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UkraineAlert

Jun 17, 2015

Here’s Why Moscow Doesn’t Want the Donbas But Continues to Meddle There Anyway

By Anders Åslund

The war in the Donbas is imposing large costs on Ukraine. According to Ukraine’s leading investment bank Dragon Capital, in October 2014 the occupied territories in the Donbas accounted for 2.6 percent of Ukraine’s territory, 7.3 percent of the population, 10 percent of GDP, and 15 percent of industrial production. This output has declined by […]

Russia Ukraine
Armed separatist in Sloviansk, April 14, 2014

NATOSource

Jun 17, 2015

NATO’s Counter to Russian Hybrid Warfare

By Sten Tolgfors, Wall Street Journal

At the heart of this commitment is Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which states that “an armed attack against one or more [members] in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all.”

NATO Northern Europe

MENASource

Jun 17, 2015

Top News: Rebels Launch Offensive in Southern Syria

By MENASource

An alliance of rebels in southern Syria announced a major offensive Wednesday to capture remaining positions held by the Syrian military in Quneitera province, near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. A spokesman for the Southern Front said groups fighting in the operation had signed a pact, which did not include the Nusra Front, as the group […]

MENASource

Jun 17, 2015

Top News: Egypt’s Sisi Pardons 165 Detained Youth on Occasion of Ramadan

By EgyptSource

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has pardoned 165 prisoners, including minors, convicted of breaching the 2013 protest law, according to a presidential statement.

MENASource

Jun 17, 2015

EconSource: Libya Aims to Increase Oil Output, Reopen Key Ports

By EconSource

As a battle for market share rages in the oil industry, Libya is struggling to stand its ground. According to Mustafa Sanallah, chairman of Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC), more than half of the 432,000 barrels per day (bpd) is being exported.

MENASource

Jun 17, 2015

Oman’s Diplomatic Bridge in Yemen

By Giorgio Cafiero and Daniel Wagner

Last month, US officials traveled to Oman and held “secret” talks with a Houthi delegation. Both sides discussed the implementation of a ceasefire and a political transition in Yemen.

Iran Saudi Arabia

SyriaSource

Jun 16, 2015

The Limits of ISIS Expansion

By Faysal Itani

Shortly after losing Tikrit to Iraqi security forces and militia, the Islamic State seized Ramadi, the capital of Iraq’s Anbar province, and captured the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria just a few days later.

Iraq Syria

MENASource

Jun 16, 2015

Running Egypt as an Army Commander

By Khaled Dawoud

Interview with Mostafa Kamel al-Sayed Cairo University professor and prominent researcher Mostafa Kamel al-Sayed has actively worked for many years toward a modern, democratic and just state in Egypt. Under ousted-President Hosni Mubarak, he was a key member of both the Kefaya (or Enough) Movement and the National Association for Change.

North Africa

MENASource

Jun 16, 2015

Top News: Kurdish Fighters Seize Full Control of ISIS Border Stronghold

By MENASource

Kurdish fighters on Tuesday took full control of the border town Tal Abyad, cutting off a vital supply line to the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) self-proclaimed capital of Raqqa. The Kurdish People’s Protection Unit (YPG) and allied-Free Syrian Army fighters are now removing booby traps and mines planted by the extremists in the area […]

MENASource

Jun 16, 2015

Top News: Cairo Court Confirms Death Sentence on Ousted President Morsi

By EgyptSource

Egypt’s former president Mohamed Morsi was sentenced to death by hanging and handed a life imprisonment sentence after being convicted in two cases on Tuesday.