South Border Research Articles

Unsettled South Asian Borders: Nepal’s Effort to Reconcile Its Colonial and Non-colonial Borders

While it is commonly accepted that the borders in South Asia are post-colonial borders established by colonial powers, the literature often skips the discussion of the non-colonial borders of the region. Many sources do not even acknowledge the existence of non-colonial borders at all, making such borders some sort of terra incognita. This has created an academic gap which limits the understanding of the borders of the region and sometimes leads towards hasty generalisation on the nature of South Asian borders. Nepal has two types of borders—a colonial border shared with India in the south and a non-colonial border shared with China that lies in the central Himalayan massif. This has resulted in the adoption of two different border policies that do not always align with each other. To delve into the intricacies of this situation, this article focuses on two main inquiries. First, the article studies Nepal’s border policies and approaches by examining the historical context of border delimitation with India and China, as well as the characteristics of these borders. Second, the article examines the extent to which Nepal is successful in reconciling its colonial and non-colonial border policies as well as the challenges it faces in this endeavour. It concludes the discussion by exploring the potential contribution of non-colonial borders to South Asia’s border narratives.

Lesotho and the QwaQwa Ski Resort, 1975–82: Border Disputes and South Africa's Increasingly Deadly Responses

Abstract In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the terrain of the diplomatic and security landscape of Southern Africa shifted dramatically. South Africa declared various Bantustans “independent,” but they were not recognized by other countries. Small regional states like Lesotho increasingly took more combative diplomatic stances, aided by Cold War connections and, in this case, a local border dispute. This article examines a proposed ski resort that South Africa wanted to build in the QwaQwa Bantustan on Lesotho's border starting in 1975. Because of Lesotho's diplomatic and military escalation, the Khoptjoane resort was never built, but the lengthy dispute contributed to the sidelining of the apartheid regime's diplomats in favor of its securocrats. Thus, we argue the failed ski resort contributed to the atmosphere in which Pretoria greenlit the Maseru Massacre of 1982, presaging the apartheid regime's increased 1980s willingness to use its military superiority against township residents and Southern African neighbors alike.

Faith in Conflict: Examining the Varied Available Chronicles of Churches' Responses to the South African Border War and Their Enduring Legacies

On 26 August 1966, the first skirmish between the South African Defence Force (SADF) and the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO), known as Operation Blue Wildebeest, took place and the hostilities, which had been increasing for some time, were ignited. Thus, the South African Border War, otherwise known as the Namibian War of Independence, which would span the next two decades, began in earnest. This paper examines the conflict from the discipline of Church History in order to illuminate the nuanced development of the relationship between the church in South Africa and the concept of war, as well as the varied responses from different denominations to the conflict as it progressed. As the last conflict, which necessitated an active draft of South African men, the war's immediate effects were felt throughout society and persisted into the future. The churches' responses ranged from staunch support for the government's decision and involvement in the war to vocal opposition, thus reflecting diverse theological perspectives and ethical positions. The article sheds light on how different denominations responded publicly to the war, with the aim to highlight how these discussions were influenced by the circumstances of the time and how they changed in the following years leading up to the close of the war.

Colonel Jan Breytenbach – Military Historian or Storyteller? An Analysis of Breytenbach’s Work using a Military History Conceptual Framework

Books on the South African Border War have flooded the popular market in the last two decades. Historians, journalists, and particularly ex-soldiers – often amateur writers – have tapped into the market. The genres of books include, but are not limited to, personal accounts, autobiographies, regimental histories, journalist accounts, and academic books. Jan Breytenbach was one of the first South African Defence Force officers to write about the Border War. He published seven books, and paved the way for many writers to follow in his footsteps. Most of his books focus on the history of 32 Battalion. Against this background, the study on which this article is based, aimed to analyse Breytenbach’s writing using a conceptual framework put forward by military historians.

The COVID-19 Border Closure and Local Economic Development in a South African Border Town

Border towns benefit from cross-border movement of goods, services and people. Many suffered setbacks when governments responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by closing borders. We investigated how the lockdown regulations affected the economy of Ladybrand, a small South African town near Lesotho. We found that local planning was not taking advantage of the benefits of a border town economy and was unprepared for border closure. Retail outlets were the hardest hit, followed by the transport, services and health sectors. Dilapidated infrastructure and poor service delivery made it difficult for the town to cope with the effects of the border closure.

Mexican American St. Mary’s: Ethnicity and Identity at a Catholic University in San Antonio, Texas, 1927–2000

Abstract: For generations, Mexican American and Latino students, mostly from San Antonio, El Paso, and South Texas border towns, have graduated from St. Mary’s University. Walking a fine line between cultural assimilation and seeking self-defined approaches to integration in U.S. society, activists among them sought a campus cultural and curricular environment that accounted for their traditions and identity. They encountered some religious and lay faculty and staff who recognized their special heritage-related culture and identity, but at the same time, the university remained mostly ambivalent about institutionalizing this diversity into campus life and curricula. As their numbers grew to approximately sixty-five percent in 2000, St. Mary’s eventually took on the designation of a Hispanic Serving Institution. This historical process of acknowledging the importance of ethnicity raises questions about how St. Mary’s University and other Catholic universities with Latino enrollments can holistically educate ethnic Mexican and Latino students in ways that speak to their history, culture, and religious traditions.

Weaving transnational spaces: Peruvian and Colombian suitcase traders moving across South American borders

ABSTRACT Our study addresses suitcase trading that involves buying goods from one country and transporting them across borders in portable packages, so as to avoid government taxes. Although a globally common practice, and a significant source of income for many, we have scant understanding of suitcase trade practices in South America. Therefore, we examine how Peruvian and Colombian suitcase traders establish and sustain transnational spaces by engaging in repeated cross-border trade activities between (1) Peru and Brazil, entailing routes of 3,500 km, and (2) Colombia and Venezuela, involving routes of only 1 km. Further, to analyse the spatialities of transnational practices, a focus absent in many studies on transnationalism and transnational spaces, we propose a perspective that combines mobilities, connections, and meanings. Our study, which employs ethnographic, biographical, and participatory methods with 40 suitcase traders, reveals that transnational space is not just an abstract entity in which transnational social practices occur. Instead, it is structured by frequent or occasional mobilities along specific routes and means, by socioeconomic connections between geographically distant or proximate sites, and by the meanings that individuals give to their transnational practices. Our findings emphasize that the perspective of spatialities helps us understand the heterogeneity of transnational spaces.

Population and Conservation Status of Bighorn Sheep in the State of Baja California, Mexico

The bighorn sheep in Mexico is classified as at-risk by the Mexican federal government. In the state of Baja California, wild sheep can be observed throughout the length of the state from the USA–Mexico border south to the Agua de Soda mountain range. This research aimed to document the historical trend of the bighorn population based on aerial surveys conducted in 1992, 1995, 1999, 2010, and 2021, and the abundance, distribution, and structure of bighorn sheep populations in Baja California, based on an aerial survey conducted from 8–14 November 2021, covering thirteen mountain ranges. The estimated sheep population in 2021 was based on the number of individuals observed; the sightability of the animals; the area sampled; and the total area of habitat available. In 30.5 flight hours, 456 bighorn sheep were observed, with an estimated population of 1697 ± 80 individuals. The observation rate was 16 sheep sighted per hour of flight, and the ram:ewe:lamb ratio was 62:100:19. When the results of the 2021 flight were compared to the results of the previous aerial surveys, there was a large variation between the data, which was related to the lack of consistency between the sampling designs used in each study. Nevertheless, a statistical test of the results of aerial surveys conducted in the state suggest that the Baja California bighorn sheep population remained stable between 1992 and 2021. This study highlights the need to standardize wild sheep aerial surveys by defining flight paths and establishing a consistent duration of flights. On the other hand, Baja California authorities should consider modifying the current conservation strategy for bighorn sheep to increase the species’ population in the state by initiating community-based wildlife conservation programs in rural communities.

Book review: Farhana Ibrahim. 2021. From Family to Police Force: Security and Belonging on a South Asian Border

Farhana Ibrahim. 2021. From Family to Police Force: Security and Belonging on a South Asian Border. Ithaca and London: Cornell University Press. xv + 188 pp. Notes, references, index. $ 130 (hardback–– ISBN: 9781501759536)

“The War Songs Continue ’til They Find Peace”: Music and the Politics of Death on the Ethio-South Sudanese Border

Abstract Discrimination and violence have characterized inter-ethnic dynamics on the Ethiopian–South Sudanese border since the 1990s. Local musicians compose songs decrying the violence, calling for peace in their communities. Simultaneously, these same artists compose songs with divisive rhetoric, particularly during and after outbreaks of ethnically based killings. I argue that this dual promotion of peace and conflict is not contradictory but is logical in the context of decades of violence and trauma. Artists and their listeners consider violence necessary for self-defense, which does not preclude a genuine desire for positive inter-ethnic relations. These logics have implications for applied ethnomusicology in conflict zones.

남북교류협력 과정에서 북한근로자에 대한 사회보장제도 적용의 법적 과제

The main actors in inter-Korean cooperation are the residents of South and North Korea. The individuals who play a key role in achieving reunification, the residents of both North and South Korea, should collectively become the owners, ensuring the freedom, welfare, and human dignity of each individual. They should strive to form a national community where a free and prosperous life is attainable. However, the reality is that the residents of South and North Korea have yet to fully assume the role of effective participants in cooperative exchanges. This study aims to identify legal disputes arising from the application of social security systems for North Korean laborers entering South Korea's border areas and proposes legal and practical directions. Ultimately, the study seeks to contribute to the establishment of a substantive legal framework for inter-Korean unification by fostering pre-emptive discussions in the legal and policy dimensions. The focus is on creating a foundation for the human and social integration of North and South Korea during the process of unification.

'A Third Country': Irish Border Communities

Inserting a border where one did not previously exist transforms the mental and physical map of individuals and communities. Those who live along the Irish Border regard themselves as distinct from the rest of Northern Ireland or Ireland – ‘a third country’, that is neglected, and distinct from both Belfast and Dublin. This paper explores the neglect and belated ‘discovery’ of the problems facing border areas: the local impact of partition on population and the economy, the image of the border as a zone of violence and lawlessness, and the importance of the parish and community identities, together with the question of sectarianism. Official interest in the border (apart from security matters), only emerged in 1983 when the Economic and Social Committee of the EEC issued a report on Irish Border Areas highlighting the serious socio-economic problems. Since the 1990s border communities, both north and south, have benefited significantly from an array of programmes funded by the EU, the British and Irish governments and international donors. Most of the practical difficulties of life along the border, such as customs and security posts, were removed during the 1990s, with the introduction of the EU Single Market and the end of paramilitary violence. This has enabled some restoration of traditional cross-border networks. Britain’s decision to leave the EU threatened to restore these administrative barriers, but concerted efforts by the Irish government and the strong support from the EU ensured that this was avoided. Although the Irish border has practically disappeared on the ground, legacies remain. Over the past century it has reconfigured community and personal identities, and it remains a potent political symbol for both nationalists and unionists.

Abstract IA045: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening and treatment in South Texas US-Mexico border persistent poverty counties

Abstract Background: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a major risk factor for Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), early screening of HCV is essential for the prevention of HCC. Other risk factors for cancer are those associated with poverty including low socioeconomic status and lack of access to health care. These risk factors are prominent among hispanic populations who have higher rates of liver cancer. In 2021, Hispanic liver cancer (incidence and mortality) was almost doubled as compared to non-Hispanic whtes. In Texas, the incidence of liver cancer is higher for Hispanics and particularly for those living in South Texas. Methods: We implemented an multi-component intervention (STOP-HCC-HCV) to increase access to HCV screening and treatment in two clinic systems predominantly serving low-income Hispanic ommunities in three South Texas persistent poverty counties. We used a Hybrid type 1 implementation effectiveness study design to evaluate the program's impact using both qualitative and quantitative data. Results: Using the RE-AIM framework, we increased HCV screening rates from 10% in 2021, to 78% in 2023 among adults 18-56 years of age. We successfully naviagted uninsured patients to treatment and cure and have 100% success rate for ordering Direct Acting Antivirals. Conclusion: Using a multi-component intervention, and decreasing barriers to healthcare increased HCV screening and treatment to ultimetly decrease cancer health disparities among vulnerable populations living in persistent poverty counties. Citation Format: Bertha E. Flores, Juan Guerrero, Raudel Bobadilla, Catherine K. Craven. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening and treatment in South Texas US-Mexico border persistent poverty counties [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr IA045.

A Leap in the Dark: The Disappearance of Flag Boshielo, Castro Dolo, Victor Ndaba and Bob Zulu in August 1970

In August 1970, four senior African National Congress members – Flag Boshielo, Castro Dolo, Victor Ndaba and Bob Zulu – vanished during their clandestine return to South Africa from exile in Zambia. It was thought that they had met a tragic end while crossing the Zambezi River into the Eastern Caprivi of South West Africa (now the Zambezi Region of Namibia). After 1994, renewed attempts to establish the men’s fate were hampered by a paucity of archival data, the unwillingness of witnesses to provide information and the passage of time. Recent research in the Eastern Caprivi brought new information to light when local communities were found to be familiar with a story about ‘foreign fighters’ who crossed the Zambezi River. The strangers were betrayed to the South African police and drawn into an ambush. Research in the National Archives of Namibia also yielded new information. By piecing together local narratives with archival material and interviews with former members of Umkhonto we Sizwe and the South African Police, this article chronicles the odyssey and fate of Boshielo and his companions, although some questions remain. Unfortunately, in South Africa, the search for those who disappeared during the struggle against white minority rule is by no means complete. This article demonstrates the value of extending research beyond South African borders when information and knowledge are scattered across countries, institutions, communities and individuals.

STUDY ON THE FAST MISSILE CRAFT OF 60 M ON THE SEASTATE CONDITION OF THE WEST AND EASTERN INDONESIAN WATER

Recently, Indonesian Navy is developing warship fleet by constructing Fast Missile Craft (KCR) 60M. The performance of KCR 60MÂ depends on the wave height of Indonesian waters. It needs to perform research on the maximum wave height for the ship length of KCR 60M and the minimum ship length of KCR 60M to cope with the highest extrem waves by statistical methods and empirical formula. The analysis result shows that KCR 60M can operate at a maximum wave height of 4,73m. Since the wave height of Indonesian water is less than 4,73m, then KCR 60M can operate throughout the year, except in Desember and January in the North areas of Indonesia near the South China Sea border due to the moonsun Asia. However, the existency of the extrem wave height >4,3m cause KCR 60M unable to operate whether in the North or South Equators as well as Inter-island waters. KCR 60M also unable to operate in the whole Naval Main Base (Lantamal) from Lantamal II (Padang) up to Lantamal XIV (Sorong). Based on the average extreme wave height of 5,1m, it can be determined that KCR 60M capable of operating has a minimum ship length of about 70m.

Lepidopteran fauna of Mandaitivu Mangrove Ecosystem, Jaffna, Sri Lanka

The mangrove forests, which support the survival of both terrestrial and aquatic inhabitants, are considered some of the most productive ecosystems. Mangrove faunal diversity is well known for the vertebrates and invertebrates but is poorly known for insects. Mangroves and insects have strong relationships in which mangroves provide a suitable habitat for insect habitation. In contrast, the feeding activities of insects contribute to the litter detritus formation and sustainability of the mangrove ecosystem. They connect mangroves with adjoined terrestrial and marine ecosystems by their eco-services such as pollination, herbivory, predation, and being food for other predators. Lepidopterans, consisting of moths and butterflies, are the most widely recognized insects as indicators of the ecosystem's health and are considered in conservation strategies. As the information on the Lepidopteran fauna of mangrove has not been revealed in Sri Lanka, this study was performed to explore the diversity of butterflies and moths in the Mandaitivu mangrove ecosystem from August 2019 to March 2020 located in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. True mangrove species such as Avicennia marina, Rhizophora mucronata, Ceriops tagal and Pemphis acidula are distributed as patches around this island. Adult as well as larval stages of butterflies and moths were collected from two different locations based on the abundance of the mangrove vegetation at the west and south border of the Mandaitivu Island through sweep netting and hand-picking methods. They were then identified based on their morphological characteristics. A total of 13 butterfly species, belonging to four families, and 6 moth species, belonging to three families were recorded. The highest species composition was recorded from Avicennia marina than Rhizophora mucronata which has fewer insects probably due to the thickness of their leaves. The plain tiger (Danaus chrysippus) was the most common and abundant butterfly followed by Mottled Emigrant (Catopsilia pyranthe) and the Small Salmon Arab (Colotis amata). The Yellow Pansy (Junonia hierta), the critically endangered (CR) species was also found. The other twelve species are listed as least concerned (LC) nationally. All the moth species recorded are listed as not assessed as per the IUCN red list. These results confirm that further extensive surveys in the Mandaitivu mangrove ecosystem will expose more diverse assemblages of lepidopterans that can be utilized in threat assessment and conservation strategy planning.

The Complexity of Controlling Illegal Border Crossers from Mozambique, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe: A Reflection of South Africa's Porous Borders

The Complexity of Controlling Illegal Border Crossers from Mozambique, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe: A Reflection of South Africa's Porous Borders

COVID-19 Impacts on Mexican American College Student Experiences in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas

The COVID-19 pandemic devastated many communities and exacerbated existing inequities, particularly for Mexican American communities along the South Texas border. During this tumultuous time, many Mexican American college students balanced coursework, work, and familial responsibilities in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), a Texas borderland region disproportionately affected by the spread of COVID-19 when compared to Texas overall. This qualitative study uses narrative analysis to examine oral history interviews of 11 college students from the RGV to understand how COVID-19 shaped their experiences throughout the 2020-2021 academic year and how they leveraged region-specific cultural assets to navigate their multiple roles during this historic time. The authors draw from Borderland Cultural Wealth (Yamamura et al., 2010) to posit a college retention framework by examining how 11 college students navigated the COVID-19 pandemic to inform policy and practices. Findings suggest that Mexican American students leveraged their RGV cultural assets to navigate health disparities, secure income for themselves and their families, and prioritize familial responsibilities while completing virtual coursework during the pandemic. This study contributes to the research that challenges RGV student deficits and illuminates the importance of cultural assets of Mexican American communities in the RGV. We provide future research recommendations and considerations for asset-based college retention policies and practices in higher education.

Science and pseudo science: racist eugenics in Italy.

In the present article we briefly discuss the historical premises of eugenics. Differences and some analogies between the Latin and the German way of eugenics in the 20th century are presented, until the tragic antisemitic turn. The fate of some children in the South Tyrol border region is also discussed, as well as the role of several anatomo-pathologists as willing executors of autopsies on the victims of the eugenic project of eliminating mentally and physically disabled people.

Assessing the Influence of Climate on the Spatial Pattern of West Nile Virus Incidence in the United States.

West Nile virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in humans in the United States. Since the introduction of the disease in 1999, incidence levels have stabilized in many regions, allowing for analysis of climate conditions that shape the spatial structure of disease incidence. Our goal was to identify the seasonal climate variables that influence the spatial extent and magnitude of WNV incidence in humans. We developed a predictive model of contemporary mean annual WNV incidence using U.S. county-level case reports from 2005 to 2019 and seasonally averaged climate variables. We used a random forest model that had an out-of-sample model performance of . Our model accurately captured the V-shaped area of higher WNV incidence that extends from states on the Canadian border south through the middle of the Great Plains. It also captured a region of moderate WNV incidence in the southern Mississippi Valley. The highest levels of WNV incidence were in regions with dry and cold winters and wet and mild summers. The random forest model classified counties with average winter precipitation levels as having incidence levels over 11 times greater than those of counties that are wetter. Among the climate predictors, winter precipitation, fall precipitation, and winter temperature were the three most important predictive variables. We consider which aspects of the WNV transmission cycle climate conditions may benefit the most and argued that dry and cold winters are climate conditions optimal for the mosquito species key to amplifying WNV transmission. Our statistical model may be useful in projecting shifts in WNV risk in response to climate change. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10986.