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.
Venezuela: False rumor of Gaddafi flying to Venezuela calls attention to relationship with Chávez
Greg at Two Weeks Notice reports that “Twitter has been loaded with rumors the past two days about Libya, and there was no juicier rumor than Moammar Gaddafi flying to Venezuela. It also turned out to be completely false, but,” he argues, “it underlined the very public and strong bond...
Cuba: The Memory of Zapata
“Sometimes the end of person cements his name in history forever”: Generation Y blogs about Orlando Zapata Tamayo on the first anniversary of his death.
Ukraine: “Reasons For Not Believing Today's Authorities”
Foreign Notes provides a loose translation – here and here – of the “30 reasons why it is difficult to believe today's authorities,” which were published in the Feb. 11 issue of the Ukrainian weekly news magazine Korrespondent.
Russia: One-Person Rallies by the Embassy of Libya
LJ user notavailablenow reports (RUS) on an hour-long series of one-person pickets held across the street from the Embassy of Libya in Moscow on Tuesday by two citizen activists, who took turns holding up a poster that read “Stop state terrorism.” First, however, the activists had to educate and argue...
Why is President Obama Traveling to El Salvador in March?
Mike in Central American Politics mentions several reasons why President Obama is traveling to El Salvador in March of this year, “in addition to security, trade, energy, poverty, etc.”
Jamaica, Haiti: Insensitive Treatment?
“The Haitians are clearly hurt and humiliated” over the treatment of its youth football team, writes Active Voice, some of members of which were found to be suffering from malaria.
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 Islamic nations would no more be tricked by the US, and we want you to stop interfering in the Islamic...
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 seem out of place when living in a foreign country especially as they often find it hard, or refuse, to...
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.
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.
Libya-Italy: online reactions to the “Berlusconi connection”
Given the recently close relationship between Gheddafi and the Italian government, materials and many varying opinions on this unusual bond are emerging. Here is an overview of what is being posted on the Internet in Italian (and other languages) in recent hours - including significant satirical comic strips.
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 Yuan Won't Help US Economy.”
Cambodia: Letter to UN to intervene in border row
Sambath Meas writes an open letter to the United Nations asking it to intervene in the ongoing border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.
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.
Afghanistan: EU police training mission risks failure
Nick Fielding reviews the report from the UK House of Lords, noting that the EU's mission to train local police in Afghanistan risks failure, as only about 285 experts had been sent by member states to train the Afghan police – well short of the 400 requested.
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 tense over the last couple years.
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.
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 into this year's Eurovision Song Contest, reports in the local media attack Vahram Petrosyan for considering that Armenian and Azerbaijani...
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?
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 means.
