UNITED STATES
Cluster munitions for Kyiv
After months of consideration, President Biden gave the go-ahead on July 7 for the delivery of cluster munitions to Ukraine. “A very difficult decision,” he said. This equipment, already used by Russia, disperses tens and sometimes hundreds of small explosive charges before reaching their target.
Not all of them explode, often causing civilian deaths years later. The Pentagon claims that these misfires concern “only” 2.5% of the grenades contained in these weapons. “In combat, the failure rate was observed at seven times higher rates,” points out, however, the New York Times.
BRAZIL
Amazonia: “Lula effect”
During a bilateral meeting, on July 9, with his counterpart Gustavo Petro in the Amazonian and border town of Leticia (Colombia), President Lula was delighted with his good results in the fight against deforestation. In the first half of his third term, losses of forest area have fallen by 34%, compared to the first six months of 2022. “The preservation of the Amazon is one of Lula’s main themes during his international travels, unlike former President Jair Bolsonaro, who had significantly reduced controls in the Amazon,” notes the brazilian regional daily Oh Sul.
THE NETHERLANDS
Mark Rutte retires
After the fall of his government, unable to agree on migration policy, Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced on July 10 his departure from political life. In power since 2010, he renounced to stand in the November elections. “Rutte, one of the most experienced leaders in Europe, has often been announced for the highest positions outside the Netherlands, notably in NATO and in the European Union, recalls the site Politico. But he assured not to be interested in such functions.” Nicknamed “Teflon Mark” for his ability to resist scandals, he will manage current affairs until the fall.
Türkiye
Erdogan returns fighters to Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelensky returned from his official visit to Turkey on July 8 with five Ukrainian officers. Captured by Russia during the seizure of the Azovstal factory in Mariupol, these soldiers had been exchanged with Russian soldiers and were to remain in Turkey until the end of the war. Recep Tayyip Erdogan has decided otherwise. “If Turkey is so active diplomatically, it is because its leader wants to focus on foreign policy after his re-election, stresses the pro-government daily Daily Sabah. The country plays the role of mediator in Ukraine, with major diplomatic successes.” This return of Ukrainian officers angered the Kremlin.
UZBEKISTAN
Re-election and authoritarian drift
With 87% of the vote, the outgoing President of Uzbekistan Chavkat Mirzioev was elected for a third time on 9th July. At the head of the country since 2016, he can now preside over the Central Asian republic until 2037: the Constitution has been amended by referendum to reset his terms to zero. The method, used in 2020 by Vladimir Putin, worries observers. “The construction of a “New Uzbekistan”, initiated in 2021, aimed to strengthen the institutions of civil society and protect human rights, analysis The Diplomat. Yet Mirzioev focused instead on consolidating the authoritarian power system.”
TUNISIA
African migrants tracked down in Sfax
Hundreds of sub-Saharan nationals were driven out of the port city of Sfax between July 4 and 5. Some were abandoned in the desert. This vendetta was triggered by the murder of a resident by a Cameroonian man. The episode recalls another manhunt, instigated by Kaïs Saïed. In February, the Tunisian president called for urgent measures against “hordes of illegal migrants”.
“Are we going to sink into the most sordid racism against our own sub-Saharan brothers by hiding the roots of trafficking, the complicity of Tunisian and European networks?”, asks the site Kapitaliswhich denounces a “moral bankruptcy”.
CHINA
Appeasement with Washington
At the end of a four-day trip to China, the American Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, on July 9 hailed “more solid foundations” in relations between the two leading world powers. “Ms. Yellen’s trip marked the second visit by a member of the American cabinet to the Chinese capital in the space of a few weeks, as Washington seeks to mend relations with Beijing after months of heightened tensions”, underlines the channel. CNN. During her visit, the Minister of Finance increased her number of meetings with senior Chinese officials, including one with Prime Minister Li Qiang.