· January, 2009

Stories about North America from January, 2009

MENA: Reflections on Obama's Al Arabiya Interview

  30 January 2009

It came as a surprise to many people that US President Barack Obama gave his first formal interview as president to an Arab television channel. Some were optimistic with Obama's replies, while others were disappointed. Yet, almost everybody was more concerned about the decision to have the interview conducted for Al Arabiya.

Egypt: What Next After Guantanamo Bay?

  29 January 2009

“Honestly, what do you put on your resume after spending a couple of years working as a Guantanamo Bay interrogator? And where do you apply for work?” asks Egyptian Sandmonkey, now that US President Barack Obama has ordered the closure of Guantanamo Bay in a year.

Hong Kong: From Censorship Debate to Critique of Christian Right

  29 January 2009

The debate over censorship of indecency in Hong Kong sparkled by the consultation on the Control of Obscene and Indecent Article Ordinance (COIAO) has developed into a critique of religious /Christian Right politics as the conservative Christians openly demand the extension of COIAO for censoring “speech” or “article” that “instigates...

Japan: Obama vs. Aso

  29 January 2009

Like every other country in the world, Japan, one of the strongest of America's allies in Asia, followed closely the election of President Obama. His speech has been broadcast, translated and commented on in all kinds of ways by the Japanese media and local TV shows. So it was natural that many bloggers drew a comparisons between the American President and the Japanese Prime Minister, Tarō Asō.

Armenia-Azerbaijan: Young Bloggers Bridge Geopolitical Divides

  28 January 2009

Nearly 15 years after a ceasefire agreement put the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed territory of Nagorno Karabakh on hold, a lasting peace remains elusive and few citizens of either country have the opportunity to meet or communicate with the other. That might all be set to change, however, with DOTCOM, a project funded by the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and implemented by Project Harmony.

China and U.S: The Timing of Charter 08

  27 January 2009

Roland discusses about the timing of Charter 08, a joint statement for political reform signed by more than 300 intellectuals, in relation to the politics in the U.S to account for its impact.

United States: Nedjo Ikonic's Deportation Case

  26 January 2009

Kirk Johnson of Americans for Bosnia writes that “the ever-vigilant Daniel at Srebrenica Genocide Blog has passed along a disturbing story about a US District Judge who evidently doesn't think that Federal law–at least not the Genocide Accountability Act–is something he should be bothering with”: “In short–faced with Serb illegal...

Armenia: Human Rights Defender Awarded

  24 January 2009

Unzipped: Gay Armenia pays tribute to local human rights activist Mikael Danielyan who received the Defender of Freedom award during a reception held at the U.S. Embassy dedicated to Martin Luther King Day. The blog congratulates Danielyan, but also notes that award was not so welcomed by the pro-government media...

Cuba, U.S.A.: An Important Introduction

  23 January 2009

“The man is worth your support, and then some, especially after he was arrested while traveling to Havana to watch your inauguration as a guest of the U.S. Interest Section”: Uncommon Sense would like President Obama to meet Jorge Luis García Pérez “Antúnez”.

Bermuda, U.S.A.: Ethics & Transparency

  23 January 2009

Vexed Bermoothes thinks that “it is telling that the first orders issued by President Obama…dealt with ethics and transparency in Government” and that “Bermudians must take note of our inadequacies in this area.”

Barbados, U.S.A.: True Identity

  23 January 2009

Living in Barbados is hoping that “President Obama will help us in the Caribbean and those in Africa rediscover who and what we really are.”