Salem-News.com Foreign articles Page 2

Thanks to Trump, Iran has the Upper Hand

The US and Iran remain at an impasse--still with no active diplomatic channel.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The assassination of General Soleimani is proving to be a resounding success for Iran.

It accomplished what the ayatollah could not: common ground between Iran and Iraq, Iraq’s invitation to the US military to leave the country; an end to Iranian popular protests against the regime’s economic policies, and instead broad support for retaliation against the US air strike; and further division in Washington over Trump’s Middle East policy, including renewed calls for restraining him from attacking Iran.

Turmoil in Venezuela

Venezuela is a country on the northern coast of South America.

(SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.) - Even with backing from the Trump administration, Juan Guaidó, the U.S.-recognized interim president of Venezuela, failed to oust Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro.

It is difficult to reconcile our outrage over Russia’s interference in our elections with our present interference in Venezuela’s affairs.

25th Anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide

A power vacuum was created in Rwanda when the President's plane was shot down. A catalyst for genocide.

(SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.) - April 7, 2019, marked the 25th anniversary of what we now know as the 1994 Rwandan Genocide.

It was just one episode in the 20th century Hutu-Tutsi conflict in that part of the world, from the slaughter of 80,000 to 200,000 Hutus by the Tutsi army in Burundi in 1972, to the 1994 Rwandan Genocide of more than 800,000 to 1 million Rwandans — both Tutsis and Hutus — in just 100 days.

India: Human Rights Defender Samiul Biswas in Judicial Custody

Samiul Biswas has been instrumental in documenting human rights violations along the India-Bangladesh border.

(YORK, UK) - According to the information received from Front Line Defenders, on 19 March 2019, the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court remanded human rights defender Samiul Biswas in custody at Krishnanagar District Jail.

Biswas had been arrested the previous day by the Border Security Force (BSF) of the Mahakhola Border Outpost near the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal on charges of theft relating to his “possession” of Bangladeshi currency and a Bangladeshi SIM card, the evidence for which is believed to have been falsified.

Fair Trial: Asia Bibi Not Guilty of Blasphemy

The US has conveyed concerns about Christian persecution in Pakistan, while Pakistan simply denies it.

(ISLAMABAD) - The Supreme Court of Pakistan finally set aside a review petition of a Christian woman, Asia Bibi, accused of blasphemy, after she spent more than 8 years in prison, in solitary confinement.

The decision is being warmly welcomed by human rights activists in the local and international community. The judgement is unclear, however, regarding what action will be taken against those who falsely accused her of blasphemy and gave false testimonies to mislead the court and public.

Bangladesh: Release Mr. Shahidul Alam Immediately from Arbitrary Detention

An open letter to the Honourable Ambassadors of Bangladesh

(UNITED KINGDOM) - I am writing to voice my deep concern about the arbitrary arrest of an award-winning photographer, academic and human rights defender Shahidul Alam.

I have been informed... about the arbitrary detention and torture of Mr. Shahidul Alam, photographer and founder of the Drik photo agency and of the Pathshala South Asian Media Institute.

Could Tough Love Salvage Lebanon?

Problems for Lebanon’s economy and political status continue to mount

(BEIRUT) - “You could qualify for U.S. and Western aid to salvage Lebanon or you can cede what’s left of your country’s sovereignty to Iran. But you cannot do both.” A US Congressional staffer after his boss recently introduced legislation to cut off all aid to Lebanon until it “cleans its house of Iranian militia and restores Lebanese sovereignty.”

Oregon Congressional Delegation Presses ICE on Rights of Immigrant Detainees at Federal Prison in Oregon

The detainees in Sheridan are among the more than 1,600 people that ICE is holding in federal prisons.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Monday, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, with House members Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio and Kurt Schrader, demanded that the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) immediately allow individuals being held at a federal prison in Sheridan, Ore., under the Trump administration’s “zero-tolerance policy” to access legal services through free phone calls.

Iran`s Women Standing Strong

As Iran’s women continue to rise and fly their Hijabs... Woe be unto the Mullahs

(OXFORD) - 29 Iranian women were arrested for challenging Iran’s theocratic regime. But they have just begun to fight.

Women across the country climbed on telecom boxes, took off their headscarves and waved them aloft on sticks, protesting the law that makes wearing the hijab compulsory. Now, nearly 30 women are behind bars, with at least one being held on $100,000 bail. That won't stop the movement.

Syrian War Winding Down - What`s Next?

If the war ended now it would take 10 to 15 years for Syria’s per capita GDP to return to pre-conflict levels.

(SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.) - Russia appears to be taking the central role in a major diplomatic push to finally end the seven-year civil war all but won by Assad with Russia's backing.

Syrian forces have reclaimed most of the country from Islamist militants and insurgents who had sought to topple Assad, including rebel groups backed by the U.S. and some of its allies.