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MENASource

Feb 9, 2016

Top News: Egypt’s Foreign Minister Says Reported Number of Political Prisoners Is A ‘Lie’

By EgyptSource

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Monday in an interview with Foreign Policy that the circulated figure of 40,000 political prisoners in Egypt is a lie. Shoukry–in Washington since Sunday for a three-day visit–dismissed criticism of arrests made by Egyptian security forces following Morsi’s ouster, saying the figure was repeatedly reported until it became regarded as a […]

MENASource

Feb 9, 2016

EconSource: UAE Plans to Trim Ministries, Outsource Most Government Services

By EconSource

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) plans to outsource most government tasks to the private sector and cut the number of ministries, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum said Monday.

SyriaSource

Feb 9, 2016

Iran and Russia: Why We Fight in Syria

By Frederic C. Hof

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic has just submitted to the Human Rights Council yet another devastating report on mass homicide in Syria. Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Deaths in Detention in the Syrian Arab Republic spares no one: it cites deadly, illegal abuses by the Islamic State (ISIL, […]

Syria

MENASource

Feb 9, 2016

The PKK’s Urban Warfare Tactics

By Noah Blaser and Aaron Stein

Seven months after violence between Turkey and the PKK began anew, the dynamics underpinning the conflict show no sign of abating. Even as the PKK is rolled back by a determined military push in cities across the region, it is adapting to the new, urban dimensions of a conflict once confined to the mountains of […]

Syria Turkey

EconoGraphics

Feb 8, 2016

Juncker Has a Plan

By Global Business and Economics

Europe's fragile recovery has been ailing from low levels of investment. While GDP and consumption have surpassed their pre-crisis levels, by the end of 2014 gross capital formation was still around 15% below its 2007 peak (€230 billion to €370 billion less than the EU's long term investment average). That is why the EU launched an ambitious investment plan, the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI).

Economy & Business European Union

SyriaSource

Feb 8, 2016

Top News: February 8, 2016

By SyriaSource

Syrian rebels lose ground as Kurds begin talks with RussiaAs Syria rebels face rout, allies, Saudi, Turkey may send troopsUN probe accuses Damascus of ‘extermination’ of detainees De Mistura wants to see willingness to reach Syria peace dealTurkey, Germany to carry joint diplomatic efforts for AleppoErdogan to US: Choose either Turkey or PYD as your […]

Syria

MENASource

Feb 8, 2016

Top News: As Syria rebels face rout, allies, Saudi, Turkey may send troops

By MENASource

With rebel forces facing the prospect of a crushing defeat by Syria’s Russian-backed regime, their allies Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, and Turkey may send in limited numbers of ground troops, analysts say.

Defense ministers at meeting of NATO-Ukraine Commission, June 25, 2015

NATOSource

Feb 8, 2016

NATO Defense Ministers to Discuss New Hybrid Warfare Playbook

By Julian E. Barnes, Wall Street Journal

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is developing a new strategy to speed decision-making and improve its response to the kind of unconventional warfare the West says Russia has used in Crimea and eastern Ukraine

European Union International Organizations

MENASource

Feb 8, 2016

Top News: Egypt’s Foreign Minister in Three-Day Visit to US for International, Regional Talks

By EgyptSource

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry began a three-day trip to Washington on Sunday, where he is set to meet with his American counterpart, US Secretary of State John Kerry, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said. Shoukry’s visit targets bolstering bilateral ties and will include important meetings, Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid added in a statement.

UkraineAlert

Feb 8, 2016

What’s Behind the Resignation of Minister Abromavicius?

By Basil A. Kalymon and Oleh Havrylyshyn

The resignation of Aivaras Abromavicius from the position of Minister of Economic Development and Trade is another nail in the coffin for the hopes for serious reform in Ukraine. In resigning, he follows in the footsteps of his predecessor Pavlo Sheremeta, who was also unwilling to serve in a government that was more interested in […]

Ukraine