Stories about International Relations from February, 2019
The repatriation of African artifacts to countries of origin is tricky business
Many of Africa's "stolen artifacts from colonial times were generally given or donated to French public collections. Thus, these artworks ... have become a property of the French state."
Tensions mount between Pakistan and India after retaliatory manoeuvres by both nations
The current situation represents the biggest escalation of tensions between the two South Asian nuclear-armed rivals in over three decades.
What diapers taught me about Europe
"With unrestricted access to information, my critical consciousness was awakened, and I began to reconsider binaries like “developed” and “backward” and re-analyze politics both in Turkmenistan and West."
Russian cathedral choir's performance of a song about US nuclear annihilation shows that parody doesn't quite work in 2019
As Russian state TV regularly airs segments simulating total or partial nuclear destruction of the United States, this was bound to raise a few eyebrows.
Global Voices becomes primary source for global translation competition in Czech Republic
"Global Voices. . . provides articles on interesting and fresh topics that come in several language versions, translated by native speakers, and using contemporary language and an accessible style."
‘Space is about dreaming’ — an interview with International Space University president
"We hope that space will not become a space of confrontation (...) Space makes children dream and all of humanity as well."
Censored on WeChat: As tensions in China-US trade conflict rose, so did WeChat censorship
The second installment in our series looks at the most censored topic in the 2018 WeChatscope dataset: the China-US trade war.
Cameroonian justice minister rationalizes Holocaust on national television
The comments are distressing given how it feeds into the renewed reliance worldwide from far-right movements on the tired, racist trope that the Jewish community controls the finance world.
‘Space ventures can improve the quality of life on Earth’ — an interview with International Space University president
Today, the International Space University has more than 4600 former students, and of those, more than 80 percent are working in space industries.
Australia revokes Chinese tycoon's citizenship over alleged political interference in Australian politics
"...winding back CCP [Chinese Communist Party] interference as an unacceptable and counterproductive part of bilateral engagement is a step towards developing a healthy China-Australia relationship"
Four southern African nations petition to lift the international ivory trade ban
The proposal to lift the ivory trade ban has released a clash between elephant conservationists and those who favor the practice, citing economic reasons.
Venezuela's humanitarian crisis puts Trinidad and Tobago's refugee policy under the microscope
Venezuelans fleeing their country have been seeking refuge in Trinidad and Tobago in increasing numbers, but the country is yet to get its act together to deal with the influx.
Mozambicans demand justice on government debt scandal
"The illegal debts burden our people and push our youth to unemployment and marginality."
Why Bahrain's ‘torture prince’ can still visit the U.K. despite calls for his arrest
Despite allegations that Bahrain's Nasser Bin Hamad personally took part in torturing protesters, he has repeatedly traveled to the UK where he faces calls for his arrest.
Nigerian governor warns foreign governments: Interfere in our elections and ‘go back in body bags’
"Time after time, El-Rufai continues to betray a dangerous mindset. This vile and abhorrent language should be condemned by all."
Foreign Policy's Venezuela “Global Scorecard” map wrongly lumps Caribbean nations with Russia and China
This might be flattering geopolitically, but it doesn't reflect the reality.
Caribbean nations determined to have a say on Venezuela
"But what happens in Venezuela is of extreme geopolitical importance to the Caribbean region, and CARICOM has been flexing its muscles lately."
European Parliament approves EU-Moroccan trade deal, ignoring Western Sahara Indigenous protections
By ignoring the European Court of Justice's verdict and the concerns of Sahrawis whose lands are occupied by Morocco, the European parliament is "pushing for a war in Western Sahara".
Pressure mounts for Thailand to free Melbourne-based Bahraini refugee Hakeem al-Araibi
"Australia just gave our highest award to 2 divers for risking their lives to rescue 12 Thai boys from underground caves. We know where Hakeem is. He just needs a one-way plane ticket."
