This is a roundup of news articles, reports, and other materials focusing on (in)security issues and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of Security in Context. The goal is to shed light on knowledge production on security-related issues of public interest from critical perspectives and from global south readings by highlighting media from four particular regions: Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, and developing Asia. Entries may include academic journal articles, think tank reports, non-governmental organizations releases, official documents or government-commissioned research, and regular news items. The material included covers SiC's key security issues: Climate Change, Security and International Relations, Migration and Displacement, Covid-19 and Capitalism, Technologies of Surveillance, Gender, Race, Ethnicity and Sexuality, Arms and the Military-industrial Complex, and Censorship.
You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each roundup to submissions@securityincontext.org.
Latin America and the Caribbean
Acai berry craze boosts incomes in the Brazilian Amazon, but at a cost
August 28, 2023
As the internationally-driven acai berry obsession continues to grow, environmentalists have begun to criticize the rapid expansion of acai farming. While the acai farming offers fantastic incomes for local workers, growing more than 200 plants per hectare will destroy over 60% of biodiversity within acai-growing provinces.
Record-breaking remittances: Mexico expects US$63.7 billion inflow in 2023
August 24, 2023
A statistical agency in Mexico predicts Mexican remittances, the flow of money from the immigrants in one country back to their fellow nationals, to increase by 8.9% in the remainder of 2023. This actually represents a historical decrease in the degree of remittance growth, which is likely the result of the U.S. job market’s deceleration.
Nicaragua seizes Catholic university accused of being ‘centre of terrorism’
August 17, 2023
The Central American University, a prominent Jesuit-ran university in the capital of Nicaragua, has come to the spotlight of international attention as the Nicaraguan government expropriated its funds and property. The UN High Commissioner for human rights issued a statement of condemnation, while the Nicaraguan government defends its actions on the grounds of “terrorist activity” within the university.
Venezuela’s escalating LGBT rights crisis
August 14, 2023
33 men in the Venezuelan province of Valencia were arrested for presumed homosexual activity in a sauna. This event underpins an increasing trend of anti-LGBTQ attitudes within aspects of the Venezuelan government, and has led to a huge degree of criticism and scrutiny from NGOs.
Far-right Javier Milei wins most votes in Argentina's primary election
August 14, 2023
In an act of anti-establishment zeal, the Argentinian population elected Javier Milei to replace the previous center-left Peronist president. His election likely was borne out of the current dilapidation of the Argentinian economy, with inflation nearing 116 per cent and 40% of the nation’s population in poverty.
Meth lab dismantled, Chinese national arrested
August 12, 2023
Trinidad and Tobago’s first methamphetamine lab was discovered through investigative efforts from Trinidad’s own Special Force and American intelligence agencies. Among those arrested was a Chinese national, which prompted the US, with Trinidad and Tobago, to issue a statement about the small Caribbean nation’s commitment to ending the illicit synthetic drug trade.
Argentine government threatens to use police force to curb parallel dollar rally
August 10, 2023
In response to a recent drastic devaluation in the Argentine Peso, a parallel currency has risen to fill the void caused by extremely low exchange rates. The exchange rate of this parallel currency, or “blue dollar,” has risen to a record 600 pesos, which caused the Argentine Ministry of Economy to express their intent to use police and tax agents to curb the rise of the parallel currency.
Mexico’s inflation records six-month decline
August 9, 2023
The Mexican National Institute of Statistics and Geography reported an extreme deceleration in inflation trends in the Mexican economy. The number now stands at 4.79% for the month of July, which is the lowest since March 2021. This is also well within the economic standard for healthy inflation rates of 5%, indicating a resilient economic rebuild after the recessions which marked 2020 and 2021.
South Korea evacuates thousands from World Scout Jamboree as typhoon nears
August 8, 2023
With the arrival of tropical storm Khanun in South Korea, the country’s strong national natural disaster infrastructure has played an important role in evacuating over 37,000 people to the nation of Bhutan to avoid tropical disaster within South Korea’s borders.
Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon falls 66 percent in July
August 3, 2023
Brazilian national forecasting stated that deforestation in the country’s Amazon rainforest has fallen to its lowest since 2017, at just over 500 kilometers in the past month. In a grander context, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest has been 42.5% lower than the same time period in 2022.
Africa
In-depth: Skyrocketing food prices plague low-income families, uncertain future creates a fret
August 28, 2023
This article analyzes heightening food prices in Ethiopia and how it’s impacting low-income families, with a focus on the nation’s capital city, Addis Abeba. The article also discusses food inflation related to conflicts in Tigray and factors that will continue to impact food resources in the future.
August 27, 2023
A new study underscores how the estimated 1.8 million people in Nigeria living with HIV are often stigmatized by friends and family. The study suggests those living with HIV that are not stigmatized are often healthier.
Niger puts military on ‘maximum alert’ over ECOWAS attack fears
August 26, 2023
Following claims of an increased threat of attack, military coup leaders in Niger have ordered a maximum alert for their armed forces as the group of soldiers continue to claim they’ve toppled the nation’s government.
Sudan: Over 31,000 children lack treatment for malnutrition- save the children
August 24, 2023
According to the aid group Save the Children, 31,000 children in Sudan do not have treatment for malnutrition nor illnesses related to a lack of food. This report comes after over 500 children have died since the conflict in Sudan began.
Kenyan sets himself on fire over cost of living
August 18, 2023
In Mombasa, Kenya, a man set himself ablaze, allegedly protesting the current harsh economic conditions in the country impacting the cost of living.
How to grow rhinos in a lab: the science that could save an endangered species
August 13, 2023
This article highlights the efforts of research consortium BioRescue to save the northern white rhinoceros. In particular, BioRescue is trying to use eggs and stem cells to produce new rhinos through biologically scientific means.
Thousands of coup supporters rally near French base in Niger
August 11, 2023
Thousands of supporters for Niger’s ongoing coup rallied near a French military base in the country, many waving Niger and Russian flags while cheering support for General Abdourahamane Tiani.
August 10, 2023
Large cities in Ethiopia’s Amhara region are beginning to return to a state of normalcy after the Ethiopian National Defense Force reclaimed control from militiamen in parts of the region.
World Bank halts new loans to Uganda over anti-LGBTQ law
August 9, 2023
The World Bank has announced that it will not give Uganda any new loans due to their controversial new anti-LGBTQ laws. The World Bank says the new laws go against their values, and have been heavily criticized by human rights groups.
Extensive war crimes, 'unimaginable horror' recorded in Sudan: Amnesty
August 3, 2023
Amnesty International, a British human rights group, has reported extensive war crimes being committed by groups on both sides of the Sudan conflict, which has killed 3,900 people and displaced 3.3 million more at the time this article was written.
Middle East
Shin Bet: 4 Israelis arrested as part of Hezbollah ‘weapons smuggling ring’
August 24, 2023
The Shin Bet security agency has revealed that four Israeli citizens were arrested for smuggling Iranian-made explosives into the country, saying the men had ties to Iran’s Hezbollah group.
Turkey makes bigger than expected interest rate hike, targets inflation
August 24, 2023
Turkey’s central bank is making moves away from previous economic policies in order to thoroughly combat the ongoing trend of inflation in the Turkish economy. The resulting hike in interest rate—which was 5% higher than expected by most economists—is meant as a countermeasure for the long road ahead.
All of Middle East and North Africa will live with extreme water stress by 2050: Report
August 18, 2023
A report from the World Resources Institute about high water resource stress in the Middle East and North Africa suggests many parts of the entire region will face major water shortages by 2050.
15 Egyptian truck drivers dead on Sudan border, 4,000 others stuck as war freezes movement
August 17, 2023
Egyptian ground transport across the Egypt-Sudan border has been halted due to war in Sudan. A massive lineup of trucks has been stalled for two months on both the Egypt side of the border and at the border itself, with poor conditions resulting in a number of reported casualties.
Protests in southern Syria as economy worsens
August 17, 2023
People in Suwayda, Syria are protesting the government due to a worsening economy in the country. Many are particularly angry at rising fuel prices, influencing roadblocks and anti-government rhetoric.
Five dead as Europe-bound boat sinks off Tunisia coast
August 14, 2023
Five are dead after a Europe-bound boat sank off the Tunisian coast near the city of Sfax, with 23 of its passengers rescued by the coast guard. This is one of several boat accidents that has occurred in the Mediterranean this summer.
Iran reportedly slowing some nuclear enrichment, diluting high-grade stockpile
August 11, 2023
Officials are reporting that Iran is slowing down its enrichment of nuclear-grade uranium, choosing to reduce its stockpile of material, which is 60% pure.
Egypt’s power cuts persist amid heat, declining natural gas production
August 8, 2023
High temperatures in Egypt and the motive to conserve natural gas result in the decision to cut power for extended periods of time. Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly explains the details behind these decisions further.
‘What is your business here?’: Iran equips navy with drones, missiles
August 5, 2023
Iran builds its military arsenal in response to the US’s consideration of putting armed personnel on commercial ships in the region. Tensions between the US and Iranian military continue to escalate.
Israel holds over 1,200 mostly Palestinian detainees without charge, highest in 3 decades
August 2, 2023
HaMoked, an Israeli human rights group, reported 1,201 mostly Palestinian people are being detained without charges, the largest number of people in administrative detention in the nation in 34 years.
Developing Asia
This Bengaluru Firm Is Turing Wastewater Into 0.8 Million Liters Of Drinkable Water Every Day
August 25, 2023
Bengaluru is facing a water shortage. But less than 1% of the wastewater generated by the city is ever recycled. A new tech startup firm called Boson Water, based in Bengaluru, aims to fix this problem by treating 800,000 liters of wastewater each day.
Korea plans to revive police conscription system to fight crime
August 23, 2023
South Korea’s conscripted police system, founded in 1967 during the authoritarian regime of Park Chung-hee, was only abolished in 2017. Despite that, President Yoon Suk Yeol is now seeking to revive the police conscription system and add 8000 conscripted police within nine months to deal with the recent surge in crime.
Unpacking the UN Humanitarian Aid Chief’s Visit to Myanmar
August 17, 2023
Martin Griffith, the head of the UN relief agency UNOCHA, recently visited Myanmar and met with junta officials. The purpose of the meeting was to secure aid for victims of Cyclone Mocha in the Rakhine state, but this article highlights the importance of also providing aid through unofficial channels such as the civil society organizations, since the junta is unwilling to allow access to most parts of the country.
Indian govt still doesn't know what a 'forest' is. FCA amendment takes us back to British era
August 15, 2023
A new amendment to the Forest Conservation Act threatens India’s forests by creating new exemptions for when a forest can be logged without a permit.
The origins of the Pakistani military's hegemony over politics
August 14, 2023
In light of the events of May 9 and the recently passed Official Secrets Act Amendment Bill 2023, this article traces the origins of the military’s hegemony over Pakistani politics to its hegemony over Pakistan’s ideological apparatus, its exploitation of self-proclaimed emergency situations as a justification for tyranny, its alliance with Pakistan’s economic elite and the strategic interests of the Global North, and the use of performative violence-- and traces these practices back to British colonial rule, the traumas of partition, and the two-nation theory.
Malaysia Makes Owning LGBTQ+ Swatch Punishable by up to 3 Years in Jail
August 11, 2023
In Malaysia, same-sex relationships are punishable by up to 20 years in prison. In May, a concert by a British band was forcibly cut short after two male bandmates kissed each other onstage in protest of Malaysia’s anti-homosexuality laws. Now, even owning brands of swatches belonging to the watch company’s “pride collection” is punishable by up to 3 years in prison.
August 9, 2023
14 House Republicans signed a letter to the US Ambassador to the UN calling for Bangladesh to be suspended from the UN Human Rights Council and for the UN to oversee Bangladesh’s upcoming elections. A letter to these representatives signed by dozens of Bengali-Americans criticized these demands, noting a long history of failed efforts by the US and the UN to install democratic governments in foreign countries.
Hun Manet appointed as successor to Prime Minister Hun Sen
August 7, 2023
Cambodia’s King has appointed Hun Manet, the army chief and son of former Prime Minister Hun Sen, as Cambodia’s new prime minister after elections in March that were widely criticized as being rigged gave Hun Sen’s party a mandate for another five years.
India mandates licensing for laptop and tablet imports
August 4, 2023
Although the government gave no reason for its new requirement that imported laptops, tablets, and personal computers be licensed, the move is thought to be part of Modi’s attempt to promote local manufacturing by discouraging imports and make India a global powerhouse in the electronics supply chain by 2026. The move is also thought to be motivated by a desire to reduce dependence on products from China following India’s soured relations with China.
August 1, 2023
Beijing received nearly 500mm of rain between July 27 and August 1, which is almost as much as the city received during the entire year of 2022. The rainstorms have hit northern China very hard and forced hundreds of thousands of residents to evacuate.
New data protection law in Pakistan threatens citizens' privacy and online freedom
August 1, 2023
The Pakistan Data Protection Bill would require the data of Pakistani internet users to be stored on servers located inside Pakistan. This would only serve to make it easier for the Pakistan’s government to access the data from social media accounts of journalists and human rights activists as well as restrict online content and communications. Data localization would also make it easier for election campaigns to create profiles of voters which could be used to sway or manipulate them.
Key Issues
This section includes the latest and most pressing news regarding SiC's key security issues.
Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin confirmed dead in crash
August 27, 2023
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Group, was declared dead by Russian officials, dispelling any lingering questions about whether the cunning mercenary turned rebel was on the flight that crashed, killing everyone on board.
The Trilateral Leaders’ Summit at Camp David
August 25, 2023
The first ever stand-alone U.S.-Japan-ROK summit took place at Camp David on August 18, 2023, with President Biden meeting with Yoon Suk-yeol of South Korea and Fumio Kishida of Japan to reaffirm collaboration and enhance security and prosperity in the region.
BRICS welcomes new members in push to reshuffle world order
August 24, 2023
Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates have all decided to join the BRICS group of emerging countries, a step that is intended to speed up the group's efforts to reshape the global order.
India minister blames unrest in neighbouring Myanmar for Manipur bloodshed
August 24, 2023
On August 9, during a debate in Parliament on a motion of no confidence, Union Home Minister Amit Shah gave a twisted justification for the ongoing ethnic unrest in Manipur. According to him, an inflow of Kukis from Myanmar into Manipur "created insecurities among Meiteis" and was the cause of the violence.
ASEAN countries to begin talks on $2.7 trillion digital economy pact by end-2023
August 21, 2023
To increase cross-border trade and investment flows, ASEAN is stepping up its economic integration, particularly by unlocking a potential US$2 trillion (S$2.7 trillion) in its digital economy by 2030.
Kim Jong Un oversees cruise missile test, S Korea-US military drills start
August 21, 2023
Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, oversaw a strategic cruise missile launch as regular military exercises between South Korea and the US got underway, which Pyongyang views as a wargame.
UN: One million people flee Sudan as situation ‘spirals out of control’
August 16, 2023
The absence of food and other services within the country is killing people, according to UN organizations, and there are already over one million Sudanese refugees in neighboring nations. 1,017,449 individuals flee Sudan for neighboring nations and 3,433,025 are internally displaced as a result of the war.
UN announces release of 5 staff members kidnapped by al-Qaida in Yemen 18 months ago
August 11, 2023
Five UN employees who were abducted in Yemen 18 months ago by an al-Qaida offshoot have been released, according to U.N. authorities.
Federal Government of Canada seeks 270 days to release records related to statements
August 10, 2023
The Ontario government in Canada, which started the Tamil Genocide Education Week, has released the official letter from the Federal Government of Canada saying that Canada does not consider the violence and actions against Tamils by the Sri Lankan government and military from 1948 until the end of the civil war in 2009 to be genocide.
At least 17 dead after Rohingya boat breaks up off Rakhine’s coast
August 10, 2023
Rescuers said that at least 17 individuals perished when a boat carrying Rohingya refugees from Rakhine State capsized at sea. Every year, thousands of Rohingya put their lives in danger by embarking on risky sea voyages from camps in Bangladesh and Myanmar to Malaysia and Indonesia, countries with a majority of Muslims.
