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Fair Observer Monthly

April 2018

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Atul Singh (Founder, CEO & Editor-in-Chief) Abul-Hasanat Siddique (Co-Founder, COO & Managing Editor) Anna Pivovarchuk (Co-Founder & Deputy Managing Editor)

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International Standard Serial Number (ISSN): 2372-9112

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CONTENTS

About Fair Observer 5 Share Your Perspective 6

Black Panthers Don’t Speak Xhosa 7 Stephen Chan

Donald Trump’s Cabinet of Disruption 10 Mehdi Noorbaksh

Africa Opens Up Borders to Free Trade 14 Shigoli Shitero

Syrian Civil War Escalates to International Crisis 16 Gary Grappo

Why Moral Panics About Video Games Are Bad Politics 19 Liana Kerzner

The Murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Six Months On 22 Rebecca Vincent

Congress Should Still Vote on Trump’s Syrian Strike 25 Derek Cressman

Cuba After Castro: A New Beginning? 28 Kinga Brudzinska

Indian Cinema’s Own Brand of Sexism 30 Ankita Mukhopadhyay

Turkish Election Call Sparks Fresh Thinking 34 Nathaniel Handy

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ABOUT FAIR OBSERVER

Fair Observer is a US-based nonprofit media organization that aims to inform and educate global citizens of today and tomorrow. We publish a crowdsourced multimedia journal that provides a 360° view to help you make sense of the world. We also conduct educational and training programs for students, young professionals and business executives on subjects like journalism, geopolitics, the global economy, diversity and more.

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SHARE YOUR PERSPECTIVE

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Black Panthers Don’t Speak Coates and Cornel West. West was once a great philosopher — his work on Xhosa philosophic pragmatism was astounding Stephen Chan — but has produced no scholarly April 4, 2018 breakthrough for some time. He asserts that the fractures of society have more Black Panther makes sense for black to them than the dispossessed being Americans who have never stayed long simply black. Coates was, of course, the in Africa, people who want a Marvel writer of the Black Panther Marvel Comic of their own. Comic, as well as an extremely thoughtful journalist. But the film of his Since 1979, I have wandered and comic makes of African blackness an worked all over Africa. That work has undifferentiated mishmash that, all the been in the slums of great cities, same, underwrites precisely West’s innumerable war zones, universities, point that economics, leverage and amidst spectacular natural beauty, and power, strategies of cooperation and with wonderful people. I have worked confrontation, and global structures all with liberation movements and have something to do with race relations opposition leaders as well as with prime and, in the case of the film, international ministers and generals, and have relations. advised African delegations negotiating with Beijing and ministers meeting the MISHMASH IMF. Black Panther a mish-mash despite its As such, I was totally bemused by the effort to use African language. Xhosa, a film Black Panther. It was a fun film. widespread language in South Africa, Some adrenalin got pumping. The known for its clicks, is spoken well in the female warriors did good spear work — film. Except that, suddenly, from time to although it was Okinawan and Chinese time, a Swahili word or phrase suddenly spear work — and the Argentinian intrudes. That’s careless and lazy, like scenery was fantastic. But how do you mixing a bit of Finnish with Greek and reimagine Africa from the basis of this claiming it’s all European. film? Maybe it makes sense for black Americans who have never stayed long But perhaps the Swahili is a useful in Africa, people who want a Marvel pointer as, in fact, there actually aren’t Comic of their own. But being black is too many black panthers in Africa. not being African. Reimagining Outside South America, where they are blackness is not reimagining Africa. A members of the jaguar species, comic is a comic. Black Panther is panthers are black leopards that live wonderful, but trivial. mostly in Asia, with small populations in Ethiopia and Kenya. Kenya is one of the I have followed the argument on race Eastern African countries where Swahili politics in America between Ta-Nehisi

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is spoken, as it is in minority parts of characteristics in Black Panther. Firstly, Ethiopia. But no black panther has ever every single technology achieved by this existed in South Africa where Xhosa is African state owes to vibranium; without spoken. Ancestors who speak Xhosa it they are reduced to nothing. With it, and who have the powers of a panther Wakanda is great — suggesting people are gobbledygook. Apart from the color, got lucky in the foundation of their black jaguars and black leopards are development. Secondly, the Wakandan very different. The panthers glimpsed in scientists beneficiated (processed and the film are jaguars — South American. manufactured it from its raw state) it themselves. The idea of a hidden mountain kingdom in South Africa immediately resonates This is the absolute key point of the film, with the fact that Lesotho is exactly a and it is a very good one. And it is the largely unknown such kingdom. I kept key point of Cornel West. Much of scanning the Argentinian landscape Africa’s underdevelopment is because hoping it was in fact Lesotho, a country multi-national mining corporations of great but devastated beauty; but in extract the continent’s minerals and raw Lesotho they speak Sesotho, which is materials, but then they beneficiate it not Xhosa by a long shot. and make huge profits from the manufactured product, and none of the DO IT YOURSELF profit from that comes back to Africa. The African state that develops the Wakanda is most reminiscent of the El industrial capacity to achieve the Dorado of the dreams of Spanish manufacture of its raw materials will imperialists. In fact, the whole of the film become much richer than the one that resonates with the tropes of imperialism, simply sells its assets raw. from which Wakanda has supposedly freed itself. But the very name, But huge industrial combines seek to Wakanda, was first used by Edgar Rice keep manufacture in the USA, in Burroughs, the inventor of Tarzan — Europe, in China. Jobs and economies very like a Marvel character — who depend on it. When Middle Eastern hardly represented an accurate picture countries began refining their own oil, it of Africa. The Ghost Who Walks, the caused a huge outcry. That was the Panther Who Walks — the parallels are prerogative of Exxon Mobil and the rest unflattering. of what were then called the Seven Sisters — all Western corporations. That But the capital of Wakanda is indeed a protected black workers in the West as hidden El Dorado, not of gold, but of well. technology, based on the fictional mineral, vibranium. To be fair, vibranium If the take-home from Black Panther is keeps popping up in a range of Marvel that you’ve got to do it yourself, it is a Comics, but it has two chief wonderful take-home. But industries and

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their workers will indeed suffer is that Ross becomes the true elsewhere. That is why neither right nor caricature. He has to be taught left, corporations nor trade unions, everything. He becomes a comic bosses nor workers want an character, an inversion in racial industrialized Africa. stereotypes of Eddie Murphy’s jiving black cop; only Ross, while certainly If, by some wonderful movie-magic brave, is essentially an idiot. chance, all the new African industries could be ecologically clean, that would The Korean car chase again echoes be a fantasy come true. But almost every James Bond and Jason industrialization is messy, as China has Bourne film. I kept looking for the Italian shown. And 55 separate African suits from John Wicks. But that’s the countries are not going to come up with subtext perhaps: Africa is the melting a common industrial and environmental pot of the future. It will absorb platform and policy. And, as the US everything we throw at it and rise into withdraws from the Paris Climate something very great but not currently Agreement, why should it? If the US recognizable. In this, imagination and doesn’t care for the environment, why reimagination are great things. should Africa? But we should perhaps imagine a little YOU HAVE TO DREAM more boldly, more dramatically. Remember, before the imperial powers All these things are left unexplored in formally colonized Africa in 1884 at the the film. Equality is going to be messy. Congress of Berlin, they had imposed Not in the conquest of former two great Opium Wars on China from imperialism as advocated by Killmonger 1839 to 1860. in the film, but in getting the total act together. The effort to turn China into a nation of drug addicts and force international But the film is a fantasy. It’s science trade onto the country on European fiction. I am too hard on it. You have to terms was as racially charged as the dream. And it has to be a dream that crimes against Africa. The Chinese plugs into other dreams in the dreaming called it their “century of humiliation.” cinematic world and its associated Did China emerge by yellowness? media. Would that have been enough? It imagined itself as greater and more So it’s no surprise that the film’s Korean complex than anything China had ever nightclub scene is a direct lift from been before. Casino Royale, with white CIA agent Ross playing the part of black CIA agent That, I hope, will be the imagination Felix Leiter in the James Bond behind the new Africa. archetype. What I liked in Black Panther

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Stephen Chan is a and surrounded himself with individuals professor of who are beholden to him. Most recently, international relations at he has appointed hawkish individuals the School of Oriental who are to the extreme right of the and African Studies American political spectrum. (SOAS), University of London. His focus lies in security issues, John R. Bolton will become the new using comparative philosophical and national security advisor to President theological lenses, and he has worked Trump. Bolton defended the 2003 on conflict resolution and postwar American invasion of Iraq and continues reconstruction in several African to defend it, although the president countries. Former international civil himself is one of the harshest critics of servant and university dean, Chan was this military adventure. made OBE by Queen Elizabeth in 2010. He is the author of 30 academic books, Bolton has pushed for a preemptive five books of poetry and three novels. strike against North Korea and has long been in favor of bombing Iran with the intention of changing the regime in Donald Trump’s Cabinet of Tehran. He is vehemently against the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Disruption (JCPOA), informally known as the Iran Mehdi Noorbaksh nuclear deal, signed between Iran and April 10, 2018 the United States, Germany, France, England, China and Russia in 2015. The Donald Trump’s withdrawal of the Security Council at the United Nations United States from the Iran nuclear deal supported and sanctioned the only serves the interests of the radical agreement by a vote of 15-0. Iran has conservatives in Iran. complied fully with the agreement since its inception in 2016. President Donald J. Trump has consistently engineered chaos inside The United States’ chief negotiator of the government and within the American the agreement, Wendy Sherman, wrote: society in order to establish norms and “Since going into force in 2016, that deal rules that befit his personality and has blocked Tehran’s path to a nuclear limited appreciation of international and weapon and prevented a nuclear arms domestic politics. race in the Middle East. By every account, Iran is complying with the Many in the American political realm agreement, has committed to never betted on the “grown-ups” in his cabinet obtaining nuclear weapons and has to tame him and console the public; subjected itself to rigorous monitoring however, he has quelled all efforts. and verification.” Through it all, Trump has sought to be true to the character he campaigned on

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Bolton is also an ideological partner and on Iran and the nuclear agreement. supporter of Mujahedin-e Khalq (MeK), Trump’s selection of Bolton and an Iranian opposition group and a Pompeo will surely affect the fragile terrorist organization that traitorously relations between Iran and the United fought alongside Saddam Hussein States and threaten peace and security against Iran in the Iran–Iraq war. For in the Middle East. Of late, the president decades, the group had a compound in and his increasingly hawkish cabinet Iraq’s Diayal province, which was have decided to terminate JCPOA supported and protected by Hussein. without careful consideration of its For many years, the group was on the ramifications internationally or the US State Department’s terrorist detrimental influence on the domestic organizations list because it had killed politics of Iran. many American citizens. In 2012, Bolton and others successfully lobbied for the On March 26, 2018, more than 50 removal of MeK’s terrorist designation. American retired military officers and diplomats enumerated 10 reasons for In the past, Bolton has offered extreme which they believe it is in the best arguments against and has expressed interest of the United States to preserve excessive skepticism about various the nuclear deal. Iranians have decided international institutions, including the to keep JCPOA even if the United United Nations. He is for a unipolar States will attempt to rescind it. Amid world in which the United States is growing uncertainty about US-Iran militarily superior and leads the relations, Tehran has been international community, and believes contemplating various responses to the that the United States alone can United States’ decision. In the worst- manage international order. George case scenario, Trump can abrogate the Will, a well-known conservative thinker agreement and reimpose previously and writer, argues that Bolton perceives waived secondary sanctions. the United States as having the power and ability to determine which countries A lesser decision would be to withdraw in the world can or cannot have nuclear from the agreement but not seek to weapons. The United States, according enforce any nuclear-related sanctions. to Bolton, must rely on military might to In the first case, Trump would likely lead and establish order. jeopardize United States’ trans-Atlantic relationships, which consequently does NEW ORDER not serve the interests and the international standing of the United John Bolton, as the new national States while at the same time making security advisor, and Mike Pompeo, as any nuclear agreements with the North the new secretary of state, are the two Korean government much more difficult. most hawkish figures in Trump’s cabinet, as they both share similar views UNDERSTANDING IRAN

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The majority of those following the issue establishment of JCPOA and of US-Iran relations are concerned democratic norms in politics, and they about the potential impact on opposed opening up the country to the international peace-building efforts while outside world, especially the West. ignoring the undoubtedly consequential impact of Trump’s injudicious decision This battle between the two political on Iranian domestic politics. The sides continued and formed the nucleus withdrawal of the United States from and the essence of Iranian politics JCPOA will have a tremendous negative today. Under the pressure of the reform effect on Iranian domestic politics. movement, Iran has taken precarious, Initially, the nuclear agreement with the but meaningful, steps in establishing a West divided the reformers civil society (though it remains extremely (eslahtalaban) and the radical fragile) and has adopted a few infant conservatives (mohafezeh karan democratic institutions, including a free rastgara) inside Iran, and this political (but not fair) election. Radical division has continued today. The conservatives, who have enjoyed the reformers backed the presidency of support of Supreme Leader of Iran Hassan Rouhani, who committed Ayatollah Khamenei, the Revolutionary himself to pushing for a nuclear Guard, the judiciary branch, and who agreement with the West. possess enormous economic resources in the country, stood against democratic For the reformers, a nuclear agreement norms and preferred antagonism with the West would have allowed the against the West. country to open up gradually to the outside world and embrace democratic This antagonistic attitude of the radical norms in politics. Iran’s reform conservatives and Ayatollah Khamenei movement began with Mehdi Bazargan, toward the West, and especially the who was the first prime minster of the United States, could be understood only provisional government after the Iranian in the context of the Cold War and the Revolution in 1979. appetites that communism had developed for dissent and opposition to This intensified as a social movement the West. The radical conservatives and with the presidency of Mohammad Ayatollah Khamenei in Iran have tried Khatami (1997-2005). Reformers stood relentlessly to impose a Cold War on for democracy, democratic norms in Iran against the West and the United government and society, and were in States in order to overwhelm a society favor of opening up the country to the that continuously fought for reform and outside world, especially the West. The democracy. reformers have also tried hard in the last four decades to stand against STOLEN DEMOCRACY authoritarianism. Radical conservatives, on the other hand, were against the

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Understanding this duality in the politics nationalize the oil industry and tame of Iran is not impossible or even difficult. authoritarianism of the Pahlavi Nevertheless, some in the West with monarchy in favor of the rule of law and ideological interests have tried to ignore democratic norms in government. The it. Among the millions of reformers who Americans and the British carried out a stood for JCPOA are Sadegh Zibakalam coup in 1953, toppling Mosaddeq’s and Mostafa Tajzadeh. The former is a government and paving the way for university professor and the latter was a authoritarian domination over the member of Khatami’s cabinet. government and society. Zibakalam has recently received a two- year jail sentence, while Tajzadeh has The Iranians have never forgotten the served five years in jail and was chance at democracy that was stolen released last year. Similar to thousands from them. Donald Trump and his of reformers, they paid a heavy price for cabinet of disruption, especially the role being outspoken against that John Bolton could play in shaping authoritarianism in Iran and the policies American foreign policy toward Iran, will that ignored the interests of the whole not help Iran’s path toward gradual nation. moderation and democratization.

All reformers, among them these The withdrawal of the United States individuals have advocated for a nuclear from JCPOA — a deal that has the agreement with the West because they support of the international community, considered international tension an the majority in the United States and anathema to any efforts for democratic Europe, and the majority in Iran and all reform and gradual change inside Iran. reformers — is not judicious and may Trump’s withdrawal of the United States help radical conservative right in Iran from the Iran nuclear deal only serves may push for the model that North the interests of the radical conservatives Koreans have adopted. Iran will turn in Iran and directly plays into the hands toward enrichment as the head of the of those with authoritarian Iranian nuclear program Ali Akbar Salehi predispositions who would like to has announced, meaning the West will destroy any peaceful and gradual have to deal with a nuclear Iran in the attempts toward inaugurating future. democratic norms inside the country. An annulment of the agreement will also Iranians have already experienced the undoubtedly harm any attempts at United States’ disregard and disrespect international peace building and disrupt for the interests of the nation and the reformist measures inside Iranian democratic changes inside the country. politics in immeasurable ways, once In the early 1950s, Mohammad again directing the nation away from Mosaddeq, a nationalist and democratic democratic values and ideals. leader, was democratically elected to

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Mehdi Noorbaksh is a by both the internal makeup of the professor of countries and a shifting geopolitical international affairs at environment. Harrisburg University of Science and In 2014, African heads of state saw a Technology. He rare invite to Washington by the Obama specializes in several areas, including administration to discuss trade, international politics, global energy and investment and security. This was seen health, and democratic movements and as a counterbalance to the growing processes in Middle East politics. His Chinese influence on the continent; by most recent academic achievements 2014 China-Africa trade totaled $200 include receiving his Master of Business billion, up from approximately $100 Administration (MBA) and Master of billion during the 2008 financial crisis. Health Administration (MHA) in 2006 from the University of Houston. In 1996, With the chaotic and confusing nature of Noorbaksh earned both his PhD in the geopolitical challenges and the Government Studies from the University continued courting of African countries of Texas at Austin and a position at by both Beijing, through the new and Harvard University’s Center for Middle ambition Belt and Road Initiative, and by Eastern Studies as a post-doctoral the Washington security gospel, Africa fellow. finds itself in a position where it has to define its fortunes. By 2010, trade between African countries was only Africa Opens Up Borders to 11%, compared to 50% within Asia, 21% in Latin America and Caribbean, Free Trade with Europe leading at 70% of internal Shigoli Shitero trade. The picture is not of a continent April 11, 2018 that less than 130 years ago had no artificial boundaries and where its The creation of a continental free trade people traded and migrated freely. area across the African continent poses unique conflict of interest challenges for The African Union has embarked on an the signatories. initiative that is ambitious but also necessary. The Africa Continental Free In March, African leaders descended Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), signed in upon Kigali, Rwanda, the Land of a Kigali last month by 44 of the 54 African Thousand Hills’ capital, to ink an countries, is the first step in the journey agreement that is meant to smoothen of a thousand miles. the rough terrain of intra-African trade. Nearly 50 years after independence As a matter of note, the two largest movements swept across Africa, the African economies, Nigeria and South continent is still struggling to find its Africa, did not participate in this historic footing. The challenges are exacerbated

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event. This signals the internal advantage. Africa’s huge landmass is challenges that, despite initiatives to logistical nightmare. For the free trade deepen integration and remove trade agreement to be successful, the colonial barriers, have been the hallmark of the angst of constructing transport problems facing regional economic infrastructure that is outward looking communities. must be replaced by infrastructure that connects the interior populations rather First, on average, each African country than acts as a link to ports for external belongs to at least two trading blocs, a trade. Recently, there has been a phenomenon that has created confusion transport infrastructure boom in East and challenges in implementing regional Africa that has been fueled by the need objectives. One example is Tanzania’s for accessibility to sea ports for membership in both the Southern extraction and export of oil and gas. African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community Construction of ports and high-speed (EAC). When implementing external railways has been inspired by the tariffs for the EAC, Tanzania can trade economy of extraction — the hallmark of within the SADC, where it enjoys free colonialism. As a result, most of Africa’s trade status, leading to trade diversion goods are raw materials. The from EAC countries. comparative advantage question is one that is harder to answer given that Second, demographic composition and similar goods are produced in many national stereotypes that lead to non- countries across the on the continent. tariff barriers must be addressed with honesty. There has been ongoing trade According to the World Bank, sub- wars between Kenya and Tanzania Saharan Africa exports in 2016 despite the EAC integration process consisted of approximately 34% of raw allowing free movement of goods and materials. This ranges from natural people across the border. resource to food commodities, which fuels the growing trade imbalance with South Africa has been in the news when the outside world. xenophobic hostility toward fellow African immigrants erupted in riots. For intra-Africa trade to grow, there Despite the AfCFTA, the leadership must be a shift toward creating of must be exasperated by the challenges indigenous industries that can provide a that it faces, meaning it needs to work competitive edge in trade with the toward smoothing the relations and outside world. On the global scale, avoiding internal conflicts for the greater some African countries have good. commitments to other countries’ trade objectives. A classical pillar of trade theory is geographical proximity and comparative

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A case in point is China’s Belt and Road Syrian Civil War Escalates to Initiative. Since its inception five years ago, the ambitious Chinese foreign International Crisis policy has recruited some African states Gary Grappo like Kenya and Ethiopia, whose strategic April 12, 2018 geographical position is significant to Beijing’s objectives. This will definitely The Syrian War, apart from its be a challenge that these countries will horrendous humanitarian toll, is now for have to deal with going forward, since all intents and purposes an international the interests of the AfCFTA must conflict. supersede their national interests tied to the global trade initiatives. If not Syria’s civil war has reached a checked, the conflict of interest will be a magnitude unforeseen by anyone in the hindrance in achieving the intra-trade conflict’s seven-year course. Not in objectives. 2011, when it began. Not in 2012 when President Barack Obama drew his no- The African continent must be the chemical-weapons red line and then author of its own fortune rather than failed to deliver on one year later. Not in misfortune. This is a painful medicine 2015 when Russia deployed air and that it must take, but one that will set it ground forces to bolster Syrian, Iranian on a path of prosperity both as a and Hezbollah forces defending the powerhouse and an integral part at the embattled Syrian regime. And not last geopolitical negotiating table. The year when President Donald Trump signing the AfCFTA is a show of good ordered a punitive attack for Syria’s use faith, but the task lies in the of chemical weapons against the town implementation process. Member of Khan Sheikhoun in northwestern countries need to be ready to face the Syria. challenges both internal and external to bring the agreement to life. President Trump’s derisive remarks aimed at Russian President Vladimir Putin, however unseemly and Shigoli Shitero is a undignified for an American president, Kenyan economist and nevertheless illustrate the severity of the internal controls Syrian Civil War. professional at a financial institution. He If more evidence is needed, consider holds a graduate degree that Israel’s defense minister, Avigdor in economics from the University of Lieberman, said on April 10 that if Iran Nairobi. His research focuses on follows through with its threats against economics, corruption, trade, inequality, the Jewish state from Syrian territory, economic development and behavioral “Syrian President Bashar Assad and his economics. regime will be those that pay the price.”

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The crisis, apart from its horrendous after claiming Syria’s chemical weapons humanitarian toll, is now for all intents were removed by the Organization for and purposes an international conflict the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons involving the superpower United States, after his use of sarin gas in Ghouta in great power Russia and several major 2013, which coincidentally neighbors the regional powers with significant military town where the most recent attack capability — i.e., Iran, Turkey and Israel. occurred. In addition, non-state actors, including Hezbollah, Shia militias from at least As this and last year’s use of sarin gas three countries, al-Qaeda affiliates and illustrate, Assad is morally the Islamic State, are also militarily unconstrained in his effort to restore as engaged. much of Syria as possible to his control. Russia and Iran, which itself suffered This is precisely the kind of conflict the under Saddam Hussein’s repeated post-World War II rules-based chemical attacks during the 1980-1988 international order sought to prevent. Iran-Iraq War, appear remarkably, even Now, the possibility of major power criminally, indifferent to this major conflict raises the stakes for all parties. breach in international law and order President Trump’s taunts, Russian and the threat it poses. diplomatic threats to shoot down US missiles, and Israeli-Iranian verbal Left unpunished and accountable, jousting serve only to inflame an already Assad can be expected to employ tense situation in a crisis-wracked nation similar tactics and weapons in the and region. northwestern province of Idlib, where he faces more powerful and numerous CHEMICAL WEAPONS: A MEANS TO opposition forces. After the Douma AN END FOR “BUTCHER OF attacks, Idlib will remain the last redoubt DAMASCUS” of major opposition in western Syria. (The US-backed Syrian Democratic The world should first note what Forces in the country’s northeast face its precipitated this latest round in the gravest threat from Turkey, which fears crisis. Syrian President Bashar al- a semi-independent Kurdish state on its Assad’s use of chemical weapons southern border.) As in Douma, Ghouta against alleged opposition forces and and Khan Sheikhoun, Assad will be civilians in the town of Douma outside unfazed by the large presence of civilian Damascus is a war crime. Since the end non-combatants in Idlib, many of whom of World War I, the international have been forced to relocate there from community has recognized through UN elsewhere in Syria. conventions and treaties that use of such weapons is both inhumane and The American punitive missile attack dangerous to international order. Assad against Syria in 2017 had no marked has flaunted those conventions, even impact on Assad, or apparently on his

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Russian and Iranian patrons. It is a A serious effort to revive Geneva may useful and, in his perverse view, a require some distasteful concessions to necessary and effective tool of coercion many. and force. One is left to conclude that, regardless of how strong, any second For the Syrian people, the US and most US reprisal attack, as promised by European and Arab nations, it may Trump, is unlikely to deter the butcher of mean tolerating Assad, if only for a Damascus. He will strike again as long limited period of time. For Russia, Iran, as he believes he can achieve his Hezbollah and the Shia militias siding objective. with Assad, it may mean agreeing to remove all offensive forces. And for DE-ESCALATE CRISIS Assad, it may mean agreeing to step down after a “suitable” period of time. But justice for Assad may have to wait. Foregoing justice for Assad, if only Not only is it unrealistic at the moment temporarily, may perhaps be the most — unless the US targets the Syrian repugnant concession of all. leader himself — but there is a more important concern at stake, regional if The most urgent priority must be to not international order. The US and ratchet down this conflict and then begin other powers must find a way to de- a genuine effort to end it. If that is not escalate this crisis. done, it will surely grow to something much worse, as it has since 2011. Assuming the US follows through with its promise to respond with force, its next if not simultaneous move must be Gary Grappo is a to restart the moribund Geneva peace former US ambassador talks or begin an alternative, this time and a distinguished with all relevant players at the table. fellow at the Center for Diplomacy is not the American Middle East Studies at president’s strong suit. the Korbel School for International Studies, University of But if the horrific humanitarian toll — Denver. He possesses nearly 40 years over a half-million killed and more than of diplomatic and public policy 50% of the population either internally experience in a variety of public, private displaced or refugees in neighboring and nonprofit endeavors. As a career countries, Europe or beyond — is not member of the Senior Foreign Service enough for Trump and the other of the US Department of State, he concerned parties, then the prospect of served as Envoy and Head of Mission of great power confrontation with no idea the Office of the Quartet Representative, of where that would lead should the Honorable Mr. Tony Blair, in convince them. Military escalation hasn’t Jerusalem. Grappo is chairman of the ended this conflict and won’t. Board of Directors at Fair Observer.

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Why Moral Panics About Egbert III, a 16-year-old prodigy who had disappeared from Michigan State Video Games Are Bad University. Egbert had struggled with Politics depression and drug addiction, but the Liana Kerzner investigator falsely believed that the April 13, 2018 cause of Egbert’s disappearance was the guidebook-driven role-playing game Despite what the media and politicians series Dungeons and Dragons. Egbert have said, there is no evidence that died by suicide in 1980, and activists shows that playing video games turn once again blamed D&D. In 1982, young people into killers. another teenager, Irving Lee Pulling, also fatally shot himself. His mother, What do Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Patricia Pulling, blamed Dungeons and Barack Obama and Donald Trump have Dragons, going so far as to sue D&D in common? They all presided over publishers, TSR Inc., and her son’s high moral panics involving games. The school principal for putting a demonic ongoing “debate” about video and curse on her son through the game. tabletop games has twisted and turned since the 1980s. Video games have Patricia Pulling lost both cases, but she been blamed for racism, sexism, may have won the PR war. Despite violence, delinquency and even multiple studies from sources such as demonic possession. Despite a the US Centers for Disease Control and complete lack of evidence to support Health and Welfare Canada showing no these claims, the war on video games causal link between D&D and suicide, persists. the emotional impact of seeing grieving parents on television was undeniable. It’s easy enough for scientists to say that kids aren’t psychologically damaged MODERN SENSIBILITIES by games, but parental fear is a powerful thing. The fear that some form By modern sensibilities, the idea of of media will damage the minds of their psychological disturbance due to children is often too powerful to override demonic possession sounds absurd. But with facts and studies. Besides, politics subsequent accusations against video has never really relied on adherence to games have been no more based in facts. But the rationalizations for fact. In 1992, a similar moral panic ludectrophobia — the fear of video erupted over the game Mortal Kombat, games — evolve with the times, with the which had elements of supernatural foundations starting even before video gore similar to Dungeons and Dragons games were popular. with a kung fu twist. This time, no one got hurt, except the delicate sensibilities In 1979, a private investigator was hired of Senator Joe Lieberman. by worried parents to find James Dallas

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“We’re talking about video games that people in the Heath High School glorify violence and teach children to shooting. This legal strategy was copied enjoy inflicting the most gruesome forms by the family of a Columbine victim. of cruelty imaginable,” Lieberman is quoted as saying, despite knowing Both suits failed because video games, nothing about video games. He then unlike non-media products, are chaired a subcommittee on sex, protected by the First Amendment. But violence and racism in video games, Thompson’s claim that game developers based on no facts, but plenty of vote- were making “murder simulators” got pandering outrage. The video game traction in the media. He was arguing a industry responded by founding the concept called “operant conditioning”: Entertainment Software Rating Board behavior modification through direct (ESRB) to self-regulate its content, but positive and negative stimulus. It was, this didn’t call off the cynically political essentially, the demonic possession of dogs for long. The war on video games the new millennium. was a fire in search of fuel, and on April 20, 1999, the Columbine High School MURDER SIMULATORS Massacre provided that fuel. After the Columbine High School In the wake of the 12 murdered shooting, there was a great deal of students, one murdered teacher and 21 research done that showed that playing injured, parents were once again video games doesn’t turn young people viscerally afraid for the safety of their into killers. However, based on the children. Because the two perpetrators strength of the “murder simulator” media of Columbine were fans of violent video narrative, various states banned the games, the media seized on video sale of violent video games to children. games as a scapegoat. The truth was This led to the national corporate policy that in the years before the Columbine in gaming stores that prohibited sales of massacre, the perpetrators were less violent games to people who were going violent in their outward behavior and to give them to minors. This, in turn, writing when they were allowed to resulted in corporate sexism: When an express their rages in video games. adult woman bought violent video Only after they were cut off from that games, she was more likely than a man outlet did they start planning the school to be grilled about whether she was attack. buying a game for a child.

You wouldn’t have known this from The video game industry launched a watching the news, however. The media legal challenge to the ban in California, was more widely circulating the theories which reached the US Supreme Court in of moral crusader lawyer Jack 2011. SCOTUS ruled that video games Thompson, who was suing video game are subject to free speech protections in makers for liability in the deaths of three a rare point of 7-2 bipartisan agreement.

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The court also ruled that there was no SOMETHING EVIL compelling evidence of a link between violent video games and negative After 17 people were murdered in the impacts on children. But bland scientific mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman papers and constitutional Amendment Douglas High School on Valentine’s Day debates don’t make people any less 2018, President Donald Trump once scared. In some ways, court rulings again summoned members of the video make the fear worse. game industry to yet another meeting. The White House YouTube channel After the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary then released the series of violent video School mass shooting in Newtown, game excerpts. Connecticut, the NRA’s Wayne LaPierre directly blamed video games for the Trump’s liberal opponents murder of the 20 children and 7 adults. simultaneously disagreed that video Vice President Joe Biden met with games directly cause violence, but members of the gaming industry, echoed Joe Lieberman’s opinion that assured them they weren’t being singled video games cultivate a glorified opinion out, then suggested a tax on violent of violence. They couldn’t really do video games. President Obama then otherwise since they championed this said that Congress should fund more view during the Obama/Biden years research into the effects that violent despite all the evidence to the contrary. video games have on young minds. Not So there’s bipartisan consensus that surprisingly, nothing substantial came there’s something evil about video out of Obama’s call for more research. games, despite a complete lack of In fact, as video games have grown scientific evidence supporting this idea. more popular, youth violence has The D&D theory of demonic possession plummeted. lives on by other names.

But the fear has persisted. In 2013, While this fear-mongering may mobilize Anita Sarkeesian’s infamous Tropes vs the religious right and worried, left- Women series argued that video games leaning PTA moms, this toxic politicking help cultivate violent, sexist and racist is hurting kids. The foolish idea that attitudes. The difference between Jack digital representations of guns are a Thompson’s arguments in the 1990s more serious problem than actual, real- and Sarkeesian’s ongoing allegations world guns is contributing to the delay against video games is that Thompson on a meaningful debate on America’s believed that video games conditioned attitude toward guns. It is possible to behavior. Sarkeesian claims video combat the problem of gun violence games cultivate opinions. To worried without trampling US citizens’ rights to parents, this is a distinction without a bear arms, but not while the media difference. It still might as well be continues to focus on the NRA- demonic possession.

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approved narrative about the evils of video games and issues of interest to video games. gamers her primary focus, creating five days-a-week video content on her There is nothing in Doom or Mortal YouTube channel. Her first formal Kombat that encourages anyone to hurt series, A Gamer's Guide to Feminism, innocents. These games do, however, created a positive dialogue surrounding temporarily help players escape the women in gaming. The follow up, Lady deep feelings of anxiety and Bits, was funded on Kickstarter in only powerlessness that they feel in the real six days, and will premiere in fall 2017. world. Instead of demonizing the games popular with young men, we should be using these games to get them talking to The Murder of Daphne us. Caruana Galizia, Six Months Every time authority figures treat video Later games as evil, they lose the trust of the Rebecca Vincent people who identify as gamers. Many of April 16, 2018 these people are young and vulnerable, and if they continue to pull away, it’s a Six months after Daphne Caruana recipe for social disaster. Video games Galizia’s assassination shook the world, are too culturally dominant to continue attacks on journalists across the EU are to treat them as the work of Satan, and becoming a new reality. while doing so may gain politicians a few votes in the short term, it also On a Monday afternoon last October, six exposes them as opportunists who will months ago today, journalist Daphne put a sellable story ahead of decades of Caruana Galizia finished what would be facts. That isn’t real leadership. That’s her last blog post, closing with the now politics at its worst. well-known lines: “There are crooks everywhere you look. The situation is desperate.” Around half an hour later, Liana Kerzner is a she was killed by a car bomb that video game analyst with detonated as she drove away from her a specialty in interactive home in Bidnija, Malta. gender performance. She has been a late Caruana Galizia was a courageous night comedian, talk investigative journalist known for her radio host, award-winning documentary relentless and detailed exposure of producer, acclaimed book editor, op-ed corruption, including through her columnist, journalist, mosaic feminist, blogging and her reporting on the cosplayer and pin-up model. Since she Panama Papers. Her murder shocked was 3 years old, she has also been a the world. The blatant assassination of a gamer. In 2016, she made analysis of journalist in broad daylight in an EU

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state was simply unthinkable. But six ambassador to Malta, Joop Nijssen, months later, it is sadly becoming a new even weighed in on Twitter: “Hope reality. Journalist Jan Kusiak and his @rebecca_vincent gets requested partner Martina Kusnirova were meetings.” People started to comment murdered in Slovakia in February. on it everywhere I went, with many Journalists in Bulgaria and Croatia have joking that I should have invited him for reported receiving death threats in rabbit — a reference to footage Caruana recent months. It also emerged that Galizia had published showing Cutajar nearly 200 journalists needed police leaving a restaurant famous for its rabbit protection in Italy in 2017. dishes and refusing to comment on a breaking scandal related to Pilatus Bank Many of these attacks and threats have in April 2017. But there was still no been against investigative journalists response to my request, despite the fact who report on corruption and organized that I made it clear that RSF’s interest crime, making it more important than was in the independence and ever to understand the conditions that effectiveness of the investigation. allow for such attacks to happen, and how they might be prevented. But in the However, there was plenty of other case of Daphne Caruana Galizia, business to attend to, as a cluster of despite the arrests of three men hearings in 26 separate libel lawsuits suspected of carrying out the attack against Caruana Galizia was taking against her, the pursuit of justice has so place during my trip, on March 1. In far led to more questions than answers. total, 34 civil libel cases continue against Caruana Galizia posthumously, PROGRESS OF THE INVESTIGATION as under Maltese law, it is the plaintiff’s decision whether to withdraw such As the UK bureau director for Reporters cases in the event of the defendant’s Without Borders (RSF), I travelled to death. At the time she was murdered, Malta in March in part to attempt to get Caruana Galizia had been facing a total some information about the progress of of 42 civil defamation lawsuits, as well the investigation into Caruana Galizia’s as five criminal defamation lawsuits; the murder. I requested a meeting with criminal cases were de facto closed Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar upon Caruana Galizia’s death, per to discuss the investigation. Despite Maltese law. multiple e-mails and calls, I received nothing but a perfunctory The 34 cases that continue have been acknowledgement from a police brought by powerful figures in Malta, constable. among them Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, his Chief of Staff Keith My request piqued some interest in the Schembri, Minister for Tourism Konrad local media. I was asked about it in Mizzi and businessman Silvio Debono several interviews. The Dutch — the latter of whom has filed 19

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separate suits against Caruana Galizia Whilst in Malta, I also took part in a vigil for a single blog post of 19 sentences. on 2 March marking 10 years since the The lawyer acting for Debono in these launch of Caruana Galizia’s blog, cases, William Cuschieri, is also the Running Commentary. More than 200 defense lawyer for one of the three supporters gathered at Parliament suspects currently arraigned in Square and progressed to the makeshift connection with Caruana Galizia’s memorial to Caruana Galizia at the murder. Great Siege Monument outside the law courts in central Valletta. I had taken Despite the high number of proceedings part in other vigils in London since scheduled on March 2, nothing Caruana Galizia’s murder, but there was substantive really happened. Some something very different and incredibly cases were postponed due to the moving in joining her supporters in lawyer’s illness, some were postponed Malta. as the lawyer asked for more time, and the 19 cases filed by Debono were Despite having worked closely on postponed as the lawyer failed to bring Caruana Galizia’s case for months, until any witnesses to court. One of the I actually traveled to the country it was witnesses, who represents a not clear to me just how embattled her government entity, Projects Malta, was supporters remain. These are not only held in contempt of court for failing to her personal supporters, but Malta’s appear. pro-human rights, anti-corruption movement. Yet they are frequently Despite the frustrations of the courtroom attacked by supporters of the Labor experience that day, it gave me a government, through an elaborate and glimpse of what Caruana Galizia was incessant range of pressures, from facing at the time of her murder: a microaggressions to more blatant acts, constant barrage of vexatious lawsuits such as smears in the media and the that served as a sword of Damocles, an repeated destruction of the memorial to ever-present threat that had already Caruana Galizia. resulted in her bank account being frozen the last eight months of her life, After the March 2 vigil, the agitators that could have seen her jailed at any were considerate enough to wait a full moment, and that diverted significant two days before destroying the time from her journalistic work. This was memorial again in the dead of night — a on top of the extensive harassment and spiteful act seemingly aimed at rubbing threats she had been receiving for salt in the wounds of Caruana Galizia’s years. loved ones and supporters. Perhaps destroying this powerful visual time and SALT ON THE WOUNDS again is also intended to remove it from the curious glances of the many tourists who walk past the central location — so

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many, in fact, that some tour guides Caruana Galizia, but would also leave have begun to include it in their stops. the door open for further attacks on journalists. A clear and resolute Within the day, the memorial was back message must be sent that violent up, more prominent than before. As attacks against journalists will not be Caroline Muscat, co-founder and tolerated, not in Malta, not in broader journalist of investigative outlet The Shift Europe, not anywhere, for an attack on News, wrote, Caruana Galizia’s a journalist anywhere is an attack on supporters would be there bigger, bolder journalism and, in turn, an attack on and stronger with each attempt to democracy itself. silence them: “It is going to take so much more than removing some flowers and candles to silence calls for justice Rebecca Vincent is the following the assassination of journalist UK bureau director for Daphne Caruana Galizia.” Reporters Without Borders, known Just as the calls for justice continue in internationally as Malta, so do RSF’s abroad. In London, Reporters sans we are gathering today for a vigil to frontières (RSF). She is a human rights honor Caruana Galizia’s life and work campaigner, writer and former US and to call again for full justice for her diplomat. Vincent has worked with a murder, in parallel with similar actions wide range of international and taking part in cities across Europe and Azerbaijani NGOs, and has published in the US. We are also holding an event widely on human rights issues. at the House of Commons to mobilize members of Parliament in this case. It is our hope that such actions will increase Congress Should Still Vote pressure on the Maltese authorities — who clearly care about their international on Trump’s Syrian Strike image — to ensure full justice for this Derek Cressman horrific attack. April 17, 2018

Six months on, the challenge remains to Launching missiles against another sustain international attention to country is nothing short of an act of war. Caruana Galizia’s case, and to build The Constitution gives Congress the momentum for demands for full justice sole authority to declare war, not the for all those involved in the planning and president. carrying out of her murder. The masterminds as well as the perpetrators When he ordered a “surgical” bombing must be identified and prosecuted to the strike against Syria in retaliation for full extent of the law. Anything short Bashar al-Assad’s alleged use of would not only be an injustice for chemical weapons against his own

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people, Donald Trump violated the US sanctions, diplomacy or even military Constitution. Those members of strikes that could involve US forces. The Congress who support both the US backed a United Nations resolution Constitution and the strike should to create an independent investigation demand a vote to retroactively approve into the chemical weapons attack, which Trump’s actions. Failing to do so shirks Russia blocked. Russia was wrong to do the duty enshrined in the congressional so, but that still does not authorize the oath of office to uphold and defend the US president to launch a military strike Constitution. without congressional approval.

Launching missiles against another Congress did pass an Authorization for country is nothing short of an act of war. the Use of Military Force (AUMF) after The Constitution gives Congress the the September 11 terrorist attacks by al- sole authority to declare war, not the Qaeda, and Presidents George W. president. In response to the Vietnam Bush, Barack Obama and now Trump War, Congress passed the War Powers have used that authorization to pursue Act to delineate when the president Islamic State terrorists in both Iraq and could initiate military action prior to Syria. Some have argued that this congressional approval. That act AUMF should be updated to specifically authorizes the president to strike in authorize action against ISIS, but response to “a national emergency nobody is arguing that attacking the created by attack upon the United authoritarian regime of Bashar al-Assad States.” is the same thing as attacking ISIS or any terrorist group. In fact, Assad is also It appears certain that somebody used fighting ISIS within his own country. chemical weapons against innocent civilians in the Douma suburb of President Obama faced a similar Damascus. The government of France situation after a chemical weapons has concluded that the attack was attack in Syria in 2013. He sought instigated by Assad because “there is congressional approval to strike Syria in no plausible other scenario.” Whether or retaliation and to degrade its possibility not this is correct, the chemical to use such weapons in the future. weapons use on innocent Syrian Donald Trump himself tweeted that civilians cannot possibly be construed Obama needed approval from as an attack against the United States. Congress. By his own standards, Donald Trump violated the US Any chemical weapons use is a war Constitution when he acted without crime and a violation of the Geneva approval. Convention that should be prosecuted by the International Criminal Court or a Breaching the Constitution, especially special Syrian war crimes tribunal. An regarding a serious matter such as war, international response could include is an impeachable offense. That means

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that Congress could impeach the Syria to punish its alleged use of president for this unauthorized use of chemical weapons should introduce a force, but it doesn’t mean that it must. resolution that retroactively authorizes it. There is a reasonable argument that if Congress does indeed support Trump’s Should that resolution fail, Congress actions, it can tacitly approve his military could then decide whether or not to strike simply by failing to impeach him censure or impeach the president for over it. Many members of Congress, unauthorized use of military force. both Democrats and Republicans, did voice support for striking Syria in Should the resolution pass, it would response to chemical weapons use — send a message to future presidents both under Obama and Trump — so that they will be held accountable for why bother making a fuss over a whatever actions they take. It would also process issue? let voters consider the matter when they evaluate how their member of Congress There are two problems with Congress stood on the issue. choosing tacit approval over holding an affirmative vote to approve or reject Trump’s strike. Derek Cressman is an award-winning author, First, allowing any president to flout the voting rights advocate, Constitution erodes the separation of political strategist and powers and normalizes authoritarian former California behavior. What will stop Trump, or any secretary of state future president, from additional candidate. As US PIRG’s democracy unauthorized strikes against countries program director, he was the first such as North Korea or Iran? professional advocate in Washington, DC, to support a constitutional Second, tactic approval allows members amendment to limit campaign spending of Congress to avoid taking a roll-call in 1995. As director of Common Cause’s vote and facing accountability for their Amend 2012 campaign, Cressman was actions with the voters. Many voters on the architect behind voter instruction both the left and right strongly oppose measures in Montana, Colorado, further US military involvement in Syria, Massachusetts, and California, where while others feel that we had no choice voters demanded Congress pass an but to act. It’s a difficult situation and amendment to overturn the Supreme Congress may be happy to let the White Court’s ruling in Citizens United v. FEC. House take the heat on this issue. That Drawing inspiration from Upton Sinclair, is precisely what is wrong with it. Cressman combines writing with electoral politics in an effort to raise new Members of Congress who legitimately ideas and drive social change. agree that the US needed to attack

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Cuba After Castro: A New and vice president of the six-member Council of State in 2013. Beginning? Kinga Brudzinska Díaz-Canel has also held top positions April 18, 2018 in the provinces of Villa Clara and Holguín. Both are centers of Cuba’s Cuba will remain a one-party booming tourism industry and authoritarian state, with or without a burgeoning private sector, regularly Castro at the helm. highlighted as success stories underpinning Raúl’s ambitious economic On April 19, Raúl Castro will step down reforms. as Cuba’s president, ending almost six decades of his family’s rule of the The vice president’s “good relations’’ Caribbean island. Contrary to some with the Cuban military are also expectations, however, Havana will not significant. Despite stepping down from embark on an extensive process of the presidency, Raúl will remain both political transition. first secretary of the PCC until 2021 and the unofficial chief of the armed forces. Even though the country faces a significant generational shift in power — There is no other person on the island most of the regime’s 80 and 90-year-old who knows the military better than the historicos (Raúl is 85) are also set to outgoing president. Before replacing retire — the chances of systemic Fidel as head of state in 2008, Raúl transformation remain very low. served as defense minister from the Seasoned analysts and Cuba watchers beginning of the Cuban Revolution in instead see a continuation of the status 1959. quo: a non-Castro in charge, but no transition to a more liberal regime. Indeed, the Cuban army has played an increasingly important role in There are several reasons why Cuba government over the past decade, with will remain in Castro’s grip for the several military officers and Raúl’s foreseeable future. To begin, Raúl’s confidants serving as ministers. This most likely successor, Miguel Díaz- has undoubtedly helped the army to Canel, is considered the Castro consolidate its grip on Cuba’s economy. brothers’ star pupil. Widely regarded as Through its conglomerate Gaesa, it a non-charismatic but experienced owns the vast swathes of Cuba’s hotels, manager, the 58-year-old vice president foreign exchange houses and ports. has risen sharply through government According to some economists, the departments and Communist Party of army accounts for approximately 40- Cuba (PCC) ranks. In 2003 he became 60% of the country’s foreign exchange a member of the PCC’s principal earnings. policymaking committee, the Politburo, followed by education minister in 2009

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Consequently, it remains highly unlikely Cuba is also facing major economic that the Cuban army will put political challenges that will be hard to solve reform ahead of profits. Put simply, it within the existing model. These include has done very well out of economic weak GDP growth despite surging reforms, which over the past decade tourism (0.9% in 2016, as compared to have facilitated self-employment the average of 2.8% between 2013- activities, tax cuts for companies and 2015), damage caused by the increased foreign investment. The destructive Hurricane Irma, and a dual- army’s position is likely to be currency system that masks state emboldened by the fact that despite inefficiencies. improved diplomatic ties with the United States since 2014 and signing of the Raúl’s successor must also consider the Political Dialogue and Cooperation needs of an aging population (25% of Agreement with the European Union in Cubans are over 55 years old) and a 2017, neither resulted in a loosening of Cuban youth that equates political Raúl’s grip on the country’s political change with greater opportunity. For its system. part, the government has responded by beginning to consolidate its two According to the Freedom House Index currencies, despite fears that it will 2017, Cuba was the least free country in negatively impact the economy. It’s also Latin America and the wider Caribbean likely that the appointment of a “young” region. Internet censorship and severe non-Castro as Cuba’s new leader will be restrictions on the press, freedom of portrayed as a breath of political fresh expression and assembly remain part air. But these changes are hardly and parcel of everyday life on the island. Havana taking its first steps toward a In addition, the Cuban Commission for bright democratic future. Human Rights and National Reconciliation, an independent By appointing an heir instead of a nongovernmental organization, found reformist, Cuba is signaling to the world that in 2016 Cuban authorities detained that it only wants to open and modernize a record number of 9,940 individuals. on its own terms. Yet, there is another way. Former authoritarians remaining Thanks to Fidel and Raúl Castro, Cuba prominent actors in the new political set has been relatively successful in up of a country is nothing new: isolating itself from an increasingly Myanmar, Mexico, Poland, Spain or interconnected world. However, given Tunisia are just a few examples. Indeed, Venezuela’s parlous economic history shows that authoritarian conditions, which for years deeply successor parties are quite often freely subsidized oil supplies in return for and fairly reelected to office. doctors, teachers, sports trainers and military advisors, it will be hard for But this will not be the case of Cuba in Havana to stay isolated for too long. 2018. Instead, an island located a mere

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165 kilometers from the world’s leading in the television industry in India. As a democracy will remain a one-party 21-year-old, I was under the impression authoritarian state, with or without a that women were objectified on screen Castro at the helm. to satisfy the need of a largely male audience. But a short market research trip made me realize that television Kinga Brudzińska is a reflected the current social status of senior research fellow women in India, and that sexism was an for the Future of Europe accepted fact both on screen and Programme at the across the wider society. GLOBSEC Policy Institute in Bratislava, In December 2014, I conducted market Slovakia. She received a PhD in research for a popular daily soap opera Political Science from the University of in a village in the state of Madhya Warsaw and an MA in Economics from Pradesh. I was surprised to learn that the University of Economics in Krakow. only women watched soap operas. She also holds a Diploma in Latin When I asked a lady what her American Studies from TEC Monterrey impression was of the lead character in in Mexico. She is an expert on the a certain show, she told me: “Akshara, Spanish-speaking world, EU foreign my role model. The way she manages policy and on issues of international her household, her in-laws, her office democracy. Prior to joining GLOBSEC, work, while still managing to look good, she worked at the Polish Institute of is an inspiration for me. I aspire to be International Affairs. like her.”

What I discerned from three grueling Indian Cinema’s Own Brand days in Madhya Pradesh was that women aspired to a certain standard of of Sexism beauty and lifestyle after being Ankita Mukhopadhyay influenced by daily soaps. These serials April 20, 2018 showcase the traditional role a woman is expected to play in society — that of a When it comes to its treatment of homemaker and a child-bearer. Women women, India’s entertainment industry across India aspire to be like the lead needs a reality check. character in their favorite daily soap, who has a high sense of morality, is “We can’t cast her, she’s too fat.” “What happily married and can manage both am I going to do with an actress who household and office work with equal can act but doesn’t look good?” ease.

I lapped up these statements as Protagonists on these shows go to sleep harmless feedback for a year and a half looking like a model and wake up

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looking like one. They are decked out in But Indian television has not always gorgeous saris and heavy jewelry, and been this regressive. TV once portrayed are represented along oversimplified powerful women like Shanti, from the moral lines. More often than not, the eponymous show, a journalist out to positive female character has to face avenge the rape of her mother by two opposition from a negative female powerful men, and Simran, a doctor who antagonist who has no sense of marries a man 10 years her junior and morality, keeps multiple partners and is later becomes a single mother, in the always trying to break up families. largely popular soap opera, Astitva (existence). Indian soap opera FAIR AND LOVELY producers are capable of creating sensible content, but, unfortunately, in The problematic portrayal of women on the past few years, Indian television has television extends to advertising as well. regressed to the extent that now shows Around a decade ago, Indian TV was mostly portray women as homemakers permeated with advertisements of Fair & who are ideal wives and mothers. Lovely — a skin-lightening cream — spurring young women across the Television is just a prong in the wheel of country into changing their skin color. misogyny and sexism that is the Skin lightening is a $500-million industry entertainment industry in India. While in India, and in 2010 it was estimated to television has a wider reach, films are be growing at a rate of 18%. From equally important as they influence whitening facial skin, underarms and popular culture. Storylines of Indian even bleaching the vagina, Indian TV films have a history of harassment, eve- ads had all the options. It was not teasing — making unwanted sexual uncommon to see ads where a woman remarks to a woman in a public place — is rejected at a job interview or by her and stalking. lover because of her skin color. Many films feature a song and dance These ads represent the same sequence known as an item number, in regressive mentality of the soap operas which a slim, athletic woman, usually that demand a slim, fair-skinned woman wearing scanty clothes, is gyrating to with a pretty face who looks radiant music. Such songs are included in films while managing household chores. It to lure male crowds into theaters. took the Advertising Standards Council Kangana Ranaut has lashed out at of India over two decades to ban ads filmmakers for inserting sexist and depicting dark skin as inferior to fair obscene item numbers into films, which complexion. Unfortunately, serve no purpose other than to objectify advertisements of Fair & Lovely are still women. visible on Indian television, though they are less subtle in their preference of THE WHEEL OF SEXISM white skin over dark skin.

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The Indian film industry, more popularly Apart from being objectified and known as Bollywood, is the world’s criticized for being vocal, they are often second-largest, churning out over 1,700 subjected to boycotts by powerful films annually. Over the past few years, families who control the film industry. In many prominent female actors have one instance, Ranaut claimed that she called out sexism in the industry and faced harassment after she revealed have pointed out various instances that she had had an affair with a popular when they faced discrimination. They film actor, Hrithik Roshan, which he have lamented the fact that women are denied. Roshan is the son of Rakesh only expected to look good on screen Roshan, a powerful film producer. and that their opinions on scripts and direction are not welcome. Female Following her claim, Indian media filled actors are mainly expected to be the with articles questioning Ranaut’s arm candy of the larger-than-life mental state and sanity. She went on Bollywood film hero. Even with an record to say that she was told by a emancipated heroine, there’s always a famous female actor to not pursue the titular male character who plays a issue further as it would damage her critical part in eventually empowering career. The matter eventually reached a her to be successful in her goals. stalemate, with many people siding with Roshan’s version of the story. But the For the past two years, the debate extent to which Ranaut and her family around women in Bollywood has were harassed and singled out brought intensified, with prominent female actors out the ugly, sexist side of the Indian such as Kangana Ranaut, Anushka film world. Sharma and Sonam Kapoor speaking out against sexism. Sharma had pointed Bollywood is largely dominated by out an instance where the better hotel powerful film families that have engaged room was given to the male actor in filmmaking for generations. This has because he was the more popular star. led to wide-ranging nepotism and lesser Kapoor has always been vocal about opportunities for new talent to make a the disparity in pay between male and mark and create change in the industry. female actors. The number of women directors, Meanwhile, Ranaut, who is known to be producers and scriptwriters has also vocal about her views on scripts and remained low over the years, meaning direction, has been subjected to verbal that women-centric cinema is yet to see abuse for her honesty and has earned a a breakthrough. According to a 2017 reputation in the media for being a “loud report by the Geena Davis Institute, only mouth.” 1 in 10 directors in Bollywood are women. While this has trend has started The crevices run deeper when there are to change, women-centric films are controversies surrounding female stars. known to rake in less money than

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commercial cinema that is powered by a Women-centric cinema has also started male hero. getting some traction, with many films such as Parched and Lipstick Under My Sexism runs deeper than just the roles Burkha receiving accolades from critics portrayed by women on screen. and moviegoers alike. However, Lipstick Bollywood has a culture of casting older Under My Burkha faced the ire of the male heroes alongside young heroines, Censor Board of India that didn’t want to as male stars are unwilling to retire and see the film released owing to its “lady- play older characters. Meanwhile, oriented” content, “sexual scenes, female actors are expected to play the abusive words [and] audio role of a mother or grandmother the pornography,” as it showcased the moment they reach 35. This has sexual desires and sexual autonomy of resulted in stark age differences four Muslim women in a small town in between co-actors. According to a India. Following an outcry in the study, the age difference between co- mainstream media for banning a film stars in Bollywood has increased from about women and infringing on women’s two to three years to over 25 in the past rights, after a long battle with the decade. censors, the feature was eventually released in July 2017 to critical acclaim. CHANGE HAS TO COME Women-centric films are also facing The glass ceiling is tough to break, but hurdles in raising money. Sonam there are some who are trying to combat Kapoor once rightly pointed out that she sexism and sexist portrayals of women was facing difficulty in raising money for on screen. It is now widely accepted that her all-female film, whereas two popular change has to come from within the film male actors had received billions of industry for audiences to change their rupees for their action feature. taste in cinema. Actor Aamir Khan received national acclaim in 2016 for his Similarly, actors like Ranaut, who refuse film, Dangal (wrestling competition), on to endorse beauty creams or dance in the real-life story of wrestlers Geeta and item numbers, are offered fewer roles Babita Phogat. What made Dangal and earn less compared to their more different from traditional cinema was the commercial female counterparts. fact that the story focused on Geeta Bollywood’s power play is also Phogat’s journey, instead of giving underscored by the fact that female screen space to the male lead, Aamir actors need to attain a certain level of Khan. The film also addressed the success before they can even start gender disparity in villages in India and expressing their opinion. highlighted the myriad struggles women athletes face compared to their male The road to equal rights for women in counterparts. entertainment is still a far-fetched dream. The Harvey Weinstein scandal

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opened a Pandora’s box of sexual Weinstein-like earthquake devastates harassment cases in Hollywood and the industry. showed that women aren’t safe in the entertainment industry. Bollywood is no different. Many famous directors, such Ankita Mukhopadhyay as Madhur Bhandarkar, who is known is a journalist based in for his movies on social and feminist New Delhi, India. She issues, and Mahmood Farooqui have has worked at various been accused of rape. Indian publications for the past two years as an Following the Weinstein disclosures, editor. She is currently a business some Indian actors told the media that journalist at an international media speaking out in Bollywood against outlet. An avid reader and history buff, sexual harassment was uncommon as Mukhopadhyay pursued her the victim was usually shamed and the postgraduate degree at the London perpetrator escaped scot-free. School of Economics (LSE). She is particularly interested in feminism and The story of a struggling actor, Jiah gender issues and Indian politics. She is Khan, who committed suicide after a reporter at Fair Observer. being harassed by her colleague, Sooraj Pancholi, son of Aditya Pancholi, a famous actor and producer, is a case in Turkish Election Call Sparks point. Despite evidence of Pancholi’s involvement in inciting Khan to kill Fresh Thinking herself, he walked away unpunished. Nathaniel Handy Aditya Pancholi has also been accused April 25, 2018 of stalking and sexual harassment by Kangana Ranaut. Pancholi and his wife President Erdogan’s snap poll have repeatedly denied Ranaut’s reinvigorates Turkish politics in claims. unexpected ways.

The Indian entertainment industry is a Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip quagmire of sexism. It runs from the Erdogan is a master at outflanking his very bottom to the very top, with no political opponents. Despite rumors that change in sight. While the portrayal of an early general election would be women is improving, female actors are called, no one expected it to be quite so yet to get the same treatment as male last minute. On June 24, Turkey will go actors who unconditionally dominate the to the polls in a watershed vote that will industry. — so the script goes — see Erdogan consolidate his grip on a new executive Bollywood has a problem with women, presidency in a transformed political and it’s time to address it, before a landscape.

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Once again, President Erdogan has transformative reaction from the long showed himself to be a politician who moribund main opposition, the goes with his gut and trusts in the Republican People’s Party (CHP). enduring appeal of his persona among the bedrock of conservative support in SIGNS OF FIGHTING IN THE the Anatolian heartland. He has also OPPOSITION showed that he is a man unafraid to take the risks needed to keep winning in Much analysis of Turkish politics over politics. the past two decades has been increasingly obsessed with the figure of When the army — the old guardian of President Erdogan and his effect on the the secular order — threatened another nation — almost to the exclusion of all “postmodern” coup in the face of else. Whether supporters or detractors, Abdullah Gul’s appointment to the he is held up as the wellspring for all. presidency in 2007, then-Prime Minister Yet this simple act of adulation or Erdogan called their bluff by letting the vilification obscures much of the reality. electorate decide in snap polls. When support for this ruling Justice and The success of the AKP has been Development Party (AKP) wilted in meteoric. It has galvanized not simply a 2015, he shunned coalitions and called pious conservative base, but a vast another poll that brought the AKP back hinterland of voters who felt as a majority-ruling party. unrepresented by the traditional secular elite and who saw opportunity — Erdogan has also been as ruthless in economic and otherwise — in the rise of his alliances. Since coming to office in the AKP. The party also arrived at a 2002, he has engaged in talks with moment when the ability of the Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader traditional establishment to maintain of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ power with military force, if necessary, Party (PKK), on settling the Kurdish was waning. issue, sidelined major allies within his own party such as Gul and former Prime Yet despite its evident success, the AKP Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, and has also succeeded against a stagnant subsequently formed an alliance with main opposition. Since 2002, the Devlet Bahceli, leader of the far-right electoral share of the CHP has Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). remained largely static at between 20 to 25%. It has a solid constituency among Such a track record suggests a man the secular, Kemalist populations of who knows when to make his move, and Thrace, the Aegean seaboard and yet this latest gamble has created one of certain metropolitan areas (as well as the most unlikely of outcomes even religious minority groups such as the before the poll has occurred: It has Alevi), yet it has made no significant triggered a creative and potentially inroad into other constituencies.

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The principle threat that the AKP has the reason for the decision to call snap had to calculate in elections has been elections on June 24, so quickly that her from the two smaller opposition blocs: Iyi Party would be disqualified from the far-right nationalist MHP and the standing. Yet she is not of President party backing Kurdish aspirations, Erdogan’s stature and, crucially, her currently the Peoples’ Democratic Party party is nationalist but secular in (HDP). This is where AKP votes have orientation. Most of Erdogan’s base been taken. But an unprecedented would still be wary of her. move by the CHP on April 22 to offer 15 of its members of parliament to the This is where the CHP has been truly newly-formed Iyi Party has thrown audacious. The party that has potential new life into the contest. consistently failed to offer a new vision of a way forward has been planting PRETENDER TO THE THRONE rumors of its ability to lend a hand in resurrecting an earlier AKP vision. The The Iyi Party was formed by Meral whispers are that former President Gul Aksener, a conservative politician from — a more moderate AKP founder the far-right MHP who split with the member and one of the few politicians party over its alliance with President who could challenge President Erdogan Erdogan and has now gone on the — has been approached to stand as an offensive with her own bid for the alternative candidate. presidency. The technicalities of electoral law meant that her party ANY PORT IN A STORM needed the parliamentary representation offered by the CHP in Nothing could be more ironic. Abdullah order to qualify for the June 24 poll. Gul — the man the CHP, with support from the military, attempted to thwart That such support has been offered is from taking the presidency partly due to not completely unthinkable. The notion the headscarf his wife wears. Such is that the CHP must create alliances with the surreal nature of Turkish politics. Yet more conservative politicians has been it is just the kind of bold thinking that tried before. At the presidential election could make the CHP relevant once of 2014, then-Prime Minister Erdogan more. was challenged by Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, a conservative academic The hard truth is that with the dawn of who stood as the joint candidate of the the 21th century and the delegitimizing CHP and the MHP. of the military as an arm of government in Turkey, the CHP was not ready for With her pious persona and strong genuinely democratic politics. When nationalist credentials, Aksener is seen parties from an Islamist base had as a genuine challenger to Erdogan. It gained support and power in the past, has even been suggested that she was the military had simply stopped them

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when it got too much for the since the Arab Spring” in Turkey’s establishment. As that threat receded, Relations with the Middle East: Political so did the ability of the traditional Encounters after the Arab Spring (Isiksal secular parties to get into government. & Goksel, Springer, 2018); the article “Turkey's Shifting Relations with its Much of the domestic turmoil in Turkey Middle East Neighbors During the over the past five years has been the Davutoglu Era: History, Power and result of feuding within the conservative Policy” (Bilgi Dergisi Journal, 2011); and political landscape — whether rifts he presented a paper at the British between leaders within the AKP, the Society of Middle Eastern Studies collapse of the tacit alliance between the (BRISMES) annual conference in 2014 AKP and Fethullah Gulen’s Hizmet on Turkish relations with the Kurdistan movement, or the new emergence of Regional Government in Iraq. He holds Aksener as a conservative rival to an MA in Middle East Studies from the President Erdogan. Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter. The fact that the CHP has even been mooted to be making a move that could shake up these equations is a startling turnaround that bodes well for Turkish politics. President Erdogan could even consider taking the credit for this reinvigoration. With his track record, you would still get very long odds on his not retaining the presidency. Yet the array of opponents he has now amassed — from the secular opposition to alienated Kurds and Gulenists and even elements of the conservative base — could make this one of the most unpredictable polls in recent Turkish history.

Nathaniel Handy is a writer and academic with over ten years of experience in international print and broadcast media. He is the author of the chapter “Turkey’s Evolving Relations with the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) of Iraq

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