Framing The World, CXXVIII Edition

Framing The World, CXXVIII Edition

In the new issue of Framing we deal with the killing of 7 humanitarian workers in the Gaza Strip by Israel; remaining in the Middle East, we also delve into the possible repercussions of the attack on the Iranian consular section in Syria. With reference to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Finland has decided to extend the closure of the border with Russia. All this and much more in the 128th issue of Framing the World!

HUMAN RIGHTS

ECONOMICS AND INTERNATIONAL FINANCE

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

NORTH AMERICA

LATIN AMERICA

ASIA AND THE FAR EAST

WESTERN EUROPE AND EUROPEAN UNION

CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE AND RUSSIA

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA (MENA)

TERRORISM AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

HUMAN RIGHTS

Gaza, seven humanitarian workers killed. Seven individuals, who were working for the US-based NGO World Central Kitchen, were killed in the Deir al-Balah area due to an Israeli raid. The World Central Kitchen team was traveling in "a conflict-free zone aboard two armored vehicles marked with the WCK logo, and despite coordinating their movements with the IDF, the convoy was struck after unloading over 100 tons of humanitarian food aid brought to Gaza via the maritime route. The victims hailed from Australia, Poland, the United Kingdom, along with a dual American and Canadian citizen and a Palestinian. Netanyahu defended the incident as "a tragic case where our forces unintentionally hit innocent people in the Strip." Meanwhile, the NGO announced its withdrawal from activities in Gaza.

(Sofia Ena)

Tunisia, authorities obstruct access to justice On 28 March, Amnesty International expressed serious concern about the Tunisian authorities' intensified persecution of lawyers critical of state policies. Some 20 legal professionals were subjected to unfounded criminal investigations, with charges such as 'insulting others' and 'spreading false news', punishable by up to 20 years' imprisonment and heavy fines. This repression undermines the basic principles of justice and freedom of expression in the country. Amnesty International urges the Tunisian authorities to respect and protect the right of lawyers to practice their profession without fear of reprisals or persecution.

(Lorenzo Franceschetti)

European Union: the Pact on Migration and Asylum. The final vote in the European Parliament on a package of reforms on migration and asylum is scheduled for Wednesday 10 April. Several NGOs express strong concerns about the violation of the human rights of migrant people. Amnesty International believes that the provisions expose migrant families to rejections and arbitrary detention at European borders.

(Lisa pasolini )

Sofia Ena and Lorenzo Franceschetti

ECONOMICS AND INTERNATIONAL FINANCE

France, right on track. Inflation in France fell faster than expected, reaching the lowest level since July 2021 and increasing the likelihood that the European Central Bank will start cutting interest rates. Consumer price growth in the eurozone's second-largest economy slowed to 2.3% in March from 3.2% in February (2.8% expected), according to data released Friday by INSEE, the national statistics agency. The decline reflects a slowdown in price increases across all sectors, including a decline in services inflation to 3%, a drop in energy inflation to 3.4% and a sharp drop in food inflation to 1.7%. On a monthly basis, meanwhile, the rate slowed from 0.9% to 0.3%. Based on these results, French central bank governor François Villeroy de Galhau said the ECB could even cut rates at its next meeting on April 11 if inflation continues to fall faster than expected and the economy remains mired in stagnation.

US, yet another surprise. The U.S. economy added 303,000 jobs in March, far exceeding expectations, proving that the labor market remains vibrant despite high interest rates. The data released Friday by the Labor Department was much more robust than the 200,000 jobs expected by analysts and represents the 39th consecutive month of employment gains. In addition, the unemployment rate fell to 3.8% (3.9% expected). Reflecting this data, bond yields rose and stock markets fell (-1.2% for the S&P 500, -1.4% for the Nasdaq), as investors scaled back their bets on whether the Fed will truly cut interest rates three times this year.

Apparel, negative data. Luxury fashion stocks slumped after PVH Corp. warned that slowing demand in Europe and cautious wholesale buyers will affect this year's results. The owner of brands such as Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger expects sales to fall between 6 and 7% in 2024, and reports wholesale sales fell 10% in the first quarter of 2024. The company blames a problematic macroeconomic environment in Europe and wholesale customers taking a more cautious approach to procurement. Other companies in the industry have expressed similar concerns related to slowing demand: Ralph Lauren reports a 15% decline in wholesale revenues in North America, although its total revenues increased by 6%, while V.F. Corporation (North Face) reported a 26% drop in wholesale revenues. PVH shares lost 22.2%, hitting four-month lows, Ralph Lauren shares fell 4.6%, and V.F. Corporation by 6.7%.

Tesla, the first quarter disappoints. Tesla's shares tumbled more than 5% in the early stages of Tuesday's trading session - and more than 9% on the week - after the EV maker reported that it delivered "only" 386,810 vehicles in the first quarter of 2024, about 8.5% less than deliveries made in the same period a year earlier. The company explained the drop in volumes as due to the early stage of production rollout of the newly upgraded Model 3 at the Fremont plant, factory closures due to shipping restrictions caused by the Red Sea crisis, and an arson fire at the Gigafactory in Berlin, which led to a production shutdown. Tesla was the worst-performing stock in the S&P 500 index in the first three months of the year, losing more than 34% of its value to date.

Leonardo Aldeghi

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Western Africa, visit of Italian President Sergio Mattarella. The presence of Italian President Sergio Mattarella in West Africa confirms how much the African continent has returned to the center of Italy’s interest after years of inattention that allowed other countries (some European but especially China and Russia) economic and political penetration in the area. Today, with the government's Mattei plan, the African issue is back at the top of Rome's foreign policy dossiers. Mattarella, who has already visited Kenya, Zambia, Mozambique, Ethiopia and Algeria in previous years, arrived in the Ivory Coast for a state visit, the first ever by an Italian head of state to the country. It is, the Quirinal explained, "a signal of great attention and a clear political message" to Western Africa, followed by a mission to neighbouring Ghana, where Mattarella moved on Thursday the 4th.

Rwanda, 30 years since the genocide. Starting on April 7, Rwandans will remember the genocide that took place 30 years ago with a week of commemorative events, starting with a visit by President Paul Kagame to the genocide memorial in Kigali, built over mass graves where 250,000 victims of the massacres were buried. This will be followed by a week of national mourning, with flags at half-mast, processions, and TV broadcasts devoted essentially to films about the genocide, reports the website Okayafrica.

An estimated 800,000 to 1 million people were killed in the genocide of Tutsis and moderate Hutus, which lasted about 100 days. Even today, mass graves that had been well hidden continue to be found, such as the one found last October in Huye district with 119 bodies inside.

(Aurelia Puliafito)

Aurelia Puliafito and Giulio Ciofini

NORTH AMERICA

United States of America: a phone call divides Xi and Biden. American President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jingping had a clash during a nearly two-hour telephone conversation on the 2nd of April about Taiwan and US trade restrictions on technology. The phone call was the two leader’s first interaction since the summit in November in California. To try and manage the tensions, Washington is willing to send two top US officials, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, to Beijing. “If the United States insists on suppressing China’s high-tech development […] we will not sit idly by” accused Xi, to whom Biden responded “the United States will continue to take necessary actions to prevent advanced US technologies from being used to undermine our national security, without unduly limiting trade and investment”.

Canada: Joly in Paris to discuss geopolitics. Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly met with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Stéphane Séjourné the 3rd of April in Paris to discuss the recent geopolitical issues and the ways to coordinate the country’s approach to them. The first topic of discussion was the War in Ukraine, for which they outlined the importance of strengthening the support for the Ukrainian government. The ministers also discussed the conflict in the Middle East, stating that the most important achievements must be releasing the hostages and reaching an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. On this matter, they also expressed their concern about the rise in acts targeting Jewish, Muslim and Arab communities in Canada and France. Lastly, the ministers discussed the importance of keeping strong the Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti, which helps directly the Haitian National Police.

Lorenzo Graziani

LATIN AMERICA

Mexico, Ecuador's complaint to the court in The Hague. Jorge David Glas Espinel was the vice-president of Ecuador from 2013 to 2018 although his term was interrupted in 2017 when a suspicion of corruption over an oil contract relieved him of his position and sentenced him to 22 years in prison for corruption, embezzlement and unlawful association. After his first years in prison following a short parole period, he applied for political asylum at the Mexican embassy in Quito. On the night of 6 April, Ecuadorian police raided the embassy to arrest Espinel, who had been a refugee there for two years. The raid also led to an assault on Mexican diplomatic staff, which led Mexico to immediately break off diplomatic relations between the two countries, emphasising that it would take Ecuador to the Hague Court for violating international law. Ecuador, on the other hand, would accuse Mexico of abuse of privileges related to the diplomatic mission. At present, the scenario between the two states seems to have soured.

Serena Basso

ASIA AND THE FAR EAST

Philippines, joint exercise with allies. On April 7, the defense forces of the United States, Japan, Australia and the Philippines will conduct "maritime cooperative activities" to support a free and open Indo-Pacific in the face of China's growing assertiveness. Indeed, Beijing claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea. The four nations have reiterated that the 2016 ruling invalidating Chinese claims to the region is final and legally binding. Last month, the Philippines and China had several maritime clashes that included the use of water cannons and heated verbal exchanges that raised concerns of escalation. The activity is aimed at strengthening the interoperability of the doctrines, tactics, techniques and procedures of the armed forces of the countries involved.

China, phone conversation between Xi and Biden. U.S. President Joe Biden addressed recent tensions over the South China Sea and Taiwan during a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, reiterating the importance of peace in the Taiwan Strait and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has increased pressure on the island since the election, concurrently Xi called on the U.S. to honor its commitment not to support Taiwan independence. Biden reiterated the U.S. determination to protect national security. Issues such as China's support for Russia in Ukraine, technology export control, the TikTok case, human rights violations in Xinjiang and the denuclearization of North Korea were also discussed.

Francesco Oppia

WESTERN EUROPE AND THE EUROPEAN UNION

EU, investigations initiated into the compliance of the largest Internet companies with the Digital Markets Act. The European Commission has opened investigations into the compliance of Google, Meta and Apple with the Digital Markets Act regulation, which came into force last March. The aim is to prevent a monopoly by these companies; in fact, the Digital Markets Act aims to have "fair and contestable" digital markets. With regard to Meta, the Commission will analyse the option of paying a subscription fee to use Instagram and Facebook without advertising inserts and thus prevent user data from being used for the personalisation of ads. As for Google and Apple, the Commission will investigate whether they also direct users to offers available outside their app stores.

(Bianca Franzini)

Portugal, centre-right minority government officially installed. On 1 April, the new centre-right minority government took office in Portugal, led by Luís Montenegro, the country's new prime minister and leader of the centre-right coalition Democratic Alliance. In the legislative elections in March, this coalition had taken a few more votes than the centre-left coalition led by António Costa, former prime minister and leader of the Socialist Party. On 21 March, the President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, as neither coalition had obtained an absolute majority, entrusted Montenegro with the task of forming a government. As this government has no majority, it will need the support of parties outside the coalition in order to pass laws, which is why the stability of this government is called into question.

(Bianca Franzini)

Brussels, progress in managing workplace conflicts and harassment. The European Parliament has approved a new internal regulation that will mandate a compulsory course on workplace conflicts and harassment for all MEPs. The training aims to prevent issues and ensure a respectful work environment. Those who do not complete the course within six months will be subject to sanctions. The rapporteur, Gabriele Bischoff, emphasized the importance of prevention and mandatory training to foster a dignified work environment. The regulation is now awaiting final plenary vote.

(Sofia Ena)

Bianca Franzini and Sofia Ena

CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE AND RUSSIA

Alessandro Alloro and Francesca Pasqualino

MIDDLE-EAST AND NORTH AFRICA (MENA)

Iran, response to Israeli attack "will be tough". This move follows last Monday's attack, allegedly perpetrated by the Israeli IDF, which resulted in the deaths of seven members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including high-ranking generals. Sources report that Tehran is considering a counterattack that could involve a swarm of explosive drones. Meanwhile, the United States and Israel are preparing for a possible and significant retaliation, as confirmed by official sources. The US State Department has declared a high state of alert, predicting an imminent attack on Israeli or American targets in the region, with sources indicating it could expire by next week. This climate of growing tension is interpreted as a potential catalyst for wider conflict in the region.

(Sara Oldani)

Turkey, the Sultan's defeat: the recent local elections have declared the end of the supposed invincibility of the king maker of Turkish politics, President Erdoğan. Galloping inflation and endemic corruption led to increased abstention and successful competition from the right by Fatih Erbakan's radical Islamist party, which gained around 6% of the vote. These factors contributed to the clear victory of the oppositions, in particular of the social-democratic Kemalist party CHP, which not only reconfirmed its mayors in Ankara and Istabul, but managed to take conservative cities such as Bursa from the president's Islamist party AKP. The Turkish president has surprisingly acknowledged defeat and promised course corrections in unusually moderate tones, although it is too early to call an end to the Erdogan era.

(Michele Magistretti)

Sara Oldani and Michele Magistretti

TERRORISM AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

Finland, border crossings with Russia remain closed. The Finnish Ministry of the Interior announced the extension of the closure of the land border with Russia until further notice. The decision comes in the wake of an abnormal increase in asylum seekers towards the end of 2023. Finland had responded to the increased flows by closing all eight border crossings linking the country to Russia, accusing the latter of encouraging illegal flows as a means of internal destabilization. The crossings were scheduled to reopen on 14 April. In addition, Helsinki decided to close three ports to boats for recreational use as of 15 April. According to the Finnish authorities, there would be hundreds or perhaps thousands of people amassed at the border who, with the arrival of the warm season, might try to cross the 1340 km border between the two countries.

(Davide Shahhosseini)

Gaza, UNHCR resolution against arms sales to Israel. The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has adopted a resolution calling for a ban on arms sales to Israel. For the first time since the beginning of the Israeli military intervention in the Gaza Strip, the UNHRC has officially spoken out on the crisis. The resolution requires member states to cease the sale, transfer and supply of arms, ammunition and other military equipment to Israel, going so far as to mention the term 'genocide' when referring to the latter's actions.

(Davide Shahhosseini)

Davide Shahhosseini

Framing The World is a project conceived and created by the collaboration between members of the team of Mondo Internazionale associates.

Alessandro Alloro: Central and Eastern Europe and Russia

Alessandro Dowlatshahi: Latin America

Aurelia Puliafito: Sub-Saharan Africa

Bianca Franzini: Western Europe and the European Union

Davide Shahhosseini: Terrorism and International Security

Francesco Oppia: Asia and Far East

Francesca Pasqualino: Western Europe and the European Union, Central and Eastern Europe and Russia

Giulio Ciofini: Sub-Saharan Africa

Leonardo Aldeghi: Economics and International Finance

Lisa Pasolini: Human Rights

Lorenzo Franceschetti: Human Rights

Lorenzo Graziani: North America

Michele Magistretti: Middle-East and North Africa

Sara Oldani: Middle-East and North-Africa

Serena Basso: Latin America

Sofia Ena: Human Rights, Western Europe and the European Union