Stories about International Relations from July, 2008
Syria: Forgotten Prisoners and Real Heros
An Egyptian prisoner is still being held in an Israeli jail, according to reports being posted by bloggers, in the aftermath of the Prisoner swap between Israel and Hezbollah. Razan Ghazzawi reflects on what the Syrian bloggers had to say about this and the exchange of prisoners in general.
Arabeyes: Any Legal Foundations for Al Bashir's Indictment?
Since July 14, when the possibility of Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al Bashir's indictment by the International Criminal Court was raised, bloggers around the world have reacted to the matter. Today, we visit blogs from the Middle East and North Africa to learn how they feel.
Pakistan: PM in the US
The Pakistani Spectator on what the Pakistani Prime Minister should say when he's in the US.
Cuba, Mexico: Good Relations
“I’ve always admired how Mexico, despite its own internal contradictions and conflicts, was able to dodge the US pressure on Cuba…in the early 1960s”: On a recent trip to Mexico City, Havana-based blogger Circles Robinson has a chat with an immigration officer that makes him realize “Mexico is no exception”...
Barbados, Venezuela: Staking a Claim
Notes From The Margin is monitoring the “strident” tone of an article in the Venezuelan media which deals with the South American country's claim of Barbados’ waters: “Barbados has little reason to take on Venezuela’s claims other than Venezuela has the means to aggressively enforce its claims on the area...
Hungary: Gas Pipeline and Relations With Russia and the U.S.
Hungarian Spectrum writes about Hungary's negotiations with Russia on the Southern Stream gas pipeline and the effect it is having on the U.S.-Hungarian relations.
Serbia, Russia: Karadzic's and “Russian Energy Imperialism”
James of Robert Amsterdam's Blog is wondering whether “Karadzic arrest [could be] a response to Russian energy imperialism.”
Czech Republic: Fear of the Olympic China
The Czech Daily Word explains why “Czech athletes are a little afraid to go to China.”
Bosnia & Herzegovina: 7 Serbs Convicted
Srebrenica Genocide Blog reports on the sentencing of “Milenko Trifunović, Brano Džinić, and Aleksandar Radovanović to forty-two (42) years long-term imprisonment, the Accused Miloš Stupar, Slobodan Jakovljević, and Branislav Medan to forty (40) years long-term imprisonment, and the Accused Petar Mitrović to thirty-eight (38) years long-term imprisonment”: “All 7 Accused...
Serbia: Karadžić Update
An update on Radovan Karadžić – at East Ethnia.
Arabeyes: Head Over Heels for Muhannad
A strange phenomenon has gripped the Arab world and Arabs seem to agree on something. It is an infatuation with a Turkish soap opera, dubbed in Arabic, and its stunning star Muhanned (played by Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ), whose romantic trysts are beamed on television screens across the region. The obsession of some people with the soap has also prompted the Grand Mufti of the Islamic world, Shaikh Abdul Aziz Al Shaikh, from Saudi Arabia, to issue a fatwa (religious edict) banning the drama, saying watching it is Haram (a sin).
Belarus: Relations with Russia and the Union State
Glavred user ringo analyses (RUS) relations between Belarus and Russia and the situation with the issue of the Union State of Belarus and Russia.
Russia: Reaction to Captive Nations Speech
Former Estonian Prime Minister Mart Laar comments on the negative Russian reactions to US president's George Bush parallel between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in a recent speech celebrating the Captive Nations’ week. Idel-Ural Kray presents an alternative view (RUS) of the matter.
Russia: Exaggerated Rumours of a New Cuban Crisis
FP Passport – Russia follows up on the commotion and official denials following rumours of Russian plans to station strategic bombers to Cuba.
Russia: Plans for Naval Expansion
Siberian Light writes about the Russian navy's plans to build new vessels and expand its operations, mainly concerning the Northern and Pacific fleets.
Latvia, Russia: Views of European Court Ruling
Marginalia presents a Latvian view of the background to and case of Kononov vs. Latvia, which Latvia lost last week in the European Court of Human Rights, whereas Voices from Russia gives a Russian view of perceived Latvian motives for the original war crimes’ charges against Kononov.
Arabeyes: Palestinians to Sudan
Blogger Ms Levantine discusses Sudan's offer to accept Palestinian refugees.
Egypt: A Man's Views on Sexual Harassment in Egypt
In a series of posts tackling sexual harassment in Egypt, Marwa Rakha sheds light on a male Egyptian blogger's interpretation of what is really happening on the ground. "The Sex Files," by blogger Wael Nawara presents a rather interesting perspective on sexual harassment in Egypt.
Egypt Silences the Voice of Iran
Egyptian authorities shut down the Cairo office of an Iranian TV network over a film that justifies the killing of former Egyptian President Anwar Sadat by Islamic militants. Marwa Rakha sums up the opinions of Egyptian blogger Dina Ayoub about the incident in this post.
Pakistan: Bush and the US
CHUP! on Bush's praise for Pakistan as a strong ally.
Armenia: Iranian Students
Armenia: Higher Education & Sciences comments on a recent article published by the BBC on Iranian students studying in the country.