This is a roundup of news articles, reports, and other materials focusing on (in)security issues and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of Security in Context. The goal is to shed light on knowledge production on security-related issues of public interest from critical perspectives and from global south readings by highlighting media from four particular regions: Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, and developing Asia. Entries may include academic journal articles, think tank reports, non-governmental organizations releases, official documents or government-commissioned research, and regular news items. The material included covers SiC's key security issues: Climate Change, Security and International Relations, Migration and Displacement, Covid-19 and Capitalism, Technologies of Surveillance, Gender, Race, Ethnicity and Sexuality, Arms and the Military-industrial Complex, and Censorship.
You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each roundup to submissions@securityincontext.org.
Latin America and the Caribbean
Grenada reports outbreak of gastroenteritis
April 5, 2023
Health authorities in Grenada have confirmed the outbreak of gastroenteritis along with acute respiratory infections.
Four dead in drug-related shooting on Mexico beach in Cancun
April 4, 2023
A drug-related shooting on a beach of Cancun has left four people dead.
Fire at migrant detention center in Mexico leaves 38 dead and 28 injured
March 29, 2023
A fire started as a way to protest against deportation resulted in the death of 38 people, along with the injury of 28, in the Mexican city of Ciudad Juarez.
Three dead, 16 missing after boat capsizes in eastern Caribbean
March 28, 2023
Due to a boat capsizing near the Caribbean island of St Kitts 3 people lost their lives and 13 others went missing.
Avalanche leaves 7 dead in Ecuador
March 28, 2023
An avalanche in Ecuador leaves 7 dead and 46 others reported missing as the rescue process continues.
Africa
At least 21 dead in Somalia's flash floods - U.N. agency
April 7, 2023
At least 21 people, six of whom were children, have died over the last week due to flash flood in Somalia, which have impacted over 100,000 people in the southern Gedo region of the country.
Refugee camp in Kenya at 'breaking point' following severe droughts
April 6, 2023
Dadaab, a refugee camp in Kenya, is seeing bouts of violence due to instability following many major droughts in the region, impacting the Somalian refugees that live there.
April 4, 2023
An Ethiopian Joint Security and Intelligence Task Force has announced that a group of people they say were planning to launch assaults against government officials have been arrested. This task group appears to be made up of academics, activists, and media owners.
‘Born out of hatred’: New Uganda bill terrifies LGBTQ community
March 31, 2023
The Ugandan LGBTQ community is fearful of a new bill passed by the country’s Parliament that would see those engaged in same-sex relations sentenced to life in prison, while those accused of promoting homosexuality could be imprisoned for 20 years. As of writing, the bill has yet to be signed by Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni.
Angola and DRC define strategy to combat human trafficking
March 30, 2023
Authorities in Angola and the DRC have met in hopes of being able to implement a cross-country plan that addresses human trafficking, including protection of victims and punishment for those that participate in the illegal system.
Water scarcity on Nigeria’s coast is hardest on women: 6 steps to ease the burden
March 24, 2023
A new report indicates that women suffer the most when it comes to water scarcity on the coast of Nigeria, something that can be combated through education, water management reform, and supporting women’s involvement in water scarcity conversations and decisions.
Middle East
Israel strikes Gaza, new barrage of rockets hits southern Israel in response
April 7, 2023
The Israeli military launched several strikes on provinces in Palestine in the Beit Hanoun and Khan Yunis areas. Although not found in Israeli territory, according to military officials, these were preemptive strikes targeting Hamas tunnels that were intended to be used against Israel.
Al-Aqsa Mosque: Arab League condemns Israeli raids on worshippers
April 6, 2023
The Aran League condemned Israel for raiding the Al-Aqsa Mosque, injuring many inside. According to Israel, the raid was necessary as Palestinians in the mosque had barricaded themselves inside with fireworks, rocks, and sticks.
Iran appoints UAE ambassador, 1st time in 7 years
April 5, 2023
Iran announced the appointment of its first ambassador to the UAE since 2016. This is part of a larger rapprochement effort from Iran as they have recently begun to restore diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia.
Proscriptions ahead of IMF review: Another dose of devaluation, please
April 3, 2023
Despite Egypt’s efforts to bolster its economy through the IMF and encouraging the influx of foreign investment, the future of the value of the Egyption pound remains bleek. These attempts have led to an artificial overvalue that has discouraged outside investors.
Turkey’s elections are more vulnerable than Zimbabwe, Pakistan polls: Freedom House
March 30, 2023
According to the new research initiative called Election Watch for the Digital Age, from Freedom House, Turkey’s recent elections suggest that they are one of the most vulnerable to having their integrity compromised.
Developing Asia
China files lawsuit against Japan over export controls
April 5, 2023
On March 31, China filed a lawsuit against Japan with the WTO due to Japan’s semiconductor export control measures. China believes that the export control measures imposed by Japan and the Netherlands in collaboration with the US represent a violation of WTO trade rules.
Christians in Punjab form their own political party
April 5, 2023
A group of Christians in Punjab, frustrated by government neglect of Christian demands and rising hatred of Christians, has launched the United Punjab Party with the intent of uniting all Christians under one political entity.
The politicization of the judiciary and the judicialization of politics in Pakistan
April 5, 2023
This article explains the problematic history of the role of the judiciary in interfering with political matters and of politicians asking the court to intervene in matters not delegated to the judiciary, and suggests possible reforms to address these problems.
Japan textbook changes spark outrage among South Korean politicians
March 29, 2023
Japan’s Education Ministry announced some new guidelines regarding the teaching of historical disputes between Japan and South Korea that would, among other things, minimize Japan’s history of exploiting South Koreans for slave labor during WWII. Many South Korean politicians perceive this as a major blow to President Yoon Suk Yeol’s attempts to restore relations with Japan, with the opposition calling for Yoon to fire key foreign policy members of his cabinet.
How the Sindh government is rendering thousands homeless in the name of development
March 27, 2023
In 2021, the Government of Sindh evicted and demolished the homes of 66,500 people living in the Gujjar Nullah area of Karachi without making any effort to resettle them. This article explains the various issues that allowed this to happen, including unjust colonial-era land laws and the desire of the Sindh government to obtain loans from the IMF for infrastructure projects following floods in 2020.
Agricultural Research Station develops new disease-resistant rice varieties
March 26, 2023
The Agricultural Research Station in Bijayanagar has developed three new disease-resistant varieties of Jumli Marshi, an indigenous variety of rice that has nutritional benefits as well as religious and cultural significance but whose yield has declined in recent years due to pest infections.
Key Issues
This section includes the latest and most pressing news regarding SiC's key security issues.
Peace talks must have ‘Russian interests, concerns’, says Lavrov
April 7, 2023
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says that Russian interests must be considered if Ukrainian peace talks are to happen, signaling that peace is currently not considered an option by Russian forces.
N. Korea warns of 'offensive' actions against S. Korea-US joint military drills
April 6, 2023
North Korea has stated that it will take offensive military actions against South Korea and the United States because of multiple joint military drills the countries have been participating in together recently.
Filipino government designates four new EDCA Sites
April 4, 2023
The Presidential Communications Office has identified four sites suitable for the US to construct new military facilities. Under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), signed in 2014, the US would be allowed to build and use facilities at these sites without paying rent.
'It hurts': DR Congo currency drops amid war spending, arrears payments
April 3, 2023
People in the DRC have been struggling to pay for basic goods due to failings within local currency, as well as war spending, all of which has resulted in a major negative impact to the DRC’s economic status.
Indian appeals court upholds $1.63 million fine against Google
March 30, 2023
Last year, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) fined Google Rs 1337 crore (approximately $163 million) for various anticompetitive practices. Google appealed the penalty, but the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), in a 189-page ruling, has upheld the penalty.
Ghosh: Multilateralism in a Fragmented World
March 28, 2023
Professor Jayati Ghosh addresses publishes a piece that addresses the nearing opportunity to establish a new more cooperative and encompassing economic order as we approach the prospect of a truly fragmented multipolar world.
