Donors pledge billions to Afghanistan, conservative voices flock to Parler, keeping your career on track and Hong Kong's scandalous Covid cluster
23 - 29 November 2020
THE FOREVER WAR
The international community pledged US$12 billion worth of assistance to Afghanistan on Tuesday, wrapping up a major donor conference in Geneva.
The group said the initial US$3 billion portion would be paid next year, with subsequent tranches coming through to 2024. The funds have strings attached, however - the main one being that Kabul and the Taliban must make substantial progress in their peace talks.
The problem is the Doha negotiations have stalled; there's been no breakthrough despite 11 weeks of meetings. The Taliban is refusing to call a ceasefire and violent attacks blight the country.
Secondly, the US is significantly reducing its military presence in Afghanistan following President Trump's promise to bring American troops home. The move could strengthen the Taliban's hand, especially while Joe Biden's administration settles in.
Another point is Kabul's urgent need for cash. The government, although extremely corrupt, is still responsible for managing the country. Security analysts say the financial burden may put pressure on Afghan authorities to offer concessions to the Taliban in order to unlock foreign aid.
Finally, the conflict in Afghanistan has always been complicated by the different stakeholders involved. For instance, the EU is writing cheques to stem the flow of migrants and narcotics into the bloc. Elsewhere, China is eyeing Afghanistan's vast mineral resources.
SEEKING ALTERNATIVES
You may have noticed that Facebook and Twitter took extra steps this month to flag or remove US election-related misinformation. Donald Trump's tweets, in particular, are littered with warning labels about disputed claims.
For now, the jury is still out on whether Big Tech did enough to curb the spread of unverified or inaccurate statements. But as far as many conservative influencers and Republicans are concerned, these measures are further proof that Mark Zuckerberg, Jack Dorsey et al. are politically biased. (N.B. The chief execs have repeatedly denied these claims before Congress).
Fed up with the enhanced policing, several right-wing personalities are migrating to alternative social media platforms Parler and MeWe. The sites, which promise "free speech" with minimal moderation, have seen their app store downloads surge in the wake of Trump's defeat.
Media watchers say they're worried about the formation of echo chambers filled with hateful rhetoric and false narratives, e.g. Holocaust denialism, QAnon theories. Bill Gates has also weighed in, calling Parler's content "crazy stuff".
No doubt Parler and MeWe's growth will be closely monitored to check whether they remain fringe channels, or if they could potentially expand to reach wider audiences.
KEEPING YOUR CAREER ON TRACK
The coronavirus outbreak has rattled the labour market and introduced an extraordinary layer of stress to job hunting. Faced with gloomy prospects and intense competition, it's natural to feel anxious or compromise on what matters in a role. But, according to career strategist Dalia Lourenco, job-seekers shouldn't abandon hope.
Q. What's your key bit of advice on finding job satisfaction amid this global turmoil?
The key is not to downgrade your goals. Even in normal times, people are resistant towards committing to their dreams. There are a million limiting beliefs and rationalisations - fear of failure; what will my parents/friends/ex-colleagues say; timing's not right...the list goes on. Covid-19 just throws another excuse into the mix.
As a result, they redirect their energy and attention to plan B or C. Their overarching goal: just survive. Where do you think that kind of mentality will get you? Nowhere great, that's for sure.
Remember to always aim for plan A. Otherwise, you've failed before you've even begun. Yes, you will get hit by curveballs (as this pandemic has shown), but you need to be flexible and adaptive – and do not settle, or you run the risk of finding yourself deleted from the job market.
Q. Do you think companies should be doing more or less to engage with their employees as the health crisis continues?
While the initial shock of "WE'RE IN A PANDEMIC!" has subsided, we’re seeing an increasing loss of motivation as well as burn out in the workplace.
This is a massive chance for companies to boost employee retention and loyalty. Professionals love overcoming challenges – so acknowledge everything they've overcome this year. Conduct surveys and 1-on-1 interviews to gauge what people want and look for win-wins. Sometimes it's the simplest things like saying, "I really appreciate that you've stuck through and continued meeting your deadlines despite what's happening." To really score points, add tangible rewards to your words, i.e. "Please take Friday off!"
Q. Are there career opportunities that people are failing to see due to Covid-19 distractions?
Definitely! As I mentioned earlier, people are focused on hanging on to their job, or desperately finding a job, any job. Some are baking banana bread. This gives you a huge opportunity to nab emerging positions in the new economy while others are hibernating.
Now, more than ever, it's important to prioritise your lifestyle while staying committed to your career goals. Ensure you have the three pillars nailed down: 1. know your purpose, 2. have strong branding skills to be recognised as a specialist, and 3. expand your access to the hidden job market.
(You can contact Dalia at dalia@accelerateyourambitions.com or check out her website for further details.)
NO LONGER BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
One of the consequences of Covid-19 is public scrutiny of private activities. Our movements and interactions are diligently recorded as part of contact tracing efforts. So it's not unusual to see people named and shamed for attending large weddings, parties or even funerals during the pandemic.
This reality was reinforced in Hong Kong over the past fortnight when a collection of dance studios emerged as a 'super-spreader' cluster. To date, more than 400 cases are linked to the venues.
Due to the sudden spike in infections, the launch of the much anticipated HK-Singapore travel bubble was shelved, and officials are warning that tougher restrictions could be on the way. But what's really caught the attention of the city's press is the clientele of these dance studios. The patrons tend to be high society ladies in their 60s and 70s while their instructors are younger men.
HK's newspapers and tabloids have gleefully published articles on the women, using contact tracing information to reveal trips to salsa classes, upscale restaurants and mahjong parlours.
Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that the HK government has yet to shut the dance studios and members-only clubs, sparking speculation about the connections of the city's well-heeled residents.