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SouthAsiaSource

Jan 17, 2014

This Week in South Asia: January 11 -17

Commentary from the South Asia Center on the most relevant news from the region, and suggested “must-read” analyses from the week.Pakistan The Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies issued a report citing 687 sectarian killings in the country last year, a 22% increase from 2012, and expressed concerns for regional spillover. These statistics are particularly concerning […]

Afghanistan India

MENASource

Jan 17, 2014

Top News: Russia Steps Up Military Lifeline To Assad Regime

By MENASource

In recent weeks Russia has stepped up supplies of military gear to Syria, including armored vehicles, drones, and guided bombs, boosting President Bashar al-Assad just as rebel infighting has weakened the insurgency against him, sources with knowledge of the deliveries say.

MENASource

Jan 17, 2014

Known Unknown: Why the Egyptian Referendum is a Black Box

By Matthew Hall

Voting for the Egyptian Constitutional referendum concluded Wednesday but it will be impossible to learn the actual outcome. Yes, on Saturday the High Electoral Commission will announce the official results, but the severely limited state of domestic and international electoral observation precludes independent verification of government assertions. This is a serious concern for an election […]

North Africa Political Reform

MENASource

Jan 17, 2014

Top News: Five Killed as Security Forces Clash with Protesters

By EgyptSource

Five pro-Muslim Brotherhood protesters have been killed in clashes with security forces on Friday afternoon in cities around Egypt, according to security sources. 

REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

New Atlanticist

Jan 17, 2014

Egypt’s Constitutional Vote: Not a Free Pass for Army Rule

By New Atlanticist

Last week’s constitutional referendum in Egypt yielded a lop-sided result that recalls the non-democratic elections of the decades before the Arab Spring of 2011. Election officials say 98 percent of voters approved the constitution proposed by the military-backed government. Egyptian lawyer Hafsa Halawa cautions against a conventional wisdom that sees this result as a success […]

North Africa Political Reform
Prime Minister David Cameron visiting British troops in Afghanistan

NATOSource

Jan 16, 2014

UK Prime Minister Says Robert Gates ‘Wrong’ About British Defense

By Telegraph and BBC

From Raf Sanchez, Telegraph:  David Cameron has sharply rejected a claim by the former US defence secretary that the government’s military cuts will prevent Britain from being a “full partner” with America.

United Kingdom United States and Canada

MENASource

Jan 16, 2014

The Turnaround of the Egyptian Economy in 2014

By Mohsin Khan

Since January 2011, the Egyptian economy has been in a steady downward spiral. During the past three years economic growth averaged an anemic 2 percent per year, inflation was in double-digits, and the unemployment rate went from 9 percent in 2010 to over 13 percent in 2013. Finally, foreign exchange reserves of the Central Bank […]

North Africa

MENASource

Jan 16, 2014

Top News: Al-Qaeda Launches Assault On Three Security Force Targets In al-Bayda

By MENASource

Local sources are reporting that at least five Yemeni soldiers and six militants have been killed during the largest attack on government facilities by al-Qaeda-linked gunmen of the New Year. Two-hundred fighters were reportedly involved in the incidents, targeting two checkpoints and one police center. Three soldiers were abducted by the attackers who fled in […]

Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates

NATOSource

Jan 16, 2014

Defense Cuts Threaten US-UK Partnership, Says Robert Gates

By James Edgar, Telegraph

Defence cuts are limiting Britain’s capacity to be “full partner” with America, a former US defence secretary has said.

United Kingdom United States and Canada

Trade in Action

Jan 16, 2014

What We’re Reading: January 16

By Global Business & Economics Program

TTIP Action aggregates the latest news and best analysis from across the United States and European Union on the ongoing negotiations for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). Advancing Congress’ Trade Agenda: The Role of Trade Negotiating AuthorityThis morning, the Senate Finance Committee held an important hearing on the recently introduced Trade Promotion Authority […]

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs