Geopolitics: August 2023

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

IPS: " An unexpected match "

"An unexpected match"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

International Politics and Society

30 August, 2023

Originally published: https://www.ips-journal.eu/topics/foreign-and-security-policy/an-unexpected-match-6953/

Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia have many interests and policy objectives in common. But is it enough to create a strong and lasting partnership?

Last month, Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev participated in the first Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-Central Asia (CA) summit held in Saudi Arabia. In particular, Astana was interested in improving its cooperation and trade with Riyadh, hoping to somewhat reduce its dependency on neighbours like China and Russia – while Saudi Arabia wants to expand its influence and presence in Central Asia. In this context, it is helpful that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s (MBS) vision of increasing his country’s global presence coincides with Kazakhstan’s famous multi-vector foreign policy of establishing global partnerships. Whether more trade, investment and common foreign policy objectives can help bilateral relations evolve into an Astana-Riyadh alliance is an intriguing question.

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Breaking Defense: "Unmanned ground vehicles face a rare market challenge in South America: Horses "

"Unmanned ground vehicles face a rare market challenge in South America: Horses"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Breaking Defense

Land Warfare

23 August 2023

Originally published: https://breakingdefense.com/2023/08/unmanned-ground-vehicles-face-a-rare-market-challenge-in-south-america-horses/

WASHINGTON — South American militaries, like many across the globe, are looking at the potential for unmanned ground vehicles. And it’s easy to see why: UGVs have a wide variety of uses, from rescue operation to surveillance to participating in combat.

Sunday, August 20, 2023

NE Global: Can Central Asia escape China’s debt trap?

"Can Central Asia escape China’s debt trap?"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

NE Global

August 20, 2023

Originally published: https://www.neglobal.eu/can-central-asia-escape-chinas-debt-trap/

While Washington focuses on the war in Ukraine, Russia and China seek to expand their influence in regions where the US is not sufficiently engaged.

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

La Politica: "El doble problema de Kazajistán con Rusia"

"El doble problema de Kazajistán con Rusia"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Editorial

La Política

11 Agosto, 2023

Originally published: https://www.lapoliticaonline.com/espana/wilder-alejandro-sanchez/doble-problema-rusia-alejandro-wilder

El desafío de los kazajos para mantener la relación estratégica con Moscú, los oligarcas y escaparle a los impactos de la guerra y las sanciones a Rusia.

Tuesday, August 15, 2023

E-International Relations: "Environmental Loss and Repression in Iran"

"Environmental Loss and Repression in Iran"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Opinion

E-International Relations

15 August, 2023

Originally published: https://www.e-ir.info/2023/08/15/opinion-environmental-loss-and-repression-in-iran/

Iran’s environmental problems have been well-documented: pollution, unhealthy air quality across major urban areas, the drying up of lakes, and deforestation. An important aspect to remember is that several of these environmental problems affect the country’s Azerbaijani population, which has been historically harassed and oppressed by Tehran. Environmental challenges in Northern Iran add extra woes and suffering to an ill-treated community.

Monday, August 7, 2023

Breaking Defense: "South American militaries take aim at narco trafficking with new radars, exercises"

"South American militaries take aim at narco trafficking with new radars, exercise"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Air Warfare, Global

Breaking Defense

7 August, 2023

Originally published: https://breakingdefense.com/2023/08/south-american-militaries-take-aim-at-narco-trafficking-with-new-radars-exercises/

Several nations are buying or installing new radars or sending new planes in the air in hopes of better tracking drug transshipments.

Sunday, August 6, 2023

International Policy Digest: "Peru’s Nobel Prize Winning Batallón Peru Turns 50"

"Peru’s Nobel Prize Winning Batallón Peru Turns 50"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

World News

International Policy Digest

6 August, 2023

Originally published: https://intpolicydigest.org/peru-s-nobel-prize-winning-batallon-peru-turns-50/

Batallón Peru, which participated in the United Nations Emergency Force II (UNEF II) in the Middle East in the early 1970s, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Peru has a strong history of participation in UN peacekeeping operations, and UNEF II stands out for its significance and inspiration toward future missions.

For its participation in UNEF II, Batallón Peru received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1988.

E-International Relations: "Understanding and Approaching Moldova’s Pro-Moscow Gagauzia Region"

"Understanding and Approaching Moldova’s Pro-Moscow Gagauzia Region"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez and Lucia Scripcari

E-International Relations

5 August, 2023

Published: https://www.e-ir.info/2023/08/05/understanding-and-approaching-moldovas-pro-moscow-gagauzia-region/

The war in Ukraine brought global attention to countries with Moscow-friendly governments, including separatist regions like Transnistria in the Republic of Moldova. Leaving aside Transnistria, another Moscow-friendly region within Moldova is Gagauzia, which recently had gubernatorial elections: the new Governor (locally known as Başkan) is the pro-Moscow Evghenia Guțul from the now-banned Șor Party. Besides the fighting on the physical battlefield, there is also a parallel global war of information and disinformation to gain popular support. As a predominantly Russian-speaking population, the Gagauzians are firmly under Moscow’s influence, in contrast with Chisinau, which supports Kyiv.

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Geopolitical Monitor: Paraguay and Titanium: Failure to Launch?

"Paraguay and Titanium: Failure to Launch?"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Situation Reports

Geopolitical Monitor

01 August, 2023

Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/paraguay-and-titanium-failure-to-launch/

“Paraguay will become the center of global titanium production,” was the headline of a November 2010 article in the BBC. Almost a decade and a half later, titanium production in Paraguay has yet to begin. Even more, by the own admittance of the country’s authorities, they are not sure how much titanium there is in the Alto Paraná department, where the deposits are located. Prospecting continues, but no public plans or timelines are available regarding when titanium production will commence, if ever.