, making it the biggest party in numbers of seats won. Moderate Party came second 70 seats, 13 seats less than the last election. Sweden Democrats were the biggest winner of the night with 62 seats, 20 more than the last election. Sweden’s Centre Party won 31 seats, 9 seats more than last year. Sweden’s left won 28 seats, 7 more than the last election. Christian Democratic Party won 23 seats, which 7 more compared to the last showing. Liberals won 19 seats, same as last time, and the Green Party came last with 15 seats, 10 seats less than the last showing.  The current coalition looks like - the ruling party’s coalition has 144 seats. Moderate Party’s alliance coalition has 143 seats, which makes the Sweden Democrats the kingmaker with 62 seats. Prime Minister Stefan Lofven was ousted by the newly elected parliament. However, the opposition parties have so far failed to reach a formal deal so far.
   
• U.S. - China: In addition to the trade tensions which has increased the diplomatic friction between the two countries reached new heights as the United States announced sanctions on a Chinese military organization for buying military equipment from Russia. The purchase deal included Russian Su-35 combat aircraft and equipment related to the S-400 surface-to-air missile system. The sanction bars the organization’s access to the dollar-based financial system. China summoned U.S. ambassador to announce its opposition in the harshest manner possible.