dabears24-posts-blog

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POLS 477 Conclusion

The class was an enjoyable and interesting one on a subject I knew little about. I think that the delving into history to start was enjoyable and laid a solid foundation for the rest of the class to build on. The books as well as the simulations did a lot to help with understanding the situation and the thoughts and feelings of both sides. I particularly enjoyed the speaker from UT-Austin who spoke on regimes and predicting revolutions and uprisings. That was a knowledgeable break from the class that still tied in nicely with aspects surrounding the issue. After taking the class I feel much more confident in this area but obviously questions remain, specifically, is there an actual answer and end to this conflict and if so what will that look like? How will it affect others and the world? These are not questions we can possibly answer at this time but they nevertheless remain at the forefront of the issue and are the reasons for a class like this to continue to be taught at UNL.

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Looking Inward

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recently cancelled meetings with German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel due to the minister’s meeting with left-wing Israeli human rights groups. The PM had stated he would not meet with the minister if Gabriel met with the groups that he considers hostile to the state. As stated by the minister it is interesting to look at a democracy that would push away foreign contact for a meeting with free speech anti-government organizations. Furthermore these meetings legitimize the human rights conditions some feel are under threat inside the state which Netanyahu may deny as existing in any manner. The Likud government has pushed to try to diminish the powers of these activist groups and has attempted to create more transparency in their funding and foreign investments. Germany is an intense ally of the Israeli state and this certainly puts a strain on the relationship between the states as human rights continue to be at a forefront. As a nation founded to be a sanctuary for a discriminated group it is unfathomable that Israel would continue to sweep concerns of violations under the rug. Netanyahu must create an actual plan to address issues inside the state if international relations are to be strongly supported as they have been. 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-39703128

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A Nuclear Situation

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson came out condemning Iran for the proposed moves they have been taking in the nuclear energy field. Following along with President Trump’s campaign promises to undo the Iran Nuclear Deal pushed by the Obama Administration, Tillerson called out Iran for pushing their nuclear programs and compared them to a possible North Korea situation. It is interesting to note that Iran has in no way been found to have broken the deal when it comes to their dealings in nuclear power and uranium development. Secretary Tillerson therefore calling out Iran for possible unproven violations creates an extra problem in the Middle East that did not need to be pushed. With so much else going on in the world having our Secretary of State publicly comparing Iran to North Korea can only create problems in a relationship the United States should be looking to improve and foster cooperation. The ease with witch Iran denied the claims and pushed them aside also creates some concern for the thoughts Tehran has when it comes to the current leaders and government in Washington. Either way it appears to be a situation that could develop into a further reaching issue in the future. 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39649683

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Separation Anxiety

Russia once again has shown that human rights are far less of a concern than maintaining a presence in the Middle East, a strategy that Nikki Haley has credited to a continued isolation and removal of Russia from the international community. If Russia continues this separation pattern then we could be looking at a changing dynamic in international politics. It is odd for most modern countries, specifically one who had made such strides forward to connect from behind the Iron Curtain. Putin has set a line and said he will not cross it when it comes to Syria and Assad and that line could prove fatal for many if Russia strengthens its rogue nation policies and actions. A nation inline with North Korea and Cuba would prove to be an interesting cog in the broken down world political system and could lead to larger problems. The US must focus on improving relations while still maintaining a forceful position in its policies on Syria and hopefully Russia won't go down the wrong road and become a singular entity pushed by exclusiveness to commit madness. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-39585071

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Drawing Battle Lines

The G7 nations failed to pass a British led proposal that would have placed sanctions on Russia for the recent attacks by their ally Syria. The proposal wanted to be used as leverage to push the Western agenda in ousting or controlling Assad and his regime. The world waits to see how Secretary Tillerson can handle his Russian counterparts in discussions that are coming up. It was interesting to note that Tillerson and the rest of the G7 council seems to believe that Assad's regime is at an end and he cannot control power while the events of the past few months point to a different notion. With Russia's backing and little that the west can do but sanction Putin putting more stress on the leader which hasn't always led to the best results in the past the war in Syria seems to be evolving into a whole new entity. An entity that is reminiscent of the proxy wars fought in the 20th century. For now the narrative remains East vs. West with the Middle East and human rights smashed in between. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-39565700

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No Trusting Putin or Assad

Syria came out saying that it would only accept a UN inquiry into the events inside the country should it be multilateral and stemming from Damascus and the Syrian government. It is ridiculous for any security council member to support any inquiry that must be signed off on by Assad’s government and go straight through the authoritarian regime. The biggest dilemma facing Syria continues to be Russia and their disinterest in human rights or belief that the US is attempting to further than from an ally in the Middle East. The events that have unfolded in Syria should not be accepted by the world and action is needed. The further down the rabbit hole the theories surrounding the chemical attacks go the less likely it is for any remotely positive outcome. The US must stand firm and push Russia to action to prevent further atrocities.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-39517960

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It Keeps Getting Worse

The U.S. came out publicly and blamed Assad and the Syrian government for a recent chemical attack in rebel territory that claimed the lives of at least 58 people including a large amount of children. The controversy surrounding the Syrian government and their use of chemical weapons both during and before the Syrian Civil War has always been a major concern for the west and human rights groups across the world. With a return of the Assad regime all but ensured it is a terrible sign that things are once again headed in the wrong direction inside the failed state. The problems surrounding Syria and the United Nations response to the issue remain apparent and widespread, perhaps at the forefront remains the struggle between the U.S. and the west and Russia who backs an Assad regime. Without any disdain from Russia or influence towards improving relations inside the state Syria’s regime could continue to dissolve and atrocities like these will remain a constant threat. There must be a coalition between the West and Syria’s supporters to condemn Assad and promote the ability to create a successful state with a possibility to succeed and remain stable for years to come. Putin has never voiced a need for human rights so that coalition looks far fetched, leaving Syria in a state where positive change remains unlikely even after the deaths that have plagued the state. 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-39493854

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A Pointless War?

U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley made comments recently about the United States’ no longer looking to remove Assad from power in Syria, a statement which the article discussed as being known and accepted but not publicly shared. The Trump Administration does not have the same chances that presented the Obama Administration to remove the authoritarian regime through vast support of rebel groups. The future of Syria in the hands of Assad remains a mystery but it seems to put into the question the civil war which has devastated so many lives and cost so many people so much. A US backing off on the issue of Syria will have continued consequences and in no way protects the rebel groups who looked to hold a seat at the table and push for a better Syria even under Assad. The main goals of the civil war therefore seem to be at an unreachable point, an ensured Assad regime will continue and the war crimes and other tragedies may continue on into the future with little backlash as a safeguard outside of Israel no longer exists or cares. For many the future of Syria is not a bright one. 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39450570

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More at Stake Than Land

An opinion article from the Washington Post brings up an interesting layout of the events unfolding around the West Bank which speaks on the changing atmosphere of Israeli politics and the world view of the state. The argument states that the Israelis have moved to the right and support for them has changed from a US left issue to a far right issue due to changing humanitarian and expansion policies. It is interesting to look at the way that time has changed the power of Israel in the region and who makes up the power dynamic of the state, specifically Netanyahu and the right currently. Occupation of the West Bank may lead to a change in the values and soul of the state of Israel and make the world question the liberal democracy that Israel and its Zionist members have claimed to be.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/opinions/is-israel-losing-its-soul/2017/03/27/249bfbe0-1312-11e7-ada0-1489b735b3a3_story.html

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Israeli Apartheid

The UN for some time now has been looking at Israel with a focus on human rights and the potential violations of those rights that the country may push on the Palestinians there, recently however the UN has gone as far as to say that the current system resembles an apartheid. For those who follow the situation of the Palestinians and Arabs in and around Israel this may not be too far of a stretch. The UN further claimed that the policies being seen in regards to the Israeli government may lead to “a de-facto one state solution” an end that would benefit neither side. Things between Israelis and Palestinians have never been great but it seems the world is pursuing a real in depth look at  the situation inside the country and has gone after a western like country with harsh criticism, something that rarely happens. If a settlement is ever to be created the humanitarian situation in Israel must acknowledge that Palestinians are equivalent people and work to improve conditions for them inside and outside the state. 

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/03/report-israel-established-apartheid-regime-170315054053798.html

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A Syrious Problem

The UN recently declared that Syria government force jets purposefully targeted a spring outside Damascus which provides water for 5.5 million people in the city. The original reports could not place the blame as both sides accused the other of committing the inhumane act. In a conflict that has seen so many human atrocities it will be interesting and in many ways frightening to see how an all but guaranteed Assad victory affects war crime statutes and who if anyone pays for the mass killings, chemical weapons, and incredible displacement of people. Both sides of this conflict have done things that the world needs to reflect upon and look at for a future of international criminal law and who to punish when it comes to civil wars in unstable parts of the world. A failure to punish the winners and losers of the war could create a lack of credibility that already exists for many when it comes to the ICC and preventing future human rights violations. Syria will be an important modern day case for the future of conflict and what the world is willing to do. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-39266213

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If at First You Don’t Succeed

President Trump has once again attempted to push his travel ban after the original order was struck down by the Federal Courts earlier this year. The renewed ban would put a 90 day ban on people from 6 of the 7 countries previously stated in the original ban, with the exception being Iraq. Fortunately for this country there are states willing to fight this ban for humanitarian and economic reasons. Hawaii was the first stating that it would affect their tourism and its foreign population followed by New York and Massachusetts and others who have expressed interest in pursuing it in the future. The problem I have sits less with the ban, an order which has already been struck down and deemed harmful to the country and more with our leader pursuing orders like these. The fundamental rights this country used to protect should be extended to all people, especially those who have survived so much to get here. I understand the ban is not a forever and is only 90 days but 90 days in the lives of many of these families is the difference between life and death. A president who focuses on pursuing orders already struck down when so many other issues persist presses me to wonder what the real motives of the administration are and to worry where our country is headed in the future. Humanitarian rights need to be protected by all countries but specifically the world’s most powerful democracy. 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39225773

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Second Class

A recent article by Aljazeera tied in nicely to topics we have covered over the past weeks in class and really brought further light of the discrimination in Israel. Israeli Arabs continue to take a back seat to their Israeli Jew counterparts when it comes to citizenship. The article compared the current conditions inside the state to those of Jim Crow laws of the south in pre civil rights America. Some of the shocking facts include spending less on education, lack of governmental representation, and communal segregation. For a country that prides itself as the shining democracy and beacon of hope in the Middle East it would be shocking for some to learn about these human rights violations. Coupling this article with the current situation the US has taken on the UN human rights board it is giving Israel a green light to continue policies of exclusion and anti-democracy principles to maintain its Jewish state identity. Things there may not merit the attention as much as other war crimes and I'll treatments going on but it is worth checking in on and creating a dialogue of. I'd be disappointed in an administration who did not at least make attempts to right these wrongs, I am appalled at one who attempts to support and hide them. https://www.google.com/amp/www.aljazeera.com/amp/indepth/features/2017/02/jim-crow-alive-israel-170226083918015.html

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http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-39116854

Human Rights Take a Backseat

Russia and China recently vetoed sanctions that would have stopped helicopter sales to Syria’s government and condemned Syrian officials and other groups involved in the conflict for their use of chemical weapons. The sanctions were in response to the chemical attacks perpetrated by Assad’s government forces in 2014 and 2015 after the UN had previously requested Syria dismantle all chemical weapons. The vetoes create a divide in the interests of the Security Council when it comes to the region and rebuilding Syria. Russia and China stand to gain a lot through future sales to Syria’s government once Bashar Al Assad regains control in the country, which seems inevitable. The U.S. with the UK and France took a hard stance in protecting human rights but an Assad regime could create human rights problems once again. If the new Syria looks to improve upon its past record then this is a step in the wrong direction by two countries who hold the cards and could force positive change in a struggling country. The chances of Russia or China ever promoting human rights in a foreign country after their own personal violations at home is slim to none. 

[dabears24-posts-blog]

Human Rights Take a Backseat

Russia and China recently vetoed sanctions that would have stopped helicopter sales to Syria’s government and condemned Syrian officials and other groups involved in the conflict for their use of chemical weapons. The sanctions were in response to the chemical attacks perpetrated by Assad’s government forces in 2014 and 2015 after the UN had previously requested Syria dismantle all chemical weapons. The vetoes create a divide in the interests of the Security Council when it comes to the region and rebuilding Syria. Russia and China stand to gain a lot through future sales to Syria’s government once Bashar Al Assad regains control in the country, which seems inevitable. The U.S. with the UK and France took a hard stance in protecting human rights but an Assad regime could create human rights problems once again. If the new Syria looks to improve upon its past record then this is a step in the wrong direction by two countries who hold the cards and could force positive change in a struggling country. The chances of Russia or China ever promoting human rights in a foreign country after their own personal violations at home is slim to none. 

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The Long Road Back

The people of Mosul have lived under Islamic State control for over 2 years, a scary occupation that has been riddled with civilian casualties and consistent fear from death above and on the ground. The people of the city may be getting the relief so many have prayed for all these years as Iraqi forces are within sight of west mosul, a heavily populated area with many strategic points. The recent successes of the Iraqi forces have led them to the gates of a city that has been seen as the hoped for strategic victory in Iraq that was much needed for a force that has, in a sense, struggled since its decimation at the hands of American forces in 2003. The taking of Mosul is far from over, and unfortunately many more will lose their lives before freedom can be had, but in the fall of the city lies a hope for a better future for the whole state of Iraq. Currently Iraq can be listed by many as a failed state, a convincing victory by the Iraqi army would not only legitimize a less than stellar fighting force, but create a nationalistic morale that could lead to a better state cohesiveness brining them out of the problems their new democracy has faced. The road ahead is bumpy and at times a wreck may seem likely but if Iraqi’s can take Mosul and be seen as a liberating force, the future of this once powerful Middle Eastern nation could shine brighter than ever. 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-39038509

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One and Done

In my last post I addressed the meeting between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Donald Trump and how it could affect the Middle East. In that post I said that Trump needed to stand firm and look for peaceful resolutions to the crises facing the region while maintaining a good foundation with Israel. Furthermore, however, I stressed that Trump could not concede to the Prime Minister’s demands and beliefs, a course I assumed a master negotiator would follow. In a not surprising at all turn of events Trump laid down and offered a one state solution to the Israeli Prime Minister. In a time when more tension is not needed in the area Trump has put his hat in the ring for Israel and has chosen a people pleasing answer to a complex solution. Trump stressed months ago that he wanted to find a solution and create a two-state system but when the opportunity reared its head Trump went and hid and created another reason for me to be scared for the future. Trump’s decision or at least support of the one state Israel solution changes the U.S. dynamic in the region and could push Palestinians into a corner of which violence may be the only response. The stance also creates a problem relationship with France and the UN who see a two-state solution as the only solution. 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-38989906