In The News

Social Media Blackout in Chad: Africannews

Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban March 30, 2019
A keypad, like the pen, can be mightier than the sword, and some governments impose social media blackouts. For the past year, Chad has prohibited the use of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp, reports Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban for Africannews. The impoverished nation of about 15 million people has endured years of rebellion, civil war and extremists like Boko Haram. The...

EU Copyright Reform: Deutsche Welle

March 26, 2019
The European Parliament approved a new copyright law, 348 t0 274 with 36 abstentions, that protects original content. Social media and other platforms that reprint content are expected to ensure their content does not violate copyright rules, and behemoth Google News would be expected to pay publishers for snippets shown in search results. Some critics worry about internet freedom, but exposure...

Summary of Mueller Findings: New York Times

Mark Mazzetti and Katie Benner March 24, 2019
The investigation by a team led by Robert Mueller has concluded with the US attorney general releasing a four-page summary. The investigators found no evidence that the US president or his aides conspired or coordinated with the Russian government’s interference into the 2016 election. “Barr also said that Mr. Mueller’s team drew no conclusions about whether Mr. Trump illegally obstructed justice...

US Golan Heights Decision: Middle East Eye

Mohsen Abu Ramadan March 22, 2019
Israel has occupied large sections of Palestinian territory for more than 50 years, and the US president suggested on Twitter: “it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel's Sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is of critical strategic and security importance to the State of Israel and Regional Stability.” The stance reinforces policies of Israel’s prime minister before a...

World Bank Can Be Sued: NPR

Tim McDonnell March 7, 2019
The US Supreme Court, in a 7-1 ruling, ruled that international organizations can be sued when overseas development projects bring harm to local communities. A group of farmers and fishermen in Gujarat, India, filed the lawsuit in 2015 after a coal-fired power plant came on line and contaminated local water sources despite promises of environmental protections. The decision in Jam v....

China’s Social Credit System: Channel NewsAsia

Tom McGregor March 6, 2019
As populations grow, governments want to control social behavior, encouraging citizens to follow rules. China has instituted a social credit system that gives citizens points and benefits for good behavior. “‘Discredited’ Chinese citizens face greater scrutiny from the public, meet tougher challenges when applying for new credit cards, getting bank loans and in more severe cases, may be blocked...

Africa Drawdown: International Policy Digest

Steven Leach March 5, 2019
The United States is planning to reduce its forces stationed in Africa. The poorest nations in Africa are vulnerable to extremist ideologies due to poverty and poor governance. “It is no accident that al Shabaab evolved in a defunct Somali state (in some ways it is shocking that it did not happen sooner), that al Qaeda found a safe haven in rural Afghanistan, that Boko Haram resides on the...