The David Hunter Perspective - 2022-08-10

Read on for today's agenda below prepared by David (thank you very much). - Retired US Diplomat to 5 different nations  David Hunter shares his knowledge, passion, interest, and experience.

1)  Israel's PM Yair Lapid Prevented Palestine Islamic Jihad Attack by Using A Preemptive Strike?:  Acting PM Lapid approved a 'preemptive'  missile strike which killed Taysir al-Jabari,  a Palestine Islamic Jihad leader in Gaza Strip of Israel.  Israel claims Mr. Jabari was planning rocket attacks on Israeli tanks so a  preemptive strike on this terrorist leader's apartment was 'self-defense'. But that attack and others have now killed at least 15 Palestinian children in collateral damage.   Was it worth it?  

2)  Is Gaza Strip an Occupied Territory of Israel?:   The Israel Self Defense Force (IDF) announced a unilateral withdrawal of occupation troops from Gaza in Sept. 2005.   But Israel continues to exercise  economic controls over goods movement into Palestinian.   Gaza inhabitants suffer home searches, limits on travel, etc.   Is such control tantamount to a  de facto occupation?  

3)  Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award:   The Sheikh as Ruler of Qatar has established an International Corruption Award, to individuals and countries who fight corruption.   But since Qatar is a known backer of Hamas,  designated as an international terror organization by the US and Israel,  what gives the Sheikh the right to  be an anti-corruption champion? 

4)  Is Russia Under Putin Becoming Xenophobic?  Putin has been funding 'Slavic Right Wing Nationalism' and promoting Eurasian identity as something that makes Russians unique in the world.   But Russia also has a fear of Chinese taking over their Far East region and perhaps Russia becoming a colony of China.   Is that reasonable?