Stories about International Relations from January, 2010
Morocco: A Case for the Moroccan Sahara
American blogger in Morocco Eatbees makes a case for the Sahara to remain Moroccan.
Barbados, Haiti: In for the Long-Term?
Allegiance thinks that “Barbados should develop a long term foreign policy with respect to Haiti.”
Georgia: Plans for the largest airport in the Caucasus
The Georgian International Media Center says that the largest airport in the South Caucasus might be built near the Black Sea port city of Poti. However, it notes, the idea is not without its controversies, and not least the fact that any development would take place near an environmental reserve...
Turkey: Third anniversary of Hrant Dink assassination
Three years ago today, Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was gunned down outside the office of the Argos newspaper he edited in Istanbul, Turkey. Often ignored, loathed or detested when he was alive by nationalists on both sides for his message of tolerance and peace, one blogger compares Dink to Martin Luther King Jr.
Brazil: Viewing the Haitian earthquake from without and within
The Brazilian blogosphere is in uproar after comments made by the Haitian consul in Brazil, George Samuel Antoine. Bloggers reflect on a lack of humanity, the failures of diplomacy and the peacekeeping mission, and how to help Haiti from afar.
Haiti: International clashes over humanitarian assistance
Five days after the terrible earthquake which has partly destroyed the capital city, Port-au-Prince and others like Leogane and Jacmel, it has been very difficult for rescuers, medical teams and humanitarian services to reach the population and help the survivors.
Trinidad & Tobago, Haiti: Blame the Alcohol
“As thousands in [Haiti] were trapped under rubble and were wailing for their lives, our politicians…decided to go ahead with the ceremonial opening of Parliament. Prime Minister Patrick Manning…left the day’s proceedings early, promising $6.3 million in aid to Haiti. Then…he hosted…a ‘media appreciation’ event…there was not a single press...
India, Bangladesh: Transit Rights And Opportunity For North East India
Sandeep Bansal calls India's recently concluded accord with Bangladesh on the transit rights for North East India as a historical opportunity for this region.
Turkmenistan: New way out for the natural gas
Elina Galperin writes that Turkmenistan lainched a new Central Asia-China gas pipeline, and wonders if there is going to be enough gas for Nabucco and how will China affect Central Asian politics.
Japan: For Haiti it may be too little, too late
In an odd twist of fate, the worst earthquake to hit Haiti in two hundred years has erupted within days of the 15th anniversary of Japan's worst earthquake since the second world war: the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995. Given the timing of the catastrophe, one might have expected a strong Japanese presence in Haiti. To the frustration of many in Japan, the opposite was in fact the case.
USA: Haitian Nationals Granted Temporary Protected Status
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a special status given by the United States to foreign nationals from specific countries where there has been some sort of recent turmoil or trauma, such as war or an earthquake. Yesterday, the Obama administration granted TPS to Haitians for the next eighteen months. Jillian C. York looks at blog reactions.
Haiti, USA: When politics challenge compassion
In a post [Fr], Haitian writer Alain Mabanckou exposes the right-wing American radio host Rush Limbaugh, who has told his listeners that President Obama is using this catastrophe as a part of a political strategy towards minority voters and therefore asked the American people not to donate.
Bahamas: The Easy Way Out?
Bahamian Nicolette Bethel takes issue with the alleged statements of her Prime Minister when it comes to helping Haiti: “The message that [he] is sending is that it is all right to allow practical impediments get in the way of help. It is OK to let the fact that it’s...
Sri Lanka: List of web resources for Haiti earthquake information and help
Sanjana Hattotuwa at ICT for Peacebuilding (ICT4Peace) informs that the ICT4Peace Foundation has created a page on its ICT4Peace Inventory wiki that links to a number of updated information sources to help the victims of the Haiti Earthquake.
Morocco: Why is Tzipi Livni Welcomed Here?
A Moroccan Voice questions why Israeli opposition leader Tzipi Livni is wanted in Britain but welcomed with open arms in Morocco.
Why should South Asians Donate For Haiti?
Sridhar at South Asian Philanthropy project explains why South Asians should donate for Haiti: “South Asians are very diverse in their giving – from giving to causes here in North America, to giving around the world”.
Haiti, Cuba: Cooperation
Espas Ayisyen Toulouse posted a long speech [Fr] by Fidel Castro, who states his pride at the historical cooperation in the field of medical studies between Cuba and Haiti.
Barbados, Haiti: Helping our Neighbours
“Remember how Barbados struggled when one house collapsed into a cave? We couldn’t rescue five people with everything we had on the island and a special team in from the United States. Now think about Haiti”: Barbados Free Press challenges the Caribbean community “to take 10% of Haiti’s population from...
Nigeria: Nigerian bloggers take on would-be bomber Umar Abdulmutallab
On December 25th, the world was taken by surprise when news broke that Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a 23-year-old Nigerian citizen, had nearly succeeded in detonating explosives on a Northwest Airlines flight between Amsterdam and Detroit. At first, many Nigerians reacted with shock and disbelief, some even doubting whether Abdulmutallab was truly a Nigerian.
Bangladesh, India: Positive Outcomes Of Sheikh Hasina's Visit
Sushanta Das Gupta and Kh. A. Saleque at E-Bangladesh summarizes the positive outcomes of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's recently concluded trip to India.
Uzbekistan: War of the monuments
14th January is celebrated as the Day of Defender of the Motherland in Uzbekistan. On the eve of this day, a grand opening ceremony of the monument “Oath to the Homeland” took place in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. The monument depicting an oath-taking soldier and a benedictory woman behind...
