Topic: Voice of America

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Blast-off: 6 recent missile advances

Missiles have been prominent in the news with India’s successful test, North Korea’s failed one, and much talk of missile defense systems in Europe and the Persian Gulf. Here are six recent noteworthy missile-technology advances.
In Pictures: Liu Xiaobo: Nobel Peace Prize recipient

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Two Tibetans self-immolate in Lhasa: is protest spreading?

Two Tibetans set themselves on fire Sunday in the first such protests against Chinese rule in Lhasa, the tightly controlled Tibetan capital. At least 34 Tibetans have self-immolated since March 2011.
Florida-style 'Stand Your Ground' gun laws sub impulse for intelligent thinking

Even as George Zimmerman stands trial for fatally shooting Trayvon Martin, many Americans argue these laws make us safe. I've had pistols held to my head from Bosnia to Beirut. Your best self-defense is your tongue. Those who put their faith in guns will ultimately be outgunned.
Why Voice of America is losing to voice of communist China – at home and abroad

With funding and program cuts, Washington is crippling the truth-telling Voice of America broadcasts in China. Meanwhile, Beijing is aggressively expanding its media campaign to spread untruths – broadcasting from American soil. America can't afford to let the VOA go silent.
Blast-off: 6 recent missile advances

Missiles have been prominent in the news with India’s successful test, North Korea’s failed one, and much talk of missile defense systems in Europe and the Persian Gulf. Here are six recent noteworthy missile-technology advances.
Backchannels
When Assange meets Nasrallah, you learn the most about Assange (+video)

Julian Assange, the embattled Wikileaks leader, started his new chat show with an interview of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Terrorism & Security
China, Philippines dispute raises tensions in South China Sea

With tensions between China and its neighbors over the South China Sea already high, any disagreement runs the risk of becoming militarized.
Africa Monitor
Sudan and South Sudan say no to war, but violence continues

Core issues from South Sudan's independence from Sudan remain unresolved, like sharing oil revenue. But the current rhythm of fight, talk, fight, talk is unsustainable, says guest blogger.
Terrorism & Security
UN Security Council poised to threaten Syria's Assad - with Russia's blessing

The United Nations Security Council secured Russia's critical backing yesterday for a statement backing envoy Kofi Annan's peacemaking plan. The step marks a distinct shift in Russia's stance.
Iranian internet email access returns after mysterious four-day outage

The semiofficial Mehr agency had said that more than 30 million people in the country were affected by the outage.
Why Ethiopia's authoritarian style gets a Western nod

Ethiopia is a geostrategically important ally in the West's efforts to battle extremism in the Horn of Africa. Western leaders have also emphasized its progress in battling poverty.
Somalia's Al Shabab launches suicide attack ahead of talks

Car bomb kills 15 in the government-controlled center of Mogadishu just weeks before Somali officials attend a London conference on long-term solutions to country's unrest.
Terrorism & Security
Arab League's Syria mission faces mounting criticism

Last week the criticism focused on the questionable credentials of the Arab League Syria mission's leader. This week it is about whether the mission is capable of doing its job.
Vaclav Havel and Kim Jong-il – moral opposites

Former Czech President Vaclav Havel was a victim of communist dictatorship; North Korean leader Kim Jong-il was a communist dictator. It is time to correct a historic injustice and award Havel the Nobel Peace Prize posthumously for his lifetime achievements.
Global News Blog
Skeptics cast doubt on Fukushima status, even as Japan declares nuclear reactors 'stable'

Japan's government declared that the damaged reactors from the Fukushima disaster were 'stable.' Not everyone is convinced.
Don't let Voice of America broadcasts go static

Voice of America (VOA), the jewel in America's public diplomacy effort abroad, is set to be streamlined. Some programs can be downsized. But VOA is in the national interest, especially as Russia, China, and Iran expand state-supported media. Cuts should be handled with care.
Readers Write: Drone attacks, 'Voice of America,' and presidential leadership

Letters to the Editor for the weekly issue of December 12, 2011: One reader asks, how long until America's enemies acquire drone technology and attack the US? Another: Didn't the US abandon Hungarians to a Soviet crackdown after Voice of America broadcasts encouraged rebellion? A third reader explains: Real presidential leaders seek out people who don't agree with them.
Global News Blog
Good Reads: the Anwar al-Awlaki effect, Amanda Knox verdict, and Israel's offer

Foreign Policy magazine questions how much safer the world is without Al Qaeda propagandist Anwar al-Awlaki; the press awaits the Amanda Knox verdict; and Israel offers peace talks, again.
Time for Obama to rethink Washington's mild-mannered stance toward China

Before 9/11, the Bush administration was beginning to take a stronger stance against China on Taiwan. But after 9/11, Washington resumed a conciliatory relationship that has colored – for the worse – US-China relations.
Terrorism & Security
UN chief urges stronger global action on Syria's Assad

UN Secretary-General Ban expressed frustration about the lack of unity among UN members on how best to deal with Syria's brutal crackdown on a pro-democracy uprising.
Labor Day struggle for unions and Obama

Labor Day marks a rough year for President Obama and the labor union movement that had high hopes for him. Unemployment remains high, and unions are under fire from political conservatives.
Africa Monitor
Obama calls for South Sudan cease-fire

Scores of people have been killed and tens of thousands displaced as northern and southern forces clash ahead of the South's July 9 succession.
Terrorism & Security
NATO draws criticism for deadly Tripoli bombings

The Libyan government said leader Muammar Qaddafi’s youngest son, the relatively unknown Saif al-Arab Qaddafi, was killed in a NATO airstrike on a Tripoli house Saturday evening.
The real challenge for Internet freedom? US hypocrisy. And there's no app for that.

Secretary Clinton's speech on Internet freedom was full of good news. The US has a more grown-up view of the complexities of Internet freedom and its importance. The bad news was in what Clinton didn't address: the role US foreign policy and US companies play in Internet oppression.
Terrorism & Security
Libya's antigovernment protests escalate on 'day of rage' against Muammar Qaddafi

Libya's leader Col. Muammar Qaddafi tried to appease protesters after fierce clashes Wednesday, but unrest continued today in a proclaimed 'day of rage.' Protests have now reached four cities.
Africa Monitor
In Rwanda, a rebel commander's case that no one wants to try

Two years after Rwanda arrested Congolese rebel commander Gen. Nkunda, it still doesn't know what to do with him – he knows too many secrets that could come out if he is tried.