Here are some critical issues to watch around the globe over the coming month:

North America

The United States Department of Justice released a long-awaited, lightly redacted report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. The 448-page document extensively details Russia’s efforts to influence the contest in a “sweeping and systematic fashion,” including Moscow’s attempts to cultivate ties with US President Donald Trump’s campaign. President Trump has claimed that the report totally exonerates and vindicates him. Congressional Democrats feel otherwise, as the report states it was unable to conclude one way or the other whether President Trump obstructed justice.

President Donald Trump overturned a bipartisan congressional resolution seeking to end US assistance to the Saudi-led bombing campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen. It was the second veto of his presidency. The US has provided arms, aerial refueling, targeting information, and intelligence to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The veto will extend a bloody conflict that has already claimed thousands of lives through armed conflict and even more through famine.

Leaders from the US and China signaled that their countries are wrapping up a deal to end their months-long trade war as talks between top officials continued. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for the two sides to resolve lingering issues with a spirit of mutual respect to secure a deal as soon as possible. US President Trump said he expects to know in the next four weeks whether they can settle disputes over certain tariffs and intellectual property rights. As talks progress they will be moved from Washington to Beijing, but it is still unclear what progress can and will be made.

Europe

The European Union has extended the Brexit negotiation until October 31st. The additional time allotted to the UK will likely do nothing to alter the factors which have previously prevented a deal from being reached, and UK Prime Minister Theresa May has said, since her last attempt was rejected, that she will look toward Labour for support. The future of Brexit is cloudy, but local elections may shed some light. If the conservative party does not suffer the defeat many suspect, May and the conservatives might feel emboldened, but suffering a defeat may vitalize Labour and further force May toward bipartisanship.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko conceded to television comedian Volodymyr Zelensky, who won more than 70% of the vote. Zelensky’s victory was seen as a rebuke of corruption and poverty under Poroshenko and those who ruled before him. His triumph in the recent election can also be seen as rejection of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attempt to influence Ukrainian politics, as Zelensky has rejected Putin’s proposal of Russian passports for all Ukrainian citizens and has previously referred to Putin as an enemy. However, questions regarding Zelensky’s affiliation with oligarchs continue while his inexperience and lack of policy specifics could prove to be a significant liability.

In an attempt to revitalize his presidency, French President Emmanuel Macron announced his plan for tax cuts, pension reform, decentralization of the French administration, and to cease closure of hospitals and schools. Response has been mixed, with some lauding his efforts to reduce tax burdens on private enterprise and others criticizing his refusal to reduce public spending (a prominent campaign promise).

In Spain, the ruling Socialist Workers’ Party won in a snap general election, but it fell short of a majority. The center-left said it will attempt to govern without coalition partners and will hold 123 seats in the 350-seat parliament, 37 more than in the last general election in 2016.

Asia-Pacific

Earlier this month, North Korea boasted that it tested a tactical guided weapon capable of carrying a “powerful warhead.” The test is North Korea’s first such provocation since a February summit between the North Korean dictator and the US president. The dictator followed this announcement by traveling to meet for the first time with Russian President Vladimir Putin. No agreement was initially announced; however, Putin stated Beijing and Washington would find out shortly. Both the missile testing and the meeting with Russia could highlight that US foreign policy needs reconsideration and planning.

Sri Lanka suffered a series of bombings on Easter targeting hotels and churches. The Sri Lanka government claims that the National Thowheeth Jama’ath was behind the attack, along with a small group of Islamic extremists, and that all of the suicide bombers were Sri Lankan. However, it is believed that the attack was carried out with the help of an international network. Sri Lanka immediately declared a state of emergency and called for a day of mourning.

More than five thousand delegates from 150 countries, including thirty-seven world leaders, are in Beijing for a three-day summit on China’s Belt and Road Initiative. China has utilized its Belt and Road Initiative as tool of economic statecraft to build its soft power by indebting countries through its financial assistance. The summit is meant to address the concerns of transparency—with regard to China’s motives and the accusations that the BRI is nothing more than a debt trap.

The first phase in an election that will conclude in late May began this month. On April 11, the Indian people began going to the polls to vote in parliamentary elections. The election will be a test of Prime Minister Modi’s tenure in power, but, on a larger scale, it is another clash between religious populism and more secular elements. Prime Minister Modi has promoted India’s Hindu identity, and many worry that his political success will result in further isolation of minority populations within India. However, Modi’s main challenger, the Indian National Congress, has proven to be corrupt in the past.

Continue Reading