Matthew Brunwasser

Kosher Phones For Britain’s Orthodox Jews

By Matthew Brunwasser ⋅ January 25, 2012 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

Kosher phones poster (Photo: Matthew Brunwasser)

Orthodox Jews in Britain aren’t afraid of modernity, but they are worried about the negative influences it can have on young people. Rabbis there have now sanctioned a “kosher” phone that blocks the internet and text messages.

Preserving the Cold War in Sunny California

By Matthew Brunwasser ⋅ January 4, 2012 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

Statues of high-level Communist officials sit on a shelf in the collection of the Wende Museum with an earthquake net. (Photo: Matthew Brunwasser)

We are looking for a museum of Cold War history that has a collection of everything from East German blueprints to Soviet artwork.

In Turkey’s Last Armenian Village, a Place to Get Away From it All

By Matthew Brunwasser ⋅ December 28, 2011 ⋅ 3 comments ⋅ Transcript

Sunday afternoon, after services at the St. Astvatzatzin Armenian Apostolic Church. (Photo: Matthew Brunwasser)

For the Geo Quiz we are looking for a province in southern Turkey about the size of Delaware. The province used to be part of Syria once, but was ceded to Turkey in 1939. It is an ethically diverse province and even includes a village with a 100 percent ethnic Armenian population. Can you name it?

Making the Rules of Cyberwar

By Matthew Brunwasser ⋅ November 29, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

Cyberspace is the new fifth domain of war between states, after air, land, sea and outer space. Its unclear how the rules of war apply. At a meeting of military and academic legal scholars at the UC Berkeley law school, the consensus was that the laws have fallen far behind the technology.

Thracian Tinkers Keep Bride-Buying Tradition Alive

By Matthew Brunwasser ⋅ October 19, 2011 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

The Thracian tinkers clan of Bulgaria, one of the communities with best preserved traditions, gathers in the village of Mogila near Stara Zagora on the feast of St. Todor, or Horse Easter. One of three nationwide gatherings a year at which community connections are strengthened as bride-wannabes are paraded through the crowd. (Photo: Zara Tzanev)

The ancient geographic area known as Thrace straddles Turkey, Greece, and Bulgaria. And in a corner of Bulgarian Thrace lives a Roma offshoot called the Thracian Tinsmiths or Tinkers. Remarkably, one of the traditions they’ve kept alive is bride-buying.

Esma Redzepova, the Queen of Gypsy Music

By The World ⋅ October 12, 2011 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

Esma Redzepova. (Photo: Matthew Brunwasser)

Esma Redzepova, famous around the world as “Queen of Gypsy Music” for her voice and humanitarian work, adds “politician” to her resume.

Syrian Military Defectors Report Executions for Refusing to Shoot Civilians

By The World ⋅ September 27, 2011 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

Syrian Soldier Hussein Harmoush announces defection (Photo: freedomforeveryone20/YouTube)

Syrian Military defectors in Turkey talk about the role of the military in the uprising. Divisions within the military are deepening over violence against civilians. Orders to shoot protesters are enforced with executions.

Breaking with Serbia Tough for Kosovo Serbs

By The World ⋅ September 23, 2011 ⋅ 4 comments ⋅ Transcript

Nemanja Jaksic is a member of the Serbian Democratic Party. (Photo: Matthew Brunwasser)

Europe wants Serbia to cut off the Serbs in Kosovo in order to normalize relations in the western Balkans. But the Serbs want nothing to do with the Albanian-dominated government of Pristina. And they vow to fight integration.

EU Forces Thaw in Kosovo’s Frozen Conflict

By The World ⋅ September 21, 2011 ⋅ 4 comments ⋅ Transcript

A protest rally in Serbia during the campaign "Kosovo is Serbia!" (Photo: Zakipfc/Wikipedia)

The European Union requires candidates for membership to have peaceful relations with their neighbors. Twelve years after the Kosovo War, the governments of Kosovo and Serbia are trying to normalize relations.

An Ancient Capital of Culinary Delights

By The World ⋅ September 1, 2011 ⋅ 4 comments ⋅ Transcript

Tourguide Angelis Nannos, a Greek resident of Istanbul, is an enthusiastic supporter of Turkish food. (Photo: Matthew Brunwasser)

The Geo Quiz is looking for the capital of a famous ancient empire that counts roasted lamb guts as one of its favorite snacks.

Making the Case for Muslim Liberty

By The World ⋅ August 29, 2011 ⋅ 4 comments ⋅ Transcript

In the new book Islam Without Extremes: a Muslim Case for Liberty, Turkish author Mustafa Akyol argues that a quiet Islamic reformation is creating the demand for liberal democracy across the Muslim world.