Security
The Growing Risk of Saudi Arms Trade
Saudia Arabia is undergoing a difficult public relations crises after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, affecting its arms trade with allies.
Iran partially exits the nuclear deal: is war on the horizon?
President Trump’s most recent sanctions and deployment of an aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf has raised fears about another US war in the Middle-East. Iran’s decision to cease compliance with key parts of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) intensifies anxieties.
Europe’ data security dilemma: the Huawei debate
Last month, Huawei offered an anti-spy agreement to Germany, in order to ease the data security concerns and be able to participate in the country’s 5G mobile networks. However, without the same level of guarantee from the Chinese government, it is unlikely that the concerns could be eliminated. What would be the next step for European countries on this matter?
Syria’s Idlib: Limited offensive to enforce Sochi Accord
Bashar al-Assad’s regime started an aerial assault against rebel-held areas in northwest Syria in late April. The purpose of the offensive is capturing the M4 and M5 highways from Aleppo to Hama and Lattakia, as agreed in Sochi.
India’s move towards collective security in the Indian Ocean
India continues to counter China’s regional influence by extending its coastal surveillance radar systems (CSRS) project to the Republic of Maldives, a country with key shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean. The extension of the initiative to the Maldives will build up regional maritime domain awareness, and strengthen the security and economic network of littoral countries.
Japan: military expansion and instability in East Asia
With an incursive China, relaxing American input and an ambiguous Trump-Kim relationship, Japan bolsters its military capabilities to face uncertain times.
Brexit effect on security in the UK
The downstream effects of Brexit, and particularly a no-deal Brexit, have harrowing consequences for the safety of Britons. If there is no deal on 29 March, the UK’s counterterrorism and policing operations risk being significantly burdened by borders and hindered by restrictions on intelligence sharing.
UAE’s relations with Somalia flounder over Qatar
Since the election of the new Somali President in 2017, the country’s relationship with the UAE has deteriorated steadily. The UAE risks undoing its record of progress in the Horn of Africa.
Yemen – Hopeful Ceasefire in Hodeida
An immediate ceasefire in Yemen’s besieged city of Hodeida came into effect on 18 December and was the first serious step towards establishing peace in the war-torn kingdom. A resumption in violence now threatens the fragile agreement. However, the shifting narrative concerning Saudi Arabia’s role will play a critical role in resolving the conflict – or at least in alleviating the tragic humanitarian crisis.
Bridging the Gap in Emerging Technology: “Overmatch”
Originating in the 2017 National Security Strategy, the United States is underway with its philosophy of “Overmatch” to bridge the gap in emerging technologies with Russia and China.
