VIF News Digest: International Developments (27 Aug-2 Sept 2018)

USA
John McCain believed in the future of strong US-India ties, 26 Aug 2018

"I believe there is no limit to our potential", this is how veteran Senator John McCain viewed US-India relations, especially in the defence sector, as he underscored the importance of setting the foundation correctly for the critical bilateral relations. In an editorial he wrote for CNN ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington in 2016, had said that it was remarkable how much bipartisan support the US-India relationship enjoys on Capitol Hill, an upsurge of interest and respect that is normally reserved only for close partners and allies. "In all my years in Congress, I recall only a select few countries that rose so quickly to such an exalted esteem," McCain, who died yesterday in his home in Arizona at the age of 81, wrote in the editorial two years ago.

McCain, an influential Republican lawmaker and the party's nominee for president in the 2008 election, however, noted that moving forward US-China relationship will require “hard choices and determined leadership". Click here to read... [2]

After cascade of criticism, Trump honors McCain’s service, 27 Aug 2018
Glowering in public and near-silent for two days, President Donald Trump relented under pressure by tersely recognising Sen. John McCain’s “service to our country” and re-lowering the White House flag.

While much of the nation remembered McCain’s record as a war hero, longtime senator and presidential nominee over the weekend, Trump had nursed his grievances. McCain had been an infuriating foil in a long-running feud over style and policy that did not end with the senator’s illness and death. Trump’s reluctance to participate in the national remembrance was awkward and uncomfortable, even by the standards of a leader who acknowledges he doesn’t act like a typical president. The episode highlighted the outsider president’s impulse to harbor personal resentments regardless of political repercussions.

Before Trump’s Monday afternoon statement, his only commentary on McCain’s death had been a perfunctory tweet Saturday. The lack of a formal statement — combined with the fact that White House flags were flown at half-staff only briefly — drew strong criticism from Republicans and veterans’ groups as well as Democrats. When he finally did comment, in a printed statement, Trump was sparing with his praise for the six-term senator: “Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain’s service to our country.” Click here to read... [3]

McCain’s death marks decline of Trump’s GOP Senate critics, 28 Aug 2018

Senate Republicans willing to counter President Trump on defense and national security are becoming a rarity on Capitol Hill. The death of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) marks the start of the waning of an already small group of GOP senators willing to act as a counterweight to Trump as the President breaks with decades-long Republican policies.

McCain, despite being diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer in July 2017, remained a vocal critic of U.S. foreign policy and national security under the Trump administration with his outspoken opposition to Gina Haspel to leading the CIA and his support of tougher sanctions against Russia. Click here to read... [4]

The Hill's Morning Report — Senate battlefield grows with 70 days until midterms, 28 Aug 2018

The Senate battlefield is expanding as Republicans seek to maintain or grow their slim majority in the upper chamber. The election landscape is suddenly littered with unknowns as candidates in both parties find themselves on the defensive in states that were once assumed to be safe for the incumbents.
While most of the focus has been on the 10 Senate Democrats up for re-election in states President Trump carried in 2016, there is also the possibility that an upset or two could be brewing elsewhere.

In Texas, new polling shows Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D) running neck-and-neck with Sen. Ted Cruz (R). The latest: An Emerson College survey that puts Cruz ahead in the race by only 1 point, a statistical tie. Cruz still leads by 5.5 points in the RealClearPolitics average. Click here to read... [5]

Trump reaches Revised Trade Deal with Mexico, threatening to leave out Canada, 27 Aug 2018

President Trump said on Monday that the United States and Mexico had reached an accord to revise key portions of the North American Free Trade Agreement and would finalise it within days, suggesting he was ready to jettison Canada from the trilateral trade pact if the country did not get on board quickly.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Mr. Trump promoted the preliminary agreement with Mexico as a deal that could replace Nafta and threatened to hit Canada with auto tariffs if it did not “negotiate fairly.” “They used to call it NAFTA”, Mr. Trump said. “We’re going to call it the United States-Mexico Trade Agreement,” adding that the term NAFTA — which he has called the “worst” trade deal in history — had “a bad connotation” for the United States. Click here to read... [6]

Donald Trump warns privately of ‘violence’ if GOP loses midterms, 29 Aug 2018

In a private meeting with Christian ministers, Donald Trump warned of “violence” if Republicans do not maintain control of Congress in the mid-term elections, according to an audio recording of the meeting obtained by the New York Times.

At a state dinner for evangelical Christian ministers on Monday night at the White House, Trump urged religious leaders to use the power of their pulpits to make sure that “all of your people vote” in November, the New York Times reported. “You’re one election away from losing everything you’ve got,” Trump reportedly told them. If Republicans lose Congress, “they will end everything immediately”, the President said, seemingly referring to Congressional Democrats. He went on: “They will overturn everything that we’ve done and they’ll do it quickly and violently. And violently. There’s violence. When you look at antifa, and you look at some of these groups, these are violent people.” Click here to read... [7]

India-US likely to sign agreements on information security, geospatial cooperation, 28 Aug 2018

In the forthcoming meeting of defence and foreign ministers of India and America, the two countries are likely to sign two important agreements - the Information Security Agreement and the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement. Before the meeting, wherein Indian defence and foreign ministers will meet their American counterparts on September 6, the Indian Government has shared its version of the two major agreements with the United States.

While The Information Security Agreement (ISA) stops India from sharing US technology with other countries, the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) would facilitate exchange of geospatial information between India and United States for both military and civilian use. Both the agreements are being negotiated. Click here to read... [8]

India finalising proposal to send defence teams to Silicon Valley, 30 Aug 2018

India and the US are finalising a proposal that will enable defence teams to visit and liaison with a cutting-edge defence innovation unit in Silicon Valley. The unit identifies and funds emerging military technologies. Final touches are being given to the proposal ahead of the ‘2+2 dialogue’, which will involve the defence and foreign affairs ministries of the two nations.
The proposal, first made by the US side last year, will involve Indian teams coordinating with the US Defense Innovation Unit Experimental (DIUx) in Mountain View, California. The plan is to engage with the newly set up Indian Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) that is looking to foster emerging technologies domestically for the armed forces and is modelled closely on the US organisation that has been operational since 2015. Click here to read... [9]

India not guaranteed US sanctions waiver for Russian missiles: Official, 29 Aug 2018

The United States cannot guarantee that it will provide India a waiver from sanctions if it purchases major weapon and defense systems from Russia, a top Pentagon official said on Wednesday, ahead of a high-level dialogue between Washington and New Delhi. The United States has imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia, under which any country engaged with its defense and intelligence sectors could face secondary US sanctions. However, a new defense bill gives the president the authority to grant waivers in case of national security interests.

Randall Schriver, the Pentagon’s top Asia official, said there was an “impression that we are going to completely protect the India relationship, insulate India from any fallout from this legislation no matter what they do.” Media reports from the region have suggested that India would get a waiver. Click here to read... [10]

RUSSIA
Nuclear fuel loading has commenced at the 4th power unit of Tianwan NPP (China), 27 Aug 2017

On August 25, 2018 the first fuel assembly was loaded into the core of Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) Unit 4 in China. “Today a significant milestone in the construction of Unit 4 of Tianwan NPP was achieved. Fuel loading is the commencement of the unit’s first criticality procedures. Unit 4 will then enter the start-up stage to be connected to the power grid of China, said Alexey Bannik, director for JSC ASE EC projects in China. We are planning to complete all the main stages by the end of the year, in accordance with the schedule”.

In total, 163 fuel assemblies (FA) are to be loaded into the reactor. Once the fuel loading and the starting up and adjustment works are complete, the unit will be brought to minimum controllable power level (MCL), followed by the power start-up. “The first stage of Tianwan NPP, Units 1 and 2, have been demonstrating its efficiency for over 10 years. In 2017 the power units generated over 170 million MW/h into the power grid of the country, with the capacity factor of each unit exceeding 90% – a record for reactors like these,” said Valery Kedrov, deputy director of St. Petersburg designing institute for Tianwan NPP. Click here to read... [11]

Regiment set of S-400 missile systems delivered to Russian troops ahead of schedule, 27 Aug 2017

Almaz-Antey defense manufacturer has delivered a new regiment set of the most advanced S-400 Triumf air defense missile systems to the troops ahead of schedule, the company reported on Monday. "Almaz-Antey Group has delivered a new regiment set of S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile systems to the Defense Ministry of Russia ahead of schedule. The official ceremony was held at the Kapustin Yar training range in the Astrakhan Region," the company said.
In compliance with the Defense Ministry’s requirements, the systems were tested by engaging real air targets during their transfer. The delivery/acceptance tests were performed successfully," the company’s press office said. Click here to read... [12]

Interior Ministry’s order setting money rewards for informants comes into force in Russia, 27 Aug 2018

The Interior Ministry’s order setting money rewards for citizens who help police in solving crimes has come into force in Russia, the ministry said on Monday. "The order endorses the regulation for police to set and pay rewards for assistance in solving crimes and detaining perpetrators. The regulation defines the powers of Russian police officials to set rewards for assistance in exposing crimes and detaining perpetrators and the procedure of their payment to Russian and foreign citizens and stateless persons," the Interior Ministry of Russia said in a statement.

The document, which was posted on the government’s legal information website, says that the size of a reward varies from several thousand rubles (the reward of up to 500,000 rubles [$7,375] is authorised by decision of regional police head or his deputy) to 3 million rubles ($44,000) (by decision of a deputy interior minister) and higher (to be approved by the interior minister). Reward announcements will be posted on the Interior Ministry’s website. Click here to read... [13]

Russia tests ‘Robocop’ Power Armor enabling soldiers to fire machine-guns with one hand, 29 Aug 2018

Russia is already testing a mechanical exoskeleton for soldiers, which is supposedly designed to unleash accurate machine gun fire with one hand and add to its wearer’s physical strength, its developers have said. The equipment, part of a Russian military concept for soldiers’ personal armor, seeks to increase the physical strength and endurance of its wearer while carrying hefty kit on deployment. The exoskeleton is yet to be displayed in a practical demonstration but a top official for state arms design institute TsNiiTochMash behind the piece has revealed the mechanised item is officially undergoing testing.

"We have already held trials for the prototype of the active exoskeleton,” Oleg Faustov, head designer of the Life Support System of the Soldier Combat Outfit told state news agency Itar-Tass. “It really does enhance the physical capabilities of personnel. For example, the tester was able to fire a machine-gun with only one hand and hit targets accurately." Click here to read... [14]

Russia, China discuss military cooperation, 27 Aug 2018

Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov has met with Head of the Joint Staff Department of the Chinese Central Military Commission Li Zuocheng in Moscow. During the negotiations, the army officials discussed expanding bilateral military cooperation. "Today I offer to discuss the prospects of expanding and deepening our bilateral relations, including holding joint military exercises and exchanging opinions on the situation in the critical regions of the world," the Chief of General Staff said.

This is Li Zuocheng’s first visit to Russia, which, according to Gerasimov, shows the special nature of Russian-Chinese relations - comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation. Click here to read... [15]

Russia reinforces naval forces in Mediterranean off the Syrian coast, 28 Aug 2018

Russia has deployed several frigates to the Mediterranean via the Bosphorus, an analysis of shipping traffic showed, part of what a Russian newspaper on Tuesday called Moscow’s largest naval buildup since it entered the Syrian conflict in 2015. The reinforcement comes as Russia’s ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, is believed to be considering an assault on the last big rebel-held enclave, Idlib in the north.

Russia has accused the United States of building up its own forces in the Middle East in preparation for a possible strike on Syrian government forces.

On Saturday, the Admiral Grigorovich and Admiral Essen frigates sailed through Istanbul’s Bosphorus towards the Mediterranean, Reuters pictures showed. The day before, the Pytlivy frigate and landing ship Nikolai Filchenkov were pictured sailing through the Turkish straits that connect the Black Sea with the Mediterranean. The Vishny Volochek missile corvette passed through earlier this month. Click here to read... [16]

Ryabkov to discuss with Deputy foreign Minister of Japan, the deployment of US missile defense, 28 Aug 2018

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that on August 29, he will meet with his Japanese counterpart Takeo Mori, and discuss the issues of strategic stability, as well as the topic of the deployment of the US ABM systems in Japan. «I went in July in Tokyo and there conducted regular rounds of strategic stability. A colleague of mine came here in the framework of the agreements that were reached by the Ministers for foreign Affairs and defence in a format «2+2″. It is evidence of intensification of our dialogue with Japan» — said Ryabkov, answering the question, can he confirm that the meeting will be held on August 29.

«We will continue to discuss relevant issues with focusing and paying particular attention to those known issues that cause us concern in terms of the development of the situation in northeast Asia, including some aspects of the activities of our Japanese colleagues in the field of missile defense,» — said Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation. Click here to read... [17]

Russia to hold largest military drills in 37 years, 28 Aug 2018

Almost 300,000 troops will take part in Vostok 2018 (East 2018) military maneuvers that are said to be the largest in 37 years. Russia has not held such large-scale maneuvers since 1981.

"They will be similar to Zapad-81, but they will also be larger. There will be more aircraft involved, nearly 300,000 troops on almost all range grounds of the Central and Eastern military districts. Of course, the Pacific Fleet and the Northern Fleet will be fully involved along with Airborne Forces," the Minister said. Tanks, armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, as well as military aircraft, helicopters and drones will also take part in Vostok 2018 drills that are to be held on September 11-15. Click here to read... [18]

AFRICA
China says projects not to blame for majority of Africa debt: Reuters, 28 August, 2018

Chinese development projects do not account for a majority of the debt on African countries, a senior Chinese official said on Tuesday ahead of a summit with African leaders in Beijing next week.

China’s ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ has been praised by supporters for providing vital financing to infrastructure-starved countries. Critics, including the United States, say the programme is overloading poor nations with debt. Click here to read... [19]

South Sudan rebels refuse to sign peace deal: The New York Times, 28 August, 2018

South Sudanese rebels refused on Tuesday to sign the latest draft of a peace deal that would have ended a devastating civil war - a new setback in the five-year conflict.

President Salva Kiir and the leader of the main rebel group, Riek Machar, signed a cease-fire and power-sharing agreement earlier this month, having reached a preliminary deal in June that intended to end the fighting that first broke out in 2013. Click here to read... [20]

UK's May pledges to boost Britain's investments in Africa: VOA, 28 August, 2018

British Prime Minister Theresa May pledged Tuesday to make Britain the biggest investor in Africa from the developed world, as she began a three-nation tour of the continent.

With Britain due to leave the European Union in March 2019, May is seeking to bolster Britain's ties with other regions around the world, notably Africa. As part of that strategy, May is visiting three of Africa's largest economies — South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya — along with her trade minister and a delegation of 29 business leaders. Click here to read... [21]

Number of Somalis evicted from their homes doubles in first half of 2018: Reuters, 28 August, 2018

The number of Somalis left homeless has surged this year as thousands who had already fled war, drought and floods were forcibly evicted from mostly makeshift homes, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) said. The aid group, in a report published on Tuesday, said one of the main factors driving people out of their homes was property developers requisitioning land, often without warning, during a building boom in the capital Mogadishu.

More than 200,000 Somalis, or one in 60 of the population, were forcibly evicted from their homes in January-July, more than double the number in the same period last year, the group said. Click here to read... [22]

Merkel Arrives in Ghana; Migration Key Concern: VOA, 30 August, 2018

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has arrived in Ghana during a three-nation West Africa visit aimed at boosting investment in a region that is a major source of migrants heading toward Europe. Merkel is meeting with President Nana Akufo-Addo and traveling with nearly a dozen German CEOs to help promote business ties.

The German leader first stopped in Senegal, another of Africa's fastest-growing economies, and will continue on to Nigeria, Africa's most populous country and one of the world's top oil producers. Click here to read... [23]

Russia Plans investment in Eritrean port as Foreign Ministers meet: africanews, 31 August, 2018

Russia is set to make investments in a port in Eritrea as Moscow enters talks to set up a logistics centre in the Horn of Africa nation. RIA news agency cited Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as disclosing the move on Friday during a meeting with his Eritrean counterpart Osman Saleh.

“Lavrov said the project would help develop bilateral trade, the agency reported. It did not name the port,” a Reuters report added. Eritrea’s known port are at Massawa and Assab. A recent report by Bloomberg quoted a mines official hinting of a possibility of developing another port for potash export. Click here to read... [24]

At least 30 Nigerian soldiers killed in combat with Boko Haram jihadists: africanews, 2 September 2018

At least 30 Nigerian soldiers died in combat with Boko Haram jihadists who overran a military base in the northeast near the border with Niger, two military sources told AFP on Saturday.

Scores of jihadists in trucks stormed the base at Zari village in northern Borno state late Thursday and briefly seized it after a fierce battle, they said. “They came in large numbers in trucks and carrying heavy weapons and engaged soldiers in a battle that lasted for an hour,” a military officer said. Click here to read... [25]

Huge blast in Mogadishu kills at least 5, injures dozens: africanews, 2 September, 2018

A car bomb in the Somali capital Mogadishu has killed at least five people and wounded dozens. Al Qaeda-linked al-Shabab militant group claimed responsibility for the Sunday attack. The death toll is expected to rise.

At least five people were killed and 13 were injured as a result of the bombing near a police station along the busy Maka Almukarramah road in the Somali capital. The blast occurred when Somali soldiers were searching cars at a nearby intersection. Click here to read... [26]