China - the world's future number one: How to deal with it?

China - the world's future number one: How to deal with it?

Obviously, the world sees a struggle between the US and China for the global number one position. Henry Kissinger, who wrote an interesting book „On China“ said recently „We are at the foothills of a Cold War”. And Niall Ferguson - author of a biography of Henry Kissinger said recently: “...this new Cold War is both inevitable and desirable, no least because it has jolted the U.S. out of complacency and into an earnest effort not to be surpassed by China in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and other strategically crucial technologies.”

Gerecht impfen in einer ungerechten Welt?

Gerecht impfen in einer ungerechten Welt?

Dass die Welt ungerecht ist beziehungsweise Macht, Vermögen, Einkommen und Einfluss ungleich und deutlich ungerecht verteilt sind, kann man an allen Statistiken ablesen. Die derzeitige Pandemie, vor allem aber die wirtschaftlichen und sozialen Auswirkungen tragen noch weiter zur Ungleichheit bei. Hinzu kommt – global gesehen – eine sehr ungleiche Versorgung mit Impfstoff. Da hätte man sich als Europäer angesichts der europäischen Werte und Grundsätze gewünscht, dass die Europäische Union für sich selbst, aber vor allem für die Ärmeren dieser Welt für mehr Gerechtigkeit sorgt. Aber war das überhaupt möglich?

USA: Rückkehr zum Nuklearabkommen mit dem Iran

USA: Rückkehr zum Nuklearabkommen mit dem Iran

Joseph Biden hatte im Wahlkampf angekündigt, zum Nuklearabkommen mit dem Iran (JCPOA) zurückzukehren, nachdem es Donald Trump mutwillig verlassen hatte. Dessen darauffolgende Politik des "maximalen Drucks" mit immer schärferen Sanktionen führte dazu, dass der Iran begann, schrittweise selbst die Grenzen des Nuklearabkommens zu überschreiten, worauf ihm paradoxerweise gerade von der Trump-Regierung der Vorwurf gemacht wurde, das Abkommen zu verletzen. Sein Außenminister Mike Pompeo stellte dem Iran zwölf Bedingungen, die einer Forderung nach Kapitulation gleichkamen. Vor allem müsste das Nuklearabkommen das Verhalten des Iran in der Region berücksichtigen und sein Raketenprogramm einbeziehen.

Dispute settlement through territorial autonomy: Moroccan autonomy Initiative for the Sahara region and practical lessons learned from the successful autonomy system of South Tyrol

Dispute settlement through territorial autonomy: Moroccan autonomy Initiative for the Sahara region and practical lessons learned from the successful autonomy system of South Tyrol

The mentioning of the Western Sahara conflict in a recent blog on the IIP website led to an intense and constructive dialogue with the Moroccan ambassador in Vienna about the best way to solve this conflict. This dialogue leads now to these two contributions, where we both plead for a peaceful solution based on an extended autonomy for the Western Sahara region.

10 YEARS WAR IN SYRIA - IS A POLITICAL NEWROZ POSSIBLE?

10 YEARS WAR IN SYRIA - IS A POLITICAL NEWROZ POSSIBLE?

This march ten years ago, demonstrations of young people startet to annoy and challenge the regime in Syria. On the 20th and 21st of Mach this year many people in the region celebrate NEWROZ, the New Year. Is there finally, after thousands of people killed and after the enormous destruction in Syria a chance for a political NEWROZ? Not without countries from the region and not if external actors start working together on a new Middle East.

EU SANCTIONS AND RUSSIA

EU SANCTIONS AND RUSSIA

I was recently approached by a journalist of Radio Free Europe, concerning loopholes within sanctions against Russia in connection with the annexation of Crimea. I always supported targeted sanctions against Russia, especially after Russia‘s military intervention in Ukraine because the EU had and has to react to this clearly illegal occupation and annexation of Ukrainian territory. I did also want to underline the necessity to think about a solution which would respect the willingness of many Crimean citizens to stay with Russia and the desire of many Ukrainians, who were forced to leave, to return to their land of origin - from time to time or permanently. With Russia intervening in Eastern Ukraine and annexing Crimea, Peace in Europe suffered a major setback. There is no doubt about that. One needs to ask, is it realistic to fight for a return of the Crimean territory to Ukraine? Let’s take a look at the greater picture.

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WHAT DOES BIDEN’S PRESIDENCY MEAN FOR MULTILATERALISM?

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WHAT DOES BIDEN’S PRESIDENCY MEAN FOR MULTILATERALISM?

“President Trump’s presidency not only was unsuccessful but left the world in disarray. He abandoned multilateralism and polarized the international system. Just as in the second half of the 19th century, the world today is witnessing a breakdown of a ruled based order. Under the Trump administration it became visible that the US has ceased to be the leading world power. This relative decline of the US implies that Europe will have to engage in world affairs. President Joseph Biden will certainly cooperate within some multilateral organizations. He will act more diplomatically. Tensions with China and Russia will remain, however. The emerging bipolarity will be structural. The Helsinki Final Act of 1975 can be model for global cooperation. The world has now the choice: 1914 or 1975.”

Iran’s “Look to the East Policy”: Pivot Towards China and Eurasian Economic Union

Iran’s “Look to the East Policy”: Pivot Towards China and Eurasian Economic Union

It appears, that Iran had completely pivoted towards its "Look to the East Policy" after the withdrawal of the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in May 2018 and imposition of new sanctions on Iran by Trump’s Administration. After these developments Tehran lost the hope to normalize relations with the West and marched eastward. Iranian “Look to the East policy” strategy aims to strengthen Iran’s strategic cooperation with Russia and China. Thus, it means that in the era of changing world order Iran has made its choice and it is joining the Sino-Russian political and economic pole. The following question arises: which are the arguments for the abovementioned assumption?

ANTISEMITISM, ISRAEL AND PALESTINE

ANTISEMITISM, ISRAEL AND PALESTINE

In the coming weeks we will commemorate the eviction and killings of Jews from Austria and especially from Vienna 600 years ago, in 1421 (The Sir Peter Ustinov Institute will hold a digital event on this topic on the 4th of March). Such cruel acts of predominantly Christian antisemitism did not occur only in 1421 and not only in Austria. Jews were discriminated against all over Europe for many centuries, way before the climax of antisemitism – the Holocaust – when they were murdered on an industrial scale. They were often seen and treated as second-class citizens or even worse: as nuisance.