In Geopolitics Today: Monday, December 12th
The United States Sends Threat-Emitters To Ukraine, US Scientists Claim Nuclear Fusion Breakthrough, and other stories.
The United States Sends Threat-Emitters To Ukraine
Ukraine is said to have already received threat emitters from the United States. A threat emitter is a training system that broadcasts a signal that mimics air-defence radar without firing an actual missile. The threat emitters could be used by Ukraine to create false signals that could deter air raids or draw enemy fire.
The likely use for these emitters will be to bolster Ukraine’s air defences by projecting air-defence signals that could help mask signals emanating from functional air-defence systems. This will complicate Russia’s ability to discover and destroy targets. These systems are mobile, allowing them to be driven around and relocated with ease.
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US Scientists Claim Nuclear Fusion Breakthrough
According to a US official, a nuclear fusion reactor has created more energy than was put into it for the first time. If the results are confirmed, it will prove that fusion is a viable way to meet growing energy demands.
The government official quoted spoke anonymously when discussing the results, stating that an experiment at the National Ignition Facility had achieved ‘ignition’, a state where fusion energy generated is equal to the laser energy required to start the reaction. While such a development could set the stage for major advancements in energy production, nuclear fusion is likely still decades away from seeing use in a power plant.
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European Parliament Embroiled in Corruption Scandal
A court in Belgium has charged four people over influencing decisions in the European Parliament (EP) in exchange for gifs and money from Qatar. Prosecutors reportedly searched 16 houses and seized assets in Brussels as part of an investigation into money laundering and corruption within the EP.
While four individuals have reportedly been charged and two released, reports have not specified the identities of all those involved. Of those charged, the highest-profile target remanded custody appears to be Greek MEP Eva Kaili. Media reports suggest Qatar was the state at the centre of the allegations, however, a Qatari official “categorically” rejected any attempts to associate his country with “accusations of misconduct”.
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New Deals Signal Growth Potential in Israel’s Energy Sector
After establishing natural gas transit routes to Egypt and Jordan, Israel is looking to expand its position in the energy sector by facilitating further deals that promise a boost to Israel’s energy exports.
New agreements have confirmed Israeli plans to expand the Tamar gas field off the coast of Israel and oil and gas exploration off Morocco’s Atlantic coast. The US energy company Chevron announced its expansion plan for the Tamar gas field, promising investments of $673 million in the Tamar gas field. Separately, Israel’s NewMed Energy and its partner Adarco Energy announced agreement on an oil and gas exploration project with the Moroccan government.
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Iran Summons China’s Ambassador over Comments on Disputed Islands
Chinese Ambassador to Iran, Chang Hua, was summoned to the Iranian foreign ministry recently over language used in a joint statement released after the GCC-China summit was held in Saudi Arabia.
A joint statement was issued containing several clauses that directly dealt with what Tehran says are matters relating to Iranian internal affairs, nuclear programme, and regional activities. The issue that seems to have caused displeasure in Tehran was mention of the ownership of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa — three islands in the Strait of Hormuz that Iran governs but are claimed by the United Arab Emirates as part of its territory.