Stories about International Relations from July, 2007
Russia: Cyclical History
From Russia With Blog looks at Putin's Russia from a “cyclical history” perspective – and also highlights “the apathy of the Russian masses” by describing the annual no-hot-water season.
Russia: Polonium 210 Coffee Mugs
The Accidental Russophile considers buying a Polonium 210 coffee mug, available at CafePress for $10.99.
Caribbean: Seven Wonders of the Caribbean
Why hasn't the Caribbean appeared on the Seven Wonders of the World list? Bajegirl at the Cheese on Bread blog lists the “Seven Wonders of the Caribbean”.
Russia: Sochi Mosque and Other Non-Olympic Issues
Among other things, Window on Eurasia reports that media attention to Sochi might “force the local officials to allow for the construction of a mosque for the city's 20,000 Muslims” – at last, after 13 years of trying to get the permission.
Russia: Counterterrorism (Mis)guidance
A flawed textbook on how to identify and counter extremist groups is on the reading list of the Russian police, writes Window on Eurasia.
Trinidad & Tobago: Impressions of Chavez
“We do not –many say– yet know the REAL Hugo. But I know what his latest stance on foreign criticism is and there is nothing ambivalent about it.” Young Trinidadian Andre Bagoo shares his views on the Venezuelan leader.
Tunisian blogger on AKP victory in Turkey's legislative elections
Of the AKP victory in Turkey tunisiendoctor writes (Fr): “Goodbye to secular military dictatorship in Turkey and best of luck to a democratic, and perhaps even European, Turkey.”
Tanzania: Swiss government removes all tariffs and quotas
Gillian writes about the decision by the Swiss government to remove all tarrifs on trade with Tanzania: “The Swiss government has removed all tariffs and quotas standing in the way of Tanzanian exports destined for Switzerland. The new regulations came into force in April 2007, and are expected to benefit...
Serbia: Borders
Anegdote writes on the visa regime liberalization with the EU members for Serbia.
Poland: Posts on Politics
The beatroot writes about a homophobic gay icon, alcohol consumption data, an “unbelievable new alliance” of two Polish politicians, President Lech Kaczynski's meeting with George W. Bush, and one politician's anti-German rhetoric.
Macedonia: Macedonian Orthodox Church
The Macedonian Tendency writes about the Macedonian Orthodox Church.
Latvia: Latvians in Ireland
Latvian Abroad writes about Latvians living and working in Ireland and the UK.
Iraq: Special Treatment for Dubai
Ladybird from Iraq questions the preferential treatment Dubai is getting from the US when it comes to trafficking children.
Iraq: Visiting Jordan
Iraqi Omar talks about the ‘special’ treatment being met to Iraqis travelling to Jordan.
Bangladesh: Media and Fretting
Mash on US media and what he terms as “a whole lot of fretting over Pakistan”
Hungary: Museums, Toilets, and Domestic Products
Further Ramblings of a N.Irish Magyar writes about free toilets and museum admission fees, and about the Hungarian domestic products market.
Former Soviet Union: “Escape from Moscow”
Mart Laar, Estonia's former prime minister, writes about certain countries’ successes and failures in parting with the Communist past.
Kuwait: Here & there
Kuwaiti bloggers are talking about their present and past this week. While two bloggers are looking into their surroundings for inspiration and futuristic projects, another is diving into history to reinstate the rights of Kuwaitis to decide on their own fate, reports Abdullatif AlOmar.
Chad: Opposition party on Deby's visit to France
Parti Liberal du Tchad posts their official response (Fr) to Idriss Deby's recent visit to France.
Estonia: Smaller Minorities
Itching for Eestimaa writes about Estonia's “smaller, less vocal minorities [that] usually get lost in the shuffle.”
Bosnia & Herzegovina: EU Prospects
Bosnia Blog writes about the country's EU membership prospects.
