Group items tagged

As the United States has closed its embassy and withdrawn its last troops, Yemen has slid into total chaos, with rebels and jihadists on both sides capturing military bases and seizing tanks and heavy weapons.

In this Bloomberg article, the details of President Obama's speech on an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal were examined. Discussing the issues presenting on both sides (including the highly controversial Israeli settlements), President Obama pushed for a deal based upon the 1967 delineated lines.

It is interesting to see how the conflict has affected the borders between Syria and Turkey. After allowing movement across the border, Turkey is now demanding a "secure line" be created inside Syria. This is especially interesting because those regions have been somewhat fought over between both countries over the past century.

This article reveals some chilling facts about ISIS and what is going on behind the lines thanks to the western journalist that was able to enter. They were also believed to have been led by Jihadi John.

In this Al-Bab translation, the details of the 2002 Arab Summit peace initiative for the Israel-Palestine conflict are outlined. Including borders based off of 1967 lines, and the right of protection, the plan was inspired by Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia.

Article explains the civil war that is erupting in Libya. Islamist extremists are trying to take over the country and towns and tribes of Libya are choosing sides. Tripoli has been the biggest battle ground and its airport was destroyed.

This NYT article gives an excellent outline of the prominent factions fighting in Libya, and the purpose and goals of those factions as of Aug, 2014.

This NYT article gives an excellent outline of the prominent factions fighting in Libya, and the purpose and goals of those factions as of Aug, 2014.

This article gives a historical evidence of the many fractures in the Muslim Brotherhood. It also walks those internal issues all the way down to 2011 which is when the article was written.

Assad is pointing the finger at Turkey and Saudi Arabia. He claims that Erdogan's forces are heavily involved in Syria, and that they are "crossing a red line." I will be curious to follow the relations between these two countries.

Due to Libya's lack of institutional structure and weak centralized government, rival militia violence and clashes have created constant chaos leading the country towards another civil war. After the fall of Qaddafi, who obliterated institutions necessary for a functional government, Libya has been unable to manage the state. The National Transitional Council, which replaced the Qaddafi Regime, turned into the General National Congress and was given 18 months to form a democratic constitution. When the deadline passed the constitution was incomplete, which forced Congress to organize elections to a new House of Representatives. The former GNC members declared a new self proclaimed GNC, electing Omar al-Hasi as their prime minister. The new GNC is not recognized by Libya's parliament nor is it by the international community. Al Jazeera says the country literally has two parliaments and two governments, creating inconceivable instability throughout the state. The newly elected House has moved to Tobruk after armed islamic GNC militia groups overran the capital, seizing control over the major institutions in Tripoli. Due to this lack of a functional government, the rest of the state has turned to chaos. After the civil war, anti and pro Qaddafi forces branched into militias striving for power. Without a working state and government, militias had to rely on themselves to provide security, and really have no incentive to give up arms and no true government to be a part of. General Khalifa Hifter, a former Qaddafi general who later joined the Libyan rebel army in 2011, formed an anti-militia militia, targeting islamist militias like Ansar al-Sharia. Hifter is not affiliated with either of the governments, but rather strives for a military government, and supreme control of the armed forces.

Not posting this because I agree with its implications (and accusations). Just tracking this line of thinking.

The head of Egypt's council made a remark stating that the female activists that were in prions deserved to be there. The comment was shocking to many because Tallaway was a defender of women's rights.

Egypt received 300 recommendation to review their human rights. The list also stated they wanted to tackle corruption, human trafficking, and human rights. Egypt has until March 2015 to respond. 

Since the attack on the Bardo museum 3,000 holidays cancellations have been reported, reservations have decreased 60 percent. Seven cruise lines have dropped Tunis from their itineraries and some charter airlines flying in Russian, Czech and Polish tourists have already cancelled flights. Tourism is a huge part of Tunisia's economy. Last year tourists topped 6 million, 2010 tourism industry represented 17 percent of GDP.

Why is there particular revulsion over such attacks versus conventional warfare? The population feels they can do nothing to protect themselves. Chemical weapons are invisible and indiscriminate killers than could affect anyone at any time. The fear can even cause symptoms that aren't real.

This article is about the Iraq divisions which undermine the Iraqi purpose of war. This is a result of an unstable foundation to build plans off of. They are trying to find foundation because they do not want to fall back into an IS state five years down the line. 

Gulfs states have been investing in missile defences to line the border with Iran. Saudia Arabian spent $2 billion last year on missile defence which has remained a large portion of the Gulf's total miliatry budget of $113 billion.