The Haunting Persistence of Albanian Blood Feuds

Albania has had a vibrant if somewhat messy democracy since the fall of communism in the early 1990s. But while Albanian politics have evolved, other aspects of society have remained in the dark ages. In murder cases, victims families sometimes refer to a traditional legal code dating back to the 15th Century. It’s called the Kanun. Meditators are now trying to end this practice and resolve conflicts peacefully. From Fan in Northern Albania, Matthew Brunwasser reports.

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South Sudan as NGOistan

International non-governmental organizations often play a key role in developing new nations or rebuilding wartorn ones. NGOs are doing both those things in South Sudan. Africa’s newest country is in the process of emerging from a region that was torn apart by decades of civil war. Right now South Sudan is almost entirely run by NGOs. From the capital Juba, Matthew Brunwasser reports.

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American Evangelicals in South Sudan

Religious identity has played a large role in the emergence of South Sudan, Africa’s newest nation. Theres a large number of Christians in South Sudan. That sets it apart from North Sudan where Muslims are the majority. American Christians were instrumental in pressuring the Bush administration to support the 2005 peace treaty that ended the long civil war between north and south. That influence is still felt in South Sudan as Matthew Brunwasser reports from Juba. Continue reading “American Evangelicals in South Sudan” →

2 Men Jostle for Power in Albania

By MATTHEW BRUNWASSER

TIRANA — In Albania’s rough and murky politics, the personalities are strong and the public institutions still count for less, 20 years after communism crumbled.

The latest illustration of violent tussle between two opposing camps occurred Friday, when a crowd tried to storm the office of Prime Minister Sali Berisha. The five-hour clash left three protesters dead, about 60 hurt and 113 arrested. Opposition supporters threw sticks and stones at the building, while the police responded with tear gas, water cannons and firearms. Continue reading “2 Men Jostle for Power in Albania” →

Racism in Sudan

Matthew Brunwasser reports on how racism has played a divisive role in relations between Sudan’s ruling northeners and the people of southern Sudan. Ethnically, northern Sudanese are generally classified as Arabs and Southerners as blacks. But many Sudanese are a combination of both Arabs and Africans and the deep rooted racism of the northerners has long been politically destabilizing.

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Sudan and the West

Sudan’s support for the the South Sudanese independence referendum has won the country praise from western nations. But the country has long been considered a pariah state. From Khartoum, Matthew Brunwasser reports on relations between Sudan and the West.

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South Sudan referendum under way

The people of South Sudan have been voting for the second day of an independence referendum which is widely expected to result in the birth of the world’s newest state. Turnout wasn’t as heavy as on the first day, but correspondents said voters appeared to be just as determined. Matthew Brunwasser reports from Juba.

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Southern Sudan votes

The map of Africa is very likely to change soon. The continent’s largest country looks set to be split in two as people in southern Sudan start voting in a referendum on independence this Sunday. This is not expected to be a close outcome: it would be a surprise if fewer than 90% of the votes were in favor of breaking away from the north. Matthew Brunwasser reports from Juba, South Sudan.

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Turkish gays and the military

Military service is mandatory in Turkey, and its policy on homosexuals serving in the military is quite different from the recently repealed US policy of “don’t ask, don’t tell”. Turkey’s armed forces consider gays ineligible to serve. From Istanbul, Matthew Brunwasser reports on Turkey’s policy of “will ask, must tell.”

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Sarkozy versus Gypsy

The Romanian rock band Vama has written a song that takes on some of the common misconceptions about the Roma or Gypsies. And it skewers French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s expulsion of Gypsies from France earlier this year.As Matthew Brunwasser reports, the English-language “Sarkozy vs Gypsy” is stirring up passions in both France and Romania.

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