1. Biden’s Stance on Israel-Palestine Conflict Raises Concerns. Biden’s support for Israel’s aim of “destroying Hamas” is problematic, as it could lead to escalation and potentially draw the US into a regional war. The conflict with Palestinians is political, and the violence will not end until Palestinians get freedom. Biden’s decisions may inadvertently set in motion a process of escalation he will increasingly be unable to control. (Source: Shibley Telhami, Brookings)
2. Understanding the Complexities of the Israel-Palestine Conflict. The consensus that the Israel-Palestine conflict was dormant has been challenged, highlighting the ongoing struggle for regional transformation. Political settlements in the Middle East and North Africa fail to maintain sustainable stability due to structural violence. (Source: Hayder Al-Shakeri, Chatham House)
3. Amnesty International Urges Pakistan to Protect Afghan Refugees. Amnesty International has called on Pakistan to halt the deportation of unregistered Afghan refugees by November 1, 2023, and to end the harassment they face. The organization emphasizes the importance of ratifying the 1951 Refugees Convention and its 1967 Protocol, urging the country to align its national legal framework with international refugee law. (Source: Amnesty International)
4. Global Aid Response for Afghanistan’s Earthquake Victims Insufficient. Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation has worsened due to aid cuts, economic collapse, and recent earthquakes. With the UN humanitarian response plan only securing 23% of the needed funds, there is an urgent call for increased international support. New Delhi is urged to play a more significant role in providing aid. (Source: Shivam Shekhawat, ORF)
5. China Revives Belt and Road Initiative Amidst Criticism. China is rebooting the BRI, a trillion-dollar project. Despite potential economic headwinds and criticism of debt load and other environmental and human concerns, Xi’s vision for a new Silk Road is is here to stay. The Ukraine war has set back the BRI’s trans-Eurasian connectivity to Europe, but Russia is eager to expand its cooperation. (Source: Carla Freeman and Henry Tugendhat, USIP)
6. Qatar Sentences Former Indian Naval Officers to Death on Charges of Spying for Israel India will take up the verdict against its naval officers with Qatari authorities, but if Delhi’s efforts fail to ease tensions with Doha, it could potentially threaten India’s access to Qatari LNG exports, which New Delhi has become heavily reliant on due to increasing power shortages and rising energy demands. (Source : Stratfor)