Stories about Politics from February, 2015
Kuwait Sentences Opposition Politician Mussallam Al Barrak to Two Years in Jail for “Insulting Ruler”
Kuwaiti opposition politician Mussalam Al Barrak was sentenced to two years in jail for telling the country's ruler that the people would not allow him to practice “autocratic rule.”
The Politics of ‘Wining’ in Trinidad & Tobago
Did a candidate for prime-minister just 'wine' on a female reveller at the carnival? This political scandal is a potent cocktail of sex, race and patriarchy.
Leader of the Nation to Rescue Kazakhstan's Economy
Living next to Russia and being dependent on oil have made life difficult for Kazakhstan, which is about to re-elect its 74-year-old leader ahead of schedule.
Meet Russia's New Activists, the Anti-Maidan Movement
When Moscow witnessed mass protests in the winter of 2011-2012, organizations like Nashi and Young Guard exerted little or no influence on events. Will Anti-Maidan be different?
On the Responsibility of Students
"Let us remember the countless students around the world who have succeeded in transforming their society for the better, for their friends and loved ones, neighbors and strangers."
Video Project Documents the Life and Struggles of West Papuans
"They are the stories behind the conflict: the struggles for education, the environment, equality, and dignity."
Quiz: Are You At Risk of Becoming a Terrorist?
The quiz is inspired by a US government survey that is used to catch individuals at risk of turning to radical violence or communities at risk of incubating extremist ideologies.
Twitter Chatter About Putin and Poroshenko: The Language Breakdown
Tweets in Russian account for over half of the 6,342,294 tweets in our dataset. English, Spanish, Ukrainian, and French are the other common languages in tweets about Putin and Poroshenko.
2015 Presents an Opportunity for Free and Fair Elections in Africa
Wekesa Sylvanus hopes that 2015 will be a year of free and fair elections in Africa: https://wekesasylvanus.wordpress.com/2015/02/18/will-2015-be-a-year-of-free-and-fair-elections-in-africa/ Since the advent of multi party democracy in Africa, electoral contests have become a do or die affair in majority of African countries. Elections in Africa are a high risk affair and in...
New Minister Threatens to Shut Down Zambian Independent News Site
The site has been blocked within Zambia on numerous occasions, and reporters have been arrested because of suspected associations with the website.
35 Years Later, Óscar Romero’s Martyrdom Is Recognized
The Vatican has formally canonized Salvadoran priest Monsignor Romero, who was murdered in 1980 for speaking out against the police.
Bangladeshi Publisher Faces Death Threats Over Translation of Controversial Iranian Writer's Book
Riaz Khan pulled the Bangla translation of "23 Years: A Study of the Prophetic Career of Muhammad" after its publication sparked outrage from hardline religious groups, but the threats continue.
Ecuadorian President Threatens Internet Satirists
On television, Correa recently mentioned CrudoEcuador, claiming it's part of a network "paid by the opposition to discredit the government." Correa even threatened to expose the identity of CrudoEcuador's writers.
The African Union is Failing South Sudan
David K. Deng argues that the African Union is failing South Sudan after deciding that the African Union Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan (AUCISS) should not release its report: On the evening of 29 January, African heads of state gathered in Addis Ababa for a meeting of the African...
Greeks See Reason for Hope After Anti-Austerity Syriza's Election
The debt crisis hit Greece hard, and the country has limped along under unpopular austerity measures. For many Greeks, Syriza's electoral win has given them a reason to hope again.
The Release of South Africa's “Prime Evil”: It's Time to Confront The Evil of Apartheid
Nicknamed “Prime Evil”, Eugene de Kock was the commanding officer a counter-insurgency unit of the South African Police that kidnapped, tortured, and murdered numerous anti-apartheid activists during apartheid era. He was recently granted parole after serving 20 years of his 212 prison sentence. Pierre de Vos reacts to his release...
Is Nigeria's Postponed Presidential Election Really About Security?
Security forces will be conduct a six-week special operation against Boko Haram so "they would rather not be distracted by the elections." Some think the postponement is a political strategy.
Teddy Bears Face Off with Police as Bahrain Marks its Fourth Anniversary of Anti-Regime Protests
Copycat teddy bears soon popped up across villages in Bahrain, and were placed at barricades put up by the protesters to protect themselves from police attacks.
Mozambique Governor Becomes Target of Backlash—Simply Because She's a Woman
Stela Pinto was nominated as Gaza province's first woman governor, but ever since she's endured attacks on her reputation, including the circulation of obscene photos said to be of her.
Japan Needs Apartheid, Says Influential Conservative Author
Noted Japanese author and conservative political activist Ayako Sono advocated in a newspaper column that immigrants to Japan be separated by race and forced to live in special zones.
Argentinian President Goes to China, Mocks Chinese Accents on Twitter
"Ignorant, stupid and racist, a jewel, come on. And she is the representative of a country, poor Argentinians."
