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
Brazilian Justice Alexandre de Moraes continues to advance censorship and authoritarianism
May 18, 2023
Central Justice of the Federal Supreme Court of Brazil, Alexandre de Moraes, pursues authoritarian goals through political excommunication and censorship.
Inflation in Argentina Leaves Families Struggling to Feed Themselves
May 14, 2023
A striking 107% inflation rate in Argentina leaves citizens in complete economic fallout.
Cultivation of edible insects in Costa Rica
May 8, 2023
Costa Rican province Guanacaste may offer a solution to global hunger in the form of edible crickets.
Latin America will lose production capacity due to climate change
May 8, 2023
Experts from Moody Analytics warn Latin American countries may be nearing a productive- economic catastrophe if climate change mitigation efforts are not taken more seriously.
Dominica-China Friendship Hospital Offers Free Medical Care For Youth
May 7, 2023
The continuation of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative led to the opening of a Friendship Hospital in Dominica.
Africa
More than 100 people dead in communal clashes in central Nigeria
May 19, 2023
Fighting between farmers and herders in Nigeria have resulted in over 100 deaths, part of a years-long intercommunal conflict that has left hundreds dead.
US laws to promote home-grown industries will hurt African economies
May 18, 2023
Homegrown technological legislation in the United States poses a threat to the global technology output from Africa, with 19 countries in debt possibly being impacted by the change.
Most east African refugees are hosted close to borders – it’s a deliberate war strategy
May 14, 2023
70% of the 300 camps housing 4 million refugees across Africa are as close as 30 kilometers from an international border, including large camps in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. This article explores the impact of this and what it means for refugee camps and Africa as a whole.
Sudan belligerents sign commitment to protect civilians
May 12, 2023
Those who are involved in the conflict in Sudan signed an agreement to allow trapped civilians to leave fighting zones. However, this was not a statement of ceasefire in a conflict that has left over 750 dead and 900,000 people displaced as of the article’s date.
‘Catastrophic’ Congo Flooding Kills More Than 400 People
May 8, 2023
Flooding in the Democratic Republic of Congo has resulted in over 400 deaths and thousands displaced because of the rains that have hammered down on the country.
Middle East
Sudan’s army chief inspects soldiers in Khartoum
May 18, 2023
Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Commander-in-chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces, has inspected his soldiers in the midsts of Sudan’s current conflict.
Iran, Russia ink agreement for construction of Rasht-Astara railway
May 17, 2023
Russia and Iran have signed an agreement in a video conference to begin construction on a railway that would connect the two countries. This would allow an easier transfer of goods between the two countries and strengthen their already growing alliance.
Gov't determined to secure Iran’s water rights from Helmand: Minister
May 16, 2023
According to Iran’s Energy Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian, the Iranian government is seeking to secure their water rights from the Helmand River in Afghanistan.
When Gaza Rockets Fly, Migrant Workers in Israel's South Are Left Exposed
May 15, 2023
Agricultural workers in Moshav Ami’oz do not have any nearby shelter when rockets from Gaza land in their area. This article analyzes how migrant workers are impacted by conflicts in the region.
US envoy to Yemen cautiously optimistic about peace prospects amid Saudi-Iran rapprochement
May 13, 2023
While the U.S. affirms its commitment to peace in Yemen, it remains “concerned” with Iran and Saudi rapprochement. Although Tim Lenderking, U.S. special envoy to Yemen, approves of a peace agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, he asserts that Iran and Saudi Arabia need to be held accountable for their conduct in the region.
Developing Asia
May 18, 2023
After a storm delayed shipments, caused power outages, and hampered manufacturing, Bangladeshi clothing manufacturers are considering exporting unusually large quantities by air to Europe and the US in an effort to fulfill deadlines and prevent cancellations. The shortage might affect the availability of summer clothing for some of Bangladesh's biggest export clients, including Walmart (WMT.N), Gap Inc. (GPS.N), H&M (HMb.ST), VF Corp. (VFC.N), Zara, and American Eagle Outfitters (AEO.N).
UN human rights expert publishes thorough study on junta's supply networks for weapons
May 18, 2023
Direct supply of weapons, parts, dual-use technology, and raw materials for their production totaled $947 million, while sales of close to $59 million to organizations known to function as middlemen for the military's arms purchases totaled almost $59 million. Research shows that, in terms of financial value, the countries that have provided Myanmar the most arms since the coup are Thailand, Singapore, India, China, and Singapore.
Xi's presence strengthens links and revitalizes the Silk Road in Central Asian nations
May 18, 2023
As China has stepped up the development of the BRI, Central Asia has assumed a greater strategic significance, and these nations are now playing a larger part in China's diplomatic policy. To further their long-term growth, Central Asian nations are ready to work with China.
May 15, 2023
The ongoing crisis in Afghanistan has tasked the United Nations with two apparently contradictory responsibilities: maintaining aid to the most vulnerable while simultaneously maintaining pressure on the Taliban to halt its atrocious human rights crimes.Nearly a million youngsters, or one-third of the country's total, are severely malnourished because of the food crisis. The risk to women and girls persists.
To enter America, 875 Nepalis were made to appear to be refugees
May 11, 2023
Politicians and officials in Nepal are involved in a scheme to trick Nepalis into posing as Bhutanese in order to get fake documents that would allow them to immigrate to the United States. Many Nepalis have previously requested political asylum in the West, claiming to have been persecuted by the Maoists or the government during the conflict.
Key Issues
This section includes the latest and most pressing news regarding SiC's key security issues.
U.S. Will Support F-16 Training for Ukraine
May 19, 2023
US President Joe Biden has confirmed the nation will be supporting current international efforts to train Ukrainian pilots in flying F-16 jets alongside various other advanced air fighters to counter Russia’s air force.
Yoon harnesses G-7 debut to overcome past disputes with Japan
May 19, 2023
South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol plans to use his debut at the G-7 summit to improve ties between South Korea and Japan, in particular meeting South Korean victims of the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima by the US.
Biden gives priority to Israel-Saudi normalization
May 19, 2023
US President Joe Biden is attempting to ensure normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, with different countries having different goals regarding allyship and friendliness toward one another.
Sudan: UN estimates aid needs at over $3 billion
May 17, 2023
The United Nations has estimated that $2.6 billion dollars in humanitarian aid is needed due to the conflict in Sudan, though that number goes over $3 billion when accounting for the needs of refugees that have fled to other countries. An estimated 1.1 million refugees are expected to flee by the end of 2023.
PROJECT INVICTUS: INSIDE THE UK’S HUMAN RIGHTS BUSTING CAMPAIGN TO SPY ON REFUGEES
May 5, 2023
An investigative report chronicling how the UK government is using different tools to spy on refugees in the country.
