Stories about International Relations from February, 2014
Uruguayan President José Mujica Rejects “Foreign Interference” in Venezuela
Declaring his solidarity with the people and the government of Venezuela, the president of Uruguay urged respect for the Venezuelan constitution.
Chechen Dictator and Russian Nationalist NOT Taking Over Ukraine
As conflict in Ukraine's province of Crimea escalates, Internet hoaxes muddy the waters.
NASA's New Photo of North Korea
Any international readers interested in North Korea would probably come across at least once this famous photo of Korean peninsula from NASA demonstrating a stark difference in the light emission of two Koreas at nighttime. NASA finally updated a new satellite image and it is ‘even more dramatic than the monochrome NASA satellite image of...
Caribbean: How the Media Shapes Perception
Both Venezuela and Haiti have been facing anti-government protests. However, the international media’s escalation of the Venezuelan crisis and their complete silence when it comes to Haiti, raises some important questions about the United States’ inconsistency in upholding the values of human rights and democracy. Kevin Edmonds calls out the...
Bangladeshis Protest Bollywood Film ‘Gunday’ for Misrepresenting Liberation War
The film treats the 1971 war as simply a war between India and Pakistan, leaving out the fact of Bangladesh's struggle for independence from Pakistan.
Madagascar Still Awaiting a New Prime Minister, Government
A full month since President-elect Hery Rajaonarimampianina took position as the new head of state in Madagascar, there are still no indication who the new prime minister will be and what government he/she will assemble. Ma-Laza argues that the main issue is not really the identity of the prime minister but...
Pakistan, Stay Out of Syria's Civil War
A day after a tiny news items titled, “Saudi Arabia ‘seeking Pakistani arms for Syrian rebels” appeared in Pakistani newspapers, political blogger Ahsan Butt posts a provocative piece warning Pakistan's foreign policymakers against tiptoeing into Syria's affairs. In “This is not our war (Syria Edition)” on the Five Rupees Blog, Ahsan...
Al Qaeda Calls for Jihad in Bangladesh
"The Zawahiri message [...] is a stark reminder that we have an enemy at the gate, and only together we can defeat it.
Ukrainian Revolution Rattles Russian Nationalists
Russian nationalists worry Russian-speaking Ukrainians will be "derussified."
First Open Heart Surgery in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
The health international network La Chaîne de l’Espoir (The Link of Hope) reports that 7 Congolese children in critical conditions benefited from open heart surgeries [fr] on February 14 in Brazzaville, Congo. With the help of the Congo Assistance Fundation as well, Prince Béni and Maya, both suffering from cardiomyopathy were...
Ukraine's President Yanukovych Ousted and Parliament Reshuffled
Following this week's deadly crackdown, an original deal calling for end-2014 elections left protesters unsatisfied. Parliament then ousted Yanuckovich.
Equatorial Guinea Moves Closer to Becoming Portuguese Language Country
Despite the blatant disregard for human rights still plaguing Equatorial Guinea, the door has been opened for the West African country's membership in the Community of Portuguese Language Countries.
Russian Politicians Stick to Their Guns as Ukraine Burns
For Russia's politicians, the battle lines over Ukraine have already been drawn, and now there can be no compromise.
Russians Eye Ukrainian Turmoil with Hope, Fear
"Seriously, 13 wounded armed cops equals urban warfare"
Follow the Escalation of Ukraine's #Euromaidan Protests Live
Protests took a deadly turn on February 18, and Ukraine is now the scene of a tense stand-off between hundreds of thousands of citizens and government forces.
“Bring All the Culprits of Ethnic Cleansing to Justice” Says a CAR Citizen of Muslim and Christian Descent
Here is Moussa Tanko–Tchaibou's take on the ethnic cleansing that is underway in his country, the Central African Republic and what should be done to stop it [fr]: Je suis centrafricain de confession musulmane avec cette particularité illustrative de la cohésion sociale, celle d’avoir un père de confession musulmane et une...
Nepal Airlines Plane Crashes Killing All 18 On Board
The Nepalese aviation industry has seen a huge number of accidents in the recent years, with two fatal plane crashes each year from 2010 to 2012.
Sudan: Blogger Remains in Detention for Criticizing Presidents
Tajeldin Arja Arja was arrested at a press conference last December, after he criticized the Sudanese and Chadian Presidents for their actions surrounding the conflict in Darfur.
Will Fiji Become Australia's New Best Friend?
A visit by Australia's foreign minister heralds a thaw in relations with Fiji.
Blood on the Ice, Fury on the Tubes
Drama is never far behind when the Russian and the USA national hockey teams meet on the ice.
What Does Civil Society Engagement Really Mean?
Is civil society really being heard by inter-governmental organizations (IGOs) such as the United Nations, World Bank, or World Trade Organization? CIVICUS, the world alliance for citizen participation, is polling all civil society organizations (CSOs) who have ever engaged with an IGO to get a clear picture. Eventually they wish...