Global Insider Why Abbas Sees Little Risk in Curbing Palestinian Press Freedoms The Editors Monday, Sept. 25, 2017 Over the summer, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a vague and widely criticized decree restricting freedom of expression online. In an email interview, Charmaine Seitz discusses how Palestinian civil society has responded and how both the Palestinian Authority and Hamas have curbed dissent.
Africa Watch Despite Promises, U.N. Fails to Break Pattern of Sex Abuse by Peacekeepers Robbie Corey-Boulet Friday, Sept. 22, 2017 New evidence of the United Nations’ shortcomings in cracking down on sexual abuse by international peacekeepers emerged ahead of this week’s U.N. General Assembly. Read up on that and other stories from across the continent in our weekly roundup of Africa news.
Trend Lines Podcast Why Illegal Fishing Is Making an Environmental Problem a Security Issue The Editors Friday, Sept. 22, 2017 In this week’s Trend Lines podcast, WPR’s Judah Grunstein, Frederick Deknatel and Omar Rahman discuss Donald Trump’s first U.N. speech and how the world is adjusting to the outspoken U.S. president. For the Report, Johan Bergenas joins Andrew Green to explain why illegal fishing is becoming the next big security issue.
Global Insider Iraqi Kurds’ Independence Referendum Is a Lightning Rod for Broader Regional Conflict The Editors Friday, Sept. 22, 2017 Iraq’s Kurds are slated to vote on a referendum for independence on Sept. 25, despite fervent opposition from outside parties, including Iraq’s central government and the United States. In an email interview, Ramzy Mardini discusses the backdrop and consequences for the Kurdish push for a state of their own.
Global Insider Norway’s Election Deals a Blow to the Country’s Labor Unions The Editors Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017 The re-election of Norway’s conservative governing coalition this month has put it on a path to continue liberalizing the economy, including the labor market, which has galvanized Norway’s labor unions in opposition. In an email interview, Robert Hansen discusses why compromise is not in the offing.
What Can Global LGBT Rights Envoys Achieve in the Age of Trump? Robbie Corey-Boulet Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017 The U.N.’s special representative on LGBT issues is resigning after just one year in the post, while the U.S. special envoy on LGBT rights now works for a president that has undermined them at home. The resulting uncertainty surrounding both positions is rekindling a debate about what they can accomplish.
Global Insider Egypt and Turkey Find Little Common Ground in a Polarized Middle East The Editors Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017 After downgrading diplomatic ties four years ago, Egypt and Turkey have developed increasingly hostile foreign policies. In an email interview, Yasser El Shimy discusses the evolution of their relationship, the competitive impact of their foreign policies, and why rapprochement is not in the cards anytime soon.
The Abuse of Migrants and Refugees Rears Its Ugly Head in Egypt Omar H. Rahman Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017 As European countries work with North African states to stem the tide of refugees and migrants crossing the Mediterranean, the resulting bottleneck in countries like Egypt could create conditions even more ripe for abuse, including human and organ trafficking. Recent developments in Egypt are a warning.
Global Insider Can Iceland’s Prime Minister Survive a Pedophile Scandal That Toppled His Government? The Editors Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017 Last week, Iceland’s fragile ruling government collapsed under the weight of an unraveling pedophilia scandal that came to light over the summer. In an email interview, Thorgils Jonsson provides the context for the controversy and what it means for Iceland’s troubled politics and resurgent economy.
Global Insider A New Law To Limit Teaching Russian and Other Languages Will Further Divide Ukraine The Editors Monday, Sept. 18, 2017 Last week, Ukraine’s parliament passed a new law restricting the teaching of Russian and other minority languages in its schools, in a move that could aggravate social tensions. In an email interview, Nicolai Petro explains the impact of the law and what can be expected in Ukraine’s relations with its neighbors.
Africa Watch With Corruption Amnesty Law, Tunisians Fear a Return to Pre-Uprising Norms Robbie Corey-Boulet Friday, Sept. 15, 2017 Despite two years of protests, Tunisian lawmakers approved a so-called economic reconciliation law that allows for amnesty for officials accused of corruption—drawing condemnation from government critics. Read up on that and other stories from across the continent in our weekly roundup of Africa news.
Global Insider Bangladesh Tries to Bridge the Divide Between Secular and Islamic Schooling The Editors Friday, Sept. 15, 2017 Since independence in 1971, Bangladesh has had several false starts introducing a secular, liberal education system. In an email interview, Md Shahnawaz Khan Chandan examines education reform in Bangladesh, and how the government has tried to bridge the divide between its secular and Islamic systems.
