Tunisia is currently in political turmoil. Their government is on the brink of massive changes, as Prime Minister Hamadi Jabali resigned earlier this week in an effort to appease masses of discontented secularists. The move came after the murder of a secularist political leader, Chokri Belaid, and will quite possibly see the drafting of a new Constitution along with an overturn in those who are in power. Islamist rule appears to be headed for a surprisingly non-violent demise in Tunisia, but the state of relations are always difficult to predict in the Middle East and North Africa.
In Mali, French troops just pulled off a successful lightning strike on militant Islamists who had captured positions of power in important Malian cities. The issue here is that, while not all of Mali has been made safe, the French will be pulling out troops within the next weeks. While the offensive was surprisingly successful, the fear is that Malian troops may not be sufficient to keep the militant Islamists from seizing power, let anyone clearing them out of the south of Mali. France is most likely (appropriately) afraid of what befell the United States in Afghanistan and Iraq, and does not want to be sucked into a drawn out process of nation-building.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Monday, February 11, 2013
Scots Fought the Blot of Tot's Plot
Europe is a hotbed of controversy these days. With economic instability running rampant, many deep seated grievances are spilling forth. From Spain to Belgium to Scotland, independence movements are coming out of the wood-works, using the uncertainty of the times to shovel coal into the furnaces of change.
As their steam gains, their presiding countries seek to quench their momentum. One such effort comes from the British government in its attempt to dissuade Scotland from seceding. In a new study published by two experts on international law, the British government claims that Scotland would have to apply for European Union membership as a new nation, while the UK would be considered a continuing nation. Were this to be true, Scotland would almost certainly have to adopt the euro upon gaining membership, an unpopular option in the country at this time.
I actually find England's study to be rather logically coherent. However, law often defies logic, and until further studies from much more independent, unbiased sources come out, I will have to reserve judgement on this matter. Scotland's deputy first minister does an apt job of pointing out that the true test for Scotland's independence will occur around the negotiating table. The laws of the European Union have not had much, if any, opportunity to be utilized in these regards, so to assume that their governing boards would hold steadfastly to such laws would be logically fallible to the highest degree. What I see here is an attempt by the UK to scare Scots into picking the safe option, sticking with the UK despite their vast disagreements in the political realm.
As their steam gains, their presiding countries seek to quench their momentum. One such effort comes from the British government in its attempt to dissuade Scotland from seceding. In a new study published by two experts on international law, the British government claims that Scotland would have to apply for European Union membership as a new nation, while the UK would be considered a continuing nation. Were this to be true, Scotland would almost certainly have to adopt the euro upon gaining membership, an unpopular option in the country at this time.
I actually find England's study to be rather logically coherent. However, law often defies logic, and until further studies from much more independent, unbiased sources come out, I will have to reserve judgement on this matter. Scotland's deputy first minister does an apt job of pointing out that the true test for Scotland's independence will occur around the negotiating table. The laws of the European Union have not had much, if any, opportunity to be utilized in these regards, so to assume that their governing boards would hold steadfastly to such laws would be logically fallible to the highest degree. What I see here is an attempt by the UK to scare Scots into picking the safe option, sticking with the UK despite their vast disagreements in the political realm.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)