· May, 2008

Stories about Politics from May, 2008

Russia: “Medialogia”

Scraps of Moscow writes about Russian politics and the media: “Sometimes, though, mediologists, not meteorologists, are the best way of trying to figure out which way the political winds are blowing on a given week.”

Armenia: Youth Activist Beaten

The Armenian Observer reports that a pro-opposition youth activist was yesterday beaten in Yerevan, the Armenian capital. Arsen Kharatyan was called for an interview, but when he arrived at the location for the meeting he was instead attacked from behind. Unzipped comments on speculationthat the beating was probably connected to...

Kosovo: “Failure to Get More Recognitions”

Prishtine: Independence and Kanun writes: “[…] out of the other 192 (plus 2) countries in the world, the government of Kosovo should have been able to lobby more than just 41 countries for recognition. I mean, many of these countries would happily recognize Kosovo if for no other reason than...

Georgia: Election Dissent

Steady State is critical of the outcome of last week’s parliamentary election in Georgia. The blog also criticizes the Western media and international observers for being more concerned with foreign rather than domestic policy issues.

Cuba: Free Speech?

  28 May 2008

Child of the Revolution sees the irony of the editor of Granma calling for a further restriction on freedom of speech laws in Cuba: “Instead of demanding greater freedom of speech – as any half-decent editor would – Barredo is demanding that the existing laws be tightened further so the...

Korea: Grand Canal Confession

  28 May 2008

The Grand Canal plan, which the new Korean president dreamed of for a long time even before the election, seems to face another problem since the plan brought out so many arguments and doubts. Whether the plan is on behalf of the people or of him, some people expect economic...

Colombia: FARC Laptops Reveal Ties to Politicians and Foreign Governments

  28 May 2008

The laptops found in the FARC guerrilla camps were sent to Interpol for independent analysis. The findings, which were leaked to the press, reveal some disturbing ties to foreign governments and some Colombian politicians. However, some Colombian bloggers think that the leaked information has become too political in nature and that one should not necessarily jump to conclusions based on the leaked information.

Bahrain: Ban on Bangladeshis

Following a tragic incident a few days ago, when a Bahraini was killed after he refused to pay a Bangladeshi mechanic the 500 fils (1.3 USD) extra he was demanding for a job, Bahrain has now stopped issuing work permits to Bangladeshi nationals. A group of MPs are planning to submit a proposal to parliament to expel all Bangladeshi workers, who might be as many as 90,000, from the country because allegedly they commit more ‘shocking and gruesome crimes‘ than any other community.

South Africa: Who is to blame for xenophobia?

  27 May 2008

David blames the South African government for the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa: “No one hates foreigners like South Africans do. South Africa is said to be officially the most xenophobic nation in the world. So much for being xenophobic and all that but why go to the criminal...

Trinidad & Tobago: Ah Have ah Tabanca

  27 May 2008

“You know if this was a relationship with a man, you wouldn’t still be here. You would never stick around and take this abuse. Stay for what? Because this is where you were born? This is what you know? This is the only place that understands you?”: Trinidad and Tobago...

Cuba: Incipient Crackdown?

  27 May 2008

Both Uncommon Sense and Ninety miles away…in another country blog about an incident in which “police and thugs from a ‘rapid response brigade’ swarmed about two dozen people as they marched toward a local cemetery to present a floral wreath honoring the memory of the iconic political prisoner Pedro Luis...