Romania's Protests Against The Cancelled Presidential Elections

 

Romania is seeing protests due to the cancellation of the presidential election. The reasoning behind this decision was suspected Russian interference. The evidence has yet to be made public and the motivation is political. The possibility of the AUR Party winning was a threat to the political establishment. The AUR is far-right and it is assumed that this type of behavior would come from those of that political affiliation. Romania's Constitutional Court ruled in favor of the annulment of the presidential election. The Romanian Constitutional Court needs to provide evidence of electoral fraud or foreign influence for this decision to be legal. Otherwise, this is a case of the judiciary violating the public's right to vote. A new election is being scheduled, but there is concern they could be postponed. Romania's internal crisis poses a problem for the European Union. The claim is that the EU supports liberal democracy and human rights. However, if it is a political party from another ideological spectrum, then few words of condemnation are given. Calin Georgescu if he runs again, might find that the election will be annulled a second time. Public discord could grow from a error in the Romanian Constitutional Court. The only charges Georgescu was given were related to campaign funds and the use of certain digital technologies. Georgescu never revealed the financial sources for his campaign. An investigation would probably not show that Calin Georgescu was being influenced by a foreign government. Romania is not under Russian influence. During the Cold War, Romania was the most independent of the Eastern Bloc nations. Romania refused to invade Czechoslovakia in 1968 along with the U.S.S.R. Romania is being influenced by the EU and NATO countries. The coalition government tends to favor the West, rather than the Eastern European region.      

Ecuador and Guatemala's Involvement In Haiti

 

Haiti is facing occupation from other countries in South America. Guatemala and Ecuador are getting more involved in the Caribbean nation. The justification was that the mission is to stabilize Haiti has a number of armed groups and gangs. While crime has been a problem, this is an internal matter for Haitian law enforcement. Gangs or armed groups are not directing there violence at Guatemala or Ecuador. Haiti does not pose a security risk to any of these countries. UN missions and foreign occupations have never helped Haiti. Kenya's mission to Haiti has also generated controversy in Africa. The Haitian National Police seeking foreign assistance proves that it no longer has independence. The United States appears to be outsourcing imperial projects to proxies in Latin America. What appears to be gang violence could morph into resistance against foreign military occupation and interference. The violence began in 2021 and was a reaction to Prime Minister Jovenel Moise refusing to relinquish power. His assassination led to a series of puppet governments. The Monroe Doctrine never disappeared, but changed with the geopolitical shifts. Haitians are taking up arms against being occupied and foreign interference in domestic affairs, Ecuador and Guatemala could be attempting to partition Haiti. Guatemalan and Ecuadoran troops are not there for human rights. Gaining more influence in the Caribbean is the objective. Haiti is not the same as Colombia in terms of violence. Foreign countries should not get involved in the policing Haiti. The advisors sent are going to have more of a command role and limited mechanisms exist to stop violence directed at the public by Central American soldiers.    

Jean-Marie Le Pen Vexed Over Suspension From The National Front (2015)

 

Jean-Marie Le Pen (1928-2025) was a prominent figure in French far-right politics. Known for his anti-immigrant and anti-black racism, Le Pen had not problem expressing his views publicly. Marine Le Pen expelled him from the National Front in 2015. One remark that got more criticism was Le Pen referring to the Holocaust as a "detail of history." The coded language implied that it was not that serious of an event. Jean-Marie Le Pen also expressed anti-Muslim sentiment. Jean-Marie Le Pen was not removed from the National Front for being too extreme. Most members and leaders hold these views. His daughter wanted more control of the party and to change its image to the public. Far-right parties try to appear more civil to get votes. The attempts to mainstream far-right political parties only work under poor economic conditions. Marine Le Pen  was not concerned about the National Front's racism, but trying to appeal more to the French population. Intolerant ideas would be repackaged to the voters. Blatant hatred could not be openly spoken, but done through policy. This required Jean-Marie Le Pen to be removed. The National Front continues to be active in French politics.  

Justin Trudeau Resigns

 

Justin Trudeau has resigned as Canada's prime minister. The Liberal Party is facing struggles on multiple fronts. Questions are mounting on who will get the leadership of the Liberal Party. This is a major change considering Trudeau has been in office since 2015. While some legislation benefited Canada under his leadership, other policies undermined progress. The concept of postnational state had some unforeseen consequences. Opening the Canada to refugees and more immigration without more accommodation generated public concern. More border crossings were happening at Roxham Road. The economic relations with the United States became more turbulent during the Trump administration. NAFTA was replaced with the United States-Mexica Canada Agreement. CUSMA did not improve the financial situation of the Canadian citizen. Tariffs became a topic of serious discussion. Steel and aluminum were effected the most in Canada. Foreign policy tended to follow a pattern common among western liberals. Canada's attitude toward China became more contentious and the support for the Russia-Ukraine War did not advance Canada's objectives in Europe. A peaceful Europe is better for Canada, rather than  keeping the conflict going. Diplomatic relations with India were in decline during the early 2020s. Much of this is due to India's accusation of Canada's support for the Khalistan  movement. The movement wants to see an independent Sikh state. Canada has a Sikh population, which advocates for a new nation on the Indian  subcontinent . Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could not formulate a policy to navigate these complications of foreign policy. The government could not survive decreasing poll numbers and  election losses. The wave of cabinet resignations demonstrated the frustration with Trudeau's premiership.  

Zimbabwe Abolishes The Death Penalty

 

Zimbabwe has announced that it will no longer use the death penalty. This is a significant move related to human rights in the Southern African nation. Zimbabwe only has a total of 60 prisoners on death row. Zimbabwe only executed one prisoner in 2005. Zimbabwe does not favor capital punishment for a number of reasons. Executions are a reminder of the abuses of the white minority rule Rhodesian regime. Many lost their lives in the Bush War and wider liberation struggle. Capital punishment and executions were used against Zimbabweans to maintain colonial domination. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has voiced his rejection of the death penalty. During the liberation war, given the death penalty. The sentence was changed to ten years in prison, but some were not so fortunate. Zimbabwe has been criticized by the EU for  having a poor record on human rights. Just like the EU Zimbabwe abolished the death penalty. The criticisms of Zimbabwe are not out of genuine human rights promotion, rather a political agenda. African countries can advance human rights with out external advice or interference. Zimbabwe could inspire other African nations to ban capital punishment. Ghana, Kenya, and Liberia might be moving in this direction. President Mnangagawa signed the bill into law, preventing certain prisoners from being executed by the state.  

Billionaire Isabel Dos Santos And The Questions Around Her Assets

 

Isabel Dos Santos has been described as "Africa's richest woman." Questions remains about how she generated her wealth and how assets were acquired. The UK has frozen some of her assets, but she has stated her innocence related to criminal activity. Isabel being the daughter of the former Angolan president did have certain advantages. Isabel had investments in numerous banks and one telecommunications firm. President Jose Edurado dos Santos  made her head of Sonangol. This is an important oil firm in Angola. Isabel Dos Santos was removed by the new administration in 2017. Isabel Dos Santos was charged with embezzlement and money laundering by Angolan courts. There is indication that some of these assets were gained through illegal means and a system of nepotism. The  heaight of her fortune was around 2013 to 2015. Isabel Dos Santos has lost some wealth and according to Forbes rankings was removed from their list in 2021. Based on their sources her net work was $1.4 billion in 2020. The asset freezes probably did not make much on an impact. This does not account for hidden funds. Isable Dos Santos is considering running for president of Angola. The intention could be to use the office to enrich herself and reestablish Santos influence in government. The average Angolan does not see a dramatic increase in income, but Isabel used family and government connections to become a billionaire. The MPLA used to support socialism and Marxist-Leninist ideology. The ironic situation is that a billionaire could possibly run for president of Angola. Angola has gone though a similar transformation that China did after the end of Maoism. Isabel Dos Santos is a product of this economic shift.  

President James Carter Praises Shah Mohammad Pahlavi (1978)

 

President James Carter wanted to make human rights a priority in his administration. This was more of a sentiment, rather than actual policy. The US supported Shah Mohammad Pahlavi. Iran was engaging in oppression of its own citizens. The CIA helped train Savak. This was a secret police force that was designed to crush dissent and gather intelligence. President Carter during his administration praised the Shah as being a stabilizing force. There was a growing political opposition to the monarchy in Iran. The Iranian Revolution would occur in 1979 and the Iranian hostage crisis became a major concern. US support for Iran was part of a Cold War strategy directed at the Soviet Union. Russia having access to Iranian oil was not acceptable to Washington. President Carter stated that Iran was " an island  of stability in one of the more  troubled areas of the world." Protests were beginning in 1978. The difference was that the US did not expect the Shah to be deposed. He was placed back in power in 1953 by both the UK and the US. The Carter administration could not resolve the hostage crisis and the take over of the US embassy. The hostages did get their freedom, but the poor management of the crisis cost President Carter the presidency.