Compass World: The Blame Game
From the Editorial Board
The views of the Editorial Board do not reflect the views of the Caravel’s newsroom or Georgetown University.
To censure the president for his statements and hold the Republican Party accountable for its complicity, we, the Editorial Board of the Caravel, urge Americans to vote today. This is the only way to ensure that the American press, among the world’s freest and most vibrant, continues to expose tyrants wherever they may be found.
Latin America & the Caribbean
Embassy for Rent
President of the Dominican Republic Danilo Medina and President of El Salvador Sánchez Céren arrived in Shanghai on November 4 to attend the Chinese International Import Expo from November 5 to 10. The Central American presidents are on their first official visits to China since both countries cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of China earlier in 2018. The leaders will be joined by Panamanian President Juan Carlos Parela and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel early this week. The trip fits an growing trend in Latin America to favor China over Taiwan and pursue closer economic ties with the mainland’s larger economy.
President Danilo Medina and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi inaugurate the Dominican Republic’s embassy in Beijing, which opened on November 3.
Indo-Asia-Pacific
Island Ire
The voters of New Caledonia, a French territory in the South Pacific, have rejected independence in favor of continued French rule by a 56.4 percent majority. In the November 4 referendum, results largely played out along ethnic lines, as ethnic Europeans voted heavily against independence, while support for independence was much stronger in regions with large indigenous presence, especially among Kanaks. The referendum is a result of the 1998 Noumea Accord, which devolved certain powers to the New Caledonian executive and promised future referendums on the issue of independence after several conflicts between the French and the Kanaks in 1980s. New Caledonia remains valuable to France for its large nickel reserves, a vital component for electronics manufacturing, but French rule of New Caledonia is still threatened by two planned referendums before 2022.
Middle East & Central Asia
Opposition Dispossession
Bahrain’s opposition leader, Sheikh Ali Salman, along with fellow leaders Hassan Sultan and Ali al-Aswad, who led the now-banned National Islamic Society (NIS) party, have now been handed life sentences for conspiring with Qatar. The allegations date back to 2011, when the Shia community, which constitutes a majority of Bahrainis, took to the streets to demand democracy as part of the Arab Spring that protested oppressive regimes in the Middle East and North Africa. The Sunni Al Khalifa royal family of Bahrain, however, was able to quell the protests with Saudi Arabian support, leaving 30 civilians dead. The leaders of the NIS have been accused of “communicating with Qatari officials … to overthrow constitutional order.” Human rights groups have condemned the life sentence as part of Bahrain’s continued repression of free speech and political opposition.
Eastern Europe & Russia
Oil Foil
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak has called reimposed U.S. sanctions on Iran “illegal” and says that Russia will “continue developing” its oil trade with Iran. President Donald Trump announced in March that the U.S. would withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA), a multilateral nuclear agreement with Iran that provided for sanctions relief for the economically struggling state. The decision drew criticism from other signatories, who have argued that Iran remains compliant with the agreement. In order to facilitate continued Iranian economic engagement, Russia and the European Union have both announced new financial schemes.
Africa
Verifiably Immoral Politician (V.I.P.)
After South Africa’s national government ethics watchdog called on him to resign, Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba said, “I am going to fight it to the bitter end.” Gigaba is facing scrutiny for allegedly lying under oath and violating the constitution, but he has also made headlines for a leaked sex tape. South Africa’s ombudswoman, Busisiwe Mkhwebane, said on November 5 that President Cyril Ramaphosa should censure Gigaba for “telling an untruth under oath and before a court of law.” Mkhwebane alleges that Gigaba misled a court by saying he had never approved a plan to set up a special terminal at Johannesburg’s main airport for wealthy VIPs.
Western Europe & Canada
The Blame Game
Abraham Lehrer, the vice president of the Central Council for Jews in Germany, the country’s leading Jewish group, said on November 5 that Muslim refugees should be compelled to attend special classes intended to stop the spread of anti-Semitism. Lehrer argued that these refugees come from places where “anti-Semitism is part of the rationale of the state.” Hundreds of anti-Semitic crimes were committed in Germany last year, but the vast majority were perpetrated by Neo Nazi groups and far-right political elements associated with the Alternative for Germany party.
Writing contributed by Bryce Couch and Stephen Cho.