It is not a secret that Israel has been moving rightward on the political spectrum for the past twenty years. This political trend has not plagued only this small country in the Middle East, but caught up to Europe and the US as well.
Read moreWater, Peace, and Jisr A-Zarqua | By Yael Filus
Yael Filus decided to film a short video centered around the themes of water, peace, and conflict. Water, being one of the main disputes in the Israeli Palestinian conflict, became a very controversial topic in the midst of the Israel - Gaza war.
Read moreKeeping Up with the Ambassadors Episode 7: Introductory Interview with the New Director's Assistant
Jaime spoke with Yeal Filus, CRC's new intern and Director's Assistant about Yael's political and environmental initiatives along with her exciting plans for the upcoming year at CRC.
Read moreKeeping Up with the Ambassadors Episode 5: 'The Value of Negotiation and Diplomacy' with Adea Begaj
Georgians Oppose Anti-Democratic Bill | Global Updates, a Rubric by Jaime Musso
On March 8th, thousands of Georgians took to the streets in the capital Tbilisi, waving European flags and chanting ‘No to the Russian law’. The police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the protesters. Two days before the Parliament had adopted a proposal for the so-called ‘Law on Transparency of Foreign influence’. This law would have required that any organization that receives more than 20% of their funds from abroad should be labelled as ‘agent of foreign influence’. This term immediately triggered the population as it reminded them of a similar Russian law that uses the very same term ‘foreign agents’. This law is used by the Russian government to silence and limit the freedom of press. Many foreign governments, including the European Union, clearly communicated how this bill would be an alarming sign of democratic backsliding for Georgia and a threat to its citizen’s freedom. The size of the protests gave a clear signal to the government, who was pushed to retract the bill on March 10th. It also gave a message of hope to the democratic allies and to neighboring countries, demonstrating that people will raise their voice against Russia’s attempt to expand its power.
Georgia is situated in a difficult position, squeezed geographically and culturally between the European Union and Russia. According to a survey conducted by The Economist in 2022, more than 80% of Georgians want to join the EU. In February 2022, Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia submitted their applications to become candidates of the UE. This followed following Russia’s brutal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which made many post-Soviet countries feel threatened and unsafe. However, Georgia’s application was rejected due to recurrent scandals of corruption, vote buying and reduced freedom of speech. The Freedom House Index highlighted how civil liberties are still not fully protected in Georgia.
This law is once again an attempt of Russia to expand its influence over the post-Soviet bloc, trying to carry on the ideological war that happens with the West. This trend was enhanced by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year. Georgians can relate to the sufferings of the Ukrainians, as their country was also invaded by Russia in 2008. That war was a lot faster but still resulted in the occupation and illegal annexation of 20% of Georgia’s territory. To this day the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia are controlled by Russian forces and are inhabited by many of the Georgian filo-russians.
In a period of great global instability and a general fear of Putin’s undemocratic and violent actions, Georgians gave a clear signal that they dream of democracy and oppose totalitarianism. Once again, Putin’s attempt to expand his authoritarian and oppressive power model was met with resistance from the people!
Language of Remembering: The Inheritance of the Indo-Pakistani Partition | Reflections by Jaime Musso on a book about memory and displacement
I was really fascinated by the stories related to the Partition between India and Pakistan. The book by the Indian author Aanchal Malhotra was interesting for me to hear the author talk about her desire to focus on personal stories rather than grand narratives.
Read moreKeeping Up with the Ambasssadors, Episode 4: “Charney Diplomacy Program Experience” with Noa Hirsch
Ambassador Noa shares her experience of 'Charney Diplomacy Program' at Florida Atlantic University and gives advise for future participants to attend the Program. Watch the vlog interview by Jaime Musso with Noa Hirsch.
Read moreLeon Charney Diplomacy Program Report 2 by Noa Hirsch
I just finished my 3rd week in the diplomacy course and I can feel how much I have learned during my time in Florida. My time here is made up of university classes, individual preparation for the conference, and enjoying South Florida as a tourist.
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