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UkraineAlert

Aug 3, 2015

How Oligarchs Have Ruined Ukraine’s Economy and How to Fix It

By Basil A. Kalymon and Oleh Havrylyshyn

Ukraine finds itself in an economic crisis of massive proportions. In the past twelve months, its GDP has contracted by over 7.5 percent, the national deficit exceeds 10 percent, its currency has lost more than 50 percent of its value, its banks are insolvent and the national debt-to-GDP ratio has ballooned to more than 100 […]

Ukraine

MENASource

Aug 3, 2015

EconSource: Tunisia Prepares to Issue Islamic Bonds; Government Drafts Five Year Development Plan

By EconSource

Tunisian firms are preparing to issue Islamic bonds as the government finalizes rules covering the sector. The bonds will create a new funding option for companies in an economy buffeted by labor unrest and militant attacks.

SyriaSource

Jul 31, 2015

Syria: Hard Times in ISIL-Free Land

By Frederic C. Hof

The temptation to heap scorn on the US-led “train-and-equip” program seeking to create an anti-Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) Syrian ground force by recruiting Syria rebels will no doubt increase due to the kidnapping (by the Nusra Front) of the commander of the unit into which new trainees have been funneled.

Iran Syria

New Atlanticist

Jul 31, 2015

In Afghanistan, the Taliban Has a New Leader, But it’s His Deputy Who is Raising Eyebrows

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Haqqani Network leader’s appointment could jeopardize peace process in Afghanistan The appointment of the head of a Pakistan-based terrorist network as a deputy leader of the Taliban may prove to be an obstacle in Afghan-led efforts to make peace with the Islamic militants. While confirming reports of the death of its reclusive one-eyed leader, Mullah […]

Afghanistan Pakistan
SACEUR Gen. Philip Breedlove, May 21, 2014

NATOSource

Jul 31, 2015

NATO Commander Concerned About Russia’s Belligerency and Repeated Talk of Using Nuclear Weapons

By PBS

Excerpts from PBS interview with NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen. Philip Breedlove by Gwen Ifill, July 29, 2015.

NATO Nuclear Nonproliferation

MENASource

Jul 31, 2015

Top News: US Airstrike on Nusra Front After Attacks on Rebels in Northern Syria

By MENASource

The Nusra Front launched an offensive on the headquarters of the US-formed “Division 30” rebel group in Aleppo on Friday. Monitoring groups reported that the Nusra Front launched the attack to seize weapons “given by Washington to the rebels,” but they were unable to enter the base.

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, July 28, 2015

NATOSource

Jul 31, 2015

NATO Greenlights New Defense Training Program for Iraq

By Jens Stoltenberg, NATO

NATO Allies have just agreed on a defence capacity building package for Iraq. It will help strengthen the country’s security and defence sector by providing support in areas where NATO is best-placed to add value.

Iraq NATO

MENASource

Jul 31, 2015

Top News: Egypt, Saudi Arabia issue “Cairo Declaration” to Strengthen Cooperation

By EgyptSource

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Saudi Defense Minister Mohammed Bin Salman issued what they name the “Cairo Declaration,” outlining six facets of cooperation between Egypt and Saudi Arabia,  notably enhancing cooperation in the military, investment, trade, politics, culture, and media sectors.

MENASource

Jul 31, 2015

EconSource: IMF Approves $1.24 Billion Iraq Emergency Lifeline

By EconSource

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a $1.24 billion emergency loan for Iraq on Thursday, saying the country needs extra support as it confronts the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) and depressed oil prices.

UkraineAlert

Jul 31, 2015

Russia Threatens Ukrainian Pilot Nadiya Savchenko with 25-Year Jail Term

By Irena Chalupa

Nadiya Savchenko, Ukraine’s most famous female military officer, has languished in a Moscow prison for more than a year since Moscow-backed separatists captured her in eastern Ukraine last June and smuggled across the border to Russia shackled, her head covered by a sack. Now her captors have moved her again—and again under the cover of […]

Russia Ukraine