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"EU passes migration overhaul, Iran warns of retaliation, U.S.-Japan-Philippines summit."

Views expressed in this geopolitical news update are those of the reporters and correspondents.  Accessed on 11 April 2024, 1313 UTC.

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Daily News Brief April 11, 2024 Top of the Agenda

EU Lawmakers Approve Sweeping Migration Reforms

The European Parliament approved (WaPo) an overhaul to the bloc’s asylum and migration rules yesterday after years of debate. The vote was the final political hurdle to the reforms, which the European Council is expected to rubber-stamp (NYT) into law in the coming weeks. The changes give the European Union (EU) more control over migration policy in its member countries, requiring frontline countries such as Greece and Italy to build detention centers, more rapidly process asylum seekers, and deport unsuccessful applicants. Other countries will be required to resettle more migrants or provide financial compensation.  Centrist EU politicians had sought to approve the changes before June’s European Parliament elections, in which right-wing parties calling for a harder line on immigration are faring well in the polls. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the reforms (France 24, AFP) a “historic, indispensable step” for the bloc. Migrants rights groups criticized some provisions in the deal, saying it could facilitate human rights violations.  Analysis “As the United States debates border control heading into the November presidential election, the issue is also dominating discussion in Europe ahead of E.U. elections in June. With far-right candidates leading in polls, E.U. negotiators were under pressure to deliver a deal—and they did,” the Washington Post’s Emily Rauhala and Beatriz Ríos write. “The open question is what will happen in implementation,” the Migration Policy Institute’s Camille Le Coz tells France 24. “It’s an agreement that is tougher on asylum seekers, in many ways, and it’s also an agreement that doesn’t address many other pressing issues such as safe passways for refugees and also labor migration.”  Pacific Rim

Senior South Korean Officials Offer Resignation After Opposition Victories in Midterm Election

Opposition parties appeared to have won (AP) 187 seats in the 300-member National Assembly with most votes counted after yesterday’s election. They stand to act as significant obstacles to the domestic agenda of President Yoon Suk Yeol for the remaining three years of his term. South Korea’s prime minister and all senior presidential officials presented their resignations today, though it was not immediately clear if Yoon accepted them.   This Expert Brief by CFR Senior Fellow Sue Mi Terry explains what the opposition’s win means for Seoul.   China/Taiwan: Taiwan’s former President Ma Ying-jeou visited (CNN) Beijing for a rare meeting yesterday, during which Chinese President Xi Jinping said people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are part of “one China.” Ma’s party promotes closer ties with Beijing. His visit comes as Taipei prepares to swear in its new leader in the coming weeks.  South and Central Asia

UN: Nearly Half of Myanmar’s Population Lives Below Poverty Line

Myanmar’s civil war is driving an economic crisis that has plunged (WaPo) almost half the population below the national poverty line of $0.76 per day, the UN Development Program said in a new report released today. As recently as the mid-2010s, Myanmar was seen as one of Asia’s most promising emerging markets. China/India: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi argued in a written interview to Newsweek magazine that tensions on the border with China should be addressed “urgently” (PTI) through constructive bilateral engagement. In response, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said today that China took note of Modi’s remarks and agrees that “sound and stable” ties between the countries are important.  Middle East and North Africa

U.S., Israel Prepare for Iranian Retaliation for Damascus Strike

Iran’s leader reiterated a threat yesterday to respond to Israel’s strike on its diplomatic compound in Damascus, Syria, last week. Washington and its allies have warned Israel that strikes by Iran or its proxies could occur in the coming days, unnamed sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. Israel has said it would wait for the potential Iranian strike to come before relaunching its Gaza Strip offensive, and has warned that if Iran hits Israel, Israel will strike back.    This In Brief by CFR’s Kali Robinson looks at Iran’s regional armed network.  Israel/Palestinian territories: Senior Israeli commanders and political leaders were not consulted before an Israeli strike killed three sons (Reuters) of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza, Israeli media reported today. The strike could potentially complicate ongoing talks to reach a cease-fire and hostage deal. Sub-Saharan Africa

Togo Bans Protest Over End of Direct Presidential Elections

Authorities banned (AP) a three-day protest set to begin today over the arrest of opposition figures and new legislation that would end direct elections in the country. The legislation is awaiting a signature from President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé. The opposition says the move aims to ensure that Gnassingbé, who has been in office since 2005, can maintain his hold on power.    This Backgrounder by Claire Klobucista and CFR’s Mariel Ferragamo explores the trend of African leaders extending their rule.  Mali: The country’s military government announced yesterday that it was suspending (Bloomberg) the activities of political parties and associations almost two weeks after such groups issued a joint call to organize elections.  Europe

Russia Destroys Power Plant Near Kyiv

Russia targeted infrastructure sites across Ukraine overnight and destroyed (Reuters) an electricity plant near Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said. Ukrainian air defenses took down eighteen incoming missiles and thirty-nine drones out of a total of eighty-two missiles and drones used, the military said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for more support for Ukraine’s air defenses. Americas

OAS Condemns Ecuador, Implicitly Criticizes Mexico in Resolution on Embassy Raid

The Western Hemisphere forum known as the Organization of American States (OAS) passed a resolution (Bloomberg) yesterday “energetically” condemning Ecuador for its police raid on the Mexican embassy in Quito last week. The resolution also said embassies “must not be used in ways incompatible with the functions of the mission,” an implicit criticism of Mexico’s granting of asylum to a politician convicted of graft. Canada/China: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified (The Guardian) yesterday in a probe of alleged Chinese interference in Canada’s 2019 and 2021 national elections, saying Canadians decided the results of those elections “despite attempts by foreign states to interfere.” United States

White House Holds First U.S.-Japan-Philippines Trilateral Summit

Leaders of the United States, Japan, and the Philippines are meeting in Washington today as part of ongoing efforts to deepen military cooperation amid Chinese aggression in the South China Sea. The leaders are also expected to announce a joint infrastructure corridor in the Indo-Pacific that will include ports, rail, and clean energy facilities, Nikkei reported.  Council on Foreign Relations 58 East 68th Street — New York, NY 10065 1777 F Street, NW — Washington, DC 20006 Shop the CFR Store Manage Your Email Preferences

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