The Sum of Our Fears
What to do when there's too much news? When that happens, write a digest. Let's talk about the role of the United States, international criminals, and the threat of nuclear war.
Fighting to the last Ukrainian
The longest running war at the present time is the one in Ukraine. It began, depending on your point of view, when the new coup government in Kyiv attacked the Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts, on April 12, 2014. They had been Ukrainian Oblasts (states) of Ukraine but rebelled against the neo-fascist coup of 2014. After the fighting began, both oblasts withdrew from Ukraine, held a plebiscite, and voted overwhelmingly to declare themselves independent Peoples Republics.
Eight years later, on Feb. 24, 2022, the two Peoples Republics were on their last legs. Russia intervened to defend the primarily Russian ethnics in Donetsk and Luhansk. The West, particularly the US, cheered for the chance to take on Russia on the battlefield.
By 2024, there was a flood of weapons pouring into the war zone from the US and much of Europe. Even so, it seemed that the Ukrainians were doomed by Russia’s overwhelming might which caused Ukraine to suffer enormous casualties. It was, as they say, “fighting to the last ukrainian.”
The Big Blowup inched closer when French President Emmanuel Macron opined that he might send French troops to Ukraine to fight the Russians. His statement was immediately lauded by former British PM, and current Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, who added that Ukraine was free to use British weapons as they wished, including on attacks on Russian territory.
Russian President Valdimir Putin erupted at the statements, and in response said Russia would launch nuclear weapons drills, and implied that any attacks on Russia would be met by responses to the homelands of the country that initiated them. After the strong response from Putin, Macron and Cameron shut up. Meanwhile, Russia has launched an offensive against Ukraine’s strategic strong point of Chasiv Yar, and the city of Kharkiv.
The Middle East in Flames
There’s bad news for Netanyahu. The International Criminal Court Lead Prosecutor Karim Khan made the following statement, regarding Netanyahu:
On the basis of evidence collected and examined by my Office, I have reasonable grounds to believe that Benjamin NETANYAHU, the Prime Minister of Israel, and Yoav GALLANT, the Minister of Defence of Israel, bear criminal responsibility for the following war crimes and crimes against humanity committed on the territory of the State of Palestine (in the Gaza strip) from at least 8 October 2023:
• Starvation of civilians as a method of warfare as a war crime contrary to article 8(2)(b)(xxv) of the Statute;
• Wilfully causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or health contrary to article 8(2)(a)(iii), or cruel treatment as a war crime contrary to article 8(2)(c)(i);
• Wilful killing contrary to article 8(2)(a)(i), or Murder as a war crime contrary to article 8(2)(c)(i);
• Intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population as a war crime contrary to articles 8(2)(b)(i), or 8(2)(e)(i);
• Extermination and/or murder contrary to articles 7(1)(b) and 7(1)(a), including in the context of deaths caused by starvation, as a crime against humanity;
• Persecution as a crime against humanity contrary to article 7(1)(h);
• Other inhumane acts as crimes against humanity contrary to article 7(1)(k).
Prosecutor Khan, apparently to be evenhanded, also indicted three Hamas leaders (many activists were agast that leaders of a rebellion would be treated the same as Netanyahu who is mainly responsible for 30,000 deaths):
On the basis of evidence collected and examined by my Office, I have reasonable grounds to believe that Yahya SINWAR (Head of the Islamic Resistance Movement (“Hamas”) in the Gaza Strip), Mohammed Diab Ibrahim AL-MASRI, more commonly known as DEIF (Commander-in-Chief of the military wing of Hamas, known as the Al-Qassam Brigades), and Ismail HANIYEH (Head of Hamas Political Bureau) bear criminal responsibility for the following war crimes and crimes against humanity committed on the territory of Israel and the State of Palestine (in the Gaza strip) from at least 7 October 2023:
• Extermination as a crime against humanity, contrary to article 7(1)(b) of the Rome Statute;
Murder as a crime against humanity, contrary to article 7(1)(a), and as a war crime, contrary to article 8(2)(c)(i);
• Taking hostages as a war crime, contrary to article 8(2)(c)(iii);
• Rape and other acts of sexual violence as crimes against humanity, contrary to article 7(1)(g), and also as war crimes pursuant to article 8(2)(e)(vi) in the context of captivity;
• Torture as a crime against humanity, contrary to article 7(1)(f), and also as a war crime, contrary to article 8(2)(c)(i), in the context of captivity;
• Other inhumane acts as a crime against humanity, contrary to article 7(l)(k), in the context of captivity;
• Cruel treatment as a war crime contrary to article 8(2)(c)(i), in the context of captivity; and
• Outrages upon personal dignity as a war crime, contrary to article 8(2)(c)(ii), in the context of captivity.
Meanwhile, the carnage continues. In 228 days of war, about 30,000 Palestinians have died, including 13,000 children. In addition, 71,000 Palestinians have been seriously injured, according to United Nations Special Rapporteur, Francesca Albanese. The Rapporteur stated that, “80 percent of the whole population has been forcibly displaced. In addition, according to Albanese, 1139 Israelis lost their lives in the early days when Hamas attacked.”
While the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been moving towards Rafah, the last major Gazan city that has not been blown to bits, missiles were lobbed toward Syria, which destroyed part of the Iranian Embassy. A few days later, Iran attacked Israel with obsolete missiles and drones. The mild response was apparently at the urging of the U.S. Days later, Israel responded in kind, or did it?
According to veteran reporter, Pepe Escobar, Israel sent an armed nuke over Iraq with the intent to explode the weapon at a high altitude. Such an explosion would ionize the atmosphere and cause an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) which would disable all electronic instruments and render Iran helpless. The extent of the area subject to the EMP would depend on the height of the explosion. An EMP could be caused by an explosion as low as three miles from the ground, up to 50 miles high.
No such explosion took place, says Escobar, because the Israeli F16 carrying the bomb was shot down by a Russian fighter jet. He said his information came from two highly-placed sources in two different countries.
Students learn more than they expected
It seemed like a typical year at the university. Students had classes to attend, professors had publications to worry about, and college presidents had money to raise for next year.
Suddenly, flyers appeared on campuses around the US, then tables were set up, the Occupy movement was revived, and student protests began at a level not seen since Viet Nam days. In all, 154 campuses were occupied by their own students. Police began using tear gas and rubber bullets, as well as bashing heads and handcuffing 18-year-olds. At least 30 campuses experienced mass arrests as students fell under the wrath of police bullies. Some professors were fired for speaking out against the genocide in Palestine. Not even college presidents were immune. Some were forced to resign because of the anger of wealthy contributors with ties to Israel. Others went before congressional inquisitions.
Was it worth it? Yes. Large student revolts took place at UCLA, USC, Cal State Humboldt, Arizona State, and many prominent schools in the Midwest and East Coast. Divestment has been a major demand at most campuses with Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, and Sacramento State University leading the way.
The US student protests have inspired supporters of Palestine throughout the world. The protests, along with those in major cities, have kept the fire of independence burning in Gaza, and on all continents.
Three more countries ignore Israeli propaganda
According to the Palestine Authority, 143 countries out of 193 UN members had already recognized the State of Palestine. Most of the recognizing countries are located in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Missing the roll call are the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea and most of western Europe.
Now there are three new countries giving their recognition, and all three are from western Europe. They are Norway, Ireland and Spain. It must have taken some courage for officials in those countries to support recognition in the face of adamant opposition from the US. Another bad day for Netanyahu.
You Can’t Always Get What You Want
Unfortunately, the United Auto Workers were not able to follow up their victory at the VW plant in Chattanooga. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which oversees union elections reported, May 18, that workers at the Mercedes plant, near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, have voted against their best interests by 2,642 for no union, and 2,045 for a union. The 56% - 44% negative vote means it’s back to the drawing board for the UAW.
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