Weekly Global Newscast |December 10 - December 16, 2018, 2018

Asia

Afghanistan Hosts Pakistan, China For Talks on Security and Trade

Officials from Afghanistan, Pakistan and China met in the Afghan capital Kabul to discuss trade, development and solutions to end the region’s relentless conflicts. The bitter relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan dominated the talks, with all three countries agreeing that a peaceful end to the war would have economic and trade benefits for the entire region. Pakistan and Afghanistan have long accused each other of failing to combat the Taliban and other armed groups that operate along their porous border.

Analysis

‘The foreign minister is in Kabul on a day-long official trip to attend the second round of the trilateral ministerial dialogue between Pakistan, Afghanistan and China. He is heading a Pakistani delegation that also includes Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and other high-ranking officials of the Foreign Office. “Since the beginning [of the Afghan conflict], Pakistan has advocated for dialogue instead of military action to achieve peace. Today the world is agreeing with our stance,” the foreign minister said during the meeting, adding that as a neighbour, Pakistan had “suffered most due to the Afghan situation”. The dialogue aims to pave way for a solution to the Afghan crisis through political means since peace in Afghanistan is vital for regional growth and development, he said. In order to defeat terrorism, Qureshi said, there is a need for increased cooperation and intelligence exchange between the neighbours. “A bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan is of extreme importance to our government,” he said.’ Naveed Siddiqui writes for Dawn.

‘On the occasion, Foreign Minister Yi announced that China would assist both Pakistan and Afghanistan to improve their bilateral relations and also help them in their connectivity projects, including a rail line between Peshawar, Kabul and Kandahar. “The three sides have agreed to seriously implement an MoU signed during this dialogue on trilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism,” Yi said. “It won’t only push forth trilateral cooperation between our three countries, but will also prove useful in keeping the peace and stability of this region.” “[Both Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed] to resolve differences through friendly consultations. If there are issues that cannot be solved, then they must be handled appropriately and prevented from affecting the progress in improving bilateral ties,” Yi continued. Reiterating his country’s commitment to play an effective role in bringing Islamabad and Kabul closer, he said: “As China is a mutual friend of Afghanistan and Pakistan, we approve of this. We are also willing to provide support and help for Pakistan and Afghanistan to improve their ties.’ Reported the Express Tribune.

‘Pakistan and Afghanistan have long accused each other of failing to combat the Taliban and other militant groups that operate along their porous border. China, which has hosted Taliban leaders in an effort to bring the warring sides to the negotiating table, sees an end to the war as critical to its “One Belt, One Road” policy of expanding trade links across Asia. China is investing tens of billions of dollars in Pakistan, and the two have forged close economic ties. Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani said his country also wants to participate in the Chinese initiative. Efforts to end the Afghan conflict have accelerated since the appointment in September of U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who has shuttled across the region in an effort to revive Afghan peace talks. He has reportedly held several meetings with the Taliban at their political office in the Gulf country of Qatar. The State Department has neither confirmed nor denied the talks. Khalilzad, who says he is in contact with all parties to the conflict, is expected to return to the Middle East again this week. In a news conference after Saturday’s trilateral talks, Rabbani said that Kabul had yet to see “tangible progress” from Pakistan “in the fight against terrorism.” He said Afghanistan wanted to see some “specific measures” from Islamabad to end the violence, without offering details. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Islamabad wanted a fresh start in its relationship with Afghanistan.’ Amir Shah writes for Fox News.

Indian By-elections; Modi’s BJP Suffers Humiliating Defeat

India’s ruling party lost power in three key states, dealing Prime Minister Narendra Modi his biggest defeat since he took office in 2014 and boosting the opposition ahead of general elections next year. The results in the northern states of Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh could force the federal government run by Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to raise spending in the countryside, where more than two-thirds of India’s 1.3 billion people live.

Analysis

‘It’s been a dark four and a half years for India’s main opposition party, the Indian National Congress. After getting trounced in the 2014 general elections by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress headed into a protracted downward spiral. Its parliamentary tally shrank from 206 seats (out of 543 in the Lok Sabha, or lower house of parliament) to a paltry 44—not even large enough to qualify to officially lead the opposition. In state after state, the Congress seemed unable—and, often, unwilling—to halt the BJP’s electoral juggernaut. By mid-2018, the Congress and its allies controlled just three state governments while the BJP alliance saw its tally swell to as many as 20. The Congress watched its ranks thin as high-profile defectors made common cause with rivals better situated to confront the BJP. The heir to the once-storied Congress dynasty, Rahul Gandhi, became the butt of every Twitter meme and WhatsApp joke—an erratic dilettante whose gaffes were as frequent as his long, unexplained trips abroad.’ Milan Vaishnav writes for Foreign Policy.

‘The central states of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh are widely regarded as BJP strongholds. To put the results in context, India’s main opposition party has been consistently losing state elections since it was routed in the seismic 2014 elections which brought Mr Modi to power, winning less than 20% of the popular vote and securing 44 of the 543 seats. It is currently in power in only two large states. The BJP won 62 of the 65 seats in these three key states in the last parliamentary elections. Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are also part of a bellwether region – the Hindi-speaking heartland of India – which gave the BJP and its allies 203 of the 225 seats that they won in 2014. Mr Modi’s grandiose promises – especially to create more jobs and increase incomes of farmers – have begun to bite. Lack of jobs and declining farm incomes will be the deciding issues next year, although whether the farmers will vote as an “angry bloc” against what is now being perceived as an “arrogant” government will become clearer closer to the summer polls. But the failure to offer an alternative narrative of hope to the people will make it difficult for the Congress and its often fractious allies to mount a credible challenge to Mr Modi, who still remains the BJP’s star vote-catcher. In the end, says Pratap Bhanu Mehta, vice-chancellor of Ashoka University, the elections don’t feel like the “buoyant narrative of a young nation marching into the future”. “At the end of the day, these elections are about a competing narrative only in a limited sense: A ruling dispensation full of arrogance, hubris, and willing to corrode all civil society and institutions competing with a Congress that is seen as a last defensive stance of an embattled republic.”’ Soutik Biswas writes for BBC.

Middle East & North Africa

United Nations on Syria

A UN statement revealed that the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura will hold talks with high-level officials from Iran, Russia and Turkey in Geneva early next week on setting up a constitutional committee.

Analysis

‘The talks on forming a “credible, balanced, and inclusive” committee to draft a new constitution for Syria and usher in elections will take place before de Mistura’s monthly presentation to the UN Security Council set for December 20, a UN statement said on Friday. Last month, Syria’s warring sides and mediators meeting in Kazakhstan failed to agree on the formation of a constitutional committee which is key to ending the seven-year civil war. De Mistura, whose term ends at the end of the year, called it a “missed opportunity”.  At issue is the 50-member delegation comprising Syrian experts, civil society, independents, tribal leaders and women that de Mistura was authorised to put together by countries attending a Russian-hosted Syrian peace conference in the Black Sea resort of Sochi in January.  An agreement has already been reached on a 50-member government delegation and a delegation equal in size from the opposition for the drafting committee. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said his government will only consider amendments to the current constitution, in defiance of the Sochi agreement to have the government, opposition and independents draft a new document. Earlier this week, de Mistura said work was still ongoing to form the constitutional committee, adding that if an announcement about the committee is not made, “we will have to draw ourselves some conclusions”.’ Reported the Al Jazeera.

‘The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura will hold talks with high-level officials from Iran, Russia and Turkey in Geneva early next week on setting up a constitutional committee, a U.N. statement said on Friday. The talks on forming a “credible, balanced, and inclusive” committee to draft a new constitution for Syria and usher in elections will take place ahead of his monthly presentation to the U.N. Security Council set for Thursday Dec. 20, it said.’ Stephanie Nebehay reported for The New York Times.

Sub Saharan Africa

Former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh Blocked From Entering US

The US State Department has barred former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh and members of his immediate family from entering the United States. The decision comes almost two years after Jammeh was forced into exile in Equatorial Guinea after he refused to concede defeat in a presidential election.

Analysis

‘Jammeh ruled the tiny West African country for two decades. He lost a democratic election to Adama Barrow in December 2016. However, Jammeh refused to step down, which prompted a military threat by the African Union and the West African regional body ECOWAS. He fled to Equatorial Guinea in January 2017. The State Department said Jammeh is now being banned entry to the country under a category that applies to foreign government officials who are believed to have committed “significant corruption or a gross violation of human rights”. In addition to Jammeh, his wife Zineb, and their daughter Mariam and son Muhammad are also being blocked. The Barrow government reported that Jammeh stole at least $50m from the country while in office. Jammeh, who attended a military training course in Alabama, owns real estate in Potomac, Maryland, about 24km from Washington, DC. An estate previously owned by former American basketball player Calbert Cheaney, it was sold to the Jammeh family trust in 2010 for $3.5m, according to public records.’ Reported the Al Jazeera.

‘The State Department imposed sanctions against Gambia’s former president, who stepped down last year after a nonviolent military intervention by neighboring countries allowed a democratically elected successor to take over. The sanctions against Yahya Jammeh and his family come days ahead of the Trump administration’s planned announcement of a new strategy for Africa on Thursday. Mr. Trump’s new strategy is expected to be heavily focused on responding to China’s growing influence on the continent.’ Jessica Donati writes for the Wall Street Journal.

Europe

Britons to Pay For Visa-Free Travel to EU After Brexit

British travellers will have to pay 7 euros ($7.91) for a three-year pre-travel authorisation to visit the European Union after Brexit. Natasha Bertaud, a spokeswoman for Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission’s president, confirmed that British visitors to the EU will need to pay the fee for a visa waiver under the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).

Analysis

‘The waiver will apply if the two sides agree on a Brexit deal before the United Kingdom leaves the bloc on March 29, 2019. But if the UK crashes out of the bloc without an agreement to mitigate ensuing disruptions, Britons could require visas to travel to the EU in the future, Bertaud said.  The ETIAS system, due to come into force in 2021, is aimed at beefing up the bloc’s security. Under the Brexit deal, ETIAS would start applying to the UK when its post-Brexit transition period ends in 2020.’ Reported the Al Jazeera.

‘It is not yet clear exactly what screening criteria will be used, but the details applicants supply, including past criminal convictions, will be matched against Europol databases and their eventual presence on EU and national wanted persons lists or watchlists checked before a visa waiver is granted. The government had hoped to secure an exemption for British citizens after Brexit. It hailed the prospect of continued visa-free travel for short EU visits as one of the major achievements of the political declaration on the future relationship between Britain and the bloc. The declaration said both sides wanted to preserve visa-free travel for short-term visits. It implied, however, that visas could be introduced for longer stays.’ John Henley writes for The Guardian.

‘If the UK crashes out of the EU with no agreement in place, Brits will be required to get a visa to travel to the EU, a commission spokeswoman told Reuters on Friday.

ETIAS, which is expected to come into force in 2021, will apply to countries outside the EU whose citizens can currently travel in Europe visa free. There are currently 61 such countries, including the United States, Israel and Singapore. It will cover the so-called Schengen group of 26 European countries that share largely open land borders. The electronic visa waiver system was conceived to “identify any security or irregular migratory risks posed by visa-exempt visitors traveling to the Schengen area while at the same time facilitate crossing frontiers for the vast majority of travellers who do not pose such risks,” according to the commission.’ Tara John writes for CNN Travel.

Americas

Trump, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer Openly Spar Over Border Wall

US President Donald Trump openly fought with the top two Democratic politicians at an Oval Office meeting about government funding, throwing into question whether a deal was possible before a deadline later this month.

Analysis

‘Congress is seeking to finalise spending before some federal government funding expires on December 21. While Trump’s fellow Republicans control both the House and the Senate until next month, Democratic support is needed to pass any spending legislation. The president has called for $5bn to fund the barrier along the US-Mexico border, a campaign promise that he has made into a focal point. He ended the argument by saying he was willing to make good on his repeated threat to shut down the federal government over the issue. In a poll related by NPR/PBS NewsHour and Marist Poll, 57 percent of Americans said Trump should compromise on the wall to avoid a government shutdown. About 36 percent said he should not.’ Reported the Al Jazeera.

‘Pelosi hardly saved her disdain for Trump for the private audience, letting it rip in slightly more respectful tones a few hours earlier when the president invited journalists into the Oval Office for what were billed as talks over the national budget. What ensued was like a political cage match, with everyone except Pence jumping in with ripostes, setups, lectures and insults. The conflict between Trump and Pelosi dominated the scene, which was replete with gender politics.’ Associated Press reported for the Economic Times.

‘President Trump has been among the most unpopular new presidents in history for almost the entirety of his first two years in office. Yet through it all, Democrats have been somewhat timid. They don’t talk about impeachment. They didn’t really make their 2018 election messaging about him. And the Democratic leaders of the House and Senate have generally treated him with kid gloves. Maybe they worried it would just motivate the GOP base. Maybe they were recognizing the authority of his office and their own minority status, and were thinking they could get more with sugar than vinegar. Whatever the explanation, something changed Tuesday. For perhaps the first time of the entire Trump presidency, Democratic leaders employed the vinegar. And they seemed to set out to do it, too. Trump invited House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) to the Oval Office for talks about a potential government shutdown and border wall funding. But the scene quickly devolved into disagreements and even personal sniping. It was a scene perhaps without precedent in U.S. politics — leaders of both parties openly questioning their opponents’ political fortitude and capital for all the world to see, even as they were negotiating to keep the government functioning.’ Aaron Blake writes for the Washington Post.

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