MENASource

As the MENA region continues to be the epicenter of news headlines, the Atlantic Council’s MENASource is a hub for thought-provoking and hard-hitting analyses about the latest trends, ideas, and debates. This online publication provides fast reactions and in-depth commentary on breaking news and key regional topics by a diverse team of experts and contributors.

Content

MENASource

Mar 10, 2015

Factbox: Attacks in Egypt Increase as Economic Conference Nears

By EgyptSource

As Egypt continues to prepare for an economic summit to be held in Sharm al-Sheikh later this month, attacks on police and army personnel are on the rise. In addition to targeting security forces, attackers have also begun to target businesses, among them telecommunications companies Vodafone, Etisalat, and Mobinil. At least one group has claimed […]

MENASource

Mar 10, 2015

Top News: ISIS Infighting Kills Nine in Syria

By MENASource

At least nine members of ISIS were killed during infighting in northwestern Syria after some of them tried to flee over the Turkish border, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).

MENASource

Mar 10, 2015

Top News: Egyptian President Pushes US for Military Aid in Fox News Interview

By EgyptSource

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called for increased US military aid and creation of a regional coalition to fight Islamic State in an interview with Fox News that aired on Monday. He addressed the need for what he called a religious “revolution,” urging moderate Muslims around the world to “stand up” against terrorists twisting their religion.

MENASource

Mar 10, 2015

The Deceptions that Plague the Public Sphere in Egypt

By Amr Hamzawy

Within the public sphere in Egypt today, some leftists and liberals among the intellectual, cultural, media, and party elites have begun to raise their voices in condemnation of state violence leveled against Egyptian citizens. These voices have begun to reject abuses of rights and freedoms, including violations of the sacrosanct right to life.  They have […]

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 9, 2015

Top News: EU Considers Naval Presence to Tackle Libya; Leon Favors Naval Blockade

By MENASource

The European Union (EU) is discussing with the United Nations ways to bolster security in Libya, including a naval presence, if UN-backed peace talks lead to a settlement between the warring Tobruk-based and Tripoli-based governments.

MENASource

Mar 9, 2015

Top News: Egypt Carries out First Execution; Second Election Law Ruled Unconstitutional

By EgyptSource

An Alexandrian man convicted of murder was hanged on Saturday for the killing of a young man in 2013, becoming the first supporter of former president Mohamed Morsi to be executed in Egypt. Mahmoud Ramadan was executed after exhausting all possible judicial appeals, an interior ministry statement said on Saturday.

MENASource

Mar 9, 2015

EconSource: Egypt’s economy grew 4.3 percent in second fiscal quarter

By EconSource

According to Egypt’s Planning Minister, Egypt’s economy grew 4.3 percent in the quarter ending in December 2013, compared with 1.4 percent during the same period the previous year. Unemployment was also calculated at 12.9 percent at the end of December, down from 13.4 percent a year earlier. The MInister further added that Egypt’s GDP grew […]

MENASource

Mar 6, 2015

Patriotism and Nationalism in Egypt

By Sally Toma

I first met him in Tahrir Square, following the bloody events of February 2. On the day known as the Battle of the Camel, at least eleven were killed and over 600 wounded.  Mina Daniel, wounded earlier that day, was a Copt who struggled with other socialists for justice, freedom, and above all dignity for […]

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 6, 2015

Gender and the Jihadist: Radical Islam and Women

By Rola el-Husseini

The approach of International Women’s Day on March 8 prompts some reflection not only on the difficulties women face in the Middle East, but also their changing roles in conflict and religion. As religious extremism dominates the headlines, subtle shifts in how women engage with this phenomenon begin to emerge.

Iraq Middle East

MENASource

Mar 6, 2015

Syria: “Military Pressure Particularly May Be Necessary”

By Frederic C. Hof

In his March 5, 2015 press availability in Riyadh with Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal, Secretary of State John Kerry went out of his way to douse regional speculation (often articulated in the form of total certainty) that the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) entails cooperation with the regime of Bashar al-Assad.

Syria