The rise of nationalism and the challenges of globalization

It seems that Putin wants to regain the old glory of Russia. During his 20 years rule, he has made Russia once again one of the greatest powers in the world.

Putin’s success for the second term in the recent presidential elections of Russia was in fact not a surprise for his allies and enemies who already knew his prior geopolitical strategies.

Now Russia is playing an important role in regional and international politics. In fact Russia has not only proved itself victorious on the Ukrainian front but also at the same time, defeating the United States and its European allies in the region.

The critics think that after the Arab Israeli wars once again Russia gained ground in the Middle East by supporting the Assad regime in Syria. President Bashar al Assad remains victorious on many fronts with the help of Russian air raids and he is also one of the regional actors backed by several stakeholders in the region. In other words president Assad’s victory is in fact the victory and defeat of many regional and international players as well.

Assad was also fully supported by one of his regional allies, Iran and the pro- iranian militant group Hezbollah. On the other hand United States, Arab states and Turkey seemed a bit reluctant in supporting the weak Syrian opposition. The strong Russian position in the Syrian conflict forced the regional and global actors to review their foreign policy choices as well. It also forced Turkey to review its foreign policy choices in regional perspective. Now it seems that Turkey is coming close to Russia.

President Bashar al Assad remains victorious on many fronts with the help of Russian air raids and he is also one of the regional actors backed by several stakeholders in the region. In other words president Assad’s victory is in fact the victory and defeat of many regional and international players as well

Russia has already proven itself as one of the military mights in the world after the United States. Although the Russian economy is still not very strong but due to its oil and gas resources, they have the capacity for consistent development. On the other hand, Russia has proven to be one of the main key players in the Afghan peace process as well.

In the recent past the waves of nationalism strongly hit the shores of Italy as well.  In the recent general elections the nationalist leader became the prime minister of Italy. Although the right- five star party became one of the largest party in the house but was unable to get a clear mandate and made a weak coalition government.

Now one of the priority of nationalist government of Italy is to separate Italy from the European Union or at least to form a loose alliance perhaps with a more weak union. The new Italian Prime Minister is critical about the European Union’s policy on refugees and was not ready to give passage to refugees even to cross the Italian soil to their final destination to other European states.

On the other hand, the Italian Prime Minister also advised some budgetary reforms for the European Union. Italy is among one of the European states which has been badly affected by the recent European economic crisis.

Nationalism also knocked the doors of Latin America as well where the nationalist leader Bolsonaro became the new President of Brazil. He defeated the popular ruling party which had ruled for the last 16 years. During the election campaign the western media presented Bolsonaro as a far-right popular leader like President Donald Trump, Philippines President Duterte and the Italian Deputy Prime Minister Salvini.

Bolsonaro blamed the former presidents for the alleged corruption and raised the slogan of change in Brazil. Bolsonaro seems quite determined to improve the law and order situation and has determined to eliminate crime from the Brazilian society.

On the other hand, unfortunately Angela Merkel has paid the price for her soft policy towards refugees but now it seems that the new German leadership will adopt a more conservative nationalist approach in their geo-political strategies.

Now under the leadership of more conservative and nationalist leaders, Britain is also finalizing the complicated procedural matters to finally quit the european union in 2020.

Last year in Turkey the justice and development party once again won the general elections and president Tayyip Erdogan once again became president for the second time. President Erdogan switched the Turkish political system from parliamentary to a presidential system and has now become stronger and a more influential head of the state and government. This political change was in fact not welcomed by some of his western rivals.

The critics are keenly observing the recent rise of nationalism and its impact on globalization and international politics.

The writer is Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, FC College University

Published in Daily Times, February 2^nd 2019.