Stories about International Relations from September, 2017
Despite Censorship, a Former Chinese Soldier Brags of His War Crimes Online

On WeChat, Zhang boasted of killing a woman and raping her teenage daughter in the Sino-Vietnamese War.
As Italy and Egypt Strengthen Diplomatic Ties, Will Giulio Regeni’s Murder Case See Justice?
Did Italy give up on the quest for Giulio Regeni's killers so Egypt would help Italy block migration to Europe?
Myanmar Government Vows to Address Refugee Crisis in Rakhine State, but Avoids Saying ‘Rohingya’
"Aung San Suu Kyi today demonstrated that she and her government are still burying their heads in the sand over the horrors unfolding in Rakhine State."
The Perils of Military Engagement Against North Korea

"Any country that considers an attack on North Korea must confront the question of who turned the DPRK into such a defiant rogue nation."
Exploring Identities: Kazakhstan's Planned Shift to the Latin Alphabet
"Arguments against the adoption of Latin are inherently grounded in imperial Russian or Soviet ideology."
Estonian President Warns of ‘Self-Occupation,’ Prompting Praise and Political Spin
Estonian president's remarks against close-minded nationalism received different political interpretations abroad, obscuring her focus on the real challenges -- technological change, including the globalization of workforce.
Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan: Once Deadly Foes, Now BFF?
"The sensation is in the goodwill of the Uzbek leader. Mirziyoyev is so open, friendly, and well-wishing. It can only bring us delight."
An Immigrant, Activist and Attorney's Hard Truths on DACA

DACA's beneficiaries must feel a deep sense of betrayal. But it is equally important that we demand more than the continuation of policies that provided only fragile and temporary benefits.
Azerbaijan Runs $2.9 Billion ‘Laundromat’ but Soros and the ‘Armenian Lobby’ Are to Blame
"The Azerbaijani operation...was likely designed primarily to obscure the origin and destination of dirty money."
As Myanmar Violence Spikes, Why Is India Threatening to Deport 40,000 Rohingya Muslims?
"Surely Modi's government must know of the terrible suffering these Rohingya have fled from."
Chinese Are Questioning the Government's Response to Pyongyang's Nuclear Tests
"Maintaining [social] stability is more important than human life?"
Simon Ateba Is Not Ahmed Abba, but He Too Has Experienced Persecution as a Journalist in Cameroon
Media outlets, including Global Voices, have mistakenly identified a photo of Simon Ateba as Ahmed Abba. Both are journalists whose reporting on Boko Haram got them into trouble in Cameroon.
Iran's Foreign Minister Says He Won't Tweet in Persian Because of Twitter Censorship

The rhetoric of the Rouhani administration is giving off less hope for online freedoms, and the popular foreign minister's statements about not tweeting for Iranian audiences has increased concerns.
Scenes From the Bangladesh-Myanmar Border, Where Rohingya Refugees Are Seeking Refuge From Violence
"...at least few more hours of walk[ing] before they can rest and maybe one kind villager will show up and offer them some food and some water."
Were the Dozens of Civilians Killed in Recent Airstrikes Victims of Trump's New Afghan Strategy?
The UN has recorded a 43 percent increase in civilian casualties caused by aerial operations during the first six months of 2017.