Shining a spotlight on some of the key security stories from across the Commonwealth
1. Canadian PM makes Indo-Pacific a priority for new ministers.
With new ministers added to the Canadian government’s Cabinet in October, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a number of letters on Thursday which emphasised the need to set up a wide-ranging strategy for the Indo-Pacific. With respect to Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly, for example, Trudeau stated that she will ‘lead Canada’s contribution to addressing global challenges, by deepening our partnerships in regions of strategic importance, such as the Indo-Pacific… and strengthening Canada’s diplomatic capacity’. The region was also mentioned in the mandates for Minister of Defence Anita Anand, as well as Mary Ng, the Minister of International Trade. This puts Canada in line with a number of countries, including the UK, that have placed engagement within the Indo-Pacific as a high priority in their foreign policy endeavours.
2. Mozambique’s Defence and Security forces kill militia leader.
3. Militant attack on bus in Kashmir kills three police officers and injures 11.
4. La Nina and climate change present severe flooding for Pacific islands, including Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.