· March, 2013

Stories about International Relations from March, 2013

Inside the 2013 Central African Republic Crisis

  31 March 2013

As rebel leader Michel Djotodia solidifies his control as the new Central African Republic President and the rebel coalition of Séléka announce their control of capital city Bangui, it is important to understand why the failure of the January 2013 Libreville peace deal between the rebels and then-President Francois Bozize, was predictable.

Crash that Killed Cuban Democracy Advocate Still Shrouded in Mystery

  30 March 2013

The car accident that killed leading democracy advocate Oswaldo Payá has been shrouded in mystery and misinformation since it happened in eastern Cuba last July. Angel Carromero, the Spanish politician who survived the crash, recently told The Washington Post that the car was run off the road by state security agents. But many observers doubt the veracity of his claims.

Will Brazil Stem New Tide of Immigration?

  29 March 2013

The global financial crisis, wars and natural disasters have inspired a new wave of immigration to Brazil. The development of successful immigration policies may contribute to Brazil’s reputation as an emerging global power.

Beware: North Korea Rockets on Standby

  29 March 2013

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered rockets on standby to attack US military bases in South Korea in response to recent U.S.-South Korea joint military drills. North Korea Leadership Watch blog post a full script of North Korean state media report on this. 

Trinidad & Tobago: Warner's Woes

  29 March 2013

The headlines in Trinidad and Tobago's mainstream media over the last couple of days have focused on a Reuters exclusive report that Daryan Warner, son of former FIFA Vice-President (and now the country's controversial Minister of National Security) Jack Warner, is allegedly assisting the FBI with its investigations into corruption allegations in the international football governing body. Social media users weigh in.

Global Voices at OECD Global Forum on Development

  27 March 2013

Global Voices bloggers have been commissioned to liveblog the OECD Global Forum on Development in Paris on April 4-5, 2013. Leading up to the meeting, our team is submitting posts that help serve as weekly online discussion topics.

Drones and Drug Politics in China and Myanmar

  26 March 2013

Burmese drug lord Naw Kham was executed by China through lethal injection last March 1 after being found guilty of killing 13 sailors on the Mekong River in 2011. His death sparked discussion about his criminal activities, drug politics in Myanmar, and an admission on the part of China that it has acquired drones.

South Koreans Blast Authorities Over Hack Attack Handling

  26 March 2013

Nearly a week after a massive cyber attack against major websites in South Korea, the identity of the attackers remains unknown. Frustrated South Koreans have slammed authorities in their comments online for their incompetence in blocking such attacks and for taking political advantage of the situation by blaming North Korea.

Latin America after Chávez: Change and Continuity

  25 March 2013

As a staunch critic of the United States and a leading figure of the left-wing revival across Latin America, Hugo Chávez Frías has undoubtedly left a remarkable footprint on contemporary international politics. But what will come of his legacy?

China's $20 Billion Pledge to Africa

  20 March 2013

Deborah Brautigam from China in Africa: The Real Story looks into the nature of China's pledge of $20 Billion to Africa at the fifth ministerial meeting of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation held in Beijing last summer: I went back to examine the Chinese discussion around this $20 billion....

Chinese General's Anti-War Stance Criticized

  20 March 2013

People Liberation Army General Liu Yuan was attacked by online nationalists for calling for a peaceful resolution of Sino-Japanese conflict. South Sea Conversations looks into Liu's opinion and netizens’ reaction.

Bolivia Establishes the World's Largest Protected Wetland

  19 March 2013

Bolivia's government has designated three new wetlands in the 'Llanos of Moxos', an area that represents the combined size of the Netherlands and Belgium, under the Ramsar Convention. Activists and environmental organisations celebrate the decision but also urge to work harder for the conservation of the Amazon.

Anti-Whaling Activists Hit a Nerve in Japan

  16 March 2013

Online commentary surrounding a collision between a Japanese harpoon ship and two vessels from the marine conservation group Sea Shepherd last month has offered a glimpse into the Japanese public's nuanced perspective on whaling.

Japan's Jaded Public Pushes for Nuclear Truth Post-Fukushima

  15 March 2013

Two years after the powerful earthquake and resulting tsunami off the northeastern coast of Japan triggered a meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in what became the largest nuclear disaster since Chernobyl, the Japanese people are becoming increasingly frustrated with the government's reluctance to come clean on the risks associated with nuclear power.