Stories about Politics from March, 2008
Korea: Roh Moo Hyun Syndrome
The popularity of the previous President, Roh Moo Hyun, in Korea seems to become a hotter issue on the Internet. A new terminology, Roh-Ganji (Roh, his family name + Ganji, a slang that teenagers and netizens like to use and its meaning is ‘cool’) is born. His hometown is full...
Belarus: Freedom Day Protest
On Tuesday, March 25, police broke up an opposition rally in the capital of Belarus, beating protesters with truncheons and detaining dozens of people. Veronica Khokhlova translates two bloggers' first-hand accounts and a foreign political analyst's view on the Belarusian opposition's strategy.
Japan: Richard Gear ditched by Nissan?
A news report [ja] (summary in English) that Nissan has decided to back out of a contract for a TV commercial with Richard Gear due to the actor's support of the Dalai Lama has triggered hundreds of comments in posting forums [ja] and responses from bloggers. While some wonder whether...
Ukraine, Poland: Tusk Visits Kyiv
Leopolis reports on Donald Tusk's visit to Ukraine: “The biggest development of the trip was the signing of a cross-border visa agreement for small-time Ukrainian traders living 50 kilometres from the border.”
Romania: Corruption
Public Policy Watch – Politici Publice in Moldova writes on the issue of “high-profile corruption” in Romania.
Belarus: Emanuel Zeltser's Detention
Eternal Remont links to a new blog whose aim is to draw attention to Emanuel Zeltser's case: FREE Emanuel Zeltser and Vladlena Funk – Illegally Imprisoned in Belarus Since March 12, 2008.
Russia, U.S.: A Foreign Policy View
Valery Dzutsev offers a view on why “there is so much tension between the US and Russia.”
Macedonia, Greece: More on the Name Dispute
More on the Macedonia-Greece name dispute – at Halfway Down the Danube and Foreign Policy Blog.
Middle East and North Africa: Client Number Nine
Eliot Spitzer's fall from grace grabbed the headlines as soon as newsmen caught wind of the scandal. Bloggers followed closely on their heel, including those from the Middle East and North Africa, whose attention was turned to the humiliation his wife must have suffered from and indignation of having her to stand by him as he announced his resignation.
Peru: Puno Leader Seeking Greater Autonomy for Region
The Regional President of Puno, Hernán Fuentes, has called for increased financial, administrative and political autonomy for one of the poorest regions of Peru. Some local bloggers agree that Puno needs more help in order to combat its high rates of poverty, but wonder whether Fuentes is just following from Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez' playbook, but also note that seeking autonomy is not new within Peru's history.
Palestine: Thumbs up for Hamas!
“Despite all what the world might think of, Palestinian under occupation (and elsewhere for sure) still believes that Hamas and Haniyeh are in better position than what the trio – Rice, Bush and Olmert – are trying to present as an alternative for Palestinian Democracy to the world, the corrupted...
Egypt: American Navy's Friendly Fire
Egyptian bloggers lament to the loss of one of their countrymen who was killed in an incident involving the American Navy in the Suez Canal. They are also wondering where their sovereignty as a state has gone and whether the slain man's family will ever see justice.
Kurds Attacked on Newroz
Kurdish blogger Goran reports on Syrian and Turkish attacks on Kurds celebrating Newroz, a traditional festivity which marks the beginning of spring.
St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Court Date
As the Prime Minister of St. Vincent & the Grenadines is scheduled to appear in court on charges of alleged assault, Abeni says: “Hopefully, we will learn whether this is the witchhunt of witchhunts. Meantime, views in the court of public opinion remain as divided as ever.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Politics & Sport
Notes from Port of Spain makes his case for leaving politics out of the upcoming China Olympics: “Once you establish the principle that global sports meetings can be boycotted on political grounds, there's no end to it – no country on earth is 100 per cent virtuous.”
Seychelles: A political party with a blog
A political party with a blog in Seychelles: “The SNP is the main opposition party in the Seychelles.”
Cuba, Venezuela: Safety of Journalists
Both Uncommon Sense and Child of the Revolution share their opinions on the President of the Cuban Union of Journalists telling a conference “of left-wing ‘media workers’ in Caracas that there is ‘absolute respect’ for the personal safety of journalists under the Castro regime.”
Kazakhstan: Khabar TV Channel Fully Nationalized
KZBlog reports that Joint Stock Company Khabar, the television service of the government of Kazakhstan, is now fully nationalized after State Holding Company Samghau bought the remaining 49.999% of shares this week, ensuring full government control.
Latvia: Referendums
Baltic writes in depth on “a strong possibility for holding two referendums in Latvia this year.”
Russia: Dmitry Medvedev
Streetwise Professor writes about “the contrast between [Dmitry] Medvedev’s words and the ongoing acts of the government that he will soon head.”
Poland: Stance on Tibet
Kinuk writes about Poland's stance on Tibet and China.
