Daglig diskussion – 11 maj 2024

Biden skruvar upp värmen mot Netanyahu med anklagelse om krigsförbrytelser

Israel may have used US-made weapons in ways that violate humanitarian rights, according to a state department study that stopped short of formally accusing the Jewish state of breaking international law.

The declassified study sent to Congress found that because of the Israeli military’s heavy reliance on US-made weaponry, it was “reasonable to assess” that American munitions have been used in the Gaza war in ways “inconsistent with [international humanitarian law] or with established practices for mitigating civilian harm”.

The state department assessment of…  Läs mer Israel and six other countries engaged in armed conflicts was mandated by President Joe Biden, who in February 2023 issued a directive aimed at imposing stricter oversight on US weapons transfers.

Invånare i Gaza "känner sig övergivna av världen"

Israel has ordered more people to flee Rafah as it prepares to expand its assault on the southern Gazan city despite international condemnation of its offensive in the densely populated area.

The UN estimates that about 150,000 people have already fled Rafah since Israel sent ground troops to the eastern edge of the city on Monday and seized the border crossing with Egypt.

Islamic Relief released a statement:

“I feel like this is the end. It feels like we will all be either trapped and killed in Gaza, or we will all be forced out. People have stayed in Rafah thinking it’s safe and…  Läs mer hoping that global pressure would stop an invasion. But now we are abandoned by the world and everyone feels betrayed and let down.

USA kommer att införa en 100% tull på kinesiska importbilar.

The Biden administration plans to raise tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles imports from 25 per cent to 100 per cent, as it intensifies efforts ahead of the US election to protect American industry.

The administration is expected to announce the move, and other tariffs on clean energy imports, on Tuesday, according to people familiar with the situation. The sharp rise in the levies comes amid mounting concern that China could flood the US market with cheap EVs, threatening the American car industry.

President Joe Biden has taken several actions in recent months to convince union members in…  Läs mer swing states that he will protect jobs. The Biden administration has for three years been reviewing the tariffs that then president Donald Trump put on imports from China as part of the trade war he launched in 2018. The new EV tariffs will be announced alongside the conclusion of the review, led by the US Trade Representative.

Rysk offensiv intensifieras nära Kharkiv, tvingar civila att fly.

The conflict in Ukraine has taken a dramatic turn as Russian forces intensify their offensive near the northeastern city of Kharkiv, pushing the war closer to civilians and prompting a mass exodus from the region. The latest developments have seen Russia attempting to break through Ukrainian defenses in the Kharkiv region, a strategic area that has become the focal point of Moscow's renewed efforts to advance its positions. In response, Ukraine has been compelled to rush reinforcements to the area in a bid to fortify its defenses and prevent a breach by Russian troops.

The escalation of…  Läs mer hostilities has had a profound impact on the local population, with thousands of civilians, many of them elderly, being forced to flee their homes in search of safety. The scenes of terror and grief are palpable, as residents leave behind their lives and possessions, heading towards the relative safety of larger cities further from the front lines. The streets of border towns like Vovchansk have been left deserted, with rising smoke a testament to the fierce attacks that have driven its inhabitants away.

USA förhandlar för att behålla truppnärvaro i Niger trots order om tillbakadragande

In a significant development that underscores the complexities of international military engagements, the United States is actively negotiating to maintain a small contingent of forces in Niger, despite broader orders for withdrawal. This move comes in the wake of a military junta taking control of Niger last July, prompting a reevaluation of US military presence in the West African nation. The discussions aim to secure an agreement with the new rulers of Niger to allow a limited number of US forces to remain in the country, highlighting the strategic importance the US places on its military…  Läs mer footprint in the region.