DFAT 'struggling' with digital diplomacy, former ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma says
- Digital Diplomacy, Who is who in Digital and Public Diplomacy
- 17th April 2019
BIDD
Belgrade initiative 4 Digital and Public Diplomacy
Digital Diplomacy
Britons seek censorship of the movie “The Balkan Line”: They are bothered by the Russian-Serbian fight for Kosmet
- Digital Diplomacy, Public diplomacy
- 12th April 2019
Putin’s regime is known for its propaganda campaigns, according to the London Times Foto: Nikola Tomić London’s “Times” sharply attacked the Russian–Serbian film “The Balkan Line“, assessing that its presentation of a recent Balkan history threatens regional peace. In a commentary published on March 31, the film is simultaneously placed in the context of Russia’s
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World Leaders on Facebook 2019
- BIDD Theme, Digital Diplomacy, Diplo Learning Corner, Public diplomacy, Tweetpedia, Who is who in Digital and Public Diplomacy
- 10th April 2019
“Facebook is the most difficult channel for us” a social media manager at a foreign ministry recently admitted, echoing a sentiment shared by many a social media manager about the platform. Technically world leaders, governments and foreign ministries have their biggest audiences on Facebook compared to their size of their audiences on Twitter or Instagram.
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Janibek Bektemissov. Social Networks in Modern Diplomacy
- Digital Diplomacy, Public diplomacy
- 8th April 2019
Janibek BEKTEMISSOV SOCIAL NETWORKS IN MODERN DIPLOMACY “Digitalisation is not a goal, but it is a means to achieve the absolute advantage of Kazakhstan.” President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev Nowadays, digitalisation has already gotten into all spheres of human activity. According to experts, this trend will only increase in the next
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Stockholm Syndrome:social media can shapeChina’s foreign policy
- Digital Diplomacy, Public diplomacy
- 5th April 2019
The influence of clicks (Photo: Thomas Trutschel via Getty) From Bitcoin to YouTube, the internet has greatly altered the way humans behave and interact. This is particularly the case in China – the largest online community in the world where everything from online payments to shopping has been pioneered and taken up with gusto. While
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Public Diplomacy
Media: Julian Assange Is a D*ck, but He’s Our D*ck
- 16th April 2019
Lloyd Grove, Daily Beast, 04.16.19
Julian Assange’s detractors in the media are many, but they also say that charging him over his WikiLeaks activities would amount to an attack on journalistic practice.Excerpt:
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Former Time magazine editor Rick Stengel, who served in the Obama administration as Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy [JB emphasis] and Public Affairs, pointed out that the Assange arrest and indictment could have alarming implications for journalists worldwide.
“It's not unreasonable to think that any prosecution of Assange emboldens autocratic leaders to crack down on journalists or whistleblowers,” Stengel told The Daily Beast.
“But the tragic thing is that if you look at any of the countries we might be talking about—Turkey, China, Saudi Arabia and others—they do not have laws that protect freedom of the press and they do have laws that punish those who criticize the government. That's why it's so dangerous to be a journalist in those places, an..
State Dept. Merges PA, Propaganda Units
- 13th April 2019
odwyerpr.com
State Dept. Merges PA, Propaganda Units, Fri., Apr. 12, 2019,
By Kevin McCauleyMichelle GiudaThe State Dept. has merged its domestic PA [JB – Public Affairs] bureau with the international information programs (public diplomacy [JB emphasis] ) unit to form a new global public affairs shop of about 300 staffers.The Washington Post calls the revamp “the biggest structural change at the State Dept. in 20 years,” and a effort to counter disinformation campaigns by China and Russia.Michelle Giuda, acting under secretary for public policy and PA, engineered the overhaul, which had been contemplated for years but stymied by the Smith-Mundt Act of 1948 that bars the government from targeting Americans with propaganda.The Post noted that Smith-Mundt Act restrictions are less relevant in the digital age when US reporters report on State Dept. messaging overseas, and foreign journalists cover State Dept. briefings.Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the restructuring marks a “crit..
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„London Times“ verlangt Verbot von neuem serbisch-russischen Kriegsfilm
- 12th April 2019
Die „London Times“ kritisierte die russisch-serbische Koproduktion „The Balkan Line“ („Balkanska međa“) heftig, da der Film den Frieden in der Region gefährde. Unter dem Titel „Die Wahrheit ist das erste Opfer des serbischen Kriegsfilmes“ beruft sich das britische Medium auf seine Filmkritiker. „Ein Action-Blockbuster, der während des Kosovokrieges spielt, wurde in Serbien und Russland zum
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Britons seek censorship of the movie “The Balkan Line”: They are bothered by the Russian-Serbian fight for Kosmet
- 12th April 2019
Putin’s regime is known for its propaganda campaigns, according to the London Times Foto: Nikola Tomić London’s “Times” sharply attacked the Russian–Serbian film “The Balkan Line“, assessing that its presentation of a recent Balkan history threatens regional peace. In a commentary published on March 31, the film is simultaneously placed in the context of Russia’s
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Diplo Portal Belgrade
- Journées Molière – rencontres littérairesL’Institut français organise chaque printemps les Journées Molières, rencontres consacrées à la littérature contemporaine francophone. Cette 11ème édition met en valeur la beauté de la musique des mots, la force de l’expression romanesque, l’univers de la bande dessinée. Choix Goncourt de la Serbie Les étudiants de Belgrade, Kragujevac, Niš et Novi Sad choisissent, sous le […]
- Le consentement meurtrierEntretien sur l’essai de Marc Crépon Le Consentement meurtrier interroge au plus profond les racines de la violence. Celle-ci ne se résume pas à son exercice dans certains cas extrêmes : meurtres ou guerres. Elle a pour origine ce qui en chacun de nous déjà commence à pervertir le lien nécessaire entre l’éthique et les […]
- Aude Massot : reporter BDSortie des ateliers BD de l’école bruxelloise « Saint-Luc » en 2006, Aude Massot entame à Paris une carrière de storyboarder dans le dessin animé, et s’installe stratégiquement entre une libraire bd et son bistrot préféré. Elle commence sa carrière de bédéïste en collaborant avec le scénariste Fabien Bertrand, qui lui livre des récits comiques […]
Who is who?
Diplo Germany
- WEF at Dead Sea in Jordan 18th April 20196-7 April 2019, Dead Sea, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan: the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) ended with a call for its stakeholders to increase collaboration on social, economic and climate issues. It should help the region “punch at its weight” instead of below it, co-chairs of the meeting said […]Editor
- 70 ans de relations diplomatiques belgo-indonésiennes 15th April 2019« 70 ans de relations diplomatiques belgo-indonésiennes : renforcer davantage la coopération entre les deux peuples » Savez-vous que cette année l’Indonésie et la Belgique fêtent le 70e anniversaire de leurs relations diplomatiques ? Au fil des années, des liens d’amitié se sont profondément tissés entre les deux pays qui se reflètent dans plusieurs domaines d’activités. Les relations entre les […]Editor
- U.S. DEA Administrator visits Belgium and the Netherlands 15th April 2019By Guido Lanfranchi. In early April, Mr. Uttam Dhillon, Acting Administrator for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, visited Belgium and the Netherlands. During the visit, Mr. Dhillon discussed DEA’s cooperation with the European Union and visited the Port of Antwerp. Mr. Dhillon, head of the renowned U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, arrived in Belgium in the […]Editor
Twitter Suspends Hamas Accounts
- World
- 23rd January 2014
Brain drain in Serbia today
- Digital Diplomacy, E Government, Migrations, Public diplomacy
- 13th August 2015
Kosovo: What Everyone Really Needs To Know
Solution
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections Solution Finally, the optimal solution for the Kosovo status is a “normal” autonomy within Serbia according to the international standards of protection of the rights of ethnic minorities but without any political-administrative prerogatives as it was the case in the SFRY from 1974 to 1989.
32. The best and most democratic solution of the Kosovo knot is to recognize Kosovo’s self-proclaimed independence from Serbia
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 32. The best and most democratic solution of the Kosovo knot is to recognize Kosovo’s self-proclaimed independence from Serbia Wrong. This is the worst solution of all possible combinations which already directly provoked a chain reaction by numerous separatist movements around the world. The first
31. After the war, KosMet was occupied by the international community, sanctioned by the UN (KFOR) for the fundamental purpose to prevent violence between the Albanian majority and the Serb minority
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 31. After the war, KosMet was occupied by the international community, sanctioned by the UN (KFOR) for the fundamental purpose to prevent violence between the Albanian majority and the Serb minority Wrong. KosMet was, in fact, occupied after the Kosovo War not by “international
30. During the 1998−1999 Kosovo War, Serb army and police units did not fight only the rebellious Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), but also carried out programmes of ethnic cleansing and, therefore, the US-led NATO was obliged first to act and then to continue military actions against Serbia and Montenegro for the sake to prevent human (Albanian) catastrophe
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 30. During the 1998−1999 Kosovo War, Serb army and police units did not fight only the rebellious Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), but also carried out programmes of ethnic cleansing and, therefore, the US-led NATO was obliged first to act and then to continue military actions
29. The Kosovo War started in 1998 by ethnic Albanian revolt for the reason that Serbia oppressed KosMet’s Albanian rights as did not recognize elections in 1998
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 29. The Kosovo War started in 1998 by ethnic Albanian revolt for the reason that Serbia oppressed KosMet’s Albanian rights as did not recognize elections in 1998 Wrong. The war started at the very beginning of 1998 as a consequence of Albanian-led terrorism actions against
28. The KosMet’s autonomy was cancelled by S. Milošević in 1989 and, therefore, Albanians lost their minority rights
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 28. The KosMet’s autonomy was cancelled by S. Milošević in 1989 and, therefore, Albanians lost their minority rights Wrong. The autonomy was not canceled as it was just reduced from the political independence to the national-cultural rights in order to prevent further separation of
27. Serbian minority in KosMet had decreased from around 30% in 1946 to 10% in 1991, as a result of higher Albanian birth rates and Serbian emigration to Central and North Serbia
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 27. Serbian minority in KosMet had decreased from around 30% in 1946 to 10% in 1991, as a result of higher Albanian birth rates and Serbian emigration to Central and North Serbia Wrong. The last reliable population census in KosMet is of 1961 as censuses
26. Soon after the death of Josip Broz Tito (May 1980), Kosovo’s Albanian population staged a series of public protests against continued discrimination
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 26. Soon after the death of Josip Broz Tito (May 1980), Kosovo’s Albanian population staged a series of public protests against continued discrimination Wrong. After the death of a Yugoslav dictator Josip Broz Tito (1982−1980), who was of the Slovenian-Croatian origin and who was supporting
25. Kosovo’s prospects improved with the dismissal of the hardline Minister of the Interior of Yugoslav federal government in 1966, Aleksandar M. Rankovic, and its distinctiveness was recognized in the new constitution in 1974, which gave Kosovo an autonomous status
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 25. Kosovo’s prospects improved with the dismissal of the hardline Minister of the Interior of Yugoslav federal government in 1966, Aleksandar M. Rankovic, and its distinctiveness was recognized in the new constitution in 1974, which gave Kosovo an autonomous status Wrong. By dismissal of Aleksandar
24. Kosovo’s Albanians were repressed after WWII under the Serb-dominated secret police
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 24. Kosovo’s Albanians were repressed after WWII under the Serb-dominated secret police Wrong. After the WWII the Yugoslav authorities forbade by the law to all expelled Kosovo’s Serbs (100.000) during the WWII, when KosMet was a part of Mussolini/Hitler’s established Greater Albania, to return back
23. Kosovo was occupied by Serbia before WWI
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 23. Kosovo was occupied by Serbia before WWI Wrong. This is the biggest falsification of historical truth followed by a dirty political propaganda by the West. Serbia simply liberated her own land during the First Balkan War in 1912−1913 that was occupied by the Ottoman
22. Kosovo is the site where the Albanian national hero Skanderbeg held back the armies of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 22. Kosovo is the site where the Albanian national hero Skanderbeg held back the armies of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century Wrong. Skanderbeg (George Kastriot Skanderbeg) was not of the Albanian origin but of the Serb. His family coat of arms, that is
21. Kosovo is a disputed territory claimed by Serbia and Albania, which both nationalities regard as central to their cultural identity
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 21. Kosovo is a disputed territory claimed by Serbia and Albania, which both nationalities regard as central to their cultural identity Wrong. Kosovo is not disputed land between Serbia and Albania as Albania’s officials never officially claimed this province to be included into Albania. It
20. It is the duty of the international community to help the Albanian issue settled down
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 20. It is the duty of the international community to help the Albanian issue settled down Wrong. The international community does not comprehend the nature of the problem, for good reason, since it is not a political one, but a clash between a Middle Age
19. Former Yugoslavia disintegrated because of Slobodan Miloshevic
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 19. Former Yugoslavia disintegrated because of Slobodan Miloshevic Wrong. His political (sic) manners only provided an excuse to Slovenia and Croatia for leaving Yugoslavia. The real rationale for this understandable decision was to leave the state that was burdened with the time bomb called KosMet,
18. It was Slobodan Miloshevic who was to blame for the NATO’s intervention in 1999
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 18. It was Slobodan Miloshevic who was to blame for the NATO’s intervention in 1999 Wrong. It was a responsibility of the government of Serbia to protect the interest of the state of Yugoslavia (the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia – Serbia and Montenegro), in face
17. The rationale for American interference into Albanian issue is a humanitarian concern for human rights in the area
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16. Americans are siding with Albanians in the current Balkan affairs
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 16. Americans are siding with Albanians in the current Balkan affairs Wrong. They are directly involved, at all levels, from financing, organizing, training, arms supplying, diplomatic supports, etc. Training camps at North Albania, KosMet, and Macedonia are lead by American instructors, who are engaged even
15. The KFOR holds control at KosMet and helps the region reestablish the order and law
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 15. The KFOR holds control at KosMet and helps the region reestablish the order and law Wrong. It has no control whatsoever over the local population, in particular the irregulars of the KLA, turned into mock police forces. The whole region, y compris North Albania
14. The „blood feud“ has been extinguished among Albanians
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 14. The „blood feud“ has been extinguished among Albanians Wrong. It was much reduced during the communist regimes in the area (Albania, Montenegro, KosMet), but has been revived after the “democratic governments” have taken power in Albania. It is widely spread at KosMet, despite the
13. Shqipetars used to be friendly with their neighbors. They were protecting Orthodox monasteries there
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 13. Shqipetars used to be friendly with their neighbors. They were protecting Orthodox monasteries there Wrong. After the World War II, more than 250.000 non-Shqipetars moved from KosMet due to the “demographic pressure”, not to mention violence. After NATO’s “humanitarian intervention” in 1999 at least
12. The rebellion and protests in South-East Serbia at Preshevo valley is due to Belgrade repression on the Shqipetar population there
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 12. The rebellion and protests in South-East Serbia at Preshevo valley is due to Belgrade repression on the Shqipetar population there Wrong. This region was not included into the KosMet (autonomous) region after the WWII, for the simple reason that Shqipetars were a tiny minority
11. Albanians are autochthonous Balkan population descending from the ancient Balkan Illyrian tribes
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 11. Albanians are autochthonous Balkan population descending from the ancient Balkan Illyrian tribes Wrong. They appear in the mid-11th century in the Balkan history and their origin appears uncertain (most probably they came to the Balkans from the Caucasus Albania via Sicily, according to one
10. There is no such an entity as a Greater Albania
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 10. There is no such an entity as a Greater Albania Wrong. Although they are not publicized, the maps of that projected unified national state of all Albanians do appear occasionally in the Western press, either explicitly, or as the region with a predominant Albanian
9. KosMet used to be economically supported by the rest of former Yugoslavia
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 9. KosMet used to be economically supported by the rest of former Yugoslavia Wrong. Since Serbia’s contribution to the Yugoslav Federal Fund for the undeveloped regions matched exactly the amount donated by the Fund to KosMet, it was, in fact, Serbia which helped KosMet to
8. The expulsion of Serbs from KosMet after June 1999 is an act of retaliation
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 8. The expulsion of Serbs from KosMet after June 1999 is an act of retaliation Wrong. The process of Shqipetar’s committed ethnic cleansing of KosMet goes on for the last century and refers to all non-Shqipetars (Roma, Turks, Croats, etc). It is a clear case
7. The aim of Shqipetars is an independent Kosova
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 7. The aim of Shqipetars is an independent Kosova Wrong. It is a common goal of all Albanians to live in a single (unified) national state of (a Greater) Albania. The political program of a Greater Albania is designed in 1878 by the Albanian First
5. Shqipetars are an autochthonous population at KosMet
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 5. Shqipetars are an autochthonous population at KosMet Wrong. In the Middle Ages, KosMet was the central part of Serbian state, culture, and civilization. Shqipetars were a tiny minority (about 2%, according to the Ottoman census in 1455), nomadic herdsmen mostly. They came to KosMet
4. Ethnic Albanians at KosMet (Shqipetars in the following, as they call themselves) constitute a majority of 90% out of total KosMet’s population
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 4. Ethnic Albanians at KosMet (Shqipetars in the following, as they call themselves) constitute a majority of 90% out of total KosMet’s population Wrong. In the last reliable census carried out at KosMet in 1961, Shqipetars constituted 67% of the overall population, with (predominantly) Serbs
3. Southern Serbia’s province is called Kosovo
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 3. Southern Serbia’s province is called Kosovo Wrong. It is Kosovo and Metohia, abbreviated KosMet. Kosovo itself is an abbreviation of Kosovo Polje, what in the Serbian language means Blackbird Field (in German Amselfeld). Metohia is a corrupted Greek name for Metohi, meaning dependency to
2. The issue is a fight of Albanians for their rights
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 2. The issue is a fight of Albanians for their rights Wrong: The crux of the matter lies at the biological level. The real rationale is a demographic explosion which is going on within the Albanian population for a century or so (rate of growth
1. Kosovo issue is a conflict between ethnic Albanians and ethnic Serbs over the territory
Basic Western misconceptions on the Kosovo issue and their corrections 1. Kosovo issue is a conflict between ethnic Albanians and ethnic Serbs over the territory Wrong: It is a part of the conflict between Balkan Albanians and the surrounding populations, in Montenegro, Serbia, Macedonia, and Greece (for instance, clashes between Albanians and Macedonians in Macedonia
Kosovo: What Everyone Really Needs To Know
Kosovo is today one of the most disputed territories in Europe and a real Balkan powder keg which can explode again at any time. It is a province within the Republic of Serbia, recognized as such by both Serbia’s constitution and the Resolution 1244 by the Security Council of the United Nations (the UNSC Resolution