#China_Russia: The narrative that the US would be behind the sabotaged NS2, which Russia promoted from day one, is picking up again, expanding the geography. Some voices in the Chinese media are using speculation that Washington is somehow involved in the blowing up of the⤵️
Russian gas pipeline. Russian disinformation narratives about NS2 are being used by these Chinese voices to counter details about the US investigation of the Chinese spy-balloon. It's fair to say that no investigation by Germany, Denmark, or other European nations whose waters⤵️
NS2 crosses found any evidence of a clear Russian fingerprint. The investigations also failed to identify anything to show the US may be involved. Investigations must continue and the security of Europe's energy supply in the face of the threat of⤵️
a renewed Russian weaponization of energy must be addressed further. China has nothing at stake in the NS2 saga, other than utilizing it in the narrative battle against the US over the spy-balloon story (at least for now).
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#Moldova: The picture of allegedly planned subversive actions by Russia in Moldova becomes clearer. President Sandu revealed the details received from Zelensky last week. The alleged subversive actions could include the following: 1) attacks on state institutions with the⤵️
taking of hostages by Russian special forces on civilians; 2) the protests organized by the pro-Russian opposition to seize power through mass protests; 3) The group of people involved in the events of removal of the constitutional authorities would have to involve⤵️
Moldovan veterans, former law enforcement workers and citizens of Belarus, Serbia and Montenegro. It's worth remembering that the ruling party has framed the need for a new government (after the former prime minister resigned last week) with the need to focus on security. ⤵️
#Russia_Sanctions: The re-technologization and localization of the production of supply chains appears to be part of Russia's adaptation strategy to Western sanctions related to the Russian aggression against Ukraine. The Russian govt has announced the intention to develop⤵️
manufacturing potential for the production of drones and components. For this, two financial instruments will be used: 1) Fund for the development of the manufacturing industry; and 2) the scholarship program that will be launched by the Agency for Technological Development.⤵️
State companies will encourage demand through tenders and using public funds. These efforts will take a couple of years and one of the main constraints is the lack of skilled labor (that did not exist in abundance or left the country during the mobilization in 2022).
#CrisisManagement: Apart from the humanitarian crisis caused by the devastating earthquakes in Turkey, there could be a series of cascading effects on other issues: 1) Turkey planned to organize its first gas summit next week to bring together producers and importers. The event⤵️
was moved to March. This can affect certain Gad arrangements scheduled by various govts and gas companies; 2) The Turkish govt is prominent in the Ukraine-Russia mediation over the “grain deal”. It is imperative to provide assistance to Turkey so that it can stay focused on⤵️
its foreign policy that was favorable for helping Ukraine and the West to ensure the global food security; 3) Turkey hosts 3.6 million Syrian refugees who will be affected by the consequences of the earthquake. The Turkish population affected by the natural disaster is already⤵️
#Russia_Sanctions: The Russian moms-to-be women are flocking to Argentina to give birth and obtain a different citizenship for their newborns. That would allow them and their husbands to acquire Argentine passports and visa-based access to 171 countries. According to⤵️
the latest figures, of the 10,500 Russians who entered Argentina, half were pregnant women. As a result of visa-related restrictions on Russian citizens by EU member states, the richest Russians left for Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Those with lower incomes changed⤵️
residence to Armenia, Georgia and many Central Asian countries. Argentina represents an option for the upper class who is interested in non-golden visa options, which represents a more reliable option to remain in possession of a non-Russian citizenship.
#Moldova: It's official. Moldova has a new PM. This occurs in the following context: 1) Former PM Gavrilita headed the official delegation to the last EU-Moldova. Either Brussels knew about his resignation or they were not caught by surprise because President Sandu's intention⤵️
to dismiss Gavrilita was already circulating for some weeks; 2) The resignation was orchestrated after Gavrilita was on his last official visit (to Brussels), where he received a positive image boost before leaving office. It is likely that he demanded a friendly and respectful⤵️
political farewell from Sandu and the ruling party. Interestingly, even international partners have made statements of appreciation about Gavrilita and his government (IMF’s statement today); 3) Many suggested Gavrilita's resignation for a combination of factors (slow⤵️
#Moldova: The country is on a high alert after MFA Lavrov stated in a interview that NATO/West would be interested in repeating “Ukrainian scenario” in Moldova. This statement coincide with the warnings from Ukraine thar Russia is readying a massive attack, which could have⤵️
repercussions on Moldova too. The two ways in which Russia can effectively pose military risks to Moldova are the following: 1) missiles attacks (various rockets have already landed in Moldova in 2022-23; or 2) via Transnistria. The first one is more likely than the second one.⤵️
Explainer: a) if Russia uses militarily Transnistria, Ukrainian army will react with preventive actions (not waiting for a consent of Moldova); b) Tranistrian separatist elites seek to preserve peace for survival purpose. If Ukraine strikes, the separatist regime will no cope⤵️