Photo : Peter Morrison/AP Photo/picture alliance
In Brief
By Alka Bala
RUSSIA
Russian cosmonaut sets world record for space deployment
On 04 February, Deutsche Welle reported on Oleg Kononenko, a Russian Cosmonaut breaking the world record for space deployment as he completed 878 days in the International Space Station, as announced by Roskosmos, Russia’s space agency. Kononenko expressed his pride in Russia holding the record for “total duration of human stay in space.” Russia and the US cooperate with each other on ISS international projects, despite the continuing Russia-Ukraine war. Kononenko is expected to complete 1000 days in space on 05 June. (“Russian cosmonaut breaks record on space deployment,” Deutsche Welle, 04 January 2024)
SWITZERLAND
Swiss soldiers to train in Austria in 2025
On 03 February, Thomas Süssli, Swiss Army Chief announced the upcoming schedule of Swiss soldiers to receive training on urban warfare in Austria by 2025. Swiss army would be training on foreign soil after two decades, previously it had trained in Lower Austria in the mid-1990s. The military training would involve a battalion size of 1000 soldiers, and Süssli highlighted a corresponding call to troops. Süssil also stated on army’s investment of CHF13 billion in the reconstruction of Swiss defence abilities and underscored the possible construction of a training facility in a mountain valley. (“Swiss soldiers to train on foreign soil for first time in 20 years,” Swissinfo.ch, 03 February 2024)
Wave of farmers’ protests reaches Switzerland
On 03 February, Swissinfo.ch reported protests by around 30 Swiss farmers who drove into Geneva with their tractors, demanding remuneration for their work, whereas 30 to 40 farmers protested in the Basel regions. Led by Uniterre in Geneva, a French-speaking Swiss farmers’ union raised demands for transparency regarding profits. Farmers’ criticised the supermarkets for the low prices that they paid them. The protests grouped by more than 200 people, raised their call for protest via Instagram. (“Swiss farmers protest supermarket ‘rip-off’,” Swissinfo.ch, 03 February 2024)
Switzerland to achieve “closer institutionalised cooperation” with NATO
On 02 February, Swissinfo.ch reported in an opinion, on the Swiss announcement of working closely with NATO given the “deterioration in the security situation.” The government statement highlighted greater defence and security cooperation with NATO and the EU to strengthen the Swiss capabilities. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine highlighted that the Swiss neutrality policy needs restructuring. Although Swiss wants closer ties with NATO, it draws the line at membership, as joining NATO officially would cost the country its neutrality. Considering membership as a disadvantage in this regard, Lea Schaad, a researcher at ETH Zurich underscored the importance of having a neutral state said: “where meetings can be held. Geneva wouldn’t be Geneva were Switzerland in NATO.” ( Thomas Stephens, “Switzerland and NATO: just flirting or the start of a wild marriage?,” Swissinfo.ch, 02 February 2024)
THE UK
Nationalist leader Michelle O’Neill appointed as the First Minister in the Northern Ireland
On 03 February, Deutsche Welle reported on the appointment of Michelle O’Neill as the First Minister becoming the first nationalist leader. She will share power with Emma Little-Pengelly, the deputy First Minister, of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Despite O'Neill being the first minister-designate since May 2022, the DUP’s boycott of the assembly delayed the appointment and its concerns over the checks and trading rules for Northern Ireland introduced post-Brexit. DUP’s deal with the UK government agreed in the previous week on eased customs checks and other legal changes had assured the unionists. (“Northern Ireland elects first-ever nationalist leader,” Deutsche Welle, 03 February 2024)
TURKEY
Security arrests seven people on suspicions of information sharing with Mossad
On 03 February, the BBC reported the seven arrests by a joint raid by police and MIT, Turkey’s intelligence agency on suspicion of sharing information with Mossad, Israeli intelligence. In January, 34 arrests were made on similar suspicions of “military or political espionage” according to Yilmaz Tunc, Turkey’s Justice Minister. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey’s President has warned of “serious consequences” to Israel over its target of Hamas members on Turkish soil. Turkey is a strong Palestine supporter and has termed Netanyahu’s actions undertaken in Gaza as “genocide.” (Robert Greenall, “Turkey Israel: 'Seven arrested for passing information to Mossad,” BBC, 03 February 2024)
INTERNATIONAL
US-UK strikes on Houthis “not an escalation” says Defence Secretary Shapps
On 04 February, the BBC reported on the US and UK strikes with partners Australia, Bahrain, Denmark, Canada, the Netherlands and New Zealand against Houthi military targets in Yemen. According to the Pentagon, the strikes attacked Houthis’ weapons storage facilities, missile systems, and launchers. The attacks were followed by a statement by David Cameron, the UK’s Foreign Secretary on the “repeated warnings” given to the group and highlighted that “Houthi attacks must stop." Grant Shapps UK’s Defence Secretary justified the attacks as attempts to “preserve the freedom of navigation” and not to escalate the conflict and casualties. Houthis have warned of a “response and punishment” for the strikes. (“Houthi Red Sea attacks 'must stop,' UK says,” Deutsche Welle, 04 February 2024 and Alex Smith, “Grant Shapps says UK and US strikes on Yemen Houthis 'not an escalation',” BBC, 04 February 2024)
EU and Swiss aid Zimbabwe in building climate-smart agriculture
On 03 February, Swissinfo.ch reported on efforts by the EU and Switzerland’s investment of EUR 200 million to help Zimbabwe adopt sustainable practices and make it climate resilient. To deal with poor agricultural output due to the lack of rainfall and climate adversities, the Team Europe Initiative on Greener and Climate-Smart Agriculture supports farmers through animal husbandry. Supporting the country’s livestock sector, the focus is on rearing indigenous cross-bred goats. Out of the total EUR 207 million, Switzerland’s contribution amounts to EUR 34 million. Apart from their 20 support programmes, focused on agriculture, energy, nature conservation and livelihood, training is also provided to the locals to negotiate prices, market and increase production. However, recipients of the programme have indicated a greater need for slaughterhouses and better transportation. The Zimbabwe government’s support for cultivation of Maize, sorghum and pulses has been followed with instructions for no-till farming as it conserves soil nutrients. (Daisy Jeremani, “Switzerland helps bring about climate-resilient agriculture in Zimbabwe,” Swissinfo.ch, 03 February 2024)