PIRATERIA NELLE ACQUE DEL SUD-EST ASIATICO

FOCUS

• June 9, 2022. By Thư Nguyễn Hoàng Anh, The Interpreter. In April, the International Chamber of Commerce published a new report on piracy and armed robbery against ships. Among 37 incidents recorded worldwide in the first three months of 2022, 41 per cent of them occurred in Southeast Asian waters. Despite the fact that the majority of media coverage tends to focus on piracy off the coast of Somalia, Southeast Asia remains one of the most perilous waters – in particular, the Singapore Strait, the Strait of Malacca and the Indonesian waters. Stemming the tide of piracy in Southeast Asia

THINK TANKS & GLOBAL NEWS

DIGITAL, TECH, CYBER

• June 9, 2022. By Phil Muncaster, Info Security. The UK government has reportedly acquired its first quantum computer in a landmark moment which should help to boost its research capabilities in cyber-defense and other critical areas of national security. UK Joins Quantum Arms Race with First Computer
• June 9, 2022. By James Coker, Info Security. Insights into recent cyber-threat activity was provided by Forescout’s VP of threat defense, Sean Taylor, during a session at the RSA Conference 2022.  #RSAC: Current Nation-State and Ransomware Gang Threat Trends
• June 9, 2022. By Phil Muncaster, Info Security. Some 54% of UK and US cybersecurity leaders have complained that their boards aren’t providing enough funding for vital initiatives, according to new research from Encore. Over Half of CISOs Struggling for Board Investment
• June 9, 2022. By Eleanor Dallaway, Info Security. Chloé Messdaghi “stalked” her way into her new role of chief impact officer at Cybrary just three weeks ago. Eleanor Dallaway sat down with her to discuss removing barriers and the mental health deterioration that is worryingly synonymous with the cybersecurity industry. #RSAC: The Cybersecurity Industry is Costing Employees Their Mental Health
• June 9, 2022. By James Coker, Info Security. While there is a growing appreciation of the need for soft skills in cybersecurity, the industry remains, at its core, deeply technical. Areas such as incident response, threat hunting, digital forensics, vulnerability and exploit discovery and intrusion detection/prevention are becoming increasingly pivotal amid surging cyber-threats. During this year’s RSA Conference 2022, Infosecurity caught up with the SANS Institute’s chief curriculum director and faculty lead, Rob Lee, to discuss trends being seen in respect of these technical aspects of cybersecurity and how this field can be improved. #RSAC Interview: SANS Institute’s Rob Lee Discusses the State of Technical Skills in Cybersecurity

AROUND THE WORLD

Armenia – Azerbaijan

• June 9, 2022. By Interfax. There is progress in unblocking regional transport and economic communications with Azerbaijan, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said. Yerevan notes progress in unblocking transport, economic links with Azerbaijan

Germany – Russia

• June 9, 2022. By Ukrinform. Germany and the European Union as a whole must replace the volumes of energy received from the Russian Federation in order to further abandon them in full. It is necessary to diversify energy sources, achieve cooperation within the EU in this area and develop alternative energy sources. German MP calls for diversifying energy supplies to become independent of Russia

India

• June 9, 2022. By Ramesh Thakur, The Strategist. The more India’s economic weight, geopolitical clout, diplomatic heft and global profile grow, the more domestic events will attract outside attention and have international consequences. The latest example of this is Islamophobic comments made by two senior officials of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that have roiled relations with Arab and Islamic countries which have been courted by the Modi government with considerable success. Deepak Mittal, India’s ambassador to Qatar, said that the remarks from some ‘fringe elements’ didn’t represent the views of the government. This is risible: since when is a national spokesperson of the governing party a ‘fringe’ element? What happens in India no longer stays in India

Iraq

• June 8, 2022. By Renad Mansour, Omar Sirri, Chatham House.  Last November, the head of the Iraqi Medical Association, Jassim al-Azzawi, stated that his team was making progress on digitized pharmaceutical prescriptions. This assertion may sound strangely mundane considering the many challenges facing Iraq’s healthcare system. But handwritten medical prescriptions have for years been a point of contention in the country. Moving medicine in Iraq: The political economy of the pharmaceutical trade

Moldova – Europe

• June 9, 2022. By Interfax. The European Commission will present a conclusion next week to recommend the next steps to be taken by EU members in their relations with Moldova. Moldova hoping to see clear prospect for accession to EU next week

Russia

• June 6, 2022. By Mathieu Boulègue, Chatham House. Russia’s policies for the polar regions overlap and are increasingly becoming militarized, as the perception of threats to Russian national interests grows. This has direct consequences for other polar nations and for NATO and its allies. The militarization of Russian polar politics
• June 8, 2022. By Adam Kowalski, Chatham House. Failing to tackle Russia’s information offensive threatens international resolve against the Kremlin’s affront to democracy, human rights, and peace. Disinformation fight goes beyond Ukraine and its allies
• June 9, 2022. By Interfax. Rostselmash , a major Russian farm machinery manufacturer, might revise its production program, the company’s co-owner and president of Novoye Sodruzhestvo Industrial Union Konstantin Babkin said. Rostselmash reviewing production plans, might cut output by 30%

Russia – Kyrgyzstan

• June 9, 2022. By Interfax. The share of settlements in national currencies between Russia and Kyrgyzstan is growing, Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov said. Russia, Kyrgyzstan increasing settlements in national currencies – minister

Russia – Turkmenistan

• June 9, 2022. By Interfax. Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedow will pay a visit to Russia on June 10 at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin press service said on Thursday. New Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedow to pay first visit to Russia on June 10 – Kremlin

Russia – Ukraine (on the ground)

• June 9, 2022. By Interfax. Ukraine needs first to receive firm security guarantees from third countries before routes for exporting Ukrainian grain are opened, and the security of such a passage for grain exports cannot be guaranteed if it is ensured only by Turkey and Russia, the All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council said, citing its head Andriy Dykun. Ukraine needs third countries’ guarantees to open safe passages for grain exports – Agrarian Council head
• June 9, 2022. By Ukrinform. In Kharkiv, the death toll of the enemy night shelling rose to three, the number of wounded – to five. Death toll of Kharkiv night shelling rises to three
• June 9, 2022. By Ukrinform. Poland has sent weapons worth nearly $2 billion to Ukraine, including more than 240 tanks and about 100 armored personnel carriers. Duda: Poland has sent more than 240 tanks, about 100 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine
• June 9, 2022. By Anastasia Kapetas, The Strategist. As we reflect on the 100-day mark of the Russo-Ukrainian war and what we’ve learned, we need to understand that the West has fundamentally misunderstood Russia and continues to do so, argues Kyle Wilson, visiting fellow at the Centre for European Studies and former Australian diplomat who had postings in Russia, China and Poland. Why Putin might be pleased with the results of his war in Ukraine
• June 9, 2022. By Alex Gatopoulos, Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera’s Alex Gatopoulos examines whether new tactics and objectives are giving Russia an advantage in the Ukraine war. Is Russia inching towards victory in Ukraine’s Donbas region?
• June 9, 2022. By Ukrinform. The bodies of another 58 Azovstal defenders were delivered to Kyiv. Another 58 bodies of Azovstal defenders brought to Kyiv
• June 9, 2022. By Ukrinform. The Russian military is considering a way to “demine” captured Mariupol by forcing captured Ukrainians to walk across minefields. Russians plan to use Ukrainian POWs to demine Mariupol – SBU
• June 9, 2022. By Ukrinform. If the Ukrainian Armed Forces of Ukraine defending Sivierodonetsk receive long-range artillery from the country’s Western partners, it will silence the Russians, while special operations forces will quickly clear the city of invasion troops. Long-range artillery to allow clearing Siverodonetsk of enemy forces in a few days – region chief
• June 9, 2022. By Ukrinform. Krab self-propelled howitzers, supplied by Poland, have already been deployed and are being used on the front lines. Poland’s Krab howitzers already at front lines – defense chief
• June 9, 2022. By Ukrinform. Russian invaders are actively preparing a visit of IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi to the Zaporizhia NPP, whose premises have been occupied since March 4. Russians planning to invite IAEA chief to captured Zaporizhia NPP – Energoatom
• June 9, 2022. By Ukrinform. The situation at the front remains difficult, with Ukraine losing up to a hundred servicemen killed and up to 500 wounded every day. Ukraine Army’s daily death toll up to 100 – Defense chief calls to speed up heavy arms supply
• June 9, 2022. By Ukrinform. Russia’s progress on the Izium axis had remained stalled since April, after Ukrainian forces made good use of the terrain to slow Russia’s advance. Russia’s progress near Izium stalled after Ukraine Army’s successful maneuvers – UK Ministry of Defence
• June 9, 2022. By  John Psaropoulos, Al Jazeera. Ukraine is pursuing a resilient defence and counter-offensive, but Russia is also moving to assimilate occupied regions. Ukraine resists Russia in east, strikes back in north, south | Russia-Ukraine war News
• June 9, 2022. By Al Jazeera. Ukraine officials accuse Russia of stealing ‘several hundred thousand tonnes’ in areas under Russian occupation. Is Russia stealing and selling grain from Ukraine? | Russia-Ukraine war News

Russia – Ukraine – China

• June 9, 2022. By Minxin Pei, Project-Syndicate, The Strategist. As Russia’s war on Ukraine enters its fourth month, the endgame remains murky. But one thing is clear: Russia’s military has taken a beating from Ukrainian forces that, at the start of the conflict, were thought to be no match for it. For China’s People’s Liberation Army, which shares many of the deficiencies that are undercutting Russia’s effectiveness on the battlefield, this should be a wake-up call. What the Ukraine war should teach China

Thailand

• June 9, 2022. By Craig Keating, The Interpreter. The war in Ukraine has highlighted weaknesses in Thailand’s policymaking and prompted cartel behaviour … again. Thailand seeking to profit from a global food crisis

Ukraine

• June 9, 2022. By Interfax. Ukraine exported 350,000 tonnes of agricultural products in March, 1 million tonnes in April, and 1.74 million tonnes in May, using alternative routes to bypass the blocked seaports, while the potential of such export routes has yet to be used to the fullest extent. Alternative routes’ potential to export Ukrainian agricultural produce yet to be fully used – Deputy Minister Vysotsky
• June 9, 2022. By Interfax. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Western partners to engage in long-term cooperation with Ukraine. Zelensky calls on investors to pursue long-term cooperation with Ukraine
• June 9, 2022. By Ukrinform. Starlink Ukraine has been granted an operator license, according to the Telegram channel of Ukraine’s Digital Transformation Ministry. Starlink obtains operator license in Ukraine

Ukraine – Europe

• June 9, 2022. By Interfax. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has thanked European Parliament President Robert Metsola and the European Parliament as a whole for their recommendation to grant EU candidate country status to Ukraine. Ukrainian PM thanks European Parliament for support
• June 9, 2022. By Ukrinform. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Wopke Hoekstra assured Verkhovna Rada Chair Ruslan Stefanchuk of the support for Ukraine’s European integration aspirations. Dutch foreign minister assures Stefanchuk of support for Ukraine’s EU aspirations