Stories about International Relations from September, 2013
IBM, Cisco Supply Brazil with Surveillance Tools for World Cup
With the perspective of mega events, Brazil became a priority for the global surveillance industry. On the front line of the technological centers which concentrate decisions concerning security during the games is the American multinational corporation IBM.
Brazil Becomes Hot Market for Surveillance Technology Ahead of World Cup
Giants of the surveillance sector get contracts in a number of Brazilian cities to monitor citizens during the games of 2014 - from security scanners to remote tracking software.
Europe Warns French Minister over Statement Regarding Roma Community
Les derniers propos du Ministre français de l'Intérieur, Manuel Valls ont relancé la polémique au niveau des rapports houleux entre la France et les Roms, en France et en Europe.
No Handshakes for US and Iran, But Hope Prevails
Presidents Obama and Rouhani delivered speeches at the UN General Assembly in New York that delivered some hope for future relations, but not much more.
Brazilian President Calls for Global Respect of Net Neutrality at the UN
Net neutrality, privacy and human rights were in focus on Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff's speech (pdf) at the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly, on September 24, 2013. The leader said that UN needs to establish international protections for Internet users from spying and announced Brazil's intention to prepare a proposal...
Blogger Claims Russian Foreign Minister to be Sacked
The blogger el-murid claims that this signals a change of policy in the direction of accommodating the US in passing a UN resolution authorizing military action in Syria.
Online Application For Nepali Passports Required
Hira B Thapa describes the current long and complicated process of applying and issuance of machine readable passports in Nepal. The blogger opines that a proposed online application system will ease and shorten the process.
“A Woman Can Only Become President When Men Die Out in Tajikistan”
The upcoming presidential elections in Tajikistan promise to be anything but boring. For the first time in the country's history, a woman is running for its highest political office.
How Russians Read McCain's Pravda Op-Ed on Putin
While Americans were incensed at being lectured by a foreign politician whom many regard as either an idiot or a hypocrite, many Russians, it turns out, reacted no differently.
90% of Madagascar Lives On Less Than Two Dollars a Day. Why?
This chapter of our analysis of the crisis in Madagascar discusses the under-covered causes of the economic decline of the island and the proposed solutions.
Will Madagascar's Upcoming Elections Solve the Island's Crisis?
Madagascar has suffered five political crises in four decades, with the island still reeling from its latest coup d'etat in 2009. Can elections finally pull the country out?
Russian Warships in Nicaragua Rekindle Territorial Disputes
A resolution by the International Court of Justice set the stage for conflict between Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Colombia and Panama, reviving disputes and jeopardizing a project to build a canal.
Do These Videos Show Iranians Fighting in Syria's War?
Online videos show Persian speakers apparently working with Syrian regime troops.
EU Prepared to Impose Sanctions on New Member State Croatia
"I think we just broke the speed record in having sanctions introduced," one Twitter user observed.
France Sees Great Potential in the Chinese Tourism Industry
The number of trips abroad for the Chinese has gone from 10 million in 2000 to 83 million in 2012. A look at this booming market from France.
Racism Greets Imported Cuban Doctors in Brazil
To strengthen its lagging public health care system, Brazil has brought in hundreds of Cuban doctors to provide much-needed care throughout the country. Some of Brazil's doctors are not happy.
Catalans Around the World Claim Independence from Spain
Catalan communities all over the world are celebrating with human chains to claim independence from Spain.
Indian Border Guard Acquitted in Brutal Shooting of Bangladeshi Girl
Photographs of her dead body tangled in the wire were widely published at the time. The court's decision touched off a wave of anger in Bangladesh.
Indian Financial Crisis And Its Impact On Bangladesh
Jyoti Rahman at Alal O Dulal analyses the recent Indian economic slowdown and contemplates how the ‘crisis’ may be affecting Bangladesh.
“World is Happy for Assad to Continue Killing Syrians”
Syria has agreed to put its chemical weapons under international control. Activists say the tactic will buy Assad time to continue killing people with the other weapons at his disposal.
Presidents, Oligarchs and Potash: Russia's Trade War With Belarus
Belarusian authorities arrested Vladislav Baumgartner, CEO of Uralkaliy, a large Russian potash mining company. Russia retaliated by cancelling some of its subsidies and banning Belarusian pork imports.