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MENASource

Jan 22, 2016

Aramco’s IPO a Test of Saudi Transparency

By Haytham Tabesh

When Saudi Arabia decided to launch its economic reform plan, no one thought the Arab American Oil Company (Aramco) would be on the list of government-controlled companies slated for privatization. Surprisingly, Deputy Crown Prince Mohamad Bin Salman told The Economist the kingdom was considering floating shares and that he was enthusiastic about it.

Saudi Arabia

MENASource

Jan 22, 2016

Top News: Turkey suspects Russia building airbase near border with Syria

By MENASource

Turkish authorities reportedly have intelligence suggesting that Russia might be preparing to establish an airbase near Turkey’s border with Syria, a step likely to deepen tensions between the two countries that flared after Turkish warplanes downed a Russian fighter jet in November.

MENASource

Jan 22, 2016

Top News: Two Groups Claim Responsibility for Blast in Giza Apartment that Killed Ten

By EgyptSource

An affiliate of the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) and another militant group in Egypt both claimed responsibility for a bombing that took place in Giza governorate’s Haram district on Thursday, killing at least ten.

Russian Missile Hovercraft Bora

NATOSource

Jan 21, 2016

Russia to Respond to NATO Black Sea Force by Deploying New Weapons – Report

By RT

The Russian Army and Navy will deploy additional forces and modern weapons to its southwest in reply to NATO’s plans to boost its presence in the Black Sea region, a Russian newspaper reported quoting Defense Ministry sources.

NATO Russia

New Atlanticist

Jan 21, 2016

How Do You Disrupt ISIS’ Social Media Strategy and Safeguard Freedoms?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

NSA Director Michael S. Rogers says online censorship goes to the ‘heart of the whole American construct’ The Obama administration is “trying to come to grips with” how to prevent terrorists from using technology as a recruiting tool, while at the same time safeguarding individual freedoms, Adm. Michael S. Rogers, the Commander of US Cyber […]

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

EconoGraphics

Jan 21, 2016

Feeling the Oil Crunch

By Global Business and Economics

Oil prices have fallen to their lowest since 2003, sitting under $30 a barrel in recent days. Declining expectations of global growth plus the addition of post-sanction Iranian supply don’t spell a substantial price recovery in the immediate future. Under this new market realities, oil-exporting countries come in different form to weather the storm.

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Trade in Action

Jan 21, 2016

TTIP&TRADEinAction – January 21, 2016

By Global Business & Economics Program

The World Economic Forum is currently gathering in Davos, Switzerland.  The Forum started on January 20 and will conclude on January 23.  (World Economic Forum)

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

New Atlanticist

Jan 21, 2016

Will Iran receive the sanctions relief it expects?

By Matthew Kroenig

Last week marked “implementation day” of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, better known as the Iran nuclear deal. With the deal formally in effect, Iran will begin receiving sanctions relief, leading many to conclude, as NPR recently reported, that “European and Asian companies are expected to flock to Iran now that the UN sanctions […]

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation
USS Porter and Romania's ROS Marcellariu training in the Black Sea, July 14, 2015

NATOSource

Jan 21, 2016

Romania Wants Permanent NATO Black Sea Force

By Transitions Online and EurasiaNet

From Transitions Online: At NATO’s July summit, Bucharest will propose that a regular multinational naval force patrol the area.

Central Europe Germany

SyriaSource

Jan 21, 2016

Will Geneva Happen? Should it?

By Frederic C. Hof

Two years ago delegations representing the Syrian opposition and government met in Geneva, purportedly to negotiate peace. The master of ceremonies at the time, UN Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, had a bad feeling going in about the prospects for success—reservations that events would fully justify. He had been asked to convene the meeting in spite […]

Syria
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