A Few Global Concerns that Affect Us All

by Richard Kemp • October 4, 2020 at 5:00 am

Now, I believe, the US is taking measures to prevent the Chinese Communist Party from dominating the world, stealing American secrets, further imposing their system on the US and benefiting from US trade in a way that they do not allow the US to benefit.... People realize this is an evil, dark regime that many people have been deluded about for many years. People are now realizing their error.... I only hope that we, in Britain, in Europe, and in the US and other countries, are able to do that more in earnest.
Another thing that is coming into question is that we -- in my view foolishly -- have plans to allow China to construct a series of nuclear power stations in Britain. We hope that Britain will review these plans and stop them from happening.
The situation with Lebanon and Hizbollah is all tied up with Iran. Hezbollah is a creation of Iran, directed by Iran and funded by Iran. It is basically an extension of the Ayatollah's right arm.... If the current US administration were to lose the election, there would probably be a policy similar to what the previous administration had, with every effort made, probably, to try and resurrect the nuclear deal. This action would certainly help enable Iran to have nuclear weapons.
The ICC are also trying to investigate Britain for war crimes in Iraq -- as well as the US for war crimes in Afghanistan. Of course, it is the usual three suspects, Britain, US, and Israel, they firmly have in their sights.... The International Criminal Court is no longer a legal body. It is now a political body. It has turned itself into something it was never intended to be.

Iran is under enormous pressure right now -- the greatest pressure since the creation of the Islamic Republic during its Islamic Revolution back in 1979. The leaders of Iran, the Ayatollah and the various others who run the country, are doubtless deeply worried about the survival of their regime. (Photo by Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images)

There are a few global concerns that affect us all. The first is the current situation with Iran and its various ramifications. The second, connected with Iran, is the current situation in Lebanon, with Hezbollah in particular, which is also in Syria.

The next is the International Criminal Court, from which we are imminently expecting a decision that could have a potential impact on Israel as well as on the rest of us.

Iran, I believe, is under enormous pressure right now -- the greatest pressure since the creation of the Islamic Republic during its Islamic Revolution back in 1979.

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Why Colorful View of American Politics Is Wrong

by Amir Taheri • October 4, 2020 at 4:00 am

White supremacists forget that in most cases what they present as lawbreaking by blacks is primarily caused by socio-economic factors, not skin color. Even then, lawbreakers form a small minority of black Americans, who account for 12 percent of the population.
While racists, both white and black, do exist in the United States, it is wrong to talk of across the board institutional racism. A majority of Americans of all colors understand that slavery was an evil and harmed every American regardless of color. They have also seen in real life that advancing equality benefits all, not only those of any particular color.

It is significant is that black progress toward equality in the US is no longer dependent on tokenism and positive discrimination that blacks, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, regarded as counter-productive. Pictured: Martin Luther King Jr. addresses crowds during the March On Washington at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC, on August 28, 1963. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)

The way world media cover the current US election campaigns may foster the impression that the nation is gripped by a crisis due to institutional racism with black Americans as victims. Professional anti-Americans even claim that the US perpetuates a version of apartheid.

How accurate are such claims?

There is no doubt that race, or skin color, remains a cause of friction with small radical groups, both white and black, seeking to legitimize their agendas by fomenting fear and loathing with racial themes.

On the right, white supremacists try to portray black fellow citizens as genetic criminals whose presence is a cause of anxiety. They cite figures showing that a disproportionate number of blacks are in prison for breaking the law.

On the left, some radical anti-capitalists try to cast blacks as victims of institutional racism and use the concept of victimhood to justify violence.

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