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Perspective on China in the SCS and impact 

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Perspective on China in the SCS and impact 

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LAURA TINGLE: James Clapper is the former Director of National Intelligence for both the Obama and Trump administrations.

He's currently in Australia and joined me a short time ago from Canberra.

General James Clapper, thanks for joining us.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo faced a frosty reception in China the last few days, and Beijing is accusing Washington of escalating the trade conflict and saying American actions have cast a shadow over the future of China-US relations.

What's your overall assessment of how the Trump administration is handling the relationship with China?

JAMES CLAPPER, FORMER DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE: First of all I think the Trump administration has a point, about - at least from the US perspective about unfair trade practices of China.

What's not clear to me is exactly what the long-term strategy is here.

The New York Times a couple of days ago suggested that what the Trump Administration is doing is conducting bilateral negotiations with other countries - Canada, Mexico, for example, and perhaps next is the EU - and the long-term strategy that may be emerging is to line up all the other nations along with the US against China.

LAURA TINGLE: What about North Korea? Are we failing to see a change in dynamics there?

JAMES CLAPPER: Well, there has been a change.

North Korea's moderated their behaviour. There haven't been any nuclear tests. Haven't been any missile tests.

They've toned down their rhetoric, they've returned remains of 55 missing in action from the Korean War.

They've released two hostages.

And most significantly, on the North Korean scale, I think, is the omission of any long range missile systems in the parade commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Korean Workers Party.

That was a very significant signal.

JAMES CLAPPER: And I think what the North Koreans are trying to do, I would posit, is to portray responsible behaviour, in perhaps an endeavour or an attempt to be recognised as part of the nuclear club.

And I'm not sure that it's not maybe... it may not be a bad idea to think about that, because I think it's very unlikely that the North Koreans are going to denuclearise just simply because we demand it.

LAURA TINGLE: The US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, has announced her intention to stand down; and she's talked about North Korea and other countries respecting the US a lot more under the Trump administration.

Is this right? And more broadly, is Donald Trump on the right track?

JAMES CLAPPER: Well, I'm not sure... I mean, I have great respect for her as... and I think she's done a great job as US ambassador to the United Nations, but I'm not sure I agree with her about foreign countries respecting us "more", whatever that means.

I'm not sure how you'd measure that.

What I find in my travels overseas is a lot of concern about just what the US strategy is and just where the US is going, and particularly the leadership void that in the minds of some, the US is leaving by turning inward.

LAURA TINGLE: Who do you think might replace her? Have you got any thoughts on that?

JAMES CLAPPER: I have no idea. But I think probably I'd look at Fox News commentators and see if there's one there that might be available.

LAURA TINGLE: You said last week that the most disturbing thing during your time as director of national intelligence was the Russian's full-throated attempt to undermine the US democratic system, and that Donald Trump is a manifestation of a broader assault on truth.

To what extent is that affecting the efficacy and influence of America's operations domestically and abroad?

JAMES CLAPPER: Well, one of the institutions that is under assault - and I should categorise what I'm talking about here: those endeavours, those domains that depend on empirical fact or empirical data.

So I'm speaking of things like science, like journalism, like academics, like law enforcement - and the intelligence community.

So to the extent that those institutions, who pride themselves on fact, are not believed or are doubted, that's not a good thing for our democracy or any democracy.

And of course the Russians understand that and exploit it.

That's a tool they use as a part of their "active measures", information operations campaign, and the objective of course is to sow doubt and discontent and discord, and make people believe that truth is not knowable.

LAURA TINGLE: James Clapper, thanks so much for your time.

JAMES CLAPPER: Pleasure.

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James Clapper assesses tension in the South China Sea

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LAURA TINGLE: James Clapper is the former Director of National Intelligence for both the Obama and Trump administrations. He's currently in Australia and joined me a short time ago from Canberra. General James Clapper, thanks for joining us.

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Contested Borders - Revision

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LAURA TINGLE: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo flew out of the Chinese capital yesterday with no apparent resolution to what Beijing calls a fundamental disagreement, highlighting rising tensions between the world's two biggest economies.

The tough talks followed last week's incident in the South China Sea where warships from the US and China came within 45m of colliding, risking a military confrontation.

The US is already locked in a trade war with Beijing and the US President has accused China of meddling in its upcoming elections.

(Battle ships on the open sea)

MICHAEL VINCENT: Rising tensions as two world powers test each other's resolve.

GREG POLING, CENTRE FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES: This was a wildly reckless and unsafe way to intercept a foreign vessel.

AMERICAN VOICE: ..Chinese accusation of the US are trying to be provocative in the region.

MICHAEL VINCENT: Last week the Pentagon says a Chinese warship aggressively manoeuvred into the path of American guided missile destroyer USS Decatur. The ships came within 40 metres of colliding - a close shave for two warships on the high seas.

GREG POLING, CENTRE FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES: If you were to think about it in your car, it's like somebody cutting you off on a highway.

Either you ran into them or you get out of the way. Luckily the Decatur got out of the way, but this was very dangerous.

(Map showing China's claimed territory in red)

MICHAEL VINCENT: China claims everything inside the so-called Nine Dash line of the South China Sea as its sovereign territory, including a series of tiny, man-made islands.

(Chinese soldiers soluting the flag and singing)

DR SOW KEAT TOK, MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY: The islands, as far as the Chinese are concerned, those reclaimed islands are part of China's sovereignty and the ships are defending China's waters, as far as they're concerned.

MICHAEL VINCENT: US warships and planes routinely challenge China's claim America is not shy about promoting its military dominance of the Pacific Ocean.

(Excerpt of video showing US naval officers in ships and submarines, as well as satellites)

VOICEOVER: The Naval Surface Force has been at the forefront of distributed lethality, developing and implementing an all-force concept to prepare the world's greatest navy to win the fight in a multidomain environment.

(End of excerpt)

MIKE PENCE, US VICE PRESIDENT: The United States Navy will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows.

We will not be intimidated and we will not stand down.

GREG POLING: We know that the Decator, according to the press releases, sailed by two of the Chinese reefs - Gaven reef, which we've highlighted here; and Johnson reef, which is down here.

MICHAEL VINCENT: Greg Poling has studied China's extraordinary military build-up for more than a decade.

In 2007, Gaven Reef was barely visible above the surgace of the sea.

(Digital satellite picture)

Over the years China has dredged up enough sand to create an artificial island that's now being developed into a military base.

GREG POLING (Pointing to an aerial photo of Gaven Reef): You've got a big headquarters building. They've got point defences, gun turrets and whatnot, at the corners.

You've solar to power it, there's radar facilities, listening posts - everything you need for a small but vital military outpost there.

MICHAEL VINCENT: It's a scenario that's being played out on multiple islands across the region - On Johnson Reef, Cuarteron Reef, Subi Reef, Mischief Reef, as well as Firey Cross Reef.

(Aerial shots of the reefs flash up with their names)

The level of development is extraordinary.

GREG POLING: The idea that these islands are for defensive purposes is absurd, patently absurd.

China has built 72 hangars, clearly designed for fighter jets.

Nobody needs 72 fighter jets on remote islands for defensive purposes. They're offensive in nature.

And with that being said, they're going to keep being built.

HUGH WHITE, ANU: So I think what we're seeing is a significant escalation in what's been a very long-running tussle between the US and China.

This is really all about the two sides competing to be the primary maritime power in the Western Pacific in the 21st Century.

MICHAEL VINCENT: As a former senior defence and intelligence analyst, Hugh White has been warning for years about the potential for conflict about our biggest trading partner and our most crucial military ally.

HUGH WHITE: There was a clash in 2001 between the Chinese EP3- an American EP3 and a Chinese fighter that resulted in a fighter going down. That was just just a major flash point in US-China relations within the first couple of months of the first Bush Administration.

MICHAEL VINCENT: That was resolved. But tensions now are even higher.

The Trump administration has started a trade war with China and accused it of meddling in American politics.

MIKE PENCE: Beijing is pursuing a comprehensive and coordinated campaign to undermine support for the President, our agenda, and our nation's most cherished ideals.

MICHAEL VINCENT: In response, China's cancelled a visit by US Defense Secretary Mattis, as well as a planned naval ship visit.

DR SOW KEAT TOK, MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY: We have to put the incident in a bigger perspective. Currently, Xi Jinping is under a lot of pressure from within the Chinese regime to stand up against the US taunting.

I think this is something that has been an ongoing development since Trump came to power.

(Chinese President Xi Jinping looking morose in a military motorcade)

MICHAEL VINCENT: Melbourne University's Dr Sow Keat Tok says he's pessimistic about the standoff in the South China Sea.

DR SOW KEAT TOK: The regime cannot be seen as backing down against any foreign bully.

Any regime that's seen as selling away China's interests and backing down on China's sovereignty claims or bullying China, okay, will be punished heavily by public opinion.

MICHAEL VINCENT: Neither navy appears willing to change tack either.

GREG POLING: Sure, any time something like this happens, you run the risk of accidental escalation.

One country is trying to signal how strong it is - and if the other country doesn't get the message right away, and they do bang into each other, these things can escalate long before anybody can get on the phone and prevent them from getting out of hand.

HUGH WHITE: If neither side backs off, then the risk of a clash leading to escalation is quite high - not a certainty of course, but it's pretty significant.

That's something that we should be aware of and I think rather worried about.

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Tensions are rising between the world's two biggest economies. The tough talks follows last week's incident in the South China Sea, where warships from the United States and China came within 45 metres of colliding. The US is already locked in a trade war with Beijing and the US President has accused China of meddling in its upcoming elections.

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Aim, Roles, Power + capacity to challenge state sovereignty.

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Exam Prep Overview TNC Aims Roles and Power + Foxconn Case Study

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Part A Short Answer Response Marking Guide 

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Part A Short Answer Response Marking Guide 

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Part A Short Answer Response Marking Guide.docx

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Criticisms and analysis of actions to resolve Syrian conflict.

https://www.hrw.org/news/2012/03/29/arab-league-carry-out-monitor-syria-sanctions

http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/906/3/the-arab-leagues-role-in-the-syrian-civil-war

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(New York) - The Arab League should publicly release its Syria monitoring mission's final report in full and urge the United Nations Security Council to impose targeted sanctions to halt the ongoing killings, Human Rights Watch said today in a to the Arab League and Arab foreign ministers. They will meet to discuss Syria on January 22, 2012. Human Rights Watch has documented ongoing daily violations by security forces against protesters and steps by the Syrian government to interfere with the work of the mission, including the detention of a wounded protester on January 1, 2012.

According to local activists, security forces have killed 506 civilians since the Arab League monitors began their mission in Syria on December 26, 2011. Attacks against security forces have also intensified in certain parts of the country. The mission's credibility has been clouded since its inception by its lack of transparency and independence, Human Rights Watch said. The criteria for selecting the monitors have not been made available nor has any information about their monitoring experience. The mission has relied on the Syrian government for security and to transport monitors around the country, compromising the mission's ability to access victims and witnesses safely. The mission's interim report on January 8 has not been made public, and the Arab League has not shared information about the mission's methodology.

"The Arab League should make its monitors' report public to address increasing concerns that its monitoring mission is being manipulated by the Syrian authorities," said , Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "Only a transparent assessment of the monitoring mission can determine whether the monitors should stay in the country."

In its letter, Human Rights Watch urged the Arab League to work with the Security Council to impose an arms embargo on Syria, impose sanctions against the individuals responsible for grave violations, demand unhindered access for humanitarian missions, foreign journalists, and independent human rights organizations, call on the Syrian government to cooperate with the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in establishing a human rights monitoring presence in Syria, and refer Syria to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In the agreement it signed with the Arab League on December 19 the Syrian government pledged to end violence against peaceful protests, release detained protesters, withdraw armed elements from cities and residential areas, and allow Arab and international media unhindered access to all parts of Syria. Syria also pledged in the agreement to grant Arab League monitors unhindered and independent access to anyone they wish to interview to verify whether Syria has carried out these steps - including victims, detainees, and nongovernmental organizations. Syria guaranteed the safety of witnesses from reprisals.

A local resident told Human Rights Watch that security forces fired on demonstrators as they were leaving a mosque in al-Midan neighborhood of Damascus on December 27, hours before Arab League monitors visited the area. In another incident, in Jisr al-Shughur on January 10, witnesses reported that security forces shot at peaceful protesters attempting to reach Arab League observers.

In addition to violations of the agreement documented since the monitors arrived, Syrian authorities are arbitrarily detaining protesters and activists. The Violations Documentation Center (VDC), a Syrian monitoring group, reported the detention of 490 people between December 26 and January 18.

A witness told Human Rights Watch about the detention of a wounded protester from a hospital in Daria on January 1. The witness said demonstrators had gathered outside the Daria police station, expecting the monitors to arrive:

Soon after we arrived, the security forces opened fire, shooting indiscriminately, and throwing tear gas canisters. I saw around 10 of the protesters getting shot and Anwar al-Debbas was one of them. We were taking the wounded to a field hospital set up in someone's house. Al-Debbas was taken there but he was bleeding a lot and when we arrived he started having difficulty breathing. The doctor there immediately requested that we take him to a hospital because he needed surgery. His friends transferred him to the National Hospital in Daria.

A hospital employee told Human Rights Watch that after Al-Debbas was transferred to the hospital doctors determined he would need to be transferred to Al-Mouwasat Hospital to see a specialist. She said:

As the ambulance arrived to transfer him, the security forces entered the National Hospital and stormed into the surgery room where they hit the doctor while shouting, "Get out before I use you to sweep the floor for helping this animal." They put Anwar in the ambulance belonging to the National Hospital and ordered the driver to drive them to the Military Hospital. After an hour, I called the ambulance driver to see where they took him. He said that he drove them to the 601 Military Hospital. I then realized that we will never hear from him or know what will happen to him.

The employee told Human Rights Watch that officials at the Military Hospital have denied that he is a patient there and claim to not know about his arrest.

Human Rights Watch has also gathered information on instances in which the Syrian military has not withdrawn from cities as required by the agreement, including in , and the al-Midan neighborhood of Damascus . Witnesses also told Human Rights Watch that military forces remain in al-Sabile, Daraa; Baba Amr, Homs; al-Sultaniya, Homs; and Zabadani, a town near Damascus.

Further, while Syrian authorities have issued more visas to foreign journalists, the authorities continue to restrict the movement of journalists within Syria and encumber their work. An international journalist working in Syria told Human Rights Watch on January 11 that, "The Ministry of Information stopped us from going anywhere today but Damascus city center. The ministry requires us to get permission to film anywhere and it tells us where we can and cannot go." Another reporter said she was granted access to Syria but informed by the Syrian Embassy that she could not bring in a laptop, severely restricting her ability to work.

"The Arab League should publicly recognize that Syria has not respected the League's plan and work with the Security Council to increase pressure on the authorities and effectively curtail the use of firepower," Whitson said.

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Arab League: Report Publicly on Syria Mission

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(New York) - The Arab League should publicly release its Syria monitoring mission's final report in full and urge the United Nations Security Council to impose targeted sanctions to halt the ongoing killings, Human Rights Watch said today in a to the Arab League and Arab foreign ministers.

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Use this to help revise. Includes key terms and concepts. Also refer to study design

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Help to structure your response

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Part B of SAC

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Guide on 'How To Structure Global Essay' 

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Guide on 'How To Structure Global Essay' 

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Includes two sample introductions. Also see text book pages 29 - 31.

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Online glossary of key terms.

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​​​​​​​​

Glossary

Aid

Refers to the provision of assistance, predominantly monetary, to global actors with the intention of influencing their decisions and actions in order to achieve a specific aim.

Cosmopolitanism

Cosmopolitanism reflects a desire among global actors to cooperate to reach common goals and outcomes to meet challenges that are presented to the global community.

Crisis diplomacy

Refers to negotiations between actors in the global political arena in response to an immediate crisis. This most commonly concerns conflicts and natural disasters, but also economic and health crises.

Cultural power

Refers to a desirable and transportable culture that states can use to achieve ends that might not be achieved through military and political means. It is often linked to soft power and may influence regional relationships and international standing.

Diplomacy

Refers to the ability to conduct effective negotiations between states without arousing hostility. As a foreign policy instrument of a state, it may be utilised through formal diplomatic channels, such as an ambassador, through its conduct in intergovernmental organisations and from meetings and speeches made by leaders of states.

Diplomatic power

Refers to the power accrued by states through their relationships with others in the form of alliances, alignments and international standing. Essentially, it is the ability of a state to influence other global actors by way of discussion and negotiation.

Economic power

A state's economic power is often determined by figures such as the gross domestic product (GDP), which indicate the wealth of a state and its economic activity. Economic power can also be assessed by the state's reliance on imports of goods and services. Crucially, economic power refers to a state's ability to influence the actions of another state through finance and trade.

Economic prosperity

The national interest of economic prosperity is important to a state as it indicates whether a state can weather international economic instability as well as protects and builds the wealth and welfare of its citizens. If a state is economically prosperous, it encourages other states to develop relationships with them and bolsters state sovereignty.

Ethics

This seeks to address questions of morality and extends to global politics, as global actors have underlying ideologies to their actions, such as realism or cosmopolitanism.

Global governance

Refers to institutions, rules, norms and legal arrangements that seek to facilitate cooperation, and manage relations, between states. Governance is carried out by both governmental organisations such as the United Nations and non-governmental organisations.​

Globalisation

Refers to acceleration and intensification of exchanges of goods, services, labour and capital, which promote global interdependence. These have been facilitated by rapid changes in communication and technology.

Hard power

Refers to power exercised through coercion, or threatened acts of coercion, to influence the actions of other global actors. This is most commonly exercised through military forms.

Idealism

Refers to a school of thought in which foreign policy is influenced above all else by an ideological principle, as opposed to practical and pragmatic considerations.

Intergovernmental Organisation (IGO)

An intergovernmental organisation is an organisation composed primarily of states. They are established by a treaty, a founding charter for the organisation, and thus subject to international law. Examples include the United Nations and the European Union.

International cooperation

Refers to occasions when global actors work together to achieve common ideals and goals.

International law

Traditionally only relating to states, international law is a body of rules established by custom or written legal agreements that are accepted as binding upon the international community. Customary international law applies to all global actors. Written legal agreements, such as treaties, are only binding to those who consent to it through explicit ratification. Some international laws may apply only to states, such as the UN Convention against Torture, while others may apply directly to citizens, such as war crimes.

International standing

The international standing of a state is an important national interest as it influences the power a state has in global politics. Other national interests impact on international standing as well as a state's role and recognition in intergovernmental organisations and as a proponent of international law. If a state has a poor international standing it may threaten their sovereignty.

Justice

Refers to the concept of moral rightness based on ethics, law, fairness and equity that, importantly, also seeks punishment when these ethics are breached. Extends to global politics through international systems of justice, such as the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice, which seek to uphold international law and deter future violations.

Military

Military as a foreign policy instrument refers to the military capacity of a state and how this is utilised to achieve its foreign policy objectives. The capacity will depend on the amount of money spent on the military, the type and calibre of weapons available, the number and expertise of servicemen and women in the armed forces, and the relationship between the military and the state. It may also refer to the placement of armed forces.

Military power

Refers to the use of a state's military to exert influence over the actions of other global actors. This may not need to be implemented through a use of force as placement and capacity of the military may be enough to influence other global actors.

Multilateralism

Refers to a system of coordinating relations between three or more states, usually in pursuit of objectives in particular areas.

Nation

Refers to groups of people claiming common bonds based on culture, language and history. Some nations have their own state, such as the Japanese, while others want their own state such as the Tibetans and Kurds.

National interests

The national interests of a state are pursued to ensure the survival and potential growth of that state. States implement policies and types of power to achieve their national interests and maintain state sovereignty.

National security

This is the national interest of a state to ensure it maintains sovereignty. Traditionally this term refers to the protection of a state's borders from intruders but has evolved to include other forms of security, such as resource and environmental security, that are necessary for a state to maintain sovereignty.

Nation-state

Political or social grouping in which people within territorial boundaries, with recognised sovereignty, have common bonds based on culture, language and history. For example, Japan.

Non-state actors

A non-state actor is a global actor that is not a state but still influences global politics. Often this refers to global actors that are not a direct part of global governance and international law, such as NGOs, global terrorist movements and/or organised religions.

Political power

Refers to the use of a state's internal political machinery to exert influence over the actions of others. For example, legislation, executive orders, white papers.

Power

Refers to the ability of one global actor to influence the actions of another global actor. Power can be exercised in a range of types.

Pragmatism

A school of thought in which foreign policy is influenced above all else by practical considerations, as opposed to a particular ideology.

Realism

Realism involves states (and other global actors) prioritizing their specific interest and needs over those of the global community.

Regional relationships

Positive regional relationships are an important national interest to a state as they ensure its neighbours will not behave in a hostile manner and thus threaten state sovereignty. Alliances with other likeminded neighbours may help the success of other national interests. However, a state may consider other national interests more important than positive regional relationships if they better achieve the aims of a state.

Security

Traditionally this term refers to the protection of a state's borders from intruders and the maintenance of sovereignty, most commonly achieved through the use of military power. It has now evolved to include softer forms of security, such as access to resources and the protection of the environment.

Soft power

Refers to the ability of one global actor to shape the actions of other global actors through un-coercive yet persuasive means, so that they want the same outcome. This can be achieved in various ways, for example through diplomatic, cultural or historical ties. It is a term first coined by Joseph Nye.

Sovereignty

Legitimate or widely recognised ability to exercise effective control of a territory within recognised borders. This is the primary organising principle of global politics, providing states with the authority to represent their territorial entity within the international community. State sovereignty can be challenged internally (for example, secessionist groups) or externally (for example, one state invades another).

State

Traditionally this term refers to the central actor in global politics. States possess a permanent population, defined territory and recognised sovereignty. States are not necessarily culturally homogenous, for example Australia.

Trade

Refers to the manipulation of the exchange of goods, services, labour and capital to influence the actions of another state.

Transnational Corporations (TNCs)

Refers to a company whose operations and investments extend beyond the boundaries of the state in which it is registered, and can also be referred to as a Multinational.

Unilateralism

Refers to the policy of a state acting alone, with little regard for the views or interests of other global actors, in pursuit of foreign policy objectives.

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​​​​​​​​ Refers to the provision of assistance, predominantly monetary, to global actors with the intention of influencing their decisions and actions in order to achieve a specific aim. Cosmopolitanism reflects a desire among global actors to cooperate to reach common goals and outcomes to meet challenges that are presented to the global community.

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This clearly outlines purpose and aims of NYD.

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The New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants expresses the political will of world leaders to save lives, protect rights and share responsibility on a global scale. At the UN Summit on 19 September, we expect to hear from world leaders about how each country will implement these commitments. Refugees, migrants, those who assist them, and their host countries and communities will all benefit if these commitments are met.

View the full text of the New York Declaration.

What are the commitments?

The New York Declaration contains bold commitments both to address the issues we face now and to prepare the world for future challenges. These include commitments to:

Protect the human rights of all refugees and migrants, regardless of status. This includes the rights of women and girls and promoting their full, equal and meaningful participation in finding solutions.

Ensure that all refugee and migrant children are receiving education within a few months of arrival.

Prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence.

Support those countries rescuing, receiving and hosting large numbers of refugees and migrants.

Work towards ending the practice of detaining children for the purposes of determining their migration status.

Strongly condemn xenophobia against refugees and migrants and support a global campaign to counter it.

Strengthen the positive contributions made by migrants to economic and social development in their host countries.

Improve the delivery of humanitarian and development assistance to those countries most affected, including through innovative multilateral financial solutions, with the goal of closing all funding gaps.

Implement a comprehensive refugee response, based on a new framework that sets out the responsibility of Member States, civil society partners and the UN system, whenever there is a large movement of refugees or a protracted refugee situation.

Find new homes for all refugees identified by UNHCR as needing resettlement; and expand the opportunities for refugees to relocate to other countries through, for example, labour mobility or education schemes.

Strengthen the global governance of migration by bringing the International Organization for Migration into the UN system.

What will happen next?

The New York Declaration also contains concrete plans for how to build on these commitments:

Start negotiations leading to an international conference and the adoption of a global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration in 2018. The agreement to move toward this comprehensive framework is a momentous one. It means that migration, like other areas of international relations, will be guided by a set of common principles and approaches.

Develop guidelines on the treatment of migrants in vulnerable situations. These guidelines will be particularly important for the increasing number of unaccompanied children on the move.

Achieve a more equitable sharing of the burden and responsibility for hosting and supporting the world's refugees by adopting a global compact on refugees in 2018.

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The New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants expresses the political will of world leaders to save lives, protect rights and share responsibility on a global scale. At the UN Summit on 19 September, we expect to hear from world leaders about how each country will implement these commitments.

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Overview of aims, roles and power of transnational corporations.

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To complete at home under timed conditions.

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Interactive maps of before and after in Syria + other interesting things.

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The US-led coalition against so-called Islamic State (IS) says 98% of territory once claimed by the jihadist group across Iraq and Syria has been recaptured.
Iraq's government announced in December 2017 that its war against IS was over, almost four years after the group first seized parts of the country.

That month also saw Russia's President Vladimir Putin announce a partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria, after IS was left controlling only a few pockets of land.

The capture of Raqqa by a US-backed alliance of Syrian Kurdish and Arab fighters in October was seen as a major victory in the battle against IS. The city was the de facto capital of the "caliphate" the group declared.

A few months earlier, in July 2017, Iraqi government forces retook the second city of Mosul, which fell to IS in 2014 when militants routed the Iraqi army.

At its peak, some 10 million people were living in territory under IS control.

The battle for Raqqa

An intensive aerial bombardment by the US-led coalition helped secure victory in Raqqa for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which was formed in 2015 by the the Kurdish Popular Protection Units (YPG) militia and a number of smaller, Arab factions. Since early June, coalition planes have carried out almost 4,000 air strikes on the city.

Estimates of the number of casualties vary. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, said at least 3,250 people had been killed, among them 1,130 civilians. Other groups say the total was higher.

The UN estimates about 270,000 people fled their homes during the SDF offensive.

The immense task of rebuilding the city may take years. Clearing operations are already under way to uncover any jihadist sleeper cells and remove landmines.

Rebuilding Mosul is being seen as a major challenge for the Iraqi government. One Iraqi official estimated it would cost $1bn, others have put the figure far higher.

Who cleans up after hurricanes, earthquakes and war?

The top US commander in Iraq has also urged the government to "reach out and reconcile with the Sunni population" to prevent "ISIS 2.0 from emerging".

How did IS spread across Iraq and Syria?

The jihadists exploited the chaos and divisions within both Syria and Iraq.

IS grew out of what was al-Qaeda in Iraq, which was formed by Sunni militants after the US-led invasion in 2003 and became a major force in the country's sectarian insurgency.

In 2011, the group joined the rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, where it found a safe haven and easy access to weapons.

At the same time, it took advantage of the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, as well as widespread Sunni anger at the sectarian policies of the country's Shia-led government.

In 2013, the group began seizing control of territory in Syria and changed its name to Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isis or Isil).

The following year, Isis overran large swathes of northern and western Iraq, proclaimed the creation of a "caliphate", and became known as "Islamic State".

A subsequent advance into areas controlled by Iraq's Kurdish minority, and the killing or enslaving of thousands of members of the Yazidi religious group, prompted the US-led coalition to begin air strikes on IS positions in Iraq in August 2014.

As IS is now being forced out of Iraq and Syria, another problem is the likely resurgence of hostilities between rival groups. In October 2017, Iraqi forces pushed Kurdish Peshmerga fighters back from land they took during the fight against IS around Kirkuk.

Casualties

Exact numbers of casualties from the conflict with IS are not available.

The UN says at least 3,298 civilians were killed in acts of violence in Iraq in 2017, fewer than the 2016 total of 6,878 - although the true figure is likely to be higher as the organisation has been unable to verify some reports of casualties in the Mosul area.

According to Iraq Body Count, the total number of civilian deaths in Iraq since 2014 stood at 68,260 up to the end of February 2018. The annual number of casualties has decreased slightly each year since 2014, from a high of 20,218 in that year to 13,187 in 2017.

The UN no longer keeps track of casualty figures in Syria due to the inaccessibility of many areas and the conflicting reports from the various parties to the war there.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, reported in March 2018 that it had documented the deaths of more than 353,900 people, including 106,000 civilians, since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began 2011.

But it noted that the figure did not include 56,900 people who were missing and presumed dead. It estimated a further 100,000 deaths had not been documented.

Who is fighting IS?

The US-led coalition has conducted more than 13,300 air strikes against IS targets in Iraq since August 2014.

Most attacks have been carried out by US aircraft, but those from Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the UK have also taken part. By the end of 2017, 74 countries were said to have joined the US-led coalition fighting IS in Iraq and Syria.

In Syria, the air campaign began in September 2014. Since then, more than 14,600 strikes have been carried out by coalition forces, which include Australia, Bahrain, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and the UK.

The number of strikes each month rose steadily in Iraq up to a peak in January 2016 and then began to fall as the number of strikes in Syria increased dramatically, reaching a high of just over 1,400 in August 2017.

Russia is not part of the coalition, but its jets began air strikes against what it called "terrorists" in Syria in September 2015.

There is little information from official sources about the Russian air strikes. The Institute for the Study of War said evidence suggested Russian planes targeted deep into opposition-held territory, and helped Syrian government forces to retake control of the city of Aleppo in December 2016.

However, Russia warned the US coalition that it would treat its aircraft as targets after the US shot down a Syrian military plane during the assault on Raqqa. The incident led to a suspension of communications between the two sides aimed at avoiding clashes in the air.

Global reach of IS

With the proclamation of a caliphate at the end of June 2014, IS signalled its intention to spread beyond Iraq and Syria.

By August 2016, IS was reported to be operational in 18 countries across the world, including Afghanistan and Pakistan, according to evidence seen by the US National Counterterrorism Center. It also found signs of what it called "aspiring branches" in Mali, Egypt, Somalia, Bangladesh, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Since 2016, IS has claimed attacks in a number of countries, including Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, France, Belgium, Germany, the US, Finland and Bangladesh. In 2017, IS claimed to be behind at least two attacks in the UK.

The proclamation of the caliphate triggered a surge in the number of foreign fighters travelling to Syria and Iraq to join IS.

According to the head of the UK's intelligence service, MI5, more than 800 people have travelled from UK to join the conflict in Iraq and Syria - and 130 of them had died.

How does IS get its funding?

Oil was once the biggest single source of revenue for IS. The group seized control of many oil fields in Syria and Iraq, and sold oil on the black market.

But revenue has fallen since IS lost control of oil-producing areas in northern Syrian and western Iraq, and US-led coalition and Russian air strikes began targeting oil infrastructure.

Income from taxes and fees has also fallen as IS has lost control of major cities like Mosul and Raqqa.

Money obtained by looting and fines initially increased, especially when IS seized Mosul in 2014, but has since declined.

At one point, IS was reported to be so short of funds that it was imposing random fines for offences like driving on the wrong side of the road.

According to a report by IHS Markit, territorial losses are the main factor contributing to IS's loss of revenue. It says the group's ability to compensate for financial losses by increasing the fiscal burden on the population it controls appears to have reached its limits.

The struggle to stay rich

Where are the refugees?

More than 5.6 million Syrians have fled abroad to escape the fighting in Syria, according to the UN. Most have ended up in neighbouring Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan.

Almost one million Syrians applied for asylum in Europe between April 2011 and July 2017, according to UN figures.

There are also estimated to be 6.1 million Syrians who have been displaced inside Syria and are living in camps or other makeshift accommodation.

For the first time since the beginning of the crisis in Iraq in December 2013, the number of people returning to their area of origin in the country has surpassed the number of people displaced in the country. By the end of 2017, some 3.2 million people had returned home, while a 2.6 million remained displaced, according to the International Organization for Migration.

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The war against 'Islamic State' in maps and charts

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The US-led coalition against so-called Islamic State (IS) says 98% of territory once claimed by the jihadist group across Iraq and Syria has been recaptured. Iraq's government announced in December 2017 that its war against IS was over, almost four years after the group first seized parts of the country.

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Illegal NSA, Islamic State

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Summary A3 Sheet

Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/16/world/africa/sudan-bashir-international-criminal-court.html

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Summary A3 Sheet

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Due Tuesday 6th.
If you need to submit Thursday 9th, that is OK.

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Due Tuesday 27th

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Vetoed! What’s wrong with the UN security council – and how it could do better

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Watch United Nations power brokers – including the Russian, UK and US representatives to the UN – discuss its failings and how to fix them

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NSA ISIS - City of Ghosts, Four Corners, ABC

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NSA ISIS - City of Ghosts, Four Corners, ABC

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The search for foreign fighters in the ruins of Raqqa. For four years Islamic State ruled its 'caliphate' from its capital Raqqa. ABC Middle East correspondent Matt Brown goes on an intense journey to the city freed from IS.

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ABC iview : Four Corners - City Of Ghosts

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Four Corners - City Of Ghosts : The search for foreign fighters in the ruins of Raqqa. For four years Islamic State ruled its 'caliphate' from its capital Raqqa. ABC Middle East correspondent Matt Brown goes on an intense journey to the city freed from IS.

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Summary A3 Sheet

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In this film, William Nee discusses what it's like doing human rights work in China today, and tells the story of Pu Zhiqiang, one of China's most famous free speech lawyers, who was imprisoned in January 2014. Attacks on human rights defenders are common in China, but Amnesty International is working to improve the situation.

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An effective use of power - drawing international attention to human rights violations state by state.

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You said no to hate. You said no to fear.

You said no to a world without human rights.

Over the past year, leaders have pushed hate, fought against rights, ignored crimes against humanity, and blithely let inequality and suffering spin out of control. This provoked mass protests, showing that while our challenges may never be greater, the will to fight back is just as strong.

Amnesty International's report, The State of the World's Human Rights 2017/18covers 159 countries and delivers the most comprehensive analysis of the state of human rights in the world today.

While the findings remain shocking, it is the events such as those highlighted in the report that galvanised people across the world to stand up in the face of adversity and make their voices heard.

World leaders abandon human rights

In 2017, the world witnessed a rollback of human rights. Signs of a regression were everywhere. Across the world governments continued to clampdown on the rights to protest, and women's rights took a nosedive in the USA, Russia and Poland.

From to , we witnessed the growth of a formidable social discontent, as people were denied access to their fundamental human rights to food, clean water, healthcare and shelter.

And from the US to the European Union and Australia, leaders of wealthy countries continued to approach the global refugee crisis with outright callousness, regarding refugees not as human beings with rights but as problems to be deflected.

"Shafi, my two-year-old son, he was hit hard with a wooden stick. One hit, and he was dead ... Three of my children were killed"

In this climate, state-sponsored hate threatens to normalise discrimination against minority groups. Xenophobic slogans at a nationalist march in Warsaw, Poland and sweeping crackdowns on LGBTI communities from Chechnya to Egypt showed how the open advocacy of intolerance is increasing.

Prominent among a sea of stories that caused shock were the horrific reports of ethnic cleansing carried out by Myanmar's military against its Rohingya population. The stories captured by our researchers were utterly heartbreaking.

"Shafi, my two-year-old son, he was hit hard with a wooden stick. One hit, and he was dead ... Three of my children were killed," said one woman, whose money, possessions - and children - were taken by soldiers.

But with few leaders willing to stand up for human rights on a global stage, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed from Myanmar to Iraq have gone ignored, making the world a more dangerous place.

Protecting our right to free speech takes on colossal importance

Last year saw a record numbers of individuals come under attack for taking a stand against injustice. As a global organisation dedicated to fighting for human rights, we did not escape attack. Our own staff in Turkey were arrested and jailed on entirely baseless charges. While İdil Eser, Director of Amnesty Turkey, has been released, Taner Kılıç the chair of Amnesty Turkey, remains in prison.

Just imagine being a lawyer, journalist or activist, whose life is under threat for telling the truth.

"In 2018, we cannot take for granted that we will be free to gather together in protest or to criticize our governments. In fact, speaking out is becoming more dangerous."
Amnesty International's Secretary-General, Salil Shetty

That is exactly what is happening right now, as authorities aggressively pursue people who have stood up for human rights. These activists are being killed in staggering numbers, with more than 312 killings recorded in 2017, up from 281 the year before.

Despite the efforts of governments to shut down NGOs, undermine the media, take away people's right to protest and jail campaigners, people refused to be silenced.

But in this climate of fear and intimidation, it is all the more vital that we continue to speak out.

People power and solidarity

People are angry, and rightly so, at the extraordinary anti-rights rhetoric being peddled by prominent leaders. It is no surprise therefore that one of the largest protests for human rights in history - the Women's March - took place last year, and set the scene for the year to come.

With each and every protest, people proved they are passionate about defending institutions that uphold human rights.

In Poland, serious threats to the independence of the judiciary brought incredible numbers of people onto the streets.

Globally, the # MeToo phenomenon and Latin America's "Ni Una Menos" - denouncing femicide and violence against women and girls - showcased the massive pull of social movements.

Across the world activists scored important human rights victories, including lifting the total ban on abortion in Chile, achieving a step towards marriage equality in Taiwan and one by one, removing laws in Tunisia, Jordan and Lebanon that allow rapists to escape justice.

But the fight is not over. We're making history, as people rise up and demand justice in greater numbers - and the onus is now on the government to show they are listening.
Join us now and make your voice heard
Want to find out more about human rights? Learn everything you need to know about your rights here.

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Amnesty International Annual Report 2017: The year in pictures

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You said no to hate. You said no to fear. You said no to a world without human rights. Over the past year, leaders have pushed hate, fought against rights, ignored crimes against humanity, and blithely let inequality and suffering spin out of control.

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More information AI - China, Human rights abuses and restriction on freedom of conscience

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More information AI - China, Human rights abuses and restriction on freedom of conscience

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https://www.amnesty.org.uk/10-reasons-why-amnesty-effective

https://www.amnesty.org.au/campaigns/individuals-at-risk/

https://www.amnesty.org.au/campaigns/individuals-at-risk/

https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/asia-and-the-pacific/china/report-china/

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Outlines how the Philippines and China's sovereignty is challenged by contested borders.

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Articles

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Legal NSA, Amnesty International

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Operation Sovereign Borders - Maintaining sovereignty or a breach of international responsibility?

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Operation Sovereign Borders - Maintaining sovereignty or a breach of international responsibility?

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Read: http://www.dw.com/en/australian-diplomat-on-refugee-policy-we-are-not-inhumane/a-41682978

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Operation Sovereign Borders (OSB) is a military-led border security operation aimed at combating maritime people smuggling and protecting Australia's borders.

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How China Views the South China Sea: As Sovereign Territory

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How China Views the South China Sea: As Sovereign Territory

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Additional reading for contested borders and impact on state sovereignty.

Xi Jinping's speech: http://time.com/4881924/xi-jinping-china-pla-sovereignty/

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Includes sample responses.

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Map of Syrian Civil War - Syria news and incidents today - syria.liveuamap.com

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Al-Assad forces and planes from the Russian Air Force conducted joint military air maneuvers near the Syrian Golan Heights, hours after Israel carried out its fourth raid this month against targets within the areas controlled by the Pro-Assad forces.

Explosion at HTS warehouses north of Idlib

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Map of Syrian Civil War - Syria news and incidents today - syria.liveuamap.com

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Al-Assad forces and planes from the Russian Air Force conducted joint military air maneuvers near the Syrian Golan Heights, hours after Israel carried out its fourth raid this month against targets within the areas controlled by the Pro-Assad forces. Explosion at HTS warehouses north of Idlib

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Class notes on Google Docs re: regional groupings, issues that require multilateral resolutions and contested borders.

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Regional Groupings - Arab League    1.Has Syria’s ability to exercise control over its territory been challenged by the Arab League? Why/why not?         2.“The state that claims sovereignty deserves respect only as long as it protects the basic rights of its subjects…when it violates them th...

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Issues that require Multilateral Resolution

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Issues that require Multilateral Resolution

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Updated all the time.