President Hugo Chavez Embracing Africa and South America (2006)

 

President Hugo Chavez embraced Africa and its link to South America. Venezuela in the late 1990s began to enhance diplomatic relations with African nations. To an extent both Africa and Latin America share a common struggle. European colonization harmed the people of both continents. Spain was the major power that dominated Latin America. The wave of independence in the 1820s was undermined by the United States and the policy of the Monroe Doctrine. During this interview President Hugo Chavez voices his concerns for Mozambique. The scourge of AIDS and poverty in Africa was a concern for the Venezuelan president. Domestically, Hugo Chavez formed food programs to combat hunger in Venezuela. Chavez stated that "racism is characteristic of imperialism." Capitalism also acts as a binding network for these systems of domination. Hugo Chavez was not only calling for a socialist revolution, but a revolution of ethics. The world should not except that children die from lack of healthcare and destitute conditions. This cannot be the task of one leader Chavez expressed. The public must participate in a revolution. The notion of "taking back the flag of socialism" refers to stopping the cooption by social democrats and  political centrist liberals. These two factions are seeking reform, rather than fundamental change. The reason Hugo Chavez was demonized is that he wanted to challenge US domination in South America. The hatred was also from the US, which attempted to depose Hugo Chavez in 2002. Both Africa and South America cane benefit one another.  

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra Suspension And The Hun Sen Scandal

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended from her governance duties. The scandal relates to a phone call with Hun Sen. The former prime minister of Cambodia is now president of the Senate. Thailand and Cambodia are now involved in a escalating  border dispute. The call was seen by the more nationalistic elements of Thailand as a violation of ethics. The discussion was about the current tension between the two countries. Instead, it was exaggerated to be some act of treason or evidence Prime Minister Paetongtran is a puppet. Neither of these accusations have evidence. Hun Sen during the phone call expressed harsh criticism of the Thai military. The real scandal is that the Thai military has more control over government than the civilian leadership. The Hun Sen scandal is about the Thai military attempting to stop peaceful resolutions with Cambodia. Thailand could be headed for another coup. The pattern seems similar to 2006 and 2014. A few senators in Thailand submitted a petition for her removal from office. The Constitutional Court then took the recommendation of investigating ethics violations. This is an attempt to criminalize political opponents. The Thai military was responsible for the removal of her other family members who were elected to office. Yingluck Shinawatra was removed from office by the Constitutional Court. The murder of a Cambodian soldier on the border caused a sharp decline in diplomatic relations. The only means to improve conditions is to discuss matters. A phone call attempting to prevent a war should not be met with suspension form office. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has only 15 days to organize legal defense for her case. The verdict most likely has been determined without the trial. If heads of state cannot engage in dialogue with foreign leaders, resolving issues will be impossible. The Hun Sen scandal is about the Thai military trying to sabotage peaceful resolutions to the Cambodian border dispute.   

Tuvalu Under Threat From Climate Change

 

Climate change is becoming a security risk for nations of Oceania and the Pacific Ocean region. Tuvalu's concern relates to the increase in water levels. Tuvalu seeing the increase water levels of the Pacific Ocean means certain islands could go under. Flooding become a danger to people, property, and the economic conditions of the country. Realizing climate change is not slowing down, one solution involved an agreement with Australia. A climate change visa has been proposed. This allows Tuvaluans  to relocate to Australia due to environmental challenges. The climate change visa is not a permanent method to address climate induced disasters. Residence of Tuvalu might not want to move to another country. Australia cannot be expected to take all people from various Pacific Ocean states. Environmental protection needs to be a priority for governments across the world. The dependence on fossil fuel undermines efforts to address climate concerns. Rising sea levels are also going to effect Australia. Those living on the coast or close by the ocean makes it unsafe for residence. The climate change related visa is the first of its kind. Some Tuvaluans  applied for the new visa. Adjusting to a new country can be difficult. Australians might not want to see more  immigration . Tuvalu's population is smaller than Australia's. According to Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Tuvalu's population is 11,204 people. Tuvalu gained independence in 1978 and since has strived for economic development. Tuvalu has tourism potential, yet climate change remains a hinderance. Tuvalu and other members of the Pacific Islands Forum must develop new innovations to combat the effects of climate change.      

The Kenyan Gen Z Demonstrations

 

Kenyan youth are going to demonstrations to voice their frustration with the government. The source of contention related to police brutality, increases in taxes, and dissatisfaction with President William Ruto. The demonstrations are spreading throughout Kenya. Much of the discontent is also expressed on social media platforms. Not only is it used as an organizing tool, but increasing awareness of issues in Kenyan politics. Generation Z is feeling the strain of economic hardship. The youth are experiencing a high rate of unemployment in Kenya. Combined with the increase in the cost of living, this added to the  discord. President William Ruto is becoming the main focus, not just the government in general. Growing protests show that his administration is in a precarious position. The finance bill has sparked public rage that will not be placated. What Kenya needs is to expand sectors of the economy and increase the quality of education. Getting assistance from the African Union and securing trade agreements with multiple countries can be long term solutions. Law enforcement needs complete reform. The use of tear gas, water cannons, and in some cases live ammunition are clear violations of human rights. The Gen Z protests would not happen if the youth knew change could happen with their vote. The behavior of the police is a unsettling reminder of the colonial past. Considering the influence of the IMF some believe it never disappeared. President William Ruto is now being accused of authoritarian rule. The press is also under pressure in Kenya. Kenya major media networks KNT and NTV are under certain restrictions. Internet services were deliberately slowed down. More restrictions are going to motivate the youth to continue demonstrations. The Gen Z movement could be a turning point in Kenya's political system. 

The Pro-Monarchy Movement In Nepal

 

A movement to restore the monarchy in Nepal has grown. The movement has a coalition of Hindu nationalist, pro-royalist, and anti-federalist factions. The monarchy was abolished in 2008. The circumstances for the removal retales to the civil war peace settlement. The pro-monarchy movement does have the support of a political party. The Rastriya Prajatantra  Party has organized demonstrations. Law enforcement has responded with violence. Some speculate that the reason the RPP is supportive of the pro-monarchy movement relates to election performance. The RPP does not have enough votes to have a majority in parliament. The pro-republicans see the movement as undermining progress of Nepal. The former king, Gyanendra Shah as shown interest in a return to government. When King Gyanedra dismissed the government in 2005, this resulted in the loss of the monarchy's credibility. The shift to a republican parliamentary system did not produce the results the public wanted. Economic challenges, constantly rotating governments, and ineffective political parties left the Nepalese frustrated. Unaddressed dissatisfaction caused the pro-monarchy movement to develop. The Shah dynasty had been in power for 240 years. The 2008 experiment with being a federal parliamentary republic is not doing as well as expected. If democratic political system cannot provide for citizens, then they will turn to other alternatives. The restoration of the monarchy is a shift to a Nepalese conservatism. The aftermath of the Nepalese Civil War and ineffective prime ministers created the pro-monarchy movement. 

Israel Attacks Iran

 

Israel has attacked major Iranian cities. Tehran was hit with airstrikes. Israel's aggression has escalated to the extent of regional war. Iran now is a target of  expansionist regional designs. Israel wants to fight Iran to eliminate competitors in West Asia. The argument was that Israel was attempting to stop Iran's nuclear program. Israel has nuclear weapons, which is more precarious. Israel did an unilateral strike and it further isolates the country. Iran responded with attacks on Tel Aviv. During Israel's attacks government officials were assassinated from the operation. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed that more retaliation would follow. Israel does not have the capability to fight Hezbollah, the Houthi rebels, and Iran all at once. Israel is active in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and the occupied territories. The Trump administration favors Israel and has an anti-Iranian position. A regional war between Israel and Iran could expand beyond its borders. Nuclear sites were not only attacked, but ballistic missile factories. If the United States continues its support of Israel, military bases will be attacked. Israel is now under a state of emergency. War with Iran has been Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's goal for decades. The Likud Party's belligerent actions could result in mass global conflict. A regional war maintains the possibility of Israel suffering a major defeat. Unless the US and EU countries come to its assistance. Oil production from the Middle East could be disrupted. A Israel-Iran War might result in an energy crisis.   

The UN Reports A Decline In Birth Rate

 

The UN Population Fund released the State of World Population report. Birth rates are declining globally based on their data. The focus of the UN Population Fund was on reproductive rights, women's health, making every pregnancy wanted, and women's rights. To a degree, a contradiction exists. The emphasis on women having children tends to be more anti-woman. The countries with the highest fertility rates tend to have women who do get access to an equal amount of education. The United Nations makes it appear as a crisis. The world population is larger than it was a century ago. The report did a survey that only used 14 countries. The UNPFA had a survey sample of 14,000 people. The countries that were part of the report included Thailand, South Korea, Italy, Hungary, Germany, Sweden, Brazil, Nigeria, India, Morocco, Mexico, US, South Africa, Germany, and Indonesia. Some reported wanting to have children, but financial security was an obstacle. Women cited in the report that unequal domestic division of labor as a reason for not having children. The lack of employment security, warfare, and environmental concerns were also reasons for subjects not wanting to have children. The contemporary period provides no benefit to being a parent. While underpopulation can be an issue for certain nations, overpopulation is more precarious. Few jobs, limited access to healthcare, and education create an atmosphere of conflict. The world does not have the capacity to take care of billions of people. The UN report sounds more like an advocation for natalism. This connects to many conservative circles that see declining birthrate as nations weakening. Besides the economic factors related to birthrate decline, culture is one. A growing number of women do not want to marry, be in a relationship, or have children. A portion of men are unable to establish any form of relationship with women. Men just might not want to be fathers. The report is misleading because of the sample size and the few countries selected for the survey. The declining birth rate is not a crisis. Nations with aging populations must consider solutions to demographic challenges.