Stories about Politics from April, 2008
Soviet History: Samizdat Anniversary
Window on Eurasia writes about the 40th anniversary of the launch of the Soviet samizdat publication, the Chronicle of Current Events.
Estonia, Russia: Bronze Soldier Crisis Anniversary
Vilhelm Konnander posts an extensive analysis of the issues surrounding the first anniversary of the Estonian Bronze Soldier crisis.
Hungary: The New Cabinet
Hungarian Spectrum writes about the new Hungarian cabinet.
Lebanon: Remove the Mufti
“The Mufti (religious leader) of Mount Lebanon is a foul-mouthed demagogue who needs to be demoted as soon as possible,” writes Beirut Spring from Lebanon.
Serbia, EU: SAA Signed
Balkan Anarchist, Byzantine Blog, and Srebrenica Genocide Blog blog about the signing of the EU's Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with Serbia today.
Bahrain: A Tale of Two Villages
Journalist Jeffrey Black visits Bahrain and notes his observations in this post.
Czech Republic: Opinion Polls
Dr. Sean's Diary writes about a poll on who the Czechs’ “least favoured [groups] of potential neighbours” are.
Bangladesh: women's equality vs. religion
Tahmina Shafique writes on the recently announced women’s development policy in Bangladesh which has triggered religious protests by Islamist groups and forced a retreat by the government on rights issued by the constitution.
Cuba: Las Damas de Blanco
It has been the most discussed topic in the Cuban blogosphere over the last week: the arrest of Las Damas de Blanco as they staged a peaceful demonstration for the release of their husbands, jailed by the Castro regime.
South Africa: Jacob Zuma – marketer of the year
Jacob Zuma's marketing strategy works: “But there has been a noticeable shift in attitude amongst (mostly) white, middle class South Africans to a man who used to be famous for kangas, baby oil and homophobia. Jacob Zuma is making one of the most impressive comebacks in South African political history....
Malaysia: Parliament begins session
My Life My Stories comments on the opening session of Malaysia's Parliament: “Parliament is like a wet market. Shouting everywhere, speaking without raising hand to get approval and of course calling each other nickname.”
South Africa: Should South Africans boycott Chinese products?
Sarah asks, So, could South Africans boycott Chinese products with any justification?: “Consumer boycotts have long been a means for ordinary consumers to express their anger with a country and hit regimes where it hurts most, in their wallets – even if only indirectly.”
Philippines: Civilian supremacy in Cabinet
A Filipino lawmaker-blogger hopes that the next defense chief of the Philippines will still come from the civilian sector.
Zimbabwe: Election humour on YouTube
Ethan writes “Dark humor about Zimbabwe”: “You might have missed it, because I buried it at the bottom of the last (long) post. What follows below is a very funny radio segment from a South African morning comedy show.”
Kenya: ICT and democratic processes
ICT, democratic processes and empowerment in Kenya: “There were varied topics and speakers, but I was very impressed by the presentations of two Kenyan women who are at the forefront of impacting ICT policy and enhancing innovative ways of using the Internet for networking. They are Alice Munyua and Ory...
Cuba: Passing Sentence
Child of the Revolution, Uncommon Sense and Ninety miles away…in another country all comment on Raul Castro's decision “to commute most death sentences to 30 years to life in prison.”
Zimbabwe: 16 flavours of mutilation
Bev Clark's 16 flavours of mutilation in Zimbabwe: “So if independent monitors and Mugabe’s allies agree that neither candidate got over 50% then announce the results already! On the up-side we have Tsvangirai and Mutambara joining forces; Zimbabwe’s version of the dream ticket? We have had numerous SMS’ and emails...
Uganda: Ten Things I want Explained
Ten Things Ugandan Imsoniac wants explanation: “Why Andrew Mwenda is arrested and it makes international headlines and yet when 13 journalists in radio stations around the country were (between January and March this year) arrested for doing their jobs, publicly threatened by politicians and sacked for speaking the truth it...
Jamaica: Elections – Take 2?
As dual citizenship laws dictate that certain ruling party Ministers are ineligible to sit in Parliament, Jamaica and the World wonders whether the Prime Minister can avoid calling another general election…
Zimbabwe: “Free Zim” graffiti in South Africa
Graffiti for Zimbabwe in South Africa: “This was sent to us today. The picture was taken this morning, in Cape Town, South Africa.”
Kazakhstan: Bloggers Discuss Elites and Economics
Plitical intra-elite battles and anti-corruption crusades both remain hot topics on the agenda of Kazakhstani blogosphere, but speculations over the looming global food crisis and its implications for Central Asia made the bloggers cover this issue in their discussions. Ehot wonders, what will Kazakhstan be looking like if the food...