This is a roundup of news articles, reports, and other materials focusing on (in)security issues and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of Security in Context. The goal is to shed light on knowledge production on security-related issues that are of public interest from different perspectives. Entries may include academic journal articles, think tank reports, non-governmental organizations releases, official documents or government-commissioned research, and regular news items. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each roundup to admin@securityincontext.com
This month's special current events section covers COP26.
Climate Change and Security
The Arctic Ocean began warming decades earlier than previously thought, new research shows
November 25, 2021
A study conducted at Cambridge University found that the Arctic Ocean began warming far before scientists previously believed.
Analysis: Biden's oil reserves bet mixes China outreach with appeal to U.S. voters
November 24, 2021
The U.S. is poised to release strategic oil reserves in coordination with China to help alleviate the effects of oil shortages.
War Helps Fuel the Climate Crisis as U.S. Military Carbon Emissions Exceed 140+ Nations
November 9, 2021
Protests erupted outside the UN climate summit in Glasgow in an effort to highlight the disturbing carbon footprint of the U.S. military which exceeds that of 140 nations combined. This statistic becomes even more troubling when it's understood that U.S. military emissions are exempt from most national emissions reports.
‘America Is Back’ Pelosi Says at Glasgow Climate Talks
November 9, 2021
Nancy Pelosi, along with several representatives at COP26, exclaimed that “America is back,” in regard to tackling climate change. However, this statement is inconsistent with the reality of American fossil fuel usage and overall investment in the fossil fuel industry.
Security and International Relations
Uganda and Congo Are at War With the Islamic State
November 29, 2021
the Islamic State-Khorasan which claimed the attack in Afghanistan that killed 13 U.S. soldiers and over 170 Afghans, has now claimed responsibility for suicide bombings in Uganda.
India wants to seal its borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh
November 29, 2021
The Home Minister of India, Rajnath Singh, announced that he plans on securing and shutting down India’s border which includes Pakistan and Bangladesh on the basis that India is susceptible to terrorist threats. This border is twice the U.S.- Mexico border.
Barbados becomes a republic, renouncing British queen
November 29, 2021
Barbados has replaced its monarchy, which derives from British colonialism and replaced it with a republic. Many hope this will motivate other former British colonies.
Farmers Have Become Martyrs in India
November 28, 2021
After long violent protests from Indian farmers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repealed his controversial agricultural laws.
Ukraine PM calls for NATO’s help against Russia
November 26, 2021
The Prime Minister of the Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, calls for assistance as Russia continues to stockpile arms and gather troops on the Ukrainian border.
China downgrades ties with Lithuania over Taiwan
November 21, 2021
China cuts diplomatic ties with Lithuania after they open a de facto Taiwanese embassy in Vilnius, the second largest city in the Baltic state.
European defense leaders warn: Belarus migrant crisis could morph into military crisis
November 10, 2021
The Estonian minister of defense warns that the migrant crisis in Belarus could turn into a violent geopolitical crisis as EU leaders suspect that Russia and Belarus are funneling immigrants to Europe.
Migration and Displacement
Two planes bring more migrants back to Iraq from Belarus
November 26, 2021
Two planes filled with hundreds of Iraqi migrants left from Belarus and returned to Iraq. This is part of the larger geopolitical tension between the EU and Belarus.
U.S. heads for record Nicaragua deportations, despite Ortega criticism
November 25, 2021
The United States has deported many Nicaraguan immigrants and has made it clear that it does not approve of President Daniel Ortega. Some immigration experts are questioning whether U.S. immigration policy with regard to Nicaragua is political.
Tragedy at sea claims dozens of lives in deadliest day of Channel crisis
November 24, 2021
27 migrants die in an attempt to cross the English Channel in an inflatable boat. While 2 people survived, this tragedy is part of a larger trend as England has received over three times the amount of immigrants in small boats in 2021 than in 2020.
Report: Economics drives migration from Central America to the U.S.
November 23, 2021
An MIR report shows that the majority of immigrants migrate because of difficult economic conditions which is a major feature of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Europe’s Migration Crisis, Born in Belarus
November 14, 2021
Belarus has weaponized immigration and wielded it against Europe to weaken the strength of the EU.
What’s happening at the U.S.-Mexico border in 7 charts
November 9, 2021
The U.S must respond to a record number of migrants from Mexico in 2021. This is sure to exacerbate what has already been deemed a humanitarian crisis in the U.S. - Mexico border.
U.S. to send deportation case notices to 78,000 migrants who were not fully processed
November 8, 2021
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to put in motion "Operation Horizon," which will begin the deportation process for 78,000 migrants. This does not diverge from the Trump administration’s immigration policy.
Covid-19, Capitalism & Economy
Omicron: entry bans spread as China pledges 1bn jabs for Africa
November 30, 2021
China imposes a new set of restrictions to help curb the recent surges in covid numbers and to slow the spread of the new variant.
Covid News: Pfizer to Seek Approval for Boosters for 16- and 17-Year-Olds
November 29, 2021
Pfizer seeks to become the first to manufacture and distribute boosters for people under 18.
Omicron COVID variant underlines need for global ‘pandemic treaty’
November 29, 2021
The new variant calls for a more cooperative international approach to help countries who don't have access to vaccines, tests, or medical equipment.
Peru has the world's highest COVID death rate. Here's why
November 27, 2021
Peru has the highest Covid fatality rate due to a variety of factors including lack of vaccines, ICU beds, and tests.
WHO Says Too Early to Understand Omicron Severity: Virus Update
November 27, 2021
While the WHO warns about the spread of the new omicron variant, evidence suggests that the symptoms are fairly mild.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Expands Eligibility for COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters
November 19, 2021
The FDA has approved further administration of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and has approved the mixing of different vaccines for booster shots.
Covid: WHO warns Europe once again at epicentre of pandemic
November 5, 2021
Covid numbers in Europe have skyrocketed as vaccination rates slow in several European countries.
Technologies of surveillance/Data Analytics/AI
China surveillance of journalists to use 'traffic-light' system
November 29, 2021
China has devised a threat level system that will determine the level of surveillance needed for specific journalists.
Meet Mansoor Adayfi: I Was Kidnapped as a Teen, Sold to the CIA & Jailed at Guantánamo for 14 Years
November 26, 2021
Read the story of Mansoor Adayfi who was kidnapped at 18 by Afghan warlords and sold to the CIA. He was then kept in Guantanamo for 14 years without a charge.
CEO-designate of spyware firm NSO quits after US blacklisting
November 11, 2021
CEO of Israeli spyware company resigns after the US blacklists it for going against national interest.
Julian Assange’s Fiancée: U.K. Blocking Our Attempt to Marry While He Is Tortured in Belmarsh Prison
November 9, 2021
Stella Morris and Julian Assange have been barred from marrying and supporters continue to call attention to Assange’s serious psychological distress.
Supreme Court Hears FBI Claim of State Secrets in Muslim Surveillance Case
November 8 2021
The Supreme Court is split on whether Muslim Americans’ claim that the FBI violated their privacy rights is legitimate. It’s confirmed that the FBI sent an agent to infiltrate a mosque in search of suspected terrorist threat.
US citizens v FBI: Will the government face charges for illegal surveillance?
November 7, 2021
Muslim Americans are suing the U.S. government for conducting undercover surveillance.
Israeli spyware company NSO Group placed on US blacklist
November 3, 2021
The U.S. has placed an Israeli spyware company on its blacklist for being “contrary to the foreign policy and national security interests of the United States.
Gender, Race, Ethnicity, and Sexuality
Solomon Islands violence recedes but not underlying tension
November 27, 2021
While the violence in the Solomon Islands has died down, there is still very significant geopolitical tension between the Islands and the U.S.
Argentine movement tries to make Black heritage more visible
November 26, 2021
Argentinian President Alberto Fernández made an offensive tweet that sparked a cultural movement in Argentina. The movement aims to recognize and uplift the many different ethnicities that make up the country.
Universities to combat race bias in research
November 24, 2021
In an effort to combat institutional racism in academia, universities in the UK are hiring more people of color and the statistics reflect this.
Brit awards 2022 to remove gendered categories
November 22, 2021
The Brit awards have replaced their gendered categories with two non-gendered awards. This is part of a larger cultural shift to accept more fluid gender categories.
Artificial Intelligence plan to reduce harm to pregnant black women
November 17, 2021
Because bias greatly affects the medical care Black women get, they are 4 times more likely to die during pregnancy. AI medical practitioners may be a future solution.
November 2, 2021
A survey found that in the 17 countries with the strongest economic development, racial and ethnic discrimination is regarded as a serious issue for the populous.
Arms, Weapons, and Military Industrial Complex
U.S. in hypersonic weapon 'arms race' with China -Air Force secretary
November 30, 2021
China and the U.S. are engaged in an arms race to develop the best hypersonic weapons. This is part of U.S. efforts to continue to dominate the world militarily.
“The War Party”: Jeremy Scahill on How U.S. Militarism Unifies Democrats & Republicans
November 24, 2021
While both major political parties in the U.S. quibble over their differences in an effort to appeal to the American public, they are united in their commitment to maintaining a grossly over funded military.
Does Taiwan Have the Right of Self-Defense?
November 23, 2021
Taiwan’s sovereignty has a complicated legacy which increases the danger of a potential military conflict between the former Chinese province and the PRC.
The Pentagon Budget Should Be Cut by At Least $1 Trillion—But War Profiteers Won't Go Quietly
November 9, 2021
The congressional budget office has offered a plan to cut military spending and save 1 trillion that can be invested in other aspects of the Biden agenda.
Saudi gets first major arms deal under Biden with air-to-air missiles
November 4, 2021
The Biden Administration made its first arms sale to Saudi Arabia. The sale consisted of 280 air-to-air missiles worth 680 million dollars.
The New Cold War’s Thriving Arms Race
November 2, 2021
While Joe Biden struggles to carve out a budget for social programs and other policy proposals, he continues to invest in the proliferation of the U.S. military regime.
COP26
COP26: The truth behind the new climate change denial
November 17, 2021
Climate change denial no longer denies the existence of climate change. Instead, it purports false causes of severe changes in the climate and downplays the harmful effects it will have on the earth.
COP26: New global climate deal struck in Glasgow
November 14, 2021
One deal that developed at the COP26 conference specifically aims to diminish the usage of coal, the most harmful fossil fuel.
‘COP26 hasn’t solved the problem’: scientists react to UN climate deal
November 14, 2021
While countries reached several agreements during the Glasgow conference, global temperatures are still going to reach a tipping point.
COP26 closes with ‘compromise’ deal on climate, but it’s not enough, says UN chief
November 13, 2021
After the COP26 conference in Glasgow was extended an extra day, the countries present drafted the Glasgow Pact, a report compiled of the climate progress of 197 countries.
November 11, 2021
While countries at the UN conference in Glasgow drafted ambitious agreements and plans, globally, temperatures are still on track to increase by 2 degrees celsius.
