Algeria sanctions imam union to diminish Salafist influence

Algerian authorities have given permission to the union of imams to protect the country's traditionally moderate Islam form from hardline Salafists' teaching that have been on the rise in North Africa.

This is following the Al-Qaeda attack on the desert plant and the fears of jihadist groups gaining around Algeria's neighbor, Tunisia. The mission will be to defend moral rights and material of the imams against religious ideas. The preacher in the Telemly district of the capital Algiers, welcomes followers over and is used to receiving many people suffereing from psychological afflictions, but the phone has been seemingly non-stop ringing since this was officially announced.

There is belief that most of the Union's work must be focused on in the Algiers since Algeria is no stranger to radical trends. The spread of extremist ideology has also been a cause of concern and many authorities are fearing that the mosques will become political forums. Most of Muslim North Africa observes a moderate form, even though hardline Islamists have increasingly shown their assertiveness. 

With many various toppled dictators, deadly attacks, and assassinations in this region, there are many varying opinions being thrown out there. The members of Algeria's Salafist movement are now retaliating with their complaints of not being able to express their own ideas. Multiple head Salafist leaders are now arguing for their right to preach their hardline views. 

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20130401159394

Post-Revolution Extremism in Tunisia

The newfound freedoms experienced by Tunisians in the wake of the Jasmine Revolution of 2010 have led to considerable instability in Tunisia and throughout the region.  While the debate over secularism and conservatism has raged both within and outside of political circles - leading to social divisions given such creative titles as "Bikinis and Burqas"by media sources - a rising Islamic militant extremism is nonetheless readily apparent in the North African nation.  Alongside social freedoms following the Revolution, a lack of state security has allowed for the propagation of militant groups' recruitment in Tunisia.  As a lack of instability in domestic matters is largely occupying the current government, what is to be done about the rising extremism has yet to be seriously addressed.

Showing concern about what truly amounts to a regional security threat, commander of the U.S. Army's Africa Command, General Carter Ham, visited Tunisia recently to discuss means by which the extremists' activities in Tunisia can be thwarted.

Sources:
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2013/0328/Islamist-militancy-quietly-makes-inroads-in-post-revolution-Tunisia
http://bikyanews.com/86686/tunisia-denies-us-base-in-country/

Iranian PM on Bahrain Politics

This was a pretty interesting article. I know PressTV is kind of a 'mmm' source when it comes to news because well, its owned by IRIB but, why not read some of it every now and then. Really this was interesting because of the source and not really what it was talking about.

This basically corresponds with what I've been talking about regarding Bahrain over the past few weeks, the protests and talks going on. In this article, the Iranian MP, Ali-Akbar Naseri stated that "Whenever the (ruling), Al Khalifa (family) sees the pillars of its regime (becoming) more unstable, it uses..empty promises to keep revolutionaries away from their demands."

Iran (as the Bahrain government has stated) appears to support the protests and many believe, in secret they are providing support other than just rhetoric. The article states that the protests will continue until "their demand for the establishment of a democratically elected government is met." This article takes an immediate tone of support to the protestors and disdain for the government. Interesting...

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/03/31/295930/bahrain-uses-talks-to-corner-opposition/

and on another note, Iran gave an award to Michelle Obama "for revealing the influence that the White House sways over the Hollywood film industry." ---> I'll post the rest in the RIO fb page.

World Bank Offers Crisis Grant to Comoros

Four days ago, on March 28, the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors approved a grant worth $3 million US dollars to assist Comoros in its emergency response to parts of the island still suffering from recent devastating floods. The funds are also supposed to help the communities struggling with the impact of the global economic crisis as well as with high food prices.
Under the already established Emergency Crises Response Project, the new grant will support job opportunities for 6,000 people as well as rebuild roads and other needed infrastructure. Since 2010, the project has created 4,000 cash-for-work opportunities, over half of which have been for women. I found this part really interesting.

“The World Bank is continuing to support Comoros as it tackles the lingering effects of a series of crises on poor families,” said Haleh Z. Bridi, World Bank Country Director for Comoros. “Work opportunities created by the Comoros Emergency Crises Response Project are helping to cushion households against a loss of income during difficult times, and to restore basic services to people by rebuilding infrastructure.”  

It's good to keep in mind that Comoros only has a population of 680,000 and it's economy is heavily based on food imports and those citizens working abroad that send back funds. This recent flood damage has caused Comoros much setback, especially in its efforts to fight poverty and reduce malnutrition.

From this article I learned about the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA) which was established in 1960. Here's some information on it. It may be a good resource to call upon for money/ help when writing resolutions relating to poverty or economic growth.

* The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), established in 1960, helps the world’s poorest countries by providing loans (called “credits”) and grants for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 81 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa. Resources from IDA bring positive change for 2.5 billion people living on less than $2 a day. Since 1960, IDA has supported development work in 108 countries. Annual commitments have increased steadily and averaged about $15 billion over the last three years, with about 50 percent of commitments going to Africa.


http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2013/03/28/world-bank-offers-crisis-grant-comoros-create-jobs-rebuild-infrastructure-damaging-floods

Air Base Attack in Libya

There has recently been an attack on a government Air Force Base in Libya. The 150 armed militia fighters were Libyan. There is very little information that has been released on the subject, mostly because the investigation of the attack is still underway. The information that we do have shows that the government was able to maintain control of the base, and those stationed at the base suffered minimal casualties.

While this singular event doesn't effect much in the country, it is a testament to the civil unrest and the instability that is still extremely prevalent in Libya. The Libyan government still seems to have a long ways to go, even two years after Qaddafi's fall from power.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/gunmen-attack-military-air-base-in-southern-libya-killing-2-soldiers/2013/03/30/c4e74b96-9958-11e2-b5b4-b63027b499de_story.html

Syrian rebels set fire to three European oil wells and seize southern town in Syria

Syrian rebels have set three oil wells in the east of the country ablaze, causing a daily loss of nearly 5,000 barrels of oil and 52,000 cubic meters of gas, state media quoted an oil ministry official as saying on Sunday.

It said Syria's Furat Petroleum Corporation was working to extinguish the three fires. A total of nine wells had been set on fire by the rebels, the agency added, without saying when the other six had been set ablaze.

European Union sanctions imposed on Syria two years ago over President Bashar al-Assad's crackdown on protests - which have since developed into armed conflict - effectively halted Syria's oil exports.

Assad's government has also struggled to meet domestic energy requirements after losing control of large parts of the east of the country, where most of the oil wells are located.

But despite the fighting residents say oil production has continued in some fields, with rebels trading with local authorities and allowing oil to be shipped to government-controlled areas.

Syrian antigovernment activists reported the rebel seizure of a strategically important town in southern Syria on Friday only a few miles from the Jordanian border, which if confirmed would represent a new setback for government forces, who have already ceded territory to the insurgency in the north and east.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an antigovernment group in Britain with contacts throughout Syria, said rebel fighters secured the town, Dael, after more than a day of clashes in which three military checkpoints were destroyed and more than 24 combatants and at least nine civilians were killed.

Rights and Social Media in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah announced in 2013 that he would appoint women to the country’s consultative Shura Council, the closest thing the country has to a parliament. It was proposed that 20% of the Shura would be represented by women.

Read more at : http://world.time.com/2013/03/27/in-saudi-arabia-womens-voices-are-starting-to-be-heard/#ixzz2Os8BYuPN

Also, in other news, Saudi Arabia has threatened to ban Skype this week. The government has give no explanation to the thread. Social media, since the Arab spring, has grown rapidly throughout the Arab region. Also this week, the Saudi Arabia's top religious cleric called Twitter a "council for jokesters" and a place for unjust messages. Social media is a way for Saudis to connect with their families living outside the country and the world community in general. Infringing on these rights could cause public distress and unrest. 

UAE-US Relations

From March 26-29, US Assistant Secretary of State for Business and Economic Affairs Jose W. Fernandez will travel to Abu Dhabi and Dubai to participate in the third session of the US-UAE Economic Policy Dialogue to promote entrepreneurship. He plans to talk about deepening U.S.-UAE bilateral trade and investment relationships with economic policy officials and business representatives.

In Abu Dhabi, Assistant Secretary Jose Fernandez will lead the U.S. delegation in the bi-annual U.S.-UAE Economic Policy Dialogue (EPD). This forum serves as a coordinating and convening process for economic and commercial agencies and ministries from the U.S. and UAE Governments. The EPD will identify ways to strengthen economic and commercial relationships between the U.S. and the UAE.

In Dubai, he will participate in the American Business Council roundtable where he will speak to students at the American University in Sharjah about U.S. economic policy in the region.

I think this will set an example for other Arab nations to start promoting better economic and social ties with western nations like the United States. Once one Arab nation strengthens its relations with nations from other regions, other Arab nations may be likely to follow. 

Qatar and Algeria sign agreements

After the official talks between the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani and Algeria’s Prime Minister  Abdelmalek Sellal, Qatar and Algeria signed multiple written understandings and agreements about bilateral relations. They also talked about international and regional issues that they both shared. These were also attended by several other ministers. 

There were agreements signed between between: 

• Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat)  and the Algeria’s National Company for Exploration and Production of  hydrocarbons (Sonatrach)

• an MoU between the Gulf Warehousing Company  and the Algeria’s National Agency for real estate brokerage control  

• Qatar Petroleum International and Asmedall and Manal Complex for the production of phosphoric acid and ammonium phosphate 

There were also partnership agreements: 

• between Qatar Petroleum International and Asmedall and Manal Complex
• production of ammonia, ammonium nitrate and calcium ammonium nitrate
•  between Qatar Steel Company and Industrial Park Cedar for the establishment of an industrial complex in Blarh Jijel (Algeria) 
• production and marketing of steel products

http://www.gulf-times.com/qatar/178/details/346697/qatar-and-algeria-sign-agreements

UN Commends Somalia on Human Rights

The United Nations independent Human Rights expert on Somalia praised the new Somali government for its progress on human rights. The expert met with Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and said that the country’s rights record has improved dramatically over the past five years.

The Somali federal government says it’s looking forward to eventually joining the UN Human Rights Commission by improving its human rights record. Somalia’s president says that plan requires carrying out reforms in the country’s national security and judiciary”.

I think this is mostly all hopeful thinking. There are crimes against human rights on a regular basis in Somalia and while I do appreciate the drastic improvement over the past five years as does the Human Rights expert, they are talking like it will be an easy and semi-quick plan to carry out reforms in the country's national security and judiciary. This will be no easy and simple task. Just this week a woman advocating human rights was murdered. 

I was glad to read though that the president, "assured that his government will place more emphasis on the promotion of the fundamental human rights especially with regards to women and children who have suffered a great deal as a result of the war."

"Somalia ranks top among the countries in the world where human rights violation go unpunished. However, the UN expert called on the government to uphold and protect the principles of human rights with the assistance from the international community and the United Nations.

Human rights experts however believe that due to the absence of functioning institutions, perpetrators of human rights abuses including Al-Shabaab are rarely punished.

Despite all these improvements however, discrimination and violence against women, including rape; recruitment of child soldiers by government and Al-Shabaab continue to hinder the human rights progress in the African country."

What do you think? Is there future hope for Somalia and it regaining human rights that aren't frequently violated?

http://www.midnimo.com/2013/03/24/un-commends-somalia-on-human-rights/

Mustard Gas in Libya

Twenty security guards have suffered from inhaling mustard gas at a chemical weapons facility. This facility is located in southern Libya, and it was set up during Qaddafi's regime. The main stockpile of Qaddafi's chemical weapons are said to be located in central Libya. The destruction of these weapons was supposed to have started by April of 2012, but the facility was recently repaired and the destruction should be complete by December 2016. The guards were exposed while with a mission from OPCW (Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons).

http://www.libyaherald.com/2013/03/23/20-security-guards-suffer-mustard-gas-poisoning/

The article did not indicate what the cause of the mustard gas release was, but I would be interested to know if it was simply because of something wrong with the facilities (as indicated by the facility needing to be repaired) or something else. The article did state that the mustard gas at this facility was not the majority of Qaddafi's stockpile, so what would happen if the rest of the gas was released in Libya or elsewhere?

U.S.-Comoran Joint Effort

After Comoros was severely impacted by flooding, landslides, and other natural disasters resulting from heavy rains in April of 2012, the country submitted to the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to the Comoros (through the U.S. Embassy in Madagascar) a request for a military-to-military team for the cooperative medical training of its military personnel, who handle much of the humanitarian efforts in the small and isolated island nation.  In January of 2013, three soldiers from the Kentucky National Guard from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa were sent to the Comoros for one week to assist 28 Comoran soldiers in learning first aid, casualty evacuation, CPR, and field hygiene procedures.  Soldiers from both nations noted the helpfulness of the training, and stated that they looked forward to similar partnerships in the future. 

Surely an interesting partnership, the Comoran military sought to learn the "best practices" in first aid and thus sought out the expertise of the U.S. military in training its own soldiers. 

Last Sunday the Labor Ministry said it will carry out a proper investigation regarding alleged violations of laborers human rights mentioned in a report by the IGLHR , the Institute for Global Labor and Human Rights. A committee has been assigned to look into these allegations and further assess the rights in question. The report mentions a request for the US to suspend the free trade agreement with Jordan until there is a guarantee that protection of guest laborer rights will be in effect. According to the new implementation plan, "Jordan confirms its ongoing commitment to protect internationally recognized labor rights and effectively enforce Jordan's labor laws". Director of the Observatory for Consultation and Training told reporters that the centre has received dozens of complaints from QIZ (Qualifying Industrial Zones) guest workers claiming that their employers have not fully respected their rights or the conditions mentioned in their work contract. Most of these claims specifically are related to working overtime, proper conditions and a healthy and suitable living space.

John Kerry Asks Iraq to Help Stop Arms Shipment to Syria

Secretary of State John Kerry told Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki during a visit to Baghdad on Sunday that Iraq must take steps to stop the shipment of Iranian weapons to Syria if it wanted to participate in broader discussions about that country’s future.

Flights of Iranian weapons to Syria through Iraqi airspace, which a senior State Department official said were occurring on nearly a daily basis, have been crucial for the government of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, which faces increasing pressure from rebel fighters. Kerry said he had a discussion with Mr. Maliki about the issue, but there was no signs that the Iraqis would alter their position.

The air corridor over Iraq has emerged as a main route of military aid to Mr. Assad’s government. The shipments include rockets, antitank missiles, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars, and Iranian personnel, according to American intelligence officials. There are supply lines on the ground as well.

Iran has as an enormous stake in Syria, which is its staunchest Arab ally and has provided a channel for Iran’s support to the Islamist movement Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Syria is also important to the Shiite-dominated Iraqi government, led by Mr. Maliki. Fearing that Mr. Assad’s overthrow would lead to Sunni control and embolden the Iraqi Sunnis who oppose him, Mr. Maliki has been seen as tolerating the Iranian flights.

Ryan Crocker, the former American ambassador in Baghdad, has urged the Obama administration to step up its engagement with Iraqi leaders. "What it is time for," Mr. Crocker told a conference at the Carnegie Endowment on International Peace last week, is "sustained engagement."

Aides to Mr. Kerry said that was one purpose of his trip.

Info on Comoros - Economics Council

Whoever will be on the Economics Council for Nationals... Here are some good resources on Comoros's position.


Water Reform (Topic 3):
"UNICEF has been working with more than 100 villages on the island of Grand Comore to ensure continued access to safe, clean water following yet another eruption of the notoriously active volcano, Mount Karthala.

Grand Comore has no significant rivers or streams, so a large portion of the population depends on rainwater gathered in large cisterns or tanks. Following the eruptions, the residents’ water became clogged with ash.

But the main goal is to make sure the invaluable cisterns will be protected from future eruptions. More than 1,500 cisterns have already been covered, ensuring a lasting supply of clean, safe water. As a short-term solution, UNICEF trucked in millions of litres of fresh drinking water for more than 150,000 people."
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/comoros_36118.html

Strategy for Agricultural Arab Development, Food Security (Topic 4):
http://www.worldbank.org/projects/P121550/comoros-emergency-food-security-unemployment-support-through-cash-for-work?lang=en

On Foreign Direct Investment (Topic 1):
http://combiznet.wordpress.com/tag/fdi-comoros/

Money and Banking:
http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/where/acp/country-cooperation/comoros/comoros_en.htm
Comoros uses the Comorian Franc (which is pegged to the Euro). The Comorian government seems pretty confident with this relationship with the Euro so it would not advocate for a unified currency in the Arab League.


If you need help or advice on the Econ Council, let me know! 



Also in Saudi Arabia news, a recent Forbes article states that S.A.'s economy "must appeal to an international audience". Its depressed FDI, high unemployment and undiversified export sectors will limit the success and growth of the economy of Saudi Arabia. Also, it's high nepotism and cronyism in the country hinders the recovery of the global financial crisis. The link for the article is below -- the idea of reducing corruption could be part of a resolution as a clause somewhere!

http://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2013/03/22/for-saudi-arabias-economy-to-grow-it-must-appeal-to-an-international-audience/

UAE's economic interests in Angola

On Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates expressed interest in investing in the agricultural production of Angola. The Angolan minister of Economy, Abraão Gourgel, said that now there are two perspectives between the two countries, especially in agriculture and agro-business. This is important because the UAE has a higher cost of production of foodstuff since it's a desert region, and Angola has a number of firms with great experience in the agricultural sector. This will strengthen relations between the two countries, and may bring Gulf nations closer to countries that are efficient in the agriculture sector, such as Angola. 

A Muslim girl went missing in the South of Egypt today. Her parents state she was abducted. Hence. there's been an uproar of attacks against the Christian group there

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/muslims-attack-christians-egypts-south-18766755

The most important information to note: 

Bani Suef's prosecutor, Hamdi Farouk, said there was no reason to believe Christians were involved in her disappearance.

Security chief Ibrahim Hudeib said the girl left her house with her gold and passport in hand and may have fled with a local Muslim boy.

I think this is a problem for Egypt not just because of the religious strife internally, but it may distract the Egyptian people to scapegoat ethnic groups for their problems, rather than at critiquing their government for unrelated reasons.

In addition to this article,

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Mar-20/210845-egypt-president-sets-sights-on-joining-brics.ashx#axzz2O5MpLBTc

Mursi wants to join BRICS. He wants to join the powerhouse of booming economics (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa). I don't think this will happen or be approved though until Egypt is able to figure out their executive branch and stabilize completely. Further, the Egyptian economy reflects the situation since it had an all time low in March 2011. Mursi sights that by joining the group investment can occur to bring his country as a new powerhouse. Yet, the dependence of Egypt on India to cause this to happen would undermine the individual success of BRICS countries currently. 

Car Bomb Blast in Somalia

A Car Bomb blast initiated by a suicide bomber kills from 7-10 people and injures at least 10 people in Somalia yesterday.
A car filled with explosives was apparently targeting a truck full of Somali government officials but instead hit a civilian car and exploded, setting a nearby mini-bus on fire and killing at least seven people Monday, police and witnesses said. The blast happened close to the Somali government's headquarters.
The Islamic extremist group al-Shabab has continued to carry out terror attacks in Somalia's capital since being pushed out of Mogadishu in late 2011. No one  has initially claimed responsibility for the attack.
Security in Mogadishu has improved greatly since a military offensive drove Islamist rebels allied to al Qaeda out of the city in August 2011. But bombings and assassinations in Mogadishu, blamed on militants, still occur often.

One woman said---"They (al-Shabab) are the enemies of Somalia and Muslims," she said. "They kill our children, elderly and everyone. They are brutal and inhumane and feed blood and terror with their minds."

As Somalia tries to find peace again it seems that certain individuals tied to al-Shabab are trying everything in their power not to let that happen. Though the security in Mogadishu has improved a lot, something must be done so that more people are not killed and bombings are not a regular occurrance.

http://photoblog.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/03/18/17356990-car-bomb-in-somalia-kills-at-least-10

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/03/18/many-casualties-feared-after-car-bomb-rams-bus-in-somalia/

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/03/18/many-casualties-feared-after-car-bomb-rams-bus-in-somalia/#ixzz2O1LGa7mR

Iran denounces Arab League's inaction on Palestine

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian has criticized the Arab League for a lack of intervention in Israel with regard to the Palestinian situation. He has urged the League to end its nonintervention and to make Palestine a top priority of the Muslim world.

His emphasis on Palestine began because of the recent clashes among Palestinians and Israelis in Jerusalem. On Friday, Israeli forces confronted Palestinian worshipers at a mosque. The worshippers were also protesting the recent debasing of the Qur'an by an Israeli soldier.

Amir Abdollahian also censured the League's suspension of Syria's membership at the Arab League. He called for a political solution to the Syrian crisis. He argued that there will be a rise in regional insecurity if the acts of terror against the Syrian people continue.

I wonder why Iran might be so interested in the affairs of the Arab World. What do you think?

Here's the article:

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/03/09/292669/iran-slams-arab-league-over-palestine/

Kurds eager to end dependence on Iraq

Since the US involvement in Iraq, the Kurds residing in Iraq have associated themselves with Turkey and Western ideals at the expense of the relationship with the rest of the state.  Schools in Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region, students learn Turkish and English prior to learning Arabic.  Students also aspire to working in Europe rather than Iraq.  The US involvement also prompted the Iraqi government to recognize the Kurdish autonomy and allowed the Kurds to keep their own security force.  The oil-fuled economic boom of the state has resulted in the Kurds consolidating their autonomy, increasing their leverage against the Iraqi government, and pursing an Kurdish foreign policy in contrast to Iraq's.  Kurdish officials stated at the current moment the autonomous Kurdish region plans to remain apart of Iraq but the continual disagreement with the Iraqi government over oil and territory may propel the Kurds to eventually seek separation.  The prospect of a direct oil export pipeline to Turkey to be built within the next year also establishes grounds for independence.  Currently though, the Kurds cannot survive without the Iraqi government.  The Kurdish region is eligible for 17% of the national budget that is funded by oil exports controlled by the Iraqi government.

The idea of an independent Kurdistan is not new to the region.  If the Kurds residing in Iraq do decided to become independent from the state this could prompt the Kurds residing in parts of Syria, Turkey, and Iran to seek independence as well.  This could result in a major territorial and economic dispute in this already unstable region.

Since we may also be doing Comoros for Nationals, I thought it might be best to also grab current plans in the Environmental Sector. I think it's interesting to see the role of the UNDP especially in Comoros seeing as its one of the newest additions to the Arab League.

http://www.pops.int/documents/implementation/nips/submissions/comoros_en.pdf

Egypt is trying to send Morsi to space.
No one knows when the elections are.
Life is rough

Blasts Hit Karachi - Shia under attack, still.

So, today I decided to write about Pakistan. It might seem a little off topic but really it's not, Middle Eastern countries (particularly Saudi Arabia) have a lot of involvement and influence in the country and ties with the Arab League. The issues between Sunni and Shia Muslims does not stop in Bahrain but is a recurring issue in many countries with large Muslim populations. It is an extremely complicated issue and I cannot possibly address it here but is important to at least recognize this conflict.

I have been posting about the Shia protests in Bahrain and the stark crackdowns that follow, what is happening in Pakistan is a bit different. In Pakistan it occurs on a group-to-group basis for the most part but does have political connotations (as does everything). An attack occurred in Karachi that killed at least 38 people today in an area dominated by Shia Muslims, a minority in Pakistan. At first, it was unknown if this was an intentional attack solely on the Shia Muslim population and although it is still unclear it appears that way, as attacks have occurred recently in other Shia populated towns.

Where did this come from in Pakistan? Well, in the 1980's and 1990's Pakistan's intelligence agency, the one essentially sponsored by the US, sponsored Sunni militant groups to target Shia minorities for fear of insurrection lead by...guess. IRAN. Who else is scared of Iran, Bahrain...and, well most of the Arab League. See some connection?

Now I am by no way saying that all Sunni and Shia Muslims hate each other and cannot get along because it is simply not true. What is occurring today is at its heart, political fear and power grabbing. My boyfriend is from Pakistan and from Karachi. He has continually said the dynamic in Pakistan is all about politics; the politicians exploit the religions and already existent divisions to further their own agendas. Sounds familiar.

I think this will be something to look out for in SERMAL and we must understand that Iran is a legitimate fear to some of these countries as much as it is to the U.S.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/03/20133315617954671.html

Stone Throwing and Harlem Shaking: Protest in Tunisia

After last month's assassination of Chokri Belaid, leader of the opposition to Tunisia's current ruling party, Ennhaha, protest in the North African state has been considerable.  See my post from last week for more information (https://scholar.vt.edu/portal/site/2288930e-e4b4-43ba-b43a-773f12a470f8).

Most recently, as part of growing tensions towards Ennhada (thought to be tied to the assassination), citizens in Thala pelted party leader Rached Ghannouchi's vehicle with rocks and stones, screaming "get out," a rallying cry heard during the Arab Spring revolution of 2011.  In addition, Tunisian students filmed a Harlem Shake video - much to the chagrin of Islamist conservatives - mocking Ennhada and Ghannouchi, who are thought to be promoting hard-line Islamic rule in the state.

Note the mocking of conservative Islamic dress in the video.

The Tunisian Harlem Shake "protest" follows a similar protest in Egypt, filmed outside the headquarters of the Muslim Brotherhood in Cairo.


Time will only tell if this recent wave of developments - and ensuing protests - will prove to be a major setback on Tunisia's road to democracy. 

Sources:
 http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/28/harlem-shake-protests-in-tunisia-and-egypt/
http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2013/03/03/269414.html

Morocco Tough on Laundering to Terrorism

The Parliament of Morocco is currently writing a bill on the floor to make it illegal to finance terrorist organizations. The draft bill was proposed in the Justice Committee in the House of Representatives. The legistlation will be in line with already present international law on the same matter. The Interior Minister, Mohand Laesner, states that the country has made great progress in tackling terrorism and money laundering to terrorist organizations. It will even be a crime if the terrorist attack that was funded by Moroccans occurs outside the country or even if it doesn't occur at all. Ever since the terrorist attack in May 2003 in Casablanca, Morocco has been large support of counterterrorism.

UAE- Mass Trial of Islamists

Ninety-four Islamist activists are being accused of plotting a coup in the United Arab Emirates. Officials are worried that these activists have ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, and have formed a secret society in hopes of overthrowing the ruling families of the UAE. Although many of its neighbors, such as Bahrain, Yemen, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, have experienced bits of the Arab Spring in the form of pro-democracy protests, the UAE has not had any yet. This is largely due to its ban on all political parties and demonstrations.

These activists were arrested last year and many of them are members of the Islamist group called al-Islah. Although al-Islah claims to be in support of peaceful reforms in the country and denies any link to the Muslim Brotherhood, authorities denounce this. Human rights groups have called the trial a "mockery of justice" since the defendants were denied lawyers until the last two weeks before the trial. They have also been denied the right to see the documents detailing the charges and evidence against them. They will be tried in the UAE's highest court, which will make the decision final with no right of appeal.

Do you think this is fair?

Here's a detailed article about the situation:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21650810 

Libyan Gas Exports

Libya's natural gas reserves are not quite so exstensive as their oil reserves, but the natural gas that Libya does have is mainly exported to Italy through a pipeline.

Since Saturday ( March 2, 2013 ), a conflict between militias has shut down a natural gas complex. This particular complex provides 8 billion cubic meters of gas, and Libya itself provides Italy with 10% of its natural gas ( the other 90% comes from Russia, Norway, and Algeria).

As soon as the security of the complex has been guaranteed, exports have promised to be resumed.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/03/libya-gas-italy-idUSL6N0BV15J20130303

I think this is interesting when I consider it from the view of trade dependencies between different
countries. While Italy is not completely dependent on Libya's natural gas, the lack of natural gas
from Libya is still going to cause a lot of problems.

Iraq shuts border post after Syrian rebels seize frontier

The two-year conflict between the Syrian insurgents (predominantly Sunni Muslim) and the Syrian Government (Assad and the minority Alawite sect) demonstrated the real possibility of this conflict spilling over into its neighboring states last week.  The Iraqi government ordered a border crossing with Syria to be closed on Sunday after the insurgents seized the Syrian side of the frontier post that was formally under the control of the Syrian government.  The fighting occurred in the Syrian town of Yaarabiya.  This fighting so close to Iraqi borders demonstrate the possibility of the Syrian conflict spilling over into Iraq and dragging its neighboring countries into conflict as well and further destabilizing the region. The insurgents are supported by Turkey and the Gulf Arab states and Iran supports the Syrian government.  Iraq declared to stay neutral in this conflict, but the Iraqi government interests are aligned with those of Iran.  The Syrian conflict puts further pressure on the already precarious sectarian and ethnic balance in Iraq.  

This fighting so close to Iraq demonstrates the real threat Iraq as well as its neighbors face in regards to the circumstances of the Syrian conflict with regards to the internal issues and tensions of their own state.  

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/03/us-iraq-syria-border-idUSBRE92206U20130303 

Somalian court reduces man's sentence

I posted a few weeks ago about this topic of journalism and the government's hand in jailing those who write about things the government or other individuals don't want to hear. This news story is about the man who got sentenced to a year in prison but his sentence has now been reduced to 6 months. The article says he is being jailed for interviewing an alleged rape victim and "offending" the government. The court ordered the release of the 27-year-old woman who was charged with insulting a government body, making false accusations, and seeking to profit from the allegations.The journalist will spend six months in jail for offending state institutions. The justice system clearly has some wholes in it here. 

A Somali court has reduced the sentence of a journalist who interviewed a rape victim and freed the victim who had been sentenced to one year in prison for alleging sexual assault. Tthe appeals court in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, ruled on Sunday that Abdiaziz Abdinuur Ibrahim would remain in jail for six months. "The court orders the release of the woman, while the journalist will spend six months in jail for offending state institutions," Judge Hassan Mohamed Ali said, cutting the reporter's original sentence in half. The 27-year-old woman was charged with insulting a government body, making false accusations, and seeking to profit from the allegations. "The court has learned that the journalist misled the alleged rape victim into the interview," the judge added. Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued an immediate response to the verdict. "The court of appeals missed a chance to right a terrible wrong, both for the journalist and for press freedom in Somalia," said Daniel Bekele, Africa director at HRW.  "The government has argued that justice should run its course in this case, but each step has been justice denied." 'Insane and unjust' Abdinuur, who was detained on January 10 was also found guilty of "making a false interview, and entering the house of a woman whose husband was not present". He had been researching sexual violence in Somalia, but did not air or print any reports after interviewing the woman. The unidentified woman, who had originally been granted a delay of six months before having to start her jail term to allow her to breastfeed her infant child, walked free from the court in the capital Mogadishu after the ruling. But Abdinuur was led away in handcuffs and put into a truck that took him back to the central prison, sparking angry reactions from rights groups and journalist colleagues. "This is completely insane and unjust," said Mohammed Ibrahim, from Somalia's national journalists' union. "How can they jail someone for interviewing a victim? The lawyers will appeal again and take the case to the Supreme Court." Abdinuur works for several Somali radio stations and international media. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said in a joint statement during the trial the case was "linked to increasing media attention given to the high levels of rape" including by security forces. Somalia detained 56 journalists last year, according to the CPJ.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2013/03/201333104237354420.html

Lebanon

Lebanon began municipal elections today in order to elect the regional councils that have recently dissolved over political in fighting. Lebanon has a very unique political structure in that it is a parliamentary democracy and its elections are run through a system called confessionalism; where certain positions and roles must be filled by candidates with particular religious affiliations. Some examples are that the president must be a Maronite Christian and the Prime Minister a Sunni Muslim. This system is designed to balance the power between the different sects of Lebanon and reduce sectarian violence.

The second important news about Lebanon is that they have begun selling licenses to explore and develop their off-shore oil rights. The entire process that Lebanon has decided to follow in selling these licenses differs greatly in the level of transparency from many other developing nations with oil reserves. The overall plan for a application process followed by a semi-public bidding in May reduces the likely hood of corruption and secret deal making as well as increasing the transparency of the whole operation.

Replacing Syrian National Council

Preparations to form a new opposition body to replace the Syrian National Council with the Syrian National Coalition are underway, as they've been in the works since the summer of 2012. 

According to Alakhabar, "this came shortly after the declaration of what became known as the Geneva agreement on Syria," - a deal struck between the United States and Russia for a political settlement of the crisis. 

The US government felt as though the Council was not open to such a solution and so in return set out to form a new opposition coalition, giving former US ambassador to Syria Robert Ford the task.

"Ford’s mission, however, faced stiff resistance from the Muslim Brotherhood, which dominated the Council, as well as others in the opposition like Riad al-Turk, who understood early on that the aim of the new formation was to impose a political settlement with the regime" (Alakhabar).

In a newspaper interview on 7 December 2012, Turk freely expressed his reservations about the SNC (the Coalition) despite having agreed to become a member, saying that he was not too excited about it because “it is intended to take the place of the Council, according to the wishes of the Americans.”

The formation of the Syrian National Coalition (SNC) over three months ago in Qatar was reluctantly accepted by opposition factions that saw it as a US-Russian vehicle to impose a political settlement on the Syrian crisis.

“The SNC was parachuted down on us to draw the domesticated opposition into a settlement with the regime,” he added. The Russians and Americans “want to exhaust the two sides in order to lead them into a Lebanese-style settlement where there are neither winners nor losers.”

On 14 February 2013, in a meeting of the founding committee of the SNC in Cairo, the Coalition formally agreed to a “political solution,” while imposing some negotiation conditions.

Despite this, there remains two contradictory currents within the SNC still fighting to get their way. One side is moving in the direction of talking with certain elements within the regime, while the other continues to hold out for changing the military balance on the ground.

Article

Algeria Defends Raid That Ended Hostage Standoff

The Algerian army is defending their government by stating that the army decided to storm the gas plant that had dozens of foreigners held hostage without ever consulting with their government. The militants affiliated with Al-Qaida raided the complex in the desert back in January. This led to four days of attacks on helicopters, car explosions, and assaults by Algerian special forces. By the end of it 37 hostages, one that was an Algerian security guard, were killed. 

Many are suggesting that the raid was a reckless one; however, the army is rejecting any of the criticisms being made in the El Djeich (a weekly magazine). The editorial states "without any consultation or coordination so that no one can intervene in the internal affairs of the country," regarding the attack by the army. It also states that due to the possibility that the militants could have blown up the gas site, that the assault overall stopped a "greater tragedy." 

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/algeria-defends-raid-ended-hostage-standoff-18642224

Competing Economic Visions in the Arab Uprising

This past November, Dr. Nasser Saidi, named one of the 50 most influencial Arabs in the world by The Middle East magazine, held an event at LSE on the topic, "Competing Economic Visions in the Arab Uprising: Navigating without Roadmaps". Saidi talks about the economic reforms for the Middle East and North Africa in the current political environment. Here are some interesting points Saidi brings up:

• The region as a whole has high spending on the military but it turns out that it is not for defense of outside power but defense for the person in power against its own citizens. This means less money is being spent on social infrastructure, education, healthcare, etc.
• There are large discrepancies in per-capita income in the region: South Sudan (700 dollars a year) to Qatar (100,000 dollars a year), all within the same geographical map
• Rising food prices of 20% per annum. This can be compared to a 10% cut in income.
• Where should the region turn for economic reform? Job creation. 
• The total labor force right now is 150 million people and it is expected to grow to 185 million by 2020. There's around only 104 million jobs in the Arab world. 
• An economic growth of 6-7% per annum on a sustained basis will get the region there. This percentage is near current Chinese growth rates. 
• Keep in mind that recovery will not be sad. Reforms implemented today will take months and years to really improve the economy.

Dr. Saidi also emphasizes that the region has no common vision and no common model to combat government transformation. When Germany was experiencing a government transformation, the European Union created the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development EBRD which helped finance the transition. The Middle East should create institutions that can ease government transitions.

To listen to the entire lecture:
http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/mec/2012/12/03/competing-economic-visions-in-the-arab-uprisings-navigating-without-roadmaps/

More love for Kuwait

On March 2nd, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported that senior Chinese officials are keen on consolidating and strengthening the ties between China and Kuwait. Chinese officials want to deepen and strengthen political and economic ties which have been forming since diplomatic relations began between the two states in 1971. China is specifically interested in relations with Kuwait since the two share many of the same stances on issues in the United Nations, and China applauds Kuwait for trying to solve different conflicts in the Middle East. If Kuwait were to gain China as a strong ally, it would be very beneficial for its strength within the UN. I found this piece of news very interesting, since Kuwait is also trying to deepen its diplomatic relations with Mexico. If Kuwait were to gain a strong ally in China, in theory China could be the voice of Kuwait in the Security Council, which would only strengthen Kuwait's diplomatic power.
The first flight from Iraq to Kuwait since 1990 occurred on February 27th. Before the 27th there had only been private flights between the countries, this just shows how diplomatic relations between the two countries have been strengthening.