U.S. and Iranian Strategic Competition: Sanctions, Energy, Arms Control, and Regime Change

Source: Center for International and Strategic Studies (Read full story)

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It is not clear that these pressures and sanctions can succeed in altering Iranian nuclear ambitions or bringing stability to US and Iranian competition over nuclear weapons and security in the region. It is clear, however, that the push toward enhancing sanctions and growing international isolation is having a real impact on the Iranian economy. Iran’s recent actions also indicate that new sanctions and international – as well as internal – pressure is having serious effects.

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Prince Muqrin appointed second deputy premier

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has appointed Prince Muqrin as the second deputy premier of the Kingdom. Prince Muqrin was the king’s adviser and special envoy with the rank of minister until the present appointment, the Saudi Press Agency reported Friday. Prince Muqrin, 68, who was appointed as the king’s adviser in 2012, was chief of the General Intelligence from 2005 to 2012.

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Saudi Foreign Minister calls for UN Security Council to account for failure to resolve Palestine issue

Source: Middle East Monitor (Read full story)

The Saudi Foreign Minister has criticised the performance of the UN Security Council with regards to what he views as its “failure” to find a just solution to the Palestinian issue. Saud Al-Faisal is demanding that the UN body is held accountable for this. He was speaking during a meeting with his Tunisian counterpart, Rafik Abdul Salam, during a short visit to the North African state. The Saudi minister began his visit to Tunisia on Monday and has met with a number of officials. In his speech during the opening meeting of the Tunisia-Saudi consultation commission on Tuesday, Al-Faisal held the Security Council fully responsible for its failure to find a solution to the Palestinian issue since it is considered to be the primary entity responsible for peace between nations.

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KSA, Yemen sign cooperation accord; murder, kidnap cases still unsolved

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

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The agreements will also help to provide a broader mechanism to forge closer ties in the information and media field besides helping the two sides to co-produce programs and exchange information. This will go a long way in promoting bilateral relations. He pointed out that the Kingdom went to extend all possible support to Yemen despite several setbacks including the murder of the diplomat. Saudi Arabia, he said, will co-host the next meeting of the “Friends of Yemen” group in London on March 7. More than 35 countries and organizations, besides the Gulf states, will take part in the meeting of this group, which seeks to create the foundations of a more prosperous and secure Yemen.

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Dubai Declaration vows to protect mother, child health

Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)

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Countries agreed to develop and execute national plans for maternal and child health; to take measurable steps to strengthen their health systems and address local bottlenecks; and to mobilise domestic and international resources to establish sustainable financing mechanisms. They also agreed to improve coordination and accountability between all partners and promote cooperation between countries within the region; to address social and environmental determinants of maternal and child health, such as poverty, gender, water and sanitation, nutrition, and education, and to monitor progress through a regional commission on the health of women’s adolescents’ and children’s health.

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Dubai’s year-end numbers were bolstered by a record 5.3 million passengers last month, 13.4 per cent higher than the 4.6 million passengers recorded in December 2011 and the second month in Dubai International’s 52-year history that passenger traffic exceeded 5 million passengers. Aircraft movements for last year reached 344,245, up 5.5 per cent from the 326,318 recorded in 2011. “Moving into the top three is a fantastic achievement for Dubai International and we now have London’s Heathrow and the number one spot firmly within our sights,” said Paul Griffiths, the chief executive of Dubai Airports. “The opening of Concourse A, the world’s first purpose-built A380 facility, has given us the room to maintain our strong growth into the new year, with a forecast of 65.4 million passengers in 2013.

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