Stories about International Relations from April, 2012
Myanmar: Transparency in Development Aid
Community Based Organizations issued a statement urging international donors to ensure that development aid would target Myanmar's marginalized and vulnerable populations.
The Balkans: Remembering the Bosnian War, 20 Years On
A red plastic chair for each of the 11,541 people killed in Sarajevo in the 1990s: on April 6, thousands of people came to this stunning makeshift memorial stretching along Sarajevo's main street, in order to honor the memory of the victims of the war that began 20 years ago.
Controversy on North Korea's Satellite Launch
North Korea invited foreign reporters to its satellite launch facility, asserting that the launch is peaceful in purpose. North Korea Tech blog wrote about the ongoing controversy and suspicions surrounding North Korea's space program.
Mali : Opinions of a Blogger on the Military Coup
On his blog Askia Mohamed [fr] reviews the military coup of March 21, 2012 and in a post entitled Un peuple-Un but-Une foi [fr] (‘One people – One Aim – One Faith’), following a brief summary of the current situation, puts the Tuareg rebellion in an historical context.
Overseas Chinese Students Bring Changes to China?
Ali from Offbeat China discussed the impact of overseas Chinese students to China upon their return. The discussion in major overseas Chinese student web forums indicate that rather than the assumption that these students would be exposed to fundamental value changes and help China to develop political reform, many take...
Ukraine: Lukyanivska Prison – “Where People Are Kept Like Animals”
On April 2, the Ukrainian TV channel TVi aired Kostiantyn Usov's documentary about living conditions and treatment of inmates at Kyiv's Lukyanivska prison, as well as widespread corruption among the facility's staff. Many of those who have already watched Usov's documentary were shocked by what they saw, to say the least.
Cuba: Heated Controversy Over Scholarly Forum Continues
Over the last few weeks, state media in Cuba have alleged that the independent scholarly forum, Estado de SATS (State of SATS), is supported by United States government agencies that wish to subvert the Cuban government. Bloggers reflect on the debate.
Argentina and the Falkland Islands: 30 Years After the Armed Conflict
Argentina and the Falkland Islands faced a major anniversary of the armed conflict that began on April 2,1982 and lasted until June of that year. Argentinians, Britons and Falklanders express themselves on the Internet 30 years on, when sovereignty still hasn't been resolved.
Portugal: Prayers on Twitter for April Fools’ Day “Coup d'Etat”
A false rumour of a coup d'etat became a trending topic – and a worlwide joke – on Twitter with the hashtag #PrayforPortugal. The Spanish newspaper El País and The Associated Press released the news that “the Portuguese President dissolved Parliament and called for calm”; netizens replied with funny messages...
Kyrgyzstan: Tensions with Russia elaborate further
Joshua Foust says that Russian-Kyrgyz relations are deteriorating as president Atambaev is threatening to shut down foreign military bases on Kyrgyz territory – not only American, but also Russian ones.
Turkmenistan: Peace Coprs forced to leave Turkmenistan
Joshua Foust reports that Turkmenistan unceremoniously lets the Peace Corps know that they are no longer welcome in this Central Asian republic.
Azerbaijan: Amnesty International Running Scared Eurovision action
Ahead of next month's Eurovision Song Contest in Azerbaijan, Amnesty International has posted a web feature using the spotlight on the international song contest to demand greater human rights protection and freedom of expression in the oil-rich former Soviet republic. In particular, the international human rights group is using the...
Russia: Online Petition Seeks to Increase Controls on Foreign-Funded NGOs
In late March 2012, less than three weeks after Putin's re-election to the Russian presidency, an online petition emerged, calling for stricter controls on foreign-funded Russian NGOs. Kevin Rothrock reports.
Mali : Coup Leader Steps Down as Tuaregs Enter Timbuktu
As Junta leader Sanogo announces that he vows to “re-establish, from today, the Malian constitution of Feb. 25, 1992 and the institutions of the republic”, and set up a transition body with Malian political parties, Tuareg rebels claim to have control over the town of Kidal and have entered Gao...
Russia: US Envoy's Use of Twitter to Further Transparency
Michael McFaul, the US Ambassador to Russia, used his Twitter account to voice his concerns that diplomatic protocols had been violated when it appeared his schedule had been leaked to journalists at the NTV television network. Donna Welles reports.
