Latest update: 08/03/2010 

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"US: Happy end for Iraq?"

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In today’s international press review, we focus on the parliamentary elections in Iraq.

IN THE PAPERS
By Aurore Cloe DUPUIS

The Parliamentary elections in Iraq have made the front page of many international newspapers today, including The Wall Street Journal, the Independent and Le Figaro.

Despite the wave of violence that killed dozens of people on Sunday, turn out was high...That’s mostly because Sunnis didn’t boycott the elections, unlike in the last Parliamentary elections in 2005.

USA Today gives us two different views about the situation in Iraq. The first opinion piece says Iraq will have a “happy ending, bind together Iraqi people, resolve differences and clear the way for the US to leave in an orderly manner, after a torturous seven year venture.”

On the other hand, the second opinion piece says that Iraq will only achieve peace and stability once US troops get out of the country.

Meanwhile, The International Herald Tribune writes about a new American technique to win the trust of the local population. 40 young women will be deployed next month to accompany men on patrol in the Helmand province. Their mission: assess the population’s need for aid and gather intelligence.

Today marks the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. The China Daily talks about the so-called “work widows”, who are thought to be the poorest people in the country.

And finally, USA Today wonders why “The Hurt Locker” won best picture at the Oscars.

 

'Gay marriage: long live the newlyweds!'
23/04/2013 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

'Gay marriage: long live the newlyweds!'

FRENCH PAPERS, Tues. 23/04/13: French papers react to the impending vote in Parliament to legalize gay marriage. Liberation says this is proof that progress is not dead. Right-wing politicians say they’ll repeal the law if they return to power. But Catholic paper La Croix points out that this would be tricky. Le Parisien says the first gay weddings could take place in June.
Earthquake in China: five years on, the lessons have been learned
22/04/2013 - IN THE WORLD PAPERS

Earthquake in China: five years on, the lessons have been learned

INTERNATIONAL PAPERS, Mon. 22/04/13: International papers react to Saturday’s deadly earthquake in Sichuan Province. China Daily applauds the country’s swift response to the disaster. Also, Indian papers react to the horrific rape of a 5-year-old girl, while US papers are still reeling after the Boston Marathon bombings. And the Wall Street Journal looks at the marijuana business in the US states where it is legal.
Ordinary homophobia vs. friendly atmosphere
22/04/2013 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

Ordinary homophobia vs. friendly atmosphere

FRENCH PAPERS, Mon. 22/04/13: French papers react to demonstrations yesterday for and against same-sex marriage. Left-leaning Libération says the anti-gay marriage camp is becoming more and more homophobic. Right-leaning Le Figaro says that although the movement is become more political, the atmosphere is friendly. Also in the papers: labour reform and Italian politics.
Most Senators who opposed Gun Control were 'Paid by Gun Lobby'
19/04/2013 - IN THE WORLD PAPERS

Most Senators who opposed Gun Control were 'Paid by Gun Lobby'

Our journalistic gaze remains fixed on the United States – and it is not a pretty picture. It’s easy, it seems, to make bombs but hard to draft legislation, particularly gun control laws.
'Moralising' French Politics: Noble, or Nonsense?
19/04/2013 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

'Moralising' French Politics: Noble, or Nonsense?

Le Monde wonders why opponents of same-sex marriage are so few and yet manage to come out in such force. But they are just one item of many in President Hollande's rapidly expanding to-do list. Libération looks at his attempts at "moralising" French politics, not least, prohibiting ministers and MPs from accumulating non-governmental posts that could constitute conflicts of interest. He's been at this for a while, and many remain opposed.

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Catch-22

by Anonyme - 11/03/2010 - 02:19

This is a Catch-22 situation for the United States and Iraq. Without the United States there, the country will end up like Vietnam, but with the United States present, there is still strife. The degree of violence has been lowering since the Americans first arrived, and democracy is slowly taking shape. What we can take heart in is knowing that the generation of Iraqis, who were six or seven and now approaching voting age, will really be able to usher in the democracy/republic the U.S. had initially hoped to achieve when it first toppled Saddam Hussein's regime.

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