Stories about War & Conflict from March, 2009
Palestine: Remember The War
Young Gazan blogger Lina AlSharif has made two videos to mark three months since the Israeli attacks on Gaza began.
Palestine: Testimonies Regarding Israeli War Crimes in Gaza
Bloggers in Gaza have not been surprised by the testimonies of Israeli soldiers documenting war crimes they committed or witnessed during the recent attacks on Gaza - or by any of the other stories now being reported regarding the Israeli military's conduct.
Iraq: Six Years On
It's the sixth anniversary of the Iraq war and while bloggers remember the past, few seem to look to the future anymore. Salam Adil reviews the Iraqi blogosphere for reactions.
Serbia: Remembering NATO Bombing 10 Years Later
On March 24, 1999, NATO forces began attack on Serbia and Montenegro. The bombing went for 78 days. A few thousand people were killed, many buildings, bridges, railroads, roads and factories were destroyed. Also, many people still experience mental and psychic effects of the fear they had been through. Ten years later, Serbian bloggers are reminded of those terrible days. Below is a selection of some of their journal notes and recollections from the beginning of the war.
Serbia: More on 10th Anniversary of NATO Bombing
More coverage of the 10th anniversary of NATO bombing of Serbia: Balkan File; Bill's Blog; Gray Falcon; and Nothing Against Serbia.
Israel: Boxes Containing Treats Blocked From Entering Gaza
Jam, biscuits, date bars, tea, sweets, and tomato paste are among the foodstuffs that Israel blocked from entering Gaza, Eva of Israel reports on Mideast Youth. Over 3,000 boxes were denied entry and all boxes containing these items will be detained in the future.
Israel: Thwarted Bombing Had Capacity to Kill 30,000
A bombing was thwarted in a mall in Haifa, Israel on Saturday night, ExpatEgghead reported. Israeli news stated that the 40 kilogram car bomb had the power to kill 30,000 people.
Palestine: Art as Resistance
Abdelfattah Abusrour, director of Al-Rowwad Culture and Theatre Center in the Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, crossposts an article he has written about the use of art as a means of resistance: “I was born Palestinian and I don’t want to do anything to change this. I was born in...
Serbia: 10 Years Since NATO Bombings
A Yankee-in-Belgrade writes about the NATO bombings of Serbia that started ten years ago – and posts a picture from that time.
Palestine: Remembering Rachel Corrie
Gazan blogger Fida Qishta commemorates the death of American activist Rachel Corrie six years ago: “Every year we remember 16th March. We remember a kind, insightful, talented person committed to the plight of the Palestinian people. Her name was Rachel Corrie. … We should remember Rachel and all that she...
Palestine: The Importance of Plastic
In Gaza, Eva Bartlett describes how plastic sheeting is playing an important role: “The siege is still on and cement is still unavailable. Major reconstructions and repairs won’t happen for a long time, just as the thousands of houses needing to be re-built won’t be so until Egypt and Israel...
Bangladesh: 1971 Genocide video
Mash at Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying posts a rare video footage of the massacre by Pakistan army in a village near Dhaka, Bangladesh in late November of 1971. More such videos can be found at the Bangladesh Genocide Archive.
Korea: Two American Journalists are detained in North Korea.
Two American Journalists – a Korean American and Chinese American – are detained in North Korea after they tried to report on North Korean issues (It is known that they were interested in female North Korean defectors). Three days behind, the South Korean media started talking about this incident in...
Ukraine, U.S.: NATO or “Our Own Reset Button”
A discussion of the current U.S. stance on Ukraine's NATO membership – at Ukrainiana.
Egypt: Petition for Gaza
Egyptian Chronicles urges her readers to sign an online international petition to the UN General Assembly to set up a special international penal court to try Israeli war crimes, notably in the Gaza Strip.
Tunisia: Gaza's Closed Zone
Tunisian blogger Sami ben Gharbia [Ar] reviews Israeli-made Closed Zone, a 90 second new animated film on the closure of Gaza.
South Korea: Military Service
Ask a Korean! blogs about the Mechanics of Serving in the Korean Military.
China and U.S.A: South China Sea Confrontation
Chris from ChinaSMACK translated Chinese netizen reaction on the confrontation between U.S and China navy in the South China Sea.
Morocco: Cutting Ties With Iran
Early last week, it was reported that Rabat had chosen to sever its ties with Tehran, after a diplomatic spat between Bahrain and Iran over a statement by an Iranian official questioning Bahrain's sovereignty. Additionally, Morocco expressed resentment at Iran's alleged attempts to influence Moroccans in Europe toward Shi'a Islam.
Iran: Omid Reza Mir Sayafi talked about New Year
Omid Reza Mir Sayafi,Iranian blogger and journalist who died in prison yesterday, talked about Iranian new year in his blog,Rooz Negar, 3 years ago. He invited [fa] people to lay flowers on the tomb of Iranian war martyrs.
Madagascar: Fear of More Strife After President's Resignation
The power struggle that has plagued Madagascar since January may have come to an end. Yesterday, after attempts by Andry Rajoelina supporters to remove President Marc Ravalomanana from office, the army, which has now sided with Rajoelina, took control of the presidential palace in Ambotsirohatra. Bloggers were divided between joy over Ravalomanana's exit and anxiety over what Rajoelina's leadership will bring.