NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Reuters
By Samruddhi Pathak and Padmashree Anandhan
Special Focus:
Turkey mediates the biggest prisoner exchange between the US and Russia since World War II.
On 01 August, Deutsche Welle reported on an exchange of 26 prisoners in Ankara (Turkey’s capital). This includes US detainees Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan who were held under espionage charges and Rico Krieger, a German national who was sentenced to death in Belarus and pardoned later. Many critics of Russia and opposition politicians were also released. From the Russian side, eight Russians who were alleged for murder and collecting information for intelligence were released. According to the Turkish Secret Service, seven planes and prisoners from Poland, Slovenia, Norway and Belarus were exchanged making it the biggest swap since World War II. In response, Joe Biden, US President stated that there was no necessity to talk to Putin any longer since the swap had completed. Germany also played a key role in the exchange in agreeing to release Krasikov who was known as the “Tiergarten murderer.”
On 01 August, Vladimir Putin, Russian President welcomed the released Russians from the US as part of the prisoner exchange. Putin congratulated the returnees and thanked them for upholding their faith in Russia. On the same day, RT reported on the major prisoner exchange after 2022. According to the report, Vadim Krasikov jailed in Germany since 2020 sentenced for life was released. Artem Dultsev along with his wife arrested for being “sleeper agents” in Slovenia, Maxim Marchenko who was found guilty for money laundering and five more who were arrested for spying and security fraud were released.
References:
“Putin meets Russians released in a prisoner exchange with West,” RT, 01 August 2024
“Russian prisoner swap: Who was released?,” Deutsche Welle, 01 August 2024
THE EU
Plans to pressure Global South in COP29 over climate aid
On 01 August, Politico reported that since the UN Climate Conference, also known as COP29, will be centred around financing, the European Union plans to put pressure on emerging economies such as China to increase their funding for climate change. Until 2026, countries have decided to collect USD 100 billion for the cause. According to the UN Climate Treaty, the fund is financed by industrialised countries. The EU plans to continue its aid but expects countries that have become wealthier since signing of the Treaty to step up and start funding. China is of special interest since it has become the second wealthiest country in the world and the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases. (Zia Weise, “EU prepares for COP29 showdown with China over climate aid,” Politico, 01 August 2024)
GERMANY
Defence Minister calls for de-escalation in the Middle East
On 01 August, the Defence Minister of the Federation of Germany, Boris Pistorius, emphasised the role of NATO and the responsibility it needs to take towards global security. He called for stability in the Indo-Pacific region and the Middle East. With the dangers of a full scale escalation in Lebanon and Israel, Pistorius has asked the NATO to step in and avoid further escalation. He stated this during his visit to the Indo-Pacific Command in the US. Germany’s involvement in NATO has increased lately. It has increased its defence budget from 2024 to fulfil the NATO standards of 2 per cent of the GDP for the first time since the Cold War. With France’s presence in the Indo-Pacific, even Germany was an active participant in the Rim of the Pacific 2024 and Pacific SKIES 2024.. (“Germany's Pistorius talks Middle East, Indo-Pacific with DW,” Deutsche Welle, 01 August 2024)
Germany's beer sales go down in the first quarter
On 01 August, the German Federal Statistical Office reported a fall of 0.6 per cent in beer sales in the country in the first quarter of 2024. The fact is even more disappointing because Germany hosted Euros 2024 and the sales fell despite that. Bad weather and lower temperatures are also being assumed as reasons behind the sales contraction. The Managing Director of the German Brewers’ Association blamed thunderstorms and bad weather that caused people to stay indoors to be the reason behind low sales. (“Beer sales down despite Euro 2024 hopes,” Deutsche Welle, 01 August 2024)
RUSSIA
Holds military drills near the Kuril Islands
On 01 August, Russian missile troops held drills on Kuril Islands which is a disputed territory and is claimed by both the Russian Federation and Japan. Earlier, in May, the Russian Federation had stated that it will establish observation posts on the Islands. According to Russia, Japan’s alliance with the US has become a hurdle in Russia-Japan bilateral ties. In March, Russia withdrew from peace negotiations over the Kuril Islands, in March 2022, after Japan imposed sanctions on Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine. The peace negotiations had been initiated in 2018 by Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President, and Shinzo Abe, Japan’s former President. The Kuril Islands are made up of 56 islands, however, only four of them are disputed. The Islands separate the Sea of Okhotsk from the Pacific Ocean. At the end of World War II, the USSR took over the Islands. (“Russia holds military drills on disputed Kuril islands, Interfax says,” Japan Today, 01 August 2024)
The UK
Stabbing in Southport
On 01 August, three minor girls were stabbed to death by a teenager in Southport, a town in Northwest England. Some protests erupted due to a rumour that the attacker was a Muslim asylum seeker. The police also said that false information was spread with an intention to prompt violence. Protestors had links to far-right groups. The suspect also has ten counts of attempt to murder and owned a sharp object. (“Southport attack: UK police charge 17-year-old with murder,” Deutsche Welle, 01 August 2024)
REGIONAL
Balkans region faces forest fires
On 01 August, Euronews reported a prolonged wildfire in the forests of the Balkan region due to the persisting heatwave. Bulgaria and Albania have called for firefighters from the EU Support System. Serbia has sent helicopters to North Macedonia to beat the wildfires. The forest fires in North Macedonia have caused internal displacement at a mass level among the citizens and destroyed several homes. In Albania, an army Cougar helicopter and two Italian Canadair planes have been deployed. Croatia has deployed 775 firefighters and 10 Canadian planes to contain 122 fires. The Croatian army was able to contain the fire. Spain has issued an orange warning for citizens of nine municipalities. According to the World Health Organization, the heat wave in Europe has claimed around 1,75,000 lives. (“Balkans battle wildfires from prolonged heatwave in Europe,” Euronews, 01 August 2024; Angela Simons, “Spain, France, Germany: Heatwaves sweep across Europe with devastating consequences,” Euronews, 01 August 2024)