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Not only are they not benefiting from making decisions, they also aren't getting the political, economic, and social gains that come from being a person in power.
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Not only are they not benefiting from making decisions, they also aren't getting the political, economic, and social gains that come from being a person in power.
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Thought this was a good way to describe how women are viewed in war.
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Despite the resolution, women still face the same violence.
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They came up with a resolution to help support women.
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How can we categorize a state as in peace when half of their population is being denied the rights they deserve.
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Women also deal with restriction of resources such as food and education.
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Indirect Violence.
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Despite them attempting to bring more peace postwar, they are heavily ignoring the violence that still persists throughout half of their population.
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They are constructing what gender means, now their experiences and thoughts are more easily ignored.
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This is awful, yet still being largely ignored.
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Other factors besides gender can take away or add to how you are viewed in world politics / society.
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War has played a big role in developing these gender roles.
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This reminds me of the example that was given in class, where female politicians would wear masculine suits to appear more serious and less feminine.
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Saying that femininity is seen as weak, a victim who needs protection.
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Biological sex VS socially expressed gender.
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Second key of feminism.
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Since women don't have access to be in the room while making decisions, their experiences are not heard.
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Women are left out of a lot of the decision making in "High Politics".
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Many areas in which women experience violence.
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Crazy statistic.
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Domestic violence not considered a crime in lots of countries.
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Violence against women prominent among all countries.
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Doesn't acknowledge the struggles of women.
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Each gender has a specific set of stereotypical characteristics.
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Cultural Norm.
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Liberal and Realist IR theory are the mainstream theories, Others are critical theories.
Join the Conversation
FINAL THOUGHTS: This article touched a lot on India's relationship with the US, China, and Russia, specially after the US had withdrawn from Afghanistan. India has developed a growing connection with the US, and there are lots of concerns about China's influence in the region. Some questions I had throughout the reading include, how can India leverage its economic strength to navigate its relationships with other powers? Additionally, are there potential risks of increased US and India cooperation?
s Moscow seeksgreater balance between New Delhi and Islamabad, popular and elite support for India’s partnership is likely totake a few knocks
This means that a balanced approach from Russia could work to weaken India’s strategic position.
One of the main sources of enduring Indian political goodwill for its traditional partner, Russia, has been thesense that the latter has been steadfast in its support for India in its disputes with Pakistan.
Historical support from Russia is crucial for India.
ndia has been less vocal about the Sino-Russian partnership, but itsanxieties are real. Until now, Pakistan has been out of this Indo-Russian-U.S.-Chinese dynamic.
India’s being quiet about it's concern.
The latest developments in Afghanistan could intensify Sino-Indian contradictions,consolidate Indian-U.S. relations, and produce greater distance between India and Russia—quickening the paceof the transformation of India’s great-power relationships that was already underway
Afghanistan’s situation could heavily increase tensions between India and China.
But the growingsecurity challenges from China have rendered that assumption moot and nudged India closer than ever before tothe United States
So this pushed India closer to the US.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has not minced words in criticizing the Quad and the emerging Indo-Pacific constellation to contain China.
Russia has a growing rivalry with India and its allies.
Moscow defended the decisionto keep New Delhi out by arguing the latter had little influence with the Taliban and therefore would not be ableto contribute to the peace process.
Hurts India's diplomatic efforts.
oscow has also kept India out ofthe so-called troika process.
Exclusion from peace talks.
For the last couple of years, Moscow has repeatedly emphasized the importance of engaging the Taliban, whileNew Delhi doubled down on its support for the elected government in Kabul.
India's commitment to Kabul is very different than Russia's approach.
aking matters worse for India is Russia’s new role in the region. New Delhi has not been too enthused byMoscow’s growing strategic partnership with Beijing in recent years
Russia's shifting alliances complicate India's plan.
n the last few years, Beijing has gingerly stepped into Afghan politics and has been trying its hand atreconciliation diplomacy. I
Cautiously increasing its influence in Afghanistan.
ndia, of course, views a larger Chinese role in Afghanistan with some concern. New Delhi has warily watchedBeijing steadily expand its economic and military profile in the Indian subcontinent in recent years—in waysthat go beyond its traditional alignment with Islamabad.
Does this mean India’s actions are warranted given the stakes and concern they had?
A Chinese-Pakistanipartnership in Afghanistan will indeed be a major setback for India on its sensitive northwestern flank.
Partnership creates lots of risks for India.
A strong partnership with Pakistan, which has considerable influence with the Taliban, enhances China’sprospects in Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s role could boost China’s strategy.
Although Beijing has been strongly critical of the rushed U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, it has beenpreparing itself to play a larger role there.
China’s increased involvement could destabilize the states.
If the United States defends its retrenchment in Afghanistan in the name ofconfronting the China challenge, many see fresh opportunities as well as challenges coming Beijing’s way in thewake of the U.S. withdrawal
US's withdrawal creates new challenges for India.
The trend line in their relations with China is headed in opposite directions for India and Pakistan. While NewDelhi’s ties with Beijing have seen growing tensions in recent years, the partnership between the so-called ironbrothers—Pakistan and China—has been on the upswing
Shifting dynamics.
For India, which seesChina as a greater threat than Pakistan, the Biden administration’s focus on balancing China is certainlywelcome.
India's strategic outlook.
One of President Joe Biden’s justifications for ending the U.S. military intervention in Afghanistan is theimportance of coping with new challenges from a rising China in the Indo-Pacific region.
Shift in focus for India.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has not hesitated in responding with muscular military means toconfront Pakistan’s support for cross-border terrorism.
An assertive military strategy.
t nearly $3 trillion, India’s GDP is now about 10 times larger thanPakistan’s
India's economic strength. How might this influence regional power dynamics?
New Delhi is probably better prepared than before in dealing with the Pakistan challenge, including thelatter’s instrumentalization of Islamist movements to foreign-policy ends. T
A more strategic evolution in India’s approach to its neighbors.
To be sure, India’s concerns about cross-border terrorism will mount with the return of Afghanistan to Talibanrule.
Increased terrorism.
New Delhi, however, will be pleased byany reduction in the salience of Pakistan in the Indian-U.S. partnership.
Historical irritants in US and India relations.
at the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan could significantly weaken the current strategicpartnership between Washington and Islamabad
A weakened US and Pakistan relationship could shift the power dynamics more favorably for India.
New Delhi had no choice but to come to terms with the diminishing domestic political support inWashington for the so-called forever war and the inevitability of a post-U.S. Afghanistan.
A need for India to recalibrate its expectations of US support.
or long, India’s foreign-policy elite grumbled about the dangers of the United States leaving Afghanistan at themercy of the Taliban, so assiduously nurtured over the decades by the Pakistan Army.
What specific dangers are they anticipating?
greater cooperation with Washington, deeper conflicts with Beijing, andwider fissures in the traditional strategic partnership with Moscow.
How will it change relations with China?
Conclusion
FINAL THOUGHTS: This article largely discussed liberalism in international relations. Specifically, it showed the role of how various norms and institutions work to promote cooperation between states. I thought it was interesting when they talked about how Democratic states are less likely to go to war with each other. Two questions I still have are, how do these liberal norms become a norm in regions with different cultural values? Also, is there any other ways international organizations like the UN can encourage more cooperation among resistant states besides leaving them out of their meetings?
Finally, liberal norms add a further limitation on the use ofpower by shaping our understanding of what types of behaviour areappropriate.
Norms guide state behavior.
At the international level institutions andorganisations limit the power of states by fostering cooperation and providinga means for imposing costs on states that violate international agreements.
International institutions contribute to peace by promoting certain behavior between states.
A core argument of liberalism is that concentrations of unaccountable violentpower are the fundamental threat to individual liberty and must be restrained
The necessity of power constraints.
A liberal citizenry will naturally opposegovernment actions that threaten individual liberty and choose represen-tatives that will act on liberal preferences.
Argues that engaged citizens can actively influence government actions to uphold liberal values.
For example, anti-statism (a belief that thepower of the government should be limited) and anti-imperialism (a belief thatconquest of foreign peoples is wrong) are liberal norms.
Important liberal norms that contribute to political restraint.
US relations with Mexico in this case show how institutional and normativedomestic structures restrained the use of violent power
Various institutions and norms in limiting aggressive foreign policy.
First, he saw the Houses of Congress (with thesupport of some members of the executive branch) attempting to determinethe foreign policy of the United States, which Wilson viewed as uncon-stitutional. In the American system, the president has the authority to conductforeign policy.
Wilson’s commitment to presidential authority in foreign policy.
By 1919, a pro-interventionist coalition developed in the United States built onfrustration with President Wilson’s prior restraint and new fears over theMexican Constitution of 1917, which gave the Mexican people ownership ofall subsoil resources.
US public sentiment toward interventionism due to Wilson’s policies.
Wilson did notactually follow any of the advice he received. Instead, he reduced his waraims, halted his forces at Veracruz and withdrew US forces within a fewmonths.
This aligns with liberal principles.
The initialobjectives of the American war plan were to occupy Veracruz andneighbouring Tampico and then blockade the east coast of Mexico untilAmerican honour was vindicated – or a regime change occurred in Mexico
The initial military objectives of limited intervention.
The United Statesexhibited such restraint because, as suggested by liberal theory, its politicalstructure limited expansionism.
U.S. governance constrained imperial ambitions.
One simple measure is the level of colonial territory it accruedcompared to other great powers. By 1913, the United States claimed 310,000square kilometres of colonial territory, compared to 2,360,000 for Belgium,2,940,000 for Germany and 32,860,000 for the United Kingdom (Bairoch1993, 83).
Comparison to assess U.S. imperialism against other nations.
During thisperiod, the United States was liberal, but according to the dominant historicalnarrative, also imperialistic (see Meiser 2015)
Contradiction between liberal values and imperialistic actions.
In these cases, allsignatories to the agreement can benefit from absolute gains.
Concept of absolute gains where all parties can achieve mutual benefits from cooperation.
Insituations where a state can gain from cheating and escape punishment,defection is likely.
Risk of states violating agreements when they perceive potential benefits without consequences.
This type of scholarship is commonly referred to as‘neoliberal institutionalism’ – often shortened to just ‘neoliberalism’.
Neoliberalism.
For example, favourable views of theUnited States decreased significantly around the world following the 2003invasion of Iraq because the invasion was undertaken unilaterally (outside
Actions can be less direct but still equally effect states.
The third element of the liberal international order is international norms.Liberal norms favour international cooperation, human rights, democracy andrule of law.
Role of norms in shaping state behavior.
States with extensive trade ties are therefore strongly incentivised tomaintain peaceful relations.
Economic relationships encourages states to avoid war due to potential losses.
Second, the spread of free trade and capitalism through the efforts ofpowerful liberal states and international organisations like the World TradeOrganization, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank creates anopen, market-based, international economic system.
Economic integration as a central aspect of the liberal order.
First, international law and agreements are accompanied by internationalorganisations to create an international system that goes significantly beyondone of just states.
Importance of international organizations like the UN.
Furthermore, an aggressive state also risksmissing out on the benefits of peace, such as the gains from internationaltrade, foreign aid and diplomatic recognition
Both economic and diplomatic consequences of aggressive states.
under international law, wars of aggression are prohibited.
Wars are illegal according to international law.
We currently live in an international system structured by the liberal worldorder built after the Second World War (1939–1945). The internationalinstitutions, organisations and norms (expected behaviours) of this worldorder are built on the same foundations as domestic liberal institutions andnorms;
Connects domestic liberalism with global governance structures.
First, democracy is a relativelyrecent development in human history.
The limited history of democracies raises questions about their ability to sustain peace.
Second, democracies tend to see each other as legitimateand unthreatening and therefore have a higher capacity for cooperation witheach other than they do with non-democracies.
Mutual recognition.
First, democratic states are characterised by internal restraints on power, asdescribed above.
Limits agressive behavior.
Democratic peace theory is perhaps the strongest contribution liberalismmakes to IR theory. It asserts that democratic states are highly unlikely to goto war with one another
Democracies are unlikely to engage in war with each other.
A second important limitation on political power is the division ofpolitical power among different branches and levels of government – such asa parliament/congress, an executive and a legal system.
Wanting to prevent the abuse of power within liberal democracies.
For liberals, therefore, thecore problem is how to develop a political system that can allow states toprotect themselves from foreign threats without subverting the individualliberty of its citizenry.
The liberal challenge of balancing state security with the protection of individual freedoms.
Wars of territorial expansion, or imperialism – when states seek to buildempires by taking territory overseas – are especially disturbing for liberals.Not only do expansionist wars strengthen the state at the expense of thepeople, these wars also require long-term commitments to the militaryoccupation and political control of foreign territory and peoples.
Liberal concerns about imperialism
The primary concern is thatwar requires states to build up military power.
Military buildup is a threat to civil liberties.
A political systemcharacterised by unchecked power, such as a monarchy or a dictatorship,cannot protect the life and liberty of its citizens.
authoritarianism threatening individual freedoms.
Liberalism is based on the moral argument that ensuring the right of anindividual person to life, liberty and property is the highest goal of govern-ment.
Individual rights as a core liberal element.
Most notably, liberalism has been the traditionalfoil of realism in IR theory as it offers a more optimistic world view, groundedin a different reading of history to that found in realist scholarship
liberalism is more hopeful than realism.
Liberalism contains a variety of concepts and argu-ments about how institutions, behaviours and economic connections containand mitigate the violent power of states.
Liberalism's focus on institutions to reduce state violence.
Liberalism is a defining feature of modern democracy, illustrated by theprevalence of the term ‘liberal democracy’ as a way to describe countries withfree and fair elections, rule of law and protected civil liberties.
Link between liberalism and democratic principles like free elections and civil liberties.
In Town With Little Water, Coca-Cola Is Everywhere. So IsDiabetes.
FINAL THOUGHTS: This paper discussed the current negative consequences being faced by not only the specific Coca Cola production that is taking place nearby which leads to water scarcity, but also the hatred being created towards this corporation due to the growing influence and integration that Coca Cola has had into their culture. So, as health effects such as diabetes become more and more prevalent, residences are both trying to express their frustration with the company while also bringing to light the governments failure to provide water and basic services.
SAN CRISTÓBAL DE LAS CASAS, Mexico
Town in Mexico facing issue with the Coca Cola corporation.
But the main draw here for tourists is to watch the faithful, who pray over bottles of Coke or Pepsi
This really emphasizes the significance of Coca-Cola within the Tzotzil community.
Inside the town's whitewashed church, tourists step gingerly across carpets of fresh pine needles as copal incense and smoke fromhundreds of candles fill the air
atmosphere of religious ceremonies.
Since bottles of Coca-Cola arrived here a half-century ago, the beverage has been deeply intertwined with the local culture.
Integration into daily life.
Soft drinks have always been more available thanwater,"
Coca-Cola's availability rather than water.
"I'm worried I'll end up blind or without a foot or a hand," she said. "I'm very scared.
Unfortunate consequences of diabetes.
"Indigenous people ate very simple food," said Mr. López, the activist, who spent years living with rural communities as a missionary."And when Coke arrived, their bodies weren't ready for it.
Disruption caused by the introduction of processed foods.
Mexicans, he said, may havea genetic proclivity toward diabetes
deflecting responsibility onto genetic factors.
"a gesture ofrespect toward indigenous communities."
marketing reflects a corporate attempt to present itself positively despite all the controversy.
aggressive marketing campaigns by Coke and Pepsi that started in the 1960s helped embed sugary softdrinks into local religious practices, which blend Catholicism with Maya rituals.
Strategic marketing has influenced consumption by integrating sugary drinks into traditional rituals.
the ubiquity of cheap Coca-Cola -- and the diabetes that stalks nearly every household -- simplycompounds their anger toward the soft drink company
Direct correlation between the widespread availability of Coca-Cola and rising health issues in the community.
Many Tzotzil believe carbonated soda has the power to heal the sick.
cultural belief on drinks such as Coca Cola.
"We're not against the treatment plant,"
Not against the plant, but want their basic rights over water access.
while the infrastructure thatserves the residents of San Cristóbal is literally crumbling.
The basic needs of the residents not being met, specially in regards to infrastructure safety as well.
Laura Mebert, a social scientist at Kettering University in Michigan who has studied the conflict, says Coca-Cola pays adisproportionately small amount for its water privileges -- about 10 cents per 260 gallons.
Coca Cola contributing minimally back to the community.
"Coca-Cola is abusive, manipulative,"
Exploitation by multinational corporations.
Coca-Cola has come to symbolize thefrustrations that many Mexicans feel about their northern neighbor
Dislike towards US policies, which further adds to the hatred towards Coca Cola.
Climate change, scientists say, has also played a role in the failure of artesian wells that sustained San Cristóbal for generations
climate change as a factor in water availability.
rapid urbanization, poor planning and a lack of government investment that has allowed the city's infrastructure to crumble.
the governance and urban development policies are dysfunctional.
Coca-Cola executives and some outside experts say the company has been unfairly maligned for the water shortages.
The company is denying the accusations that they are the culprits of this water shortage.
"When you see that institutions aren't providing something as basic as water and sanitation, but you have this company with secureaccess to one of the best water sources, of course it gives you a shock,"
Shocking failure of local institutions to meet basic needs.
"Coca-Cola killsus" and demanding that the government shut the plant down
A protest slogan against Coca Cola.
The plant has permits to extract more than 300,000 gallons of water a day
An insane Water extraction amount by Coca-Cola
Buffeted by the dual crises of the diabetes epidemic and the chronic water shortage, residents of San Cristóbal have identified whatthey believe is the singular culprit: the hulking Coca-Cola factory on the edge of town
Coca-Cola’s presence as an issue is the towns health and wellbeing.
"Now, you seethe kids drinking Coke and not water.
Health risks of the children who are drinking Coke rather than water.
as struggledwith obesity and diabetes
Repercussions of the mass consumption of Coca Cola
The mortality rate from diabetes in Chiapas increased 30 percent between 2013and 2016
Alarming statistic.
many residents drink Coca-Cola, which is produced by a local bottling plant, can be easier to find than bottled water and is almostas cheap.
The unavailability of water has led to a massive increase on the consumption of Coca-Cola.
When it does trickle from her tap, the water is so heavily chlorinated, she said, it'sundrinkable
Water quality issues faced by residents.
Conclusion
FINAL THOUGHTS: This paper went over lots of issues being faced right now due to the UN's ineffectiveness in resolving conflicts. One example given was the Syrian Civil War, where the the UN's current structure and the veto power of permanent members hinder decisive action. So, there's a very urgent need to provide and implement solutions to help resolving these crises.
Hostilities and disagreement amongst the United States and Russiaexemplify a reduction in each state’s commitment to human security and the betterment of the world.
geopolitical tensions hinder collective security efforts.
UN is a vital platform for providing states with aforum to voice their opposition to a nation’s behavior.
UN's role in promoting state accountability.
Ultimately, critics of the UNSC have consolidatedreform into seven demands – “that the Council be: more representative, more accountable, more legitimate, moredemocratic, more transparent, more effective, and more fair and even-handed”.
The seven demands to help with UNSC's effectiveness.
human security is privileged over international order as a basicpublic good”.[
This goes to show the importance of prioritizing human security in international relations.
the United Nationscannot be expected to uphold its commitment as a defender of international peace and security withoutacknowledging the dire need for institutional reform that better enables it to respond to modern conflict
Theres a necessity of change the UN in order to address conflicts effectively.
All proposed reforms were differing iterations of methods to expand permanent membership orveto authority in the body.
ongoing debate about changing UNSC membership.
Russia has used its veto on [multiple] occasions, largely to avoid scrutiny over its actions in Syria”.[
Misuse of veto power.
Anotherexample of UNSC reform could involve placing limitations on the use of the veto powe
Suggestion to stop veto power.
“regional powers, such as Brazil, Germany, India, Japan,Nigeria and South Africa, have sought to enlarge the council or secure permanent seats of their own”
Add new members to the permanent council.
it is evident that the UNSC’spresent structure is unsuitable for addressing modern conflicts
UNSC structure is ineffective,
the development of customary norms takes aconsiderable degree of time and is often prescribed following a case of war crimes, genocide, ethnic cleansing, orcrimes against humanity.
Slow evolution of legal standards.
R2P can besolidified as a norm in customary international law, which “results from a general and consistent practices of statesthat they follow from a sense of legal obligation”.[
Establishing R2P as a norm is essential.
Therefore, it is theresponsibility of member states to address the prevalent threats that prevent the UN from fulfilling its mandate ofpreserving international peace and security.
States must take initiative.
the lack of institutional remedies thwarts the capacity for the UN “to providepublic goods in the realm of human security”.
institutional failures limit the UN’s effectiveness.
R2P
Debates about the justification for humanitarian interventions.
While the UN has well-functioning mechanisms and entities in place to assist with the aftermath of conflict, thepresent functioning of its central organ renders it unable to prevent or react immediately to modern war,demonstrating the need for organizational reform to carry out its mandate as a preserver of international peace andsecurity.
the need to improve the UNSC's responsiveness.
Cold War antagonisms”
Interesting how historical rivalries stop current crisis responses.
the self-interest driven tactics of states engaged in Syria is similarly “likely to deny the Syrian people the rightto choose their own destiny”.
Prioritization of foreign agendas over local needs.
Inaction is ultimately the fault of states that choose to prioritize realist policies overuniversal human security
State interests as a primary obstacle to humanitarian action.
“enthusiasm for United Nationsengagement in civil wars was abruptly curtailed by experiences in Somalia, Rwanda, and Bosnia”,
Historical failures have led to skepticism about their effectiveness in crisis situations.
The Syrian Civil War exemplifies shortfalls in the ability for the present structure of the United Nations to adequatelytackle the complexities presented in modern,
The UN struggles with the intricacies of conflicts.
a significant failure for both the international community and the UNSC.
Failure of global efforts to address the Syrian crisis.
a trend that will further hinder prospective peace buildingefforts.[
concern that ongoing U.S. and Russian interventions will lead to ineffective reforms in Syria.
responsibility to protect (R2P)
Framework to intervene in cases of severe human rights violations.
Russia, as of now, has vetoed ten resolutions pertaining to Syriain furtherance of its support for the Assad regime.[
Failure to Condemn Violations.
April 7, 2018 suspected chemical attack inthe Damascus suburb of Douma.[
Using force without clear UNSC mandates.
“a campaign of carnage,turning an enormous cache of deadly weapons against the very people they were presumably stockpiled to protect”
This has led to increased calls for regime change from the U.S. and its allies.
“growing discomfort with UN involvement in the internal struggles of Arab countries”, the sheer magnitude of theconflict and dire humanitarian crisis has furthered state interest in aiding resolution efforts.[32]
severity of the humanitarian crisis has state interested in seeking resolution.
UNSC Resolution 2165
Limits international intervention.
“heightened tensions between the United States and Russia have manifestedanew in the Council, leading to concerns that the body may be less able to defuse crises”.[
The ongoing gridlock among the P-5 members is identified as a primary cause of the UNSC’s inaction.
“half a million Syrians [being]killed, most by pro-regime forces, and more than half of the country’s prewar population of some twenty-two million[being] displaced”.[24]
Such a large amount of people killed.
, terrorism has significantly contributed to not only compounding the complexity of the overall conflict,
Stopped the UN and Security Council’s ability to facilitate a ceasefire and peace agreement.
led to increased military
Islamic State (Daesh) has further complicated the war.
Shiite-backed troops of President Bashar al-Assad and the predominantly Sunni Gulfstates.
Two main proxy conflicts.
As more than four competing networks vie to achieve their respective geopolitical objectives inthe country, the fundamental humanitarian necessity of protecting civilian lives from heinous atrocities has becomediluted as a result of the struggles presented by the ever-intensifying war.
The conflict between Proxy wars and the humanitarian crisis.
Following the initial 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, Syria emerged at the center of what has now deteriorated into nearlya decade of complex civil unrest that has challenged the international community and its ability to intervene in thewar.
The international community's struggle to intervene effectively.
“weighed and balanced against individual sovereignty, asrecognized in the international human rights instruments”
Shows the complexities of legal intervention in internal conflicts.
Thelack of international mechanisms with the jurisdiction and capacity to hold non-state actors accountable has limitedthe UN’s success in intervening in civil unrest.
Shows a challenge with Non-State Actors.
demands to civil war parties [becoming] more numerousand increasingly oriented toward post-conflict peace building between 1989 and 2006”.
A Shift in UNSC Focus.
In the past decade, civil unrest has grown increasingly prevalent throughout the world and has subsequentlychallenged the international community in pressuring non-state and state actors to comply by the demands of theSecurity Council.[
Civil Unrest and Accountability.
proxy strategies
Rise of Proxy Wars.
Evidently, there is a disconnect between presentthreats to international security and the capacity for entities such as the UNSC to effectively mediate and mitigateconflict.
Changing Nature of Conflicts.
With the determination of the P-5having been structured in the aftermath of World War II, critics note that the current authority of the bodydisproportionately favors the positions of the permanent members, thus hindering the UNSC’s ability to distance itselffrom the sovereign interests of states when attempting to combat international security risks.
Power Dynamics.
“its efficacy and authority as a mediator on matters of international security” is ongoingand increasingly prevalent in light of presently deteriorating modern conflicts.
Efficacy and Authority of the UN.
The UN and its contemporary challenges
Challenges of Sovereignty too.
A plethora of contemporary challenges have exposed the UN to criticism in its ability to evolve with changes ingeopolitics, most notably the organization’s responsive rather than reactive approach to confronting internationalcrises and the rise in nations disinterested in international consensus building.
A more proactive approach might mitigate crises before they escalate.
the denial of human security to the citizens in one ormore states as a result of civil conflict and strife”.
The organization’s capacity to intervene in internal conflicts without infringing on state sovereignty.
geopolitic
Shifting power dynamics.
United Nations Security Council (UNSC
Almost limitless power.
“a guardian of international peace and security, as a promoter of human rights, as a protectorof international law, and as an engineer of socioeconomic advancement”
Complexities of politics .
References
FINAL THOUGHTS: This paper discussed both the Red Cross and NGOs relation between states, and how they both view neutrality in humanitarian work. Although both organizations main aim is to help people, there are varying ideas about what "neutrality" is, which has created numerous challenges in situations like the migrant crisis. The main consensus is the need for a debate and further conversations in order to find a common ground to form a shared understanding and interpretation of neutrality.
A common and constant struggleagainst these realities, that are dangerous for humanitarianism in all its meanings, could therefore be the first step tocreate an unprecedented synergy between RC and DWB, a synergy that could lead the two organizations to nolonger be “differently neutral”.
A united front against unethical practices to form collaboration between NGOs.
Thereare reports of cases in which some NGOs appear to be in league with the traffickers of migrants, and it is probablytrue – as documented by Polman and other journalists – that there are some “facade” NGOs more careful to collectsubstantial amounts of money than to spend it where it is actually necessary
Potential misconduct among some NGOs
the search for a solution must be first of allpolitical
Importance of political solutions to humanitarian crises over NGO efforts alone.
it would be appropriate if realities such as “RedCross” and “Doctors Without Borders” organized a debate,
The need for a debate.
The Minister has not argued with a specific NGO,
A broad agrument directed towards NGOs.
only the total endof all cooperation with NGOs can block migrant smuggling and the consequent deaths,
Controversial political strategy.
The Interior Minister’s reasoning is as radical as Linda Polman’s
Political shift in Italy impacting NGO operations.
he cooperation between IRC and MOAS would also have otherreasons, apart from a common “institutional attitude”.
Financial competition.
The strict respect of humanitarian principles recognized at an international level is for us a fundamental prerequisite.Also in this area of humanitarian intervention, however, a different sensitivity of RC, and not only of it, was detected:
DWB’s commitment to maintaining independence.
The presence of armed police officers on board is contrary to the “no-weapons” policy thatwe adopt strictly in all our projects in the world.
Argues that police presence undermines its neutrality
thecommitment to ensure that the competent authorities of the flag state are kept constantly informed
DWB contests restrictions that could hinder its humanitarian mission.
DWB, however, refused to sign the document, and consigned the Minister a letter explaining in detail the reasons forthis choice:
Conflicts over operational principles and government demands.
he Interior Minister of the previous government issued a Behaviour Codefor NGOs that were committed in Search and Rescue activity (SAR).
Regulation aimed at NGOs.
RC is markedby an “institutional attitude” that makes it a more reliable partner for states, while DWB and Emergency would havean “antagonistic attitude
RC’s structured approach makes it more appealing to governments.
the different interpretation of “neutrality” developed by the twosides
Differing views on neutrality.
between the two organizations there is certainly the willingness to cooperate
Some desire for collaboration exists, but it's limited.
a positive example is the cooperation that the International Committee of the Red Cross, AmnestyInternational, Human Rights Watch and other NGOs managed to realize in 1998.
Highlights successful past collaboration on child soldiers.
he cooperation between RCand DWB is certainly preferable to their contrast, considering their aims and their common fields of activity.
Collaboration is seen as more beneficial than competition.
The brand strength dimension andcomposite means are all significantly greater for RC than for DWB (ibid., 1464).
RC has a stronger brand than DWB among charities.
We tested the ability of the scale to distinguish between the two brands. We expected RC to have a higher level ofbrand strength than DWB because of its slightly greater popularity (1st and 3rd, respectively, out of 1100 charities).We followed the procedures used in the prior two studies (Reviewer Appendix U).
Research compares brand strength of the Red Cross (RC) and Doctors Without Borders (DWB).
RC remains a strong, well-established and extremely popular organization
Contrasts the Red Cross’s stable reputation with criticisms faced by other NGOs.
When do humanitarian principles cease to be ethical?
What are the ethical limits of humanitarian action?
The possibility of doing nothing must exist, if in certain circumstances it is better that way,
Inaction can sometimes be the ethical choice in humanitarian crises.
the principle of neutrality is extremely negative and counter-productive
Can allow abuses to continue without accountability.
heir criticism concerns the way NGOs operate and the consequences they cause.
Operational effectiveness of NGO's.