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MENASource

Feb 4, 2015

EconSource: Mideast, North Africa to Invest $755 Billion in Energy to 2019

By EconSource

According to key lenders, Middle Eastern and North African states are expected to invest $755 billion in energy projects over the next five years despite the plunge in world oil prices. Oil is expected to account for 31 percent of the investment spent and gas for 27 percent. The other $316 billion is projected to […]

MENASource

Feb 3, 2015

Jordan’s Pilot and the War on ISIS

By Tuqa Nusairat

The news surrounding the execution of Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kasasbeh was accompanied by shocking images of his Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) captors burning him alive. ISIS undoubtedly timed the release of this news to inflict the most damage on the Jordanian government and bring its original demand—that Jordan withdraw from the coalition—to the fore.

MENASource

Feb 3, 2015

Fact Box: Over 50 Killed in Attacks Since January 25 Anniversary

By EgyptSource

Egypt has seen an uptick in terror attacks since the weekend marking the four year anniversary of the January 25 uprising. Over fifty people have been killed, among them at least twenty civilians, and over 150 injured, among them almost thirty civilians.  In addition to the casualties, bombs targeting infrastructure has led to blackouts in […]

North Africa

MENASource

Feb 3, 2015

“Calling Out” Iran on Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

In his January 27, 2015 statement before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Deputy Secretary of State Anthony Blinken made a cogent case for Congress dropping the threat of new sanctions on Iran while nuclear talks are ongoing and while the interim Joint Plan of Action (which freezes certain Iranian nuclear activities) […]

Syria

MENASource

Feb 3, 2015

The Socioeconomics Behind the al-Nusra Bombings

By Mona Alami

Syria’s Nusra Front has claimed two bombings on Lebanese interests in the last month. The first targeted Lebanese Shia pilgrims in Damascus, Syria; the second was a suicide bombing that rocked Tripoli, Lebanon last January.

Middle East Syria

MENASource

Feb 3, 2015

Top News: Jazeera reporter renounces Egypt citizenship in bid for release

By MENASource

Jailed Al Jazeera reporter Mohamed Fahmy, an Egyptian-Canadian national, has renounced his Egyptian citizenship, paving the way for his release and deportation under a recent presidential decree.

MENASource

Feb 3, 2015

Top News: Jazeera Reporter Renounces Egypt Citizenship in Bid for Release

By EgyptSource

Jailed Al Jazeera reporter Mohamed Fahmy, an Egyptian-Canadian national, has renounced his Egyptian citizenship, paving the way for his release and deportation under a recent presidential decree.

MENASource

Feb 3, 2015

EconSource: Jordan Central Bank Cuts Rates by 25 bps as Inflation Slows

By EconSource

Jordan’s Central Bank announced it would cut its benchmark lending rates by 25 basis point. This marks the first reduction since last june, following a record build-up in foreign reserves and an improved inflation outlook. The bank attributed its decision to a combination of slowing inflation, the increased attractiveness of dinar-denominated assets and a big […]

MENASource

Feb 3, 2015

The Myth of Libya’s Wealth

By Lydia Sizer

Observing events in Libya since the revolution has often been like watching someone set his dining room table while the house is on fire. Urgent problems go unattended while people try to act as if everything were normal—or at least as if there was no active conflict:

Libya

MENASource

Feb 2, 2015

The Pound’s Inevitable Devaluation Arrives

By Alfred Jasins

Over the past two weeks central bankers in Egypt have been implementing a managed devaluation of the local currency. The Egyptian pound has dropped from 7.14 Egyptian pounds against the dollar on January 18 to roughly 7.60 Egyptian pounds where it stands today. Many analysts expect the local currency to fall even further.  

Economy & Business North Africa