Global Geopolitical Series: Key updates from across the world

Here are some key events to keep a tab on,

• Russia-Israel- Syria: 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. There have been greater discussions over Syria at the last week’s G20 but nothing officially has been announced.
   
• Korean Peninsula: According to reports, South Korea is desperately seeking to formally end the Korean War by the end of the year, despite stalled nuclear talks. President Trump is expected to meet Kim Jong-Un for the second round of negotiations in early 2019, where he is expected to invite Kim to the White House.
   
• Palestine - Israel: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing intense scrutiny in an alleged bribery scandal visited Brussels and met with U.S. Secretary Mike Pompeo and discussed the Middle East situation in greater details. Talks included Iran, Hezbollah, as well as peace proposals with the Palestinians.
   
• 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 United States and China have agreed to a trade war truce at the meeting between the two countries’ Presidents at the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Argentina. The two sides would engage in intense negotiations over trade and other disputes such as China’s handling of intellectual properties. The U.S. would halt the auto increase of tariffs on $200 billion Chinese goods from 10 percent to 25 percent until April 2019.  In a separate event at the G20, Canada, the United States, and Mexico signed a new North American Free Trade Agreement.
   
• 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. Turkey announced 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 stand with its long-term ally Saudi Arabia over the incident. Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, who was allegedly involved in the murder plot was in attendance at the G20 in Saudi Arabia.
   
• Brexit: Last 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. The UK parliament is expected to vote on the pact next week and this week, the European Court of Justice will release its opinion on the case whether the Uk can unilaterally invoke Article 50.
   
• 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 was 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 a chase and finally seizure of these three boats. President Trump canceled his meeting with the Russian President Vladimir Putin over the issue. President Putin, however, blamed the Ukrainian side for unnecessary aggression and called the incident as political drama to impose Marshall Law in Ukraine.
   
• French protests: The yellow vest protests in France that began as a protest against a newly imposed fuel tax has entered into its fourth week. There have been reports of violence with angry mod setting buildings and cars on fire in Paris suburbs, while Police firing tear gas and rubber bullets to deter protesters.