fewer protections

our changing world

I am pleased Mr. Adam Oler of the National War College agreed to speak next month on the evolving politics of Israel. He was there about a month ago as the protests unfolded and, as a long standing analyst of that state, follows trends inside and across the region.

Additionally, I spoke with the President of the National Bureau of Asian Research, Roy Kamphausen, today. Not only does Roy run an organisation with expertise in security/policy questions but also a major energy program focused on Asia among others. NBR also is central to bringing new scholars into the field ranging from supporting language programs to supporting non-resident fellows. To those of you not in the academic world, that may sound ho hum but it’s a big deal. The excitement and innovative steps NBR advances are why I feel so lucky to have joined their Board of Directors this past summer.

Roy agreed this morning to do our inaugural podcast on what it was like to be an Army attache’ in China. This is something about which many of you have never had to think about but as problems in the relationship with Beijing (as does the one with Russia) deteroriates, I thought you would find it fascinating to know what an attache’ does on your behalf (whether you are in Fife in Scotland or in Seattle, Washington or Naples, Florida). Attache’s, whether military or economic, put their careers and lives on the line every day, today potentially facing incarceration as they do their assigned jobs. Roy was enthusiastic about discussing this as he enjoyed his time in country. We are scheduling that soon.

Citizens, no matter who they are, going overseas today are indeed in far more precarious positions than they were ten years ago. As the authoritarian regimes reject the ‘norms’ of global behaviour which have been in place for decades, individuals have fewer protections. We have no global enforcer to assure people are protected when they are abroad.

Your governments, the ones too often despised and criticised in each democracy I can think of, stations personnel overseas for various reasons, not the least to help you in case of crisis. The forces of authoritarians are outpacing our abilities in many cases, however, making your vulnerabilities increase.

I don’t mention that as a threat or deterrent to travel; it’s a reality. It’s not because government does not care; it is because the threats in many places to foreigners increase as more folks travel. It’s also because our governments, at least in the United States, underfund foreign operations. The contemporary criticisms about U.K. and U.S. forces evacuating their citizens from Sudan illustrates this point.

I want us to appreciate dangers, opportunities, and threats developing around the world I also want to assure you of how hard folks on the ground are working to support citizens but there are many stresses on the systems in our nations. It’s a tough world right now. Manageable but tough. FIN