Trump’s Attack on Syria – an Accepted Crime

By Emilia KLIX

It was not the first time that an attack with chemical weapons in Syria shocked the world. Already in August of 2013, Bashar al-Assad’s regime decided to use chemical weapons, resulting in a massacre in the region of Ghuta. On the 4th of April 2017, the city of Chan Schaichun suffered an attack with chemical poison – the alleged attacker being once again Assad.

This time, the international community did not react solely with diplomatic urges. The President of the United States, Donald Trump, attacked a Syrian Air Force base shortly after on the 7th of April.

From the perspective of law, this was neither an act of self-defence, nor was it an authorized attack by the United Nations Security Council. This means that it was an act of aggression, which is strictly forbidden by international law. Nevertheless, Trump’s actions were not interpreted as a crime by the international community. Many, including the German chancellor Angela Merkel as well as the former French President François Hollande, did not condemn the US attack, but supported it. Vladimir Putin, on the other hand, issued a statement highly criticising Trump – however, the number of supporters did exceed the critics.

The question remaining is: in times where the international community supports an act such as the one by the United States – is it time to update international law on the topic of war? The leaders of politics should find an answer to this question soon.

Jerusalem—the Deal of the Century?

By Jenany VETHANAYAGAM

May 2018- President Trump’s top aides and supporters were celebrating the opening of the new United States of America’s embassy in Jerusalem amid deadly clashes along the Israeli- Palestinian border. A day before the opening, Israel hosted a gala with Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

“President Trump, by recognizing history, you have made history.” — PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Israeli army killed at least 52 Palestinians during the mass protests along the Gaza border, which occurred at the same time as time as the opening of the United States of America’s embassy by Ivanka Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu. This marks the deadliest day of violence there since the devastating 2014 cross-border war.

In a video message played at the embassy inauguration, Donald Trump said “facilitating a lasting peace agreement” between Israelis and Palestinians. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas halted ties with the Trump administration declaring it unfit to remain in its role as the sole mediator in peace talks. Now what will be the reaction of all the United Nations? Will Jerusalem to be filled with conflicts or is peace possible?

“No cause can justify such violence” – UN condemns suicide bombing in Kabul

By Alexandra LUX

On June 4th, about 2000 members of the religious body Afghan Ulema Council had gathered in Kabul from all around the country to promote peace when a suicide attack killed at least seven members.

According to CBS Interactive, it is probable that the attack in Afghanistan’s capital is the latest in a series of attacks by Islamic militants in Kabul, whereby both the Taliban and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have taken hundreds of lives within the last months.

While Islamic militants seem to spread in the heart of Afghanistan, the question of potential supporters arises. Several journalists and authors such as Ahmed Rashid have accused Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence of providing support for militant terrorist groups and therefore, strengthened the impression that Pakistan is playing on both sides of the war on terror.

Although no specific group has taken responsibility for the attack to date, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has officially condemned the tragedy and expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured. He furthermore stressed that the United Nations stands with the people and Government of Afghanistan as they endeavor to build a peaceful future for their country.

Quick to Report – Quick To Accuse

By Sofia RISCHIO

In our globalized world, information can be shared and received within moments. News of natural disasters, political issues, and global concerns are spread mere minutes after occurring. Online media outlets and social media promote this spreading of information, made possible by free and independent press. However, journalists around the world are being imprisoned and charged by government authorities who are looking to censor media.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 2017 set a new record for the amount of journalists imprisoned worldwide. Most journalists were charged with anti-state crimes or accused of terrorist actions with generally little proof to back up the accusations. This new record sheds light on the global crisis that needs to be addressed. All nations must fight for journalists’ freedom and right to report without prosecution. After all, Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference, and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers.”

In February and March of this year, the United Nations Human Rights Council addressed the most critical freedom of expression violations of 2017. A focus was placed on Turkey, Myanmar, Iran, Eritrea and South Sudan. Continuous pressure has been placed on Turkey, where the most journalists have been imprisoned, in order to release currently imprisoned journalists and work towards more freedom of press.

Russian Contractors in Syrian War: their Role and Consequences

By Dasha ZVEREVA

Officially, Russia is participating only in an air war over Syria. However, in 2016, Reuters published a report that contained evidence that Russian forces were playing a more substantial role in ground combat by employing contractors recruited through private agencies. Two major Russian private military companies taking part in the Syrian Civil War are the Slavonic Corps and the Wagner Group.

In 2013, the Slavonic Corps were first transferred to a Syrian army base in Latakia. Their goal was to guard the oil fields of Deir ez-Zor. In October, the column received orders to reinforce Syrian army forces in Al-Sukhnah. Three hours into its journey, the column came under attack. Six Slavonic Corps members were wounded.

The presence of another private military company, the Wagner Group, in Syria was first reported in 2015. Wagner PMCs were involved in both Palmyra offensives, the Syrian Army’s campaign in central Syria in 2017, and the Battle of Deir ez-Zor in late 2017. They were in the role of frontline advisors, fire and movement coordinators, and forward air controllers. In February, in the battle near Khasham. United States of America aircraft conducted air-strikes against Syrian troops. The data about numbers of Russian contractors had been killed varies from several deaths to over 200.

As we can see, Private Military Companies’ (PMC) have played an essential role in the Syrian wars: they take part in the most dangerous battles, have a lot of human losses and had an influence on the results of battles. As their impact is so extensive, the theme of PMCs’ legalization has risen in political discussions in Russia again.