Keep it simple

What are the exact rules that govern the right to secession and, more generally, self-determination of peoples?
Some tell us these rules are confusing.
And if we believe the corporate media, we might think that:

In Asia, Tibetans have that right. Not Iraqis, nor Afghans.

In the Middle East, Israelis have this right. But neither Palestinians nor Kurds.

In Africa, the gangster generals of the East Congo have this right. But not Western Sahara.

In Latin America, wealthy (rightist) provinces of Bolivia and Venezuela have this right. But not indigenous peoples of Chile, or of Mexico, etc...

In Eastern Europe, Albanians of Kosovo have this right. But not Serbs of Kosovo, nor those of Bosnia, and of course not the Transnistrians.

In Western Europe, the Flemish might have this right, but not the Northern Irish, nor the Basques.

Complicated, indeed. How can it be simplified? Like this: Only those people who are "with us" are entitled to self-determination. No-one else.

And as long as we're here, let's replace the word "democratic" with the words "with us." And let us replace the word "terrorist" with the words "against us."
That's politics. Simple when you know how!

Michel Collon is a journalist from Belgium. He is the author of "Liar's Poker: The Great Powers, Yugoslavia and the Wars of the Future." This column was translated from French by John Catalinotto.