How We All Became Richard Nixon By Adam Curtis (2010)

 

There has been a breakdown between the press and public. The lost of trust has become more apparent since the late 20th century. President Richard M. Nixon was notorious for his hatred of the press. He believed it was his enemy and dominated by an eastern establishment with liberal sentiments. The rage became so pronounced it gave way to paranoia. Nixon's paranoia made him think  enemies were everywhere. The public upon learning about the scandal of Watergate, became more paranoid themselves. Institutions that were thought to be keeping society stable were engaging in crime and corruption. Margaret Thatcher as the UK's prime minister like Nixon had  paranoia about enemies trying to destroy the country. The public also simultaneously became more hostile to the skilled professional  class as being agents to a powerful elite. The prevalence of corruption, economic decline, and lack of trust explains the rise of various conspiracy theories. The press also fell to this rise in paranoid thought. Headlines  began to exaggerate the level of danger in everyday life. The reason disdain is no the rise for the press and government relates to decades of institutional failure. Those who do seek to make improvements to institutions face backlash. Roy Jinkins would not be a successful Politian in the 21st century. Too much distrust  exists to fix these problems in media and government. 

The African Union Demands The End of Sanctions on Zimbabwe

Moussa Faki Mahamat (chairperson of the AU commission) and President Emmerson Mnangagwa 

The African Union has demanded an end to sanctions on Zimbabwe. This position has been expressed by AU commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahmat and AU chairperson Macky Sall. The sanctions by the West have been in place for 20 years. Macky Sall delivered a speech during the African Union humanitarian summit. This was part of the AU Extraordinary Summit. The summits discussed many concerns related to food security, terrorism, coups, and climate change. Zimbabwe has been subject to unfair treatment from the United Kingdom and the United States. The sanctions are not about human rights concerns, but a meticulous use of economic warfare. Harm to the economic health of the country is an attack on the people, rather than the leaders. Criticisms or condemnation of President Emmerson Mnangagwa is legitimate. Attacking the entire population is not justified. Zimbabwe has a similar situation just like Cuba. The West attempts to induce  some form of regime change by damaging a nation's economy. The African Union by refusing to support sanctions, demonstrates its taking a more assertive stance  with Europe. Other African nations are willing to still have relations with Zimbabwe no matter what the reaction could be from EU countries. African nations  have decided to help one another in times of economic hardship.  Macky Sall, who is president of Senegal stated his country will donate three million dollars for humanitarian aid on the continent. Cooperation must continue to maintain prosperous and stable states in Africa. Fighting the sanctions against Zimbabwe might act as a unifying force across the continent.   

The End of The Disinformation Governance Board

 

The Department of Homeland Security launched the Disinformation Governance Board. This new agency generated a huge amount of controversy. The agency had the potential to damage free press and free expression. The DGB appears to be shutting down after much criticism from civil liberties organizations. The Department of Homeland Security has been criticized ever since its creation during the Bush administration. The Disinformation Governance Board is not about stopping propaganda or the spread of fake news. The objective is to have the public agree upon one narrative and stop dissent. Nina Jankowicz was head of the DGB until she announced her resignation. Her appointment to the agency also created concern. She has referred to herself as a disinformation expert. The writer and researcher has no background in journalism. Being appointed to a disinformation agency overseeing media makes that even more precarious. A government agency should not determine what the truth is. Nor should it stop individuals from seeking out information. The Disinformation Governance Board could have enabled the government to hinder a citizen's ability to exercise free speech. For now, it is dissolved yet more agencies could be created that would threaten basic rights. The end of this agency was for the best considering the amount of legal challenges that would be directed at it. Every media and news organization could have been threatened by an agency under  the Department of Homeland Security. Many activists and  human rights advocates should seek the abolition of the DHS. The creation of such an department could pose a serious danger to the rights of American citizens in  the US Constitution.    

Anti-French Protests In Chad

 

Chad has erupted in protests against France. Frustration has grown over the military control of government and French influence over internal affairs. Chadians are seeing their government as a puppet regime to Paris and now are taking action. The Transitional Military Council has the full support of France. Chad has been an essential partner in the country's attempt to establish a sphere of influence in Africa. Since the death of President Idriss Deby the Chad has been in a state of discord.  French linked  businesses were attacked in N' Djamena. The real power in the country has been concentrated in Mahamat Idriss. Son of the former president, he has not made any decrees about returning to a civilian government. The targets of attacks were petrol stations operated by the French company Total Energies.  France has troops in West Africa under the excuse of fighting terrorism. While armed conflict has been present in West Africa, a French military presence does not help. Chad hosts a  French military base in Chad's capital N' Djamena. Rumors have been circulating that France was intending to build more. Currently there is  estimated to be  1,000 French troops at the base. Occupation is a catalyst for terrorism and protests. The demand to expel the French, have democratic reforms, and basic rights is growing. The Transitional Military Council can only survive with French assistance. Mahamat Idriss might be slowly making his way to consolidate power through repression and French aid. This will not deter the demonstrations, which have been happening since 2021. 

Finland And Sweden Are Seeking NATO Membership

 

Finland and Sweden are seeking to be members of NATO. There reasons are based on the events surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. If NATO expansion was one of the reasons for the outbreak of war, this only increases chances of a larger European conflict. NATO's purpose was for defense against the Soviet Union. Since 1997, more countries have been added to the alliance, even though the Soviet Union no longer existed. Expansion indirectly implies in the future NATO will one day seek a war with the Russian Federation. Finland joining NATO  is more surprising. Finland was able to win a war against the Soviet Union. The Russo-Finnish War (1939-1940)  resulted in Russian defeat. During World War II Finland fought with Nazi Germany against the Soviet Union in the War of Continuation (1941-1944). Finland then made a separate peace and fought against Germany. Finland and Russia eventually signed a peace treaty in 1947. The two countries continued to have good relations. There is no reason to assume that Finland cannot defend itself. Sweden through most of the 20th century to early 2lst century has been a neutral European nation. The nation has valued diplomacy, rather than armed conflict. Turkey has objected to adding these two countries to NATO. Europe is becoming more militarized, which will cause instability. Russia has condemned the actions of Finland and Sweden, but has limited options. Attacking the Nordic countries would complicate matters. The only solution would be to arm Belarus as a counter to new NATO members. This enables President Alexander Lukashenko to become more important to Russia. Europe might become a larger warzone beyond Ukraine, if NATO keeps expanding.  Strategic  diplomacy is needed to prevent further escalation. 

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Wins The Philippines Presidential Election

 

The Marcos family appears to have returned to prominence in Philippine politics. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has won the presidency. Certain observers might have been shocked by the development, but the result could have been predicted. The reason for the return could be voters might be too young to remember the dictatorship under his father. Other voters could have some form of nostalgia for the past. The transition to a democratic system was turbulent in the 1990s. During the campaign Marcos Jr. did not distance himself from the controversial legacy of his father's authoritarian rule. The general frustration the public has with corruption and the political establishment could have resulted in this election result. The democratic system has not been able to combat economic challenges, violence from the drug trade, or reduce corruption. The promises of the 1986 People Power Revolution remain unfulfilled. The fear among human rights groups is the return of oppressive government. What policies will be enacted remains unclear at the moment. 

Yoweri Museveni Discusses The Hording of Commodities (1986)

 

Uganda after years of conflict was suffering from economic instability. Sugar continues to be an essential commodity for the country. During the  late 1980s the problem with hording and smuggling sugar was an issue, This was not the only commodity being horded. Yoweri Museveni who came to power in 1986 made the argument this was causing further damage to the economy. While there were laws against smuggling, hording was not challenged. When action was taken against it, detractors called it a communist plot. Museveni's response was that it was nothing more than greed from individuals seeking to take advantage of unfortunate circumstances. Corruption from both leaders and the business sector can create poor economic conditions. At the time President Museveni was seen as a reformer to African politics. The promise of a fair economic system in Uganda was not been realized. 

The Roma Face Violence In Ukraine

 

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has caused an increase in refugees. However, there has been a double standard in sympathy from the EU countries. The Roma were facing violence before the war broke out. The growing power of neo-Nazi and authoritarian right groups has only exacerbated racism. Ethnic Russians in Ukraine were not the only ones attacked by far-right extremists in the Donbas. Roma have been targeted and made scapegoats. African and Asian people in Ukraine were also subject to racism when attempting to flee warzones. The European Union has done little to help the non-white refugees to escape the war torn country. The lack of media coverage related to these human rights abuses reveals a case of worthy and unworthy victims. President Zelensky has not even acknowledged Roma concerns in Ukraine. The dramatic rise in far-right extremism in Eastern Europe began with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. Ever since  then, Eastern European states have developed a growing xenophobia and prejudice. The Roma who are able to flee or reach a safe area still face racial discrimination. Europe has never been accepting of the Roma people. If  nothing is done to improve conditions, the EU will further lose credibility. The Roma might awaken across Europe in a new form of political consciousness as a result of longtime persecution.