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
Venezuela reports hottest year in its history and urges regional unity against climate change
June 2, 2023
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro claims Venezuela has experienced its hottest temperatures to date, which has largely been due to climate change as a result of human productive activity. He urges South America to unite in the battle against climate change.
Peña announced to Netanyahu that Paraguay will move its embassy to Jesusalem
June 1, 2023
President-elect Santiago Peña announced that Paraguay would move its embassy to Jerusalem, and the two countries will soon meet to discuss economic cooperation. This signifies a continuation of the precedent set by the United States of revering Jerusalem as a de jure Israeli capital.
Coral reef threatens Brazil’s oil production increase
May 31, 2023
Oil drilling activities near the mouth of the Amazon River in Brazil have been halted by the existence of a coral reef. Brazil’s environmental protection agency blocked the destruction of the reef, but the next coming months will reveal where Brazil’s governmental priorities lie.
US says it is Trinidad and Tobago’s “best partner” in the world
May 23, 2023
The US announced in the Port of Spain, Trinidad, that it is the Caribbean island nation’s best partner, signifying a continuing trend of US involvement in Latin American affairs.
Caribbean Islands In Top 10 Of Countries With National Climate Commitments Linked With Health
May 20, 2023
The Global Climate & Health Alliance named the Caribbean region as a standout for integrating health and environmental wellness in governmental policy. Dominica ranked 4th and Haiti ranked 7th.
Africa
Ousmane Sonko sentenced: Why are tensions flaring in Senegal?
June 2, 2023
Major clashes between protestors and police in Senegal have left at least nine dead after opposition politician Ousmane Sonko was sentenced to two years in prison on rape charges–which his supporters say is a political ploy to prevent him from running for President in 2024.
Angola almost free of climate impacts
May 30, 2023
Angolan ecologist João Serôdio claims that the geographic positioning of Angola means the country will not be drastically impacted by climate change. However, he expresses concern for a major drought that will likely impact southern Africa between 2040 and 2060.
US to consider visa restrictions over Uganda anti-gay law
May 30, 2023
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the country is troubled by the anti-gay laws recently passed in Uganda, which includes the death penalty for some acts. Blinken says some Ugandan officials could have their US visas revoked because of the law.
Cholera in South Africa: a symptom of two decades of continued sewage pollution and neglect
May 23, 2023
An ongoing cholera outbreak in South Africa is reflective of two decades of sewage pollution, with more than 80% of the country’s wastewater treatment systems in “a critical state,” meaning they are not working properly to filter water throughout the nation.
Somaliland crisis: delayed elections and armed conflict threaten dream of statehood
May 22, 2023
The delay of Somaliland’s presidential election and deadly clashes have destabilized the sovereign state, which had seen 25 years of peace up until this point. This article analyzes the factors that play into the nation’s instability.
Hundreds of refugees cross into western Ethiopia from Sudan every day
May 20, 2023
A new report suggests that hundreds of Sudanese refugees are crossing into Ethiopia every day because of the battles that have continued throughout the country.
Middle East
Blinken to visit Saudi Arabia to discuss ‘strategic cooperation’
June 2, 2023
Anthony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, will make his first trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since the Iranian-Saudi peace deal next week. Blinken looks to reaffirm the U.S. Saudi alliance.
June 2, 2023
The Engineers’ Syndicate in Egypt gathered on a work day to vote for new leadership for the Syndicate’s head. Chaos broke out after the results were revealed and many stormed the ballot counting rooms in anger. Security had to be brought in.
Iranian FM: Tehran, Washington communicate through mediators/ Iran in touch with EU
May 31, 2023
According to Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the country has been in contact with a number of international actors including the U.S., the EU, and The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Salvage of oil tanker stranded off Yemen can begin
May 30, 2023
A Dutch tanker salvaging company has been contracted by the UN to salvage millions of barrels of oil from a stranded tanker near Yemen.
Saudi Arabia executes two Bahrainis accused of ‘terrorism’
May 29, 2023
Two Bahraini were executed in Saudi Arabia after being accused of joining a terrorist cell. This is two of nine executions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the basis of terrorism this month.
Developing Asia
Laos still doesn't have heat action plan to combat recurring heat waves
June 2, 2023
As heat waves become increasingly common around the world due to climate change, it is increasingly important for governments to create action plans to minimize the impact of heatwaves. However, few countries have such plans.
Dalit women in Bihar robbed of uterus and kidneys
May 26, 2023
Dalit women in Bihar, many of whom are poor and illiterate, are being exploited by quack doctors who charge exorbitant amounts of money for hysterectomies and often take the opportunity to remove the women’s kidneys as well. Often, the women are persuaded by their husbands to undergo a hysterectomy.
China develops 1,050 irradiation-induced mutant varieties, boosting food security
May 25, 2023
Using nuclear technology, China has developed 1050 irradiation-induced mutant varieties across 46 countries, which is helping the country adapt to climate change and boost food security by increasing grain production by more than 1.1 billion kilograms per year.
Japan seeks to protect its satellites and use space for defense
May 24, 2023
A draft document indicates that Japan seeks to expand the use of outer space for defense, citing a perceived increase in threats from outer space. To do this, Japan aims to join the US, Britain, Canada, and Australia in monitoring space debris at the Combined Space Operations Center and plans to double its defense budget within the next five years, among other things.
Korean government clamps down on the rights of criminal offenders to protest
May 24, 2023
Following allegations that labor union officials are working for a North Korean spy agency, the Yoon Suk Yeol Administration is seeking to push an amendment to existing law that would impose restrictions on the rights of the criminal offenders to hold assemblies and demonstrations. The amendment has drawn harsh criticism from the opposition.
Lessons from Indonesia: Key takeaways for Pakistan for reducing military interventionism
May 22, 2023
This article explains how post-Suharto reforms in Indonesia aimed at reducing the influence of the military in politics can serve as a role model for similar military reform in Pakistan.
Key Issues
This section includes the latest and most pressing news regarding SiC's key security issues.
Market attack in Sudan kills at least 17 people
June 2, 2023
A market attack in Sudan has killed 17 and injured 106. Despite the Sudanese government and Rapid Support Forces extending a ceasefire treaty earlier in the week, each side continues to accuse the other of breaking it due to attacks such as this one.
S. Korea, France sign arrangement on military space partnership
May 30, 2023
South Korea and France have signed an agreement on military space cooperation, an expansion of defense space and underscoring how military operations worldwide have changed in recent years.
China denies hacking Kenyan government amid debt strain
May 25, 2023
China’s Kenyan embassy has denied reports that Chinese hackers had launched cyberattacks on major state agencies in Nairobi, including that of Kenya’s presidency.
Russia’s Old Bombs Elude Ukraine’s Modern Defenses
May 25, 2023
Russia has started to use Soviet-era bombs in the war in Ukraine, resulting in artillery that isn’t as easily detectable as modern-day weapons of war.
For China-US thaw, Washington must be sincere
May 24, 2023
As the US seeks to thaw ties with China, this op-ed critiques past US-China foreign policy and explains what the US must do in the future in order to successfully restore ties with China.
