Nomma Zarubina’s Post

The ballot box as one corner of a free state has only ever been important for the consent of the governed domestically, but also amounts to majoritarian rule in many conflict states. Right authority to govern is legitimated by fair and ubiquitous adjudication. A fully independent judiciary is integral for post-conflict states whom don't get it with imposed parliamentary systems [and their majoritarian lack of minority protections; ie, #filibuster, multiple elected camera, the separation of powers of three equal and thus power-minority branches including an independent executive, etc]. "Liberal" Western states' Neo-Liberal Interventionism, war as franchise, come from global power asymmetries, as all polity is expansionist, and would happen regardless of system. Institutional learning of the post-Cold War limits of even #NATO power may help limit that Interventionism, if it remains learned, and only cost hundreds of thousands of civilian non-combatant lives, but fomenting and continuing conflict extends from the post-Cold War Neo-Liberal economy as #tech, offworlding, and, #deregulation have facilitated #StateCapture with 7% growth rates, essentially commodifying fragile state systems, and exacerbated the 10% of the global #GDP that is the illicit economy as recapitalization of stolen state wealth; little more than the conflict between state and transnational ontologies. Indemnify transnational entities and they work against the Westphalian statist civil-juridical system. While NATO allies need to get used to associating with non-democratic yet stable states, it's rather silly to continue to place the blame for rising nationalism and its associated expansionisms, foreign and domestic, on the advocates of democracy whom oppose it. #democracy #election2024 #Hollywood #film #RepealTheCDA #fintech #cyber #security

Georgia’s future lies in Europe! Committed by our constitution, our journey toward a democratic, prosperous, and free society needs recovering and strengthening partnerships with the European Union and the United States.These steadfast allies have been instrumental in building resilient institutions, fostering economic growth, and upholding our shared values. No one is allowed to redirect our foreign policy path. #Georgia #EUIntegration #StandwithGeorgia

Kelley Currie recently testified before the House Foreign Affairs's Subcommittee on Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations and the #PRC. From the hearing: "Authoritarian regimes provide a durable base of support for Beijing’s norm-shaping activities, while democratic countries have failed to rise to the challenge. To date, the combination of dependence on trade with China, the allure of Beijing’s investment and financial assistance, and the regime’s willingness to resort to strong-arm tactics has overwhelmed both established democracies and those struggling with democratic self-governance. Given the inability of even the most stalwart democracies to defend themselves against Beijing’s predatory behavior, is it any surprise that the unaccountable global elites who roam the UN corridors have been such easy prey?" Watch the full hearing below: https://lnkd.in/ec9jhJUh

🔔 Check out this insightful #WashingtonPost article on Vice President Kamala Harris’s foreign policy work. Thank you to Missy Ryan and Michael Birnbaum for the chance to share my thoughts. 🙏 “Rebecca Bill Chavez, who served as co-lead of Harris’s foreign policy team during her 2020 presidential run, said Harris understood the need to address the underlying drivers of migration, including long-standing issues of poverty, inequality, corruption and insecurity. Harris also emphasized ‘the very real problem of widespread gender-based violence and on the protection of human rights and labor rights,’ said Chavez, who now serves as president and CEO of the Inter-American Dialogue.” 🔘 The recent presidential elections in Venezuela demonstrate the deep importance of these types of efforts. 🔘 If Maduro stays in power, as many as two million more Venezuelans may flee the country, seeking refuge and asylum in Colombia, Brazil, the United States, and other Western Hemisphere countries. 🔘 Working on root causes is critical to addressing hemisphere-wide challenges like the difficult and heartbreaking migration crisis caused by the Venezuelan dictatorship. #Venezuela #Immigration #WesternHemisphere #CentralAmerica

Many thanks to Kurt Bassuener, PhD and Toby Vogel at DEMOCRATIZATION POLICY COUNCIL INC “For too long, the EU and its member states have viewed the Balkans through the enlargement lens, reducing the process to bureaucratic box-ticking and abandoning its potential transformative power. To the contrary, the EU has used the enlargement process as a cover for opportunistic deal-making — giving in to local leaders’ revival of ethno-territorial, divisive agendas, thus threatening not only the stability of the region, but also the Union’s own security interests. Trump’s victory makes it imperative for the EU to recommit to assertive comprehensive security as the foundation of its engagement with the region.” #westernbalkans #eu

The Berlin Conference (1884-1885) saw European powers carving up Africa with little regard for local ethnic and political realities. This led to the emergence of many African states with borders that cut across traditional tribal and cultural lines, contributing to civil wars and instability in the post-colonial period. #European powers

Liberal Peacebuilding, a predominant strategy in post-conflict reconstruction, is under scrutiny due to its inconsistent outcomes. The approach, characterized by top-down democratic installation and free-market economic systems, has faced challenges in rectifying root causes of violence in conflicts like those in the former Yugoslavia and Afghanistan. Despite criticisms, proponents argue for reforming the approach by prioritizing local ownership and accountability mechanisms such as Security Sector Reform (SSR) and Transitional Justice. These reforms aim to bolster the effectiveness of Liberal Peacebuilding in promoting sustainable peace and stability in conflict-affected regions. Written By: Alexander B. https://lnkd.in/dCyZsWAV

Senator Farrell deserves this rating for his commendable efforts to restore relationships with China amidst the challenges caused by past diplomatic missteps with the assistance of Senator Penny Wong. AFR- "It’s not just a backroom job. He’s a front-of-house guy doing a big job and making a lot of progress." Jennifer Westacott. Due to the previous PM's megaphone diplomacy, the tattered trading relationships with Australia's most important trading partner were further complicated by Morrison's actions by becoming President Trump's mouthpiece whilst Trump was doing historic high exports with China behind Morrison's back. This negatively impacted Australia's farmers' exports to China, while American farmers saw their exports to China reaching record levels. In Beijing, trust is a valuable yet fragile commodity, hard to establish and easy to lose. However, the recent developments indicate a gradual restoration of trading relationships between Australia and China. Previously, the tourism industry's growth suffered due to diplomatic setbacks, notably from Morrison's handling of relationships through megaphone diplomatic communications. Fortunately, positive changes are on the horizon, with more direct flights scheduled between China and Australia in the coming months. #SenatorFarrell #ChinaAustraliaRelations #Diplomacy #TradeRelations #TourismIndustry #BeijingTrust #tourism

Today is celebrated Europe Day, a significant moment in the history of the European Union. It commemorates the Schuman Declaration of 1950, which proposed the creation of a new form of political cooperation in Europe, aimed at making war between Europe's nations unthinkable. The day is observed with events and activities across EU countries. #EUROGENDFOR. #LexPaciferat

What can the Balkans expect from Trump’s foreign policy this time around? Valery Perry, a senior associate at the Democratisation Policy Council, suggests the region should anticipate a focus on transactionalism and deal-making among elites, which will likely feel familiar to many in the region. Watch her interview for #AcrossTheBalkans here: