Stories about International Relations from December, 2013
Human Trafficking in Southeast Asia
The Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development has published a policy briefer that tackled the extent of human trafficking in Southeast Asia. Many Southeast Asian countries are at the bottom of a lot of the world's supply chains, including for food, garments, and technology. Yet few countries in...
Contemplating Nelson Mandela's Legacy in South Asia
"Nepali leaders have a lot to learn from Mandela's statesmanship, integrity, and lack of political ambition."
Dishing on Sino-American Relations
Chinese food culture constitutes a significant part in the Chinese language. Below is a part of an online fictional story on a conversation between Obama and Xi Jinping on Sino American relation explained and translated by Mary Ann O'Donnell: With respect to the importance of Sino-American relations, we will eat...
Haze and Haiyan: Southeast Asia’s Deadly Disasters of 2013
Global Voices coverage of the transboundary haze pollution in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia; and the deadly impact of super typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013
Emptying Russia's Prisons to Fill the Seats at Sochi 2014
Many Russian bloggers believe that the 2014 Olympics in Sochi played a major role in the early release of both Greenpeace activists and Pussy Riot, as well as Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
The Challenges of Family Healthcare in Apatou, French Guiana
Henri Dumoulin, Global Voices contributor, recalls his stay in Apatou, French Guiana, located in the heart of the Amazon Forest. He explains how, as the physician of Mother and Child Health Protection programme there, he had to rely on the informal colloboration with the Suriname health system and navigate the...
Tour Builder, Another Google Service Not Allowed for Cubans
Google maintains that it bases its decision on the provisions of the United States' economic embargo on Cuba.
The Postcolonialist Calls for Submissions on ‘Sites of Home’
A recently launched online magazine and journal, The Postcolonialist, is calling for submissions for the upcoming edition of its academic journal. The Postcolonialist is an inter-disciplinary, multi-lingual publication featuring research, commentary, and creative production from and about postcolonial regions and perspectives. The About page of the website adds: We are an alternative and interactive avenue by which scholars, journalists, writers...
Coup Attempt? Ethnic Conflict? Figuring Out the Crisis in South Sudan
Political strife and 500 civilians already reported dead: what, exactly, is behind the current crisis in the world's newest nation?
Bangladesh-Pakistan Relations Sour Over Islamist Leader's War Crimes Execution
Pakistan's lower house adopted a resolution expressing concern over the hanging of Abdul Quader Mollah, and some claimed that the real reason for his execution was his “loyalty to Pakistan”.
China: Soft Landing Foreign Policy
South Sea Conversation summarized China foreign policy scholar Professor Wang Yizhou's podcast comment on China’s emerging foreign policy, regional strategy, territorial disputes, global role, and bilateral relations with the US.
China and North Korea: The Inevitable Fate of Jang Song Thaek Under Dictatorship
"The only rule of dictatorship is no rule." Many Chinese netizens believe the purge of Jang Song Thaek in North Korea a wake-up call for China's political reform.
Indian Diplomat Devyani Khobragade's Arrest, Strip Search Earn Apology from US
US Secretary of State John Kerry reportedly expressed regret in a phone call to India's National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon over how the arrest of Devyani Khobragade was handled.
Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Declares Executed Bangladeshi War Criminal Molla a Martyr
Farhan at Guppu.com informs: Jamaat Islami Pakistan has declared Bangladeshi Jamaat Islami leader Abdul Qadir Molla a martyr and his execution a judicial murder. Jamaat maintains Molla was punished because of his ‘love for Pakistan’. Jamaat has also announced on its official Facebook page that Jamaat Islami Pakistan’s top leaders...
With No Easy Access to Medicine, Iranians Suffer Sanctions
Even after the lifting of some sanctions, Iranians still have difficulty acquiring the medicines they need to thrive or survive.
‘Australia Spied on Timor Leste to Gain Commercial Advantage’
Australia it seems likes to spy on its friends and neighbors. After Indonesia, it is East Timor's turn in criticizing Australia for allegedly spying on its leaders.
Haiti, Dominican Republic: Discriminatory Ruling
Haiti Chery reports that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights’ (IACHR) preliminary findings basically state that the “Dominican Constitutional Court Ruling TC168.13 is discriminatory and violates the rights of Dominicans of Haitian descent.”
No to Syrian Chemical Weapons Dismantled in Albania
Reports surfaced that Syria's chemical weapons stash would be destroyed in Albania. The Albanian government had refused the proposal, after angered Albanians took to the streets in protest.
Nelson Mandela's Death: ‘Left Us in Body, But His Spirit Is Eternal’
"Mandela was about politics and he was about race and he was about freedom and he was even about force, and he did what he felt he had to do"
Israel/Palestine: “We Want Peace”
What happens when a Palestinian is “discovered” on a train in Israel? They send him back home with the message, “Go to your people and tell them that we want peace.” Read Hamze Awawde's inspiring account here.
Barack Obama and Raúl Castro's Handshake at Mandela's Memorial Goes Viral
Reactions to the handshake spread like fire on social media.
