Stories about History from March, 2010
Cuba: Surviving the Deluge
“A deluge of events is falling on Cuba”: Generation Y explains.
Belarus: “Less Pro-Russian” Than Eastern Ukraine
Belarus Digest writes that, unlike in Ukraine, “groups potentially advocating a unification with Russia have never been too active in Belarus.”
France: Blogtrotters video blog sheds light on global issues
French collaborative video-blog (Fr) Blogtrotters travels to conflict zones, dictatorships and other hot spots around the world, from Sub-Saharan Africa to Central and Eastern Asia to the Pacific Ocean, and its climate refugees. (English version here). Coming soon, a report on Burma. The blog was co-founded by Tristan Mendès-France, the...
Ukraine: “Deal for Yanukovych: Bandera for Mezhyhiria”
Here is how Steve Bandera of Kyiv Scoop explains a mock deal that he has offered to the newly-elected Ukrainian president: “The point is to show the absurdity of the [Stepan Bandera] debate: almost everybody from Moscow to Warsaw to Edmonton has an opinion on Bandera (who was killed more...
Russia: Thoughts on March 8, Feminism
Thoughts on March 8 and feminism in Russia and Ukraine – at Poemless, Global Comment, and Sean's Russia Blog.
The Balkans: Ejup Ganić's Arrest
Updates on the arrest of Ejup Ganić in London on March 1: Amila Bosnae – here and here; Gray Falcon – here, here, and here; Greater Surbiton – here and here; Samaha – here; CAFÉ TURCO – here;
Serbia: Writers and Politics
Richard Byrne of Balkans via Bohemia pays tribute to Serbian writer Mihajlo Mijhajlov, “a prominent former dissident to both Titoism and nationalism,” who died recently at the age of 76. Sladjana Lazic of A Slice Of Serbian Politics muses on whether “the political engagement of artists can degrade their work,”...
Ukraine: New SBU Chief and Declassified Soviet Archives
Steve Bandera of Kyiv Scoop writes about the insights he gained while working with the recently declassified Soviet secret police archives – and about Ukraine's new State Security Service chief, who appears likely to limit public access to the archives again: “‘The special service’s main concern is the protection of...
The Balkans: Byzantine Nostalgia
Similar to Yugo-nostalgia, the nostalgia for the common Byzantine past can sometimes transcend some of the barriers erected through modern nationalism and racism in the Balkans.
Ukraine: “Bandera Bashing Déjà Vu”
On Feb. 25, the European Parliament adopted a resolution, in which, among other things, it called on “the new Ukrainian leadership” to “reconsider” the posthumous award granted to Stepan Bandera a month earlier. In a post titled “Bandera Bashing Déjà vu,” Stepan Bandera's grandson – Steve Bandera of Kyiv Scoop...
Haiti: Two Months Later
Today marks two months since the January 12 earthquake devastated Haiti - and even in the midst of other natural disasters, bloggers still seem to be struggling to come to grips with what this tragedy actually means for the people of a nation that is often referred to as "the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere."
Myanmar: Female military officers
Nicholas Farrelly, writing for New Mandala, writes a short note about the role of women military officers in Myanmar.
Trinidad & Tobago: Inertia
KnowTnT.com feels “compelled to write about the elephant – or in T&T, the Manicou – in the middle of the room. Inertia.”
Poland: Ryszard Kapuściński – Fiction or ‘Non-Fiction'?
A discussion of the newest book about the life and work of journalist Ryszard Kapuściński has reached the UK, the United States and other regions of the world. Sylwia Presley reviews reactions in the Polish blogosphere.
Taiwan: Construction of ethnic identity
Taiwan in Cycles comments on how a man's choice to identify himself by saying, “I am not an Aborigine!” reveals about the construction of ethnic identities in Taiwan.
Trinidad & Tobago: Astounded by Hart
KnowTnT.com says of the Calder Hart issue: “It simply astounds me that it took so long and got so far out of control. A Prime Minister defends a man 45 times. And it astounds me that the Opposition was so deeply involved with its collective pants around its ankles that...
Russia: “Muromtsev Dacha” Demolished
A historic wooden house in Moscow suburbs known as “Muromtsev Dacha” has been torn down by the authorities amid numerous protests from the residents. The photos of the demolition have been posted by different bloggers and gathered at LJ community photo-polygon.
Armenia-Turkey: Response to U.S. Genocide Resolution
Following last week's resolution urging the US government to recognize the 1915 massacre and deportation of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as Genocide, reaction in the blogosphere appears to be muted. However, other alternative voices are making their voices heard.
Ethiopia: New book examines Ethiopia's 1974 revolution
Arefe reviews the new book Beneath the Lion's Gaze, the latest in a series of works examining the bloody aftermath of Ethiopia's 1974 revolution.
Ethiopian ‘aid for arms’ story sparks storm
The BBC sparked a storm this week with a story claiming millions of dollars sent to help starving people in Ethiopia's 1980s famine were used to buy arms by rebels.
Armenia-Turkey: US Congressional panel adopts Genocide resolution
In what turned out to be a nail-biting vote, the US congressional House Foreign Affairs Committee today voted on a non-binding resolution recognizing the massacre and deportation of Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire as Genocide. Outside observers live-tweeted the vote.