Bi-weekly News and Opinion Roundup - January 24, 2020
|
|
Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Mike Barun (R-IN) wrote a letter to the Department of Justice accusing the National Iranian-American Council (NIAC) of violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
CSN argues that while these Senators may have profound differences in opinion with NIAC, particularly on the question of escalation and potential war with Iran, the Justice Department is not the forum to resolve those debates.
In a
statement
responding to the letter, NIAC said the accusations are “slanderous” and seek to “intimidate pro-peace voices.”
Read the full story at
CSN News
. (January 23)
|
|
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) released a guidebook for Central Asian countries adopting the "Whole-of-Society" strategy for countering violent extremism (CVE).
Recently Central Asia hit headlines as a CVE case study for piloting this approach, which emphasizes engaging government, private sector, and civil society holistically in building a long-term CVE strategy. Find the full guidebook at the
OSCE
.
|
|
The Zakat Foundation was founded months before 9/11; today, it is a multi-million dollar Muslim nonprofit organization that provides humanitarian assistance to over 30 countries across the world.
Founder Halil Demir recounts overcoming Islamaphobia post 9/11 while building the Zakat Foundation, and his mission to dispell the myth that Muslim charities are secretly working to undermine American interests. Jack Murray reports at the
Chicago Tribune
. (January 22)
The “Prevent” counter-terrorism strategy in the United Kingdom may be unfairly impacting Muslim communities.
'Campaign Against the Arms Trade' and ‘Palestinian Solidarity Campaign’ were recently added to a counterterrorism list flagging extremist organizations. The list is meant to encourage public sector employees to prevent people being drawn into terrorism. As a result, British Muslims are forced to think twice before voicing their political opinions causing a “chilling” effect in their communities. Areeb Uula reports at the
Middle East Eye
. (January 21)
Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok criticizes the contributions NGO Monitor has on squeezing the civil society space in Palestine and Israel.
Using 2018 research from the Policy Working Group, the minister expressed his concerns, stating “many of NGO Monitor’s accusations are based on selective citations, half-facts and insinuations, but not necessarily on hard evidence”. Miriam Jackson reports at
The Union Journal
. (January 20)
Hungarian law requires NGOs receiving more than $24,090 a year from foreign funders to register and identify themselves as foreign funded organizations, which may conflict with EU law.
The rule is meant to survey the ‘Soros Network’, a group of NGOs funded by George Soros - who has been accused by Prime Minister Viktor Orban of influencing politics. However the law may restrict freedom of association and the protection of private life and data. Pablo Gorondi reports at
The Washington Post
. (January 14)
|
|
The long road to peace in Afghanistan is depicted through an in-depth history of conflict and peacebuilding in the country as part of Just Security’s
“Voices from the Impact Zone”
series.
The article highlights the importance of local NPOs engaging and reintegrating Taliban into Afghan society, and the challenges they face in achieving sustainable peace. Mirwais Warduck reports at
Just Security
. (January 21)
Following the groundbreaking Global Fragility Act (GFA) being signed into law, the Center for Global Development analyzes the next steps in carrying out peacebuilding programs in GFA pilot countries.
The authors note that monitoring and evaluation of implementing organizations need to be carefully designed to ensure long-term peacebuilding is not undermined by short-term indicators. Susannah Campbell, Dan Honig, and Sarah Rose provide analysis at the
Center for Global Development
. (January 10)
|
|
Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis stated that “connecting people to financial services is just as important as providing sanitation, clean water and shelter.”
The minister then highlighted blockchain as an avenue for improving financial access in crisis zones. Story at
SwissInfo
. (January 17)
Although 2019 was a promising year for international development following the passing of the Global Fragility Act, 2020 is expected to be a more difficult year for foreign aid in Congress.
Presidential impeachment and the 2020 election are expected to slow down lawmakers and shift focus away from aid. Devex outlines key issues to watch for in Congress in 2020, including: budget cuts, the ILLICIT Cash Act, and the Global Child Thrive Act. Adva Saldinger reports at
Devex
. (January 8)
|
|
A year ago, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) included a new clause in their grant contracts in Nigeria which hamstrings delivering humanitarian services to those in need.
The clause requires USAID approval before providing support to civilians who have lived in areas controlled by the Boko Haram or the Islamic State. As a result, humanitarian organizations working in Nigeria are required to vet their beneficiaries prior to providing potentially life-saving services. Isabelle Glimcher reports at
Just Security
.
Prior to the closure of humanitarian aid entry points into Syria by the U.N. Security Council on January 10th, The Washington Post assessed the impact it will have on millions of civilians in the northern region of Syria.
Assad’s government argues that humanitarian aid channels through Iraq, Jordan, and Turkey undermine Syria’s sovereignty. Jesse Marks reports at
The Washington Post
. (January 9)
Russia votes to block aid delivery access into Syria, closing both the Iraq and Jordan entry points.
As a result, the northern Syrian province of Idlib is especially vulnerable following a violent December in which an estimated 312,000 civilians were displaced in the region. Mina Nader and Laith Fakri Ajlouni report at
The Medialine
. (January 14)
A coalition of humanitarian organizations denounce the Security Council’s decision to block humanitarian aid from entering Northern Syria through Turkey.
The reaction comes following China and Russia’s decision to prevent the renewal of U.N. Resolution 2165 which had allowed aid to cross the Turkish border since 2015. Report by
Relief Web
. (January 11)
Conflict between the U.S. and Iran impacts Oxfam’s ability to deliver aid to nearly 100,000 Iraqis.
The news comes shortly after Iran’s missile attack on the U.S. military base in Northern Iraq where several Oxfam programs are based. Patrick Smith reports at
NBC News
. (January 9)
|
|
The U.K. Treasury lists all of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and extends sanctions.
Previously the U.K. had designated only the Hezbollah military wing as a terrorist organization. Jackie Austin reports at
Mag Viral
. (January 17)
An investigative report finds a global trend of counterterrorism laws used to tighten restrictions on civil society.
A UN Special Rapporteur on Counterterrorism and Human Rights found that “66% of all communications sent to the mandate as part of monitoring human rights abuses are related to States use of counterterrorism, or broadly defined security measures to restrict civil society.” Susan Wilding reports at
Open Global Rights
. (January 15)
Central Asia, a region previously known for repressive policies on terrorism is now a pioneer in a long-term and socially integrative approach to combating violent extremism (CVE).
The “whole of society” approach, which includes reintegrating terrorists into society, illuminates challenges to sustainable peacebuilding in Central Asia, and provides lessons learned to countries looking to reshape their CVE strategy. Eric Rosand reports at
Just Security
. (January 8)
The European Council renews its ‘terrorist list’, which identifies persons, groups, and entities subject to restrictive measures.
Those listed are subject to asset freezing, deplatforming, and sanctions. The terrorist list is reviewed every six months. Updates via the
Council of the European Union
. (January 13)
|
|
700 12th Street NW Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005
Phone Number: (202) 481-6927
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|