Hedge of allegiance: South Africa’s diplomatic shift
The Intelligence from The Economist
The Economist
4.5 • 3.7K Ratings
🗓️ 6 March 2023
⏱️ 26 minutes
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Summary
A policy of ambiguity is swiftly shifting; the country is falling into a Sino-Russian orbit at just the time it needs the most help from Western allies. How learning to debate can improve the lives of those inside and released from New York City’s biggest prison. And meeting a street artist who decorates the wreckage of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second city.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hello and welcome to the intelligence from the economist. |
| 0:06.8 | In New York, I'm John Fassman. |
| 0:09.3 | And in London, I'm Jason Paulman. |
| 0:11.5 | Every weekday, we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world. |
| 0:19.3 | For years, the Rikers Debate Project has taught debating skills to inmates in New York City's |
| 0:24.4 | biggest jail. |
| 0:25.8 | We attended a debate between two former prisoners and two university students to learn how those |
| 0:30.6 | skills improve lives. |
| 0:34.8 | And in many ways, life has gone back to something like normal in Harkiv, Ukraine's second |
| 0:40.2 | city, including for its street artists. |
| 0:43.5 | We meet one who decorates the wreckage these days while wearing a bulletproof vest. |
| 0:55.7 | First up though. |
| 1:04.3 | Time and time again, South Africa is marking out a diplomatic stance that leans away from |
| 1:09.8 | the West. |
| 1:11.3 | When the UN passed a resolution for peace in Ukraine to mark a year of war, guess who |
| 1:16.4 | abstained? |
| 1:18.4 | The assembly broke out in applause when the final tallies were in. |
| 1:22.3 | 141 countries in favour, seven against, and 32 abstentions, including from South Africa. |
| 1:30.1 | South Africa faces a difficult balancing act. |
| 1:33.1 | As a non-aligned country, it needs to keep on friendly terms with both Russia and the |
| 1:37.2 | West alike. |
| 1:38.2 | But recently, it seems as though the balancing act is getting more unbalanced. |
... |
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