Stories about War & Conflict from December, 2009
The Balkans: Sarajevo-Belgrade Train
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
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.
Overcoming negative stereotypes in the South Caucasus
An online project using new and social media to overcome negative stereotypes in the South Caucasus entered a second stage last week when two blogging Azerbaijani journalism students and a Georgian blogger joined in the initiative.
Palestine: Twitter accused of silencing Gaza tribute
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.
Pakistan: Pictures Of Bomb Blast in Karachi
Karachi Metblogs posts some pictures of yesterday's bomb blast at MA Jinnah road in Karachi.
Iraq: Arabs, Coffee, and Resistance
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.
Guatemala: Ongoing Search for Remains of the Disappeared
James Rodríguez of Mi Mundo documents one of the ongoing searches in the community of Villalobos for the remains of some of the disappeared victims during the armed conflict in Guatemala.
Pakistan: Bomb Attack On Shia Procession
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.”
Palestine: Gaza's Bloggers Remember The War
It is one year since Israel launched its attack on the Gaza Strip. In this post, Gaza's bloggers remember the war.
Global: Tweeting for #Gaza
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.
Serbia: EU Membership Application
Eternal Remont draws attention to some dubious math in Serbia's president's EU membership application speech.
Pakistan: Jihadi Culture On The Rise
“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: Opium not so profitable
Nick Fielding reports that according to the newly released United Nations's survey, opium cultivation in Afghanistan decreased by 22 per cent, while production fell by 10 per cent to 6,900 tons.
Afghanistan: Comparing the costs of two wars
Peter Marton suggests his readers to compare the costliness of the Afghan vs. the Iraqi campaign, based on the data from several different sources.
Afghanistan: Taliban Offer
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
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?
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
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...
Israel: Assessing Iran's Nuclear Capabilities & Intents
Amir Mizroch reacts to news about Iranian uranium enrichment: “They don’t need nuclear power for civilian energy (Iran holds the world’s third-largest proven oil reserves and the world’s second-largest natural gas reserves), they want the bomb, and they’ll stop at nothing to get it.”
Sudan: Is Unity Still a Strategic Choice?
Writing in Arabic, Sudanese blogger Ayman Hajj discusses his country's politics and why many Sudanese people are losing faith in unity.
Uganda: Will there be violence in 2011 elections?
Great Lakes Peace and Security discusses concerns about election violence in the 2011 elections in Uganda.
