World Review: Taiwan, Ukraine, Gaza
A brief synopsis of this week's show
Each Friday morning, I host a video podcast called “World Review with Ivo Daalder” where three journalists from major news outlets around the world join me in discussing the latest global news stories of the week.
This morning, January 19, I was joined by Deb Amos, now of Princeton University and formerly international correspondent at National Public Radio; Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian, China reporter at Axios; and Yaroslav Trofimov, chief foreign affairs correspondent for the Wall Street Journal. We discussed three major stories: the global impact of Taiwan’s presidential election. How Russia's war with Ukraine has led to the creation of a new “axis of evil.” And the growing diversion between the Israeli government and the United States on Gaza’s future.
While I encourage you to watch or listen to the episode (and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!), here are three interesting things I took away from our discussion today:
China’s reaction to the election of Vice President Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party, who Beijing had vilified as a warmonger during the campaign, has been surprisingly muted since the results were announced. Bethany reported that Beijing understands that a delicate balance is playing out internally, as the DPP and opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party vie for support from a new, third force, the Taiwan’s People Party (TPP). China clearly favors a coalition between KMT and TPP and doesn’t want to hurt the chances of that happening. But, Bethany warns, don’t take that muted reaction as a sign that Beijing doesn’t remain determined to unify Taiwan under its own rule.
Even as the United States dithers on whether to provide additional military support to Ukraine, Yaroslav argued that a new military alliance is emerging between Russia, Iran, and North Korea, who are increasingly dependent on each other for military supplies. Russia is buying Iranian drones, North Korean artillery shells (1 million to date), and ballistic missiles—all of which it is using to devastating effect in its war against Ukraine. In return, Pyongyang and Tehran are receiving access to modern military technologies from Moscow, including in Iran’s case new fighter aircraft which its military has long had to do without.
Benjamin Netanyahu has staked out a clear difference with the United States (and much of the rest of the world), by making clear he will never support the creation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza. Deb argued that Netanyahu is unlikely to change course, because doing so would mean losing the right flank of his already far-right coalition and doom his chance to remain in power. The war and its aftermath now increasingly appears subject to the prime minister’s singular focus on remaining in power.
Every week, I will single out three key points in the discussion for your quick perusal here on America Abroad. But to get the full flavor, please listen to the episode itself.