Post No. 815 (A) – For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing - news and commentary

For everyone’s convenience, I’ve shifted the reminders / explanations about Sunday’s meditation-clearing to this post. I have a simplified blogiography of posts related to this work here, a list of themes I have identified here, and my changing the personality of oppressors post, which I am contemplating expanding to include some key people to work on, is here. (Also, see here for some investigation into evidence of the effectiveness of this type of work, which shows variability [and mentions causes] and cycles in the energetic/consciousness response … and also here is interesting.) A range of information on emotions is here, and suggestions on how to work with emotions is here.

The purpose of posting these news links is not only to inform: it is also to stimulate a connection to nonBPM units that need to be cleared and BPM units that need to be strengthened. That only works if you don’t let yourself be overwhelmed by this, so take it in small chunks if you need to, but remember to actively clear and heal! … including yourself. Also, it is absolutely VITAL that this psychic / metaphysical / spiritual work be performed non-violently – which is part of being BPM – on all levels and in all ways. Always remember (see here): Do you fight to change things, or to punish? See also here, here, here, here, here, and my comments about “authentic presence” in this post.

Also, in the same way that activists used to argue that “the personal is political”, the energies we use and manifest in our daily lives contribute to the larger soup of energies that influence world events. If you want to, for example, improve the communication of nations, improve yours. To help stop abuses of power, be always ethical in your conduct. Want peace? Then work in an informed, understanding, intelligent and nuanced way for peace in yourself and your life.

Finally, remember that many others are doing this type of work – for instance, the Lucis Trust's Triangles network (which has been running for many decades),   the Correllian Tradition's 'Spiritual War for Peace' (begun in 2014, and the website was recently updated to include many more activities), the Hope, Peace, Love and Prosperity Spell (also from the Correllian Tradition, in around 2007 or 2008),   the Healing Minute started by the late, great Harry Edwards (held at 10Am and 10PM local time each day, and one can pay to be officially registered. This also has been running for decades);   and   also see here and here, and even commercial organisations are getting involved (for instance, see here). No doubt there are many others, so, if you don't like what I am suggesting here, but want to be of service, there are many other opportunities for you.

Now, the themes – short, medium and long term - that come to mind for my work this week, after I review all this news, are (and no apologies if this repeats the themes of any previous weeks – in fact, given the size of this task, that is to be expected):

(a)   based on my interpretation of information here and here with Saturn in Sagittarius contributing to finding an authentic balance (until 20^th December, 2017), Uranus in Aries contributing to fresh and possibly radical starts (until some date in the Year 2018), and Pluto in Capricorn contributing to a transformation of power and business (and careers) (until some date in the Year 2024), conditions are ripe for a change for the better in world politics;

(b)   there is an enormous need to clear nonBPM energy – the thought forms, unattached energy and scars of the collective unconscious created by millennia of violence. This need includes rescuing those who have been trapped by that history, and healing the warped views, seemingly “inherent” biases, and other damage done by the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual violence committed on scales large and small in that timeframe;

(c)   viewing the overall emotional state of the world from an elemental point of view, this week we need the perception of Æther, and calmness, stability and slowness of Earth;

(d)   one of the many reasons the Cuban Missile Crisis did not erupt into full blown nuclear war is that some brave individuals kept their heads under pressure – people such as Vasili Arkhipov, a Russian submarine officer who refused to authorise the use of a nuclear armed torpedo when the US Navy was trying to force the submarine to the surface. The world needs more such people – heroes – in the Syrian conflict, given the escalation and savagery there;

(e)   I came across an opinion, this week, that US President Obama basically doesn’t care about Syria. Now, while initially that is shocking, as the article pointed out, it means he may be less susceptible to manipulation by Russia on the topic of nation … but that is a small gain, compared to the loss, and the suffering that loss represents;

(f)   out of sight, out of mind remains a MAJOR problem, on many scales, throughout the world – it is endemic / ubiquitous;

(g)   hypocrisy / double standards also remains an issue – largely because people do not notice doing it. Gender roles are a perfect example of this, but finding excuses to be racist or otherwise discriminatory are other examples;

(h)   people and cultures are being overwhelmed by their problems: there is a need to slow down, focus of what is truly important, and simplify, so one can spare the energy for crises from external causes;

(i)   ensuring that all communication, particularly all use of eloquence, is only BPM, is vital – whether the communication be physical or nonphysical;

(j)   people thinking that “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” continues to be a problem;

(k)   the complexity of international conflicts remains a challenge: the simplicity of the spiritual principles which apply to these is not.

Specific energy related suggestions are also provided below, in the Section discussing R2P recommendations for the Central African Republic: From an energetic point of view, based on the above, the Central African Republic needs to focus on constructive human relationships: in ancient Egypt, I would be calling on Horus, in ancient China, a Confucian school: may whatever local Deities cover this aspect of life there, do so.

I also take this opportunity to repeat that it is absolutely VITAL that this psychic / metaphysical / spiritual work be performed non-violently – which is part of being BPM – on all levels and in all ways. Always remember (see here): Do you fight to change things, or to punish? See also here, here, here, here, here, and my comments about “authentic presence” in this post.

News and other matters from this week include the following (opportunities/good news are shown in green; comments are shown in purple; WARNING: some of these links may contain triggers around issues such as violence, sexual assault, discrimination, etc).

permanent issue: may all actual and potential BPM [1] Leaders be kept BPM safe, including keeping them undetectable to the nonBPM and keeping all their Significant Others inviolable against being used for indirect  psychic attack, and may they have all the BPM opportunities and assistance (so-called “good luck”) for them to be BPM effective at influencing the world’s direction, development and unfoldment, all as is for the Highest Spiritual Good;

• permanent issue: may all humans recognise, irrespective of the appearance of difference, the essential shared humanness of other people, the inherent resilience, the dynamic power, the strength of BPM collaboration, and the opportunities of having a diverse, inclusive and welcoming population, and may all people choose fairness, when such decisions are before them;
• permanent issue: may all humans choose to live modestly – to forgo outdoing others, or trying to have more than they need - for the sake of an easier, more manageable life, if they cannot do it for the sake of the planet; 
• with regard to democracy, freedom and governance (e.g., here and here):   Taiwan’s Presidential election may result in a move towards independence – see also here and here;   a proposal for reform (NOT towards a Presidential system) of Australia’s governmental structure, which notes that “representative government is not democratic government”, and “Robert Michels … “iron law of oligarchy.” This notes that all emerging social democratic political parties and states contained within them the seeds of oligarchy – structures that would allow powerful minority groups to seize control of their organisations and ensure that their preferred candidates would keep that control intact for generations”;   the problem of MPs from the country ignoring rural poverty;   Burma’s political prisoner population is growing;   an optimistic call for Viêt Nám’s Communist Party to use its twelfth National Congress to announce that free and fair elections will be held to elect the nation’s leaders … although a sacred turtle in Hoan Kiem lake (which I saw and loved when I – briefly – worked in Há Nôi in the 90s) has, sadly, died and thus, this misfortune may presage doom for the current leadership … SIGH ;   the problem of inadequate economic theory;   a summary of predominantly political/governance links regarding events in the Pacific;   Guinea-Bissau's government has been suspended, following the expulsion of MPs who refrained on a bill they considered wasteful;   a critique of Sarah Palin’s latest bit of stupidity;   concerns over the recent deal over Presidential candidates in Lebanon;   an excellent article on thinking, knowledge and “open society” (my profound apologies – a social media link);   the limitations of running a state as a business;   the fundamental problem with Australia Day  Invasion Day;
• with regard to violent extremism (aka, terrorism - e.g., Da’esh) (and, incidentally, I consider ALL people advocating hate or discrimination in response to violent extremism to actively be doing the work of violent extremists. This PARTICULARLY includes those cretins [including in the media, and Amnesty International] who use the acronym ISIS, which is actually the Greek name of the Egyptian Goddess Aset – and others (see also here) - and actively perpetuates the patriarchal and sacrilegious evil that terrorists are trying to accomplish in this world – which will be countered, in part, by the sort of approach advocated by “Cure Violence”, and, in part, by addressing real and perceived disempowerment and acknowledging the variety in what provides genuine, BPM fulfilment as a counter to fanaticism as a source of meaning):   the importance of not jumping to conclusions about which terrorist group is responsible for an event;   a good article, drawing on social science, on countering violent extremism – see also here;   a terrorist group has halved the salaries of its terrorists as another of its banks is destroyed;   something I was unaware of was that a fatwa was issued in early 2011 making clear that terrorism was contrary to Islam;   the error of thinking authoritarian campaigns against terrorism are more effective than slower, more careful and respectful of human rights campaigns;   an article on the evidence relating to returned foreign fighters;   this week, terrorists attacks have occurred in Burkina Faso, Somalia (terrorists seized an African Union base which, it is claimed, was warned - analysis here and here, and Kenyans have struck against the terrorists in Somalia and Kenya), at a Pakistani University, Mali, Afghanistan, Libya, Somalia, and terrorists have killed dozens and abducted hundreds in an attack in eastern Syria;   six people have died during a police raid on a suspected terrorist cell in Egypt;   media and political candidate figures of 10,000 troops to defeat Da’esh are woefully underestimated, and show a staggering ignorance of war, including supply and support logistics;   corruption in Africa is leading to military troops deserting to join terrorists (another example of the importance of good governance);   an analysis of the aims and means of one terrorist group in Turkey, with a recommendation that “the AK Party should retake the initiative. It should remember its centrist stance of the mid-2000s that made it the most potent political force in Turkey’s republican history. It should also own the fight against [terrorism], and no longer leave it to the Kurds of the YPG and PKK. This is vital, not merely to improve its reputation in the West, but to provide leadership in the region”;   an analysis of the need for better communication to counter terrorists’ propaganda (should this be termed something like “asymmetric communication”? They can get more impact for fewer words because of what they are …);   links the recent terrorist attack in Burkino Faso had to Libya (this article mentions a “quiet campaign” by France), and an article asking if the African Union is up to this fight;   Sudan has deployed troops along its Libyan border to prevent terrorist infiltration;   a call for the “softly softly” approach used in the case of white violent extremists in Oregon to be extended to other terrorists;   bearded men from the UK have alleged racial profiling in Canada after they were caught up in a terrorist scare;   Australia is not adequately prepared for a cyber war;  Ugandan terrorists are sheltering in Sudan;   a terrorist threat against Bali, Indonesia has led to increased security;   laser walls will be erected along sections of the India-Pakistan border;   the clause in the UK Terrorism Act 2000 under which journalist David Miranda was detained in 2013 has been ruled unlawful by a UK court – which is why clear thought, not emotionalism or politicking, is required!;    Saudi Arabia will now fingerprint anyone who buys a mobile phone there (and how will they make sure such information is kept safe and not misused?);   “Soaring” numbers of child referrals to a controversial UK government counter-radicalisation programme have been condemned by Muslim groups and education specialists;   Canada is shifting its focus in the military fight against terror – to a chorus of disapproval from conservatives;   France is overhauling the teaching of secularism and civic values as part of the country’s drive against terrorism and radicalisation;   the first major International Criminal Court hearing for a Lord’s Resistance Army leader is an important step for accountability for grave crimes committed in northern Uganda;   four men have launched legal action alleging appalling discriminatory behaviour by an airline and passengers;   a correction of the common mispronunciations of Arabic words in the media;
• with regard to refugees:   self-harm by prisoners in Australia’s refugee gulags is reaching crisis levels (despite idiotic remarks by the relevant Minister on this) – and a warning that the mental health damage done to children will last;   despite ongoing human rights concerns, Germany will declare Morocco and Algeria “safe” nations of origin, making applications for refugee status less likely to succeed;   a call for Germany to maintain its heart over refugees;   a call for US President Obama to repudiate offshore processing of refugees – which was a former use of Guantanamo Bay that apparently influenced Australia’s adoption of offshore gulags for refugees;   the UK will help provide English language classes;   another article on the growing Syrian refugee crisis on Jordan’s border;   Australia has been urged to allow refugees on Nauru Island to be resettled in New Zealand;   despite the ongoing conflict in Yemen, 92,000 Somalis and Ethiopians arrived by boat in the nation in 2015 despite work improve political, security and socio-economic conditions in Somalia and the dangers of the journeys – 95 died last year trying to cross into Yemen, and earlier this month; 36 people died crossing the Horn of Africa. See also here;   the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) says it is struggling to help an estimated 100,000 people displaced in recent weeks in south-east Niger’s Diffa region by attacks launched by terrorists;   Norway has started returning refugees to Russia (what are the risks of refoulement, given Russia’s recent human rights abuses, or from the extreme winter conditions [-30°C during daylight]?);   the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), together with the Women’s Refugee Commission, have expressed concern over the grave risks to refugee and migrant women and girls on the move in Europe – see also here;   Bulgarian police are robbing, abusing and assaulting refugees before pushing them back;   concerns that Turkey is abusing refugees and breaching the principle of non-refoulement;   an excellent review of some basic principles of humanity in the context of refugees;
• with regard to human rights and discrimination (including associated violence / crime):   concerning signs of discrimination in Hungary;   local authorities on Bangka Island are conspiring with Muslim groups to unlawfully expel Ahmadiyah community members from their homes, and the Indonesian government should immediately intervene to protect that religious community;   Tunisia has suspended an LGBT right group;   some women in central Kenya are resorting to women-only villages for protection against domestic violence and rape (which is a short to medium term option: the long term option is to cure those men who perpetuate such appalling crimes);   a US company has banned prayer breaks for Muslims, despite not suffering undue hardship by allowing these;   “Black Lives Matter” activists are – sensibly, in my view – avoiding the figurehead approach;   another appalling example of domestic violence, as the Australian Defence Forces receive more than 100 compensation claims for sexual and other abuse and a cricketer found guilty of sexism shows he hasn’t learned;   racism in the recruitment industry;   blatant sexism in gender bending for babies;   a disability activist is seeking to reclaim the word “disabled”;   Australian writer Kerri Sackville, who led a Twitter campaign to end violence against women, has laughed off threats of a virtual war from an American men's rights activist;   the problem of women being shut out of the global economy – see also here and here (my profound apologies – social media links) and here;   the Catholic Church is in damage control after one of its lawyers demanded that a child sex abuse survivor repay an out-of-court settlement because she spoke to the media about her case;   commentary on the recent mass sexual assaults in Germany, from a debate between feminists with opposing stances, includes the hypocrisy of much of the condemnation;
• with regard to crime, judicial matters and policing:   Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos has signed a law that imposes tougher sentences on the perpetrators of acid attacks;   the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has welcomed the news that 11 former military officers in Guatemala were to be tried on crimes of enforced disappearances and crimes against humanity committed during the civil war in the 1980s;   a former Indonesian police chief has been demoted for at least a year over a scandal in which a group of Melbourne men were forced by police to pay a bribe;   the Argentinian government has implemented a state of security emergency, setting in place new procedures aimed at making it easier to fight organised crime and human and drug trafficking, and to “secure the country's borders” (how? in what way “secure”? against who or what?) and allowing it to shoot down aircraft;
• with regard to media and freedom of expression:   Chinese language media in Australia is being increasingly dominated by the People’s Republic of China;   attacks on journalists are designed to undermine the effectiveness of the media;
• with regard to overcrowding and “modern” lifestyle issues (is YOUR smart phone free of conflict  minerals? I was recently pleasantly to find IT manufacturers now making at least some effort in this regard):   the Australian environment minister says the federal government will establish its vision for improved urban tree coverage within 18 months – making it around 3 years behind my local Council;   according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, global temperatures in 2015 were by far the hottest in modern times, and shattered the previous record held in 2014 by the widest margin ever observed – see also here;   Bolivia’s second largest lake has nearly disappeared, which is not only due to climate change;
• with regard to education:   more stringent academic requirements for teaching students won’t fix the people-based problem of poor teaching;
• with regard to the conflict in Afghanistan (noting that Afghanistan was once a peaceful and modern society, even allowing women in miniskirts, before the Russian invasion – see here):   the Afghan Taliban has issued fresh extortion demands, which the group described as a “new tax”, from telecom operators in Afghanistan, suggesting the group may be intending to form a parallel government;   women in Afghanistan are being abused and mutilated because a law is not being enforced;   attacks on journalists are designed to undermine the effectiveness of the media;
• with regard to Africa, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (and other sources) has:
     corruption in Africa is leading to military troops deserting to join terrorists;
     women are being raped in Burundi by government forces, and 900 people are estimated to have died as the East Africa Legislative Assembly holds a public hearing on the crisis, there are concerns the crisis could affect the entire region, and the UN is pushing for a new mediation effort;   a former Burundi defence minister and three other generals have been sentenced to life in jail for their role in a coup last year;   as a UN Security Council delegation arrived in Burundi with a message for the government and opposition (which is boycotting talks) to start substantive dialogue and avert catastrophe before it is too late, Burundian civil society is urging the delegation to take a strong stance;
     a United Nations-backed $885 million plan to reach 3.5 million people in Somalia – of the 5 million who need assistance - with life-saving aid this year has been launched in the capital Mogadishu;   Somalia has failed to agree how to elect a President;   concerns over Somalia’s commitment to human rights;
     Africa’s wealthiest man is building a new oil refinery to ease the oil crisis which has crippled Nigeria’s economy;   claims over 700 Nigerians are missing;   Nigeria plans to double the size of its army, as the United Kingdom announces it will increase its military training there;   fear is growing in Nigeria despite military victories against terrorists;   accusations that Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive is targeting the opposition;   Cameroonian troops pursuing terrorists are reported to have killed Nigerian civilians;   the need for electoral reform in Nigeria;
     Tanzania’s President is showing signs of becoming an exemplary leader, although Tanzania has banned a (“tabloid”) newspaper;
     police have blocked a series of peaceful meetings organized by opposition and civil society leaders throughout the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to commemorate the victims of last year’s demonstrations, leading to a call for authorities to arrest those responsible for past abuses and prosecute them in fair, credible trials, and to curb all unlawful recruitment and mobilisation of “youth leagues” to use violence during demonstrations;   an analysis of the UN-led fight against terrorists in DRC, including the in-fighting which has plagued it – see here for an article on the lack of trust in peacekeepers, and here for a UN general’s opinion that the UN responded inadequately to a terrorist attack;   the DRC has barred travel by the opposition leader;
     an Emergency Food Security Assessment by the World Food Programme (WFP) and its partners reveals that half of the population, or nearly 2.5 million people, of the Central African Republic faces hunger;
     nine weeks after bloody protests broke out in Ethiopia’s Oromia region, the government has made a major concession to the protestors - halting a plan to expand the municipal boundary of Addis Ababa, the issue that sparked the crisis. However, the government’s heavy handed approach has shifted the focus of the protests towards the brutal crackdown and inflamed historical grievances against the government;
     Ghana’s Integrity Initiative has identified the military as being at risk of corruption;
     the UN Secretary-General has welcomed the holding of a trilateral ministerial meeting on the dispute between the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and the Gabonese Republic, noted the progress made to date and the parties’ willingness to do their utmost to come to a mutually agreeable solution and congratulated both parties for their demonstrated political will to instil new momentum in the process and to finalise a special agreement for submission to the International Court of Justice;
     campaigners say authorities in Mauritania are trying to crush the anti-slavery movement, in a country where 4% of the population are still enslaved;
     the benefits of scientific research for Africa (and, for that matter, Australia).
• with regard to China and East and South East Asia:   the rising colonial power China is a prolific developer and no-questions-asked exporter of armed unmanned aerial vehicles;   China is maintaining intensive surveillance of villages in Tibet;   an article on China’s environmental crisis (from my day job, I know that there are problems with water – and, from when I was there in the 90s, the air, and that Chinese people are keen to fix these problems, and were, in the 90s, doing as much as they could with the money they had);   an article on maintaining peace between China and India;   Viêt Nám has accused China of towing a $1 billion oil rig into disputed waters of the South China Sea in a potential re-run of a stand-off that sparked violent anti-Chinese riots in Viêt Nám in 2014. Recent wars between these two nations (which demonstrated Russia’s limited ability to help Viêt Nám – although, following Syria, that may no longer be the case) have included a naval battle over the disputed Spratly Islands;   the Centre for Strategic and International Studies has released a report stating that the South China Sea will be a "Chinese lake" by 2030, and the USA needs to determine how they will work with China as "the story of China's return to great power status" continued to unfold;   China has bought an advanced anti-aircraft missile system with the capability to attack aircraft hundreds of km away, at high altitude from Russia. This system has shifted the balance of air power in Syria, and has serious implications for East Asia;
• with regard to the Indian sub-continent, The Hindu and other sources have:
     concerns over what appears to be rising resentment on the part of the ruling class towards civil society organisations demanding accountability;
     the jailed Maldivian opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed had his permission to travel abroad for surgery scuttled at the last minute as the authorities demanded a “hostage” in his place;
     India and Israel are drawing closer together;   an article on maintaining peace between China and India;
     a very poorly conceived computer game, based on a terrorist attack that killed over 100 people and intended to pay tribute to the Pakistan Army, has been removed in response to pressure;
     concerns over the extent and use of protection against outraging religions, and a review of the basis for courts in India being able to determine theological matters;   there is a need to add provisions to the Whistleblowers Act to protect witnesses that would provide confidence to those who expose corruption;   a call for India to repeal its homophobic law before more people die;
     charges have been laid against four people following the suicide of Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula of the University of Hyderabad – see also this editorial on caste problems in higher education;
     a common sense opinion piece about the USA’s gun culture and the idiotic myths around it;
• with regard to the conflict in Iraq (noting that Iraq was once a peaceful and prosperous society, before the USA / CIA backed revolution – see here):   an article on training Iraqi soldiers – see also here;   an article on the insecure situation of those escaping terrorists in northern Iraq;   a UN report, compiled by the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) from testimony obtained directly from victims, survivors and witnesses, has been released and details the severe and extensive impact on civilians of the ongoing conflict in Iraq, with more than 18,800 civilians killed, 36,000 wounded and 3.2 million people - including more than a million children of school age - displaced between 1 January 2014 and 31 October 2015. This review of the report quotes a UN suggestion that the terrorists’ actions “amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and possibly genocide”;   a summary of recent military events in Iraq;
• with regard to the Libyan civil war:   a cabinet has been agreed for Libya’s new ”unity” government;
• with regard to Russia (see also Syria):   the USA has concerns that Russia is infiltrating political parties in the European Union;   one of Putin’s lap dogs, in Chechnya, has been making outrageous comments about those who oppose Putin – and then bullying those who disagree with him;   a British enquiry has concluded that President Vladimir Putin "probably approved" a Russian intelligence operation to murder ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko with radioactive polonium-210;   Russia’s abuses in Chechnya presage what could happen in Syria;   grave concerns over military aid from Russia to Fiji;
• with regard to Sudan and South Sudan:   some of the impacts of sanctions;   raids by terrorists from Chad may jeopardise Darfur’s referendum – see also here;   the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that aid agencies have launched a humanitarian appeal for 2016 calling for $1.3 billion to provide vital assistance to 5.1 million people in South Sudan, where 2.3 million people in South Sudan – one in every five people – have been forced to flee, and 3.9 million people in South Sudan - one in every three people - were severely food insecure, including 230,000 children under the age of five who are severely malnourished;   Sudan has deployed troops along its Libyan border to prevent terrorist infiltration;   a new report by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) shows that widespread human rights violations and abuses have been committed by all parties to the conflict, including hundreds of extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, forced recruitment and indiscriminate attacks against civilians;   Sudan is considering normalising diplomatic ties with Israel;   Sudan has reasserted its claim over land disputed with Egypt;
• with regard to the conflict in Syria:   incredibly serious reports that the UN agency responsible for monitoring and bringing aid to besieged areas of Syria allowed the Syrian government to edit the words "besieged" and "siege" out of its latest fundraising document;   people are still dying in Madaya – the delivery of aid was a start, but medical evacuations are needed;   terrorists have killed dozens and abducted hundreds in an attack in eastern Syria;   a critique of the USA’s approach to Syria which suggests a shift to using diplomacy to de-escalate;   another article on the growing Syrian refugee crisis on Jordan’s border;   the United Nations, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Syria have continued to carry out humanitarian deliveries;   with the war in Syria now approaching its sixth year and food supplies at an all-time low, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has called on governments to provide a boost in funding targeted at helping farmers keep their lands in production to prevent the situation from deteriorating even further;   the atrocities must stop before Syria can find peace;   Russia, which has now killed over 1,000 civilians, is trying to stop the negotiations in Geneva;   the heads of the United Nations’ main humanitarian branches, as well as leaders of major humanitarian non-governmental organizations, have made a joint appeal on Syria, appealing to governments and citizens around the world to add their voices in urging an end to the carnage there;   a network of air observers is giving warning of imminent air raids to save lives;   Russia’s abuses in Chechnya presage what could happen in Syria;
• with regard to Turkey:   dozens have been killed, hundreds wounded and widespread damage caused in Silopi, with most blaming the army but some blaming those the army was fighting;   a Turkish woman has been sentenced to almost a year in jail for making an offensive hand gesture at Recep Tayyip Erdogan in an anti-government protest in 2014 (does Erdogan want to set himself up as 1984’s Big Brother?);   Turkish concerns over Turkmen in Syria, extending – ironically - to fear of genocide;   criticism of Turkey’s failures over terrorism;
• with regard to the conflicts in Ukraine, particularly in the east:   Ukraine has refused to refused to grant asylum to Russian opposition activist Alexey Vetrov, on the grounds that “Russia is a democratic country that does not persecute government critics”!!!;   Russia claims to have received one million Ukrainian refugees, with mixed results;
• with regard to West Asia / the Middle East, the Middle East Eye and other sources have:
     US President Obama has hailed a new era, following the lifting of sanctions as the nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 nations takes effect – see also here and here. The prisoner swap includes a “Washington Post” reporter. See also here, for an opinion on posturing by hardliners, here, for an analysis of the probably limited impact elsewhere of the deal, and here, for an examination of the economic boost this may give to Iran (and others);   however, the US Congress has imposed fresh sanctions on Iranian companies and individuals over a recent ballistic missile test, and this article reminds of ongoing repression in Iran (which is more likely to be dealt with the nation is not a pariah);
     a reflection on the lessons that should have been learned by the USA since the First Gulf War;
     extremists in Israel have painted slogans advocating killing of Pagans and Christians, as violence continues in Israel and Palestine – for instance, see here;   both Israel and Palestine gave a reserved welcome to a European Union statement on the stalled peace process which expressed the EU's deep concern at continuing violence, and held both sides to account for their actions;   US ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro has charged that Israel seems to apply separate "standards" of justice for Israelis and Palestinians, criticised continued Israeli settlement construction in the occupied West Bank, and told a conference attended by Israeli politicians and military officials that the Obama administration questions whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government really wants peace with the Palestinians;   a concerted, prolonged and vicious smear campaign against human rights organisations is underway in Israel;   an Eritrean refugee in Israel died after a 15 minute beating was followed by a 18 minute delay in receiving medical help;   Israel is hoping to improve its relationship with Arab Gulf states over issues such as shared concerns over Iran (“the enemy of my enemy is my friend” … SIGH);   a review of Human Rights Watch’s report “Occupation Inc.”;   the Israeli sociologist, Eva Illouz, recently suggested that, when 70 percent of the Palestinian population “live in conditions in which their freedom, honour, physical integrity, capacity to work, acquire property, marry and, more generally, plan for the future are alienated to the will and power of their Israeli masters, these conditions can only be named by their proper name: conditions of slavery”. These conditions, she said, present one of the great moral questions of our time and are similar, in certain respects, to the slavery that divided the United States in the 19^th century. Egypt’s recent further isolation of Gaza is contributing to this;   Israel has admitted that it is planning to seize a large tract of fertile agricultural land in the West Bank;   India and Israel are drawing closer together;   a call for businesses to stop operating in, financing, servicing, or trading with Israeli settlements in order to comply with their human rights responsibilities;   Sudan is considering normalising diplomatic ties with Israel;   a growing backlash against the ever more draconian imposts of religious authorities in Israel;
     Saudi Arabia’s recent mass executions included children and mentally ill people;
     Egyptians are using social media to reaffirm their support for the 2011 uprising, as the current Egyptian government tries to crack down on protests and other events marking the anniversary;   Egypt’s focus on military over corruption is damaging its credibility;   Sudan has reasserted its claim over land disputed with Egypt;
     in a surprise reversal, a leading Lebanese politician on Monday endorsed the presidential candidacy of a rival, Michel Aoun, potentially defusing an 18-month crisis over the post;
     tensions and events in Tunisia re starting to echo those of 2011, before the revolution, including a case of self-immolation;
• with regard to the war in Yemen:   some desperate and needy people are not getting aid because they do not know the right people;   another warning of the potential quagmire facing the Arab gulf states with regard to their involvement in Yemen;
• with regard to natural and other catastrophes:   an illustration of the devastation that bushfires can cause – which is why I would prefer a dome house built out of non-flammable materials (rock, or at least concrete) with an earth covering for such situations, if I could;   another call for help for Papua New Guinea’s drought affected Western Province;   a major blizzard is approaching the north east coats of the USA;

Also from the Daily Briefings of the United Nations (UN) (and other sources):

• a new book from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) takes a close look at how the world's major cereals – maize, rice and wheat – can be grown in ways that respect natural ecosystems;
• the Secretary-General has announced the appointment of a group of eminent Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Advocates to help promote action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals;
• the Security Council has held an open meeting today on the protection of civilians, and the Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, spoke at the start of the meeting to call for stepped-up measures, including greater accountability, to protect people from sieges, attacks on humanitarian workers and hospitals, and other such violations of international law;
• the UN Secretary-General has met with the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders and encouraged the leaders to continue working tirelessly towards finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue as soon as possible, for the benefit of all Cypriots;

From other sites (note that articles from these sites may have already been provided):

• the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) also has:
   - an occasional report, aiming to give background, offer analysis, track international response and suggest necessary action, for five nations in immediate crisis (“mass atrocities are occurring and urgent action is needed”: Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Sudan, Lake Chad Basin, and Burma), one nation at imminent risk (“the situation is reaching a critical threshold and the risk of mass atrocity crimes occurring in the immediate future is very high if effective preventive action is not taken”: Burundi, South Sudan and the Central African Republic), and five nations for which there is serious concern (“significant risk of occurrence, or recurrence, of mass atrocity crimes within the foreseeable future if effective action is not taken”: Democratic Republic of Congo, Libya);
     Recommended actions from the occasional report for the nation of Central African Republic, which effectively collapsed as a nation in March 2013 and where violence against civilians is continuing despite disarmament agreements reached during the May 2015 Bangui National Forum and the presence of a UN peacekeeping operation (MINUSCA), French military forces and an EU military assistance mission (EUMAM-RCA), In particular, Muslim population of CAR has been systematically targeted by predominantly neochristian "anti-balaka" militias, which have driven 80% out of the nation, are besieging remaining communities and were formed in response to abuses by the predominantly Muslim Séléka – violence is also occurring between nomadic pastoralists and settled agricultural communities:
      - UN and French forces must use all necessary means to protect civilians and forcibly disarm groups that threaten populations. MINUSCA must ensure it deploys in adequate numbers to all areas where vulnerable populations lack sufficient protection. The UN must facilitate the evacuation and relocation of all civilians who wish to leave besieged areas;
      - urgent financial and logistical resources are needed to establish the Special Criminal Court and ensure accountability for mass atrocity crimes. MINUSCA should prioritise the arrest of individuals responsible for atrocities and other serious human rights violations;
      - MINUSCA should publicly report on the ongoing situation of human rights protection in CAR;
      - elections should not be held until significant improvements are made in accountability, political dialogue, reconciliation and protection of civilians;
      - From an energetic point of view, based on the above, the Central African Republic needs to focus on constructive human relationships: in ancient Egypt, I would be calling on Horus, in ancient China, a Confucian school: may whatever local Deities cover this aspect of life there, do so.
• the Justice in Conflict blog has:   a new tribunal will examine possible war crimes committed by the victors in Kosovo, in a major move to address the problem of “victor’s justice”;
• the BBC also has:   the Colombian government and the left-wing FARC rebel movement have both asked the UN for a mission to oversee the end of their decades-long conflict;   hundreds of people have attended a memorial service in the city of Yangon, Myanmar, for two young women who were raped and murdered a year ago as a report by members of the Kachin ethnic group accuses authorities of ignoring sexual violence;

and from a range of other sites:

• an appallingly racist (and violent) game has been remove from sale;
• 40% of conflicts have a link to natural resources, and yet only 15%of peace treaties mention them;
• a review of economic sanctions;
• an article on anger and its management;
• inter-group violence is suspected to be behind the death of 27 men, women and children 10,000 years ago;
• a funeral has been held for some felled heritage trees;
• the International Labour Organisation has warned that, if current policies continue, the global economy will weaken and pose significant social challenges;
• rugby star and social activist David Pocock has urged the nation to take stock of its shortcomings on 26^th January this year, during his first speech as the ACT's Australia Day ambassador;
• brain scans have shown a physical link between poverty and childhood depression;
• a reflection on Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, lessons from his life, and the importance of nonviolence, summed up by the great man:
  “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Regular sources include the Daily Briefings of the United Nations, Human Rights Watch, the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, “War on the Rocks”, the Early Warning Project blog, the Justice in Conflict blog, the Political Violence at a Glance blog, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, the International Crisis Group, the Middle East Eye, The Hindu, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, the BBC, Spiegel International, The Conversation, John Menadue’s blog, Wikipedia’s current events portal, Wendell Williams’ blog, George Monbiot’s website, the Campaign Against Arms Trade, the “Cure Violence” blog, the Inter Press Service Agency (IPS), and others.

No signature block this week owing to the length of the post.)