Hurricanes dominate the news

The hurricanes have been dominating the news agenda. Quite right too. But it is bizarre that as the hurricanes have caused flooding, fear and devastation in their wake, world news has almost stopped. Kim Jong-un did not launch any new ballistic missiles, as had been expected over this last weekend, and the UN sanctions resolution to punish North Korea for the ballistic missile launch over Japan is being watered down somewhat, presumably to keep China happy. But the only other major news story around has been the refugee turmoil in Myanmar's (Burma's) western Rankhine state. As the UN has said, the Myanmar government operations against the minority Muslim Rohingya community looks a lot like ethnic cleansing. But like so many emotive news stories, it's more complex than that. Those fleeing into Bangladesh for safety are as much victims of the militant Rohingya insurgents fighting the government forces in the area as they are from the soldiers trying to quell the insurgency. Violence breeds violence and the minority community are caught in the middle. Had there not been a hurricane raging across Florida, perhaps the tragedy of the Rohingya refugees would have made more of an impact in the US. The most poignant issue in Myanmar is the role of Nobel prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, the de facto leader of the country who has a face of suffering and innocence. So long a martyr to her human rights cause against the Burma military junta, she is a political goddess, especially in the eyes of the rest of the world. But her statements about the fate of the Rohingya have been worringly equivocal. If there is ethnic cleasing going on, she, of all people, must condemn it and stop it. But Trump has his face turned to Florida. For the moment, the hurricanes rule.