Politics

Dive Deeper Into Politics

By Beaudy Sipser

Politics is a complex and dynamic field that affects every aspect of our lives. Politics shapes our world, from the economy to the environment, health care to human rights, foreign affairs to domestic issues. However, how well do we understand politics? How do we make sense of the different perspectives, ideologies, and agendas that influence political decisions and actions? How do we evaluate the performance and accountability of political leaders and institutions? How do we engage in political discourse and participate in political processes?

One way to answer these questions is to examine politics closely. A closer look means examining the facts, arguments, and evidence behind political claims and narratives. A closer look means exploring the historical, cultural, and social contexts that shape political phenomena. A closer look means comparing and contrasting different political systems, theories, and ideologies. A closer look means critically analyzing political information and communication sources, methods, and biases.

A closer look at politics can help us become more informed, aware, and responsible citizens. It can help us develop our own political opinions and values and respect and appreciate the diversity of political views and experiences. It can help us identify and challenge the problems and injustices that affect our society and the world. It can help us find and create solutions and opportunities that can improve our lives and the lives of others.

There are many ways to take a closer look at politics. One method is to watch or read political news and commentary from various sources and perspectives. Another way is to study political science or related disciplines that offer academic insights and frameworks for understanding politics. Nevertheless, another way is to engage in political activism or advocacy that involves taking action for a cause or issue that matters to us.

One example of a popular source of political news and commentary is late-night television shows. According to Carline Leicht, "Programs like The Tonight Show usually start with a monologue performed by the host that often features political commentary. Additionally, some shows see the host providing more in-depth political commentary in other segments, for instance, “A Closer Look” on Late Night with Seth Meyers." These segments typically focus on a specific topic or event related to politics, such as an election, a scandal, a policy, or a speech. The host uses humor, satire, irony, and sarcasm to critique or mock the actions or statements of political figures or institutions. The host also uses facts, statistics, quotes, clips, or graphics to support or illustrate their points (LSE 2023).

These segments are not only entertaining but also informative and educational. They can help us learn more about current political issues and debates and expose us to different opinions and perspectives. They can also help us develop our critical thinking and media literacy skills by encouraging us to question political information and communication's validity, reliability, and credibility. However, these segments have limitations and challenges. They may not cover all aspects or sides of a topic or event. They may need to provide more context or background information to understand a topic or event better. They may also reflect the host or writers' personal views or biases. Therefore, watching or reading these segments with an open mind and a critical eye is essential.

Another example of a way to take a closer look at politics is to study the personality traits of politicians. Personality traits are enduring patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that characterize an individual. Personality traits can influence how people perceive themselves and others, how they interact with others, how they cope with stress, make decisions, and pursue goals. Personality traits, such as political ideology, values, attitudes, beliefs, preferences, and motivations, can influence how people approach politics.

One way to measure personality traits is to use the Big Five model. The Big Five model consists of five broad dimensions of personality: openness to experience (O), conscientiousness (C), extraversion (E), agreeableness (A), and neuroticism (N). Each dimension represents a continuum between two opposite poles. For example, openness to experience ranges from low (closed-minded) to high (open-minded). People who score high on openness to experience tend to be curious, creative, imaginative, adventurous, flexible, and tolerant. People who score low on openness to experience tend to be conventional, practical, conservative, rigid, and prejudiced.

One study examined the personality traits of 303 politicians from Flanders, Wallonia, and Canada, relating their self-reported Big Five scores to a partisanship-based measure of political ideology. The study found significant differences in personality traits between politicians from different parties. For example, politicians from left-wing parties scored higher on openness to experience than politicians from right-wing parties. Politicians from right-wing parties scored higher on conscientiousness than politicians from left-wing parties. Politicians from centrist parties scored higher on agreeableness than politicians from left and right-wing parties.

These findings suggest that personality traits can affect how politicians think and act. They can also help us understand why politicians from different parties may have different views or agendas on various political issues or topics. However, these findings also have some limitations or challenges. They are based on self-reports, which may

need to be more accurate and reliable. They are also based on a single measure of political ideology, which may not capture the complexity or diversity of political views or orientations. They are also based on a sample of politicians, which may differ from the general population or other groups. Therefore, it is essential to study the personality traits of politicians with caution and context.

Taking a closer look at politics can be a rewarding and enlightening experience. It can help us expand our knowledge and understanding of politics. It can also help us develop our skills and abilities to engage in politics. However, taking a closer look at politics can also be challenging and demanding. It requires us to be curious, critical, and respectful. It also requires us to be aware, responsible, and active. Taking a closer look at politics is not only a way to learn about politics but also a way to live politics.

Exploring the Divide Between Arab Nations and the US on Gaza Ceasefire

By Beaudy Sipser

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has exposed the rift between the United States and its Arab allies, who have different views on how to end the violence and protect civilians. While the Arab countries are calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, the US is backing Israel's right to self-defense and its goal of defeating Hamas.

The war, which started on October 7, 2023, when Hamas fired rockets at Israel in response to the killing of four of its members by Israeli forces, has escalated into a full-scale military operation by Israel, which has launched airstrikes, artillery shelling, and ground incursions into the densely populated Gaza Strip. Israel claims that it is targeting Hamas's military infrastructure, such as rocket launchers, tunnels, and command centers, but also acknowledges that it is inflicting "heavy damage" on the civilian population, which it blames on Hamas's use of human shields.

According to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, more than 9,400 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed and over 25,000 injured in the Israeli attacks. The UN estimates that over 500,000 people have been displaced and that 80% of the population needs humanitarian assistance. Israel has also suffered casualties, with 67 soldiers and six civilians killed and hundreds wounded by Hamas's rockets and cross-border raids.

The international community has expressed alarm and outrage over the humanitarian crisis and the violation of human rights in Gaza and has urged both sides to cease hostilities and respect international law. 

The US, which is Israel's closest ally and leading arms supplier, has repeatedly stated that it supports Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas's rocket attacks and that it will not pressure Israel to accept a ceasefire that does not meet its security needs. US President Joe Biden has said that he wants to see a "significant de-escalation" of the conflict but has also affirmed that Israel has the right to "determine for itself" how to achieve that. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is currently in the Middle East for a diplomatic tour, has said that the US supports "humanitarian pauses" in the fighting but not a complete ceasefire that would allow Hamas to regroup and resume its attacks (https://news.abplive.com)

The Arab countries, on the other hand, have strongly condemned Israel's aggression and expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people. They have called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and for the lifting of the blockade that Israel has imposed on Gaza since 2007. They have also demanded that Israel end its occupation of the Palestinian territories and respect the rights of the Palestinians to self-determination and statehood. The Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Gulf Cooperation Council have issued statements and resolutions to this effect and have urged the UN Security Council to take action to stop the bloodshed and ensure the protection of civilians.

The Arab countries have also mobilized their diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to support the Palestinians and pressure Israel to end the war. Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza and has a peace treaty with Israel, has been mediating between the two sides and has proposed several ceasefire initiatives, but Israel has accepted none of them. Egypt has also opened its Rafah crossing to allow the passage of wounded Palestinians, medical supplies, and foreign nationals. Qatar, which has close ties with Hamas and provides financial aid to Gaza, has also been involved in the mediation efforts and has pledged $500 million for the reconstruction of Gaza. Jordan, which hosts the most significant number of Palestinian refugees and has a peace treaty with Israel, has recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv and sent its foreign minister to Gaza to express solidarity with the Palestinians. Turkey, which has strained relations with Israel and supports Hamas, has also recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv and denounced Israel as a "terror state" that must be held accountable for its crimes.

The US-Arab divide on the Gaza ceasefire reflects the different interests and perspectives of the two sides on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has been one of the most intractable and volatile issues in the region and the world for decades. While the US sees Israel as a strategic partner and a bastion of democracy in the Middle East, the Arab countries see Israel as an occupying power and a threat to their security and sovereignty. While the US views Hamas as a terrorist organization that must be defeated, the Arab countries view Hamas as a legitimate resistance movement that represents the aspirations of the Palestinians. While the US prioritizes Israel's security and stability, the Arab countries prioritize Palestinian rights and dignity.

The US-Arab divide over the Gaza ceasefire also poses challenges and opportunities for the future of the peace process and the regional order. On the one hand, the divide could undermine the trust and cooperation between the US and the Arab countries, which are essential allies in addressing other issues, such as Iran's nuclear program, the war in Syria, and the fight against terrorism. On the other hand, the divide could also create an incentive and a space for dialogue and compromise between the two sides, which are both committed to finding a lasting and comprehensive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the two-state formula and international law. The US and the Arab countries could use their influence and leverage to persuade Israel and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire and to resume the negotiations for a peaceful settlement that would end the cycle of violence and ensure the security and prosperity of both peoples.

Sources

ndtv.com/world-news

msn.com

cnbc.com

apnews.com

news.abplive.com