Syracuse University International Relations Program

Israel is holding its third election in less than a year today. Learn more here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/israel-election-netanyahu-gantz/2020/03/02/24f1aeee-5993-11ea-8efd-0f904bdd8057_story.htmltoday.

- The Washington Post

To stay up-to-date on the coronavirus check out The New York Times live updates:

Coronavirus Live Updates: U.S. Reports First Case of Human-to-Human Transmission The World Health Organization will decide today whether to declare the epidemic an international public health emergency. Chinese officials say 170 people have died.

Today in a unanimous vote, the International Court of Justice ruled that Myanmar must take emergency measures to prevent violence against the Rohingya Muslims:

International Court of Justice orders Myanmar to prevent genocide against the Rohingya The ruling at the top United Nations court is the first international reckoning for Myanmar over its alleged atrocities against its Rohingya Muslim minority.

Protests have erupted in Iran over the past few days after a large increase in petrol prices:

Iran's protests: All you need to know in 600 words Anger over sharp hike in petrol price and rationing scheme sparks demonstrations in oil-rich Iran.

Over the weekend, Bolivia's President Evo Morales resigned in the face of protests, and the country currently has no leader. Read more about these events here:

What's Next Now That Bolivia's President Has Resigned? NPR's Audie Cornish speaks with Linda Farthing, a journalist and researcher based in La Paz, Bolivia, about the resignation of President Evo Morales.

A public health emergency has been declared in New Delhi because of extreme pollution. Read more here: bhttps://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/04/india/delhi-india-smog-pollution-intl-hnk/index.html

New Delhi is choking on smog and there's no end in sight Residents of India's capital are set to suffer record-levels of smog for at least a week, even as the local government puts in place emergency measures to try and tackle New Delhi's heavily polluted air.

Last week protests against the government broke out in Lebanon. These have grown to become the largest protests in the country since it achieved independence in 1943. Read more about these events here:

Lebanon Protests Unite Sects in Demanding New Government Lebanon’s protests, the largest since its independence, have moved from fury over the economy and corruption to demands for a new political system.

Read about a major development in US policy regarding Syria here: https://www.npr.org/2019/10/07/767777899/in-major-policy-shift-u-s-will-stand-aside-as-turkish-forces-extend-reach-in-syr

This BBC article provides additional information about reactions to this announcement and Turkey's plans: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-49960973

In Major Policy Shift, U.S. Will Stand Aside As Turkish Forces Extend Reach In Syria A White House statement late Sunday said Turkey would soon go ahead with a military operation in the country's Kurdish-dominated north and that U.S. forces "will no longer be in the immediate area."

In June, protests erupted in Hong Kong after the government decided to allow extraditions to mainland China. The protests have continued and do not show signs of slowing. If you're interested in learning more about this situation, this Washington Post article provides a good overview:

The evolution of Hong Kong’s protests Hong Kong's demonstrations and demands have been shaped week by week. Another pivotal moment could come Tuesday as counterpoint to celebrations in Beijing.

For anyone interested in climate issues, the Washington Post is livestreaming the United Nations 2019 Climate Summit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhepNp96wGU

To learn more about the Climate Summit visit the UN's website: https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/

Watch live: United Nations 2019 Climate Action Summit Global climate activists, including Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg, participate in the United Nations 2019 Climate Action Summit, ahead of the annual United...

On Saturday, one of Saudi Arabia's major oil processing plants was attacked. Read more about these attacks and potential U.S. responses here:

What You Need to Know About the Attacks on Saudi Oil Facilities So far, attacks attributed to Iran haven’t resulted in a military confrontation with the United States.

An interesting article for those interested in Brexit and how it might affect Northern Ireland:

As Boris Johnson Pursues Brexit, All Eyes Are on Northern Ireland Though he denies it, the British prime minister may well leave Northern Ireland inside the European customs union to get a withdrawal deal.