Escalations in Middle East Spur Oil Security Concerns (Reuters)  

One year on from the brutal reignition of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict on October 7, 2023, the situation in the Middle East has escalated drastically. Hamas’ attack on Israel has been followed by Israeli strikes across the region, which have killed tens of thousands of civilians, displacing millions in Gaza and in Lebanon. Now, tit for tat attacks between Israel and Iran have made Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), worry about oil security in the region. 

Facing imminent retaliation from Israel for its latest attack, Iran has warned Saudi Arabia of any involvement and support for Israel, even threatening an attack on Saudi oil facilities (Aramco) which make up 5% of the world’s oil supply. The escalation also has led several Gulf states to refuse Israel permission to flying in their airspace. During recent talks on de-escalation, several Arab nations declared neutrality in the conflict to avoid being caught in the crossfire. 

Experts observe that Israel is capable of dodging these new no-fly zones and attacking Iran’s oil facilities. While OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) has offered assurances that its oil reserves can cover minor facility shocks, an Israeli attack on Iran’s oil facilities also might hinder China’s oil imports. Preventing energy from becoming a new front in this conflict should be at the forefront of peacekeeping efforts, both to prevent a worsening of this catastrophic humanitarian crisis and to avoid global economic repercussions. 

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Indonesians Resist New China-Funded Solar Project (Mongabay) 

In August 2023, the Indonesian government signed an MOU with the Chinese government its plans to build the Rempang Eco-City project—anchored by a $11.6 billion glass and solar panel factory spearheaded by Hong Kong-based giant Xinyi International Investment. Yet the project has drawn scrutiny that has led to protests by the Rempang Island residents. 

The Eco-city project will cover 7,000 hectares of Rempang Island, taking up almost half of its land, with the balance of its 10,000 hectares designated as a protected forest. Given the vast requirements of the project, over 7,500 residents (including indigenous seafarers) will be compelled to relocate. These imminent evictions led hundreds of residents to protest, and police deployed teargas and arrested of 40 people in response.     

The Rempang Eco-city project offers another example why decarbonization goals must employ a rights-based approach. The project represents one of the largest solar projects outside China, and it holds deep significance for Indonesia’s path to net zero. The Eco-city also promises to export renewable energy to Singapore. Yet rising protests and rights issues have prompted NGOs to recommend the Indonesian government bring construction to a halt.  

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Rosewood Heist Reverse Raises Impunity Concerns (Yale E360) 

In 2014, Singapore’s Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority seized $50 million worth of rosewood logs which had been illegally trafficked from Madagascar. After a decade-long legal battle, however these logs (which would fill two football fields) have been returned to the traffickers. This outcome has sparked fresh concerns about impunity and corruption, as well as  highlighting shortcomings in international wildlife trafficking laws.  

Rosewood trafficking is closely associated with election cycles on Madagascar, and politicians convicted of this activity now hold prominent government positions. Singaporean officials had confirmed with their counterparts on the African island that the 2014 rosewood exports were authorized, but only later discovered that documents were falsified and no record of the ship leaving its port existed. Other documents presented in court also were identified as fake, and minimal support from the Malagasy government, deterred Singapore from exerting jurisdiction. 

Conservationists now call for increased attention to the much-neglected illegal trade of such rare and endangered plant species. This traffic is often overshadowed by problems in wildlife trade, which tends to create more public outcry. And despite the turmoil, Madagascar is now set to legalize its rosewood trade, citing the economic and contained conservation opportunities.  

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