As Syria continues to unravel, there as been much speculation about how Assad’s possible departure will affect the balance of power in the Middle East. The Russians have backed away from Assad to a certain degree, and Hamas has all but repudiated him and moved strongly into the orbit of the Egyptians. Analysts are now beginning to consider whether the Iranians might be recalculating their alliance with Assad. Such a move would move the region strongly into the sphere of Saudi influence.
The death of a young woman who was brutally raped and killed by a gang of six men in India has led to a massive protest and painful introspection. The tragedy is far from an isolated incident in world, but its indescribable savagery raises all sorts of questions about how women are regarded in the world. Despite some signs of progress over the last 40 years, it is hard to believe that any progress has been made to elevate the status of women.
The ruling elite of China includes many descendants of the original Maoist revolution in 1949. This elite, however, is quite different from its predecessors, and would probably be considered traitors to the purposes of the Communist revolution. Interestingly, the ruling elite does not appear to be particularly unsettled by the change in direction.
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