The Rules
September 22, 2023 - The G77 calls for a new world order
Maya Scott has joined our editorial team! She’s a student at Bard College Berlin, in New York for the semester with Bard NYC. Welcome Maya!
La Shona Tova. I meant to say that last week, but alas… Wishing all those who observe Yom Kippur an easy fast this weekend.
There’s a lot in Elsewhere in the World and on my proverbial plate this week, so I’ll keep it short here….. Also, I didn’t really get to copy edit this week. Apologies for any typos.
Did you know that before descending upon New York this week, that the Group of 77 (G77) countries plus China, met in Cuba? There was little to no coverage of it in the major US dailies. The fact that the US wasn’t a part of it is a large part of it.
The G77 is a grouping of nations within the United Nations. Founded by 77 countries in 1964, 134 countries make up the grouping today (plus China). Together the G77 aims to have a bigger voice within the global body, which is ironic since it represents 80 percent of the world’s population.
The summit in Havana focused on “changing the rules of the game” of the global order. It stressed the need for a more equitable world — and a new world order — that can address poverty, climate change, and global health challenges.
“Global systems and frameworks have let you down,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres told leaders gathered in the Cuban capital. “The conclusion is clear: the world is failing developing countries.”
Which world? The US, Europe, the West most certainly. Let us not ignore the role of business and technology — especially the tech giants such as Google (now Alphabet) and Facebook (now Meta). Interestingly, the theme of the conference was science and technology, sparking discussion about how technology can improve education and reduce economic inequality. Too bad there wasn’t discussion about how to deal with those technology companies and their innovations, especially as AI gains traction.
Too bad that discussion isn’t taking place in “the world” either. — Elmira
Yes, I did think about doing a pun about the book with the same name. Alas, my schedule got the better of me…. Suffice to say — Fuck the rules.
Elsewhere in the World.....
On our radar...
Representatives from countries that have adopted a feminist foreign policy met at the UN this week. The Feminist Foreign Policy Collaborative founder and chief executive Lyric Thompson points out the different approaches that make up this movement to prioritize women and widen the national security perspective. “It will take more than 16 governments to change the world,” she writes and notes that the US is notably absent. If we want better protection for people, peace, and the planet, it’s time to get serious about FFP. (NYT)
Tensions heated up this past week, after the Dominican Republic sealed its border with Haiti and halted all land, air, and sea traffic to Haitians. At issue is a canal that Haiti wants to construct, tapping into a river that both countries share. Tibisay Zea has more. (PRI)
Things are also tense between India and Canada, after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that the Modi government may have been behind the assassination of a Sikh separatist activist on Canadian soil. Both governments have expelled diplomats and India has stopped processing visas for Canadians. Rhea Mogul breaks down how all of it went down. (CNN)
UN week - UNGA, SDGs, and Climate
The UN doesn’t recognize Afghanistan’s current government, under Taliban rule — yet. As the 78th UNGA meets and Afghanistan remains off the agenda, there is a growing movement to extend it credentials to the global body. That’s a huge mistake, say Annie Pforzheimer and Shabnam Nasimi. “Such a step would undermine the efforts of countless Afghans - especially women,” they write. (Inkstick Media)
Biden met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week. On the agenda: normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Macarena Vidal Liy, Antonio Pita, and Trinidad Deiros Bronte consider how this could change diplomacy in the Middle East. (El País)
As the UN meets in NYC it’s an important time for a refresher on the status of the global human rights system and how authoritarian states are undermining it. Mercy Kuo asks Rana Siu Inboden for her thoughts. (The Diplomat)
US
Listen: A prisoner swap between the US and Iran led to the release of five US citizens — and $6 billion in frozen Iranian oil assets. You bet that figure made GOP 🤯. Barbara Slavin talked Leila Fadel about the terms of this arrangement and stipulation that the money must exclusively be used for humanitarian purposes. (NPR)
Iran has unjustly detained many Western nationals for years, in an effort to gain leverage and extract concessions. With this week’s US-Iran prisoner exchange, Ellie Geranmayeh and Esfandyar Batmanghelidj argue that Europe and the US should not only work to secure the release of others, but stop Iran from abusing this tactic. (ECFR)
Donald Trump claims if he were president he would find a “fair deal for everybody” to end the war in Ukraine. President Zelenskyy says Trump should share his ideas now…if he actually has any, reports Kaitlin Lewis. (Newsweek) #shade
Africa
Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso (all of which have had coups recently) have signed a defense pact, establishing the Alliance of Sahel States. Laureen Fageen has the details, which include a commitment among the three to protect the sovereignty of each. (Africa Times)
A number of cities in Germany, Switzerland, Israel, and the US have been the scene of protests and clashes. Before we start to categorize them as “mob violence,” says Gelila Enbaye, we should consider their actions as a plea for attention to support regime change in Eritrea — and curb Eritrea’s autocratic long arm into Western democracies. (Africa is a Country)
Asia
It’s time to play Where’s that Chinese Minister again! In our last episode, China’s foreign minister disappeared from the world stage. This time it’s the country’s foreign minister, Li Shangfu. Where in the world is Li Shangfu? And who will be next? Yucken Li investigates. 🕵️♀️ (DW)
What does ‘common prosperity’ actually mean in China? 🤔 Mary Gallagher says it means lowering expectations, as the issues with the economy run deep. (WPR)
What’s in a name? Turkey recently became Türkiye. Now, India wants to become Bharat. The country’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, says it’s to shake off the country’s colonial past. Akanksha Singh says it actually has to do with right wing Hindu nationalism. (CNN)
Also in India, Modi announced a bill that would reserve one-third of seats in the country’s lower house of parliament and state legislative assemblies. Astha Rajvanshi says that it his a “major step forward.” (Time) 🤔
Australia’s first constitutional referendum is drawing near — where its people will vote on whether to create an Indigenous voice in its parliament. Kishaya Delaney and other Ulurus have made this their mission and hope that Australians will back their Indigenous voice in parliament. (The Guardian)
Food security is a part of national security. Genevieve Donnellon-May explains how fears of rice shortages across Asia could affect already existing tensions in the region. (Asia Society)
The Americas
With two women as the frontrunners, Mexico will elect its first female president next year. Belén Fernández warns, however, that it won’t be a win for women’s rights amid a raging femicide epidemic as neither candidate is looking to upset the patriarchy. (Al Jazeera)
For many Latin American countries, their court system is the last line of defense for democracy. Tamara Taraciuk Broner and Rebecca Chavez lay out the situations in Brazil, Mexico, Guatemala, and elsewhere. (Americas Quarterly)
Europe
What’s going on between Armenia and Azerbaijan? Haley Ott breaks down what led to Azerbaijan launching an offensive in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region and the ceasefire that is now in effect. (CBS News)
Last month, Luis Rubiales resigned as head of Spain’s football federation after forcibly kissing a Women’s World Cup winner on the lips. This wouldn’t have been possible without the #MeToo movement. Alice Wu reminds us to stay strong and that the movement is only expanding and continually improving the lives of women. (South China Morning Post)
Middle East
Libya suffered catastrophic flooding last week that left more than 10,000 people dead or missing. Louisa Loveluck talked to a family that survived the floods. (Washington Post)
On the one-year anniversary of the killing of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini at the hands of Iran’s morality police, many are asking why the protest movement—the largest in nearly four decades—failed to bring about the changes it demanded and the revolution the diaspora called for. What we should be asking, instead, is why the regime succeeded, writes Emily Blout. (Foreign Policy)
One year after Mahsa Amini’s death, female protestors in Iran continue to face threats, notes Khosro Sayeh Isfahani and brings us letters by women protesters who have faced arrest and torture due to the protests — but still continue the fight for freedom. 👊 (Atlantic Council)
Over the past year, Iran has executed 640 people. This brutality is an effort to stifle any resurgence of unrest in the country, says Skylar Thompson. That’s why the international community should “center its focus on the widespread, systematic abuse against women and girls in Iran and commit to coordinated action aimed at justice and accountability.” (Just Security)
The Oslo Accords, which were supposed to bring peace between Israel and Palestine, turned 30 this past September 13. It's time to recognize the clear flaws in their creation and change this framework, says Maha Nassar. (The Conversation)
Science and Climate Change
Pacific Island nations are taking measures to preserve their cultures and histories against the existential threat of climate change. Saba Sattar outlines how. (International Policy Digest)
What is COP28 and why is it important? Ruth Townend and Anna Åberg explain the significance of the upcoming meeting, (in November) as well as the importance of addressing climate issues in this record-breaking temperature era. (Chatham House)
Japan goes green. The government just announced plans to double its subsidies for carbon-cutting steelmaking technology. This action will likely reduce CO2 emissions by 50 percent or more, says Riho Nagao. (Nikkei Asia)
There’s drama on the Covid front as new boosters are rolled out – but not for everyone. Many countries are deciding to target people of high-risk groups, leaving many in the dust, explains Mariana Lenharo. (Nature)
Technology
Can AI bring about world peace? Ola Mohajer thinks it’s possible. (The Hill)
How can the US bring semiconductor manufacturing back home? Sherry Van Sloun on the importance of building up a domestic talent pool and how to implement the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Act. (CFR)
China’s booming AI industry relies on exploiting student labor. Viola Zhou and Caiwei Chen dive into how vocational students are being given these “internships” to advance career prospects when in reality the work is essentially an assembly line job with little protection against exploitation. (Rest of World)
Links We Loved....
The 100 best pizza places in the world. (Scarr’s isn’t on it, so we don’t know how reliable this list really is.)
How did we only discover this podcast now? If Books Could Kill…. A snarky look at airport bestsellers. The World is Flat episode is especially on point.
Looking to get into a new show? Use this list of some awesome stand-alone episodes to pick your next favorite.
As the weather starts to cool down, it’s time for fall baking! Check out this pumpkin spice brown butter oatmeal cookie recipe (Yummayyy)
The NYT just dropped their top 50 restaurants in the US list – maybe there’s a restaurant near you? 👀
Job Opportunities
The American University of Cairo is taking applications for its Kamal Adham Fellowship for Television and Digital Journalism (in Cairo).
AEI is hiring for a Program Manager for its Technology Policy Studies.
Ernst & Young has a number of globally focused jobs:
Editorial Team
Elmira Bayrasli - Editor-in-Chief
Editors:
Samantha Felman
Pin-Shan Lai
Catherine Lovizio
Maya Scott
Emily Smith