UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 April 2024

InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically.

InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically.

Table of Contents:

GS Paper 2:

• Israel-Iran Conflicts: Challenges and Solutions

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

• Randomized Control Trials (RCTs)

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

• Mount Ruang

• Tribes in News

• Initiatives of WHO

• The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) Asia Pacific

• Dragonfly mission

• Forests as a national asset

Mapping

• Philippines

Israel-Iran Conflicts: Challenges and Solutions

#### GS2/GS1 Paper

Syllabus: International Relations/ World History

Source: IE, TH

Context: Iran recently launched a series of air strikes on Israel, employing 200-300 drones and ballistic missiles. The attacks, executed by Iran’s para-military force, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, were in response to Israeli war jets targeting an Iranian consulate in Syria. Iran dubbed the attack “Operation True Promise”.

The attack signals a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, moving beyond previous skirmishes involving Israel and Hamas.

Events that led to the Attack:

Event | Date | Description

US Withdrawal from Iran’s Nuclear Deal | 2018 | Israel praises the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, which it had lobbied against, viewing it as a historic move by President Trump.

Assassination of Iran’s Army General | 2020 | Israel welcomes the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani by a US drone strike in Baghdad, prompting retaliatory missile attacks by Iran on American bases in Iraq.

Hamas Attack on Isreal | October 2023 | Hamas, supported by Iran, launched a missile and land attack on Israel, leading to Israeli airstrikes on Gaza in response.

Israel Raids | November 2023 | Israel conducts raids on medical facilities in Gaza, citing Hamas’s presence, and using them for warfare.

Houthi Group’s Red Sea Incident | November 2023 | The Iran-backed Houthi group’s landing on a cargo vessel in the Red Sea initiates the ‘Red Sea Crisis,’ contributing to regional tensions and supply chain issues.

Escalation of Israel’s Ground Offenses | December 2023 | Israel intensifies ground offensives in Gaza, resulting in a rise in casualties and refugees, prompting international calls for a peaceful resolution.

Airstrike on the Iranian Embassy | April 2024 | Suspected Israeli airstrike on the Iranian embassy in Damascus results in casualties, heightening tensions further.

Iran’s Missile Attack on Israel | April 2024 | Iran launches a missile attack on Israel, allegedly in response to an Israeli strike on Iran’s consulate in Syria, marking the first direct attack on Israel from Iranian territory.

Isreal strikes back | April 2024 | Isreal attacked Iran’s airforce base (however, denied by Iran)

Iran and Israel’s Conflict:

Iran and Israel have a long-standing history of enmity, largely stemming from ideological and geopolitical differences.

Period | Key Events

Pre-1979 Iran-Israel Ties | Iran recognized Israel after its formation in 1948. Despite the Arab-Israeli conflict, Iran established diplomatic ties with Israel.

During Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi’s rule from 1941 to 1979, Iran pursued a pro-Western foreign policy. Despite economic boycotts from Arab states, Iran maintained diplomatic ties with Israel and even sold oil to Israel.

Israel, under Prime Minister David Ben Gurion, adopted the “periphery doctrine,” forming alliances with non-Arab, mainly Muslim, countries like Turkey and pre-revolution Iran to counter Arab hostility.

The 1979 Revolution | Iran’s Islamic Revolution led to a shift in view towards Israel as an occupier of Palestinian land. Ayatollah Khomeini labeled Israel as “Little Satan.”

Post-1979 Shadow War | Both countries engaged in indirect conflicts through proxies and limited strategic attacks. Israel targeted Iranian nuclear facilities through a computer Virus (Stuxnet). Iran supported anti-Israel militant groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.

Fig: Iran’s Proxy groups

Impact of Middle-East Escalation:

Impact | Description

Increasing Regional Escalation | Heightened tensions could lead to military action, escalating the conflict regionally. Other countries such as Syria, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia could be drawn into a broader conflict.

Israel is believed to be nuclear-capable therefore conflict can lead to a nuclear flashpoint

Potential to Disrupt Oil Supplies | Escalation could disrupt crude oil supplies, impacting global oil prices and economies heavily reliant on oil imports.

With Iran being a key producer of crude oil within OPEC, volatility in oil prices may increase due to disruptions in shipping routes and geopolitical tensions.

Spike in Inflation and Capital Outflow | Increased geopolitical tensions may lead to commodity price hikes and capital outflows, affecting global markets.

Trade and Travel Disruptions | Recent events include Iran seizing an Israel-linked ship near the Strait of Hormuz and Houthis hijacking a commercial ship in the Red Sea. These incidents affect global trade routes.

India faces challenges balancing relationships with Iran and Israel, aiming to maintain stability in the region.

Aspect | Israel’s Importance for India | Iran’s Importance for India

Economic and Commerce | India is Israel’s third-largest trade partner in Asia. Bilateral merchandise trade has grown significantly. | Iran has been a major supplier of crude oil to India, contributing significantly to India’s energy security.

Defence | India imports critical defence technologies from Israel. Nearly 41% of Israel’s defence exports go to India. | Both countries share geopolitical concerns, especially regarding terrorism and stability in the region.

Energy | India has exploration licenses for natural gas extraction from Israel’s gas fields, diversifying the relationship. | US sanctions on Iran have impacted India’s oil imports, highlighting Iran’s importance for India’s energy needs.

Science & Technology | India-Israel Industrial R&D Fund promotes joint projects. | Strategic collaboration on space projects, including satellite launches, strengthens bilateral ties.

Strategic Location | Isreal connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea through land | Iran’s strategic location (including Chabahar Port) enhances India’s connectivity and economic interests in the region.

India’s Position:

India calls for immediate de-escalation and a return to diplomacy to resolve conflicts. India’s position is on the ‘Two-State Solution’ of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

What should India do?

India must carefully balance engagements with key regional actors in the Middle East, considering their diverse interests and orientations. India should prioritize non-ideological engagements in the region to support its expanding interests in the Middle East.

What Should be done to de-escalate the situation?

• UN Reaction: The UN urges Iran and Israel to show restraint amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. The Secretary-General warned against further escalation and mutual accusations, emphasizing the need for peace.

• Sustainable Ceasefire and Two-State Solution: Israel should accept a ceasefire in Gaza, open borders for humanitarian aid, and work towards a two-state solution for long-term peace.

• Dialogue and Diplomacy: International mediation and direct talks facilitated by neutral parties could build trust and find common ground between Iran and Israel.

• Addressing Nuclear Proliferation Concerns: Iran should adhere to the JCPOA and allow international inspections, while Israel could recognize Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy.

• Regional Cooperation: Promoting cooperation within regional organizations could address security concerns and foster stability.

• Long-Term Vision for the Middle East: Establishing a comprehensive security architecture and addressing underlying issues can contribute to peace and reconciliation.

• Normalization of Relations: Steps towards diplomatic normalization, such as exchanging ambassadors and reopening embassies, could promote peace, as seen in recent agreements between Israel and some Arab states.

Insta Link:

Gaza conflict: India-Israel Relations

Prelims Link:

The term “two-state solution” is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of (UPSC 2018)

(a) China (b) Israel (c) Iraq (d) Yemen

Ans: B

Randomized Control Trials (RCTs)

#### Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Source: TH

Context: Randomized Control Trials (RCTs), pioneered by Sir Austin Bradford Hill, revolutionized TB treatment.

What is RTC?

Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) are a type of scientific experiment commonly used in medical research and other fields to assess the effectiveness of interventions or treatments. In an RCT, participants are randomly assigned to either the treatment group, which receives the intervention being studied, or the control group, which does not receive the intervention or receives a placebo. This random assignment helps ensure that any differences observed between the two groups are due to the intervention itself and not to other factors.

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have revolutionized medicine, providing an impartial way to assess treatment efficacy. They’ve led to major breakthroughs like aspirin preventing heart attacks, HIV antiretroviral therapies, and COVID-19 vaccines. RCTs tested streptomycin, the first effective antibiotic for TB, transforming TB management. Sir Austin Bradford Hill’s work introduced the ‘Bradford Hill Criteria,’ vital in modern epidemiology. These criteria confirmed links between factors like alcohol and heart disease, and smoking and lung cancer, shaping public health policies and perceptions.

Kremer and fellow economists Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo won the 2019 Nobel Prize winner in Economics for experiments using RTCs

Mount Ruang

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TOI

Context: Indonesian authorities issued a tsunami alert after Mount Ruang volcano erupted five times, expelling ash and lava.

• The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation issued the highest-level alert, warning of potential hazards including the collapse of the volcano into the sea, which could trigger a tsunami.

• Indonesia, with 120 active volcanoes, faces frequent volcanic activity due to its location along the Ring of Fire.

Tribes in News

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH, DTE

Tribe | Description

Shompen Tribe | Shompen tribe, residing in the dense rainforests of Great Nicobar Island, cast their first vote in the Lok Sabha Election.

Belonging to the Mongoloid group, they are one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, with an estimated population of 229 according to the 2011 Census. They live a semi-nomadic lifestyle, hunting wild pigs, pythons, monitor lizards, and crocodiles.

Pahariya tribe | Jharkhand’s Pahariya tribe, primarily residing in Jharkhand and West Bengal, aims for seed independence through community-led Seed banks.

Pahariya engage in shifting agriculture and worship deities specific to their households, clans, and villages. The Pahariyas speak the Mal Pahariya language influenced by local dialects and have a mixed language of Santali, Bengali, and Hindi.

Initiatives of WHO

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: WHO, WHO

Initiative | Description

WHO’s First ever Patient Safety Rights Charter | The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Patient Safety Rights Charter at the Global Ministerial Summit on Patient Safety, developed under the theme “Engaging patients for patient safety” on World Patient Safety Day 2023. It aims to build patient-centered healthcare systems, improve patient safety, and reduce the risk of harm, supporting the implementation of the Global Patient Safety (GPS) Action Plan 2021–2030. India has signed the GPS Action Plan 2021-2030.

The Charter covers 10 Patient Safety Rights, including the right to timely, effective, and appropriate care, safe healthcare processes and practices, qualified health workers, safe medical products, dignity, respect, and more.

WHO prequalified the Euvichol-S vaccine for Cholera | The WHO prequalified the Euvichol-S vaccine for Cholera, a simplified and cost-effective formulation of the oral cholera vaccine Euvichol-Plus.

Meaning of Prequalification: “Prequalified” means that the vaccine has undergone a rigorous assessment by the WHO and has been deemed to meet international standards of quality, safety, and efficacy. The vaccine is suitable for procurement by United Nations agencies and other international organizations

Cholera, caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria, is transmitted through contaminated food or water, with the highest number of cases reported in the Middle East and Africa. India reported 132 cases in 2023 (till July).

The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) Asia Pacific

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: DTE**

Context: The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) Asia Pacific, along with other environmental groups, has urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to take strong action against plastic pollution ahead of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) session.

• Over 100 civil society organizations (CSOs) emphasized the urgent need for ASEAN to lead in negotiations for a global treaty on plastic pollution, given the region’s challenges with overflowing landfills, polluted waterways, and marine ecosystem destruction.

• The CSOs called for legally binding measures to reduce plastic production and consumption, focusing on the entire plastic lifecycle, including phasing out single-use plastics.

The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) Asia Pacific focuses on supporting innovative and zero waste solutions in the region.

GAIA is a global network of non-governmental organizations, grassroots organizations, and individuals who work towards a world without incineration and waste.

They believe that the planet’s finite resources, health, and fragile biosphere are endangered by inefficient and polluting production practices.

Dragonfly mission

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: IE

Context: NASA has confirmed its Dragonfly rotorcraft mission to Titan, Saturn’s largest moon will be scheduled for 2028.

• Dragonfly, a “dual-quadcopter,” will explore Titan’s organic compound-rich surface, covering tens of kilometres in under an hour due to Titan’s dense atmosphere and low gravity.

• Despite primarily operating on the surface, it will utilize flight for transportation and science measurements.

• Powered by a radioisotope power system, Dragonfly will conduct operations during the day and recharge during the night. Top of Form

Forests as a national asset

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH**

Context: The Supreme Court of India emphasized in a recent judgment that forests are a crucial national asset and a significant contributor to the country’s financial wealth.

• This ruling came amidst criticism of the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Act of 2023, which is accused of facilitating encroachments in protected forests and promoting commercial exploitation.

• The court condemned the act of granting forest land to private individuals and ordered an investigation against forest officials for providing contradictory information about the land.

• It also imposed fines on both the state government and the private parties involved.

Philippines

#### Mapping

Source: TH

Context: India delivered the first batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines, marking a significant step in their defense collaboration.

The delivery, part of a $375-million deal signed in January 2022, enhances the Philippines’ maritime defense capabilities.

India’s export of military hardware extends to around 85 countries, with major items including missiles, artillery guns, rockets, and armored vehicles. In FY 2023-24, exports reached a record high of Rs. 21,083 crore. Recently, India delivered two Dornier 228 aircraft to Guyana, expanding export ties to Caribbean nations.

About BrahMos Missile (developed jointly with Russia): It’s a two-stage supersonic cruise missile known for its high speed (2-3 Mach), propelled by jet engines. Key features include its “Fire and Forget” principle, long flight range of 290km, and low radar signature.

The Philippines is a Southeast Asian country made up of more than 7,000 islands and islets. The country is located in the western Pacific Ocean, about 500 miles (800 km) off the coast of Vietnam.