L’UNIONE EUROPEA E IL CLIMATE CHANGE

FOCUS

• June 13, 2022. By Emily Benson, Elizabeth Duncan, Grant Reynolds, CSIS. In a plenary session the second week of June, members voted on numerous climate measures that are part of the European Union’s comprehensive strategy for combating climate change. Overall, members of the European Parliament (MEPs) considered legislation for roughly half of the European Union’s ambitious Fit for 55 package, the hallmark of its climate strategy that seeks to reduce emissions by 55 percent by 2030. Eight specific proposals were considered, including the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) and relevant amendments. Climate Week in the European Union

THINK TANKS & GLOBAL NEWS

AROUND THE WORLD

Belarus

• June 14, 2022. By Interfax. Belarus has prepared an application to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the proposal has been worked out in an interagency format and endorsed by the Belarusian government, Bakhtiyor Khakimov, Russia’s special presidential representative on SCO affairs, said on Tuesday. Belarus prepares bid to join SCO – Russian presidential envoy

Egypt

• June 14, 2022. By Al-Monitor. Egypt’s Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade will stop issuing subsidy ration cards for Egyptians traveling outside the country, including those who have been abroad for more than three consecutive months, ministry adviser Amr Madkour announced June 5. Egypt revokes ration cards of half-million citizens
• June 14, 2022. By Mohamed Saied, Al-Monitor. At the first Africa Health ExCon, which kicked off in Cairo on June 5, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi recently stated that his country is not in conflict with other African countries over its share of the Nile water. Sisi noted that his country’s historical share, an estimated 55 billion cubic meters, has been unchanged over the years. Sisi lauds Egyptian water conservation programs as Nile dam progresses

Europe – Israel

• June 14, 2022. By Jonah Mandel, Al-Monitor. The European Union wants to strengthen its energy cooperation with Israel in light of Russia’s use of gas supplies to “blackmail” its members over the Ukraine conflict, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday. Facing gas ‘blackmail’ by Russia, EU turns to Israel

Iran 

• June 14, 2022. By Agence France-Presse.  Iran on Tuesday said it still believes that negotiations can succeed to revive the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, despite a recent rebuke from the UN nuclear watchdog. Iran says still believes nuclear talks can yield deal

Israel 

• June 14, 2022. By Middle East Eye. Israel‘s fragile governing coalition appeared closer to collapse on Monday after reports that a lawmaker from Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s right-wing Yamina Party said he was “no longer part” of the government. Israel: Bennett says coalition could collapse ‘in a week or two’ after MP quits
• June 14, 2022. By Middle East Eye. A senior member of Israel‘s coalition sparked anger on Tuesday after a recording was released of him saying he wished there was a button he could press to send all Palestinian citizens in Israel to Switzerland. Israel MP says he wishes there was button to get rid of Palestinian citizens

Israel – Iran

• June 13, 2022. By  Danny Citrinowicz, Atlantic Council. Israel has reportedly escalated its attacks on Iran in recent weeks. Unlike the previous government strategy, which focused on sabotaging the country’s nuclear program and assassinating its nuclear scientists, it now appears to have been extended to target other scientists and officers in charge of missile programs and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), as well as members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) Quds Force. Israel’s policy toward Iran is failing by ‘a thousand cuts.’ Here’s why

Latin America

• June 14, 2022. By UN News. Ever greater numbers of vulnerable people are risking their lives on dangerous migration routes in Latin America, forced to move by the global food security crisis that’s been made worse by spiralling inflation linked to the war in Ukraine, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said on Tuesday. Hunger in Latin America: whole continent is on the move, warns WFP

Lebanon – Israel – USA

• June 14, 2022. By Middle East Eye. Lebanon and United States energy envoy Amos Hochstein swapped counter proposals over disputed maritime borders with Israel on Tuesday, according to Lebanese officials. Lebanon and US envoy swap proposals to solve maritime dispute with Israel

Libya

• June 14, 2022. By The Libya Observer. Tobruk Port is planning to launch cruises to Turkey and other countries, the port’s administration has confirmed. Tobruk seaport set to launch cruises to Turkey
• June 14, 2022. By The Libya Observer. The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres said during the eighth meeting of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact that the terrorism threat in Africa is in fact increasing, although the overall number of deaths from terrorism has declined. “Conflict in Libya has intensified cycles of violence and terrorism”, Guterres says
• June 14, 2022. By The Libya Observer. The UN Advisor on Libya, Stephanie Williams, has confirmed that the representatives of the High Council of State (HCS) and House of Representatives (HoR) at Cairo-hosted final round of constitutional talks on 43 new articles of the draft constitution, thus now agreeing on a total of 180 articles since the start of talks. Williams says Cairo meeting attendees have agreed on 43 new articles of Libyan draft constitution

Myanmar

• June 14, 2022. By UN News. Still suffering from the devastating consequences of the February 2021 military coup, the UN rights chief said on Tuesday that the people of Myanmar remain “trapped in a cycle of poverty and displacement, human rights violations and abuses”. Myanmar: Cycle of ‘human rights violations and abuses’ continues, warns Bachelet

OPEC

• June 14, 2022. By Interfax. The estimate for supplies of liquid hydrocarbons from non-OPEC countries was 63.6 million barrels per day in 2021, a rise of 30,000 bpd from a month ago, with the forecast now at 65.74 million bpd for 2022, according to the OPEC monthly report. OPEC downgrades estimate for oil supplies from non-OPEC by 250,000 bpd to 65.74 mln bpd in 2022

Russia

• June 14, 2022. By Interfax. Russia could cut steel exports 23% in 2022, a spokesperson for NLMK , one of Russia’s biggest steel companies, told Interfax. Russia could cut steel exports 23% in 2022 – NLMK
• June 14, 2022. By Interfax. Sberbank grew its portfolio of green loans at the beginning of June to 395 billion rubles, mainly due to the financing of previously launched projects, with no new loans yet, Tatiana Zavyalova, the lender’s senior vice president for ESG, told reporters. Sberbank boosting ‘green’ financing portfolio at expense of old projects, no new loans at moment
• June 13, 2022. By Anders Åslund, Atlantic Council. Vladimir Putin’s 22-year reign has been marked by a steady decline in the goals he has set for himself and his country. He initially embraced progressive notions of domestic reform and international integration, but has since led Russia deeper and deeper into authoritarian isolation. His recent comments comparing himself to Peter the Great and boasting of plans to seize Ukrainian lands represent a new low in this depressing journey from would-be reformer to war criminal. Vladimir Putin’s dark journey from economic reformer to war criminal

Russia – Ukraine

• June 14, 2022. By  Natalia Zinets, Reuters. Ukraine said on Tuesday its forces were still holding out inside Sievierodonetsk and trying to evacuate civilians, after Russia destroyed the last bridge to the devastated eastern city in a potential turning point in one of the war’s bloodiest battles. Ukraine says troops holding out in Sievierodonetsk after last bridge destroyed
• June 14, 2022. By  Soulaimane Bakbach, Al Jazeera. A death sentence against a Moroccan citizen issued by a court in a Russia-backed breakaway region of eastern Ukraine has triggered calls for his release from his birthplace, amidst a muted response from the Moroccan government. Moroccan public push for Ukraine death sentence citizen’s release
• June 14, 2022. By Ukrinform. Russian invaders have abducted Maksym Vinnyk, Vice Principal of Kherson State University. Russian military abduct vice principal of Kherson State University – mass media
• June 14, 2022. By Ukrinform. Russian troops are opening fire on the city of Donetsk to attract military assistance and create an additional incentive for soldiers recruited from the temporarily occupied areas of Donetsk Region and Luhansk Region. Why Russians open fire on Donetsk: Center for Countering Disinformation names reasons
• June 14, 2022. By Ukrinform. The Ukrainian military have destroyed 16 Russian invaders, one tank and one helicopter in southern Ukraine. Ukrainian military destroy 16 Russian troops, tank and helicopter in southern Ukraine
• June 14, 2022. By Ukrinform. One of Russian missiles has been downed over Zolochiv, Lviv Region, leaving four civilians injured, including a child. Enemy missile downed over Lviv Region: Four civilians injured, including child

Saudi Arabia

• June 14, 2022. By Middle East Eye. A Saudi court has upheld a death sentence against teenager Abdullah al-Huwaiti, who was convicted for crimes reportedly committed when he was a minor. Saudi court upholds death sentence for man convicted as minor

South Sudan

• June 14, 2022. By UN News. Food assistance to 1.7 million people in South Sudan has been suspended, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said on Tuesday, citing a funding crunch and rising needs. South Sudan: UN humanitarians forced to cut aid to 1.7 million people
• June 14, 2022. By Al Jazeera. The United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) has suspended part of its food aid in South Sudan due to a funding shortage – heightening the risk of starvation for 1.7 million people. WFP suspends part of its food aid in South Sudan as funds dry up

Syria

• June 14, 2022. By SOHR. On Tuesday morning, explosions were heard in the vicinity of Al-Omar oil field, which houses Syria’s largest international coalition base, caused by new joint military exercises run between the International Coalition and SDF forces, during which live ammunition and heavy weapons were used. Military drills | Coalition and SDF forces conduct new military exercises at Coalition’s largest military base east of Deir Ezzor
• June 14, 2022. By SOHR. SOHR sources have reported that a patrol of the Internal Security Forces (Asayish) have carried out a raid campaign in Qarmagh village in the countryside of Ain Al-Arab/Kobani, east of Aleppo, yesterday, June 12. Raid campaign | Two Asayish members shot dead by smugglers in Ain Al-Arab/Kobani countryside
• June 14, 2022. By SOHR. Syrian Observatory activists have reported seeing Russian forces conducting a military patrol comprising three military vehicles on Tuesday morning in the western countryside of Al-Darbasiyah, reaching Abu Rasin/Zarkan countryside, north of Al-Hasakah, amid a flight of two helicopters. Russian activity in Syria | Russian forces tour northern Al-Hasakah countryside, while Russian helicopters fly over areas from Aleppo countryside frontlines to Al-Hasakah countryside
• June 14, 2022. By SOHR. In the wake of the ongoing assassinations in the southern Syrian province of Daraa, SOHR activists have reported that two people were killed by unidentified men in Daraa Al-Balad neighbourhood. Escalated assassinations in Daraa | Two civilians killed by unidentified men in Daraa Al-Balad

Turkey – Syrians

• June 14, 2022. By Levent Kemal, Middle East Eye. Life in Turkey is becoming increasingly unbearable for many of the more than 3.7 million Syrians living in the country and some are now choosing to leave rather than continue to put up with racism, joblessness and exploitation. Syrians increasingly choosing to leave Turkey as xenophobia grows

Ukraine

• June 14, 2022. By Ukrinform. A total of 30 countries are assisting Ukraine with demining its territory. Thirty countries assist Ukraine with demining – Internal Affairs Ministry
• June 14, 2022. By Interfax. The Ukrainian Grain Association has asked the government to arrange a corridor for transporting grain to Danube ports via Moldova’s Palanca border crossing point, which has not been previously used for exports of agricultural products. Ukrainian grain traders asking govt to arrange grain export corridor via Moldova

USA

• June 13, 2022. By CSIS. CSIS’s Matt Goodman and Scott Kennedy join the podcast to discuss their groundbreaking report on China’s investment in industrial policy versus the U.S. and other nations. Rethinking U.S. Industrial Policy

USA – Saudi Arabia

• June 14, 2022. By Middle East Eye. US President Joe Biden will visit Saudi Arabia next month, the White House announced on Tuesday, where the president will meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reversing a campaign pledge to make the kingdom a “pariah”. Biden to visit Saudi Arabia next month, the important partner he once called a ‘pariah’
• June 14, 2022. By Sebastian Smith, Al-Monitor. US President Joe Biden will make history next month with a direct flight between Israel and Saudi Arabia where he will meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, abandoning efforts to ostracize the oil kingdom’s de facto leader over the murder of a dissident. Biden to visit Mideast, meet controversial Saudi leader
• June 14, 2022. By Elizabeth Hagedorn, Al-Monitor. President Joe Biden, who on the campaign trail vowed to make Saudi Arabia a global “pariah” for its human rights abuses, is expected to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman when he travels to the kingdom next month, the White House confirmed to reporters Tuesday. Biden to meet with Saudi crown prince in July visit

DEFENSE, MILITARY

• June 14, 2022. By Valerie Insinna, Breaking Defense. After Hurricane Michael devastated Tyndall Air Force Base in 2018, the installation was given a lifeline when the service announced plans to base three F-35 Joint Strike Fighter squadrons there. As Tyndall tries to rebound, A-10 fight prompts F-35 maintainer shortfall, ‘significant risk’
• June 14, 2022. By Mike Gruss, Defense News. In November, a team of French science fiction writers working with the country’s military dreamt up a new program, known as Myriade, to head off future threats: one that would help nations detect the manipulation of public opinion. The move quickly proved prescient. French military turns to sci-fi to fight Russia hacking, spur innovation
• June 13, 2022. By Madison Littlepage, Atlantic Council. Navigators long plotted their course by stars. For the US Coast Guard—the nation’s maritime first responder, but which is also bound by international obligations—it’s small satellites that could shape its future direction. Maritime search-and-rescue (SAR) operations start in space, with satellites detecting signals of distress. But this military branch relies on aging space-based infrastructure with spotty global coverage that limits its ability to conduct swift and effective SAR, particularly in the vast Arctic Ocean. To provide adequate coverage in an increasingly trafficked region, the Coast Guard must invest in small satellite technology. A shoebox-sized solution: How small satellites can help the US Coast Guard

Le interviste di The Science of Where Magazine

• INDO-PACIFICO: COMPETIZIONE TECNOLOGICA, CRESCITA ECONOMICA, SICUREZZA. L’OPINIONE DI SORABH GUPTA (ICAS)
• MODULARE LE TECNOLOGIE PER UN FUTURO AGRO-SOSTENIBILE. A COLLOQUIO CON TIM BENTON (CHATHAM HOUSE)