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Atlantic Council blogs provide short-form analyses from Council experts and a wider community of global voices on the world’s most important news stories.
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MENASource

Dec 7, 2015

EconSource: Gulf States Agree on Key Issues for Implementing VAT

By EconSource

Gulf states have agreed on key issues for implementing value-added tax (VAT) in the region. The agreement was reached at a meeting of representatives from Gulf ministries a few days ago, Undersecretary at the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Finance Ministry Younis Haji al-Khouri said.

UkraineAlert

Dec 7, 2015

Take It to the Next Level: Create a Biden-Poroshenko Commission

By Anders Åslund and John Herbst

Ukraine has made great strides in the last two years. The democratic and pro-Western Ukrainian leaders that gained power in February 2014 have returned democracy to Ukraine and have conducted three free and fair elections at all levels of power. The Ukrainian nation has come together and successfully defended itself against Russian aggression. After two […]

Russia Ukraine

MENASource

Dec 4, 2015

The Costs of Turkey’s Foreign Policy in Syria

By M. Hande Akmehmet

Turkey hosted the G20 Summit in Antalya in mid-November against the backdrop of a sliding currency against the dollar and increasing unemployment. As world leaders struggle with the fallout of Syria’s civil war on the political and security fronts, Turkey’s proximity to the conflict and foreign policy have resulted in a direct and indirect economic […]

Russia Syria

New Atlanticist

Dec 4, 2015

In Mexico, Transition to Gas Reduces Electricity Tariffs

By Megan Reilly Cayten

Mexico’s consumption of fuel oil has declined by 60 percent since 2012, and is on track to achieve a reduction of 90 percent by 2018, according to Guillermo Turrent, Director of Modernization at Mexico’s Federal Commission of Electricity (CFE). Turrent spoke on a conference call convened by the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center and David […]

Mexico

SyriaSource

Dec 4, 2015

Top News: December 4, 2015

By SyriaSource

– Germany approves anti-ISIS military action in Syria; French president to visit aircraft carrier off Syria – US reportedly preparing airbase in northeastern Syria– Syria opposition to meet next week in Riyadh– Pressure mounting on Dutch to join Syria air strikes– ‘Nothing new’ from Russia-Turkey talks on downed fighter jet– Nearly 3,000 migrants detained in four […]

Syria

MENASource

Dec 4, 2015

Top News: France Flies Surveillance Missions over ISIS-held Areas of Libya

By MENASource

French military aircraft recently flew reconnaissance and intelligence missions over Libya, including over areas controlled by Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL), and more are planned, a presidential document shows.

MENASource

Dec 4, 2015

Top News: Molotov Cocktail Attack Kills 16 at Cairo Nightclub

By EgyptSource

A firebomb attack on a small nightclub in Cairo early Friday killed 16 people and wounded three others, authorities said.

MENASource

Dec 4, 2015

EconSource: Saudi Naimi says Global Oil Demand Can Absorb Iran Output Jump

By EconSource

Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said that growing global demand will be able to absorb an anticipated jump in Iranian production next year, as Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zangeneh said he expects the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to roll over production policies following a meeting today.

New Atlanticist

Dec 3, 2015

Here’s What You Need to Know About COP21

By Ashish Kumar Sen

President Obama’s former climate change advisor discusses the importance and expectations of the Paris summit Officials from one hundred and ninety-six governments are gathered in Paris with the goal of reaching the first-ever global climate change agreement. The negotiators’ main objective is to agree on legally binding reductions in greenhouse gas emissions intended to keep […]

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Dec 3, 2015

Putting Brazil on US Department of Labor Blacklist ‘Unfair’

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Brazilian textile association official says action on forced labor may hurt exports The US Department of Labor’s decision to place Brazil on a list of countries where forced and child labor are practiced is “unfair” and could have an adverse impact on the South American nation’s exports, said an official with Brazil’s textile association. Brazil’s […]

Brazil Economy & Business