In Geopolitics Today - Wednesday, January 19th
Morocco’s Dominant Position in Fertilizer Supply Chains, Canada & the UK Sends Troops & Anti-tank Weapons to Ukraine, China and India Jostle for Influence in Maldives
Morocco’s Dominant Position in Fertilizer Supply Chains
Morocco's phosphorus fertilizer industry promises to transform the kingdom into a critical link in global food supply chains going forward. Morocco possesses over 70% of the world's entire proven phosphate rock reserves, bestowing the country with a unique position as phosphorus is used in the production of fertilizers. Given that all food crops require the element phosphorus, Morocco is well-positioned to play a central role in global food supply chains if the production capacity is increased.
Unlike fossil fuels, which have viable alternatives, there is no means of replacing phosphorus in the production of fertilizers. Morocco has already enriched its economy and elevated its international importance by becoming one of the world's leading fertilizer exporters, choosing to produce fertilizers domestically instead of exporting phosphorus as a raw material. Rabat has also expanded its fertilizer production throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, where the kingdom has pushed for joint venture partnerships in local fertilizer production, leading to a drastic expansion of Morocco's soft power influence. And with global food insecurity still rampant in many parts of the world, Morocco’s role in the international commercial system promises to grow.
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Canada & the UK Send Troops, Anti-tank Weapons to Ukraine
The UK and Canada have each decided to dispatch elements of their armed forces to Ukraine. The UK provided Ukraine with an unspecified number of soldiers earlier this week, along with anti-tank missiles. Canada, on the other hand, has decided to dispatch a unit of its special forces. The move by both countries marks an additional show of support for Ukraine aimed at deterring Russia.
The decision by the UK was announced by the Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace, who told Parliament that the troops and anti-tank missiles being dispatched to Ukraine were intended to deter Russia. Dozens of troops from the UK’s armed forces have been in Ukraine since 2015 with the publicly stated aim to help train the Ukrainian armed forces. In addition, the UK has also committed to help rebuild Ukraine's navy, most of which was absorbed by Russia after it annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. The Canadian contingent of special forces troops are reportedly tasked with drawing up evacuation plans for Canadian diplomats and assisting Ukrainian forces in providing a credible deterrent to Russia.
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China and India Jostle for Influence in Maldives
The Republic of Maldives is an island nation which comprises 26 atolls spread over a vast area of 90,000 square kilometres. The country is located in a central position in the Indian Ocean, and lies close to a number of important sea lines of communication. With competition between India and China on the rise throughout the Indian Ocean, the significance of Maldives to regional players is steadily increasing.
To India, Maldives have always been regarded as a strategic country in the Indian Ocean. Engagement between the two countries is based on a mutual recognition of each countries significance to the other via India’s “Neighbourhood First” and Maldives’ “India First” policies. The two regularly cooperate in the sphere of defence, with both countries routinely participating in the joint military exercises “Ekuverin” and “Dosti.” But as relations soured between the two during 2012, Beijing has stepped up engagement with Maldives as part of its intentions to play a greater role in the Indian Ocean via the maritime component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
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