EGYPT EXTENDS STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR THREE MONTHS

Sourced: Middle East Eye Egypt extended its nationwide state of emergency for three months from 14 April, the official gazette said early Saturday. Egypt first imposed the current state of emergency in April 2017 after two church bombings killed at least 45 people. It was extended in July and again in October, then in January.… Continue reading EGYPT EXTENDS STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR THREE MONTHS

CYPRUS SEES GAS DEAL WITH EGYPT AS CAIRO WEIGHS ISRAELI SUPPLY

Sourced: Bloomberg By Georgios Georgiou, Paul Tugwell, Salma El Wardany, and Tarek El-Tablawy Cyprus is nearing an agreement to sell natural gas to Egypt, marking the second potential supply deal in as many days with the North African country vying to position itself as a regional energy hub after the startup of the giant offshore… Continue reading CYPRUS SEES GAS DEAL WITH EGYPT AS CAIRO WEIGHS ISRAELI SUPPLY

USA BLOCKS ADDITIONAL RAFALE SALES TO EGYPT

Sourced: Egypt Daily News Negotiations for the sale of additional Rafale between France and Egypt are hampered by the United States. Washington refuses to export an American component aboard the Scalp cruise missile that Cairo wants to acquire. Negotiations between Paris and Cairo are seriously stuck in for the sale of additional Rafale (12 fighter… Continue reading USA BLOCKS ADDITIONAL RAFALE SALES TO EGYPT

GAS AND OIL DIPLOMACY IN EASTER MEDITERRANEAN PRELUDE TO REGIONAL WAR

Sourced: Al Arabiya By Shehab Al-Makahleh The Middle East has undergone major vicissitudes following the “Arab Spring” demonstrations. The Mideast is one of the most important regions in the world and the stability of which is mandatory to peace and stability in the world. Since 2011, the Middle East has entered a state of uncertainty… Continue reading GAS AND OIL DIPLOMACY IN EASTER MEDITERRANEAN PRELUDE TO REGIONAL WAR

ISRAEL TO CONDUCT JOINT AIR FORCE DRILLS WITH GREECE, CYPRUS AND EGYPT

Sourced : The Times of Israel Greece’s defense minister says plans are being drawn up for joint air force drills with Cyprus, Israel, Egypt and European countries as part of efforts to bolster stability in the eastern Mediterranean. Panos Kammenos’ remarks Sunday came after a military parade in the Cypriot capital to commemorate the 57th… Continue reading ISRAEL TO CONDUCT JOINT AIR FORCE DRILLS WITH GREECE, CYPRUS AND EGYPT

AL-SISI : GULF SIEGE AGAINST QATAR SHOULD INCLUDE TURKEY

Sourced : Middle East Monitor The Egyptian president has called on allies in the Gulf to escalate the diplomatic row with Qatar to include Turkey, the New Arab reported. According to the news outlet, President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi urged Gulf leaders to expand their boycott until Ankara gives up support for Qatar. He is reported… Continue reading AL-SISI : GULF SIEGE AGAINST QATAR SHOULD INCLUDE TURKEY

SAUDI FURY RAISES “COUP RISKS” IN QATAR

Iconic skyline in Doha, Qatar, shot from the waterside.

Sourced : Financial Post By Jesse Snyder Qatar’s diplomatic break from several of its Middle Eastern rivals on Monday could have far-reaching reverberations. Saudi Arabia, apart from Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, moved to cut off diplomatic ties with the small Gulf emirate, citing the country’s support for terrorist groups. The move included… Continue reading SAUDI FURY RAISES “COUP RISKS” IN QATAR

SAUDI ARABIA, UAE, EGYPT AND BAHRAIN BREAK DIPLOMATIC TIES WITH QATAR OVER “TERRORISM”

Iconic skyline in Doha, Qatar, shot from the waterside.

Sourced : The Guardian Ben Doherty, Patrick Wintour Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain have broken off diplomatic relations and all land, sea and air contacts with fellow Gulf Arab state Qatar, in the region’s most serious diplomatic crisis in years. Saudi Arabia on Monday said the move was necessary to protect… Continue reading SAUDI ARABIA, UAE, EGYPT AND BAHRAIN BREAK DIPLOMATIC TIES WITH QATAR OVER “TERRORISM”

ISIS CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY FOR PALM SUNDAY CHURCH BOMBINGS IN EGYPT

Sourced : CNN By Joe Sterling, Faith Karimi, Mohammed Tawfeeq and Hamdi Alkhshali, Egypt’s President says he will declare a state of emergency after two deadly bombings targeted Coptic Christian churches on Palm Sunday. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attacks, which were aimed at a vulnerable religious minority on one of the most important days… Continue reading ISIS CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY FOR PALM SUNDAY CHURCH BOMBINGS IN EGYPT

UAE MOVES CLOSER TO ISRAEL, GREECE AND CYPRUS BOLSTERING EGYPT’S REGIONAL ROLE

Sourced : Hurriyet By Micha’el Tanchum (Fellow at the Energy Policy Research Center at Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey).   Combat pilots from United Arab Emirates (UAE) are making history by flying alongside their Israeli counterparts in a joint air force exercise hosted by Greece. While the UAE and Israel have no formal diplomatic ties, the… Continue reading UAE MOVES CLOSER TO ISRAEL, GREECE AND CYPRUS BOLSTERING EGYPT’S REGIONAL ROLE