Tag: refugee crisis

Sunday Smack

An Historic Day at the UN 165 member states signed the Paris Agreement on Friday, the first day it was open for signing, which is indeed a new high in the history of multilateral agreements. The EU-Turkey Statement: A Treaty That Violates Democracy (Part 1 of 2) and (Part 2 of 2) We knew that this agreement is wrong on so many levels. Here is another great publication about it. What Does it Mean to Sponsor Terrorism? I think the list of states that directly or indirectly “sponsor” terrorism is too long, and this article only scratches the surface.

Continue Reading Sunday Smack

Sunday Smack

Happy Sunday! Despite all promises, I am not being very active here these days. I am having a very intense, as well as very exciting time profession-wise. Once I settle with at least a fairly consistent workload, I hope to transfer all I have learned and gained there to here, this blog that I still want to build as a creative outlet of my professional self. I don’t make any promises anymore, but I really do hope it is going to be soon. Until then, let’s move on to the next one of our regular Sunday reading sessions. The EU-Turkey…

Continue Reading Sunday Smack

Sunday Smack

Happy Easter, everybody! A photo posted by Katalin Tarjan (@katalintarjan) on Mar 27, 2016 at 6:33am PDT After a week like this, I wish everybody to be safe wherever you are! Today’s reads are not at all pleasant, let’s get to them… What the Brussels Attacks Tell Us About the State of ISIS and Europe Today There are tons of analysis to read on the topic these days. It certainly cannot be said that the Belgian intelligence  were not preparing for an attack like this. Yet they were not prepared. I hate to say this, but since this seems to…

Continue Reading Sunday Smack

Sunday Smack

Happy Sunday, everybody! In Hungary, we are on day 2 of a 4 day weekend, so things are great! Well, the weather could be better, but hey… Hope the weekends of all of you are going great as well! Here’s what I recommend to read… Boots on the Ground in Somalia: Acting “By, With, and Through” a Local Partner to Minimize Friction This was not the first US military action in Somalia, and most certainly not the last of its kind. Salami Slicing Human Rights Accountability: How the European Border and Coast Guard Agency may inherit Frontex’ genetic defect The…

Continue Reading Sunday Smack

Sunday Smack

Happy Sunday Everybody! Happy Chinese New Year, happy Valentines Day, happy long weekend in the US, and happy whatever you are celebrating around this time. I hope you have some time for today’s posts. Thoughts on the North Korean Nuclear Test and Satellite Launch This post elaborates in detail on my own opinion that what happens in the Korean Peninsula time and again seems to be on repeat. The beginning of the end of border-free Schengen? This is an ever more probable threat as time goes by since the beginning of the migration crisis in Europe. Today is the Day…

Continue Reading Sunday Smack

Sunday Smack

Happy Sunday! I have spent some wonderful days in the UK and had a fantastic time at the U2 concert at TheO2, London on Tuesday. You can check out some of my photos and videos on my Instagram. Then of course, it was back to work for the second half of the week. Well, how about this? And how about other world leaders following the example? Because it’s 2015. And for some more inspiration on gender equality you should watch Emma Watson’s interview with Malala at Into Film Festival, if you haven’t yet. Let’s see what else happened this week……

Continue Reading Sunday Smack

#UNGA70 General Debate digest Part II.

Again, better late, than never, right? This time, I am moving forward with the spearkers of the second half of the general debate. I was pleasantly surprised by the speech of President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic of Croatia, it almost consoled me for the absence of the British Prime Minister, she is such a good speaker. I wanted to follow her speech of course for the Croatia’s involvement in the European refugee situation. In solving this crisis, she emphasized that we will have to find balance between national, regional and global interests.  Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas elaborated on the Palestinian issue in…

Continue Reading #UNGA70 General Debate digest Part II.

#UNGA70 General Debate digest Part I.

A promise, now overdue, but better late than never. I will post my review of the general debate in two parts and of miscellaneous events of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly so far in a third. This year I followed more speeches than in previous years, as the refugee crisis in Europe puts many countries in the spotlight that otherwise would not be of interest in terms of world affairs. The theme of the general debate of the 70th session was „The United Nations at 70 – a new commitment to action”, but besides the theme, the…

Continue Reading #UNGA70 General Debate digest Part I.

Sunday Smack

Happy weekend, everybody! Fall has undeniably arrived, according to the calendar and to the weather as well. The past days were incredibly gloomy in Hungary. These are very exciting times in world affairs, though, look! I will do my best to keep you updated on the events of UN week in the coming days, so stay tuned! Now, here is your round up for this week. 5 Big Stories that Will Drive the Agenda During UN Week Next week is UN Week! It has already started actually with the Sustainable Development summit this Friday, but the general debate starts tomorrow…

Continue Reading Sunday Smack

Sunday Smack

Happy Sunday everybody, lots of world affairs to blab about these days… As things aren’t getting any better around Hungary, the Office of the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights issued statements on its Facebook page both in Hungarian and in English, emphasizing that seeking asylum cannot be viewed as a crime. Unfortunately, as of 15 September, in Hungary, it is. At courts along the southern borders asylum seekers are now being prosecuted for entering Hungary illegally. Hopeful though, there are plenty of Hungarian lawyers who are ready to protest against the new laws, calling themselves Lawyers for the rule…

Continue Reading Sunday Smack