Authorities in Hong Kong used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse protesters who have besieged government offices for three days. The protesters are demanding the right to nominate people to stand for elections, rather than rely upon lists of candidates provided by the government in Beijing. The activities of “Occupy Central”, a movement comprised of primarily college students, have challenged the Chinese government. The People’s Daily, the official media organ of the Chinese Communist Party, reports its own perspective on the protests.
One of the more intriguing aspects of the US-led war against the Islamic State, is the persistent belief among many that the organization itself is a creation of the US. Many in the region believe this assertion to be true, and RT, a Russian media outlet, has published an op-ed piece that develops the argument. The belief is founded upon the fact that the US did, in fact, lead Sunni Muslims in Iraq to engage in what was termed “The Awakening” in 2007, a movement that was accompanied by a “surge” in US troop strength in Iraq. The Awakening was an effort by the US to counter the Shia-led militias that were attacking US troops at the time. There is little evidence, however, that indicates that the US effort led to the growth of ISIL in Syria because of the Syrian civil war which then subsequently moved to Iraq. Nor is there any evidence that the US was even in contact with the Syrian Sunnis at any time. The belief, however, is solidly entrenched in the Middle East.
Pharag Kanna has written an excellent essay on the process of “devolution”–the tendency in contemporary world affairs for smaller nations to declare their independence from states. We do not know how far this dynamic can go: the results of the referendum in Scotland suggests that it is not inexorable. Yet it is apparent in other states, and seems to be consistent with the process of technological change which seems to favor smaller units. The essay is definitely worth reading.
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