There are two elections in the news at the moment, in Turkiye and in Thailand. Both countries, formerly in the United States sphere of influence, are now showing some independence. Turkey is still a member of NATO.
Also in Pakistan, attempts to imprison former president Imran Khan by the CIA backed Pakistan military is running into heavy popular opposition.
This is really part of a worldwide movement by young people wanting change. The focus is on human rights, rather than on class struggle. However these movements have been strong in their support of public housing and anti-poverty campaigns. They are critical of negative US influence in the Global South. They are anti-colonialist in nature. They fear the existential threat of climate change, if not that of nuclear war. WBT has compiled some reports about the immediate effects of these movements for change worldwide.
Ramzy Baroud from The Palestine Chronicle says that there are new rules of engagement between Israel and the Palestinian resistance in Gaza and elsewhere. Losing the PR battle in its latest deadly attacks on Gaza this week, Israel stopped bombing (many Palestinians killed) in a stalemate with Islamic Jihad (one Israeli killed). A new unity has been obvious across Palestine, the old order of Mahmoud Abbas is becoming irrelevant says the editor of the Palestine Chronicle. – Ian Curr, Ed., 15 May 2023.
Turkiye election 2023
In Turkey, both the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) have refused to take a stand against Russia in its conflict with NATO over Ukraine. Neither party has been able to win 50% of the vote. An ultra-right nationalist party has captured 5% of the vote and is adamant that all refugees should be expelled. This includes both Syrian and Kurdish people who have suffered much as a result of Turkish and Israeli bombing and recent earthquakes. This map below shows the state of play in the lead up to the next round of voting.
Erdogan (AKP), who has been in power for 20 years, may finally lose to opposition leader Kilicdaroglu (CHP). Kilicdaroglu, while not representing the main Kurdish party, is Kurdish and is sympathetic to the refugees. A report by End Cross-border Bombing Campaign says that Turkish military have killed 98 Kurdish people in villages and towns in Northern Iraq in recent years. There is hope that if Kilicdaroglu (CHP) is elected then these bombing campaigns will stop.
Thai election
Reuters reports that Thailand’s opposition secured a stunning election win on 14 May 2023 “after trouncing parties allied with the military, setting the stage for a flurry of deal-making over forming a government in a bid to end nearly a decade of conservative, army-backed rule.” Ever since the Vietnam war, the Thai military has been closely aligned with the CIA and the US military. The Thai military provides a lot of support for the highly repressive military regime in Myanmar.
The arrest of Imran Khan by the Pakistan military
In Brisbane yesterday there was a small demonstration at Parliament house against the military’s attempts to to jail the former president of Pakistan Imran Khan. His government was responsible for allowing Afghani refugees to become citizens in Pakistan.
The Pakistan Supreme Court has ordered the release of Imran Khan. His arrest earlier this week sparked a wave of anti-government protests across the country.
Palestine
Ramsey Baroud explains why Israel stopped bombing Gaza this week.
@ramzybaroudofficial Keep this in mind while considering the outcomes of the Israeli war on Gaza. My thoughts on winning, losing, Resistance and Unity. #Nakba75 #Palestine #Gaza #Israel #Palestinian #nakba #Israel ♬ A Warrior – Lux-Inspira