Stories about International Relations from August, 2014
America's Has-Been Stars Are Russia's A-List Pride

Some of Hollywood’s biggest has-beens have been making major headlines in Russia lately, thrilling a nation happy to receive approval from America’s formerly famous entertainers.
Kyrgyz President Gatecrashes (New) Turkish President's Party
As Recep Tayyip Erdoğan became Turkey's first popularly elected president, he had a surprise guest to help him celebrate. Kyrgyzstan's president Almazbek Atambayev became an overnight Twitter celebrity in Turkey.
Volunteers from Slovenia, Macedonia and Serbia Are Joining Forces to Rebuild After Catastrophic Floods
Over 50 volunteers from Slovenia, Macedonia, and Serbia have gathered in Kraljevo, Serbia in a self-organized labor action to help rebuild the damage done by floods in the region.
Investment Deal with China Leaves Jamaicans With More Questions Than Answers
I AM SO FLABBERGASTED: WHO gives a FOREIGN government the RIGHT to CHOOSE WHICH LAND IT WANTS? As part of an investment exchange, the Jamaican government has agreed to give...
Are the West's Sanctions Against Russia Tough Enough?

The West has hit Russia with the toughest sanctions yet, signaling that it is finally getting serious about Russia’s continued support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. Are they enough?
How the Singapore-Malaysia ‘Toll Wars’ Are Hurting Workers and Commuters
The cost of crossing the Singapore-Johor Causeway suddenly went up by almost 400 percent after toll fees were raised by Malaysia and Singapore.
Moscow's Birthday Card to Barack Obama. Is This Racist?

An anonymous group of young people climbed atop the U.S. embassy in Moscow and hung a banner mocking the American President on his 53rd birthday. Was the sign racist?
Another Tajik Blogger Speaks Out For Alexander Sodiqov
Fifty days and counting since Global Voices' Alexander Sodiqov was arrested by authorities in Khorog, Tajikistan. Sodiqov has been released but not acquitted. Here, another Tajik blogger defends his name.
Russian-French Opposition Activist Koblyakov Arrested in Bulgaria
Nikolay Koblyakov, founder of the French NGO Free Russia, which for years has organized protests against Putin's regime, was arrested at Sofia Airport on July 29, 2014.
Should the Caribbean ‘Free Up the Herb'? This Attorney Thinks So
As the debate on marijuana's legal status rages in the Caribbean, attorney and activist Richie Maitland argues in favor of decriminalisation.
Did Someone from the U.S. Congress Just Call Putin a “Dickwad” on Wikipedia?

Yesterday, someone using a congressional IP address replaced the musical notation of Russia's real national anthem with the lyrics and arrangement of a popular Ukrainian chant mocking Vladimir Putin.