Hello everyone, how are things going where you are? The weekend seemed painfully short for me this time, although I really would have a lot of things to rest upon both at work and in life. Maybe some other time.
Progress on Syria was so fast this week, that even yesterday’s articles seem outdated. Unfortunately, dynamism does not equal improvement. Nevertheless, I came accross a few good reads.
On world affairs:
Did The World Just Legitimize The Assad Regime It Spent Years Discrediting?
I start with this, because this is actually a really good point. Does the international community legitimize the Syrian government when they start negotiating with it over securing their chemical weapons? I would go even further. Is it possible that that is exactly what the Assad regime had planned in the first place? Syria became party to the Chemical Weapons Convention, an international agreement just now, which presumes a legitimate government recognized by the international community.
Is the Russia Proposal Really a Breakthrough?
This is actually a video. My two favorite world affairs bloggers, Mark Leon Goldberg and Colum Lynch are having a conversation about Syria. Do I need to say more?
UN Chief Says He Has ‘Overwhelming’ Evidence of Chemical Attacks in Syria
The actual report of the UN inspection team is going to be presented today, and the Secretary General is going to brief the Security Council about it tomorrow.
On the legal side:
Legal Representative’s report on “withdrawal” of 93 victims from Ruto case
So, these Kenyan victims of crimes against humanity have withdrawn from participating in the trial against William Samoei Ruto, only it is highly probable they did not choose to do it on their free will. Interesting international law case.
On a sad personal note:
In memoriam Professor Péter Szirmai
This week we have said final farewell to my former boss, Senior Professor of Corvinus University of Budapest, Péter Szirmai.
I always will remember fondly his way of telling stories and all the long talks we used to have in between works to do. I will forever miss his voice and manner of dictating letters that really made such a boring task an entertainment. Many of us are lucky enough to be able to keep letters we got from him that have literary value.
Although I have not met him as a student I cannot even start counting all the things I have learned from him. He kept guiding me with his wise and well-meant advises throughout the two years we have spent together and ever since.
It was truly an honour knowing him.
Köszönöm, Tanár úr. Nyugodjon békében.
