Global Geopolitical Series: Key updates from across the world

Here are some key events to keep a tab on,

• Russia-Israel- Syria: Russia, Iran, and Turkey to join Astana process to discuss setting up the future constitution of Syria. In a setback to the United States, the European Union has thrown its weight behind the discussion by joining the Astana process last month. On the other hand, the United States on last Friday, for the first time ever opposed the UN General Assembly’s annual call on Israel to return the Golan Heights to Syria even though it has not accepted Israel’s annexation of the strategic area. In the latest turn of events, the United States has imposed sanctions on several Iranian and Russian individuals, as well as entities over oil supplies to the Syrian government, which according to the U.S. reaches the hands of terrorists and used to fund operations. Russia condemned the move saying that U.S. actions strengthened the hands of terrorists.
   
• Korean Peninsula: South Korea and the United States are expected to launch a key consultative body to speed up denuclearization and coordinate the tempo of sanctions on North Korea. Seoul's top nuclear envoy, Lee Do-hoon, left for Washington, D.C. on Monday to meet with Stephen Biegun, a State Department official in charge of Korea affairs. Lee issued no departure statement. Last, to last week, North Korea reportedly tested a new modern tactical weapon under the supervision of leader Kim Jong-Un. According to reports, South Korea is desperately seeking to formally end the Korean war by the end of the year, despite stalled nuclear talks.
   
• Palestine - Israel: The fighting is once again intensifying along the Gaza border as well as unrest in the West Bank. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under pressure at home for his failure to come up with a strategic solution to bring peace in the Gaza region. On the other hand, the United States has threatened "consequences" as Palestinians step up efforts for statehood demanding accession to almost a dozen international bodies and conventions. The threat came after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas signed the documents to join the Universal Postal Union, a UN agency that coordinates international postage, and 10 international protocols and conventions. In the latest turn of events, Israel has rearrested Jerusalem governor Adnan Ghaith in a raid in the occupied city on Sunday, which was slammed by Palestinian leaders.
   
• Turkey-United States: Tensions eased between Ankara and Washington as Pastor Branson was finally released by the Turkish court. In the aftermath of Pastor’s release, both Ankara and Washington have dropped sanctions on senior officials. Currently, the two government are working closely on Khashoggi murder at Saudi Consulate, also to improve bilateral ties. However, as the U.S. president released a statement in support of U.S. - Saudi ties, Turkey accused the United States of overlooking the murder of the prominent reporter.
   
• Trade war: The U.S., Canada, and Mexico reached an agreement to reform the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The United States has imposed tariffs on $250 billion worth of trade. China has retaliated in response with tariffs on $110 billion worth of goods. Recently, President Trump has indicated in a tweet that he has personally talked with Chinese President Xi Jinping and the deal is coming along nicely. Chinese media has also confirmed the talk and suggested that both Presidents have agreed to cooperate to resolve disputes. However, according to the latest reports, the possibility of an agreement still remains far off idea. In evidence to that, leaders at the APEC meeting failed to secure a joint statement due to wide gaps between China and the United States on various topics including trade.
   
• 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. In addition to that, there have been accusations that China has used spy chips to infiltrate U.S. companies like Intel, Google, Microsoft, as well as the United States military contractors. In a speech Vice President Mike Pence and in an interview, President Trump has described China as the number one enemy of the United States. President Trump is expected to meet President Xi at the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Argentina. However, in the latest turn of events, leaders at the APEC meeting failed to secure a joint statement due to wide gaps between China and the United States on various topics including trade.
   
• Missing reporter at Saudi consulate: The geopolitical tensions surrounding the missing Saudi Journalist, a writer for the Washington Post continue to simmer as Saudi Arabia is being widely accused of assassinating the journalist at its consulate in Turkey, over his negative views and writings with regard to the Saudi Royal family, especially the new crown prince Mohammad bin Salman. He was a renowned Middle East journalists with an expertise on dreaded terrorist Osama bin Laden. He vanished on October 2nd, and currently feared to be murdered. Last week, Saudi Journalist Jamal Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to finalize his divorce, so he can be married to his fiancée who was waiting outside the consulate. According to her account and released CCTV footage by Turkey shows that Khashoggi entered the consulate but never came out. However, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince called the accusation a conspiracy theory and added that the journalist left the consulate shortly after entering. U.S. President Donald Trump though not very eager to cancel an arms deal with Saudi Arabia warned of severe consequences of the allegations are proven to be true. Saudi Arabia has also promised to retaliate if sanctions are imposed over Khashoggi’s disappearance. Saudi Arabia finally accepted that the murder of the reporter was premeditated. Turkish President Recep Tayipp Erdogan has called for the extradition of 18 people who were involved.  Saudi Arabia has refused the request. Despite international pressure, Khashoggi’s body remains yet to be found. In the latest turn of event, Turkey announced that it has shared the alleged murder tape with European and North American NATO allies. Canada has confirmed that it has indeed received the tape. The United States has also received the tape. President Trump said that the audio suggests that Mr. Khashoggi suffered brutal and vicious death. President Trump released a statement saying that the United States stands with its long-term ally Saudi Arabia over the incident.
   
• Brexit: Over the weekend, in a summit, the European leaders approved the current Brexit agreement reached between the UK and EU’s chief negotiator Michael Barnier and called on the UK parliament to approve it. Spain has also reportedly reached an agreement with both the UK and the EU over Gibraltar.
   
• Russia-Ukraine: Fresh round of tensions sparked between Russia and Ukraine over maritime access to the Sea of Kiev through Kerch Strait. The weekend saw the worst confrontation between the two neighbors since Russia’s annexation of Crimea back in 2014. According to reports, the incident involved a chase, some gunfire, and fighter jets, followed by strong statements from Moscow and Kiev. According to reports, around 4:00 GMT on Sunday, two artillery boats and a tugboat belonging to the Ukrainian navy reportedly crossed into Russian maritime border and approached the Kerch Strait. According to Russia, these vessels had not followed the procedure. The Russian officers repeatedly asked the Ukrainian vessels to leave Russia's territorial waters, but they ignored those requests. The ships also entered waters that had been temporarily closed to navigation. Russia then blocked the only passage through the Kerch Strait using a bulk carrier, which were accompanied by other security vessels. Soon several Russian fighter jets joined force; Ka-52 gunship along with Su-25 strike fighters. As the Ukrainian vessels continued their journey approaching the bridge, Russian vessels finally opened fire, which was followed by tense moments of the chase and finally seizure of these three boats.