MENASource

EconSource: ISIS Again Pushing to Capture Iraq Refinery at Baiji

By EconSource

Islamic State militants (ISIS or ISIL) took control of half Iraq’s largest oil refinery over the weekend and cut supply lines to the 150 or so government troops who were holding out inside the facility.

Tunisia Walking a Tightrope

By Karim Mezran and Lara Talverdian

Whether one speaks to a taxi driver, a bureaucrat, an activist, or a politician, Tunisians agree: their country’s two primary challenges are security and the economy. During a research trip to Tunis in April, all of those interviewed unequivocally cited these interlinked concerns in response to questions about Tunisia’s obstacles.

Top News: Turkey Marks Tense May Day as Police Enforce Lockdown

As demonstrations are underway throughout Turkey to mark May Day, Turkish police have detained at least 136 people around Istanbul’s Taksim Square, which is on lockdown today. The police have also used teargas and water cannons to disperse crowds.

Yemen: A View from Marib

By Nadwa Al-Dawsari

It has now been more than a year since Ahmed Ashulaif, a distinguished fifty year-old businessman and tribal leader from Marib, put his business on hold. Since then, he has fought to stop the Houthis, a Zaydi-Shia rebel group that took control of Yemen’s capital and ousted its government in September 2014.

Egypt’s Responsibility in the Mediterranean Refugee Crisis

By Mohamed Abdel Salam

As the season of migration via the Mediterranean begins, public policy discussions by Egyptian authorities on Syrian refugees have become increasingly important. Since the start of the year, over 1,750 refugees have died making the treacherous journey, attempting to leave the coasts of Africa for a better future in Europe. Syrians by far outnumber any […]

Top News: Egypt, Spain Ink Security Cooperation Agreement

By EgyptSource

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi witnessed on Thursday the signing of a security cooperation agreement with Spain during his visit to Madrid. The agreement, which regulates cooperation between the two states in the field of security and combating crime, was signed by the Egyptian Foreign Minister and the Spanish Interior Minister, reported state television, citing […]

EconSource: Saudi Arabia is Burning Through its Foreign Reserves at a Record Pace

By EconSource

Saudi Arabia is burning through foreign reserves at a record rate as the kingdom seeks to maintain spending plans amid regional turmoil and a slump in oil prices.

Top News: Iran Says Warships at Entrance to Key Yemen Strait

By MENASource

Two Iranian destroyers, sent to the Gulf of Aden to protect commercial ships, have reached the entrance of Bab al-Mandab, a strategic strait between Yemen and Djibouti.

Top News: Proposed Amendments to Prisons Act Would Allow Prisoners Telephone Calls

By EgyptSource

Transitional Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ibrahim al-Heneidi said the Legislative Reform Committee has discussed amendments to the Prisons Act. Article 38, which gives a prisoner the right to send letters and receive visits, would be amended to include the right to make telephone calls as well.

EconSource: Libya Chaos Threatens Oilfields, Power Supply, and Gas Exports to Italy

By EconSource

Libyan protesters demanding jobs have shut down the eastern Irda gas field and are threatening to close the western Wafa oil and gas field, which would stop gas exports to Italy, a spokesman for Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) said.