^{Hello and welcome to the first edition of Geopolitics Weekly. Thanks for signing up!}

^{We know this will be the first in a saga of many interesting newsletters that will keep you up-to-date with what’s happening in geopolitics. Much like our social media content, we aim to be neutral and to the point. So, on that note, let's get into this week’s geopolitical events ⤵️} 

Top 5 Stories

_1️⃣🇺🇸🇬🇧 _{Houthis Hit Hard: On Thursday, U.S. and British forces launched air strikes in Yemen against the Iran-backed Houthis, retaliating for attacks on Red Sea shipping. The strikes aimed to diminish the Houthis' military capacity, amidst concerns of escalating Middle East conflict and its impact on global oil prices and shipping.}

_2️⃣🇹🇼 _{Taiwan Goes to the Polls: Taiwan's voters elected Lai Ching-te as President, delivering a blow to China's unification efforts, but the ruling Democratic Progressive Party lost its parliamentary majority. Amid heightened tensions with Beijing, Lai vowed to defend Taiwan's sovereignty while seeking dialogue. The election, marked by a 72% voter turnout, signals Taiwan's resistance to Chinese pressure and a challenging path for cross-strait relations.}  

_3️⃣🇪🇹🇸🇴 _{Somalia Threatens Ethiopia Over Port Deal: Ethiopia signed a groundbreaking deal with Somaliland, trading recognition for sea access and a potential military base. This agreement has angered Somalia, which claims Somaliland as part of its territory. The deal, a significant geopolitical move, could reshape regional dynamics in the Western Indian Ocean, sparking concerns of increased tension and conflict in an already volatile area.}

_4️⃣🇪🇨 _{Ecuador Erupts: Ecuador's descent into chaos, triggered by the escape of notorious gang leaders from prison, has led to a surge in narco gang violence. This includes prison riots, hostages taken, and public attacks, culminating in President Daniel Noboa declaring a state of emergency and an "internal armed conflict." Once a tranquil tourist spot, Ecuador now confronts a serious crisis, marked by unprecedented violence and instability.}

_5️⃣🇮🇷 _{Iran Seizes US Oil Tanker: Also on Thursday, Iran seized a tanker carrying Iraqi crude in the Gulf of Oman as retaliation for the U.S. confiscation of the same vessel last year. This move, escalating regional tensions, follows a series of attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militias on Red Sea shipping routes. The U.S. condemned the seizure, while Iran cited it as a response to previous U.S. actions, complicating maritime security in a strategically critical region.}

Major Story

_{US and UK Launch Strikes Against Yemen's Houthis:} 

_{In a critical escalation of the ongoing Yemen conflict, the United States and the United Kingdom have jointly executed precision strikes against the Yemeni-based Houthi rebels. This military action, signalling a significant shift in the international response, aims to neutralize the increasing threats to shipping in the Red Sea posed by the Iran-aligned Houthi group.}

_{Targeted Military Action:}

_{The strikes were specifically designed to dismantle the Houthis' military capabilities, focusing on their radar installations and strategic assets. This tactical decision reflects a concerted effort to safeguard crucial international shipping lanes from Houthi assaults. The US and UK governments have emphasized the necessity of these strikes as a defensive measure to maintain regional stability and ensure the safety of maritime trade routes.}

_{International and Regional Implications:}

_{Globally, the strikes have garnered a mix of reactions. While many nations understand the importance of protecting vital shipping lanes, there is also concern about further destabilisation in a region already fraught with conflict. The situation is particularly delicate given Yemen's strategic location and the broader geopolitical tensions involving Iran and the Gulf states.}

_{Looking Ahead:}

_{The strikes mark a pivotal moment in the Yemen conflict. As the US and UK take a more assertive stance, the global community watches closely, aware of the delicate balance between military action and the pursuit of a sustainable diplomatic resolution.}

_{Here’s an interview we did with Professor Karl Cordell explaining what may occur next:} 

_{https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2DWwZrNY4Q/}

_Promotion

_{This week, we’re recommending Tim Marshall's "Prisoners of Geography". In our inaugural newsletter, we’re highlighting this as the foundational book for anyone looking to acquire an understanding of geopolitics.}

_{You can get the book here (affiliate):}

🇺🇸 _Link

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_{Other News}

_1️⃣🇮🇱 _{ICJ Hears South Africa Israel Arguments: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has heard arguments from South Africa accusing Israel of genocide in its war in Gaza. South Africa alleges Israel's actions, including killing civilians and destroying infrastructure, constitute genocide as defined by the 1948 Convention on Genocide. Israel counters, arguing Hamas is the true perpetrator of genocide. The ICJ faces a complex decision, with a verdict expected to take several years. The case also includes South Africa's request for provisional measures to halt Israeli military operations in Gaza.}

_2️⃣ 🇺🇦 _{Russia Continues Ukraine Strikes: Russia launched a widespread rocket and drone attack on several Ukrainian regions, intensifying its offensive with powerful Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. The Ukrainian Air Force reported 40 attacks, primarily targeting Kyiv and surrounding areas, but successfully intercepted several missiles. Amid the attacks, European officials, including France's newly appointed Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné, visited Kyiv, pledging increased support and aid for Ukraine's defence efforts.}

_3️⃣🇧🇩 _{US Expresses Concern Over Bangladesh Elections: The United States has expressed concerns over the fairness of Bangladesh's recent elections, citing irregularities and political opposition arrests. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secured a fourth term with her party, the Awami League, winning a significant majority, while the main opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, boycotted the vote. Rights groups are worried about the emergence of a virtual one-party rule in the country.}

_4️⃣🇰🇲 _{Comoros Holds Presidential Election: President Azali Assoumani is poised for a fourth term following the Comoros presidential election, amid allegations of voting irregularities by opposition candidates. Several opposition leaders called for a boycott, citing biased election commission practices and instances of pre-marked ballots and ballot stuffing. Comoros, known for its history of coups since independence, recently amended its constitution to allow Assoumani to seek re-election, bypassing the rotation of presidency among its islands.}

_5️⃣🇰🇵 _{North Korea Fires Another Missile: North Korea has fired a ballistic missile off its east coast, according to South Korea's military. This launch comes amid heightened tensions in the region, following North Korea's recent artillery shelling near the sea border with South Korea. The missile launch, confirmed by the Japanese coast guard, is North Korea's latest since testing its advanced Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile in December, capable of reaching the mainland United States.}

_{What Went Under the Radar?}

_{(At least in our opinion.)}

🇵🇱 _{Poland Arrests Former Ministers: In a dramatic turn of events, former Polish Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski, along with his deputy Maciej Wasik, were arrested on abuse of power charges inside the Polish Presidential Palace. Kaminski has begun a hunger strike, considering himself a "political prisoner." This development has heightened political tensions in Poland, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk aiming to reverse the policies of the previous Law and Justice (PiS) party government. Protests have erupted, and there is a growing dispute between President Andrzej Duda, aligned with PiS, and the new government. This situation reflects the ongoing power struggle and challenges to PiS policies, including judicial and media reforms.}

_{Next Week’s Geopolitical Milestones}

_1️⃣🟦 _{World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting (January 15-19, 2024): The WEF Annual Summit will take place in Davos, Switzerland. This global event typically gathers leaders from various sectors, including government, business, and civil society, to discuss pressing global issues and economic policies.}

_2️⃣🇺🇬 _{Third South Summit of the G77 (January 20-23, 2024): This summit will be held in Uganda, bringing together over 130 developing and non-aligned countries. The focus of the summit will be on economic development issues, providing a platform for these countries to collaborate and discuss strategies for economic growth and development.}

_{Quote of the Week:}

_{“May you live in interesting times.” – Attributed to an Ancient Chinese Curse, Origin Uncertain}

_{This week, we've selected a quote that, while a bit cliché, perfectly mirrors the complexity of recent geopolitical events. "May you live in interesting times," often mistakenly linked to an ancient Chinese saying, captures the essence of our current global landscape. Our newsletter is dedicated to keeping you up to date with the world's unfolding stories, ensuring you stay informed and engaged during these dynamic and "interesting" times.}

_{Tips & Suggestions}

_{Before we see you next Sunday:}

_{As we settle into the rhythm of our newsletter, we're looking to evolve based on what you want to read most. We welcome your news tips and suggestions for regular sections, just let us know the stories you want to see covered here: [email protected]}

_{(And yes, we’ll be updating the format as we go along.)}