2024: Thursday, August 15

THE WAR NEWSLETTER — AUGUST 15 2024

Good morning - today’s email brings scattered updates from the Middle East and Asia.

Welcome to your daily international conflict update.

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1. 🇮🇱 Terror group Hamas not interested in further negotiation with Israel

2. 🇦🇫 The Taliban celebrate 3 years of ruling Afghanistan

3. 🇺🇦 Ukraine presses forward into Russian territory

1 - ISRAEL

As the US continues to attempt to negotiate a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and terrorist group Hamas (responsible for the brutal October 7 massacre), talks are scheduled to occur today in Doha, the capital of Qatar.

The proposed plan includes 3 six-week phases, with an initial, temporary ceasefire, gradual release of hostages, withdrawal of Israeli forces, and time for negotiation to a permanent ceasefire. A plan like this could be potentially dangerous as Hamas could use it to drag the negotiations out, prolonging the ceasefire indefinitely without being compelled to release all of the hostages, while gaining the tactical advantage of Israeli withdrawal.

Hamas is resisting both the peace talks and some of Israel’s proposed conditions, such as maintaining a small strategic presence to prevent further terror attacks. Hamas refuses additional negotiation and says it will only attend peace talks to discuss implementation.

Read more on AP, Reuters

2 - AFGHANISTAN

Yesterday, the Taliban celebrated the 3-year-anniversary of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Taliban are a militant Islamic group, currently in control of Afghanistan after the President Biden’s withdrawal of US forces. The Taliban enforce Sharia law - extreme Muslim religious ruling - on the population of Afghanistan. 

The celebration featured a parade through the former Bagram Airfield, displaying a convoy of armored trucks and flyovers form military aircraft - all equipment seized by the Taliban after it was left behind in the sloppy US withdrawal.

Read more on NBC, Newsweek, or Army Recognition

3 - UKRAINE

The Ukrainian Armed Forces are currently in control of approximately 400 square miles within Kursk Oblast. Contrary to claims from Russian milbloggers that the Russian forces are stabilizing the situation, Ukrainian advancements into Russian territory appear to be ongoing. Although their progress has been impeded by Russian resistance, the Ukrainian push continues to make small headway.

In addition to their advances, Ukrainian forces have reportedly initiated new incursions into western Kursk Oblast, as well as conducting airstrikes on Russian airbases that damaged several airfields.

Read more on ISW

THE REST OF THE WORLD…

• Island nation Kiribati faces elections, raising concerns about growing Chinese influence in the region. [AP]

• Ethiopia and Somalia made progress toward settling their dispute in the second round of talks hosted by Turkey [Africa News]

P.S. If you have a source, tip, or piece of information we missed, please reply to this email and tell us about it. Thank you!