Two events will take place in January that will shape important parts of the world but which get little coverage in the American media. The two are the Israeli elections in late January and the almost certain death of Ceasar Chavez of Venezuela.
At the moment, the polls are showing that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to be re-elected, but the position of his party has been slipping as of late. The party gaining strength has been one named "Bayit Yehudi" which translates into "Home of the Jews". It is a religious party that has a strong message about the West Bank and other territories captured in 1967: keep them. The left wing parties have splintered even more than usual. One new party, has been formed as a personal vehicle for former foreign minister Tzipi Livni. In the latest poll, Netanyahu's Likud still has a big lead to be the largest party with about 32 of the 120 seats. Bayit Yehudi shows at 16 seats, right behind the left wing Labor Party at 17 seats. The other parties hold smaller numbers. If these turn out to be the final numbers, it seems almost certain that Netanyahu will need to make a deal to put Bayit Yehudi into the government. That will mean that Israel will be committed to opposing a Palestinian state. To the extent that there is any hope of a settlement between Israel and the Palestinians (which is extremely unlikely), that hope will die.
President Chavez of Venezuela is reputed to be in a medically induced coma in a medical center in Havana. He has terminal cancer. There are even rumors that he has already died but that the government in Caracas has delayed the announcement since his death starts a 30 day period for a new presidential election. When Chavez' death does get announced, we will see if the Venezuelan government follows the law. If so, there is a pretty decent chance that control of the presidency will shift to the opposition. There are no prominent national figures who could take Chavez' place at the top of the left wing ticket. On the other hand, the leader of the opposition is well known after the recent election which Chavez won. A switch of the Venezuelan government from Chavez' with his crazy brand of anti-Americanism and Marxism to a free market capitalist party candidate would cause major changes on the world scene. Right now, Venezuela is the main ally of Iran in the Western hemisphere. Venezuela is also supporting Assad in Syria and is running interference for North Korea as well. Taking away a major supporter of the Axis of Evil would be a major step forward for the world.
At the moment, the polls are showing that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to be re-elected, but the position of his party has been slipping as of late. The party gaining strength has been one named "Bayit Yehudi" which translates into "Home of the Jews". It is a religious party that has a strong message about the West Bank and other territories captured in 1967: keep them. The left wing parties have splintered even more than usual. One new party, has been formed as a personal vehicle for former foreign minister Tzipi Livni. In the latest poll, Netanyahu's Likud still has a big lead to be the largest party with about 32 of the 120 seats. Bayit Yehudi shows at 16 seats, right behind the left wing Labor Party at 17 seats. The other parties hold smaller numbers. If these turn out to be the final numbers, it seems almost certain that Netanyahu will need to make a deal to put Bayit Yehudi into the government. That will mean that Israel will be committed to opposing a Palestinian state. To the extent that there is any hope of a settlement between Israel and the Palestinians (which is extremely unlikely), that hope will die.
President Chavez of Venezuela is reputed to be in a medically induced coma in a medical center in Havana. He has terminal cancer. There are even rumors that he has already died but that the government in Caracas has delayed the announcement since his death starts a 30 day period for a new presidential election. When Chavez' death does get announced, we will see if the Venezuelan government follows the law. If so, there is a pretty decent chance that control of the presidency will shift to the opposition. There are no prominent national figures who could take Chavez' place at the top of the left wing ticket. On the other hand, the leader of the opposition is well known after the recent election which Chavez won. A switch of the Venezuelan government from Chavez' with his crazy brand of anti-Americanism and Marxism to a free market capitalist party candidate would cause major changes on the world scene. Right now, Venezuela is the main ally of Iran in the Western hemisphere. Venezuela is also supporting Assad in Syria and is running interference for North Korea as well. Taking away a major supporter of the Axis of Evil would be a major step forward for the world.
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