Stories about War & Conflict from August, 2009
Palestine: Remembering Shafiq Al Hout
On 2 August, founder member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) Shafiq Al Hout died. Al Hout helped found the PLO in 1964, was appointed PLO representative in Lebanon, and survived ten Israeli assassination attempts during the Lebanese Civil War. Arab bloggers have been paying tribute.
Armenia-Azerbaijan: An interview with Elizabeth Métraux
DOTCOM is an online initiative using blogs and video to bring American, Armenian and Azerbaijani teenagers together to work on creating socially conscious media. Global Voices Online speaks to Program Director Elizabeth Métraux.
Georgia, Russia: Cyber Attacks on Blogger ‘Cyxymu’
In 2008, the Russo-Georgian war coincided with the Beijing Olympics, diverting some of the public attention from the peaceful sporting event. This week, cyber attacks on LJ, Twitter and Facebook, targeting Tbilisi-based blogger cyxymu, have added an extra dimension to the coverage of the war's first anniversary.
Pakistan: After Baitullah Mehsud's Death
Ahsan at Five Rupees discusses how the Taliban warlord Baitullah Mehsud's death will affect Pakistan's future and its war against the terror.
Pakistan: Baitullah Mehsud Possibly Killed
As the news of the death of Baitullah Mehsud, the Taliban warlord and the most wanted man in Pakistan emerged, people received it with a sense of relief and some did not want to believe. Pakistani bloggers share their opinions on this news.
Pakistan: The Death Of Baitullah Mehsud
Pak Tea House confirms that Baitullah Mehsud, the most feared Taliban warlord was recently killed in a drone strike in the tribal areas of Pakistan along with his wife. Chowrangi points out to several conspiracy theories regarding his allegiance and death.
Georgia: Blogger reportedly targetted by Facebook, Twitter attack
CNET's blog carries a podcast report on the denial of service attacks on Facebook and Twitter which apparently targeted Georgian blogger Cyxymu as the first anniversary of the Russia-Georgia war approached.
Afghanistan: A report someone didn't want you to read
Nick Fielding opines that the Britain's Parliamentary report on Afghanistan is strongly critical of the present government's policy towards Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Russia, Georgia: “A Year After”
Scraps of Moscow re-posts and links to a few items on last year's Russian-Georgian war that appeared elsewhere.
Palestine: Hebron Full Of Tension
In the West Bank, the blogger at Minnesoterblog posts photos of Hebron, saying: “Hebron’s mix of hard-line ideological settlers (mostly of American and French origin) that live in and control the old city give it a tense atmosphere.”
Korea: Clinton’s Visit to North Korea
A surprising news. All of a sudden, Clinton visited North Korea and like 007 he took two female American journalists who were held in North Korea back home. About this sudden news, there is not so much public news regarding it in the Korean media nor in bloggers’ opinions. Here...
China: Everyday life cultural conflicts in Xinjiang
Tim, a foreign teacher in Xinjiang university, blogs about the cultural conflicts and misunderstandings between Hans and Uyghurs in daily life. He has censored himself from addressing the issue in the past month but finally speaks up.
Russia: New Report on Beslan
La Russophobe links to and quotes from John B. Dunlop's new report on Beslan.
Pakistan: Condemning Gojra Riots
Last Saturday riots broke out in the Gojra town of Pakistan over alleged desecration of the Holy Quran and houses of the local Christian community were set on fire leaving seven people burnt to death and eighteen others severely injured. The widespread communal violence has been condemned severely by the Pakistani blogosphere.
Palestine: Palestinians and the Nakba
“I used to wonder what it would be like to be part of the so-called nakba generation. i don't wonder anymore, as i realize now that despite the passage of time, i am in fact a part of it,” admits Al Falasteenyia as she laments the reality of Palestinians.
Pakistan: A Simple Misunderstanding At Gojra
Communal violence in Gojra, Paksitan took the life of eight Christians including four women and one child. Hamid Abbasi at Chowrangi calls it a shame and wonders how a *simple misunderstanding* could bring the whole city on the verge of a civil war.
Caucasus: An interview with Bart Woord
International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) Secretary General Bart Woord took time out to speak to Global Voices Online about the role new media can play in the region and the case of Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli, two video bloggers recently detained in Baku on what many consider to be politically motivated charges.
Afghanistan: Taliban and the Election
Joshua Foust reports that the Taliban has vowed to disrupt the Afghan election next month, for the first time showing genuine concern by the election.
Armenia: Demographic crisis
Thoughts on the Road comments on news that Armenia faces a demographic crisis to such an extent that it might have to remove exemption from military service for students. The blog wonders what this means for attempts to resolve the conflict the country has with Azerbaijan over Nagorno Karabakh.
Caucasus: An interview with Micael Bogar
With three frozen conflicts and many ethnic fault lines, peace and stability in the South Caucasus often seems unreachable. After living and working in the the region for many years, Micael Bogar is now Projects Manager at the American University's Center for Social Media and speaks to Global Voices Online on the potential for new media tools to circumvent divisions and bring estranged neighbors together.
