DGI Brief - July 12, 2016

Good morning, everyone. Today's top 5 global issues news are about #Syria #China #Kenya #Israel and #USA

- SYRIA: Fighting is intensifying, the parties to the conflict continue to not see eye-to-eye & now Russia is accusing UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, of “shirking his responsibilities” to revive peace talks. I’ve worked with de Mistura – he’s brilliant but not a magician, Russia. Ultimately Russia would have to throw its ally, President al-Assad under the bus in order for negotiations to lead to peace & political transition. But what are the lives of millions of civilians in a game of thrones?

- The case brought by the Philippines against CHINA – and TAIWAN who administers Itu Aba in the Spratly Islands – concluded with the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague ruling China has “no legal basis” for its actions in the South China Sea – claiming territorial sovereignty & with it all the economic rights in this $5 trillion trade route, vital fishing waters & potential oil & mineral deposits. China can ‘convince’ the Philippines economically, will they do the same w/ other claimants & their ally, the USA? Or w/ the US, will the North Korean carrot be dangled?

- In May, KENYA announced it will close the Dadaab camp by the end of the year, “voluntarily & humanely” repatriating 300,000 Somali refugees. For her 19th birthday, Malala visited the camp & urged consideration for girls’ access to education once returned Somalia. She fears a “generation lost” & she is right.

- ISRAEL’s new legislation is seen as undemocratic by many government donors. The EU in particular criticized this law to apply mainly to liberal groups vocal against Israel’s policies who – you guessed it – receive funding from the EU. The law doesn’t apply to groups funded by private individuals. Either be fully transparent, or not at all.

- USA: Let the Clinton-Trump battle begin. I understand the reservations, but if you at all care about America & the world, then don’t vote for Trump.

#civilwar #conflict #civilians #warcrimes #humanitarian #peace #Russia #UnitedNations #StaffandeMistura #political #transition #SouthChinaSea #Philippines #dispute #trade #economy #politics #gameofthrones #Nobelprize #Malala #MalalaYousafzai #Dadaab #Somali #Somalia #refugees #refugeecrisis #humanrights #children #girlseducation #educationisaright #EuropeanUnion #EU #Clinton #Hillary #DumpTrump #feelthebern #Bernie #Presidentialelection2016 #HillaryforPresident