Category: Blogs

Top News: Arab Foreign Ministers Agree to Form Joint Military force

By EgyptSource

Arab foreign ministers agreed on Thursday to form a joint Arab military force to counter growing security threats in the region, the Arab League’s chief Nabil al-Araby has said. A related draft resolution is to be submitted to Arab leaders for endorsement at an Arab League summit to be held in Sharm al-Sheikh next week.

EconSource: Oil Prices Ease as Market Downplays Supply Threat from Yemen

By EconSource

Oil prices fell over a percentage point on Friday as traders estimated that the threat of a disruption to world crude supplies from Saudi Arabia-led air strikes in Yemen was low. Goldman Sachs further explained that the strikes in Yemen would have little effect on oil supplies as the country was only a small crude […]

Why Arab Intervention in Yemen Is So Significant

By Daniel DePetris

One of the main gripes among US officials in the past has been the inability, or unwillingness, of Arab governments to use their own military resources to solve security problems in the region.

Secretary General Details NATO’s Policy on Cyber Attacks and Article 5

By Jens Stoltenberg, NATO

In a crisis, the first responder will be the nation that is targeted. But NATO must be there to support any national efforts. This is a matter of planning and of political will; and making sure that we complement and reinforce each other.

A Better Award for Egyptian Women

Last week, local authorities in Luxor honored an Egyptian woman for dressing as a man for four decades to support her family. Days later, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi presented Sisa Abu Daooh with an award for being an exemplary mother. There is no discounting the burden and pressures Abu Daooh faced and awarding her […]

Less-Stringent Minsk II Terms Paved the Way for Renewed Sanctions

By John E. Herbst

On March 19, delegates at the European Union Summit in Brussels agreed to extend tough sanctions against Moscow—until year’s end if necessary—to get Russian President Vladimir Putin to implement the Minsk II ceasefire. Under terms of that deal, signed on February 12, EU sanctions won’t be lifted until Ukraine takes back full control of its […]

EconSource: Oil Prices Surge After Saudi Air Strikes in Yemen

By EconSource

Brent crude oil soared more than 4 percent towards $59 a barrel on Thursday after Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Arab allies began a military operation in Yemen. The air strikes against Houthi rebels, who have driven President Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi from Yemen’s capital of Sana’a, could stoke concerns about the security of Middle East […]

Brazil’s Political Crisis and the Dilma Factor

By Ricardo Sennes

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff is struggling with a loss of popularity and an inability to pass reforms that are critical to addressing the enormous economic challenges facing Brazil. The current political crisis is being driven by four key factors. The first is widespread discontent with the impunity and corruption of government officials, most notably those […]

Meet Europe’s Rising Defense Stars

By Derek Chollet, Defense One

[R]ecently a new generation of European defense leaders has emerged. They are offering bold defense ideas and willing to take political risks.

Top News: Egypt Officials Say Ground Operation Planned In Yemen

By MENASource

Egyptian security and military officials say Saudi Arabia and Egypt will lead a ground operation in Yemen against Shiite rebels and their allies after a campaign of airstrikes to weaken them. Three senior officials say that forces would enter by land from Saudi Arabia and by sea from the Red Sea and Arabian Sea. They said […]