Jillian C. York · February, 2009

Latest posts by Jillian C. York from February, 2009

Morocco: Simply Delicious

  26 February 2009

This week, the talk in the blogoma seems to be about all things edible. Moroccan cuisine, widely considered one of the most complex and best in the world, is derived from Arab, Spanish, Turkish, Jewish, and native Amazigh culinary traditions and is well-known for its use of vegetables and spices....

Global: Convoy to Gaza Makes History

  23 February 2009

History was made yesterday in the Maghreb as a convoy headed from the UK to Gaza was allowed to pass through the border between Morocco and Algeria, which has been closed for nearly 15 years. The border closed in 1994 after Morocco suspected Algerian involvement in the attack of a Marrakesh hotel.

Maghreb: UN Western Sahara Envoy Holds Talks with Polisario

  22 February 2009

Yesterday, Christopher Ross, the UN Special Envoy to the disputed Western Sahara, arrived in Algeria to hold talks with the Polisario Front, according to AFP. Jillian York rounds up blogger reactions from the Maghreb region on this latest development.

Qatar and Bahrain: Disappearing the Internet

  11 February 2009

It would seem that another crackdown on Internet freedoms is occurring in the Middle East. Once thought to be the last bastion of free speech, the Internet has recently been subjected to a spate of blockings; and while censorship is no new thing to the region, the willingness of countries such as Bahrain and Qatar to adopt strict Internet policies akin to those in neighboring Saudi Arabia has created a sense of alarm amongst the online community.

Morocco: And The Winners Are…

  9 February 2009

The second annual edition of the Maroc Blog Awards were held in Casablanca on January 31. The awards honor the best Moroccan bloggers (as well as bloggers whose primary blog topic is Morocco) in 13 categories. Jillian York reports on the event.

Global: On Erdogan's Walkout

  6 February 2009

Earlier this week, Global Voices Turkey author Deborah Ann Dilley detailed the events of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, during which Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan stormed off the stage following an argument with Israeli President Shimon Peres. Turkish bloggers weren't the only ones to react to the kerfuffle; A number of bloggers from around the world had something to say about the incident as well.