The Rise of The AfD

 

The Alternative for Germany Party is seeing success in elections. The far-right political party does not have a majority in the state legislature. The AfD tends to have more support in the eastern states of Germany. The reason relates to economic disparities and the aftermath of the collapse of East Germany. The disdain for leftism or socialist ideas comes from memories of living under a Soviet supported state. Racism was a part of German history and did not disappear with the defeat of Nazi Germany. The migrant crisis was also a factor. The AfD emerged in 2013 during the early stages of the migrations from West Asia and Africa. The claim is that the AfD is pro-Russian, but what they desire is an end to the Russia-Ukraine War. The AfD still sees Eastern Europe and Russia in particular as lower. The new agenda to expand Germany's military demonstrates renewed hostility to Eastern Europe. Few political parties want to work with the AfD, but proposals have come form an unexpected place. The BSW, which is classified as left-wing could ally with the AfD. The traditional political labels do not matter when Germans are unified in racial hostility. The misnomer for this phenomenon is called populism, but the movement is xenophobic nativist nationalism. The reason political parties like the AfD are gaining momentum is due to the political establishment. Seen as oblivious to realities of the world and elitists voters in European countries are turning to far-right political parties. The Christian Democrats are facing possible losses in power. The AfD on its own is not formidable based on the election results. It could become a threat if it builds a large enough coalition to counter establishment political parties.  

The United Nations Adopts A New World Map

 

The United Nations has moved forward with a map show true scale of the continents. The Mercator projection  was being used and this is the type presented to the public. This map was used for navigation and does not show the right size of continents such as Africa. Educators and students are getting an inaccurate presentation about world geography. Cartography is essential to understanding the world's environment. Maps should display correct sizes and locations. The continued use of the Mercator projection has become dated. The equal earth map wants to be accurate to science and geography. The motivation in keeping the Mercator projection has a political purpose. Europe and other northern hemisphere nations were shown a bigger than they actually were. The notion that Europe was all powerful and superior to Africa reveals the legacies of imperialism.  Africa was shown to be smaller. The resolution from the UN cannot be enforced. Certain nations are going to continue the use of the Mercator projection. The Equal Earth Map was produced in 2018 and now it is  being used as an alternative.  The map provides better visuals for size comparisons. Togo and the African Union brought the concern over maps to the United Nations. It will take some time for schools and teachers  embrace a new map projection     

Chad's Exit From The ICC

 

Chad is undergoing the process of withdraw from the International Criminal Court. The reason relates to the bias against African nations. While African nations suffered under war, authoritarian leaders, and cases of human rights abuse, the ICC has ulterior motives. Critics notice that African nations are targeted for their natural resources and that the ICC indirectly contributes to neocolonial imperialism. International law should be applied to all nations. European countries or their leaders  rarely face any criminal charges . More African nations are going to leave the ICC. The reason is to protect their own independence and national sovereignty. Chad is not making a Pan-Africanist statement. The country's motivation is to carry out a violent campaign against rebels and insurgents seeking to depose the Deby regime. President Mahamat Deby is positioning himself to be Chad's longtime leader, just like his father before his assassination. There could be possible cases of war crimes committed when Mahamat was a commander in Chad's intervention in Mali. This occurred in 2013, when the government fell to a number of armed groups and terrorist organizations. President Mahamat Deby wants to ensure that he never comes into custody of the ICC. While his alliance with France protects him to an extent, there is no way to know if that country will betray Chad.   

Gloria Steinem Reveals Her Work With The Independent Research Service

 

While many praise Gloria Steinem's efforts for women's liberation and rights, elements of her background were questionable. During Steinem's youth she worked for the Independent Research Service. The organization founded by the CIA was designed to counter World Youth Festivals. These gatherings were held by communists and Marxists to promote socialist ideas. It was design to inspire the next generation of socialists and revolutionaries. American youth were unaware they were being used for intelligence gathering or efforts at sabotage. Gloria Steinem's activities in the Independent Research Service  were controversial. During an interview Gloria Steinem did not condemn the CIA, but spoke of it as a liberal institution. The intelligence organization was responsible for destabilization, violence, and various intrigues across the Third World in the Cold War era. The CIA continues to be a threat to Global South nations in the present. No record exists of Gloria Steinem continuing to work as a CIA asset. Critics assert to criticize her involvement is nothing more than ludicrous conspiracy theory. No one can be an activist for social justice if they work for the power structure. The feminism she promoted was about obtaining power for white women, while leaving others behind. This added more division to the civil rights movement. Despite this, Steinem was anointed social justice icon.     

Iceland Rejects EU Membership

 

Iceland voted in a referendum on European Union membership.  The results rejected the proposal for membership. Critics of the attempts to join the EU cite possible economic disadvantages related to fishing waters. Iceland has the European Economic Area agreement and some question why EU membership is necessary. Based on polling data only 42.7 % were in favor of being part of the European Union. There was a 52.8% that rejected EU membership. The motivation to bring Iceland into the EU is not about economic opportunities for all parties. Rather there seems to be a military purpose. Iceland is a NATO member, yet has not standing army of its own. EU members could seek to station forces there under the excuse of Iceland's security. Iceland is not under threat from any other nation and has no plans to wage war. The reasoning is likely directed at being a base for Arctic competition with the Russian Federation. Iceland has maintained its independence and national sovereignty without EU membership or participating in war. The push to adopt the euro might not benefit Icelanders. Supporters of  EU membership see it as a means of solving inflation and high interest rates. EU membership is not going to reduce higher prices. The effect on interest rates would be minimal. Iceland has seen an increase in salaries, so prices on various products are not harming the public. European Union membership would seem more like wealth extraction from Iceland, rather than a beneficial economic partnership.    

Kamala Harris Comments On The 2024 Election

Former Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris expressed her views about the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. Speaking in 2025, Harris claimed that the election was the closest in US history. Then stated that Donald Trump does not have a mandate. The first claim is not historically accurate. The US presidential election of 1876 and 2000 were much closer than 2024. Donald Trump won both the popular and electoral vote. He did not win the popular vote in 2016. The reason for Trump's success in 2024 was wining the seven battleground states. This included Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. President Joseph Biden did better in these states in 2020. Dissatisfaction with domestic policies, inflation, foreign policy, and shift in political party affiliation were factors in the 2024 election . Political centrism is no longer winning elections and in the power void more progressives and democratic socialists could get elected. Frustration over economic inequality, struggles for employment, and decline in the standard of living only empowered far-right movements. Kamala Harris' claims project anger over the loss of the election and promote a dishonest narrative. Rather than analyze what happened or develop new strategies, instead blame is refocused. Unconfirmed reports have been made that Kamala Harris intends to run for 2028. Unless there is a change in approach and policy, the outcome will be similar to the previous presidential election. Some Democrats do not want her to run and getting the nomination would be a challenge.   

 

Nicolas Maduro's Speech In Support of The Hugo Chavez Administration (2002)

 

Nicolas Maduro gave a speech in support of the Hugo Chavez government. At a rally held on April 13, 2002 Maduro praised the actions of the public and military for stopping efforts by coup plotters. President Hugo Chavez was technically removed from office for a total of 47 hours. The military coup failed, because it underestimated the support for the government and its policies. Nicolas Maduro would later be elected to the presidency. Since the 2000s, the US has made attempts to depose the legitimate government. A military coup would not work in Venezuela in the 2020s. Instead, the United States kidnapped President Nicolas Maduro. A head of state is being held captive by an aggressor nation. The trial has little evidence to convict him of crimes. Therefore, President Nicolas Maduro is being detained as a political prisoner. The abduction itself can be considered a criminal offense. The sabotage directed at the Chavez and Maduro government expose the network of  US imperialism operating in South America.