Who are the German Pirates

My first encounter direct with the German Pirates Party was in 2011, when they were part of a huge demonstration in Potsdamer Platz, 10 years after 9/11 when some of the participants distributed various leaflets with toxic conspiracy theories about the events. 

Long before this moment, when I've hear about 'Pirates', it was in the middle of the international crisis of the real pirates from Somalia and was almost sure that it should be a party supporting the right of those people to be the Robin Hoods of the 21st century.

However, I was almost close of this idea: as I found out from Martin Haesler book about the German Pirates Party, when they are not fighting for the freedom of the net, they are against the capitalism as we all know it. A powerful force of the new hippies that won places in local parliaments and in the European Parliament. In Germany, they are also against the political parties that supported the Balkan Wars. Freedom of the Internet is cool and ACTA is not the smartest thing in the world, but as far as I remember from the political science classes, the aim of a party is to be in power and thus, I wonder what a pirate can say about the fiscal policies and foreign relations. 

The book is explaining the history of the German Pirates, their success and say something about some of the members situated in the hip area of Friedrichshain and are very much connected with the famous hacker group Chaos Computer Club. All the parties are part of the global network of Pirate Parties International - long time ago, only the communists were honoured to be party of the International, but nowadays, the Liberals are proud members too. 

The author tries to be neutral and to simply expose the main recent historical facts, the results at the last elections and some short interviews with 'famous' pirates, as well as some programs presented at the end of the book.

For someone fluent in German and curious about the Pirates, it is an useful lecture. 

Crisis guide: Iran

Many people nowadays are trying to talk about Iran, some are doing it professionally, some in a biased way.

The Crisis guide: Iran, by the Council on Foreign Relations is trying to present as many points of view as possible, in a very interactive way. In less than 9 minutes, you can say and show a lot about one of the hottest point on the planet and at least from this point of view, it is a very interesting approach. 

You have an overview of the current situation, various historical timelines, details about the Iranian regime, the regional situation, the nuclear program as well as useful resources for those interested to find out more. The interviews and points of view of experts in the region and political leaders, are intercalated with images from Iran. 

An interesting idea that makes foreign policy and diplomacy readable to an extended audience.

Should Iran get the bomb?

I always like to read new and mind blowing perspectives on foreign affairs. In addition, I am a dedicated reader of Foreign Affairs for an early age and thus, was more than impatient to read why Kenneth N. Waltz considered that Iran should get the bomb (the nuclear bomb). 

The arguments are simple and the essay is short in comparison with what you can really expect in Foreign Affairs - I am wrong to notice that the famous the author the shorter the essay, it is as the fame will exempt you from expanding your arguments based on your well known credentials? In his opinion, Iran should have the bomb because it will create more responsibilities for the authorities in Tehran and will establish a certain nuclear balance in the region with long term effects on the regional stability. It is like a 'wow' effect, isn't it? How did we not realize it and how there are still people that do not realise the simplicity of the solution. 

But, wait a minute, are we talking about France or Germany, or any other countries with a clear - at least for the next 5 years - democratic perspectives and clear engagement to respect the international rules of behavior? We are talking about a country where, even though some worries about the degree of mental inadequacy could be overrated, continues to be unpredictable and unreliable in its engagement on behalf of the international community. What about a world free of nuclear power? It does not make too much sense for very practical reasons but maybe I will write more about this on a different occasion. 

In an interview for The Diplomat, he explained further his intentions and the perspective on the nuclear balance, but it does not make too much sense from the cultural and historical point of view, as he apparently ignores some basic facts about the reasons why some countries would need to have the bomb and the degree of responsibility in handling it. 

Following this week negotiations, Iran looks as a quiet dove interested in the scientific development. But when it comes to the legal obligarions, the situation is apparently a completely different one. You have a region with a high degree of instability and only one democracy - which is not Iran, by the way. Syria presents already a danger for the region due to the significant stockpile of chemical weapons. In addition, we often forget that Iran is a country with frequent earthquakes and as long as it is no reliable control on their nuclear facilities, you risk a bigger tragedy than in the case of Fukushima. 

In conclusion, even if I enjoyed reading Waltz' piece of opinion, I dare to say that it does not say too much about the reality and even if it would have been an advertorial it blindly ignores almost every chunk of naked reality.

The passionate life of international workers

There are a couple of things that would recommend Love at the speed of e-mail for a review for a blog dedicated exclusively to foreign affairs and international policy. The author, Lisa McKay belongs to the category of the experts in the field of humanitarian work. Even though as a person passionate about foreign policy you love rather to debate about global crisis and big theories, you might know that sooner or later you should think about people that make those theories happen. Beyond their dedication for changing the world and making it a better place, they are looking for a sense of home and a life of their own. 

With the help of this book, you will better understand the life and professional challenges of the humanitarian work, by following Lisa's travels from all the world, from the Balkans to South-Eastern Asia and Africa. It is both a travel book, a memoir and a delicate love story that you would love to carry with you for the summer. 

Another good reasons that determined me to post my book review on this blog is that a portion of the profits will be going to support two charities in Laos - where Lisa is currently living: Pencils of Promise and Luang Prabang Boat Library. 

Disclaimer: We received a complimentary copy from the author.

The Syrian-Turkish relations

It is a cheap idea to support how united the countries from the Middle Eastern area are. In fact, with the exception of their hate against Israel – as a tool to excuse their disregard for basic rights for their citizens - and the support for the extremist Palestinian factions, there is no interest in going and acting together.

As Syria is in the news – but not in the minds of the decision makers – daily, the old and deepening conflict between Syria and Turkey I decided that I should start looking more carefully to the history of the bilateral relations between Damascus and Ankara.

Overall diplomatic framework

Syria has an embassy in Ankara and two consulate general in Istanbul and Gaziantep. Turkey has besides the embassy in Damascus one consulate general in Aleppo.

Both Turkey and Syria are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and of the Union for the Mediterranean.

The relation between Damascus and Ankara were molded at a great extent by the so-called ‘independence’ attitude of the new authorities in Ankara – to be read more tempted to follow the usual religious oriented patterns. Within the various Islamic fora, Turkey was often accused of being a Trojan horse, due also to the previous good relationships with the state of Israel, and its prestigious position in NATO. Many Muslim countries clapped their hands when the Turkish Parliament refused in 2003 to cooperate militarily with the US for the invasion in Iraq.

In 2004, Assad was the first ever president that ever went to Ankara in a state visit. In 2008, Turkey started to play the role of mediator between Damascus and Jerusalem on the issue of the Golan Heights, but it gave up its neutral role after qualifying the 2008-2009 operation in Gaza as ‘crimes against humanity’ committed by the Israeli Defense Army. On 26 April 2009, Syria and Turkey organized three-day joint military exercise developed in the border areas.

The casus belli

There are a couple of points that marked regularly the relations between the two countries:

-       -  The 1939 conflict regarding the annexation of the Hatay Province to Turkey. Hatay Province won in 1938 independence from the French Mandate of Syria and as the Republic of Hatay decided to join Turkey through a referendum that was never recognized by Damascus. Even though the province appears on many maps in Syria as still being part of this country, following the historical visit to Ankara, Assad declared that Damascus has no more interests in winning back the province. According to various media reports, it is said that many Syrian nationals bought in the last years properties in this Turkish region.

-        - The water dispute within the Southeastern Anatolia Project refers to the decision ot Turkey to build several dams on the Euphrates and Tigris rivers

-       - Syria’s open support for the Kurds. Repeatedly, it was alleged that Kurdish separatists were trained in Syria by one of the most sought Nazi war criminals, Alois Brunner who apparently was received open arms here  Eastern Syria – or what the Kurds call Western Kurdistan – is home for more than 2 million Kurds who should be considered in any discussions regarding the future of the region. However, in October 1998, the Syrian authorities decided to expel the Kurd leader Abdullah Öcalan to Turkey where he was put in prison, following unprecedented tensions when the Turkish tanks were deployed at the border. In the coming months, the issue of the Kurdish minority will continue to be at stake, as Turkey clearly outlined that it will not accept the creation of a Kurdish entity within Syria.

-        The recent evolutions

The immediate effect on the current uprising on the bilateral relations was the high number of refugees – around 300,000 that flew to Turkey at the beginning of the conflict. The same Erdogan that hold hands with Assad declared to the Anatolian Agency that “Syria is not acting in a human manner. This is savagery”. Part of the change of perspective was the serious incident that took place a couple of months ago after on 22 June 2012, Syria shot down a Turkish F-4 Phantom military jet near the Turkish-Syrian border, due to what the Syrian military alleged it was a violation of the Syrian airspace by Turkey. In the last years, Assad decided to grant Syrian citizenship to some Kurds another example that, in fact, in many Middle Eastern countries, governments are not acting for the sake of an idea, but rather against a particular other.

Despite the recent political turmoil in Ankara, Turkey continues to be an important NATO member and a candidate country to the EU. Even though the Cold War is over, some of the disagreements could be included on the old bill that Russia will never ask to be paid from the US in the Middle East. After officially losing the control in Central and Eastern Europe, Moscow could be as desperate as to negotiate some influence in the Middle East and thus cannot accept by itself to loose Syria (too).

Turkey is interested in a stable Middle East and, eventually, in a regime with whom to continue its quiet expansion of its interests. 

Have your Say!

Did you want to send your impressions and wishes to the UN Youth Initiative? Now, you have the occasion to be yourself and tell your inputs! As an organization or as an individual concerned about issues such as employment, education, political inclusion and citizenship, you can express your thoughts in French, Arabic, English, Russian, Chinese and Spanish, the UN official languages

Each one of us can try to change something, regardless of the final results!

Online Survey - Seeking Youth Inputs for Secretary General's Youth Initiative

Wednesday, 18 July 2012

The United Nations is developing a System-Wide Action Plan on Youth. This Action Plan will affect the way the whole UN system will work with and for youth in the coming years. The Action Plan will focus on the five priority areas identified by the Secretary General:

- Employment

- Entrepreneurship

- Education, including education on sexual and reproductive health

- Citizenship and protection of rights

- Political inclusion

Before developing this Action Plan, the United Nations is reaching out to youth, youth-led organizations and others for their inputs. Please take a moment to fill out the questionnaire.

Tell us what you think.We are listening.

The questionnaire is available in all UN six official languages:

English:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BFKH85W

Arabic: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NZLMTL6

French: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FMJHN2B

Spanish: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FJK3P3G

Russian: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NLGVB83

Chinese: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NVJ8PYJ

Diplomacy 2.0 - Storyful and Storify

Storyful is presented as the social network whose aim is ‘to create an authentic cooperative and socially useful journalism’. Many of the contributors are not journalists, but their social media activities – specifically Twitter – due to the fact that they are in the middle of the events. It does not mean that what do they air is the absolute truth and thus, the reader has the responsibility of carefully connect the information with other previous or ulterior sources.

Most specifically, Storyful gather the most important news on Twitter and tries to recreate the full picture of an event. Due to the demand of more information among journalists, it offers a paid version addressing the media organizations. Storyful was also partnered with YouTube for increasing the quality of the content offered to their readers.

A similar project was developed by Storify which was launched in2011 which operated similarly with the news from both Twitter and Facebook.

Both websites are easy to use and offer content that at a certain extent is filtered by the professionals which made the selection of Tweets and posts and include them in the big stories.

Advantages and disadvantages

In both cases, the systems are in process and thus it is difficult to make an evaluation and to give a definitive verdict. However, there are many advantages of using both systems, as a way to find out integrated news about the stories of the day. For instance, I watched a lot lately the updates regarding the terrorists attacks in Bulgaria, the situation in Libya and Syria. As a journalist, you can contribute and be included in news package and thus, your information is automatically spread to a diverse audience. The combination of the social media tools offers more authenticity to the media as for instance the cooperation between Storyful and YouTube. Social media tools offered a lot of possibilities for close investigation and authentification of the sources and the authors. It is truth that anyone with an Internet connection could post information but the good nose of the journalist continues to be to check the information at least from threereliable sources. Of course there are many entertainment and sport news that could be considered a waste of time for the foreign policy planners, but think about the effect of the stories about big international events and the effect on various calls for international help in areas affected by international crisis. The truth is in the eyes and responsibility of the authors. 

Diplomacy 2.0

As part of my editorial plans, I will continue in the next weeks the work to a project I have in my mind for almost two years: diplomacy 2.0. The aim of the project is to explore the ways in which traditional diplomacy was challenged by the new social media tools and most specifically. I started to think and read 2-3 lines the month to this project long before the ‘Arab Spring’ and waited for a while trying to understand how things went on. Meanwhile, new tools were added and I accumulated more writing and academic experience to be able to finish the project as soon as possible.

In the coming days, I will share some of my ideas, bibliography and online sources on the blog, while continuing to keep a careful eye to the powder keg that is our world. 

Syria’s chemical danger

As the fights in Syria continue, and the international community is unable to stop the slaughter that last for over a year, there are many other technical aspects related to this country that should worry the big democracies. One is represented by the fate of Syria’s chemical warfare. The main players in the next government in Damascus are not known, but the need to rely on a democratic – non-jihadist – government would be more than wishful thinking. However, the world is worried and is hoping/wishing/sending the message that they would prefer that the chemical stockpile will be transferred into ‘democratic hands’.

Till then, a short review of Syria’s chemical dangers.

The legal framework

Syria is not part of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and its support for the ban on WMD was only at the declarative level. It is signatory of the Biological Warfare Convention but has not ratified it yet. Also, it is part of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and maintains a civil nuclear program. The international community tried for years to investigate suspicions that Dair Alzour facility produce plutonium but failed to obtain clear evidences. However, the same was said about the chemical warfare that was officially declared by officials in Damascus a couple of years ago. The declarations of the officials were directed against possible attacks from abroad.

With an international community too busy with the London Olympic Games, the crisis in Europe and the summer holidays to intervene, the only possible target of the declarations could be only the State of Israel, where the official declarations were very cautious.

The history of chemical weapons

The involvement of Syrian authorities for developing the stockpile of chemical weapons started in the early 1980, according among others, to a declaration of the then CIA director William Webster in 1989. With the help of Russia and other big powers – France, among others – Syria succeeded to have it. It is also said that the first chemical weapons were offered by Egypt in 1973, on the eve of the attack on Israel, but the main provider seems to be the same Moscow. After Egypt and Israel signed the basic treaty in 1979, this support for Damascus took and end and Moscow became officially the main direct provider.

As in many other countries with problematic democracies and long history of oppression of their own citizens – see Iran, North Korea, for instance – such weapons involves a lot of investment and under the table negotiations with the big powers – to be read corruption. As many other countries in the area, the excuse of the regime for such programs was that they feel threatened by the state of Israel, a lame excuse to justify their underdevelopment and lack of any concerns for the fate of their ‘people’. However, the acceleration of the efforts towards acquiring chemical weapons was determined as well following various conflicts with Turkey, either due to the support of Syria for the Kurdish independence, or the various water sharing conflicts over the Euphrate river. The so-called political ‘Muslim’ unity manifests rather when it is about a hate-based cause.

For the moment, it is supposed that it manufactures: Sarin, VX, mustard gas and Tabun. The production is developed at least in five locations, many of them the playground for different recent fights: Al Safir – where it probably it is hosted as well a Scud missile base, Cerin – where the biological weapons are developed -, Hama – where cyanide gas was used in 1982 against an uprising of the Muslim Brotherhood -, Homs, Latakia and Palmyra. Some of the biological weapons that the Syrian scientists developed could be: anthrax, tularemia, cholera, ricin, canulpox. It is also said that Syria helped Russia to install anthrax in missile warheads.

The current Syrian production could be of few hundred tons of chemical agent per year. The clear locations and the exact capabilities remain at a great extent vague.

Moscow continue to be a strong supporter of Assad’s regime – and latest media news outlined that his glamorous and British educated wife found refuge in Putin’s Russia. And, as in many other post-Cold War cases, the old people from the old guards continued to get involved in various businesses with or without the direct support of their new bosses. Some paid for this as it was the case of retired Lieutenant General Anatoliy Kuntsevich in 1996, found guilty for shipping 800-kilograms of precursor chemicals to Syria.

What’s next

Both Moscow and Washington are trying to deter Assad – wonder how do they keep in touch nowadays? – and his cronies to give up the idea of using the chemical weapons.

The big question will be how to keep a tight control of the nuclear capacities and the chemical stockpile in the middle of the chaos. Among all the ‘spring’ countries, Syria presents the most dangerous situation and thus, the old enemies should decide to work together. Once again, at least when it comes to the Middle East affairs, the EU gave another proof of inadequacy.

Sources

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/syria/index.html

A movie about the Middle East

One of my many interests when it comes to foreign affairs is to see how the 'weapons' of soft power are used in order to send messages and build perceptions about countries and regions of the world. Of course that  not all or rather most part of those representations are not innocent, but my interest is to understand where the wind goes.

For instance, I've spent a lot of time watching Cold War movies - will start writing about very soon about some of them - but I discovered that there were not too many movies about the Middle East. Thus, when I've discovered The Prince of Persia at my local library, I couldn't wait to see this Hollywood production. A couple of days before the new sanctions against the Iranian oil, I was almost sure that at the end of the 100 minutes of the movie I will have at least a new idea about his mysterious country. 

However, nothing happened by far. The movie is the story of the powerful kingdom of Persia - a description that fits very well the way in which many Iranians introduce their own history - trying to expand its influence and enrich their conquests. Prince Dostan - played by Jake Gyullenhaal - is adopted when a child by the powerful King Sharaman impressed by the courage and strength of the then child (it reminds me of more than one popular story from the Middle East, maybe the 1001 nights). Dostan grows up and he will lead successfully the siege against the city of Alamit. The entire conquest is in fact set up by the uncle who wanted a mystical dagger that could give him the supreme power to turn the time back. If the uncle would have the dagger he will be able to do not save his brother in danger of death as a child and thus he will be automatically the one and only King of Persia.

The movie has a lot of action, romance and many video-game suspense. In fact, the source of inspiration of the movie was a game with the same name, very popular in the 1990s. You will have a lot of conspirations and cruelty and it is how we often perceive the politics in this area - and the politicians from the area are doing their best to confirm this image; if you do not believe, think about what is going on in Syria right now. But in comparison with the usual Middle Eastern tragedies, the movie has a happy ending and the brave prince Dastan fought the sources of evil and will save the world from evil. 

More than 90%, the movie is predictable - to be read, boring. For me, one of the interesting apparitions was the group of Hassanassins, apparently an Islamic sect. They are mentioned around 1092 and were considered a secret order of killers originary from the current territory of Iran and Syria, that used to consume hashish (maybe qath as well)– their name is a transliteration of their hobby which increased their cruelty. This is the popular version, but they were subject of academic studies. Dastan will fight them all, but since I've seen the movie, I am more than curious to find out more if there are any descendants of the old assassins in the present-day problematic Middle East.

The final recommendation: if you have something more interesting to do - as for example, reading about the assassins, you better don't waste your time with this movie. 

Book Review of the Week: The amazing story of Nojoud Ali

Do you remember what were your favourite ways to spend your time when you were a 10yo? Especially as a girl, you must probably have a lot of time to play with your dolls.  Most probably, only a few of you found out that they should leave school and get married. It is the case of Nojoud Ali, a child from Yemen that was sent out of her family to serve as wife. She dared to escape and fight for her life and with the help of the judges from Sanaa, Yemen's capital city, she succeeded to get the divorce and turned into a role model of fighter for the women's rights and dignity in Yemen. 

Together with the French journalist Delphine Minoui, a familiar pen for those interested in the Middle East affairs, she published a book about her adventure, translated in more than 20 languages. It is an easy read, very direct and with a lot of food for thought. Children's marriages are a reality in many rural areas in the Middle East and Africa, and Yemen especially was the subject of late reports warning about the serious situation of early marriages and disrespect of fundamental rights. It is hard to imagine the consequences of such trauma for the future of the women and, in general, for the Yemeni society as such. 

However, it is impossible to believe that any development and democratic change will be possible in the near future without a clear answer to cases such as the subject approached in this book. Nojoud Ali was a lucky girl and her example could be a source of inspiration for many girls going through the same nightmare. On the other hand, many need help and support and a legislation that will defend them against all those who are abusing their dignity, even though they should be against their parents.

Anyone who is interested in the issue of human rights should read this book and better appreciate the gifts of our Western world.

China's redefining role in the world

Shortly after Dambisa Moyo published The Dead Aid, I was more than happy to read it and review it on the blog. I highly appreciated the direct way of documenting the naked truth of the obvious wrong policies of resources in Africa. 

Her newest book - that I did not read it - deals with one of the big questions of the civilizations: China. Yesterday, I visited a big bookstore and was impressed by the impressive number of books dedicated to the mysterious China and the permanent questioning, without too much answering, about the reasons and explanations of the survival of the social and political systems and the success of the Chinese economy in the new global economic order. 

As part of the launching tour of her book - Winner Take All: China's Race for Resources and What it Means for Us, she gave an interesting lecture yesterday at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. According to her interpretation, China moved wisely by attracting neglected trade partners of the West - as Brazil and other Latin American countries as well as African countries, rich in various natural resources. What is very challenging in this approach, an aspect outlined by Moyo, is that China's interests in those countries are purely economic, without any 'colonization' tendencies. A lesson to be analysed further by sociologists and anthropologists as well soon.

Today seems to be for me China's day and I continued the lecture with a fresh new released report by The European Council on Foreign Relations exploring the grassroots social and political changes .

At least from my point of view, I am very far away from a global and coherent understanding of China, even though I am passionate about this country for a long time. The history and culture could bring some light, but it is only the beginning of the understanding process. 

Putin in Israel

Stratfor's on the recent visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Israel, with interesting insights about Syria and the recent tensions in the region.

To be continued

What's wrong with the international organizations

Honestly, I never understood and fully accepted the idea of rotation of the chairmanship-in-office, either it is about the famous UN Human Rights Commissions, where the champions of oppressions as Libya, Iran or Cuba were the proud chiefs despite their deep despise about such issues.

But the UN is not, by far, the only place where such abnormalities can happen. Take, for instance the case of the OSCE, an organization fighting for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Ukraine, the president during 2013, announced today its agenda. An important player in the region, mainly in solving the Transdniestr conflict, Ukraine is at the same time a country with a problematic democratic record. What about the NATO member Turkey, where in the last years the human rights situation deteriorated permanently? Or the EU and NATO member Hungary from where you can read almost daily news about the far right?

Democracy is mostly an idea and from the practical point of view we must rather talk about various democratic options and solutions instead that a single democratic standards. But, at least from the theoretical point of view, democracy is always endangered by corruption, racism and lack of proper separation of the powers. 

The current institutional system stressing the equal rights of the countries only because they are countries is not only unfair but counterproductive and diminishes the legitimacy of the entire institutional system as such.

The news from Greece

I spent the evening of the elections in Athens together with some friends that know and care about Greece. A lot of emotions and permanent Internet checking of the preliminary results. At the end of the day, the New Democracy Party and The Socialist PASOK announced their intentions to form a new government and the discussions continue till today as the two parties have rather a history of discontent than of cooperation. Keen to maintain their political support the representatives of the two parties will most likely prefer to renegotiate the terms of the bailout, despite the warnings of Germany that no change will be accepted.

But, regardless of the result, I was sure that the real danger will remain, regardless of the final result of the elections. More specifically, the danger is represented by the far-right. Although there were many worrying signs about what is going on in Greece, only very late in the process the public intellectuals decided to coalesce against. However, I strongly support this appeal symbolically called We are all Greek Jews. In Hungary, Ukraine, in the Balkans, France and elsewhere people should take stances and find a way to counter the far right until it is not too late.

When it comes to Greece, we should consider that it is a small country, without a vibrant economy, but with a very bad record of management of the public institutions and a problematic democratic past. Isn't it ironic that the so-called cradle of democracy nurtured a lot of anti-democratic ideas in more or less recent times? On the other hand, we should carefully watch the situation in other countries, facing bigger and with even deeper structural problems, as Spain, Portugal, some new EU Eastern European countries and, who knows whom - except Germany. And more than keeping a careful eye for the economic issues, all those interested in democracy should find a way to support better democracy from its detractors.

Meanwhile, Frau Merkel is getting ready to attend the Greece-Germany football game in the historical Polish city of Gdansk, but regardless of the results, nothing will change the current worrisome situation in Greece. 

The book recommendation of the week: Day of Honey, by Annia Ciezadlo

As a passionate reader of almost any kind of books, when it comes to the issue of foreign affairs and international relations in general, I am a lot interested in the side of 'soft power diplomacy'. I love in-depth analysis and interviews and strong statements, but I discover that besides the political arena it is much more life than we expect. 

This is the case with Annia Ciezadlo's book, the Day of Honey, described as a 'memoir of food and love'. She is a journalist by profession, with a multicultural background, that follows her husband originary from Lebanon in the Middle East and ends up by falling completely in love with the area, mainly with its food and warm people. 

After more than 6 years of direct experience in the area, she is able to better understand the politics - or to despise the politics completely - starting from her experience in the lifestyle of the area. Because food plays an important role in this respect, the lecture of the book will reveal you a very simple yet not enough explored aspect of the art of cooking: it is a very powerful public diplomacy weapon that can turn bridges into windows of opportunity for a new perspective. 

As in the case of sports, we should not overestimate the value of food: mainly in the Middle East, the delicious plates could be as well weapons in a symbolic war between nations. But Annia Ciezadlo see the bright side of the dish and explores the cultural habits associated with it in Iraq and Lebanon. 

The ugly side of wars

Wherever it takes place, the war "forces people to concentrate more on sustenance than on taste" and she had the occasion to see such switches of focus during her stays in Iraq and Lebanon. Very diplomatically, she succeeds to escape almost all the usual stereotypes of the writing memoirs of people sympathetic to the region. You will not find in this book propagandistic accusations about the failures of the Bush administration in Iraq or a Hezbollah-like explanation of the war in Lebanon. It was interesting to see how Hezbollah succeeded to win the hearts of so many people during the conflict with Israel in a dysfunctional country without reliable political party able to cope with dysfunctional situations. Otherwise, I am sure that if Lebanon would have been a normal democracy, it was unacceptable that a terrorist organization launch regularly bombs against another country and even kidnap its soldiers. The so-called ‘Party of Gd’ is in fact a group supported by Iran and Syria and driven by hate and destroy the lives of young and educated Lebanese people. Accusing others for the failures of the local elites to provide an alternative to the current situation is the real ‘convenient lie’ that destroys the future of many countries in the region. Countries from the regions should learn how to really love their country and invest more in the education of their children not in the wealth of corrupt religious leaders.

Enjoy your dish

'Home was wherever you broke bread with people you loved' says wisely Annia and I fully agree with it. Our world could be an enjoyable place if before starting the negotiations, the diplomats will stay together at the same dinner table and will share the stories of their cultures and their memories about food. If you are passionate about cultural diplomacy - as I am - you should include this book in your compulsory bibliography. If you are interested in the history of the Middle East, you should do the same. And if you are only looking for a pleasant dish to change your perspective on life after a long diplomatic work, please be careful at the end of the book where you can find many recipes whose preparation will bring you closer from a new universe. 

A world without Ahmadinejad

Ahmadinejad is very popular in the German media, apparently. This weekend, he chose Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung in order to announce that he would be interested in leaving politics at the end of his mandate.
I must confess that every time I have the patience to watch 5 minutes of an interview with Ahmadinejad, I can hardly follow him. I watch his eyes and it is enough to realize that I am not a psychologist enough to understand him. 
On the other hand, his announcement sent a strong message that he almost lost the battle with the religious establishment. Even though the two groups share the same toxic and hate driven ideas about the state of Israel and are oversaturated with anti-Semitism, their economic and political interest may divert. From many respects, until a certain level, Ahmadinejad was the puppet the regime needed in order to install its power over the country, including by using the Revolutionary Guards. But, money do not have colour and thus Ahmadinejad and the religious elites under the control and guidance of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei have an increasingly tensed relationship.
The departure of Ahmadinejad will not leave too many traces and unless the educated Iranians will be let free to take their country back, nothing noticeable will happen except a change of the faithful guard. 

Our case for Syria

Did anyone expect good news from Syria? For me, the worst part of the story is represented by the incapacity of almost any ‘famous’ international organization to cope with the situation. The latest bad news from there is represented by the decision of the UN observer team to suspend work in Syria.

In other words, another unsuccessful plan made by Kofi Annan. 

For over a month, Syria is the place where people and especially children are butchered. I do not want to enter now into a dispute about numbers and why it is this happening. What it is known for sure, including by the journalists invited to chew the PR campaign of Mr. Assad, is that people are killed for months. If not such a death-and-life situation, I would like to make a big joke about the appeal of the wives of the EU leaders to the wife of Mr. Assad, in order to contribute to the cessation of the slaughtering. Or on the ban the same EU imposed on luxury products.

It is true that it is not sure who can follow after Assad and as in the case of the Sunday elections in Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood or other extreme Islamic party could take the power. Without Assad – to whom the Financial Times dedicated another ‘objective bio’ it is difficult to see what the future is, in a country ruled by relatives and close friends. Most probably, the change of Assad will determine the entire change of the key pawns unless some of them are not already trying to negotiate their future underground.

The current configuration of the region is difficult, with Russia almost desperate to keep a strong foot in Syria, as it used to be. Many of the military and university elites of Syria are well trained and educated in Moscow and most probably Mr. Putin has his own plan at least to save some places in the new configuration of power. Maybe a new Syria will finally leave Lebanon free to get rid of Hizbollah, assiduously paid from the Damascus budget. Without Assad, Iran who has different interests to keep Russia around, will most likely lose a good servant.

By the way, apparently the subject ‘Assad’ is very popular lately as many of the books dedicated to him, not a few of them a pure PR work, can be purchased at impressive prices – over $21 for Kindle. Maybe the decision-makers from Europe are trying hard to understand what is going on there, but I hope their bibliography is not as superficial as it used to be in other cases. 

The Republican France turns completely on the left?

French voters are called today to choose their MPs in the National Assembly, the lower house of the Parliament. The final results will show at what extent the Socialist President Francois Hollande will be able to coordinate his economic and political policies with a majority of 577-seat legislative branch. According to the latest opinion polls and the results of the last week first round of the legislative election, such a configuration is most likely to occur.This will be the last step of challenging the decade-long domination of the conservatives of the former president Nicolas Sarkozy. Any candidate who won the support of more than 12.5 percent of registered voters in the first round advanced to Sunday's runoff, and many districts have three-way races. According to the latest electoral evaluations, it is expected that the Socialists will occupy 289 out of the 577 seats of the National Assembly.The electoral campaign focused mostly on local issues. Hollande, the first socialist president since Francois Mitterand left the power in 1995, won the presidential elections with a discourse criticizing president Sarkozy budget-tightening, a decision considered as presenting a high-risk of recession. Instead, the Socialists promise to reduce deficit. France, the second-biggest economy in the Eurozone, is expected to play an important role in the next discussions regarding the fate of the euro-zone and of the EU in general, alongside with Germany. On the other hand, Hollande’s position for a government-sponsored stimulus aimed to encourage economic growth was met with opposition from German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Hollande will also need to cope with the opposition within its own party whose representatives might have a very strong resistance against various EU packages aimed to help the Southern nations. Thus, the current president should include on his agenda the efforts for keeping the party united.
The final decision of the France voters is observed with attention by the financial analysts, ready to evaluate the immediate effects on the market. France already registered a high spending deficit. The main important steps to be taken shortly after the elections will be: the approval of a legislation aimed to raise taxes, measures to adjust budget spending and the ratification of an EU fiscal discipline pact.Some of the decisions that France supports immediately within the EU is an agreement before the end of 2012 on growth-boosting measures. According to local and international media reports, Paris agreed that a 120 billion euros financial help will be the result of short-term growth instruments – mainly bonds – reallocated EU structural funds and a fresh investment capital from the European Investment Bank. The 120 billion euros would be made up of some 55 billion euros of unused EU structural development funds, some 4.5 billion euros in project bonds for infrastructure projects and 60 billion euros in capital that could be raised by the EIB if it were given an extra 10 billion euros in financing. The French president also wants the euro zone's ESM permanent rescue fund to be given a banking license to allow it to borrow money from the European Central Bank to bolster its firepower. German Chancellor Angela Merkel strongly opposes creating euro bonds in the near term or having Germany underwrite debt or guarantee bank deposits in the euro zone.On the other hand, the current elections marked a new revival of the far right, represented by the anti-immigrant National Front who pledges for the abandon of the euro. Under the coordination of Jean-Marie Le Pen’s daughter, Marine Le Pen, the NF placed in the third position during the last presidential elections and on the same position during the first round of the legislative elections. Due to the current legislation, they are not expected to have more than three or four seats, but the FN will be present in the parliament for the first time since the mid-1980s.The final results are expected late Sunday night. Shortly after, Hollande is expected to leave for Mexico, for the G20 Summit.

New succession games in the Saudi royal family

Saudi Crown Prince, Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz, 78, died on Saturday in Geneva, Switzerland, a situation that opens the issue of the succession to the throne the second time in less than 12 months. 

He was the half brother of current King Abdullah, in his late 80s and he was named as Crown Prince last October, following the death of Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Nayef was part of the so-called ‘Sudairi Seven’, a group of the sons of the founder of the Kingdom King Abdulaziz al Saud and one of his wives, Hassa bint Ahmed al-Sudairi. To the same group belongs the Foreign Minister Saud al Faisal and Khaled al Faisal, the governor of Mecca province.

Saudi Arabia is considered one of the West’s most important allies in the region, despite a poor record of human rights, especially when it comes to human rights. Last but not least, the country is considered the one of OPEC’s top producers. On the other hand, Saudi women are not allowed to drive or to be included in the team of the country participating in the Olympic Games.

On the other hand, the country is facing serious economic problems due to the high rate of unemployment, which affects especially the young Saudis.

After 9/11, as Interior Minister, a position he occupied for 37 years, Nayef coordinated the efforts against the local al-Qaeda branch. In his letter of condolences, president Obama hailed Nayef who “dedicated himself to the security of Saudi Arabia as well as security throughout the region”. UK Foreign Secretary William Hague praised his ‘dedication to the prosperity and security of the Kingdom.’

According to media reports, the successor will be designated Nayef’s brother, Defense Minister Prince Salman. The final decision belongs to the Allegiance Council, a body created in 2006, an assembly of 30 male members of the King Abdul-Aziz family, the first Saudi monarch. Salman, 76, served for over 40 years as the governor of Riyadh, a very important position of power both at the local and international level.

On the other hand, it is expected that the representatives of the Western-educated third generation of Saudi prices to move forth in order to take a more important role in the ruling of the kingdom in a more modern way. Salman is a follower of the Wahhabi religious establishment and there are little chances to see a dramatic change during his mandate.

The announcement of the death was made by a Royal Court Statement on the public TV, without addition details about the cause. The funeral is expected on Sunday in Makkah province, after prayers in Mecca. Bahrain and Kuwait announced three days of mourning. During the anti-Governmental protests in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia sent troops aimed to crush the Sunni protests. Saudi Arabia opposed the 1990 Saddam Hussein invasion of Kuweit.