Stories about International Relations from July, 2012
DR of Congo: Does Rebel Group M23 Seek Kivu Secession with Rwanda's Approval?
Giles Muhane reports that the March 23 Movement M23 rebel military group is believed to be seeking secession of the the province of Kivu from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Muhane adds that Kinshasa...
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/Turkey: Syrian Refugees Protest Water Shortages at Kilis Camp
Syrian refugees at the Kilis Refugee camp, on the Syrian-Turkish border, protested against water shortages. Four policemen and 10 refugees are reportedly injured.
Madagascar: Will Air France Jet Purchases Really Help Air Madagascar?
The year 2011 saw Air Madagascar being banned from flying to European destinations due to the airline failing to comply with security regulations. The transition government had been celebrating the purchase of two Air France Airbus A340s with great fanfare, yet multiple questions have been since been raised over the purchase.
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
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...
Mauritania: Anger at Foreign Minister's Support for Assad
In his speech at the Friends of Syria conference on July 6, the Mauritanian foreign minister Hamadi Ould Hamadi described what was happening in Syria as "violence and counterviolence". This comment was considered to be an expression of support for Bashar Al Assad's regime, and angered activists.
Zambia: Police Thwart Xenophobic Attacks Against Congolese Traders
The Zambian law enforcement agencies prevented what could have been deadly retaliatory and xenophobic attacks on neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo citizens living in Zambia following the burning to death of a Zambian driver in the border Congolese town of Kasumbalesa.
DR of Congo: Controversial Sentence for Thomas Lubanga
On 10 July, the International Criminal Court convicted Congolese Thomas Lubanga Dyilo to 14 years in prison. He was found guilty of war crimes for having recruited and enrolled children under 15-years-old. Congolese bloggers lament over the restrained sentence.
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...
Allegations about the UN Tech Exports to North Korea
The North Korea Tech blog wrote about the latest revelation that the U.S. Government is looking into exports of computer equipment to North Korea by the World Intellectual Property Organization...
South Sudan: One Year After Becoming World's Newest Nation
South Sudanese have just celebrated their first anniversary of independence. South Sudan's independence was declared on 9 July, 2011 when it became world’s newest country. This is a roundup of blog posts written to mark one year of independence from Sudan.
Palestine: Football Player Mahmoud Sarsak Set Free
Palestinian football player Mahmoud Sarsak was freed from an Israeli prison yesterday. His return to Gaza received a massive welcome.
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...
South Asia: First Pakistan-India Social Media Summit
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
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?
Israel: Netizens Respond with Ridicule to No Occupation Report
Israel's netizens react with satire to a recently released report that claims Israel is not an occupying power in the West Bank. Image caption reads: "Listen, I'm gonna take off the blindfold. Tell me if you still see the occupation."
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...
Venezuela, Japan: ‘Estudiantina Komaba’ Music Bridges ‘Distant’ Countries
Have you ever wondered what interests Venezuelans and Japanese could have in common? If manga and sushi were your first guess, we invite you to explore how Japanese musicians have taken Venezuelan traditional music as the center of their interest, and how Venezuelan fans support and connect with these musicians using citizen media.
India: Multiculturism and Intolerance
Purba Ray asks whether multiculturalism breeds intolerance.
