The Kenyan Gen Z Demonstrations

 

Kenyan youth are going to demonstrations to voice their frustration with the government. The source of contention related to police brutality, increases in taxes, and dissatisfaction with President William Ruto. The demonstrations are spreading throughout Kenya. Much of the discontent is also expressed on social media platforms. Not only is it used as an organizing tool, but increasing awareness of issues in Kenyan politics. Generation Z is feeling the strain of economic hardship. The youth are experiencing a high rate of unemployment in Kenya. Combined with the increase in the cost of living, this added to the  discord. President William Ruto is becoming the main focus, not just the government in general. Growing protests show that his administration is in a precarious position. The finance bill has sparked public rage that will not be placated. What Kenya needs is to expand sectors of the economy and increase the quality of education. Getting assistance from the African Union and securing trade agreements with multiple countries can be long term solutions. Law enforcement needs complete reform. The use of tear gas, water cannons, and in some cases live ammunition are clear violations of human rights. The Gen Z protests would not happen if the youth knew change could happen with their vote. The behavior of the police is a unsettling reminder of the colonial past. Considering the influence of the IMF some believe it never disappeared. President William Ruto is now being accused of authoritarian rule. The press is also under pressure in Kenya. Kenya major media networks KNT and NTV are under certain restrictions. Internet services were deliberately slowed down. More restrictions are going to motivate the youth to continue demonstrations. The Gen Z movement could be a turning point in Kenya's political system. 

The Pro-Monarchy Movement In Nepal

 

A movement to restore the monarchy in Nepal has grown. The movement has a coalition of Hindu nationalist, pro-royalist, and anti-federalist factions. The monarchy was abolished in 2008. The circumstances for the removal retales to the civil war peace settlement. The pro-monarchy movement does have the support of a political party. The Rastriya Prajatantra  Party has organized demonstrations. Law enforcement has responded with violence. Some speculate that the reason the RPP is supportive of the pro-monarchy movement relates to election performance. The RPP does not have enough votes to have a majority in parliament. The pro-republicans see the movement as undermining progress of Nepal. The former king, Gyanendra Shah as shown interest in a return to government. When King Gyanedra dismissed the government in 2005, this resulted in the loss of the monarchy's credibility. The shift to a republican parliamentary system did not produce the results the public wanted. Economic challenges, constantly rotating governments, and ineffective political parties left the Nepalese frustrated. Unaddressed dissatisfaction caused the pro-monarchy movement to develop. The Shah dynasty had been in power for 240 years. The 2008 experiment with being a federal parliamentary republic is not doing as well as expected. If democratic political system cannot provide for citizens, then they will turn to other alternatives. The restoration of the monarchy is a shift to a Nepalese conservatism. The aftermath of the Nepalese Civil War and ineffective prime ministers created the pro-monarchy movement. 

Israel Attacks Iran

 

Israel has attacked major Iranian cities. Tehran was hit with airstrikes. Israel's aggression has escalated to the extent of regional war. Iran now is a target of  expansionist regional designs. Israel wants to fight Iran to eliminate competitors in West Asia. The argument was that Israel was attempting to stop Iran's nuclear program. Israel has nuclear weapons, which is more precarious. Israel did an unilateral strike and it further isolates the country. Iran responded with attacks on Tel Aviv. During Israel's attacks government officials were assassinated from the operation. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed that more retaliation would follow. Israel does not have the capability to fight Hezbollah, the Houthi rebels, and Iran all at once. Israel is active in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and the occupied territories. The Trump administration favors Israel and has an anti-Iranian position. A regional war between Israel and Iran could expand beyond its borders. Nuclear sites were not only attacked, but ballistic missile factories. If the United States continues its support of Israel, military bases will be attacked. Israel is now under a state of emergency. War with Iran has been Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's goal for decades. The Likud Party's belligerent actions could result in mass global conflict. A regional war maintains the possibility of Israel suffering a major defeat. Unless the US and EU countries come to its assistance. Oil production from the Middle East could be disrupted. A Israel-Iran War might result in an energy crisis.   

The UN Reports A Decline In Birth Rate

 

The UN Population Fund released the State of World Population report. Birth rates are declining globally based on their data. The focus of the UN Population Fund was on reproductive rights, women's health, making every pregnancy wanted, and women's rights. To a degree, a contradiction exists. The emphasis on women having children tends to be more anti-woman. The countries with the highest fertility rates tend to have women who do get access to an equal amount of education. The United Nations makes it appear as a crisis. The world population is larger than it was a century ago. The report did a survey that only used 14 countries. The UNPFA had a survey sample of 14,000 people. The countries that were part of the report included Thailand, South Korea, Italy, Hungary, Germany, Sweden, Brazil, Nigeria, India, Morocco, Mexico, US, South Africa, Germany, and Indonesia. Some reported wanting to have children, but financial security was an obstacle. Women cited in the report that unequal domestic division of labor as a reason for not having children. The lack of employment security, warfare, and environmental concerns were also reasons for subjects not wanting to have children. The contemporary period provides no benefit to being a parent. While underpopulation can be an issue for certain nations, overpopulation is more precarious. Few jobs, limited access to healthcare, and education create an atmosphere of conflict. The world does not have the capacity to take care of billions of people. The UN report sounds more like an advocation for natalism. This connects to many conservative circles that see declining birthrate as nations weakening. Besides the economic factors related to birthrate decline, culture is one. A growing number of women do not want to marry, be in a relationship, or have children. A portion of men are unable to establish any form of relationship with women. Men just might not want to be fathers. The report is misleading because of the sample size and the few countries selected for the survey. The declining birth rate is not a crisis. Nations with aging populations must consider solutions to demographic challenges.  

Ghana and Morocco Visa Agreement

 

Ghana and Morocco have reached an agreement related to visas. Citizens of Ghana can now travel to the North African country without visa requirements. Online travel authorization will still be required. Applying through the embassy is no longer necessary. Ghana and Morocco already have direct flights. The reasons for the agreements related to tourism, trade, and enhancing diplomatic relations . Tourism is a major part of the economies of both nations. Travelers can mean more business for hotels, restaurants, and airlines. Trade among African nations needs to be increased. Europe and North America are becoming unreliable trade partners. Inter-African trade provides stable economies and growth. Diplomatic relations can be positive, if members of an agreement benefit equally. What could disturb diplomatic relations is Morocco's actions in the Western Sahara. Ghana decided to not press the issue related to recognition of the Western Sahara as an independent state. The Kingdom of Morocco must seriously consider granting independence to the Western Sahara. The shift seems to be more autonomy to the area. Morocco's diplomatic efforts are undermined by unreasonable policies directed at the Western Sahara. Ghana is making adjustments not to interfere with the new diplomatic relationship. Ghana is supporting Morocco's Western Sahara autonomy plan. Ghana should expect that relations with Algeria could deteriorate over time. Ghana's only path forward is to act as a neutral negotiator. Getting Algeria and Morocco to secure trade and visa agreements would bet helpful to Ghana.      

Kurds and Alawites Are Victims of Violence In Syria

 

After the fall of the Baathist government, Alawites have been subject to violence. Kurds throughout the Syrian civil war faced attacks. The removal of Bashar al-Assad did not create an improved condition for the war torn country. The Latakia massacre killed an estimated 1,300 people. The new regime of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham claimed that they were only fighting loyalist to the Baathist government. HTS is using terrorism and violence to impose its will upon a population that rejects it. HTS views Alawites as collaborators of the Assad government. Turkish involvement is going to grow. The excuse for occupation of Syrian territory is to prevent more refugee traffic. Syrians and Kurds have been fleeing to Turkey since the civil war broke out in 2011. Alawites are now seeking safety in Lebanon. The condition of Syria can only be described as ethnic cleansing. The sanctions imposed during this civil war undermined Syria's standard of living. The Alawites are facing a similar condition to Sunnis in Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussein. Death squads emerged inflicting violence based on ethnicity and religion. The difference with Syria was that terrorist organizations and armed groups were funded by the West and Gulf monarchies. Iraq was invaded by the United States and terrorist organizations went their to fight . ISIS was a product of the Iraq War and the desire to depose Bashar al-Assad. When a country is destabilized racial and ethnic tensions are exploited. President Ahmed al-Sharaa is not seeking to share power or create a federal system. Certain ethnic groups are going to see more violence directed at them. The civil war never stopped, but went through an evolution. Yazidis and Syrian Turkmen might might no longer be welcomed in the HTS regime. Syria is going through ethnic conflict and balkanization. Alawites and Kurdish refugees are only going to increase in number.   

President Obama Visits Elon Musk At SpaceX (2010)

 

Before Elon Musk became administrator of  the Department of Government Efficiency, he was seen as favorable to the Democratic establishment. SpaceX is a private company that wants to expand space exploration. President Barack Obama visited SpaceX in 2010 and met with Elon Musk. Musk discusses the Falcon 9 rocket and the Dragon Spacecraft. It appears the intention of Musk was to get more government contracts. He could have contemplated that SpaceX would replace or surpass NASA as the major organization for space exploration. When the presidential  election of 2024  saw the return of Trump, Musk found a means of promoting techofeudalism. Elon Musk represented the worst of the billionaire excess. This was ignored because Tesla makes electric vehicles. The production of electric cars promoted the image of an environmentalist and clean energy Democratic Party . The irony is that Tesla cars would be vandalized in response to Elon Musk's actions in the federal government. The myth of the humanitarian billionaire gradually is crumbling. Even though Musk is leaving government he maintains ownership X.com, Tesla, and SpaceX. Elon Musk was building up influence government since the 2010s.    

A Decade of International Affairs, Change, and Global Confrontation

 The world has drastically changed in a decade. International power  dynamics are shifting due to economic and geopolitical factors. The 21st century is going to be more turbulent due to these changes. Warfare, poverty, and intense racial hatreds have not disappeared with advancement of civilization. The international liberal order is being rejected. The nations of the Global South have become more frustrated living in a world that takes dictates from the European Union, United States, and western elites from the World Economic Forum. Globalism implies a world of cooperation, peace, and a community of nations. The ideology and term is a misnomer.  Globalism used in modern context is furtively promoting neocolonial imperialism. Western values, culture, and liberal democratic systems are imposed on particular nations. To gain public support, wars are framed as humanitarian intervention or protection of democracy. The world of the 2010s and 2020s was predicted back in the late 20th century. The power void left by the fall of the Soviet Union allowed for abuse by the world's sole superpower. The assumption was that the world would become more peaceful after the Cold War. The United States did not end its military interventions or decrease defense spending. NATO expanded in Europe and engaged in operations outside the continent. Afghanistan and Libya were targets. The response to aggression across international borders came from a more powerful China and a Russian Federation recovering from economic challenges of the 1990s. International affairs is undergoing a more pugnacious transformation. Warfare is now being promoted as a humanitarian quest to stop authoritarian leaders and states. Multipolarity is going to be a part of world politics. The United States, France, UK, and Germany are not accepting of this change. Intolerance, a limited worldview, and closed minded perceptions become fuel for global confrontation. 

         The expansion of war zones has increased. Previous areas are either stuck in a status of failed state or long term insurgency. The Democratic Republic of the Congo's second civil war ended in 2003. By the 2010s the M23 rebels emerged with Rwandan backing. The ethnic tension between Hutus and Tutsis did not dissipate. The Libyan Civil War in 2011  created a failed state similar to Somalia in North Africa. The aftermath was mass refugee migration that continues to be a challenge for Europe. Eastern Europe became a warzone, when the legitimate government of Ukraine was deposed in 2014. Ukraine became a area of proxy war between the United States of America and the Russian Federation. Long term conflicts continued, but took on a larger international scale. The tension between India and Pakistan became intertwined with the Afghan War. Pakistan has supported factions of the Taliban, while fighting other armed groups. Kashmir remains a disputed territory among the two Asian countries. China tends to favor Pakistan over India in terms of  its foreign policy. What makes this more precarious was President Barack Obama's pivot to Asia. The more confrontational approach to China was a neoconservative vision of eliminating it as a world power. Taiwan from 2012  onwards was given more focus and military aid. A movement is underway in some foreign policy circles to abandon the one China policy. Part of this involves instigating conflict in the region. President Hu Jintao expanded China's international relations in various parts of Africa. His successor Xi Jingping  continues to establish stronger diplomatic ties to Global South nations. The 2002 to 2012 era of China's new phase of international relations caused a reaction from the United States and European Union countries. The attitude is hostile to the extent of moving to abandon the one China policy. Taiwan will be given more arms, even though it is a part of China. North Korea is a target for a future war with the US and South Korea doing joint military drills. The introduction of the pivot to Asia and the Indo-Pacific strategy has created conditions for an Asia-Pacific war. NATO is becoming a fighting force designed to impose a neocolonial status quo. Internal challenges invite interference. Mali Sudan, and Ethiopia are struggling with civil wars and armed groups. 

      Confrontation between nations does not cease. Mali since 2012 has been fighting a long term insurgency. The aftermath of the Libyan Civil resulted in arms and soldiers coming into Mali. The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad seeks an independent state for the Tuareg people. Sudan ended its second civil war by accepting the independence of South Sudan. The new nation came into existence in 2011. South Sudan descended into civil war in 2013. The ethnic violence between Neur and Dinka has been present since South Sudan's independence. Omar Al-Bashir ruled Sudan since 1989, but was deposed by coup. After a number of rotating heads of state, another military ruler came to power. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan was made head of state by the Transitional Sovereignty Council. The former members of the Janjaweed militia forces joined in a revolt led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The Rapid Support Forces have since 2023 attempting to overthrow the government. Ethiopia has another issue similar with the conflict with the Tigray People's Liberation Front. The Tigray War lasted from 2020 to 2022. A consistent pattern can be seen with all of these countries during the 2010s to 2020s. States are experiencing balkanization and consequences of past colonialism. The majority of borders in Africa and Asia were formed by former imperial powers. Syria's destruction was simple, because it was the product of the mandate system after World War I. Iraq , Lebanon, and Jordan have the same concerns with borders. The invasion of Iraq in 2003 enabled terrorist organizations to have a greater foothold in West Asia. ISIS emerged in both Iraq and Syria. The US, UK, and France assisted terrorist organizations for the purpose of removing the Bashar Al-Assad government. The Syrian Civil War became a proxy conflict between the US and Russia. Only when Russia intervened on Syria behalf in 2015 did it prevent another regime change. The Syrian army could  not defeat Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham. HTS took over the government installing Ahmed al-Sharaa. HTS is a terrorist organization and it now governs a state. Baathism became a political force in 1968. The US occupation of Iraq ended that branch. The removal of the Assad government in 2024 made the ideology extinct. Wars have increased in number with rivalries from the 20th century continuing, 

       The world economy continues to be dominated by neoliberal capitalism. After the 2008 global financial crisis, the hope was for serious change. Instead , bailouts and the protection of corporate power went unchallenged. Transnational corporations during the 2000s gained more power than governments. The liberal democracies accepted this development, because certain companies provide campaign contributions to politicians. Poverty has increased, with people who were at one stage middle class falling into socioeconomic hardship. Privatization, structural adjustment programs, and outsourcing had devasting consequences. The private sector cannot meet all the needs of a country. This enabled corporations to do business in various areas, which reduced the quality of public services. Private equity firms continue to buy housing and hospitals. To reduce costs beds in hospitals are reduced. Apartment complexes have spikes in rent. Deregulation related to banking only exacerbates the problem. The 2008 financial crash was induced by subprime mortgage loans. The World Bank and International Monetary Fund  keep developing nations in a state of dependency through loans. African, Asian, and South American nations are forced onto structural adjustment programs. This meant reducing tariffs, cutting spending on social services, and privatizing various public sectors. The world under neoliberal capitalism and an international free market changed the nature of employment. Workers are not only competing for jobs in their own nation, but internationally. Outsourcing accelerated with many manufacturing jobs going to Global South nations. Low skilled and semi-skilled professions were the first jobs to disappear in the developed nations. White collar professions were not protected  either. Globalization describes all the policies and events effecting the world economy. The reduction of trade barriers and promotion of free markets has not increased the wealth of workers world wide. Nations that obtained their independence in the 20th century are still seeking economic security and development. The standard of living has declined in the UK and US. The European debt crisis contributed to this in EU countries. Workers  have seen their incomes and standard of living decline. A growing number of workers are falling into poverty. A middle class could vanish  from various nations. Neoliberal capitalism is not preserving the world economy, but making it more erratic. 

         Globalism became a  force in international affairs. Although it is presented as a model for a unified and peaceful world the ideology masks neocolonial imperialism. Globalism is not about cooperation of nations, but a world under permanent leadership of the West. Not only does it demand the exploitation of the Global South, but to adhere to the culture of Europe and North America. Supranational organizations either want to reduce or eliminate national sovereignty. The United Nations was not for the purpose of undermining countries. The international body was designed to facilitate dialogue among nations and peaceful solutions to disputes. Instead, the UN remains dominated by large powers. It was the United States and the Soviet Union that were the dominant powers in the United Nations. Global power shifted in the direction of the US after 1991.Simultaneously, European integration accelerated. The European Union was established in 1993 from the agreements articulated  in the Maastricht Treaty. This took advantage of the Eastern European nations, which were in dire economic condition. More countries of the former Soviet Union were joining the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The problem with this plan for European integration was the Russian Federation. During the Boris Yeltsin presidency Russia was suffering from the aftermath of the Soviet collapse and economy shock therapy. When Vladimir Putin became president in 2000, the Russian Federation was going in another direction. While Yeltsin was more oriented to the West, Putin's focus was on Africa, Asia, and Latin America. At one stage President Vladimir Putin contemplated joining NATO and being a partner with Western Europe. These policies would have never been accepted by the European Union or NATO. Russia cannot amalgamate into a globalist structure, because of its independence. Since 2008, Russia's policy is to influential in international affairs. Globalism wants all nations to adhere to one world system under one culture, liberal democratic systems, and capitalist economies. Globalism insists there is an international community in which all nations are subject to the same laws. The most powerful countries violate international law and are never punished. Their allies and collaborators are also exempted. Israel, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey never face any sort of punishments for human rights violations. Although globalism can have multiple meanings in academic circles, supranational institutions and other organizations have a specific ideology. The World Economic Forum, European Union, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank want an imposed global order. Countries that resist globalism, are going to face hostility.  

      Major changes to global society were induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, rapid technological advancement, and  growing distrust in establishment institutions. The worst public health crisis since the influenza pandemic in 1918 caused massive damage. Part of the harm was exacerbated by inadequate public health policy. Lockdowns, vaccine mandates, and other restrictions created concerns even when the pandemic was over. Lockdowns between those years of 2020 to 2022  caused businesses to close and unemployment to increase. Instead of using quarantines effectively, lockdowns were utilized to greater extent. Workers were not only harmed, but children. Across the world students experienced learning loss from schools being closed. Trepidation and panic took over than rational public health measures. Personal protective equipment, masks, and social distancing should have emphasized more than the use of lockdowns. Sweden, Uruguay, Iceland, and Taiwan did not do lockdowns. Their deaths were not as high as countries in Europe and North America. Travel restrictions brought a decline in tourism and the airline industry. Even when people did not travel, stay at home orders prevented social interaction. Isolation and mental health decline was effecting many individuals. The pandemic caused economic damage, but caused a change in the nature of interpersonal relations. People became more suspicious of one another. Workers revolted in another way. Many left the workforce in the 2020s. Low wages and combined with the daily challenges forced workers to leave companies. The nature of employment changed from the pandemic. More were willing to work form home and champion a four day work week. The relation between employer and employee became more contentious. Technology has become a greater part of over lives. Video sharing, social media, and artificial intelligence rapidly expanded. Technology has made it easier to access information. Youtube, Twitter, and Google have an international reach. False claims and fake news can be spread from any medium. Newspapers and broadcast news did this with little complaint. Governments assert they want to fight disinformation. The true intent is to make censorship acceptable. Social media companies and other silicon valley corporations  took measures to ensure accountability to avoid government regulation. Facebook, Twitter, and Google made adjustments, but it showed a bias. Fact checking and bans were applied to certain individuals, not all users. The realization has come that the internet is too vast and ubiquitous to be censored. The internet is not the same as it was in the 2010s. The medium is constantly evolving and the way users interacts with it does as well. Artificial intelligence generates feelings of anxiousness and wonder. AI could make a large portion of jobs obsolete. If applied in a responsible way it could be beneficial. Using AI for warfare, medical assessment, or stock market management would be dangerous. As information and knowledge becomes more available, the public begins to question more. The establishment continues to lose trust and credibility. Lies about war, the economy, pandemic, and international affairs eroded public support for various institutions. Government, media, and medicine have lost trust from the public between the years of 2003 and 2024. Professionals and experts of the establishment were more interested in supporting a narrative, rather than the truth. The aftermath of this was that the public turns to fringe movements or xenophobic nativist nationalism.  

          As each decade passes, the risk grows of a massive global confrontation grows. Observers of foreign affairs claim that to a degree this has started. The United States and the Russian Federation are waging a war of proxy in Ukraine. Israel is at war with the Houthi in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and invading Syrian territory. An Israel-Iran War becomes a greater possibility, as the country seizes more land .  The third Sudanese Civil War and the M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo could destabilize the African continent. Terrorist organizations and armed groups still are threats to the Sahel. Tensions between India and Pakistan could result in another long term conflict. War zones are expanding on Africa, Asia, and Europe. If the US, Russia, China, and the EU countries were to fight one another this would be a third World War. All these conflicts that are ongoing and the United Nations has been ineffective. If a third World War were to breakout, the United Nations would cease to exist. The institution designed to prevent mass global conflict is failing. At times the United Nations was a culprit in aggression. Libya and Haiti have been abused by the United Nations. The challenge in international affairs in the 21st century is containing war and using diplomacy. The unfortunate aspect is that diplomacy is not being employed to disputes. Destabilization, violence, and economic warfare is being used to attack multiple countries. African, Asian, and South American nations are the victims of this. The blowback is mass migration, which pushes western countries closer to the far-right. The  refugees since 2011 continue grow. Unable to find a solution, European leaders either use it to their political advantage or ignore the issue. The shift in demographics is going to cause internal difficulties for the EU. The majority of the world's nation-states are seeking cohesion within their borders. Control of borders is slowly dissipating in a globalized neoliberal capitalist economy. The flow of people, commodities, and information is going to be too much to manage. The rise of BRICS symbolizes a world of multipolarity. France, Germany, the UK, and the US will not accept this development. The United States was the sole superpower and decided to abuse its power. The violence accelerated in 2001, after the 9/11. The War on Terror was abandoned and shifted to a new existential threat of the Russia-China alliance. The desire to maintain a neocolonial structure creates conflict and undermines a stable peace. When powers decline and new ones emerge, a war tends to determine the world order. There is a need to break this cycle in international affairs. The abandonment of diplomacy in favor of war and intrigue demonstrates the desperation to maintain an unequal hierarchy of nations. The decade has been turbulent, erratic, and uncertain.          

The Ambiguous Condition In The Ivory Coast

 

Rumors of a military coup have come from Ivory Coast. So far, there is no evidence of an removal of the Alassane Ouattara presidency. Much of the unrest in the country comes from his desire to run for a fourth term. The Ouattara administration was the product of French invention in the Ivory Coast. The disputed election in 2010 saw the French install a government in the country. Pro-Ouattara forces arrested Laurent Gbagbo in 2011. Ivory Coast was experiencing post-election violence and what could be described as a civil war. Laurent Gbagbo was sent to Hague to be tried. It was clear this was political persecution disguised as fighting crimes against humanity. The charges were dismissed due to insufficient evidence. Egregious as this was, pro-Ouattara officials were never charged for banishing Gbagbo to the Hague. Gbagbo plans to run for president in 2025. There is a possibility that 2025 could be a repeat of 2010. The Economic Community of West African States are least likely to condemn Alassane Ouattara administration. ECOWAS is more aligned with EU political objectives, which explains its antagonism directed at the Alliance of Sahel States. Ivory Coast becomes more important to ECOWAS to counter Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. The condition of Ivory Coast remains unclear, yet the coming months will see increasing political turbulence.  

Malcolm X Describes Collaborators In An Oppressive System (1963)

 

May 19, 2025 marks what would have been Malcolm X's 100th birthday. Back in 1963, he described how members of an oppressed group collaborate with an oppressive system. When slavery was practiced in America there was a division between the enslaved. Those who worked in the mansion of the plantation owners got more privileges. The enslaved who worked in the fields were treated the worse. Malcom X's discussion of slavery can be applied to various oppressive systems. Countries invaded and then occupied by a foreign power do have collaborators. An oppressive system cannot exist without some collaborators. Although slavey was abolished, the African American population was not free. Malcolm X criticized the emphasis on integration, not out of support for separation of the races. Rather his vision was of an self-sustaining African American community and possibly an independent black nation in North America. After enslavement, violence, and racial segregation black separatism seemed like a practical solution. Individuals who cooperate with oppressive systems are not victims. They are instruments of the political mechanism.  

Afrikaners Coming To America

 

Afrikaners are coming to America. The Trump administration has given them refugee status. This is one of many attempts to undermine South Africa. Only 59 Afrikaners arrived in May under the new resettlement program. These arrivals are not refugees nor are they victims of persecution. The African National Congress has never passed any legislation to attack the white minority in South Africa. The white farmers continue to hold prejudiced convictions and are part of the reason inequality still remains in South Africa. The reason the resettlement program exists is due to the influence of Elon Musk. Musk wants to promote Afrikaner nationalism and white supremacist racism. Giving white immigrants priority is a way to counter America's demographic shift. Simultaneously, the Trump administration wants to break the BRICS alliance. The special treatment for Afrikaners demonstrates America's hatred for non-white immigrants. The United States has not given asylum to Iraqis, Afghans, Libyans, Somalians, or Syrians. The US bombed all of these countries and created a refugee crisis that effects Europe, Africa, and Asia. South Africa was too lenient on the Afrikaners. The ANC chose reconciliation, while Zimbabwe reclaimed the land that was stolen. The Apartheid regime is gone, but remanence of the structure still remains. It might be time for South Africa to consider expulsion of the Afrikaner population, if further offenses continue. Welcoming Afrikaners to America only further damages diplomatic relations. Considering that both the United States of America and Apartheid South Africa were born out of settler colonialism these developments make sense in a political context. The Afrikaners coming to America are going to be disappointed. They are moving to a country being more racially diverse. Their numbers are not enough to alter America's demographic changes.    

India Strikes Pakistan

 

India has attacked Pakistan. This follows an act of  terrorism that killed Indian tourist in Kashmir.. Kashmir is divided by Pakistan and India. Both the two Asian powers occupy the area. India blamed the Pakistani government for the murder of 26 Indian tourist. While it is known that Pakistan has funded and supported armed groups, little evidence exists this was a government directed operation. Pakistan has been fighting terrorist organizations and multiple armed groups. The return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan created more turbulence. Operation Sindoor was launched in both Pakistan and Pakistani occupied Kashmir. The military strikes targeted Jaish e-Mohammed  and Lashkar e-Tayyiba. There have been three major Indo-Pakistani Wars. These occurred in 1947, 1965, and 1971. The Kargil War broke out in 1999. Fears are growing of another Indo-Pakistani War. The situation becomes more precarious with nuclear weapons. An Indian and Pakistani nuclear war devastate the region and the world. Mutual assured destruction could act as restraint for the two countries. An Indo-Pakistani War would complicate the BRICS association. China tends to favor Pakistan in its foreign policy. India is a member of BRICS which could cause tension. A regional war would create refugees. They would either flee to Central Asia, Europe, or Australia. Air strikes kill more civilians than enemy combatants. The Bharatiya Janata Party promotes anti-Muslim and Islamophobic policies. The BJP Party are Hindu nationalists and use anti-Muslim rhetoric to  obtain political support. The vituperation and abuse gets worse around India's election cycle. The hatred will intensify  with a war with Pakistan. Reports of the air forces of both countries are  fighting one another. It remains unclear how Pakistan will retaliate. India tends to win wars against Pakistan, but conditions in the region are different from the 20th century.  

Warren Buffet Announces Retirement

 

Warren Buffet is set to go into retirement at the end of 2025. Buffet for years has been the CEO of  Berkshire Hathaway. Greg Abel is said to be the successor to Warren Buffet's leadership. It was in 1965 that Warren Buffet took a failing textile mill and transformed it into a conglomerate. Warren Buffet owns $160 billion in Berkshire stock and at the moment the largest shareholder of the company's stock. Buffet has not intention of selling those shares. Warren Buffet has been presented to the public as a humanitarian philanthropist. This carefully crafted image from the media and public relations distorts the reality. Warren Buffet represents the obscene wealth and decadence of the upper class elite. Acts of philanthropy by Buffet are nothing more than a marketing measure. As the capitalist system continues to fail the average worker, billionaires are viewed in a more negative light. Warren Buffet  attempted to soften the image of avarice with charity. Philanthropic actions do not challenge the economic system or the billionaires who control government. Warren Buffet's image as humanitarian philanthropic billionaire was created in the 2010s. Speculation over his retirement still persists. Age could be a factor seeing as Warren Buffet is 94 years old. Health and energy become concerns. Another plausible reason is that Buffet seeks retirement before a possible economic crash or recession. The world economy was damaged by Covid-19, corporate price gouging, supply chain issues, and the new set of tariffs being imposed by the United States. Growing public resentment could be making CEOs consider retirement. At the end of 2025 the Warren Buffet era of Berkshire will be over. Buffet's influence is not going away. Warren Buffet donates funds to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and his children run the Susan Thompson Buffet Foundation. Buffet could still be serving Berkshire is some capacity, just not as CEO. 

Namibia Will Introduce Free University Education In 2026

 

Namibia will introduce free university education in 2026. This applies to all public universities and technical colleges. Registration and tuition fees are to be abolished. The challenge is how funding institutes of higher learning can be sustained. The funding for free university education will come from subsidies and the student financial assistance fund. This means those sources are going to require larger amounts of investments. The benefit of this is that Namibians will acquire skills for modern economy. A public that acquires more education will push the country higher up on the human development index. The motivation has an economic purpose. There is also concerns about what occurred in South Africa. Protests over universities fees occurred in 2017. The Namibian government might be fearful of  demonstrations in their borders. The Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah administration is likely trying to ensure political support. The youth are going to vote and this might determine the outcome of a future election. Students are normally the ones active in protests. Critics believe this is some vague promise and is not a new public policy direction. The new policy will help low income students and those who want to go back to school. What must be addressed is the middle income students. Their class makes them too wealthy to qualify, but not so much that they feel the strain of fees. If free university education is successful Namibia will see improvements in various sectors.    

Ukraine Seeks Diplomatic Ties With South Africa

President Volodymyr Zelensky came to South Africa to strengthen diplomatic ties. The conversations with South African Cyril Ramaphosa ranged from trade and the situation in Eastern  Europe. The trip was cut short by news of bombings of the Ukrainian  capital of  Kyiv. The visit was really not about bilateral relations. It was President Zelensky's attempt to undermine Russia's diplomatic status with South Africa. The BRICS members do not favor sanctions  on Russia or the growing anti-Russian sentiment within the European Union. Attempts have been made for peace settlements or possible ceasefire. All have been rejected. South Africa hosting the Ukrainian president seems odd considering the past treatment of Africans residing in Ukraine. African students faced discriminatory treatment when fleeing Ukraine in 2022. Africans in Ukraine constantly face forms of prejudice and discrimination. Ukrainian forces are active in parts of Africa according to some reports. Ukraine has sent special forces to Sudan and Mali. The reason Ukraine did this was to undermine the Wagner Group and Russia diplomatic missions in Africa. These instances of interference demonstrate that Ukraine is not an ally of African nations. The 2023 African Union peace delegation to Ukraine was rebuffed and subject to harsh treatment. President Zelensky was demanding that European countries continue to support the war effort. Seeing as arms  are  dissipating Ukraine is looking elsewhere. South Africa is under no obligation to help Ukraine or any other European state. After the 2023 AU peace deal proposal, it is obvious Ukraine does not value African council. The Russia-Ukraine War does work to the benefit of Africa. If the European Union keeps funding the conflict it will weaken the UK, France, and Germany. This means Europe will no longer be able to militarily intervene in Africa. Chances of Ukrainian victory are narrow and South Africa has little to gain from a war torn nation.  

 

The Death of Pope Francis

 

Pope Francis has died at the age of 88. Under his leadership there was an attempt at making reforms to the Catholic Church. Pope Francis spoke about the need to take climate change seriously, compassion for refugees, and advocated acceptance of LGBTQ individuals. The question remains whether these were genuine changes in thought or had ulterior motives in mind. The real purpose of these positions and reforms are designed to keep the Catholic Church relevant. The youth are not going to be as religious as older generations. Overtime, organized religion could lose influence. The positions that Pope Francis took were about trying to recruit younger members to the Catholic Church. The problem is that tradition and social conservatism is not appealing to the vast majority of the public. Pope Francis did not approve of same sex marriage, abortion, or ordaining women as priests. Social conservatism remains a part of the papacy's worldview, even though some modest liberal reforms are experimented with. The mythical image of Pope Francis is a champion of leftist thought and humanitarianism. His convictions could not be classified as liberation theology. Just like other popes, Francis did little to stop the extensive sexual abuse of children in the Catholic Church. Failure to acknowledge women's reproductive rights or stopping criminal action undermines the claim of a humanitarian pope. Pope Francis was elected pope in 2013. The 11 years of modest reform could possibly be reversed. The Pope Francis era has come to an end and the Vatican will see a new administration.    

Israel Intends Complete Conquest of the Gaza Strip

 

The Gaza-Israel War continues unrestricted. Israel asserts that the military objective was to rescue the hostages. Instead, the attack is more of a war of aggression seeking regime change. After several attempts at a ceasefire the Likud Party reveals its true intentions. Territorial expansion and annexing certain areas are the main objectives. Israel is trying to stop the creation of a Palestinian state. Simultaneously the Zionist state wants to keep Syria and Lebanon in a weakened conditions. Israel is forming what is known as security zones. These areas have a huge IDF occupation, but do not allow Palestinians to remain. Arabs residing in Israel are under a threat. Those refugees seeking to escape are at risk. The bombing of refugee camps has occurred. Rafah is a pathway to Egypt. Palestinians are going to have to find safety in neighboring Arab states. If the atrocities continue to escalate Jordan and Egypt are going to be forced to respond. The treaties that have been signed with Israel might not remain in place. Israel is absorbing mostly southern Gaza. The buffer zones being formed are nothing more than territories that will be added to the Zionist state. Palestinians have few options for self-defense and resistance. Hamas is not an effective fighting force. The PFLP and PLO are not as equipped compared to the Israeli military. The only country that has the potential to stop Israel is Iran. The complication is that Arab states are suspicious of the Islamic Republic. The Gulf monarchies are western aligned and see Iran as a security risk. Hamas has released hostages, but 24 are thought to be imprisoned in Gaza. A deal was proposed that these hostages would be released if Israel ends the war. The offer was refused. The blowback could be immense. Citizens from other Arab states could come to the Gaza Strip to participate in armed resistance. If Arab leaders look pusillanimous in the face of Israeli aggression, anti-government protests could breakout. Palestine is fighting now to resist the last major outpost of settler colonialism. The war crimes in the Gaza Strip prove Israel never wanted peace, only conquest.      

Ibrahim Traore Seeks A New Path For Burkina Faso

 

Ibrahim Traore wants Burkina Faso to have a more dynamic and impactful role in African affairs. The young leader seems similar to Thomas Sankara. A Pan-Africanist revival could be underway. Countries such as Mali and Niger are also taking a different approach to foreign policy and the affairs of Africa. The Alliance of Sahel states was formed to counter ECOWAS. Simultaneously, measures have been taken to remove French military encroachment and fight terrorist organizations. The AES is the reaction to neocolonial imperialism and armed groups. Traore does have an anti-imperialist political position. However, his economic stances are not well known. Traore does see poverty and the exploitation of the nation as an injustice. Yet, he has never expressed any Marxist or socialist ideas. Burkina Faso now has a leader that is growing in popularity. The reason has to do with genuine change to the political system. The youth in particular desire new leadership. The majority of African leaders are much older. Ibrahim Traore is one of the youngest heads of state in the world. Burkina Faso is going to be the more significant partner in the Alliance of Sahel states. Leaving ECOWAS demonstrates a shift. Burkina Faso is asserting its national sovereignty and being more active in the West African  region. Burkina Faso could also be more involved in the African Union. Overtime, this revived Pan-African sentiment could spread to other parts of the continent.       

The World Economy And The Reaction To Tariffs

 

The United States of America has imposed tariffs on multiple countries. This impacted the stock market causing a degree of alarm. The trade war with China never ended. The Biden administration did not make an attempt to reverse Trump's economic policies from 2017. Mexico, Canada, and the European Union countries are going to see an increase in tariffs on their products coming into the United States. The response from France, the United Kingdom, and Germany was to impose tariffs of their own in retaliation. What the Trump administration is trying to do is exploit economically counties of Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America. The funds that come from tariffs those believe will enable the government to increase revenue without federal income tax. The problem is that the United States does not have the manufacturing base. To an extent the country has been deindustrialized from globalization. Inflation is not under control and higher prices on goods causes more challenges for the public. Developing nations are going to be disproportionately effected. Consumers might begin to panic buy various items. The corporate elite are not going to face any hardship. Tariffs can indirectly benefit the wealthiest business owners. Foreign products are going to disadvantaged to favor American goods. Consumers around the world are going to pay more for food, clothing, cars, and other services. The new wave of tariffs causes concerns about a coming economic crisis.    

African Union Attempts To Solve The South Sudan Crisis

 

South Sudan could be falling into civil war. The African Union has sent mediators to avert the crisis. This is not the first time the African Union was involved in Sudan. There was an AU mission in Darfur. The current crisis was sparked by the Neur White Army. The escalation went further with the arrest Riek Machar. The basis of the arrest was that Machar was connected to the Neur White Army. The new tension has an ethnic element with Neur and Dinka. Most of the current fighting is occurring in the Upper Nile state. The African union mediators want to see the 2018 peace deal remain in place. The reason for the concern is that a South Sudanese civil war would merge with other conflicts. Chad and Ethiopia would be effected by refugees fleeing fighting. Uganda also is a major factor in regional power. President Yoweri Museveni came to Juba to express support for President Salva Kiir Mayadit. Uganda is exploiting the internal struggles to gain more influence in East Africa. The third Sudanese Civil War has reverberated with the flow of arms into South Sudan. President Salva Kiir Mayadit has been the only head of state since 2011. Power sharing was not going to work in a political system that is authoritarian. The African Union requested that Riek Machar's release, yet the government refuses to meet such as demand. More efforts for diplomatic solutions are being made. 

Earthquake Strike Myanmar and Thailand

 

Myanmar and Thailand have experienced devasting earthquakes. Natural disasters produce a series of long term problems for public health, infrastructure, and housing. Homelessness will increase as a result of destroyed buildings. The military regime in Myanmar has no plans to address the concern of people who lost their homes. Reports estimate that the deaths in Myanmar are 1,600. The number could increase as more debris is cleared. Thailand's capital was damaged from the earthquake. Roads and bridges were also destroyed from the natural disaster. Rebuilding infrastructure is going to require major investments. Myanmar and Thailand might struggle to generate the funds for reconstruction. The military regime also is hostile to external contact. Hospitals are overwhelmed with the injured. The earthquake reveals the need to engineer earthquake resistant buildings. The earthquake was so powerful that skyscrapers in Bangkok were mot spared. The reason Myanmar is so susceptible to earthquakes relates to its location. It is located on a convergence area of the Earth's four major tectonic plates. Myanmar rests on the Sagaing fault. This explains why Mandalay was hit with immense force. Buildings that are older are going to be more vulnerable to collapse. Thailand's older buildings do not meet the safety construction standard. Vigorous earthquake protection for buildings must be required by law. Although regulations do exist, it appears most were not followed in Thailand.    

Marine Le Pen Seeks To Appeal The Ban On Running For The French Presidency

 

Marine Le Pen was found guilty of embezzlement. She will not serve any prison time . Two of the custody detainments are suspended, while the other two years will be a status of house arrest. This will require the use of an electronic tag .  Instead Marine Le Pen is prohibited from running in the next French presidential election. The misuse of European Union funds is a serious charge, but the ban on political office is has indications of political partisan motivations. If  Marine Le Pen was such a threat, a harsher prison sentence would have been imposed. The fact that individuals of such a corrupt nature can reach that level demonstrates the weakness of  the European liberal democratic system. This also has another negative consequence. Leaders are going to criminalize their political opponents on both the left and right. As Europe struggles economically, more are going to favor the conservative and far-right political factions. Suppressing political figures or movements is not going to defeat extremist elements within France. Marine Le Pen is seeking an appeal. It is dubious if the ruling can be overturned by 2027. Every attempt Le Pen made to be elected president she failed. The motivation to disqualify her now, might be due to the possibility Le Pen could win. A small number of Le Pen's political competitors also expressed concerns about the ruling. The National Rally Party is going to plot reprisals in reaction to this verdict. The appeals process is going to have legal complexities and opens the debate about the law in relation to political figures. 

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A New Phase In The Yemen War

 

The Houthi rebels are now fighting a new phase of the Yemen War. Israel's attacks on Gaza inflamed the rebellion and  escalated the civil war in Yemen. The response was to stop ships in the Red Sea. The invasion of Lebanon and attacks on Hezbollah  was significant to Houthi rebels. Seeing as both get some degree of support from Iran, the Red Sea response was the next choice. Yemen is nowing facing bombings from Israel's European and American allies. The objective is to ensure that Israel remains an outpost for US and European countries. Yemen could act as a launching area for a war on Iran. Saudi Arabia is a factor in the destabilization of Yemen. The desire to insert a president there loyal to their interest remains a priority. President Rashad al-Alimi made the accusation that al-Qaida was collaborating with Iran. This allegation has no basis, due to the fact a Sunni Muslim terrorist organization would not align with a Shia Muslim theocracy. Al-Qaida in the Arabian peninsula was formed indigenously. The other terrorist organizations were being aided by the West in Syria. The government of Yemen no longer controls the capital of Saana. Aden is now a de-facto capital for the al-Alimi administration. The Presidential Leadership Council has failed to govern Yemen. At one time,  President Rashad al-Alimi took refuge in Saudi Arabia. Like most presidents after the fall Abdullah Ali Salih, they are reliant of Saudi Arabia to enforce their leadership of Yemen. A decade has passed with no end in sight. The new phase of the Yemen War is that other conflicts are going to fuse with it.  

The Expulsion of Ebrahim Rasool and South Africa's Response

 

South African ambassador to the US Ebrahim Rasool was expelled from the United States. The reasons for the expulsion are motivated by economics, the intolerance of the Trump administration, and an attempt to undermine BRICS. There is speculation that Elon Musk is having indirect influence over US policy regarding South Africa. Musk an Afrikaner benefited from the Apartheid regime. The Trump administration has also offered white South Africans to come to America. These proposals are a projection of white nationalist sentiment. The attacks on South Africa are also intended to dissolve the BRICS alliance. Prior to the diplomatic dispute, President Donald Trump warned various nations about abandoning the US dollar. The emergent economies are going to see growth and this shifts the geopolitical power balance. The blatant racism was apparent seeing as it is rare this happens to a senior official. Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool was told he was no longer welcomed in the United States. When Rasool returned he was embraced by the South African Communist Party, ANC, and the South African public. The unprofessional conduct and discriminatory actions of the United States may have created more unity among South Africans. The government's response needs to be more forceful. Removal of US diplomats would be a proportional measure. If more criticisms about land reform come from the Trump administration, the ending of diplomatic ties should be considered. President Cyril Ramaphosa does have options, but if he does not act it will only harm South Africa's standing. Closing the embassy in the United States or imposing tariffs on American products are the more harsh  measures. South Africa could just request the US ambassador to leave. Regardless of what measure is taken, the expulsion of an ambassador for no reason demands retaliation.  

Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan Enter A New Era of Diplomatic Relations

 

Border clashes between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have been taking place for over 30 years. These circumstances relate to how the Soviet Union divided Central Asia. When independence was granted as the result of the Soviet collapse in 1991, the new countries were in conflict. Between 2021 and 2022 the clashes between the two Central Asian states became more lethal. President Emomali Rahmon  and President Sadyr Japarov signed an agreement outlining what the defined borders would be. Since 2022, roads, railway, and air links were closed off. War or regional conflict only undermines the whole of Central Asia. This change in policy should be an example to all countries in the world. Conflict and war spreads while diplomacy is not given much consideration. The challenge is if Tajik and Kyrgyz  citizens will accept a peace settlement. Ethnic hatreds remain in particular areas. President Emomali Rahmon has ruled the country since 1994. Prior to this, he was Chairmen of the Supreme Assembly between 1992 to 1993. His power is immense being increased by constitutional referendums. President Rahmon has more power to maintain peace or disregard a peace settlement. President Sadyr Japarov does not have authoritarian power like other Central Asian leaders. Kyrgyzstan was during the 2000s rotating through various interim presidents. This was the result of the Tulip revolution. A change in administration could effect relations with Tajikistan. For now, the agreement to end hostilities remain intact.      

JFK Files Released

 

More documents related to the John F. Kennedy assassination have been released. A total of 80,000 documents. The release was done through executive order. Some are wondering why this took so long. The argument was that some documents had to be held for national security reasons. There was also speculation that the US government did not care about the assassination of a liberal head of state. At the time, Dallas Texas was rabidly anti-communist, anti-liberal, and supported racial segregation. Documents have been released before the recent executive order, but just add to the mystery. By law the government has to release all the documents. However, thousands of documents remain secret. This indicates that the criminal action had a much wider reach. Many Americans believe that Lee Harvey Oswald did not act alone. Others suspect that either the CIA itself or Cuban exiles who were part of the Bay of Pigs invasion were involved. Decades of scholarship, independent researchers, and historians have not been able to solve the case. The attempts to undermine the Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 is apparent. Withholding information just allows more conspiracy theories to develop. While making all the documents public might not provide answers, it ends one dispute. The Warren Commission was an inadequate investigation, which made the wrong conclusion. Oswald was not a sole culprit. He is charged as the assassin, but never was tried due to being killed by Jack Ruby. Seeing as Oswald was never tried or convicted this would make him an alleged assassin. The documents might not solve the criminal case, but are useful for the preservation of American history. 

Rwanda Severs Ties With Belgium

 

Rwanda has ended diplomatic relations with Belgium. The Rwandan government has instructed Belgian diplomatic staff to leave the country. The reason for the end of diplomatic relations stems from the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The criticisms related to Rwanda's connection to the M23 rebels has generated controversy. Rwanda claims it has no involvement, but the M23 rebels appear to target Hutus. Rwanda is not breaking diplomatic relations out of anti-colonial politics or for the assertion of national sovereignty. Belgium is attempting to take sides in a regional African conflict. The memories of the Rwandan Civil War and genocide remain fresh. The Second Congolese Civil War created many refugees and internally displaced persons. While ending relations with former colonial powers should be praised, this was not for the sake of Pan-African unity. President Paul Kagame wants to increase his political power. Belgium is an obstacle and a possible country that could induce possible regime change. Belgium has been vociferous in trying to get EU members to sanction Rwanda. Imposing sanctions without some type of dialogue, reveals another agenda. Rwanda's military commanders have EU sanctions placed on them. The UK and Germany are suspending aid.  Simultaneously, attempts at peace talks were being made. The United Nations has not made an attempt to help with peace negotiations. As President Paul Kagame faces pressure from the EU, he will look for other allies elsewhere. The DRC has tantalum, which is essential to the electronics and computer industry. Belgium only concern about the M23 rebels is their control of natural resources in the Eastern Congo. President Paul Kagame's involvement in the DRC is not just economic. The RPF is seeking vengeance for the past abuses of the Hutus. Rwanda's break with Belgium was inevitable consequence of war.        

The European Union Does Not Want Peace In Ukraine

 

The European Union does not want a peace settlement in Ukraine. Since the Russia-Ukraine War broke out military aid and arms have been given by EU members. As Ukraine's losses mount, the much obvious path would be to start negotiations. The motivation for the European Union to keep the war going is to change the political dynamics of Europe. For European liberals and conservatives the war is a crusade to reinvigorate western values. Europe is struggling with its identity and cohesion. The era of large empires and international dominance has been declining gradually. European integration has to be in this view forcibly imposed on Eastern Europe. The West and Eastern Europe differ by politics and culture. The Russian Federation has a more traditional culture and is more aligned with the Global South. The EU member states are oriented to liberal democratic values with globalist sentiments. Conflict in Eastern Europe can be a gateway for forcing European integration on countries that do not favor it. The European Union insisted that the current was was unprovoked, when it was the 2014 coup that resulted in a series of unfortunate events. The Russian Federation either being weakened or dismantled would mean Europe would not have to be reliant on the country for energy. While it is apparent that Ukraine is not going to win the war, EU states do not want it to stop. France suggested sending some its own soldiers to Ukraine. Chances of a ceasefire are out of reach, even though President Putin would be open to an arrangement. President Zelensky does not believe the offer is genuine. The concern now is that the EU member states could send troops to Ukraine. Such a decision could spark a large European war.  

Rodrigo Duterte Has Been Arrested

 

The former president of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested. The ICC issued a warrant related to drug trafficking charges. The warrant also changes the former president with directing the Davao Death Squad. The ICC claims that a thousand people could have been killed. The International Criminal Court's motives are not entirely altruistic. Certain countries are exempt from punishment, when there is evidence for human rights violations and crimes against humanity. Particular leaders are targeted in Asia and Africa, European leaders rarely are charged.  The question of jurisdiction is another concern. The Philippines is no longer an ICC member. The country withdrew in 2019. This brings into question the legality of this arrest. The ICC asserts that crimes committed when membership was active can still be prosecuted.  The argument is that the crimes were committed when the Philippines were part of the ICC. The war on drugs in the Philippines continues to have devasting social effects. It enabled law enforcement to engage in various acts of abuse and violence. The Davao Death Squad remains notorious for multiple killings. The ICC accuses the former president of direct involvement of DDS operations. According to Vice President Sara Duterte the former president was forced onto a plane and sent to the Hague. The domestic motivation is clear. Elections are coming up in the Philippines and Duterte was involved in political campaigning. There is a dispute between the Duterte and the Marcos family who want to dominate the politics of the Philippines. This arrest of a former Asian head of state will probably cause other countries to leave the ICC. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will most likely not try to stop an ICC trial of Rodrigo Duterte, because he is a political rival.       

The Natural Resources of Greenland

 

Greenland has been a topic on interest. The reason is related to its natural resources. Greenland contains rare earth minerals. Not only does Greenland contain those commodities, but oil and natural gas. Drilling for oil or extracting natural gas is restricted. The reasons are related to environmental protection and concern for the indigenous population. The Greenlandic Inuit. would be negatively impacted by natural gas production and oil drilling. Greenland is semi-autonomous, but is a territory of Denmark. The extraction of natural resources remains untapped potential. Greenland contains copper, graphite, nickel, gold, titanium, vanadium, tungsten, uranium, and iron ore. Mining is an important part of Greenland's physical economy. Exploration licenses are required for mining companies to search the land for rare earth minerals. Denmark has not fully extracted Greenland's natural resource economic value. The reason the Trump administration wants to acquire Greenland is to get access to the rare earth minerals. China and Russia are major producers of rare earth minerals. Trying to purchase Greenland from Denmark could be a means of competing with Eurasia. The value of rare earth minerals will only go up as reserves decline from high consumption. The possibility of Greenland being sold could spark a movement to full independence. Greenland's economic significance is going to to increase in the following years. Mining, natural gas, and oil corporations are going to put pressure on Denmark to get access to Greenland's natural resources. 

The Kurdistan Worker's Party Might Seek A Peace Agreement

 

The Kurdistan Worker's Party announced a ceasefire. The PKK for a number of years has been fighting Turkey for the cause of Kurdish national self-determination. Indications hint to the PKK seeking a peace agreement. Abdullah Ocalan leader of the PKK has called for the armed struggle to end. The circumstances are a direct result of the fall of the Assad presidency in Syria. Turkey made itself an enemy of Syria and the fight with the PKK was putting pressure on the government. The void left by the removal of the Baathist government puts the Kurds in a precarious situation. Israeli expansion and Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham's control of Syria means Kurds face two enemies. Ocalan's sudden shift away from armed resistance is more about a battlefield reality. Under such conditions a Kurdish state cannot be created. The PKK has been fighting since 1984 and has changed its policies regarding the question of independence. The shift in Turkey has been about more autonomy. Kurds in Syria, Iraq, and Iran do not all share this position. An estimated 40,000 people have died from the conflict with the PKK. As long as Abdullah Ocalan remains in prison peace agreements  or a sustainable ceasefire will not last. Calls for a peaceful resolution might not be possible. The desire to see a Kurdistan emerge are growing. What complicates regional matters is the Democratic Forces of Syria. The Kurdish led group has fought both the Bashar  al-Assad presidency in Syria and the Recep Erdogan government. Even if the PKK were to make peace or dissolve, this would not end regional challenges. Neo- Otomanism is partitioning parts of West Asia. Kurds and Arabs are seen as obstacles to the new Turkish neo-colonial policy. Members of the PKK understand this agenda. Abdullah Ocalan's calls for a peace settlement could be rejected by a large portion of  the PKK.  

The World's Glaciers Are Melting At A Faster Rate

 

The glaciers of the world are melting at a faster rate. This has been noted by the data examining mountain glaciers. If the frozen rivers of ice melt constantly, then sea levels rise. The result would mean flooding. Costal areas and islands are going to be effected. The world could be seeing a massive glacier loss. Scientists are using glaciers as a means of documenting climate change. The status of glaciers indicate that climate change has reached a perilous condition. The rate of change is more intense in certain areas of the world. Central Europe has experienced the effects of the shift in glacier melting. The use of satellites provides most of the data. This is an indirect measurement, so it might not be as precise. The world has over 200,000 glaciers. The question remains is the development reversible. At some stage, the melting of glaciers cannot be stopped. Using more fossil fuel only adds to the greenhouse effect. If this continues for a number of centuries, certain areas might not be habitable. Natural disasters such as flooding are going to be more intense. Seasonal meltwater does provide freshwater to populations around the globe. More meltwater does help in resistance to drought. Too much melting of glaciers becomes an environmental hazard.