06 Jun 2024: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

B. GS 2 Related

Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. Biden rolls out asylum restrictions to help ‘gain control’ of the border

Syllabus: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s Interests

Mains: Migration as decisive factor in U.S. Election

Introduction:

• President Joe Biden unveiled plans to impose significant restrictions on migrants seeking asylum on the U.S.-Mexico border.
• The move aims to address immigration as a political liability ahead of the November elections.

Presidential Proclamation Details:  

• The order will be enacted when border encounters between ports of entry reach 2,500 per day.
• Migrants arriving at the border without expressing fear of returning to their home countries will face immediate removal.

Political Context:

• Biden’s proclamation follows the collapse of a bipartisan border security deal in Congress.
• Most Republican lawmakers rejected the deal, influenced by former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican Party presidential nominee.
• Biden stated that he preferred legislative action but accused Republicans of leaving him no choice but to act unilaterally.
• Biden emphasised that “immigration has always been the lifeblood of America.”

Reaction and Implementation:

• Trump criticised Biden on social media, accusing him of surrendering the Southern Border and claiming the order was merely for show.
• The order’s implementation will subject migrants without expressed fear of return to immediate removal, possibly facing a five-year re-entry bar or criminal prosecution.
• Migrants expressing fear or seeking asylum will undergo screening by a U.S. asylum officer under stricter standards than currently used.

Nut Graf: President Joe Biden announced new asylum restrictions at the U.S.-Mexico border to address immigration issues and political pressures. The order enforces the immediate removal of certain migrants and implements stricter screening for asylum seekers amid rising border encounters.

2. Western Europeans question reliability of United States: survey

Syllabus: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s Interests

Mains: Declining credibility and legitimacy of the U.S. worldwide

Context:

• A survey by the Eurasia Group’s Institute for Global Affairs revealed low confidence among Western Europeans in the United States’ reliability for security.
• Only 6% of respondents from Britain, France, and Germany believe the United States will be a “very reliable” guarantor of European security over the next decade.
• In contrast, 24% of Americans view their country as very reliable in this regard.

Comparison with Previous Years:

• This survey is the first time the question about U.S. reliability has been asked in the annual survey.
• The results are surprising given President Joe Biden’s strong support for Ukraine against the Russian invasion over the past two years.

Factors Influencing Doubts:

• Mark Hannah, a senior fellow at the institute, finds the low confidence levels remarkable despite the United States’ significant contributions.
• The primary reason for the scepticism is likely former President Donald Trump’s stance on NATO and aid to Ukraine, which he has criticized as wasteful and unfair to the U.S.

American Perspective: While Western Europeans show low confidence, a higher percentage of Americans (24%) believe in their country’s reliability in guaranteeing European security.

Nut Graf: A survey by the Eurasia Group’s Institute for Global Affairs reveals that only 6% of Western Europeans consider the United States a “very reliable” guarantor of their security, reflecting doubts influenced by former President Trump’s critical stance on NATO and Ukraine aid.

F. Prelims Facts

1. Global project ‘paints’ evidence of air pollution in India

Concept: The “Air of the Anthropocene” is an international project aimed at making invisible air pollution visible, thus demonstrating the health risks posed to populations. By combining digital light painting with low-cost air pollution sensors, researchers and artists have produced photographic evidence of pollution levels in cities across India, Ethiopia, and the U.K., stimulating local community debates on the impact of air pollution.

Methodology

• Digital Light Painting: Utilized to create visual representations of air pollution.
• Low-Cost Air Pollution Sensors: Used to measure particulate matter (PM) mass concentrations in real-time. These sensors controlled an LED array, flashing more rapidly with increased PM concentration.
• Photographic Evidence: Captured pollution levels in various locations, providing a comparative analysis across different environments.

Case Studies

• India: Photographs were taken in urban Delhi and rural Palampur, revealing PM2.5 values in Delhi to be 12.5 times higher than in Palampur.
• Ethiopia: Noted dramatic variations in air pollution, with indoor biomass stoves producing PM2.5 concentrations up to 20 times greater than nearby outdoor sites.
• United Kingdom: In Wales, around the Tata Steel Port Talbot steelworks, significant variations in PM2.5 concentrations were observed, especially at dusk during summer.

Issues

• Health Risks: PM2.5 is a major air pollutant responsible for human morbidity and mortality, causing diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
• Urban vs. Rural Disparities: Significant differences in pollution levels between urban and rural areas, impacting health outcomes.
• Public Awareness: Lack of widespread public understanding of the severity and implications of air pollution.

Significance

• Public Engagement: The project uses art to foster discussions on air pollution, making scientific data accessible to the general public.
• Emotional Impact: Visual representations of air pollution provoke emotional responses, increasing awareness and prompting action.
• Global Reach: By covering multiple countries, the project highlights the universal nature of air pollution issues.

Solutions

• Increased Monitoring: Expanding the use of low-cost sensors to monitor air quality in more locations.
• Public Education Campaigns: Utilizing visual tools like light painting to educate the public on air pollution.
• Policy Interventions: Implementing stricter air quality regulations based on comprehensive data.

2. Palau President confirms ‘major’ cyberattack, points finger at China

Concept: Palau, a small island nation in the Pacific and one of Taiwan’s few diplomatic allies, experienced a significant cyberattack in March. The President of Palau, Surangel Whipps, has accused China of being behind the attack. A ransomware group named DragonForce has claimed responsibility for the hack, which resulted in sensitive documents being stolen and later appearing on the dark web.

Details of the Cyberattack

• Timing: The attack occurred in March.
• Data Compromise: Sensitive documents were stolen.
• Perpetrators: The ransomware group DragonForce claimed responsibility.
• Exposure: Stolen documents were leaked on the dark web.

Accusations Against China

• Presidential Statement: President Surangel Whipps pointed a finger at China for the cyberattack.
• Diplomatic Context: Palau’s alliance with Taiwan, which China does not recognize, adds a geopolitical dimension to the accusation.

Impact on Palau

• National Security: Breach of sensitive government documents.
• Economic Implications: Potential disruptions in government operations and international relations.
• Public Trust: Erosion of confidence in national cybersecurity measures.

Issues

• Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities: The attack highlights weaknesses in Palau’s cybersecurity infrastructure.
• Geopolitical Tensions: Escalates tensions between Palau (and its ally Taiwan) and China.
• Dark Web Activity: Involvement of the dark web in the dissemination of stolen data.

Significance

• International Relations: The incident underscores the cyber risks faced by nations with contentious diplomatic stances.
• Cybersecurity Awareness: Raises awareness about the importance of robust cybersecurity measures for small nations.
• Diplomatic Repercussions: Potential to influence Palau’s foreign policy and its relations with both China and Taiwan.

Solutions

• Enhanced Cybersecurity Measures: Strengthening cybersecurity infrastructure to prevent future attacks.
• International Cooperation: Collaborating with international allies and cybersecurity experts to enhance defensive capabilities.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating government employees and the public on cybersecurity best practices.
• Legislative Actions: Implementing stricter cybersecurity laws and regulations to protect sensitive data.