· May, 2013

Stories about International Relations from May, 2013

Catalonia's Sovereignty Declaration Suspended

  8 May 2013

The Spanish Constitutional Court just suspended Catalonia's Declaration of Sovereignty, which the regional parliament of Catalonia approved by majority on 23 January, 2013. Amid rising tensions between Spain and Catalonia, the decision has generated strong reactions on offline and online media. Thanks to a diverse team of collaborators, the online...

US Invitation to Sudanese Official Draws Wide Condemnation

  7 May 2013

The United States government faced a wave of criticism when news surfaced about an official invitation it has extended to a senior delegation of the Sudanese government, particularly including Nafie Ali Nafie, Sudan's ruling party controversial strongman and Presidential adviser to President Omar Hasan al-Bashir.

Lebanon's Migrant Workers Mark May Day

KAFA (Enough Racism and Violence) posted [Ar] that the migrant domestic workers in Beirut celebrated Labor's Day by holding a demonstration in which they demanded an end to the Kafala System [Sponsorship System]. The demonstration culminated with a gathering in a public park where the workers shared different aspects from their...

‘Hope, Service, Passion': Meet Laura Boldrini, Italy's Likable Leader in Parliament

  6 May 2013

Italy's most recent elections swept several non-career politicians into office. Among these new players on the Italian political scene is writer and human rights activist Laura Boldrini, whose popularity during her short time in office has skyrocketed thanks to a reputation for sincerity and compassion at a time when corruption is ever present in the country's politics.

Costa Rican Blogger (Almost) Meets Obama

  6 May 2013

While Laura [Chinchilla] was talking, at one point he [Obama] turned and looked toward my direction. I took the opportunity and put on my best smile and raised my hat as a greeting. With my other hand I was holding his book over my chest. And you know what? He...

Hostages and Ransom Payments: What is France's Policy?

  3 May 2013

Around three months after the French President François Hollande’s January 2013 decision to stop paying ransoms to hostage takers, the Moulin-Fournier family were finally released, to the immense relief of their family and friends. The exact circumstances behind their liberation have not been disclosed, leading many to wonder whether money was used to secure their release, and, if so, what this says about France's policy towards hostage takers.

From Russia with No Love…for Central Asia

Migrants from Central Asia and the Caucasus are the usual victims of racist sentiment in Russia. Aware of deepening anti-migrant feelings, many of Moscow's politicians promote right-wing policies. But there is one politician that always goes a step further than the rest.

President Barack Obama visits Mexico and Costa Rica

  2 May 2013

U.S. President Barack Obama began his trip through Mexico and Costa Rica with the intention of addressing vitally important themes for the region that include the expansion of commerce and economic and energy cooperation, as well as issues of security, immigration, government and control of illegal drug trafficking.

South Korea Pulls Out of Joint Industrial Complex in North Korea

  1 May 2013

The nearly decade-old, jointly run Kaesong Industrial Complex in North Korea, a place often referred as “last bastion of hope” for Korean reunification, is on the verge of a shutdown after the South Korean government ordered the withdrawal of South Korean workers in the face of increased cross-border tensions.