MENA Week in Review - January 31, 2014 Share This /

MENA Week in Review – January 31, 2014

Violence continues to plague the region this week, as rebels extend their control over key resources in Syria, attacks spill over into Iraq, and tensions in Egypt erupt after the third anniversary of the revolution. Below is a roundup of the top articles and news highlights from around the region over the last week:

United States Policy:

• The U.S. condemned the violence which accompanied the third anniversary of Egypt’s revolution. On January 25, thousands of Egyptians celebrated this anniversary by gathering in support of the military leadership responsible for removing the first democratically elected president in Egypt’s history. The celebration, held in Tahrir Square, was rivaled by separate, and at times clashing, protests by members of the Muslim Brotherhood and groups of left-leaning protesters. Eventually, violence between protesters and security forces left 49 dead.

Several other instances of bombings and shootings were recorded throughout Egypt over the week amid two significant developments in Egyptian politics: First, the Egyptian military leadership, collectively known as the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, announced their backing of a presidential run by current Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sissi. Secondly, deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi was put on trial on charges of leading a prison escape in 2011.

• Speaking at the Davos World Economic Forum on Friday, January 24, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry reiterated his commitment to the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians, and defended the U.S. from accusations that it was disengaging from the region. In particular, Secretary Kerry urged both Israelis and Palestinians to make hard compromises and accept his proposed Mideast framework as an interim basis for continuing negotiations. The talks have reportedly stalled over the fate of the Jordan Valley, with Israel insisting on a long-term military presence. Alternatively, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has declared that he would accept a transition period of up to three years, throughout which Israeli troops would be allowed to remain the valley.

• On Monday, January 27, the U.S. Congress approved the lease of six Apache attack helicopters (worth $1.37 billion), as well as the sale of 24 Apache Longbow helicopters ($4.8 billion) to Iraq. Arms transfers to Iraq had been held up by members of Congress due to concerns that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki would misuse the weapons against his political opponents or Iraqi minorities. So far, however, reports indicate that the PM is sending arms and money to Sunni tribes in the Anbar province in an effort to regain control over militant-held areas in the province.

• The U.S. continued its engagement with the Syrian civil war by keeping pressure on negotiators at the Geneva II peace conference and resuming both lethal and non-lethal aid to rebel-held areas in Syria. Expectations for progress in Geneva are being kept to a low level by top U.N. mediator, Lakhdar Brahimi, even as reports indicate the possibility of small, positive steps. The resumption of aid will include ambulances, garbage trucks, generators, food baskets, school supplies and office equipment.

In related news, concerns are mounting that Syria is not fully delivering on its promise to eliminate its entire chemical weapons arsenal, as reports show that so far, only 5 percent of its cache has been destroyed.

• Several cosponsoring senators of a new Iran sanctions bill, known as the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2013, are reconsidering their support for the bill after U.S. President Barack Obama declared his firm commitment to veto any such bill that reached his desk before negotiations had a chance to succeed.  Others are less willing to give up; Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) encouraged his Senate colleagues to push the bill through the Senate. This political debate was accompanied by the annual U.S. intelligence assessment which assessed that Iran now has the “scientific, technical and industrial capacity to eventually produce nuclear weapons,” and that nuclear weapons production depends on Iran’s “political will to do so.”

• The Department of State congratulated the “people of Yemen on the conclusion of their National Dialogue.” The welcome news, however, has yet to seriously address the inimical problems which continue to plague Yemen’s citizens, such as a chronic lack of economic opportunity and deteriorating security conditions.

• The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DCSA) notified Congress of its intent to conduct a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a weapons and equipment deal valued at $270 million. The deal would be part of a larger, multibillion-dollar deal for 30 more F-16 fighter jets.  The approved equipment includes the sale of guns, navigational systems, night vision devices and other equipment as part of a "Block 61" version of the F-16s.

Other top security stories:

• U.S. weapons manufacturer Raytheon confirmed that it received a direct commercial sales contract (DCS) from Oman. The contract calls for a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) valued at $1.28 billion.

• In a sign of strengthening military relations, a meeting was held on Wednesday between Egypt’s Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Sedky Sobhy and Deputy Commander of the United States Central Command General Mark Fox. According to Al-Ahram’s Arabic news website, the meeting touched on the question of future military cooperation.

• A brazen attack on an Iraqi Ministry building left 24 people dead on Thursday. Reports indicate that at least six militants stormed the Iraqi Ministry of Transportation in northeast Baghdad, took hostages, and killed 18 people. All six militants were killed as well. The militants are suspected of belonging to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

• Saudi Arabia announced a second package of budgetary aid to Egypt on Thursday. The aid package amounts to $4 billion in central bank deposits and petroleum products. This is the second time the Saudis have alleviated the Egyptian budget after the military ousted former Egyptian President, Mohamed Morsi.

• Members of two different rebel groups in Syria have seized control of a majority of the country’s oil and gas resources. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and the Nusra Front have each captured different oil and gas production facilities. The resources are a crucial source of funding in cash-strapped Syria and reports have raised the possibility that rebel groups are selling oil to the government in an effort to sustain both personal profit and more funding for arms.

• Tunisia formed another interim government in preparation for scheduled parliamentary and presidential elections at the end of 2014. The new caretaker government, headed by former Minister of Industry Mehdi Jomaa, will take over from the Islamist Ennahda Party, following the successful passing of the country’s new constitution on Monday.