New Year, new politics

This is usually a quiet time on the world political scene. The lull between Christmas and New Year also seems to operate in international affairs. But look closely, and there is a lot going on.

Street protests and rioting in Iran. Not something we have seen much of since the days of the Ayatollahs, but strangely coincidental to recent murmurings regarding North Korea, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia. One minute the US is condemning Iran for aiding North Korea, and the anti-Saudi forces in Yemen, the next they have a ‘popular uprising’ on the streets. Come on, pull the other one. Rarely have I seen such a blatantly obvious CIA/Mossad inspired operation. If they can’t get them by going through the front door, they go round the back. Treating Iran as if it is some kind of hopeless principality in the middle of nowhere is sure to backfire on those involved. That country has a population of more than 80 million, and a well-equipped military too. And it is 640,000 square miles in size, so not Grenada.

North Korea is having talks with the South Korean government for the first time in a long while. Mr Trump has claimed the credit for this happening. That’s worth a belly laugh. Anyone with the tiniest understanding of those countries will be aware that each side views the other as neighbours and relatives, and not as enemies. They have always wanted to talk, but outside pressures have constantly interfered.

If you believe the news, Europe is all about the Brexit issue, and the UK leaving. But behind the headlines, parts of Europe are very worried about elections of anti-EU politicians in their countries. The Czech Republic has elections this year, and in Italy, some right-wing parties are forecast to do very well too. The Hungarian leader, Viktor Orban, is set to gain a second term in 2018, and that country also has its share of far-right, anti EU politicians. Even in peaceful Sweden, the right-wing Sweden Democrats look set to increase their influence in the coming year.The Polish government has been defying EU laws, and will no doubt continue to clash with them throughout 2018. The real truth is that the EU is on the verge of collapse, at least in its current form, as the stranglehold of France and Germany is resisted by more and more of the member nations. They have a lot more than Brexit to worry about, that’s for sure.

And let’s not forget Russia. Most of it may not be in Europe, but its influence is widespread, and Vladimir Putin looks like he will get another overwhelming majority in the elections this March.

So when the news reports ‘not much happening’, you can be sure that there is.

23 comments

      • Ros

        I haven’t seen much of it. Too much blood and guts for my sensitive nature to handle. However, both husband and daughters have followed it, so I have a fair appreciation of what it’s about! One of the most depressing things about reading the Old Testament is how little things have changed in 3000+ years…

        Liked by 1 person

  4. democratizemoney

    This is a tricky one with which to deal. I figure that most people want to keep their heads down and ignore the political shenanigans of the rich and powerful, for make no mistake, be they nobility or the donor class they do inadvertently keep the mistakes happening or repeating. I’m with FR, I hope those f***ing idiots don’t kill us all.
    Warmest regards, Theo

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • beetleypete

      That’s not the case at all, GP. I do have a problem with the endless craze for guns, and the christian fundamentalists, that’s true. But I do not generalise about Americans as people, just governments that never seem to learn from history, and constantly repeat mistakes. That applies equally to UK governments as well, but chuq is generally seeking opinion on issues in the US, so that’s what I tend to do on his site. In fact, many of my best blogging friends are Americans, and I look at both sides of the story over there all the time. For alternative views to chuq, I also read Doug’s site, and John’s too.
      http://www.findingpoliticalsanity.com/
      https://jrliming.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01
      Then there is Cindy, John Reiber, Jennie, Dani, Kim, and Susanne, all non-political, but USA based.
      Not forgetting your own site, which is one of my online favourites! 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • GP Cox

        I appreciate that, Pete. But as humans, I find there has never been a government that knows its history or learns from it, I guess with all the politics during the election year and how the bickering and backstabbing goings-on since – I just want to throw my hands up and find an island somewhere.

        Liked by 1 person

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