LA ROYAL NAVY E LA SOSTENIBILITA’

FOCUS

• May 30, 2022. By Dr Sarah Ashbridge and Major Alistair Beard, RUSI. The latest Greening Defence commentary examines how the Royal Navy is quietly but ambitiously setting the conditions for a greener fleet and support infrastructure, both now and in the future. Longer-term, a sustainable source of fuel must be prioritised. Greening Defence: Transforming the Royal Navy for a Climate-Affected World

THINK TANKS & GLOBAL NEWS

HORIZONS

• May 30, 2022. By IAEA. The IAEA is playing an active role in assisting countries to access the many beneficial applications of nuclear science and technology in key health areas, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said to the 75th World Health Assembly (WHA), which convened in Geneva last week. In a video address to the WHA – the decision making body of the World Health Organization (WHO) – Mr Grossi re-affirmed the IAEA’s continued close cooperation with WHO in areas such as cancer, nutrition and zoonotic diseases. Most recently, in February, the two organizations emphasized their ongoing efforts to jointly reduce the global inequity in access to cancer care, within the context of the IAEA’s Rays of Hope initiative and WHO cancer care initiatives. 75th World Health Assembly: IAEA Highlights Nuclear Techniques for Health
• May 30, 2022. By Euripides Evriviades, RUSI. Are we in a Second Cold War? And is this new Cold War more dangerous than the old one? Are the Russians seriously contemplating using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine, as we are repeatedly told? The New Cold War and Ukraine
• May 30, 2022. By Emma De Angelis, Demi Starks and Edward Mortimer, RUSI. Two counter-extremism experts revisit their international fieldwork on radicalisation, gender and countering violent extremism. Episode 7: Investigating Radicalisation, Gender and Violent Extremism

DEFENSE – MILITARY

• May 30, 2022. By Tayfun Ozberk , Naval News. The U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) announced its intention to start talks with Boeing on the production of Harpoon Coastal Defence Cruise Missiles (HCDCM). US Navy to order Harpoon Coastal Defence Missiles from Boeing
• May 30, 2022. By Kalpit A. Mankikar, ORF. A famous general once said, the soldier is the army and no army is better than its soldiers. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) seems to be ruminating on this axiom and is pulling out all the stops to create wolf warriors in real life too. China seeks to create military icons to win future wars
• May 30, 2022. By Naval News. USS Sioux City (LCS 11) arrived in the U.S. 5th Fleet region May 28, marking the first time a littoral combat ship has deployed to the Middle East. LCS-11 makes 1st LCS deployment to the Middle East
• May 30, 2022. By Naval News. The Russian Navy frigate “Admiral Gorshkov” conducted a new test firing of the Tsirkon hypersonic missile in the Barents Sea on May 28, 2022. Russian Admiral Gorshkov frigate test-fires Tsirkon missile
• May 30, 2022. By Naval News. Turkey’s Meteksan announced that its MILSAR synthetic aperture and moving target indicator radar (SAR/MTI) successfully detected mines drifting in the Black Sea. Turkey’s MILSAR Radar Used to Detect Drifting Mines

AROUND THE WORLD

Americas

• May 30, 2022. By Souravie Ghimiray, Vivek Mishra, ORF. Now that the Russia–Ukraine war has entered a somewhat predictable course and any outcome seems long term, the US has scrambled to return its focus to other priority areas—the North and South Americas being one of them. The Summit of the Americas: From ‘maximum pressure’ to calculated engagement

Belt and Road Initiative

• May 27, 2022. By Francesca Ghiretti, Jacob Mardell, Johannes Heller-John, MERICS. Rail freight between China and Europe is probably the main symbol of the Belt and Road Initiative for many in Europe. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, however, the steady flow of trains and goods has been disrupted. In this episode will look the impacts of the war in Ukraine on the BRI, how China is changing and adapting the BRI, and what that means for decision makers in Europe.  The BRI and the war in Ukraine, with Francesca Ghiretti and Jacob Mardell

Brazil

• May 30, 2022. By World Nuclear News. Brazil’s Nuclebrás Equipamentos Pesados (Nuclep) and Eletronuclear have signed a Term of Commitment for the manufacture and delivery of new heat exchangers for the Angra 3 plant in a contract said to exceed BRL400 million (USD84 million). Nuclep, Eletronuclear sign Angra 3 heat exchangers agreement : New Nuclear

China

• May 30, 2022. By Zhang Hongpei, Global Times. With local governments announcing measures to boost the COVID-hit auto market, car sales in China, the world’s largest auto market, are expected to accelerate in the second half of the year, and full-year sales are unlikely to fall from the previous year, analysts said on Monday. China’s auto sector expects better H2 sales, as local govts move to boost consumption
• May 30, 2022. By Yin Yeping, Global Times. Chinese mainland-based semiconductor companies and industry analysts have refuted claims of alleged “illegal” headhunting targeting Taiwan-based companies, in response to a recent probe by Taiwan authorities of 10 mainland-based firms. Mainland chips companies refute Taiwan’s probe over alleged violation of local regulations
• May 30, 2022. By Global Times. Foreign-invested enterprises have generally given China’s business environment high marks, including sound infrastructure, impartial market competition conditions and largely satisfactory macroeconomic and regulatory policies, a report released by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) said on Monday. Foreign-invested enterprises generally rate China’s business environment as sound: report

China – Europe

• May 30, 2022. By Gregor Sebastian, François Chimits, MERICS. Europe is now the main target for electric vehicle exports from China – a trend that has benefited greatly from Chinese market-distorting policies. Given the serious implications this could have for the European economy, the EU needs to carefully monitor the situation at home and abroad and consider the use of trade defense instruments of its own. “Made in China” electric vehicles could turn Sino-EU trade on its head

China – Japan

• May 30, 2022. By Global Times. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement boosted Chinese exports to Japan in the first four months of the year, a major Chinese trade group said on Monday, underscoring the massive benefits of the trade pact for regional and global industries. Japan top destination for RCEP certificates of origin in Jan-Apr: trade group

China – Pakistan

• May 30, 2022. By Global Times. The Karot hydropower project, a major energy tie-up under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), would provide Pakistan with stable and affordable energy and improve the South Asian nation’s energy structure, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Monday. Karot hydropower project under CPEC to offer Pakistan stable, affordable energy: FM

China – Tonga

• May 30, 2022. By Li Xuanmin, Global Times. Chinese enterprises’ humanitarian aid to South Pacific island nation Tonga in the face of natural disasters and the pandemic has demonstrated the genuine friendship between China and South Pacific countries and given the world an example of building a community with a shared future for mankind, Chinese businesses said, amid Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s ongoing visit to the region. China, Tonga are examples of ‘building a community with shared future’, long-term Chinese investments dwarf US, Australia

Egypt

• May 30, 2022. By Middle East Eye. Egyptian judicial authorities on Sunday ordered the release of a number of political prisoners as part of a presidential pardon, lawyers and activists said. Egypt: Prosecutor orders release of several political prisoners
• May 30, 2022. By Al-Monitor. The Egyptian army seems to have recently changed its strategy in the face of jihadist groups after armed militants repeatedly attacked the army forces in the Sinai Peninsula over the past few days. Egyptian army changes strategy in war against terrorism in Sinai
• May 30, 2022. By Ahmed Elleithy, Al-Monitor. Egypt’s authorities are drawing on a gradual tightening of monetary policy in a bid to contain inflation and sustain economic growth. The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has raised overnight interest rates by 3% since March 21, seeking measures to ease the repercussions of the Russia-Ukraine war, which has rattled the global economy since February. How interest rate hikes affect Egypt’s economy

India – Russia – China

• May 30, 2022. By Rajaram Panda, VIF. Russia and China have developed a strong understanding after Russia launched its special military operation on 24 February 2022 in Ukraine. This single Russian military action has injected a huge dramatic turnaround in the diplomatic initiatives and foreign policy fronts in many countries of the world. While talks about NATO’s expansion with possible induction of Sweden and Finland have unnerved President Putin of Russia, some Scandinavian countries have already abandoned their policy of pacifism. Major powers particularly the 4-member Quad grouping have too activated their dialogue process on regional security issues. Should India Worry about Russia-China partnership post-Ukraine Crisis?

India – Taiwan

• May 30, 2022. By Abhijit Mukhopadhyay, ORF. Taiwan and India look to bolster their economic & trade bilateral engagement as both the countries commenced negotiations on the India–Taiwan FTA. India–Taiwan FTA in the making

Iran

• May 30, 2022. By IRNA. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy Mehdi Safari said on Monday that the personnel of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the Department of Economic Diplomacy, are determined to take steps to enhance cooperation between Iran and neighboring countries. Iran determined to enhance cooperation with neighboring countries: Deputy FM

• May 30, 2022. By IRNA. Ways for expanding relations between Iran and Afghanistan on Afghan refugees were discussed in a meeting between Deputy Ambassador of Iran in Kabul Hassan Mortazavi and Afghan Acting Minister of Refugees Khalil-ur-Rahman Haqqani. Tehran, Kabul cooperate on Afghan refugees

Iran – Pakistan 

• May 30, 2022. By IRNA. Head of Sistan and Baluchestan Province Industry, Mine and Trade said on Monday that the capacity of trade between Iran and Pakistan is at least $5b. Iran-Pakistan trade cooperation capacity at least $5b: Official

Iran – Qatar

• May 30, 2022. By IRNA. Iran and Qatar maritime officials met in Tehran on Monday to confer on the expansion of ports and maritime cooperation for increasing bilateral trade. Iran, Qatar expand ports & maritime cooperation

Iran – South Africa

• May 30, 2022. By IRNA. Ambassador of South Africa in Tehran Vika Mazwi Khumaloa said on Monday that his country is ready to expand bilateral trade ties with Iran. S. Africa calls for bolstering trade ties with Iran

Iran – Syria

• May 30, 2022. By IRNA. Syrian Ambassador to Tehran Shafiq Dayoub said here on Monday that Syria has been trying to strengthen trade relations over the past year, and the double increase in trade volume between Iran and Syria has been the result of this prospect. Syria calls for boosting trade ties with Iran: Syrian envoy
• May 30, 2022. By IRNA. Syrian Ambassador in Iran Shafiq Dayoub said that over the last year, Syria has been trying to reinforce trade relations with Iran. Envoy: Damascus keen on reinforcing trade ties with Tehran – IRNA English
• May 30, 2022. By IRNA. The Islamic Republic of Iran’s private sector is prepared to cooperate with Syrians in reconstruction projects and investments, an Iranian official said. Iran private sector ready to participate in Syria reconstruction: Official

Iran – Tajikistan

• May 30, 2022. By IRNA. Iran and Tajikistan on Monday inked 17 cooperation documents in various fields including political, economic, trade and tourism. Iran, Tajikistan ink 17 cooperation documents in various fields

Ireland

• May 30, 2022. By Middle East Eye. Dublin’s Special Criminal Court on Monday found former Irish soldier Lisa Smith guilty of joining the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria. Ireland court finds ex-soldier Lisa Smith guilty of joining IS

Israel

• May 30, 2022. By Middle East Eye. Israel’s National Security Council has warned its citizens against travelling to Turkey over fears of Iranian revenge attacks in the wake of the assassination of a high-ranking commander in Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) last week. Israel warns against travel to Turkey over Iranian retaliation fears

Jordan

• May 30, 2022. By Areeb Ullah, Middle East Eye. A religious order founded by an American Sufi scholar linked to a senior Jordanian prince has been accused of abusive treatment and physical punishment of children. Jordan: Sufi community led by US scholar faces child abuse complaints

Kurdistan

• May 30, 2022. By Dler S. Mohammed, Kurdistan 24. Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani received a delegation from Japan’s International Cooperation Agency (JICA) led by its Chief Representative, Gen Yoneda, in his office in Erbil on Monday.  JICA Chief Representative briefs PM Barzani on agency’s projects in Kurdistan Region
• May 30, 2022. By Kurdistan 24. Spark, a Dutch-funded non-governmental organization (NGO), organized the second Peace Through Moderation Conference, focused on youth radicalization and violent extremism, on Monday. Dutch-funded conference emphasizes importance of youth for countering radicalization
• May 30, 2022. By Kurdistan 24. Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has allocated over 356 billion Iraqi dinars (approximately $244,000) for water projects across the Kurdistan Region. PM Barzani allocates more than $240,000 for water projects across Kurdistan Region
• May 30, 2022. By Dler S. Mohammed, Kurdistan 24. The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Shiite Lebanese Hezbollah militia are working together, the Kurdistan Region Deputy Minister of Peshmerga Sarbast Lazgin told Kurdistan 24 on Sunday. ‘PKK allied and working with Iraqi PMF and Lebanese Hezbollah’: Deputy Peshmerga Minister
• May 30, 2022. By Kurdistan 24. Two more Turkish soldiers have been killed in the Turkish military’s ongoing campaign against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in the Kurdistan Region, the Turkish defense ministry and state media have reported.  2 Turkish soldiers killed in Kurdistan Region

Libya

• May 30, 2022. By The Libya Observer. The Waha Oil Company, an affiliate of the state-run oil corporation (NOC), has announced that ten wells would be brought on line following successful work-overs during the past period. Waha Oil Co. activates ten oil wells boosting production by 3,500 barrels per day
• May 30, 2022. By The Libya Observer. The Chief of the General Staff of the Libyan Army, Mohamed Al-Haddad, received on Sunday representatives of various civil movements who are advocating for a new parliamentary election to end the incumbent legislative bodies. Al-Haddad meets activists advocating for parliamentary elections, vows to back their demands
• May 30, 2022. By The Libya Observer. A force affiliated with Khalifa Haftar’s militias has been roaming the desert town of Qatrun, south of Libya, under the pretext of searching for “wanted” people, a local source who spoke on the anonymous condition has confirmed. Tebu concerned over suspicious movements  in Qatrun
• May 30, 2022. By The Libya Observer. Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Libyan Iron and Steel company, Mohamed Al-Faqih, has pledged to support efforts aimed at enhancing cooperation with Italy in the iron and steel industry. Iron and Steel company looks forward to further cooperation with Italy

Russia – Ukraine (on the ground, impact)

• May 30, 2022. By Emanuela-Chiara Gillard, Chatham House. Sanctions play a major role in the response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The United Nations (UN) has not imposed sanctions, but an important number of states have done so. They have imposed a wide array of restrictions and the number of targeted – or ‘designated’ – persons is unprecedented. Sanctions must not prevent humanitarian work in Ukraine
• May 30, 2022. By Eva Cossé, Klara Funke, HRW. Since Russia’s February invasion of Ukraine, reports have surfaced of people directing anger over the war at Russians, Belarussians, and Ukrainians living in their own communities. Incidents targeting Russians or people speaking Russian have been widely reported in the media. Ukraine War Sparks Hate Crimes in Germany

Sri Lanka – China

• May 30, 2022. By Aditya Gowdara Shivamurthy, ORF. As the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka turns grave, the people of the island state have continued to demand President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation. Much of this anger against the Rajapaksas’ economic mismanagement and populist policies seems justifiable. But there is another reason for this crisis that remains less discussed within Sri Lanka, i.e., China. China, however, has conveniently shifted the blame to the borrower rather than the creditor. It has held Sri Lanka responsible for the depletion of its foreign exchange reserves and long-term economic mismanagement vis-à-vis unsustainable project proposals and borrowings. The Sri Lankan Crisis: The curious case of China’s complicity

Syria

• May 30, 2022. By  Wladimir van Wilgenburg, Kurdistan 24. Syrian government and Iranian-backed armed groups deployed forces in villages and towns in northern Aleppo following Turkish threats, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on Monday.  Syrian government and Iran-backed groups send reinforcements to northern Aleppo following Turkish threats: SOHR
• May 30, 2022. By Wladimir van Wilgenburg, Kurdistan 24. The media centre of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Sunday said that the group is taking necessary measures after Turkish threats to launch a new operation in northeast Syria. SDF ‘taking necessary measures’ in face of Turkish threats

Turkey

• May 30, 2022. By World Nuclear News. Construction has begun of the foundation slab for the turbine building of unit 4 at the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey. Work starts on Akkuyu 4 turbine building : New Nuclear

USA

• May 30, 2022. By World Nuclear News. The “vast majority” of uranium delivered in the USA in 2021 was of foreign origin, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Uranium inventory held by US brokers and traders has grown for the second consecutive year, and has almost tripled since 2019. US brokers and traders increase uranium inventories : Uranium & Fuel

Le interviste di The Science of Where Magazine

• MODULARE LE TECNOLOGIE PER UN FUTURO AGRO-SOSTENIBILE. A COLLOQUIO CON TIM BENTON (CHATHAM HOUSE)