Transnational Thursday is a thread for people to discuss international news, foreign policy or international relations history. Feel free as well to drop in with coverage of countries you’re interested in, talk about ongoing dynamics like the wars in Israel or Ukraine, or even just whatever you’re reading.
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Notes -
Taiwan
Days after the inauguration of their new president, protestors took to the streets outside Taiwan's legislature in anger at a proposed bill that would introduce harsh penalties for "contempt of parliament." Debate over these same reforms led to a brawl in the chamber itself (which on its own is not terribly unusual). As the government is now split between a DPP (pro-independence) president and a KMT (Chinese nationalist) legislature, this power struggle is likely to continue for the next few years.
Canada
The Canadian border agency's union has voted to go on strike next month, which may seriously impede cross-border traffic with the US. Apparently major railroad strikes are in the works as well.
Palestine
The International Court of Justice demanded that Israel immediately halt its offensive in Rafah (
now let them enforce it) and Ireland, Spain, and Norway made a joint announcement on the recognition of Palestinian statehood.I know that Spaniards haven't been historically friendly to Jews but the idea that the Catholic country responsible for the Reconquista would be getting engaged in a war for the Holy Land on the side of the Muslims is hilarious to me.
I like to pretend it's all a very long con to implement their preferred one-state solution: "king Carlos of Jerusalem"
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