Author: Georgina Funnell

Russian Airliner crash

224 people were killed when a Russian airliner crashed in Egypt’s Sinai desert on Saturday. Officials at the site of the crash say that the wide distribution of debris indicates that the plane broke up in the air. The cause of the crash is unknown, although the main possibilities seem to be either mechanical failure or terrorism. A militant group affiliated with Islamic State in Egypt claimed responsibility for the disaster, but this was dismissed by Russia and Egypt who suggested that the group does not possess the weaponry to carry out such an attack.

Erdogan’s AKP party regains parliamentary majority

The Islamist AKP party regained its majority in the Turkish parliament following a landslide victory in Sunday’s elections. The result ensures President Erdogan’s continued dominance in Turkish politics, following months of political turmoil and violence. Critics have raised concerns that Erdogan’s election strategy played on divisive identity politics, with a large proportion of far-right nationalist voters switching to the AKP. Concerns have also been raised that the support of 49.4% of the electorate has given Erdogan a greater mandate to implement authoritarian measures, suppress Kurdish demands for devolution and lead Turkey further into systemic crisis.

China scraps controversial one-child policy

After more than 30 years, the Chinese government has announced that the one-child policy will be relaxed in March to allow couples to have two children. The decision reflects concerns over China’s rapidly ageing population and its effect on the economy. The policy is estimated to have prevented over 400 million births, and correspondents suggest that the policy change may do little to encourage population growth given the impact of the policy on social norms. The decision has been welcomed by campaigners who say that the policy led to harsh sanctions, forced abortions and female infanticide.

Last UK resident released from Guantanamo Bay

Shaker Aamer, the last British resident held at Guantanamo Bay, was released on Friday. Aamer had been held at the US military prison for 13 years without charge, on allegations that he had worked as an Al Qaeda operative in London and led a band of Taliban fighters at Tora Bora. He was subjected to beatings, waterboarding, long-term solitary confinement and forced feeding during his imprisonment, and his release draws further attention to campaigns against the detention centre. Aamer has also called for an inquiry into the UK’s role in the rendition programme.

US to send special operations forces to Syria

President Obama has agreed to send a small force of troops to Syria in aid of rebel forces fighting ISIS and the Syrian regime led by Bashar al-Assad. This marks a change in strategy for the US, who have repeatedly stated that they would not put boots on the ground in Syria. The deployment of special forces appears to be an effort to reclaim the initiative from Russia, which has recently launched its own air strikes against the rebel groups.

UK’s House of Lords vote to delay controversial welfare cuts

In an unprecedented defiance of constitutional protocol, the unelected House of Lords have defeated the government over welfare changes. The controversial cuts to tax credits were rejected by the Lords, despite a long-standing convention that the chamber should not block financial measures by the elected government. The chancellor has said that he will make changes to the divisive policy in the Autumn Statement, but raised concerns over the constitutional implications of the motion.