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The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is so called after Simon Bólivar; being socialists and believers in the right to sovereignty. President Nicolas Maduro has been in office since 2013.
Venezuela is reported to be in political and economic crisis and contains the world’s largest source of oil. Petróleus de Venezuela, PDVSA is the state owned oil and natural gas company founded in 1976 by President Carlos Andrés Pérez, whose economic plan launched La Gran Venezuela, nationalising the Venezuelan oil industry. However, multinational operators such as Standard Oil, Shell and Mobile infiltrated PDVSA and created new legislation contrary to national interests.
Before 2011, according to reports, most of Venezuela’s gold was held in London. On 25th November 2011, under unknown conditions, 11 billion US dollars of repatriated gold bullions are said to have arrived in Caracas; but in 2013, all national assets were ceased, reportedly via investments in foreign bonds being required by beurocracy.
There is widespread poverty in Venezuela with many fleeing their homes and seeking asylum elsewhere. The situation is described as one of escalating starvation and disease, yet this year BP have reported Venezuelan oil reserves to be 303.3 billion barrels.
Sanctions in March 2019 prohibit business with Minerven, Venezuela’s state-run gold mining company, and has frozen their assets in the US. As of this year also, Venezuela do not receive any revenue from Citgo, a Venezuelan-US company. This is described under the term of US sanctions.
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The Golan Heights was part of Syria until the Israeli six day war in 1967 which also resulted in the retrieval of Gaza from Egypt; and Samaria, which had been renamed the west bank by Jordan. There are aproximately 40,000 inhabitants in Golan, 20,000 being Israeli colonists. There are four remaiming Druze villages in Golan. The Druze being a minority in Syria.
Golan Heights is a fertile area bordered by the Yarmouk River in the south and the Sea of Galilee, a lake in Israel, to the west. Golan provides 15% of Israel’s water. The Israel-Lebanon war of 2006 was about water according to news and is thought to be a cause of continuing conflict with Iran.
The conflict in Syria is said to be ongoing. The current population of Syria is around 18 million and there are reported to be between 5 and 6 million Syrian refugees, mainly in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Germany and other European nations. Figures are part of u.n. statistics and predictions which may form a basis for eu quotas. Some feel refugee quotas interfere with sovereignty; and sending some means of aid or support to the country in crisis is a more holistic way of addressing the problem.
Historically, people from other nations have been moved around and displaced by various empires. This is political and is a means of assimilating a particular group into a new bureaucracy.
Supporters of the Syrian government have been Russia and Iran. Saudi Arabia back the rebels along with the UK, France and other western countries. About six million people are reported to be displaced inside Syria. A lack of protein and clean water being the reason. This is estimated to compel President Bashar al Assad to comply to terms which may not concede to the rights to proprietorship of national assets and to sovereignty. If Europe is to be believed it must intervene on the basis of fundamental civil rights.

The Iran nuclear deal was an agreement reached in 2015 by the Islamic Republic of Iran and the UN. It began with a joint plan of action, the Geneva interim agreement, which was signed by the UN security council and Germany and consisted of a short term freeze of portions of Iran’s nuclear program in return for a reduction of sanctions.
Sanctions were placed on Iran in 1979 which involved the freezing of 12 billion US dollars worth of Iranian assets, but were lifted according to reports, after a group of students invaded the US embassy in Tehran, taking staff hostage. Ronald Reagan introduced new sanctions in 1987 due to conflict in the Persian Gulf which holds massive oil reserves. In 2016 it was estimated to contain 55% of the world’s oil. It is home to Saudi Aramco, formerly Arabian-american oil company, who own one of the richest oil reserves in the world. Persian Gulf states are Iisted as Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates:
Britain and Russia invaded Iran in 1941, during the second world war, on the pretext that Iran was supporting nazism, but Iran did not support antisemitism and Iranian embassies in European capitals occupied by Germans, rescued over 1500 Jewish people, granting them citizenship and allowing them to move to Iran.
Tensions between the UK and Iran have been strained since 1931 when Reza Khan, the King of Iran, cancelled an agreement that only allowed Iran 10-16% of the profits of the Abadan refinery, founded as the Anglo-persian oil company in 1909, and marketed as BP, formerly British Petroleum.
BP was founded in 1909 by William Knox-D’Arcy who had a history of mining in Australia and New Zealand. He made his fortune with the Mount Morgan gold mining company, primarily in Queensland and in Matakanui and Central Otago, New Zealand. He was director and major shareholder. At one point, having shares worth more than 613 million pounds in present day terms. In 1901, reportedly with the help of the British government, he secured a 60 year mining concession in Iran. The area specified covered the whole country except five provinces bordering Russia.
BP began as a subsiduary of the Burmah Oil company which was established to develop oil fields in Burmah, India. A court case in 1942, concerning the destruction of oil fields by British forces, was brought by Burmah Oil, eventually leading to a ruling that the company was to be partially compensated, but in the end a law was passed which retroactively exempted the crown from damage.
Reza Khan was king of Iran from 1925 until he was deposed by the Anglo-soviet invasion in 1941. He died three years later. There is a surviving letter he wrote to his son, Mohammad Reza, who continued to rule to some degree, until the Iranian revolution in 1979 overthrew the monarchy, resulting in the migration of many Iranians to western destinations.
The Islamic Republic of Iran was formed in April 1979, under Ayatolla Khomeini, and was the beginning of a new theocratic government whose motto was, neither east nor west.
Iran is reported to subjugate women; but internationally Iranian contingents have been active in Syria, Yemen and other areas in crisis such as Gaza.
In 2018 new sanctions were imposed on Iran, including shipping restrictions; this being the prohibition of Iranian oil tankers, one of which was hijacked by the UK recently. This occurred because trade embargoes were partially lifted due to an agreement. In reality though, the situation regarding Iran and western sanctions doesn’t seem to have changed much. Atleast the UK are not sticking to the agreement.

The price of Irish beef and a fall in demand has led, according to some reports, to the current beef farming crisis. Irish farmers are complaining about the price they receive per head, and in the wake of farming subsidies who is benefiting from the Irish beef industry anyway?

There are also protests about a new trade agreement to be signed early next year between the European Union and four South American countries; Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uraguay – together known as Mecosur.
French and Irish pressure may jeopardise the Mecosur deal which removes 90% of tariffs from both industrial and agricultural products on both sides. Hopefully this will benefit the poorer countries.

A key part of the Brexit negotiations is the border between Northern Ireland and Éire (Ireland).
The Irish backstop is described as an attempt to avoid a border between north and south, but a border will be an area of great political security for Ireland. The British are fiecely opposed to a border on the island of Ireland and have taken measures to try to ensure there will be no border. Why is this issue such an imperative?
A hard border, in the context of Ireland, might be described as one where there is a limited number of authorised crossing points staffed by customs officers. Border control would mean the passage of drugs and other detrimental substances could be monitored, as can travellers from one province to another. Passports as necessary ID would help Gardai keep track and might also be useful to hotels, which has been normal procedure in other countries such as Spain. In this way, a border would demark areas of responsibility and set the tone for friendlier relations.

External European Union frontiers are all hard borders under different trade and customs regimes. The border between Sweden and Norway for instance, has no passport control due to the schengen treaty but this hasn’t been popular with all parties. The two organisations concerning trade are the European single market which used to be the Common market and the customs union where imports and exports are controlled, taxes and duties are reduced and subsidies and sanctions can be applied. Sanctions cause a a lot of poverty and hardship and shouldn’t be applied subjectively.

Liechtenstein is a little known German speaking country located between Austria and Switzerland. The religion is Roman Catholic. It is ruled according to the Constitution of Liechtenstein by Prince Hans Adam II, his son Alois is president. The family are of Austrian descent and moved to their alpine residence when catholics were under threat just before the second world war.
Women were only given the right to vote in Liechtenstein in 1984. The legislative body of government consists of 25 members and is a unicarmel system. Liechtenstein is pro-life. In 2011 it had a public referendum on the matter which was 52.3% positive. The currency is the Swiss franc. Liechenstein is known for its private banks. Switzerland is reported to have taken over Liechenstein’s international relations. The schengen treaty of 1985 abolished border checks even though it was signed by only 5 out of a possible 10 members from the European Economic Community, which was abolished in favour of the EC which then became the EU. Liechenstein is being criticised by the council of Europe, a un affiliation which was formed in London in 1949: Although the UK has pledged to leave the eu it will continue to have a vested interest in the council of Europe/un; and with regard to Brexit, reportedly the queen has ordered Boris Johnson not to leave without a deal.
Boris Johnson’s calls for a general election aren’t being given enough support by members of parliament, but legislation suggests the prime minister must request an election be called by the head of state, the queen. There is news that some members of parliament have been ordered to oppose a general election. Meanwhile a five week suspension of the British parliament is the current situation as members of parliament opposing a no-deal Brexit walked out in support of the queen’s directive. The ceremony for the suspension of parliament occurred at 2 am this morning. Both Labour and Scottish MP’s vetoed the ceremony, staying in the house of commons. Labour MP’s singing, The red flag and Scottish MP’s singing, The flower of Scotland.

The suspension of the British parliament is known to concern Brexit and the deals Britain are insisting upon which are suzerain in nature and don’t substantiate the rights of other nations to peace and prosperity.

The Arab empire was allied to Germany and Italy during the first world war. On defeat, the league of Nations annexed near and middle eastern countries and a league of Nations mandate took over the administration of Syria. There was also a mandate concerning what was then Palestine which amounted to plans for the partition and segregation of three distinct cultural groups.

The mandate involving Syria, and Greater Lebanon which later, in 1926, became the Republic of Lebanon, also involved partition and segregation. There was a plan for a new Druze state. The Druze historically lived in the Golan Heights. Also the formation of a new Alawite state. Bashar al Assad is reported to be Alawi. Alawite philosophy is thought to be a liberal version of Shiite Islam. Syria is in conflict with western allies at the present time and since 2011.

Before the civil war Syrian oil sales for 2010 were estimated at over 3 billion US dollars. The Syrian Petroleum Company was a state-owned company established in 1974. It now forms a part of the General Petroleum Corporation (Mobile/Esso). Al-Furat was said to be the other major oil company and reported to be 50% owned by the Syrian State and 50% owned by Anglo-dutch Shell (Royal Dutch Shell).

Bashar al Assad has been the President of Syria since 2000. He is commander in chief of the Syrian armed forces and regional secretary of the socialist party. Assad has denied the many accusations of human rights abuses by various un groups, but he admits to a chemical weapon attack on Sunni Salafist jihadists in 2014.

Syria is in crisis. Many Syrians have left for western destinations, many are dead and there are reports of much of the remaining population being on the verge of starvation. Meanwhile thousands of acres of wheat and barley have been destroyed by fires. Isis has been blamed. Saudi Arabia are now allied to the west. According to reports Syria has been bombarded by a US led coalition and left in a state of humanitarian disaster.

Zimbabwe was part of what was formerly Rhodesia: Northern Rhodesia gained independence from colonialism in 1964 and became Zambia. Southern Rhodesia was renamed the republic of Rhodesia.
In Zambia a reported 58% are said to live below the poverty line, over 40% living in extreme poverty. In Zimbabwe 72% of the country is said to live in chronic poverty.
Until 1966, according to reports, Rhodesia was said to be very affluent, tobacco being its major source of income. This changed when international sanctions meant that any country that traded with Rhodesia was earmarked:
The first white settlers came to Rhodesia in 1890 organised by Cecil Rhodes, a colonial who had made his fortune in South African diamonds. Lands north of South Africa were allocated to Rhodes and the British South Africa Company by a royal decree that was modelled on that of the British East India Company. This was a decree identifying Zimbabwe as a corporate colony. Called a corporate charter, the agreement distinguished the two parties as either suzeraine or vassal. One of the first directors of the British South Africa Company was James Hamilton who was a duke of Abercorn in the peerage of Ireland.
Cecil Rhodes annexed the area originally called Zambesia and renamed it Rhodesia after himself. He was prime minister in South Africa from 1890-1896 during which time he developed British imperial policies including legislation preventing indigenous people from owning more than 10% of the land, which would have resulted in many displaced people.
Rhodes’ pioneering column met with protest and resistance. A force used to annex Mashonaland in what is now Zimbabwe. This took 3 months: Colonial policies in Mashonaland were to included Hut tax, a tax payable per household which amounted to free labour. Mercanaries were each allocated a 3000 acre farm.
In 1922 the decree concerning the British South Africa Company in Zimbabwe came to an end. The UK government gave 30,000 or so colonials the choice of a union with South Africa or becoming a self-governing colony. They chose self governance. This lead to the crown selling the rights to govern Zimbabwe to colonials for the sum of two million pounds, which rendered Zimbabwe a self-governing British colony.
During the 1950s, political inequality lead to a wave of nationalism, particularly in the urban areas. The movement called for the right to vote for all, but was made illegal by the authorities, and central figures were jailed.
During the sixties there are reports of severe unemployment and skilled jobs being reserved for whites. Some churches have complained of attempts by government to outlaw interracial congregations. Racial conflict and lack of civil rights lead to the Zimbabwen war of Liberation (1964-79). The British government under Harold Wilson, didn’t want to send troops but announced a full range of sanctions which has lead to extreme poverty and isolation.
Robert Mugabe worked as a school teacher. He was sent to prison in 1964 for criticising the government. On release, in 1974, he became leader of ZANU, the Zimbabwe African National Union and played a part in the Zimbabwen war of Liberation.
In 1979 there was a ceasefire under the condition that black Zimbabwen nationalists were allowed to stand for election. Robert Mugabe’s government (ZANU) won and during his term he expanded health care and education. However criticism and opposing views from ZAPU and the Ndebele people lead to many deaths.
Internationally, he sent troops to the second Congo war and chaired the Non-Aligned Movement, a group of countries that are not formally aligned to any major power. The NAM constitute the largest group of states worldwide apart from the united nations. He was also active in the OAU, the Organisation of African Unity which made trade partners, and the African Union which replaced the OAU and is made up of 55 countries on the continent of Africa with the exception of those areas possessed by the crown.
Mugabe pursued decolonisation, at first peacefully, then encouraging violence.
Robert Mugabe ruled Zimbabwe from 1980-2017, serving as prime minister from 1980-87 and as president from 1987-2017. He identified as a Marxist-Leninist. This being the dictatorship of the proleteriat, a state of affairs where the working class hold political power.

Before the leadership of Muhammad, Arabia consisted of mainly nomadic tribes. Many traded in spices which were often used in cosmetics in the ancient world. Community and conformity had a great importance because of the nomadic lifestyle of traders. Caravans meant that quarrels or disagreements often resulted in someone being left behind in the desert to die.
Muhammad came from a family of traders and an influential tribe. He was born in Mecca, in what is now Saudi Arabia in 571 AD. He was an orphan who was brought up by his grandfather and an uncle. He got his first revelation at the age of 40 whilst in a cave three miles from Mecca, where he began to write the Quran, which he said was revealed to him by the angel Gabriel. The Quran was written over a period of 23 years.
Muhammad was said to be very good at solving disputes. He began to acquire an increasing number of followers although he had many opposers. In 622 AD, at the age of 51, he and his followers had to leave Mecca. He began to intercept caravans and rose to power through battles with various tribes but is also described as being a cohesive force amongst factions. He and his followers settled in Medina although he eventually conquered Mecca in 629, three years before his death.
The rift between Sunni and Shia Muslims happened soon after Muhammad’s death. Shia Muslims say Ali, the cousin and son in law of Muhammad was his rightful heir, but might have been prevented from leadership by the original inhabitants of Medina. During his time in Medina, Ali is said to have been his constant companion.
Sunni Muslims preferred the authoritive figure of Muhammad’s father in law, Abu Bakr who took over leadership, but just over two years later he died in battle.
Sunni Muslims constitute 90% of all muslims. Shiites are reported to be the majority in Iran and Iraq only.
Sunni Muslims might be categorized as elitists. Shia Muslims not so much.
Saudi Arabia is ruled by Sunnis which is a dictatorship; the history of which has been an expansion of Arab authority across the middle east. Some people say conversion to what is termed as Islam, a religous system, was on pain of death.
Sunni Arabs were also culturally dominating and the term Arab is now a political rather than cultural designation, causing many middle eastern countries to compromise their own cultural heritage at the behest of Saudi Arabia.

Postscript: Although Saudi Arabia is said to be a relatively modern state, there are biblical references to Yaudi of Arabia who was one of the twelve allies, including Ahab of Israel, who fought for independence from the Assyrian empire in 853 BC.

The two state solution creates difficulties primarily because it refers to both Gaza and Samaria (the West bank), home to two distinct cultural groups.
Gazans are said to be of Greek origin and may have Egyption connections. There are records of foreign kings, called Hyksos who ruled Egypt for 70 years or so, around 1650 B C. and it is thought that they may have later settled in what was then Canaan. Canaan, according to the Table of nations was a son of Ham and grandson of Noah. Canaanites were a Semitic civilisation, and the region of Canaan covered what is now Israel and a wider area that might consist of parts of present day Libya, Syria and more.
Current conflict between Israel and Gaza originated in 2005 with the election of Hamas. This marked the beginning of the mechanics of the two state solution. Some Israeli residents had to be forcibly removed from Gaza, the inhabitants of which are now subjugated to both Hamas and the Israeli authorities.
Protests by Gazans who want the same rights as Israeli citizens, to be able to move around freely and have equal opportunities, are not tolerated by the authorities and there has been reports of thousands of injuries and many deaths.
Current protests are called, ‘We want to live,’ and are mainly directed against the Hamas government in Gaza. It’s hard to say what’s going on there but there has been reports of mass executions. Poverty is also described as a major issue.
Hamas took over Samaria (the west bank) in 2006, after a conflict with Fatah who were formerly the Palestinian national liberation movement.
The two state solution in Samaria has resulted in disputes over Jerusalem, and Samaritan inhabitants seeing IDF presence as Israeli occupation. Worse are Israeli plans to squeeze out residents with the ultimate consequence of creating a refugee crisis.
Samaritans are an ethnic group. The first of which have resided in the area since before 1400 BC.
A United Nations initiative under Lord Carson, a British colonial administrator, resulted in a planned withdrawal of Israel from Samaria during the term of Ariel Sharon and a resulting plot to win back and recolonise Samaria systematically. Reports of Israeli activity in Samaria have been detailed.
A one state solution would work on the basis of civil rights for all citizens. The creation of what is now being termed a Jewish state omits to recognise other Isrealis and cultural groups, making Jewish people unpopular and leading to criticism. Hamas is said to be Saudi backed: The problem with elitism is that it leads to conflict.
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