The Bonds That Bind

When we look at the map of the world, at times we can see certain patterns emerging in the affairs of geopolitics and society relationships. Here we look at twinning bondships between entities destined to be related by culture, history and geography. Canada and the USA were born from the age of conquest, colonialism and search for resources. Their borders are almost a straight clean cut line between their two territories. Yet they share a past of intense French and British rivalries, the stampede across Indigenous lands and culture, plus the westward push of settlement by adventurers and economic driven migrants. In the 21st century, Canadians have a distinct character from Americans - and yet they are intertwined on the world stage as part of the Five Eyes Alliance boosted by Washington D.C. to counter the rising powers of Russia and China. Britain oversaw an Empire where the sun did not set, but now has a reduced political, military and economic influence, with only 16 nations still recognising the British Monarch in their governance Constitutions. Its hitherto dominant future with continental Europe has hence changed with Brexit. The English Channel no longer unites but separates. Millennials love the previous rather easy access of entry either way between the EU and the UK, whether for weekend jaunts, jobs or Jamon ham, but alas this is no more. Britain may next have to pay more attention to citizens of other countries still loyal to the Crown, like Australia, Canada, New Zealand and small islands in the South Pacific, Carribean and Indian Oceans. Malaysia and Singapore are siblings who have gone so many separate ways. Both entities were born in the cauldron of colonialism, spice trade and geopolitics. The demographics in both nations consist of similar races but only in different numbers. Singapore is an island republic vulnerable to socio-political developments in constitutional monarchy Malaysia, from which it is separated by two short causeways. One nation has no natural resources but is a key shipping and aviation hub. The other has resources that stretch across Asia's southern most peninsular and the island of Borneo. Their separate histories since political independence is a minefield of contrasts in population management, macro economic dynamics and building of sovereign wealth. Australia and New Zealand continue to be the cradles of unpolluted produce, useful commodities and key minerals in demand. Both nations in the Antipodes still have Governor-Generals representing Queen Elizabeth II. One has a formalised treaty with its Indigenous peoples, the other still has a long road to go. The farmer, the herder and the miner are the heroes who established the foundations of each country. The government of Aetorea positions itself with a more independent stance in world politics, taking care of the unique intetests of an essentially small nation. The governments of Australia has followed the lead of the USA since the Pacific War, although the nation has a land size not much less than America, although hugely underpopulated. The ocean between these two countries is fondly referred to as the Ditch. The population of either Melbourne or Sydney can encompass the whole of New Zealand. Denizens of both nations share many common values and traits, but also differ on finer nuances. Both economies have in the past 20 years built up an inherent over trade and economic dependence on a rising China, but with their government leaders reacting with different sophistication levels. Taiwan lies off the mainland Fujian coast of China. This island was less significant in Chinese imperial history, until the Ming Dynasty and the arrival of the Portugese and Dutch seafarers and missionaries. It was colonised by Japan until the end of the Second World War and the arrival of the Chinese Nationalist Kuomintang escaping from the Communist victory in China in 1949. The USA has maintained a strong strategic interest in Taiwan as the island industralised and boomed economically as one of the Asian economic tigers. The spectacular financial, trade and economic growth of mainland China has since surpassed that of Taiwan. Pakistan and contemporary India were carved out of bureaucratic decisions made out of London in the late 1940s, but each continue to suffer the religious, social and political consequences to this very day. The land evolved from Hindu traditions and experienced significant Buddhist, Aryan, Persian and Mughal culture before succumbing to British imperialism. A base of a major civilisation, the two countries have been courted by conflicting world powers and each of its governments seem to fortify behind its different primary religious emphasis. Yet it has its people migrated overseas, making discernible and acknowledged impacts on medicine, politics and technology in western countries. #yongkevthoughts