By John Galt
July 17, 2011
The issues arising after the “Arab Spring” have re-emerged into a summer of Islamist rage, especially in those nations once romanticized by the Western mainstream media but as some of us tried to warn, never romance the stone when it has been whipped from a slingshot towards one’s face. The lack of reform is neither shocking nor unexpected in most of the nations where violence, protests, and economic duress have been ongoing for months now. This is a brief review of the stories since Friday and a summary of their impacts in my opinion.
ALGERIA:
Algeria bombing kills at least two:security source
Per Reuters July 16, 2011:
ALGIERS, July 16 (Reuters) – Two people were killed in Algeria on Saturday when a suicide bomber targeted a police headquarters in a town 70 km (45 miles) east of the capital, a local security source told Reuters.
Al Qaeda’s north African branch frequently attacks security forces in rural areas of Algeria, but it has been months since there have been any bomb attacks in the centre of a town.
The bomb struck in the early hours of Saturday morning in the centre of the town of Bordj Menaiel, near the local police headquarters, said the source, who did not want to be identified.
NOTE: This could be part of the continuing evolution of AQIM, the North African branch of Al-Qaeda which has created problems throughout Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Mauritania, and Mali. If this is the start of a new offensive in coordination with rebels in Tunisia, Libya, and other MENA nations the disruptions they could create for Europe and Western companies dependent on resources in the MENA region is incalculable.
Six dead in fresh Algeria violence
TUNISIA:
All stories from Reuters-
Soldiers break up clashes in southern Tunisia
Curfew imposed after clashes in southern Tunisia
Police use teargas against protesters in Tunisia
Tunisian police fire in air to disperse rioters
NOTE: This does not sound like the idyllic starting place for the “Arab Spring” that CNN and Christiane Amanpour once described. As the Libyan Civil War rages next door the spillover effects are impacting the Tunisian economy and what is left of a civil government’s attempt to maintain order and prepare for future elections.
MOROCCO:
A very good story breaking down the situation in Morocco and the attempted reforms from Bruce Maddy-Weitzman of the Jerusalem Post today:
Arab Spring, Moroccan Style
Also this past week, the government relented and worked with the protesters to end a prolonged phosphate strike. More details in this Reuters story:
Morocco says protests over phosphate jobs are over
LIBYA:
Over 120 rebels hurt in battle for east Libya town
NATO Warplanes Hit Libyan Military Targets Near Tripoli, Brega
Gaddafi vows to remain in Libya
Fighting in Western Libya continues
How fuel smuggling keeps Gaddafi machine running
Battle in Brega City Switches to ‘Street-Street’ Fighting
Russia has no plans to supply arms to Libya – Russian envoy
US formally recognises Libyan rebels
EGYPT:
Egypt prime minister moves to reshuffle cabinet
A must read from the NY Times this morning:
Egypt Military Aims to Cement Muscular Role in Government
Unstable gas supply puts more strain on Israel-Egypt relations
Economic neglect in post-revolution Egypt
EGYPT: DEMONSTRATORS KILLED, 700 POLICE OFFICERS SACKED
Egypt protesters heckle general
BAHRAIN:
Bahrain’s Wefaq opposition party quits talks
Bahrain: Woman dies following anti-government clash
IRAN:
Iran’s top leader: US is real enemy of Pakistan
Pakistan, Iran resolve to boost economic relations
“Iran adopts aggressive approach toward enemies”
Two Kurd rebels killed in Iran army clashes
IRAQ:
10 killed, 70 wounded in bomb attacks during Shiite rite in Iraq
US soldier, 8 others killed in Iraq
Iraq militants warn S. Korean firms over Kuwait port
The Friday of breaking the fear: Protests started again in Kurdistan
NOTE: This is the elephant in the living room as the United States still has yet to set a long term policy towards the Kurdish question. While our military is ordered to pay lip service to the Kurdish government to pacify their concerns, anger against the central government in Baghdad and lack of concrete acknowledgement of the provisional territorial borders by the Iraqi government is building cause for an even more militant defense of the Kurdish homeland along with a restriction of oil flows from the Kirkuk region.
Iraq MPs: Riyadh fosters terrorism
Kurdistan:
Pro-Kurdish DTK declares ‘democratic autonomy’ in Turkey’s southeast
Turkey: Army Strikes Back at Rebels
12 Turkish Soldiers Killed In Clash With Kurdish Militants
JORDAN:
Jordan police thrash nine journalists covering demo
Jordan journalists to sue police department
Jordanians protest govt. brutality
Jordan”s Opposition Parties Coordinating cmte stages sit-in, calls for reform
Protesters say they are not renegades, vow to continue peaceful campaign for reform
Loyalist forces clash with Amman pro-democracy groups
SYRIA:
Syrian protesters gunned down in capital
Lebanese women travel to Syria to support Assad
Syrian forces surround protesting eastern town
Syrian opposition calls for civil disobedience
Syrian troops storm border town
Syria – 19 Reported Dead In Marches
Syria’s alleged nuclear activities raising concernsSyrian unrest nears Iraq border
Syrian unrest nears Iraq border
Syrian forces enter border city, detain dozens
YEMEN:
Recovering Saleh to return to Yemen ‘soon’
US Strikes in Yemen Said to Kill 8 Militants
Four soldiers among 14 dead in Zinjibar clash
Yemen protesters form shadow government
Dozens Injured in Protest Against Yemeni President’s 33-year Rule
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