Stories about War & Conflict from May, 2015
Second Shia Mosque Attacked by ISIS in Saudi Arabia
On Global Voices Checkdesk, a collaboration project between Meedan Checkdesk, an online news verification tool, and Global Voices Online, Joey Ayoub charts the initial reactions on the bombing of a second Shia mosque in Dammam, in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, for the second Friday in a row. Three...
Did Saudi Arabia Bomb Yemen's Ancient Marib Dam?
Unconfirmed reports say that Saudi coalition forces, which have been bombing Yemen for more than two months have targeted the Marib Dam, one of the engineering wonders of the ancient world. On Twitter, Hussain Albukhaiti claims: Unconfirmed reports: #Saudi Jets has Just targeted the historic #Marib Dam NW #Yemen http://t.co/rZYWUF2Qe6...
Syrian Antiques on Sale on Facebook
Ancient Syrian antiques, looted from ISIS controlled areas, are being peddled on Facebookand sold on the black market for millions.
He Spared His ‘Enemy's’ Life in the Iran-Iraq War. Today They Are Close Friends
One soldier prepared to kill a critically wounded enemy three decades ago, but spared him when he saw photos of the man's family. They met by chance decades later.
What Does Japanese Prime Minister Abe's Ignorance of the Potsdam Declaration Actually Mean?
Has Prime Minister Abe really never read the Potsdam Declaration? Or is his professed ignorance a signal he rejects Japan's postwar pacifism?
The Boomerang Effect: Why Would Tajikistan's Special Forces Chief Join ISIS?
"This is the most well-made film of a Tajik IS fighter. Unsurprisingly, they have quickly used [him] for recruitment purposes."
Violence Once Again Shakes Mexico With Disappearance of At Least 30 People
"Tlatlaya, Ayotzinapa, and now Chilapa… does anyone still doubt that President Peña has lost control of the country?"
A Guide to Resources on the Palestinian Nakba, Memory and Identity
Joey Ayoub digs into a list of resources to learn about the 1948 Palestinian exodus, also known as the Nakba, as well as memory and identity.
Ukrainian and Russian Users Petition Facebook to ‘Stop Political Blocking’
Ukrainians and Russians are petitioning Facebook on the Change.org website to protest what they insist is an ongoing issue: unwarranted and biased blocking of Ukrainian and Russian Facebook profiles.
Dying in Secret: The Ethics of Investigating Russia's Ukraine Casualties
A new type of investigative journalism by bloggers is blurring the lines between armchair Internet sleuthing and hard-hitting investigative reporting to uncover information about Russia's role in the Ukraine conflict.
Dear Ukrainian Officials: Russian Security Services Thank You for Your Cooperation!
A group of journalists pulled a prank on Ukrainian officials who use Russian email services, alerting them to the dangers of careless information security policies.
ISIS Claims Responsibility in Suicide Bombing in Shia Mosque in Qatif Killing 21 Worshippers
Twenty-one people were killed when an ISIS suicide bomber blew himself up in a Shia mosque in Qatif, in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, after Friday prayers today.
Have Bullets Killed the Future of Venezuela's Youth?
In a country like Venezuela, where murder is the leading cause of death among people between the ages of 10 and 19, what hopes can younger generations have?
Activist Ambassador Lawyer Journalist: What It’s Like to Be Hated Online in Russia Today
Earlier this week, Afisha magazine's Nina Nazarova published a collection of fascinating interviews with four public figures who have played major roles online and in the news in Russia.
Arab-American Journalist Detained by Israeli Security for ‘Flying While Muslim’
Palestinian-American journalist Noor Wazwaz shares her experience of "Flying While Muslim" into Tel Aviv, saying the humiliation will not deter her from returning again.
The Profitable Patriotism of Vladimir Putin's Biker Bromance
Putin’s biker bromance admittedly isn’t radically new, but the prominence—both in Russia and abroad—of the "Night Wolves" motorcycle gang is exploding like never before.
ISIS Fighters Capture Ramadi in Iraq
Ramadi, the capital of Iraq's Al Anbar province, has been captured by ISIS fighters. Joey Ayoub is putting the story together, tracking citizen journalists reports, news and testimonies, on Global Voices Checkdesk, a partnership project between Global Voices and Meedan's Checkdesk. The city, in central Iraq, is about 110 kilometres...
Palestine: How Much Have Israeli Settlements Expanded Since 1948?
Beirut-based journalist Adam Rasmi shares an infographic from Visualising Palestine which tracks how much Israeli settlements have expanded since 1948: New @visualizingpal infographic tracks expanding Israeli settlements — 1948 vs Now http://t.co/i6S3fGawdP #NakbaDay pic.twitter.com/4XfjHLjuy7 — Adam Rasmi (@AdamRasmi) May 15, 2015 Check out Visualizing Palestine for more infographics here.
Online Platform Alerts People in Mexico's Jalisco State to Organized Crime Violence
After several attacks from a powerful Mexican cartel, the Jalisco government hopes that technology can keep citizens informed about clashes and "narcobloqueos."
Under a Shaky Ceasefire, Yemenis Struggle to Stay Connected to the World
Frequent electricity cuts, bombings and a dire humanitarian situation could exacerbate and completely isolate Yemen should internet and telecommunications services be cut.
PayPal Blocks Donations for Printing Boris Nemtsov’s Ukraine War Report
PayPal has informed the "Putin.War" report team the service cannot be used for "collecting funds to finance the activities of political parties or for political aims in Russia.”
