Blogging the democratic revolution
We noted that Venezuelan blogger Alek Boyd exposed some stunning tax irregularities among the chavistas in the U.S. here. Now, the chavistas are scurrying to alter their Web sites. This blogger’s work the only accountability this regime has. See Alek’s expose and its aftermath here and here.
If any of you read the story of a Bahraini blogger being arrested for “hate speech,” then this is a very encouraging story for everyone. Chan’ad recounts how a row of 200 peaceful protestors along Hall of Exhibition Avenue were stared down by a phalanx of riot police. Tensions evidently heated up, with protestors staging a sit-down in front of the officers, but all remained peaceful and organizers eventually ended the rally early at 8:30 to avoid an escalation. Chan’ad notes that four people were inexplicably arrested before the protest even began, and that police had blocked off part of…
Andy has this week’s news roundup of happenings inside and out of Russia.
Nathan is collecting exclusive information and accounts. One such account is from a Kyrgyz employee working for an international NGO. Notice how big the protests are getting. The most dangerous situation is in Jalal-Abad. In Jalal-Abad, about 10,000 people are continuing blocking the oblast administration and protesting in Central park. Several opposition famous figures are meeting with them and from yeserday Bakiev, supported with others, has started initiating the idea of conducting presidential elections first, remove current government and after that do the rest of parliamentary elections. And this: Opposition parties and movements of Kyrgyzstan have united to form the…
John Hawkins has an amazing roundup of quotes from people who predicted that Iraq would be the domino to start a trend of democratization in the Middle East. Check that out!
Cuban thugs and machine-gun goons surrounded the arrogant Venezuelan president, who made the press wait an hour and a half before showing up and then only took five questions. “Coincidentally” they were from from communist newspapers like L’Humanite. If Chavez was looking for bad PR and the opprobrium of the otherwise friendly Parisian media, he could not have done a better job. Blogger Daniel has the scoop (and a devastating excerpt from a French news account) here.
A lot has unfolded since the last roundup. There have been massive demonstrations organized by Hizb’allah, the deposed Prime Minister has just signed back on, Syria is quickening its pullout, and the U.S. is beginning to accept that Hizb’allah can’t be taken out of the picture yet. As I have said over and over, where Hizb’allah goes will determine a lot of the political landscape of Lebanon’s future. Now, just about everyone knows about the massive pro-Syria rally that Hizb’allah held on Tuesday. Disciplined and well-organised, Hizbollah mobilised about 200,000 supporters, although the day was carefully presented as a display…
Both blogger Miguel and blogger Daniel in Venezuela see growing examples of media self-censorship in the light of dictator Hugo Chavez’s all-encompassing media law. The details are disturbing and this is quite serious. Read and compare each of these unrelated news items here and here.
Venezuela for the first time in decades has a first rate soccer team. But given its leadership, it’s still not ready for prime time. Pathetic. See here.
Daniel in Venezuela has a sombre, moving essay grasping for meaning of the strange cases of Venezuela’s soldiers who are being set ablaze in prisons with impunity for unknown reasons by the military. The cowed media whisper it down but the horrified public gazes on. Daniel closes with this warning: But I am not afraid and I will report, again, that Venezuela is in fact a hidden military regime … History also shows us that sooner or later all is revealed and those who did not raise their voices find in turn the finger pointing at them. Look at Chile…
This is very interesting. Edith Mirante, author of Burmese Looking Glass and founder of Project Maje once worked for Tiffany’s before her initial visit to Burma. I wonder if she had any influence here.
Although Robert will be doing a lengthy Lebanon post later, I thought that the latest maneuver by Emile Lahoud and the Syrian regime warranted an early post. Lebanese President Emile Lahoud is said ready to re-designate outgoing Premier Karami (who resigned in the face of protests) to form a new pro-Syrian government: The re-designation is bound to reverse the fortunes of a peaceful opposition uprising to shake off Syria’s 29-year-old suffocating hegemony, which was sparked by the assassination of ex-Premier Hariri three weeks ago. It is also locally seen as a slap to President Bush’s contention that “democracy is knocking…
There has finally been an update to the situation in Moldova, as there has been a relative media blackout post-election. Before anything, recall my latest post: I wasn????????t initially excited about the opposition????????s prospects here, or their ties to Moscow, but this could turn out to be very interesting. While the opposition is somewhat fragmented right now, they could potentially unite on their broader ideals and prevent Voronin from gathering the necessary votes he needs. Two things could happen then: the communists would have to settle for a more agreeable candidate in order to get the necessary votes, or the…
Here is a news roundup for March 8, in as close to chronological order as I think I can get (input welcome!)and then various perspectives from the region’s bloggers, filling out details the media has missed. I will update as more info becomes available. If anyone sees more good Bolivian blogs I have missed, please let me know either on the comments board or at my email: ammorayleon at gmail.com There are huge ups and downs in Bolivia and its story moves like mercury – every time I go back to check on stories, dramatic new developments happen – almost…
Sorry guys, I’m still working on my research paper. In the meantime, check out The Argus for the latest on the protests underway in Kyrgyzstan on the run up to the re-run this Sunday.
Very busy today, but Daniel is covering the whole thing over at Bloggledygook. Make sure to check it all out. I seem to have a fetish with them, so I’ll do a huge post on the implications of Hizb’allah in Lebanon’s political stratosphere tomorrow.
Just about the time that democracies start sprouting all over, Red China would like to remind everybody not to feel too good: BEIJING — China unveiled a law Tuesday authorizing an attack if Taiwan moves toward formal independence, increasing pressure on the self-ruled island while warning other countries not to interfere. The United States said Beijing should reconsider. Taiwan denounced the legislation as a “blank check to invade” and announced war games aimed at repelling an attack. “If possibilities for a peaceful reunification should be completely exhausted, the state shall employ nonpeaceful means and other necessary measures to protect China’s…
Bolivia’s president has won! Just as one of our excellent Bolivian bloggers, MABB’s Miguel told us yesterday, Bolivia’s President Carlos Mesa has won! Congress this morning voted to reject his resignation. The People Power revolution has beaten Evo Morales and all his mob soundly. Pres. Mesa stays, and not only that, he’s now in a position of political strength! A weak state may now become a strong, effective one. Pres. Mesa, who’s a well-regarded, even-handed non-partisan political leader, may be just the one who can help Bolivia along in its national development. This is tremendous news! Bolivia has won! Will…
This is just a friendly notice that Andy from Siberian Light has purchased a blogad, money that will go toward paying our hosting costs. He has a very good blog that I reference often, and he also provides huge weekly news roundups of what’s going on in Russia. Check him out.
Yes, the Yulia Look is it. And not just the hair.
Regime Change Iran’s latest briefing has some news that is even more interesting than usual. Take a look: Iranian opposition leaders creating a united front against the Islamic Republic. One day after 565 dissidents in Iran published their open letter against the Iranian regime, a major coalition of Iran expatriates announced they are gathering to launch the long awaited “Iranian Opposition Council.” Tens of respected leaders and well known activists representing various Iranian political organizations, ranging from republican to monarchist, will be traveling from all parts of the U.S. and European cities to participate in a meeting this next Sunday…
Now, we all know about the huge surge of protests in Lebanon. I have also reported on the protests in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Moldova. But what else is going on in the world? Let’s take a quick look. Kuwait After years and years of waiting, the Kuwaiti parliament is speeding up legislation for women’s suffrage. About 500 women demonstrated. KUWAIT (Reuters) – Around 500 Kuwaiti activists, mostly women, have demonstrated outside parliament to demand female suffrage amidst tensions in the Gulf Arab state over a government drive to grant women political rights. “Women’s rights now,” chanted the crowd, which included…
Three decades after the late President Anwar Sadat announced the infitah, or economic opening, of Egypt, has the Gift of the Nile finally fulfilled predictions in becoming an economic Tiger on the Nile? A recent article in the Wall Street Journal (subscription required) reported that Egypt’s stock market has risen 32% this year, the fastest rate among significant emerging markets, and this after gains of 81% and 119% over the past two years. Some of the credit must go to Prime Minister Ahmad Nazif, whose team has cut corporate taxes, income taxes (by half) and custom tariffs (by almost half).…
In my recent post, Has Qadafi Caught the Spirit?, I wrote that there were mixed signs that Libya’s ruler, Mu’amar Qadafi, was committed to ending his country’s economic and political isolation. In today’s Al-Quds Al-Arabi, it was reported that Libya plans to cut 46,000 government jobs over the next year. As the article notes, Libya has 862,000 government workers, a huge figure when you consider that the country’s entire population is only a little over five million. Libya’s Prime Minister, Muhammad Mu’atuq, stated that some of the positions were to be eliminated through privatization, pushing them into “other productive work.”…
Bill from Dawn’s Early Light let me know about a conversation between himself and Simon from Simon World discussing the future of U.S.-Sino relations. Being that Simon is both a smart guy and lives in Hong Kong, he knows what he’s talking about. Check it out.