The Morning Brief - Lignet
CIA Takes Control of Elite Iraqi Unit in Major Policy Shift
An elite Iraqi counter-terror group that was long directed by the
Pentagon is now run by the CIA, signifying a critical change in American
strategy in fighting terror in the Middle East. Granting the CIA more
responsibility for the anti-terror mission in Iraq has immediate
political advantages for both American and Iraqi policy makers, but it
is not without risks.
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Tanzania Gas Find Could Fuel Rapid Growth
A huge new natural gas discovery off the coast of Tanzania by Statoil
[NYSE: STO] and Exxon Mobil [NYSE: XOM] comes as interest in the country
from global energy companies is surging. China has made gaining access
to Tanzanian energy such a high priority that Xi Jinping visited
Tanzania this week, his second foreign trip since becoming the new
Chinese president this month. There are some storm clouds on the horizon
for the development of Tanzanian energy resources, however, including
rising economic unrest and a simmering religious conflict.
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Warburton: US Economy Prospects Good But Government Spending a
Problem
In an exclusive new interview, LIGNET Special Economic Adviser Dr. Peter
Warburton gives a positive outlook for the U.S. economy in 2013, which
he describes as a “transitional” year. His outlook for 2014 is even more
encouraging. Warburton says there are challenges facing the U.S. economy
in 2013, such as government belt-tightening and high gasoline and food
prices, but he does not think these factors will have a significant
effect. He is worried, however, that the United States has become too
dependent on stimulus spending.
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Syria Crisis Jumpstarts Turkish-Israeli Relationship
Shared concerns over the deteriorating situation in Syria, including the
possible use or transfer of chemical weapons by the Assad regime, led to
last week’s rapprochement between Turkey and Israel. The restoration of
full diplomatic relations could help facilitate greater intelligence and
military cooperation between the two countries at a critical time given
the region’s multiple sources of instability.
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Syria’s Opposition Leader Quits; Leaves Coalition in Free Fall
The leader of Syria’s opposition coalition, Moaz al-Khatib, resigned
yesterday, raising doubts about the ability of the fragile alliance to
remain united and form a stable government after Syrian President Bashar
al-Assad is driven from power. The departure of Khatib hurts the
international reputation of the Syrian opposition and reflects the
growing role of Islamists – including the Muslim Brotherhood – in the
anti-Assad resistance.
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Christians Under Fire in Libya, Stoking Tensions with Egypt
Christians in Libya are more vulnerable following the arrest of four
Egyptian Christians earlier this month for proselytizing which came days
after assailants burned an Egyptian Coptic Christian church in Benghazi.
Diplomatic tensions are rising between Egypt and Libya, underscoring a
growing threat to Christians across the Middle East.
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Fears Grow That China May Take Top Bank Post from Japan
The vacancy to head the Asian Development Bank could pit Asia’s two
economic powerhouses against each other. Despite an unwritten rule that
a Japanese citizen always heads the ADB, speculation is growing that
China may field a nominee of its own for the top job. While Beijing has
yet to make an official endorsement, Tokyo has made clear its intention
to keep the post.
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