Diplomacy

Ukraine war: Pope Francis should learn from his WWII predecessor’s mistakes in appeasing fascism

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Pope Francis has provoked fury by suggesting in a television interview that Ukraine should find “the courage to raise the white flag”.

Key Points: 
  • Pope Francis has provoked fury by suggesting in a television interview that Ukraine should find “the courage to raise the white flag”.
  • As Pope Pius XII, Eugenio Pacelli led the Catholic Church throughout the second world war.
  • However, while Hitler’s determination to eliminate the Jewish people was brought to his attention, he did not publicly condemn it.
  • Though he admired the authoritarian regimes of Franco in Spain and Salazar in Portugal, Pius XII was not pro Nazi.

‘Catholics will be loyal’

  • He told the German chancellor:
    I am certain that if peace between Church and state is restored, everyone will be pleased.
  • The German people are united in their love for the Fatherland.
  • I am certain that if peace between Church and state is restored, everyone will be pleased.
  • He feared that criticism of Hitler’s regime would provoke harm to German Catholics.
  • In August 1942 Pius XII received a letter from Andrej Septyckj, a Ukrainian Cleric, bearing news of the massacre of 200,000 Jews in Ukraine.
  • Pius XII flirted with public criticism of Nazi inhumanity in his 1942 Christmas Eve broadcast.

Evil then and now

  • As I discovered while researching my book, Reporting the Second World War - The Press and the People 1939-1945, he could have learned as much by reading British newspapers.
  • In autumn 1942, titles including The Times and Daily Mail reported the World Jewish Congress’s belief that a million Jews had already died.
  • Today, his successor might contemplate the damage inflicted on his wartime predecessor’s reputation by his meek collusion with the wrong side.
  • Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba responded caustically to Pope Francis’s crass comments with: “Our flag is a yellow and blue one.


Tim Luckhurst has received funding from News UK and Ireland Ltd. He is a member of the Free Speech Union and the Society of Editors

ICDM Survey Reveals Imperative for Boards in ASEAN to Realign Priorities Towards More Effective and Sustainable Governance

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 23, 2024

of ICDM emphasised, ?Amidst the ongoing economic challenges, we remain steadfast in our commitment to navigating leadership in the dynamic landscape of Southeast Asia.

Key Points: 
  • of ICDM emphasised, ?Amidst the ongoing economic challenges, we remain steadfast in our commitment to navigating leadership in the dynamic landscape of Southeast Asia.
  • Governance is coming into focus on a more profound level in the wake of heightened stakeholders?
  • These include:
    (i) To Realign Board Agenda and Set Priorities Right: Boards often cling to outdated approaches, looking at things through yesterday?s lens and failing to adapt to changing circumstances.
  • In addition to the 2024 ASEAN Board Trends report, ICDM also announced the formation of an ASEAN Directors Registry under the ASEAN IOD Network initiative.

Parcrest Advises C.R. Chicks on its Growth Capital Investment by Blake Investment Partners and Luther Family Investments

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Chicks (the "Company") on its growth capital investment by Blake Investment Partners ("BIP") and Luther Family Investments.

Key Points: 
  • Chicks (the "Company") on its growth capital investment by Blake Investment Partners ("BIP") and Luther Family Investments.
  • I am thankful to the professionals at Blake Investment Partners and Parcrest Advisors for putting this transaction together, and along with my Luther Family Investment partners, Jonathan Luther and Dan Bowers, are eager to contribute to this exciting new partnership!"
  • We look forward to working with Parcrest again in the near future," said Cole Sones, Partner of Blake Investment Partners.
  • Chicks checked all of the boxes, with solid financials, high margins, consistent growth and a scalable business model.

Global Times: Two sessions set to chart out future devt plans for China at key juncture

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 5, 2024

It will continue taking forceful measures to guarantee a healthy international environment for the country's development.

Key Points: 
  • It will continue taking forceful measures to guarantee a healthy international environment for the country's development.
  • He noted that China is at a key juncture of development, thus it is important to address various problems it encounters during its development process.
  • However, the reality is that China is in the mid of a significant transition from traditional industries to cutting-edge technology sectors.
  • We must not judge China by the same standards that other nations are judged.

Adapting the US Veteran Policy Experience to Ukrainian Realities

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 1, 2024

Coalition members seek to leverage the U.S. experience in veteran policy to address Ukrainian needs and prepare a report for the U.S. Congress on this matter.

Key Points: 
  • Coalition members seek to leverage the U.S. experience in veteran policy to address Ukrainian needs and prepare a report for the U.S. Congress on this matter.
  • As the head of the Institute for Democracy and Development "PolitA," Kateryna Odarchenko remarked that Ukraine is learning from its American counterparts, who possess years of experience in veteran support.
  • Insights and advice from experts in veteran policy, including representatives from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine.
  • Conference participants formed a working group tasked with developing an Action Plan to adapt U.S. veteran policy experience to Ukrainian realities.

Pritzker Military Museum & Library Host an Exclusive Book Talk with Admiral James Stavridis, Retired Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, Moderated by Margaret Hoover, PBS Television Host of Firing Line

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 29, 2024

CHICAGO, Feb. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pritzker Military Museum & Library will host an exclusive in-person and live stream Book Talk Event with author, Admiral James Stavridis, retired Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, moderated by Margaret Hoover, PBS television host of Firing Line, to discuss the soon-to-be-released book, 2054.

Key Points: 
  • CHICAGO, Feb. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pritzker Military Museum & Library will host an exclusive in-person and live stream Book Talk Event with author, Admiral James Stavridis, retired Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, moderated by Margaret Hoover, PBS television host of Firing Line, to discuss the soon-to-be-released book, 2054.
  • He also served as Commander of U.S. Southern Command, with responsibility for all military operations in Latin America from 2006-2009.
  • He earned more than 50 medals, including 28 from foreign nations in his 37-year military career.
  • Margaret Hoover is the host of PBS' Firing Line with Margaret Hoover, a public affairs, multi-platform program that engages in long-form interviews and a rigorous exchange of ideas with the guiding principle that civil discourse is a civic responsibility.

Global Reach Consolidates Initiatives, Resources to Secure Return of US Citizens Held Hostage or Wrongfully Detained Abroad

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 26, 2024

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Reach has been formed by US business leader and philanthropist, Steve Menzies, to consolidate professionals, nonprofit and commercial resources together for the purpose of rescuing US citizens held hostage or otherwise wrongfully detained outside the US. Mr. Menzies, Founder and Chairman of Applied Underwriters and the Steve Menzies Global Foundation, will carry forward the work of the late Governor Bill Richardson's third-party intervention and his record of success in helping to bring Americans home and out of harm's way.

Key Points: 
  • Mr. Menzies, Founder and Chairman of Applied Underwriters and the Steve Menzies Global Foundation, will carry forward the work of the late Governor Bill Richardson's third-party intervention and his record of success in helping to bring Americans home and out of harm's way.
  • The complexity and depth of knowledge these cases require often transcends governmental and other established resources, indicating the need for identifying and realizing a sophisticated approach that adds up to the result we seek: the freedom of US citizens wrongfully detained.
  • Mr. Bergman noted, "Steve Menzies and his Foundation have been a generous, committed strategic partner to Governor Richardson.
  • Following the Governor's recent passing, Steve and I recognized that the mission had to continue, and the need was only becoming greater.

CARLA TULLY APPOINTED TO NIKOLA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 16, 2024

PHOENIX, Feb. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nikola Corporation (Nasdaq: NKLA), a global leader in zero-emissions transportation and energy supply and infrastructure solutions, via the HYLA brand, today announced the appointment of energy and infrastructure expert Carla Tully, to its Board of Directors. Over more than two decades, Tully has built a successful track record leading and scaling energy organizations across Fortune 150, private equity, startup, and government entities. Tully serves as the Vice Chair of Earthrise Energy's Board of Directors, a Board Director for Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions Forum and as an Advisor to several energy transition startups.

Key Points: 
  • PHOENIX, Feb. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nikola Corporation (Nasdaq: NKLA), a global leader in zero-emissions transportation and energy supply and infrastructure solutions, via the HYLA brand , today announced the appointment of energy and infrastructure expert Carla Tully, to its Board of Directors .
  • Tully serves as the Vice Chair of Earthrise Energy's Board of Directors, a Board Director for Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions Forum and as an Advisor to several energy transition startups.
  • "As Nikola scales its energy infrastructure business, especially in the hydrogen ecosystem, the addition of Carla to Nikola's Board of Directors will greatly benefit our company, employees and shareholders," said Steve Shindler, Chairman of Nikola's Board of Directors.
  • I've dedicated my career to similar missions, and I am delighted to join Nikola's Board of Directors and support Nikola in 2024 and beyond."

As US-China tensions mount, the UK will need to work closer with Europe in the Indo-Pacific

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 12, 2024

This was formalised in September 2021 with the announcement of Aukus, a military alliance with the US and Australia.

Key Points: 
  • This was formalised in September 2021 with the announcement of Aukus, a military alliance with the US and Australia.
  • Yet its major interests there – in security, economy, diplomacy and human rights – appear more closely aligned with Brussels than Washington.
  • The imperative to coordinate, if not align, with Europe will become stronger still if Donald Trump returns to the US presidency in 2024.
  • Ironically, Britain’s pivot away from the European bloc and towards the Indo-Pacific calls for greater policy coordination with Europe.

Global trade

  • On global trade in general, the UK and US are moving in opposite directions.
  • There remains little sign of the promised US-UK free trade agreement.
  • In its absence, Britain is placing trade at the centre of its Indo-Pacific tilt, joining the region’s most ambitious free trade deal, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement on Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Diplomatic moves

  • And it committed the UK to pushing back against human rights violations in China by aligning with the UK’s allies and partners.
  • When part of the EU, British diplomats were well known as effective contributors to the EU’s diplomatic service.

A win for Europe

  • The European Council’s description of the EU-China relationship -– partner on global challenges, competitor on technology, rival on governance –- has provided a stable framework since 2019.
  • There is also a win for Europe in all this.


Andrew Chubb consults for the Great Britain-China Centre and the Ministry of Defence. [email protected] receives funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council and consults for the Ministry of Defence.

U.S. Department of State Opens Application for 2025 Cohort of William D. Clarke, Sr. Diplomatic Security Fellowship

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 12, 2024

Washington, D.C., Feb. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. Department of State is now accepting applications for the 2025 cohort of the William D. Clarke, Sr.

Key Points: 
  • Washington, D.C., Feb. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. Department of State is now accepting applications for the 2025 cohort of the William D. Clarke, Sr.
  • Diplomatic Security (Clarke DS) Fellowship , a unique diversity recruitment program that provides academic funding for a two-year master’s degree program while preparing fellows to enter the Foreign Service as Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Special Agent s .
  • Funded by the Department of State and administered by The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars (TWC), the Clarke DS Fellowship aims to attract qualified candidates to the Diplomatic Security Service who represent ethnic, racial, gender, social, and geographic diversity.
  • Applicants for the 2025 cohort must be planning to enter a full-time, two-year master’s degree program in fall 2025.