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.

Hamas Opens The Gates Of Hell, Inviting The World In
16Oct By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Human rights, Middle East, Types of News: Analysis

Hamas Opens The Gates Of Hell, Inviting The World In

Terrorist organization Hamas opened up the gates of Hell. Now the world must decide whether to enter or put out the flames. October 16, 2023—The Middle East blew up this month, inviting the world to join it on a downward track to a hellish world of murder, massacre, and a limitless cycle of revenge. It does no good to detail the specifics of the October 7 terror attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians. To do so would only continue to crush the spirit of this writer and readers alike. The point is, it was a full-scale air, sea, and ground attack by Hamas militants. It was the largest terror attack against Israel. It left 1,400 Israelis dead, thousands more injured, and at least 199 people kidnapped. Americans were included in the numbers. Militants broadcast their terror on social ...
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US, Vietnam Strengthen Strategic Partnership
11Sep By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Geopolitics, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Analysis

US, Vietnam Strengthen Strategic Partnership

New Partnership Paves The Way For Billions Of Dollars In Business Deals U.S. President Joe Biden and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong deepened strategic ties. September 10, 2023 Credit: White House photo September 11, 2023—The United States and Vietnam elevated their relations to a new level on Sunday—the highest strategic partnership in Vietnam and a significant one in the United States. U.S. President Joe Biden and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong agreed on Sunday to deepen political and diplomatic ties while paving the way for billions of dollars in business deals. It comes 10 years after the two countries formed the Vietnam–U.S. Comprehensive Partnership, and it ref...
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U.S.-China Talk Trade, Technology As Commerce Secretary Visits Officials
30Aug By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Global Trade, Types of News: Brief

U.S.-China Talk Trade, Technology As Commerce Secretary Visits Officials

Investing In China Is Now 'Risky Business,' Raimondo Says Aug. 30, 2023—Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo completed a four-day visit to China this week as part of a diplomatic effort to smooth economic relations between the world's largest economies. The challenge for Raimondo and President Joe Biden is coordinating a new approach to China amid a shift in sentiment away from trade liberalization. Adding to the challenge for U.S. diplomats are China's state control of the economy, tense foreign relations, and a tougher environment for U.S. businesses practicing in China. Raimondo told reporters she raised concerns about theft of intellectual property, raids on businesses, a new counterespionage law, and extreme fines under that law. "Increasingly, I hear from businesses Chin...
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El Salvador’s Bukele Rises In Popularity In Latin America
29Jul By Patti MohrNo Comments
Corruption, Bribes, Illicit Finance & Money Laundering, Democracy, Human rights, Types of News: Bit

El Salvador’s Bukele Rises In Popularity In Latin America

July 29, 2023—Reporting for the Los Angeles Times, Kate Linthicum describes El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has become a "hero on the right" for Latin American leaders even as human rights groups cry foul. It's been four years since Bukele took office and two years since he declared himself as the world's "coolest dictator." Today, many in Latin America view the president as a model for fighting gangs, violent crime, and corruption, even if it comes at the cost of civil liberties. Critics complain that the El Salvadorian leader embraces authoritarianism, but "as homicides plunged, Bukele's approval ratings skyrocketed," Linthicum writes in a LAT report this week. Even as he clears the way for mass criminal trials of hundreds of people at a time, his popularity rises in count...
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A Critical Look At US Funds For Risky Science Abroad
10Apr By Patti MohrNo Comments
Foreign Aid, International Development, Globalization, Global Disintegration, Types of News: Analysis

A Critical Look At US Funds For Risky Science Abroad

Former CDC Director Calls for Reinstatement Of Obama-Era Ban On Gain-Of-Function Experiments April 10, 2023—As a House Oversight Subcommittee investigates the origins of the deadly COVID-19 virus that killed millions of people around the world, new details about the role of global collaboration in science come to light. Today, the Washington Post published a groundbreaking and extensive report on how U.S. government agencies fund high-stakes research on unknown pathogens around the world. Specifically, since 2012, U.S. agencies spent billions of dollars on research of pathogens in at least 78 countries. And though the research includes dangerous virus hunting, safety standards and regulations have not kept pace with the experiments. Furthermore, according to the Post report by David ...
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20 Years After The Iraq War, The Truth Still Suffers
29Mar By Patti MohrNo Comments
Corruption, Bribes, Illicit Finance & Money Laundering, Geopolitics, International Law, Legal Battles, Types of News: Analysis

20 Years After The Iraq War, The Truth Still Suffers

Iraq today has competitive elections, but it is not "free." Its democratic governance is impeded by corruption, weak institutions, and militias. Iraq Lacks Key Freedoms, and No Redemption For U.S. War Hawks March 29, 2023—In the run-up to the 2003 Iraq war, the atmosphere in Washington, D.C. was like a giant groupthink exercise. Most people knew it was an illegal war and the Bush administration's claims about chemical weapons were shaky at best. But they dared not counter the president's position. President George W. Bush had a "freedom agenda," and that agenda made him susceptible to treachery and manipulation. His administration became convinced that Iraq held weapons of mass destruction, and they became determined to make that belief become a truth that needed to be corrected....
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2022: Difficult Year For Human Rights
22Mar By Patti MohrNo Comments
Human rights, Types of News: Brief

2022: Difficult Year For Human Rights

Annual State Department Report Calls Out China, Russia, India, Israel, And Mexico March 22, 2023—In its annual report on human rights, the U.S. State Department reviewed policies and practices of governments and private groups impacting human rights in 198 countries. Overall, it's been a bleak year for freedom of speech, democracy, and even the basic right to life. The report criticized democratic republics, including the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as autocratic governments. "The goal of this report is not to lecture or to shame," said Secretary of State Antony Blinken. "Rather, it is to provide a resource for those individuals working around the world to safeguard and uphold human dignity when it’s under threat in so many ways."  https://youtu.b...
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Citing Russia’s Aggression in Europe, Japan’s Kishida Steps Up Diplomacy
21Mar By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Foreign Aid, International Development, Types of News: Analysis

Citing Russia’s Aggression in Europe, Japan’s Kishida Steps Up Diplomacy

Japan's Prime Minister Kishida visited a mass grave in Bucha, Ukraine and expressed his anger about the atrocities Russia's military committed. Kishida Promises To Boost Public and Private Funds For 'Free And Open' Indo-Pacific March 21, 2023—Russia's aggressive war against its neighbor Ukraine is having an impact in SE Asia where leaders worry that China may try to make similar territorial claims against international law. Moreover, ensuring that the sea lanes stay open to trade is increasingly imperative. Japan is increasing its role as a center of diplomatic circles, especially this year as it hosts the G7 meetings. Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida traveled to India on Monday and Ukraine today in an effort to strengthen diplomatic ties and alliances. "Russia's aggres...
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War Poses Obstacle To G20 Global Collaboration
2Mar By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, Types of News: Brief

War Poses Obstacle To G20 Global Collaboration

Leaders Can't Come To Terms On Joint Statement March 2, 2023—Foreign ministers meeting in India had difficulty overcoming an obstacle to collaborating on global problems due to one big elephant in the room: Russia's invasion of and ongoing war in Ukraine. Heads of state of G20 countries are scheduled to meet in New Delhi in September 2023. Their top diplomats met yesterday and today. Normally, delegates would conclude meetings up with a joint statement detailing areas of agreement on issues like climate change and the global economy. Instead, they settled for an outcome document acknowledging major differences about the Russia-Ukraine war. "The war in Ukraine has further adversely impacted the global economy," the foreign ministers said in the document. "Most members strongly co...
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G7 Tightening Sanctions, Warns Against Helping Russia’s War
25Feb By Patti MohrNo Comments
Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

G7 Tightening Sanctions, Warns Against Helping Russia’s War

Photo of Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio meeting with G7 counterpart on Feb. 24, 2023. Japan is chairing the G7 in 2023. Leaders Announce 'New Sanctions To Condemn Russia's Illegal 'Unwavering Support' For Ukraine February 25, 2023—The G7 countries of Japan, the United States, Britain, Italy, Germany, Canada, and France issued the harshest statement yet condemning Russia's illegal war against Ukraine. "Russia’s heinous attacks over the last 365 days have laid bare the cruelty of the ongoing aggression," the G7 leaders said Friday. "We condemn Russia’s illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovokedwar, disregard for the Charter of the United Nations (UN) and indifference to the impacts that itswar is having on people worldwide." The G7 leaders promised to give "unwavering suppor...
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