Mikhail Gorbachev BBC Interview (2019)

 

Mikhail Gorbachev (1931-2022)  gave an interview to  the BBC in 2019. What was discussed were the tensions between teh Russian Federation and the West. Gorbachev cited nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction as creating causing more hostility between nations. The tension will always bet there if the US and Russia continue to expand their arsenals. What he also condemned was America's nuclear attack on Japan during World War II. To him, it was more about threatening other countries rather than a fast end to the war. Russians do not favor war nor are they seeking another large conflict. Mikhail Gorbachev as General Secretary found out that most of the Soviet citizens were more concerned about a confrontation with the United States compared to other problems. The tension between the EU and Russia now is not another Cold War. The world is falling into a network of proxy wars and a shift to multipolarity. The  choice not to intervene in Eastern Europe in 1989 was out concern for a mass conflict. Gorbachev reveals some were opposed to German reunification, even those who celebrated the fall of  the Berlin Wall. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was not supportive of German reunification. His thoughts on President Putin explain why he is popular among the Russian citizens. The turbulence of the 1990s created a desire for some order. Vladimir Putin is viewed as a stabilizing force. The price paid for that is a more authoritarian system  based around one individual. Gorbachev shows an astute understanding of Russian politics and foreign policy in the interview. The concerns mentioned should be taken seriously by every world leader. 

The Darya Dugina Assassination

 

Journalist Darya Dugina was assassinated under mysterious circumstances. A car bomb was detonated, but no group has claimed responsibility for the murder. The speculation was that some in Ukraine were the culprits. Other theories are that it was the Russian government itself. No evidence of this has been produced. The murder will surely have an impact on the Russia-Ukraine war. The official statements by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) is that it was a Ukrainian plot. Natalia Vovk is a suspect in the murder. Ukraine continues to deny accusations that it planned an assassination. It is unclear if Darya was the actual target or Alexander Dugin. Darya was supportive of Russia's invasion, which would make her a target. Ukraine made the claim that the real culprits were Russian separatists groups. The FSB claims it was a conspiracy of the Azov Battalion. Darya Dugina was not a political figure and did not hold power in the United Russia Party. This was an attack of extremists on a journalist. Oddly, the media is not framing it in that way. The reason could be due to growing anti-Russian sentiment in the West. Journalists of all nations face the threat of violence or death. 

Prayut Chan-ocha Has Been Suspended As Prime Minister

 

The rule of  Prayut Chan-ocha could be coming to an end. Thailand's Constitutional  Court has suspended him. The coup leader turned prime minister had been in power since 2014. His argument for remaining in power was that Thailand was stability was established. The Thai constitution has term limits and critics say that the Chan-ocha has violated the rule. The counter argument was that the 2014 coup should not count seeing as it was done under an emergency. The other claim is that his term really began in 2017 and that the new constitution should  enable him to seeking reelection. There will be a legal battle between Chan-ocha and the opposition. The challenge that faces Thailand is military dominance of politics and political corruption. The court tends to favor the military instead of opposition groups. While dismissed, Prayut Chan-ocha has not been instructed not to engage in political activity. If he successfully defeats suspension, he might run for office again. Prayut Chan-ocha could serve to 2027 if he wins the general election. Voting alone will not bring about change in Thailand. Coups happen when the powerful are fearful of the citizens asserting themselves. The only way a democratic political system can develop is if the military is separated from government.Even under civilian rule its influence can be felt. Prayut Chan-ocha might not be going anywhere, despite the growing demonstrations calling for his resignation.     

Anti-Government Protests In Sierra Leone

 

The rising cost of living has brought people to protest in Sierra Leone. This resulted in a violent response from authorities. Freetown imposed a curfew. The price of food, gas, electricity, and various commodities  have pushed the country to the brink. Poverty has been a major concern. Some are calling for President Julius Maada Bio to resign. Yet, he insists that the protests were politically motivated. That argument does not explain the fact that inflation has not been addressed. The growth of economic inequality only causes discord and violence in a nation. Sierra Leone has been struggling to rebuild after a brutal civil war. The war lasted from 1991 to 2002, but the nation remains divided. ECOWAS has condemned the violence. This might prevent further escalation . ECOWAS did intervene in Gambia and that possibly could be another option for Sierra Leone. Economic improvements must be made before a civil war breaks out. If civil war does not happen, a possible military coup could happen. A combination of broken promises , lack of reconciliation, and economic decline  put Sierra Leone in this condition.  

The Rise and Fall of The TV Journalist

 

Critics of media and journalism have noted a contrast in quality. The media has become more partisan and biased. Bias was always present in reporting, but the rise of Tv took it to another level. Adam Curtis explains in a short documentary about how the public perception  of the  Tv journalist.  They were seen as heroic figures during the 1960s and 1970s exposing corruption and societal ills. Then a shift happened with the Cold War. The geopolitical situation became more complex and a simple narrative of good versus evil could not explain a world rapidly changing. Objective reporting was an ideal that was never reached. The idea was that the journalist was suppose to explain current events to the audience. Yet, the media can also be prone to error. The Tv journalists slowly morphed into supporters of the status quo. The public began to view the Tv journalists as part of the elite and establishment. The hostility became more pronounced in the 2010s. A decline in quality has been happening before the 2020s. These shifts allowed for the rise of independent journalism. Some wonder if cable news or other networks can survive in its current condition. Tv news needs to make drastic changes to remain relevant.  

Indicators of A Recession

 

There are indications that the economy could be heading for recession. High inflation and increasing interest rates are having an impact on economic growth. The stock market should not be an indicator of economic health. This represents a small portion of the population, not  the combined microeconomic and macroeconomic dynamics. Companies are cutting advertising,  cutting back on hiring, or eliminating jobs. This is not a sign of a functional economy. The economy is heading to recession, yet there is denial among economists and politicians. The definition of recession is the decline in economic activity and the reduction of growth. The result of this is unemployment, reduced profits from corporations,  and limited investment. Output comes to a halt due to these obstacles. The indicators have gradually been exposing themselves to the public. The COVID-19 pandemic, the supply chain disruption, and sanctions on Russia have contributed to this economic condition. Attempts to redefine the attributes of a recession are not going to change the economic forecast. This was not some random occurrence. The coming recession was a product of policy. Certain measures must be put in place to prevent another possible global economic meltdown.  

The Horniman Museum Will Return The Benin Bronzes

 

Nigeria will get back artifacts that were stolen in 1897. The British Empire took the Benin bronzes during the conquest of the Kingdom of Benin. Their display in the Horniman Museum was a painful reminder of the legacy of European colonial imperialism. It was announced that a total of 72 objects with be transferred to Nigeria. Much of the artwork was used to decorate the royal court in Benin. The British knew that they were of significant value. These artifacts date from as far back as the 16th century. Although certain artifacts are being returned, that does not mean Nigeria will not loan to the Horniman Museum. Artifacts must be acquired or displayed by legal  means. More museums in France, Germany, the US, and UK are repatriating artifacts stolen from Africa. African nations do not have an issue lending artifacts, but  European museums claiming  ownership is to legitimize  the abuses of the colonial past. The Horniman Museum can still display African artifacts, but must do it by proper ethical standards. 

The Aid To Ukraine

 

The European Union and  the United States is  sending more aid to Ukraine. The EU is preparing for a mix of grants and loans which is estimated to be a total of  8 billion euros. The US intends to provide a $1 billion military aid package. The large sums of money is not helping Ukraine. The aid packages are extending the war and escalating a humanitarian crisis. The desire to see Russia weakened by a long term proxy war is not working. Ukraine cannot win, unless there is some form of multilateral intervention. NATO does not have the legal authority to do so, because Ukraine is not a member.   Such an act could spark a large war across Europe and a possible nuclear exchange. The only rational solution is to have a peace settlement. The majority of aid does not go to humanitarian concerns. Weapons and various munitions are what the aid is intended for. Europe  still remains reliant on Russian gas and this could be used as leverage in winter. The citizens of the US and EU countries should not be expected to have their tax funds wasted on a war that could be lost. The longer the Russia-Ukraine conflict goes, the economy becomes erratic. NATO expansion and the interference in Ukraine caused the conflict. More aid will result in more deaths and instability in Europe. The loans and aid packages only will make Ukraine dependent on the UK, Germany, and US. Ukraine might not be able to pay back all the loans it has received. A nation that is in debt to multiple countries  has its sovereignty limited. Ukraine is one of the poorest countries in Europe and national debt could harm its future.   

Amin al-Zawahiri Has Been Killed

 

Amin al-Zawahiri has been killed by the United States. He was second in command of Al-Qaeda and  was successor to Osama Bin Laden in the leadership of the terrorist organization. Celebrations are not happening to the same degree like it was when Osama was killed. The 2011 announcement had Americans cheering in the streets. The reason for the muted response is that America has economic and political challenges. Al-Qaeda has lost much of its significance, with rival terrorist organizations  emerging. Radical political Islamism is not a unified movement. Terrorist groups will continue to exist and operate without their founders. The growth of  international terrorism has a direct link to US foreign policy and intervention in the Middle East. Afghanistan is once more under Taliban rule and Iraq remains unstable. Zawahiri's hatred of the US stemmed from the support of Israel and the authoritarian regimes in the Middle East. Jailed  under the Hosni Mubarak presidency, Zawahiri thought Egypt was falling under US domination. The reason people have joined these groups is to fight regimes that are US supported or occupied. This is why Al-Qaeda made an appearance in Iraq  after the removal of Saddam Hussein.  Drone strikes have killed the leadership, but the terrorist organizations were designed to function without them. As along as a permanent state of warfare continues and interference into the affairs of Arab nations occurs terrorist organizations will expand.