Every Monday, the Research Trainees of the CERESE assess the news of the previous week. You can read their opinions below:

I like…

… that for the first time in years, China-US nuclear arms control talks have begun. It is obvious that such news is extremely positive, if we consider the conflicts in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, as well as the fact that China is upgrading its nuclear arsenal. Despite the fact that these discussions were simply exploratory in nature, both sides greeted them positively. In addition, the nuclear debate may bring China and the US closer on security issues in Asia and the Middle East.

… the decision of the judicial authorities of France to issue an arrest warrant against the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Bashar al-Assad, on Wednesday 15th November 2023. The warrant issued because of the systematic violation of human rights during the Syrian Civil War. Particularly, the Assad government allegedly used internationally banned chemical weapons against civilians. This news is positive, because the condemnation of international illegal actions is, morally, vindicating the victims of hostilities. It also highlights France’s and potentially West’s commitment to the humanitarian aspect of the Syrian Civil War, which has plagued Syria since 2011.

I dislike…

… the fact that Hungary has not yet accepted Sweden’s membership in NATO. During a joint press conference with Hungarian President Katalin Novák, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called on the Hungarian parliament to ratify Sweden’s accession to the organization “as soon as possible”. Hungary is one of the last two NATO members that has not yet given the green light to Sweden’s membership. It should be noted that in October the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, submitted the protocol for Sweden’s admission to NATO to the Turkish parliament, which also remains to be ratified.

… Georgia’s attitude towards the former adviser to the UK, Ben Mallet, by barring him from entering the country on 13 November 2023. The British consultant was questioned by the border guards and refused entry without any clear justification. A few days earlier, the European Commission had proposed Georgia as a potential member state of the European Union despite its history of human rights violations. At the same time, the country has made a sudden turn towards Moscow, which is thought to be due to the oligarchic regime that still exists in Georgia. These recent decisions raise questions about how the country will move forward in the future.