· July, 2012

Stories about International Relations from July, 2012

Brazil: Middle East Economic Policy Under the Radar

The current search for new trading partners in unexpected geographic areas demonstrates the extent to which Brazil has changed its foreign policy the last few years. With an agenda that has focused primarily on global business performance, the Middle East has emerged as a key area for Brazilians.

Syria: Palestinians and the Syrian Revolution

Palestine has been the single most influential player on Syria's political history since independence. Playing host to more than 500,000 Palestinian refugees who have almost exactly the same rights and privileges as Syrian citizens, Syria has both influenced and been influenced by their cause and their plight. Where do Palestinians stand from the Syrian revolution? Yazan Badran takes a look at what Palestinian netizens have to say.

United States Eases Sanctions on Myanmar

  14 July 2012

The United States Treasury and State Department have issued a joint fact sheet about the government's decision to ease financial and investment sanctions on Myanmar in response to the recent political and economic reforms implemented by the Myanmar government

Syria: Traymseh Massacre Evokes Rage and Sorrow

Last year, on the eve of the holy month of Ramadan, Syrian forces loyal to the regime of Bashar al-Assad, killed around 45 civilians in the central town of Hama. This year, the bloodshed is in a village in the vicinity of Hama, Traymseh, but the death toll is believed to be several times higher.

Afghanistan: American-Handpicked President a “Terrible Idea”

In a recent op-ed piece in the Washington Post, American scholar Michael O’Hanlon (who also advises the CIA) argued that the US should pick the next president of Afghanistan. Ahmad Shuja, an Afghan blogger and political commentator based in US, calls this proposal “a terrible, terrible idea” and a “dangerous option that...

Bulgaria: “I, the Bulgarian from Macedonia”

The Bulgarian news outlet Fakel published [bg] a review of a new book entitled, “I, the Bulgarian from Macedonia.” The book is described as “a terrible, breaking, disgusting story that not only shakes up, startles and stirs our sleeping national conscience, but shifts, collapses and splits with tectonic force all...

South Asia: First Pakistan-India Social Media Summit

  10 July 2012

A social media summit between Indian and Pakistani netizens titled the “Social Media Mela 2012″ will take place on the 13th and 14th of July 2012. The seats are limited and excitements are plenty among the netizens, reports Faisal Kapadia.

Angola, China: Netizens Discuss New Development Ghost Town

  10 July 2012

The government of Angola hired a Chinese company to build 750 expensive apartments in Kalimba, about 30km outside the capital Luanda. Despite rich natural resources, many people in Angola live in abject poverty and cannot afford these apartments. Will Kalimba become Africa's biggest ghost town?

Russia: Caucasus Stereotypes in Film

Global Chaos comments on a recent video report by Radio Free Europe examining changing stereotypes of the Caucasus in Russian cinema. The blog asks whether the caricatures often adopted for public diplomacy purposes are counterproductive or not.