A thoughtful examination of the events surrounding the Choi Soon-Sil/Park Geun-Hye scandal is available here. Two very positive outcomes resulting from this unseemly affair are the political awakening of South Korean teenagers, and the validation of peaceful demonstrations occurring nationwide. Hundreds of thousands — if not millions — of protesters have effected substantive change to a status quo oftentimes characterized by lack of accountability for powerful elites. Choi’s arrest preceded President Park’s impeachment, but both women continue to flatly deny accusations of pervasive collusion and corruption following tearful apologies to citizens. [Cartoon published in the Korea Herald, 1.29.2016]
Forced to leave the land of Canaan as a result of severe drought, Joseph and his brothers were part of an unprecedented immigration of Hebrews into Egypt during the 19th century BCE. The cartoon asks what if Pharaoh turned away Joseph, whose dreams, according to the Book of Genesis, saved the Egyptian people from a seven-year famine? Generations passed and the Jewish population grew unimpeded until a new Pharaoh — and perhaps other Egyptians — felt threatened. The Jews were enslaved and led by Moses made their escape as described in the Book of Exodus.
The U.S. moved to suspend talks on ceasefire in Syria as Russian and pro-Assad forces targeted aid convoys, hospitals in Aleppo. Once undaunted in his praise of Vladimir Putin, American presidential candidate Donald Trump distanced himself from the Russian authoritarian mostly due to voter polling, and not the mounting civilian casualties. Putin later confirmed his admiration for Trump but denied meddling in U.S. elections.