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MENASource

Jan 11, 2016

What Happened During Egypt’s Inaugural Parliamentary Session?

By Elissa Miller

Egypt’s first legislature in more than three years held its inaugural session on Sunday, where it elected a constitutional expert as its speaker. The parliament is made up of 596 members of parliament (MP), divided into 448 independents, 120 party-based MPs, and 28 presidential appointees. During the chaotic session, which was broadcast live on national […]

Elections North Africa

SyriaSource

Jan 11, 2016

The Toll of Russian Air Strikes on Kafr Nboudha

By Natasha Hall

Since their start at the end of September 2015, Russian air strikes have displaced over a quarter million Syrians. According to Amnesty International, civilian harm attributable to Russia is on the rise. “We ran for our lives. We didn’t get to take anything with us. No blankets, nothing,” said Fatima, who fled Kafr Nboudha in […]

Syria

MENASource

Jan 11, 2016

Meet Egypt’s New Parliamentary Majority Bloc: In Support of Egypt

By Omar Halawa

Egypt’s newly-elected parliament, which convened for the first time on Sunday, differs from its recent predecessors in many ways. Most notably, it is the largest parliament in Egypt’s history, but within its hundreds of members, no single party or group has secured a majority.

North Africa

New Atlanticist

Jan 11, 2016

Can Ghani Make Peace with the Taliban in Afghanistan?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Answer lies in Pakistan’s willingness to end support for militants, says Atlantic Council’s James B. Cunningham Representatives from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, and the United States are meeting in Islamabad this week to draw up a roadmap for peace talks with the Taliban. James B. Cunningham, a former US Ambassador to Afghanistan and current Khalilzad Chair […]

Afghanistan China
Secretary of State John Kerry, Dec. 2, 2015

NATOSource

Jan 11, 2016

10 Most Popular NATO Stories of 2015

By Jorge Benitez, Director of NATOSource

Last year, Russia intervened militarily in the Middle East and increased military provocations in the Baltic Sea Region.

France NATO

New Atlanticist

Jan 11, 2016

Privatization of Saudi Aramco: A Path to Good Governance?

By Jean-François Seznec

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince, Muhammad bin Salman, gave a fascinating interview to the Economist on January 4. Among the many subjects he covered, one in particular appealed to energy wonks—the privatization of Saudi Aramco. This topic has been discussed within the kingdom for years, but never got anywhere, probably because a privatized Saudi Aramco […]

Saudi Arabia

SyriaSource

Jan 11, 2016

Top News: January 11, 2016

By SyriaSource

– Aid heads for starving Syrian town Madaya– Toll in Russia raids on Nusra Front-run Syria jail rises to 81– Nusra Front briefly abducts prominent media activists– Syria regime advances on rebels’ main Latakia stronghold – Iraq forces evacuate hundreds of civilians from Ramadi– Turkey plans to issue work permits for Syrians

Syria

MENASource

Jan 11, 2016

Top News: Tunisia’s Islamist Ennahda becomes biggest in parliament as ruling party splits

By MENASource

Tunisia’s Islamist Ennahda Party became the biggest in parliament after more lawmakers in President Beji Caid Essebsi’s Nidaa Tounes party resigned from the parliamentary bloc on Monday. The rift does not present an immediate threat to the coalition government, which includes Ennahda.

MENASource

Jan 11, 2016

Top News: Egypt’s First Parliament in Three Years Convenes

By EgyptSource

Egypt’s first legislature in more than three years held its inaugural session on Sunday, where it elected a constitutional expert as its speaker. Ali Abdel Aal was elected speaker of the house with 401 out of 585 votes. Abdel Aal is a constitutional law professor at Ain Shams University and is the nominee from the […]

MENASource

Jan 11, 2016

EconSource: Egypt’s President Sisi Launches Loan Program for SMEs

By EconSource

Egypt’s banking sector will inject EGP 200 billion ($25 billion) to support small and medium businesses (SMEs), President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Saturday.

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