Hardin Lang

VP for Programs and Policy at @RefugeesIntl. Former @UNPeacekeeping and humanitarian field operations. Ex think-tanker at @CSIS and @amprog. Opinions my own.

[Hardin Lang @HardinLang1]

A few weeks ago, @JeremyKonyndyk and I set out a plan in @ForeignAffairs to avert the looming famine in #Gaza. Yesterday's @theIPCinfo report makes clear that famine is now imminent. Stopping it must now be the Biden administration's top priority in Gaza.

https://t.co/lPuDtxHNAY

[Aaron Rupar @atrupar]

MARKWAYNE MULLIN: I think you said he was wanted for trafficking?

REPORTER: Traffic infractions

MULLIN: Traffic infractions. Okay. I haven't seen the case. Keep in mind, Biden ...

[Hardin Lang @HardinLang1]

🎯

[Cameron Hudson @_hudsonc]

It must be said that in the last two weeks, Washington has suffered a number of humiliating diplomatic defeats in its efforts to force Sudanese authorities into signing a ceasefire deal they were not prepared to sign and that conditions on the ground did not align with.

First, the entire campaign to expand the arms embargo was ill-planned and poorly executed and stood no chance of enlisting the necessary votes, including not earning support of a single African nation on the Security Council. Even after intense US lobbying and public relations, the effort has fallen flat, forcing this ignominious withdrawal. (Note: when he says "This extension is not a lapse in our resolve" that is exactly what it is.) This is truly a low point in the history of US diplomacy in Sudan and shows the weakness of a non-career diplomatic corps.

Second, the decision to withhold General Burhan's visa as a means of creating pressure on him to sign a ceasefire again demonstrates how poorly planned and executed US diplomacy now is. That the US was surprised by the unanimous negative response from all its diplomatic allies that such a move would be seen as punitive and therefore counterproductive is truly shocking and shows their inexperience and naïveté.

Third, the response publicly from Saudi Arabia and private from many others calling into question the value and purpose of the Quad as a result is yet another blow to US diplomacy. If the US cannot lead on the Security Council and cannot convince its closest partners of its approach then we are seeing the unintended (or perhaps intended) consequences of an America First foreign policy.

Lastly, back peddling in their public statements about the credibility of the Sovereignty Council, giving a false impression of a meeting/conversation with Burhan, and now this tactical retreat to avoid new diplomatic embarrassment are all signs that the US is struggling to find its footing on this issue.

Washington would do well to do a couple of things: take a listening tour of Riyadh, Ankara, and Doha (having already heard from Cairo) and try to rebuild trust with Khartoum's closest supporters. Second, go to Khartoum. Yes, meet with the leadership. But meet the people, the civilians, the politicians, the NGOs. Sit in their homes. Drink tea. Drive the streets. Absorb the destruction and try to understand the country and the people you claim to be working for the benefit of.

Oh yeah, and ask forgiveness.

Do all those things. Reset your diplomatic agenda. Open your mind. Then maybe the Sudanese will listen, your allies will follow, and you will make some progress on a ceasefire agenda that is not more than a year old with nothing to show for it.

Good luck.

[Hardin Lang @HardinLang1]

The kind of news DC needs now!

[Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle]

Hey look, we have a new sign! This is really real, people.

[Hardin Lang @HardinLang1]

Every word of this!

If anyone deserves the Nobel peace prize, it’s the emergency response room & their local colleagues in #Sudan. No one does more essential work to meet the needs of communities under fire in the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
https://t.co/PCENGdaYyA

[Hardin Lang @HardinLang1]

The timing is indeed suspicious

[Cameron Hudson @_hudsonc]

A business deal with massive political overtones. Addis has essentially bought itself a 'get out of jail free' card from Washington. https://t.co/FZ51SXBHie

[Hardin Lang @HardinLang1]

👀

[Lauren Blanchard @LaurenBinDC]

Sure looks like a war to me.

But if you take your cues from Ethiopia's federal government, you might spin it differently.

[Atul Gawande @Atul_Gawande]

No one died from USAID closure? New @refugeesintl report by @priyalisur says otherwise.
USAID introduced & protected Afghan midwifery. Now ⅔ are gone.
Result: In one province. newborn deaths rose 43%; another 60%. In Herat, maternal deaths rose 5X. 👇https://t.co/PXOc5YwsKK

[Jeremy Konyndyk @JeremyKonyndyk]

Remarkable letter here from former Israeli military and intel leaders calling on @POTUS to compel Netanyahu to rein in settler terror in the West Bank:
https://t.co/Gob8uvrh1b

[Hardin Lang @HardinLang1]

Worth checking what is happening on training for customs and border patrol recruits as well.

[Sharon Hascall @SharonHascall]

Whistleblower warns ICE has slashed training for recruits https://t.co/s7rtVb23sx

[Hardin Lang @HardinLang1]

This is both deeply tragic and not completely unsurprising. When we were in Minneapolis recently, we heard stories of late night ICE/CBP drop offs in parks at subzero temperatures. Never forget that cruelty is the point.

[Jeremy Konyndyk @JeremyKonyndyk]

This refugee survived genocide in Burma but could not survive ICE in America.

An unspeakable outrage.

[Hardin Lang @HardinLang1]

Amen

[Matt Duss @mattduss]

An unpopular president is about to drag the country into an unpopular war. Democratic leaders should be out front in opposition, not politely asking for a briefing.

My piece in @ForeignPolicy. https://t.co/CgO9L9N5tc

[Jeremy Konyndyk @JeremyKonyndyk]

You determined that a blind man, who required the use of a cane to walk, and spoke little English...had no disabilities or mobility issues and needed no special help?

That's not a defense, that's a confession of negligent incompetence.

Shame.

[Hardin Lang @HardinLang1]

This morning in Time Square! So proud of @AlyseNelson! @VitalVoices #ProudHusband.

[Hardin Lang @HardinLang1]

We knew this was in the mail. But #famine has now been declared in #Gaza. All efforts must now turn to staving off the worst. Humanitarians must be allowed to do their job. Our statement: https://t.co/Kthy6McePL

[Hardin Lang @HardinLang1]

Trumps’s gutting of USAID continues to fuel global suffering. Cutting climate resilience aid won’t reduce migration. It will drive it, by stripping people of the ability to stay safely in their homes. ⁦@JocelynGPerry⁩ ⁦@RefugeesIntl⁩ https://t.co/v8ftDen4hL

[Hardin Lang @HardinLang1]

RSF attacks in #Darfur have displaced 100,000s #Sudanese. Many now arriving at #Chad border. Aid groups struggle to respond after U.S. aid cuts. ⁦⁦@SecRubio: Turn the aid on & work with regional partners to stop atrocities. ⁦@RefugeesIntl⁩ https://t.co/EeFqT6STC9

[Hardin Lang @HardinLang1]

"The janjaweed are coming" - RSF attacks have largely emptied Zamzam Camp in Darfur in Sudan. Hundreds of thousands of residents - already in famine - have fled, many for the border with Chad.
https://t.co/M2snTLOo4w

[Martin Austermuhle @maustermuhle]

The deconstruction of Black Lives Matter Plaza is done. The street signs marking the plaza are also gone.

[Hardin Lang @HardinLang1]

It was an honor to met with the @SyriaCivilDef leadership in Damascus. @JesCMarks & I got to see their teams in action saving lives across the country. After liberation, the number of Syrians they serve quadrupled. Pausing U.S. support to heroes like these is both wrong and dumb.

[The White Helmets @SyriaCivilDef]

We were pleased to welcome the Vice President of Refugees International (@RefugeesIntl), @HardinLang1, and the Senior Advocate for Middle East Issues, @JesCMarks, to our office in #Damascus.

The visit was an important opportunity to discuss the humanitarian situation in #Syria and the growing needs amid declining aid following the freeze on U.S. funding. Discussions also focused on ways to promote economic and social recovery to achieve stability and peace for Syrians.
#WhiteHelmets

[Hardin Lang @HardinLang1]

Just spent the last week in #Syria investigating the impact of unplugging U.S. foreign assistance. Hospitals are shutting down. Food and water for millions of displaced Syrians are being turned off. Syrians are going to suffer and die because of this.

[Brett Murphy @BrettMmurphy]

USAID employees around the world and stateside just received an email that as of midnight tonight they will all — with some “mission-critical” and leadership exceptions — be placed on administrative leave