The Sentry’s Post

📣 New report: #Libya's Kleptocratic Boom A massive surge in corruption and organized crime by Libya’s rulers has led to an economic spiral and deadly threats to life. Our new report reveals the growing risk that Libya's current leaders might end up destroying the country’s most essential institutions. Explore the report and its recommendations >> https://lnkd.in/g5Jg86Sk

New Report by The Sentry: Massive Surge in Corrupt, Criminal Operations in Libya Linked to Leaders. https://lnkd.in/e-qfumTM A rapid ongoing surge in corruption, looting, and organized crime perpetrated by Libya’s current rulers threatens the survival of the country’s essential institutions, including the nation’s vital oil sector. Unless bolder international policies are adopted, a relapse into armed conflict is a distinct possibility. https://lnkd.in/ee8yiPWF & https://lnkd.in/eyjBrUw6

Since the beginning of 2023 Sudan, Niger, and Gabon have experienced coups d'état which have destabilised the region at different levels. The situation has forced the EU to respond with a series of measures aimed at protecting its interests by adapting them to each case. Europe Desk's research analyst Adrián Merino Puente offers insight into the ongoing situation of how the EU's shifting strategies in response to the crises in Sudan, Niger, and Gabon reflect its struggle to maintain influence and promote democratic order amid escalating political and humanitarian challenges. #EUForeignPolicy #AfricaCoupAnalysis #StrategicDiplomacy #GlobalSecurityTrends Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eK5xSgg3

Chinese envoy Geng Shuang urges Israel to cease discrediting the "two-state solution" and end its illegal settlement activities. He called for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for Israel to comply with international law to ensure safe entry of humanitarian supplies. Geng stated that the "two-state solution" is the only viable way to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli issue and called for international and regional diplomatic efforts to reinvigorate the political prospects for the two-state solution. #AsiaRisk #GeopoliticalConflictandDisputes #China Follow us for daily updates on risk and operations in Asia! https://lnkd.in/dXTG_dEZ

Did you know that: * The Chinese government has imprisoned over a million Uyghurs and subjected those not detained to forced labor and sterilization (yet if you google "humanitarian crisis China," the first thing that comes up is how China provided millions in humanitarian aid to Palestinians). A UN report says China's actions "could amount to crimes against humanity" (yet when it comes to Israel's self defense the UN has no doubts as to Israel's crimes against humanity). * There's a civil war going on in Sudan. Thousands have died and over 5.7 million displaced. It's a humanitarian nightmare (yet for three weeks straight the top BBC news stories are of Gaza and its residents; why haven't I heard about Sudan?). * On October 23rd 2023, ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) and Nigeria, together with the EU, placed sanctions on Niger in an effort to quell a military coup. The sanctions affected Niger's more than 25 million people by cutting off electricity, medicine, and food. Niger's PM Ali Lamine Zeine called the sanctions "inhumane and injust." (Why is nobody waving Niger's flag in solidarity and protesting these sanctions across the world?) * In Somaliland, conflict between armed forces have left hospitals desperately working to maintain lifesaving supplies. The Somaliland army continues to indiscriminately target civilians, including attacks on hospitals (I wonder why the only hospitals that make headlines and that people seem to care about are the ones in Gaza). Doctors without Borders announced it would be ending its support in Somaliland because it is too dangerous to work there (I guess personal safety is a border. Unless you're Israel, in which case you _must_ continue sending aid to Gaza, even under rocket fire). * Tibet, home of the native Tibetan people, has been "occupied" by China since 1950 (somehow nobody cares about this "occupation" or cares to condemn China). Please remind me why all anyone cares about is the poor Palestinians in Gaza? Hypocrisy, anyone?

Has international aid helped Haiti? Or has it undermined the country’s institutions, fueling crime and corruption? In the book, “Aid State: Elite Panic, Disaster Capitalism, and the Battle to Control Haiti,” author Jake Johnston argues foreign governments, multilateral bodies, and non-governmental organizations have played a key role in the collapse of Haiti’s institutions. US and Haitian authorities are attempting to firm up support for a Kenya-led international security mission in the Caribbean nation, which saw a huge increase in criminal violence last year. These authorities are also continuing to advance judicial cases related to the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. But Johnston contends that decades of foreign intervention in Haiti have warped the country’s institutions so they serve the interests of international benefactors and favored local elites, while ignoring the concerns of the vast majority of Haitians. InSight Crime spoke with Johnston about the relationship between organized crime and Haiti’s “aid state,” and how the country might address its ongoing security crisis. https://bit.ly/48xCtMY

Given the multiple and differing perspectives of ASEAN Member States on the Israel-Palestinian disputes, a hypothetical ASEAN statement that includes condemnation of both the acts of terrorism by Hamas and excessive retaliatory measures by Israel resulting in loss of innocent civilian lives and properties could be proposed as follows: Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Official Statement on the Israel-Hamas Conflict Date: [Insert Date] The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) expresses its deep concern over the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in the Israel-Hamas conflict. We unequivocally condemn the acts of terrorism perpetrated by Hamas against innocent civilians. Such actions are in clear violation of international humanitarian law and serve only to escalate the conflict further. Similarly, we strongly denounce the excessive retaliatory measures taken by Israel, which have resulted in the unfortunate loss of innocent lives. We call upon Israel to adhere strictly to international humanitarian law, including the laws of war, in its actions. ASEAN firmly believes in the principles of peace, stability, and respect for international law. The loss of innocent lives and the destruction of property are deeply distressing, and we urge all parties involved to exercise restraint and to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation. We recognize the complexity of the issues at hand and the varying perspectives within our own member states. However, it is in the spirit of unity and collective responsibility that we call for constructive dialogue and negotiations to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict. ASEAN is willing to facilitate conversations and engage in diplomatic efforts, in collaboration with international organizations and other concerned nations, to support peace initiatives and humanitarian aid distribution. We extend our deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and offer our support to the innocent civilians caught in this conflict. The current state of affairs is untenable and urgent action is necessary. The eyes of the world are on the Middle East, and it is the collective responsibility of the international community to work towards a sustainable and peaceful resolution. ASEAN remains committed to promoting peace and stability in the global community. Sincerely, [ASEAN Secretary-General] [ASEAN Member States] *This is purely a hypothetical draft and not an official statement by ASEAN or its member states*. Copyright © 2023 Looi Teck Kheong. https://lnkd.in/eDg4xHZE

1 more cynical leader telling the other cynical leader that they should not do what they do themselves. Do these people have no self reflection at all? To be clear: i agree that attacks on civilians should end and hostages returned: in Gaza and Israel and also in China, Tibet and other regions that China controls and "hostages" freed from cruel working camps.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said a response to Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza must take into account that the Palestinian people have been “denied the right to their homeland”. Jaishankar, who was on a visit to Malaysia, said that while Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel was “terrorism”, any response to it must take humanitarian law into account. He was responding to a question at an interaction with the Indian community in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. "How different pulls and pressures can be. On one hand, what happened on October 7 was terrorism. On the other hand, nobody would countenance the death of innocent civilians. Countries may be justified in their own minds in responding, but you cannot have a response that every response must take into account something called international humanitarian law", Jaishankar said. "The fact is whatever the rights and wrongs of the issue, there is underlying issue of the rights of the Palestinians and the fact that they have been denied their homeland," he added. Israel’s war on Gaza began after Hamas’ incursion into southern Israel on October 7, which killed 1,200 people. The militant group had also taken over 200 people hostage. Some of the hostages were released in November as part of a brief ceasefire agreement in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel and humanitarian aid. Since October, Israel has been carrying out unprecedented air and ground strikes on Gaza. The attacks have killed nearly 33,000 people, including more than 13,000 children. Nearly 75,000 people have been left injured. A “two-state” solution has been India’s long-standing view on the conflict. After the war broke out, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said on October 12: “India always advocated the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine, living within secure and recognised borders, side by side at peace with Israel”. . . . #india #israel #palestinian #palestine #gaza #malaysia #kualalumpur #middleeast #usa #sjaishankar #jaishankar #news #politics