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MENASource

Dec 17, 2013

Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Yemen: Three Years in Transition

By EgyptSource

Since its founding, the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East has closely followed the Arab transitioning countries as they faced their respective social, political, and economic challenges. In an effort to help map the twists and turns, the Center has produced a timeline for Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Yemen as each had to navigate momentous and […]

North Africa

MENASource

Dec 17, 2013

A Tale Of Two Libyas

By Karim Mezran

Libya’s High Election Commission, in charge of organizing the elections for the constituent committee, has yet to clearly communicated an election date. In the midst of deteriorating security and increasing political polarization, however, Libya is unlikely to vote anytime soon.

Libya

MENASource

Dec 17, 2013

EconSource Headlines-December 17, 2013

By EconSource

Follow the latest economic news and developments about the Arab transition countries. 

New Atlanticist

Dec 16, 2013

FROM KYIV: Ukraine’s Massed Protesters Have Pushed Their Country to a Tipping Point

By Adrian Karatnycky

Atlantic Council Senior Fellow Adrian Karatnycky just returned from Ukraine’s turbulent capital, and will be analyzing the political crisis there for the New Atlanticist. His first report . . . KYIV — For twenty-six days Ukrainians have stood in protest demanding that their president, Viktor Yanukovych, reject the blandishments of autocratic Russia. Instead, they insist […]

Ukraine
Lithuanian Defense Minister Juozas Olekas and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel

NATOSource

Dec 16, 2013

US and NATO Allies Voice Concern over Russian Deployment of Iskander Missiles

By Steve Gutterman, Reuters

From Steve Gutterman, Reuters:  The reports caused alarm in Poland and the Baltic states, which are wary of Russian military movements after decades of dominance by the Soviet Union.

European Union International Organizations
Iskander missile battery

NATOSource

Dec 16, 2013

Russia Confirms Deployment of Iskander Missiles on NATO Borders

By RIA Novosti and RT

From RIA Novosti:  Russia confirmed Monday that it has deployed tactical ballistic missiles near its borders with NATO but said the move did not violate international agreements.

Missile Defense NATO

MENASource

Dec 16, 2013

Top News: Mehdi Jomaa chosen as Tunisia’s new caretaker prime minister

By MENASource

Political leaders today chose Mehdi Jomaa, the current minister of industry, to take over as prime minister and lead a caretaker government until elections next year. Jomaa, aged fifty, is an independent technocrat who joined the current government in March after a career in the private sector. Jomaa garnered nine of twenty-one potential votes, with seven […]

New Atlanticist

Dec 16, 2013

Turn Ukraine Back Toward the European Union

By Paula J. Dobriansky

While it is very late in the game, it is not too late to return Ukraine to the path of European integration. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians, enraged by President Viktor Yanu­kovych’s recent rejection of painstakingly negotiated trade agreements with the European Union, continue to protest Yanukovych’s apparent turn toward Moscow and the corruption and cronyism […]

Ukraine

MENASource

Dec 16, 2013

Top News: Egyptians to vote on constitution January 14-15; Six international organizations approved to monitor

By EgyptSource

Interim President Adly Mansour announced a national referendum on the new draft of the constitution, will take place on January 14-15. The High Election Commission (HEC) said that out of “nine international organizations that requested permission to monitor elections, only six who fulfilled the conditions were accepted.” 

MENASource

Dec 16, 2013

Time for a New Chapter in US-Gulf Relations

By Stefanie Hausheer

Saudi Prince Turki al-Faisal’s comments yesterday about US red lines on Syria and Iran becoming “pinkish as time grew,” and eventually ending up “completely white” indicate the extent of Gulf state exasperation with the Obama administration’s Middle East policies.

Middle East