Wednesday, November 27

Diplomacy

The GER covers diplomacy, international organizations, and meetings. Looking beyond our individual political systems we find people and organizations working to make life better for people in both conflict-ridden places as well as secure, developed countries. It is not enough to focus on the end results of international relations. It’s worth focusing on the day-to-day work of diplomacy. Often, that’s where breakthroughs occur.

Taliban Government Auctions Off Mining Rights
26Jun By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Types of News: Brief

Taliban Government Auctions Off Mining Rights

June 26, 2024—Nearly three years into reclaiming its rule over Afghanistan, the Taliban government is raising revenue auctioning mining rights to gems and critical minerals to the highest bidders. The Islamic Taliban government has struggled economically and diplomatically since it took control of the country in August 2021. But since the beginning, its leaders asserted they have their own sources of income. Notably, the land is rich in gold, gemstones, metals, oil and gas, and minerals. Mining Rights As Diplomacy The Financial Times examined 128 contract sites, finding that more than half are developed or expanded. The paper notes that auctioning of mineral and gem rights might help the government form relations with other governments and raise billions of dol...
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Israel’s Covert Decade-Long War Against the ICC
28May By Patti MohrNo Comments
Corruption, Bribes, Illicit Finance & Money Laundering, International Law, Legal Battles, Types of News: Brief

Israel’s Covert Decade-Long War Against the ICC

May 28, 2024--Three years ago, the International Criminal Court launched an investigation into alleged war crimes in the Palestinian territories. The time period included the 2014 Israel-Gaza War, in which 2,300 Palestinians were killed. The investigation would put hundreds of Israelis, including soldiers and political figures, at risk of prosecution. The ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda promised a fair process that would bring accountability and justice for Palestinians and Israelis. “In the end, our central concern must be for the victims of crimes – both Palestinian and Israel – arising from the long cycle of violence and insecurity that has caused deep suffering and despair on all sides,” said Bensouda. 'Fiercely Resisted' Inquiry The Guardian described it as a "long...
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ICC Filed Applications for Arrest Warrants for Hamas, Israeli Leaders
20May By Patti MohrNo Comments
International Law, Legal Battles, Middle East, Types of News: Brief

ICC Filed Applications for Arrest Warrants for Hamas, Israeli Leaders

May 20, 2024—The International Criminal Court announced they are taking the first step to provide accountability in the Israeli-Hamas war that started October 7, 2023. The prosecutors applied for arrest warrants today for three Hamas leaders and two Israeli leaders: Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri (Deif), Ismail Haniyeh, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Yoav Gallant. ICC Prosecutor Khan announces arrest warrants against Hamas and Israeli leaders. Specifically, the ICC charged the Hamas officials—Sinwar, al-Masri, and Haniyeh—with the following war crimes and crimes against humanity committed October 7, 2023: Extermination; Murder; Taking hostages; Rape and sexual violence; Torture; Other inhumane acts; Cruel treatment...
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The World Court Hears Case on Israel’s Occupation of the Palestinian Territories
23Feb By Patti MohrNo Comments
International Law, Legal Battles, Middle East

The World Court Hears Case on Israel’s Occupation of the Palestinian Territories

February 23, 2024-It's day 5 of the hearings by the International Court of Justice on Israel's military occupation of the Palestinian territories. The hearings are an outcome of a UN General Assembly vote on a resolution requesting an advisory opinion. https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/p/2503451/sp/250345100/embedIframeJs/uiconf_id/43914941/partner_id/2503451?iframeembed=true&playerId=kplayer&entry_id=1_1pg5qd8i&flashvars[streamerType]=auto
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Mexico’s Lawsuit Against Gun Makers Moves Forward
25Jan By Patti MohrNo Comments
Arms Sales, Military Industry, Corruption, Bribes, Illicit Finance & Money Laundering, International Law, Legal Battles, Types of News: Analysis, United States

Mexico’s Lawsuit Against Gun Makers Moves Forward

Appeals Court Decision Comes As U.S.-Mexico Meet On Root Causes Of Migration January 25, 2024—As President Biden faces pressure at home to stop the flow of irregular migration to the United States at the southern border, Mexico is drawing attention to one of the root causes: U.S.-made weapons in the hands of cartels. Mexico's Defense Department said this week drug cartels are armed with U.S.-made weapons intended for military use, such as grenade and rocket launchers and fully automatic machine guns. Mexico wants the weapons trafficking to stop. Furthermore, the government is demanding answers from the Biden administration.   "It is very urgent that an investigation into this be carried out," Foreign Relations Secretary Alicia Bárcena said on Monday. Mexico has the third...
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EU’s Ceasefire Resolution Says Too Much, Not Enough
19Jan By Patti MohrNo Comments
Europe, EU, Eurozone, International Law, Legal Battles, Middle East, Types of News: Analysis

EU’s Ceasefire Resolution Says Too Much, Not Enough

European Parliament Passed Non-binding Statement on the Israel-Gaza Conflict January 19, 2024—Israel's war with Hamas and its destruction of Gaza has divided the European Union. The European Parliament on Thursday adopted a watered-down resolution calling for a ceasefire, the dismantling of Hamas, and the unconditional release of the remaining hostages. The resolution is non-binding and largely symbolic. The Parliament passed it with 312 votes in favor, 131 against, and 72 abstentions. What's noteworthy is not the vote or the individual phrases in it. It is that the resolution is too long-winded to have an impact. It thwarts itself at every turn. It calls for a permanent ceasefire and then says Israel has "a right to defend itself." It calls on all parties to "distinguish be...
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GUEST POST: Congress, Ukraine Is Still Germane
17Jan By Guest WriterNo Comments
Foreign Aid, International Development, Geopolitics, Type of News: Guest Post, Types of News: Analysis, United States

GUEST POST: Congress, Ukraine Is Still Germane

Don't Renege On Our Promise To Ukraine Editor's Note: The U.S. Senate is currently considering a $100 billion supplemental spending bill, S.Amdt.1371 to H.R. 815. It would provide $61 billion in aid to Ukraine, $14.3 billion for Israel, and Taiwan, and include $14 billion for U.S. border security. As much of the world's attention has shifted to the Middle East, support for Ukraine in its war against Russian aggression is waning in some countries, including the United States. Ukrainian President Zelenskky addressed top officials from United States, the European Union, China, the Middle East have gathered for the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum on January 16, 2024. Op-Ed by William Slomanson Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Thomas Jefferson School of Law. William Slo...
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US Vetos UNSC Resolution Calling for A Ceasefire
8Dec By Patti MohrNo Comments
Human rights, Middle East, Types of News: Videos, UN Security Council

US Vetos UNSC Resolution Calling for A Ceasefire

December 8, 2023--The United States vetoed another resolution in the UN Security Council regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The meeting came as António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, invoked a rarely used tool in the UN Charter to call for a special meeting in the UNSC. Article 99 gives the Secretary-General the right to bring to the Security Council any matter that "may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.” It is the first time Guterres used it. Thirteen members of the Security Council voted for the resolution. The United Kingdom abstained. The United States voted against it, effectively vetoing it as one of the five permanent members. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2TrUKMw_6Q
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G7 Foreign Ministers Call For Pauses In Gaza War
8Nov By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Foreign Aid, International Development, Middle East, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, Types of News: Brief

G7 Foreign Ministers Call For Pauses In Gaza War

November 8, 2023—A day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a call by the U.S. and world leaders to pause the war, G7 foreign ministers called for "urgent action to address the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza." Specifically, the G7 statement called for the protection of civilians. "We support humanitarian pauses and corridors to facilitate urgently needed assistance, civilian movement, and the release of hostages. Foreign nationals must also be allowed to continue to depart. We underscore the importance of protecting civilians and compliance with international law, in particular international humanitarian law." The calls for a ceasefire or pause have only grown during the month-long war as civilian deaths and casualties have grown. G7 minist...
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U.S. Artists Call for Immediate Ceasefire in Israel’s Assault on Gaza
3Nov By Patti MohrNo Comments
Human rights, Middle East, Types of News: Videos

U.S. Artists Call for Immediate Ceasefire in Israel’s Assault on Gaza

'All Life Is Sacred,' Letter Says This week, over 180 artists signed a letter to President Biden calling for a ceasefire and telling him that, "all life is sacred." As the Israel-Gaza war rages on, creating a humanitarian crisis that puts innocent lives at risk, many of us in safe parts of the world are feeling helpless as to how to help. I know I cannot turn away from the atrocities happening today. History itself is watching. Millions of people are marching in the streets. Others are raising their voices. Each person who speaks up gives another courage to voice support for human life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZymrk6sG2Q
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