Top 5 International Security Notes - Sept 26, 2015

Introduction

[Read the last International Security Notes here]

The digest of International Security Notes for Sept 26, 2015, covers:

1.         Colombia y La Paz - ¿Por fin?
2.         Russia Resurgent
3.         Cantankerous Catalonia Votes
4.         Migration Crisis Marks EU's End?
5.         US-China Summit

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Top 5 International Security Notes

1. Colombia y La Paz -  ¿Por fin?

 Colombian President Santos and the FARC terrorist leader "Timochenko" shook hands in La Habana, Cuba, after more than two years of talks in a bid to end - finally - more than 50 years of war. Obstacles remain and final approval will be difficult on both sides.   

2. Russia Resurgent

Russia continues to dominate international security headlines because of its steady buildup in Syria and renewed relevance on the global stage. Despite a squabble over who asked whom, US President Obama and Russian President Putin will have a chat next week.

3. Cantankerous Catalonia Votes

Barcelona and the rest of Catalonia Province go to the polls on Saturday for a vote of independence from its hated rival, Madrid. The first Spanish president after the end of the Franco dictatorship pleads for understanding in an editorial in the leading national newspaper, El País. Certain of a sí vote, the Catalan government is already recruiting judges for its courts. Will other regional aspirants demand their own vote across the EU?

4. Migration Crisis Marks EU's End?

Can the EU regain control of its borders? Is the migration crisis exposing underlying weakness of the faux union?

5. US-China Summit

China's President Xi Jinping received a 21-gun salute and state dinner on his visit to Washington, even after his hackers ripped off the entire database and fingerprints of millions of US government employees. In the folly of "personal diplomacy" with dictatorships, the US president held back any sanctions against China in exchange for promises of cooperation on cybersecurity. "Climate change" talk may be the most positive part of entire affair.


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A. J. Phelps is a pseudonym for an analyst of global affairs and author of international thriller fiction. Check out his debut novel, Havana Dawn.  

Follow him on Twitter at ajphelpsauthor1.