Stories about War & Conflict from August, 2008
Georgia: Ukrainian Bloggers Action
Peace in Georgia points its readers to an action staged by Ukrainian bloggers. Following reports that Russian troops and South Ossetian irregulars engaged in looting, the bloggers have set up an online shop for looted Georgian goods.
Georgia: Russian Withdrawal
Registan questions the sincerity of the Russian withdrawal of combat troops from Georgia. The blog says that Russia is clearly delighted by the impotence of the U.S. and NATO during the war with Geogia over South Ossetia, but says that Moscow is also unable to find a permanent solution to...
Georgia: Economic Fallout
Regional Reporters [RU] reports on the economic consequences of the war between Georgia and Russia over South Ossetia. The blog says that with the damage to civilian infrastructure in Georgia estimated at $1 billion, experts from the World Bank will visit the country to assess what needs to be done...
Palestine: Boats break siege of Gaza
The latest news on the two boats attempting to sail to the Gaza Strip as an act of solidarity is that they have reached Gaza, despite earlier warnings that they might not be permitted to do so. Bloggers have reacted to the action with both excitement and concern.
Georgia, Russia: Aug. 20 Rally in Poti
Photos from the Aug. 20 “Russia Go Home!” rally in Poti, Georgia – by LJ user pepsikolka.
South Ossetia: Tskhinvali Photos and Reports
On Aug. 21, Columbia Journalism Review published Julia Ioffe's overview of several Russian journalists' blogging from the war in South Ossetia. Featured in her piece are reports by LJ user krig42 (Komsomolskaya Pravda reporter Dmitry Steshin) and LJ user ep-news (Evgeny Poddubny, correspondent for TV Center). Below are a few more blog posts from Russian and North Ossetian journalists, with photos and accounts of what they've seen in the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali over the past week.
Lebanon: The Memorandum of Understanding…or Controversy?
Shia Hezbullah and Sunni Salafist groups in Lebanon have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that prohibits Muslims from killing each other. Hours later, the agreement was revoked. Nash Suleiman digs into the Lebanese blogosphere to bring us the story.
Pakistan: In tears again
All Things Pakistan is in pain after yet another suicide bomb blast in Pakistan that killed more than 70 people: “In what continues to be war on and in Pakistan, Pakistanis continue to die. Pakistan continues to cry.”
Algeria: Focus on Russo-Syrian Relations
The Moor Next Door, from Algeria, discusses Russo-Syrian relations in this post.
Jordan: Al Aqsa Mosque Picture
Jordan's Jazarah posts a 39-year-old photograph of “Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, Palestine after an Israeli attack that caused a big fire, leading to major damage in the Mosque.”
Afghanistan: The Road War
Joshua Foust examines the dual-use nature of national infrastructure projects in Afghanistan, and wonders how that might affect the counterinsurgency there.
Afghanistan: The Unfortunate Consequence of Militarizing Aid
Joshua Foust sees some of the violent consequences of the U.S. blurring the lines between military and humanitarian aid.
Georgia, Russia: The Names of the Dead
An ongoing initiative (RUS) to compile a list of “those who died in the war of 2008, whose names are found on the web” – by LJ user hunu: “The list is incomplete, of course. […] I've placed the names of the dead on the same page – of civilians...
Czech Republic: “Memories of the Russian Invaders”
“Memories of the Russian Invaders” – at The Czech Daily Word.
Russia, Georgia: Oil and War
Window on Eurasia writes about the oil factor in the Russian-Georgian conflict.
Russia: Three Anniversaries
Window on Eurasia writes about “the lessons of three anniversaries”: “Today is the 10th anniversary of Russia’s default on its international financial obligations and the 17th anniversary of the launch of the failed coup against Mikhail Gorbachev that precipitated the end of the Soviet Union, and tomorrow is the 40th...
Georgia: A War Diary
Natalia Antonova links to a war diary by George Lashkhi, commentator on Georgia’s Channel 1, published at GlobalComment.com.
India: All about a block of ice
Indian Muslims Blog provides an insight into the ongoing agitation in Jammu region in India telling that its “all about a block of ice“. The blog also posts some pictures of a protest in Kashmir.
Iran:”Stop war on Iran”
Stop war on Iran informs us that demonstrators in different cities in the USA asked Bush administration not to attack Iran.
China: India-US nuclear deal
While anticipating a question regarding China in Katie Couric's upcoming interview of American presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain, Out Of The Way blogger Ellaconic has instead opted to look toward India and a less-observed issue, and presents a lot of background which led up to the recently-approved India-US...
Georgia, Russia: Feeding Looters and Refugees
A number of Tbilisi residents gathered in front of the Russian embassy Saturday for a protest prank against looting. LJ user oleg-panfilov posted photos of the items left by the protesters for the Russian army; LJ user tony-geo called to Georgians to take care of the refugees' needs first, before getting involved in the "information war."
