Stories about War & Conflict from March, 2012
Mexico: One Year After Birth of “Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity”
Mexicans speak out about the first anniversary of the beginning of the “Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity,” which is related to the death of activist and former poet Javier Sicilia's son during the "war" the current administration has declared against organized crime.
Georgia: Tongue-in-cheek development forecast
A satirical video posted on YouTube takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the development of Georgia ahead of parliamentary elections later this year and a presidential vote in 2013. With the...
Madagascar: Details of the 1947 Massacre Still Unknown
TanaNews reports that prime minister Beriziky requested that France returns to Madagascar the archives [fr] regarding the massacre of about 100 000 people in 1947 to repress the movement for the...
South Korea: Youtube Video on Saving Jeju Village from Naval Base Construction
A video with English subtitle explaining why protesters are against constructing a naval based in the Jeju island was posted on the Youtube site. The opposition accused the construction of...
China: Netizens Reactions to North Korea Satellite Launch
On March 27, North Korea announced that it would not abandon its satellite launch in mid April despite U.S. President Barack Obama's high profile visit to South Korea this week. China's President Hu Jintao has been rather prudent in expressing his position, while in the social media, netizens' viewpoints are divided.
El Salvador: Report of Government and Gang Negotiations Sparks Controversy
Bloggings by boz posts comments by Salvadorans he spoke to after online newspaper El Faro reported that the government had negotiated with gangs to decrease violence. Tim's El Salvador Blog...
Argentina Prepares to Remember the Victims of the Falklands War
Malvinas Day is celebrated each year in Argentina on April 2. Given the current diplomatic conflict with the United Kingdom, the date is especially important this year. This is an update of opinions and reactions to the conflict.
Palestine: Gazans Suffer Due to Fuel and Electricity Shortage
Over the past decade, the words “Gaza” and “crisis” have become almost complementary. The crises have ranged from war and military raids and invasions, to military occupation, and in this case to an electricity and fuel outage.
Blogger Analysis on North Korea's Expected Rocket Trajectory
North Korea Tech blog wrote about North Korea's rocket launch which is scheduled for next month. The blogger, after analyzing the International Maritime Organization's documents, predicted that the rocket will drop to earth in...
Sri Lanka: Reactions to US Resolution at UNHRC
A US resolution was recently passed at a UN Human Rights Council meeting on Sri Lanka seeking to encourage the government to investigate allegations of human rights violations during the country's civil war against the LTTE and implement the recommendations made by a reconciliation commission. Netizens react.
Serbia: Controversy Over Draža Mihailović's Rehabilitation
Draža Mihailović was a commander of the Chetnik movement during World War II. In 1946, he was captured by the communist Yugoslav authorities, convicted of war crimes and executed. The ongoing tribunal for his rehabilitation has been supported by some professors and politicians in Serbia, but the public is divided.
Pakistan: Using Social Networking Sites To Incite Violence
Tufail Ahmad at Pak Tea House posts an investigative story on how Pakistani terrorist group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi is inciting violence against Shi'ite Muslims and spreading antisemitism using Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and...
Armenia: Opinion divided on Eurovision withdrawal
Writing for Ararat Magazine, Global Voices’ Caucasus Regional Editor says that not everybody is happy about Armenia's withdrawal from this year's Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Mali: Citizens Stunned by Sudden Military Coup
Rengade soldiers have announced that they are seizing power in Mali, after taking over the state television building and presidential palace. They say the government failed to adequately support their troops in an increasingly violent struggle with a Tuareg rebels in the north of the country.
Arab World: Happy Mother's Day – Tribute to Martyrs’ Mothers
The Arab world marks Mother's Day today, March 21. On social networking sites, netizens send out congratulations to their mothers on the day. They also remember the mothers of the thousands of martyrs killed by the authorities as they protested against dictatorship in this so-called Arab Spring.
China: Debate on Kony 2012
The Kony 2012 viral video also drew significant attention in China. On the popular Chinese video site Youku, the same video harvested over 8 million views in a few days. Here netizens discuss their reactions.
Mali: Facing Secession and Food Crisis as Elections Loom
Mali is currently facing critical challenges while preparing for the presidential elections on April 29. After the fall of Gaddafi in Libya, returning Tuareg armed groups posted there threaten to seek secession for the Azawad territory, or Northern Mali.
Uganda: Kony 2012 Video Response From Ugandan Prime Minister
Uganda’s Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi has taken to YouTube to respond to a viral video campaign launched by Invisible Children to raise support for the arrest of wanted war criminal Joseph Kony. Contrary to what the video says, Mbabazi argues that Joseph Kony is not in Uganda and that the country is not in conflict.
Sudan: Why Clooney's Arrest is Both Good and Bad
Moez Alie explains why George Clooney's arrest outside Sudan Embassy in Washington, D.C. on 16 March, 2012 is both good and bad: “I will concede that George Clooney's arrest has...
Iranians to Israelis: “We Are Your Friends”
An Israeli Facebook campaign to say to Iranians “We will never bomb your country. We love you.” has received an answer from Iranians in the form a corresponding Facebook initiative that says to Israelis, “We are your friends.”
Israel: “We Love Iranians”
Paul Mutter blogs about the newest permutations of a social media campaign started over the weekend by two Israeli graphics designers that is called “We Love Iranians,” aimed at raising...