MENASource

More give, less take needed at the GCC Camp David summit

By Matthew Kroenig

The purpose of the upcoming summit at Camp David between President Barack Obama and leaders from the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is clear. America’s traditional partners in the Gulf feel nervous in the wake of an announced framework agreement that will allow Iran to keep its latent nuclear weapons capability, while providing […]

All the King’s Men Will Have a Hard Time Putting Yemen Together Again

By Adam Simpson

The Saudi Arabia-led coalition announced the end of Operation Decisive Storm on April 21 and rebranded the continued military intervention in Yemen “Restoring Hope.” Though the Saudis claimed to have completed their objectives, the ongoing bombing campaign and musings over a ground operation suggest this is patently not the case.

Top News: Forces Loyal to Libya’s Tobruk Shoot Down Rival Warplane

Forces loyal to Libya’s internationally recognized Tobruk-based government said that on Wednesday they shot down a warplane belonging to the rival Tripoli-based government.

Top News: Egypt Court Rejects Suit Demanding Entry Ban for Hamas Members

By EgyptSource

An Egyptian court rejected Wednesday a lawsuit calling for an entry ban into Egypt for members of Hamas. The Commissioner Authority of the State Council rejected the lawsuit filed by lawyer Samir Sabry saying the lawyer did not elaborate on his grounds for demanding the ban.

Court Ruling Threatens Egypt’s Labor Movement

By Khaled Dawoud

A recent ruling issued by the Supreme Administrative Court, outlawing labor strikes, has called into question the ability of Egyptian workers to defend their interests peacefully. The ruling, which forcibly retires striking employees, was criticized by labor and human rights activists for several reasons. First, it ignores article 15 in the Constitution, which states that […]

EconSource: Iraq’s Baiji Refinery Still Under Threat From ISIS Militants

By EconSource

Pentagon officials said they are worried that Iraq’s Baiji oil refinery could fall to the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) in the coming days. For weeks, US military officials have said that control of the refinery has been bitterly contested between Iraqi forces and ISIS militants.

Guns, Butter, and the Future of the Gulf States

By Mathew Burrows

Recent news reports of the Saudis burning through their foreign currency reserves at record pace over the past couple months. Combined with the growing conflict in Yemen and an already heavy engagement in Syria begs questions about the future of Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) neighbors.

The Cult of ISIS and Foreign Recruits

By Mona Alami

Analysts have described the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) as the most powerful terrorist organization of this decade. However, few have discussed the shared characteristics between the extremist nebula and modern cults, particularly regarding the recruitments of westerners and fresh converts.

Top News: Houthis Fire Across Border into Saudi Arabia

By MENASource

Yemen’s rebels fired rockets and mortars into Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, killing at least three people and purportedly capturing five soldiers in an attack showing the insurgents’ ability to launch assaults despite weeks of Saudi-led airstrikes targeting them.

Top News: Ministry of Social Solidarity to Investigate Alleged Shia NGOs

By EgyptSource

The ministry of social solidarity announced the formation of a committee tasked with investigating NGOs that allegedly practice or promote Shia rituals. The head of the central administration of the NGOs within the ministry, Khaled Sultan said the committee was formed upon a decree from Social Solidarity Minister Ghada Waly.