THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
I. Fewer troops won’t end wars. Most U.S. combat involves airstrikes.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/fewer-troops-wont-end-wars-most-us-combat-involves-airstrikes/2020/12/04/a6f89ffc-3588-11eb-8d38-6aea1adb3839_story.html
II. Afghanistan poses huge security threat for U.S. and Israel
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/dec/1/afghanistan-poses-huge-security-threat-for-us-and-/
III. N Pen and Sword: The Nine Lives of Pakistan (podcast)
https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/pen-and-sword-nine-lives-pakistan
IV. US Commission on International Religious Freedom – Report
https://www.uscirf.gov/annual-reports
V. Violating Rights: Enforcing the World’s Blasphemy Laws
https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2020%20Blasphemy%20Enforcement%20Report%20_final_0.pdf
VI. A US Foreign Policy in the EasternmMediterranean
https://mail.issi.org.pk/ajax/actions.hsp?_h=03f9181209e263b8275bf46a971ce3b2dtdo12t2f0&action=viewattachment&mid=7033&fid=1297_2448&attid=4
VII. Ten Lessons for a Post-Pandemic World: Fareed Zakaria
https://mail.issi.org.pk/ajax/actions.hsp?_h=03f9181209e263b8275bf46a971ce3b2dtdo12t2f0&action=viewattachment&mid=7033&fid=1297_2448&attid=3 l
VIII. ‘A New Cold War? Assessing the Current US-Russia Relationship
https://mail.issi.org.pk/ajax/actions.hsp?_h=03f9181209e263b8275bf46a971ce3b2dtdo12t2f0&action=viewattachment&mid=7033&fid=1297_2448&attid=6
IX. Joe Biden: The Life, the Run, and What Matters Now
https://mail.issi.org.pk/ajax/actions.hsp?_h=03f9181209e263b8275bf46a971ce3b2dtdo12t2f0&action=viewattachment&mid=7033&fid=1297_2448&attid=2
X. LAC standoff | India approaches China bilaterally, with the challenge of global rebalancing, says External Affairs Minister
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/lac-standoff-india-will-not-accept-less-than-bottom-line-in-talks-with-china-says-jaishankar/article33234296.ece
RUSSIA & EUROPE
I. Russia’s ‘Doomsday’ Plane Robbed During Upgrade – Reportsw
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/12/08/russias-doomsday-plane-robbed-during-upgrade-reports-a72270
II. Members of the State Duma observed parliamentary elections in Venezuela
http://duma.gov.ru/en/news/50209/
III. West has policy to engage India in ‘anti-China games’, says Russian foreign minister Lavrov
https://m.hindustantimes.com/world-news/west-has-policy-to-engage-india-in-anti-china-games-says-russian-foreign-minister-lavrov/story-WbNfR30MEFMeBd3LDibekJ_amp.html
IV. Putin said that work in OPEC + is the most important direction for Russia
https://tass.ru/ekonomika/10211399
V. The Air and Missile War in Nagorno-Karabakh: Lessons for the Future of Strike and Defense
https://www.csis.org/analysis/air-and-missile-war-nagorno-karabakh-lessons-future-strike-and-defense
VI. Russia to take part in joint military drill with NATO
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/russia-to-take-part-in-joint-military-drill-with-nato/2072488
VII. ‘India targets EU, UN with fake media, dead NGOs for anti-Pakistan propaganda’
https://www.disinfo.eu/publications/indian-chronicles-deep-dive-into-a-15-year-operation-targeting-the-eu-and-un-to-serve-indian-interests
VIII. Russian_Kazakhsatn Relations: Foreign Minsiter Sergey Lavrov’s Interview with Kazinform News Agency
https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/-/asset_publisher/cKNonkJE02Bw/content/id/4462697
IX. Putin Signs Constitutional Reforms on State Council, Secession, Russian Law
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/12/08/putin-signs-constitutional-reforms-on-state-council-secession-russian-law-a72278
X. Govt in talks with China, Russia to get vaccines, says Dr Faisal Sultan
https://www.dawn.com/news/1594527/govt-in-talks-with-china-russia-to-get-vaccines-says-dr-faisal-sultan
XI. Russian and Chinese Experts Discuss the U.S. Election Results
https://russiancouncil.ru/en/news/russian-and-chinese-experts-discuss-the-u-s-election-results
XII. There is no ‘Russia-Turkey alliance
https://russiancouncil.ru/en/analytics-and-comments/comments/there-is-no-russia-turkey-alliance/
XIII. Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova
https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/-/asset_publisher/cKNonkJE02Bw/content/id/4465803
XIV. Are Europe’s Leaders Ready for a Biden Presidency?
https://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/83210
XV. Decision time nears as Brexit talks hit the wall
https://www.dawn.com/news/1594543/decision-time-nears-as-brexit-talks-hit-the-wall
XVI. Talk of a ‘no deal’ Brexit grows as deadline looms
https://www.reuters.com/article/britain-eu/talk-of-a-no-deal-brexit-grows-as-deadline-looms-idUSKBN28I18J
XVII. Securing the EU’s Place in the World
https://carnegieeurope.eu/2020/11/17/securing-eu-s-place-in-world-pub-83246
XVIII. Council conclusions on European Union – United States relations
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/12/07/council-conclusions-on-european-union-united-states-relations/#
XIX. European Union retains ban on PIA flights
https://www.dawn.com/news/1593904/european-union-retains-ban-on-pia-flights
XX. What Russia expects from Biden?
https://carnegie.ru/commentary/83305
XXI. The Economies of Imperial China and Western Europe: Debating the Great Divergence
https://mail.issi.org.pk/ajax/actions.hsp?_h=03f9181209e263b8275bf46a971ce3b2dtdo12t2f0&action=viewattachment&mid=7033&fid=1297_2448&attid=1
XXII. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s telephone conversation with Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Luigi Di Maio
https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/-/asset_publisher/cKNonkJE02Bw/content/id/4463238
XXIII. European Union and ASEAN to form strategic partnership: Germany
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-europe-asean-partnership/european-union-and-asean-to-form-strategic-partnership-germany-idUKKBN28B4U0
MULTILATERALISM
I. Shutting school systems, wrong response to COVID-19, UNICEF says
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1079462
II. 54 million women and youth face staggering humanitarian challenges
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1079482
III. UN ‘vital’ for peace and cooperation says Economic and Social Council head
https://news.un.org/en/audio/2020/12/1078902
IV. ‘Pakistan hands dossier on Indian terrorism to UN chief’
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2273441/pakistan-hands-dossier-on-indian-terrorism-to-un-chief
V. UNGA adopts Pak-sponsored resolution calling for respecting sacred religious symbols
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2274482/unga-adopts-pak-sponsored-resolution-calling-for-respecting-sacred-religious-symbols
POLITICAL ECONOMY & NON-TRADITIONAL THREATS
I. SBP Weekly Data Report
http://www.sbp.org.pk/ecodata/index2.asp
II. ADB sees economic recovery in Pakistan
https://www.adb.org/publications/ado-supplement-december-2020
III. PM proposes ten-point agenda at UNGA to avert economic collapse due to Covid-19
https://www.radio.gov.pk/04-12-2020/pm-proposes-ten-point-agenda-at-unga-to-avert-economic-collapse-due-to-covid-19
IV. Pakistan among top five countries with most investment in first half of 2020: World Bank
https://ppi.worldbank.org/content/dam/PPI/documents/PPI_2020_Half-Year_Update.pdf
V. Pakistan’s remittances remain above $2b for sixth consecutive month
https://www.sbp.org.pk/press/2020/Pr-11-Dec-20.pdf
VI. RDA may attract $1.5b in 6 months
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2275489/rda-may-attract-15b-in-6-months
VII. Pakistan challenges India’s bid for basmati GI tag
https://www.dawn.com/news/1595139/pakistan-challenges-indias-bid-for-basmati-gi-tag
VIII. Ehsaas bringing positive change to Pakistan: report
https://www.deliveryassociates.com/news/pakistans-ehsaas-programme-shift-from-politics-of-patronage-to-politics-of-performance
IX. Next five years’ economic growth not encouraging
https://www.dawn.com/news/1594909/next-five-years-economic-growth-not-encouraging
X. Pakistan faces severe gas crisis in January as LNG trading companies take a back seat on bidding
https://www.geo.tv/latest/323604-pakistan-to-run-out-gas-in-january-as-lng-trading-companies-take-a-back-seat-on-bidding
XI. Technology, digitisation can tackle illicit trade
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2275481/technology-digitisation-can-tackle-illicit-trade
XII. RCEP: An Indian Miscalculation?lobal Humanitarian Overview 2021
http://www.ipcs.org/comm_select.php?articleNo=5743
XIII. A job-killing pandemic
https://www.dawn.com/news/1594444/a-job-killing-pandemic
XIV. Cybercrime costs to top $1tr this year: researchers
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2275060/cybercrime-costs-to-top-1tr-this-year-researchers
XV. New programme launched to enhance climate resilience, water security in Pakistan
https://www.geo.tv/latest/323620-mocc-ffc-wwf-pakistan-launch-initiative-to-enhance-climate-resilience-and-water-security
XVI. Unctad sees 5.6pc fall in merchandise trade
https://www.dawn.com/news/1594953/unctad-sees-56pc-fall-in-merchandise-trade
XVII. Climate Change, Coming Soon to a Court Near You: National Climate Change Legal Frameworks in Asia and the Pacific
https://www.adb.org/publications/national-climate-change-legal-frameworks-asia-pacific
XVIII. ‘Green recovery’ from COVID-19 can slow climate change: UN environment report
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1079602
XIX. In the past 15 years, climate change has transformed the Arctic
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/climate-change-arctic-warming-noaa-report-card-2020
XX. Climate change: Covid drives record emissions drop in 2020
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-55261902
XXI. Poor nations call for more financial support to cope with climate impacts
https://www.climatechangenews.com/2020/12/10/poor-nations-call-financial-support-cope-climate-impacts/
XXII. After five years, here are five things the Paris Agreement achieved — and didn’t
https://www.climatechangenews.com/2020/12/09/five-years-five-things-paris-agreement-achieved-didnt/
