NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
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IN FOCUS
Moldova: Plans to establish a cybersecurity response team
By Emmanuel Royan
On 29 July, Moldova is aiming to strengthen its cyber defence to shield its vital infrastructure from growing threats. Government officials are planning revisions to establish fundamental cybersecurity institutions and standards. A new national computer emergency response team (CERT), would be established by the end of the year to deal with cyberattacks on the government and other crucial services. The plans call for new legislation to be drafted following EU guidelines as it seeks the bloc’s membership. The CERT collaborates with the Center for Combating Cyber Crimes, a law enforcement organization, in the following areas: capacity building by arranging joint cybersecurity workshops and training; combating cybercrime by reporting suspected events; and raising awareness by the organization of cyber security conferences. The Center serves as the primary point of contact for issues involving cybersecurity in the Republic of Moldova.
Challenges in building a response team
First, to find cybersecurity experts. To establish a resilient and proactive team, Moldova has to recruit only the experts and experienced in the field. However, Moldova which is among the poorest countries of Europe lacks the resources and funds to establish an effective system against an anticipated threat.
Second, integrating all infrastructure for cybersecurity. Until now Moldova could only respond to attacks on the government service website and not on the critical infrastructure like electricity boards and telecommunication. It could not address the attacks on its business and corporate firms either. Moldova’s new CERT should protect all essential services and infrastructure of both private and public actors.
Third, this can be on how it's still lacking with received support from international
Third, cybersecurity is stagnant despite foreign assistance. Moldova received funds from the US, EU and NATO over the years to upgrade its cyber security infrastructure. Since 2018, the US provided USD 11 million in cybersecurity and anti-cybercrime assistance to the country. However, Moldova has failed to build the systems and infrastructure needed for its operations. The global semiconductor shortage is one of the reasons for the expensive high-quality hardware needed to monitor cyber threats. Moldova needs to receive technical knowledge and assistance from US big-techs like Microsoft and Google in addition to the funds.
International assistance
Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has attracted the attention of international actors to Ukraine’s neighbors. Moldova which borders south of Ukraine has been receiving war refugees from the beginning of the invasion. Perceiving Moldova as a geopolitical advantage for the west against the Kremlin, the EU and NATO has assisted the country in building strong cyberspace.
Earlier this year, NATO launched a new Cyber Incident Response Capability for the Moldovan Armed Forces. Using funding from the NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Program and collaboration with the NATO Information and Communication Agency (NCIA), this capability was developed throughout a multi-year effort. Which will facilitate speedy and effective recovery, reduce any harm brought on by cyber disasters, and assist stop similar occurrences in the future.
On 03 May 2022, the EU approved EUR eight million as a crisis response package to increase the Republic of Moldova's capacity to withstand the crisis scenario brought on by Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Such initiatives assist Moldova’sefforts to improve its information and cyber security through the development of a strong cyber security infrastructure. Another similar initiative of the EU increases Moldova's resistance to misinformation by assisting independent media, the Republic of Moldova Audiovisual Council, and encouraging direct answers to misinformation.
On 27 May 2022, the US relaunched the US-Moldova Strategic Dialogue in light of the war in Ukraine. The governments reaffirmed their commitment to working together to advance the media sector, support independent media, and promote rights-respecting policies to counter Russian disinformation. They also acknowledged the critical role that free and independent media play in a democracy. The significance of enhancing cybersecurity capabilities was another topic of discussion between the US and Moldova. This included cooperation to carry out Moldova's goals for government cyber modernization, to identify and safeguard vital infrastructure. As part of its crisis response, Moldovan stressed the need to strengthen strategic communication capabilities to increase resilience and combat misinformation.
References
Catherine Stupp, “Moldova Plans Cyber Overhauls Amid War in Neighboring Ukraine,” The Wall Street Journal, 27 May 2022
“Cybersecurity Policies | Shaping Europe’s digital future,” European Commission
“NATO assists Moldova in improving its cyber security capabilities,” NATO, 02 May 2022
“Joint Statement on the Relanch of the U.S-Moldova Strategic Dialogue,” usembassy.gov, 27 May 2022
War in Ukraine: Day 157 & 158
By Sai Pranav
War on the Ground
On 29 July, the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) released the rate of unemployment in the country. The unemployment rate quarterly was 35 per cent. NBU expects the rate to fall to 28.9 per cent by the new year. According to a poll released by the Ukrainian Rating Group, 39 per cent were unemployed whereas only 34 per cent of Ukrainians said that their work was unchanged. NBU predicts that even though the nominal wage will grow rapidly in 2023 and 2024, the real wage might decrease due to the impact left by the war. Ukraine is also suffering from food insecurity due to the war. One in every three individuals in Ukraine is suffering from a shortage of food, according to the United Nations World Food Programme.
Also on 29 July, a bill that allowed the government to forcibly confiscate properties during the period of martial law passed its first reading in Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada. The law dictates that properties would be seized by the government if it is deemed to be useful in the national defence. The owners of the seized properties would be compensated from the state budget in less than five following budget periods. Later the properties would be transferred to the Asset Recovery and Management Agency.
On the same day, the Russian Su-25 armored attack aircraft was struck down with an Igla MANPADS system by Ukraine's 25th Separate Airborne Brigade of the Sicheslav Airborne Assault Division. The assault division had shot down 29 Russian aerial weaponry including warplanes, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
On 30 July, Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the attack on Olenivka prison by Russia a war crime. The assault on the prison that contained 50 Ukrainian prisoners of war held in the prison including the neo-nazi Azov battalion was denounced by Zelenskyy as an intentional mass murder by Russia. The Red Cross had involved itself in treating the injured prisoners who were left behind after the attack. Meanwhile, the Russians claim that Kyiv had attacked the prison with the US-supplied Himars rockets. According to Ukraine's security agency, the blast had taken place inside the building and the Russians might have done it to hide the heinous tortures and murders it committed on the prisoners.
On 30 July, the Ukrainian Armed Forces exposed Russian reconnaissance and made the group retreat in the Kramatorsk direction. The Russian army opened fire from tubes, rocket artillery and tanks in the direction of Kharkiv, Slovyansk, Siversky, Bakhmut, and other regions as well. Both military and civilian infrastructures were destroyed by the Russian attacks.
On 30 July, the Russian army opened fire on 17 settlements across the Donetsk region. The Russian forces attacked the settlements with aviation, R-500 Iskander-K missiles, artillery, and Grad MLRS. The attack resulted in civilian casualties and the destruction of 52 civilian objects such as residential buildings, hospitals, railway stations, and other things.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 30 July, a maritime doctrine was signed by Vladimir Putin stating that the world ocean should not be in the control of NATO or the US. The new doctrine highlights how NATO poses threat in the maritime sphere for Russia It also mentions the need to expand the Russian maritime influence on the World Ocean as well as in the Arctic region. Upon the doctrine, Russia will deploy “Zicron” hypersonic missiles in its Navy and establish a new ferry line to Kaliningrad. The doctrine ensure Russia increased participation in the north-western sea and a permanent position in the Mediterranean Sea.
On 30 July, Russia imposed sanctions on 32 individuals from New Zealand who were accused of having Russophobic agenda in the country. Their entry into the Russian Federation would be closed indefinitely according to the sanction. These citizens of New Zealand are representatives of the armed forces, journalists, and municipal bodies.
Also on 30 July, Gazprom ceased its supply of gas to Latvia stating that the country broke the terms for the extraction of gas. Latvia is speculated to have refused to pay in rubles for the gas. According to the statement by Russia's president Vladimir Putin in March, unfriendly nations would be cut off from gas supply if they do not transact their payment through rubles.
On 29 July, Russia's foreign minister Sergey Lavrov's four-nation African tour yielded great results for Africa. He visited Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda and Congo-Brazzaville. These nations lean on Russia for their food security had welcomed him with open arms. Lavrov wanted to refute the west's claims of Russia exporting hunger in Africa during his visit. He blamed the west for imposing sanctions on Russian grains which in turn gave rise to food insecurities in Africa. Both the west and Russia are fighting to get the attention of the African nations.
Also on the same day, Russia and Ukraine failed to provide evidence for the cause of the deaths of Ukrainian POWs at the Olenivka prison. They also failed to produce evidence of the perpetrators of the attack. Russia released the official list of losses but Ukraine's officials were unable to verify the list and called for an international investigation.
On 31 July, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Kosovo and its backers the US and the EU to respect the rights of ethnic Serbs in the country. The Albanian ethnic in Pristina are trying to expel the Serbian population from Kosovo. She said that if Kosovo and its supporters, the US, and the EU did not respect the Serbian population, the consequences of it would escalate into a war between Pristina and Belgrade. Kosovo's prime minister announced the restriction of the Serbian licence plates and identification in the country and also will be conducting a ban on the said items.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 31 July, there has been a possibility of Finland's export industries being forced to shut down due to increasing gas prices. Although Finland's industrial sector consumes less natural gas when compared to other European countries, it still faces the consequences of the Russian gas supply disruption. The country's forestry and chemical sectors are concerned about the looming winter. The sectors rely on natural gas, so it will be difficult to go through the winter. To compensate for the natural gas that was cut off by the Russians, Finland is looking toward LNG terminals as an alternative solution.
On 30 July, Poland showed its backing of the proposal by the authorities of Estonia to ban Russian tourists EU-wide. This ban will be a part of the sanctions imposed on Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine. The Schengen visa provided by the EU countries is asked to be banned by Estonia. But the EU has not reached a final decision on the matter.
On 29 July, Norway donated 14 Iveco LAV III armoured vehicles to Ukraine. The government of Norway is considering donating more and further expanding its support to Ukraine. Norway has already donated other military equipment such as artillery, portable anti-aircraft defence weapons and much more.
On 31 July, Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan's spokesperson said that the first-grain exporting ship would leave the Ukrainian port in the Black Sea on 01 August 2022. The ships would leave the port at the latest as soon as the documents are signed. The agreement by Russia and Ukraine lets the safe exit of grain ships that were blockaded from the Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea.
The Global Fallouts
Implications of the Ukraine war
On 29 July, South Korea supplied weapons to Poland in its biggest ever arms deal, bringing it closer to the Ukraine war. The deal involved 1600 tanks and howitzers and nearly 50 fighter jets. Both countries' officials signed the framework of the deal on 27 July 2022 in Warsaw. The war in Ukraine has risen the South Korean arms industry and increased its cooperation with Europe.
On 01 August, the secretary general of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries Haitham al-Gais announced that it would not compete with Russia. He called Moscow a major player and an influencer in the global oil market. He pointed out that the price of energy was increasing even before the war in Ukraine and the same was not the cause for the rise. He also said that the presence of Russia was important in the global petroleum market.
References
"Ukraine military intelligence: Russian invaders in Kherson burning military dead to conceal losses," Kyiv Post, 07 July 2022
"First UAVs from Ukraine's Army of Drones already sent to front line," Ukrinform, 07 July 2022
"Ukraine's National Guard helicopters made 21 sorties against enemy troops over past week," Ukrinform, 07 July 2022
"Defense ministry: Enemy attempts to reach Donetsk Region’s borders," Ukrinform, 07 July 2022
"Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with Boris Johnson," President.gov.au, 07 July 2022
"President met with US Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal," President.gov.au, 07 July 2022
“Russia says it destroyed American HIMARS in Ukraine,” TASS, 07 July 2022
“Russia uses Stupor anti-drone guns in Ukraine for first time, TASS, 07 July 2022
“DPR embassy staff begin work in Russia, top diplomat says,” TASS, 07 July 2022
Upper house to review DPR, LPR bid to join Russia if referendums take place, says speaker,” TASS, 07 July 2022
“Donbass residents subjected to isolation, genocide for eight years — Putin,” TASS, 07 July 2022
“Meeting with the leadership of the State Duma and heads of factions,” Kremlin.ru, 07 July 2022
“Putin agreed to equate the military DPR and LPR to the status of Russian counterparts,” Lenta.ru, 07 July 2022
“The Ministry of Defense announced the collection of microorganisms exported by the Americans from Ukraine,” Lenta.ru, 07 July 2022
“Lithuania to transfer a crowdfunded Bayraktar drone to Ukraine on Wednesday,” Reuters, 07 July 2022
“Finland passes law to bolster border fence with Russia,” The Guardian, 07 July 2022
“Ukrainian diaspora urges Trudeau not to return turbine to Russia,” The Guardian, 07 July 2022“UN warns of 'looming hunger catastrophe' due to Russian blockade,” The Guardian, 08 July 2022
"Russian FM looks to China for greater cooperation under pressure from the West," scmp, 07 July 2022
"As G20 set to meet with Russia and China on its mind, Bali hopes for tourism boost," scmp, 07 July 2022
"Worry and frustration in Ethiopia as subsidies cut and fuel prices soar," africanews, 06 July 2022
IN BRIEF
By Rishma Banerjee
GERMANY
Amidst gas shortages, tensions in Germany rise regarding its ongoing nuclear shutdown
On 31 July, Germany’s finance minister Christian Lindner urged the economy minister Robert Habeck to refrain from using gas to generate electricity. Instead, he suggested that the climate-friendly nuclear power plants can be used till 2024 to generate electricity and compensate for the gas shortage. This comes in light of a growing debate in Germany about the scheduled closure of three nuclear power plants by the end of 2022. The main opposition Union bloc and ruling coalition partner Free Democrats have been advocating for the extension of the power plants. However, a similar stance is difficult for the two other coalition partners- Olaf Scholz’s center-left Social Democrats and the environmentalist Greens, as opposition to nuclear power has been the main foundation of their parties’ mandates. (Geir Moulson, “Germany argues over nuclear shutdown amid gas supply worries,” AP News, 31 July 2022)
ITALY
Protests erupt after the murder of a Nigerian migrant
On 29 July, a Nigerian migrant street seller, Alika Ogorchukwu was killed in the Civitanova Marche town. This was following requests by Ogorchukwu to sell handkerchiefs for “pocket change.” The suspect for the murder, a 32-year-old man from Salerno was arrested. Even though the incident was witnessed by onlookers, nobody tried to help Ogorchukwu. Hundreds of Italians and the people from the Nigerian community in Italy protested the incident, criticizing the far right parties in power in the Marche region. They also protested against their xenophobic tendencies and their rising popularity on a national level. Giorgia Meloni of the ruling Brothers of Italy party and Matteo Salvini from the far-right Northern League party have denounced the killing and urged for maximum possible punishment for the perpetrator. (Lorenzo Tondo and Angela Giuffrida, “Killing of Nigerian street seller causes outrage in Italy,” The Guardian, 31 July 2022)
PORTUGAL
Firefighters struggle to control wildfire close to Lisbon
On 31 July, huge blazes were reported in Portugal, where the ongoing European heatwave is exacerbating the active wildfires. 400 firefighters along with 123 vehicles and water bombers struggled to contain a fire that had erupted in the Mafra municipality near Lisbon. Several roads were thus blocked by the authorities, and the residents in a nearby care home were evacuated. Many locals also left their homes in fear. More blazes were also reported in the Ourem municipality. Portugal’s weather agency, the IMPA has also issued red alerts for three districts in the north for extreme heat on 01 August. (“Hundreds of firefighters battle blaze near Lisbon,” Reuters, 01 August, 2022)
KOSOVO
Rise in protests forced authorities to close two border crossings with Serbia
On 31 July, amid rising tension with Serbia, Kosovo closed two border crossings and postponed the implementation of two border rules. The police closed down Berinjak and Jarinje border crossings due to protests about the new rules, according to which, all people with Serbian IDs entering Kosovo would have to replace the IDS with a temporary document. Moreover, cars with Serbian license plates will also have to change them with license plates issued by Kosovo. The implementation of the rules has now been postponed to 01 September, after consultation with EU and US ambassadors. NATO also announced that they are prepared to intervene, if the protests escalate and “stability is jeopardised.” (“Kosovo closes two border crossings with Serbia amid rising tensions,” Deutsche Welle, 31 July 2022)
MARITIME
Expedition finds 350-year-old rare jewels from the seabed in the Bahamas
On 31 July, The Guardian reported that an expedition headed by Allen Exploration along with marine archaeologists from the US and the Bahamas explored the Little Bahama Bank region. They have discovered jewellery dating back 350 years, from the wrecks of the ‘Nuestra Señora de las Maravillas’, an old Spanish sailing ship that had sunk in 1656. The ship had been carrying treasures from Havana to Spain when it hit a reef, leaving behind only 45 survivors out of the 650 people on board. Led by Carl Allen, the expedition is using cutting-edge science to figure out how exactly the Maravillas were wrecked and how far the debris might have been scattered. They are also collecting data on the reef health, seafloor geology and plastics pollution in the oceans. Allen said: “The colourful coral that divers remembered from the 70s is gone, poisoned by ocean acidification and choked by metres of shifting sand. It’s painfully sad. Still lying on those dead grey reefs, though, are sparkling finds.” (Dalya Alberge, “After 350 years, sea gives up lost jewels of Spanish shipwreck,” The Guardian, 31 July 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
EU prepares for escalation in US-China relations regarding Taiwan
On 31 July, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that she and a congressional delegation will tour Asia and is rumored to visit Taiwan. EU officials have been observing the developments with regard to China and the US regarding Taiwan and Pelosi’s impending visit is further fuelling the EU’s need to prepare for a possible US-China military standoff. UK’s defence ministry has suggested arming Taiwan to not repeat the same mistakes as they did in Ukraine. Germany’s foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said that China’s “self-confident and above all robust appearance” about Taiwan would pose as a challenge. Furthermore, the vice chair of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee issued a warning saying that the intensifying war in Ukraine has also increased the risk of Chinese aggression in Taiwan. (Stuart Lau and Lili Bayer, “EU braces for China-US escalation risk as Taiwan tensions rise,” POLITICO, 01 August 2022)