THE PRAIRIE EDITOR: A Post-U.S. Election World Ahead

While Americans were understandably preoccupied

with the U,S, national elections in the weeks leading

up to November 5, and also with digesting the results 

since then, the rest of the world went on with its varying

own  interests and events, albeit also keeping an eye on

what voters would do here.

Previously, many Americans, and the U.S, media, took

a close interest in events in the Mid East, Ukraine and 

in China and its neighbors.

What, if anything has changed in these international

hotspots?

In Ukraine, both sides increased their attacks on each

other, employing new and more provocative weaponry.

Mr. Putin has revived threats of employing nuclear

weapons against Kyiv and some of its European allies

who supply it with  more serious weapons, especially 

Great Britain.

President-elect Trump has told both sides he will force

an end to hostilities in the war when he takes office,

and both Mr. Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky

appear to be positioning themselves for a change in the

U.S. government on January 20. Both sides seem to

be preparing for a diplomatic resolution, and for the

first time, Mr. Zelensky has said he was willing to trade

territory for peace — if it is accompanied by security

guarantees by the NATO country members. Mr. Putin

has opposed NATO membership for Ukraine, but has

not negated a non-membership security arrangement.

Meanwhile, combat and drone/missile attacks continue.

in the Middle East, a temporary ceasefire on the Israeli-

Lebanese border has begun with the agreement of

Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Lebanese military, and

Hezbollah —- at the behest of the U,S, and French

governments. The Israelis had conducted a successful

incursion in south Lebanon and Beirut systematically

destroying much, but not all. of Hezbollah’s missile

capability as well as as eliminating many of its top

commanders — with a goal of enabling Israeli residents

who live in the border areas between the two countries

to return to their homes in safety.

Israel attacked the Hezbollah forces which have been

continually bombing northern Israel, and the ceasefire

is dependent on Hezbollah not returning to southern

Lebanon and resuming their attacks. A U.S.-French

backed international military force is to be stationed 

along the border to enforce the ceasefire.

Mr. Netanyahu has insisted that it is only a temporary

ceasefire. and that Israel intends to destroy fully 

Hezbollah’s military capabilities.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continue

their campaign to destroy Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Its efforts in north and south Gaza have essentially

defeated the five Hamas divisions and its jihadist

allies, but some hostile forces remain, mostly in what

is left of the Hamas vast network of underground

tunnels. Although most of its commanders have been

eliminated, Hamas holds 100 hostages who have not 

been released. It is estimated that only about 60-70 of

these hostages remain alive. Only the release of all

hostages, it is believed, will end IDF activity in Gaza.

President-elect Trump has reportedly told Mr. Netanyahu

he wants hostilities ended in Gaza by the time of his

inauguration — about seven weeks from now.

After considerable delay, the International Criminal Court

(ICC), headquartered in the The Hague, Netherlands,

issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and 

his former Defense Minister Gallant, charging them with

war crimes. Neither Israel nor the U.S. recognize the ICC,

and the charges are regarded to show unfair anti-Israel 

bias. President Biden denounced the ICC action. The U.S.

Congress has begun legislation to bring crippling 

sanctions to the ICC if the charges are not withdrawn.

Several ICC signators, including Germany, France, Italy,

Hungary, and even the Dutch, have indicated they would

not arrest those charged.

Governments around the world, friendly and hostile to the

U.S. quickly responded to the U.S. election. One Middle

East nation promptly asked Hamas leaders to leave

immediately. Others, in anticipation of January 20, 2025,

prepared for significant new directions in U.S. foreign policy.

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Copyright (c) 2024 by Barry Casselman. All rights reserved.

THE PRAIRIE EDITOR: The 2024 Election Cycle Is Now Over

The most bizarre presidential election in memory is

now over. Donald Trump has won a decisive victory

not only in the key electoral college, but also in the

national popular vote, something a Republican ticket 

has not done since 2004.

Many of the predictions about this contest did not

happen. There were, however numerous surprises

and sudden dramas throughout the cycle.

As President Biden said in his remarks after the 

voting, an election is a contest in which one side

wins and one side loses. To his credit and to Vice

President Kamala Harris, his party’s  presidential 

nominee’s credit, they called and congratulated 

President-elect Trump and graciously accepted the 

result, assuring an American tradition of the peaceful

transfer of power after an election.

In the seven-week period until Inauguration Day, 

there is time for voters on both sides to reflect on the

campaign just passed. The winners. of course, are

celebratory, but that does not mean  any gloating is

useful. Republicans should remember how they

felt four years ago when they were on the losing side,

and be respectful of how most Democrats now 

understandably feel.

Winners  in politics can lose in a subsequent election,

and losers can win in one. In fact, Republicans face

their next voter test in only two years, and the historic

frequency of defeat in the first mid-term after a

presidential victory. Their challenge is compounded by

their numerical disadvantage in the U.S. Senate races,

an advantage they had and which helped them in 2024,

In the meantime, Mr. Trump is choosing his cabinet and

other executive branch leaders, and preparing to take

the executive reins of government.  The U.S. House and

U,S, Senate are both controlled by his party, albeit by

narrow margins. As a so-called lame duck president, he

will need to work quickly to enact his policies.

Voters did give Mr. Trump a mandate, and now they

expect hum to deliver on his promises.

Democrats now are the Opposition. After  a period of

reflection and discussion., they will decide what directions

to take, and what changes they need to make.  Their

2024 campaign and many of their candidates did not

resonate with a majority of voters, so new ideas, policies

and leaders are likely to emerge. 

Foreign governments, both friendly and unfriendly, have

already begun adjusting to Mr. Trump’s election. By

selecting Senator Marco Rubio as his Secretary of State,

and Congresswoman Elisa Stefanik as his U.N. ambassador

he has signaled to our allies, competitors, and those

who are hostile, that his administration will pursue a robust

and articulate foreign policy —- and one different from the 

one conducted in the past four years.

Judgments about President Trump’s domestic and  foreign

policies in his second term will have to wait until he is in 

office again. In the meantime, it is a relief to be past the

now-concluded campaign cycle and its especially

melodramatic and divisive tone.

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Copyright (c) 2024 by Barry Casselman. All rights reserved.