New Caledonia News’ Post

In my latest article, I discuss the unrest in New Caledonia and regional views of France, and I argue that these dynamics are more relevant to the United States than some people might think. Pacific Island countries will view Washington, like Paris, not only through the lens of its foreign policy, but through the lens of its relationships with its own Pacific territories.

On the ground, New Caledonian perspectives on politics and weeks of internal unrest provides insight into the challenges the French overseas territory confronts in the coming weeks and months, not least of which is, in the long term, creating one future from two dreams. https://lnkd.in/gv8dCh6k

#VantageOnFirstpost Can Macron Bring Peace Back to Riot-hit New Caledonia? | Vantage with Palki Sharma French President Emmanuel Macron said that more talks were needed on proposed voting reforms that triggered over a week of deadly riots in New Caledonia, as he made a high-stakes visit to the French Pacific territory in a bid to ease tensions. Since May 13, looting, arson and clashes have left six people dead and hundreds injured. The unrest erupted over a French voting reform plan that indigenous Kanaks say will dilute their voice. New Caledonia has been ruled from Paris since the 1800s, but many indigenous Kanaks still resent France's power over their islands. Can Macron restore peace to the French territory? Palki Sharma tells you. --- New Caledonia | Riots | French President | Emmanuel Macron | Violence | France | Firstpost | World News | Vantage | Palki Sharma #newcaledonia #macron #riots #emmanuelmacron #clashes #france #firstpost #vantageonfirstpost #palkisharma #worldnews

Key events our Global Intelligence Team is monitoring this morning (7/24) ⬇ 🇺🇸 President #Biden will address the nation from the Oval Office at 8:00 pm today to discuss his decision to withdraw from the 2024 Democratic reelection bid. Biden announced on social media that he will speak about the future and his commitment to completing his agenda for the American people. This will be his first public appearance since isolating due to COVID-19 last week. 🌀 #TyphoonGaemi is hitting eastern #Taiwan with winds near 145 mph (235 km/h)—the equivalent to a Category Four hurricane. Typhoon-force winds extend 85 miles (135 km) from the center, while tropical storm conditions are affecting all of Taiwan. One death from a falling tree and 58 injuries have been reported. Nearly all domestic flights and 227 international flights are cancelled. 📌 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin #Netanyahu will address Congress today to rally American support for his Gaza war strategy amid U.S. optimism for a deal to release hostages held by Hamas. His speech comes as domestic issues dominate American attention, including President Biden stepping down from the Democratic ticket and an assassination attempt on former president Trump. Some Congress members plan to boycott the speech in protest of Netanyahu's policies in #Gaza. 🇫🇷 French President Emmanuel #Macron announced that he will keep the current centrist caretaker government in place until after the Olympic Games in mid-August to avoid disruption. This decision comes despite the leftwing alliance's selection of Lucie Castets as their prime minister candidate following their recent electoral success. Macron emphasized the need for stability and questioned the feasibility of forming a new majority in the national assembly before mid-August. The parliamentary elections resulted in no single political bloc having dominance, creating a complex political landscape.    🇩🇪 #Germany's interior ministry banned the Islamic Centre Hamburg (IZH) and its subsidiary organizations, citing their pursuit of radical Islamist goals. Authorities searched 53 of the organization’s premises across eight states. The #IZH is viewed by security services as a significant representative of Iran's Supreme Leader and has sought to promote an Islamic revolution, anti-Semitic views, and support of Hezbollah. The ban includes the closure of four Shiite mosques but does not affect the peaceful practice of the Shiite religion, according to Interior Minister Nancy Faeser.  Follow for more global updates each morning. 📰 ☕  

Nona Mikhelidze pulls no punches when it comes to the EU's policy towards Georgia (and other non-EU countries for that matter). For EU policy makers, they are putting geopolitics first (just like the Commission's asylum/refugee agreements with undemocratic countries) to the detriment of democracy. Georgia's youth campaigning for real reforms and doing everything possible to counter Russian influence and erosion of basic freedoms. https://lnkd.in/eyS5AV4D center=europe

The Georgian parliament convened today to discuss the second phase of a bill concerning "foreign agents," a measure denounced by Georgia's opposition and Western nations as authoritarian and influenced by Russia. This legislation mandates that organizations receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad register as "foreign agents''. The bill has ignited protests against what critics perceive as the government's authoritarian inclinations. The bill is expected to pass, pending one more reading before enactment. Critics within Georgia have dubbed the bill "the Russian law," drawing parallels to Russia's own foreign agent legislation. The United States, Britain, and the European Union, despite granting Georgia candidate status in December, have voiced objections to the bill. EU officials fear it could impede Georgia's path toward integration with the bloc. Former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, the influential figure behind the ruling Georgian Dream bloc, lambasted the West during a pro-government rally in Tbilisi yesterday. Ivanishvili defended the foreign agent law as a safeguard for Georgian sovereignty. He insinuated that the pro-Western opposition was under the control of foreign intelligence agencies through grants to NGOs. Protests are expected to continue. Clashes between pro-bill and anti-bill protestors are possible. The situation is highly precarious. Image source: Reuters

The formation of France's new government, following the recent election, remains in limbo until after the Olympics in mid-August. But it’s hoped that French authorities will allow the visit of a Pacific Island Forum delegation to New Caledonia later this month as the political crisis in its 'overseas territory' continues unresolved. There is a strong case for Pacific Island leaders being able to assist on the issues that are driving Kanak grievances and civil unrest. In fact, because of, and not in spite of, France’s administrative constraints at this time, the troika of Prime Ministers from Fiji, Tonga and Cook Islands, could provide significant agency in starting the momentum toward effective dialogue as a matter of urgency and preventing further violence. The EU nation's concerns about security are dependent on it. https://lnkd.in/gymYafmz

While most Georgians support the country’s Western foreign policy, a sizable portion of the electorate is either pro-Russian or skeptical of Georgia’s Western foreign policy orientation. Recently, the Georgian parliament passed a new bill, the “Foreign Agents Bill”; seen as pro-Kremlin legislation by the public, it had resulted in large-scale protests in Georgian capital Tbilisi. To read more, visit: https://lnkd.in/dQ6TffqP or click the link in the bio. To submit your work, visit: https://lnkd.in/eYgVReYM #GeorgiaPolitics #WesternForeignPolicy #ProRussianElectorate #ForeignAgentsBill #GeorgianParliament #ProKremlinLegislation #TbilisiProtests #GeopoliticalTensions #PublicDissent #EasternEurope #PoliticalUnrest #DemocracyInGeorgia #Legislation #Georgia #ForeignPolicy

Many people asked for an explainer of the situation in Georgia 🇬🇪 Here is my take on it: - By alienating the EU for domestic political purposes, the Georgian Dream (GD) is pivoting away from the West and drifting back into Russia’s geopolitical orbit. - The legislation’s reintroduction at this point is nothing short of deliberate sabotage of Georgia's EU integration. - With parliamentary elections coming this fall, GD’s strategic goal is to remain in power at all costs. Democratic backsliding and the embrace of Russia-style authoritarian methods serve as tools for GD to achieve this objective. - Georgia stands at a critical juncture. Passage of the foreign agents bill and the upcoming elections will determine whether the country can maintain its fledgling democracy or succumb to Russia-style authoritarian rule. Given the stakes, the US and EU need to pay greater attention and develop a more robust strategy for holding GD accountable for its illiberal actions https://lnkd.in/gHNA3Tdj

https://lnkd.in/ePVM3GGi With about 3 weeks to go until the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. Marine Le Pen's National Rally party are continuing to make unprecedented gains. Last weekend saw violent protests by the far left as a reaction to the rise of the far right. With France about to host the games the country remains in political turmoil and as many as 90 other protests across the country will take place over the same period between now and the opening ceremony. If you or your organisation are travelling to Paris for the Olympics, this a higher risk profile than normal for a major European country. Getting the right #intelligence and #travelrisk reporting in place will be critical to ensuring duty of care. Assist Security Group can help you keep your people and assets safe by proving the best advice on mitigating risk. Reach out to me directly for further information Rob.High@assistservicesgroup.co.uk #farright #NationalRally #Olympics #Risk #Intelligence #travelriskmanagement