Stories about International Relations from September, 2008
Czech Republic: EU Presidency
Dr. Sean's Diary writes about the Czech Republic’s forthcoming Presidency of the EU.
Slovakia: Hungarian Minority
Central Europe Activ writes about political views of the Hungarian minority in Slovakia.
Serbia: Fake Obits of Javier Solana
Central Europe Activ cites an item from “an award-winning Hungarian language blog of Serbian expats” on the fake Javier Solana obits that appeared “on Kosovo Street and around the Serbian parliament in downtown Belgrade.”
Montenegro: Independence, 2 1/2 Years On
A Fistful of Euros re-visits the issue of Montenegrin independence: “But, you know: it’s not an economic basket case. Independence was not a disaster.”
Arabeyes: Snapshots of Eid
It's Eid today, or tomorrow. Eid Al Fitr is a celebration which marks the end of the Muslim month of Ramadhan, and here are a few reactions on the occasion from around the Arab world.
Iran: Mr. Ahmadinejad in New York
While Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinjad, addressed the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday declaring that "the American empire'' and "Zionist regime" [Israel] are nearing collapse, pro-democracy Iranians and 3,000 people mobilized by a coalition of mostly Jewish groups, protested against Ahmadinejad's threats toward Israel and Iran's human rights record.
Palestine: Why Arabs Performed Badly at the Olympics
Palestinian Rantings of an Arab Chick links to an op-ed on why Arabs performed badly at the Olympics – and at other things.
Pakistan: Incursion and sovereignty issues
Five Rupees blog has posted a deep analysis on sovereignty, US incursions into Pakistan and other burning issues of contemporary Pakistan.
Bermuda, U.S.A.: Political Slander
Vexed Bermoothes is “glad that the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers is taking an active role in lobbying in the United States to slow down the political slander facing Bermuda.”
Ukraine: How Russian is the Crimea?
The 8th Circle discusses the Crimea and Ukrainian fears of a Russian secessionist movement, arguing that the peninsula could be compared to other European regions, which today could not be imagined seceding. He also refers to a new book on this theme by Ukrainian writer Taras Kuzio.
Kazakhstan: Above and Beyond
Joshua Foust wonders if the retirement of the U.S. space shuttle will make Baikonur space launch site in Kazakhstan even more important than it already is.
Afghanistan: Surge East
Joshua Foust thinks that long-term development goals are a critically missing piece of the Western agenda in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan: How to Win
Joshua Foust takes issue with an essay about how to “win” in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan: What kind of government
Joshua Foust notes some of the problems with the American conceptions of Afghan society, and how that is influencing bad policy.
Pakistan: Zardari flirts and the Blogosphere reacts
The president of Pakistan Mr. Asif Ali Zardari met with the US Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin in New York recently and used flirtatious words during the discussion. It seemed more like a courtship than a political meeting. Zardari made the following comments: “You are even more gorgeous in life....
Morocco: Rural Women
Peace Corps volunteer Duncan Goes to Morocco explains what life is like for women in the rural community where he lives.
China: Will a Nobel Peace Prize really hurt our feelings?
Hu Jia's nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize has raised the question: are The Chinese People easily upset by the notion of human rights? Party spokesman Liu Jianchao would have you think so, and many netizens agree. Not all do, however, judging from comments that haven't yet been deleted.
Pakistani Bloggers on the McCain-Obama Debate
Pakistani bloggers found much to analyze in last night's televised debate between United States presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain. What the US approach to Pakistan should be was a core part of discussion, since Pakistan has come under greater scrutiny in recent times and is considered a hot-spot....
Haiti: More than Charity
Haiti Reborn reports that the country's president is calling for “more than just ‘charitable’ contributions to Haiti's recovery.”
Cuba: Back to Normal?
Things appear to be getting back to normal in Cuba post-Hurricane Ike, but Generation Y questions the definition of “normalcy”: “I do not believe that a month ago we had anything resembling ‘normal.’ Furthermore, in the three decades that I have under my belt I do not think I have...
China: One Trillion US Bonds and Debt Scandal
According to a New York Times report in early September, the Chinese Central Bank has invested over USD $1 trillion on U.S. Treasury bills, bonds and debt securities. Among the one trillion dollar bill, $376.3 billion have been put into the mortgage backed securities of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac,...
