Stories about War & Conflict from April, 2010
Russia: The 2009 Killing of Umar Israilov
Robert Amsterdam writes about Ramzan Kadyrov's alleged involvement in the 2009 murder of Umar Israilov in Vienna, and links to C.J. Chivers’ New York Times investigative piece, whose opening paragraph has reminded him of Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried, a collection of Vietnam War short stories.
Russia: “Burnt By the Box Office”
Vadim Nikitin of Foreign Policy Association's Russia blog reviews the reactions to Nikita Mikhalkov's Burnt by the Sun 2, “Russia’s most expensive movie.”
Japan: Remove the U.S. Marine Base From Ginowan
Martin from Kurashi blogs about the recent protest in Tokyo calling for the Japanese Parliament to remove the U.S. marine air base from Futenma, Okinawa in the city of Ginowan.
Afghanistan: Taliban reintegration plans
Nick Fielding reflects on the plans to reintegrate Taliban fighters back into society of Aghanistan, reviewing a new report by the Afghan Analysts Network.
Azerbaijan: Nationalist propaganda
Flying Carpets and Broken Pipelines recounts being verbally abused by a fellow countryman after co-presenting with Global Voices Online's Caucasus regional editor at a recent conference. The blogger notes that the reason for being cornered and harassed was her belief in tolerance and democracy in Azerbaijan as well as peace...
Kyrgyzstan: The aftermath of public uprising
In the past week, the attention of Kyrgyzstani bloggers has been very firmly centred on political events in this small, mountainous Central Asian country. All over the country, memorials have been held for those people who died in clashes between government and opposition on April 7 and April 8. Sergei...
India: Citizens debate government policy and the Maoist response
Dealing a severe blow to the Indian government’s ongoing offensive against the Naxalite-Maoist insurgency, 76 policemen were ambushed and killed by Maoist rebels in Dantewada, Chattisgarh on April 6, 2010. Indian bloggers discuss how to tackle the problem.
Myanmar: Hundreds injured in bomb blasts
At least 170 people were injured in three bomb blasts in Rangoon, Myanmar during the celebration of the Burmese New Year last weekend.
Philippines: Online indignation over massacre case
The government's recent decision to drop multiple murder charges against two members of the Ampatuan clan involved in the November 2009 Maguindanao massacre of 57 people, including 31 journalists, has sparked the indignation of Filipinos.
Madagascar: A Flurry of Alleged Coups as Mediation Resumes
After the Minister of the Armed forces was fired on April 7th under allegation of a Coup attempt, Achille52 wonders what the April 18th allegation of another Coup and the ensuing arrests really mean (fr). He is especially suspicious of the timing of these arrests because they happened just before international mediations including Rajoelina...
Guinea: Thierno Siré Diallo on Hunger Strike
Guinée50 wonders whether Thierno Siré Diallo hunger strike to raise awareness for all the Guineans who disappeared in the past 40 years is helping the reconciliation process or not (fr).
Rwanda: Rwanda suspends newspapers
Jason links to a few stories of interest from Rwanda and D.R of Congo: “* Rwanda suspends two newspapers critical of the government for six months, meaning they won't be able to cover the election campaigns – Texas in Africa isn't happy. * An excellent interview of Congolese academic Jean...
Pakistan: Investigation Report On Benazir Bhutto's assassination
“This is what we paid US$20 million for???” comments Cafe Pyala after watching the media presentation by the UN Commission investigating Pakistan's ex-prime minister and PPP chairman Benazir Bhutto's assassination.
Afghanistan: The insurgency leader speaks up
Nick Fielding reviews the rare interview with Sirajuddin Haqqani, commander of Taliban forces in Paktia, Khost and Paktika (Afghanistan).
Pakistan: A Mysterious Plane in Karachi
Teeth Maestro questions “what’s a Meridian Jet doing in Karachi?” Similar planes have been used in ‘rendition’ program “in which the CIA uses private aircraft to ferry prisoners to various countries.”
Sri Lanka: A Predictable Election
On 8th of April Sri Lankan voters went to vote to elect 225 representatives in the parliament to form a new government. The election saw a low turnout and was marred with violence. Sri Lankan bloggers analyzes the result and question the election process.
Palestine: Ideas for Catchy Titles
Palestinian blogger Laila El-Haddad sends out a tweet saying: “Officially started writing new book; in need of catchy titles; suggestions?”
Pakistan: Current Crisis In Khyber-Pukhtoonkhwa
Faris Kasim at Teeth Maestro reflects on the current crisis in all the conflict affected areas of Khyber-Pukhtoonkhwa.
Israel/Palestine: Will There Ever Be A Deal For Shalit?
Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit has been held by Hamas for nearly four years, with all attempts having failed to get him released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Blogger "The Other Door", a Palestinian citizen of Israel, gives his perspective on Shalit's ongoing captivity in this post.
Central Asia: Writing “About Each Other, For Each Other”
Sarah Kendzior of Registan.net writes about the significance of Kyrgyzstan's and Central Asian social media and points out some external observers’ distorted view of them: “There is another internet, a secret internet, in which meaningful political conversations take place in Uzbek, Kyrgyz, Kazakh, Turkmen, and Tajik, yet the majority of...
Kyrgyzstan: A Photo Report From Bishkek
Photos and commentary (RUS) on the recent unrest, looting and poverty in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – by LJ user zyalt (Ilya Varlamov).
