With this brief overview, the PoliticsBlog is picking up the thread on events around the Mediterranean, going into a new year bound to be challenging. Many countries bordering on the Mediterranean have strong links to Russia and therefore are indirectly affected by the war in Ukraine. Withstanding any negative impact will be a test toContinue reading “The Mediterranean: Yet Another Year of Challenge”
Category Archives: Politics
Feverish Political Debate Accompanies Tunis Turnover
Kais Saied, the president of Tunisia, at the end of March dissolved the parliament. The move did little to pacify an increasingly hostile political conflict between two bitterly opposed groups. Ten years after the revolution, this Mediterranean country seems uncertain about its future, writes our correspondent in Tunis./IN Speaking to the various political groups inContinue reading “Feverish Political Debate Accompanies Tunis Turnover”
Briberies Cloud the Upcoming Elections in Lebanon
Lebanese voters see the crippling economic crisis that has afflicted the country as a reason to hold officials accountable in the upcoming elections. They hope for change, but reality suggests that there won’t be any forthcoming, writes our correspondent in Beirut. “Electoral bribery is not new in Lebanon, and with the declining value of theContinue reading “Briberies Cloud the Upcoming Elections in Lebanon”
Not Much Progress in Tripoli
The noise emerging from Libya’s capital doesn’t bode well for the future of the war-ravaged yet oil-rich country. With factions and tribes fighting over power, the needs of normal people seem to be ignored entirely. Speaking to people in Libya about Libya is a treacherous enterprise, because you inevitably get sucked into the eternal gameContinue reading “Not Much Progress in Tripoli”
Sudan Urgently Needs a Government, Says United Nations Envoy
The United Nations envoy has spoken at length about the progress achieved in the broad consultation process in Khartoum. He also warned that there was in fact an urgent need for establishing a government to avoid an economic collapse and significant humanitarian crisis. The Security Council of the United Nations on Tuesday learned about theContinue reading “Sudan Urgently Needs a Government, Says United Nations Envoy”
Egypt Takes Precautions Against Food Price Increases
The rise in basic food prices as a consequence of the invasion of Ukraine has raised concern in countries such as Egypt, the biggest importer of wheat. The government has reacted with crisis meetings, precautionary measures to improve stockpiles and measures to counter speculation, our correspondent in Cairo writes. Ukraine is one of the biggestContinue reading “Egypt Takes Precautions Against Food Price Increases”
Algeria Caught Between Economic Depression and Social Discontent
The government in Algeria is caught between an expensive policy of food subsidies and a population dependent on food aid. It is trying to find a structural solution, but stumbling over the economic realities, our correspondent in the Maghreb writes. Algeria spends about 19 billion dollars on subsidies of basic commodities a year. Researchers argueContinue reading “Algeria Caught Between Economic Depression and Social Discontent”
Chad: Confrontation Between France and Russia?
The recent rumblings about a rebel leader in Chad who wants to use Russian mercenaries to get rid of the head of the transitional military council in N’Djamena has caught the attention of a wider audience wary of the developments in a region where the Western powers are challenged by old foes. The leaked transcriptContinue reading “Chad: Confrontation Between France and Russia?”
Pressure on Sudan’s Military Rulers to Engage in Political Process
With more than four months gone since the putsch by the military in Sudan pressure on the rulers to go back and engage in a political process is mounting. The so-called Friends of Sudan group of nations on March 3 published a statement on the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) report. UNITAMSContinue reading “Pressure on Sudan’s Military Rulers to Engage in Political Process”
Turkey’s Role as Guardian of the Straits Is Under Scrutiny
Turkey, which covers NATO’s south-eastern European flank has been cast in a particularly difficult situation by the invasion of Ukraine given its close ties to both Kyiv and aggressor Russia, in addition to its unique geographic position. With the international campaign against the Russian aggression against Ukraine gathering pace, Turkey has a rather unique roleContinue reading “Turkey’s Role as Guardian of the Straits Is Under Scrutiny”
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