The Wire - November 14, 2024

//The Wire// 2300Z November 14, 2024//
//ROUTINE//
//BLUF: NEW FILIPINO LAWS DRAW IRE OF CHINA. COP29 SUMMIT CONTINUES. RFK JR. TAPPED TO BE HHS SECRETARY.//
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-International Events-
Far East: Tensions in the South China Sea remain tenuous as the Philippines adopts a series of new maritime laws dictating the boundaries of their territorial waters. Specifically, the new laws further cement the claims that have been made by the Philippines over the Scarborough Shoal, as well as the Spratly Islands.
Azerbaijan: The COP29 climate summit continues in Baku, with most of this year’s discussion quietly pertaining to how the climate agenda will proceed now that Trump has won the election and will almost certainly backtrack from all international climate agenda programs.
-HomeFront-
Washington D.C. – The incoming Trump administration has continued cabinet nominations, with the nomination of RFK Jr. to be the Secretary of Health and Human Services today. AC: This announcement caused a significant drop in the stocks of over a dozen healthcare giants before the markets closed today, as RFK Jr. has been exceptionally vocal regarding his intentions to reduce the harm caused by the pharmaceutical industry.
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Analyst Comments: Both of the island chains claimed by the Philippines have also been claimed by China, and hotly contested by other nations over the years. As such, the Philippines claiming these islands outright has worsened tensions with China, and has resulted in China recalling the Filipino ambassador to address the matter. While this conflict goes back many decades, all players involved will probably take the opportunity to see what they can get away with as the eyes of a new American administration are upon them.
Analyst: S2A1
//END REPORT//