The oil complex
Video of a worthwhile lecture (recorded in February this year) by Berkeley geographer Michael Watts breaking down the workings of the oil industry.
Politics
Ali Bongo loves America
Gabon's unsavory Life President came to visit the US. Probably to discuss oil deals. He became collatoral damage in the US right's media war against Barack Obama. So less time to focus on Bongo. So a win for him then.
The Global Imagination of James Baldwin
An interview with Rich Blint, a James Baldwin scholar. Biggest takeaway: Baldwin lamented the fragile human impulse for categorization.
Sarah Palin is going to Sudan
The main reaction to Palin is to mock her, but the problem is someone like her got those close to the most powerful office globally. That should scare us.
When You Refuse, You Say No
The intersection of rape, power, and impunity in Guinea has a history that is very recent and very dark.
Teaching about the world beyond America’s shores
The global financial crisis is real, and its consequences are grave. It should not, however, be the reason for a US government to retreat from global engagement, especially education exchanges.
Crazy Bald Heads
Blackwater mostly recruits from former US soldiers and former soldiers from dictatorships like Apartheid South Africa
Paul Kagame Spins Youtube
Paul Kagame is a skilled media operator. Sending unprepared interviewers his way, is not how to do journalism.
What’s So Funny
Tracing the origins and development of newspaper cartooning in South Africa, and its political place.
Africa’s media considered
What is the state of the media in Africa? And how is it dealing with perhaps the biggest emerging story continent-wide, the rise of the extractive sector?
Letter from Tunis
Tunisia, which kickstarted the "Arab Spring," is in a long pause between longtime dictator Ben Ali’s flight and elections scheduled for July 2011.
The ANC Goes Pop
Political parties in South Africa have a new challenge during elections: commissioning a pop ditty people can dance to while political candidates make empty promises from stages.
Mahmood Mamdani on Uganda
The umpteenth stand-off between Uganda's government and the "Walk to Work" protests by opposition forces.
Jamming for Sanitation
In some of Cape Town's black townships, residents have to stand in line to use one of the portable chemical toilets made available to them.