Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Resigns

 

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced his resignation. One of Japan's longest serving prime ministers will be exiting due to health concerns. Since 2012 he has embarked on a program that was attempting to change Japan economically and politically. Abe sought to have the pacifist constitution replaced. He attempted to get women more active in the Japanese workforce. Abenomics was the term used for his policies regarding the revitalization of the Japanese economy. The COVID-19 pandemic caused challenges for the Japanese workforce and the government was criticized for it management of the crisis. Shinzo Abe stated that his colitis was becoming more intense over the following weeks. Seeing as there is no cure and it has become difficult to treat, this would have effected his duties. A sudden change in leadership could change the political conditions in Asia. The growing tension between the US and China will be a factor. North Korea has remained a regional issue. The question of what is the best plan for economic recovery remains unanswered. Abe has been a political survivor. He first resigned in 2007. Making a comeback, his premiership was accused of scandal. The land sales scandal exposed that Abe and his family were giving preferential treatment to schools politically close to them. Japan is now in the process of selecting a new prime minister.  

Kellyanne Conway's Controversial Comments

 

Kellyanne Conway had defended President Donald Trump's behavior and policies throughout his first term. There is a pattern in which the administration has women, make excuses for his past sexual misconduct. Conway during the 2016 campaign  received much criticism for her comments regarding rape and sex crimes. She stated that "rape would not exist if women were physically stronger." Conway articulated this  on a panel discussion from PBS program To The Contrary . The panel was talking about women in combat roles and Kellyanne was using her statement to exclude women from frontline combat positions. Her statement reflects major ignorance about rape and sex crimes. Men in prison are subject to custodial rape and children can be victim to molestation. Rape can occur with the presence of alcohol, which has been an issue on college campuses. Kellyanne Conway's statement demonstrates that there are women in the Republican Party and the conservative movement that assist in keeping misogyny alive. It was announced that Conway will be resigning from the White House staff. Trump was able to get some women voters, but overall he will struggle in 2020. Many of the women that serve in his administration do not advocate for women in terms of equal pay, reproductive rights, or addressing sexual violence. Simply having a woman in a cabinet position does not ensure women's rights will be protected.     

Namibia Rejects Germany's Reparations

 

Germany made an attempt at reconciliation with its colonial past by making an offer of reparations to Namibia. However, this seems like an empty gesture considering the amount of death that occurred between 1904 and 1907.  The Herero and Namaqua were targeted by the German Empire. The rebellion against German colonial rule resulted in the violence from  Kaiser Wilhelm II. Germany wanted to be on equal footing with other European powers and engaged in imperial conquest. The rebellion was crushed, but German Southwest Africa was lost to the Allies during World War I. President Hage Geingob rejected Germany's offer on the basis the amount of reparations funds remains too low. Negotiations for compensation have been  conducted since 2015, with little progress. Descendants of the few survivors of the genocide are demanding a total of  $4,000,000,000 in compensation. Germany continues to remain more intractable in regards to compensation. While the two countries do maintain relations, they may become strained. The offers Germany proposes have been revealed to be 10,000,000 euros ($11,000,000) . This proposed agreement is not acceptable to the people who lost their lives and a nation still vexed about  past colonial practice. Chancellor Angela Merkel has not made any attempts to increase compensation  or reparation amounts. If Germany was able to pay compensation to Israel for the Holocaust, there should be limited dispute about doing the same for Namibia. Germany has a stronger economy in comparison to other European Union states. If  Namibia cannot get a compensation amount that is acceptable, it should consider dismantling diplomatic relations. Apologies are not enough to eliminate  the legacy of colonial  aggression. The negotiations may take longer, however Namibia has the support of other African nations. The African Union could start taking interest in member states that want compensation from other countries such as France, the UK, Spain, Belgium, and Portugal.  

Aung San Suu Kyi Initiates the Panglong Peace Talks

 

Myanmar still remains a country in conflict, even with a civilian government. Ethnic conflict between the Kachin, Shan, and Kayin  continues with clashes being frequent. Suu Kyi is not fully in control, with the military still retaining significant influence in government. The Panglong peace talks were designed to end conflict through a permanent settlement. This is further complicated by the Rohingya crisis, which has created a large number of refugees. Aung Suu Kyi was criticized for her handling of the situation, which caused damaged relations between the US and EU nations. The peace talks cannot advance as long as the military remains an obstacle. The attempt at establishing a democratic system becomes more fragile, the longer war continues. Myanmar could go through a process of balkanization if insurgencies continue. Racism and prejudice must be confronted if the country is to remain whole. A federal system or semi-autonomous regional systems may be required to address historical grievances. Having another election will not solve these complex political and ethnic problems. Already frustration is beginning to grow. As Myanmar becomes more shunned by the West, it has more closer to China. This increases the likelihood it will be targeted for sanctions. Aung San Suu Kyi has announced that she intends to run for president in the November elections. If a peace deal or some form of agreement is not reached it would make attaining office more difficult. Peace may have to come from a strong executive branch that limits military power. If she does win office, it would need more authority to make a change in policy.    

Mali Falls to a Military Coup

 

Mali has faced both political and social challenges. The ineffective government has collapsed giving way to a military coup. The resignation of President Keita has left a power void in the country. Since the coup, the African Union voted to suspend Mali. The coup leaders have promised that elections will take place. This is uncertain considering Mali may not function like Sudan after the fall of a leader. Azawad and the fall out from the fall of Qaddafi continues to effect the country even after nine years. The coup leaders call themselves the National Committee for the Salvation of the People. Some want President Ibrahim Keita reinstated according to some sources at the AU. Prior to the coup, his administration was accused of corruption, economic mismanagement, and interference in legislative elections. Demonstrations expanded with people becoming more frustrated with the government. Mali could face an AU intervention, civil war, and further civil disturbance if stability is not established. If problems of the people go unaddressed, the situation will only intensify.  

New Zealand Will Delay Elections Due to COVID -19

 

Prime Minister Jacinda Arden announced that elections will be delayed at least until October. This is in response to the increase in COVID-19 infections. Observers thought that New Zealand had beat the disease and pandemic. Celebrating too early was a major miscalculation. Opening too soon as other countries have learned resulted in a wider spread of infection. While a new sense of urgency has come into the public consciousness, few have questioned the delay in  parliamentary elections . Delaying the elections would seem to give incumbents an advantage otherwise not present under normal circumstances. If New Zealand has a fully operational postal service, casting votes should not be an issue. The only problem would be ensuring that every vote cast is counted. The pandemic has finally resulted in one of the public's worst fears. World leaders will exploit the crisis to increase their power and gain unfair advantage. The political opposition the National Party also favors delays in elections. Judith Collins has went as far as to suggest making the elections be held in November. Being the leader of the opposition, there should be at least some alternative. The country enacted some of the strictest lockdowns and still are struggling with the pandemic. This should not be tolerated by citizens who want to vote and value the democratic process. Other countries such as Uganda and Vietnam have used COVID-19 as an excuse to limit freedom of their populations. Both Democratic and Authoritarian regimes use the pandemic to gain more political power.  

Angela Davis on Feminism

 

Angela Davis never considered herself a feminist. She stated "I'm not a feminist, I'm a revolutionary." The reason being was that the movement was white dominated and at times used women of different races to advance their cause at other's expense. Without intersectionality the feminist movement is nothing more than a special interest group for white women. African American women contributing to it to a degree broke the long term project for black empowerment in the United States. Fractured movements for liberation will never be successful. Intersectionality has limitations, because various groups have different objectives. Women are divided by race, class, gender, and sexual orientation.  Society functions as an unequal hierarchy. The reality is that white women face little oppression in modern day America. African American, Latino, Asian, and poor women face significant barriers. The concept of inclusion will not solve these problems or emphasis on diversity.  The goal should be acceptance of different types of people. The only logical conclusion is complete dismantling and replacement of the system. Mainstream feminism will not do that and simply has no more relevance in liberation. Third and the emergent fourth wave feminism are gradually becoming more divisive. The path to women's equality rests on the defeat of  neocolonial imperialism, neo-liberal capitalism, and a racist society. 

Israel and The United Arab Emirates Confirm Peace Agreement

 

Prince Mohammad Bin Zayed and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel and the UAE are set to establish diplomatic relations. This sudden recognition for peace was facilitated by the United States. The agreement states that Israel will not annex the West Bank in exchange for bilateral ties with the UAE. This seems difficult to imagine that Israel would refrain from its wider territorial ambitions. Considering that the Lukid Party uses anti-Arab racism to energize the right-wing of Israeli politics. There could also be another ulterior motive. Israel may be attempting to build a gulf state coalition to confront Iran. Doing so would make it easier for Israel to conduct military action. Saudi Arabia already is engaged in a proxy war with Iran in Yemen. The Trump administration wants to present this as a diplomatic victory, however complications may just be starting. The Palestinians have limited support in their efforts to establish a state. Settlement construction continues and the occupation still persists. Egypt and Jordan used to be dedicated supporters of the cause for Palestinian national self-determination until they open relations with Israel. Without support from Arab nations or UN resolutions Palestinians could fall victim to further Israeli violence. There still remains the possibility negotiations could collapse. Besides political agreements, the UAE wants economic cooperation with Israel.      

Protests Sparked Over The Presidential Election in Belarus

 

Belarus held its presidential elections on Sunday. The results announced that longtime incumbent Alexander Lukashenko won the election with 80% of the vote. The issue which opposition leaders have raised is that the elections were not free or fair. Protests have broken out in various cities across the European nation. Russia's response was to congratulate President Lukashenko's election victory. Germany has been skeptical of the political situation in the country. As demonstrations continue to grow, this will most likely attract foreign powers. the opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikanouskaya has attracted more support. There are fears Belarus could follow a path similar to Ukraine. An internal crisis can be used as an excuse for intervention by the EU. There is no indication that the opposition is being controlled by foreign powers for the sake of regime change. Belarus could be entering another political phase and the citizens may  desire large scale change. Alexander Lukashenko has been in power since 1994 and has faced little  formidable opposition. Sviatlana Tsikanouskaya has ran as an independent building a coalition across the political spectrum. The challenge is keeping such an alliance unified. Being against the government or current  administration is not enough to ensure a  promising future. Repression has gotten worse with journalists and opposition leaders put under arrest. Belarus faces a crisis that consists of  authoritarian government, political oppression, threat of  geopolitical maneuvering between Russia and the EU.   

Lebanon's Increasing Instability

Lebanon has experienced a bombing in Beirut. The country continues to struggle with with economic decline and a leadership unable to solve the country's problems. Protests over unemployment and increased taxation has brought the country to the brink. The explosion of the port in the capital does not appear to be an act of terrorism. Many theories have been expressed, yet the government remains silent. Some have speculated that it was a strike by Israel to counter Hezbollah. Protests have been occuring since October of 2019 and there is no end in sight. Food security has declined, currency had rapidly devalued, and the population grows more vexed. The ruling elite have allowed Lebanon to fall into long term crisis that could spread regionally. A civil war in Syria and a more aggressive Israel could spark a larger war. Iran has significant involvement in Lebanon. Iranian influence has been growing immensely since Iraq ceased to be stable. Currently, the government of Lebanon has launched an investigation into the port explosion. There is little faith from the population that substantial action will be taken. The explosion could have been caused by the ignition of ammonium nitrate. Although there were not mass amounts of deaths, rebuilding will take large amounts of funding. With little revenue and limited possibility of assistance, Lebanon could be heading for mass insurrection. The removal of rubble and debris has become a symbol of a country on the verge of collapse. Options are limited. Lebanon can either seek loans from either Saudi Arabia or France. Neither of these options are favorable. France a former colonizer of Lebanon would make citizens more suspicious of the government. Saudi Arabia has made attempts to make Lebanon another front in their regional competition with Iran. Whatever happens next, peaceful solutions are limited.