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UKRAINE: Putin kept in dark about military progress in Ukraine By Iain Fraser - Consultant Geopolitical Editor www.GEOPoliticalMatters.com Google Indexed on 310322 at 12:21 CET There is increasing evidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin is being kept in the dark about the progress of his so called "Special Military Operation" and the effect  of global sanctions by his inner sanctum of Generals and advisors. The White House says it has credible intelligence that tensions are increasing between the President and Russia´s military hierarchy while the head of the UK´s spy agency GCHQ, Sir Jeremy Fleming said President Putin's advisers are not telling him the truth about the situation on the ground. The spook chief went on to say that Russia had "massively misjudged" the situation in a speech he gave in Australia overnight. President Volodymyr Zelensky's said  Mercenaries will have an effect on the outcome of the conflict saying that they will be used as ...

Energy Transition Holds Key to Tackle Global Energy and Climate Crisis Syndicated By GEO´ PR Wire Team - Gibraltar www. GEOPoliticalMatters.com/PRWire Google Indexed on 300322 at 11:01 CET IRENA  (INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENCY) has issued its latest World Energy Transitions Outlook  outlines priority actions till 2030 to keep 1.5°C alive; calls on governments to fast-track energy transition for more energy security, resilience, and affordable energy for all. Short-term interventions addressing the current energy crisis must be accompanied by a steadfast focus on mid- and long-term goals of the energy transition. High fossil fuel prices, energy security concerns and the urgency of climate change underscore the pressing need to move faster to a clean energy system, says World Energy Transitions Outlook 2022 . Launched by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) at the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue today, the Agency’s Outlook sets out priority areas and ac...

UKRAINE INVASION: Abramovich 'poisoned' at Ukraine-Russia peace talks  By GEO´ Newsroom - Gibraltar www.GEOPoliticalMatters.com  Google Indexed on 290322 at 11:12 CET The Russian billionaire and Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich is reported to have suffered symptoms of suspected poisoning at peace talks on the Ukraine-Belarus border earlier this month reported to have been orchestrated by Russian hardliners who want to sabotage the talks. Two Ukrainian peace negotiators were also affected. Although the suggestion of "chemical weapons" has been played down by the US among others; quoted by Reuters as saying that intelligence suggested the men's symptoms were due to "environmental" factors, not poisoning and an official in the Ukrainian president's office, Ihor Zhovkva, told the BBC that while he hadn't spoken to Mr Abramovich, members of the Ukrainian delegation were "fine" and one had said the story was "false" . However, ...

EVENTS & WEBINARS 2022: BIMSTEC Summit 2022 - ORF Posted By GEO´ PR Wire Team - Gibraltar www. GEOPoliticalMatters.com/PRWire Google Indexed on 280322 at 12:59 CET BIMSTEC Summit 2022: Conversations - This event will start at 12:00 p.m. IST  As the Bay of Bengal returns to the limelight of strategic attention after years of isolation, its littoral countries are keen to re-engage with one another, to build a more collaborative future. A natural platform to reinforce these ties and develop avenues of cooperation is the Bay of Bengal Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation or BIMSTEC — the regional organisation exclusive to the Bay. Interest is therefore mounting as BIMSTEC prepares to host its 5th Summit Meeting on 30 March 2022, wherein it will rationalise its sectors of cooperation and adopt a Charter for the first time, since its inception in 1997. Keeping the significance of this event in mind, Observer Research Foundation under its Neighbourhood Studies Initiative...

GEO´  THE GEOPOLITICAL WEEK: FRIDAY 25 MARCH 2022 Curated By Iain Fraser - Consultant Geopolitical Editor via www.GEOPoliticalMatters.com Google Indexed on 260322 at 12:05 CET Welcome to The Geopolitical Week. The key stories affecting Geopolitics this week, curated by Iain Fraser - Consultant Geopolitical Editor. Enjoy - Have a Great Weekend. Yours Aye Iain F 💡 Share your views on today's topics in the comments below. GEO´ Weekly Roundup Week ending Friday, 25 March 2022.   👉 BBC.COM - UKRAINE: War in Ukraine: Change of emphasis or admission of failure by Moscow ?  #UkraineInvasion    👉 REUTERS.COM - CLIMATE CRISIS: Thinning Antarctic ice shelf finally crumbles after heatwave #ClimateCrisis    👉 ALJAZEERA.COM - MYANMAR: US, UK, Canada sanctions target Myanmar air force, ‘arms dealers ’  #MyanmarMilitaryTerrorists   👉 APNEWS.COM - US: Trump returns to Georgia confronting test of his grip on GOP #TrumpCoupAtte...

UKRAINE INVASION: West comes together in show of strength and unity - Analysis By GEO´ Newsteam - Gibraltar | Analysis By Iain Fraser - Consultant Geopolitical Editor www.GEOPOliticalMatters.com Google Indexed on 240322 at 13:31 CET In a rare show of strength and unity NATO , the G7 and the EU together with US President Joe Biden are all gathering in Brussels for a series of meetings about the Russian Invasion of Ukraine. Their aim is to show solidarity with Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to participate in all three summits via video link. Putin´s illegal invasion has given NATO the Defence organisation a renewed sense of purpose. As the EU attempts to sever energy ties with Russia, it needs to forge and reinforce other relationships, particularly with the US. Read Analysis - Register Free to receive the full analysis direct to your inbox or smart   device. Image Credit: NATO

UKRAINE INVASION: OSCE - Parliamentarians debate ways to increase support for peace in Ukraine Syndicated by GEO´ PRWire - Gibraltar www. GEOPoliticalMatters.com/PRWire Google Indexed on 240322 at 11:11 CET Parliamentarians, the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) and international partners must do everything in their power to support peace and security in Ukraine, participants said at an online meeting today organized by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. Held as part of the OSCE PA’s  Call for Action – Helsinki +50  initiative and moderated by OSCE PA High-Level Expert Lamberto Zannier, the meeting focused on the role of the OSCE in addressing the war in Ukraine and its consequences, and featured the participation of high-level OSCE officials and dozens of OSCE parliamentarians. Participants discussed ways to end Russia’s aggression, including by increasing the political will by all parties to utilize the OSCE’s toolbox for de-escalation, facilitate ne...

US TRADE: UK reaches deal to ease Trumps steel and aluminium tariffs - Analysis By GEO´ Newsteam - Gibraltar | Analysis By Iain Fraser Consultant Geopolitical Editor www.GEOPoliticalMatters.com Google Indexed on 230322 at 12:12 CET The UK has reached a deal to ease Trumps steel and aluminium tariffs in a move  to strengthen trade. The agreement due to start on 1 June 2022 will allow 500,000 metric tons of steel annually to be imported duty free, with higher amounts subject to tariffs. The U.K. will also end retaliatory tariffs on more than $500 million worth of U.S. exports, including distilled spirits, agriculture products and consumer goods. Learn More/...  Register Free to receive the full analysis direct to your inbox or smart device.  Image Credit: Janno Nivergall  

UKRAINE INVASION: Time to end unwinnable war in Ukraine - Guterres, UN on GEO´ Syndicated By GEO´ PRWire - Gibraltar www. GEOPoliticalMatters.com/PRWire Google Indexed on 230322 at 10:36 CET It’s time for a diplomatic solution to be found to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, amidst signs of hope that progress can be made to end an “unwinnable” and “indefensible” war, said the UN chief on Tuesday. In a briefing UN secretary general António Guterres addressed journalists outside the Security Council in New York, telling them from his own outreach efforts with “various actors”, “elements of diplomatic progress are coming into view on several key issues.” ‘Enough on the table’ He said there was “enough on the table” for an immediate ceasefire, and the start of serious talks to stop the slaughter in Ukrainian cities such a Mariupol. “This war is unwinnable” , he said, in a stark message to Russia. “Sooner or later, it will have to move from the battlefield to the peace table. This is in...

STATE ACTORS: Mitigating threats posed by Russian State Cyber attacks - Analysis Syndicated By: GEO´ PRWire - Gibraltar | Analysis By Iain Fraser   www. GEOPoliticalMatters.com/PRWire Google Indexed on 230322 at 08:18 CET The US Department of Homeland Security´s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has warned that it has seen an increased spike by Russian hackers particularly against US Infrastructure since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Agency has urged all organizations to take action to Enable, Enforce, and Properly Configure MFA as well as Prioritize Patching of Known Exploited Vulnerabilities. On Monday (21 March, 2022) US President Joe Biden said that there was “evolving intelligence” indicating that Russia was considering launching cyberattacks against the critical infrastructures in the U.S.  The Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has been actively working with organizations ac...

UKRAINE INVASION: Biden Warns US Companies of Potential Russian Cyberattacks By GEO´ Newsteam - Gibraltar | Analysis by Iain Fraser - Consultant Geopolitical Editor www.GEOPoliticalMatters.com Google Indexed on 220322 at 12:12 CET AP.com has reported that US President Joe Biden has warned US companies of "Potential Russian Cyberattacks"  Addressing corporate CEOs at their quarterly meeting, Biden told the business leaders they have a “patriotic obligation” to harden their systems against such attacks. He said federal assistance is available, should they want it, but that the decision is theirs alone. Biden said the administration has issued “new warnings that, based on evolving intelligence, Russia may be planning a cyberattack against us. ... The magnitude of Russia’s cyber capacity is fairly consequential, and it’s coming.” Learn More/... Click Here to Register Free to receive the full analysis direct to your inbox or smart device.  Image Credit: Gage Skidmore 

CLIMATE CRISIS: Global emissions are set to increase by almost 14 per cent - UN on GEO´ Syndicated By GEO´/PRWire www. GEOPoliticalMatters.com/PRWire Google Indexed on 220322 at 10:10 CET UN chief warns against ‘sleepwalking to climate catastrophe’ The goal to limit future warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, highlighted in the Paris Agreement on climate change, and driven home in last November’s COP26, gathering in Glasgow, is now on “life support” and “in intensive care,” the UN chief told the Economist Sustainability Summit on Monday.    Speaking via video link, Secretary-General António Guterres   highlighted some of the progress made at COP 26 last year but pointing to “the enormous emissions gap” conceded that “the main problem was not solved – it was not even properly addressed.”   “Keeping 1.5 alive requires a 45 per cent reduction in global emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by mid-century”, he said, highlighting how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine threa...

ENERGY SECURITY - Saudi Aramco ramps up investment to boost production - Analysis By Iain Fraser - Consultant Geopolitical Editor  www.GEOPoliticalMatters.com Google Indexed on 210322 at 12:55 CET The war in Ukraine and a reluctance to rely on Russia for energy has added to the pressure to find additional sources of energy. The EU has already announced a plan to slash Russian gas imports this year by two-thirds - In its plan, the EU said the bloc could become fully independent of Russian gas, oil and coal by 2030. The UKs Boris Johnson flew to the UAE then on to Riyadh (Wednesday, 16 March 2022) for discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman [MBS] on oil supplies hoping the Gulf state can increase its production of fuel - in a bid to end Europe´s dependency on Russian energy - on the back of this the state-owned oil giant Saudi Aramco plans to sharply increase the amount it invests in energy production, after it reported a doubling of profits in 2021.  [See "ENER...

DAILY GEOPOLITICAL NEWS: The Geopolitical Week - Editors Roundup w/e Friday 18 March 2022 Curated By Iain Fraser - Consultant Geopolitical Editor via www.GEOPoliticalMatters.com Google Indexed on 180322 at 6:06 CET The appalling situation in Ukraine enters this, its 23rd. awful day so forgive me for majoring on Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine as it continues to affect all Geopolitical facets as the incursion continues. This is my weekly round-up of the key stories where you should look to read between the lines. Enjoy - Have a Great Weekend. Yours Aye Iain F GEO´ Roundup Week ending Friday, 18 March 2022.  FT.COM: Johnson returns from trip to Saudi Arabia without commitment on oil REUTERS.COM: Morocco says Spain supports Western Sahara plan in shift closer to Rabat ALJAZEERA.COM: Ukraine latest updates: Ukraine urges China to condemn Russia UNDERSTANDINGWAR.ORG: Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 19 INTERESTING ENGINEERING: A.I. could open new routes to psychiatric t...

UKRAINE INVASION: Putin has almost no chance of successfully occupying Ukraine - Atlantic Council on GEO´ By Ben Connable  - Syndicated By: GEO´ PRWire Gibraltar www. GEOPoliticalMatters.com/PRWire Google Indexed on 180322 at 09:01 CET Ukrainians are bravely defending their country against Russian aggression, but President Vladimir Putin’s forces have seized or are on the verge of seizing a number of cities across southern and eastern Ukraine. In the coming months, Russia could potentially gain control over approximately half of the country running from Kyiv in the north to Odesa in the south and the Donbas in the east. If they are successful, Russian occupying forces will assume responsibility for approximately 20 million people across an area the size of Norway. This would be a daunting task even in the best of circumstances. Unfortunately for the Russians, they face the worst of circumstances for an occupying power. Historical cases of occupation and counterinsurgency suggest an...

UKRAINE INVASION: International Court orders Russia to ‘immediately suspend’ military operations in Ukraine Syndicated By GEO´ PRWire - Gibraltar www.GEOPoliticalMatters.com/PRWire Google Indexed on 170322 at 11:51 CET Russia must immediately suspend military operations in Ukraine, the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled yesterday [Wednesday, 16 March 2022] in The Hague. By a vote of 13 to two, with Vice-President Kirill Gevorgian of Russia and Judge Xue Hanqin of China dissenting, the ICJ ruled that Russia “shall immediately suspend the military operations that it commenced on 24 February.” Although the ICJ's verdicts are binding, news reports questioned whether Moscow would abide by the ruling, and the court has no direct means of enforcing them. The court’s ruling – the first such verdict handed down by the ‘world court’ since the Russian invasion began – is in response to a suit filed by Ukraine on 27 February, accusing Russia of manipulating the concept of genocide t...

UKRAINE INVASION: SANCTIONS - Seven Russian banks disengaged from the SWIFT financial network. By GEO´ Newsteam - Gibraltar | Analysis By Iain Fraser - Consultant Geopolitical Editor www.GEOPoliticalMatters.com Google Indexed on 170322 at 10:22 CET In accordance with European sanctions, levied after Russia invaded Ukraine, seven key Russian banks have been disengaged from the SWIFT banking network. The institutions penalised include Russia's second-largest bank VTB (VTBR.MM), Bank Otkritie, Novikombank, Promsvyazbank (PSKBI.MM), Bank Rossiya, Sovcombank and VEB will each be given 10 days to wind-down their SWIFT operations. What is SWIFT SWIFT is a Belgian messaging system that connects about 11,000 financial institutions around the world. It is the dominant messaging system underpinning global financial transactions and the EU, the United States, Britain and Canada moved on Saturday to block certain Russian banks from it, but had avoided naming them until now. Removing Russian fin...

ENERGY SECURITY: UK PM Johnson to fly to Middle East amid Russia/Ukraine Invasion By Iain Fraser - Consultant Geopolitical Editor www.GEOPoliticalMatters.com Google Indexed on 160322 at 11:51 CET The UK Foreign Office has confirmed that UK Prime minister, Boris Johnson is to fly to the UAE then on to Riyadh today (Wednesday, 16 March 2022) for discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman [MBS] on oil supplies hoping the Gulf state can increase its production of fuel - in a bid to end Europe´s dependency on Russia energy. The planned visit has received mixed reactions particularly human rights organisations since the trip is planned only days after Saudi Arabia executed 81 people in the largest ever mass execution in the kingdom´s history. However, defending his trip, the British premier told reporters in London that “if we are going to stand up to Putin’s bullying,” it will be necessary to talk to other energy producers. Click Here to Register Free to receive the full Analy...

UKRAINE INVASION: War ‘most severe’ test ever for European security body - UN on GEO´ Syndicated By: GEO´ PRWire www. GEOPoliticalMatters.com/PRWire Google Indexed on 150322 at 11:01 CET The war in Ukraine is the most severe test the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has faced since its creation in 1975, the top UN political affairs official told the Security Council on Monday, as the 15-member organ held its annual briefing on the OSCE’s work against the backdrop of intensifying bombardments of key Ukrainian cities. Rosemary DiCarlo, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, expressed grave concern that the situation on the ground worsened over the weekend. She cited unrelenting shelling and bombardment of numerous cities in Ukraine, with civilians killed daily, as well as credible reports that Russian forces are using cluster munitions - including in populated areas. ‘Shaken to its core’ “The Russian invasion has shaken the foundat...

UK: Government makes changes to the Online Safety Bill to tackle scams and fraud By Iain Fraser - Cybersecurity Journalist Syndicated via Iain Fraser - Cybersecurity PR Wire Google Indexed on 140322 at 16:56 CET Search Engines and Social media platforms will be forced to stamp out fraudsters and scammers on their platforms as the government announces sweeping changes as it strengthens its pioneering internet safety laws. The move comes as the government also launches a consultation as part of a wider overhaul of how online advertising is regulated in the UK, including proposals to improve transparency and accountability and tackle harmful, fraudulent and misleading adverts. Collectively these new measures aim to satisfy the public´s trust and confidence in being online by making sure the UK’s rules and regulations keep pace with rapid advances in technology and will be added to the Online Safety Bill requiring social media platforms and search engines to prevent paid-for fraudulent adv...

DAILY GEOPOLITICAL NEWS: The Geopolitical Week - Editors Roundup w/e Friday 11 March 2022 By Iain Fraser - Consultant Geopolitical Editor via www.GEOPoliticalMatters.com Google Indexed on 110322 at 11:22 CET The appalling situation in Ukraine enters this, its 16th day and quite rightly the invasion is still affecting all Geopolitical facets as the incursion continues to prove to be no "walk over" as Putin was assured it would be, by his Generals! GEO´ Roundup Week ending Friday, 11 March 2022.  BBC NEWS CHANNEL: LIVE - Russia widens attack as new cities targeted BBC NEWS/BUSINESS:   Growing number of firms pull back from Russia REUTERS: U.S. says North Korea tested ICBM system as leader expands space effort AL JAZEERA: Facebook allows posts urging violence against invading Russians AP NEWS: Endgame elusive as West tries to force Russia out of Ukraine GEO´ PRWire Week ending Friday, 11 March 2022.  UKRAINE CONFLICT: What’s left to sanction in Russia? Atlantic Council o...

UKRAINE CONFLICT: What’s left to sanction in Russia? Atlantic Council on GEO´ By Brian O’Toole and Daniel Fried   - Atlantic Council via www. GEOPoliticalMatters.com/PRWire Google Indexed on 110322 at 11:34 CET There are still some tools left for the West to escalate sanctions against Russia in response to its aggression against Ukraine—including an Iran-style approach.    The US and European sanctions imposed against the Kremlin so far have exceeded many expectations—including probably those of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their impact has been to flatten the Russian financial system, crash the rouble, spur a likely sovereign default, and probably move the Russian economy into a depression. “Fortress Russia” is no more. The impact on industrial production and critical imports, due to restrictions on semiconductor exports, may be profound. The Kremlin reaction has exacerbated Russia’s long-term isolation (and thus stagnation) by imposing capital controls on corporat...

UKRAINE: RUSSIA/UKRAINE CRISIS - Fitch downgrades Moscow´s global rating By Iain Fraser - Consultant Geopolitical Editor via www.GEOPoliticalMatters.com Fitch Ratings has downgraded Russia's Long-Term Foreign Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to 'C' from 'B' meaning that the agency believes that Russia will soon be unable to pay its debts and warning that a default is imminent. Credit ratings are intended to help investors weigh up the risk/reward ratio if they go on to buy a country´s bonds or debt, however the move comes at a bad time for Putin with the realisation of increasing international sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. This is the second time this month that Fitch has downgraded its view of Russia´s ability to service its ever increasing debt. Learn More /... Image Credit: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine , 

UN relief chief outlines immediate humanitarian priorities for Ukraine - UN on GEO´  Posted By: GEO´ PRWire Team - Gibraltar via www. GEOPoliticalMatters.com/GEO PRWire Google Indexed on 080322 at 11:57 CET Allowing civilians to safely leave areas under fire in Ukraine, and delivering desperately needed aid to these locations, are among immediate priorities for humanitarians, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, told the Security Council on Monday.    Mr. Griffiths, together with Catherine Russell, head of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF),  briefed ambassadors on how the UN and partners are responding to rising needs since the Russian offensive began 11 days ago “People are watching as this unnecessary conflict engulfs cities and civilians. As well as what’s happening in Ukraine, they have an extra sense of dread over the impact this will have on the wider world. I include myself in this category,” he said.  Lessen the suffering  Mr. Griff...