The Press Roundup

January 14, 2024 (Sunday)

Curated Summary

The necessary risk of America's military strikes in Yemen (The New York Times)

• The United States has shifted from a defense-only posture in the Red Sea and is determined to stop Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the region. This new assertive approach is aimed at protecting the freedom of commerce and navigation in the Red Sea, which is a core American interest in the region. President Biden is ready to take further measures to protect American people and international commerce if necessary.
• The Houthi rebels in Yemen pose a threat to the freedom of commerce and navigation in the Red Sea. They have attacked or harassed at least 27 ships in international shipping lanes since October 2023.
• The Houthi rebels have stated that they will retaliate against the United States and its allies for their strikes in Yemen.

Serbia says it is disappointed with possible U.S. sale of anti-tank missiles to Kosovo (The Washington Times)

• The United States has received Kosovo's request to purchase Javelin anti-tank missiles, and the U.S. State Department has approved the possible sale of 246 missiles and related equipment to Kosovo for an estimated cost of 75 million.
• The proposed sale of the missile system to Kosovo comes during tensions in the region, with Serbia moving its troops to the border guarded by NATO-led peacekeeping troops and Kosovo's armed forces.
• Serbia's president expressed "deep disappointment" over the sale and emphasized the importance of maintaining peace in the region and contributing to stability in the Balkans.
• Serbia has received a significant number of tanks from Russia and plans to continue buying arms from China and other countries, including anti-aircraft systems, fighter planes, and drones.

Could the India-Pakistan relations normalize in 2024? (The Diplomat)

• Diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan have been strained since 2019, with Pakistan downgrading its ties with India and halting trade in response to the Indian abrogation of Article 370.
• Both India and Pakistan have vacant positions for high commissioners, with deputy high commissioners and charge d'affaires appointed in each other's countries.
• India maintains that for any dialogue to begin, Pakistan must stop cross-border terrorism, while Pakistan conditions talks on the undoing of the Indian abrogation of Article 370.
• In 2024, India and Pakistan should focus on confidence-building measures (CBMs) to normalize relations.
• These CBMs could include softening the visa regime, promoting religious tourism, restarting bilateral trade, and working together on common challenges such as climate change and water scarcity.
• India and Pakistan could also cooperate on the shared management of the Indus Basin and the development of border regions.
• Reviving the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and opening the Srinagar to Muzaffarabad bus service are other potential CBMs.
• Developing the Sharda Peeth temple as a tourist site could also help to enhance cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Pakistan's peace and friendship fleet docks in Bandar Abbas (Tehran Times)

• A Pakistani naval fleet consisting of two warships arrived in Iran's Bandar Abbas to strengthen bilateral ties and enhance educational exchanges between the two navies.
• The fleet will visit tourist attractions, cultural landmarks, and commercial hubs in Bandar Abbas during its three-day stay.
• It will also pay tribute to the martyrs of the Sacred Defense by visiting the Bandar Abbas Martyrs' Golzar and hold a spiritual ceremony centered around the Holy Quran.
• A joint naval exercise between the Iranian and Pakistani navies is scheduled in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.
• The visit aims to promote peace and friendship, enhance educational and technical interactions, and foster the transfer of expertise and skills.

Netanyahu declares no one can halt Israel's war to crush Hamas, including international court (PBS)

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declares that Israel will not be stopped in its war against Hamas, even by the world court.
• The International Court of Justice held hearings on South Africa's allegations of Israeli genocide against Palestinians.
• Israel rejects the allegations as libelous and hypocritical.
• Israel argues that ending the war means victory for Hamas and the destruction of Israel.
• The war has resulted in the deaths of over 23,000 Palestinians and widespread suffering in Gaza.

Sino-Indian border infrastructure in the Indian defense ministry's year end review - Analysis (Eurasia Review)

• The review provides updates on defense production, exports, major acquisitions, border infrastructure, and individual service updates from the Indian army, navy, and air force.
• India is accelerating the construction of border infrastructure along the India-China border. This is in response to the ongoing conflict with China and the need to improve troop mobility and logistics supply to forward areas.
• The Border Roads Organization (BRO) has completed 601 kms of roads and 20 tunnels in the past year. Key projects include the Nechiphu Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh, two airfields, two helipads, and 63 bridges. The government has also approved the construction of four roads, totaling 255 kms, in Arunachal Pradesh under Project Arunank.
• The BRO's budget has increased to a record high of Rs 12,340 crore in FY 2022-23. India is doubling down on its efforts to develop strategic border infrastructure in light of the adversarial nature of ties with China.
• China's infrastructure development along the Sino-Indian border in the 1980s and 1990s prompted India to change its defensive approach to infrastructure development in the late 2000s. 
• India and China are still in conflict, with a significant number of troops on both sides of the border. The infrastructure race between the two countries is believed to have contributed to the Chinese actions in 2020.

Pakistan's policy on Taiwan is consistent, clear: FO (The Nation)

• Pakistan says Taiwan is an inalienable part of People’s Republic of China.
• Pakistan adheres to One Chi­na Policy and calls for non-interference in the domestic affairs of all countries as per prin­ciples and objectives enshrined in the UN Charter.

Who is supposed to run the country? (The Dawn)

• Question has been raised about the interference of the army in politics in the inaugural session of the ThinkFest Afkar-e-Taza at the Alhamra Art Centre here on Saturday.
• Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi emphasizes the need for a new social contract and amendments to the 1973 Constitution.
• The deterioration of the army's interference in politics has been a gradual process and will require time to fix.
• Massive reforms are needed in the country, including addressing the issue of federal officers working at the tehsil level.
• The central dilemma of Pakistan is deciding who should run the country, the people or the institutions.
• Intellectual discourse is crucial for addressing the "Winter of Discontent" in Pakistan.

Ruling party's election win cannot represent 'mainstream' opinion in Taiwan, says China (Asia Pacific)

• The ruling Democratic Progressive Party's candidate won Taiwan's presidential election, resulting in an unprecedented third consecutive term for a political party. However, the DPP faced a decline in the country's Legislative Assembly, securing 51 seats compared to the main opposition Kuomintang's 52.
• China stated that the election results "cannot represent the mainstream public opinion" and that it will adhere to the one-China principle, opposing any separatist activities aimed at Taiwan independence. China considers Taiwan as its "breakaway province," while Taiwan insists on its independence.
• The US and Japan welcomed the Taiwan election results, congratulating Dr. Lai Ching-te on his victory and commending the Taiwanese people for their democratic system.

U.S. does not support Taiwan independence, Biden says (Reuters)

• U.S. President Joe Biden stated that the United States does not support the independence of Taiwan, following the Taiwanese ruling party's victory in the presidential election.
• The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 but maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan and remains its most important backer and arms supplier.
• Biden's comments appear to be an effort to reassure Beijing, as he has previously upset the Chinese government with comments suggesting the United States would defend Taiwan if attacked.
• U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated the newly elected Taiwanese president and emphasized the U.S.' commitment to maintaining cross-strait peace and stability.
• The Biden administration is concerned about escalating conflict with Beijing and plans to send an unofficial delegation to Taiwan to show support for the government.
• China is expected to put pressure on Taiwan's incoming president, including staging military maneuvers near the island.

Taiwan's new president: 5 things you need to know about William Lai (Politico)

• 1. Beijing doesn't like him. China has repeatedly condemned Lai, claiming he is the one who will bring war to the island. As recently as last Thursday, Beijing tried to dissuade Taiwanese voters from electing its main enemy to the baroque presidential cabinet in Taipei. This is partly due to a 2017 statement in which Lai described himself as a "fighter for Taiwan's independence," which Beijing has repeatedly cited as evidence of his separatist beliefs.
• 2. All eyes on the next four months. Instability is expected to increase over the next four months, until Lai's official inauguration on 20 May. Already a few days before the election, China has sent several spy balloons to monitor Taiwan. On trade, China has also stepped-up pressure. Taiwanese authorities have also uncovered instances of disinformation and election manipulation. All this combined constitutes what Taipei calls hybrid warfare, which now risks escalating further.
• 3- Lai must tame his independent instinct. In a sense, he has already done so. Speaking at an international press conference last week, Lai said he has no plans to declare independence if elected president.
• 4. Taiwan will follow an international approach. The US, Japan and Europe are expected to prioritise Lai's diplomatic work, while relations with China are expected to remain negative. According to Taiwanese authorities, Taiwan's exports to China and Hong Kong fell 18.1 per cent last year from 2022, the biggest decline since the statistics began to be recorded in 1982. In contrast, Taiwan's exports to the US and Europe grew by 1.6 per cent and 2.9 per cent respectively, with trade volumes reaching historic highs.
• 5. Lai may face an intransigent parliament. As vote counting continues, there is a high probability that Lai will have to deal with a divided parliament. Before the election, the Kuomintang Party promised to form a majority in the Yuan (Legislative Yuan - Taiwan's parliament - Briefly) along with the Taiwan People's Party, which would effectively make the Lai administration a minority government.

North Korea launches suspected ballistic missile that can reach distance US bases (Irish Examiner)

• North Korea fired a suspected intermediate-range ballistic missile towards the sea, its first launch this year, possibly as a way to influence the results of South Korea's parliamentary elections and the US presidential election.
• The missile was detected by South Korea, the US, and Japan, and is believed to have landed in the ocean.
• North Korea has been escalating its warlike rhetoric and conducting artillery barrages near the disputed sea boundary with South Korea.
• North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called South Korea "our principal enemy" and threatened to annihilate it if provoked.
• Experts suggest that Kim may want South Korean liberals to pursue rapprochement with North Korea while maintaining a parliamentary majority, and for former US President Donald Trump to be re-elected, as he may believe he could win US concessions like sanctions relief.
• Kim has vowed to expand North Korea's nuclear arsenal and launch additional spy satellites in response to perceived US-led confrontational moves.

Denmark to proclaim new king as Queen Margrethe sign historic abdication (Irish Examiner)

• Queen Margrethe II of Denmark will sign her abdication, becoming the first Danish monarch to voluntarily relinquish the throne in nearly 900 years. Her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik, will be proclaimed King Frederik X.
• Queen Margrethe's abdication comes as a surprise to the nation, as she had been expected to remain on the throne until her death. She cited health issues as the reason for her decision.
• Denmark's monarchy is one of the oldest in Europe, tracing its origins back to the 10th century Viking king Gorm the Old. Today, the royal family's duties are largely ceremonial.
• The abdication will leave Denmark with two queens: Queen Margrethe will retain her title, while Crown Prince Frederik's Australian-born wife, Crown Princess Mary, will become Queen Mary. Their eldest son, Prince Christian, will become the crown prince and heir to the throne.
• The proclamation of King Frederik X will take place on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace, and thousands of Danes are expected to witness the event. The new king and queen will then leave for the royal residence, Amalienborg.