Geopolitics Daily
Posts
🇰🇵🇷🇺 Putin in Pyongyang

🇰🇵🇷🇺 Putin in Pyongyang

and US drones for Taiwan

Billy Robinson
June 19, 2024

Hello and welcome back to Geopolitics Daily!

Today's headlines are dominated by stories of diplomatic relations strengthening and security strategies unfolding.

At the forefront is the evolving dynamic between Russia and North Korea, while news unfolds about US security arrangements with Taiwan, India, and the Philippines.

Elsewhere, the Mexican public ostensibly embraces a series of controversial constitutional reforms, Burundi finds itself at a fragile geopolitical juncture, and Israel's Rafah operation continues to wreak havoc.

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇹🇼 🇺🇸 $360 million drone sale to Taiwan: The US State Department and Pentagon announced on Tuesday the approval of a $360 million (€335 million) military sale to Taiwan, including drones and related equipment. The Pentagon stated that the sale would enhance Taiwan's security and support political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region. The package includes Switchblade anti-personnel and anti-armor loitering munitions—designed to hover near a target before striking at an opportune moment—and ALTIUS 600M-V drones. Taiwan's Defense Ministry expressed gratitude for the increased shipment volume, acknowledging previous complaints about delayed deliveries.

2️⃣ 🇮🇱 🇵🇸 IDF clashes with militants in Rafah city, civilians killed in safe zones: The IDF continued its incursions into Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip and central areas of the territory, resulting in at least seven deaths in designated safe zones. Concurrently, they engaged in clashes with Palestinian resistance groups and heavily shelled the Tel al-Sultan neighbourhood in western Rafah since early morning. In a military statement, the Israeli army reported that its Givati Brigade clashed with Palestinian militants in Rafah, killing an unspecified number. These developments follow a UN Security Council resolution last week calling for a cessation of hostilities.

3️⃣ 🇧🇮 🇷🇼 Burundi’s lacklustre development threatens regional security: Burundi faces severe shortages, particularly in energy, which are hampering its economic recovery and threatening the fragile geopolitics of Central-East Africa. President Evariste Ndayishimiye's reforms have led to eased sanctions from the EU and the US, and the World Bank granted $40 million earlier this year to address shortages. However, development has been slow, especially after Burundi closed its border with Rwanda due to allegations of Kigali supporting rebels in Congo, stifling trade corridors for the landlocked nation often cited as the world's poorest in UN reports.

4️⃣ 🇪🇬 🇸🇩 🇪🇺 Concerns over EU-funded Egyptian security forces’ engagement with Sudanese displaced persons: Egyptian authorities have reportedly employed EU-supported security forces to carry out widespread arrests and deportations of Sudanese refugees, as per a human rights report from Amnesty International. Between January and March 2024, Amnesty documented the forcible return of approximately 800 Sudanese detainees without any opportunity to seek asylum. The campaign included mass arrests in Cairo, Giza, and Aswan, where police targeted black individuals with identity checks, instilling fear in the refugee community and restricting their movements. Since April 2023, nearly 2 million people have fled Sudan due to escalating conflict within the military regime.

5️⃣ 🇺🇸 🇵🇭 🇨🇳 Washington reaffirms its support for Philippines, after vessel collision: The US has criticised China for "aggressive and dangerous manoeuvres" in the South China Sea on Monday, following a collision between a Chinese vessel and a Philippine supply ship near Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed Spratly Islands, with both nations blaming each other for the incident. The US-backed Philippines asserts the area falls within its exclusive economic zone, while China claims sovereignty over the territory. The State Department reiterated support for the Philippines, citing a 1951 treaty covering armed attacks on Philippine forces in the South China Sea.

Major Story

🇷🇺 🇰🇵 PUTIN’S VISIT TO PYONGYANG UNDERSCORES RUSSIA-NORTH KOREA RAPPORT

Overview

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in North Korea early Wednesday, marking his first visit to North Korea in 24 years—as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un greeted Putin at the airport, before travelling together to the Kumsusan State Guest House in an elaborate motorcade.

The relationship between Russia and North Korea has strengthened amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. According to the United States and South Korea, Pyongyang has supplied arms to Russia for use in Ukraine, receiving technological expertise in return to advance its military modernization efforts.

Russia-North Korea bilateralism

During their meeting in Pyongyang, Putin emphasised Moscow's stance against what he described as the prolonged "hegemonic and imperialist policies" pursued by the US and its allies.

Earlier, North Korea's state news agency KCNA hailed the leaders' encounter as a historic event, underscoring the "invincibility and enduring nature" of the friendship and unity between North Korea and Russia.

According to KCNA, the bilateral ties between the two nations have strengthened into a robust strategic alliance aimed at upholding international justice, promoting peace and security, and driving forward the creation of a new multipolar world order.

Response from NATO, Iran links

Following a meeting with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, Blinken emphasised concerns about Russia’s potential support for North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken remarked on Putin’s visit to North Korea as an attempt by Russia to bolster alliances amid its ongoing aggression in Ukraine—highlighting North Korea’s role in supplying munitions to Russia—before also pointing out Iran’s provision of weaponry, including drones targeting civilians.

Promotion

If you love our stuff we know you’ll love Ground News! Their platform provides around the clock coverage of global news from all political perspectives.

We can’t recommend their app enough!

(p.s. as we’ve partnered with them - by signing up you’ll be helping to grow this newsletter too! 🤫)

Get Ground News by clicking here ⤵️

Ground News App

Compare Today’s Top News Headlines from Multiple Perspectives: Local, Foreign, National; Left to Right. See What the Other Side Sees. Be Well Informed.

Other News

1️⃣ 🇮🇳 🇺🇸 India and the United States boost trade, defence relationship: During National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan's inaugural visit to New Delhi since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's re-election, discussions revolved around advancing the 2022-launched Initiative on Critical Emerging Technologies. The talks reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing defence and technology ties while addressing longstanding trade barriers. This initiative, pivotal in semiconductor production and artificial intelligence development, was instrumental in forging a partnership enabling U.S.-based General Electric to collaborate with India's Hindustan Aeronautics for local jet engine production.

2️⃣ 🇲🇽 Controversial judicial reforms have overwhelming support, says Mexico’s incoming President: Incoming Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum presented surveys indicating strong public support for judicial reforms, describing them as "informational." These face-to-face interviews with thousands of voters ostensibly reveal backing for 20 constitutional changes. The non-binding polls echo tactics used by her mentor, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO). Critics argue the surveys are a public relations move to build legislative momentum, while US officials have stressed the need for transparency in Mexico's judicial reforms, highlighting potential impacts on American investors and companies.