The Diplomacy Cable 10/3/2016
The Diplomacy Cable
With the invention of the telegraph cables in the 19th century, international consulates and embassies began sending shorter encrypted telegrams, using Morse Code. While the messages are now sent electronically, the moniker “cable” stuck and the term is still in use today for shorter, encrypted diplomatic messages.
EU and Afghan Asylum Seekers
In a recently signed deal, the EU will deport Afghan asylum seekers back to their home country. According to the Guardian, 196,170 Afghans applied for asylum last year making them the second-largest group of asylum seekers in Europe. The deal has not yet been made public, but concerns over the instability within Afghanistan have raised growing concerns about the impact of this deal.
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Russia Suspends Plutonium Deal
In a most recent move, Russia has suspended its deal with the US on disposal of surplus weapons-grade plutonium. According to BBC, this is the most recent development in worsening bi-lateral relations. Russia has already set pre-conditions for the deal to be continued.
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Colombia Peace Accord Defeated
After a 52-year war and four years of negotiation, the Colombian government and FARC rebel army reached an agreement in hopes of ending Latin America’s longest-running conflict. The referendum was voted down October 2nd, leaving uncertainty about the future of Colombia. According to the Economist, despite the uncertainty, neither the FARC nor the government is prepared to return to war.
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Zika Virus in Thailand
Two babies were born with Zika-related microcephaly in Thailand on Friday. According to CNN, this is the first report of the condition in Asia. There are approximately 30 Zika positive women on Thailand’s watch list.
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Japanese Governors Wear ‘Pregnancy’ Vests
Three male governors from southwestern prefectures have donned “pregnancy” vests in a campaign to encourage men to help at home. In Japan, women do five times as much housework as men according to Japan Times. This is part of the Kyushu Yamaguchi Work Life Promotion campaign which hopes to create a more balanced life in Japan.
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Diplomacy Fast Facts:
How many visas are granted by U.S. embassies around the world each year?
7 million visas
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Patricia Mace is a second semester graduate student at Seton Hall University. She is currently pursuing her dual master’s degrees in Diplomacy and International Relations and Strategic Communications. She received her undergraduate degrees from University of Delaware.
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