Diplomacy and International Law Archives

Diplomacy and International Law

The GER covers diplomacy, international organizations, and meetings. Looking beyond our individual political systems we find people and organizations working to make life better for people in both conflict-ridden places as well as secure, developed countries. It is not enough to focus on the end results of international relations. It’s worth focusing on the day-to-day work of diplomacy. Often, that’s where breakthroughs occur.

Can world leaders still come together to solve problems diplomatically rather than through brute force? That question is put to the test in the United Nations Security Council. The council has power, such as the ability to sanction countries and entities. Its five permanent members have more power than the revolving members. And those five members–China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States–have the ability to veto actions.

Greece Puts Debt Bills Up For Democratic Vote

27Jun

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Democracy, Europe, EU, Eurozone, and United Kingdom, Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Foreign Aid, International Development, Global Economics, Types of News: Brief

Greece Puts Debt Bills Up For Democratic Vote

Greece is to hold a national referendum to decide whether the country will accept a deal offered by creditors over the country's debt obligations and tax, spending and pension policies. Caught between his government's promises to pay its debts and his own campaign promises to oppose fiscal reforms demanded by creditor institutions, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras announced today that he will let the people decide the fate of the country. "Our responsibility is for the future of our country. This responsibility obliges us to respond to the ultimatum through the sovereign will of the Greek people," Tsipras said. While it seems like a lot is riding on the national referendum, scheduled to take place Sunday, July 5, the vote might come too late. Greece owes a debt payment of €1.5...

North Korean Dealings with Hong Kong-Business Keep Regime Alive

25Jun

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Communism, Dictatorship, authoritarian, Corruption, Bribes, Illicit Finance & Money Laundering, Sanctions

North Korean Dealings with Hong Kong-Business Keep Regime Alive

Despite extensive sanctions against North Korea by the United Nations, European Union and United States in response to its nuclear testing, the world's most isolated country is not as isolated economically as one might suspect.According to a groundbreaking investigation by the Financial Times, North Korea relies on an obscure web of connections to finance foreign and domestic projects and bring in the foreign currency it needs to survive.The main group, Office 39 based in North Korea, conducts "illicit economic activities" to produce income for the leadership, according to the Financial Times. North Korea is also known to export weapons, drugs and indentured servants.It has dealings with a multi-million dollar private company based in Hong Kong, referred to as the Queensway Group. The pri...

Foreign Policy: Disagreements on Dealing with Iran

6Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Global Trade, Sanctions, Types of News: Analysis

Foreign Policy: Disagreements on Dealing with Iran

In a bold and unprecedented act, the Republican-led Congress hosted an address by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which he urged Washington to back away from talks with Iran on nuclear proliferation and keep sanctions in place. The speech by the Israeli Prime Minister was unprecedented because it used the institution of the U.S. Congress to undermine diplomatic negotiations of the White House. The United States is one of six countries—the other five countries are China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United Kingdom—negotiating with Iran to freeze its nuclear program in exchange for relief from sanctions. The talks face a checkpoint deadline at the end of this month. Although some diplomats have expressed progress in the effort to halt Iran's nuclear weapons program, Netany...