The report starts with an introduction by @CrisisGroup CEO & President @EroComfort, where she highlights the role the EU can play in #Sudan, particularly by deterring outside actors from getting sucked into the fighting. crisisgroup.org/global/preside…
.@EroComfort also writes about the EU's current top security priority: backing Ukraine to defend itself.
And even as the EU and member states continue supporting Ukraine, they should signal to Moscow that a path toward a negotiated settlement or ceasefire remains possible.
Globally, @EroComfort stresses that Europe should pay even greater attention to the cumulative economic effects of the war, sanctions on Russia and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also high on the agenda of EU foreign ministers is China.
Treading the right line in Europe's relations with Beijing – one that is realistic about the importance of trade and global problem-solving with China while clear-eyed about the challenge a more assertive Beijing poses – is one of the EU's biggest test, concludes @EroComfort.
Turning to the #Sahel, the @CrisisGroup Watch List looks at why the European Union and its member states should maintain dialogue with authorities in #Mali and #BurkinaFaso.
Relations between Europe and #Iran are more fraught than ever. Yet the EU should reinvigorate its efforts to contribute to reducing frictions in the region.
Here’s how it can make a difference in the region:
The Watch List also identifies ways the European Union and its member states could help countries in Latin America tackle the rise in violence linked to organised crime.
Finally, the Watch List examines how the EU can help #Pakistan confront its spiralling and interconnected political, economic and climate-related crises.
In 2022, Russia’s war in Ukraine overshadowed much of global politics and other conflicts exacted a high toll, with the number of people fleeing violence reaching a new high.
But there’s also been good news!
Here are @CrisisGroup's 10 reasons to be hopeful in 2023 ⬇️
1️⃣ The deal between 🇪🇹Ethiopia's government and Tigray leaders could end one of the world’s bloodiest conflicts and offer relief to millions in northern Ethiopia. Plenty could still go wrong, but any lull in the horrific violence is good news.
2️⃣ After 3 years of tension, 🇨🇴 Colombia and 🇻🇪Venezuela finally restored one of Latin America’s most important bilateral relations, providing opportunities to address ongoing security and humanitarian issues at the border.
Rebuilding trust and redressing bilateral tensions will take time.
Coordination in health, security, trade, consular and other matters is vital to protecting public well-being, especially of #Venezuelan migrants and refugees in #Colombia. [2/6] crisisgroup.org/latin-america-…
Negotiations with the #ELN, which restarted on 21 November, will depend to an extent on support from #Venezuela’s government, which is a guarantor and host of the talks but may be reluctant to terminate its partnership with the rebels. [3/6] crisisgroup.org/latin-america-…
⛽️2. In mid-September, the G9 gang group blocked @TVarreux in #PortAuPrince, the country's main oil terminal. For 2 months, fuel could only be found in the informal market, where the price per gallon exceeded $30 USD (5,000 gourdes).
🚔3. On 3 November @PrimatureHT announced that @pnh_officiel had recovered @TVarreux. Although distribution to stations was restored days later, the gangs still control transportation routes and hinder the supply of fuel in the north and south of the country.
Russia’s attack on Ukraine challenges the #OSCE’s viability as an organisation built to promote cooperative security arrangements between Russia and the West.
The situation is quite dire: the war has reinforced political blockages and upended #OSCE’s field operations in #Ukraine.
Some observers predict the organisation’s demise, citing its inability to promote security in Europe.
“If something changes U.S. policy on the war in #Ukraine it’s not going to be pressure from Congress, it’s going to be events on the ground,” argues @OlyaOliker.
“We’ve already seen criticism from Republicans that the current administration has been ‘weak’ on #China,” says @amanda_hsiao.