Africa Stream : The UK Race Riots and The History of The British Empire (2024)

Africa Stream reported on the UK race riots in 2024. Mainstream media explained it as acts by extremists and small far-right factions. The racial violence is tied to the history of the British Empire. To an extent the remanence of colonialism continues with the British  Commonwealth. Slavery, invasion, and attacks on indigenous populations in North America, Australia, and New Zealand were the crimes of the UK . India, Sudan, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Myanmar, and other Global South nations had to struggle to get their freedom. The UK riots were the projections of white supremacist racism and the ideology of cultural dominance. Anti-immigrant sentiment is fueled by blowback from military interventions in Africa and West Asia. Muslims, Afghan asylum seekers, and the black British population are targets of hate. Politicians use non-whites as scapegoats for their failures. The white working class frustrated by the neoliberal capitalist system and the British elite direct their anger at non-white ethnic groups. Media such as LBC also contributes to an atmosphere of hate and prejudice. Myths related to crime or public disorder are constantly repeated on TV and radio. Then social media was blamed for spreading disinformation, which induced riots. Disinformation is presented as fact on corporate news, so the violence cannot be blamed on that. Think Tanks like the Quilliam Foundation and the English Defense League contributed to a racist atmosphere.      

The Start of A US-Israel Iran War

 

Another round of attacks were made on Iran by the United States and Israel.  The objective appears by this war of aggression is to eliminate a country that opposes US occupation of the Middle East and Israeli expansion. The Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei was assassinated in the air strikes. The US and Israel have murdered a head of state. Now, the motions for another regime change are being put into place. President Donald Trump has called on Iranians to overthrow their government. A ground war will not only destabilize West Asia, but will harm Central Asian countries. Air strikes are not enough to cause collapse of the Islamic Republic. A ground invasion would be required. If such an operation does happen Israel would be doing most of the combat and the US providing support. A Russian and Chinese response to military action could be precarious. Further interference into Iran might be a spark to regional war morphing into mass global conflict. The Gulf monarchies would be caught into the war. Oman would not join a coalition, because it is the only Gulf monarchy that has positive diplomatic relations with Iran. More bombings on civilian targets in Iran make the population resist more. As human rights violations and war crimes increase little thought is given about these actions. Refugees, a humanitarian crisis, and the rise of a more extreme Supreme Leader will be the results. Houthi rebels in Yemen are at some stage going to join a large conflict. Oil and energy are going to increase in price harming consumers. Fuel prices will go up and it might resemble the energy crisis of the 1970s. A war with Iran would be a long conflict.      

Saif al-Islam Qaddafi Assassinated

 

Saif al-Islam Qaddafi was assassinated by unidentified  gunmen in his residence. After being released, Saif was planning a return to politics. Libya was going to have presidential elections. Attempts were made to prevent him from running for office or getting involved in politics. These could be the motivations for the assassination. When the Libyan Civil War broke out and rebels advanced Saif was detained. The Abu Bakr Sadik Brigade militia  imprisoned him in Zintan. He remained a prisoner in his own country for six years. A court in Tripoli sentenced him to death and the ICC charged him with war crimes. The contradiction was that NATO was not charged with civilian deaths during the 2011 Libyan Civil War. Saif  was released in 2017. Armed groups thrive on division of Libya and wanted to stop anyone who desired an end to disorder. Libya gradually is splitting into two countries. The failed state is closer to Somalia and faces foreign interference. The assassination of Saif proves that the terrorist organizations and armed groups are not popular enough to win elections. Killing a potential political challenger ensures that the People's Socialist Arab Jamahiriya will not return. The UN supported government in Tripoli is more of a puppet state of European interests. Another war could break out as Khalifa Haftar and Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh fight for control of the North African country. Most of Qaddafi's family remains in Algeria, but their safety is not guaranteed.   

 

Violence At The African Cup of Nations Final

 

The African Cup of Nations experienced an incident of violence. Anger over penalty stoppage saw Senegalese and Moroccan fans fight. Senegal's win of the African Cup of Nations is being overshadowed by football hooliganism. Thoughts by fans also expose another concern. Racism directed at Sub-Saharan Africans is part of North African nations. Morocco appears to identify more with West Asia, rather than the African continent. Violence, riots, and football hooliganism tend to be associated with European countries. African could be importing the negative attributes of football culture. International sports competition is to a degree promoting antagonism among nations. Sports can act as a means of nations fighting one another without going to war. National resentments are projected in the games. Fans are either aware or subconsciously detect particular sentiments. King Mohammed VI tried to explain that Morocco desires African unity. Violence and discrimination against Sub-Saharan Africans disputes this claim. The host nation of an international sporting event should ensure public safety. The African Cup of Nations should be used as a platform to enhance African solidarity and be an example of the continent's contribution to professional sports. Violence and fan misconduct does not help the African Cup of Nations. Organizers and host nations must take into consideration possible problems in the future.    

Israel's Attack on Qatar and Expansion of Aggressive War

 

Israel's strike against Hamas leaders residing in Qatar was a turning point. Gulf monarchies are no longer safe from Israel's military aggression. The Gulf monarchies decided to align with the West and the result was a lapse in security. Now, there is a possibility that Jordan and Egypt will break treaties with Israel, because the public's ire continues to grow. Failure to respond forcefully, could induce mass uprising in Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Israel continues to starve and bomb Gaza, but the resistance continues. The Gulf monarchies do not have the military strength to confront Israel, but there are certain options. The shutting down of US bases, an alliance with Iran, and supporting various armed groups could do much to halt Israeli expansion. Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani expressed his desire to see an independent Palestinian state. Qatar has been known to arm a number of Islamist groups. These armed groups were active in Syria and Libya. Qatar could direct armed groups against Israel if more strikes continue. Violations of national sovereignty and blatant anti-Arab racism are not going to be tolerated. The following months could see immense blowback either from the Gulf monarchies or other non-state actors. Ministers are gathering to discuss punishments that Israel should face. The Doha attack signals the death of the Abraham Accords. The more violent Israel becomes, the more unity is created among Arab states. Diplomatic isolation in West Asia could have major economic consequences. Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, or Kuwait are not dependent on Israel for trade. The attack on Qatar somewhat parallels the attack on Tunisia in 1985. The PLO's base in the country was attacked and the sovereignty of a country was violated.     

The Nepal Protests and Violence

 

The Nepalese public became even more vexed with the ineffectiveness of their government. The youth became active in demonstrations, which resulted in attacks on government buildings. Gen Z was represented the most in the protests. Images are now being seen of the parliament building being set into flames. Prior to this, there was an attempt to ban social media. The reason was to stop organizing and undermine free press. The protests forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli into resignation. His own safety is at risk, with protesters attacking his residence. Economics was a factor  in the violence. Large amounts of unemployed youth are struggling. The upper class of Nepal is able to maintain a higher standard of living. Simultaneously, Nepal is dependent on finances from citizens living abroad. Personal remittances are transfers of funds that are non-commercial. Individuals do send money to their families, yet this should not be the basis the the gross national product. Decades of this practice left Nepal in an unstable economic condition.  No party obtained a majority, so forming a new government would be difficult. Nepal could descend into a coup or a possible civil war. If the military takes over, violence will escalate. Law enforcement has already engaged in violence against protesters. A change in government at some stage will attract the attention of India and Pakistan. More instability might cause certain citizens to propose reestablishing the monarchy. The question remains is if the protesters and the government can reach a consensus.  

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.   

Sudan's War Induced Balkanization

 

Sudan is balkanizing due to civil war. The Rapid Support Forces control a significant portion of the eastern section of  the country. The RSF is not the only group fighting. The Sudan Liberation Movement and the Sudan People's Liberation army are active in combat. Those two rebel factions control the least amount territory. The Sudan Armed Forces is fighting a war to keep Sudan whole. A victory by the Sudan Armed Forces does not mean liberation from oppression or violence. Sudan is under the rule of a military regime. President  Abdel Fattah al-Burhan will use the civil war as an excuse to maintain power. Even if the RSF is defeated, the military regime will make a justification for restrictions rights and political opposition. President Abdel Fattah al-Burhan at the UN accused the RSF of atrocities, but ignored the army's role in violence. His demand is that the RSF withdraw from the land they have taken if  they want a peace deal. There are indications that the United Arab Emirates and Egypt have some degree of involvement in the conflict. The UAE has been accused of supporting the RSF. Egypt was accused by Mohamed Dagalo of conducting airstrikes on the behalf of the Sudan Armed Forces. What happens in Sudan will effect its neighbors. Large numbers of people are constantly being displaced.  The Sudan Armed Forces continue to fight despite efforts to make a ceasefire. The objectives are to regain lost territory and subdue the RSF. The next step is to take back the capital Khartoum. If the government fails either the RSF takes over all of Sudan or it breaks up into smaller countries. After RSF violence a portion of Sudanese will never accept the RSF as a legitimate government. The map of East Africa could be changed depending on the war's outcome. 

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 UK Race Riots

 

The UK erupted in racist violence. The European press refers to the incidents as riots, but fail to mention what type. Race riots are cases in which  mass violence is directed at certain race. Homes and business are destroyed by the criminals to decimate a community. Migration and economic downturn have given ammunition to far-right groups. The English Defense League has become prominent in the xenophobic nativist nationalism movement. These are not simply riots rather that have an anti-black, anti-Asian, and Islamophobic aspect. The race riots happened in areas of mostly white and working class areas. Economics can be a explanation. Immigrants are scapegoated for taking jobs. The inability to handle immigration has caused frustration. Foreign policy has resulted in a large number of refugees from war zones. The legacy of colonialism from the British Empire has played a role. Immigrants from India, Pakistan, Ghana, and Jamacia came to the UK when the British Empire dissolved. The UK never became an integrated society. Instead a myth was created of a multicultural society with liberal democratic values . This masked the de facto segregation which persists in the United Kingdom. Being part of the EU brought over more skilled workers from other countries, but did not benefit the majority of the population. Brexit was a way of trying to assert economic independence, yet that just might not be possible in a world of globalization. Nothing was learned from the riots in 2011. Anti-racist demonstrators are making attempts to stop the violence. This is not effective as long as law enforcement is on the side of the political establishment. Law enforcement is also more likely to sympathize with far-right convictions. There are attempts to place the blame on social media and disinformation coming from various platforms. The BBC and other television networks can be just as culpable for spreading disinformation and hate. The race riots have been going on since July 30th and the government appears to be losing control. As economic and geopolitical conditions get worse, the far-right will get more powerful. France or Germany could experience race riots similar to the UK.   

The Failed Coup In The DRC

 

The Democratic Republic of the Congo foiled a coup. A number of African nations have been experiencing coups in the 2020s. The difference with the DRC was that it was not against a longtime regime. During this coup attempt, the presidential palace was attacked. The leader of this coup was Christian Malanga. He was killed during the coup attempt according to authorities in the DRC. Video shown shows the group with flags of the former Zaire. Those who were in the coup group appear to have nostalgia for the Joseph Mobutu dictatorship. Christian Malanga was involved in opposition politics and gold mining prior to the coup attempt. Malanga based on the information gathered was a refugee who settled in the United States. This was in the 1990s when Zaire was falling into civil war. His political activities were working for the United Congolese Party. The political party has been described as a movement to remove the current government. Questions have arisen about possible US involvement in the plot. No evidence has been uncovered of a CIA operation. Three American were allegedly were part of the coup group. The DRC is facing challenges from M23 rebels, Rwanda, and external powers seeking to exploit its natural resources. The coup attempt no matter how small was a demonstration of political instability. When this transpired political factionalism had reached record levels in the DRC. The New Zaire Government in Exile another organization wanted to revert the DRC to the years of 1971 to 1997. If enough evidence is gathered it could implicate the New Zaire Government in  Exile as being an accomplice to the coup.  

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico Hospitalized

 

Robert Fico is in critical condition after being shot at a political rally. This was an apparent assassination attempt. The reasons for the attempted assassination are yet to be revealed. The news of Prime Minister Robert Fico's hospitalization is causing concern in Europe. The continent is becoming more unstable and this assassination attempt demonstrates instability could spread to France , the UK, and Germany. Prime Minister Robert Fico has been a longtime figure in Slovakian politics. He first served as prime minister from 2006 to 2010. Fico returned to office a second time from 2012 to 2018. The Smer Party is considered on the left. However, this does not mean Fico was unwilling to work with leaders such as Viktor Orban. The Hungarian prime minister's politics are more far-right in comparison. The reason Fico might have been attacked was because of his desire to make peace with Russia. Prime Minister Fico did not want to arm Ukraine. The more conservative and pro-NATO elements of Slovakia began to protest. The shoot according to Slovakian reports was a 71 year old man. The motivation remains unclear. Some speculate the culprit was vexed at the election outcome last October. Slovakia does not have a history of political violence. Parliament concerned about growing violence decided to suspend debate. A date has not been given for resumption of duties. Slovakia is heading to an era of extreme political polarization. The assassination attempt is going to divide the public even more.   

O.J. Simpson Verdict (1995)

 

The O.J. Simpson trial captivated the American public. Media sensationalism prior and after the trial reached fanatic heights. O.J. Simpson was accused of the murder of Nicole Brown. His second wife was a victim of domestic violence. The athlete, actor, and sports broadcaster became infamous with the trial. This highlighted racial divisions in the United States. The Los Angeles Police Department's racism interfered with the murder case. That was used to discredit the prosecution. The media's racism depicted O.J. as an animal, who terrorized an innocent white woman. This racist trope was common in Reconstruction era America, but got a late 20th century update. So much focus on Nicole Brown, the media seemed to forget that Ron Goldman was murdered. The prosecution could not prove that O.J. Simpson murdered them and he was found not guilty. While most could deduce that O.J. was the culprit, the arguments were not persuasive enough to convince a jury. The verdict in many ways was vengeance for the Rodney King incident in 1992. King was beaten by a group of police officers and they were not charged. Criminal justice in America has either been biased or used to impose a racial caste system. The O.J. Simpson verdict demonstrated the favoritism that the famous and powerful get in a court of law. White rage about the verdict was a projection of racial animosity, rather than a concern about criminal justice. America lives in the illusion of a fair legal system. The O.J. Simpson trial will remain of interest to scholars of  jurisprudence and criminology.    

Terrorist Attack In Moscow

 

Russia has experienced a terrorist attack. Reports state that the culprits are connected to ISIS. The Russian government has reported that 137 people were killed in the attack. The Crocus City Hall concert venue was the target of the culprits. The four gunmen have been arrested and are on trial. President Putin when addressing the Russian Federation asserted that the gunmen were trying to flee to Ukraine. There is not enough information to know the exact plans of the terrorists. Making a connection to Ukraine would be premature. Ukraine has conducted strikes into Russian territory. This has been done with missiles and drones. The only reason that ISIS would attack Russia is due to its support of Syria. The reason ISIS and other terrorist organizations could not takeover was due to Russian intervention in the country. The suspects are from Tajikistan. The Central Asian countries have been fighting terrorist organizations for decades. The reason people join them is due to the anger at authoritarian regimes in the region. More people are being detained which has reached a total of 11 suspects. This might indicate a wider criminal conspiracy and possible interference from other countries. The US claims it shared information of a possible attack with Russia. This seems uncharacteristic of the US. due to the fact relations have been poor since 2014.The sanctions were designed to harm the Russian population, not its government. The EU using terrorist organizations to destabilize a country remains policy. This occurred in both Syria and Libya. The process could be replicated in Russia. At the moment this would be mere speculation. The FSB 's investigation is ongoing.    

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry Resigns

 

Ariel Henry announced he will resign as prime minister  of  Haiti. This was not so much of a resignation, but an overthrow of an unpopular government . When visiting Kenya about deploying police to Haiti, gang violence escalated. Henry was not elected and was appointed prime minister after the Moise assassination. Haiti has not had elections since 2016. The country might have democratic institutions, but it functions as an authoritarian system in practice. Ariel Henry refused to step down when his term of service expired. Henry currently is in Puerto  Rico. Haiti has been destabilized by US interreference and United Nations missions. The jail break of 4,000 gang members caused a spike in violence. What these gangs could transform into are organized militias and armed groups. Certain gangs are not focused on violent crime, rather aspire to seize power. The G9 Family and Allies might be seeking higher political objectives. Using the term gang would no longer be correct. The United Nations is now planning to sent another mission into Haiti. Presented as a multinational security support mission it is another invasion of the country. Kenya will lead this mission with a force of 1,000 police officers. What it amounts to is police officers acting a substitutes for soldiers. Police are not trained to fight wars or armed groups. Law enforcement differs from peacekeeping missions and military combat. If President William Ruto gets Kenya to commit to this operation it will be a major humanitarian crisis. The involvement of  multiple countries and the UN to stop gangs is puzzling. The United Nations never did missions against MS-13.  Haiti is of interest to US policy for influence in the Caribbean. This explains why the Biden administration did not condemn Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Ariel Henry was denied entry back into the country and by definition exiled. Resignation was not what occurred in reality. The official policy of the transitional government has not been made public. If they do allow for another occupation by the United Nations, public discord will grow.    

The War On The Houthi Rebels

 

The Houthi movement has been active in Yemen since the 1990s. Only when the Arab Spring occurred in 2011 did they get more international exposure. Saudi Arabia waged war against the movement and its fighters. As the years past, the US began to condemn the military actions that it supported. The reason for the support of Saudi Arabia was to counter Iran's influence in Yemen. The reversal of US policy demonstrates the contradictory nature of foreign affairs. The Houthi rebels in response to Israel's actions in Gaza began targeting ships in the Red Sea. This forces Israel and its European allies to take more expensive shipping routes. The Israel-Gaza War is causing other insurgencies, armed movements, and terrorist organizations to merge into a larger conflict. The UK and the United Arab Emirates have also played a role in creating violence in Yemen. West Asia could be getting closer to a larger regional war, similar to the Six Day War in 1967. Much of the frustration stems from US military presence in the Middle East and being ally of Israel. Some observers see a new formation of groups in response to attempts at nation building and occupation. The axis of resistance includes a coalition of countries and armed groups. Syria, Iran, Hezbollah, the Houthi movement, and Hamas are fighting a against European influence, Israel, and the Gulf monarchies. If shipping continues to be disrupted, the West will respond with more military strikes. The civil war in Yemen has now become a war against the Houthi rebels.  

Henry Kissinger Protested At Senate Armed Services Committee (2015)

 

Henry Kissinger served as national security advisor and secretary of state. Under both the Nixon and Ford administrations he was connected with war crimes. Kissinger's role in the atrocities in the Vietnam War involved promoting long term bombings. This effected both Laos and Cambodia. He was also instrumental in the coup in Chile and Indonesia's invasion of East Timor. What historians also forget to mention is Kissinger's determination to halt Angola's liberation war against white minority colonial rule. When Kissinger  was coming to provide testimony at the Armed Services Committee, he was protested by CODEPINK. The anti-war demonstrators proceeded to to remind the public of his human rights violations. When this happened in 2015 the US was at war with Afghanistan, arming terrorist organizations in Syria, and getting confrontational with China. The fact that Henry Kissinger was still deemed a respectful figure in American society demonstrates the amount of corruption in the American political system.  

Haiti Could Be Invaded By Kenya

 

An African nation could be invading a Latin American country. The United States has convinced Kenya to sign a defense agreement to deploy troops in Haiti. The justification of  stopping gang violence and lawlessness has been used for an invasion. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin signed the agreement with Kenya's Defense Minister Aden Dulae. Kenya would be leading the mission into Haiti. The multinational force is not about restoring order or human rights protection. The United States is using other nations to be regional enforcers in Latin America. The intent is to keep an unpopular regime in power. Prime Minister Ariel Henry requested assistance from the international community to save his government. The United Nations has been supportive of military intervention. All the the UN missions in Haiti have left the country in a worse condition. The reason military intervention has not occurred sooner is because few countries want to volunteer. The only way to stop a military strike is if the UN Security Council does not approve a mandate. The way of hiding imperial designs is by having Global South nations engage in most of the fighting. The optics of  European countries occupying Haiti would increase suspicion of intent. Kenya has been involved in missions in Kosovo, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is why the US reached out to Kenya. The interest in Haiti is in the untapped naturals resources in its territory. Iridium and gold are present in the country. Haiti has oil, but all of the sites are not fully explored. Natural gas potential has not been unlocked either. The reason Haiti is attacked by various nations is due to its wealth. Destabilization, corrupt government, and foreign occupation hinder economic development. A Kenyan led military mission will cause another humanitarian crisis in which Haiti cannot not recover from. What Kenya does in Haiti could cause controversy on the African continent itself.      

Israel Attacks The West Bank

 

Israel has engaged in military operations in the West Bank. The violence has gotten so extreme that the IDF has attacked Jenin refugee camp. The raids the government asserts is designed to fight militants. What is ignored in this current conflict is that Jewish settlers are getting more aggressive in land seizures. The motivation is clear. The desire for more farmland and real estate are major factors. A Likud Party policy of settlement expansion has disturbed the peace. Combined with the abuses in the Gaza Strip another large Intifada could be on the way. The last one was in the year 2000 and ended in 2005. If such violence is directed at the Arab population, then they might have to fight for an independent state. Fighting a war of independence would be difficult to accomplish. The amount of causalities would be immense. According to reports the groups fighting in Janin include Islamic Jihad, Hamas, and the armed wing of Fatah. The speculation is that most of them are now operating under an umbrella organization known as Janin Brigade. Overtime, the majority of the Palestinian population will revolt. The pervasive anti-Arab racism, discrimination, and murder continues to produce discord in the population. The more abusive the Israeli government becomes the more isolated it will be internationally. Within the region the Arab states and Iran might become closer. Jordan has expressed its frustration with the current status of the West Bank. King Abdullah II issued a warning regarding Temple Mount and Al-Aqsa Mosque. Another intifada would possibly involve Syria, Iran, and Jordan. Such an escalation could expand into a wider regional war . The Netanyahu government is causing more instability in the Middle East and increases the chances of more ethnic conflict. As long as he is power, a Palestinian state will never come into existence. The Arabs are faced with  Israeli aggression and a Palestinian Authority too weak to protect them.        

War Zones, Their Locations, And The Reduction Global Security

 War zones are areas of military combat. Warfare has been a part of human history since the establishment of  permanent settlement and civilization. Every continent has had some form of conflict at one stage. The hope after 1945 with the United Nations would be a reduction of conflict. Instead, there were a number of proxy wars waged by both the US and U.S.S.R. This also was intersected with anti-colonial liberation struggles against France, UK, Spain, and Portugal. The end of the Cold War did not reduce hostility. The aftermath related to the power void created issues in various parts of the world. The sole superpower remaining contributed to the expansion of war zones. While war zones can be in a few areas, this does not mean it can escalate. Small scale conflicts can spark larger ones. The fight for resources, economics, and politics can be factors in the spread of war zones. The majority of their locations are in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. These warzones are mostly in global south nations. The developed countries are either invading or causing destabilization in these regions. However, Europe is not immune from this. The Russia-Ukraine War has been a conflict that demonstrates a wider European war can be possible. The real fear is the launch of mass global conflict similar to that of World War I or World War II. Attempting to create world peace might not be feasible, but through diplomacy war zones can be contained. If war zones are not eliminated or sealed off they can fuse. Global security is reduced by the level of war zones present. The civilian deaths, refugee migration, and damage to infrastructure. Countries and entire regions cannot function under large war zones. The need to study and produce solutions to this problem require an international effort. Peace and anti-war organizations could benefit from examining war zones and their emergence. The war zones of the world are more than just battlefields. Their existence  can be a humanitarian crisis, a geopolitical tool, and  a world disturbance.

       War zones are areas of conflict in which nations fight. Civil wars are internal conflicts, but can still attract foreign powers to intervene. Insurgencies and armed revolts might not become full scale war. Much of that depends on how powerful the armed group is. When the central government no longer can control certain territories an insurrection or insurgency can escalate to war. Myanmar has a number of armed groups fighting the military government. It has not reached the point in which the country is in full scale civil war. Sudan's Second Civil War resulted in the creation in South Sudan. At one point it was one country, but the southern region broke off to form a Neur and Dinka state.  The Columbian conflict is unique in that it is both a civil war and an attempt to prevent failed state status. Since 1964, the government has been fighting paramilitary right-wing groups, leftist guerilla groups, and crime syndicates. Political and economic grievances might drive people to take up arms against a government. Political factionalism, ethnic nationalism, and regional identity can also be factors. Mexico has not reached a point of civil war, but struggles with narcoterrorism. To a degree it shares a similar experience with  Colombia. Terrorist organizations cause instability in Syria, Pakistan, Libya, Somalia, Burkina Faso, and Mozambique. All of these armed groups were not developed there indigenously. The UK, France, and the United States have armed terrorist groups as a method of regime change. This was done Libya and less successfully in Syria. The blowback is not just more terrorism, but opening new war zones across continents. North Africa was destabilized from NATO's attack on Libya. This created the worse refugee crisis in recent history. 

War zones are not easily contained. Fighting can spread across borders. The reason the Sahel in Africa is seeing an increase in armed conflict is due to NATO's attack on Africa in 2011. The tension between India and Pakistan does involve Afghanistan to an extent. Pakistan's ISI has used the Taliban as a counterbalance to its regional rival of India. Both India and Pakistan have fought three wars against one another and peace does not seem attainable under such conditions. The US-Afghan War culminated in refugees and the return of the Taliban to power. The stability of Central Asia was disrupted by 20 years of military occupation. The West has made regime change and military intervention a form of foreign policy. Masking neo-colonial imperialism as humanitarian projects produced dire consequences. Iraq has not seen substantial improvement since the 2003 Iraq War. The emergence of ISIS expanded war zones between Syria. Even when conflict is over the damage from the war zones remain. Infrastructure and population decline make it difficult to rebuild a society. The requirements for a stable society include economic security, education, healthcare, functional government, and a high standard of living. Without these requirements a state that was once a war zone could become a failed state. Major world powers continue to use weaker nations in a geopolitical chessboard. Ukraine has become victim to this as its land has become a war of proxy between NATO and the Russian Federation. The Democratic Republic of The Congo is subject to interference by its neighbors. The DRC is rich in copper, cobalt, diamonds, gold, and coltan. Iran, Syria, and  Libya have oil which also makes these nations targets of more powerful countries.   World power competition, neo-colonial imperialism,  and internal state crisis  contribute to the expansion of war zones. 

      The United Nations was established as an international organization for countries to resolve disputes. Diplomacy and peaceful resolution is the goal. Instead the United Nations either induces or continues existing conflicts. The majority of UN missions have been conducted in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The completed missions do not improve the nations in which the UN peacekeepers have been active. Haiti, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, and Sudan are examples of worsening conditions. A serious criticism or analysis of peacekeeping has not been mentioned in diplomatic circles. The notion that an armed occupying force will bring peace is misguided. The UN Peacekeepers would have to act as a neutral force. However, it becomes clear that the enforcement of an international rules based order is selective. Global South nations are subject to violence by France, the UK, and,  the United States . The international rules based order does not exist as long as the US-EU block violates international law. A UN Peacekeeping mission would never operate in America or a European country. A glaring contradictions also exists with the UN Peacekeeping force. National sovereignty is being violated with long term military occupation. UN Peacekeepers are not diplomats; they are a fighting force. Undermining a nation's independence was not the intent of the United Nations. Unless the UN Peacekeeping force acts as a buffer against armed factions or warring parties conflicts will continue unrestricted. The model only makes its so that UN Peacekeepers are fighting multiple armed groups or being a permanent occupation force. The active mission headquarters are permanent in African and Asian countries. 

UN Peacekeeping does operate in accordance with certain mandates. Much of it is dependent on the situation. Authorization from the Security Council is required. The basic principles the United Nations asserts applies to all missions. The first is impartiality. UN Peacekeepers are not suppose to aid warring parties in a mission. If this were true, Kosovo would not be in its current situation. Kosovo is a part of Serbia, but it appears as if the UN favors its separation. Israel has engaged in a number of war abuses, but has never been subject to restrictions by the United Nations.  UN Peacekeepers have also been involved in the abuse of civilians in various nations they have occupied. Instances of sexual abuse by UN Peacekeepers in Haiti shows similar behaviors of  armed forces of nation-states. A solution has been suggested that by getting more women involved in peacekeeping operations could reduce case of rape and sexual violence. That would have minimal effect if corruption is at the highest level. UN Peacekeepers are to engage in combat only in the defense of the mandate or if attacked. War zones are unstable and if a mandate is nebulous that justifies an attack at any time. For UN Peacekeepers to be present in a country there needs to be consent. It is difficult to get consent from multiple warring parties. A legitimate government could be removed or a series of regime changes could take place. Armed factions actively engaged in combat will not consent. The M23 rebels and Seleka rebels are not recognized as legitimate political organizations by the DRC or the African Central Republic. Situations become more complicated when examining the conditions of South Sudan or Somalia. The biggest contradiction is that an armed force brings peace. The United Nations has not reduced war. At times they enabled it through UN resolutions. UN Security Council Resolution 678 allowed for escalation of the Gulf War,  the UN Protection force involved in the Yugoslav Wars, and UN Resolution 1973 justified a no-fly zone over Libya. UN Peacekeeping does not promote global stability. 

      Global security is reduced by the spread of war zones. The current wars might seem like isolated occurrences, but there exists a possibility of them merging. The push to mass global conflict becomes greater when war zones expand and  world powers have poor diplomatic relations. The United States of America,  the Russian Federation, and the People's Republic of China are  not having essential dialogue. Instead the US follows a neo-colonial imperialist trajectory making enemies of any country that it deems a threat. Destabilizing regions, regime change, and expanding military presence around the world caused a reaction. Russia and China do not want to be subject to an international order forcibly imposed by the United States. The world powers are now engaged in various forms of geopolitical competition. Wars of proxy will expand in the coming decades. No region will be safe. Prior to World War I, the Balkan Wars were a catalyst for the crisis of 1914. Previous conflicts and  incidents culminated in  mass global conflict. Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931 and  set out to conquer all of China in 1937. Italy invaded Ethiopia and Germany annexed Austria. These wars and territorial expansions occurred before World War II, but morphed into a larger conflict. The war zones in Ukraine, Syria, Somalia, the DRC, and Afghanistan could merge into a larger war. The more involvement by external powers increases this danger. The nations with nuclear weapons become even greater threats. The more the Russia-Ukraine War escalates the closer the US and Russia come to nuclear exchange.  New war zones could be opened. North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, and Nicaragua could be subject to regime change in the coming decades. Latin America has been victim to US military action, but it might not induce a response from Russia or China. Actions directed at Iran or North Korea will. The entire world is held hostage by  the few powerful nations that refuse to solve disputes by diplomatic means. The countries that are subject to violence do not have enough military strength to resist. If resistance does happen, asymmetric warfare or guerilla warfare has to be used. Thus an endless cycle of violence is set in motion. Small conflicts will attract large powers to intervene. 

       The location of war zones is not accident. Africa, Latin America,  and Asia were under colonial rule. The age of European colonial imperialism brought slavery, violence, and war. When it came to making maps boundaries created would cause the conflicts of the present. The mandate system under the direction of the British Empire and France created the borders of the Middle East. The formation of the state of Israel contributed to more conflict in the region. Anti-colonial wars were fought in Africa and Asia to expel the French, British, Dutch, and Belgians. South Africa, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Angola, Mozambique, Algeria, Kenya, and Namibia fought long independence struggles. Africa and Asia contain an abundance of natural resources, which the colonial powers robbed them of. The desire to exploit the labor and resources never dissipated. This explains why the West directs aggression against the Global South. The economic benefits of imperial conquest  remain a foreign policy objective. Unlike the past a more sophisticated method is used to make it acceptable to the public. The concept of humanitarian intervention justifies violence as saving people.  Bombings and military force are presented as humanitarian. This disguises acts of brutality and war crimes. Violations of international law are viewed as necessary under the responsibility to protect. More people het killed as the result of humanitarian intervention. Counting the deaths of civilians and soldiers exposes the false argument of human rights protection. Human rights never will come from warfare. The attacks on  the Global South are about maintaining a system of oppression and geopolitical dominance. The US-EU block want to maintain a leading position in the world and  keep the Global South in a subordinate status. The imperial order has been updated to make it more palatable to the citizens of the West. The formerly colonized are still fighting to preserve their independence. 

        War zones are going to be a constant challenge. Geopolitical disturbances are happening simultaneously. The forces behind this are governments, the arms industry, and  past imperial legacies. Nations that were at peace can go to war. Internal conflicts can spill over into neighboring countries. Armed groups, militias, paramilitary forces, and terrorist organizations might to be strong enough to overthrow a government. Overtime, some can become formidable enough to bring a country into civil war. If a conflict lasts long enough to get attention from other countries, it is no longer a internal affair. World powers that decide to intervene making it an international matter. Altruism is not a factor. The intent either focuses on obtaining resources, building influence, or establishing a puppet state. War zones can be used as geopolitical tools. Engineered state destruction, regime change, or destabilization are methods employed to dispatch of certain leaders. Doing this has serious repercussions. The world becomes disturbed. Fighting stops, but the damage remains. The loss of human life makes it impossible for a nation to rebuild or be productive. Infrastructure will take time to replace. The basic social fabric of various communities will be destroyed. History has shown that a nation can recover from war. The concern with the contemporary period is that war zones across the world will merge into a large international conflict. Nuclear attacks between countries and constant military intervention could cause the collapse of world civilization. Even if a nation was the victor in a international war, nothing would be left. This can be prevented. All war zones cannot be eliminated. Containing them is a realistic option given current circumstances. Diplomacy must be skillfully used  to keep peace and avoid war. Militarism should not be a pillar of foreign policy. The United Nations needs reform so that it can become an institution that stops violence, rather than being an accomplice to it. The dramatic rise in war zones requires new solutions and a better approach.