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Tensions between the two Libyan government factions increase after Prime Minister Thini suggested that his internationally recognized government would sell Libyan oil independently. Thini rival, Ismail Shikri, promised military action if Thini follows through.

After fighting increased in Syria, Turkey decided to close dow two border crossings that lead to Syria as a precaution. Until this point, Turkey has kept its borders open to Syrian refugees and even so it still has been criticized for doing too little to stop foreign fighters from entering Syria. 

This week, Saudi Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi will for the first time face the victims of his decision to keep oil pumps flowing despite a global glut: U.S. shale oil producers struggling to survive the worst price crash in years.

Something I was suggesting yesterday during class; the idea of involving NATO w/Middle Eastern affairs would be much more efficient than the stand-alone efforts we have been taking. Poland is taking this step, but in response to Russia's support for armed separatists in eastern Ukraine. Poland hopes NATO will agree at the Warsaw summit in July to send more troops to former communist eastern Europe.

The war in Yemen threatens the Bab el-Mandeb passage, a shipping route that through which 4 million barrels of oil are shipped daily to out to the United States, Europe and Asia. Shipping is a crucial component for the economy in the Middle East and conflicts like this show the natural side of war.

Activists feel the new requirements set in place by the Egyptian government is the worst assault experienced in human rights history. It is unclear just how many organizations will be subjected to the investigation by the Egyptian government.

REUTERS - Weddings in Iran have long been an over-the-top affair with families spending thousands of dollars to celebrate a union. But now some couples are splurging on an entirely different sort of nuptial celebration: a divorce party. Local media outlets and blogs have been abuzz for months about lavish parties, complete with sarcastic invitations and humorous cakes, for couples splitting up.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry discussed the Syria crisis by phone on Monday, expressing their full support for Syria peace talks in Geneva, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

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.

ISIS has taken over a refugee camp near Damascus, the Syrian capital. They say they are targeting opposition forces living in the camps. ISIS is making it nearly impossible to evacuate those inside the camp and the UN has called this a major "humanitarian crisis."

Saudi Arabia's oil minister claims expected annual growth by up to 1 million barrels per day

Why Obama thinks extending the March deadline for a nuclear deal with Iran will not be useful if Iran does not agree to a basic framework that assures world powers it is not pursuing nuclear arms.

This article is about Saudi Arabia announcing women to not join in protest regarding the law banning women from driving. Although there are many leaders trying to change the law, many other leaders want to enforce it. There is a thought that if women want drive they will have interactions with men that they should not.

Syria's current President Assad states the he wants the U.S. to take action and allow him to be a part of negotiations. U.S. Secretary of state John Kerry also states that Assad should be part of the peace talks but other world leaders such as in France and Turkey oppose this.