Hope peace reigns

The year 2020, apart from rent asunder by COVID-19, was politically tumultuous too.

President Trump continued to be mercurial. Instead of focussing on the pandemic, he debauched his mandate. The trade wars with China continued. Accusations flowed between the US and Russia about elections interferences through the social media.

China and the US never saw eye to eye. Within the US, the Afro-Americans raised issues of racial discrimination. And, through all this, COVID-19 kept claiming more infections and deaths. Sad. Ultimately, this led to the victory of Joe Biden.

India and Pakistan continued sabre rattling. China made moves on the India borders, causing grave concerns globally.

Myanmar continued to be mired in the Rohingya crisis. There were protests galore in Hong Kong and Thailand. However, the reign of the strongmen leaders, continued in the Turkey, Philippines, etc. Democratic practices were chucked out. 

Many strong leaders governed, as if the countries they were elected to manage were their private properties or fiefdoms. Their electorates even forgave them their trespasses. At least, it would appear so. Elections in developing countries should be monitored by independent auditors. Voting machines need autonomous examinations.

Africa continued to suffer. COVID-19 led to unemployment and poverty. The hunger in the belly, made many Africans shed masks and social distancing norms. So markets were cramped with people trying to eke a living, at the cost of their lives.

The only silver lining in a politically rotten year was the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and the Gulf countries like the UAE, Bahrain, etc. Hopefully, this détente will continue under President Biden too. Peace is very hard to win. Hopefully, the dissolution of borders between Israel and the Gulf countries is the first step, and peace will reign between Israel and the Palestinians too

Rajendra Aneja — Mumbai, India