Sandip Kumar Mishra
North Korea has been consistent and uncompromising in its pursuit of nuclear weapons and their delivery systems. In 2017, on an average, North Korea carried out missile tests every 2.6 weeks. The North Korean pursuit has brought unimagined success to its nuclear and missile programmes. It is undeniable that Pyongyang is quite close to having its Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM). North Korea already possessed the capacity to reach any part of the Northeast Asia; and its great leap in the past few months towards attaining the capability to reach the US would definitely change the security equation in the region.
Earlier, the US had the leisure to follow a policy of ‘strategic patient’ with North Korea, but now, North Korean belligerence has been increasing at an alarming pace and the Washington needs to formulate and execute its Pyongyang policy immediately.
Unfortunately, contrary to Pyongyang’s consistency, the US’ responses have till now been confused and insufficient. The US administration led by President Donald Trump has been attempting various strategies simultaneously in a highly incoherent manner. There are statements by US policymakers that do not give any sense of a policy. For example, the US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, stated that the US was keeping all the options, including the military one, on table with regard to the issue of North Korea. On the other hand, in early August, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the US is not pushing for regime change in North Korea. He said, “we do not seek a regime change, we do not seek the collapse of the regime, we do not seek an accelerated reunification of the peninsula, we do not seek an excuse to send our military north of the 38th parallel.” He acknowledged that confrontation with North Korea could be catastrophic and the US would prefer negotiations backed by economic pressure. Meanwhile, the Director of the CIA, Mike Pompeo, who may become the next US National Security Advisor, does not seem to share Tillerson’s views. On 20 July, he signaled that regime change in North Korea would be a better option. Even Vice President Mike Pence indicated that talks with North Korea were not on table in the given circumstances.
In a more outrageous statement, US’ Republican Senator Lindsey Graham stated that Trump told him he was “willing to go to war with North Korea if they (North Korea) continued to try to hit America with an ICBM.” He further quoted Trump that "if there's going to be a war to stop him (Kim Jon-un), it will be over there. If thousands die, they will die over there. They're not going to die over here. If Graham’s revelations are true, it is quite contrary to Trump’s earlier stand in when he had said that he would be ‘honoured’ to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for talks. These flip-flops in the US policy on regime change, talks, and military actions and economic sanctions are unlikely to fetch any positive result on the issue. Rather it would make North Korea further suspicious about the US intent.
The next challenge for the US administration is regarding winning China’s support in the process of denuclearisng North Korea. Here too, US policy makers have been making contradictory remarks. In fact, Trump himself was quite appreciative of the Chinese President Xi Jinping and in April 2017, he said, “I have great confidence that China will properly deal with North Korea.” However, in July 2017, Trump tweeted that “I am very disappointed in China… they do nothing for us with North Korea, just talks.”
Another incoherence in the US policy emanates from the fact that two of its important allies in East Asia – Japan and South Korea – appear to have different approach towards North Korea. Whereas, Japan under Shinzo Abe prefers continuation or rather augmentation of tough approach in dealing with North Korea; and South Korean President Moon Jae-in is placating North Korea for talks. The Trump administration needs to coordinate its policy with them and it has not been easy till now.
While North Korea is determined to acquire nuclear weapons and long-range missiles, the US administration has responded with acrobatic stances, which may look interesting and news-worthy but has had no positive impact on the ground. Actually, these stances of the US may further deteriorate the security situation in the region instead of improving it.
There could be two explanations for the US’ flip-flops: One, Trump has gathered incompatible people around himself and they are just fumbling in dark; or two, most policy makers in the Trump administration are basically hardliners who want military action on North Korea but since China does not allow it, they are in a fix. It is also possible that both explanations are simultaneously applicable. Whatever the explanation for the US’ flip-flops on North Korea, Washington must realise that unless its North Korea policy becomes consistent, coherent and coordinated, there could be dangerous consequences.
14 Aug 2017
12 Aug 2017
UN World Food Program Innovation Accelerator for Zero Hunger 2017
Application Deadline: 21st August 2017
Eligible Countries: All
To Be Taken At (Country): The Accelerator is based in Munich, Germany.
About the Award: WFP’s Innovation Accelerator identifies, nurtures and scales bold solutions to hunger globally. We support WFP intrapreneurs and external start-ups and companies from our home in Munich, Germany, through financial support, access to a network of experts and a global field reach.
Based in Munich, Germany, the WFP Innovation Accelerator helps identify, develop and roll out bold new ideas for a world with zero hunger.
As of July 2017, more than 20 internal-WFP innovation projects are being supported that address a range of challenges—from blockchain to improving farmers’ access to critical market and weather information. Innovation projects supported by the Accelerator receive financial support worth USD 50-100,000 for a three- to six-month sprint, hands-on support, strategic guidance and access to a global network of experts and partners.
As of July 2017, more than 20 internal-WFP innovation projects are being supported that address a range of challenges—from blockchain to improving farmers’ access to critical market and weather information. Innovation projects supported by the Accelerator receive financial support worth USD 50-100,000 for a three- to six-month sprint, hands-on support, strategic guidance and access to a global network of experts and partners.
The Accelerator believes the way forward in the fight against hunger is not necessarily in building grand plans, but identifying and testing solutions in an agile way. It is a space where the world can find out what works and what doesn’t in addressing hunger – a place where we can be bold, and fail as well as succeed.
Type: Entrepreneurship
Eligibility: The WFP Innovation Accelerator seeks high-potential solutions that tackle some of the biggest challenges in both humanitarian and development aid.
Value of Award:
- Seed & Scale-Up Funding
- Network & Mentorship
- Access to WFP Operations
Duration of Program: 3 – 6 months
How to Apply: Apply to the WFP Innovation Accelerator
Award Providers: United Nations World Food Program
United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Tokyo Sustainable Development Goals Student Photo Contest 2017
Application Deadline: 30th August 2017
Eligible Countries: All
About the Award: This contest aims to encourage students to “reflect on sustainable development from his or her own perspective, express it through a photo, and share it with others.” We welcome photos that tell a story; they may come in a journalistic form, presenting a clear problem, or may be abstract and creative, representing your ideas and thoughts. What can you do to change the world? How will the SDGs influence the way you think or act? How can you inform your friends, family, and community members of social issues and prompt them to take action?
The answers to these questions will become key to achieving the SDGs. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity and apply.
Type: Contest
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be presently enrolled in university – college and undergraduate students, graduate students, or vocational school students (Entries from applicants of any nationality, including those living abroad are welcome)
- Submission of a Student ID or relevant IDs to prove one’s being a student is required at a later point.
- A maximum of 3 photos per person that have messages concerning the SDGs may be submitted.
- If 4 or more photos are submitted, the 3 latest photos will be viable.
- Be sure to include the title and/or coments of your pieces in English or Japanese.
Value and Number of Awards: (subject to change depending on the content and number of applications):
・Grand Prize (Foreign Minister’s Award) 1 Prize
・Award of Excellence 3 Prizes
・Special Award (TOGETHER Award) 1 Prize
・Special Award (Concept Award) 1 Prize
・Award of Recognition
・Grand Prize (Foreign Minister’s Award) 1 Prize
・Award of Excellence 3 Prizes
・Special Award (TOGETHER Award) 1 Prize
・Special Award (Concept Award) 1 Prize
・Award of Recognition
Grand Prize (Foreign Minister’s Award) for 1 Person
– Prize Money JPY100,000
– Nikon D7500 18-140 VR Lens Kit
– SIGMA 30mm F1.4 DC HSM|Art
– Goods with UN・SDGs logo
– Leslie Kee’s Photobook
– Getty Images’ Photobook
– Prize Money JPY100,000
– Nikon D7500 18-140 VR Lens Kit
– SIGMA 30mm F1.4 DC HSM|Art
– Goods with UN・SDGs logo
– Leslie Kee’s Photobook
– Getty Images’ Photobook
Award of Excellence for 3 Persons
– Prize Money JPY20,000
– Nikon D5600 18-140 VR Lens Kit
– Gift certificate provided by SIGMA (JPY10,000)
– Goods with UN・SDGs logo
– Leslie Kee’s Photobook
– Getty Images’ Photobook
– Prize Money JPY20,000
– Nikon D5600 18-140 VR Lens Kit
– Gift certificate provided by SIGMA (JPY10,000)
– Goods with UN・SDGs logo
– Leslie Kee’s Photobook
– Getty Images’ Photobook
Special Awards:
TOGETHER Award for 1 Person
– 5 printed t-shirts with submitted photograph and TOGETHER logo
– UNIQLO gift card (JPY5,000)
– Goods with UN・SDGs logo
– Leslie Kee’s Photobook
– Getty Images’ Photobook
TOGETHER Award for 1 Person
– 5 printed t-shirts with submitted photograph and TOGETHER logo
– UNIQLO gift card (JPY5,000)
– Goods with UN・SDGs logo
– Leslie Kee’s Photobook
– Getty Images’ Photobook
Concept Award for 1 Person
– Membership to iStock, a community of creative photographers worldwide
– Portfolio review by the Art Directors of Getty Images
– Goods with UN・SDGs logo
– Leslie Kee’s Photobook
– Getty Images’ Photobook
– Membership to iStock, a community of creative photographers worldwide
– Portfolio review by the Art Directors of Getty Images
– Goods with UN・SDGs logo
– Leslie Kee’s Photobook
– Getty Images’ Photobook
Award of Recognition
– Goods with UN・SDGs logo
– Leslie Kee’s Photobook
– Getty Images’ Photobook
– Goods with UN・SDGs logo
– Leslie Kee’s Photobook
– Getty Images’ Photobook
Timeline/Duration of Program: The announcement of the results and the awards ceremony is scheduled to be held in conjunction with United Nations Day, on 24 October.
How to Apply: ENTER NOW
Award Providers: UNIC Tokyo, Sophia University with special cooperation from Getty Images Japan.
OECD International African Economic Forum Video Contest for Young African Entrepreneurs (Win a trip to Paris) 2017
Application Deadline: 4th September 2017, at 00:00 (Paris time).
Eligible Countries: African countries
To Be Taken At (Country): Paris, France
About the Award: The 2017 International African Economic Forum will be held in Paris on October 4th 2017, gathering OECD officials and African policy makers, private sector, academia and civil society leaders. Following this year’s theme, “Entrepreneurs and industrialisation in Africa“, young entrepreneurs from Africa are invited to take part in a video contest for the chance to win a trip to Paris, to participate in the Forum and to present their video!
The Challenge is to make a short video (3 minutes maximum), that addresses the theme Entrepreneurs in Africa: What does it mean to be an entrepreneur in Africa today? What are your views on the future of entrepreneurs in your country? What are the difficulties that you encounter and what policies would help your enterprise? What does your day-to-day life look like as an entrepreneur in your country?
Type: Entrepreneurship, Contest
Eligibility: Candidate must be between 18-35 years old, and a resident in Africa during the period of this competition (31 July 2017 to 4 October 2017)
Number of Awards: Not specified
Value of Award: Selected candidates will win a trip to Paris, to participate in the Forum. Flight and lodging for the duration of two days will be provided. The winning video will be shown at the Africa Forum on 4 October 2017 and widely distributed through the OECD websites and social media channels.
Timeline of Program: 2 days. The 2017 International African Economic Forum will be held in Paris on October 4th 2017
How to Apply: In order to send your video, you must complete and submit this electronic Registration Form (which will include a link to your video on YouTube).
Award Providers: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
ConDev Media Grants Award for Student Photojournalists Worldwide 2017
Application Deadline: 30th September 2017
Eligible Countries: All
About the Award: ConDev’s Student Media Grants award up to $5,000 to current students interested in capturing conflict-related issues facing fragile and conflict-affected areas of the world through stunning photography. Past winners have traveled to and produced photography highlighting issues in Turkey, Nigeria, Kenya, Haiti, Ethiopia, Perú, and other conflict-affected regions.
Type: Contests/Award
Eligibility: The program is OPEN TO STUDENTS WORLDWIDE (undergraduate, graduate, PhD, etc.). Students graduating in December 2017-May 2018 are also eligible to apply.
Number of Awards: Not specified
Value of Award: USD$5000
Timeline/Duration of Program:
- October 2017: Review Period – please be patient as we review your incredible proposals!
- December 2017: Notification Period (approximate)
- January 2018 (Depending on proposal timeline): Funding Disbursement (approximate)
- January-December 2018: Grant winners travel and implement their photojournalism projects
How to Apply: Applicants should write and submit a proposal. Instructions for writing a winning proposal are contained in the Program Webpage (See link below)
Proposals should be submitted to condevcenter@condevcenter.org with “Student Media Grant: [Name of Student]” as the subject line. Only one proposal can be submitted per student.
Award Providers: Centre on Conflict and Development
CIMO Doctoral Fellowship for International Students 2018/2019
Application Deadline: There are no annual application deadlines in the CIMO Fellowship programme. Applications may be considered at all times. However, candidates should note that applications should be submitted at least 5 months before the intended scholarship period. Decisions will be made within approximately 3 months after receipt of application.
Offered annually? Yes
Eligible Countries: Open to applicants from all countries.
To be taken at (country): Finland
Eligible Fields of Study: All academic fields with the exception of the scholarships for advanced-level degree students of the Finnish language, which are specific to that particular field.
About the Award: Master’s level studies or post-doctoral studies/research are not supported in the programme.
The primary target group in the CIMO Fellowship programme are such Doctoral level students who will be doing their Doctorate (or Double Doctorate) at a Finnish university . Visiting Doctoral-level students and researchers who are doing their Doctorate degree at some foreign university can also be considered eligible, provided that the motivation letter of the hosting Finnish university department presents exceptionally good grounds for such an application.
The programme is open for applicants from all countries. However, when decisions on scholarship are made, emphasis is given to applicants from Russia, China, India, Chile, Brazil and North America.
Type: Doctoral
Eligibility: The visiting researcher must have established contacts with a Finnish host university
Number of Awardees: Not specified
Value of Scholarship: 1500 euros. The scholarship is intended to cover living expenses in Finland for a single person. No additional allowance for housing is paid. Expenses due to international travel to and from Finland are not covered by CIMO.
Duration of Award: 3 to 12 months
How to Apply: The application form for the CIMO Fellowship can be downloaded below. Additionally, the following attachments are required for a CIMO Fellowship application:
- A motivation letter from the applicant (the hosting university), max 1 page
- Complete CV of the scholarship candidate
- Research plan (3-5 pages)
Two printed and signed copies of the application with required attachments should be submitted to the following address:
CIMO, PO Box 343, 00531 Helsinki.
Candidates should mark the envelope with “CIMO Fellowships”.
Award Provider: Centre for International Mobility (CIMO)
Important Notes: The CIMO Fellowship is a start-up grant not a full degree scholarship, so if a candidate receives a CIMO Fellowship for 12 months, after that period the candidate is free to seek other sources of funding for the remaining period of their studies/research.
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme for International Students 2018/2019 – College of Business, CityU
Application Deadline:
- Application to RGC: 12 noon, 1st December 2017 (Hong Kong Time or GMT +8 hours)
- Application to CityU: 6th December 2017 (Hong Kong Time or GMT +8 hours)
Offered annually? Yes
Eligible Countries: International
To be taken at (University): City University of Hong Kong
Eligible Fields of Study:
- PhD Accountancy: Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Economics.
- PhD Economics: Economics, Finance, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering
- PhD Finance: Finance, Accounting, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Management Science
- PhD Information Systems: Information Systems, Computer Science, Business Administration, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Engineering
- PhD Management: Human Resource Management, Business Studies/Administration, Management, Psychology, Sociology, Hotel Management
- PhD Marketing: Marketing Management, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Supply Chain Management
- PhD Management Sciences: Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Computer Science, Engineering, Management Science, Information Systems
About the Award: Established by the Research Grants Council (RGC) since 2009, the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme has brought over talented students from around the world to Hong Kong to undertake PhD studies.
Type: Fellowship, PhD
Eligibility: Candidates should demonstrate outstanding qualities in the following:
- Academic performance (a minimum GPA 3.7/4)
- Research ability and potential
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Leadership abilities
Applicants from an institution where the language of teaching is not English should satisfy the following minimum requirements set by the College of Business, CityU: a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) or 79 (internet-based); or an overall band score of 6.5 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Selection Criteria: Candidates seeking admission to PhD studies at CityU should satisfy the following minimum entrance requirements:
- hold a higher degree by research (or equivalent qualification) from a recognised university;
- or hold a taught Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification) from a recognised university;
- or hold a Bachelor’s degree with first class honours (or equivalent qualification) from a recognised university.
Number of Awardees: Several
Value of Fellowship: The Fellowship will provide:
- a monthly stipend of HK$20,000 (~US$2,564);
- a conference and research related travel allowance of HK$10,000 (~US$1,282) per year for a maximum period of three years.
In addition, CityU will:
- provide a monthly studentship at the same level as the Fellowship awarded by the RGC for the fourth year of study of the Fellowship awardees who are admitted to a 4-year PhD programme in 2017-18;
- offer the “Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies Entrance Scholarships” (around HK$69,096), covering students’ full-time tuition fees and on-campus hostel accommodation expenses in their 1st year of research studies.
Duration of Fellowship : 3 years
How to Apply: Visit Fellowship Webpage to apply
Award Provider: College of Business, City University
Important Notes: Application results will be announced in March 2018
Elisabeth & Amelie Grants for Students from Developing Countries Studying in Belgium 2018
Application Deadline: 23rd October, 2017
Offered annually? Yes
Eligible Countries: Students from a developing country studying in Belgium
To be taken at (country): A developing country (Candidate’s home country)
Eligible Field of Study: Master’s level degree (master’s, specialisation master’s or a second bachelor’s degree) that is linked to water management.
About the Award: Here, the Elisabeth & Amelie Fund takes into consideration an integrated approach to water management that includes technical and/or sociological aspects.
The internship will take place in a developing country (the student’s country of origin or another country). It will be tied to a master’s thesis or an equivalent) and under the responsibility of the Belgian academic institution where the student is studying.
Type: Grants
Selection Criteria:
- Objective. The internship is linked to the access to water or its management in developing countries and must be clearly part of the subject of the candidate’s end of year project.
- Pertinence. The work undertaken by the candidate at local level and the results that emanate from this deal with important local issues.
- Capabilities. The budget requested must match the candidate’s needs. He/She must have sufficient resources to complete the internship under the required conditions.
- Innovation. The approach that the candidate chooses for his/her internship or the framework within which he/she intends to work is different from the usual approaches or frameworks.
- Impact. The expected results should bring sustainable change for the people concerned at local level.
Number of Awardees: 10
Value of Scholarship: The grant will cover the expenses inherent to the internship, up to a maximum of €5.000.
Duration of Scholarship: The internship, which should last 1 to 2 months, must take place between December 2017 and the end of August 2018.
How to Apply: Complete your Application Form online
- Download the annex(es) that have to be completed for your application form
Award Provider: King Baudouin Foundation
200 ABE Initiative Masters Scholarship + Internship Program for African Students 2018 – Japan
Application Period: August 2017 to October 2017
Offered annually? Yes
Eligible Countries: African countries
Eligible Group: Target participants are from among the following three types of personnel.
- Persons from the Private Sector
Young individuals who are or will be involved in economic activities in the local private sector maintaining and developing strong ties with Japanese companies. - Governmental Officials
Young officials, such as civil servants, who take part in governance and policy-making in order to enhance industries to whose development Japanese companies can contribute, and has a recommendation by a Japanese company. - Educators
Young individuals who are responsible for educating in Higher Education and TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) institutions in Africa, in order to enhance capacity building in related industries, and has a recommendation by a Japanese company.
To be taken at (country): Japan
Eligible Field of Study: In this program, participants will be accepted in any fields of study for master’s courses at Japanese universities while engineering, agriculture and economics/business administration are specified as key fields. Proposed research topics must be relevant to the program objectives to form network of potential contributors to the development of African industries, who have strong ties with Japanese companies.
A full list of eligible study fields can be found on the scholarship webpage (link below)
About the Award: The objective of the ABE Initiative master’s degree and internship program is to support young personnel who have the potential to contribute to the development of industries in Africa. This programme offers opportunities for young African men and women to study at master’s courses in Japanese universities as international students (hereafter referred to as participants) and experience internships at Japanese enterprises. The aim is for them to develop effective skills in order for them to contribute to various fields. Beyond acquisition of skills and knowledge, this program also intends to cultivate excellent personnel who can recognize and understand the contexts of Japanese society and systems of Japanese enterprises. The expected outcome of the program is a network of potential contributors to the development of African industries who will also lead Japanese businesses to engage further in economic activities in Africa.
JICA has been appointed to implement a master’s degree and internship program within the ABE initiative framework developed for countries whose official requests have been approved by the Government of Japan.
Offered Since: 2011
Type: Masters, Internship
Eligibility:
- Citizens of one of the 54 African countries
- Between 22 and 39 years old (as of April 1st in the year of you arrival in Japan)
- A bachelor’s degree
- Applicants from government sectors/ educators who have both of the following:
-At least 6 months working experience at their current organization -Permission from their current organization to apply
- Have adequate English proficiency, both in written and oral communication (IELTS score of over 5.5 is preferred)
- Clearly understand the objective of this program and have a strong will to contribute to the industrial development of their country while broadening and strengthening the linkage between their country and Japan
- Not currently applying or planning to apply to scholarship programs offered by other organizations
- Have good health condition, both physically and mentally, to complete the program
Number of Awardees: 200 participants from the 54 countries in Africa
Value of Scholarship and Internship: JICA will provide the following expenses for participant of the program which is equivalent to similar JICA schemes.
- Tuition at Japanese university master’s degree programs (and research student)
- Allowances for living expenses, outfit, shipping etc.
- A round-trip airfare
- Expenses for support programs during the study in Japan, including the costs of observation tours and internship
- Other costs should be covered by the participants’ organizations or other individuals.
Participants are not allowed to work while their stay in Japan.
Duration of Scholarship and Internship: It is expected that the duration of stay in Japan will be a maximum of 3 years. (6 months as a research student, 2 years as a student for master course and 6 months as an intern)
How to Apply: Visit the scholarship webpage to apply
Award Provider: The African Business Education Initiative for Youth (ABE Initiative)
Rotary Yoneyama Foundation Undergraduate, Masters and PhD Scholarships for International Students 2018/2019
Application Deadline: 16th October 2017 1:00P.M. Japan time for both April and Fall (September/October) 2018 Enrollment.
Offered annually? Yes
Eligible Countries: International
To be taken at (country): Japanese Universities and Graduate Schools
Eligible Field of Study: All courses offered by the Japanese University or Graduate School in Japan
About Scholarship: The Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation awards scholarships to overseas students who aspire to study or conduct research in Japanese universities or graduate schools. Its scholarship fund is supported by the contributions of Rotarians throughout Japan. The Foundation is Japan’s largest private scholarship organization, both in terms of program scale and number of scholarships awarded.
Rotary Yoneyama Scholarship for applicants residing abroad is for international students scheduled to enroll in a Japanese University or Graduate School. Applicants have to find out and apply a Japanese university or graduate school by themselves before they apply for this scholarship. And they are requested to submit the copy of the application for admission for the university / graduated school.
Type: Undergraduates, Master’s and PhD degree
Selection Criteria and Eligibility: The program’s eligibility requirements are as follows:
- Have already chosen the university or graduate school s/he will apply for
- Be in the process of applying for admission
- Be able to submit his/her letter of acceptance (an admission approval or a pre-arrival admission approval) under the schedule below.
- For April 2018 enrollment: Submit the letter of acceptance by the end of January 2018.
- For fall 2018 enrollment: Submit the letter of acceptance by the end of June 2018.
Number of Scholarships: several
Value of Scholarship:
- Undergraduates: 100,000 yen per month
- Masters students: 140,000 yen per month
- Doctoral students: 140,000 yen per month
Only for the first year of the scholarship, a supplemental of 400,000 yen is provided upon arrival in Japan.
Duration of Scholarship: for the period of study
How to Apply
Visit scholarship website for details
Sponsors: Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation
Important Notes: Only for the first year of the scholarship, a supplemental of 400,000 yen is provided after arrival in Japan and attending an orientation. Yoneyama scholars are to arrive in Japan prior to the month of their admission. Irrespective of the reason, if they do not arrive in Japan by the month that their scholarship will begin to be paid, they will lose their eligibility.
Handicapping Israel’s 6th War on Lebanon
Franklin Lamb
For Israel, it’s widely predicted 6th war on Lebanon won’t be a repeat of June 1967, June 1973, or July 2006.
These days the US Congressional Israel lobby and its knee-jerk amen chorus are hyping what those still occupying Palestine refer to as its coming 3rd war in Lebanon. Reportedly, Israel is finalizing elaborate plans to once and for all eviscerate Hezbollah while accelerating the collapse of the Iranian theocracy with the claimed support of the White House and the Saudi block among many others.
According to a recent Lebanese public opinion poll Israel’s long expected invasion of Lebanon is also supported by approximately 80% of Lebanon’s Sunni Muslims, roughly 60-65 % of Lebanon’s Christians and a lesser percentage of Druze and other sects. This, despite the certain massive infrastructure damage and loss of civilian lives that the next war with Hezbollah will entail. The certain widespread death and destruction apparently being an acceptable price to rid Lebanon of what they claim is Iran’s colonization and Hezbollah’s forced supplication of their country.
In point of fact, when Israel next invades Lebanon it will constitute its 6th war on Lebanon, the earlier ones it chooses to ignore being the 1978 South Lebanon invasion up to the Litani River, the June 1982 invasion and 18 year occupation of South Lebanon, the July 1993 “Operation Accountability” , a devastating week-long relentless attack on Lebanon, the 1996 Operation Grapes of Wrath invasion of Lebanon and the 34 day July War of 2006. The latter killed more than 1300 Lebanese and wounded thousands while displacing more than one million Lebanese to Syria and elsewhere. Also killed in the July 2006 5th Israel-Lebanon war were 121 Israeli soldiers and 44 civilians.
Mindful that the next Israel-Hezbollah war could break out at any moment due to miscalculation, failure in communication, or uncontrolled escalation, circumspection is warranted in weighing Hezbollah and Israel’s military and political prospects briefly noted below.
Two of Israel’s many challenges during its 6th war on Lebanon will be Hezbollah’s massive military build-up with thousands of precision weapons and the growing Iranian domination in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Gulf. Both being constructed by Tehran to reach a strategic balance with Israel and gain the capability to massively damage Israel’s critical military assets and civilian infrastructure.
Israel, with less that 8% of Iran’s population and 3% of its size is also uniquely vulnerable to Hezbollah’s precision weapons given that it is a very small country with easily targeted infrastructures. For example, Israel’s electricity generation which produces roughly 16,000 MW of electricity clusters more than one-third (10 turbines) in only two well-known exposed locations which could be instantly destroyed by a small number of precision missiles. Hezbollah has exhibited to visitors its detailed maps of these facilities and many others which it also possesses for Israel’s natural gas infrastructure and its five sea water desalination facilities (which supply more than half of Israel’s drinking water) among many other exposed and easily targeted infrastructures as well as military bases and installations.
Israel must also decide exactly who during its next war its adversaries are. The obvious enemy is Hezbollah but increasingly perhaps also the Lebanese Republic. The reason is that Hezbollah has become the dominate political and military force in Lebanon.
For its part Israel has drawn red lines, including Hezbollah’s acquisition from Iran, and even its own production, of precision weapons inside Lebanon, as well as Iranian deployment to Syria for Hezbollah’s use of high impact Iranian weapon systems, including advanced surface-to-air missiles, coast-to-sea/coast missiles, and precision surface-to-surface missiles.
Unlike the July War of 2006, which some argue ended in more of less a draw, Hezbollah could draw on Iranian forces in Syria and according to Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah, in a widely criticized recent speech, scores of thousands of largely Shia People’s Mobilization Forces (PMF), also known as the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), from several countries in the region which it continues to help train, arm, command and sometimes fight alongside of. This major military asset, which could theoretically swarm northern and eastern Israel, did not exist in 2006 when Hezbollah and Israel last fought.
Another problem for Israel during its 6th war on Lebanon are Russia’s goals in Syria meaning that unleashed hostilities on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon could for any number of reasons spread into Syria. Israel-Hezbollah fighting that spreads into Syria, would likely interfere with Russian projects to establish its own order in Syria which surely would entail Russia having major influence on the warring parties conduct, restraint, and deployment as well as any settlement in Syria. Russia could well seek to thwart Israel’s political, strategic, and even operational freedom to act against Hezbollah along the Syria-Lebanon border so as to protect the Assad regime for its own future benefit. This could lead to Israel having to consider the Hezbollah, Syrian, and Lebanese theaters as one.
It’s true that Israeli public opinion suggests widespread support for another but less flawed war with Hezbollah than the 5th one in July of 2006, about which Israel’s military establishment has concluded that Israel relied too heavily on its air force wanting to spare ground troops.
Frankly, Tel Aviv officials and Israel lobby fanatics who claim that an Israeli 1967-like victory is possible and would achieve the elimination of Iran’s ambitions in the Levant and especially in Lebanon, while gutting Hezbollah while strengthening Israel’s regional deterrence appear somewhat delusional. The next war is a battle that will likely not be “won” by Israel and its realistic war aims will not match the damage it will suffer.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s Lebanese supporters are also increasingly having second thoughts about another Hezbollah-Israel war. Thirty years of “Resistance” hype has grown stale among a large segment of Lebanon’s Shia community who claim it’s irrelevant to their lives, where jobs and opportunities for their youth are scarce, and they being exploited by Hezbollah officials to advance Iranian not Lebanese interests.
In Hezbollah neighborhoods, its involvement in Syria, which began in 2011 on orders from Tehran has cost Lebanese Shia countless hundreds of well-paying jobs in the Gulf with many being expelled, amidst increased calls for all GCC countries to expel all Lebanese Shia. Sunni’s in Lebanon no longer hire Shia as before with the latter increasingly being insulted and referred to as “Persians.”
Increasingly vanishing from Lebanon’s Shia community, particularly among mothers, young wives, and families of its “martyrs” is the acceptance of the loss of as many as 3,500 of their sons, husbands and brothers to confront so-called “takfiri” in Syria. Nor do Hezbollah claims of taking revenge on “those who killed Hussein at Karbala” in 632 AD matter much anymore.
The loss of a son for his mother surely exceeds all other deprivations including lack of freedom and security. No longer acceptable is the short lived praise from Hezbollah officials, an envelope with some cash as “compensation” plus assurances of spiritual redemption from Al-Sayeda Zainab, granddaughter of the Prophet Mohammad.
Terrorism for Profit
Robert Koehler
Donald Trump stands cluelessly at the edge of history, exemplifying everything wrong with the past, oh, 10,000 years or so.
The necessity for fundamental change in humanity’s global organization is not only profound, but urgent.
Trump’s latest outburst about North Korea’s nukes — threatening that country “with fire, fury, and frankly power the likes of which the world has never seen before” — creates a comic book Armageddon scenario in the media, except, of course, his power to launch a nuclear war on impulse is real.
What this makes clear to me is that no one should have the authority — the power — to declare any war whatsoever. The fact that this is still possible, so many decades into human awareness of war’s utter insanity, reveals the paradox that civilization remains economically tied to its own destruction.
Another icon of this paradox is Erik Prince, immensely wealthy mercenary, notorious founder of the terror organization Blackwater, who had cozy ties to the Bush administration back when the 21st century’s endless wars were just getting underway and now, with another unelected Republican in the White House, has recently made a grab at the business opportunity still represented by these wars:
Let’s privatize the quagmire!
Sixteen years on, the war in Afghanistan is the longest in American history, and presently in a state of “stalemate,” according to the mainstream consensus that unquestioningly justifies this country’s ongoing militarism. For instance: “The U.S. can’t win but can’t afford to lose,” USA Today opined in a recent editorial about Afghanistan, inanely demanding that Trump “at least should decide what to do next” and setting the stage for Prince’s business plan, which is to restructure and privatize the war.
In an op-ed a few days ago in that same publication, Prince wrote: “The option to simply abandon Afghanistan is enticing but in the long run would be a foreign policy disaster. The Kabul government would collapse. Afghanistan would be a rallying cry for global jihadists.”
And suddenly there it was, the American paradox in full splendor: Oh yeah, we’re fighting terrorists. We have to keep killing people, keep pouring trillions of dollars into our wars, because bad people are out there threatening us because they hate our freedoms. And the guy reminding us of this is the founder of Blackwater, private contractor in Iraq, whose mercenaries were responsible for one of the most shocking acts of lethal aggression — a.k.a., terrorism — of the early years of that war.
Blackwater contractors were accused of “firing wildly into cars stalled in midafternoon traffic at Nisour Square on Sept. 16, 2007, pouring machine-gun bullets and grenades into crowds, including women clutching only purses and children holding their hands in the air,” as the Washington Post reminded us recently.
This act of carnage, in which 17 Iraqis were killed and 20 more injured, typifies what you might call American terrorism. It may, at some quasi-conscious level be religiously motivated. Indeed, Jeremy Scahill, reporting in 2009 for The Nation on the lawsuit filed on behalf of Iraqis harmed in the Nisour Square massacre, wrote that, according to a former Blackwater employee who testified in U.S. federal court during the trial:
“Prince ‘views himself as a Christian crusader tasked with eliminating Muslims and the Islamic faith from the globe,’ and . . . Prince’s companies ‘encouraged and rewarded the destruction of Iraqi life.’ . . .
Furthermore, Scahill wrote,
“Mr. Prince’s executives would openly speak about going over to Iraq to ‘lay hajiis out on cardboard.’ Going to Iraq to shoot and kill Iraqis was viewed as a sport or game. Mr. Prince’s employees openly and consistently used racist and derogatory terms for Iraqis and other Arabs, such as ‘ragheads’ or ‘hajiis.’”
This all fits quite horrifically into the definition of jihadism, or terrorism, but because it’s American, it brings something extra to the table as well. This is terrorism for profit. And it’s been going on for a long time, in a realm far bigger than that occupied by Erik Prince’s business interests. You could call it colonialism, or the domination complex. The world is ours. This is the “greatness” Trump sold to enough Americans to squeeze into the Oval Office.
Not only does he have no patience with a military stalemate in Afghanistan — “we aren’t winning, we’re losing” — but he can’t stand the fact that the shattered country’s mineral wealth isn’t in our hands.
At a recent, well-publicized meeting with his generals, Trump “lamented that China is making money off of Afghanistan’s estimated $1 trillion in rare minerals while American troops are fighting the war,” according to NBC News. “Trump expressed frustration that his advisers tasked with figuring out how the U.S. can help American businesses get rights to those minerals were moving too slowly, one official said. . . .
“The focus on the minerals was reminiscent of Trump’s comments early into his presidency when he lamented that the U.S. didn’t take Iraq’s oil when the majority of forces departed the country in 2011.”
Trump leads a political system that’s still grounded in the colonial era. His reckless arrogance is its global face. He stares at the audacity of nuclear-armed North Korea and threatens to blow it to kingdom come, imagining that there will be profit to reap in the aftermath.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)