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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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New Atlanticist

Jan 20, 2014

Swapping Sovereignty

By Bilal Y. Saab

Iran and UAE Make a Deal? On January 15, Defense News, an online and print military newspaper, reported that Iran and the United Arab Emirates had reached an agreement on the disputed islands of Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunbs. The report quoted an unnamed high-level UAE source, who said that although a deal on Abu […]

Iran The Gulf

MENASource

Jan 18, 2014

Official Results: 98.1 Percent Vote in Favor of Egypt’s New Constitution with 38.6 Percent Voter Turnout

By EgyptSource

Several days after polling stations closed on January 15, the High Elections Commission announced the results of the 2014 constitutional referendum, which took place over a period of two days. On January 18, Nabil Salib, head of the High Elections Commission announced voter turnout, and the number of votes in favor and against the constitution. 

North Africa Political Reform
An Antonov An-124 with two Sukhoi Su-27s

NATOSource

Jan 17, 2014

Russia Steps Up Military Aid to Syria’s Assad – Sources

By Jonathan Saul, Reuters

In recent weeks Russia has stepped up supplies of military gear to Syria, including armored vehicles, drones and guided bombs, boosting President Bashar al-Assad just as rebel infighting has weakened the insurgency against him

Drones Russia
Cyber Attacks on Georgian Governmental Resources

NATOSource

Jan 17, 2014

Russian Cyber Strategy and the War Against Georgia

By David J. Smith, inFocus Quarterly

Russia holds a broad concept of information warfare, which includes intelligence, counterintelligence, deceit, disinformation, electronic warfare, debilitation of communications, degradation of navigation support, psychological pressure, degradation of information systems and propaganda.

Cybersecurity Russia
Polish Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak

NATOSource

Jan 17, 2014

Poland Announces Five Finalists for Missile Defense Contract

By AFP

Poland has shortlisted five bidders for a contract to build its air defence system as it spends billions to upgrade its military, the defence minister said Wednesday.

Missile Defense Poland

SouthAsiaSource

Jan 17, 2014

This Week in South Asia: January 11 -17

Commentary from the South Asia Center on the most relevant news from the region, and suggested “must-read” analyses from the week.Pakistan The Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies issued a report citing 687 sectarian killings in the country last year, a 22% increase from 2012, and expressed concerns for regional spillover. These statistics are particularly concerning […]

Afghanistan India

MENASource

Jan 17, 2014

Top News: Russia Steps Up Military Lifeline To Assad Regime

By MENASource

In recent weeks Russia has stepped up supplies of military gear to Syria, including armored vehicles, drones, and guided bombs, boosting President Bashar al-Assad just as rebel infighting has weakened the insurgency against him, sources with knowledge of the deliveries say.

MENASource

Jan 17, 2014

Known Unknown: Why the Egyptian Referendum is a Black Box

By Matthew Hall

Voting for the Egyptian Constitutional referendum concluded Wednesday but it will be impossible to learn the actual outcome. Yes, on Saturday the High Electoral Commission will announce the official results, but the severely limited state of domestic and international electoral observation precludes independent verification of government assertions. This is a serious concern for an election […]

North Africa Political Reform

MENASource

Jan 17, 2014

Top News: Five Killed as Security Forces Clash with Protesters

By EgyptSource

Five pro-Muslim Brotherhood protesters have been killed in clashes with security forces on Friday afternoon in cities around Egypt, according to security sources. 

REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

New Atlanticist

Jan 17, 2014

Egypt’s Constitutional Vote: Not a Free Pass for Army Rule

By New Atlanticist

Last week’s constitutional referendum in Egypt yielded a lop-sided result that recalls the non-democratic elections of the decades before the Arab Spring of 2011. Election officials say 98 percent of voters approved the constitution proposed by the military-backed government. Egyptian lawyer Hafsa Halawa cautions against a conventional wisdom that sees this result as a success […]

North Africa Political Reform