Stories about International Relations from August, 2024
Guyana's Sir Shridath Ramphal, esteemed international statesman, dies at 95
"[Some men] have become famous because in their fight for human justice, they have chosen the entire world as their theatre. Shridath Ramphal is one of those men."
Bangladeshis help out in flood-affected communities
Bangladesh is experiencing another round of severe floods. Volunteers from across the country are rushing to the affected areas in trucks, carrying boats, speedboats, and relief supplies.
Everything you should know about the Nigeria vs South Africa ‘online ride-hailing war’
This latest digital feud, which involves ordering and canceling trips on ride-hailing apps in both countries, is negatively affecting the livelihoods of the drivers.
From Myanmar to Thailand: Displaced journalists tell their stories
"I still have concerns that police will raid our office and arrest us because we have no permit to operate a news agency."
Citizens place blame on India as flash floods ravage Bangladesh
Bangladesh is grappling with one of its worst floods in recent times, caused by heavy rainfall and influx of water from India's Tripura state rivers.
How online disinformation fuels religious, ethnic and sociopolitical tensions during Bangladesh’s regime change
The month-long student-led mass movement that led to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was marred not only with violence, but also a surge in mis- and disinformation.
Are 90 percent of Kenyans homophobic?
Is it possible that Western conservative influence operations are dragging African countries like Kenya into culture wars whose endgame only they understand?
The passing of an iconic Guyanese singer sparks patriotic feelings, as border dispute with Venezuela drags on
"It may have been triggered by a border controversy, but Not a Blade of Grass is simply a case of Guyanese people expressing fervently and passionately their love for Guyana ... "
Life in Gaza is even harder than it appears on screen
Two weeks ago, I drank some water, and my stomach still hurts. The water was supposed to be potable just as Gaza is supposed to be liveable.
Turkey is committed to undermining NATO
"Hesitation to hold Turkey accountable is partially understandable. NATO was created to counter the systemic threat posed by the Soviet Union. It has no developed mechanisms to counter internal threats ..."
After the SID4 conference in Antigua & Barbuda, ‘small islands’ fight to maintain ‘special case’ status at the UN
“We are not creating these problems but they’re tremendously disruptive to our development [...] SIDS are on the frontline, and we are one of the most vulnerable groups.”
Bangladesh 2.0: Youth-led movement ends Sheikh Hasina's 16-year rule, seeks reform
A student-led uprising, supported by hundreds of thousands of citizens, defied PM Sheikh Hasina's heavy-handed measures. The escalating unrest led to anarchy, resulting in her resignation and departure from the country.
US diplomats’ memoirs offer candid tales of Central Asian history
A recurring theme in them is Karimov’s loathsome attitude and lack of respect towards his regional colleagues.
China helped Cameroon build drinking water infrastructure. Is it a debt crisis or developmental aid?
Cameroon has built up it's clean water infrastructure thanks to access to Chinese loans. However, what are the long-term consequences of the resulting debt?
Can Hong Kong's achievement in the Olympics revive the city's spirit?
Some see the city's achievement in the Olympics as an opportunity to reclaim “Hong Kong’s Spirit.”
Azerbaijan: Continued arrests and allegations of mass torture ahead of COP29
The forms of ill-treatment and torture documented by the committee — slaps, punches, kicks and truncheon or wooden stick blows to the person’s head and/or body — are widespread.
Sri Lanka elections: Will the real Wickremesinghe, Premadasa and Dissanayake please stand up?
Over 4,000 tweets associated with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna party leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake were analyzed to uncover their artificially constructed identities.
The Venezuela of Maduro, the inconvenient sister of Latin America's left
For years democratic leftist governments in Latin America maintained relations with Maduro's Venezuela despite its authoritarian tendencies. Will the year 2024 mark the end of such relations?
Belarusians in exile dismayed that no Belarusian was included in the prisoner swap
The plight of Belarusian political prisoners is often overlooked, and although 18 were released last month, an estimated 1,400 remain behind bars.
How the war in Ukraine prompted an exodus of Chechens from Russia
Every day spent in Chechnya is similar to gambling, and your life is at stake.
Turkey and Armenia resume talks, marking historic diplomatic breakthrough
Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 during the first Karabakh war in a show of solidarity with its long-time ally Azerbaijan. Since then, ties between Turkey and Armenia have remained strained.
