Category: Blogs

ISIS and Egypt’s Militants

News sources recently announced that Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis (ABM), Egypt’s most active and seemingly best organized terrorist organization that has conducted several successful attacks on state security assets, had formally pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).

Top News: Egypt Considers Media Gag on Military News; Four Killed in Nile Delta Blast

By EgyptSource

The State Council’s legislative department received Wednesday a draft law submitted by the Cabinet that would ban news relating to Egypt’s armed forces. 

EconSource: Libya Infighting Shuts Down Major Oil Field

By EconSource

Libyan oil production is expected to fall to 200,000 barrels/day from 800,000 barrels/day following an attack on an oil field. The country’s major oilfield, El Sharara, had to be shut down after militants attacked and seized the field.

Mr. Putin Resumes His Chipping Away at Ukraine

By Editorial Board, Washington Post

It’s not hard to guess what Mr. Putin has in mind. As it stands, the Donetsk-Luhansk ministates are not easily sustained; they lack a port, power supplies and access to the region’s principal airport.

Poland To Buy Armed Drones Amid Ukraine Crisis

By AFP

NATO member Poland said Tuesday it will acquire combat drones as part of a multi-billion-euro revamp of its armed forces amid heightened tensions with Russia over its role in the Ukraine crisis.

The Islamic State and the Internationalization of the Sinai Conflict

By Zack Gold

The Sinai-based Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis (ABM) is one of the most active “unaffiliated” jihadi groups, having yet to pledge fealty to either the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) or al-Qaeda (AQ). Given its strategic position between Egypt’s Nile Valley and Israel, and its attacks against both, the group’s activities receive major international coverage—even […]

Top News: UN Reviews Egypt’s Human Rights Record

By EgyptSource

Egypt’s human rights record came under fire on Wednesday during a United Nations meeting reviewing the country’s record for the first time since the 2011 ouster of longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak.

Top News: ISIS Militants Capitalize on Gains in Northern Iraq, Approach KRG Capital

By MENASource

The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) has continued to gain ground in northern Iraq despite weeks of US-led air strikes, and is now moving closer to the Iraqi-Kurdish city of Irbil. ISIS fighters are battling Kurdish volunteer troops in the town of al-Kuwayr, southwest of Irbil.

EconSource: Moroccan Exports to Increase by MAD 8.4 billion in 2015

By EconSource

According to officials from the global credit insurance company Euler Hermes, Moroccan exports will increase by 8.4 billion dirhams to reach 240 billion dirhams in late 2015. Overall, the Moroccan economy is expected to do well in 2015 with forecasts of a 4.2 percent growth due to  household consumption and business investment.

Why Training Is Still More Important Than Airstrikes in Syria and Iraq

By Daniel DePetris

More than two months into the US and coalition air campaign, Obama administration officials and members of the US military’s senior leadership are confident that “Operation Inherent Resolve” is having the intended effect against the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL).