This is a roundup of news articles, reports, and other materials focusing on (in)security issues and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of Security in Context. The goal is to shed light on knowledge production on security-related issues that are of public interest from different perspectives. Entries may include academic journal articles, think tank reports, non-governmental organizations releases, official documents or government-commissioned research, and regular news items. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each roundup to admin@securityincontext.com
This month's Media Roundup includes a special section dedicated to Ukraine.
Climate Change and Security
Climate Change Is Harming the Planet Faster Than We Can Adapt, U.N. Warns
February 28, 2022
A recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC), a collection of experts from the U.N., concludes that governments around the world are not taking proper precautions to protect areas that are going to suffer from the harmful effects from climate change.
‘Delay means death’: New climate report issues stark warnings
February 28, 2022
The U.N. IPCC report warns that about half the world’s population will suffer the effects of now irreversible climate changes by 2040.
Yale Climate Opinion Maps 2021
February 23, 2022
The Yale Climate Opinion Map tracks American’s climate change risk perceptions, policy support, and overall beliefs by state, metro area, and congressional district.
Climate Change Is Seen as Most Worrying Threat to World Security
February 18, 2022
Most people in a study of 12 countries view climate change as the largest existential threat to the world, more than geopolitical conflict.
Adapting to climate change ‘happening worldwide’, essential
February 14, 2022
According to the World Meteorological Organization which contributed to the recent IPCC report, areas in tropical latitudes such as South Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands are at major risk.
Most aren't impressed by their leaders' climate choices, poll finds
February 9, 2022
A recent POLITICO Morning Consult Global Sustainability Poll which surveyed 13 countries found that people believe corporations and governments should be held accountable for a lack of effective climate policy.
Climate change: Top companies exaggerating their progress - study
February 7, 2022
The New Climate Institute released a report which found that the majority of the world’s biggest corporations have not reached their own goals with regards to climate change policy. Additionally, many exaggerate or misrepresent their climate policy.
Security and International Relations
Pakistan’s New Media Crackdown Threatens Press Freedom
February 28, 2022
The Pakistani government cracks down on the press by intimidating journalists who are investigating the Pakistani military and Inter-Services Intelligence agency.
Belarus Vote to Amend Constitution Worries NATO
February 26, 2022
Belarus amends its constitution in order to house Russian nuclear weapons. At its inception, the Belarusian constitution guaranteed its nuclear neutrality. This change comes while Russia engages Ukraine militarily.
China’s Ukraine Crisis: What Xi Gains—and Loses—From Backing Putin
February 21, 2022
While China has taken Russia’s side by assigning blame for the Russian Ukrainian conflict to the U.S. influence and NATO expansion, China is also in favor of a diplomatic solution rather than a military one.
Iran Nuclear Talks Resume, Germany’s Ukraine Diplomacy, and More
February 10, 2022
This podcast from the Council on Foreign Relations highlights a number of news items including developments in Iran nuclear diplomacy and Germany’s involvement in Ukrainian foreign policy.
Mexican president wants to 'pause' relations with Spain
February 9, 2022
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador expressed his disdain for Spain over their refusal to apologize and acknowledge the Spanish Conquest of Mexico in 1521. President Obrador has not made any specific foreign policy changes but has suggested that Mexico-Spain relations should be “Pause[d].”
Amnesty report on Israeli ‘apartheid’ garners bipartisan US fury
February 5, 2022
U.S. government officials from both political parties condemn Amnesty International's recent report which accuses Israel of establishing an apartheid system. U.S. legislators claim the report is unfair despite the fact that many other human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have also asserted that Israel is an apartheid state.
South Africa says relations with Israel help Palestinians after facing criticism
February 1, 2022
Several governmental officials in South Africa condemn South Africa-Israel relations because of the latter's treatment of Palestinians.
Migration and Displacement
Opinion: Coverage of Ukraine has exposed long-standing racist biases in Western media
February 28, 2022
The western media’s representation of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict reveals a disturbing bias for European refugees and a tendency to refer to refugees from developing countries in a racist manner. [Paywall]
European nations throw open borders to Ukrainian refugees
February 26, 2022
Many countries in Eastern Europe, and even some in Western Europe, are opening their borders to Ukrainian refugees.
The Ukrainian refugee crisis has already begun
February 25, 2022
The war in Ukraine is estimated to displace between 1 and 5 million people many countries in Eastern Europe have pledged to accommodate Ukrainian refugees. The U.S. and Europe plan to support this effort.
20,000 Yemenis displaced since beginning of 2022, IOM says
February 23, 2022
Suadi-led forces, supported by the U.S. and the U.K., continue to bombard Yemen displacing and killing thousands.
Prepare for mass migration to cities in climate crisis, UK mayors warn
February 16, 2022
UK officials call for urgent action as climate change is projected to displace over 200 million by 2050.
IOM and UNHCR Call for More International Support to Niger after Joint Visit
February 11, 2022
The U.N. calls for support for Niger as it experiences a migration crisis. Niger continues to suffer from political instability largely due to conflict and violence in its neighboring countries.
Displacement, humanitarian needs surging inside Afghanistan and across region
February 8, 2022
After the Afghani government collapsed and the Taliban seized control, over 700 thousand Afghanis are now displaced. The U.N. continues to provide humanitarian aid to Afghanistan but the country is still struggling.
Covid-19, Capitalism & Economy
Pfizer vaccine may offer little protection against infection in kids 5-11
February 28, 2022
Studies show that the most recent Pfizer vaccine provides little to no protection for children against the Omicron variant.
February 25, 2022
This opinion piece makes the claim that while Sweden’s no-lockdown policy during the height of the pandemic was “broadly correct,” the government should have implemented more rigorous and intrusive public health policies.
COVID: New cases decline by 19% worldwide, deaths stabilise
February 16, 2022
As the Omicron variant overshadows all other variants, cases worldwide decline and deaths decrease. However, while overall cases are down, some regions of the world are experiencing covid surges.
COVID-19 cases decline 19% in world; South Korea sets daily record
February 13, 2022
This detailed report shows that while there is a decline in cases, several countries around the world are still experiencing covid spikes unevenly
COVID cases surpass 400 million as Omicron grips world
February 9, 2022
As the Omicron variant disseminates, total cases surpass 400 million worldwide. While the pandemic is still very much alive, many countries are opening up as global cases decline.
Technologies of surveillance/Data Analytics/AI
More Polish opposition figures found to have been targeted by Pegasus spyware
February 17, 2022
Amnesty International continues its investigation of the NSO Group, an Israeli technology firm that is now linked to the surveying of Polish citizens.
February 15, 2022
Amnesty International finds that the NYPD’s use of facial recognition software in minority communities in New York City reinforces discriminatory policing.
February 11, 2022
Democrats Ron Wyden and Martin Heinrich, who sit on the Senate Intelligence Committee, warn that the CIA has gathered a disturbing amount of information on U.S. citizens. The CIA has continued to refine and improve data collection since Edward Snowden’s reveals in 2013.
Lawmakers allege 'secret' CIA spying on unwitting Americans
February 11, 2022
Two U.S. senators warn that the CIA is conducting a warrantless collection of American citizens' private information through a new program.
Adams eyes expansion of highly controversial police surveillance technology
February 8, 2022
Mayor New York, Eric Adams, continues to develop and support police use of facial recognition software. Many argue that this software is a violation of people’s privacy rights and is unethical.
Israel inquiry to look into alleged police use of Pegasus spyware
February 7, 2022
The Israeli police minister has launched an investigation into the use of Pegasus spyware developed by the NSO Group which has surveyed foreign citizens, government officials, protestors.
Israel upholds use of surveillance technology on protesters
February 2, 2022
Israel’s attorney general approves the usage of surveillance technology on Palestinian protestors. This surveillance technology targets mobile users specifically.
Major Media Outlets That Use Invasive User Tracking Are Lobbying Against Regulation
February 1, 2022
Interactive Advertising Bureau, a trade group that represents media outlets including CNN, Fox News, Time, Vox, and more, is lobbying against data collection regulation.
Gender, Race, Ethnicity, and Sexuality
February 23, 2022
This study finds that while many Black Americans report that their basic needs are met, they are still financially insecure. About half have an emergency fund while 15% say they have to work multiple jobs to meet their basic needs.
February 17, 2022
There has been a significant increase in the number of mentions of Black History Month from elected officials. While in 2015 29% of officials mentioned it, 64% mentioned it in 2021.
February 10, 2022
While the gender pay gap has slowly narrowed, women are overrepresented as lower-level earners.
From where I stand: "Gender equality is essential for us to be able to mitigate climate change."
February 8, 2022
This piece follows Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, the first wildlife veterinarian in Uganda. She tells her story and describes how she got involved in wildlife conservation.
Stanford scholars examine systemic racism, how to advance racial justice in America
February 1, 2022
Stanford scholars use Black History Month as an opportunity to explore and reflect on systemic racism by tackling racial inequalities.
Arms, Weapons, and Military Industrial Complex
Army Hypersonic Weapon on Fast-Track to Delivery
February 24, 2022
The U.S. accelerates the development of hypersonic weapons and is likely to have them operational by 2023. Despite having the largest defense budget in the world by far, the U.S. lacks functional hypersonic missiles.
Beijing sanctions Lockheed, Raytheon again over Taiwan arms sales
February 21, 2022
After the U.S. sells arms to Taiwan, China has sanctioned large arms companies Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. These defense companies sold over 100 million dollars of arms to Taiwan, a country that China considers and break-away province.
Letter: Anti-Putin sanctions must target military and defence industry
February 15, 2022
This letter from Oleksandr Danylyuk, Chairman of the Centre for Defence Reforms in Kyiv, Ukraine, urges the international community to launch a full-scale embargo on Russian arms in an effort to cripple Russia’s defense industry and deter conflict.
Egypt signs major arms deal with South Korea
February 8, 2022
South Korea agrees to send necessary supplies for the manufacturing of K9 self-propelled howitzer missiles to Egypt. This 1.66 billion dollar deal is part of a larger effort from Egypt to diversify its military.
Combat drones: We are in a new era of warfare - here's why
February 4, 2022
While drones have been the tool of a few powerful countries to engage in warfare remotely and accurately, access to combat drones introduces new threats from “insurgents and smaller nations.”
India, Oman to look at new avenues for defence industry cooperation
February 1, 2022
The Omani defense minister visited India and successfully opened the door for future joint defense ventures between India and Oman.
Ukraine
Fact check roundup: What's true and what's false about the Russian invasion of Ukraine
February 28, 2022
As many videos and images from the war in Ukraine go viral and circulate on social media and in mainstream outlets, many of these videos were not actually of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict.
Russia-Ukraine war by the numbers: Live Tracker
February 28, 2022
These live tracking maps are updated daily and track Russian control over Ukraine and the number of refugees who have fled the conflict. This article also reviews the history of Russian Ukrainian relations.
February 27, 2022
While many Indians have been evacuated from Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, abstains from voting for the UN resolution that “deplor[es Russia] in the strongest terms.” However, Prime Minister Modi does urge Putin to resolve the conflict diplomatically.
Missiles rain down around Ukraine
February 24, 2022
Russia has declared war on Ukraine and has already begun conducting military operations including shelling and bombing. President Biden condemns these attacks stating that Putin is the Agressor.
Opinion: The reality of the conflict in Ukraine
February 17, 2022
The war in Ukraine is not a representation of the conflict between the U.S. and Russia over the expansion of NATO, rather it is Washington’s desperate attempt to maintain its dominance over the unipolar system that is being challenged by China and its potential alliance with Russia and India.
US-NATO Militarism Is the Cause, Not the Solution
February 9, 2022
The U.S. plays a significant role in sparking the war in Ukraine as the threat of NATO expansion fans the flames between Russia and Ukraine. This conflict serves as a potential blank check for the military-industrial complex
The Reason Putin Would Risk War
February 3, 2022
Putin’s hunger for power and desire to challenge American democratic values and the leading international ideological force in Eastern Europe is his motivation to start a war. Putin wants democracy in Eastern Europe to fail and is prepared to suffer the consequences of war to try and achieve that goal.
