There has been so much going on recently; reading the headlines in the West It feels that the world has changed and is changing. 

In America, US President Trump shutdown the government and in France there has been scenes of civil unrest as the Gilet Jaunes (yellow vests)’ protests enter their 12th week.  In the United Kingdom the parliament is divided as the UK prepares to leave the European Union with ‘no deal’.

It has been reported 100,000 people protesters took to the streets of Paris one weekend in January.  Videos show a warzone.  The Police have been teargassing protesters and protesters have been damaging private property.  There are countless questions.  Is the price of fuel the issue or just the straw that broke the camels back? What is the objective of the protesters?  If it is President Macron out, then what?  Has it been manifested by external forces?  Are agents provocateurs at work?

Even Spain, a country reknowned for it’s fiestas had the 4th largest deterioration of peace in the world in 2018 (Global Peace Index).  This has been driven by terrorism and the political unrest in the Catalonia region.

Mass migration has caused problems Europe and North America. 

The conflict in Syria has now displaced 6 million people.  Somalia is reported to be rife of crime, terrorism and privacy.  Human rights abuses continue to be reported in Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

The United States are withdrawing troops ftom Syria but are they bring lined up for furure conflict with Iran?

As the protests in France express, a lot of people want change.  However, if the vision is divided or unclear the outcomes of any political struggle could be adverse.  An alternative needs to be discussed and ready to replace the old structure or it could all be for nothing.  The people want change but must be careful what they wish for.

In sum, the world keeps moving in it’s current direction, greater problems can be expected.  Thankfully there is plenty of evidence to suggest positive changes are not only possible but there are already groups of people working towards achieving this.

I will write more about this in a future post.