28 Aug 2022: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

CNA 28 Aug 2022:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. UN Nuclear Treaty
2. Russia-China Cooperation in Arctic
GOVERNANCE
1. Cryptocurrency regulation
C. GS 3 Related
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
GOVERNANCE
1. Is there clarity on Pegasus malware report?
2. What are the claims of Twitter’s whistleblower?
F. Prelims Facts
1. Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
2. Malvinas territorial issue
G. Tidbits
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

2. Russia-China Cooperation in Arctic

Syllabus: Regional and Global Grouping

Mains: Changing world order and foreign policy approach

Context: NATO Secretary General recently expressed his concerns over Russia’s military buildup and China’s increasing interest in the Arctic region.

The Competing Strategic Visions of Russia and China in the Arctic:

• Thawing of the Arctic has increased its geopolitical prominence and potential economic viability.
• Russia and China have emerged as major players in the future of the region. Their partnership on Arctic affairs, both formally and informally, suggest a tidal shift is on the horizon, which does not necessarily include the United States.
• Russia is advocating for the development of the Northern Sea Route along its Siberian coast as an alternative to southern routes through the Suez Canal and investing in the construction of the only icebreakers capable of operating in the Arctic Ocean.
• Earlier in 2022, both countries agreed to consistently intensifying practical cooperation for the sustainable development of the Arctic.
• China’s ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ also involves the Arctic, where China wants to develop ‘Polar Silk Road’ through developing shipping lanes opened up by global warming.
• Russia has the world’s largest fleet of major icebreakers. China also recently introduced its new icebreaker, Xuelong 2 to assist with the MOSAiC expedition. 

NATO’s concerns:

• The shortest path to North America for Russian missiles and bombers is over the North Pole. 
• Russia has set up a new Arctic Command and has opened hundreds of new and former Soviet-era Arctic military sites, including airfields and deep-water ports. 
• Russia is building up its military with new bases, new weapons systems and also using the Arctic to test their most advanced weapons, including hypersonic missiles.
• China has also declared itself a “near Arctic” state. 
• China is also planning to build the world’s largest icebreaker and is investing in energy, infrastructure and research projects in the Arctic to explore mineral resources and new shipping routes as ice caps recede with rising temperatures.

Conclusion: 

The Arctic region is strategically important for Euro-Atlantic security.With Finland and Sweden joining, seven of eight Arctic states will be NATO members. Therefore NATO is planning to respond to Russia and China with an increased presence in the Arctic and investment in new capabilities.

Read more on Arctic Council and Arctic States

Nut Graf: Increased presence and practical cooperation of Russia and China in the Arctic is posing a challenge to NATO’s values and interests. Climate change is making the Arctic more accessible for militaries and changed the way countries look at the Arctic.

Category: GOVERNANCE

1. Cryptocurrency regulation

Syllabus: Government Policies and Interventions

Mains: Challenges associated with crypto exchanges

Context: Government intelligence agencies are pressing the Union government to enact relevant laws on Crypto deals.

Introduction:

• Government investigation and intelligence agencies in the recently conducted National Security Strategies Conference urged the Union government to list cryptocurrency exchanges distinctly under the existing regulatory mechanism. 
• This will make it mandatory for the exchanges to proactively share information regarding suspicious transactions with the police and other law enforcement authorities.
• There is no specific law to make the crypto exchanges report suspicious transactions. 

Issues with Crypto Exchanges:

• Investigations in the past few months have revealed that several Chinese shell companies, which operate digital loan mobile apps in India, sent funds out of India through the crypto exchanges. 
• Ownership information of Chinese operated cryptocurrency exchanges in India are not registered in any records.
• At present, the intelligence authorities can seek information from such exchanges only after a criminal case has been registered. In the absence of a first information report , critical information could not be sought from these exchanges. 
• Most of the exchanges do not have a physical office and the data storage was cloud-based. 
• The agencies were seeking powers similar to powers under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to get information from the exchanges. 

Way Forward:

• The Reserve Bank of India has recommended a ban on cryptocurrencies citing “destabilizing effects” for the country’s monetary and fiscal health. But a law to regulate or ban cryptocurrencies can only be effective once there is some form of international agreement in place. 
• Instead of banning the cryptocurrencies, regulation is needed to ensure that cryptocurrencies are not misused, and to protect unsuspecting investors from excessive market volatility and possible scams.

Nut Graf: There is an urgent need for regulation and empowering investigating agencies with the power to obtain information from cryptocurrency exchanges and urge them to proactively share intelligence on suspicious flows with police or intelligence agencies.

C. GS 3 Related

Nothing here for today!!!

2. What are the claims of Twitter’s whistleblower?

Syllabus: Important aspects of governance, transparency, and accountability.

Mains: Key concerns associated with data privacy and security.

Context: Whistleblower complaint by the former Twitter employee against the Indian government.

Details:

• The Washington Post newspaper and CNN reported that a whistleblower complaint was filed by a former employee of Twitter (working as the head of security).
• The complaint was filed at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
• The complaint accuses the Indian government of forcing the social media network to hire the agent prescribed by the government itself, who can then have access to sensitive user information.

Details of the report:

• The reports published in the leading journals/newspapers are related to the disclosure document concerning Twitter’s vulnerabilities and security issues which was sent by the former security lead to U.S. government committees and agencies. 
• The various accusations put forward in the documents are:
  • The false statements made by the former employer regarding privacy, integrity and security. Apart from this, he has also been accused of deceiving the investors and the board of directors.
  • The suspicion of the Tesla founder about the accuracy of Twitter’s claims that less than 5% of its accounts are spam is also supported.
  • It is also alleged that Twitter allows a lot of people in the system to access sensitive data. And that it has also been plagued by server vulnerabilities and fundamental architectural issues.
  • The report has also suggested that multiple episodes of penetration of Twitter by foreign intelligence entities and/or were complicit in threats to democratic governance. It is at this accusation that the role of the Indian government is highlighted.

Reactions to the report:

• Twitter has denied the allegations citing the reason for the termination of the former security head on the account of poor performance and inept leadership. Twitter also dismisses the false narrative of inconsistencies in data privacy and security aspects. 
• Twitter has not made any specific comment on the Indian government’s involvement..
• The government authorities in India have not commented anything on the entire matter.
• The CNN report has also raised the point that the “agent” referred to in the accusation might be a Grievance officer, that is required to be appointed on all significant social media platforms as per the new IT rules introduced in India. However, no official statements have been made in this regard either from the Government or the social media giant.
• The Standing Committee on Information Technology in India has, in fact, asked Twitter about the number of people it employs in India as well as of those employees who had earlier worked with the government in a separate report.

Related Links: Sansad TV Perspective: Episode on 8th Dec, 2021: Data Protection

Global Cybersecurity – India in Top 10: RSTV – Big Picture

Nut Graf: The accusation put forward by the former employee of Twitter has once again raised concern on the issue of data privacy and data security. The entire case can be observed from all angles when all the stakeholders put their set of arguments. The standing committee on information technology should also look at the matter on an urgent basis.

F. Prelims Facts

1. Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

Syllabus: Current Events of International importance

Prelims: Location of significant nuclear plants, rivers in news

Context: Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, the largest nuclear plant of Europe, came back online recently.

• Ukraine’s nuclear plant, occupied by Russia, was cut from the national power grid by Russian shelling. 
• Plant is connected to the grid and produces electricity for the needs of Ukraine.
• It was built by the Soviet Union near the city of Enerhodar, on the southern shore of the Kakhovka Reservoir on the Dnieper river. 
• It accounts for about 40% of the total electricity generated by all the Ukrainian NPPs and one-fifth of Ukraine’s annual electricity production.

Image Source: BBC

2. Malvinas territorial issue

Syllabus: Current Events of International importance

Prelims: Territorial Disputes

Context: India reiterated its support for international negotiations regarding a territorial matter between Argentina and the United Kingdom in the Southern Atlantic Ocean. 

Key Details:

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during his recent visit to Argentina held official discussions on various topics including Malvinas or the Falklands territorial issue. 
• Both countries held talks on enhancing military exchanges and trade in the strategic sectors. 
• Both also “agreed” to explore possibilities for the development of a payment mechanism in local currencies. 

Falkland Islands:

• The Falkland Islands, also known as the Malvinas Islands or the Spanish Islas Malvinas, are a self-governing British overseas territory in the South Atlantic Ocean. It’s about 300 miles (480 km) northeast of South America’s southernmost point, and about the same distance east of the Magellan Strait.

Read more on Falkland territorial Issue 

Image Source: polgeonow.com

Q1. Consider the following statements about Dugong. (Level-Medium)

Q2. Which of the following statements about the National Investigation Agency
 (NIA) are correct? (Level-Medium)

Q3. Consider the following statements about Ethanol as an alternative fuel. 
(Level-Difficult)

Q4. Which of the following statements is/are  incorrect with respect to appointment
 to the post of the Chief Justice of India? (Level-Medium)

Q5. With reference to the Legislative Assembly of a State in India, consider the
 following Statements: (Level-Difficult)

Read the previous CNA here.

CNA 28 Aug 2022:- Download PDF Here