Volume VIV Issue I
INSIDE FOCUS On Immigration reform in the world PAGE 6&7 INTERNATIONAL NEWS
French Sanctions on Russia over Ukraine; Two Koreas’ Reunion Talks Page 2
Turkey Spotlight: Clash with Kurds & Journalists Page 3
Tajikistan Crackdown on Islam
Page 5
IMO Adopts Polar Code; Burkina Faso President Page 10
DIPLOMACY NEWS World Leaders Forum; DULCE Forum Page 11
Interview with Dean Bartoli on ‘Prayer for Peace’ Page 12
Opinion
Saudi Arabi on Iran Deal; Obama’s Foreign Policy Legacy Page 8
Trump Leads Polls; China in Africa
Page 9
Foreign Correspondents Avonelle Davis; Emily O’Connor Page 4
Campus Spotlight Zoe Sellers Page 5
October 2015
The Greatest Show on Earth World Watches as UN General Assembly Opens Angelo Piro Staff Writer
On September 15, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon opened the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly with its usual pomp and fanfare. The two-week event will include a summit on the sustainable development goals (SDGs), during which governments would adopt the development agenda for the next 15 years, followed by the standard meeting of the UN General Assembly, with open debates focusing on climate change, UN peacekeeping forces, and combating ISIS and other extremist groups. The whirlwind of international diplomacy was led by a number of world political leaders, most notably U.S. President Barack Obama, Chinese Premier Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian
President Hassan Rouhani, and French President Francois Hollande. Each spoke within two hours of each other, eager to stake out their country’s political space on international development and climate change. Arguably the most star-studded day of the opening was Friday, September 25, when Pope Francis delivered the opening address at the Sustainable Development Summit. His Holiness addressed the issues of climate change and global inequality, weaving messages on poverty with themes of his much lauded Laudato Si encyclical. The Pope also touched on the issue of war and peace, which is central to the new development goals. He highlighted ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Syria, Libya, and South Sudan, reminding the assembled heads of state about their true bond.
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Photos courtesy of Reuters and The Washington Post
The United Nations General Assembly met at the U.N. building in New York City on Sept. 15. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon gave the opening address.
Pope Francis Makes Historic Trip to the US Mohammed Khader and Kiersten Meyers Staff Writers
From September 22 to 27, His Holiness Pope Francis paid his first visit to the United States, where he spread his message concerning climate change and social issues with world leaders in three major cities on the East Coast. The Pope spent two days in Washington, D.C., where he delivered a canonization mass, addressed a joint meeting of Congress, and shared a meal with the local homeless. After concluding his time in Washington, the Pope traveled to New York where he addressed the 193 world leaders during the opening week of the 70th session of the United Nations Gener-
Courtesy of The Washington Post
Pope Francis spoke at the United Nations General Assembly on September 25.
al Assembly, at the summit on sustainable development goals. After addressing the GA, His Holiness held a multi-religious service at the Ground Zero Memorial before delivering a mass to an estimated 20,000 people at
Madison Square Garden later that day. The Pope then traveled to Philadelphia to deliver his final mass in the U.S. before returning to the Vatican. The Pope’s visit was trailed by controversy as a result of his
position on Palestine, the Syrian refugee crisis, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. On May 17, Pope Francis canonized two Palestinian Nuns at Saint. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Days before, the Pope officially recognized the State of Palestine. Both Palestine and the Vatican hold non-member observer status at the UN. Although many are divided on the situation in Palestine, Pope Francis has called on Palestinian Christians to push for peace and statehood. The Pope has also made statements on the recent escalation of the refugee crisis. He has warned that this will only be the “tip of the iceberg,” citing the state of the current global economic
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October 2015 Page 2
international news
France to End Sanctions on Russia Over Ukraine Gabriela Taveras Staff Writer
On September 7, French President François Hollande expressed his desire to end sanctions against the Russian Federation, following alleged progress in an unstable ceasefire process in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. Hollande commended a high-level meeting with his German, Russian, and Ukrainian counterparts. The meeting was held in September, prior to the inauguration of the United Nations’ General Assembly in New York City. “I’m not for the policy of attaining goals by making things worse,” Mr. Hollande expressed in an interview on France’s Inter Radio. “I think that sanctions must stop now.” While expanding on his confidence that the dispute will be resolved, President Hollande stated that there had been progress in the implementation of the aforementioned ceasefire deal, struck in February between the belligerent parties in Ukraine. In spite of this, Hollande mentioned the need to honor certain provisions that had yet
to be implemented. In this regard, he stressed the need for local elections and to decentralize power in order to confer the pro-Russian east of Ukraine with more decision-making power. If these requirements are met, Hollande promised that he would request that both European and American sanctions be lifted. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko endorsed President Hollande’s confident words, claiming that the peace agreement is being respected in the east of Ukraine. “Today is the first week when they have not been firing on the front, the first week when the Minsk agreements have at last begun working,” Poroshenko said, as reported in BBC. On the other hand, leaders of other European countries and NATO cite evidence of Russia’s support of the Eastern Ukrainian rebels in the form of Russian troops and heavy artillery. The Russian government insists that any of the aforementioned “soldiers” are nothing more than volunteers sent to appease the situation and help bring stability to the chaos-ridden region. Earlier this month, the European Union extended eco-
nomic sanctions on the Russian Federation for six months as a way to exert pressure on Moscow, with a projected expiration date of January 31, 2016. In response, the Kremlin has warned that it would “act on the principle of reciprocity,” as quoted in Huffington Post by Dmitry Peskov, who serves as the spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin. He assured a retaliatory ban on agricultural imports from the EU would be in place if the sanctions continued or were strengthened. These sanctions include, but are not limited to: restricting access to certain financial markets and a ban on exchanges in the energy and defense sectors, which, respectively, comprises 60 percent of Russian exports and amassed over US$13.2 billion in 2013 alone. Belligerence between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian rebels has claimed the lives of more than 6,400 people. These deaths continue to take place in spite of the Minsk ceasefire, which requires both parties to relinquish the usage of heavy weaponry from the frontlines. Contact Gabriela at gabriela.taveras@student.shu.edu.
U.N. GA: Continued from Page 1... With the end of the Pope’s speech, the world then saw the adoption of the final version of the sustainable development goals, marking the end of the Sustainable Development Summit. With the goals of the new development agenda guiding the way, the real work of the regular GA session began. The regular session will feature a broad stretch of issues, focusing especially on cross-cutting discussions of climate change in the lead up to the Paris Conference later this year. The session will also focus on strategies to combat extremist groups like the self-proclaimed Islamic State, a top priority of the one-week meeting of world leaders. Some key speakers to watch will be Iran’s Rouhani, fresh off a huge diplomatic win after the Iran nuclear deal; Russia’s Putin, who is making his
first appearance in the GA Hall in a decade amid growing concerns about Russia’s presence in Ukraine and Syria; and Cuban President Raul Castro, who will be addressing the UN for the first time. Much of the work within the UNGA will be also done on the sidelines. President Rouhani of Iran will be hosting a side meeting of the six nations party to the Iran agreement to discuss implementation. President Obama will have a oneon-one meeting with President Putin, the first parley between the two since tensions began in Ukraine, according to White House officials. Additionally, President Obama will host a side summit that will see almost 50 countries make pledges of troops and equipment to the UN Peacekeeping Forces, a major win for the President who is seeking to make the use of UN peacekeeping troops a major US foreign policy point. Contact Angelo at angelo.piro@student.shu.edu.
Koreas Resume Family Reunion Talks Felipe Bueno Staff Writer
In early September, North and South Korea agreed to have a new round of “family reunions,” a process in which families separated during the Korean War get the chance to reconnect with long-lost relatives. These meetings are difficult to negotiate, and even harder to coordinate. These reunions take place every few years in North Korea’s Diamond Mountain Resort along the border, where visitors are restricted to four South Koreans for each North Korean. These reunions began in June 2000 under North Korea’s late Supreme Leader Kim Jongil and former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung. Since then, there have been 18 Korean family reunions, with the next one being the first reunion in five years. Reuters reports that 83-year-
old brother and sister, Kim Hosook and Kim Ho-dae, last met at the 2010 reunion. The aging population makes the success of these reunions more pressing. CNN reports that two relatives arrived via ambulance, with one on an IV drip, refusing to miss the reunion. While the idea of a family reunion sounds peaceful and diplomatic, the process by which they occur is less so. North Korea is less reluctant to compromise because they wield greater control on the reunions. The North hosts a national lottery and choose 100 winners to attend the reunions. These meetings are then held on North Korean soil with heavy interference from the North Korean military—one solider is assigned to each table to monitor the conversations of each family. The New York Times reports that these reunions will take place between October 20 and
26, assuming nothing changes. The Korean Herald reports, however, that the North Korean government has warned that this next round of reunions are on “thin ice” and may be canceled if South Korea continues to oppose the North’s plans of a satellite launch and nuclear tests. High-level talks between North Korea and South Korea have resulted in a deal to lower tensions on the Korean peninsula, according to VOA News. Each side actively lowered its defense stance as per the accord. North Korea expressed “regret” for two South Korean soldiers injured by a landmine on the southern side of the Korean Demilitarized Zone, and Seoul discontinued propaganda broadcasts into the North. Additionally, South Korea retracted the declaration of a “quasi-state of war,” according to South Korea’s presidential
Two Korean men reunite after years of war have separated them.
office. The extended talks have prevented immediate conflict. In recent weeks, both sides deployed troops and exchanged artillery fire near a loudspeaker at the demilitarized zone. North Korea threatened to attack the loudspeakers when the South began blasting propaganda along the border. It is reported that even during the talks, North Korea moved a large amount of troops and submarines to the South Korean border, as reported in Voice of America News. The two countries continued to negotiate despite the North’s preemptive display. North Korea has expressed interest in reopening its borders for South
Courtesy of AP
Korean tourists. Specifically, the North will make tours of the Diamond Mountain resort available once more. All signs indicate that the North does not want war, but would still rather arm itself prematurely than trust that talks with South Korea will succeed. It is widely believed that the joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea, which Pyongyang has actively condemned as invasion rehearsal, is the most critical point of contention between the North and South, according to Korea Times. Contact Felipe at felipe.bueno@student.shu.edu. Madison McHugh contributed to this article.
international news
October 2015 Page 3
Violence Escalates Between Turkish Troops and Kurdish Guerrillas Matthew Schaller Staff Writer
Violence in Kurdish-populated Southeastern Turkey has escalated since the Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK) claimed responsibility for two separate attacks that resulted in the deaths of 14 police officers and 16 soldiers respectively. The Kurdish group, which has been labeled a terrorist organization by the European Union, the United States, and Turkey, has increased their attacks on security forces since the peace process created by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2012 was terminated in July this year. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu vowed to eradicate the rebels from their strongholds in Turkey and neighboring Iraq. “These terrorists must be wiped out from the mountain; whatever happens, they must be wiped out,” Davutoglu said. In response, national-
ist mobs attacked dozens of buildings belonging to the Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party, including its headquarters located in the Turkish capital of Ankara. According to lawmaker Garo Paylan, “There are hundreds in front of the building now, chanting slogans and throwing stones, breaking the windows.” There were also separate attacks in Istanbul and Erzurum province, the latter resulting in 2,000 people overrunning a state construction project suspected of sympathizing with the PKK. Meanwhile, across the border in Northern Iraq, Turkish ground and air forces have stepped up their offensive against the rebel group, with the New York Times reporting that as many as two battalions have entered the country. Dozens of F-16 and F-4 aircraft targeted PKK bases in Qandil, Basyan Avashin, and Zap. According to President Erdogan, “The recent developments are a result of the ensuing panic,” adding that “losses inflicted on the organization
by Turkish military operations can be expressed in the thousands.” Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and the Council of Europe, have become increasingly concerned about the enforcement by the Turkish government of a curfew on certain Kurdish villages. In Cizre, harsh treatment of the villagers has been exposed, with pro-Kurdish politicians reporting the deaths of 21 civilians. Reuters reports that orders from the local governor in the area have instructed Special Forces teams to shoot on sight, leaving the dead unburied. Authorities also imposed a curfew on the border town of Yuksekova as a result of increased activities by the militant group. The Turkish interior minister denied the claims of abuse and stated that these operations have been effective in combating the PKK. The renewed conflict between the Turkish government and the PKK has been a backdrop to increasingly turbulent
Photo courtesy of NationStates.net
Soldiers from the Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK) marching to Büyük, Turkey.
political games in Ankara, as well as Turkey’s battle with the self-proclaimed Islamic State along southern border with Syria. The Peoples’ Democratic Party, which has been the victim of this nationalist fervor, passed the 10 percent threshold in Parliament this past summer and unseated the President’s governing Justice and Development Party. This
has resulted in Erdogan calling for elections in the coming weeks, in the hope of restoring his lost majority. The Kurdish peshmerga have played a large role in combating the Islamic State, raising concerns in Turkey that the peshmerga might fuel a separatist insurrection within the country. Contact Matthew at matthew.schaller@student.shu.edu.
Turkey Cites National Security to Detain Journalists Madison McHugh Associate Editor
All over the world, journalists attempting to expose important events, facts, and information face imminent prosecution from governments whose “concern” for national security continues to oppress coverage. Journalists at large often run the risk of encounters with anti-terror legislation. Recently, the number of incarcerated journalists worldwide has increased from 80 in 2000 to 221 last year, according to the New York Times. Turkey’s anti-terror laws in particular promote the capture and mistreatment of many journalists. Three VICE News employees were arrested on August 27 while filming clashes between police and youth members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Two of
the three were released after 11 days in a high-security prison; however, the journalists’ Turkish translator Mohammad Rasool remained behind. VICE News journalist Jake Hanrahan said that being in the prison was one of the “most traumatic experiences of [his] life.” “The biggest burden is that our friend and colleague is still in prison. That is the worst possible thing for us. Any trauma will have to wait,” Hanrahan said. Additionally, Gültekin Avcı, a columnist for the independent daily Bugün, was arrested in Istanbul on September 23 on charges including “attempting to overthrow the government,” according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The charges are based on a series of columns he wrote in 2013 and 2014 condemn-
ing the Turkish National Intelligence Organization for its links to a terrorist group called Tawhid-Salam. Avcı’s lawyer claims he was not allowed to testify in court and mistreated in custody. He was also denied food. “Turkish authorities routinely use vaguely worded terrorism and subversion charges to jail journalists who cover sensitive subjects. This practice is unacceptable for a country candidate for European Union membership,” said CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator Nina Ognianova. “The charges against Gültekin Avcı should be dropped, he should be released immediately, and Turkey should fundamentally reform its penal and anti-terror laws without delay.” CPJ Deputy Director Robert Mahoney cites countries with autocratic leaders as
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Journalist in a face mask covering a war zone.
Photo courtesy of TheConversation.com
Jake Hanrahan (left) and Philip Pendlebury (right) are VICE journalists.
Courtesy of BuzzFeed
October 2015 Page 4
foreign correspondents
Avonelle Davis: A Costa Rican Reflection
While I enjoyed experiencing a different language and culture in Costa Rica, I brought back much more than just pictures and souvenirs. To conclude my foreign correspondence, I would like to share a few of the lessons I learned during my semester abroad to inspire others to enrich their studies by spending time in another country. The first lesson I learned was to look beyond my textbooks for real-life applications of the concepts that I was taught. Time spent reading case studies cannot compare to the knowledge received from witnessing the issues that books can only tell you about. My trip to Costa Rica gave me insight into the effects of globalization in the everyday lives of people in smaller states. I witnessed the manner in which Costa Ricans voted against the gentrification of neighborhoods by American
businesses with their dollars— rather, their colones. Every day, many intentionally spent their time and money on local businesses instead of Walmart, Starbucks, or any other American chain that set up shop over the last two decades. I had the opportunity to speak to elders of the family who grew up buying bread from the same bakery as their parents had, and are now faced with the reality that, unless locals continue to resist what my host father called “the American invasion,” their grandchildren may not have the same opportunity. Making these connections allowed my Diplomacy studies to look less like statistics and theory, and more like people. Secondly, while time abroad can give insight to the interesting differences between the lifestyles of different cultures, I learned that we are all much
Photo courtesy of Avonelle Davis
Avonelle Davis (in sunglasses and head wrap) with fellow students holding up the flag of Costa Rica.
more similar than we think. Even though they came from a very different cultural background, my host family reminded me so much of my own. I easily made friends with my local classmates because, although I am American and they are Costa Rican, we were tackling the same problems that come with carving our places in society. Finding similarities between yourself and others is key to
being an effective diplomat— so often, the problems that we face on a global scale are the result of us feeling threatened by those different from ourselves. By studying abroad, you gain a clearer understanding of the fact that racial, gender, and economic inequality are problems that we all face and must work together to solve. Though these lessons are important to me, they are only
a portion of what I gained from my study abroad experience. I also gained a new family and lifelong friends. Most importantly, I gained a broader view of the world that I live in and one day hope to serve. This trip may be over, but I hope to go abroad again in the future, and I encourage others to do the same! Contact Avonelle at avonelle.davis@student.shu.edu.
Emily O’Connor: Semester at Sea Study abroad is an incredible experience that every student should do if they are able. You get to peek into another culture for a few months: try their food, learn a new language, interact with new people. As a student on Semester at Sea, I get to do that with ten different cultures, foods, and groups of people. For my study abroad experience, I decided to become a true pirate and live on a boat for four months. My name is Emily O’Connor and I am a junior at Seton Hall. I study diplomacy and international relations, as well as philosophy with minors in Spanish and business in legal studies. As a diplomacy student, I knew that a program that would immerse me in vastly different countries (different political systems, different religions, different customs) was one that I needed to do. While some argue that Semester at Sea doesn’t allow you to truly live in a culture, I must respond that learning a little about many countries is equally valuable than experiencing only
Emily O’Connor in front of the Pompeii Amphitheater in Naples, Italy.
one place. Though the application process was an extensive one, with essays, forms, and pre-visa approval, my interest in this program never wavered. What Semester at Sea allows its students to do is learn theoretical concepts in the classroom, then go and experience the concepts in real life. For example, I take a class called business ethics and learn about the duty that a business has to other companies, its customers, and the environment.
Currently, we are docked in Croatia and we learned about the swindling that businesses sometimes commit against tourists by issuing extra charges and price increases to non-locals. At dinner with a group of friends one evening, the restaurant tried to give us incorrect change and I was pushed by their manager. It was a scary lesson but one that makes me a better traveler. We started our journey in Southampton, England. We
Photo courtesy of Emily O’Connor
then traveled to Rome and Naples, Italy. Our original itinerary featured Istanbul, but due to rising tensions and the refugee crisis, we went to Dubrovnik, Croatia instead. Our next few ports are Athens, Greece, Valencia and Barcelona in Spain, and we will then travel to Africa, stopping in Casablanca, Morocco, and Senegal. The ship will then travel across the ocean and stop in El Salvador, Brazil, Trinidad & Tobago, Costa Rica, and finish
by traveling through the Panama Canal to disembark in Costa Rica. The next few months will be some of the most exciting I’ve ever had: riding camels in the Sahara Desert, piranha-fishing in the Amazon jungle, and working on reforestation in Costa Rica. Many people have said, “That’s not real school,” and refer to The Suite Life on Deck. It is unconventional, for sure—I have class on Saturdays and Sundays, or any other day we’re on the ship. If we’re sailing for six days, I’ll have class either five or six days in a row. It is unlike any other study abroad program, so while I can never get settled into a culture, I’m constantly on my toes to jump into a new world. It’s difficult to tell whether the journey will get easier as it continues, but I will continue to write for the Envoy throughout the semester, so look out for updates on my future excursions! Contact Emily at emily.oconnor@student.shu.edu.
campus spotlight Zoe Sellers: Washington, D.C. This semester I have the opportunity to work and live in Washington, D.C. I moved here with no grasp of the city and no idea where my internship would be. I was honestly terrified and not confident because I had not received any offers yet. I found out that D.C. operates on a different schedule than the rest of the country and was flushed with relief when my offers started coming in. I ultimately decided to accept an internship with the Council on Foreign Relations, and it has been one of the best choices I have made in my academic and professional career. CFR has three functions: publisher, think tank, and membership organization. I work in the membership organization aspect with the D.C. Meetings team. From conception to execution, my team plans and organizes all of the meetings for Council members. CFR meetings offer
a unique opportuniable Development ty to share knowlGoals, and the efedge and blend ideas fect of cyber-secufrom various sectors rity on global marin D.C. kets. Speakers and preIt has benefited siders are the who’s me both academwho of D.C. profesically and professionals and policysionally to do relemakers, and memvant research that bers that attend the will be used to admeetings come from vance discussion on a variety of governthese topics. ment agencies, think While staffing tanks, corporations, meetings, handing and non-profit orgaout nametags, passnizations. ing around microUnlike my sumphones, etc. can be mer internship with seen as one of the the office of my more menial parts state’s senator that of my job, I really required a lot of enjoy doing it. administrative and Unlike other staff Photo courtesy of Zoe Sellers stereotypical intern Junior Zoe Sellers is studying in Washington D.C. for the fall 2015 who have to register tasks, my intern- semester. for meetings, I am ship with CFR has able to attend all of offered me opportunities to them because of my work. search on several current do research, as well as conSomething as simple as makevents that could potentially nect with high-profile Council ing and passing out name tags become meetings: the future members. gives me a chance to learn of the euro, security issues in I am currently doing renames and network. Afghanistan, the UN Sustain-
Crackdown on Islam Causes Trouble in Tajikistan
Felipe Bueno Staff Writer
On September 4, twin attacks rocked the central Asian country of Tajikistan. Because both attacks were multifaceted and uncoordinated strikes, the sequence of events remains unclear. The attacks were carried out by ex-members of the United Tajik Opposition (UTO), though their motive is unknown. Tajik authorities claim not to know the origin of the attacks. According to Radio Free Europe, a few weeks before the twin attacks, police officers in Vahdat allegedly beat a college student for having a beard. The United States Embassy claimed it had warned the Tajik government that the small clashes had been a precursor to the attacks. The Diplomat publication poses that the two attacks stem from the government’s violent crackdown on all forms of op-
Photo courtesy of UN Media
Tajikistani President Emomali Rahmon addressed the U.N. GA on Sept. 29.
position and on practitioners of the Islamic faith. President Emomali Rhamon’s stance against Islam is especially controversial, due to the country’s proximity to Afghanistan, a dominantly Islamic country. In August, the government demanded the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) to cease its activities. The IRPT is “the only officially registered Islamic party in the former Soviet Union,” reports Radio Free Europe. The IRPT also sided with the United Ta-
jik Opposition during the Tajik civil war. Tajikistan has a long and complicated history of conflict and unrest since its separation from the Soviet Union in 1991, shortly followed by a civil war in 1997. Aside from the IRPT, President Rahmon also has grievances with former UTO warlords, who resent that Rahmon has been in power since 1994. In 2013, he won 83.6 percent of the vote. Contact Felipe at felipe.bueno@student.shu.edu.
Journalists: Continued from Page 3...
common perpetrators. “They are nominally elected but they are behaving in a repressive way, using the cloak of fighting terrorism to fight critical voices,” he said. Progress is being made to show the world that peaceful reporting and impartial observation is not a crime against national security, but a right. In Egypt, two Al Jazeera journalists were released on September 23 after two years of imprisonment, according to CNN. They were accused of broadcasting footage that portrayed the Egyptian regime falsely and aiding the Muslim Brotherhood, which was outlawed in 2013 due to connections
October 2015 Page 5
The research and networking opportunities I have already had are only affirming how much I’m going to gain from this semester. Living in D.C. is a change of pace from the New Jersey-New York scene. While it is the same fast-paced professional lifestyle of New York City, there is a very clear time when the work day is over. Washington, D.C. is truly a melting pot—in my house alone, no two of us are from the same state. Everyone I have had the opportunity to connect with in Washington, D.C. is well-educated and ambitious. Everyone comes here with an agenda, which can be overwhelming, but I think my experience in D.C. is ultimately helping me figure out where I want to go with my career. In a field of politicians, academics, and diplomats, I am starting to realize where I fit in. Contact Zoe at zoe.sellers@student.shu.edu.
with the former overthrown President Mohamed Morsy. The journalists were two of a hundred individuals pardoned by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on the eve of Eid al-Hada, a Muslim holiday celebrating the Hajj pilgrimage. US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power applauded the decision, as reported in CNN. “Peaceful expression should never be a crime,” Power said in a statement. “Similarly, the freedom of the press to investigate, report and comment -- even when its perspective is unpopular or disputed -- is fundamental to any free society and essential to democratic development.” Contact Madison at madison.mchugh@student.shu. edu.
focus on
October 2015 Page 6
United States
European Union
Daniel D’Amico
Keith Barnes
Beginning with the Puritans in the 17th century, the trend for immigration has gone up and down throughout the decades. During the Great Depression and WWII, it decreased until the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 was passed. This act removed quotas based on nationality and allowed the petitioning of family members. Present immigration policies in the U.S. have become more complicated. Citizens are allowed to petition only certain family members. Those who are coming temporarily or permanently for employment reasons are divided into five categories, which all have quotas. Refugees are a sizable portion of U.S. immigration. They are admitted based on their situation, if they are part of any special interest groups, and whether they have family members already living in the U.S. Immigrants who are already in the U.S. can apply to stay for a longer period if their country of origin is politically unstable. A Diversity Visa Program, also known as the Green Card Lottery, was established in 1990. Despite the reputation of the United States as a nation of immigrants, where Americans can trace their ancestries to a variety of countries, immigration remains a controversial topic in American political society. The 2013 American Community Survey reported more than 41.3 million immigrants in the United States, or about 13 percent of the total population. However, it is estimated that 11.4 million of these immigrants are unauthorized. Throughout his presidency, President Barack Obama has advocated for immigration reform. According to the Guardian, during Obama’s presidency, certain government sectors have opposed and hindered immigration reform legislation. For instance,
Considering the degree of integration among European states and the Schengen Agreement, movement by one EU national to another EU state is not considered immigration. The EU is allowed, however, to offer logistical and monetary supplements to a country to augment or impede migration flows. Europe’s fractious political framework has contributed to the European Union’s inability to resolve issues from financial crises and the Greek bailout, to the conflict in Ukraine. And now, the refugee crisis has exposed concerns that may necessitate immediate action. Legally, Europe does not have a common European immigration policy. The Treaty of Lisbon, which amended the Maastricht Treaty that established the European Union, leaves matters of immigration to member states individually. The Lisbon Treaty actually enshrines the entirety of the 1951 Geneva Convention as law applying to all member states. According to Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.” The Geneva Convention takes this a step further and expands on the definition of a refugee as an individual who has “fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, [and] is outside the country of his nationality and
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of USA Today
Immigrants waiting to be granted American citizenship.
the DREAM Act of 2010 aimed to protect the children of undocumented immigrants from deportation. In 2012, Obama ordered immigration enforcement agents to defer action to people who arrived in the U.S. as children. This was estimated to affect about 580,000 immigrants and provided a path to work permits. In 2013, the Senate passed legislation that included a 13year path to citizenship for undocumented workers. It also proposed allocating $40 billion to border security, but failed to pass the House of Representatives. In a speech in November 2014, President Obama announced drastic changes in the immigration system, saying, “Our immigration system is broken and everybody knows it. It’s been this way for decades and for decades we haven’t done much about it.” According to CNN, Obama called to target dangerous undocumented immigrants, while others would be given an extra three years to stay. Obama also aimed to provide jobs to the parents of U.S. citizens who have lived in the country for over five years, and to remove the age limit of 30 for those in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. However, on February 17, President Obama’s reform was dealt a setback when a federal court judge ordered the court programs to be halted, the New York Times reports. The ruling stated that Obama’s reform would pose
burdens on the states and their budgets. Recently, Pope Francis spoke about immigration in the first Papal address to a joint meeting of Congress. USA Today reports that he called for Americans to be open to immigrants from around the world, in light of the refugee crisis presently inundating Europe. He asked Americans to think of the refugees as people, and not simply as numbers. Despite the Pope’s speech, prospects for substantial immigration reform seem slim because of dichotomy in the U.S. government, with an even wider variety of positions within the Republican Party. For instance, some Republicans in the 2016 presidential race, such as former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Senator Marco Rubio, support immigration reform. Others, such as Donald Trump, plan to limit immigration instead of expanding it. Regardless of which party will win the White House, House Republicans under majority leader Dave Brat will continue to block immigration reform—a setback for any Democratic Party candidate. However, Secretary of State John Kerry announced on September 20 that the United States will raise the immigration cap from 70,000 to 80,000 in the next fiscal year, in anticipation of the influx of refugees fleeing conflict zones in the Middle East. Contact Daniel at daniel.damico@student.shu.edu
is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country.” With respect to the current refugee crisis, EU states have taken various routes, some dangerously close to violating the rules, in order to address the lack of a common policy on migration. The European Commission has stated that while there is no fully operational, single, migration policy for the Union, there have been a number of directives—the equivalent of an executive order—made to harmonize factors of the migrant situation. The Commission holds that 19 states have made a total of 40 violations of such directives. According to German English-language news outlet The Local, the Commission is charging a number of states with violating the European Reception Conditions Directive, which details the quality of conditions in which refugees may live. On a state-by-state basis, immigration policies vary tremendously, from complete open-door policies in Sweden and Germany, to more selective measures in France and Belgium. Once the refugees have been given asylum status, the integration processes to which they must adhere also vary. In countries such as Spain, Italy, and Germany, refugees are given a modest income from the state while they look for jobs. In other countries, such as Bulgaria, refugees are on the receiving end of racism and xenophobia, for which Amnesty International has rebuked the local
Photo courtesy of BBC
Migrants crowd onto a boat in the Mediterranean Sea looking for opportunities in new countries.
immigration government. Germany received international attention recently when Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that they expect upwards of 800,000 applications for asylum, followed by the suspension of the Dublin Agreement, under which asylum-seekers must apply and be relocated in the country in which they first arrived. These actions were followed by an abrupt declaration of emergency and the reinstitution of border controls along the German-Austrian border, prompting similar actions in Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria. While the EU states commit to accepting refugees, their major concern is that a large number of migrants are citizens of Balkan countries; however, they mix with the migrating crowds and declare themselves as Syrian upon reaching the EU. Individuals who are not flee-
Leah Cerilli Staff Writer
Human rights groups have strongly condemned Israel for its harsh immigration policy towards African asylum-seekers, citing hypocrisy between their immigration bans to non-Jews and the open, streamlined process of immigration of European Jews. Reuters reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected all proposals and his opposition’s call to take in Syrian refugees. According to Israel’s Population Immigration and Border Authority, more than 60,000 migrants crossed into Israel illegally between 2006 and 2012. Most of these migrants were from Eritrea, seeking asylum from harsh dictatorship. Israel classifies them as economic migrants seeking work, not as refugees. In 2012, Israel built a border fence with Egypt to hinder immigration, and is in the process of extending its fence along the eastern border of Jordan. Israel requests that these migrants leave and are willing to give cash grants to those who return to their homes or depart for an-
October 2015 Page 7
China Since then, xenophobia has developed into witch hunts for Staff Writer “illegal foreigners.” In 2004, the Ministry of Although China signed both Public Security (MPS) began the 1951 United Nations Refuto rework China’s 1985 immigee Convention and the 1967 gration legislation. Protocol, the Exit-Entry Law The ministry was tasked has only slim provisions for with addressing the balance asylum-seekers. between economic modernity, Due to the lack of concrete social stability, and security. provisions, the Beijing office MPI highlights “the introof the United Nations High duction of more comprehenCommissioner for Refugees sive immigration legislation (UNHCR) has been carrying was considered part of genout refugee status determinaeral political reforms towards tion on China’s behalf, with a greater rule of law in a ‘socialmounting caseload due to criist legal system with Chinese ses in the Middle East. characteristics.’” The Chinese government This search for more strinhas stood its ground as recent gent policies induced an eightrounds of tighter immigrayear process where the Standtion control legislation have ing Committee of the National sparked debate. People’s Congress The Migration “Although there is discussed the Policy Institute (MPI) notes that widespread internal transferability of migration in China, Western immigraChina provides the MPI reported “a tion policies to an environment threefold increase Chinese contexts, of economic forin the number of which resulted in titude, a more foreign entries (longthe 2012 Exit and than welcoming higher education- and short-term) into Entry AdminisChina,” specifically tration Law. al system, and low students, tourists, and With this new cost of living that business travelers .” policy in place, attracts individuthe administration als from around can now distinguish between the world, but introduction of desirable and undesirable imthese policies has led to stricter migrants. confinements of the incoming MPI notes, once again, that immigrants. China views this capability as a Although there is widetool for modernizing its socispread internal migration in ety and economic market. China, the MPI reported “a The new law also provides threefold increase in the numChina’s first all-inclusive polber of foreign entries (longicies for regulating incoming and short-term) into China,” immigrants and handling three specifically students, tourists, main categories of illegal imand business travelers. migrants: entry, residence, and With this giant influx come work. the benefits of immigration, One of the remarkable side from higher tourism revenues effects of this legislation was to recruitment of foreign labor the shift from government to diversify China’s market. enforcement of policies to a However, immigration into decentralized method of reChina comes with a cost: solying on employers, landlords, cial quality. and the general public to take MPI notes that this issue first initiative when it comes to arose in the 1990s, when anxdocumenting and monitoring ieties began to develop about immigrants. the prospects of “low-quality” It mimics state-level legislaimmigrants who do not contion in Arizona that penalizes tribute to economic and social individuals who shelter, emmodernity. ploy, or assist undocumented The 2008 financial crisis migrants. fueled this anxiety in ChiContact Colin at na, as blame was placed on colin.kimberlin@student.shu.edu. “low-quality” immigrants. Colin Kimberlin
Photo courtesy of the Telegraph
In Europe, circled are the top EU destinations for asylum. In Africa and the Middle East, top countries of origin for migrants crossing the Meditteranean Sea.
ing war but are simply looking to improve their living standards are known as economic migrants and are not protected by any European law, as their native countries are perfectly safe.
Israel
other African country. Thousands of migrants are detained in the Holot Detention Facility along the Egyptian border. An Israeli Supreme Court ruling declared that these detainees must be released after a maximum stay of 12 months, but upon release, African migrants are banned from entering the capital city of Tel Aviv. On the other hand, immigration to Israel has been freely extended to Jewish people, as well as certain non-Jewish relatives. According to the Jewish Agency for Israel, the Law of Return states that Jews from other countries are entitled to move to Israel and request Israeli citizenship at any point, as long as they pose no threat to public health, state security, or the Jewish people as a whole. As of 1970, non-Jewish spouses, children, and grandchildren of Jews are also allowed citizenship. This ensures that families are not broken apart, and that there is a safe haven for non-Jews being persecuted because of their Jewish roots. Israel is experiencing a surge in European immigration, largely from Ukraine and France. The Immigration Absorption Ministry of Israel estimates that by
In response to this, EU states have the European Return Directive, which allows them to deport an individual who fails qualifications for asylum. Contact Keith at kieth.barnes@student.shu.edu.
the end of 2015, the number of immigrants from France alone will reach 9,000, compared to the estimated 7,200 French immigrants taken in by Israel in 2014. The influx of French immigrants is due to the rise of anti-Semitic violence in France, such as the massacre at a Paris kosher market related to the Charlie Hebdo attack that left four hostages dead. Ukrainian immigrants are coming predominantly from the east, where civil war has been threatened civilian safety. According to the Jerusalem Post, approximately half of the Jewish population in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk have already fled. For Ukrainians, the process of immigration is being expedited. Requesting citizenship can normally take months, but applicants from Eastern Ukraine are now admitted immediately. Israel’s Immigrant Absorption Minister Sofa Landver urged Jewish people in Denmark to immigrate after the shooting of a Jewish security guard in Copenhagen. Contact Leah at leah.cerilli@student.shu.edu.
opinion
October 2015 Page 8
What’s Behind Saudi Support for the Iran Deal?
Obama’s Foreign Policy Legacy: Mistakes Made, Too Early to Tell Thomas Ashe Staff Writer
King Salman of Saudi Arabia in 2013.
Kathryn Chaney Staff Writer
In July, King Salman of Saudi Arabia officially announced his nation’s support for the Iran nuclear deal. In the past, Saudi Arabia and Iran have never been the best of friends, but King Salman says that President Obama assured him of the deal’s success. However, perhaps there are other reasons for Saudi Arabia’s support that lie below the surface. Saudi Arabia and Iran each belong to two strongly opposing Islamic denominations: the former is populated by Sunni Muslims, while the latter is a stronghold for Shia Islam. Religion aside, Saudi Arabia and Iran have been longtime rivals for power in the Middle East. Both nations have large supplies of oil and have established major alliances with Western powers: Saudi Arabia with the United States, and Iran with Russia. These partnerships in and of themselves suggest the enmity between the states. So how could Saudi Arabia be so easily persuaded to back the Iran nuclear deal, which allows more money and resources to enter the borders of their adversary? Furthermore, what does King Salman’s decision say about Saudi Arabia’s place in the international community? The answer can be found in Saudi Arabia’s interests in the Middle East and its own national security. First, since his ascension in January 2015, King Salman promoted the formation of an alliance among Sunni Middle Eastern nations.
Photo courtesy of the New York Times
While most Sunni nations are in the neighborhood of Saudi Arabia, Iran stands between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, which would be a valuable addition to King Salman’s alliance due to its nuclear capability. King Salman reached out to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in 2014 to create closer ties between their nations. Unfortunately, Prime Minister Sharif commented that Pakistan could only accommodate small measures of support at the time, due to domestic issues. Then again, one of the quickest ways to transfer resources from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia is through the Arabian Sea along the border of the Iranian Coast. This may not have been very appealing to Prime Minister Sharif, given the history between Iran and Saudi Arabia. However, if Saudi Arabia were to establish a relationship with Iran, other Middle Eastern nations might feel less threatened by the tension between the two. On the other hand, an established relationship with Iran could have other benefits for Saudi Arabia, apart from the ability to build a Sunni alliance. In the modern era, nuclear capability has become the cornerstone of a nation’s defense policy, and Saudi Arabia lacks exactly that. Conversely, Iran is notorious for its nuclear program, and while the Iran deal is meant to prevent this power, there are benefits to being allied with a nation that possesses a nuclear arsenal. Contact Kathryn at kathryn.chaney@student.shu.edu.
On September 8, Foreign Affairs held a debate between academic scholars and practitioners in the international relations field centered on the future of United States foreign policy and President Barack Obama’s legacy. From the Middle East to China, to the Iran nuclear deal and terrorism, President Obama has made decisions that have affected Americans and foreigners alike. Professor Walter Russell Mead of Bard College argued that America needs to realize that its influence in Israel is not as strong as it may think. He claims that American presidents, including President Obama, believe that the United States has more leverage over Israel as opposed to reality. He suggested that the United States should be more realistic about what it can do, and should stop trying to take responsibility for a situation that we cannot control and have not controlled.
Regarding terrorism, Jessica Stern, a former National Security Council staff member in the Clinton administration, believes Obama’s policies do not represent a change in strategy from the previous administration. She believes his support for increased domestic surveillance and drones is derivative of a strategy that was established years prior. One mistake Stern pointed out was President Obama’s campaign undelivered promise to close Guantanamo Bay prison, which he has yet to and probably never will. Also discussed were China and the Iran nuclear deal, both in a positive light. Regarding China, Thomas Christensen, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs in the Bush administration, was critical of the tension in U.S.-China relations. He suggested that the financial crisis of 2008 made relations with China much more unstable. This crisis gave China reason to “feel cocky abroad”
and triggered its rise in power. Yet he does not fault President Obama for the power struggle with China, and continues to praise the Obama administration for attending the East Asia Summit. He concludes that it is probable that the United States and China will avoid an entirely antagonistic relationship, thanks in part to policies implemented by the Obama administration. During the Q & A session at the end of the debate, a student asked the panel about their feelings towards the Iran nuclear deal. Foreign Affairs Editor Gideon Rose felt that it was a great achievement that represents the dynamism of American power, but that it may be overblown. Princeton University’s Thomas Christensen stated, “The way the world is interdependent today, there are not only American ideas; you have to have multilateral coalitions to fix (these) problems.” Contact Thomas at thomas.ashe@student.shu.edu.
opinion Trump: A Punchline Leading the Polls
October 2015 Page 9
Isla Lamont Staff Writer
They say not to mix politics and family, and for the love of God, never politics and inlaws. But while visiting my boyfriend’s parents a few weeks ago, I found this very difficult when his mother (I’ll refer to her as Mama G) casually mentioned she will be supporting Donald Trump in 2016. It triggered the following question, simple yet stupefying – why? I was in Europe this August, and numerous times on my journey, upon being revealed as an American, people from all over asked me to explain Trump. Barcelona, Rome, the United Kingdom, even in the Philippines—it appears that the world is watching our election polls (or at least, the Internet) and wondering the same thing I am: if everyone hates Trump so much, why is he “winning?" As both a woman and an
immigrant in this country, not to mention an intelligent and ethical human being, I could not begin to fathom why Mama G would support such a womanizing, foulmouthed, self-righteous, xenophobic, pompous waste of a hairpiece. I asked her how she could support a man who was accused of marital rape by his ex-wife; publicly used the words “slob,” “fat pig,” “dogs,” and “ugly” to proudly objectify women; has stated a Fox News anchor was probably on her period; said, “I believe we’re all equal, except women still have to try harder and they know it;” and, for such a great business man, has declared bankruptcy and been bailed out by the government. Twice. Her response, however, was quite simple: he isn’t afraid to say what we’re all thinking. As Mama G put it, “We are so tired of these lying candidates, always promising what they won’t commit to. He at least tells it to you straight,
Photo courtesy of Reuters
Prospective GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump.
even if it ain’t pretty.” The respect one feels for a person who is undaunted by authority or mass opinion is rather universal. It is not, however, a trait acceptable for someone in such a delicate and globally watched position as the President of the United States. So to summarize: the American middle class feels under attack. They feel hatred for their religion, nationality, and their very way of life from growing corners of the world. The media does
not shield them from violent protests at home and global violence, while they cope with the daily grind of hard work as only the rich get richer. Most of all, they feel that they cannot even rely on their own government. Then, on the television, comes a beautiful woman, Ivanka Trump, proclaiming how when it comes to her father, “There is no one you’d rather have in your corner.” The hotshot himself comes on, larger than life, flashing to the country his supposedly self-made billions as if it were a hall pass from Heaven above. Basically, Donald Trump has a god complex, and America wants a savior. You see, I’m scared too. And my concerns are not just limited to this country. It genuinely frightens me to think of what Trump will do and say as the leader of our nation. The Presidency is a position that involves the highest
level of tact, diplomacy, and sensibility. Are we really going to rely on someone so volatile to deal with Iranian nuclear missiles, or maintain foreign relationships? The man talks himself into a corner at every media opportunity and has no concrete goals for his vague objectives of “getting the economy back on track” or “defeating ISIS.” The one plan he actually released, as of mid-September, is his immigration proposal, which encompasses large swathes of negotiable territory and no real sense of direction. The impetus for global action rests on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the commander of wars, the Daniel to our lion’s den—are we seriously going to deliberately, willingly, and intelligently elect Donald Trump to any position over us? Contact Isla at rachel.lamont @student.shu.edu.
Playing Devil’s Advocate for China and Africa Lucy Njuguna Staff Writer
While some remain undecided on what to think of Chinese-African relations, it is apparent that China is taking a stronghold in the economies of certain African countries. Despite serious political turmoil in some of these states, China has aggressively established businesses, even in places where they seemed unlikely to thrive. The Economist reports that China is currently Africa’s biggest trading partner, with $160 billion worth of goods exchanged annually. This aggressive economic tactic has proven a threat to Western nations that previously cornered trade with Africa. Yet, the more pressing question is whether Africa’s new trade partnership is beneficial to the continent. Looking at the perspective of African countries, many states have been very welcoming towards Chinese investors. The
trade trends have changed so dramatically in recent years that research and interest groups are shocked by the sudden shift of trading partners from the West to the East. Al Jazeera reports that the West’s mission shifted from trade to counter-terrorism, following the bombing of U.S embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in 1998. Meanwhile, China’s policy of non-interference in the domestic affairs of other states is an appealing prospect, and has also been another boost to the economic growth in Africa, where the West has been accused of too much interference. However, there is reason for skepticism toward Chinese-African economic relations. In East Africa, for instance, China seeks to build roads and railways connecting countries in the region. This construction appears to provide the obvious advantage of easier trade and movement for East African countries, but some critics do
not agree with this notion. Peter Eigen, a special editor for CNN, reports that Chinese economic strategy is self-motivated. The Chinese are investing heavily in the transportation industry, motivated by better accessibility to mineral resources. African history is not unfamiliar with the exploitation of resources. Improved transportation often becomes less beneficial to foreigners than to locals, who use them more regularly. But when infrastructure and superstructure are improving at a faster rate than human capital, is the progress as useful to locals? Ory Okolloh, a well-known Kenyan tech investor and lawyer, provides a local perspective. In an interview with Quartz, she discusses how economic growth in Africa is taking the wrong dimension. She argues that it is difficult for people facing bad policies, poor governance, and poverty to establish “entrepreneurship.”
Photo courtesy of the Financial Times
Chinese President Xi Jingping (left) is welcomed by Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete in Tanzania.
Citing Greece as an example, she explains that as the country was going through its bailout, no one was telling Greek citizens to be entrepreneurs. It seems that there is a fetishism for entrepreneurship in Africa that overlooks fundamental problems. In this case, Chinese investors are the ones acting as entrepreneurs. Africans are not progressing, but rather opening more opportunities to Chinese investors who reap the benefits and overlook major societal is-
sues. Eventually, will China be replaced as Africa’s leading trade partner? Or can Africa become more self-reliant? To ensure self-reliance, Africa cannot rely on booming Chinese investments and trade indefinitely. Africa needs to organize its domestic and financial economies, in order to maintain a competitive market with China that will lead to a mutually beneficial trading relationship. Contact Lucy at lucy.njuguna@student.shu.edu.
October 2015 Page 10
international news
IMO Adopts Polar Code For Arctic Ocean
Continued from Page 1...
Mirjana Kuzmanovski Staff Writer
Ground has been broken on the International Code of Safety for Ships Operating in Polar Waters, also known as the Polar Code. After meeting in London in May 2015, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), an agency under the United Nations that regulates ships, adopted several guidelines in the Polar Code that aim to reduce the amount of pollution emitted into the environment. Now, ships entering Arctic waters will be examined to see if they pass these guidelines before receiving the green light to travel through the Arctic Ocean. The strict environmental guidelines in the Polar Code ban the discharge of oil, oily waters, harmful chemicals, and food waste. Any food waste must be 20 kilometers away from land or ice. Although such strict guidelines will be put into effect, the fuel oil used for these ships poses major environmental problems. Pacific Environment spokes-
Pope:
A ship navigating through the Arctic Ocean.
man Kevin Harun told CBC News that the fuel oil is “thick, vicious, dirty and persistent, doesn’t evaporate and would be a real disaster if there was a spill.” University of British Columbia professor Michael Byers noted the same guidelines are already enforced in Antarctic waters, adding, “There was real hope the IMO would extend that ban.” He also noted that this oil produces black carbon, one of the leading causes of climate change. While Harun and Byers believe the Polar Code is a great initiative to curb the escalation of climate change, the guidelines are not strong enough.
Photo courtesy of AP
Enforcement of the guidelines will be the responsibility of nations within their territorial waters. Elsewhere, enforcement is uncertain. The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) expressed support for the ratification of the Polar Code, considering the high sensitivity of ice-water ecosystems and the need for caution with maritime travel. Yet the ICS continues to highlight the need for a regulatory framework to ensure the guidelines of the Polar Code are met. The Polar Code is set to take effect on January 1, 2017. Contact Mirjana at mirjana.kuzmanovski @student.shu.edu.
system, which he suggested is “unjust” and is forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee from poverty and war in search of a new beginning elsewhere. While at the UN, Pope Francis attempted to have a discussion with President Putin, likely regarding the refugee crisis and instability in the Middle East. However, the Russian Mission to the UN stated that President Putin will arrive at the UN only two days after the beginning of the summit due to “private meetings,” as reported in Times. Francis held meetings with each member of the UN Security Council.As the United States prepared for the six-day Papal visit to New York, Washington, and Philadelphia, security for the Pope became a rising priority. Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security Michael McCaul (R-TX), told the Washington Post, “The Pope is a very passionate man,” adding that some of the Pope’s methods make him difficult to protect.”
As McCaul puts it, “He likes to get out with the people.” This poses a major security problem as open areas makes him an easy target for threats. This includes not only the open-air arenas that he prefers to speak in, but also the open-roofed Papal vehicles that he uses as transportation, as opposed to the traditional bulletproof, enclosed vehicles that became popular after the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II. McCaul has gone on record saying that one plot against the Pope has been “disrupted,” and that the Department of Homeland Security is on high alert for other threats. As Pope Francis returns to the Americas, more than just his security is in question. The visit brings up the Vatican’s involvement in the resumption of U.S.-Cuba relations, and in Venezuela’s human rights violations. Contact Mohammed at mohammed. khader@student.shu.edu. Contact Kiersten at kiersten.meyers@student.shu.edu.
Burkina Faso Cabinet Detained by Presidential Guard Oumarou Kouraogo Staff Writer
In Burkina Faso, the end of 2014 was marked by protests against constitutional change that would allow President Blaise Compaore to run for another term, extending his 27year presidency. Pressure from citizens forced Compaore to dissolve the government, declare a state of emergency, and flee to the Ivory Coast. A transitional government was formed, with Michel Kafando as interim president and Lieutenant Colonel Yacouba Isaac Zida as prime minister. The interim government was applauded for its civism and the conditions for transparent elections that were put in place. On April 7, members of the interim Congress voted on a new electoral code that disqualified constitutional change supporters from the upcoming elections. In reality, this law makes all
government officials who identify with the party of former President Compaore, Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP), ineligible to run. CDP leaders contested this legislation for its discriminatory nature. The Supreme Court of Burkina Faso found the new electoral code constitutional, making several candidates ineligible to run in the elections. However, the Court invited the concerned political parties to select new candidates to replace those who were banned. The Court did not interpret the new electoral code as exclusionary toward entire political parties, but only those who explicitly supported the initiative to change the constitution. BBC reports that on September 16, on the orders of Gilbert Diendere, Compaore’s right hand man and head of the elite presidential guard, a great number of soldiers came into the cabinet room and kidnapped the interim president and prime
minister. According to the Guardian, a televised announcement by Lieutenant Colonel Mamadou Bamba on September 17 stated that the coup comes in protest of “the electoral code, which blocked members of Compaore’s party from taking part in the October 11 elections.” The New York Times poses that the coup was motivated by the threat of disbanding the Regiment of Presidential Security in response to negative public opinion. The coup did not succeed, as the population, along with several civil society and political leaders, opposed it. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and various heads of state condemned the event, saying, “A power seizure by the presidential guard is a major step backward for a country that so recently managed to peacefully oust an autocrat,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
Photo courtesy of The Guardian
Two protesters outside the parliament in Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso in October 2014.
The risk of civil war loomed when army chief General Pingrenoma Zagre directed his troops to the capital, Ouagadougou, where the coup was staged. The army gave the coup leader an ultimatum to step down or be removed by force. An agreement was reached and Diendere stepped down. On September 23, Kafando and Zida were reinstated into power under the supervision of
several West African heads of state. The post-coup agreement still bans CDP members in the upcoming election. Al Jazeera reports that the Regiment of Presidential Security will be dismantled, and those responsible for the coup will be put on trial for killing ten people and injuring over a hundred others. Contact Oumarou at oumarou.kouraogo @student.shu.edu.
school of diplomacy news
October 2015 Page 11
Diplomacy World Leaders Forum Welcomes Leonel Fernández Luis Sosa Staff Writer
On Wednesday, September 23, the School of Diplomacy and International Relations and the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute welcomed former President of the Dominican Republic, Leonel Fernandez Reyna, as part of the School of Diplomacy’s World Leaders Forum. Mr. Fernandez’s visit was marked by the signature of a memorandum of understanding between the School and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), over which Fernandez presides. The partnership looks for collaboration between the organizations through research, internships, exchange programs, and conferences. Mr. Fernandez delivered a lecture entitled “Current Economic and Political Trends in Latin America.” The lecture covered the Dominican Republic’s ethnic diversity, political development, and important regional economic and financial points. Fernandez stated that in order for Latin American coun-
tries to progress, they need to move from exporting raw materials to exporting products and services with added value. He also pointed out that investments in infrastructure, education, and human capital are key for the region’s growth. Fernandez also referred to Cuba to illustrate how much the international arena has changed through the years. Pointing to the rise of the Cuban flag in Washington, D.C. and the American flag in Havana, Fernandez said, “With the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the U.S., the Cold War is finally over.” Mr. Fernandez’s reflections on the Cuban Revolution raised eyebrows. Fernandez stated in reference to Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution, “Fidel Castro didn’t want a revolution. He wanted to be a part of the system. But the lack of democratic access to power created conditions for the revolution.” Coincidentally, Fernandez’s visit to Seton Hall marked the two-year anniversary of the Constitutional Tribunal of the Dominican Republic’s decision to issue ruling TC/163/18,
which gave rise to the DR’s nationality crisis. The ruling affected the legal status of children with undocumented parents, most of whom are of Haitian descent. When asked about the issue, Fernandez responded with the measures the DR has taken to remedy the situation, which he said the international press has failed to cover. In a small group conversation regarding the Dominican movement that sought to have 4 percent of the national budget devoted to public education, Fernandez commented that although structure is necessary, the real change must happen at a deeper level. He referred to the way education is catered to in Latin America, singling out that education systems should promote problem solving and application of knowledge to real-life situations as opposed to relying on memory as the main intellectual tool. Mr. Fernandez also expressed his views on U.S. politics: “I do not like to make predictions, but I can assure you that Donald Trump is not going to win the elections” because of the Latino vote.
Photo courtesy of the School of Diplomacy
The author (left) with former Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernandez Reyna.
He stressed the importance of the Latino community by acknowledging the growing purchasing power of Latinos in the U.S. Earlier on the day of the lecture, word reached university administrators that certain groups had the intention to demonstrate on campus. As a result, security was strengthened. The protest was geared toward both the Dominican Republic and Mr. Fernandez. The demonstrators held posters written in Spanish that read, “The Dominican Repub-
lic is committing civil genocide.” Demonstrators also called the Dominican state a racist state. Some demonstrators held Haitian flags as they shouted. These demonstrators were countered by a group of Dominican nationalists, many of whom were supporters of Fernandez. They waved Dominican flags and sung the national anthem in response to the demonstrators that condemned the former president and the Dominican Republic. Contact Luis at luis.sosasantiago@student.shu.edu.
DULCE: Diplomacy Forum Sweetens School Communication Anthony DiFlorio Staff Writer
Since assuming the position of dean at the School of Diplomacy and Internationals Relations in July 2013, Dr. Andrea Bartoli has infused its academic and professional culture with an abundance of vibrant ideas and creativity. As a peace and conflict studies specialist in theory and practice, effective, collaborative communication is at the core of his vision for the school. Born from the desire to foster an open, interactive community between students and administration, the Diplomacy United Leadership and Communication Exchange launched in September 2014.
DULCE—a play on the Spanish word for “sweet”— serves as the ideal forum for students to interact with one another and the Dean, faculty and staff of the School of Diplomacy. Comprised of both undergraduate and graduate students, many representing the numerous student organizations on campus, DULCE meets monthly to discuss a wide range of topics relevant to the Diplomacy community. The group provides an outlet for all constituencies of the School to work collaboratively and share feedback on school policies, events, student leadership, professional development and more. DULCE is open to all Diplomacy students and participation is encouraged.
As Gwen DeBenedetto, Director of Marketing and Communications at the School explains, “DULCE is all about coming together to maximize the strengths of our Diplomacy community at Seton Hall— undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty and staff.” Gwen knows the value of effective communication, especially in a niche community like the School of Diplomacy. “To meet the needs and interests of current students, I’ve seen the group host speakers on campus, launch new organizations such as the Women of Diplomacy Leadership Program, and facilitate enhanced collaboration between existing organizations,” she said. “Thus far, the discussions and actions have been limited
to those who are available to attend meetings in person. This semester however, the group will be playing more with ways to participate virtually.” Dylan Ashdown, a double-Master’s candidate in Diplomacy and International Relations and Business/Corporate Communications, has been the point person for all things DULCE-related. From leading monthly discussions to coordinating emails between students and administration, he has worked tirelessly and seen the group bring strong ideas and a greater sense of community to the School. He explained that one of DULCE’s major successes was bridging the gap between undergraduate and graduate
students at the School of Diplomacy. “One of the big things that got created in order to solve that was the Facebook page. It’s for anyone that wants anything School of Diplomacy related. Events going on that might not make E-news,” he noted. “We have over 130 members right now, from undergrad, grad students, and even some alumni.” DULCE typically meets on the last Friday of each month, unless otherwise specified. All students who are interested in attending the forum and sharing ways to improve our School can email Dylan at dylan.ashdown@student.shu. edu. Contact Anthony at anthony.diflorio@student.shu.edu.
school of diplomacy news
October 2015 Page 12
School of Diplomacy Co-Sponsors ‘A Prayer for Peace’
Bartoli: “Peace is itself a creative act” Bjorn Schwarzenbach Staff Writer
‘A Prayer for Peace’ will take place on Saturday, October 17 at 8 PM in the Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall. The concert features the Seton Hall University Choir and the MidAtlantic Opera Company under the direction of Dr. Jason Tramm, assistant professor and director of choral activities for the College of Communication and the Arts. One-third of net proceeds will go to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to benefit Syrian refugees. According to Dr. Tramm, “This program features composers representing the three Abrahamic faiths, whose works rise above the circumstances of their creation and
present a universal prayer for peace.” The selected works are by Ahmed Adnan Saygun, Leonard Bernstein, and Ralph Vaughan Williams. A concert prelude will be held on Saturday, October 3 from 3-5 p.m. in Jubilee Auditorium. This program will feature brief lectures from scholars and members of the peace community, combined with short performances by the Seton Hall University Chamber Choir and guest high school choirs. The Diplomatic Envoy sat down with Dr. Andrea Bartoli to discuss the upcoming collaboration between the School of Diplomacy and the newly formed College of Communication and the Arts. The Diplomatic Envoy: Could you tell us more about the ‘A Prayer for Peace Concert’ this month and the background
behind the idea? Andrea Bartoli: The concert is somewhat of a beginning. The collaborative idea stemmed from Professor Jason Tramm. I was very touched by the concept of experiencing music that was written by composers who were either under violence, duress, or war, or who had composed music in response to these violent acts. The beauty of the concert program is also enhanced and heightened by the three religious traditions represented in the pieces, the different composers coming from the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim traditions. The music compositions are represented through the lens of creation as a response to violence. And this is very important to me because I think violence in many ways is an answer without a question that doesn’t recognize other’s contributions. And music is a beautiful response to those distractions of violence. So this idea for collaboration definitely resonated with me and I decided to contribute as much as possible to the event. I would also add that I really have enjoyed the collaboration for the event between the two newest schools at Seton Hall, the Diplomacy School and the new College for Communication and the Arts. To bring Seton Hall to Carnegie Hall, to bring the arts and diplomacy together, and music and peace together is a wonderful thing. Envoy: Your background is in peace studies and conflict resolution. What’s the connection in your opinion between music and what we study in diplomacy and international relations? AB: So there is no music
Diplomacy Dean Andrea Bartoli.
without intention, music is in many ways a recognition that one note must follow the other in order to be in harmony, to create the meaning that needs to be conveyed. Any musical creation is a recognition that harmony comes from all the parts working together. I think that music as a response to violence or war is very interesting because it is a reminder to humans that their first responsibility is to one another and to make sense of life. Another responsibility is to offer one another the space and experience that is mutually beneficial. So for us to go to Carnegie Hall and experience these pieces that were written as a response to violence is a way to reaffirm the commitments of students, faculty, administration, and alumni that peace is a human construct and at the same time it is something we need to constantly serve. Envoy: Based on your personal experiences in the field as an international conflict resolution expert, have you ever experienced the arts or other forms of creativity playing a role in any conflict resolution situations or diplomatic activities? AB: There is always an artistic component to any peace
Photo courtesy of Thomas Hill
process. Peace processes cannot be successful but through a creative act and they are by definition creative because these processes are responding to a specific situation that requires a specific solution. There is no doubt in my mind that there is in fact a very tight connection between any peace process and the artistic performance and creative act. This doesn’t take place necessarily in a formal way that if you can go to a concert, you are suddenly enlightened and then you get peace. Rather, the discipline of the creative act of diplomacy is actually shared with others and this creative act must be at play in order for peace to occur. So in that manner, I think we are at the beginning of an understanding of how peace is itself a creative act. Peace cannot just consist of orders and conformity but rather the expression of something deeper in the human spirit. My hope is that we will see more of these concerts on the theme of ‘A Prayer of Peace.’ Contact Bjorn at bjorn. schwarzenbach@student.shu.edu. Anyone interested in attending the October 17 concert may use the promo code PFP22483 for discounted tickets at www.carnegiehall.org.