Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States, Canada, the European Union, Israel, and others. However, it is important to note that opinions on this matter can vary, and different countries and entities may have different perspectives on the classification of Hamas.
Some people such as Turkish president Erdogan have the opposite opinion. Turkish president Erdogan said that Hamas is not a terrorist organization.
Some people agree that Hamas is not just a terrorist organization, but far worse and too big to be labeled as terrorists. They believe that they are a political party that also has its own military and enforcement.
The foot soldiers are trained radicals who blindly follow their billionaire leaders.
Despite the grim picture of turmoil and instability that has emerged in Afghanistan since the Taliban came to power, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has demonstrated a unique ability and efforts to resolve the Afghan crisis. As a regional organization, the SCO has shown interest in Afghanistan since its creation in 2001, primarily because the country’s stability affects its members, such as Pakistan, India, China, Russia, Iran and the Central Asian region. In this regard, in 2005, the SCO-Afghanistan contact group was created. Its main objectives are to establish dialogue with Kabul, combat security threats in the region, drug trafficking and organized crime, as well as contribute to the restoration of a peaceful, stable and economically prosperous state. However, as violence in the region escalated and US influence grew following its invasion in the country, the Contact Group lost its relevance and was disbanded in 2009.
Afghanistan received observer status in the SCO when President Hamid Karzai visited China in 2012 and signed the SCO counter-terrorism protocol in 2015. In 2018, Afghanistan officially reaffirmed its commitment to combating terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking and economic cooperation. The Afghan Contact Group was revived in 2017 and held annual meetings before the Taliban took power.
Today, during a period of global economic and political instability and conflicts in the Middle East, the revival of the activities of the SCO-Afghanistan contact group is more relevant than ever. Integrating Afghanistan into the Belt and Road Initiative will allow China to fill the economic and political power vacuum.
Uzbekistan, a member of the SCO, also plays an important role in dealing with the Taliban because many Uzbeks live in Afghanistan, although they are persecuted. Turkmenistan takes a neutral position, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan take a wait-and-see position. Tajikistan supports the pre-Taliban government and hosts Afghan refugees and politicians.
The differences between India and Pakistan regarding Afghanistan could not be more serious. India was the last regional stakeholder to reach out to the Taliban, while Pakistan has friendly ties and influence with the previous and current Taliban regime.
Some of Afghanistan’s most pressing problems fall outside the organization’s mandate. Recognition, sanctions and humanitarian assistance are the responsibility of the UN.
More than 90% of Afghans are at risk of starvation. The SCO’s response to the humanitarian crisis was country-specific. For example, India sent medical aid and a shipment of wheat in collaboration with the World Food Programme. So far, $2.4 billion has been raised, less than the $4.4 billion requested by the UN.
The Taliban regime has violated its commitment to establish a representative and inclusive government. Restrictions on women’s freedom and human rights have threatened recognition, humanitarian assistance and access to frozen assets.
The situation is complicated by disagreements between SCO members at present. However, the revival of the activities of the SCO-Afghanistan contact group would contribute to the solution to the Afghan crisis in a more targeted and organized way, not within initiatives of a single SCO member country.
Britain in Palestine 1917-1948 investigates the contradictory promises and actions which defined British Mandatory rule in Palestine and laid the groundwork for the Nakba (the catastrophe) and the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. The roots of the contemporary social, political, economic, and environmental landscape of Palestine and Israel can be traced back to this period, making it essential viewing for understanding Britain’s legacy in the region and the situation on the ground today.
To access English, Arabic and Hebrew subtitles click on the CC link on the video. For further analysis of the events outlined in the film see the Companion Guide to Britain in Palestine 1917-1948.
Reviews
“A very useful explanation of how we got to where we are today. Fascinating photos I had not seen before. A great resource to show in any classroom or forum to people who want to learn more about this region, and specifically, Britain’s involvement. Afif Safieh, Former Palestinian Ambassador
“…This film brilliantly puts into perspective the role the United Kingdom played in Mandate Palestine from 1917-1948.” Rabbi Howard Finkelstein, Ontario, Canada
“This is an excellent short 18-min video from @BalfourProject explaining briefly but super-clearly how British colonialism has caused a century of war in Palestine.” Matthew Teller, Journalist and author of Nine Quarters of Jerusalem: A New Biography of the Old City (2022)
“Britain in Palestine 1917 – 1948 is a clear, precise and factual explanation of the historical origins of the Arab-Israeli conflict. For anyone who wants to develop a real understanding of the issue but is intimidated by it’s complexity, this film is the place to start.” Judah Passow, Photojournalist
The Balkans is a southeastern European region that includes countries located on the Balkan Peninsula, with diverse landscapes and climates:
Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey
The initial Ottoman expansion took place at the expense of Christian lands in western Anatolia and the Balkans, particularly the Byzantine Empire
Countries in the Balkans often share borders with one another, and historical border disputes have influenced regional dynamics. Many Balkan nations were once part of the Ottoman Empire, which has left a significant historical and cultural impact.
The breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s resulted in violent conflicts, with lasting implications for the region.
The Balkans are home to various ethnic groups and religions, with Orthodox Christianity, Islam, and Catholicism being the major faiths.
Some Balkan nations aspire to join the European Union and NATO, which has implications for their political and economic development; while others have already become members.
Let’s compare them by several key attributes relating to their military, size, economy and quality of life.
We will look at the top 3 and bottom 3 in each case.
Military power (Global Fire Power index – 2023) 0 = Super military power and higher the number= less military power
Top 3
Turkey (11th in the world) – 0.2016
Greece (30th in the world) – 0.4621
Romania (47th in the world) – 0.7735
Bottom 3
Bosnia and Herzegovina (133rd in the world) – 3.0788
Montenegro (128th in the world) – 2.8704
North Macedonia (108th in the world) – 2.1717
Population
Top 3
Turkey – 84.78 million (2021)
Romania- 19.12 million (2021)
Greece – 10.64 million (2021)
Bottom 3
Montenegro – 619, 211 (2021)
North Macedonia- 2.065 million (2021)
Slovenia- 2.108 million (2021)
Landmass
Top 3
Turkey – 783, 562 km²
Romania – 238, 397 km²
Greece – 131, 957 km²
Bottom 3
Montenegro – 13, 812 km²
Slovenia – 20, 273 km²
North Macedonia – 25, 713 km²
Education (UN education index – measures the expected years of schooling and mean years of schooling of the population – 0 = no Education at all and 1 = maximum Education)
Top 3
Slovenia – 0.914 (2019)
Greece – 0.855 (2019)
Croatia – 0.805 (2019)
Bottom 3
North Macedonia 0.704 (2019)
Bosnia and Herzegovina 0.711 (2019)
Turkey 0.731 (2019)
Democracy Index (The Economists Intelligence Unit – 2022, 10 = super democratic and 0 = dictatorship)
Top 3
Greece – 7.97, Flawed Democracy (25th in the world)
Slovenia – 7.75, Flawed Democracy (31st in the world)
Bulgaria – 6.53, Flawed Democracy (57th in the world)
Bottom 3
Turkey – 4.35, Hybrid regime (103rd in the world)
Bosnia and Herzegovina – 5.00, Hybrid regime (97th in the world)
North Macedonia – 6.10, Flawed Democracy (72nd in the world)
GDP (size of economy)
Top 3
Turkey – $819 billion (2021)
Romania – $284.1 billion (2021)
Greece – $214.9 billion (2021)
Bottom 3
Montenegro – $5.861 billion (2021)
North Macedonia – $13.83 billion (2021)
Albania – $18.26 billion (2021)
GDP per capita (size of economy relative to population)
Top 3
Slovenia – $29, 291.40 (2021)
Greece – $20,192.60 (2021)
Croatia – $17,685.33 (2021)
Bottom3
Albania – $6,492.87 (2021)
North Macedonia – $6,694.64 (2021)
Bosnia and Herzegovina- $7,143.31 (2021)
GDP per capita at Purchasing Power Parity – IMF (how much can people buy with money in a country)
Top 3 (2023)
Slovenia – $52,641
Croatia – $42,531
Romania – $41,634
Bottom 3 (2023)
Albania – $19,197
Bosnia and Herzegovina – $19,604
North Macedonia – $21,111
Exports of goods and services (in millions of $, 2022)
Top 3
Turkey – 343,688
Romania – 129,165
Greece – 105,756
Bottom 3
Montenegro -3,178
Albania – 7,057
North Macedonia – 10,150
Percentage of Population Living in Poverty – Poverty Rate, World Bank
Top 3 (with lowest poverty of population)
Slovenia – 12% (2018)
Albania – 14.3% (2012)
Bosnia and Herzegovina – 16.9% (2018)
Bottom 3 (with highest poverty of population)
Montenegro – 24.5% (2018)
Bulgaria tied with Romania – 23.8% (2018)
Serbia – 23.2% (2018)
Peacefulness (Global Peace Index 2023, 1 – 5 scale, 1 being a super peaceful utopia and 5 being a warzone)
Top 3
Slovenia – 1.334 (8th in the world)
Croatia – 1.450 (14th in the world)
Bulgaria – 1.640 (30th in the world)
Bottom 3
Turkey – 2.389 (121st in the world)
North Macedonia – 2.039 (88th in the world)
Albania – 1.925 (79th in the world)
Happiness (Happiness Index, 2023, 10 being maximum happiness and 0 being totally depressed)
Top 3
Slovenia – 6.63 (22nd in the world)
Romania – 6.48 (27th in the world)
Serbia- 6.18 (43rd in the world)
Bottom 3
Turkey – 4.74 (109th in the world)
Albania – 5.2 (88th in the world)
Bulgaria – 5.37 (84th in the world)
Suicide Rate (suicides per 100,000, WHO, 2019)
Top 3 (has the least suicide)
Turkey – 2.3 (10th in the world)
Greece – 3.6 (27th in the world)
Albania – 3.7 (29th in the world)
Bottom 3 (has the most suicide)
Montenegro – 16.2 (161st in the world)
Slovenia – 14 (150th in the world)
Croatia – 11 (121st in the world)
Homicide rate (murders per 100,000, UN)
Top 3 (with least murders)
Slovenia – 0.4 (2021)
Greece – 0.9 (2021)
Bosnia and Herzegovina – 1 (2021)
Bottom 3 (with most murders)
Turkey – 2.5 (2021)
Montenegro – 2.4 (2021)
Albania – 2.3 (2021)
Healthcare Index (100 being amazing quality & universal healthcare and 0 being 0 healthcare, 2023)
Top 3
Turkey – 71.1
Slovenia – 66.4
Croatia – 64.5
Bottom 3
Albania – 49.3
Serbia – 52.2
Bosnia and Herzegovina -54.8
Life expectancy
Top 3
Slovenia – 82.31 Years
Greece – 82 Years
Croatia – 79.4 Years
Bottom 3
Bulgaria – 72.84 Years
Romania – 75.14 Years
Serbia – 75.21 Years
CONCLUSION:
Turkey has the most economic and military power as a whole, due primarily to it’s size.
The Young Turks” founder Cenk Uygur acknowledges Armenian Genocide, refuses to change the name of show.
The Young Turks founder Cenk Uygur has recognized the Armenian Genocide. Cenk Uygur is a Turkish-born American political commentator and main host/ co-founder of the American commentary program, The Young Turks.
He has a history of writing opinionated pieces and editorials in various columns, including university newspapers denying the Armenian Genocide. He claims that he redacted his statement and that the Armenian Genocide did in fact happen. However, he refuses to change the name of his show, “The Young Turks.
Zartonk Archives (May 13, 2019)
The Young Turks were part of the Committee for Union and Progress (Ittihadists) that overthrew the sultan in the 1913 coup d’etat. Amongst their ranks, were the nefarious triumvirate who became the masterminds behind the systematic orchestration to annihilate over 3 million Christians in the Ottoman Empire between 1915-1923. This included exterminating over 1.5 million native Armenians, ethnically cleansing them of their ancestral homeland.
Uygur uses the excuse that he was born in Turkey as one of the reasons for his false statements at diminishing the merit of genocide, though his family moved to America when he was young.
In 1991, while at the University of Pennsylvania, Uygur wrote an article for The Daily Pennsylvanian (the student newspaper) called “Historical Fact or Falsehood“, which imputes false claims of genocide to Armenian demands for land and money.
An excerpt: “Hence, once you really examine the history of the time it becomes apparent that the allegations of an Armenian Genocide are unfounded. So the question arises of why the Armenians would bother to conjure up such stories, and even go as far as, committing approximately 200 acts of terrorism since 1973 to further their cause, resulting in countless deaths and injuries to government officials and civilians. The answer is that they want their demands met. Their demands are that they receive close to one-half of the land of the Republic of Turkey for a new Greater Armenia, and that every Armenian claiming to be injured by the alleged genocide be compensated with cash reparations. That is why every year they push the U.S. Congress to pass a bill declaring the Armenian Genocide a historical fact…”
In a letter to Salon in 1999, he again argued that there was no evidence for that genocide:
“. . . every non-Armenian scholar in the field believes it is an open question whether this event was a genocide. Is it the claim of the article that all of these people are tainted by the tentacles of the Turkish government? If not, then why is it not pointed out that no one outside of the “Armenian position” believes it is a genocide? Why is it assumed that the “Turkish studies side” has the burden of proof in overturning the verdict of Turkish guilt? It is because of the underlying assumption that despite what these people in “Turkish studies” say, there must have been a genocide.”
“This is an embarrassing position for someone to take who’s an American progressive”
Uygur recently lost in a congressional race for California’s 25th district, losing to Christy Smith, gaining a total of 5% of the votes. Nevertheless, Uygur did not receive the endorsement of California’s Democratic Party. Then presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders, endorsed him, then retracted his endorsement shortly thereafter.
