Weekly Links

Childe Hassam (American, 1859 - 1935 ), A North East Headland, 1901, oil on canvas, Corcoran Collection (Museum Purchase, Gallery Fund) 2014.136.7
Childe Hassam, “A North East Headland,” 1901. Photo via National Gallery of Art.

By Patrick Pierson.

The Gambia is refusing to accept a backlog of the country’s citizens currently awaiting deportation in the United States. Amid growing unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the families of US personnel have been ordered to leave the country. This comes as the US Treasury expanded sanctions against two DRC officials. After a disputed election in Gabon, opposition leader Jean Ping refuses to acknowledge the legitimacy of President Ali Bongo. Ping has called for his supporters to actively resist the regime. Somalia recently delayed upcoming presidential elections, raising questions among some in the international community. Zimbabwe is set to establish a “diaspora remittance system,” while the country’s import ban continues to encourage smuggling.

The US military is currently constructing a drone base in Niger. This comes as the Somali government demands an explanation regarding a US air strike “alleged to have killed 22 soldiers and civilians.” Meanwhile, UN reports suggest a US drone strike in Afghanistan killed at least 15 civilians.

In Myanmar, a man has been jailed for calling the president ‘crazy’ over social media. A blogger in Singapore is back behind bars after criticizing religion. Even more troubling, a blogger in Mauritania is on death row for criticizing the country’s caste system. Political bloggers in Vietnam also remain imprisoned in a case that has drawn the attention of the US State Department.

Gunmen in Mexico killed four soldiers after ambushing a military convoy. A new fight against corruption in Honduras, lead by the Organization of American States, is underway. Political violence ahead of elections in Rio has local observers concerned. US Secretary of State John Kerry met with embattled Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro this week, but can Venezuela really navigate its way out of the current crisis?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like
Read More

Weekly Links

By Taylor Marvin Violence appears to be increasing in South Sudan, with many fearing civil war. Sparked by the…
Read More
Read More

Weekly Links

By Taylor Marvin This week marked the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Brazilian military coup. The coup remains divisive…
Read More
Read More

Weekly Links

By Patrick Pierson. ETA has issued an apology. Spain will restore its ambassador to Venezuela after a months-long…
Read More
Read More

Weekly Links

By Patrick Pierson. The economic and political turmoil in Venezuela continues. Venezuelans are flocking to neighboring Colombia in…
Read More
Read More

Weekly Links

By Patrick Pierson. El Chapo is on trial in the US. Two sons of former Panamanian President Ricardo…
Read More