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Tuesday, 11 October 2022 6:30 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 11 October 2022 6:30 PM ]

US-Saudi relations

Tensions are escalating between the United States and Saudi Arabia after OPEC and other oil producing countries announced output cut. Washington says it is now re-evaluating its relationship with Riyadh. The White House national security spokesman says President Joe Biden is willing to work with Congress on the future of Saudi relations. John Kirby says talks on the matter will start right away. Earlier, Senator Bob Menendez called the government to limit arms sales and military cooperation with Saudi Arabia. Three legislators have already introduced a bill to withdraw troops and missile systems from the kingdom. Riyadh has however defended its decision for oil production cuts, saying OPEC has a pivotal role in achieving balance and stability in global markets. Recently, the 23 countries, together known as OPEC agreed to reduce the output by 2 million barrels per day from November. That’s despite Washington’s call for increase in output.

War in Ukraine

Russia has once again warned against the US arming of Ukraine, saying the military aid coming to Kiev will only prolong the conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says US military aid will not change Moscow’s goals in its military operation in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Foreign minister Sergey Lavrov accused the U-S of making false claims that it is open to negotiations and advocates a political solution. Lavrov said the US continues to send arms to Ukraine without making any serious efforts to contact Moscow to resolve the conflict. Lavrov further said that the US is already de facto involved in the Ukraine war.

France refinery strikes

France’s major trade union has threatened war against President Emmanuel Macron IF his administration forces striking refinery staffs back to work. The warning from the General Confederation of Labor or CGT union comes after the government threatened to intervene to end the weeks-long walkout that has caused fuel shortage in the country. Earlier, Finance Minister, Bruno Le Maire said the government would not allow the blockades on refineries to last. He also threatened strikers with requisition measures if fuel depots were not reopened soon. The industrial action over pay dispute has taken 60 percent of French refining capacity offline. This has led to shortage in a third of gas stations nationwide. The walkout has worsened the energy crisis and inflation as France is already reeling from the impact of the war in Ukraine.

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