MENASource

As the MENA region continues to be the epicenter of news headlines, the Atlantic Council’s MENASource is a hub for thought-provoking and hard-hitting analyses about the latest trends, ideas, and debates. This online publication provides fast reactions and in-depth commentary on breaking news and key regional topics by a diverse team of experts and contributors.

Content

MENASource

Jan 15, 2016

EconSource: Qatar Raises Local Gasoline Price by 30 Percent

By EconSource

Qatar raised domestic prices of gasoline by 30 percent at midnight on Thursday, the official Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported, as low oil and gas prices put pressure on the national budget.

MENASource

Jan 14, 2016

The Brotherhood in the Shadow of the January 25 Anniversary

By Khaled Dawoud

Reports on growing differences within Egypt’s largest political Islamic group have been rife since the army’s removal of former President, and Muslim Brotherhood leader, Mohamed Morsi in 2013. Divisions over the Brotherhood’s strategy in fighting what they call a “military coup,” and the level of violence that should be involved, have become increasingly public. This […]

North Africa

MENASource

Jan 14, 2016

Western Options in a Muslim Battle of Ideas

By Matthew Bryza

Each act of terrorism prompts confusion and fear on both sides of the Atlantic. Television reports following each new attack are ritualized: policymakers condemn terrorists’ “cowardice” and “barbarism” but offer no policy antidote other than stepped-up policing at home and military operations in Syria and Iraq, while private citizens incredulously explain their neighbors “showed no […]

MENASource

Jan 14, 2016

Top Story: Thousands in Tunis mark revolt anniversary

By MENASource

Thousands gathered in the Tunisian capital Thursday to mark the fifth anniversary of the overthrow of longtime dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in the uprising that inspired the Arab Spring. Tunisians thronged Habib Bourguiba Avenue, the main thoroughfare in central Tunis and the epicenter of the country’s revolution five years ago.

MENASource

Jan 14, 2016

Top News: Cabinet Approves Draft Bill Criminalizing Possession of ‘Terrorist Symbols’

By EgyptSource

The Egyptian cabinet approved on Wednesday a draft bill that punishes the possession and distribution of so-called “terrorist” symbols. The draft bill, which adds a new article to the existing criminal code, was proposed to the cabinet by the presidency.

MENASource

Jan 14, 2016

EconSource: Gulf States Prepare VAT Laws Ahead of Introduction from 2018

By EconSource

Gulf Arab states are putting the finishing touches on draft laws for value-added taxes (VAT) of up to 5 percent that could be imposed starting in 2018, officials said on Thursday.

MENASource

Jan 13, 2016

Same US Policy, Different Syria

By Faysal Itani

Critics have called the Obama Administration’s Middle East policy inconsistent and confused, but in occasional speeches and interviews, President Barack Obama makes clear his core views on US policy in the region. His 2016 State of the Union speech was one such occasion.

Syria

MENASource

Jan 13, 2016

Top News: Turkey identifies the Syrian bomber behind the Istanbul blast, detains one suspect

By MENASource

Turkish authorities identified the bomber in the January 12 attack in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet as a Syrian born in 1988, who had recently entered Turkey. Turkish media, including newspapers close to the government, identified him as Nabil Fadli, and said he was born in Saudi Arabia.

MENASource

Jan 13, 2016

Top News: Egypt Fact-Finding Committee Refutes Top Auditor’s Claims State Bodies Embezzled EGP600 Billion

By EgyptSource

A presidential investigative committee accused head of the Central Auditing Authority (CAA) Hisham Geneina on Tuesday of misrepresenting and manipulating facts about state corruption.

MENASource

Jan 13, 2016

EconSource: Iraq Signs IMF Monitoring Program, Will Draw on Foreign Reserves

By EconSource

Iraq plans to finance its balance of payments deficit by drawing its foreign exchange reserves down to $43 billion in 2016 from $59 billion at the end of October.