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MENASource

Feb 20, 2015

Top News: Transitional Council Agreed Upon in Yemen

By MENASource

Yemen’s political parties have agreed on a transitional council to govern the country. The agreement keeps Yemen’s old 301-member House of Representatives, which consists overwhelmingly of members from the former ruling party thought to be sympathetic to the Houthis.

MENASource

Feb 20, 2015

EconSource: Yemen foreign exchange reserves stabilize but borrowing balloons in political crisis

By EconSource

Yemeni Central Bank data showed that Yemen’s foreign exchange reserves have stabilised after a steep fall due to its political turmoil, but ballooning government debt issuance indicates the country may be moving closer to a fiscal crunch. Gross foreign reserves, which had sunk to $4.65 billion in November, recovered slightly in December to $4.67 billion, […]

MENASource

Feb 20, 2015

Top News: GCC Secretary-General Denies Criticizing Egypt, Blames Media

By EgyptSource

The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council has denied that he criticized statements made by an Egyptian diplomat who accused Qatar of supporting terrorism, saying he was misquoted by the media. Abdullatif al-Zayani said in a statement on Thursday that he “denied” media reports about an earlier statement by him. 

MENASource

Feb 19, 2015

A Lacking Resolution in the War on ISIS

By Daniel R. DePetris

Despite unnecessary arguments from the White House that a brand new Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) for the war against the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL), President Barack Obama decided to take the advice of the United States Congress by submitting a draft resolution to Capitol Hill.

MENASource

Feb 19, 2015

Top News: The United States identifies 1,200 fighters for Syria training

By MENASource

The United States has so far identified about 1,200 Syrian opposition fighters for potential participation in a US military-led program to help train and equip them to battle the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL).

MENASource

Feb 19, 2015

Top News: Qatar Recalls Ambassador to Egypt over Accusations of Supporting Terrorism

By EgyptSource

Qatar said Thursday it has recalled its ambassador to Cairo to protest comments made by Egyptian delegate to the Arab League, Tarek Adel, over his country’s decision to carry out air strikes in neighboring Libya. While the Arab League issued a statement saying it “understands” Egypt’s position, Qatar had expressed reservations over the attack and the arming […]

MENASource

Feb 19, 2015

Libya is Now Beyond Any Easy Solutions

By Hafed Al-Ghwell

On February 17, Libya marked four years since the uprising that toppled Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, and ignited the country’s civil war. The war that began as a fight between two camps — Gaddafi and his supporters against other Libyans who were determined to topple him with the help of Nato forces — is now a […]

Libya

MENASource

Feb 18, 2015

Iraq’s National Guard and the Perils of Decentralization

By Adam Simpson

Iraq’s Council of Ministers promulgated a long-gestating law to create a National Guard on February 3. The proposal would create local fighting forces comprised of militias answerable to respective provincial governments and the prime minister.

Iraq

MENASource

Feb 18, 2015

The Debate over Gamal Mubarak

By Sonia Farid

The release of Alaa and Gamal Mubarak was seen as a staggering blow to the January 25 Revolution by its supporters. While the Mubarak brothers were released on bail in accordance with article 143 of the Criminal Procedures Law, which states that preventive detention should not exceed 18 months, the uneasiness with which the ruling […]

North Africa

MENASource

Feb 18, 2015

Top News: Western Powers Stress Need for ‘Political Solution’ in Libya; US Respects Egypt’s Decision to Defend Itself

By EgyptSource

Western powers stressed on Tuesday the need for a political solution to the crisis in Libya, apparently distancing themselves from calls by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for military intervention in the north African state.