· November, 2012

Stories about War & Conflict from November, 2012

Syria: Time for a Frank Dialogue

  30 November 2012

Syrian blogger Maysaloon calls for a frank dialogue on Syria. He writes: What needs to happen now, and not when Assad falls, is frank dialogue with all – whether they are Islamists, Free Syrian Army, Jabhat al Nusra, the Kurds, whoever it may be, about core principles. For the sake...

40,000 Syrian Lives Lost in 20 Months

  30 November 2012

According to human rights organizations, more than 40,000 Syrians have been killed during the 20 months conflict in Syria. The violence in Syria has caused rapid deterioration of the humanitarian situation, where 4 million people expected to require assistance in Syria by early 2013, writes Rami Alhames

Are Communications in Damascus Down?

  29 November 2012

Syrian blogger Razan Ghazzawi has raised the alert of a possible Internet cut in the capital Damascus, where she reports that the phone services are also down. She tweets: @RedRazan: Two hours ago the #internet was cut at least in most neighborhoods in #Damascus. This is troubling news. #Syria And...

Iran: Reflections on Gaza and Israel

  27 November 2012

For many in Iran, the issues surrounding Gaza, Hamas, and Palestine are viewed through a prism of politics. Condemning Hamas publicly means becoming a target. One Iranian student organization, became a victim of this policy because of its stance against both Hamas and Israel in the previous Gaza war.

Homs: A Revolutionary Syrian City in Ruins

  27 November 2012

Homs is a Syrian city that is 4,300 years old and is the home of three Syrian presidents. Homsi protesters were among the first Syrians to take streets in thousands to protest against the Syrian regime. The colossal damage months of shelling has done can be seen in the destruction of historic buildings and architecture, hundreds of thousands of refugees and thousands of martyrs.

Yemen: Ashoura Celebration in Sanaa Attacked

  26 November 2012

November 24th is Ashoura Day, and it is a day that is commemorated in the Muslim world by both the Sunni and Shite sects. However in Yemen, it was a tragic day as four people were killed and more than a dozen were wounded in an explosion that targeted a Shiite Ashoura Celebration in the capital Sanaa. This was the first sectarian bombing to occur in Sanaa, an alarming development with the clear aim to fuel sectarianism in Yemen.

Mumbai Terrorist Executed in India, But Will it Bring Peace?

  26 November 2012

On November 21, Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, a Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba militant and the only terrorist to be captured alive following the 2008 attack on Mumbai, was executed. His hanging rekindled the debate about the death penalty in India and whether it was likely to deter future terrorist attacks.

Made in Libya: Blogger Ahmed Ben Wafaa

  24 November 2012

Ahmed Ben Wafaa is a science teacher who started blogging in 2000 to express himself on the state of things in his country and through his blog "Made in Libya" he succeeded in becoming a source of information during the Libyan revolution. Ahmed Ben Jeddou interviewed him to know more about blogging and citizen media in Libya before and after the revolution

Pakistan: Five Bomb Explosions Rock Three Cities In A Day

  24 November 2012

Wednesday, November 21, 2012 was a horrendous day when a series of suicide bombings were targeted at Imambargahs (Muharram mourning processions) and law enforcement agencies in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Quetta. However, netizens noted that acts of terrorism perpetrated against Shia Muslims didn't get the same level of attention compared to Israel's attacks on Gaza Strip.

Pakistan Stands With Palestine

  24 November 2012

A number of rallies and protests were held in Pakistan to show solidarity with the Palestinians in their recent conflict with Israel. Using social media, people have raised concerns over the grave situation, displayed support and also condemned the government for being more involved in Gaza rather than dealing with the increased terrorism back home.

Candles Lit for Gaza in Bulgaria's Capital

  23 November 2012

About 100 people gathered in Sofia's central square to show their support for the victims of Israel's recent Operation Pillar of Defense in the Gaza Strip. Facebook page “Together for Palestine” [bg] has this photo of commemorative candles lit in Bulgaria's capital; another page, “Bulgaria supports Palestinian independence in the...

Israeli Media Criticized for Coverage of Gaza Conflict

  22 November 2012

The latest round of fighting between Israel and Gaza militants was covered around the clock in Israel. Media outlets largely adopted the government's narrative and justifications for the offensive. Leftist Israeli bloggers and netizens, while criticizing the government throughout the operation, also attacked what they saw as a biased coverage of the events.