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A US-UK Submarine Deal Triggers Nuclear Fears Down Under

By Thalif Deen

NEW YORK (IDN) — A tripartite deal, under which the US and UK have joined hands, to provide a nuclear-powered submarine to Australia (AUKUS) has prompted anti-nuclear activists to express fears it may eventually lead to a new nuclear power in the region.

The Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said the three nations had agreed to “a new enhanced trilateral security partnership”. The new arrangement, he asserted, “does not signal a move towards domestic nuclear power or nuclear weapons”.

: Thalif Deen; ARMAMENTS; Nuclear Weapons; 25 September 2021

The India-US-China-Russia Quadrilateral Challenge

By George Chakko

The writer is former UN correspondent, now retiree in Vienna, Austria.

VIENNA (IDN) — India PM took part on the White House Quad meeting on September 24. His relaxed face with smile and Biden’s hearty open smile in a WH photo can speak volumes. Or? The focussed Quad priorities on the rule of law, navigation and overflight freedom, peaceful resolution of disputes, democratic values and territorial integrity of states and support for smaller states of ASEAN, is a clear message and warning exclusively to China not to flex its muscles anymore and realise its power limitations in Asia.

: Asia Editor; THE WORLD; South Asia; 25 September 2021

Photo: The DRC government is planning to lift a moratorium on new logging concessions that threatens some of the last intact tropical forest on earth, Forest protection in DR Congo. Credit: Greenpeace.

NGOs Urge Donor Governments to Intervene to Stop New Logging Plans on The Congo Rainforest

By Devendra Kamarajan

NAIROBI | KINSHASA (IDN) — Ahead of international donors announcing a 1 USD billion forest protection agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo, NGOs are urging that such funding for the Central African country should be conditional on a moratorium on any logging concessions, reports Greenpeace. The ban has stood since 2002 but the DRC government is apparently planning to lift the moratorium.

: Africa & ME Editor; THE WORLD; Africa; 24 September 2021

Pandemic Raises Stakes for Success of The SDGs — Private Sector Collaboration Crucial

Viewpoint by Tina Nybo Jensen*

AMSTERDAM (IDN) — In this Decade of Action for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we hear much about how organizations, countries and individuals are stepping up their efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda. Despite this, the reality is that the pace of action has not been quick enough, and we are already far behind on delivering the Global Goals.

: Europe Editor; OPINION; 24 September 2021

Photo (from left to right): Jainendra Karn and Manish Uprety F.R.A.S.

Afghanistan: The Great Game or a Tumbling Dice on the Road to Ruin

Viewpoint by Manish Uprety F.R.A.S. and Jainendra Karn

Manish Uprety is an ex-diplomat & ALCAP’s Special Adviser for Asia & Africa and Jainendra Karn is a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of IDN-InDepth News.

New Delhi (IDN) — The SAARC Foreign Minister’s Meet scheduled for 25 September 2021 in New York was cancelled as Pakistan insisted that the Taliban government rather than the representatives of the previous Afghan government should be allowed to participate.

: Opinion Editor; OPINION; 24 September 2021

Photo: Polish border guards pushing-back refugees on the Polish-Belarusian border, Usnarz Gorny, Poland. Credit: Karol Grygoruk/RATS Agency

People as Pawns to Power: The Unfolding Humanitarian Crisis on the Belarusian Border Needs Urgent Attention

By Anna Alboth

The writer is Anna Alboth is Media Programmes Coordinator, Minority Rights Group International, Warsaw.

WARSAW (IDN) — For an organisation established on the back of a humanitarian disaster that shocked the world, the lack of discussion at the opening of the United Nations General Assembly about events unfolding on the Polish-Belarusian border is deeply disappointing.

As feeble international efforts to hold Lukashenka to account failed, he instead consolidated power extending a vice-like grip on power in Belarus.

: Europe Editor; SUSTAINABILITY; Poverty; 23 September 2021

Photo: Climate activists demonstrate outside of the White House calling on President Joe Biden to quickly pass a climate-friendly infrastructure plan on June 4, 2021 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) Source: Commons Dreams

U.S. Militarism's Toxic Impact on Climate Policy

Viewpoint by Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J. S. Davies*

NEW YORK (IDN) — U.S. President Biden addressed the UN General Assembly on September 21 with a warning that the climate crisis is fast approaching a “point of no return,” and a promise that the United States would rally the world to action. “We will lead not just with the example of our power but, God willing, with the power of our example,” he said.

: UN Bureau; SUSTAINABILITY; Climate Action; 23 September 2021

Photo: On the second day of the high-level UN session on September 22, the General Assembly Hall was virtually empty due to corona virus restrictions. But at least one delegate was tested positive.

UN Jolted by Single Corona Virus Infection at a Meeting of World Leaders

By Thalif Deen

NEW YORK (IDN) — Amid fears of the current General Assembly sessions in danger of being a “super spreader” of the Delta virus—among hundreds of delegates attending a two-week long meeting through end September—the United Nations has alerted its staff about an unnamed delegate testing positive.

: Thalif Deen; SUSTAINABILITY; Health & Well Being; 23 September 2021

Photo: The Aukus submarine pact caused a falling-out with France Source: Deutsche Welle.

AUKUS Threatens to Damage NATO

Viewpoint by James W. Carden

This article was produced by Globetrotter in partnership with the American Committee for U.S.-Russia Accord. James W. Carden is a writing fellow at Globetrotter and a former adviser to the U.S. State Department. Previously, he was a contributing writer on foreign affairs at the Nation, and his work has also appeared in the Quincy Institute’s Responsible Statecraft, the American Conservative, Asia Times, and more. Source: Globetrotter

: Opinion Editor; THE WORLD; USA and Canada; 22 September 2021

Photo: A meeting of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Source: UNHRC

Tough Going for Sri Lanka in Geneva

Viewpoint by Neville de Silva

A veteran Sri Lankan journalist, Neville de Silva was Assistant Editor of the Hong Kong Standard before working in London for Gemini News Service. Later he was Deputy Chief-of-Mission in Bangkok and Deputy High Commissioner in London.

LONDON (IDN) — Thankfully it was only a verbal update on Sri Lanka by United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet. Had it been an extensive report on the country’s performance since the UN human rights body passed a highly critical resolution in March, then Sri Lanka might have well ended up like our struggling cricketers at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo—eating humble pie.