Jiang Zemin Criticizes The Model of Reporting

 

President Jiang Zemin's leadership further cemented China's transition  to a free market in the  1990s.Economic liberalization did not produce the reforms that some desired. The Chinese Communist Party remained the only political force in the People's Republic of China. Maoism was phased out by the 1980s.  President Zemin in this rare video criticizes a journalist for not understanding the nature of the system. He implies that the questions asked do not consider the complexities of China politics and government. Zemin explains that it is important for a journalist to be knowledgeable and have greater understanding of certain situations. The model of modern reporting is to repeat a certain narrative. The problem with this is that it can normalize bias, without examining other perspectives. While Jiang Zemin's point is valid, but that does not negate the fact the government is a one party state. The absence of free press or political opposition make it difficult for journalism to evolve. The footage demonstrates how leaders in China try to deflect the authoritarian nature of the regime. The modern model of reporting does have flaws, which abusive governments can use to their advantage. They can cite unfair reporting as a foreign plot or disinformation to restrict free speech. Under Zemin's administration the urban-rural wealth gap grew and state owned enterprises closed. Few in China seriously criticized or challenged him on policy.    

The 2022 Qatar World Cup Controversy

 

A growing controversy has emerged about Qatar hosting the FIFA World Cup. The country has been known to put restrictions on press freedom, women's rights, and discriminates against those of the LGBTQ community. Labor practices have been known to endanger workers and leave them with low pay. Migrant labor was used to construct the stadium required for the World Cup. Workers from South Asia and Africa were major contributors to making the event possible. Qatar did not have a large enough labor force to build a stadium with migrant worker help. Qatar is a monarchy ruled by King Tamim bin Al Thani who took over after his father's abdication in 2013. King Tamim has been a major force in getting his kingdom to host international sporting events. Exposing  Qatar's human rights abuses is important, but it should not be ignored that France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States still hold diplomatic relations with the kingdom. The European countries do not have a perfect human rights record and at times aid Qatar in the destabilization of other Arab states. Qatar has assisted  a number of armed groups and terrorists in Syria and Libya. Despite this information, that will not stop soccer fans from watching or going to Qatar. Corruption might actually go deeper with accusations of Qatar rigging the host selection process. Professional football is a major business and it is a sport that Qatar wants more influence. The kingdom has protection by the West, because follows particular policies related to Middle East affairs. The governments of North America and Europe have little credibility lecturing about human rights when they have invaded Global South nations. Only human rights activists have the credibility to do so. Trying to raise awareness is difficult with a football fandom,  which does not want to think of their sport contributing to human rights abuses.    

President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Wants To Extends His Rule

 

President Teodoro Obiang Nguema is planning on  extending  his rule. Since 1979 he as ruled Equatorial Guinea. Only two presidents have held office and President Nguema came to power through a coup. Equatorial Guinea gained its independence from Spain in 1968. The first president was Nguema's uncle Francisco Macias Nguema. The country has been under the rule of one family for 43 years. The elections that have happened since have been questioned by international observers. Equatorial Guinea has the benefit of oil reserves and production. Although it oil wealth is known, the population still remains in poverty. Political repression and limited press freedom have left the public frustrated. Nepotism has become another concern as his son might be a potential successor. The political opposition does not have the ability to remove him from office. Simultaneously, the demand for non-Russian oil puts President Nguema in a stronger position. Casting a ballot means little in a regime that is authoritarian, but has democratic institutions. Equatorial Guinea closed its borders ahead of elections. The reason stated by the government was to prevent destabilization from mercenaries or foreign powers.  Closing the border during elections harms commerce which Cameroon, Chad, and Gabon are dependent on. The measure is not targeted at merchants, rather it is designed to control the movement of citizens of Equatorial Guinea. Those who flee the country could spread information about abuses to the world.  Equatorial Guinea is a major force in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community. Over the decades there has been significant investment in infrastructure. However, the limited amounts of wealth distribution have undermined that accomplishment. Many have suspected that most of the profits from oil have gone to enriching the Nguema family. All the accusations of corruption the government has denied. The list of crimes has become more extensive over the years. Torture and violence by the state security apparatus has occurred. This makes protest or armed uprising impossible to do in Equatorial Guinea.    

Stokely Carmichael Discusses The State of The Civil Rights Movement, The Vietnam War, and White Liberals

 

Stokely Carmichael speaks in this rare clip discussing the status of the civil rights movement, Vietnam, and the problem with white liberals. Black Power as a movement wanted to see African Americans have political, economic, and social equality. Integration meant little, if African Americans did not have the opportunity to influence the wider society. Carmichael emphasized the importance of African Americans being unified in fighting racism, discrimination, and inequality. The issue with white liberals is that they rejected Black Power. Dismantling segregation was not enough, but the white liberals thought it solved America's racial problems. The debate over the Vietnam War caused a divide in the civil rights movement itself. It was not possible to be anti-racist, if one supported a war that was an imperialist intervention. Containment was being used as a cover for the United States to dominate Asia. The funds used to keep the war going harmed the Great Society programs. Stokely Carmichael also asserts that a people must demand their rights. Otherwise, nothing will be gained from a freedom struggle.  

The World Population Reaches 8 Billion

 

The world population has reached 8 billion. The development is significant for a number of reasons. The balance of geopolitical power, economics, and the environment will be effected. The average life expectancy at some stage will increase globally. That requires policies and programs needed for eldercare. The demand for certain natural resources and  their use might not be accommodated. Employing 8 billion people of the globe would be no simple task. Economic instability would make particular nations more prone to large upheaval . The children and young people are going to need high quality education to be part of the knowledge based economy. Housing, education, and employment are the basic necessities every nation state should have. The world population  shift indicates a concern about women's rights. Women around the world do not have equal access to contraception. Reproductive rights are being undermined across various nations. The conflict between nations for fossil fuels, clean water, and food has the potential to escalate. The most populous countries include India, China, Indonesia, Brazil, Nigeria,  the United States of America, and Russia. The tension between the Russia-China block and the US create a general sense fear. Mass global conflict could be ignited by the major world powers. Large standing armies can be a threat to international peace. Unless serious efforts are made to address social, political, and economic problems a large world population becomes a risk. The United Nations claims the nations that will see growth up to 2050 will be the Philippines, Egypt, Congo, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Tanzania, and Nigeria. The world population might be larger. The homeless, the incarcerated, and the uncontacted tribes might not be fully accounted for in the UN population data.  

Ethiopia Opens Peace Talks With The TPLF

 

The war with the Tigray region might be coming to an end. A peace settlement is being proposed, which hopes to end hostilities in Ethiopia. A concern has grown that the agreement might not hold. The TPLF appears to long for the days in which it had political dominance. The talks were held in both Kenya and South Africa. Much of the efforts also involved the African Union. The two year war could be reaching an end. The damage to the populace cannot be underestimated. The estimation of deaths possibly reached the thousands and many remain food insecure. The reports of a permanent peace settlement is welcomed. A hotline has also been established between Addis Abba and the TPLF. What must not happen is that a peace settlement devolves into a mere truce or ceasefire. The TPLF agreed to disarm its fighters. The time frame given was within 30 days. Depending on the exact size of the TPLF this might not be a realistic target. Questions remain about Eritrea's  role in the TPLF war. Eritrea was allied to Ethiopia a rare act of collaboration between the two countries. The TPLF still has grievances against Eritrea. East Africa is dealing with destabilization from conflict, food insecurity, terrorism, and ethnic hatreds. Ethiopia is at risk of falling into civil war similar to that of Sudan or the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ethiopia has to consider more representation of all ethnic groups in government. A federal system is a solution to issue related to lack of representation, racism, and political crisis. Reforms are needed to prevent the balkanization of the country. The African Union intends to send representatives to ensure that the peace agreement is being upheld. 

Tension on The Korean Peninsula

 

Tensions are rising once more between North Korea and South Korea. Joint drills that South Korea conducts with the United States has only resulted in more missile launches. North Korea has conducted nuclear tests and could in the future become one of the major nuclear armed nations. The Korean War in the 20th century never resulted in peace treaty. That means both North and South Korea have been in a state of war since 1953. Japan also grows concerned with North Korea's missile launches. These weapons tend to fly over Japan or land in the ocean rather than hitting a target. Over the years tensions have occurred and then are reduced. The difference now is that sanctions, joint military drills, and the Asia pivot have made North Korea vexed. This is not about getting attention. North Korea has been on the mind of the United States for a long period of time. The country has been targeted for regime change, but the possibility of that is limited by China. A US and South Korean strike would trigger a reaction from one of Asia's most powerful nations. The failed talks over sanctions and the nuclear weapons program have resulted in a desire to ensure North Korea's security from future military intervention. The launch of ballistic missiles is more of an act of defiance to South Korea and the United States. Both the US and South Korea have been conducting a series of war games. The nuclear tests will continue as long as North Korea thinks it will be attacked by both the United States and South Korea. China does not want North Korea to become too powerful. If it does it will have another regional competitor and a country that is not dependent on it. North Korea has had a total of six nuclear tests. A seventh nuclear tests could be underway. Kim Jong Un expressed his desire to increase the strength of North Korea's military. The emphasis on missile tests and the nuclear program is just a part of that policy.