Stories about International Relations from March, 2017
For Many Venezuelans, ‘Self-Inflicted Coup’ Spells the End of Their Country's Democracy
"The #156 sentence of the Supreme Court of Justice sentence is not a coup, it’s a formal declaration of a coup that’s been in progress for four years."
The CIA's Online Museum Offers a Glimpse of US Military Intervention in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is a region where U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War led to the expansion of the CIA’s paramilitary operations in Laos and Cambodia.
Sudden Death of Aqua-Blue-Eyed Model Shocks Maldives
Raudha Athif, the 20-year-old aqua-blue-eyed Maldivian model, was found hanging inside her dormitory room in north Bangladesh on Wednesday. On social media, Maldivians are mourning the loss of this woman.
Georgia Really, Really Wanted a Visa-Free Agreement with the EU, and Now It's Party Time
"From Tuesday, Georgian nationals may visit Europe’s vast borderless Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180 day period."
The UK Is Among the World's Largest Suppliers of Weapons—and Is Making Arms Boycotts Illegal
As one of the world's largest weapons dealers, the UK routinely sells to countries with abysmal human rights records. It is now seeking to outlaw boycotts on Israeli settlement products.
For One Somalia-Born UK Citizen, Brexit Is a “Point of No Return”
"This is not the England I grew up in, the one I wanted so much to belong to."
In a Greek Refugee Camp: A Volunteer's Notebook
"As volunteers, we’re treated as though we’re not part of the story.... But whether we like it or not, we are part of the narrative and influence it, significantly."
There Are ‘No Borders to Music,’ But the U.S. Consulate Still Rejected These Indonesian Choir Members’ Visas
"Regardless of the “borders” instilled by politics, there are no borders to music, no borders to unity through artistry, no borders from humanity that thrives from singing of the heart."
Here's Why This Election Year in France Is Completely Unprecedented
People feel that the future is bleak and that the old recipes of established parties are not working.
Russian Opposition Leader Offers European Court Shield to Thousands
Citing his group's past success, Alexey Navalny implies that coming out to demonstrate against corruption could net as much as 10,000 euros for each person wrongly detained and fined.
A Syrian Activist's Japanese-Language Message to the People of Japan
"Syria is witnessing a revolutionary call for freedom and dignity for its entire people." Will Japan help?
Donald Trump Was Right: Iranians Do Play With Fire
The ancient Iranian festival of fire, known as Chaharshanbe Suri, proves that Donald Trump was absolutely right — albeit unwittingly — when he recently accused Iran of “playing with fire.”
In Kyrgyzstan, Prosecutors Sue Media for Offending President
"By advising him to sue internet publications, they are really doing him a bad turn."
Reckless Diplomacy: Turkey-Netherlands #TulipCrisis Is Scary Viewing for Minorities in Europe
A rally, a crackdown and a diplomatic standoff that stands to benefit nationalist politicians in both countries, but almost no-one else.
Indonesians Gleefully Welcome Saudi King, But Activists Are Wary of Riyadh's Influence
"Saudi learns pluralism from Indonesia. We learn Wahhabism from Saudi. We're even," wrote a Twitter user during the visit.
Malaysian Aid for Rohingya Refugees Reaches Bangladesh and Myanmar, But How Much Can it Do?
The food flotilla carrying about 2,300 tons of food and other essentials was manned by 195 volunteers from 12 countries.
Frustrated by US Anti-Ballistic Missile System, China Punishes Korean Retailer Lotte
"Which is more destructive, South Korea's THAAD or North Korea's nuclear bomb? North Korea has VX nerve agent and nuclear bombs, aren't these more threatening?"
‘Speed Thrills but Kills,’ ‘Safety on Road Is Safe Tea at Home’ and Other Bhutanese Road Signs
"I Loved Driving on the Hills coz of these boards. I would prefer this, rather than the Advertising Boards along the roads."
