Good morning. Here’s your Daily Situational Awareness for Wednesday, 16 November 2022.
GEOPOLITICS BRIEF
INDIA KICKS OFF “UNPRECEDENTED” MILITARY EXERCISES: Indian naval and coast guard forces kicked off the Sea Vigil 22 military exercise, aimed at improving maritime security and coastal defense. The exercise area reportedly covers the entire Indian coastline and involves various Indian government organizations. – M.S.
DEADLY EXPLOSION IN POLAND TRIGGERS EMERGENCY MEETINGS ACROSS NATO:: A deadly explosion in the Polish village of Przewodow near the Ukrainian border triggered emergency meetings of defense officials across the NATO alliance. Early reports indicated the blast resulted from a Russian cruise missile, however, later reports blamed a stray Ukrainian air defense missile launched to defend against a barrage of Russian missile strikes across Ukraine. Polish officials announced they will advance a discussion on the issue today. NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the incident remained under investigation but said Russia bore “ultimate responsibility” for the incident, citing Russia’s ongoing “illegal” war in Ukraine. Russian officials chastised western countries for making “baseless statements” blaming Russia for the incident while praising Washington for its comparative restraint.
JAMAICA DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY OVER GANG VIOLENCE: Citing an increase in gang violence, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared a state of emergency, affecting the capital city of Kingston and Central and western parishes. The emergency declaration expands police authority, allowing searches of buildings and arrests without pre-approved warrants. Holness said the move was necessary as gang violence is a threat to “prosperity” and “public order,” and a “cause for grave concern” as the holiday season approaches. Jamaican officials say gang violence has caused a 6.8% increase in the country’s annual murder rates, with gang-related incidents accounting for 71% of murders this year. – R.P.
CANADA EXPRESSES CONCERNS WITH CHINA OVER ONGOING “INTERFERENCE”: Unnamed Canadian government officials say Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed “serious concerns” over China’s ongoing “interference” in Canada, during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali. Canadian intelligence officials have blamed China for interfering in 2019 elections. Canadian officials also announced the arrest of an employee at Canada’s largest energy producer for the attempted theft of trade secrets on behalf of China earlier this week. – R.P.
In today’s Early Warning, the team takes a look at numerous domestic issues, including the risk of recession, domestic political conditions, how the federal government plans to bolster its road funding, and the next potential national health emergency. If you enjoy reading this daily email, you’ll love the rest of the report. See what you’re missing here: https://forwardobserver.com/subscribe
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