Joseph Biden Comments On The 1992 Presidential Debate

 

Joseph Biden made remarks about the presidential debate in 1992. He criticized George H.W. Bush's debate performance. Willian Jefferson Clinton was able to beat both Bush and Ross Perot. The ushered in the the age of the new Democrat.  The criticism mostly was the fact that Bush ignored the economic conditions of the United States. Taxes were increasing and unemployment intensified. George H.W. Bush continued the supply-side economic policies. The irony was that Biden would be forced out the 2024 presidential race. The poor debate performance revealed that President Biden was showing signs of cognitive decline. Presidents do not win all their debates, but that was never a reason for a candidate to drop out. Concerns about Biden's age and health generated the calls to have him leave the presidential race. Donors and members of the Democratic Party withdrew their support. President Biden did not  exit to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders. Like Bush, Biden will leave office with a troubled economy. Inflation and the housing crisis has put immense strain on the American public. Biden stated in 1992 that Bush was a guy "stuck in the past." The reference was discussing the notion that Bush could not make the transition from a Cold War president to a world in which their was only one superpower. Biden then criticizes Bush for not intervening in Bosnia. Yugoslavia was in a state of civil war and going through balkanization. The US interfering would have had devastating consequences. Biden's views then explain why in the 2020s the policy was escalation in the Russia-Ukraine War. Although he mentions that there is no Soviet Union and threats are minimal Biden still wanted US forces in Europe.      

Hassan Nasrallah Accuses The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and US of Arming ISIS ( 2022)

 

Israel assassinated Hezbollah general secretary Hassan Nasrallah. The targeted assassinations only increase the chances of a wider regional war.  Hassan Nasrallah would make broadcasts in Lebanon discussing various regional and international affairs. A broadcast from 2022  asserted that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States armed ISIS. This has been confirmed. The intent was to get ISIS factions to depose the government of Bashir Al-Assad. Nasrallah also notes that ISIS activity was violent in Iraq. The reason Israel is aggressively going after Hezbollah is due to it being formidable. The reason Saudi Arabia would favor ISIS armed groups is because of Syria and Hezbollah's alliance with Iran. The Islamic Republic came into existence by the removal of the monarchy. Saudi Arabia fears a similar type of revolution could occur. Then there is discomfort of a majority Shia Muslim Iraq north of  its borders. The murder of Hezbollah leadership will not stop the conflict. Lebanon might be forced to go to war if more of its citizens are killed. Nasrallah was general secretary since 1992 and now a new leader will takeover. Hassan Nasrallah was not only a symbol to the Lebanese people, but was a popular figure among the Palestinian resistance. Public anger continues to grow in Iraq and Iran. The more Israel continues its airstrikes, the more isolated it will become internationally. The assassination of Hassan Nasrallah was condemned by Turkey, Iraq,  Russia, and South Africa.   

The Kenya-Germany Migration Deal

 

Germany and Kenya have reached a migration pact. The agreement allows Kenyans who are skilled and semi-skilled to work in Germany. Those skilled professionals of Kenya are not be provided jobs in their country. Germany wants to fill certain positions. This might sound like a positive economic development, but there are some concerning stipulations. Kenyans in Germany could be repatriated who have uncertain legal status. The pact could create a brain drain for Kenya and subject Kenyans in Germany to labor exploitation. There are Germans who could work certain jobs, but employers want workers who would not demand higher wages or salaries. Germany has taken a number of migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. Syrians, Ukrainians, and now Kenyans are becoming a part of Germany. Immigration has become a major issue and has caused a surge in far-right political parties. Kenyan doctors, nurses, and teachers can now come to work in Germany. The loss of these professionals only hurt Kenya. Most will probably not return to Kenya and seek to get German citizenship. This only makes Germany economically more powerful by using the Kenyan workforce. President William Ruto's choice could have negative consequences long after his administration. Rarely does Germany send its expertise to African countries. Kenya must find an incentive to keep their workforce in the country. Increasing pay and the standard of living will make citizens remain in Kenya.  

Israel Expands War Against Hezbollah

 

Israel continues to expand the conflict in the Middle East. Hezbollah when Gaza was attacked aided the resistance by firing rockets into Israel. What Israel did was respond with an act of terrorism. Across Lebanon pagers exploded. This was not designed to harm the leadership, but also attack the Lebanese population. The West Bank is also being absorbed into the Israeli state. What Israel claimed was an operation to free hostages and do a punitive operation against Hamas is really annexation. The long term goal is to destroy armed resistance to colonization efforts. The discussion of a two state solution or the creation of one is not possible under these conditions. The Knesset voted against a two state solution. The conflict with Lebanon has much to do with occupation. Lebanon was under Israeli occupation from 1985 to 2000. Although Israel withdrew they maintain the Shebaa Farms. The argument is that it was not part of the Golan Heights. Disputes over borders remain and this also involves complaints by Syria. Israeli may be seeking to add Ghajar to its domains. Hezbollah objects to this change in borders. Kfar Chouba is also remains a disputed area. When Israel engaged in a war with Hezbollah in 2006, they lost. Another outcome like that could be possible. What is precarious is Israel's move to regional war. Syria could get involved as well as Iran. Jordan and Egypt might be pressured by their citizens to abandon treaties made with Israel. Turkish public opinion tends to favor the Palestinian cause. The push for the creation of Greater Israel makes the region more unstable. West Asia is getting closer to a massive conflict similar to the Six Day War  in 1967.   

South Sudanese Elections Are Postponed

 

South Sudan will postpone its elections. The government asserts it is to take a proper census, register political parties, and develop a new constitution. These statements are legitimate measures needed for functional government. The concern is that President Salva Kiir is using this time to extend his administration. The elections are now set to be held in December of 2026. The civil war that was waged for five years against Riek Machar ended in 2018. The conflict left 400,000 dead. The argument is that some authoritarianism will keep South Sudan from balkanizing. The civil war in Sudan also is a factor. The war there has effected oil exports, which South Sudan is dependent. Political opposition most likely will not be able to operate under a new national security act. Discontent among civil servants has emerged due to missed pay. The outcome of elections can be predicted. President Salva Kiir has been in power since 2011 and could remain for decades. Leaders such as Paul Kagame, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo,  Paul Biya, Denis Sassou Nguesso,  and Yoweri Museveni have been fixtures in African politics. The UN special envoy for South Sudan stated that the country was not ready for elections. The United Nations should not be dictating what South Sudan should do. The role of the UN is do conflict resolution and facilitate peace negations. Elections could be posted further into 2027. This effort is to extend President Salva Kiir's rule. South Sudan since its independence has known only one leader. If economic conditions become worse and discord is ignored South Sudan could fall into another civil war.   

The Culprits Involved In The Trump Assassination Attempts

 

Former President Donald Trump has experienced two attempted assassinations. The culprits were Thomas Matthew Crooks and Ryan Routh. These two had no connection with one another. Thomas Crooks is more mysterious considering there is little information on him. So far, the FBI and Secret Service have not discovered a motive. The investigation is ongoing and Crooks was shot by Secret Service. Ryan Rough remains in custody after the assassination attempt in Florida. Ryan's motivation could be connected to his support for Ukraine. At onetime Routh was a supporter of Donald Trump. However, Rayan Routh became vexed that President Donald Trump was favoring ending the Russia-Ukraine War. Rough was active in recruiting fighters to the front in Eastern Europe. More information has to gathered as the case against Ryan Rough builds. Gun violence has become so prevalent presidential candidates cannot be protected. Despite this, neither candidate has proposed more strict gun control legislation. Vice President Kamala Harris mentioned during the debate that she owned a gun. This should have been condemned by gun  control activists. Ryan Rough had a criminal record and was still able to get firearms. Thomas Crooks did not have a criminal record, which made him harder to track. The assassination attempt would be his first and last crime. Political factionalism and vitriolic rhetoric is creating a dangerous atmosphere in American politics. Mass media also contributes to the growing distrust among American citizens. What Crooks knew it died with him. Ryan Routh will be undergoing a criminal interrogation. Routh's lawyers might try to use an insanity defense to avoid the death penalty or a long prison sentence. No trial date has been set.    

The Safety Concerns About Ozempic

 

Ozempic is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. Now it is being used for weight loss. The medication got FDA approval in 2017. Having FDA approval does not make a drug safe. Pharmaceutical corporations are able to get various products on the market that could be harmful. Deregulation and a Food and Drug Administration that flows the dictates of business allowed this. The side effects of Ozempic include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea. Ozempic does not permanently eliminate weight problems. The drug has to be taken regularly to maintain a certain weight. Which means a person using it could regain the weight they lost. Exercise and a change in diet would be more effective. The effects of long term use is unknown. Ozempic could possibly cause kidney, gall bladder, and pancreas related issues. Most drugs on the market have side effects that could result in other health concerns. The dieting and weight loss industry wants a medication on the market. A weight loss drug would be profitable. The problem is corporations do not care about consumer safety. Side effects of drugs are classified as either mild or severe. A certain amount of severe side effects has to be present for a drug to be removed from the market. Ozempic has not yet met those conditions. The FDA must reconsider the use of Ozempic as a weight loss drug.   

President Alberto Fujimori Accuses Generals of Assassination Plot (1992)

 

Former President Alberto Fujimori passed away from cancer and  Peru remains divided about his legacy. Despite trials, questions remain about the extent of the criminal activity of his administration. Alberto Fujimori in 1992 accused some of his generals of an assassination plot. Doubts remain if these generals were actually attempting coup or assassination. Around April of 1992 Alberto Fujimori launched the self-coup. President Fujimori dissolved the Congress and the judiciary and the military assisted. It makes no sense that a military would help enact authoritarianism with a person they allegedly wanted to assassinate. During the self-coup a new Peruvian  Constitution was created. The reason for Peru's struggles were related to economic instability and the fight against the Shining Path. The accusation of an assassination plot was made in November around the time elections were restored. The image of a few rogue generals trying to depose the government scare people to vote. President Alberto Fujimori won reelection in 1995, but that would not have been possible with out the change to the Peruvian Constitution in 1993. The change allowed him to run for another term. President Alberto Fujimori never provided evidence of the assassination plot. Imposing authoritarianism was justified by the administration as protecting Peru's national security. What was happening was the government abusing power.   

The Paris Peace Conference (1919)

 

After World War I, the Allies carved up the colonies of the Central Powers. The German Empire, The Ottoman Empire, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire no longer existed. New states emerged in Europe. The Russian Empire transformed into the Soviet Union after the Russian Revolution. Asian and African colonies of Germany and Turkey were taken over by France and the British Empire. The mistake of the Paris Peace Conference was that it kept European colonial  imperialism intact. The British Empire and France saw  the conference as a way to expand their territory. France insisted on harsh punishment for Germany. The War Guilt Clause placed most of the blame on Germany. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was more responsible for the outbreak due to its actions in Serbia. The footage shows the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919. It went into effect in 1920. Italy even though it fought with the Allies got little of what it was promised. African and Asian independence movements were ignored and not invited to the Paris Peace Conference. Racism and European domination of the globe was to be preserved. The penalties of the Treaty of  Versailles and economic crisis created an atmosphere for fascism to rise. The war to end all wars would lead to another violent conflict in 1939.    

Israel's Targeted Assassinations Harm Ceasefire Efforts

 

Global protests and internal dissent has not stopped Israel's war on Gaza. Complicating the situation is the policy of targeted assassination. The murder of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran only complicated matters. Khaled Mashal succeeded him after the assassination. The revelation that hostages in Gaza were killed caused protests in Israel. The protests are not for peace or anti-war causes. Rather it is about removing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu . If Israel continues to assassinate the Hamas leadership having negotiations will be impossible. Six hostages were killed. The accusation is that Hamas did the murders, but considering the bombings of the Gaza Strip Israel may actually kill the remaining hostages. The claim was that the war was to save hostages. Then the real objective was exposed. Regime change was decided upon in the Gaza Strip with annexation ending the process. Simultaneously, there is more violence in the West Bank. Hamas does not have control in that area, but it is being subject to military operations. Hamas is being used for the justification of expanding Israel's borders. Khaled Mashal could also fall victim to assassination. Hamas has not made an attempt to attack Israeli leaders. As causalities mount and territory gets absorbed this is not a war fought for defense. A campaign is underway to create Greater Israel. Hamas is surviving with the help of Hezbollah and by relation Iran. Targeted assassinations escalate conflict in a volatile region.      

The ICC Pressures Mongolia On President Vladimir Putin's Visit

 

Mongolia hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mongolia is an ICC member, but refused to arrest him. The warrant for his arrest was issued in 2023. The International Criminal Court has been criticized for being biased in charges and undermining national sovereignty of various countries. Mongolia wants to expand economic ties. This visit was not an endorsement of the Russia-Ukraine War. Most Asian and African nations want a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The EU nations continue to send arms. The ICC pressure on Mongolia just undermines the Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh presidency. Not arresting President Putin shows that Mongolia has an independent foreign policy. Mongolia does not exist to serve the ICC or European Union. If there is to be a system of international law, it should be applied to all nations. The International Criminal Court targets African and Asian leaders, while European leaders are exempt. Russia is at the moment, the only European country subject to the ICC  warrant. It has nothing to do with abuses in Ukraine, but to get access to Russian energy. A collapsed Russian Federation would mean certain natural resources could be obtained. President  Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh might have to reevaluate Mongolia being an ICC member. Forcing other leaders to arrest heads of state could cause legal and political complications.