Stories about International Relations from November, 2010
Russia: Notes on the “Spygate” Scandal
Robert Amsterdam, Streetwise Professor, In Moscow's Shadows, and The Power Vertical weigh in on Russia's “spygate” scandal.
Russia: Cartoons and Public Diplomacy
Global Chaos writes about the potential impact that the Soviet and Russian cartoons in public diplomacy: “They can even help overcome long-held preconceptions and stereotypes about the other, thus creating...
Iran: Online Rage against Lebanese Hezbollah Leader
Several Iranian bloggers have reacted to an online video where Lebanese Hezbollah Leader, Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, makes the controversial claims that Iran does not have any Persian civilisation and that the Islamic Republic's founder was of Arab ancestry.
China: iPadgate
Since October Chinese Customs have started charging a 20% tax for carrying iPhones and iPads across the border even if the products were out of the box and in use. This has caught people by surprise because in recent years shopping tours are one of the most important parts of the cross-border economy between Hong Kong and China.
Somalia: The Ethiopian Factor
Mogadishu Man's analysis of the Ethiopian factor in Somalis politics: “The Ethiopian regime presents itself as though it had been tirelessly working to restore peace and stability to the troubled...
Haiti: Cholera & Protests
Mediahacker reports on the cholera outbreak in Haiti and anti-UN protests that have ensued as a result.
Slovakia: Netizens Discuss Chinese Highway Construction Offer
The Slovak minister of transport is reluctant to let the Chinese companies, which offer extremely low prices, enter Slovakia's highway construction market. Tibor Blazko reviews the Slovak netizens' reactions.
Latvia: The Kristovskis Scandal
All About Latvia covers the xenophobia scandal that involves Latvia's new foreign minister Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis – here, here, and here.
Czech Republic: Russian Presence in Karlovy Vary
The Czech Daily Word writes about Karlovy Vary, a famous Czech resort town popular with tourists from the former Soviet states: “And one can see the Russian presence on almost...
Haiti: Interview with Aristide
Haitianalysis.com republishes excerpts from an interview with former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
China: Sino-India relation
Peter Martin from Sinocentric comments on the two Chinese diplomatic trips to India for persuading India away from Japan and the US’ strategy in encircling China.
China: Perception on national power
Maryannodonnell translated a series of mobile messages about Chinese people's perception of national power and world order.
Cuba: A Call to Keep Up the Pressure
Uncommon Sense re-posts “an extraordinary interview” with one of the Damas de Blanco, who “calls on the international community to pressure the Castro dictatorship to free her husband and 12...
Sudan: Referendum preparations in jeopardy
As Sudanese and international actors scramble to pull together preparations for a vote that could allow South Sudan to secede, a quiet chorus of U.N., U.S., and Sudanese voices has...
Russia: Khodorkovsky's Final Statement; Kuril Islands Dispute
The Moscow Diaries, Robert Amsterdam, and Siberian Light reprint Mikhail Khodorkovsky's closing statement delivered in a Moscow courtroom on Nov. 2. Vadim Nikitin and Anatoly Karlin discuss the Khodorkovsky case...
Ukraine: FEMEN Activists Protest Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani's Death Sentence
A group of female activists from FEMEN protested the death sentence given to Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani in front of the Iranian Embassy in Kyiv on Nov. 3 (a YouTube video) and...
Obama's Indonesian Homecoming Charms Residents
Barack Obama thrilled the crowd of over 6,500 excited Indonesians who came to hear the U.S. President address their nation at the University of Indonesia. Reactions from twitter and blogs were equally complimentary
Haiti: Abuse of Power?
HaitiAnalysis.com republishes an article from a grassroots community development organization which wonders whether stabilization is actually a euphemism for subordination.
Czech Republic, Slovakia: “Teapartismus”
Dr. Sean's Diary writes about the Tea Party movement in the United States and the reported emergence of “Čajové dýchánky or teapartismus” in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Hillary Clinton Gets Aussie Salute
When Hillary Clinton arrived in Australia last week, she was welcomed by Foreign Minister and former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on twitter: RT @KRuddMP: Welcomed Hillary to Oz at Melbourne...
Haiti: Cash for Work
“Is it a good thing that the sidewalks are jammed with people selling mostly imported goods and cast-off clothing and shoes from overseas?”: Haiti Grassroots Watch investigates whether cash-for-work programs...