FOCUS
July 6, 2022. By Jessica Brandt and Valerie Wirtschafter, Brookings. Users come to search engines seeking honest answers to their queries. On a wide range of issues—from personal health, to finance, to news—search engines are often the first stop for those looking to get information online. But as authoritarian states like China increasingly use online platforms to disseminate narratives aimed at weakening their democratic competitors, these search engines represent a crucial battleground in their information war with rivals. For Beijing, search engines represent a key—and underappreciated vector—to spread propaganda to audiences around the world. How China uses search engines to spread propaganda
AROUND THE WORLD
China
- July 6, 2022. By Thomas Ewing, RUSI. The Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act, designed to counter China’s systematic use of Uyghur forced labour, has joined the statute books in the US. It stands for more than just protest, for it portends an era of much greater government intervention in global supply chains. Xinjiang Supply Chains Come Under Growing Scrutiny
India – Bhutan
- July 7, 2022. By Sohini Nayak, ORF. Despite the strong bilateral ties between Bhutan and India, unfavourable opinions about India’s involvement in the hydropower sector are emerging. India-Bhutan hydropower cooperation: Assessing the present scenario
Russia – Ukraine
- July 7, 2022. By Phil Muncaster, Info Security. Multiple Russian influence networks have been running disinformation and influence campaigns since May designed to sow division in the West over its support for Ukraine, according to Recorded Future. Russian Info Ops Ramp Up Effort to Divide West on Ukraine
- July 7, 2022. By Andrew Wilson, RUSI. Opinion polls conducted in Ukraine in recent years, up to and including the period of the Russian invasion, show remarkable changes in responses to a number of important questions. Resilient Ukraine
- July 6, 2022. By Kateryna Stepanenko, Karolina Hird, George Barros, Grace Mappes, and Frederick W. Kagan, ISW. There were no claimed or assessed Russian territorial gains in Ukraine on July 6 for the first time in 133 days of war, supporting ISW’s assessment that Russian forces have largely initiated an operational pause. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed territorial gains every day from the start of the war but has not claimed any new territory or ground force movements since completing the encirclement of Lysychansk on July 3. However, Russian forces still conducted limited and unsuccessful ground assaults across all axes on July 6. Such attempts are consistent with a Russian operational pause, which does not imply or require the complete cessation of active hostilities. It means, in this case, that Russian forces will likely confine themselves to relatively small-scale offensive actions as they attempt to set conditions for more significant offensive operations and rebuild the combat power needed to attempt those more ambitious undertakings. Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 6
Tunisia
- July 6, 2022. By Sharan Grewal, Salah-Dean Satouri, and Ian DeHaven, Brookings. On June 30, Tunisian President Kais Saied released the draft of a new constitution that will be put to a referendum on July 25, the one-year anniversary of his presidential coup. The document envisions an authoritarian, hyper-presidential system with few checks on Saied’s power. Even law professor Sadok Belaid, who wrote the first draft, said that Saied’s final version would “pave the way for a disgraceful dictatorship.”. Tunisia’s new constitution will only worsen its political crisis
USA
- July 6, 2022. By Colby Galliher, Brookings. As the January 6 committee gears up for the resumption of its public hearings next week, Americans continue to make sense of the voluminous evidence and witness testimony presented by the panel in June. That presentation toggled between the grand and the granular, depicting the monthslong, coordinated campaign to overturn the results of the 2020 election while filling in the minute details necessary for potential criminal prosecutions. Of the many June revelations indicating what—and who—ultimately catalyzed the violence on January 6, five points stand out. Five important takeaways from the January 6 committee’s June hearings
USA – Middle East
- July 6, 2022. By Ksenia Svetlova, Atlantic Council. Just months ago, it seemed that the Joe Biden administration’s global priorities were all set—from strategic competition with China to addressing Putin’s emboldened Russia. However, the Middle East, with its many “forever conflicts,” didn’t make the cut to the top of the to-do list. Now, amid the war in Ukraine and a looming global food and energy crisis, US President Biden has been forced to reengage with the region and even lean on some political actors, who up until now, weren’t even eligible for a face-to-face meeting. There’s uncertainty in Israel and within the Palestinian Authority. The US’s stabilizing role is critical more than ever
TOPICS
Cities
- July 7, 2022. By Ramanath Jha, ORF. The inability of the urban centers to provide a high quality of life has caused a rise in gated communities in India. The rise of gated communities in Indian cities
- July 6, 2022. By Lavea Brachman, Brookings. As the second tranche of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) funding flows to municipalities around the country, new realities are surfacing about cities’ and counties’ readiness to execute on this unprecedented amount of money. Nonprofits’ critical role in deploying federal investments: Observations from the Transforming Cities Lab
Cybersecurity, Propaganda, Disinformation
- July 7, 2022. By Alessandro Mascellino, Info Security. Cisco has rolled out patches for security flaws across multiple versions of its products. Cisco Releases 10 Security Patches For Expressway Series and TelePresence VCS Products
- July 7, 2022. By Phil Muncaster, Info Security. The leaders of MI5 and the FBI shared the stage for the first time yesterday in a bid to warn business leaders and academics of the seriousness of the espionage threat from China. FBI and MI5 Bosses Warn of “Massive” China Threat
- July 7, 2022. By Phil Muncaster, Info Security. Cybersecurity at Marriott International is under scrutiny once again this week after hackers reportedly stole 20GB of data from one of its hotels in the US. Marriott Plays Down 20GB Data Breach
- July 6, 2022. By Jaspreet Gill, Breaking Defense. The National Institute of Standards and Technology has chosen to standardize four “quantum-resistant” cryptographic algorithms that are meant to protect sensitive data, several months after the White House warned of national security risks posed by quantum computers. NIST picks 4 ‘quantum-resistant’ encryption algorithms to protect US data
- July 6, 2022. By Colin Demarest, Defense News. National Guard teams from across New England partnered with other military services and the private sector to practice fending off cyberattacks and dealing with their fallout. Cyber Yankee exercise hones New England Guard skills to fight digital threats
Defense, Military, Space
- July 7, 2022. By Adam Mazmanian
- July 7, 2022. By Naval News. Schiebel’s CAMCOPTER® S-100 is supporting the Icelandic Coast Guard both day and night delivering enhanced maritime situational awareness for an array of operational tasks, through a contract with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). Camcopter S-100 improves maritime surveillance capacity of Icelandic Coast Guard
- July 7, 2022. By Naval News. Taiwan’s naval shipbuilder China Shipbuilding Corporation (CSBC) started the official sea trials of the country’s first ever indigenous landing platform dock (LPD) named “Yu Shan” (玉山 named after the tallest mountain in Taiwan) on July 6, 2022. Taiwan’s first indigenous LPD starts sea trials
- July 7, 2022. By Naval News. Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG) has signed an initial contract valued at MNOK 489 (A$71m) with the Commonwealth of Australia for Naval Strike Missile (NSM) capability. The order income is booked in the second quarter of 2022. Kongsberg signs contract with Australia for NSM capability
- July 7, 2022. By Naval News. The Class Certification Society DNV has granted ‘structural approval in principle’ for the Australian Maritime Alliance’s (AMA) ‘Oboe’ design for the Australian Army’s LAND 8710 Phase 1A Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel – Medium (LMV-M) tender. LMV-M design granted ‘structural approval in principle’
- July 7, 2022. By Juliana Suess, RUSI. The history of spaceflight has always been closely linked to the development of missile technology. But does that mean that advances in a country’s missile programme also spell success for its space ambitions? And is there a difference between a rocket and a missile? Episode 15: Rocket Beginnings: What Links Missile Development and Spaceflight?
- July 6, 2022. By Theresa Hitchens, Breaking Defense. Among the seven experimental satellites launched last week by Virgin Orbit for the Pentagon’s Space Test Program is a “cognitive” radio frequency system built by Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) designed to enable jam-proof, high-speed satellite communications through the fog of electronic warfare. Newest sats launched by DoD include jammer-evading, classified payloads
- July 6, 2022. By Colin Clark, Breaking Defense. The results of China’s bullying and unwillingness to accept international law — except when it suits the PRC’s interests — came into sharp focus last week as NATO and four of the most powerful Indo-Pacific countries joined hands at the alliance’s Madrid summit. And yet, a growing Pacific focus did not come out of nowhere for the European alliance. Pacific powers show unity on Russia, China at NATO meeting: a sign of things to come?
- July 6, 2022. By Valerie Insinna, Breaking Defense. Russia’s inability to establish air superiority over the skies of Ukraine against a much smaller, less equipped Ukrainian air force has been a shock to Western militaries watching the conflict from afar, but NATO air forces should be careful not to learn the wrong lessons from the conflict, according to Norway’s top air force officer. Norwegian air chief: Russia isn’t ’10 feet tall,’ but don’t discount it
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- July 6, 2022. By Megan Eckstein, Defense News. When the U.S. Navy hosted its first advanced tactical training event for surface ships in 2016, it purposely avoided collecting much data: The ships didn’t need another assessment, the thinking went; instead, they needed rigorous training ahead of linking up with the rest of the carrier strike group. US Navy collecting tactical training data it once shunned
- July 6, 2022. By Ryan C. Berg, Chris Bernotavicius, CSIS. Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and China’s challenge to the rules-based international order have amplified the importance of multilateral organizations and international alliances such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The strategic environment engendered by China’s rise and Russia’s belligerence has engendered novel arrangements as well—such as AUKUS and the revival of the Quad Security Dialogue in the Indo-Pacific region. But great power competition is not something that happens only “over there,” it is a phenomenon that also takes place “over here,” i.e., close to home in the Western Hemisphere. The multilateral defense organization that is closest to the United States—the Inter-American Defense Board (IADB)—is also the oldest continuously active defense board in the world. Challenges and Opportunities for the Inter-American Defense Board
Digital & Tech
- July 7, 2022. By Jim Lynch
Energy & Climate Action
- June 7, 2022. By World Nuclear News. The upper section of the steel containment shell has been installed for the ACP100 small modular reactor (SMR) demonstration project at the Changjiang nuclear power plant on China’s island province of Hainan. The operation was completed 70 days ahead of schedule. Rapid construction of Chinese SMR containment shell continues : New Nuclear
- June 7, 2022. By World Nuclear News. Successful commercialisation of advanced nuclear reactors could lower the total cost as the US transitions to a clean energy system – and increasing investment and policy support for advanced nuclear technology will generate far-reaching national benefits, the study by the Breakthrough Institute has found. Advanced nuclear key to cost-effective US decarbonisation: study : Energy & Environment
- June 7, 2022. By World Nuclear News. The first container holding used fuel from the Garoña nuclear power plant in Spain has been placed in the on-site interim dry storage facility. Removal of all the used fuel from the plant’s storage pool must be completed before decommissioning work begins. First used fuel placed in Garoña storage facility : Waste & Recycling
- June 7, 2022. By World Nuclear News. The French prime minister says the state will increase its shareholding in EDF from 84% to 100%, while the search for a successor to Chairman and CEO Jean-Bernard Lévy is under way. France to nationalise EDF, search under way for new boss : Corporate
- June 7, 2022. By World Nuclear News. The Foundation Preparation Pallas-reactor has applied to the nuclear regulator for a permit under the Nuclear Energy Act to construct and operate the Pallas research reactor in the Netherlands. It has also applied for a permit under the Water Act for the intake and discharge of cooling water for the reactor. Permit applications submitted for new Dutch research reactor : New Nuclear
- July 6, 2022. By World Nuclear News. The proposed inclusion of certain nuclear and gas activities within the European Union’s list of officially approved “green” investments is set to become law after an attempt to block it fails in the European Parliament. European Parliament backs nuclear and gas in EU taxonomy : Nuclear Policies
- July 6, 2022. By World Nuclear News. Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has delivered equipment for confirming and demonstrating the safety of the ‘blanket’ of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). The blanket is one of the components that comprises the inner wall of the fusion reactor. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries supplies ITER fusion blanket testing systems : New Nuclear
- July 6, 2022. By World Nuclear News. Bruce Power has awarded a CAD130 million (USD99.5 million), 10-year contract to BWXT Canada Ltd for the fabrication and supply of replacement feeders for Bruce units 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 as part of its Major Component Replacement (MCR) programme. BWXT Canada wins key contract from Bruce Power : Corporate
- July 6, 2022. By World Nuclear News. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has launched a new initiative aimed at accelerating the safe and secure deployment of advanced nuclear reactors, with a particular focus on small modular reactors (SMRs). At a kick-off meeting last month, participants discussed roadmaps for enhancing harmonisation of regulatory activities and the standardisation of industrial approaches. IAEA initiative to accelerate deployment of SMRs : New Nuclear
- July 6, 2022. By World Nuclear News. Holtec International has unveiled a new district heating technology charged by surplus grid power. The company says the HI-HEAT District Heater System could store surplus electricity generated by nuclear, solar or wind. Holtec unveils energy storage system for district heating : Energy & Environment
- July 5, 2022. By World Nuclear News. South Korea’s government has laid out a new energy policy which aims to maintain nuclear’s share of the country’s energy mix at a minimum of 30% by 2030. It also calls for the construction of units 3 and 4 at the Shin Hanul nuclear power plant to resume after design work was suspended in 2017 due to uncertainties about government policy on the construction of new reactors. New energy policy reverses Korea’s nuclear phase-out : Nuclear Policies
- July 6, 2022. By Karim Elgendy, Chatham House. As COP26 drew to a close in Glasgow, Egyptian officials announced their priorities for COP27, emphasizing climate finance and climate adaptation – a new approach given previous COPs mainly focused on mitigation, reducing emissions to limit climate damage. COP27: Navigating a difficult road to Sharm El-Sheikh
Health & Digital
- July 5, 2022. By World Nuclear News. Jamaica has opened its first public nuclear medicine centre with the support of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Rays of Hope initiative. The centre, at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) in Kingston, will provide diagnosis and treatment for cancer and other diseases including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases. New centre provides nuclear medicine to Jamaican public : Regulation & Safety
- July 6, 2022. By Shania Kennedy, Health IT Analytics. A new study published in BMC Medical Research Methodology highlights how researchers developed and trained machine-learning (ML) models that can accurately predict 30-day mortality in patients with sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE). Machine-Learning Models Can Predict Sepsis-Related Mortality
- July 6, 2022. By Shania Kennedy, Health IT Analytics. A new study published in JAMA Network Open earlier this month showed that personalized artificial intelligence (AI) models for acute kidney injury (AKI) risk prediction, which use common EHR variables, yielded improved and more equitable estimations than traditional models. Personalized Predictive Models for Kidney Injury Outperform Traditional Methods
- July 6, 2022. By Katherine E. Bliss, J. Stephen Morrison, CSIS. The last two and a half years of the global Covid-19 pandemic have witnessed unprecedented research and development collaboration that has resulted in the availability—in record time—of new vaccines. Significant gains have also been achieved in developing treatments that reduce the severity of illness for high-risk patients. With Covid-19 vaccine coverage in many low- and middle-income countries stuck at low levels, far below the 70 percent target set by the World Health Organization (WHO), therapies have become an even more central—and urgently needed—tool to mitigate the potential for a surge in infections and hospitalizations that can rapidly overwhelm fragile health systems and to reduce the transmission of virus among susceptible populations. To date, the Covid-19 therapies research landscape has shown great promise, with clinical trials of existing and new monoclonal antibodies, antivirals, and drug combinations leading to a diverse set of treatments that have been granted emergency authorization. Covid-19 Therapies at the Crossroads
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