A journal of ideas. Expert analysis of geopolitics, the arts, and economics. In print, online, and now on Substack too: https://xitter.gq/t.co/KIRvseLW6z
Joined October 2014
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After years of bullying its neighbors, Turkey is suddenly making nice with Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. What explains the new charm offensive — and is there any substance to it? Read @stevenacook on Turkey's new tactics.
octavian.substack.com/p/the-…
What explains Erdogan's new charm offensive in the Middle East? Read @stevenacook on Turkey's new tactics.
octavian.substack.com/p/the-…
We asked @KenRoth, who is stepping down from @hrw after a legendary 30-year career, how an NGO with no power can have an impact. "Governments always want something," he said — the trick is keeping them from getting it unless they stop abusing human rights.
octavian.substack.com/p/play…
We asked @KenRoth, who is stepping down after almost 30 years leading @hrw, how he's managed to push so many governments to stop abusing human rights. "We’re not just a bunch of do-gooders who stand for the right thing," he said. "We play hardball."
octavian.substack.com/p/play…
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After almost 30 years leading @hrw, @KenRoth is stepping down. We spoke about his legendary career leading the world's pre-eminent human rights organization. Read the interview!
octavian.substack.com/p/play…
20 or 30 years ago, even US conservatives cared about the UN; they hated it, but they cared. Today Americans seem indifferent. But @BobRae48 argues that #Ukraine shows how UN still matters—just not in the way it founders intended.
octavian.substack.com/p/the-…
The UN was designed to "save succeeding generations from the scourge of war"—but seems unable to help in crises like Ukraine. But @BobRae48 argues that we should look past the body's design flaws to the quiet but crucial ways it's helping on the ground.
octavian.substack.com/p/the-…
What can the UN do in a crisis like Ukraine, where one side (Russia) holds a veto on the Security Council?
A whole lot, says @BobRae48, Canada's UN ambassador. The organization works a lot better in practice than it does it theory, he explains.
bit.ly/38L9cFp
As countries look for new ways to help #Ukraine, few (at least in the US) are looking to the organization created to solve problems like this: the UN. To find out why, we spoke to @BobRae48, Canada's UN ambassador. Read the interview:
octavian.substack.com/p/the-…
Why is Israel's government on the brink of collapse yet again? We asked veteran Israeli journalist @alufbenn. "All that unites [the coalition] is the feeling that Netanyahu and what Netanyahu represents is bad for the country."
bit.ly/3rVNgy8
Only one thing unites the 8 parties in Israel's shaky coalition government: they all hate Netanyahu. Now, with @naftalibennett's alliance on the ropes, we asked @alufbenn of @haaretzcom what to expect. Short answer: don't count the PM out yet.
bit.ly/3rVNgy8
Israel's government is once again on the brink of collapse. Can @naftalibennett survive? And why does Israel seem to be trapped in permanent gridlock? We asked @alufbenn, who runs @Haaretz, to explain. Read the interview.
bit.ly/3rVNgy8
Apologies to all who tried to follow this link and found it broken. Here's the one that works:
octavian.substack.com/p/figh…
For 50 years, @BHL has relentlessly highlighted some of the world's worst atrocities. The Will to See, a new film released this week, documents his one-man battle against indifference. We spoke Sunday night about his film and his career:
ow.ly/Ug3E50IRuaV
Apologies: the correct link is octavian.substack.com/p/figh…
Visiting the US for the premiere of his new documentary, THE WILL TO SEE, we asked @BHL if the world has improved over his 50-year career. "We are making progress. We care more. Even dictators and the worst criminals feel themselves being watched."
bit.ly/38sQ8eU
For 50 years, @BHL has relentlessly highlighted some of the world's worst atrocities. The Will to See, a new film released this week, documents his one-man battle against indifference. We spoke Sunday night about his film and his career:
ow.ly/Ug3E50IRuaV
How can the U.S. help Ukraine get justice? We asked Harold Koh, a top expert at @YaleLawSch. Among his answers: send money, U.S. prosecutors, and real-time intel to whatever court tries Russia's war crimes. And don't let Putin bargain for amnesty.
bit.ly/37yXm11
France picks a new president on Sunday. Puzzled by the election and how it differs from 2017, which featured the same two candidates? Read this smart explainer by @celiabelin of @BrookingsInst and @BrookingsFP and @BlochAgneska.
octavian.substack.com/p/the-…
Can international law do anything now to help Ukraine? Yes, argues Harold Koh, a leading expert at @YaleLawSch: It can "declare Putin’s actions illegal, isolate him, and limit his leverage." Read the interview for more on how to get justice for Ukraine.
bit.ly/37yXm11
“The world is no longer safe for Vladimir Putin. He has sacrificed his legitimacy. He can’t be Russia’s leader going forward. He’s got to be held accountable and the mechanisms to do so exist."
—Harold Koh of @YaleLawSch on how to get justice for Ukraine
ow.ly/T0qo50INYBF
