In Geopolitics Today: Tuesday, March 21st
Jordan Accuses Israeli Finance Minister of Violating Peace Agreement, UK to Transfer Depleted Uranium Rounds to Ukraine, and other stories.
Jordan Accuses Israeli Finance Minister of Violating Peace Agreement
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has been accused by Jordan of violating the peace agreement between the two countries after giving a speech in Paris where he used a map featuring Jordan and the occupied West Bank as part of Israel and called the Palestinian people “an invention.”
The map and Smotrich's statements caused tensions, particularly as the Biden administration, Jordan, and Egypt were trying to reduce violence between Israelis and Palestinians. Jordanian officials summoned the Israeli ambassador in Amman and called on the Israeli government and other states to denounce Smotrich's statements. The Israeli Foreign Ministry has since publicly reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to the 1994 peace agreement with Jordan.
Read more about this story here.
South Korea's Complex Position on China-Taiwan Issue
In East Asia, the China-Taiwan issue continues to be a hotly debated topic that affects the geopolitical landscape of the region. While the United States and Japan have demonstrated their resolve to defend Taiwan against any potential Chinese invasion, South Korea's position on the issue is more complicated. Despite being a U.S. ally and liberal democracy, South Korea is cautious about taking actions that may damage its economic relations with China, which is crucial for its prosperity.
The South Korean government's reluctance to get involved in a potential conflict over Taiwan illustrates the challenge of balancing national interests with strategic alliances. As China continues to grow as a global power, countries in the region, including the United States' allies, must navigate the complex web of relationships between Beijing and Washington. It remains to be seen how the situation will evolve in the future, but for now, it appears that economic considerations and concerns about North Korea's threat will continue to take precedence over any desire to take a more assertive stance on Taiwan.
Read more about this story here.
Putin-Xi Meeting Raises Questions on Russian-Chinese Relationship
The meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Moscow has raised eyebrows around the world. Putin's meeting with Xi offers a rare opportunity for the Russian leader to demonstrate that his country is not completely cut off from the rest of the world, despite facing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes. Additionally, the meeting may indicate that Russia is relying more heavily on China, particularly in the wake of increased concerns that China may provide weapons to Russia.
During their talks, Putin and Xi discussed a Chinese proposal for a peace plan in Ukraine that blames NATO for the war and calls for a cease-fire and peace talks. Putin welcomed the proposal and claimed that Russia is open to negotiations, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed scepticism over the proposal, warning it could be a “stalling tactic” to help Russia on the ground in Ukraine. With relationships between Russia, China, and NATO evolving, it remains to be seen how these talks will impact the geopolitics of the region and the broader international community.
Read more about this story here.
UK to Transfer Depleted Uranium Rounds to Ukraine
The United Kingdom has announced its intention to transfer depleted uranium (DU) rounds to Ukraine. The effectiveness of DU rounds in destroying modern tanks and armoured vehicles was noted by a senior UK defence official as the primary reason for sending the ammunition.
The decision by the British government to send depleted uranium (DU) rounds to Ukraine has sparked controversy. the move was quickly denounced by Russian leaders as escalatory as Russian President Vladimir Putin warning of a potential nuclear collision. If the UK follows through on the announcement, it will become the first country to openly send the controversial shells to Ukraine. Despite their military effectiveness, DU shells can cause long-term environmental damage, cancer, and birth defects, according to research.
Read more about this story here.
Ethiopia Accuses US of Unfair War Crimes Accusations
The Ethiopian government has accused the United States of unfairly accusing it of committing war crimes during the two-year Tigrayan conflict. The US statement accused all parties to the conflict of committing war crimes, including the Ethiopian and Eritrean federal troops and Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) rebels, and regional Amhara forces. However, the Ethiopian government argued that the US statement was inflammatory.
The Tigrayan conflict has soured US-Ethiopia relations, and the recent accusations may worsen the situation. In addition to sanctions on Eritrea, which has poor relations with the US, the US also booted Ethiopia from a major trade pact, marking a significant break in their longstanding partnership. The conflict has claimed the lives of over 500,000 people, making it one of the deadliest wars of the 21st century. As tensions escalate, it remains unclear what actions the US will take to address the ongoing violence and bring the perpetrators of war crimes to justice.