October, 2022

• 19 October

  The Protesters Want Fundamental Change in Iran

  

  Since the death of Mahsa Amini on September 16, unrest in Iranian cities has continued. So far, more than 100 people have been killed in the riots, and many political activists, journalists, and college students have been arrested. On October 3, after over two weeks of silence, the Supreme Leader, …

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• 19 October

  Why China Aims Too High

  

  The Return of Beijing’s Dubious Economic Growth Targets For most of the past four decades, economic development has been the Chinese government’s lodestar. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has implicitly justified its rule by pointing to expansive growth. Indeed, since the Chinese leadership first unveiled an annual growth target, in …

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• 19 October

  The Beginning of the End of the Islamic Republic

  

  Iranians Have Had Enough of Theocracy The current protests in Iran sound the death knell of the Islamic Republic. The killing in police custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was arrested for wearing the hijab incorrectly, has unleashed a wave of angry and bloody demonstrations, boycotts, work stoppages, …

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• 19 October

  Algeria relaxes rules for foreign investors

  

  Algeria seeks to breathe new life into its investment landscape with a new investment law. Published at the end of July, the updated legislation aims at boosting investment flows in a bid to enhance the country’s economic performance and, more importantly, break with its hydrocarbons dependence. Following years of social …

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• 19 October

  New Iraqi president takes office, government expected next week

  

  Iraq’s new president commenced his duties, and the designated prime minister will form his Cabinet next week. Latif Rashid, a veteran political leader in the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) who was elected Oct. 13 as Iraq’s new president, commenced his duties in Al-Salam Palace in Baghdad on Monday. Rashid …

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• 19 October

  Iran to ‘reciprocate’ new EU sanctions amid continued unrest

  

  EU sanctions over Iran’s clampdown on dissent unsettled Iranian authorities, which are grappling with one of the biggest domestic challenges they have faced since the 1979 revolution. The spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Nasser Kanani, condemned sanctions slapped by the Council of the European Union on a number of Iranian …

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• 19 October

  Is Turkey using HTS to strengthen its hand in Syria?

  

  Amid Ankara’s overtures to Damascus, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham — the radical group controlling Idlib — has seized Afrin and is seeking a deal to expand its control further into territories held by factions allied with Turkey. A dramatic shift of control has been underway in Afrin and other areas held …

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• 18 October

  Major takeaways from Xi Jinping’s report to 20th CPC National Congress

  

  The following are major takeaways from Xi Jinping’s report to the ongoing 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). — Our Party has dedicated itself to achieving lasting greatness for the Chinese nation and committed itself to the noble cause of peace and development for humanity. Our …

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• 18 October

  Ukraine: EU sets up a military assistance mission to further support the Ukrainian Armed Forces

  

  The Council today agreed to set up a Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine). The aim of the mission is to contribute to enhancing the military capability of Ukraine’s Armed Forces to effectively conduct military operations, in order to allow Ukraine to defend its territorial integrity within …

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• 18 October

  Serbian president remains firmly against EU’s Russian sanctions

  

  Serbian President Aleksander Vucic has once again doubled down on his refusal to align with EU sanctions against Russia, despite growing pressure from the EU. The Western Balkan country has refused to align with sanctions laid down following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and subsequent war crimes carried out against citizens. …

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