North Korea Swaggers
In international relations, the term “swaggering” is applied to nations that use their military capabilities in a flamboyant manner to deter potential enemies from committing a certain action.
North Korea utilised this tactic last week on Thursday when they launched two ballistic missiles, the first time since Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un met with President Trump in a historic visit in June.
The so-called “hermit kingdom” would repeat the same actions on Wednesday of this week, firing another two ballistic missiles from the Kangwon Province into the Sea of Japan.
State media announced it was a “solemn warning” against planned military exercises between South Korea and the United States that are set to take place in early August, to show capability and readiness in that region.
It is currently unclear how the United States-South Korean alliance will respond to these attempts at swaggering, especially after North Korea’s promise to halt their nuclear programme last year.
Democratic Debates Part II
On Tuesday of this week, a set of CNN sponsored debates occurred for the American Democratic Party in the hopes to find a worthy candidate to challenge incumbent President Trump in the 2020 election.
This first debate focused on socialised healthcare, immigration policy and candidate electability – all issues which are heavily debated on a daily basis in the United States.
Senator Warren of Massachusetts and Senator Sanders of Vermont held a united front on the issue of “medicare for all”, stating the problems that citizens face without medical insurance and the profiting that private corporations make of their struggle.
Immigration was also brought up in the debate with ideas from Warren and Sanders of decriminalising border crossings while more moderate candidates suggesting the law remains.
There was also universal condemnation from all Democratic candidates on the alleged separation of parents and children at Immigration & Customs Enforcement facilities who are then housed in “cages”.
On the electability segment, Representative Tim Ryan of Ohio made a comment about the mandates of universal healthcare and a relaxation in immigration laws which he deemed unelectable in 2020.
Political analysts who have reviewed this debate mostly agree that the position of Warren and Sanders has been strengthened despite criticism from moderates about their policy ideas.
It was on Wednesday of this week when the second debate was held by CNN, quite similar to the first one in regards to policy discussion on healthcare, immigration but unique with its finer points on drugs, crime and climate change.
Senator Kamala Harris of California jumped aboard the “medicare for all” pledge with a 10 year plan without plans to impose higher taxes on the middle class, unlike Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders.
Former Vice President Biden questioned why Harris’ plan would take so long, instead advocating for expanding Obamacare with public options for healthcare alongside private ones.
In regards to immigration, Biden said that “people have to wait in line” and that decriminalising border crossings would be unfair to legitimate applicants. However, he could not explain the deportations under the Obama administration when questioned by New York Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Drugs and crime was also an issue with Hawaiian Representative Tulsi Gabbard criticising Harris’ tenure as Attorney General of California. Gabbard said that she successfully prosecuted over 1500 people for marijuana violations but laughed at the prospect of indulging in it herself.
It has been universally accepted by Democratic candidates that the United States needs to do more in the face of climate change by rejoining the Paris Agreement but New Jersey Senator Cory Booker said it is not enough.
Political analysts and commentators have agreed that Biden’s performance drastically improved from his last debate and that Gabbard has risen herself out of obscurity. Current polls also show Biden in first, Sanders in second and Warren in third.
Boris By-election Bust
Also on Thursday of this week, a by-election was held in the British Conservative Party constituency of Brecon and Radnorshire which is located in southern Wales.
It was of vital importance to the Conservative Party as their parliamentary majority now stands at one seat after losing the by-election to the Liberal Democrats.
The Liberal Democrats won 13,826 votes compared to the Conservative’s 12,401 votes with The Brexit Party, Labour Party, Monster Raving Looney Party and UKIP coming in those respective places.
By-elections have always acted as effective polling and this loss of a Conservative seat might indicate an anti-Conservative or Boris Johnson sentiment. However, it might not be representative of the entire population.
With a majority of one, the government now depends even more on the Democratic Unionist Party for votes and without their support, the Conservative Party is in danger of losing votes on critical legislation or even a vote of no confidence if that occurs.
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