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Middle Eastern Narco’s, Modern Communism & more!

Good Afternoon - On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted to declare independence from Great Britain. Two days later, on July 4, they officially adopted the Declaration of Independence at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, while the Liberty Bell rang.

John Adams thought history would remember July 2 as the important date, not July 4th, & often turned down invitations to 4th of July celebrations.

Global Insights

Narco’s in the Middle East

Wasim Badie al-Assad posted a photo on social media featuring himself alongside Lebanese drug baron Nouh Zaiter and Mohammed Zarour of the Syrian 4th Division. The caption read, "The best brothers." Al-Assad, a cousin of the Syrian president, faces accusations of contributing to Syria's alleged status as a narco-state. The photo, taken during their January 17 meeting at the Damascus Sheraton, has raised questions about the distribution of Captagon (a psychostimulant) through networks connected to Bashar al-Assad's relatives and Hezbollah operatives.

Lebanese media outlet Baladi News suggests that Zaiter, wanted by Interpol & the C.I.A for involvement in cannabis in Lebanon, has close ties to the al-Assad organization. Analysts speculate this photo is evidence of Syria becoming a narco-state orchestrated by the Syrian regime and Hezbollah.

Zaiter is wanted in Lebanon for cannabis-related activities and is considered by some as a key ally in drug cultivation and manufacturing due to his extensive experience. He is alleged to be involved in cross-border operations using Hezbollah-controlled illegal crossings between Lebanon and Syria. Lebanon holds the top spot as the main cannabis producer for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Additionally, it sends cannabis to the United States using smuggling routes in South America, although it doesn't play as significant a role as some other major suppliers do.

Lebanese analysts argue that Zaiter, partnering with Hezbollah and the 4th Division, has played a pivotal role in turning Syria's economy into a black market, circumventing sanctions through the drug trade, human trafficking, and organ trade. The Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 is believed to have prompted this shift.

Nouh Zaiter, recognized as Lebanon's top narcotics figure, has allegedly collaborated with Hezbollah and the 4th Division in cannabis production since 2014. He operates in northern rural Homs, particularly in al-Qusayr, where he cultivates cannabis and manufactures Captagon in a workshop. Zaiter has been deemed the “Escobar of the Middle East” for his Robin Hood-like status with some of the Lebanese people & his claims of being misunderstood by the government and media.

Despite regional efforts to combat illegal drugs, the ongoing drug trafficking indicates the strength of the regime-Hezbollah partnership and its extensive distribution network. US sanctions on Iran have reportedly weakened Iran's ability to finance proxies, making the drug trade an alternative to Iran's diminishing financial support and sustaining the financial capabilities of Hezbollah and the Syrian 4th Division

Modern Communism

In the modern world world, only a handful of nations still identify as communist states. These countries include China, Cuba, Laos, Vietnam, and North Korea (DPRK). While these nations acknowledge their communist ideology, they often frame it as a journey toward socialism rather than the complete realization of a communist society.

For example, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam's Constitution asserts that the country entered a transitional phase toward socialism in 1976, following reunification under the Communist Party. Similarly, Cuba's 1992 Constitution outlines the Communist Party's role as guiding the pursuit of socialist objectives.

Communism is rooted in a socio-political doctrine striving for equality between two primary classes: the working class and the capitalist class. It seeks to dismantle the capitalist economic model, characterized by private ownership of production means and profit-making. In its place, communism advocates collective ownership of these means, usually by the government, aiming for a fairer distribution of wealth and resources. However, achieving this equilibrium has proven challenging in practice.

Most Western nations, particularly those embracing capitalist democracies in Europe and the Americas, reject communism. They argue that it leads to a state-controlled economy and an intrusive, totalitarian government that curtails personal and economic freedoms. While numerous countries once adhered to communist ideologies, only a few remain committed today.

As of 2021, the list of communist countries includes:

1. China: The Communist Party of China governs the People's Republic of China, upholding communist principles.

2. Cuba: Cuba is under the rule of the Communist Party of Cuba, which plays a leading role in society and the state.

3. Laos (Lao People's Democratic Republic): Laos is a one-party communist state, with the Lao People's Revolutionary Party as the sole political party.

4. North Korea: North Korea identifies as a "dictatorship of people's democracy" and has distanced itself from traditional communism, with references to it being removed from the constitution in 2009.

5. Vietnam: The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is guided by the Communist Party, which is the only party representing the people and leading the nation, according to the constitution.

When discussing modern-day communism Russia is often thrown into the conversation. While formerly part of the Soviet Union, Russia does not consider itself a communist country today

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Elections in Britain

Keir Starmer met with King Charles at Buckingham Palace and officially became the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He addressed the nation from 10 Downing Street before beginning his duties behind its famous black door. (more on that next week)

Starmer's Labour Party achieved victory over the Conservatives, securing 412 seats in Parliament compared to the Conservatives' 121 seats, with vote counting ongoing out of a total of 650 seats. Starmer succeeds Rishi Sunak.

Six weeks ago, Sunak surprised the country by calling for elections in one of the United States' closest allies and the world's sixth-largest economy. He apologized for his party's performance as he left the prime minister's residence for the final time.

In his victory speech, Starmer, a former prosecutor and centrist who supports NATO and Ukraine, promised to "govern for every single person in this country."

Nigel Farage, a prominent pro-Brexit and anti-immigration campaigner, won a parliamentary seat on his eighth attempt. As leader of Reform UK and known for his association with Trump, he will represent Clacton, a seaside town in southern England. Nigel also proposed to bring back the “stop and search policy” which enables police officers to conduct random searches in areas with high knife crime.

Gaza

Efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza gained has gained momentum this week. Hamas proposed revised terms, and Israel announced its intention to resume negotiations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday that Israel would send a delegation to restart talks. An Israeli official confirmed that the delegation, led by the head of the Mossad intelligence agency, would be involved.

Hamas modified its stance, no longer insisting on an Israeli commitment to a permanent ceasefire before signing an agreement. Instead, negotiations could address this issue over an initial six-week phase.

Some members of Netanyahu's governing coalition have indicated they could withdraw from the government if the conflict ends before Hamas is completely eradicated. Israel has previously stated it will only accept temporary ceasefires until Hamas is completely eradicated.

Nayib Bukele

On Thursday, El Salvador President Nayib Bukele announced that the Ministry of Culture would fire 300 employees whom he accused of promoting agendas that are "incompatible" with the government's vision.

The Ministry of Culture of El Salvador, is a public institution whose mission is to “ensure the right to culture and the strengthening of Salvadoran identities.”

Ruling party lawmaker Alexia Rivas posted on X shortly after Bukele's statement “ "El Salvador is pro-life, pro-traditional family and the 2030 agenda has no place here"

History & Culture - The 4th of July

When the Revolutionary War began in April 1775, few colonists supported complete independence from Great Britain, viewing such ideas as radical.

By mid-1776, however, growing discontent with Britain and the influence of revolutionary writings, particularly Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense," began to shift public opinion

On June 7, at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, the Continental Congress delayed voting on Richard Henry Lee's independence motion but appointed a committee—Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, and Robert R. Livingston—to draft a formal justification for breaking away from Britain.

On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress overwhelmingly voted for Lee's resolution, a decision John Adams predicted would become a national celebration. Two days later, on July 4, the Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence, largely penned by Thomas Jefferson. Although the vote occurred earlier, July 4th became the day celebrated as America's independence.

Previously, colonists marked the king's birthday with traditions like bell ringing, bonfires, and processions. In 1776, some celebrated independence by holding mock funerals for King George III, symbolizing the end of monarchical rule and the triumph of liberty.

The adoption of the Declaration of Independence was accompanied by concerts, parades, and cannon salutes across the colonies. Philadelphia hosted the first organized celebration on July 4, 1777, during wartime.

George Washington celebrated the 1778 anniversary by doubling rum rations for his troops, and Massachusetts declared July 4th a state holiday in 1781, just before the decisive Battle of Yorktown.

After the Revolutionary War, Independence Day became an annual tradition, fostering national unity through speeches by emerging political leaders. By the late 18th century, both Federalists and Democratic-Republicans held separate celebrations in major cities.

The tradition of fireworks began in the United States on July 4, 1777, in Philadelphia. Post-1812, Independence Day festivities gained popularity, leading Congress to declare it a federal holiday in 1870, with paid leave for federal employees granted in 1941.

While its political significance waned over time, Independence Day retained its status as a vital national holiday and symbol of patriotism, marked by family gatherings, fireworks displays, and the display of American flags and the singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Fast Facts

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The truth is that the dreams that you have are very different from the actions that will get you there.

- James Clear