South Pacific

Daily Memo: Iran and Saudi Arabia to Normalize Relations

Middle East developments. Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to restore diplomatic ties after seven years of tensions. In a deal mediated by China, the two countries plan to reopen their embassies within two months. Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign minister welcomed the improvement of ties between Syria and Arab states in a meeting with Syrian President Bashar […]

The Ukraine War, One Year In

It’s been a year since Russia invaded Ukraine, and what many believed would be a short-lived conflict rages on. That’s not to say it’s...

Daily Memo: Russian Revenue, Iranian Uranium

Bad news for Moscow. The executive director of the International Energy Agency said Russia’s oil and gas export revenues likely fell by 30 percent,...

Forecast for 2023

Our 2023 Annual Forecast, like those before it, is an attempt to provide a sense of the direction of the world. We do this...

Daily Memo: Major Visits to Washington and Beijing

Zelenskyy abroad. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit Washington on Wednesday to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden and address Congress. The presidents will...

Daily Memo: Russian Drills in Belarus and the East China Sea

Russia in the Asia-Pacific. Russia and China will carry out joint naval drills in the East China Sea on Dec. 21-27, according to Russia’s...

Daily Memo: Belarus’ Combat Readiness Check, European Sanctions on Iran

Making preparations. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko ordered on Tuesday a snap check of troops’ combat readiness. As part of the inspection, military equipment and...

Daily Memo: Protests in Azerbaijan and Kosovo

Protests in Azerbaijan. Protesters from Azerbaijani environmental groups held demonstrations near the city of Shusha on a section of the Goris-Stepanakert highway, connecting Armenia...

Daily Memo: Concerns Over Kosovo Tensions

Tensions in the Balkans. Roughly 300 Kosovo special forces arrived in the Serb-majority town of Kosovska Mitrovica on Thursday amid heightened tensions among residents...

Daily Memo: Putin’s Comments on the Future of the Ukraine War

Putin's remarks. At a meeting of Russia’s Human Rights Council, President Vladimir Putin made several statements regarding the future of the “special military operation”...

Daily Memo: Beijing to Ease COVID-19 Restrictions

Backing down. China announced an easing of its COVID-19 containment measures. Beijing’s new 10-point plan allows people who have tested positive but who have...

Daily Memo: EU Leaders Eye Deal on Russian Oil Price Cap

Inching closer. EU leaders have agreed tentatively on a $60 per barrel price cap on Russian seaborne oil, with an adjustment mechanism to keep...

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