Stories about War & Conflict from September, 2009
Jamaica: Children & Violence
As the government signs a UN agreement aimed at protecting children from being recruited by armed forces, Letter From Jamaica wonders: “But what about children at home? Children don't just hide guns for gunmen, increasingly they are the gunmen.”
Pakistan: Who Is Running The Country?
The US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne Patterson’s recent statement on Quetta shura raised a controversy in Pakistan. Teeth Maestro poses the question in reaction: “Who’s actually running Pakistan? The Americans or Pakistanis?”
Pakistan: Karachi The Next Swat
Khaled Faroqi at Pakistan Desk opines that the movement of Taliban Leadership from Quetta to Karachi can force the city to suffer the same consequences as FATA or Swat.
Afghanistan: Terror suspect arrested
Afghan PenLog rounds up most of the reporting on the arrest of Najibullah Zazi, indicted in New York on terrorism charges. Zazi supposedly trained in explosives in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Israel: New Army Technologies
The Muqata posts descriptions and photos of new technologies from the Israeli army. Should this be classified? You decide.
Honduras: State of Exception Suspends Constitutional Rights
The Honduran government recently declared a State of Exception and suspended many Constitutional rights because of reports of a planned mass uprising. Aaron Ortiz of Pensieve has a rundown on what has been suspended.
Pakistan: The way we are treated at US airports
“As a friend of progressive forces, and as an American who is proud to be an American, I urge the United States government to re-consider this policy of secondary searches and questioning when someone tries to enter America,” comments Pakistani American Bilal Qureshi at Pak Tea House.
Israel: “Ajami” Reveals Nuanced Look at Israeli Society
The film "Ajami" was the big winner at last night's Ophir Prizes and will continue on to international audiences as Israel's foreign film nominee for the 2010 Academy Awards. Israeli bloggers comment on the film, which touches on coexistence between people of different religions.
Israel: Leonard Cohen Performs to Rave Reviews
Songmaster Leonard Cohen visited Israel this week, performing to a sold out crowd of 47,000 fans. Israeli bloggers who were lucky enough to attend gave rave reviews.
Afghanistan: Is Withdrawal a Surrender?
Joshua Foust reflects on the fact that the withdrawal of the U.S. military from vast tracts of indefensible bases in Afghanistan is being put into motion.
Afghanistan: Threat to Germany
Nick Fielding writes about several videos in German language, threatening an al-Qaeda attack on the country unless it withdraws its 4,000 soldiers from Afghanistan.
World: Tweeting Gaddafi's Address to the United Nations
In his first address to the United Nations General Assembly, Libyan leader Muammer Gaddafi more than made up for lost time. His speech trailed on for six times the allotted slot, as world leaders laughed and yawned. On Twitter, users had a ball reacting to the speech.
Egypt: Blogging Farouk Hosni's Defeat
Egypt's Culture Minister Farouk Hosni has kept bloggers busy over the previous few days. His failed bid to secure a seat at the helm of UNESCO has polarised the blogosphere, with some even cooking up conspiracy theories to justify his defeat.
U.S., Europe: “R.I.P. Missile Defense”
A roundup of blog coverage of the Obama Administration's decision to abandon plans to build the missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic: A Fistful of Euros; Edward Lucas; Poemless; Ukrainiana; FP's Passport; Leopolis – here and here; and Robert Amsterdam's Blog.
Ukraine, Russia: “Operation Barbierossa”
Ukrainiana reviews “two fact-meets-fantasy scenarios [of the beginning of a Russo-Ukrainian war] outlined in a Russian television program.”
Lebanon: Anger Rebuilding of Palestinian Camp Suspended
Anger and protests erupted in response to the Lebanese Government's decision to suspend the reconstruction of the Nahr el Bared Palestinian refugee camp. Bloggers voice their outrage in this post by Antoun Issa.
Honduras: Ports and Airports Closed
Honduras Daily News writes that all ports and airpots are closed today due to the continuing crisis in Honduras.
Honduras: Curfew Lifted During Day
Aaron Ortiz of Pensieve writes that the Micheletti government in Honduras is lifting the curfew today so that people can buy groceries to “expect incredibly long lines, ‘venta loca’ (mad sales) at the markets.”
Iran: Remember International Day of Peace
Pendar writes about International Day of Peace.Pendar adds [fa] that ‘I as a blogger think that first [Iranian] regime should reconcile with [Iran's] people and then it can join the international community.’
Afghanistan: Captain Semrau Goes to Trial
Joshua Foust reports that Captain Robert Semrau, a Canadian military man facing murder charges for the alleged shooting death of an injured, unarmed insurgent outside Lashkar Gah, is now facing a general court martial.
Afghanistan: Mullah Omar's New Statement
Nick Fielding analyzes the political statement of Mullah Mohammad Omar, leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, for the Afghans, particularly those who are loyal towards the Karzai regime.
