Latest Articles

  • Students gather in Venezuela and raise their hands for peace. Photo: ervega. Creative Commons Licensed
    A Deaf and Dumb War, But Not Blind

    Venezuelan writer Israel Centeno draws troubling comparisons between the government-tolerated militias in Venezuela and Benito Mussolini’s shock troops. These armed militias are alleged to be responsible for the growing number of violent crimes.

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  • Khalid Khalifa
    In Praise of Love

    In this week’s From Egypt column, author Hamdy El-Gazzar writes an open letter to his friend Khalid Khalifa, a Syrian novelist who recently returned to war-torn Syria. Khalifa has issued calls to writers and the international community to “Rescue my people.”

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  • Lydia Cacho
    Freedom of Speech Roundup

    In this week’s Freedom of Speech Roundup, prominent investigative journalist Lydia Cacho flees Mexico after death threats, exiled satirist Abebe Tolla talks about censorship in Ethiopia, and author Alom Shaha calls for a discussion on Islam. Plus news and analysis from around the world.

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  • Meles Zenawi
    Dead Until Proven Alive

    In this week’s Ethiopiques column exiled journalist Mesfin Negash discusses the apparent disappearance of Ethiopian president Meles Zenawi, who hasn’t been seen in public for over 50 days. Rumors are Zenawi might be critically ill or even dead.

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  • Eduardo Halfon
    Eduardo Halfon’s Year

    Guatemalan writer Eduardo Halfon’s forthcoming novel The Polish Boxer is expected in October. Word Without Borders is appealing to readers to help bring Halfon to New York and London for a series of readings geared to high school students. We share a video of Halfon talking about his new novel.

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  • Farida Afridi
    A Bright Light Goes Out in the Tribal Belt

    In this week’s Pakistan Unveiled author Bina Shah reflects on the death of Pakistani women’s rights activist Farida Afridi. The founder of SAWERA, a women-led human rights NGO in Pakistan’s tribal belt, is suspected to have been killed by Taliban militants.

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