Hiba Qasas’ Post

'Missile defence is not only about having an air defence. It's also about the adversary not even daring to think about attacking your sky. The same is about fighting FIMI.' Last week, I had a unique opportunity to participate in the European Digital Diplomacy Exchange Workshop and Learning Tour in Washington, D.C., organized by the U.S. Department of State and the CEP - Centre for European Perspective. During the reflection session, I discovered that despite our differences in the historical past and the present realities, we all face common threats, uncertainty over future challenges, and the shared goal of keeping our countries safe and thriving. Some other takeaways: ◼️ I heard a clear understanding from partners that disinformation is one of the greatest threats in our times, and it DOES affect our way of life, especially in democracies. And disinformation is only the tip of the iceberg of political warfare; ◼️ We should tell our story by creating narratives that not only resonate with people but make them choose them; ◼️ Tools for monitoring and analyzing information are not free, but so is most of the data. Collaboration – joint reporting, sharing data with partners – is the answer; ◼️ Communicators should be in the room with policymakers when the decisions are made; ◼️ Be open, have a conversation; do not miss a single chance to meet your partners, be they governmental bodies, NGOs, influencers or media, collaborate and advocate for things you believe in – that's how relationships and trust are built. The week turned into a powerful reminder of what an inspiring community of professionals I am part of. Thanks, #EDDE2024, for that!

A Bold Proposal in the Russo-Ukrainian Conflict: 24 Hours to Resolution? Amid escalating challenges on the battlefield, the notion of achieving a 24-hour resolution to the Russo-Ukrainian conflict has emerged—a statement as bold as it is complex. With over a thousand days of warfare, the realities on the ground indicate that such a quick resolution may be overly optimistic, if not strategically unfeasible. Current Dynamics - Russia’s Position: Russia has established clear battlefield superiority, decisively shifting momentum in its favour. Despite significant support from NATO and Western allies, Ukraine is facing mounting logistical and operational challenges. - Ukraine’s Strain: With high attrition rates and dwindling manpower, Ukraine may be compelled to consider lowering the mandatory draft age. This stark reality underscores the heavy toll of prolonged conflict. -Geopolitical Realities: Elections or leadership changes in key supporting nations are unlikely to reverse these trends or alter the fundamental dynamics of the war. Why a Quick Resolution is Elusive -Entrenched Positions: Both sides have deeply entrenched military and political stances. Russia's current momentum leaves little incentive for compromise, while Ukraine is engaged in a fight for survival. -International Agendas: The conflict has evolved beyond a bilateral struggle; it has become a proxy war entangled in broader geopolitical disagreements. -Human and Economic Costs: The toll on both sides makes a swift resolution less likely, as key players remain focused on achieving strategic gains, regardless of the costs involved. What Lies Ahead - Ukraine’s Dilemma: Lowering the draft age could provide short-term manpower relief but risks long-term destabilization and societal fractures. - Russia’s Endgame: With momentum on its side, Russia may aim for consolidation rather than negotiation, further entrenching its position. - Role of External Actors: Western nations face critical decisions about the sustainability of military aid and their willingness to pursue potential diplomatic breakthroughs. Lessons for Global Stability This conflict highlights the dangers of prolonged proxy wars and the limitations of external support in shaping outcomes. A bold proposal like a 24-hour resolution may grab headlines, but real solutions require grounded strategies and mutual compromises—conditions that appear distant today. Let’s Discuss Do bold proposals like a 24-hour resolution add value to peace negotiations, or do they risk oversimplifying complex realities? What role should external actors play in facilitating—or stepping back from—conflicts such as this? #UkraineConflict #Geopolitics #ModernWarfare #DefenseStrategy #PeaceNegotiations #MilitaryAnalysis

Meanwhile, peace and development still face severe challenges and the road to prosperity for the Global South will not be straight, he pointed out, urging BRICS Plus countries to use collective wisdom and strength and stand up to their responsibility for building a community with a shared future for mankind. Xi said that BRICS Plus countries should uphold peace and strive for common security, come forward together to form a stabilizing force for peace, strengthen global security governance, and explore solutions to address both symptoms and roots of hotspot issues. CGTN 25-Oct-2024 https://lnkd.in/gXTRRZxv

🗞️ Top global news this week (week ending 19.10.24) 1️⃣ Israel-Gaza Conflict: Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have resulted in high civilian casualties, including the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Violence continues to escalate. 🚩Further Impacts - Humanitarian Crisis, Regional Instability, Global Diplomatic Tensions, Increased Terrorism Threats, Economic Impact due to volatile prices of oil and gas, etc. 2️⃣ Russia-Ukraine War: Canada committed $65 million in military aid to Ukraine, further supporting its fight against Russian aggression. 🚩Further Impacts - Strengthened Ukrainian Defense, Increased international support, Prolonged conflict, Strained Canada-Russia relations, Economic and security implications, etc. 3️⃣ Cuba Power Outage: A nationwide blackout plunged Cuba into darkness, worsening the country’s existing economic struggles. 🚩Further Impacts - Increased humanitarian challenges, Potential public unrest, Health system disruption, Negative impact on tourism, etc. 4️⃣ Canada-India Diplomatic Row: Diplomatic relations between Canada and India worsened, with both countries expelling diplomats amid accusations of Indian involvement in violence on Canadian soil. 🚩Further Impacts - Strained bilateral relations, Impact on trade, Increased tensions within diasporas, Potential retaliatory measures, International attention and scrutiny, etc. 5️⃣ Israel's Attacks on UN Peacekeepers: Israel faced international backlash after targeting U.N. peacekeepers in Lebanon, with European leaders condemning the violations. 🚩Further Impscts - Deterioration of international relations, Increased calls for accountability, Risk of escalation in military tensions ,Impact on UN peacekeeping missions, Public outcry and protests, etc. ✨ Do follow for weekly insights and additional knowledge (Sources- globalnews, democracynow)

Thank you for sharing this insightful article, "The United Nations in Today’s World." The role of the United Nations has never been more crucial as the world faces an increasing array of complex global challenges, from climate change and health crises to conflict resolution and human rights advocacy. It’s essential that we continually examine and engage with the evolving mission of the UN to ensure that it remains effective, relevant, and equipped to address the pressing issues of our time. The organization’s ability to adapt to new geopolitical dynamics, foster international cooperation, and promote sustainable development requires ongoing dialogue and informed discourse. As we confront these global challenges, the importance of supporting and strengthening the UN’s initiatives cannot be overstated. By staying informed, we can all contribute to a collective understanding of the UN's role and the strategies necessary to shape a more just and peaceful world. I look forward to exploring the article further and gaining deeper insights into how the UN continues to evolve in today's complex international landscape.

The potential for conflict involving BRICS countries, particularly Iran and Israel, is influenced by Middle East tensions and BRICS expansion. Escalating hostilities between Iran-backed entities and Israel, along with shifting global power dynamics, contribute to regional instability. However, economic concerns and international diplomatic efforts act as deterrents to large-scale war. The situation remains complex, balancing between escalation risks and restraining factors. *** To find out more about how DeepSearch Labs can help your business please get in touch on: [email protected] or visit our website: https://lnkd.in/giRaZWiW #InternationalRelations #GeopoliticalRisk #BRICS2024 #GlobalAffairs #MiddleEastPolitics

We stand at a pivotal moment, where the path to global safety and stability rests on our collective actions. The recent discussions at the Munich Security Conference highlighted the pressing need for unity and a shared commitment to peace. With the challenges posed by geopolitical tensions, it’s clear that a more equitable international order is essential for all countries. So, how can we all contribute? Here are some actionable steps to foster a safer world: 1. Engage in Dialogue: Let’s encourage open conversations about peace and conflict resolution, welcoming diverse viewpoints to our tables. 2. Support Multilateral Cooperation: Advocate for policies that promote global partnerships rather than division, focusing on mutual interests and shared goals. 3. Prioritize Development: Push for sustainable practices in our communities that align with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. By taking these steps, we not only empower ourselves but also pave the way for a more secure future. Together, we can create a world built on trust, respect, and cooperation—a world that echoes the aspirations of all humanity. I invite you to share your thoughts and experiences on this journey. How do you think we can promote peace in our communities? https://lnkd.in/eW4KMz3V

Langley Emphasizes Partnership With African Nations | Oct. 9, 2024 | By Jim Garamone, DOD News The U.S. strategy on the continent of Africa is firmly rooted in a whole-of-government approach that emphasizes listening to allies and partners, said Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley in a recent interview. Langley, the commander of U.S. Africa Command, said that while there is a security aspect to almost every challenge in Africa, anything his command does has to be in concert with diplomats and development experts at the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development. It must also be done in consultation with nations on the continent. "They will decide how to address their challenges, and their way ahead to be able to leverage their opportunities," the general said. "Those efforts must be African-led, and we'll see what we can do to help them achieve shared objectives and shared goals for stability." Africa is a huge and diverse continent, and strategy must be flexible to embrace all the differences. The countries of West Africa each saw the use of a whole-of-government approach, but each with different nuances, Langley said. They worked "to address some of the instabilities in some previously ungoverned regions, and working with civil society, [and] working with the local governance to be able to increase growth in the economy, reducing violence or conflict, or building resilience to changing weather patterns," he said. A number of the West African countries saw that with violent extremist organizations, the most enduring solution would be interdicting them from happening in the first place, the general said. Read on the Department of Defense: https://lnkd.in/gua2TQef

🌍 Event Recap: UN 2.0 Side Event - Informing Member State Dialogue with Data: Peace and Security Data Hub https://psdata.un.org/ 🌍 We had a fantastic session at the recent UN 2.0 side event focused on how Member States at the United Nations leverage crucial data from the Peace and Security Data Hub to enhance their decision-making and contributions to global peace and security efforts. Moderated by the insightful Christina Goodness, the discussion featured a distinguished panel: - His Excellency Dr. Martin Kimani, Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations - Assistant Secretary-General Bernardo Mariano Jr., Chief Information Technology Officer, United Nations Office of Information and Communications Technology (UN OICT) - Ms. Fatemeh Ziai, Director of Coordination and Shared Services, United Nations Departments of Political Affairs, Peacebuilding, and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO) - Ms. Paula J. Osborn, Chief Data Officer for the Bureau of International Organizations, U.S. Department of State. The dialogue centered on the transformative role of data in supporting the missions and operations within the realm of international peace and security. It was enlightening to hear how the data provided by the Peace and Security Data Hub not only informs but also empowers Member States in their strategic planning and policy-making. A big thank you to all the panelists for their profound insights and contributions to this critical conversation on data in UN Peace and Security. Looking forward to more such engaging discussions that pave the way for data-informed and effective diplomacy and peacekeeping. #UN #PeaceAndSecurity #DataDrivenDecisions #InternationalRelations #GlobalPeace #data4good

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is yet another demonstration that we have entered a new era where the traditional divides between conventional warfare and online operations have blurred into irrelevance. Three weeks ago at the Rome MED Mediterranean Dialogues, I had the privilege of delivering a keynote speech during a lunch event organized by ISPI - Istituto per gli Studi di Politica Internazionale, Tamara Kharroub, PhD, and her excellent team. The event gave me the opportunity to explore how conflicts today are being fundamentally reshaped by digital realities. The distinction between conventional warfare and online operations is dissolved, this conflict introduced new and alarming trends: 🔹 The increased use of private for-hire companies to carry out information operations. 🔹 The instrumentalization of government and diplomatic resources to amplify influence. 🔹 The deployment of ‘active measures’ and massive digital microtargeting of specific communities and audiences. 🔹 Information operations were no longer accessory but integral to the strategies of the actors involved. Disinformation campaigns transcended borders almost immediately after October 7. External actors such as Russia, Iran, and China appropriated the conflict to advance their own geopolitical objectives, injecting it into wider global fault lines: West vs. the Global South, Democracy vs. authoritarianism, Neocolonialism vs. resistance. The global nature of digital platforms and the sophisticated tactics deployed ensured that the conflict had cascading effects far beyond its physical borders. Disinformation no longer operates as a secondary tool in conflict—it has become a central weapon. This new battlefield demands an equally adaptive and coordinated response. The risk we face is one of a future where every conflict is global, every truth is contested, and every institution is vulnerable. Thanks to ISPI and to Carlo Altomonte for the hospitality! #MED2024 #DigitalWarfare #Disinformation #GlobalConflict #InformationOperations #MENA