La questione sociale è questione politica. Tutti sappiamo che le condizioni di disagio e di difficoltà che molti vivono ogni giorno sono nate ben prima della pandemia e della guerra in Ucraina: questi ultimi accadimenti hanno certamente contribuito ad aggravare disuguaglianze già esistenti.
Coloro che, in democrazia, si candidano a rappresentare le istanze popolari dovrebbero prendere atto che la coesione sociale, o l’assenza di essa, fa la differenza. Le democrazie sono costruzioni fragilissime, mai compiute, e necessitano di una cura continua da parte di ciascuno. Oggi, la vera sfida politica è nella ri-costruzione dello spazio comune. Quando sentiamo discorsi come “più Stato” o “più mercato” comprendiamo che il tema strategico non è all’ordine del giorno dell’agenda delle cosiddette classi dirigenti: il “comune”, infatti, non é né pubblico né privato ma costituisce la condizione di fondo, profonda, perché una democrazia possa dirsi sostenibile in senso complesso.
Solo una democrazia sostenibile è sicura. E tutto parte dalla coesione sociale, dal tenere insieme tutte le componenti della società in un vincolo d’inter-in-dipendenza.
La sfida è aperta. Anzitutto, noi crediamo, governando il “mentre” dei processi storici con più attenzione “strutturale” alla questione del superamento delle disuguaglianze; e questo, lo diciamo da liberali, non può avvenire attraverso proposte che spingano solo sulla competizione. Il mercato non basta più, lo avremmo dovuto capire anni fa.
Le fondamenta dell’agire liberale vanno ripensate. Il momento storico è troppo delicato per continuare a credere nelle illusioni del gigacapitalismo che, guardato criticamente, porta innovazione continua ma anche inaccettabili concentrazioni di ricchezza, lavoro precario e, di conseguenza, difficoltà sociali sempre più evidenti. Cosa vuol dire essere liberali nel terzo millennio ?
Coloro che credono davvero nei valori liberali sanno che, negli ultimi trent’anni, non abbiamo “aggiornato” il pensiero liberale e lo abbiamo tradito con scelte strategiche che ci hanno portato dove siamo oggi. Come già scrivevamo, oggi siamo a un punto di non ritorno: abbiamo bisogno di politica, non solo di retorica, di talento di mediazione e di visioni strategiche.
English version
The social question is a political question. We all know that the conditions of hardship and difficulty that many experience every day arose well before the pandemic and the war in Ukraine: these latest events certainly contributed to aggravating already existing inequalities.
Those who, in democracy, are candidates to represent popular demands should take note that social cohesion, or the absence of it, makes a difference. Democracies are very fragile constructions, never completed, and require continuous care by everyone. Today, the real political challenge is in the re-construction of the common space. When we hear speeches like “more State” or “more market” we understand that the strategic issue is not on the agenda of the so-called ruling classes: the “common”, in fact, is neither public nor private but constitutes the first condition so that a democracy can be sustainable in a complex sense.
Only a sustainable democracy is safe. All starts from social cohesion, from keeping all the components of society together in a bond of inter-in-dependence.
The challenge is open. First of all, we believe, governing the “while” of historical processes with more “structural” attention to the question of overcoming inequalities; and this, we say as liberals, cannot happen through proposals that only push competition. The market is no longer enough, we should have understood it years ago.
The foundations of liberal action must be rethought. The historical moment is too delicate to continue to believe in the illusions of gigcapitalism which, when viewed critically, brings continuous innovation but also unacceptable concentrations of wealth, precarious work and, consequently, increasingly evident social difficulties. What does it mean to be liberal in the third millennium?
Those who truly believe in liberal values know that, in the last thirty years, we have not “updated” liberal thinking and we have betrayed it with strategic choices that have brought us to where we are today. As we already wrote, today we are at a point of no return: we need politics, not just rhetoric, mediation talent and strategic visions.
Riflessioni collegate
- Glocalità e generatività dei territori – Glocality and generativity of the territories
- Dentro al paradigma politico – Inside the political paradigm
- Per una glocalità sostenibile – For a sustainable glocality
- Complessità, politica e società aperte – Complexity, politics and open societies
- (Progetto di civiltà) Il pensiero complesso per strategie glocali
- (Progetto di civiltà) La scelta morale: porre al centro la relazione
- (Progetto di civiltà) Ri-pensare il discorso morale
- (Progetto di civiltà) Nel profondo dell’ “on life”
- (Progetto di civiltà) Megacrisi, vincolo glocale e assenza della politica
- (Progetto di civiltà) Non basta più parlare di cambiamento
- (Progetto di civiltà) La questione glocale
- (Progetto di civiltà) Luoghi di vita, glocalità e rivoluzione tecnologica
- (Progetto di civiltà) Informalità progettuale e giudizio storico
- (Progetto di civiltà) Le città-laboratorio come vincolo complesso
- (Progetto di civiltà) La politica può rifondarsi nelle città
FROM GLOBAL THINK TANKS – DAILY NEWSLETTER
with The Science of Where Magazine
Around the world: Astana Peace Process-Syria, Belarus, China, DR Congo, Germany, Haiti, Hong Kong-China, Iran, Japan, Koreas, Libya, Mali, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Pacific, Russia-Ukraine, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Syria, USA, USA-Guyana
Topics: Climate Change & Sustainability, Cybersecurity, Defense-Intelligence-Military-Security-Space, Digital & Tech, Health & Digital, International Relations
AROUND THE WORLD
Astana Peace Process – Syria
- July 27, 2022. Vali Kaleji, The Jamestown Foundation. Three days after US President Joe Biden’s trip to the Middle East, Tehran hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on July 19. This tripartite meeting was held within the framework of the seventh summit of the heads of states of the Astana Peace Process for Syria. The three parties announced that the next meeting will be held in Russia before the end of 2022. But what were the motivations of Turkey, Russia and Iran in attending the summit? And what are the summit’s consequences on the Syrian crisis? 7th Summit of the Astana Peace Process in Tehran: Implications for the Syrian Crisis
Belarus
- July 27, 2022. Grigory Ioffe, The Jamestown Foundation. Within the span of a couple of days (July 20–21), a number of major Belarusian commentators made suggestive public statements: President Alyaksandr Lukashenka gave an hour-long interview to Agence France-Presse; Svetlana Tikhanovskaya made a speech at the Berlin-based ceremony devoted to the 78th anniversary of the assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler; Belarusian Popular Front Founder Zianon Pazniak was interviewed by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL); and, finally, two of the most influential and active opposition-minded analysts, Ryhor Astapenia and Artyom Shraibman, also shared their judgments with RFE/RL. Whose Judgments on Belarus Deserve Attention?
China
- July 28, 2022. Xinhua, Global Times. President Xi Jinping has stressed holding high the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics and striving to write a brand new chapter in building a modern socialist country in all respects. Xi stresses upholding socialism with Chinese characteristics to build modern socialist country
DR Congo
- July 28, 2022. Silja Fröhlich, DW. The death toll from protests in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has risen to 22. People in the DR Congo’s east are angry with the UN’s MONUSCO mission for failing to keep them safe. DR Congo: Death toll from deadly anti-UN protests rises
Germany
- July 28, 2022. DW. A new levy on gas consumers in Germany could cost households up to €1,000 a year. Germany’s Economy Minister Robert Habeck said the move was not good, but was “necessary.”. Germany plans gas levy on consumers as Russia turns down supply
- July 28, 2022. DW. Inflation in Germany is likely to start dropping again over the rest of the year, according to a prestigious economic think tank. But researchers warn food prices may still rise. Inflation in Germany has peaked, IFO researchers say
Haiti
- July 27, 2022. Diego Da Rin, Crisis Group. Increasingly deadly turf wars between rival gang coalitions have revealed the depth of Haiti’s political morass. In this Q&A, Crisis Group shows how the former and the latter are deeply intertwined. New Gang Battle Lines Scar Haiti as Political Deadlock Persists
Hong Kong – China
- July 28, 2022. Valdai Discussion Club. Over the past three years, in light of the announcement by the Americans that China is a “revisionist state” and a “strategic competitor”, Beijing no longer hopes for a full-fledged restoration of dialogue with the Western countries, and therefore no longer stands on ceremony with the “democratic forces” and special Hong Kong autonomy, Valdai Club expert Andrey Gubin writes. One Country, One Too Many Systems? Changing Beijing’s Hong Kong Policy
- July 28, 2022. Valdai Discussion Club. In the context of the on-going worldwide geopolitical transition towards more competition among big powers, Hong Kong is still well-positioned to continue to serve as city of international importance and hence be a valuable asset to its motherland, Valdai Club expert Nelson Wong writes. The Return of Hong Kong to China, 25 Years On
Iran
- July 27, 2022. Reuel Marc Gerecht, Ray Takeyh, FDD. Nuclear talks between Iran and the great powers are once more at an impasse. The ostensible cause of the latest stalemate is America’s insistence that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps remain on its terrorist list. But there’s much more to the story. Under Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the Islamic Republic is undergoing one of its most significant transformations since the inception of the theocracy in 1979. Ayatollah Khamenei’s ‘Resistance Economy’
Japan
- July 28, 2022. Julian Ryall, DW. Japan’s whaling industry is struggling to stay afloat as government subsidies dwindle and consumers are less interested in what used to be a staple food on Japanese dinner tables. Is Japan′s whaling industry going under as demand sinks?
- July 27, 2022. Kazuhiko Togo, East Asia Forum. The assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe on 8 July 2022 was a shock for Japan, but the longest-tenured head of government after World War II leaves behind a significant legacy. Carrying the torch of Abe’s legacy
Koreas
- July 27, 2022. Valdai Discussion Club. Military tensions between the two Koreas will increase and the process of resolving denuclearization will become more difficult, writes Gu Ho Eom, Director of Asia-Pacific Center, Professor of Graduate School of International Studies at Hanyang University. What Fate Awaits the DPRK and the Republic of Korea?
Libya
- July 28, 2022. The Libya Observer. Libya’s fragile ceasefire is at risk of falling apart after Commander of the Joint Operations Room Major General Osama Juwaili said on Wednesday he would resort to force if necessary. New round of fighting looms ahead as military official backing Bashagha threatens to use force
- July 28, 2022. The Libya Observer. The Officer-in-Charge and Mission Coordinator of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Raisedon Zenenga, arrived in Benghazi Wednesday to meet representatives of the 5+5 Joint Military Committee of Khalifa Haftar’s forces after meeting their counterparts in Tripoli. After meeting JMC West, Zenenga arrives in Benghazi to sit with Eastern counterpart
- July 28, 2022. The Libya Observer. The Director of the Middle East Department at the British Foreign Office, Stephen Hickey says the UK welcomes the resumption of Libyan oil exports considering it a step towards stability in Libya, according to a statement by the Government of National Unity media office on Wednesday. UK welcomes re-export of Libyan oil, affirms support for stability in Libya
- July 27, 2022. The Libya Observer. The Deputy Foreign Minister for International Cooperation and Organizations, Omar Keti, received, in his office at the Foreign Ministry in Tripoli, Wang Zhimin, the Chargé d’affaires of China in Libya. Libya, China review ways of boosting relations
- July 27, 2022. The Libya Observer. Russia has welcomed the initiative of the President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, to organize a conference on Libyan national reconciliation soon. Russia welcomes the organization of a conference on Libyan reconciliation in Congo
- July 27, 2022. The Libya Observer. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Najla Al-Manqoush, confirmed on Wednesday the government’s continuous work to hold parliamentary and presidential elections according to an agreed constitutional basis to achieve the demands of the Libyan people in imposing security and stability inside the country. Al-Manqoush confirms GNU continuous work to hold elections according to an agreed constitutional basis
- July 27, 2022. The Libya Observer. The British Ambassador to Libya, Caroline Hurndall, has commended lifting the force majeure on the oil ports, saying this will contribute to advancing the economic development wheel in Libya. UK welcomes lifting force majeure on oil ports in Libya
- July 27, 2022. The Libya Observer. The spokesman for the Government of National Unity (GNU), Mohammed Hammouda, reaffirmed his government’s readiness to invest in developing Libya’s oil sector, saying their efforts can lead to increasing oil production to 3 million barrels per day (bpd). GNU spokesman claims his government can increase Libya oil output to 3 million bpd
- July 27, 2022. The Libya Observer. Identical sources confirmed that a meeting was held Tuesday night by military and security leaders from Tripoli, Misrata, Al-Zawiya and Zintan was successful in reaching a preliminary agreement to demobilize forces from contact-line positions in west Tripoli and to avoid engaging in clashes, allowing security patrol personnel to position in the area. Meeting for Libyan military and security leaders puts an end to tensions in Tripoli
Mali
- July 28, 2022. DW. The unstable Sahel state has long been a target of militants linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State who have repeatedly raided bases across the country. Mali: 15 soldiers, 3 civilians killed in Islamist attacks
Myanmar
- July 28, 2022. Enno Hinz, DW. Rights groups warn high-tech surveillance systems will be used to track down and eliminate the junta’s opponents. How Myanmar′s junta is using Chinese facial recognition technology
- July 28, 2022. Cchavi Vasisht, VIF. On 25 July 2022, the Myanmar military executed four prisoners (an NLD member and three other anti-regime protestors). Even though many of the anti-regime protesters and individuals of ethnic armed groups in their fight against the military have died, however, judicial executions were a thing of the past. In 1985, a North Korean agent was executed for planting a bomb in the Yangon monumental building. The last executions of political dissents were done in 1976 who were against the then military regime. The current executions come at a time when the military has overthrown the democratically elected government and has taken over power since 01 February 2021. What Lies Ahead of the Military Executions in Myanmar?
Nicaragua
- July 28, 2022. DW. A court in Managua has sentenced Suazo to 10 years in prison on charges which include spreading fake news. But his NGO says the case is politically motivated. Nicaragua: Opposition leader Suazo jailed over alleged conspiracy, fake news
Pacific
- July 28, 2022. Greg Earl, The Interpreter. Pacific relations may have been an expected conflict zone at the last federal election but once in office the new Albanese government has doubled down on a big decision of its predecessor. Economic diplomacy: The Pacific reset needs real commercial investment
- July 28, 2022. Melissa Conley Tyler and Alexandre Dayant, East Asia Forum. Investment in Pacific infrastructure has become an area of geopolitical competition. The landscape includes multilateral development banks, China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) and minilateral initiatives such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue. In this crowded space, Australia should take an approach that judges proposed infrastructure investments by their impact on service delivery. The exception is in the physical infrastructure required to build Pacific digital connectivity. Changing the conversation on Pacific infrastructure
Russia – Ukraine
- July 28, 2022. Richard Connor, DW. Researchers at Yale University say the Russian economy is suffering massive damage due to Western sanctions, despite Moscow downplaying the effect. Yale study shows sanctions are crippling Russia′s economy
- July 28, 2022. DW. British military intelligence says Russian-occupied Kherson was “virtually cut off” as Ukrainian forces stage a counteroffensive helped by newly acquired long-range artillery capability. DW rounds up the latest. Russia-Ukraine updates: Kyiv counteroffensive ′gathering momentum′ — UK intelligence
- July 27, 2022. Lt Gen (Dr) V K Saxena (Retd), PVSM, AVSM, VSM, VIF. Way back in 1944, when the ferocity of World War II was at its peak, Joseph Stalin made a statement; ‘Artillery is the God of War’. His remarks probably related to the fact that most of the combat deaths in the two World Wars and in fact, in all the wars ever since the early days of the Industrial Revolution when the Artillery got employed in wars were due to Artillery. The Power of the ‘God of War’: Assessing the Russian advantage in Artillery in the Russo-Ukrainian War
- July 28, 2022. Crisis Group. War has displaced more than six million people inside Ukraine, in addition to the refugees who have fled across borders. More action is needed, not just to meet their basic needs, but also to develop a long-term humanitarian assistance strategy. Picturing the Humanitarian Response in Western Ukraine
- July 27, 2022. Ihor Kabanenko, The Jamestown Foundation. On July 22, Ukrainian representatives signed the Initiative on Safe Transportation of Grain and Food Products from Ukrainian Ports with Turkey and the United Nations secretary-general in Istanbul (Pravda.com.ua, July 22). Ukraine’s agreement was concluded with Ankara and the UN, but not with Moscow, and provides for grain transportation from three Ukrainian Black Sea seaports—Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi—for 120 days with the possibility of extension. Russia, represented by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, signed a similar, but separate, agreement. The Kremlin signed its respective accord with Turkey and the UN before Kyiv signed its initiative. Export of Ukrainian Grain Through Seaports: Opportunities and Risks
- July 27, 2022. Kateryna Stepanenko, Grace Mappes, Katherine Lawlor, George Barros, and Frederick W. Kagan, ISW. Russian forces appear able to sustain only two significant offensive operations in Ukraine at this time, one attempting to seize Siversk and the other advancing on Bakhmut. These operations have focused on advances in the Siversk, Donetsk Oblast, direction from Verkhnokamianka and Bilohorivka and in the Bakhmut direction from the areas of Novoluhanske and the Vuhlehirska Thermal Power Plant since the end of the operational pause on July 16. Russian forces have committed enough resources to conduct near-daily ground assaults and to seize territory on these two axes but have been unable to sustain a similar offensive operational tempo or to make similar territorial gains elsewhere in Ukraine. The Russian offensive, therefore, remains likely to culminate before seizing any other major urban areas in Ukraine. Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 27
Shanghai Cooperation Organization
- July 28, 2022. Zhang Hui and Wan Hengyi, Global Times. The Russia-Ukraine conflict and the US’ attempt to split the world and demolish the world order through promoting bloc confrontation highlights the growing importance and attraction of Shanghai Spirit, the core value of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) that champions mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations and pursuit of common development, Chinese analysts said on Thursday as foreign ministers of SCO members gathered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan to discuss international and regional issues and SCO cooperation, including projects under the Belt and Road Initiative. Growing cohesion of SCO, attraction of Shanghai Spirit highlighted amid Russia-Ukraine conflict and US-led bloc confrontation
Syria
- July 28, 2022. The Syrian Observer. On Tuesday, the Men of Dignity movement took control of a military security militia headquarters in Sweida governorate. Revolution in Suweida: Local Factions Take Control of Military Security Headquarters
- July 28, 2022. The Syrian Observer. A mass grave, including more than ten bodies, was found on Wednesday in the city of Manbij, northern Syria. Mass Grave Containing More than 10 Bodies Found in Syria’s Manbij
- July 28, 2022. The Syrian Observer. Throughout the year, tent residents face the obstacle of securing annual rent for private agricultural land, on which informal camps for displaced persons are built in Idleb. Renting of Camp Lands Exacerbates Crises of Displaced in Idleb
- July 28, 2022. The Syrian Observer. An army formation executed a night parachute jump covered by warplanes in cooperation with Russian instructors and within the framework of coordination and joint training between the Syrian and Russian friendly armies. Syrian Army Performs Parachuting in Cooperation with Russian Trainers
- July 28, 2022. The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) received a delegation from the U.S.-based Syrian Emergency Task Force and the M Night Shyamalan Foundation. The two sides discussed the latest field and political developments in Syria and the important role of the Syrian communities in the U.S. in supporting the Syrian cause and conveying the Syrian people’s voice to the public opinion. SOC Meets with Delegation from U.S.-based Syrian Emergency Task Force
- July 28, 2022. The Syrian Observer. Hassakeh Governor, Louay Sayouh, said that the practices of the U.S. and Turkish occupation reflect negatively and directly on the daily lives of the people of the governorate. They are weakening and hampering the efforts of vital sectors, especially the water sector. UNICEF Representative Visits Hassakeh
USA
- July 28, 2022. DW. The bill aims to spend $369 billion on energy and climate initiatives and $64 billion into state-funded healthcare. It also looks to raise minimum taxes for big companies. US Democrats finally agree on $430 billion anti-inflation bill
- July 27, 2022. Salil Mitra and Brian Sack, Brookings. The U.S. Treasury makes regular decisions about the issuance patterns of its debt securities with the objective of meeting the financing needs of the government at the lowest cost of servicing the debt over time. The overall level of outstanding debt is beyond the direct control of the Treasury, as it is determined by federal budget deficits resulting from legislative decisions and economic developments. However, the Treasury exercises full control over the structure of that debt through its decisions on the pattern of issuance across different types of securities and different maturity points. Projecting the structure of US Treasury debt
USA – Guyana
- July 27, 2022. CSIS. Please join the CSIS Americas Program for a discussion on strengthening the U.S.-Guyana bilateral relationship with Guyana’s President Mohamed Irfaan Ali. The United States and Guyana have a deep-rooted history of trade, public health initiatives, economic development, and collaboration to empower civil society, promote stability, and reinforce security. According to the International Monetary Fund, Guyana’s economy is the fastest growing in the world. Its economy is forecast to grow this year at roughly 47% with a projected GDP of $9.5 billion. Additionally, Guyana serves as a gateway to Caribbean trade development as it is home to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) secretariat. As Guyana’s largest trading partner, the United States should work closely with Guyana to fortify democratic institutions, trade, and regional cooperation. A stronger relationship between the U.S. and Guyana is vital for the development of economies, trade policies, and humanitarian action. Strengthening the Guyana–U.S. Relationship
TOPICS
Climate Change & Sustainability
- July 28, 2022. Valerie Mercer-Blackman, Lazar Milivojevic, Victor Mylona, World Bank blogs. The area of climate change mitigation and carbon taxation is fraught with complexities, especially for South Asia. Debates on who should share the burden of mitigating climate change seem to suggest that it is unfair to impose carbon taxes on developing countries. After all, most of these countries emit but a small fraction of the existing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, even as they face the severest challenges from climate change. A price tag on carbon can improve lives across South Asia, combat climate change
- July 27, 2022. Amar Bhattacharya, Homi Kharas, and John W. McArthur, Brookings. Despite the widespread economic strains caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and related crises, advanced economy governments have increasingly been emphasizing “green” economic growth strategies to tackle climate change while promoting both recovery and future prosperity. This is a welcome and long overdue shift. In 2020, for example, the European Union launched the European Green Deal; the U.K. government launched a Green Industrial Revolution; and the government of Japan launched a Green Growth Strategy. In the United States—the world’s largest economy—President Joe Biden took office in 2021 promising a Green New Deal. Across the OECD, these and other plans set large-scale ambitions to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while promoting jobs, innovation, and long-term economic growth. Why developing country voices will shape the global climate agenda
Cybersecurity
- July 28, 2022. François Amigorena, Infosecurity. The desire for enhanced digital security has caught the attention of governments worldwide, all looking to protect consumers and businesses. As a result, many have proposed legislation that makes two-factor authentication (2FA) a mandatory requirement for IT systems. What You Should Do When Two-Factor Authentication Becomes a Security Requirement
- July 28, 2022. James Coker, Infosecurity. Applications have opened for the next cohort of the NCSC For Startups program, which is looking for early-stage companies focused on protecting the UK’s critical national infrastructure from cyber threats. NCSC Startup Program Seeking Candidates to Help Protect Critical Infrastructure
- July 28, 2022. Phil Muncaster, Infosecurity. Threat actors are moving away from macro-based attacks to other tactics, in one of the biggest shifts in the email threat landscape in recent history, according to Proofpoint. Hackers Change Tactics for New Post-Macro Era
- July 28, 2022. Phil Muncaster, Infosecurity. UK police are warning of a surge in social media hacking incidents in which victims’ accounts are flooded with indecent images of children. Social Media Accounts Hijacked to Post Indecent Images
- July 28, 2022. Phil Muncaster, Infosecurity. European police have released details of two major operations against business email compromise (BEC) fraudsters, which resulted in the arrest of close to 100 suspects. European Police Arrest 100 Suspects in BEC Crackdown
- July 27, 2022. Danny Bradbury, Infosecurity. A database containing 5.4m Twitter users’ data is reportedly for sale on a popular criminal forum. Twitter is investigating the issue, which the seller said exploited a vulnerability in its systems reported in January. Cyber-Criminal Offers 5.4m Twitter Users’ Data
- July 27, 2022. Danny Bradbury, Infosecurity. A bill to help secure US government cryptographic systems against attack from quantum computers has passed the House and has now advanced to the Senate. The Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act introduces requirements for federal agencies to identify systems using cryptography and prioritize them for migration. Senators Introduce Quantum Encryption Preparedness Law
- July 27, 2022. Danny Bradbury, Infosecurity. Criminals are using malicious bots to steal information from victims via the popular Telegram and Discord messaging services, said a report this week. Some bots can be rented for as little as $25 a day. Criminals Use Malware as Messaging Bots to Steal Data
- July 27, 2022. Lauren C. Williams, Defense One. U.S. Cyber Command is looking to expand its acquisition shop and buy the tools it needs to keep pace with digital warfare. But it’ll have to contend with a tight labor market where technical talent is in high demand. Faster Attacks Have Cyber Command Looking to Add All-Too-Scarce Experts
Defense – Intelligence – Military – Security – Space
- July 28, 2022. Naval News. Israeli aerospace company Steadicopter announced that it’s won the tender to supply Black Eagle Electric Rotary Unmanned Aerial Systems (RUAS) for the Israeli Navy. According to the company, Black Eagle Electric is the first unmanned helicopter powered by an electric motor and have an MTOW of up to 50 kg, suitable for use in advanced maritime missions and many other applications. Steadicopter wins contract to provide Black Eagle Electric RUAS for Israeli Navy
- July 28, 2022. Naval News. The U.S. Navy exercised an option on a previously awarded L3Harris Technologies’ contract to produce enhanced submarine imaging masts and spares. US Navy Exercises Option for L3Harris Submarine Imaging Masts
- July 28, 2022. Arie Egozi, Breaking Defense. A recent announcement of Chinese aid for Syria is setting off alarm bells in Israeli security circles. New Chinese aid for Syria sets off alarms in Israel
- July 28, 2022. Ross Wilkers, Defense One. Yes, an attempt to help alleviate the global computer chip shortage is on the way after both houses of Congress passed legislation on Wednesday to allot $52 billion in government funding for semiconductor manufacturing. But the so-called CHIPS Act will take some time to work through the entire ecosystem and companies still have to deal with the problems of today. CHIPS’ Passage Won’t Fill General Dynamics’ Short-term Chip Needs
- July 26, 2022. David Kilcullen, FDD. The United States has funded, trained, and equipped the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to ensure “they serve as an institutional counterweight to Hezbollah,” a senior State Department official testified last August. Since 2006, American taxpayers have paid more than $2.5 billion in security assistance to Lebanon in pursuit of four goals, according to the State Department: “to strengthen Lebanon’s sovereignty, secure its borders, counter internal threats, and disrupt terrorist facilitation.”. The primary (though not the only) source of these internal threats is, of course, Hezbollah. Missing the Mark
- July 28, 2022. Alvite Ningthoujam, ORF. In the recent history of Israel’s political and diplomatic journey, its normalisation of relations with two key Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain—in August-September 2020, famously known as the Abraham Accords, is a breakthrough. Facing isolation in its own region since 1948, the emerging realignment of relations holds extreme significance for Israel. It also signals the changing dynamics of the geopolitical, geoeconomic, and security landscape of the wider Middle East, where efforts are still underway to consolidate and expand cordial relations between like-minded countries based on shared strategic interests. The accords are gradually opening important avenues for cooperation between these countries in several domains, one of them being military–security ties, including defence trade. The military–security dimension of the 2020 Abraham Accords: An Israeli perspective
- July 26, 2022. Lt Gen (Dr) Rakesh Sharma (Retd.), VIF. Prime Minister Narender Modi in a valedictory address at the Combined Commanders Conference at Kevadia, Gujarat on 05 March 2021 stressed upon the armed forces to shed the legacy systems and practices that had outlived their utility and relevance. The PM called upon the importance of enhancing indigenisation in the national security system, in the doctrines, procedures and customs practiced in the armed forces. Modern Warfare and Structural Transformation
- July 25, 2022.
- July 28, 2022. DW. North Korea’s supreme leader Kim Jong Un said “nuclear war deterrence is also fully ready to mobilize” in the event of a war. He accused the United States of “gangster-like” behavior. North Korea: Kim threatens to use nukes in potential war
- July 28, 2022. Yang Sheng and Liu Xuanzun, Global Times. US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s unconfirmed plan of a trip to the island of Taiwan keeps troubling the US as Pelosi, US President Joe Biden and Democrats are now facing pressure instead of “encouragements” from the Republicans on the matter, with Chinese experts warning that if the US eventually let the partisan struggle and internal politics hijack its strategic decision-making, it would definitely bring a new crisis in the Taiwan Straits. China reinforces bilateral ‘guardrail’ to US; Partisan struggle may ‘bring crisis to Taiwan Straits’
- July 27, 2022. HHI Launches South Korea’s First KDX III Batch II Destroyer South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) today launched the lead ship of the KDX-III Batch-II AEGIS destroyer project for the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy: ROKS Jeongjo the Great.
- July 27, 2022. Naval News. An MQ-9B SeaGuardian Unmanned Aircraft System from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is under contract with the U.S. Navy to support the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022 exercise. MQ-9B SeaGuardian Supports RIMPAC 2022
- July 27, 2022. Jaspreet Gill, Breaking Defense. The Senate today voted 64-33 to advance a bill meant to jumpstart the US semiconductor industry with an infusion of $52 billion in grants and incentives for domestic semiconductor manufacturing and research, and some $2 billion specifically for Defense Department microelectronics. Senate advances CHIPS-plus bill, with $2 billion designated for military microelectronics
- July 27, 2022. Valerie Insinna, Breaking Defense. Boeing announced today about $400 million in charges associated with fixed-price defense contracts that had gone over budget, most significantly a $147 million pre-tax charge on the Navy’s MQ-25 tanker drone. Boeing defense programs hit with $400M in cost overruns
- July 27, 2022. Justin Katz, Breaking Defense. The Navy has grounded an undisclosed number of planes following the discovery of a problem with a component involved in the pilot ejection process, a service spokeswoman told Breaking Defense. Navy grounded ‘some’ aircraft over ejection seat problems
- July 27, 2022. Andrew Eversden, Breaking Defense. The US Army’s top acquisition official said today that he’s “encouraged” by the recent operational test of the service’s signature Integrated Visual Augmentation System despite some “challenges.”. Army ‘encouraged’ by IVAS test despite ‘challenges,’ FLRAA decision may come in October
- July 27, 2022. Jaspreet Gill, Breaking Defense. Following complaints made earlier this month by the Army’s top acquisition official about the Pentagon’s disparate Joint All Domain Command and Control efforts, the Air Force’s principal cyber advisor today added her voice to the calls for a centralized JADC2 office. Air Force official: ‘Someone needs to push us where to go’ with JADC2
- July 27, 2022. Breaking Defense. The White House raised eyebrows earlier this month when a senior official claimed Russia may try to obtain “hundreds” of UAVs from its Middle Eastern ally Iran. In the op-ed below, The Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ John Hardie, Ryan Brobst and Behnam Ben Taleblu analyze what Iran has to offer, and how it could impact the war in Ukraine. Iranian drones could make Russia’s military more lethal in Ukraine
- July 27, 2022. Douglas A. Birkey, Defense News. America’s hypersonic enterprise appears to be crossing a key juncture this summer. After years of struggle, including numerous test failures, programs like the Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon and Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept appear to be hitting their strides — including full-up test flights at hypersonic speed. The hypersonic race: A case for guarded optimism
- July 27, 2022. Stephen Losey, Defense News. Boeing reported lower sales and profit in its defense unit in the most recent quarter, as charges on several key programs dragged it down. Supply chain, inflation woes drag down Boeing’s defense profit
- July 27, 2022. Burak Ege Bekdil, Defense News. Turkish Aerospace Industries has announced new deals to export its helicopter gunships and trainer aircraft to two African countries. TAI inks helicopter, trainer aircraft deals with African nations
- July 27, 2022. Vivek Raghuvanshi, Defense News. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has awarded a $100 million contract to American firm Honeywell for the supply and manufacture of 88 TPE331-12B engines for the HTT-40 trainer aircraft, the Indian state-run company announced Wednesday. Hindustan Aeronautics awards $100M engine contract to Honeywell
- July 27, 2022. Defense News. Russia’s newly appointed deputy prime minister has a challenge ahead of him: protecting and building the country’s defense-industrial base amid Western sanctions and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Meet Russia’s new arms industry boss — a fan of Stalin and business consolidation
- July 27, 2022. Caitlin M. Kenney, Defense One. The U.S. Navy’s planned fleet of 2045 will require annual real budget increases of 3 to 5 percent, according to the Navy’s top officer, who called that a “realistic” schedule for amassing the 500 hyperconnected manned and unmanned vessels that national security will require. Navy Fleet Plan Needs 3-5% Annual Budget Increases for the Next Two Decades
- July 28, 2022. Ron Huisken, The Strategist. China has reacted strongly to Australia’s intention to acquire a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement with the US and UK. Since the announcement in September, Beijing has taken a stance of lofty and profound opposition to this development, labelling it provocative, destabilising, betraying Australia’s slavish adherence to America’s strategic posture of containing China’s rise, weakening the barriers to the further proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Indo-Pacific and hinting that Australia likely intends to be among the first new nuclear-weapon states in the region. What China’s condemnation of AUKUS says about Beijing
- July 27, 2022. CSIS. As countries prepare for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) Review Conference next month, increased competition between regional and global powers, the pace of technological development and the collapse of long-standing agreements present more challenges to arms control and global strategic order than ever before. In this increasing vacuum, the potential for misunderstanding and miscalculation grows. Please join us as the UK’s National Security Adviser, Sir Stephen Lovegrove, offers a UK perspective on the current climate and advocates a new set of principles for the future of arms control and resetting strategic stability for the new international order. The Future of Arms Control, Strategic Stability, and the Global Order
- July 27, 2022. Atlantic Council. Russia appeared to launch its standoff with the West to new heights this week by announcing that it will pull out of the International Space Station (ISS) by 2024 and build its own space lab. Russia’s pulling the plug on space cooperation. Should the world be worried?
Digital & Tech
- July 27, 2022. John Villasenor, Brookings. Can a state that prohibits most or all abortions block access to online information provided by abortion rights advocates and clinics in states with more permissive abortion laws? After Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, in which the U.S. Supreme Court returned to states the power to regulate access to abortion, that question is no longer theoretical. Can a state block access to online information about abortion services?
Health & Digital
- July 28, 2022. Shania Kennedy, Health IT Analytics. Ohio-based Akron Children’s Hospital has launched a strategic, multi-year partnership with data and analytics technology company Health Catalyst to advance population health and improve patient outcomes. Ohio Children’s Hospital Strikes Data-Driven Population Health Partnership
- July 27, 2022. Shania Kennedy, Health IT Analytics. A new study published this month in npj Digital Medicine shows the positive impact of the multisite implementation of a workflow-integrated machine-learning (ML) system to predict short-term risk and optimize COVID-19 hospital admission decisions. ML Models Can Help Optimize COVID-19 Hospital Admission Decisions
International Relations
- July 27, 2022. Igor Istomin , Nikita Neklyudov , Andrey Sushentsov, Valdai Discussion Club. Today, as in past epochs, the search for an international political balance is accompanied by intense confrontation between major powers and military blocs. Not surprisingly, mutual hostility is emerging as the dominant mode in relations between Russia and the West. The checks and balances of the 1997 Russia-NATO Founding Act are now a thing of the past. Any hope of building an inclusive European security architecture or developing tools to restrict military activity and provide greater transparency have been dashed, as have cooperative approaches to resolving differences. All of this has been replaced with furious rhetoric, a broad range of methods to weaken the enemy, and a military build-up in the direct vicinity of the Russian border. The West’s policy in Ukraine testifies to the revival of proxy conflicts as a means of inflicting a strategic defeat on adversaries at low cost, with someone else doing most of the dirty work. The Return of History: Cold War Lessons for Current International Crises