From global think tanks – June 29, 2022

with The Science of Where Magazine

AROUND THE WORLD

Asean – East Asia

• June 23, 2022. By ERIA. The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, in partnership with the Asian Network, launched a new ERIA initiative to promote inclusive economic development though entrepreneurship and innovation across ASEAN and East Asia: the E-S-I Knowledge Lab. Entrepreneurship, Start-ups and Innovation Knowledge Lab Launched in Singapore

Australia

• June 29, 2022. By  Bec Colvin, The Interpreter. It’s reasonable to feel that Australia’s relationship with climate change has undergone a step-change following the 2022 federal election. Since winning in May, the new Labor government has confirmed a more ambitious Australian emissions reduction target, having submitted to the United Nations a commitment to a 43 per cent reduction on 2005 levels by 2030. In a puzzling trend, concern about climate change has plateaued
• June 29, 2022. By Euan Graham, The Strategist. Foreign Minister Penny Wong is visiting Vietnam and Malaysia this week on her second trip to Southeast Asia since taking office in late May. In opposition, Labor committed to deepening Australia’s engagement with Southeast Asia, including appointing an ‘ASEAN special envoy’ to the subregion. This remains Labor’s intention in government and was reiterated earlier this month by Defence Minister Richard Marles at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Does Australia need an ASEAN special envoy?
• June 29, 2022. By Malcolm Davis, The Strategist. Australia has taken another step towards becoming a serious contributor to the global space economy with the launch of a NASA sounding rocket from the Arnhem Space Center at Nhulunbuy in the Northern Territory. Australia’s rapidly growing space enterprise will provide benefits well above our economic and strategic weight. Establishing a sovereign launch capability is a vital early step. Australia’s space future blasts off from Nhulunbuy

Australia – China

• June 29, 2022. By Natasha Kassam, The Interpreter. “China’s development is an opportunity instead of a threat to Australia,” claimed China’s Ambassador to Australia at a recent address in Sydney. “There is every reason for China and Australia to be friends and partners, rather than adversaries or enemies.”. Australians worry about China and muscle-flexing over Taiwan

Canada

• June 28, 2022. By World Nuclear News. Utility SaskPower has selected GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy’s (GEH) small modular reactor (SMR) for potential deployment in the province in the mid-2030s after an assessment process in which it looked at several SMR technologies. GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy’s BWRX-300 SMR selected for Saskatchewan : New Nuclear
• June 28, 2022. By World Nuclear News.  Bruce Power and Kinectrics-Framatome joint venture Isogen are examining the feasibility of producing the medical radioisotope yttrium-90 using the innovative Isotope Production System (IPS) installed in unit 7 at Bruce Power’s nuclear power plant in Ontario. Bruce Power, Isogen look to build on radioisotope success : Regulation & Safety

Czech Republic

• June 28, 2022. By World Nuclear News. ČEZ said the contracts with the US and French companies for the supply of fuel assemblies for the Temelín nuclear power plant for the coming years were important for ensuring diversification of supplies. ČEZ says Westinghouse and Framatome deal boosts Czech energy security : Uranium & Fuel

France – Japan

• June 28, 2022. By World Nuclear News. Orano has been awarded a contract by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) for the transport and treatment in France of 731 used fuel assemblies from the Fugen experimental Advanced Thermal Reactor (ATR) in Japan. In 2018, Orano was contracted to conduct preparatory work for the transport operations. Orano contracted to reprocess Fugen used fuel : Waste & Recycling

Indonesia – Russia – Ukraine

• June 29, 2022. By David Engel, The Strategist. By embarking on a ‘peace mission’ to Russia and Ukraine after attending the G7 summit in Germany, Indonesia’s president, Joko Widodo, will be following in few footsteps and with, at best, no greater likelihood of ending Vladimir Putin’s war than those who have tried so far. Widodo’s mission to Moscow: seeking peace—and an end to Putin’s blockade of Ukraine’s wheat

NATO

• June 28, 2022. By Sean Monaghan, CSIS. There is a saying: “If you want a new idea, read an old book.” For the authors of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) new strategic concept looking for a new approach to its core task of defense and deterrence, the best “old books” to consult might be the seven strategic concepts NATO has published since 1949. The first four of these were classified and made public in 1997. Since 1991, three concepts have been published openly, the latest in 2010. This paper examines NATO’s first seven strategic concepts to chart the progress of the alliance’s approach to defense and deterrence. The main purpose of doing so is to give today’s leaders and planners a better understanding of their forebearers’ efforts, to learn their lessons, and avoid their mistakes. The analysis also reveals three broad insights that can be applied today: plan against Russia’s maximum intentions; revitalize the sword and the shield; and modernize the sword and the shield. Resetting NATO’s Defense and Deterrence: The Sword and the Shield Redux

NATO – Turkey

• June 28, 2022. By Aaron Mehta, Breaking Defense. Sweden will lift an arms embargo on Turkey and the three nations will work more closely on counter-terrorism issues, per an agreement. Turkey lifts hold on Sweden, Finland joining NATO, following wide-ranging concessions
• June 28, 2022. By Jill Lawless and Joseph Wilson, AP, Defense News. Turkey agreed Tuesday to lift its opposition to Sweden and Finland joining NATO, a breakthrough in an impasse clouding a leaders’ summit in Madrid amid Europe’s worst security crisis in decades triggered by the war in Ukraine. Turkey lifting objections to Sweden, Finland joining NATO

• June 28, 2022. By Atlantic Council. The door is back open. After weeks of tension, Turkey finally dropped its objection to Finland and Sweden’s bids to join NATO as the Alliance kicked off its summit in Madrid on Tuesday. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan scored a face-to-face meeting with US President Joe Biden and spurred Stockholm and Helsinki to address his concerns about the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and its Syrian affiliate, the People’s Defense Units (YPG), while NATO moved toward securing two new members. Our experts, weighing in from the summit in Spain and around the globe, dissect the deal. What Turkey won with its NATO leverage

North Korea

• June 28, 2022. By Khang X. Vu, The Interpreter. Is North Korea going to test a nuclear weapon, or not? The question has reverberated since March, when the supposed hawk Yoon Suk-yeol succeeded Moon Jae-in as South Korea’s president and Pyongyang broke a four-year moratorium by launching an intercontinental ballistic missile. The probability of North Korea’s seventh nuclear test was thought to have significantly increased on the eve of US President Joe Biden’s visit to South Korea in May. US and South Korean government officials concluded that Pyongyang might seek attract attention with a major provocation. Now, weeks later, and still no test, the monitoring continues. Patiently waiting for North Korea’s next nuclear test

Norway

• June 29, 2022. By IEA. As a resource-rich country on the leading edge of many clean energy technologies, Norway is uniquely well placed for the clean energy transition and now needs to advance strategies to tackle emissions in sectors where they are hardest to reduce in order to meet its ambitious climate targets, according to a new in-depth policy review by the International Energy Agency. Norway has key opportunities to advance its transition and help lead the world on clean energy technologies

Poland – Ukraine

• June 28, 2022. By Jakub Bornio, The Jamestown Foundation. Poland is one of the most engaged Euro-Atlantic actors in the West’s proxy war with Russia over Ukraine. The military, societal and humanitarian support Poland continues to provide Ukraine has pushed the two neighboring states to deepen their strategic partnership; while the recently signed set of inter-governmental memorandums has laid the groundwork for more intense bilateral economic cooperation (see Part One in EDM, June 22).  Polish-Ukrainian Relations Intensify as a Result of Russian Aggression (Part Two)

Russia – Cossacks

• June 28, 2022. By Richard Arnold, The Jamestown Foundation. Russia’s re-invasion of Ukraine is over four months old at this point, and the Cossacks have played a role in ostensibly sanctifying the ongoing conflict. The narrative of the war as a blessed mission for Russia’s dominion over Christian Orthodox lands is typified by Patriarch Kirill’s support for it, even at the price of alienating certain parishes and faithful members in Russia (Novaya Gazeta, February 28). As a movement historically aligned with the Orthodox Church, the Cossacks have also been intertwined in this narrative. Cossacks: Avatars of Religious Nationalism

Russia – Egypt

• June 28, 2022. By Shahira Amin, Atlantic Council. In June, Russia’s state-owned atomic energy firm, Rosatom, made a surprise announcement that it would begin producing equipment for Egypt’s first nuclear power plant in the northwest town of El-Dabaa. The new development  has raised concerns in the United States and Europe -which harbor resentment toward Russia for  its aggression against Ukraine and see the continuation of the project as a sign of Egypt cozying up to Moscow. Egypt is cozying up to Russia. It’s time for the US to step in

Russia – Kazakhstan

• June 28, 2022. By Paul Globe, The Jamestown Foundation. Relations between Moscow and Nur-Sultan have been deteriorating since the beginning of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 2022 re-invasion of Ukraine (see EDM, April 5, May 12). In response to unfriendly commentaries and actions by Russia, Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has sought to distance himself from Moscow concerning the war. As Ties With Moscow Deteriorate, Kazakhstan Seeks Allies and Export Routes Elsewhere

Russia – Ukraine

• June 29, 2022. By IAEA. The International Atomic Energy Agency has once again lost the remote connection to its safeguards surveillance systems installed at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), further underlining the need for the IAEA to go there very soon, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today. Update 84 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

Slovakia

• June 29, 2022. By  Jaroslaw Adamowski, Defense News. Slovakia will sign a government-to-government deal to purchase 152 CV90 MkIV tracked infantry fighting vehicles fitted with 35mm cannons by BAE Hägglunds, the country’s ministry of defense has announced. Slovakia picks CV90 in infantry fighting vehicle tender

Sweden

• June 28, 2022. By World Nuclear News. Swedish state-owned energy company Vattenfall announced it is initiating a pilot study looking at the conditions for constructing at least two small modular reactors (SMRs) adjacent to the Ringhals nuclear power plant. Vattenfall considers building SMRs at Ringhals : New Nuclear

USA

• June 29, 2022. By Lauren C. Williams, Defense One. The new head of military space acquisitions wants to explore doing more fixed-price contracting in hopes of keeping costs down and programs on schedule. New Air Force Space Buyer Eyes Fixed-Price Contracts

• June 29, 2022. By  Colin Demarest, Defense News. The U.S. Marine Corps is seeking to better position itself to combat threats posed by propaganda, inaccurate information and digital influence campaigns waged by world powers such as China and Russia. Marine Corps unveils information guidance as US rivals spew propaganda
• June 29, 2022. By  Courtney Albon, Defense News. The U.S. Space Force is poised to start drafting its acquisition strategy for next phase of medium and heavy launch services contracts amid a fresh push from the House Armed Services Committee to consider “new and innovative” procurement methods. Space Force mulls new acquisition approach for next phase of medium, heavy launches
• June 28, 2022. By Andrew Eversden, Breaking Defense. The Mobile Protected Firepower program, a light tank for infantry brigades, is one of the Army’s top modernization priorities and the service’s first new design vehicle in 40 years. General Dynamics wins $1.14 billion Mobile Protected Firepower contract
• June 28, 2022. By Justin Katz, Breaking Defense. The company is trying to show it can bring the capabilities of SEWIP Block III to a larger array of ships. Lockheed prepping to demo ‘scaled EA’ capability at RIMPAC
• June 28, 2022. By Andrew Eversden, Breaking Defense. The TITAN program is a tactical ground station that will process data from across space and land-based sensors using artificial intelligence and ship it off to the right shooter — such as one of the new Army long-range precision fires missiles. Army moves ahead with Palantir and Raytheon for next phase of TITAN
• June 28, 2022. By  Jen Judson, Defense News. The U.S. Army on Tuesday selected General Dynamics Land Systems to build a light tank meant to improve mobility, protection and direct-fire capabilities for Infantry Brigade Combat Teams. US Army unveils contract to build new light tank for infantry forces
• June 28, 2022. By Ryan White, Defense News. National Guardsmen may soon be able to use their personal electronic devices for official functions during domestic deployments to help fill a resources gap and reduce mobilization time, according to the service’s chief information officer. National Guardsmen may soon use personal electronics in deployments
• June 28, 2022. By James Andrew Lewis, CSIS. Many people know that China has spent hundreds of billions of dollars to build its own semiconductor industry and has committed billions more. Taiwan is spending $120 billion to build 20 new plants, including four cutting-edge semiconductor fabs, and is already breaking ground for the new plants. Japan and Korea have approved subsidies. Even the European Union, in its own Chips Act, a copy of U.S. legislation, has approved $46 billion in subsidies, and member states like Germany have allocated billions more. Only one country lags behind: the United States. This makes semiconductor funding a national security issue. Semiconductors and Security

USA – Europe

• June 29, 2022. By Jacqueline Feldscher, Defense One. The Pentagon will further increase its presence in Europe in response to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, the Defense Department announced Wednesday. US Boosts Forces In Europe As NATO Names Russia ‘Most Significant and Direct Threat’
• June 29, 2022. By  Darlene Superville, The Associated Press and Zeke Miller, The Associated Press, Defense News. President Joe Biden said Wednesday that the U.S. will significantly increase its military presence in Europe for the long haul, including by establishing its first permanent presence in Poland, to bolster regional security after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. US to boost military presence in Europe for Russia threat

USA – Saudi Arabia – Yemen

• June 28, 2022. By Bruce Riedel, Brookings. When U.S. President Joe Biden visits Saudi Arabia next month, he has an opportunity to advance his goal of ending the war in Yemen. Biden said early in his administration that ending the war is a top priority, a major and correct policy shift from his predecessors. In Jeddah he can press Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to do more by lifting the remainder of the blockade of northern Yemen and making the truce permanent. Biden’s trip to Saudi Arabia is a chance to end the war in Yemen

HORIZONS

• June 22, 2022. By IEA. Global energy investment is set to increase by 8% in 2022 to reach USD 2.4 trillion, with the anticipated rise coming mainly in clean energy, according to a new report by the International Energy Agency. Although encouraging, the growth investment is still far from enough to tackle the multiple dimensions of today’s energy crisis and pave the way towards a cleaner and more secure energy future. Record clean energy spending is set to help global energy investment grow by 8% in 2022
• June 27, 2022. By IEA. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol took part in the G7 Summit in Elmau, Germany, where he briefed world leaders on the IEA’s recommendations for responding to the global energy crisis. IEA Executive Director addresses world leaders at G7 Summit in Germany
• June 23, 2022. By ERIA. Indonesia’s G20 presidency has prioritised three pillars on global health, digital economic transformation, and energy transitions, envisaging more actionable results. These intentions are translated from the presidency’s main theme ‘Recover Together, Recover Stronger.’. ERIA’s Energy Economists Discuss Scaling Up Smart and Clean Energy Technologies in the Second G20 Energy Transition Working Group Meeting in Labuan Bajo
• June 2022. By Lili Yan Ing and Dani Rodrik, ERIA, IEA. The ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and economic recovery efforts have forced the world to face the need for a new framework for achieving better economic conditions. Economic recovery amidst global uncertainty and limited liquidity raises the need for G20 collaboration to create a new normal situation. The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and the International Economic Association (IEA) have the honour to respond to the request of the Government of Indonesia to support its G20 Presidency in 2022. Together with the Government of Indonesia and respected academics from the G20 countries, G20 expert team examines the global economic situation and the priority issues of the G20 Presidency of Indonesia. The report focuses on three main areas for the G20 sherpa and finance tracks: (i) economic recovery, (ii) digital transformation, and (iii) inclusive growth and sustainable development.  New Normal, New Technologies, New Financing
• June 29, 2022. By Bermet Talant, The Interpreter. Ukraine’s heroic fight against the Russian invasion sparked a powerful response from the democratic world, not only in the trans-Atlantic neighborhood but also from Asia-Pacific nations – Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Governments imposed sanctions, businesses halted their operations in Russia, and Ukrainian refugees were welcomed. War fatigue in the West