The Cosmopolitics Weekend Edit
Biden's call to arms in Normandy, Israel braces for conflict with Hezbollah and global vote-a-rama disses status quo
Cosmopolitans! This week I am skipping the weekend fare, as I am putting together a summer reads, podcasts and shows/films. Stay tuned! (and if you have any suggests, please pass along!)
Have a great weekend!
Biden’s call to arms
Atop the cliffs of Normandy, where U.S. Army Rangers scaled the heights on D-Day 80 years ago, President Joe Biden delivered a speech that aimed to echo Ronald Reagan's famed rhetoric. Speaking against the historical backdrop of Pointe du Hoc, Biden drew a stark parallel between past battles and today’s fight to uphold democratic values. He called on Americans to remain vigilant against authoritarianism, with a particular emphasis on supporting Ukraine.
Biden didn’t mince words, comparing Nazi Germany’s threats to those we face today. “Does anyone doubt that they would want America to stand up against Putin's aggression here in Europe today?” he asked, reminding us of the bravery of the Army Rangers who faced down tyranny in 1944.
Standing where those elite troops once fought, Biden paid tribute to their heroism, urging Americans to stay true to the principles for which they sacrificed. “As we gather here today, it’s not just to honor those who showed such remarkable bravery that day, June 6, 1944,” Biden said. “It’s to listen to the echo of their voices. To hear them. They’re not asking us to scale these cliffs. They’re asking us to stay true to what America stands for.”
Drawing a continuous line from World War II through the Cold War to the present conflict in Ukraine, Biden underscored that the struggle is not just regional but a pivotal battle for freedom and democracy. He subtly contrasted his stance with Trump's isolationist tendencies, urging Americans to see the bigger picture.
While Biden's rhetoric is inspiring, the real question is whether the U.S. will take decisive steps to ensure Ukraine's victory over Russia, rather than just preventing its defeat. As Philip M. Breedlove, former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, says, "the war will end the way that the West wants it to end." If Biden’s commitment doesn’t match the WWII-era dedication, we might only maintain a stalemate rather than secure a decisive victory.
On the Radar: Russian warships are set to arrive in Havana next week for military exercises. Cuban officials say they pose no threat, but the move echoes Cold War tensions, raising concerns about renewed strategic threats in the Western Hemisphere.
Is Israel headed for conflict with Hezbollah?
Escalating tensions with Hezbollah in the north, internal political pressures, and increasing international scrutiny mark a tumultuous week for Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Kiryat Shmona, a city impacted by Hezbollah rocket attacks, highlights the growing threat from the Iranian-backed group. Netanyahu's warning that Israel is "prepared for very intense action in the north" underscores the readiness to escalate military operations. Israeli military chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi's comments suggest the country is nearing a critical decision point.
Domestically, Netanyahu faces increasing pressure from right-wing factions within his coalition government. These members have threatened to resign if Netanyahu agrees to a U.S.-backed cease-fire proposal for Gaza. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, known for his hard-line stance, has been particularly vocal, calling for a full-scale offensive against Hezbollah. Benny Gantz is expected to resign from the war cabinet this weekend, after Netanyahu has failed his warnings to develop a post-war plan for Gaza.
Spain has joined South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. Additionally, the United Nations has added the Israeli military to a list of offenders for failing to protect children during conflicts. Israel's ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, and Foreign Minister Israel Katz have both criticized the decision, labeling it as "shameful."
Global Vote-a-Rama Continues
This week, European Union nations started a four-day election to elect a new parliament. The results will shape the bloc’s future, influencing key decisions on EU laws, budget approvals, new member admissions, and the election of the European Commission president. With right-wing nationalist parties expected to make major gains, this election will determine the balance of power in the Parliament. I will write about the results and potential impacts next week.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi secured another term, but his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) saw its parliamentary majority diminish. Despite winning the most votes ever for a democratically elected leader, the BJP lost nearly 60 seats, forcing Modi to seek coalition partners, potentially slowing his ambitious reform agenda.
And in South Africa, for the the first time since the end of apartheid, the African National Congress (ANC) failed to secure a parliamentary majority. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s ANC will now need to form a coalition to govern, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the current administration.
Turkey’s pivot to China
Turkey is strengthening its ties with China, marking a strategic pivot away from its traditional Western alliances. During his inaugural visit to China as Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan emphasized Turkey's interest in joining the BRICS grouping, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. This potential membership highlights Ankara's desire to explore new economic alliances beyond the European Union.
Turkey's growing alignment with China is a response to its stalled EU accession process and perceived identity politics within Europe. By considering BRICS membership, Turkey is exploring alternatives that could bolster its economic prospects and global influence.
In Beijing, Fidan and Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi. Discussed their shared opposition to what they called "power politics" on the international stage. Wang expressed China's readiness to expand cooperation with Turkey in various sectors, including economics, trade, energy, infrastructure, and technology.
Fidan traveled to China’s western Xinjiang province, where he visited Muslim Uyghurs, with whom Turkey has ethnic and cultural ties, and urged China to allow them to “live their values.” Many Uyghurs fleeing human rights violations by China have found sanctuary in Turkey.
Last yearhottest on record
Last year was the hottest on record and the World Meteorological Organization said this week the record could be broken again as soon as this year. The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service announced that the world has experienced a full year of consecutive monthly heat records, with May being the hottest on record. For the 11th straight month, global temperatures were at least 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, indicating a significant climate change milestone. Experts emphasize the importance of limiting temperature rise to prevent severe environmental impacts, including extreme weather, rising sea levels, and health crises.
Related: UN chief urges banning fossil fuel ads to save climate
Calling fossil fuel companies the “grandfathers of climate chaos”, Secretary-General António Guterres argued that advertising limits imposed on tobacco companies should apply to the fossil fuel industry as well, in order to reduce carbon emissions that harm the environment.
Ancient ruler Ramses II identified and kids find a teen T. Rex
Egyptologists have recently confirmed the identification of the sarcophagus of Rames II, one of Ancient Egypt's most renowned and influential pharaohs. The 19th-Dynasty king expanded Egypt’s territory into modern-day Syria, fathered some 100 children and boasted one of the civilization’s most ornate coffins. But the carved granite sarcophagus built to house that coffin has never been identified—until now.
Frédéric Payraudeau, an Egyptologist at France’s Sorbonne University, recently re-examined a sarcophagus fragment found in the ancient necropolis of Abydos in 2009. He determined that the tomb belonged to the legendary ruler, who reigned for 67 years until his death in 1213 B.C.E.
In other archaeological news, three boys in North Dakota made a remarkable discovery: the remains of a teenage Tyrannosaurus rex. While on a hiking trip, the young fossil enthusiasts uncovered the rare bones. Researchers have identified these remains as those of a juvenile "Teen Rex," which weighed 3,500 pounds and measured 10 feet in height and 25 feet in length at the time of its death.
Want to get married and have a baby? Japan has an app for that
In Japan, a new matchmaking system is using artificial intelligence to help combat the country's declining birth rate, which has fallen to a record low with fewer people getting married and having children. The AI-powered initiative by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government plans to launch a dating app as early as this summer aims to improve traditional dating services by better understanding individual preferences and matching potential partners more effectively. The government hopes this technology will encourage more people to form relationships and start families. This approach reflects a broader trend of integrating advanced technology into everyday life to address social issues.
Holy Cow: Brazil’s $4 million bovine marvel
In Brazil, amidst hundreds of millions of cows, one stands out for its extraordinary value. Viatina-19 FIV Mara Movéis, a massive snow-white cow, is under constant surveillance by security cameras, a veterinarian, and an armed guard. Worth $4 million, she holds the Guinness World Record as the most expensive cow ever sold at auction, surpassing the previous record by threefold. Weighing in at over 2,400 pounds, she is twice as heavy as the average adult of her breed.
It is telling to the decline in U.S. influence that traditional allies are looking elsewhere for partners. We are in decline when they chose bad actors over the United States.
It is the result of our confusing license with liberty. We should be moving more towards freedom partially defined as limited government, individual responsibility and respect for private property. The more we move away from these principles the deeper our decline will be.
Sadly few leaders are articulating true American values.
Israel is not headed for war with Hezbollah. Hezbollah has been at war with Israel from the start. The only question is how much Israel will do to protect Itself and fight back. Unlike all other countries, Israel, as the homeland of the Jews, has no right to fight back.