Geopolitics: March 2024

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Geopolitical Monitor: La Relation Spéciale: Moldova-France Relations

"La Relation Spéciale: Moldova-France Relations"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Situation Report

Geopolitical Monitor

28 March, 2024

Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/la-relation-speciale-moldova-france-relations/

The early March signing of a defense cooperation agreement between the governments of the Republic of Moldova and France did not occur in a vacuum. Since the 2020 election of Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Chisinau-Paris relations have increased significantly. Should President Sandu be reelected in the upcoming autumn elections, we could see the strengthening of a new “special relationship” in global geopolitics.

Monday, March 25, 2024

The Interpreter: "The message Japan sends by backing Ukraine"

"The message Japan sends by backing Ukraine"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez and Marin Ekstrom

The Interpreter

Lowy Institute

25 March 2024

Originally published: https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/message-japan-sends-backing-ukraine

An evolving foreign and defence policy is on display.

Since the Russian invasion in 2022, Japan has emerged as a steadfast supporter of Ukraine. The notoriously immigration-resistant Japan has so far accepted 2,500 Ukrainian refugees. In recognition that Ukraine will face a daunting reconstruction process, Japanese and Ukrainian government and business officials gathered for the “Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction ” in February this year. As part of the gathering, 56 cooperation agreements were signed to develop infrastructure, target critical economic sectors for growth, and expand overall trade.

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Shephard Media: "Dedrone supplies CUAS systems to Ukraine and increases signal library"

"Dedrone supplies CUAS systems to Ukraine and increases signal library"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Uncrewed Vehicles

Shephard Media

20 March, 2024

Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/uv-online/dedrone-supplies-cuas-systems-to-ukraine-and-increases-signal-library/

Dedrone has announced a strategic expansion via 16 new governmental contracts as the US-based CUAS company continued to develop its drone countermeasure technologies.

Dedrone has announced the “closing of 16 new governmental contracts with global customers” in 2023, among which Ukraine received DroneDefender jammer rifles and “hundreds” of DedronePortable kits, a simplified version of the DedroneTactical counter-UAS system.

Sunday, March 17, 2024

The Oxus Society: "Can Kazakhstan Decarbonise the Economy?"

"Can Kazakhstan decarbonise the economy?"

The Oxus Society for Central Asia n Affairs

15 March 2024

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9Q2F-KJKqQ

"Can Kazakhstan Decarbonise the Economy? We engage with a panel of specialists to scrutinize the challenges obstructing Kazakhstan's path to achieving its renewable energy objectives. Additionally, we'll delve into potential strategies that might be employed to navigate these obstacles effectively.

On the panel

- Maximilian Hess (FPRI)

- Wilder Alejandro Sanchez (Second Floor Strategies)

- Madina Junussova (Uni of Central Asia)

Hosted by Michael Hilliard Taped on the 15th of March, 2024.

Oxford Diplomatic Dispatch: "KAZAKHSTAN’S MULTIVECTOR FOREIGN POLICY 2.0"

"Kazakhstan's Multivector Foreign Policy 2.0"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Oxford Diplomatic Dispatch

No. 10 (2024)

Oxford Diplomatic Society

Originally published: https://www.oxforddiplomaticsociety.com/dispatch

The Republic of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy is based on multivectorism since Astana aims to have cordial relations with all states. The war in Ukraine has altered global geopolitics, and countries, particularly those bordering the Russian Federation, have to revisit their foreign (and defense) policies and strategies. Astana’s multipronged strategy must evolve into what I label a multivector foreign policy 2.0. Multivectorism already promotes deep relations with various players. I argue for a greater focus on environmental issues/

Thursday, March 14, 2024

"Moldova battles for soul of pro-Russian Gagauzia"

By: Octavian Coman with Anne Beade

13 March 2024

Agence France Presse

Originally published: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/moldova-battles-soul-pro-russian-071116811.html

- Uphill battle -

Moldova's President Maia Sandu "is making real efforts to improve relations with Gagauzia, to win the hearts and minds of its people", according Wilder Alejandro Sanchez, a Moldovan expert at the Washington-based Second Floor Strategies.

Besides the language classes, the government is also upping investment in the region, including a new road to connect Chisinau with southern Moldova, including Gagauzia.

But he told AFP it would "take years and years, maybe decades, to change the beliefs of the population" and convince them that "efforts to join the EU will not destroy their identity".

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Khabar24: "АҚШ Орталық Азиядағы аймақтандыру мәселесіне арналған жиын өткізді Источник / The USA held a meeting on regionalism in Central Asia"

"АҚШ Орталық Азиядағы аймақтандыру мәселесіне арналған жиын өткізді Источник / The USA held a meeting on regionalism in Central Asia"

Khabar 24 (Kazakhstan)

3 March, 2024

Originally published: https://24.kz/kz/zha-aly-tar/sayasat/item/641226-a-sh-ortaly-aziyada-y-ajma-tandyru-m-selesine-arnal-an-zhiyn-tkizdi

Алехандро Санчес, сарапшы: -Қазақстан қашанда Орталық Азияның барлық елдерін біріктіретін жаңа бастамаларды құрудың қолдаушысы болды, сонымен қатар Транскаспий интеграциясын қолдады. Бұл өте өзекті тақырып. Орталық Азия елдері су тапшылығы, экологиялық проблемалар секілді көптеген мәселелерді жалғыз шеше алмайды. Президент Тоқаев былтыр күзде, егер Қазақстан су мәселесін шешпесе, 2050 жылға қарай құрғақшылықтан зардап шегетінін айтқан. Орта Азия елдерінің біртұтас даму жолы олардың интеграциялануында.

Alejandro Sanchez, expert: 
Kazakhstan has always been a supporter of creating new  initiatives that unite all the countries of 
Central Asia, and also supported Transcaspian integration. This is a very relevant topic. 
Central Asian countries cannot solve many problems alone, such as water shortages and 
environmental problems. Last fall, President Tokayev said that if Kazakhstan does not solve the 
water problem, it will suffer from drought by 2050. The unified development path of the Central 
Asian countries is their integration.

Shephard: "Haiti crisis forces Caribbean militaries to prepare for intervention"

"Haiti crisis forces Caribbean militaries to prepare for intervention"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Defence Notes

Shephard Media

12 March, 2024

Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-notes/haiti-crisis-forces-caribbean-militaries-to-prepare-for-intervention/

As gangs gain control of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s Caribbean neighbours have been preparing to intervene in the failed state, with the US and other partners waiting in the wings with equipment and financial support.

Friday, March 8, 2024

Shephard News: "Emgepron and Tidewise team up to develop first ‘made-in-Brazil’ USV"

"Emgepron and Tidewise team up to develop first ‘made-in-Brazil’ USV"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Uncrewed Vehicles

Shephard Media

8 March, 2024

Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/uv-online/emgepron-and-tidewise-team-up-to-develop-first-made-in-brazil-usv/

Brazil's Emgepron and Tidewise have partnered to construct the Suppressor unmanned surface vessel by 2025 amid potential interest from the Brazilian Navy.

The first-ever “made-in-Brazil” unmanned surface vessel (USV) has been scheduled to take to the seas by 2025.

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Daryo News: " Green multivector policy: Kazakhstan's strategy for sustainable development and international relations"

"Green multivector policy: Kazakhstan's strategy for sustainable development and international relations"

Interview by: Assel Nussupova

5 March, 2024

Originally published: https://daryo.uz/en/2024/03/05/five-years-under-tokayev-expert-examines-the-numbers-behind-kazakhstans-reforms-part-2?utm=tg-en

Perspective can make all the difference. Drive through the bustling streets of downtown Almaty, gallop across the vast windswept steppes, both offer a very different view of Kazakhstan. In this series, we speak to a number of experts to explore their unique takes on Kazakhstan at a pivotal point in its history. With President Tokayev nearing five years in office, he has made clear that implementing reform is central to his priorities for the former Soviet country. What issues Kazakhstan is currently facing that need to be addressed in those reforms? What challenges and opportunities lie ahead? Today we hear from Wilder Alejandro Sánchez, President of Second Floor Strategies, a consulting firm based in Washington, DC. Assel Nussupova met with Alejandro Sánchez in Washington, DC in February 2024, to discuss his perspective on Kazakh issues ranging from water-related challenges to the need for economic diversification to Washington's perspective on Central Asia.