International Relations Blog Posts

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Antarctic winter sea ice hits ‘extreme’ record low

I’m like in the unfortunate position of an Airbnb client tasked with advising the inheritors of the Earth that they can keep the security deposit because some of my guest fouled the pool. [Oh, and “someone” said there’s like a bad smell in the basement.] That smell, purportedly down in the basement, might be those Penguins (their notorious party crashers) or a Polar Bear, or any of the other climate refugees migrating form off the disappearing sea ice.[1] Walt Meier, NSIDC senior scientist had the following to say: “It’s not just a record-breaking year; it’s an extreme record-breaking year.”

Sea ice that packs the ocean around Antarctica hit record low levels this winter, the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC)[2] said on Monday, adding to scientists’ fears that the impact of climate change at the southern pole is ramping up. Not to sweat it though, direct the penguins to the nearest port and if that Polar Bear is still in the basement, he’ll sober up eventually. He’s just been belly aching since its home melted [3].

Grenée 10.02.2023 23:11Hrs

[1] “How Does Sea Ice Affect Global Climate?” Ocean Facts | National Ocean Service, U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2011, https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/sea-ice-climate.html. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.

[2] “Welcome to the National Snow and Ice Data Center.” National Snow and Ice Data Center - a Part of CIRES at the University of Colorado Boulder, © 2023, National Snow and Ice Data Center, https://nsidc.org/home. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.

[3] Hancock, L. “Six Ways Loss of Arctic Ice Impacts Everyone.” World Wildlife Fund, © 2023 World Wildlife Fund., 2019, www.worldwildlife.org/pages/six-ways-loss-of-arctic-ice-impacts-everyone. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023. World Wildlife Fund Inc. is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax ID number 52-1693387) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

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Monday, October 2, 2023

UN Approves Kenya’s Mission to Stabilize Haiti

The UN Security Council has approved a measure that will allow Kenya to send a security force to Haiti to help resolve and calm the political turmoil that has been taking place there. Ever since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, no municipal, legislative, or parliamentary elections have been held in years, creating a power vacuum. Gangs aligned with political parties have strengthened their grip on the country and have more power than ever. This has led to many evacuating and fleeing the country or certain neighborhoods in the capital, which are especially gang-controlled. This has led to chaos, and a lack of control, which desperately needs to be restored in order for elections to start taking place again. Kenya's stated goal is to create a safer environment in Kenya, which will enable elections to take place, which will help end the violence. Initially, it was hard to get the measure allowing Kenya’s actions through the security council, as both China and Russia objected. In the end, it was 13 of 15 in favor, with China and Russia abstaining from the vote. Many other Caribbean nations and African nations are joining Kenya and giving resources to the cause, while the US has promised $100 million in aid for the cause of putting down political unrest. There is concern, however, that Kenya, with all these resources, will abuse its power and will make the unrest worse, causing more problems. Historically, when other countries have interfered in Haiti, it has gone poorly. This could change this time around, but it seems unlikely. Kenya has been given access to go to Kenya for one year but is expected to have made progress by then.

UN Approves Kenya’s Mission to Stabilize Haiti - The New York Times

By: Ben Pienkos

US Government Barely Avoids Shutdown with Short-Term Funding Measure

Just hours before the deadline for a possible shutdown of the US government, the house passed a short-term funding measure to prevent the shutdown for now but leave the opportunity to find common ground open in the near future. Before this resolution, there had only been 15 laws and resolutions passed this year, making it the lowest in the past 50 years. The average amount of laws and resolutions passed by this time of year is 70, making this year 55 less than the yearly average. Although the shutdown was avoided, this is an alarming statistic going forward since the national funding is a simple problem that the government has to deal with every year. Another alarming part of this is how divided the house was through the entire process. Not only is there a divide between democrats and republicans, but the republicans as a group were divided in their vote, with only about 60% voting to pass this short-term funding measure. This is also a big problem because, since the government itself is already divided, having more division only causes more problems and less efficiency when the government needs to get certain things done. Monmouth University had a poll asking Americans if they would rather see a compromise before a government shutdown or to stick to their principles even if it means a shutdown occurring. The results were 64% for compromise and 31% sticking to their principles with the rest being undecided. Although this is only one poll, this shows that a majority of Americans would rather see more compromise in the government and less clashing of ideas. It seems as if the government is always in a state of argument over what is the best way to do things and sometimes it leads to situations like this where they are rushing to find a short-term compromise just to prevent the government from shutting down. This divide may become a problem in the near future, but for now they have avoided the shutdown and come to a short-term agreement.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/01/politics/shutdown-congress-mccarthy-republicans/index.html

By: Tyler Surin

Nigeria's President Tinubu increases wages as national strike looms.

Nigeria's President Tinubu increases wages as national strike looms - BBC News

As workers prepare to begin an ongoing walkout, Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu announced a six-month raise in the minimum wage. The president's $32 boost only raises the minimum wage to $70 per month; unions aim for a raise of $255 per month to help workers cope with the steep increase in living expenses, since Mr. Tinubu took office in May.

In order to combat the recent tripling of fuel prices, he also promised to hasten the implementation of affordable gas-powered buses. This was brought on by Mr. Tinubu eliminating a fuel subsidy that had kept the cost of gasoline low in Africa's biggest economy for decades. The nation also let up its currency peg in June, which allowed it to trade freely and caused one of the greatest drops in the naira's history. The two major labor organizations, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), announced that they would start the anticipated indefinite strike on Tuesday. The union officials claimed that the administration had not done anything to alleviate the pain brought on by the loss of the fuel subsidy.

Written by: Victoria Fernández Vázquez.

Sunday, October 1, 2023

The President of Mexico Criticizes US Aid to Ukraine and Calls for an end to Sanctions In Latin American Countries

Yazmin Santillan

The President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador issued a broad criticism of U.S. foreign policy, saying U.S. economic sanctions were “forcing people to emigrate from Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua.” On Friday, during a U.S. - Mexico meeting in Washington, Obrador suggested that the US spend some of the money sent to Ukraine on economic development in Latin America. He called for a U.S. program "to remove blockades and stop harassing independent and free countries, an integrated plan for cooperation so the Venezuelans, Cubans, Nicaraguans and Ecuadorans, Guatemalans and Hondurans wouldn't be forced to emigrate." Despite this, Mexico has in fact, condemned Russian invasion of Ukraine but adopted a neutral stance and they have refused to participate in sanctions.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/mexicos-president-slams-u-s-sanctions-on-venezuela-and-cuba#:~:text=President%20Andr%C3%A9s%20Manuel%20L%C3%B3pez%20Obrador,from%20Cuba%2C%20Venezuela%20and%20Nicaragua.

India suspends visa services for Canadians in further decline in relations

Tensions between India and Canada have escalated after India suspended visa services for Canadians, citing "security threats" to its diplomatic offices in Canada. The Indian visa agency, BLS international, confirmed this suspension due to "operational reasons". Arindam Bagchi, a spokesperson for India's foreign ministry mentioned the incitement to violence and the alleged negligence of Canadian authorities as reasons for this suspension. This comes after longstanding accusations by India that Canada provides refuge to members of the Khalistan movement, a banned Sikh independence group. The rift deepened after the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that India played a role in the assassination of the Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. In response, India rejected these claims, resulting in mutual expulsions of diplomats. Both countries have now issued travel advisories and halted trade discussion. Canada is also reducing its diplomatic staff in India after receiving online threats. If Canada retaliates with visa restrictions on Indian citizens, it may significantly affect immigration, as many Indians reside and study in Canada.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/21/india-suspends-visa-services-for-canadians-trudeau-modi

Bolivian ex-president to pay damages to victims of military in landmark US case

A former Bolivian president, Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, and his defense minister José Carlos Sanchez Berlin, have agreed to pay damages to families affected by military actions during their tenure. In 2003 the military was dispatched to control protests in El Alto over plans to export Bolivia's natural gas, resulting in the death of over 60 protestants. The two officials later fled to the US. In 2007, a US civil lawsuit was filed against them by eight Bolivian families affected by the 2003 incident. In 2018, they were found responsible and they had to pay $10 million in damages. They initially appealed but they they have now agreed to pay an undisclosed amount. This landmark case sets a precedent, suggesting that foreign leaders can be held accountable for human rights abuses in US courts. The case was processed under the Torture Victim Protection Act, which addresses torture or extrajudicial killings committed outside the US. Legal experts believe this case might pave the way for more human rights accountability cases in US courts

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/01/bolivia-sanchez-de-lozada-settlement-protesters-killed

Fire alarm set off in house of representatives

Anthony Cristiano:

A meeting was held on Saturday to figure out if there would be a government shutdown. Democrat Jamaal Bowman said that he was in a hurry to get to the vote and accidentally opened an emergency exit that triggered the fire alarm and causing an evacuation. We have seen many people accusing him that this was a setup to delay the vote and try and cause a shutdown but clearly that wasn't the case and they were able to put the bill through.

Rising bear populations pose threat to residents in North Macedonia

Villagers living around Mavrovo National Park, located in Western Macedonia, have been reporting an increase in close bear encounters. The number of brown bears have doubled, and villagers living around the national park live in fear of bears breaking into their homes or hurting their children. One woman said a bear had broken into her home and damaged her kitchen. Another man said that villagers have to carry around firecrackers to scare off any bears they can encounter. Livestock and crops have been severely damaged and residents are calling for this situation to be taken care of. Even in the winter bears wander into the village searching for food. The head of the national Crises Management Center Stojance Angelov says it has to do with rising temperatures. Bears are not hibernating in the winter, and therefore look to the village for food. Angelov says that despite bears being protected in North Macedonia, they allow for the shooting of a bear if they become too aggressive.

By: Ayshe Ali

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/north-macedonia-national-parks-rising-bear-population-poses-103628396

More than 100 dolphins dead in Amazon as water hits 102 degrees Fahrenheit

The dolphins were found dead in Lake Tefe over the past 7 days because the water has been too hot for them to live in. The amazon river is in a dry season right now and that's why the river has been so hot lately. Many people are trying to rescue the dolphins and move them to nearby ponds where the water is cooler.

Simon Krugliakovas

Recently in Slovakia, the left-ish populist party has won nearly 23% of the vote with the intent of cutting off aid to Ukraine. Their campaign make sit very clear they wish to stop aid for Ukraine and remove any sanctions on Russia. Several parties are considered likely to join this campaign such as the left wing Hlas Party and the Slovak Nation Party which have over 20% combined votes.

Although Slovakia is a member of NATO which supports Ukraine, much of the population side with Moscow and the notion that the west is trying to take them out. Many claim that the Russia and Ukraine conflict starter as far back as 2014 when Ukrainian Nazis murdered Russian citizens.

Hungary has also shared the same sentiments. This change could be a massive deciding factor in the future of Ukraine. Prior to the aid received, Ukraine was not equipped with missile systems, but rather received them from other countries to help in their fight. If these supplies as well as other aid for refugees and soldiers in reduced, or removed, it could make the war effort dwindle giving Russia the advantage they need to fully close out the war. Hard to say if that will be enough of the Russian assault or if they will continue to claim more torridity after Ukraine.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/1/how-will-a-pro-russia-party-winning-slovakia-vote-affect-the-ukraine-war

Rebel Group in Mali Kills 80 Soldiers

In Mali, the Tuareg separatist rebel group killed 80 of Mali's soldiers and the group now claims they have overtaken the city of Bamba. This goes back to a 2015 peace deal between the government and the rebel group that ultimately fell through. Despite claiming they are for peace, the rate of Mali citizens being attacked by the group has gone up 38%. Ultimately, the group says they want independence for Northern Mali from the rest of the country.

Mali crisis: Fierce fighting erupts after Tuareg rebels kill 'more than 80 soldiers' - BBC News

By Andrew Elleson

Global warming impact exaggerated to get paper published | Can we trust the climate change media?

I'd latched onto an article on Microsoft Start when I opened the Microsoft Edge Browser. Unfortunately for me I lost the article itself (doesn’t appear in the browsers history). This, however, is the URL to the video entitled: Global warming impact exaggerated to get paper published | Can we trust the climate change media? I'd wandered away from a story on Microsoft Start, formerly known simply as MSN, to determine what GBN meant (due-diligence, checking source material to determine if the video was created by a reputable and/or credible source). Initially I wound up with an SERP favoring the Gospel Broadcast Network, sizable informative sidebar. That however wouldn't be related to what I'd sought; search engine optimization failed to assist in yielding reasonable results.

Theres one of those lovely dialogue boxes labeled context attached to this Youtube video, I wonder what it could say? "Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Such shifts can be natural, due to changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions. But since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas."

GB News it turns out is a British free-to-air opinion-orientated news television and radio channel. GB News became Britain's first television news start-up since the launch of Sky News in 1989. Trying to chase down this story has turned from an attempt to post a blog entry about a dubious climate change critique into a slog through the muck of a British Netzine. The SERP I received using the latter half of the YouTube banner has convinced me that I need to go for a run to clear my brain of the trauma.

I seriously hope this was a "one off". In July 2023, an investigation was launched by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards regarding Lee Anderson and a promotional video created for his GB News show. In August 2023, Byline Times revealed that GB News had "settled an employment claim for a five-figure sum in which sexual harassment was alleged against its chief executive Angelos Frangopoulos – and shut down serious racism and bullying allegations raised by two other journalists with further pay-outs and gagging agreements". Ofcom, has found the channel to have breached its standards on more than one occasion regarding misinformation. And The Office of Communications, commonly known as Ofcom, is the government-approved regulatory and competition authority for the broadcasting, telecommunications and postal industries of the United Kingdom. It has a statutory duty to represent the interests of citizens and consumers by promoting competition and protecting the public from harmful or offensive material.[1]^,[2],[3]

[1] Ofcom. “The Ofcom Broadcasting Code (with the Cross-Promotion Code and the on Demand Programme Service Rules).” Ofcom, 26 July 2019, www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/broadcast-codes/broadcast-code. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023

[2] “The Other Side” - Preserving the Integrity of News and Current Affairs, in an Ever-Changing Media Landscape.” News Centre, Office of Communications (Ofcom), 4 July 2023, www.ofcom.org.uk/news-centre/2023/the-other-side. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023. Originally published by the Telegraph on 4 July 2023.

[3] Lunt, Peter, and Sonia Livingstone. LSE Research Online Book Section Regulating Markets in the Interest of Consumers?: On the Changing Regime of Governance in the Financial Service and Communications Sectors. 2007

Democratic Senator Passes Away

Democratic senator, Dianne Feinstein passed away this past Friday. The 90 year old senator had planned to retire at the end of 2024. Although Feinstein was a Democrat, she often found ways to create a common ground between the two political parties. Examples include, single payer, government run healthcare and the Green New Deal Climate proposal. Her views on firearms were one of the many things that set her apart from the rest of the Democrats. While doing this, she sometimes was met with criticism from her fellow liberals. Dianne was a trailblazer in politics, not just for women, but for men too.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/dianne-feinstein-rcna18010

Kevin Fist