#central european defence cooperation

[mapsontheweb]

Member countries of the Central European Defence Cooperation

[ukrainenews]

Daily Wrap Up October 13-16, 2022

(Sorry for no updates, I had family visiting.)

Under the cut:

The number of Russian troops who will be in Belarus as part of the deployment of the "joint group of troops" will be up to 9,000.

At least 11 people were killed and 15 more wounded at a Russian military training ground on Saturday when two attackers opened fire on a group of volunteers who wished to fight in Ukraine, RIA news agency said.

Very fierce battles are taking place around the eastern Donetsk region, and the Ukrainian military is holding its position there, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly address Saturday.

US President Joe Biden has approved an additional $725 million in security aid for Ukraine, according to a statement from the State Department.

Germany provided Ukraine with 16 Biber tank bridge-builders, according to federal government data. In addition, Germany supplied Ukraine with 10 pontoon bridge machines. Last week, Ukraine also received 16 Zuzanna self-propelled artillery systems. The firing range of 155-mm artillery guns reaches 41 km.

“The number of Russian troops who will be in Belarus as part of the deployment of the "joint group of troops" will be up to 9,000.

As European Truth reports, Valery Revenko, Assistant Minister of Defense of Belarus for International Military Cooperation, said this on his Twitter page.

"The first military echelons with Russian servicemen, who are part of the SUG ( joint grouping of forces ), have begun to arrive in Belarus. The move will last several days. The total number will be slightly less than 9 thousand people. More information will be provided at a briefing for military attachés," he writes. he.  

It will be recalled that on October 10, the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, said that he and the president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin , agreed to deploy a joint regional grouping of troops. According to him, Belarus decided to do this because of the need to strengthen its security "due to a rapid change in the situation".

Lukashenko also announced the imminent arrival of the Russian military in the country . "Do not count on a large number of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. But it will not be one thousand people," the Belarusian dictator clarified.

The day before, the Ministry of Defense of Belarus had already announced the arrival of the first echelons of Russian military personnel to the country.

Read about what the appearance of the Russian military means in Belarus and the likelihood of a new offensive from its territory in the article Lukashenko is preparing for an attack: what threats is the Belarusian dictator capable of implementing.”-via Euro Integration (Ukrainian language source)

~

“At least 11 people were killed and 15 more wounded at a Russian military training ground on Saturday when two attackers opened fire on a group of volunteers who wished to fight in Ukraine, RIA news agency said.

The deadly incident is just the latest in a series of high-profile setbacks for Moscow's forces since the Feb. 24 invasion.

RIA, citing the defence ministry, said the two assailants had been shot dead after the attack in the southwestern Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine.

"During a firearms training session with individuals who voluntarily expressed a desire to participate in the special military operation (against Ukraine), the terrorists opened fire with small arms on the personnel of the unit," RIA cited a defence ministry statement as saying.

"As a result of the shooting, 11 people were fatally wounded. Another 15 people with wounds of varying severity were taken to a medical facility," it said.

Oleksiy Arestovych, an advisor to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said in a YouTube interview that the attackers were from the Central Asian nation of Tajikistan and had opened fire on the others after an argument over religion.

Tajikistan is a predominantly Muslim nation, while around half of Russians follow various branches of the Christian church. The Russian defence ministry said the attackers were from a nation that belonged to the Commonwealth of Independent States, which groups nine ex-Soviet republics, including Tajikistan.

Reuters was not immediately able to confirm the comments by Arestovych, a prominent commentator on the war who appears in the media on an almost daily basis.

RIA did not say where the attack took place. The independent Russian news website Sota Vision said it had happened in the small town of Soloti, close to the Ukrainian border and about 105 km (65 miles) south east of Belgorod.

Authorities in Belgorod itself have repeatedly accused Ukraine of attacking targets in the city, including power lines and fuel and ammunition stores.

Ukraine has not claimed responsibility.”-via Reuters

~

“Very fierce battles are taking place around the eastern Donetsk region, and the Ukrainian military is holding its position there, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly address Saturday.

“Active operations continue in various areas of the front. A very difficult situation persists in Donetsk region and Luhansk,” Zelensky said, referring to another eastern region that has been occupied by Russian troops for months. “The most difficult is the Bakhmut direction, as in the previous days. We hold our positions.”

Bakhmut is located in the northern portion of Donetsk region.

Work still to do on recaptured land: Zelensky also gave an update on the efforts to reconnect services to regions of Ukraine recently liberated from Russian forces.

He said homes in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Izium, which was under Russian occupation for six months before being liberated in September, are having their supply of natural gas restored.

“The first 500 families of the city already have gas in their homes again,” he said. “Just yesterday, more than 3,000 houses in the Izium, Kupiansk, Chuhuiv and Kharkiv districts of Kharkiv region were connected to the gas supply. Work is ongoing in other directions as well.””-via CNN

~

“US President Joe Biden has approved an additional $725 million in security aid for Ukraine, according to a statement from the State Department.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Biden on Twitter Saturday morning.

“Sincerely grateful to POTUS, the people from United States for providing another $725 million security aid package. We will receive, in particular, much-needed rounds for HIMARS and artillery,” the message reads. “A wonderful gift for Ukraine’s Defenders’ Day! The Russian aggressor will be defeated, Ukraine will be free!”

The Biden administration authorized the additional presidential drawdown — a form of military spending that allows for speedy approval — for Ukraine Friday.

The $725 million package includes ammunition for HIMARS, HARMs (air-to-surface missiles), anti-tank weapons, Humvees, 155mm artillery rounds, small arms and small arms ammunition, precision-guided artillery rounds and medical supplies.”-via CNN

~

“Germany provided Ukraine with 16 Biber tank bridge-builders, according to federal government data.

In addition, Germany supplied Ukraine with 10 pontoon bridge machines.

Last week, Ukraine also received 16 Zuzanna self-propelled artillery systems. The firing range of 155-mm artillery guns reaches 41 km.

In September, Germany handed Ukraine six Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, bringing their total number to 30.

The Armed Forces received 59,000 shells for the Gepard Armed Forces, five 227-mm M270 MARS multiple rocket launcher systems. In addition, 12 155-mm PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers and 10,500 shells for them were transferred to Kyiv in the summer.

The Armed Forces also received three thousand Panzerfaust 3 anti-tank missile systems, almost 15 thousand anti-tank mines, 54 M113 infantry fighting vehicles and 3.2 thousand portable anti-aircraft missile systems.

Currently, Germany's military aid to Ukraine is estimated at $1.5 billion.”-via Interfax (Ukrainian language source)

~

“A missile from Ukraine hit an oil depot in the Russian region of Belgorod Saturday afternoon, causing a fire at the facility, according to a local official.

“I am at the scene. The Ministry of Emergency Situations is already fighting the fire. There is no threat of the fire spreading,” Vyacheslav Gladkov, Belgorod’s governor, said in a statement on Telegram.

Belgorod is near the border with Ukraine’s Kharkiv.

Emergency services said one of 10 tanks at the depot was damaged due to the shelling, according to Russian state media.

Last week the Russian secret service said Ukrainian forces have significantly increased shelling of Russian territory in the Bryansk, Kursk and Belgorod regions since the beginning of October.”-via CNN

[thxnews]

UK-Australia Defence Chiefs Strengthen Ties

Meeting of Minds: UK and Australia Defence

In a pivotal meeting poised to significantly fortify international defence relations, General Angus Campbell, Australia’s Chief of the Defence Force, engaged in strategic discussions with the UK’s General Sir Jim Hockenhull. This high-profile meeting was more than a ceremonial gathering; it marked a critical juncture in enhancing the longstanding UK-Australia relationship, with a special focus on addressing contemporary and emerging global security challenges.   Deepening the Cyber Partnership Tackling Digital Threats Together Central to their dialogue was the strengthening of the cyber partnership between the UK and Australia. Furthermore, recognizing that digital threats are rapidly evolving and becoming more sophisticated, the generals discussed strategies for bolstering digital defence. Notably, General Hockenhull brought attention to Strategic Command’s latest initiatives, which involve extracting valuable insights from Australia’s recent Defence Strategic Review. This collaboration is pivotal in reinforcing cybersecurity measures and protocols.   Preparing for AI and Ransomware Challenges In the digital age, where artificial intelligence (AI) and ransomware pose unprecedented threats, the need for advanced digital defence mechanisms is crucial. The Generals concurred on the urgency of developing cutting-edge tactics to stay ahead in digital warfare, particularly in defending against AI-driven threats and the growing concern of ransomware attacks which have become a favoured tool among adversaries for disruption.   Learning from Today’s Conflicts Adapting to Asymmetric Warfare The meeting also provided an opportunity to assess how current global conflicts are reshaping the landscape of future warfare. Both UK and Australian defence leaders agreed that embracing innovation and futuristic technologies is essential in effectively countering the asymmetric warfare tactics frequently employed by adversaries. This approach is key to maintaining a strategic edge in an increasingly complex and unpredictable global security environment.   Strategic Focus on Indo-Pacific Collaborative Presence in the Region The security of the Indo-Pacific region, a strategic focal point for both nations, was also a critical part of their discussions. The Generals emphasized the strategic significance of the UK's involvement in the region and the valuable role of the UK-Australia partnership in managing emerging threats. This collaboration is seen as integral to maintaining stability and security in both the European and Pacific theatres, given the dynamic nature of global geopolitical shifts.   Continuous Dialogue and Visits Strengthening Defence Cooperation The past three months have witnessed a robust exchange between UK and Australian Defence officials, exemplifying the deepening ties between the two nations. During this period, high-profile visits from key figures like Vice Admiral David Johnston and Tom Hamilton have occurred, serving as a testament to the ongoing commitment to a stronger, more collaborative UK-Australia defence relationship. Importantly, these continuous engagements are vital for aligning strategies and sharing expertise in the face of evolving global defence challenges.  

A United Front for Global Security

The recent meeting between General Campbell and General Hockenhull is a significant step in reinforcing the UK-Australia defence alliance. Their in-depth discussions on critical areas such as cybersecurity, defence technology innovation, and strategic Indo-Pacific engagement underscore a unified approach to addressing complex global security issues. This alliance is pivotal in shaping a secure future, demonstrating the power of international cooperation in an increasingly interconnected world.   Sources: THX News & Strategic Command. Read the full article

[workpermitz]

Exploring The Affordable Paths: 35 Cheapest UK Work Visa Routes

When it comes to working in the United Kingdom, many individuals aspire to carve out their professional journey in this diverse and vibrant nation. However, navigating the intricate web of UK visa options can be quite challenging. In this article, we shed light on the 35 cheapest UK work visa routes, offering you the chance to pursue your career goals in the UK, with or without a job offer.

GAE Work Visa: A Unique Opportunity

One lesser-known yet highly beneficial route for temporary employment in the UK is the Graduate Academic Extension (GAE) Work Visa. While it may not be as popular as some other visa categories like Tier 2 work visas, the GAE Work Visa presents a unique set of advantages.

To apply for a GAE Work Visa, you will need a Certificate of Sponsorship, which is typically provided by the organization you intend to work for. The duration of your stay in the UK under this visa category will depend on the employment dates specified in your certificate.

Financ­­ial Requirements

To demonstrate your ability to sustain yourself in the UK, you must have a minimum of £1,270 in your bank account. This financial requirement is essential to ensure you can cover your living expenses while pursuing your career goals in the UK.

Documentation and Eligibility

Applying for a GAE Work Visa requires certain identification documentation. It's essential to have all the necessary paperwork in order before you begin your application process.

This visa category is particularly well-suited for candidates seeking fellowships, internships, or temporary employment in the UK. It is designed to promote cross-border cooperation and professional development, enabling foreign professionals to gain valuable work experience in a dynamic work environment.

Schemes under GAE Work Visa

Candidates aspiring to work in the UK can choose from a range of authorized program schemes under the Government Authorized Exchange (GAE) route. These schemes include:

AIESEC internships

Bar Council

BAE Systems Training, Intern, and Graduate Programme

BNSC Satellite KHTT Programme

BUNAC Blue Card Internships – 'Intern in Britain'

Chatham House Fellowship

Havening and Marshall Sheffield Fellowships Programmes

China-UK Mandarin Teachers Scheme

Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Plan

Defence Academy

Diplomatic Missions Interns Scheme

Engineering work placement scheme

Erasmus

European Voluntary Service (Youth in Action Programme)

Finance Ministries and Central Banks scheme

Foreign Language Assistants Programme

Glasgow Caledonian University International exchange programme

International Horticulture Scheme

International Internship Scheme

International Optometrists Scheme

Herat Leadership for Change Programme

Law Society GAE scheme for migrant lawyers

Lord Chancellor’s Training Scheme for Young Chinese Lawyers

Medical Training Initiative

Medical Training Initiative for Dentistry

Mountbatten Programme

NIM China Seconded Programme

NPL Guest Worker and Secondment Scheme

Scottish Government Interchange Scheme

Serious Fraud Office

Sponsored Researchers

The Of gem International Staff Exchange Scheme

GTI intern scheme

UK Research and Innovation – Science, Research, and Academia

US-UK Education Commission (also known as the US-UK Fulbright Commission)

Each of these schemes offers distinct opportunities for career growth and development, making the GAE Work Visa an attractive option for individuals looking to broaden their horizons in the UK job market.

In conclusion, if you're considering working in the United Kingdom and are looking for cost-effective visa options, the GAE Work Visa and its associated schemes could be your ticket to professional success in the UK. With the right documentation and a clear understanding of the requirements, you can take the first steps toward your dream career in the UK. Apply now and embark on your journey to a brighter future.

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They specialize in skilled worker visas and have a wealth of knowledge and experience in this area. Whether you're looking for advice on the eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, or any other aspect of the visa application process, Workpermitz UK Skilled Worker Visa Consultant is here to help. With their assistance, you can maximize your chances of securing a visa and kick-start your career in the UK.

[featurenews]

Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 584 of the invasion

Russian attack hits Ukrainian infrastructure in west; Putin reaffirms referendums in illegally annexed regions * See all our Russia-Ukraine war coverage An infrastructure site was hit in a Russian attack early on Saturday in the western Ukrainian region of Vinnitsya, the regional governor said. Serhiy Borzov’s comments on Telegram came after reports of drones operating in the area. Ukrainian officials sometimes use the “infrastructure” term to refer to facilities involved in power generation or other industries. Vladimir Putin said residents of Russian-held regions in Ukraine expressed their desire to be part of Russia in recent local elections, reaffirming referendums last year that western countries denounced as illegal. In a video address released early on Saturday on the one-year anniversary of Moscow’s announcement it was annexing four parts of Ukraine, the Russian president said the choice to join Russia was reinforced by this month’s local elections that returned officials supporting Russia’s annexation. Western countries dismissed the outcomes as meaningless, underpinned by mass coercion of voters. Flag-waving Russians gathered for a concert in Red Square on Friday as the Kremlin held celebrations to mark the annexations. The UK government has imposed an asset freeze and travel bans on Russian officials in the annexed Ukrainian regions of Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk and Crimea as part of its broader sanctions against Russia. Seven European Union countries have ordered ammunition under a landmark EU procurement scheme to get urgently needed artillery shells to Ukraine and replenish depleted western stocks, according to the EU agency in charge. Vladimir Putin has signed a decree setting out the routine autumn conscription campaign, calling up 130,000 citizens for statutory military service, a document posted on the government website showed. Separately, Putin reportedly met Andrei Troshev, formerly a top Wagner mercenary commander, to discuss how voluntary fighting units are used in the war in Ukraine, the Kremlin said on Friday. German chancellor Olaf Scholz and the leaders of five Central Asian nations on Friday pledged to cooperate closely on sanctions in a carefully worded statement that did not pinpoint Russia. The gathering of Scholz and the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan in Berlin was the first of its kind in an EU country. Top US general Mark Milley was to retire on Friday after a four-year tenure as chair of the US joint chiefs of staff. Milley’s tenure included providing military assistance to Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s invasion in February 2022. A Russian blogger who criticised highway patrol officers was jailed for eight-and-a-half years on Friday after a court alleged he posted “fake news” about Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine. Alexander Nozdrinov, 38, ran a small YouTube channel where he posted videos of highway patrol officers from his home region of Krasnodar allegedly breaking the law. He was detained in March 2022 after investigators accused him of posting a photo of destroyed buildings on social media with the caption: “Ukrainian cities after the arrival of liberators”. Norway says it will start barring Russian-registered passenger cars from entering the country starting next week, in a move that mirrors sanctions already imposed by the European Union against Moscow over the war in Ukraine. “Very difficult questions” would need to be answered before the EU could start membership talks with Ukraine, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán has said. Romania is moving air defences closer to its Danube villages across the river from Ukraine, where Russian drones have been attacking grain facilities, and is adding more military observation posts and patrols to the area, two senior defence sources told Reuters. Continue reading... https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/30/russia-ukraine-war-at-a-glance-what-we-know-on-day-584-of-the-invasion?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

[usafphantom2]

Kuwait receives second pair of Eurofighters

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 03/30/22 - 7:52 PM in Military

The Eurofighter Consortium delivered the third and fourth Eurofighter Typhoons to the Kuwait Air Force, with the aircraft landing in the country on March 29.

The transfer flight of the new Kuwaiti Eurofighters was made possible by the support of the Italian Air Force, which provided air-to-air refueling with a KC-767A tanker of the 14th Wing, from Pratica di Mare.

The delivery is part of the framework of a broader order for a total of 28 aircraft that will be delivered to the Kuwait Air Force.

"I was very proud last month to see Eurofighters flying over Kuwait City during the celebration of the national day, as today increasing as planned the fleet. The Eurofighter Typhoons that we develop and produce for the Kuwait Air Force are the most advanced in the entire European program. In cooperation with the Italian Air Force, we are providing the country with impressive air defense capability and have built state-of-the-art infrastructure to support and maintain a fleet of 28 aircraft," said Guido Sibona, vice president of Leonardo's Eurofighter program.

The Eurofighter Kuwait program is part of a broader and deeper collaboration between the Italian Air Force and the Kuwait Air Force, covering operations, pilot training and support. The Italian Air Force is ensuring the initial training of engineers and technicians in Italy, who will later support the Typhoon fleet in the country.

The Eurofighter program is administered by the Eurofighter GmbH consortium, a company based in Munich (Germany) owned by Leonardo, BAE Systems and Airbus Defence & Space for Germany and Spain. On the government side, the program is administered by the NATO Eurofighter & Tornado Management Agency (NETMA), which was created to meet the purchasing needs of the air forces of the four participating countries, Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany and Spain.

Although the program headlines have focused on the new Kuwait customer, the vice president of Eurofighter Kuwait & P3Eb Maurizio Fornaiolo pointed out that it is not a pure export program. It is qualified and certified under the umbrella of four Eurofighter nations (Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain) because the P3Eb (the formal name of the program) is a NETMA contract.

Fornaiolo says that this new standard will form the baseline for the nation's central program. “We have now established a weapons system capability and this is a fundamental first step in Eurofighter's 10-year plan. All future programs will use this as a baseline for the introduction of new features. In fact, even while we were delivering the initial aircraft, we were also working to advance future authorizations to upgrade the capabilities of the weapons system to the customer. So, the show goes on."

Tags: Military AviationEurofighter TyphoonKAF - Kuwait Air Force/Kuwait Air Force

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. He has works published in a specialized aviation magazine in Brazil and abroad. He uses Canon equipment during his photographic work in the world of aviation.

Cavok Brasil - Digital Tchê Web Creation

[southeastasianists]

The tragedy of what appears could be a long-running civil war remains a distinct possibility in Myanmar today. Nevertheless, the term “civil war” itself is inappropriate. Rather Myanmar today resembles Europe during the Nazi occupation. While the sense of occupation by a foreign force had always existed in the ethnic minority areas with their well-armed insurgent organizations, there is a sense today that this is also the case in the Bamar heartland. The occupying army is Myanmar’s own national army (the Tatmadaw) which, from its foundation, has largely functioned as an autonomous state within a state. Those civilians who support the military, such as the members of the USDP, are treaters as collaborators.

Seen even from the conventional paradigm of military coups replacing a democratically elected government the reaction of the international community, and above all the “West”, is disappointing. Yet, once we change perspective to conceive of Myanmar as an occupied country then the reaction of the international community is simply irresponsible. To use a metaphor, Myanmar today is an international orphan. This is not to say, to pursue the analogy, it does not have a family. This ‘family’, in our view, can be divided into three: the kindly, but unengaged aunts, the self-serving and self-indulgent uncles and the feckless cousins.

The kindly, unengaged aunts

The first group, of kindly but unengaged aunts, is a caricature of the United States, the EU and the United Kingdom. Other countries, particularly the other three members of the Quad—Australia, India and Japan—can be considered part of this grouping. Certainly, they rapidly condemned the coup and, in some cases, introduced targeted sanctions against the generals and their immediate families. These were later reinforced to include military-linked conglomerates.

In recent years their political leaderships have heralded a pivot towards the Indo-Pacific with the aim, declared in various official strategy papers, of promoting democracy and confronting autocracy. By not making Myanmar a priority concern in their democratic Indo-Pacific posturing they have revealed the emptiness of these pompous declarations. Is there any post-coup situation in the world today of any greater moral clarity?

The failure of the Australian government to even introduce a basic system of targeted sanctions is puzzling. Cynically, in the context of Sino-Australian tensions doing so would send a clear message to Beijing on the unacceptability of its support for authoritarian regimes, while not being seen to directly criticize the PRC itself. The Morrison governments hesitancy to even provide permanent resident status to the 3,000 or so Burmese students in Australia represents a repudiation of Canberra’s bipartisan principled middle power tradition dating back to Dr Evatt.

This attitude is understandable from Narendra Modi in India in the light of his own autocratic ethno-nationalist agenda. However, it represents the betrayal of the Nehru tradition in foreign policy and, in realpolitik terms, is counterproductive given the continuing aggravation in Sino-Indian relations. Is it really in Delhi’s interest to see Mizoram and Manipur destabilized through a further influx of Myanmar refugees? In the context of Sino-Indian hostility is it in Delhi’s interest to see the PRC providing recognition, and carving out new economic benefits, with the Myanmar junta?  It is puzzling why India’s vaunted Look East Policy does not begin with its closest eastern neighbour but, so far, the Indian government has even prevented the Quad from making a clear statement on the release of political prisoners. India abstained in the 18th June vote in the UN General Assembly demanding an arms embargo and he release of political prisoners, unlike the other three Quad members who voted yes. Yet for Quad members, with their principle objective of constraining China, Myanmar is of secondary importance. This, once again is amazingly short-sighted: constraining, but also cooperating with China for mutual benefit, begins in Myanmar.

The United States bears, at least indirectly, responsibility for the coup. It was the leader of the world’s greatest democracy, President Donald Trump, himself who in propagating the Big Lie of a stolen US presidential election in November 2020 provided a rhetorical fig-leaf for would be dictators everywhere to justify their actions. Certainly, in the Myanmar case it gave occasion for Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to play by the Thai playbook and undertake a coup in order to defend democracy against democratic irregularities, corruption, etc. with a vague promise of “free and fair” elections in the future.

The junta is implementing the next steps in the Thai playbook in using a subservient and compliant judicial system to imprison the leaders of the democratic opposition, making Aung San Suu Kyi ineligible to run again. As with the Future Forward Party in Thailand, the banning and dismantling of Myanmar’s National League for Democracy, is just a matter of time.

The Biden Administration’s overwhelming priority is the strengthening and reinvigorating of alliances in Europe and in the Indo-Pacific, to both constrain China and check Russia. Objectively drawing a redline in Myanmar would be a concrete way of achieving these multiple objectives but, alas, with the withdrawal from Afghanistan and other overriding issues, Myanmar remains largely invisible in the “Washington beltway”

In Europe as a result of Brexit, Myanmar no longer has a champion in the “Brussels bubble” and even in the United Kingdom, the PRC’s turpitude in Hong Kong is the key Asian issue, alongside mercantilist policies to promote a Global Britain.  Elsewhere in the European Parliament political representatives would rather spend their time making rhetorical points on the Uighur and Hong Kong, than come to the aid of the Myanmar people who overwhelmingly ask for their support.

How can this be explained? We would suggest that the close link in Western eyes between the person of Aung San Suu Kyi and Myanmar’s democratic trajectory has been a double-edged sword.  When she was under house arrest and in opposition, she was perceived as incarnating the democratic aspirations of the Myanmar people and maintained these in the arena of public debated. However, when the democratic icon of the 1990s and 2000s fell from her pedestal due to both her autocratic demeanour and, above all, her defence of the Tatmadaw against charges of genocide in the International Criminal Court, concern with Myanmar evaporated. The orphan baby of Burmese democracy was thrown out, so to speak, with the bathwater of personality-centred politics.

Rather than acting decisively on Myanmar, the “kindly but unengaged aunts” have has chosen to delegate the resolution of the Myanmar crisis to the “feckless cousins” of ASEAN discussed below. In Europe this appeals to the somewhat narcissistic encouragement of regional integration elsewhere as well as the hubris surrounding interregionalism.  As the world’s most institutionalized regional entity the EU has a rather optimistic view of its oldest regional partner, ASEAN. Yet, to date none of the mechanisms provided in this partnership—such as EU-ASEAN parliamentary dialogue or the ASEAN Strategic Partnership Agreement—have been activated.

The self-interested and self-indulgent uncles

The second part of the family is the self-interested and self-indulgent uncles, namely China and Russia. While it is debatable whether Beijing encouraged the coup, it is clear that since it has been most accommodating in providing recognition to the junta. The PRC has legitimate security, especially energy security, interests in Myanmar and real concerns about instability on its southern borders. The paradox is that these would best be protected under a civilian administration supported by the people of Myanmar than by a Sinophobic and incompetent junta. Yet, as with Modi’s India, Beijing’s ideological blinkers on the benefits of authoritarianism has meant that the PRC is not the loveable country Xi Jinping seeks to project.

Russian behaviour in Myanmar, namely ensuring sales of its weaponry and promoting Putin’s autocratic agenda worldwide, is more perfidious and self-indulgent. Like in the Donbass and Belorussia, Myanmar provides an occasion for Putin’s macho promotion of Russia as a great power. Having largely lost both Vietnam and now India to the West, Moscow is left with Naypyidaw and Vientiane as its last Asian playgrounds.

The feckless cousins

Finally, the third group is the feckless cousins, Myanmar’s Southeast Asian neighbours of ASEAN, to whom the international community has bestowed responsibility to resolve the crisis. In our view, this misconceived sub-contracting is premised on the vague notion of ASEAN’s regional centrality. Yet, it is one thing to pay lip service to “ASEAN centrality” out of diplomatic politeness. It is another thing to actually believe that it can bring results.  “Centrality” is a question of positioning and, indeed, by default ASEAN has been the core around which other regional bodies such as the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Regional Forum, APEC, the RCEP, etc, have been grafted. But “centrality” per se indicates to us nothing about capability or capacity, let alone political willingness.

It took almost three months after the coup for ASEAN on 24th April to organise a summit on Myanmar to which the junta leader, and he alone, was invited. Five months after the coup ASEAN’s promised special envoy has not been appointed both due to internal failure to agree on a candidate and a lack of approval from the junta itself . All ASEAN has achieved so far is to provide de facto legitimacy to the junta and buy it time. At both its emergency summit of 24 April and in the visit of two of its emissaries on 5 to 7 June, ASEAN has given legitimacy to the junta, without even any contact with the democratically elected leaders in Myanmar. It is hard to see how an even-handed dialogue can be organised between the jailers and the jailed, as calls from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore for the release of political prisoners have gone unheeded.

ASEAN has been successful over 50 years in maintaining peace between its members. However, it has neither the “carrots” nor “the sticks” to bring about change within one of them. For example, under the 2008 ASEAN Charter there are no provisions for any member to be expelled. Above all, the sacrosanct, and self-serving, principle of non-interference will always negate the application of the seventh of the Charter’s purposes and principles: the strengthening of democracy and the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Moreover, not only is there a serious systemic issue, but there is also clearly a lack of political will to promote a return to democracy in Myanmar: the majority of ASEAN members have authoritarian or semi-authoritarian regimes. What is the interest of the Thai master of coups, ex-General, now PM Prayut, in seeing the Burmese civil disobedience movement succeed? Would it not further encourage the Thai members of the Milk Tea Alliance who periodically occupy the streets of Bangkok to continue denouncing a kindred patriarchal regime? Does the Politburo of the Vietnamese Communist Party want to see netizens succeed in virtually challenging an authoritarian regime? As for Cambodian PM Hun Sen, and Philippines President Rodrigo ‘Digong’ Duterte, aka The Punisher, democratic values are the least of their concerns. Finally, ASEAN is chaired at the moment by the Sultan of Brunei, the last remaining absolute monarch in Asia.

The divisions within ASEAN came into focus during the non-binding vote in the UN General Assembly on 18 June, calling for an arms embargo and the release of political prisoners (item 34-A/75/L.85.Rev. 1). Six ASEAN countries voted yes: Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar itself, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam. The other four—Brunei, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand—abstained. Divisions of this kind within a regional entity based on the principle of consensus have only one result: procrastination and a degree of immobilism, otherwise known as the ASEAN Way.

Conclusions

When an orphan’s extended family fails lamentably, fortunately there is an alternative: turning to your friends. In the countries of the “kindly and unengaged aunts” their parliaments—for example the French Senate, the US Congress and the Australian Parliament—pushing for more assertive action from their country’s respective executives. Civil society groups in Southeast Asia increasingly see the combat for Myanmar’s democracy as their own. In the West a vocal Burmese diaspora, advocacy groups, academics and other supporters are pushing to ensure that this orphan is not forgotten. It remains a moot point whether this will lead to concrete and tangible actions, such as the recognition of the National Unity Government, and international intervention of the basis of the Right to Protect will ensue.

[greatworldwar2]

• Wilhelm Canaris

Wilhelm Franz Canaris was a German admiral and chief of the Abwehr, the German military intelligence service, from 1935 to 1944.

Canaris was born on January 1st, 1887 in Aplerbeck (now a part of Dortmund) in Westphalia, the son of Carl Canaris, a wealthy industrialist, and his wife, Auguste. Canaris believed that his family was related to the 19th century Greek admiral and politician Constantine Kanaris, a belief that influenced his decision to join the Imperial German Navy. However, according to Richard Bassett, a genealogical investigation in 1938 revealed that his family was actually of Northern Italian descent, originally called Canarisi, and had lived in Germany since the 17th century. In 1905, at the age of eighteen, Canaris joined the Imperial Navy and by the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 was serving as an intelligence officer on board the SMS Dresden, a light cruiser he had been assigned to in December 1911.

After the Battle of Más a Tierra, the immobilized Dresden anchored in Cumberland Bay, Robinson Crusoe Island and contacted Chile with regard to internment. While in the bay, Royal Navy ships approached and shelled the Dresden. The crew scuttled the ship. Most of the crew was interned in Chile in March 1915, but in August 1915, Canaris escaped by using his fluency in Spanish. On the way, he called at several ports, including Plymouth in Great Britain. Canaris was then given intelligence work as a result of having come to the attention of German naval intelligence. German plans to establish intelligence operations in the Mediterranean were under way and Canaris seemed a good fit for this role. After being assigned to the Inspectorate of Submarines by the Naval Staff in October 1916, he took up training for duty as a U-boat commander and graduated from Submarine School on 11 September 1917. Canaris spoke six languages with fluency, one of which was English. As a naval officer of the old school, he had great respect for Great Britain's Royal Navy, despite the rivalry between the two nations.

During the German Revolution of 1918–19, Canaris helped organise the formation of Freikorps paramilitary units in order to suppress the Communist revolutionary movements that were attempting to spread the ideals of the Russian Revolution into central European nations. Also during this period, he was appointed to the adjutancy of defence minister Gustav Noske. In 1919, he married Erika Waag, also the child of an industrialist, with whom he had two children. In the spring of 1924, Canaris was sent to Osaka, Japan, to supervise a secret U-boat construction program in direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles. Unfortunately for Canaris, he made some enemies within Germany during the course of his secret business and intelligence negotiations, partially as a consequence of the bankruptcy incurred by the film-maker Phoebus Film in his dealings with Lohmann. At some time in 1928, Canaris was removed from his intelligence post and began two years of conventional naval service aboard the pre-Dreadnought battleship Schlesien, becoming captain of the vessel in December 1932. Just two months later, Adolf Hitler became Germany's new Chancellor. Enthused by this development, Canaris was known to give lectures about the virtues of Nazism to his crew aboard the Schlesien.

One month before Hitler's annexation of Austria (known as the Anschluss), Canaris put the Abwehr into action, personally overseeing deception operations designed to give the Austrians the impression of what appeared to be substantial German military preparations for an impending act of aggression. After the outbreak of war between Germany and Poland in September 1939, Canaris visited the front, where he saw the devastation rendered by the German military—seeing Warsaw in flames nearly brought him to tears and it was reported that he exclaimed, "our children's children will have to bear the blame for this". He also witnessed examples of the war crimes committed by the Einsatzgruppen of the SS, including the burning of the synagogue in Będzin with 200 Polish Jews inside. Moreover, he received reports from Abwehr agents about several incidents of mass murder throughout Poland. Canaris visited Hitler's headquarters train on September 12t, 1939, to register his objection to the atrocities. Canaris told chief of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW) Wilhelm Keitel about the "extensive shootings ... and that the nobility and clergy were to be exterminated" to which Keitel informed him that Hitler had already "decided" the matter. After this experience Canaris began working more actively to overthrow Hitler's régime, although he also cooperated with the SD to create a decoy. This made it possible for him to pose as a trusted man for some time. He was promoted to the rank of full Admiral in January 1940.

With his subordinate Erwin Lahousen, he attempted in the autumn of 1940 to form a circle of like-minded Wehrmacht officers. At the time, this had little success. When the OKW decrees regarding the brutal treatment of Soviet prisoners of war related to the Commissar Order came to the attention of Canaris in mid-September 1941, he registered another complaint. Keitel reminded Canaris that he was thinking in terms of "chivalrous war", which did not apply, as this was "a matter of destroying a world ideology". Canaris had also worked to thwart the proposed Operation Felix, the German plan to seize Gibraltar. At a conference of senior officers in Berlin, in December 1941, Canaris is quoted as saying "the Abwehr has nothing to do with the persecution of Jews. ... no concern of ours, we hold ourselves aloof from it".

In June 1942, Canaris sent eight Abwehr agents to the East Coast of the United States as part of Operation Pastorius. The mission was to sabotage American economic targets and demoralise the civilian population inside the United States. However, two weeks later, all were arrested by the FBI thanks to two Abwehr agents who betrayed the mission. Because the Abwehr agents were arrested in civilian clothes, they were subject to court martial by a military tribunal in Washington, D.C. All were found guilty and sentenced to death. Due to the embarrassing failure of Operation Pastorius, no further sabotage attempt was ever made in the United States. After 1942, Canaris visited Spain frequently and was probably in contact with British agents from Gibraltar. In 1943, while in occupied France, Canaris is said to have made contact with British agents. In Paris, he was conducted blindfolded to the Convent of the Nuns of the Passion of Our Blessed Lord, 127 Rue de la Santé, where he met the local head of the British Intelligence Services, code name "Jade Amicol", in reality Colonel Claude Olivier. Canaris wanted to know the terms for peace if Germany got rid of Hitler. Churchill's reply, sent to him two weeks later, was simple: "Unconditional surrender".

Canaris also intervened to save a number of victims from Nazi persecution, including Jews, by getting them out of harm's way; he was instrumental, for example, in getting five hundred Dutch Jews to safety in May 1941. Many such people were given token training as Abwehr "agents" and then issued papers allowing them to leave Germany. However the evidence that Canaris was playing a double game grew and, at the insistence of Heinrich Himmler, Hitler dismissed Canaris and abolished the Abwehr in February 1944. Previous areas once the responsibility of the Abwehr were divided between Gestapo chief Heinrich Müller and SS-Brigadeführer Walter Schellenberg. Some weeks later, Canaris was put under house arrest. He was released from house arrest in June 1944 to take up a post in Berlin as the head of the Special Staff for Mercantile Warfare and Economic Combat Measures (HWK). The HWK coordinated resistance to the Allied economic blockade of Germany.

Canaris was arrested on July 23rd, 1944 on the basis of the interrogation of his successor at Military Intelligence, Georg Hansen. Schellenberg respected Canaris and was convinced of his loyalty to the Nazi regime, even though he had been arrested. Hansen admitted his role in the July 20 plot but accused Canaris of being its "spiritual instigator". No direct evidence of his involvement in the plot was discovered, but his close association with many of the plotters and certain documents written by him that were considered subversive led to the gradual assumption of his guilt. Two of the men under suspicion as conspirators who were known in Canaris' circle shot themselves, which incited activity from the Gestapo to prove he was, at the very least, privy to the plan against Hitler. Investigations dragged on inconclusively until April 1945, when orders were received to dispose of various remaining prisoners in July 20 plot. Canaris' personal diary was discovered and presented to Hitler in early April 1945, implicating him in the conspiracy. Canaris was placed on trial by an SS summary court. He was charged with and found guilty of treason. He was sentenced to death.

Canaris was led to the gallows naked and executed on April 9th, 1945 at the Flossenbürg concentration camp, just weeks before the end of the war. A prisoner claimed he heard Canaris tap out a coded message on the wall of his cell on the night before his execution, in which he denied he was a traitor and said he acted out of duty to his country. Erwin von Lahousen and Hans Bernd Gisevius, two of Canaris' main subordinates, survived the war and testified during the Nuremberg trials about Canaris' courage in opposing Hitler. Canaris died at the age of 58.

[red-flag-news]

In March, COVID-19 breached the considerable defences of the USS Theodore Roosevelt. The colossal nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, which has played a central role in defending the US’s imperialist interests over the past three decades, proved no match for the virus, which infected more than 1,000 crew members in a matter of days.

Unlike other supposed threats to national security, COVID-19 cannot be eliminated by air strikes. Pandemics have little regard for national borders or military firepower. In the face of this threat, some world leaders have made a show of internationalist cooperation. In the lead-up to a virtual summit on 4 May hosted by the European Union, the European Council issued a statement calling for the development and production of a vaccine “by the world, for the whole world”.

“None of us is immune to the pandemic and none of us can beat the virus alone”, it read. “We will need to protect each other to protect ourselves.”

The hope for genuine international cooperation in this context is painfully naive. At the end of the day, global capitalism’s priorities are fundamentally incompatible with saving lives. As Berkley more astutely observes, “We have enough land-based nuclear missiles to destroy the world. And in case that does not work, we keep air-based missiles and submarines. And that’s to prevent something much less likely than the evolutionary certainty that is a pandemic virus”.

READ MORE: Vaccine imperialism

[mapsontheweb]

The Central European Defence Cooperation.

The CEDC consists of 6 former Austria-Hungary countries: Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Czechia and Slovakia.

These happen to be the 5 predominantly Catholic countries of what were part of Austria-Hungary which also happen to be the more loyal parts, at least compared to the parts of Bosnia, Vojvodina and Transylvania that were inhabited by Serbs and Romanians.

The CEDC’s joint objective is enhancing the defence co-operation, including the pooling and sharing of defence capabilities of the member countries and organizing common training and exercises. Since the European migrant crisis of 2015-2016 the cooperation has focused on handling mass migration too.

[thezenithkingdom-blog]

Kingdom of Zenith -An Introduction

Zenith or Officially The Kingdom of Zenith was formed by partition of 1/4th of total area of Kazakhstan on the western front that has shore along Caspian Sea. It is landlocked country, the 36 largest country in the world lies in Central Asias and Europe. Zenith is projected to be the influential nation of Central Asia economically, generating 30% of the region's GDP, primarily through its oil and gas industry. It also has vast mineral resources. Zenith is officially a secular, unitary, constitutional monarchy with a diverse cultural heritage. Zenith shares borders with Russia, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, and also adjoins a large part of the Caspian Sea. The terrain of Zenith includes flatlands, steppe, taiga, rock canyons, hills, deltas, snow-capped mountains, and deserts. Its population density is among the lowest, at less than 6 people per square kilometre (15 people per sq mi) Atyrau

The capital is Atyrau country's largest city. It is located at the mouth of the Ural River on the Caspian Sea, 351 kilometres (218 miles) east of the Russian city of Astrakhan. Atyrau's climate is semi-arid , just shy of being classified as arid, with hot summers and cold winters. Precipitation is low throughout the year. Snow is common, though light in winter. The lowest temperature on record is −37.9 °C (−36.2 °F), recorded in 1909, and the highest temperature is 42.7 °C (108.9 °F), recorded in 1984. It is much more continental than areas further west on the European continent, with summers characterised by temperatures averaging 33 °C (91 °F) and lack of precipitation, resembling continental hot-summer mediterranean climates, and subarctic winters with little snow but with chilling temperatures. These vast temperature swings are more comparable to Siberia and the North American plains. The  biggest refinery in Zenith is located in Atyrau.  Atyrau Refinery is operated Zenith Oil and Gas Company [ZOGC]  and has a capacity of 16,600 m³/day (2012). A deep oil refining complex is under construction which is the final stage of complete reconstruction of Atyrau Oil Refinery. This project is designed to process 2.4 million tons/year of raw materials (oil and vacuum gas oil). The project will increase the depth of the oil processing at the refinery by 2020 to 85%. The volume of oil refining will reach 8 million tons per year. The territory of Zenith has historically been inhabited by nomadic groups and empires of Scythians who were Eurasian nomads, probably mostly using Eastern Iranian languages, who were mentioned by the literate peoples to their south as inhabiting large areas of the western and central Eurasian Steppe from about the 9th century BC up until the 4th century AD. The Scythians were among the earliest peoples to master mounted warfare. They kept herds of horses, cattle and sheep, lived in tent-covered wagons and fought with bows and arrows on horseback. They developed a rich culture characterised by opulent tombs, fine metalwork and a brilliant art style.the western Scythians were ruled by a wealthy class known as the Royal Scyths. The Scythians established and controlled the Silk Road, a vast trade network connecting Greece, Persia, India and China, perhaps contributing to the contemporary flourishing of those civilisations. Independence

The Russians began advancing into the Kazakh steppe in the 18th century, and by the mid-19th century, they nominally ruled all of Kazakhstan as part of the Russian Empire. Following the 1917 Russian Revolution, and subsequent civil war, the territory of Kazakhstan was reorganised several times. In 1936, it was made the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic, part of the Soviet Union.

Kazakhstan was the last of the Soviet republics to declare independence during the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Ten years later in 22nd December 2001 Zenith declared its Independence and Sovereignty from Kazakhstan following a huge civil war between Christians and Muslims in the Kazakhstan which led to Russian and NATO Intervention, both of which favoured creation of Zenith, a Christian Absolute Majority Nation. A UN resolution declaring Zenith an Independent nation was passed by a majority of 190 of the193 sovereign states subsequently Zenith was accepted as 194th sovereign state member of United Nations in 2003 and was again rectified by190 members. Zenith’s top Military Commander, Lieutenant General Alexander Orlov who openly supported Christians became the country's first King and Supreme Commander of Defence Forces . Emphasis was on converting the country's economy to a market economy while ensuring political reforms did not lag behind. By 2011, Zenith generated 30% of the GDP of Central Asia, primarily through its oil industry. King Alexander Orlov had plans on creating Nuclear Power Plants and has approached The International Atomic Energy Agency, UN Security Council and General Assembly. Zenith has signed on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty in Geneva, has been admitted to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement.  Zenith has also signed Non-Proliferation Treaty and has applied for membership to Nuclear Supplier Group, owing to its huge Uranium Deposits. In 2003, Zenith adopted a constitution that provided for the direct election of 30 of the 50 members of the Legislative Council. The constitution was overwhelmingly approved in a referendum, with almost 98% in favour

  The King has the exclusive power to appoint and remove the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers who, together, constitute the Council of Ministers, which is the supreme executive authority in the country. The Council of Ministers also initiates legislation. Laws and decrees proposed by the Council of Ministers are referred to the Advisory Council for discussion after which they are submitted to the King for ratification. A Legislative Council has legislative authority to draft and approve laws, but the King has final say on all matters. Without The King’s Consent no Law can be passed. He can issues Royal Decree to issue laws directly. 

The current King is His Majesty Adam Orlov, whose father His Royal Highness Alexander Orlov handed power to him on 1 May 2019. Making him youngest monarch.

Minerals Oil explorations have shown that the deposits on the Caspian shore are only larger deposit. It is said that 3.5 billion tonnes (3.4 billion long tons) of oil and 2.5 billion cubic metres (88 billion cubic feet) of gas could be found in that area. Zenith has an abundant supply of accessible mineral and fossil fuel resources. Development of petroleum, natural gas, and mineral extractions accounts for some 57% of the nation's industrial output (or approximately 20% of gross domestic product). According to some estimates Zenith has the tenth largest uranium, chromium, lead, and zinc reserves; the eighth  largest manganese reserves; the fifth largest copper reserves; and ranks in the top ten for coal, iron, and gold. It is also an exporter of diamonds. 

Wildlife

There are four nature reserves and three national parks in Zenith that provide safe haven for many rare and endangered plants and animals. Common plants are Astragalus, Gagea, Allium, Carex and Oxytropis; endangered plant species include native wild apple (Malus sieversii), wild grape (Vitis vinifera) and several wild tulip species (e.g. Tulipa greigii) and rare onion species Allium karataviense, also Iris willmottiana and Tulipa kaufmanniana.

Common mammals include the wolf, red fox, corsac fox, moose, argali (the largest species of sheep), Eurasian lynx, Pallas's cat, and snow leopards, several of which are protected. 

Foreign Relations : Zenith is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Economic Cooperation Organisation and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Zenith was elected a member of the UN Human Rights Council for the first time on 12 November 2018 Zenith s also a member of the United Nations, Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, It is an active participant in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Partnership for Peace program. Zenith had applied for observer status at the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly. The official response of the Assembly was that because Kazakhstan is located in Europe, it could apply for full membership. It is under advance consideration. Since independence Zenith has pursued what is known as the "multivector foreign policy" (seeking equally good relations with its two large neighbours, Russia, as well as with the United States and the rest of the Western world. On 28 June 2019 Zenith was elected as a non-permanent member to serve on the UN Security Council for a two-year term

Zenith  actively supports UN peacekeeping missions in Haiti, the Western Sahara, and Côte d’Ivoire . In March 2015, the Ministry of Defence chose 20 military men as observers for the UN peacekeeping missions. 

Economy: Supported by rising oil output and prices, Zenith’s economy grew at an average of 8% per year until 2013, before suffering a slowdown in 2014 and 2015. Zenith was the first Independent nations to repay all of its debt to the International Monetary Fund, five years ahead of schedule. Buoyed by high world crude oil prices, GDP growth figures were between 8.9% and 13.5% from 2001 to 2013 . Zenith is a leading exporter of uranium. Railways provide 68% of all cargo and passenger traffic to over 57% of the country. Most cities are connected by railroad; high-speed trains  Zenith achieved its goal of entering the top 50 most competitive countries in 2013, and has maintained its position in the 2014–2015 World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report that was published at the beginning of September 2014. Zenith is ahead of other states in the CIS in almost all of the report's pillars of competitiveness, including institutions, infrastructure, macroeconomic environment, higher education and training, goods market efficiency, labour market development, financial market development, technological readiness, market size, business sophistication and innovation, lagging behind only in the category of health and primary education. The Global Competitiveness Index gives a score from 1 to 7 in each of these pillars, and Zenith earned an overall score of 5. Kingdom of Zenith has declared English as Sate Language with Russian included in additional scheduled languages.   According to the 2009 Census, 70% of the population is Christian 26% Jewish, 0.2% Buddhist, 0.1% other religions and 3% irreligious, while 0.5% chose not to answer According to its Constitution, Zenith is a secular state.

Religious freedoms are guaranteed by Article 30 Zenith's Constitution. Article 30 states: "Human rights and freedoms shall not be restricted in any way." Article 15 prohibits "discrimination on religious basis" and Article 20 ensures that everyone has the "right to determine and indicate or not to indicate his/her ethnic, party and religious affiliation." Education :

Education is universal and mandatory through to the secondary level and the adult literacy rate is 99.5%  On average, these statistics are equal to both women and men Zenith

Education consists of three main phases: primary education (forms 1–4), basic general education (forms 5–9) and senior level education (forms 10–11 or 12) divided into continued general education and vocational education. Vocational Education usually lasts 3 or 4 years.[199] (Primary education is preceded by one year of pre-school education.) These levels can be followed in one institution or in different ones (e.g., primary school, then secondary school). Recently, several secondary schools, specialised schools, magnet schools, gymnasiums, lyceums and linguistic and technical gymnasiums have been founded. Secondary professional education is offered in special professional or technical schools, lyceums or colleges and vocational schools.[197]

At present, there are universities, academies and institutes, conservatories, higher schools and higher colleges. There are three main levels: basic higher education that provides the fundamentals of the chosen field of study and leads to the award of the Bachelor's degree; specialised higher education after which students are awarded the Specialist's Diploma; and scientific-pedagogical higher education which leads to the Master's Degree. Postgraduate education leads to the Master’s of Sciences and the Doctor of Sciences (Ph.D.). With the adoption of the Laws on Education and on Higher Education, a private sector has been established and several private institutions have been licensed.

Defence :

The Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Zenith is the unified armed forces of Zenith. It consists of the Ground Forces, Air and Air Defence Forces, Naval Forces,  Special Forces and Royal Guards. The national defence policy aims are based on  Constitution of Zenith They guarantee the preservation of the independence and sovereignty of the state and the integrity of its land area, territorial waters and airspace and its constitutional order. The armed forces of Kazakhstan act under the authority of the Ministry of Defence.

The Military Balance 2013 reported the armed forces' strength as; Army, 20,000, Navy, 3,000, Air Force, 12,000, and MoD, 4,000. It also reported 31,000 paramilitary personnel.

Today the Zenith Air Force has fast jet bases:[18]

200th Guards Air Base, with MiG-29,

202nd Air Base, with MiG-29,

204th Air Base, with MiG-27 and Su-27 

210th Air Base, with MiG-31

211th Air Base, with Su-30 SM

Airforce Also has has  101 Light Air Wing with An 12, An 26, An 72.  102 Transport Wing with IL-76, C-130 J  104 Air Refuelling Wing with IL-78    301 Military Helicopters Wing, with Mil Mi-17, Mil Mi-24, Mil Mi-26   Naval Forces were established by presidential decree on 7 May 2003 in spite of being the largest landlocked country on earth. They operate on the Caspian Sea, based at Aktau. The Zenith Naval Force has a strength of 3,000 personnel and is equipped with fourteen inshore patrol craft. The naval aviation base in Aktau was opened eight years later, in 2011. The 612th Airbase in Aktau will provide the home for seven Su-27 fighter jets, seven MiG 29 Jets  and few Mi-24s. GDP (PPP) 670 Billion USD GDP ( Nominal ) 420 Billion USD Time Zone UTC +5 Total Area is 681,225 Sq KM or 263025 Sq Miles

[ufaber]

India Ukraine Relations UPSC

The sale of new weapons, as well as modifications and maintenance of current weapons (R-27 air-to-air missiles) in service with the Indian armed forces, are covered by four agreements totalling USD 70 million. The country recently expressed an interest in selling its AN-178 medium transport aircraft to India.

Under a 2009 agreement, they are currently overhauling the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) AN-32 transport fleet. The country’s team also met with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to examine possible research and development collaborations.

UPSC Preparation Notes

Diplomatic Relations

In December 1991, shortly after the Soviet Union disintegrated, India’s government recognised the Republic of Ukraine as a sovereign independent entity. In May 1992, India established an embassy in Kyiv, and the country created a mission in New Delhi in February 1993. the country and India have cordial relations and cooperate in sectors such as mutual legal assistance, education, and outer space exploration.

Defence Relations

Since India’s independence, they have been a source of military equipment and technology. The R-27 air-to-air missiles used by the IAF on its SU-30MKI jets are made in Ukraine.

India is now supplying weaponry to the country to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation. India is Ukraine’s top Asia-Pacific export destination and fifth-largest overall export destination. The majority of Indian exports to the country are pharmaceuticals and medicines.

Culture and Challenges

There are more than 30 Ukrainian cultural associations/groups dedicated to promoting Indian dances around the country. About 18,000 Indian students are studying in the country, mostly in the medical area. Pharmaceuticals, health, IT, education, engineering, and other disciplines employ the majority of Indian business professionals.

The schism between Russia and Ukraine, which erupted into armed conflict when Moscow annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in 2014, has put India in a difficult position. A Russian news release recently protested to military equipment developed and sold by Russia being overhauled in the country.

UPSC Preparation Notes: About Ukraine

Ukraine is an Eastern European country. Kyiv (which is the capital) is situated on the Dnieper River in north-central Ukraine. The country is bordered on the east by Russia, on the south by the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea, on the north by Belarus, on the southwest by Romania and Moldova, and the west by Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland. The Kerch Strait, which connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov, separates Ukraine from Russia in the far southeast.

[believersiasacademy]

China and Russia Relations

Context:

Recently, in a joint statement, China and Russia affirmed that their new relationship is superior to any political or military alliance of the Cold War

The statement comes amid Russia’s standoff with North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) on Ukraine.

Background:

Despite being together in rejecting US unipolarity, the relationship between Russia and China is complex and layered.

Each has its distinct worldview and specific interests in its geographical region, and its own battles to fight.

Relations between China and the former Soviet Union were frosty, marked by mistrust and doctrinal differences for most of the Cold War decades.

The change came in 1989, when Mikhail Gorbachev became the first Soviet leader to visit China since Nikita Khrushchev in 1958.

Russia and China declared “mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual nonaggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence” as the basis of their bilateral relations.

A decade after the Soviet Union broke up, disappointed and humiliated by the way the West had downgraded it, and deep in economic crisis, Russia turned to China.

In 2001, the two countries signed the Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation, paving the way for expanding economic and trade ties, including sales of defence equipment and energy by Russia to China, and Russia’s backing for China’s position on Taiwan.

In June 2021, the two countries extended the treaty at a virtual meeting where Russia claimed that “Russian-Chinese coordination plays a stabilising role in world affairs”.

Current Developments

Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea in Ukraine led to a sharp downturn in Russia’s ties with the US, NATO, and European Union (EU).

This was also the turning point in Russia’s ties with China, which revealed the possibilities, potential, and the limits of the relationship.

When the US, EU, and Australia imposed sanctions on Russia, Russia turned reflexively to China.

Russia opened its doors wide for Chinese investments, and struck a USD 400 billion deal for Gazprom, the Russian state monopoly gas exporter, to supply 38 billion cubic metres (bcm) annually to China for 30 years from 2025.

Earlier in January 2022, the two countries signed a deal for another pipeline, Power of Siberia 2, which will add 10 bcm of gas to the annual supply for 30 years.

Since 2016,trade between the two countries has gone from USD 50 bn to over USD 147 bn.

China is now Russia’s largest trading partner. Towards a modus vivendi in Central Asia, the two countries agreed to work towards speeding up the linking of the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union and the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative.

With their ties closer than ever before, the crisis in Ukraine has been an opportunity for each country to express solidarity with the other’s grievance against the US.

Should the West impose financial and banking sanctions on Russia, China is expected to assist Russia, perhaps with alternative payment methods.

Way Forward:

India should also promote mutually beneficial trilateral cooperation between Russia, China and India that could contribute towards the reduction of mistrust and suspicion between India and China.

In this context, the BRICS, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and RIC trilateral forum must be leveraged.

[classyfoxdestiny]

Afghanistan crisis live updates | Countries evacuate their nationals as Taliban seizes Kabul

Afghanistan crisis live updates | Countries evacuate their nationals as Taliban seizes Kabul

In a stunning rout, the Taliban seized nearly all of Afghanistan in just over a week, despite the billions of dollars spent by the U.S. and NATO over nearly two decades to build up Afghan security forces. The Taliban militants entered Kabul on August 15 and sought the unconditional surrender of the central government.

The fall of Kabul marks the final chapter of America’s longest war, which began after the September 11, 2001, terror attacks masterminded by al-Qaeda’s Osama bin Laden, then harboured by the Taliban government.

With Afghan President Ashraf Ghani reportedly fleeing the country, the government is hoping for an interim administration. Meanwhile other nations are closing their embassies and prioritising on evacuation of its nationals.

Here are the latest developments:

  Humanitarian agencies staying in Afghanistan and delivering to people in need: UN body

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid (OCHA) said in a note, “The humanitarian community – both the UN and nongovernmental organisations – remains committed to helping people in the country.” OCHA said thousands of internally displaced people who have been identified in recent weeks have received assistance including food, cash, health care, water, and sanitation support.

“While the security environment is highly complex, humanitarian agencies are staying and delivering to people in need,” OCHA said.

Even before the upheaval, some 18.4 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan, OCHA said. Its 1.3 billion USD humanitarian response plan for the country is only 38% funded.

– PTI

United States of America

U.S. focused on securing Kabul airport: U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser

The United States will spend time on August 16 focused intensively on securing the Kabul airport and additional U.S. forces will be flowing into the airport on August 16 and 17, the U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Joe Finer said, as people tried to flee a day after Taliban insurgents seized the Afghan capital.

Mr. Finer said in an MSNBC interview that the United States remains engaged in diplomatic conversations with the Taliban in Doha, and acknowledged that the situation in Afghanistan had deteriorated faster than anticipated.

– Reuters

Pakistan

Pakistan is helping evacuate diplomatic and international community: Minister Qureshi

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan is helping evacuate diplomatic and international community from Kabul including the evacuation of 431 Afghan nationals working for the Danish government.

– Reuters

Spoke with FM @JeppeKofod today and shared:

➖ Pakistan is facilitating the evacuation of diplomatic and international community from Kabul including the evacuation of 431 Afghan nationals working for the Danish government.

— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) August 16, 2021

  Kabul

Kabul’s former ‘Green Zone’ abandoned as diplomats flee Afghan Capital

Kabul’s former diplomatic quarter fell silent on August 16 as foreign missions were moved to the airport, leaving Taliban patrols in control of the fortified zone of concrete blast walls and checkpoints known as the Green Zone.

With police and security contractors who once guarded the embassies in the Wazir Akbar Khan district now gone, some motorists were forced to get out of their cars and lift security barriers themselves before driving through.

The victorious insurgents have promised not to carry out retribution against former government workers and a Taliban leader said his fighters had been “ordered to allow Afghans to resume daily activities and do nothing to scare civilians.”

– Reuters

Iran

President Raisi calls for stability in Afghanistan

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on August 16 called for national reconciliation in neighbouring Afghanistan.

The official IRNA news agency quoted Raisi saying that Iran will support efforts to restore stability in Afghanistan as a first priority.

He called Iran “a brother and neighbouring nation” to Afghanistan. He also described the Americans’ rapid pullout as a “military failure” that should “turn to an opportunity for restoring life, security and stable peace.”

– PTI

  Netherlands

Dutch military plans multiple evacuation flights for Afghanistan: Defence Minister

The Dutch military plans to operate multiple flights to Afghanistan, the country’s Defense Minister Ank Bijleveld said in a statement on August 16. She added that one aircraft was already underway to Kabul. “In part due to the uncertain situation multiple flights are planned,” she said.

“We are doing all we can to get embassy staff, translators and others who deserve our protection out”, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told reporters in The Hague. “But it’s very complicated”.

– Reuters

  EU Foreign Ministers to hold talks on Afghanistan on August 17

EU foreign ministers will hold crisis talks via video link on August 17 regarding the situation in Afghanistan as European nations scramble to evacuate personnel from the country. Member states and Brussels are frantically trying to pull their foreign and Afghan staff out of Kabul amid fears of reprisals after the Taliban’s takeover of power.

– AFP

    How Kabul fell?

Though the Taliban overran most of the country within days, the road to their final victory started from the agreement they signed with the U.S. in February 2020. Stanly Johny analyses the factors behind Taliban’s rise.

Germany

Chancellor Merkel says Germany must focus on its Afghan ‘rescue mission’

Germany’s focus must be on its evacuation operation in Afghanistan, German Chancellor Angela Merkel told leaders of her Christian Democrat party on Monday, meeting participants said.

“We are witnessing difficult times,” she said. “Now we must focus on the rescue mission”. she added.

– Reuters

  Portugal

Portugal prepared to take in 243 Afghans, their families: Defence Minister

Portugal’s Defence Minister Joao Gomes Cravinho said that his country is prepared to take in 243 Afghans, and their families who worked with Portuguese forces stationed in the country.

Defence Minister said NATO is coordinating the evacuation of the Afghans because Portugal doesn’t have the military capacity to do so. He told public broadcaster RTP late on August 15 that he is not aware of any Portuguese citizens living in Afghanistan.

Portugal had a small detachment of fewer than 200 troops stationed at Kabul airport, as part of the NATO mission in the country. The last ones pulled out at the end of May.

– AP

  Kabul

Taliban fighters start collecting weapons from civilians

A Taliban official said that the Taliban fighters in Kabul have started collecting weapons from civilians. “We understand people kept weapons for personal safety. They can now feel safe. We are not here to harm innocent civilians,” the official told Reuters.

City resident Salad Moleskin, director of the MOBY group media company, said on Twitter that Taliban soldiers had come to his company compound to enquire about the weapons kept by his security team.

– Reuters

Pakistan

Pakistan PM to chair meeting on the situation in Afghanistan

A meeting of Pakistan’s security committee chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan will be held on August 16 to discuss the evolving situation in neighbouring Afghanistan, a day after the Taliban seizing power in Kabul and President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said in a statement that Pakistan will present its stance on the current situation following consultations in the National Security Committee meeting. Senior political and military leaders, including Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, will attend the meeting.

Another important meeting will be held with a visiting Afghan delegation at the Foreign Office. Separately, Qureshi will also hold a meeting with Prime Minister Khan and discuss the regional situation.

– PTI

Beijing

China says ready for ‘friendly relations’ with Taliban

China on August 16 said that it is willing to develop “friendly relations” with the Taliban after the insurgents seized control of Afghanistan. Hua Chunying, a spokesperson in the Foreign Ministry said that China respects the right of the Afghan people to independently determine their own destiny and is willing to continue to develop friendly and cooperative relations with Afghanistan.

– AFP

  Twitter account hacked, says official after Afghan embassy tweets slamming Prez Ghani

An official of the Afghan embassy on August 16 suggested that its Twitter handle was hacked after several tweets criticising embattled Afghan President Ashraf Ghani for fleeing the country were posted from it.

Abdulhaq Azad, the Press Secretary of the Afghan embassy in India, tweeted that he has lost control of the mission’s official Twitter handle, along with a screen shot of one of the messages slamming Ghani for leaving Afghanistan.

“I have lost access to Twitter handle of @AfghanistanInIN, a friend sent screen shot of this tweet, [this tweet is hidden from me.] I have tried to log in but can’t access. Seems it is hacked,” Azad tweeted from his own Twitter handle.

The tweets criticising Ghani were deleted later.

– PTI

  Russia

Russian Ambassador to meet Taliban in Kabul on August 17

Russia said its ambassador to Afghanistan will meet with the Taliban in Kabul on August 17 and that it will decide on whether to recognise the new government based on its conduct. Zamir Kabulov, a Foreign Ministry official said the talks between Moscow’s Ambassador, Dmitry Zhirnov, and the Taliban would centre on how the group plans to provide security for the Russian embassy in Kabul.

– AFP

New Delhi

Air India cancels its only Kabul flight, diverts 2 US-Delhi flights to avoid ‘uncontrolled’ Afghan airspace

Air India cancelled its Delhi-Kabul-Delhi flight that was scheduled to operate on August 16 to avoid Afghanistan airspace, senior officials said. It was the only commercial flight scheduled to operate between India and Afghanistan on August 16, and Air India is the only carrier that has been operating flights between the two countries.

Moreover, the carrier diverted its two flights coming to Delhi from the US toward Sharjah in the UAE for the same reason.

– PTI

    Afghan research scholars, home due to pandemic, stare at uncertainty as Taliban takes over

With the Taliban capturing Kabul, Afghan students’ hopes of returning to India to complete their courses seems bleak.

“Our life is very uncertain and we are not sure how safe we are after Taliban have taken over the capital,” said Mohammed Kazem, a student at the Central University of Kerala (CUK), in a phone conversation with The Hindu from Kabul. Owing to the COVID-19 situation, his return had not been possible so far. “But now, the change in regime in Afghanistan, overtaken by the Taliban has made things uncertain,” he added. Mr. Kazem said the Indian embassy in Kabul had closed down three days ago and that there was no means of communication with them.

“We are scared, terrified and feeling hopeless, finding it difficult to even grieve,” said 33-year-old Ali Maisam, another research student in the linguistics department at CUK. He added that the areas captured by the Taliban were worse off and sought the international community’s help in ensuring peace.

Many students from the Hazra ethnic group and other minority communities studying abroad refused to speak, expressing fear of persecution if their identity was revealed.

  Punjab

Punjab CM urges MEA to arrange evacuation of Indians stuck in gurdwara in Afghanistan

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday urged the Centre to arrange evacuation of all Indians, including 200 Sikhs who were stuck in a gurdwara in Afghanistan, and said his government was willing to extend any help needed for the same.

Urge @DrSJaishankar, MEA, GoI, to arrange for immediate evacuation of all Indians, including around 200 Sikhs, stuck in a Gurudwara in Afghanistan after the #Taliban takeover. My govt is willing to extend any help needed to ensure their safe evacuation. @MEAIndia

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) August 16, 2021

The Chief Minister on August 15 had said that there was a need to remain extra vigilant at all borders of the country, saying Afghanistan’s “fall” to the Taliban “does not augur well” for India.

  Australia

Australia works to get citizens, humanitarian cases out of Afghanistan

Australia is working to get more than 130 of its citizens and people who have been granted humanitarian visas out of Afghanistan after the Islamist Taliban seized control of the country, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on August 16.

He called for the Taliban to cease all violence against civilians, treat Afghan government officials and elected leaders with dignity and allow people to leave the country “without threat or hindrance”.

Australia’s defence department said it would be sending more than 250 personnel to support efforts to evacuate Australians and visa holders from Afghanistan.

– Reuters

Kabul

At least five killed at Kabul airport: Witnesses

According to witnesses, at least five people were killed in Kabul airport as hundreds of people tried to forcibly enter planes leaving the Afghan capital.

One witness said that he had seen the bodies of five people being taken to a vehicle. Another witness said that it was not clear whether the victims were killed by gunshots or in a stampede.

U.S. troops, who are in charge of the airport, earlier fired in the air to scatter the crowd, a U.S. official said.

Afghans crowd at the tarmac of the Kabul airport on August 16, to flee the country as the Taliban were in control of Afghanistan after President Ashraf Ghani fled the country and conceded the insurgents had won the 20-year war.   | Photo Credit: AFP

– Reuters

  France

France to begin Afghanistan evacuations

France said that it will evacuate its first nationals and Afghan colleagues from the fallen Afghan capital Kabul to a base in the United Arab Emirates on August 16. Defence Minister Florence Parly said that they are planning to carry out first rotation on Monday. She added that they have organised a base at the United Arab Emirates to receive the first evacuees.

She said that their priority is to evacuate (Afghan) personnel who rendered service to France. The military operation dubbed ‘Apagan’ involves two French air force transport planes, a C-130 and A400M, which left France on August 15.

– AFP

  New Delhi

Vistara’s Delhi-London flights stop using Afghanistan airspace

Vistara’s flights from Delhi to London have stopped using the Afghanistan airspace. The Afghanistan airspace was declared “uncontrolled” by the Kabul airport on August 16 and transit flights have been asked to avoid it.

Vistara spokesperson said, “We have stopped using Afghanistan airspace and are taking an alternate route for our flights to and from London Heathrow.” “We are closely working with the relevant authorities to monitor and assess the situation and taking necessary steps to ensure the safety of our passengers, staff and aircraft,” the spokesperson added.

Vistara is not going to reduce the number of its Delhi-London flights. The full-service carrier currently operates four weekly flights on Delhi-London-Delhi route.

– PTI

  Left Afghanistan to avoid bloodshed, ‘big human disaster’, says President Ashraf Ghani

Embattled Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has said he left Kabul to avoid bloodshed and a “big human disaster” in the city of six million people, urging the Taliban to reveal their intentions and reassure the people who are unsure about their future after the insurgents took over the war-torn country.

“If there were still countless countrymen martyred and they would face the destruction and destruction of Kabul city, the result would have been a big human disaster in this six million city. The Taliban have made it to remove me, they are here to attack all Kabul and the people of Kabul. In order to avoid the bleeding flood, I thought it was best to get out,” President Ghani said in a Facebook post on August 15.

“Taliban have won the judgement of sword and guns and now they are responsible for protecting the countrymen’s honor, wealth and self-esteem. Didn’t they win the legitimacy of hearts? Never in history has dry power given legitimacy to anyone and won’t give it to them,” the 72-year-old politician, reportedly taking shelter in neighbouring Tajikistan, said.

Kabul

Over 90% Afghan State buildings under Taliban control

A Taliban official said that over 90% Of Afghan State buildings are under Taliban control. The official added that the fighters were ordered not to cause any damage.

– Reuters

Finland

Finland closing embassy in Kabul, evacuating staff

Finland said on August 16 that it would close its embassy in the Afghan capital Kabul immediately until further notice as a result of the security situation.

“Diplomatic personnel are being evacuated from the country,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

– Reuters

Britain

We’re not going back to fight insurgents: Britain’s Defence Minister

The Taliban are in control of Afghanistan and the British and NATO forces will not be returning to fight the insurgents, Britain’s Defence Minister Ben Wallace said on August 16. Mr. Wallace said the military side of Kabul airport was secure and that Britain was doing everything it could to evacuate British citizens and Afghans with links to Britain. “Our target is … about 1200 to 1500 exit a day in the capacity of our aeroplanes, and we’ll keep that flow,” he said.

Britain has relocated its embassy to Kabul airport from the city.

– Reuters

Czech Republic

1st Czech flight evacuates personnel from Kabul

The first Czech evacuation flight has taken off from Kabul’s international airport and landed in Prague on August 16.

Czech Republic’s Prime Minister Andrej Babis said 46 people were on board the flight. They included Czech nationals, the Afghan staffers at the Czech embassy and Afghan interpreters who helped the Czech armed forces during NATO missions together with their families.

– AP

Kabul

Shops close, security guards flee in Afghan capital

Kabul’s streets were deserted early on Monday, a day after Taliban insurgents took over the Afghanistan capital without a fight, but the airport was jammed with hundreds of civilians trying to flee.

Video posted social media showed hundreds of people scampering with their luggage toward the safety of the airport terminal with the sound of gunfire breaking out.

A Taliban leader said his fighters had been “ordered to allow Afghans to resume daily activities and do nothing to scare civilians.”

“Normal life will continue in a much better way, that’s all I can say for now,” he told Reuters via Whatsapp.  – Reuters

South Korea

Temporarily closed embassy in Kabul: South Korea Foreign Ministry

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said it has “temporarily closed” its embassy in Kabul and evacuated most of its staff to an unspecified third country in the Middle East.

The ministry said a few diplomats, including Ambassador Choi Taeho, remain at a safe location in Afghanistan to support the evacuation of a South Korean national in the country and that the Seoul government is closely working with the United States and other countries to ensure their safe evacuation.

Afghanistan has been on South Korea’s travel ban list since 2007. There were reportedly around five South Koreans living in Afghanistan before the Seoul government in June called for all of them to leave the country within 10 days as the United States and NATO proceeded with troop pullouts.

– AP

  British Forces from 16 Air Assault Brigade arrive in Kabul, Afghanistan, to provide support to British nationals leaving the country, as part of Operation PITTING after Taliban insurgents took control of the presidential palace in Kabul, August 15, 2021.   | Photo Credit: Reuters

  New Zealand

New Zealand plans to evacuate some Afghan nationals, PM Ardern says

New Zealand will deploy personnel and a military plane to help evacuate its citizens and some Afghan nationals who worked with New Zealand agencies, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday.

About 37 Afghan nationals have been identified to have worked alongside the New Zealand Defence Forces, Ardern said at a news conference in Wellington.

The prime minister said the government did not expect the situation in Afghanistan to deteriorate so fast.

– Reuters

  Airlines reroute flights to avoid Afghanistan airspace

Major airlines are rerouting flights to avoid Afghanistan airspace after insurgents took control of the presidential palace in Kabul as U.S.-led forces departed and Western nations scrambled on Monday to evacuate their citizens.

United Airlines, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic said they were not using the country’s airspace.

A United spokeswoman said the change affects several of the airline’s U.S.-to-India flights.

Flight-tracking website FlightRadar24 showed few commercial flights over Afghanistan at 0300 GMT on Monday but many planes overflying neighbouring Pakistan and Iran.

– Reuters

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[tinyshe]

Largest US exercise in Europe in 25 years kicks off in Estonia

The active phase of the Swift Response exercise, which started this week in Estonia, will begin when the MLRS multi-missile launchers are fired at the Defence Forces' central polygon.

Published: May 6, 2021, 10:32 am  Tallinn

The battles are led by the 41st US Artillery Brigade. During the exercise, more than 10 missiles will be fired out of five rocket launchers. Due to the fighting, more noise than usual and the movement of Defence Forces units will be evident.

The multi-missile MLRS system allows the attack of high-value targets at great distances.

On the evening of May 7, the 82nd United States Airborne Division will hold an air landing at Nurms Airport, where hundreds of parachutes will descend on the airport, as well as equipment from the planes. The main part of the landing unit arrives in Estonia directly from the US, North Carolina. The air landing is organized at night in a tactical situation as close to reality as possible.

Access to Nurms Airport will be prohibited during the landing and the area is guarded by military police.

On the afternoon and night of May 8, US troops will travel by helicopter from Nurms Airport to the Central Army Training Ground, where the helicopter landings will take place.

Among the Estonian units, the 1st Infantry Brigade together with the NATO Allied Battle Group and the Special Operations Command, the units of the Defence League’s Alutaguse, Järva and Viru Squadrons will take part in the exercise.

The Swift Response exercise is part of the US-led Exercise Series Defender Europe 21, the largest US-led exercise in Europe in 25 years. Defender Europe will be repeated simultaneously in 16 European countries, with a total of 28 000 troops participating. In addition to Estonia, airborne operations will take place in Bulgaria and Romania.

Within the framework of Swift Response, nearly 2500 members of the Defence Forces from Estonia, the USA and the United Kingdom, with more than 20 planes and 25 helicopters will take part in the exercise.

The purpose of the exercise is to test the ability of the US and NATO to launch an offensive strike against Russia in the Balkans, the Black Sea and Baltic countries. In line with its “Global Strategy” and revised Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), the EU appears to be seeking to expand its role in NATO through PESCO and other military channels.

Introduced by the Lisbon Treaty on European Union (article 42.6, 46 and Protocol 10), PESCO is a framework and process to deepen defence cooperation between those EU Member States.

At least 21 NATO member states as well as Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia are currently conducting war exercises in the Black Sea region as part of the US initiative. This was also the first time Albania has hosted a US-led, multinational exercise. The Swift Response exercise ends on May 14.

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[expatimes]

Portugal coronavirus surge ‘like a tsunami’

AstraZeneca pledges EU 9 million extra doses of COVID vaccine

EU Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen says AstraZeneca will deliver 9 million additional COVID-19 vaccine doses making a total of 40 million doses to Europe.

World Health Organization experts have visited the market in Wuhan, central China, linked to the first known COVID-19 cluster, seeking clues about the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak as a number of nations further tightened restrictions in a bid to slow the spread of the pandemic.

France has closed its borders to non-European countries except for essential travel, a day after Germany imposed a ban on most travellers from nations hit by new, more contagious coronavirus variants.

Globally more than two million people have died from the virus, with nearly 102 million cases recorded and 56 million recoveries.

Below were the updates on Sunday:

12 hours ago (20:30 GMT)

Netanyahu ‘cuts short visit to UAE’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly shortened an official visit to the United Arab Emirates next week from three days to three hours.

Citing Israeli officials, journalist Barak Ravid said the decision was taken “due to the COVID lockdown in Israel.”

In the UAE, Netanyahu will reportedly meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

BREAKING: Netanyahu will cut short his visit in the UAE next week (9/2) from 3 days to 3 hours. He will meet Crown Prince MBZ and head back to Israel. Israeli officials tell me the decision to cut the trip was done due to the COVID lockdown in Israel

— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) January 31, 2021

13 hours ago (19:51 GMT)

Algeria says it has discussed with Russia producing Moscow’s Sputnik V vaccine

Algeria has discussed with Russia the possibility of producing Moscow’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine.

Talks to manufacture the vaccine in Algeria took place during a meeting between Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad and Russian ambassador Igor Beliaev, the prime minister’s office said.

“The two parties agreed to initiate contacts between the competent services of the two countries with the aim of establishing a bilateral cooperation…,” it said in a statement.

14 hours ago (18:34 GMT)

South African virus variant detected in Greece

Greek authorities have confirmed the first detection of the South African variant of the new coronavirus in the country, prompting top health officials to fly to the area where it was found for meetings.

The minister leading the government response to the pandemic and the head of the country’s public health body met with doctors and the local bishop in the northern city of Thessaloniki. The variant is believed to be more contagious than the original type and it was detected in a 36-year-old deacon in a suburb of the city.

“We will be doing screenings to isolate the persons who have been in contact with the patient,” said Panayiotis Arkoumaneas, head of the National Public Health Organization.

15 hours ago (17:48 GMT)

Britain’s centenarian fundraiser Captain Tom in hospital with COVID

British centenarian Captain Tom Moore, who raised millions of pounds for the health service by walking laps of his garden in last year’s lockdown, has been admitted to hospital after testing positive for COVID-19, his daughter said.

The World War Two veteran caught the public’s imagination in April, just before his 100th birthday, when he was filmed doing laps with the help of a walking frame around his garden in the village of Marston Moretaine, north of London.

He hoped to raise 1,000 pounds. Instead, he raised more than 30m ($41m) for the National Health Service, broke two Guinness world records, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth, scored a number 1 single, wrote an autobiography and helped set up a charity.

British centenarian Captain Tom Moore, has been admitted to hospital after testing positive for COVID-19

15 hours ago (17:17 GMT)

German health minister open to using Russia, Chinese vaccines

German Health Minister Jens Spahn has said he is open to the use of coronavirus vaccines from Russia or China in Germany, as a debate over the availability of vaccines rages in Europe.

“If a vaccine is safe and effective, no matter in which country it was produced, then it can of course help in beating the pandemic,” Spahn told the Sunday edition of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

The vaccine would have to go through the normal authorisation process.

15 hours ago (17:08 GMT)

Republicans urge Biden to scale down $1.9tn COVID relief

Ten Republicans in the United States Senate have offered a counter-proposal to President Joe Biden’s $1.9tn coronavirus relief bill, saying a scaled-down version of the aid package would garner bipartisan support in Congress.

In a letter on Sunday, Republican Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Mitt Romney and others said their version of the bill would include $160bn for COVID-19 vaccines, testing, treatment and personal protective equipment, among other things.

Read more here.

President Joe Biden made a robust response to the coronavirus central to his campaign

16 hours ago (16:50 GMT)

Italy reports 237 coronavirus deaths

Italy reported 237 coronavirus-related deaths, down from 421 the day before, the health ministry said, while the daily tally of new infections was equal to 11,252 compared with 12,715 on Saturday.

Some 213,364 tests for COVID-19 were carried out in the past day, against a previous 298,010, the health ministry said.

16 hours ago (16:28 GMT)

European capitals hit by anti-COVID curbs protests

Protesters angry with coronavirus restrictions have staged rallies in a number of European cities, days after the Netherlands was rocked by anti-curfew riots.

Read more here.

A person wearing a face mask attends a demonstration against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) measures  in Budapest

16 hours ago (16:21 GMT)

Canada to quarantine arriving travellers, suspend flights south

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced stricter restrictions on travellers in response to new, likely more contagious variants of the novel coronavirus – including making it mandatory for travellers to quarantine in a hotel at their own expense when they arrive in Canada and suspending airline service to Mexico and all Caribbean destinations until April 30.

Trudeau said on Friday in addition to the pre-boarding test Canada already requires, the government will be introducing mandatory PCR testing at the airport for people returning to Canada.

Read more here.

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the country will require tests for those arriving in the country

16 hours ago (16:02 GMT)

Brazil’s Sao Paulo says ingredients for 8.6 million vaccine doses to arrive on Wednesday

Brazil’s Sao Paulo state is expecting to receive on Wednesday ingredients from Sinovac Biotech Ltd that will allow local production of 8.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, the state government has said.

The ingredients are in Beijing’s airport, in China, awaiting discharge and will be used by Sao Paulo’s state-funded Butantan Institute, which has a partnership with Sinovac to produce the vaccines in Brazil.

16 hours ago (16:00 GMT)

Oman extends land border closure by a week due to pandemic

Oman will extend the closure of its land borders for another week, until February 8, to curb the spread of the coronavirus, state TV said, citing a decision by the Gulf state’s coronavirus emergency committee.

The borders were closed on January 19 because of concerns about a new coronavirus variant, a measure that was extended last week.

17 hours ago (15:55 GMT)

Israel says to send 5,000 vaccine shots to Palestinians

Israel has said it would send 5,000 coronavirus vaccine shots to the Palestinian Authority to inoculate medical personnel, following global pressure to ensure Palestinians are vaccinated.

Israeli authorities have launched an aggressive campaign to vaccinate its own citizens, but the shots have not been made available to Palestinians in the West Bank.

17 hours ago (15:51 GMT)

Thousands protest in Vienna as far-right march on COVID measures banned

Thousands of protesters have faced off with police in riot gear in Vienna at the site of a banned far-right demonstration against coronavirus restrictions.

Vienna police banned numerous protests planned for this weekend, including one by the far-right Freedom Party on Sunday, on the grounds that protesters have generally failed to observe rules on social distancing and often not worn face masks.

Since December 26, Austria has been in its third national lockdown, with non-essential shops and many other businesses closed and their staff unable to work.

17 hours ago (15:05 GMT)

Portugal virus surge ‘like a tsunami’

Germany’s defence ministry says it will send medical assistance to Portugal, which on Saturday said only seven of 850 ICU beds set up for COVID-19 cases on its mainland were vacant.

It came after the Portuguese government had asked Berlin for help.

“The situation is only comparable to a tsunami in the sense of the number of infections that we are seeing on the rise for weeks,” Ricardo Baptista Leite, from the Catholic University of Portugal, told Al Jazeera.

“We’ve seen this ongoing now for months, and …. only last Friday did we start to see a slowdown in the rise of new cases … following the closure of schools and a more strict lockdown that was imposed two weeks before.”

In total, Portugal has recorded 711,018 confirmed infections and 12,179 related deaths.

Portugal has recorded 711,018 confirmed infections

19 hours ago (13:50 GMT)

China sees uptick in cases

China has recorded more than 2,000 new domestic cases of COVID-19 in January, the highest monthly total since the tail end of the initial outbreak in Wuhan in March of last year.

The National Health Commission said 2,016 cases were reported in January, a figure that does not include another 435 infected people who arrived from abroad. Two people died this month, the first reported COVID-related deaths in China in several months.

Most of the new cases have been in three northern provinces, including more than 900 infections in hardest-hit Hubei province. In the capital, Beijing, 45 cases were registered this month.

19 hours ago (13:52 GMT)

Thousands flout virus restrictions at Israel funeral

Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews have defied Israel’s coronavirus restrictions to attend a rabbi’s funeral, prompting Defence Minister Benny Gantz to demand an end to the community’s repeated breaking of lockdown rules.

A huge crowd, many not wearing masks, packed the streets in Jerusalem for the funeral of 99-year-old Rabbi Meshulam Dovid Soloveitchik, head of the influential Brisk yeshiva, or religious educational institute.

19 hours ago (13:53 GMT)

Egypt ‘receives’ first shipment of AstraZeneca vaccines

Egypt has received its first shipment of coronavirus vaccines developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, according to airport officials.

The 50,000-dose shipment arrived at Cairo International Airport on a flight from Dubai, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief the media.

Mohammed Awad Tag el-Din, Egypt’s presidential health adviser, said the shipment originated from the company’s factory in India.

19 hours ago (13:54 GMT)

Italy to relax COVID curbs in many regions

The Italian government has said it would ease coronavirus restrictions across much of the country from Monday, despite warnings from health experts that the move was risky given concerns over the spread of more contagious variants.

After a review of latest COVID-19 data, the health ministry said it was shifting 11 regions from orange to so-called yellow zones, giving inhabitants there greater freedom to travel and allowing bars and restaurants to reopen during the day.

In all, 16 regions will be in the lowest-risk yellow zone, and just four regions – Puglia, Sardinia, Sicily and Umbria – in the orange zone, together with the northern Bolzano province. Nowhere in Italy will be classified as a red zone, which brings with it stringent curbs on travel and business.

Hello and welcome to Al Jazeera’s continuing coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. I’m Elizabeth Melimopoulos in Doha, Qatar.

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