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👀 Introducing the next NATO Secretary General!

👀 Introducing the next NATO Secretary General!

and a Sudanese showdown

Billy Robinson
June 26, 2024

Hello!

Today brings enormous developments from across the globe, from revelations about foreign involvement in Sudan, worsening humanitarian and economic crises in Myanmar, and the domestic fallout from China's 'overcapacity.'

In other news, Pakistan takes a more assertive stance against recent militant attacks, and the European Court of Human Rights holds Russia accountable for multiple violations in Crimea.

This, and more, below ⤵️

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇳🇱 Dutch Prime Minister to become NATO Secretary General: Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will succeed Jens Stoltenberg as NATO’s Sec-Gen in October. Backed by the U.S., UK, and other key NATO powers, Rutte was the leading candidate, with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis as his only competitor. Despite being a strong advocate for Ukraine, Rutte will be the fourth NATO chief from the Netherlands, prompting concerns from Central European leaders who believe NATO’s leadership should reflect its strategic shift eastward. Analysts contend that for Rutte to succeed, he must balance Western Europe’s historical leadership with the rising influence of Eastern members, ensuring unity as NATO supports Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration.

2️⃣ 🇲🇲 Myanmar's economy and humanitarian conditions at breaking point amidst protracted conflict: The 2021 military coup in Myanmar ignited a civil war that has devastated the economy. Myanmar’s GDP fell by 17.9% after the coup and only saw a modest recovery with 3% growth last year. This year, the economy is projected to grow by just 1%, suggesting a long road to pre-coup levels. The nation faces a collapsing currency, declining exports, rising unemployment, and a severe humanitarian crisis, with three million displaced. Thousands, including opposition members and activists, are imprisoned. Nearly half the population lives below the poverty line, and 18 million require humanitarian aid. International sanctions, economic mismanagement, and prioritisation of military spending over public needs have further crippled Myanmar, slashing public health and education funding by nearly half.

3️⃣ 🇨🇳 Overcapacity sends China’s solar industry into freefall: China's solar industry dominates every stage of the global supply chain, from polysilicon production to finished products. According to consultancy Wood Mackenzie, China's module production capacity reached around 1,000 gigawatts (GW) last year, nearly five times the combined capacity of the rest of the world and triple what it was in 2021. Despite global efforts to boost domestic production, China's capacity now exceeds twice the annual global installation rate. This rapid expansion has led to overcapacity, squeezing profits as polysilicon, wafers, cells, and modules now sell below production costs. Consequently, Chinese solar export revenues fell by 5.6% last year despite increased volumes. Chinese solar giants, like LONGi, Trina Solar, JA Solar, and Jinko Power, have also seen their share prices decline. Despite financial pressures from falling prices, China's major solar companies continue to invest in technology upgrades and output expansion to maintain their competitive edge, showing no signs of resolving the overcapacity issue.

4️⃣ 🇲🇩 🇺🇦 🇪🇺 Moldova, Ukraine launches EU membership talks: Ukraine will officially begin membership talks with the European Union on Tuesday, an event President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has hailed as a dream come true for Ukrainians amidst their ongoing conflict with Russia. Deputy Prime Minister Olga Stefanishyna will lead Ukraine’s delegation at an intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg, marking the start of aligning Ukraine's laws and standards with those of the 27-nation bloc. Later that day, Moldova, which applied to join the EU following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and received candidate status four months later, will also launch its accession process at a separate intergovernmental conference.

5️⃣ 🇷🇺 🇺🇦 Russia found in breach of the European convention of Human Rights: On Tuesday, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) found Russia guilty of numerous human rights violations in Crimea, a region of Ukraine annexed by Moscow in 2014, an act some consider a precursor to the current conflict. "The Court has found multiple violations of the European Convention (of Human Rights) in the case of Ukraine v. Russia (re Crimea)," stated the ECHR. Kyiv's claims involve Russia breaching the European Convention on Human Rights in Crimea since February 2014, including the persecution of Ukrainians for their political beliefs.

Major Story

🇸🇩 🇷🇺 🇦🇪 SUDAN: A BATTLEGROUND OF INTERNATIONAL INTERESTS?

Darfur 24 claim to have been informed by a ‘reliable military source’ that a shipment of guided aircraft ammunition has arrived from Russia, destined for General Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan’s Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), who are fighting against General Hamdan Dagalo ‘Hemedti’s’ Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

This follows the recent visit of Sudan's Sovereignty Council deputy chairman to Russia, concluding with military agreements after a senior Russian delegation visited Sudan in April.

The source indicated that the Red Sea ports have received the ammunition shipment, with expectations for Sukhoi aircraft to arrive in the coming days. Russia-made Sukhoi aircraft are known for their precision targeting, long-range bombing capabilities, and extensive missile arsenal.

Sudanese officials have expressed Russia's interest in establishing a military base on the Red Sea, alongside agreements signed for gold mining by Sudan's Minister of Minerals during the recent visit to Russia by the deputy chairman. Assistant army chief Yasser al-Atta of Sudan stated openness to granting Russia a military base on the Red Sea. Darfur 24 highlights the army's operational challenges since the conflict erupted on April 15.

Meanwhile, Hemedti’s RSF reportedly receives arms shipments and tacit support from Abu Dhabi. The United Arab Emirates aims to gain control over Darfuri resources and counter Iran’s influence in the Horn of Africa. Leveraging its oil wealth, the UAE expands its influence through strategic port operations, controversial gold mining agreements, and the establishment of military bases. It also engages in conflicts and anti-democratic actions to suppress potential democratic movements that might pose a threat to its stability.

However, these assertive actions are increasingly facing opposition from local activists and critical media across several nations. The UAE's interventions often aim to empower militias to control agricultural and economic resources and prevent Islamist groups from regaining political influence.

In Sudan, for instance, the UAE's support for the RSF militia during ongoing conflicts has led to widespread accusations of crimes such as looting, ethnic cleansing, and severe telecommunications disruptions. Last December, Sudanese protesters demanded the expulsion of the UAE ambassador due to these controversial actions.

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Other News

1️⃣ 🇵🇰 Pakistan looks to contain recent surge in armed attacks: Pakistan's top leadership has approved a new military operation to address rising violence. Named Azm-e-Istehkam, meaning "Resolve for Stability," the operation follows Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's review of the country's counterterrorism efforts, particularly the National Action Plan adopted after the December 2014 Peshawar Army Public School attack, which killed over 140 people, mostly students, and was claimed by the Pakistan Taliban (TTP). The operation will target domestic security threats and armed fighters from Afghanistan. A statement from Sharif's office on June 22 mentioned plans to intensify efforts against terrorists through regional cooperation with neighbouring countries.

2️⃣ 🇮🇱 Ultra-orthodox to be conscripted to IDF, as per Israel’s supreme court: Israel’s Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that ultra-Orthodox men must be subject to military conscription, overturning the long-standing exemption for Jewish seminary students. Announced on Tuesday, this decision challenges Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, which relies on support from religiously conservative parties opposed to the move. The court stated that without a law differentiating Jewish seminary students from other citizens, Israel’s compulsory military service must apply equally to ultra-Orthodox men. It criticised the current system for “invalid selective enforcement,” ending the exemption that had been in place for years.

3️⃣ 🇹🇭 🇺🇸 🇦🇺 Julian Assange released: Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is set to travel from Bangkok to the Northern Mariana Islands, a US territory, after departing the UK on Monday. Following five years in prison fighting extradition to the US, he signed a deal last week to plead guilty to one espionage charge. This agreement ensures he will not face further prison time and allows him to return to his home country, Australia, after his plea. Assange’s wife, Stella, expressed her elation to the BBC and encouraged the public to track his flight for safety. Assange, who initially faced 18 charges, had feared a long sentence in a US high-security prison.