If they didn't pay them, maybe it would happen less often

Good morning delegates!

State sponsored terrorism, like any other form of terrorism, is BAD. Morale of the story, DON'T DO IT! State sponsored terrorism presents a massive problem for the UN and the CTC because many who are accused of sponsoring terrorism are member states. The UN cannot make binding resolutions (except the Security Council... FEEL THE POWER!!!) and therefore cannot force its members to comply with investigations. Much of the information that the CTC needs is voluntarily provided by states. Who's to say that these states are being honest? What can we do if they do not comply? What action should we take? The US Sate Department, being nice, happy, and internet savvy folks, have conveniently posted country reports on state-sponsored terrorism. For more reading from a super uber not really academic source, check out this website. It gives a nice little summary of state-sponsored terrorism in warfare. State-sponsored terrorism of the cross-border nature destabilizes regions and sours relations. In short, it sucks.

To end off this thrilling post, just a few housekeeping points. The conference is just a few weeks away (YAY!!!). But, even closer, the deadline for your position papers is quickly approaching! Friday, February 11th at midnight is the deadline to submit your papers! Email them to hsmun.sc@gmail.com. If you want feedback on your position, don't hesitate to ask. You can still submit after february 11th. However, should you do so, you will not be eligible for an award (and we all know that nice, shiny trophies look good to everyone... especially UN related ones!)

Your amazing SC DIAS staff!

"If I were and Al Qaeda guy, I wouldn't go out for a pizza." -Bryan Hilferty

Problems with Addressing International Cyber Crime

While this video is addressing financial cyber crime, it brings up many issues with addressing cyber crimes, such as online child pornography. If you do not wish to watch the full 11 minutes of video, I recommend starting at 00:08:38 to learn about the partnership between Jamaican and American authorities that was forged to combat the cyber crime.

There is also an excellent video on malnutrition in Chad.

2010 Overview of the United Nations

In this video, you will find information about many important events in the last year, many of which are still pertinent to many of the current committee topics. For those delegates who do not read the daily news, I highly recommend watching this video before attending HSMUN 2011. There are other excellent videos on the site as well, focusing on specific topics, such as malnutrition and disarmament.

Daily Delegate, Issue Two!

Daily Delegate Issue 2, Sixth Edition

Is Culture Transnational?

In the Global Traffic map above, one can easily see that the world has become increasingly more connected through information sharing/transfers. Telecommunications, digital and internet use, mobile phone use, and the number of computers sold around the world have all played a major factor in connecting people to information and opportunities globally.

Stuart Hall, a cultural theorist, once said "culture is now irrevocably transnational, irrevocably open at the ends, porous and unable to close its borders and its mind, unable to shut out things that will reach over the barriers that are erected...inescapably taking place on a global plane". He speculated that culture is always global, regardless of individual national cultures. He was supportive of globalization, because he felt that "migration and globalization open in the spaces in which a more diverse set of cultural practices night occur has been set in the context of the complementary movement in the other direction towards ethnic and national closure". Cultural diversity can be seen as something to embrace and celebrate as the world moves towards diversity and simulation.

But is this always the case? Some would argue that cultural diversity is as much of a threat as it is a positive opportunity. A common response to globalization and cultural integration is the defensive movement to protect cultural distinctiveness. Some nations do not want to open their cultural borders, fearing that a multicultural society will shift towards Western preferences and ideas. These movements can stem from both positive and negative roots. Each state has the right to preserve its culture, for the sake of its heritage and history. Cultural distinctiveness helps each nation have a global identity that prolongs values and traditions, and also helps the nation's tourism and promotional industries.

Questions to think about:

Do you think cultural integration is inevitable?

Is culture global, or are there still examples of national culture around the world?

How does technology and digital communication help/hinder global relations?

Another Brick in the Blog

Hello Comrades,

Although much of what we've talked about on the sustainable technological development topic so far has been regarding green technological development, there are also other avenues to consider. Both social sustainability and economic sustainability are avenues that should be looked at as well. Social sustainability refers to the ability of a society to maintain or improve the standard of living for its citizens. Economic sustainability refers to the ability of an economy to continue effective functioning indefinitely. Many of the problems in developing and third-world nations stem from the fact that while there can be too little growth, there can also be too much. Case in point - China. China is only now beginning to recover from rapid, unsustainable technological growth. Economies that grow to fast create problems such as rapid inflation, unsafe and unsustainable practices, and inability of markets to absorb the rapid influx of money and resources. Short-term damage is caused, with a significant threat down the road of significantly decreased growth when some sort of capacity is reached. Standard of living also decreases, as pollution increases, investment moves from infrastructure and social services to big business and economic growth. Therefore, developing nations must find a happy medium where they can develop across the board - socially, economically, and environmentally, and are not pushing to 'catch up' to developed nations, such as in the case of China and India.

Something to think about.

Containment never works

Hello everyone,

I hope you've all had a chance to access the background paper and read it... many many times. By now you must be thinking, "gosh dang I can't wait for the conference!"

When some of us think of terrorism, we thinnk of cases like the bombing in Russia. That is, people blowing stuff up to to send a message to their own government. In this article, you will see that these days, even domestic acts of terrorism spill over onto the international stage. WHat happens in Russia's airport has effects on security concerns of all other countries. Just some food for thought.

Don't forget to email us if you have any questions or concerns (or background papers already... keeners)

Cheers!

Suspected Terrorist Explosion in Russian Airport Kills at Least 35

Russia's Domodedovo Airport, prior to attacks
Source: www.artdiamondblog.com

An explosion in the International Arrivals terminal of Moscow's Domodedovo Airport has killed at least 35 people and injured up to 140 people.  It is suspected to have been caused by a suicide bomber in the public area near the baggage carousels.

Russia has struggled in the past few years to deal with several attacks, mostly linked to the unrest in the Chechen region.  Recently, these attacks have taken the form of bombs detonated in major transportation centers in Moscow, such as in the airport or in the underground.  The Chechen rebels have also been implicated in several hostage takings.

The situation in Chechnya gained visibility in the international community in 2004, when a group of 35 Chechen rebels took the parents, staff and students at a school in Beslan hostage.  After several explosions, a firefight with the Russian military and a fire in the school, 334 people were dead with over half that number being students.  The Russian authorities only managed to capture two of the rebels, although the suspect that the rest were among the deceased.

A timeline of attacks in Russia.

Illicit Drugs: A spotlight on lesser-known "Drug Nations"

When nations that are greatly affected by the drug trade are discussed, often only the well-known nations are highlighted.  It's important to remember that there are other nations that are also adversely affected, as these nations are not currently receiving the same assistance from other nations in combating drug-related violence.  It is also important to recognize that drug-trafficking can be both the trafficking of illicit drugs and illegally-produced drugs.

Central America
When the drug trade in Central America is discussed in the West, it typically focuses on Mexico and Colombia, as these nations have had the most impact on Western nations.  However, other nations in Central America currently have some of the highest per capita murder rates in the world  as a result of the drug trade.  In this recent article by the Economist, the movement of many Mexican and Colombian cartels into Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Venezuela and Jamaica is exposed as a cause of the increasing violence and political instability in the region.

There is also an interactive map available that shows the routes commonly used for the trafficking of various drugs in Mexico & Central America.

Asia
The growth and distribution of opium poppies is a well-known element of the drug trade in Asia.  Recently, China has also become known for the counterfeit pharmaceuticals it produces.  Many of us have received the spam e-mails that advertise drug products, such as Viagra, that can be obtained without a prescription.  Most of these drugs have been illegally produced in China, and are often either useless or harmful because they do not meet Western standards for the type of binding agents and coatings used.  In addition, there is usually minimal amounts of the active ingredient, if it is present at all.  While there are some harms to those who use counterfeit pharmaceuticals in the Western world, they pale in comparison to the harms to individuals in the developing world.  It is estimated that more than 100,000 people die a year because the drugs they received to treat life-threatening illnesses such as malaria, tuberculosis and even HIV are counterfeit and utterly ineffectual.

Tunisia: Sudden Revolt Exposes Problems in a Nation Perceived to be Stable

Source: www.organizedrage.com

In the last month, the nation of Tunisia has been featured in most major newspapers.  Once believed to be an example of a highly successful non-democratic Arab nation because of its strong economy and stability, it has now been exposed to the international community as being fraught with problems.

Tunisia was a French colony for the first half of the 20th century, until independence was achieved through both peaceful and violent actions in 1956.  The result was a political system designed as a constitutional republic, with a president and a bicameral legislature.  Since achieving independence, Tunisia has had two presidents: Habib Bourguiba (1957-1987) and Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali (1957-2011).

Source: www.mariamaalouf.com

The current Tunisian revolts began after a 26 year old man, Mohamed Bouazizi lit himself on fire (self-immolation) after he was repeatedly insulted and humiliated by municipal officials when he tried to sell vegetables.  His actions precipitated protests and riots which have exposed the poverty of many Tunisians, the difficulties with finding employment, and the corruption of Ben Ali's government.  Many hope that by continuing the protests, the prospects for employment and the rights afforded to citizens in Tunisia will improve.

As a result of the revolts and the accusations against him, Ben Ali fled from Tunisia this month.  Since then, many European nations have frozen assets within their nation belonging to Ben Ali or his family.  In addition, some members of Ben Ali's family who had not left Tunisia have been arrested.

Currently, there is an interim government formed by the Prime Minister and members of the various parties.  Even this government is viewed as unacceptable by many.  The courts have said that the Prime Minister, Mohamed Ghannouchi, overstepped the role of his office in acting as President.  In addition, many object to the key ministries given to supporters of Ben Ali in the interim government.

Tunisia is not the only nation that is in trouble as a result of the revolt.  Since December 17th, several other young Arab men have also committed self-immolation as a form of political protest against their governments.  The leaders of nations that are either physically or politically close to Tunisia are concerned that their nations may soon see similar unrest to that in Tunisia.

Is Walmart making people fat?

A study from the "Journal of Urban Economics" to be released to the public in March claims that, on average, people living around a Walmart supercentre gets fatter once the store moves into the area.

Like other Walmarts, Walmart supercentres sell basically anything and everything you could possibly think of, but also sells groceries as well. In the United States, there are 2899 supercentres. In Canada, 119 of the 323 Walmarts are supercentres.

Over a 10 year period, it was found that there was an increase of pounds per person of 1.5 pounds, and the obesity rate was said to increase by 2.3%.

It is believed that this weight increase may occur because of the increased access to low-cost, processed foods from these supercentres.

Some questions you should think of include what other factors may be contributing to this weight gain? Could it be that other items, such as DVDs, TVs and video games may also be less expensive at these supercentres? How are the lower prices of Walmart affecting how other stores price their goods?

You can read the full article here.

A Relative Success in Addressing Border Militarization

Source: Rohit Kossery, http://www.media.photobucket.com

For those nations that believe that borders should not be heavily militarized, or who currently have militarized borders but hope to eventually reduce the infrastructure expenses that go into their borders, an example can be found in the success seen along the India-China border, also known as the McMahon line.  This border was drawn by the British during a conference (1913-1914).  The border was heavily militarized after 1935, with several wars and disputes (e.g. the Sino-Indian War of 1962) occurring along it.

Finally, in 1988, the two nations began to move toward settlement of their border disputes with a series of treaties.  Today, the border is still patrolled on both sides, but there is a diplomatic process for resolving possible violations of the treaties and the heavy military presence of the 1960s-80s has been greatly reduced.

Haiti: An Example of the Need for Preparation for the Unknown Following a Natural Disaster

Source: Haiti Cholera outbreak prompts fresh UN plea. 12/11/2010. BBC News

As many of you have probably heard on the news, Haiti is currently in the middle of a devastating Cholera outbreak.  Caused by a bacteria called Vibrio cholerae, Cholera usually causes mild abdominal discomfort and diarrhea, but can result in severely dehydrating diarrhea in about 5% of cases.  If oral or intravenous re-hydration therapies are not administered immediately, these severe cases can be fatal.

Haiti had previously been considered to be free from Cholera, so it was not expected to be a problem following the earthquake in January 2010; however, ten months after the earthquake, Cholera was present in Haiti.  To date, about 189,000 cases of Cholera were reported and 3600 people have died from the outbreak.  While it is not clear how Cholera was re-introduced to Haiti, it is a possibility that it was as a result of the high quantities of international aid that was provided to the nation following the earthquake.

This outbreak in Haiti highlights the importance of continuing health-care support after the immediate aid for the natural disaster has ended.  Initially, the mortality rates for the outbreak were very high (~6%), but they have dropped as a result of support provided by many international agencies to the Haiti Ministry of Public Health and Population.  The American Center for Disease Control is one of these agencies that has provided support to Haiti.

It is important to remember that while the immediate health effects of a natural disaster (e.g. physical trauma, shock, starvation) are usually treated fairly quickly, the loss of health infrastructure is a longer-term problem.  Nations and international aid agencies need to find an approach to health aid that is able to assist with both the immediate, acute effects, but also able to help the affected nation rebuild their health infrastructure.

New Green Technologies

Linked below is information about a list of new technologies that have large potantials to help make industries cleaner. However, while most people would certainly say that adoption of these technologies is certainly a good thing, the fact remains that many will not see the light of day. This is due in large part to the reluctance of industries and corporations to accept new, more environmentally-friendly methods of production, often because they raise the costs of production and subsequently lower profit margins.

What are some of the ways that industries and corporations can be persuaded to begin to adopt a wider range of these new "green" technologies? Is the most effective way through financial incentives? Through government regulation?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2011/jan/19/top-10-renewable-energy-companies

War, What is it Good For?

Hello Delegates!

Today's blogpost is going to focus on some key reasons for terrorism, and cross-border terrorism quite specifically.

You can find the blurb at length here

The SparkNotes are as follows:

State-Sponsored: Always difficult to deal with, this is pretty obvious from the name. Dealing with it is a complex issue, because it often can't be ended by sheer brute force: the source of the trouble is in a country other than the one you have control over, notably that is determined for that terrorist group to continue.

Failed States: Also difficult to deal with, these are terrorist groups arising out of the turmoil of a Failed or Failing State. Warlike, but often limited in their ambitions, they are hard to stop due to the lack of institutions that provide rule of law in their country.

War Time: An excellent example is the Israelo-Arab conflict, where terrorism is used during a war.

Narco: A fine line is drawn here between a drug cartel and a narcoterrorist group; largely in terms of motivation. Drug cartels exist to make money through the sale of drugs and perpetuate themselves; Mexico's troubles are a good example, as though the cartels play in politics it is not to bring about a revolution, only protect themselves. Narcoterrorists use drug revenues to fund revolutions. FARC is the best example here, though the Taliban have their own label here. They often have international implications as much due to their terrorism as their drug trade.

Supranationalism: Remember the Kurds? These types of terrorists want to build a nation out of others.

Some other views can be found here and elsewhere on the internet, the above is by no means exhaustive:

http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=20281&tx_ttnews[backPid]=224

An interesting article on some less known examples of state-sponsored terrorism in the CAR:

http://www.jamestown.org/programs/gta/single/?tx_ttnews[tt_news]=37291&tx_ttnews[backPid]=457&no_cache=1

The Jamestown Institute in general has a number of great articles to help with understanding terrorist activities across the world.

Cheers,

Robert