This week, the world witnessed shocking political development in the US, where the federal prosecutors have charged (read: criminal charges!) the ex-president of the US, Donald Trump for his malicious actions to upturn the results of the 2020 election to stay in power. He is already facing the serious charges of retaining critical defence information related to the national security of the US. On the other hand, every one remained shocked when an illicit bio-lab was ceased by the US authorities in California. Apparently, the lab was managed by a Chinese firm. This fuelled in the debate on biological weapons and related implications (Covid 19 has made the world aware enough to realise the potential of biological weapons).
Chinese company’s Illicit Covid Lab seized in California raises concerns
A Covid lab was ceased by the US officials that was running by a Chinese company in California. The place, which was supposed to be an empty building, was being used by Wang Zhaolin of Prestige Biotech since October 2022 for conducting COVID-19 tests and genetic engineering activities. Many genetically engineered mice carrying Covid 19 were found in this illicit lab. Why was a Chinese company running a bio-lab in California? What was the purpose of conducting Covid 19 tests and other activities? Why this lab did not have any approval from any competent authorities of the US? Why the California Department of Public Health not informed about the existence of the lab and its activities? There are several pertinent questions that should be answered. After the dreadful spread of Covid 19 across the globe, everyone knows how devastating the biological agents could be if used for malicious purposes.
China’s role in spreading Covid 19 is already into questions. Many experts and leaders call it Wuhan virus. Even I asked similar questions in my articles and a chapter written on global review of Covid 19. Why China did not inform other nations or the UN during the initial days of registering the cases of Covid 19? Why it stopped incoming flights but not the outgoing flights and why it concealed the critical data and key information related to Covid 19 from UN? Many leaders like Trump and Mike Pompeo raised questions on China’s involvement in spreading Covid 19 across the world. French Nobel prize winning scientist Luc Montagnier also claimed that SARS-CoV-2 virus was an outcome of the Chinese attempt to develop a vaccine against the AIDS virus. In his interview with a French news channel, he explained that the Wuhan city laboratory was working on Corona viruses since early 2000s. Montagnier, who co-discovered Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), claimed the presence of elements of HIV in the genome of the Corona virus and probability of elements of the Malaria too. His claim was then supported by other scientists who came up with the possibility of Corona virus being a laboratory made virus. Natural or artificial, biological agents could create a havoc if not controlled on time. Hence, on all grounds (read: moral too!) the nations need to understand that should not promote use of biological agents as weapons as they must also remember that biological weapons do not recognize any geographical boundary.
Trump faces Serious charges amid US Presidential election
Coming to the political turf, the charges against Trump are very serious. He has been charged to deceive his nation, and creating a conspiracy to hinder an official process. The charges also list six co-conspirators who played critical roles in the plot made by Trump. We must also not forget that the timing of these charges is very important. They have come at an extraordinary moment in US politics when the nation is gearing up for its presidential elections. It is also the first time a US president has faced criminal charges for trying to overturn the elections. Will still Biden manage to become the finalised candidate for the upcoming presidential elections of the US by Republican Party? Or these charges would close the political doors for Trump? It would be interesting to see further development in this particular case as it may change many significant aspects in the US politics.
Pakistan’s Conditional peace proposal causes global stir
Last but not the least, Pakistan is sending white roses to India (look like the plastic ones though!). The statements of Pakistani PM created a stir in global politics in which he urged India to come forward for a ‘conditional’ bilateral talk to resolve the issues between the two nations. Parallelly, its deputy foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar made scornful remarks about India that it is a ‘darling of West’ (look who is talking!) However, Pakistan was instantly patted by the US for this ‘effort’ to establish peaceful relationship between the two nations. India knows it very well that Pakistan, as a nation, like always, cannot be trusted. Indian External Affairs Minister has clearly stated that no bilateral talks are possible without Pakistan’s efforts to curb cross-border terrorism and the activities against India. Pakistan needs to understand that this is new India and it has earned a remarkable place in global politics by its positive contribution. It will no longer come in to the trap of Pakistan in the name of promoting ‘conditional’ peace. Be it a leader or a nation, one needs to remember that one is recalled by the world for both, making positive contributions to the world or for malicious activities. Be it China or Trump or Pakistan, it is a very elementary question-How do they want to be remembered?
The author is Professor, School of International Studies, JNU
