Global Political Calendar: Syria, Korea and the DRC

World
Europe

U.S. President Donald Trump's military withdrawal from Syria has raised concerns around the world. How will the pullout affect international stability? Meanwhile, the two Koreas will begin another cooperation project and the postponed Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) election will kick off next week.

Future of Syria

The world may see a restlessness due to Trump's military withdrawal from Syria. Will more U.S. politicians stand against Trump? How will other countries react to this tough Middle-East issue? What will happen to Syria?

Early on Sunday, Brett McGurk, the top U.S. envoy in the fight against ISIL, resigned due to his disagreements with the the U.S.' decision.

Trump has declared that his country had succeeded in the mission to defeat ISIL in that region and American troops were no longer needed in the country.

After Trump announced his decision, the UK, France, Germany, and many other countries disputed the claim and called to continuously fight against terrorism, while countries such as Russia and Turkey showed they welcomed the pullout.

The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said that pulling U.S. troops and officials out of Syria will allow an ISIL revival that would have "dangerous implications" on international stability.

Inter-Korean rail and road connection

On a more positive note, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) are further deepening cooperation.

On December 26, the two sides will hold a groundbreaking ceremony to modernize and connect railways and roads across the inter-Korean border.

The ceremony will be held at Panmun Station in the DPRK's border town of Kaesong as part of efforts to enforce the agreement made in April after the first summit between ROK President Moon Jae-in and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un.

Reports said that the big event has been agreed to by the U.S. side. But what will happen between the U.S. and the two Koreas on that day? The U.S. has been less than eager on issues regarding peace on the Korean Peninsula that don't directly involve them.

Elections in the DRC

Long-delayed elections in the DRC will kick off next week.

The African country is in the grip of a two year long crisis over elections to find a successor to President Joseph Kabila, who was in power since 2001.

The elections constitute "a historic opportunity" for the first democratic and peaceful transfer of power, and the consolidation of stability and the creation of conditions for development in DRC, the UN Security Council has said.

Day-by-day

Monday: Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi concludes a four-day trip to India.

Tuesday: Russian President Vladimir Putin meets Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko in Moscow; the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) celebrates its third anniversary; Kuomintang (KMT) member Han Kuo-yu takes office as Kaohsiung's mayor in Taiwan.

Wednesday: ROK and DPRK hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the modernization and reconnection of cross-border railways and roads.

Thursday: Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering visits India.

Friday: Netherlands' national ordinance to formally establish the St. Maarten Integrity Chamber goes into effect.

Sunday: Bangladeshi National Parliament election begins; the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP-11) comes into force; the postponed presidential election in the DRC kicks off.