This summarizes a document written by an intern about their work assisting with South Korea's campaign for a candidate's re-election to the UN International Law Commission. The intern's responsibilities included arranging meetings between the candidate and other delegations, creating a contact list of election officers, coordinating a reception event, and drafting reports. The intern learned that accuracy was important given the diplomatic stakes, and that proactive communication between the intern and their supervisor was key to managing the multi-tasking workload of the campaign. The most important lesson was about the significance of reciprocal support agreements between states to mutually support each other in elections.
This Live Seminar examined how recent legal and policy trends—punctuated by a June 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision—may alter modalities of humanitarian engagement with non-state armed groups. In Holder v. Humanitarian Law Project, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of a law criminalizing various forms of “material support” to prohibited groups.
When are international organisations effective in international politicsAmougou Aristide Agbor
International organizations can be effective when their leadership is able to:
1) Consolidate the trust of member states by sustaining political commitment to shared values and curtailing the "Frankenstein syndrome" where organizations act against state interests.
2) Secure sufficient resources from member states by building efficient agency relationships and avoiding mission creep beyond their intended mandates.
3) Rely on credible policy persuasion given their limited enforcement powers compared to states.
This document is a research proposal that will examine how the concept of national sovereignty is evolving in the face of increased globalization and multilateral cooperation. Sovereignty, which forms the basis of citizenship and identity, is being challenged by new international laws, organizations, and the ability of individuals to circumvent borders. While sovereignty is recognized as changing, there is little empirical data to show how this dynamic evolution may impact global governance structures. The proposed research aims to help understand how sovereignty is adapting without intentional guidance and what this means for international relations theory and institutions.
Digital Breadcrumbs- Investigating Internet Crime with Open Source Intellige...Nicholas Tancredi
This document discusses how open source intelligence (OSINT) tools and techniques can help law enforcement investigate internet crimes. It provides examples of how social media analysis and dark web investigations have helped identify suspects and combat issues like child pornography. The document also references statistics and studies on topics like drug markets on the dark web and how social media is exploited for criminal activities. It advocates for law enforcement to make use of social media searches and data mining frameworks to facilitate cybercrime investigations and intelligence gathering.
This document discusses the problem of homegrown terrorism and self-radicalization in the United States. It notes that since 9/11, nearly half of terrorist plots against the US have been carried out by American citizens or residents who became radicalized in the US. While domestic attacks cause fear, they result in far fewer deaths than international terrorism. However, terrorist organizations see value in recruiting and radicalizing Americans due to their ability to move freely within the US and between countries. The document examines past cases of self-radicalization and discusses the process of becoming radicalized through consuming terrorist propaganda online and communicating with terrorist recruiters. It argues that homegrown terrorism remains a threat and more must be done to identify and stop self-
This document reviews literature on trends and challenges in humanitarian civil-military coordination. It finds that the nature of international interventions has changed, with military forces increasingly undertaking humanitarian activities to achieve strategic objectives. This is challenging existing coordination frameworks. Foreign militaries are also more engaged in disaster response, driven by political and security factors. Key challenges to coordination include different cultures between militaries and humanitarian groups, and the increasing politicization and militarization of aid that conflicts with humanitarian principles of neutrality and independence. While guidance on coordination exists, the literature shows it is not always implemented effectively in practice.
Theoretical understanding of conflicts and violence in nigeria the niger delt...Alexander Decker
This document summarizes a research paper that explores theories to explain violence in Nigeria perpetrated by the Boko Haram militant group in the north and militant groups in the Niger Delta region. It discusses concepts of conflict and violence, and reviews literature on causes of conflicts. The paper aims to examine theories like relative deprivation, class conflict, and anomie to understand the violence in Nigeria, and suggest ways the government can manage these crises. Unemployment, poverty, and corruption are identified as major causes of violence in the country.
Beyond Recommendations and Interpretive Notes: An Examination of How NGO Acco...Lydia Boyer
The security challenges of countering terrorism are well-known to international non-governmental organizations (INGOs). INGOs focused on development are on the front lines of combatting underlying causes of terrorism, but they face an additional challenge: the international regime on Anti-Money
Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT). This paper examines the disconnect between the state security and civil society sectors in the war on terrorism and looks to NGO accountability work as holding some critical components for how to move forward.
This Live Seminar examined how recent legal and policy trends—punctuated by a June 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision—may alter modalities of humanitarian engagement with non-state armed groups. In Holder v. Humanitarian Law Project, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of a law criminalizing various forms of “material support” to prohibited groups.
When are international organisations effective in international politicsAmougou Aristide Agbor
International organizations can be effective when their leadership is able to:
1) Consolidate the trust of member states by sustaining political commitment to shared values and curtailing the "Frankenstein syndrome" where organizations act against state interests.
2) Secure sufficient resources from member states by building efficient agency relationships and avoiding mission creep beyond their intended mandates.
3) Rely on credible policy persuasion given their limited enforcement powers compared to states.
This document is a research proposal that will examine how the concept of national sovereignty is evolving in the face of increased globalization and multilateral cooperation. Sovereignty, which forms the basis of citizenship and identity, is being challenged by new international laws, organizations, and the ability of individuals to circumvent borders. While sovereignty is recognized as changing, there is little empirical data to show how this dynamic evolution may impact global governance structures. The proposed research aims to help understand how sovereignty is adapting without intentional guidance and what this means for international relations theory and institutions.
Digital Breadcrumbs- Investigating Internet Crime with Open Source Intellige...Nicholas Tancredi
This document discusses how open source intelligence (OSINT) tools and techniques can help law enforcement investigate internet crimes. It provides examples of how social media analysis and dark web investigations have helped identify suspects and combat issues like child pornography. The document also references statistics and studies on topics like drug markets on the dark web and how social media is exploited for criminal activities. It advocates for law enforcement to make use of social media searches and data mining frameworks to facilitate cybercrime investigations and intelligence gathering.
This document discusses the problem of homegrown terrorism and self-radicalization in the United States. It notes that since 9/11, nearly half of terrorist plots against the US have been carried out by American citizens or residents who became radicalized in the US. While domestic attacks cause fear, they result in far fewer deaths than international terrorism. However, terrorist organizations see value in recruiting and radicalizing Americans due to their ability to move freely within the US and between countries. The document examines past cases of self-radicalization and discusses the process of becoming radicalized through consuming terrorist propaganda online and communicating with terrorist recruiters. It argues that homegrown terrorism remains a threat and more must be done to identify and stop self-
This document reviews literature on trends and challenges in humanitarian civil-military coordination. It finds that the nature of international interventions has changed, with military forces increasingly undertaking humanitarian activities to achieve strategic objectives. This is challenging existing coordination frameworks. Foreign militaries are also more engaged in disaster response, driven by political and security factors. Key challenges to coordination include different cultures between militaries and humanitarian groups, and the increasing politicization and militarization of aid that conflicts with humanitarian principles of neutrality and independence. While guidance on coordination exists, the literature shows it is not always implemented effectively in practice.
Theoretical understanding of conflicts and violence in nigeria the niger delt...Alexander Decker
This document summarizes a research paper that explores theories to explain violence in Nigeria perpetrated by the Boko Haram militant group in the north and militant groups in the Niger Delta region. It discusses concepts of conflict and violence, and reviews literature on causes of conflicts. The paper aims to examine theories like relative deprivation, class conflict, and anomie to understand the violence in Nigeria, and suggest ways the government can manage these crises. Unemployment, poverty, and corruption are identified as major causes of violence in the country.
Beyond Recommendations and Interpretive Notes: An Examination of How NGO Acco...Lydia Boyer
The security challenges of countering terrorism are well-known to international non-governmental organizations (INGOs). INGOs focused on development are on the front lines of combatting underlying causes of terrorism, but they face an additional challenge: the international regime on Anti-Money
Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT). This paper examines the disconnect between the state security and civil society sectors in the war on terrorism and looks to NGO accountability work as holding some critical components for how to move forward.
Print media framing of boko haram insurgency in nigeria a content analytical ...Alexander Decker
This document summarizes a study that analyzed how four Nigerian newspapers (The Guardian, Daily Sun, Vanguard, and Thisday) framed coverage of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. The study used content analysis to examine how the newspapers employed different framing patterns and categories. Key findings were that the newspapers predominantly used a "policy response frame," focusing on government responses, except for the Daily Sun which emphasized "ethnic and religious frames." Overall, the "policy response frame" was used most often across the newspapers at 60%. The study aims to understand newspaper framing of the insurgency and how certain frames like emphasizing government responses can help minimize conflicts, while other frames like ethnic or religious ones may
After putting a box of old poetry manuscripts in the trash, a professor was reported to police by a student as a "Middle Eastern man" acting suspiciously. This led to an evacuation of campus buildings and cancellation of classes as the bomb squad investigated. It was revealed to be just recycling. However, the incident showed how an innocent action by a person of color can be viewed as a threat due to a culture of fear and profiling. While the university denied the report was racially motivated, the professor was deeply troubled by the profiling and atmosphere of suspicion it revealed.
475 2015 the new media and its impact on politics upmpeffl
The document summarizes research on censorship and social media in China. It discusses two studies:
1) A study that scraped social media posts in China over time and found posts were censored based on their potential to spur social mobilization, not based on their content being pro- or anti-government.
2) A second study submitted fake blog posts to Chinese sites that varied in terms of supporting/criticizing the government and emphasizing collective action. Posts suggesting collective action were more likely to be automatically censored.
The research suggests the goal of censorship in China is to curtail collective action and social mobilization, regardless of the ideological stance of online content.
The document analyzes political polarization on Twitter during Brazil's 2018 presidential election. It finds evidence of "asymmetric polarization", where the right-wing network was more centralized around partisan media compared to the more diverse left-wing network. The study used social network analysis of Twitter data to map the information flows and identify influential accounts and media outlets during key moments of the election campaign.
Judicial Independence in Latin America and the (Conflicting) Influence of Cul...Christopher Ellison
This document summarizes a working paper about judicial independence in Latin America and the influence of cultural norms. It discusses how despite judicial reforms sponsored by international organizations, judiciaries in Latin America remain dependent on political influence. It argues that addressing judicial corruption requires understanding the role of informal social norms and favoritism. Billions have been spent on promoting independent judiciaries but corruption persists due to cultural norms prioritizing friends and allies over impartial rule of law. Future reforms need a deeper examination of how informal norms undermine formal institutions.
Democracy in Afghanistan the 2014 Election and Beyondmmangusta
This document summarizes a RAND report on Afghanistan's upcoming 2014 presidential election. It discusses how the election will be a crucial test for Afghanistan's democratic transition as international forces withdraw and donors reduce funding. The election will show if Afghanistan can peacefully and credibly transfer power from President Karzai to a new leader. Success could stabilize the country and encourage negotiations with the Taliban, while failure risks political breakdown, civil war, or a power vacuum that undermines security gains.
This document is a series of short essays by Gerald J. Furnkranz on the topic of corruption. The essays discuss the seeds of corruption taking root in institutions and society through corrupt leadership. They describe the "deep state" and extreme corruption within the government, including the FBI, DOJ and Congress. One essay argues that honesty and truth have been lost due to personal agendas, making it difficult to discern facts. Another criticizes "political experience" and argues indoctrination has replaced education in schools and universities. The document promotes a critique of corruption across different levels of government and other institutions.
FULL REPORT - Strength Through Diversity - Four Cases of Local and State Leve...Afif Rahman
This document summarizes four cases of successful advocacy coalitions at the local and state levels that promoted pluralism and community empowerment. The key findings from the case studies include that coalitions are important for securing success on shared goals, funding does not determine success if resources are efficiently distributed, unity of purpose is central, relationships and trust between coalition partners matters, personal relationships help manage disagreements and build trust, and there is no single model of success as context is important. The recommendations encourage American Muslim groups to work in coalitions by focusing on shared interests and commitments, and for funders to play a convening role and provide education on resource allocation.
Rod Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general of the United States, has become a lightning rod for criticism from the White House and Republican supporters due to his refusal to interfere in the ongoing Justice Department investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US election. The document discusses Rosenstein's defiant independence in upholding the rule of law and the separation of powers despite pressure, as well as the importance of an impartial justice system free from political interference when investigating high-ranking officials. It also draws parallels to issues with the Indian system of government in upholding these principles.
This document provides testimony from Brian Levin, Director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, before the House Committee on Homeland Security regarding countering violent extremism in prisons. Levin discusses the current terrorist threats from violent Salafist jihadists and far-right extremists. He notes that while Salafist jihadists have carried out more severe attacks, far-right extremists have killed more people in the US since 9/11. Levin also addresses the risks of extremism in prisons, noting that far-right extremist groups currently pose a greater threat within prisons than Salafist jihadists. He concludes by discussing considerations for countering violent extremism programs in prisons
This document provides an overview of anti-corruption efforts in China. It discusses the historical background of anti-corruption laws in China, highlighting a major campaign launched in 2012 under President Xi Jinping. The campaign has led to investigations and removal of thousands of officials on charges ranging from bribery to abuse of power. However, some argue the campaign is also being used by Xi to consolidate his own power. The document examines challenges like decoupling guanxi from corruption and implications such as the campaign's negative impact on China's economy and the Communist Party's image. Potential solutions discussed include stronger enforcement of transparent laws and empowering Chinese citizens to increase accountability.
Ged Mirfin is a 51-year-old Conservative councilor who has served on Ribble Valley Borough Council since 2011. He has extensive committee experience and currently serves in leadership roles for the Ribble Valley Conservative Association. Mirfin has campaign experience managing online campaigns in the Hyndburn constituency. He has published several papers on topics related to politics, including on political arrogance, inertia, and authenticity. Mirfin's work has received media attention and some of his papers are among the most widely viewed on their topics.
Homegrown violent extremism refers to citizens or long-term residents of Western countries who support or commit violent acts to further political or ideological goals while rejecting Western values. These individuals can include a diverse range of people from various citizenship statuses. Radical recruiters use social media to encourage those already in Western countries to commit acts of violence and take advantage of being able to blend into communities unnoticed. Examples of homegrown extremism include Somali men from Minnesota who traveled to Somalia to join the terrorist group al-Shabab and the case of Colleen LaRose who plotted attacks from Pennsylvania. Community policing that involves educating communities on radicalization indicators and engaging youth can help prevent homegrown extremism.
This document summarizes a research paper on immigration reform in the United States. It discusses challenges with the country's immigration policy and past efforts at reform. The paper reviews literature on the subject, including research by Nestor Rodriguez and Gyung-Ho Jeong analyzing factors that influence immigration legislation like public opinion and political negotiations. Both argue immigration reform is a complex issue with no clear solution. The document concludes that while progress has been made, balancing national security, economic impacts, and civil liberties will continue to make immigration reform difficult.
International Strategy for Cyberspace_ Kinetic Solutions to Virtual ChallengesChikere Uchegbu
- President Obama outlined a new U.S. strategy for cyberspace in 2011 that asserts the right to retaliate against cyber attacks using conventional military means.
- The strategy aims to deter cyber attacks, particularly from China which is viewed as the most prolific perpetrator of cyber espionage against the U.S.
- The document analyzes whether the new strategy could lead to a conventional war between the U.S. and China by examining their economic interdependence and applying international relations theories to assess the likelihood of conflict.
This document discusses using activity based intelligence to counter social media sex trafficking in the United States. It begins with an introduction describing the rise of social media use and how traffickers have increasingly used social media to exploit victims. The research question asks if activity based intelligence can be used against social media sex trafficking. The hypothesis is that social media trafficking will grow if left unchecked, but activity based intelligence may provide an effective intelligence collection method to disrupt trafficking online. The document then reviews literature on definitions of trafficking, the internet's role, and how activity based intelligence has been applied to counter threats.
The document provides context around the upcoming 2020 elections in Myanmar and how they may intersect with ongoing peace negotiations and potential Rohingya refugee repatriation efforts. It notes that Myanmar has a deeply divided society with many political, economic, and social cleavages. While reforms since 2011 have increased freedoms, power remains concentrated among elite groups and grievances are widespread with few trusted mechanisms for redress. The 2020 elections are constitutionally mandated but may collide with the non-linear peace process and contested refugee returns in ways that exacerbate tensions. There are concerns that campaigning could undermine the peace negotiations as occurred in 2015 and that communal and nationalist rhetoric may fuel tensions and possible violence.
Transnational Crime and the Global CommunityMark Wojnarek
Transnational crime involves marketing illegal products or services across international borders to generate profits that support further criminal activity. It affects the global community by destabilizing governments and creating fear among citizens. Over 50 activities fall under transnational crime, including human trafficking, weapons smuggling, and drug trafficking. These criminal operations have far-reaching impacts on human rights and strain local resources and systems. Criminal organizations operate transnational drug and human trafficking rings like businesses, exploiting consumer demand and generating over $193 billion annually from drug sales in the U.S. alone. Violence is often used by these organizations to maintain control and influence.
1.. Islamic Rule and the Emancipation of the Poor and Pious
I estimate the impact of Islamic rule on secular education and labor market outcomes with a new and unique dataset of Turkish municipalities. Using a regression discontinuity design, I compare elections where an Islamic party barely won or lost municipal mayor seats. The results show that Islamic rule has had a large positive effect on education, predominantly for women. This impact is not only larger when the opposing candidate is from a secular left-wing, instead of a right-wing party; it is also larger in poorer and more pious areas. The participation result extends to the labor market, with fewer women classified as housewives, a larger share of employed women receiving wages, and a shift in female employment towards higher-paying sectors. Part of the increased participation, especially in education, may come through investment from religious foundations, by providing facilities more tailored toward religious conservatives. Altogether, my findings stand in contrast to the stylized view that more Islamic in‡uence is invariably associated with adverse development outcomes, especially for women. One interpretation is that limits on religious expression, such as the headscarf ban in public institutions, raise barriers to entry for the poor and pious. In such environments, Islamic movements may have an advantage over secular alternatives.
2. Islam and Long-Run Development
I show new evidence on the long-run impact of Islam on economic development. Using the proximity to Mecca as an instrument for the Muslim share of a country's population, while holding geographic factors fixed, I show that Islam has had a negative long-run impact on income per capita. This result is robust to a host of geographic, demographic and historical factors, and the impact magnitude is around three times that of basic cross-sectional estimates. I also show evidence of the impact of Islam on religious influence in legal institutions and women's rights, two outcomes seen as closely associated with the presence of Islam. A larger Islamic influence has led to a larger religious influence in legal institutions and lower female participation in public institutions. But it has also had a positive impact on several measures of female health outcomes relative to men. These results stand in contrast to the view that Islam has invariably adverse consequences for all forms of women's living standards, and instead emphasizes the link between lower incomes and lower female participation in public institutions.
3. The Rise of China and the Natural Resource Curse in Africa
We produce a new empirical strategy to estimate the causal impact of selling oil to China on economic and political development, using an instrumental variables design based on China's economic rise and consequent demand for oil in interaction with the pre-existence of oil in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The document discusses social psychological predictors of terrorism and potential interventions. It identifies factors like marginalization, lack of social bonds, and charismatic leaders that can propel extremism. It advocates for community programs in schools and neighborhoods to promote inclusion, provide purposeful activities for youth, and undermine terrorist recruitment networks through policing and communication efforts. The implications are that mitigating root causes through social interventions may be more effective than military operations at reducing terrorism in the long run.
Terrorism is defined as the unlawful use of force or violence against people or property to coerce governments or populations for political or social goals. Terrorism has psychological, economic, and social effects such as injuries, deaths, depressions, damage to buildings and infrastructure, and negative impacts on tourism and trade. Future terrorist attacks are predicted to increasingly utilize technology and the internet through tactics like computer hacking and cyber terrorism. International organizations are working to counter terrorism through strategies focused on understanding terrorist methods, preventing and combating terrorism, building country counterterrorism capacities, and respecting human rights.
Print media framing of boko haram insurgency in nigeria a content analytical ...Alexander Decker
This document summarizes a study that analyzed how four Nigerian newspapers (The Guardian, Daily Sun, Vanguard, and Thisday) framed coverage of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. The study used content analysis to examine how the newspapers employed different framing patterns and categories. Key findings were that the newspapers predominantly used a "policy response frame," focusing on government responses, except for the Daily Sun which emphasized "ethnic and religious frames." Overall, the "policy response frame" was used most often across the newspapers at 60%. The study aims to understand newspaper framing of the insurgency and how certain frames like emphasizing government responses can help minimize conflicts, while other frames like ethnic or religious ones may
After putting a box of old poetry manuscripts in the trash, a professor was reported to police by a student as a "Middle Eastern man" acting suspiciously. This led to an evacuation of campus buildings and cancellation of classes as the bomb squad investigated. It was revealed to be just recycling. However, the incident showed how an innocent action by a person of color can be viewed as a threat due to a culture of fear and profiling. While the university denied the report was racially motivated, the professor was deeply troubled by the profiling and atmosphere of suspicion it revealed.
475 2015 the new media and its impact on politics upmpeffl
The document summarizes research on censorship and social media in China. It discusses two studies:
1) A study that scraped social media posts in China over time and found posts were censored based on their potential to spur social mobilization, not based on their content being pro- or anti-government.
2) A second study submitted fake blog posts to Chinese sites that varied in terms of supporting/criticizing the government and emphasizing collective action. Posts suggesting collective action were more likely to be automatically censored.
The research suggests the goal of censorship in China is to curtail collective action and social mobilization, regardless of the ideological stance of online content.
The document analyzes political polarization on Twitter during Brazil's 2018 presidential election. It finds evidence of "asymmetric polarization", where the right-wing network was more centralized around partisan media compared to the more diverse left-wing network. The study used social network analysis of Twitter data to map the information flows and identify influential accounts and media outlets during key moments of the election campaign.
Judicial Independence in Latin America and the (Conflicting) Influence of Cul...Christopher Ellison
This document summarizes a working paper about judicial independence in Latin America and the influence of cultural norms. It discusses how despite judicial reforms sponsored by international organizations, judiciaries in Latin America remain dependent on political influence. It argues that addressing judicial corruption requires understanding the role of informal social norms and favoritism. Billions have been spent on promoting independent judiciaries but corruption persists due to cultural norms prioritizing friends and allies over impartial rule of law. Future reforms need a deeper examination of how informal norms undermine formal institutions.
Democracy in Afghanistan the 2014 Election and Beyondmmangusta
This document summarizes a RAND report on Afghanistan's upcoming 2014 presidential election. It discusses how the election will be a crucial test for Afghanistan's democratic transition as international forces withdraw and donors reduce funding. The election will show if Afghanistan can peacefully and credibly transfer power from President Karzai to a new leader. Success could stabilize the country and encourage negotiations with the Taliban, while failure risks political breakdown, civil war, or a power vacuum that undermines security gains.
This document is a series of short essays by Gerald J. Furnkranz on the topic of corruption. The essays discuss the seeds of corruption taking root in institutions and society through corrupt leadership. They describe the "deep state" and extreme corruption within the government, including the FBI, DOJ and Congress. One essay argues that honesty and truth have been lost due to personal agendas, making it difficult to discern facts. Another criticizes "political experience" and argues indoctrination has replaced education in schools and universities. The document promotes a critique of corruption across different levels of government and other institutions.
FULL REPORT - Strength Through Diversity - Four Cases of Local and State Leve...Afif Rahman
This document summarizes four cases of successful advocacy coalitions at the local and state levels that promoted pluralism and community empowerment. The key findings from the case studies include that coalitions are important for securing success on shared goals, funding does not determine success if resources are efficiently distributed, unity of purpose is central, relationships and trust between coalition partners matters, personal relationships help manage disagreements and build trust, and there is no single model of success as context is important. The recommendations encourage American Muslim groups to work in coalitions by focusing on shared interests and commitments, and for funders to play a convening role and provide education on resource allocation.
Rod Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general of the United States, has become a lightning rod for criticism from the White House and Republican supporters due to his refusal to interfere in the ongoing Justice Department investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US election. The document discusses Rosenstein's defiant independence in upholding the rule of law and the separation of powers despite pressure, as well as the importance of an impartial justice system free from political interference when investigating high-ranking officials. It also draws parallels to issues with the Indian system of government in upholding these principles.
This document provides testimony from Brian Levin, Director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, before the House Committee on Homeland Security regarding countering violent extremism in prisons. Levin discusses the current terrorist threats from violent Salafist jihadists and far-right extremists. He notes that while Salafist jihadists have carried out more severe attacks, far-right extremists have killed more people in the US since 9/11. Levin also addresses the risks of extremism in prisons, noting that far-right extremist groups currently pose a greater threat within prisons than Salafist jihadists. He concludes by discussing considerations for countering violent extremism programs in prisons
This document provides an overview of anti-corruption efforts in China. It discusses the historical background of anti-corruption laws in China, highlighting a major campaign launched in 2012 under President Xi Jinping. The campaign has led to investigations and removal of thousands of officials on charges ranging from bribery to abuse of power. However, some argue the campaign is also being used by Xi to consolidate his own power. The document examines challenges like decoupling guanxi from corruption and implications such as the campaign's negative impact on China's economy and the Communist Party's image. Potential solutions discussed include stronger enforcement of transparent laws and empowering Chinese citizens to increase accountability.
Ged Mirfin is a 51-year-old Conservative councilor who has served on Ribble Valley Borough Council since 2011. He has extensive committee experience and currently serves in leadership roles for the Ribble Valley Conservative Association. Mirfin has campaign experience managing online campaigns in the Hyndburn constituency. He has published several papers on topics related to politics, including on political arrogance, inertia, and authenticity. Mirfin's work has received media attention and some of his papers are among the most widely viewed on their topics.
Homegrown violent extremism refers to citizens or long-term residents of Western countries who support or commit violent acts to further political or ideological goals while rejecting Western values. These individuals can include a diverse range of people from various citizenship statuses. Radical recruiters use social media to encourage those already in Western countries to commit acts of violence and take advantage of being able to blend into communities unnoticed. Examples of homegrown extremism include Somali men from Minnesota who traveled to Somalia to join the terrorist group al-Shabab and the case of Colleen LaRose who plotted attacks from Pennsylvania. Community policing that involves educating communities on radicalization indicators and engaging youth can help prevent homegrown extremism.
This document summarizes a research paper on immigration reform in the United States. It discusses challenges with the country's immigration policy and past efforts at reform. The paper reviews literature on the subject, including research by Nestor Rodriguez and Gyung-Ho Jeong analyzing factors that influence immigration legislation like public opinion and political negotiations. Both argue immigration reform is a complex issue with no clear solution. The document concludes that while progress has been made, balancing national security, economic impacts, and civil liberties will continue to make immigration reform difficult.
International Strategy for Cyberspace_ Kinetic Solutions to Virtual ChallengesChikere Uchegbu
- President Obama outlined a new U.S. strategy for cyberspace in 2011 that asserts the right to retaliate against cyber attacks using conventional military means.
- The strategy aims to deter cyber attacks, particularly from China which is viewed as the most prolific perpetrator of cyber espionage against the U.S.
- The document analyzes whether the new strategy could lead to a conventional war between the U.S. and China by examining their economic interdependence and applying international relations theories to assess the likelihood of conflict.
This document discusses using activity based intelligence to counter social media sex trafficking in the United States. It begins with an introduction describing the rise of social media use and how traffickers have increasingly used social media to exploit victims. The research question asks if activity based intelligence can be used against social media sex trafficking. The hypothesis is that social media trafficking will grow if left unchecked, but activity based intelligence may provide an effective intelligence collection method to disrupt trafficking online. The document then reviews literature on definitions of trafficking, the internet's role, and how activity based intelligence has been applied to counter threats.
The document provides context around the upcoming 2020 elections in Myanmar and how they may intersect with ongoing peace negotiations and potential Rohingya refugee repatriation efforts. It notes that Myanmar has a deeply divided society with many political, economic, and social cleavages. While reforms since 2011 have increased freedoms, power remains concentrated among elite groups and grievances are widespread with few trusted mechanisms for redress. The 2020 elections are constitutionally mandated but may collide with the non-linear peace process and contested refugee returns in ways that exacerbate tensions. There are concerns that campaigning could undermine the peace negotiations as occurred in 2015 and that communal and nationalist rhetoric may fuel tensions and possible violence.
Transnational Crime and the Global CommunityMark Wojnarek
Transnational crime involves marketing illegal products or services across international borders to generate profits that support further criminal activity. It affects the global community by destabilizing governments and creating fear among citizens. Over 50 activities fall under transnational crime, including human trafficking, weapons smuggling, and drug trafficking. These criminal operations have far-reaching impacts on human rights and strain local resources and systems. Criminal organizations operate transnational drug and human trafficking rings like businesses, exploiting consumer demand and generating over $193 billion annually from drug sales in the U.S. alone. Violence is often used by these organizations to maintain control and influence.
1.. Islamic Rule and the Emancipation of the Poor and Pious
I estimate the impact of Islamic rule on secular education and labor market outcomes with a new and unique dataset of Turkish municipalities. Using a regression discontinuity design, I compare elections where an Islamic party barely won or lost municipal mayor seats. The results show that Islamic rule has had a large positive effect on education, predominantly for women. This impact is not only larger when the opposing candidate is from a secular left-wing, instead of a right-wing party; it is also larger in poorer and more pious areas. The participation result extends to the labor market, with fewer women classified as housewives, a larger share of employed women receiving wages, and a shift in female employment towards higher-paying sectors. Part of the increased participation, especially in education, may come through investment from religious foundations, by providing facilities more tailored toward religious conservatives. Altogether, my findings stand in contrast to the stylized view that more Islamic in‡uence is invariably associated with adverse development outcomes, especially for women. One interpretation is that limits on religious expression, such as the headscarf ban in public institutions, raise barriers to entry for the poor and pious. In such environments, Islamic movements may have an advantage over secular alternatives.
2. Islam and Long-Run Development
I show new evidence on the long-run impact of Islam on economic development. Using the proximity to Mecca as an instrument for the Muslim share of a country's population, while holding geographic factors fixed, I show that Islam has had a negative long-run impact on income per capita. This result is robust to a host of geographic, demographic and historical factors, and the impact magnitude is around three times that of basic cross-sectional estimates. I also show evidence of the impact of Islam on religious influence in legal institutions and women's rights, two outcomes seen as closely associated with the presence of Islam. A larger Islamic influence has led to a larger religious influence in legal institutions and lower female participation in public institutions. But it has also had a positive impact on several measures of female health outcomes relative to men. These results stand in contrast to the view that Islam has invariably adverse consequences for all forms of women's living standards, and instead emphasizes the link between lower incomes and lower female participation in public institutions.
3. The Rise of China and the Natural Resource Curse in Africa
We produce a new empirical strategy to estimate the causal impact of selling oil to China on economic and political development, using an instrumental variables design based on China's economic rise and consequent demand for oil in interaction with the pre-existence of oil in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The document discusses social psychological predictors of terrorism and potential interventions. It identifies factors like marginalization, lack of social bonds, and charismatic leaders that can propel extremism. It advocates for community programs in schools and neighborhoods to promote inclusion, provide purposeful activities for youth, and undermine terrorist recruitment networks through policing and communication efforts. The implications are that mitigating root causes through social interventions may be more effective than military operations at reducing terrorism in the long run.
Terrorism is defined as the unlawful use of force or violence against people or property to coerce governments or populations for political or social goals. Terrorism has psychological, economic, and social effects such as injuries, deaths, depressions, damage to buildings and infrastructure, and negative impacts on tourism and trade. Future terrorist attacks are predicted to increasingly utilize technology and the internet through tactics like computer hacking and cyber terrorism. International organizations are working to counter terrorism through strategies focused on understanding terrorist methods, preventing and combating terrorism, building country counterterrorism capacities, and respecting human rights.
The document summarizes responses to terrorism from various governments and international organizations. It outlines the UK's airport security measures, counter-terrorism strategy called CONTEST, and counter-terrorism laws. It discusses the US-led war on terror, detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, and France declaring a state of emergency after the Paris attacks. It also summarizes counter-terrorism efforts by the UN, NATO, and European Union through intelligence sharing, international cooperation, and military assistance.
Terrorism has become a global phenomenon with a 61% increase in the number of people killed in terrorist attacks over the last year. The 2014 Global Terrorism Index provides a fact-based understanding of terrorism and its impact.
There is an urgent need for world community to fight terrorism together. There can not be good terrorist and bad terrorist A terrorist is a terrorist
The document outlines the United States' National Strategy for Counterterrorism. It presents the ongoing threat from al-Qaeda and its affiliates as the principal focus. While successes have weakened al-Qaeda's core leadership, affiliated groups have taken root in many regions and continue plotting attacks. The strategy aims to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaeda and prevent terrorism while protecting American citizens and interests abroad.
Cyber terrorism poses a significant threat to India according to experts. Pakistani cyber criminals deface dozens of Indian websites daily, far more than the number of Pakistani sites defaced in retaliation. While India is an IT leader, it lags behind in cyber security. Cyber terrorism can involve hacking critical infrastructure to harm the public and includes acts that are highly publicized on a large scale. International cooperation and domestic security improvements are needed to address this growing issue.
The Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations, charged with maintaining international peace and security. It has 15 members, including 5 permanent members with veto power. Under its charter, the Security Council can authorize sanctions or military action to address threats to peace. It has used sanctions against groups like al-Qaeda and the Taliban to pressure compliance without force. However, sanctions can negatively impact civilians and third countries, so the Security Council now aims for more targeted measures with humanitarian exceptions.
Counter Terrorism and the Protection of Human Rights in the Perspective of th...paperpublications3
Abstract: In lay man’s language, terrorism is the spread of terror through the use of guns, bombs, chemical weapons or any other form of violent, coercive, ambush. Counter Terrorism, on the other hand, is to retaliate and put a check to it is what we know and address terrorism. At the UN level, the international community has adopted a number of international treaties that are designed to combat specific types of terrorism, such as the hijacking of aircrafts. However, till date there has been no agreement on a definition of terrorism. The recent attempt by the UN to define terrorism in UN General Assembly Report (28 January - 1 February) has been criticized for its lack of precision.
Counter Terrorism and the Protection of Human Rights in the Perspective of th...paperpublications3
Abstract: In lay man’s language, terrorism is the spread of terror through the use of guns, bombs, chemical weapons or any other form of violent, coercive, ambush. Counter Terrorism, on the other hand, is to retaliate and put a check to it is what we know and address terrorism. At the UN level, the international community has adopted a number of international treaties that are designed to combat specific types of terrorism, such as the hijacking of aircrafts. However, till date there has been no agreement on a definition of terrorism. The recent attempt by the UN to define terrorism in UN General Assembly Report (28 January - 1 February) has been criticized for its lack of precision.
Running head ASSIGNMENT 4ASSIGNMENT 4Assignment 4 Da.docxjoellemurphey
Running head: ASSIGNMENT 4
ASSIGNMENT 4
Assignment 4: Data Collection
Student Name
Affiliate Institution
Evidence-based researched data to indicate there is a problem
Terrorism is considered a historical and major problem for the U.S. Since 2001, the significance of the problem has increased. Therefore, several organizations and facilities collect and store terrorism data for events like attempted and occurred activities. The main data source for terrorism activities is the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The mandate of this arm of government is to protect Americans both in locally and internationally against crime activities but terrorism seems the greatest enemy of American citizen wherever they are in the world.
Numerous and most useful data for terrorism is found from the following federal agency and private databases:
· The National Security Agency (NSA)
· Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
· National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Response to Terrorism (NCSTRT) and
· Global Terrorism Database (GTD). (FBI, 2014; GTD, 2014)
Information from the above databases are analyzed to present diverse quantitative and qualitative terrorism data that cover several years including life threats to the U.S. soil. According to these databases, terrorism is an old problem and continues to intensify due to availability of uninterrupted new technology as well as growing financial power of their organizations. The Federal Agencies data bases provide information on terrorism activities and information on several strategies that have been used in the past and are currently used to curb the vice (FBI, 2014).
The other terrorist’s data sources are the media agencies. News agencies such as online newspapers and broadcasting corporations provide terrorism data as it occurs. Although these agencies might not provide analyzed data, their role is to increase public awareness about terrorism occurrences and development.
References
Federal Bureau of Investigation (2014). Crime Statistics. Retrieved on May 22, 2015 from http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/crimestats
Global Terrorism Database (2014). Overview of the GTD. Retrieved on May 22, 2015 from http://www.start.umd.edu/gtd/about/
2
Running Head: Terrorism Stakeholders
Terrorism
Terrorism Stakeholders
Student name
Affiliate Institution
Terrorism
Modern day terrorism has caused sufficient harm to the society both in the political, social and the economic sectors. External and internal forces have influenced terrorism activities within the governments therefore increasing the intensity of the terrorism acts (Chong, 2007). After the terror attack that occurred in the U.S on the 9/11, 2001, it was realised that there have been low information sharing amongst the agencies that conducts the security surveillance of the country. Various institutions and agencies directly or indirectly are linked to the terrorist attack that takes p ...
Counter Terrorism and the Protection of Human Rights in the Perspective of th...paperpublications3
Abstract: In lay man’s language, terrorism is the spread of terror through the use of guns, bombs, chemical weapons or any other form of violent, coercive, ambush. Counter Terrorism, on the other hand, is to retaliate and put a check to it is what we know and address terrorism. At the UN level, the international community has adopted a number of international treaties that are designed to combat specific types of terrorism, such as the hijacking of aircrafts. However, till date there has been no agreement on a definition of terrorism. The recent attempt by the UN to define terrorism in UN General Assembly Report (28 January - 1 February) has been criticized for its lack of precision.
Ideg publication this week newsletter june 2016IDEGGhana
IDEG This Week will feature one major topical is-sue which could be considered as central to the current political discourse. This underlies the IDEG mandate, and should nourish whatever debate and discussions the article on the topical issue could generate.
This document discusses definitions of terrorism from various government and international organizations. It notes that there is no universally agreed upon definition. The US Department of Defense, FBI, and Department of State each have their own definitions that focus on unlawful violence or threats of violence intended to create fear and coerce for political, religious or ideological goals. The UN and British government also have their own definitions. The document examines key elements of terrorism, such as it being a tactic to influence audiences beyond the immediate victims, and how terrorists seek publicity through violence. Experts note challenges in defining terrorism given its politically charged nature.
The document summarizes the findings of deliberative forums held by the National Issues Forums across 40 U.S. states involving nearly 2,000 citizens discussing responses to terrorism. Key findings included:
1) Participants supported military action against terrorism only as a last resort and in conjunction with allies, questioning links between Iraq and terrorism.
2) They saw racial/ethnic profiling as unacceptable and wanted to protect security and civil liberties.
3) Participants felt policymakers and the public need more understanding of the underlying social, political, and economic causes of terrorism.
Militaries Role In Combating Terrorism
Essay On Terrorism
Essay on Terrorism
Terrorism : A Global Issue Essay
Essay on terrorism
Essay on Terrorism: Its Forms and Effects
Terrorism Essay
Essay on Terrorism
Essay on Terrorism
The document discusses the relationship between human rights NGOs and the UN. It outlines how NGOs have developed since WWII to promote human rights through education, standard-setting, monitoring, and enforcement. While the UN charter enabled more collaboration, the Helsinki Accords showed NGOs could also successfully lobby states internationally without UN involvement. NGOs generally have member-based structures and pursue goals like the anti-torture campaign through insider tactics, naming/shaming, and circulating reports. However, the UN provides both opportunities for influence but also limitations as NGOs must rely on other actors and face bureaucracy.
Each response is 250 words eachResponse 1For me, this.docxjoellemurphey
Each response is 250 words each
Response 1:
For me, this weeks’ readings were more difficult than last weeks. Human right is such a powerful subject because, in my view, it’s a big “What’s in it for me”? “There was outrage about the Holocaust, but the fact is that genocide and crimes against humanity were integral to European colonization of the 18th through 20th centuries” (Benjamin 2009). I keep circling back to this point as Western Democracies hold themselves in such esteem, a vast majority of issues were self-created through colonization. Only four of the worlds’ countries were not colonized by Europe; Japan, Korea, Thailand, Liberia (Fisher 2015). I believe that legacy of living under forced rule creates a deep, systemic culture of potential abuse. The 2020 Human Rights Watch world reports identifies human rights violations or notable situations in120 nations or 61 percent of all countries (Human Rights Watch 2020). As complete as that sounds, it further reports more situation under investigation (ibid). It includes the United States for its criminal legal system (death penalty, racial disparity of incarcerated), juveniles in the court system, racial justice and policing and on and on. Going back further in our history, our genocide against the Native American population and the linkage between Nazi Germany patterning its Nuremburg Laws after our Jim Crow laws (Rose 2018) should give us pause for thought on why this is so important and how committed we should be to the cause. How did the United States escape shame and punishment for its own apartheid with Jim Crow when South Africa did not? So, we ask how we determine if human rights IOs are effective? Big issues like genocide, famine, displacement, refugees, make headlines, create some international action but then fade into the former news cycle. Human Rights Watch (HRW) provides an annual report on global issues. But how many people know what HRW is? This comes across as rather jaded and I suppose it is a realist point of view as only the strongest survive and nations only act when they can get something in return. Agreeing to human rights treaties offers nothing in return aside from the satisfaction of standing up for other humans.
Hathaway (2007) considers important factors of why states agree to human rights treaties. I find it obvious that less than democratic countries with poor human rights records buck these types of treaties because they have no foundational respect for human rights. The observation, “formal international legal enforcement of the treaties is minimal to nonexistent” Merry (2006), reminds me of Robin Williams describing how the police in the UK stop a crime by saying, “Stop, or I’ll say stop again!” (Williams 1986). It goes back to my original question of what is in it for me? Is naming and shaming the best route (Meernik, et al. 2012)? Is it the boomerang theory? IOs have made strides in broadening our understanding of human rights.
Introduction It is the duty of States to promote.pdfbkbk37
The document discusses several topics related to human rights treaties and their implementation:
- States have a duty to uphold human rights at the national level according to international treaties they ratify. Treaty bodies monitor implementation and provide support to states.
- The human rights treaty system has expanded significantly over time with new treaties and bodies. However, fully implementing rights remains a challenge as it requires resources many states lack.
- While almost all states have signed human rights treaties, violations still occur frequently. Critics argue the treaties are too vague and difficult to implement, while supporters counter they still establish important standards. Overall, the document examines both issues with and defenses of the international human rights treaty system.
Introduction It is the duty of States to promote.pdf
UNInternEssay-TimothyPark (2)
1. Permanent Mission of Republic of Korea to the United Nations
Countering Terrorism:
Initiating the Movement
as an Intern
Internship Final Paper
Timothy Park
23rd November 2016
2. INTRODUCTION
Introduction: Legal Team and International Terrorism
Working as a Legal Intern of the Sixth Committee at the Permanent Mission of Republic
of Korea at the United Nations has the privilege of getting insight of all three pillars of the UN:
human rights, peace and security, and development. Peace and security have been the major
topic of interest for me long before and even after coming to the Korean Mission. In the duration
of ten weeks, I developed strong interest of mine, which is also happens to be my greatest
impression of the United Nations (UN): countering international terrorism. Combating violent
extremist activities is no longer an interest of particular region nor religious group, and I have
convinced myself so after working with the UN on behalf of Republic of Korea. The United
Nations not only to mitigates the violent acts but also spreads the awareness globally. My
extensive contribution to the UN as an intern could be summarized in three- the 2016
International Law Commission (ILC) election, universal jurisdiction, and the relations between
the UN Security Council and International Court of Justice (ICJ). Hereby introducing my
dedication, I explain how the work I did ties into addressing the question, “How to effectively
counter the spreading trend of terrorism.”
My First Insight of International Terrorism: The Working Group on International
Terrorism, 20th October 2016 at Trusteeship Council Chamber,
The ability of the United Nations to develop a comprehensive strategy has been
constrained by the consistent disagreement of member states in agendas of anti-terrorism
convention including definition of terrorism. The norms governing the use of force by non-state
actors have not kept pace with equally among states, and addressing the definition of the term
terrorism has become more of a question of political dilemma rather than a legal one. This
prevents UN from exerting its moral authority as the largest international community and from
sending an unequivocal message that terrorism is never an acceptable tactic. Lack of agreement
on a clear and well-known definition undermines the normative and moral stance against
terrorism, staining the reputation of the United Nations.
Legally, virtually all forms of terrorism are prohibited by at least one of the international
counter-terrorism conventions, international customary law, the Geneva Conventions or the
Rome statutes. The United Nations must achieve the same degree of normative strength
concerning non-state use of force as it has concerning state use of force. Therefore, achieving a
comprehensive convention on terrorism, including a clear definition, is a must-political
imperative.
The search for an agreed definition usually stumbles on two issues. The first is the
argument that any definition should include states’ use of armed forces against civilians. The
second objection is that peoples under foreign occupation have a right to resist and a definition of
terrorism should not override this right. The right to resistance is contested by some, but the
3. resistance is not the primary focus. The primary focus is that there is no factual ground on
circumstances of occupation that justifies the targeting and killing of civilians.
Why I Became Interested in Countering Terrorism?
Although United Nations achieve peace through cooperation and harmonious relations
among states, I believe that transparent divisive wall exist among states or allies of states within
the organization. In that sense, United Nations is technically not well united as a group but
characterizes itself as “united” clusters of political alliance. However, despite the inevitable
nature of the international community, I believe that there are causes that enable the organization
to become one and great again. In my opinion, the most serious cause that allows integration of
United Nations is fighting against international terrorism.
Defining the term international terrorism has always been ongoing long-enduring
process. Christian Walter clarifies that the elements of definition may be systematised following
their objective or subjective character. He adds that terrorism requires an objective element (for
example, a crime of certain scale) and a subjective scale (motivation or intention on the part of
the perpetrators), which is why each state is prone to coming up with different definition of
“international terrorism” (Walter, Defining Terrorism in National and International Law).
Generally, there seems to be a development that broadens existing definitions of terrorism into a
direction of including non-violent but nevertheless destructive action against public facilities.
This development in modern definitions entails the dangers that jeopardizes legal forms of public
protest- for instance, large scale demonstrations with violent excesses may be labelled as
terrorism.
Adding onto Walter’s point, my opinion is that much work has to be done in the world of
countering international terrorism, starting with adding clarity to the work of defining the term.
Unfortunately, the spread of the ideology of violence is spreading fast at the rate, not quite
parallel to the pace of counter-terrorism strategy.
2016 INTERNATIONAL LAW COMMISSION ELECTION
2016 International Law Commission Election
International Law Commission (ILC) is a sub-organization established by the United
Nations General Assembly in 1948 for progressive development of international law and the
work of codification (GA Resolution A/RES/174(II)). The commission has strong foundation on
belief that “research and proposals put forward by various societies, institutions and individual
writers, has a considerable effect on the development of international law” (International Law
Commission, legal.un.org/ilc/). The organization elects 34 members, and in fact, the elected
professionals will act as individual legal experts, not representative to a certain state, for a term
of five years.
A former ILC member Ki-Gap Park, Professor of International Law at Korea University,
expressed willingness to run for re-election, and the two legal interns Ho-Sung Ahn and myself
4. were responsible in assisting the re-election campaign, as were the rest of the staffs in the Sixth
Committee. The Sixth Committee as a team had one objective: to acquire as many votes as
possible and lead positive results in the 2016 election. Legal Counsellor Jai-Ho Yang, who was
transferred to the permanent mission to the United Nations from Republic of Korea Ministry of
Justice a year and a half ago, became in charge of the election campaign as an election officer. I
followed his specific instructions in progressing with the campaign. In order to secure the
necessary votes needed, Professor Park had to meet as many voters, who are election officers in
each delegation. It was the primary responsibility of the interns to arrange the contacts whether it
be email, phone call, or person.
Simple tasks involved creating Microsoft Excel Sheet of ILC Election Officer contact
information, sending friendly regards to schedule bilateral meetings with our candidate,
coordinating dinner reception event, where candidates can potentially earn more electoral votes
through casual social interactions, and etc. At times, my responsibility extended to creating
rough drafts of official election report that were eventually submitted to the capital, and
contacting election officers or counsellors to collect documented written agreements regarding
the election interactions.
What I Learned from ILC Election
Managing election campaign required absolute accuracy as well as efficiency. Creating
and editing Excel sheet was a simple task, and yet the data information put into each cell had to
be complete without error. One of the common mistakes in the manual labor was misspelling the
names of diplomats. Making inputs of name, direct contact, email address, delegation, and
position of election officer repetitively for each of nearly all 193 member states was very much a
labor-intensive process indeed, and minor typological errors seemed forgivable, personally.
However, it was International Law Commission that the errors were being made to, and every
single act became part of diplomacy in the world of the United Nations. At technical level, it was
a matter of mispronouncing or misspelling a person’s name, but doing so at diplomatic level
meant disrespect and humiliation that led to the reputation of countries.
Proactive communication was another critical aspect of the election that I realized.
Counsellor Yang had his hands full partially with the ILC election but also with other legal
matters (maritime territory dispute and re-visit of San Francisco Treaty of 1951). Hence, it was
the responsibility of the interns to share the burden and move towards the goal together as a
team. Ironic as it may sound, having greater number of people for the task functioned as a
double-edged sword. It was a great advantage to have more people to increase productivity;
however, increase in the number also meant higher chance of miscommunication. The mistake I
often made was communicating with one delegation and failing to pass the message to my
colleague Ho-Sung Ahn or my supervisor Counsellor Yang. 2016 ILC election was a consecutive
mix of multi-tasking, change of plans, and long-enduring workload, but nevertheless a single
mistake could not be tolerated since ILC membership was at stake.
The most important lesson I learned from the 2016 ILC Election was in fact very simple
and basic: reciprocal support agreement. Reciprocal support agreement (RSA) refers to the
5. written contract that collectively takes place between the party of two states, which agree to
mutually support one another in the equivalent or separate election. Despite the significant input
that the election officers and interns made for additional support, majority of votes (130 out of
136) for Professor Park came from the written agreement. The work of election officers and legal
interns were no doubt crucial as they did indeed account for the successful re-election of
Professor Park. However, the oral agreement of support that the staffs collaboratively arranged,
no matter how strongly the invitees confirmed, were always subject to change without notice.
and that is precisely why RSA plays even more critical role. Working with ILC election allowed
me to see the overall picture of how the election works, and the election process, at least in
international communities such as UN, are strongly driven by diplomatic ties or friendly relations
rather than manual administrative effort.
How Could ILC Contribute to Countering Terrorism
International Law Commission represents collective efforts of the most qualified legal
professionals who create legal infrastructure that appropriately practice international law.
Although it may not be an executive branch of government nor law enforcement entity exerting
direct influence on international law, the work of the ILC has consistently been important
component of international law communities. Various draft codes and proposals prepared by the
Institute of Droit International, the International Law Association, and the Harvard Research in
International Law are some of the dedications organized by the ILC. These work have facilitated
the work of various other social and economic questions of international concern (International
Law Commission, Document A/AC/10.25).
Military or law enforcement officers work on site to fight terrorism on field; however,
more importantly, the ILC frame the necessary legal infrastructure, which international counter-
terrorism can act upon. Terrorism must be countered in appropriate measures, and such practice
involve countless legal disputes (maritime boundaries, transnational military action, aerospace
jurisdiction, and etc.). The work conveyed by 34 ILC members have great significance on
international law, and I believe it is a crucial step in maintaining global peace by mitigating
violent extremism.
WEEKLY PRESENTATION: UNIVERSAL JURISDICTION
Weekly Presentation: Universal Jurisdiction
Universal jurisdiction is defined as “a legal principle allowing or requiring a state to bring
criminal proceedings in respect of certain crimes irrespective of the location of the crime and the
nationality of the perpetrator or the victim (Randall, 1988).” In other words, it is a legal doctrine
that permits domestic courts to try and punish the most heinous crimes regardless of where they
occurred (AMICC, amicc.org). The concept of universal jurisdiction emerged most notably from
Nuremberg Trial of 1945, in which International Military Tribunal enforced principles of right or
wrong on Nazi Germany for “crimes against peace of the world (Jackson).” Over 200 German
6. defendants were tried for war crimes as a result. The key idea was that political authority for
Germany had been transferred to the Allied which prosecuted on violations of international law
and the laws of war. By exercising universal jurisdiction, the participating states address the
global common interest, if not obligation, to punish perpetrators of serious crimes. States may be
under pressure to pursue prosecutions due the presence of a perpetrator within the state and by
the desire for a nation’s territory not to be a safe haven for criminals. In some circumstances, the
court was limited to violations of the laws of war, and it did not have jurisdiction over crimes
that took place before the outbreak of World War II on September 1st, 1939.
Supporters of universal jurisdiction argue that the principle resolves the issues in
countries where it is impossible to prosecute crimes that perpetrators committed due to political
or military pressures. The Rwandan Genocide of 1994 resulted mass slaughter of nearly 800,000
people by gangs of Hutu extremist soldiers, and yet justice was not brought upon the responsible
government officials until International Criminal Court (ICC) intervened. International Criminal
Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) was established in November 1994 by the UN Security Council
Resolution 955 (TPIR), and the tribunal convicted 29 accused persons after finishing 50 trials by
2009. Similarly, International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) was established
to prosecute violent cases occurred during Yugoslav Wars, and several perpetrators were
indicted, including former President of the Republic of Serbian Krajina Goran Hadžić (Al-
jazeera, 2011).
.
What I learned from Researching Universal Jurisdiction
The First and the most important fact that I learned from universal jurisdiction is that
principle is yet imperfect. The idea itself of extending jurisdiction of court to prosecute the most
violent criminals is very admirable. The problem is that universal jurisdiction is not universal at
current state. The proceedings of the court have effect only within the established jurisdiction,
and the principle of universal jurisdiction applies only to those who ratified Rome Statute- the
124 states as of March 2016 (UN Treaty Database). The United Nations has 193 member states,
and the reality is that the jurisdiction of international law, though the expansion so far is
impressive, is simply not universal enough as judicial authority.
As learning about universal jurisdiction, I noticed that universal jurisdiction is also
heavily criticized for becoming politically partial, primarily favoring western states over those in
Africa. Court cases regarding massacres in Rwanda was submitted to International Criminal
Court on the basis of the violent nature of the crimes, but the same should apply to the other
states including the United States and the United Kingdom during Afghan or Iraq War. In many
countries, policies that George W. Bush and Dick Cheney adopted to fight terrorism continue to
ignite controversies- most notably the opening of the detainee center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba,
and the use of enhanced interrogation considered as torture. The heaviest criticism aimed at
universal jurisdiction, as reflected in the case of the US, is that the principle clashes with
sovereignty of the state.
7. In the case of Iraq, the ICC lacks jurisdiction for several reasons: first, Iraq is not a party
to the Rome Statute that established the court, and second the UN Security Council did not
referred the situation to the ICC. On the other hand, action on Afghanistan, which is an ICC
party, is more plausible, and the preliminary examination first made public in 2007 is ongoing
(Jacobson). However, it is reported that whether the court will actually proceed to a formal case
is uncertain.
Bush administration is constantly under allegations for the inhumane practice that took
place during military operations in the Middle East, but none of the legal procedures that took
place in genocides in Africa have been applied. The only pressure that the former American
government is under is cancellation of his trip to Geneva, Switzerland, to address the United
Israel Appeal in 2011. His reason for the action reportedly stemmed from concerns about
protests, but evidences indicate that he is not exempt from possibility of being under custody as
application of international law- just as Donald Rumsfeld was pulled out of conference in
Germany in 2005 for similar allegations (MacAskill & Hirsch, 2011).
Universal Jurisdiction Can Extend the Scope of Counter-Terrorism
The terrorism is no longer rooted to specific religious beliefs nor local regional
foundations. Continuous military operations have indeed successfully eliminated the top priority
list of terrorist leaders: Osama Bin Laden was ambushed by Navy Seal Six and the influence of
Al-Qaida severely diminished as a result. The US has been taking aggressive action against
Taliban in the Middle East; however the War on Terror, initiated by Bush administration in 2001
seems to be ending not anytime soon.
The biggest problem is that terrorism has learned to adapt to the resistance, evolving into
a new form. The revenue streams of terrorists have been developing in complexity (hijacking,
kidnapping for ransom, illicit drug trafficking, and etc.) that it is getting more and more difficult
to track them. Though heavily centralized in the Middle East before, terrorist groups have
expanded the scope of its stations globally, and the same trend applies to its target regions.
Recently emerged terrorist organization ISIL is reported to expand its stations towards West
Africa as well as South-East Asia, and the foreign terrorist fighters (FTF) who work for the
group has not hesitated to launch attacks in Western Europe. As a result, the city of Paris,
Orlando, Istanbul, and Dhakar have been under attack in the last six year, and severe casualties
were taken in each state. Most notable is the use of social networking that groups as such utilize
in organizing activities or recruiting members, and surprising number of young recruits have
been introduced to the organization through such routes.
If the target is moving trans-national fashion, so should the measure to counter them.
Domestic jurisdiction of court can no longer fight the exponentially growing trend of terrorism.
A stronger and more absolute measure must take place to spread the awareness that violent acts
putting aggression against states but also against children, women, and other vulnerable civilians
must not be tolerated. Only if member states of UN can fully understand the potential of
adopting universal jurisdiction, can the terrorist movement be constrained greater on legal
grounds and eventually on sight.
8. WEEKLY PRESENTATION:
SECURITY COUNCIL vs INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE
The United Nations Security Council
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six principal organs of the
United Nations that visions the maintenance of international peace and security. The council
works towards achieving global security through peaceful measures but at the same time does
not hesitate in authorizing force when necessary: establishment of special political unit (SPU),
impose of international sanctions, and the authorization of military action through peacekeeping
operations (PKO). Authorization of force indicate the only legal binding force allowed within the
United Nations that make exception to the rule of sovereignty, and all 193 member states of UN
have the obligation to comply to the resolutions passed by the Security Council, unless vetoed by
the Council itself (explained in the next paragraph).
The Security Council consists of fifteen members. Russian Federation, the United
Kingdom, France, Republic of China, and the United States serve as the body's five permanent
members. They have the authority to veto any substantive Security Council resolution, including
the admission of new member states or candidates for Secretary-General. The Council also has
ten non-permanent members, who are elected on a regional basis to serve for two years. The
body's presidency rotates monthly among its members. Critics of the council often describe it as
an undemocratic international body, and argue it fails its principal task, mainly because of the
veto power of the permanent members.
The International Court of Justice
On the other hand, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the primary judicial branch
of the United Nations (UN). Founded in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, the court
settles disputes submitted by states in legal means and provides advisory opinions on legal
questions submitted by duly authorized international branches and agencies of the UN. All 193
members of the UN are parties to the Court's statute in accordance with Article 93 of the Charter,
and non-members may also become part of it following protocols of the Article 93(2).
Unfortunately, as stated in previous paragraphs, being a party to the statute does not guarantee
the Court jurisdiction over disputes involving the parties in regards to sovereignty issues.
Security Council vs International Court of Justice
Article 94 establishes the duty of all UN members to comply with decisions of the Court
involving them. If parties do not comply, the issue may be taken before the Security Council for
enforcement action. Such a method of enforcement became a controversy, because if the
judgment is against one of the permanent five members of the Security Council or its allies, any
resolution on enforcement would then be vetoed. For example, after the Nicaragua case, when
9. Nicaragua brought the issue of the unlawful military intervention and invasion of the United
States, therefore the noncompliance with the Court's decision, before the Security Council, the
US vetoed the UNSC decision rightfully as a permanent member. Furthermore, if the Security
Council refuses to enforce a judgment against any other state, there is no method of forcing the
state to comply, and such action for the Security Council is justified under Chapter VII of the
United Nations Charter for the sake of international peace and security
The relationship between the International Court of Justice and the Security Council, and
the separation of their powers, was considered by the Court in 1992 in the Lockerbie case. On
December 21, 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 was blown up over Lockerbie, Scotland. The
investigation led to two Libyan nationals as primary suspects, and the United States along with
the United Kingdom demanded the surrender of the two based on the rights of diplomatic
protection. Problem arose when Libyan government refuse to comply.
Regarding the conflict, the Court considered an application from Libya to protect its
rights, which, it alleged, that were being threatened by the United Kingdom and United States
through sanctions. The problem was that economic sanctions had been authorized by the Security
Council, resulting in a potential conflict between the functions of the Security Council and the
judicial authority of the Court. The Court decided, by eleven votes to five, that rights and
therefore the requests claimed by Libya legitimate and declared the argument of Libya
admissible eventually. A decision on the merits has not been given since the parties (United
Kingdom, United States, and Libya) settled the case out of court in 2003.
What I Learned from Security Council vs International Court of Justice
Both Security Council and International Court of Justice represent each of six principal
organs of the United Nations. The two cooperate in the work of maintaining international peace
as well as security, but I acknowledge how the two can conflict as separate branches of power
(judicial and executive). I learned that there is imbalance of power between the two branches,
and the imbalance raises concern in the issue of equality.
Security Council, especially the permanent five members, have absolute authority of
legal binding force as well as the right to veto resolutions. The system is designed to best
respond to immediate concern to international peace indeed; however the overwhelming hands of
the permanent five have occasionally put the power of the Council into the hands of certain states
that look out for their own security. Veto power of the permanent five have historically used not
necessarily to maintain peace but to protect themselves from the United Nations passing
resolutions, which could potentially become risk.
In contrary, power of the International Court of Justice is not binding enough, despite
being the heart of judicial system for not only the organization but also for the international
communities. UN Charter clearly states the legal binding force of Security Council, while the
same does not apply to ICJ- rather, its jurisdiction is limited to UN member states and is
constantly fogged by sovereignty of states. I believe that the Court is the only exclusive organ
10. that can surveillance the miscarriage of justice taking place within Security Council; however the
it lacks the legal grounds to demonstrate so.
Article 1 of the UN Charter clearly iterates that all states within the United Nations are
equal. Unfortunately, the structure of the organization and unequal distribution of power among
UN demonstrate partiality among the branches as well as states. I acknowledged the need to re-
balance the authorities of the branches, especially Security Council and International Court of
Justice, and improve the system as whole.
Well-Balanced Relations between United Nations Security Council and International Court
of Justice Could be a New Threat to International Terrorism
International Court of Justice (ICJ) provided legal foundation, on which violent
extremists can be prosecuted in justice, and the UN Security Council has the legally binding
force that can put together all 193 member states against terrorist groups such as ISIL. The
unfolding truth is that the relationship between the two principal organs of UN is very much
symbiotic: existence of one benefits the other. International Court of Justice functions on behalf
of law and the very principle of it.
The only problem with the work of ICJ is that it has major blindsides where terrorists can
take shelter in: sovereignty of each state. Terrorists have no jurisdiction, and it is precisely the
reason why Al-Qaida launched attack on US soil on September 11th, 2001. On the other hand,
courts do, and International Court of Justice is no exception. While universal jurisdiction takes
the long course of development, there needs to be a stronger and immediate measure to pressure
against violent activities.
Security Council is surely condemned for the exclusive power privilege only to the five
permanent-member states, but the advantage of the perspective is that all five states strongly
condemn, as do the rest of the 188 members of the United Nations, the actions taken by ISIL,
Taliban, Al-Qaida, and etc. The resolutions proposed in Security Council are quickly passed, and
more importantly they put the member states under compliance to the resolutions, setting forth
the best jurisdiction for countering terrorism.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
Conclusion
The idea of working with the Sixth Committee, Legal Team, was so broad that I was
intimidated by the extensive work of the organization at first. But time was very generous to me,
and as I steadily comprehended the nature of work better, I was able to narrow down to one topic
of interest that striked me: combating terrorism at level of international law.
As previously mentioned, law does not act as an absolute solutions to the problem of
terrorism that I address hereby in the essay. Universal jurisdiction has been continuously
criticized for the inconsistency of punishing serious crimes of some but not all. African member
states expressed resentment towards the imbalance of prosecutions of war crimes that
11. aggressively embarked on individuals in the region but not the ones in the Western region.
African Union have taken stance against adopting universal jurisdiction along with other legal
measures as a form of protest against such bias.
As is the case with universal jurisdiction, not all agree with the principles of law.
However, without law, there is no order in the system. Some may disagree but law stands in the
side of justice, for the innocent individuals who are perpetrated by groups of violent extremists,
and I have faith that international law is the hope of countering terrorism that has been growing
internationally.
Though not an immediate action strategy for countering terrorism, activities of
International Law Commission can provide legal backbones to fight violent terrorist acts with the
help of most qualified experts on international law. Universal jurisdiction, if properly applied
and expanded, could provide a network of legal system where serious crimes can be prosecuted
anywhere without being limited by jurisdiction issues. Lastly, there has to be a well-balanced
scope of power exchanged between the United Nations Security Council and the International
Court of Justice in order to prosecute the perpetrators of violent actions and put the states under
compliance to resolutions.
12. WORK CITED
American Non-Governmental Organizations Coalition for the International Criminal Court,
“US Case Law Citing to the Rome Statute”, Program of Columbia University Institute for
the Study of Human Rights, 2016
Explainer: Yugoslavia War Crimes Tribunal, “International Criminal Tribunal for the Former
Yugoslavia was the First Body Created to Prosecute War Crimes Since 1945”, Al Jazirra,
English, 20 July, 2011.
Kenneth C. Randall, 'Universal jurisdiction under international law', Texas Law Review, No. 66
(1988), pp. 785-8: International Law Association Committee on International Human
Rights Law and Practice, 'Final Report
International Law Commission, “Note on the Private Codification of Public International Law”,
Document A/AC.10.25
Jacobson, Louis. “Are George W. Bush, Dick Cheney unable to visit Europe due to threat of
arrest?” Politifact: Winner of Pulitzer Prize, July 17th 2014
MacAskill, Ewen. Hirsch, Afua. “Bush Calls off Trip to Switzerland” The Guardian, Human
Rights, 2016 Guardian News and Media Limited, February 6 2011
The United Nations General Assembly, Resolutions Adopted by the General Assembly During
Its Second Session, Agenda Item 174(II)
Tribunal pénal international pour le Rwanda (TPIR)"International Tribunal for the Prosecution
of Persons Responsible for Genocide and Other Serious Violations of International
Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of Rwanda and Rwandan Citizens
Responsible for Genocide and Other Such Violations Committed in the Territory of
Neighbouring States, between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1994", French.
“United Nations Treaty Database Entry Regarding the Rome Statute of the International
Criminal Court”, United Nations Treaty Collection, 10 March 2010.
Walter, Christian, ‘Defining Terrorism in National and International Law’, Terrorism as a
Challenge for National and International Law: Security versus Liberty?, Berlin /
Heidelberg (Springer 2003)