Monday, March 10

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.

Even In The Olympics, There’s A Political Side
3Aug By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Diplomacy, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, Types of News: Analysis

Even In The Olympics, There’s A Political Side

August 3, 2021-- For the past week, people across the globe have gathered in front of their TVs to watch the momentous events of the Olympics. The Olympics emulate an image of peace through their recognition of cultures in the events and ceremonies. "The athletes show us that, despite all our differences, it is possible for humankind to live together in peace.," said IOC President Thomas Bach. "This is our Olympic message: yes, it is possible to compete with each other, even for the highest prize, but at the same time to live together peacefully under one roof in the Olympic Village.” Facing the option of a jump-off to decide who will win the gold medal for the high jump, Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi -- who both cleared 2.37m -- decided to share the victo...
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UK, US Diplomats Denounce Taliban’s Crimes Against Humanity
2Aug By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, International Law, Legal Battles, Types of News: Brief, UN Security Council

UK, US Diplomats Denounce Taliban’s Crimes Against Humanity

August 2, 2021--Following reporting by a human rights organization about retaliatory killing by the Taliban in Afghanistan, diplomats for the United States and the United Kingdom took to Twitter to call for accountability. The latest report comes after an attack against a UN compound in Herat, Afghanistan. It also follows news from the United Nations about a sharp rise in civilian killings in Afghanistan since May. As violence rises, many international diplomats are questioning whether the Taliban could ever be trusted to govern and take part in peace talks. A UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan warns that 2021 is on track to witness the "highest ever number of documented civilian casualties in a single year since UNAMA records began." Retaliatory Killings The Afghanistan Inde...
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U.S. & Indian Diplomats Strengthen Partnership, Discuss Regional Security And Afghanistan
31Jul By Steve BerlinNo Comments
Democracy, Diplomacy, Geopolitics, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Analysis

U.S. & Indian Diplomats Strengthen Partnership, Discuss Regional Security And Afghanistan

Press conference in New Delhi on July 28, 2021. The Top Diplomats Also Discuss The State Of Democracy In The World July 31, 2021—Afghanistan’s future and the withdrawal of U.S. troops were at the fore of discussions between Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in New Delhi this week. During a brief press conference on Wednesday, the two called for a peaceful solution to governance problems in Afghanistan. This came even as the Taliban continued to make military advances since the U.S. withdrawal. Ultimately, however, the Afghan people must work out the solutions that work best for them, they said. The country is under increasing stress as the Taliban takes control of territory and wreaks havoc. Both countries have i...
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International Responses to Cuban Protests: From Sanctions To Aid
26Jul By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Communism, Dictatorship, Foreign Aid, International Development, Sanctions, Types of News: Analysis

International Responses to Cuban Protests: From Sanctions To Aid

July 26, 2021--Since mass protests erupted in Cuba earlier this month, the Cuban government has arrested hundreds of protesters and prosecuted many of them on charges of contempt, public disorder, vandalism and marching without face masks. The country is facing a grave economic crisis as the population deals with food and medical shortages. The United States responded by imposing sanctions against government officials. Meanwhile, Russia and Mexico are sending supplies of food and medicine. Thousands of citizens protested in fifty-eight locations throughout Cuba. They rallied for access to food as well as changes to their government's one-party rule. Many were met by Cuban police who the government ordered to arrest demonstrators.  Mass Arrests, Whereabouts Unknown The governm...
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Afghanistan Is At the Center Of Attention This Month As The Taliban Raises Havoc
20Jul By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Diplomacy, Types of News: Brief

Afghanistan Is At the Center Of Attention This Month As The Taliban Raises Havoc

July 20, 2021--As foreign troops pull out of Afghanistan, neighboring countries are buttressing up their borders and extending ties with one another to protect themselves against instability. Meanwhile, the Taliban grow increasingly violent.  Growth in Terror Today, the Taliban attacked the presidential palace in Kabul by a rocket attack. Financial Times reported that the rocket attack is the consequence of increased Taliban control. Furthermore, the Taliban most recently seized the Spin Boldak border. Fighting between the Afghan military and Taliban members have placed civilians in the line of fire. On July 16th, Danish Siddiqui, a Reuters’ journalist and photographer, and a senior Afghan officer were killed in what Afghan officials a "Taliban crossfire". Siddiqui was covering the fi...
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Belarus, Still The Last Dictatorship In Europe
20Jul By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Communism, Dictatorship, Geopolitics, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Sanctions, Types of News: Analysis

Belarus, Still The Last Dictatorship In Europe

Increasing Human Rights Violations Since 2020 Draw Attention July 21, 2021-- Belarus' reputation as a repressive nation has gotten even worse. Here's why. On a trip to Lithuanian in 2005, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice referred to the former Soviet republic of Belarus as “the last remaining true dictatorship in the heart of Europe.” It angered officials in Belarus at the time. The administration of President Alexander Lukashenko asserted that the country's future is “determined by the nation’s people.”  Sixteen years later, the country is still ruled by Lukashenko. And he rules it with an iron fist. East Or West? Five years ago, Lukashenko faced a difficult decision: Partner with Russia, his closest ally, or apply to join the European Union. Belarus decided not to choose ...
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Foreign Diplomats Discuss Path To Sustainable Development
16Jul By Steve BerlinNo Comments
Diplomacy, Foreign Aid, International Development, Types of News: Brief, UN Security Council

Foreign Diplomats Discuss Path To Sustainable Development

July 16, 2021—International diplomats cast a particular eye this week on the needs of the world’s poorest countries. As they met under the leadership of the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), representatives looked at ways the poorest countries are trying to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. The high-level delegation meetings come amid warnings by the OECD and others that developing countries are at a high risk for rising discontent and protests as many economies struggle to recover from the global pandemic. Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 Representatives to the meetings this week met both in person and virually. They worked on a draft agenda for sustainable development goals for 2030. The draft agenda for SDGs is a significant document for the United Nations. It...
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U.S. and Russia Optimistic About Joint Climate Action
15Jul By Steve BerlinNo Comments
Climate Action, ESG, Sustainable Finance, Diplomacy, Types of News: Brief

U.S. and Russia Optimistic About Joint Climate Action

July 15, 2021—Top officials from the old Cold War’s top superpowers said they see an issue on which they can work together: climate change. Courtesy Needpix.com The optimistic outlook came during U.S. climate envoy John Kerry's four-day visit to Moscow to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other government officials. The countries they represent produce the second and fourth greatest amounts of carbon dioxide emissions, respectively. China is number one and India is third.* Kerry said, “we believe that there is space for us to cooperate on this," as reported by Radio Free Europe. Lavrov agreed that such discussions are a positive move forward. The detente on climate change is a bright spot during a time of heightened tensions between th...
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China Issues Paper On Human Rights, Xinjiang
14Jul By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Communism, Dictatorship, Human rights, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Brief

China Issues Paper On Human Rights, Xinjiang

July 14, 2021--A day after the U.S. government warned against doing business in Xinjiang, China issued a White Paper today defending its human rights record and asserting that the elimination of poverty supports equal rights. Fighting Poverty And Terrorism "Poverty is a major problem that plagues humanity, and poverty eradication is the most arduous global human rights cause in the contemporary era," the white paper said. It reported that "From 1955 to 2020, Xinjiang’s GDP rose from RMB1.2 billion in 1955 to RMB1.4 trillion in 2020. On a per capita GDP basis, that is RMB241 in 1955 to RMB53,593 in 2020. According to the paper, extremists and terrorists from East Turkistan have incited hatred, discrimination, and violence inside Xinjiang, "taking advantage of people's ethnic and r...
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UN Security Council Unanimously Backs US-Russian Deal on Syrian Aid
14Jul By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Diplomacy, Foreign Aid, International Development, International Law, Legal Battles, Types of News: Brief

UN Security Council Unanimously Backs US-Russian Deal on Syrian Aid

UN Security Council Unanimously Supports Compromise Plan On Aid Route. July 9, 2021 'Catastrophe Averted' For Syrian Refugees With One-Year Extension July 14, 2021—In a sign that diplomacy can work, the United Nations Security Council voted 15-0 late last week on a plan to keep a key transportation route open for humanitarian aid for Syrians impacted by the 10-year civil war. The action extends for one year a cross-border route along the Syrian-Turkish border for another 12 months. The high-level decision on the Bab al-Hawa border crossing impacts millions of Syrians. “Parents can sleep tonight knowing that their children will be fed for the next 12 months. The humanitarian agreement we have reached here will literally save lives,” said Amb. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ...
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