The Ward Post Bi-Monthly Brief
Vol. 2. No. 5. (September – October 2017)
The Ward Post Bi-Monthly Brief brings together in one convenient location a synopsis of, and links to the TWP blogs posted during the two previous months.
Are Returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters a Threat to Caribbean Security? – Ambassador Curtis A. Ward
(29 October 2017) — In previous writings, including in The Ward Post, and presentations I have made in a number of fora in the past year, I raised the possibility of returning foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) whose origins are the Caribbean posing risks and dangers to the region. It’s time for Caribbean governments to pay attention and coordinate plans to deal with this imminent danger. There were several reasons why individuals that have left the region to fight with ISIS (IS) in Iraq and Syria might wish to, or forced to return. With ISIS decimated as an army and the idea of the promised caliphate no longer a reality the FTFs are being scattered around the world. Those who can will return to their countries of origin. #TWP #TheWardPost Read more…
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke Urges Caribbean Community to Have a Voice in Washington – Ambassador Curtis A. Ward
(18 Oct. 2017) — In a wide ranging Keynote Address to the Caribbean-American Political Action Committee (C-PAC) 12th Annual Patrons Luncheon in Silver Spring, Maryland on October 14, 2017, addressing issues from the response to the devastation left by hurricanes in the Caribbean to President Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant and racist policies, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY 9th) called on the Caribbean Diaspora community to let its voice be heard in Washington DC. C-PAC which operates in the Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia area represents the interests of the Caribbean community in those jurisdictions but is not a national advocacy organization that addresses Caribbean issues at the level of the federal government – the Executive and the Congress. Congresswoman Clarke used the occasion to highlight the need for the Caribbean community to be heard at the national level in the halls of Congress and with the Executive branch. According to the Congresswoman, “now, more than ever, we need organizations like C-PAC to make sure our voices are heard.” Read more…
Hemispheric Issues under the Radar as Global Tensions Rise – Ambassador Curtis A. Ward
(14 Oct. 2017) -– Rising tensions over the past several weeks between the United States and two foreign adversaries – North Korea and Iran have focused our attention globally while we pay scant attention to issues in the Western Hemisphere. Important developments in the hemisphere between the United States and the countries of Cuba and Venezuela should be watched carefully by the governments and people of the Caribbean and elsewhere in the region. The Trump Administration’s decisions to impose new U.S. sanctions on targets close to the Nicolás Maduro regime while suggesting a military option is on the table, and to expel 15 Cuban diplomats from the United States are matters on which the countries in the region should be attentive. Read more…
Confusion and Chaos in Trump’s Administration – Ambassador Curtis A. Ward
(06 Oct. 2017) — Diplomats in Washington and political leaders around the world are confused about what to expect from the Donald Trump Administration. Most democracies and free market countries rely on America’s leadership on important geopolitical, international security, and other global issues. Now, trust in America’s instincts, judgment, and leadership is being questioned in capitals around the world. The confusion and chaos which have become characteristic of the Trump administration, reeling from issue to issue, has the international community in fear of increased instability, exacerbation of old conflicts, and possible new and even more deadly conflicts emerging in the not too distant future. Read more…
Tweet for Tat and Tat for Tweet – Donald Trump v. Kim Jong-un – Ambassador Curtis A. Ward
(25 Sept. 2017) — If only U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean President Kim Jong-un could contain their bellicose rhetoric and name calling, the world might remain safe. But, chances are, name calling will morph into dangerous actions on either or both sides. In my view, in the same way old time schoolyard bullying generally ends in fisticuffs, Trump’s tweets and Kim’s tats could lead to military conflict, worse yet nuclear war. Should sound minds and level heads eventually prevail and diplomacy is given a chance, the world could be spared conflagration and untold misery. In the meantime, Trump calling Kim a “madman” and “Rocket man”, and Kim calling Trump a “dotard” a reference to someone whose mind is impaired by age, or someone in second childhood – a state of senility, may soon cross a line of no return. Read more…
Conversation with Earl Jarrett – CEO of JN Group and Chair of Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference 2017 – Ambassador Curtis A. Ward, Host – CaribNation TV (Video)
(20 Sept. 2017) — In a wide-ranging conversation on the role and importance of the Jamaican Diaspora to Jamaica, Mr. Earl Jarrett, CEO of JN Group, who was chairman of the Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference 2017, provided an approach which should find resonance with members of the Diaspora; and which offers specific ideas for the way forward for the Government and the private sector to engage with the Diaspora. Mr. Jarrett highlighted Diaspora expertise and meaningful ways to recognize and engage the diaspora in development. His ideas on engaging the Jamaican Diaspora are good lessons for Caribbean governments and private sectors across the region. Mr. Jarrett also cited the importance of CaPRI’s study which showed that Diaspora remittances contribute 24% of Jamaican GDP and how this data should help to change the dynamics of Diaspora engagement. As Mr. Jarrett said, “What gets counted gets attention.” Read more…
The State of National Security in Jamaica with Sen. Pearnel Charles, Jr. – Ambassador Curtis A. Ward, Host – CaribNation TV (Video)
(15 Sept. 2017) — I had the opportunity to sit down with the Hon. Senator Pearnel Charles, Jr., Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security of Jamaica to explore the state of national security in Jamaica, in particular his areas of responsibilities. Sen. Charles has some very interesting ideas in terms of rehabilitation and reintegration of incarcerated individuals. Of major importance are the programs he is implementing with regard to offenders, in particular incarcerated juveniles. The programs elucidated by Minister Charles focus on providing them with life skills to reduce the rate of recidivism. He also brings together other ministries and agencies of government, as well as the private sector to create an all-in approach to rehabilitation and reintegration. The Minister calls on the Jamaican diaspora to assist in his programs. Any one with an interest in crime and security in Jamaica and what is being done, or should be done to remedy this problem will find this conversation with Minister Charles to be quite interesting and encouraging. Read more…
Caribbean Natural Disasters: Collective Response and the Diaspora – Ambassador Curtis A. Ward
(14 Sept. 2017) — With greater frequency and added ferocity natural disasters, in particular from hurricanes, and also from earthquakes, lay bare the Caribbean region’s extreme vulnerability. While there is no uniqueness in these threats of natural disasters, Caribbean citizens’ security, infrastructure, and economies are extremely vulnerable, and rebuilding with limited human and financial resources poses a tremendous challenge.
Lives lost can never be replaced; public and private property and infrastructure may be rebuilt. However, the cost of rebuilding, in particular with greater resistance to inevitable future natural disasters are generally beyond the human and financial resources of the countries affected. Recovery, in many such cases, is overtaken by the next disaster and the countries of the Caribbean often find themselves perpetually in the recovery and rebuilding phase. Without raising the specter of new challenges posed by global warming, rising sea level, and climate change the Caribbean region is already challenged beyond its capacity.
Terrorists attacks on the United States: My initial response to 9/11 – Ambassador Curtis A. Ward: The following was written by me on the night of September 11, 2001 in my apartment (The Corinthian) at 330 E 38th St. (1st Avenue and 38thSt.) in New York City, some 30+ blocks from the World Trade Centre.
The day, 11 September 2001, for me began with attending the Sixteenth Annual International Prayer Breakfast, marking the opening of the Fifty-Sixth Session of the United Nations General Assembly. As stated in the programme, the objectives of the Prayer Breakfast were: To acknowledge the sovereignty of God over all peoples and nations; To invoke God’s wisdom and blessing on those involved in the work of the United Nations. Read more…
Disaster management in the Caribbean – CaribNation TV with Host Derrice Dean (Video)
(10 Sept. 2017) — “Disaster management in the Caribbean” is an insightful discussion of the mechanisms and resources in place for disaster management in the Caribbean region. Two experts provide important information on how Caribbean islands individually and collectively are prepared and respond to disasters. They also provide insightful information on ways to mitigate the effect of disasters on physical infrastructure before these disasters occur. Read more…
Rescinding DACA is Immoral: We are all in this together! – Ambassador Curtis A. Ward
(08 Sept. 2017) — When President Donald Trump turned back the clock by rescinding DACA it was perhaps the most immoral act of his presidency to date. If it wasn’t for a fact the majority of Americans are in favor of DACA, America, a country that prides itself in leading the world in setting moral standards, would be at the back of the line. In saying this, I acknowledge there are many countries around the world where moral leadership is an alien concept. That is not the America we know; and it is certainly not characteristic of the majority of Americans. America cannot promote adherence to human rights abroad when American leadership at the highest level uses human rights as political football. In a recent article on TWP I referenced the human rights debate in the UN Security Council led by U.S. ambassador Nikki Haley. In light of the action taken by President Trump to rescind DACA, her words ring hollow. Read more…
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