Inner Asia
Uighur leaders to al-Qaeda: No, thanks
Uighur exile leaders were quick to disavow an article in al-Qaeda's media service portraying harsh oppression of Muslims in "East Turkistan," or Xinjiang.
Tag: autonomy
Europe
Russia serves ultimatums to Crimean Tatars
Crimean Tatars pledge to resist Russian demands that they register their Majlis as a "civic organization" and surrender "forbidden" Islamic literature.
Greater Middle East
Assad plays Kurdish card to divide opposition
The Assad regime dubiously claims to be aiding the Kurdish defenders of ISIS-besieged Kobani—a transparent attempt at an Arab-versus-Kurdish divide-and-rule stratagem.
Iraq
US arms Kobani defenders —heightening contradictions
The US has started to air-drop weapons to Kurdish forces defending Kobani against ISIS—opening a new set of contradictions for the Rojava autonomous zone.
The Andes
Bolivia: Evo wins —amid indigenous protests
Evo Morales handily won a third term as Bolivia's president—as indigenous leaders launched protests to demand a greater role in the new decentralization policy.
Inner Asia
Next: Free Siberia?
In a little-noted irony, as Vladiimir Putin backs the "People's Republics" in eastern Ukraine, he has cracked down on a separatist movement that has emerged in Siberia.
Central America
Nicaragua: inter-oceanic canal route approved
Nicaragua approved a route for its proposed inter-oceanic canal—sparking demands both by the Rama indigenous people and neighboring Costa Rica to be consulted in the project.
The Andes
Bolivia: ‘dirty war’ fears as Evo seeks third term
Bolivia's President Evo Morales, running for a third term that the opposition calls unconstitutional, appealed to his followers to refrain from launching a "dirty war."
Africa
Deadly Ramadan in Somalia
Militant group al-Shabab has lived up to its promise to step up attacks in Somalia, mainly against government installations and personnel, during the holy month of Ramadan.
Southeast Asia
Mindanao: tribes want autonomy from Moro zone
Indigenous tribes within the proposed Bangsamoro territory in Mindanao, created under a peace deal with Moro rebels, are demanding that their ancestral lands be excluded.
Planet Watch
Canada’s high court upholds aboriginal title
First nations across British Columbia are celebrating a unanimous ruling by Canada's Supreme Court that recognizes aboriginal title to traditional territories outside reserves.
Europe
UN: breakdown of law and order in east Ukraine
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a report citing abductions, detentions, torture and killings in the eastern regions of Ukraine where armed groups hold control.