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Headline News 17/03/2021
Headlines:
US reached out to North Korea, with no Response
Jordanians Back on the Streets After Hospital Deaths
US Remains Global Arms Supplier
UK Defence Review
Details:
US reached out to North Korea, with no Response
US government officials have confirmed the Biden administration made multiple attempts to reach out to North Korea since the middle of February. “To reduce the risks of escalation, we reached out to the North Korean government through several channels starting in mid-February, including in New York,” the official said. “To date, we have not received any response from Pyongyang. This follows over a year without active dialogue with North Korea, despite multiple attempts by the US to engage.” South Korea’s Unification Ministry confirmed that the US government consulted with Seoul prior to reaching out. The US is also coordinating with Japan on North Korea. The new US administration is finding the post Trump situation difficult to traverse and many in the world just do not view the US the way they use to. With the Taliban and now the North Korea regime as well as the Iranian regime all dragging their feet to get better deals we are trolley entering into a unique period where the global superpower is not being treated as one.
Jordanians Back on the Streets After Hospital Deaths
An investigation has begun into the deaths of a number COVID patients who recently died after a government hospital in the town of As-Salt suddenly ran out of oxygen supplies. In response to the hospital deaths, several hundred Jordanians took to the streets of Ma'an, Aqaba, Tafila and Amman. The protests morphed into anti-government anti-lockdown demonstrations as many vented their frustration at the regime. Jordan has for long been the mismanagement by its monarch who used the dissolution of government to usually deflect attention. But with unemployment at 25% and the economic crisis due to lockdowns the monarchy is once again facing its own people who have long suffered under its incompetent leadership.
US Remains Global Arms Supplier
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) recently published its report on global defence and has found from 2016 to 2020, the US increased its dominance in the global weapons market, providing 37% of the arms sold. US arms exports grew by 15% from 2016 to 2020 compared to the previous five-year period. Washington provided 96 states with weapons. The nations in the Middle East accounted for nearly 50% of the US’s overall arms sales. Saudi Arabia was America’s top customer. This number reflects the Saudi involvement in Yemen. Besides being Washington’s top customer, Riyadh was also the number one arms importer for the time period. The top five importers were Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Australia, and China. Military sales are a key tool the US used to achieve its foreign policy goals.
UK Defence Review
The UK released its defence review which plans to expand British forces into the Indo-Pacific region to counter China and maintain strong ties with the US. The new document that is part of the UK’s review of its policies after exiting the European Union. As part of its new focus on Asia, the UK is deploying the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth to the Indian Ocean in May. The carrier is expected to make a passage through the disputed South China Sea, where the US frequently sails warships to challenge Beijing’s claims. The UK will also be reversing its reduction of nuclear warheads and has raised the prospect of a nuclear response to chemical, biological or even cyber threats. The review took place in the contest of the UK leaving the EU and attempts to create the perception of a string UK on global affairs. But the truth is the UK doesn’t possess the capabilities to play a large global role and now relies upon its relations with the US and its handful of agent rulers to stay in the game.