Monday Briefing | October 3

Stories to follow

These days, Aleppo makes headlines all too often. In the last week of September, the W.H.O. reported a death toll of 338 people, almost a third of whom were children, in what is being called the worst assault yet in Syria’s five-year war. Both Russia and Syria are accused of bombing civilians but culpability also lies with the US. At the UN Security Council Session on Syria September 21st, Secretary of State John Kerry admitted that US-led coalition forces accidentally hit 62 Syrian soldiers. And, as the UN General Assembly continues, Russia and the US can’t seem to stop butting heads on how to stabilize the situation.

The European Union’s Emergency Response Mechanism, which passed in September 2015 by a majority vote, will resettle 160,000 refugees in EU member states based on a quota system. Yesterday, Hungary—one of the four countries who voted against the plan, along with the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania—held a referendum on whether the EU’s decision should hold up without the consent of parliament. While voter turnout was too low to validate the referendum, an estimated 95 percent voted against the EU’s resolution. This is the latest in a series of debates on where the boundaries of the EU’s authority lie. Unlike Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, people like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán think the EU should be limited to a trading bloc of sovereign countries, rather than an international governing body that dictates how member states act on issues of migration and human rights.

Mark your calendars and buy your bottle(s) of wine for the Vice Presidential Debate, this Tuesday, October 4th, and the Second Presidential Debate, this Sunday, October 9th. In a twist of events, CNN and ABC are asking the public (that means you!) to submit and vote on questions for the presidential nominees. You can vote here.

Happening at JPI

This week, Kyle Walker addresses the ramifications of the United States’ minimal contribution to the United Nations Peacekeeping force, one of the central tenets of the international body.

For those of you who missed our training session last week, a mandatory make-up session will be held on Wednesday, October 5th. If you haven’t received an email about this, contact jpinquiry@gmail.com and we will make sure you are notified of training times and locations!

Happening this week

Hungary and the EU: Past, Present, and Future

Monday, October 3 at 4:00PM | Columbia University, 1219 International Affairs Building, Marshall D. Shulman Seminar Room

The East Central European Center, the European Institute, and the Center on Global Economic Governance will host a talk with András Inotai, former Director of the Institute of World Economics at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and previous Istváan Deák Visiting Professor at Columbia University. Inotai will discuss his views on the current and long-term challenges that the EU is facing and what this means for Hungary.

Professional Fellowships in Russia and Germany: New York Information Session

Monday, October 3rd at 6:30PM | Cultural Vistas, 440 Park Avenue South, 2nd Floor

Are you interested in business, economics, journalism, law, or public policy and want to travel to Germany or Russia? Stop by Cultural Vistas tonight for more information on the Robert Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program to Germany and the Alfa Fellowship Program to Russia. RSVP required.

The Overseas Press Club of America Presents: Panel on the United Nations

Tuesday, October 4th at 6:00PM | Club Quarters Hotel, 40 West 45th Street

What is the role of the United Nations in the world today? The Overseas Press Club will host a panel of UN experts to discuss current international conflicts, challenges and crises, including peacekeeping, human rights, and humanitarian efforts around the world, as well as the prospects for the UN in the forthcoming year. RSVP required.

IFC Center presents Amanda Knox

Today through Thursday, October 6th | IFC Center, 323 6th Ave

Watch the Netflix Original Documentary AMANDA KNOX, by award-winning directors Rod Blackhurst and Brian McGinn on the big screen through Thursday, October 6th. Knox, who was twice convicted and twice acquitted by Italian courts of the murder of her British roommate Meredith Kercher, has remained in the public eye for over a decade. Her story continues to raise questions about the state of contemporary media culture and sensationalist journalism. You can buy your tickets here.

In your free time

Are you a Brooklyn implant like me who wants to learn more about what came before you? No Free Walls is a short documentary that explores Brooklyn’s changing landscape and tells the story of The Bushwick Collective, a nonprofit organization founded by a lifelong Bushwick resident that commissions murals in a neighborhood not so long ago infamous for its neglect, drugs and violence. Watch it here.

This Monday Briefing is brought to you by Natasha Bluth.