Stories about International Relations from November, 2013
Massive Railway Project between Niamey and Cotonou Underway
A 1,500 km-long railway project between Niamey, the capital city of Niger and Cotonou, the capital city of Benin has been green lighted by the authorities of the two countries and construction will begin on March 2014 [fr]. Francois Ndiaye in Niamey unpacks the set up of the financial agreement [fr] that includes...
Australian Prime Minister Downplays Sri Lankan Torture Allegations
Many Australians were flabbergasted by Prime Minister Tony Abbott's conciliatory remarks about torture and other human rights abuses allegedly committed by the Sri Lankan government
China: Domestic or Foreign Role for New National Security Committee?
The establishment of a new top-level authority - State Security Committee (NSC) - was announced by the Chinese Communist Party on November 12, 2013.
Ethiopians: #SomeoneTellSaudiArabia to Stop Immigration Crackdown
Saudi Arabia has began enforcing a crackdown on illegal immigrants after the expiry of an amnesty period given to illegal immigrants. Ethiopian immigrants find themselves a target.
An Alternative Guide to Colombo for CHOGM 2013
The prestigious Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2013 is taking place in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo and the government ensured an expensive makeover of the city for the distinguished guests. Groundviews posts a guide to the other sides of the city which are apparently invisible to the guests.
200,000 Dominicans of Haitian Descent are Stripped of Citizenship
A myriad of NGOs and social activists have demonstrated against a sentence which has denationalized almost 250 000 Dominicans of Haitian descent.
Puerto Ricans Demand Oscar López Rivera's Release From Prison
The Movimiento Independentista Nacional Hostosiano (MINH), a Puerto Rican pro-independence movement, is organizing a peaceful protest on November 23 to demand the liberation of Oscar López Rivera. López Rivera is the longest-held political prisoner in the western hemisphere, charged with “seditious conspiracy” for his struggle for Puerto Rico's independence from...
How to Have Fun With Nuclear Negotiation
When "making progress" during nuclear negotiations still means no deal, Iranians on Twitter share jokes about the comical side of things.
Journalist Dubbed ‘Macedonian Assange’ Arrested in Serbia
Macedonia releases one journalist and arrests another. Journalist Zoran Bozinovski was arrested in Serbia on November 7, 2013 on an Interpol warrant requested by Macedonian authorities.
Hungary Criticized for Lenient Naturalization Policy
With unemployment and economic concern growing in the European Union, Hungary is among some of the EU member states being criticized by its Union neighbors for more lenient laws passed in 2011 for attaining Hungarian citizenship. Charles Richardson explains why on Crikey's blogs: Hungary has been giving some grief to...
Sadness and Anger in Kidal, Mali
Blogger Wirriyamu mourns the two French journalists killed [fr] in Kidal, Mali. But beside his immense sadness, Wirriyamu also feels angry at seeing Northern Mali left helpless yet again to terrorists attacks. He writes [fr] about his silent anger at the situation there : Tant qu’il ne sera pas possible...
Bad Cop, Good Cop and Other Cops in Iran Nuke Talks
Six world powers and Iran are discussing Iran's nuclear programme in a two-day meeting in Geneva. Lebanese satirist Karl Sharro comments on Twitter: The Western sides at the P5+1 talks with Iran are playing good cop, bad cop, over-enthusiastic cop and insufferably pretentious cop. — Karl Sharro (@KarlreMarks) November 9,...
Turk-Arab Youth Congress: Middle East Needs Greater Regional Cooperation
Global Voices author from Pakistan Fakiha Hassan Rizvi attended the 2nd Turk Arab Youth Congress (TAYC) held in Istanbul, Turkey on Oct 25-27, 2013 and reports what she learned.
In Response to Danny Ayalon: The REAL Truth about Palestine
In a video released in July 2011, Israeli Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Danny Ayalon offered his version of the “Israel Palestinian Conflict: The Truth About the West Bank”. In the video he explained the meaning of terms such as Palestine, the West Bank and the Occupied Territories based on...
Newfound Oil Met With Hope, Concern in Benin
The Benin government has announced the discovery of a source of oil in the Sèmè-Podji region. The find has pleased some, but others remain skeptical.
Dominican Republic and Haiti: Two very different versions
The blog Repeating Islands republished two letters to the editor of the New York Times that paint two very different pictures on the situation regarding the recent decision of the Constitutional Tribunal of the Dominican Republic to strip citizenship from all descendants of immigrants who entered the country extralegally, retroactive...
China's People Liberation Army Propaganda on Sino-U.S Relation
Andrew Chubb from South Sea Conversation highlighted a “leaked” documentary video produced for China's People Liberation Army on U.S foreign politics and its role in the disintegration of former USSR and its threat to the one party regime of China.
D.R., Haiti: We Can Work It Out?
This is an island. No way out. So these two nations, who have been doing a live rendition of a Russian novel for 500 years, are going to have to work it out. Contrary to many of the opinions expressed in this post, Changing Perspectives weighs in on the decision...
87 Migrants Die of Thirst in Northern Niger
On 0ctober 30, 87 people trying to reach the Mediterranean sea died after being abandoned in the Sahara Desert when their drivers left them stranded to seek for help. The harrowing story of one the survivors, 14-year-old Shafa, highlights the plight of many migrants trying to reach Europe and the obstacles they face. In...
VIDEO: Chinese Respond to American Child's “Kill Everyone in China” Comment on Jimmy Kimmel Live
The best way to address antagonistic sentiment is a sense of humor and good knowledge of the subject of hatred.
Pakistani Taliban Leader's Death by Drone Triggers Relief, Anger and Fear
The drone attack comes as the Pakistani government was putting a team together to hold peace talks with Mehsud's Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
