Dreaming California - the fifth largest economy in the World

California recently came back to the fifth position in the list of the largest economies in the World, following US, China, Japan and Germany.

California’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew $127 billion between 2016 and 2017 to more than $2.7 trillion. Higher than Uk and France.

London is suffering the Brexit and the depreciation of the Pound, whilst California has two great and consistent assets in cinema industry and Silicon Valley. A small but significant part of this wealth comes from the agriculture and in particular from the wine production.

Of course California is not an independent country, even if some independent movements are pushing for that. But it is interesting to think how impressive is the economy of a state of Usa in comparison with the states of Europe (only Germany is better).

GDP is not the best indicator of the wealth of a country, but it defines well how a country can be powerful. And California is definitely a benchmark for high-tech and entertainment. 

It is also interesting to take a look at the full list from the 15 top economies in the World:

1. United States $19.391 trillion
2. China $12.015 trillion
3. Japan $4.872 trillion
4. Germany $3.685 trillion
5. California $2.747 trillion
6. United Kingdom $2.625 trillion
7. India $2.611 trillion
8. France $2.584 trillion
9. Brazil $2.055 trillion
10. Italy $1.938 trillion
11. Texas $1.696 trillion
12. Canada $1.652 trillion
13. New York $1.547 trillion
14. South Korea $1.538 trillion
15. Russia $1.527 trillion

(From Business Insider)

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Who was Marielle Franco?

 

I will be honest. I have never heard about Marielle Franco before the 14th of March, the day in which she was brutally killed in a targeted political assassination.

 

But reading her story made me think. How many brave people are there in the World?

I was thinking to the sad story of Giulio Regeni, the Italian researcher killed in Egypt in 2016 or Daphne Caruana Galizia, the Maltese Journalist killed in 2017. All people who weren't scared to stand up for the truth and for to fight against corruption and illegality.

Marielle Franco was, as written in an article on the Independent by Glenn Greenwald a "black LGBT + woman in a country notoriously dominated by racism, sexism and traditional religious dogma". Coming from one on the poorest Rio's slum, "she became a single mother at the age of 19, but she graduated at college, obtained a master in sociology, and then became one of the city’s most effective human rights activists". In 2016, she became the 5th most voted candidate in the elections for the Rio city council.

We think too much to ourselves, to work mostly doing something we don't like, to earn money to buy things we don't need. But we never think about the others, about the system in which we live. 

"Bowling alone" was written by Robert D. Putnam in 2000 to describe the collapse of the sense of community in America. Unfortunately this tendency increased in the last twenty years. 

Fortunately, there are still people like Marielle Franco, to remind us that we are not living alone.

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Eu & Turkey: ready for a wedding?

At the beginning of February, during a visit in Italy, Erdogan claimed again the will for Turkey to enter in the European Union.

The relation between Europe and Turkey are becoming every year worse, especially since the mid-2016 failed coup attempt against Erdogan. And it is the news of few hours ago that the European Union threatened to cancel a summit with Turkey next month because of Turkish tensions with Cyprus over energy exploration (here more info).

Officially the position Brussels is very clear. The negotiation for the enlargement to Turkey is frozen till there will be a visible progress in the fields of human rights and independence of the justice.

But the situation within the Eu governments is much more complex.

From one side, Erdogan is necessary to contain the immigration from Syria. Moreover, Ankara is fundamental for the stabilization of the area.

On the other side, the Turkish government is far away from the principles of a democracy (rights, justice, freedom of expression,...). 

But even if Turkey was a democratic country - and this is my question - would Eu really allow Ankara to enter in the European? What about the building of a European Federation: would this be still possible after the enlargement to a huge and powerful country like Turkey? And which kind of integration could be possible?

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What a destiny for the Terzani's Turtle...

Have you ever heard about Tiziano Terzani?

For many of us Terzani represents the determination to follow your dreams and the freedom of discovering and traveling around the World.

He graduated in one of the most prestigious university in Italy (the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies) and he got an excellent job in Olivetti. But he decided that this was not his destiny and after having left his job, he studied Chinese and moved to China with his family in the 70s.

Terzani and his family in Turtle House

He lived in many countries later on. Among them, he lived for some years in Thailand, in a house in an international neighborhood in Bankok: Turtle House (so called for the turtle which lived in the lake over there).

I had the pleasure to visit Bangkok and Turtle House in November. As the house was mentioned in a very famous book (Un indovino mi disse, 1995), I was curious to visit it and the guardian allowed me to see all the rooms of the house.

Turtle House is a real oasis in an area of Bangkok very gray and surrounded by Skyscrapers. 

Unfortunately few days ago it has been announced that the house will be demolished and another skyscraper will be build up.

The Societa' Dante Alighieri (a cultural organization to promote Italian language abroad) tried to convert the House in a cultural center but without success.

For all of us who read Terzani's books and who dreamed about the places he visited, this is a very sad news. 

When I was in Thailand I had also the possibility to visit the Jim Thompson House in Bangkok (that is now a museum) and it is really a pity not to see something similar also for Terzani's house.

Anyway, I think that Turtle House will stay always in our memories, as Tiziano life.

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Korea united? Just temporary for the Olympic Games

The 38th parallel that devides in two separate states Korea since the end of the World War II in 1945, is one of the most militarized and most sensitive area in the World. 

It has represented for decades one of the expression of the Cold War and it is now the line that divides the rich and capitalistic South by the "communist", dictatorship North.

The current Winter Olympic Games in South Korea, started few days ago, have seen the temporary reconciliation of the two Korea with a unified team under a new white flag. 

Moreover, we have seen the historical handshake between Moon Jae-in, the President of South Korean and Yo-jong, sister of Kim Jong-un.

handshake between the Moon Jae-in, President of South Korean and Yo-jong, sister of Kim Jong-un

I am not going to write that sport unifies people, or that the spirit of the Olympic Games wins over the divisions. This is a huge (probably the most important) sport event in the World and it attracts a lot of sponsors and investments. Business is business.

But still, North Korea is one of the most cryptic country in the World. And looking at people from that country, especially the sister of their dictator, participating in the most capitalistic event on the Planet, it is something that must be highlighted.

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Once upon a time there was the Czechoslovakia

At the beginning of January fell the anniversary of the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. It happened 25 years ago, when after a political agreement between Prague and Bratislava, there was the creation of Czech Republic and Slovakia (united in the same entity since 1918).

It is strange to think about the "Velvet Divorce" now, also remembering that in a poll of September 1992, just the 37% of Slovaks and 36% of Czechs wanted the separation.

The story after the dissolution is clear: at the beginning Prague developed faster, but once Slovakia entered in the Eu, Bratislava became much more competitive, also adopting Euro.

It is interesting to notice that:

"While raw nationalism fueled the conflict in Yugoslavia, economics and inept leadership were the prime causes of Czechoslovakia’s schism—a dynamic that presages the struggle for independence in contemporary Catalonia, a region of Spain."  (From The Economist: The impact of Czechoslovakia’s split)

The parallel with what is going on in Barcelona is obvious. With not real and strong reasons, elites divided a big country. In Czechoslovakia there were no troubles, in Jugoslavia thousands of people died. But what is the point to be independent, if than you want be part of European Union anyway?

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Persepolis - what is going on in Iran

Iran is the second largest Country in the Middle East. It also has large reserves of fossil fuels – which include the world's largest natural gas supply and the fourth-largest proven oil reserves.

Iran is a major political and religious player in the area and it is normal that when a huge wave of protests affects the whole country like it happened in the last days, all the international attention is focused on understanding what is going on.

The famous picture of the girl who is protesting without dressing her hijab

The problem is that it is really difficult to understand this country full of contradictions and overall, with a huge control on the media from the State.

What I understood is that the protests have been pushed by the conservatives against the President Rohuani, but it has been quickly developed in a much wider protest against the corruption and the economic stagnation of the country.

What is interesting in those demonstrations is that they were not led by any political party but built up via social media. The protests involved also small cities, where people are not claiming for more freedom, but for more work and against the increase of the prices.

Even if it seems the central Government has been able to repress the demonstrations, it doesn't mean that the problems at the oring of it will disappear. We will see in the next months if those tensions will bring some important changes in Iran.

For further reference  I would suggest this article from Il Post (in Italian) and another from BBC very interesting as well.

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Something is rotten in the state of...Europe

Few days ago, I was reading an online Newspaper and I was quite surprised that in the same day two articles about Europe were published. The first was talking about how EU is strong now, after such a difficult year. The other one was showing the exactly opposite thesis.

The truth is the nobody really knows how EU is now and how it will be in the short-term.

Catalonia, immigration, Brexit are just some of the topics that demonstrate how far we are from a real Union of States.

But going deeper, there are much bigger problems that Europe will have to face next year.

The continue dispute between Poland and Eu could begin a lacerating struggle among the States. 

Austria new young Prime minister is expression of a xenophobic party and is leading a coalition with the ultra-right. This could also bring to further division in Europe, especially on the topic of immigration.

A big question mark is representing the coming elections in Italy, that could bring an Euro-skeptical Party (the Movimento 5 Stelle) at the lead of the Government.

Last but not least, the most important European leader, Angela Merkel, has lost power after the recent German elections.

I doubt the next year will be a moment of important decisions for European Union. 

But let's be positive ;)

Happy new year! 

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Why don't we talk about Venezuela?

I didn't hear a lot about Venezuela recently, but the crisis that this Country is crossing since few years is astonishing.

Chavez used the funds coming from the oil (whose Venezuela is one of the most important exporter) to finance a strong social program.

The problems started when the oil price fall down of over 50%. Inflation increased and the successor of Chavez, the current President Maduro, has been not able to solve the situation, generating also political conflicts.

In 2015 due to the crisis, the Venezuelan economy contracted 5.7% and in 2016 it contracted by 18.6% according to the Venezuelan central bank. It is impressive the raise of inflation: in 2014 it reached 69% and it was the highest in the world. By 2015, inflation was 181% and 800% in 2016.

The consequences of this crisis have been devastating for the society. Following the Encuesta Nacional de Condiciones de Vida (Encovi), in 2016 the 32,5% of population had 2 or less meals per day (3 times more than in 2015). Over 50% of the population lives in poverty and the Ministry of Health has declared that over 11 thousands children with less that one year old died in 2016 for lack of medicines.

The numbers are impressive, as much as the fact that we don't talk enough about one of most critical situation in the World from political and economic point of view.

For more information, I suggest this article from Aljazeera.

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The Trump mess about Jerusalem

We didn't get exactly why, but it is almost unanimously recognized that the choice of the US President to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel (and consequently moving the Embassy from Tel Aviv), is making an unnecessary confusion in the weak balance in the Middle-Est.

Israel declared in 1980 Jerusalem as his own capital, but nobody followed this declaration. Furthermore, Israel is occupying illegally East Jerusalem (after the 6-days was of 1967).

Some fights have been already took place in Gaza Strip, and Hamas has already talked about the third Intifada.

Many people lives are in danger, for a decision taken by an Administration that has lost (or has never had) any clear foreign policy (and it seems that another important member of the Administration, Dina Powell, the US President’s deputy national security adviser, will quit the administration early next year).

In the meantime, in Europe, Czech Republic has been the first Country to positively react to the Trump choice. Also Prague government will move the Embassy in the future to Jerusalem, but with the statement that the Holy City could be also the capital of the future Palestine State.

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5 things you should definetely know about Rohingya

I bet that many of you never heard the word "Rohingya" before few months ago.

Rohingya refugees near the Naf River, which separates Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Villages in Myanmar burned in the background.

Now that even Pope went to meet some of them (without pronouncing their name...), it should be necessary to have some basic information about them and about the reasons why the crisis that affects Rohingya is becoming a political and social shame for all the World.

1. Who are Rohingya?

The Rohingya people are a Muslim minority group residing in the Rakhine state, formerly known as Arakan (west State of Myamar).

2. Which is their status?

The Rohingya people are considered “stateless entities”, as the Myanmar government has been refusing to recognize them as one of the ethnic groups of the country. This means they don't have rights and they cannot legally move anywhere without permission.

3. Why did they have to move?

In 2016 hundreds of unidentified insurgents attacked three Burmese border posts along Myanmar's border with Bangladesh. The answer of the Army has been tough and constantly increasing with an escalation of violence, rapes, destruction. This situation pushed Rohingya to move to Bangladesh.

4. Where is the Rohingya Camp in Bangladesh?

Over 600 thousands people arrived in Bangladesh. Yes... 600 tousands, like the population of the entire city of Bratislava or Palermo. The biggest camp is in Cox's Bazar. 

5. What is the position of Aung San Suu Kyi (Nobel Peace Prize 1991) ?

Impressively, she didn't take any specific action to stop the military action in Rakhine state. It is not clear why: personal reasons, political pressure, military power? What is clear is that she is the only person who could do something to end this crisis.

Note to the readers - as this is a small blog, this post doesn't represent a deep research about the wide topic of Rohingya crisis. You can find more information in this article of NY Times.

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Can Trump be the new "glue" of Europe?

Trump is the 45th President of United States. 

We cannot predict what he will do, but for sure he will have a totally different approach of his predecessor and for sure his Presidency will have a huge impact in the World.

Definitely huge effects are expected in the relation between US and Europe. Few days ago Trump attacked the European Union institution, pointed out the uselessness of NATO, stated the will to improve the relations with Russia and drafted an economic policy based on autarchy more than on globalization.

Under those considerations, which Europe can we expect in the next 4 years?

Few points should be highlighted.

First, the declarations of Trump had the effect to compact the Eu Leaders. The pride to be Europeans came up suddenly. We love to criticize Eu, but sometimes we are also able to see how positive can be, and we will probably see it more after Brexit.

Second, and this can be considered a good news, the TTIP seems definitely over. New US President wants to renegotiate even NAFTA, o we cannot expect free trade agreement with Europe and it is probably better for us. 

Third, if Trump will go ahead with a release from NATO of US, countries like Poland or Baltic States will be somehow forced to get closer to Eu. And Eu will be forced to take care by herself about the security of the Region.

We are already missing Obama, probably not so much for what he really did, but for what he represented. But maybe this change will give new life to Europe and, this is my wish, we will see a united power trying to fight against terrorism, iniquity, social conflicts.

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Reportage from Sarajevo

1425. These are the days of the siege of Sarajevo, from 5th April 1992 to 29th February 1996. The longest siege of the modern history.

Baščaršija is Sarajevo's old bazaar

During the war, everyday Sarajevo was on the newspapers and in Tv. People on a queue to fill bottles of water, people died while they were buying bread, buildings destroyed and sounds of shots. This is what I remember about that period.

Old and new

Twenty year later, I had finally the occasion to visit Sarajevo.

There is a general idea that Bosnia Herzegovina is not yet a safety area. But people are completely wrong. This area is actually a fast growing touristic destination. Just the capital city offers a wide range of museums, artistic areas, beautiful mountains and a dynamic night life (1 million visits in 2015).  Lonely Planet named Sarajevo as the 43rd best city in the world and in December 2009 listed Sarajevo as one of the top ten cities to visit in 2010.

Many things touched me during my stay in Sarajevo.

First, the cemeteries that are built almost everywhere. 13,952 people were killed during the siege. 

The modern city center has been renovated and now it appears clean, nice and new. But a little bit outside of it, you will be able to see some buildings in ruins or full of holes caused by bullets.

The number of Mosques is the second thing that fascinated me. Hearing muezzins calls for the time of prays, gives to the city a very special and charming atmosphere, 

There is something else that touched me when I was in Sarajevo. People are really opened to talk about war. War tourism is a big resource for the city, but it is also a big pain. Anyway, it seems that people don't have problem to talk about that.

Cemetery in Sarajevo

Sarajevo is a worth destination for tourism. It is not only the stage of a bloody war, it has been also the city of Winter Olympic Games in 1984 and the city of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria that led to the first World War.

Sarajevo has been one of the most interesting place I have ever visited. It is an example of how a human beings can survive to everything and rebuild places, economy and finally, life.

I really hope that one day we will be able to visit other places that today are crossing a difficult period, like Aleppo or Bagdad.

Objectively, Paris is the most beautiful city in the world, and nothing in Sarajevo can be compared to Paris, but my heart never trembles in Paris like it does here in Sarajevo, when I wait in line at the post office.

- Goran Bregović, musician and composer -

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What about the US Elections?

After months of electoral campaign, we are now very close to know who will be the 45th President of United States.

I didn't follow so much the campaign, but there are always some interesting sparks for a discussion.

First, the participation to the vote is always around 50 - 55%: it means 120 - 130 million people out of 240. If we consider that half of the electorate votes for the winner, around 60-70 million of people (18% of total population) decide the future of US. And US has a strong impact of the rest of the World (6 billion people).

Second, as far as we can consider US a democratic country, the competition to be President takes always place between rich families and their generations. Clinton, Bush, Kennedy, Trump don't really represent the middle class. And also Obama, that anyway has represented a symbol of change especially for the Afro-American community, didn't come from a poor family and graduated at the Harward University. The competition is always restricted to the elite.

Third, if Trump will win we cannot really understand the consequences. Maybe nothing will change or maybe the opposite. But what I notice is that in this elections both candidates didn't convince fully. Trump is not supported by Republicans and Clinton seems missing something.

For sure Obama era is going to end soon, and unfortunately the huge hopes of 2009 were not fully realized.

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Which kind of Europe can fight against the terrorism?

Terrorism highlighted once again the contradiction of Europe.

From one side, it seems clear that without a central body for the European Security and Intelligence, it will be difficult to fight against terrorism. From the other, the Member States have not the real will to give power to a European subject and lose their full sovereignty.

It is always the same problem. We want a stronger Europe, a strong political subject in the World, but we don't really want a Europe so strong to cloud Uk, Germany, France and the others.

We need to face a form of terrorism that is endogenous, as the terrorist were born in Europe. At the same time this phenomenon has an international dimension and a global action.

Can we really think to face it with just a cooperation among the Countries? Or is it urgent to do a step forward in the direction of the European Integration?

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Pis & Love

Once again terrorism attacked the heart of Europe.

And once again public opinion is touched by the will to find and then fight the enemy and the astonishment for something maybe expected, but not really understandable.

There is something we need to highlight.

First, this is not a war, but pure terrorism. And many countries had long experience to fight against it: Eta in Spain, Brigate Rosse in Italy, Ira in Ireland,...

We need to accept that this is an endogenous phenomenon. It is organized and implemented by people that live with us, that were born in our Europe, that are part of us. They are not part of a foreign State.

Second, just 10 days ago there was a similar attack in Ankara with similar consequences that today attack in Brussels: 34 persons died and more than 100 injured. Unfortunately, we are touched by the images of the media and by our personal experience and perception. Never mind if Ankara is a European Capital. We can easily identify ourselves in a normal Bruxellois who is going to work and take the metro, much more difficult to see ourselves in Ankara or in Damascus, where attacks like we have seen today happen all the time.

It is like that unfortunately.

We need to think what to do and then do it. But not as single States, but as Europe.

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Europe! If you can hear us, knock once for yes!

In Paris there was a terroristic attack never seen before. Brussels was blocked for days, becoming a kind of ghost city. 

On the other side of Europe, in Turkey, the tensions inside the country are every day increasing. Few days ago a prominent pro-Kurdish, lawyer and human rights activist, Tahir Elci has been shot dead in the south-east of the country.

Over all, in the international arena, the contrasts between Turkey and Russia could weaken the efforts against Isis. An important effect on the main problem that is currently affecting the security of Europe.

But the question is: where is Europe itself?

It is in such a difficult situation that the most important economic and political subject in the area should have the leadership for facing the crisis. Instead, as usual, Europe speaks with different voices, bringing different national interests.

The absence of Europe in these days is impressive. It is so evident that we should have a European Intelligence, a European Security System, and overall a European Political view. 

Terrorism, economic crisis, international contrasts cannot be solved by one Country or by coalitions. We need a subject that can lead the crisis and not that just suffer the decision of economic lobbies and external political powers. 

The political question of the European integration has been postponed for too long time. It is the moment to take an action in this sense. 

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The numbers of the Syrian Crisis

In these days migration is the key word on all the media in Europe. The increase of the numbers of refugees, especially from Syria, has brough different answers from the Eu Countries and the debate about how to manage the crisis is still open.

But what do we know about Syria war? Which are the numbers that can explain us the tragedy that is going on in this Country?

The Syrian war started in 2011 during the Arab Spring, with protests against the president Bashar al-Assad. The conflict sees many different actors: the national Army (supported also by Hezbollah), ISIS, the Free Syrian Army and other forces.

The number of victims seems currently close to 300 thousand, under severe human rights violations.

The gravity of this situation has caused the displacement of around 7 million of Syrians (out of 18 millions in total). It is estimated that 4 million people moved abroad from Syria to  Greece, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt.

More than a million is currently in Lebanon (that has a population of 4.5). Turkey accepted almost 2 million of refugees.

The situation in Syria is every day worst. And that is why people are leaving the Country.

At the same time the reaction of Europe has been, as always lately, incoherent and egoistic. Even if Eu is a leading donor for the crisis with 3.9 billion Euros, the treatment of the refugees has not been the best possible, as we have seen recently in Greece (left alone to face the immigration) and in Hungary.

Number of refugees per Country since 2011 (NYT)

Europe is the richest area in the World. It is not acceptable that it doesn't take actions in a humanitarian crisis that is happening at its borders.

The voice of Germany that wants to change the rules of the European immigration policy, seems finally a good start for changing direction. Let's hope that there won't be just words, but also facts.

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Are we really talking about the refusal of a Genocide?

Few days ago, Pope Francis has claimed that the Armenian Genocide, in the years 1915-16 when 1,5 million people died under the hand of the Ottoman Empire, has been the first Genocide of the 20th Century.

Armenians marched by Turkish soldiers, 1915

This declarations has caused the severe reaction of the Ankara Government. Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tweeted: "The Pope's statement, which is far from the legal and historical reality, cannot be accepted". "Religious authorities are not the places to incite resentment and hatred with baseless allegations". 

Turkey doesn't recognize the Armenian Genocide for two kinds of reasons: from one side, it would mean the identification as killers of the Fathers of the Country (the Young Turks that were leading the Empire during the Genocide). From the other side, it could begin many trials for reimbursements from the victims’families.

Today, there are 22 States in the World that recognize the Armenia Genocide: among them, we find Argentina, Canada, Belgium, France, Italy and Russia. The US Congress has approved a motion that asks the President Obama to recognize the Genocide, but any official declaration came out about this topic.   

Are we really talking about the refusal of a Genocide?

It is not acceptable denying a Genocide. We should be shocked if Germany could say that Nazi Camps are just a lie. We should be shocked for the Armenian Genocide as well.

Turkey is a great and beautiful nation, a rising economic power and a strategic partner for Europe. But a great Country and a mature society should make it up with its past and recognize the mistakes and the horrors of the father's generations. It would release Turkey from one of the darkest page of its history and could honor the memory of those who lost their lives one hundred years ago.

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Miniskirts for Ozgecan

Ozgecan Aslan was a 20 years old student of Medicine, who has been murdered because she stopped a man who wanted to rape her. It happened the 11 February 2015 in the Turkish city of Mercin. This event deeply touched the public opinion.

UN Women provides impressive statistics about the violence against women. Just to mention some of them:

- 35 per cent of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence;

- around 120 million girls worldwide (slightly more than 1 in 10) have experienced forced intercourse or other forced sexual acts at some point in their lives;

- between 40 and 50 per cent of women in European Union countries experience unwanted sexual advances, physical contact or other forms of sexual harassment at work.

Just in Europe, one third of women some form of physical or sexual abuse since the age of 15. And in Turkey last year 300 women have murdered. 

The worst is that in many situation the victims and their families cannot feel protected by the law.

Can something change?

Of course yes. 

And in the case of Ozgecan Aslan something actually changed. During the funeral, the women, usually behind the men in the celebrations, decided to go ahead and take the coffin against the tradition. 

And many protests have been raised all over Turkey. Many men have decided to participate in those protests dressing miniskirts. This was the invitation on Facebook:

“If a miniskirt is responsible for everything, if a miniskirt means immorality and unchastity, if a woman who wears a miniskirt is sending an invitation about what will happen to her, then we are also sending an invitation!”

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