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MENASource

Nov 30, 2015

EconSource: Russia Bans Imports From Turkey, Egypt Offers Replacement Goods

By MENASource

Russia’s government announced sanctions against Turkey on Monday, banning imports of fruit and vegetables, but warned that the scale of restrictions may increase. In the wake of the downing of a Russian jet that violated Turkish air space—Russia, one of Turkey’s largest markets for exports after Germany—has already halted most tourism to Turkey, which is […]

MENASource

Nov 30, 2015

Top News: Germany Considers Sending up to 1,200 Troops on Syria Mission

By MENASource

The German government is planning to send up to 1,200 troops to help in the fight against ISIS. Defense Ministry spokesman Jens Flosdorff said Monday that the figure would be an “upper limit” for the number of troops needed to provide support for and operate reconnaissance aircraft, tanker planes, and a warship.

MENASource

Nov 30, 2015

Top News: Ismailia Detainee Dies in Custody; Interior Ministry Will Not Tolerate Individual Police Violations

By EgyptSource

Two people died last weekend in police stations in Luxor and Ismailia, amid allegations of torture. In response to a backlash, the Ministry of Interior issued a statement Sunday saying said there is a no tolerance policy with regards to individual violations from policemen.

MENASource

Nov 25, 2015

Top News: Putin Sends Air Defense Missiles to Syria; Erdogan and Obama Seek to Ease Tensions

By MENASource

On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered state-of-the art air defense missile systems to be deployed to a Russian airbase in Syria following the downing of a Russian warplane by Turkey on Tuesday. Despite the deployment, Russian FM Sergei Lavrov insisted it does not plan to wage war against Turkey.

MENASource

Nov 25, 2015

Russian Defense Ministry says Egypt to Buy Advanced Weapons from Russia

By EgyptSource

Egypt plans to buy advanced weapons from Russia, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered federal service for military-technical cooperation to rapidly respond to an Egyptian request to buy armaments, Russian Interfax agency reported.

MENASource

Nov 25, 2015

Factbox: Egypt Completes First Round of Second Phase of Elections

By Elissa Miller and Brandan Martini

Egypt held the second phase of its parliamentary elections in November 22 and 23. Candidates competed for 282 seats in the second phase of the parliamentary elections, including 222 individual seats and sixty party-based seats. Voting took place at 12,946 polling stations in thirteen governorates: Cairo, Qalyubia, Daqahlia, Menoufia, Gharbia, Kafr al-Sheikh, Sharqiya, Damietta, Port […]

North Africa

MENASource

Nov 25, 2015

EconSource: Fuel Prices to Triple as Tripoli Removes Subsidies

Libya’s Tripoli-based General National Congress (GNC) has approved plans to remove subsidies for fuel and related products. According to the GNC decision, petrol prices will jump from LD 0.15 per liter to LD 0.45. The changes will not be implemented immediately, as direct payments designed to replace subsidies have yet to be made due to […]

MENASource

Nov 24, 2015

The Debate over Egypt’s Constitution

By Khaled Dawoud

On September 13, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stated that while Egypt’s 2014 Constitution “was written with good intentions,” nations “cannot be built with good intentions alone.” This statement appears to have sparked a heated debate in Egypt over amendments to the 2014 constitution.

North Africa

MENASource

Nov 24, 2015

US Indecision over War Powers to Fight ISIS

By Daniel R. DePetris

In yet another attempt to reinforce his administration’s counter-Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) strategy, President Barack Obama has determined that the United States needs a small contingent of US ground personnel to enable the offensive capability of moderate Syrian opposition forces in northern Syria.

Syria

MENASource

Nov 24, 2015

Top News: Russian Jet Shot Down Near Syria-Turkey Border

By MENASource

On Tuesday, Turkey shot down a Russian fighter plane it claims violated its airspace. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Turkey’s action a “stab in the back by the terrorists’ accomplices,” and warned of “significant consequences.”