03 Nov 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

B. GS 2 Related

Nothing here for today!!!

2. The revenge of old West Asia

Syllabus: GS-2, Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s Interests 

Mains: The recent Israel-Hamas conflict is rooted in West Asian History and still influences the Geopolitics of the region

Introduction:

• In 1967, Israel gained control over historical Palestine during the Six-Day War.
• This control included the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, the Sinai Peninsula, and the Golan Heights.
• The Palestinian territories have been under Israeli military occupation since then.

Israeli Narrative:

• Israel justifies its actions by claiming the right to respond to attacks, like those from Hamas.
• Israel is known for using disproportionate force and targeting civilians (the Dahiya doctrine).
• Israeli leaders argue that there are no innocent civilians in Gaza, considering the entire population responsible for attacks.

Historical Perspective:

• Hamas, considered a major obstacle to peace, was founded in 1988, 21 years after Israel’s occupation began.
• In the past, Israel recognized and worked with groups like the Islamic Centre, a precursor to Hamas, while viewing secular nationalist movements like Fatah and the PLO as rivals.
• The PLO eventually recognized Israel and accepted a state within the 1967 borders, but peace efforts faltered, leading to Hamas’s rise.

The Iran Factor:

• Iran has become a major rival to Israel in the region and supports groups like Hamas.
• However, Iran’s hostility toward Israel began after the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
• Iran’s influence among Palestinians grew as the peace process stalled and Hamas gained prominence.

Hostile Neighborhood:

• Israel argues it faces threats in a hostile neighbourhood.
• While Arab countries initially opposed Israel’s existence, the last major Arab attack was in 1973.
• Over the years, some Arab nations normalized ties with Israel.
• Israel is now a powerful regional player with support from the United States.

The Unresolved Palestine Issue:

• Despite regional changes, the Israel-Palestine conflict persists.
• Israel’s approach has been to ignore the occupation issue and focus on peace plans with Arab nations.
• Recent events, like Hamas’s attacks and Israel’s response, highlight that the Palestinian problem remains a source of instability in the region.

Conclusion:

• The ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict continues to impact the region.
• It’s a complex issue with historical roots and geopolitical dimensions that contribute to the cycle of violence in West Asia.

Nut Graf: The Israel-Palestine conflict, rooted in historical complexities and geopolitical influences, remains a source of turmoil in West Asia. Despite Israel’s regional dominance and diplomatic shifts, unresolved issues like occupation and recent violent events highlight that the Palestinian problem continues to fuel instability in the region.

Category: ENVIRONMENT

1. Biosphere Reserves are evolving as pockets of hope

Syllabus: GS-3, Conservation

Mains: Utility and threat to Biosphere Reserves

Context:

• World Biosphere Reserve Day is celebrated on November 3 annually.
• Its purpose is to raise awareness about biosphere reserves and promote their conservation and sustainable use.

Utility of Conservation:

• Biosphere reserves, designated by UNESCO, protect biodiversity, promote sustainable development, and facilitate research.
• They consist of core zones (strictly protected), buffer zones (harmony with nature), and transition zones (sustainable human activities).
• Biosphere reserves are supported by various United Nations agencies and international organizations.
• There are currently 748 biosphere reserves in 134 countries, including transboundary sites.
• They impact the lives of over 250 million people worldwide and contribute to the fight against climate change.

At the Local Level:

• Local communities play a crucial role in biosphere reserve conservation.
• Example from Sundarban Biosphere Reserve in India where communities manage mangrove forests and protect biodiversity.
• In the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, self-help groups, women, and youth engage in conservation efforts.
  • The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust introduced “plastic checkpoints” to collect and recycle plastic waste for road construction.

The Asian Meet in Chennai:

• UNESCO, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, organized the 10th South and Central Asian Biosphere Reserve Network Meeting (SACAM) in Chennai, India.
• The theme of the meeting was “Ridge to Reef.”
• SACAM aimed to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration in sustainable environmental practices in the South and Central Asia Region.
• The UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program combines natural and social sciences to enhance the human-environment relationship, improve livelihoods, safeguard ecosystems, and promote sustainable economic development.

Nut Graf: World Biosphere Reserve Day on November 3 highlights the significance of UNESCO-designated biosphere reserves in protecting biodiversity, aiding sustainable development, and combating climate change. These reserves, spanning 748 sites in 134 countries, engage local communities and were the focus of the recent SACAM meeting in Chennai, fostering collaboration for environmental sustainability.

1. Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

Syllabus: GS 3- Economy

Prelims: European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

Introduction

• The European Union’s plan for a carbon tax on imports was criticised by India.
• India’s Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal asserts that the tax could harm the EU’s manufacturing sector and may not be effective for India.
• India prepared to counter the EU’s carbon tax with its own measures.

EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

• The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a key component of the EU’s Green Deal, aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
• CBAM aims to ensure that imported goods to the EU meet similar carbon emission standards as EU-produced goods.
• Under CBAM, exporters are required to report and pay for the carbon emissions associated with the production of their goods.
• The mechanism is set to become operational from 2026, and reporting requirements for exporters, including steel, have already begun.

India’s Response

• Minister Goyal labels the EU’s CBAM as “unfair” because it assumes uniform carbon pricing between India and Europe, which is not the case.
• India plans to neutralise the EU’s carbon tax by implementing its own carbon tax, aligning with its national carbon reduction goals.
• Goyal suggests that European producers, facing the carbon tax, may consider shifting their production to India to avoid the added cost.

Opportunities for India

• Goyal believes that the European auto sector may decline as a result of the carbon tax, offering India an opportunity to develop a competitive auto industry.
• Increased production costs in Europe could give India a competitive edge in the global market, attracting foreign investments and expanding its manufacturing sector.