Stories about War & Conflict from November, 2007
Israel: 30 Years after Sadat's Visit
One Jerusalem reflects on the Arab-Israeli peace process 30 years after the historic visit of Egyptian President Anwar Al Sadat to Israel.
Iraq: Unrest in Al A'mel
Alive in Baghdad reports on the latest unrest in Al A'mel, following the arrest of a top Shia clergyman by US troops.
Serbia: Kosovo Election, Before and After
Balkan Baby writes about the post-election Kosovo: “Will the parliament be truly representative though, including members not only of the Kosovar and Serbian communities but also the other minorities participating in the election, namely Ashkali, Bosnjak, Gorani, Turkish, Egyptian and Romani? Probably not, leading to the conclusion once more that...
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Fear of Another War
TOL's Balkanizer writes: “When Bosnia turns up on the NYT editorial page, things are not good.” And: “…Bosnians, regardless of ethnicity, do not see a clear way out of this crisis.”
Russia: “From Russia With Hate”
Via Moscow Through Brown Eyes, a rather shocking video story about the Russian neo-Nazi, posted on Current.com.
Armenia: Rising Prices
The Armenian Libertarian-Socialist Movement takes a look at various theories in circulation to explain recent price rises in Armenia.
South Korea: Anti War Protest
CINA blogs about the weekend anti-war protest against the ongoing presence of S.K. troops in Iraq.
Angola: Miss Landmine Angola
Omodudu blogs about Miss Landmine Angola: “The web voting for Miss Landmine Angola is open until April 3, 2008. Have a great weekend.”
Afghanistan: Taliban Regrouping
hadi1121 says that quite a few people have now complained about Taliban regrouping across the border in Pakistan or even perhaps in Iran. “Taliban are gaining ground, planting IED’s and probably exporting ideas and experties from Iraq at faster rate than ever before”, hadi1121 notes.
Afghanistan: Prospects for Baluchi Valley
Peter Marton reviews the current situation and perspectives for further development of the Baluchi Valley of Afghanistan. More presence of the Afghan authorities might secure the area better, but there are indications that this might still be challenged very much by the Taliban, as the area is still a hotbed...
Iraq: Awakening
Can it really be true? Dare I say it? Iraq is actually getting safer? What with a new movement called 'Awakening' throwing Al-Qaeda out of Baghdad suburbs; Reports that violence is markedly down; Iraqis returning in droves; could George Bush's surge really be working? Iraqi bloggers investigate and give the real word from the street.
Iraq: Football Players Seek Asylum in Australia
Three Iraqi football players are seeking asylum in Australia, says Iraqi blogger Ladybird.
Palestine: Crossing Checkpoints
Marcy Newman is in Palestine and writes about her experiences crossing checkpoints and visiting Palestinian villages there.
Iraq: Drop in Violence
“My relatives in Baghdad welcome the security improvements in the city. They say they can see a marked difference just since September,” reports Iraq Pundit.
Thailand: Jotman Wins
Thailand based blogger Jotman has won the “Reporters Without Borders Award” in Deutsche Welle's Best of the Blogs (BOBs) competition.
Afghanistan: Undermined Mission
Carl Robichaud considers that a too-narrow focus on counterinsurgency operations has undermined the mission in Afghanistan, and that it is high time to look for the right combination of military and non-military tools.
Hungary: Open Letter to Slovakia
Pestcentric writes an open letter to Slovakia: “Last year you even had garage bands calling for the destruction of Hungary. This is just not good. It seems that being in the European Union has led you astray. Now, I know you’ve yet to fence off the Gypsies like the Czechs...
Russia: Tatarstan Warns Against Karabakh Independence
Window on Eurasia writes: “By recognizing Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia, South Osetia or Transdniestria as independent, as many in Moscow are now urging, the Russian government would undermine the territorial integrity of its own country, a senior member of Tatarstan’s parliament told a Baku newspaper.”
Georgia: Russia, Conflict & Paranoia
Steady State reports that with a presidential election now scheduled for January in Georgia, the issue of Russia and frozen conflicts in the former Soviet republic is being exploited by the president for political purposes. Steady State, however, wonders if Georgian officials shouldn't instead seek prescription drugs for paranoia.
Uganda: Existentialist reading of conflict in Northern Uganda
Okello Lucima's existentialist reading of the conflict in Northern Uganda: “Read in broad existentialist terms, the Ugandan State and regime are absurd worlds, from which its citizens in the north have been alienated from themselves and estranged from the popular view of national normalcy.”
Afghanistan: Update on Baghlan Bombing
Peter Marton provides an update on the suicide bombing attack that has hit the northern province of Afghanistan earlier this month, targeting Afghani MPs. Apparently, some of the victims among the civilians could have been killed not by the bombs, but by inconsiderate shooting started by the bodyguards.
