Saturday, June 10, 2023

1st mission to 'touch' the sun discovers a mysterious source of solar wind

An artist's illustration of the Parker Solar Probe spacecraft approaching the sun. (Image credit: NASA)

A NASA spacecraft has skimmed through the sun's hellish atmosphere to discover a mysterious source of solar wind.

Away from the sun, the solar wind is a sloshing spray of energetic plasma. But get closer — as NASA's Parker Solar Probe recently did by diving within 13 million miles (21 million kilometers) of the sun's surface — and individual particle streams can be seen, and some of them are being steered by magnetic fields as they emerge from gigantic holes in the sun's surface.

The solar wind — a stream of charged protons, electrons and alpha particles — can be broken up into two broad categories of "fast" and "slow." The fast solar wind bursts out from around holes in the sun's atmosphere and can travel at peak speeds of 497 miles per second (800 kilometers per second) — twice the top speed of the slow wind.

Solar physicists have long wondered what makes one type of solar wind almost twice as fast as the other. Now the daredevil probe may have found the answer: The faster flows come from sudden whip-cracking bursts of energy released during the rapid realignment of magnetic fields. The researchers published their findings June 7 in the journal Nature.

"Winds carry lots of information from the sun to Earth, so understanding the mechanism behind the sun's wind is important for practical reasons on Earth," study co-author James Drake, a professor of physics at the University of Maryland, said in a statement. "That's going to affect our ability to understand how the sun releases energy and drives geomagnetic storms, which are a threat to our communication networks."

Because strong solar winds can cause geomagnetic storms that are powerful enough to send satellites tumbling to Earth or even cripple the internet, scientists are keen to figure out how they're made. Data from the Parker Solar Probe revealed that coronal holes — darker, cooler regions that open in the sun's outer atmosphere — are shaped like "showerheads" made up of mostly evenly spaced funnels of material up to 18,000 miles (29,000 km) wide. These funnels can either loop back into or beam completely out of the sun, depending on whether the magnetic-field lines that guide them are open or closed.

"The photosphere [the lowest layer of the sun's atmosphere] is covered by convection cells, like in a boiling pot of water, and the larger scale convection flow is called supergranulation," lead author Stuart Bale, a professor of physics at the University of California, Berkeley, said in the statement. "Where these supergranulation cells meet and go downward, they drag the magnetic field in their path into this downward kind of funnel," he added. "The magnetic field becomes very intensified there because it's just jammed."

— NASA's Artemis program: Everything you need to know

— Relive SpaceX's explosive 1st Starship launch in incredible photos

An Artemis 3 delay to 2026 would hardly be surprising; the mission is ambitious, after all, and will employ newly developed and highly complex pieces of space hardware.

Indeed, the December 2025 date is already a slip from the original target: In March 2019, the Trump administration instructed NASA to put astronauts on the moon by the end of 2024. This timeline was widely viewed as overly aggressive, as a November 2021 report by the NASA Office of Inspector General (OIG) noted.

"NASA's goal to land astronauts on the moon's south pole in late 2024 faces multiple significant challenges including major technical risks, an unrealistic development schedule and lower-than-requested funding levels. As a result, the 2024 date will likely slip to 2026 at the earliest," wrote the authors of the OIG report.

You can read that report, titled "NASA's Management of the Artemis Missions," here.

Starship isn't the only private vehicle that NASA plans to use as a crewed moon lander, by the way. Last month, the agency announced that it had selected Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos' spaceflight company, to provide a second Artemis human landing system.

Forest Recognition for Papua Tribe Raises Hopes for Climate

Country:
INDONESIA

Author:
Peter Yeung
INTERNATIONAL RJF GRANTEE

ENGLISH

Project
Indonesia's Indigenous Customary Forest

READ MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT

Indigenous peoples are increasingly recognised as the most effective custodians of the world’s remaining forests

Yustina Ogoney has been head of her district since 2017.

Image by Peter Yeung/Al Jazeera. Indonesia, 2023.

Striding barefoot through the emerald green jungle with a long wooden bow slung over his shoulder, Josep Ogoney points up at the tropical vegetation surrounding him and his remote riverside village.

“This is my pasar,” said the 37-year-old, using the Indonesian word for a market. “I can take animals to eat, plants for medicine and wood to build my home.”

But this stretch of pristine rainforest is rather different from conventional markets.

“It’s all free,” grinned Josep, who is a member of the Ogoney, an Indigenous clan from Indonesia who inhabit the far-eastern, richly-forested province of West Papua.

That is not entirely true. The Ogoney have cultivated the forest for centuries, living off the fruits of their labour. Here, they grow pineapples, sago and sweet potatoes, they hunt deer and pigs, and they use endemic plants to nourish and heal themselves.

But while parts of the Ogoney’s forest have been set aside for sustainable use of the abundant natural resources, much is considered sacred according to their traditional beliefs and, therefore, it is not only left untouched, but fiercely protected.

“We depend on the forest,” adds Josep. “We will reject anyone who tries to exploit it.”

Josep Ogoney says the forest is like a ‘market’ for the Ogoney people, but they also consider much of it sacred and are fiercely protective of it. Image by Peter Yeung/Al Jazeera. Indonesia, 2023.

Indigenous peoples and local communities, like the Ogoney, manage half the world’s land and 80 percent of its biodiversity and have been effective custodians and defenders of nature for generations. Forests on Indigenous lands, which store 37.7 billion tonnes of carbon globally, play a major role in stabilising the earth’s climate.

But only recently have Indigenous peoples and local communities begun to receive mainstream recognition for that role. At the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2021, also known as COP26, world leaders pledged to provide $1.7bn to support these communities, citing evidence that they reduce deforestation.

“By using sustainable practices taught from one generation to another, they actively safeguard forests, preserving biodiversity and keeping a delicate balance essential for both the environment and their own sustenance,” said Emmanuelle Bérenger, lead for sustainable forest management at the Rainforest Alliance, a global nonprofit. “To effectively protect forests, they need to be supported through legal recognition.”
Long process

Lessons for supporting Indigenous-led conservation can be learned from Indonesia, which, in 2016, began legally recognising Indigenous “customary forests” in order to both bolster land tenure rights and better manage the nation’s natural resources.

To date, Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry, which oversees the third largest tract of rainforest in the world, has recognised the customary forests of more than 100 tribes, reallocating 153,000 hectares (591 square miles) of land previously under state control.

In October, the Ogoney became the first Indigenous people in West Papua province to have a customary forest recognised by the government. It spans 16,299 hectares (63 square miles) of lowland tropical forest, which contains rare species such as birds of paradise and cassowaries – emu-like creatures that are the closest living species to dinosaurs.

“I myself thank God because of this acknowledgement,” said Yustina Ogoney, head of Merdey district, which encompasses all the Ogoney villages. “I pay serious attention to forest protection because if there is no forest, it will have a big impact on us.”

Recognition was the culmination of a long, difficult process that began in 2017.

The Ogoney began their application for customary land recognition after a timber company, Papua Satya Kencana (PASKA), was issued a concession in their district.

“I saw that areas belonging to other clans in the Moskona tribe suffered massive timber harvesting by the company,” said Yustina, who in 2017 became the head of the district. “Our forest is still intact, and we didn’t want it to happen here.”

It was not a simple process.

Many of the Ogoney had no idea about the existence or importance of the decree on customary land recognition, and when it came to mapping the territorial boundaries, there were disputes between communities as to where they should be. Several site visits were required before the government eventually verified the application.

“The government has been very slow to give recognition, especially for the Papuans,” says Sulfianto Alias of Panah Papua, which with the support of Perkumpulan HuMa Indonesia, led participatory mapping for the Ogoney and six other clans in the region.

The Ogoney have cultivated their forest for at least seven generations. Image by Peter Yeung/Al Jazeera. Indonesia, 2023.

As part of the process, Panah Papua produced a study of the Ogoney culture, which is known for its sustainability.

The clan, which according to the research dates back at least seven generations, practise shifting cultivation, largely of sago, which comes from palm trees, and buah merah, an endemic red fruit known for its healing properties – with rules dictating where in the forest cultivation is permitted.

“It is a beautiful place,” said Rosalina Ogoney, a 41-year-old from the same village as Josep. “We have fields where we can grow food, but only for what we need, and elsewhere it is forbidden to even enter – let alone hunt or carry out activities.”

As a result, the rainforest has been preserved. A study by the Samdhana Institute, an Indonesian nonprofit, found that between 1990 and 2020 just 51 hectares (126 acres) of forest were lost on the Ogoney’s land, an annual deforestation rate of just 0.1 percent.

By comparison, Nusantara Atlas, an independent deforestation monitor, estimates Indonesia’s tree cover loss from 2001 to 2021 was an average 0.5 percent each year.

“The evidence shows that Indigenous people protect their forest,” said Yunus Yumte, Papua project coordinator for the institute. “We found the low deforestation was due to the traditional cultural practices in forest and land cultivation and limited access.”

The Ogoney grow pineapples, sago and sweet potatoes, and use endemic plants to nourish and heal themselves. Image by Peter Yeung/Al Jazeera. Indonesia, 2023.

Buah merah [red fruit] is known for its healing qualities. Image by Peter Yeung/Al Jazeera. Indonesia, 2023.

As well as a source of food, medicine and building materials, the forest provides a key defence against floods – more frequent due to climate change – in Ogoney territory, which is surrounded by large rivers at the foot of the Arfak mountains.
Boost for women

Beyond the climate benefits, the broader recognition of customary forests is seen as an opportunity to improve gender equality and livelihoods among Indigenous peoples, who are disproportionately affected by poverty and discrimination.

Previously, the Ogoney received scant agricultural training or support because their land was considered state forest, but officials at the Ministry of Manpower and Bogor Agricultural University are now working to help improve the efficiency of crop cultivation. There is also the prospect of ecotourism being developed.

“I hope that inclusive economic growth can occur,” said Rina Mardiana, of the university’s Faculty of Ecology.

Meanwhile, a study of five customary forests – including the Ogoney’s – last year found the process has created “opportunities for women” in local politics.

Women in one tribe in Sumatra, on the western end of the Indonesian archipelago, successfully improved gender equality in forest management by forming women’s groups. But the success is not widespread. Women often require permission from male relatives to use forest products, for example. “Still women’s voices are not taken into account,” said Abby Gina Boang Manalu, the lead author of the study.

Research suggests recognition of customary land has also elevated the role of women within communities. Image by Peter Yeung/Al Jazeera. Indonesia, 2023.

Going forward, critics say that the government must ramp up the speed and scale of recognition.

According to a report in March by the Ancestral Domain Registration Agency (BRWA), an Indonesian nonprofit, there 25.1 million hectares (96,912 square miles) of potential customary forest, but only 3.2 million hectares (12,366 square miles), or 12.7 percent, has been recognised by local government – the final step before national government passes recognition.

“It’s not enough,” said Tania Li, a professor of anthropology at Toronto University and expert in Indonesia’s Indigenous peoples’ movement. “It’s not happening at the scale required. It has to move at least as fast to even catch up with the backlog.”

Li points to the tens of millions of hectares of concessions that have been granted for palm oil, logging and mining, particularly in Papua, where Indigenous land rights face a difficult and complicated political backdrop due to a long-simmering separatist conflict.

“This is a decisive moment,” added Li. “Does Indonesia really want to protect its forests and Indigenous peoples, or does it want profits and power?”
New funding

Even for the Ogoney, concerns linger post-recognition. Several clan members held a protest at the logging company PASKA’s site in 2019 after it allegedly failed to build homes, water wells and toilets for the community as promised. While the company has stopped operating on their land since its permit lapsed, the damage is still being felt. “The water has become muddy, it’s hard to find fish,” said Julianus Ogoney, 29.

PASKA did not respond to requests for comment.

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry told Al Jazeera it is working to speed up its process of recognition.

“There is a great reason to support Indigenous peoples,” said Yuli Prasetyo, deputy director of the ministry’s customary forest programme. “They know how to best protect and manage their lands. We can all learn from them.”

Rosalina Ogoney says the Ogoney practise shifting cultivation, allowing the forest to thrive. Image by Peter Yeung/Al Jazeera. Indonesia, 2023.

Those efforts received a major boost in May when international donors launched the Nusantara Fund, which will provide up to $20m over the next decade in what is Indonesia’s first direct funding mechanism for Indigenous peoples and local communities.

Back in West Papua, the dawn of a new age of Indigenous empowerment could be on the horizon. And while some of the Ogoney opposed Yustina when she became the first female head of the district, they have since changed their minds.

“Male elders said I was not capable enough,” said Yustina, pacing along a dirt trail in the rainforest wearing a technicolour headdress, dogtooth necklace, and handwoven cloth sarong handed down from her mother.

“I did not respond or acknowledge them. Instead, I worked hard. They have stopped questioning me now.”

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https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/ursula-k-le-guin-the-word-for-world-is-forest-1

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YAR, THAR HE BLOWS

El Niño declared by US authorities

Credit: Nathan Lewis / Getty Images

El Niño has been declared by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, marking the start of a natural climate phenomenon that will influence weather patterns right across the Pacific Ocean.

In a statement, NOAA said “El Niño conditions are present and are expected to gradually strengthen into the winter”. It suggests there is an 84% chance of a moderate El Niño by the start of the northern hemisphere winter and a 56% chance of a strong event.

Normally, trade winds in the eastern Pacific Ocean push warm water at the ocean’s surface west towards Asia and Australia. This causes cold water from the ocean’s depths to rise near South America.

El Niño – sometimes described as the Southern Oscillation or El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle – occurs when these trade winds diminish, causing warm water to be pushed back toward the Americas.

The knock-on effects of this process can have major impacts on human lives. Beyond changes to climate in nations bordering the Pacific Ocean, changes to cold water upwelling off South America are typically unwelcome by local fishing industries, as warm waters are less nutrient-rich and can see fish stocks reduce.

Explainer: El Niño, La Niña, Indian Ocean Dipole

El Niño typically changes weather patterns across many nations in or along the Pacific.

El Niño 70% likely according to Australian weather bureau

Wetter than average conditions become more likely for America’s southwest coast and along the Gulf of Mexico, while the northern US could be expected to have warmer winters and reduced rainfall from the Pacific Northwest across to the Ohio Valley.

Scientists are also increasingly warning of the effect climate change may have on climate phenomena.

“Climate change can exacerbate or mitigate certain impacts related to El Niño,” says Michelle L’Heureux from the NOAA Climate Prediction Center.

“For example, El Niño could lead to new records for temperatures, particularly in areas that already experience above-average temperatures during El Niño.” 

For southern hemisphere regions, El Niño can present different conditions. For South American countries along the Pacific coast like Ecuador and Peru, it’s typically associated with increased rainfall and flooding. Some parts of central Chile may also experience increased precipitation.

It’s a different story in Australia and Asia where El Niño generally means reduced end-of-year rainfall. That’s bad news for southern parts of Australia that typically expect hot summers and encounter far drier conditions, and heightened fire and overnight frost risk.

Earlier this week, Australia’s weather bureau upgraded its El Niño watch status, but is yet to formally declare the emergence of the climate event.

“El Niño generally promotes hotter and drier conditions in Australia and increases the risk of drought and bushfire,” says Ruby Lieber from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes.

“While the tropical Pacific Ocean has warmed to El Niño thresholds, the atmosphere is not responding in the way typical of an El Niño. Every El Niño is different and so we cannot be certain as to what the weather and climate will do in respon

Tesla's EV charging model effectively becomes US standard after GM, Ford deal

The deal was initially made between Ford and Tesla -- now GM is joining in.

Written by Maria Diaz, Staff Writer on June 9, 2023

ZDNET

SOPA Images/Getty Images

General Motors (GM) and Ford have both officially made deals with Tesla that will allow their electric vehicle (EV) customers to access the Tesla Supercharger network in North America as soon as 2024.

The deal allows GM and Ford, current makers of more affordable electric vehicles, to manufacture EVs equipped with Tesla's proprietary charging standard and gives these vehicles access to the largest network of EV charging stations in the US.

Also: I tried to charge my Tesla with Anker's PowerHouse 767. Here's what happened

This will include over 12,000 Tesla charging stations that account for about 60% of the total number of fast chargers in North America.

As Tesla, GM, and Ford manufacture 70% of the EVs in the US, the adoption of the same charging technology effectively makes Tesla's charging system the new standard in the US. and, possibly, all of North America.

During a Twitter Spaces talk when the Ford deal was announced in May, Tesla CEO Elon Musk explained the motivation behind the deal: "The idea is that we don't want the Tesla supercharger network to be like a walled garden. We want it to be something that is supportive of electrification and sustainable transport in general."

Making the Tesla charging technology the standard in the US also stands to make the company extra profit. After the deals were announced, Tesla's shares were up 5.8% on Friday, while GM's also went up 3.1%. Financial experts at Piper Sandler & Co said Tesla stands to make up to $3 billion by 2030 as a result of the deals.

Ford will equip its future EVs with Tesla's charging system starting in 2025, but a Tesla-developed adapter will provide vehicles that use the Combined Charging System (CCS) access to the Tesla Supercharger network. Now, GM is joining in on the endeavor.

"I think this is just going to be a fundamentally great thing for the advancement of electric vehicles," Musk shared during another Spaces conversation to announce the GM deal.

In recent years, EV users and industry executives pointed to different charging systems as a barrier for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

Though the Biden administration had pushed for the adoption of the CCS that rivaled Tesla's system and was used by other EV manufacturers, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told CNBC in May that he believed the EV industry would eventually adopt a single standard, but adapters would allow interoperability.

ALL CAPITALI$M IS STATE CAPITALI$M

Credit Suisse: Swiss government agrees €9.2bn loss guarantee deal with UBS

New deal removes one of the final blockages to the €3.3bn rescue takeover by UBS of Credit Suisse Group

Assets to be covered includes primarily loans, derivatives, legacy assets and structured products from Credit Suisse’s non-core unit.

Picture: Michael Buholzer/Keystone/AP

FRI, 09 JUN, 2023 -
MARION HALFTERMEYER

UBS sealed an agreement with the Swiss government to cover 9bn francs (€9.2bn) of losses it could incur from the rescue of Credit Suisse Group, clearing the last major hurdle to closing the historic takeover.

The accord was signed on June 9 and will cover a specific portfolio of Credit Suisse assets, corresponding to about 3% of the merged banks’ combined assets, the government said in a statement. That represents about 44 billion francs.

The deal removes one of the final blockages to the $3.3bn (€3bn) takeover, which was brokered by the government in March as Credit Suisse hurtled toward bankruptcy. UBS had pushed for protection from hard-to-predict losses from a set of its former rival’s assets it plans to wind down or sell. With the government accord now in place, the merger may close as soon as Monday, creating a financial titan twice the size of the Swiss economy.

Under the terms, UBS will assume the first 5bn francs of losses, with the government stepping up to take on the next 9bn francs. The portfolio of assets to be covered includes primarily loans, derivatives, legacy assets, and structured products from Credit Suisse’s non-core unit.

A net approach will be taken when calculating losses, meaning any profits from the portfolio will also be taken into account.

Bloomberg

FIFA Women's World Cup's new payment model revealed, ticket sales surpass 1 million

CGTN

World football's governing body FIFA on Friday announced its new member association distribution model for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand, with at least $30,000 to be distributed to each player for participating in the tournament.

According to the financial allocation, each player will receive $30,000 for the group stage, while the champions will receive $270,000 for each player. The prize money for players from the last 16 to those finishing as runners-up will vary from $60,000 to $195,000.

FIFA said the initiative marks another concrete step to develop women's football and ensure players receive a fair deal, a commitment that it hopes will set a standard across the industry.

"Under this unprecedented new distribution model, each individual player at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 can now fully rely on remuneration for their efforts as they progress through the tournament," said FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Each participating member association will get at least $1.56 million, with the winners set to receive $4.29 million.

According to FIFA, its total investment in the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 is budgeted to exceed $500 million.

A girl smiles as she looks at the trophy for the FIFA Women's World Cup during a trophy tour at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, June 8, 2023. /CFP

On the other hand, the tournament, scheduled from July 20 to August 20, has hit a major milestone, with ticket sales surpassing one million.

Infantino revealed on Friday that 1.03 million tickets have been sold for the ninth Women's World Cup, surpassing the total sales for the 2019 World Cup in France.

It means the event is on track to become the most attended standalone women's sporting event in history.

"Delighted to share with the world that FIFA has passed one million tickets sold for this year's FIFA Women's World Cup, to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand," Infantino said in a statement.

"This means that with over one month to go before kick-off, we have surpassed the numbers sold for France 2019, thus meaning that Australia and New Zealand 2023 is on track to become the most attended FIFA Women's World Cup in history."

(With input from Xinhua)

US antisemitism envoy worried by Israeli far-right policies

Deborah Lipstadt says changing attitudes and perceptions will be a 'long haul'

Deborah Lipstadt was sworn in as the US Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism in May last year. Getty Images / AFP

Sulaiman Hakemy
Jun 09, 2023

Deborah Lipstadt, the US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, told The National during a visit to Abu Dhabi that she does worry about whether the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians will increase the prevalence of antisemitism in the Middle East and around the world.

“I think the State Department, the Near East Desk and my own office have made clear their disapproval of some [of the Israeli government’s] actions, without getting into specifics,” Ms Lipstadt said. “But more than anything, anybody who would use them as a rationale for antisemitism is just looking for an excuse.”

Asked whether she thought the Netanyahu government's actions would exacerbate antisemitism, Ms Lipstadt said: "I do worry about it."

The diplomat, a prolific historian and professor of Jewish history, was in the UAE capital this week to visit the Abrahamic Family House, the world’s first religious complex featuring a mosque, church and synagogue on a single, shared plot.

The UAE has stood out in the Middle East for its efforts to combat antisemitism in recent years, particularly since the signing of the Abraham Accords, the agreement to normalise relations between the Emirates and Israel, in 2020.

The signing of the accords has led to the development of a robust trade partnership between the two countries, as well as the opening up of passenger flights between them.

In January, the UAE announced that it would soon begin teaching about the Holocaust in local schools, with the curriculum being developed in consultation with Yad Vashem, Israel’s official Holocaust museum and memorial.

“What the Abrahamic Family House represents,” Ms Lipstadt said, “is a decision by the UAE, after having been involved in tolerance and religious co-existence for years, to really make a mark with a space that will help to influence what happens in the region and the world.”

But various actions by the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, including inflammatory rhetoric from far-right cabinet ministers and an incident in April when Israeli police stormed Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, have caused concern throughout the Arab world.

Mr Netanyahu was re-elected as Israeli prime minister in December, after a wide coalition of parties that had ousted him in 2021 collapsed.

The new governing coalition comprises Mr Netanyahu’s conservative Likud party and an assemblage of religious and far-right parties. Experts say the prime minister’s decision to appoint far-right leaders to cabinet positions has emboldened Jewish extremists.

In the past month there have been several attacks on Christian priests and pilgrims in Jerusalem, suspected to have been carried out by Jewish extremist groups.

In a tweet on Thursday, Ms Lipstadt condemned these attacks, saying: “Christians, Jews and Muslims alike should feel welcome in Jerusalem and throughout the Holy Land.”

In her interview with The National, Ms Lipstadt described the work of the Abraham Accords in helping to resolve Israel’s differences with the Arab world as “a long haul”.

“That there is a longer haul socially and politically is not surprising, because you can change economic relations much more easily than you can change people’s attitudes, ideas and perceptions.”

Russia to withdraw from European armed forces treaty on Nov. 7

: Xinhua, June 10, 2023

Russia will officially pull out of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) on Nov. 7 this year, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

As required, Russia has notified all participants of the CFE of its decision to withdraw from the treaty and its departure will come into force 150 days after the notification, the ministry said in a statement.

Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on the denunciation of the CFE following the approval of the parliament.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said then that Russia's withdrawal would have no direct impact because the mechanism had been non-working for a long time.

The CFE was originally signed in 1990 by the then NATO members and the then six Warsaw Treaty states. The agreement came into force in 1992.

The pact was aimed at establishing a balance between the two military alliances by setting limits on the quantities of weapons and military equipment that all parties were allowed to amass.

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The Complex Relationship Between Populism and the Economy: A Delicate Balancing Act

June 10, 2023
By Syeda Nida Fatima

MODERNDIPLOMACY.EU

Populism on both the right and left has spread like wildfire over the world. The drive reached its apex in the United States with Trump’s election, but it has been a force in Europe since the Great Recession threw the European economy into a lengthy tailspin. Populism is a political philosophy that demonizes economic and political elites while lionizing ‘the people.’ Populists of all shades argue that the people must recapture power from the unaccountable elites who made them impotent.

Populism has emerged as a powerful force in contemporary politics, challenging long-held political norms and institutions. The appeal to economic concerns and complaints is a crucial feature of populist movements. The link between populism and the economy, on the other hand, is intricate and diverse. During periods of economic instability or stagnation, populism frequently arises, tapping on the frustrations and worries of marginalized people. the economic instability refers to an economy that lacks certainty or equilibrium, such as high unemployment rates, poor economic development, or unpredictable financial markets. Populist leaders and groups are skilled at exploiting economic complaints and presenting them as the consequence of an inefficient or corrupt elite. They present themselves as defenders of the “common people” or marginalized groups who have been left behind by the current political and economic elite. They provide simplified solutions to complicated economic problems, vowing to protect people’s interests against perceived dangers presented by global entities such as globalization, immigration, or multinational businesses.

It is crucial to remember that economic insecurity or stagnation does not always result in the emergence of populism. Other variables, such as cultural fears, identity politics, and a lack of faith in institutions, all contribute to the creation of a climate favorable to populist movements. The economic factor, on the other hand, is frequently a substantial motivator since it directly affects people’s livelihoods and ambitions.

Populist policies and language can have serious consequences for economic stability, development, and long-term viability. To understand its implications for society and policymaking, this delicate balancing act between populism and the economy must be carefully examined.

Economic Dissatisfaction and the Rise of Populism

Populist groups frequently garner support by focusing on economic dissatisfaction in society. These complaints may be the result of a variety of issues, including wage stagnation, job insecurity, economic inequality, and the belief that conventional political elites have not effectively addressed these issues. Populist leaders are skilled at capitalizing on these resentments by pledging quick and dramatic fixes that appeal to disenchanted people.

Populist economic policies

Populist economic policies are frequently put in place once populist politicians are in charge in order to solve the issues that brought them to power. These regulations might be very varied from one country to another, reflecting the diversity of populist movements worldwide. Protectionism, trade restrictions, and more government involvement in the economy are some characteristics of populist economic policy. These actions are frequently justified as defending the rights of the “common people” in the face of multinational companies and powerful global elites.

Long-Term Economic Effects and Short-Term Populist Gains:

Populist measures may improve the short term and placate disenchanted people, but they can harm the economy in the long run. For instance, protectionist policies may shelter domestic sectors from competition in the near term, but they eventually stifle effectiveness, innovation, and competitiveness. Increased government involvement may result in corruption, inefficiency, and a suppression of the expansion of the private sector.

The Effects on Investor Confidence and Market Stability

Populist discourse and actions may also significantly affect investor confidence and market stability. Populist politicians frequently take on established financial and economic institutions like central banks, which can increase volatility and uncertainty. When political factors appear to be driving policy decisions rather than strong economic realities, investors may be reluctant to commit capital.

Inclusive growth vs. Protectionism

If it is feasible to achieve inclusive economic development while assuaging populist attitudes, that would be a key question in the populist-economic nexus. Opponents contend that populist policies frequently priorities instant gratification and protectionism, which may eventually impede broad-based prosperity and deepen inequality. For nations battling populism, striking the correct balance between addressing valid economic concerns and pursuing long-term, sustainable economic policy is a vital task.

The Importance of Education and Economic Literacy

A diversified strategy is needed to address the complicated link between populism and the economy. Increasing economic literacy and spreading education on the advantages of free trade, open markets, and globalization might help dispel the oversimplified myths sometimes spread by populist groups. Societies may promote a more educated and nuanced public dialogue by providing people with the means to comprehend and critically analyses economic concerns.

Conclusion

The complex interrelationship between populism and the economy emphasizes the need of having a thorough grasp of the motivations and outcomes of populist movements. Because it plays on the frustrations and worries of marginalized groups who feel left behind by the current political and economic system, populism frequently gains support during periods of economic instability. Populist leaders can appeal to disillusioned people by capitalizing on economic concerns and promising quick, radical answers.

Economic stability, growth, and societal well-being may be significantly impacted in the long run by populist economic policies and rhetoric. While populist initiatives may temporarily alleviate problems and placate irate people, they frequently overlook factors like long-term sustainability, effectiveness, and competitiveness. Economic development, investment, and innovation can be hampered by protectionist trade policies, increasing government interference, and a contempt for economic competence.

In conclusion, it is important to carefully evaluate and take a balanced approach to the topic of populism and the economy. While economic resentments might contribute to the growth of populism, the economic effects of populist measures must be considered over the long run.

Suggestions

A broad strategy that tackles both the underlying economic complaints and supports sustainable economic policies is necessary to handle the complex problems surrounding populism and the economy. Here are some tips for overcoming these obstacles

Addressing Economic Inequality

Governments should implement policies that promote inclusive economic growth and reduce income inequality.

Strengthening Institutions

Upholding the integrity and independence of democratic institutions is crucial in countering populist tendencies. Strong institutions can help rebuild trust and confidence in the political and economic system, mitigating the appeal of populism.

Promoting Dialogue and Engagement

To address the concerns of marginalized groups, it is essential to engage in open and constructive dialogue.

Strengthening Economic Literacy

Enhancing economic literacy among the general population is critical.

Promoting International Cooperation

Global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and economic interdependence require collaborative solutions. Governments should prioritize international cooperation and engage in constructive dialogue to address these challenges collectively. By demonstrating the benefits of global engagement and cooperation, societies can counter the isolationist and protectionist tendencies often associated with populism.

Societies may overcome the problems presented by populism while supporting sustainable economic development and social cohesion by resolving economic complaints, advocating inclusive policies, and creating a feeling of economic security and opportunity.

From Bullets to Development: Rethinking Military Expenditure in Favour of Official Development Assistance

Syeda Nida Fatimais a National Defence University student studying Government and Public Policy. Her interests are in international issues, and she aspires to work for the public good.

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Saturday, June 10, 2023

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