Myanmar
As mentioned in previous newsletters, a low-level insurgency has been ongoing in Myanmar since a military junta toppled a democratically-elected government in February. The army has recently stepped up efforts against the militias who oppose it, though, leading to fears of mass atrocities, and a rare event today - a unanimous statement from all 15 members of the UN Security Council. The UNSC urged the military to “show maximum restraint” and to ensure humanitarian access.
More from Al Jazeera here.
Syria
The UAE’s foreign minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has made a surprise visit to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in what some observers are seeing as a sign that Arab nations, who have sidelined Assad during Syria’s now 10-year-old civil war, may be willing to bring him in from the cold. Assad’s government has regained control of most of Syria with the help of Russian and Iranian forces.
More from AP here.
Iran
Iran played some diplomatic hardball today, saying it would only be prepared to ratify the landmark Paris agreement on climate change if sanctions against it are lifted. "If the sanctions are removed, then we have a commitment towards the international community. It is at that time that they can transfer modern technology and finance to us especially in the area of renewable energy so we can modernise our deteriorating infrastructure," Ali Salajegheh, head of Iran’s environment department, told BBC.
More from BBC here.