Lynn Zebeda’s Post

Thanks to Fonds Pascal DeCroos (part of Journalismfund Europe) for supporting me and my colleague (who unfortunately cannot be credited due to safety reasons) with realizing our project for MO magazine. Over the last months, my colleague and I dived into the current developments in the EU-Egypt migration cooperation and their severe consequences.  With the war in the Gaza Strip, negotiations on a billion-dollar deal between the European Union (EU) and Egypt gained momentum. In exchange for more financial support, the EU wants Egypt to keep its borders tightly guarded. The EU envisions a "golden age" of cooperation with Egypt.  However, this cooperation has serious downsides. Several parties argue that the EU is further empowering Egypt's authoritarian regime and contributing to an insecure political situation in the country. The EU's heavy focus on stopping migration gives Egypt a strong bargaining chip in negotiations. As Christian Achrainer points out, there is a need for migration policies to be re-centered around human security instead of national security. Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/enUMnfAz

NIMD is very worried about the intentions of the new coalition government in the #Netherlands to severely cut down on aid for international cooperation. Democracy is a strategic asset, inclusive decision making, rule of law, and democratic institutions are the most effective way to ensure peace and stability. Together with other #Dutch international Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) we have explained exactly why it is in the best interest of the Dutch government to invest in inclusive and stable democracies for international peace. 📌Read our full statement here in Dutch): https://ow.ly/nirf50RJIV8 #Formatie #regeerakkoord Knowledge Platform Security & Rule of Law Arisa Foundation CARE Nederland Cordaid Civil Society Platform for Peacebuilding and Statebuilding (CSPPS) Defence for Children Nederland HiiL | User-friendly Justice Saferworld Netherlands Helsinki Committee WO=MEN, Dutch Gender Platform

The world needs fresh ideas and a new type of politics and politicians, representing mankind as a whole and each of us as equals instead of fragmented political interests! We have to grow together in order to urgently address the issues that impact all of us like conflict, climate change, inequality and forced migration together. This we can only do without any dominance, as equals. Collectively in Solidarity. www.convergence.ngo & www.pax.ngo

In a recent op-ed in De Standaard, directors of Belgian aid organizations, including 11.11.11. and Enabel, advocate for a strategic and long-term approach to development cooperation. They emphasize the need to continue supporting international solidarity to promote global stability and well-being. Their message is clear: austerity measures not only undermine global progress but also have direct negative effects on our own future. Read the full op-ed (in Dutch) here 👇 https://lnkd.in/e5NYk_EP

China on Thursday reaffirmed its sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao, the South China Sea islands, urging the Philippines not to side with external forces to disrupt peace in the South China Sea. China was the first country to discover, name, explore and exploit the islands and relevant waters, and the first to exercise sovereign rights and jurisdiction over them continuously, peacefully and effectively, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said, adding that the country has historical rights in the South China Sea. After World War II, according to the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, the Chinese government recovered the islands and resumed exercising sovereignty over them. The islands had been illegally occupied by Japan during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45). The dotted line in the South China Sea officially released by the Chinese government in 1948 has been upheld by successive Chinese governments, and hasn't been questioned by any country for a long time, Wang said. The remarks came in response to comments made by Ferdinand R Marcos Jr, the Philippine president, in Germany on Tuesday. Marcos said that China has a premise that its territory follows the 10-dash line, and that the Philippines questions the premise, according to Philippine media reports. Dismissing Marcos' comments, Wang said that China has never claimed that the whole of the South China Sea belongs to it, and that the Philippines' accusation is a deliberate distortion of China's position. "The Philippines should stop misleading the international community, stop instigating disputes using the South China Sea issue, and stop drawing support from external forces to disrupt peace and stability in the region," the spokesman said. https://lnkd.in/gDF98uYz

🌏 Diplomacy in Action: Strengthening Australia-China Relations 🌏 In the complex arena of international relations, dialogue and diplomacy play crucial roles in navigating differences and fostering cooperation. The article "Anthony Albanese to Raise Differences While Stressing Positives in Talks with Chinese Premier" describes the upcoming discussions between Australia's Prime Minister and China's Premier. These talks aim to address contentious issues while highlighting areas of mutual benefit, underscoring the importance of balanced and constructive engagement in maintaining and enhancing bilateral ties. Explore the article to understand the nuances of this significant diplomatic effort and the potential impact on Australia’s international standing. 🤝 #Diplomacy #AustraliaChinaRelations #InternationalRelations #AnthonyAlbanese #ILOVEWHATIDO

Sounds about right. I mean most Koreans, Japanese would prefer neutrality if a Taiwan conflict happened to. But they and the Filipinos may not have that choice - their leaders by taking prudent or imprudent steps to secure their own airspace, territorial zones in the event of a conflict may already have put their country on a path to conflict. And the alternative, de-arm and hope that China really only wants to unify Taiwan and disbands its navy after that - is silly. On the SCS, Marcos Jr enjoys better support. "Most Filipinos, however, would prefer it if their leaders prioritised the home front. About 75 per cent of survey respondents said the government should focus on resolving domestic issues rather than actively participating in international affairs. Should Philippine interests “come into conflict” with those of other countries, 65 per cent of respondents said national interests should come first. However, 77 per cent felt cooperation with other nations was important in resolving problems faced by the Philippines." None of this is surprising. "Duterte has castigated Marcos for bringing the Philippines close to war with China through his more confrontational approach to the territorial dispute." Duterte's rhetoric is also not surprising. The tough guy who caved to China in exchange for investments that never materialised is trying to resurrect his family's tough image again. His kryptonite is China. Makes you think if China has the equivalent of a pee pee tape.

The following is my answer to a Quora question: “Mahathir bin Mohamad says the water deal with Singapore is ‘morally wrong’, since as Singapore is a rich country, it should be more generous. Is it reasonable for the Malaysian government to want to raise the price of raw water? What will happen if Malaysia cut off the water supply?”   We have to consider that if the price of water is “morally wrong”, why did Malaysia decline to review the price of water in 1987, as per the agreement?  The Prime Minister then was Mahathir bin Mohamad himself.  Mahathir is a hypocrite, with an estranged relationship with facts.  He is the Donald John Trump of Southeast Asia, and has been doing the “Donald” long before the real thing became President of the United States.   Malaysia, despite its protestations, cannot unilaterally change an international agreement.  That is not how international diplomacy works.  It costs them credibility and political capital at a time when they can ill afford it. Also, we have to consider that should Malaysia unilaterally raise the price of water, Singapore can simply refuse to pay it, and Malaysia has no legal recourse in any international court of arbitration.  Alternatively, Singapore can raise the price of treated water supplied to Johor, which is around 16 million gallons, well in excess of the 5 million gallons Singapore is obligated to supply.  In fact, it is a measure of goodwill that Singapore regularly provides above the obligations of the treaty, even from its own supplies, when Johor has a drought.   Mahathir is well aware that Malaysia cannot cut off the water because Singapore has stated that it will be construed as an act of war.  Since Separation, politicians in Malaysia have been very free with threats to our sovereignty.  Considering these regular provocations, I would think our leadership has been restrained and mature.  After all, it does not do to bark back when the dogs are barking. Unlike how it was in 1965, Singapore in 2019 has a much larger military, and a significant technology advantage.  And we retain a doctrine of pre-emptive strike.  Mahathir is quite aware of this, and has stated that Malaysia cannot go to war with Singapore.   What Mahathir is doing is rattling the cage, and rabble-rousing to divert attention away from domestic issues.  His government is facing challenges on the domestic front.  How incompetent is his administration, when he has managed to make a kleptomaniac like Mohammad Najib bin Abdul Razak look popular with the rural Malays?  Mahathir has done much damage to his own coalition with the mass admission of former UMNO members.  He then goes to Johor, where Parti Keadilan is already displeased with him, and he tells them to look across the Causeway for the enemy. (Continued) Terence Nunis Terence K. J. Nunis, Consultant Chief Executive Officer, Equinox GEMTZ