37th & The World: 5in5 for the week of February 12, 2024

Israel began the next part of its campaign in Gaza, former Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has died, Senegal's election in jeopardy, Japan's economy plunges into recession, and Indonesia has elected a new president, a man formerly banned from entering the United States. 

Chapters

• 1:45 Israel Advances on Rafah
• 2:44 Death of Alexei Navalny
• 3:35 Senegal's Election?
• 4:13 Japan Enters a Recession
• 4:45 Indonesia Elects a New President

Transcript

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Hello, you're listening to 37 and The World, the official podcast of the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, the academic publication of Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service. On 37th and The World, we dive into crucial global trends in speak directly with experts working on issues ranging from security to the economy, technology to society, and more. In this new segment "5in5", our producers will delve into the top five critical foreign affairs developments from the past week in just five minutes. This week, Israel began the next part of its campaign in Gaza. Moving into the southern most city, Rafa, despite concerns regarding the high IDP population. Second, the Russian anti corruption crusader and opposition leader Alexei Navalny, has died in a prison colony in Russia after returning in 2021. Third, after controversy surrounding Senegal's lawmakers extension of President Macky Saul's term, its Constitutional Court has intervened in an election and said the election must be held as soon as possible. Fourth, Japan's economy has fallen into a recession, dropping the formerly third largest economy to the fourth spot globally. Finally, Indonesia has elected its newest president. Defence Minister, Prabowo Subianto, a man formerly banned from entering the United States due to a history of human rights abuses. Rafa, the southernmost city in Gaza has had a population surge from 250,000 to over 1 million people since October 7. Israel now intends to commence a ground invasion into the city as the IDF claims from sources including released hostages that many Hamas commanders and fighters are hiding within the city. On Thursday, Israeli forces conducted an operation at the Nasser Hospital located just five miles above Rafa reaffirming its imminent invasion. Gaza civilians now brace for the attack with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency facing challenges to provide assistance. After funding nations paused aid following the release of information that at least 12 members of the UN agency participated in the October 7 attacks against Israel. Secondly, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has died in prison at the age of 47. According to authorities following his loss of consciousness after a walk in the polar Wolf Arctic penal colony, where he was serving a three decade sentence Navami staff has drawn condemnation from Western leaders, including US President Joe Biden, who claims Putin for the opposition leaders deaths stating, make no mistake, Putin is responsible for Nevada nice death. Nevada nice movement, although outlawed, is expected to persist, and supporters have organised meetings worldwide to honour his memory. The Kremlin dismissing accusations of murder, faces international scrutiny over newval Knees demise. Thirdly, Senegal's highest court authority has intervene after extensive riots against the parliaments previous ruling to extend President Macky Saul's term. This decision came in its claims that numerous members of the opposition had been forcibly removed from Parliament and claims of a constitutional coup with the Constitutional Court's intervention. They've declared that extending the presidential term is out of the jurisdiction of both the President and the parliament on election in the next 10 days, its original date may be unreasonable. The court demands an election as soon as feasibly possible. forcefully. Japan's economy has contracted for the second straight quarter and is now quickly slipping into recession. Both consumer spending and business investment has fallen due to rising prices. Japan's central bank historically combats deflation by lowering interest rates, which should in theory spur spending. The largest indicator of the Japanese economy next quarter will be wages, which will need to substantially increase to avoid a larger economic slip. Finally, Indonesia, the world's third largest democracy has elected its newest president, defence minister, Prabowo Subianto, a former general during the brutal and corrupt Suharto dictatorship, which ended over 25 years ago. Subianto was closely tied to torture and disappear against allegations as the special forces commander, see beyond just history and other recent declines in civil liberties in Indonesia generate concerns for the country's democracy.