Global Geopolitical Series: Key updates from across the world

Here are some key events to keep a tab on,

• Russia-Israel- Syria: After reaching an agreement over Idlib, Turkey is now taking steps to drive the extremists out of the region. In the latest rise of tensions, Moscow is blaming Israel over its indirect rose in downing a Russian military jet. Iran has launched missile attacks in Syria targeting militants, in response to an attack on its revolutionary guard’s parade. In response to the downing of its jet in Syria, Russia has deployed S-300 missile defense systems in Syria. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be visiting Russia to talk the security situation in Syria. In the latest signs of tensions, Jordan has ended provisions in the peace treaty to reclaim lands leased to Israel.  
   
• Korean Peninsula: In the latest move in the positive direction, the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo paid a visit to North Korea to meet Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un and after the meeting he hailed it as a success and declared that North Korea has promised to allow international inspectors to its nuclear facilities such as missile engine test facility and nuclear testing site. Currently, the two Koreas are engaged in high-level talks to implement the summit promises as well as increase cooperation on forestry. Top ranking defense officials from two Koreas are expected to attend the military forum in Beijing.
   
• Palestine - Israel: After intense firefighting, airstrikes and rocket fires along the Gaza border, Israel was inching closer in forging a truce agreement with Hamas over the Gaza Strip, Palestinian Authority leaders have foiled the move and the focus has now turned to solve the West Bank issue first before any truce along Gaza. As the Palestinian Authority (PA) leaders heightened the harsh rhetoric, President Trump of the United States has called of as much as $200 million aid to PA.  President Trump has also reportedly revived the confederation idea between Jordan and West Bank, which was initially proposed by King Hussain of Jordan and Yasser Arafat, the PA President. The plan was abandoned by Jordan in 1988. President Trump is also negotiating with Arab leaders to provide citizenships to Palestinian refugees living in their country. Recently, Paraguay, which had said that it would follow the U.S. footsteps in recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital by moving its embassy, scrapped the move, angering Israel which has chosen to close its embassy in Paraguay. According to the latest reports, violence has once again erupted across West Bank. Israel is likely to go ahead with its planned but controversial demolition of a Bedouin village as it has given its residents 8 days to clear area earlier this week.  Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Palestine called on countries to recognize Israel as a state which fundamentally violates the rights of children. Once again violence is escalating along the Gaza region. However, in a sign of easing tensions, Israel has reopened two key border crossing points in Gaza. Australia has sparked Palestinian outrage by suggesting its embassy move to Jerusalem.
   
• Turkey-United States: Tensions eased between Ankara and Washington as Pastor Branson was finally released by the Turkish court.  
   
• Trade war: The U.S., Canada, and Mexico reached an agreement to reform the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The United States has imposed tariffs on $250 billion worth of trade. China has retaliated in response with tariffs on $110 billion worth of goods. President Trump remains determined to bring China to the negotiating table to accept a new much tougher trade policies. President Trump has now turned his focus on India to reach a new trade agreement by threatening tariffs.
   
• Saudi Arabia- Canada: Saudi Arabia has severed economic and diplomatic ties with Canada in response to Canada’s criticism of Saudi Arabia’s handling and capture of activists. Saudi Arabia ordered the expulsion of the Canadian ambassador and the halting of all new trade and investment deals between the two countries after Canada said it was gravely concerned about the recent arrests of Saudi civil society and women’s rights activists. It has also called back its diplomats from Canada. Saudi Arabia has suspended flights to Toronto as the escalation is showing no signs of abating. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced last week that Canada is engaging diplomatically with Saudi Arabia to resolve the dispute, however, no reports of any breakthrough yet. Canada tried the UNGA meetings to resolve disputes, however, no breakthrough yet as Saudi Arabia speaking to UNGA demanded official apologies from Canada over the comments and called on the country to stop treating the kingdom as a banana republic.
   
• U.S. - China: In addition to the trade tensions which has increased the diplomatic friction between the two countries reached new heights as the United States announced sanctions on a Chinese military organization for buying military equipment from Russia. The purchase deal included Russian Su-35 combat aircraft and equipment related to the S-400 surface-to-air missile system. The sanction bars the organization’s access to the dollar-based financial system. China summoned U.S. ambassador to announce its opposition in the harshest manner possible. In addition to that, there has been accusation that China has used spy chips to infiltrate U.S. companies like Intel, Google, Microsoft, as well as the United States military contractors. In a speech Vice President Mike Pence and in an interview, President Trump has described China as the number one enemy of the United States.
   
• Missing reporter at Saudi consulate: The geopolitical tensions surrounding the missing Saudi Journalist, a writer for the Washington Post continue to simmer as Saudi Arabia is being widely accused of assassinating the journalist at its consulate in Turkey, over his negative views and writings with regard to the Saudi Royal family, especially the new crown prince Mohammad bin Salman. He was a renowned Middle East journalists with an expertise on dreaded terrorist Osama bin Laden. He vanished on October 2nd, and currently feared to be murdered. Last week, Saudi Journalist Jamal Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to finalize his divorce, so he can be married to his fiancée who was waiting outside the consulate. According to her account and released CCTV footage by Turkey shows that Khashoggi entered the consulate but never came out. However, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince called the accusation a conspiracy theory and added that the journalist left the consulate shortly after entering. U.S. President Donald Trump though not very eager to cancel the arms deal with Saudi Arabia warned of severe consequences of the allegations are proven to be true. Saudi Arabia has also promised to retaliate if sanctions are imposed over Khashoggi’s disappearance. In the latest turn of events, Saudi Arabia finally accepted that the reporter was murdered at the consulate but suggest that the Royal family was not aware.
   
• INF treaty: The United States under the leadership of President Trump announced that it plans to exit from a cold-war era treaty known as Intermediate range nuclear forces (INF) Treaty that was forged back in 1987 and reportedly served as a key cornerstone of global arms control. The United States cited Russia’s violation of the treaty and China’s building up of the nuclear arsenal. It is likely that there would be negotiations before exit. Kremlin has criticized Washington over the decision.