global geopolitics newsChinese investment in Australia plummeted 61% in 2020, the lowest number in six years. The drop in investment comes amid a growing diplomatic rift between the two countries, since Australia first called for a rigorous investigation into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic and in response China has imposed tariffs or trading restrictions on Australian goods.
SOURCE: BBC
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India and China -that have disengaged frontline troops from their borders, putting an end to tensions in the region- have shifted their rivalries to a different field – seeking political influence through vaccine diplomacy. Since India produces 60% of global vaccines, it is trying to match China to use it as a diplomatic tool to expand influence in the neighborhood and beyond. The COVID-19 vaccine has emerged as an important form of diplomatic currency globally for the nations to showcase their soft power gains.
SOURCE: ANADOLU AGENCY
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Iran rejected a European Union offer to arrange direct nuclear talks with the US, saying it wanted a guarantee first that the US would lift some sanctions. However, the Biden administration had refused to provide sanctions relief before face-to-face negotiations with Iran had taken place.
SOURCE: ASHARQ AL-AWSAT
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China held a joint navy drill with Singapore in the South China Sea. The drill was conducted at a time when the US, along with allies Australia, Japan and India, continues efforts to curb Beijing’s expanding influence in the region.
SOURCE: ANADOLU AGENCY
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Qatar is stepping up its diplomatic moves in the region, playing its cards in Iran, Lebanon and Syria with the hope of regaining influence after its presence declined in recent years due to overlapping factors. Qatar’s hope of regaining its presence is mainly related to the presence of a new American administration that seems intent on increasing its pressure on the regime of President Bashar Assad and filling the vacuum left by the former administration of Donald Trump, which Russia exploited to control the political process through the Astana talks.
SOURCE: THE ARAB WEEKLY
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China is expected to reveal a robust increase in defence spending, as its economy rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic and military tensions rise, Chinese and Western security experts said. The new administration of President Joe Biden has moved quickly to remind Beijing that the United States intends to compete with China’s growing influence and military strength in the Asia-Pacific. In recent weeks, powerful U.S. warship fleets have sailed near Chinese-claimed Taiwan and through disputed territory in the South China Sea, to Beijing’s anger.
SOURCE: METRO US
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Israel is in talks with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates to establish a four-nation defence alliance, i24NEWS reported. The report comes amid the news that Washington and Tel Aviv are set to summon a strategic group to work on Iran’s nuclear agreement. Previously, some partners, including French President Emmanuel Macron, have advocated for negotiating an expanded deal with Tehran to include Saudi Arabia and Israel, as well as stronger limits on Iran, but the Islamic Republic has rejected the suggestion.
SOURCE: SPUTNIK
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Japan’s government is considering suspending new official development aid for Myanmar for the foreseeable future, in response to the February 1 coup. Meanwhile, the Japanese automotive giant Toyota’s decided to postpone the opening of a new plant in Myanmar, given the heightened political uncertainty that has followed the military takeover.
SOURCE: THE DIPLOMAT
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Russia inks long-term deal to supply China with liquefied natural gas from Arctic. Also invites BRICS partners to join country’s massive Arctic oil & gas projects. “Our LNG commercial strategy is to diversify our client base and target end consumers in the fast-growing Asian Pacific region,”
SOURCE: RT
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Pakistan is exploring the possibility of increasing Sri Lanka’s trade connectivity to the Central Asian region through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CEPC), called as a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
SOURCE: DAILY MIRROR
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