Syria's Growing Diplomatic Relations With China

 

Syria and China are expanding their diplomatic relations. The motivation for Syria is to circumvent France, the UK, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, US, and Qatar. These countries were aiding terrorist organizations and armed groups during the civil war. Seeking a stronger alliance is a means of deterring a possible NATO intervention. Syria is now back in the Arab League. This demonstrates that Syria was able to avoid being isolated in the West Asian region. Syria has not been isolated in the Global South. It will no longer have positive relations with the West considering the sanctions and attempts to overthrow the government. China could be a useful investor in a country that requires reconstruction. Bombings from Israel and the civil war has damaged infrastructure. China wants to have more extensive diplomatic relations with the Arab world. Then there is the concern about China's access to oil. Chinese firms could return to Syria, but the US occupation of certain areas and terrorist organizations are security concerns.  The Chinese energy firms Sinopec Corp, Sinochem, and CNPC were forced to leave. The civil war made it impossible to operate. The firms invested $3 billion in Syria between 2008 and 2009. President Xi Jingping appears to want to reverse a decade long absence of investment in Syria. President Assad was able to survive with Russian military assistance. Now Syria is getting economic aid. Now that Syria is a member of the Belt and Road Initiative  it could get greater access to the East Asian economy. 

Lee Kuan Yew Discusses Southern African Liberation Struggle (1966)

 

Zimbabwe and South Africa were  during the 1960s attempting to liberate themselves from white minority rule. The racial oppression could not be hidden . African and Asian leaders took notice. Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore spoke on the matter of white minority rule in Southern Africa. The people of Zimbabwe he stated would have to form their own Viet Cong. No one was coming to help free Africans in the white minority regimes. While China and Russia did provide aid to liberation movements, it was the job of the colonized to free themselves. Prime Minister Yew predicted that the Rhodesian Bush War would last a long time. The war lasted from 1964 to 1979. The Zimbabwe National Liberation Army and Zimbabwe' People's Revolutionary had to fight an extended conflict to defeat colonialism. This parallels the Vietnam War. The war in Indochina lasted from 1954 to 1975. Both were caught up in Cold War geopolitical maneuvers between the superpowers. Lee Kuan Yew expressed once the liberation movement becomes formidable, then the world will take notice.   

Iceland's Women Workers Strike

 

Iceland saw women workers do a labor strike across the country. Taking place on October 24, it only lasted a day. This was not genuine labor action or protest. Labor strikes are designed to last as long as certain demands are met. The focus was also to draw attention to unequal pay and gender based violence. These are feminist concerns that should have their own demonstration. The attempts at worker solidarity have limitations. If there is a concern about domestic violence, then more laws should be made to address it. When it comes to income inequality, as long neoliberal capitalism exists equal pay is not possible. Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir claimed she remained home to show her support. The move was more of a public relations stunt, rather than a serious political position. The strike itself seemed to lack direction or purpose. The World Economic Forum has ranked Iceland one of the most gender equal countries. The problem with international institution rankings is that they do not recognize the reality of the experiences of the regular person. The strike ignores the immigrant women's struggle in Iceland. The tactics of fouth wave feminism could be self defeating. Making all men seem like an enemy disregards that men of low income are exploited. Building an alliance requires compromises and collaboration with  various organizations. The discussion of domestic violence at a worker's rights demonstration becomes a non-sequitur. Unequal pay does not just effects women. Among various racial and ethnic groups there is a gap. Then it must be understood, that women are not going into certain sectors as men are. More women have to get involved in mathematics, science, technology, and engineering. Working women should question why Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir has not made economic and women's issue a priority. New legislation has not been introduced since the October labor strike.  

Ancient Engravings Found In Brazil

 

The Amazon  has struggled with a drought. What the lack of water exposed were ancient rock  engravings. Brazil's history goes back far. South America also has a history of ancient civilizations just like  Rome or Egypt. The engravings of  human faces are thought to be from 2,000 years ago. Jaime Oliveira an archeologist of the Brazilian  Institute of Historical Heritage stated this is a significant discovery. The area they were found was Praia das Lajes in the Negro River. The discovery highlights the need to do more study of the ancient  Brazil. The human faces have various expressions and it makes observers wonder what the purpose of the rock engravings  were. The engravings could be a mere decoration or be part of some form of cultural representation. The art might have been part of a religious ritual. The indigenous peoples of Brazil's history is not completed documented. When the Portuguese made contact in 1500, the Amerindian  population was under threat. Much of their history was preserved through oral traditions, but colonizers never respected it. Brazil has a total of 305 Amerindian ethnic groups. Each has a unique history. The newly discovered engravings should be used as a means of generating interest in the history of indigenous peoples. Brazil's history contains an element of mystery and wonder. The people who made the art remains unanswered. There is no evidence which of the 305 ethnic groups made the rock engravings.   

Healthcare Workers Go On Strike

 

Healthcare workers have gone on strike to demand higher pay and better working conditions. This next wave of strikes demonstrates that neoliberal capitalism will exploit the labor force no matter what sector. Hospitals have ignored the demands of nurses and medical professionals for too long. Across the country they have to deal with long hours, low staffing, and limited pay increases. The strikes that have been occurring in entertainment, the service sector, and railroads show an economy that is not functional. Combined with inflation and the rising cost of living this is putting strain on the American workforce. Organized labor could under go a renaissance. The challenge is not allowing labor unions to act as a barrier between the government and labor force. At times labor unions have been used  as a means to hinder aspirations for change and settle for meager reforms. It may take revolutionary action to improve working conditions in the United States. The 75,000 employees that were able to force change in Kaiser Permanente may provide a guide  to worker empowerment. The Kaiser Permanente strike was the largest healthcare worker strike in US history. What the obtained was a $25 an hour increase in pay over the next decade. Although it is a victory, it could be short lived if inflation continues and energy related sanctions remain in place. Housing, utilities,  and food consume most of the population's income. Healthcare workers have more power than they realize. Without them, COVID-19 would have been more devastating. The pandemic and the recent strikes demonstrates the healthcare system in the US had declined. The fight is not over as healthcare nurses in other states are still on strike. 

Paul Biya's First Presidential Inauguration (1982)

 

Cameroon has one of the world's longest serving leaders. Paul Biya was  elected in 1982 and has remained president ever since. At the time he was seen as a reformer and a new wave of African leaders who wanted change in the political system. However, during the 1980s Biya was able to remove political rivals. Cameroon did not have a multi-party system until 1990. The opposition parties have claimed they are being harassed by the government. Allegations of electoral fraud have been made. Now the 90 year old head of state governs in a country and continent much different when Biya first entered government. It was 1964 when Paul Biya became director of the Cabinet of the minister of national education. The Constitution was revised to allow Paul Biya to run for president multiple times. The end of  presidential term limits caused public protests. Paul Biya would best be described as de-facto president for life. Frustration grows as the oil wealth has not been used to improve the standard of living in Cameroon. The outbreak of the Ambazonia War has caused more division in the country. Uncertainty remains about a post-Biya Cameroon. Cameroon might become like Togo, Chad, or formerly Gabon with dynastic succession.  

Earthquakes In Afghanistan

 

Afghanistan has suffered a major earthquakes. This has been the most destructive natural disaster in the country's recent history. An estimated 2,000 people are reported dead. The damage done to villages will result in an increase in homelessness. Herat province was struck the worst. The only countries providing humanitarian aid include Turkey, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan , China, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Other countries from the EU or NATO members have done nothing. Only rumors of financial aid have been expressed from the West.  The reason is because of the Taliban regime. Denying the people help, because other countries disapprove of the government is itself a human rights violation. The Afghan people have never been able to select their government. The act of collective punishment becomes very apparent when seeing who refuses to give humanitarian assistance. Pakistan is in a complicated relationship with Afghanistan. The question of undocumented refugees becomes connected with aid. If Pakistan did not want to take more refugees, then it should have an interest in helping with its neighbors development. The first earthquake was a 6.3 magnitude classification. Recovery will take time and this only sets the country back after years of war. The logistics of getting aid to Afghanistan provide a unique challenge. The mountainous  terrain makes travelling more difficult. Food, clothing, shelter, and clean drinking water need to be provided from those escaping the western section of the country.  

South Sudan Declares Independence (2011)

 

A referendum was held in 2011 for South Sudanese independence. The result showed most wanted their own nation and President Omar Al-Bashir acknowledge the result. This seemed like the logical step after a the Second Sudanese Civil War, There still were issues that went unresolved. Oil revenues, ethnic tensions, border disputes, and the question of citizenship continue to be concerns. War in South Kordofan and Blue Nile broke out. The Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North was responsible for the hostilities. This also became connected to the violence in Darfur. South Sudan then fell into civil war between the years of 2013 to 2020. South Sudan is a country of multiple ethnic groups. The conflict between Neur and Dinka halted the process of development. The country has not developed a democratic political structure. Since 2011, it has known only one president Salva Kirr. President Salva Kirr justifies remaining in power asserting that South Sudan would collapse without him. The dissolving of parliament in 2021 in favor of a smaller representative body indicates he has no intention of sharing power. After 12 years of independence  the South Sudanese do not have their basic needs met. The aftermath of the Second Sudanese Civil War, South Sudanese Civil War, and an the rise of an authoritarian government left citizens in a precarious situation.   

Israel Declares War On The Gaza Strip

 

Israel has declared war on the Gaza Strip. This is in response to a surprise attack and the capture of hostages. The motivation for violence can be revealed in Likud Party policy. The desire to expand territory and settlements explains the Israeli aggression. Hamas attacked due to the fact most Palestinians live in a prison like atmosphere. The real fear is that another Intifada is on the horizon.   Subject to a blockade and occupation means there is no possible way to live as an equal. The Benjamin Netanyahu government makes it clear Arabs are not welcomed in the Zionist state. This is not a war against Hamas, rather against Palestinians. The current conflict could be a pathway to annexing both the Gaza Strip and West Bank. These will not be areas under occupation, but full absorbed into the Zionist framework. The recent aggression has caused reactions in the region. Saudi Arabia is reconsidering normalizing relations with Israel. Jordan was expressing its frustration with Israel prior to the conflict. There have been claims that Iran was the instigator in the recent Gaza war. No evidence has been provided for this assertion. If the conflict continues it could escalate into a regional war. Such a conflict could be on the scale of the Six Day War or Yom Kippur War. The policy  settler colonialism has created more conflict and instability in the Middle East. If the West Bank and Gaza Strip are to be fully absorbed, this means more refugees will come into Jordan. The Golan Heights might also face a similar threat of being merged into Israel. A possible intervention of Hezbollah could change the situation. Israel probably not be able to fight both Hamas and Hezbollah simultaneously for a long war. The war also has another consequence in Israel's internal politics. The Gaza war provides Prime Minister Netanyahu a convenient distraction for his criminal trials and the efforts related to judicial reform.  

Dianne Feinstein Claims Iraq A Threat To The US (2014)

 

Senator Dianne Feinstein (1933-2023) stated that Iraq was still a threat to the United States. She claimed that ISIS could attack the US, but did not provide evidence in a CNN interview. What was ignored is that she voted for the Iraq War and then later said she was lied to by President Bush. Her vote on October 11, 2002 contributed to the destabilization of Iraq. The removal of Saddam Hussein enabled terrorist organizations to enter the country. Then it has been revealed that some of these organizations were being aided by the US, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar to depose Bashar Al-Assad. As long as the US was attacking Syria Senator Feinstein's suggestion of reproachment with Iran was an empty gesture. As Chair of  the Intelligence Committee she had knowledge of US operations in the Middle East. When this was aired in 2014, the Syrian Civil War was being exacerbated as a result of attempts at regime change. ISIS was fighting between the borders of both Iraq and Syria. There is no serious discussion of why people would want to go fight in these countries. US foreign policy has generated much anger among these populations making terrorist organizations appear to be an alternative to US influence in West Asia. Senator Dianne Feinstein claimed there will be plots to kill American citizens. ISIS had not made an attack on the US so far. Inducing fear in the public is another way to justify neo-colonial projects in other countries. The fact Senator Feinstein remained in power so long represents a problem with the American political system. Refusal to change policy or usher in new leadership means more foreign policy failures and internal concerns. 

The Struggle of Eritreans In Israel

 

Israeli Eritreans and Eritrean asylum seekers are facing violence and discrimination in the Zionist state. The dispute developed around a festival celebrating Eritrea at their Israeli embassy . The anger was around the idea that it was celebrating a government that Eritreans have fled from. The asylum seekers were protesting President Isasis Afwerki in Tel Aviv. Since 1993, Eritrea has only had one president. The celebrations and festivals were commemorating independence. Then counter demonstrations emerged by supporters of President Isaisis Afwerki. Then the police began attacking the protesters and showing Israel's longtime anti-black racism. Discrimination and police brutality are common experiences of people of African descent in Israel. The government is now seeking to deport Eritreans in the country. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has used xenophobia and fear to push for more strict border controls. Then referred to Eritreans as a problem. The tactic of scapegoating is used by the right-wing elements to defelct attention away from more serious concerns. The judicial reform is seeking to give the government authoritarian levels of power. The Likud Party seeks to expand into the West Bank ignoring the political consequences of this policy. The harsh treatment indicates that Israel is not adhering to the UN Refugee Convention. When Prime Minister Netanyahu  refers to Eritreans as "illegal infiltrators"  it  implies espionage. References to invasion were used. Eritreans are not going to Israel to conquer  or spy. They are trying to escape a government they dislike. Israel is not welcoming  to those of different skin color. They do not value religious freedom. Non-Jews do not get a preference. Zionism has enabled the creation of an ethno-state. Sudanese and Ethiopians living in Israel have similar experiences in Israel. If the judicial reform is successful, it will make it easier for the government to do deportations. Eritreans seeking to go to Israel should opt for Europe. Eritreans are facing discrimination, racism, and police brutality.