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MENASource

Apr 8, 2015

US-Iran: Deal or No Deal, This Is Not the Question

By Hanin Ghaddar

The June 30 deadline will make or break the US-Iran nuclear deal. Until then, the preliminary accord, its interpretation, and implementation will be the center of attention for all stakeholders. However, less attention will be given to the developments in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon.

Iran Iraq

UkraineAlert

Apr 7, 2015

Will Sanctions on Russia, Weapons for Ukrainians Keep Putin at Bay?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Former Putin advisor says they will not, advocates stronger response Western sanctions on Russia are not working and a proposal to provide defensive weapons to Ukrainian security forces will not deter the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine, according to Andrei Illarionov, a former advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin. “For those few people who are there […]

Russia Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Apr 7, 2015

Putin’s Chilling Message to the West

By Ariel Cohen

Vladimir Putin’s 10-day disappearance shortly after the murder of opposition politician Boris Nemtsov and his triumphal reappearance after the broadcast of a 150-minute documentary on state television, suggest a more erratic—and aggressive—policy course in Russia. Here’s why. After Putin’s disappearance on March 5, the Russian media and the blogosphere dealt with little else.  However, the […]

Russia Ukraine

MENASource

Apr 7, 2015

The US-Iran Nuclear Agreement: It’s not the Details, It’s the Context

By Faysal Itani

The public debate over the US-Iran nuclear deal’s merits has largely focused on its technical details, protocols, and simplistic generalizations about Iranian goodwill (or lack thereof). But equally important are the geopolitical and strategic environments in which a deal is reached and US conduct in negotiations.

Iran Syria

MENASource

Apr 7, 2015

Iran: All About Nukes?

By Frederic C. Hof

Imagine a fistfight between a National Football League lineman and say, a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council. Imagine the lineman, after effortlessly decking the Senior Fellow, offering a second round, but with one key difference: each fighter would be armed with a .38 Special.

Iran Syria

MENASource

Apr 7, 2015

Top News: Houthis Claim to Have Seized Weapons Meant for Pro-Hadi Forces

By MENASource

Weapons dropped from the air by the Saudi-led coalition for popular committees fighting the Houthis in Aden have fallen into Houthi hands, according to the Houthis.

Russian President Vladimir Putin laying flowers at a monument, April 6, 2015

NATOSource

Apr 7, 2015

America Will Lose Patience with European Appeasement

By Robert D. Kaplan, Financial Times

[N]o word captures the general mood of Europe better than appeasement.

Europe & Eurasia Russia

MENASource

Apr 7, 2015

Top News: Prime Minister says Elections to be Held before Ramadan

By EgyptSource

Prime Minister Mahlab said in a phone call to Al Nahar TV on Monday that parliamentary elections could be held before the beginning of Ramadan.

EconoGraphics

Apr 7, 2015

Is Europe still vulnerable to a Greek default?

By Global Business & Economics Program

Private banks throughout Europe have significantly reduced their exposure to Greek debt (bank, public, and non-bank private sector debt) over the last five years. After Greece came under market pressure and eventually obtained ECB and IMF financial assistance in 2010, most European banks started to rapidly reduce their exposure to Greece. For instance, between 2010 and 2014 French banks' holdings decreased from $63 billion to $2 billion.

Economy & Business Eurozone

MENASource

Apr 7, 2015

EconSource: Kuwait Fund to Lend Egypt $1.5 billion Over the Next Five Years

By EconSource

The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development plans to lend Egypt $1.5 billion over the next five years, extending $300 million each year, the fund’s Director-General has said. He did not provide details of the loans. The fund is the Kuwaiti government’s agency for aiding developing countries in areas including agriculture, transport, and energy. Kuwait, […]