Geopolitics: January 2023

Monday, January 30, 2023

The Diplomat: "Kazakhstan’s Uranium Industry and the Middle Corridor Come Together "

"Kazakhstan’s Uranium Industry and the Middle Corridor Come Together"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Crossroads Asia

The Diplomat

30 January, 2023

Originally published: https://thediplomat.com/2023/01/kazakhstans-uranium-industry-and-the-middle-corridor-come-together/

The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), commonly known as the Middle Corridor, is going nuclear as Kazakhstan’s National Atomic Company, Kazatomprom, announced in December the delivery of natural uranium to Canada. As Russian ports and transport routes are under sanctions due to the war in Ukraine, Kazakhstan is looking for alternative ways to reach international markets; thus Astana has supported the Middle Corridor since the war commenced. The recent uranium delivery is not the first and will likely not be the last.

Friday, January 27, 2023

International Policy Digest: "Can the Caspian Sea and Ural River be Saved?"

"Can the Caspian Sea and Ural River be Saved?"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

International Policy Digest

27 January, 2023

Originally published: https://intpolicydigest.org/can-the-caspian-sea-and-ural-river-be-saved/

The Caspian Sea is Kazakhstan’s connection to the Caucasus and Europe. Thus, its protection is paramount to the country’s economic health, not to mention its fishing industry and overall environment. As Kazakhstan seeks to go “green” and become carbon neutral by 2060, its environmental policies must also evolve. This evolution needs to include bilateral cooperation, as working together with Russia over the Ural River is necessary to keep the Caspian Sea safe.

A landlocked nation, Kazakhstan has three key water bodies: the Aral Sea, Lake Balkhash, and the Caspian Sea (which is fed by the Ural River). Two of these bodies are already at risk; the country of 19 million cannot afford to also lose the Caspian.

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Report: "The Peruvian Armed Forces vs Environmental Crimes: An Analysis"

"The Peruvian Armed Forces vs Environmental Crimes: An Analysis"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Regional Insights

2022, No.5 (November)

William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies

National Defense University

Originally published: http://dev.williamjperrycenter.org/sites/default/files/publication_associated_files/perumilitaryenvironmentalcrimes.pdf

CIMSEC: "Hospital Ships: A Vital Asset for SOUTHCOM and South American Navies"

"Hospital Ships: A Vital Asset for SOUTHCOM and South American Navies"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

The Southern Tide

Center for International Maritime Security

24 January 2023

Originally published: https://cimsec.org/hospital-ships-a-vital-asset-for-southcom-and-south-american-navies/

The hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH-20) has returned to Latin American waters, as the vessel carried out a medical assistance mission across the Caribbean from October to December 2022. This is the first time in years Comfort has been in the region since the pandemic begun. Other South American navies also have hospital vessels that carry out similar missions, primarily for their domestic populations. Hospital ships are some of the region’s most vital yet underappreciated assets, while also being one of the most tangible elements of how many regional populations interact with navies. The U.S. and regional countries should consider the benefits of hospital ship operations with a view toward potentially investing in more of these valuable vessels.

Monday, January 23, 2023

IPD: Kazakhstan isn’t ‘Russophobic’ it Just Doesn’t Support Putin’s Stupid War

"Kazakhstan isn’t ‘Russophobic’ it Just Doesn’t Support Putin’s Stupid War"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

International Policy Digest

23 January, 2023

Originally published: https://intpolicydigest.org/kazakhstan-isnt-russophobic-it-just-doesn-t-support-putin-s-stupid-war/

As the war in Ukraine continues its winter phase, the conflict’s first anniversary is now on the horizon. Sadly, it does not appear that peace is likely anytime soon. Even more, there are concerns that the Kremlin could foresee another similar operation against another neighboring country based on exaggerations and outright lies. Kazakhstan is a clear example of this potentially catastrophic future.

Thursday, January 19, 2023

Interview: Would Kazakhstan be next, if Russia had been successful in Ukraine?

"Would Kazakhstan be next, if Russia had been successful in Ukraine?"

By: Andre Matisak

The Global Agora

19 January

Originally published

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Interview: " Kazachstan, Moldavsko, Azerbajdžan... Kto by bol na rade, keby Rusko ovládlo Ukrajinu? "

"Kazachstan, Moldavsko, Azerbajdžan... Kto by bol na rade, keby Rusko ovládlo Ukrajinu"

By Andrej Matisak

Pravda (Slovakia)

18 January, 2023

Originally published: https://spravy.pravda.sk/svet/clanok/653940-kazachstan-moldavsko-azerbajdzan-kto-by-bol-na-rade-keby-rusko-ovladlo-ukrajinu/

"Rusko nemá žiadny dôvod na to, aby napadlo Kazachstan. Krajina neurobila nič, za čo by si takpovediac zaslúžila takýto útok, ale Kremeľ to môže vidieť inak,“ povedal pre Pravdu Wilder Alejandro Sanchez, expert na postsovietsky priestor a šéf washingtonskej konzultačnej firmy Second Floor Strategies.

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Geopolitical Monitor "Moldova and Türkiye: Keeping Friends Close"

"Moldova and Türkiye: Keeping Friends Close"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Situation Report

Geopolitical Monitor

11 January 2023

Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/moldova-and-turkiye-keeping-friends-close/

There is a tendency to view the Republic of Moldova’s foreign policy as solely focused on Europe, the United States, or Russia. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and Moldovan President Maia Sandu’s decision to apply for European Union membership have tended to reinforce that idea. However, Chisinau has one vital partner that does not fall in either category: the Republic of Türkiye.

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

The Diplomat: " The Future of CICA: An Interview With Secretary General Kairat Sarybay"

"The Future of CICA: An Interview With Secretary General Kairat Sarybay"

By: Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Interview

The Diplomat

10 January 2023

Originally published: https://thediplomat.com/2023/01/the-future-of-cica-an-interview-with-secretary-general-kairat-sarybay/

In late December 2022, The Diplomat conducted an exclusive interview with Ambassador Kairat Sarybay, the secretary general of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), to understand his vision for the future of his organization.

E-IR: "Opinion – Rwandan Support for M23 Rebels Cannot Continue"

"Rwandan Support for M23 Rebels Cannot Continue"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Opinion

E-International Relations

10 January 2023

Originally published: https://www.e-ir.info/2023/01/10/opinion-rwandan-support-for-m23-rebels-cannot-continue/

The rebel March 23 Movement (M23) continues its operations in the Eastern areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Fighting is reportedly occurring in North Kivu province, not far from the regional capital of Goma. A cease-fire negotiated in November is on shaky grounds, and it is unclear if the DRC military and its regional supporters can defeat M23. Moreover, calls for the Rwandan government to stop supporting M23 are also proving ineffective. This support includes providing weapons, ammunition, uniforms, and evidence that the Rwandan Army has “engaged in military operations” against the DRC military to support M23. Given this reality, it is time to discuss framing Rwandan President Paul Kagame as being a regional disruptor more than a stabilizer.

Monday, January 9, 2023

Shephard Media: "Colombia pauses negotiations again on Kfir fleet replacement"

"Colombia pauses negotiations again on Kfir fleet replacement"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Air Warfare

Shephard Media

9 January 2023

Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/air-warfare/colombia-pauses-negotiations-again-on-kfir-fleet-replacement/

Funding problems and an expired government directive mean the Colombian Air Force will have to find ways to keep its ageing IAI Kfir fleet in service for longer.