BLACKWATER USA | DAILY BRIEF

Posted by BW Actual on Aug 15th 2022

BLACKWATER USA | DAILY BRIEF

China

  • A five-person delegation of U.S. lawmakers landed in Taiwan for an unannounced visit - fewer than two weeks after House Speaker Pelosi's visit triggered China's wrath. China complained again, and announced out more military exercises around Taiwan in response.
Russia
  • Russia is hosting a series of military events for friendly countries this week. In addition to the Conference on International Security, it's also putting on a weapons sale - the Army 2022 forum - and a sporting event The Economist called the "war Olympics" - complete with a "tank biathlon" (whatever that is). Most Western countries are ignoring all three events.
Ukraine
  • Ukraine said it struck a Wagner Group headquarters in Popasna, Luhansk after a Russian journalist revealed its location in a post. Russia didn't acknowledge the strike - and doesn't even acknowledge Wagner's existence.
DRC
  • DRC introduced an interesting idea to partially appease environmentalists who objected to the sale of 27 oil and gas blocks in unexplored forests: Kinshasa is considering opening the block auctions to crypto and carbon trading companies that would keep fossil fuels in the ground and use the blocks solely to generate carbon credits.That's a nice idea, but unlikely to come to fruition: no such companies have enough cash to compete with oil majors for the blocks.
Iraq
  • Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council responded to an ultimatum from influential Shia cleric Moqtada al Sadr, saying it doesn't have the authority to accede to Sadr's demand and dissolve parliament. The gridlock will continue then: Sadr told his supporters to prepare for large-scale demonstrations throughout the country.
Other News
  • Deputy President William Ruto pulled ahead in Kenya's presidential race and seems likely to win. Police are bracing for riots after the announcement.