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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 6-Dec-2013
6-Dec-13 World View -- France reverts to neo-colonialism, returns to Central African Republic

Web Log - December, 2013

6-Dec-13 World View -- France reverts to neo-colonialism, returns to Central African Republic

U.S. prosecutors charge 49 Russian diplomats with health care fraud

This morning's key headlines from GenerationalDynamics.com

France reverts to neo-colonialism, returns to Central African Republic
Attacks on churches and mosques in Russia on the rise
U.S. prosecutors charge 49 Russian diplomats with health care fraud

France reverts to neo-colonialism, returns to Central African Republic

People stand near bodies found lying in a mosque and in its surrounding streets in the Central African capital Bangui on Thursday, after overnight violence (AFP)

People stand near bodies found lying in a mosque and in its surrounding streets in the Central African capital Bangui on Thursday, after overnight violence (AFP)

Fearing a massive genocide, the 15-member U.N. Security Council on Thursday voted unanimously to allow French and African forces "to take all necessary measures," including military action, to protect citizens and restore order in the Central African Republic. Sectarian violence between Christians and Muslims has been building since March of this year, when a Muslim rebel coalition called Séléka overthrew President Francois Bozize and installed their own leader Michel Djotodia as interim president. However, the political coup didn't end the violence. Séléka continue attacking perceived Christian supporters of the ousted president, and Christian self-defense militias have sprung up and are launching retaliatory attacks, sometimes against Muslim civilians.

France's President François Hollande has been leading the effort to get U.N. Security Council approval for military action, and France is set to increase its fighting force in C.A.R. to at least 1,000 soldiers, at a time when it has sent thousands of soldiers to Mali, earlier this year.

The interventions in the two former French colonies are raising questions over whether France is slipping back to interventionist, neo-colonial policies known as "Françafrique" -- meddling in the affairs of its former colonies. But the threat of genocide in C.A.R. is highly emotional for France, which was accused of supporting the Hutu regime that massacred the Tutsis in Rwanda in 1994. In any case, France does not want to be accused of looking the other way as Muslims and Christians tear each other apart in the C.A.R. France 24 and NPR

Attacks on churches and mosques in Russia on the rise

The mutual xenophobia between Christians and Muslims in Russia is resulting in a recent sharp increase in extremist acts, particularly in the North Caucasus, Russia's southern provinces. A negative image of Muslims has been firmly established in Russia. A man with a beard or a woman wearing the hijab are increasingly perceived in society as extremists, and that attitude is creating a backlash among Muslims. Attacks on churches and mosques have been on the increase. For example in Tatarstan, there was an arson attack on a mosque in August, followed by eight reprisal arson attacks on Churches. The Russian Orthodox Church is contributing to the problem by trying to extend its influence by building churches in mainly Muslim regions, where the churches are not wanted, and where there is almost no attendance anyway.

Historically, for centuries, there have been three regions where the Christian and Muslim worlds have had their bloodiest and most genocidal confrontations: the Caucasus, the Crimea and the Balkans (three regions which, like the Bronx and the Hague, cannot be properly referenced without the word "the"). Josef Stalin was particularly ruthless towards the Muslims in the Caucasus, with mass executions and mass forced relocations during and after World War II. Now, as the generations of survivors of those genocidal actions have all disappeared, tensions are growing among younger generations of Christians and Muslims, and the Caucasus is headed for a new major war between the two groups. Jamestown

U.S. prosecutors charge 49 Russian diplomats with health care fraud

U.S. prosecutors have charged 49 current and former Russian diplomats and their family members with participating in a scheme to fraudulently get $1.5 million in Medicaid health benefits by lying about their income. The charges say the defendants obtained letters to prove their false incomes from officials at the Russian U.N. mission, including a former counselor and a former second secretary, as well as from former top officials at the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in New York and the Trade Representation of the Russian Federation in the USA. The diplomats have diplomatic immunity and so cannot be arrested, though they can be asked to leave the country. Reuters

(Comments: For reader comments, questions and discussion, see the 6-Dec-13 World View -- France reverts to neo-colonialism, returns to Central African Republic thread of the Generational Dynamics forum. Comments may be posted anonymously.) (6-Dec-2013) Permanent Link
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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 6-Dec-2013 6-Dec-13 World View -- France reverts to neo-colonialism, returns to Central African Republic

France reverts to neo-colonialism, returns to Central African Republic

Attacks on churches and mosques in Russia on the rise

U.S. prosecutors charge 49 Russian diplomats with health care fraud

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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 6-Dec-2013
6-Dec-13 World View -- France reverts to neo-colonialism, returns to Central African Republic