Sebastian Rix’s Post

To really understand the Israel-Palestine conflict, people need to put themselves in the shoes of a Palestinian refugee (most of the people in Gaza). What would you do if someone stole your house & livelihood, killed some of your family, & left the rest of you with nothing, to live in the squalor of a refugee camp? That is what Israel did to over 750,000 Palestinians in 1948, over 300,000 in 1967, over 250,000 since 1967, & MORE EVERY YEAR – simply because they are not Jewish. Most of the families in Gaza owned homes & farms where Israeli cities & towns now stand, which Israel literally stole from them. Most even still have their front door keys. Israeli Sources: 1) https://lnkd.in/geiy3_5s, 2) https://lnkd.in/gBV8ipGy, 3) https://lnkd.in/g6726cMj And how can anyone claim that this conflict started on October 7th when between 2000 & Oct 2023, Israeli soldiers & settlers killed nearly 2300 Palestinian children, including 43 children during the 9 months just before Oct 7th (names & details on BTselem.org). Israel has also imposed a brutal 57 year occupation/apartheid on Palestinians, & a brutal blockade of Gaza since 2005 - both illegal under international law, immoral, & ongoing acts of war. Israeli Sources: 1) https://lnkd.in/gSYf7exV, 2) https://lnkd.in/gvXiS65k, 3) https://lnkd.in/g2rANpCA, 4) https://lnkd.in/gaZSz8PX And when Palestinians have tried to protest peacefully, Israel shoots them in the knees, kills, or at least imprison & beat them. If you don't believe it, please read this 2020 Haaretz article titled: “42 Knees in One Day: Israeli Snipers Open Up About Shooting Gaza Protesters”: https://lnkd.in/g4VqQRzs And if you still believe the lie that Israel has offered Palestinians many generous peace deals that they keep rejecting, please read this article: https://lnkd.in/g2_EV6dV And now our government is actually helping Israel commit genocide. According to our own U.S. military, Israel has killed OVER 25,000 WOMEN & CHILDREN in the past 5 months: https://lnkd.in/gtQtw9zc Can you imagine how big a pile of 25,000 dead mothers & children would be? Well our taxes are helping pay for it & it’s getting bigger every day. Israel has also orphaned over 30,000 children, & has demolished the homes of around 1 million children, making them homeless during winter. And Israel is still blocking aid to these children, KILLING THEM WITH STARVATION, DEHYDRATION, & DISEASE, in addition to U.S. supplied bombs. Israeli & Jewish-American sources: 1) https://lnkd.in/gSZVTaDY, 2) https://lnkd.in/gYpkU3ah, 3) https://lnkd.in/gErBF5hY, 4) https://lnkd.in/gavyg7E9, 5) https://lnkd.in/gWscBWrC PLEASE WRITE & CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES & the White House to demand they stop helping Israel kill & starve children, commit war crimes, & maintain its brutal & racist apartheid, with our tax dollars & U.N. veto protection. And here is University of Chicago Prof. John Mearsheimer explaining why our government does whatever #Israel wants: m.com/watch?v=syB9THtXd7M

South Africa’s Role and Success in Peacekeeping 1. Complexity and Challenges of Peacekeeping Missions in Africa African peacekeeping missions have historically been complex and challenging for several reasons. Firstly, they often unfold in volatile environments marked by political instability, deep-seated ethnic conflicts, and economic struggles. This makes it difficult for peacekeepers to maintain neutrality and secure local cooperation. Missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Central African Republic (CAR), and Mali are prime examples of how entrenched insurgencies and cross-border issues strain peacekeeping efforts. Moreover, logistical challenges, such as limited infrastructure and funding, compound these difficulties. Peacekeepers face constant threats from both armed groups and complex terrain, often without adequate resources or support from the international community. Political meddling by external powers and limited regional capacities further hinder the effectiveness of these missions. 2. Cost of UN Peacekeeping in Africa The cost of United Nations peacekeeping operations in Africa is significant, but it remains far less than the cost of prolonged conflicts. The annual budget for peacekeeping missions globally is approximately $6-7 billion, with African missions accounting for a considerable portion. While this expenditure may seem substantial, it pales in comparison to the cost of war, both financially and in human lives. As Linda Bilmes notes in The Three Trillion Dollar War, the long-term financial, social, and infrastructural costs of conflict are immense, particularly when considering post-war recovery and reconstruction. My assertion that "Peace is less expensive than war" highlights the cost-effectiveness of investing in peacekeeping as a preventive measure. Effective peacekeeping, with a focus on stabilizing regions and fostering conditions for political resolution, is a strategic investment that can prevent the devastating long-term costs associated with war. In Africa, where fragile states risk protracted cycles of violence, peacekeeping serves as a crucial means of mitigating these risks affordably. Bilmes' work provides a stark comparison, emphasizing that even a significant investment in peace is far less burdensome than the aftermath of war. 3. South Africa’s Role and Success in Peacekeeping South Africa has been a significant contributor to peacekeeping operations on the continent. Deploying troops in missions like MONUC in the DRC, South Africa has played an instrumental role in regional stabilization efforts. By and large, South Africa’s involvement has been impactful, as it brings military and diplomatic expertise, often underpinned by its commitment to the African Union’s principle of “African solutions to African problems.” However, success has been mixed. While South Africa's presence has often de-escalated immediate violence, creating long-term stability in complex settings remains daunting

What is he going to do? Impose sanctions on Hemetti and RSF. They would not care less since they don't have any assets in the US. All their businesses and support are in the UAE. The solution would be for African countries to pressure the UAE, which is the leading actor destabilizing this country and the whole region (i.e., Ethiopia)

Marking the one-year anniversary of the Israel-Hamas war, a conflict that has claimed the lives of over 42,000 people. The ongoing humanitarian crisis continues to devastate Gaza and the region, as diplomatic efforts have struggled to secure lasting peace. Global Eye Intelligence is releasing a Special Report to provide an in-depth analysis of the conflict’s impact, regional dynamics, and what the future might hold for a region in turmoil. As we reflect on this sobering milestone, it is vital to keep pushing for solutions that prioritize human life and lasting stability. #GlobalEyeIntelligence #ConflictAnniversary #HumanitarianCrisis #GeopoliticalAnalysis #IsraelHamasWar #WestAsia

Supporting Our Peacekeepers | International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers Today, on May 29, The Business Place Network recognizes and honours the dedication and sacrifice of United Nations Peacekeepers worldwide on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. The theme for this year, "Fit for the Future: Building Better Together," highlights the crucial collaboration between diverse partners and the innovative spirit that drives successful peacekeeping missions. For over 75 years, UN Peacekeeping has played a vital role in fostering peace and stability in conflict-affected regions, and we extend our deepest appreciation for their unwavering commitment. Businesses have a role to play in supporting peacebuilding efforts, and we are proud to contribute to creating a better future for communities impacted by conflict. On this day, we recognize the resilience and courage of peacekeepers and the local communities they serve, as they work together to build sustainable peace. Join us in raising awareness and showing our support for UN Peacekeeping initiatives. Let's stand together for peace and a better future for all. #Peacebegins with a collective effort. #PKDay #UNPeacekeepers #InternationalDayOfPeacekeepers #BusinessforPeace #BuildingBetterTogether #DRCongo #Syria #Sudan #Ukraine #Yemen #Gaza

Time to reshape the EU's engagement in Sahel The wave of coups in Burkino Faso, Mali and Niger exposes regional fragilities and reveals the limitations of the EU approach in the region. Strengthened action is crucial to prevent conflict escalation, violence and the spillover of terrorism and humanitarian crises. Rossella Marangio, Ph.D. explores how the EU could rethink its engagement, highlighting effective strategies for supporting central #Sahel countries, including: 🤝 Leveraging diplomatic ties 👥 fostering a community-based approach ⚙️ enhancing planning and coordination 🔎 More insights: https://lnkd.in/dknVd7cd

South Africa at 30: A Legacy of Peacekeeping and Foreign Policy Influence South Africa celebrates the 30th anniversary of its liberal democracy, a momentous occasion that demands reflection on its remarkable journey and profound impact on the continent. There are moments in life when one is compelled to kneel, overwhelmed with deep reverence and gratitude, in the presence of the boundless blessings and unconditional love of God. It is in such a spirit that I was invited today to a roundtable discussion on SABC News TV to assess the impact and effectiveness of South Africa's peacekeeping interventions across the African continent over the past three decades. For a great nation like South Africa to call upon me to engage in a dialogue about its foreign policy—amidst a legion of political analysts both across the globe and within Africa itself—is a humbling experience. I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to offer my thoughts on the foreign policy of the continent’s leader, from the leadership of Nelson Mandela to that of Cyril Ramaphosa. Participants: The Spokesperson of the South African National Defence Force and a Member of the Executive Committee of the African National Congress (ANC). I gave my utmost effort to be forthright, insightful, informative, entertaining, and intellectually stimulating. I am thankful to the Lord for granting me this opportunity. One of the core tenets of South Africa’s foreign policy since 1994 has been that the country will never experience true peace within its own borders until the rest of the continent achieves peace and stability. But how successful has South Africa been in realizing this mission? As we stand at this remarkable milestone of 30 years, the question remains: what have been the tangible outcomes of South Africa’s peacekeeping endeavors, and how has the nation’s foreign policy shaped the broader African landscape? For more news and updates, visit sabcnews.com and follow #SABCNews on all social media platforms. Achille Mbembe #UNGA #NATO #EU #WhiteHouse #StateDepartment

Happening now, for those interested in US foreign policy in Afghanistan and the wider Eurasian region.

With reports that the US and Arab countries are finally discussing a multilateral peace-keeping force for Gaza (which I proposed in January in TIME) there are some absolutely essential elements that must be included for any such plan to succeed. I explain them in my latest piece, out today in the Middle East Policy Council. The US cannot continue its incoherent policy, which now includes actively ignoring US and dismantling international law. 33,000 lives and counting, but it may, just, be still possible to shape a path forward to a viable peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a stable Middle East. #gaza #palestine #usforeignpolicy #israel #gazawar

The absence of Western engagement in the Sudan conflict 🇸🇩 The ongoing conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, has evolved into a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti). While Sudan faces devastation, Western powers, traditionally active in peace-building, have largely remained absent, allowing regional actors like the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia to assert their influence. These nations, motivated by geopolitical and resource-based interests, have shaped the conflict’s trajectory, leading to further instability in the region. As Middle Eastern powers replace Western actors, the absence of diplomatic pressure from the West has enabled local factions to act with little accountability, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. This article argues for a multilateral, African-led conflict-resolution approach, though its success will depend on prioritizing regional stability over geopolitical interests. For any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to "The HORN: International Institute for Strategic Studies" via info@horninstitute.org for further information. Here is the link to the article: https://lnkd.in/eTkaESUF