By: Gašper Blažič
We live in very uncertain times where behaviour on the international stage is crucial, and even the smallest mistakes can destroy even the strongest alliances. Increasingly, we hear and read about a potential third world war, which could be much worse than the second and might seal the fate of the entire world with a nuclear apocalypse. We must recognise that nowadays, the power to decide such fateful moves lies in the hands of a few psychopaths who have no qualms about using weapons of mass destruction, as they have ample supplies of food and drink and secure bunkers, while strategic nuclear weapons could literally fry three-quarters of the world’s population within a few hours.
Even small matters can influence such crucial decisions. We must understand that even small Slovenia is being watched by the entire world, just like the European Union and the West are. Internal discord within the EU, preoccupation with various green transitions, “woke” and LGBT issues, and the inability to distinguish between legal and illegal migration are just part of the problem. The axis of evil, which has established itself in recent years along the Moscow-Beijing-Tehran-Pyongyang line, observes the alleged decadence of the West with great disgust on the one hand and delight on the other (although, as Father Branko Cestnik noted last week in a commentary in Družina regarding Eurovision, the situation is not yet so dire as to talk about the collapse of Western civilisation, as the latter apparently still resists decadent currents). The axis of evil – much like the Axis powers did before the Second World War – closely monitors internal disagreements within the Western alliance. Slovenia, of course, is not a unique story here but seems determined to stand out. And unfortunately, it does so in an entirely negative sense.
In recent months, both the print edition of Demokracija and our online platforms have devoted considerable attention to the actions of Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, who until recently was also the president of the proud successors of the League of Communists of Slovenia. What she is doing is not just a return to the era of Tito’s non-aligned movement but also a very dangerous provocation. First, she is challenging the West with policies that undermine alliances within the EU and NATO from the inside. Second, her actions are also emboldening those who threaten the West and see these internal disagreements as an opportunity to finally achieve their own interests.
Do you remember why Slovenia held out during the YPA’s aggression in 1991, even without the support of the West? It was primarily because we were defending the outcome of the plebiscite. Slovenia, due to this war, became a textbook case for all students at West Point, as American military analysts could not understand what was happening at that time. Europe is not the USA but a community of national states. Slovenia defended itself before the aggression and did not act like the Czechoslovak army in 1968, which remained completely passive during the Soviet invasion. The media also played a crucial role. Slovenia, motivated by the plebiscite, acted effectively in diplomacy, accepting the unfavourable Brioni Declaration. The West, infected with harsh realpolitik, changed its previously very unfavourable opinion of Slovenian adventurous “separatists” in favour of Slovenia.
When observing the actions of Robert Golob’s government and especially Minister Tanja Fajon, we can only hold our heads in disbelief. Primarily for two reasons. During the previous government, Fajon, as a European Parliament member from the Socialist ranks, lectured on the “rule of law” and “core Europe”. Now, she is building bridges primarily with Africa and Arab countries. Her activities, especially in favour of recognising Palestine, which still lacks a stable government, give the impression through media reports that Slovenia is a member of the Arab League rather than the European Union. It should be noted that the three EU member states currently considering recognising Palestine (Malta, Spain, Ireland) are currently under socialist rule, sacrificing their countries’ and the EU’s futures primarily for pre-election purposes. Fajon’s “peace” efforts are a grand bluff, disregarding the realities in Gaza, where most civilian casualties are due to Hamas itself, while pro-Palestinian activists continue to lecture the Slovenian and European public about genocide. Who is crazy here?
As if her Palestinian mission was not enough of a disaster, Fajon recently expressed her deep affection for Iran, or more precisely, for the Iranian regime and the recently deceased “Butcher of Tehran”, Ebrahim Raisi, in an interview with Israeli television. In the name of Slovenia, of course. A disgrace that reeks to high heaven! And not just that: such statements are also extremely dangerous! The Iranians have already bizarrely meddled in Slovenian internal politics with money laundering through the state-owned NLB bank. Disguised under various Mickey Mouse-like names, this dirty money was very likely intended to finance the Iranian nuclear programme, with this criminal activity being “blessed” by the transitional left, with no criminal sanctions following. In other words, this means we are currently governed by collaborators of Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Iranian regime, who will have no qualms if ordered to “clean up” Slovenia or risk an attack on Slovenia from the outside. Let me remind you that Putin’s regime cooperates excellently with the Iranian one and uses Iranian drones for attacks on Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Chinese are again encircling Taiwan, provoking a new crisis hotspot.
It is clear that neither Fajon nor Golob will resign on their own. Therefore, it is even more surprising that the Slovenian public is watching this unfold with complete apathy. In any other country, there would be mass demonstrations. But here, it seems as if everything is perfectly fine! Because, let me repeat, this is not just a disgrace! It means that the current government is putting us in an extremely dangerous and risky position. And who will defend us when only a small part of the Slovenian public sympathises with these absurdities? In 1991, we stood and prevailed because of the plebiscite. After 33 years, Slovenia could fall like a house of cards due to the madness of the ruling clique.