President Zelensky Wants To Halt Elections

 

The crackdown on internal dissent continues in Ukraine. President Volodymtr Zelensky wants to have elections halted. This includes the parliamentary elections and the presidential elections scheduled for next year. So far no EU country has made a statement about the plan. President Zelensky justifies the action saying conditions are not stable for elections. He explained further as long as martial law is in place the decision will remain. Ukrainians should have a right to select their leaders . These actions show the development of an authoritarian political structure. The warning signs first came with the attacks on the press. As the Russia-Ukraine War continues the chances of a Ukrainian victory become less possible. The counteroffensive has not push Russia back to its borders. The Wagner Group incident did not spark a massive rebellion or coup. The events in Bakmut show that using mercenaries creates complications in warfare. President Zelensky stated that what he is doing is within the parameters of the Ukrainian constitution. The political opposition might have a legal argument to challenge halting elections. What some observe is this is a way for President Zelensky to remain in power. Winning an election would be difficult considering the military defeats. The UK, France, and Germany are going to support Zelensky no matter how anti-democratic the administration gets. For those countries causing a Russian defeat is more important than the welfare of Ukrainians. Peace talks become more out of reach with every passing month. If elections are not held this marks the start of an authoritarian regime. The silence of the European Union exposes the contradictory and corrupt nature of their foreign policy.   

The State of Thai-Burmese Relations

 

The military regime in Myanmar has caused a change in relations with Thailand. The influx of refugees in Thailand has also impacted domestic politics of Thailand. Both countries are under the influence of the military having involvement in political affairs. Thailand had a military coup in 2014 and Myanmar's democratically elected government was deposed in 2021. While Thailand did have elections, the military influence was still present. What happens in Thailand's elections will have an effect on Myanmar. The policy is to support the military regime of Min Aung Hlaing. Both governments are dependent on one another for survival. The case with Thailand is that political opposition has more freedom, but is not effective enough to make dramatic change. The Thai monarchy holds respect among the population and acts as a unifying force in the country. A military regime in Thailand would never try to abolish it, but for the most part it is ceremonial. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha realizes that the junta in Myanmar secures his position in Thailand. As Myanmar slides further into a state of civil war, the possibility of Thai intervention becomes greater. Thailand might not want more refugees to come into their country. Thailand's Myanmar policy increases tension with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Myanmar and Thailand could become isolated in their own region due to certain actions taken domestically and beyond their borders. Depending on what government is in power in Thailand, the Min Aung Hlaing regime has a close ally.  

The Rise of ChatGPT

 

ChatGPT  was introduced in 2022 and has made the world more aware of the application of artificial intelligence. ChatGPT was developed by OpenAI. It has been used to write papers and articles. The bot may be able to write papers or engage with users, but it is not fully conscious. ChatGPT is based on large language models . It does not have the ability to learn or thinking like a human. It takes certain computing techniques and  data then extracts words. Large language model tools do not function like a human brain. The concern about the new technology has resulted in calls for artificial intelligence to be regulated. Educators are concerned it will be used by students to write their papers. Writers and journalists fear in the distant future they could be replaced. Information technology will change world economics and the nature of employment. Possible job loss is part of technological advancement. All sectors of the economy can be effected. ChatGPT is not sophisticated enough to replace workers. To do so would require AI not based on large language tools. While certain applications, programs, and chatbots become fads, others will expand. Google and Meta are developing AI chatbots. ChatGPT is still a new AI chatbot. Whether it survives depends on how internet users respond to it. Overtime, ChatGPT could be replaced. OpenAI might develop chatbots more advanced than ChatGPT. The OpenAI product could be some of the public's introduction artificial intelligence. ChatGPT does not pose a risk, depending how it is used. Technology over the next few decades is going to dramatically change culture, society, and commerce. 

The Russian Anti-War Protests

 

Since 2022 there have been anti-war protests in Russia. The protesters disagree with President Putin's invasion of Ukraine and NATO instigation. The press in the UK, US, France, and Germany does not acknowledge the anti-war movement in Russia. Anti-war activists globally have not made connections to organizations active in the Russian Federation. The reason other countries do not recognize the Russian anti-war movement is because it does not fit a certain narrative. The press and government of Europe and North America wants to present an image of a nefarious Russian Federation. Russophobia has become a normalized sentiment extending to a wider xenophobia. The language and paranoia of the Cold War has reemerged even though the Soviet Union no longer exists. Russian are seen as malevolent, rather than focusing on actions of the United Russia Party. The existence of anti-war activists in Russia dismantles the narrative of Russians unanimously supporting the government. The unusual aspect is that some would think that the EU would want to show support to the protest. The motivation would not be out of concern for the cause of peace, but rather to undermine President Vladimir Putin. Russian anti-war activists face imprisonment and are harassed by the government. The anti-war activists in other countries have shown limited support for those inside the Russian Federation. Suppression and lack of international solidarity will cause the anti-war movement in Russia to disappear. The estimate for the number of detained was 1,700 in 2022. The figures could be higher, but an official number has not been confirmed for 2023. The anti-war movement in Russia also has broken into factions divided on issues related to those who want President Putin to resign and support for opposition leader Alexei Navalny. 

Sudanese Refugees Flee To Chad, Egypt, and Kenya

 

The conflict in Sudan has created refugees. Simultaneously, Darfur has seen an escalation resulting in large numbers of Sudanese escaping to Chad. Other destinations of refugees are Egypt and Kenya. The fight between the RSF and the Sudanese Military will spread across borders. The outbreaks of ethnic violence and war have been seen in Ethiopia. That came to a peaceful resolution without balkanization. Sudan appears to be tearing itself apart. Darfur has been a challenge since 2003. South Sudan gained independence in 2011, but had internal confrontation. The power void left by the Omar Al-Bashir regime was followed by a series of coups. The civilians are caught in the middle of warring armed factions. The United Nations has not made serious proposals for peace. Sudanese might face a more difficult time in Egypt. The border dispute between Egypt and Sudan could be exacerbated by the status of the conflict. Sudanese in Egypt could become scapegoats or subject to xenophobic sentiment. Egypt does not provide shelters or camps for refugees. Racial prejudice against the 4 million Sudanese migrants can no longer be hidden. The added incoming refugees will be used as a distraction from economic concerns of the nation. Kenya does have refugee camps, however conditions are poor. The camps in Kenya also have refugees from Somalia and South Sudan. Crowding and public health concerns make life difficult for refugees. Kenya could respond by either shutting its borders or getting involved in Sudan. The approach that Kenya took in Somalia should not be replicated in Sudan. The only solution would be an African Union effort to develop a peace settlement. If this does not happen refugees will continue to come to Kenya, Chad, and Egypt.  

The Resignation of Silvio Berlusconi (2011)

 

Silvio Berlusconi's leadership will be remembered for scandals and the criminal intrigues that surrounded the Italian government. His influence was vast due to his immense wealth and ownership of Italian media outlets. Berlusconi was one of the longest serving Italian prime ministers, but with the global financial crisis public opinion turned against him. The fiscal austerity measures imposed on the Italian public represented the injustice of the neoliberal economic system. Scandals involving fraud, sex crimes, and government corruption could no longer be ignored. What was apparent was that Silvio Berlusconi was using government to protect his businesses and enrich himself further. His net worth was estimated to be $6.8 billion. Some sources claim it was closer to $7 billion at the time of his death. Berlusconi amassed wealth as a property developer and media company founder. The establishment of Fininvest and Telemilano gave him more power over the media by buying up other TV cable companies. By 2012, Silvo Berlusconi was charged with tax evasion by a Milan court. Accusations of sex crimes  also were made public, but the charges were dropped. Silvio Berlusconi was never incarcerated for his crimes. It was a reminder that the upper class elite are protected by a corrupted criminal justice system. With all the offenses made public Berlusconi was forced to resign. 

The US Military Has A Recruitment Concern

 

The US Military has stated there is a recruitment crisis. The number of recruits according to the Department of Defense are decreasing. Since 2022, reaching the quota numbers has been getting more challenging. Some have blamed the Genesis medical records system. The system might make errors about a recruit's health and disqualify them from service. The aftermath of the pandemic and vaccine mandates could also be contributors. The shift indicates that most of the public no longer sees the US Military as a force for positive change. The wars of aggression in Iraq and Afghanistan have damaged the image of the institution. The reason military recruiters target secondary school students is due to the fact it could finance university ambitions. The drop in  college attendance has increased from the rise in tuition. Serving in the military no longer seems like an option for paying for higher education. The public also has become frustrated with the permanent state of warfare. Since 1945, the US continues to have combat operations around the globe. The prospect of war with China and Russia becomes more of a concern. Most are not willing to join in conflicts that are provoked by US foreign policy. The recruitment crisis as it has been referred to is not that serious. It shows that the militarist state is weakening. If there are few soldiers to fight in wars, then the military industrial complex cannot survive. Attempts could be made to reinstitute the draft. Public reaction would certainly cause massive protests. The real crisis is that America continues to wage war in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The Russia-Ukraine War provides another justification for militarization of another continent. Maybe the reduction of combat soldiers will force the military interventions to stop. To the people seeking employment, working in the US Military provides very little benefit. Veterans struggle homelessness, low quality healthcare, and getting work.    

Mexico Recognizes Palestine

 

Mexico is recognizing Palestine. Plans are being made to establish an embassy in Mexico City. Getting more recognition from other countries could help the challenges facing the Palestinians in Israel. The bombings of the Gaza Strip , refugees, and racism have made conditions for the Arab population unsuitable. The continued occupation in the West Bank represents an expansionist policy. Mexico's recognition could be a diplomatic shift in Latin America. The Mexican Senate passed the resolution for recognition in 2021, but it appears plans are moving forward to make it official. The reason Mexico has sympathy for the Palestinian state is due to history. Mexico lost land in the Mexican War (1846-1848) and people were displaced from that conflict. The imperial legacy of the Monroe Doctrine still haunts Latin America. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is taking a different approach to foreign policy. The direction is more oriented to the Global South. The right-wing governments of  South America tend to favor Israel at the expense of the Arabs. Guatemala was fast to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. When left-wing governments were in power, they were allies to Palestine's aspirations. Between the years of 2010 and 2011 Brazil, Argentina, Chile Bolivia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Cuba, including  Nicaragua recognized a Palestinian state. Israel will attempt to counter these developments, but Mexico could be part of a growing pro-Palestine  block. Much of the situation depends on what government is in power in Mexico.     

Ne Win Threatens Protesters (1988)

 

The military has dominated Myanmar throughout its recent history. Ne Win  had control of the country since 1962, but by the late 1980s his grip was slipping. The year 1988 saw a mass uprising against the regime. Ne Win made a notorious speech in response to the challenge to his rule. The military would use extreme force he asserted. The police  Ne Win expressed were more lenient . The army would not as articulated "shoot up in the sky." The Burma Socialist Programme Party was losing legitimacy among the public. Protests did happen before 1988, but the 8888 uprising was more massive. Previous protests mostly were done by workers and students. The 8888 uprising involved people from various sections of the Burmese public. The state responded with violence. Ne Win was forced into resigning and then it triggered another coup by the State Law and Order Restoration Council. The total deaths are not known, but Ne Win never was criminally charged for the abuses of his regime. Ne Win would have some influence in the new military junta. Around the 1990s, his influenced waned and he was put under house arrest. Ne Win was never punished for the state violence that occurred for 26 years. 

More Countries Want To Join BRICS

 

BRICS might be getting more members. A total of 30 countries are attempting to be part of the economic alliance. The development represents that the Global South is becoming more united in relation to economic matters. The details of which countries will get membership have not been disclosed. Much of the information related to possible members was from South African BRICS ambassador Anil Sookal. The countries that want to be part of the alliance include Algeria, Argentina, Bahrain, Belarus, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Egypt, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sudan, Syria, the UAE, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe. The controversial additions would the Gulf monarchies and Afghanistan. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates tend to be in alignment with Europe and North America. Afghanistan remains under the control of the Taliban regime and tends to isolate itself from the wider world. Pakistan has serious tensions with India and Sudan has fallen into civil war. Countries that are unstable, have disputes with other members, or are too close to the West might bring complications to the economic alliance. The challenges could be negated by one currency among members and a series of diplomatic agreements. Many nations want to move away from the US dollar and challenge the US-EU led global economy. The addition of new members also the world is heading to a multipolar power system. At some point the world will not be influenced by a sole superpower. Developing countries could most likely benefit more from BRICS. The IMF and World Bank have failed to produced programs that create economic stability or industrialization. Leaders of BRICS will meet in Johannesburg , South Africa to discuss bring more countries into the alliance, trade, currency, and concerns related to the global economy.