The Price of Peace?
The Middle East peace process (so-called) has been one of the most tortured diplomatic endeavors of all time. While historic progress has been made between Israel and some of its Arab neighbors in recent months, such as the normalization of relations with the UAE, relations with the Palestinians are as contentious as ever. Of course, the Palestinians themselves are divided with Hamas in control of Gaza and the Palestinian National Authority over the West Bank. For decades their objections and violent resentment have effectively hindered relations with Israel throughout the Arab world. While their objections are becoming less relevant internationally, their own constituents pursue peace at their own peril. Last spring eight Palestinians were arrested just for having a teleconference with Israelis about peace. Two were held for over six months, and three were convicted of “weakening revolutionary spirit.”
Incompatible
Europe has had a flare up of terrorist violence since last quarter. Paris, Nice, and Vienna have all experienced deadly incidents. Paris middle school civics teacher Samuel Paty was beheaded. Discussing the 2015 attack against French satire magazine Charlie Hebdo and showing the cartoons blamed for it led a parent to call for reprisals online. An 18 year old Chechen man answered that call. It does not appear he was related to any student and reportedly paid bystanders to identify Paty. Despite liberal and inclusive foreign policies, Europeans are not yet ready to abandon all freedom of expression. French officials denounced the attack as being against the core values of their Republic.
Less than two weeks later, a church in Nice, on the southern coast of France, was also attacked. A 21 year old Tunisian man beheaded one and killed two others. He had been in Europe for only a month. Pictures of the Paris attacker, as well as Islamic State related images, were found on his phone. Vienna, Austria also suffered four killed and many wounded. 20 year old Kujtim Fejzulai rampaged down a street past a Synagogue and a crowded bar with a rifle, pistol, and machete. A dual citizen of Austria and North Macedonia, Fejzulai had previously served eight months in prison for attempting to travel and join ISIS.
The incidents have resulted in many arrests, some mosque closures, and hundreds of deportations. Teachers in countries across Europe have also come under threat for discussing these events and one Paris school actually closed. All of the attackers were shot by police, two fatally, with only the Nice attacker surviving in critical condition. Europe is at a loss as how to combat terrorism by self-radicalized individuals acting spontaneously, especially when the secular freedom they pride themselves on is the source of offense. French President Macron has asserted, “This is our Europe. Our enemies must know with whom they are dealing. We will not retreat.”
Almost Out?
American troops have been on the ground in Afghanistan for so long that they barely rate the news cycle any longer. This section, in the Second Quarter 2020 issue of this magazine, addressed our presence there and the ongoing negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban. Our presence is now expected to be reduced to 2,500 troops by 2021. Total NATO forces in Afghanistan are currently estimated at 12,000. Violence is ongoing and serious doubts remain about the government’s ability to resist the Taliban without foreign assistance. A November 29th car bombing killed over 30 security personnel with at least as many injured. Despite ongoing conflict, foreign powers are weary of their commitments in the region. The NY Times estimated over $8 Billion in international aid money went to Afghanistan in 2019 alone, in addition to military commitments. This may be the leverage behind the progress that has been made in negotiations despite continuing attacks. One diplomat, speaking to Reuters on the condition that he remain anonymous, is quoted as saying “aid has been conditional” and “both sides know they have to move forward to show some progress.”
Iran’s Top Nuclear Scientist Killed
Iran is presuming that Israel is to blame in the “ambush” that resulted in the death of one Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, who apparently had his car blown up and was hit by long-range sniper bullets.
The Iranian Ministry of Defence issued a statement that said he was seriously injured during a clash between his security team and terrorists. They also said, “…this manager and scientist, after years of effort and struggle, achieved a high degree of martyrdom.” That would mean he’s now enjoying the carnal delights in Muslim paradise. At least he’s not providing the means for nuclear war on earth! There are all kinds of threats of retaliation, very similar threats to those that were issued in the immediate aftermath of the liquidation of Soliemani last January. It seems nothing happened, and Iran has been unusually quiet.
Concerns have been raised that Iran has been busy with its uranium enrichment efforts and might be only a matter of weeks away from having the ability to wage nuclear war. Iran still claims that its nuclear program is for the peaceful production of energy. Israel had Fakriszadeh on its radar, and said he’d been lying and hiding Iran’s true intentions for years. Israel had come into possession of a cache of Iranian documents that apparently proved what was suspected about what was really going on with Iran’s nuclear program and the “martyr’s” involvement.
Eat Just What Exactly?
Singapore now boasts the world’s first restaurant that sells meat grown in a laboratory. The alleged “chicken” was grown in a “bioreactor” by American company Eat Just. The company specializes in plant-based meat substitutes that are “cruelty free.” Finally, we need not season our nuggets with tears any longer. As if there weren’t enough strange new developments this year already. Many other companies are involved in similar ventures with chicken, beef, and pork. Cells harvested from live animals are nurished with vegetable based nutrients as they grow. The “medium” used however, relies on elements from the blood of unborn cows. This will change with the introduction of new animal-free mediums, but were not available for the first batches of…“chicken.”
Lemonade
Back to back hurricanes Eta and Iota slammed into Central America resulting in hundreds of deaths. Mudslides and flooding caused some of the worst damage. Roads, bridges and houses were devastated with an estimated 500,000 people displaced. Many lost everything. Some taking refuge in shelters shared photos of where their homes used to be. Victims of mud slides remain buried in isolated cases. With nothing left to lose, thousands are considering migrating north. There are reports of entire shelter populations organizing caravans with the aim of reaching the United States. Departure is scheduled before the end of the year. Should their plans come to fruition, it remains to be seen how progress will be made across Mexico and what sort of reception they will receive at the border.
