Ukraine’s independence day is on Wednesday 24 August: peaceful mass gatherings and celebratory events are common in urban areas to mark independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. This year, however, independence day events across the country (particularly in Kyiv and Kharkiv) have been banned after President Zelensky warned yesterday that the Russian military is now expected to launch long-range missile strikes against civilian infrastructure in a bid to spread fear and maximise civilian casualties.
Zelensky spoke yesterday afternoon of his government’s fears that the Kremlin could try to conduct something “particularly ugly, particularly vicious”, in order to “humiliate Ukrainians, devalue our capabilities and spread fear”. His government has highlighted the threat to administrative centres, military facilities, critical civilian infrastructure and residential centres.
This morning, the US government repeated the warning. A security alert from the US embassy in Kyiv has urged remaining US citizens to evacuate the country immediately, using privately available ground transportation options.
COMMENT: There remains good availability of ground support assets for clients seeking to enter or evacuate Ukraine at short notice; NGS is working closely with local partners to initiate evacuation as required. NGS recommends you stay away from all critical national infrastructure (military, transportation, energy, communication hubs) as these are a focus for conflict / attack, and avoid travel when possible.
Imran Khan’s Exit Following the previous government’s mismanagement over a worsening economic and living crisis, Imran Khan was ousted from his position as prime minister on 10 April after losing a vote of no confidence. As a result, not one prime minister of Pakistan, in its 75 years as a country, has yet to […]
AMERCIAS BRAZIL 07 September – Bicentennial anniversary of independence Mass demonstrations marking 200 years of independence are likely. As public dissatisfaction accumulates over persistent political and economic issues, government critics are likely to earmark this historic day for fresh nationwide protests, which may be particularly turbulent given its proximity to October’s presidential election. Last […]
Beijing’s “zero-COVID” policy has drawn worldwide attention and criticism, particularly as evidence suggests that the virus itself started in China. In this article, NGS intern Barney King looks at the detail of the policy, its impact on travellers, how it compares with other countries in Southeast Asia, and what the future might hold. […]
Background Fierce fighting has intensified along the Colombia-Venezuela border over the last two weeks. Bloody clashes between rival paramilitary groups, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), have left at least 27 dead, including civilians. The shared 2,200km frontier has long been a haven for organised […]
As politicians all over the world gather to prepare for the year ahead, COVID-19 will retain its place at the head of the global agenda. In 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to shape policy decisions, define the recovery of the world economy, and underpin freedom of travel. Government treasuries will have to contend with […]
Two connected border situations: Belarus-Poland and Russia-Ukraine As many as 4,000 Middle Eastern migrants (primarily from Iraqi Kurdistan, Syria and Afghanistan) are currently stuck near the Polish border in Belarus. Having been invited there by the autocratic President Lukashenko of Belarus, with the promise of a swift entry into the EU, they have been […]
The UK city of Glasgow will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference this November. The two-week-long event, beginning on 31 October, will attract large numbers of VIPs, including 120 heads of state. A further 30,000 delegates from 200 countries are expected to join to discuss changes to the climate and make commitments towards stalling […]
Lauren Snelling, Risk Analyst at Northcott Global Solutions, discusses risk mitigation solutions for companies and charities operating in one of the world’s most unstable regions. Risks to NGOs in East Africa The work of NGOs in East Africa has garnered considerable attention in recent months, most notably the result of the […]
Since the seizure of Kabul by the Taliban in mid-August, the most pressing question for Western governments has been whether the group will once more allow terrorists within its borders to conduct international attacks. The threat to the West will be shaped by a complex pattern of internal Taliban alliances and interlocking regional interests, with […]
Current situation Twenty years after the Taliban were removed from power following the US-led invasion of Afghanistan, roles have been reversed with Westerns now fleeing the country and the Taliban expected to form the next government. The past two months saw the extremist Sunni militant group rapidly advance towards Kabul, taking successive provincial capitals […]
UNREST On Wednesday 07 July, Jacob Zuma handed himself over to police. The following Friday, his appeal against prison on grounds of poor health was rejected, and violent protests broke out across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces, particularly in parts of Durban and Johannesburg. The violence rapidly developed into deliberate property damage, arson and looting […]
News of a unilateral truce offered by the Ethiopian Federal Government to the Tigray Defence Forces (TDF) has raised hopes that the eight-month conflict between the two may be coming to an end. The war has further diminished the prospect of stability and democratisation of Ethiopia, which had begun to show signs of development. Amid […]
