Philippines' War on Terror, Far-Right Conspiracy Theories, EU Migration Crackdown, and More
This week on Inkstick.
Hello, everyone.
In the United States, political hopefuls are increasingly playing megaphone to some of the most worrisome antisemitic and anti-immigrant conspiracy theories. Jon Lewis and Luke Baumgartner take a critical look at how so many people have come to accept the claims of “white replacement” that have spurred mass shootings and other forms of violence in the recent past.
Across the Atlantic, many European Union member states have increasingly sought to clamp down on humanitarian activists working with refugees and migrants. A controversial trial in Greece, Katy Fallon reports, has prompted criticism from those who argue that targeting humanitarians is part of broader campaign to deter people from helping displaced people fleeing war, political instability, and poverty.
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Here’s what’s new on Inkstick Media this week:
“How Antisemitic ‘White Replacement’ Conspiracy Theories Pose a Threat in 2024 and Beyond” by Jon Lewis and Luke Baumgartner (Jan. 16)
When Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy used the primary debate stage as a platform to promote the Great Replacement conspiracy theory, he sounded a dog whistle for the far right across the US. At a time of swelling anti-immigrant sentiment, antisemitic conspiracy theories about “white replacement” are becoming increasingly mainstream.
“As Global Displacement Rises, Europe Ramps Up Crackdown on Refugee Solidarity” by Katy Fallon (Jan. 16)
Across the European Union, humanitarians working with refugees and migrants have increasingly found themselves facing legal blowback. A high-profile case against several humanitarians on the Greek island of Lesbos has sparked criticism and fears of a chilling effect.
“The Disastrous Costs of a Militarized Foreign Policy” by William D. Hartung (Jan. 17)
In December, President Biden signed a record authorization of $886 billion in “national defense” spending for 2024, including funds for the Pentagon proper and work on nuclear weapons at the Department of Energy. Meanwhile, Congress still needs to pass an appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2024. What would a genuine defense strategy look like?
“Against the Taiwan Status Quo” by TK (Jan. 17)
In the rush to praise Taiwan’s political system, observers have been slow to point out the effects of the election on American interests. As the primary backer of Taiwanese sovereignty (in practice if not in word), the United States has a responsibility to consider how Lai Ching-te’s victory will affect stability in the western Pacific.
“Deep Dive: The Ties that Divide” by Emily Tamkin (Jan. 18)
In a new paper published by Politics, Religion & Ideology, Ariel Zellman and Andrea Malji undertook quantitative analysis to explore the link between severe violence carried out against minority sacred spaces and increased regime instability, especially in democratic states, where religious freedoms are traditionally supported (the authors also note that societies don’t actually need to be “particularly fractionalized or experiencing war” for religious minorities to be targeted).
“How Congress Fails to Hold Israel Accountable on Human Rights” by Alexander Langlois (Jan. 18)
The US Senate's recent vote to effectively kill a resolution proposed by Bernie Sanders fits into a long history of granting Israel impunity on human rights violations. Sanders’ resolution would have simply required the US government to assess how Israel is using US weapons in its war in the Gaza Strip.
“Centering Women's Voices in the Philippines’ War on Terror” by Raimy Khalife-Hamdan (Jan. 19)
While the Philippine government has, for years, invoked counterterrorism to commit violence, the US has been deeply complicit in that abuse. But US support hasn’t necessarily brought the country security. Can a feminist perspective overcome a failed counterterrorism model?
From the desk of Patrick Strickland, Inkstick Media’s managing editor.