Monday Memo | Military Moves, Elections, Protests

Africa

“US withdraws troops from base in Chad following government demand”

The withdrawal of US troops comes a month after the Chad government sent the US defense attaché a letter demanding they leave a French military base. The withdrawal comes amid US negotiations with Niger for the safe withdrawal of over 1000 US troops in the country. These developments have drawn concern from American officials over the Russian influence in the region. Click link to read more.

^{By Natasha Bertrand via CNN, published May 1, 2024}

“South African police investigate if former president’s party forged signatures to contest elections”

The Independent Electoral Commission has called for an investigation into alleged forged signatures for the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party’s election registration. This investigation comes before a crucial election for the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party, which the MK Party strongly criticizes. Many predict that the ANC will lose its majority in parliament, with some votes going to the MK Party if it is allowed to stand. Click link to read more.

^{By Gerald Imray via AP News, published April 30, 2024}

Asia and the Pacific

“China warns U.S. of ‘downward spiral’ as Antony Blinken meets with Xi Jinping”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken cautioned against deteriorating US-China relations during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. He highlighted the importance of managing competition between the two nations while addressing areas of disagreement, including trade disputes, human rights abuses, and the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine conflicts. Click link to read more.

^{By Jennifer Jett via NCB News, published April 26, 2024}

“‘Vote jihad’: As Modi raises anti-Muslim India election pitch, what’s next?”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi employs a divisive anti-Muslim election strategy with claims that the opposition Samajwadi Party has called for a “vote jihad” against the BJP. Modi suggested that this poses a danger to Indian democracy, following conspiracy theories related to “love jihad” and “land jihad” and equating Muslim population with “infiltrators” and “looters.” Click link to read more.

^{By Yashraj Sharma via Al Jazeera, published May 3, 2024}

Europe

“Von der Leyen opens the door to Europe’s hard right”

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen indicated her willingness to work with the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists party, diverging from her previous stance. The statement was made during a debate among EU Presidential candidates, and Von der Leyen faced significant opposition from the Socialist Party. This comes before the June European Parliament elections. Click link to read more.

^{By Eddy Wax via Politico, published April 30, 2024}

“EU investigates Meta over fears of election interference and foreign disinformation”

The investigation comes amid concerns about disinformation and foreign influence in the upcoming EU elections. It concerns potential violations of the Digital Services Act, including Meta policies related to political and illegal content. If the violations are confirmed, Meta will face fines of up to 6% of its global revenue. Click link to read more.

^{By Brian Fung via CNN, published April 29, 2024}

Latin America and the Caribbean

“Rains in southern Brazil kill at least 37, more than 70 still missing”

Record-breaking rains in the south of Brazil leave at least 37 dead, more than 70 still missing, and 24,000 internally displaced. The severe weather has triggered landslides and floods, causing the severe destruction of homes and infrastructure and blocking transportation between cities in the southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul. Rescue efforts are underway to locate the missing individuals and assist those affected. Rains are expected to continue until Sunday, May 5. Click link to read more.

^{Via Reuters, published May 3, 2024}

“Candidates confront corruption and inequality in Panama’s presidential race”

Corruption and inequality are central themes of Panama’s electoral campaigns, reflecting widespread public discontent with recent corruption scandals and economic disparities. The upcoming election could be decisive as voters demand that candidates address pressing challenges in Panama’s political structure. Click link to read more.

^{By Octavio García Soto via Al Jazeera, published May 2, 2024}

Middle East

“Children, infants missing after Tunis police clear makeshift refugee camps”

Hundreds are reported missing after Tunis police destroyed two of the city’s irregular Black migrant camps and transported residents to an unknown location. The clearance operation has led to the displacement of hundreds of refugees, exacerbating the region’s humanitarian crisis. Reports suggest that refugees were abandoned in a desert area near the Algerian border. Click link to read more.

^{Via Al Jazeera, published May 3, 2024}

“Turkey police arrest 210 at Istanbul May Day protests”

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan prohibits May Day protests at Taksim Square, a historic site for past May Day celebrations that was shut down after 2013 protests. Turkish officials claimed the closure of the site was to “stop ‘terrorist organizations’ from using it for ‘propaganda.’” Protestors pushed through the police barricades surrounding Taksim Square, along with several other sites, and ultimately 210 were detained. Click link to read more.

^{Via Al Jazeera, published May 1, 2024}

“Israeli army tells Palestinians to evacuate parts of Gaza’s Rafah before an expected assault”

Roughly 100,000 Palestinians on Monday began evacuating from the southern city of Rafah in Gaza, following orders from the Israeli army. The order raised global alarm for the 1.4 million Palestinians sheltering in Rafah, particularly from aid organizations. These agencies warn that the assault will worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza on top of the 34,000 civilian deaths thus far by the Israeli campaign. The expected assault has complicated ceasefire talks, which mediators are scrambling to save. Click link to read more.

^{By Sam Mednick, Josef Federman, and Bassem Mroue via AP News, published May 6, 2024}

North America

“More than 2,000 people arrested nationwide in pro-Palestinian campus protests”

Following mass arrests of pro-Palestine student protesters at Columbia University, more peaceful protests and encampments sweep college campuses across the country, from NYU to UCLA. Students call for their respective universities to divest from companies that sell weapons to Israel. Police have carried out over 2,000 arrests of protesting students and faculty on multiple campuses, and protesters have reported instances of violent police response. Click link to read more.

^{By Daniel Arkin, Daniella Silva, Alicia Victoria Lozano, and Maura Barrett via NBC News, published May 2, 2024}

“Honda Commits to E.V.s With Big Investment in Canada”

Honda’s investment will create 1,000 new jobs in Ontario and invest $11 billion in electric cars and batteries. This investment will be the largest automaker investment in Canada’s history. This is one of several instances of foreign automaker investment throughout North America, spurred by financial incentives from Canada and the US. Click link to read more.

^{By Jack Ewing via The New York Times, published April 25, 2024}

International Organizations

“ICC demands end to threats against court amid Gaza war probe”

The International Criminal Court (ICC) calls for an end to US and Israeli officials’ threats and “intimidation” against the court following possible arrest warrants concerning the conflict in Gaza. The ICC’s statement emphasizes the need for accountability and the protection of civilians during the conflict. It underscores the importance of upholding international law and ensuring justice for victims of violence. Click link to read more.

^{Via Al Jazeera, published May 3, 2024}

Happening This Week

Tuesday, May 7, 2024 | 9:30 AM- 12:00 PM ET

Join the symposium “The Survival of Civilizations? The Mediterranean after 1177 BCE” at Hemmerdinger Hall, NYU. Explore the transition from the Bronze to Iron Age with experts from around the globe. (RSVP)

Wednesday, May 8, 2024 | 10:00 AM ET

Join in the talk “NYU Space Talks | Juliette Faure: ‘Cosmism: A Spiritual Reenchantment of Technological Modernity'” will be presented. Discover how ‘cosmism’, a philosophical movement initiated by Soviet scholars in the 1970s, combines the insights of pioneers like Nikolai Fedorov and Konstantin Tsiolkovskii, presenting a vision where technological progress serves a spiritual and eschatological purpose, challenging the traditional divide between science and religion. (RSVP)

Thursday, May 9, 2024 | 6:00 PM ET

Deutsches Haus at NYU hosts “The Unpredictable East: A Conversation among Alexander Osang, David Gill, Joyce Mushaben, and Sabine von Mering.” Explore East German identity and its complexities beyond traditional West German narratives. (RSVP)

Saturday, May 11, 2024 | 6:00 PM- 9:30 PM ET

Join JPI and IRPA for the Spring Gala on May 11th in the King of Juan Carlos I Spain Center from 6:30-9:00 PM. Celebrate the end of the semester together with current MAIR students, alumni, faculty, and plus ones. (RSVP)

Career Development Opportunities

NATO PA Employment Opportunity

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly is seeking five (5) Researchers to join the policy team at the International Secretariat, based in Brussels, Belgium. This is a full-time, on-site role open exclusively to citizens of NATO PA member states and partners. Apply by May 12, 2024, midnight (CEST) Applications should be sent to: research@nato-pa.int

Call for Papers: International Conference on Children’s Lives

Equity for Children, in partnership with the University of Bristol and UNICEF, invites submissions for a conference focused on the use of Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) data. This event will take place on September 2-3, 2024, at the University of Bristol, UK, and will be available both in-person and online. Researchers are encouraged to submit papers that analyze MICS data related to children, adolescents, youth, and their families.

NYU Female Founders Fellowship Application

The NYU Female Founders Fellowship supports NYU entrepreneurs focused on gender equity in entrepreneurship with training, mentorship, and networking. Participants can join Female Founders Circle and Female Founders Fellows cohorts, and graduates can apply for up to $30,000 in loan alleviation grants. Applications for the Fall ’24 cohort are open until May 13th at 6pm.

General Intern in International Affairs

The NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs is seeking an intern to assist with diplomatic and international issues. Key responsibilities include researching, drafting memos, engaging with the diplomatic community, and providing logistical and digital media support. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the city’s international relations and gain experience within the executive branch under Mayor Eric Adams.

Central American Minor (CAM) AOR Internship

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) offers a Central American Minor (CAM) AOR Internship, focused on processing affidavits for the CAM Family Reunification Program, a legal pathway for families from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. This 6-month internship, starting in June or July 2024 with options for part-time or full-time engagement and a potential extension to 1 year.

Kosovo International Summer Academy 2024: Peace Building in Post-Conflict Areas

Applications are open for the Kosovo International Summer Academy, focusing on Diplomacy, Leadership, and Negotiations in post-conflict areas. This program will feature lectures by esteemed professors, diplomats, and civic leaders on a variety of topics. Two sessions: Part I from July 15-25 and Part II from August 5-15, 2024, in Prishtina, Kosovo. Scholarships available; apply by June 14 for Part I and June 21 for Part II.