Capitalism --- Maybe, because regardless of the different political inclinations of countries around the world, we all agree that capitalism and economic power drive country's interests. Hitting where it hurts, as it is generally said, implies hitting "the pockets" and the economy...

Source author: Ndeye Gnagna Kone gnagna.pro@gmail.com

Aid --- This one is one of the most common in SSA especially after political unrests.

Source author: Ndeye Gnagna Kone gnagna.pro@gmail.com

Collateral damages --- @Malefet: sanctions against less endowed countries seem to affect everyone except the power they are intended to put under pressure. Over the years, we have seen wild cases of innocent populations suffering heavy collateral damages because of sanctions that are sometimes not always that legitimate in the first place.

Source author: Ndeye Gnagna Kone gnagna.pro@gmail.com

American bodies --- It has been always interesting to see how "American citizens" themselves are considered high-value capital for the US Government in their economic statecraft, over generations. I have always read it as a good take-away on how the "American body" valuation has evolved over the year and how it is central to how the US policy/leadership is perceived around the world.

Source author: Ndeye Gnagna Kone gnagna.pro@gmail.com

A ping-pong match was used by Mao to send a message to Nixon in 1971 at a time both Nations did not have diplomatic relations: --- Mao Zedon decided in 1969 to take advantage of an INTERNATIONAL PING-PONG MATCH to exchange secret messages between Mao and Richard Nixon.

In the case of the U.S. it was beneficial for Nixon & Henry Kissinger bacause they werre adamant to avoid carrying out communications by official channels to preserve secrecy in order to secure success of Nixon-Kissinger attempt to re-establish diplomatic relations (the effort could failed if made public, because -then- a complex process of authorizations inside the U.S. government and consultations with international partners would have to be exhausted. In the case of China, Mao and Zhou Enlai wanted to preserve face inside China as the U.S. was an enemy they fought at Korea):

The U.S. and China did not have embassies before them. A previous U.S. effort to send a Nixon's message to Mao failed at a Yugoslavian Fashion Couture at Varsovia, Poland, in 1969 (when noticing U.S. diplomats were trying to get close to them, the Chinese diplomats ron away from the place refusing to stop after being chased by the U.S. ambassador to Poland who shouted at them in Polish to wait). Afterwards a couple of exchanges took place between the U.S. and China ambassadors to Poland.

In 1969 a ping-pong international tournament was held in Japan, with the participation of a Chinese team for the first time since the beginning of the Chinese Cultural Revolution.

In response to Nixon's messages transmitted in January of 1971, Mao instructed suddenly to act -immediately- to have the Chinese team extending and invitation to the U.S. team to visit China and play a match there in April of 1971. Zhou Enlai received the U.S. players at the People's Great Saloon on April 14 (an honor not confer to many ambassadors).

Zhou Enlai said to them: "You have open a new chapter in the relations of the Chinese people and the U.S: people. I triust the beginning of our friendship will have the support of the majority of our peoples. Don't you agree?"

Kissinger, Henry, ON CHINA, Random House Mondadori, 2011 (pp. 237-251 of the 2012 Spanish Debate's edition).

Eric Suzán Reed 08-12-2021 19:27

Source author: Eric Suzán Reed esuzan@sre.gob.mx

Great thinking, Alejandra --- Funny and to the point!

Source author: Eric Suzán Reed esuzan@sre.gob.mx

Inmense gratitude for all your pedagogical teaching, Biljana --- You got my interest very powerfully all along the course; helped me understand with your passion, clarity and forceful cogency, and your marvelous concrete examples (both from diplomacy and everyday life).

I appreciate a lot this course made by you very useful and easy to begining applying!

Source author: Eric Suzán Reed esuzan@sre.gob.mx

The 3rd assesment: To criticize the invasion & occupation of Iraq but support the preemptive doctrine regarding al Qaeda: --- Scheuer, Michael, IMPERIAL HUBRIS. Why the West is Losing the War on Terror, Potomac Books, USA, 2004, pp. xiv & 213: "I write this book, then, with a pressing certainty that al Qaeda will attack the continental U.S. again,,, and could include the use of WMD... (but) an "Iraq without Saddam would obviously become... a failed state... where al Qaeda... would thrive... and... the U.S... invasion essentially validated all Bin Laden has said in arguing for a defensive jihad against the" U.S.

Source author: Eric Suzán Reed esuzan@sre.gob.mx

The 4th line of thought by critics questioned the Bush Administration's risk-assessment as incomplete: --- Sunstein, Cass R., WORST-CASE SCENARIOS, Harvard University Press, USA, 2007, p.144: "The war in Iraq was defended as a means to avoiding catastrophe, and it might even have been justified by reference to the Catastrophic Harm Precautionary Principle..." (because the Bush Administration believed -at the time- there was) a "chance... of a... nuclear or biological attack... But a war to remove him (Saddam) from power itself created serious risks (therefore) "in deciding on steps to reduce catastrophic risk, regulators should take into account the possibility that those steps will impose risks of their own, including catastrophic risks".

Source author: Eric Suzán Reed esuzan@sre.gob.mx

4 different assessments of the invasion & occupation of Iraq: --- 1 This U.S. action was explained in a justificatory pretense in books like: Feith, Douglass J., WAR AND DECISION. Inside the Pentagon at the Dawn of the War on Terrorism; and Bobbitt, Philip, TERROR AND CONSENT. The Wars for the 21st Century, Alfred A. Knopff, NY, 2008.

2 The actions and the doctrine (who's main author & strong operative was vicepresident Dick Cheney who manouvered extensively to get president Bush's order to the military to act) were exposed as incorrect; supported in unsubstantiated biased unvetted non-multisource weak "intelligence"; an egregiuos bad excercise of analysis by the U.S. National Security Council at the White House and a failure to exercise sufficient critical judgement and independent thought by president Bush and the seasoned then Secretary of State Collin Powell; and a failure to exercise anticipatory comprehensive analysis by the U.S. government, by books such as: Hersh, Seymour M., CHAIN OF COMMAND. The Road from 9/11 to Abu Ghraib, Harper Collins Publishers, USA, 2004, and Matthews, Jeffrey J., COLIN POWELL. Imperfect Patriot, University of Notre Dame Press, USA, 2019, chapter 8.

Source author: Eric Suzán Reed esuzan@sre.gob.mx

Who was behind Bin Laden's al Qaeda & the 9/11 attacks? IS THE GAP: --- The UNSAID intended BRIDGE between the juxtaposed phrases uttered by Bush was: Saddam Hussein was behind Bin Laden’s al Qaeda & the 9/11 terrorist attacks (so that is why the U.S. and the coalition forces "had to" thrown him out of power by force (as they already did) and "needed to" capture him to bring him before justice, because he was already preparing another terrorist attack against the U.S. but this time with more exponential devastating consequences because he has WMD he will use through terrorists or even directly with its military operatives). That was THE BRIDGE or the UNSAID reasoning bridging THE GAP. On National Security terms this was (the year before) the preemptive doctrine exercised by the U.S. when going at war with Iraq in March 2003 (presented to the UN Security Council weeks before in February).

Source author: Eric Suzán Reed esuzan@sre.gob.mx

"The relationship is full of complexities. Both Nations share a common future." --- Guys: ¿How would you bridge the gap if faced with this juxtaposed sentences?

Source author: Eric Suzán Reed esuzan@sre.gob.mx

I never missed one of your answers in excercises, André --- I was always eager to read your answers which I found enjoyable and useful for my learning.

Source author: Eric Suzán Reed esuzan@sre.gob.mx

Another refined contribution, Christian --- I learned from your educated and refined contributions during the course. Thank you, Christian

Source author: Eric Suzán Reed esuzan@sre.gob.mx

Always precise and knowledgeable, MacOswald --- I appreciate your frequent useful and interesting contribuitions over teh course, MacOswald

Source author: Eric Suzán Reed esuzan@sre.gob.mx

Always on the point for us, Andrej! --- It was quite useful hearing frequently by you, Andrej. Thanks you so much for your excellent teaching. My learning experience from you was outstanding!

Source author: Eric Suzán Reed esuzan@sre.gob.mx

Thanks for always remaining us of ethical concerns and implications, Blanca --- I appreciate your constant call for keeping in mind our ethical counsciousness on our acts and put principles & values on practice, Blanca.

Source author: Eric Suzán Reed esuzan@sre.gob.mx

Thanks for allways sharing addittional perspectives and materiales, Alejandra --- I benefited from your contributions along the course, Alejandra. Thank you!

Source author: Eric Suzán Reed esuzan@sre.gob.mx

Allways witty, funny and interesting remarks, Marie and Petru --- I enjoyed your frequent complementary additions, guys!

Source author: Eric Suzán Reed esuzan@sre.gob.mx

WOW, Liliana! More shrewd observations by you... --- I enjoyed a lot your comments along the course, Liliana. It was a learning experience for me to listen to you

Source author: Eric Suzán Reed esuzan@sre.gob.mx

Always learning from you Desireé --- Thank you for sharing your thoughts, analysis and knowledge, Desireé

Source author: Eric Suzán Reed esuzan@sre.gob.mx

Well thought, analyzed & beautifully written -as allways by you- John --- Fascinating -as all you share with us, John-

Source author: Eric Suzán Reed esuzan@sre.gob.mx

I am so sorry you and your mom had to go through that Biljana --- It seems so hard to experience a love one losing some of the usually present abilities we take for granted. In the case of your mom and yourself it had the compounding burden of being you an expert on the skilled interpretation of what is said by people. Thanks for sharing this hurtful experience with all of us. I hope to gain courage for what will be coming latter in life as a human condition, from your example.

Source author: Eric Suzán Reed esuzan@sre.gob.mx

Indeed --- Indeed! Even in the third dimension, if it exists!

Source author: Christian Peter Clay Mendoza cclay@sre.gob.mx

Some of the CONTENTS of the diplomatic cables caused harm to relationships: --- THE UNSAID lost its status as it was looked at the leaked cables by U.S.'s counterparts, revealing stuff the U.S. diplomats had never said bluntly to them, now causing shock and indignation in bilateral relations.

In the case of Mexico, the relationship of Mexican president Felipe Calderon with the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Carlos Pascual, suffered so much that Pascual choose to resign.

President "Calderon said he was particularly perturbed by comments he interpreted as implying 'Mexican soldiers aren't brave enough'... Mr. Calderon... made clear for weeks that he believed Mr.Pascual should be recalled (situation not seen in the bilateral relationship for almost a Century )... The American Ambassador to Libya, Gene Cretz, was withdrawn ... after cables were published in which he detailed idiosyncrasies of the Lybian leader, Col. Muammar el-Qadaffi".

Vave, Damien, Envoy Quits Over Cables on Mexico, The New York Times, March 19, 2011.

Besides, analysis on the imperialistic actions of the U.S. was published and it tarnished its international image when providing abundant proof, in form of quotations from the contents of the diplomatic leaked cables.

The Sydney Morning Herald wrote: “The whole weighty book (The Wikileaks Files) is a missile aimed at... revealing... (the) motivations (of) US diplomacy”.

In the opinion of Publishers Weekly the book "delivers a thorough introduction to the narratives of US policy that the cables reveal".

Former U.S. Secretary of Defense, Bob Gates, said in 2010: “I’ve heard the impact of these releases on our foreign policy described as a meltdown, as a game-changer and so on ... Is this embarrassing? Yes. Is it awkward? Yes."

Assange, Julian, et al, THE WIKILEAKS FILES: The World According to US Empire, Verso, reprinted, September 20, 2016.

Source author: Eric Suzán Reed esuzan@sre.gob.mx

It happens all the time, so the permanent analysis of the unsaid is quite a useful skill/tool --- It is very valuable, as to remain unconscious of the phenomena allowing the tendencies of the inner-workings of our brains go on unchecked could cause -I agree with Biljana- quite a biasing interpretation on the dynamics we are involved to, in our international relations (some of the them grave).

Source author: Eric Suzán Reed esuzan@sre.gob.mx

@ Bilijana: stay with us. A hunger strike will convince you? --- As a lecturer of Diplo, I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to join this course I have longed for. It exceeded my expectations in terms of exploring the richness of words and the immense potential of the language to help us express ourselves as social animals (Aristotle) and as mere human beings. It is [present tense premeditated] an attractive, instructive and entertaining course, and, as some colleagues mentioned it too, it is useful for any professional branch, not just for diplomats.

Better is the enemy of good! Why fix it if it works perfectly, as everyone so enthusiastically confirmed.

Why shorter? We did not want this course to end!

Why sharper? It is sharp enough, it gives the participant the possibility to sharpen it at any time, as proved by the '1001' annotations.

If we go on a hunger strike, would we convince you to stay? Source author: Petru Dumitriu <PetruD@diplomacy.edu>

a proverb --- "dust is yourself" literally meaning that when you dance on village play ground, you produce dust and the more dust comes out shows how much you are dancing. So the proverb means that, the onus is on oneself to portray good about yourself.

Source author: MacOswald Jumali macjumali@yahoo.com

Interesting to learn --- that in 1971, the Chinese Table Tennis team invited the US Table Tennis team to compete in China during a time when US citizens were not allowed to visit Communist countries.<br /> President Nixon was working on a reapproachment and Henry Kissinger made a secret visit in 1971...coincidence?<br /> The words Ping Pong have a different meaning in Chinese as shared by Biljani connoting collision and battle. However, in this instance, the Chinese used it as a charm offensive (The Art of War) to influence public opinion and initiate relations with the US. Conclusion: Ping Pong diplomacy is not Shuttle Diplomacy...it is the fostering of citizen, cultural and sports diplomacy to lay the groundwork for establishing formal ties...at least that's my opinion!

Source author: Marie Betts-Johnson mbj@ipicalifornia.com

packaging of agreements --- are crafted to save face, particularly of a party that has conceded more, as such, wording leaves a lot unsaid or title of the agreement has unsaid. Hence, foreign ministers or heads of state when they hold a presser to announce concluding of negotiations and the agreement, they often say this is a win win agreement and each party would say how his or her state will benefit from the agreement but in between, there is a lot which is unsaid.

Source author: MacOswald Jumali macjumali@yahoo.com

There's no gorilla diplomacy --- .that we know about.. but what about panda diplomacy? :)

Source author: Alejandra Mayela Martinez Silva ammartinez@sre.gob.mx

I experienced this! --- After riding a whole day with my sister, her husband and their four school age kids, I understood why they kept a huge bottle of Tylenol in the car.

Source author: Alejandra Mayela Martinez Silva ammartinez@sre.gob.mx

Absolutely correct! --- At a different level, but what you said made me think of Spain. I lived there for 8 years, and one of the things that startled me the most was their relationship with English language.

During the dictature they were very linguistically isolated and English was not widely taught until quite recently. My theory is that their lengthy lack of exposition to English (music, movies, etc) made it harder for them to "acquire" the phonetic codes. This is why, with certain audiences, pronouncing a given English word in English is seen quite snobbish.

My obvious comparison is Mexico. For instance, I think of my grand parents: They didn't know/learned a word of English, but they were able to pronounce English names of songs, actors, politicians, etc. because they were more exposed to English language than their Spanish counterparts, and they intuitively acquired the phonetic codes.

All of this to say that you are right, difference always nourishes.

Source author: Liliana Oliva Bernal loliva@sre.gob.mx

A mexican saying --- This reminded me of a saying "el que con leche se quema hasta al jocoque le sopla" roughly translated as "the one who gets burned with milk, fans/blows even yogurth"

Source author: Alejandra Mayela Martinez Silva ammartinez@sre.gob.mx

no link --- No pain, no gain. (how we derive from these four words that excercise must be painful in order to see results is a total mistery to me)

Source author: Alejandra Mayela Martinez Silva ammartinez@sre.gob.mx

A Diplo-pill... --- ... with the formula used in this course would procure great benefits indeed! :D

Source author: Liliana Oliva Bernal loliva@sre.gob.mx

Linguistical paradoxes! --- Thanks Christian and Biljana for these examples!

It is not a paradox, but in Spanish (at least in Mexico) we tend so ask for "un vaso de agua" (a glass of water, which is perfectly ok in English), but the precise meaning of that phrase is that the glass is made of water. We should rather ask for a "vaso con agua" (a glass containing water).

Source author: Liliana Oliva Bernal loliva@sre.gob.mx

And thanks to you... --- ...for the parallel with "between Scylla and Charybdis"! I didn't know that piece of greek mythology, and know I know it :)

Source author: Liliana Oliva Bernal loliva@sre.gob.mx

And perhaps... --- Using idioms, proverbs or figures with implicit communication will be used as some sort of "mot de passe" to distinguish between humans and AI

Source author: Liliana Oliva Bernal loliva@sre.gob.mx

Right! --- Exactly, Biljana!

The French "pour un averti..." is the precise equivalent of the first idiom.

Public virtues, private vices would be a perfect equivalent in English, but I don't know if there are more options or equivalents.

Source author: Liliana Oliva Bernal loliva@sre.gob.mx

A heart-felt thank you as well for this engaging and well versed course. --- This course has opened my eyes to the different and yet useful aspects of language and diplomacy. As you have mentioned in module 1, “the insights gained should be relevant to all areas of life”. Not a diplomat myself but married to the Investment Advisor for Jamaica to Japan, a lot of the examples were easy to understand and some could easily be juxtaposed with other areas of my life.

I am looking forward to going over all the lessons at another time with more time.

Thank you Biljana.

Source author: Mamta Reid liveandsmile@hotmail.com

An insinuation --- The end of the first sentence stops abruptly if you consider the second sentence that follows. There listener/reader is left to insinuation that the two are connected but there is no clear connection. Therefore the gap is between the first and the second sentence.

Source author: Mamta Reid liveandsmile@hotmail.com

Shorter and sharper in future? --- Please do write a formal review, that would be SO welcome! Thank you for your enthusiastic response here, much appreciated, just as your input throughout the course has been!

I'm hoping that Diplo will launch shorter and more exercise-driven courses to train particular skills, such as the ABC response.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

A first step --- Glad to hear that this was the first as you now have lots more to look forward to! Thank you for all your HTs and positive feedback :)

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Access after the course is over --- Yes, you can access the classroom and course material for at least a year after the course is over. Thanks for your positive feedback and for including all the participants in it :)

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Labels and learning --- Thanks Liliana! I agree, I too have found it helpful to be able to isolate, label and manipulate particular 'specimens' in communication and I keep finding more, thanks to everybody's input.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Reciprocated! --- Thanks Marie! It's been great fun learning with you!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

The other meaning of 'remotely' --- So you mean they were useful across space and time?!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

No comment? --- oh oh

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Pause, prime, pause :) --- So happy to see the word 'priming' so masterfully deployed :)

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

The exception 'proves' the rule --- One of the reasons that I am a great believer in mixed gene pools has to do with the healthy counterbalance that exceptional behaviour can bring into the mix. Implicit communication can indeed be a sign of sophisticated interaction but a community that relies on it can end up narrowing the range of communicative resources that it uses and separating itself off from other communities. The presence of a 10% in each community who diverge from these norms help to question our neurotypical reliance on codes and forces us to find more diverse ways of communicating - and this is surely a good thing.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

References? --- How interesting, I would love to attend a course on"Emotions, passions, and world security"! Is there any reading associated with the course?

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Podium diplomacy --- Thanks for this topical example. No Olympic medals for US diplomats

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Guilty as charged --- You are right, I was thinking about the sound not there spelling :)

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Diplo-pill --- Thank you for these additional examples. I wonder what a Diplo-pill will procure or cure us of?!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Explanation needed --- Please tell us more Blanca about the gaps in. the expression 'water security, food security'

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Correct --- Yes, you're right. He jumps from Sadam Hussein to 9/11 as if they were connected though we know (and knew then) that they are not.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Closing appeal to ethos --- A very rousing speech which won him applause, rare in the UNSCR. Here are his closing words: "This message comes to you today from an old country, France, from an old continent like mine, Europe, that has known wars, occupation and barbarity. A country that does not forget and knows everything it owes to the freedom-fighters who came from America and elsewhere. And yet has never ceased to stand upright in the face of history and before mankind. Faithful to its values, it wishes resolutely to act with all the members of the international community. It believes in our ability to build together a better world."

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Well observed --- Thanks for this analysis Blanca!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Sleight of hand --- Exactly! Cunning isn't it!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Who's is to say what the future holds? --- My first thought was that I would have expected 'a common past' rather than 'future', and I would have attributed to the complexities to that common past (presumably experienced in different ways).

I'm curious to know how you bridge the gap?

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Explanation needed! --- My mind is flying in every direction but I can't settle on a satisfactory interpretation and need your help!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Wishy-washy, slippery, evasive, deceptive ... --- Exactly! Frank(ish) cultures experience considerable frustration in the light of this kind of 'slipperiness'. It's interesting to look our for the negative connotations that different cultures attribute to behaviour that isn't within their norm.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

A birth mark?! --- Its a really good question whether AI will ever be able to decode the unsaid given how many variables are involved and how context dependent these are. Its even difficult for many humans to do so, people on the Autistic spectrum especially as they do not have a good feeling for the minds of others. And all of us make mistakes when we aren't familiar enough with some of the variables involved. Perhaps in the future, when AI intelligence is nearly indistinguishable from human intelligence in most regards, implicit communication will be the 'tell' which will help us distinguish between man and machines!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Thank you! --- I think the course was extremely useful. It should not be reserved for diplomats, but for everyone (the term "gap" comes to mind :)

It was interesting to see how diplomats think, especially for someone like me who comes from a very different sphere. Through the examples they gave in their hypertexts, I learned many things about diplomatic work.

I wonder if we are going to be able to access the recorded class meetings and the texts after the end of the course. It will certainly be very useful. Thank you!

Source author: Blanca Jimenez bjimenez@sre.gob.mx

Framing devices and figures of speech --- In this press conference, President Bush makes use of framing devices and linguistic tools we have seen in the course, as assertions "This is a fact. It cannot be denied", methaphors: "War against terror", "replacing this cancer inside of Iraq"; appeal to emotion: "I will not leave the American people at the mercy...People of goodwill must also recognize...Our nation is deeply grateful to all who serve in uniform" and shared aspirations: "The cause of peace must be advanced"..."For the security of our nation...". There are several elements that, when analyzed, show that there are no mass destruction weapons, but the rhetoric ressources used by President Bush support a discourse that is protective of the American people and convinced of the danger.

Source author: Blanca Jimenez bjimenez@sre.gob.mx

.. --- My feedback lies in the power of the unsaid :)

Source author: Hervé Pool erve619@gmail.com

The extent.... --- To the extent of advancing ones own interests and agenda. However, the risk of misinterpretation should be avoid

Source author: Hervé Pool erve619@gmail.com

Parties... --- Especially those 'parties' with a cultural background that expects some level of frankness

Source author: Hervé Pool erve619@gmail.com

A conservative speech --- The speech is riddled with many promises that were not fulfilled. When President Bush says "Because a caring society will value its weakest members, me must make a place for the unborn child", he's clearly against abortion. When he says "Because the union of a man and woman deserves an honored place in our society, I support the protection of marriage against activist judges", he's against homosexual marriages. When he says "Members of both political paries, including my opponent", he doesn't specify who nor how many, and he only adds his opponent, making of him an accomplice.

Source author: Blanca Jimenez bjimenez@sre.gob.mx

Flash fiction and ambiguity --- Does flash fiction is based on ambiguity or is it so short that it is free from ambiguity?

Source author: Blanca Jimenez bjimenez@sre.gob.mx

Fabulous fables --- A proverb (or even a Fable from Aesop?), but not a parallel construction unless you add something like 'a tiger can't alter its stripes'

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Bridging the gap --- Whoever does not bet does not win. Think wrong and you will be right. Traduttore, traditore (translator, traitor)

Source author: Blanca Jimenez bjimenez@sre.gob.mx

Virtue-signalling or 'Public virtues, private vices?' --- Thank you for these examples, Liliana! The first reminds of the French equivalent: 'Pour un averti, un demi-ton suffit' The second took me a while to understand as there is no equivalent in English. The expression 'virtue-signalling' probably comes closest but doesn't allow for the essential contrast. Maybe 'Public virtues, private vices' comes closest?

Any suggestions for an equivalent from anybody else?

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Dementia --- So true, We don't presume to correct the elderly, and we certainly don't want them to lose face. I remember when my mother was succumbing o dementia, there was a period where she dreaded doing and saying the wrong thing, but often she was unable to read the context well enough to know what the right thing might be. This caused her terrible suffering and isolation.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Oiling the wheels --- Good example, thank you Liliana. Courtesy 'oils the wheels'. Helping things to run smoothly usually benefits everybody.

Teenagers go through a stage where they feel that these little niceties are irrelevant and ultimately unhelpful, but as MacOswald suggested in his earlier post, we come to learn that alienating other parties is potentially even more unhelpful. Greta Thunberg's intransigence, as many of you have suggested, is probably a symptom of her youth and one she will likely grow out of as she comes to appreciate the benefits of collaboration.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Useful examples --- Thank you for these examples of damage done by the content once it was exposed, Eric!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Finding a balance --- It is a difficult balance to strike between being frank and forceful win the one hand in order to get things done and yet being tactful and sensitive enough on the other in order to maintain good enough dynamics to be able to carry on discussions. Navigating these waters requires acumen (the ability to read the situation, the people, the mood and make judgments accordingly)

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

On Salomon's proverb --- Gold and silver are precious metals, this is why a word, when it isn't spoken in vain, but well thought out and appropriate, is precious.

Source author: Blanca Jimenez bjimenez@sre.gob.mx

Another one --- Desirée's quotes are excellent. The last one from Churchill brought to my mind that from Shakespear (Othello): "Better to be king of your silence than slave of your words".

Source author: Blanca Jimenez bjimenez@sre.gob.mx

Why? --- Why, oh why is it the last time? Your teaching style is truly amazing and anyone not able to take this course from you will certainly be lacking. I would like to write a more formal review, perhaps on a more public space within the Diplo portal (does one exist?). But suffice to say here that this has been a most enjoyable class! Rather than being a burdensome task, I looked forward to the readings, HT´s and weekly conversations as a repose from other, more tedious and mundane activities. A heartfelt thanks to you, Biljana, as well as to Andre and Radek for a brilliant course!

Source author: Christian Peter Clay Mendoza cclay@sre.gob.mx

Remotely??? --- Remotely??? My goodness, they have been extremely useful! I cannot listen, read or write the same after this course. The information provided and the ease and beautiful simplicity in which it has been conveyed are amazing tools that I can use for the rest of my career! A million thanks!

Source author: Christian Peter Clay Mendoza cclay@sre.gob.mx

mistake? --- I understand the ambiguity between guerrilla-style diplomacy and the diplomacy of guerrilla-fighters (it could also mean diplomacy towards guerrillas, by the way). But the end of this sentence, when referring to "the species", I wonder if the author might perhaps have gotten confused thinking about gorillas? They have nothing to do with guerrillas...

Source author: Christian Peter Clay Mendoza cclay@sre.gob.mx

the other way around! --- Something curious happens here in the US (perhaps in other English-speaking countries as well?) with regards to inverse meanings: people park their cars on the driveway, but they drive them on the parkway!!! :-D

Source author: Christian Peter Clay Mendoza cclay@sre.gob.mx

seemingly --- The gap is that he is seemingly talking about two different things: Hussein´s record of aggression and support for terror on the one hand and the fact that the September 11 attacks required the US to think differently (it is implied that he means in terms of its security). Although he does not explicitly state it, he is implying through the gap in his sentences that Hussein could have been responsible for 9-11 and that the US should confront such threats in a timely manner.

Source author: Christian Peter Clay Mendoza cclay@sre.gob.mx

"juxtaposing" --- It´s late; let´s go home

It´s hot. Lose the jacket.

Source author: Christian Peter Clay Mendoza cclay@sre.gob.mx

Leopard --- The old proverb "A leopard can´t change its spots" is understood to mean that old habits die hard (another one!) and not that leopards actually try to change the spots on their fur!

Source author: Christian Peter Clay Mendoza cclay@sre.gob.mx

summary --- Summary Poststructuralism emerged in France in the 1960s, setting into motion a philosophical revolution that would change the course of French philosophy for the remainder of the twentieth century. Although there are differences between the thinkers characterized as poststructuralist, nevertheless certain themes and trends distinguish poststructuralist thinkers, in particular Michel Foucault, Gilles Deleuze, and Jacques Derrida, from their structuralist predecessors. In some cases, these should be seen as correctives to the excesses of structuralism; in others as ways in which these thinkers gave expression to the Nietzschean-Freudian-Marxian spirit of the times. What is emphasized is the way poststructuralist thinkers reaffirmed the value of philosophical thinking. Where the structuralist theorists had turned away from philosophy, theorists following structuralism readily identify themselves as philosophers. Situating these philosophical thinkers after structuralism, four themes are highlighted: the return to thinking historically; the return of thinking about the subject; the emphasis on difference; and the return to thinking philosophically about ethics.

Source author: Mohammad Daud Mahmoody dauodmahmoody@gmail.com

explanation of structuralism and post-structuralism --- Structuralism and poststructuralism have been widely influential within cultural studies because both schools of thought focus on how meaning is made, and meaning-making is an essential function of culture. Cultural studies is an interdisciplinary field of inquiry concerned with the intersection of power and meaning in popular culture. Structuralism is a theoretical approach that identifies patterns in social arrangements, mostly notably language. While poststructuralism builds on the insights of structuralism, it holds all meaning to be fluid rather than universal and predictable. Both structuralism and post-structuralism are important theoretical influences in cultural studies and have enabled the field to explore culture as a set of signifying practices. That said, all three of the key terms in this equation – cultural studies, structuralism, and poststructural-ism – are contestable, and the intellectual terrain they cover is vast. To make the task almost manageable it is necessary to adopt a broadly historical approach, and as a way of anchoring the slippery notion of cultural studies it is useful to focus on the work of Stuart Hall as the discipline's quintessential figure. Structuralism as a term refers to various theories across the humanities, social sciences and economics many of which share the assumption that structural relationships between concepts vary between different cultures/languages and that these relationships can be usefully exposed and explored.

More accurately it could be described as an approach in academic disciplines in general that explores the relationships between fundamental principal elements in language, literature, and other fields upon which some higher mental, linguistic, social, or cultural "structures" and "structural networks" are built. Through these networks meaning is produced within a particular person, system, or culture. This meaning then frames and motivates the actions of individuals and groups. In its most recent manifestation, structuralism as a field of academic interest began around 1958 and peaked in the late 1960s and early 1970s

Source author: Mohammad Daud Mahmoody dauodmahmoody@gmail.com

scope ambiguities --- 5.1.1 What Are Scope Ambiguities? Introduction of scope ambiguities.

What are scope ambiguities? A scope ambiguity is an ambiguity that occurs when two quantifiers or similar expressions can take scope over each other in different ways in the meaning of a sentence. Here are some examples.

``Every man loves a woman.''

``Every student did not pass the exam.''

Let's look at the first sentence to see the ambiguity. The more prominent meaning of this sentence is that for every man, there is a woman, and it's possible that each man loves a different woman. But the sentence also has a second possible meaning, which says that there is one particular woman who is loved by every man. This reading becomes clearer if we continue the example by "..., namely Brigitte Bardot."

To further underline the difference, have a look at the two readings represented in first-order logic.

They are genuinely semantic... We see that the sentence has two different meanings: it is ambiguous. Moreover, there is no good reason to assume that the ambiguity should be syntactic. So we can say that scope ambiguities are genuine semantic ambiguities. It is important to observe here that both readings are made up of the same material (the semantic representations of the quantified NPs every man'' anda woman'', and the nuclear scope ``love''). The only difference is the way in which the material is put together. We will come back to this later.

...and omnipresent! The second example shows that not only quantifiers can give rise to scope ambiguities (if you find this particular sentence a little odd, you can play the same game with the German ``Jeder Student hat nicht bestanden.''). In this sentence, it is the relative scope of the quantifier and the negation that is ambiguous. The two readings mean that either every single student failed, or, respectively, that not everyone of the students passed. In formulae:

Exercise 5.1

Quantifiers and negation aren't the only scope taking elements. Other candidates (and thus other sources of genuinely semantic ambiguity) include certain adverbs. For example modal adverbs like possibly'' may interfere with the scope of determiners. Consider the sentencePossibly a dog is barking''. What are the different readings of this sentence?

Source author: Mohammad Daud Mahmoody dauodmahmoody@gmail.com

limerick --- limerick {speaker} noun a humorous short poem, with two long lines that RHYME with each other, followed by two short lines that RHYME with each other and ending with a long line that RHYMES with the first two

Source author: Mohammad Daud Mahmoody dauodmahmoody@gmail.com

lexical ambiguity --- WhatIs.com.com lexical ambiguity By Ivy Wigmore Lexical ambiguity is the potential for multiple interpretations of spoken or written language that renders it difficult or impossible to understand without some additional information. The ambiguity typically results from the fact that words can mean different things; the additional information typically supplies context that clarifies which meaning is intended in this instance. Lexical means related to words, from the Greek lexikos.

Lexical ambiguity is what makes puns and other types of wordplay funny, and unintentional humor can occur when words aren’t considered carefully enough. For example, the Columbia Journalism Review once published a collection of ambiguous headlines, such as “Red Tape Holds up New Bridge.” The ambiguity there results from the fact that holds up can mean both delays and supports, and the humor comes from the fact that the idea of holding a bridge in place with red tape is ridiculous. Headlines rendered difficult to parse because of ambiguity are sometimes known as crash blossoms, so-named for one that appeared in Japan Today: “Violinist Linked to JAL Crash Blossoms.”

Lexical ambiguity is often contrasted with structural or syntactic ambiguity, which complicates the interpretation of written or spoken language because of the way in which words or phrases are arranged. Linguistic ambiguity, which includes both of these as well as other categories, is a particular problem for natural language processing (NLP) programs. Word sense disambiguation (WSD) is an essential component of speech recognition, text analytics and other language-processing applications.

Source author: Mohammad Daud Mahmoody dauodmahmoody@gmail.com

vague reference definition and explanation --- vague reference Vague reference is a common problem in sentences where “this,” “it,” “which” or other such words don’t refer back to any one specific word or phrase, but a whole situation. “I hitchhiked back to town, got picked up by an alien spacecraft and was subjected to humiliating medical experiments, which is why I didn’t get my paper done on time.” In conversation this sort of thing goes unnoticed, but more care needs to be taken in writing. There are lots of ways to reorganize this sentence to avoid the vague reference. You could replace “which is why” with “so,” for instance.

Sometimes the referent is only understood and not directly expressed at all: “Changing your oil regularly is important, which is one reason your engine burned up.” The “which” refers to an implied failure to change oil regularly, but doesn’t actually refer back to any of the specific words used earlier in the sentence.

Sometimes there is no logical referent: “In the book it says that Shakespeare was in love with some ‘dark lady’.” This is a casual way of using “it” that is not acceptable in formal written English. Write instead “Arthur O. Williams says in The Sonnets that Shakespeare. . . .”

A reference may be ambiguous because it’s not clear which of two referents is meant: “Most women are attracted to guys with a good sense of humor unless they are into practical jokes.” Does “they” refer to “women” or “guys”? It would be clearer if the sentence said “Most women are attracted to guys with a good sense of humor, though not usually to practical jokers.”

Source author: Mohammad Daud Mahmoody dauodmahmoody@gmail.com

Aphorism and Cognate --- Aphorism is a short phrase that says true or wise. regarding cognate, in linguistic literature, it is an adjective and it means having the same origin as another word or language. For instance, 'Haus' in German is cognate with 'house' in English. * We an also say German and Dutch are cognate languages. 'Haus' and 'house' are cognates.

Source author: Mohammad Daud Mahmoody dauodmahmoody@gmail.com

it also aims to.. --- revive the manufacturing industry across African economies and to advance development such as tackling the high youth unemployemnt across the continent..

Source author: Omphile Sethunya Sedimo sedimosethunya44@gmail.com

SACU.. --- formed in 1910 is perharps not famous but is the oldest Customs Union, made of 5 Southern African countries. Among its objectives is to advance economic development, diversification and industrialisation among its Member states. It also aims to promote the integration of member states into the global economy through trade and investment. To realise these objectives the Union has entered into free trade agreements with other regional blocks such as the EU and MERCUSOR. Member states use the Union incentives and market as part of their economic diplomacy to attract trade and investment.

Source author: Omphile Sethunya Sedimo sedimosethunya44@gmail.com

Intra and inter -industry trade --- Is of ocurse very much related and base on value or production chains for final product. One final product is in most of the cases produced with components originated in more than one country or territory. This is one the reasons why Free Trade Agreements (among economic partners) is important. It is not only the fact of Tarif or non Tariff barriers. Rules of origin for those compenents are important in order to get the same benefit a local production component is given due to the Free Trade Agreement signed with these partners.

Source author: Mavis Tungulu mtungulu@gmail.com

services --- Some of the most developed country's GDP is comprised by services. The USA and some EU countries illustrate this.

Source author: Mavis Tungulu mtungulu@gmail.com

AfCFTA --- Africa commenced implementation of their biggest FTA, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) at the beginning of this year 2021.The main objective of the AfCFTA is to eliminate or reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers amongst the 54 Countries that agreed to be members of the bloc by providing a single market for goods and services, facilitated by movement of persons in order to deepen the economic integration and prosperity of the continent. The AfCFTA will boost intra African Trade and further strengthen the bargaining power of Africa in international trade negotiations, something that many African nations feel they're currently lacking. The AfCFTA has been signed by 52 African Member States.

Source author: Lapologang Judah lapoduna@gmail.com

Trade multilateralism in crisis? --- Some developing governments do not believe that the WTO works for them. The dominant economic powers, such as the United States and Europe, are widely perceived to have hijacked the system. Each of the 164 members has a preferential agenda. Take, for example, Donald Trump's "America First" policy, has resulted in retribution from other countries. Thus, WTO is viewed as losing the battle in bringing together parties with opposing agendas.

Source author: Matshedisa Emily Mokoena mokoenamati@gmail.com

Subsidies --- Agriculture remains a major source of income for countries such as India, Pakistan, and Africa. Their prices would be competitive in the international market if Western nations did not provide subsidies to their farmers and as a result, the farmers from developed countries can afford to sell at lower prices than farmers in developing countries. The developing countries have lobbied the WTO to put a stop to this practice. Other countries are beginning to see the WTO as nothing more than a vehicle for safeguarding Western interests.

Source author: Matshedisa Emily Mokoena mokoenamati@gmail.com

WTO Waivers --- Some countries are still being faced with challenges, with regards to TRIPS. Take for instance; India and South Africa, they want the WTO to waiver intellectual property rules so that developing countries can produce or import COVID-19 drugs more easily. So far, the negotiations have come to a halt. More than 100 countries have endorsed the proposal, believing that the waiver will save lives by allowing developing countries to manufacture COVID-19 vaccines. However, the proposal is being opposed by a small number of countries, including some that are home to major pharmaceutical companies.

Source author: Matshedisa Emily Mokoena mokoenamati@gmail.com

WTO work- in -progress --- WTO supporters believe the organization is achieving some of its objectives. For starters, they point out that no trade wars have occurred in the last twenty-two years. Furthermore, when the WTO was established, the average tariff was close to 35%, and now is at least, at an average of 9%. This, may imply that free trade is flourishing all over the world.

Source author: Matshedisa Emily Mokoena mokoenamati@gmail.com

Challenge --- The penetration rate of communication technologies is still a basic requirement. In developing countries, the usage of the ITC is very low, a chain problem linked to the lake of energy or energy access issue.

Source author: Ioniarimalala RAKOTONIRINA ioniarimalala@gmail.com

Trust and security --- Most of time, the adoption by the citizen is the first obstacle. Like the usage of mobile banking and mobile money services, users doesn't run to use it first. After some months, some years the services was adopted by the population. In a country where cybersecurity is not its priority, there is no need to go towards the use of cybercurrency, there are so many risk factors and nothing is certain.

Source author: Ioniarimalala RAKOTONIRINA ioniarimalala@gmail.com

Paradox --- A paradoxical reality, Madagascar is preparing its cryptocurrency without setting up a national cyber strategy.

Source author: Ioniarimalala RAKOTONIRINA ioniarimalala@gmail.com

Depending on the source --- How the quantification was done ? Did this come from automated tools or a vuluntary claims? The country's digitization rate or level must play a role in this scoring.

Source author: Ioniarimalala RAKOTONIRINA ioniarimalala@gmail.com

disparity --- An entity must manage official statistics to use it as a reference, unless this already exists, ITU must already have its own reference in the matter.

Source author: Ioniarimalala RAKOTONIRINA ioniarimalala@gmail.com

@Valerii @Juan responsibility on both sides --- What is our expectation of safety, security, and privacy when we use an online business? In the USA, often a physical business will want to scan our ID, which gives them access to more information (using the QR code) and to store it as well, even though this gives them much more information than simply confirming identity to substantiate the use of a credit card, or age, to permit purchase of liquor or medicines.

Valerii makes a very important point: at the end of the day, if we don't protect ourselves adequately, we cannot be sure we will be protected. Yes... the internet (or something similar) is here to stay. But will we learn to use it to its (and our) best advantage? Will we, as consumers and users, demand that our rights and interests be respected? Or will we simply accept what is offered because we want these goods and services? Can we blame businesses if we don't care enough to modify our behaviour?

Source author: Ginger (Virginia) Paque VirginiaP@diplomacy.edu

Responsibility for security re: Juan's comment --- Juan, your initial 'Definitely not' suprised me, and I was not convinced: I think that as users, we must take responsibility for our actions. But as I read on, your substantiation convinced me: thank you. In addition, it ocurred to me that if I walk into a physical store, I consider it the responsibility of the business to make sure I am safe on their premises. On the other hand, if I don't feel safe, I stay away. Interesting points!

Source author: Ginger (Virginia) Paque VirginiaP@diplomacy.edu

Mind-boggling indeed @Gnagna --- Gnagna, your comment made me realise we will probably always be dealing with these phenomena. Rather than eradicating them, we clearly need to learn to live safely with them. Do we (in this group) feel 'safe' online? Are you protected? To some point, you must think you are -- after all, you are here. WDYT?

Source author: Ginger (Virginia) Paque VirginiaP@diplomacy.edu

Authorities --- Well seems like the government will push so hard in order to get what the need. I agree about companies must to take care of the clients information privacy or sensitive data. I am not against the government but as the text said about the Apple case, they got what they need with assistance of a third party.

Source author: Iván Arnulfo Fernández Hernández administracionini01@sre.gob.mx

Allowance --- I don't think that authorities should be allowed to influence in designing products. Whenever government or authorities gets into products, corruption will always prevail and make market divide into those who are "great" because they have bribed and others who are "bad" because they haven't.

Source author: Valerii Paziuk paziukvalerii@gmail.com

as a user --- In my opinion, there is a constant race of both virus developers and antivirus developers. Both sectors are trying hard to be the best and become a winner in the end. I consider users as actors who also take part in this race, and that being at risk is a natural thing, without risks, there is no progress. Users have to protect and make choices, for example, in sharing their private information or not to do so. I think none of the security actors can work as well as users themselves.

Source author: Valerii Paziuk paziukvalerii@gmail.com

internet will persist and will develope even more --- No doubt, the internet remains and develops even further in all mentioned aspects. The pandemic Covid-19 has boosted people's life on the internet dramatically. Nowadays, businesses offline can't fully operate, being disconnected from the web. Online banking, online businesses, and new ways for governance are developing and are rising. Without human rights, openness, and good governance, all these sectors mentioned above wouldn't work properly and would fall apart.

Source author: Valerii Paziuk paziukvalerii@gmail.com

Online consumers --- This is an important question. Should consumers deal with the risks associated with digitalization? Definitely not. As consumers, we should demand service providers to upgrade security standards constantly. If we all want to live in a world of digital economy, consumers’ concerns must be accurately considered in how it will function. An opportunity arises to include the voices of organizations dealing with consumers’ protection. One of the most prominent internationally is the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN - https://icpen.org/protecting-consumers-worldwide), which brings together authorities from 70 countries. ICPEN has already launched two initiatives aimed at educating consumers who participate in the digital economy: the “International Internet Sweep Day” (which seeks to detect fraudulent online activity so that national authorities can tackle them later) and the “econsumer.gov” platform (where consumers can report cross-border complaints). ICPEN also plays an important role in educating and raising awareness of the risks of online activity. Stakeholders like ICPEN can make valuable contributions to the consumer protection discussions underway.

Source author: Juan Feliciano Ascencio Moctezuma jascencio@sre.gob.mx

Ukrainian case --- Despite the fact that cryptocurrencies have been operating in the world for more than ten years, they have not been officially recognized in Ukraine. There is still no clear definition of what it is, no rules of operation and circulation, and regulation of digital currency in the country. Thus, security risks in a country where cryptocurrency has not been recognized yet can become a serious problem. Cryptocurrency should gain legal status, and market participants then will be able to defend the rights to virtual assets in court.

Source author: Valerii Paziuk paziukvalerii@gmail.com

appropriate or fair --- It is hard to say whether it is appropriate or fair because, on one hand, I think more or less this figure is correct, but on other hand, if we take a country as a whole with all the number of users in the country and compare to another country, this might be not fully correct. Comparing a small state to the biggest states is not how it should be done. In my opinion, the country's population should be considered as 100%, and we should collect data on which percent of users were infected with malware. Then, for example, Ukrainian users which were infected were considered as a 5% from 100%, which means that 95% of the population was safe. Then we compare this data with for example Russian's and see that Russian users were infected as 10% from the entire 100%. By making this comparison, we can see that Ukraine is 5% safer than Russian. And we compare all states like this and collect data.

Source author: Valerii Paziuk paziukvalerii@gmail.com

More on blockchain --- In an effort to better understand how blockchain works, I looked for some definitions online. Here are my takeaways (in simple words): 1. Blockchain is used to record and distribute information. The information cannot be edited or altered. 2. They generate trust with the need of a third party 3. They allow the exchange of data grouped in ‘blocks’ linked to one another. Each block store data. 4. The blocks of data are chained together in chronological order. 5. The data entered in a block is irreversible.<br /> The sources that I consulted are the following: https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/financial-services/fintech/bitcoin-blockchain-cryptocurrency.html https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/blockchain.asp https://www.euromoney.com/learning/blockchain-explained/what-is-blockchain

Source author: Juan Feliciano Ascencio Moctezuma jascencio@sre.gob.mx

Identity theft --- Many done for financial gain, using the information gained online to access bank accounts and personal information

Source author: Shabanah Mustapha shabanah.mustapha@igovtt.tt

Too many --- Way too volatile, seemingly not backed by anything tangible (not fiat, etc.) not to mention how likely they are to simply "vanish" https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/gone-in-5-minutes-investors-lose-millions-in-squid-game-cryptocurrency-121110400019_1.html

Source author: Ndeye Gnagna Kone gnagna.pro@gmail.com

Hinder --- The lack of trust that sometimes hinders the development of e-commerce can be non-technologic. Socio-cultural factors can add to it. For example, a few years ago, it was discovered that one of the main distrust factors about e-commerce in West-Africa was that people's decision to buy something was tightly related to touching (thus 'feeling') the product they were buying which was not given with e-commerce/online shopping

Source author: Ndeye Gnagna Kone gnagna.pro@gmail.com

Mind-blogging --- This line is quite mind-boggling. It gives a clearer perspective about the speed in which cybercrimes are likely to grow vs the actual cybersecurity resources for protection and defense

Source author: Ndeye Gnagna Kone gnagna.pro@gmail.com

re: Dependency --- I think here the pinning point is that everything is increasingly dependent on the internet thus likely to be depended to a business enabling it somehow...all the different examples you mentioned are likely to be supplied by one to many businesses ...smart cars, smart cities, e-government, etc.

Source author: Ndeye Gnagna Kone gnagna.pro@gmail.com

Developing countries --- Very concerning the fact that many African countries, and some Central American ones are not even ranked on the list, which make them obviously much more vulnerable to cyberattacks and perpetuates the disparities between rich and poor nations.

Source author: Jorge Ernesto Salcido Zugasti jsalcido@sre.gob.mx

Real power --- I think they are indeed becoming the Masters of the Universe and it is not funny at all. These groups or centers have become almighty, and can control governments or entire communities or industries. As we have seen along this course, whoever controls the technology has the 'real' power and is a step ahead.

Source author: Jorge Ernesto Salcido Zugasti jsalcido@sre.gob.mx

First it has to be trustworthy, doesn't it? --- Alan asked 'What should be the next step to be taken to show new technology can be trustable?' ... First we have to show if it is, in fact, trustable. As volitile as cryptocurrencies are, it may depend on our acceptable level of risk. No cryptocurrency has yet entered my sphere of acceptable risk.

Source author: Ginger (Virginia) Paque VirginiaP@diplomacy.edu

Is cyberbullying worse than old-fashioned bullying? --- That's quite thought-provoking, Alan. I think you were alludiing to the fact that we also find online assistance for offline crises, like bullying or health information needs. A question to parents: Has offline bullying stopped? Sometimes in-person bullying and aggression are harder to avoid than online bullying. What's the relationship between these, and how do they affect each other? Is one more 'real' than the other?

Source author: Ginger (Virginia) Paque VirginiaP@diplomacy.edu

@Carlos 'But for sure they are not the only ones' --- Definitely, Carlos! Although, 'rise of Non Fungible Tokens (NFT) and their commercialization' seems to be part of the economy ...?... What other areas can you suggest? Our triangle could always become a quadrangle or pentagon. Health? Peace? Climate?

Source author: Ginger (Virginia) Paque VirginiaP@diplomacy.edu

Digital social contract --- It is very accurate to propose a 'digital social contract' for the use of information technologies. This contract, however, needs to be voluntary and should come mainly from civil society willing to abide by it. Hence, the importance of educating users, especially in developing countries, where many people are still not familiar with IT. NGOs play a crucial role in this endeavor.

Source author: Jorge Ernesto Salcido Zugasti jsalcido@sre.gob.mx

cybercurrencies and the middle man --- @Carlos. Well said and hence the fight to facilitate fintech currencies.

Source author: Bennette Thomas thomasb@dominica.gov.dm

Cybercurrencies are supposed to eliminate the middle man --- The jump to cybercurrencies stems from the generalized perception that money is handled by goverments and elites in an unfair manner, always benefiting the few and perpetuating a system of exploitation. Also, banks and exchanges thrive by imposing unfairly high fees to commerce. Cybercurrencies like bitcoin and etherium eliminate the middle man and take away the central control of goverments in exchange policies. That is their value, that is why they have become so popular and that is also why goverments and central banks alike are fighting like cats to stop this trend. Cybercurrencies created and administered by governments is just a bad taste oximoron.

Source author: Carlos García Delgrado cgarciad@sre.gob.mx

The trend is clear and there is no stopping it --- Tottally agree. Everything is moving towards total dependency on electronic media. The trend is irreversible and the challenges are formidable. However, I tend to consider that this tendency is not negative in itsefl, but a consequence of technological innovation. All great changes are disruptive and bring with them great challenges. It seems to me that keeping our communications and property safe and secure is one of those formidable challenges in the coming cyber era.

Source author: Carlos García Delgrado cgarciad@sre.gob.mx

banks as a necessary evil --- @Alan. I suspect that there will still be the need for banks in one form or another despite the blockchain movement particularly for rural communities where hard cash is the order of the day. Hence, your proposal of a hybrid is reasonable.

Source author: Bennette Thomas thomasb@dominica.gov.dm

Banks a necessary evil --- That is a very good question Thomas, I'm gonna talk about it from my experience. However, if I'm overlooking something would be great if anyone can add it.

Banks are centralized entities that have guarantees in case you lose your password, card, you don't recognize a transaction, etc. In short, they back up your funds. On the other hand, Blockchain is a decentralized technology that requires lots of energy to complete a transaction (here is where the miners get profits). With decentralized options, you are responsible for your keys, if you lose them, you lose your wallet forever and what is inside.

For some customers, the lack of guarantees would make the decentralized option not feasible. I believe a hybrid scheme is the best option, merging the best of the two worlds. The question would be. How can we do that?

Source author: Alan Kaheri Chavez Castro itsupportirl@sre.gob.mx

Human rights and economy are not the only ones --- As presented in the text, human rights and the economy are the most notorious areas in which security and cybersecurity have an impact, forming a conceptual triangule. But for sure they are not the only ones. A direct link can be made to most activities performed by humans, including the more sophisticated aspects of our culture and way of live. The rise of Non Fungible Tokens (NFT) and their commercialization, speaks volumes about the importance of the cyberworld in "regular" human activities and the need for enhanced security. This is the reason why this new technologies and applications have seen exponential growth.

Source author: Carlos García Delgrado cgarciad@sre.gob.mx

The distinction between cyber and "real" security is only descriptive --- As stated in the text and various peer comments, the world has come to a point in which it is very difficult to draw a line between cybersecurity and security in the "real" world. Both are interconnected and both have implications (some could be severe) on each other. In the future, this will be more evident since VR applications and other virtual environments will be central to our online experience. Already we can see the efforts made by the big tech companies, like FB, to conquer this dimension with developments like de metaverse.

Source author: Carlos García Delgrado cgarciad@sre.gob.mx

when the process counts more than the goal --- Having worked for 15 years in space technologies, I have obviously to disagree. Space missions are an extremely powerful tool of innovation, and the real goal is not a human being that lands on Mars, but rather the whole process. And that brings advancements and benefits to all. Long duration space flights make the engineering community to tackle and solve extremely complex problems, developing highly innovative technologies. I also think that it plays an important role in inspiring young researchers to purse a professional career in this field. Long duration flights are for example pushing the advancement of the knowledge on our metabolism and on aging. The consequence of that is the development of adequate pharmaceutical products and therapies, that could be extremely useful to support the quality of elderly population. And at the end of the day, the reason of going to Mars is the same reason that led all the human beings to discover the surroundings, expanding the boundaries of knowledge. And this can simply never be stopped

Source author: Vojko Bratina vbratina@katamail.com

drilling holes for science or for what? --- I'm a bit pessimistic about the continent's peaceful and healthy future. Although going there was one of my biggest dreams, I came back questioning if human should go there at all. Scientists told us they don't drill these expensive holes under extreme conditions to know better what there is for pure knowledge, but to be better prepared for day1 (making allusions their powerful country is probably not interested in prolonging the treaty). I also realised many people who have means and influence don't care a lot about what will be left from this amazing place if this place becomes a resource extracting paradise.

Source author: Katharina Beyer katharina.beyer@etu.unige.ch

Elon Musk being allowed to 'make the rules' in space --- ... said ESA boss and made the headlines earlier this week. Other than Hope (thank you Mouloud for sharing this almost funny story), he has the money (and power?) to do so.. I assume his interests are not necessarily the ones of a large majority.

Source author: Katharina Beyer katharina.beyer@etu.unige.ch

Mind reader --- What a nice way of capturing the idea of neurorights. What came to my mind watching the video was how mind reading would affect sports (like chess) and other activities which involves team building, strategy and competition. When the technology review system was introduced to compliment human referee system, there was a lot of criticism on how the human error which plays a key role in sports like football or cricket would be lost. Indeed, I wonder what would happen when technology would completely replace human involvement or do we prevent this complete transition.

Source author: George Thomas georgethomasdesk@gmail.com

Inequity causes --- Even if unequal access is a crucial source of inequity, one needs not only to make sure access is open, but that users benefit from a sufficient level of education to understand what these human augmentations really are

Source author: Patrick Furrer Patrick.furrer@smartfree.ch

And capacity to sanction --- These bodies need to be able to take action, both in organizing prevention, but last but not least, define sanctions for scientists who do not apply the rules.

Source author: Patrick Furrer Patrick.furrer@smartfree.ch

A perfectly sound and crucial outcry --- I share their concerns. Even if ethical guidelines are going to be very clear (science diplomacy in involved here as well), some scientists even unconsciously will explore and cross these boundary limits. They must be seriously punished.

Source author: Patrick Furrer Patrick.furrer@smartfree.ch

Who is willing to live on Mars? --- I find "imagining life outside planet earth" as a useless and even dangerous utopia, engaging part of the scientific community to contribute to this endeavour is diverting resources from adressing the SDGs for intance. Where I normally fight for scientific independance and openness as well as freedom of research, here I have to admit that I would ban public money spending for such projects that clearly generate more risks than benefits for taxpayers themselves

Source author: Patrick Furrer Patrick.furrer@smartfree.ch

Who or How --- These two questions are intimately linked. At international level, indices are aggregated from national ones, themselves integrating state and cities ones, themselves integrating data from neighbohoods. The citizen often does not see the relations between these local and global indicators, and therefore can feel disengaged. The how should make the links between individual and global indicators more visible, to facilitate engagement at all levels for the SDG in particular.

Source author: Patrick Furrer Patrick.furrer@smartfree.ch

Involve Citizen --- I am going to consider positive outcomes as reached when the STI or the research agenda of an institution is partly answering to the needs of the society. But Citizen Science (part of the UNESCO recommendation by the way) still very marginally contributes to the research agenda or portfolio of projects.

Source author: Patrick Furrer Patrick.furrer@smartfree.ch

Digital Inclusion --- I share the concerns of Mouloud, these technologies are driven by economic interests, and currently contribute to increase the digital divide, internationally as well as nationally by the way too, even in Switzerland the level of precarity is increasing over time, and I am skeptic about the capacity for STI diplomacy to counteract this trend.

Source author: Patrick Furrer Patrick.furrer@smartfree.ch

Also to be wary of cherry-picking & false-equivalences... --- I wage two battles: a) to avoid deliberately or sub-consciously search for information that supports my hypotheses and claims, b) to resist temptation of false-equivalences, even when evidence overwhelmingly supports one hypothesis over the other.

Source author: Vid Nukala Vid.Nukala@gmail.com

enjoying un-connected places --- As for many people, and as my colleagues said before, for me too internet is everywhere anytime for anything. But being old enough to have lived without it I know life and action IS possible without it. When I go on mountain tours, you can have 5G at some places, but at others nothing. With the cold and limited charging capacities, you have also to manage your battery. Of course sometimes I am stressed because I would like to have the latest weather forecast. But when you realise you can make good decisions for now just by observing the sky, you feel so much more connected to the present.

Source author: Katharina Beyer katharina.beyer@etu.unige.ch

The common goal is the first --- People need to have a consensus to have a better world and take the responsibility with any emerging technology.

Source author: YingChu Chen jungheng@gmail.com

Negative is always with positive --- When we want to have "positive" outcomes, there will be a "negative" impact on somewhere or somebody. Any output is from the input. So, I would rather think about how to mitigate the negative impact on the environment or nature.

The global community should work together, not only by government or high-level conversation or discussion but also try to produce a transparency evaluation system to steer or to monitor. Of course, we need a system to protect intellectual property.

Source author: YingChu Chen jungheng@gmail.com

Empathy is important --- Advanced technology is probably from a small elite group, high education level, and wealthy background, at least, they don't need to worry where is the money for the next meal or how to survive to tomorrow.

If they have empathy in any develop procedure, to consider the consequences, to think about who can afford the products, who will take the impact...etc., I believe it will be better.

Source author: YingChu Chen jungheng@gmail.com

Sadly yes --- One of my biggest problems is I allow me to make mistakes a lot less. I consult almost everything on google before posting or commenting. That could seem to be good at a first stake, but the true is mistakes help to learn, to debate, to discover new ways of thinking. Whitout mistakes we tend to become just replicators and stop to be creators

Source author: Carlos Arturo Garcia Bonilla carlos.garcia@cancilleria.gov.co

Gene editing --- A strong and global ethical framework needs to be established for technologies that alter the human genome. I would anticipate injustices and imbalances steming from gene editing technology.

Source author: Kiconco Patricia kictricia@gmail.com

We are not living longer (not that much) --- I like the clear mention of an"average lifespan" as these statistics tends to be missunderstood like this means humans live longer now. The truth is we are diying less. Lifespan is an average so thanks to reductiong of preventable deaths (vaccines, diets, new treatments, etc) people can survive to illnes and conditions that a few decades before were a death sentence and therefore the average is rising but the techology for actually increasing human lifespan is just in development

Source author: Carlos Arturo Garcia Bonilla carlos.garcia@cancilleria.gov.co

The hard question --- I think the problem is not who but how. This decision have been usually made by leadres based on subjetive criteria as religions, ideologies, etc. We need to shift this methodology and put science (social estudies, demografic data, etc) at the core of the process and thus evaluating and adunsting decisions based on actual results and not just hypothesis disguised as sacred trues

Source author: Carlos Arturo Garcia Bonilla carlos.garcia@cancilleria.gov.co

Follow the money --- As journalist use to say, we have to follow the money. Technologies thrive inthe direction determined for who fund research so we need to guaranteed a strong public invest on science and techonoly for driving them in a social positive direction

Source author: Carlos Arturo Garcia Bonilla carlos.garcia@cancilleria.gov.co

Science Governance --- We need to take science of the ivory tower and bring it to the social and political fields for ensuring transparence and inclusion. Otherwise, partial interests will prevail. Scientific advancement should not be drove only by private interests on profits or ideological interests in biased outcomes. We need to build mechanisms for inclusion or science will become a silent weapon for eliminating who cannot paid for it

Source author: Carlos Arturo Garcia Bonilla carlos.garcia@cancilleria.gov.co

Who do we want to be? --- It's valid to ask who are we as humans, but I think we should adress the quistion of Who do we want to be since identities and meanings are conventions and therefore we can agree to define ourselves as we want. This gaves us the power (and the burden) of defining where are we going to steer this identitie. Do we want to be conquerors? explorers? gods? Do we want to spawn new entities that surely will surpase what we actually are? We have XXI century technology, medieval institutions and hominid biology. We have the means to shape our future, but probably not the criteria for making the rigth choices

Source author: Carlos Arturo Garcia Bonilla carlos.garcia@cancilleria.gov.co

I just realized that... --- I remember my own phone numbers and those I have known for a long time, almost from my youth (landline from my parents’ house, family members, childhood friends ... who have never changed since), at least before I started using cell phone and computer for work everyday. It's disconcerting to think about it, I do these old numbers automatically, without even thinking about them, while I don't know any more recent number by heart, not even my husband's.

Source author: Aura Fossati aura.fossati@gmail.com

Neuro- rights & responsibilities --- Discussions on both neuro-rights (more in the ethics domain at the level of individual) and neuro-responsibilities (more in the policy domain at the level of governance) are active areas of debate at UNESCO, EC & OECD among others. Both aspects need inclusive foresight (such as the Radar) and engagement.

Source author: Vid Nukala Vid.Nukala@gmail.com

Creating opportunities for conversations & collaborations... --- Many thanks Marga! My comments were primarily meant for this class, but if sharing with GESDA creates opportunities for conversations & collaborations, I'm all for it! :)

I must admit I find the Radar along with the EC/JRC report on Values & Identities two very timely and useful knowledge outputs to move the STI-Pol-Dip conversation forward.

Source author: Vid Nukala Vid.Nukala@gmail.com

Solid ethical framework --- A solid and well-thought-out ethical framework is fundamental in order to prevent further global imbalances between countries and regions, also considering the quality and fairness of scientific collaborations (as we need cooperation) and who will manage and participate in the further scientific and technological development, application and anticipation process

Source author: Aura Fossati aura.fossati@gmail.com

Radar updates --- Thanks for this feedback, Vid! We will pass it on to GESDA. Note that you can also directly contribute directly on the platform, each topic has a side bar where you can input for review by the scientific moderator.

Source author: Marga Gual Soler marga.gualsoler@gmail.com

Anyone optimistic? --- Do you all agree with Patricia? How can we ensure frontier technologies not only benefit a small elite?

Source author: Marga Gual Soler marga.gualsoler@gmail.com

landscape --- Thank you Vid, this is excellent. Indeed neuroscience and neurotechnology applications are now in every sector - from criminal law to consumer marketing.

How much would you say the landscape has evolved since 2009 with respect to the need for a neurorights framework?

Consider the recent UNESCO recommendations on open science and AI - do you think similar recommendations are needed for neurorights, and which body should be tasked with proposing them?

Source author: Marga Gual Soler marga.gualsoler@gmail.com

Inclusive development --- Considering that we are already divided along the lines of our technology and science globally, I think inclusive development and well-being will be much harder in execution. I am almost skeptical about the possibility.

Source author: Kiconco Patricia kictricia@gmail.com

Agree --- A more cordial form of relationship between nations came to exist through the use of embassies.

Source author: Mavis Tungulu mtungulu@gmail.com

Southern African Customs Union --- Has Botswana's membership to SACU affected its unilateral Economic Diplomacy in any way?

Source author: Simataa Matali simatamatali@icloud.com

Economic diplomacy --- Economic diplomacy thus entails carefully targets investment promotion.

Source author: Mavis Tungulu mtungulu@gmail.com

This is a very good action plan --- to deliver a smart, sustainable society for Botswana through digitalising the public sector for more effective service delivery.

Source author: Tarniem Shokry Iskandar tar.eskander@hotmail.com

The economy --- has gradually taken over as the main driver of political influence and global now transcend the old national or regional divides.

Source author: Tarniem Shokry Iskandar tar.eskander@hotmail.com

@ Mamta: Bride kidnapping --- Well, indeed, in some strata of the society, there is such a tradition (not very frequent, nevertheless). But it is not a real kidnapping, it is a sort of joke, pre-arranged by the closest friends of the couple.

Source author: Petru Dumitriu PetruD@diplomacy.edu

Forgive me. --- I had a very different idea of Romania as it relates to how men treat/view women. I am not sure if the example you give demonstrates the lack of it. For example there are the traditions of Romanian bride kidnapping which I confess I would not know as a native would but for me this does not show respect for a woman. Btw, I come in peace with a thirst to know more and be corrected.

Source author: Mamta Reid liveandsmile@hotmail.com

As --- is the case with the horrifying tradition of honour killings.

Source author: Mamta Reid liveandsmile@hotmail.com

Opportunity --- is something he saw but only for himself and how he could further his (personal) agenda. He strived to pander to his base. So, in this case I wonder if it is a case of narrow vision rather than a missed opportunity.

Source author: Mamta Reid liveandsmile@hotmail.com

I am with you Marie. --- It would be greta if someone would advise her to use language that is palatable for all. I wonder if this was done to get attention and the headlines !?

Source author: Mamta Reid liveandsmile@hotmail.com

yes, --- I agree. It is a bit like a writing toll, a pen or a pencil - it can be used for good or bad, to write beautiful poems or can be used to physically hurt someone.

Source author: Mamta Reid liveandsmile@hotmail.com

I really enjoyed --- how you have had an 'open-door' policy depsite this being an online course. Really enjoyed the quick, and kind responses at all times.

Source author: Mamta Reid liveandsmile@hotmail.com

Your --- explanations have been very clear - Thank you for all the hard work.

Source author: Mamta Reid liveandsmile@hotmail.com

Thank you --- andthe course has been great. Sorry I could not make it to the interesting Thursday sessions.

Source author: Mamta Reid liveandsmile@hotmail.com

Cybersecurity considerations in UN processes --- Cybersecurity is essential for Sustainable Development as most development activities involve the use of digital technology whether directly or indirectly or cyber crime or cyber attacks/risks/vulnerabilities can negatively impact on our sustainable development Therefore, discussions and consultations on resolutions, political declarations, interactive dialogues as well as multi stakeholder forums and other UN initiatives include impacts of cybercrime and highlight the need for cyber security.

Source author: Devita Abraham abrahamd@foreign.gov.tt

Developing countries --- Developing countries, especially French-speaking SSA countries are known to be lagging behind in that pillar. Rigid bureaucratic systems hinder any intelligent organizational structures. In all the other aspects, they are likely to make slow yet understandable progress but efforts seem to come to a halt when it comes to organisations re-structuration.

Source author: Ndeye Gnagna Kone gnagna.pro@gmail.com

Mining --- Namibia’s rich natural resource endowment, comprising mineral, geological and energy resources, contributes to the country’s socio-economic development, and thus plays a pivotal role in shaping the country’s international relations and cooperation.

Source author: Mavis Tungulu mtungulu@gmail.com

Trade --- Trade is central to ending global poverty. Countries that are open to international trade tend to grow faster, innovate, improve productivity and provide higher income and more opportunities to their people.

Source author: Tarniem Shokry Iskandar tar.eskander@hotmail.com

Indeed --- Therefore, they should also actively network and engage with the business community or stakeholders.

Source author: Mavis Tungulu mtungulu@gmail.com

Diplomats --- This requires cultivating a reading habit on economic publications, including company reports, the business media, as well as taking full advantage of information on the Internet.

Source author: Mavis Tungulu mtungulu@gmail.com

Diplomats --- Foreign Service personnel need or have responsibility to actively engage in gathering economic intelligence.

Source author: Mavis Tungulu mtungulu@gmail.com

Political capacity is not the only challenge --- Developing countries also lack the technical and financial capacity to undertake a proper analysis and the respective country needs in respect cybersecurity, particularly as resources had to be diverted for COVID-19 responses to protect the health and safety of its citizens

Source author: Devita Abraham abrahamd@foreign.gov.tt

Valid --- Slovenia has a valid point here. These are emergencies and it's not that bad to prioritize operational efficiency based on trust and expertise and regulate/strategize along the way while doing so. Cyber-attacks are way too complicated, quick, exponentially multiplying in forms and numbers for CERT to be dragged again under too many bureaucratic protocol and "concepts".

Source author: Ndeye Gnagna Kone gnagna.pro@gmail.com

Time-consuming tasks and research competition --- Thank you Katharina for you answer, I really appreciate it. In my field (cultural heritage protection/illicit trafficking of cultural property) reviews are very rare (I found one from 2011!), maybe in part because of the time they take as you explained and maybe in part because of the high competition to have few existing funding and therefore the need to publish as much as possible individual papers on the latest research findings. I think that too, from a certain point of view, is part of an existing gap between researchers and decision makers: we don't really know what the other needs to act effectively, in this particular case the need for results and data are presented in a productive way for their inclusion in policy development.

Source author: Aura Fossati aura.fossati@gmail.com

Data representativeness --- Thank you Samir, I completely agree, it is important that the diversity of research findings and points of view is maintained to ensure data representativeness and better guide adapted decisions/mesures by the executive branch

Source author: Aura Fossati aura.fossati@gmail.com

Agreed --- Thanks Maxime for referring to adaptive management/governance, absolutely, that's it and I think it's a process that can be really very effective in the context of extremely complex situation, high uncertainty and very rapid changes. Unfortunately too little used for some current challenges.

Source author: Aura Fossati aura.fossati@gmail.com

Persuasion --- I don't think the difference lies in the use of persuasion. Persuasion is not a goal, is a means to an end (leading someone to the conclusion you wish them to arrive to).

I think that the main difference between a politician and a diplomat is the agenda: a politician serves a given government, a given party; whereas a diplomat serves his country, notwithstanding political parties/governments. Of course their goals may cross and do cross, sometimes more often than others, but what mainly differentiates them is the agenda, not the tools they use to attain those goals.

Source author: Liliana Oliva Bernal loliva@sre.gob.mx

Musicality is very intuitive --- I think humans are intuitively attracted to music. That is why, in my view, musicality in terms of language and persuasion has a strong pathos: it appeals to our basic intuition, and would even argue that to something physical, closely interwoven with our intuition (perhaps this has a name in psychiatry, I don't know).

Think of the cultures and religions were music is used to go into a trance/to attain a higher level of spirituality. Music calls to something very deep-rooted in our feelings/intuition, and if language uses this element, is naturally strengthens a given message's appeal to our emotions.

Source author: Liliana Oliva Bernal loliva@sre.gob.mx

Cults --- Perhaps cults are the example par exellence of collective manipulation for an evil purpose.

"If you fully submit yourself to the cause X or Z/God, you are building your salvation/humanity's salvation" (submitting meaning reliquinshing goods, your body, etcetera). "Your resignation to X or Y (rape by the leader, for instance) is the atonement for your sins".

We can also find so many examples of collective manipulation along history, some are still very recent and ongoing. Then again, the relevance of ethics.

Source author: Liliana Oliva Bernal loliva@sre.gob.mx

Neither positive nor negative... --- Spin is neither positive nor negative on its own: I think that is "value" is provided by the end it follows.

If the spin is intended to manipulate someone to do or approve something wrong, or to induce them to error, then it is negative. When it is intended to shed a different light on something for a good purpose, then I think it belongs to the field of positive persuasion.

The ethics of communication then again come into play.

Source author: Liliana Oliva Bernal loliva@sre.gob.mx

And science.... --- ...Like many other human fields, is not completely finished/achieved.

There is still room for development in different scientific fields, many theories whose proof can have different lectures, etcetera. So, I absolutely agree in that language and persuasion are also paramount in science.

Persuasion cannot be left out of ANY human field, otherwise we risk missing our point.

Source author: Liliana Oliva Bernal loliva@sre.gob.mx

example --- In Afghanistan, too much grace was demonstrated by President Ghani and President Karzai towards internal oppositions as well as towards Pakistan. This resulted in showing their regimes weak, which caused both internal opposition Dr. Abdullah Abdullah to not accept election results demanding and thus granted fifty fifty in the government, while on the other hand Pakistan continued to support terrorism and inflame war against USA/NATO and Afghan security forces to a worst level which eventually led USA/NATO forces to leave country, while the the elected government collapsed and rulers escaped from Afghanistan.

Source author: Mohammad Daud Mahmoody dauodmahmoody@gmail.com