Content

New Atlanticist

Feb 25, 2016

‘Sustainable Global Energy Systems’ Needed, says Norwegian Official

By Mitch Hulse

Universal access to affordable green energy is critical for meeting both global sustainable development and carbon-emission-reduction goals, Norway’s Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Tord Lien, said in Washington on February 25. In order “to eliminate extreme poverty and reduce global social inequality, we have to build sustainable global energy systems,” said Lien. He spoke at […]

Energy & Environment Northern Europe

MENASource

Feb 25, 2016

Libya: Thinking the Unthinkable

By Karim Mezran

Observers and commentators have floated many ideas on how best to support the Government of National Accord (GNA) born out of 18 months of UN-led negotiations. They range from advice to Western nations on how to implement an international stabilization force to provide security for the new government in Tripoli to strongly discouraging any foreign […]

Libya

New Atlanticist

Feb 25, 2016

These Hackers Have Your Back

By Sarah Wildi

The Food and Drug Administration has begun a push for good-faith hacking in order to anticipate and address cyber security issues, particularly in the realm of medical devices, according to a senior official in the agency. It is also trying to create incentives for manufacturers to take cyber security more seriously. “This has been very […]

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

EconoGraphics

Feb 25, 2016

TTIP: Cutting the Red Tape

By Global Business and Economics

The 12th round of negotiations for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) unfolded this week in Brussels between the EU and their American counterparts. At a time when both parties are stuck with weak growth (and persistent high unemployment in Europe), the importance of TTIP cannot be understated.

Economy & Business European Union

SyriaSource

Feb 25, 2016

Top News: February 25, 2016

By SyriaSource

Syria army excludes rebel town near Damascus from truceUN has high hopes for aid from Syria truce but airdrop flopsSyrian army recaptures town in Aleppo province from ISISUN to announce new round of Syria talksSaudi warplanes to arrive at Turkey’s Incirlik air baseTurkey says Syria ceasefire is not binding if it threatens security 

Syria

MENASource

Feb 25, 2016

Top News: Egypt Sentences Coptic Students to Five Years in Jail for ‘Insulting Islam’

By EgyptSource

An Egyptian court convicted four Coptic Christian teenagers for contempt of Islam on Thursday, sentencing three to five years in prison, the maximum penalty for blasphemy. A fourth student, who is under 18, was referred to a juvenile detention facility.

MENASource

Feb 25, 2016

Top News: Syria army excludes rebel town near Damascus from truce

By MENASource

On Wednesday, Syria’s army said it would exclude an important rebel bastion near Damascus from a ceasefire set to begin at the weekend because rebel forces there include jihadists.

MENASource

Feb 25, 2016

EconSource: Gulf States to Introduce VAT in 2018

By EconSource

Emirati Minister of State for Finance Affairs Obaid al-Tayer said the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are expected to agree on a framework for a value-added tax by June, with implementation starting January 1, 2018.

SyriaSource

Feb 24, 2016

What Can Be Done for Syria’s Antiquities?

By Idir Ouahes

The hazy question of ownership lies at the core of the trade and destruction of Middle Eastern artifacts. As the Syrian civil war becomes increasingly complex, familiar questions call out for an answer: who owns a country’s antiquities and what can be done to protect them in times of unrest?

Syria

UkraineAlert

Feb 24, 2016

Remembering the Day Russia Invaded Ukraine

By John E. Herbst and Alina Polyakova

Two years ago on February 27, Russia invaded Ukraine. On the heels of the Euromaidan Revolution and the vicious sniper attacks that killed 103 Ukrainians, Russian President Vladimir Putin saw an opportunity and ordered the military takeover of Crimea. The operation began when Russian military personnel, disguised as little green men in unmarked uniforms, and […]

Ukraine