Stories about International Relations from March, 2011
Haiti: Aristide’s return, the word “house” and today’s election
To say the twice exiled President Aristide is a mythic figure in the Haitian imagination is an understatement. To say he evokes strong emotions from Haitians, even less so. So what effect might his return have on today's elections? Bloggers discuss the possibilities.
Pakistan: Protesting Against The Release Of Raymond Davis
Fatima Saleem narrates why Pakistanis are rallying behind protests against the release of the American security official Raymond Davis.
Pakistan: Blood Money Sets Raymond Davis Free
Raymond Davis, an American security official, was charged for two counts of murder in Pakistan and citing him as a diplomatic official the US State Department demanded his release under Vienna convention. Davis was released after relatives of the dead received "blood money" under Islamic shariah law. Netizens raise questions.
Lebanon: Alliance Controlling Libya's Oil
“Let no one be fooled, these people know no humanity, nor should we want their selective humaneness.” Writes Rami Zurayk in a post criticizing the Western intervention in Libya.
Costa Rica: Netizens Discuss Wikileaks Cables
Newspaper La Nación of Costa Rica is the first Central American media outlet to receive and publish diplomatic cables related to the country. The content of these cables has provoked different reactions in Costa Rican blogs and social networks; opinions are as diverse as the topics covered in the cables.
Libya: More Threats from Gaddafi as He Speaks Again
Colonel Muammar Al Gaddafi, who spoke on Libyan television again, threatened a long war, said the coalition would be defeated and that his forces would emerge victorious. Tweeps, who tweeted his speech, said Gaddafi, who has ruled Libya for 42 years, also stressed on religion, in a bid to gain sympathy from Muslims around the world.
Ecuador: New Developments and Cyber-Activism in Chevron Case
On February 14, 2011, an Ecuadorian judge ruled that oil company Chevron had to pay US$9.5 million in environmental damages. Almost a month later, Chevron has appealed the sentence; citizens and activists are sharing information and taking part in online campaigns for this case.
Libya: Air Strikes on Libya Begin
Air strikes on Libya, aimed at crippling Muammar Gaddafi's air defenses, just started, receiving mixed reactions from people around the world. A coalition made up of the US, France, Italy, Canada and the US have been formed for the offensive to uproot Gaddafi, whose people have called for his ousting since popular uprisings started in the country on February 16.
Bulgaria: Offering Shelter to Japanese Earthquake Victims
The earthquake in Japan has become a tragedy for the entire world. This is evident from the willingness of people from different countries and continents to help the victims of the quake, which took the lives of thousands of people. Ruslan Trad reports on the Bulgarian online initiative.
Tunisia: Hillary Clinton's Unwelcome Visit
On the night of Wednesday 15 March, 2011, US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton arrived in Tunisia after a trip to Egypt. Her visit was marked by protests in capital Tunis, from people who see her visit as the height of hypocrisy, considering that the US government was known to be an ally of former President Ben Ali's regime.
Nepal: No To Sri Lankan Political Refugees
Seven activists from Sri Lankan opposition parties applied for political refuge in Nepal but the Nepali government declined their requests. Bhumika Ghimire wonders whether Nepal should have acted differently.
Haiti: Aristide's Return “Something Big”?
Haitian bloggers discuss the return of former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide on the eve of the country's controversial election run-off.
India: Furore In Parliament Over New Set Of Wikileaks
The latest round of India Cables from Wikileaks has led to a furore in the Indian Parliament with the opposition demanding an explanation from the Prime Minister. Netizens have been discussing them with much animation, their reactions ranging from disgust to sarcasm and even a bit of humor.
Mexico: Telecom and Entertainment Industries Testify on ACTA
As reported earlier, the Mexican Senate is holding public hearings with citizens, academics, lobbyists, and Internet service providers on the Anti-Counterfeit Commercial Agreement –widely known as ACTA. On March 2, lobbyists from the creative, telecommunications and entertainment industries had the opportunity to present their positions to the senators. Here is a summary of the session.
Taiwan: Curating Japan Disaster Situation
The Association of Digital Culture, Taiwan(ADCT) starts to curate and translate latest information from Japanese and English into Chinese[zht] in order to provide worried Taiwanese netizens a trustworthy source of information upon the media turbulence. They have done the same effort in 2009 when Typhoon Morakot hit Taiwan. (Disclosure: I...
South Korea: Real-time Checkup on Nuclear Radiation Levels
A South Korea's IT company has set up a special web page [ko] which gives real-time data on nuclear radiation levels. The website enlists major cities’ radiation levels by coalescing data gathered from Japanese Ministry of Science and Technology and the IERNet (Integrated Environmental Radiation Monitoring Network). (read more about...
Pakistan: Sharia Law Saves CIA Agent
Adil Najam at All Things Pakistan has this question to ask to the US citizens and tax-payers: “Will the man who sometimes goes by the name of Raymond Davis reimburse the US taxpayers for the reportedly over US$2.25 million paid under Sharia law to save his skin?”
Pakistani vs. Indian Pressure Cookers
The Life And Times Of Two Indians In Pakistan compares Indian and Pakistani pressure cookers and guess which is the winner.
Latin America: Getting Ready for President Obama's Trip
Mike in Central American Politics lists several links to blogs and other sources (in English) discussing President Obama's upcoming trip to Latin America. President Obama will travel to El Salvador, Chile and Brazil at the end of March 2011.
South Korea: Old Feuds Forgotten as Koreans React to Japan Quake
Forgetting old feuds between the two countries, South Korean bloggers and tweeps have expressed both deep concern and support for Japan in its time of crisis. Harsh criticisms meanwhile have been leveled at Korean media for aggravating the already grave situation.
Philippines signs Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
Lawyer Harry Roque was a witness when the Philippine president signed the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court last week.
