Stories about War & Conflict from January, 2011
Maldives: No Plan To Combat Terrorism
Hassan Ziyau complains that a full proof plan to combat religious terrorism has been absent during the tenure of successive governments in Maldives.
Azerbaijan: Bloggers remember Hrant Dink four years on
Wednesday marked the fourth anniversary of the murder in Istanbul of Hrant Dink, the Turkish-Armenian journalist, editor, and human rights activist who advocated for reconciliation and friendship between nations, and especially estranged neighbors Armenia and Turkey. This year, however, the anniversary was also unexpectedly marked by many bloggers from Azerbaijan.
D. R of Congo: Obama's invasion of DRC
Why does Ann Garrison say that Obama invaded the Democratic Republic of Congo two years ago: “It makes sense because:1) On his Inauguration Day, Obama became the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces. 2) The Rwandan and Ugandan armies serve as the U.S. military's proxies in Africa.”
Samsung Released An Optimistic Outlook on Korean Security
Samsung Economic Research Institute(SERI) released its annual report on Korean peninsula's peace in 2011. SERI speculated that the military tension between two Koreas is likely to subside. Read full report[en]. (click pdf icon right next to title)
Tunisia: Serbian Tourists Refuse to Return Home
Eleven Serbian tourists spending their holidays in Tunisian resort towns of Sousse and Hammamet have categorically refused to leave this North African country before the end of their tour arrangement. Sasa Milosevic reviews some of the online reactions of these Serbian tourists' compatriots.
Taiwan: Don't be a lousy traveler
Blogger Mochadango(抹茶糰子) who lives in Kyoto, Japan, condemns the ignorance and nearly-criminal acts(zht) of a Taiwanese traveler who recently took photos and videos of other travelers while taking a hot spring bath during his tour in Japan, though he claimed to have permission. The traveler(screen name:we5376301) uploaded the photos and...
Sudan: Chronicles of Darfur
Lidwien reviews a new book by Jerome Tubiana, Chroniques du Darfour (Chronicles of Darfur): “This is a unique contribution to the growing field of Dar Fur studies, which brings to bear on the war in Dar Fur the unique strengths and achievements of its author.”
Zambia: Barotseland becomes hotbed of contention
Long considered a non-issue because of backdoor political posturing that occurred through decades of one party rule in Zambia, the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 appears to finally have become a hotbed of contention.
Mexico: Women's Rights Activist Killed
Erwin C. in The Latinamericanist reports on the murder of women's rights activist Susana Chávez: “For many years Chavez campaigned against the unsolved murders of hundreds of women in northern Mexico. She helped create the slogan ‘Ni Una Mas’ (‘Not One More Death’), which served as a battle cry for...
China: Tense days and nights in Tunis
Excerpts of a series of blog posts this week from a Chinese woman living and working in the Tunisian capital.
Zambia: Restless Western Province Erupts Over Independence Agreement
The Western Province administrative capital, Mongu, on Friday erupted when Lozi tribal loyalists who want to secede from the rest of Zambia fought running battles with police on the day they “declared independence.” Two people were shot dead by the police, a number of people were injured and over 200 arrested and are likely to be charged with treason. Zambian netizens share their opinions on the subject online.
Tunisia: Fears of Insecurity Overshadow the Joys of Freedom
On January 14, 2011, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali abruptly fled the country he ruthlessly ruled for more than two decades. The people of Tunisia took to the streets to celebrate the dawn of a new independence. The euphoria rapidly gave way to fear about the security situation. News spread about vandals rampaging across major cities, looting shops and homes and setting fire to properties and buildings. Tunisians share their thoughts and experiences on their blogs.
Brazil: Police brutality during student protest
The blog Vi o Mundo [Saw the World, pt] shares a video by the cartoonist Carlos Latuff and a letter from the Workers Union of the University of São Paulo about the police brutality against students who were protesting in the streets on January 13 against the price increase of...
Mexico: Indigenous Town Burned by Arsonists
Alejandro Ortiz Sotomayor in Vivir México reports [es] that an indigenous town in the state of Durango was burned by about 60 men who were seeking retaliation after people from the town killed one of their men in defense days before; more than 37 houses and 27 vehicles were burned.
Lebanon: Eleven Cabinet Members Resign, Toppling Government
More big news from the Arab world this evening as Lebanon's government has reportedly collapsed, following the resignations of 11 cabinet members. The cabinet members, all members or allies of Hezbollah, resigned over arguments stemming from a UN probe into the assassination of Rafiq Hariri.
France, Tunisia: Has the Minister of Foreign Affairs Lost Her Mind?
The French and North African blogosphere and twittosphere reacted violently to the statement by the French Minister of Foreign Affairs Michelle Alliot-Marie who proposed at the French national assembly that France offers “technical support” and “the know-how of the French police” to the Tunisian police regarding the current uprising in...
Honduras: Kidnapped Leader of Peasant Movement Escapes
Honduras Culture and Politics reports: “The good news came through late yesterday: Juan Chinchilla, kidnapped leader of the peasant movement under attack in the Bajo Aguan, was free.” Chinchilla is also a leader of the National Popular Resistance Front.
Côte d'Ivoire: The Quest for Normalcy and the Colonial Conundrum
Often portayed as living in a country on the brink of civil war, Ivorian citizens are trying hard to disprove this fatalistic narrative in the traditional media by calling for peace. Bloggers are also debating the role of the international community and the possibility raised by Gbagbo of a new, independent currency following Chavez's model in Venezuela.
El Salvador: Top Stories of 2010
Tim's El Salvador Blog shares a roundup of what Tim considers the top stories of 2010 from El Salvador.
Mexico: Tweeting About Violence With #RedMexico
Tired of drug-related violence, Mexican Twitter users are using the hashtag #MexicoRojo ("Red Mexico") to discuss the issue and update their followers on recent events.
Cote d'ivoire: Reduce Scare-Mongering on “war”
Both ECOWAS and AU must reduce scare-mongering in Cote d'ivoire: “The rhetoric of force in Cote d'ivoire has ironically come a couple of months after the AU declared 2010 to be the Year of Peace and Security. But what the AU failed to also do is provide sufficient information to...
