The Disi Aquifer: a Silenced Conflict Between Jordan and Saudi Arabia

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Disi Aquifer: a Silenced Conflict Between Jordan and Saudi Arabia TheThe securitizationsecuritization ofof thethe DisiDisi Aquifer:Aquifer: aa silentsilent conflictconflict betweenbetween JordanJordan andand SaudiSaudi ArabiaArabia DisiDisi isis ¾ AA sharedshared groundwatergroundwater basinbasin ¾ AA nonnon renewablerenewable aquiferaquifer ¾ AA projectproject withwith aa heavyheavy environmentalenvironmental impactimpact ¾ FarFar fromfrom AmmanAmman andand consequentlyconsequently costlycostly OurOur theoreticaltheoretical toolstools ¾¾ TheThe securitizationsecuritization continuumcontinuum Non- Politicised Securitized Violised politicised ¾¾TheThe SanctionedSanctioned discoursediscourse ¾¾TheThe hydraulichydraulic missionmission conceptconcept ¾¾TheThe conceptconcept ofof “non“non violentviolent conflict”conflict” ¾¾SilenceSilence asas aa methodmethod ofof controlcontrol && powerpower ¾¾PriorPrior useuse conceptconcept WhyWhy DisiDisi?? ¾¾JordanJordan isis oneone ofof thethe countriescountries locatedlocated withinwithin Israel’sIsrael’s hegemonichegemonic areaarea ¾¾AsAs aa consequenceconsequence ofof thisthis ,Jordan,Jordan chosechose thethe optionoption toto embarkembark onon aa conflictconflict withwith SaudiSaudi ArabiaArabia thanthan openingopening aa newnew bargainingbargaining processprocess withwith IsraelIsrael ¾¾DisiDisi isis thereforetherefore anan effecteffect ofof dominancedominance dependingdepending onon thethe IsraeliIsraeli “hydro“hydro--HegemonHegemon status”status” TheThe politicizationpoliticization phasephase ¾ Disi was discovered in 1984 and until the 1990s geological and hydro-chemical surveys were the only studies available on the subject ¾ During the 1990s the Disi aquifer was targeted as a short-term solution by Jordan, due to the political unfeasibility of bigger projects at a regional level (Unity Dam, Red-Dead Canal) ¾ Disi starts to be considered as a international political issue. A “groundwater conflict” and a “pumping race” with Saudi Arabia is feared (Shapland 1997) TheThe securitizationsecuritization phasephase “ An issue may be securitised by the performance of the speech act of inscribing that issue with meaning as part of the security politics ” Neumann 1998 ¾ Jordan accuses Saudi Arabia of over-exploitation in 1992 and 1999, with no official reply from the Saudi Government ¾ In 2002 the Minister of Water and Irrigation declared that Disi was part of the National Security Issue. As such, the project was set by the Ministry of Water as a first priority for 2002 ¾ Between 2002 and 2004 the accessibility to the environmental feasibility studies has been blocked ¾ The data regarding the renewability of the aquifer, its capacity and the proposed pumping rate have been secreted. The narrative and the securitisation continuum of Disi project Jordan accuses Disi is declared Saudi Arabia of a national over-exploitation security issue (1992 and 1999) and, therefore, it Event is silenced Securitisation Politicisation 2002-2004 Process 1990’s Non-politicised Politicised Securitised violised Phase & silenced De- Process securitisation Event : Phases / : Processes / : Events WhyWhy aa silencedsilenced securitization?securitization? ¾ AA silencedsilenced securitizationsecuritization isis usefuluseful inin thethe casecase youyou prepareprepare yourselfyourself toto exploitexploit thethe principleprinciple ofof “prior“prior use”.use”. ¾ ThisThis principleprinciple statesstatesSecuritised thatthat ,, inin thethe casecase ofof aa waterwater agreement,agreement, aa statestate shallshall bebe entitledentitled toto thethe samesame amountamount ofof waterwater &usuallyusually silenced exploitedexploited inin thethe pastpast times.times. ¾ AA statestate triestries toto pumppump moremore waterwater thanthan usualusual inin orderorder toto claimclaim aa majormajor quantityquantity ofof thethe resource,resource, inin casecase itit willwill faceface aa bargainingbargaining processprocess thatthat willwill leadlead toto anan agreementagreement withwith aa coco--riparianriparian state.state. ConclusionsConclusions ¾ DisiDisi cancan bebe putput inin thethe listlist ofof nonnon--violentviolent conflictsconflicts runningrunning overover sharedshared waterswaters ¾ DisiDisi projectproject isis currentlycurrently beingbeing securitizedsecuritized byby thethe JordanianJordanian GovernmentGovernment ¾ TheThe conflictconflict isis beingbeing silencedsilenced byby bothboth JordanJordan andand SaudiSaudi ArabiaArabia ¾ AA silencesilence asas aa methodmethod ofof controlcontrol andand powerpower isis herehere suggestedsuggested asas aa tooltool forfor futurefuture analysisanalysis inin thethe fieldfield ofof waterwater conflictsconflicts THETHE FUTUREFUTURE WhishingWhishing well:well: waitingwaiting forfor desecuritisationdesecuritisation?? ““DesecuritisationDesecuritisation ofof waterwater resourceresource managementmanagement isis aa healthyhealthy manifestation,manifestation, becausebecause itit opensopens upup thethe discoursediscourse andand allowsallows aa widerwider rangerange ofof roleplayersroleplayers toto becomebecome involvedinvolved inin thethe resolutionresolution ofof thethe corecore problem.problem. ThisThis tendstends toto fosterfoster institutionalinstitutional developmentdevelopment andand manifestmanifest asas aa winwin--winwin outcome,outcome, whichwhich isis inherentlyinherently moremore conduciveconducive toto economiceconomic growthgrowth andand hencehence positivepositive peace”.peace”. (Turton(Turton 2003).2003). ThankThank youyou !! ThisThis researchresearch hashas beenbeen possiblepossible thanksthanks toto thethe fundingfunding ofof CNRCNR –– ItalianItalian CentreCentre ofof NationalNational ResearchResearch –– ISSMISSM-- NaplesNaples-- ItalyItaly .
Recommended publications
  • Automatic Exchange of Information: Status of Commitments
    As of 27 September 2021 AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION (AEOI): STATUS OF COMMITMENTS1 JURISDICTIONS UNDERTAKING FIRST EXCHANGES IN 2017 (49) Anguilla, Argentina, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Bulgaria, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus2, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Montserrat, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Seychelles, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom JURISDICTIONS UNDERTAKING FIRST EXCHANGES BY 2018 (51) Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan3, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Curacao, Dominica4, Greenland, Grenada, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Macau (China), Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Monaco, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue4, Pakistan3, Panama, Qatar, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sint Maarten4, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago4, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Vanuatu JURISDICTIONS UNDERTAKING FIRST EXCHANGES BY 2019 (2) Ghana3, Kuwait5 JURISDICTIONS UNDERTAKING FIRST EXCHANGES BY 2020 (3) Nigeria3, Oman5, Peru3 JURISDICTIONS UNDERTAKING FIRST EXCHANGES BY 2021 (3) Albania3, 7, Ecuador3, Kazakhstan6
    [Show full text]
  • Cooperative Border Security for Jordan: Assessment and Options
    <. -.. , ,. .. CMC ,, OCCASIONALPAPERS ., ...-. Cooperative Border Security for Jordan: Assessment and Options Colonel Mazen Qojas Jordan Army G CENTER .- -..., .,%.. ,. ,.,..< +-”-- ,. %---- “---- ~~ ,,. /“““ ‘-%. ---- “’\ >“’”””’“’ Issued by Sandia National Laboratories, operated for the United States Department of Energy by Sandia Corporation. NOTICE: This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, nor any of their contractors, subcontractors, or their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government, any agency thereof, or any of their contractors or subcontractors. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government, any agency thereof, or any of their contractors. Printed in the United States of America. This report has been reproduced directly from the best available copy. Available to DOE and DOE contractors from Office of Scientific and Technical Information PO BOX62 Oak Ridge, TN 37831 Prices available from (61 5) 576-8401, FTS 626-8401 Available to the public from National Technical Information Service US Department of Commerce 5285 Port Royal Rd. Springfield, VA 22161 NTIS price codes Printed Copy: A03 Microfiche Copy: AO1 SAND 98-0505/8 Unlimited Release March 1999 Cooperative Border Security for Jordan: Assessment and Options Col.
    [Show full text]
  • Egypt & Jordan
    G E O T O U R S EGYPT & JORDAN JANUARY 24 – FEBRUARY 10, 2021 PALAWAN EGYPT & JORDAN = $2890 (16 days/15 nights in Egypt & Jordan) Included – Hotels, breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners, entries, flight from Cairo to Amman, transportation, guides, Matt and/or Suzan Ebiner as group leader Not Included – Airfare from USA (about $800); meals not listed above, tips to guides and drivers Highlights: Pyramids & Sphinx of Giza, Cairo (Citadel, Khan el Khalili bazaar, Egyptian Museum with King Tut’s treasures), Camel Ride to an old desert monastery, Nubian village and dinner, Luxor (Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple), Felucca (traditional sailboat) ride on the Nile River from Aswan to Kom Ombo (1 night sleeping on deck on the Nile riverbank); Jordan: Wadi Rum (desert safari and camp, Bedouin culture); Petra (ancient city carved into stone cliffs; one of the greatest archeological sites in the world); Madaba (Byzantine mosaics), Dead Sea (float in the saltiest, lowest body of water on earth), Amman (Jordan’s capital); Jerash (great ancient Roman city) Sun 1/24/21 Depart USA to Egypt Depart the USA for Cairo, Egypt Mon 1/25/21 Arrive Cairo, Egypt Welcome to Egypt! Two nights in Cairo at Pyramisa Suites Hotel (5*) or equivalent. Tue 1/26/21 Cairo Spend a full day in Cairo to enjoy some of Egypt’s highlights. Start at the Pyramids and Sphinx, and marvel at the most famous ancient site on the planet. For extra cost you can ride a camel or go inside the interior of one of the pyramids.
    [Show full text]
  • History and Culture.Indd
    History & Culture Table of Contents Map of Jordan 1 L.Tiberius Umm Qays Welcome 2 Irbid Jaber Amman 4 Pella Hemmeh Ramtha er As-Salt HISTORY & CULTURE12 ITINERARIES Ajlun Mafraq Madaba 14 dan Riv Jerash Deir 'Alla Umm al-Jimal 1 Day Tour Options: Jor Umm Ar-Rasas1. Jerash, Ajlun 16 ey Salt Qasr Al Hallabat Mount Nebo2. Amman (City Tour) 17 all Zarqa Marka 3. Madaba, Mount Nebo, Bethany Beyond the Jordan V dan Jordan Valley & The Dead Sea 18 Jor Amman Iraq al-Amir Qusayr Amra Azraq Karak 20 Bethany Beyond The Jordan Mt. Nebo Qasr Al Mushatta 3 Day Itinerary: Dead Sea Spas Queen Alia Qasr Al Kharrana Petra 22 Madaba International Day 1. Amman, Jerash, Madaba and Dead Sea - Overnight in Ammana Airport e Hammamat Ma’in Aqaba Day 2. Petra - Overnight in26 Little Petra S d Dhiban a Umm Ar-Rasas Jerash Day 3. Karak, Madaba and30 Mount Nebo - Overnight in Ammane D Ajlun 36 5 Day Itinerary: Umm Al-Jimal 38 Qatraneh Day 1. Amman, Jerash, Ajlun - Overnight in Amman Karak Pella 39 Mu'ta Day 2. Madaba, Mount Nebo, Karak - Overnight at PetraAl Mazar aj-Janubi Umm QaysDay 3. Petra - Overnight at40 Petra Shawbak Day 4. Wadi Rum - Overnight42 Dead Sea Tafileh Day 5. Bethany Beyond The Jordan MAP LEGEND Desert Umayyad Castles 44 History & Culture Itineraries 49 Historical Site Shawbak Highway Castle Desert Wadi Musa Petra Religious Site Ma'an Airport Ras an-Naqab Road For further information please contact: Highway Jordan Tourism Board: Tel: +962 6 5678444. It is open daily (08:00- Railway 16:00) except Fridays.
    [Show full text]
  • JORDAN, PALESTINE and ISRAEL Giulia Giordano and Lukas Rüttinger
    MIDDLE EAST CLIMATE-FRAGILITY RISK BRIEF JORDAN, PALESTINE AND ISRAEL Giulia Giordano and Lukas Rüttinger This is a knowledge product provided by: CLIMATE-FRAGILITY RISK BRIEF: JORDAN, PALESTINE AND ISRAEL AUTHORED BY Dr. Giulia Giordano is an Italian researcher and practitioner with extensive experience in the Middle East. She is now the Director of International Programs at EcoPeace Middle East, a trilateral organization based in Israel, Jordan and Palestine. Her research interests are Middle Eastern studies, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and environmental diplomacy. Lukas Rüttinger is a Senior Advisor at adelphi, working at the intersection of environment, development, foreign and security policy. He has published widely on these topics and was the lead author of the 2015 report “A New Climate for Peace”. PROVIDED BY The Climate Security Expert Network, which comprises some 30 international experts, supports the Group of Friends on Climate and Security and the Climate Security Mechanism of the UN system. It does so by synthesising scientific knowledge and expertise, by advising on entry points for building resilience to climate-security risks, and by helping to strengthen a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities of addressing climate-related security risks. www.climate-security-expert-network.org The climate diplomacy initiative is a collaborative effort of the German Federal Foreign Office in partnership with adelphi. The initiative and this publication are supported by a grant from the German Federal Foreign Office. www.climate-diplomacy.org SUPPORTED BY LEGAL NOTICE Contact: [email protected] Published by: adelphi research gGmbH, Alt-Moabit 91, 10559 Berlin, Germany www.adelphi.de CORPORATE DESIGN MANUAL The analysis, results, recommendations and graphics in this paper represent the opinion of STAND VOM 08.12.2010 the authors and are not necessarily representative of the position of any of the organisations listed above.
    [Show full text]
  • CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions Of
    July 20, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1377 I share Troop 463’s pride in being nomi- Had I been present, I would have voted in United States, and I believe all involved par- nated as a ‘‘Super Troop’’ for four years, three favor of H. Res. 1472, H. Con. Res. 126, and ties to ensure that the goal is a reunified Cy- of which have been consecutive. The Super H. Res. 1219. prus where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cyp- Troop honor is bestowed upon the Troop f riots live together in peace and security. A which exemplifies the best in Scout Spirit, successful settlement effort must build on the RECOGNIZING THE 36TH ANNIVER- competitive edge, good attitude and dem- work towards a bizonal, bicommunal federa- SARY OF TURKEY’S ILLEGAL IN- onstrates a positive example to others. tion with political equality that represents U.N. VASION OF CYPRUS Madam Speaker, the young men of Boy Security Council resolutions. In the end, Cy- Scout Troop 463 have shown dedication to prus must have a single sovereignty and sin- their peers, their community, and their cause. HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR. gle citizenship which all Cypriots can enjoy. The Troop’s accomplishments reflect the best OF NEW JERSEY Now is the time for Turkey to show that they values of Scouting and should not go unno- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES are willing to take a sincere approach to allow- ticed. Tuesday, July 20, 2010 ing a peaceful resolution to the dispute. The f Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, tonight I leadership in Ankara must show that the will join my colleagues on the House floor to re- and support behind a peaceful settlement is in TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT the best interest of Turkey and that it is fully GENERAL R.
    [Show full text]
  • Building Human Rights Into Jordan & Lebanon's Construction Sector
    From Unacceptable Risks to Shared Prosperity Building Human Rights into Jordan & Lebanon’s Construction Sector 02 From Unacceptable Risks to Shared Prosperity Table of Contents 03 Executive Summary 03 Introduction ▌ Key findings ▌ Key recommendations 07 Context 10 The Company Survey 12 Survey Analysis & Findings ▌ Transparency & public commitment to human rights, including for refugees & migrants ▌ Ethical recruitment & freedom of movement ▌ Timely payment & fair wages ▌ Adequate protections for occupational safety & health ▌ Freedom of association ▌ Access to remedy & grievance mechanisms ▌ Engagement with Civil Society 16 Recommendations ▌ Companies should ▌ International Financial Institutions should ▌ The Jordanian & Lebanese Governments should Building Human Rights into Jordan & Lebanon’s Construction Sector 03 Executive Summary The construction sector in Jordan and Lebanon could be a powerful motor for employment, development, and shared prosperity in a region wracked by the impact of conflict in Syria. Tragically, there is widespread evidence that the sector is characterised by systemic abuse of workers, including refugees and migrants. Fatalities in the construction sector in Jordan are almost five times those in the United States; discrimination towards refugees and migrants is systematic; and workers of all nationalities face low pay, delayed wages, and long hours of unsafe work. Workers’ right to organise, or seek remedy for abuse, is generally supressed. The profound inequality of power between employer and employee in this sector is alarming and dangerous, especially in light of the lack of enforcement of labour laws that might provide some redress. Nevertheless, there are reasons to be hopeful for improvements. The sector is partly dependent on heavy investment from International Finance Institutions (IFIs) and donor governments, all of which have standards and safeguards which need to be upheld; governments in the region are eager to attract this investment and may adjust their policies accordingly.
    [Show full text]
  • No. 656 ISRAEL and JORDAN ^General Armistice Agreement (With Annexes). Signed at "* "Rhodes, on 3 April 1949 ISRAEL Et
    No. 656 ISRAEL and JORDAN ^General Armistice Agreement (with annexes). Signed at "* "Rhodes, on 3 April 1949 "p§?uA official text communicated by the Permanent Representative of Israel to Bfcil the United Nations. The registration took place on 6 October 1949. ISRAEL et JORDANIE Cbiivention d'armistice general (avec annexes). Signee a Rhodes, le 3 avril 1949 tyxte officiel anglais communique par le representant permanent d'Israel aupres ,de I'Organisation des Nations Unies. L'enregistrement a eu lieu le 6 octobre ,1949. 304 United Nations — Treaty Series 194| No. 656. HASHEMITE JORDAN KINGDOM-ISRAEL: GEN­ ERAL ARMISTICE AGREEMENT.1 SIGNED AT RHODES ON 3 APRIL 1949 ' Preamble The Parties to the present Agreement, Responding to'•• the Security Council resolution of 16 November 1948,2 calling upon them, as a further provisional measure under Article 40 of the Charter of the United Nations and in order to facilitate the transition from the present truce to permanent peace in Palestine, to negotiate an armistice; Having decided to enter into negotiations under United Nations chairman­ ship concerning the implementation of the Security Council resolution of 16 November 1948; and having appointed representatives empowered to nego tiate and conclude an Armistice Agreement; The undersigned representatives of their respective Governments, having: exchanged their full powers found to be in good and proper form, have agreed upon the following provisions: Article I With a view to promoting the. return, of permanent peace in Palestine arid in recognition of the importance in,this regard of mutual assurances concerning the future military operations of- the' Parties, the following principles, which shall be fully observed by both Parties during the armistice, are hereby affirmedr 1.
    [Show full text]
  • REGIONAL ANALYSIS SYRIA 28 March 2013
    REGIONAL ANALYSIS SYRIA 28 March 2013 Part II – Host countries Content Part II This Regional Analysis of the Syria conflict Regional overview (RAS) is an update of the February RAS and seeks to bring together information from all Humanitarian profile sources in the region and provide holistic MAP – Neighbouring Country Displacement analysis of the overall Syria crisis. While Part I Country page – Lebanon focuses on the situation within Syria, Part II Country page – Jordan covers the impact of the crisis on the Country page – Turkey neighbouring countries. The Syria Needs Analysis Project welcomes all information that Country page – Iraq could complement this report. For more Country page - Egypt information, comments or questions please Annex A – Definitions Humanitarian Profile email [email protected] Red flags indicate new information Regional Overview Over two years of fighting has forced more than 5% of the Syrian population to flee the country. By March, over one million Syrian refugees had registered or were awaiting registration with UNHCR and over half a million unregistered Syrians are estimated to be staying in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt. In Lebanon alone an additional 300,000 Syrian migrants are in effect also displaced. This large-scale refugee influx continues apace outwitting humanitarian response Refugees living outside camps in all countries stay in rented apartments; with planning. While assessments are being host families; in vacant buildings or in temporary shelters. Across the region carried out and increasing knowledge their main challenges include inability to pay rent; difficulties in accessing exists on humanitarian needs, funding health care and a lack of employment.
    [Show full text]
  • The United Arab Emirates (UAE): Issues for U.S
    The United Arab Emirates (UAE): Issues for U.S. Policy Updated August 16, 2019 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov RS21852 The United Arab Emirates (UAE): Issues for U.S. Policy Summary The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been a significant U.S. partner in Gulf security, helping to address multiple regional threats by hosting U.S. military personnel at UAE military facilities and buying sophisticated U.S. military equipment, including missile defenses and combat aircraft. The alliance with the United States is expected to continue after UAE President Shaykh Khalifa bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan, who suffered an incapacitating stroke in January 2014, is succeeded by his younger brother and de-facto UAE leader Shaykh Muhammad bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan. With ample financial resources and a military that has long been advised and armed by the United States, the UAE has increasingly asserting itself in the region. The UAE has been part of a Saudi- led military effort to pressure the Iran-backed Zaidi Shia Houthi rebels in Yemen, an effort to which the United States provides logistical support but which has produced criticism over the effects of the war on Yemen’s civilians. That criticism has contributed to a July 2019 decision to remove most of the UAE’s ground forces from that conflict. UAE forces continue to support pro- UAE factions in southern Yemen and, alongside U.S. special operations forces, continue to combat Al Qaeda’s affiliate in that country. The UAE is supporting an anti-Islamist commander based in eastern Libya, Khalifa Hafter, who in April 2019 launched an assault to capture Tripoli from a U.N.-backed government based there.
    [Show full text]
  • Iraq Situation
    Iraq Situation Working environment By September 2007, the number of internally displaced Iraqis was estimated at more than 2.2 million, with over a million of the total having been displaced since The context February 2006. The current rate of displacement is some 40,000 to 60,000 persons per month. The humanitarian The complexity of the operational, logistical and situation inside Iraq is dire and continues to deteriorate. political environment in Iraq affects UNHCR’s ability to implement its programmes for displaced Iraqis It is estimated that some two million Iraqis have sought both within and outside the country. The working refuge in neighbouring countries, mainly in Syria environment is further complicated by insecurity in (1.2 -1.4 million) and Jordan (500,000 - 750,000), Iraq, and the immense economic and social but also in Lebanon, Egypt and further afield. In challenges facing neighbouring countries hosting addition, there are more than 41,000 non-Iraqi refugees large numbers of Iraqi refugees. Most of the inside Iraq who have been equally affected by the countries affected by the Iraq situation have not violence and the deteriorating humanitarian situation. acceded to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its Palestinians, who comprise around 15,000 of the total 1967 Protocol. refugee population in Iraq, have been particularly hard hit. In neighbouring Jordan, 100 Palestinians, who fled Jordan and the Syrian Arab Republic are the countries Iraq and had lived in Ruweyshid camp for more than with the largest groups of Iraqi refugees and Palestinian four years, were resettled at the end of October 2007.
    [Show full text]
  • Air Jordan – History of the Franchise
    AIR JORDAN – HISTORY OF THE FRANCHISE Before the AIR JORDAN, all basketball shoes were white. This simple statement only begins to describe the sheer magnitude of the changes that were about to occur to the sport of basketball and to the athletic footwear industry once Michael Jordan entered the league. Since Michael’s arrival and the launch of the AIR JORDAN franchise, both the game and the industry have been utterly transformed. Each year, a new AIR JORDAN is unveiled. An annual event since its debut in 1985, each unveiling has been met with ever-increasing anticipation from the media, the industry, and the buying public. AIR JORDANs perennially dominate the market in sales and demand, establishing with each year’s model higher benchmark standards in design, innovation and performance for the entire athletic footwear industry. At the heart of the franchise is the perfect synergy between athlete and technology – Michael Jordan, the greatest player in the history of basketball, and the shoes he’s worn throughout his illustrious career that epitomize his relentless dedication to performance, innovation and achievement. Today’s AIR JORDANs continue to build on the franchise’s rich history of innovative design and uncom- promising performance. Inspired by the greatest to ever play the game, the franchise continues to lead and shape the athletic footwear industry into the future. As Michael’s legend continues to grow, his legacy in the AIR JORDAN franchise lives on. AIR JORDAN I: 1984-85 (March 1985, $65) It all starts here. A legendary franchise, as both a high performance footwear line and as cultural icon, is launched.
    [Show full text]