· December, 2009

Stories about War & Conflict from December, 2009

The Balkans: Sarajevo-Belgrade Train

  31 December 2009

Balkanology Blog reports on the recent launch of a direct Sarajevo-Belgrade train, the first one “in almost two decades.” CAFÉ TURCO recalls Serbia's recent history in a post titled “Serbia through the eyes of a train traveller (me).”

Pakistan: Arson Attack After Bombing

  30 December 2009

Faisal Kapadia at Deadpan Thoughts comments on the widespread rioting and arson attack immediately after the suicide bombing on Shiite procession in Karachi last Monday.

Palestine: Twitter accused of silencing Gaza tribute

  29 December 2009

Twitter has been accused of attempting to silence tributes to Gaza one-year after an Israeli onslaught devastated the Palestinian enclave. Pro-Palestinian and human rights activists used the influential Twitter to express support for the besieged territory. Tweets using the hashtag #Gaza flooded in on December 27th, peaking at number 3 on Twitter's top ten Trending Topics list.

Iraq: Arabs, Coffee, and Resistance

  29 December 2009

Iraqi Mojo, connects the dots between calls to boycott Starbucks, calls to resist the Iraqi government, and the size of foreign troops in countries that send the largest number of suicide bombers to kill innocent Iraqis in poor cafes in Iraq.

Pakistan: Bomb Attack On Shia Procession

  28 December 2009

Kalsoom at CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan reports that today “a suicide bomber attacked a Shia procession commemorating Ashura in Karachi, killing at least 25 people and injuring 50.”

Global: Tweeting for #Gaza

  27 December 2009

In honor of the one-year anniversary of Israel's attacks on Gaza in December 2008, a number of activists have planned a targeted "tweet for Gaza" campaign on Twitter. Jillian C. York has more.

Pakistan: Jihadi Culture On The Rise

  24 December 2009

“Despite ‘war on terrorism’ and Pakistan’s war against Taliban and massive propaganda against Muslim militants ‘Jihadi culture’ is on rise not only in FATA but in various parts of Pakistan, including Punjab,” comments Dr. Shabir Choudhry.

Afghanistan: Taliban Offer

  24 December 2009

Daffyd ponders on the speculations about an alleged Taliban proposal that it would sever ties with al Qaeda in return for withdrawal of foreign troops, and says it's seems like a very clever strategic move.

Israel: Dreaming of a Utopic Middle East

  23 December 2009

An Italian born gentile living in Jerusalem, Shiksa's Laura Chiesa dreams of a utopic Middle East. “Call me naive, but I caught myself more than once daydreaming about the time were people (including me) will travel freely in the Middle East – how about an afternoon hibiscus tea in Damascus,...

Israel: Separate But Equal?

  23 December 2009

Promised Land's Noam Sheizaf provides a comprehensive breakdown of the history and potential future of a new amendment to Israel's Basic Law on Human Dignity and Freedom, that, he says, “might officially turn Israel into a democracy for Jews only.”

Israel: Unwelcome Visitors in Jaffa's Ajami Mosque

  23 December 2009

Yudit of the Occupied blog questions why armed Israeli settlers would enter an Islamic mosque in Jaffa. “Was it to repectfully view the grave of Ibrahim Ajami? The ajami mosque, unlike some other beautiful Jaffa mosques, is not of great beauty. Not a place a tourist wold go out of...