Egypt: Tahrir Square

Protesters take back Tahrir Square

Egypt continues to be in the news as November 20th video shows a turbulent environment.

Libya Revisited: Erasing Gaddafi

What are the implications of this? Will he be tried by the ICC? Has Libya rebounded? Questions, time will answer.

Foreign Aid*: Will that asterisk be utilized in Egypt?

Foreign aid can manifest itself in various ways from food, to money, to money with an asterisk regarding how it should be used. In the recent example of Egypt, CBS is reporting just how likely the US may withdraw aid if the military aggressively commits violent acts. With that said, a lot of positives can be attributed to US foreign aid in Egypt as the U.S. Department of State has chronicled how “U.S. military cooperation has helped Egypt modernize its armed forces and strengthen regional security and stability”. Should stability ultimately fail, then military cooperation becomes questionable in a period of domestic issues in the United States taking a precedent over U.S. foreign affairs as highlighted in President Obama’s State of the Union address where he outlined his vision to strengthen the United States. Ultimately, foreign aid may start from good intentions, but should commitments have an asterisk? The issue becomes increasingly complex if aid is being developed to a country experiencing internal strife as questions of ‘whose side are you on?’ emerge from such decisions. Regardless, lending a helping hand, whether you are an ordinary citizen or leader of a country, should never be discouraged. Intentions are hard to judge in the present and after-the-event analysis often arrive too late yet, as in the example of Egypt, civil unrest takes the stage in a country receiving aid suggesting that patience may just be the most rewarding option. Just fourteen minutes ago according to the Google news timer, the Wall Street Journal published an article entitled “U.S. Threatens to Cut Off Aid to Egypt” featuring one quote which exemplifies the U.S. mindset at the time. In a press conference when White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was “asked if President Barack Obama stood by the 81-year-old Egyptian strongman, Mr. Gibbs said: "This is not about picking a person, or the people of a country”. This statement reveals the fact that it is still too soon to foresee an outcome for Egypt and that until such fog clears, further action/involvement from the U.S. will likely be delayed if not cautiously deployed. Yet, as President Mubarak promises to name a new government by tomorrow questions remain as to whether he should be the one to do so or whether ‘free’ elections are the only thirst-quencher for change.

Should The UN Security Council Mandate At Least 1 Seat Per Continent?

Al Jazeera released an article entitled Mugabe demands UN seats for Africa detailing the president’s frustration towards the current format of the Security Council. Yet, Mugabe may not be alone when it comes to seeking reforms for the Security Council as “other nations – including Japan, Sierra Leone, Cameroon and Democratic Republic of Congo – have also used the UN General Assembly gathering this week to call for reform of the Security Council.” With so many nations seeking Security Council reformation, the question of will it happen shifts to will other nations let it happen. Being a member of the Security Council has certain privileges, the right to veto a bill is one example, and as such an increase in permanent members could result in an excess use of vetoes. With that said, all nations dwell on Earth though be it, in different climates and locations. Perhaps representational reform is needed but only when it comes to ensuring at least on permanent member from every continent or geographic local. This raises a number of issues concerning which nations should be chosen and which would be rejected but the ultimate effectiveness of the UN rests with the countries under its blanket and hence wilful ignorance is not a viable option.

Do Evaluations Based On Caste Group Individuals Unfairly?

 

This author believes so. The Wall Street Journal has reported that India will be adding a caste-related query to their 2011 census. The origin of the term caste itself is best explained by the National Conference of Dalit Organisations as being “derived from the Portuguese word casta, meaning lineage, breed or race” adding that it is “the hereditarily imposed social status on an individual, family, group or community in a highly stratified Indian and South Asian Society.” This definition is important to the understanding of India’s caste system as it links the word caste to traits often beyond an individual’s control, traits such as ancestry.

As a former student in a class about World Religions, I remember learning about filial piety and how it equated to respect for one’s elders. Despite originating outside of India, respecting those older than you is or was a characteristic often embedded in children by their parents. Hence, the potential for a census to differentiate based on traits beyond one’s control would likely fuel the divide between castes in India. With that said, this information could be used to give a helping hand to lower income families and as The Wall Street Journal continues, “India does count those on the lowest rung—known as Dalits—for special programs and quotas in government jobs and education.” Ultimately it will be the management of that information once gathered that determines if the census is doing more harm than good but until that date it appears the controversy will pursue India’s caste system.

I started this blog entry saying how I believed evaluations based on caste group individuals unfairly if not for sole reason that it evaluates traits beyond their control. Yet, as I write this conclusion, I believe current programs in India reserved for those of a lower caste does help a family survive. Yet, is it right to make a distinction based on traits beyond your control? History is only too riddled with examples of states which followed that ideology to the extreme and hence this issue is truly global. As mentioned earlier, it will come down to management of that information, should the query addition be finalized.

Do Words Count For Anything In The 21st Century?

The Guardian has released a detailed blog entry by Sarah Boseley chronicling growing tensions between the United Nations and Oxfam. The likely cause of this tension is the fact that “so many people want this meeting [New York] to be significant.” Additionally, Oxfam spokesperson Emma Seery was quoted as saying

Words do not make nutritious meals, and a billion people will go to bed hungry tonight. What people everywhere need is an action plan. World leaders meeting in New York must fulfil their promises and adopt a strategy that will rescue the MDGs and invest in our future.

The release of this blog entry coincides with the release of an article by the Associated Press entitled UN climate chief urges flexibility in talks. However, this was in reference to talks being held in China next month although similar advice would benefit current discussions. Flexibility fuels the growth of plans under the principle that more room for management equates to more room for ideas to flourish. Yet discussions are a healthy sign that debate is challenging the thought-processes of those applicable. Ultimately it is better to urgently state a need, such as feeding the hungry, than bury it with silence in the hope that someone else will prioritize it. With that said, decisions made by the United Nations must be respected as there are a lot of world issues with immediate effect and as such, prioritization may vary.

What’s “Human” About Human Trafficking?

Image via Wikipedia

Human trafficking is best defined by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime as “an act of recruiting, transporting, transfering [sic], harbouring or receiving a person through a use of force, coercion or other means, for the purpose of exploiting them.”

 

It is a global issue as it is a human issue. Yet, according to Social Justice Minister Carl Sargeant being quoted by the BBC “authorities often do not recognise the scale of the problem and victims do not know where they can get help”. 

 

Just as popular advertisement site Craigslist pulled it’s ‘censored’ label from sex ad areas today, as reported in the New York Times article entitled Craigslist Pulls ‘Censored’ Label From Sex Ads Area, there has been controversy over the role the site played in aiding traffickers and as Miller continues to write in the above article, “the battle has, for the most part, been about free speech and about the responsibilities Craigslist has to fight sex trafficking and other sex crimes.”

The Examiner also released an article today linking human trafficking abuse stories and updates. As illustrated by this article, human trafficking is not limited to a certain region yet people are doing something about this criminal activity. Last year the Blueheart Campaign was launched by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and by educating generations today we can better secure their safety tomorrow.

Celebrations Amidst Speculations – Today in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

Image via Wikipedia

Al Jazeera released an article today detailing the anniversary of North Korea’s founding, 62 years ago. Yet, not everything in this metaphorical sea is calm “as speculation mounts over Kim’s health and possible successor”. The JoongAng Daily, self proclaimed “Korea’s leading daily” in its About the paper section, released a panel discussion transcript in which editor Kim Young-hie remarked how “our understanding is that the main purpose of Kim’s visit was to get China’s support or approval for his son, Kim Jong-un, as his successor.” This statement best encapsulates growing rumours that change in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is bound to happen starting with a change in leadership. Yet, these speculation rumours aren’t without some fragment of the unusual occurring in North Korea to back up their claims. The New Republic earlier today released an article entitled The Coming North Korean Coup? where the opening sentence was “In the next few days—perhaps Thursday—the Korean Workers’ Party will begin its national conference, the first since 1966.” The question of whether or not this event is a coincidence magnified as the world watches the 62nd anniversary of the DPRK, remains unanswered, yet preparing a successor takes time and as The New Republic continues, “Kim Il-Sung took about two decades to arrange succession to his son”. Ultimately, speculations are being fuelled by ‘bloggers’, like myself, and professional news reporters but the prospect of change moulding this once isolationist country is perhaps too tempting for even the ordinary citizen to ignore. Regardless of whether or not succession happens within the next week or month, it will likely happen, leading this writer to ask whether this change will be embraced or resisted.

 

 

Comments on Communism in Cuba

The Associated Press is reporting that “Fidel Castro told a visiting American journalist that Cuba’s communist economic model doesn’t work” adding that “Castro’s interview with Goldberg is the only one he has given to an American journalist since he left office.” Regardless of whether or not this comment was interpreted in a different manner than intended, the question of whether or not Communism in Cuba needs re-modelling is essentially prevalent.

In August The Examiner reported new legislation in Cuba allowing “foreign investors to lease government-owned land for up to 99 years” under an article entitled Cuba opens door to U.S. economic investment. This implies and increasing demand for a stronger Cuban economy, shattering the veil that the current financial climate is impervious to this Communist country. Ultimately, an increasingly global economy means that financial ripples will be felt by more metaphorical swimmers. Yet regardless of political stance, Cuba is seeking investments, resulting in the question of whether 2010 was too soon, too late, or just the perfect time, for this legislation to take effect.  

*Update: On Saturday September 11 2010, The Miami Herald released an article expressign Fidel Castro’s claim that his comments were misinterpreted.

“What’s true is that my reply meant exactly the contrary” of the meaning perceived by Goldberg and Sweig, Castro said. “My idea, as the world knows, is that the capitalist system no longer serves either the United States or the world.”

For more information on this update please follow the linked article above.

Do Two Wrongs Make A Right?

The BBC today released an article entitled “Petraeus: Koran burning plan will endanger US troops” concerning Pastor Terry Jones’s plan to “send a clear message to the radical element of Islam” by burning copies of the Koran. For every main religion such as Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism, sacred text or texts are held in high regard. Applying that same logic, it becomes hard to hold the upper moral ground if one follows tactics used by “the radical element of Islam”. When it comes to sending a message it is often always best to lead by example.

Playing devil’s advocate one can argue that it is hard to reason, let alone set a different and positive example, when dealing with extremists but essentially everybody on the metaphorical playing field is human and hence an individual capable of being changed. While that is an overly simplistic and optimistic perspective, it is not 100% utter cow patties.

The BBC quoted a CNN moment where Pastor Terry Jones remarked, “How long do we back down?”

This raises a change in perspective where aggression is seen as progress and anything less is seen as retreating. Unlike a game of checkers, where the objective is to advance to the opposing side become crowned and then gain unprecedented mobility, the whole issue of battles and wars is significantly more complex where outside factors have significant impacts on the overall objective.

Ultimately, parents try to teach their children at an early age that violence is never the answer and perhaps if some extremists had better parents who advocated peaceful resolution they wouldn’t be so extreme, but in a climate different from Britain, Canada, or the United States of America, the outside factors shaping youth to ‘hate versus appreciate’ are numerous already without a Pastor preaching to burn a sacred text. This is one fire that should not be further fuelled.

*Note: This entry is far too short to fully do the topic justice. There are many perspectives which have been left out, from soldiers who return scarred from battle, to children whose parents have been killed, and ultimately each deserves an entire case study.