YEMEN was the most developed part of the Arab region about 630 AD when Prophet Mohammed (SAW) sent his cousin Ali to its capital Sana’a. Today, it is not only the poorest in the region but perhaps the most devastated and certainly, the deadliest place on earth.

PUBLIC protest,  like police bail, is ‘free.’ In fact, the police are obliged to provide security for peaceful protesters. However, the line between being provided such security and being charged with terrorism or treason for the same public protest depends on nomenclature.

THIS week has been one of the most dramatic in Kashmir, India, and certainly in Hong Kong where protests and a general strike locked down the city resulting in train disruptions and cancellation of over 100 flights. Also, the protesters carried the fight to police stations and barracks.

POLITICIANS in uniform became the sole authority in the country from December 31, 1983. They removed the elected executive and planted themselves in power. They abolished the legislature but retained the judiciary to do their bidding or punish their enemies. For those who did not agree with their policies, there was Decree 2 of 1984 under which people were detained indefinitely without trial.

MOST of the world is like Nigeria where the strong sits on the neck of the weak; the powerful on the powerless, and runs the Western  Democracy which is the government of the greedy, by the greedy for the greedy. A world of strongmen in power lording it over the powerless masses.