MENASource

Five Years On: Egypt’s International Relations

By Elissa Miller

US-Egypt ties and Egypt’s ties with the Gulf witnessed the most significant shifts in Egypt’s foreign relations in the past five years. US-Egypt relations were strained as the Obama administration placed US military and economic aid to Egypt on hold, while in the Gulf, a surge of support in the wake of the ouster of former president Mohamed […]

Top News: Minor Protests, Celebrations Mark January 25 Anniversary

By EgyptSource

About 100 people gathered in Cairo’s Tahrir Square on Monday, not to celebrate those who instigated the revolt there five years ago that overthrew Egypt’s longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak, but to praise the police who tried to stop them. Government supporters chanted pro-police and army slogans, and handed flowers to police personnel stationed in the square.

EconSource: Saudi Aramco IPO Would Not Include Oil Reserves

By EconSource

Saudi Arabia’s potential sale of shares Aramco will not include the kingdom’s oil reserves. Shares could be sold on local or international markets, the Aramco Chairman Khalid al-Falih said in an interview with al-Arabiya TV.

Five Years On: Politics, the Judiciary, and Legislation

By Elissa Miller

On January 25, 2011, Egyptians launched a revolution that ousted President Hosni Mubarak from power. In the five years since, Egypt has witnessed significant political, economic, and societal turbulence. Many of the uprising’s demands remain unmet as Egypt continues to move forward.

January 25: The Anniversaries [Video]

Each year, the anniversary of the January 25 uprising has simultaneously been cause for celebration by some, and has been marked by violence and death for others.

EconSource: Gulf Ministers Say Low Oil Price is Opportunity for Reforms

By EconSource

The sharp drop in the price of oil is an opportunity to end subsidies and introduce reforms, Gulf ministers said Friday. “With low prices… it is the right time” to cut subsidies on oil products, Kuwait’s Finance Minister and Acting Oil Minister Anas al-Saleh said at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Aramco’s IPO a Test of Saudi Transparency

By Haytham Tabesh

When Saudi Arabia decided to launch its economic reform plan, no one thought the Arab American Oil Company (Aramco) would be on the list of government-controlled companies slated for privatization. Surprisingly, Deputy Crown Prince Mohamad Bin Salman told The Economist the kingdom was considering floating shares and that he was enthusiastic about it.

Top News: Turkey suspects Russia building airbase near border with Syria

By MENASource

Turkish authorities reportedly have intelligence suggesting that Russia might be preparing to establish an airbase near Turkey’s border with Syria, a step likely to deepen tensions between the two countries that flared after Turkish warplanes downed a Russian fighter jet in November.

Top News: Two Groups Claim Responsibility for Blast in Giza Apartment that Killed Ten

By EgyptSource

An affiliate of the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) and another militant group in Egypt both claimed responsibility for a bombing that took place in Giza governorate’s Haram district on Thursday, killing at least ten.

Top News: Parliament Rejects Civil Service Law, Approves Law Shielding State Deals

By EgyptSource

Egypt’s parliament rejected on Wednesday the controversial Civil Service Law after 332 MPs out of 468 voted against it. The law, which regulates appointment criteria, payments, retirements and promotions for civil workers in government agencies, was met with widespread criticism by many state employees, labor unions and labor rights activists.