Democracy on edge

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Global Recap
September 12, 2023 • Read in: 6 minutes

Hi Global Recap readers,

Today’s newsletter? It’s a tale of two halves.

While previous newsletters wade through the complicated interactions between many global powers, today we are focusing on a clash of opinions between two opposing parties.

Who will come out on top?

📈 Top News

🔥 Biden Faces Impeachment Inquiry from GOP. Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has launched a formal impeachment inquiry into President Biden, accusing him of lying about his family’s foreign business dealings.

Democrats have dismissed the investigation as a “conspiracy theory.”

👨‍⚕️ Chechen Leader Buries His Doctor Alive for Poisoning Him. Chechnya’s brutal ruler, Ramzan Kadyrov, allegedly gave his family doctor a prescription for death. Accused of injecting “unknown substances” that sent Kadyrov’s health spiraling, Dr. Elkhan Suleymanov vanished without a trace in 2022. The doctor’s fate remains shrouded in mystery as Kadyrov maintains silence.

🚂 Kim Jong Un Rolls into Russia. The North Korean dictator has arrived in Russia on his heavy-duty train, to meet his Russian counterpart in Vladivostok. His agenda remains shrouded in mystery, but the rumor mill suggests a potential barter - North Korean weapons for Russian food and energy.

🛫 Iran’s Secret Airport in Lebanon Exposed. Iran is building a hidden airport in southern Lebanon, according to Israeli Defense Minister Gallant. But this isn’t your typical airport. It’s a launchpad for Iranian drones and missiles, all aimed at Israel. Gallant didn’t just make empty claims, he’s got the photos to prove it - complete with an Iranian flag and a runway large enough for hefty drones.

🚢 China’s Bold Incursion. China’s flexing its military muscles near Taiwan, dispatching 22 fighter jets and 20 warships in a 24-hour span. This power play is seen as an attempt to rattle Taiwan’s military. But Taiwan isn’t backing down, retaliating with its own jets, warships, and missile systems.

This comes after the U.S. and Canada showed their support for Taiwan by sailing through the strait on the weekend.

✍️ In-Depth

Israel
Israel’s Democracy on Edge: Court vs. Government

👩‍⚖️ Judges vs. Netanyahu. Heated arguments were heard in court on Tuesday, with some judges expressing concerns about the law and its implications.

🏛️ Israel’s Supreme Court’s Tough Decision: to uphold or strike down a law that limits its power to review the government’s actions. The law, passed by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition in July, prevents the court from overturning government decisions based on the vague criterion of “reasonableness.” The law has sparked massive protests and accusations of undermining democracy.

🤔 Why It Matters. The law is part of a broader judicial overhaul that Netanyahu’s allies say is necessary to curb the court’s overreach and restore the balance of power. But critics say the law is a power grab that will allow Netanyahu to:

  • evade corruption charges,

  • appoint loyalists to key positions, and

  • pursue his agenda without checks and balances.

🤜 The Clash of Visions. The case boils down to different understandings of democracy’s fundamental principles.

  • The government believes in implementing the majority’s will without interference from unelected judges.

  • Critics believe in maintaining judicial checks on executive power.

I think what needs to be answered first is: How can one measure the “reasonableness” of executive actions?

❓ What If. The biggest question is whether Netanyahu’s government will respect the court’s decision if it goes against them. Some of his ministers have hinted that they might ignore or override the court’s ruling, which could trigger a constitutional crisis and a showdown between the parliament and the judiciary.

🤷‍♂️ Aftermath. The case has sparked significant backlash and support, both inside and outside of Israel.

  • Thousands of Israelis have held 36 consecutive weeks of mass protests against the overhaul.

  • Investors have divested from Israel.

  • Reserve soldiers have suspended their volunteer duty.

  • The US government has warned of the potential damage to Israel’s reputation.

The court could take until January to come to a decision.