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Foreign affairs updates - 06th August, 2021
- Delta is ruining the recovery game: The likelihood of a quick return to the pre-pandemic way of life in the West seems more and more remote as the rise of the delta variant upends plans for remote workers to return to a life of commutes and offices within the year. Banking giant Wells Fargo announced a one-month delay in its plans for a September return for corporate office workers. Retail and tech leader Amazon has gone even further, postponing a return for its office workers until January 2022. The delays reflect the ambiguous situation rich countries find themselves in: With vaccination rates high enough to begin planning for a future without restrictions, but not so high as to know for certain when that future will be. Getting close to a fully vaccinated population has proven difficult for the United States, despite its vast resources. The U.S. challenge is illustrated by the tortoise-and-hare game of catch-up played by the European Union, which now has a higher rate of vaccination among its population than the United States, despite an initially slow and error-filled rollout.
- Europe’s carrot-stick plan: As Europe tries to boost its own vaccination rate, an entry back to normal life is the main incentive. France, Greece, and Italy are all in various stages of banning the unvaccinated from indoor venues such as restaurants and movie theaters. It’s not clear how well the threat will work, as residents may wish to remain outside in the summer months. In France, the plans have been met with fierce protests.
- Third shots: While the West struggles with its last mile of vaccination, the possibility of providing third booster shots comes into focus. The move has been condemned by the World Health Organization, which sees the move as wasteful when poorer countries are still failing to acquire enough vaccine supplies to begin giving first doses. The WHO has recommended a moratorium until at least the end of September 2021 to keep vaccine supplies flowing to poor countries. Vaccine maker Moderna has joined Pfizer in recommending a third booster shot citing the reduced efficacy of the current two-shot regimen over time. Moderna Chief Executive Stéphane Bancel seemed less concerned about the WHO’s worries regarding equity.
- U.N. meets on Afghanistan: The U.N. Security Council held an emergency meeting to discuss Afghanistan’s security situation following weeks of escalating attacks by Taliban forces. Fighting continues in the provincial capitals of Herat and Kandahar as well as Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province as the militant group seek inroads in urban centers after having primarily targeted rural districts in their advance. On Thursday, Alexander Vikantov, a senior official at Russia’s foreign ministry, said the Taliban offensive was “gradually running out of steam,” citing the group’s lack of resources and the recent retaking of Taliban-held districts by the Afghan government.
- Exxon considers net zero: Oil giant Exxon was considering embracing a pledge to become a net zero carbon emitter by 2050. Exxon faces internal pressure to move away from its fossil fuel producing core business following a boardroom coup in June. Exxon has yet to lay out what a move to net zero would entail. The news also comes after a senior Exxon lobbyist in June told undercover reporters that the company’s commitment to a carbon tax was embraced as a smokescreen tactic due to its political unfeasibility.
- Gilgit Baltistan: Pakistan’s Ministry of Law and Justice finalized draft legislation that would give provisional provincial status to the Gilgit-Baltistan region in the north, establishing a provincial assembly and representation in the national legislature. The region’s final status will be determined by U.N. resolutions. If passed, the law will deepen India-Pakistan tensions. India is clear that Gilgit-Baltistan is its territory—a claim it hasn’t pursued as vigorously as the claim to Pakistan-administered Kashmir, which borders Gilgit-Baltistan. India has previously warned Islamabad not to change Gilgit-Baltistan’s status and formally rejects the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor because it would pass through the region.
- South Asia at the Olympic Games: All eight South Asian countries are participating in the Olympic Games in Tokyo, although they haven’t distinguished themselves in the medal standings. India, at the 65th place, is currently the best performing country from the region. But South Asia has produced inspiring stories. The Indian men and women’s field hockey teams both reached the semifinals. Nigara Shaheen, who fled war in Afghanistan as a baby and grew up in Pakistan, made her Olympic debut at the judo event as a member of the refugee team. And a female athlete became the first person from Bhutan to make the Olympics in archery, Bhutan’s national sport.
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