Victoria Nuland

Nuland’s Diplomacy: The Banalization of Monstrosity

Published on
/
763 views
2 mins read

by Our Diplomatic Affairs Editor

“Diplomacy is a noble profession, requiring a deep commitment to peace, justice, and human rights, as well as a willingness to work tirelessly for the good of all people.” – Dag Hammarskjöld (Former Secretary-General of the United Nations)

Victoria Nuland, the undersecretary of state for political affairs in the United States, has been criticized for interfering in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka. Her statements and actions have been perceived by many Sri Lankans as an infringement on their sovereignty and an attempt to dictate their country’s internal affairs. Yesterday, we reported that Nuland is allegedly plotting to destabilize the Indo-Pacific region, drawing comparisons to her actions in Ukraine. In this short take, let us examine the reasons why Victoria Nuland must stop interfering in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs.

Firstly, Sri Lanka is a sovereign nation, and as such, it has the right to determine its internal affairs without external interference. Nuland’s actions have been seen by many Sri Lankans as an attempt to dictate their country’s internal affairs.

Secondly, Nuland’s statements on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka have been criticized for being biased and selective. Sri Lanka has made significant progress in the areas of human rights, national reconciliation, and peacebuilding since the end of the country’s civil war in 2009. However, Nuland’s statements have largely ignored these positive developments and focused on the negative aspects of Sri Lanka’s human rights situation. This one-sided approach has been seen as unfair and unhelpful to Sri Lanka’s progress.

Thirdly, Nuland’s interference in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs has the potential to create instability in the country. Sri Lanka is still recovering from the effects of the civil war, and the last thing it needs is external interference that could destabilize the country. Nuland’s statements have been seen by some as an attempt to stir up unrest and create division within Sri Lanka.

Fourthly, Nuland’s interference could harm Sri Lanka’s economic development. Sri Lanka is a developing country that relies heavily on foreign investment and aid to develop its economy. External interference in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs could harm the country’s prospects for economic growth and development.

Needless to say, Victoria Nuland’s track record as a career diplomat has been controversial due to her perceived advocacy of aggressive responses to gain her desires through cynical manipulation. During her time as Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs under the Obama administration, she was known for her involvement in the 2014 Ukrainian revolution and her support for the pro-Western government that came to power as a result.

Nuland’s involvement in the Ukrainian so-called colour revolution was controversial because it was seen as US interference in the internal affairs of Ukraine. She was caught on tape during a phone call with the US ambassador to Ukraine discussing who should be in the new government and explicitly stating “F*** the EU” when discussing the EU’s role in the crisis. This led to accusations that the US was meddling in Ukrainian politics, which fueled tensions between Russia and the West and contributed to the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine.

In this context, Victoria Nuland’s interference in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs must stop. Sri Lanka is a sovereign nation that has the right to determine its internal affairs without external interference. Nuland’s biased and selective statements on Sri Lanka’s human rights situation and using Sri Lanka to attack China to satisfy her warmongering psyche have created resentment and tension between communities. Her interference also has the potential to create instability in the country and harm Sri Lanka’s economic development. The United States should respect Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and work with the country in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect.

“Nuland has a track record of instigating conflicts among unarmed people and shows little regard for peace. We are not surprised that her mockery of Sri Lanka will create a series of nightmares. Sri Lanka is already grappling with its own crises and does not want to become a vassal state of foreign interests. What we need is genuine diplomats, not opportunists. As former Secretary General of NATO, Javier Solana, aptly noted, diplomats must be able to navigate complex political and cultural environments, and build bridges of understanding and cooperation between different nations and peoples. Nuland is exhibiting behaviour that is quite contradictory to the norms of diplomacy. Therefore, we urge Nuland to keep Sri Lanka out of her barbaric agenda.

You might be interested in

Exclusive: US-India Move to Establish Joint Military Base in Trincomalee?

Published on
//
7586 views
3 mins read
2

by Our Diplomatic Affairs Editor

Victoria Nuland, the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs of the United States, has made a second visit to Sri Lanka within a few months. Prior to her visit, she met with key officials in the Indian government, including Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, to discuss a strategic plan for the region.

“During her visit Nuland suggested to the Sri Lankan government in the strongest possible terms to establish a US-Indian joint military base in Trincomalee, which will serve as a critical component in protecting US and Asia-Pacific interests and countering Chinese development activities in the region,” informed sources reaffirmed.

According to a source, “the officials also discussed implementing the 13th amendment as quickly as possible, as it will be a catalyst for achieving the objectives of the strategic plan. The 13th amendment aims to devolve power to the provincial councils in Sri Lanka while diluting the centre.”

The establishment of the military base is expected to “enhance security and stability in the region, and promote greater cooperation between the United States, India, and Sri Lanka,” a top diplomatic source says under the conditions of anonymity.

We attempted to reach out to a Colombo government official for an official statement, but no one was willing to provide one in an official capacity.

Who is this Nuland?

Victoria Nuland, a career diplomat and former US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, played a significant role in the United States’ policy towards Ukraine in the early 2010s. Nuland’s “war game” in Ukraine, and how it was exposed, provides a compelling case study on the intersection of foreign policy and geopolitical gamesmanship.

In 2014, the world watched as Ukraine erupted in conflict, with Russia annexing Crimea and pro-Russian separatists seizing control of parts of Eastern Ukraine. However, the origins of the crisis go back several years. In 2013, the Ukrainian government under President Yanukovych was poised to sign an association agreement with the European Union, signaling a shift towards closer ties with the West. This decision was vehemently opposed by Russia, which saw Ukraine as part of its sphere of influence.

It was during this time that Nuland became heavily involved in US policy towards Ukraine. Leaked audio recordings in early 2014 revealed that Nuland had discussed who should form Ukraine’s next government with the US Ambassador to Ukraine, Geoffrey Pyatt. In the conversation, she expressed her preference for Arseniy Yatsenyuk, a pro-Western politician who eventually became Prime Minister following Yanukovych’s ouster.

The leaked recordings caused a significant stir, with some commentators accusing the US of meddling in Ukraine’s affairs and undermining its sovereignty. Nuland defended her actions, stating that the US was simply supporting a democratic, pro-European movement in Ukraine.

However, Nuland’s actions did not stop there. She also supported the anti-government protests that erupted in Ukraine in late 2013 and early 2014, providing various forms of assistance to the demonstrators. This assistance reportedly included training, resources, and funding for civil society groups.

US Military bases surrounding China [ Source: Base Nation]

Nuland as a Warmonger in Ukraine

Nuland’s involvement in Ukraine became emblematic of the wider geopolitical struggle between Russia and the West. Her support for the protesters was seen as evidence of the US’s desire to encroach on Russia’s sphere of influence, while her advocacy for Yatsenyuk’s appointment was seen as evidence of the US’s intention to shape Ukraine’s political future.

Ultimately, the Ukrainian crisis resulted in significant geopolitical fallout. The conflict in Eastern Ukraine has claimed thousands of lives and strained relations between Russia and the West to breaking point. The role that Nuland played in the crisis, and the exposure of her actions, provides a unique insight into the complex, often hidden world of foreign policy and geopolitical gamesmanship.

Victoria Nuland’s “war game” in Ukraine and how it was exposed serves as an important case study in foreign policy and geopolitical strategy. The leaked recordings of her conversations with the US Ambassador to Ukraine revealed the extent of US involvement in Ukraine and sparked accusations of meddling. The Ukrainian crisis remains a key flashpoint in international relations, and Nuland’s role in it highlights the complexity and delicacy of geopolitical manoeuvring.

According to a top diplomatic source, Victoria Nuland’s efforts to reshape South Asian affairs in favour of the United States could have negative consequences. The source expressed concern that her actions may potentially disrupt the longstanding state of peace in the region, which Sri Lanka has worked to maintain.

You might be interested in