Stories about Politics from August, 2010
Turkmenistan: WikiLeaks-like service in demand
Turkmenistan is a society so veiled in shadows that one wonders whether its own leaders believe in the government’s propaganda. For this reason, the country desperately needs a service like...
Kazakhstan: Does Astana Need Central Asia?
Megakhuimyak analyzes statistics and comes to a conclusion that Kazakhstan does not have strategic trade or investment interests in Central Asia, while the region itself turns out to be a...
Kyrgyzstan: Southern politician opposes central government
Nathan Hamm reports that Melis Myrzakmatov, the mayor of Osh, the largest city in the south of Kyrgyzstan, and a thorn in the side of the new government since it...
Turkmenistan: The former ruler's golden statue removed
M reports that the golden statue of Turkmenbashy, the country’s first dead President, atop the Arch of Neutrality was quietly pulled down in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, this week.
Morocco: The Sublime Sufi Revival
The rhythms of a Sufi revival are passionately reverberating through the corridors of Morocco, and they are not going unheard, especially by the nation’s youth.
Egypt: Ramadan Television and the Muslim Brotherhood
This year in Ramadan the Egyptian TV decided to produce a series about the opposition party Al-Ikhwan (The Muslim Brotherhood). The TV series, which is called El Gamaa, tries to shed light on the history of group and it's founder Hassan El Banna, bringing criticism from many bloggers that it reflects nothing but the regime's point of view.
Russia: Mari Paganism and Charges of “Extremism”
OpenDemocracy.net reports: “In their remote forest republic 400 miles east of the Moscow, the pagan Mari people are once again being harassed by the authorities. […] Ethnically kin to the...
Russia: Interview With RT's Peter Lavelle
An interview with RT's Peter Lavelle – at Sublime Oblivion.
Palestine: Abu Rahmah convicted of incitement for non-violent protest
Strong international, European, Arab, blogger, Twitter and media condemnation followed the conviction of non-violent Palestinian peace activist Abdallah Abu Rahmah, sentenced to prison by Israeli military court. Gabriel Nada rounds up reactions in this post.
Russia: “Jailbird Moms”
A Good Treaty writes about two Russian “jailbird moms” – Anna Shavenkova and Yulia Kruglova: “Two court cases in recent weeks have given Russia’s bruised citizenry a few additional reminders...
Ukraine: Anthem in 14 Languages
Ukraine's national anthem performed in 14 languages (Ukrainian, Greek, Tatar, Gagauz, Polish, Romanian, Georgian, Yiddish, Romani, Russian, Hungarian, Belarusian, Armenian, Azerbaijani) – at Ukrainiana.
Nigeria: Arrest Ibrahim Babangida
Adeola wants the former Nigerian President Ibrahim Babangida to be disqualified from contesting any election in Nigeria and be arrested and tried for treasonable felony.
Russia: Khimki Forest and Bono's “Intervention”
Natalia Antonova comments on Bono's role in the resolution of the Khimki forest situation during his visit to Moscow earlier this week: “There was an “intervention” on behalf of Bono...
Australia: Left Perspectives on Hung Parliament
Reacting to Australia's national elections held on Saturday 21 August, one outcome is certain: neither Julia Gillard's Labor government or Tony Abbott's conservative Liberal/National Coalition have won a majority of...
Thailand: Elitist education and politics
Ladprao 64 asks why many university students and graduates of Thailand are supporting political groups with “fascist” tendencies.
Madagascar: Radio Soatalily in Toliary Sacked
Tomavana posts on twitter [fr] a report that Radio Soatalily in the town of Toliary (South East of Madagascar) was sacked by 30 members [fr] of the opposition after their...
Nigeria: Am I the last hope of my generation?
Nigerian blogger Adeola asks, “Am I the last hope of my generation?”: “Nollywood is torn apart by the amount of money that its members will receive for the support or...
Mexico: Wikileaks Releases Mexican Documents
Vivir México [es] reports that Wikileaks has released Mexican documents which the government has not commented on.
Moldova: Mock Independence Day Greetings
A compilation of mock Independence Day greetings to Moldova's interim president, reflecting the current geopolitical situation – at Morning in Moldova.
Russia: Blog Roundup at SiberianLight
Russia Blog Roundup has become a regular feature at Siberian Light again; Aug. 27 installment is here.
Cuba: Double Standard
“On one hand they release some dissidents from prison, on the other those who attempt to say ‘I disagree’ get shoved behind bars”: Crossing the Barbed Wire comments on “the...
