Tag: Barack Obama
In light of all that’s happened in the past week, all of February seems meaningless now, but I am sharing this post out of optimism that better days are coming. I almost resumed my social life in February. Well, still far from it, but I took the first steps. Went out to see a movie two times, attended some other social events. All masked up, and not too many people, but still. I went hiking one weekend, which was much needed time spent outdoors. And I have more dates in my calendar for this next month than all of the…
Happy Sunday! I know there is so much going on in the world, but I hope you found something to be happy about this weekend! I sincerely hope these trying times will lead to positive results too. Meanwhile we all have to take our part to signal a racist world is not the world we want to live in. Here’s another great post with resources to help gain understanding and take action. Let’s do some reading. We Can’t Breathe: UN OHCHR Experts Issue Joint Statement and Call for Reparations Statement signed by all of the independent experts of the UN…
Happy Sunday Everybody! Forgive me if this s just a short, quick and light post, but for the first time in a long time I am putting together this Sunday post in its entirety on Sunday, as I was away for most of the week. I just got back from London, where I have spent the most wonderful birthday weekend. For a couple of pictures check out my Instagram. Let’s get down to what I seem to have missed all week. The State of the Union on Counterterrorism: Does the Rethoric Match the Policies? On Wednesday I was actually still…
As Americans, we respect human dignity, even when we’re threatened, which is why I’ve prohibited torture, and worked to make sure our use of new technology like drones is properly constrained. It’s why we speak out against the deplorable anti-Semitism that has resurfaced in certain parts of the world. It’s why we continue to reject offensive stereotypes of Muslims – the vast majority of whom share our commitment to peace. That’s why we defend free speech, and advocate for political prisoners, and condemn the persecution of women, or religious minorities, or people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. We…
Russia under pressure at G20 summit Russia has been rebuked by Western leaders about its role in the Ukraine crisis, at a G20 summit in Australia. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper told Russian President Vladimir Putin that he needed to “get out of Ukraine”. US President Barack Obama said Moscow’s “aggression” in Ukraine was a “threat to the world”, while the UK threatened more sanctions unless Russia stopped “destabilising” its neighbour. The two-day summit in Brisbane is focusing on promoting economic growth.
Hey Everybody! Hope all your weekends are going fine and you can take a few minutes to check out this week’s posts. With Maliki Gone, Can Iraq’s New Prime Minister Put His Country Back Together? That we’re going to have to wait and see. What You Need to Know about the UN Human Rights Council’s Gaza Investigation Sadly, it is probably true that the investigation will be no use in improving the situation. I have to insert one of my favorite quotes from Henry Kissinger’s Diplomacy here. He writes that fact-finding missions are “the standard device for diplomats signaling that…
Happy Sunday everybody! As I put the finishing touches to this post, I am watching the sad pictures on CNN of Nelson Mandela being laid to rest. This of course marks the end of the 10-day-mourning that really defined world news in the past few days. I selected a few posts from other topics too, though. On world affairs: A Pivotal Week for the Central African Republic France is taking the lead role again in an African conflict zone with two casualties so far. Back in the USSR What is it about the European Union that makes thousands of Ukrainians bare…
Happy Sunday, dear readers! The weekend ends with some significant world news. The past week wasn’t quite eventful though, so there are only a couple of reads I recommend today. On world affairs: Barack, Bibi and Iran It is a great article, but now that there is an agreement, I mainly left it in for the picture. It so perfectly describes the outcome of the negotiations as well, doesn’t it? Intervention in the Central African Republic This issue still doesn’t get enough attention in my opinion, although the threat of genocide after what Rwanda and Kosovo taught the international community…
Undoubtedly, the world affairs event of the week is the launch of the 68th session of the UN General Assembly. I am planning a detailed post after the end of the General Debate, so now I only feature some great blog posts below, as usual. This next week is going to be very eventful for me as well. On Wednesday I am going to London for a really short profession related trip. I am looking forward to it. It brings a most welcome refreshment in my professional life right now as I am quite unhappy at my current job, mostly…
Happy September, people! How do you feel about fall approaching? I am half sad and half happy as always at this time of the year. Summer is my absolute favorite season, I love the hot weather and oh how I will miss my summer wardrobe! 🙂 But then I am also eagerly waiting for ‘the season’ to begin and for things to re-accelerate. We could call this one a Syria special issue since the news and world affairs blog posts were all about Syria this week. I found some really good analysis among them. On world affairs: Congratulations President Obama…
