Articles Week #3

Alex Koudal

Article #1:European Leaders Urged to Strengthen ‘Minimalist’ Approach to Mediterranean Migration Crisis

MLA/LINK: Cumming-bruce, Nick. "European Leaders Urged to Strengthen ‘Minimalist’ Approach to Mediterranean Migration Crisis." The New York Times. The New York Times, 23 Apr. 2015. Web. 23 Apr. 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/24/world/europe/european-leaders-urged-to-strengthen-minimalist-approach-to-mediterranean-migration-crisis.html?ref=world >.

Summary: The overabundant amount of people migrating from Syria to mediterranean is causing all sorts of problems. It creates risk not only for european countries, but these migrants risk their life coming across seas. This is the main situation mediterranean countries are focusing on. Over 1,300 fatalities at sea were recorded with the majority came from immigration. European leaders have outlined a ten point plan to aid the cause. Rescue teams will be sent out to save immigrants, but they will put priority on border control and protection against traffickers rather than the endangered immigrants out at sea. More than 219,000 people have came to Europe in 2014 while political leaders and diplomats have labeled them as people who are only seeking for a better life. U.N has denied this and stated in fact 50 percent of the migrants have came from Syria and the majority of the rest have come from other abusive and threatening nation-states.

Analysis: The majority of Europe is willingly to search and rescue these immigrants risking their lives at sea to escape the dangers of their homes but prioritize the protection of their borders of their own country. Humanitarian issues instead should be emphasized rather than the few who are trying to cross illegally into a country. The lives of innocent people should come before a slight threat to a country’s economy. Most governments today never act first, they take precautions to the point of where its too late, the public is always the one to first respond to humanitarian issues. Although at time its good to be cautious of approaching a delicate situation, there’s times where the powerful body must act respond fast to a growing problem.

Article #2:U.N. Refugee Official Calls Situation in Syria and Iraq ‘Unsustainable’

MLA:Gladstone, Rick. "U.N. Refugee Official Calls Situation in Syria and Iraq ‘Unsustainable’." The New York Times. The New York Times, 24 Apr. 2015. Web. 26 Apr. 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/25/world/middleeast/un-refugee-official-calls-situation-in-syria-and-iraq-unsustainable.html?ref=middleeast >.

Summary:The war happening as of right now in Syria, has already displaced 14 million people. The U.N has recorded,  since the beginning of the war four years ago, the amount of lives it has taken which has tallied up to 220,000. The secretary general invited representatives from both sides of the war to a meeting in an effort to revive peace talks. The people being forced out of Syrian face even worse conditions at the countries they have fled too. In places such as Iraq, the government and terrorists groups kill, rape, and torture Syrians who have already lost everything. At the moment, attempts of aid and saviour from the U.N and humanitarian groups are being done, but with no sign  of peace for Syria, or safety of its citizens.

Analysis: Its sad how incapable such powerful countries can’t protect the innocent, can’t find peace for an ill-waged war, and can’t find refuge for the victims of war. What’s the good of having peacekeeping organizations such as the U.N, if they can only contribute so little in the aim for peace. If the secretary general of the country that is engulfed in the war, has to make the initiative for peace, then obviously humanitarian groups and the U.N are making minimal effort to save the innocent people in between the two sides. U.N doesn’t have to get the approval of the countries involved in the organization, if a situation like this in Syria happens again, they should do whatever is within their power, to aid the innocent. The process to have every country’s approval is ridiculous because if their is a conflict of interest between two countries, they can just veto what each other wants, which would just prevent any efficient work to be done. People, such as citizens of Syria, are being endangered from this process, and are going to continue to be threatened from lack of protection.

Article #3: Nepal Terrorized by Aftershocks, Hampering Relief Efforts

MLA:Fuller, Thomas, and Gardiner Harris. "Death Toll From Nepal Quake Passes 2,200 as Aftershocks Terrorize Capital." The New York Times. The New York Times, 26 Apr. 2015. Web. 26 Apr. 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/27/world/asia/nepal-earthquake-katmandu.html?ref=world&_r=0 >.

Summary: Nepal has been devastated with an earthquake that killed more than 2,900 people and left 5,900 civilians severely injured. A day after the disaster, citizens went hysteric with the government providing little to no relief or hope for their people. Authorities in Nepal have evidently shown that they were ill-equipped for this disaster since they struggled to rescue those trapped in the ruins of their own homes and buildings. Safe shelters are very scarce in nepal, so in the aftermath of all this, there was torrential downpour on huddled groups and masses to make matters worse. The government has begun to set  up relief stations which would distribute resources so those who were the victims of the disaster. In the meantime, thousands of people squat in the streets of the cities and towns because either their homes’ have been destroyed or they’re to afraid to go back inside a structured building.

Analysis: Its sad to see the poor relief effort contributed by the government. A country in the midst of two tectonic plates they should be prepared for the worst. Its going to be interesting to see if the U.N, or other countries such as the U.S, provide any funds or resources to aid the relief effort ongoing in Nepal. The U.S, in particular, is to be expected to provide aid to Nepal, as they did during other natural disasters such as Haiti and Japan. Unlike Japan though, Haiti are not as economically and technologically as prosperous, so its understandable if they struggle to ensure safety for the displaced civilians. This potentially could push Nepal back decades because if this doesn’t get worked on, their economy will be in shambles, thousands of people will have no jobs, and many more without homes. The most important factor to get relief fast for Nepal is of course, the public’s attention because without it, countries will ignore this disaster and leave Nepal in a ditch.

 

Articles Week #2 4/19

Alex Koudal

Article #1:U.N. Calls on Western Nations to Shelter Syrian Refugees

MLA:Sengupta, Somini. "U.N. Calls on Western Nations to Shelter Syrian Refugees." The New York Times. The New York Times, 17 Apr. 2015. Web. 17 Apr. 2015.

Link:http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/18/world/middleeast/un-calls-on-western-nations-to-shelter-syrian-refugees.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

Summary: Due to the outcry of the Syrian war, there’s pressure on powerful nations and leaders to open up their doors for the refugees fleeing the horrid scene. Organizations, such as the U.N, has provided shelter to over 130,000 refugees from Syria. Countries around the world has promised to take in two-thirds of what the U.N is asking with even more refugees seeking asylum in Europe. The U.S is planning on bringing in 2,000 refugees by fall 2015 which is over twice the amount that they have brought in since the start of the war. Although, in order to resettle this many people, the U.S is planning on going through a slow vetting process to organize and make sure of who they are going to aid in this dire situation. Refugees that may not be admitted into the U.S resettlement program will have to resort again to seeking asylum in Europe in fear of being prosecuted at their homes.

Analysis: Personally I do not understand the purpose of the U.S using the vetting program. This process of getting each and every single refugee screened would be very lengthy and it will endanger the refugees who are awaiting upon its response. If 50,000 refugees are seeking aid from the U.S, but they have to go through a very lengthy process just to be considered for resettlement. In that amount of time, a significant amount of refugees could be endangered and some even killed. I understand that there is danger into letting anyone who says they are in a dire situation into the U.S, but there has to be an efficient and quick way to get the refugees safe rather than the very slow screening process. There are hundreds of thousands of people in danger in Syria who are pleading for help, the U.S has to be quick to respond and cannot take precious time away screening the people.

Article #2:South Africa Moves to Quell Anti-Immigrant Violence

Link:http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/18/world/africa/south-africa-moves-to-quell-anti-immigrant-violence.html?ref=world

MLA:Onishi, Norimitsu. "South Africa Moves to Quell Anti-Immigrant Violence." The New York Times. The New York Times, 17 Apr. 2015. Web. 17 Apr. 2015.

Summary: On friday,April 10th, in Johannesburg South Africa, stores and vehicles were attacked from the anti-immigrant violence that has been ongoing for awhile now and taken up to at least four lives in the country. South Africans had to intervene when immigrants from other African nations had armed themselves to protect their businesses and valuable against South africans who have accused the immigrants of stealing their jobs. The violence began in Durban and then spread to Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city, with the Government slow to respond. The past waves of anti-immigrant violence in Johannesburg went up to 60 deaths in 2008 and at the moment, it could be headed in that direction yet again. The attacks began after Zulu king, Zwelithini, hit out against the foreigners and demanded that they leave South Africa, no politicians has spoken out against the words of the king, the king’s salary is oddly enough paid by the government.

Analysis: The South African government must act quickly if they want this unnecessary violence to end. Although they cannot speak out against the requests of the Zulu king because if the government had done that, it will create even more unrest than there already is among the population. Its a delicate situation that the government must handle but they have to protect the citizens and foreigners that are being targeted by the rioters. Immigration allows for cultural diversity and it boosts any nation’s economy, so it has to be a priority to protect the foreigners who are innocent and contribute to South African society. The Government although should be sympathetic to those who are upset because when living in poor conditions it is understandable to blame someone and blaming foreigners for taking jobs away from the natives is arguable. National leaders and politicians should seek to create peace between the two groups because if they don’t, there could be numerous casualties.

Article #3: Obama Open to 'Creative Negotiations' on Iran Sanction

MLA:"Obama Open to 'Creative Negotiations' on Iran Sanctions." The New York Times. The New York Times, 17 Apr. 2015. Web. 19 Apr. 2015.

Link:http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/04/17/us/politics/ap-us-obama-iran.html?_r=0

Summary: President Barack Obama has told his advisors and diplomats to come up with creative ways of negotiations with Iran over the fate of its sanctions and to persuade them to loosen up their nuclear program. Officials of America have long waited to see Iran come to agreement in more favorable terms for the people, although Iran wants immediate relief from the sanctions that has been placed on them. Mohammad Javad Sarif, who is Iran’s foreign minister, has said that the U.S has given them their basic provisions which does not include lifting sanctions on Iran. Negotiators are planning on meeting in Vienna in the coming weeks to come to a final agreement. Obama, when commenting on this topic, he has refrained from criticizing Russia’s apparent sales of anti-aircraft batteries to Iran, which if happens makes it more difficult for the U.S to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities if the deal breaks down. Although Obama was apparently surprised that Russia has hold back the sale of these defense weapons for so long.

Analysis: At this meeting that U.S diplomats are going to be attending, they are going to have to create a tempting bargaining deal, in which Iran would loosen up their nuclear program for. They can’t go to the meeting and expect Iran to give up their protection for the good of society without any incentive. Although it is tricky about the sanctions that are placed on Iran at the moment will be tricky of negotiate with since Iran demands that they are to be lifted before any other deal takes place. I understand that the U.S cannot meet those demands immediately because if they do that’ll threaten America’s safety if it is true that Iran is holding a nuclear missile program secretly in their facilities. They will have to convince their foreign minister somehow to abandon that program or maybe they could offer something they will find more valuable to them to even the tides of that negotiation. Its going to be hard to play this out smoothly with Iran especially since Russia are soon going to be selling anti-nuclear weapons to Iran, which creates even more tension than there already is with Russia.

Articles #1

Alex Koudal

Article one: American Flags Popping Up in Cuba on Everything but a Pole

Article 1
MLA:Archibold, Randal C. "American Flags Popping Up in Cuba on Everything but a Pole." The New York Times. The New York Times, 13 Apr. 2015. Web. 22 May 2015.

Summary: The Diplomatic conflicts between the United States and Cuba has recently been slightly uplifted with the recent trend of American flags popping up in Cuba. In recent years, fashion trends in Cuba have gone through multiple different flag outbursts with the Union Jack seemed to gain favor in fashion around the 2012 London Olympics, and various different items with the american flag popping out now and then. The common Cuban citizen has long remained friendly towards American tourists and has closely followed American media and sports. A number of people wearing flag apparel said it had become more widespread in the past year. Despite political tension between the two nations, citizens have never let it get in the way of what they desire to wear, even if it means representing an old rival that they so love. Even diplomats between the two nations have said that when the appropriate time comes, they expect to fly their flags at their diplomatic missions.

Analysis: The so ever-growing popularity of the American flag seems to be a sign towards, what many people are hoping, kind relations between the two countries and a mutual embrace. With the meeting between Raul Castro and President Barack Obama, potentially there could be that this meeting will bring about a newly found partnership between the two nations. This could further aid the American cause to end humanitarian issues in Africa and the Middle East with Cuban resources and influence. The reason being with this new fashion trend in Cuban society could relate to that of the loosening of grip on the citizens from the government. The burst of flag sightings would probably have been less likely if Fidel Castro was in charge.

Article 2: Putin Lifts Ban on Russian Missile Sales to Iran

Article 2
MLA: Macfarquhar, Neil. "Putin Lifts Ban on Russian Missile Sales to Iran." The New York Times. The New York Times, 13 Apr. 2015. Web. 22 May 2015.

Summary: Russian President Putin has approved the delivery of a sophisticated air defense missile system to Iran, which ultimately complicates Tehran's nuclear program and political tensions with the United States. The deal is estimated to be worth 800 million to Russia and Iran is expecting this to boost their economy and make themselves a more formidable regional power. The U.N security council have been for years advocating to Iran that they keep there defense program peaceful.Russia has been aggressively seeking new trade partners to prove that Western sanctions have not isolated it from the global economy. Western nations and thinkers have remained suspicious and dubious of this sale because if this does proceed, how could the U.N or other nations stop Russia from selling a nuclear missile to Iran.

Analysis:

If this sale goes through, this could severe the relations even more so between the U.S and Russia. Reason being that this will show that the Russia will cooperate with anyone willing to spend the money no matter if they are in a conflict with other superpower nations. The U.S will have to be more wary since this sale could ultimately lead to more potentially more trades, including the sale of nuclear arms to that of Iran which would be highly threatening to America. Not only will it be threatening to America but other places as well, especially countries near Iran and Europe since they are unfortunately in the realm in which Iran could possibly influence. Russia further collaboration with Iran will create even more tension than there already is with the U.N, NATO, and The United States.