Defeats

A series of coincidental defeats have occurred that that might result in
changes in the world as we know it. PM Tony Blair was defeated for the
first time in the House of Commons in nearly 7 years. His request for 90
days detention for terrorist suspects as part of his new anti-terrorism law
was rejected by a coalition of leftist Labor opponents, the Lib Dems and the
Conservatives. They argued that this long a detention period would erode
British human rights, even though it would only apply to a very small number
of terrorist suspects. This loss may hasten the day, within the next three
years, when Blair decides to retire.
Similarly PM Sharon was defeated in his attempt to appoint two of his
supporters, Ronnie Bar-on and Zeev Boim, as Ministers. The Likud rebels were
having none of that, and a reinvigorated Labor Party voted against. It is
not clear what Sharon will do now, there are rumors that he has already
decided to resign, force early elections and run as head of a new centrist
party. But, that has been officially denied.
The Israel Labor Party primary that took place today pitted Amir Peretz
against Shimon Peres. Peres was the consensus candidate since the other
Labor leaders left a lot to be desired. Barak was forced to drop out for
lack of support, Vilnai reportedly retired with an offer of a high position
from Peres, and Ben Eliezer had no hope, and this left Peretz. Peretz is
the head of the Histadrut Labor Union, and is a committed socialist (some
call him a Stalinist). By emphasizing internal social policy he won by a
narrow margin of less than 3%. He is expected to take the Labor Party back
to the left, that could be a disaster for it, and likely result in it being
split in two. Unfortunately, Peres has never won an election, including
primaries, in his life, even though he has been PM twice. At age 82 he may
finally retire.
Pres. Bush's Republicans have been defeated in New Jersey and Virginia by
Democratic candidates. His approval ratings are extremely low, and domestic
opposition to US involvement in the insurgency in Iraq is rising. This does
not augur well for Republican future election prospects nor for his legacy.
How all these defeats will affect future actions is unclear, but the weakening
of Blair, Sharon, Peres and Bush may presage a retraction of Western resolve
against the rising tide of Islamic extremism.