Current Affairs – December 08-09, 2024

{GS2 – IR – Middle East} Renewed Phase of the Syrian Civil War

Context (IE | TH): In late November 2024, Syria’s “Military Opposition Command” launched a major offensive against Assad’s forces, renewing conflict in the region.
Travel Warning: Indian MEA advised citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Syria until further notice due to the significant risks posed by the renewed conflict.

Background

The Syrian Civil War, ongoing since 2011, has witnessed periods of intense fighting, shifting allegiances, and intermittent ceasefires, the last major one being in 2020.
The renewed offensive comes amid a strained Russian military presence due to its ongoing conflict in Ukraine, impacting support for Assad. Turkey’s military operations in northern Syria and its backing of opposition groups have played a significant role in destabilising the region.
The weakened state of Iran-backed Hezbollah due to Israeli strikes has further diminished Assad’s capacity to maintain control.

Key Actors in the Conflict

Hayat Tahrir al-Shaam (HTS)

HTS, formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, is a Syrian militant group that split from al-Qaeda in 2016 under leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, focusing on regional goals.
Designated a terror group by the US in 2018, it remains politically complex and locally oriented.

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)

A Kurdish-led coalition controlling northeastern Syria, including Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa & parts of Aleppo.
Formed to protect Kurdish autonomy and combat ISIS; historically supported by the US.
Currently facing pressure from Assad’s forces, Turkey-backed militias and HTS.

Syrian National Army (SNA)

Formed as the Free Syrian Army in 2011 by Syrian Army defectors, it opposes Assad and Kurdish forces with Turkish support.
It collaborates with HTS via the “Military Operations Command” established in 2019.

External Actors and Their Interests

Turkey

Dual agenda: combating Kurdish militias and opposing Assad.
Military operations since 2016, securing a buffer zone in northern Syria. It uses proxies to counter the Kurdish SDF, which it considers terrorist-linked to PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party).

Iran

Strong ally of Assad, supporting proxies like Hezbollah.
Israeli strikes in Lebanon have weakened Hezbollah’s support for Assad.

Russia

Major military backer of Assad since 2015, shifting war momentum in his favour.
Ukraine war strains its resources, reducing effectiveness in Syria, allowing rebel forces’ advancements.

United States

Supports SDF and anti-ISIS operations with limited involvement in new conflicts.
Balances interests between opposing ISIS and geopolitical concerns involving Turkey.

Implications for Assad’s Regime

Limited Control: Northern Syria remains under Turkish control, posing a challenge to Assad’s authority.
Geopolitical Isolation: Despite Assad’s return to the Arab League, his regime remains weakened by opposition forces and external military threats.
Internal Stability: Assad’s restrained rhetoric on Israel and cautious regional policies indicate that he is mindful of broader geopolitical repercussions.

Regional and Global Reactions

Arab States: Focus on countering Turkey’s influence and ensuring regional stability despite welcoming Assad back into the Arab League.
India: Supports Assad, aligning with Russia’s stance, while advising citizens to avoid travelling to Syria due to escalating conflict.

Way Forward

International Diplomacy: Enhanced diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation, particularly by regional powers like Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Strengthening Regional Alliances: Countries must balance alliances to maintain stability, manage Turkey’s influence, and counterbalance Iranian and Russian interests.
Humanitarian Considerations: Immediate international humanitarian assistance to areas affected by the new wave of violence.

{GS2 – Polity – IC – Comparison} U.S. Presidential Pardons **

Context (TH): Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden issued a full and unconditional presidential pardon for his son for federal crimes between 2014 and 2024.

Presidential Pardons: These are constitutional powers under Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, enabling the President to grant reprieves and pardons for federal offences, except in cases of impeachment. This power aims to ensure justice, compassion and system corrections.

Need for Presidential Pardons

Address Judicial Overreach: Pardons can rectify overly harsh or unjust legal penalties.
Humanitarian Relief: Provides clemency in cases of reformed behaviour or special circumstances.
Political Reconciliation: Eases political tensions by forgiving crimes rooted in ideological conflicts.
Redressal for Wrongful Convictions: Provides relief in cases of legal errors or disproportionate sentencing. E.g., Posthumous pardons were issued for racial injustices in the past.
Promoting Rehabilitation: Facilitates reintegration into society by mitigating punitive consequences.
Flexibility in Justice: Allows for discretion in unique cases where legal frameworks fail to ensure fairness.

Issues with US Presidential Pardons

Political Exploitation: Increasingly used to shield allies and family members, undermining impartiality. E.g., Bill Clinton’s pardon of Roger Clinton for drug offences.
Broad, Unconditional Terms: Vague language shields recipients from unrelated crimes. E.g., Hunter Biden’s pardon extends beyond tax and gun charges.
Polarised Contexts: Pardons during politically charged times deepen divisions. Eg: Donald Trump’s pardons of Steve Bannon and Michael Flynn.
Bias and Inequity: Perception of favouritism erodes faith in the justice system.
Lack of Oversight: Absence of formal checks allows Presidents to misuse clemency powers unilaterally.
Undermining Rule of Law: Perception of unequal justice application damages judicial integrity.
Global Criticism: High-profile pardons invite international scrutiny, tarnishing the U.S.’s image.
Encouragement of Corruption: Pardons for political figures embolden unethical practices.
Erosion of Public Trust: Viewed as tools of political leverage, reducing faith in judicial impartiality.

Comparison with India

Aspect	President of India	President of the USA
Constitutional Provisions	Article 72: Grants the President the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, remissions & commutations. Article 161: Grants the Governors of states the power to grant pardons and clemency for offences under state laws.	Article II, Section 2: Grants the President the power to grant pardons, reprieves, and commutations.
Scope of Power	Offenses under Union law. Sentences by court-martial. Death penalty cases. Cases relating to foreign nationals or military personnel. Excludes pardons for offences under state laws (Article 161).	Federal crimes only, excluding state crimes under the jurisdiction of state governors and cases of impeachment.
Types of Clemency Power	Pardon: Complete forgiveness, releasing the offender from all penalties and punishments. Reprieve: Temporary suspension of a sentence. Respite: Reduction of punishment for a particular case. Remission: Reduction of the severity of a sentence. Commutation: Substitution of a less severe sentence.	Pardon: Complete forgiveness, removing all penalties. Reprieve: Temporary delay or suspension of a sentence. Commutation: Changing a punishment to a less severe one.
Parliamentary Influence	The power is exercised on the advice of the Council of Ministers (Article 74) which is indirectly influenced by Parliament. The President is bound by the advice of the Council.	The President exercises the pardoning power independently, without needing advice from anybody & without direct influence from the legislative body.
Separation of Powers	The parliamentary system influences the exercise of pardoning power, which emphasises collective responsibility.	The power is independent, as the President operates under a presidential system with separation of powers.
Judicial Review	Subject to judicial review by the courts if it is deemed to be exercised arbitrarily or in bad faith or violates fundamental rights (Epuru Sudhakar vs. Govt. of AP)	Generally, exercising pardoning power is not subject to judicial review, as it is considered an executive power.
Transparency Process	There is no constitutional requirement for transparency; decisions are often made without public explanation.	Pardoning decisions are usually made public through formal announcements, providing some level of transparency.

Comparisons with Other Nations

UK: Royal pardons are rarely granted and are subject to detailed scrutiny by the Ministry of Justice.
Canada: Pardons are granted by the Parole Board after a rigorous application and review process, ensuring transparency.

Way forward: Strengthening Accountability in Presidential Pardons

Codify Clear Guidelines: Establish strict rules for issuing pardons to prevent overreach and misuse.
Independent Mechanisms: Introduce advisory boards to review & recommend clemency decisions.
Enhance Transparency: Mandate public disclosure of rationale behind pardons to ensure accountability.
Legislative Checks: Implement laws and formal oversight measures to monitor controversial pardons.
Adopt Global Best Practices: Learn from other democracies like India and Canada for transparent and ethical clemency processes.
Promote Judicial Integrity: Strengthen mechanisms to prevent political interference in the judicial and law enforcement process.

{GS3 – IE – Banking} Mule Bank Account *

Context (IE): RBI has launched an AI-powered model named MuleHunter.AI to combat digital fraud involving mule bank accounts.

It is developed by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), Bengaluru, a subsidiary of the RBI.
The traditional rule-based systems often produce high false positives; therefore, RBIH developed an in-house AI/ML-based solution. The solution is more effective than static rule-based systems.

What is a Mule Bank Account?

A mule bank account is a bank account that criminals use for illicit activities, including laundering illegal funds. These accounts often exploit innocent or coerce account holder’s knowledge.
How it works: Criminals purchase these accounts from original users, often from lower-income groups or those with low technical literacy.

Source: EconomicTimes

Money Mule: The term describes innocent victims whose accounts are used for laundering stolen or illegal money. These individuals often face police investigations while actual criminals remain undetected.

{GS3 – IE – Employment} Gamifying India’s Skilling Initiatives

Context (TH): The rising unemployment in India & the demand for industry-relevant skills have highlighted the need for innovative skilling approaches like gamified & simulation-based training modules.

India’s Skilling Challenges

Limited Reach of Skilling Programs: Only 21% of youth aged 15-29 years received vocational/technical training in 2022-23; just 4.4% received formal training.
Low Employability: Only 51% of India’s graduates are employable, indicating a gap between education and industry requirements.
Industry 4.0 Readiness: Only 1.5% of engineers possess new-age skills like AI, IoT and robotics. 60% of MSME workers lack digital skills.
Irrelevance of Skilling Programs: Existing initiatives often fail to align training content with modern industry needs, especially for Industry 4.0 demands.

Government Initiatives for Skilling

SAMARTH Udyog Bharat 4.0: Prepares industries for Industry 4.0 with advanced technology integration.
SWAYAM: Hosts 4,000+ courses; 40 million enrollments emphasise the demand for technical education.
Skill India Digital Hub: Offers 752 courses with over 7.37 lakh minutes of digital content.

Benefits of Gamified and Simulation-Based Skilling

Enhanced Engagement: Game elements like rewards and leaderboards make learning interactive and enjoyable, increasing participation.
Improved Retention: Hands-on simulations and instant feedback ensure better knowledge retention and skill application.
Safe Environments: Simulation-based modules allow trainees to experiment without real-world risks.
Skill Assessment: Simulations evaluate decision-making and problem-solving abilities, providing practical insights into trainee performance.
Customisation: Training modules can be tailored to address skill gaps & simulate real-world challenges.

Way Forward

Integrate into Existing Platforms: Host gamified modules on SWAYAM and Skill India Digital Hub to leverage their extensive reach and content base.
Customised Training Modules: Develop sector-specific gamified modules to address skill gaps.
Collaboration with Industry: Encourage partnerships with industries for live projects and internships to enhance practical learning.
Follow Global Best Practices: Successfully incorporated gamified and simulation-based learning into skilling systems, boosting workforce competence.
Adoption at Decentralised Levels: Extend modules to educational institutions and training centres to reach a wider audience.

{GS3 – IE – RBI} De-dollarisation

Context (IE): The RBI Governor explained that India is not working on de-dollarisation but is concentrating on reducing risks to its domestic trade caused by global political tensions.

De-dollarisation refers to reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar as the primary reserve currency, medium of exchange, or unit of account. This involves countries diversifying their foreign reserves and conducting international trade in alternative currencies.

Reasons for Moving Towards De-dollarisation

Reduce dependency on the U.S. dollar: This can help countries mitigate risks associated with fluctuations in the dollar’s value and changes in U.S. monetary policy.
Enhance economic sovereignty: Using alternative currencies, countries can reduce their vulnerability to U.S. economic sanctions and restrictions.
Promote global financial stability: Diversifying reserve currencies can reduce the global financial system’s dependence on a single currency, potentially leading to a more balanced and resilient system.
Regional Cooperation: Some regions, like BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), are discussing using local currencies for trade to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar.

Challenges Associated with De-dollarisation

Transition Costs: Switching from the U.S. dollar to other currencies involves significant expenses, including updating financial systems and renegotiating trade agreements.
Market Volatility: Introducing new currencies can cause market instability and uncertainty, potentially disrupting global trade and investment.
Lack of Trust and Acceptance: Alternative currencies must gain widespread acceptance and trust, which can be challenging given the entrenched dominance of the U.S. dollar.
Geopolitical Tensions: Efforts to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar may lead to geopolitical tensions and conflicts, which can be perceived as a challenge to U.S. economic dominance.
Institutional Inertia: Financial institutions and businesses are accustomed to using the U.S. dollar, and changing established practices requires considerable effort and willingness to adapt.

Steps taken by Different Countries for De-dollarization

Country	Key Initiatives	Details
India	Local Currency Trade Agreements	Signed agreements with Russia and UAE to conduct trade in rupees, reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar.
	Vostro Accounts	Opened special Vostro accounts to facilitate trade in local currencies.
Russia	SPFS (System for Transfer of Financial Messages)	Developed SPFS as an alternative to SWIFT, enabling transactions without the U.S. dollar.
	Gold Reserves	Increasing gold reserves to diversify away from the U.S. dollar.
China	CIPS (Cross-Border Interbank Payment System)	Established CIPS to facilitate yuan transactions globally.
	Currency Swap Agreements	Entered into agreements with several countries to promote the yuan in international trade.
South Africa	Regional Currency Use	Encouraged the use of the South African rand in regional trade within Africa.

Also read > Internationalisation of Rupee.

{Prelims – Envi – Species} Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis)

Context (TH): The oldest known wild bird in the world, a 74-year-old Laysan Albatross named Wisdom, has amazed experts by laying her 60th egg.

In Hawaiian culture, the Laysan albatross, known as “Mōlī,” symbolises good luck and guidance.
Longevity: These birds are known for their long lifespans.
Monogamy: These birds are famous for their strong monogamous pair bonds. Once they find a mate, they typically stay together for life. They only lay at most one egg per year.
Navigation Skills: Capable of travelling thousands of miles across the open ocean and returning precisely to their nesting sites. These birds can travel hundreds of miles daily with scarcely a wingbeat.
IUCN Status: Near Threatened.

Source: abcbirds

{Prelims – S&T – Space} UV Emissions from Novae in Andromeda Galaxy

Context (TH): Astronomers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have spotted far ultraviolet (FUV) emissions from novae for the first time in the neighbouring Andromeda galaxy.

This discovery utilised data from AstroSat, India’s first dedicated space astronomy observatory, focusing on its Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT).

What are Novae?

Novae are a class of transient astronomical events characterised by the sudden appearance of a bright, new star-like object in the night sky.
These occur due to stellar explosions in a binary star system where a white dwarf accretes material from its companion star.
The outbursts lead to a temporary increase in brightness that gradually fades over weeks or months.
Far ultraviolet emissions offer critical insights into processes occurring during a nova’s eruption phase.
The UV observations help monitor how fluxes in these disks change over time, revealing details about the stability of the accretion process.

Observations and Findings

UVIT’s fine spatial resolution and dual capability to observe in far UV and near UV bands.
The observations revealed accretion disks in some novae systems located 2.5 million light years away.
The research found that the accretion process in these systems was stable over time.

Accretion Disk: An accretion disk is a structure formed by diffused material in orbital motion around a central body, such as a star. Due to gravitational forces, the material gradually spirals inward, leading to high-energy emissions.
Andromeda Galaxy: Andromeda is the closest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way and is about 2.5 million light years away from Earth. It’s the largest galaxy in the Local Group of galaxies.
Far Ultraviolet (FUV): A portion of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths shorter than visible light, ideal for observing hot and energetic phenomena like novae.

{Prelims – Sci – Chemistry} Arittapatti Tungsten Mining

Context (TH): The Tamil Nadu Government has urged the Centre to cancel the tungsten mining rights granted to a private firm in Madurai to protect the biodiversity heritage site located nearby.

About the Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site

The Nayakkarpatti tungsten block includes six villages, with Arittapatti being prominent.
Arittapatti & Meenakshipuram are the first notified biodiversity heritage site in Tamil Nadu.
Hosts around 250 species of birds, three flagship raptor species (the Laggar Falcon, Shaheen Falcon, and Bonelli’s Eagle), Indian Pangolin, Slender Loris and pythons.
Arittapatti is renowned for its archaeological treasures, which include Cave temples adorned with ancient sculptures, Jain symbols, Tamil Brahmi scripts and Pancha Pandavar stone beds.

About Tungsten

Tungsten is a rare and highly valued metal naturally found in the Earth’s crust.
It is also known as wolfram. It is a dense metal that appears greyish-white to steel-grey.
Minerals of tungsten: Scheelite (Calcium tungstate, CaWO4) and Wolframite (a mixture of ferrous tungstate and manganous tungstate) These minerals are primarily of hydrothermal origin.
The Centre has classified it as one of the ‘30 critical minerals’, underscoring its strategic importance and necessity for technological and industrial advancements.
Uses: Light bulbs, Welding, Radiation shielding, Military applications, Electrical contacts, Rocket nozzles, Chemical apparatus, High-speed rotors, Solar-energy devices and Jewellery (as a gold substitute).

Properties of Tungsten

Tungsten boasts the highest melting point of all metals, at 3,422°C, and It is resistant to most acids at ordinary temperatures. It exhibits excellent corrosion resistance.
It possesses good thermal and electrical conductivity. Also, it has a low coefficient of expansion.
It is known for its elasticity, ductility, and high tensile strength.
It is added to steel to increase its strength and hardness.