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Energy Security: Dilemma of Europe
On 7 February 2022, President Joe Biden hosted German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the White House on his first official visit to the United States. Rising tensions on the Russia - Ukraine border was naturally the focus of these talks, alongside 'strengthening ties' between the two closest allies. Both countries' views on dealing with Russia slightly differ, if not completely contradict. Biden's response of 'if Russia invades, then there will be no longer a Nord Stream 2' was followed by Chancellor Scholz' "... ready with the necessary sanctions [against Russia]". Germany's overwhelming dependence on Russian energy supply, and thus Nord Stream 2, has always been a bone of contention between Washington and Berlin.
However, this situation threatens all of Europe's reliance on Russian resources. Much less by coincidence, thus, Qatari Emir Al-Thani's talks with President Biden a week prior, focused on the possibility of Qatar supplying energy to Europe, should the tensions with Russia escalate. Qatar does not have enough spare resources that could meet Europe's energy needs. But it has offered to transfer some of its Asian shipments to the EU, on a condition that the shipments be used within the EU only.
Alongside military threats, this situation has also posed a threat of destabilising oil prices, which may lead to a sort of energy security dilemma.
By Riddhi Kothawale - Batch 20-22
Trade deals post Brexit - Under Scrutiny
International Trade Committee launches trade inquiry for UK-Australia trade deal.
Source: https://www.which.co.uk/news/2021/07/five-changes-the-uk-australia-trade-deal-could-make-to-your-food-finances-and-data-rights/
Post-Brexit, Britain's government led by PM Boris Johnson is negotiating trade deals with its close ally overseas. India and Australia being the major trade allies in the Indo-pacific region, the trade agreements are under negotiations and to be finalized. However, these trade deals are under scrutiny. The International Trade Committee is scrutinizing the trade deal with Australia and on 9th February, started its session to explore trade opportunities in manufactured goods and services that will benefit the UK.
The purpose of this session is to map the interest of the manufacturers in the United Kingdom in terms of trade, tariff slabs, rules on British-made goods, and to examine to what extent the trade deal will be beneficial for the UK after the trade deals are brought into effects. The committee will also consider the effects of the trade deal on the service sector, issues linked to connectivity, increased opportunities for movement of people of both the nations and the consequences on the financial sector.
By Hitendra Boradey - Batch 20-22
India's diplomatic boycott of Winter Olympics 2022
Source: The Independent, BBC
Earlier, it was simply US and close allies who called a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics 2022 due to concerns over human rights violations in Xinjiang and clampdown on civic freedoms in Hong Kong. After Beijing's move of appointing Qi Fabao as a torch bearer in the Opening Ceremony, India has joined this cohort in this diplomatic boycott. Qi Fabao was a regimental commander of the PLA during the Galwan Valley clash in 2020.
A diplomatic boycott entails that Indian government officials and diplomats will not attend any of the Olympic ceremonies or games. Further, Doordarshan, India's official broadcasting channel, will not be live broadcasting the winter games. However, a diplomatic boycott does not entail participation, and India will passively continue to cheer on skier Arif Khan, India's role representative in the games.
By Hima Mishra - Batch 20-22
Islamic State leader killed during US raid
Source: BBC ( https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-60246129)
NDTV (https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/isis-chief-blows-himself-up-along-with-family-during-us-raid-2747597 )
On 3 February 2022, US President Joe Biden confirmed the death of Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, Islamic State leader, following a US raid in north-western Idlib region of Syria. Qurayshi blew up himself and his family by setting off a blast after a gunfight with the night-time special forces, who had rounded on his hideout. US authority also confirmed the killing of IS deputy in the raid, without disclosing the name.
Washington Post on 11 February 2022, provided further details of the operation stating that Qurayshi's hideout was identified last fall when an informant reported a man with a missing right leg using a rooftop shower of a residential building. The disability stood out and after various confirmations and stakeouts, the operation was undertaken.
With dwindling power of IS in the region and losing large territories in Iraq and Syria, it might take them some time to regroup and build greater capacities this time. Though US would expect a pause in resurgence of IS, the offshoot of IS (IS-Khorasan Province) in the Afghanistan region has more space to grow given the circumstances. Nonetheless, since a similar operation in 2019, that killed then IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, this raid is considered to be the biggest blow to IS.
By Aarushi Gupta - Batch 20-22
America guarantees security to Saudi Arabia
Biden pledges US support against Houthi attacks to Saudi king.
Source: Al Jazeera (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/9/biden-pledges-us-support-against-houthi-attacks-to-saudi-king)
The past two weeks of attacks and counter-attacks further intensified in the Gulf region after the U.S pledged to support the Saudi Kingdom amidst drone attacks by the Houthi rebels. The remark by the U.S President comes days after the Houthis attacked the Gulf Kingdom, including the UAE, with drones.
Houthi rebels remain in control of Yemen. Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz has supported the U.S move. In the latest move by the United States, it has shot down the offensive weapons tagging the attacks by the rebel forces as 'Iran enabled'. The move has also sparked anger among the President's Democratic Party members over alleged Saudi involvement in Jamal Khashoggi's assassination and the worsening humanitarian condition in rebel-held Iran. The United States supported the Kingdom for launching offensive operations in Yemen and increased arms sales to Saudi Arabia as its commitment to the security of the Kingdom. The recent arms sales to Saudi Arabia has drawn agitations against the administration from the human rights activists in the U.S.
By Anirban Dutta - Batch 20-22
