ISDEI Instituto de Seguridad, Defensa y Estudios Internacionales

  Global Geopolitical Developments: August 26, 2024 As of August 26, 2024, the world is witnessing significant geopolitical developments across multiple regions, reflecting the ongoing complexities and tensions that are shaping international relations. This analysis provides an in-depth exploration of the most critical geopolitical issues currently unfolding. 1. Middle East: Escalation Between Israel and Hezbollah The Middle East remains a focal point of global concern, particularly with the recent escalation between Israel and Hezbollah. Over the weekend, both parties engaged in their most intense exchange of fire in months, raising fears of a broader conflict. Hezbollah launched hundreds of rockets and drones targeting an Israeli military intelligence site near Tel Aviv, while Israel conducted preemptive strikes in southern Lebanon, aiming to degrade Hezbollah's capabilities. Both sides have since pulled back, signaling a desire to avoid a full-scale war. However, the situation r...

  Armes françaises utilisées au Yémen : la justice administrative verrouille tout accès à l’information partager sur Facebook partager sur twitter Dans un jugement rendu le 19 juillet, le tribunal administratif de Montreuil s’oppose à ce que Disclose, Amnesty international France et le Centre pour les droits humains et constitutionnels accèdent aux documents douaniers liés aux livraisons d’armes françaises vers l’Arabie saoudite, l’Égypte et les Émirats arabes unis, soupçonnés de crimes contre l’humanité au Yémen. Les trois associations ont décidé de se pourvoir en cassation devant le Conseil d’État. Le tribunal administratif de Montreuil a rendu un jugement à la fois inédit et préoccupant. Le 19 juillet, il a  rejeté en bloc  une requête de Disclose, d’Amnesty international France et du Centre pour les droits humains et constitutionnels (ECCHR) demandant l’accès à des documents douaniers liés aux ventes d’armes de la France à l’Arabie Saoudite, l’Égypte et les Émira...

  Facebuck: The Political Economy of the Libra ‘Stablecoin’ Backgrounders  -  August 19, 2024 By  Jose Miguel Alonso-Trabanco From a long-range perspective, private money is not a new phenomenon. Meaningful precedents include commercial bills of exchange controlled by financiers during the Renaissance and money minted by the English East India Company as a nonstate quasi-authority. In the digital age, the proliferation of FinTech —an innovation of the “ Fourth Industrial Revolution ”— has encouraged  private firms  to launch their own cybercurrencies. Furthermore, the possibility of supranational money has been proposed more than once, but none of these plans has taken off. In the deliberations under the umbrella of the Bretton Woods conference, British economist John Maynard Keynes suggested the creation of ‘bancor’ as a gold-backed monetary invention designed to diminish the risks of competitive devaluations and wild fluctuations in exchange rates. Such p...

  Overview of Global Geopolitical Developments on August 24, 2024 As of August 24, 2024, the global geopolitical landscape is marked by significant developments that highlight the ongoing complexities and tensions across various regions. These events underscore the shifting dynamics of international relations, with a particular focus on the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Asia. This analysis provides an in-depth examination of the most critical geopolitical issues currently shaping the world. 1. Middle East: Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations and Broader Regional Implications The Middle East remains a focal point of global concern, with the potential for a ceasefire in Gaza being a major development. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's ninth trip to the region this year reflects the high stakes involved in securing a lasting peace agreement. The conflict between Israeli forces and Hezbollah has escalated, raising fears of a wider regional conflict. The delicate negotiations in Gaza ...

  Expanded Analysis of the South China Sea Tensions Strategic Importance of the South China Sea The South China Sea is one of the world's most strategically important and contested regions. Covering approximately 3.5 million square kilometers, it serves as a critical maritime corridor, with about one-third of global shipping passing through its waters. This includes significant volumes of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) destined for East Asian economies, making the region vital for global energy security. Additionally, the South China Sea is believed to hold vast reserves of untapped natural resources, including an estimated 7 to 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas​ ( The Asia Live ). China's Assertive Claims and Actions China claims approximately 90% of the South China Sea, a claim demarcated by the so-called "Nine-Dash Line." This line, which appears on Chinese maps, covers a vast area of the sea, including waters near the coasts...

  Global Geopolitical Landscape on August 23, 2024 1. The South China Sea Tensions The South China Sea remains a highly volatile region, continuing to be a major point of contention in global geopolitics. China's assertive claims over this strategic maritime area, which it demarcates with the controversial "Nine-Dash Line," have been met with increasing resistance from neighboring countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines. The United States has intensified its involvement in the region, conducting Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs) to challenge China's expansive claims and support the principle of free passage in international waters. These actions have led to heightened tensions between the U.S. and China, exacerbating the already complex dynamics of the region. The disputes over these waters are not only about territorial sovereignty but also about control over vast reserves of natural resources, including oil and gas, which are crucial for the energy sec...