Ghazouani peacefully elected as president of Mauritania in place of Abdel Aziz – no change. Economy doing well.
Articles tagged: ‘IS’
Yemen – talk peace, make war
Posted onStockholm peace process for Hudaida continues, but so does escalation of the war with Houthi attacks on Saudi territory. Two more tankers hit. Since our posting of 13 May the war in Yemen has continued unabated, not only between the Houthis and the Saudi led coalition forces; Al Qaeda and IS remain active, though largely against each other. Pro-coalition statements routinely describe the Houthis as “Iran backed“, but independent commentators argue that while there is certainly Iranian involvement the Houthi/Iranian relationship is pragmatic and limited. The war has increased …
Libya: oil and water
Posted onLibya – descent into civil war. Oil revenue and drinking water supplies under threat.
Syria – kaleidoscope of war
Posted onSyria – IS eliminated as a territory. Regime still seeking full control, but (about) five other armies have their own agendas.
Tankers sabotaged near the Gulf
Posted onFour oil vessels damaged off Fujaira. Little detail – no casualties or pollution. No claims of responsibility.
Yemen – glacial progress
Posted onYemen – Houthi withdrawal in Hudaida a small first step. The war goes on. Some unease among the arms suppliers.
Pompeo – sudden visit to Iraq
Posted onUS military task force to the region. Pompeo tells Iraqis there is a threat from Iran to US forces there.
The Muslim Brotherhood
Posted onTrump moving to blacklist the Muslim brotherhood – likely consequences including Turkey and several Arab states.
Saudi Arabia: more bad press
Posted onSaudi Arabia criticised for women and Khashoggi trials, mass execution of 37, etc. but big business and Trump still loyal.
Libya, Trump – towards a proxy war
Posted onHaftar’s offensive halted around Tripoli. A Trump bombshell.