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China: Seasonal Floods, Droughts To Fuel Infrastructure, Energy Buildout

Situation ReportApr 19, 2024 | 20:48 GMT

China's Minister for Water Resources Li Guoying noted in a visit to southwestern Yunnan province that "we must get ready for a worst case scenario" amid the province's ongoing drought, and he urged local authorities to meet water needs for households and agriculture, the South China Morning Post reported on April 19.

Energy

India's 2024 Elections Will Likely Generate Policy Continuity

AssessmentsApr 16, 2024 | 19:36 GMT

Bharatiya Janata Party flags on April 15 in the Indian city of Raipur.

If India's ruling BJP party remains in power after the country's April 19-June 1 general election, policy continuity regarding efforts to increase employment, build infrastructure and implement controversial social policies nationally that trigger social unrest can be expected.

India

China: Nuclear Energy Expands Rapidly, but Faces Geopolitical Headwinds

Situation ReportApr 16, 2024 | 19:35 GMT

China released its Nuclear Energy Development Blue Book 2024, which noted that China's operational capacity of nuclear energy in 2023 was 55 reactors with a total installed capacity of 57.03 gigawatts (ranked third in the world), state news outlet Global Times reported on April 15.

France: Cyberattack Disrupts Servers in Five Municipalities

Energy

Situation ReportApr 12, 2024 | 19:58 GMT

A large-scale cyberattack has disrupted shared computer servers in at least five municipalities on the west coast of France near the river Loire since April 9, affecting email and phone telecommunications, The Record reported on April 11.

France

Cyber

AssessmentsApr 12, 2024 | 19:03 GMT

2024 Elections: India

India's 2024 general elections, which will be held from April 19 to June 1, will likely result in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party retaining control of the government.

India

China: New Rules Meant to Align Stock Market With Beijing's Policy Plans

Situation ReportApr 12, 2024 | 16:58 GMT

China's State Council released new guidelines for stock markets aimed at improving the quality of listed firms, including requiring full disclosure of dividend policies, tightening corporate governance rules to boost investment value and curbing stake sales by large shareholders, Bloomberg reported on April 12.

China, North Korea: Beijing Makes Highest-Level Visit to Pyongyang in Five Years

Situation ReportApr 9, 2024 | 19:42 GMT

Chinese Politburo Standing Committee member Zhao Leji will make a "goodwill visit" to North Korea from April 11-13 to "reflect the deep friendship between our two countries and the great importance China attaches to it," according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on April 9.

North Korea

China: Uneven Playing Field Persists Despite Crackdown on Local Market Protectionism

Situation ReportApr 8, 2024 | 16:12 GMT

China's anti-corruption authorities will commence a crackdown on local market protectionism in August following a state-wide political education campaign on the matter, according to Trivium on April 8.

Cyberspace: Chinese Influence Operations Escalate Use of AI Tools

Situation ReportApr 5, 2024 | 18:48 GMT

Chinese government-linked disinformation networks are increasingly incorporating artificial intelligence tools to influence election audiences in Taiwan and the United States, according to a new Microsoft report published on April 4.

EU, U.S., China: Brussels, Washington Pledge Increased Cooperation on Chinese Legacy Chips

Situation ReportApr 5, 2024 | 16:50 GMT

The European Union and the United States pledged to extend cooperation on identifying and addressing semiconductor supply chain disruptions by three years, emphasizing "legacy" chips produced in China, according to an April 5 joint press release.

Chinese Electric Vehicles Prepare to Hit the Great Wall of Western Tariffs

AssessmentsApr 4, 2024 | 18:33 GMT

Chinese car manufacturer BYD's stacked electric vehicles wait to be loaded onto a ship at the international container terminal of Taicang Port at Suzhou Port in China's eastern Jiangsu province on Sept. 11, 2023.

The United States, the European Union and other Western countries will likely restrict the sale of Chinese cars and auto supplies in their domestic markets to reduce national security and economic risks. Over the last six months, the automotive industry -- particularly electric and connected vehicles -- has become the latest front between China and the West over strategic competition as Western governments look to restrict China's role in the sector. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen arrived in China on April 3 for five days of face-to-face discussions with Chinese officials over several issues, including U.S. concerns about Chinese subsidies contributing to growing EV production capacity that could flood global markets. Yellen's visit comes after the Commerce Department on Feb. 29 began formulating new rules that aim to safeguard the information and communications technology and services supply chain for connected vehicles; the rules would broadly define connected vehicles and squarely

Ukraine: NATO Unveils Plan To Coordinate Long-Term Ukraine Support

Situation ReportApr 3, 2024 | 19:55 GMT

NATO members agreed to coordinate long-term military support for Ukraine, but they remain divided over Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's proposal for a 100 billion euro ($107 billion) fund, Reuters reported on April 3.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

SnapshotsApr 1, 2024 | 20:09 GMT

Opposition supporters celebrate Ekrem Imamoglu's reelection as Istanbul's mayor at the Republican People's Party Istanbul Provincial Directorate on April 1, 2024, in Istanbul, Turkey.

A Strong Performance From the Opposition in Turkey's Municipal Elections Bodes Ill for Erdogan

The Turkish government's weak performance in municipal elections will make it harder for Ankara to pursue constitutional reforms and will increase the probability of a return to less orthodox economic policies in the long term and foreign policy populism. In Turkey's March 31 municipal elections, the main opposition Republican People's Party, or CHP, maintained control over key cities including Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Adana and Antalya. The CHP received more than 37% of nationwide votes, compared with the 35% earned by the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, marking the CHP's best performance since 1989 and the first time that the CHP has surpassed the AKP. Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul's incumbent CHP mayor and potential presidential contender, won the election with more than half of the votes and more than a 10-point margin according to preliminary results. Additionally, incumbent CHP Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas won reelection with more than 60% of

Turkey

The Weekly Rundown: Turkish Municipal Elections, Blinken Goes to Europe

AssessmentsMar 30, 2024 | 13:00 GMT

An APK rally March 29, 2024, in Istanbul.

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

Situation ReportMar 28, 2024 | 19:11 GMT

Kenya, Uganda: Governments To Resolve Oil Import Dispute

Uganda’s energy ministry announced that it had reached an agreement with Kenya whereby Kenyan authorities would grant state-owned Uganda National Oil Co., or UNOC, a license to import petroleum products via the port of Mombasa, Reuters reported on March 28.

Situation ReportMar 25, 2024 | 20:53 GMT

Israel, U.S.: U.N. Passes Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution Following U.S. Abstention

The U.N. Security Council passed a resolution 14-0 calling for an "immediate" cease-fire in Gaza through April 9 and the release of Israeli hostages held by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, with the United States abstaining from the resolution, AP reported on March 25.

United States

Israel

Palestinian Territories

Israel-Hamas Conflict

EU: Member States Divided Over Joint Borrowing for Rearmament

Situation ReportMar 22, 2024 | 16:40 GMT

EU leaders agreed to mandate the European Investment Bank to update its lending policy and allow for more direct investment into defense during a European Council summit in Brussels, Belgium, but member states remain divided on how to mobilize large funds required to expand the bloc's military-industrial complex and finance weapon deliveries to Ukraine, the Financial Times reported on March 21.

Europe

EU: Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels Calls for More Support in Europe's Nuclear Renaissance

Situation ReportMar 21, 2024 | 16:34 GMT

A group of pro-nuclear EU countries led by France called for a bloc-wide nuclear revival during a first-of-its-kind nuclear energy summit organized on the sidelines of a two-day EU leaders' summit in Brussels, Belgium, Reuters reported on March 21.

Europe

Energy