Gulf in the News – March 20, 2013

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Mariam Klait

World powers give Iran details of nuclear proposals

…

The six last month offered Iran a softening of non-oil or financial sector-related sanctions in exchange for concessions over Tehran’s sensitive uranium enrichment operations. The offer, reportedly involving easing sanctions on Iran’s gold and precious metals trade and lifting others on some very small banking operations, in return demands a tougher nuclear inspection regime and the interruption of enrichment operations at the Fordo bunker facility where 20-percent enrichment goes on.

Continue reading »

Gulf in the News – 10th Anniversary of Invasion of Iraq

Posted on March 19, 2013 by NCUSAR

March 19, 2013 marks the 10-year anniversary since the United States fired the opening salvo in Operation Iraqi Freedom by bombing the Dora Farms complex southwest of Baghdad. Today the Arabia, the Gulf, and the GCC blog presents a collection of stories that reflect on what has happened in Iraq over the preceding decade.

The human cost of the Iraq war: 112,000 civilians dead in a decade

Source: Al Arabiya (Read full story)

At least 112,000 civilians were killed in the 10 years since the U.S.-led 2003 invasion of Iraq that ousted Saddam Hussein, a new report published on Sunday said.

Including combatants on all sides of the decade-long conflict, as well as yet undocumented civilian fatalities, the figure could rise as high as 174,000, according to the Britain-based Iraq Body Count (IBC) group.

…

Continue reading »

Gulf in the News – March 18, 2013

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Maria Pantelis

Labor Ministry launches initiatives to bolster Saudization in private sector

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman yesterday commended the Labor Ministry’s efforts to create more job opportunities for Saudis and eradicate the country’s unemployment problem. He received Labor Minister Adel Fakeih who gave the governor a presentation on the ministry’s present and future programs, especially for the Madinah region. “There is a clear instruction from the Saudi leadership to provide good job opportunities for citizens,” the prince said. Meanwhile, speaking to Al-Eqtisadiah daily, Fakeih highlighted his ministry’s efforts to create a secure atmosphere for women to work.

… Continue reading »

Gulf in the News – March 15, 2013

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Maria Pantelis

PDO employs drone technology to monitor flaring

Source: Oman Daily Observer (Read full story)

Underscoring its vigorous embrace of innovation and technology to sustain its business, Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) employed an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (drone) to undertake its first ever live flare inspection at one of its interior oilfield locations, the majority government owned oil and gas producer has revealed.

…

Summer Arabic Language Study Abroad Opportunities — Deadlines Approaching

Posted on March 14, 2013 by NCUSAR

REMINDER — application deadlines are approaching for some of the National Council’s Summer 2013 Arabic language study abroad opportunities:

Summer Intensive Language Program at The Arab-American Language Institute in Morocco

The National Council, in collaboration with The Arab-American Language Institute in Morocco (AALIM) for the summer of 2013, is pleased to announce its Summer Language program in the Kingdom of Morocco. Students will spend six weeks in historic Meknes, Morocco taking part in an intensive Arabic language program. Students at all levels of Arabic proficiency are encouraged to apply. The AALIM center is host to a community of Arabic learners throughout the summer, providing for a fully immersive program. Those selected will also gain direct personal experience in Moroccan culture, history, and society through a variety of day excursions, local outings, workshops and demonstrations.

Learn more: http://ncusar.org/study-abroad/aalim

Summer Institute for Intensive Arabic Language and Culture at Lebanese American University

The Summer Institute for Intensive Arabic Language and Culture (SINARC) is a multi-faceted language and cultural immersion program that welcomes students from all over the world. The SINARC program is hosted each year at the Lebanese American University (Beirut Campus), one of the premier institutions of higher education and research in Lebanon and the region. SINARC offers courses in Arabic language and culture at various levels of proficiency. Cultural activities include weekly lectures on topics related to Arab and Lebanese politics, history, society, and culture. In addition, students partake in a series of excursions to historical, cultural and tourist sites.

Learn more: http://ncusar.org/study-abroad/lau

Continue reading »

Gulf in the News – March 13, 2013

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Maria Pantelis

Arab League intervention urged to end massacre

Source: Gulf Today (Read full story)

Israeli President Shimon Peres, delivering an historic address to the European Parliament, on Tuesday called for Arab League intervention in Syria “to stop the massacre.” “The Arab League can and should form a provisional government in Syria to stop the massacre, to prevent Syria from falling to pieces. The United Nations should support the Arab League to build an Arab force in blue helmets,” he said.

…

Basic Facts about Oil and Gas in the Arab World

Posted on March 13, 2013 by NCUSAR

Source: Bassam Fattouh and Laura El-Katiri, “Energy and Arab Economic Development,” Arab Human Development Report Paper Series, 2012, http://www.arab-hdr.org/publications/other/ahdrps/ENGFattouhKatiriV2.pdf.

Arab countries hold more proven oil reserves than any other region (713.6 billion barrels), comprising more than 43 percent of the world’s total proven reserves.
With an average output of 26.3 million barrels per day in 2011, the Arab world produces nearly a third of world oil supply.
Oil reserves in the GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE) are among the cheapest in the world to find, develop, and produce (with the exception of those in Oman). The IEA estimates total production costs in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE to vary between $3 and $5 per barrel of oil produced.
Saudi Arabia holds more than 265 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, 16 percent of global total reserves. Four of the world’s ten largest producers of oil are Arab oil producers, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Iraq.

World Oil Reserves and Production by Region

Continue reading »

Gulf in the News – March 11, 2013

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Maria Pantelis

UAE rejects extremism: Shaikh Mohammed

Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)

The UAE adopts an open, moderate and tolerant approach as a state and rejects extremism as being religiously and morally unacceptable, stated His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, while chairing a cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. The UAE Cabinet adopted a draft law for establishing an ‘International Centre for Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism’ or Hidaya with aims to set up a global platform that catalyses discussion and cooperation among countries of the world to confront extremism.

…