Content

MENASource

Dec 24, 2014

ISIS’s Governance Crisis (Part II): Social Services

By Mona Alami

In its fourth issue of its English-language newsletter Dabig, the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) boasted that a “state cannot be established” unless it looked after both the “worldly and the religious needs” of Muslims. With that specific goal in mind, ISIS has entrenched itself in the daily life of residents of the region straddling […]

Iraq Syria

New Atlanticist

Dec 23, 2014

Nigeria’s Finance Minister on How Falling Oil Prices Impact on Africa’s Biggest Economy

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Nigeria is surprised by a US decision to slash oil imports from Africa’s top petroleum producer, but is eager to deepen its economic relationship with the US in other areas, according to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s finance and economy minister.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Dec 23, 2014

United States should discourage “patriotic hackers” from attacking North Korea

By New Atlanticist

Atlantic Council Analysts Say No Easy Response for US to Sony Cyber Attack North Korea’s Internet outage this week could be the work of “good ol’ American patriotic hackers,” according to Jason Healey, director of the Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative. North Korea’s Internet service appeared to be working again on December 23 following a […]

Cybersecurity Korea

MENASource

Dec 23, 2014

Top News: Syrian government approves transport of medical supplies into Aleppo

By MENASource

The Syrian government has approved the delivery of medicine and surgical supplies into Aleppo and the Damascus suburbs of Muadamiya and Eastern Ghouta, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Monday.

MENASource

Dec 23, 2014

Egypt Turns to Youth to Augment Security Forces

By Joel Gulhane

Egypt’s police force is to be bolstered by a new round of young recruits as per a decree issued by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. In amending the Police Authority Act, he has also granted this new rank the power of arrest. 

North Africa

MENASource

Dec 23, 2014

Top News: Sisi Ratifies Constituencies Law; Al Jazeera Mubasher Misr Shuts Down; China, Egypt Sign Strategic Partnership

By EgyptSource

On the same day he left to China for political and economic talks, Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi ratified an anticipated electoral constituencies law, the final prerequisite for holding parliamentary elections, which would conclude the country’s transitional roadmap.

MENASource

Dec 23, 2014

Tunisia’s New Beginning

By Lara Talverdian

2014 has been a big year for Tunisia. Tunisians embarked upon a national dialogue process, drafted and approved a progressive new constitution, and have successfully held three elections in as many months. With the presidential runoff held Sunday, December 21, the country has voted in a full, post-revolutionary government. The historic day marked the technical […]

North Africa

MENASource

Dec 23, 2014

Empowering Entrepreneurship in Morocco and Beyond

By Yasmine El Baggari

With more than half of the Arab world under the age of twenty-five, countries in the Middle East and North Africa face unique challenges in addressing the problems of unemployment, inequality, and poverty. Morocco in particular has an opportunity to embrace and meet the youth’s expectations by providing tools, information, and support not only to […]

Morocco

UkraineAlert

Dec 23, 2014

In the War for Ukraine’s Donbas, the Ordeal of a Frontline Town

By Irena Chalupa

Far From Kyiv and Next to Donetsk, the Elderly of Pisky Get Daily Shelling, But No Pensions Before this year’s war in southeast Ukraine, the town of Pisky, at the edge of the city of Donetsk, was home to about 3,000 people. Many were academics who worked at the local Donetsk Institute of Agricultural Production. […]

Eastern Europe Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Dec 23, 2014

As US and Europe Press Ukraine to Reform, They Also Must Help Save It from Default

By Sabine Freizer

The Ukrainian Project to Keep Europe Whole and Free Needs Adequate Financing—and Quickly  Ukraine’s new government has unleashed a “tiger team” of ministers committed to quick and comprehensive reforms—but as that work begins, the costs of war and recession have pushed Ukraine to the edge of default.  Ukraine has begun to take steps to slash […]

European Union International Organizations