Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Resigns

 

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced his resignation. One of Japan's longest serving prime ministers will be exiting due to health concerns. Since 2012 he has embarked on a program that was attempting to change Japan economically and politically. Abe sought to have the pacifist constitution replaced. He attempted to get women more active in the Japanese workforce. Abenomics was the term used for his policies regarding the revitalization of the Japanese economy. The COVID-19 pandemic caused challenges for the Japanese workforce and the government was criticized for it management of the crisis. Shinzo Abe stated that his colitis was becoming more intense over the following weeks. Seeing as there is no cure and it has become difficult to treat, this would have effected his duties. A sudden change in leadership could change the political conditions in Asia. The growing tension between the US and China will be a factor. North Korea has remained a regional issue. The question of what is the best plan for economic recovery remains unanswered. Abe has been a political survivor. He first resigned in 2007. Making a comeback, his premiership was accused of scandal. The land sales scandal exposed that Abe and his family were giving preferential treatment to schools politically close to them. Japan is now in the process of selecting a new prime minister.  

Kellyanne Conway's Controversial Comments

 

Kellyanne Conway had defended President Donald Trump's behavior and policies throughout his first term. There is a pattern in which the administration has women, make excuses for his past sexual misconduct. Conway during the 2016 campaign  received much criticism for her comments regarding rape and sex crimes. She stated that "rape would not exist if women were physically stronger." Conway articulated this  on a panel discussion from PBS program To The Contrary . The panel was talking about women in combat roles and Kellyanne was using her statement to exclude women from frontline combat positions. Her statement reflects major ignorance about rape and sex crimes. Men in prison are subject to custodial rape and children can be victim to molestation. Rape can occur with the presence of alcohol, which has been an issue on college campuses. Kellyanne Conway's statement demonstrates that there are women in the Republican Party and the conservative movement that assist in keeping misogyny alive. It was announced that Conway will be resigning from the White House staff. Trump was able to get some women voters, but overall he will struggle in 2020. Many of the women that serve in his administration do not advocate for women in terms of equal pay, reproductive rights, or addressing sexual violence. Simply having a woman in a cabinet position does not ensure women's rights will be protected.     

Namibia Rejects Germany's Reparations

 

Germany made an attempt at reconciliation with its colonial past by making an offer of reparations to Namibia. However, this seems like an empty gesture considering the amount of death that occurred between 1904 and 1907.  The Herero and Namaqua were targeted by the German Empire. The rebellion against German colonial rule resulted in the violence from  Kaiser Wilhelm II. Germany wanted to be on equal footing with other European powers and engaged in imperial conquest. The rebellion was crushed, but German Southwest Africa was lost to the Allies during World War I. President Hage Geingob rejected Germany's offer on the basis the amount of reparations funds remains too low. Negotiations for compensation have been  conducted since 2015, with little progress. Descendants of the few survivors of the genocide are demanding a total of  $4,000,000,000 in compensation. Germany continues to remain more intractable in regards to compensation. While the two countries do maintain relations, they may become strained. The offers Germany proposes have been revealed to be 10,000,000 euros ($11,000,000) . This proposed agreement is not acceptable to the people who lost their lives and a nation still vexed about  past colonial practice. Chancellor Angela Merkel has not made any attempts to increase compensation  or reparation amounts. If Germany was able to pay compensation to Israel for the Holocaust, there should be limited dispute about doing the same for Namibia. Germany has a stronger economy in comparison to other European Union states. If  Namibia cannot get a compensation amount that is acceptable, it should consider dismantling diplomatic relations. Apologies are not enough to eliminate  the legacy of colonial  aggression. The negotiations may take longer, however Namibia has the support of other African nations. The African Union could start taking interest in member states that want compensation from other countries such as France, the UK, Spain, Belgium, and Portugal.  

Aung San Suu Kyi Initiates the Panglong Peace Talks

 

Myanmar still remains a country in conflict, even with a civilian government. Ethnic conflict between the Kachin, Shan, and Kayin  continues with clashes being frequent. Suu Kyi is not fully in control, with the military still retaining significant influence in government. The Panglong peace talks were designed to end conflict through a permanent settlement. This is further complicated by the Rohingya crisis, which has created a large number of refugees. Aung Suu Kyi was criticized for her handling of the situation, which caused damaged relations between the US and EU nations. The peace talks cannot advance as long as the military remains an obstacle. The attempt at establishing a democratic system becomes more fragile, the longer war continues. Myanmar could go through a process of balkanization if insurgencies continue. Racism and prejudice must be confronted if the country is to remain whole. A federal system or semi-autonomous regional systems may be required to address historical grievances. Having another election will not solve these complex political and ethnic problems. Already frustration is beginning to grow. As Myanmar becomes more shunned by the West, it has more closer to China. This increases the likelihood it will be targeted for sanctions. Aung San Suu Kyi has announced that she intends to run for president in the November elections. If a peace deal or some form of agreement is not reached it would make attaining office more difficult. Peace may have to come from a strong executive branch that limits military power. If she does win office, it would need more authority to make a change in policy.    

Mali Falls to a Military Coup

 

Mali has faced both political and social challenges. The ineffective government has collapsed giving way to a military coup. The resignation of President Keita has left a power void in the country. Since the coup, the African Union voted to suspend Mali. The coup leaders have promised that elections will take place. This is uncertain considering Mali may not function like Sudan after the fall of a leader. Azawad and the fall out from the fall of Qaddafi continues to effect the country even after nine years. The coup leaders call themselves the National Committee for the Salvation of the People. Some want President Ibrahim Keita reinstated according to some sources at the AU. Prior to the coup, his administration was accused of corruption, economic mismanagement, and interference in legislative elections. Demonstrations expanded with people becoming more frustrated with the government. Mali could face an AU intervention, civil war, and further civil disturbance if stability is not established. If problems of the people go unaddressed, the situation will only intensify.  

New Zealand Will Delay Elections Due to COVID -19

 

Prime Minister Jacinda Arden announced that elections will be delayed at least until October. This is in response to the increase in COVID-19 infections. Observers thought that New Zealand had beat the disease and pandemic. Celebrating too early was a major miscalculation. Opening too soon as other countries have learned resulted in a wider spread of infection. While a new sense of urgency has come into the public consciousness, few have questioned the delay in  parliamentary elections . Delaying the elections would seem to give incumbents an advantage otherwise not present under normal circumstances. If New Zealand has a fully operational postal service, casting votes should not be an issue. The only problem would be ensuring that every vote cast is counted. The pandemic has finally resulted in one of the public's worst fears. World leaders will exploit the crisis to increase their power and gain unfair advantage. The political opposition the National Party also favors delays in elections. Judith Collins has went as far as to suggest making the elections be held in November. Being the leader of the opposition, there should be at least some alternative. The country enacted some of the strictest lockdowns and still are struggling with the pandemic. This should not be tolerated by citizens who want to vote and value the democratic process. Other countries such as Uganda and Vietnam have used COVID-19 as an excuse to limit freedom of their populations. Both Democratic and Authoritarian regimes use the pandemic to gain more political power.  

Angela Davis on Feminism

 

Angela Davis never considered herself a feminist. She stated "I'm not a feminist, I'm a revolutionary." The reason being was that the movement was white dominated and at times used women of different races to advance their cause at other's expense. Without intersectionality the feminist movement is nothing more than a special interest group for white women. African American women contributing to it to a degree broke the long term project for black empowerment in the United States. Fractured movements for liberation will never be successful. Intersectionality has limitations, because various groups have different objectives. Women are divided by race, class, gender, and sexual orientation.  Society functions as an unequal hierarchy. The reality is that white women face little oppression in modern day America. African American, Latino, Asian, and poor women face significant barriers. The concept of inclusion will not solve these problems or emphasis on diversity.  The goal should be acceptance of different types of people. The only logical conclusion is complete dismantling and replacement of the system. Mainstream feminism will not do that and simply has no more relevance in liberation. Third and the emergent fourth wave feminism are gradually becoming more divisive. The path to women's equality rests on the defeat of  neocolonial imperialism, neo-liberal capitalism, and a racist society.