War/Regional conflicts

Egypt: 31-year-old Emergency Laws Lifted in some Cases

Date: January 25th, 2012 |

In a manner of speaking, military rulers have lifted the 31-year-old emergency laws that gave police far-reaching powers. The emergency powers can still be used to combat crimes committed by “thugs,” a term that the military failed to define. Rights groups and pro-democracy activists in the country have already voiced disdain for the declaration’s ambiguity. [read more]

Mexico: U.S. Citizens Killed in Veracruz

Date: December 28th, 2011 |

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On Dec. 22, three U.S. citizens were killed on a bus while traveling for the holidays. According to a U.S. State Department official, gunmen attacked several buses traveling through the eastern state of Veracruz. The state was once a major oil export hub, but has since turned into a microcosm of Mexico’s larger drug-related woes. [read more]

Korean Peninsula: Kim Jong Il’s Death Leaves Region on Edge

Date: December 17th, 2011 |

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The death of North Korea’s enigmatic leader, Kim Jong Il, leaves in his place his youngest son, Kim Jong Un, a fair amount of uncertainty and a peninsula on high alert. As North Koreans adjust to their leader’s death, the South Korean government has put its military on high alert while simultaneously instructing citizens to [read more]

Israel/West Bank: Settlement Construction to be Expedited

Date: November 7th, 2011 |

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After the Palestinians gained entry to UNESCO, Israel announced that it was speeding up the construction of settlements in east Jerusalem and the West Bank. Israel has also indicated that it will suspend the transfer of tax funds to the Palestinian Authority, which may seek official entry to more UN agencies after the UNESCO success. [read more]

South Korea: Harsh Rhetoric from North Raises Concern

Date: June 8th, 2011 |

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North Korea has been increasing its harsh rhetoric toward the South after reports that the South Korean military used pictures of the North’s ruling family for target practice. The North said it plans to use military force to retaliate and referred to the South Korean government as traitors. Harsh rhetoric is nothing new from North [read more]

Mexico: Violence Spreading

Date: January 25th, 2012 |

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Drug violence that has largely been contained to the border regions is beginning to spread to places once thought safe from the infamous carnage. Two weeks ago, a pair of headless bodies were found in a burning minivan in front of one of Mexico City’s largest and most expensive shopping malls. Guadalajara and Veracruz—thought safe [read more]

Nigeria: Christmas Bombing Sparks Fear of Religious War

Date: December 28th, 2011 |

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The Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram, which is suspected of having ties to al-Qaeda, has claimed a series of Christmas day bombings that left more than 30 people dead as Christian leaders warn of escalating violence and the possibility of religious war. Nigeria is divided roughly along religious lines, with the north being predominantly Muslim [read more]

Israel: Border Region with Lebanon sees Rockets, Artillery Fire

Date: November 30th, 2011 |

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Tensions are once again high along the Israeli-Lebanese border. Rockets were fired from southern Lebanon into Israel, instigating rounds of artillery shells in response from the Israelis. While the exchange was relatively small considering the history of the region, it marked the end of two years of quiet along the notoriously volatile border region. It [read more]

Egypt: Copts Speaking out Against Military Rule

Date: October 17th, 2011 |

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Many Coptic Christians are speaking out against the military’s handling of the so-called transition to democracy after Egyptian troops killed at least 25 protesters in Cairo Oct. 9. Though the revolution is officially over, violence has still been an issue as rival religious sects compete for power. After the ousting of former president Hosni Mubarak [read more]

Thailand: Burmese Border Conflict Spills into Thailand

Date: November 10th, 2010 |

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Fighting between the Burmese army and ethnic rebels in Myawaddy, Burma near the Thai border spilled over into Mae Sot, Thailand Nov. 8 when mortar rounds injured some ten people and destroyed a store. Several thousand Burmese nationals crossed the border seeking refuge only to be sent back the next day. Further conflict in the [read more]

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