The Morning Brief - Lignet
How Israel’s Missile Defense is Changing the Rules
Reports that Tehran has sent some of its best engineers to help Islamist
terrorists in the Gaza Strip improve their rocket and missile
capabilities for renewed attacks on Israel may not be as great a concern
for Israel as one might think. The Hamas rocket attacks in November
served to further improve Israel’s Iron Dome counter-rocket system and
empower Israel’s grand plan for a national missile defense shield. If
Israel can stop the vast majority of rockets launched from Gaza, it
doesn’t have to make tough decisions that might result in an all-out
war.
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Warburton: Euro Appreciation Could Foil European Recovery
In a new exclusive interview, LIGNET Special Economic Advisor Dr. Peter
Warburton sees glimmers of hope for the recovery of some European
economies in 2013, but worries that a strengthening euro could undercut
this by reducing the ability of European states to boost exports.
Warburton sees economic trouble ahead for Spain and Greece this year and
believes measures being pursued by EU states to head off another
economic meltdown are inadequate and underfunded.
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Bombings Signal Rebel Divisions Over Thai Peace Talks
Two recent bombings in Thailand — one of which injured six outside a
market — appeared timed to derail peace talks between the Thai
government and Islamist militants in southern Thailand seeking
independence. While no one claimed responsibility, the attacks, and the
fact that the Muslim group which agreed to talks with the government
does not represent all militant forces, suggest that the road to peace
remains long and forbidding.
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Venezuela: Political Turmoil, Opportunities After Chavez
The death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez yesterday will lead to an
emotional political transition for the country that is likely to boost
his chosen successor, Vice President Nicolas Maduro, and sustain his
political movement over the short term. Over the longer term, however,
political infighting among Chavez insiders and the country’s dire
economic situation will probably open the door to major political
change.
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Turkey: Peace Accord Could End 30-Year Uprising
Imprisoned on an island in the Sea of Marmara, the leader of the Turkish
rebel group PKK is reportedly hard at work drafting a peace plan that
could end, once and for all, the rebellion that has kept Turkey in a
state of war for more than three decades. To say that a lasting
ceasefire would be significant for Turkey is to make a great
understatement. Peace at home would allow Turkey to focus outward, at
the problems facing the Middle East, and to become a broker for peace
between East and West.
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Slovenia Rejects Austerity, Increasing Risk of New Fiscal Crisis
The Slovenian parliament voted out its government last week, the latest
popular European backlash against painful economic austerity measures
implemented in response to the continent's sovereign debt crisis. Acting
Slovenian Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek has promised to reverse
austerity measures to restore economic growth and reduce unemployment,
but LIGNET sees difficult challenges ahead for Bratusek, who has made
unrealistic promises that risk a fiscal crisis if implemented.
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