Wars, threats of wars, scandals a death, marked the year.
The vicious civil war continues unabated in Syria, death and suffering pile up and there seems to be no end to this misery. In Iraq, the sectarian violence spirals out of control and in Libya, a combination of warlords, tribal and regional fighting create a longing for another strongman a la Gadhafi and that may well be what will happen. Yemen, Somalia, Sudan are on the brink and in Egypt and Tunisia, the promise of democratic change is on hold. The Palestinian issue has seen the EU taking a more robust stance, especially on the continued building and the expansion of settlements and there is even talk of comparison to " apartheid"( this may be as a result of the death of Nelson Mandela, that stirred memories of guilt, for doing too little too late to dismantle the vicious, racist policy of apartheid)
Threat of war with Iran has receded and the American withdrawal from Afghanistan is in trouble with the irrational/erratic Karzai, who want to wait until after the elections to formalise details. Pakistan is still beset with sectarian violence and the upcoming trial of Musharraf. Kim Jong Un has executed his uncle, in what would seem to be a power struggle and the world remain mystify, about him. Myanmar is making slow strides towards modernity and democracy and Thailand is in turmoil again. Sectarian , Christian/ Muslim continues in Nigeria and Kenya and the French with the consent of the UN is active in its former colonies.
In Canada, the Harper government continue to be on the defensive over the Senate/ Duffy scandal and there is a fight between Flaherty and Kenny over disgraced, crack-user/mayor of Toronto Ford. Obama has been able to avoid another bruising budget battle with the Republicans, with Boehner lashing out at the Tea Partyers and their financial backers and finally, there is an Improvement over the registration for the Affordable Care.
Hopefully, 2014 will bring better news. Goodbye 2013 and all the best for 2014.
The vicious civil war continues unabated in Syria, death and suffering pile up and there seems to be no end to this misery. In Iraq, the sectarian violence spirals out of control and in Libya, a combination of warlords, tribal and regional fighting create a longing for another strongman a la Gadhafi and that may well be what will happen. Yemen, Somalia, Sudan are on the brink and in Egypt and Tunisia, the promise of democratic change is on hold. The Palestinian issue has seen the EU taking a more robust stance, especially on the continued building and the expansion of settlements and there is even talk of comparison to " apartheid"( this may be as a result of the death of Nelson Mandela, that stirred memories of guilt, for doing too little too late to dismantle the vicious, racist policy of apartheid)
Threat of war with Iran has receded and the American withdrawal from Afghanistan is in trouble with the irrational/erratic Karzai, who want to wait until after the elections to formalise details. Pakistan is still beset with sectarian violence and the upcoming trial of Musharraf. Kim Jong Un has executed his uncle, in what would seem to be a power struggle and the world remain mystify, about him. Myanmar is making slow strides towards modernity and democracy and Thailand is in turmoil again. Sectarian , Christian/ Muslim continues in Nigeria and Kenya and the French with the consent of the UN is active in its former colonies.
In Canada, the Harper government continue to be on the defensive over the Senate/ Duffy scandal and there is a fight between Flaherty and Kenny over disgraced, crack-user/mayor of Toronto Ford. Obama has been able to avoid another bruising budget battle with the Republicans, with Boehner lashing out at the Tea Partyers and their financial backers and finally, there is an Improvement over the registration for the Affordable Care.
Hopefully, 2014 will bring better news. Goodbye 2013 and all the best for 2014.
