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
Unesco identifies 22 damaged monolithic human figurines on Easter Island
June 30, 2023
UNESCO reports have confirmed sever damage to 22 moais on Easter Island. UNESCO’s Chilean representative, Claudia Uribe, urges international coordination to preserve Easter Island as a world heritage site; she stresses the significant historical and cultural value embedded in such an ancient island.
Unemployment in Chile rises to 8.5% in March-May, marking seventh consecutive increase
June 29, 2023
The unemployment rate in Chile has increased to 8.5%, marking a continuous trend from the second half of 2022 where the relevant labor force has outpaced the growth of employed individuals. In response, the Chilean central bank increased national interest rates in hopes of preventing bank failure.
Heat wave claims 21 lives in northern Mexico
June 28, 2023
The ongoing heat wave in Mexico has caused the death of 21 civilians. Additionally, ten more have been hospitalized or reduced to critical condition as a result of record-high temperatures.
June 22, 2023
In collaboration with statistical agency Inumet, Uruguayan officials have declared a “water emergency” for the nation. Further, forecasting shows that the current drought in Uruguay is the worst in the South American nation's history. Policy-wise, first responses include waiving the tax on bottled water.
UN’s Guterres Says Phase Out Fossil Fuels To Avoid Climate ‘Catastrophe’
June 16, 2023
UN Secretary General António Guterres urges countries to pursue net-zero carbon emissions, claiming that if current policies continue, climate disaster may become unavoidable. Credit was given to Caribbean nation St. Kitts and Nevis for their national policy geared towards low carbon emissions.
Africa
Four dead, one missing after heavy rain, tornado in South Africa
June 29, 2023
South African province KwaZulu-Natal has been hit by heavy rain and a tornado, resulting in four deaths and one missing person. Rainfall this heavy is unusual in the region, and may be an effect of climate change.
Beware of 'contaminated' Sprite, says Nigeria
June 29, 2023
Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a recall for glass Sprite bottles due to possible particle contamination from the Abjuda plant of the Nigerian Bottle Company Limited, where some bottles were made.
Sudan: in Khartoum, deadly battle for the police headquarters
June 26, 2023
The Rapid Support Forces (FSR) in Sudan have claimed control over a police headquarters in Khartoum, though at the time of writing, it’s unclear how long they will hold it for due to the ongoing armed conflict.
June 20, 2023
Eight people were killed, 13 injured, and 15 went missing after an attack by the Fano militia in Wasti village in Western Oromia.
Climate change journalism in South Africa misses the mark by ignoring people’s daily experiences
June 19, 2023
In this article, Enock Sithole conducts a study regarding the accuracy and importance local journalism puts on climate change in South Africa, including pointing out how a majority of coverage is international, which could dampen the local importance of the issue.
Middle East
Updated: Israeli Army Kills Eight Palestinians, Injures Fifty, In Jenin
July 3, 2023
Israel has launched an ongoing missile offensive on the Jenin Refugee camp in the West Bank. These strikes have wounded over 50 and killed 8 Palestinians. The brutal offensive is part of a larger long term strategy to isolate and control Palestinians.
Sweden Quran burning: Iran won't send ambassador to Stockholm over incident
June 2, 2023
Many Muslim countries have condemned Sweden for allowing an Iraqi-born refugee to burn a Quran outside of a mosque in Stockholm. In response, Iran has refused to send an ambassador to Sweden because of the incident.
Iran to become full member of Shanghai alliance: Russian FM
June 30, 2023
Several gulf states are interested in joining the Shanghai alliance with Russia and China. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has offered Iran admission to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a full member of the alliance.
Exposition, character, scene: Staging the upcoming presidential elections
June 28, 2023
As the Egyptian election approaches, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, prepares to campaign for his 3rd term in office. Sisi has been in power for almost 10 years and has met with senior officials to devise a new strategy for handling the country, which has been suffering from a major economic crisis.
Greek migrant boat tragedy: What do we know so far?
June 18, 2023
A boat carrying 750 migrants capsized south east of Greece. Over 500 are presumed to be dead and many have criticized European authorities for their lackluster response to the tragedy.
Developing Asia
Low-flying US military helicopters flying over Central Tokyo spotted 27 times in past two years
June 30, 2023
Since January 2022, low-flying US military helicopters have repeatedly flown over the area around the Tokyo Skytree Tower. Given that the paths they’ve taken have been nearly identical each time, it’s suspected that the flights over Tokyo are part of the US military’s flying routes. However, Japan’s Ministry of Defense says it’s unaware of these flights and that no part of Tokyo is provided to the US military as training airspace.
How AI tools are revolutionizing Indian healthcare
June 26, 2023
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing healthcare in India by making it easier for doctors and medical experts to diagnose patients, keep up with the medical literature, and track disease epidemics.
Indonesia to reroute palm oil export to Africa following EUDR
June 24, 2023
Under the EU Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR), traders must prove that their products do not come from deforested areas. Because palm oil production in Indonesia has been linked to deforestation, this regulation is detrimental to the palm oil industry. As a result, Indonesia’s Chief Investment Affairs Minister has announced intentions of rerouting palm oil exports to Africa.
China-US military tensions remain after Blinken visit
June 24, 2023
Despite Blinken’s visit to China, in which the US and China agreed to stabilize their relations, both countries’ military vessels and aircraft continue to operate in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Straits.
Thai activists sue government for allegedly using Pegasus spyware against them
June 21, 2023
Activists allege that nine different Thai government agencies infected their smartphones with Pegasus spyware during a period of pro-democracy protests in 2020 or 2021.
A close call: Pakistan narrowly avoided a climate catastrophe but more must be done
June 20, 2023
Thanks to an effective early warning system that disseminated information and updates regarding Cyclone Biparjoy through electronic and social media, 70,000 people in Sindh were able to be evacuated. However, due to the non-sturdy housing and poor infrastructure found in most coastal villages, Biparjoy would have caused significant damage had it made landfall on Sindh’s coast. This article explains how Pakistan, by learning from successful disaster mitigation efforts in Bangladesh, can minimize the damage that occurs in the event of a cyclone.
Key Issues
This section includes the latest and most pressing news regarding SiC's key security issues.
Countries condemn desecration of Quran in Sweden
June 29, 2023
Many governments from the Middle East, such as Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iran have condemned the public burning of a Quran in Stockholm, Sweden by 37-year-old Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika.
How the Belt and Road Initiative has impacted China-Africa cooperation
June 29, 2023
China is one of Africa’s largest trading partners and sources of foreign direct investment. Total trade between China and Africa over the past decade has exceeded $2 trillion, fifty-two African countries have signed BRI cooperation agreements with China, and numerous infrastructure projects have been completed.
US is working with S. Korea, Japan to deter N. Korean aggression: Pentagon
June 28, 2023
The United States is working closely with South Korea and Japan to nullify any potential aggression from North Korea as tensions begin to rise in the Korean peninsula.
Sudan: Unless 'guns are silenced', 'exodus of people to continue', UN official warns
June 21, 2023
UN Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi warns that, so long as the conflict in Sudan continues, the country will face a grave future that will result in even more people fleeing to neighboring nations.
States introduce legislation to block Chinese land purchases
June 19, 2023
Over two dozen states, citing the need to protect military bases and other sensitive areas, are introducing legislation to ban “foreign adversaries” and foreign entities from purchasing farmland. Some are concerned that such legislation could exacerbate anti-Chinese discrimination and even be a violation of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution.
