37th & The World: 5in5 for the week of August 4, 2024

In this week's 'Five in Five' segment, we cover the eruption of anti-immigrant riots in England, diplomatic tensions in the Middle East following the assassination of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, the swearing-in of Muhammad Yunus as Bangladesh's interim leader, escalating anti-government protests in Kenya, and the cancellation of Taylor Swift's Austrian shows due to a foiled terrorist plot.

Transcript

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Hello, you're listening to 37th and The World, the official podcast of the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, the flagship academic publication of Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service. On 37th and The World, we dive into crucial global trends and speak directly with experts working on issues ranging from security to the economy, technology to society and more. In this segment, the five in five, 37th and The World, will delve into the top five most crucial Foreign Affairs developments from the past week in just five minutes. I'm Leah Favero, and this week, first anti immigrant and far right riots have erupted across England, following last week's tragic stabbing at a dance class where 10 children were attacked. Second following last week's assassination of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders by Israel, the Middle East braces for a retaliation by Iran, yet Prussian diplomats in Tehran asked for the nation to avoid an escalation. Third, Muhammad Yunus has been sworn in as Bangladesh's interim leader following the resignation of the prime minister from weeks of student protests, which left hundreds dead. Then Kenyan police have turned to using tear gas to disperse anti government protesters in the nation's capital as the new cabinet is sworn in. Finally, Taylor Swift canceled three shows in Austria this week after authorities uncovered a terrorist plot involving three suspects linked to the Islamic State in Al Qaeda, first, anti immigrant and far right riots have erupted across towns in England and Northern Ireland following the tragic murder of two young girls and stabbing of eight others at a Taylor Swift inspired dance class last week, Axel rudacupana, a 17 year old born and raised in England, has been arrested and charged with murders. However, before his identity was confirmed, false claims spread online alleging that he was a Muslim asylum seeker who had entered the UK by boat. This misinformation fueled tensions, leading to hundreds of protesters gathering outside a nearby mosque, where they shouted anti immigrant and Islamophobic slogans, resulting in clashes that left 50 police officers injured in the aftermath, 1000s across the UK have taken part in riots or counter protests, leading to over 400 arrests. Second though, Russia condemned last week's killing of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders in quote, dangerous assassinations, Moscow's diplomats have surprisingly asked for Iran to stand down in its response to Israel as the globe races for its retaliation. This comes as Russia and Iran have in recent years strengthened ties as an anti US coalition with Tehran supplying Moscow with attack drones and missiles to help carry out its war in Ukraine. The two also cooperate on electronic warfare plaguing the Ukrainians by countering United States jamming technology. Next after weeks of student protests demanding the prime minister's resignation, Muhammad Yunus has been sworn in as the interim leader of Bangladesh, pledging to, quote, uphold support and protect the Constitution. He and a dozen new Cabinet members took the oath just days after the authoritarian Prime Minister of over 15 years fled to India and stepped down. Professor Yunus, a Nobel Laureate, was appointed following a meeting between President Mohammed Shehab UDIN and both military and student leaders, notably, two of the new Cabinet members are students who led the anti government protests and rejected a military led government after a year's of autocratic rule, there is renewed hope that Professor Yunus will restore democracy in Bangladesh, then anti tax protests In Kenya have again intensified as the new cabinet was sworn in this week, following months of unrest that has turned increasingly deadly, the protests led primarily by youth activists have spread across the country, demanding President William ruto's resignation. The pressure from these demonstrations has already forced the government to withdraw proposed tax increases and dissolved the previous cabinet in an attempt to ease tensions, William Ruto appointed four opposition members to keep positions in the new cabinet, including the critical finance and energy posts, calling it a quote, Alliance of rivals, despite several arrests and the use of tear gas to disperse crowds, the recent protests were smaller in scale than those that culminated in the torching of the parliament building just weeks ago. Finally, Taylor Swift canceled three concerts in Austria on Wednesday after authorities successfully foiled a terrorist plot targeting her performances. The three suspects arrested have died. Applies to the Islamic State and al Qaeda, with the primary suspect confessing that he planned to cause mass casualties using homemade knives and explosive devices despite the incident, Swift will continue with the remaining five shows in England to conclude the European leg of her tour, with British authorities confirming that the show proceed with enhanced security measures. You.