Things We Lost In The Mire - 35

GERMANY/TURKEY – Relations are becoming even more bitter. Chancellor Merkel has criticized Turkey over the detention of another 2 German citizens. 12 are now being held on political charges. Ms Merkel says the circumstances make it inappropriate to discuss Turkish participation in the EU customs union.

CARS/CALIFORNIA – Samsung has been granted a permit to test self-driving cars in California. This follows Apple’s successful application earlier this year. Experts believe fully automated vehicles will be commonplace by 2040.

NORTH KOREA/SANCTIONS –  The Japanese newspaper, Tokyo Shimbun says that N Korea is stockpiling its oil reserves to 1 million tons in anticipation of further international sanctions. That amount is more than half of its usual annual imports.

ISIS/LEADER – ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi appears to be still alive according to U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend. This contradicts Russia’s claims that it probably killed him during the summer.

MEXICO/NAFTA –  The Economy Minister, Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal, says Mexico and Canada will remain in the North American Free Trade Agreement even if the US pulls as as President trump has threatened.

KYRGYZ/ELECTION – President Almazbek Atambayev has said that October’s Presidential election campaign could lead to instability and vowed to punish anyone who creates “disturbances”.

IRAN/SYRIA – The latest fatalities in Syria announced by the Iranian military were 3 members of the Afghan Shia militia Fatemiyoun Brigade.

IRAQ/JORDAN – The 2 countries have re-opened their only land border after a 2-year closure due to the presence of ISIS on the Iraqi side. This shows the terror group’s grip on Anbar province is weakened.

COMING UP –

President Xi Jinping

The BRICS meeting in China throws up bi-laterals between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping today. This gives them the opportunity to build on the compromise last week which reduced tensions which had risen dangerously high during the 73-day Doklam standoff in the Himalayas.  Xi has a meeting with Putin as well.

Well, we’ve had the N Korean nuclear test so now how does Pyongyang mark the Day of the Foundation of the Republic on Sept. 9? Another one?

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi goes to Burma and will meet Aung San Suu Kyi. On the agenda – the Rohingya refugee crisis and the India-Burma-Thailand highway.

DIARY –

Mon – Eid al-Adha ends today.

Mon –  Indian Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi hold bilateral talks in Xiamen during the BRICS summit.

Tues – BRICS summit ends.

Weds – Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, attended by leaders of Russia, Japan, and S Korea.

Weds – European Court of Justice rules on a refugee quota case filed by Hungary and Slovakia.

Thurs – Indian PM Modi concludes 2 day visit to Burma.

Thurs – French President Emmanuel Macron in Athens on 2-day visit.

Thurs – Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic  in Bosnia-Herzegovina for 2-day visit.

Fri – Belarusian opposition groups hold a protest in Minsk against political persecution.

Sat – N Korea celebrates the Day of the Foundation of the Republic.