Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from February, 2008
Serbia: Bloggers Discuss Rally and Rioting in Belgrade
Yesterday, Kosovo is Serbia rally was held in Belgrade. According to unofficial sources, 150,000-200,000 people attended it to protest against unilateral proclamation of independence of Kosovo. The rally went peacefully but was followed by rioting. Buildings of the American, Croatian and Turkish embassies were set on fire. Many people were injured, at least one person was killed. Sinisa Boljanovic translates reactions by several Serbian bloggers who blog at B92's blog portal.
Israel: Palestine and Kosovo
One Jerusalem from Israel, discusses Kosovo's independence from Serbia in this post, as well as its implications on Palestine.
Iran: From Prague to Iran
Michal Svec, a young Czeck man has published several photos of his trip to Iranian cities.
Palestine in the Aftermath of Kosovo
Diana, from Kabobfest, discusses Palestinian politics, following the declaration of Kosovo as an independent state.
Lebanon: US Embassy in Serbia on Fire
From Lebanon, Sophia keeps us up-to-date with the attack on the US Embassy in Serbia in this post.
Middle East: Wishing Kosovo all the Best!
Bloggers and some politicians in the Middle East were quick to draw parallels between Kosovo's independence from Serbia and the Palestine Question. Following the news from the Balkans, here's a snapshot of more reactions from Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Ukraine: Fancy Cars
Foreign Notes writes on how Ukrainian officials’ fancy cars don't really belong to them.
Serbia: Political Unrest, Now and 17 Years Ago
Anegdote watched the rioting in Belgrade from his balcony and wrote about how history seems to be repeating itself: “Many people were injured in Belgrade today, and one person died. But that feels like nothing compared to knowing that lunatics are once again politicians and that people are capable of...
Serbia: “People's Protests”
Hugh Griffiths writes on his B92 blog about the history of the “so-called ‘people’s protests'” in Serbia – “which are in actual fact not organised by the people themselves, but by those working in state institutions.”
Serbia: Belgrade Riots
Limbic Nutrition on the situation in Belgrade: “The violence tonight was fully expected. Western embassies were texting and emailing their citizens all week warning us to stay away from the demonstrations. Since Monday, the day after rioters attacked the US and Slovenian embassies in response to Kosovo’s declaration of independence,...
Serbia: Twitter Updates from Belgrade
Mini-updates on Twitter from Belgrade 2.0 blogger Viktor Marković are here.
Slovenia: The Erased
Sleeping with Pengovsky writes about the plight of Slovenia's “erased” residents.
Russia: Amateur Astronomy
De Rebus Antiquis Et Novis writes about amateur astronomy in Russia.
U.S.: 50 Russians for Obama
Russia Blog writes about the results of “its own humble, non-scientific poll”: Yuri Mamchur asked 50 Russians about which U.S. presidential candidate they would have preferred – and all 50 said it was Barack Obama.
Europe, Canda, U.S.: Serbian Protests
Byzantine Sacred Art Blog invites Diaspora Serbs to protests “against illegal amputation of Kosovo” that are planned to be held in North America and Western Europe this coming weekend.
Russia: Volga Cars
History of Volga cars – at Windows to Russia!
Russia: BP Closes Sakhalin Office
BP has closed its Sakhalin office, White Sun of the Desert reports.
Russia: Adamov's Case
Siberian Light reports on the case of Russia's former Nuclear Power Minister Yevgeny Adamov.
Kosovo: “Western Protectorate” Tradition
“Kosova’s status as a Western protectorate, replete with a banal, EU-style flag, is therefore entirely in keeping with the tradition of earlier Balkan states that successfully achieved their independence under Great Power guidance,” writes Greater Surbiton.
Kosovo: Implications and Consequences
“Kosovo’s declaration of independence has meant that a state of uncertainty has returned to the region,” writes Balkan Baby.
Albania: Kosovo/Serbia Cartoon
Albanian Blogger posts an image “portraying Kosova’s declaration of independence from Serbia” – along with a “personal disclaimer.”