The M23 Rebels Connection To Rwanda

 

The M23 rebels are making an attempt to retake areas lost in the war. Clashes in North Kivu have caused fears of another massive civil war. Observers have noted that external forces are active in the DRC. According to the United Nations, Rwanda has been listed as a major contributor to the M23 insurrection. Much of the conflicts stems from the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide in 1994 and the Second Congolese Civil War. The war lasted from 1998 to 2003 displacing many people. Ethnic hatreds did not dissipate, with others accusing President Paul Kagame attempting to make a larger Tutsi state. Rwanda and Burundi were in a state of civil war prior to the 1994 genocide. The Rwandan Patriotic Front continues to dominate the politics of the country, but seeks more influence in the region. The alliance with the M23 rebels might be a means of fighting the Democratic Forces for Liberation of Rwanda. The Hutu rebel group wants to challenge the Rwandan Patriotic Front. During the final years of the Joseph Mobutu regime, Hutu refugees fled to the DRC. Militias have been forming independently of governments. A Tutsi and Hutu reconciliation was never achieved. M23 emerged in 2012 claiming it wanted to protect Tutsis from other Hutu militias. The UN Peacekeeping mission cannot be declared a success. Deaths and internally displaced persons have increased. The Congolese public sees them as an occupying force. Rwanda's growing military intervention into the DRC will harm relations with Uganda. President Yoweri Museveni realizes that the DRC is a major trading partner. The security risk is that the fighting could spill over into Uganda. Congolese asylum seekers are already entering the country. Uganda has taken refugees from other countries such as South Sudan, Burundi, and Eritrea. Rwandan refugees have come to Uganda. The DRC has descended into another humanitarian crisis. President Felix Tshisekedi's options are limited. The Democratic Republic of the Congo could be on the brink of war with Rwanda.  

President Obama Greets Qaddafi At The G8 (2009)

 

During the G8 Summit in 2009, President Barack Obama greeted Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi. Sky News did a segment criticizing a simple handshake. A simple gesture can be a pathway to better relations. The major disappointment of the Obama administration was that it would later call for regime change in Libya. President Obama was responsible for attacking a prosperous African country. Sky News asserts that Qaddafi was arming terrorist organizations, but the US, UK, and France used terrorist to depose Qaddafi in 2011. Libya was no threat to the security of the United States of America. President Barack Obama promised a new era in foreign policy that differed from that of the Bush administration. The Iraq War, the invasion of Afghanistan, and the drone strikes in Somalia caused much discontent among the American public. The NATO invasion would cause the migration crisis forcing many Africans to flee to Europe. The motivation for the attack on Libya was based on energy. Oil was a natural resource that the US wanted to obtain. President Obama after leaving office would admit that the invasion of Libya was an error.    

Alexei Navalny's Emergence And Anti-Immigrant Politics (2012)

 

Alexei Navalny emerged during the 2010s as a figure of political opposition to Vladimir Putin. The lawyer turned blogger became an activist fighting corruption related to the role of business in government. The press tried to present him as a hero fighting authoritarianism in the Russian government. Honest reporting revealed that Navalny had political views that expressed xenophobic sentiment and racism. Navalny showed disdain for migrants. Central Asians, Muslims for the Caucasus, and Georgians he expressed were causing problems for the Russian Federation. He stated that Central Asians were trafficking drugs into Russia. Far-right nationalism and racism have been on the rise in Russia. Alexei Navalny wanted to use this development to build a movement. This ultranationalist movement Alexei Navalny was intended to replace the prominence of the United Russia Party. The West had interest in Navalny as a means of undermining President Vladimir Putin. Navalny was not trying to eliminate corruption rather replace the established oligarchs. Alexei Navalny died in prison and some have rushed to the conclusion Vladimir Putin ordered his death. Accusations of poisoning have been made, but there is no toxicology report to confirm this. Navalny was arrested in 2021. The charges ranged from violating court parole, encouraging extremism, and embezzlement. It can not be said that he got a fair trail under the current political circumstances. The Russian Federation will be divided over Alexei Navalny as a public figure.    

The Effectiveness of Antidepressants Questioned

 

Medical history has instances in which theories have been discarded. The chemical imbalance theory might becoming to an end as an explanation for depression. This makes observers question the effectiveness of antidepressants. The connection between the brain's serotonin and mental health does not have substantial scientific evidence. Considerable debate has surrounded if antidepressants work at all. The first antidepressant drugs were not designed for mental health. Imipramine was an antihistamine and Iproniazid was for combating tuberculosis. Medical researchers discovered these two drugs could alter mood. During the 1950s, psychosurgery was used to treat various types of mental illness. The only reason electroconvulsive therapy and lobotomy fell out of use was because more medications became available. The assumption is that medication was more reliable compared to surgeries. Pharmaceutical corporations then began getting more involved in the production of antidepressants. Drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Cipramil generated enormous profits. It appeared that profits were more important compared to scientific fact. Antidepressants might be the best option for individual with extreme manic depression. Patients with mild cases might not see vast improvements or cure to mental distress. Antidepressants are being overprescribed by doctors. Being sad is a normal human emotion that does not require medical intervention. The influence of environment on mental health is a factor. Anxiety and stress can be induced by living in poverty, war zones, or unstable societies. Individuals could be using antidepressants as a means of numbing themselves from unpleasant aspects of life. The treatment of mental illness requires more than just  a combination of medicines. Not only could this be ineffective, the possibility of harming cognitive health exists.         

Imran Khan's Imprisonment

 

Pakistan is facing another political crisis. Imran Khan is now imprisoned on charges that observers believe has a political motivation. Removed from office in 2022, some would claim this was another coup. Pakistan has a long history of coups and Khan may have been victim to one. It is no coincidence that Nawaz Sharif has emerged. His intent is to form a coalition government. The Pakistan Tehreek -e-Insaf  Party is popular and polls predict a victory in the elections. Nawaz Sharif is favored by the military establishment and might intervene on his behalf. The Pakistan Muslim League needs a coalition to attain power. Even though other political parties and organizations are being suppressed, the PLM-N cannot assert full control. The Pakistan People's Party is also a major factor in elections. The two political dynasties which include the Sharifs and the Bhuttos are part of the political establishment. Keeping Khan imprisoned appears to be a means of stopping another political force emerging in the country. The Supreme Court should provide evidence and legal justifications for punishment. Otherwise Pakistan will resemble past military regimes . If Imran Khan were to be free, it is possible he could return to power. The military and Nawaz Sharif do not want him released, because Imran Khan would be a formidable political opponent. The dedication to the status quo has created more polarization in Pakistani society. Imran Khan's imprisonment is a reminder of how the military undermines the democratic institutions of Pakistan. 

President Hage Geingob Challenges Norbert Lammert's Anti-Chinese Racism (2018)

 

President Hage Geingob (1941-2024) met with German politician Norbert Lammert in 2018. Lammert was the new chairman of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The organization has been closely associated with the Christian Democratic Union. The organization is more of a consulting group and think tank. As their mission statement explains they want to promote freedom and liberty. What some observe is an attempt for the German conservative movement to impose their ideas on other nations. Norbert in the discussion claims that Germany is concerned about China's relations with Namibia. Sounding alarmed in a xenophobic manner he takes note of how their is a Chinese population in the country. Norbert Lammert is almost offended that it outnumbers the Germans in Namibia President Hage Geingob responded by saying Namibia is not under Chinese control and that it is " a European problem." President Hage Geingob also reiterates Namibia will not be lectured by a former colonizer. Germany refuses to pay compensation for the Herero genocide. Namibia fought a long war against occupation by Apartheid South Africa. Namibia would have remained under Germany's control if it had not lost World War I. China is the second largest economy in the world. It only makes sense that nations do business with it. President Hage Geingob also exposes that there is little equality when it comes to visas. Namibia is generous to Germans, but Germany is less welcoming of Namibians. Norbert Lammert revealed his anti-Chinese racism by assuming that China's motivations are for imperial intent. President Hage Geingob countered his prejudiced arguments on the basis of Namibia's national sovereignty.  

Senegal's Presidential Election Postponed

 

Senegal's presential election has been postponed. President Macky Sall stated the reason for the decision was related to the list of candidates. The dispute arose from the actions of the Constitutional Council . They excluded a number of opposition candidates. The legality of this is brought into question. While there are some qualifications candidates have to meet to run for office, it appears these actions are designed to favor President Macky Sall. Having free and fair elections is not possible, if citizens are not given options. The Senegalese Democratic Party did request the election to be postponed, so they could get Karim Wade to run. Wade was an opposition figure that was excluded. The PASTEF Party is the most vocal critic of the postponement of the presidential election. President Macky Sall expressed that he has no desire to run for a third term. The address to the public did not make mention what the new date for the  presidential election would be. President Macky Sall might be attempting to extend his term by extralegal means. Senegal currently has 20 candidates running for the office of president. There could be those who conspire to reduce competition by postponing the election. The announcement caused demonstrations to break out . Dakar is seeing a growing number of protests by Senegalese who feel the government is becoming quasi-authoritarian. Senegal's stable democratic structure shielded it from the turbulence of its neighbors. Depending of the actions of President Macky Sall, ECOWAS could get involved. The West African region is going through political transformation. Senegal is just one country undergoing change.    

Ecuador's Drug Gang War

 

Drug gangs are becoming more powerful in Latin America. The biggest gang Los Choneros has been responsible for car bombings, assassinations, and kidnappings. Much of the spike in violence comes from the shift in drug consumption and the reach of  other cartels from other countries. Peru and Columbia are the largest cocaine producers, but Ecuador was an area of drug transit. When FARC in Columbia demobilized a power void was created. Europe also wanted more drugs from the area. Smugglers saw a business opportunity in drug transit. Mexican and Venezuelan gangs began infiltration in the 2010s. Another powerful drug gang emerged known as Los Lobos. Both Los Choneros and Los Lobos are enemies. The two gangs have a hatred for government. The police are not able to fight all the factions. This is why the military is being deployed in certain regions. The war on drugs in Ecuador has become actual combat. The government has now declared that criminal gangs are terrorist organizations. What this means is the military will takeover more law enforcement duties. The concern becomes an increase in civilian death during anti-criminal gang operations. The military taking on a law enforcement role could open the path to authoritarianism. President Daniel Noboa's solution is to militarize law enforcement and build more prisons. The state of emergency that was declared is a potential threat to the civil liberties of the Ecuadorian citizen. El Salvador is also facing similar challenges. The result is more migration to from South America to North America. Ecuadorians at some point might have to flee the country due to internal armed conflict.