Overview of 2021
Ten Important Events that Shook us all
The year 2021 started with the worst attack on Capitol Hill in the US that could vanish the democratic agenda if succeed but before the end of 2021 we have witnessed a great success in the form of Farmers Protest in the world largest democracy against local as well as international anti-people capital encroachment.
1- Storm against democracy , attack on parliament January 06,
France24 wrote, The year kicked off with a bang when hundreds of people stormed the US Capitol, the seat of American democracy, on January 6. Joe Biden had won the presidential election two months earlier but his predecessor, Donald Trump, refused to acknowledge the result, alleging that the vote had been rigged and the election “stolen”.
Investigations are in process but throughout the year, focus remained on the Events rather than phenomenon. It was the worst event of 2021 and it has raised many questions about US democracy itself.
2- Military intervention in Burma, February
In the early hours of February 1, Myanmar’s security forces detained a number of senior elected political leaders, chief ministers, and activists in the capital, Naypyidaw, and across the country. Among those arrested were State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint of her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), which won a sweeping victory in national elections on November 8. The military also targeted members of the 88 Generation – a pro-democracy movement that suffered years of persecution after leading nationwide student protests in 1988 that were brutally crushed by the ruling military. Al Jazeera
It was Aung San Suu Kyi who fought for democracy and had engaged military too in Myanmar but US and European media had accused her for not criticising army especially on the tricky Rohingya issue who were 4% in country. That issue is an example of overplay by international western press as part of anti China campaigns. So iron lady lost international support and it strengthen Junta to detrail democratic transition. Today same media is praising the iron lady as mother of democracy yet no one is ready to revisit it old policies. Interestingly in countries like us we usually witness triangular conflict among authoritarian local elite, interventionist foreign players and people representatives.
3- Delta & Omicron,
The Delta variant was named on 31 May 2021 and had spread to over 179 countries by 22 November 2021. The WHO indicated in June 2021 that the Delta variant was becoming the dominant strain globally. But today Omicron is spreading in unprecedented manner. Today data is self explanatory in many ways.
More than 1.5 million cases in last 24 hours is alarming. No one knows where it will end. Big Pharma companies are earning huge profits while digital sector is spreading and play with corona is also a common phenomenon. So it needs little attention from people's perspective. 4- End of Netanyahu but little progress regarding Two nation solution is alarming
On June 13, the Knesset voted to ratify a new coalition led by the leader of the country’s radical right movement Naftali Bennett, putting an end to Netanyahu’s 12-year rule. Crowds celebrated in the streets with ‘Bye bye Bibi’ placards, but Netanyahu had a bitter parting shot, telling the Knesset: "If it's our destiny to be in the opposition, we'll do so with our heads high until we take down this bad government and return to lead the country our way." France 24
Israel is not ready to listen her boss. Her efforts to neutralize few middle eastern countries damaged the Two State Solution largely. Gaza retreat damaged it but reluctance of US has raised questions against Biden administration and in many ways it has exposed democracy agenda of America too.
5- Taliban rise, Doha agreement & democratic agenda
Occupation of Taliban by force (15 August) not through election has strengthen authoritarianism smartly. Although no country yet to accept taliban government in Afghanistan but Doha agreement process has compelled Ashraf Ghani for escape. Taliban are not ready to listen the world especially regarding press freedom, human rights, women and minorities and on top of it Taliban neither go for inclusive government not for elections. Unlike Kashmir, in the case of Afghanistan world community including Pakistan is ready to help Afghan people and it looks strange when we compare it with adjacent Kashmir.
6- France Australia conflict derailed 20th century alliances
In September, a submarine contract that pushed out Paris led to a
diplomatic crisis between France, on the one hand, and Australia, the US and the UK on the other.
Five years after Paris and Canberra signed a contract worth 50 billion Australian dollars (€31 billion) for France to build 12 diesel submarines, US President Joe Biden announced a new defence deal with Australia and Britain called AUKUS that would see the US and the UK help Australia develop a nuclear submarine fleet. During the fallout from this announcement, France recalled its ambassadors from Washington and Canberra. France 24
This conflict proved that post WW2 arrangements are history now. So in short it is transitional phase. The tussle among US, UK, EU, China & Russia will increase in 2022 and one can see repetition of France Australia conflict too.
7- Sudan democracy & military intervention
October 25, 2021|Updated October 26, 2021 at 10:22 a.m. EDT
Over two years ago, a popular uprising ousted Sudan’s longtime dictator Omar Hassan al-Bashir and ushered in a new era of change and possibility for the African nation of some 45 million people.
But the streets of Sudan were full of fear and uncertainty Monday, after the country’s military detained the prime minister, dissolved the government and declared itself in charge during a state of emergency. Washington Post
Sudan crisis is another example of tussel among local elite, foreign interventionists and elected representatives. Acceptance of Israel could not help Sudanese democracy at all, removal of Sudan from international terrorist list too proved wrong step. Strengthening democratic institutions and rule of law can help transition to democracy but emphasis on other tricky issues derailed the process .
8- Defeat of Modi and victory of Farmers
Indian farmers have said they are ending a year of mass protests a week after the government agreed to abandon controversial agricultural reforms.
The movement had become one of the biggest challenges for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
The farmer groups took the decision after ministers agreed to discuss their other demands, including guaranteed prices for produce and a withdrawal of criminal cases against protesting farmers. BBC
This triple victory is among the best events in 2021, it has not only united Punjabs within and outside India but it defeated religious extremist Modi sarkar and its 3rd dimension is more promising because it gives a real challenge to unilateral approach of international capital. Farmers got huge support not only in the country and the region but also it has jolted international community. Social media and immigrants too proved big factors in the success. Out of 32 unions of farmers, almost 22 has announced formation of a new party but others are reluctant. The unity among farmers is key for future success because after tactical retreat of Modi Sarkar the tricky Indian State will divide them smartly. Unlike Peshawar attack (2014) after Sialkot incident Government has failed to engage opposition and few days back PTI unilaterally announced a national Security policy. Even parliament has no input in it. It is important to understand why NAP could not implemented in the past. What were the main obstacles and who remained reluctant since 2014. Why NECTA could not work? If one make a National Security policy without consensus, it will be a non starter. Handling of Faizabad dharna in 2017 proved that powerful players did not learn from past and it had witnessed naked violations of NAP. Implementation of court decision regarding that dharna remained an unresolved riddle. In 2021, secret agreement with TLP along with hasty arrests and releases of its workers has raised many fingers. There are multiple factors including tricky #SNC that are in conflict with tolerance and inclusive approach. Parliament can play its vital role but current government is unable to do it due to its other priorities.
10 - Sino US conflict ...Cold War revival project
In 2021, like previous years, the anti china project remained on the top. Both countries are in a race and its deadline is 2030. But it is impossible to revive Cold War like situation because of many new factors. After defeat of Donald Trump, Biden administration is not ready to leave Anti China project, projected by Kissinger in ''On China''. But interestingly, within Us, the AcP will entact supporters of Trump. Many countries including #EU want to have strong ties with both powers & France Australia conflict proved that unilateral US policies will not work. Its interdependent world with shred powers so its better to leave 20th century mantras. US want to stop Chineses advances especially in Africa, South Asia, Middle East and Europe and this agenda will remain in practice in 2022 too.
