International Affairs

PICTURE SHOWS: Before and after the explosionThese satellite images show the extent of the devastation caused by the massive explosion at Beirut's port on Tuesday (4 August 2020).In one after photo the image shows a huge crater where a warehouse once stood.The images were captured the day after the explosion with WorldView-2 by European Space Imaging in order to assess the damage to the surrounding blast site.Almost 20 buildings have been completely destroyed, whilst hundreds of other surrounding buildings have been significantly damaged.A cruise ship has been overturned and four tankers have been damaged.According to AIS data, this cruise ship is the “Orient Queen” sailing under the flag of Bahamas, and originating from port King Abdullah, Saudi Arabia.It has been reported that the explosion at Beirut’s port resulted in the damage of 90% of the hotels in the Lebanese capital and that the blasts could be felt up to 200 km away in Cyprus.“When disaster strikes, VHR satellite imagery can provide critical information for emergency relief operations to evaluate the extent of damage and get an entire overview of the scene,” said Adrian Zevenbergen, Managing Director, European Space Imaging.“It supplies crisis management teams with logistical insights for planning and helps to monitor and detect any changes that may be critical to minimising or even eliminating further catastrophe.”The cause of the explosion is still unknown, however it has been reported that the blasts occurred in a section of the port that stores previously confiscated highly explosive substances.With the country already suffering a crippling economic crisis as a result of battling COVID-19, this explosion plummets the city into further catastrophe with the country’s leader, Hassan Diab, appealing for international assistance.Where: Beirut, LebanonWhen: 07 Aug 2020Credit: European Space Imaging/Cover Images**EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN C

The not-so-secret value of sharing commercial geospatial and open-source information

Mir Sadat and Michael Sinclair

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen delivers the 2020 national day address, as troops of honor guards parading, saluting for the 109th annivesary of the establishment of the country, in Taipei City, Taiwan, on 10 October 2020. In her speech, Tsai stressed her administration's determination to safeguard national security of theisland and outlined the country's post-pandemic economic strategies. (Ceng Shou Yi/ SIPA USA)No Use UK. No Use Germany.

Understanding Beijing’s motives regarding Taiwan, and America’s role

John Culver and Ryan Hass

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, Syria in this handout released by SANA on January 7, 2020. SANA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THIS IMAGE

The US military must plan for encounters with private military companies

Rodrick H. McHaty and Joe Moye

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Demonstration in Idlib city. Syria, Idlib 3/18 2021:Syrians attend a mass demonstration to commemorate the first Syrian security forces invasion and siege of the city of Daraa, a process that lasted ten days, and that event led to the uprising of protests in most Syrian cities and that was part of the Arab Spring. Copyright: xahmadxfallahax No Use Switzerland. No Use Germany. No Use Japan. No Use Austria

Syrian uprising 10-year anniversary: A political economy perspective

Steven Heydemann and Jihad Yazigi

Friday, March 26, 2021

Under Xi, China appears to have adopted the mantra that it is better to be feared than liked. China is committed to sending a message that it will not take a punch without throwing a counterpunch.

Ryan Hass Bloomberg Friday, March 26, 2021

FILE PHOTO: Smoke billows from the site of Saudi-led air strikes in Sanaa, Yemen March 7, 2021. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah/File Photo

The end of Yemen

Gregory D. Johnsen

Thursday, March 25, 2021

It’s striking how little change there was in world trade patterns in 2020. By the end of the year, most of the change was surprisingly small.

David Dollar Financial Times Wednesday, March 24, 2021

A U-2 spy plane that is being used to test AI applications lands at an air field.

It is time to negotiate global treaties on artificial intelligence

John R. Allen and Darrell M. West

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Stronger: Adapting America’s China strategy in an age of competitive interdependence

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT

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Beijing has shown time and time again that it frankly does not care what the international community disapproves of. It is playing by its own rules, like it or not.

Diana Fu New York Times Monday, March 22, 2021