Intelligence Fusion Weekly Updates June 8, 2022

 

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Friday 8th July 2022


 

Here's your weekly rundown of the global security landscape, highlighting key incidents that have taken place in each region in the last seven days;

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NORTH AMERICA

United States

On the 27th June, Jayland Walker, a 25 year old black man became the latest victim involved in a police shooting after being shot over 60 times by police in Akron, Ohio. Police intercepted Walker for a traffic violation, resulting in a police pursuit during which police claim Walker fired a shot from his car. Walker pulled his car over and fled, where police unsuccessfully used a stun gun and shot Walker. All eight officers involved “related that they felt that Mr. Walker had turned and was motioning and moving into a firing position”. An unloaded gun was found in Walker’s car, with no active proof the firearm was discharged. An investigation has been launched into the shooting.

 

In Akron, protests have erupted since the 1st July demanding justice and police accountability. Some protests have been peaceful, but several businesses have reportedly been vandalised. On the 4th July, police used tear gas to disperse the protesters and arrested 50 for rioting and misconduct. Additionally, a curfew was instated from the 4th-6th July from 2100-0600 (local time) to limit unrest.

 

The shooting has also sparked protests nationwide. In Columbus on the 4th July a protest was held with protesters shouting “Black Lives Matter'' and Walker’s name as they marched. In Arizona, pro-choice protesters took time to acknowledge Jayland Walker. In Washington D.C protesters demonstrated for abortion rights and Walker, chanting “Say his name! Jayland Walker.”

 

Combined with similar incidents where a black person has been the target of a police shooting, it is likely to see the proliferation of protests and violent actions. Accountability from the police may relieve immediate tensions, but organisations such as BLM are likely to continue protests intended to seek justice for the black community in America.

Intelligence Insight Weekly - What's Happening in Asia?

MIDDLE EAST & ASIA

Uzbekistan

Major unrest was reported in the Karakalpakstan region of Uzbekistan this week, as large crowds were seen on streets in the regional capital of Nukus. Police quickly cracked down on the protests and additional security forces were moved to the region. Casualties from the crackdown are reported to be approximately 18 dead and around 300 others wounded.

 

The protests started after the Uzbek government announced changes to the nation's constitution, and part of these changes would effectively reduce the autonomy of the region. The announcement came as a surprise to many residents of the semi-autonomous region, who felt they had not been taken into account when making changes to the constitution.

 

The Uzbek government has heavily restricted media reporting from the region, meaning that the current situation is not entirely clear. However, reporting from the area suggests that the protests began on 1st July as protesters gathered outside a local government building. It is reported that at this point, security forces began to use smoke grenades, rubber bullets and water cannons to disperse crowds, leading to an escalation as protesters clashed with police. Despite the shutting down of internet and restrictions on media, multiple videos were released during the protests claiming to show incidents within the unrest of security forces being disarmed or surrounded by large crowds as protests escalated. Security forces claim to have brought the situation back under control and at the time of writing, no additional protests have been reported in the region.

 

The protests take place at a time when the threat of social unrest in the Central Asia region are heightened due to food shortages and rising costs of living. As seen in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and now Nukus in Uzbekistan, these underlying factors have provided fuel for social unrest in the Central Asia region, meaning that catalysts such as changes to the constitution, long term tensions with the central government or labour unrest can quickly escalate into broader unrest.

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EUROPE

North Macedonia

Rioting broke out near Parliament in Skopje on Tuesday night (5th July 2022) resulting in up to 47 police officers wounded. This incident has occurred during nightly protests which began last Saturday relating to a proposal by France to solve a dispute between Bulgaria and North Macedonia.

 

The proposal was aimed at addressing Bulgaria's use of veto powers for North Macedonia joining the EU. Specifically, Bulgaria wants North Macedonia to formally recognise that North Macedonia's language has Bulgarian roots; along with other recognitions of Bulgarian minorities in the country before it withdraws its veto.

 

The reasons for this riot appear trivial but, given the protests and riot, it appears to be a significant point of contention between the two countries. Until some type of deal is made, protests in Skopje following developments over Macedonia's EU accession have the risk of becoming riots.

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SOUTH AMERICA

Chile

Since July 2021, a constituent assembly of 154 citizens, most of whom represent Chile’s progressive left, has been drafting a new constitution, which was presented to the public this week.

 

Chile’s old constitution was adopted during the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet in 1980 and laid the groundwork for a neo-liberal free market system, which allowed Chile to become one of the most prosperous nations in Latin America. However, many Chileans felt no benefits from the country’s economic growth. Frustrations over inequality, pensions, and a lack of access to health care and education, led to violent protests in 2019, which eventually caused Chile’s government to organise a referendum about the proposal of a new constitution.


Now, one year later, a new constitution with 388 articles has been presented. One noteworthy article lays out the process of devolution of power to regions where indigenous groups have long demanded more rights and autonomy. The new constitution would also give Chileans the rights to education, health care and water, rights that were not included in the old constitution. Critics of the draft are afraid the new constitution could hamper economic growth and have criticised the text’s use of unclearly defined concepts.

 

Chileans will have two months to study the draft. On 4th September, all citizens will be obligated to vote in a referendum that will decide whether the draft is accepted, or whether the country will continue with the old constitution. Two very different paths lay ahead.

Intelligence Insight Weekly - What's Happening in Africa?

AFRICA

Sudan

Protests continue in Sudan three years after anti-government protesters ousted the regime led by President Omar al-Bashir. The most recent attempts to break the political deadlock have failed with the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) rejecting the army’s promise to dissolve the Sovereignty Council. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan promised on 4 July that the military would allow civilian forces to form a transitional government. Al-Burhan added that the military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) would form a “Security and Defence Council” that will be tasked with protecting the country. Pro-democracy activists fear the military will continue to control the central bank and foreign policy.


Resistance committees have also produced two political charters which include the core demands of the pro-democracy movement. Committee members are hoping any agreement between the junta and the FFC makes the two charters a core foundation of a civilian government. A civil disobedience campaign has been gaining momentum against the junta since ‘March of Millions’ protests were held on 30th June. Nine people were killed and more than 600 were wounded in Khartoum as security forces clamped down on protests.

 
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Mass shooting at 4th July parade at the 600 block of Central Av, Chicago 

 

Six people were killed and 24 injured when a gunman - later identified as 21 year old Robert E. Crimo III - reportedly opened fire from a rooftop position on the crowd attending a 4th July parade on Central Avenue, Chicago, causing hundreds of people to flee the scene. Crimo was arrested in the nearby area of Lake Forest a few hours later. Police have yet to establish a motive at the time of writing.

 

Thank you to our OSINT community member, M., who shared regular developments on the shooting as the situation unfolded. 👏

Get featured: our reporting on this incident was aided by members of our OSINT Discord community. Join now for your chance to be featured in future reporting and become part of

a growing crowdsourcing movement.

 

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THE ROUNDTABLE: An Intelligence Fusion Podcast

 

Providing you with a deeper insight and more comprehensive analysis of wider security trends, evolving patterns and unexplored geopolitical themes from around the world.

LATEST EPISODE:

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The food and fuel crises: how are they impacting different parts of the world?

 

In this episode of The Roundtable, our intelligence analysts - who specialise in the security situations of Asia, Africa and the Americas - take a closer look at their regions to understand which countries could be most heavily affected by the fuel shortages and growing food crisis across the world.

 

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