South Sudan and Civil Liberties

July 9, 2012 by David H. Shinn

A man has the flag of the Republic of South Sudan painted on his face to celebrate the birth of the new nation. Paul Banks/UN

Reporters without Borders, an international press freedom organization with headquarters in Paris, visited South Sudan in May and released in July 2012 an investigation report titled, South Sudan: World’s Youngest Country Yet to Embark on Road to Civil Liberties.  Reporters without Borders concluded that South Sudan is not currently prey to concerted and systematic harassment of its media.

But there has been a disturbing accumulation of incidents and isolated acts of repression or intimidation that end up undermining the climate in which journalists and media operate.  The single most important problem raised with Reporters without Borders during its visit was “the brutality of the security forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army.”  Click here to read the report.

Turkish-Syrian Relations Amid the Syrian Uprising

July 9, 2012 by John Kmiecik

As turmoil continues in Syria, the international community continues to press for an intervention to stabilize the situation. As President of the Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party Bashar al-Assad refuses to relinquish his iron grip over Damascus’ government, more prominent world leaders are calling for him to resign. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has gone far enough to classify the Syrian Uprising as a full-blown civil war.  However, calls by the United States, European Union, and Arab League for any possible UN backed resolutions are being blocked by Russia and China.

With last year’s military intervention in Libya fresh in mind, Russia and China are cautious about any NATO activity in the region especially when their national interests are concerned.

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Peace Corps Diary: Ethiopia 1962-1964 Part 14

July 9, 2012 by Richard Lyman

Photo by Richard Lyman

The Bath of Fasiledes has now been restored with the help of funding from the Government of Norway. When my son, John, and I visited Gondar, Ethiopia in 2006 the work was still in progress with stone masons rebuilding walls.  This fascinating structure was created during the reign of Emperor Fasiledes (1632-1667). It is a stone walled compound within which there is a giant rectangular pool.  Situated within the pool is a three story castle. The Bath was only a short walk from my house.

In fact, it was across the road from the third compound of our school where all the school gardens were located.  Between my house and the Bath was the sports field which contained the charming monument to Zobel, Fasiledes’ favorite horse.

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