Stories about War & Conflict from December, 2009
Palestine/Gaza: In Preparation for the Gaza Freedom March
The start of Gaza Freedom March is just over a week away. It's aim is to show solidarity with Palestinians and raise awareness about the Gaza siege. Katharine Ganly looks at some of the events that have happened in preparation for the march.
Russia: Yegor Gaidar, Russia's Economic Reformer, Dies at 53
Yegor Gaidar, a Russian economist and politician who initiated the 1992 "shock therapy" reforms, died in Moscow on Dec. 16 at the age of 53. Russian bloggers' responses serve as a vivid reflection of how divided people still are on Gaidar's legacy and on the direction the country has taken since the demise of the Soviet Union.
Podcast: Interview with Sudanese Drima
Sudanese Drima is the pseudonym for Global Voices' Malaysia-based Sudanese author. In this ten-minute interview we discuss how social media is affecting Islam, the Darfur conflict, and issues of Afro-Arab identity in South East Asia.
Sri Lanka: UTHR Report On The War Against The LTTE
Indi.ca discusses the University Teachers Human Rights Association of Jaffna (UTHR) report on the war against the LTTE in Sri Lanka. It says that none of the sides cared about the human lives involved.
Sri Lanka: Evidence Of War Crimes
A new debate on the war crime allegations against Sri Lankan army has surfaced as the former army chief and presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka had mentioned that he knew that unarmed people were shot dead, in cold blood, “pursuant to a premeditated decision by government leaders.” Kumar David at Groundviews...
Decisive Period For South Asia
Jay at Desicritics explains that 2010-2011 will be a crucial Period for South Asia.
Sri Lanka: Politics Of Boycotts
Devanesan Nesiah at Groundviews criticizes the suicidal Tamil politics, which is considering to boycott the coming elections in Sri Lanka. The blogger opines that participation in national politics is absolutely essential for the minority parties.
Pakistan: Soul Searching For 1971
Raza Rumi at All Things Pakistan remembers the end of the nine month long liberation war of Bangladesh (freedom of Bangladeshis) and the fall of East Pakistan on 16th of December, 1971. The blogger comments: “we, simply, are reluctant to learn from the fiasco of 1971.”
South Africa: Blogger becomes first soldier to receive new Air Assault Badge
Soldier of Africa receives new Air Assault Badge in South Africa: “After four years of waiting I was today the first person in the SANDF to be awarded the new Air Assault Badge, which I also designed.”
Bangladesh: Celebrating Victory Day
Saad Hammadi at Of Diaries And Experiences writes about the joy of celebrating the victory day of Bangladesh.
Iraq: Iraqi Prisons and Iraqis
Iraqi Layla Anwar is “overwhelmed with sadness.” Click here to find out why.
Iraq: A Business Perspective
Iraqi Pundit notes: “There are so many different ways to explain Iraq. But whichever explanation makes the most sense, it must include oil.”
Iraq: Smelling Danger
Alaa, The Mesopotamian, from Iraq, smells danger in the air. “Nowadays, I have this premonition of danger. I am compelled to spell out my fears,” he writes.
Iraq: An Iraqi Prayer
Writing at Mideast Youth, Iraqi Wamith Al-Kassab says: “After the last explosions in Baghdad on the 8th of December where two cars exploded in Baghdad and killed more than 127 person with about 330 wounded, I did not find any energy to write … I just posted the story on...
Guatemala: Stories and Artisan Crafts from The Ixil Triangle
Towns Santa María Nebaj, San Juan Cotzal and San Gaspar Chajul form the Ixil Triangle, located north of the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes. Because of its traditional hand-crafted clothing, the Chancol cheese, and its collection of myths and legends from the region, the place is one of the favorite destinations of hikers in Guatemala.
Uganda: Election tensions could lead to civil unrest
The durability of this peace in Uganda depends on addressing political divisions at the heart of Uganda's history of violence.
Mauritania: On killings and kidnappings
Kal's general thoughts on the kidnappings of two Spaniards and the killing of three Mauritanians last week.
Pakistan: Fighting back the enemy within
Pakistani blogger Bilal Qureshi points out that the time has come for citizens to be realistic, to stop taking the traditional route of blaming India and collectively fight back the enemy within.
Brazil: Police violence on National Anti-Corruption Day
Violence broke out during a demonstration against the latest bribery scandal. Meanwhile, in the run up to Christmas, Panettones have become the iconic image of anti-corruption protests in the country.
Russia: Soviet Handout on How to Behave in Afghanistan
English Russia posted a translated handout [ENG] for a Soviet “soldier-internationalist,” a.k.a. Soviet soldier fighting in Afghanistan, outlining the basic rules of engagement for USSR troops in the foreign country.
Indonesia: Movie ban puts freedom of speech in question
The Indonesian Censorship Board has banned the public screening of Balibo, a film about a group of Australians who were murdered during the 1975 Indonesian military invasion of East Timor. Indonesia-based bloggers share their reactions