Fault Lines
June 23, 2023 - Blinken, Modi, and refugees
Happy summer! (though, if you’re in the Northeast, can someone get the memo to Mother Nature 🥶)
The two big headlines this week were Antony Blinken’s visit to China and Narendra Modi’s red-carpet visit to the White House.
Blinken seemed to smooth things over with Beijing, which had ruptured because of the spring time spy balloon affair. The US secretary of state got an audience with Xi Jinping, in which he resurrected the talking points that there is one China and that the US does not support Taiwan’s independence. Let’s see if President Biden, who made an offhand comment that Xi Jinping is a dictator this week…🙄, sticks to that talking point.
Meanwhile, in an effort to court India, which has recently eclipsed China from becoming the most populous nation in the world, and keep it in the Western camp, the Biden administration feted Narendra Modi. The Bidens hosted a state dinner last night. Modi addressed a joint session of Congress yesterday. Let’s just hope that amid all the fanfare, Biden, Blinken, and other power brokers called Modi out on his xenophobia and mistreatment of Muslims as well as his increasing iron fist over free speech and a free press in his country. Yes, it would be great for India to side with the US and the West, especially as China ramps up power in Asia. But it can’t come at the cost of oppression and outright racism. India, which has its own tensions with China, needs the US and the West too.
With the remaining space I have left, I want to briefly touch, in light of World Refugee Day this past Tuesday, on refugees. (I emphasize briefly – so don’t @ me.)
Refugees and other migrants have never had it easy. Anyone moving from one place to another throughout history has faced discrimination and opposition in the places they’ve landed. Yet the volume on those sentiments seems to have increased, as more and more countries are working to buy off third parties to solve the migrant problem. Brussels struck a deal with Turkey’s government back in 2015 to keep Syrians and Afghans within its borders. France is now doing the same with Tunisia. The UK struck a deal with Rwanda.
Why?
It is no coincidence that as Western economies move towards automation and move away from large scale manufacturing, they struggle to accept a large number of low skilled laborers, which refugees often are. As we’ve seen in the Midwest of the United States, factory jobs have disappeared.
In the US, so too have social services. The right wing mania to cut taxes has sapped public services. Cities, where most refugees and new immigrants land, struggle to provide adequate housing, education, health services, public transport, and policing.
Finally, the West is aging. According to the Census Bureau, the median age in the US is 38, the highest it’s ever been. Less babies, more older people and less funding strain a government’s ability, for one, to provide retirement care and benefits to an aging population, but also to invest in the future and…,well, anything else.
There is a lot of finger pointing and deflecting when it comes to the question of refugees. The actual issue isn’t about outsiders coming in, but what we’ve done to the systems we’ve been trusted to protect and nurture. Where refugees have repeatedly shown the value they add to economies, through the businesses they launch (Google, Chobani, Pfizer… to name a few), we fail refugees, because we’ve failed and continue to fail ourselves.
“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves…” William Shakespeare (I know, a man, but was he? 🤔)
— Elmira
Elsewhere in the World.....
On our radar...
Modi in Washington
Mr. Modi goes to Washington: India’s prime minister made his first official visit to the US this week. Kiran Sharma says the two nations are looking to boost military deals with each other, hoping to counter China’s growing power. (Nikkei Asia)
What’s the future of US-India relations? Farwa Aamer and Meera Gopal share thoughts in this deep dive. (Asia Society)
While Joe and Narendra will emphasize points of commonality, there are actually a number of areas where the US and India disagree. Maheen Shafeeq discusses. (International Policy Digest)
The US should not be fooled – India is not looking to be an ally. Barkha Dutt explains the difference between strategic cooperation and a long-term alliance in the context of Modi’s visit. (Washington Post)
World Refugee Day
World Refugee Day was on Tuesday and Mursel Sabir wants to know where the help is for Afghan refugees since the Taliban took over. She calls on the Biden administration to take action. (Inkstick Media)
The UK government is sending asylum seekers to Rwanda. Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza points out that Rwanda has its own immigration issues, so it’s not the safe haven for asylum seekers that it’s being portrayed. She says her home country needs to tackle the issues that lead Rwandans to flee and refuse to return home. (Al Jazeera)
The UK is rushing to pass its Illegal Migration Bill. That has not allowed lawmakers to carefully consider and scrutinize the proposals, says Rashmin Sogoo. And that will create unintended negative consequences for the UK’s international standing, particularly regarding justice. (Chatham House)
The EU pledges millions to Egypt to support the intake of Sudanese refugees. Katherine Hearst unravels EU incentives and worsening conditions for migrants at Egypt’s southern border. (Middle East Eye)
US (and China, really…)
In light of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to China, let’s brush up on China and the US’s diplomatic history. Regina Ip is here to help. 😎 (South China Morning Post)
President Biden called China’s President Xi a dictator following Antony Blinken’s trip to Beijing. Rebecca Falconer with the context of Biden’s statement. (Axios)
What are the real origins of the US border crisis? Julia Preston on the failures of the US asylum system. (Foreign Affairs)
Africa
Leaders from South Africa, Senegal, Congo-Brazzaville, Comoros, Zambia, and Uganda traveled to Ukraine and Russia last week, armed with a 10-point peace plan. What did they achieve? Mayeni Jones digs in. (The Africa Report)
The ruling junta in Mali will hold a constitutional referendum on Sunday. Experts say that their true aim is to consolidate power, not a transition back to democratic of civilian rule. Ellen Iones has more. (Vox)
The UN peacekeeping force in Congo, MONUSCO, is winding down. As the forces withdraw, after more than two decades, violence continues. Martina Schwikowski, Wendy Bashi, and Marcus Loika on MONUSCO’s failures. (DW)
Madagascar’s new foreign investment law gives foreigners equal rights to land as ordinary Malagasy. This will perpetuate the colonial dispossession of the people, say Velomahanina Razakamaharavo and Lalatiana Rakotondranaivo. (African Arguments)
Also, to watch in Africa… Sierra Leone holds elections Saturday. There has been violence leading up to the vote.
Asia
Amid a Taiwan crisis, what would sanctioning China entail? Agatha Kratz and Charlie Vest dive deep in this report. (Atlantic Council)
How can the international community stop the Myanmar junta’s war on its people? Angela Huang, Caroline Mendoza, and Allen Ho weigh in. (The Diplomat)
Japan’s new ‘understanding’ LGBTQ bill lacks a sense of reality and history. Sabine Frühstück lays it out for us. (The Conversation)
The Taliban’s hatred toward women is at the root of their hold on power. Lynne O’Donnell explains the increasingly worsening conditions for women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. (Foreign Policy)
The Americas
Guatemalans head to the polls this weekend, for an election that experts say have been plagued by illegal use of government funds and secretive rulings on which candidates qualify to run. Marina Franco says that Sunday’s vote will be a test for the country’s democracy. (Axios)
Inflation reached over 100% in Argentina, but restaurants are as crowded as ever. Natalie Alcoba explains why business is booming as the country is dealing with a financial crisis. (NYT)
In Honduras, 48 women were killed at an all-female prison. The murders happened in the context of growing gang tensions that were ignored because it involved women, notes Victoria Dittmar. She notes that “underestimating the role of women in perpetuating violence can have lethal results.” (Insight Crime)
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) may not be able to run again in 2024, but he’s already trying to influence the next administration. Alejandra Soto with the details on why his plan might just work. (Americas Quarterly)
Europe
The EU needs to change its approach to energy cooperation with Gulf states. Cinzia Bianco has some recommendations on how to make it happen – looking ahead to COP28 in November. (ECFR)
Two-weeks-post the Nova Kakhovka dam disaster in Ukraine, Iulia-Sabina Joja gives a run-down of the damages. There is no doubt Russia delivered a catastrophe that has large, far-reaching impacts, and a possible “ecocide.” (Middle East Institute)
In Russia, opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s trial began on Monday. He is facing years of imprisonment on new “extremism charges,” says Sarah Fortinsky. (The Hill)
With all eyes on Ukraine, Belarusians are fighting their own war for freedom. Tatsiana Chulitskaya and Elena Korosteleva fill us in on the large-scale anti-Lukashenko protests and the role the EU should take on. (Carnegie Europe)
Spain is set to take over the EU presidency on July 1, and the country’s holding parliamentary elections toward the end of July. Alana Moceri on the implications of this election for Ukraine. (WPR)
Middle East
Lebanese lawmakers have failed, for the 12th time, to elect a new president. 😳 Layal Abou Rahal explains the situation. (Al-Monitor)
Iraq is trying to get its people out of the infamous Syrian al-Hawl camp, even if they are supposedly connected to the Islamic State. Simona Foltyn interviews four families who were once in the camps and have now returned to Iraq. (The Guardian)
The Middle East appears to be a place where China and the US might be able to work as a team – but the region’s growing disenchantment with the US could allow for China to take the upper hand. Barbara Slavin has more. (Just Security)
Why are Palestinians absent from the protests for judicial reform in Israel? Their lived realities are largely excluded, explains Peggy Cidor. (Middle East Eye)
Science and Climate Change
South Korea has built a floating city, Oceanix Busan, with the hopes of hosting climate refugees. Isabel Rubio on the experiment that will be able to adapt to rising sea levels and the future of artificial islands. (El País)
Supershedders aren’t some breed of snake or dog – it’s a person. (And, no, not my last boyfriend, though he was indeed a supershedder). Specifically a person infected with Covid-19 who is able to spread more germs than the average person. Saima Sidik fills us in on this and the other findings of a recent study on Covid-19. (Nature)
As climate change rages on, the world’s supply of fruits and vegetables is at risk. Clarissa Wei takes us to the World Vegetable Center in Taiwan, the home to the largest variety of chili peppers on earth — an important effort at preserving genetic diversity. (New Yorker)
Technology
In China, Vietnam, and Indonesia, Android is king, or has been until now. Companies like Xiaomi have been the popular go to. Yet, now with rising wealth, Apple iPhones are starting to pop up in the region. Joan Aurelia Rumengan has more. (Rest of World)
Links We Loved....
Looking for some movies to watch? Here is a full list of movies directed by Wong Kar-Wai to check out.
Ever thought about becoming a vegan? This piece might convince you (read with caution!)
Check out this video about all the important contributions refugees make for World Refugee Day.
The Afikra podcast features different creatives from the Arab world. They discuss everything – from food to music beats made from Syrian vinyls. Highly recommended!
The summer solstice was on Wednesday. Check out how people celebrate this day around the world ☀️
Job Opportunities
In DC, our pals at The Fuller Project are hiring for a Chief Development Officer. Go work with Xanthe, she’s awesome.
In Ottawa, go be a Project Officer for the Global Network of Women Legislators in Defence, Peace, and Security (they have funny spelling in Canada.)
Editorial Team
Elmira Bayrasli - Editor-in-Chief
Editors:
Samantha Felman
Anouk Jouffret
Pin-Shan Lai
Catherine Lovizio
Noa Schmid
Emily Smith