Category: Blogs

Content

MENASource

Aug 18, 2015

EconSource: IMF Suggests Saudi Arabia Cut Spending, Rely Less on Oil Revenue

By EconSource

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday called on Saudi Arabia to undertake fiscal changes and diversify its economy in order to boost growth and create jobs.

UkraineAlert

Aug 17, 2015

“We want Ukraine to be a European country, not a Putin country,” Says Ukrainian MP

By Diane M. Francis

World attention focuses on ISIS and Iran, with its half an atomic weapon. But the biggest geopolitical issue is Vladimir Putin, backed by thousands of nuclear weapons, who is gradually conquering Ukraine, a democracy with 45 million people the size of Germany and Poland combined. In just over a year, Russia has seized 9 percent […]

Ukraine
Then Deputy Secretary of Defense Ash Carter visiting US Patriot missile unit in Turkey, Feb. 4, 2013

NATOSource

Aug 17, 2015

Delicate Negotiations Behind Withdrawal of Patriot Missile Units from Turkey

By New York Times and Reuters

From Eric Schmitt, New York Times:  The United States said Sunday that it would withdraw two Patriot missile-defense batteries from southern Turkey this fall, a sign that the Pentagon believes the risk of Syrian Army missile attacks has eased since the Patriots were deployed in 2013.

Germany Missile Defense

MENASource

Aug 17, 2015

Q&A: Key Information on Egypt’s Upcoming Parliamentary Elections

By Suzanne Gaber

After much speculation, Egypt’s long-awaited parliamentary elections are reportedly slated for September of this year. The election will allow for the formation of the first parliament under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and the second since the 2011 ouster of former president Hosni Mubarak.

Elections North Africa
US Patriot missile unit near Gaziantep, Turkey, May 6, 2008

NATOSource

Aug 17, 2015

Joint Statement by the United States and Turkey on Removal of Patriot Missile Units

By US Embassy in Ankara

The United States has informed the Turkish government that the U.S. deployment of Patriot air and missile defense units in Turkey which expires in October will not be renewed beyond the end of the current rotation.

Missile Defense NATO

UkraineAlert

Aug 17, 2015

Ukraine’s Fall Elections Matter More Than You Think

By Brian Mefford

With less than 80 days before election day in Ukraine, mayoral races are already heating up. Parliament approved a new election law that does two things: Ukraine will use an open-list system and the country will hold runoffs for mayors in larger cities. These two features combined with the potential decentralization reforms being debated by […]

Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Aug 17, 2015

Ukraine Must Finish Reforming Public Procurement Practices as Part of Anti-Corruption Drive

By Josh Cohen

As Ukraine struggles with a collapsing economy and Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas, a third crisis threatens its long-term national stability: endemic corruption. Ukraine ranks 142nd out of 175 countries on Transparency International’s latest annual Corruption Perceptions Index. Of the fifteen former Soviet republics, only Tajikistan and Uzbekistan score lower. Official graft is widespread, but […]

Ukraine

MENASource

Aug 17, 2015

Top News: ISIS Attacks Libya’s Sirte; Government Urges Air Strikes As UNSMIL Urges Cooperation

By MENASource

The Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) beheaded twelve people and hung them on crosses during a battle in Sirte. ISIS crushed a revolt by a Salafi Muslim group in the past few days, killing seventy people as armed residents trying to break its grip on the city. In separate violence on Sunday, gunmen fired on the airport of the […]

MENASource

Aug 17, 2015

Top News: Egypt’s Sisi Signs Counterterrorism Law

By EgyptSource

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi signed into law a controversial anti-terrorism legislation that establishes stiffer prison sentences for terror-related offenses, heavy fines for journalists who publish “false news” and a special judicial circuit for terrorism cases.

MENASource

Aug 17, 2015

EconSource: Turkish Lira Hits Another Record Low on Political Uncertainty

By EconSource

Turkey’s lira has hit a record low and lost 3 percent since talks between the ruling AK Party and the main opposition CHP failed, setting the stage for a snap election and more investor uncertainty.

Load More