U.S. Adds Forces in Persian Gulf, a Signal to Iran

Source: The New York Times (Read full story)

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Since late spring, stealthy F-22 and older F-15C warplanes have moved into two separate bases in the Persian Gulf to bolster the combat jets already in the region and the carrier strike groups that are on constant tours of the area. Those additional attack aircraft give the United States military greater capability against coastal missile batteries that could threaten shipping, as well as the reach to strike other targets deeper inside Iran.

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Row rages over rumored election law changes – Liberals call for legalizing parties, election commission

Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)

KUWAIT: Two key liberal groups called yesterday for important democratic reforms that include establishing an independent election commission, legalising political parties and issuing legislation to combat corruption as part of democratic reforms necessary to resolve the political deadlock in the country. The National Democratic Alliance, an umbrella group of liberals, and the Kuwait Democratic Forum, made the calls in a joint statement which insisted that these are essential demands to gradually achieving a full parliamentary system of governance after 50 years of democracy.

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Saudi Arabia urged to reopen embassy in Yemen

Source: Gulfnews (Read full story)

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To protests against the closure of the embassy, many pilgrims, tourism agencies arranged tow sit-in in front of of Hadi’s house. Some of the protesters the pilgrimage attire as to show there are keen to perform Umrah. The protesters said that they denounced the abduction of the Saudi diplomat and urged the kingdom not to “collectively punish them for Al Qaida’s mistake.”

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Opposition threatens to boycott polls if law changed – Amir accepts resignation of Cabinet, to start talks

Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)

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The government has said that it submitted its resignation in a bid to rectify the flawed procedures and to open the way for the formation of a new government that will fulfill all constitutional requirements in a bid to prevent similar flawed procedures from happening again. The Amir is scheduled to open traditional consultations today with former premiers and former and present Assembly speakers in addition to leading political figures ahead of asking the prime minister to form a new Cabinet.

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Amir has right to dissolve or reinstate parliament

Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah has the sole power to dissolve or reinstate the 2009 parliament, Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi said. He underlined that the Constitutional Court ruling on dissolving 2012 parliament and reinstating the former one has to be respected. “The recently-submitted government’s resignation is the first step towards the enforcement of the ruling,” Al-Khorafi said in a press conference at the National Assembly headquarters.

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Experts to Obama: Yemen Policy Must Change

Source: POMED (Read full story)

On Monday, 27 leading experts on Yemen, U.S. foreign policy, and security signed onto a letter to President Obama urging a fundamental shift in American policy towards Yemen. Coordinated by the Yemen Policy Initiative, the letter argues for a more balanced policy approach that elevates support for long-term economic and political development in Yemen alongside counterterrorism efforts.

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To see the full text of the letter, click here.

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Kuwait government submits resignation

Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)

The Kuwaiti government submitted its resignation to the country’s ruler on Monday, a government source said, deepening a political crisis in the major oil exporter and US ally.

The government’s move came just days after a court ruling annulled a February parliamentary election and restored the previous assembly.

At least seven governments have stepped down in recent years amid a persistent political deadlock.

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Yemen army says seizes Qaeda bastion in major advance

Source: Reuters (Read full story)

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At least 23 Islamist fighters were killed during overnight clashes near gas facilities in Belhaf in Shabwa province, one military source said.

Military planes bombed a convoy of vehicles carrying militants fleeing Shaqra, killing about 30 Islamists, said a second.

Tribal sources said a number of chiefs from Shabwa were attempting to persuade the Islamist militants to surrender without a struggle.

Many of the al Qaeda militants and leaders belong to major tribes in Abyan and Shabwa provinces, the sources said.

Yemeni officials said many al Qaeda fighters had fled Shaqra to a mountainous region to the west of it or went to Azzan.

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