Thai Senators Block Pro-democracy Candidate for Prime Minister |
Conservative Thai senators appointed by the military rejected Pita Limjaroenrat’s bid (Bloomberg) to become prime minister yesterday, potentially triggering a political crisis. Pita’s pro-democracy Move Forward Party won the most seats in Thailand’s lower legislative house in May elections, but the party did not win a big enough majority to elect a prime minister. The vote for prime minister will now proceed to another round next week.
The Move Forward Party’s proposals for reform have alarmed Thailand’s military, which has been behind multiple coups in the country’s recent history. A candidate from a more moderate party within Move Forward’s coalition could run in the next round (Thai Enquirer) of the prime ministerial election. Separately, the Thai Election Commission sought to disqualify Pita this week, accusing him of breaching election rules.
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“All of these proceedings are ominous. Many Thais are furious that—having cast their votes for Move Forward and its allies—their wishes are being disregarded, as has happened so many times before,” CFR expert Joshua Kurlantzick writes for the Asia Unbound blog.
“The election is being closely watched, not least because Thailand is a major player in a region where several countries have been sliding again toward autocracy after experiments with democracy. Thailand was once a stable ally of the United States but has moved closer to China under the current junta,” the New York Times’ Mike Ives and Muktita Suhartono write.
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U.S., China Foreign Policy Chiefs Meet Again on Easing Ties |
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India, France to Announce New Cooperation Deals on State Visit |
The two countries are expected to announce new investments in transportation, energy, and space (Politico) as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concludes his two-day state visit to France today. As part of the visit, Modi is attending Bastille Day celebrations.
India: India launched a lunar mission (The Hindu) that New Delhi hopes will make it the fourth country in the world to achieve a soft landing on the moon.
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Middle East and North Africa |
Syria Proposes State Oversight of Humanitarian Aid to Rebel-Held Areas |
After Russia blocked a UN Security Council effort to extend a mechanism for aid to the area, Syria’s government said it would allow (NYT) the aid to move forward. The United Nations said it was studying the option, which could require convoys carrying aid to obtain permits from the Syrian government.
Egypt/Ethiopia: In a joint statement, the countries said they aim (AP) to finalize a deal resolving longstanding disputes over the operations of Africa’s largest dam within four months.
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CFR’s Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins discuss the EU, Latin America, and the Caribbean Summit, U.S. Defense Spending Conflicts, Women’s World Cup Down Under, and more. |
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UN Human Rights Office: Mass Grave Found in Sudan |
Credible information suggests the paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces was behind the killings (UN News) in West Darfur, the UN body said. At least eighty-seven bodies were found in the mass grave.
This In Brief by CFR’s Mariel Ferragamo and Diana Roy examines the extent of Sudan’s humanitarian crisis.
Nigeria: Nigerian authorities charged the former central bank chief (Reuters) with misappropriation of funds. He was suspended from his post and arrested shortly after President Bola Tinubu took office in May.
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Germany’s New China Strategy Calls for Companies to ‘De-Risk’ |
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Guatemala’s Top Court Dismisses Effort to Block Candidate From Presidential Runoff |
The constitutional court granted an injunction (WSJ) allowing center-left candidate Bernardo Arévalo to participate in the runoff next month after a lower court suspended his party. He is running against former first lady Sandra Torres, who has faced corruption allegations in the past.
Colombia/Nicaragua: The International Court of Justice denied a Nicaraguan attempt (Reuters) to challenge maritime boundaries with Colombia.
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Drug Authorities Approve Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill For First Time |
The approval will make the pill (NYT) the most effective birth control method sold in U.S. stores without a prescription. It is expected to be available early next year at a time when access to contraception has become a growing topic of focus in the United States. |
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This Wall Street Journal explores how El Salvador, once among the most dangerous countries in the world, curtailed crime by jailing more than 1 percent of its population. |
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