Thoughts About Russia as The Enemy and the Possibility of World War 3 (An American's Perspective)

Another excellent read. Prateek Dasgupta published an article via Medium.com titled "Why Asia and Africa Will Ensure That There Is No World War III". After reading I left a few comments. My thoughts shared at the article are also published below. I would like to share my comments with my JDV blog visitors, who don't visit the Medium platform.  Article excerpt that I highlighted:

“There will be no World War without two of the world’s largest continents.”

Image credit

My Comments:

Yes we know Russia is not seen as The Enemy by Asia or Africa.

But there's still Australia, South America, Europe, and North America.

These are AI-generated answers. (The parenthetical notes are my interpretation.)

AUSTRALIA: “While Russia and Australia are not outright enemies, their relationship is characterized by significant tension and limited cooperation, especially in the current geopolitical climate.” (That means, we don't really want to fight. So don't piss us off! If war breaks out we don't have to take your side, you know?)

SOUTH AMERICA: “Russia is not considered an outright enemy by South American countries, but rather a strategic partner for some and a geopolitical player for others. The relationship is characterized by a mix of cooperation in certain areas and competition with U.S. influence in the region.” (That means it's all about our economy and who can offer better financial opportunity and growth.)

EUROPE: “In the current geopolitical climate, Russia is largely viewed as an adversary by most European nations.” (Can you spell enemy? Yes. R-U-S-S-I-A.)

NORTH AMERICA: “Overall, Russia is viewed more as an adversary than an ally by both the United States and Canada. The relationship is characterized by significant tension and competition, but there are still areas where cooperation is possible and necessary.” (Can you spell enemy? Yes. R-U-S-S-I-A. But you know … it don't gotta be that way. But y'all keep pushing in that direction! It's NOT US!! It's YOU! Clearly … it's YOU!!)

My additional thoughts?

The Bible says “The ways of the nations are in the Hands of God.” Frankly, I just believe it's God's way of keeping a “balance of power” between all nations. That way none of the nations will get too cocky and try to rule the world. Cause we all know what happened when crazy conceited clowns decided they wanted to build their EMPIRES. Hopefully, we learn lessons from history.

P.S. “Casualties of war” have always been unimportant no matter who is fighting who. That's why they came up with the phrase “casualties of war”. It's a euphemism for: “YEAH A BUNCH OF INNOCENT PEOPLE WILL BE KILLED. BUT SO WHAT! IT'S WAR!!” Then they point fingers of blame and say: “They started it!”

WAR!  What is it good for?  

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

SAY IT AGAIN!!

NO MORE WORLD WARS? Let's hope not. 

Most people are hoping that nuclear weapons will keep everybody in check. So far we only know of nine (9) countries currently have nuclear weapons: Russia, United States, China, France, United Kingdom, Pakistan, India, Israel, and North Korea. No countries in Australia or South America? Who knows? Maybe they have them, but it's a secret!

Original source

North and South Korea ~ Will It Ever Be Just Plain Old Korea?

Why it looks like reunification of North and South Korea will always be a pleasant fiction.

I am an America and these are my thoughts and observations from a distance. It's not meant to be offensive or insulting It's an opinion based on all of the Korean dramas I have watched about reuniting North and South Korea. But based on my limited understanding of world history and world politics, I would say that reunification is just a wish, and the Doggaebi will not grant this wish no matter how good you are.

Please. This just my opinion. I think the biggest reason why North and South Korea will never be united is because the political leaders in North Korea would have to admit THEY WERE WRONG. They chose the wrong side during war and even though the name of the country is The Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the nation is neither a democracy or a republic.

Democracy is a system of government in which state power is vested in the people or the general population of a state. (Wikipedia)

A republic, based on the Latin phrase res publica, is a state in which political power rests with the public through their representatives—in contrast to a monarchy. Representation in a republic may or may not be freely elected by the general citizenry. (Wikipedia)

From my distance, it looks like even the name of the country is a lie?

The “D” should stand for dictatorship

The “R” should stand for royal bloodline.

(Just because you don't call yourself doesn't you're not a king.)

The “P” doesn't even belong! (O.o)

Why not name the country “Kim's Playground”. That's what the “P” should stand for. The current leader loves to play with nukes and invite naughty children to play with him, like Russia.

Think about this. During the COVID pandemic, Kim Jong Un had disappeared from the scene for a little while. During that time was there any discussion about electing a new leader? NO!! Instead, some were speculating whether or not his sister should or might take over. Sister or brother? No matter. It's still the Kim family line. At any rate, he showed up again so all that talk went down the drain.

Anyway! The real reason WHY North and South Korea will never reunite is because … CHINA WON'T LET THEM!! Nothing has changed. Just like the Joseon kings who submitted to the Chinese emperors, the North Korean leader is under the thumb of the Chinese leader. He doesn't make any major decisions without Cihna's approval.

All that being said, there are lots of Korean dramas with a storyline that involve North and South Korea. Some are based on historical facts, but the ones depicting reunification are unrealistic but very imaginative. (My opinion.)

1. Commitment (2013)

2. Curtain Call (2022)

3. Doctor Stranger (2014)

4. Escape From Mogadishu (2021)

5. Hunt (2022)

6. Korean Peninsula (2012)

7. My Military Valentine (2024)

8. Operation Chromite (2016)

9. Secretly, Greatly (2013)

10. Snowdrop (2021)

11. Steel Rain (2017) and Steel Rain 2: Summit (2020)

12. Swing Kids (2018)

13. The Berlin File (2013)

14. The Spy Gone North (2018)

15. Yaksha: Ruthless Operations (2022)

LINKS OF INTEREST:

JOY ELLEN YOON — Bridging the Cultural and Linguistic Divide: North vs. South Korea https://www.joyellenyoon.com/blog/2020/5/13/bridging-the-cultural-and-linguistic-divide-north-vs-south-korea

North Korean teens punished for watching South Korean dramas in rare footage, research group claims | CNN https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/24/asia/north-korea-teens-punished-kdrama-intl-hnk/index.html

8 Korean Dramas About North and South Korea | Dramakicks https://dramakicks.com/8-korean-dramas-about-north-and-south-korea/

10 South Korean Dramas That Feature North Korea | Cinema Escapist https://www.cinemaescapist.com/2018/02/10-south-korean-dramas-feature-north-korea/

Korean Dramas About North And South Korea https://www.cosmo.ph/entertainment/k-dramas-north-south-korea-a989-20190420-lfrm

Netflix: 5 K-Shows That Cast a Spotlight on North Korea | Tatler Asia https://www.tatlerasia.com/lifestyle/entertainment/netflix-north-korea-kdramas-money-heist-korea-cloy-hyun-bin-son-ye-jin-operation-chromite-steel-rain

 

History: People and Places: Mighty Female Warriors From Around the World

There are stories of women who are written into world history as mighty female warriors. But were they really?

The stories of these women are written into world history books and other publications as mighty female warriors. According to the historical accounts they were … a lot of “F” words. Fierce! Fearsome! Fighters! And??? Dare I say it? I dare. They were … Feminine.

Oh yes! Just because they could handle a weapon just as well or perhaps better than their male counterparts and boldly engage the enemy in a battle to the death, none of those from the opposite sex would ever say that they were not 100% woman. Indeed. Men would probably exclaim to each other: “What a woman!”

If you research the topic of women warriors you will find 7 listed in the Encyclopedia Brittanica.

1. Boudicca
2. Joan of Arc
3. Cleopatra
4. Penthesilea ( an Amazon queen in Greek mythology)
5. Susan B. Anthony
6. Rosa Parks
7. Harriet Tubman

Interesting list. Although I’m not sure the Amazon queen is a real person so I don’t know why she would be on the list. (O.o) But who am I to argue with a trusted encyclopedic resource that people rely on for research. The last 3 women on the list never even wielded a weapon of war. But they were fierce fearsome fighters nevertheless.

Live Science published a list of 12 women warriors and described them as “mighty”. They start their list with a woman in China. There are only 11 names below because Boudicca’s name is already on the Brittanica list.

1. Fu Hao (military general in the Shang Dynasty)
2. Gudit (Ethiopian queen)
3. Tomoe Gozen (female samurai)
4. Ana Nzinga (queen of Ndongo, an African-state)
5. Khutulun (descendant of Genghis Khan, “wrestler princess”)
6. Mai Bhago (Sikh warrior)
7. Rani Velu Nachiyar (Tamil woman, fought against the British colonials)
8. Micaela Bastidas Puyucahua (warrior woman of Peru, rebelled against the Spanish)
9. “Dahomey Amazons” (Not mythical; real West African female soldiers)
10. Buffalo Calf Road Woman (Native American; Northern Cheyenne warrior)
11. Yaa Asantewaa (led the Asante people (Ghana, West Africa) in an uprising against the British)

History Hit’s list named 10 great female warriors. Since Boudicca and Fu Hao are on the other lists, they are not mentioned again. Thus there are only 8 names listed.

1. Tomyris (Queen of the Massaegetae who waged war against Cyrus, King of Persia)
2. Artemisia I of Caria (Greek Queen of Halicarnassus and ally of Xerxes I. King of Persia)
3. Cynane (half-sister of Alexander the Great; but not half the warrior nor half the ambition)
4. Olympias (mother of Alexander the Great)
5. Adea Eurydice (daughter of Cynane, the half-sister of Alexander the Great)
6. Queen Teuta (Queen of the Ardiaei tribe in Illyria, fought with Rome and lost)
7. Triệu Thị Trinh (Vietnamese woman who freed her country from the rule of China, for a while)
8. Zenobia (Queen of Syria’s Palmyrene Empire; defeated by Roman Emperor Aurelian)

Boudicca, the Queen of the British Celtic Iceni tribe, left such a mark in history that she was not only on the 3 lists explored, but her name ends up on practically every list of woman warriors compiled by any publication. I don’t know what makes her so great. In the end, she was defeated and committed suicide. If you’re going to be a warrior, die fighting! Her true story is that she was just a woman driven mad with anger and grief who used war to ease her pain and lessen her sorrow. It is likely she died still in tremendous pain and extremely sorrowful. (Feel free to disagree. I am not a professional historian.)

Fu Hao, the Chinese general was on two lists. Were it not for the discovery of her tomb in 1096, it is not certain the world would have ever known that she even existed. There is not really a lot of information about her military exploits. She wasn’t just a general but she was also a high priestess, and she was one of the wives of the emperor Stories about her life seem to more the stuff of legend than of facts.

MY OPINION: I don’t know if I agree with labeling all of these women warriors. The word “warrior” (at least in my mind connotes a brave person who is fighting for a noble cause like … let’s say … freedom from oppressive rule. Some of those women, like Olympias and Adea Eurydice were just engaged in a power struggle. What’s so noble about that?

This is a very fascinating topic and you probably want to know more. But I am not writing a book, just publishing a brief introduction. So below is the combination of the three (3) lists, in alpha order, with links for further research: Have fun exploring!

1. Adea Eurydice
2. Ana Nzinga
3. Artemisia I of Caria
4. Boudicca***
5. Buffalo Calf Road Woman
6. Cleopatra
7. Cynane
8. Dahomey Amazons
9. Fu Hao**
10. Gudit
11. Harriet Tubman
12. Joan of Arc
13. Khutulun
14. Mai Bhago
15. Micaela Bastidas Puyucahua
16. Olympias
17. Penthesilea
18. Queen Teuta
19. Rani Velu Nachiyar
20. Rosa Parks
21. Susan B Anthony
22. Tomoe Gozen
23. Tomyris
24. Triệu Thị Trinh
25. Yaa Asantewaa
26. Zenobia

Boudicca: Warrior Queen of Ancient Britain (FULL MOVIE)

Original source

Society and Culture: What Does Arab Mean?

QUESTION:  Besides being in the entertainment business, what do Danny Thomas, Casey Kasem, Paula Abdul, and Paul Anka, all have in common?

ANSWER:  
They are all famous Arab-Americans.


Michael Franks is a smooth jazz crooner and he sings a love song about his tumultuous relationship with his lover. He describes their interactions with these lyrics: “Every night we fuss and fight like Arabs and the Jews.” Whoa! There's a lot of history wrapped up in just one line from a song.  The Jews I know but exactly who is an Arab?  Karla Scott, M.B.A. wrote an excellent blog post that answers this question.  An excerpt and the link are below. 

"What does Arab mean?

a. A nationality
b. A religion
c. A race
d. A geographical area

The answer is none of the above, really.

Arab is a culture. The three unifying features of the Arab world are language (Arabic), religion/law (Islam, Koran in Arabic)* and geography(24 countries in Middle East and Africa). The term Arab refers to a culture that originated in Arabia and in the 7th century, expanded to include most of the Middle East and Northern Africa. ..."


Continue reading ...

What Does Arab Mean? | Go Overseas With Ease

* NOTE:  There are some who disagree with Ms. Scott's second identification mark.  They maintain that an Arab can be an Arab and not be Muslim.  In fact, they assert that Arabs were Arabs long before Islam was even a religion.  They back up their claims either by pointing to secular historical records that pre-date Islam; referencing Jewish/Old Testament scriptures which refer to the descendants of Ishmael as Arabs (Ishmael was Abraham's son by his wife's handmaid, Hagar); or referring to both the records and the biblical accounts.  It is said that Mohammed proposed that the entire Arab (which was very divided) could be united if they all embraced the religion of Islam as it would make them a brotherhood.  Some Arabs, not ALL, embraced the religion.

America is clearly a diversified country.  But since American history textbooks don't truly reflect this diversity, certain months are set aside in the USA to pay respect and honor to Americans of various heritages and backgrounds who made significant and positive contributions to the building of America.  April is the month designated to celebrate Arab-American Heritage.  I could have published this post in April.  But why? ☺  Any day is a good day to share enlightening facts gleaned from American history or world history.

“There are two types of people in this world, the Givers and the Takers. The Takers sometimes eat better, but the Givers always sleep better.” - Danny Thomas, Birthday remembrance pic.twitter.com/508as7mheZ

— Aurora (@CitizenScreen) January 6, 2018

Omar Sharif (April 10, 1932 – July 10, 2015) pic.twitter.com/g58KHB1GDz

— Aurora (@CitizenScreen) July 10, 2017

The Portugese Empire: Colonization of Madeira

Madeira is a group of volcanic islands in the North Atlantic which were colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century (circa 1420). The word/name “Madeira” means the island of wood. They were uninhabited islands and they were discovered accidentally. But since they found it, they claimed it. “The Portuguese military order, the Order of Christ, whose head was Henry, was granted exclusive rights there.”

{The Order of Christ eh? I suppose it was a Divine blessing that the archipelago was uninhabited. Otherwise, the ones who decided that they were the “rightful owners” would have just killed the people who were living there or enslaved them. Of course, that's not written in the history books.}

Trading ships would stop there on their routes between Europe and the Americas. African slaves were brought there to work on the plantations. The region is famous for the fortified Madeira wine. Today it is an autonomous region of Portugal. Ships still stop there nowadays, but they are cruise ships instead of slave ships.

Learn more:

ThePortuguese Colonization of Madeira - World History Encyclopedia

REFERENCE: Cartwright, Mark. “The Portuguese Colonization of Madeira.” World History Encyclopedia, World History Encyclopedia Foundation, 30 May 2021, www.worldhistory.org/article/1756/the-portuguese-colonization-of-madeira/.

World History Encyclopedia, formerly Ancient History Encyclopedia, is a non-profit organization. Its mission is “to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide.” Subscribe to their newsletter or follow on Twitter.

? We are now officially WORLD HISTORY ENCYCLOPEDIA. Ancient History Encyclopedia has just rebranded to better reflect our mission, and we will now cover all of human #history across the globe. Learn more in this video: https://t.co/GE18Tav8OU pic.twitter.com/aRMoezsCdO

— World History Encyclopedia (@whencyclopedia) February 25, 2021

* * *

World History and Politics: Is Tunisia Still HOT?

Several years back Tunisia was HOT! By that I mean this country was all over “our” (i.e. American) news. The citizens were being credited with starting the Arab Spring! (NOTE: Three North African countries of Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco are closely connected in sentiment and foreign policy with the Arab states, so might think they are in the Middle East. Geographically, they are located in Africa.)

The Arab Spring is the name given to a movement (probably by people who are not Arab) which described anti-government/pro-democracy protests taking place in Muslim nations. Tunisia was not the only country but evidently, they were the first … TO SUCCEED in regime change. At least, that’s what we hoped and hope. When I say “we”, I mean “US”, the United States of America. PRO-Democracy movements are always on our wish list. That’s why the protests in Tunisia received so much attention from the American news media. Of course, all the brew ha ha and jubilation doesn’t last forever.

I am revisiting Tunisia by way of Twitter to see what’s been going on. What do you know? Tunisia has a problem with the gender pay gap too! Must be a “peculiarity” in countries with governments that like to boast about the equality and equal treatment of its citizens, but don’t really practice what they preach! (#IMHO)

There were quite a few interesting tweets. I tried to narrow it down to a representative sampling. Some of the “new news” is promising. Some of it is troubling. They’re still struggling. But is there any country in this world that doesn’t have its share of problems?

After months of working on this field in #Kairouan, this is the result 🤩🏟️@usembassytunis @USAIDMiddleEast #changemakers #youthempowerment#Tunisia #Tunisie pic.twitter.com/zGUPuufmhb

— Ma3an Tunisia (@Ma3anTunisia) February 22, 2020

one more #architectural jewel of Gafsa, depicting a #carpet of bricks, recalling neighboring Tozeur city, admired by our guest M. Breezy.. amid the exotic southern-western corner of #Tunisia.. Relaxing saturday! pic.twitter.com/6vZ1o8sRSS

— Afrikya Tunisia (@AfrikyaTN) February 22, 2020

According the @wef ’s gender gap report and despite the legislative gains achieved by 🇹🇳 in recent years, the gender pay gap remains strong in #Tunisia. pic.twitter.com/UAkMczKQb3

— Aswat Nissa (@AswatNissa) February 22, 2020

🇹🇳🇹🇳Me on #Tunisia National TV.
** Part(2):
•Despite the challenges, #Tunisia means hope 2 Arab 🌍. It’s a rising #democracy
•These 2 factors can generate enough Softpower 2b used in a national vision
•Stayin neutral in #Libya won’t protect Tunis frm rslts f wts going on there pic.twitter.com/14CCMXWt0w

— Dr. Ali Bakeer (@AliBakeer) February 21, 2020

Promising Tourism Season in #Tunisia https://t.co/iUTx4LOCCd pic.twitter.com/bPkBRb2Trz

— Asharq Al-Awsat English (@aawsat_eng) February 22, 2020

🔵🇹🇳 Hammamet, Nabeul, Tunisia
A short stroll in the alleys of Hammamet's old Medina is enough to reawaken the love of life in any one of us. Being engulfed in the trilogy of white, blue and green is inherently therapeutic.#hammamet #tunisia@AfrikyaTN pic.twitter.com/lp4fOKiXeb

— Ahmed Ghrib 🇹🇳 (@AhmedGhrib11) February 19, 2020

El Ghriba Synagogue located on the island of Djerba is the oldest synagogues in Tunisia. Grouping Moorish architectural design, legends however say its construction goes back to the High Priests' escape following the destruction of Solomon's Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. pic.twitter.com/A0OE7sFy77

— North Africa - ⴰⴼⵔⵉⴽⵉⵢⴰ ⵏ ⵓⴳⴰⴼⴰⵢ - 𓂀☥ - (@discoverNAfrica) February 22, 2020

On this day in 1943, Hitler's Afrika Korps inflicts heavy losses on U.S. forces at Kasserine Pass, Tunisia. It's the first time the two armies have met in a major battle. "It was murder. All I could do was stand by and watch tank after tank blown to bits," recalled one vet. pic.twitter.com/VbUXEkhNJD

— Military History Now (@MilHistNow) February 19, 2020

Lina Ben Mhenni (1983-2020) WAS a Tunisian blogger, an Internet activist, and a #humanrights defender. She died of lupus and kidney failure at the age of 36. She IS honored as a Hero of Tunisia's 2011 Revolution. #InMemoryOf #freedom https://t.co/kXh7n9cxrI https://t.co/nTk1OvldEH

— My Fox Nooze (aka Joie de Vivre Magazine) (@FoxMarks_ATX) February 22, 2020

“#Tunisia's troubling child suicide rates“ writes Alessandra Bajec https://t.co/34Dm8q9qnZ

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) February 22, 2020

♦Source: Virily.com

https://joiedevivre-magazine.tumblr.com/post/619562472271183873/tunisia-in-pictures-15-beautiful-places-to