Other News
Shaun Breslin interviewed in Global Times
Prof Shaun Breslin, Professor in PAIS and Director of CSGR, was recently interviewed by Yu Jincui, reporter with the Global Times (English edition), for an article entitled 'Web of interests leaves path to reform cluttered with obstacles' (published online on 23 October).
A Victory of Democracy or a Failure of the Victory?
A Pinpoint Politics article by Krzysztof Siczek
The new Georgian parliament held its inaugural session on October 21st, 2012. Three weeks earlier the Georgian Dream coalition announced electoral victory, following a campaign that was, to quote OSCE preliminary report, polarised and tense, characterised by the use of harsh rhetoric and some instances of violence. However, according to the same document, the chain of events that culminated in the victory of the opposition can be best summarised as an important step in consolidating the conduct of democratic elections in Georgia. Bearing in mind the ambiguous and contested character of the electoral process in Georgia, taking a step back and reflecting on its outcome and the possible consequences for the region may deepen our understanding of what really happened on October 1st.
Shaun Breslin chairs event on China and the International Human Rights System at Chatham House
Prof Shaun Breslin, Professor in PAIS and Associate Fellow of the Chatham House Asia Programme, chaired an event at Chatham House on 29 October entitled 'China and the International Human Rights System'. Timed to coincide with China's leadership transition and its standing down from the UN Human Rights Council (after the maximum two consecutive terms), this event explored such questions as:
What are China's objectives for the international human rights system as its global power grows? Will it reshape or dismantle the world's human rights norms and the institutions that uphold them or is China on a trajectory towards greater cooperation in this field?
This event also saw the launch of a Chatham House report, 'China and the International Human Rights System', by Sonya Sceats and Prof Breslin.
Chris Moran featured on BBC Radio 4
On Friday 5th November, Dr. Christopher R. Moran, an Assistant Professor of US National Security, was interviewed on BBC Radio 4's The Today programme. The interview, which took place on 'Global James Bond Day', was conducted by BBC correspondent Gordon Carrera and focused on the remarkable interest taken by the CIA during the Cold War in the Bond franchise. Dr. Moran explained how the CIA successfully replicated Rosa Klebb's lethal footwear from From Russia With Love, but failed in their attempts to copy the technology (hidden machine gun turrets etc) of 007's classic Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger.
Listen to the interview (about 50 minutes in)
Chris Moran featured on BBC Radio Wales
Chris Moran, Assistant Professor in US National Security, was featured on a BBC Radio Wales programme on James Bond on 26 October.
Listen to the broadcast (Chris Moran comes in at about the 50 minute mark)