CSP WEEKLY UPDATES (December 23-29, 2023)

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA & THE UNITED NATIONS

https://www.dawn.com/news/1800922

Ø  Pak-US relations

https://www.dawn.com/news/1798552

Ø  Foreign Policy’s Best Articles on Geopolitics and Strategy

https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/12/27/geopolitics-grand-strategy-war-2023/

Ø  The United Nations Completely Failed in Lebanon

https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/12/26/the-united-nations-completely-failed-in-lebanon/

Ø  Why is Israel using so many dumb bombs in Gaza?

https://www.economist.com/interactive/middle-east-and-africa/2023/12/16/why-is-israel-using-so-many-dumb-bombs-in-gaza

Ø  Ukraine Aid Remains in Limbo as Congress Nears Recess

https://www.voanews.com/a/ukraine-aid-remains-in-limbo-as-congress-nears-recess/7400556.html

Ø  Petraeus says Israel should try U.S.-style counterinsurgency in Gaza

https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2023/12/07/petraeus-says-israel-should-try-us-style-
counterinsurgency-in-gaza/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tw_mt

Ø  US Defense Bill Shows Bipartisan Israel Support

https://www.cnas.org/publications/commentary/us-defense-bill-shows-bipartisan-israel-support

Ø  The Trouble with a Cease-Fire

https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2023/12/the-trouble-with-a-cease-fire.html

Ø  WHO and partners deliver aid to two Gaza hospitals in high-risk missions

https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/12/1145122

Ø  Security Council adopts key resolution on Gaza crisis

https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/12/1145022

Ø  Secretary-General’s press conference – on the situation in the Middle East

https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2023-12-22/secretary-
generals-press-conference-the-situation-the-middle-east?_gl=1*1tb56y3*_ga*
MTkwOTUxMTg3Ni4xNjg5ODQ0MzA4*_ga_S5EKZKSB78*MTcwMzc0ODA3OC4
zNi4xLjE3MDM3NDgzMDkuNTcuMC4w*_ga_TK9BQL5X7Z*
MTcwMzc0ODA3OC40NC4xLjE3MDM3NDgzMDYuMC4wLjA.

Ø  Afghanistan: Taliban’s return to ‘international norms’ is non-negotiable says UN mission chief

https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/12/1144977

Ø  Effort to restart Iran nuclear deal ‘at a standstill’ Security Council hears

https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/12/1144917

Ø  INTERVIEW: Destruction, displacement, and grief. Senior UNRWA official reflects on ‘unprecedented’ conflict in Gaza

https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/12/1144962

RUSSIA & EUROPE

https://tass.com/world/1727571

Ø  EU preparing new sanction packages against Russia — German Ministry

https://tass.com/politics/1727515

Ø  Ukraine welcomes latest US aid package as war nears two year mark

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/28/ukraine-welcomes-latest-us-aid-package-as-war-nears-two-year-mark

Ø  CSTO leaders favor peaceful settlement of Palestinian-Israeli conflict — secretary general

https://tass.com/world/1710863

Ø  Romania and Bulgaria to join Schengen border-free zone by air and sea

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67834837

Ø  Europe ‘doesn’t know how to fight wars’, says Ukraine amid military support row

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/12/28/europe-doesnt-know-how-fight-wars-ukraine-weapons-row/

Ø  Far-right renaissance haunts Europe

https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2433306

Ø  Ukraine’s allies fall short of Russia’s on arms help, raising 2024 risks

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/26/ukraines-allies-fall-short-of-russias-on-arms-help-raising-2024-risks

Ø  Alexei Navalny: ‘Don’t worry about me!’ Putin critic says from Arctic prison

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67820068

Ø  India, Russia Reaffirm Friendship, Discuss Growing Trade, Strategic Ties

https://www.voanews.com/a/india-russia-reaffirm-friendship-discuss-growing-trade-strategic-ties/7415611.html

POLITICAL ECONOMY & NON-TRADITIONAL THREATS

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2451355/economy-is-out-of-woods-monthly-outlook

Ø  Debt, liabilities of loss-making PSEs surge

https://www.dawn.com/news/1800346/debt-liabilities-of-loss-making-pses-surge

Ø  UNDP sees debt management bigger challenge for new govt

https://www.dawn.com/news/1800739/undp-sees-debt-management-bigger-challenge-for-new-govt

Ø  Will Pakistan oscillate between despair and hope this year?

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2451164/will-pakistan-oscillate-between-despair-and-hope-this-year

Ø  SBP facilitates exporters for import of inputs

https://www.dawn.com/news/1801537/sbp-facilitates-exporters-for-import-of-inputs

Ø  LUMS energy report sheds light on inefficient practices

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2450967/lums-energy-report-sheds-light-on-inefficient-practices

Ø  Inflation, IMF and investment — did Pakistan learn anything from 2023?

https://www.dawn.com/news/1801121/inflation-imf-and-investment-did-pakistan-learn-anything-from-2023

Ø  Oil prices to end year 10% lower as demand concerns snap winning streak

https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/oil-prices-end-year-10-lower-demand-concerns-snap-winning-streak-2023-12-29/

Ø  Changing political climate

https://www.dawn.com/news/1801251/changing-political-climate

Ø  Climate affects global cotton production

https://www.dawn.com/news/1801044/climate-affects-global-cotton-production

Ø  COP28: climate finance needs

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2451055/cop28-climate-finance-needs

Ø  Farmers are not the main culprits of smog

https://www.dawn.com/news/1800232/farmers-are-not-the-main-culprits-of-smog