Atlantic Council blogs

EconSource: ISIS Again Pushing to Capture Iraq Refinery at Baiji

By EconSource

Islamic State militants (ISIS or ISIL) took control of half Iraq’s largest oil refinery over the weekend and cut supply lines to the 150 or so government troops who were holding out inside the facility.

Tunisia Walking a Tightrope

By Karim Mezran and Lara Talverdian

Whether one speaks to a taxi driver, a bureaucrat, an activist, or a politician, Tunisians agree: their country’s two primary challenges are security and the economy. During a research trip to Tunis in April, all of those interviewed unequivocally cited these interlinked concerns in response to questions about Tunisia’s obstacles.

The Geopolitical Case for Crude Oil Exports

By Chris Brown

The US ban on crude oil exports was a prominent topic of discussion when industry leaders and high-ranking government officials from across the globe convened in Houston in April for IHS CERAWeek, one of the energy industry’s largest annual conferences. Indeed, over the past year the longstanding ban has emerged as one of the hottest […]

China and Russia Announce First Joint Naval Exercise in the Mediterranean

By Jane Perlez, New York Times

The Chinese Navy will hold joint exercises with Russia in the Mediterranean in May, China’s Defense Ministry said Thursday, a further indication of the closer ties between the two countries and of the navy’s increasing ambitions.

Top News: Turkey Marks Tense May Day as Police Enforce Lockdown

As demonstrations are underway throughout Turkey to mark May Day, Turkish police have detained at least 136 people around Istanbul’s Taksim Square, which is on lockdown today. The police have also used teargas and water cannons to disperse crowds.

Yemen: A View from Marib

By Nadwa Al-Dawsari

It has now been more than a year since Ahmed Ashulaif, a distinguished fifty year-old businessman and tribal leader from Marib, put his business on hold. Since then, he has fought to stop the Houthis, a Zaydi-Shia rebel group that took control of Yemen’s capital and ousted its government in September 2014.

Egypt’s Responsibility in the Mediterranean Refugee Crisis

By Mohamed Abdel Salam

As the season of migration via the Mediterranean begins, public policy discussions by Egyptian authorities on Syrian refugees have become increasingly important. Since the start of the year, over 1,750 refugees have died making the treacherous journey, attempting to leave the coasts of Africa for a better future in Europe. Syrians by far outnumber any […]

Top News: Egypt, Spain Ink Security Cooperation Agreement

By EgyptSource

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi witnessed on Thursday the signing of a security cooperation agreement with Spain during his visit to Madrid. The agreement, which regulates cooperation between the two states in the field of security and combating crime, was signed by the Egyptian Foreign Minister and the Spanish Interior Minister, reported state television, citing […]

EconSource: Saudi Arabia is Burning Through its Foreign Reserves at a Record Pace

By EconSource

Saudi Arabia is burning through foreign reserves at a record rate as the kingdom seeks to maintain spending plans amid regional turmoil and a slump in oil prices.

TTIP Action | April 30

By Global Business & Economics Program

US Secretary of State John Kerry speaking at the launch of the Atlantic Council’s Trade and National Security Initiative Speeches & Official Announcements Want to Hold the President Accountable? Then the “Trade Promotion Authority” Bill Is for You. ” Without TPA, Congress can only react to the deal the president puts in front of it. […]