Stories about International Relations from December, 2016
Central Asia in 2016: The More Things Change…?
"Why do they mess about? They should just appoint themselves immortals and pass a law banning death from visiting them."
Japanese Prime Minister Observes Pearl Harbor Anniversary
When Prime Minister Abe Shinzo didn't really mention the war when he visited Pearl Harbor for the 75th anniversary of Japan's surprise attack against the United States.
Syria's War May be the Most Documented Ever—And Yet We Know So Little.
With the end of the devastating siege of eastern Aleppo, the world watches, parses and argues over the meaning of the media messages being shared by those remaining within it.
Empathy Was All Around in 2016 for the French-Speaking World, Too
It would be a shame to ignore 2016's less publicized, but still important events, so here goes our look back at the good stuff this year in the French-speaking world.
Argentinian Politician Calls for ‘Denouncing an International Genocide’ in Syria
Argentinian politician Juan Carlos Giordano of the 'Socialist Left' party called on the government of Argentina to cut all diplomatic ties with the Assad regime.
Morbid Propaganda in Macedonia Takes Aim at Western Ambassadors
"The xenophobia has terrible consequences, doesn't it? Therefore, please stop spreading it!"
Russian Ambassador to Turkey's Assassination: A Bullet from Aleppo?
A Russian opposition politician fires a rare volley of dissent regarding his country's involvement in the war in Syria.
Spokeswoman for Russia's Foreign Ministry Accuses Facebook of Working With ISIS
Maria Zakharova, the colorful spokeswoman for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, accused Facebook administrators of working for the Islamic State, after the network temporarily unpublished one of her posts on Monday.
Remembering Castro’s Commitment to Healthcare and Beating Ebola in Africa
Political leaders and citizens worldwide have reacted in different ways to the recent passing Fidel Castro, and Cuba and Africa were closest on healthcare.
That Fake U.S. Embassy in Ghana Issued Real Visas for a Decade
For ten years, a U.S. embassy operated quietly in Accra, the capital of the West African country of Ghana. But the embassy wasn't an embassy at all.
Taiwanese Wonder If They're Just a Chip for Donald Trump in Negotiating With China
"What Trump is doing now might be a maneuver...He tries to make China nervous by befriending Taiwan, and then he can get a better deal with China."
Russian State-Run TV Network Refuses to Give Former U.S. Ambassador His Own Show
This Sunday, Michael McFaul proposed a novel idea: he reached out to the chief editor of Russia Today, offering to host his own television show on the network.
Taiwanese Are Disappointed With the Foreign Media’s Response to Donald Trump’s Tweet
Donald Trump, the next president of the United States, shocked the people of Taiwan on Dec. 2, when he tweeted about a congratulatory phone call he'd received from Taiwan's president.
Possible Agreement on the Cyprus Issue Postponed Until 2017
Cyprus has been split in two since Turkish forces invaded the northern part of the island in 1974. Current negotiations are described as the “last chance” for a successful resolution.
The Bengali New Year’s Celebration of Democracy and Diversity Is Declared Intangible Cultural Heritage
"As long as Bangladesh lives, there will be this type of New Year's celebration...This is the image of a secular Bangladesh.
A Decades-Long ‘Conversation’ Between Yugoslav and Polish Rockers
Rock music available online shows how a peculiar bridge, bringing the people of former Yugoslavia and Poland closer together, developed over the last four decades.
Will Tajikistan and Uzbekistan Make Plov, Not War in 2017?
A new Uzbek president can change a lot of things between the two countries.
Russia, China, and the Push for ‘Digital Sovereignty’
Russia and China's cyber cooperation is a marriage of convenience that reflects a shared priority: regime stability.
Talking to Hooman Majd, a Bridge Between Iran and the US Mainstream
"Iran is not uniquely paradoxical: what's unique is that most people don’t know about Iran."
