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Flooding in North Korea, Drills in the South China Sea and other stories
DerekJohnson
Administrator, Swaye's Wigwam Posts: 60,100
By: Geopolitical Futures
Another day, another crisis in North Korea. Thousands of North Koreans have been removed from their homes as vast tracts of farmland have been inundated due to heavy rain in South Hamgyong province, according to state media. Kim Jong Un has reportedly mobilized the military to deal with the problem. Meanwhile, China is seizing on the moment to renew calls for U.N. sanctions relief for the North.
Drills in the South China Sea. It seems everyone is holding military drills in the South China Sea. France and the U.K. are taking the unusual step of joining U.S.-led exercises, which also include Japan, Australia and New Zealand. India is moving four warships into the region for a series of drills over the next two months that will include its Quad partners and several key Southeast Asian states. And China on Friday kicked off its own major drills, sealing off waters between Hainan and the Paracels, fueling speculation that it may be on the verge of testing some of its new anti-ship missiles.
Moscow's plans for the Kurils. The Russian military has built more than 25 buildings in the disputed Kuril Islands, including seven dormitories for military personnel, in recent years, according to a report in Russia’s Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper. The Kremlin plans to construct 51 facilities in total on the island chain, part of which is claimed by Japan.
Poland's reversal. Poland’s prime minister said his country would dissolve its controversial disciplinary system for judges, complying with a ruling by the European Union's top court that the system was a violation of EU law.
Water dispute in Syria. Russia and Turkey agreed to resolve their dispute over the Allouk water station in Syria, a key source of water for hundreds of thousands of people in Hasakah province that was cut off in the fighting there.
Sudanese proposal denied. Sudan has recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia over Addis Ababa’s rejection of Sudan’s offer to mediate talks between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front. The decision likely stemmed from the fact that Sudan and Ethiopia are currently at odds over a couple key issues: al-Fashaga border region and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
Moving ahead. The U.S. and South Korea are going ahead with major annual joint drills, shrugging off warnings from Pyongyang. The drills, however, are expected to be scaled back somewhat. North Korea often sees the drills as indistinguishable from preparations for an invasion.
Withdrawal in the Himalayas. Indian and Chinese troops appear to have pulled back from around Gogra, one of the key flashpoints along the Line of Actual Control (the disputed de facto border) in the Himalayas. Beijing has not confirmed India’s announcement about the withdrawal. It would mark the first mutual pullback in Eastern Ladakh since 2020.
Russian drills. Russia began military exercises in the country’s southern regions as well as in Russian bases in Armenia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russia also began joint exercises with China in Qingtongxia, a city in northeast China. The drills will run until Aug. 13 and involve 13,000 personnel.
French protests. For the fourth consecutive week, protests against a COVID-19 health pass broke out in France over the weekend. According to the Interior Ministry, 237,000 people participated in the demonstrations, an increase of roughly 30,000 from the previous weekend. Similar protests were also held in Italy, though on a much smaller scale.
Lukashenko's stance on integration. During a media event called the “Big Conversation,” Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said he would support integration with Russia so long as Belarus remained a sovereign state.
Another day, another crisis in North Korea. Thousands of North Koreans have been removed from their homes as vast tracts of farmland have been inundated due to heavy rain in South Hamgyong province, according to state media. Kim Jong Un has reportedly mobilized the military to deal with the problem. Meanwhile, China is seizing on the moment to renew calls for U.N. sanctions relief for the North.
Drills in the South China Sea. It seems everyone is holding military drills in the South China Sea. France and the U.K. are taking the unusual step of joining U.S.-led exercises, which also include Japan, Australia and New Zealand. India is moving four warships into the region for a series of drills over the next two months that will include its Quad partners and several key Southeast Asian states. And China on Friday kicked off its own major drills, sealing off waters between Hainan and the Paracels, fueling speculation that it may be on the verge of testing some of its new anti-ship missiles.
Moscow's plans for the Kurils. The Russian military has built more than 25 buildings in the disputed Kuril Islands, including seven dormitories for military personnel, in recent years, according to a report in Russia’s Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper. The Kremlin plans to construct 51 facilities in total on the island chain, part of which is claimed by Japan.
Poland's reversal. Poland’s prime minister said his country would dissolve its controversial disciplinary system for judges, complying with a ruling by the European Union's top court that the system was a violation of EU law.
Water dispute in Syria. Russia and Turkey agreed to resolve their dispute over the Allouk water station in Syria, a key source of water for hundreds of thousands of people in Hasakah province that was cut off in the fighting there.
Sudanese proposal denied. Sudan has recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia over Addis Ababa’s rejection of Sudan’s offer to mediate talks between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front. The decision likely stemmed from the fact that Sudan and Ethiopia are currently at odds over a couple key issues: al-Fashaga border region and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
Moving ahead. The U.S. and South Korea are going ahead with major annual joint drills, shrugging off warnings from Pyongyang. The drills, however, are expected to be scaled back somewhat. North Korea often sees the drills as indistinguishable from preparations for an invasion.
Withdrawal in the Himalayas. Indian and Chinese troops appear to have pulled back from around Gogra, one of the key flashpoints along the Line of Actual Control (the disputed de facto border) in the Himalayas. Beijing has not confirmed India’s announcement about the withdrawal. It would mark the first mutual pullback in Eastern Ladakh since 2020.
Russian drills. Russia began military exercises in the country’s southern regions as well as in Russian bases in Armenia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russia also began joint exercises with China in Qingtongxia, a city in northeast China. The drills will run until Aug. 13 and involve 13,000 personnel.
French protests. For the fourth consecutive week, protests against a COVID-19 health pass broke out in France over the weekend. According to the Interior Ministry, 237,000 people participated in the demonstrations, an increase of roughly 30,000 from the previous weekend. Similar protests were also held in Italy, though on a much smaller scale.
Lukashenko's stance on integration. During a media event called the “Big Conversation,” Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said he would support integration with Russia so long as Belarus remained a sovereign state.