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Haiti update, Modern Communism, & more!

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Global Insights

Updates in Haiti

In Haiti, a grave crisis is unfolding as more than 10,000 people have been compelled to abandon their homes in parts of the central department due to a recent increase in gang attacks. These attacks, which even targeted a hospital near the capital, have created an urgent humanitarian situation in the country.

Over the past year, Haiti's already-stretched police force has struggled to control heavily armed gangs that have gained more ground and influence. These gangs have formed strong alliances, especially in the capital city of Port-au-Prince.

The violence has been on the rise lately, particularly in places like Artibonite and the Central Department, where gang-related incidents have spiked. Recently, armed men attacked the University Hospital of Mirebalais, a major healthcare center in the country. Prior to this, suspected gang members had assaulted a police station in the nearby town of Saut-d'Eau.

Zanmi Lasante, Haiti's primary private healthcare provider, has condemned the hospital attack, emphasizing that hospitals are meant to be safe places. While no immediate casualties were reported, videos on social media showed scenes of chaos with broken windows and walls riddled with bullet holes.

Tensions heightened further when the leader of the G9 gang alliance, Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier, declared his intent to forcefully overthrow the government and called for a truce among metropolitan area gangs through the "Living Together" alliance. This declaration led to internal disputes, with reports of one G9 alliance gang leader being killed by fellow members.

As the security situation worsens, concerns about potential retaliatory attacks by local gangs are mounting. Haiti has asked for international aid to address the crisis.

The United States has pledged $65 million to support Haiti's police and called for a multinational security mission to address the ongoing gang violence. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed the urgency of the situation and the need for swift action.

While discussions continue about a multinational police deployment, the primary focus remains on Haiti's political instability and the absence of elected representatives. The Haitian government is determined to hold elections as soon as possible to address the deteriorating security conditions.

Modern Communism

In the contemporary 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. It describes its political system as a "multi-party representative democracy." However, there are ongoing debates among experts about the classification of the Soviet Union's political system during its existence. Russia's current political landscape raises questions about the extent of its democracy due to restrictions on political opponents, media freedom, and constitutional changes allowing President Vladimir Putin to remain in power until 2036.

Trending

U.S Government shutdown on the horizon

The U.S. Congress is at risk of a government shutdown because of a budget disagreement. The Senate, led by Democrats, is working on a temporary funding bill that both parties can agree on. Meanwhile, the House, controlled by Republicans, is voting on spending bills that are unlikely to pass. This divide raises the chance that government agencies will run out of money. The argument is mainly about a small part of the budget, excluding popular programs like Social Security and Medicare. Credit rating agencies warn that this could harm the country's credit rating, so it's crucial for both sides to work together and prevent a shutdown.

Biden Impeachment

In the United States, Republican lawmakers have initiated an impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden. This inquiry focuses on alleged corruption involving the Biden family. Republicans argue they have substantial evidence indicating that Joe Biden used his position for his family's financial benefit, particularly his son Hunter Biden's foreign business dealings. Democrats view this inquiry as politically driven, and the White House dismisses the corruption allegations as extreme politics. While the impeachment's outcome remains uncertain, even if it passes the House of Representatives, it's unlikely to remove President Biden from office due to the Democratic majority in the Senate.

Cheap and drinkable water

Engineers from MIT and China have created a solar-powered system to turn seawater into drinking water. It replicates the ocean's circulation, using sunlight and swirling water to evaporate and separate the salt. This system outperforms existing ones, producing 4-6 liters of drinking water per hour when scaled up. It's a cost-effective solution for areas with water shortages. The technology combines natural processes with engineering innovation to address water scarcity effectively.

History & Culture - Romulus and Remus, the mythical founders of Rome

The tale of Romulus and Remus is an ancient legend about two brothers who, according to Roman mythology, founded the city of Rome. This story is filled with drama, gods, and the birth of a great civilization.

Long ago, a king named Numitor ruled the city of Alba Longa. His wicked brother, Amulius, took the throne from him and made sure Numitor's daughter, Rhea Silvia, became a Vestal Virgin. This meant she had to remain chaste and couldn't have children. But fate had different plans.

Rhea became pregnant, and it was no ordinary pregnancy. She gave birth to twin boys, Romulus and Remus, and their father was said to be the god Mars. This was a big problem for Amulius, who feared losing his power. So, he ordered the babies to be thrown into the Tiber River and left to die.

But here's where it gets interesting. The river didn't harm the babies. Instead, they were carried to safety near the place where Rome would one day stand. A kind she-wolf and a woodpecker found them and took care of them until a herdsman named Faustulus found the twins and raised them as his own.

As they grew, Romulus and Remus showed great leadership qualities. They learned about their true heritage, overthrew the cruel Amulius, and decided to start their own city. However, a disagreement between the brothers led to a tragic end for Remus.

Romulus went on to build the city of Rome, naming it after himself. He welcomed others to join, even abducting Sabine women to increase the city's population. Eventually, peace was established with the Sabines, and Rome prospered under Romulus's leadership.

While some debate the historical truth of this story, Romulus and Remus remain legendary figures, symbolizing the founding spirit of one of the world's greatest cities—Rome.

Fast Facts

• Christopher Columbus introduced tobacco to the Western World

• YouTube was originally designed to be a dating website

• Ian Flemming wrote all of the James Bond stories in Jamaica

• Vodka originated in Poland

• Elon Musk almost sold Tesla to Google in 2013

Quote of the week

First class or not at all

-Cameron B. Cardy