A bad start to a New Year

Photo: By Eneas De Troya

As most of the world managed to celebrate the New Year peacefully in Turkey another terrorist atrocity took place. The BBC reported:

Police in Istanbul are hunting for a gunman who opened fire at a well-known nightclub, killing at least 39 people.

The attack happened at Reina nightclub early on Sunday, as hundreds of revellers marked the new year.

Officials say at least 15 foreigners were killed, including citizens from Israel, Belgium, Lebanon, Jordan, France, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

The nightclub in question was a fairly "exclusive" establishment frequented by more "secular" patrons which explains why it was singled out for attack.

Whilst no one has (at the time of writing) claimed "responsibility" for this outrage, the attack bears the hallmarks of an ISIS inspired assault rather than any involvement of the Kurdish separatist PKK which has also conducted a terror campaign in the country.

This comes at a time when an attempt is being made to implement a cease-fire in the five year long Syrian civil war in which Turkey has entered a rapprochement with Russia. 

Meanwhile the war against ISIS continues across both Syria and Iraq with thousands of Yezidis enslaved by the genocidal Islamists.

Peace and justice remain a long way of across two failed states.

Back in the UK Brexit and it's aftermath continue to leave it's mark in a divided country with Theresa May calling for "unity" in her New Year's message. While most ordinary voters remain oblivious to the continuing disagreement, social media remain bitterly divided and intransigent amongst both "Remainers" and "Brexiteers".

Talking of division the country's main opposition party, Labour continues to tear itself apart with internecine warfare. The upcoming Copeland by-election has raised the stakes as if Labour loses this will not bode well for either the Corbynistas or the moderates, both of whom will blame the other for any failure.

Corbyn himself remains oblivious to his misdeeds having condemned the misuse of the honours system whilst forgetting two simple words; Shami Chakrabati who's elevation to the House of Lords caused consternation nearly everywhere.

Corbyn is being rebranded as "anti-establishment", a term also used by the about to take office Donald Trump and the far-right across Europe. We are heading to a world of extremes as Corbyn wants social revolution as does the alt-right. 

Is there hope for the new year? 

Only if there is a resurgence of the political centre but the will does not seem to exist.