Conflict Weekly

Conflict Weekly
End of a Fragile Peace in Gaza, and a Failed Coup in Sierra Leone

IPRI Team
30 November 2023
Photo Source: Mohammed Saber, EPA-EFE

Conflict Weekly #204, 30 November 2023, Vol.4, No.48
An initiative by NIAS-IPRI and the India Office of the KAS

Shamini Velayutham and Anu Maria Joseph

Gaza: End of a Fragile Pause
Shamini Velayutham

In the news
On 24 November, an agreement resulted in the release of the first groups of Israelis and Palestinians. Thirteen Israelis, ten Thai nationals and one Filipino national were among the hostages freed from Gaza. Israel released thirty-nine Palestinian women and children. Under the terms of the truce, aid has started to arrive, including much-needed fuel arriving from Egypt.

On 25 November, following the release of thirteen Israeli hostages from Gaza, Israel freed thirty-nine Palestinian inmates. The Hamas military wing stated that it was delaying the release as Israel failed to adhere to the truce agreement, and claimed that Israel had blocked the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip. Israel had allowed 200 trucks into the border as per the deal.  

On 26 November, Hamas released seventeen hostages; 39 Palestinians including a juvenile were released by Israel. 

On 27 November, Israel and Hamas freed the fourth group of hostages. According to a spokesperson for Qatar's Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Israel-Hamas truce has been agreed to be extended for an additional two days. 

On 28 November, eleven Israeli hostages were released and thirty children and three Palestinian women were freed by Israel.

On 29 November, sixteen hostages were released from Gaza, comprising ten Israelis, four Thai nationals and two Israeli-Russians. They included an Israeli-US dual citizen. Thirty Palestinians were freed. 

On 30 November, the truce agreement was extended to the seventh day. Both parties agreed to extend the truce for 24 hours. Meanwhile, the talks between the two parties were strained as Israel released Palestinian women and children and it provided Hamas to demand more hostages in return for Israeli men and soldiers.  

Issues at large
First, the fragile peace and objectives. Both Israel and Hamas face strategic difficulties. The only leverage Hamas has over Israel is the hostages. For Israel, the only thing that has made it pause the seven weeks of combat is the promise to free the hostages. The expanding demands of Hamas pushed Israel to open its humanitarian supply in the porous borders. The Hamas military wing claims it is withholding the release until the occupation complies with the agreement about the entry of relief trucks into the northern Gaza Strip. 

Second, the external pressure on Israel and the mediating role of Qatar, Egypt and the US. The US has been applying increasing pressure to Netanyahu and Israel's war cabinet in recent weeks as US President Joe Biden has been dealing with mounting public and Democratic party dissatisfaction with the civilian casualty rate in Gaza. The overwhelming weight of global condemnation, particularly from the Arab and Muslim worlds, of Israel's attack on Gaza has aided Hamas. Qatar has been playing a crucial role in the Israel and Hamas conflict and has condemned the results of Israel’s occupation and Hamas's attack on Israel on 7 October. 

Third, the humanitarian crisis. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that Gaza's overcrowding, lack of food, water, sanitation and basic hygiene are accelerating the spread of disease. It further said that among the roughly 1.3 million displaced Palestinians in Gaza, an increasing number of diseases had been brought on by the absence of a working infrastructure and access to medicine. Despite the truce between Israel and Hamas, there is still not enough fuel and aid reaching Gaza. 
 



Sierra Leone: A failed coup
Anu Maria Joseph

In the news
On 27 November, BBC Africa reported that at least 19 people, including 13 soldiers, were killed during violence on 26 November when a group of armed men attacked military barracks and prisons releasing several inmates. 

On 26 November, Reuters reported on one of the perpetrators chanting: "We'll clean this society. We know what we are up to. We are not after any ordinary civilians who should go about their normal business." 

On 28 November, the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernoh Bah, stated: "The incident was a failed attempted coup. The intention was to illegally subvert and overthrow a democratically elected government.” He claimed that several current and former security officials who were involved in the violence were arrested. Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio, stated: "We will ensure that those responsible are held accountable. As your commander-in-chief, I want to assure everybody who is resident in Sierra Leone that we have overcome this challenge." Following the violence, a nine-hour curfew was imposed, which was revoked at a later stage.

The US, the EU, the UK and ECOWAS condemned the violence. ECOWAS described the violence as an attempt by certain individuals to "acquire arms and disturb constitutional order" and emphasised “its zero tolerance for unconstitutional change of government.” The bloc further stated: "ECOWAS further underscores its commitment to supporting the government and people of Sierra Leone to deepen democracy and good governance, consolidate peace and security as well as foster socio-economic development.”

The US embassy in Sierra Leone condemning the violence, asserted its support for “a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous Sierra Leone.”

Issues at large
First, a brief background to Sierra Leone’s political crisis. The country became independent in 1961; however, the post-independence period was challenged by a series of coups and a civil war. Ever since the 1991 civil war, there have been several military and democratic regimes. In 2003, the civil war ended with the assistance of a UN peacekeeping mission. The country continues to struggle with the effects of civil war.

Second, the recent triggers. Since the controversial elections in June 2023, Sierra Leone has been challenged by a series of political drawbacks. President Julius Maada Bio was re-elected for a second term in June after securing 56 per cent of votes, narrowly avoiding a run-off. International observers, including the EU Election Observation Mission Sierra Leone 2023 (EUEOM), had raised concerns regarding the transparency of the elections. The head of the US-based Carter Center's election observer team, Cameron Hume, confirmed inconsistencies during the ballot count. The main opposition party, All People’s Congress (APC),  boycotted the presidential, legislative, and local elections, citing similar accusations. APC alleged that their electoral agents could not verify the vote counting. Instances of intimidation and violence were reported during the elections. One of the APC supporters was killed in a clash when security forces tried to disband the crowd at the APC headquarters in Freetown. Besides, there was a coup attempt in August. Several people, including senior military officials and former chief of police, were arrested following the coup plot, which the government described as an attempt to “undermine the peace and tranquillity of the state.” 

Third, the political divide within and between. Socially, multiple ethnic and tribal groups co-exist peacefully in the country. However, politics is deeply divided socially and institutionally. Ethnic identities are often leveraged for political power. The northern-based APC often ties with the Temne community, which represents 35 per cent of the population, and the southern-based Sierra Leone’s People Party (SLPP) is associated with the Mende community, which is 31 per cent of the population. The divide is in such a way that the population supporting the ruling party tends to have access to more influence and opportunities. Even the military forces are politically divided within, wherein promotions, retirement, and transfer depend on whether they are affiliated with the ruling or the opposition party. Although Sierra Leone has a constitutionally de jure judiciary, there is hardly any case that was judged against the ruling government and its political interests.

Fourth, the economic discontent. Julius Maada came to power in 2018, promising to address the economic crisis and corruption. However, according to the UN Development Programme (UNDP), nearly 60 per cent of the population lives in poverty. According to Trading Economics, in September, the inflation in the country was recorded to be nearly 58 per cent, the highest recorded since 1998. An economy that depends on imports for consumer goods has a higher inflation rate often caused by external economic shocks. Economic instability is coupled with vast unemployment. At least 20 people were killed in anti-government protests in August 2022 that were against the worsening economic crisis and the failure of the government to address the rising cost of living.

In perspective
A popular narrative is that the coup attempt was influenced by the series of coups in the region. Other West African countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Gabon, recently witnessed coups, owing to multifaceted insurgency and insecurity issues and the military’s upper hand. Unlike them, the coup attempt in Sierra Leone was merely politically motivated. It implies that Sierra Leone’s state institutions are politically divided and that the elections represent a shift of influence and opportunities rather than a political shift. While half of the population is discontent with Bio’s administration, more similar attempts for a coup are likely to happen because considering the three failed coup attempts last year.


Conflict Weekly Special
The War in Gaza: Sixth Week
Rosemary Kurian, Nuha Aamina, Rishita Verma, and Gananthula Uma Maheshwari

War on the ground
On 1 December, after the seven-day temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas expired, fighting returned to Gaza. Since the temporary ceasefire ended on the morning of 1 December, more than 100 people died in Gaza, according to the Ministry of Health run by Hamas.

On 30 November, Hamas stated that two of its assailants opened fire at a bus stop in Jerusalem, killing three Israelis and injuring at least six others. Hamas explained that this was because of Israeli “crimes” throughout Gaza. 

On 29 November, Israel claimed that it had killed “two senior terrorists” in a raid on the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank. 

On 28 November, the BBC quoted the Israeli military that several of their soldiers were “lightly injured” in northern Gaza. Hamas confirmed that there had been fighting, however, placed the blame on Israel and maintained its commitment to the interim cease-fire.

On 27 November, Israel stated that negotiations over the hostage situation and the anticipated release of prisoners were ongoing. The temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas extended through ongoing international efforts. While Hamas claimed it was requesting an extension, Israel was offering a one-day ceasefire for every ten more hostages freed from Gaza.

On 26 November, more Israeli hostages were released. In addition, over two days, 78 Palestinian inmates were freed from Israeli prisons. In the meantime, as part of an independent agreement between Hamas and the Egyptian government, 14 Thai hostages and one Filipino were released.

On 26 November, a Saudi Arabia-based humanitarian organisation sent relief convoys into Gaza via the Rafah crossing, carrying food, medicine and shelter supplies. The aid was divided among several trucks which would be unloaded at the Rafah crossing on the Palestinian side.

On 25 November, images from the Gaza Strip showed lengthy queues for supplies and gasoline in Rafah. 

On 24 November, the World Health Organization (WHO) expressed concern over the fate of Muhammad Abu Salmiya, the director of the al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, who was arrested earlier this week by Israel. According to the WHO: “Three medical personnel from the Palestine Red Crescent Society and three from the Ministry of Health were detained.” 

Regional responses
On 1 December, Reuters reported that the King of Jordan, Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, urged UN aid officials and international groups to increase pressure on Israel to allow more aid into Gaza. 

On 1 December, the transfer of aid from Egypt to the Gaza Strip was halted at the Rafah border, as the humanitarian truce had ended that day. Egyptian security and aid sources commented that the amount of aid which was delivered during the truce period was far less than what was required. 

On 30 November, Egypt's state media, the Egyptian Radio and Television Union (ERTU), reported that the negotiators in the Gaza war, Egypt and Qatar, were trying to extend the humanitarian truce by two more days. This would involve releasing more prisoners and increasing humanitarian aid. 

On 27 November,  Palestinian Authority's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Riyad Al-Maliki, stated that Qatar, Egypt, the US and the EU along with Spain, were working to extend the ceasefire in Gaza. 

On 27 November, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, arrived in Barcelona to discuss the war between Israel and Hamas. Prince Faisal stated: “The only sure result is more destruction, radicalization and further conflict at the expense of Palestinian lives, as well as regional security, including that of Israel.” 

On 26 November, the Prime Minister of Jordan, Bisher Khasawneh, called the displacement of Palestinians a “red line” that constitutes a fundamental violation of the peace treaty between Israel and Jordan. 

On 26 November, Syrian media claimed that the Damascus International Airport was attacked by Israel. Flights scheduled to arrive at the airport were diverted to airports in Latakia and Aleppo. 

On 25 November, Jordan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ayman Safadi, labelled 2023 as the bloodiest year for Palestinians in a decade. He stressed the importance of working with the international community to stop the war.

On 25 November, Arab News reported that UAE, Bahrain, Yemen and the Arab League condemned a statement by Geert Wilders, a Dutch politician, which called for the displacement of Palestinians to Jordan. The embassy of the UAE in the Netherlands responded saying that it stands in solidarity with Jordan, respecting its sovereignty. 

Global responses
On 1 December, Reuters quoted a senior US State Department official that the US would impose a visa ban on extremist settlers inflicting violence on Palestinians in the West Bank. The announcement came at a time of increased settler violence against Palestinians in the region. 

On 1 December, BBC reported that the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, stated the strongest American remarks so far against civilian casualties in Gaza. He laid out benchmarks for Israel’s war on Gaza, and stated that it was “imperative for the United States that the massive loss of civilian life and displacement of the scale that we saw in northern Gaza not be repeated in the south."

On 30 November, the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, expressed his doubts over Israeli compliance with International Humanitarian Law in the war. He denounced the killings in Gaza, calling them “not acceptable.”

On 30 November, China issued a proposal for the UN Security Council (UNSC) to resolve the Palestine-Israel conflict. It urged the council to convene an “authoritative and effective” peace conference at the earliest.

On 29 November, the UN observed the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. At the UN headquarters in New York, an exhibit called "Palestine – a Land with a People" was displayed. To commemorate the day, marches and protests took place around the world, including Lebanon, Germany, Bangladesh and South Africa.

On 29 November, trade unions in India urged the government to support Palestine. Ten prominent trade unions issued a joint statement saying that Israel’s occupation in Palestine had “decimated” the latter’s economy, making it dependent on Israel for employment. 

On 28 November, the WHO warned that more people could die of diseases than bombing in Gaza. Margaret Harris, a spokesperson for the WHO, expressed her concerns over the rise in outbreaks of infectious diseases in the Gaza Strip, referring to a UN report on living conditions in northern Gaza. 

On 28 November, William Burns, the Director of the CIA, and David Barnea, the Mossad chief, met Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Prime Minister of Qatar, to “build on” the two-day extension of the truce between Israel and Hamas.

On 27 November, the BBC reported that the US Navy captured five armed men responsible for seizing an Israeli-linked commercial tanker off the coast of Yemen on 26 November. The assailants were caught by the USS Mason, an American warship. 

On 27 November, Elon Musk, an American tech entrepreneur, lent his support to Israel in its mission to destroy Hamas, during an unprecedented visit to Israel. The owner of the social media platform X, expressed the need to end all propaganda that prompted the attack on 7 October.
On 26 November, a UN official noted that the deliveries of humanitarian aid to northern Gaza had caused “immense relief”. Northern Gaza, which was cut off for weeks, finally received aid during the truce period after UN agencies secured safe passage into the region. 

On 26 November, Al Jazeera reported on the White House’s request to the US Senate to scrap restrictions on its key weapons stockpile, enabling easy access to Israel. In its latest supplementary budget, the White House proposed changes to the War Reserve Stockpile Allies- Israel (WRSA-I) policies, a US weapons stockpile based in Israel for US use during regional conflicts. 

On 24 November, Joe Biden, the President of the US, stated that the chances of extending the four-day truce were “real”. He expressed that the US and the Arab world want to “bring this to an end” soon, but reiterated his support for Israel by stating that the elimination of Hamas was a “legitimate” cause for Israel.

On 24 November, Pedro Sanchez, the Prime Minister of Spain, denounced the “indiscriminate killing of Palestinians” in Gaza, calling it “unacceptable during a visit to the war-torn enclave. 

On 24 November David Cameron, the Foreign Secretary of the UK, stated that casualties in the war in Gaza were “too high.” Cameron reiterated Israel’s right to self-defence but stated that a “continuous dialogue” with Israel was in place to discuss international humanitarian law as well as civilian casualties. 


Curated by Dhriti Mukherjee and Shamini Velayutham, Research Assistants at NIAS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issues in Peace and Conflict This Week:
Regional Roundups

Rohini Reenum, Rishika Yadav, Anu Maria Joseph, Femy Francis, Padmashree Anandhan, Dhriti Mukherjee and Shamini Velayutham
 
East and Southeast Asia
China: Surge recorded in the number of respiratory illnesses 
On 27 November, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that the spike in the number of respiratory illnesses in China is not as high as before the COVID-19 pandemic, reiterating that no new pathogens had been found in the recent cases. The Acting Director of the WHO’s Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, stated that the increase in the number of children contracting pathogens was because of the two years of COVID-19 restrictions that kept them away from exposure to such pathogens. Kerkhove stated: “We asked about comparisons prior to the pandemic. And the waves that they’re seeing now – the peak is not as high as what they saw from 2018 to 2019. This is not an indication of a novel pathogen. This is expected. This is what most countries dealt with a year or two ago.” China’s National Health Commission spokesperson, Mi Feng, commented that the surge in acute respiratory illnesses was linked to the simultaneous circulation of several kinds of pathogens, most prominently influenza. The development comes after China’s National Health Commission reported an unusual number of cases of pneumonia in children in the capital Beijing and the city of Liaoning in northern China. 

China: Military exercise held amid lingering tension in the China-Myanmar border
On 27 November, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) began its “combat training activities” near the China-Myanmar border. It deployed howitzers and counter-battery radars for its ongoing live-fire exercise. China Central Television (CCTV), a state-owned media, reported that the PLA’s Southern Theater Command organised the three-day combat exercise. The PLA stated that this action was taken to prevent any spillover effect of the instability in Myanmar. A Chinese military expert, Zhang Junshe, told the Global Times that the exercise enhances the PLA’s fast manoeuvring capability allowing it to take positions for combat rapidly. The development comes after the ethnic militant group in Myanmar, Three Brotherhood Alliance, carried out attacks and captured several towns in the Kyin-San-Kyawt border region in the state of Shan.

China: Efforts made to push peace between Israel and Gaza at UNSC
On 28 November, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, is poised to chair a UN Security Council on 29 November, seeking to extend the fragile truce in the Israel-Gaza conflict. This meeting marks Beijing's final effort to broker peace before its monthly presidency concludes. China has consistently advocated for a "two-state" solution as the sole path to ending the conflict. Previously, on 20 November, Beijing hosted an Arab and Islamic delegation to rally the international community to help resolve the Israel-Gaza conflict.

North Korea: Embassies in Bangladesh and the Democratic Republic of Congo shut
On 30 November, North Korea closed its embassies in the Democratic Republic of Congo following the closure of its embassy in Bangladesh on 27 November. It marked the seventh shutdown in a month, following closures in Spain, Hong Kong, Uganda, Angola and Nepal. The state media, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), attributed closures to “changed international environment and national foreign policy,” hinting at new missions elsewhere. Economic strain and strict UN sanctions likely drove these closures, suggesting more might follow. 

South Asia
Afghanistan: Meeting held in Moscow to discuss the future of the country
On 23 November, a meeting was held in Moscow, under the title “Afghanistan in the past and future.” It was attended by the opponents of the Taliban government, which included former officials of the Afghan government and envoys from countries including Iran and Russia. The agenda of discussion was on the formation of an inclusive government, the situation of women and the UN activities in Afghanistan. Iran highlighted the Islamic Emirate’s role in fighting the Islamic State (IS) group in the region. In response to the meeting, the Islamic Emirate’s spokesperson, Zabiullah Mujahid, stated that Kabul had not been invited, and underscored the fact that such meetings would not benefit Afghanistan. He also requested its neighbouring countries to not “create sedition among Afghans.”

Pakistan: Suicide attack leaves two dead and ten wounded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
On 26 November, a convoy of security forces was the target of a suicide attack in the Bala Khel in the district of Bannu in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The attack resulted in the death of two civilians and wounded ten others, out of which three were Pakistani soldiers. The Inter-Services Public Relations stated that the bomber was affiliated with the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and was later identified as an Afghan national. The statement further revealed that a “sanitisation operation is being carried out to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area. Security forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave civilians and soldiers further strengthen our resolve.” 

Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa
Iran: New destroyer added to naval fleet in the Caspian Sea
On 27 November, Iran added Deilaman, a destroyer that is capable of launching cruise missiles, to its Caspian Sea fleet. The state-owned news agency, Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), highlighted that Deilaman is 1400 tons, 95 metres long, 11 metres wide and capable of launching torpedoes at 30 knots. The Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff, Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, termed the Caspian a “sea of peace and friendship.” Additionally, he stated that Iran’s naval power in the region would serve “peace, security of commercial fleets, confronting terrorists and probable incidents in the future.”

Syria: Air strikes on Damascus airport
On 26 November, Israeli forces carried out air strikes targeting the Damascus airport. The airstrike placed the airport in an inoperable state. The Syrian army stated that Israel had been attacking the airports in  Aleppo and Damascus. It added that its air defences expropriated Israeli missiles flying from the Golan Heights. Further, the army stated that the Israeli strikes have caused infrastructure loss. Despite the accusations put forth, the Israeli military has not made any comments.

Burkina Faso: 40 civilians killed in militant attack
On 28 November, BBC Africa reported that at least 40 civilians were killed in an Islamist militant attack in northern Burkina Faso. The Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), an Islamist militant group active in West Africa, attacked the city of Djibo. The country has been battling insurgency since 2015. 

Nigeria: 100 people abducted in Zamfara
On 26 November, BBC Africa reported that at least 100 people were abducted by bandits in the state of Zamfara in northwest Nigeria. Gunmen, locally known as bandits, who came on motorcycles, stormed the village and abducted people. A witness told BBC that the residents were kidnapped after they failed to pay the tax imposed by the gunmen. One of the villagers told BBC that the leader of the armed gang, Damana, controls the majority of the region in the absence of state security forces. Currently, Nigeria faces multifaceted security issues including the jihadist insurgency in the north, farmer-herder clashes and separatist insurgency in the southeast and bandits in the Niger Delta. 

Niger: Junta overturns anti-migrant smuggling law
On 27 November, the Niger junta overturned an eight-year-old law that criminalised migrant smuggling. The junta stated that the law “did not take into account the interests of Niger and its citizens.” This law was passed in 2015 after a million asylum seekers and migrants tried to reach Europe through illegal and dangerous means. The implementation of the law had resulted in a decrease in illegal people smuggling. The easing of the law is likely to cause a reemergence of trafficking gangs. 

Morocco: Alliance formed with the EU to tackle extremism
On 24 November, the EU and Morocco launched an initiative against extremism through educational means. It is a two-year initiative aimed at countering and preventing violent extremism. During the 21st Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, stated that the primary goal of the forum is to “provide individuals with access to education and to help them develop the capacities necessary to challenge extremist narratives and promote peace.” The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Joseph Borell, asserted that “the program aims to help develop societies that are more tolerant and resilient against terrorism and violent extremism.”

Europe 
Sweden: Tesla wins lawsuit against Swedish transport agency over licence plate delivery dispute
On 27 November, after Swedish postal workers refused to deliver Tesla license plates, a Swedish court ruled that Tesla could collect the plates for its cars from Sweden’s Transport Agency. The court added that the agency had seven days to agree to this or risk paying a fine of USD 96,000. Tesla had earlier sued the agency which said that as per contracts, it is bound to the government’s postal service, PostNord. PostNord’s employees stopped making deliveries to Tesla for the last week, in solidarity with Tesla’s mechanics who have been on strike since October following Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s refusal to recognise their union. Musk, who had described the actions of the postal workers as “insane,” has hailed the court ruling as a victory. 

Czech Republic: Unions protest over austerity measures
On 27 November, labour unions in the Czech Republic organised widespread strikes, opposing the government’s austerity measures. They demanded higher funding for education and healthcare while denouncing pension system changes. The austerity measures included taxes on alcohol, medicine, and corporate profits, as part of the government’s plan to curb a growing deficit. Czech Republic’s Prime Minister, Petr Fiala, defended the measures, emphasising their necessity to control state indebtedness. Massive demonstrations in Prague attracted thousands, with unions vowing to stage more protests if negotiations were not considered. Schools and companies also participated in strikes, marking the largest protests since the country’s inception in 1993.

Finland: Border closure with Russia reinforced
On 27 November, Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo announced the decision to close the last border crossing with Russia. The last crossing point is located in the northern Murmansk region. Orpo stated: “Finland is protecting the European Union's external border and NATO's border. We will not let this phenomenon continue.” On 23 November, the EU border agency, Frontex, stated that it intended to send 50 officers and equipment to aid Finland’s border, to halt an asylum surge that it reportedly instigated by Russia.  Russia criticised Finland’s abrupt closure of checkpoints, calling it provocative and stating that it lacked prior consultation. Finland’s border guard reported 415 individuals seeking asylum with insufficient documents, suspecting a foreign state’s involvement in illegal border crossings.

Latin America and the US
Cuba: Government officials join in march demanding an end to Gaza war
On 23 November, thousands of Cubans marched in Havana, led by Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel, showcasing solidarity with Palestinians and calling for an end to the war in Gaza. Cuba’s Prime Minister Manuel Marrano Cruz and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Eduardo Rodríguez Parrilla joined the two kilometres walk along with protesters holding “Free Palestine” posters and photographs of injured children. This is the second time that officials have joined marches demanding an end to the war. A Palestinian in Cuba said that the march “makes people feel that Palestine is not alone.”

Haiti: Gang violence plagues rural central parts
On 28 November, the UN released a report claiming that the once peaceful area of central rural Haiti is facing kidnappings, killings and rapes. The area of Lower Artibonite has a few powerful gangs that have taken advantage of communities with a minimal reach of the police and government institutions. This has resulted in “murders, sexual violence, theft, destruction of property and other abuses” being committed on a “daily basis.” The report stated that between January 2022 and October 2023, more than 1,690 murders and 1,118 kidnappings have occurred and 22,000 have been forced to leave their homes. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) added that more than half of those who have fled are children. Considering the “disastrous” consequences, the UN has stated that a “specialised international force” must be deployed as soon as possible to address the situation.

Canada: Trudeau calls for an end to “unacceptable” antisemitic violence
On 27 November, while condemning an attack on the Jewish Community Council in Montreal, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that antisemitic violence must end immediately. The attack, which took place on 24 November, saw a Molotov cocktail being thrown at the entrance of the centre at midnight. Nobody was inside at the time and the building has not sustained any major damage. Trudeau described the “continued acts of antisemitic violence” as “deplorable and unacceptable” asserting that people must “stand united against such vile, hateful acts.” The Executive Director of the council, Rabbi Saul Emanuel, stated that “the rise in antisemitism in our city is frightening” with cases of “repeated violence and attacks” on the Jewish community.

The US: Three Palestinian men shot in Vermont
On 25 November, three 20-year-old Palestinian men were shot near a university campus in Vermont, sparking concerns over increasing Islamophobia across the US due to the ongoing war in Gaza. The police stated that they were all speaking Arabic and two were wearing a keffiyeh (a Palestinian headdress) when they were shot. Burlington police arrested 48-year-old Jason Eaton on 26 November, who has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warned of more potential attacks by “homegrown violent extremists.” However, the Burlington Police Chief, Jon Murad, told people to not make assumptions “based on statements from uninvolved parties who know even less” than investigators. He acknowledged the difficulty in not attributing the incident to a “hate-motivated crime.” 

The US: North Korea justifies satellite images at UNSC
On 27 November, North Korea’s ambassador to the UN, Kim Song, told the UN Security Council (UNSC) that the launch of a spy satellite from North Korea captured images of the White House and Pentagon. Countries including Japan and South Korea stated that this violated UNSC resolutions. Song defended the “in detail” images North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un received asserting that “no other nation in the world is in the security environment as critical as the DPRK.” He commented that the possession of the images was “legitimate” especially considering the US “threatening” them with a “nuclear weapon.” In response, US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, stated that the routine was “defensive in nature” and not an act of self-defence.   

The US: Somali pirates speculated to be behind Israel-linked ship seizure
On 27 November, Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder stated that the attackers behind the recently attempted seizure of an Israel-linked cargo ship were potentially Somali pirates rather than Houthi fighters, although the latter has not been ruled out yet. While they have determined that it was “clearly a piracy-related incident,” assessment is ongoing and “initial indications” point toward the attackers being Somali. This hijack was amid the Houthi rebels’ raids on commercial ships in the Red Sea that had links to Israel.



About the authors
Rohini Reenum is a PhD Scholar at NIAS. Padmashree Anandhan is a Research Associate at NIAS. Anu Maria Joseph, Femy Francis, Rishika Yadav, Dhriti Mukherjee and Shamini Velayutham are Research Assistants at NIAS. Rosemary Kurian and Nuha Aamina are undergraduate scholars from St Joseph's University, Bangalore. Rishita Verma and Gananthula Uma Maheshwari are postgraduate scholars from Pondicherry University.
 

(The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of any institutions or organisations.)


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Conflicts in Africa
The Ebola spread in DR Congo, The Faye-Sonko split in Senegal, and the Deepening US military involvement in Nigeria
May 2026 | CWA # 2115

Aparna A Nair

The Putin-Xi Summit
Trade, Technology, Security, and Pipeline
May 2026 | CWA # 2114

Glynnis Winona B

What makes the UAE a global player?
Explaining the Governance, Economy, People, and Strategic Influence of a Small Middle Eastern State
May 2026 | CWA # 2113

Aishal Hab Yousuf

Sri Lanka and the US-Iran War 
Rising oil imports, Austerity measures and State capacity
May 2026 | CWA # 2111

NIAS Global Politics Team

The Trump-Xi Summit
The Africa Forward Summit 2026 I North Korea's Constitutional Amendment 2026
May 2026 | CWA # 2110

Aishal Hab Yousuf

The Trump-Xi Summit:
Managing Strategic Competition through Trade, Technology, and Diplomacy
May 2026 | CWA # 2092

NIAS Global Politics Team

The US-Iran War, Week Ten
CW Column on Middle East: Escalating Israeli Aggression in Lebanon I UAE's Covert Manoeuvres
May 2026 | CWA # 2091

Brighty Ann Sarah

Conflicts in the Middle East:
Escalating Israeli Aggression in Lebanon I UAEs Covert Manoeuvres
May 2026 | CWA # 2090

Brighty Ann Sarah

The US-Iran War, Week Ten:
Fraying Ceasefire, Renewed Negotiations and the Risk of a Stalemate
May 2026 | CWA # 2088

Nithin V

King Charles's US Visit:
Emphasis on strong bilateral relations, democratic values and security cooperation
May 2026 | CWA # 2086

Aishal Hab Yousuf

UAEs Exit from OPEC:
Implications for the Middle East and the Energy Market
May 2026 | CWA # 2083

Brighty Ann Sarah

The US-Iran War, Week Nine:
Deadlocked Negotiations, Competing Agendas and Domestic Pressure
May 2026 | CWA # 2082

Akshath Kaimal

Escalating Violence in Mali:
Between Ethnic Insurgencies, Jihadist Attacks, and Military Coups
April 2026 | CWA # 2079

Aishal Hab Yousuf

Japans New Defence Posture:
From Post-War Pacifism to Strategic Recalibration and Autonomy
April 2026 | CWA # 2074

Brighty Ann Sarah

Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire:
Asymmetric Terms, Fragile Truce and Israeli Occupation
April 2026 | CWA # 2073

Akshath Kaimal

The US-Iran War, Week Eight:
A Fragile Ceasefire, Attempts to Control Hormuz and the Stalled Talks in Islamabad
April 2026 | CWA # 2072

Anu Maria Joseph

Three Years of War in Sudan
Prolonged Stalemate, Humanitarian Cost, External Interventions and Regional Fallouts
April 2026 | CWA # 2069

Padmashree Anandhan

The War in Ukraine
Expanding Drone Warfare, Russia's Strategic Patience and Ukraine's Diplomatic Outreach
April 2026 | CWA # 2068

Femy Francis

China-Japan Tensions
Escalating Defence Posturing and Economic Decoupling
April 2026 | CWA # 2067

Anu Maria Joseph

Conflicts in Africa
Continuing Conflicts in Sudan, South Sudan and DR Congo, Security issues in Nigeria, and Political Instability in Madagascar
April 2026 | CWA # 2066

Akshath Kaimal

The Pakistan-Afghanistan Conflict
Recurrent Clashes, Defiant Taliban, Contesting Narratives and Emerging Chinas Role
April 2026 | CWA # 2065

Lakshmi Venugopal Menon

The Middle East (JanMar 2026):
The US-Iran War, Israel-Hamas Conflict and their interconnected fallouts
April 2026 | CWA # 2064

Anwesha Ghosh

Afghanistan (JanMar 2026):
Gender Repression, Leadership Rifts, Regional Realignments and Clashes with Pakistan
April 2026 | CWA # 2063

Ramya B

Russia (Jan-Mar 2026)
Assertive Military Posture, Attempts for an Economic Turnaround and Search for Partners
April 2026 | CWA # 2062

Himani Pant

Europe (Jan-Mar 2026)
Trade diversification & FTAs, Increased defence spending, Tightening irregular migration and Economic slowdown
April 2026 | CWA # 2061

S Shaji

Africa (Jan-Mar 2026)
Elections, Civil Wars, Militancy and Peace Initiatives
April 2026 | CWA # 2059

Adarsh Vijay

India and the World(Jan-Mar 2026)
Maintaining Strategic Autonomy, Balancing the US relations and Resetting the China ties
April 2026 | CWA # 2058

Nishchal N Pandey & Mahesh Raj Bhatta

Nepal (Jan-Mar 2026)
Political Upheaval, Generational Change and Economic Uncertainty
April 2026 | CWA # 2057

Bibhu Prasad Routray

Myanmar (Jan-Mar 2026)
An Illegitimate Regimes Consolidation Game
April 2026 | CWA # 2056

Ashik J Bonofer

Southeast Asia (Jan-Mar 2026)
Deteriorating situation in Myanmar, Philippines as the ASEAN Chair, New government in Thailand, and Economic & Environmental challenges
April 2026 | CWA # 2055

Haans J Freddy

East Asia (Jan-Mar 2026)
Chinas military operations near Taiwan, Japan-China tensions and South Koreas security challenges
April 2026 | CWA # 2054

Amrita Jash

Chinas External Landscape (Jan-Mar 2026):
Regional assertion, Pragmatic recalibration with the West and Avoiding military entanglement in the Middle East
April 2026 | CWA # 2052

Shreya Upadhyay

The United States(Jan-Mar2026)
Tariffs, Ukraine, Iran and Operationalization of Trumps World Order
March 2026 | CWA # 2039

Femy Francis

Trump-Xi Meeting
Why did Trump reschedule it? What does that mean?
March 2026 | CWA # 2035

Akshath Kaimal

Pakistan-Afghanistan Conflict
Broken ceasefire, Expanding military strikes and Worsening humanitarian situation
March 2026 | CWA # 2033

Mahesh Bhatta

Nepal after elections:
Five major challenges for the new government
March 2026 | CWA # 2024

Lekshmi MK

The UN and the Iran-US War
UNSC Resolution 2817 between Clear and Unified Message and Manifest Injustice
March 2026 | CWA # 2023

Femy Francis

Chinas Two Sessions 2026
New Five-Year Plan, Ethnic Unity Law, and an Enhanced Defence Budget
March 2026 | CWA # 2019

Akshath Kaimal

Rising Violence in Nigeria
Limited State Capacity, Multiple Actors, and a Complex Security Environment
March 2026 | CWA # 2012

Padmashree Anandhan

The War in Ukraine
Long-range strikes, Defence adaptation and the EUs energy dependence
March 2026 | CWA # 2010

Mahesh Bhatta

Nepal Elections 2026
The Rise of the New and the Fall of the Old
March 2026 | CWA # 2009

Sreemaya Nair

Nepal Elections 2026
Rise of a new leadership and Reset in political landscape
March 2026 | CWA # 2004

Akshath Kaimal

The Forgotten South Sudan Conflict
Instability returns, with a fragile peace agreement, uptick in violence and limited international engagement
March 2026 | CWA # 2003

Yesasvi Koganti

PM Modis Visit to Israel
From bilateral ties to a special strategic partnership
February 2026 | CWA # 1998

Anu Maria Joseph

Instability in Sudan
Response to the genocide call and the threats of a regional spillover
February 2026 | CWA # 1985

Abhimanyu Solanki

Basant in Pakistan
The return of Basant, and what it signifies
February 2026 | CWA # 1977

Anu Maria Joseph

Violence in Nigeria
US military deployment amidst worsening insurgency
February 2026 | CWA # 1976

Lekshmi MK

The War in Ukraine
The Geneva Talks and Growing Negotiation Asymmetry
December 2025 | CWA # 1971

Vani Vyshnavi Jupudi

Pakistan Budget 2025-26
Legislating stabilisation under IMF discipline and coalition constraints
December 2025 | CWA # 1970

Aparna A Nair

Pakistan & China
Ten Years of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
November 2025 | CWA # 1968

Vani Vyshnavi Jupudi

Pakistan and the US
A New opening, or another cycle?
February 2026 | CWA # 1959

Yesasvi Koganti

UK and China
PM Keir Starmers visit and the Recalibration of Economic, Strategic, and Domestic ties
January 2026 | CWA # 1946

R Preetha

The Davos Summit 2026
Five Major Takeaways from The World Economic Forum
December 2025 | CWA # 1931

Padmashree Anandhan

NATO Summit 2025
December 2025 | CWA # 1924

Padmashree Anandhan

NATO Summit 2025
August 2025 | CWA # 1801

R Preetha

28 August 1963
Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech and the Civil Rights Movement in the US
August 2025 | CWA # 1790

GP Team

The World This Week#323-324
The Trump-Putin meeting & the US-China tariff extension
August 2025 | CWA # 1780

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

Trump tariffs:
Weaponization of access to the US economy
August 2025 | CWA # 1779

GP Team

The World This Week#322
US tariffs on India, Brazil and Canada & the EU-US trade deal
August 2025 | CWA # 1778

Lekshmi MK

28 July 1914
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia, starting the First World War
July 2025 | CWA # 1770

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

Pakistan-Afghanistan relations:
Why the focus on terrorism, refugees, and Uzbekistan as the third partner?
July 2025 | CWA # 1769

GP Team

The World This Week#321
Indian PM Modi's visit to the Maldives I Elections to the Upper House in Japan
July 2025 | CWA # 1762

Lekshmi MK

Ocean Darkening: 
What is the phenomenon? What are its effects? And who are more vulnerable?
July 2025 | CWA # 1749

R Preetha

Africa as the Hunger Epicenter
Of the 13 Global Hunger Hotspots, 8 are in Africa: Five reasons why
July 2025 | CWA # 1748

GP Team

The World This Week #318
PM Modi’s Visit to Trinidad and Tobago & Ghana, One big beautiful bill, and Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting
July 2025 | CWA # 1744

Chittrothu Vaihali

EU-Canada Summit 2025
What is security and defence partnership all about?
July 2025 | CWA # 1742

IPRI Team

Conflict Weekly # 287-88
The 12 Day War and the Congo-Rwanda Peace Deal
July 2025 | CWA # 1738

Fleur Elizabeth Philip

Thailand and Cambodia
What was the phone call between PM Shinawatra and President of Senate Hun Sen? What is the border dispute between the two? Why has this become an issue?
June 2025 | CWA # 1735

Padmashree Anandhan

NATO Summit 2025:
Trump making Europe great again
June 2025 | CWA # 1734

GP Team

The World This Week #317
NATO Summit 2025 and Russia-Mali bilateral agreements
June 2025 | CWA # 1733

Ananya Dinesh

China and the Pacific Islands 
What was the recent China-PIC joint statement about? What it says, and what it means?
June 2025 | CWA # 1728

M Kejia

G7 Summit 2025:
The Focus on the Middle East and Trade negotiations
June 2025 | CWA # 1726

GP Team

The World This Week #316
China-Central Asia Summit in Kazakhstan, and the G7 Summit in Canada
June 2025 | CWA # 1725

Brighty Ann Sarah, R Preetha, Santhiya M, Aparna A Nair & M Kejia

Operation Midnight Hammer: US bombs three nuclear sites in Iran
What were the three Iranian nuclear sites that were targeted? What are the B2 Bombers and Bunker Buster Bombs? What do these attacks mean? What Next?
June 2025 | CWA # 1724

IPRI Team

Conflict Weekly #286
The Spiralling Israel-Iran Crisis, and the Dangerous Hunger Hotspots
June 2025 | CWA # 1721

Rizwana Banu S and Santhiya M

Who are the Afrikaners?
Why is Trump interested in the Afrikaner question in South Africa?
June 2025 | CWA # 1720

Lekshmi MK

New WMO Report on Arctic Warming
What are the social, economic and environmental implications of Arctic warming
June 2025 | CWA # 1719

J Yamini  

China’s EV Surge
What contributes to the rise of BYD
June 2025 | CWA # 1717

J Yamini

Gender Violence in Pakistan:
What are the larger issues in the Noor Mukadam case?
June 2025 | CWA # 1715

Femy Francis

The US-China:
On Tariffs, Rare Earths and Visas
June 2025 | CWA # 1713

GP Team

The World This Week #315
The UN Ocean Conference in France and the US-China Meeting in London
June 2025 | CWA # 1709

IPRI Team

Conflict Weekly #284-285
Cambodia-Thailand Border Tensions, Protests in the US, and the Indigenous Māori question in New Zealand
June 2025 | CWA # 1705

GP Team

The World This Week #314
Elections in South Korea and Poland I China and the Pacific Island Countries I Bangladesh Election Announcement 2026
June 2025 | CWA # 1700

R Preetha

Ethiopia bans the TPLF
What does the TPLF ban mean for the Pretoria agreement? What next for Ethiopia?
June 2025 | CWA # 1694

Aashish Ganeshan

The US:
Harvard vs Trump Administration
June 2025 | CWA # 1691

GP Team

The World This Week #313
China-ASEAN-GCC Summit I President Macron's visit to South East Asia I Trump Vs Harvard
May 2025 | CWA # 1690

GP Team

The World This Week #312
Elections in Romania, Portugal & Poland I UK-EU Summit
May 2025 | CWA # 1689

Padmashree Anandhan

Ukraine
Continuing Russia’s Aerial Attacks, despite exchange of prisoners
May 2025 | CWA # 1688

Ayan Datta

Gaza
The Humanitarian Crisis and Israel’s Renewed Offensive
May 2025 | CWA # 1685

Aparna A Nair

UK-EU Summit:
First step towards a reset
May 2025 | CWA # 1683

Aashish Ganeshan

Elections in Portugal:
The Rise of Chega Party and the Search for Political Stability
May 2025 | CWA # 1679

Aashish Ganeshan

US in the Middle Easr
Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE
May 2025 | CWA # 1678

Gauri Gupta

China in Latin America
China-CELAC forum: Strengthening ties with Latin America and Caribbean
May 2025 | CWA # 1677

GP Team

The World This Week #310-311
China in Latin America and the Carribbean I Trump's Middle East Visit I Denmark as the new Arctic Chair
May 2025 | CWA # 1675

Lekshmi MK

Turkey:
PKK disbands after 40 years of armed insurgency
May 2025 | CWA # 1673

Padmashree Anandhan

Ukraine:
The Discussion in Turkiye and the Elusive Ceasefire
May 2025 | CWA # 1672

D Suba Chandran

India and Pakistan:
De-escalation and the “New Normal”
May 2025 | CWA # 1671

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

US, Ukraine and Russia:
Air attacks amidst a Minerals deal and Ceasefire Proposals
May 2025 | CWA # 1670

Fleur Elizabeth Philip

Singapore Elections in 2025:
People’s Action Party (PAP) Wins, Again
May 2025 | CWA # 1667

R Preetha and Brighty Ann Sarah

East Asia:
Tough Tariff Negotiations with the US
May 2025 | CWA # 1666

Padmashree Anandhan

The US-Ukraine
The mineral deal with the US
May 2025 | CWA # 1665
Conflict Weekly # 280-81
India-Pakistan De-escalation I Ukraine Discussion in Istanbul I The Battle over Port Sudan I Disbanding of PKK in Turkiye I France-Algeria Diplomatic Tensions
May 2025 | CWA # 1663

R Preetha

Canada Elections 2025:
What do the results convey? What next for Mark Carney?
March 2024 | CWA # 1251

NIAS Africa Team

Africa This Week
February 2024 | CWA # 1226

NIAS Africa Team

Africa This Week
October 2023 | CWA # 1091

Annem Naga Bindhu Madhuri

Issues for Europe
July 2023 | CWA # 1012

Bibhu Prasad Routray

Myanmar continues to burn
December 2022 | CWA # 879

Padmashree Anandhan

The Ukraine War
November 2022 | CWA # 838

Rishma Banerjee

Tracing Europe's droughts
March 2022 | CWA # 705

NIAS Africa Team

In Focus: Libya
December 2021 | CWA # 630

GP Team

Europe in 2021
October 2021 | CWA # 588

Abigail Miriam Fernandez

TLP is back again
August 2021 | CWA # 528

STIR Team

Space Tourism
September 2019 | CWA # 162

Lakshman Chakravarthy N

5G: A Primer
December 2018 | CWA # 71

Mahesh Bhatta

Nepal
December 2018 | CWA # 70

Nasima Khatoon

The Maldives
December 2018 | CWA # 69

Harini Madhusudan

India
December 2018 | CWA # 68

Sourina Bej

Bangladesh
December 2018 | CWA # 67

Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer

Afghanistan