December 20, 2011 In May 2011 the Saudi Arabia Minister of Labor Adel Fakieh announced that his Ministry would very soon introduce a program (the Nitaqat) that would drastically reduce the overall number of sponsorship visas (the Iqama) granted to … [Read more...] about Saudi Arabia: Coping With Indigenous Unemployment And The Nitaqat Program.
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December In The Middle East
What was the biggest story on the Middle East this month? U.S. withdrawal from Iraq? The very bad news about the Egyptian economy? The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood's ridiculous claim to being only "moderately Islamist" and pundits and the media … [Read more...] about December In The Middle East
Mileage And Jobs: Fisker
December 17 The Department of Energy (DOE) has granted Fisker, an American automobile manufacturer in Anaheim, California, $529,000,000 to build a car in Uusikaupunk, Finland. It is a start-up endeavor, starting from scratch with taxpayer money. … [Read more...] about Mileage And Jobs: Fisker
Their Oil Is Thicker Than Our Blood*
* First published in Saudi Arabia & the Global Islamic Terrorist Network, Chapter 10, pp-123-151, PalgraveMacMillan, November 2011. On December 12, 2011 Iran’s Intelligence Minister Haydar Moslehi met with Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Nayef in … [Read more...] about Their Oil Is Thicker Than Our Blood*
Manpads And The Muslim Brotherhood
Before beginning my commentary, I need to draw your attention to a recent Christian Science Monitor piece by my colleague Rachel Ehrenfeld. Since 2002, the Israeli's have been concerned with the threat of shoulder-fired missiles to its civilian … [Read more...] about Manpads And The Muslim Brotherhood
Libya's Missing Missiles: A Threat To Us Airline Passengers
If terrorists get hold of some of Qaddafi's 20,000 shoulder-fired missiles and manage to bring down an airliner in the United States, the economic repercussions would be huge. Antimissile systems exist, but so far US airlines have balked at the … [Read more...] about Libya's Missing Missiles: A Threat To Us Airline Passengers
Egypt's Trade-Off
November 30, 2011 Egypt’s Trade-Off By J. Millard Burr* It is sad to find that Egypt's tourist economy and the tourism giant Thomas Cook & Sons have simultaneously hit rock bottom. Since the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, and Cook's … [Read more...] about Egypt's Trade-Off
The Middle East &Amp; North Africa
I have neglected saying much lately about the Middle East and Iran, in part because the EWI readership follows things there so closely. But, lately, there's been a good deal of insightful writing that shouldn't be missed. Those on Egypt include J. … [Read more...] about The Middle East &Amp; North Africa
Egypt's Economy: Falling Leaves
HEADLINE, OCTOBER 27, 2011: Egypt had its government bond ratings cut for the third time this year by Moody's Investors Service, which cited ongoing economic weakness' after the revolt that ousted President Hosni Mubarak. (Bloomberg) Prior to the … [Read more...] about Egypt's Economy: Falling Leaves
Failing To Deal, Dealing To Fail
The past few days have seen yet another round in the "last straw" dithering about Iran. This time the huffing seems heavier. The IAEA suddenly wakes up and finds that Stuxnet wasn't much of a setback to the Iranian nuclear program, and is finally … [Read more...] about Failing To Deal, Dealing To Fail