Stories about Politics from February, 2023
Beyond Jordan’s TikTok Ban
Jordan's recent ban of TikTok has sparked concerns over freedom of expression and access to information. Concerns raised as part of a broader trend of governments restricting social media platforms.
Reflections from the Iranian diaspora: Rage against the ‘Iran Lobby’
Iran's protest movement has fueled criticism of the "Iran Lobby," a term used to describe those who support the Islamic Republic and its policies.
Bangladesh reassesses its Belt and Road Initiative strategy with China as the US offers a new alternative
After big promises made in 2015, China's belt and Road Initiative is taking a much slower pace in Bangladesh as a result of pushback from communities and the Bangladeshi government.
Silent no more: Criticism of the state's inadequate earthquake response reaches football stadiums in Turkey
The club organized the protest to commemorate all the children who died in the earthquake, with plans to donate the toys to displaced families who survived the disaster.
Georgia debates a foreign agent law, which critics say sets a dangerous precedent
The bill was tabled by a group of parliament members, formally from the ruling Georgian Dream who quit the party ranks last year and formed their own political party called People's Power.
Separatist armed groups’ fusion risks sharpening the political and security crisis in Mali
Mali's hopes of a lasting peace fading as the three main Northern rebel groups announce an alliance and pull out of negotiations with Bamako.
Latin America walks a fine line between East and West amidst Ukrainian conflict and China-U.S. tensions
At the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and in the midst of growing tensions between superpowers, our region maintains an ambiguous role.
Papua New Guinea’s proposed policy could lead to government control of the press
"(The government) can run media organisations to bring its own message out, but it should never exert control over the entire industry."
Tanzania’s government makes headway in country’s media reforms
Political observers deduce that the overtures Samia has made thus far are simply a political game plan. While they have strengthened the opposition, they have nonetheless garnered her supporters for the upcoming elections.
Two Ugandan opposition lawmakers freed after 17 months of detention
The two lawmakers join a growing list of opposition leaders and dissidents targeted in a country where the current president Yoweri Museveni has been in power for the last 37 years.
Belarusian Westernizers: Their debacle and perpetual bewilderment
Grigory Ioffe writes about the growing rupture between the new Belarusian diaspora and those who remain in the country, as well as the hopeless plight of Belarusian political prisoners.
In Turkey telecommunications watchdog blocks access to popular website Ekşi Sözlük
On February 7, another popular social media platform, Twitter was briefly blocked by the authorities on similar grounds.
Lachin Corridor standoff between Azerbaijan and Armenia enters third month
Reports of food and energy shortages are continuing to grow in Nagorno-Karabakh as the region enters its third month under blockade.
Those who are in these coffins will no longer hear Putin's chatter about ‘everything is going according to plan’
Global Voices gathered some of the social media commentary in Russian with reactions to Putin's speech.
University students in Turkey are bearing the brunt of the earthquake
The latest criticism levelled against the state was because of its decision to open all state-run student dormitories to earthquake evacuees and switch to online education in the country's universities.
As Nigeria goes into a general election, a street reporter shot a documentary on the rising violence and insecurity in Southern Kaduna
The Street Reporter’s documentary is another angle on the events to shine a new beam of light on the killings and crimes against humanity perpetrated by some Hausa-Fulani groups in Southern Kaduna.
As another two earthquakes hit Turkey, anger continues to grow
Turks took it to Twitter calling on the state to send more tents while also questioning where the money that was raised since the last quake two weeks ago went
Can Angela Merkel's receipt of the Houphouët-Boigny UNESCO prize contribute to the reconciliation process in Côte d’Ivoire?
The former German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to Côte d'Ivoire in connection with the Félix Houphouët-Boigny/UNESCO prize is a message of humaniarianism towards the duty of support for refugees.
Australian environment minister blocks coal mine near Great Barrier Reef
"Tears in my eyes. Thank you Minister and all those working alongside you.. This is a beautiful act for our beautiful imperiled planet."
Can China act as a peace broker in the Russian-Ukraine war?
China is attempting to rebuild ties with the EU and is blaming the US for taking advantage of the Russia-Ukraine War ahead of a meeting between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.
India's war against a BBC documentary on Modi
The recent raid on the BBC offices in Delhi and Mumbai shows a pattern of using state agencies to target think tanks, NGOs, and media outlets that criticize the government.
