As one contemplates what human beings have done during 2023, it is rather difficult not to invoke the phrase annus horribilis. There is no end in sight for Israel’s genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza nor for the war between Russia, Ukraine and NATO. Nor have governments, particularly in the North, shown any serious determination to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Israel’s Genocidal War Against Palestinians
If the reader has reservations about the adjective genocidal, he/she is requested to look up Article 2 of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Additionally, Israel has brazenly violated International Humanitarian Law by killing civilians and bombing hospitals, schools, and refugee camps, not to mention the cruel denial of access to humanitarian relief material sent by the UN and others. Over 21,000 have been murdered.
Netanyahu has reiterated that there will be a ceasefire only after the Hamas has been eliminated. He also wants to compel Hamas to release the hostages by killing more and more civilians. The rockets are still being sent to Ashkelon in Israel by Hamas.
Netanyahu can continue with the genocide only because of President Biden’s ‘unwavering support.’ Biden’s policy is consistently inconsistent on many counts. When Russia bombs civilian targets, Biden condemns the violation of international law. When Israel does it, Biden meekly says he has told Israel to abide by international law.
Does Biden realise that while Russia has killed about 10,000 civilians in less than 22 months, Israel has killed more than 21,000 in less than three months? Obviously, for Biden, a Ukrainian life counts, whereas a Palestinian one does not. Is that a Christian approach, Mr. President?
The UN Security Council
Repeated attempts by Arab states and others to make the Council discharge its obligations under the Charter were foiled by Washington resorting to veto, at times with arguments that do not stand scrutiny. Once, the US Permanent Representative Linda Thomas-Greenfield said she was vetoing a resolution that called for a ceasefire as it would benefit only Hamas. Does not she understand that a ceasefire will benefit the Palestinians, getting killed hundreds of times daily and resulting in the release of hostages?
The Resolution passed on 22 December 2023, after Israel killed more than 20,000 human beings, is a charade. Washington got the original draft watered down drastically. The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, pointed out that Israel is creating ‘massive obstacles’ to the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza.
We should note, with deep regret, that after the UNSC Resolution was passed, Israel expanded its bombing. In short, given Washington’s protection, Israel can violate Security Council Resolutions with total impunity.
The War In Ukraine
Ukraine’s counter-offensive, launched with much fanfare in June 2023, has run its course with hardly any success. Russia still occupies 18 per cent of Ukraine’s territory.
As of now, there is a growing ‘donor fatigue’ in Washington and Brussels. The total aid, military and economic, so far given to Ukraine works out to $255 billion. Half the amount was for preventing the collapse of Ukraine’s economy, a goal that has been met.
There is talk in G7 capitals about the pros and cons of taking over Russia’s frozen deposits in Western banks, amounting to $300 billion, and using it to support Ukraine. Russia has warned of severe consequences.
Once Netanyahu started his genocidal war, the Western media and governments shifted focus away from Ukraine.
Other Conflicts
Israel’s genocidal war and the war in Ukraine have dominated media space. We need to note with distress the predicament of fellow human beings in Sudan and the rest of Africa.
In 2019, Sudan’s civil society peacefully campaigned and overthrew President Omar al Bashir, who captured office in 1989. However, the military in Sudan stood in the way of establishing democracy. The military is split into two, and their violent confrontation continues with no end in sight. External powers are lending support to the two armies.
Is Democracy On Retreat?
Military coups have taken place in Niger, Gabon, and Guinea in 2023. It is not the case that properly functioning democratically elected governments have been replaced by military rule. The coups have been supported by the people who had concluded that their governments were not delivering good governance.
Even globally, democracy is retreating. A classic example is the United States, which has an elaborate election process. But if the choice is between Trump and Biden, is the American voter getting a real choice?
In Argentina, the newly elected President Javier Milei has devalued the currency by 54 per cent and sent a 351-page bill with 664 articles to Congress, giving him practically dictatorial powers.
In Egypt, El Sisi has been re-elected in an unfair and unfree election. In Pakistan, former Prime Minister Imran Khan is facing a tsunami of cases against him, whereas another former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sherif, finds that cases against him are closed one by one.
The interim government in Pakistan, or rather its military, seems to want to damage relations with neighbouring Afghanistan. When the Taliban took over in 2021, Pakistan had hoped that it was getting a junior ally. That hope has not been realised. Islamabad has now announced plans to throw out 100,000 Afghans who had taken refuge in Pakistan.
Man Against Nature
We live in the age of the Anthropocene, where human activities have seriously damaged the environment. The COP28 (Conference of Parties) held in Dubai was disappointing. The U.A.E., the conference host, tried to water down the language about fossil fuels with considerable success. The document speaks of ‘transitioning away’ from fossil fuels.
The 2015 Paris Agreement committed all parties to work to limit the rise in temperature to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius. 2023 has been the hottest year on record, with the global average temperature rise at 1.46 degrees Celsius. Unless there is a radical change in approach, the limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius will not be met and could lead to disastrous consequences.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
There is much talk of AI and its potential for imperilling humanity. The European Union has passed some legislation. However, there is no attempt to regulate the use of AI in war.
India
India has emerged as the fifth-largest economy even though it has more poor people than any other country. Predictions are being made for political propaganda. For example, the prediction that India will be the third-largest economy by 2027 and the largest economy by 2052, with a GDP of $45 trillion, is being taken seriously by many without examining facts.
There is considerable wishful thinking in all this. Political leaders believe they can get votes by selling dream cakes. Take the case of Uttar Pradesh, the largest state in India. Its Chief Minister has set the goal of a $1 trillion GDP for the state in 5 years. Its present GDP is $ 250 billion. The reader might note that to reach the goal, the state would need more than 30 per cent annual growth.
Eight hundred million Indians are dependent on the government for food. This number is a good estimate of the number of poor people.
While India’s economy is growing, its democracy is getting weaker. One hundred forty-six members of Parliament were suspended because they demanded an explanation from the Home Minister on the breach of security on 13 December 2023, when two young men in the visitor’s gallery jumped to the floor.
A democracy needs institutions that can be trusted to discharge their obligations under the Constitution without interference by the government of the day. The appointment of the Election Commission says otherwise. The selection should not be the exclusive preserve of the Executive. The Parliament passed legislation for Election Commissioners to be chosen by a Committee consisting of the Prime Minister, a Minister of his choice, and the Leader of the Opposition. The Leader of the Opposition can be easily outvoted.
In conclusion, contemplating the predicament of Homo Sapiens Sapiens, it is difficult not to quote from the Old Testament:
Where there is no vision, the people perish;
But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
But who keepeth the law?
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