HANGING JUDGE AS PRESIDENT OF IRAN(updated)

BY K P PASWAN

It happened long ago in Iran, in 1979/1980, when Raja Shah Pahlavi, the autocrat king, with progressive mind, succumbed to the pressure and uprising of religious fanatics and the Islamic Republic of Iran was borne. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who spend long period in Paris, returned to Iran to impose the decrees of an unproven GOD. He was an insulin diabetic patient.

 In the bloody French revolution, Robespierre, a revolutionary, played an important role in inciting violence against the supporters of executed king and his family. Under his order hundreds of Frenchmen were executed, and when he failed in his mission to end the anarchy, he was captured and executed. Robespierre, known for his cruelty, was afraid of his death and tried to save his life by hiding in a room, but he had to meet his destiny. Ruhollah Khomeini was an exact replica of Robespierre.

Ayatollahs Rohilla Khomeini received the best treatment of Diabetic in France, but his God failed to save or cure him from the deadly disease, for which there was no potential drugs, which are available today. Credit goes to the late Shah of Iran, for not playing the villainous role of Robespierre, by executing Ayatollahs in France, who enjoyed the luxury of western life, which was not available to majority of Iranians.

After dethroning the king, it was the turn of neglected Ayatollahs and Mullahs, who formed some sort of Jacobin’s club, founded, during revolution in France, and started executing those people, who were loyal to the deposed King. Iranians believed that Ayatollah Khomeini was the Imam, who disappeared more the eight hundred years ago and has resurfaced to enlighten them. Along with Rohilla Khomeini,also emerged, Ayatollahs Ibrahim Raisi and one Ayatollahs Khalkhali, who became famous as Hanging Judges. One Aryana. who happened to be an ardent devotee of Ruhollah Khamenei, was executed by the order of Ayatollah Khalkhali, simply because Aryana was foreign minister of the deposed king of per-revolution Iran. In 1983 Ibrahim Raisi alone ordered the execution of more then 5000 innocent Iranians for which US, sanctioned him.

Iran is one of the richest countries of the world, it is also a Shiite majority nation, with rich cultural and political history. During the autocratic rule of the late king, there was much progress in education of men and women. King of Iran neglected the religious leaders, which ultimately led to his downfall. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khamenei, in a way, inherited an Iran, which was economically prosperous, and to some extent, free from the economic exploitation by Western countries.

 All the Ayatollahs of Iran are  hated by educated Iranian, who are addicted to satellite phones, internet and modern system of communication. Being a Shiite nation, it has no Wahhabi or Salafi to export and  poison the world, so modern Iran is supporting small Sheikdoms predominated by Shias. Iran is also exporting  its own brand of terrorism, to neighboring countries, but especially to Palestine, who are Shias and opposed to the formation of Jewish state. It proposed a separate statehood for the Palestine, but the proposal has lost gravity among Muslims states, who are mostly Sunnis, and perhaps for this reason, Israel will not allow the formation of a Palestine state, which will be hated by Jordon, Iraq and small Emirates, whose very existence would be threatened by Iranian backed Hamas and Hezbollah.

After painful death of Ruhollah Khomeini, there followed the rule by Supreme Religious Leader Ayatollahs Ali Khamenei, who succeeded Ruhollah Khomeini. Supreme Leader is elected for life by a council of lunatics, numbering less than 100. These lunatics are religious preachers, opposed to western culture including freedom, given to women.

 This is a unique feature of modern Iranian political system. Anyone aspiring to contest for the presidency must be cleared by a Guardian Council, another body of religious fanatics. A president is democratically elected, and he is certainly not a ceremonial head, but a puppet of Supreme Leader, who is ultimate authority in political and religious matters.

What is more surprising is that after death of  Ruholla Khomeini, his son and grand son, become reformists and were deprived of political power. But Iran is a politically conscious country without any rigid religious ideology like Wahhabi and Salafi, which are flourishing in Saudi Arabia. Iran elected two liberal and tolerant presidents Khatami and Rafsanjani, who tried to cultivate friendship  with the West, but US remained hostile to Iran and covered Saudi Arabia against imaginary Iranian invasion of oil rich Saudi kingdom.

Ahmadinejad was an Iranian president with waired political ideology. He was hell bent on destroying Israel and aspired to make Iran a nuclear power. But it is doubtful if Ahmadinejad ever talked of wiping off Israel from the face of the earth His hard-headed religious thinking failed to reduce the Iranian’s love for modern education.He underplayed Holocaust and funded the terrorists of Palestine, supported the Shiite revolution in Iraq, Houthi of Yemen and idolized the president of Syria who is a devout Shia of Alwite sect.

HOLOCAUST. The old Middle Eastern view that the Jews exaggerated the Holocaust to rationalize formation of Israel and subsequent brutalities against the Palestine, has long underlain the Islamic Republic’s hostility to Israel’s presence in the region. But it took Ibrahim Raisi openly describes holocaust as myth and  questioned the fitness of such countries like Germany, France and Austria, where holocaust denial is a crime, to lecture Iran on freedom of Speech.

   Now Raisi is an elected president of Iran, but his influence and actions over strategic decisions, especially in foreign affairs and nuclear deal is constrained by the untrammeled power of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

BIDEN & RAISI. Strange it may sound, but there are reasons to believe that Biden and Raisi may reach some kind of political understanding. US has a long history of maintaining friendly relationship with autocrats and dictators of the world. The Democrats in US are generally anti-Semitic. An independent Palestinian state will be only hostile state, which Israel will have to deal with.  US is committed to defend Israel in case of attack by enemy, but that is not going to happen even in distant future. Israel would never concede to an independent Palestinian state, unless its sovereignty is guaranteed by Palestinians and that is not going to happen. Israeli PM, Naftali Bennett has already called Ibrahim Raisi, a butcher of Tehran.

 US’s aim is to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear state, and that is going to materlise with conditions,favorable to the Shiite majority nation. Ibrahim Raisi is also successor of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and is in a position to know that Israel would destroy Iranian Nuclear reactors even without US help. In the early decade of this century, preemptive strike to knock out Iranian nuclear reactors was not possible. 

Recently, Israel attacked NANANTZ, an Iranian city, known for enriching Uranium and demonstrated that the Mossad, can cross one thousand kilometers to reach Iran, even without the help of US, and cause mayhem. Iran has good diplomatic relations with France and Germany, so Ibrahim Raisi, already sanctioned by US for human rights violations, may not face hostility while dealing with US.

HAMAS. It is difficult to create a united Palestinian state without the cooperation of Hamas, an organization, flourishing on drug trafficking, smuggling and above all funding by Iran. Most of the Palestinians are Shias by faith and there is no love lost between Sunnis and Shias. Palestinians are divided into two groups, one section faithful to a discredited Mahmud Abbas, who enjoys friendship of US, Egypt, and Jordon, while Hamas has the backing of only Iran. So besides funding terrorists’ organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas, Iran under Raisi may tilt more and more towards Syria and Iraq and Yemen. Iran is not in a position to lead the Islamic nations, consisting  mainly of Sunnis. Iran’s traditional rival Saudi Arabia is no more a sworn enemy of Israel and credit goes to former PM Netanyahu to bring more and more Sunni majority states closer to Israel.

 There are sufficient reasons to believe that Ayatollah Khamenie is fed up with economic sanctions and is afraid of Israel's capacity to strike Iranian nuclear reactors.  With change in political landscape in Central Asia, a willy but certainly not mad Ayatollah Ali Khamenie has realized that Iran cannot lead the entire Islamic world. US wants safety of Israel, but unlike Donald Trump, Joe Biden is following the policy of appeasement to Saudi Arabia, and almost all the leading Islamic countries are helping Israel secretly as these Islamic states are reluctant to accept the supremacy of Shias in political affairs of Middle east. Ayatollah Ali Khamenie in his early 80s may find deal with Joe Biden, no so difficult to achieve.

An economically prosperous Iran is necessary to neutralize Saudi Arabia in economic  and military development. There is practically no manufacturing activities in Saudi Arabia and its economy is dependent on earning from oil. It is also seen that Iranian migrants in US and Canada are not terrorists, they are opposed to Saudi Arabia, known for glorifying Wahhabi, which has no place in Iran. Iranians women in US and Canada do not observe strict Islamic code of conduct, and Iranian women are progressive. Immigrants from Saudi Arabia and other Sunnis majority states are seen as potential terrorists by FBI and  they are not trusted.

Ibrahim Raisi  is trying to prove, that by heart he is anti US and anti Israel. But he also knows that with Russian and China's help, it would be suicidal for Iran to wage a war against  US or the Jewish state. Iran wants nuclear arsenal to frighten its traditional rival Saudi Arabia, and certainly not to cause mayhem in Central Asia.Iran has tested the fruits of economic prosperity and democracy. Most of the neighbors of Iran are Sunnis dominated states ruled by autocrats with limited freedoms to women and common people.                 

LAST THOUGHT.Iran is a great country, eager to modernize its society.Former presidents Khatami and Rafsanjani were reformists, eager to cultivate friendship with West, but failed as Saudi Arabia created strong firewall to prevent US from coming closer to IRAN. A nuclear deal with Iran does not risk isolation of Saudi Arabia and other Sunnis dominated countries, but instead may bring peace and tranquillity in  the middle east, that will be a big achievement in a bi polar international politics.

 

 

KILLER, IS NOW A WORTHY ADVERSARY.(updated)

BY K P PASWAN.

US called Russia an enemy, who needs to be contained. Biden called Putin a killer, but changed his words in Geneva, he called Putin, a worthy adversary. So just concluded meeting between two powerful men on this earth, point to a new era of cooperation between two super powers. Both Joe Biden of US and Vladimir Putin of Russia, represent different nations with different political ideology. Joe Biden has democratic ideas in his DNA, but is handicapped by the astronomical rise of China, which is neither a democratic country nor open to liberal democratic institutions. Russia, on the other hand heralded the era of semi democratic  ideology, in the hope that its success  in modern Russia would result in a happy and prosperous country.

Before evaluation of Vladimir Putin, we have to examine the political and economic  conditions of both US and Russia.

 In the decade of 1960, Russia, formerly known as USSR, challenged US in every sphere like space, nuclear technology and military strength. It appeared that Soviet Union was going to rule the earth. But human race  are conscious of their survival instinct. If we study the history of political thinking, from time immemorial, we find every political ideology died prematurely. When James Monro, the American president defined democracy, it means for the people by the people and of the people. In his period, there were criminals but no gun’s culture. There was need to protect the human rights of honest people and criminals were to be punished. In the 21^st century, human race is experiencing different kind of political ideology. In the name of human rights, maximum protection is called for criminals and habitual laws breakers, while law abiding citizens of every democratic country fear for their life.

 American cite the example of Russian dissident leader Alexei Navalny, who is this man? He is a known economic offender in Russia, and wrongly thinks himself, a replacement of Putin. Navalny was convicted twice for economic offenses. He is also one of the richest men in Russia. A few months back Navalny accused Putin of poisoning him. He was treated in Germany, returned home, but was arrested and as per Vladimir Putin, Navalny wished his arrest just to invoke international sympathy

USSR collapsed in 1991 simply because foundation of communist ideology was weak and not sustainable. By choking of individual freedom and by killing innocent people,USSR invited tremors, which was difficult to control and Soviet Union vanished. Boris Yeltsin was the first president, who inaugurated a democratic Russia. Both US and Russia have enough nuclear arsenals including Neutron bomb to destroy this earth. Russia is no more a super power, but still carries weight in international politics.

 China has emerged as an excellent economic power, but its manufacturing activities are based upon natural resources, which are fast dwindling.  US and Russia are rich in natural resources including oil and gas. One of the reasons of the fall of USSR was neglect of agriculture, it was so because cultivated land was taken over by the government, as theorized by Karl Marx. From Lenin to Brezhnev, achieving supremacy in military strength, was the only way to capture the world, but this was a day dream, never going to fulfilled.

Coming to present days, Joe Biden talks about violation of human rights, but human rights violations in US are overlooked. Every fortnight some Blacks are being killed, in most cases killed person is either a habitual trafficker or psychopath. Then US always support laws breakers all over the world provided if criminals commit crimes which somehow serves American interests.

 CLASS OF TITANS. Joe Biden and Vladimir talked about Cyber Attack and Russian adventurism in Ukraine. Cyber attack is the latest weapons in the hands of a few advanced countries. China is notorious for Cyber Attack, followed by US and N Korea. Cyber attackers from US, enjoy immunity as IT sector of US is highly advanced. Recently Chinese and North Korean Cyber thugs tried to hack Covid related technology to manufacture vaccines. There is no doubt that Russian hackers target defense system of US,  but there are efficient ways and means to check cyber-attack, India is perhaps the  worst victim of cyber-attack of China. So cyber attack must not be the concern of only US, but of entire world. There is need for constant dialogue between IT giants. With progress in IT sector, cyber attack is likely to increase and become menace of a civilized society.

PUTIN. There is little doubt that most of Russians are better off today, after Putin came to power, but his presidency has done little to boost Russia’s standing in the world. Putin has presided over a catastrophic shrinkage of Kremlin’s power. Russian’s authority over its former satellite states have grown much weaker. Putin still has very much the power broker in Central Asia, thanks in large parts to Russia’s monopoly on energy exports. Instead of building bridges with the new regimes, Putin chose to pick fights with almost all of its neighbors. in 2006, spat with Ukraine over cheap Russian gas supply, which culminated in a gas cut off to Ukraine—and by accident the rest of southern Europe. This is the root cause of tension between US and Russia.

 Further afield, Russia’s reputation has slipped disastrously so badly that in the wake of 2006 poisoning of KGB defector AlexenderLitvenko in London, and Russia’s refusal to extradite his killers, Putin closed down office of the British Council. Even Germany, Russia’s biggest trading partner,  under Angela Merker has grown wary of over dependence of on Russian gas. But for Germany there is no alternative. Putin’s last gambit – to threaten to point nuclear weapon at Ukraine, if it joins NATO, suggests he is running low on ideas on how to revive Russia’s power.

 Possibly the most important legacy of Putin’s period is the restoration of respect for the office of the presidency. His iron will and Swiss-watch mind have allowed him to restore respect for presidency. On the other hand, Putin did not promote the growth of democratic institutions, as Russians are still not ready to accept new reality, which is necessary for long term stability. Putin will not allow, Navalny to take undue advantage of restricted freedom of speech in Russia.

UKRAINE. The former Russian ally is eager to join NATO, as this country is afraid of Russian attack. Interestingly several small nations, which once formed the parts of USSR have joined NATO and EU. But honestly speaking, Russia has ceased to become a threat to NATO and it has lost its relevance, there is no place for absolute honesty in diplomacy. NATO has become a terrible financial liability of US which is spending 70% of total expense, for maintaining security of member states and taking advantage of American generosity, country like Germany is utilizing American money in expanding its health infrastructure. Donald Trump virtually forced Germany and France to increase their defense budget. NATO has no other business, but to fight the religious based terrorism and every member is more than eager to use US money for fighting the terrorism, then to fight the imaginary Russian threat.

 Ukraine is notorious for arms smuggling and is supplying sophisticated arms to terrorists and Palestine, so no country wants entry of Ukraine in NATO. Here Joe Biden may be praised for raising the problems of Ukraine with Russia, as US itself does not want UKRAINE to disrupt the arms supply by US to its allies in Central Asia. In a way Western Europe is not threatened by Russia, but entry of Ukraine is likely to raise eyebrow of several political heads, as this country has a history of border dispute with Russia. President Biden may say ‘America is back’ but the question is for whom? Certainly not for Ukraine but certainly for Russia.

 LEGAL SYSTEM AND GUN CULTURE, coming to human rights violations, there is hardly any doubt that US is worst victim of GUN CULTURE. In a way second amendment of US constitution. makes it as fundamental right to purchase deadly guns, and there is little that Joe Biden can do, unless Republicans support tightening the sell of killing machines to criminals. Blacks in US, out of contempt are called Nigers and judgements in J Simpson and George Floyd case reveal the legal conundrum,

ELECTION RIGGING. It is fundamental to modern system of universal franchise. In US, whether Democrats stole the election as alleged by former president Donald Trump is a matter of investigation. But the US election was heavily rigged. Unauthorized and illegal migrants contributed to the defeat of Trump, so accusing Putin of rigging election is surprising.

 JOE BIDEN is a tolerant Catholic and an experienced politician. As a Democratic Senator, he suggested the division of Iraq into three sovereign nations, but the proposal was rejected by warring factions in Iraq. But it appears, he is under pressure from his own party to do certain things, which he finds not in the interest of US. He sends his VP to Guatemala, where, she exhorted people not to enter US illegally.

ECONOMY. Coronavirus has led China to emerge as an outstanding economic power. India, Brazil Argentina. and Japan are no longer in the race to challenge China, Origin of Coronavirus is no longer shrouded in mystery, everybody knows the source of funding and manufacturing the lethal virus. US has also suffered badly due to outbreak of Coronavirus. America’s recent growth figures have been so positive that Joe Biden has allowed himself to marvel with mass vaccination.

Improvement in American economy is the culmination of a yearlong trend, in part, that should have reflected strength of global economy. But we do not know much about stagnation of Russian economy. Despite of successful launching of Sputnik V and Sputnik lite series of vaccines, Russia is yet to contain the pandemic and unless the Coronavirus is hibernated, there is no hope of complete economic recovery. So, American’s supremacy of economic progress over Russia remain unchallenged. Russia is rich in natural resources and in future it may pose a serious threat to Chinese economy, which is based on currency manipulation, and a disciplined banking system. So negative thinking of Biden about Russian economy is like blowing a hole in the political landscape.

 PUTIN AND XI JINPING. Joe Biden is right in saying that Russia wants closer tie with US as Russia is being squeezed by China, But US has already been badly squeezed by China. XiJinping has claimed Russian city of Vladivostok as Chinese territory, but direct confrontation with Russia will led to China’ economic disaster, so squeezing both US and Russia, is the potent weapon in the hand of China.

FINAL THOUGHT. Putin—Biden meeting was more fruitful then G 7 gathering. China cannot be contained unless US and Russia cooperate with each other. Biden, very soon is expected to deal with new Iranian president Ibrahim Raisi, who has been sanctioned by US. Ibrahim is also known as Hanging Judge along with one Ayatollah Khalkhali, whose whereabouts is only known to Langley (C.I.A). It is virtually impossible to predict the happenings in international relations. US will retains its supremacy in political and economic affairs. EU will face serious problems with small countries, once parts of Soviet Unions, these countries are predominated by Muslims and they are in no mood to assimilate with liberal society of Western countries. In fact, entire EU has become hostage of religious based terrorists. US may need Russia to neutralize these enemies of democratic countries and above all Russia may help US to contain China as a leading economic power of the earth.

ENVOYSPEAK, DEPARTURE OF NETANYAHU, AN AGE OF UNCERTAINITY.(updated on 20th Jan)

 

By K P PASWAN.

President Biden of US was quick enough to congratulate Nastali Bennett, as the new PM of Israel, Mr Bennett happens to be one of the richest men of ISRAEL, and is rightly called Donald Trump of Israel. But his position as PM is unpredictable, as he does not enjoy comfortable majority in the Knesset. Biden did not speak to Benjamin Netanyahu, the longest serving PM, for the last one month and was, perhaps afraid of every step taken by Netanyahu against Palestine.

Netanyahu has been accused of accepting bribes and is likely to be convicted. He is reported to have second view about himself and may accept his offence to avoid spending sometimes in prison. He will be lost in the crowd.

 Years back, Iran was called a Messianic Cult by a handsome Jew. The biblical concept of Messianic cult means wiping off the Jewish state without showing least mercy. It also means, worse than a devil. The handsome and young Jew who called Iran as Messianic Cult, was none other than Benjamin Netanyahu, who became the PM of Israel. But his tenure was marked by corruption, lust for power and scant disregard for judiciary. As an executive head of only Jewish state, credit goes to Netanyahu to check the Messianic cult Iran, from sending terrorist to Israel to create troubles.

The Jews has suffered from the day when they appeared in Jerusalem. Certain practices like business activities of the Jews in an orthodox manners. led to extreme hatred towards the Jews, which is well reflected in Shakespeare’s Antonio and Shylock. But history has been very unkind to Jews, they suffered at the hands of Arabs, the Turks and all those who occupied Jerusalem in different period of history of the world. The Jews occupy respectable positions and for some misdeeds committed by a few merchants, they must not be treated like untouchables of India. Some of the well-known scientists including Albert Einstein, won Nobel Prizes for their wonderful works, belonged to the Jewish community. After the end of colonial era and the end of second world war, the small Jewish state was created and with its  creation, we find the creation of Messianic cult, determined to wipe off Israel.

Nastali Bennett has formed an unstable government. So, election loom large, Bennett and his supporters have already chosen campaign strategy. New PM is a right-wing leader with no feeling for the Palestinians.  More and more Israelis hated Netanyahu who was in power for more than ten years. His critics feel vindicated, they predicted that Netanyahu would find an excuse to remain in power and violence in Gaza provided that excuse.

Bennett’s inexperience and his so far largely inarticulate intentions leave everyone guessing, if there is a prevailing opinion, it is that Mr Bennett will not have the flair, authority, or perhaps even determination to carry forward the structural improvement in Israel’s economy, wrought by conflict in Gaza. What authority can Mr Bennett muster, it is suggested, will dwindle as defeat loom large for his ruling political coalitions in next election. Netanyahu is bound to claim his lost glory, mired by corruption.

It is feared that Naftali Bonnette, a hard liner by instinct will try to distract the Israelis from a dismal domestic record by gratuitous nationalistic provocation of Iran and Syria. But there is more hopeful prospect that Mr Bennett representing a generational change, pushes forward reforms at home and reaches for a bigger role abroad. In foreign policy he looks like relying on fellows’ conservatives like himself. He is a gentleman and very rich, world-class diplomat and innovative thinker. Nevertheless, all these positive qualities, cannot hid the stark truth, despite his good intentions, he could prove to be a disastrous PM, if he does not quickly realize that he is the PM of a state with so many haters and a few real friends.

 Benjamin Netanyahu, as a PM of Israel, virtually changed the politics of Central Asia in favour of Jewish state. No Islamic nation in and around Israel think wiping out Israel from the face of the world, except Messianic Cult, that is Shiite nation Iran. Netanyahu’s contribution to Israel in every aspect of political and economic life cannot be underestimated. He had seen the rise of hard headed and paranoid president Ahmadinejad of Iran, who openly downplayed the Holocaust, took steps to make Iran a nuclear power state and challenged Saudi Arabia as a super Islamic power. Ahmadinejad cultivated friendship with several European leaders including political heads of France, PM of Great Britain and Angela Merkel of Germany and tried to isolate Israel diplomatically and economically.

 Ahmadinejad was regarded as the most dynamic and conservative president of Iran, this becomes crystal clear when he virtually forced Barack Obama, the president of US to agree to nuclear deal with Iran, which was against the interest of the Jewish state.  Netanyahu was not in a position to challenge the might of US and tried to isolate IRAN and to some extent, he succeeded.

 Democrats in US are not friendly to Israel for several reasons, which are difficult to elaborate. US aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear bomb by all means, but dialogue with Iran was chosen as an effective weapon to bring Iran to the negotiating table. Preemptive strike to destroy Iranian nuclear reactor was not preferred as the failure of Jimi Carter to release the American hostages by striking the building, where hostages were kept, ended in abject failure and Carter lost an opportunity to secure second term for W.H.

The US under Joe Biden do not have an effective policy for dealing with Iran’s continuing efforts to gain nuclear capabilities and in absence of Donald Trump, IRAN may acquire all the major components of a nuclear weapon, including fuel and detonators, but refrain from actually assembling as it fears Israel may attack and destroy its nuclear arsenals. A few years it was an impossible dream, but Netanyahu succeeded in creating strong network of spies and is in a position to attack nuclear reactors in Iran, and in one instance, Israel has shown its ability by attacking Natanz.  US has not outlined a concrete strategy in the event that talks with Iran fails

Pro Palestine do not want to recognize that the worst enemy of Gaza is HAMAS and certainly not Israel. Is there anything Israel can do that will draw condemnation from the West? Hamas is not just a terrorist organization ready to collapse. The prolonged campaign carried political cost for Netanyahu.  Israeli govt assault on Gaza has managed to minimize civilian casualties. But if Shia militias are unleashed by Iran, another bout of sectarian killing might ensue. Moreover, an enhanced role for Iran backed militias would weaken the Jewish state by boosting Hamas. Its brigades already display factional flags run several secret prisons by extorting money at gun points at check points and are engaged in drug trafficking and smuggling of arms.

DESTRUCTION IN IRAN. As PM for a long time, Netanyahu built up net works that still give him  influence. From judiciary to civil service to parliament, many in Israel’s upper echelons owe him their positions. Elements of Netanyahu’s right-wing coalitions were agitating to annex parts of West Bank in the belief that Joe Biden administration would reverse a long-standing American policy opposing Israeli’s settlement in territory it occupied in 1967.

Naftali Bennett leader of the right-wing Jewish Home Party says, he will propose a bill to extend Israeli sovereignty West Bank, arguing that the new American administration offers a unique window of opportunity to redraw the map. For first time in 50 years, we have to decide what we want---a Palestine state in Judea and Samaria or an Israeli law replacing military laws where Israeli citizens live. Mr Bennett believes that he and his colleagues must press Mr Biden to recognize the settlement as permanent, at his first meeting with Biden.US under a Democrat president is unlikely to concede the demand.

 After eight years of friction with Barack Obama Mr Netanyahu was the first leader to meet Trump who scrapped Iran Nuclear deal and declared Jerusalem as capital of Israel, But with Democrats in power, Bennett cannot expect unconditional support from Biden. US is also handicapped by unpredictable incidents, Joe Biden will have to choose between two devils Saudi Arabia and Iran. Biden does not have much choice. Americans can win the battle for occupation of the Red planet, but they cannot allow two devils to act against US and give an opportunity to Putin to mock US. Netanyahu successfully caused destruction to Iranian Atomic plant at NATANZ, which was virtual impossible for the pentagon, even to think of attacking the Natanz, The MOSSAD proved that in ultra-modern and sophisticated spy system, CIA is not a match of MOSSAD. US killed Iranian General Soleimani in an air attack, but most famous Iranian Nuclear Scientist Fakirzade, was simply bumped out without causing civilian causality by Mossad. For Bennett, it will be a battle for survival in which Biden is hardly in a position to help Israel and the Jewish state knows how to survive.

 The Democrats in US believe that legally Israel is not entitled to annex the West bank and don’t support the building of new settlement there---the steps that would rule out the possibility of a peace deal on the establishment of Palestine state next to Israel, Worst of all Joe Biden’s administration will be able to overrun a resolution that may embolden International Criminal Court to act over settlement. Now the Jewish state may be further isolated

The right wing scanted an opportunity in legal problems facing Netanyahu who was questioned by police over fraud and graft allegation This was one of a number of corruptions probes into his financial affairs and Netanyahu was suddenly vulnerable.

Nastali Bennett will try to annex Malle Adumin a city , controlled by HAMAS and funded by Iran, which would virtually cut the West in two, making it impossible to establish in the future a viable Palestine state. Delaying tactics and ambiguity had been the twine hallmarks of Netanyahu premiership and is not likely to change with the advent of Nastali Bennett.

Iran must be worrying with coming of Bennett and exit of Netanyahu, who frightened Ayatollah Khamenei. Fortunately. Now the Iranians nasty supreme religious leader must be worrying more about a new nuclear deal with US. Coronavirus has taken heavy toll both in Iran and US. US finds itself standing in front of China not like a solid rock, but pleading the dictator Xi japing for more flexibility in international politics. Russia does not like Joe Biden and Russia is certainly not going to see Israel being threatened by US’s friends in Central Asia. Russia is far advanced in technology then Italy UK, and Canada, but was not invited in the G 7, which was criticized by China as small groups of nations trying to dictate the politics of the world, China is right in its criticism of G 7, but Russia has so far refrained from condemning nations forming the so called G7.

 FINAL THOUGHT. Netanyahu successfully vaccinated entire population of Israel and earned the goodwill of entire world. He would be remembered for frightening Iran and cultivating friendship of Islamic nations, who now secretly recognize the existence of the Jewish state. Netanyahu come back cannot be ruled out, but his comeback will be a setback for Biden administration

MEANINGLESS NATIONAL INTEREST(updated)

By K P PASWAN.

National interest used to be a very important subject of international relations.But in the changing  nature of international politics it is difficult to say, What is national interest?

 Let us start with super powers. What is the national interest of the mighty US? US has the capacity to disturb the gravity of the solar system.US has saved this world by introducing several medicines to fight life threatening diseases. Technological innovation has widened the scope of globalization. After one hundred years, the killer asteroid Bennu is supposed to pass by the side of the earth. Mathematical calculation show that the Bennu will pass without causing damage to our planet, but if something goes wrong, then NASA is preparing to destroy the asteroid before it comes closer to the earth.

The same mighty US is in the habit of toppling and destabilizing democratically elected government and patronizing dictators, simply these actions are of national interest. Small countries of central Asia are rich in oil, but most of the countries are being ruled by highly educated autocrats known as EMIRS and they are receiving deadly weapons from the US and other advanced Western countries, not to fight the external enemies, but to fight internal enemies, who simply demands more power for women and strengthening democratic institutions.  .

It is difficult to pinpoint any definite ingredient of national interest.  Two super powers, artificially create war like situation to serve their national interest. When USSR collapsed and split up into many sovereign nations, these small nations freed from Soviet Union, devised their own political and economic theories to serve their national interest. Interestingly many of these small communist nations gave up communism, joined European Union and to some extent achieved economic prosperity.

 With expansion of EU, national interest of member countries may vary. Germany under the leadership of Angela Merker became highly advanced as  she cared less for other countries. France is facing extreme form of terrorism which is religion based and it is in national interest  that France crush terrorists . With disintegration of USSR, NATO has weakened and the US policy towards NATO has considerably changed, affecting every member country, but Germany is at the receiving end.

 RUSSIA AND NATIONAL INTEREST. It is widely believed that erstwhile Soviet Union, suffered from poverty and lack of basic health facilities as infrastructures were created for productions of sophisticated weapons by compromising general welfare of common people.  Soviet Union tried to achieve parity with US in military and economic strength, but badly failed on both the fronts. Modern Russia is very rich in natural resources, there is plenty of oil and natural gases, infrastructures are being created for improvement in agriculture and health sectors. But Russia is yet to forget its past glory, when it was treated at per with US.

 In the name of national interest Russia is improving its presence in central Asia and extending political, military and economic patronage to countries opposed to US. Russia is being headed by an experienced politician of Communist era. Putin diplomacy has split the Middle East. Iran claims the support of Russia. Farther afield, Iran has the support of a few small countries, which once formed the Soviet Union. Some of the support is based on shared Anti Americanism. But some of it appear to be the fruit of Petro-diplomacy the cost of this to Russia is impossible to calculate.

 Vladimir Putin is also trying to revive its past glory by opening its economy for foreign investment. Since collapse of USSR, majority of the population still live in poverty, despite the government oil windfall. Several oil rich countries declared that dwindling oil reserves would make nuclear power a necessary option in national interest and are looking to Russia for help, causing concern in US.

  But here is an obstacle standing like a rock, it is in the national interest of US to check Russian ambition, as US needs some body to hate and that some body is not a person, but a country named Russia.

 In the case of India, it is almost impossible to say what stands for national interest. India is surrounded by two rogue nations, Pakistan and China. It is in the national interest to maintain equitable political and economic distance from these two nations. Pakistan cannot fight Indian army either with nuclear arsenals or with conventional weapons, so Pakistan is engaged in proxy war by sending terrorists to different parts of India with no additional cost. These terrorists trained by Pakistan army in conventional and guerrilla war, are giving excruciating pain to policy makers in India. China considers itself as superior to India, but cannot sustain a full-fledged war, as collateral damage may reduce Chinese economy at per with advanced countries like Germany of Europe and giving an opportunity to US to punish China for daring to stand in front of mighty US, Contrary to popular belief China is not a natural friend of Pakistan.

 China’s policy towards Kashmir is undefined and Pakistan knows that support of China is not enough, unless emerging economy of Pakistan is boosted, which appears to be impossible as Islamic nations of the Middle East are not supporting  Pakistan  is notorious for patronizing terrorists and propagating radicalism. So national interest of India demands to alienate Pakistan diplomatically and boost its own manufacturing activities. China’s economy has seen excellent growth in terms of exports which grew, post pandemic 30%. Small scale Industries is the last redoubts of economic nationalism in India. Emerging markets firms are making inroads into Indian markets Resistance to cross boarder within South Asian countries is crumbling Indian government has already given pressure from globalization. With a robust economy, India may be be in a position to shape national interest.

 We talk too much about QUAD which is nothing but an Asian NATO and greatest fraud, conceived by interested nations. In the case of hostile face off with China, neither Australia nor US is going to stand by India. QUAD is supposed to browbeat China, is it possible? The answer is that China cannot be browbeaten unless US, completely changed its Ping-Pong diplomacy and openly denounces China’s habit of threatening smaller nations by showing its economic and military strength.  

Japan under new PM  is expected to help India, Japan is a victim of Kissinger’s pro-China diplomacy and a resurgent Buddhist Japan does not trust US, despite of defense treaty with US. China also fears disintegration, Taiwan is unlikely to be occupied by the China, and Indian national interest necessitates deeper and everlasting friendship with Taiwan and Japan and South Korea. US, in its national interest will keep the issue of Tibet alive just to frighten the Mandarins and remind the strongman XiJinping, the balkanization of USSR. 

China needs latest technology to keep its economic growth flourishing. Its national interest is more pronounced, which aims at bullying its neighbors. China wants to keep its arch rival like India in check by applying all possible means.US needs big markets like China and India, but China has an edge over India in view of its restricted free speech, by which democrats cannot voice their dissent loudly.

PANDEMIC. Coronavirus has changed the very character of national interest. Brazil, Argentina and India have lost the opportunity to boost their emerging economy and China has emerged unchallenged economic power after US.

FINAL THOUGHT. National interest of any country in this world is influenced, to some extent by friendly relations between superpowers, It is time for US and Russia to narrow down their political differences and force new super power, China to submit to international laws and respect the sovereignty of other countries

BUDDHISM AND TERRORISM.(updated)

 By K P PASWAN.

 In international politics, no body imagined, ever since the end of 2^nd world that balance of power might be disturbed by balance of terror. Well trained army can easily neutralize a dreaded terrorist or group of terrorists, but they cannot eliminate the philosophy and culture of terrorism, which has become an effective tool in the hands of terrorists to achieve their sinister design. They terrorize their opponents without invoking the wrath of super powers.

Buddhism as we know, originated in India and spread through peaceful means to China and Far and East. It has started its assertiveness, and we must understand the reasons for  change in attitude.

 Islamic radicals, all over the world are regarded as dreaded terrorists, who espouse the cause of terrorism in the name of religion, but not supported by Islamic scholars. Small groups of these terrorists inhabiting non-Muslims countries, get support from the West, and rich Arabian Islamic states who are contributing their oil money to spread terror, just to keep themselves in power. West and US are worst victims of religion based terror, but still they are supporting terror activities of a group of lunatics, just for economic gains and to counter political influence of erstwhile super power like Russia and new emerging economic power like China.

 Except Germany and to some extent France, the so-called EU is suffering from economic stagnation. EU cannot dictate the politics of the world and they cannot reshape the economic landscape of former colonies. Islam like Christian, Hinduism and Buddhism are religion with large followers all over the world. Entire Central Asia is dominated by rich Islamic nations, with Saudi Arabia leading the group of Islamic countries. 

There is also a Shiite majority country, Iran which is as rich as Saudi Arabia and is engaged in funding the terrorists, in neighboring countries. Iran and Saudi Arabia are sworn enemies, there are some groups of fanatics, belonging to this religion, who are virtually bent upon tarnishing the image of this wonderful region. Once Angela Merkel. The Chancellor of Germany remarked the Christians were the most oppressed religion in the world, yet the willy politician of economically prosperous Germany, did little to declare the horrendous killing of Armenians at the hands of the brutal Ottoman king in 1915 as genocide, just to please macabre president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, whose anti Christians policy is well known to the Western world.

 Historically Buddhism is the only religion which may be called a religion of peace and have suffered badly at the hands of Arabian invaders, and lost it sphere of influence from Afghanistan to Philippines. Peace loving Buddhists were forced to convert to the religion of the invaders. In Afghanistan, the fanatics Taliban ransacked the statue of Buddha in Bamiyan, which existed since the foreign invaders captured Afghanistan, and nobody on this earth raised voice of protest. On the contrary a large number of Indians claiming themselves as followers of secularism, half-heartedly condemned the ransacking of statue of Buddha. Philosophy of original Buddhism is based on a particular Upanishads, which questions the existence of an immortal super power, and instead prescribes ways and means to get rid of worldly sufferings. Lord Buddha is being regarded as the tenth incarnation of Lord Vishnu and is revered by Hindus as well. Constitution of  India, does not distinguish between Hindus and Buddhists. Dalits converted to Buddhism enjoyed benefits like reservation in jobs and educational institutions

Terror in Buddhism is not a proper word to describe the awakening among the Buddhists in modern world, greatly influenced by extraordinary progress in fundamental science. Modern fundamental science does not recognize the existence of a personal God.Buddhists  maintains silence, when being asked the reasons for the origin of the universe. These scientists are echoing the philosophy of Buddhism. In fact, amongst the particular physicists, philosophy of Buddhism is being read widely, and. In Vedanta, soul has been identified with Brahman and not with a personal God. In Buddhism soul dies to born again. Here the neuro science plays a major part and Dalai lama has evinced keen interest in Neuroscience just to solve the puzzle of life and death.

BUDDHISM IN SriLANKA.  SriLanka is predominantly Buddhist country. Tamil Tigers, a ruthless terrorist organization once convulsed the largest democracy in the world. Rajeev Gandhi an outstanding Indian politician with a clean image was brutally assassinated by the followers of a cruel P Prabhakaran, who was a staunch Catholic  and introduced the suicide brigade to achieve his aim of carving out a small sovereign state for the Tamils in SriLanka. What is surprising that the killers of Rajeev Gandhi are expecting release from the prison as the ruling party in Tamilnadu has demanded their release. In a way there is no justification of condemning the uprising of Buddhists against the religious groups for whom terror is a means to satisfy the wish of God, whose very existence has been denounced by modern science and Buddhists. Once it appeared that the tiny island country, SriLanka might face disintegration and a separate Tamil state might be carved out of political geography of Sri Lanka.  Prabhakaanr, a Catholic and surprisingly his followers were mostly Tamil Hindus. Tamil Tigers enjoyed political patronage in a particular state in India, but the Govt of India never supported the disintegration of Sri Lanka.

For two decades Sri Lanka lived with civil war The Civil war killed 64000 people from 1983 to 20001 Tamil rebel who had their own parallel government with courts, traffic courts and a national anthem behind their heavily defended border, had long demanded separate nation for Tamils.  The Tigers stated that if  their sovereignty recognized, then they would discuss the establishment of a federal state, but  the Sri Lankan Govt insisted on a unified state The Tigers had its own die hard  brigade of dedicated fighters named as Tigers. Rebel leader V Prabhakaran often launched new offenses killing not only the Sri Lankan soldiers but also common people, on being suspicious of spies belonging to opposite camps. Lankan army and its paramilitary allies, behaved a little better, raping, abducting, and executing civilians thought to support Tamil nationalism. Both sides accused the other, explaining any killing carried out by their side of the divides as forgivable retaliation. Eric Solheim, from Norway and the Chief Negotiator said SriLanka won’t be sorted out in a few months. Lankan seemed to have forgotten the spirit of cooperation that flickered briefly the spirit of cooperation after the Tsunami. International donors gave 7.5 Billion dollars, but bitter squabbles over how to share the cash, nationalist Sinhalese and Buddhist monks claimed giving aid to the Tigers legitimized terrorism only aggravated the situation.

The rise of Buddhism is an instance of politicization of religion worldwide. Like Hinduism which is concentrated in India, but are migrating to every corner of the world in search of better life and economic opportunity. Buddhism fundamentalism is a myth, but certainly there is military showing up. Buddhism which emphasizes detachment from worldly desires and compassion for all living being has been around 2500 years. In the past, several Buddhist majority countries were converted by the foreign invaders to their own religion, but this is the age when Buddhists are adopting a tough-minded new profile, which can be explained in parts by their sufferings in the past. In China and Taiwan there is marked growth of Buddhism and reflect loosening of political control. While a secular US successfully converted S Korea and Magnolia to Christian countries, but they badly failed in other countries of the far and east.

 Buddhism was supposed to offer Dalits in India a way out of country’s oppressive caste system. Dalits have no difficulty in converting themselves to new religion, as Buddhism to some extent is similar in nature with Hinduism. In India Buddhism like Hinduism is a way of life. If we go to Materialistic ways of Buddhist Philosophy, then we find some outfits of Hinduism, openly defy the existence of supernatural power. ‘’The universe swings from this end to that end, there is no Ishwara”. This famous quote from the Upanishads forms the fundamental of Buddhist philosophy. In India Gautam Buddha is regarded an important recarntation of divine power and in Bodhgaya, a Hindu priest perform rituals which resembles the practices of Hinduism. In fact, a particular Upanishads is the central point of Buddhism religion. Gautam Buddha maintained studied silence when asked about the presence of a supernatural power behind the origin of the universe. Since Buddhism do not accept the supremacy of Vedas, so it is difficult to treat Buddhism as a dissent group of Hinduism. Tibetan Buddhism is closer to Hindu philosophy and the Chinese and Japanese Buddhists are attracted towards Tibetan form of Buddhism.

In India resurgent Buddhism have began entering politics directly. Here is an opportunity for the Dalits to liberate themselves from the shackles of their oppressed past. This sort of political participation is  also seen in far and east. In Sri Lanka Buddhist Sinhalese majority were fighting an on and off war against the Hindu Tamil minority since 1983. The Tamil Tigers led by P Prabhakaran who  ordered the killing of former PM of India and surprisingly his supporters in India called the killers as a great secular leaders and martyrs. The Sinhalese supported a full-fledged crackdown on Tamil fighters and pushed the Government to back away from an internationally backed ceasefire.

Thailand has 90 % of its population as followers of Buddha but country’s south where a Muslim insurgency   has been raging for years, so many Thai Buddhists have taken the matters into their own hands by forming self-defense groups. Nearly7000 volunteers have been armed with shotguns imported from Russia. Here it is interesting to see that coronation of Thai King is not complete without Vedic recitations from the Brahmins of Banaras, a holy city in India. While in India there is only one temple dedicated to Lord Brahma (God Of Hindus), In Thailand there are many Brahma temples and are visited by the Buddhists. Muslims insurgency in Buddhist dominated countries is very common as insurgents receive donations from Saudi Arabia. In South Korea a grand mosque was built by the Saudis in exchange of aids.

 Myanmar is facing the revolt by the Rohingya's Muslims who are demanding separate nation consisting of Rakhine province of Myanmar. These Rohingya's are funded by neighboring countries like Malaysia which in turn receive donation from Saudi Arabia, The Rohingyas are not welcomed even in Muslims countries Myanmar has been a peaceful Buddhist country until the Rohingya created problems, with the result that entire Buddhist communities, even the army have resorted harsh measures to deal with insurgents, which-is not being supported by the West, but won’t mind suppressing Muslims in their own land, and would gladly support the terror activities in other countries.

UIGHUR. Uighur are Muslims of China and is in the news for maltreatment of these Muslims by Govt of China. The stark reality is that these Uighur have been supporting the political power of Pakistan.  Uighur have matrimonial relationship with Pakistanis. Every month large number of Pakistanis are expelled from China for preaching terrorism, but these expulsions are never highlighted by print and electronic media either in India or in the West. Some of the American MNCs and German Business magnets are involved in oppressing the Uighur as these Muslims are source of cheap labor force. No Islamic country, not even Saudi Arabia has ever taken the suppression of Uighur with China.  Islamic nations like Turkey and Egypt have extradition treaty with China and are extraditing Uighur terrorists to China.Talibans in Afghanistan has dissociated from supporting the Uighur even though Talibans are known for their rigid Islamic ideology.

Buddhists like to discuss topics like corruption and climate change, such thinking has already seen in modern Japan. Buddhism growth in China, could also translate to other, long term challenge to the ruling party headed by strongman XiJinping. More and more Chines Buddhists are adopting the Tibetan variety or worshiping with itinerant spiritual instructions at home, outside of Govt approved temples and outside Govt control. Many of these  Buddhas, frequently criticality the ills of present days Chinese society including politically sensitive.

OTHER BUDDHIST COUNTRIES. Laos, Vietnam. And Kampuchea are small but important countries where Buddhism is the religion of the majority. Foreigners interested in preaching their own religion, spend huge amount of money to convert the people of Vietnam, but they badly failed. The largest Hindu temple, now dedicated to Lord Buddha is found in modern Kampuchea, previously known as Cambodia. Buddhism in Vietnam, Laos and Kampuchea are more or less based on the Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and some of the rituals resemble practiced by Hindus. All these countries suffered badly during the colonial era, but with the advent of new technology and the fastest ways of communication, these Buddhist countries are enjoying the fruits of globalization of technology. They are also asserting their Buddhist ideology and in some countries like Myanmar, SriLanka and Thailand,Buddhists  are confronting major challenge to their religion in the form of religious terrorism which has its roots in the Middle East, and enjoys the support of Western powers. With emergence of China as a leading economic and military power, Buddhist countries have become more assertive and are claiming and glorifying the peace-loving religion of the world.

CAUSES OF BUDDHIST TERROR. In modern era, no religion can flourish on the basis of glorification of terrorism There is lack of democratic institutions and intellectual debate pertaining to our position in the world. Some of the Islamic nations are rich beyond imagination, but instead of  utilizing vast sums of money for development works in poor Islamic countries, these rich Muslims are acting in a different ways. Deadly weapons manufactured in the West are being imported at huge cost to fight the liberals and pro-democratic elements in the Middle East. Exodus of a large number of poor Muslims form Africa and the middle east bear testimony to the apathy of the autocrats, who are ruling these rich Muslims countries. Buddhists are certainly not rich, and so are at the receiving end. China is not being opposed for exploitation of Uighur, but Myanmar, a poor Buddhist country is being projected as a threat to world peace. 

FINAL THOUGHT In the words of former president of US ‘’This world is full of cheats and deceits’’ Buddhism cannot be equated with radicals like Boko Ha ram, ISIS and Talibans, which pose threat to human race. Buddhism does not support violent agitation to glorify its rich philosophy.