The Common Lessons of Benghazi, Algeria, Mali, Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Arab Spring

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

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It will be a struggle to help nations deal with the broad range of forces that are currently causing so much instability in the Arab world, to modernize and evolve where they can, and to help the new political factions that take power move forward quickly and with as little violence as possible. The end result will not be a war on terrorism, although it will involve many extremists and terrorist elements; it will be dealing with a clash within Islam rather than a clash between civilizations.The United States will have to deal with a kaleidoscope of shifting governments, factions, and ideologies. There will be many more cases where seemingly stable regimes implode and find themselves dealing with extremists, terrorists, civil conflicts, and failed or failing leaders and governments.

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King Abdullah’s  proposal to drive Arab economic growth

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

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During the Jan. 21-22 conference that was held in the Saudi capital, King Abdullah urged Arab leaders to increase the capitals of Arab joint companies and funds by 50 percent to speed up Arab economic recovery.
The proposal, which was to channel an additional $ 10 billion to Arab economies in new funds, was endorsed by the summit. The move has been welcomed by Arab businessmen, saying it would have a big impact on increasing inter-Arab trade and investment.

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Kingdom regrets global inaction on Israeli violations

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

Saudi Arabia has stressed that the resolution of the Palestinian issue is key to achieving regional and world peace, particularly under the current circumstances in the Middle East. “Israel has been reacting to the United Nations decision to grant Palestine a nonmember observer state status by approving the settlement expansion of thousands of new residential units. At the same time, the occupying authority has intensified its persecution of the Palestinian people. Moreover, it has denied the Palestinian Authority its tax and customs revenue in clear violation of the Paris Protocol,” said Abdullah Al-Muallami, the Kingdom’s permanent representative at the United Nations, while addressing the Security Council in New York on Wednesday.

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UAE Council applauds first female Speaker

Source: The National (Read full story)

At 9am yesterday, Dr Amal Al Qubaisi became the first woman to take the chair as Speaker of the FNC. It was, the member from Abu Dhabi said, a “dream come true”. “I am lucky,” said Dr Al Qubaisi, who has been a deputy speaker since 2011 but has never before had to step into Mohammed Al Murr’s shoes. But yesterday Mr Al Murr was unable to attend and she finally had her chance in what she described as a significant moment for Emirati women.  “With the support that the leaders give, an Emirati woman is now able to reach and prove herself in any field,” Dr Al Qubaisi said.

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Yemen seeks to talk its way out of chaos

Source: Gulf News (Read full story)

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Perhaps the greatest of all problems facing Yemen is the clashing identities of different parts of the country. Aden and the South — shaped by the British presence from 1839 until 1967 and then by two decades of Marxist rule — were greatly disillusioned by union with the north in 1990. In 1994, the South tried to break loose but was defeated. Today, a powerful southern movement known as Al Hirak, embittered by the corruption, land grabs and aggression of northern tribes, is campaigning for autonomy or even outright secession.

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UAE leads chorus for more clean energy investments

Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)

The United Arab Emirates, despite being a leading fossil fuel producer, is committed to global energy security with investments in clean and renewable sources, said General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. In his inaugural speech at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2013, the World Future Energy Summit and the International Water Summit in the presence of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Gen. Shaikh Mohammed said the conferences and meetings of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week would be successful in achieving the goals.

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New Details on Social Media in Saudi Arabia

Source: SUSRIS (Read full story)

Information today is ubiquitous, said US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia James Smith at the Arab-US Policymakers Conference in October. He was talking about the influence a government may have, “You cannot control the message any longer.. ..So the real question of the day: does the United States, and do the governments of the region have the necessary tools to be successful in an age of influence?”

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Iran seized Saudi boats that lost their way

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

 A spokesman for the Saudi Coast Guard in the Eastern Province has confirmed news reports that two fishing boats from Saudi Arabia were seized by Iran.
Speaking to Arab News, Khaled Al-Arqubi said: “They were fishing vessels … Fishermen do lose their way in the high sea because of sudden change in wind direction and weather … They then find themselves in a foreign country; this is quite normal.”According to him, there is a general convention to deal with such issues. “The intruding boats are seized, investigated and then released,” Al-Arqubi said. “This can and does happen to any vessel in the Arabian Gulf.”

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