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 that are of public interest from different perspectives. Entries may include academic journal articles, think tank reports, non-governmental organizations releases, official documents or government-commissioned research, and regular news items. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each roundup to admin@securityincontext.com
This month's Media Roundup includes a section on Lebanon
Climate Change and Security
Despite a Pledge to Ban It, Oil and Gas Permitting Is Up Under Biden
August 12, 2021
The Biden administration is on pace to issue the most oil and gas drilling permits since President George W. Bush. This completely contradicts Biden’s promise to end drilling on federal land.
Why won’t US TV news say ‘climate change’?
September 2, 2021
While climate change disasters continue to rage around the globe, U.S. media outlets refuse to name “climate change” as the problem.
Climate change pushes New Zealand to warmest recorded winter
September 5, 2021
New Zealand records its warmest winter ever as scientists confirm a correlation between rising temperatures and increasing carbon dioxide concentration.
China, US deal on climate change fails before COP26: report
September 4, 2021
China and the U.S. fail to reach an agreement on climate change after meeting before a United Nations’ climate summit in November. It was reported that the source of this failure was China’s human rights abuses, namely, forcing Uighurs in Xinjiang to manufacture solar panels.
Rupert Murdoch’s Australia News Outlets to Ease Their Climate Denial
September 6, 2021
Rupert Murdoch’s media outlets in Australia are pivoting away from climate change denial. Surprisingly, they are planning to launch an editorial campaign to advocate for carbon neutrality.
Climate change: Fossil fuels must stay underground, scientists say
September 9, 2021
Climate scientists find that the extraction of fossil fuels will greatly increase the global average temperature by 1.5C which will cause an international catastrophe
Report: Climate change could see 200 million move by 2050
September 13, 2021
Climate change is protected to displace 200 million people over the next 30 years unless urgent climate policy is enacted. Even if every country were to completely devote their energy to curbing climate change, we would still see 44 million people displaced by 2050.
Security and International Relations
Israel Launches New Airstrikes on Gaza; Soldiers Use Live Fire on Palestinian Protesters
August 30, 2021
Israel continues its military offensive on suspected Hamas sites while firing live rounds at Palestinian protestors.
U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan 'is not good news for China,' international relations scholar says
September 1, 2021
While China applauded the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, political analysts argue that its proximity to the sociopolitical fallout may create problems.
View: Taliban sanctions pose international dilemma
September 9, 2021
UN restrictions and sanctions aimed at the Taliban pose a major issue for the development of Afghanistan.
Explainer: How bad is the crisis in Lebanon?
September 10, 2021
Lebanon’s financial crisis has worsened over the last few months due to debilitating fuel shortages. While Prime Minister Najib Mikati and President Michel Aoun have made major political changes, the country is still in a major economic depression.
The Taliban are lying, France's foreign minister says
September 11, 2021
France’s Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, says that France will not have a working relationship with the Taliban.
Haiti crisis deepens after prime minister sacks prosecutor
September 15, 2021
The political crisis in Haiti worsened after Prime Minister Ariel Henry fired the chief prosecutor who had accused him of being part of the murder of President Jovenel Moise on July 7.
Migration and Displacement
Will the Taliban takeover lead to a new European refugee crisis?
August 17, 2021
European officials express their concern for another refugee crisis despite experts' projection that most Afghans will be internally displaced or flee to neighboring countries.
Water crisis and drought threaten more than 12 million in Syria and Iraq
August 23, 2021
Record temperatures and droughts are devastating the agricultural industries of Syria and Iraq. Additionally, millions of people are losing access to electricity and water which is likely to displace many.
As some countries welcome Afghan refugees, others are trying to keep them out
September 1, 2021
Many countries that neighbor Afghanistan have made it clear they are unable to house fleeing Afghans. Pakistan and Iran collectively took in over 2 million Afghans in 2020.
September 2, 2021
The number of people in Mexico and Central America seeking asylum explodes while border restrictions in the region remain incredibly rigid.
Where Will Afghan Refugees Go?
September 8, 2021
Following Afghan migration patterns in 2020, experts conclude that the current crisis will cause a massive influx of Afghans to Iran, Pakistan, and Europe. The U.S. housed two thousand of the 2.8 million displaced Afghans in 2020.
UNHCR grateful for Turkey's partnership in migration crisis
September 9, 2021
Turkey partnered with UNHCR to help mitigate the migration crisis in the Middle East.
Swift Climate Action Could Prevent 80% of Domestic Migration by 2050
September 13, 2021
Because climate change is projected to displace hundreds of millions by 2050, climate change policies must be enacted swiftly to prevent the inevitable climate displacement crisis.
Burkina Faso: 275,000 people forced to flee new surge in violence
September 13, 2021
Political violence in Burkina Faso displaces thousands of people per week. The humanitarian response has been insufficient to say the least.
Covid-19, Capitalism & Economy
FDA Approves First COVID-19 Vaccine
August 23, 2021
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine has been approved by the FDA. This is the first vaccine to be officially approved by the FDA.
100,000 more COVID deaths seen unless US changes its ways
August 26, 2021
Scientists project that 100,000 people will die from the coronavirus between now and December 1st. This number could be cut in half if we commit to wearing masks in public spaces.
New Zealand reports first death linked to Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
August 30, 2021
A woman in New Zealand has died from a rare side effect of the Pfizer covid vaccine. This is the first death in New Zealand which is directly linked to the side effect of the vaccine.
COVID-19: New Mu variant could be more vaccine-resistant
September 1, 2021
A new COVID-19 variant which emerged in Colombia is becoming more and more prevalent. While the number of people infected with the variant Mu is still relatively low, the numbers have been steadily climbing over the last few months.
India’s DNA COVID vaccine is a world first – more are coming
September 2, 2021
A new COVID-19 vaccine has been approved in India that uses circular strands of DNA. At least a dozen DNA vaccines are in clinical trials around the world and India is the first to approve one.
New Studies Find Evidence Of 'Superhuman' Immunity To COVID-19 In Some Individuals
September 7, 2021
Some people have an extraordinary immunity to COVID-19 and most, if not all, its variants.
September 15, 2021
In Israel, it has been found that a 3rd booster shot of the Pfizer restores waning vaccine protection against COVID-19 and its variants.
Technologies of surveillance/Data Analytics/AI
Federal government to expand use of facial recognition despite growing concerns
August 15, 2021
The U.S. federal government, despite privacy concerns, is expanding its facial recognition programs.
Bosses turn to ‘tattleware’ to keep tabs on employees working from home
September 5, 2021
New surveillance technology designed to monitor remote workplaces might be the unsettling future of the office.
The Privacy Lesson of 9/11: Mass Surveillance is Not the Way Forward
September 7, 2021
Since 9/11, the U.S. government surveillance state has grown and become more pervasive. While there is bipartisan agreement that this violates individuals’ privacy rights, the executive and Congress have failed to enact policies that protect those rights.
US-built databases a potential tool of Taliban repression
September 7, 2021
Over 20 years, the U.S. has built databases for Afghanistan. The Taliban now has control over this digital information including biometrics.
Privacy, technology groups urge Biden to revive surveillance oversight board
September 8, 2021
There are several vacant positions in the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board which means it is unable to initiate new projects. The American Civil Liberties Union, along with 18 other organizations and entities, sent President Biden a letter urging him to revive the Board.
Citing human rights risks, UN calls for ban on certain AI tech until safeguards are set up
September 15, 2021
The UN Human Rights Chief has called for a moratorium on AI technology that poses a threat to individual rights and privacy including facial recognition software.
Russia: Broad Facial Recognition Use Undermines Rights
September 15, 2021
The expansion of facial recognition technology in Russia without any regulation or oversight threatens the privacy and the safety of private Russian citizens.
Gender, Race, Ethnicity, and Sexuality
Ethiopia: Ethnic Tigrayans Forcibly Disappeared
August 18, 2021
Tigrayans in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, are being targeted by Ethiopian authorities and have been forcibly disappeared, arbitrarily detained, and more.
UN Women Hopes $40 Billion Will Accelerate Gender Equality
August 19, 2021
$40 Billion was pledged to promote gender equality through UN Women. The former head of UN women hopes this will be part of a larger trend of gender equality promotion.
Racism doesn’t just exist within aid. It’s the structure the sector is built on
August 31, 2021
Systemic racism plays a different role for the global south, particularly in the international aid sector.
Report: Air Force women, minorities face harassment and bias
September 9, 2021
One third of women in the air force say they have been sexually harassed and nearly all report accounts of sexism.
Afghanistan: Taliban announce new rules for female students
September 12, 2021
While the Taliban allows women to work and attend university, they have expressed that women should refrain from working if possible.
Taliban: Women can study in gender-segregated universities
September 12, 2021
Women in Afghanistan will be allowed to continue their studies at universities which include postgraduate studies. However, the Taliban insists that classrooms be segregated by gender.
Gender equality ‘champion’ Sima Sami Bahous to lead UN Women
September 13, 2021
Sima Sami Bahous of Jordan has been appointed as executive director of UN Women. She is regarded as a champion for women’s rights and empowerment.
Arms, Weapons, and Military Industrial Complex
$10,000 Invested In Defense Stocks When Afghanistan War Began Now Worth Almost $100,000
August 16, 2021
While everyone regards the war in Afghanistan as a horrific strategic failure, stock in the largest defense contractors exploded.
Planes, guns, night-vision goggles: The Taliban's new U.S.-made war chest
August 19, 2021
Afghanistan's ministry of defense received advanced military equipment from the U.S. This arsenal is now in the hands of the Taliban.
Azerbaijan Reportedly in Talks with Israel to Sign Arms Deal
August 20, 2021
Azerbaijan and Israel discuss an arms deal that would grant the former $2 billion in weapons. This is just one of many examples of Israel continuing to pursue trade agreements with Arab countries.
Turkey extols booming defence industry at international arms fair
August 21, 2021
Turkey's defense industry is expanding as the government invests in newer military technology. Now, the government looks for opportunities to use new military technology.
After the Afghanistan Disaster, NATO Is Already Planning the Next War
August 24, 2021
Interventionists are already concocting more reasons for increasing U.S. presence in the Middle East. While Many regard the war in Afghanistan as a failure, many officials and media outlets have learned the wrong lesson.
Iran’s Bet on Autonomous Weapons
August 30, 2021
Iran continues to invest in AI weaponry as they rank 5th in the world for graduating the most science, technology, engineering, and mathematics students. Reports show that Iran is investing most of its defense resources towards developing AI weapons systems.
September 3, 2021
The Federal Service of Military Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), is the Russian entity that oversees $50 billion in arms exports every year.
North Korea says it tested new long-range cruise missiles
September 13, 2021
North Korea launches its first long range cruise missiles in months. The U.S. continues to exert pressure on North Korea and station soldiers in South Korea.
Lebanon
Fuel crisis in Lebanon potential catastrophe for thousands: senior UN official
August 17, 2021
The fuel crisis in Lebanon has led to water and electricity shortages across the country. This endangers the healthcare system greatly and puts many at serious risk.
Lebanon as We Once Knew It Is Gone
September 3, 2021
Life in Lebanon has severely deteriorated due to economic meltdown. This personal account highlights the social and psychological consequences and difficulties of the economic depression.
Lebanon fuel crisis hits Hezbollah heartlands
September 8, 2021
Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, blames the U.S. and its “economic war” as the primary cause of the devastating fuel shortage in Lebanon. The Iran backed group declares that it is not replacing the state but must take action by arranging oil deals with Iran to help alleviate the crisis.
Biden clears $47 million for Lebanese forces, but that doesn’t mean they’ll receive it
September 10, 2021
The U.S. gives $47 million to Lebanese forces, but in many instances in the past, this money has been lost in the bureaucratic process.
Lebanon’s new PM pledges to stabilize economic meltdown
September 10, 2021
While the new Lebanese government has a plan for short term economic recovery, many say that the economy is a long way away from long term sustainability.
Lebanon gets new government amid deepening crisis
September 10, 2021
Lebanon’s richest man, Najib Mikati, has been appointed the new prime minister. This ends the political gridlock that ensued since the resignation of the prime minister 4 days after the Beirut explosion.
Hezbollah-brokered Iranian fuel arrives in crisis-hit Lebanon
September 16, 2021
While Hezbollah has helped acquire a large amount of oil from Iran, the deal violates U.S. sanctions imposed on Iran. However, the situation is too dire in Lebanon to adhere to the already highly controversial U.S. imposed sanctions on Iran.
