Benjamin Netanyahu's Premiership Comes To An End

 

The 12 year rule of Benjamin Netanyahu is ending . Israel could be heading for political crisis as Netanyahu wants to challenge the confirmation vote. A new coalition government is being formed. This new coalition  has left-wing, Arab, and centrist political parties. What Netanyahu is attempting to do is make it fall apart before the confirmation vote. Naftali Bennett will be the new prime minister if the confirmation vote goes forward. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made claims of electoral fraud, but has not provided any evidence. Fears of possible violence have been expressed by the internal security agency Shin Bet. The Zionist state is going through a major political crisis. The Yamina Party most likely will not differ much from the Likud Party in terms of politics. The Likud Party is attempting to get some from the Yamina Party to defect before the vote of confidence. Israel is normally cited as a model democracy in the region by the West, but this is not the political reality. Netanyahu's government has been charged with corruption and he might face arrest. A state that values only the rights and worth of Jewish people is not democratic. Anti-Arab racism has become more intense and the desire for settlements grow. A political era is coming to an end, but real change may not come for awhile. 

Nigeria Bans Twitter

 

Nigeria has banned Twitter. The popular social media site can no longer be accessed by Nigerian citizens. This comes as a blow to people attempting to organize politically or get involved in activism. The ban was put in place when President Muhammadu Buhari's tweet was deleted. The president stated punishment would come to secessionists in the southeast of the country. Twitter  deleted this post causing much anger in the government. The statement he wrote referenced the Nigerian Civil War and Biafra conflict. He claimed those resisting do not understand the past hardship Those Buhari claimed continue insurrection will be treated to language they can understand. The message was interpreted as an attempt to instigate violence. The tweet can be considered a threat. Social media platforms should not be involved in censorship of world leaders. Nor should a government have the power to ban a social media platform. Other sites such as Facebook could also be targeted. Twitter must have a clear policy in terms of bans or the deletion of  tweets. Twitter has done censorship of its own, using disinformation as a justification. The irony is that the social media platform is being banned. Social media and the internet has keeps free speech alive, but there are intense efforts to increase online censorship. Even though Twitter is banned in Nigeria, there is a method to counter it. VPN (virtual  private network )  can allow access by using other servers around the world. Nigerians will not fully cut off from the internet or social media platforms. The ban has also sparked condemnation form the Nigerian Bar Association. Legal action may be taken to reverse the ban. 

Sudan and Egypt Are Strengthening Military Ties

 

The military ties between Sudan and Egypt are growing stronger. The reason for this development is longtime disputes with Ethiopia over the Nile River. Access to water is going to be a large source of conflict around the world. This is now happening in Africa. Sudan and Egypt have conducted war games and drills. This has involved both air and naval units. The talks about the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam reached an impasse. So far, there have been no efforts to start a dialogue between Sudan, Egypt, and Ethiopia. The African Union does not seem to be taking action about what could be a move to war. What also complicates matters is the conditions with the Tigray in Ethiopia. The Blue and White Nile hold much importance to both countries. Egypt wants an agreement that portions of its waters will not be taken to fill the reservoirs for  the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Both Egypt and Sudan have seen instability with the fall of longtime leaders. Now that Omar Al-Bashir and Hosni Mubarak are no longer a political force the region is undergoing transformation. The dispute over water has made both countries more hostile to Ethiopian infrastructure projects. Other countries will take note of this division. It is possible Sudan's neighbors could get involved. 

Chile Will Be Getting A New Constituition

 

Chile will be getting a new constitution . There has not been a new constitution since the Augusto  Pinochet regime.  For 40 years Chile was following this legal document made by the right-wing authoritarian government. The Chilean public voted in a referendum for the change. Questions remain about what the new constitution will be like. Major political transformations are happening in the country. Chile has for the first time  held elections for regional governors. The country could be shifting more in a political leftist orientation. Chile for a long period of time was more of a conservative leaning government in Latin America. That is why the newly elected assembly members rise was a shock to the establishment. The failure to implement needed reforms has generated much discontent. Combined with the current economic decline and growing inequality in the region this change was a longtime coming. The new assembly has elected more women and indigenous people than in previous years. These elections will have an impact on the race for the presidency. The new constitution will finally put an end to the ghosts of the Cold War and the Pinochet regime. The new constitution will act as a foundation for a state that values human rights. If the assembly is successful, then Chile may be able to make progress in fighting longtime economic and social issues.    

The New CDC Guidelines

 

The Center for Disease Control has issued new guidelines related to masks and social distancing. Those who are vaccinated will not have to wear them in certain areas and restrictions are being reduced. Stores, restaurants , and other public accommodations are easing COVID-19 restrictions rules. This announcement comes with some skepticism. The entire population has not been vaccinated and the mask requirement would apply to those who have not done so. The only way to keep track is to have people show their CDC vaccination card to get access to certain places. Telling the vaccinated to stop wearing masks is premature, considering the pandemic is not over. India is experiencing a fourth wave. Unless travel restrictions and movement is controlled another wave could occur. The disease is highly infectious and has variants that have appeared in South Africa, Brazil, and India and UK . Keeping masks on when in crowds and being vaccinated is the best form of protection against the virus. There may actually be an ulterior motive to easing restrictions, when the pandemic is  still present. The desire to open up the economy and mobilize the workforce takes precedence over public health. Such a reckless and irresponsible action demonstrates the avarice of the business elite. There remains the concern about break through transmission of the virus. A person can be vaccinated and  still get COVID-19. This appears to be the case in Seychelles. One of the most vaccinated nations saw a rise in cases. Measures must remain in place until the pandemic is over.   

Israel and Gaza Conflict Escalates

 

Israel has conducted air strikes against  the Gaza Strip. Hamas has retaliated with rocket attacks. The outbreak of violence demonstrates that there has to be an end to occupation and blockade that Palestinians have been living under. The UN has warned that this could escalate into full scale war. However, there have been minimal actions taken in response to Israel's aggression directed at the Palestinians. Sanctions or discontinuing diplomatic relations have never been used as punishment for Israel.  A conflict similar to 2006 would most likely attract other Arab nations. Israeli Arab citizens have voiced there condemnation of  the state's military operations. Anger will grow as long as the racial hierarchy remains part of the political system. Zionism has transformed to advocate expansion outside the original borders intended in the establishment of the Jewish state. The recent developments could be the beginning of another Intifada. There were two mass uprisings between 1987 to 1993 and 2000 to 2005. Prime Minister Benjamin Nethanyahu  is using the recent crisis to extend his rule. Charges of corruption and abuse of power threatened his government. War can stall him from being removed from office. Simultaneously, the extremist elements are growing more powerful within the Likud Party. Settlement construction  will continue and evictions of Palestinian families are happening in  Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem. Violence also was reported coming from Israeli law enforcement at the al-Aqasa Mosque. Arabs inside Israel have faced discrimination and police brutality for many years. Gaza has been locked off with supplies and resources being blocked by Israel. The violence and discontent is a culmination of  an  oppressive system. If occupation and land seizures continue Israel could resemble a country similar to Apartheid South Africa.       

Demonstrations Held in Colombia Over Tax Increase

 

Colombians are protesting  the government's attempts to increase taxes. The strain brought on by the pandemic and economic inequality has culminated in public discord. The Latin American nation has long struggled with civil war and narcoterrorism . The decision to raise taxes has caused much anger at the Ivan Duque administration. The demonstrations and failure to produce rational solutions could jeopardize President Duque's chances for reelection. Increasing taxes on food and utilities only harms the average citizen. Curfews and pandemic restrictions have only added to the public's frustration. The protesters have been peaceful, but law enforcement has not. The excessive use of force has gained international attention . The plan to balance the budget with tax hikes will not work when unemployment is high. The only result will be that those who have jobs will be taxed more. The employed could end up being impoverished from ineffective government policy. As economic contraction grows, Colombia becomes more desperate. Colombia needs to get financial assistance from other countries What Colombians need is some form of universal basic income to counter economic instability. The only way the economy can be fixed is eliminating the COVID-19 virus and increasing employment. If the tax hikes continue then more civil unrest will occur.