· February, 2011

Stories about International Relations from February, 2011

Libya: Obama Speaks, Tweeps Heckle

United States President Barack Obama broke his silence on Libya in a speech at the White House on Wednesday, but his words did little to satisfy the listening masses on Twitter who for the most heckled the president in tweets throughout the speech.

24 February 2011

Iran: VOA Hacked by “Cyber Army”

Iran's “Cyber Army” hacked Voice of America's website today and left a message for Hilary Clinton: “Mrs. Clinton, Do you want to hear the voice of the oppressed nations? The...

22 February 2011

Azerbaijan: Assimilation Disorder

Known for its caustic humor and sarcastic insight, London-based Azerbaijani blogger Scary Azeri touches upon the sensitive issue of cultural (in)compatibility noting how a traditional mindset of her countrymen may...

22 February 2011

South Korea: Botched Spying Attempt Embarrasses Citizens

South Korea’s intelligence agency has made the headlines after its agents allegedly broke into an Indonesian delegation’s hotel room last week in Seoul, in an attempt to steal classified information on Indonesia’s arms trade plans. The three intruders - two men and a woman - fled after they were caught copying files onto a USB stick by a delegate.

22 February 2011

Kuwait: Stateless ‘Bedoun’ Demand Rights

Kuwait's stateless population, also known as ‘bedoun' (without nationality), has been holding protests for the third day in a row, calling for equal rights and a citizenship in the country many have been born in and know as their only home. The government says they are illegal residents - and that their demonstrations are illegal too.

21 February 2011

China: Debating with Shaun Rein

Dan from China Law Blog opens a debate with CNBC's Columnist Shaun Rein, who enjoys representing Chinese point of view and recently wrote an article on “Why A Fast Appreciating...

21 February 2011

Ukraine: Dear Polish Delegation, We’re in Shock, Too

Earlier this week, a Ukrainian TV station broadcasted a report about the visit of the Polish parliamentary delegation to Ukraine's parliament. According to the report, the Polish visitors were shocked by the Ukrainian MPs’ illegal practice of voting on behalf of fellow party members. Tetyana Bohdanova reports on Ukrainian netizens' reactions.

20 February 2011

Uzbekistan: US official visits Tashkent

Marat Sartpaev reports that U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O. Blake, Jr. traveled to Uzbekistan as relations between two countries started turning less...

20 February 2011

Madagascar: Reactions to Ousted President Ravalomanana Attempting to Return

Tropical storm Binziga has just hit Madagascar, having killed killed six people and leaving about 7,500 without adequate shelter. Yet the attention is focused on the attempted return of the Ousted Madagascar President Marc Ravalomanana, who issued a statement and spoke at a news conference in Johannesburg stating that he will return from his exile in South Africa.

20 February 2011

Armenia: Blind nationalist hatred

Unzipped comments on what appears to be an orchestrated black PR campaign against a local musician in Armenia. One of four finalists in the running to compose the country's entry...

19 February 2011

Middle East: The Dictator's Handbook now in Bahrain

All of a sudden, many ageing Arab regimes found themselves under the fire of their protesting peoples. But will the same routes taken by both the regimes and the protesters in the different countries lead to the same destination?

19 February 2011

India And Pakistan: Ideological Enemies?

“Are India and Pakistan ideological enemies?” asks Dr. Niaz Murtaza at Pak Tea House. Murtaza thinks that both the countries should resolve their differences maturely by dialogue, not by other...

18 February 2011