Oct 13, 2015 | China, Diplomacy, English, International commerce, International Finance, Multilaterism, Non-state diplomacy, Passage au crible (English)
By Justin Chiu. Translation: Lawrence Myers
On June 29, 2015, the signing ceremony of the statutes of the AIIB (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank) was held in Beijing. Bringing together 57 countries worldwide, this new multilateral bank has established a $100 billion fund of which 30% comes from China. Considered a diplomatic success of the Chinese state, the creation of the AIIB marks a turning point in global finance.
Jul 26, 2015 | Climate change, English, environment, Globalization, Non-state diplomacy, Passage au crible (English)
By Weiting Chao. Translation: Lawrence Myers
Six months before the Climate Conference (COP21), the 26th World Gas Conference (WGC2015) was held June 1-5, 2015, in Paris. Organized by the IGU (International Gas Union), the event brought together more than 4,000 representatives from 83 countries from the biggest global industry players including BP, Total, Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, ENI, BG Group, Statoil, Qatargass, PetroChina, etc. Climate change, which now takes center stage, incited these actors to discuss themes linked to energy transition…
Jul 20, 2015 | Africa, Defense, English, Passage au crible (English), Security, Terrorism
By Philippe Hugon. Translation: Lawrence Myers
On March 23, 2015, Al-Shabaab (“the youth” in Arabic) attacked Garissa University in Kenya, leaving more than 150 dead. These actions, targeting Christian students, were committed in an extremely violent manner in a symbolic place known for dispensing knowledge. They occurred one month after Al-Shabaab pledged its allegiance to Al-Qaida and threatened shopping centers of western origin…
Jul 7, 2015 | Communitarianism, cultural diversity, Culture en, English, Passage au crible (English), Security, Terrorism
By Alexandre Bohas. Translation: Lawrence Myers.
With the capture of Palmyra by Islamic State troops in Iraq and in the Levant (ISIL or Daesh in Arabic) in May, one of the most prestigious sites of antiquity is now threatened with extinction. This event testifies to ideological motives of this self-proclaimed caliphate against cultural buildings.