Stories about International Relations from October, 2012
African Viewpoints on the US 2012 Election
The US presidential election will be held on November 6 and the campaign is entering the home stretch. African bloggers have various takes on how the election will unfold and what they can expect from each candidate.
China, Japan: Japanese Writers Urge End to Nationalistic Hysteria
A number of famous Japanese novelists and intellectuals have called for an end to the vicious cycle of nationalistic hysteria in Japan and China over the territorial dispute regarding the Diaoyu Islands (also known as the Senkaku Islands).
Japan, U.S.A: Okinawan Women Against US “Osprey” deployment
TenThousandThings posted a video showing a group of Okinawan women singing “We Shall Over Come” to protest against US military V-22 “Osprey” aircraft deployment at Oyama gate, US Marine Futenma Air Station, Ginowan City, Sunday night, September 29, 2012.
Yemen: The President's Speech
Many Yemenis were hoping to hear a good speech from their “elected” president highlighting Yemen's humanitarian, economic and political needs and the challenges the country is currently facing. The last thing they expected during his visit to the US was a speech praising US drones.
Spain: Greeting Real Madrid With Catalan Separatist Flags
When the rival soccer teams Real Madrid and FC Barcelona meet for a match on October 7, a Catalan activist group is encouraging fans to bring their Catalan separatist flags in order to fill the stadium with nationalist symbols.
Turkey: Little Optimism Over Kurdish Rebel Negotiations
Last week the Turkish Prime Minister signalled the start of much-needed negotiations between the Kurdistan Worker's Party and the government. The news was not met with optimism, because successive Turkish governments have a history of broken promises towards the Kurdish people.
Bulgaria: “Are You a Terrorist?”
Bulgarian NGO “Forum for Arab Culture” tweeted [bg] a photo of the “Are you a terrorist?” quiz that appeared in the national daily “24 chasa,” asking if it was right for a newspaper to publish materials like this. The test's answers included this one: If you have more B responses:...
Madagascar & Reunion: Maraina, The First Opera from the Indian Ocean
Marie-Clémence & Cesar Paes present a trailer of Maraina, a film that showcases, in their words, “the first opera to be created in the Indian Ocean region” [fr].