Why going gets tougher for Joe Biden ?
New Delhi:
Some surveys and so-called popularity ratings are fashionable. It is also fashionable to
dismiss some of these when it comes to the story of growing up the ladder for the likes
of Narendra Modi. However, some of these surveys definitely throw up broad indications.
At the global stage, Joe Biden has been coming down the graph and this is a matter of concern
because somehow the prestige and aura of the US President is also linked to the positioning
of the US as a superpower, and its 'loosening grip'.
It is good for the world to turn multi polar; but the manner some radical Islamists and 'expansionist' designs are gaining currency, it is certainly not good sign.
In 2020 polls and around the time results came in with Americans rejecting Trumpism, Joe Biden
was seen as the "adult in the room", as The US News says - who could fix the coronavirus with
his emphasis on sticking with science and using all the tools of government.
But in 2021 things are reversing. It is not only the Afghanistan fiasco, even on various domestic issues,
the Democrat regime is found wanting.
The economists are talking about the 'weakening consumer trendlines' and some of them have already
declared that America has already entered a 'recession'.
"We suspect that fears linked to Covid will continue to affect the real economy and lie behind
consumer expectations about an imminent downturn in the economic situation," David Blanchflower and Alex
Bryson wrote in early October.
It is a fact the pandemic only brought to fore the social 'inequality' in American lives.
Hundreds of lower-paid workers in the service industry have seen their jobs disappear and even if some
have saved their jobs, they have had to put their health and safety at risk zones.
This widening inequality is certainly bad news for the economy. Some experts told the BBC that it's bad for
economic growth today and also for educational outcomes which only would mean 'worse economic growth'
in the future.
Of course, the CNBC All-America Economic Survey between October 14 and 17 has some big
picture takeaways.
The poll found only 41% of the public in his country approve of Biden's handling of the presidency, as against
52% who disapprove.
At the world stage again, the Global Leader Approval Tracker has lowered Biden's popularity to rank sixth
in a ladder where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is way ahead with 70 per cent score.
Biden also has other challenges. It is well known that the Democrats in the US Congress are riven by "factional
bickering".
Some of the fault line lies in the very image of Democrat too. The media spins do not help.
The US President needs to 'distance' himself from his party’s left fringe, says 'The Economist'. And
there are reasons for saying so.
There are perception issues too. When Republicans get into office, they do things they say they want to
do but Democrats never do.
And secondly, democrats do not criticize their own politicians when they do the exact things they blast the Republican
leaders.
In the words of Paris-based senior journalist, Ramin Mazaheri : "To avoid discussions of realities, the US
media is paid to whip up the basest emotions over the most moral of public concerns and to treat
elections like horse races for gambling. There is ruthless suppression of any sustained discussion of ideas....
We can’t say that American’s aren’t somewhat aware – a slim majority of America does prefer to classify
themselves apart as “independent,” but they are powerless to stop the endless conservatism" - as reported
in 'Tehran Times'.
A CNN write up summed up the situation well.
"Roughly nine months into his presidency, Joe Biden is on the verge of writing his name into the
history books -- and not in a good way. The latest polling from Gallup pegs the President's approval
at just 42%, the lowest of his term to date and the second lowest of any president"
The report actually held the mirror. Biden popularity 42% (272 days into his presidency)
- Donald Trump 37% (first 283 days), Barack Obama 52% (first 271 days) and George W. Bush 88 %
in first 288 days.
ends
New Delhi:
It was India's stance and it has been finally agreed upon by nearly 200 nations.
In a major diplomatic win, India finally could convince the world to include coal to the ‘phase down’, instead of ‘phase out’ after days of negotiations.
India also backed the COP26 draft that was passed at the Glasgow meet.
"The summit proved to be a success from India’s standpoint because we articulated and put across the concerns and ideas of the developing world quite succinctly and unequivocally. India presented the way for a constructive debate and equitable and just solutions at the forum," Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav wrote in a blog piece.
Fossil fuels and their use have enabled parts of the world to attain high levels of growth. Even now,
developed countries have not completely phased out coal," he wrote.
In fact, it goes without stating that it was encouraging to see the US, Turkey, Colombia, Indonesia, Australia and Japan
support the 'text' which would mean a significant shift from their earlier stand.
Watering down of text on coal is indicative of the gap in financing and technology transfer -something that
developed countries will need to focus on moving forward.
US climate chief John Kerry said the Glasgow deal is, however, "not the finish line for climate change…
what we need is to live pollution free”.
The changed draft on Coal is the first-ever mention of coal 'phase down' in an international climate paper
and is a signal to markets and industry.
Thus, it is also an important indication of the energy transformation process.
"As I conclude my engagements at COP26 and return home, India is hopeful that the
world will rise to the urgency of the climate crisis facing us and that alone will ensure we
have real actions to save our planet for the future generations," Environment Minister Yadav said.
"I am happy to note that we achieved some remarkable results in terms of climate finance issues
including a work program on a new collective quantified goal, support for enhanced transparency
framework for developing countries, Article 6 rule book, adaptation and common timeframe,
at the COP26 negotiations," he wrote.
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Paradoxical: Now Taliban regime 'mediating' for peace and harmony in Pakistan
It may sound paradoxical. Some skeptics could club this with humour aroundthe strategic world.
But between Taliban and India's 'western neighbour' Pakistan - it's all in the familykind of business.
For years, Pakistan had given unto itself a role to 'negotiate' and get some legitimacy forthe Taliban leadership in Afghanistan.
Now, it is payback time !
As authorities and the beleaguered Imran Khan government have landed into troubles,now the Taliban regime has come forward to the assistance of Islamabad.
Yes, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has confirmed that Kabul is mediating between the Pakistan government and banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for peace !
And look here - how the champions of gun culture and arson are now talking or to becaustic preaching about 'peace'.
Muttaqi, according to Geo News, said there is no individual of the Islamic Emirate but as a matter of policy the 'whole' Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (that is the Taliban dispensation) is mediating between the government of Pakistan and the banned TTP, media reports say.
The Taliban Minister expressed confidence that the talks will yield positive results.
The Taliban Minister said that Afghanistan welcomed the peace talks between the Pakistan government and TTP, with the undertaking that it would continue to support Islamabad in its peace endeavours.
The Imran Khan government has signed a month-long cease-fire agreement with the local Taliban group, which has been involved in numerous attacks on the country’s security forces and civilians over the past one and half decade.
The move to negotiate with Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has earned the Imran Khan regime strong criticismfrom civilians and activists.
Pakistan’s Supreme Court has summoned Imran Khan to a Peshawar school massacre case hearing and grilled him over the TTP talks.
“Why are we bringing the TTP to the negotiating table instead of taking action against them?” a judge asked.
“Prime Minister Imran Khan’s children are living in the UK; he can’t feel our pain,” one citizen has beenquoted in a media report.
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