< Back Frontex : The EU Agency That Has Been Accused of Covering up Illegal Migrant Pushbacks By Viola Luraschi December 31, 2022 What is Frontex? The European Border and Coast Guard Agency, also known as Frontex, was established in 2004 under the European Union to help members and Schengen-associated countries manage their external frontiers. European borders have witnessed an unprecedented rise in asylum-seeking migrants and refugees in recent years. Thus, Warsaw-based Frontex, tasked with coordinating maritime operations and external land borders, has served as a prominent presence at several international union-country airports. The accusations against Frontex On April 29, 2022, the resignation of Fabrice Leggeri, former Director General of Frontex, was approved. The resignation followed an in-depth investigation by OLAF, the European Anti-Fraud Office, whose European Union-designated role is to combat illegal activities. The inquiry found the agency guilty of “harassment” and “misconduct.” Frontex was accused of playing a role in violating the fundamental rights of refugees in Greece by forcing the return of migrants. The Frontex reporting system has concealed numerous pushbacks in the Aegean sea, and in the words of Giorgios Christides, “between March 2020 and September 2021 (the agency) was involved in 222 incidents in the Aegean, resulting in the summary expulsion of at least 957 and potentially 8,355 asylum seekers.” The OLAF reports include 20 witnesses and over 120 pages of research conducted over 16 months. A pushback case that underlines the illegal actions of Frontex dates back to August 2020. On the morning of Aug. 5, the Greek Coast Guard dragged an inflatable raft with around 30 migrants back toward Turkey instead of taking them to Greek shores where they were headed. In one of many similar cases, an aircraft operated by Frontex was streaming the pushback live. A handwritten note on Nov. 16, 2020, by Frontex employees states that they had “withdrawn [their] FSA (Frontex Surveillance Aircraft) some time ago so as not to witness” the human rights violations. This statement clearly shows that the European Union agency was aware of the violations but instead decided to ignore the situation that it was established to prevent. Furthermore, the report included evidence that taxpayer money was used to fund the pushbacks. The Aug. 5 incident was led by the vessel “CPB 137,” which was co-owned by the agency. Leggeri was also accused of obstructing previous investigations regarding his agency’s illegal activity. Furthermore, his private messages revealed his conservative beliefs about the refugee crisis. Samuel Abraham: a personal account On Apr. 10, 2021, Samuel Abraham and 62 other people left the Libyan shore in a small rubber boat. Out of the 63 people who set off on the journey, only 51 were alive by the end. Abraham recounted, “the plane circled over our heads again and again, but no one helped us.” This plane was operated by Frontex, who witnessed the perilous situation below but refused to act. Moreover, he said that during their five days at sea, a cargo ship appeared; however, no help was offered, and the three people who jumped from the boat in attempts to reach the vessel failed and drowned. The secrecy behind the content of OLAF’s report Regulation 1049 of 2001 outlines the fundamental right of both residents and citizens of the European Union to access documents of and held by its institutions. While this regulation aims at promoting transparency and ensuring accessibility to all citizens, Article 4 (of Regulation 1049) identifies exceptions that can deny total or partial access to documents. It is under this article that Frontex continues to keep the OLAF report classified. However, some investigative journalists (Der Spiegel and Lighthouse Reports) have been able to leak parts of its contents. Resentment in response to the agency’s secrecy is widespread, especially considering the report’s allegations of misuse of union funds and international law breaches. The inaccessibility of the documents has meant that the agency’s victims have been unable to exercise their right to an effective remedy. Therefore, their right to a fair trial has been obstructed. However, it must also be noted that hindering investigations is not inherently illegal and, depending on circumstances, may even be deemed appropriate. Yet, when considering the far-reaching implications of the report, it is only normal to question the inconsistency between the findings of the report and the actions that will be taken against Frontex. The aftermath of the OLAF report Only one resignation has occurred as a consequence of the OLAF report: that of Fabrice Leggeri. The European Parliament has continuously refused the approval of the agency’s budget. In September, Frontex announced “recent changes within the agency,” among which the suspension of operations in the Aegean sea was unmentioned. Article 46 of the Frontex Regulation states that the Executive Director should “suspend or terminate activity by the agency, in whole or in part, if he or she considers that there are violations of fundamental rights or international protection obligations related to the activity concerned that are of a serious nature or are likely to persist.” However, there is still a lack of Serious Incident Reporting on the island of Samos in Greece, where it was flagged that authorities were using intimidation tactics that discouraged incident reporting. The European Commission has continued to be reluctant to take a stance on the matter.

< Back Loi “immigration” en France : entre crises politiques et institutionnelle By Salomé Greffier January 31, 2024 Le 19 décembre 2023, les députés et sénateurs français réunis dans une commission mixte paritaire adoptent le texte controversé de la Loi “immigration” proposée par le gouvernement macroniste dès février de la même année. Cette loi ne constitue que le prolongement d’une politique menée au cours des cinquante dernières années par les gouvernements français successifs. Ainsi, depuis 1974, sous la présidence de Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, la mise en place de mesures pour encadrer et limiter les flux migratoires, sous couvert de sécurité nationale, marque le paysage politique français de clivages profonds. Dès 2006, le gouvernement évoque la notion d’immigration choisie supposant des mesures d’aide au retour dans les pays d’origine des réfugiés, un durcissement des conditions du regroupement familial ou encore l’instauration d’une carte “compétence et talents” pour sélectionner la main-d'œuvre étrangère. Au centre de ces mesures gravitent les idées de mérite, d’assimilation et d’identité nationale. Sur ce terreau historique, la dernière Loi “immigration” défendue par l’actuel ministre de l’intérieur, Gérald Darmanin, était présentée comme un compromis entre contrôle accru de l’immigration et une meilleure intégration. Le texte proposait en filigrane une pression prononcée sur l’obtention des droits de séjour pour les étudiants, familles et travailleurs, ainsi qu’une limitation toujours plus importante du nombre d’entrées sur le territoire et un encadrement de l’obtention de la nationalité en invoquant le droit du sol. La version proposée par le gouvernement a d’abord été votée par le Sénat puis remaniée par la commission des lois de l’Assemblée nationale. L’adoption d’une motion de rejet de la part des députés a rendu caduque cette version du texte, nécessitant l’intervention d’une commission mixte paritaire. Les conclusions de cette dernière convainc alors 214 sénateurs principalement centristes et affiliés à la droite, à l’exception d’une abstention dans le rang des Républicains, face à 114 voix associées à la Nupes, au Parti Socialiste, aux communistes et aux écologistes. Les élus de Renaissance, le parti du président, se sont quant à eux montrés clivés avec 15 voix en faveur de la Loi contre 4 en défaveur et une abstention. De même, à l’Assemblée nationale, le texte rassemble 349 députés et souligne des divisions au sein du parti de d’Emmanuel Macron: 20 députés s’étant prononcés contre la Loi et 17 choisissant l’abstention. L'évocation d’une démission de la part de six ministres appuie davantage encore la situation de crise engendrée par la ratification de cette Loi. En conséquence, l’adoption de la Loi “immigration” constitue une victoire pour la majorité sénatoriale de droite et signe, selon les partis de gauche, l’officialisation de son intégration à la majorité gouvernementale. Plus largement, cette mesure marque selon le journal quotidien espagnol El País une remise en question de “l’essence du macronisme, qui se proclame ni de gauche, ni de droite” faisant par ailleurs de cette caractéristique son principal instrument électoral. Désormais, le parti est associé à ce “compromis humiliant avec les partis de droite” affirme le journal suisse Le Temps , un signe supplémentaire du glissement de ce gouvernement vers la droite, faisant écho au mouvement politique actuel dans une grande partie de l’Europe. Au-delà de cette crise politique, résultant de l’obédience politique du gouvernement actuel, la Loi “immigration” interroge sur le respect des valeurs républicaines. Si pour certains sénateurs tels que Philippe Bonnecarrère (Union centriste) ce texte “exprime une autorité régalienne forte dans le respect de l’Etat de droit” faisant état du bon fonctionnement des institutions, d’autres affirment que ce texte s’éloigne des valeurs républicaines d’égalité et de fraternité. Ainsi, les partis de gauche accusent le Sénat et le Parlement d’alimenter des idées extrémistes telles que la préférence nationale et le populisme. Alors que Gérald Darmanin avance que “Des mesures sont manifestement contraires à la Constitution”, rendant certaines mesures de la Loi inapplicables, il faut sans doute considérer les raisons pour lesquelles de telles mesures ont pu être votées au sein d’institutions républicaines. La Loi “immigration” ne sera donc probablement pas appliquée dans les faits, mais il n’en demeure pas moins que sa rédaction alarme quant au maintien des valeurs fondamentales de notre République.

< Back Beijing: Unanticipated Beneficiary of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine? By Magdalena Offenbeck April 30, 2022 The sanctions imposed by the West following the invasion of Ukraine in February have significantly damaged the Russian economy. Nevertheless, the idea of a stronger Sino-Russian alliance to evade sanctions and counter their effects hangs over the head of the West like the Sword of Damocles. How realistic is this? Will Western states’ intervention tip the scale in favor of Ukraine or does China offer a viable economic alternative? Now, two months into the invasion, the United States, the European Union, and their allies seem to have reached their sanction-imposing limit. Yet, the battles have not halted. In light of recent human rights violations in Bucha and beyond, we ask ourselves why, despite all the actions taken to counteract the Russian invasion, so little progress has been made. Now, after the recent meeting in Beijing between Russian and Chinese foreign ministers, a new fear has emerged: the alarming possibility that Russia could evade sanctions by strengthening economic and political ties with the People’s Republic of China. In the meeting, the two powers discussed closer economic ties and joint strategic security interests. China was Russia’s top trading partner in 2011, with a trading volume that is approximately 2.5 times that with Germany, Russia’s second most important trading partner. Of the five largest trading partners with Russia, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States are imposing sanctions; China and Belarus are not. It is no secret that these sanctions have had a grave impact on Russia’s economy. However, with the West’s dependence on Russian oil and gas exports, the trade volume will likely not shrink close to zero in the near future. This is not to say that Russia does not need the West for its relative economic prosperity, but if Russian history has shown one common trait, it is that its leaders, from the Tzars and the Bolsheviks to current President Vladimir Putin, do not tend to prioritize the interest of the people. Putin’s war will hurt the Russian citizens, who are now facing inflation, shortages and the effects of a sudden isolation after 30 years of relative openness. They will not hurt the president and the surrounding elite who control the wealth in the country, unless one considers the loss of a chalet in Switzerland to be equally grave as a lack of basic necessities. In consequence, Putin and his political elite will not only be much less affected but they can also use repression and misinformation to silence dissatisfied citizens. Russian propaganda may present an alliance between Russia and China as an economically equally viable alternative to trade with the West, but its success is doubtful, especially considering the financial instability Western sanctions have caused. China has been playing a careful balancing act. Abstaining from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) vote on a resolution regarding Ukraine (unsurprisingly vetoed by Russia), it has since been avoiding any strong positioning. However, abstention is a position in itself. By continuing trade relations with Russia and further following objectives to increase trade in the course of the decade, China has de facto sided with Russia. In a recent speech before the UNSC, the Chinese delegate Dai Bing mastered the art of diplomatic vagueness. He encouraged negotiation and urged for equal protection of refugees, general statements that do not assign blame. He did “deplore” the Russian attack on a Ukrainian train station (denied by Russia), however, Dai Bing only called for an investigation of the cause rather than condemning the apparent perpetrator. Arguably the most enlightening part of Dai Bing’s speech was his declaration that sanctioning and providing weapons “will not bring about peace.” Rather, they have brought about “a food crisis for which the whole world pays the price.” It is true that Western intervention has triggered a food crisis and put the global economy to the test. However, China is well aware that, to the participating nations, this is about more than the global economy. It is about Russia’s bid to challenge the world order and a post-war status quo that has benefited Europe and the United States more than anyone else. They are willing to go to great lengths to protect their positions. Yet, China has also seen its rise in that order. The West has both been an important trading partner and a strategic rival, a dynamic that has allowed the People’s Republic to experience unprecedentedly rapid growth, development, and increased geopolitical power. China and Russia are often treated as one entity because both are arguably the most important “non-Western” political actors and maintain similar political stances. But, Russia is also both a trading partner and a strategic rival to China, even if both share a common resentment towards the West. China has increased trade with Russia and benefited from Moscow’s isolation by gaining strategic importance. However, both Russia succeeding in its annexation and becoming too powerful or the West gaining from increased unity and self-sufficiency are not ideal for Beijing. China has no interest in seeing the political framework that it has been navigating successfully uprooted as it proceeds to silently expand its sphere of influence globally. The status quo of the past years has allowed Beijing to become a key actor in Africa, Central Asia, and beyond. If any side emerges stronger from the conflict, their next focus could be countering Chinese geopolitical influence in their backyard, an undesired outcome for the rising power. This leaves us with the typical “only time can tell” conclusion. Beijing will likely navigate the conflict opportunely, gaining from an increased trade with Russia. However, it will avoid becoming the target of equally harsh economic sanctions or getting involved directly in the conflict. In other words, China is happy to remain more of a side actor. The political landscape will be transformed through this invasion, but it is unclear how exactly, and China might not be quite certain how to feel about it. Ultimately, the People’s Republic has been defending its own interests in the geopolitical game for a while and there is reason to believe that it will manage to use the current status quo to continue its endeavors.

< Back Mentonese Students Buckle Their Seatbelts for Integration Week 2022 By Lise Thorsen September 29, 2022 The first week of university is one of the most memorable and significant events in a student’s academic evolution. This year, Integration Week turned the page to a new chapter for 180 students of the Mentonese Sciences Po campus. In the “Ville de Citrons,” located on the shores of the French Riviera, Integration Week promised exhilarating events planned by our very own Bureau des Étudiants Integration Week Committee. Upon one’s first-ever moments in the sun-kissed “Pearl of France,” feelings of budding excitement bubble to the surface. This year’s incoming 1As proved high-spirited in the daunting face of friendship-building, and many confessed their eagerness to embark on their journey into the Mentonese mode de vie. On Aug. 22, 2022, the beating of drums and Mentonese chants echoed throughout Rue Longue. This commotion originated from the “hype session,” in which our beloved campus mascot, Loulou , hyped us for the Bureau des Étudiants’ opening ceremony. The Menton campus was also welcomed back by Monsieur le Maire, Yves Juhel , and Madame la Directrice, Yasmina Touaibia, who greeted students warmly with her contagious smile. Once gathered in the grand amphitheater for the official opening ceremony, the student body was awestruck by the Menton cheerleading team’s smashing performance. Shortly after, our two Integration Week hosts, 2As Riwa Hassan and Louai Allani, welcomed the Ummah to the Menaverse. This clever wordplay, combining “MENA” and “metaverse,” signaled to the audience that Menton would enter a stage of metamorphosis this academic year. Through what Allani expressed as adding a “pinch of digitalization to the Mediterranean,” the audience was thrilled to be introduced to the “revolutionary invention” of the “Pass Ummah,” designed with meticulous care by the Committee. The “Pass Ummah” was the personalized QR code that allowed students who bought Integration Week packages to access the planned events. It served as the high-tech alternative to the wristbands that former Integration Week committees opted for. Hassan and Allani soon began reminiscing about the wonders of Menton and dedicated a special shoutout to José’s cat, baptized ‘ Cat-Dafi ’ by the student body the previous year. The Bureau President, Samy Bennouna, and Bureau Vice President, Lenora Dsouza, soon took the floor and offered insight into the tireless behind-the-scenes work carried out by the Committee’s executive team during the preceding summer. After a well-deserved round of applause for the Committee team, the Bureau des Arts blessed our ears with soothing live tunes from the music club. Committee member, Viola Luraschi, reflected on the most rewarding aspects of her experience in integration week. She cheerfully explained that the 1As had fully embraced the Menton spirit with open arms and that she could not be more proud of how well all the events had panned out. However, she did affirm that there is a stark contrast between living the full-fledged experience of Integration Week and organizing the events. Another Committee member, Isabel Cronin, elaborated further by explaining that logistical issues cropped up but were tackled with solidarity and resilience. She was impressed by “how quickly the team could adapt and continue.” Clearly, the Committee’s strenuous efforts to churn out a successful week were not in vain. It was evident that both the first and second-years dearly appreciated the time the Bureau put into crafting the orientation events. Highlights from Integration Week include the Kebab lunch, which managed to feed our ravenous Sciences Pistes, the Consent Talks held diligently by the Feminist Union on an annual basis, and the UEFA Conference League Nice match , which pleased our football enthusiasts. The drinking apparathon served the purpose of filling rooms with laughter, and the ‘ice’ was, without a doubt, broken among peers. However, the success of this event did not infringe upon the following “Le Festival Plage” party, which was deemed one of the “best Bureau des Étudiants parties ever” by a fellow 2A. Even the city-wide scavenger hunt united students in their mutual exploration of their new home. On the final day of integration week, Environnementon led a hike on Nietzsche’s Path in Èze-sur-Mer; the subsequent beach day in Cap d’Ail was a fitting post-hike activity. The Nice bar hopping night similarly reflected our potential to bring Menton outside of Menton. The jam session was a massive hit as the Bureau des Arts musicians displayed their talent on stage during a Sablettes sunset. Building up to the final party, “à la mentonnaise,” Integration Week would not be complete without a sweaty Soundproof party. In collaboration with the Babel association, the Committee pooled their creative juices to host a soirée themed upon the “six deadly sins” — 21st-century edition. Soundproof quickly devolved into a fiery sauna. As such, a Sablettes after-party was in order. Later that night, an anonymous source noted that hookup culture had decreased significantly compared to last year, and rumor has it that the student body has become interested in forming more profound and meaningful connections. Nonetheless, by the end of a very tiresome week for us all, many students claimed to have come down with “Freshers Flu,” and some complained that their social battery was utterly drained. Understandably, following stressful days of accommodating new routines, symptoms of homesickness invariably started to kick in. Fortunately, the I-Homes night provided an ideal supportive outlet for 1As seeking expert 2A guidance. It seems fair to suggest that after a fruitful integration week, we all wear our Menaverse shirts with pride. To borrow the Directrice’s words, “notre communauté est riche et continue à s’enrichir.” Indeed, every year, Menton witnesses new 1As blossom while 2As continue to flourish. We can only hope that after having welcomed the new academic year with open arms, we have succeeded in setting the standards high for next year’s Integration Week.

< Back Turkey Inches Closer to Landmark F-16 Acquisition By Yasmin Abbasoy January 31, 2024 The unending odyssey of the F-16s has perhaps been the most salient conflict in U.S.-Turkey relations in recent years. President Erdoğan’s 2021 request to purchase 40 of these jets along with a number of upgrade kits for its existing fleet introduced a significant point of leverage to the traditionally strained relations between the two states – one which has been maneuvered to apply to almost every aspect of foreign policy since. Recent dramatic developments in global politics have also drawn the uneasy allies closer in some arenas and further out in others. A common interpretation of the Turkish request is that it was made as a sort of last-resort bid for U.S. loyalty – a final chance for the U.S. to step up as Turkey’s most important ally, and the endmost bulwark against the culmination of a potential Turkish pivot to Russia. The concept of a F-16 sale did after all materialize as a reaction to Turkey’s ejection from the F-35 joint fighter program, a network of U.S. NATO allies which have been funding the development of the new-generation planes with the eventual hope of integrating them into their defense apparatus, which came about as a result of the purchase of the Russian S-400 system on Turkey’s part. The justification for this purchase, which triggered a harsh round of sanctions, was U.S. reticence on the transfer of the F-35 planes, mostly in reaction to Turkey’s aggressive conduct in Cyprus and Greece. The delay in the F-16 sale did not truly materialize in a turn eastward for Turkey, mostly due to the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Erdoğan did, however, take a more subdued stance on Russian aggression than many of its NATO allies, keeping comparatively closer ties with Putin that allowed Turkey to host potential peace negotiations in 2022. Furthermore, Turkey has kept itself relatively well-integrated with Russia, as demonstrated by the significant increase in trade between the two countries post-invasion. Given the outsized presence of Russia in the U.S.-Turkey relationship, it is fitting that Russia would be the nation to indirectly provide Turkey with its most important bargaining chip vis-a-vis the United States. The invasion of Ukraine brought the concept of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) strength and unity to the forefront of the global political consciousness, which contributed in large part to Finland and Sweden applying for membership. Potential members must be approved by all existing NATO nations, as happened to Finland. Sweden, however, was a tougher sell: it had an unofficial arms embargo on Turkey and had previously provoked ire from Turkey on its allegedly permissive attitude towards the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which it sees as a separatist terrorist organisation. Using these justifications, Turkey has been able to delay the ratification of Sweden’s membership indefinitely, dealing an important blow to the conception of a strong, united NATO that the U.S. has been central in promoting. Significant progress has recently been made. In light of security guarantees from Sweden, the Foreign Commission of the Turkish Parliament has approved the membership bid. This means the ratification is now able to be put to a vote in the assembly, in which Erdoğan and his allies hold a majority. Afterwards, Erdoğan must sign the bill into law in order to end a full 19 months of continuous delays to the process. Erdoğan has, since the beginning of the process, been very careful in emphasizing the role of the F-16s in the ratification procedure–the ratification is widely interpreted as a form of concession to the United States, one which deserves some sort of recompense. It was not, however, the end-all of this diplomatic snag until very recently. The past few weeks have seen a revealing shift in Turkish rhetoric regarding the potential sale: officials have always been quick to point out their discontent with what they have seen as an unfair conflation between the ratification and the F-16 deal on the part of the Biden Administration, with Erdoğan himself calling the rhetoric “deeply upsetting.” The Department of Defense has been forced to clarify that no such linkage between the two topics has been officially acknowledged. The beginning of December, however, saw Erdoğan tying progress on the ratification to the F-16 sale, mentioning his expectations of further steps from the Biden Administration in exchange for his own work in the Turkish parliament. Biden has consistently been very supportive of the sale, having already unofficially informed Congress and expressing an intention to complete the sale repeatedly. The primary obstacle is the attitudes of key figures in Congress, who have been characteristically reticent about supplying Turkey with more weapons. Key members of the committees engaged with foreign affairs work in both the House and the Senate have cautioned that the approval for Swedish membership will not be enough for Turkey to secure the jets it has been seeking for so long, which has been a major point of concern for Ankara. Politicians on both sides of the aisle have more than sufficient basis for their worries, however, as Turkey’s recent military maneuvers have done little to endear it to the Americans. In Azerbaijan, Turkey provided political support to the ethnic cleansing of the 120,000 ethnic-Armenian citizens of the breakaway Republic of Artsakh, which had been situated within Azerbaijani borders in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. This put it in direct opposition to the US and other Western partners, who all roundly condemned the events. In Northern Syria, Turkey has been battering civilian infrastructure such as power stations and hydraulic plants in response to a terror attack in the vicinity of the National Assembly which was claimed by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party. Turkey has also targeted the Syrian Defense Forces, U.S. allies which are considered to be linked to terrorist organizations by Turkey. Furthermore, Turkish action close to a U.S. base in the area resulted in the unprecedented downing of a Turkish drone. Turkey has also had a historically strained relationship with Greece, having an established record of invading Greek airspace with political motivations and the eventual goal of normalizing its unique and expansionist conception of maritime borders. As Congress seems unwilling to be persuaded on the matter, Erdoğan has pivoted to place even more importance on the ratification process as a large concession on the part of Ankara. If Washington responds favorably to these developments, the long-debated F-16 sale could finally materialize, marking a new chapter in the complex dynamic between the two nations.

If the right wing, as they have in the past, continue to capitalize on the sport’s inherent conservative inclinations, not only will they see victories on fight night, but on election night too. < Back Seeing Red: Conservatism and Combat Sports Pracheth Sanka December 31, 2024 On Nov. 2, 2019, a packed Madison Square Garden awaits a night of fights, with tens of thousands in attendance for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 244, the promotion's penultimate Pay-Per-View of the year. Sometime before the main card begins, the crowd erupts. Split half into boos and half into cheers, one would expect the noise to have emerged from a fighter’s walkout, a spectacular knockout or a controversial judge’s decision. But the actual cause was unexpected: the President of the United States had just entered the arena. Amid a historic impeachment inquiry , then-President Donald Trump took a cage-side seat, accompanied by UFC President Dana White, then-California Representative Kevin McCarthy, and his two sons. Signs both in support and disapproval of the President dotted the stands, greeting him as he became the first sitting U.S. President to attend a live mixed martial arts event. Nearly five years later, Trump’s appearance is almost commonplace. Most recently, he attended UFC 309 as a post-election victory party and he was spotted at UFC 302 in early June, just days after his 34-count felony conviction . These last few times, though, the crowd response was less mixed. Often, as the jumbotron’s video feed pans over, UFC commentator Jon Anik’s voice excitedly announces the politician’s presence to a roaring crowd, highlighting the shift in support among the promotion’s fanbase. This rightward trend isn’t only seen with ardent UFC fans, but also among the promotion’s fighters. Take Colby Covington, the former interim welterweight champion, who turned into a pro-wrestler-esque, ‘Make America Great Again’ (MAGA) villain after nearly being dropped from the active roster, hoping to strike a chord with the UFC’s more conservative viewers. Covington later became the first champion to visit the White House, meeting with Trump in 2018, donning a red MAGA hat and his welterweight champion’s belt. Or take the heaps of Brazilian fighters who support former right-wing and populist President Jair Bolsonaro. Many of them came forward backing his attempted coup of early 2023, and former featherweight champion and UFC legend José Aldo provided refuge for Bolsonaro’s self-exile at his Florida home. While conservatism is prevalent in sports generally, the UFC and combat sports as a whole seem to elicit an especially strong right-wing response from both fans and fighters. Could it be an appeal to the strong, masculine energy of hand-to-hand combat, an ode to orthodox gender values that traditionalists adhere to? Add in the fact that fighting is, at its core, the most basic and primitive test of dominance and strength, then the sport is prime to be a breeding ground for right-wing thought. The essence of mixed martial arts also directly contradicts the collectivist tendencies so often seen on the left. The one-on-one nature of the sport lends itself to individualism, where the fighter's only hope is themselves and they can’t rely on teammates for help. Unlike in professional team sports, fighters must find their own gyms and individually train to stay in shape and prepare for fights. Fighters also have little support from the promotion itself, as the UFC only pays around 15 percent of their revenue share to fighters, as compared to the 50 percent share that the major American sports leagues give out. This means that not only are fighters competing for wins, but they also compete for bigger contracts and sponsorships. When lower-tier fighters make as little as $12,000 per fight, competition becomes fierce as the fight market takes on a strong, capitalist form. Fighter’s backgrounds often contribute to their conservative tendencies. From religious views to country of origin, many fighters have experienced a notably conservative upbringing. As Muslim UFC stars with socially traditional viewpoints continue to dominate the sport, their beliefs are becoming more frequently expressed in fight media. Former lightweight champion and widely considered the “Greatest of All Time”, Khabib Nurmagomedov was not shy about professing certain conservative opinions, notably expressing his distaste for the not-so-modestly dressed UFC ring girls. As many fighters also hail from post-Soviet and post-communist states, there are socio-political reasons for espousing conservative values in mixed martial arts. For former welterweight Jorge Masvidal, who headlined the Trump-attended UFC 244, his personal experience with Cuban socialism pushed him to be a passionate opponent of left-wing causes, even using his final in-octagon appearance to support Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. This prevailing conservatism ends up having often hilarious, but sometimes serious, political consequences. For one, it gives a voice to fringe, more extreme voices who would have stayed quiet if not for their UFC fame. Look no further than Bryce Mitchell, the camo-wearing featherweight who was propelled into stardom after a string of wins earlier this decade. He’s often seen on mixed martial arts-adjacent podcasts espousing his views of flat-earth theory and conspiratorial claims that the U.S. education system is indoctrinating the youth into communism. Or look at UFC veteran Tito Ortiz, who ran for office in bright red Huntington Beach, California on an anti-mask and anti-vaccine platform. Elected as mayor pro-tempore, he resigned just half a year later, citing character assassination and political persecution as his main reasons for doing so. Out-of-cage antics aside, conservative fighters often use their post-bout moments of fame to proselytize, taking full advantage of their winner’s interviews to share their opinions with the fight world. In 2021, lightweight contender Beneil Dariush dedicated his UFC 262 victory to those hurt by Marxist ideologies while also praising tech-capitalist Elon Musk, encouraging those in the audience to consider buying Tesla cars. But along with these trivial moments come real political repercussions that originate from the fight world. Ultra-conservative Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov has used his region’s talented fighters to penetrate the highest ranks of the sport, funding mixed martial arts as a way to disseminate his beliefs onto the world’s stage. Podcaster Joe Rogan, who first achieved fame as a UFC color commentator, hosted then-presidential candidate Trump a few days before the general election. In a conversation that included discussing Trump’s favorite fighters and propagating conspiracies about a stolen election, his victory may have been aided by this last-minute publicity. As mixed martial arts is becoming ever-popular in the mainstream and among a seemingly global right-wing shift , the intersection of the sport and politics can have major implications. As younger people begin to watch the sport in greater numbers, the prevalence of conservative beliefs can shape an entire generation's worldview, leaving lasting impacts on the future of politics. If the right wing, as they have in the past, continue to capitalize on the sport’s inherent conservative inclinations, not only will they see victories on fight night, but on election night too.

< Back Rapport GIEC By Salomé Greffier September 27, 2023 « En exigeant que les autres agissent en premier, on s’assure que l’humanité arrive en dernier ». Cette phrase prononcée par Antonio Guterres, secrétaire général de l’ONU, à l’occasion de la publication du guide de survie pour la planète du GIEC le 20 mars dernier, tire une nouvelle fois la sonnette d’alarme concernant le dérèglement climatique. Depuis près de 40 ans, ce Groupe Intergouvernemental d’Experts sur l’Évolution du Climat s’efforce de sensibiliser et de prévenir les sociétés mais aussi les gouvernements du risque encouru par nos actions anthropiques. Selon la communauté scientifique, la marche effrénée vers l’exploitation toujours plus grande des ressources prodiguées par la Terre et ses écosystèmes conduit irrémédiablement notre système à sa perte. Après avoir publié son sixième rapport l’année dernière, celle-ci synthétise les connaissances acquises entre 2015 et 2021, ses causes, ses impacts et les mesures possibles pour l’atténuer et s’y adapter dans l’annonce du 20 mars 2023. Le GIEC réitère et dénonce la lenteur du monde à agir pour s’attaquer à cette crise qui semble devenir inhérente à toutes les autres, réduisant nos chances de limiter le réchauffement à un seuil viable. En effet, l’insuffisance des mesures prises jusqu’à présent n’évitera pas la hausse de température de 1,5°C par rapport à l’ère préindustrielle et se manifestera dès la prochaine décennie. À l’image des manifestations sociales et politiques, la « fenêtre d’opportunité », c'est-à-dire les conditions favorables à l’exercice d’un changement et à l’expression de revendications, se rétrécit et risque de contraindre les sociétés de manière autoritaire et coercitive à des normes écologiques. Nous sommes ici loin de l’idéal prôné par l’ONU en termes de justice sociale et de démocratie. Dans sa synthèse, la communauté scientifique pointe une fois encore les émissions de CO2 comme responsables du réchauffement et de la multiplication des risques naturels. La liste des menaces comprend notamment la hausse des vagues de chaleur meurtrières, la fonte des glaciers, la hausse du niveau des océans, la réduction de l’accès à l’eau, les inondations, la propagation de maladies et le recul de la production alimentaire. Évidemment, comme susmentionné, ces risques climatiques sont à l’origine de crises socio-politiques et économiques. Si aujourd’hui des milliers de réfugiés climatiques parcourent déjà les routes pour survivre, la Banque mondiale estime leur nombre à 143 millions (soit un pays équivalent à la population de la Russie) d’ici 2050. Ainsi, le dérèglement climatique engage des crises géopolitiques de taille auxquelles les gouvernements doivent se préparer. De même, la famine, conséquence directe de l'assèchement des sols, en Somalie qui frappe plus généralement de plein fouet toute la corne de l’Afrique met en danger des dizaines de milliers de vies, s’appuyant désespérément sur l’aide humanitaire. En Espagne, les incendies provoqués par le réchauffement climatique touchent déjà la région alors que le printemps vient de commencer, sans parler de la crise de l’eau qui semble concerner l’ensemble du globe. Cette liste non exhaustive de phénomènes climatiques actuels souligne l’ampleur de cette menace mise en avant par le GIEC et qui articule finalement tous nos systèmes sociétaux. De plus, il faut préciser que cette synthèse met en exergue les inégalités dans la responsabilité climatique entre les Etats. En outre, la justice sociale est au cœur des attentes de la communauté scientifique, avec le soutien de l’ONU. Si la moitié de la population vit dans des régions très vulnérables au changement climatique et que le nombre de décès dus aux inondations, aux sécheresses et aux tempêtes y ont été quinze fois plus nombreux que la moyenne, elle regroupe avant tout les sociétés peu émettrices de gaz à effet de serre et les moins préparées aux risques naturels, faute de moyens économiques et politiques. C’est pourquoi, ce 8 avril, à l’initiative du premier ministre de Vanuatu, un pays du sud de l'océan Pacifique, une résolution jugée « historique » a été signée à la Cour Pénale Internationale. L’objectif est de définir les conséquences juridiques pour les Etats qui, par leurs actions ou omissions, ont causé des dommages significatifs au système climatique et à d’autres composantes de l’environnement, notamment à l’égard des Etats insulaires et de leurs peuples. Selon le Costa Rica, cette mesure permettra d’insinuer les gouvernements à intensifier leurs efforts dans la transition énergétique notamment mais aussi de clarifier ce qui adviendra lors d’une éventuelle « mort d’État » suite à la perte d’un territoire, notamment par le phénomène de la montée des eaux. Même si cette résolution n’endosse pas un caractère coercitif, le symbole et la direction que prend la communauté internationale vers une justice climatique laisse espérer au changement. En ce sens, la synthèse du GIEC propose naturellement des solutions pour tenter de pallier cette situation dramatique parmi lesquelles nous retrouvons la sobriété énergétique, la rénovation énergétique, les mobilités douces (décarbonées), l'agroécologie et la réutilisation d’eau. Pour la communauté scientifique, il importe que chacun puisse contribuer à son échelle afin que le changement advienne plus rapidement qu’aux sommets des Etats. Par conséquent, si vous avez déjà porté un regard sur les affiches placardées dans la gare de Monaco, ce soir ne mangeons pas de hamburger, mais lisons la synthèse de ce rapport du GIEC et agissons !

Despite a few hiccups and more than a few drunk incidents, the ski trip was a tremendous success. Sciences Pistes faced their fears on the mountain, and they are stronger for it. Going into the second semester of the year, there is undoubtedly a tighter connection between us than ever before < Back Menton à Risoul: Sciences Pistes Spend Last Week of Break at Annual BDS Ski Trip By Hugo Lagergren February 28, 2023 We all know that sports are not what Sciences Po prides itself on, and neither is the Menton campus famed for its sporting performances at the annual intercampus Minicrit competition. However, this has not stopped the Bureau Des Sports (BDS) from outperforming itself at every opportunity this school year. They managed to collect over 2000 euros for the League Against Cancer for Pink October, nearly triple what they managed last year. Thanks to their apt negotiation skills, the bureau received sports equipment for each campus team for the first time in Sciences Po Menton history. And for their final trick… send nearly 100 students to the Alps for a five-day skiing holiday before the beginning of term — a feat that they executed perfectly. On Monday morning, Sciences Pistes woke up early, eager to board the bus. The journey from the pebbly beaches of the Côte D’Àzur to the snowy tips of the French Alps began… and continued. After a few festive hours, the “are we there yet?” calls began in earnest. For eight hours, they persisted. A little downtrodden, we finally arrived in Risoul and checked into our rooms at “Yoonly & Friends” — well, at least those of us who managed to make it down the infamous icy steps. After a complicated check-in and a well-needed night’s rest, we were finally ready to begin exploring. Being super excited to start skiing, we all woke up early to pick up our skis from the local rental shop and collect our ski passes. Many of the group had never seen snow, let alone set foot on a ski slope, so there was some understandable apprehension among a few, especially after seeing second-year Ilyes Mesbah and first-year Nael El Kihal bombing down the slopes at uncontrollable speeds. Their speed and elegance, unfortunately, inspired second-year Lilou D’Inca, who, according to her, had not set foot on a pair of skis “for over ten years” to throw herself a little too enthusiastically down her first hill. After multiple barrel rolls and a torn ligament, the medical team managed to get D’Inca down the slope in one piece. Her ski holiday was promptly over. We hope our beloved cheer captain will recover quickly and bring home the Minicrit. The rest of the group remained in good spirits as we sat down for lunch beside the slopes. It did not take long for the initial groups of flatmates and friends to dissolve. Almost immediately, 1A’s and 2A’s were becoming more comfortable skiing with one another. What was so brilliant about the ski trip was not the skiing or the parties; it was its ability to bring us all together. “The ski trip really brought us closer together,” comments co-president of Bureau Des Sports, Romain Dufournet. “Five days of holiday all together is obviously going to be packed with emotion. I think constantly being around each other and talking to each other and just living in the moment outside the context of Menton and Sciences Po allowed us to create stronger bonds.” After skiing, we were treated to some first-class DJing by DJMiketrackz at ”La Grotte du Yéti.” It might have been a ski trip, but it did not stop the Ummah from partying like it always does. The Après-Ski was a highlight. Beer in hand, the snowy outdoor party embodied the Mentonnais saying: “no stress, success.” It was a moment for everyone to relax and decompress before the work kicked in a few days later. The parties often continued well into the night, with Sciences Pistes getting to bed at times that could only make Mme. la directrice Yasmina Touaibia proud. This resulted in exceptionally slow mornings. However, the enthusiasm never waned. Despite a few hiccups and more than a few drunk incidents, the ski trip was a tremendous success. Sciences Pistes faced their fears on the mountain, and they are stronger for it. Going into the second semester of the year, we have a tighter connection than ever. As the monotony of essay writing and unanswered emails set in, I would just like to leave the reader with a notion that is important to keep in mind going into semester two, as it highlights the campus’ ability to surpass all expectations despite the adversary we face: Samy, c’est un mec du R.

< Back Protests Ongoing in the Côte d’Azur By Cameron Sterling September 30, 2021 Last Tuesday, about a hundred people gathered at Garibaldi tram stop in Nice to protest the government’s recent COVID-19 measures during President Macron’s visit to the city. Protests have been ongoing in Côte d’Azur cities such as Monte Carlo, Marseilles, and Toulouse since the introduction of the pass sanitaire in mid-August. According to Sortira Paris, The Côte d’Azur region is known for its high rates of vaccine hesitancy and refusal, with 68.2% of the population considered “fully vaccinated,” a lower rate than the national figure of 70.2%. Lower vaccination rates are accompanied by a high ICU occupancy, with the region at 71%, nearly double the national average. In a continuation of the ongoing demonstrations against the pass sanitaire , the majority of the protestors gathered in opposition to an impending mandate that all healthcare workers be vaccinated or face suspension without pay. Demonstrators, such as Louise A. (who asks that her last name be omitted), assert that this measure amounts to “extortion,” forcing members of the public to be vaccinated or lose many of the fundamental benefits of society. Many were also of the opinion that vaccine mandates were illegal under French law. Though there is a consensus among the legal community that the health pass is valid as it can be acquired through regular testing even without vaccination, anti-vax demonstrators question the legality of such mandates. They assert that it is outside of the powers of the French government because the Pfizer and Moderna jabs use technologies, and thus should not be considered the same way as traditional vaccines. One protester, named Steven, raised concerns about the contents of the vaccinations. He, and many others, have questioned the intentions of the institutions that developed and distributed the vaccine. Many of those present do not believe that the vaccine is effective in stopping the spread of the virus, nor that the spread of the virus is a serious public health risk. Instead, the demonstrators attribute the majority of COVID-19 deaths to those that are already sick. As a means of public display, demonstrators laid on the ground wearing white clothing, face masks, and sheets while bearing crosses on their chests. Accompanied with signs that read, “ Sauvons nos Soignantes ,” or “Save our Caregivers,” the spectacle symbolized solidarity with healthcare workers. However, not all people present were solely demonstrating against the pass sanitaire . Other issues raised included an overactive police force, racism, the migrant crisis, and violations of civil liberties. The composition of the crowd was intersectional, with notable presences from the political right and left. Though there were also many yellow-vesters present, protesters maintained that the movement against COVID-19 restrictions and pass sanitaire is a distinctly civilian meeting. Many take an optimist view: that Tuesday’s demonstrations are a small part of a growing popular resistance against the French government’s COVID-19 measures. However, many Nice residents oppose the ongoing protests. Long-time resident Badia Daniel expressed that she was annoyed by the demonstrations as they were disruptive to the flow of the city, and felt that there is little problem with the pass sanitaire and vaccine. Other residents echoed the sentiments of Madame Daniel, expressing indifference or animosity towards the demonstrators. In general, there is still widespread support for the pass sanitaire and vaccine mandates for healthcare workers. Polls show that about 62% of the country is in favor of the health pass, while 69% expressed support for the mandate.

< Back Italian 2021 Elections Prove to be a Delicate Game for Draghi and Europe By Florian Heydecker October 31, 2021 The complex vote of the 2021 local elections has given us a different Italy, once again bipolar, but at the same time inclined to a common sentiment — political, of course — in which proportional thrusts also return. In short, everything and the opposite of everything. Coalitions were designed, but heterogeneous ones. Movements in the center, but still too immature. Leaders in search of an author and a team. Different visions of the future. And in between, in the next few months, there is the game for the Quirinal (the Residence of the Italian President of the Republic), which could bring a further shake-up to the political forces. The vote in the cities, the results, and the high abstention rate On October 13 and 14, more than 12 million Italians (24 percent of the voting population) were called to the polls to renew the Regional Council and the President of Calabria as well as the mayors of over 1,300 cities. While the center-right candidate, Occhiuto, prevailed in Calabria, the PD (center-left) won the first round in Milan, Naples, and Bologna, with the center-right running in Rome and Turin. But it was the abstention that struck — in every sense. The leader of the Lega Nord (populist right-wing), Salvini, has focused on this with a mea culpa that he has put on the table before anyone else. There was a record of abstention, with a voter turnout at just 54.7 percent of eligible voters. This is a sign of an electoral campaign that is not very captivating or involving little-known candidates. It is possibly a saturation of political messages, or, more simply, of disaffection to be overcome. The reflection between the parties is already open. New bipolarism with the possibility of a proportional system Everyone agrees on what now appears to be a new form of bipolarism in place. This is a rehearsal of a system that dominated Italian politics in the last 30 years and was briefly interrupted by the rise of the big-tent Five Star Movement. On the one hand the center-right, on the other the center-left: how they will be organized between now and the next elections is to be determined. The center-right is torn between a governmental and pro-European wing supporting Mario Draghi that goes from Forza Italia to the moderate wing of the League, and an anti-EU opposition based on Giorgia Meloni (Brothers of Italy), and an ambiguous Salvini, who moved from opposing the health pass to accommodating every decision of Mario Draghi. On the other side, the Letta-Conte axis has yet to translate into a solid alliance between the Democratic Party and Five Star Movement (big-tent, left-leaning). In between, however, there is great desire for a proportional system. The center-right: seeking leaders and redemption Matteo Salvini, known for his strong anti-immigration and populist propaganda that boosted him to 34.3 percent at the 2019 European elections, is now tailed and often overtaken by Fratelli d’Italia. Giorgia Meloni has climbed the ranks of center-right parties in the polls thanks to her strong, nationalist and very conservative language, now standing around 20 percent next to Salvini's League. Meloni refused to talk about defeat and raised the possibility of an early vote with Draghi at the Quirinal. On the other hand, Forza Italia (Silvio Berlsuconi’s liberal-conservative and pro-European party) is satisfied due to the victory of its party member Occhiuto in Calabria, which is the only important result of the center-right coalition. Nevertheless, the party enjoys its indispensability in a coalition that needs a glue, which today appears to be still and only Silvio Berlusconi. The center-right is seeking a leader in either Salvini or Meloni, both controversial hardliners, and the liberal component is the key for the coalition to be successful at a local and national level. These are the factors that emerged from the vote. The political elections are a long way off, but time is running out. The gazes of Salvini, Meloni, and Berlusconi are all turned to the national vote. But first there is the Quirinal. The center-left: new coalition wanted On the flip side, there is the success of the Democratic Party and the expected but not-very-encouraging result of the Five Star Movement. The PD was the first-place party in almost every city and won the cities of Milan, Naples, and Bologna in the first round, and Rome and Turin in the runoff. On the other hand, the results of the administrative elections were also negative for the Five Stars Movement, which did not make any important gains, and its defeat has even been tempered by Giuseppe Conte's personal entrance into Italian politics. Enrico Letta, PD secretary and former Professor at Sciences Po, has remarked his commitment to enlarging the center-left coalition that comprises several parties, including the Five Stars Movement. Giuseppe Conte, former Italian Prime Minister and leader of the party since this August, has initiated a shift of the Five Star Movement towards the left, departing from the initial populist, anti-establishment and anti-European propaganda. Both leaders want to consolidate the center-left coalition, which as of now scores 41 percent in the polls. This might be a solid starting point to prepare for the 2023 Italian general elections that will take place in just over a year and provide good leverage for electing the president of the Republic. Movements at the Center between Calenda, Renzi, and others The political center in Italy has been weak since the 1990s, yet something is changing. On the one hand, former Italian PM Matteo Renzi has left the Democratic Party and hounded his own centrist party Italia Viva, but now scores less than two percent in the polls. Yet former minister of Renzi government Carlo Calenda is now climbing the ranks. His party Azione is at around six percent in the polls but has experienced substantial growth at a national level and received a very strong result in big cities like Rome (19 percent). Many other parliamentarians are moving in that direction and a possible shift towards the full proportional system could give more voice to this field. PM Draghi and the race for the Quirinal In addition to this, Mario Draghi is implementing the agenda unquestionably towards reforms, projects, and the National Recovery Plan. After simplification, recovery governance, public administration, criminal and civil justice, the prime minister is now addressing fiscal reform. All of these are necessary to obtain the 209 billion euro of the EU Recovery Plan, meaning that there is no time to waste. The government must turn its attention to concrete issues and undergo a calm navigation towards the economic revival of the country. The rest will be addressed afterwards. Yet the cherry on top is ultimately the Quirinal, and this might have consequences at a national and European level. Since taking office, Draghi has been appreciated for his calmness and spirit of mediation, which have made him the perfect mediator in Italy's difficult politics and beyond. With Germany’s departure from 16 years of Angela Merkel and France tormented by a possible ultra-conservative turn, the former President of the European Central Bank is considered a guarantee for the European Union's stability in the years to come. These attributes have ranked him on the top list of candidates for the Italian Presidency. “Parliament will decide…” the Prime Minister replied several times to those who asked him about his possible move from Chigi Palace to the Quirinal. Many see that as a message of availability, but there are many variables. Draghi himself has explained that the country needs stability and continuity. How Italy will combine this need with the election of a new president is yet to be seen.

< Back Queen Elizabeth II Dies Leaving the World To Mourn, Marvel or Celebrate By Leo Gerza September 26, 2022 “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.” On Thursday, the 8 of Sept. 2022, this message rippled throughout the world as we learned of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s death, marking not only the culmination of the longest reigning monarch in British history but also reminding us of the unique role she served for 70 years. In many ways, the Queen came to represent a constant in a rapidly changing world. She brought duty and service to her role and provided resolve throughout decades of domestic political and economic turmoil, which signified Britain’s ever-declining global importance. Beyond the island’s coastline, the Queen also observed an exodus of former colonial states as they claimed independence and oversaw the continuation of the Commonwealth, a moderated alternative to British subjugation. The endurance of the Queen’s reign also meant the persistence of the monarchical institution and, with that, the memory of colonial times for many of the citizens living in former colonies. The Queen’s death will resonate differently with everyone in the diverse Menton community : there will be those who could not care less; some will no doubt have been struck by sadness; others may have been in awe at the significance of her reign; and, of course, many will be reminded of the pain and suffering upon which the British monarchy’s power and global prominence were built. Thus, this article will strive to reflect on the Queen’s reign by celebrating Her Majesty’s role in becoming a fundamental aspect of British identity and exploring the facets of her reign within the Commonwealth and on the international stage. Domestically, it is difficult to imagine a more definitive and iconic figure than the Queen. She modernized the relationship between monarch and subject, and her apolitical existence raised a reassuring curtain around a nation increasingly fraught with polarizing politics. Her connection with and affection toward the public began before her ascension to the throne. Her 1940 Wartime Broadcast instilled comfort in the nation’s young children who were forced to leave their families for the countryside. “We know, everyone of us, that in the end all will be well; for God will care for us and give us victory and peace. And when peace comes, remember it will be for us, the children of today, to make the world of tomorrow a better and happier place.” The Queen, Wartime Broadcast 1940 She hinted toward her future decades of duty by staying in England during WWII and serving as a mechanic in the Auxiliary Territorial Services (ATS), endearing her to the nation and demonstrating that, even though her life could not be more different from that of the ordinary citizen, she was prepared to bridge the connection between monarch and subject. This rapprochement between monarch and subject manifested itself in the first-ever televised coronation – during the Queen’s accession to the crown – but also in times when it seemed that controversy had taken the monarchy to the brink of redundancy. During the calamity following Princess Diana’s death in 1997, the Queen broke protocol by making an exceedingly rare address to the nation. Her message underscored how deeply she understood the grief of the people mourning the loss of perhaps the only royal figure more popular than herself. “We have all been trying in our different ways to cope. It is not easy to express a sense of loss since the initial shock is often succeeded by a mixture of other feelings: disbelief, incomprehension, anger - and concern for those who remain. We have all felt those emotions in these last few days. So what I say to you now, as your Queen and as a grandmother, I say from my heart.” The Queen’s message to the nation following Princess Diana’s death in 1997. Even though many will point out that such examples are normal human instincts for empathy, it is crucial to recognize how such actions departed from the Victorian custom of existing as far removed from the public as possible. Despite all her faults, the Queen provided Britain with continuity during a period when it experienced immense social, economic and political change. Her absolute sense of duty supplied motherly refuge in moments of critical uncertainty for Britain. Her address to the nation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic exemplified how, to some, she became a source of hope and connection in times when reality demanded distance. “We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again. The Queen, address to the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic 2020. Internationally, the Queen aided Britain in maintaining an outsized relevance in international relations. Though Britain’s share of global trade and economic power has waned, its clout on the international stage remains fairly high. According to the Washington Post, soft power and the power of attraction have been vital boosts for British foreign policy. After all, many American presidents have claimed that their most treasured memory in office was the opportunity to meet the Queen of England. Former Prime Minister David Cameron even attributed his warm relationship with President Obama to the successes of the Queen during their state visit in 2011. “The Queen and the Royal Family have been pivotal in maintaining the nation’s relevance.” Brand Finance, 2020 Global Soft Power Index . Departing from the Queen’s impact within Britain, examining the bloodstains of colonialism that trail her death is vital. In many countries whose history intertwines with Britain’s, reluctance to mourn the Queen demonstrates the complexity and pain that her legacy – colonialism – leaves behind. After all, the capacity of the Queen’s death to engulf so much attention is partially owed to the vast areas of the world that colonialism and the British Empire impacted. It is also true that the tragedies of colonialism were not events overseen exclusively by the Queen’s predecessors. The Queen herself supervised a government that acted brutally and immorally at the tail end of its lifespan as an empire. Several months after her ascension to the throne, British authorities in Kenya responded to the Mau Mau rebellion by means of torture and assault. It is estimated that by 1956 up to 150,000 Kenyans were held in detainment camps aiming to forcefully reform its internees to the views of the government and “abandon their nationalist aspirations.” According to the New York Times, this event “led to the establishment of a vast system of detention camps and the torture, rape, castration and killing of tens of thousands of people.” “It’s her dual status as the face of colonialism, but also a symbol of decolonization that defines how she is perceived in many former British African colonies.” Moses Ochonu, professor of African studies at Vanderbilt University to NPR. For many people, the Queen was also the face of the British Empire’s pilferage: many of the monarchy’s jewels were not returned to their homelands, such as the Koh-i-Nor or Cullinan diamonds, belonging originally to India and South Africa, respectively. To this end, separating the individual from the institution and its history seems impossible. Yet, as leader of the Commonwealth, the Queen oversaw 17 former colonies become independent. Today, the Commonwealth includes a third of the world’s population, a fifth of its territorial mass and a third of its waters. The Queen worked tirelessly to maintain the Commonwealth and modernize its values. Her success has materialized in the membership of new states such as Mozambique in 2005 and Gabon and Togo in 2022, former Portuguese and French colonies, respectively. In the same way that it is possible to consider the Queen’s legacy tied to British colonialism, it is also possible to acknowledge the vast decolonization that her reign oversaw. Ultimately, the Queen’s refusal to apologize explicitly for the traumas of colonialism, even as the world turns the lamp toward the darkness of colonialism, means that her death should not absolve her of her failures. It is deservedly so that her legacy of service to Britain will forever be wrapped together with the pain of colonialism and the British Empire. However, it is still worth taking a moment to awe at the endurance of her reign and the sense of duty that she brought to her role.

< Back Double Earthquakes Devastate Turkey and Syria: What You Can Do To Help By Ecesu Basara February 28, 2023 On the morning of Monday, February 6, at around four a.m. local time, the ground shook in Turkey. It shook so hard that even residents of Israel, Lebanon and Cyprus claimed to have felt the trembling. Authorities determined that the quake’s magnitude was 7.7, and its depth was 10 kilometers, which made its impact much more intense. The following day, another earthquake of a 7.6 magnitude struck at 11 a.m. and added to the ruin. As of Monday, February 13, the death toll stands at over 35,000, and it, unfortunately, keeps rising every day. When the initial earthquake rocked Turkey in the early morning, most people slept in their homes. Since many of these structures were not built to withstand such powerful earthquakes and collapsed, trapping people within, the extent of destruction and loss of life was tremendous. Search and rescue efforts are still being conducted in the Kahramanmaraş cities that were most impacted by the two earthquakes. As of now, more than 80,000 people have been injured, and it is estimated that 70,000 more are out on the streets for fear of their homes’ infrastructure. The Minister of National Education, Mahmut Özer, announced that classes in the earthquake zone will not resume until March 1 and decided to close all universities in Turkey until the next academic year to use dormitories as temporary housing for survivors. Since this last decision, university students and academic personnel have expressed their anger about the shutdown; one petition signed by over 76,000 people on the Change.org website states: “We can find different solutions for the people affected by the earthquake, do not distract us from our education, do not limit our opportunities. The number of university students enrolled is 8,196,959, while the number of students using the state dormitory is 678,763. Since there are many accommodation opportunities for earthquake survivors, we DO NOT ACCEPT the deprivation of more than seven million students!” Many are suggesting that the nationwide university closures serve to minimize reactionary research efforts into the role of government neglect in the post-earthquake destruction of Turkey. Because of government carelessness before the natural disaster, contractors were allowed to utilize inappropriate materials and disregard fundamental seismic guidelines when determining how to build homes. As temperatures reach a chilling -10°C in some affected areas, international organizations and the Turkish government scramble to aid those in need. However, the first response effort in Syria remains much more complicated; the country, ravaged by war, is not receiving equal help as Turkey. They do not have appropriate equipment or search and rescue teams, and civilians often find themselves alone in rescue efforts. In the West, most are hesitant to donate to Syria as they do not trust that their donations will reach the people in need. If you would like to help, you can either donate through the Thracian and Anatolian Student Association (TASA) (all information is on their Instagram @tasamenton) or donate directly to the “Ahbap” organization, which is not affiliated with any political or religious groups and publishes their financial reports. TASA in Menton recently held a fundraising bake sale and has been collecting donations since the earthquake hit Turkey and Syria. When faced with a situation this severe, it is imperative to remain cognizant of our chosen course of study. Our specialization in the Middle East entails a collective duty — we must band together to support this region in which we are all so invested.

< Back European E-Waste is Transforming Entire Cities in Africa into Wastelands By Mayra Kost January 31, 2022 With the rise of technological development and our global dependence on electronic devices, European discarded electronic waste, or “e-waste”, is transforming entire cities in Africa into wastelands. In the Agbogbloshie region near the Ghanaian capital, Accra, one of the largest electronic wastelands in the world, is expanding. The area currently holds over 50 million tons of e-waste, with predictions doubling the figure by 2050. Yet, the e-waste is not generated within the region, or even the continent. Instead, it is illegally imported from Europe and the United States to Africa. The wasteland in Agbogbloshie began forming in the 1990s as large shipments from European countries, such as France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands arrived at the port of Accra with immense containers labeled as “secondhand consumer products.” In theory, the content of these containers was meant to be recyclable, expanding the market for reused electronic goods and pushing the Ghanaian economy forward. Yet, in reality, about 75 percent of these allegedly secondhand electronics cannot be further processed and are directly transported to landfills in Agbogbloshie. While the waste is not imported directly from European incinerators, informal collectors in recycling centers or metal scrap dealers send the unusable e-waste either to African or Asian countries simply by changing their official label to “recyclable” or “secondhand” goods. The illicit trade of digital dumping proposes a more profitable option than properly recycling devices that contain toxic chemicals for most European manufacturers. Many among Ghanaian authorities blame the lack of surveillance in the ports, which allows about 150 thousand tons of foreign waste to enter the country annually. As regular inspections would result in a significant slowdown in the movement of multiple massive containers that the port passes daily, imported goods swiftly pass over from international waters into the country. It appears that making a slight bureaucratic change is sufficient to continue the exploitation of the country, as the West has managed to maintain its private wasteland despite multiple conventions, namely by the Basel Action Network, an NGO that combats toxic waste importation to developing countries, and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). In 1989, with the signing of the Basel Convention, the first attempts to control and monitor transboundary movements of waste from Europe to Africa were made. The treaty explicitly forbade developed nations from unauthorized dumping of e-waste in less developed nations, yet the Basel Convention’s scope of power appeared to be minimal, and led to absolutely no significant change in the area. Subsequently, in 2012, a forum meeting took place between the UNEP and the Basel Action Network to discuss the violations of the 1989 Basel Convention, yet, once again, no consequential action was taken. While several meetings dedicated to this matter were organized in past years, they all shared a pattern of acknowledging the problem, but justifying the influx of waste from the West as an opportunity to create green jobs and facilitate economic development in Africa. This idealistic thought behind “green jobs” harshly clashes with the reality of working in Agbogbloshie. Currently, the region holds about 10,000 workers who are engaged in an informal recycling process, scavenging for profitable metals by disassembling electronic devices and burning off plastic encasements on computer sites and refrigerator coils. Such fires release toxic gases into the air, amounting to abnormal levels of air pollution in the area, which puts these workers at serious risk of respiratory problems. Burns, back problems, and infected wounds as well as long-term issues like chronic nausea and lung problems are common ailments among the residents and workers in Agbogbloshie. Moreover, the pollution has a larger effect on the country, as the region is simultaneously one of the largest food markets near Accra. Local farmers are left with no choice other than continuing their production and grazing the livestock freely on the dump site. It is estimated that one egg hatched by a free range chicken in Agbogbloshie exceeds the European food safety authority limits on chlorinated dioxins, which can cause cancer and damage the immune system, by 220 times. According to a report by the Basel Action Network, the site contains some of the most toxic chemicals on earth, putting both local farmers and consumers at an immense health risk. While the Ghanaians suffer as an entire city is taken over by an ever-growing wasteland, the West continues its covert operation, hiding behind excuses such as “Opportunity” “Green Jobs!” and “Economic Development!” No amount of ‘opportunity’ is worth the harm that is being inflicted upon the inhabitants of Agbogloshie, who must grapple with the inhospitable conditions of their home city with every breath of polluted air they take. The situation in Agbogbloshie also reveals a much larger, global problem, centering around the West’s attitude towards African countries. Although colonialism is now considered to be an issue of the past, European nations are able to continue exploiting less developed countries, while the European Union maintains its public principles as “equality” and “promoting peace and stability.” The vast wasteland of Agbogloshie is living proof of this ongoing Western hypocrisy.

< Back The FSO Safer is a Ticking Time Bomb in the Red Sea By Emilia Kohlmeyer January 31, 2022 Eight kilometers off the shore of Yemen lies a looming environmental and humanitarian catastrophe: the FSO Safer. The floating oil storage and offloading vessel is in imminent danger of sinking or exploding, which would lead to a disruption of the food supply, disrupt global trade, and cause a massive environmental disaster. The vessel is currently under control of the Houthi movement, which lacks the resources to mitigate the damage and prevent international actors’ access to the site-citing distrust due to previous agreements that were not complied with. The United Nations have warned that a spill could reach quadruple the size of the catastrophic Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska, which is the second largest spill in US waters, affecting thousands of kilometers of coastline. A spill from the FSO Safer could take months to clear and would have disastrous effects on its surrounding area. Currently, 80 percent of Yemen’s population is food-insecure. The nearby ports of Al Hudaya and As Salif — which receive about two thirds of Yemen’s food supply —would be blocked for up to six months. Furthermore, it would contaminate water utilized for desalination processes not only in Yemen but also in Saudi Arabia, upon which both depend. In addition, it would deplete the fishing industry which at least 1.7 million people in the surrounding region rely on. Lastly, it would impact access to the Suez Canal strait through which 10 percent of the global trade passes, having a grave impact on global supply chains. The vessel was built in 1976 and has been anchored North of the Yemeni city Al Hudaya since 1988. It has since been utilized as a transit point for oil exports by the Yemeni government and presently harbours 1.14 million barrels of oil at a value of over 80 million US Dollars. During the Yemeni Civil War, the vessel fell into the hands of the Houthi Movement and has since faced structural disintegration. According to numerous research papers the FSO Safer has been classified at imminent risk of sinking or explosion as of October 2021. At 50 years old, the FSO tanker has surpassed the average scrapping age of oil tankers by 19 years. Furthermore, the 50 head crew has shrunk to only seven members, a team too small to oversee the numerous essential repairs that the ship necessitates. Since losing power in 2017, it has been declared a dead ship with only two diesel generators providing limited electricity to smaller devices. This is particularly dangerous given that it has halted essential mechanisms such as “inerting,” a process in which inert gases are pumped into the crude oil storage to counter the emission of highly flammable hydrocarbons. Therefore, the ship is susceptible to explosion by as little as a cigarette butt. It is assumed that the surrounding seabed contains Houthi mines. However, the officer responsible for laying them has been killed and therefore their location remains unknown. United Nations-led inspections have been hindered by the Houthis, who refuse to provide safety assurances. Yemen has been in a Civil War since 2014. The predominantly Sunni country was ravaged by the armed conflict between the government led by Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and the Shiite Houthi Movement. The single-candidate election of Hadi in 2012 led to strong Houthi opposition, who viewed the election as a continuance of Ali Abdullah Saleh who was removed during the Arab Spring uprising in 2011. This was exacerbated by disagreements over the new constitution, proposals of a federal state structure, and foreign influence. In 2015 A Saudi-led coalition intervened to counter the Houthi advance. However, with further escalation, the conflict had been considered a proxy war between Saudi Arabian and Iranian influence.

The problem with playing Switzerland, playing neutral, is that it is not a fair game. Ban the state, and innocent athletes suffer. Do not ban the state, and those harmed by the state suffer instead. The sport of neutrality has no simple rules. And the question remains: how can sporting governing bodies criticize aggressor states while staying true to their values of inclusivity and togetherness through sport? < Back Playing Switzerland: An Unfair Game Rebecca Canton October 31, 2024 Germany and Japan in 1948, South Africa in 1964, Yugoslavia in 1992, Taliban-ruled Afghanistan in 2000 and now Russia and Belarus in 2024: the list of nations banned from participating in the Olympic Games continues to expand. Historically, so-called “banned” nations were fully barred from sending athletes or delegates. Nowadays, a banned nation does not necessarily indicate banned athletes. Enter the “neutral” athlete, an exclusive title only few possess. Yet the problem with this apparent neutrality, much like the issues with Switzerland’s, is that, in practice, it is neither simple nor truly neutral. One’s nationality does not implicate them in their state’s actions. So then why should athletes of aggressor nations be penalized? Why should, for example, Viyaleta Bardzilouskaya, a 19-year-old trampoline gymnast who went on to take a silver medal in the 2024 Olympic games as a neutral athlete, not hear her national anthem like other athletes? Why should an athlete who has no direct control over their country’s policies be sanctioned? Sporting events like the Olympics are meant to be a celebration of sport and inclusivity, not a criticism of politics. The Olympic charter itself states that The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympics are apolitical. But if such is the case, what right does the IOC have to dictate political sanctions? Perhaps more importantly, can an institution as global, and as historically political, as the Olympics ever be truly neutral? The concept of officially “neutral” athletes is relatively modern. In 2016, following Russian doping scandals, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) proposed the idea. While Russia as a nation was allowed to compete in the 2016 Rio Olympics, in 2017 World Athletics, then IAAF, banned Russian athletes from competing at the World Championships with the exception of nineteen Russians who competed as neutral athletes . Apart from being politically-motivated neutrality, an athlete may also compete neutrally due to geopolitical realities. The Paris 2024 Olympics Games saw 37 athletes compete under the Refugee Olympic Team, representing more than 100 million displaced people around the world as opposed to a single country. Russia’s own participation in recent Games shows how blurred boundaries have become. In 2021, in light of mass doping allegations, Russia began competing under the acronym “ROC”, standing for the Russian Olympic Committee. Their flag was replaced with the Olympic Committee’s flag, and their anthem changed from the patriotic war song “Katyusha” to a piece from Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, still distinctly Russian in cultural identity. Their uniforms contained the colors of the Russian flag. They were, undeniably, Russian athletes. None of this fits any real definition of neutrality. So what does? For an organisation designed to be apolitical, the IOC has several criteria for an athlete to be considered neutral. Athletes must qualify under their respective International Sports Federations’ definition of neutrality, most of which mirror the IOC rules. Belarusian and Russian athletes were banned from displaying their flag, colors and singing their national anthems. State officials were not invited, and any athlete found supporting the war or participating in military activities was deemed ineligible. Throughout all of this, the IOC has maintained that it fully supports Ukraine and Ukrainian athletes. Yet Ukrainian officials argue the IOC has not upheld its own rules. On 29 December 2023, an open letter signed by 261 Ukrainian athletes revealed that three of the six accepted Russian athletes had openly supported the war, by participating in pro-war rallies or by appearing in pro-war propaganda. Despite not following neutrality rules, such athletes were allowed to compete. The IOC continues to claim the Olympics are apolitical, yet the Games have consistently been used for political purposes. The 1936 Berlin Olympics, controversially awarded to the Nazi regime, became a propaganda tool for Hitler. The U.S. boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics protested the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, which the Soviets returned with their boycott of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. As arguably the biggest sporting event in the world, the Olympics cannot be neutral, nor can they appease all nations. Athletes inevitably represent more than themselves. Their victories can fuel nationalism, and in some cases, serve as state propaganda. Russia’s long-standing investment in figure skating illustrates this. Since the Soviet era, the sport has been used as a symbol of the “Russian Empire’s” greatness, with athletes becoming cultural icons who skate on behalf of “Mother Russia.” Even though athletes compete for themselves, in Russia an individual victory is a national one. Allowing aggressor states to compete without consequence can be seen as a form of appeasement, giving the impression that hostile actions are acceptable. By not banning athletes or imposing serious sanctions, the IOC risks legitimizing the actions of aggressor governments. Yet banning athletes punishes individuals for state violence they did not commit, and as such neutrality becomes a lose-lose game. Fairness is also questioned in how neutrality rules are applied. Iran and several other states have called for Israeli athletes to face the same bans imposed on Russia and Belarus, citing Israel’s escalation of aggression in Palestine since 7 October 2023. Israel has destroyed numerous Palestinian sporting facilities, reducing even the possibility of Palestinian athletes reaching the Olympics. The IOC’s justification is that Russia violated the Olympic Truce by invading Ukraine four days after the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics ended. Israel, they argue, has not violated it in the same way. This ambiguous differentiation, punishing one state's aggression but not another’s, creates a double standard. If neutrality and sanctions are to have legitimacy, they cannot be selectively enforced. At its core, the Olympics want to be Switzerland: neutral, impartial, untouched by political dispute. But even Switzerland is practically, not perfectly, neutral. It stayed out of both world wars, yet shut its borders for Jewish refugees during World War II and allowed Nazi bank accounts. Today it is not part of the EU or EEA, yet participates in the single market. A country or organization may claim neutrality, but the reality is far more complex. For athletes, this complexity is deeply personal. Their dreams, work, and sacrifice can be extinguished by decisions entirely beyond their control. The problem with playing Switzerland, playing neutral, is that it is not a fair game. Ban the state, and innocent athletes suffer. Do not ban the state, and those harmed by the state suffer instead. The sport of neutrality has no simple rules. And the question remains: how can sporting governing bodies criticize aggressor states while staying true to their values of inclusivity and togetherness through sport? If the Olympic Movement is meant to contribute to a more peaceful world, perhaps the first step is acknowledging that neutrality itself is not peace, but a complicated position. One that the Olympics, despite its ideals, has never been able to truly maintain.

< Back The Turbulent World of French Politics and How It Affects Me Stanimir Stoyanov French politics are notorious for being turbulent and complex, and in 2024 especially, France experienced some important shifts in its political landscape. In this context, many people, foreigners in particular, have had a difficult time grasping the political landscape of France. Be it the language barrier or the tongue-twisting, understanding what's happening in France is certainly a demanding task for newcomers. This has led me personally and many other Sciences Pistes to question what effect the current political situation will have on us. This article will present a brief overview of recent events and explain how these developments impact our lives as students at SciencesPo. I. What happened? In the second round of the 2022 French presidential election, Emanuel Macron won 58,55% of the votes against Marine Le Pen, with 41,45% . While still a victory for the current president, the election showcased a continued rise of support for the right-wing leader Marine Le Pen. The election was also marked by the lowest voter turnout ( 72% ) since 1969, raising questions about voter apathy. While political awareness in France remains high, a large part of the population has trouble identifying with politics and disregards their importance. The tensions kept rising as the status-quo was being more and more challenged by the opposition and in January 2024, France experienced severe political turmoil. The ruling government, led by then Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, didn’t have a majority in parliament, making the legislative process a tougher challenge. In January as an attempt to counter the far-right’s influence, Macron backed a controversial migration law , simplifying the deportation process and making immigration to France much more difficult for non-EU foreigners. This was followed by the resignation of Elizabeth Borne on Jan. 8. Afterwards, on Jan. 9, Macron appointed Gabriel Attal as PM and organized a cabinet reshuffle. This was all in an effort to mitigate the rise of support for the opposition ahead of the 2024 EU Elections. In June 2024, French voters headed to the polls for the European Parliament Election and showcased significant support for Le Pen’s far-right party, the National Rally ( Rassemblement National), which was the front-runner with a remarkable 31,37% . This raised doubts about Macron's authority, leading him to dismiss parliament and schedule snap elections on the 30 June and 7 July. While this move is recognized as an attempt to both consolidate support and bring the attention to the public, it can also be viewed as an unprecedented political gamble. The results of the election showcased the severe social fragmentation with no party gaining a clear majority. The current division of parties in parliament is as follows: *Data compiled from French National Assembly website https://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/ , as of Sept. 13 2024. As can be seen, the National Rally party has the most seats, yet no party has a majority. Further, even when looking at possible coalitions within parliament, the main coalitions Nouveau Front Populare (left-wing), and the Ensemble (Macron endorsed) also do not have a majority to form a stable government. The right-wing parties remain divided and are not likely to form a coalition. This means that France currently has a hung parliament, making forming a stable government a formidable task. II. Who is the current French Prime Minister? Following the election in July and Gabriel Attal’s resignation, President Macron had to appoint a new Prime Minister. This was a tough choice, seeing how it needed to be a figure that can gather support from allies and opposition alike. On Sept. 5 2024, Michel Barnier from the Les Republicans party was appointed as Prime Minister. The choice was controversial and followed by backlash from the left coalition NFP, which have the most seats and advocated for their candidate Lucie Castets . In his first interview as PM , Barnier presented his stances on the current situation and promised to form a government that is not just right-wing, but also compromises with the left. He has said he will attempt forming a government in the upcoming week. Should he not gather the support of parliament, the opposition can call a vote of no confidence, where parliament can vote for removing him as PM. Barnier is particularly insistent on his tough stance on migration, following Macron’s attempts to appease the right as a response to Le Pen’s momentum gains. Macron and the Ensemble alliance have always had a more lenient view towards migration, but public opinion has made them toughen their stance. III. How are foreign students studying in France affected? The political turmoil has led to many changes in French society: economic challenges, increase of political protests and violence and a more negative lookout towards migration. The situation has also led to many strikes across France including train strikes in the Côte d'Azur region in August. Such strikes are also planned for the Fall, which raises concerns for Menton students. T he migration law that was passed in January increased requirements for acquiring a visa and made it more difficult for migrants to establish work in France. As part of drafting said law, politicians from Les Republicains, supported by the far-right, succeeded in adding an amendment concerning international students, requiring them to prove every year they are enrolled in a “real and serious programme” and to deposit a sum of money returned after their graduation. These changes were not supported by Macron and were later proven unconstitutional by the Constitutional Council. In the final draft of the law there was no mention of international students. Hitherto, political conversation on the topic has shifted far away from the matter of international students. The ongoing migration legislative efforts mainly concern migrants outside the EU and streamlining of the deportation process. Impact for students is not as severe, beside stricter requirements for visa applications for those outside the EU. Still, uncertainty reigns among students who are not sure how they are affected by the puzzling world of French politics. For now there does not seem to be any imminent danger towards the status of international students seeing how such measures are seen as too controversial and unnecessary for parties on all sides of the spectrum. IV. Final words The changes happening in France now affect our daily lives mainly when it comes to price increases and heightened social tensions. Previously I was hearing many different things, including false news about the dangers that can arise from the political turmoil and it was fairly intimidating. I believe many fellow students also relate to this feeling, but after gathering more insight into the situation, I personally am now more confident as a student in France. While there is no need for us students to fear in this current status, we must remain educated on the matter and follow up with the latest developments to be better informed about the changes happening in France. The domestic political landscape is moving rapidly and is full of unexpected twists. While it might be difficult for foreigners to adjust to it, it is valuable to be well-versed in such topics, in order to know if we are affected by them. Previous Next

Sports Recap — January 2023 < Back January Sports Recap By Hugo Lagergren January 31, 2023 Football The January player transfer window has now closed. Some teams splashed the cash, while some were more restrained in their approach and waiting for the summer window to do most of their serious business. Perhaps the most significant news to come out of the January window was Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr FC following his departure from Manchester United, where he had a falling out with several management figures, including manager Erik Ten Haag. Ronaldo has signed for two and a half years, extending his playing career until June 2025. The contract is reportedly worth a whopping 150 million USD per season. Ronaldo returned to the field as Al Nassr lost 4-5 to Lionel Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), reuniting him with his old rival. The Telegraph described the match as “the sordid final chapter of our era’s greatest football rivalry.” Questions have been asked of Chelsea FC and their possible violation of Fédération Internationale de Football Association’s (FIFA) Financial Fair Play regulation. Since U.S. billionaire Todd Boehly acquired the team last May, Chelsea have spent nearly half a million GBP on transfers. FIFA caps club spending at 105m GBP per season, and Chelsea have spent over four times that amount in the last six months. However, transfer fees are spread across the length of their contract. Chelsea recently signed Ukraine’s Mykhailo Mudryk for an eight-and-a-half-year contract and a hefty price of 88.5 million GBP, with other contracts ranging from five to six years. Arsenal have continued their impressive run at the top of the Premier League table by beating Manchester United 3-2 after a scintillating performance by Bukayo Saka. Fans are increasingly confident that this season will end their 19-year wait for a Premier League title. RC Lens closed the gap to current league leaders PSG by three points as PSG lost 1-0 to Rennes. OGC Nice are looking for a replacement for veteran Dante, who is likely to retire at the end of the season. Nice, who have had a poor start to the season, are looking to bolster their team in hopes of stronger performance. Tennis Novak Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas to win the 2023 Australian Open, equaling Rafael Nadal's all-time record of 22 Grand Slam titles. The title marks his 10th Australian Open win, the most of any tennis player. Speaking after the match, Djokovic stated that it had “been one of the most challenging tournaments I’ve ever played in my life”. At the age of 35, Djokovic has shown no sign of slowing down in recent years, as he remains one of the most difficult players to play for the new generation of tennis players. Formula 1 Teams have started to announce the launch dates to showcase their cars for the 2023 season, with Red Bull being the first to launch their car on the third of February. The rest of the launches will follow in the next fortnight. Steve Nielsen has been appointed as Sporting Director of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. This job switch from a high-ranking Formula 1 job requires him to oversee race-control operations, which have been at the heart of recent controversies, including during Max Verstappen’s first title-winning season. Boxing Youtuber/boxer/rapper KSI announced his ambition for Misfits Boxing, his promotional company, and their partnership with DAZN boxing to become a serious fighting arena. KSI defeated Faze Temperrr only a minute into the first round, after which he spoke passionately about his event's potential to compete with major fighting institutions such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship. His fight reportedly accumulated an impressive 300,000 pay-per-view buys. Rugby With the Six Nations tournament approaching, England Rugby fans will have been relieved to hear that Captain Owen Farrell has been cleared to play. He was handed a four-match ban after a high tackle during a league match against Gloucester.

While many might still view the opposition to the Super League as being excessive, it is important to understand that these athletic communities seek to maintain the integrity of what is fundamentally a game that unites and empowers people, no matter their class, race, religion, sexuality, disability. < Back European Super Greed: The Rapid Rise and Spectacular Fall of the European Super League By Hugo Lagergren October 30, 2021 Football plays a unique role in Europe, and specifically in the UK. It breaks down the class barriers that often come between the working class and the middle class, and it unites them behind a common cause. The UK Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, described this phenomenon in a speech to the House of Commons in which he criticized the Super League: “Football clubs aren’t just businesses; they define communities across the country.” For 56 hours, however, these communities united beyond even the geographical divides that usually act as barriers, and united against the financial giants that were at the helm of this project. This David v. Goliath moment is the brief story of how these communities managed to topple the commercial master plan of a handful of greedy European bureaucrats. Reports began to break of a rumored “breakaway” European Super League during a match between Arsenal and Fulham on Sunday the 18 of April. Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal Football Club, was asked about the rumors after the game. His lack of knowledge or involvement was apparent from his double take after the project was mentioned. This interaction is a perfect example of the disconnect that was in place prior to the project between the owners of these clubs, and the footballing communities that they preside over. The suggested project involved 12 clubs breaking away from their respective national and international competitions and forming a new, exclusive championship. It is precisely this idea of exclusivity that was a central reason for the project’s unpopularity. Domestic championships are a tier-based system. They reward clubs for merit and punish them for inadequacy through promotion and relegation between championships. Despite the financial disparity that exists between clubs, this gives them all the opportunity to challenge “the Big Six” (Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham & Arsenal); these teams being the six wealthiest in the UK (prior to the recent takeover of Newcastle United by the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia). An example of this type of success story is when Leicester City F.C. went from playing in the Championship, the second division of English football, to winning the Premier League in the space of three years. While this type of event occurs less and less due to the increasing wealth gap between clubs, the important thing is that it remains a possibility, despite its unlikeliness. This possibility of challenging the bigger teams and winning incentivizes fans of smaller clubs to get back behind their teams in a more active manner. This includes attending football games and buying club merchandise, which provide the club with active moral and financial support. An exclusive championship without the possibility of failure through regulation would also motivate players less as they would be guaranteed the same quality of football games each year. This demotivation would become even more pronounced as a breakaway league would remove the financial bonuses that are often included within each players’ contracts which reward exceptional individual performance, in the context of high team performance. The argument of those driving the project, notably Florentino Perez, the president of Real Madrid C.F., is that the Super League will “save football” through the millions of euros it would receive in television and sponsorship revenue. In addition to this, the project would include the 12 most successful teams in Europe in order to create a league with a high level of skill, thus making it an attractive concept for football fans world-wide. However, both arguments were unsatisfactory and, more importantly, unconvincing in the eyes of supporters across the globe, and particularly in Britain. Firstly, the poor planning on behalf of the business titans behind the project manifested the disconnect that exists between owners and fans. The prioritization of money over supporters in an attempt to reinvigorate the football economy reflects a complete misreading of the footballing community, as the leaders of the project rapidly came to understand following many fan-led protests across the country. While the argument of creating a league that plays more attractive football may appear to hold more weight, fans argued instead that such a project would, in actual fact, render football more boring and less attractive for fans. They argued that the existing international competition, the UEFA Champions League, was special because it is infrequent. The fact that matches from this competition were rare during the football season and often brought similarly successful European teams in contact created a certain aura and hype around the competition, which fans argued would disappear with the creation of the Super League, as it would sensitize them to elite-tier football. It is interesting to consider such an argument from a scientific perspective as well, to better comprehend this idea of sensitization, as it holds some scientific weight. The hypothalamus, a section of the brain responsible for maintaining constant certain aspects of the body, such as heart rate, blood pressure and hormone levels, releases a neurotransmitter called dopamine to amplify a person’s feeling of pleasure during any kind of enjoyable activity. When continued amounts of dopamine are injected into one’s system, it causes the person to become resistant to the effects of dopamine, and thus receive less pleasure from the same amount of dopamine. This is what many football fans think could happen as a result of the creation of a Super League. As well as the heavy opposition from the army of English supporters, there was also significant political pressure from leading European politicians, including Boris Johnson and Emmanuel Macron, which led to the project’s suspension. The project’s clear unpopularity provided governments with the opportunity to side with fans and gain favor among voters and none made more use of this opportunity than Boris Johnson, who, as Prime Minister of a stagnating economy and fragile, post-Brexit union, needed a story to divert attention from Britain’s domestic issues. As a European football official said, “not all politicians are football fans, but every politician is aware that every fan is a voter.” The pressure created by the possibility of political intervention was pivotal. However, this was only made possible by the strength of the popular revolt against the project. This debacle has highlighted the problems of greed and elitism that currently plague the football industry and has raised important questions as to how club ownership should be structured. Many have referenced the German 50+1 structure which prevents any one body being the majority stakeholder in a club by placing 51% of the club’s ownership in the hands of fans. Chief reporter Tobi Altschaeffi of the German sports newspaper SportBild stated that it is precisely this ownership structure that creates such a strong community surrounding the club, as it involves fans in a more active manner. Boris Johnson went as far as to announce a “root-and-branch investigation into the governance of football and the role of fans in that governance.” Oliver Dowden went on to mention the governance structure that German clubs employ as a possible influence, if there were to be a restructuring of Premier League club ownership. One would hope that government intervention is not necessary. However, as has been the case time and time again, owners have consistently shown a lack of empathy with their club’s players and supporters and the wider footballing community, and have chosen instead to put their own monetary gain first. While this does create a cause for concern, the speed at which the project was reversed due to public outcry and political pressure should also give football fans confidence that there is a strong enough community to keep these billionaire owners and business titans in check. While many might still view the opposition to the Super League as being excessive, it is important to understand that these communities only seek to maintain the integrity of what is fundamentally a game that unites and empowers people, no matter their class, race, religion, sexuality, disability or any other factor which divides us.

< Back Organized Crime, Migration, Prostitution: A Hidden Link or an Obvious Collaboration? By Greta Murgia November 30, 2021 When it comes to organized crime – or mafia – and migration, it is commonly known that there is a hidden yet indissoluble connection between the two. What is the extent of the link between migration and organized crime? How can the phenomenon be explained? What are the different fields affected by this phenomenon? From migration to prostitution Migration is one of the most profitable sources of gain for the mafia, since it represents a persistent and flourishing business which involves different agents and actors. Since immigration towards Europe and, more specifically, Italy is constant, the mafia is extremely present, as it is easy for parties practicing organized crime to build connections with Northern Africa’s communities, and play a major role in human trafficking. The Juju’s Ceremony – Nigeria and sex trafficking One of the most lucrative aspects of mafia’s business around immigration is prostitution. The main country from which the girls originate is Nigeria: here, major importance is given to the Juju’s ceremony, still quite unknown in Europe, but relevant when it comes to the flow of immigration related to prostitution. Between ages 12 and 17, girls living in the Edo State and the Delta State in Nigeria, and belonging to the Juju religion, go through a ceremony led by the town’s priests. The priests collaborate with the smugglers operating in the region, as well as with “ madams ” (women, who have been prostitutes themselves), and conduct the ritual to get the girls’ loyalty and full support. This all relies on the power of superstition and religion. The fear that the dead will chase and kill them – or make them crazy – if they ever try to escape from their protectors or refuse to pay a debt makes these girls prisoners of the smugglers and the madams . This is the process that pushes them, consciously or not, towards the world of European prostitution. Once under the protection of human traffickers, who promise the girls a better future and a good job in what is presented as the “promised land,” there is little chance for the girls to improve their situation or reconquer their lost freedom. Without accessing money nor savings through prostitution, the girls are in the hands of the traffickers, who take them through the exhausting and frequently deadly travel to an unknown land. During this journey, the girls have no way of going back to their hometown nor asking for help. Only once they arrive – if they arrive – to Italy or to the other European countries, they find out they have been lied to: the promised land with the numerous possibilities of success turns out not to be as promised, and the hard reality is that they find themselves alone, in an unknown and often unwelcoming country. Moreover, they have no documents nor knowledge of the language, but they have a debt to the traffickers of about 30,000 euros. They are therefore forced to work for the smugglers who paid for the trip, as well as the food and shelter they are provided with. They are aware that because of their illegal condition they can’t rely on external help and the Juju ceremony makes it unthinkable for them to denounce their protectors. Most of them end up living in buildings usually owned by criminal associations for years, without any real possibility of change. The role of SPHR and Caritas in Ventimiglia When SPRH (Sciences Po Refugee Help) goes to Ventimiglia to provide food and support, girls and women are almost never alone: they are accompanied by men who define themselves as cousins, boyfriends or husbands, and the volunteers rarely have the chance of talking to them alone. This is because the protectors know that, being alone, the girls might ask for help, and succeed in getting out of their situation. Caritas is an organization that takes care of women who are embedded in prostitution. In Ventimiglia, it offers women and their children shelter and food, and provides them with the help they need to get out of their critical situation. No men are allowed in the buildings offered to women by Caritas, and victims slowly gain confidence and find the courage and the mental strength needed to reach the practical independence to get out of their condition. The main criminal organization dealing in the immigrants’ business in Ventimiglia is called ‘Ndrangheta, as Rocco Ciarone states in the essay “Mafie del Nord.” Non-profit organizations and Law Another interesting fact is that those who are attempting to make a difference while working on the ground and truly engaging in the cause are volunteer-based non-profit organizations, and not the authorities, the State, nor the police. In fact, the system in France allows immigrant women to ask for citizenship only if they can provide proof of not having been part of the prostitution network – which is, even if true, extremely hard to provide. For this reason, some associations help women in the process by providing them with testimonies attesting that they have never seen them in a prostitutions’ environment. Such organizations are very few and hard to find, and this kind of solution cannot apply to every case and woman: this shows how flawed and desperate for change the system is when it comes to migration policies. A sense of fear and gratitude Another factor that makes it difficult for women to get out of the prostitution network is a sense of gratitude towards their guardians, even if unjustified and unneeded. The awareness that protectors represent the only option of safety, and the fact that the authority will not help them and could instead work against their situation, pushes the women to contribute to the vicious circle of submission and resignation. Organized crime and mafia – denounce or support? And what is the role played by criminal organizations, and especially by the mafia, in the field? It is hard to determine, as there are multiple ways for organized crime to profit from immigration – this ranges from prostitution, to the dealing of drugs, to forced labor – and immigrants have no reason nor incentive to denounce such organizations. If they do, they will lose the protection they are being provided with by their smugglers: on the other side, the State will not provide them with help nor support. On the contrary, it will most probably condemn and expel them from the country. In fact, these women are not only illegal immigrants, but they have also collaborated with the mafia in illegal businesses. How do we detect the presence of organized crime? Another factor that makes it difficult to detect the presence of mafia on the territory is its fluidity: especially on the border, migrants move suddenly, and people who are in one place one day, might be hundreds of kilometers away shortly afterwards, complicating the process of detecting how and where organized crime behaves. The problem does not rely on the immigrants themselves, as it is not their wish to become drug dealers or prostitutes, but it lies in the European Union and in states’ inefficient and unsuccessful handling of the immigrants’ crisis. If nations unite themselves in order to find a common and efficient solution, a lot of progress could be made, and such extreme situations would be rarer. Through cooperation, a solution could be possible.

Why the Saudi takeover of Newcastle United is a dark day, not only for the football community, but also for the wider United Kingdom population. < Back Controversy as Saudi Arabia Gains Entry into Top-Flight Football By Hugo Lagergren December 30, 2021 The recent takeover of Newcastle United by the Public Investment Fund (P.I.F.), Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, has sparked outrage across the football community due to its strong connections with the Saudi Arabian government and Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince. Football fans and human rights activists have criticized the Premier League and Newcastle United for their apparent refusal to consider Saudi Arabia’s dismal human rights record during the takeover saga. Amnesty International's United Kingdom branch has also criticized the takeover and called for the English Premier League to reshape its owners and directors test to include a larger focus on human rights issues. Amnesty UK’s CEO, Sacha Deshmukh, stated that the takeover represented “a clear attempt by the Saudi authorities to sportswash their appalling human rights record with the glamour of top-flight football.” However, Amnesty was not the only group to criticize the takeover. Fans of Crystal Palace put up a banner denouncing the Premier League for allowing the transaction. The banner depicts a man in a thawb, a traditional Arab garment which Crystal Palace fans labeled the P.I.F., wielding a large blood-stained sword. Next to him, what appears to be a Premier League official is standing in a pool of blood with bags of money at his feet, and he is holding a rainbow armband in tatters. Recently, the Premier League has cracked down both on racism and the discrimination of the LGBTQ+ community through various initiatives, including taking a knee before each game and sporting rainbow shoelaces and armbands. The majority of players take a knee before each game, with only a few exceptions. The rainbow campaign remains less prominent among players yet is still supported by most. These campaigns extend beyond just the players. Within each broadcast, the Premier League includes graphics underneath the scorecard with slogans such as “No Room For Racism.” These initiatives have highlighted the English football community’s united stance, for the most part, on these issues. They have issued strong and clear messages repeatedly denouncing any form discrimination within the sport. Despite some continued instances of discrimination, notably after the final of the 2020 UEFA European Football Championship, there has been progress towards eliminating racism. Indeed, it is this progress that facilitated Australian football player Josh Cavallo to come out as gay on October 27th 2021, thus becoming the first and only openly gay player in top-flight football, and one of the only openly gay athletes in any major sports leagues across the world. Now that Saudi Arabia’s P.I.F. has been accepted into the football community, it will create the sense that the LGBTQ+ are less welcome. While it may not affect the English LGBTQ+ community directly, since Newcastle will probably continue to support the various LGBTQ+ campaigns, it makes it abundantly clear that, despite the warm words, football’s governing bodies value money over inclusivity and the protection of human rights. Football fans have rallied behind the LGBTQ+ community to criticize the Premier League for approving the deal, many citing Saudi Arabia’s continued criminalization of homosexual behavior. Indeed, Saudi Arabia continues to encourage violence and repression of the LGBTQ+, as it operates under an uncodified criminal code based on Sharia Law, which strongly prohibits any form of homosexual activity. Public floggings are a routine occurrence and many gay citizens have been imprisoned. However, Saudi Arabia’s human rights abuses extend far beyond the LGBTQ+ community. Intellectuals and activists across the country are imprisoned for speaking out against Mohammed bin Salman’s regime. This includes Raid Badawi who was imprisoned in 2012 on the charge of “insulting Islam through electronic channels.” Public demonstrations by groups of people are also a criminal act. Women remain heavily repressed in practice and in law, with many laws ensuring that they remain subordinate to men. Harassment and intimidation are common practices that women in Saudi Arabia face on a regular basis. Indeed, in 2015 alone, the Ministry of Labor and Social Development reported over 8,000 cases of violent and psychological abuse. Only very recently have small steps been taken to make Saudi society more inclusive towards women, such as the extension of the right to drive. However, Saudi Arabia remains extremely patriarchal. Saudi Arabia’s ardent censorship also caused the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018 for being critical of the regime, and his death sparked outrage around the world. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia remains one of the world’s top executioners, as dozens of people are put to death every year, often in the form of public beheadings. Other controversial issues include the civil war in Yemen that Saudi Arabia takes an active role in, the continued use of torture as a state-sanctioned punishment, religious discrimination against Shi’a minorities, and the banning of human rights organizations such as Amnesty International. The wife of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi expressed her shock that the Premier League approved the Newcastle deal. She also expressed her sadness in relation to the state of Newcastle United and English football in general, due to their acceptance of authoritarian regimes into the sport. Despite the controversy and widespread condemnation, Newcastle fans have celebrated the takeover, as many hope that increased investment from the P.I.F. will lift the club out of a cycle of misfortune and failure that has plagued it over the past 20 years. Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time top scorer and a Newcastle legend, hailed the takeover as a “special day” for the club’s supporters. Shearer acknowledged the concerns regarding Saudi Arabia’s human rights abuses, yet cited “Russians” (Chelsea), “Chinese” (Wolverhampton Wanderers) and “Abu Dhabi” (Manchester City) as a justification for Saudi Arabia’s presence in the Premier League. When asked about human rights concerns, many Newcastle fans defended their joy by citing Saudi Arabia’s investments in Twitter, Facebook and Uber, arguing that we, as a society, have not stopped using these platforms as a result, and continue to enrich Saudi Arabia by using these platforms. So, they argue, why shouldn’t Newcastle fans rejoice if it means it will bring their club more success? Rona Evain, the executive director of the Football Supporters Europe Association, argues persuasively that the ethical considerations within football are more important due to the sport’s influence on society. He considers this to be why football must place more emphasis on ethics. “The example given is that the Saudi sovereign fund has also invested in Uber and so on, but people don’t have posters of Uber cars at home. They don’t have tattoos of the logo on their skin or take their children to Uber’s AGM [Annual General Meeting].” Evain joins the wider call for stricter ownership tests to prevent similar regimes from engaging in acts of sportswashing, a term used to describe the process of countries or states using sports teams or events to improve their political image, both domestically and abroad. The failure of the Premier League to block the deal highlights how football remains an industry driven by greedy bureaucrats who are willing to sacrifice ethical issues in favor of monetary gain. Authoritarian regimes are increasingly using sportswashing to distract attention from their oppressive behavior. This includes the Chinese Olympics in 2008, the Russian World Cup in 2018 and Winter Olympics in 2014, and attention is now turning to the 2022 Qatar World Cup. This is an issue that is not going away anytime soon, and therefore, must be addressed if the footballing community is to become as inclusive and egalitarian as it pretends to be on the surface.