And we're back!

The demands of being a high school senior have kept me away for the last couple of months. For the next 90 days I will be focusing on Africa. The recent news of Nelson Mandela's passing, violence in South Sudan and the unrest in Mali will provide much content for analysis and discussion.

It's great to be back.

Attack in Damascus

This past Wednesday, an attack involving Syrian rebels and government troops in a 'rebel-ruled' neighborhood in Damascus has left hundreds dead. Much evidence suggesting the use of chemical weapons has sparked an international outrage and questions regarding whether the US will take action. Last year President Obama said Syria's use of chemical weapons would be crossing a line and if they were utilized, Obama would change his stance.

Iran has also spoken out warning against Western intervention. They believe there is proof the Syrian rebels were responsible for the attack.

So far neither the Syrian government nor the rebels have admitted to using chemical weapons. Regardless of who was responsible, the effects of the attack are horrendous.

The questions that linger are these: Will the US intervene? Who was behind the attack?


Warning: the above video is quite graphic.

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/08/24/Iran-s-Rowhani-points-to-chemical-weapons-use-in-Syria-.html
http://news.yahoo.com/syria-accuses-rebels-using-chemical-weapons-141457992.html
http://www.france24.com/en/20130824-msf-confirms-hundreds-dead-thousands-injured-syria-suspected-chemical-attack

More babies = more power?

I came across an article about the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's desire for Turkish women to have more children. Turkey's birth rate has declined in recent years and Erdogan is not satisfied, "It's my right as president to say that it's beneficial that women give birth to at least three children". 

Last year, Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babcan said "Population means power. Twenty-seven countries sit there at the table, but when Germany and France decide on something, those with populations of 1.5 million to 2 million like Estonia and Latvia are hardly having any say". 

Being a young woman and having strong opinions regarding women's rights, I don't think he has the right to 'mandate' any sort of birth quota. While Turkey's PM does have the right to say it certainly, doesn't mean he should enforce this idea. "If [President Vladimir] Putin was able to say such a statement in Russia [telling women to have three or more children], why can't I say it in Turkey?" 

As far as regarding having power in the EU, I'm not sure how population affects power there. I can't find a straight answer regarding that but from what I have found I can deduce that population does in fact equal power. Correct me if I'm incorrect. 

This post was a bit different than usual. Just an interesting article that caught my eye. Let me know your thoughts. 

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/variety/2013/08/09/Erodogan-urges-Turks-to-have-more-babies-raise-them-correctly-.html

General James Mattis: Middle East Policy

General James Mattis gives a very insightful talk about policies regarding the Middle East. His remarks about Egypt are very interesting (32 minute mark). He makes a comment about Egypt and whether or not the revolution there should be labeled a 'coup'. General Mattis believes the US needs to be careful about passing laws that put us in "legal boxes". He says this prevents us from doing things that are in our own best interest and that prevention is problematic for the next generation. 

I mention this because of the good point Otto made on my last post regarding keeping the American people's best interest in mind. 

Personally I agree. We should have the ability to act in our best interest whether it's involving ourselves in a conflict or not. 

Let me know what you think!

http://www.businessinsider.com/general-james-mattis-aspen-security-forum-2013-7

No support for U.S. in Egypt conflict

President Muhamed Morsy of Egypt was ousted last week due to a revolution or a military coup (depending on how you want to interpret it). He was pushed out of power due to Egypt's weak economy, corruption, and for heading an Islamist government; (Morsy is backed by the Muslim Brotherhood).

The United States is in a tough position. When Mubarek was pushed out of power last year, we were at first supportive of Morsy and the free elections. Since then we have changed our tone because of Morsy's backing by the Muslim Brotherhood. Now that Egypt is in turmoil, we are faced with a decision regarding whether or not to intervene and whether or not to continue providing aid to Egypt. If in fact a military coup was the cause of Morsy's ousting, the U.S. cannot continue providing aid. Decisions must be made and soon because the Egyptians are not happy with our neutral stance.

Regardless of whose side the Egyptians are on, pro-Morsy or anti-Morsy, all of them collectively dislike the U.S. at the moment. Non-Islamist Egyptians are angry because they believe the U.S. has "cozied up" to the Muslim Brotherhood while Islamist Egyptians are accusing the U.S. of being the cause of Morsy's ousting.

An Egyptian aircraft mechanic remarked, "Now the Brotherhood are fighting us in the streets, fighting to take back power, and America is sitting on the fence. We ask for one thing from America: support the people, not the army, not the Brotherhood."

What will the U.S. do? Is there a way to stay politically neutral while still helping the Egyptian people? Whatever the U.S. decides to do, we must keep the best interests of the people in mind.


http://english.alarabiya.net/en/perspective/2013/07/10/Washington-vilified-on-both-sides-of-Egypt-s-divide.html
http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/10/world/meast/egypt-whats-next/index.html?hpt=wo_c1

Southeast Asia Wrap up

I would like to start by thanking everyone who has participated in this blog. I appreciate your comments and interest in my thoughts and opinions about world issues. I apologize for the lack of posts in the past few months. It was due to the US history paper, post-French exchange make up work, exams, and the ACT. But now that school is finally over I have time to keep up with events happening around the world.

With Southeast Asia I focused on Pope Francis and the reactions of the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, and China. The Filipinos welcomed him warmly due to their high population of Catholics. Both Indonesia and Vietnam have high hopes for the pope and are working towards better relations between Christians and other groups in their own countries. China, on the other hand, is unsure about Pope Francis because of the dispute between the Vatican and China regarding who should select Chinese Cardinals.

I used to think Christianity and more specifically Catholicism was uniquely dominant in the Latin American and European countries. I was not expecting it to be so large in Southeast Asia. It was interesting to learn their perspectives on a seemingly strictly Western religious event.

Southeast Asia was an interesting region to study. But now it is time to look at the perspectives of a new region. My new focus for the next 90 days is the Middle East.

À Paris!

Tomorrow I leave for Paris! I'm participating in a French exchange program at school and will be staying with the girl I hosted earlier this year. For 11 days I will be completely immersed in French culture and have the opportunity to tour Paris with a true Parisian. While I'm there I will not only be enjoying the sights, food and company of my friends but learning and understanding a new culture. I will be blogging from there as well and hope to find a connection between French issues and Southeast Asia.

You will hear from me soon, but for now:

      Au revoir!!

Pope Francis: Indonesian, Vietnamese, & Chinese Reactions

It is safe to say Pope Francis' inaguration has had an overall positive reaction in Southeast Asia. The Philippines, Vietnamese, and Indonesians, all have high hopes for him. The Chinese, however, are not welcoming him so warmly.

Pope Francis has a special appreciation for the Vietnamese archbishop. He recognizes the challenges the Vietnamese Church faces because of the government. The Vietnamese government doesn't like the Catholic Church because it thinks the church is doing "anti-government activities".

Cardinal Jean Baptist Pham Minh Man recounts his interaction with Pope Francis positively, "Both times, when I kissed the Pope's ring he reciprocated the gesture of kissing my ring. He is probably aware of the events of Vietnam. And, in doing so, he sought to express his appreciation for the Church in Vietnam. A Church that had the courage to stay alive and to witness to the faith, even in moments of profound difficulty."

The Indonesians had an equal if not, close to the same reaction as the Vietnamese. The Muslim leader of Indonesia hopes to improve Muslim-Christian relations within the country. There were strong positive reactions the the fact Pope Francis is a Jesuit and is stressing the importance of helping the less fortunate. Indonesian Professor Din Syamsuddin remarks, "I hope that the new pontiff will improve already good relations between Catholics and the Vatican with the varied Muslim world, represented in this case by the nation with the largest number of Muslims in the world, namely Indonesia".

While most of Southeast Asia is reacting positively towards the new pope, China is taking an opposite stand. In July of 2012 Bishop Thaddeus Ma Daqin of Shanghai was ordained and resigned from the China’s Patriotic Catholic Association (CPCA). This resulted in him being placed under house arrest. This is only one instance in a series of disputes between the Vatican and CPCA. Both are arguing about who should control the selection of Chinese Cardinals. While the CPCA is not welcoming Pope Francis warmly, Catholics there in general are hoping the relationship between China and the Vatican will improve.

"We pray for the new pope," said Father Francis Zhang, a Beijing priest. "We hope he will be spiritual, dynamic and open minded. We hope he will be more open to China, more pragmatic, and someone who understands very well the Chinese Catholic church."

It is interesting to see the perspectives of Asian countries to a new Pope in Europe. The majority of Southeast Asia reacted positively and I and certainly many others will be paying close attention to Pope Francis' "first 100 days".

Indonesia
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Indonesian-Muslim-leader-with-Pope-Francis-for-the-neediest-27421.html

Vietnam
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Cardinal-of-Saigon:-Pope-Francis-pays-special-attention-to-the-Vietnamese-Church-27497.html

China
http://freebeacon.com/a-pope-for-china/
http://shanghaiist.com/2013/03/14/chinese_reactions_to_pope_francis_i.php

More on Pope
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/afp/pope-vows-to-embrace-poorest-at-grand-inauguration/580851

Philippines: Pope Francis

     Newly-elected Pope Francis, known for his humble disposition, is gaining much support because of his desire to encourage Catholics to come back to the faith and help change the common perceptions of the Catholic Church. From his simple dress robes to his refusing to being privately chauffeured, Pope Francis is a man of the people.  The Filipinos are overall very excited to welcome him considering Roman Catholicism is the majority religion there. Pope Francis even spoke to the archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Antonio Luis Tagle, saying that he has "high hopes for the Filipinos". 

   Cardinal Tagle said, "When I approached Pope Francis to assure him of the closeness and collaboration of the Filipinos, he said; 'I have high hopes for the Philippines. may your faith prosper, as well as your devotion to Our Lady and mission to the poor'". 

     President Aquino is encouraging the Filipinos to welcome Pope Francis and remarks, "As the first pope from outside Europe in a millenium, the first from Latin America, the election of Pope Francis brings with it the promise of renewal in the Catholic Church, as it strives to fulfill its mission here on earth".  The Filipinos, and I'm sure the most of the rest of the world is eager to see Pope Francis fulfill his mission of bringing Catholics back to the faith. 

It is no surprise that media outlets in the Philippines are supportive of the new pope - 82% of their population is Catholic. It'll be interesting to explore the views on the new Pontiff from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and other diverse ethnic groups around the region. 

Links:

http://www.malaya.com.ph/index.php/news/nation/26601-francis-had-special-words-for-filipinos

http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/world/43536-pope-francis-shuns-vatican-one-limousine

http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/03/meet_jesuit_pope_francis_--_a.html

      

See World Run: First 90 Days (Southeast Asia)

The first region I will be focusing on for 90 days is Southeast Asia. This semester I am taking an International Relations course where each student is required to choose a country and learn everything about it; I chose the Philippines. So to start off this blog I will not only see the world run from the Filipino perspective but from other nations of Southeast Asia as well.