Sohrab Oshidar’s Post

📍 Iran's Guardian Council (GC, a vetting body) has qualified six candidates, mainly hardliners, for the presidential election on June 28th and has bared leading reformists and moderates for the second consecutive poll. The outcome of the election is unlikely to bring about any significant changes in Iran's policies, particularly in terms of its relationship with the West. The focus will likely be on economic issues and how the new government approaches engagement with Western countries. 📍With hardliners expected to dominate the election, there may be little room for significant shifts in policy direction. Ultimately, the supreme leader and his close advisors will continue to hold the most influence over decision-making in Iran.

EU civil society can influence EU rules. But how? Using one of the many tools the EU makes available to make its voice heard.    Whether it is through a European Citizens' Initiative, taking part in an election or requesting information on the EU institutions' activities, among others, the possibilities are many.    Check out our European Democracy Passport to act for Europe → europa.eu/!DJ67yK    #EUCivilSociety #EUDemocracy

Let me share with you the newest TASO brief by cbss.ge covering period from 16.1. to 29.2. 2024. https://lnkd.in/enBamcqT Current issue covers: South Ossetia 1.     ELECTIONS 2024: The de facto government of South Ossetia demands from local political parties the personal data of their members 2.     ELECTIONS 2024: Dzhambolat Tedeyev is preparing to enter the election campaign. He founded the Patriots of Alania party. 3.     The case of Inal Dzhabiev at the court   Abkhazia 1.     Bzhania presented the de facto parliament with a draft law on foreign agents 2.     Dententions of Abkhaz activist on Russian border intensify 3.     Abkhazia rejected the deal with Rosgvardia at the last minute 4.     Russia allegedly sent a note to the de facto government of Abkhazia rejecting changes to the Pitsunda lease agreement   Transnistria 1.     Transnistrian Congress of Deputies asks Russia for help amid „increasing economic pressure“ from Chișinău 2.     At the first meeting of the Unified Control Commission in 2024 Moldova protested against activities of Russian peacekeeping forces

🌍 Europeans have elected 720 representatives who will become Members of the European Parliament during the next legislative term (2024-2029). Which national delegations will wield more influence in each of the parliamentary groups and, therefore, in the EU decision-making process and in the execution of public policies in #Europe? All the keys here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dXZwxYVX

The UK government is expected to link cyber-attacks, which targeted personal details of millions of voters, to China. The attacks, which occurred in August 2021 but were disclosed only last year, also targeted several critical MPs and peers. Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden will speak about the issue in Parliament, highlighting the threat. It's believed that other Western nations will express similar concerns. Although the Electoral Commission confirmed the attacks, stating that they had no impact on elections or voter registration, it's now suspected that the attackers had ties to Beijing. Publicly identifying them could lead to legal or political actions against China. This shift reflects a change in diplomatic relations with China, from a previously amicable stance to heightened tensions. Despite growing concerns about Chinese espionage and interference, the government insists on maintaining a pragmatic relationship with China while safeguarding national security and democratic values. #nydailytrends #newyorkdaily #dowden #china #cyberattack #voter #data #nationalsecurity #ukgovernment #pm #threat #elections #uk #politics #MondayMotivation

The U.S. House of Representatives has taken a significant step towards providing aid to Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific, with a $95 billion legislative package passing in a broad bipartisan vote. The vote passed 316-94, with more support from Democrats than from Republicans who hold a narrow majority. This move is an important step towards providing much-needed aid to countries in the region.

Despite the right to vote, many EU mobile citizens show a lack of interest in their host country's political landscape. ECAS' focus groups delve into this issue to propose solutions for enhancing political participation among mobile EU citizens. Read our main recommendations: https://lnkd.in/dq3fkZgY

TBILISI NOW: Yesterday’s violent crackdown—attacking 22 journalists and arresting dozens of peaceful protesters—has only galvanized more people to join the movement. Around 100,000 self-organized citizens united under one goal: a free, democratic, and European Georgia. We are witnessing a President-led, nationwide nonviolent civil resistance unfolding on the streets of Tbilisi. Hundreds of civil servants are resigning or opposing the oligarch's anti-EU and anti-Georgian stance, adding to the momentum. Demands: 1. Free and fair new elections. 2. Immediate resumption of Georgia’s EU integration track, which the government unconstitutionally suspended yesterday. Georgians are determined to win this fight for their democracy and European future. While international support is much needed, they are equally prepared to prevail on their own. #StandWithGeorgia

In my latest for Balkan Insight and Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN), I argue that Europe’s far right suffers from an essential schism when it comes to the question of enlarging the EU – from which mainstream parties need to benefit. "The first dimension that articulates the EU far right’s enlargement appetite has to do with its political view over the Union’s mere existence. The second dimension is its positioning vis-à-vis Russia. Remarkably, these two dimensions play out differently depending on whose EU accession bid is being assessed. For a while now, the ball has been in the court of the EU’s mainstream parties – on whose hands falls much of the responsibility of laying out an honest domestic groundwork for enlargement, and of sending out a message of determination and integrity to the Union’s citizens." https://lnkd.in/d4KB6pdh

My interview today on the Palitranews (in Georgian) about the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia to Georgia and the election process in the United States. Link: https://lnkd.in/d2viKnmd