May 1 – May 15

CONTENTS

Foreword (General Observations)…………………………………………..3 Americas………………………………………………………………………5 Arms Control and Disarmament……………………………………………11 China and East Asia………………………………………………………….15 Europe……………………………………………………………………...... 18 Middle East & West Asia……………………………………………………22 South Asia (I)…………………………………………………………………30 South Asia (II)………………………………………………………………..35 United Nations………………………………………………………………..39

Area Briefs: 1-15 May 2018 General Observations Pakistan

• Pakistan-US relations reached a new low when the US placed curb on Pakistani diplomats in the US in terms of their movement – curtailed to 40 kilometres from the Washington embassy or Consulates in other cities unless permission sought. Pakistan reciprocated by imposing similar travel restrictions on 11May when it also withdrew the special facilities it had extended to US personnel. It was the list of facilities that shocked most Pakistanis – as these included sensitive concession such as US embassy using non- diplomatic number plates on their official cars, using the otherwise-banned tinted glass on their cars, using multiple passports, requiring no NOC to install radio communications at their residences and “safe” houses, etc. A number of these concessions were clearly intended to facilitate US covert activities and raised some serious questions about US activities in Pakistan that required such facilitation.

• In a related development, and after commitments to the contrary, the Pakistan government suddenly allowed US Defence Attaché Colonel Joseph Emanuel Hall to exit Pakistan on a special US military plane after removing his name from the ECL. Col Hall had murdered a Pakistani youth when he ran a red light while driving under the influence and hit the youth’s motorbike.

• In Pakistan serious questions are being raised about the US commitment to combatting terrorism when the US blocked Pakistan’s proposal for putting Jamaatul Ahrar leader Khurassani on the UNSC Sanctions List in the 1267 UNSC Sanctions Committee. He has been identified as the mastermind behind many terror attacks in Pakistan including the APS attack in Peshawar. Apparently the US blocked Pakistan’s request because the patter had identified the terrorist as being located in Afghanistan.

• A major step towards improvement in Pak-Afghan relations has been the finalization of the Afghanistan Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) on 14 May in Islamabad in a meeting between visiting Afghan delegation led by deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Karzai and the Pakistani side led by Foreign Secretary Janjua. This agreement sets up a comprehensive bilateral framework for cooperation and dispute resolution.

• On 9 May, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Janjua reiterated the country’s commitment to the non proliferation regime and asserted that Pakistan was prepared to fulfill any criteria for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group (NSG).

International

• As the US moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, on 14 May protests by Palestinians in Gaza near the Gaza Fence unleashed a massacre by Israeli forces against the protestors resulting in the death of over 60 people including women and children and an infant. Over 2,700 Palestinians were injured. There were strong condemnations from across the world although the silence from KSA was noticeable. Turkey called an emergency meeting of the OIC and President Erdogan accused Israel of “state terror” and “genocide”.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also expressed his concerns over the killings by Israel of the Palestinians and urged both sides to exercise restraint.

In a related development, the US, on 15 May, blocked the adoption of an UNSC resolution demanding an “independent and transparent investigation” into the killings of Palestinian protestors on the Gaza border. After this move by the US, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) called for an independent investigation into the same.

• ON 8 MAY, President Trump also lived up to his threat of withdrawing the US from the multilateral Iran nuclear agreement – the JCPOA – and re-imposing sanctions against Iran. These sanctions would be in two stages: in August and November 2018. The EU expressed regret and reasserted its commitment to the JCPOA. Russia and China also reiterated their commitment to the JCPOA.

• On 9 May, Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani declared that Iran would remain committed to the JCPOA. But he made clear Iran would keep all its options open for the future – “I have instructed the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation to take the necessary measures for future actions so that if necessary we can resume industrial enrichment without limit.”

• Earlier, on 1 May, the IAEA had stated that it had “no credible” evidence that Iran was working on a nuclear “explosive device” after 2009.

• In the Iraq Parliamentary elections, on 12 ay, initial results showed Shia leader Moqtada al-Sadr’s bloc, the Sairoon Alliance, win the largest number of seats - 54 of the 328 seats.

• Meanwhile, in the first Lebanese parliamentary elections held since 2009, on 7 May, Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah declared victory. According to Reuters, preliminary results showed Hezbollah and its allies had won at least 67 of the 128 seats but the actual Hezbollah seats were around 13. While Hezbollah may not be part of the new government, they will be a force to be reckoned with.

• On 4 May, a UK court decided to hear an appeal filed against a British High Court judgement that allowed the British Government to continue exporting arms to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen. The appeal was filed by the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT). CAAT claims that more than 10,000 people have been killed in Yemen since a Saudi-led military coalition intervened in Yemen in 2015.

• Over 90 years old, Malaysian leader Mahatir Mohamad won the elections in Malaysia on an anti-corruption agenda and on 10 May, he was sworn in as Malaysia’s new Prime Minister. With the defeat of Najib Razak, the 60-year rule by the Malay dominated National front came to an end.

--- Dr Shireen M Mazari Director General

AMERICAS Domestic

• Reuters reported on May 15 that Lava flowing from giant fissures in the earth on the flank of Hawaii’s erupting Kilauea volcano now threatens highways, increasing the possibility that thousands more people would have to evacuate before escape routes are cut off.

Lava from a huge new fissure has spread through farmland towards a coastal dirt road that is one of the last exit routes for some 2,000 residents in the southeast area of Hawaii’s Big Island. More lava-belching cracks are expected to open among homes and countryside some 40 km east of Kilauea’s smoking summit, possibly blocking one of the last exit routes, Highway 132. Geologists had warned on May 2, 2018 that the Kilauea volcano could erupt after hundreds of earthquakes and the collapse of a crater floor. Kilauea is the most active of the five volcanoes that form the state’s main island. Authorities urged the public to be on alert after scientists noted underground magma flowing beneath a main road near houses in the district of Puna. The eruption has put a huge dent of $5 million on Hawaii’s tourism industry. Cancellations from May through June 2018 have soared ever since the volcano started erupting and bookings for hotels and tourism activities including lava viewing, zip lines and glass bottom boats have slumped 50 percent.

• On May 14, New Jersey won a landmark ruling from the Supreme Court that could lead many states to legalise betting on college and professional sports.

The Justices declared unconstitutional a law passed by Congress a quarter century ago that forced states to keep sports gambling bans on the books. The 6-3 decision clears the way for other states to join Nevada in allowing bets to be placed on individual games. Justice Samuel Alito, a New Jersey native, wrote the court's opinion in the case. Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor dissented, and Justice Stephen Breyer dissented in part.

International

• According to Reuters on May 15, US Defence Attache, Joseph Emanuel Hall who was initially barred from leaving Pakistan after being involved in a fatal traffic accident, left the country.

“We can confirm that the American diplomat who was involved in a tragic car accident on April 7 in Islamabad has departed Pakistan,” a US State Department spokesperson said in an email to Reuters.

• According to VOA on May 13, Pakistan’s decision not to allow a US diplomat from leaving the country for his role in a fatal road accident had increased tensions between the two countries.

US Defence Attache, Joseph Emanuel Hall, was planning to board an American military aircraft at the air force base near Islamabad but was not permitted to do so and returned to the Embassy. Several Embassy officials had accompanied Hall when he arrived at Nur Khan Air Base where immigration authorities informed him his name was on a government “blacklist” because of the criminal case pending against him. Pakistani officials said the US military aircraft had arrived in the country from Afghanistan to fly Hall out but went back without him. A US Embassy spokesman declined to comment on the situation with the diplomat.

• Quoting the US Navy Chief, Reuters reported on May 15 that the US Navy was closely watching Iranian behavior in the Gulf and expected a “period of uncertainty” and increased level of alertness after President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran Nuclear Deal.

“It is a period of uncertainty that we are entering into right, how the whole world will respond to this latest development,” Chief of US Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson said. In recent years, there have been periodic confrontations between the Revolutionary Guards, and US military in the Gulf, which is a major trade route for oil. However there have been no major incidents since 2017.

• According to CNN on May 13, President Donald Trump repeated a misleading claim about Iran’s military budget saying it had increased by more than 40 percent since the negotiation of the Iran nuclear deal.

“Iran’s Military Budget is up more than 40% since the Obama-negotiated Nuclear Deal was reached... just another indicator that it was all a big lie. But not anymore!” Trump tweeted. Trump made the same claim in announcing his decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal earlier during the week. “In the years since the deal was reached, Iran’s military budget has grown by almost 40 percent, while its economy is doing very badly,” Trump said. In a fact check of that remark, the NY Times called the claim “exaggerated.” Citing data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the newspaper explained that Iranian military spending has increased by only about 30 percent from 2015, the year the Iran deal was reached, to 2017. The Washington Post also cited data from the Institute in looking into the President’s claim and likewise reported an increase in Iranian military expenditures of “nearly 30 percent” from 2015 to 2017.

• On May 13, US President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner, arrived in Israel ahead of the opening of the new US Embassy in Jerusalem.

Both Ivanka and Kushner are senior White House advisers and will attend the opening. Trump himself will not be there. His decision to move operations from Tel Aviv has angered Palestinians. The plan was brought forward to coincide with the state of Israel’s 70th anniversary. Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital broke with decades of US neutrality on the issue and put it out of step with most of the international community.

• On May 8, the White House announced the list of attendees at the May 14, 2018 ceremony marking the controversial relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

President Donald Trump would not be part of the delegation. Instead, a five-person mission, including Trump's daughter Ivanka, son-in-law Jared Kushner and the US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, would be present at the opening ceremony. US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and Trump’s Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt would also attend.

• CBS News reported on May 12 that French President Emmanuel Macron told US President Trump he’s very worried about tensions in the Middle East.

Macron called Trump after the latter’s decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear accord. Macron’s office said he expressed his “great concern about stability” in the region. Macron strongly opposes Trump’s pullout from the 2015 global deal curbing Iran’s nuclear activities. Hostilities between Iran and Israel have already escalated in recent days. Macron and Trump also discussed trade issues. European governments are trying to save billions of dollars in trade with Iran that resumed after the 2015 accord. In addition, France and the EU are pressing Washington for exemption from Trumps steel and aluminium tariffs.

• According to the Independent on May 11 British Prime Minister Theresa May and US President Donald Trump discussed the impact of America pulling out of the JCPOA.

The telephone conversation covered a range of international issues. “The Prime Minister reiterated the Government's position on the Iran nuclear deal, noting that we and our European partners remain firmly committed to ensuring the deal is upheld as the best way of preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon,” a spokesperson said. The Prime Minister raised the potential impact of US sanctions on those firms currently conducting business in Iran.

• On May 8 US President Donald Trump honoured an election pledge to scrap US participation in the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal. In a televised address from the White House, Trump said that he would re-impose US economic sanctions on Iran to undermine “a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made.”

Sanctions against Iran would be re-imposed in two stages in August and November 2018 respectively. Trump’s decision intensifies the strain on the trans-Atlantic alliance since he took office 16 months ago. European leaders from France and Germany came to Washington and

8 tried to meet his demands, while pleading with him to preserve the deal. Following President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the JCPOA and impose sanctions against Tehran, a flurry of diplomatic activity started once again to rescue the deal. German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke to Russian President Putin.UK PM Theresa May spoke to President Trump. French ministers have complained that major European businesses would be hit hard as US sanctions are re-imposed. Trump has called the deal “horrible” arguing that restrictions on Iran’s nuclear programme are due to expire and the deal does not address Iran’s ballistic missile programme or its regional influence. Iran said it would remain in the deal. France, Germany and Britain also plan to remain in the deal, raising the prospect of a trans-Atlantic clash as European companies face the return of American sanctions for doing business with Iran. China and Russia, also signatories to the deal, are likely to join Iran in accusing the United States of violating the accord.

• On May 3, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged US President Donald Trump not to walk away from the JCPOA.

Guterres said there was a real risk of war if the 2015 agreement was not preserved. Trump has been a strong critic of the accord, in which Iran agreed to limit its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of sanctions. Guterres termed the Iran agreement an “important diplomatic victory” and said it should be maintained. “We should not scrap it unless we have a good alternative,” he said, adding, “We face dangerous times.”

• On May 13, US President Donald Trump pledged to help ZTE Corp “get back into business, fast” after a US ban crippled the Chinese technology company.

The job-saving concession offer to Beijing comes ahead of high-stakes trade talks between the two countries. Given Washington’s tough stance on Chinese trade practices, Trump’s unexpected announcement was a stunning reversal of US policy. Beijing had demanded the ZTE issue be resolved as a prerequisite for broader trade negotiations. “Too many jobs in China lost. Commerce Department has been instructed to get it done!” Trump wrote on Twitter, saying he and Chinese President Xi Jinping were working together on a solution for ZTE. In April 2018, the US Commerce Department banned American companies from selling to the firm for seven years as punishment for ZTE breaking a 2017 agreement after it was caught illegally shipping US goods to Iran and North Korea.

Canada

• According to CBC News on May 10, the Canadian government said it expects few immediate consequences for Canada from the Trump Administration's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal.

Although the Trudeau government campaigned on a promise to restore diplomatic relations with Iran (suspended by the Harper government in 2012), talks are currently frozen pending the release of dual Iranian-Canadian citizen Maryam Mombeini. There will be few economic consequences because despite the official lifting of Canada’s own sanctions on Iran in 2016, few Canadian companies have ventured into the country to do business. Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland spoke about the issue in Washington, where she’s attending NAFTA negotiations. “We regret the US decision on the (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.) She said, “We believe the JCPOA is an important and useful agreement.” --- Amina Afzal

ARMS CONTROL AND DISARMAMENT

• On May 13, China’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier began sea trials. China’s Ministry of Defence said that the aircraft carrier would undergo various trials to test the reliability and stability of its propulsion and other systems. The 65,000-tonne Type 001A aircraft carrier was launched in April 2017. The ship is yet to be named. It is an upgraded version of China’s only operational aircraft carrier Liaoning, which is a retrofitted Soviet-era Admiral Kuznetsov-class multi-role vessel that went into service in 2012.

• On May 9, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the international non-proliferation regime and asserted that the country was ready to fulfil any criteria for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). Inaugurating a two-day international Seminar on “The Present and Future of Strategic Export Controls,” organised by the Strategic Export Control Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Islamabad on May 9-10, 2018, Secretary Janjua said, “Pakistan would be willing to consider any objective and non-discriminatory criteria that the NSG agrees for membership of the non- NPT states, and applies fairly.” She also reiterated Pakistan’s long-standing position against country-specific exception for NSG membership that any such policy would be detrimental to the credibility of the global non-proliferation regime. She stressed that Pakistan is fully implementing its obligations as a state party to various international instruments, including the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Facilities, Nuclear Safety Conventions and the IAEA Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources.”

• On May 7, UN Disarmament Affairs Chief Izumi Nakamitsu called on the international community to present a united front against gun violence which kills nearly 250,000 people annually and injures many more. In her message at the start of the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence, Nakamitsu said “Guns are responsible for about half of all violent deaths – nearly a quarter-million each year.” She indicated that the pandemic of gun violence has many root causes including lack of adequate legislation and regulation on gun control; an insufficient ability to enforce existing laws; youth unemployment and a lack of job opportunities for former gang members and ex-combatants. She stressed that addressing the root causes of complex issues regarding gun violence require multi- faceted, sustainable solutions. Regarding the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence, she said that it is an important opportunity for fostering cooperation on this critical issue among all stakeholders, including government, international and regional organisations, businesses, and civil society, and for them to pool their experience, strength and expertise. From June 18-29, 2018, States will gather at the UN Headquarters in New York for the Third Review Conference on the Programme of Action on small arms – the key global instrument that has guided international action against the illicit trade in small arms over the past two decades.

• On May 7, two non-governmental organisations said that they would appeal in France’s highest legal authority against French arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The two non-governmental organisations including Droit Solidarite and Aser, which specialise in armament issues, said that they would take their case against France’s arms export to Saudi Arabia and the UAE to the Council of State, France’s highest legal authority. The Council of State advises the government on legislative matters and arbitrates on public policy issues. Earlier in March 2018, the two groups had given Prime Minister Edouard Philippe a two-month ultimatum to suspend licenses for arms sales to the Persian Gulf states. They said that they took the decision of appealing against the French Government owing to a lack of response from the Government. Aser said, “It will be up to Council of State to decide on the legality of the export license authorisations issued by the Prime Minister.” The two bodies argue that France is breaking international law by providing weapons for the Saudi-led aggression against Yemen and subsequently committing war crimes there.

• On May 4, a British court decided to hear an appeal against a ruling that allows the British Government to continue exporting arms to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen. The Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) said that two judges from the Court of Appeal had granted permission to CAAT to appeal against a British High Court judgment allowing the UK Government to continue exporting arms to Saudi Arabia. The High Court ruled that the granting of licenses for arms exports from Britain to Saudi Arabia was not unlawful. After challenging the High Court’s decision in July 2017, CAAT took its case to the Court of Appeal. The court will hear the appeal in the coming few months. Andrew Smith, a spokesperson for CAAT, said that the group was confident of winning the appeal. He said, “The Saudi-led bombardment of Yemen has killed thousands of people and created one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world.” More than 10,000 people have been killed in Yemen since a Saudi-led military coalition intervened in Yemen in 2015.

• According to a report issued by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on May 2, global military expenditure rose to $1739 billion in 2017, with a marginal increase of 1.1% in real terms from 2016. The report noted that the US’ military expenditure remained constant, China’s military spending rose in 2017 while Russia’s spending fell during the same year for the first time since 1998. Ambassador Jan Eliasson, Chair of the SIPRI Governing Board, indicated that total global military expenditure rose again in 2017 after 13 consecutive years of increases from 1999 to 2011 and relatively unchanged spending from 2012 to 2016. According to the report, the US continues to have the highest military expenditure in the world. At $610 billion, US military spending was unchanged between 2016 and 2017. After the US, China is the second largest spender globally, the country’s military spending increased by 5.6% to $228 billion in 2017. While military expenditures increased globally, Russia’s military expenditure of $66.3 billion in 2017 was 20% lower than in 2016, the first annual decrease since 1998. The report said India

12 marked an increase of 5.5% compared with 2016 by spending $63.9 billion on its military in 2017.

Iran’s Nuclear Agreement

• On May 8, US President Donald Trump announced US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and said that the country would re-impose sanctions on Iran that had been waived as part of the accord. President Trump said in a televised address from the White House, “The fact is, this was a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made. It didn’t bring calm. It didn’t bring peace, and it never will.” He added, “Therefore I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal.” After Trump’s speech, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that sanctions on Iran would go into full effect and would remind the Iranian regime of the diplomatic and economic isolation. He also indicated that the US would work with its European allies to find a “real, comprehensive, and lasting solution to the Iranian threat.” The reinstatement of sanctions would take place between three to six months. It includes sanctions on Iranian oil exports, the country’s central bank, and Iranian businesses. The time period would allow the US to negotiate with its allies on the future course of action, Iran’s ballistic missile programme and the country’s role in regional politics. Earlier, France, Germany and Britain had urged the US not to revoke the agreement. Shortly after the announcement, European allies condemned the move in a joint statement and promised to stay within the nuclear agreement claiming that it was the only way to prevent a Middle- Eastern nuclear arms race. EU’s Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini expressed regret and concern on Trump’s decision and said that the EU was “determined to preserve” the JCPOA despite the US withdrawal. Interestingly, the EU, France, Britain and Germany also expressed support for the JCPOA in their joint statements and said that Iran was implementing its commitments under the agreement. Russia and China also announced their support for the JCPOA saying that they would remain committed to the agreement despite US’ withdrawal. President Trump’s decision received praise only from Israel and Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement that he was “deeply concerned” by the decision and called on the remaining parties to preserve the agreement. On May 9, 2018, Yukiya Amano, Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), also regretted Trump’s withdrawal from the agreement and made it clear that Iran has consistently stuck to its commitments. Amano said that Iran was “subject to the world’s most robust nuclear verification regime” under the JCPOA and no violations of the agreement had taken place, and there has been no evidence of any activity relating to any “nuclear explosive device.”

• On May 1, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that it had “no credible” evidence that Iran was working on developing a nuclear “explosive device” after 2009.

A spokesman for the IAEA said in a statement that the IAEA Board of Governors had declared its consideration of Iran nuclear issue was closed in 2015 when it was presented with a comprehensive report on the country’s nuclear activities. In the report the IAEA had analysed that a range of activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device were conducted in Iran prior to the end of 2003 as a coordinated effort, and some activities took place after 2003. However, the report had stated that the IAEA had no credible evidence of activities in Iran relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device after 2009. The IAEA statement came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, on April 30, 2018, that Israel had evidence regarding Iran’s nuclear-weapons plan that could be activated at any time. Netanyahu presented a series of slides and photographs of documents indicating that Iran continues to hide and expand its nuclear knowhow even after signing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015. Netanyahu showed his presentation two weeks before the May 12, 2018, deadline for US President Donald Trump to decide whether he will withdraw from the JCPOA. European states have dismissed the significance of the documents, while the US welcomed them as evidence of Iranian “lies.” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the documents show that Iran had a secret nuclear-weapons programme for years. However, a government official from Britain said that European states have never been naive about Iran and its nuclear intentions. He said the documents provided by Israel contained no evidence that Iran continued to develop nuclear weapons after signing the JCPOA, so they indirectly confirm that Iran is complying with the deal. In response to Netanyahu, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said on May 1, 2018, that accusations Tehran lied about its nuclear ambitions were “worn-out, useless, and shameful” and came from a “broke and infamous liar who has had nothing to offer except lies and deceits.” --- Moiz Khan

CHINA, EAST ASIA & PACIFIC

China • On May 11, China sent fighter jets, including Su-35 near Taiwan in the latest of a series of drills. Beijing says the drills are aimed at the Island’s “independence forces.” Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said multiple H-6K bombers, reconnaissance planes and transport aircraft flew over the Bashi Channel, south of Taiwan, and over the Miyako Strait, near Okinawa Island. However, the Defence Ministry stressed that Taiwan would “take effective responsive measures to ensure defence security.” • On May 3, White House spokeswoman, Sarah Sanders warned China of “consequences” for its “militarisation” of the South China Sea. The warning follows US intelligence reports that the Chinese military has installed anti-ship and air-to-air defences on the islands in recent days. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying neither confirmed nor denied the deployment. China maintains that the islands are “part of Chinese territory” and that it is up to China alone to decide what it does in the area.

North Korea • During US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo’s visit to Pyongyang on May 9, North Korea released three US citizens imprisoned in the country for more than a year. US President Donald Trump termed the release of US citizens as “a gesture of good will”. This is Pompeo’s second visit to North Korea in two months. Pompeo’s visit coincided with a meeting between South Korean President, Moon Jae-in, Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang and Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe in Tokyo during which the three leaders agreed to collaborate in seeking the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. • According to Xinhua on May 8, North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un travelled to the Chinese city of Dalian and held talks with Chinese President, Xi Jinping. The two leaders discussed relations between their two countries as well as “major issues of common concern”. During the talks, Kim restated Pyongyang’s desire, “to achieve denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.” On his part, President Xi said China would continue “to work with all relevant parties and play an active role in comprehensively advancing the process of peaceful resolution of the Peninsula issue through dialogue.” This was the second meeting between the two leaders in about a month. It comes ahead of the North Korean leader’s summit with US President Donald Trump in Singapore in June 2018.

Japan • On May 9, China, Japan and South Korea agreed to work together for the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. The agreement came during a trilateral summit in Tokyo between Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang, Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe and South Korean President, Moon Jae-in. PM Abe praised efforts by South Korea and China to engage North Korea and said further efforts on denuclearisation were essential. Abe reiterated Japan’s position that it would normalise ties with North Korea only if the latter took concrete steps toward abandoning its nuclear and missile programme. The leaders of the three countries also advocated the promotion of free trade. The Japan-China-South Korea Summit coincides with a significant thaw in inter-Korean relations following the April 2018 meeting between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. • During his visit to Jerusalem on May 2, Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe held talks with his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu and expressed his continued support for a two-state solution. The Japanese PM conveyed it to Israeli PM that Tokyo would not move its embassy to Jerusalem and expressed hope that Israel would restrain its settlement construction. Abe also expressed his support for the Iranian nuclear agreement, which it sees as a contribution to Middle East stability. Furthermore, Abe appreciated a dramatic rise in Japanese investment in Israel under his government. Earlier on May 1, 2018, Abe also visited Ramallah, where he told Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas that the US involvement in the peace process was critical.

Malaysia • On May 10, Mahathir Mohamad was sworn in as Malaysia’s new Prime Minister after the Pakatan Harapan, an alliance of Malaysian opposition parties defeated Najib Razak in the general election, ending the 60-year rule of the Malay-dominated National Front. Mahathir’s victory marks the end of the nine-year tenure of Najib, who came to power in 2009 and is accused of a corruption scandal in which $2.6bn was embezzled from a government fund he was overseeing, including $681m that was alleged to have ended up in his personal bank account.

Indonesia • On May 13, at least 13 people were killed after six members of a family, including daughters aged 12 and 9, carried out suicide bombings at three churches in Surabaya during Sunday services.

The attacks were claimed by Daesh. According to media reports, the family had returned from Syria, where hundreds of Indonesians are fighting alongside Daesh. President Joko Widodo termed the attacks as “cowardly and inhumane” and said he would push through a long-awaited anti-terrorism bill if parliament does not pass it. The bill has faced criticism from human rights groups, but many say it is needed to prosecute militants returning from the Middle East. --- Muhammad Abdul Qadeer

EUROPE

• According to the Guardian on May 15, the EU has assured Tehran that European governments would try to protect companies doing business in Iran from renewed US sanctions.

EU Foreign Ministers are preparing to meet in Brussels to save the nuclear deal. Meanwhile Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, met Federica Mogherini, the EU External Affairs Chief. Zarif will also meet the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and the UK. The crisis, that could potentially plunge the US and Europe into a sanctions war will also be discussed at a meeting of EU Heads of State on May 16, 2018 in Sofia.

• Bloomberg reported on May 15 that Europe is facing power generation capacity shortages and may even risk blackouts without additional use of natural gas.

According to Tor Martin Anfinnsen, Senior Vice President for marketing and trading at Statoil ASA, “a severe shortage” in generation capacity is expected in the UK, Germany, and Belgium. These countries are in the process of phasing out their coal-generation fleet. Germany and Belgium are also turning away from nuclear power.

• On May 15, the Scottish Parliament dismissed the UK’s main piece of Brexit legislation.

The Scottish and UK governments remain divided over the EU Withdrawal Bill and what it would entail for devolved powers. Labour, Green and Liberal Democratic Members of the Scottish Parliament (Holyrood) have joined hands to support Scottish National Party members in rejecting the Westminster bill, saying it would restrict Holyrood’s powers. Scottish Conservatives voted against, and have blamed the SNP for the failure to find an agreement. Although Westminster ultimately has the power to introduce the legislation without the consent of Holyrood, it would be politically difficult, and has never been done before.

• According to the BBC on May 14, the Brexit row between the UK and the EU-27 over Galileo is escalating.

Britain’s Space Agency has written to 13 firms to remind them that they need security authorisation to engage in any future contracts on the sat-nav system. It is being interpreted as a threat to block UK tech developed for Galileo from being transferred into the EU-27. The European Commission says Brexit means the UK will have to be excluded from a key element of the system after March 2019. According to Brussels London cannot immediately have access to it when the UK leaves the European bloc because it will become a foreign entity. PRS is for EU member states only. The European Commission has also made it clear that British companies would not be allowed to work on PRS after Brexit.

• The World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruled on May 15 that the European Union has paid billions of dollars in illegal subsidies to Airbus.

The US Trade Representative (USTR) said the ruling opens the way for placing tariffs on EU goods. The WTO dismissed an appeal by Airbus saying the European plane maker had failed to fix the harm done to Boeing. The USTR argued that European countries had given $22bn in state aid to Airbus to help launch its A380 and A350 jets. Airbus has a similar case against Boeing awaiting a ruling from the WTO. The accusations, rulings and appeals have been going on for 14 years.

• On May 15, six ex-employees of German gun-maker Heckler & Koch went on trial in Stuttgart accused of illegally sending guns to strife-torn parts of Mexico.

The indictment focuses on 4,500 G36 assault rifles and smaller firearms sent to Mexico in 16 batches. Prosecutors say the weapons went to violent Mexican states covered by a German arms export ban. The defendants’ lawyers said the guns went legally to a well-controlled police depot. H&K guns, made in the southwestern town of Oberndorf, are used in conflicts worldwide. Besides Mexico, they have gone to troops and militias in Pakistan, Myanmar (Burma), Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkey. The Stuttgart case was triggered by evidence against H&K presented by peace activist Jürgen Grässlin eight years ago. According to Prosecutors the exports to Mexico during 2006-2009 violated both Germany’s War Weapons Control Act and Foreign Trade Act.

• On May 15, Cyber-security firm Kaspersky Lab said it would relocate some of its operations from Moscow to Switzerland.

The announcement comes after the US government and others accused it of spying on customers at the Russian state’s demand. The company said it had chosen Switzerland for its “policy of neutrality” and data protection laws. Kaspersky makes anti-virus software with an estimated 400 million users. It has also denied any link to Russia’s intelligence services.

• On May 14, the Catalan parliament elected Quim Torra, a new separatist leader who has pledged to continue the region's battle for independence from Spain.

The vote had been blocked for nearly five months. It remains unclear when Spain will lift its direct rule over Catalonia. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has offered talks with Torra. The prosperous region has been under Madrid’s direct rule since the Catalan separatists held a referendum in October 2017 and declared independence unilaterally. Spain had declared the moves illegal.

• MI5 Chief Andrew Parker warned on May 15 that Russia is seeking to undermine European democracies with “malign activities.”

Speaking to Security Chiefs in Berlin, Parker also condemned Russia for the “reckless” poisoning of the Skripals in Salisbury. Russia has denied involvement in the poisoning of Russian ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. Parker also said the Islamic State aspires to commit “devastating” and “more complex” attacks in Europe.

• On May 13, a knifeman killed one person and wounded four in a suspected terror attack in central Paris.

The attacker was then shot dead by police in the Opéra district. Witnesses say they heard him shout “Allah Akbar”. The Islamic State (IS) later said one of its “soldiers” had carried out the attack. Judicial sources told French media the attacker was a man born in 1997 in the southern Russian republic of Chechnya. His parents have been held for questioning.

• On May 14, Italian President, Sergio Mattarella, met Luigi Di Maio of Five Star and the League’s Matteo Salvini after the two agreed to a coalition deal.

The key element that the anti-establishment Five Star Movement and right-wing League are yet to decide is who will become Prime Minister. Both Di Maio and Salvini do not want to become Prime Minister. However, the two men have not yet revealed whom they want as leader. It is the President’s task to appoint the government and Prime Minister

• On May 10, Italy’s anti-establishment Five Star Movement and right-wing League party said they had taken significant steps towards forming a government.

Luigi Di Maio of Five Star and Matteo Salvini of the League had been given until May 13, 2018 to solve their differences. The prospect of a populist, Eurosceptic government has worried investors. However, a deal would help end political deadlock and the threat of another vote. The two leaders said in a joint statement they were aiming to “provide a response and a political government for the country as soon as possible”. They have given no indication who would lead the government or what their policies would be.

• On May 8, Italy’s coalition-building talks failed, leaving the country facing fresh elections or a neutral caretaker government until the end of 2018.

President Sergio Mattarella said that those were the only two options left after a third round of negotiations was unsuccessful. No single party or alliance won a majority in the March 2018 general election. The most influential parties, Five Star and The League, favour a new vote in July 2018. President Mattarella has the final say. Following the latest round of talks aimed at forming a coalition, the biggest single party, the anti-establishment Five Star movement, could not agree on joining forces either with the right-wing alliance of Forza Italia and The League or with the centre-left Democratic Party. Previous attempts to break the deadlock since the inconclusive result on March 4, 2018 also ended unsuccessfully.

• On May 9, the House of Lords backed calls for the UK to effectively remain in the EU’s single market after Brexit.

An amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill obliging the UK to stay in the European Economic Area after it leaves the EU in 2019 was backed by 245 votes to 218. This happened despite both the government and the Labour leadership not backing it. Ministers warned that staying in the EEA would not give the UK “control of our borders or our laws” and the issue will now return to the Commons. Pro-EU MPs said they were hopeful of getting the Commons support needed to prevent the changes being overturned.

• According to the BBC on May 2, French police are holding 109 people, a day after masked demonstrators smashed shop windows and torched cars during May Day protests.

Anarchist groups collectively referred to as the Black Blocs hijacked a peaceful rally against President Emmanuel Macron’s public sector labour reforms. Police said about 1,200 masked and hooded protesters attended the annual May 1 demonstration by labour unions. ---Amina Afzal

MIDDLE EAST & WEST ASIA Egypt • On May 4, Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry said that sending Arab troops to Syria, that is being discussed by officials from various countries, is a possibility. According to Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Ahmed Abu Zeid, Shoukry was not raising the possibility that Egypt itself might be ready to send forces to Syria, adding that such a decision was subject to constitutional constraints. In April 2018, the Wall Street Journal had reported that the Trump Administration was seeking to assemble an Arab force to replace the US military contingent in Syria. Shoukry said that the idea of replacing forces with an Arab one is a possibility. He said, “This proposition is not only being discussed by the media, but also during discussions and deliberations amongst officials of states to look into how these ideas could contribute towards stabilising Syria. In April 2018, Saudi Arabia also said that it was open to sending troops to Syria under a wider coalition.

Iran On May 9, Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani announced that Iran would remain committed to the multinational nuclear deal following US President Donald Trump’s announcement that the US would pull out of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Trump’s decision drew severe criticism from Iranian officials and also from the international community. Rouhani said, “If we achieve the deal’s goals in cooperation with other members of the deal, it will remain in place. I have instructed the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation to take the necessary measures for future actions so that if necessary we can resume industrial enrichment without limit.” He also said that he has ordered the Foreign Ministry to negotiate with the European countries, China and Russia. Speaker of Iranian Parliament, Ali Larijani said that Trump is not fit for his job. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Javad Zarif said that he would work with the pact’s remaining partners, France, the UK, Germany, China and Russia, to see whether they could ensure full benefits for Iran. He travelled to China and Russia and said that he was seeking “assurances” from the backers of the deal after the US pulled out. Zarif praised the “excellent cooperation” between Moscow and Tehran and said Lavrov had promised him to “defend and keep the agreement”. He also visited Brussels and held talks with EU’s Foreign Policy Chief, Federica Mogherini. After the meeting, Zarif said that he believed both sides were “on the right track” to ensure that the interests of the JCPOA’s “remaining participants, particularly Iran, will be preserved and guaranteed.” He praised the meeting as “very good and constructive”. Meanwhile, Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed fear that “new crises” would break out in the Middle East as a result of the US decision. He said, “We don’t need new crises in the region.” A statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry said, “The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action must be protected and continue to be implemented in full transparency,

22 uninterrupted and complete, under the control of the IAEA.” The US’ Gulf Arab allies, who see Iran as a major security threat, expressed strong support for Trump. Saudi Arabia has welcomed Trump’s decision to withdraw from the nuclear agreement with Iran, saying it would work with the US and the international community to address Tehran’s nuclear programme as well as its ballistic missile programme and support of militant groups in the region. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said, “Iran used economic gains from the lifting of sanctions to continue its activities to destabilise the region, particularly by developing ballistic missiles and supporting terrorist groups in the region.” Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu also expressed strong support for Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. He said, “Israel fully supports President Trump’s bold decision today to reject the disastrous nuclear deal with the terrorist regime in Tehran.” The UAE and Bahrain also welcomed Trump’s decision. • On May 2, the Iranian Foreign Ministry denied Morocco’s accusations claiming that Iran had delivered weapons to the separatists (the Polisario Front) after Rabat cut diplomatic ties with Tehran. On May 1, 2018, Morocco had accused Tehran of using its Lebanese militia ally Hezbollah to deliver weapons to the separatists. Moroccan Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita said that a shipment of weapons was recently sent to the Algerian-backed Polisario Front via an “element” at the Iranian Embassy in Algiers. According to Bourita, “Iran and Hezbollah sent military officials to Polisario and provided the front with weapons and trained them on urban warfare.” He also said that Morocco has “irrefutable proof” of Hezbollah’s involvement and said ties were being cut with Tehran in response to Iran “allying itself with the Polisario”. Iran’s Foreign Ministry rejected the claims, calling them “false” following an announcement from Morocco that it would close its Embassy in Tehran and expel the Iranian Ambassador from Rabat. The Ministry said, “Morocco had used the allegations as a pretext to break off diplomatic ties. Remarks attributed to the Foreign Minister of Morocco about cooperation between an Iranian diplomat and the Polisario Front in Western Sahara are false. The Islamic Republic respects the sovereignty and security of countries with which it has diplomatic relations and follows a policy of non-interference in internal affairs.” The Arab League supported Morocco’s decision to sever ties with Iran over its alleged support for the Polisario Front. A Spokesman for the League’s Secretary-General Mahmoud Afifi said that the Arab League condemns and rejects Iran’s intervention in Morocco or any other Arab country’s internal affairs.

Iraq • According to preliminary results of Iraqi Parliamentary elections held on May 12, the Sairoon Alliance of Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr won the largest number of Parliamentary seats. According to the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), less than half of the country’s 24.5 million voters headed to polling stations with only 44.52 % voter turnout. Iran-backed Shia militia Chief Hadi al-Amiri’s Fatah Coalition was in second place, while Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s Nasr Coalition came in third. Preliminary results indicated that Sadr’s bloc won 54

23 seats out of the chamber’s 328 seats. Amiri’s coalition appears set to take 47 seats while Prime Minister Abadi’s alliance is set to take 42 with Vice President Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law coalition set to take 25 seats. The remaining seats are held by a plethora of small parties. The factions will now attempt to negotiate a coalition with a minimum of 165 seats needed to form a government. Six Kurdish parties along with the Wataniya bloc, led by Iraq’s Vice-President Ayad Allawi, have demanded a re-run of the election in the Kurdistan region. Vote-rigging allegations led to gunfights between supporters of rival parties. In a joint statement, the Kurdish parties threatened to take “political action” in Baghdad and seek support from neighbouring countries if their demands were not met.

Israel • On May 14, at least 60 civilians were killed and 2,700 injured when Israeli snipers targeted Palestinian protestors who had gathered near the Gaza fence.

• On May 14, the US officially opened its new Embassy in Jerusalem al-Quds. Around 1,000 police officers were positioned around the Embassy for the inauguration. According to the Israeli Army, it doubled the number of troops surrounding Gaza and in the occupied West Bank. It also dropped leaflets warning Gazans to stay away from the fence. Israeli Defence Minister, Avigdor Lieberman said, “We will protect our civilians with all our means and not enable the fence to be crossed”. Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that the US had established an “American outpost settlement in East Jerusalem” by opening its Embassy. He said, “We hear that they opened an Embassy which is an outpost settlement and not an Embassy. An American outpost settlement. At first, we had outpost settlements with the help of America and now we have an American outpost settlement in East Jerusalem.” Many countries including Turkey, Egypt and Morocco denounced Washington’s unilateral decision. Both Hezbollah Leader, Hassan Nasrallah and Al-Qaeda Leader, Ayman al- Zawahiri criticised the US. Zawahiri also urged Muslims to wage Jihad against the US. Arab League Chief, Abul Gheit said, “It is shameful to see countries participating with the US and Israel in celebrating the former’s Embassy move to occupied Jerusalem in a clear and grave violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions.” He also said the move “represents an extremely dangerous step and I don’t think the American Administration realises its real implications in the short and long terms.” Israeli Forces killed a large number of Palestinians on the same day the US opened its Embassy in Jerusalem. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the death toll included a baby who died from tear gas inhalation along with eight children under the age of 16. Abbas referred to the Palestinian deaths as a “massacre” and announced three days of mourning and a general strike on May 15, 2018. He said, “We decided to have the flags lowered tomorrow to half-mast for three days of mourning and to have a strike tomorrow for the Nakba day. Tomorrow will be the anniversary of 70 years of the Nakba of the Palestinian people when they were forced out of their country by the Zionist gangs in 1948.” Kuwait called for an emergency session of the UN

Security Council following the massacre of Palestinians at the hands of Israeli Forces. Kuwaiti Ambassador to the UN, Mansour al-Otaibi said, “We condemned what has happened.” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused the Tel Aviv regime of “state terror” and “genocide”. He said, “Israel is wreaking state terror. Israel is a terror state. What Israel has done is a genocide. I condemn this humanitarian drama, the genocide, from whichever side it comes, Israel or America.” Turkey also called an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Saudi Arabia also condemned the killing of civilians. A Saudi Foreign Ministry statement said, “Saudi Arabia strongly condemns the Israeli occupation forces’ gunfire against unarmed Palestinian civilians which has left dozens dead and wounded.” Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman, Lulwah al-Khater strongly condemned “the massacre” of Palestinians and called on the international community to take action and stop “the savage killings.” A statement from the Syrian Foreign Ministry said, “Syria condemns the brutal massacre carried out by the Israeli occupation against unarmed Palestinian civilians.” • On May 9, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Following his meeting with Putin, Netanyahu reiterated Jerusalem’s determination to continue to act militarily against Iran’s ongoing entrenchment in Syria. With reference to Israeli airstrikes in Syria, Netanyahu said he has no reason to believe the Kremlin would attempt to limit Israel’s freedom of operation in the region. He said, “I told President Putin that it is our right and indeed our duty to take any steps required to safeguard our security interests. He declined to provide details of his conversation with Putin, merely saying that his conversations in the Kremlin are always “thorough and effective.” Netanyahu also said, “I said that we will always maintain our right and our duty to take all actions required to defend ourselves against Iranian aggression. I think this message was transmitted in a very deep, thorough and serious manner.” He also detailed Israel’s discovery of Iran’s secret nuclear weapons archives. According to Netanyahu, Russian intelligence officials would soon visit Israel to examine the material. • On May 9, Omar Shakir, the Israel and Palestine Director of Human Rights Watch (HRW), accused Israel of seeking to “silence” criticism, after Israel forced him to leave the country. The Israeli Interior Ministry announced it had terminated the residency permit of Shakir over accusations that he had supported a boycott of Israel. According to a statement from the Ministry, Israel has obtained “information that Shakir has been a BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) activist for years supporting the boycott of Israel in an active way”. Shakir denied these claims and said Israel is seeking to silence dissent. He said, “The proffered reason is support for boycott, but the reality is that this is a decision to muzzle Human Rights Watch and to silence criticism of Israel’s poor rights record.” He also said that Israel joins a list of countries including “North Korea, Cuba, Iran and Sudan that have blocked access to Human Rights Watch staff.” Amnesty International strongly condemned the Israeli decision. It said, “This is yet another alarming sign of the country’s increasing intolerance of critical voices. The Israeli authorities must immediately stop their ongoing harassment of human rights defenders.”

Israeli officials have suppressed groups which are supporting the global BDS campaign. The campaign is aimed at pushing Israel to end its occupation of the West Bank. According to Israel, the BDS movement is anti-Semitic. • According to Press Tv, on May 5, Israel’s Security Cabinet Minister, Yuval Steinitz said that Tel Aviv could topple the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in response to any attack by Iran against the occupying regime. Yuval said, “If Assad allows Iran to turn Syria into a military vanguard against us, to attack us from Syrian territory, he should know that would be the end of him, the end of his regime.” The remarks came during an interview with the Hebrew news portal, Ynet. When asked whether his remarks meant the regime might assassinate President Assad, Steinitz replied that “his blood would be forfeit.” Iran has been giving Damascus military advisory assistance in its counter- terrorism efforts since 2011. However, the Iranian government has repeatedly said that only the Syrian people can decide the future of their country and the political fate of their leader. • According to Ha’aretz on May 3, the Israeli regime has said that the protests near the Gaza fence amount to an act of war, and thus it is Israel’s right to respond fatally to the demonstrations. According to the statement, Tel Aviv sees the ongoing “March of Return” protests as “part of hostile acts by Hamas against Israel. The Israeli forces’ rules of engagement comply with both Israeli and international law.” The statement came in response to a High Court petition filed by human rights groups, saying that Israel “opposes the applying of human rights law during an armed conflict”. Since March 30, 2018, Palestinians in Gaza have been protesting each Friday at the fence, demanding the right to return to their homeland. On April 30, 2018, Israel’s Knesset passed a controversial law that allows the Prime Minister to bypass the Parliament and declare war or order a major operation on his own after only consulting his Minister for Military Affairs.

Turkey • On May 6, Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed new military operations against Kurdish militants along Turkey’s border in Syria and Iraq. During his speech before his supporters in Istanbul, Erdogan described June 2018 snap presidential and parliamentary elections as a “milestone” for a strong Turkey. With reference to Turkey’s cross-border offensive, he said, “In the new term, Turkey would add new operations to the Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations. The operations would continue until not one terrorist is left.” • On May 6, Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu warned that Turkey would retaliate if Washington halts the sale of certain weapons to Ankara.

During an interview with CNN Turk, Cavusoglu said that a proposal by US lawmakers to temporarily stop weapons sales, including the sale of F-35 jets, to Turkey was wrong, illogical, and not fitting of the alliance between the two NATO allies. He said, “I would visit the US. It’s about the fact that the cancellation of the sale of the F-35 is not acceptable, and if it happens, then they will receive an appropriate response from Turkey.” On May 3, 2018, lawmakers in the US House of Representatives had introduced a resolution aimed at blocking the transfer of 116 Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighters to Turkey and preventing Ankara from receiving intellectual property or technical data required for the maintenance of the warplanes.

Lebanon • On May 7, Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah declared victory in Lebanon’s first parliamentary elections since 2009. Hassan Nasrallah said their gains guaranteed the protection of the “resistance” against Israel. He declared what he called a “great political and moral victory for the resistance option that protects the sovereignty of the country”. He did not mention how many seats his group and its allies had secured but said the aim of their election campaign had been “achieved and accomplished”. According to Reuters, preliminary results showed Hezbollah and its allies had won at least 67 of the 128 seats in the Parliament. But the number of Hezbollah MPs was around 13. According to Prime Minister Saad Hariri, his Western-backed Future Movement has lost a third of its seats. According to analysts, it is still expected that Hariri would be asked to form a new unity government, however, he would emerge a weaker figure, and would be unable to exert influence over Hezbollah. According to the Constitution, a power-sharing system stipulates that the Prime Minister should be a Sunni Muslim, the Speaker of Parliament a Shia and the President a Maronite Christian.

Syria • According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on May 12, at-least 27 pro- regime fighters, including 11 Iranians were killed in Israeli air strikes in Syria. Director of the Observatory, Rami Abdel Rahman, said that six Syrian soldiers and 21 foreign fighters, including 11 Iranians were among the dead. According to Israel, it conducted strikes on May 10, 2018, against many Iranian targets in response to alleged Iranian rocket attacks on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. According to Israel, 20 rockets, either Fajr or Grad type, were fired from Syria at its forces in the occupied Golan Heights. It blamed the rocket fire on Iran’s Al-Quds force, adding that Israel’s anti-missile system intercepted four while the rest did not land in its territory. Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu said that Iran had “crossed a red line” and that Israel’s bombardment against targets in Syria was “a consequence”. Israel has warned it would not accept Iran entrenching itself militarily in Syria. According to Israeli officials, the country has carried out many operations in Syria to stop advanced arms deliveries to one of its main foes, Iran-backed Hezbollah. On May 11, 2018, Israel’s Defence Minister,

Avigdor Lieberman called on President Bashar al-Assad to “get rid” of Iranian Forces in Syria, warning their continued presence would only cause trouble. Iran said that Israeli attacks were based on fabricated and baseless excuses. Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Braham Qassemi said that Damascus has the legitimate right to respond to what it said were repeated violations of the country’s sovereignty. Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan also denounced the Israeli aerial aggression against Syrian sovereignty. He condemned the Israeli regime for its use of “unnecessary aggression” in Syria and said that Israel is dragging the Middle East into war. Bahraini Foreign Minister, Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa expressed support for Israeli strikes on Syria and said that Tel Aviv has a right to “defend itself”. • On May 3, a Turkish delegation of Eurasia Local Governments Union visited Damascus and held talks with Syria’s Parliament Speaker Hammoudeh Sabbagh and other officials. During the meeting, Head of the delegation, Hasan Cengiz said that the war in Syria came as part of a wider project to divide the Middle East region. The delegation said that Syrians have the right to determine their own destiny and no third party has the right to interfere, pressure or influence the will of the Syrian people. Cengiz also said that the only way out of the conflict would be for others outside Syria to respect the country’s sovereignty and the right of its people to determine their future. The remarks are the first of their kind for a senior Turkish politician since the beginning of the war in Syria. Turkey has been one of the main countries supporting the opposition in Syria, especially those openly vying to topple the government through armed confrontation. Sabbagh told the visiting delegation that Turkey has committed an aggression against Syria by maintaining a military presence north of the country, and that the move represents a flagrant violation of international laws. He also said that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was directly responsible for the bloodshed in Syria, and that Erdogan has always pursued an aggressive policy toward Damascus government over the past years.

Yemen • On May 13, Saudi Arabia announced that it has deployed troops on Yemen’s Socotra island amid anger over the UAE’s military build-up on the island. According to Turki al-Malki, Spokesman for the Saudi operations in Yemen, Saudi forces have landed on Socotra on a mission to train and support loyalists to ex-president Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi. He said that Saudis, Emiratis and Yemenis would carry out joint training exercises. The Saudi deployment follows UAE’s deployment of around 300 soldiers, as well as tanks and artillery. The Yemeni people severely criticised the move. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been militarily involved in Yemen since March 2015 in an attempt to support Hadi against the Houthi movement. The UAE deployment came amid widening divisions between forces loyal to the UAE and those supporting the former Yemeni President. Both camps are based in southern Yemen and mostly in Aden as the capital Sana’a still remains under the control of the Houthis. Hadi’s loyalists have accused the UAE of abandoning an initial cause of fighting the Houthis, saying Emirati forces are instead providing support to those seeking separation of Yemen’s southern territories from the north. The occupation of Socotra comes against the backdrop of

28 previous reports showing the UAE was seeking to illegally exploit the natural resources of the island and turn the place into a permanent military outpost-cum-holiday resort. Turkey has also voiced concern over the recent developments in Socotra saying they pose a threat to the country’s sovereignty. ---Muhammad Shoaib

SOUTH ASIA: (I) Pakistan External • On May 14, the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting termed former PM Nawaz Sharif’s statement regarding 2008 Mumbai attacks as “incorrect and misleading”. The NSC meeting follows Nawaz Sharif’s interview to Dawn on May 12, 2018, in which he stated that terrorist organisations were “active in Pakistan”. He said, “Should we allow non-state actors to cross the border and kill 150 people in Mumbai?”. Furthermore, referring to the Mumbai attacks’ trial proceedings, he questioned, “Why can’t we complete the trial?”. Sharif’s remarks stirred a controversy in the country. Meanwhile, the Indian media termed his statement as a confession of Pakistan’s role in the Mumbai attacks. The NSC “unanimously rejected the allegations and condemned the fallacious assertions.” It recalled that the Mumbai attacks proceedings were delayed due to India’s lack of cooperation and India’s “denial of access to the principal accused, Ajmal Qasab, and his extraordinarily hurried execution”. Pakistan blames India for the delay in Mumbai trials insisting that India’s lack of cooperation had complicated the case and weakened the prosecution. In January 2016, Pakistan had asked the Indian government to send the 24 witnesses to Pakistan to testify against the seven suspects. However, India was reluctant to send witnesses to Pakistan for testifying. Pakistan had said that material evidence and cross examination of prosecution witnesses was required for further proceedings in the trial as per the country’s law. • On May 14, Pakistani authorities allowed US Defence Attaché Colonel Joseph Emanuel Hall to leave the country after his name was removed from a “black list”. Colonel Hall was involved in a fatal car accident in Islamabad in April 2018, in which a motorcyclist was killed. Hall was allegedly driving drunk and crossed a red light. On May 12, 2018, a US military aircraft flew in to Islamabad from Afghanistan to take back Hall, but he was refused clearance by the authorities to fly out of the country. Following the accident, the government of Pakistan had placed Colonel Hall’s name on the “black list”, barring him from leaving the country. However, the government said that Hall could be tried in the country only if his diplomatic immunity is withdrawn. The US refused to waive his diplomatic immunity. Meanwhile, on May 11, 2018, the Islamabad High Court ruled that Colonel Hall does not enjoy absolute immunity.

• On May 14, the Afghanistan Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) was finalised in Islamabad. Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua led the Pakistani side at the meeting, whereas Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister, Hekmat Khalil Karzai led the Afghan delegation. APAPPS provides a framework to strengthen mutual trust and deepen interaction in all spheres of bilateral engagements. It is also a mechanism for finding solutions to bilateral areas of concern. Both countries agreed that effective and full implementation of the APAPPS would contribute towards

30 the common objectives of eliminating terrorism and achieving peace, stability, prosperity and development for the people of the two countries. • On May 11, Pakistan’s Foreign Office announced travel restrictions and withdrawal of “special facilities” to US diplomats in the country following Washington’s decision to restrict the movement of Pakistani diplomats in the US. The facilities that were withdrawn from the US diplomats and Embassy staff include the use of tinted glass on their vehicles, use of non-diplomatic number plates on official vehicles and extending visa periods or the use of multiple passports. The US Embassy would also have to seek no objection certificates from Pakistani authorities to install radio communication at residences and safe houses. Meanwhile, the US authorities have restricted Pakistani diplomats from traveling more than 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the Embassy in Washington or consulates in other cities without permission. Previously, Pakistani diplomats were allowed to travel throughout the US. The latest developments in Pak-US relations would add further strain to the already deteriorating ties between the two countries.

• On May 10, Foreign Office spokesman, Dr. Mohammed Faisal expressed “deep disappointment” at the 1267 UNSC Sanctions Committee for blocking Pakistan’s proposal for listing Jamaatul Ahrar (JuA) leader, Umar Khalid Khurasani alias Abdul Wali saying, “the committee could not reach consensus due to objection by a member.” The Foreign Office spokesperson did not name the member who blocked Pakistan’s proposal, however, media reports quoting Pakistani officials claim that the US stopped the process on the grounds that the listing request identified Khurasani’s current location in Afghanistan. The spokesperson said the move displays, “the double standards prevailing in the international fight against terrorism.” In October, 2017, Pakistan asked the UNSC Sanctions Committee to list Khurasani who is responsible for masterminding most deadly attacks inside Pakistan, including the Army Public School (APS) attack in December 2014 and the March 2016 bombing in Lahore on Easter. • During her confirmation hearing on May 9, US President Donald Trump’s nominee for CIA Director, Gina Haspel told the members of the US Senate Select Intelligence Committee that the CIA continues to be very concerned about the potential contacts between extremist groups and Pakistani nuclear scientists and is very closely monitoring this. She was responding to a question from Senator John Cornyn. Haspel also said, “CIA has a very important role in monitoring China’s rise as a global power.” Gina Haspel is currently the Acting Director of the CIA. • On May 8, Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa inaugurated work on border fencing along the Balochistan portion of Pak-Afghan border at Panjpai.

According to Pakistan almost 92 % of its 2,611 kilometre border with Afghanistan would be fenced by the end of 2018. Pakistan’s Army says the fencing would prevent militant incursions from Afghanistan. • On May 8, the World Bank rejected as “incorrect” media reports that Pakistan’s former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif laundered $4.9 billion to India to boost India’s foreign reserves. The World Bank’s denial came after National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chief, Justice Javed Iqbal ordered a probe against Nawaz Sharif into his alleged money laundering to India. However, the World Bank said, “its Migration and Remittance Report 2016 makes no mention of money laundering nor does it name any individuals.” Following NAB’s order to initiate inquiry, Nawaz Sharif called on NAB’s chief to produce evidence about what he termed “baseless allegations”. • On May 3, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesman, Dr Muhammad Faisal ruled out the possibility of a “prisoner swap” with the US for Shakil Afridi, a Pakistani doctor who is believed to help the CIA track down al-Qaeda leader, Osama bin Laden to a compound in Abbottabad. The denial came in response to media reports that the government was planning to swap Afridi for former Pakistani Ambassador to the US, Hussain Haqqani or Dr Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani scientist who is serving a jail term in the US for allegedly attempting to kill US military officials in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, a Russian media outlet, Sputnik claimed on April 30, 2018 that the CIA had planned to organise a jailbreak for Shakil Afridi from Peshawar prison, but the attempt was thwarted by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Following speculations about the alleged jailbreak plan, the opposition staged a walkout in the Senate to protest against the government’s failure to brief the upper house. On April 27, 2018, Afridi was moved from a prison in Peshawar to Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail. • According to a commentary published by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) on May 3, “senior Pakistani officers, led by Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, realise that the way to peace and prosperity is through military cooperation with India.” The commentary notes that “in a historic first last month,” Army Chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa invited Sanjay Vishwasrao, the Indian Military Attaché, and his team to the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad in March 2018. The commentary pointed out that “ties between the two foes are warming up” and the two countries would also take part in joint military drills in Russia in September 2018. It added, “These initiatives come against a background of almost weekly exchanges of fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir.” However, the commentary asks “Will New Delhi reciprocate?” In the past there have been repeated attempts by India and Pakistan to improve their relations as increasing tensions between the two remains a threat to regional peace. However, peace would remain elusive until the “core issue” of Jammu and Kashmir is resolved.

• On May 2, Prime Minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi chaired a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) in Islamabad. During the meeting, “the NSC directed the Water Resources Division to forcefully pursue the violations of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) by India with the World Bank. Pakistan has serious reservations on the designs of some of India’s hydropower projects particularly, the Kishanganga Dam. Furthermore, Pakistani officials insist that India had completed the Kishanganga project during the period the World Bank “paused” the construction of the hydropower project for either appointing a Court of Arbitration (COA) as requested by Pakistan or a neutral expert requested by India. Earlier in April 2018, Pakistan conveyed it to the World Bank that India had violated a World Bank mandated pause placed in 2016, by completing the controversial 330MW Kishanganga project on the Neelum river. Pakistani officials asked the World Bank to address their concerns over the Kishanganga hydropower project and in this regard requested a meeting with World Bank’ officials. However, the Bank has not responded yet to Islamabad’s request for a meeting whilst Indian PM Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the disputed Kishanganga in May 2018. • During an interview to The Indian Express on May 10, Indian Army Chief, General Bipin Rawat sent out a message to Kashmiri youth that “Azaadi isn’t possible. It won’t happen.” He warned that India would fight those with “full force” who seek “Azadi”. General Rawat’s comments follow a new round of clashes between Kashmiris and Indian Security Forces in which at least 5 civilians and 5 fighters were killed and more than 50 were wounded in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK). The killings have triggered strong protests in the region after thousands took to the streets and hurled stones at the Indian Security Forces, demanding withdrawal of Indian troops from the state. Meanwhile, Pakistan “denounced Indian state terrorism” and called upon the United Nations to play its role to stop the killings of Kashmiris and in enforcing their right to self- determination. Pakistan demands the implementation of UN resolutions on Kashmir which declare the status of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) as ‘disputed’ and also call for a ‘free and impartial plebiscite’ as the final solution. In a related development, Pakistan also welcomed the strong support by Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states for the resolution of Kashmir dispute in line with the UNSC resolutions at the 45th session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, held in Dhaka on May 5 and 6, 2018.

Pakistan Internal • On May 6, Interior Minister, Ahsan Iqbal survived an assassination attempt during a corner meeting in Narowal district. The security forces arrested the attacker who is believed to be affiliated with Tehrik-e-Labbaik, an extremist religious party. Tehrik-e-Labbaik has previously accused the government of committing blasphemy. However, Tehrik-e-Labbaik spokesperson denied that the attacker was

33 associated with the group. The latest attack raises questions about the security situation across Pakistan as the country prepares for general elections in 2018.

India • On May 15, the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) won Assembly election in the Indian state of Karnataka. The BJP leaders termed the election results as an endorsement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s development agenda and claimed that the people had rejected the politics of the Congress. • During his visit to Nepal on May 11, Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi held talks with his Nepalese counterpart, Khadga Prasad Oli. Following the talks, both leaders agreed to “address the outstanding tasks between the two countries in a time-bound manner.” Describing his visit to Nepal as a reflection of his government’s commitment to the “neighbourhood first” policy, PM Modi said that India would continue to support Nepal. Prime Minister Oli said that Narendra Modi’s visit has elevated the existing relationship between the two countries to “new heights”. In 2016, Khadga Prasad Oli had accused India of interfering in his country’s internal matters and trying to topple his government. However, relations between New Delhi and Kathmandu have improved considerably in recent months. In April, 2018, India announced its decision to upgrade road and cross border rail and energy links with Nepal after PM Oli chose New Delhi for his first foreign visit after being re-elected as the country’s Prime Minister. Analysts say that India remains wary of Beijing’s expansive infrastructure projects in Nepal. Muhammad Abdul Qadeer

SOUTH ASIA II

Afghanistan

• On May 14, Afghanistan’s Defence Minister, Tariq Shah Bahrami, visited Iran and met with his counterpart, Brigadier General Amir Hatami and discussed various security related matters.

Bahrami said that terrorism and drug trafficking were currently threatening Afghanistan and the region, expressing hope that Iran’s support in the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking would continue. He also called for Iran’s full support for the peace process in Afghanistan. Hatami said that Iran considers Afghanistan’s security as its own security and that Iran had always supported peace, security and stability in Afghanistan. He added that Iran would spare no efforts to continue fight against terrorism.

• On May 13, a fierce battle in the Shahrak district of the Western Ghor province left 21 Afghan Security personnel and 25 militants dead.

• In another development on May 13, at least nine people were killed and 30 wounded after unknown gunmen attacked Jalalabad’s Customs Finance Department.

The attack occurred after a suicide bomber detonated his explosives close to the gate of the Finance Department. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. Meanwhile, a Taliban attack left at least 8 Afghan National Army soldiers dead in northern Kunduz province. The clashes took place in Dasht-e-Archi district. Earlier on May 12, 2018 militants destroyed an Afghan Air Force helicopter in Nahr-e-Siraj district of the Southern Helmand province. According to the Afghan Ministry of Defence, Afghan Security Forces are currently fighting insurgents in 10 provinces, resulting in an increased casualty rate among all warring parties. On May 11, 2018 a Taliban attack left at least 35 Afghan Security Forces dead in northwestern Farah province. In a related development on May 9, 2018 at least seven people were killed and 17 wounded in coordinated attacks on police headquarters in Kabul City. The first attack occurred when two suicide bombers stormed the PD13 Police Headquarters’ building. The second explosion occurred in Mahtab Qala area. Five suicide bombers attacked the PD10 Police Headquarters in Shar-e-Naw area. Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack in Dasht-e- Barchi. While the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack in Shahr-e-Naw. However, the National Directorate of Security (NDS) claimed that the Haqqani network had plotted suicide bombings in Kabul with the help of Lashkar-e-Taiba.

• On May 8, Taliban insurgents captured two districts from Afghan Security Forces in two different provinces of Afghanistan. Bilchiragh district in Faryab province fell to Taliban insurgents after hours of clashes. Tala Wa Barfak district in Baghlan province was also captured by the insurgent group after a fierce battle with Security personnel. The Taliban have increased the intensity of attacks after the

35 formal announcement of the Spring Offensive on April 25, 2018. The fall of two strategically located districts in a single day is a major blow to the US-supported National Unity Government of Afghanistan. • On May 6, a bomb blast at a voter’s registration centre left 17 people dead in Eastern Khost province.

There have been attacks on voter’s registration centres across Afghanistan since the process started in April 2018. On April 22, 2018 a bomb blast at a similar centre in Kabul killed 60 people. Earlier on April 16, 2018 the Taliban rejected Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani’s call for the group to take part in the upcoming parliamentary and district council elections. The group also called on the people to boycott the elections. Parliamentary elections in Afghanistan are scheduled to be held on October 20, 2018.

• On April 5, at least 51 militants were killed during Afghan Security Forces’ operations across Afghanistan.

The operations were conducted in Nangarhar, Laghman, Kapesa, Logar, Paktia, Kandahar, Zabul, Badghis, Balkh, Faryab, Badakhshan, Kunduz and Helmand provinces. Afghan Defence Minister, Tariq Shah Bahrami said that since the commencement of the Spring Offensive the Taliban launched over 2,600 attacks across the country, of which the Security Forces foiled 1,700.

• On May 5, seven Indian engineers were abducted in northern Baghlan province.

The incident occurred in Bagh-e-Shamal area of the provincial capital Pul-e-Khomre. Baghlan’s Governor, Abdulhai Nemati blamed the Taliban for the abduction. No group, however, claimed responsibility for the incident. The Indian External Affairs Ministry said that it is in touch with authorities in Afghanistan and ascertaining the details of the incident. India has militarily been supporting the Afghan government against the Taliban. New Delhi has transferred lethal military equipment to Kabul including the delivery of four Mi-25 (Mi-24D) helicopters and three HAL Cheetah light utility helicopters to the Afghan Air Force (AAF) in December 2016. In March 2018, India agreed to underwrite the sale of four refurbished Mi-24 helicopters from Belarus to Afghanistan, to be used against the Taliban.

• On May 1, the US Defence Secretary, James Mattis said that the US-led NATO mission in Afghanistan would continue till the time the Taliban are driven to a political settlement. Mattis claimed that President Trump’s new strategy for Afghanistan was working as the Taliban had not been able to take control of more districts. He also said that the Afghan military was being made more capable by the NATO mentors. However, the current situation on ground contradicts Mattis’ rhetoric as the Taliban are on a drive to capture more districts after the commencement of their Spring Offensive.

• On May 1, The Special Investigator General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) reported that the Afghan government controls or influences 229 of Afghanistan’s 407 districts.

According to the latest SIGAR report for the first quarter of 2018 the Taliban control or influence 59 districts. The remaining 119 districts (29.2 percent) are contested. There were 2,258 casualties (763 deaths and 1,495 injuries) in the first quarter of 2018, against 2,255 over the same period in 2017, and 2,268 in 2016. A surge in the number of US air strikes conducted in Afghanistan has also been noted. The US Air Force dropped 378 munitions in January, 469 in February, and 339 in March 2018 respectively during 215 missions. In addition to that, the report comprehensively outlines the current deteriorating state of Afghanistan’s economic situation, its causes and remedies.

Bangladesh • On May 6, the 45th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was concluded in Dhaka.

The session was titled “Islamic Values for Sustainable Peace and Development”. A 39 point Dhaka Declaration was published after the session recognised the centrality of the OIC as a platform to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation between the member states in all realms of national life for sustainable development; emphasised the centrality of the cause of Palestine and Al-Quds (Jerusalem) for the Ummah and reaffirmed support for the right of the Palestinian people to regain their inalienable rights and to the independence and sovereignty of the State of Palestine on the pre-1967 borders. It also called upon all other states to refrain from supporting the US decision and adhere to relevant UN Security Council resolutions that ban such illegal moves of diplomatic missions to Al-Quds. The declaration also expressed deep concern over the recent systematic brutal acts perpetrated by security forces against the Rohingya Muslim Community in Myanmar and reaffirmed full solidarity with Bangladesh in the face of the huge Rohingya influx with its humanitarian and security consequences. It suggested the formation of an ad hoc ministerial committee to address the accountability issue for the violations of human rights against the Rohingyas and emphasised the need for return of durable peace and stability in Afghanistan and support for the settlement of the Afghan conflict through an inclusive Afghan- led process of national reconciliation. In addition to that, many socio-economic issues concerning member states were highlighted. The 57 member OIC remains the second largest international organisation after the UN yet its viability is in question due to the divergent interests among its various members.

Maldives

• On May 12, Indian Navy vessel INS Sumedha entered Maldivian territorial waters for a joint surveillance exercise.

Indian Navy said in a statement that the Joint Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance of Maldives is an endeavour of the Government of India and it’s Navy. Indian media speculated that the joint exercise signals a thaw in bilateral relations which became strained after a state of emergency was declared in Maldives in February 2018. The Maldives took the step of rebuking New Delhi after it expressed deep dismay about the Parliament’s extension of emergency rule. More recently, Indian officials told the media that proposed joint monitoring exercises between Maldives and Pakistan would be a red line for New Delhi following the visit of Pakistan’s Army Chief to the Maldives in April 2018.

Sri Lanka

• On May 13, Sri Lankan President, Maithripala Sirisena arrived in Iran for a 2-day visit.

Sirisena met with his Iranian counterpart President Hassan Rouhani at the Saadabad palace in Tehran. Both the countries signed five MoUs for bilateral cooperation in the fields of medicine, combating drug trafficking, cinema, culture and science and technology. The two leaders discussed the possibility of cooperation in the development of the petroleum sector in Sri Lanka and setting up a special banking system to facilitate bilateral transactions. Sirisena also met with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Syed Ali Khamenei.

---Kashif Hussain

UNITED NATIONS

• On May 14, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged both sides of the Israeli- Palestinian conflict to exercise restraint following reports claiming that dozens of Palestinians have been killed during a demonstration along the border of the Gaza Strip. Farhan Haq, UN Deputy Spokesperson, said in a statement, “The Secretary-General is profoundly alarmed by the sharp escalation of violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the high number of Palestinians killed and injured in the Gaza protests.” Haq also urged Israel to exercise maximum restraint in the use of live fire and called on Hamas and the leaders of the demonstrations to help prevent all violent actions and provocations. According to media reports, more than 59 Palestinians were killed and more than 2,700 wounded in Gaza, as the Israeli army fired live ammunition and tear gas at protesters assembled along the fence with Israel. Palestinians were protesting the official move of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People does not recognise Israel’s claim that the entire city of Jerusalem is its capital. The Committee considers that the status of Jerusalem must be settled through negotiations that take account of the political and religious concerns of all sides. In a related development on May 15, 2018, the US blocked the adoption of a UN Security Council statement calling for an “independent and transparent investigation” into Israel’s killing of Palestinian protestors on the Gaza border. The statement, drafted by Kuwait ahead of a UNSC emergency meeting on May 15, 2018, expressed outrage and sorrow at the deaths of innocent Palestinians. However, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) also called for an independent investigation into the recent Israeli massacre of Palestinian protesters after the US blocked the same bid at the Security Council. Rupert Colville, the spokesman for the OHCHR, said, “We call for independent, transparent investigations in all cases of death and injury since March 30, 2018.” Meanwhile, 10 out of 15 UNSC members expressed concerns on May 15, 2018, over the non-implementation of a 2016 UNSC Resolution which urges the Israeli regime to stop its settlement expansion in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. In a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, 10 UNSC member states including Bolivia, China, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, France, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Peru and Sweden said they were writing to express “profound concern about the lack of implementation” of UNSC Resolution 2334. The resolution states that Israel’s establishment of settlements in Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, had no legal validity. By adopting the resolution in December 2016, the UNSC underlined that it would not recognise any changes to the June 4, 1967 lines, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the two sides through negotiations.

• On May 9, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the sharp escalation in the Yemen conflict.

While calling on all parties involved in the conflict to make civilian protection a priority, Guterres said in a statement that they must uphold international humanitarian law. He also stressed that all potential violations of international humanitarian law should be thoroughly investigated and those responsible for violations must be held accountable. In a related development on May 10, 2018, Guterres urged the UNSC to “shoulder its responsibilities under the UN charter” following strikes by Israeli planes on alleged Iranian positions in Syria. While expressing concern over reports of missile launches from Syria targeting Israeli positions and retaliatory strikes by the Israel Defence Forces that followed earlier strikes in Syria on May 6, 2018, the Secretary-General urged Syria and Israel to immediately halt all hostile acts and any provocative actions to avoid a new conflagration in the region.

• On May 8, the United Nations Security Council called on all countries and international organisations to do more to stop terrorists enriching themselves through cross-border organised crime. The UNSC urged UN Member States to secure their borders against terrorists and to investigate and prosecute criminals working with terrorists by “strengthening national, regional and global systems to collect, analyse and exchange information.” The UNSC said that the Member States should use “all existing tools,” and the resources of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), INTERPOL and the World Customs Organisation (WCO), to strengthen international cooperation. However, the Council cautioned countries that they must comply with all their obligations under international law, including human rights law, refugee law and humanitarian law in adopting new counter terrorism measures.

• On May 2, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the UN was ready to discuss “possible forms of support” to further inter-Korean talks over denuclearising the Peninsula. Guterres indicated that the UN support meant assistance in verifying the imminent closure of a nuclear test site in North Korea and transforming the buffer zone separating the two nations into a “peace zone.” According to the UN, South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in and Guterres spoke over the phone on April 30, 2018, in which President Moon sought UN support to verify the shutting down of the nuclear test site in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). On May 2, 2018, the Secretary-General “reiterated the full support of the UN to furthering the inter- Korean dialogue.” Earlier on April 27, 2018, the leaders of South Korea and North Korea agreed on a number of measures, including realising the common goal of “complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula,” and pursuing talks to declare an official end to the Korean War by signing a peace agreement. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had also pledged during the Summit that he would close the country’s nuclear test site in May 2018.

• On May 1, a UN Security Council Envoy said that Myanmar must hold a “proper investigation” into alleged atrocities against the Rohingya Muslims. The statement by the UNSC Envoy came after a two-day visit of a UNSC delegation to Myanmar where they discussed Rohingya Muslim crisis with Aung San Suu Kyi, the first and incumbent State Counsellor of Myanmar. During the visit, the UN delegation travelled to Rakhine state from which 700,000 members of the Muslim minority have been driven out. Britain’s UN Ambassador Karen Pierce said, “In order to have accountability there must be a proper investigation.” She indicated that there were two ways to establish a full probe, “one is an International Criminal Court (ICC) referral”, while the other is Myanmar’s government to hold its own comprehensive inquiry. She said that it does not matter whether the probe is international or domestic, as long as it is credible. During the visit, the UNSC delegation also met Myanmar’s Army Chief General Min Aung Hlaing. General Hlaing denied his forces committed rape and other sexual abuses during the crackdown he had ordered on Rohingya Muslims. However, the UN has accused him of numerous crimes including rape and murder of Rohingya Muslims during the clearance operations in the Rakhine state. General Hlaing said, “The Tatmadaw (army) is always disciplined and takes action against anyone who breaks the law,” He said that Myanmar was ready to take back those refugees who could be verified as residents, as per a repatriation deal signed between Myanmar and Bangladesh in November 2017. However, no refugees have returned to Myanmar. --- Moiz Khan