February 6 — Africa: TUNISIA
A prominent Tunisian secular opposition leader Chokri Belaid is assassinated in front of his home in the country’s capital, Tunis, the event that sparks mass protests. The ruling Ennahda party is blamed for the killing. (February 19): Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali resigns after his Ennahda party rejects his proposal to form a government.
February 6 — East Asia: CHINA
To protect political and social stability as well as maintain long-term economic growth, the Chinese government approves a plan to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor by raising a minimum wage, funding more social programs through higher taxation on state companies, raising income of farmers, improving health care system, and providing more affordable housing. China’s growing middle class is contrasted by almost 128 million people who live in poverty on less then $368 a year. Critics warn, however, that several previous similar plans did not work.
February 19 — East Asia: CHINA
U.S.-based computer security company Mandiant reports that its investigation of hundreds of hacking activities in the last decade has traced it to a unit based in a government building in Shanghai that belongs to China’s People’s Liberation Army. Mandiant says that in this period of time, the Unit hacked into141 companies, stealing hundreds of pieces of information such as business plans, blueprints, and contact data. The Chinese government denies any involvement in this cyber espionage.
February 20 — Middle East: ISRAEL
Israeli former opposition leader Tzipi Livni agrees to join Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition. Her new centrist Hatnua party was formed on promises to push for a two-state solution with the Palestinians. Livni is offered a post of justice minister and chief negotiator with the Palestinians.
February 20 — Europe: BULGARIA
The government of Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov resigns under pressure from popular protests that began as anti-austerity and turned into anti-government protests. Bulgarians are displeased with continuing low living standards, which have been deepened by recession and corruption.
February 20 — Middle East: SAUDI ARABIA
Saudi Arabian King Abdullah swears in 30 women into the Shura Council, making them the first women ever to be part of the political process in this conservative country. Although the council is only an advisory body, this is a big move towards female participation in public life. Women have been already granted the right to vote and run in the municipal elections in 2015.
February 24 — East Asia: SOUTH KOREA
South Korea swears in its first female president, Park Geun-hye, who represents the Saenuri Party. She is the daughter of General Park Chung-hee, who came to power in a military coup in 1961 and ruled South Korea for almost two decades. President Park comes to power at a time of heightened tensions with North Korea over its nuclear tests, slowed economic growth, and the aging population.
February 24 — Latin America: CUBA
The Cuban National Assembly reelects 81-year-old President Raul Castro for his second term and Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez as Castro’s first vice president. Castro announces that he will step down at the end of his second term and calls for a two-term limit on the presidency in the future. Diaz-Canel is seen as Castro’s successor.
February 25 — Europe: CYPRUS
Center-right leader Nicos Anastasiades wins a presidential election in Cyprus on promises to secure a financial bailout of the country’s economy. Cyprus’ economy has been hit by the recession when the debt trouble in Greece affected the country’s banking sector.
February 26 — Europe: ITALY
Italy’s general election results in a stalemate between Pier Luigi Bersani’s center-left party, which takes control of the lower house of the parliament, and Silvio Berlusconi’s center-right, which takes control of the Senate. In Italy, laws have to be approved by both chambers, and the government needs the consent from both chambers to govern. The Five Star Movement, an anti-austerity protest group led by Beppe Grillo, wins 25 percent of the vote, while leaving Prime Minister Mario Monti’s bloc wins only 10 percent. This deadlock combined with deep economic recession brings concerns of political instability.
February 27 — East Asia: CHINA
China’s prominent intellectuals issue an open letter calling for the government to implement political reforms and the parliament to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which is part of the UN International Bill of Human Rights. The Bill guarantees civil and political rights such as freedom of religion, assembly, and speech.