AKE International

Ones to Watch is a complimentary bulletin published every Monday by AKE International, highlighting important security and political risk developments from across the globe for the upcoming week. In Asia Pacific this week, we discuss recent developments in Bangladesh 🇧🇩 where the Supreme Court has significantly scaled back a contentious quota system for public service workers that triggered deadly protests and violent clashes nationwide.

AKE's #MOTW highlights nationwide student protests as well as road and rail blockades in #Bangladesh against the reinstatement of a quota system for the admission of public servants. On 16 July demonstrations descended into violence amid clashes between protesters with pro-government student organisations and security forces that have since killed at least 25 people and injured hundreds of others. To quell the protests, the government has bolstered the security presence across the country, imposed a near-total internet blackout and closed all high schools and universities. Nonetheless, the unrest is likely to expand and escalate in the coming days, sustaining widespread business and transport disruptions nationwide.

AKE’s #MOTW highlights the 8 July #Russian missile barrage in #Kyiv – the deadliest such barrage in months. 44 civilians were killed and 166 others injured in the barrage countrywide, with at least 27 civilians killed and 82 others injured in the capital Kyiv alone. Seven districts of the capital were targeted in the strikes. A missile struck the #Ohmatdyt Children's Hospital – the country’s largest – the #ADONIS medical centre and connected #ISIDA maternity clinic, and the Domino business centre. On 9 July an emergency session of the UN Security Council was convened to discuss the strikes. The strikes came ahead of the 9-11 July #NATOsummit in Washington, where the alliance pledged additional air defences and declared Kyiv on an “irreversible path” to #NATO membership. Russia has intensified its missile and drone strikes on civilian infrastructure and further such attacks are likely. 

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AKE's Kidnap & Ransom Report Q2 2024 is out now, highlighting key K&R cases, trends, and analyses based on AKE’s thorough research into the latest developments across major K&R hotspots worldwide over the past three months. Become a member of the AKE Community to access the full report and a wealth of other content. https://lnkd.in/dTyw52yu #AKE #KidnapAndRansom #RiskManagement #GlobalSecurity #KandR #RiskAssessment #SecurityAnalysis #AKECommunity

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In #Myanmar on 25 June the Beijing-brokered ceasefire in place since January broke down with the Ta’ang National Liberation Army #TNLA announcing the resumption of Operation #1027 in northern #Shan state. The TNLA stated that military forces had repeatedly violated the ceasefire and prior to the 25 June resumption of clashes, warned that if the violations were to continue, it would resume the offensive. Between 25 and 30 June, the TNLA has seized control of strategic towns including Nawnghkio and Kyaukme. Regime forces are reportedly besieging themselves in Lashio town by destroying connecting bridges while conducting indiscriminate retaliatory airstrikes on civilian areas. 22 civilians were killed between 25 and 30 June in military airstrikes. Cross-border trade with China has not resumed since the January ceasefire. Beijing will likely intervene again, although it appears increasingly frustrated with the junta. 

Interested in political and security developments in #LatinAmerica? Join AKE's busy #LatAm desk for a four-month remote, voluntary internship scheme! For more details, check our Careers page! https://lnkd.in/dC2CBrV

AKE's #MOTW highlights the renewed outbreak of unrest in #NewCaledonia this week after leaders of the pro-independence Field Action Coordinating Cell (CCAT) activist group were arrested on 19 June and subsequently transferred to France. At least one death connected to the unrest has been reported after emergency services were disrupted by roadblocks, which have proliferated the French overseas territory along with arson attacks, vandalism and clashes between protesters and security forces. Risks of intensified civil unrest as well as widening business and transport disruptions are likely to escalate.

In recent years, "foreign agents" laws have proliferated across Europe & Eurasia, reflecting a growing trend among governments to regulate and limit foreign influence within their borders. Our Europe & Eurasia desk looked at the legislation across multiple countries, including in Georgia where it triggered a series of violent protests, in the latest Special Report. Become a member of the AKE Community to access the report - and much more - now! https://lnkd.in/dTyx4BAr