The Morning Brief - Lignet
Signs of Syria's Hand in Attack on US Embassy in Turkey
The attack on the U.S. embassy in Turkey on February 1 appears to have
come from a radical left-wing terrorist group that was dismantled by the
Turkish authorities some years ago. But this time, it seems the group is
less focused on setting up a Marxist state and instead is aiming to turn
the tide of public opinion on Turkey’s support for the Syrian
opposition.
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Egypt: Escalating Violence a Dire Threat to Economy
The security situation in Egypt continues to deteriorate, putting at
risk the country’s chances of receiving loans from the International
Monetary Fund and other parties at a time when its foreign reserves are
hitting critical lows and its economic prospects are worsening. More
than 60 have been killed during bloody protests over the last ten days,
leading President Mohammed Morsi to crack down with curfews and arrests
in a desperate effort to restore order.
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China-Japan Tensions Rise After China Points Radar at Japanese
Warship
Relations between China and Japan are at their lowest point in decades
and likely to decline further following news that China pointed a
military radar at a Japanese warship last week. The incident took place
near disputed islands claimed by both countries. While no weapons were
fired, the highly unusual act by China underscores the volatility in the
region and exposes the risk of miscalculations potentially leading to a
skirmish.
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Dutch Bank Nationalization Sparks Fears Across Eurozone
On February 1, the Dutch government nationalized SNS Reaal, the
country’s fourth largest bank, spurring uncertainty not just for the
Netherlands but also for the rest of the eurozone. The Utrecht-based
banking and security group had been moving into the red zone for some
time, and after other rescue options failed, Dutch Finance Minister
Jeroen Dijsselbloem saw no other alternative.
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Syria: Opposition Shift Reignites Debate Over Immunity for Assad
In a dramatic reversal, the head of the new Syrian opposition coalition
has called for talks with the Syrian government to try to end the
country’s nearly two-year old bloody uprising. Although this gesture has
received qualified support from some players, it took some members of
the fragile opposition coalition by surprise and could cause a major
rift. However, there are still major obstacles to a negotiated
settlement, one of the most important of which is the fate of Syrian
President Bashar al-Assad.
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China: Is Huawei Out After Three Strikes?
Huawei Technologies, the world’s biggest telecommunications provider, is
back on the front page, with allegations that it broke trade sanctions
on Iran. But despite facing a third major accusation of business
misconduct in the last two years, including cyber espionage, Huawei
likely has the global reach, capital and confidence to wait out the bad
press.
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Ambassador Reich: Good Start for Mexican President Pena Nieto
In an exclusive LIGNET interview, Otto Reich, President Ronald Reagan’s
ambassador to Venezuela and former Assistant Secretary of State for
Western Hemisphere Affairs, sees positive signs for new Mexican
President Enrique Pena Nieto, who assumed office on December 1, 2012,
especially a reduction in drug violence. Reich cautions however, that it
is very early to draw conclusions about Pena Nieto and he still has to
prove himself as a new kind of PRI leader.
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