Overseas Security Advisory Council Daily News 2/8/2023


February 08, 2023

Today's Headlines OSAC's daily selection of global security news

Africa

At least three demonstrators were killed Tuesday in an attack on a UN convoy in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the United Nations mission in the country said in a statement.

Like its neighbours, Ghana struggles with porous borders, a weaker state presence in the north, chronic smuggling and intercommunal tensions that can be a breeding ground for jihadism, say local leaders, officials and experts.

A special panel named by Nigeria's National Human Rights Commission launched an investigation Tuesday into recent Reuters reports on rights abuses by the country’s army. Those familiar with the commission’s past work say it faces stiff challenges.

Uganda said Wednesday it would not renew its mandate for the UN's rights office, a move criticised in a country where campaigners say freedoms are regularly threatened.

East Asia & Pacific

Chinese leader Xi Jinping appears to be recalibrating his hardline approach to Taiwan in the year before the island holds a presidential election that his government’s preferred negotiating partner has a shot at winning.

The opposition has taken a majority in the assembly of the most populous Solomon Islands province after Daniel Suidani, a vocal critic of the country's relationship with China, lost a no-confidence vote,

South Korea’s progressive opposition bloc used its majority in parliament to approve an unprecedented impeachment measure against the interior minister, heating up partisan tensions as worries mount about the country falling into recession.

Europe

Germany is increasingly concerned that its European allies will not provide Ukraine with enough Leopard 2 battle tanks to create two battalions, with an escalation in fighting predicted in the coming months.

Military analyst Igor Korotchenko said Israel "needs to carefully consider the risks" of supplying Ukraine with the Iron Dome missile defense system.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will arrive in London on Wednesday to address Parliament and meet with the prime minster.

Desperate efforts to rescue survivors of Monday's earthquakes continue in Turkey and Syria as the death toll climbs past 11,000. Follow NBC News' live coverage.

Power plants operated by British generator Drax will still be able to operate if strike action by Unite union workers go ahead later this month, the company said on Wednesday.

Middle East & North Africa

Ratib Matar’s family was growing. Before his granddaughters, now 4 and 5, were born, he built three apartments on an eastern slope overlooking Jerusalem’s ancient landscape. Israel’s new far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called no...

Military analyst Igor Korotchenko said Israel "needs to carefully consider the risks" of supplying Ukraine with the Iron Dome missile defense system.

Desperate efforts to rescue survivors of Monday's earthquakes continue in Turkey and Syria as the death toll climbs past 11,000. Follow NBC News' live coverage.

South & Central Asia

Pakistan's navy said on Wednesday it will host 50 countries at maritime exercises involving ships, aircraft and special operation forces from Feb. 10-14.

Sri Lanka’s president has appealed for patience amid the country’s worst economic crisis but promised brighter times ahead

Western Hemisphere

South American country is battling to contain dozens of active fires that have already killed at least 26 people.

Mexican police detained a medical doctor accused of using infected medicines that may have caused a mysterious meningitis outbreak in northern Durango state, after the disease killed at least 35 women in recent months.

OSAC Analysis Unclassified OSAC analytical reports and other resources

Europe

Published: February 07, 2023

The 59th Munich Security Conference (MSC) will take place February 17-19 in Munich, Germany at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof (HBH). Almost one year after Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, the 2023 MSC will convene a series of high-ranking interna...

Middle East & North Africa

Published: February 03, 2023

Tensions are escalating to new heights in Israel and the West Bank, as Israeli security forces continue one of their most intense security campaigns. This report reviews recent security events and their impact on the private sector.

South & Central Asia

Published: February 03, 2023

Increasing terrorist violence in Pakistan has prompted private sector concern over the extent to which the security-risk levels in Pakistan’s commercial hubs might be increasing. While most violence is concentrated in the western frontier provinces,...

Western Hemisphere

Ecuador / Haiti / Peru - Western Hemisphere Update: February 3
Published: February 03, 2023

OSAC is trying a new product format, a regular update about topline private sector security concerns in Latin America. For any feedback on content, cadence, etc., please contact OSAC’s Americas Team.

Consular Messages - Department of State travel advisories and alerts

Western Hemisphere

The U.S. Embassy informs U.S. citizens that there is a concentration of hooded demonstrators in front of the facilities of Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas in the Macarena neighborhood and protesters are gathering on Circunvalar road. ...

We have received information that there is a possibility of demonstrations and civil unrest today, February 7, which is a symbolic date in local politics.

The U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens that the emergency phone number to the Jamaican Constabulary Force (JCF); 119, is currently out of service. We would like to remind U.S. citizens to remain vigilant and if you encounter an emergency, please con...

Events - Upcoming OSAC meetings, webinars, and training courses

Global

Please join the OSAC Council for a webinar on "How to Stop a Crisis" led by Michelle Newcome on 01 March 2023 at 11 a.m. ET.

OSAC ASC Members are invited to join this session which will review resources available through the ASC, members will share how the ASC has enhanced their work and assisted in sticky situations, while providing time for Q&A.

Event Start Date: March 15, 2023

Please RSVP to mcnicholsjv@state.gov or wartenberglg@state.gov RSVP with your contact information; Company Represented; Full name and Nationality Refreshments will be served.

OSAC's Energy Sector Committee (ESC) invites all ESC members to save the date for the upcoming ESC Spring Meeting at ExxonMobil Houston Campus in Spring, Texas on March 22 - 23, 2023.

The Europe Regional Committee (ERC) in partnership with the OSAC United Kingdom Country Chapter will be delivering a half day Crisis Management Workshop for Young Professionals in London on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. A full day Spring Conference and...

The Africa Regional Committee invites all Full Access Members to "Save the Date" for their Spring Conference taking place in South Africa, March 28 - 30, 2023.

Event Start Date: March 29, 2023

All OSAC ASC members are encouraged to "save the date" for our next in-person Health, Safety, and Security Seminar hosted by Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN on April 13 - 14.

East Asia & Pacific

On Wednesday, February 22, 2023, from 10:00 - 11:00 AM EST, OSAC's Pan-Asia Regional Committee (PARC) invites all OSAC Full-Access members to participate in a VIRTUAL discussion on climate security in Asia with Dr. Scott Moore of the University of P...

All current and prospective OSAC Pan-Asia Regional Committee (PARC) members are invited to attend a networking reception hosted at the Executive Order Bar & Lounge in San Francisco, CA on Wednesday, February 8th from 5:00 – 7:00pm PST.

OSAC members based in New Zealand are invited to attend OSAC New Zealand's country chapter relaunch on 23 February 2023.

Event Start Date: February 17, 2023

Manila country chapter members are invited to a hybrid meeting on 17FEB2023 from 2-4 pm local (GMT +8).

Middle East & North Africa

Event Start Date: February 16, 2023

OSAC Bahrain - Manama Chapter will hold a Formal Network Gathering on Thursday, February 16 at 3:00pm local time (7:00am ET).

Event Start Date: March 15, 2023

The OSAC Iraq-Baghdad Chapter will meet in-person on Wednesday, March 15.

South & Central Asia

On Wednesday, February 22, 2023, from 10:00 - 11:00 AM EST, OSAC's Pan-Asia Regional Committee (PARC) invites all OSAC Full-Access members to participate in a VIRTUAL discussion on climate security in Asia with Dr. Scott Moore of the University of P...

All current and prospective OSAC Pan-Asia Regional Committee (PARC) members are invited to attend a networking reception hosted at the Executive Order Bar & Lounge in San Francisco, CA on Wednesday, February 8th from 5:00 – 7:00pm PST.

Western Hemisphere

OSAC's Latin America Regional Committee (LARC) invites all members to save the date for the LARC's Spring Conference in Miami, FL from March 7-9.

Event Start Date: February 08, 2023

All OSAC Ecuador – Guayaquil Chapter members are invited to attend an in-person meeting on Wednesday, February at 10:00 Guayaquil local.

Event Start Date: February 09, 2023

All OSAC Mexico – Tijuana Chapter members are invited to attend a hybrid Chapter revitalization meeting on Thursday, February 9 at 8:30 Tijuana local (11:30 Eastern).

Event Start Date: February 16, 2023

All OSAC Uruguay Chapter members are invited to attend a hybrid meeting on Thursday, February 16 at 14:00 Uruguay local (12:00 Eastern).

The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of State or any affiliated organization(s). Nor have these opinions been approved or sanctioned by these organizations. This product is unclassified based on the definitions in E.O. 13526. OSAC’s full disclaimer and copyright policy is available on our site



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