In Geopolitics Today: Friday, December 16th
Japan Unveils Massive $320bn Military Build-up, US-French Surface Water and Ocean Topography Satellite Launched, and other stories.
Japan Unveils Massive $320bn Military Build-up
The Japanese government has announced an updated national security strategy, national defence strategy and a new defence build-up program. Japan will also create a permanent joint command with the United States to better coordinate between their militaries.
These strategies and programs begin a military build-up worth up to $320 billion that would arm Japan in anticipation of a sustained regional conflict. Tokyo will work to stockpile spare parts and munitions, develop cyber warfare capabilities, reinforce logistics and cooperate more closely with the US. The military build-up is likely to stoke tensions with other regional powers, though Tokyo may intensify diplomatic efforts to avoid complicating key relationships.
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Burkina Faso Summons Ghana Envoy over President’s Claims
The government of Burkina Faso has summoned Ghana’s ambassador to the country after Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo alleged Ouagadougou is cooperating with Wagner group mercenaries belonging to Russia.
Speaking to reporters at the US-Africa Leaders Summit taking place in Washington this week, Afuko-Addo said Wagner forces were on Ghana's northern border, operating near a mine in Burkina Faso. If the allegation is true, a Wagner Group presence in Burkina Faso could harm relations with France and increase scrutiny from other regional and international powers.
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US-French Surface Water and Ocean Topography Satellite Launched
A powerful new satellite developed by NASA and France's Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES) has been launched into space. The joint project will monitor nearly all the world's water sources in great detail for the two countries.
The satellite was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California aboard a SpaceX rocket, taking the satellite on a mission that will last three years on an orbit that will cover most of the planet roughly every three weeks. The satellite will measure the height of water, allowing detailed topographic analysis of lakes, rivers and seas on a global scale.
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The United States Begins SPR Repurchase Program
The United States has started the process of refilling its Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR). Washington has stated that sales made from SPR releases have been halted in order to make way for the refilling process, with 147 million barrels still set to be released from the SPR before 2027.
The US Energy Department has support the refilling process, stating that repurchasing oil at current prices is an “opportunity to secure a good deal” and attain “energy security.” The White House has made the intention to buy back oil for the SPR when the price of crude oil falls between $67 and $72 per barrel. While oil isn’t yet trading at that level, crude oil prices have slipped recently and are approaching the threshold for repurchase set by the White House.
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Aramco and TotalEnergies to Build a Major Oil Facility in Saudi Arabia
France’s TotalEnergies and Saudi Arabia’s Aramco will make a joint investment of around $11 billion toward a new petrochemicals complex in Saudi Arabia.
Aramco will reportedly fund 62.5% of the project, while TotalEnergies will cover 37.5%. The petrochemicals complex will be owned and operated by both companies and integrated with Saudi Arabia’s refining and petrochemicals industry in Jubail. Construction is set to begin in 2023 with full operations planned for the year 2027, though final approvals are still pending.