President Ali Bongo Ondimba Has Lost Power To The Military

 

Gabon has become another African country that deposed a longtime leader. President Ali Bongo Ondimba has been placed under house arrest by the military. This comes after a contentious election in which Ali Bongo was declared the winner. The Bongo Ondimba family has ruled Gabon since 1967. Omar Bongo, the father of the current president was supported by France and developed an authoritarian power structure. When Omar Bongo died in 2009, Ali Bongo became his successor. Debates remain about how free and fair elections have been since the Bongo Ondimba family have been in politics. A portion of Gabonese welcomed the coup, because it meant that a new form of government could come into existence. Voting was not going to remove the Bongos and  presidential term limits were never discussed. Protests against the government did happen in 2016. A coup attempt in 2019 was foiled. The military launched another coup in 2023 and so far it appears successful. Gabon has oil and mineral resources, but the Bongos failed to improve living standards of the Gabonese. France has interest in keeping a regime in power to extract these resources. The change in government certainly will get the attention of Cameroon , Equatorial Guinea, and the Republic of Congo. Paul Biya, Dennis Sassou Nguesso, and Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo could come to the realization their countries could be subject to military coups. A major political shift that started in 2020 is spreading across the African continent. Either the new regimes will revert to another form of authoritarianism or follow an alternative political path. Gabon now joins Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in the group of African countries under military rule.  

The Status The Wagner Group

 

Through out the world a number of mercenary groups are active. The Wagner Group has become notable since the start of the Russia-Ukraine War. The death of Yevgeny Prigozhin has created questions about the Wagner Group's status. Accusations have been made that President Putin wanted him eliminated, but there is no evidence of this. Prior to his death, there was an attempt at a Wagner Group coup. A settlement was reached that was proposed by President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus. The forces would remain in his country and Yevgeny Prigozhin would be pardoned. The likely candidates for the assassination  could be Ukraine, Poland, or one of the Baltic states. An investigation has not been conducted so this remains mere conjecture. What the Russian government did determine was that Prigozhin did die in a plane crash.  The Wagner Group was not only active in Eastern Europe. Africa is another place of operation for the mercenary group. The Wagner Group has been active since 2014 and remains independent of the Russian government. The organization itself is listed in Russia as a private military company. Under Russian law mercenary groups are illegal. The Wagner Group has similarities to Black Water. The distinction between private military company and mercenary becomes blurred considering the majority are operating in war zones. The Wagner Group could either be disbanded or put into exile in Belarus. It seems unlikely that President Putin would arrest all members of the Wagner Group. Operations in  Mali, the Central African Republic, Sudan, and Libya are still active. The Wagner Group is being used by some leaders to fight terrorist organizations and armed insurgencies. The reward from this are gold mining contracts which generates wealth for the company. One option for the Wagner Group is to merge with the Russian military. Unless there is some crackdown on the Wagner Group, it will continue to function. The death of    Yevgeny Prigozhin creates a high level of tension and uncertainty. The Russian Federation might be more cautious in regards to the use of mercenaries and private military companies. 

Nelson Mandela Sings South African Liberation Song (1990)

 

Liberation songs were used during protests during the fight against Apartheid. Music does play a role in spreading a message or organizing people for a cause. South Africa's fight against white minority colonial rule gave birth to a number of liberation songs. The video shows Nelson Mandela in 1990 singing with supporters. This liberation song was by the ANC's military wing Umkhonyo we sizwe. Critics claimed that it was anti-white and encouraged violence. The African population was fighting for survival against Afrikaners taking their land and a campaign of state terrorism. Basic rights were restricted, the black majority was segregated, and the police state used lethal force. Resentment of the oppressor is only natural. The armed wing of the ANC was activated because there was no means of fighting the Apartheid regime through the courts. When Nelson Mandela was released, it was a major turning point. He went to being a political prisoner to the president. South Africa would have its first democratic elections in 1994. 

The Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Water Released Into The Pacific Ocean

 

Japan has released the water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. The IAEA has claimed that the radiation levels are safe and that releasing the war will cause no harm. It would be erroneous to think that is so. The release of radioactive water not only is a concern for public health, but the the aquatic ecosystem. Marine wildlife will be negatively impacted by this development. More radioactive water is going to be released in the coming decades. Seafood production and the fishing industry are going to experience the economic effects. China has already expressed that it will be cautious about purchase of seafood from Japan. The United Nations approved of Japan's plan of disposal of the radioactive water. There is little evidence that discharge of the water is safe. Tokyo Electric Power which operates Fukushima stated that not abnormalities were observed. Environmentalists are growing frustrated with a number of international institutions that favor the release of the water. The first discharge of water is set to reach a total of 7,800 cubic metres. That is not so large that any damage done cannot be reversible. The releases must be stopped for the sake of public health and environmental protection. The biggest concern is the tritium contamination. As long as contaminated water is being released ban on Japanese imports could become permanent. South Korea  Hong Kong, China, and Macau are banning Japanese aquatic imports. Those in the fishing industry are more anxious about how the discharge of radioactive water could impact their business. The Fukushima disaster has never really ended in this regard. Natural disasters are never going away. Which is why buildings and infrastructure should take into account particular engineering needs.    

Thaksin Shinawatra Returns To Thailand

 

The former prime minister has returned to Thailand. Thaksin Shinawatra has been in exile since the 2006 coup. Shortly after his arrival he was sent to prison. Reports now state that Thaksin suffered a medical emergency that required hospitalization. He faces charges of corruption, which Thaksin insists are politically motivated. The question remains how legitimate are the charges if they were made by a military government. Rumors have circulated that the former prime minister reach an agreement with the military establishment. The option available to him would be to seek a royal pardon. Thaksin does still have some political influence and imprisonment could have implications in future elections. The military  backed parties can always do a coup by stealth. Thaksin's businesses have been subject to scrutiny. The Advance Info Service contracts connection to the military indicated a monopoly run solely by the Shinawatra family. Telecommunications were not his only business ventures. Not all of his companies were successful, but the one that survived made him wealthy. The major crime he is accused of his hiding his assets. This indictment was made by the National Counter Corruption Commission. Thaksin Shinawatra  demonstrates that wealth has a negative effect on democratic institutions. His return does indicate a shift in Thailand's political atmosphere. However, many still remain in exile due to the military.   

Niger Under Threat Of Military Intervention

 

The military coup in Niger has created a regional crisis. Now Niger faces threats of military intervention. ECOWAS stated that it will invade Niger if diplomatic efforts fail. At the moment a stand by force is being made ready for a military operation. This is not the first time ECOWAS invaded another state. Gambia was subject to invasion when President Yahya Jammeh refused to give up power. What this military operation would be is to restore President Mohamad Bazoum to office. France also seeks to strike Niger. America's longtime involvement in the country has been known. Interfering in the internal matters of another state will cause complications. A war in Niger will certainly cause challenges for Algeria, Libya. and Nigeria. Nigerians would not tolerate a occupying force in their country. ECOWAS cites that intervention in Liberia and Gambia was a success. However, Niger is a different situation. The African Union appears to prefer a diplomatic approach. Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Cape Verde might come to the aid of Niger. These countries have military governments and came to power around the late 2010s to 2020s. ECOWAS would not be fighting one country, but multiple West African states. Talks of intervention only make the military junta more popular in Niger. Since the treason charge of President Mohamad Bazoum, more international condemnation came. The United Nations and European Union  expressed concern about his condition. The motives of the major world powers are to have more influence in Africa and gain more of its natural resources. Fighting terrorism or restoring constitutional order are just excuses to invade. The Nigerians  should be the ones to determine who leads the country. Instead ECOWAS and France are going to decide that matter.  

Aung San Suu Kyi's Prison Term Reduced By The Military Regime

 

Aung San Suu Kyi had  six years taken off her prison term. She still faces 25 years. The charges against her have no legal basis. The regime itself is criminal seeing as it seized power when it did not like the results of the elections.  The objective by the military government is to have her perish in confinement. The junta has claimed that 7,000 prisoners have been released. How long they remain free depends on the political conditions in Myanmar . Public discord is growing with the military junta announcing elections are postponed. Even if a full pardon was given to Suu Kyi , public rage would not dissipate. While Aung San Suu Kyi remains imprisoned, fighting spreads to other regions. The 2021 coup has sparked rebellions that could turn into full scale civil war. Other countries remain silent about the situation. The EU countries have abandoned Suu Kyi due to the Rohingya ethnic conflict and Myanmar's growing relationship with China. The military can only imprison Aung San Suu Kyi, but execution would only case a larger revolt. The counter move is to extend the state of emergency. The military realizes that Aung San Suu Kyi is a popular political figure. Keeping her imprisoned they think will diminish the influence of the National League for Democracy. The longer Aung Suu Kyi remains in prison the more she will be seen as a symbol of resistance. The military might have united the citizens in ways former governments have not. The Burmese population are coming to a consensus the military should not rule.    

The Teacher Shortage

 

The United States is facing a shortage of teachers. Many have left as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, low pay, and the controversies surrounding curriculum. The largest portion of positions are in the subjects of science and mathematics. Without enough teachers for these subjects, the US will fall behind in producing engineers, biologists, doctors,  physicists, and  computer scientists. Combined with the fact higher education has gotten more expensive, this will negatively effect employment. The world is witnessing a fourth industrial revolution in which information technology has more importance. If elementary and high school students are not getting a quality education, then they will not be prepared for the workforce. Those who do obtain degrees still have to deal with massive amounts of debt. The economy will suffer from a labor force with limited skills and a small skilled labor force victim to income inequality. The children of the United States are going to have a worse quality of life than their parents did. Students have been struggling with reading, prior to the shortage and it will only get worse. Students with learning disabilities are impacted more from a teacher shortage. Parents either have to get their children tutors or move their children to another school. The solutions to this challenge is to increase teacher pay, do more recruitment, and have public education federally funded. The US government will have to make a serious effort to help various school systems at both the state and local level.  

Rising Tension Between Poland And Belarus

 

Belarus and Poland are seeing a decline in diplomatic relations. Poland has stated that Belarus sent military helicopters into its air space. Now rumors are circulating that there is a possibility of a military strike. Belarus has not engaged in the war in Ukraine. The country has allowed Russian troops to be stationed in its territory. However, no Belarusians have fought in the conflict, Fears have grown that Belarus will either be pulled into the conflict by NATO or forced to do so by the Russian Federation. Ever since the Wagner Group incident, the mercenary organization has remained in Belarus. NATO has accused it of attempting to threaten member states by using Belarus as a base. The air space incident probably was not intentional. Minsk did alert Warsaw about a military exercise they were conducting. If there was a plan of a war, a nation would not make its plans known to a foreign government. It has been known that Poland has attempted to instigate conflict with Belarus. Much of the tension focuses on the Suwalki gap. This border has much strategic significance to Russia, Belarus, and the EU. The vital link to Kaliningrad is an area the Russian Federation does not want to lose. If Belarus was invaded by NATO that would put Russia in a precarious situation. The Poland and Belarus tension is the direct result of NATO adding members such as Finland as well as Sweden. The counter by being active in the Suwalki gap would be to cut off the Baltic states from other NATO members. Poland is having diplomatic disputes with Ukraine. Their is frustration from Poland when it comes to assisting Ukraine in grain export. Poland has provided aid to Ukraine, but a sentiment exists that Ukraine has not been appreciative for the help. Belarus would not attack Poland due to Article Five. Belarus would then have to fight the majority of European countries. Poland has an investment in attacking Belarus. The view is that it is not its own country, but a Russian extension. If that were the case Belarus would have been more active in Ukraine. The decline in Polish-Belarusian relations reveals the rapid destabilization of Eastern Europe.   

J. Robert Oppenheimer Discusses The Use Of Nuclear Weapons (1965)

 

J. Robert Oppenheimer did have regrets about the creation of nuclear weapons. At the time, it was thought it was the fastest way to end World War II. The ethics of killing Japanese civilians in Hiroshima and Nagasaki continues to be debated amongst historians. Large investments were made in building the atomic bomb, so at some point was going to be used. It was an estimated 2 billion dollars.  Using such a weapon was also a means of threatening the Soviet Union. Oppenheimer does not hide the fact that all scientists had different opinions about the project and nuclear weapons. Some hoped that the war would be over before the atomic bomb was completed. The hope it was not going to used in a war. J. Robert Oppenheimer understood the world would not be the same and that the use of  atomic energy posed risks. His efforts at regulation of atomic energy was met with resistance. He was a victim of the anti-communist witch hunts in the early 1950s. As a result he lost his security clearance and was no longer allowed to work in US government. Nine countries have nuclear weapons in the world today. The technology will spread and it makes J. Robert Oppenheimer's arguments about atomic energy regulation more relevant.   

The Taliban Increases Restrictions On Women

 

Ever since the Taliban returned to power women have seen a dramatic decrease in basic rights. More discrimination is being seen related to education and employment. The regime has issued a prohibition on women attending universities. The action has devasting effects Afghanistan. Without educating the entire population the country will never reach higher development. Stopping women from graduating from medical school has dire consequences on public health. Afghanistan already has a low life expectancy and fewer medical professionals will make it worse. Discrimination as government policy will eventually backfire. Women are now forced to travel with a male companion when in public. The new Taliban regime is the worst mix of religious fundamentalism and misogyny than its previous rule from 1996 to 2001. Female employees of non-government organizations are not safe. Reports of Afghan women being flogged have surfaced causing international condemnation. The more restrictions the Taliban imposes on the citizens the more discontent shall grow. Afghanistan's economic condition worsens and the standard of living continues to decline. The Taliban lost power due to an invasion by the US and NATO. It is possible the armed groups still fighting could grow in number and remove them. As long as they do not improve the conditions of  the average Afghan, a mass uprising could happen in the future. Women have even lost the ability to enjoy public accommodations. The Taliban has ordered business owners to shutdown beauty salons. The reason these businesses were targeted is because it was women's only public space. Limiting women's education and employment makes them dependent on men. There has been resistance. The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan has been known to operate secret schools inside the country for girls. Some women now are seeking to flee Afghanistan. A new element has to examined in the plight of refugees. While some flee due to war or persecution based on their race,  sex  can also be a reason.