The declaration of independence from Spain by Catalonia this month, sets a precedence that is likely to be repeated elsewhere in Europe. As the memories of war and economic deprivation from the middle of the last century fade, the resurgence of nationalism should of been expected. The violent crackdown by the Spanish government to head off a referendum for political separation, has an all too familiar story attached to it. Although over 90% of voters in Spanish Catalonia chose independence in the […]
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An Independent Kurdistan To Bring Both Promise And More Instability To Middle East
The dream of an independent Kurdistan, began in the modern era during World War I. The Allies were fighting the Central Powers. In an effort to destabilize this increasingly unsteady military pact, the decision was made by France and the United Kingdom, to hasten the breakup of the more than 600 year old Ottoman Empire. Following the defeat of the three main Empires of the Central Powers, which included Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire, it was decided that the political borders […]
Joseph Kabila Clings To Power In The Congo, As The Economy And Civil Order Collapses
Joseph Kabila has been President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 2001. He took office just ten days, after the assassination of his father. Politics is a family affair in Congo. Now seventeen years later, he clings to power as the country plunges into civil war again and the economy slows considerably. Although his final term ended eight months ago, President Kabila has remained in control. Congo formerly known as Zaire, is the giant of Sub-Saharan Africa. At a population […]
Namibia: The End Of Rapid Growth Helps Populism To Rise
Namibia had one of the best performing economies in Africa. As late as 2015, growth was still a respectable 5%. Late last year, the economy was growing just barely at 0.1% and has since stalled. This puts the government of the country, in a politically difficult decision. Populism is on the rise, in the ruling party. However, the demands of these nativists, will do little to recharge a moribund economy. President Geingob first elected in November of 2014, by an overwhelming margin […]
Rwanda: Kagame Provides One Man Rule In Exchange For Stability And Growth
Rwanda’s Constitution was amended in 2015, following a referendum, enabling President Kagame to run for yet another term. He remains eligible to also run for fourth term after that, permitting him to stay in office until at least 2034. The latest electoral tally resulted in a vote that was an unbelievable 98.8% in favor of President Kagame. Not unusual, for a country that is for all intent purposes a police state and is run by a single political party the Rwandan […]
Angola: Elections Will Fail To Deliver Needed Change As Dos Santos Era Finally Ends
Since independence from Portugal in 1975, the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) has led the country. Parliamentary elections have consistently delivered large majorities, to the ruling party. After 38 years in power, President Jose Eduardo dos Santos is finally leaving office. Yet, the change the country so desperately needs, will remain unlikely. President Santos is the world’s second-longest serving president, behind Teodor Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea. He announced in February, he would not be standing for election in […]
South Africa: Economic And Political Stagnation As President Zuma Clings To Power
Earlier this month, South African President Jacob Zuma survived the eighth attempt by the National Assembly to remove him from power. As head of the African National Congress (ANC), the party that led the country away from apartheid, Zuma was able to win election in both 2009 and 2014. His tenure has been increasingly afflicted with allegations of corruption and criminal investigations. The motion of no confidence in President Zuma, was defeated in the National Assembly of South Africa by 198 votes […]
Elections in Kenya: Tribalism And Violence Continues To Undermine Democracy
This will be the 6th presidential election for Kenya, since the end of the one party state in 1991. The electorate will also be deciding on a new parliament. The voting results will have a major impact not just domestically, but throughout the region. The country remains both an economic and political leader for East Africa. Kenya possesses the second largest economy in the region, after Ethiopia. Any political unrest in Kenya, will further destabilize an entire geographic area, already facing major […]
Political Gridlock In The United States Over ObamaCare: Signals The End Of American Financial Supremacy
The inability of the political system in the United States to enact needed reforms in entitlements, is an indication how dire the issue of governmental debt, has become for Americans. The present trajectory in the cost of popular social programs is simply unsustainable, yet political gridlock has become the mainstay of the national government. It is a clear signal that American economic and financial supremacy, is nearing the end, after nearly three quarters of a century. The latest example, was the failure […]
Wealthy Qatar Remains Defiant In The Face Of Arab Sanctions
In the beginning of June, the nations of Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Maldives, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates collectively imposed a trade and travel boycott against their neighbor Qatar. Nearly two months later, Qatar remains defiant, in the face of sanctions and has refused to comply to 13 demands, of fellow Arab nations. The emirate had also been asked to shut down Al Jazeera and other Qatar-funded news outlets. Later, Qatar was told it needed to agree to six principles […]