June 16 – June 30

CONTENTS

Foreword (General Observations).………………………………………...... 3 Americas……………………………………………………………………….6 Arms Control and Disarmament……………………………………………13 and East Asia………………………………………………………….18 Europe……………………………………………………………………...... 21 Global Terrorism…………………………………………………………….25 Middle East & West Asia……………………………………………………28 South Asia (I)…………………………………………………………………36 South Asia (II)………………………………………………………………..41 …………...... 47

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Area Briefs: 16-30 June, 2019 General Observations Pakistan

• On June 29, the government passed the federal budget in the National Assembly with a majority vote.

• In a sign of improving Pakistan-Afghan relations on June 27, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani arrived in Pakistan. The leadership in both countries “agreed to open a new chapter of friendship and cooperation” between the two neighbours. Ghani also held delegation- level talks aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in diverse areas including political relations, trade, economic, security, peace and reconciliation, and education. Earlier on June 22, 2019, Afghan leaders participated in peace talks in Murree titled the “Lahore Process”. The conference covered a wide range of issues pertaining to the economy, health and repatriation of refugees.

• On June 26 Pakistan and the signed the Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP). The plan will provide a framework for greater cooperation and strengthen ties between the two sides.

• On June 24, 2019, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels. The two sides reviewed the status of bilateral cooperation, and exchanged views on the regional political and security situation.

• On June 24, Pakistan and the held military-to-military talks on the geo- strategic environment and discussed ways to intensify defence cooperation. Earlier on June 19, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt held the 4th review of Pakistan-UK Enhanced Strategic Dialogue (ESD) at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Qureshi also met with the UK’s DFID Secretary Rory Stewart at the DFID Headquarters in London. on June 24, 2019, Chief of Army Staff, Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa held talks the Chief of Defence Staff, Nick Carter, at the Ministry of Defence in London. Both parties agreed on achieving sustainable, irreversible, enduring peace and stability in the region through meaningful international partnership.

• On June 24, 2019, Pakistan received an assurance from Qatar for a $3 billion package consisting of a foreign currency deposit and ‘direct investment. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, arrived in Islamabad Earlier on June 22 for a two-day state visit to Pakistan. The two countries signed a series of Memoranda of

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Understanding (MOU’s) across different sectors including trade and investment, tourism and security.

• On June 21 Pakistan reiterated its commitment to taking all necessary measures to ensure completion of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) action plan in a timely manner.

• On June 19, the Commander of the Chinese ground forces, General Han Weiguo, called on Prime Minister Imran Khan to discuss various areas of bilateral cooperation.

• On June 18, Pakistan and the (WB) signed three loan agreements under which the WB would provide $918 million to help the Pakistani government expand the country’s tax base and improve education standards in strategic economic sectors.

• On June 18, the government formed a high-powered body, the National Development Council (NDC) to formulate development and economy-oriented policies of the country.

International

• On June 20, Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar asked Pakistan to rebuild trust and develop an environment conducive for progress. The Indian Premier was responding to messages of felicitation from Prime Minister Imran Khan. Modi said that for cooperative ties, it was “important to build an environment of trust, free of terror, violence and hostility.”

• On June 30 President Trump became the first sitting American commander in chief to set foot in when he met North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the heavily fortified Demilitarised Zone. The two leaders agreed to restart negotiations on a long- elusive nuclear agreement.

• On June 29 US President and his Chinese Counterpart President agreed to resume trade talks following a seven-week breakdown. Their decision has helped avert an escalation of their tariff war that had shaken global markets and threatened the future of the two largest global economies. Trump’s decision to resume talks with both the Korean and Chinese leaders was prompted, in part, by Chinese President Xi Jinping’s June 21 meeting with Korean Leader Kim Jong Un. According to observers both Xi and Kim were looking to each other for help in gaining leverage with President Trump.

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• On June 27 world leaders gathered in , , for the annual meeting of the Group of 20 major economies. Official themes for 2019 included global economic risks, trade disputes, innovation and artificial intelligence, and women in the workplace.

• Liberals dominated the June 27 Democratic debate. The development has made the moderates anxious, as they fear it won’t be an effective approach to defeat President Trump.

• In their first move to restrict President Trump’s immigration crackdown Democrats voted on June 25 to send $4.5 billion in humanitarian aid to the border to address horrific conditions facing a crush of migrants, attaching significant rules on how the money could be spent. Meanwhile a similar measure with far fewer strings restricting the President has drawn bipartisan support in the Senate.

• President Trumps June 20 decision to stop a retaliatory strike against Iran highlights the complexities of the Iran nuclear issue. US Intelligence and military officials are seeking clandestine ways to deter attack without escalating tensions into a full-blown conflict. The efforts include operations similar to the American cyber attacks against Iran targeting an Iranian group believed to be behind a series of attacks on tankers in the Middle Eastern region. Leaders across the world have cautioned both sides about the risk of war remaining very real. The decision to conduct the retaliatory strike came in the aftermath of Iran’s June 20 decision to shoot down a US drone after it entered Iranian airspace.

• In a repeat of the March 2019 vote the preferred candidate of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was defeated on June 24 by the opposition in the race for Istanbul Mayor.

• On June 20 British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and former Brexit campaigner Boris Johnson emerged as the two remaining candidates in the race to become British Prime Minister. Johnson is the favourite to win the election.

• On June 18 US President Trump introduced a new slogan, “Keep America Great,” and pledged to fight for his supporters during the rally in Orlando, Florida where he formally opened his re-election campaign. ---Amina Afzal

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AMERICAS Domestic

• During the Democratic debates on June 26, candidates attacked US President Donald Trump’s handling of the US economy and the migration crisis at the US- border. Democratic hopefuls clashed on healthcare, inequality and foreign policy, and made promises on immigration, reproductive rights and the economy. During the second night of debates, Kamala Harris dominated the debate with her criticism of former Vice President Joe Biden’s track record on race.

• On June 26, the Republican controlled Senate passed its own $4.6 billion border aid bill, rejecting the one passed by Congress. Earlier on June 25, the Congress passed a $4.5 billion emergency aid package to support detained migrant families and children.

The Congress passed a $4.5 billion emergency aid package after reports emerged that young detainees in a facility in Texas were being held in “inhumane conditions”, and a chilling image of a drowned migrant and his daughter created public outrage. The Trump Administration is facing mounting criticism of their handling of detainees with several children who have died in US custody. The Republican controlled Senate however, passed its own $4.6 billion border aid bill on June 26, 2019 which was similar to the bill passed by the Congress, but allowed the Trump Administration greater flexibility and fewer restriction on how the funds could be used. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Democrats on June 27, 2019 to “reluctantly” approve the Senate plan as she argued “The children come first. At the end of the day, we have to make sure that the resources needed to protect the children are available”. Congress ultimately passed the Senate’s bill with 305 votes to 102 on June 27, 2019.

• On June 25, Customs and Border Protection commissioner John Sanders resigned amid a public outcry over the treatment of immigrants in detention centers. Sanders will officially step down from his position on July 5, 2019 and will be replaced by Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Mark Morgan.

• On June 25, US President Donald Trump announced Stephanie Grisham will replace Sarah Sanders as the White House Press Secretary. Grisham will also assume the position of White House Communications Director and continue in her role as First Lady Melania Trump’s Communication Director.

• On June 23, former Pennsylvania Congressman Joe Sestak entered the presidential race, becoming the 24th Democratic candidate for the office of president

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• On June 19, the Federal Reserve Chairman, Jerome Powell stated he will serve his full four-year term in response to reports that US President Donald Trump is seeking to fire or demote him. Powell stated, “I think the law is clear that I have a four-year term, and I fully intend to serve it”. Trump has publicly criticised Powell and called on the central bank to cut rates in an unprecedented move that challenges the Federal Reserve’s independence from political interference. Powell stated, “At the Fed, we’re deeply committed to carrying out our mission and also that our independence from direct political control we see as an important institutional feature that has served both the economy and the country well”.

• On June 18, US acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan stepped down before his formal nomination went to the Senate, citing a “painful” family situation. Army Secretary Mark Esper will become the new acting Pentagon chief.

• On June 18, US President Donald Trump officially launched his 2020 re-election campaign in Orlando, Florida. Trump launched his campaign at a time when the economy is doing well and unemployment is at an all-time low. During his address, Trump credited his presidency for the US’ economic success. His supporters received Trump’s conservative position on nationalism, abortion, family, the judiciary and guns positively. According to polls, Trump’s approval ratings remain low with just 42.5% of Americans approving of his performance, while 53.1% disapproving of it. Trump’s presidency however has been shrouded in scandal amid calls for impeachment after the controversial Mueller report. His hardline immigration policies, trade war with China and escalating tensions with Iran have fractured relations abroad and at home. According to a Quinnipiac University National Poll potential match-ups with Democratic rivals show the president in trouble. He is lagging behind Joe Biden 53% to 40%, Bernie Sanders 51% to 42%, Kamala Harris 49% to 41%, and Elizabeth Warren 49% to 42%.

International

● On June 30, US President Donald Trump met with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un in a surprise visit to North Korea. Trump met with Kim in the the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that divides the Korean Peninsula. A trilateral meeting was held between Kim, Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Kim agreed to restart talks after nuclear negotiations stalled earlier in 2019. Trump also invited his North Korean counterpart to the US.

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• On June 29, US President Donald Trump announced the US decision to not impose further tariffs on China and to resume trade talks following a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the in Japan.

• On June 26, US President Donald Trump threatened China and with new tariffs. Trump stated in an interview, “China’s economy is going down the tubes – they want to make a deal” adding, “You have another $325bn that I haven’t taxed yet – it’s ripe for taxing, for putting tariffs on”. Trump threated to drag Vietnam into his trade war by stating, “A lot of companies are moving to Vietnam, but Vietnam takes advantage of us even worse than China. So there’s a very interesting situation going on there”. In related news, on June 27, 2019, Trump attacked on twitter for imposing its own tariffs on US goods after New Delhi raised duties, some as high as 70%, in retaliation for the US’ refusal to exempt India from higher taxes on steel and aluminium imports.

• On June 25, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Afghan Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah, and former Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul. Pompeo said he hoped for a peace deal with the Taliban “before September” while insisting peace was Washington’s “highest priority”. Pompeo said the US is ready to conclude a “draft text” outlining Taliban promises to never allow Afghanistan to be used as a base for international terrorism again. He noted, “In light of this progress we’ve begun discussions with the Taliban regarding foreign military presence which today remains conditions-based”. He added, “And while we’ve made clear to the Taliban that we’re prepared to remove our forces, I want to be clear we’ve not yet agreed on a timeline to do so”.

• On June 25, the US unveiled it’s ‘deal of the century’ at the “Peace to Prosperity” workshop in Bahrain. Donald Trump’s son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner unveiled his economic blueprint for peace in the Middle East at a conference in Bahrain. The cornerstone of the blueprint is a call for donors to contribute $50 billion to kickstart the Palestinian economy. However, there is still no political dimension to the proposal. Kushner stated, “To be clear, economic growth and prosperity for the Palestinian people are not possible without an enduring and fair political solution to the conflict — one that guarantees Israel’s security and respects the dignity of the Palestinian people”. Kushner however noted that the political plan would come later — and that the Palestinians should first embrace the economic component, which promises billions of dollars in investment in infrastructure, tourism and education and the creation of 1 million new Palestinian jobs. Critics across the region have suggested the US was replacing the long-agreed ‘land for peace’ formula with a new ‘money for peace’ one, in an attempt to buy off the Palestinian cause. Representatives from Palestine and Israel were not present at the workshop.

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• On June 24, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman on a trip to where he sought to coordinate efforts to tackle Iran, amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran.

• On June 24, US President Donald Trump announced additional sanctions on Iran.

• On June 20, US President Donald Trump confirmed a strike on three Iranian sites was aborted 10 minutes before the scheduled strike.

• On June 20, the US confirmed Iran shot down one of its drones, but maintained the incident took place over international airspace and not over Iranian territory. Iran claims that it shot down a US drone over Iranian territory on June 19, 2019, however a spokesperson for the US military’s Central Command, Navy Captain Bill Urban stated, “This was an unprovoked attack on a US surveillance asset in international airspace”. US President Donald Trump stated, the attack was likely carried out by a “loose and stupid” Iranian officer without authorisation from Tehran. In related news, the New York Time reported that Trump gave initial approval on June 20, 2019 for a strike on a handful of targets in Iran in retaliation for the downing of the US drone, but abruptly reversed his decision. Trump revealed on twitter on June 21, 2019 that the US Air Force was “cocked and ready” to attack three Iranian targets but called off the strikes 10 minutes before they were scheduled, after learning the airstrike might kill as many as 150 people. Trump added he cancelled the strike as the death toll was not a proportionate response to the Iranian downing of an unmanned drone. While Trump called off a conventional strike on Iran, the US military launched a cyber-attack on Iranian weapons systems on June 20,2019 with Trump’s approval, according anonymous sources. Tehran however responding saying it successfully prevented the US cyber-attacks. In related news, on June 24, 2019, Trump announced new sanctions will be imposed on Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and eight senior military chiefs in a move that analysts fear will permanently close the door to diplomacy between Tehran and Washington.

• On June 23, US President Donald Trump dismissed a UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings who said the US should open an FBI inquiry and “pursue criminal prosecutions within the , as appropriate” for the murder of Saudi journalist . Trump dismissed the request of having the FBI investigate the murder by stating, “I think it’s been heavily investigated”. Trump suggested investigations would jeopardise the US’ weapons sales to Saudi Arabia adding if the deal with the US fell through, Saudi Arabia will likely “do business with the Russians or with the Chinese”. The UN report blamed the Saudi government for the murder of Kashoggi and said there was credible evidence that Crown Prince and other senior officials were responsible for the murder of the slain journalist.

• On June 20, the Republican- controlled US Senate voted to block the Trump Administration from selling arms to Saudi Arabia.

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Seven Republican senators broke party lines and rejected the Trump Administration’s proposed arms sale to Saudi Arabia. The White House said stopping the sales “would send a message that the United States is abandoning its partners and allies at the very moment when threats to them are increasing”. US President Donald Trump however, has promised to veto the measures and proceed with the arms sale. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had cited threats from Iran when declaring an emergency in May to justify the weapons sale.

• On June 19, The Guardian reported the Pentagon published and subsequently removed a document entitled ‘Nuclear Operations’ - a doctrine paper that analysts contend marks a shift in US military thinking towards the idea of fighting and winning a nuclear war. According to the joint chiefs’ document, “Using nuclear weapons could create conditions for decisive results and the restoration of strategic stability” adding, “Specifically, the use of a nuclear weapon will fundamentally change the scope of a battle and create conditions that affect how commanders will prevail in conflict”. A spokesman for the joint chiefs of staff said the document was removed from the publicly accessible defence department website “because it was determined that this publication, as is with other joint staff publications, should be for official use only”. Analysts have found the document to be unsettling as they view it to be conceived as a war-fighting doctrine and a shift from a deterrence doctrine.

• On June 18, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blocked the inclusion of Saudi Arabia on a list of countries that recruit child soldiers. Pompeo dismissed experts who claim the Saudi-UAE coalition has been using underage soldiers in the war in Yemen. Analysts have suggested the Trump Administration’s interest is to prioritise security and economic interests with Saudi Arabia who remains a major US ally and arms customer. The Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008 requires the State Department to report annually on countries using child fighters. Foreign militaries on the list cannot receive US aid, training and weapons unless the president issues full or partial waivers of those sanctions based on "national interest".

• On June 18, the US announced $250 million in military aid to Ukraine. The Pentagon announced the aid package and stated the US will also provide Ukraine with naval training and military equipment. This military aid package is part of a series of Pentagon payments totaling $1.5 billion to Ukraine since 2014, when annexed the Crimean Peninsula and Moscow-backed separatists seized parts of eastern Ukraine. Ukraine and its Western allies accuse Russia of providing support and arms to the pro-Moscow rebels – an allegation that is denied by Moscow.

• On June 17, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had a telephonic conversation with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and discussed bilateral relations, regional peace and security. Both sides discussed the reconciliation process in

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Afghanistan and expressed commitment to work towards bringing lasting peace in the region.

• On June 17, US President Donald Trump, ordered 1,000 troops to the Middle East amid growing tensions with Iran. Trump’s announcement to deploy 1,000 troops came hours after Iran declared it would soon be violating the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as Iran is set to soon breach the limits on how much enriched uranium it can stockpile under the nuclear deal. Trump in his announcement stressed that Iran would not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. Patrick Shanahan, the acting defence secretary announced the troops were being deployed in response to “hostile behavior by Iranian forces and their proxy groups” but added, “The United States does not seek conflict with Iran”. Tensions between Iran and the US have been rising in the last few weeks after the US accused Iran of attacking two tankers in the Gulf of Oman. In related news, on June 19, 2019 the US Navy said it recovered limpet mine fragments from one of two tanker ships that were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz. US Navy, Commander Sean Kido stated the fragments bore a "striking resemblance" to mines seen during Iranian military parades.

• On June 16, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the US will guarantee free passage through the Strait of Hormuz after the recent attacks on two oil tankers. Pompeo stated, “we are going to guarantee freedom of navigation throughout the strait” adding, “The United States is going to make sure that we take all the actions necessary, diplomatic and otherwise, that achieve that outcome”. Pompeo made clear that the US does not want war with Iran in the face of rising tensions between the two nations particularly after the US blamed Iran for the attack on two oil tankers on June 13, 2019 in the Gulf of Oman.

Latin America

• On June 20, Mexico’s newly appointed Immigration Chief, Francisco Garduño, vowed to slash the number of migrants entering Mexico by 60% and prevent Mexico from being used as “a trampoline” to the US. Garduño’s statement comes at a time when Mexico is under pressure by the US to curb the wave of migrants looking to enter the US.

• On June 17, protesters demonstrated against the Ecuadorean government’s decision to allow the Galápagos Islands airstrip to be used by US anti-narcotics planes.

Dozens of protestors demonstrated outside the main government office in Ecuador’s capital Quito in response to the Ecuadorean government decision to allow the US military to use the airstrip in the Galápagos Islands. Protesters described the decision as a threat to the world heritage site’s unique environment and an attack on Ecuador’s sovereignty. Ecuador’s defense minister, Oswaldo Jarrín, however said only one US aircraft, a Lockheed P-3 Orion, would stop

11 off at the island airport every month for refueling, or in emergency situations and made clear “There will not be a permanent presence, there will not be a base”.

• On June 16, a massive power failure resulted in tens of millions of people across , Paraguay, and Uruguay without electricity.

Canada • On June 20, Canadian Prime Minister met US President Donald Trump. Both leaders expressed their desire to ready the United States-Mexico- Agreement (USMCA) which will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The USMCA is yet to be ratified and faces opposition from many US House Democratic lawmakers and labour unions.

---Kiran Mazari

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ARMS CONTROL AND DISARMAMENT

• According to Dawn on June 29, Fernando Arias, Director General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) noted that a new chemical weapons investigation team has started work on identifying the perpetrators of an alleged chemical weapons attacks in Syria.

Arias said, “The team has initiated its work to identify the perpetrators of the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic.” He also indicated that responsibility of the new team would be “identifying and reporting on all information potentially relevant to the origin of those chemical weapons where their use has previously been identified by OPCW teams.” Following a large number of chemical weapons incidents in Syria, and the 2018 nerve agent attack on a Russian former double agent in the British city of Salisbury, states parties to the OPCW agreed during the fourth special session of the conference of the states parties to the chemical weapons convention (CWC) in June 2018 to give the OPCW new powers to assign blame for attacks. The Member States adopted a decision titled “Addressing the Threat from Chemical Weapons Use” which calls the OPCW Secretariat to put in place arrangements “to identify the perpetrators of the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic by identifying and reporting on all information potentially relevant to the origin of those chemical weapons in those instances in which the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) determines or has determined that use or likely use occurred, and cases for which the OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism has not issued a report.” Earlier, the OPCW only had the mandate to state whether or not chemical weapons had been used, without identifying the perpetrators.

• On June 29, Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, said that Iran made progress but not enough to satisfy the country’s expectations at a Vienna meeting with remaining states parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

• On June 25, Iran warned that it would withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in defiance of new US sanctions,

Araghchi said, “The decision to reduce our commitments to the nuclear agreement has already been made in Iran and we continue on that process unless our expectations are met.” He added, “I do not think that the progress we made today would be considered enough to stop our process but the decision is not mine.” He made these comments after his meeting with senior officials from Britain, , , China, Russia and the EU. This meeting at Vienna was a regular quarterly gathering of signatories to the JCPOA. The Deputy Foreign Minister asserted that INSTEX, a mechanism set up to facilitate trade with Iran and avoid US sanctions, was now operational. However, Araghchi stressed that “Europeans need to buy oil from Iran, or to consider credit lines for this mechanism” to make INSTEX useful. Helga Schmid, Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS), also confirmed the operationalisation

13 of the INSTEX. Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement following the meeting, that China would continue to import Iranian oil in defiance of US attempts to stop them. Fu Cong, Director General of the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Department of Arms Control, said, “We do not accept this so-called zero policy of the US.” Earlier, on June 25, 2019, Iran warned that it would withdraw from the JCPOA in defiance of new US sanctions. On June 24, 2019, the US imposed new sanctions on Iran targeting the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other military chiefs, and called its measure a strong response against Iranian regional provocations. The US also warned that it would blacklist Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and block billions more in Iranian assets. In line with President Rouhani’s statement, Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, stressed that Iran would abandon fulfilling its commitments under the JCPOA. Shamkhani said, “As of July 7, 2019, Iran will forcefully take the second step of reducing its commitments” to the nuclear deal. Earlier on June 17, 2019, Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation Spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi also warned that Iran would surpass from June 27, 2019, its uranium stockpile limit set under the JCPOA. Addressing a conference, Kamalvandi said, “Today the countdown to pass the 300 kilograms reserve of enriched uranium has started and in 10 days time, we will pass this limit.” He indicated that Iran would remain committed to the JCPOA only if other states parties to the agreement live up to their commitments. In response to the US’ unilateral withdrawal from the agreement, Iran on May 8, 2019, took a decision to stop observing restrictions on its stocks of enriched uranium and heavy water agreed under the JCPOA.

• On June 27, India test-fired a surface-to-surface short-range nuclear capable ballistic missile (SRBM) Prithvi-II at night aimed at testing the combat readiness of the Indian Army’s missile forces.

• According to The Indian Express on June 24, India once again cancelled its deal with Israel to procure medium-range anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).

India’s Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) noted that test was conducted from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) on Dr. Abdul Kalam Island in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Odisha during night-time. The DRDO indicated that it was a routine trial. The missile was randomly selected from the production stock, and the test met all required objectives. The Prithvi-II SRBM is single-stage and liquid-fuelled missile. With a strike range of around 350 kilometres, the missile is capable of carrying 500 to 1,000 kilogram conventional or nuclear warheads. In a related development on June 24, 2019, The India Express reported that India once again abandoned plans to procure ATGMs from Israel in favour of the indigenously designed and developed man-portable anti-tank guided missile (MPATGM). The report said, “Government officials associated with the approval of the deal said Israel has been informed about the

14 contract being abandoned in favour of DRDO, which claimed that it was developing a similar missile at a lower price in partnership with VEM Technologies.” The DRDO and VEM are developing the MPATGM since 2015, and they claim that the missile would be ready for serial- production by 2021. Earlier, the Indian government had scrapped a $500 million deal with Israel’s state-owned defence contractor Rafael Advanced Defence Systems for 321 Spike ATGM launchers and missiles for unknown reasons in December 2017. On January 3, 2018, Rafael had confirmed the cancellation of the deal. However, India revived the deal when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited India in January 2018. On January 17, 2018, Netanyahu said that the $500-million Spike anti-tank guided missile deal between India and Israel was back on the table.

• On June 24, ’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Turkey was not worried of US sanctions over its decision to buy a Russian S-400 missile defence system.

Mevlut Cavusoglu said, “Regardless of whatever sanctions there may be, whatever the messages from America, we have bought the S-400.” Cavusoglu made this statement in response to the US ultimatum that has given Turkey a deadline of July 31, 2019, to reverse its decision of procuring S-400 system, or face sanctions and removal from its F-35 fighter jet programme. Cavusoglu said that Turkey did not allow other countries to dictate its defence requirements. While confirming that Turkey was working on the date for the system’s delivery, he stressed, “If there is an attack on Turkey tomorrow, we cannot expect NATO to protect us because NATO’s capacity would only protect 30 percent of Turkey’s airspace.” In a related development on June 25, 2019, US Ambassador to NATO, Kay Bailey Hutchison, warned that Turkey would be barred from the F-35 fighter jet programme if it does not retract from plans to purchase Russian S-400 system. Hutchison said, “We cannot have the F-35 in any way affected by, or destabilised by, having this Russian system.” Both the US and the NATO consider Turkey’s procurement of the S-400 incompatible with other allied systems and represents a security threat, particularly to the F-35 jets.

• On June 21, the twenty-ninth Plenary Meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), chaired by Ambassador Kairat Sarybay of Kazakhstan, concluded without any decision on membership of states that are not party to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The twenty-ninth Plenary Meeting was held in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, on June 20-21, 2019. The 48 “Participating Governments” (PGs) in the NSG discussed developments since the last meeting in Jūrmala in 2018. The PGs reiterated their firm support for the full, complete and effective implementation of the NPT as the cornerstone of the international non-proliferation regime. The PGs supported diplomatic efforts to achieve the complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, and reiterated their commitment to full implementation of the UNSC resolutions that calls upon the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to immediately abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. The PGs also noted that the supply of all NSG controlled items to the

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DPRK is prohibited as per the UNSC resolutions. During the meeting, the PGs also discussed concerns of countries over the implementation and compliance with UNSCR 2231 (2015), and also received briefings from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Procurement Working Group Coordinator, regarding the work of the Procurement Channel. The statement issued by the NSG said, “The Plenary also called on all states to fully implement all UNSC resolutions relevant to the work and purposes of the NSG, to exercise utmost vigilance, and to make every effort to ensure that none of their exports of goods and technologies contribute to nuclear weapons programmes.” Regarding membership of the non-NPT states into the NSG, the PGs also discussed the “Technical, Legal and Political Aspects of the Participation of non-NPT States in the group.” According to media reports, China, during the meeting, favoured a uniform principle for all non- NPT members to consider their membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lu Kang said the issue of non-NPT States’ entry into the NSG was not on agenda of the plenary meeting, and noted that the group would not discuss the matter “before reaching a specific plan” on non-NPT members’ participation in the NSG.

• On June 20, the US Senate voted to block the White House plans for $8.1 billion in military sales to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Jordan.

• On June 20, the court of appeal in London issued a ruling that British arms sales to Saudi Arabia were unlawful.

The US Senate voted on three resolutions aimed at preventing the military sales approved by President Donald Trump in May 2019. Ahead of vote, the White House issued a veto threat arguing that Saudi Arabia serves as a major US ally against Iran and its proxies in the region, and also that halting the sales would trigger “unintended consequences” for allies beyond the Middle East. The White House threat read, “The proposed joint resolutions would threaten the reliability of the United States as a partner in defence, research and development, as a supplier of defence equipment, and as a stalwart for ensuring NATO interoperability.” The disapproval resolutions would block 22 separate sales of aircraft support maintenance, precision-guided munitions and other weapons to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Jordan. Earlier, on May 25, 2019, Trump cleared the sale of $8 billion worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Jordan, despite reservations from Congress. The Trump Administration had informed a congressional committee that it would go ahead with 22 military sales to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Jordan. In a related development on June 20, 2019, the court of appeal in London issued a ruling that British arms sales to Saudi Arabia were unlawful. Though the ruling does not immediately halt UK arms sales or suspend existing licences, the decision urges the UK government to reassess the issue. According to media reports, three judges said that Boris Johnson, Jeremy Hunt and Liam Fox and other key ministers had illegally and secretly signed off on arms exports in 2016

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without properly assessing the risk to civilians. Judge Sir Terence Etherton, said that ministers had “made no concluded assessments of whether the Saudi-led coalition had committed violations of international humanitarian law in the past, during the Yemen conflict, and made no attempt to do so.” The ruling came as a partial victory to the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) trying to halt British arms sales to Saudi Arabia over its bombing campaign in Yemen. The decision was in response CAAT’s appeal of a July 2017 High Court ruling that UK arms exports to the Kingdom were “lawful”. The CAAT argued the decision to continue to license military equipment for export to the Gulf state was unlawful. While welcoming the court’s verdict, CAAT said, “This historic judgement means that the government must now stop issuing new arms exports licences, suspend existing licences, and retake all decisions to export arms to Saudi in accordance with the law.”

• On June 17, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) issued its findings assessing the current state of armaments, disarmament and international security.

According to the report nuclear weapons states continued to modernise their nuclear forces despite an overall decrease in the number of nuclear weapons. The report stressed that nine states including the US, Russia, the UK, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) possessed approximately 13,865 nuclear weapons at the beginning of year 2019, marking a decrease from the approximately 14,465 nuclear weapons that these states possessed at the beginning of 2018. The report argued that the decrease in the overall number of nuclear weapons in the world was mainly owing to fulfilment of reduction of strategic nuclear forces by the US and Russia in 2018 under the 2010 Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START). However, the Treaty would expire in 2021 unless both parties agree to extend it. There are currently no discussions about extending New START or negotiating a follow-on treaty. The report claimed that China, India and Pakistan were increasing the size of their nuclear arsenals. Shannon Kile, Director of SIPRI’s Nuclear Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-proliferation Programme, said, “India and Pakistan are expanding their military fissile material production capabilities on a scale that may lead to significant increases in the size of their nuclear weapon inventories over the next decade.” According to the report’s estimation in 2019, Israel possesses 80-90 nuclear weapons. However, the country exercises its long-standing policy of not commenting on its nuclear arsenal. --- Moiz Khan

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CHINA, EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC China ● On June 25, Chinese President Xi Jinping and visiting Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni agreed to lift their countries’ relationship to a comprehensive cooperative partnership.

Xi expressed China’s willingness to work with Uganda to promote the joint building of the Belt and Road, and the implementation of the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit. He assured his counterpart of China’s willingness to strengthen exchanges with Uganda on governance, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure construction, trade, energy, agriculture, human resources, and tourism. In a related development on June 24, 2019, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan held a group meeting with the heads of African delegations attending the Coordinators’ Meeting on the Implementation of the Follow- up Actions of the Beijing Summit of FOCAC. Wang called on the two sides to fully align thoughts, build consensus and strengthen cooperation.

● On June 20, President of China, Xi Jinping, held talks with Kim Jong-Un, Supreme Leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), in Pyongyang.

The two leaders agreed that their countries should join hands to create a bright future for both inter-party and inter-state relations and create history. Xi said his visit was aimed at consolidating the China-DPRK friendship and at advancing the political settlement process of the Korean Peninsula issue. The DPRK expressed its willingness to further strengthen strategic communication between the two sides.

● According to China’s Foreign Ministry on June 20, China hosted a Taliban delegation in an effort to promote peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said that Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban representative in Qatar, and some of his colleagues had recently visited China to discuss the Afghan peace process and counter-terror issues. Lu said, “China pays great attention to the evolving situation in Afghanistan in recent years. We have always played a positive role in the Afghan peace and reconciliation process.”

Japan

• On June 28 and 29, G20 leaders gathered in Osaka where Japan served as the chair of the G20 Summit.

Leaders of the G20 engaged in discussions to resolve a myriad issues facing the international community. The ongoing trade war between China and the United States topped the Agenda. US

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President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping reached an agreement to resume trade talks; Trump said the US would hold off raising tariffs on more than $300bn worth of Chinese goods while negotiations to end the trade war between the two countries continue. Another of the summit’s key meetings took place June 28, 2019 where the Russian and US delegations led by Presidents Putin and Trump met to discuss the need to extend a key arms reduction treaty between the world’s major nuclear powers. Furthermore, all members of the G20 reiterated their commitment to the Paris climate deal, excluding the United States. The members also reaffirmed their assurance to “further strengthening the global financial safety net with a strong, quota-based, and adequately resourced International Monetary Fund (IMF) at its center.”

North Korea ● On June 30, US President Donald Trump met with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un at the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) that divides the Korean Peninsula.

The 50-minute meeting between both leaders was the first in the yearlong rapprochement between the two nations. Trump announced that the two nations had agreed to resume discussions in the coming weeks. Kim said, “This meeting is a symbol of separation between South and the North and a reminder of the unfortunate past... Meeting in such place shows that we are willing to put an end to the unfortunate past and also open a new future.” Trump arrived in Seoul on June 29 for talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in after attending a G20 summit in Japan, during which he made a surprise offer to meet Kim.

● On June 24, US Defence Intelligence Agency Director, Lieutenant General Robert Ashley said that North Korea is not ready to denuclearise.

In an interview with Fox news, Gen Ashley said that, “we still continue to assess within the intelligence community that Kim Jong Un is not ready to denuclearise.” The US is demanding North Korea abandon its nuclear weapons entirely before international sanctions are lifted. In a related development on June 23, 2019, North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that US President Donald Trump had written to Kim, who praised the letter as “excellent” and said he would “seriously contemplate the interesting content”. The content of the letter, however, has not been disclosed. Talks between the US and North Korea had collapsed when both leaders failed to agree on what North Korea would be willing to give up in exchange for sanctions relief.

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Thailand ● During the 34th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in on June 23, Southeast Asian leaders agreed to work together on the region’s economy and security to strengthen their position to face the growing US-China tensions.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and the Chairman of the 34th ASEAN Summit said that the 10-member ASEAN group would need its collective economic strength for bargaining power globally, especially amid the trade tensions between the world’s top two economies. ASEAN members also agreed on a common approach to the US-led “Indo-Pacific” initiative, at a time when US-China tensions are rising, and forcing ASEAN countries to take sides. ---Fareeha Shamim

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EUROPE

• On June 27, the Czech Republic’s minority government survived a vote of no confidence called by the opposition after a series of large protests against Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. Protests erupted on June 23, 2019 with more than 250,000 protesters taking to the streets of Prague demanding the Czech Republic’s Prime Minister, Andrej Babiš resign, calling him a threat to democracy. Babiš has been criticised over the conflict of interest between his political and business interests but has maintained he will not resign. Babiš narrowly survived the no- confidence vote in parliament having secured the backing of 85 parliamentarians in the 200-seat lower house.

• On June 25, Social Democratic party leader, Mette Frederiksen, finalised terms for a one- party minority government in Denmark. Frederiksen became the country’s youngest ever prime minister. Denmark is now the third Nordic country to form a leftist government in 2019.

• On June 21, hundreds of anti-government protesters took to the streets of Tbilisi, Georgia, demanding justice after a brutal police crackdown on an anti-Russia protest where police injured scores of protesters. Hundreds of protesters were injured by police on June 20, 2019 as demonstrators gathered outside the parliament in Tbilisi, after a controversial address by Russian MP Sergei Gavrilov. Protestors took to the street the following day on June 21, 2019 demanding justice after police injured scores of unarmed protestors. The protesters called for the resignation of Georgia’s Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia and demanded snap parliamentary elections. Anti-Russian sentiment runs high in Georgia as Russian troops occupy 20 percent of Georgian territory. In related news, on June 24, 2019, Bidzina Ivanishvili, leader of Georgia’s ruling party stated that the country's next parliamentary election - scheduled for 2020 - will be based entirely on a proportional system, fulfilling a key demand of the anti-government protesters.

• On June 20, former London mayor Boris Johnson won 160 of the 313 votes in the fifth ballot of MP’s in the UK’s governing Conservative Party. UK Foreign Secretary Jeremey Hunt earned 77 votes coming in second. Johnson and Hunt are the final two candidates in the running to become Britain’s next prime minister. Johnson who is in the lead said he was “deeply honoured” to have such emphatic backing from his colleagues, having won more than half the votes.

• On June 20, a UK court ruled to outlaw British arms sales for the Saudi war on Yemen. The UK’s court of appeal declared British arms sales to Saudi Arabia for use in its war against Yemen unlawful. The UK has licensed over $6 billion worth of arms to Saudi forces since the

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onset of the fighting. The Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) had accused the UK government of licensing arms sales despite a clear risk their use could breach international humanitarian law. Over 100,000 people have died since the war in Yemen erupted, with scores of civilian casualties.UK Prime Minister has however stated the government will appeal the ruling.

• On June 20, Poland, Hungary, Estonia and the Czech Republic refused to sign up to a text that set a net-zero carbon emissions target for the EU in 2050. A large majority of EU member states support a net- zero carbon emissions target by 2050. Czech Prime Minister, Andrej Babiš, however argued “Why should we decide 31 years ahead of time what will happen in 2050?” and questioned why Europe should act on curbing emissions while emissions in China were on the rise.

• On June 20, German Chancellor and French President failed to reach consensus on who would fill the EU’s most senior posts. The two heads of state failed to resolve their dispute over the future leadership of the EU’s institutions, including a replacement for Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the European commission. Merkel has been pushing for Manfred Weber, a German MEP for the post. Macron is opposed to Weber’s candidacy claiming he lacks the experience to fulfill the role. Presently Margrethe Vestager, a Dane who is currently the EU’s Competition Commissioner, and Frans Timmermans, a Dutch national are also in the race to succeed Juncker as president of the European Commission.

• On June 19, British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held the 4th review of Pakistan-UK Enhanced Strategic Dialogue (ESD) at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Hunt stated, “We had a very good discussion about bilateral trade, cooperation in multi-lateral arenas, regional tensions and working together to reduce them”. He added, the UK will support Pakistan at the FATF and Qureshi announced that the UK was supporting Pakistan in getting off the FATF’s grey list. The Pakistani High Commission statement noted, “Both sides pledged to move forward with an early conclusion of the extradition treaty and readmission agreement”. Hunt made clear that the UK would not sign any “politically motived” extradition treaty to which Qureshi responded, “Pakistan does not want to use extradition for political victimisation, that’s not the idea”. These comments come as the Pakistani Government has requested the extradition of its former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

• On June 19, the French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian and his German counterpart, Heiko Maas met in Paris to coordinate their efforts to stop Iran from withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA).

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Iran has threated to take steps to leave the deal on June 27, 2019 by breaching uranium limits set out in the JCPOA. Le Drian said “We want to unify our efforts so there is a de-escalation process that starts,” adding, “There is still time and we hope all the actors show more calm. There is still time, but only a little time”. Maas added, “The risk of war in the Gulf has not been averted. We need to do everything so that it doesn’t come to this. That’s why we are talking to all sides. I was in Iran and we are also talking with the Americans. We need to de-escalate through dialogue. It is a time of ‘diplomacy first’ and that’s what we are committed to.”

• During his visit to Washington on June 18, Matteo Salvini, the Deputy Prime Minister of , said Italy wants to be the US’ closest partner in Europe. Salvini after meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told the press, “At a moment when European Union institutions are fragile and changing significantly, Italy wants to be the most solid, effective, coherent and credible partner for the US”. The US State Department said Pompeo and Salvini talked about “confronting regional security risks from Russia and Iran, the threat posed by China’s predatory investments in key infrastructure and technology in Italy and Europe, and the need for strengthened US-Italy defence cooperation”. The hard-right leader is seeking to forge a closer US-Italian relationship at a time when its relationship with the EU is strained over the country’s huge public debt. There is also discord internally in Italy between the League and its government coalition partner, the Five Star Movement (M5S) particularly after the League became Italy’s biggest party when it captured 34% of the vote in the European elections in May.

• On June 17, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said Iran was still in compliance with the nuclear deal. The European Union stated that it would consider Iran to be complying with its obligations under the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA) until scientific evidence emerges that it has breached its commitments. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini stated the assessments of the bloc's leaders were based on the technical reports of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and “As of today, Iran is still compliant”. She noted, “we still strongly hope, encourage and expect Iran to fulfil its commitments under the JCPOA" and made clear, "Our objective is to keep the nuclear deal in place". Iran has been putting pressure on the EU to protect the Iranian economy from US sanctions and has threated to reduce compliance with some elements of the nuclear agreement if it does not receive the support it is requesting. While European powers have been working to create a financial vehicle and payment system - known as INSTEX - to circumvent US sanctions, it is still not operational. In response to Iran’s threat, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Berlin would not accept "a unilateral reduction of obligations" adding, "We have already said in the past that we will not accept less for less. It is up to Iran to stick to its obligations". A spokesman for the British government agreed, saying the European signatories to the deal had "consistently made clear that there can be no reduction in compliance".

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• On June 17, Nathalie Tocci, Special Adviser to EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini said US President Donald Trump does not appear to be in control of his own administration’s Iran policy. Tocci stated that Trump has “been led into a very different direction” than the one he might otherwise have gone in, as result of national security adviser John Bolton. She said Bolton seems to be the one writing the Administration’s policy on Tehran and his enthusiasm for regime change in Iran dates back to “the Bush administration and even earlier”. She added, “Perhaps (Trump) should try and change his national security adviser that very clearly has a very different position on this one”. ---Kiran Mazari

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GLOBAL TERRORISM • On June 29, leaders meeting at the 2019 Group of 20 (G20) Osaka Summit expressed their resolve to prevent the use of the Internet to fund and facilitate terrorism, and asserted that it cannot serve as a safe haven for terrorists.

While acknowledging that the internet should be “open, free and secure”, the G20 leaders said they remain committed to protecting people from terrorist and violent extremism conducive to terrorism (VECT) exploitation of the internet. According to media reports, Australian Prime Minister, , convinced the leaders of the world’s major economies to agree to take action. In a joint statement, they said, “We issue this statement to raise the bar of expectation for online platforms to do their part. We, the leaders of the G20, reaffirm our strongest condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.” Morrison said, “The impetus of this is to say to the companies, you have the technology, you have the innovation, you have the resources, and now you have the clear communicated will of the world’s leaders to get this right.” Meanwhile, leaders of the G20 also issued a declaration reaffirming their commitment to applying the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards aimed at foiling money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism. The declaration noted, “We reiterate our strong commitment to step up efforts to fight these threats, including by strengthening the FATF's global network of regional bodies. We call for the full, effective and swift implementation of the FATF Standards.”

• On June 27, terrorists carried out suicide bombings in two separate attacks in Tunisia’s capital Tunis.

The Interior Ministry noted that the first bombing targeted a police patrol on Tunis’s central Charles de Gaulle Street, which left one police officer dead, and one officer and three civilians wounded. The second attacker targeted a national guard base in the capital’s al-Qarjani district, leaving four security personnel wounded. In both attacks, terrorists used suicide vests. According to United States-based monitor SITE Intelligence Group, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group (ISIL) claimed responsibility for both attacks. The attacks came ahead of presidential and legislative elections, scheduled for October and November 2019.

• On June 26, security forces prevented a terrorist attack on Loralai Police Lines, in Balochistan, as two suicide bombers were killed, and the third bomber blew himself up while escaping the scene.

According to media reports, the incident left one policeman dead and five others, including a woman and two police constables, injured. The banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack on its website. A Senior police officer Abdul Rehman Luni confirmed, “All the three suicide bombers were killed by the security forces, while a policeman lost his life in the exchange of fire.” Police officials indicated that three suicide bombers were

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wearing explosive-laden vests attempted to cross the Police Lines gate. This was fourth attack on the Police Lines in Loralai since the beginning of 2019.

• On June 24, Pakistan submitted a six-point plan at the United Nations headquarters during a sideline event, titled “Countering terrorism and other acts of violence based on religion or belief.”

Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN proposed the plan seeking to address the new manifestations of racism and faith-based hatred. During her speech at the event organised by Pakistan along with Turkey, the Holy See and the UN, Lodhi said, “A particularly alarming development is the rise of Islamophobia, which represents the recent manifestation of the age-old hatred that spawned anti-Semitism, racism, apartheid and many other forms of discrimination.” To deal with hate-driven violence and Islamophobia, she provided a plan comprising six points including need of adoption of laws against the Islamophobia, prevention of digital technologies and social media platforms from becoming channels for inflammatory content, a focused strategy for protecting Muslim migrants and refugees in the West against Islamophobia, need of advanced and focused research analysing drivers and trends of violence incited by religious hatred, need of establishing tolerant and inclusive societies, and a crucial need to increase financial investment in education. Meanwhile, other participants of the conference including the Ambassadors of Turkey and the Holy See and Under-Secretary-General of Office of Counter Terrorism Vladimir Voronkov, Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf, President of Cordoba House, and the UN Chief’s Advisor on Prevention of Genocide Adama Dieng, also called for effective steps to counter the challenge posed by the faith-based hatred and violence in order to promote peaceful, inclusive and just societies around the world. While appreciating Ambassador Lodhi for organising the event, Vladimir Voronkov in his speech indicated a resurgence of anti-Semitism and Neo-Nazi organisations. Voronkov said, “Violence driven by ideology can only be effectively countered by more powerful ideological arguments.” He added, “Religious leaders and faith-based organisations have vital roles to play in promoting understanding and acting as advocates for peace and harmony.”

• According to The News on June 24, the Quetta Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and intelligence agencies apprehended a local Daesh cell believed to be involved in a number of devastating attacks, and killed its handler.

The security officials indicated the Daesh cell was responsible for the Hazarganji market bombing in April, 2019, suicide bombing on a Imambargah in Quetta in May, 2019, and attacks against families in Ziarat during the Eid holidays in May 2019. The CTD officials confirmed that “the handler of this Daesh cell, Jamil Mengal was killed in Quetta by police when Mengal attacked a Quetta traffic policeman on duty. In retaliation, the most wanted handler of the Daesh cell was gunned down by other policemen.” The CTD officials also confirmed that a Tehrik-e- Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) terrorist hideouts in Chaman comprising terrorists trained in handling

26 of explosives was also apprehended in counter-terrorism operations. This cell is claimed to be involved in the motorcycle-borne IED attack against a police mobile outside a Quetta Mosque on May 13, 2019. The Intelligence sources said, “For this attack, the TTP cell smuggled the Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) from Afghanistan.”

• On June 22, terrorists carried out two attacks on villages of Sagho and Toekodogo, in the Barsalogho district, in northern Burkina Faso that killed at least 15 people.

Burkina Faso’s Defence Minister, Cheriff Sy said, “These attacks unfortunately caused the death of 15 people, 13 of them in Sagho and two in Toekodogo.” The Defence Minister noted that terrorists also set fire to shops and other public property assets. Though no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, a large number of such attacks are attributed to a number of militant groups, including the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara.

• According to Reuters on June 16, China’s Foreign Ministry noted that the UN and China reached a “broad consensus” about counter-terror work, following a visit by a senior UN official to .

The Foreign Ministry said that UN Counter-terrorism Chief, Vladimir Voronkov had visited Beijing and Xinjiang from June 13-15, 2019, meeting senior diplomats including Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng. While not providing details of the agreement, the Ministry said, “The two sides had a deep exchange of views on the international counter-terrorism situation and counter-terrorism cooperation between China and the United Nations, and reached a broad consensus.” However, western countries including the US and Britain complained about the trip of Vladimir Voronkov to Xinjiang, where UN experts say some one million ethnic Uighurs and other Muslims are held in detention centres. The US State Department said, “The UN’s topmost counter-terrorism official is putting at risk the UN’s reputation and credibility on counter- terrorism and human rights by lending credence to these false claims.” --- Moiz Khan

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MIDDLE EAST & WEST ASIA

Bahrain

• On June 27, Bahrain said it had recalled its envoy to Iraq after protesters stormed its Embassy in Baghdad and took down its flag in protest against the US-sponsored workshop on Palestine in Manama.

• On June 26, the two-day US-sponsored Middle East Economic Conference titled: “Peace to Prosperity” concluded in Manama. US President Donald Trump’s son in law and adviser, Jared Kushner pressed Palestinians to engage in his peace initiative. On June 25, 2019, Kushner launched a long-awaited Middle East initiative with an intimate two- day conference in Bahrain, where economic leaders favoured his plan as holding the potential to jumpstart the Palestinians’ stagnant economy. International Monetary Fund Chief , World Bank President David Malpass, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and former British prime minister Tony Blair attended the event. Kushner said that the door remained open to the Palestinians to engage in his peace initiative as he accused their leaders of not caring about their own people for rejecting his $50 billion economic framework. The Palestinian Authority boycotted the workshop, accusing pro-Israel Trump of proposing the prospect of cash to try to impose political solutions and ignoring the fundamental issue of Israeli occupation. During a press conference in the occupied West Bank, senior Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi said that the US proposal was an “insult to our intelligence” and “totally divorced from reality”. She further said, “The economic peace, which has been presented before repeatedly and which has failed to materialise because it does not deal with the real components of peace, is being presented once again, recycled once again”. She added, “The elephant in the room in Manama is of course the occupation itself. The Israeli occupation, which was never mentioned, not once.” Saudi Arabia’s Finance Minister, Mohammed al-Jadaan said the Palestinian issue was “very important” for the Kingdom, which would support “whatever brings prosperity to this region”. According to an Iraqi police official, while demonstrating outside Bahrain’s Embassy in Baghdad, some 200 protesters burned an Israeli flag and hoisted the flags of Iraq and Palestine. According to a statement on Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry website, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain condemns the attack on the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Republic of Iraq by the demonstrators (which) led to sabotage in the Embassy building”. The government of Bahrain said it had “decided to recall its Ambassador for consultations” and held Baghdad responsible for its Embassy security.

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• During an interview with the Times of Israel on June 26, Bahraini Foreign Minister, Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifah said that the Manama regime wants “peace” and “better” relations with Israel. The Foreign Minister recognised Israel’s “right to existence,” saying the regime is “there to stay, of course.” He said, “Who did we offer peace to (with) the Arab Peace Initiative?...We offered it to Israel. We want better relations with it, and we want peace with it.” The Arab initiative, which has been adopted by the Arab League, calls for the normalisation of ties between Tel Aviv and Arab states in exchange for Israel’s withdrawal from lands it occupied in the 1967 war, including the West Bank, East Jerusalem al-Quds and Syria’s Golan Heights. Khalifah also claimed that while Bahrain might be the only Arab country – besides and Jordan – to acknowledge Israel’s existence, “we know our brothers in the region do believe in it” as well. Israel has full diplomatic ties with only two Arab states, Egypt and Jordan, but latest reports suggest Tel Aviv has been working secretly to establish formal contacts with other Arab countries such as Bahrain. The Minister further encouraged Israel to approach Arab leaders about the issues of concern regarding the “peace” proposal. On June 28, 2019, Bahrain’s main Shia opposition group, al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, condemned the Foreign Minister for urging open communication with the Tel Aviv regime, dismissing his remarks as “reckless.” According to a statement from al-Wefaq, such comments “are unprecedented impudence by the Bahraini regime, as they reflect the gap between the oppressive ruling dynasty and Bahraini people”.

Iran

• According to US media reports on June 25, the US launched cyber-attacks against Iranian missile control systems and a spy network after Tehran downed an American surveillance drone.

• Earlier, on June 24, 2019, the US imposed sanctions on Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and also on a number of Iranian military chiefs. According to the US, it would also sanction Iran’s Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif in the coming days. Khamenei said Iranians will not budge or retreat following new US sanctions targeting him and his associates. The move came after Iran shot down a US surveillance drone over its airspace. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it had shot down an “intruding American spy drone” after it entered into the country’s territory. According to US Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, describing the downed drone as a RQ-4A Global Hawk High-Altitude, Long, Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The head of the Revolutionary Guard Corps, Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami, said the shooting down of the drone had sent a warning to the US. The US maintains that the drone was not in Iranian

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airspace and was flying in international airspace when it was shot down. Following the imposition of sanctions against Iranian authorities, Tehran said the new US sanctions against Iran showed Washington was “lying” about an offer to hold talks. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said, “At the same time as you call for negotiations you seek to sanction the Foreign Minister? It’s obvious that you’re lying”. Earlier, on June 22, 2019, Tehran warned Washington that any attack would see US interests across the Middle East go up in flames after President Donald Trump said he called off a strike against Iran at the last moment. Under pressure to respond to the downing of the US drone near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Trump said the US was prepared to hit “3 different sites” but that he scrapped the strikes “10 minutes” before they were to have been launched. The aborted US military action was to have been in response to Iran’s downing of a US reconnaissance drone. The downing came with Iran already accused by Washington of carrying out attacks on tankers in the congested shipping lanes out of the Gulf. Tehran denies any involvement in the attacks. The latest developments have increased the tensions between the two countries and have also put the regional security situation at risk.

• On June 23, British Minister of State for the Middle East, Andrew Murrison visited Iran and held talks with Deputy Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi and head of the Strategic Council of Foreign Relations at Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Kamal Kharazi. Following their meeting, Kharazi said the talks were “repetitive” and Murrison had the “usual talking points”. According to Kharazi, these included saying a European payment mechanism to help Iran with US sanctions “will soon become operational, that Britain has always supported the JCPOA and has its own problems with America ... such talks that have always been repetitive”. According to a statement from Britain’s Foreign Office, Murrison was to call for an “urgent de-escalation” and raise British concerns “about Iran’s regional conduct and its threat to cease complying with the nuclear deal”. Earlier, on June 17, 2019, Iran announced that it would soon breach a key element of the 2015 nuclear deal. Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation said that within 10 days the country will have produced and kept in its stockpiles more low- enriched uranium than allowed by the nuclear deal.

Iraq

• During an interview with CNN in London on June 25, Iraqi President Barham Salih said Iraq would under no circumstances allow the US military to use its bases in the country for an act of aggression against neighbouring Iran. Salih stressed that American troops had been invited to Iraq solely for helping Baghdad fight Daesh. He further noted that he was truly concerned about the recent escalation of tensions between the US and Iran and its ramifications for Iraq. He welcomed Trump’s recent reported

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decision to cancel a strike on Iran, emphasising that the region needs fundamental solutions rather than a war.

Israel

• According to Palestine’s Wafa News Agency on June 30, Israeli regime forces arrested Palestinian Minister of Jerusalem al-Quds Affairs, Fadi al-Hadmi, during a raid on his home in the occupied city. The report stated that Hadmi’s arrest is the first high-profile detention in Tel Aviv’s ongoing crackdown against the Arab neighbourhoods in Jerusalem al-Quds. Israeli police spokesperson, Micky Rosenfeld confirmed that Hadami had been arrested and was being questioned for what he merely referred to as “activities in Jerusalem.” Meanwhile, a source close to the Palestinian Minister said that the arrest was most likely linked to Hadmi’s recent activities that included accompanying Chilean President Sebastian Pinera during a visit to the Old City of Jerusalem al- Quds. On June 25, 2019, Pinera visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound, situated in East Jerusalem al-Quds.

• On June 27, Israeli officials accused Russia for the recent disruption of GPS signals at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Since early June 2019, GPS signals at Israel’s largest airport have been unreliable for pilots and planes using the location. An Israeli cabinet spokesman said GPS signals at Ben Gurion Airport have been disrupted for three weeks. The regime’s officials have failed to find the source and forced airports to change some landing procedures. According to an Israeli Army radio report, Russia was “responsible” for the GPS problems, though there was no indication it was being done intentionally. Israeli security officials’ assessment is that the disruptions are the result of electronic warfare on behalf of the Russian military in defence of its planes at Khmeimim Air Base in northwestern Syria. Speaking with army radio, former Israeli air force commander, Amos Yadlin said Israel might be suffering “collateral damage” from a cyber battlefield in the area. The Russian Ambassador to Israel said on army radio that the reports are “fake news,” and “can’t be taken seriously”.

• On June 16, the Israeli Parliament inaugurated a new settlement named after US President Donald Trump, in a gesture of appreciation for his recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the territory. The settlement is currently known as Bruchim, and is over 30 years old having a population of 10 people. Israel is hoping the rebranded ‘Ramat Trump,’ Hebrew for ‘Trump Heights,’ will encourage a wave of residents. US Ambassador David Friedman, who attended the event, said that “few things are more important to the security of the state of Israel than permanent

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sovereignty over the Golan Heights. It is simply obvious; it is indisputable and beyond any reasonable debate”.

Palestine

• On June 30, the Palestinian government said that the recent US-sponsored conference in Bahrain meant to promote a “deal” on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was a “stunning failure” for the Administration of US President Donald Trump. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said the failure of the meeting, which was held in Manama on June 25-26, 2019, despite a Palestinian boycott, must have sent a message to Washington. He said, “The stunning failure of the Manama workshop... should constitute a clear message to Mr. Trump and his Administration that the policy of dictates, threats, and coercion is no longer effective with our steadfast people and its legitimate leadership headed by President Mahmoud Abbas, which rejected all suspicious deals aimed at the liquidation of our national cause”. He also accused the Trump Administration of pursuing a “policy of punishment and intimidation... against everyone.” Abu Rudeineh further complained that the US team behind the proposal on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was “totally biased toward Israel”. He also expressed Palestine’s resolve to achieve “a just and lasting peace” based on UN resolutions and the preservation of Palestinian rights, with the establishment of an independent state with East Jerusalem al-Quds as its capital.

Qatar

• On June 18, officials from both Israel and the Gaza Strip said that a visiting Qatari delegation has offered to pay for a proposed new power line between the two sides. Envoy Mohammed Al-Emadi headed the Qatari delegation who, according to Palestine, brought $10 million to Gaza, via Israel, to disburse to the poor. It was the third such Qatari cash infusion in three months. During his latest visit, Qatari electricity and water experts also accompanied Al-Emadi. They met with the Israel Electric Corporation in Tel Aviv, and energy officials in Gaza, to discuss a Qatari offer to pay for the completion of a new Gaza electricity line. Al-Emadi had previously talked about Doha’s willingness to take part in the project, whose cost he put at around $60 million. The new line known as ‘Line 161’ would provide 100 megawatts to Gaza, which currently gets a total of 120 megawatts from Israel, short of the 500 megawatts to 600 megawatts that Palestinians say the blockaded enclave needs. Beside reducing some of Gaza’s chronic blackouts, an improved electricity supply would also help power sewage pumps and prevent water contamination plaguing 2 million Palestinians.

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Saudi Arabia

• On June 16, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman accused Iran of orchestrating the attacks on two oil tankers travelling near the Strait of Hormuz and said that the Kingdom would not hesitate to confront Iranian threats to its security. The US alleges Iran used limpet mines to target the tankers on June 13, 2019; citing black-and- white footage it claims show an Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessel removing an unexploded mine from the Japanese-operated tanker, Kokuka Courageous. In his first public comments regarding the attacks, the Crown Prince said the incident “confirms the importance of our demands of the international community to take a decisive stance” against Iran’s behaviour. He also said, “The Kingdom does not seek war in the region but we will not hesitate to deal with any threat to our people, sovereignty and vital interests”. According to the Crown Prince, Iran had timed the attack to undercut the Japanese Prime Minister’s diplomatic efforts, during his visit to Tehran in a move to reduce regional tensions. In a related development, Saudi Arabia and the UAE called for decisive action to protect energy supplies amid a tense US-Iran standoff. The UAE’s Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan called on world powers “to secure international navigation and access to energy”. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister, Khalid al Falih called for a “swift and decisive” response to threats against energy supplies. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)’s Secretary General, Abdullatif al Zayani also called the attack a “direct threat” to energy supplies, calling on world powers to protect international shipping lanes and hold the perpetrators accountable.

Syria

• On June 27, the US-led coalition said that it had unintentionally killed at least 1,319 civilians in strikes during its fight against Daesh in Iraq and Syria since 2014. The statement from the coalition said, “the coalition conducted 34,514 strikes between August 2014 and the end of May 2019”. During this period, it “assesses at least 1,319 civilians have been unintentionally killed by coalition strikes”. The figure is far lower than the death tolls given by groups that have monitored the conflict in the two countries. Airwars, an NGO that monitors civilian casualties from air strikes worldwide, estimates more than 8,000 civilians have been killed in coalition raids. In a report released in late April 2019, Amnesty International and Airwars found that coalition air and artillery strikes killed more than 1,600 civilians just during the four-months operation to oust Daesh from the Syrian city of Raqqa. The coalition, which has repeatedly insisted it does all it can to avoid civilian deaths, said it was still assessing 159 additional reports of civilian casualties.

• On June 27, the Russian Defence Ministry’s Center for Syrian Reconciliation said its surface-to-air missile systems managed to foil an attack by foreign-sponsored militants

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against the country’s strategic Hmeimim air base in Syria’s western coastal province of Latakia. The center announced in a statement that militants positioned in the de-escalation zone of Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib tried to attack the military facility on June 26, 2019, using two unmanned aerial vehicles. The statement added that both drones were destroyed before they could launch an assault.

• According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) on June 25, an official source at the Syrian Foreign Ministry said Damascus “vehemently condemns” the bans issued by US President Donald Trump against Iran’s authorities. The Syrian source said the decision was part of the US Administration’s reckless policy toward the states that are proud of their sovereignty and national dignity and reject the mentality of hegemony and subordination. The statement noted, “Such policies are the main reason for fuelling tension in the region and the world, and constitute a serious threat to international peace and security”. The official renewed Damascus’ “full solidarity” with the leadership and people of the Islamic Republic in the face of the “US’s arrogance.”

Turkey

• On June 23, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suffered a major blow as opposition candidate Ekrem Imamoglu won Istanbul’s mayoral re-election. Imamoglu had won the first vote in March 2019 by a margin of just 13,000 votes. But after being stripped of that victory over controversial claims of fraud, he vowed a “battle for democracy” and won in the re-election. Imamoglu won by more than 775,000 votes and had 54 % overall votes. Critics accused Erdogan of refusing to give up control of Istanbul, Turkey’s economic powerhouse and a crucial source of patronage for Islamic conservatives since he became the mayor himself 25 years ago.

• On June 19, Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to try to ensure the Egyptian government is tried in international courts for the death of former president Mohammed Morsi. On June 17, 2019, former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi suffered a fatal heart attack in a Cairo court while he was being tried on espionage charges. According to Erdogan, “Morsi flailed on the courtroom floor for 20 minutes and the authorities did not help him”. That is why Erdogan claimed that “Morsi was murdered”. He also urged the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to take action towards this end. Morsi was a leading member of the Muslim Brotherhood Islamist group which is now banned in Egypt. He was the first democratically elected head of state in Egypt’s modern history and had been in jail since the Army commanded

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by Egypt’s current President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi toppled him in 2013 following mass protests against his rule.

UAE

• On June 28, the UAE withdrew a large number of troops from Yemen allegedly in fear of escalating tensions between the US and Iran. According to Reuters, the withdrawal took place because Abu Dhabi wanted to have forces and equipment “on hand” following recent tensions in the Persian Gulf region. Tensions have risen in the region after Iran shot down a US spy drone for violating its airspace, and escalated further following the US’ May 2019 announcement of additional troops deployment in the Gulf to counter an unspecified “threat” from Iran. Speaking of the recent tensions and the UAE withdrawal, one Western diplomat said the Arab country had effectively withdrawn “a lot” of its forces in the past three weeks. However, confirming only “some troop movements” from Yemen, an unnamed senior Emirati official claimed that Abu Dhabi was not seeking to withdraw from the country and was committed to the Saudi-led military “coalition”. The official declined to provide further information on the number and location of the troop movements. ---Muhammad Shoaib

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SOUTH ASIA: I Pakistan External ● On June 27, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani arrived in Pakistan on the invitation of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Ghani held a one-on-one meeting, where both leaders “agreed to open a new chapter of friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan, based on mutual trust and harmony for the benefit of the two peoples and countries and for advancing the cause of peace, stability and prosperity in the region.” President Ghani also traveled to Lahore for delegation-level talks aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in diverse areas including political relations, trade, economic, security, peace and reconciliation, and education. In a related development on June 22, 2019, Afghan leaders participated in peace talks in Murree titled the “Lahore Process”. The conference covered a wide range of issues pertaining to the economy, health and repatriation of refugees. During the inaugural ceremony, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi assured the Afghan delegation of Pakistan’s commitment to bringing peace in Afghanistan. Among those who participated in the peace talks were the head of the Afghan government-sponsored high peace council, Mohammad Karim Khalili, leader of Jamiat-e-Islami, Ustad Atta Mohammad Noor, and a current presidential candidate, Haneef Atmar.

• On June 26 Pakistan and the European Union signed the Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP).

The plan will provide a framework for greater cooperation and strengthen ties between the two sides. High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, led the European delegation and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi headed the Pakistan side. Qureshi noted, “Collaboration in the sphere of peace and security, through a structured security dialogue, is an essential pillar of this plan” adding, “Pakistan-EU Staff Talks provide the framework for this engagement; and enable both sides to understand respective threat perceptions, challenges and regional security dimensions”. With reference to the threats to strategic stability in South Asia arising from the growing conventional asymmetry between Pakistan and India, supply of advanced military hardware and sensitive technologies to India, and adoption of offensive force postures and doctrines by India, Qureshi made clear, “Under these destabilising circumstances, Pakistan has no option but to maintain a minimum credible deterrence, while aspiring for a Strategic Restraint Regime in South Asia”. In a related development on June 24, 2019, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels. The two sides reviewed the status of bilateral cooperation, and exchanged views on the regional political and security situation. Stoltenberg noted that the regular

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high-level political and military engagements between Pakistan and NATO have contributed towards strengthening of collaboration on issues of mutual interests.

● On June 24, Pakistan and the United Kingdom held military-to-military talks on the geo- strategic environment and discussed ways to intensify defence cooperation.

● On June 19, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt held the 4th review of Pakistan-UK Enhanced Strategic Dialogue (ESD) at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Qureshi also met with the UK’s DFID Secretary Rory Stewart at the DFID Headquarters in London.

During their meeting, Qureshi and Hunt reaffirmed their respective country’s commitment to take their relationship forward and work for shared prosperity. They agreed to continue building upon the cooperation within the framework of the ESD to take their partnership forward. Hunt announced the UK Department for International Trade’s decision to double the available support for exports to Pakistan from £400 million to £1 billion as part of the growing cooperation in economic terms between the two countries. During Qureshi’s meeting with the UK’s DFID Secretary Rory Stewart the two sides reviewed the UK’s development assistance to Pakistan in health, education and capacity building and other areas of priority under the institutional framework of ESD. In another development, on June 24, 2019, Chief of Army Staff, Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa held talks the Chief of Defence Staff, Nick Carter, at the Ministry of Defence in London. Both parties agreed on achieving sustainable, irreversible, enduring peace and stability in the region through meaningful international partnership.

● On June 22, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, arrived in Islamabad on a two-day state visit to Pakistan.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan was followed by delegation-level talks. The two leaders reiterated their resolve to forge a robust political and economic partnership. Pakistan and Qatar also signed a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MOU’s) across different sectors including trade and investment, tourism and security. In a related development on June 24, 2019, Pakistan received an assurance from Qatar for a $3 billion package consisting of a foreign currency deposit and ‘direct investment.

● On June 21, Pakistan reiterated its commitment to taking all necessary measures to ensure completion of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) action plan in a timely manner.

The Government of Pakistan reiterated its commitment to take all necessary measures to ensure the completion of the Action Plan in a timely manner. The FATF had earlier issued a statement saying, “Pakistan has taken steps towards improving its AML/CFT regime, including the recent development of its TF risk assessment addendum; however, it does not demonstrate a proper understanding of Pakistan’s transnational TF risk. Pakistan should continue to work on

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implementing its action plan to address its strategic deficiencies.” The FATF expressed its concern that “not only did Pakistan fail to complete its action plan items with January deadlines, it also failed to complete its action plan items due May 2019.” The FATF urged Pakistan to swiftly complete its action plan by October 2019 when the last set of action plan items are set to expire.

● On June 19, the Commander of the Chinese ground forces, General Han Weiguo, called on Prime Minister Imran Khan to discuss various areas of bilateral cooperation.

Prime Minister Imran Khan appreciated the role played by China in supporting Pakistan on various issues, both international and regional. Highlighting the importance of the China- Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Prime Minister said that Pakistan was keen on expanding the portfolio of CPEC through the launch of socioeconomic development programmes. In a related development on June 17, 2019, General Han Weiguo, met with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa. During the meeting, Gen Bajwa reaffirmed the Pakistan Army’s commitment to ensuring the security of CPEC.

● On June 18, Pakistan and Japan signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation and exchanges.

The MoU was signed after the 10th round of military-to-military talks at the Ministry of Defence in Rawalpindi. The two sides agreed on stronger collaboration for promotion of international peace and security.

● On June 18, Pakistan and the World Bank (WB) signed three loan agreements under which the WB would provide $918 million to help the Pakistani government expand the country’s tax base and improve education standards in strategic economic sectors.

Under the first agreement, the WB would provide $400m loan to help the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) introduce key reforms in its administrative and technological areas. Under the second agreement, the WB would extend $400m loan for strengthening the Higher Education Commission; while the third loan worth $118m is meant for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Revenue Mobilisation and Resource Management Programme.

● During a telephonic conversation on June 17, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi discussed bilateral relations and regional peace and security with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Qureshi briefed Pompeo about the measures being taken by Pakistan in accordance with the National Action Plan (NAP) and the initiatives being taken by the government to carry out economic restructuring. Qureshi also spoke about the steps that Pakistan has been taking for compliance with the FATF action plan. The two sides discussed the reconciliation process in Afghanistan and expressed their commitment towards bringing lasting peace to the region.

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Pakistan Internal ● On June 29, the government passed the federal budget in the National Assembly with a majority vote.

The budget was passed with a total outlay of Rs7.022 trillion, amid the opposition’s protest over the insertion of two bills which, according to it, were not shared with the members of the opposition benches. The budget was passed with a majority votes as 176 members of treasury benches voted in favour while 146 members of opposition side opposed it.

● On June 18, the government formed a high-powered body, the National Development Council (NDC) to formulate development and economy-oriented policies of the country.

The NDC, to be headed by Prime Minister Imran Khan, will also have Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa as one of its members. According to the terms of reference (ToR), the NDC will formulate policies and strategies for development activities aimed at accelerating economic growth, approve long-term planning for national and regional connectivity and provide guidelines for regional cooperation.

● On June 16, the Pakistan Army announced that Lt Gen Faiz Hameed had been appointed the Director General of the premier spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Gen Hameed replaces Lt Gen Asim Munir, who had been posted as the Director General in October 2019. Gen Hameed previously served as Adjutant General at the General Head­quarters (GHQ) and has also served in the ISI as the head of internal security.

India ● On June 28, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 14th G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan.

Prime Minister Modi and his Japanaese counterpart Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, held delegation-level talks in Osaka. On the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Modi also met with Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia; Moon Jae-in, President of the Republic of Korea; Angela Merkel, ; and Donald Trump, President of the United States. The issues of importance for India at G20 included energy security, financial stability, disaster resilient infrastructure, reformed multilateralism, WTO reforms, countering terrorism, return of economic fugitives, food security, democratisation of technologies and portable social security schemes.

● On June 26, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in New Delhi.

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Pompeo expressed the US Government’s continued interest in building stronger ties with India and working together to realise their shared vision and goals. Modi expressed his strong commitment to achieving the full potential of bilateral relations in trade and economy, energy, defence, and counter-terrorism.

• On June 25, Indian police arrested 11 people over the killing of a Muslim man who was tortured and forced to chant Hindu slogans.

Indian police arrested 11 people while two police officers were suspended over the handling of the lynching of Tabrez Ansari, after a video went viral on social media where the 24-year-old was seen pleading as a mob forced him to chant “Jai Sri Ram.” Though the Indian government rejected a recent US State Department report that said religious violence against minorities has increased under the right-wing Hindu Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ansari’s death is indicative of an alarming rise in communal violence in India.

● On June 20, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar asked Pakistan to rebuild trust and develop an environment conducive for progress.

The Indian Premier and Foreign Minister stated this in response to letters of felicitations from Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on his re-election. In his congratulatory message to PM Modi on his re-election, PM Khan had underscored the need “to work together, on the basis of mutual respect and trust” and “to advance the goals of regional peace, progress and prosperity through collective endeavours.” Modi in his reply to Khan’s letter said that for cooperative ties, it was “important to build an environment of trust, free of terror, violence and hostility.”

● On June 15, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Yury Trutnev, arrived in India on a five- day visit.

On June 19, 2019, Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev met with Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi for talks aimed at paving the way for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia in September 2019 where Modi will be attending the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. ---Fareeha Shamim

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SOUTH ASIA II

Afghanistan

• On June 29, the seventh round of US-Taliban talks began in Doha.

In the previous round of talks in May 2019, the two sides focused on the withdrawal of foreign troops and Taliban guarantees to stop Al-Qaeda and Daesh from operating in Afghanistan. In May 2019 US Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad noted that the sixth round of talks with the Taliban had made “slow but steady” progress. So far, the Taliban have refused to meet directly with the Afghan government but have held meetings with several Afghan politicians, including former President, Hamid Karzai, and government peace council members. There are high expectations that one of the four key issues under debate would be agreed upon thus facilitating intra-Afghan talks. According to analysts there should be a breakthrough on the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan, which has been the top Taliban condition for the commencement of an intra-Afghan dialogue. Amid efforts for peace, violence continues across Afghanistan as a result of clashes between the Taliban and the US led Afghan Security Forces. Meanwhile Voice of America reported on June 29, 2019 that latest Taliban attacks in the provinces of Baghlan and Kandahar left at least 44 Afghan security personnel dead.

• On June 27, Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani visited Pakistan and met with Prime Minister, Imran Khan.

National Security Advisor, Hamdullah Mohib, NDS Chief, Masoom Stanekzai and Acting Interior Minister, Massoud Andrabi accompanied Ghani during his visit. The visit was aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in political, trade, economic and security fields and forging stronger and multifaceted ties between the two countries. According to the Associated Press, Ghani praised Pakistan’s efforts to advance the peace process in the region as he reached out to Islamabad for help in bringing the Taliban to the negotiating table. Meanwhile, during his speech at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), Ghani emphasised the need for developing “political alignment” between the two neighbours. During the meeting between Ghani and PM Khan, matters pertaining to bilateral cooperation in various sectors, and the overall regional situation were discussed. The two leaders agreed to open “a new chapter of friendship and cooperation” based on “mutual trust and harmony” for the benefit of their countries and advancing the cause of peace, stability and prosperity in the region. PM Khan underscored Pakistan’s respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan and said Pakistan remained committed to a peaceful, stable, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan. He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to support the Afghan peace process and underlined that an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process was the only viable option to restore peace. Meanwhile, Ghani proposed a regional task force of leaders for taking forward the projects of regional connectivity. According to Dawn, the two sides reached an agreement to utilise the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Coordination Authority, the Joint Economic Commission

41 and other similar mechanisms to remove difficulties in transit and bilateral trade and explore new possibilities. Ghani also held separate meetings with President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi and other opposition leaders. The new Pakistani Administration under the leadership of PM Khan has been working to improve relations with all the neighbouring countries. PM Khan approached Ghani and extended an invitation for him to visit, despite Kabul’s propensity to blame Pakistan for meddling in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.

• On June 27, NATO confirmed financial support for the Afghan Security Forces through 2024.

NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg made the announcement during the NATO Defence Ministers’ meeting in Brussels. Stoltenberg said that NATO will stay in Afghanistan for as long as necessary, to ensure the country never again becomes a safe haven for international terrorists, and that their commitment to train and finance Afghan Forces had created the conditions for peace in the country. He also said that there is a unique opportunity for peace in Afghanistan today and that the alliance strongly supports efforts for a peace deal in the near future. Meanwhile, NATO Senior Civilian Representative to Afghanistan, Nicholas Kay said that the alliance remains committed to providing support to Afghanistan so that the country does not become a safe haven for international terrorists again. Afghanistan’s Defence Minister, Asadullah Khalid also participated in the meeting and reiterated that the Taliban’s spring offensive has failed, that the Afghan Forces have been foiling the enemy’s threats, that they have recaptured many districts, and that operations would continue. The juxtaposition of efforts for both brokering a peace settlement with the Taliban and the simultaneous preparations for continued war by US-led NATO and the Afghan government has added to the confusion of an already difficult situation in the country.

• On June 25, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence said it had recaptured Bilcheragh district in the northern Faryab province from the Taliban.

Afghan Police and Army forces jointly carried out the operation led by the Army’s Commando Unit. The Taliban did not comment on the report. Tolo News reported a related incident on June 20, 2019 when least 109 Taliban fighters, including 19 commanders of the group were killed in Afghan Forces’ operation in Badghis province. In other incidents, Afghan Security Forces claimed killing at least 44 Taliban insurgents including a number of their commanders in the provinces of Ghor, Farah and Faryab. Amid efforts for peace, intense fighting between the Afghan Security Forces led by the US, and the Taliban continues across Afghanistan.

• On June 25, US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo paid an unannounced visit to Afghanistan and met with Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani in Kabul.

During his meeting with Ghani and Afghanistan’s Chief Executive, Abdullah Abdullah, Pompeo reiterated, “While we have made it clear to the Taliban we are prepared to remove our forces, I

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want to be clear, we have not yet agreed on a timeline to do so.” Leaders from both the countries agreed that peace is their highest priority and that Afghanistan must never serve as a platform for international terrorism. Pompeo also said that the peace talks would move forward simultaneously with detailed talks with the government of Afghanistan. Deliberating upon Pakistan’s role in facilitating the peace process, Pompeo said, “Pakistan has a particularly important role to play in this process and in the promotion of peace and stability in the region. Progress has been made and we will continue to look to Pakistan for practical measures, cooperation on peace talks and the implementation of any agreement.”

• On June 22, Pakistan hosted a conference on Afghan peace titled “Lahore Process” in Murree.

Senior Afghan politicians, including Hizb-e-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, former Balkh governor Atta Mohammad Noor, second deputy chief executive Mohammad Mohaqeq, presidential candidate Abdul Latif Pedram, the High Peace Council Chairman Mohammad Karim Khalili, presidential candidate Mohammad Haneef Atmar, former vice president Mohammad Yunus Qanooni, former governor Ismail Khan, and presidential candidate Ahmad Wali Massoud attended the conference. Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi addressed the inaugural ceremony of the conference and reiterated his country’s commitment to a peaceful, stable, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan. He also said that Pakistan supports an Afghanistan that is at peace with itself, and at peace with its neighbours and that Pakistan respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan. Qureshi noted that for far too long, “the vicious circle of mistrust, often fed by our common enemies, has affected our relationship”. He added that the “blame-game” had not helped either of the countries and that it was indispensable to move away from this negative paradigm. Qureshi also expressed his willingness to work with Afghanistan, and the international communities, to help create conditions that would enable a dignified, safe and voluntary return of Afghan refugees. Afghan politicians praised Pakistan’s efforts for peace in Afghanistan and thanked the country for hosting large numbers of Afghan refugees. According to the Afghan media, Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Imran Khan confirmed that Pakistan’s previous policy towards Afghanistan was wrong and that Islamabad had now brought a significant shift in its approach towards its neighbour. Abdullah Qarloq, an Afghan politician who participated in the conference told Tolo News that PM Khan told them that they should not doubt Pakistan’s intention and determination. According to the Afghan politician, PM Khan also assured that Pakistan will hold talks with the Taliban leadership to engage in direct talks with the (Afghan) government. Meanwhile, Hekmatyar praised Pakistan’s role in the ongoing peace process for his country and said that Pakistan could play a key role in bringing peace in Afghanistan. Analysts believe the conference marks an opportunity to improve relations and trust between the leadership of the two countries; especially, in building consensus regarding the Afghan peace process.

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• On June 21, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) said in his new report that America has so far spent more than $84 billion dollars on Afghan Forces but they continue to suffer staggering losses.

In its report titled, Divided Responsibility: Lessons from US Security Sector Assistance Efforts in Afghanistan, SIGAR painted a troubling picture of a costly Afghan security development scheme, with multiple supervising US and NATO departments that do not coordinate with one another. The report mentioned that the “security sector assistance mission in Afghanistan lacked an enduring and comprehensive plan” from the start. It also noted that the US-NATO commander did not have absolute authority over how the ANDSF was being trained and advised in different parts of Afghanistan. SIGAR also said that security sector assistance efforts in Afghanistan have been hindered by the lack of clear command-and-control relationships between the US military and the US Embassy, as well as between ministerial and tactical advising efforts. It has resulted in disjointed efforts to develop ANDSF capabilities. It was also mentioned in the report that the US has not adequately involved the Afghans in key decisions and processes. As a result, the US has implemented systems that the Afghans will not be able to maintain without US support.

• On June 21, US President, Donald Trump said that some good things are happening in Afghanistan, referring to a reduction in the number of stationed American troops and the defeat of Daesh.

Trump said that there are 9,000 US troops in Afghanistan and the number will be reduced to 8,000. In a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, Trump said that he wants to get out of America’s “endless wars”. Since October 2018, the US State Department led by Zalmay Khalilzad has been putting serious efforts to find a political solution to the Afghan conflict.

• On June 19, Tadamichi Yamamoto, UN Special Representative for Afghanistan briefed the Security Council on the Afghan peace process and the upcoming presidential election.

Yamamoto said he was “encouraged” by signs of increasing consultations between countries that are leading initiatives in support of a political settlement between the Afghan Government and the Taliban. Calling upon nations with influence over the Taliban to intensify their efforts towards this goal, he stressed, “The common message to the Taliban is clear: Come to the table and negotiate directly with the Afghan Government”. Yamamoto noted that the presidential election scheduled for September 28, 2019, would be a “key moment to reaffirm the legitimacy of Afghanistan’s democratic political structure”. He urged the election commission, state institutions, political leaders, candidates and international partners to deliver credible and timely elections. Yamamoto also noted that the UN is currently working with the Election Commission of Afghanistan and the Election Complaints Commission in the preparation stage.

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He also warned that Afghanistan cannot afford a contentious and protracted post-election crisis.

• On June 19, US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad said that the United States is seeking a “comprehensive peace agreement, not a withdrawal agreement” in its talks with the Taliban.

Khalilzad was responding to a Taliban spokesman’s remarks, who said that the US had “accepted” to withdraw all its forces from Afghanistan. Khalilzad said that a comprehensive peace agreement would comprise four inter-connected parts: counter-terrorism assurances, troop withdrawal, intra-Afghan negotiations that lead to a political settlement, and a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire.

• Arab News reported on June 17 that a Taliban delegation visited Beijing and met with Chinese authorities to discuss the developments in the ongoing Afghan peace process.

The Taliban delegation was led by head of the Qatar office and deputy chief on political affairs, Abdul Ghani Baradar. The details of the meeting have been kept confidential. China along with the US and Russia has been making serious efforts to find a political solution to the Afghan conflict. In April 2019, China, Russia and the US pressed the Taliban to hold talks with Afghan politicians and civilians.

• On June 17, Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani visited the United Kingdom (UK) and met with Prime Minister, Theresa May in London.

The two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on the ongoing efforts for peace in Afghanistan, the development of the Afghan security forces and the upcoming presidential elections. Ghani termed Britain’s role for peace in Afghanistan, as being is very important. He also reiterated that the presidential elections would be held on time and in a fair manner. Meanwhile, the British Prime Minister expressed her country’s support to the peace process under the leadership of Afghans and said that Britain supports regional consensus on the peace process in Afghanistan. On regional stability, May welcomed the steps that Ghani has taken toward peace in Afghanistan. The government of the UK also pledged a fresh aid package of £170 million to Afghanistan.

• On June 17, Afghanistan’s National Security Advisor, Hamdullah Mohib participated in the 10th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues in the Russian city of Ufa.

Mohib said that counterterrorism efforts need to remain a top priority. He noted in Afghanistan alone, at least 50 people pay the ultimate sacrifice in the fight against terrorism on a daily basis, which makes Afghanistan a country at the frontlines in the fight against terrorism. Mohib also pointed out that terrorists and drug traffickers are two sides of the same coin and that narcotics

45 is known as the main source of revenue for terrorism that generate billions of dollars every year. Meanwhile, Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council underlined the need for continued peace talks with the Taliban in coordination with the Afghan government to prevent meddling of trans-regional states. He further stressed the gravity of the spread of Daesh influence in Afghanistan, and called for practical measures to counter their threat.

• On June 16, Iran’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Mohammad Reza Bahrami said that Tehran wants a role for the Taliban in Afghanistan’s government, but that role should not be dominant.

Bahrami said, “We agree on the participation of the Taliban in power, but we do not agree with a dominant role for them. Our position is very clear. We want to say there is a structure present where the Taliban can participate.” He added that the picture of peace remains vague, adding those who lead the peace process are responsible for the uncertainty. The Taliban have publicly said that the group is not seeking power and that it wants an equal role for all Afghans in the future government. Back in January 2019, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif said that it is impossible to have a future Afghan government without a role for the Taliban.

---Kashif Hussain

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UNITED NATIONS

• On June 28, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the leaders of the G20 Summit to make a stronger commitment to climate action and economic cooperation.

Talking to reporters before addressing the 2019 G20 Osaka Summit, Guterres said, “We have global warming, but we have also global political warming, and this can be seen in relation to trade and technology conflicts, it can be seen in relation to situations in several parts of the world, namely the Gulf.” During his speech, the Secretary-General discussed “uncertainties about the global economy” and political tensions that are making a breakthrough in relations difficult. He also highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change as a main priority. He deplored that scientific analysis have shown worse situation with regards to global warming, and, meanwhile, the political will to address the climate issues was faltering. On June 29, 2019, Antonio Guterres met with the Foreign Ministers of China and France, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, and expressed his gratitude to both countries not only for their “climate action” but also for their multilateral approach to climate change. He asserted, “I very much count on the determination of both China and France, both with the Paris Agreement, both with climate action and with multilateralism, to allow for our capacity to overcome the present difficulties.”

• On June 24, the UN Security Council urge d the Gulf countries to exercise maximum restraint to resolve their mutual issues peacefully.

After a close-door meeting of the UNSC, Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi of Kuwait, who holds the Council’s presidency for the month of June 2019, issued an informal statement on behalf of the Council. The statement condemned the attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf, and noted that such attacks represented a “serious threat to maritime navigation and energy supply” as well as being a threat to international peace and security. The statement urged countries to address their differences “peacefully and through dialogue.”

• On June 21, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres applauded a landmark international agreement adopted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), banning violence and harassment in the workplace.

A two-week long session of the ILO ended on June 21, 2019, with the adoption of a Convention and accompanying Recommendation aimed at combating violence and harassment in the workplace, as well as a Declaration charting the way towards a human-centred future of work. According to the ILO, the convention was passed with 439 votes in favour, with seven against and 30 abstentions, after a ballot involving representatives of governments, employers and workers, in line with ILO’s tripartite structure. The new convention, a legally binding international instrument, recognises that violence and harassment in the world of work “can

47 constitute a human rights violation or abuse, and it is a threat to equal opportunities, and is unacceptable and incompatible with decent work.” It defines “violence and harassment” as behaviours, practices or threats “that aim at, result in, or are likely to result in physical, psychological, sexual or economic harm.” During the conference, Antonio Guterres delivered strong messages of support for the ILO and its social justice mandate. While welcoming the Centenary Declaration, Guterres said, “The Declaration is ambitious, setting out the basis for delivering the ILO’s mandate in its second century. But the Centenary Declaration is much more than a statement of wishes or intent. The Declaration proposes a shift in the paradigm of how we look at development”

• On June 19, UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Agnes Callamard, released a 100-page inquiry report about the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018.

The report reads, “The circumstances of Khashoggi’s death have led to numerous theories and allegations, but none alters the responsibility of the Saudi Arabia State.” It added, “Saudi state agents, 15 of them, acted under cover of their official status and used state means to execute Khashoggi.” The report also indicated that the journalist’s killing was planned and endorsed by high-level officials, and it was premeditated. Callamard said her findings were based partially on recordings from inside the Saudi consulate in Turkey before, during and after the killing. While maintaining that the report presents six violations of the international law, the Special Rapporteur stressed that the murder constitutes an international crime over which other States “should claim universal jurisdiction.” Moreover, the report also determines that there was “credible evidence” that warrants further investigation of high-level Saudi officials’ liability, including that of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. While providing many recommendations to different entities calling for different actions, Callamard in her report called on the Human Rights Council, the Security Council or the UN Secretary-General “to conduct an international follow-up criminal investigation for the purpose of determining individual liability and identifying options towards judicial accountability.”

• On June 17, Gert Rosenthal, a former UN Ambassador and top executive at the UN’s Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), issued his report analysing how the UN System operated in Myanmar failed in preventing serious human rights abuses against minority Rohingya Muslim community.

The report is based on analysing the UN system in Myanmar from 2010 to 2018, encompassing the UN’s response to the systematic and brutal abuse of Muslim Rohingya in Rakhine state, by the national army and security forces, which began in August 2017, In his report, Rosenthal claimed that he UN System had been “relatively impotent to effectively work with the authorities of Myanmar, to reverse the negative trends in the areas of human rights, and consolidate the positive trends in other areas.” While noting that main responsibility of grave human rights abuses in Myanmar rests with the Government of the country, the report said in its conclusion

48 that the UN’s systematic failures are not down to any single entity or any individuals. It stressed that “clearly there is a shared responsibility on the part of all parties involved in not having been able to accompany the Government’s political process with constructive actions, while at the same time conveying more forcefully the United Nations’ principled concerns regarding grave human rights violations.” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres accepted the report and called its recommendations valuable for not only improving the performance of the UN system in general but also important for the Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Team in Myanmar, as well as in other countries where the UN operates in similarly challenging conditions. ---Moiz Khan

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