Stories about International Relations from December, 2015
Finding the Cultural Bridges of the Middle East in Literary Istanbul
Conversations with literary masters in Istanbul lead Arash Azizi to ponder the cultural disconnect, especially in terms of literature, between the countries of the Middle East.
Sri Lanka's President Says Enrique Iglesias Concert Organisers Should Be ‘Whipped With Toxic Stingray Tails’
President Sirisena didn't like that female fans hugged and kissed the pop star, nor that someone threw her bra onstage. Sri Lankans didn't take to his "moral policing" kindly.
Many Afghans See Their Future with India, Not Pakistan
A wave of Afghan social media love accompanied Indian PM Narendra Modi during his visit to Kabul.
For Land-locked Nepal, a Year of Natural and Man-Made Disasters
“I have negative thoughts. But if everyone gets positive, I will get the energy to stay positive.”
On Taiwan, Facebook and the Politics of Trolling on the Chinese Internet
When Facebook became accessible in mainland China, trolls descended on a Taiwanese politician. What might happen if Facebook were to become permanently accessible in China?
The Bridge From Russia to Crimea Doesn't Exist Yet, But It Already Has an Instagram Account
Cats can help improve your bridge construction project's social media strategy, especially if you need to draw attention away from how slow and expensive your project is.
As Russia Insulates Itself from Human Rights Bodies, State Surveillance Decision Looms
The European Court of Human Rights ruled in favor of a free expression advocate's case against Russian government surveillance. But thanks to a new law, Russia officially does not care.
The Liberation of Dhaka and the Whitewashing of Pakistan's History
Pakistan's official account of their Armed Forces' surrender in Dhaka 44 years ago ignores the realities of the bloody conflict that resulted in Bangladesh's secession.
The Complexities of Adapting to Climate Change in Benin
Poverty, practicalities and lack of awareness can complicate efforts to do so, experts at a conference on development and climate change in Benin concluded.
In US Republican Politics, ‘Hating on Iran Means Never Having to Say You're Sorry’
The Republican debate became a forum for factual inaccuracies and demonizing Iran.
Is the World Forum for Democracy a Space of Genuine Dialogue?
At this year's World Forum for Democracy in Strasbourg, tolerance for debate and differences of opinion left something to be desired.
New Draft Law Enables Russia to Ignore International Human Rights Decisions
A recently passed draft law could allow the Russian Constitutional Court to review any international human rights decision against Russia, allowing the Kremlin to shirk international human rights obligations.
Pakistan's Tougher Migration Policy Sends Unverified Deportees Back to Greece
Greece deported 49 people to Pakistan and Pakistan has sent back 30 of them, as the two countries find themselves on opposite ends of an ever-worsening refugee crisis.
From Coyotes to Vultures: What Happens When Migrants Borrow
When migrants decide to go to the US for a better future, they often rely on lenders to afford the trip, but often they became unwilling partners with the coyotes.
UN Atomic Agency Report Brings Iran Nuclear Deal Closer to Reality
The report stated that Iran's efforts to develop a nuclear weapon ceased by 2009. Some saw it as affirmation that sanctions, largely put into place after 2010, were needless.
‘Cloud’ Jokes Aplenty After China Blamed for Australian Meteorology Bureau Hack
Accusations that China has hacked Australia's Bureau of Meteorology have brought swift online responses down under.
Hope for a Unified France Shines Through the Hate and Fear
"One for all and all for humanity, we are and will forever be united"
Trinidad and Tobago Joins World in Marching for Climate Change Awareness
"Trinidad and Tobago is the second highest carbon emitter per capita in the world. We are here to show our decision makers that we want them to recognise our responsibility."
The Kremlin's News Man Decides It's Time to Say ‘Daesh’ Instead of ‘ISIL’
The Russian state media has joined the worldwide debate about what to call the Al Qaeda offshoot that has come to control large parts of Iraq and Syria.
