Match Making --- match making in advance of a business delegation visit is very critical as it allows all participating enterprises to engage in B2B meetings and identify potential partners. it also helps the Embassy to cater for all participants interests

Source author: Lapologang Judah lapoduna@gmail.com

True, --- though I think, the very fact that they are developing, some of which are least developed, becomes an impediment due to limited training means and resources. In fact what I find to be very problematic with developing or small Missions, is that due to inadequate human resource, most decide to have their officials to multitask especially within the multilateral settings and thereby making it less effective and efficient of their intended or designated economic officers to perform in the best economical interest of their country.

Source author: Malefetsane Dominic Mosala mosalalaw@gmail.com

Promotion of increased intergration by regional orgs.....on --- The KAZA Frontier Park, a conservation and tourism area covering parts of Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe comes to mind in regards to efforts employed by regional organisations such as SADC to intergrate policies and programmes towards sustainable development. The area covers most of the prime tourist areas in the Member States such as the Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls, Zambezi River e.t.c , therefore the aim is to promote tourism across the frontier as a package to regional and international tourists. The five countries have even mulled on a Uni Tourist Visa to ensure ease of trans-boundary movement for travellers.

Source author: Omphile Sethunya Sedimo sedimosethunya44@gmail.com

Judah, I have worked with JCs of both kinds.... --- ...those only with govt reps, and those that include representatives of business.....Emphatically, the former are more purposeful and deliver value. The former are marked by waffle and procrastination....Sure, business reps must act with restraint and purpose and not follow narrow agendas. But if we trust business associations to run them and guide the JC also in some respects, the results are outstanding.

Source author: Kishan S Rana kishanrana@gmail.com

Why not ask the countries of SE Asia, starting with the Philippines... --- about China's 'multi-dimensional' diplomacy? They see another face of this undoubtedly great and successful country....As one that has tried to study and understand this country now for 60 years, 1961-21, the challenge today is that its' foreign policy is enmeshed in domestic politics, an adjunct to the personal standing of President Xi, amidst his own domestic challenges and ambitions.

Source author: Kishan S Rana kishanrana@gmail.com

Private sector inclusion in JCs --- Including the business enterprises as part of the stakeholders invited for the Joint Commissions can only work if they are arranged a separate program dedicated to business to business engagements. the reason is JCs usually involve evaluation of all bilateral commitments and that on its own is quite engaging and may not add value to the private sector

Source author: Lapologang Judah lapoduna@gmail.com

strategic partnership --- Botswana like other countries, has what we call Joint Permanent Commissions on Cooperation, JPCCs with all most all her neighbours, established to monitor bilateral cooperation commitments, chaired at the level of Ministers , however, lately some of the JPCCs have been elevated to what is now called a Bi-national Cooperation (BNC), in order to enhance bilateral cooperation to a strategic partnership. The BNC discusses a wide range of issues from political, economic, social, justice to defence and is chaired at the level of Head of State. some of the countries that we have a BNC with are South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe

Source author: Lapologang Judah lapoduna@gmail.com

And what is the role of Embassies... --- ...in these business promotion activities? Is that addressed?

Source author: Kishan S Rana kishanrana@gmail.com

That is certainly... --- ...a fine practice. Another great practitioner for training its diplomats is Malaysia, through its renowned IDFR.

Source author: Kishan S Rana kishanrana@gmail.com

I lectured at the Prague Economics U about 3 years back. --- And it appeared that they were not much into looking at diplomatic practice, even in economic diplomacy....This is one field in which theory is useful only if it is connected with how eco dip works in the real world.

Source author: Kishan S Rana kishanrana@gmail.com

That is a candid comment, but it is also disturbing. --- If MFAs don't invest in their officials -- in terms of training them -- how can high results be delivered by embassies? This is an important issue that begs for further discussion.

Source author: Kishan S Rana kishanrana@gmail.com

Pakistan's economic success would not only... --- ...contribute to the country, but might also help give a push to wider cooperation in South Asia.

Source author: Kishan S Rana kishanrana@gmail.com

Thanks for that information. These Canton Fairs... --- ...go back to the 1950s, and were the biggest event on the trade fair calendar even in the early 1960s, when i visited one in 1964, with a group of emb officials dealing with commercial affairs....I too think a hybrid format is likely to persist, as a blend of the real and the virtual.

Source author: Kishan S Rana kishanrana@gmail.com

National days are over-burdened all too often... --- ...are they not? Some embassies treat these as their sole major social entertainment and event for the year....That means that regular social contact building through entertainment is reduced, which is not desirable. Entertainment and contact-building are closely connected, in my experience....Any comment on current practices?

Source author: Kishan S Rana kishanrana@gmail.com

For sure, embassies must send responses. --- But a standard template? Would that not reduce the response to an anodyne level?....Not easy to deal with each person, without making this a major activity. I see a real dilemma in handling queries in the social media age.

Source author: Kishan S Rana kishanrana@gmail.com

I agree --- Where possible, an Embassy can create a standard response template for some frequently asked questions to avoid non response to inquiries

Source author: Lapologang Judah lapoduna@gmail.com

Here are some of the business benefits of knowing the customer and analyzing their behavior. --- Lower Customer Acquisition Costs. Better Customer Retention. More Streamlined (and Effective) Customer Service. Increased Sales and Improved Profits.

Source author: Mavis Tungulu mtungulu@gmail.com

Business to consumer (B2C) --- Less expensive electronic transactions. Marketplace expansion to global proportions. Stronger customer loyalty. Niche marketing expansion opportunities.

Source author: Mavis Tungulu mtungulu@gmail.com

Multidimensional diplomacy --- China's foreign policy keeps changing, and the multidimensional diplomacy adopted by China can be seen as a consistent theme in Chinese foreign policy in the 21st century. Multidimensional Diplomacy of Contemporary China attempts to examine the origins, guiding principles and sequential outcomes of China's multidimensional diplomacy in the 21st century, working under the flag of "peaceful development," "harmonious international order," and "global responsibility."

Source author: Mavis Tungulu mtungulu@gmail.com

Example of China --- Multidimensional Diplomacy of Contemporary China covers the interaction between China's multidimensional dealings with various parts of the world in the 21st century.

Source author: Mavis Tungulu mtungulu@gmail.com

Training diplomats in economic affairs ( Czech Republic) --- The core educational component entitled “Economic training.” This is traditionally held at the beginning of the year for all departing diplomats in the positions of economic counsellors and junior diplomats.

Source author: Mavis Tungulu mtungulu@gmail.com

Basic understanding --- Most developing countries are yet to really understand the contribution that Diplomatic missions can make to their economic development. Not much effort is made into training officers on the basic understanding of how the economy works so that they can best represent their countries in economic diplomacy

Source author: Lapologang Judah lapoduna@gmail.com

Different access depending on the days of the fair --- Now I see why in many fairs the access is mainly focused on representatives of registered companies. Here in Guangzhou, China the first two or three days of commercial fairs are aimed at companies that have purchasing or supply intentions, even some tourist expos. In this regard, exhibitors can only display samples with an explicit instruction that they cannot sell during these days. Later, in the last days of the events, access is open to everyone and enterprises can sell directly their products to the consumers.

Source author: Ricardo Daniel Delgado Muñoz rdelgado@sre.gob.mx

Cultural and tourist events --- It is also convenient to integrate commercial delegations in activities that are already contemplated in cultural and tourist matters. On the one hand, cultural and tourist events tend to attract a wider audience and, on the other hand, these delegations can support the events through sponsorships. This collaboration is usually common when there is a national day or the celebration of an important cultural tradition.

Source author: Ricardo Daniel Delgado Muñoz rdelgado@sre.gob.mx

No response is a bad response --- It could be overwhelming to answer all the inquiries that missions receive, especially the ones that are not substantial or come from an actor that is not very important in the bilateral economic relationship. However, it is highly appreciated whenever one office answers all the questions, since it improves its image as a reliable partner and widens its network of contacts. After all, one of these inquiries, no matter how irrelevant, could lead to a specific investment or trade opportunity. A solution to answer to all queries could be to create predetermined response formats to only adjust the information depending on each question.

Source author: Ricardo Daniel Delgado Muñoz rdelgado@sre.gob.mx

Was might a big stick be today? --- I love this expression. What does the big stick refer to in your opinion? The capacity to hit hard, but what with....

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Straight into the boxing ring! --- You have engaged so readily with the topic that you have overlooked the loaded questions and how they have been answered, which is fair enough as we all love to roll our sleeves up and start debating the issue!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Patronising? --- Agreed, we are in the unstable midst off changing mores and this is false-footing many of us. Jordan Peterson has a lot to say on this subject in his books and talks. As to the Q of whether it is patronising to do so - it depends on the package of beliefs, attitudes and behaviours that comes with that gesture, as the interviewee explains.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

An alternative suggestion --- Yes, tackling the substantive issues concerning his job was definitely an option. He could also have addressed the presupposition in the question: that politicians are transitory and done the following ABC: A: All politicians are in power for a limited duration, one that is determined by the electorate B: It is precisely because we are voted into power by the people to represent their concerns that you should trust us. If we were permanently in power we would be tyrants looking after our own interests, not elected representatives. C: And therefore it is in my capacity as Defence Secretary that I say.... [speaking point]

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Not only a Q about freedom of speech --- She was equating freedom of speech with the right not to be offended. He pointed out that this right does not exist and showed that freedom of speech can often cause offence, as in the case of her questions to him.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Not fear but worry --- Great analysis, thanks!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Beyond ticking boxes --- Beautiful analysis, thank you!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Tough stance! --- Sounds like a very aggressive negotiation!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Hat trick --- #1 presupposes that U refuseS to believe in the vaccine

2 that U proposes a segregated splinternet

And the bonus Q confirms that the president is stupid :)

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Thanks! --- Q1 sounds like a yes/no question seeking clarification as to whether Biden was or wasn't told something. Q2 presupposes that the addressee can indeed afford to live in this part of town.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Great! --- Q1 sounds more like a rhetorical question because 'are you saying' doesn't actually presuppose that people support him/her, just questions whether they really do.

Q2 is a classic loaded question which presupposes that Kissinger is indeed better.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Great examples :) --- 'Corruption has increased' and 'the economy has collapsed' are the presuppositions in each case. The trigger is a factive expression in both examples, 'given the fact that' in (1) and 'think' in (2)

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Temporal expressions --- Yes, correct. The temporal expression 'after' presupposes that the period being referred to exists.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Which ones in particular? --- Please single out a couple of examples to share with the rest of the class Mamta.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

AOC --- AOC illustrates the use of the pre-emptive construction in her recent speech which i found very powerful:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFYqBF5kX6U

Source author: Mamta Reid liveandsmile@hotmail.com

combining force and grace --- "Speak softly and carry a big stick." Leaders who are trusted and have integrity are less divisive and, though we haven't encountered one lately, strong democracies survive them!

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

lovely women --- I've often said "he's a lovely man!" It's meant as a compliment. On the other hand, it depends on the context and circumstances under which it is uttered. Whatever the intent, bridging the generational gap to make both sides aware of what is preferable in the workplace is highly recommended.

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

Toxic workplaces --- There is justification in today's workplace, where women are often treated as less-than or worse. Consider the former governor of New York, Mario Cuomo or Harvey Weinstein who operated under the veil of being a gentleman on the outside and used it to coerce and seduce at every opportunity. This gave rise to the "me too" movement and effectively "outed" these sexual predators and rightly so. Too bad that chivalry gets mixed up with preditory behavior. Sir Walter Raleigh would be nonplussed!

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

"Manners maketh man" --- Men have no clue what to do these days. In my opinion, it is a generational issue...women of a certain age welcome men being gentlemen and it makes both sides feel respected.

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

Loaded questions --- 1. George Stephanopoulos interviewed President Biden - August 19,2021. "so, your military advisors did not tell you 'no' we should keep 2500 troops, its been a stable situation for the last several years, we can do that, we can continue to do that?" 2. "You live in such a nice area of town, how can you afford it on your salary?"

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

Categories --- The prosecutor shows power and the prisoner, who has thought a lot about the issue, puts himself in a separate category, and shows that he is sorry and acknowledges it. He also analyses and shows empathy for the victim, he explains and justifies himself very well for the murder of a man's son. He says no, I am not “rehabilitated" but I have understood, I repent and I understand what happened, showing that the term "rehabilitated" is too little for his condition; he is well beyond that.

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

A bit of ABC... --- To reply to the interviewer could have included some of the following:

(A) although I am a politically appointed Secretary and I have the highest respect for the officers of the Royal Navy; (B) my goals X, Y and Z are founded in very the values championed by the Navy; (C) And that is why....

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

The logical fallacy... --- "Because for being able to think, you have to risk being offensive" and the interviewee linking the interviewer's question with her implied criticism, left her with no answer.

I don't agree with him -and I think that his response dodged the question: she was asking about freedom of speech, not about freedom of thought-, but I think that he got the upper hand with his reply.

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

Smart reframing --- Mr Annan gracely reframed the presumption "you fear both, which one do you fear most?" embedded in the loaded question.

"I worry about them in our world" amounts to a double bridge: - With "the big men", because worrying entails empathy, and - With everyone (we/our world).

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

Pre-supposes Blair is guilty & a cruel/callous/ruthless/insensible leader --- Blair could make evident before the viewers of Channel 5: his deeply felt compassion for the suffering war brings to human beings and talk about the tragic suffering and lost of lives that victims of Sadam Hussein dictatorships suffered (like the Kurds and other Iraqis) and link current deaths to Sadam's refusal to let UN inspectors inside Iraq despite international resolutions. Talk about why -as war brings death by definition- it was so crucial to get approval of the UN Security Council for taking military action against Iraq. Provide the audience a story in a capsule about a very tragic consequence of human life caused by terrorism giving a name and a compelling profile to the victims. Talk -at the end- about military standard operating procedures being observed by the British military forces in Iraq to prevent the loss of life of innocent civilians...

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

First of all let me tell -you and your audience- that... --- the U.S. considers life a most preeminent sacred value; specially the ones of non-combatant children. The figure you say you have heard is completely false: it is out of any contact with real life: A serious study by a very well respected think tank concluded that X. ¡No way our sanctions against Iraq are the direct cause of half a million children deaths inside Iraq! The link made between that figure and U.S. sanctions is a fallacy. Let me explain why: Iraq's children population is n million; Iraq`s mortality annual rate among those less than 16-years-old had been averaging n in the past decade; U.S. sanctions are not targeted against children; U.S. sanctions are target against a dictatorial regime and it are centered around making Iraq unable to do X, Y y Z...

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

That`s definitly another source of political distrust, Biljana --- I agree with your wise observation, Biljana: As the media fulfills its role as watch-dog of policians' wrong doing and questions quite agresively all those public officials & politicians being interviewed, some citizens get exhausted of politics and go faraway from keeping themselves involved influencing the political process and the democratic field remains the domain of die-hard extreme political parties' loyal followers (with other views absent and the political arena polarized).

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

Three good books for those interested in a detailed analysis: --- Three quite interesting and useful classics who analyze American negative campaign TV adds are:

Jamieson, Kathleen Hall, DIRTY POLITICS. Deception, Distraction and Democracy, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1992.

West, Darrell M., AIR WARS. Television Advertising in Election Campaigns 1952-1996, Second Edition, Congressional Quarterly, Inc., Washington, D.C., 1997.

Ansolabere, Sthepen & Shanto Iyengar, GOING NEGATIVE. How Political Advertisement Shrink & Polarize the Electorate, The Free Press, New York, 1995.

Ansolabere & Iyengar conclude that even as "Campaign commercials... instruct people about the candidate's abilities, personalities and ideas, and... strongly reinforce voters' partisan loyalties" the powerfull persuasive force of campaign attack adds has as a delicate byproduct: to discourage citizens involvement in politics in general and casting a vote in particular, by removing incentives turning people away from the polls. Attack adds erode the participatory ethos because of the disillusionment and distrust negative campaigning adds produce in those that are not strong supporters of a candidate. "Attack advertisement resonate with the popular beliefs that government fails, that elected officials are out of touch and quite corrupt, and that voting is a hollow act... reinforces (in non-loyal political followers/non partisan citizens) their contempt for candidates, parties and government...As a consequence, electoral politics are becoming less representative."

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

The Domino effect --- It is similar to the Slippery Slope: Once something is allowed to happen (or provoked) it will cascade a sequential succession of deads in an irremediable fashion.

(It was the logic behind the U.S. intervention in the Korean and Vietnam wars: to stop the cascading spread of communism by China that supposedly would have taken place if those two nations were left to their own devices in their corresponding civil wars).

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

Job opening --- Hard-hitting questions! Perhaps you could replace Tim Sebastian on Conflict Zone when he retires!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Working holidays?! --- How come you're so good at asking loaded question?!

Thanks for these, Blanca. The first one sounds a bit strange (but then I don't have a boss who expects me to work while I'm on holiday!).

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Negative impact of hard-hitting interviews --- Thank you for these references, Eric! Interestingly, I find that the aggressive and bullying nature of many hard-hitting interviews have a similarly detrimental effect on people's inclination to follow political debates with the same consequence: diminished trust and participation

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Do I look like I'm joking? --- Which part of 'follow my instructions' did you not understand?

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Neologisms --- New compound terms usually denote new concepts, not just old concepts with new connotations. This is because compounding is the most productive way of creating new words in English.

Note that several of the terms you cite (sustainable development, decent work, smart sanctions) all follow the same pattern of using positive qualifiers.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Prose as a litmus test --- What a beautiful sentence, Eric! If you can come out with prose like this when under pressure, then you will have proven yourself as just such a diplomat!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Reframing the question --- Albright could have said (showing empathy): first of all, the death of children, whether it is one or half a million, is always a great sorrow and everything must be done to prevent it. These terrible side effects in children or adults anywhere in the world are always sought to be avoided, but considering the situation and seeking to reduce the risks as much as possible, a decision has to be taken.

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

Modern diplomacy: other presumptions --- 1. The traditional diplomacy failed in more respects that the modern one.

2. The successes of modern diplomacy have been possible because we no more practice traditional diplomacy. (post hoc ergo propter hoc)

Added to that are the fallacies of (1) hasty generalization: whatever is modern is good and even (2) slippery slope: if you are not modern, you are doomed to fail.

Source author: Petru Dumitriu PetruD@diplomacy.edu

A commercial spot --- The clip, which is unabashedly a commercial spot, puts America and many American aspirations as if they could only be achieved by Biden, who, moreover, endorses his own message at the end. The clip puts the candidate as a product and, judging by History, it sold him well but today Biden no longer has the backing he needs because fulfilling the promises of a commercial spot does not represent what is needed to govern.

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

@Blanca: updating pre-emptive compounds --- Excellent question! I would say that like any other words, notion, concepts, these constructs used in the United Nations environment are having a life of their own; they are involving, indeed.

The "updates" may come from the member states, but not always. As the UN concepts are used universally, inputs for change may come from other actors (academia, civil society).

For example the most authoritative definition of "Sustainable development" originates in the report "Our common future" (Brundtland Report, 1987) but it was a result of debates that had started in 1972, to connect the imperatives of the economic development with those of environmental protection:

"the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

That definition was indeed a game changer, but is was quite general. At present, when we say 'sustainable development' we refer mainly to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, where sustainable development is described in a more complex way.

Another UN concept, "peacekeeping operations", was new in the sense that the UN Charter did not mention such a possible way to act for the maintenance of peace and security. That concept, too, had to evolve.

The initial concept became the "traditional" peacekeeping, while the documents and the practice led to "robust", "multifunctional", "multidimensional" (etc.) peacekeeping.

Source author: Petru Dumitriu PetruD@diplomacy.edu

Loaded questions --- -Are you going to be late for work on holiday? If you answer, whatever the answer is, you agree to work on holidays. -Why will you vote for Trump as president again? -What would you like to have for dinner with me tonight? -Will you stop seeing your mistress?

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

Analogy --- Please also note that there is analogy at play here Liliana, one that automatically evokes the connotations that support the claim - children in Hiroshima dies because AMERICANS dropped the atomic bomb, i.e., everyone immediately knows who the culprit is. Using this analogy Stahl helps establish the connection of the US being guilty in both cases; Hiroshima AND Iraq.

To understand this better, try imagining Stahl using a different analogy, say "...more children than died in Mao's China". Would that have had the same effect?

Source author: Andrej Skrinjaric andrejs@diplomacy.edu

Let me try to provide... --- ...a very banal example of this fallacy Eric.

A terminal cancer patient gets infected by covid-19 but doctors manage to put the infection under control and he recovers. A few weeks/months later he dies because of the cancer.

Claiming that he died because of the covid-19 infection would have a fallacy of false cause.

Source author: Andrej Skrinjaric andrejs@diplomacy.edu

Presupposution wrapped in a joke --- I guess the presupposition here was that WC was not doing his job, i.e., he was as good as dead.

However, as Bi alerted in one of her comments, the best way to test presuppositions to see if they would hold under negation. In this case not sure what would be the best way to phrase the negation:

a) "None of this would have happened if WC had been dead"

or

b) "These things would have happen if WC had been alive".

In both scenarios the premise that WC is not doing good job stands true so I guess this is indeed an example of presupposition (wrapped in a joke).

Would anyone else like to propose a different negation that would prove the presupposition wrong?

Source author: Andrej Skrinjaric andrejs@diplomacy.edu

And the power game... --- ...as 'we' a group of people behind Stahl's claim which, maybe even on a subconscious level, made it harder for Albright to question the claim.

Source author: Andrej Skrinjaric andrejs@diplomacy.edu

Climate Change --- The example that comes to my mind is the one on climate change. Politicians love climate change because they can make it responsible for , and propose solutions for the distant future when there will be nobody to assess if what they have proposed was right or wrong.

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

..... --- !!!!! At least there is a clear acceptation of the situation so we can at least argue against it

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

Need for a frequent update --- Thank you for this explanation. However I have a question, does this definitions hold forever or there are actualization based on MS (Member states) opinion?

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

Presuppositions --- Does it really mean traditional diplomacy is less effective than modern diplomacy?......i.e. to illustrate that the approach of modern diplomacy, is second to none.

Source author: Hervé Pool erve619@gmail.com

Re-loaded.... --- 1. Are you saying that people actually support support this politician?

1. Why is Kissinger so much better than Blinken?

Source author: Hervé Pool erve619@gmail.com

2 loaded questions --- - The rise in crime during your mandate leads to the conclusion that your policies are ineffective. Assuming that you wish criminality to drop, why do you intend to keep on with ineffective policies?

• Taking into account your public support to X's regime, can you explain to us why are you in favour of massive human right's violations?

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

Like in Madeleine Albright's case... --- I would have advised him to, first, show empathy ("We are aware that our actions have brought great suffering to innocent people, and we grief for them"), and second, to highlight the greater good seek with the invasion ("Our actions aim to a brighter future, first and foremost, for the Iraqi people, but also to the world).

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

Other information --- If the number of deceased children was not accurate, I would have started by replying: "Although X dead children amounts to a terrible tragedy, we must bear in mind the threat -not to X millions, but to humankind as a whole- that the Iraqi regime represented..."

She could have reframe the issue by highlighting the threat posed by the Iraqi regime, and the relevance of the sanctions.

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

Had MA followed this course... --- She would have known beforehand that reframing the argument at stake, is more effective than rebutting it ;)

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

Assertion --- The assertion "we have heard", thus affirming that half a million children died.

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

Appealing to authority --- By bringing a very sad and important example, Hiroshima, to describe by comparison the case at issue.

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

Expanding... --- The circle of inclusion with the "we"...

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

Two presuppositions --- 1. That we have been fighting 2. For a long period of time ("finally")

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

One presupposition --- That there is a change in diplomacy: the years of traditional diplomacy, as opposed to the present ones.

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

One presupposition --- That the other approach was not as good as the one at issue.

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

One presupposition --- This phrase presupposes that there were OLD dynamics between countries, and that now there are NEW dynamics between them.

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

Are we finally reaching an agrement or your coming back at simply posturing? --- To use while negotiating...

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

One presupposition --- That modern diplomacy HAS SUCCEEDED in minimising conflicts.

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

Two presuppositions --- 1. That modern diplomacy is successful 2. That there is a modern form of diplomacy, as opposed to ancient/old diplomacy

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

Could someone ellaborate more on this FALLACIE? --- Is there a classmate who -being familiar with the FALSE CAUSE FALLACIE- could ellaborate two or three additional lines in order to help me understanding it? Perhaps John or Blanca? Simply because Y happened before Z, Y it's assumed to be the originating cause of Z (when Z could have a real different cause than Y: X in dead)... Is that it or I'm not understanding correctly the FALSE CAUSE FALLACIE?

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

Presuposes previous favourable perceptions --- Presuposes the subject doing the talking had had previous experiences where the improvements were perceived as favourable

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

Modern Diplomacy a game changer: --- The phrase presumes Modern DIplomacy has already have a trascendental impact on the relationships of nations

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

Presuposes there are underperforming ways of doing diplomacy: --- The phrase carry within the presuposition other ways of practicing diplomacy had failed or are suboptimal for the goal at hand

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

The phrase presuposes capabilities: --- An assumption is brought into play reagrding modern diplomacy as a discipline/strategy which has purposes and displays capabilities to achieve them effectively

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

Presuposes the success has already taken place --- The success of modern diplomacy is already there only waiting to be registered by an attentive observer

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

Are you serious? --- Are you serious? In that case we could consider the section comprehended by only this two paragraphs on RETHORICAL QUESTIONS, perhaps...? JA, JA, JA...

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

Grace under pressure --- Could be a subcathegory of GRACE: Even under difficult diplomatic exchanges or suffering adverse circumstances the diplomat's language and composure is supossed to keep under a detached self-control that transmits to her/his diplomatic counterpart a dignified charming grace.

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

Is the statement below a presupposition" --- At the time of my first assignment in New York, there was a joke that circulating among the American diplomats. They used to complain about the state of affairs in the State Department (lines like 'we failed in most of our tasks', 'we lost respect', 'the morale of the staff is low' etc.). And then they said: "None of these would have happened if Warren Cristopher had been alive."

The point is that at that time it was precisely Warren Christopher who was State Secretary and very much alive.

Source author: Petru Dumitriu PetruD@diplomacy.edu

Pre-emptive compounds in the United Nations terminology --- That is a highly relevant notion for the United Nations. We use qualifiers that do no bring positive connotations, but try to consecrate new concepts. The qualifier brings new contents to the classic notion and, even more, tries to impose a new concept, independent from the original one. Marie and Andre know that already, but I need to explain what I meant.

1. The UN worked with the notion of economic development, where economic meant quantitative indicator like GDP per capita, production of steel or corn per capita. In the early 90's the UN started to work with the "human development" concept, where the "human" addition was represented by life expectancy and years of schooling.

2. Another example is the concept of "human security" where "human" was meant to change the perception that the state security coincides automatically with the security of people.

3. Sustainable development, decent work, smart sanctions were other compounds that signify the emergence of new concepts used in the global governance, not just addition of connotations.

Source author: Petru Dumitriu PetruD@diplomacy.edu

Hearsay and Monsters --- 'Hear' is a factive expression and presupposes that the statement that follows is possibly true, namely that half a million children have died. I say 'possibly' because when we use the expression 'we have heard' we are referring to hearsay rather than established fact, so we can plausibly deny having stated it as a fact.

If Albright were to question this source, or the exact number who have died, she would appear heartless. Her priority should be to emphasise the importance of children's lives and assert that the government would never adopt policies that might harm or kill children. Otherwise she comes across as a monster, trading children's lives for political advantage.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Don't you ask yourself this question every morning --- .... when your brain fails to switch on?

But then again, given that you joined us at the unGodly hour of 5am in order to Zoom about metaphors, my presupposition (triggered by 'when') that your brain doesn't switch on in the mornings is manifestly wrong!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Worth it if not intended --- Yes, that is unfortunately what the question might have us believe - that even if the death of children wasn't an intended consequence, it was nevertheless one that they felt was worth paying.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Claws out --- LOL, you're quite right! Why do I have the image of a cat swishing its tail and inspecting its nails as it makes ready to scraaaaaatch!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

'Worth it' --- Exactly! The trigger is the factive expression 'is the price worth it' which presupposes that there was a price attached to the sanctions and one that the US gov thought worth paying!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

reifying.... is good or bad? --- I agree with my colleagues; however, I keep thinking if reifying, notably reifying people, it is a good or a bad thing. Modern society tends to do this, people in many ocassions are treated not even as an "entire thing" but "like pieces of things"

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

"And, You know" --- Presupposing that MA knew the cost and considered the result worth it. MA fell right into her trap!

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

"We have heard that..." --- then it must be true as everyone has heard this and everyone can't be wrong!

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

I wonder if --- presuppositions are sometimes prophetic? Seems he foresaw the "writing on the wall" as to the state of US politics today. Acceptance of his statements would, of course, depend on his audience...some will agree and others will not...probably true of presuppositions in general...people hear what they want to hear and politicians are adept at crafting their messages to their target audience.

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

finally stopped fighting --- Fingers crossed! No guarantees in life!

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

After years of traditional diplomacy --- Presupposing that everyone agrees that traditional diplomacy didn't work, but modern diplomacy does the job.

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

seen favourably --- presupposing that the improvement will be seen as favorable to all, which may not be the case.

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

what exactly were the dynamics to be redefined? --- Presupposition without evidence and asserting that modern diplomacy works better that of old.

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

another assertion without evidence --- that presupposes that modern day diplomacy, as opposed to the diplomacy gone before, is more successful in minimizing conflict.

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

An assertion without evidence --- that presupposes modern day diplomacy is successful.

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

superpowers will prevail --- Surely, they will prevail. If they don't have the means to retaliate in cyberspace, they will do so physically using weapons in their defense.

Source author: Ioniarimalala RAKOTONIRINA ioniarimalala@gmail.com

Ministry of Public Works & Digital Economy & Ministry responsible for Telecommunications; Broadcasting --- @Jorge. It is the nation's responsibility to protect its citizens and it is for this reason that "protecting its citizen" may really be genuine but can also be used as a guise for sovereignty to launch a reprisal attack; hence the issue of subjective interpretation;

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

Protection of citizens --- In every cyberattack a citizen, a group of them, or a national institution is going to be affected to a greater or lesser extent. In this regard, it will always attempt against national sovereignty. At the end of the day, a state's main purpose should the be the protection and safeguard of its citizens, is it not?

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

Threshold not clear in any form --- @Carlos. Well said. It all boils down to self-interest or what is in the supposedly best interest of a State irrespective of the impact on other nations. When major powers can act with relative impunity, violating their own rules that they have all agreed upon, then we now see how difficult consensus and agreement on geo-pollical matters can be.

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

Good observation, Carlos! --- Into this discussion, of course, the issues unique to the cyber domain are thrown in - that is is a manmade domain, without the characteristics of the oceans or landmasses, though it shares this dimension with outer space. That brings in the trigger for state behaviour - in conventional domains, the trigger is aggression or violation of territorial integrity and/or sovereignty. How do these concepts apply to cyberspace is food for thought. And the asymmetrical impact of cyber weapons which have been discussed in our HT chats in this Course so far is relevant when looking at the "superpowers" - are these superpowers only the Big Three (USA, Russia and China) or are there more?

Source author: Asoke Mukerji asokem@diplomacy.edu

Cyberspace is no different --- Including cyberspace as a theather for war does not change in any way or form the logic and dynamic of traditional wars and warfare. Just like in air, land or sea, conflict in cyberspace will be conducted by the same states and individuals, using the same tools and strategies. A global accord will perhaps make it more difficult for countries to act and react, but in the end the logic of superpowers will prevail, even more so in cyberspace since they hold the lead technologically speaking.

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

Threshold not clear in any form --- Although it is clear that cyberspace makes it more difficult to define in "clear" terms what is an attack or and act of war, the truth is that in "traditional" warfare definitions are also open to interpretation, especially by the superpowers, in spite of all treaties and conventions. Whenever a state feels threatened, they will use all available tools, including fabricating evidence, like the US in Iraq.There is no evidence cyberspace will be any different.

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

Stuxnet --- is a tipping point in the kind of discussion we are having in this HT Chat, Vladimir. One response has been to suggest rules to react, such as NATO's Tallinn Manual, recently updated. The Lecture Text gives you the link to this. However, for the wider community, the use of cyber-weapons also involves consideration of international humanitarian law, which is work in progress.

Source author: Asoke Mukerji asokem@diplomacy.edu

Private Sector Participation --- is one of the critical areas in any cybersecurity intiative, Bentom, and your HT chat with Vladimir and Ivan illustrates why. In the discussions on this topic, one aspect of the private sector that is applied as a one-size-fits-all approach is that all private sector entities are driven by the profit motive, and interested in gaining and sustaining market access. Would you consider private sector entities that are driven by other motives including using cyber technologies for humanitarian purposes, and even private sector entities that have strong linkages with the state? Should the examination of private sector roles in cybersecurity not disaggregate the private sector according to its primary function - communication, data collection and dissemination, social care, health care etc etc? Would that help in addressing the issue of cybersecurity in a more nuanced manner, rather than the current omnibus approach? What do other participants in the class think?

Source author: Asoke Mukerji asokem@diplomacy.edu

Independent attribution org. --- This idea seems interesting way to maybe reduce political conflicts among states in cases of cyber-conflicts and the attribution that follows afterwards. Maybe with such a body, states will think twice before engaging in offensive cyber activities.

Source author: Vladimir Nikolov vladimir984@yahoo.com

Cooperation --- I agree Bennett, but every member should active participate, given feedback, following the best practices and cooperating with others members. Not hiding stuff and bad behaviors.

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

Censorship --- It is interesting that the countries that strongly resisted the initiative have corporations as Facebook, Twitter, Youtube that have publicly demonstrated censorship even on high level public figures although maybe in many cases these actions were just contra-measures to fight (alleged) fake-news and disinformation campaigns.

Source author: Vladimir Nikolov vladimir984@yahoo.com

Stuxnet Iran case --- So, how to understand the Stuxnet cyberattack aimed at Iran's nuclear facilities!? Was that case a conduct in line with International Law? Was it an attack in self-defence or? And how the other states (who were NOT involved in it) responded?

Source author: Vladimir Nikolov vladimir984@yahoo.com

Alarming --- This is alarming precedent! Not invoking (international) law could leave states in case of cyber-conflicts to behave outside and above the Law, while it is already agreed that Int.Law applies to cyberspace...If this trend continues, it can become a "new rule", where the "right of the strongest" will prevail.

Source author: Vladimir Nikolov vladimir984@yahoo.com

What can happen in a case of cyberwar --- Can we imagine that in a case of cyberwar among two states, one can decide to "capture" certain digital data belonging to the first (even maybe to encrypt critically important data needed for operation of e-government or administration, similarly to what happens in ransomware attacks)....or even in the economic domain to interfere and stop the normal operation (economic flow via e-commerce) and so on...And what happens if data related to all employees in national security is captured (officers, agents, intelligence personnel)...Probably there are many possibilities for these scenarios.

Source author: Vladimir Nikolov vladimir984@yahoo.com

good questions --- Technology can be used in both ways, like to common benefit or to harm. As the text said it can be targets also turned into weapons. is it really complicated.

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

The Law --- Hi Bennette, I agree with you, most of the time people use the law on their own interpretation, using this to take advantage of other. if we don't take care of this acts of war might happen.

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

Good point, --- Bentom. Of course, this goes to the core issue, which is what does cyberspace mean for its stakeholders. One focus is on communication, and the free flow of data or restrictions on the free flow of data, or the manipulation of the integrity of data. However, does cyberspace also mean other dimensions in the world as its evolves - such as the use of digital platforms for bridging divides, both physical and digital? The case of financial services using cyber technologies to bridge divides is now well documented. During the Covid pandemic, cyberspace became the platform to bridge the physical gap between students and classrooms. Cyberspace is increasingly used to accelerate progress in new discoveries in medicine and environmental protection. This list goes on, and it illustrates that the politics of cyberspace has to encompass all these dimensions as well. In that case, the dominance of states or corporates that construct and control the cyber infrastructure transporting data becomes relevant, and probably we need to look at issues of peace and security of cyberspace from this perspective - multiple stakeholders, new powers in terms of states that have invested and used cyber technologies more than some of the "older" powers.

Source author: Asoke Mukerji asokem@diplomacy.edu

Open for further discussion, part 2 :) --- Hi Vlada, I am indeed here for anyone who wishes to go deeper in this. I propose that the discussion go under the Comments rubric of the Optional video that is your interview with me, just so we have one place for this discussion.

Source author: Ljupčo Gjorgjinski LjupcoG@diplomacy.edu

Open to further discussion --- Dear Vladimir, I would love to engage more on this issue, as I believe I can contribute with some details. However, I would suggest that perhaps, first, you watch the interview Vlada did with me and then perhaps pose further questions there in the comments, so I can focus on whatever specifically interests you.

Source author: Ljupčo Gjorgjinski LjupcoG@diplomacy.edu

Why no consensus on Autonomous Weapons --- Well, Bennette, at first when one thinks about these weapons, this might seem like a natural conclusion. And, indeed, this is what we are doing. The Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) , which I chaired in 2019 and 2020, in a very short period of time for multilateral diplomacy, adopted "Guiding Principles." The Review Conference of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, under whose authority the GGE is formed, is planned for mid-December. We will see what will come out of it: how the Guiding Principles will be used and how the mandate will continue for the next five years, if at all. We should not forget how new this topic is. It was first raised in 2014 and a Meeting of Experts organised in a UN context the following year. The First GGE was created in 2018 and by 2019, when I chaired, we already adopted Guiding Principles. This is the most advanced normative deliberation on anything involving Machine Learning in any other context! So, reason to be somewhat optimistic, as much as this issue does and should concern us.

Source author: Ljupčo Gjorgjinski LjupcoG@diplomacy.edu

private sector participation --- The presence and inclusion of the private sector into discussions on norms and CBMs is a strategically great idea. However, if the major Tech Companies seek to open another grouping in an effort to develop "new" norms, this could be undermining the efforts of the existing working groups - BIG TECHs like Microsoft does not necessarily need to form new working groups but join existing structures to lend their technical expertise otherwise we will end up with a multiplicity of working groups duplicating or overlapping each other's work.

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

targeted norms for legal enactment --- There have been many attempts by various groups to develop some form of universally agreed cybersecurity standard(s) which may have the support and agreement of all countries - this has proven rather elusive due to the competing ideas by primarily major powers or their proxies. Wouldn't it be a noble idea for a select group to simply work on two or three previously agreed norms with the objective of ensuring they become law? once that objective has materialized, another set of existing approved norms and VBMs are tackled and again worked towards codifying into law - in this way, norms and CBMS which the majority of nations subscribe to can be enacted into law.

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

multi-stakeholder approach --- Having as many diverse number of states or groups or organizations seeking common consensus on various critical cybersecurity matters is the best way at getting standards adopted which can lead to the enacting laws and even a Treaty.

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

Initiatives to project national interests --- The many initiatives being put forward mainly by the major powers with their proxies are geared toward promulgating their respective interests under the guise of a "new" program of actions. Such behavior will be in conflict to genuine efforts to seek consensus on these cyber issues as each party seeks to either dominate or has one step ahead of their rivals. Hence the illusive goal of a Treaty or international law.

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

towards a global treaty --- I concur with the idea that existing and approved CBMs and norms can be enacted into law while new issues as a result of new technologies can continue to be negotiated with the ultimate plan targeting a treaty.

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

GGE vs OEWG --- While both groups seem to have their respective mandates, there must be some level of duplication and overlap in their work and thus it is not a surprise that the larger and more stakeholder OEWG became more relevant that the GGE. At the OEWG level, all UN member stakes have an opportunity to voice their respective positions allowing smaller countries to place their position(s) on the table of discussion. This process may be longer but more inclusive and representative of the UNGA.

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

not just CBMs and binding norms --- If we are to see some semblance of peace CBMs and Norms which have been accepted by both the UNGA and particularly members of the Security Council should be enacted into international law as previously stated, once institutionalized, member states can also pattern their national and domestic legislation in support of these international legal instruments.

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

Global Treaty --- There should be a global treaty on cyberspace utilizing existing CBMs, norms and principles but that's a long way off due to the geo-political divisions and beliefs.

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

legal frameworks --- @Ambassador Asoke and @Scott. These measures will indeed take time to materialize although a Treaty is needed to regulate online behavior for the common good; the challenge I see is one of political beliefs where what may be seen as regulated behavior under one regime is diametrically opposite to another; e.g. The US and the West generally believes in free speech and the right to express one's opinion without fear of punishment or sanction *although there are extremes) while China/Russia sees this freedom of expression as undermining their society as persons speak against fundamental human rights violations which are deemed subversive. Clearly as shown in the discourse, US objection to the issue of censorship is valid.

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

CBMs and trust --- @Ambassador Asoke: If one of the primary the objective of CBMs is to build trust among nations to prevent hostility and avert avert conflicts etc. should each come to the table with carrots and not one with a stick and the other a carrot? usually the more powerful state comes with a stick and thence the need to build sufficient confidence to avert hostilities but shouldn't both sides seek some compromise from their long held beliefs if any traction must take place?

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

norms for responsible state behavior --- I found this rather paradoxical - norms are second in authority only to international law at the UNGA and yet the very states who help craft these norms are themselves guilty of violating them when it suites their political objectives; the issue of International human rights and cooperation against cyberattacks and terrorism form part of the norms and yet some nations openly violate fundamental human rights in the name of subversion of the state or some other "plausible justification" or are themselves state-sponsors of attacks or facilitate proxies to act against foreign nations.

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

norms and rules --- @Eduardo. I agree with your rationale. if norms and rules are of such high authority within UNGA, why not codify into international law?

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

disproportionate behavior --- @Eduardo. The issue of the disproportionate use of power is significant as you have suggested. If you are a major power and my economy trades just over $100 million annually with you but I import $1 billion from you. And we get into a disagreement over some geo-political matter (say human rights violation) and since you are so powerful, you request that you cut-off trade with me or raise import tariffs 200% and ask inter-mediatory banks to stop dealing with my country ; the end result is severe economy and social upheaval in my country over a simple issue of geo-political differences; is this disproportionate behavior?

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

Lethal cyber weapons --- Can someone (with more experience/knowledge in the field) share more information or links on Lethal cyber weapons. Probably, many of us don't know the subject well, and I believe the topic is important enough in context of the course to read more. Thanks.

Source author: Vladimir Nikolov vladimir984@yahoo.com

21st century --- Instead the "civilized global society" to forbid or additionally restrict jus ad bellum (disarmament/demilitarization) on the contrary, it expands jus ad bellum in one more sphere - Cyberspace. Probably a lot of us ask ourselves the same quesiton....how come war as a prehistoric or "medieval" tool is still not obsolete in 21st century.

Source author: Vladimir Nikolov vladimir984@yahoo.com

peacetime --- Is the absence of war, peacetime? If peace is supposed to be freedom from fear, freedom from hostile behavior or intimating actions, freedom from violence, tranquility of mind, aren't we in a perpetual state of war since we are constantly exposed to all of the above scenarios under "peacetime"? If war is seen as physical use of force against each other using military weapons then haven't we in effect opened the door for constant cyber conflict and provocation without attacking with cyber weapons though we spear-phish or facilitate ransomware attacks or even forms of cyber harassment or unacceptable behavior?

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

responsible state behavior --- If norms and CBMs form two of the four pillars of the UN's framework on responsible state behavior, and these have been unanimously agreed by over 75% of the members, why can't these norms and CBMs be included or formulated into law?

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

Social networks the accelerator --- If only the internet was used as his state in the first ten years. Actually, facebook only have millions of users across the world. The use of social networks accentuates the effect of oil stains in information than in disinformation. Which government doesn't follow seriously the information in social networks?

Source author: Ioniarimalala RAKOTONIRINA ioniarimalala@gmail.com

Mostly common of the weapon traffics --- Officially, there are some treaty or international laws about selling weapons, but some countries find the way to sell illegally. Similar case also for exploiting vulnerabilities and entering in the dark markets.

Source author: Ioniarimalala RAKOTONIRINA ioniarimalala@gmail.com

Not showing your own weapon --- May be, the victim doesn't want to show his power or his weapon to the adversary. This can be a part of strategy.

Source author: Ioniarimalala RAKOTONIRINA ioniarimalala@gmail.com

war and adversary --- Nowadays, a war is not only a fighting between two armies or countries. The world have known also the civil war, and the terrorism. No needed that the attack was launced by a state to be considered as cyberwarfare.

Source author: Ioniarimalala RAKOTONIRINA ioniarimalala@gmail.com

armed attack --- If a group with a weapon is called army, why not the group with a cyberweapon cannot be involved in a cyberwarfare? In a cyberspace, no physicall attack or armed attack is needed to have an enormous impact. All the weapon are most of time electronic or digitalized in a form of code or program.

Source author: Ioniarimalala RAKOTONIRINA ioniarimalala@gmail.com

Physical damage --- Are we talking of physical damage of infrastructure or physical damage to humans (casualties)? A cyberattack per se might not cause physical damage directly. but may lead to if essential sectors are prevented from working properly.

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

Strong evidence --- I presume that if the US or UK's governments 'attribute' a cyberattack to another country, they should have a strong base or evidence for doing so. Otherwise it will be defamation.

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

Proportionate response --- I agree with you Vlad that the response should be proportional to the damage caused by the attack, otherwise there will be a possibility for escalation to the conflict and more retaliation. It is important to keep in mind the difference in technological capabilities between states. Few states will be able to respond to countries like the US, China or Russia.

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

Influencing Public Opinion - Hybrid Warfare --- It seems that even if there is no direct physical harm, for example in case of an information attack, spread of missinformation which in turn can lead to social/public unrest we can speak of cyberwarefare. I am wondering if there is another definition where the physical harm is not the central part.

Source author: Andrin Schwere andrin.schwere@eda.admin.ch

Gulf Countries - Cyberwarfare Capabilities --- Interesting that there is not yet any evidence on the Gulf countries, especially on Saudi Arabia, and given these countries are more and more investing in closing the digital divide and digital infrastructure overall.

Source author: Andrin Schwere andrin.schwere@eda.admin.ch

Definitions --- It seems that when we talk of the cyberspace there is a lack of universally accepted definitions for key terminology. Just as in the case of cybercrime, there is not a comprehensive one for cyberwar. It is extremely difficult to reach an international and transectorial dialogue if concepts such as cybercrime or cyberwar are not properly agreed upon.

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

agreed --- ..seeking to understand from the people on ground why certain modifications in the land uses are occurring. Linking the changes seen to potential drivers

Source author: Kiconco Patricia kictricia@gmail.com

research findings informing policy --- He talks about presenting the research to the policy makers. This highlights the importance of the scientists in informing policies. Through predicting future outcomes from current drivers of land use, policy makers are pushed to think globally, looking at the interconnectedness of global economies and how that might influence their own policies.

Source author: Kiconco Patricia kictricia@gmail.com

South America --- Seems like a lot of the global supply is localized in South America. I suppose a lot of the land has been modified to cater for commercial agriculture. What is the effect of this on the land and the people, for example the benefit distribution, and change in biodiversity?

Source author: Kiconco Patricia kictricia@gmail.com

Depletion rate --- Humans have depleted the earth's natural resources faster than the earth has been able to replenish itself. We have been unaccountable for all the changes made to the land through history until now when the effects of the degradation are evidently visible. Some people, strangely, still deny the harm done to earth and think of the climate change efforts as a conspiracy by some governments, or as ways to further exploit (economically) other countries.

Source author: Kiconco Patricia kictricia@gmail.com

Rethinking Science for Policy --- This 2014 paper is providing extremely wise hints about knowledge management and the organisation of international expert panels, and the necessity to rethink them! Organizing the science discourse in a more inclusive and not in a one-size fits all and consensual approach is what the UNESCO Open Science Recommendation is about, 7 years later.

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

Inclusive Participation --- The sustainability of the approach is guaranteed by the involvement of the local communities and increasing solidarity among them with respect to land use.

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

I agree --- People encourage the multistakeholder mechanism in international cooperation. But it is difficult to implement from bottom up locally to international level.

Source author: YingChu Chen jungheng@gmail.com

Good health --- Old people in my culture tell stories of how they thrived solely on nature, for healthy food, clean water, good and fresh air... and use that as the reason for their long years. The differences in the quality of these benefits are evident, for example the difference in freshness of air in rural Uganda and the more industrialized part is almost tangible!

Source author: Kiconco Patricia kictricia@gmail.com

What counts as an ecosystem worth protecting? --- You bring up good points, Veronica, which relates to an overall challenge with SDG 15 (and many SDGs). How then we define and measure a system impacts how we measure our indicators. For example, when measured from satellites, a natural forest can be hard to distinguish from a planted forest for pulp production, even though these forests likely have different ecosystem characteristics. The same is true for protected areas, just because an area is "protected" does not meant that the function of the ecosystem is being protected -- how the protection is enforced matters as well. Similarly, just because an area is not protected by law does not mean that it is not used sustainably -- this can be seen in many indigenous lands that are traditionally managed, which often have high biodiversity and valuable ecosystem functioning. So, depending on how we measure a system, and what we count, we might miss some of these dynamics.

Source author: Levi Helm lthelm@asu.edu

Ecosystem --- Planting the non-indigenous trees can hurt the local biodiversity, too. Changing the type of the trees you can change the habitat for the insects, birds, and other fauna. When you broke the food chain that could influence the whole ecosystem.

Source author: Nikola Bozic nikolab@diplomacy.edu

Is nature a resource for humans? --- It is very important to be aware that consumerism cannot be our way of life. We need to understand that plants, animals, water, air, ... are not there on Earth to be resources for human life. If we understand our existence as a part of the existence of everything else, then the attitude towards nature will also change.

Source author: Nikola Bozic nikolab@diplomacy.edu

In religion --- I think it usually happens in Asia. People have different beliefs, and some traditional religions always ask people to respect nature and the environment.

Source author: YingChu Chen jungheng@gmail.com

bad reputation can harm the whole industry --- This is a good example to show it is in general not the problem of the product -palm oil- but its conditions of production. Still, in the end it's probably also a problem of volume. I can not imagine that growing demands can be fulfilled with real sustainable production. In my entourage palm oil got such a bad reputation that "palm-oil-free" is a nearly a must on the shopping list.

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

Quote - Franklin D. Roosevelt --- As former US president, Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, "A nation that destroys its soil destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people".

Source author: Petal Punalall Jetoo pjetoo@gmail.com

Gaia Theory Interconnectedness of things --- The Gaia hypothesis formulated by the chemist James Lovelock and co-developed by the microbiologist Lynn Margulis in the 1970s relates to the interconnectedness and self regulating systems of the biotic and abiotic environments. In this link Prof. Lovelock shares the Gaia theory - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIFRg2skuDI. The disconnection of people and the environment is described. The use of fossil-based energy producing excess carbon dioxide has significantly changed the earth's ecosystems.

Source author: Petal Punalall Jetoo pjetoo@gmail.com

positive effect during Covid --- especially during the 1.wave, it was striking to see how much better people having nature around them were doing on many topics. Flowers on your balcony were better than nothing (thank you YingChu for sharing your environment), a forest nearby was adding to reduce stress, and people living in the mountains suffered even less (in general........ of course there are other factors intervening)

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

difficult task --- It seems human tend to put the right value once they realise how scarce something can be(come). I'm not familiar with this measurements (yet), but I imagine they lag behind reality.

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

Nature benefits --- While humans are in continuous search for better and more comfortable life , they don't realise that it is at high expenses for the planet and future generations survival. For instance it very normal to feel cold in winter and hot in summer but no one today can afford living without air conditioner . Moreover , the nature is over exploited and this created other problems as people are leaving their villages and communities to join big cities

Source author: Souhila Amazouz souhila_amazouz@yahoo.fr

Target 15.a --- In my opinion the target 15.a on mobilizing financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems is very important as it touches on aspect that generally challenges and delays the implementation of SDGs. Although more clarity is needed on how and who will mobilise the resources I think it is a step towards the conservation and protection of biodiversity and ecosystems that are under threat due to the excessive urbanisation and industrialisation where human are reducing the space and living conditions of other species.

Source author: Souhila Amazouz souhila_amazouz@yahoo.fr

Target 15.2 --- I can see the time series below the "5.Data availability and disaggregation". They just show the data in 2020. I am curious how the whole data set looks like with different years. If we only read the data in one year, we can't know the changes without comparing last fews years.

Source author: YingChu Chen jungheng@gmail.com

Cooperation within and among countries --- Many challenges exist at the national level for cooperation within countries. For example academia is disconnected from government and private sector agencies. It is my opinion that the strength of internal cooperation within a country will shape how that country participates in multilateral cooperation

Source author: Petal Punalall Jetoo pjetoo@gmail.com

Ecosystem Support --- Nature supports life on the planet - it is uniquely designed to provide clean water (hydrological cycle), clean air (carbon cycle) and a source of food among other benefits. Natural heritage sites are preserved for their beauty and ecosystem services. Being in nature promotes mental well-being, a sense of peace and tranquility and a natural laboratory for learning.

Source author: Petal Punalall Jetoo pjetoo@gmail.com

Personal confirmation --- Just a minor personal comment: I live in France and since the cost of electricity increased by 12% a few months ago, I am paying much more attention than before to every "small" action such as turn off the lights and so on

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

Science as an assessment instrument --- Thank you for the resources Vid, indeed DUR/C is a great example, hence the need to integrate science not only as a source of innovation but also as an instrument to assess (before acting) the implications and possible consequences in the medium and long term by rigorous feasibility studies and an effective risk assessment (and monitoring) mechanism

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

Education and transparency --- Sometimes politicians are wishing to have faster results so they are not reading all parts of the scientific study. Education of all stakeholders are very important, but transparency also.

Source author: Nikola Bozic nikolab@diplomacy.edu

electricity prices --- this can also be regulated by increasing electricity prices in developed countries.

Source author: Nikola Bozic nikolab@diplomacy.edu

energy efficiency --- There is a similar situation in Serbia every winter. Households as the small emitters are burning the cheap coal and even trash, and there is a huge number of such emitters. This Gordian knot could be resolved from the side of the government with the support for energy efficiency of the households or network for the distributed heating systems.

Source author: Nikola Bozic nikolab@diplomacy.edu

Text correction needed --- Instead of "...and improving community energy poverty..." better "and on reducing community energy poverty"

Source author: Massimiliano Lombardo m.lombardo@unesco.org

Agree --- It is normal for countries to concentrate more of their trade to their region or neighbours. mostly this is to do with cost reduction or familiarity with business environment of that area. for example a bulk of our trade in Botswana is with South Africa our neighbours

Source author: Lapologang Judah lapoduna@gmail.com

digital platform --- Digital media also facilitates interaction across social, economic, cultural, political, religious and ideological boundaries, allowing for enhanced understanding.

Source author: Mavis Tungulu mtungulu@gmail.com

STI Diaspora Networks --- I think STI Diaspora Networks have a great potential and governments (home countries) should always consider them as priorities

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

Technology transfer --- George's point 2 is obviously very important, but the first thing that came to my mind were knowledge exchange and technology transfer in order to avoid dependence on “specialized” technology and personnel from abroad and to build local capacity and expertise

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

Policies --- Providing an enabling environment for humanitarian action is an important role for humanitarian diplomacy. Working in regulatory frameworks and favorable spaces for humanitarian actors is key to promoting effective and efficient actions and responses.

Source author: Mario Fanjul mariofanjulbenitez@gmail.com

Delays do not mean cancelation --- It is important that any delay is accompanied by a situation analysis, proposing corrective measures. Otherwise there is a risk of accumulating delay after delay to give rise to a de facto cancellation.

Source author: Mario Fanjul mariofanjulbenitez@gmail.com

Capacity Building --- I agree that capacity building in the form of skills training for the SMEs will provide a better understanding of how to conduct business with foreign markets. Furthermore, home agencies and embassies can help SMEs enter foreign markets by assisting in finding foreign buyers, which they can do by launching massive marketing campaigns highlighting the SMEs' products. Also informing SMEs about the target country's basic economic conditions will be helpful. These processes necessitate careful planning, efforts, and funding.

Source author: Matshedisa Emily Mokoena mokoenamati@gmail.com

FDI promotion --- Provinces and major cities in some countries frequently conduct their own FDI-attracting activities. Embassies can play a significant role in assisting their delegations and dignitaries on both import and export excursions.

Source author: Matshedisa Emily Mokoena mokoenamati@gmail.com

Country Brand --- Apart from finding appropriate business partners and projecting a positive image of the country. Some experts argue that investment promotion should not be viewed as a replacement for a country's policies that encourage and permit a favourable investment climate. If there are any issues, they should be addressed as soon as possible.

Source author: Matshedisa Emily Mokoena mokoenamati@gmail.com

Multilateral agreement --- Absolutely, in fact, I think is the only way a multilateral agreement on cybersecurity might work. It has to include various stakeholders, public and private and representatives of the civil society.

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