Author: Sanjh Vishwakarma

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau referenced Conservative criticism during the Liberal Party conference in Ottawa last week.

“They either say investing in Canadians is a waste of money or that our policies are too woke,” he remarked. “Too woke?”

“Hey, Pierre Poilievre,” he said to the TV camera on a riser in the room. Wake awake.

As Trudeau outlined his “good and sensible” plans, the convention audience applauded.

This may have thrilled Liberals. Trudeau may like this fight.

But fighting the derogatory usage of “woke” at this stage may be like boxing a shadow. Waked is now a method to communicate anything without speaking anything.

Pollara found that 57% of Canadians know what “woke” implies. However, less than 27% of Canadians think they could explain the phrase to someone else (Pollara purposefully did not provide a description to survey respondents). That group probably has different meanings too.

(Pollara’s chief strategic officer, Dan Arnold, was Trudeau’s research director from 2015 to 2021.)

Black Americans used the word decades ago to signify socially and politically aware of injustices. Over the past 20 years, Black Lives Matter marches in the US have helped mainstream it.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines awake as “aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice).”

In recent years, the phrase was used to criticize persons who were too passionate about equality or other social concerns in America’s culture wars.

Backlash spread north. In 2020, former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole used the word in a video chat with young Conservatives to consider renaming Ryerson University due to its ties with residential schools.

Since succeeding O’Toole as leader, Poilievre has eagerly embraced and expanded the phrase.

Many ‘woke’ items

In a June email to supporters, Poilievre said the Liberal government’s “obsession with woke culture” had made university campuses unfriendly to opposing views.

Poilievre and his party have used “woke” in reference to Bill C-11, which Conservatives allege would “censor” Canadians by applying Canadian content rules to key Internet companies. Conservative messaging have extensively referenced Trudeau’s “radical woke agenda.”

Poilievre has used the phrase to criticize the CRTC, mayors whose housing policies he opposes, and a culture that purportedly discourages military service in the House of Commons. On Thursday, Poilievre claimed Trudeau’s “woke” “ideology” explains passport changes.

At the Liberal convention, Trudeau listed a gender-balanced cabinet, poverty reduction, and accessible child care as initiatives Poilievre would find too woke.

$10-a-day child care is not woke policy. “Economics,” he said.

Poilievre’s following morning Twitter video didn’t address any of those items. After praising Trudeau’s “woke ways,” the Conservative leader listed his concerns: the Liberal government’s latest gun control measures and the decriminalization of simple drug possession in British Columbia, pricing carbon emissions, the prime minister going on vacation, an increase in public service spending, and the recent public service strike.

Poilievre may have thought these incidents proved Trudeau’s hypocrisy. When Lead Belly encouraged Black Americans to “stay woke” in 1938, he probably didn’t mean any of it.

Poilievre sees awake as a catch-all phrase for conservative politicians and commentators’ current opposition, just like “socialism” was used against progressive plans.

How Canadians view woke

Poilievre may still reach an audience even if his definition is unclear and most people don’t know what “woke” means.

According to Pollara, 31% of Canadians who have heard the phrase say woke is “usually” a “bad thing,” while 16% think it’s typically a “good thing.”

Conservative people are considerably more divided—57% believe woke is bad, while 5% say it’s good. Seven percent of Bloc Quebecois voters approve and 50 percent disapprove.

Liberal and NDP voters are more likely to see “woke” as a positive—31% of Liberals and 36% of NDPers do. Even those parties must deal with those who think being awake is “bad”—14% of Liberals and 13% of New Democrats.

Last week, Trudeau defended himself against Poilievre’s charges since just 25% of Canadians and 14% of Quebecers are awake.

Many Canadians dislike awake but like other social justice phrases. Pollara rated “Black Lives Matter” plus-35 and pride flags plus-34. Feminism, #MeToo, allyship, and affirmative action were plus-30, 28, 26, and 21.

Even while they support awakened issues, Canadians tend to think being woke is different.

Poilievre defines awake.

During C-11 discussion in late March, Liberal MP Jenica Atwin challenged Poilievre to define “woke.”

“Woke serves one purpose. “It has many pretexts but one purpose: control,” Poilievre said. “It divides people by color, gender, nationality, religion, immunization status, and any other way one may classify them. Why? It justifies a government to regulate all those organizations.”

Poilievre’s racial and gender comments may evoke woke’s official definition and response. Poilievre’s definition didn’t include any federal initiatives besides vaccination requirements.

The leader of the senior public workers union has urged Rishi Sunak to stop ministers from calling officials “lazy, woke, inefficient, remainer snowflakes” or “machiavellian geniuses” aiming to overthrow the government.

Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA union, also accused the prime minister of treating civil servants like “second-class public-sector workers” after the government offered them a worse wage agreement than teachers and health workers.

After a year of strikes, threatening job cutbacks, the dismissal of the Treasury permanent secretary, and Dominic Raab and Gavin Williamson harassing employees, Penman will speak at the Whitehall conference.

“Workloads are still increasing and resources are frozen as inflation delivers real-terms cuts to budgets,” Penman, whose union represents senior civil servants, will address the conference.

Senior government official to the administration: Stop calling us awake, lazy snowflakes.

“Now, having been told you’re a lazy, woke, inefficient, remainer activist snowflake, you are also now a machiavellian genius, able to unseat ministers and undermine the settled will of government,” he will say, referring to Raab’s claims of activist civil servants trying to remove him.

I’m done, conference. We must eventually declare, “Enough.” Ministers must show civil servants respect. They assigned a number, not us. They think the cost of living crisis should be addressed for certain public workers but not others, and they drove the FDA into balloting for strike action.”

For the first time in 40 years, the FDA has voted to strike over salary, joining Prospect and PCS federal officials on the picket line. The government awarded most civil officials a 4.5% wage increase and no cost-of-living lump bonus, unlike other sectors.

Penman will also criticize Sunak for supporting Raab despite bullying allegations.

The general secretary will remark, “Faced with those concerns from civil servants, what did he do? He appointed Raab as deputy prime minister and reappointed him to the departments that generated concerns. What does that say about how the prime minister regards public servants?

After the former cabinet minister stated he was tipped off that unionized officials were targeting him, he will address “accusations that have been laid at our door by the bully Dominic Raab and his acolytes”.

The FDA has no minister “hitlist.” The FDA does not encourage complaints, but it will always defend its members against bullies.

“As Adam Tolley KC made clear in his report Mr. Raab, maybe if you spent a bit more time looking in the mirror, and a bit less time looking for reds under the bed, things might have turned out differently for you.”

After the Raab incident, some top former civil employees encouraged Sunak to defend the public service. Last month, former UK civil service director Bob Kerslake warned the prime minister that Raab’s “torrent of invective against the civil service” might poison Whitehall.

Tony Burke, the minister for workplace relations, has stated that the Coalition has “managed no answer” about salaries over their “entire political career.”

According to Mr. Burke, there have “only been nine quarters” in the “whole history” of the wages price index where it has fallen below two percent.

During the session devoted to questions on Thursday, Mr. Burke stated that “each and every one of those quarters had the same side of politics with its fingerprints on those quarters.”

“What do you think about this side?”

The nation’s over $32 trillion debt exposes a severe division in Washington, prompting Democrats and Republicans to blame each other.

“If you’re concerned about $32 trillion in debt, just wait until the Republicans breach the debt limit,” Rep. Ritchie Torres told Fox News Wednesday afternoon.

Since Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that the government won’t be able to pay its debts by June 1 if Congress doesn’t raise the debt ceiling, tensions have grown.

“If we breach the debt limit as Republicans are threatening to do, it will actually raise borrowing costs, causing America to become more indebted, not less,” said New York Democrat Torres. “It’ll exacerbate Republicans’ stated goal.”

Rep. Nancy Mace stated the US would not default.

“That is a scare tactic by the left and the American people shouldn’t buy it,” the South Carolina Republican stated. “We can prioritize spending if government shutdowns.”

Mace that President Biden “come to the table and negotiate with Republicans” to balance the budget, referencing the Clinton administration.

“Biden needs to man up and come to the table and work with folks to rein in spending,” she added. “We can’t keep doing this.”

Worried about $32 trillion debt?

Ohio Sen. JD Vance praised House Republicans for approving a “commonsense piece of legislation to get the debt under control” that “put the country back on a sustainable fiscal pathway.”

Last month, the plan, which would freeze discretionary spending at 2022 levels and restrict expenditure rises at 1% a year for a decade, passed 217-215. It is unlikely to pass the Senate, where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called it “dangerous.”

“I think it’s the right deal,” Republican Vance said. If Democrats don’t like it, that’s great, but they should provide alternatives instead of just moaning.

Rep. Robert Garcia prioritizes protecting “basic tenets of government” including health care, student loan coverage, and veterans’ benefits.

“Right now, I think the leadership is doing a good job of holding the line,” the California Democrat remarked. We won’t slash benefits. That’s crucial.”

George wore a very large Under Armor sweatshirt and grinned. Pops, how about this? I laughed again as I said “no” to his contagious laugh.

My son and I visit Allen Premium Outlets numerous times a year to buy seasonal items. We adore shopping at the outlets for summer shorts, fall coats, and Christmas gifts for his mother.

As a father, I was heartbroken by the Allen tragedy. A vile bigot killed entire families. Even children were killed.

Our culture is filled with hate and callous disrespect for human life, resulting in an America we no longer recognize.

The families affected will weep, the public uproar will be huge, left-wing politicians will reflexively call for gun bans, and right-wing politicians will provide meaningless platitudes. Nothing will change.

Political disagreements have made action impossible. Sophisticated cultural elites will demand that insubordinate conservatives give up their “weapons of war.”

Reactionary conservatives will defend the people’s right to mass-killing devices in obedience to a constitutional amendment that was originally designed to aid form militias.

The PRAYERS Project can assist elected leaders protect Texans from gun violence.

When grade-school children and newborns are ripped apart by military weaponry spewed from high-capacity ammo magazines, these same officials soothe us with their usual solution: thoughts and prayers.

They don’t afford family protection laws. They also fail to prevent future attacks. Some politicians exploit these disasters.

Why don’t our politicians act? In states like Texas, elected officials to know that taking any action beyond thoughts and prayers could lead to a primary challenge from a “true conservative” who will falsely claim that those who support commonsense gun control are abandoning the Second Amendment.

Worse, it would mean these politicians would not obtain an A-plus grade from the state rifle organization and the NRA—a death sentence in red-state politics.

How do I know? Because I was a Republican Texas legislator who advocated for rational gun control. I was challenged in a primary, dubbed a soft-on-crime progressive, and unseated for this heresy.

Mass shootings transcend politics. The greatest country ever is better than our elected rulers. Texas, the largest US state, can provide solutions to protect our families.

I challenge every Texas political official to join me and families throughout the state in the “PRAYERS Project.”

If thoughts and prayers are the only remedy, maybe we can make it more meaningful. Elected politicians joining the PRAYERS Project would support these simple reforms:

Permits needed. Drivers, voters, medical providers, and prescribers must have licenses. Why should we abolish such a minimal condition for someone holding a gadget that can rapidly and efficiently kill people? Anyone who submits a brief application, undergoes a basic training course, and registers their weapon with the local authorities receives a permit.

Raise the weapon purchase age to 21. Under-21s cannot buy smokes or drink because they may injure themselves. Why should someone buy a fatal firearm?

Impose a three-day handgun purchase delay. A 72-hour waiting period would give authorities time to run background checks and give buyers a chance to change their mind. Why not a waiting time for firearms?

Moody’s Analytics said on May 10 that New Mexico might lose 37,500 jobs if the federal government fails for a lengthy time.

This paper describes two probable outcomes: the U.S. defaults and then recovers, and a prolonged default.

The research says a breach has a 10% chance. “If a breach occurs, it will likely be brief. Even a long standoff is now possible. What was inconceivable is now a threat.”

According to the article, the default deadline is June 8, but economics can amend it.

Tax income is down 40% from the previous year.

The study blames the unanticipated shortfall in April tax collection on the deferral of the tax reporting deadline to October 16 for disaster-area taxpayers in California, Alabama, and Georgia and fewer capital gains tax revenues.

“It is also important to note that the X-date maybe June 8 as we forecast, but a few days later the Treasury will benefit from a mid-June surge of quarterly payments of non-withheld taxes owed by higher-income taxpayers. Thus, the Treasury could pay government payments on schedule for the rest of June. This may diminish politicians’ immediate urgency to act, depending on financial markets.

Long-term default might hurt New Mexico.

With two national laboratories, three Air Force bases, five National Forests, 18 National Park sites, two designated National Parks, and the U.S. Army-run White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico has more federal personnel than most states.

Besides federal installations and jobs in New Mexico, a hack might affect state income.

“On average, one-third of state revenue comes directly from federal grants to help pay for public services like health care, education, and infrastructure,” Pew Charitable Trust fiscal federalism project manager Rebecca Theiss stated.

“Federal spending also helps states’ economies and tax revenues through military contracts, employee wages, and payments to individuals, including food stamps and social security benefits.”

A short-term default, even for a few days, might cost New Mexico 5,000 jobs, according to the analysis.

Short-term default would increase unemployment to 5.2 percent from 3.5 percent. A prolonged default would raise unemployment to 7.7%.

Two scenarios, one economy, and a recent similar incident

Despite efforts by the highest-ranking U.S. government officials, the debt ceiling situation continues.

The government might default for a week or longer.

The research predicts “a TARP moment” and a stock market plunge.

“This hearkens to the dark day in autumn 2008 when Congress initially failed to pass the Troubled Asset Relief Program bailout of the banking system, and the stock market and other financial markets cratered,” the paper adds.

“It’s hard to imagine lawmakers letting things get this far, but the TARP experience shows it’s possible. Still, if that terrifying experience is any indication, Congress would immediately change direction and settle the debt limit standoff to allow the Treasury to issue debt and pay its bills.”

If the U.S. credit rating drops like it did in 2011, the consequences might be dire.

The paper indicates that a downgrade of Treasury debt would trigger credit implications and downgrades on the debt of many additional financial institutions, nonfinancial firms, municipalities, infrastructure providers, structured finance transactions, and other debt issuers.

“Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks, which are clearly backed by the U.S. government, would suffer the biggest rating changes. Other institutions’ ratings would rely on their ties with the U.S. government and countervailing financial strengths.”

The research argues that even if the default were undone within a week, the cascade of issues to downgrade would undermine the country’s frail economic structure.

“Despite lawmakers’ quick reversal in this scenario and our assumption that the rating agencies do not engage in downgrades, considerable damage will have already been done,” the paper adds. Even without a debt ceiling violation, CEOs and economists expect a recession.

Goldman Sachs predicted a 25–65% recession in 2023.

“With the Federal Reserve ramping up interest rates to quell wage and price pressures, avoiding a recession would be difficult even if nothing else went wrong,” the Moody’s study adds.

According to Moody’s, an uncorrected default would be devastating.

“We assume in these circumstances that the credit rating agencies would downgrade Treasury debt, precipitating widespread financial system downgrades,” the paper adds. Since Treasury income cannot exceed outlays, the federal government would have to cut spending.

If a June 8 debt ceiling breach continued into July, the Treasury would have to cut government expenditure to erase a $150 billion cumulative cash imbalance. These cuts would devastate growth. Consumer, corporate, and investor confidence loss would worsen the economy.”

The debt ceiling dispute is making financial professionals and everyday Americans nervous about the nation’s economic destiny.

The 2011 and 2013 debt limit crises caused consumer sentiment to drop, the survey said.

“The brinkmanship is also unnerving for businesses that will curtail investment and hiring, and for financial institutions that will quickly turn more cautious in extending credit to households and businesses,” the paper reads.

Moody’s expects a prolonged economic slump will affect the stock market, unemployment, and other economic issues similarly to the Great Recession.

After meeting Tuesday afternoon, the White House and congressional leadership intend to meet Friday before the deadline.

White House and congressional aides will meet daily to develop a strategy before the Friday meeting.

Trump supporters rallied when Alvin L. Bragg indicted former President Donald J. Trump. That indictment, according to supporters of Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, was the moment Mr. Trump pulled ahead in the polls.

After E. Jean Carroll’s lawsuit jury ruled Mr. Trump responsible for sexual assault and slander on Tuesday, no one around him is predicting a similar consequence.

The jury ordered Mr. Trump to pay Ms. Carroll $5 million, a finding he plans to fight. He may not suffer a political price. The ruling enraged Mr. Trump, who questioned his defense team’s actions. His staff will aggressively attack Ms. Carroll and tie her to Democrats.

There is no way the civil trial’s outcome was good for his major mission, the Republican presidential campaign he leads.

Mr. Trump’s decades-long history of crass and sexist statements and frequent charges of sexual harassment and assault would have doomed any other contender. However, most Republicans have ignored the claims against a famous former president while voting.

Comments and allegations are not jury verdicts.

On Wednesday night, he will face around 400 Republican or Republican-leaning independent voters in a CNN town hall in New Hampshire.

“Americans heard with their own ears in 2016 Trump brag on tape about sexual assault and still elected him,” said former Obama adviser David Axelrod. Will this be different, or will his followers just reject it as another politically driven ‘deep state’ beat-down of which he claims to be the victim?”

A few backers of Mr. DeSantis, Mr. Trump’s closest Republican primary foe, expected this case to be different from his many past problems.

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Senators John Kennedy of Louisiana and John Thune of South Dakota mostly ignored reporters’ questions. Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville publicly supported him.

“It makes me want to vote for him twice,” Mr. Tuberville told The Huffington Post. “People are going to see through the lines,” he said, adding, “a New York jury, he had no chance.”

Mr. Trump’s opponents were also reluctant to criticize him. One Republican contender, former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson, published a comment.

“Over my over 25 years in the courtroom, I have seen firsthand how a cavalier and arrogant contempt for the rule of law can backfire,” the statement stated. “The jury verdict should be taken seriously as another example of Donald Trump’s indefensible behavior.”

“I just don’t think the American people are focused,” former Vice President Mike Pence told NBC News.

Mr. Trump has always portrayed himself as invincible, implying that his opponents shouldn’t even try. Encouraged by his polling advantage and Mr. DeSantis’s blunders, he approached the 2024 Republican race similarly. Still, some of his detractors and even friends admit that the legal battles might become too much for him.

Mr. Trump’s advisers have extensively surveyed primary voters regarding the judicial proceedings.

Before discussions, Mr. Trump’s aides were anxious. One said privately that while they were happy Mr. Trump was acquitted of rape, the jury’s judgment was “not good.”

Mr. Trump and his backers may find it tougher to portray him as the victim of a “deep state” scheme by his government opponents and prosecutors. A federal jury of six men and three women ruled that Ms. Carroll, a writer who was pictured with Mr. Trump in New York but whom he denies knowing, was sexually abused.

The trial’s filmed deposition hurt Mr. Trump. People close to him admit the statements were self-inflicted and know Democrats may use them in television commercials targeting independent and suburban voters Mr. Trump long ago alienated.

When Ms. Carroll’s lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, asked him in his deposition if he indicated on the “Access Hollywood” tape that stars may grab women by the genitals, he delved into that audio.

“If you look over the last million years, I guess that’s been largely true,” Mr. Trump remarked. “Mostly true. Sadly or happily.”

Three years after Thailand’s big youth-led pro-democracy demonstrations shattered taboos by publicly discussing the country’s strong monarchy, the topic is now part of the societal conversation and party advertising for next weekend’s general election.

For the first time in Thailand’s recent history, parties, candidates, television programs, and citizens are openly debating reform of the country’s strict lèse majesté law and, to a lesser extent, the royal institution and various aspects of government as citizens prepare to vote in the May 14 polls, which have never had such a wide political spectrum.

Royal reforms have shifted from street outcry to national politics.

“Every single television channel, every news reporter, every academic, every political party, every single individual now feels that it’s possible to talk about the monarchy or monarchical reform,” says Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University political scientist Kanokrat Lertchoosakul to EFE.

Thailand has a long history of coups and regularly enforces one of the world’s strictest lèse majesté laws, Article 112 of the penal code, which punishes defamation or insult of royal family members with three to 15 years in prison. Kanokrat calls this a “new normal” for public discussion of these issues.

She believes that even conservatives, who are not thrilled about this, are now confronting the new reality that this topic has become a discussion and they are in the argument too, to safeguard their own stances.

The problem affects all political parties, from the progressive Move Forward, one of the polls’ favorites, to the royalist Thai Pakdee, founded in 2021 to support the monarch and resist the protests.

The opposition Pheu Thai, led by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of exiled former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha’s pro-monarchy United Thai Nation Party are in the middle.

Kanokrat considers these elections a turning point in Thailand’s history

According to the NGO Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, 242 persons have been charged under the lèse-majesté law since July 2020, and approximately 2,000 have been accused and/or punished for political activity and expression.

During the election campaign, the political elite was divided on Article 112’s softening, toughening, or abolition.

“In the past, all television channels and journalists would be sued if they had this kind of question in electoral debates. “But now this has become the new normal in Thai politics and we have seen this clearly in this election,” Kanokrat adds.

Although the student movement opened the door for monarchy discussion, Chulalongkorn University political scientist Pitch Pongsawat says that its “reform is not the central issue, even though people know it is on the agenda,” which is more focused on military reform, marriage equality, and structural change.

“It’s changing, but it won’t be an earthquake. He claims everyone has adjusted.

“Many people aren’t aware that it remains prohibited to talk in public and they might get in trouble and face consequences,” says Ubon Ratchathani University Faculty of Political Science Dean Titipol Phakdeewanich.

Despite slight changes in recent years, the monarchy remains a “very sensitive” topic in Thailand, and censorship still exists in many sectors, according to the three experts. EFE

Balkan politicians praised President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and urged Turkish people to support him in May 14 elections.

“Türkiye needs Erdoğan and so do the Bosnians,” wrote Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Party of Democratic Action (PDA) president Bakir Izetbegovic last week.

Izetbegovic called the impending referendum a “historic turning point” for Türkiye, calling Erdoğan a “powerful actor in international relations.”

“Erdoğan always fraternally and genuinely stands up for Bosnians and Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Izetbegovic stated.

“I believe you are aware of Erdoğan’s magnificent role in Türkiye’s resurrection and ascent in every field,” he told “a majority of Turkish people”. The fraternal Turkish state and people have built democracy, self-confidence, and a values system that ensures long-term growth under his leadership.

Izetbegovic called the Turkish economy’s rapid infrastructural and industrial expansion, educational reforms, and military sector “a testament to that advance.”

Türkiye’s rise has inspired Muslims to reassert their values and independence.

He commended Erdoğan’s capacity to cooperate and make friends with all Balkan states.

“Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bosnians in Sanjak are witnesses to Erdoğan’s friendship and Türkiye’s support and assistance. He urged Bosnians to vote and support Erdoğan.

Following Izetbegovic, North Macedonian Alternative Party leader Afrim Gashi said Türkiye had “achieved incredible things in the two decades and Albanians living in the Balkans have benefited from this progress, too.”

In a video message, he called on Turkish people and Albanians in Türkiye to support the Turkish state’s approach to our nation, support Türkiye, and elect current President Erdoğan again.

Parliament Deputy Speaker Hüsnü Ismail, a North Macedonian politician, praised Erdoğan’s “unprecedented progress” in education, health care, military, technology, and foreign policy.

“We’re grateful to Türkiye for its support to Balkan countries, Kosovo in its independence war, and Albanians during the construction of the Albanian republic,” Ismail said.

He asked Albanian-Turkish nationals to vote for Erdoğan and his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) because of his “sincere fraternal lawfulness toward Albanians worldwide.”

Skender Rexhepi, an independent North Macedonian MP, highlighted Türkiye’s strategic alliance with Balkan states and the May 14 vote’s influence on the Balkans.

Through TIKA, the Turkish government has invested in infrastructure, education, culture, religion, and spiritual legacy. “Türkiye has been an exemplary nation throughout the 21 years of the AK Party administration for contributing to the welfare of both its own citizens and people of fraternal nations,” Rexhepi said.

To make history and cement Türkiye’s golden century, I urge all Turkish citizens to support Erdoğan and AK Party in this election.

Erdoğan, Kılıçdaroğlu, and two minor contenders are in the running.

In a video tribute this week, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said Erdoğan “turned the world’s eyes to Türkiye’s wonderful and exemplary transformation” “with his vision, courage, will, and tireless work.”

Rama noted that Türkiye’s commendable strength and rise beautifies Türkiye and its people but also piques curiosity about the great difficulties and strong challenges related to the formation, maintenance, and integrity of legitimate institutions and even President Erdoğan’s life.

“I wholeheartedly hope voters consider Türkiye’s indispensable role in their choices in the fragile balances of this difficult period for the Balkans and all of Europe,” he said.

Many Balkan nations help Türkiye after natural calamities. When Feb. 6 earthquakes killed hundreds in southeast Türkiye, many sent condolences and help.

In four days, 61 million registered voters, including 5 million first-timers, will pick Türkiye’s 13th president and 600 MPs.

Kılıçdaroğlu trailed Erdoğan by nearly four points in polls.

Analysts believe Türkiye’s most important vote in generations.

On Tuesday’s final day of overseas voting, official turnout surpassed 51%, slightly higher than in Erdoğan’s 2018 general election.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin penned a letter harshly denouncing a Republican Senate block on senior military promotions and nominations, calling it a “perilous precedent” for the military and “unconscionable” for military families.

On May 5, in response to Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s inquiry, the letter called Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s attempt “irresponsible” and “unprecedented.” Austin said it damages US military reputation abroad and puts “new and unnecessary risk on US warfighters across multiple theaters of operations.”

“Ultimately, the breakdown of the normal flow of leadership across the Department’s carefully cultivated promotion and transition system will breed uncertainty and confusion across the US military,” Austin warned. “This protracted hold means uncertainty for our service members and their families and rising disquiet from our allies and partners, at a time when our competitors and adversaries are watching.”

Tuberville has withheld general and flag officer nominations in protest of new reproductive health policy in the US military, which give leave and travel allowances for troops or their families who must travel for abortions.

IVF and IUI patients can also take 21 days off.

According to a Pentagon news release, the new policies “will not only ensure that service members and their families are afforded time and flexibility to make private health care decisions, but will also ensure that service members are able to access non-covered reproductive health care regardless of where they are stationed.”

However, Tuberville claims that government financing can only be used for abortions in circumstances of rape, incest, or the mother’s life. A dozen Senate and House Republicans have supported him, calling the Pentagon’s actions “illegal,” “atrocious,” and “immoral.”

The US military only performs abortions in the three covered conditions.

Defense officials worried that the nomination suspension would hurt military preparedness and disrupt promotions and family relocations.

The Indo-Pacific and Naval Forces Central Command commanders of the Navy’s 7th and 5th Fleets are among 180 Senate nominees. It includes NATO’s military representation.

Austin wrote to Warren that 64 three- and four-star positions are expected to rotate out to a new flag or general officer within 120 days, including the Army chief of staff, Navy chief, Marine Corps commandant and assistant commandant, US Northern Command commander, National Security Agency director, and US Cyber Command commander.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the military’s top uniformed officer, and the Army and Air Force vice chiefs will also be nominated in the coming months.

Austin cautioned that without these commanders, the U.S. military will take an unwarranted and extraordinary risk at a time when our adversaries may test our commitment.

He adds that the pause may compel “out units to operate with less experienced decision makers in charge” and make it “harder for the United States to fulfill its global leadership responsibilities.”

Austin reminded Warren in his letter that the candidates must be approved swiftly.

Austin noted that it may affect other military commanders whose promotions are “possible only with the retirement of others.”

Austin said the military could delay or cancel permanent change of station moves, which are already stressful for service members and their families.

Annually, the Senate unanimously confirms hundreds of civilian and military nominees. With Tuberville blocking the process, it may take months to review each military candidate, which a Democratic Senate aide warned CNN might take a year.

This extended delay jeopardizes national security and Pentagon operations. He stated the US military relies on top military officers’ strategic wisdom and experience. “The longer this hold persists, the greater the US military risk in every theater, domain, and service.”