ISDEI Instituto de Seguridad, Defensa y Estudios Internacionales

Global News Summary - July 7, 2024

Middle East Tensions and Conflicts

In Gaza, Israel conducted airstrikes targeting areas east of Khan Younis, responding to a significant rocket barrage by Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The strikes followed orders for thousands of Palestinians to evacuate to designated humanitarian zones. These events have led to casualties and displacement, with the UN and humanitarian organizations condemning the forced evacuations and highlighting the dire situation for civilians in Gaza (UPI) (Times of Israel).

European Political Developments

In the UK, the Labour Party achieved a landslide victory in the general election, ending the Conservative Party's 14-year rule. This political shift could lead to significant changes in domestic and foreign policies. Meanwhile, in France, Marine Le Pen’s far-right party and President Macron’s centrist supporters are in a critical final push ahead of a decisive vote (UPI) (Times of Israel).

Economic Outlook

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has updated its World Economic Outlook, noting that global growth is projected to slow to 3.0% in 2024. Inflation remains a significant concern, with core inflation expected to decline more slowly. The recent resolution of the US debt ceiling standoff has mitigated some immediate financial sector risks, but economic activity continues to be weighed down by high central bank policy rates (IMF).

African News

In South Africa, the National Union of Metalworkers (NUMSA) led a major strike at Ford SA, reflecting ongoing labor disputes in the region. Additionally, several municipal managers in North West municipalities have been suspended amid governance and financial management issues (SABC News).

US Political Scene

The US Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald Trump has immunity for official acts during his presidency, which has significant implications for ongoing legal proceedings against him. This decision has sparked widespread discussion and varying reactions across the political spectrum (Yahoo News - Latest News & Headlines).

Other Notable Events

Tropical Storm Beryl is nearing landfall in Texas after impacting parts of the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico (UPI).
In the art world, a Ukrainian artist couple displaced by the war have started painting bomb shelters in Lebanon, transforming symbols of conflict into canvases of hope and resilience (Times of Israel).

These stories highlight the dynamic and complex nature of current global events, reflecting significant political, economic, and social developments worldwide.

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Why States Still Use Barrel Bombs

Smoke ascends after a Syrian military helicopter allegedly dropped a barrel bomb over the city of Daraya on Jan. 31.(FADI DIRANI/AFP/Getty Images) Summary Barrel bombs are not especially effective weapons. They are often poorly constructed; they fail to detonate more often than other devices constructed for a similar purpose; and their lack of precision means they can have a disproportionate effect on civilian populations. However, combatants continue to use barrel bombs in conflicts, including in recent and ongoing conflicts in Africa and the Middle East, and they are ideally suited to the requirements of resource-poor states. Analysis Barrel bombs are improvised devices that contain explosive filling and shrapnel packed into a container, often in a cylindrical shape such as a barrel. The devices continue to be dropped on towns all over Syria . Indeed, there have been several documented cases of their use in Iraq over the past months, and residents of the city of Mosul, which was re

Russia Looks East for New Oil Markets

Click to Enlarge In the final years of the Soviet Union, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev began orienting his foreign policy toward Asia in response to a rising Japan. Putin has also piloted a much-touted pivot to Asia, coinciding with renewed U.S. interest in the area. A good expression of intent was Russia's hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in 2012 in Vladivostok, near Russia's borders with China and North Korea. Although its efforts in Asia have been limited by more direct interests in Russia's periphery and in Europe, Moscow recently has been able to look more to the east. Part of this renewed interest involves finding new export markets for Russian hydrocarbons. Russia's economy relies on energy exports, particularly crude oil and natural gas exported via pipeline to the West. However, Western Europe is diversifying its energy sources as new supplies come online out of a desire to reduce its dependence on Russian energy supplies . This has

LONDON POLICE INDIRECTLY ENCOURAGE CRIMINALS TO ATTACK RUSSIAN DIPLOMATIC PROPERTY

ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE A few days ago an unknown perpetrator trespassed on the territory of the Russian Trade Delegation in London, causing damage to the property and the vehicles belonging to the trade delegation , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during the September 12 press briefing. The diplomat revealed the response by the London police was discouraging. Police told that the case does not have any prospects and is likely to be closed. This was made despite the fact that the British law enforcement was provided with video surveillance tapes and detailed information shedding light on the incident. By this byehavior, British law inforcements indirectly encourage criminals to continue attacks on Russian diplomatic property in the UK. Zakharova’s statement on “Trespassing on the Russian Trade Mission premises in London” ( source ): During our briefings, we have repeatedly discussed compliance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, specif