Year of improbable and uncertainties

Editorial By- Sukhpreet Giani

The year 2016 witnessed a new kind of politics with President Donald Trump coming to the fore, the Brexit, leaders trying to redefine the relations, change of political leadership in many countries, a spurge of refugees to Europe and other countries and newer kinds of economic turns.

World faced polarization. The election campaign in US saw Donald Trump show his skills to polarize without bothering about its impact. He was able to galvanize support from working class white voters and rural communities with his anti-trade, anti-immigrant messages. Trump won the Electoral College votes despite strong opposition from prominent members of his own party. Campaign of Democratic Hillary Clinton was also hit by controversies as hacked emails published by WikiLeaks were a regular source of embarrassment to her. If reports of Russian President Vladimir Putin having intervened in the 2016 election to help Trump defeat Hillary Clinton are correct, that would undermine confidence in the US electoral system. Polarization was at its peak in Syria too, where Russia continued their military support for Syria’s government as they bombed the rebel-held towns of Aleppo and Ghouta, forcing many to move to other countries. Great Britain voting to leave the European Union and the Chicago Cubs winning their first World Series in 108 years exemplified that improbable can become reality.

Another kind of polarization was seen in India where the ruling party was seen embroiled in causing dent to minorities, and saw intellectuals registering their protest by returning rewards. Improbable happened in more than one way, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi breaking all protocol to meet Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif.  Another improbable step came from Narendra Modi in the form of demonetization, that left Indians shattered beyond belief with their hard earned money remaining locked in banks in an attempt to nab the “black marketers”. Attack from across the border in the form of terrorism continued with more than 87 Indian soldiers losing their lives. India could best retaliate by surgical strike that later was exploited by the ruling party as a political tool. Parliament of India remained in focus with both houses registering more noise than any business, making a mockery of the largest democracy.

In Canada, while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau marched into his second year of Prime Minister ship with highest ratings ever with majority of Canadians finding the new Liberal government on way to fulfilling its election promises. In Ontario, Premier Kathleen Wynne continued to face tough time from the opposition over Hydro and other electoral promises that remained unfulfilled.

Leadership changed in many countries. Some were to appreciate and some brought disgrace. Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party’s Tsai Ing-wen won the presidential election and brought the main opposition party to power after eight years and became the first women president of the island. Controversial and outspoken Rodrigo Duterte was elected as president of Philippine running a “law and order campaign”. Just over 2,000 people have been killed in “anti-drug operations” since he took office in July and further close to 3000 killings are “under investigation”. He is facing heat as critics say that many of the deaths have been “extra judicial killings”. In Brazil, ousted President Dilma Rousseff ended an impeachment process that polarized Latin America’s biggest country during massive corruption scandal and brutal economic crisis.  Economics was the chief reason for the British to vote for “Brexit” that saw a change of leadership too.

A leader of a unique kind Mother Teresa of Kolkatta known as the “saint of the gutters” during her life was declared a saint of the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Francis at canonization just 19 years after her death.

World had its share of dismal too. As per WHO, sixty one countries and territories reported continuing mosquito-borne transmission of ZIka Virus, with ten countries having reported evidence of person-to-person transmission of the Virus, probably via a sexual route. Tension surrounding the killings of Afro American continues to create unrest in US, and an unprecedented protest was seen all over US after Donald Trump was declared president elect.

The year also saw its share of terrorist attacks many of which were claimed by ISIS. In Brussels, Belgium, bombings at an airport and a subway station killed about 30 people and injured some 300 more. In Nice, France, about 85 people died when a man drove a truck through a crowd of people gathered to watch Bastille Day fireworks. Multiple bombings rocked Istanbul throughout the year, and about 45 people were killed in an attack on Istanbul’s airport.

Panama Papers remained in discussion that provided details of offshore entities used by some of the world’s rich and powerful for reason that include tax evasion.  The names revealed led to rising of eyebrows as the list included president of Ukraine & Argentina and Prime Minister of Pakistan among many others.

The year 2016 would also be remembered for the Olympics at Rio, which set records of all kinds both on and off the field. Some records that may remain unbreakable for long were written by none other than Swimmer Michael Phelps who ended his Olympic career with a record breaking 23 gold medals at his fifth games; and Usain Bolt cemented his status of greatest sprinter of all time by winning 100m, 200m and 4*100 m relay for the third consecutive Olympics.

Cricket saw two great rising, while records still place Sachin Tendulkar at the top, the new Indian Captain ViratKohli showed class and numbers that gives hope, just maybe some of the records are soon set to tumble.  Another rising star who converted his maiden test hundred into a triple-Karun Nair of India could be another one to watch out for.

2017 could be a year to watch for how the world would adjust to the improbable poised by Donald Trump, demonetization and immigrant’s influx.