Wants v. Realities

September 15, 2023 - G20, Spanish soccer, Turkish volleyball.....

Sep 15, 2023

Thinking about a number of recent events: Xi’s absence from the G20, Biden’s visit to Vietnam, Spanish Football Federation head Luis Rubiales’s resignation, and Turkey’s female volleyball team’s European title win. The common thread here is the want v. the reality.

The G20 held its first meeting in 1999, in response to “the debt crises that had spread across emerging markets.” It was an effort to head off and address economic challenges. Fast forward to 2023, China’s president, Xi Jinping, skipped the event in India last week. (Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat will skip UNGA next week). You bet that unleashed all sorts of commentary: Was he snubbing India, which is a major rival? Was Xi snubbing the liberal world order? Probably a little of both. While the US wants China (and other G20 nations) to continue to convene in forums of its making, the reality is that it is paving its own way — and wants the world to know it. While China remains interdependent on the US and the West, (and vice versa) it is also powerful enough to push back.

This has prompted the US to engage its own form of resistance. Following the economic confab in New Delhi, Biden landed in Vietnam, where the countries announced a “strategic partnership.” Despite having engaged in a brutal (and unnecessary) war in the southeast Asian nation 50 years ago, both Washington and the leaders in Hanoi are eager to counter China’s growing power. As Abigail McGowan and Joshua Kurlantzick outline, Hanoi has hesitated to elevate its relationship with Washington. In Beijing’s shadow, it feels the pull to the stars and stripes.

Following an enormous outcry for him to step down — after an unwanted kiss at the Spanish women’s soccer team’s victory at the Women’s World Cup — Luis Rubiales undug his sexist heels and did. He had initially claimed that kissing Jenni Hermoso was consensual; she has refuted this. Just ten years ago, he probably would have gotten away with his denial. In our post #MeToo world, the reality is that (thankfully) has become harder. Women definitely do not yet have sufficient power, but we have made gains that we will fight to hold onto. (I am tempted to go down the reproductive rights rabbit hole here, but I will resist.)

On that note, Mexico’s supreme court decriminalized abortion last week.

On a final note, Turkey’s women’s volleyball team - the Sultans of the Net - won the European Championship on my birthday. (Best gift ever 🥳). It put the country’s conservative leadership in an awkward position. Eager to defend Turkey and boast about the country’s greatness, they have criticized one of the players, Ebrar Karakut, a 6’5” 23 year old, for posting photos with women. Turkey’s government wants Turkey to be great again, but on its terms. The reality is greatness is achieved when everyone is free to be who they are. Helal olsun kızlar! — Elmira

On our radar...

Little men of the world, unite! North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un traveled to eastern Russia for a series of meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week. Both isolated (and short), they’re coming together to discuss and collaborate on arms and military capability, says Isabel Van Brugen. (Newsweek)

It’s no mystery what Putin wants from North Korea, says Frida Ghitis. (Spoiler: Not hair styling tips.) (CNN)

UN week - UNGA, SDGs, and Climate

September for us New Yorkers isn’t so fun. It’s when the world descends upon our already dynamic city for the United Nations General Assembly. (We really don’t like gridlock.) What we do like is the call to action on climate (the People’s March is on Sunday - get out there) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit taking place at the end of the month. Gwendolyn Whidden, Katherine Fang, and Clara Apt have gathered some of Just Securities' past resources to prep everyone for the month and will keep updating it as the month goes on – so keep this link in mind. (Just Security)

The inimitable Minh-Thu Pham and Stewart Patrick outline five things to watch at the UN General Assembly opening. (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)

It’s not too late to get SDGs back on track. Isabella Massa and Samory Toure tell us how ahead of the 2023 SDG Summit in New York next week. (WPR)

Also coming up this month is the UN Summit of the Future. Anne-Marie Slaughter, Ilona Szabo, Jayati Ghosh, and Poonam Ghimire on how the proposed “Pact for the Future” could generate the necessary political will for countries to commit to a just green transition. In particular, it’s an opportunity for low and middle income countries to negotiate for fairer multilateral agreements and new financing mechanism to address climate change. (Project Syndicate)

Morocco earthquake

After a summer of watching wildfires, in Maui and in Greece, the Morocco earthquake has been particularly heartbreaking. Those that survived now face new challenges — how to access clean drinking water and proper sanitation services. Catarina de Albuquerque with how to help and how the rest of us can ensure our water and sanitation systems are earthquake-resilient. (Al Jazeera)

The earthquake’s epicenter was in the Atlas Mountains, near Marrakech. The medina quarter of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. (Elmira has been and it’s really remarkable.) Anne-Sophie Labadie and Ismail Bellouali on the massive destruction Marrakesh experienced and the buildings that have been left out of restoration efforts. (Al-Monitor)

G20

Why is Xi Jinping missing the G20? Helen Davidson takes a look. (The Guardian)

Narendra Modi would like to believe that India is the “Mother of Democracy,” as so many billboards across the country’s capital, New Delhi, proclaimed during last week’s G20 summit. India may be the host of the world’s most powerful economies, but it still puts into question the nation’s standing as a democracy amid the many atrocities inflicted upon minorities. Rana Ayyub is here to fill us in. (The Guardian)

US

Don’t get us (or authors Meizi Zhou, Gordon Burtch, or Xuelin Li) wrong, there are many benefits to Telehealth and the ability of people to access healthcare wherever they are. However, its rapid expansion might be leaving rural facilities in the dust. (Slate)

President Biden says the US does not want to “hurt” China. (It just wants it to be jealous.) After his recent meeting with Vietnam’s Community Party Chief Nguyen Phu Trong, the US upgraded its ties with Vietnam to a "comprehensive strategic partnership." Lien Hoang dives in. (Nikkei Asia)

Africa

It’s been five months since two generals started sparring in Sudan, causing considerable destruction. 4.9 people have fled and millions more face famine. Jehanne Henry thinks it’s past time for the UN to step in. Next week’s high level meetings at the UN would be a good place to start. (Middle East Institute)

Following the coup in Niger, Algeria has stepped up with a plan to restore democracy and stave off a foreign military intervention. Emily Milliken and Giorgio Cafiero explain why. (Responsible Statecraft)

Asia

China’s Belt and Road Initiative – what is it and why do we care about it today (it’s like 10 years old). Shannon Tiezzi thinks the BRI shows China’s importance on the world scene, so the US shouldn’t be too quick to assume the rest of the world is down to “decouple” from China. (The Diplomat)

The world continues to turn its back on Afghan women as the Taliban strips them of their rights. Heather Barr on what the world needs to do to defend the rights of Afghan women. (Inkstick Media) #ForShame

Three years after the Hong Kong National Security Law was passed, the government’s definition of national security remains “infinitely elastic,” say Charlotte Yeung and Thomas Kellogg. Individuals who cross the red line of the government will be arrested. (China File)

The Americas

Does Chile’s hope for a new constitution stand a chance? Emilie Sweigart says it’s heading toward another rejection in December’s referendum, but there’s still a sliver of hope. (Americas Quarterly)

50 years after the coup in Chile, the country is still feeling the effects of Pinochet’s dictatorship – with the constitutional referendum being the latest example. Carole Concha Bell with more. (NACLA)

What’s going on in Haiti? Diana Roy and Rocio Cara Labrador explain the many crises the country has faced on its path toward development. (CFR)

Europe

The war in Ukraine has brought Russia-Iran closer, particularly on military, economic, and political cooperation. Ellie Geranmayeh and Nicole Grajewski on the dangers of the countries’ closeness. (ECFR)

GPS-powered ankle tags to monitor migrants and asylum seekers? The UK government seems to be on board with this draconian Home Office pilot policy according to Isobel Cockerell. (Coda Story)

How did Spain’s feminists overthrow Luis Rubiales? Silvia Blanco, Isabel Valdes, and Nadia Tronchoni discuss. (El Pais)

Middle East

Tomorrow, September 16, marks one year since Mahsa Amini died in police custody in Iran. Protests erupted around the country following her death. Parisa Hafezi on what, if anything, has changed in Iran. (Reuters)

One year after Mahsa’s death, experts from the Atlantic Council, including Holly Dagres, Ladan Boroumand, Azam Jangravi, Nadereh Chamlou, Shukriya Bradost, Fariba Balouch, Baria Alamuddin among others chime in on questions a year later. (Atlantic Council)

The US is eager for Saudi Arabia and Israel to normalize relations. How would that change the Middle East? How would it impact US policy? Dalia Dassa Kaye joins Robert Satloff and Bernard Haykel to discuss. (PBS Newshour)

Science and Climate Change

Proof that all things are connected: The Russia-Ukraine conflict is not confined to their borders. It’s impacting northern climes, near Ukraine’s historic Vernadsky station. This station is essential for researching climate change, one of the biggest threats to the globe, explains Layal Liverpool. (Nature)

China experienced one of the worst rainfalls in 140 years last week and experts predict that they should expect a lot more. In fact, most of the world can expect more disastrous weather than they experienced this year, which is saying a lot, explains Josephine Ma. (South China Morning Post)

Technology

Google is on trial…for what? Cecilia Kang and David McCabe dive deep into the details of the trial that will attempt to rein in big tech. (NYT)

Links We Loved....

Feeling stressed? Check out this quick meditation for balancing the nervous system.
Longing for Fall? Check out this list of fall recipes to get ready for cooler temperatures.
If you’re NYC bound this weekend, check out these women focused climate events. Thank you WECAN.
Also, on climate change, I stumbled on this newsletter, The Impact.
Check out this amazing non-profit, Global Arts. It works in the Pico Union district in Los Angeles, providing music classes to underserved youth. Thank you Bob Terry for bringing this to my attention.

Job Opportunities

The jobs section is still on summer break. We’ll try to convince it to come back next week. No promises.

On a serious note, a number of you made interesting points about this section. I will be on the lookout for more mid-career opportunities. If you’re an employer, reach out to me and I’ll post your vacancy. (Interruptrr readers are the smartest.🤓)

Editorial Team

Elmira Bayrasli - Editor-in-Chief

Editors:

Samantha Felman
Pin-Shan Lai
Catherine Lovizio
Emily Smith