Stories about International Relations from February, 2014
Examining the Post-Colonial Evolution of Francophone and Anglophone Africa
The topic of the post-colonial evolution of francophone versus anglophone African states has always a fodder for intense debate. Cheidozié Dike, from Nigeria, brings a new perspective to the subject : While the French Loi Cadre system was mostly about integration, the British colonial system sought only exploitation. Creating an...
Bosnian Protesters Demand Bread, Social Justice and Freedom of Speech
When the citizens of Bosnia’s second largest city, Tuzla, went out to protest on February 4, 2014, few expected to witness the countrywide unrest that erupted a week later.
An “Increasingly Uncertain” Future for Central Asia's Fergana Valley
On the Caravanistan blog, Cycloscope writes about radioactive landfill sites in the Fergana Valley, a region “absurdly divided between Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan”: Unaware of the dangers of radioactivity, the locals take the equipment in the old abandoned mines and sell them as scrap, risking not only their own lives...
China Dissidents Going to the U.S
Patrick Lozada from Beijing Cream discussed the phenomena that many dissidents who have left China would turn up joining the Right Wing organizations in the U.S. He pointed out the dilemma of the current situation: I understand why they do it. You can say bad things about China in China...
Iran: “Less” anti-U.S. Atmosphere
Iran celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Islamic revolution on Tuesday.Some netizens wrote about what hardliners reported after the celebration.Hadi Nili tweeted Some hardliner #Iran'ian users in social networks shown disappointment about "less" anti-US atmosphere in the annual march of revolution. — Hadi Nili (@HadiNili) February 11, 2014
Brazilian Activists Fight Back Against Mass Surveillance
As the world comes together to take a stand against mass surveillance on February 11, 2014, Brazilian citizens, organizations and collectives are bringing momentum to #TheDayWeFightBack campaign.
INFOGRAPHIC: Pursuit of Happiness in Africa
The Afrographique blog mapped the happiness index for the African continent. Topping the ranking are Angola and Mauritius who hold the same happiness index as Albania and Russia, respectively. In related news, the Pharell’ single “Happy” has been used by dancers around the world to celebrate the new year 2014....
Yemenis Demand an End to Corruption and Unfair Sales Deals
Yemenis are back on the streets demanding an end to what they claim are "unfair" liquefied natural gas (LNG) sales agreements, bleeding the country's resources.
Pakistani Superhero Ms. Marvel
It's a comic book. And yet, while I did a lot of laughing [it's got a lot of funny moments] I also couldn't stop the tears. Because I was so happy to see a version of myself reflected before me, not sensationalized or stereotyped. Blogger Aisha Saeed posts a review...
Change From the Ground Up in War-Torn Central African Republic
Second part of the interview with Michel Besse and the ATD Fourth World Team in Bangui about how to support Central Africa.
The French Expatriate Perspective on France's Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric
The immigration debate is taking center stage in the public conversation of France. French citizens living abroad have a different perspective on the issue.
When Genocide is, apparently, a Laughing Matter
French humorist Nicolas Canteloup has come under fire for a sketch making light of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda [fr]. Following the outrage, Mr Canteloup has yet to apologize for the sketch. Audrey Kucinskas, a blogger for the Plus asks the logical question: “can anything be a laughing matter?” [fr]: Rire du...
Pre-Registration Open for Brazil's Global Internet Governance Event
In preparation for the Global Multistakeholder Meeting on the Future of Internet Governance that will take place in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on 23-24 April 2014, the organizers are now accepting pre-registrations through a form for expression of interest. The event is a partnership between the state-convened Brazilian Internet Steering Committee (CGI.br), and...
French Influence on Vietnamese Cooking
Writing for The Culture Trip, Melissa Pearce reviews the French impact on Vietnamese cooking: The French brought many ingredients and flavours to Vietnam, most popular and noticeable upon entering the country is probably the baguette, which the Vietnamese adapted and today create their own style of baguette using rice flour.
North Korea Rips Off Mac OS X
North Korea has released its own operating system, Red Star Linux, which remarkably resembles Apple's Mac OS X. One tech writer calls it ‘basically a Linux distro skinned to look like OS X‘ and if you want to check yourself, visit North Korea Tech blog who explains in detail with many...
Saudi King Outlaws Religious Groups
The Saudi monarch outlawed Saudis from fighting in other countries and belonging to religious and extremist groups. Netizens react to the new royal decree.
Korean Comfort Women Issue Explained by Cartoon
A special exhibition on ‘comfort women‘- Korean girls forced to work as sex slaves for Japanese army during the World War 2 era- was featured at one of the leading cartoon festivals in France. It made several headlines as the Japanese government tried to block it, but failed. Korean net users...
Japan's US Base Plan Hits Snafu With Local Mayor's Re-Election
Susumu Inamine, who opposes a plan to transfer the US airbase from Futenma to Henoko district, a coastal area of his city, was re-elected on January 20.
