The most important foreign affairs events of the week

May 8, 2023

“On Sunday (May 7), Arab nations agreed to allow Syria to rejoin the Arab League, taking a crucial step toward ending the country’s international ostracism more than a decade after it was suspended from the group over its use of ruthless force against its own people in the context of the Arab Spring. Now, the region is normalizing relations, increasingly convinced that Arab countries are gaining little from isolating Syria. Proponents of engagement argue that refusing to deal with Syria means ignoring the reality that its government has all but won the war. That leaves Syria poised for a triumphant return this month in Saudi Arabia at the Arab League’s next summit. Syria’s rehabilitation could unlock billions of dollars in reconstruction projects and other investments for its tottering economy.” 

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The adjective ruthless means “Having no compassion or pity; merciless.”

The transitive verb poise means “to hold, as in readiness.”

May 9, 2023

“On Tuesday, Japan’s ambassador to the United States affirmed that his country is working towards the opening of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) liaison office in Tokyo. This endeavor will be the first of its kind in Asia, aimed to facilitate consultations in the region. NATO said it would not go into details of its allies' ongoing deliberations. The liaison office is due to open next year and would enable discussions with NATO's security partners, such as South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, with geopolitical challenges from China and Russia in mind. By contrast, China said that ‘high vigilance’ was needed in the face of NATO's ‘eastward expansion.’ The spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry also said that Asia is a ‘promising land for cooperation and development and should not be a battle arena for geopolitics.’”

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The noun liaison means “an instance or a means of communication between different groups or units of an organization, especially in the armed forces.”

The noun endeavor means “a conscientious or concerted effort toward an end; an earnest attempt.”

May 10, 2023

“On Wednesday, the Russian President, Mr Vladimir Putin, ordered the restoration of direct flights from Russia to Georgia and abolished visas for Georgian nationals. This is the latest sign of continued rapprochement between the two nations. Mr. Putin’s decisions highlighted the highly complex relationship between Russia and Georgia, with segments of Georgian society backing the Kremlin, while pro-Western activists are going against Russia. In 2008, Georgia fought a painful five-day war with Russia that resulted in Moscow’s military taking control of the two secessionist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, or about one-fifth of Georgia’s territory. Since then, Russia and Georgia have had no formal diplomatic relations. Nevertheless, since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Georgia has increased its trade with Russia. It also emerged as one of the key transit hubs for goods shipped between Turkey and Russia, including some from the West.”

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The noun rapprochement means “a reestablishing of cordial relations, as between two countries; the state of reconciliation or of cordial relations.”

The noun hub means “a center of activity or interest; a focal point.”

May 11, 2023

“On Thursday, the Bank of England lifted its benchmark rate a quarter point, to 4.5 percent, as part of its aggressive policy to tame inflation. In this context, it raised the country’s interest rates for the 12th consecutive time, as Britain’s inflation rate remained stubbornly in the double digits. The central bank also upgraded its economic forecasts for the British economy — removing any prediction of a recession — thanks in part to falling energy prices. Even so, the long and aggressive policy tightening continues as Britain experiences inflation that is higher than in the United States and Western Europe. Consumer prices rose 10.1 percent in March from a year earlier, the latest data showed. In the eurozone, inflation has also peaked, but so-called core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, is still strong.”

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The noun benchmark means “a standard by which something can be measured or judged.”

The transitive verb tame is another verb used to refer 

May 12, 2023

“On Friday, the Chinese government announced that its special representative for Eurasian affairs is expected to begin his trip to Russia and Ukraine next week in an attempt to help negotiate an end to the war. Beijing has been trying to position itself as a potential peace broker in the war, especially as Mr. Xi casts himself as a global statesman and China as an alternative to the United States for global leadership. In February, China issued what it described as a 12-point peace plan for Ukraine, although Western officials criticized it as lacking substance. But China’s close relationship with Russia is viewed as the only feasible alternative to persuade Vladimir Putin to end the war.”

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The verb cast, in this context, means “to cause to appear.”

The verb lack means “to be without or in need of.”