Few remarks regarding recent political events

   After the last events which occurred outside or inside of European union, I'm asking myself (as the citizen of Europe) a question: "Quo vadis orbis?".

   There are no doubts that recent happenings in the world might confuse us and lead to uncertainty of what we have to think and how to act. I guess, it's clear that we are living in a very interesting times and events like brexit; assigning Trump as president of the mightiest country of the world; recent plebiscite in Turkey, which ended up in favour of Turkish President Dictator Tayyip Erdogan; growing extremism in the Europe; immigration crisis; threat from Kremlin and many more can make an average citizen of Europe feel unsafe. I would like to add to events, which i mentioned, few remarks.

BREXIT

   

   If you'd ask one year ago what I think about​ EU, I'd say that I'm criticising Union because of many reasons, but mainly because of quotas which EU proposed to member countries. I know, it didn't sound like a proposal from commissary Juncker, but more like a straight command from Captain Juncker. But despite of all sins which EU commited, I feel very European today and I adore this union. Mainly because many European and non-European leaders are incresing their popularity amongst voters by the criticising Union, there are many, for example Le Pen, Farage, May and recently Erdogan as well. Some of them might look like they desire only needed reforms, which are wanted by the most of citizens of member countries and me either, but mentioned eurohaters are just responding to the social contract, which sees EU very negatively. The next reason is that I see union as the way by which we can improve in cultural and socio-economical aspects; lead mutual dialogues (by which we are building moral responsibility and solidarity towards our partners); uniting us all against all threats which EU face.

   UK has been one of most important members of EU and was also guarantee of European safety and souvereignty. It may sound like conspiracy, but if all countries left EU and European Union would disband itself, we would just offer our souvereignty and independence to our common foes. History could tell us that when we are split, we aren't able to respond to our threats effectively. If we'd stand together, we could solve problems like Mongol, Muslim (in 7th century), Turkish invasion and many more safety issues which Europe faced since fall of Western Roman Empire. From my angle of view, unity can lead into moral responsibility for our neighbours and partners from Europe. I'm not sure how Greece would end up if haven't received financial support from member states. It´s mutual help and co-working, which makes us stronger. We can see how Ukraine ended up. Being in proxy war with RF just because they wanted to get out from Russian influence. They lost Crimea and they're losing eastern part of  own country.

Marine Le Pen met with Vladimir Putin just few weeks before election. 

REAL POLITIK VS. POLITICAL IDEALISM

   

   The legacy of foreign policy, which former presidents Bush and Obama built, was rejected by the voters of newly elected president Trump. They desired less interventionism from the government, improving relations and reducing tensions between world superpowers. On the home soil, domestic population is facing many socio-economical issues, which may persist since Great Recession.

The American campaign for election of President has been rough. I wondered why voters were mostly very confident in candidate whom they will vote. We can presume that election will win the one, who is better in rhetoric. In the Roman Empire, ones who wanted to be elected to some office, were just throwing bread all over. Nowadays, you just have to hate other races, religions or culture. It's trendy in very last years, to link some kind of crime to some religion or race, but at the same time, crime committed by one who is of same ethnicity or race as majority, aren't linked to anything. It's philosophical paradox, which i haven't got time to think of, yet.

   The november election showed up, that half of US population, wants old order to last and other half to not. It seems that American society is split regarding of who should "reign". They don´t agree on opinions about foreign and domestic policy, of economical and political aspects. Half votes went for republican party, other for democratic, one agrees with left wing, another with right wing, one is liberal, other conservative. It's very interesting sociological status, which doesn't let us know how society can respond to difficult questions that have to be answered.

Trump and Clinton during presidential campaign.

EASTERN EMPERORS
   

   It's not nice view from my homeland, Slovakia, to look on European map and to notice that you are surrounded by two eastern empires. Russian Empire in which rule Tsar Putin and Ottoman Empire, led by Sultan Erdogan. You heard very well. One Empire and one Sultanate is closer than you might think. Few years or centuries ago, we, as Slovakia, experienced both. Recent referendum in Turkey left in me very sad feels, it let me think what future might look like with growing dictatorships in many countries. It is very similar to 30th years of last century.

   It's clear that Putin wants to weaken Europe by weakening EU or NATO. Brexit was very positive for RF from the geopolitical view. UK is one of best in Europe in economics and defence. They are first country to possess nuclear warheads in Europe. Few weeks ago, Putin met with Le Pen, who is declaring that France will leave EU, if she wins presidential elections. France is second and last European country possessing nuclear warheads. It's also economical and army giant. It's most likely they will leave NATO as well. Europe also hasn't got any guarantees from U.S.A., whether we will be supported by Trump's government. There were also statements from newly elected president, that if members of NATO will not fulfill their member duties, aid from America wouldn't be certain in hard times. Vice-president Pence expressed opinion that member states have to invest 2% of GDP on defence. This proclamation is telling us that world leaders might fear the worst to come. I don't want to make conspiracies, but which party benefits from all what's happening in Europe. It's not NATO, nor EU. It's RF and Turkey. Who benefits from terrorist attacks in French, English, Belgian, Swedish or German cities? There were almost no attacks before the immigration crisis. There is also alternative, perhaps, that attacks are funded by Russian or Turkish govt. 

Letter from Erdogan to Putin after shooting down Russian jet Su-24, where Erdogan calls for friendly ties.