VOLUME 11, ISSUE 2
AHI President’s Note: A good portion of policy formulation in Washington DC is influenced by analysts and academics of think-tank institutions. As a service to our membership and constituency, and to gain an understanding of the position of other entities on our issues, the American Hellenic Institute attends and participates at policy forums or roundtable discussions to ensure the policy positions of the Greek-American community are represented.
Accordingly, AHI’s Capital Report is a timely synopsis of recent policy discussions in Washington to keep our members abreast of the latest developments. The content provided in AHI’s Capital Report is for informational purposes only, and does not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of AHI.
Interventionism vs. Isolationism: A Conversation with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz
Hosted by the Hudson Institute, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), who is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, outlined his unique foreign policy perspective. The Senator rejected the binary view of foreign policy, which narrows it down to either interventionism or isolationism. A third way is possible: being a non-interventionist hawk. This viewpoint entails defending the vital interests of the United States and prioritizing the safety of Americans but not promoting democracy or certain values. The Senator provided specific examples, arguing for intervention in Syria or Libya may have caused more disruption than peace with little benefit to the U.S. In contrast, the threat of Iran to the U.S. is very real and may warrant bombing of nuclear facilities.
Sen. Cruz classified Turkey as problematic ally for the U.S., in a manner like how the American relations with Saudi Arabia or Pakistan are. When asked about whether the Kurds deserve a state of their own, the Senator did not hesitate to remark that Kurds have borne the brunt of the war and that they ought to have their own state, regardless of whether Turkey would be annoyed or not. This remark implies the U.S. should do support what it deems to be the right thing or the correct direction, despite the disgruntlement of foreign governments. Additionally, Sen. Cruz insisted that the Muslim Brotherhood should be designated as a Terrorist Organization by U.S. Congress simply because its actions make it one and because truth is intrinsically important. Moreover, the Senator expressed that his almost emotional support for Israel is tied to the fact that in his younger years, he noted that Israelis have an almost Texas-like perspective on how to respond to enemies’ threats.
For the recording please visit: https://www.hudson.org/events/1716-interventionism-vs-isolationism-a-conversation-with-u-s-sen-ted-cruz92019
In Defense of Christians Breakfast Policy Panel
Speakers representing different aspects of public life discussed the most pressing issues facing Christians today at a breakfast policy panel held at the Rayburn House Office Building. Christian populations have been decreasing in the Middle East, where in Syria for example, it has fallen from 30% of the population in the 1920s to below 10% today. In Iraq, Shia militants are taking over security vacuums left by the government and there is a blatant inequality in the provision of services to Iraqis from different religious groups. Attacks on Christians in the area were purported as not only horrific but also genocidal. Aram Hamparian, executive director of the Armenian National Committee of America, explained that Turkey is now playing by its own rules, while the United States inexplicably still permits Turkey to determine its own policy agenda. It was also agreed that a Middle East without Christians is not good for the U.S.
2019 National Advocacy Conference Expert Panel to Discuss Religious Freedom in Turkey & the Middle East
The Armenian Assembly of America host a panel discussion on “Religious Freedom in the Middle East and Turkey.” Panelists discussed a number of threats to religious freedom and Christians in the area. A Turkish attack in northern Syria would put the lives of 430,000 Christians in danger and where 120 churches already have been destroyed. In Iraq in 1992, there were two million Christians. In recent years, the number has fallen closer to 100,000 Christians. Similarly, Armenians in Iraq have decreased from 40,000 to 5,000.
During his speech, Representative of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem in the United States and former U.S. Ambassador to Qatar Patrick Theros stated the West did not effectively prevent the decline of Christians in the Middle East in the 20th century. Ambassador Theros explained that religion should be an important part of foreign affairs but also there is a long history between Islam and Christianity, with both cooperation and confrontation, and we should learn from it.
American Hellenic Institute President Nick Larigakis questioned, “if we couldn’t get Brunson back, with three senators pushing for it, and Turkey has been persecuting Christians for so long and Turkey is ‘our ally,’ and we cannot get anything done, how are we going to deal with the persecution of Christians when it comes to non-allies?”
Israel’s Energy Security and Strategy: Changing Dynamics in the Age of Gas
Hosted by the Institute of World Politics, Dr. Sujata Ashwary discussed the latest developments for Israel regarding energy. Circumstances have drastically changed for Israel, as around 20 years ago, Israel imported 98% of its energy. Now, with the discovery of gas, Israel is becoming more energy-independent.
The lecturer outlined the number of energy relationships built in the area, with Israel purchasing 70% of its oil from Russia and Azerbaijan, as well as importing natural gas from Qatar. A Greek company, Energean, has signed for the development of the natural gas fields found in Israel’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ.) Dr. Ashwary explained how exporting to Turkey is very convenient, given the proximity and demand for gas that Turkey has, but that Israel may also look to liquify natural gas in Egypt. Moreover, Israel has upgraded its navy with anti-missile technologies in order to better protect its interests.
Pertaining to the East Med Pipeline, Dr. Ashwary said it faced a number of challenges. To be viable, a pipeline of this magnitude needs to have a 25-year contract at the very least and the current discovered reserves are not large enough to facilitate it. It was claimed that Egypt has less of an incentive for the pipeline, given that it has two domestic LNG facilities. Moreover, political will for the pipeline in Italy appears volatile.
For the recording please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RUbs9dXRHk&feature=youtu.be&t=1
Energy Transitions Forum: Low-Carbon Pathways for Growth and Sustainability
Bob Dudley, BP Group chief executive, and The Hon. Ernest Moniz, president and CEO, Energy Futures Initiative; and former U.S. secretary of Energy, discussed the future of energy and transitioning to cleaner energy at an event hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
It was agreed The Paris Agreement targets seemed aggressive in 2015, but now seem to be not aggressive enough, according to the IPCC and US reports. Several industrial countries are discussing aiming for zero carbon emissions. It was said that “climate crisis” is a more appropriate term than “climate change” due to the urgency of the matter.
The two issues to be faced, regarding this transition to cleaner energy are (1) Balancing reducing emissions with economic development tradeoffs and (2) Trading off agency of action against the political realities. With regard to methods of fighting the climate crisis, carbon direct removal was deemed as a promising but currently too expensive technology. The coal to natural gas shift occurring, reduces carbon emissions and the transition will take approximately 15 more years.
Bob Dudley asserted that private sector firms and public sector agencies should work together in public private partnerships, in order to find these cleaner technologies. Such solutions are necessary, because the private sector firms are still driven by the percentage return on capital invested. The executive explained that if BP invested all its resources into renewable energy, it would be bankrupt within 5 years.
For the recording please visit https://www.csis.org/events/energy-transitions-forum-low-carbon-pathways-growth-and-sustainability
EIA's International Energy Outlook 2019
The Energy Information Administration presented its report that projects the use of energy until 2050, using current trends and assuming no policy changes. The report is useful in that it provides a baseline from which policy changes can be considered. Among the projections, particularly interesting was that coal use will keep being an important part of the energy sector even in 2050.
World Bank Economist Dr. Peszko presented some of his work on the topic. He highlighted that globally, taxes for liquid fuel are much higher than for natural gas or coal, providing a perverse incentive for coal use. This is attributed to the notion that it is much easier to enforce the liquid fuel taxes. He also noted that differences in liquid fuel taxes, lead to substantially different patterns of urbanization between Europe and the United States.
Kevin Book, from Clearview Energy Partners, made the case for the growing importance of carbon taxes. He cited that trade deals between, for example, the U.S. and EU, may very well incorporate carbon emissions in the regulatory standards and tariffs, as otherwise that creates imbalances in global trade between clean producers and high emission producers.
Dr. Guzman from Gas Vista gave her take on energy pipelines. Mentioning the East Med pipeline, she explained that pipelines are expensive, take very long to be completed, and are very politically complicated. In comparison to energy trade using tankers, pipelines are ‘like dinosaurs.” She predicts energy trade is likely to become greater than pipeline trade. She also noted that the energy market is now consumer-driven due to the large number of suppliers. Dr. Guzman added that the entry of democracies like the U.S or Australia into the energy supplier market, changed things, as they do not let geopolitics be the catalyst in determining energy supply, as the commercial companies have the final say.
For the recording please visit https://www.csis.org/events/eias-international-energy-outlook-2019
Lemkin Lecture: Reparations, Recognition & the Armenian Genocide
Dr. Jermain McCalpin, chair of African-American studies at New Jersey City University, spoke about the Armenian Genocide at the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill. Explaining the very word ‘genocide’ was coined with the Armenian case in mind by Rafael Lemkin in 1944, Dr. McCalpin went through a number of shocking historical cases of genocide, starting from the transatlantic slave trade in the 16th century. He indicated the Armenian Genocide was a calculated and strategic plan, used for nation-building in the Ottoman Empire; a plan which clarified that this nation consists of one people and no other peoples.
He elaborated the importance of recognition and reparations regarding the Armenian Genocide is crucial for stomping out denial of history and for facilitating the healing the pain part of Armenians’ identity, as the consequences of the Genocide are still felt today. Dr. McCalpin quoted Dr. Martin Luther King, “injustice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere,” and this notion should guide us in seeking justice for historical atrocities wherever they may have occurred. Dr. McCalpin reflected that only peace does not bring justice and that justice comes separately.
Aram Hamparian, executive director of the Armenian National Committee of America, said that in addition to all the other reasons for recognizing the Armenian Genocide,, it is important for the Genocide to be recognized because we do not want to live in a country where genocide denial is permitted (and history to be altered).
The European Economic Area and European Free Trade Association: A Different Approach to Trade and a Possible Post-Brexit Path?
Prince Alois von und zu Lichtenstein, hosted at the Center of Strategic and International Studies, discussed the context of Lichtenstein’s trade deals. Being a small country with a pro-market economy, Lichtenstein’s economy took off when trade was opened.
Lichtenstein was initially part of the European Free Trade Association, but in recent years joined the European Economic Area with the EU28, Norway and Iceland. The European Economic Area involves the four freedoms of movement: people, capital, goods and services. The Prince explained that joining the EEA was passed in a popular vote and that in order to ensure its passing, Lichtenstein had negotiated limited freedom of movement of people, due to Lichtenstein’s small geography and population. He added that the EEA does not cover agreements on agriculture, fisheries or common trade policies, aspects which have long been subject of debated within and out of EU circles.
It was also mentioned that trade agreements used to be tools facilitating peace and prosperity, something which is not necessarily the case anymore and it may be prudent to clarify the goals of each trade agreement. It was deemed useful to criticize trade agreements as business regulatory rules, rather than blindly approve them based on economic principles.
On the topic of Brexit, it was deemed unlikely for the UK to make a trade agreement similar to being part of the EEA, since membership of the EEA entails accepting many rules and laws from the EU without question and the UK would not likely accept that. Moreover, it was indicated that being part of the EU entails a myriad of provisions that the UK will now need to compile independently, as for example the common trade agreements that the EU has made with 70 other countries.
For the recording, please visit https://www.csis.org/events/european-economic-area-and-european-free-trade-association-different-approach-trade-and-post