Great idea! --- But would Josep Borrell stay till the end of the course?!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

'Because you're worth it' --- Great example, thanks Liliana! L'Oreal's motto is now more than 50 years old and still speaking to people!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Pure poetry! --- What a very poetic-sounding sentence with its alliteration of 'wheat' and 'wrath' and its chain of associations of the process of fermentation that gives rise to alcohol and from there to the image of the froth on a pint of beer but also to the bubbling up of unrest as well as the knock-on effects of alcohol (not explicitly mentioned) and its relation to violence.

Each individual will have a slightly different chain of associations, and that illustrates the point of this lecture very well: that we each fill the gaps according to our own inclinations.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

You can't take Diplo out of Andrej ;) --- A related expression is 'you can take the monkey out of the jungle but you can't take the jungle out of the monkey' This expression has been extended to people and places: "you can take the person out of the place, but you can't take the place out of the person" as in "You can take Andrej out of Diplo but you can't take Diplo out of Andrej" which of course is a testament to the amazing work ethos of both the man and the place :)

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

'Pour un averti, un demi-ton suffit' --- The fact that we can indicate our meaning (1) by means of an idiom and (2) but only citing a couple of words of it is a good example of the way in which we build communities and affirm solidarity through allusion and other forms of implicit communication.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Don't throw out the baby with the bath water! --- I would chuck out the negative connotations that you have so firmly attached to the word 'cliche' and not judge a book by its title ;)

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

'Persuade through force of reason' --- Thanks for raising this point, Desiree. I agree that 'coerce' has negative connotations and suggests that there is something objectionable to this type of persuasion. Interestingly, the word 'force' in the phrase 'force of reason', while coming from the same semantic field, does not carry any such negative associations. I will replace coerce with persuade!

As for the claim being made, it is indeed interesting that facts tend to have the 'final word' closing an argument by means of 'infallible' and 'undeniable' evidence. This prioritisation of logos goes back to the ancient Greeks (as Blanca's HT on the primacy of logos suggests). What we have come to understand since is that our understanding of the facts and of relevant evidence is open to change and reinterpretation, inviting us to question the finality of many (not all) evidence-based arguments.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

The meaning of the Spanish word "negro" in Spanish --- Thinking about the differences across languages: besides the colour, "negro" in Spanish means ghost writer. Nothing to do with is English negative connotation!

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

Story in a capsule --- A very soft-persuasive figure, that instantly appeals to listeners imagination and what they think of as such shared dream.

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

Many examples --- Thinking about the Catalan case, for instance: pro-independence groups list among their arguments that they were once an independent kingdom from Spain (a kingdom whose existence anti-independentists deny).

Anti-colonialist movements in Latin America also use/devise stories that best serve the social/historical features they wish to exalt, usually denying the relevance of the colonial heritage.

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

And in most novels! :D --- Novels also contains these elements

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

Borrell lost it --- Tim Sebastian seems to me very logos oriented: he makes questions dispassionately, based on facts. But Borrell is overcome by emotions: he confounds his interviewer's logos with a pathos! Sebastian presents facts, but Borrell replies as if they were convictions.

Borrell is simply unable to build his argument based on his (strong) pathos about the subject.

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

Obama's slogan --- "Yes we can"... Obama's campaign slogan popped up to my mind! Both aspirational and inclusive, very soft-persuasive!

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

Agree! And this is brings us back to... --- What we learned about acknowledging the other party. Thinking about a political campaign, for instance, the more we know the mindset of the target audience, the more likely the intended image/message is to appear in their minds!

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

How true, --- "Our world is not divided by race, color, gender, or religion. Our world is divided into wise people and fools. And fools divide themselves by race, color, gender or religion."

Nelson Mandela

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

Your inside scoop --- is much appreciated...unfortunately, we only hear what's on the news which is usually US-centric. Sorry that your candidate was not chosen...cronyism is the scurge of experience...see I'm getting into the metaphor world! Now I'll be impossible!

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

$$$ --- And which agency or ministry gets the extra resources to fight the problem.

Source author: Desirée Colomé Menéndez dcolome@sre.gob.mx

Connotation change bu cultural groups/minorities --- There is an interesting phenomeno here: an African-American in the US can call another African-American "nigger" and that is ok, but if a white person uses the same word towards him/her, then there's a problem relating to prejudices and racism.

I think something similar happened with the term "queer" before it became an accepted part of the accronym LGBTQ.

Source author: Desirée Colomé Menéndez dcolome@sre.gob.mx

Powerful musicality --- This a really powerful parragraph. The musicality of all that Europe is, plus the assertions, images and shared values each of these elements entail is simply amazing... for a pro EU, of course (wink!)

Source author: Desirée Colomé Menéndez dcolome@sre.gob.mx

The whole parragraph is an image --- I certainyl painted the picture of Europe (probably as a woman) being pushed and pulled from every side and, therefore, being alone. I almost felt sorry for "her" and for the Europeans, who do not know how lonely (with their values and morals, of course) they are.

Source author: Desirée Colomé Menéndez dcolome@sre.gob.mx

Fading applause? --- I agree. The "blah, blah, blah" seems too much and even aggresive. I think you can even tell how the audience claps less and less with each "blah, blah, blah".

I think she, obviously, has a lot of ethos by now. You cannot simply have a climate international conference and not have her as a speaker. But I think that at this point, her pathos and even her logos may be becoming weaker.

I may be devil's advocate here, but I find her use of data and evidence just a series of numbers "burped" one after the other to simply point fingers. Of course there won't be probably a lot, but I am sure there are also positive things to say. And most importantly, it is always easier to say how not to do things than to propose actual alternatives. I did not listen to a single serious proposal on how to change things, either from authorities or society.

Source author: Desirée Colomé Menéndez dcolome@sre.gob.mx

Agree --- Not only that, actually no one really has to finish the whole phrase for the other person to understand. Just by saying "Even if a monkey dresses in silk...", the listener with immediatly know what we mean.

Source author: Desirée Colomé Menéndez dcolome@sre.gob.mx

Don't like the terms --- I must confess I am having troubles with the phrase. I would tend to think that "the force of reason" is a positive element and persuasion tool, as in providing rational evidence such as data and facts. I understand how this may be labeled "hard persuasion", but I am having difficulty with accepting that it necessarily implies "coercion". Would accepting this clasification mean that "detached" people tend to coerce others, while "invested" people are more effective at actually persuading someone?

Source author: Desirée Colomé Menéndez dcolome@sre.gob.mx

@Marie: Wikileaks and third parties --- Believe it or not, I was a "victim" of the Wikileaks myself. Three cables sent to Washington by the US Embassy in Bucharest contained reports on some discussions my humble self had had with American diplomats. No harm done! Two of them were rather routine information. The third one actually put me in a good posture, because I used good arguments in favour of a colleague diplomat, which I recommended for the position as a Special Representative of the Secretary General to Iraq. Everybody could see that candidates had not been selected by their skills and experience, but on other considerations (cronyism, among others). "My" candidate was not appointed, and the one chosen failed in his mission.

But, to be honest, people unfairly judge the impact of Wikileaks on American interests only, without caring about the interest of the third parties or individual.

Yet, "9/11" as a metaphor is a gross exaggeration. To some extent Wikileaks showed that "the emperor is naked". No big spies or informants fell.

Source author: Petru Dumitriu PetruD@diplomacy.edu

OFF --- Biljana, if we follow the trend in this clip, I would say it is 'OFF'. 😂

Source author: Mamta Reid liveandsmile@hotmail.com

In Greta's speech --- She uses her credibility and benefits from her genuineness.

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

Take --- "Take your time..."

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

In Greta's speech --- She has very logical and well structured arguments.

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

Teeth --- The story here is, clearly (in my opinion) that music does not exist without instruments (particularly if one takes voice/sound to be an instrument, which artists do) and the author equates that with diplomacy not existing without arms. He implies that diplomacy without teeth (i.e. the backing of arms) is a useless endeavor, because it lacks persuasiveness. I could, of course, counter this point with so many arguments, but that is something for another time as it was not requested in this exercise.

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

In Greta's speech --- Pathos: She uses many figures of speech that call to emotions: We can win both ecological, conservation and development “We want jobs”, but she adds “green jobs”

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

About Greta's speech --- An excellent speech. She uses many of the figures of speech we have seen (metaphors, connotations, etc.). She even puts Climate change as an opportunity, and connects from there with the opportunity to address poverty. I am convinced that tackling poverty would save more people and faster, and also without so many COPs and so much spending on many illogical things (such as travelling in cars and planes to go to the COP). She deals very well with the issue of colonialism. I doubt very much that she alone would write her speeches… • We need to walk the talk… excellent metaphor • Climate change is job… and then adds GREEN jobs and everybody thanks • Bla Bla Bla is an excellent metaphor • Empty words = connotation • Don’t Get me wrong = Assertion

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

In Josep Borrell's interview --- His professionalism gives him credibility. His calmness and use of information, as well as his lengthy career support him.

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

In J. Borrell's interview --- His professionalism gives him credibility. His calmness and use of information, as well as his lengthy career support him.

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

Huh? --- I´m wondering if this one might be specific to a location or culture? As far as I can tell, at least here in the USA, "young people" and "youths" both refer only to people´s age and neither has a negative connotation - but I could be mistaken. I´ve just never seen "youths" used in a necessarily negative way here, except when used with a qualifier such as "drug addicted youths" or "criminal youths" etc.

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

In Josep Borrell's interview --- He lacks ability to empathise with the audience.

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

@Bi, John: Baker's dozen --- "Baker's dozen" appears in my "Dictionary of clichés". It is unfair!

It is a interesting expression an it is all the more precious as it has a story about its origin.

Well, in my book it is connected to an act of the English Parliament dated 1266, but the significance is the same.

Source author: Petru Dumitriu PetruD@diplomacy.edu

In Josep Borrell's interview --- There is no connection between what he answers and the question. He keeps saying that the interviewer asks the same question, which is not always true (the interviewer repeats the question because not only does he not answer but he changes the subject). Instead of using logic, he disqualifies the other person by saying that he knows NOTHING about Spanish politics.

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

Ethos in media --- What surprised me the most is the good opinion that the media, Wikipedia and newspapers have of Joseph Borrel. It has nothing to do with the image he projects in the interview, where he comes across as very intransigent and ill-mannered. It would be good to send him an email to suggest that he take this course.

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

Ineffective recurring use of an already repetitive weak phrase: --- I totally agree with Marie as I found the constant and immediate repetition of a already repetitive weak phrase: "Blah, blah, blah" boring and laking persuading force. I feel it erodes Greta's speech musicality. Thunberg could have scaterred the phrase more along her speech or mentioning it only once and presented one of two metaphors or stories in a capsule on why talking without acting have produced tragic outcomes. Specially if she had used the "blah, blah, blah" before and it was already positioned before the International attentive audience.

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

Forceful --- What a forceful speech, in my opinion. It is laden with metaphors and images, and that gives it a strong emotional appeal. The story capsule of Churchill saving Europe vs Brexit is amazing: we have a problem or antagonist (Brexit), there is a protagonist (Churchil, plus the sweat, blood and tears of the English people). Redemption is not stated but implied: it will only come if Brexit does not happen. (So much for that...). The imagery is vivid, from the beginning; his description of the geographic borders of Europe as "populism in the North, refugees drowned at sea in the South" etc. are very strong. These could also be considered metaphors, but the best metaphor in my opinion is when he states that "...you can walk backwards in history...".

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

The importance of language tools --- I am not a diplomat, hence not very acquainted with EU politicians. Joseph Borrell lost control, because he did not manage to reply to the interviewer as he simply went to the interview to say what he wanted to say and not to reply to the questions of the interviewer. However, he did not managed to use the question to convey his ideas. It is not true that “he was not allowed to talk about the current situation”, it is that he was not able to make a speech where he would be able to convey the message he wanted to say. He could have use framing arguments, metaphors and other devices to deviate the conversation to the story he wanted to tell . Instead, he kept requesting “ to be asked the RIGHT questions…”

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

The power of youth --- Greta is (still) young, which means she can be forgiven for many things that adults would have trouble getting away with. Having said that, I must admit that her pathos is forceful: her appeal to her audience´s emotions works and works well. Her words and the tone of her voice are forceful, yet hopeful. In terms of logos, I believe that for the most part, the speech had an excellent choice of words and word combinations and I would commend her or her speechwriter. However, and this is a BIG however: she uses the "blah, blah, blah" idiom a bit too much. I understand her wanting to hammer the point, but it becomes uncomfortable to listen to, and detracts from her main message. Ethos-wise, I guess she derives a certain authority, albeit her youth, through her persistence and thanks to the sincerity she exudes for her fight.

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

Borell’s pathos, logos and ethos, failing, while Sebastian does effective SMART PERSUASION: --- I feel and judge Borell’s pathos, logos and ethos, at this interview failing, while Tim Sebastian achieves SMART PERSUASION: No ‘SMART PERSUASION’ on his side. I assume the Conflict Zone audience kept a score and concluded Borell was hit mercilessly by the interviewer finishing in a very bad shape (technical knockout) and the PSOE Spanish government was put it under the spot by the “righteous” interviewer as a despotic vicious prosecutorial against the “innocent not convicted grandmother of more than 60-year-old kept in an isolation prison cell” (Conflict Zone’s HISTORY IN A CAPSULE).

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

Borrell does not shows up at the interview the appeal of a good character, while Sebastian does it a little bit: --- In spite of Josep staying cool for several minutes dismissing the question with a discrete smile (reacting forcefully to protest the tone of the interview (you are giving me the prosecution's treatment of a criminally acussed person) and threthening to stop it), he keep dismissing the questions without transmitting more credibility, experience, knowledge and authority; nor the genuineness of his stated interests and objectives and the nature of their evidence, as Borrel never goes deep into this territory in his answers (that Josep keeps so brief). He losses authority when coming back to the interview to get just the same questionning after having it already walked out of it. In deed if Josep and his staff would have made their homework in order to be well prepared for the interview, they would have know the style of Conflict Zone and would have designed a strategy of giving large extended answers to deprive the interviewer of the opportunity to make such a numerous amount of citations and questions. In those large answers Josep would have let us feel he is an experienced seasoned politician with a strong profile in defending the Spanish people’s interests. Tim performs well keeping doing his hard questioning without apologizing, practicing denunciation journalism and saying bluntly to Josep something like: “I am not here to make you easy questions (as you pretend facing)”.

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

Angry --- The Spanish Foreign Minister´s pathos denotes anger and impatience. He answers with sarcastic remarks or resorts to accusing his interviewer. He has taken the interviewers questions personally and is unable therefore to move on and to either answer the questions or provide some sort of spin. He kind of lost it here. He does have ethos, obviously, being Foreign Minister, but that authority is lost when he let´s his own ego win the day. Regarding his logos or choice of words, he is correct enough, but not persuasive at all.

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

Borrell’s use of emotion is not enough for me (against a very well prepared EMOTIONAL Conflict Zone): --- Borrell transmits -in a very transparent EMOTIONAL fashion- his strong indignation about such a systematic questioning, appealing to the emotions of the audience BUT giving the way this interview played as he complements his emotional explotion with trying to discredit the interviewer by saying: “You know nothing”; “You do not know what you are talking about”, it comes on the losing side of the interview as the Conflict Zone staff did a lot of research going after different criticisms voiced against the prosecutorial actions of the Spanish State against the former president of the Catalunian Parliament. The audience could share with me the impression the interviewer was so well prepared that Borell felt completely overwhelmed. Conflict Zone underlay appeal is totally EMOTIONAL: The Spanish State is brutal in going after the Catalunian separatists.

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

Borrell could have had a better performance at the interview: --- By citing other opinions in favor of the prosecutorial actions of the Spanish government and asking the interviewer why he never cites those opinions and denouncing Conflict Zone staff trying to be sensationalists by practicing in such a extreme fashion cherry peaking, violating the ethical professional standards of journalism of presenting both sides of a story, compiling only opinions in one side of the matter and leaving out the other opposing arguments that favor the need of a State to preserve his geographical unity. Borell acuses the interviewer of being biased in his questioning but never argues why is he incurring in a biased questioning. The audience of fans of Conflict Zone probably did not realize the program is failing to adhere to the journalistic standard of presenting citations by both sides of the story or assumes it is not need it as it is fulfilled with the presence of the interviewed: a high Catalunian figure of the Spanish national government.

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

Borrell’s REASONING before the audience is so brief and Sebastian’s abundant: --- Josep never EXPLAINS why is so grave for Spain and the interests of the Spanish people the declaration of the independence of Cataluna made by the woman subjected to judicial crime process, and so crucial to continue setting up exemplary cases to discourage the independent movement. On the other side, Tim Sebastian presents a lot of REASONING coming form AUTHORITATIVE FIGURES (like a German court and Human Rights Watch organization) and even Spanish public opinion.

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

My analysis of Josep Borrell speech during the interview is that: --- Borrell comes before the audience doing a poor defense of the Spanish State under an intensive critic. His speech is not effective against the factual citing by Sebastian (the interviewer of Conflict Zone) of several opinions by authoritative institutions and personalities. The results is a week PERSUASION as Borrell stays detached keeping his argument a single one: Let the judges decide. Josep does not present neither a compelling NARRATIVE nor alludes to VALUES SHARED by the audience to try to get some effect on the audience already influenced by all the numerous Tim’s hard questions and citations of authoritative figures with strong precise criticism of the Spanish government. Tim Sebastian NARRATIVE is a lot tricky but effective: “grandmother of more than 60-year-old kept in an isolation prison cell when not convicted” (Conflict Zone’s HISTORY IN A CAPSULE).

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

Monkeys --- In Spanish, we have another encapsulated narrative, which is actually kind of discriminatory and politically incorrect nowadays, but it goes: "Even if a monkey dresses in silk, it remains a monkey"! And when heard, it is understood that it means that no matter how people try to cover-up something (usually having to do with social class or caste), they in the end remain where they were. It´s quite an ugly thing to say, but my point is that the listener automatically understands the allusion and its subversion in a blink, as stated above.

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

encapsulated stories --- I recently heard on the radio that “the soaring wheat prices could be the ferment of wrath”, which captured immediately my imagination. These two or three words (soaring, ferment and wrath) evoked me the Arab spring uprising and the facts and images associated with it.

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

The importance of eloquence --- Fénelon, in his "Lettre à l'Académie française sur la grammaire, la rhétorique, la poétique et l'histoire", says that in democratic Athens, everything depended on the people (demos), and the people depended on the speech (logos). So, he who mastered the speech mastered the people!

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

Non-native speaker --- I wonder if the fact JB is non-native English speaker influenced the flow of the interview. If the interview was done in Spanish, perhaps he would have managed to frame his arguments much better, and come across as much more credible person?

Source author: Andrej Skrinjaric andrejs@diplomacy.edu

The same in Serbian... --- ...i.e., when referring to this quote nobody is quoting it directly, including the 4th element - the 'toil'.

Guess this has to do with our innate preference to using tricolons for a better effect, as Bi has already mentioned.

Source author: Andrej Skrinjaric andrejs@diplomacy.edu

balance betweeen soft and hard power --- I do believe so and the balance is much more hard to make if a) you are a woman, which "by definition" are either soft/powerless or bitches b) you are a young person as you simply “have not live enough”

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

In multilateral diplomacy --- we learned (courtesy of Petru) that:<br /> In Article 41 of the UN Charter, it states that it has the right, with the agreement of the members, to use non-military measures deemed necessary including “complete or partial interruption of economic relations and of rail, sea, air, postal, telegraphic, radio, and other means of communication, and the severance of diplomatic relations. (United Nations Codification Division, 1945)

I believe this a similar to "diplomacy without arms."

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

Wikileaks --- Published classified documents from US Army Intelligence. The information stolen was the equivalent of the 9/11 terrorist attack on the WTC in New York as it gave the public an inside view of the information that was being collected without their knowledge and outed the identity of spies all around the world.

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

The internet as --- "an information bazaar." Images of the marriage of bargaining in the Bazaar with the Information Superhighway.

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

selfish decision --- refers to lack of values in Great Britain leaving the EU.

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

way of saying goodbye --- an image of a sad parting.

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

Europe is --- inevitable - an unlikely comparison.

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

Diplomacy... --- needs hard power to be effective?

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

Al Qaeda as a brand --- that lends its name to branches that do not fully own, though they follow certain basic patterns

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

The speaker --- In this case, connotation is automatically given by the speaker. The word means something when is uttered by a black person, and has a totally different connotation when is used by someone who is not black, regardless of the speaker's intention.

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

Values --- Here he is appealing to common values that are far greater than capitalism or the common market.

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

sangre, sudor y lágrimas --- I must admist that this is the first time I listen to the speech (thanks for the link!). Churchill is widely referred as saying "i have nothing to offer but blood, sweat and tears" at least in Spanish, so my guess is that González Pons simply didn't see the need to check against the original.

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

A metaphor --- to imply that leaving the European Union (equals to be "outside of Europe") is not convenient (it's cold).

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

Also I can't understand what were the terms of this --- interview and why Borrell accepted it. He didn't show any conviction, didn't present his government's case with emotion or arguments. His only appeal was to authority (ethos), and even that was very weak. He seemed surprisingly unprepared, particularly for an interview in a language that's not his own.

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

A discourse to move the masses --- I think the main point in her address is that she's given up on politicians. Once that's understood, it is clear the connection between her pathos, logos and ethos. She appeals to emotions, some negative (frustration with the politicians' inaction) and some positive (hope in the future, faith in the people's ability to drive change). Her choice of words, notably the "blah, blah, blah" helps her to ridicule the objects of her attacks. It is infantile, but the audiencie seems to completely agree with her characterization of political leaders. She establishes her ethos as a young person with a clear stake in the world she will inhabit in the future, and as someone who has studied the issue at hand and has dedicated her life to this cause.

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

Her courage --- and conviction shone through and she inspires pathos in spades. Her speech was well researched and her logos was on target. Her use of blah, blah, blah, while effective when used onece, was over-used, in my opinion. Was her ethos helped by her casual choice of clothing? Probably depends on who you ask. She smiled at the beginning and there again, showed her softer self getting the audience on her side. Her ending was forceful, but again overdone, in my opinion...akin to staging a demonstration at the UN...might be effective for some, but not for all...particularly in gaining the buy-in from those whom can really help her cause. Big on pathos and logos. She has gained ethos with young people and it will grow as she gains more maturity. That said, she is a brave soul.

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

Andre, --- How about "Speak softly and carry a big stick?"Obviously, this person has buckets of ethos, but is that positive or negative ethos...could be either, if there is such a thing! Is there an opposite to ethos?

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

The premise --- of the interview was conflict-based. It is surprising to me that JB would have agreed to the interview in the first place! Then he got upset when the questions were not going his way and at one point, terminates the interview. TS is excellent in garnering Pathos portraying the grandmother in solitary confinement without being convicted of anything. JB's continued loss of ethos was compounded by his body language. His voice was too soft, his rebuttal arguments were weak, his body language was protective where he "hugged" himself in different ways. TS's body language gained him ethos in that his body language, tone of voice was commanding, he leaned forward and peered out over his glasses in an intimidating posture. TS had logos in that he built reasonable arguments and had the statistics to back them up. JB resorted to ad hominem attacks when all else failed and again lost ethos. Ending the interview mid-stream appeared like he was throwing a childish "hissy-fit," ethos- destroying again. JB said "you want to put me in "the bank of guilty people." This gave the impression that he was indeed guilty! He ended the interview telling TS what he would like him to do next time...why would he ever agree to an interview, when he had to know he'd be slain, in the future? JB's ethos was destroyed, TS's logos, pathos and ethos were enhanced. Finally, it was reminescent of the Jordan Peterson interview, where TS put words in his mouth, the difference being that Jordan Peterson was a much worthier opponent!

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

@Bi. A question for Prof: clichés? --- As a non-native speaker I was always fascinating by idiomatic expressions, proverbs, maxims and other "short" but meaningful utterances.

At some point in time I was told that some of them, like "barking up the wrong tree", "keeping up with the Joneses", "with flying colors" etc. are clichés! Cliché has a negative connotation! I felt dispirited!

I have on my book shelves "The dictionary of clichés", by James Rogers, Wing Books, 1985. Yet, I do not feel encouraged to open it to improve my vocabulary with beautiful expressions which the author qualifies as "banal".

Am I crying over spilled milk?

Or should I keep the pot boiling?

Source author: Petru Dumitriu PetruD@diplomacy.edu

Image --- I agree with MacOswald. Painting the picture of the annexation of Crimea

Source author: Hervé Pool erve619@gmail.com

Allusions --- Europe is not only associated with being a market but also a X...a Y...a Z can be considered as an allusion.

Source author: Hervé Pool erve619@gmail.com

Blah blah blah.. --- The emotions of the audience is enticed with her use of pathos. Being a young climate activists urging for immediate action to save the planet makes her appear also as a credible source of information - an appeal to ethics (ethos).

Source author: Hervé Pool erve619@gmail.com

Universal trait --- I believe this affinity towards story-telling is a universal human trait as this was the main way of transferring knowledge from one generation to another (oral traditions) for tens of thousands of years before we invented writing. In other words, we may even be evolutionary primed to listen to stories.

Source author: Andrej Skrinjaric andrejs@diplomacy.edu

Trial by connotations! --- What a great examples, thank you!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Either/Or; BOTH/AND --- Agreed Mamta and Marie, this speech is so persuasive that we don't even stop to think: why is he limiting himself to exclusive options when Europe is clearly BOTH a market and a shared dream.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Are story capsules a form of manipulation? --- Great point about individual filters, Mamta! One of the powers of story-capsules is that we each fill out the gaps according to our own beliefs and then run with 'the' idea, not recognising it as our own individual uptake of an intentionally vague suggestion.

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

Did he say 'of' or 'off'?! --- "Nobody made it to the top without breaking a few pieces of (OFF?!) China"!

Source author: Biljana Scott biscott@diplomacy.edu

My suggestion: Benefits will never be equal. --- The key is to get some real benefit, and the next time try and figure out how to maximize the benefit further. Like many things in life, it is a learning process. And NOT to lose heart!!

Source author: Kishan S Rana kishanrana@gmail.com

Right, Emily. And that is where... --- ...the WTO dispute settlement process also helps, if it is feasible.

Source author: Kishan S Rana kishanrana@gmail.com

True, Frank. Buyer-Seller meets... --- ...are a very effective method for export promotion. And it can be done even by a small embassy, on its own premises, if other conditions are suitable, calling just 6 or 8 local partners, or potential buyers.

Source author: Kishan S Rana kishanrana@gmail.com

globalization --- Some experts believe that globalization as a concept is not the issue, but rather the manner in which it is managed and implemented, because it has not resulted in equal benefits because all actors are not equal participants. Capitalism has created a situation in which the rich continue to get richer while the poor get poorer, and the gap widens.

Source author: Matshedisa Emily Mokoena mokoenamati@gmail.com

Tally --- Yes, embassies in foreign countries perform a wide variety of essential tasks. These tasks are measured on a number of key performance indicators. For example in South Africa, one of the indicators measured is the (1) Number of Economic Diplomacy initiatives undertaken to contribute to South Africa’s economic growth and measures the following outcomes: trade and investment seminars, engagements with chambers of commerce, meetings with targeted government ministries, high-level potential investors and tourism promotion events. And all of these have to do with targets and statistics, rather than the quality of work done.

Source author: Matshedisa Emily Mokoena mokoenamati@gmail.com

Trade disputes --- Yes, trade disputes do exists and if these disagreements are not resolved amicably, the consequences can be severe. Consider the following scenario: Concerns were raised by US poultry, pork, and beef producers that South Africa was violating AGOA by preventing their products from being imported into South Africa. South Africa eventually negotiated its continued participation in AGOA by lifting 15-year-old anti-dumping duties for a quota of 65,000 tons of chicken parts per year, as well as lifting health restrictions that had been preventing the import of poultry, pork, and beef. However, the South African Poultry Association (Sapa) and the South African Pork Producers' Organization (Sappo) have appealed against the decision since they are not convinced that the US is doing enough to prevent porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) from entering South Africa.

Source author: Matshedisa Emily Mokoena mokoenamati@gmail.com

Buyer and Seller Meets. --- This is classic approach which used by most of the Embassies and other investment and tourism promotional agencies. Embassies facilitating the participation of the local companies, tour operators to international trade fairs and exhibitions which contributing in forging cooperation between the government and the private sector on issues related to trade and tourism. To exemplified, to foster the interest of tour operators and travel agents in Tanzania, the government through its Embassies has always organized familiarization tours for international investors and tour operators, during which the Minister of Tourism, Trade, Industries or Foreign Affairs have received the delegates to demonstrate the importance of their visit.

Source author: Frank John Mhina frankmhina01@gmail.com

Rwanda in tourism promotion. --- Previously Rwanda was primarily associated with the genocide and considered unsafe destination to visit. It launched, a national campaign to improve the image of tourism in the country at the same time contracted international public relations and marketing agencies in the UK and the US in rebranding and marketing of the country. These efforts helped the country to be featured extensively in documentaries on international television channels and has received positive coverage in more than 350 credible international press publications, as well as in major travel guides. They managed to change the international perception. As of today, Rwanda is considered one of the top tourism destinations in East Africa.

Source author: Frank John Mhina frankmhina01@gmail.com

We need concrete examples. --- Without that, the point hangs in the air -- what 'conditionalities'? Who imposes them? And why is the developing country obliged to accept that? It may appear you have in mind international organizations -- or is it bilateral aid?

Source author: Kishan S Rana kishanrana@gmail.com

That is the problem with not creating... --- ...a professional dip service. Without that, such issues will always come up....Leaders find appointments to ambassadorships such a convenient means of patronage -- and at times to get rid of people who might otherwise cause problems in the domestic front. When such a system persists, what can the small body of professionals do? We should discuss this via HT -- in honest, candid discussion.

Source author: Kishan S Rana kishanrana@gmail.com

not so free --- In my experience as a diplomat i have come across some Embassies whose diplomatic staff are all political appointees such that when there is a change of guard all staff gets recalled to pave way for those aligned to the new government. sometimes i wonder if the staff is really impartial in services to their clients from their home countries and how they deal with continuity

Source author: Lapologang Judah lapoduna@gmail.com

some conditionalities --- Prevents recipient countries from receiving good value for money for services, goods, or works.

Source author: Mavis Tungulu mtungulu@gmail.com

Brexit --- United Kingdom’s depart from the European Union provided uncertainty, the remaining 27 EU countries continue to be a strong market for the United States with goods and services exports to the EU.

Source author: Mavis Tungulu mtungulu@gmail.com

This is a classic challenge. A suggestion: promoting home country exports... --- ...should be the first priority -- that's what earns money to finance imports....But some help to local companies seeking to access the home market is useful, as a means of building connections, and also using these for one's own exports.

Source author: Kishan S Rana kishanrana@gmail.com

SSA... --- ...now clear: Sub-Saharan Africa.

Source author: Kishan S Rana kishanrana@gmail.com

A thought. For a large country, it may be more practical... --- ...to separate trade and FDI promotion. The targets and methods are rather different....Even Singapore separates the two roles, entrusting them to 2 agencies.

Source author: Kishan S Rana kishanrana@gmail.com

I think... --- the effects of global recessions are felt hard by developing and/or vulnerable states because:

1. Most of the economies are undiversified , fragile and functioning on limited resources;

2. Their economies are mostly reliant on commodities, and this market is often volatile and recovery after a disruption can take a few years. The 2008 global recession dealt a hard blow on some of the commodity led economies like Botswana.

Source author: Omphile Sethunya Sedimo sedimosethunya44@gmail.com

Indeed Lapo.. --- Having the products helps a lot in the promotion of trade as well as in the efforts towards attaining a diversified market. We found this very helpful at our High Commission in Namibia, where we had a "Business Centre" with some of Botswana made products which included clay bricks (which are doing well in Namibia through a partnership with a local hardware) and electrical cables, also doing well in the regional market. The products were readily available as samples for potential buyers and for use at the local trade fairs. Enhancing inter-regional trade..!

Source author: Omphile Sethunya Sedimo sedimosethunya44@gmail.com

EU delegation --- This is the go-to approach of the EU Delegation in Senegal. A quite striking example

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

USA in Francophone SSA --- US Embassies seem to support a lot their Tech/innovation startups in their activities in Francophone sub-Saharan Africa. They sometimes follow-up closely on their situation and offer valuable strategic and even lobby supports

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

coordination- probably one of the most challenging task --- I'm not an expert in this field, but for example in humanitarian crisis relief the issue of coordination and redundancy (which can even be very dangerous) led to the creation in the 90s of OCHA. From what I understood, it helps, but as we can see did not solve all in these complex contexts (Haiti, Congo, ... not mentioning Afghanistan).

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

Continual education --- Lifelong learning is a characteristic of the 21st century. To all mentioned I need to add this important aspect of education.

Source author: Nikola Bozic nikolab@diplomacy.edu

Reform from a Mexican perspective --- I'd like to share my personal perspective on this as I'm Mexican and I was starting my professional career as this reform happened (I worked with some advocates of this reform). Growing up, it was really unthinkable to imagine that there would ever be a gas company in Mexico other than Pemex: there's a lot of nationalism tied to the company as something to be proud of since its foundation in 1940 as one of the biggest victories in the post-revolution era, closely tied to the party (PRI) that ruled the country from the end of the revolution war (1920) to the democratic transition in 2000. It was seen as a victory against foreign powers, mostly USA companies. For decades it was a very competitive company internationally, but that changed in the last couple of decades. Ironically, it was PRI who managed to accomplish the reform that opened the energy market in 2013 when they won the presidential elections the year before. Skillfully and not without controversy, PRI built a center/right coalition that got this reform approved. I still marvel when I visit and I see the Exxon, BP, etc signs around. Interestingly, that PRI government had an energy attache at their Embassy in the US; I think that office has now been closed. The current governing party did not support the energy reform and has brought back a lot of the nationalist pride on Pemex.

Source author: Brenda Estefania Ortiz Calva eortizcalva@aaas.org

site specific sustainability --- I agree with your suggestion Patricia. Sustainability is site specific and decentralization would allow for the local community- based approaches to be applied in implementing actions under Agenda 2030.

Source author: Petal Punalall Jetoo pjetoo@gmail.com

Transparency International --- There is Transparency International - https://www.transparency.org/en/ that does work in this area and reports the transparency index of countries

Source author: Petal Punalall Jetoo pjetoo@gmail.com

Non-renewable energy --- Most targets talk about increasing renewable energy and that's important, but I think we need also talk about reducing use of non-renewable energy with policies directly adressing this reduction

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

Biofuel impact on biodiversity --- The race to produce biofuel has created, though, negative impacts on biodiversity, as local crops have been transformed e.g. in fields of corn, corn, corn...

Source author: Veronica Elena Bocci v_ele_bo@hotmail.com

Regenerative braking --- Same in the railway sector with the regenerative braking. The challenge now is to optimise the 'behaviour' a train should have in order to achieve the best energy-saving performance: starting from facts such as "accelerations consume much more energy", "braking can recover energy", "coasting ensures motion without energy consumption", the optimal mix of these and similar trade-offs can ensure an even more sustainable transport and less energy consumption. This will be even more strengthened with the autonomous vehicles.

Source author: Veronica Elena Bocci v_ele_bo@hotmail.com

Energy policy in national level --- If the policy only focuses on energy or renewable energy, there will be only one department working on this. Using fiscal incentives is always an easy way to encourage innovation. But I don't think it will have a big step in the competitiveness of renewable energy innovation.

Source author: YingChu Chen jungheng@gmail.com

trained manpower --- Lack of trained manpower is a major challenge of renewable energy sources development in developing countries. I wonder if IRENA address this issue..

Source author: Lakmini Premadasa lakminisurangika@gmail.com

nuclear fusion --- Unlike nuclear fission, nuclear fusion is environmentally safe and do not produce long lasting radioactive waste. The only byproduct of nuclear fusion is He, which is non toxic and safe. However, the extremely high energy input requirement is the biggest challenge of nuclear fusion.

Source author: Lakmini Premadasa lakminisurangika@gmail.com

challenges --- A challenge of achieving the “clean energy for all” in developing/under developed countries is the poor governance in most of these nations. As well as lack of interest and concern and violation of rights. These reasons cause foreign investors to become hesitant in investing in developing countries, which puts these nations far behind with rest of the world. For example my home country Sri lanka has so many natural resources, but the poor governance, political corruption have affected country’s social, economical and infrastructural development.

Source author: Lakmini Premadasa lakminisurangika@gmail.com

Role of Education --- I think we need to realize the interlink and act accordingly as Vid mentioned. But more importantly if we need to have an impact on the lives of the common man we should not forget the importance of SDG 4. Its only by education can a common man not rely on his/ her easy accessible wood/ dung for energy but take the extra effort to depend on renewable and sustainable energy

Source author: George Thomas georgethomasdesk@gmail.com

Biomass and CO2 --- Doesnt burning of biomass produce CO2 and other GHG which would add to the climate crisis?

Source author: George Thomas georgethomasdesk@gmail.com

The place of scientific research --- Same though as Souhila, it would be interesting to better understand the type of assistance IRENA provides and I was also wondering what place scientific research has in IRENA's initiatives. On their website I read that IRENA "plays a leading role in the energy transformation as a center of excellence for knowledge and innovation, a global voice for renewables, a network hub and a source of advice and support for countries", but I don’t understand if they provide facilities or direct funding for doing research - given that they speak about a center of excellence - or it is only a facilitator of networking, joint-projects development, data collection, etc.

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

Dual-use technologies deserve a mention --- @Aura, I agree science could provide solutions to some of the global challenges we've been discussing. However, science itself has the potential to create newer problems, at least over time. If we consider plastics, they have become ubiquitous in our lives from grocery bags to computer accessories to vehicles to toys. Here's a nice article of the origin story of plastics - https://www.sciencehistory.org/the-history-and-future-of-plastics, and how they've now become a huge problem, literally - https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/great-pacific-garbage-patch/. Similar concerns exist in my own field of life sciences as WHO cautions here - https://www.who.int/activities/ensuring-responsible-use-of-life-sciences-research. Scientific 'progress' is inevitable, but is not free of negative consequences.

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

What should be included --- I think the target 7.A on international cooperation is also vague as it does not specify or engage state and international organisations on specific targets and actions. Also setting mid term objectives / targets may help to monitor the progress and help countries to adjust their policies

Source author: Souhila Amazouz souhila_amazouz@yahoo.fr

Modern = Digital --- Can we assume that modern society means digitalised society as we are living in the digital era and technology is a factor of modernisation and improvement ?

Source author: Souhila Amazouz souhila_amazouz@yahoo.fr

Traditional & Clean Energy --- I do agree with the comments and the questions raised regarding the capacity of states to replace traditional sources of energy with modern and clean ones. In my opinion it will take time and will need huge resources as it will impact the economies of some States that fully depend on Gas , Coal and Oil . The compliance with COP commitment will inderctly affect the balance of power and will create new geopolitics . Global problems require global actions and this in my opinion will require extensive diplomatic efforts to bring all the concerned parties on board .

Source author: Souhila Amazouz souhila_amazouz@yahoo.fr

IRENA Assistance to countries --- I wonder what kind of assistance is provided to countries technical , financial or political and also what are the criteria of selection of countries that benefit from it knowing the huge demand as the world may engage in energy transition as per climate change commitments .

Source author: Souhila Amazouz souhila_amazouz@yahoo.fr

Land locked developing countries --- In addition to the definition provided by Carlos, there are 44 countries in the world clasified as landlocked and this include some geopolitical vulnerabilities such as the reliance on neighbouring states to access to world market wich generates high transportantion costs , military limitations because of lack of naval options as well as lack of access to fishery and oceanic resources. While 90 % of lanloked countries are developing and Least developed some others are landlocked and considered as developed such as Austria and Switzerland . AFRICA is the continent that has the largest number with 16 ,followed by Europe and Asia , although the link to energy is not direct we can say that this aspect affects the development of countries and well being of their people.

Source author: Souhila Amazouz souhila_amazouz@yahoo.fr

Diplomacy and solidarity --- I think diplomacy is already playing a role in promoting sustainable development that include Energy through partnerships handled by Foreign Affairs but as we see energy devide between regions and countries persists there is a need for solidarity among states to achieve equity and energy access equality . What in my view is strange is that the majority of countries that lag behind are suppliers of natural resources that are used to produce electricity and while the deveped states are engaged in the transition to renewable and clean energy the others are at risk of losing their major income.

Source author: Souhila Amazouz souhila_amazouz@yahoo.fr

Capacity building among the locals --- Yes indeed @Muna and @George, the science of the solutions has to be brought down to the people. And training them to be able to pass on the same knowledge to others among them ensures sustainability of the solution. This further stresses a point from an earlier discussion, on the need for scientists to be able to communicate clearly and simply to the non scientific community, and especially their local audience.

Source author: Kiconco Patricia kictricia@gmail.com

Good point! --- I think it is important to decentralize the solutions and benefits of the SDG's. We overcome some of the politics and buearacracies and instead have practical and fairly easy steps towards achieving the SDG targets!

Source author: Kiconco Patricia kictricia@gmail.com

One type of renewable energy --- I will add kinetic energy. We find more and more hybrid cars which accumulate energy when they are in movement, which allows to drive on a certain distance with an autonomy with energy accumulated in batteries (fuel economy, reduction of polluting gas emission)

Source author: Désiré NEBOUA dneboua@yahoo.fr

affordable --- I think they have become more affordable over the last years and will continue to be even cheaper . According to world economic forum, renewable energy was the world's cheapest energy sources in 2020.

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/07/renewables-cheapest-energy-source/

Source author: Lakmini Premadasa lakminisurangika@gmail.com

economy --- The major difference is the effect of decisions on economy. In developed countries the decisions are longterm however in developing countries, due to economical problems the solutions are short-term.

Source author: Encieh Erfani encieherfani@gmail.com

Science too often ignored --- When it comes to the "rebound effect", science is key to avoiding or at least reducing the risks. The problem is that too often the opinions and knowledge of scientists are not taken into account or are ignored on purpose to favor investment agreements or other asymmetrical economic opportunities.

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

High scientific interest in Jordan --- This topic gained a large interest in Jordan for few years now. Again the challenge is that the interest comes from the academic and research institutions who are trying hard to involve CSOs and other institutions to be involved so that bottom-up approach can impact the decision making as up-bottom is not working with them. Keen to see this taken into consideration in national strategies for a full picture approach rather than sector by sector. Optimistic of the recent minister of Environment whose background is scientific, feedback from diplomat colleagues working with him are very positive so far.

Source author: Muna Zaqsaw zaqsaw.muna89@gmail.com

Ocean renewable enery --- The energy produced by the ocean waves is gaining a lot of interest recently and could be listed as one of the priority resources. A month ago I attended a workshop of UK and Jordanian researchers under the title: 'Shifting the Energy Efficiency to a New Level in Jordan: Integrating Ambient Intelligence and Big data in the Built Environment: SEENJordan'. it was a very interesting presentation that included the perception of economies and private sector involvement.

Source author: Muna Zaqsaw zaqsaw.muna89@gmail.com

Nuclear waste --- Despite the debate on nuclear energy being renewable or not, I agree on the resource being clean and all, however, the trust issue in using this resource may be of great challenge, the trust due to the radioactive waste created of using this resource and how authorities will be handling this raises a question mark on nuclear energy. And is this waste management considered meets SDG7 aim to provide a sustainable clean source of energy?

Source author: Muna Zaqsaw zaqsaw.muna89@gmail.com

Wind Power in Jordan --- In a country with vast areas of dessert that is rich with wind, wind farms have a great potential. First wind farm was planted in Jordan in 1996. Today we only have five farms due to the challenges and bureaucracy barriers met by investors and those interested in the clean energy. Even Solar is a rich renewable resource, which for a country that suffers with its economic, investing in these renewable energies should have come as a priority long time ago, but this was not the case.

A recent trilateral agreement between Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, bides Jordan to offer electricity to Lebanon. The question that comes to the table: How much science has been involved in the thinking, deciding and proposing of this?

Source author: Muna Zaqsaw zaqsaw.muna89@gmail.com

Redundancy, Duplication & Coordination? --- Seems like multiple international agencies with overlapping mandates. Is there a coordination mechanism among them and their stakeholders to ensure information exchange and to minimise duplication of efforts?

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

Question --- I am skeptical about how affordable clean energy will be.

Source author: Kiconco Patricia kictricia@gmail.com

Non-DNS based internet --- fortunately, not entire connected system use DNS. Many servers and applications can communicate and run without DNS.

Source author: Ioniarimalala RAKOTONIRINA ioniarimalala@gmail.com

Definitely! --- I get these warnings when I attempt to access DiploFoundation and login to this course using my work internet. Therefore, I can only access this course when I am at home using my private internet provider or at the UN.

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

How beneficial is the space race to average society --- While the space race will challenge developers of new internet technologies to advance its efforts in respect of security to ensure that these missions are safe, I can't help but wonder whether these resources would not better utilised in developing cybersecurity measures to protect the average person from attacks in carrying out their day to day activities, particularly since there is now a high dependency on use of technology for basic essential services. Cybersecurity needs to be an all of society approach with concerted efforts by both government and private sector.

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

Research --- I will research the error, especially if it is a known legitimate site I need access to, if its not I will not proceed further.

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

Who will get the benefit from this? --- In case new internet technologies get developed from the space race, who will get the benefit of them, will it keep the openness of actual internet or will the benefit be reduced to those who win the space race?

How can this affect the world in terms of ciber-security thinking that the state/states that win this race will be one step ahead of everyone else?

Source author: Diego Alberto Estrada Ramos destrada@sre.gob.mx

Must be developed --- I strongly believe that new protocols must be developed, even though protocols have worked so far, new technology has been arising and protocols have been adapting to it instead of putting a thought in creating something new that would serve for the technology to come and build it from the scratch.

For this you can involve multiple states and stakeholders so the power won't reside in a single entity.

Source author: Diego Alberto Estrada Ramos destrada@sre.gob.mx

HTTP over HTTP? --- While it is true that the implementation of HTTPS is voluntary, I do not see any advantage of using HTTP over HTTPS. In the same way, how I do not surf an HTTP, and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

If it is true that is not an obligation, any server owner who intends to take advantage of their server should comply with the protocol.

Which was the last HTTP protocol page you visited?

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

Coexistance --- The interesting point here is how programmers around the world can make both of them work together, how can ISPs have access to DoH information so they can filter malicious domains?

Cooperation between ISPs and DOH developers must be in the line of discussion in order to improve the security of all users

Source author: Diego Alberto Estrada Ramos destrada@sre.gob.mx

First World Cyber War --- You don't know how many times I have asked the same to myself. What would happen with the countries' lack of cybersecurity experts? Will we be able to protect the CCI?

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

About Russia --- @Juan. Thanks for this piece. This issue of jurisdiction is a major issue at ICANN becuae of the historical nature on the establishment of ICANN under US laws in California, I believe negotiations/discussions are ongoing to this matter for the reasons you indicated. However, the activism of Russia and may I say, other East-leaning proxies of Russia is simply a geo-political game between major powers. The US interestingly has similar ambitions with its allies and thus the entire world stage is really a political problem. Even in the definition of terms, there is a geo-political undertone...

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

About Russia --- As part of my work, I have reviewed Russia’s position on Internet governance issues. My view is that although it would be open to changes in the governance model, it does not want to create chaos in the current system. However, it has been interesting to see emerging tension between Moscow and ICANN leadership. I would not say it has become serious yet, but recently ICANN CEO Goran Marby has expressed disagreement with Russia’s efforts to grant states more influence on the Internet administration. I can say that Russia’s position in favor of a more ‘multilateral’ approach is very coherent with its foreign policy. In this case, the Internet is seen as something that should be controlled by a broad group, given that keeping influence in the hands of a few can lead to Russia being excluded from decision making or subject to American sanctions given that ICANN is registered in the US and must comply with local laws. But Marby’s interpretation was that Russia wanted to exercise more influence in every aspect of ICANN’s work, even raising alarms about the possibility of a Russian national becoming the next ITU Secretary-General. Are there real reasons to worry about Russia’s activism?

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

repsonse --- I totally agree with you. Being warned helps users to avoid websites with viruses and unwilling content.

Source author: Valerii Paziuk paziukvalerii@gmail.com

Thank you --- Vlada for this very lucid explanation. The 13 root servers issue has been a constant in governmental discussions on internet management. Anycast technology and the use of cloud are the new dimensions for us in India.

Source author: Asoke Mukerji asokem@diplomacy.edu

HTTPS --- Thanks Valerii. True - there are many websites/servers which don't deploy HTTPS to make the communication private and safe. While this is becoming a default and a standard, many small operators - particularly in developing countries, but not only - still lack awareness of why this is needed. At the same time, browsers (and there are few only) increasingly alert when a connection is not HTTPS - which is, of course, good.

It is important to be alerted when this pops up when we try to access services where security is a must: banks, or other places with login and sensitive data. Those portals should have (rather must have) HTTPS - if they don't, rather don't use them. Also, if this pops up suddenly when you visit your bank portal, and this wasn't the case earlier - it is possible some social engineering/attack is in place.

Source author: Vladimir Radunovic vladar@diplomacy.edu

Anycast --- Since the root zone file contains only the top level domains (.com, .edu, .travel, or .uk, .cn), eventual intervention in it could only remove the entire domain - .com, or UK as a country - not particular institutions within that domain. google.com domain is stored within the zone of the .com operator, which is VeriSign; gov.uk is operated by the UK country code TLD management, in UK, etc.

As for Anycast, it is a complex infrastructure. Root zone servers are not only replicated to those other locations, but some of the root servers are technically not a single server - they are in a cloud across jurisdictions. In addition, the only 'function' of the root zone server and their anycasts is hosting a root zone file - so that anyone can check with them where to find .com or .uk. Even if all 13 root zone servers would stop working, or introduce a change, 500+ anycast servers might decide not to - and keep the old root zone file, thus still resolving the queries related to the 'erased' domain or country.

Who would win? The one who has most followers! To simplify: if most of the world wouldn't be happy with the new zone file, they would switch to following anycasts with the old zone file - thus the erased country would continue to live online.

Where would that go then, it's hard to say. But it doesn't seem anyone would have interest in this.

Source author: Vladimir Radunovic vladar@diplomacy.edu

Unilateral change in the root zone file --- Technically, what could be removed from the root zone file is an entire country domain - .us, or .uk, .cn, .ru, etc. Sub-domains - those of .gov.uk for instance - are under control of the particular state (UK in this example). Removing a country domain would effectively remove the country's websites and services (all those using the country domain) from the net - it wouldn't disconnect the users from that country, of course, everyone would still be able to use gmail.com or whatever, it would 'only' make all the public (say .uk) sites and services unavailable.

In practice, as we describe below, it wouldn't really play that way. If this decision would be unilateral - say by the US, which has a judicial control over ICANN and VeriSign etc - this change could easily remain valid on only some of the root zone servers - those under the US jurisdiction. All the others could decide not to accept the change, and continue running the previous file, thus making the country visible for those accessing their servers (in addition, users could decide to follow those servers only, and thus the unilateral change could end useless).

The very process of bringing such decisions in ICANN is very inclusive and multistakeholder, and almost all the governments of the world now sit at the Government Advisory Committee which could stop the decision. It would need to be a 'brute force' by the US to take over - including physical force since root zone servers are extremely well protected.

Politically, it wouldn't make sense for the US to do. On one hand, the effect would be limited, if any. On the other, its entire credibility in running the domain through a multistakeholder model - in which the US businesses (as well as any other, of course) have a strong say, would be ruined, and the ICANN model would be dead. Not least, by fragmenting the Internet the US - which is still the dominant provider of various online services, cloud, etc - would be at great loss - more than anyone else.

Thus, the fear from this happening is way overblown. But, we had some insane developments in the US in the last years, so...

Source author: Vladimir Radunovic vladar@diplomacy.edu

Root zone management --- Root zone management is a day-to-day operation: root zone file gets edited quite very often, due to various technical updates by top level domain registries, among other.

Technically, it is a role assigned on basis of a commercial contract by ICANN to a third party - it used to be VeriSign, the US company, and I think it still is (the contract was renewed in 2016). Thus, the contract obliges the manager to follow the rules set by ICANN through a multistakeholder process.

Could it happen that VeriSign unilaterally decide to remove a country? I am not aware of all the details of the control of day-to-day process, but I believe there are safeguards in place. But even if this would happen, the file could instantly be revoked by all the other root-zone servers which are taking copying the altered root zone file: they would revert to the 'last known good configuration', minimising the effects of the change.

Should a company be in charge of such a delicate work? Whenever we need high quality performance, a company is better fit for the job than any administration (and it used to be the US administration, btw). As long as the rules are clear, and they are obliged through the contract - plus various safeguards are in place - this shouldn't be an issue. History confirms this - so far.

(info: https://dig.watch/updates/icann-and-verisgn-complete-negotiations-root-zone-maintainer-services-agreement)

Source author: Vladimir Radunovic vladar@diplomacy.edu

Yes! I went back to safety! --- I was afraid to get a virus or my data stolen if I continue on what appeared to be a dubious website !

Source author: Florence Tinguely Mattli florence.tinguely-mattli@eda.admin.ch

Yes I did --- Surely, many users of the internet have seen such warnings, so do I. Especially this happens when a user tries to get into an unknown webpage. To me, this happened many times, first, when I was trying to look up the information on google. And also, this happened whenever I tried to download a file or app from the internet. The interesting thing, such a warning, I saw recently when I was looking for citation material and downloading the Zotero app. Anyway, I am trying to avoid unknown websites and resources when visiting random websites.

Source author: Valerii Paziuk paziukvalerii@gmail.com

Knowledge and capacity enforcement --- I agree, human capacity enforcement can be a main lever but if decision makers doesn't trust their own experts, What would be the outcome?

Source author: Ioniarimalala RAKOTONIRINA ioniarimalala@gmail.com

Risk and Impact Analysis --- A permanent analysis of risks and it impacts can help to define the CI for an organization, country or the world. All risk management methodologies have as common output as better quality data for decision making.

Source author: Ioniarimalala RAKOTONIRINA ioniarimalala@gmail.com

Bad decision --- Decision makers have done some mistakes at the starting of the crisis. They have not considered the issue of opening border as critical due to an economic strategy or personal benefit. The people have understand the importance of the health professions.

Source author: Ioniarimalala RAKOTONIRINA ioniarimalala@gmail.com

Complex to define --- In my viewpoint, governments have made transportation, Banks, Telecommunication and all company or organization in the health system as a priority. They was not closed during the lock down. So for Madagascar, these four services have become critical during the pandemic.

Source author: Ioniarimalala RAKOTONIRINA ioniarimalala@gmail.com

misinforming people --- Where the people are using more social network without checking the authenticity of information. As some people cannot check the news because of lake of information due to internet access, fake news can reach a large population and can modify the general perception of a subject.

Source author: Ioniarimalala RAKOTONIRINA ioniarimalala@gmail.com

It makes sense --- Including foods in the CI is necessary. Actually, all engine and equipment used in agriculture and food logistics are also connected, some of them are using IOT and IA actually. Foods is basic needs for humans, and must be considered as critical.

Source author: Ioniarimalala RAKOTONIRINA ioniarimalala@gmail.com

Outer space --- Space as an identified CI by the European Commission is quite interesting as this is an emerging area that is gaining much attention globally recently. However, my question is what essential service does space provide that it qualifies as a critical infrastructure?

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

Interesting --- In the Third Committee of the UN, the US presents a resolution entitled,"Strengthening the role of the United Nations in the promotion of democratization and enhancing periodic and genuine elections" which means that the electoral process is one which they consider as very important. Strange that it is not listed as their CI.

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

VoIP and teleconference apps --- Considering how we've become reliant on VoIP for personal communications and teleconference apps for business, I'd say those are some of the better candidates for CI status. Another one worth mentioning is instant messaging. Brazil has had, over the years, a few cases of judges trying to block the main IM app (WhatsApp) and it caused a great deal of chaos as society had become reliant on it to coordinate even high-level businesses. Hospitals struggled to contact doctors and patients in the timely manner they had to, for example. I'd say that also makes it a good candidate.

Source author: Gustavo Paiva gdp.direito@gmail.com

Defense Industrial Base --- I find it very interesting how the US picked "Defense Industrial Base" as one of CIs. I am not surprised by it, mind you. Considering the US's global position, I cannot dispute that it should be considered one of its CIs. But this reveals to me, very clearly, how this concept is influenced by culture and politics. I can even connect this to the topic of AI. A few years back there was an intense debate over Ethical AI guidelines, many organisations were proposing lists of principles. When faced with that I think it's easy to look at them and try to collate it all together under the assumption that a "super list" would be the most complete. But I think it must be similar to what I mentioned about CIs being culturally-influenced. The "good" approach to CIs and to AI must be tailored to each country, I believe.

Source author: Gustavo Paiva gdp.direito@gmail.com

Might relate to their use of paper ballots --- Hello, Scott. A few years ago I studied a course on voting methods. It's been a while, so forgive me if my knowledge is rusty, but I might have some useful context for this. In my studies I understood that each country, in essence, has a different set of priorities and principles for how their voting process should go. In Brazil, for example, secrecy is valued — a voter MUST HAVE NO WAY OF PROVING who they voted for. This came about because Brazil has a history of politicians buying votes. Meanwhile, the US has a history of favoring paper ballots. They argue it's the safest alternative (which I dispute but let's not get into this.) And they also have a history of each state picking their own way of voting, which might use or not electronic ballots from a number of manufacturers. The way the US did its voting seemed to me so fractured by state that, in essence... Well, it makes sense why it wasn't deemed a critical resource — first of all, for paper ballots it's not so much critical infrastructure as it is critical logistics of transportation. And, second, the state differences must make it hard to improve on it systemically.

Source author: Gustavo Paiva gdp.direito@gmail.com

Joint effort --- Hi Vladimir, good point you mention here. I agree with you when you mention that could be managed by joined financial resources. However, first must be an agreement, the financial resources should be in equal amount despite the economies of the countries?

Anyway, I agree with you in the sense that to take care of the critical infrastructure such as the Internet must be a joint effort

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

Threat to individual freedom --- Agree with the discussion here but want to add a con to data localisation - it could be a potential threat to individual freedom. More and more, countries are using personal data of their citizens to track, monitor and carry out surveillance against them. Being able to use foreign servers and VPNs are an important security measure that many dissidents undertake as a way to protect themselves to some extent as they can hope this data will not be handed over to govts as easily if the govt had jurisdictional control of these companies. This would be lost to data localisation.

Source author: Pavitra Ramanujam pavitra.ramanujam@gmail.com

The fallout of Cambridge Analytica --- One of the key ways in which the US 2016 election and the Brexit vote was influenced was through the massive disinformation campaigns run by Cambridge Analytica. The fallout from their campaigns was that a large number of people were made to believe propaganda which influenced them to vote for a particular candidate/issue. While there were a lot of stories of the electoral ballots being tampered with, there was no evidence of this. Instead, people voted of their own volition, but based on false information. For a democracy, this is disastrous, not only because it undermines the electoral process but because there is no real way to hold anyone accountable (no crimes were committed by CA by spreading disinformation). Yet, it is a huge cybersecurity and national security risk especially for open democracies with active citizenry online. 'Fake news' laws have largely been ineffective and in fact do more harm than good. So what is the solution?

Source author: Pavitra Ramanujam pavitra.ramanujam@gmail.com

Civilian infrastructure --- This is an interesting observation, and I agreement that it depends both on the definition of critical infrastructure and of national security itself, and what it comprises. However, I also wonder if this distinction is because the infrastructure mentioned here is typically civilian infrastructure, which is usually protected or considered off-limits even during war whereas infrastructure related to national security, like intelligence agencies or armed forces are considered fair game.

Source author: Pavitra Ramanujam pavitra.ramanujam@gmail.com

Future --- Thinking a bit too much into the future, which would be the risks faced by people living in another planet? How can the information being gathered and sent by them could affect the lives of those who stay on Earth? I know its not something that would add much to this course but would be a nice thing to know your points of view in this matter.

Source author: Diego Alberto Estrada Ramos destrada@sre.gob.mx

Example --- I'm currently residing in Norway and this is already being applied, I don't know exactly how it works but at every tram stop there are clocks telling the exact time when will the tram arrive.

How easy would it be for developing countries to install and upkeep these solutions? Would it be only for developed countries? In case it's only for developed countries, how can it affect developing countries from the perspective that IoT and AI algorithms security has been breached?

Source author: Diego Alberto Estrada Ramos destrada@sre.gob.mx

Are there any other states? --- Are there any other states that could perform the management of CIR? Which would be the requirements to change this "control"? How difficult and beneficial would it be to share this management between other states with the same capabilities?

Source author: Diego Alberto Estrada Ramos destrada@sre.gob.mx

In developing countries --- @Juan Excellent put. You have touched on many important aspects on the constraints and limited resources faced by developing states. Well said. Do you have any recommendations on the way forward because despite these limitations, developing countries need to participate in the global network.

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

Other example --- It is interesting that the term ‘technonationalism’ is becoming increasingly popular in foreign policy circles. Perhaps if International Relations scholars like Hans Morgenthau would write about it, they would say that technology is another component or power and a competition to dominate the field is absolutely natural. This nationalism has two dimensions: national security and business interests. The two mingle closely, and it not easy to distinguish when decisions are made in pursuit of one or the other. We have the famous example of the Chinese company Huawei, blocked in the US, in parallel with the Chinese government’s efforts to replace all foreign-made software and hardware (particularly American and European) used by their agencies. But other countries are starting to adopt nationalistic practices. For example, in 2016 the Russian Government issued a decree on procurement that would favor national ICT companies over foreign ones. This way, government agencies would give preference to national providers. The decision was primarily economically motivated, because Russia’s ICT industry is growing and has potential for development. But national security considerations also played a role, given the country’s strained relations with the US and their allies. An interesting piece (in English) about this Russian decree can be found here: https://bit.ly/3cnnP0d The move has been followed by fiscal support measures aimed at keeping the momentum of the IT industry in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

In developing countries --- An important element in the debate of protecting telecommunications infrastructure is the participation of developing countries. At times, it could seem that this topic only concerns to countries with advanced Internet connectivity, so I decided to look into the challenges other states might want to address. Developing countries face more serious challenges as they dive deeper into digitalization. When it comes to keeping stable Internet connectivity, issues that can be critical are electricity supplies, lack of technical know-how (by authorities in charge of operating and protecting the infrastructure), bringing Internet to rural areas, securing budget for protection tasks, etc. Regarding the latter, it is not difficult to imagine that developing countries would be severely hit if their infrastructure faces significant problems and they do not have the financial resources to repair them. They need close collaboration with developed countries to ensure that the Internet and other communication services are adequately protected. It would be helpful to develop a list of specific concerns that they would like to address in international discussions.

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

CI in the UNSC --- To contribute to the debate on CI protection, I decided to take a look on how the UN Security Council has addressed the topic. It has been featured in discussions on “Protection of Civilians,” and only one resolution has been adopted. Resolution 2341 (13 February 2017) focuses on the protection of CI against terrorist threats. Some of its most interesting aspects are: • Recognition that each State determines what constitutes its critical infrastructure, and how to effectively protect it from terrorist attacks. • Cybersecurity is recognized as part of the protection efforts. • Recognizes the need to engage and cooperate with private sector owners and operators of CI. • Mentions the “CTITF Working Group on the Protection of Critical Infrastructure including Vulnerable Targets, Internet and Tourism Security,” and encourages to provide assistance and capacity-building to Member States. Therefore, there is a window of opportunity for introducing the cyber aspect into the discussions of IC protection in the Security Council. The growing recognition of the Internet as a vital tool in modern life will eventually lead to the Council deepening its work on the issue.

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

Approach to the definition --- I think the best way to approach the definition of CI is by contextualizing the impact of such Infrastructures disruption will have on the functioning of other infrastructures on one hand and on the functioning of the economic or human systems. Internet Infrastructures for example would not be considered critical if implemented in a country that is still "analogic" while water supply infrastructures would be considered critical in a country prone to drought with a history of civil war stemming from water control...The approach truly relies on accurate/well-informed assessment and contextualization.

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

Financial --- Financial services i.e. hacking in mobile money services have considerably risen. Professional mailing accounts also

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

National data as CI - and AI --- This list of data of national importance can be extended to citizens' data of any sort - either personal data, or even data that are not the identifiers but 'belong' to citizens, like their actions on social media.

Why? Because this all gets fed into the AI; and those that can use mass data get better AI. Now imagine if Africa, with all its human potential and use of the Internet today, would be able to primarily feed African data into African AI projects, rather than into Google's or Facebook's.

On the other hand, by allowing Google and others to also use African data, Africa could be more confident that the AI algorithms of those third-parties are not biased by color of the skin, etc. Yet, this could still be a decision of Africa how and when to give away its data.

Is it likely to happen? I guess not.

Source author: Vladimir Radunovic vladar@diplomacy.edu

Change the default settings --- This is the reason why we most to chance the default settings of our devices once they are in production environments. Most of makers are changing the default settings from software to hardware, so instead using the admin / admin they use the serial number, still a big security breach.

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

Re : critical services --- @Jorge: True. Health services and transports are totally critical, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown how both are too be taken very seriously as CI.

On another note, I find the French identification of critical sectors (opérateurs d'importance vitale) quite compelling. They clearly identify 12 sectors classified in 4 segments (Sovereign, Human, Economic and Technology). Health, Water and Food are in "Human". For example, Energy is in "Economic" with Finance and Transports.

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

Water --- The Ethiopian Prime Minister said a few years ago "it's not water or air" when asked about access to internet being a right or not in his country. However, based on the frequent internet shutdowns in his country, one can easily see how critical they consider it while water which is more essential in his view is probably not that critical to them with barely not even half of the population having access to it. This says a lot about each state's prerogative

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

Insecure IoT --- Bennette, this seems to be understood by some regulators now - but still very few of them (US, UK, Singapore, Finland, EU). Besides understanding the risk from insecure IoT on the market, we need to set baseline requirements that vendors should comply with, one ways to test them, and device policies that would incentivize producers to embed security (eg. through procurement policies), increase demand of the users, etc - all this while not endangering own industries and markets. Some industries are also now realising that secure IoT is their responsibility and market advantage - which can stimulate other industries to follow. This takes time and requires comprehensive and multistakeholder approach.

Source author: Vladimir Radunovic vladar@diplomacy.edu

Super idea --- I read the article and I found this incredible, this is a great solution looking forward the possibles disruption in the regular internet connection approaches.

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

LSA and Contingency plan or BCP --- I think most of this companies most to have a LSA and Contingency plan, Business continuity plan, I mean accidents, problems, unplanned disruption or cyber-attacks can happen any time, I think or I would like to think that companies are ready.

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

Backup submarine cables --- Bennette, I would guess it is all about money. Laying down a single cable is a multi-year project. One could possibly lay another cable in paralel, along the same route, but this wouldn't help much then as the risks of damage are very similar (the cable cut near Alexandria is an example: there were multiple cables but all landing at the same port, which caused a havoc).

Instead, a better approach is to have multiple cables - this is what is taking place across the Atlantic, and in the Pacific, where multiple actors are laying cables - that serves as redundancy. But, this happens where there is a direct commercial interest - thus mainly between the more developed regions, while developing countries are left behind.

Source author: Vladimir Radunovic vladar@diplomacy.edu

AI --- I agree with your statement. In addition, it is crucial mentioning AI and not only infrastructure components, but also, for example, military area, where new army forces don't require human presence in the conflict. People are able to do much now, and it will be even easier to do actions without human presence in the future. For example, using drones to attack and also to protect/control territories or objects.

Source author: Valerii Paziuk paziukvalerii@gmail.com

the answer --- Surely, the answer is yes. Isn't it funny, when people say that "when everything is fine and goes how it should go, there are no changes and people are happy with what they have? However, when something bad happens, when people ought to go out of their comfort zones, in our case it is a pandemic, new technologies, studies, vaccines, services, and other things that surround us start to improve, develop, and renew. Thus, summing up stated above, people start naming things "critical" whenever they start using them more often and when we can't imagine living without them. The pandemic has shown us that there are different ways to get food, buy new clothes, or even use public transportation. Talking about the latest mentioned, in Ukraine, when a city was located in the red zone, and the public transportation became unavailable, and new electric scooters, bikes appeared. Therefore, people started using new technologies in order to go from one place to another.

Source author: Valerii Paziuk paziukvalerii@gmail.com

Ukraine --- Due to the pandemic, a lot of services have appeared or become higher in demand. For instance, a new type of shopping or ordering food has risen. Now it is possible to order food without entering a restaurant or a café. Not only McDonald's or other fast-food companies, but other drive-through cafés became more popular. In the case of shopping, companies proposed a new way to go shopping. Before, it was uncommon to surf a website of a brand online. Nowadays, you can search for a specific item, order it and receive it without leaving your apartment. In my opinion, it became very convenient to go shopping online. However, I think if such digitalization and ways when services do everything for people can have side effects and make people not go out at all.

Source author: Valerii Paziuk paziukvalerii@gmail.com

Cases of cyber attacks in Ukriane --- That's right, as a result of a cyberattack in Ivano-Frankivsk region of Ukraine, 80,000 consumers were left without electricity. Two months later, on January 16, 2016, a virus Black Energy was reported at Kyiv's Boryspil airport. On June 27, 2017, a large number of Ukrainian companies and government agencies were attacked by hackers. The attack was carried out using the Win32 / Petya extortion virus.

Source author: Valerii Paziuk paziukvalerii@gmail.com

Local/Foreign ownwership --- Agree with you Ricardo. As a follow up to your comment. Aside from diamonds what else is Lesotho promoting to attract foreign investment, and what percentage of local businesses have been given access to export markets to trade diamonds?

Source author: Matshedisa Emily Mokoena mokoenamati@gmail.com

Oman has strong laws and regulations --- Which are constantly amended to provide a flexible and up-to-date legal framework to do business in. Business disputes are adjudicated by the commercial courts.

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

The MEANS utilized make a diference: --- The line can be drawn by the contrast in the MEANS used: While manipulation results from our skillful use of unfair/insidious means to cause our counterpart to react under a less thoughtful process on his part, persuasion uses arguments/pleas, to influence our counterpart to consider a position and make a decision by herself of taking a certain course of action the other part arribes to, after processing our inputs under a more thoughtful consideration (answer based on Merriam-Webster's Dictionary definitions for both terms).

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

The Comptroller General of the U.S. stoped COVERT propaganda actions under Reagan presidency by the DoS: --- Fritz, Keefer & Nyhan have written: "In 1983, Reagan created a so-called 'public diplomacy' program to build support for anti-Communists policies in Latin America that was shaped by the CIA... and coordinated by a former CIA propaganda specialist. The effort was concentrated in the Department of State (DoS) 's Latin American Office of Public Diplomacy. Employing six Army specialists in psychological warfare, it planted fictitious leaks allegedly from U.S. intelligence with the media and placed op-eds written by government staff under the names of outside experts and political figures. In 1987, the office was closed after the Comptroller General found that some of its actions constituted 'prohibited, COVERT propaganda activities' that used DoS funding for 'publicity or propaganda efforts' NOT AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS.

Fritz, Keefer & Nyhan, ALL THE PRESIDENT'S SPIN. George W. Bush, the Media and the Truth, Touchstone, Simon & Schuster, NY, 2004. They took the antecedent from: Peterson, Scott, "In war, some facts less factual", Christian Science Monitor, September 6, 2002; Parry, Robert, FOOLING AMERICA, (New York: William Monroe and Company, Inc., 1992), 217; Letter from the Comptroller General of the U.S. to representatives Jack Brooks and Dante B. Powell, September 30, 1987, published on National Security Archive website, March 2, 2001.

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

Propaganda is a form of persuasion that carries several RISKS when used in diplomatic exchanges: --- 1. As MacOswald said earlier at 13:09, it can backfire on you as your counterpart can develop hard feelings toward you when realizing she/he has fallen to your use of propaganda, but there are additional reasons why the use of PROPAGANDA in diplomatic exchanges brings risks for your and your country:

1. You can lose credibility as a source of information and as a legitimate diplomatic agent deserving your counterpart's trust when with-holding vital information;

2. Your counterpart could feel disrespected (or even insulted) thinking you consider her/him an easy pray for your use of appeals either to emotion or to simplistic thoughts or the manipulation of her/his psychology or a crude manipulation of symbols, and

3. With your behaviour you are inviting your counterparts to invoke in their exchanges with you heuristic devices, to set rationalization traps or to use other propaganda devices on you.

As a diplomat you should be aware of the choices you made of persuasion tactics.

It is better for you as a diplomat to persuade by actively contributing to a full informed sophisticated discussions by the parties, based on reasoned causal analysis at the diplomatic table and sharing information as you know it.

Reasoning based on: Pratkanis, Anthony R. & Elliot Aronson, AGE OF PROPAGANDA. The Everyday Use and Abuse of Persuasion, W. H. Freeman and Company, USA, Seventh printing, 1999, chapter 37, pages 9 and 262-265.

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

A parent-children relation would be considered not succeptible of a good simile or analogy for International Relations: --- As in diplomatic exchanges we use to deal with States, recognized all with a special status under international law with the inherit capability for sovereign decision making, the analoghy does not play well as parents have a legal and moral duty to act as guardians of their children best interests who are considered still in their way to become full autonomous-decision-makers.

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

To spin can constitute either PERSUASION or MANIPULATION depending on the nature of the action and the limits respected regarding the truth: --- When the spin in diplomatic exchanges stays, for example, withim presenting information that being truthful would play better on our counterpart calculations in order to achieve the agreement or outcome we are going after, I would say it constitute PERSUASION, but if our spin plays on our counterpart's fobias or fears at the same time it deceives and distort the truth regarding our underlying purposes I would say it constitutes MANIPULATION.

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

Another mixed way spinning has been seen in the White House Office of Communications regarding the management of presidential news: --- Writing in 1993 John Anthony Maltese treated the SPINNING of a story as "the ability... to MANIPULATE not only what administration officials are saying but also what the media are saying about them. Spinning a story involves twisting it to one's advantage, using surrogates, press releases, radio actualities, and other friendly sources to delive3r the line form an angle taht puts the story in the best possible light... getting the media to 'play along' by CONVINCING them -through breifings, backgrounders, or other methods of PERSUASION- that a particular spin to the story is the correct one."

Maltese, John Anthony, SPIN CONTROL. The White House Office of Communications and the Management of Presidential News, The University of North Carolina Press, 2nd edition, Revised, 1994

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

Some examples of extreme SPIN strategies: --- According to Fritz, Keefer & Nyhan, the Bush White House made (at that time) “unprecedented use of professionalized, strategic DISHONESTY to sell his proposals” using five major strategies to SPIN the press and the public, manipulate perceptions (“borrowed from the world of Public Relations”) IN ORDER TO DISTORT THE TRUTH & DECEIVE, distract and mislead the public subtly to promote his policies through well-designed phrases:

1. “Made a few claims that are factually incorrect”;

2. “Used frequently unrepresentative examples presenting them a typical”;

3. “Made claims that rely on questionable information or offered assertions that go far beyond the available evidence”;

4. “Attacked those who raised questions in an attempt to quash or discredit legitimate dissent”, and

5. Made “strategic use of language to imply controversial conclusions or outright untruths he wouldn’t dare state publicly”, using “ambiguos statements that implied what Bush did not want to state outright”.

As “the President and his top aides knew or should have known to be false or misleading at the time they made a public statement”, Fritz, Keefer & Nyhan consider such systematic “dishonest strategies in nearly every major public policy debate” “is a fundamental BETRAYAL OF THE public TRUST” in a democracy.

Fritz, Ben, Bryan Keefer and Brendan Nyhan, ALL THE PRESIDENT’S SPIN. George W. Bush, the Media, and the Truth, A Touchstone Book, Simon & Schuster, NY, 2004.

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

The Platonic Pinnacle of Sound-mindedness --- The paper, referenced by Biljana, on Hitler’s oratory is indeed an excellent starting point. It is a detailed analysis. I will just quote from the abstract: “Hitler’s oratory was powerful, awesome… As in 1930’s Germany, nowadays, it attracts millions of people around the world.

What is the source of this frightening power?

How could a man have it?

By the Ancient theory of rhythmic prose, this paper studies the importance of rhythm in some German phrases and a Hitler’s speech and the role of their features in the persuasion process.”

Several points to add from my perspective: Plato believed the influence of rhythm to be more persuasive upon the person than the content or the lyrics.

In relation to character formation Plato considered Sōphrosynē, which may also be translated as sound-mindedness, to be the most important virtue. Observe the centrality of the word “sound” in this Platonic pinnacle quality of the mind.

Source author: John D. Hipsley jhipsley@igc.org