The DSR Daily Brief Newsletter – Tuesday, May 24, 2022
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Ukraine
Luhansk’s governor says it is now too late for residents to evacuate the besieged region.
Circumventing Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian grain is easier said than done, according to the Moscow Times. Currently, 22 million tons of grain meant for export are stuck in Ukraine, contributing to a global food shortage.
In a bit of heartwarming news, Ukrainians forces show us what battlefield ingenuity and environmental responsibility look like.
The Americas
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks traveled to Europe for meetings in Norway, the UK and Germany. Among her stated aims: allied solutions to threats from Russia and China, including their ‘malign influence’ in Africa. Conflicting with unstated aims: Pentagon-approved foreign reporters using devices while accompanying official visits.
A federal judge blocked Biden’s bid to end Title 42, a Trump policy aimed at preventing migration from the southern border. Nearly 21,000 Ukrainian refugees attempted to enter the country through Mexico in April.
Europe and Central Asia
Russia’s Counsellor to the UN in Geneva resigned with a powerful condemnation of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and the ‘degradation’ of Russia’s diplomatic corps.
The slightly less laudable and long overdue resignations of Putin-affiliated former Western politicians from Rosneft continue.
Tensions between Turkey and Greece center around US fighter jets in the latest tiff.
The Indo-Pacific
Biden is considering reducing Trump-era tariffs on Chinese goods.
Meanwhile, the dark side of the West’s scientific cooperation with China is the focus of an investigative report.
The Middle East and Africa
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz kicked off his first official trip to Africa with a visit to Niger. German soldiers have been deployed there on a training mission. Originally, they were training troops in neighboring Mali to counter terrorist activity. However, this ended in part due to Mali’s use of Russian mercenaries. Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum has spoken out against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Scholz also visited Africa’s so-called ‘anchor of stability,’ Senegal. In addition to securing cooperation on gas projects, he pledged to help restart grain deliveries to Africa.
DSR Exclusives
For in-depth analysis, check out our sister podcasts on the DSR Network and stay tuned to the DSR Daily podcast for new and evolving stories from around the world.
The DSR Network Team (Chris Cotnoir, Grant Haver, and Katherine Hill)
