Group items tagged

Islamist militias have seized control of Tripoli. The anti-Islamist Zintan militia attacked the libyan town of Kikla, an Islamist stronghold.

Oct. 22. As the Egyptian government's crackdown on dissent broadened over the last year, university campuses have increasingly been in the crosshairs as one of the last remaining spaces for dissent. Despite efforts to quell political activity on college campuses, there have been at least 58 protests on college campuses since the first week of classes at the beginning of October. As campuses like Cairo University crack down on security and bans on political activity, Egyptian authorities are also attempting to control the activities of the youth. Sisi reinstated the law of appointing university presidents. The administration knows its weakness is the youth population, since all its support comes from the older generation of Egyptians. However, although he acknowledges there grievances, he basically tells them to stay out of the politics that should be reserved for the older generation. By taking this tone with the Egyptian youth, Sisi risks alienating the population and pushing them to join back in alliances between secular and religous groups.

This article goes into specific into the way the Islamic State makes their money like oil smuggling. They talk about how IS is taking control of oil wells and refiners.

Tunisia kicked off investor meetings for a Eurobond without US guarantees. Tunisia's stock market has already shown political stability. Tunis index rose more than 16 percent in 2014 and trades 10 percent below record highs hit before the Arab Spring. Tunisia has potential to reform but it is in need of foreign direct investment to drive economic growth and job creation. Tunisia signed a two year deal with the international Monetary Fund in 2013, agreeing to follow certain economic policies; keeping its deficit under control, making the foreign exchange market more flexible and structural reforms.

This article suggests that OPEC is losing control of global oil prices. The article addresses budget considerations for smaller OPEC producers, like Venezuela, and the battle over market share between OPEC and gulf producers.

Rick Ungar suggests that the president has little or no control over the global oil economy. He also suggests that

While it is still unclear as to who will win the Syrian conflict, there are people who are already looking towards the future and a better Syria. Plans are being made but, of course, these plans will entirely depend on who wins the war. 

Tensions are rising even higher as the Syrian government take actions to regain the crossing to Jordan. This crossing was lost to the rebels not long ago and has closed an important crossing. 

The Obama administration says there is little doubt that President Bashar Assad's regime is to blame for last week's reported attack, but there has been research into the possibility of the rebels using chemical weapons. It is possible but not likely. If the rebels were to use chemical weapons they would not use it in an area with such little soldier population. additionally it is the regime that has the controlled stockpiles of chemical weapons, not the rebels.

Prime minister Thini resigns. Government control is difficult with resistance groups refusing to disarm after they ousted Qadafi. Islamist linked militia take Tripoli.

Libya is going broke as two competing factions vie for government control. The Beida based government is trying to move Libyan oil money off-shore.

Women recall their experiences on divorce. Terms such as embarrassing and traumatizing are used. This a great article that displays how controlled women are in marriages that they do not want to be in and what happens after the divorce.

This article talks about the strategical approaches from Oil leaders including Saudi Arabia to maintain control of their market share, and how they use their oil as a "Weapon" in the sense that their decisions financially affect other countries greatly.

Iran sanctions are lifted after coming to an agreement with the U.S. and E.U. Iran gained control of 100 billion in frozen assets and dismantled a large part of its nuclear program. A prisoner swap took place, releasing American citizens from Iran as well as 7 Iranians being imprisoned in Washington.

The events from my previous post have led to growing doubts pertaining to the current peace talks as the government presses for control of Aleppo.

The old leadership in the brotherhood no longer have complete control due to the younger generation taking more initiative. After the incarceration of brotherhood leaders, the group adapted a more on the ground approach, which can be attributed to the the youth having a very strong presence in the organization.

Syria has allowed aid into a rebel controlled area. The food and hygiene kits are a goodwill gesture that aim to get the peace talks back on track. 

Finally, aid has made it to Deir al-Zor. This eastern city has been besieged by ISIS militants for some time now. I will be keeping an eye out to see how the aid is used. This is also interesting because the city is in a part of the country that is less accessible to government forces, with ISIS being in control of the surrounding area.