Eric Schouten’s Post

Start this week well informed by reading the latest #Dyami Conflict Monitoring Report! #Russia-#Ukraine: The front has remained static despite Russian offensive operations in Kharkiv Oblast and Donetsk Oblast. Ukraine hit targets inside Russia with Western-supplied weapons. #Israel-#Hamas: As Netanyahu's government faces instability, the conflict enters a new phase with Israel focused on eliminating Hamas leadership. #Myanmar: Civil war intensifies in the western Rakhine state and the eastern parts of the country as the military junta shuts down the internet. #Sudan: Ongoing conflict between SAF and RSF in Sudan worsens the humanitarian crisis and increases the risk of regional instability. #Israel-#Hezbollah: A war between Israel and Hezbollah seems inevitable. Several countries have called for its citizens to leave Lebanon as soon as possible. #Kenya: Widespread protests erupted across Kenya against the government's planned tax hikes, resulting in deaths, injuries and many arrests. #Mozambique: As SADC mission in Mozambique withdraws, violence resumes in the resource-rich Cabo Delgado province. #Venezuela: While opposition candidate González is far ahead in the polls, it remains uncertain whether Maduro will concede free and fair presidential elections on July 28. #Bolivia: Alleged failed coup deepens political instability ahead of Bolivian elections in 2025. #New Caledonia: New protests erupt in New Caledonia after detained activists are sent to mainland France for trial. #DRC: As the eastern provinces face a surge in attacks by M23 and ADF armed groups, escalating tensions between DRC and Rwanda heighten the risk of violence in the region. #Haiti: While the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission's arrival in Haiti is imminent, violence is spreading in rural areas. #North Korea-#South Korea: Tensions rise between North and South Korea as they ramp up their propaganda campaigns and strengthen ties with allies. #China-#Taiwan: Divisive legislative changes in Taiwan lead to mass protests as Beijing threatens ‘pro-independence leaders’ with the death penalty. https://lnkd.in/ePBZ82Yg

Read our latest conflict monitoring report covering conflict and developing situations of March 2024. #Russia-#Ukraine: While Russian forces slowly advance towards Kharkiv, airstrikes debilitate the energy infrastructure on both sides of the conflict. #Israel-#Hamas: As Netanyahu's government faces internal tensions, Israel claims to be in the process of neutralizing Hamas’ infrastructure, while the Gazan population is running out of medicines and food. #Myanmar: Myanmar’s military continues to lose control over the country, with mass displacement of civilians. #Sudan: As the conflict has no end in sight, the humanitarian crisis in Sudan is worsening. #China-#Philippines: Dangerous collisions between Philippine and Chinese vessels ramp up tensions. #Mexico: Ahead of the June elections, growing discontent with the outgoing President is spurring widespread protests across the country. #Nigeria: Worsening cost of living, rising inflation, and widespread food insecurity are fuelling violence, protests and instability in Nigeria. #Pakistan-#Afghanistan: Heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan as cross-border attacks increase. #Haiti: The protracted crisis in Haiti reached a critical point in March 2024 after an upsurge in gang violence forced Prime Minister Henry to resign. #NorthKorea: North Korea’s Missile tests and South Korea-US military exercises persist on both sides of the demilitarized zone.

Read our latest conflict monitoring report! #Russia-#Ukraine: While Russian forces slowly advance towards Kharkiv, airstrikes debilitate the energy infrastructure on both sides of the conflict. #Israel-#Hamas: As Netanyahu's government faces internal tensions, Israel claims to be in the process of neutralizing Hamas’ infrastructure. #Myanmar: Myanmar’s military continues to lose control over the country, with mass displacement of civilians. #Sudan: As the conflict has no end in sight, the humanitarian crisis in Sudan is worsening. #China-#Philippines: Dangerous collisions between Philippine and Chinese vessels ramp up tensions. #Mexico: Ahead of the June elections, growing discontent with the outgoing President is spurring widespread protests across the country. #Nigeria: Worsening cost of living, rising inflation, and widespread food insecurity are fuelling violence, protests and instability in Nigeria. #Pakistan-#Afghanistan: Heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan as cross-border attacks increase. #Haiti: The protracted crisis in Haiti reached a critical point in March 2024 after an upsurge in gang violence forced Prime Minister Henry to resign. #NorthKorea: North Korea’s Missile tests and South Korea-US military exercises persist on both sides of the demilitarized zone. dyami | security intelligence | count on us https://lnkd.in/eTdTCvj8

Read our latest conflict monitoring report! #Russia-#Ukraine: While Russian forces slowly advance towards Kharkiv, airstrikes debilitate the energy infrastructure on both sides of the conflict. #Israel-#Hamas: As Netanyahu's government faces internal tensions, Israel claims to be in the process of neutralizing Hamas’ infrastructure. #Myanmar: Myanmar’s military continues to lose control over the country, with mass displacement of civilians. #Sudan: As the conflict has no end in sight, the humanitarian crisis in Sudan is worsening. #China-#Philippines: Dangerous collisions between Philippine and Chinese vessels ramp up tensions. #Mexico: Ahead of the June elections, growing discontent with the outgoing President is spurring widespread protests across the country. #Nigeria: Worsening cost of living, rising inflation, and widespread food insecurity are fuelling violence, protests and instability in Nigeria. #Pakistan-#Afghanistan: Heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan as cross-border attacks increase. #Haiti: The protracted crisis in Haiti reached a critical point in March 2024 after an upsurge in gang violence forced Prime Minister Henry to resign. #NorthKorea: North Korea’s Missile tests and South Korea-US military exercises persist on both sides of the demilitarized zone. dyami | security intelligence | count on us https://lnkd.in/eP9AuSDU

The Security Strategy for the Kingdom of the Netherlands published in April 2023 highlights that the complex and evolving situation in #Venezuela holds significant implications for the Netherlands. Venezuela's political instability, economic crises, extensive criminal networks, and growing alliances with non-Western powers like Russia, China, and Iran pose potential security and economic challenges that could ripple across the Caribbean and beyond. The Dutch Caribbean, particularly the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao), which share maritime borders with Venezuela, are directly impacted by flows of illicit drugs and weapons, displacement, and regional security concerns. In this three-part series, Dyami collaborates with World of Crime to delve into the political, international, and criminal challenges facing Venezuela, and why these developments matter for the Netherlands. The situation is still developing so we will update over time. https://lnkd.in/eZiqW8RH

The Security Strategy for the Kingdom of the Netherlands published in April 2023 highlights that the complex and evolving situation in #Venezuela holds significant implications for the Netherlands. Venezuela's political instability, economic crises, extensive criminal networks, and growing alliances with non-Western powers like Russia, China, and Iran pose potential security and economic challenges that could ripple across the Caribbean and beyond. The Dutch Caribbean, particularly the ABC islands (#Aruba, #Bonaire, and #Curaçao), which share maritime borders with Venezuela, are directly impacted by flows of illicit drugs and weapons, displacement, and regional security concerns. In this three-part series, #Dyami collaborates with World of Crime (Chris Dalby) to delve into the political, international, and criminal challenges facing Venezuela, and why these developments matter for the Netherlands. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for Dutch policymakers and businesses conducting business in the region. dyami | security intelligence | count on us https://lnkd.in/eZiqW8RH

Venezuela is Europe's forgotten neighbour. The Dutch Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao are right next door. The French islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe are close enough to be affected by criminal economies emerging from Venezuela. As the country is roiled by political turmoil following its elections, World of Crime has partnered up with dyami | security intelligence, the leading Dutch intelligence provider, for a three-part series revealing how Venezuela poses a political and criminal threat to the international community. Read Part 1 below covering President Maduro's history of electoral fraud and the likely global policy response.

Ecuador’s “armed conflict”: Challenges to security and democracy While just a few years ago #Ecuador was a regular stop in most tourists’ itineraries and considered to be a “haven for peace and stability in the region”, over the last couple of years an unprecedented wave of gang violence has turned the country into one of the most violent in #LatinAmerica. Ecuador’s recent surge of unrest can be traced back to different causes. A series of internal political choices, and the implementation of stricter measures and controls in the bordering countries have indirectly created a fertile ground for the growth of the drug trade, turning Ecuador into a strategic transit hub for cocaine. A critical economic situation, aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic, has impacted marginalized communities, increasing the levels of poverty, which has brought many young people closer to criminal activities. Stricter controls and measures implemented in other countries brought a shift in criminal routes and found a fertile ground in Ecuador. In addition, the government lacks a long term strategy to control the economic crisis and current social turmoil, beyond the promise to defeat gangs. Read more in the article written by Arianna Lucà by following the link below: https://lnkd.in/eZVaPkKU

MMN-08 (REV.OCTOBER 2024) - ISRAELI-HAMAS, LEBANON, IRAN CONFLICT (Rev. October 2024 - Modification in the title and paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 6, 8) 1. The Panama Maritime Administration strongly recommends all Panama flag vessels to take all security measures and avoid transiting in the Middle East between Israel, Lebanon, and Iran, including the Gaza Strip. 2. On October 7, 2023, the Hamas militant group carried out a surprise attack against Israel, which has created a serious risk to maritime security in this area. One year after the attacks, the security situation in Israel and surrounding areas remains violent and unstable. 3. For those Panama flag vessels in Israeli and Lebanese ports or transiting the above zone must keep the utmost vigilance and increase security conditions aboard in order to protect the vessel and its crew and maintain constant communication with the Port authorities on site. 6. For safety, the automatic identification system (AIS) and the LRIT must be always turned on except in those cases where the captain considers that the security of the vessel could be compromised or when a security incident is imminent. In accordance with the provisions of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), in the same way, VHF Channel 16 must be monitored, and communication must be maintained at all times with local authorities and with the Panama Maritime Administration. 8. We recommend that all vessels follow the instructions of the local authorities regarding the transit of the crew in port areas. Review your communication security plan on board, in case of an unforeseen incident.

Here is our (short-form) analysis, at Control Risks, on how we see security threats and business risks playing out in the Middle East following Israel's retaliation on Iran on 19 April. https://lnkd.in/dtykXbZh #Israel #Iran #MiddleEast #geopolitics