Posts From Jacob Purcell

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Middle East/North Africa Security

The outlook for Libya remains troubled, but recent events offer hope

While hardly a panacea for all the problems Libya faces, US strikes in support of Libya’s government offer hope for improvement in the war-torn country.

Middle East/North Africa Politics

Iraq’s deepening political dysfunction

The recent occupation of Baghdad’s Green Zone by followers of Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr highlights the country’s entrenched political deadlock, which poses a significant source of political and security risk

Asia Pacific Economics

Liberalization in Burma creates new investment opportunities

While not without risks, the recent opening of Burma to the outside world is creating a plethora of lucrative new opportunities for investors.

Economics Middle East/North Africa

Upgrading the Suez Canal: Egypt’s trade gamble

The continuing upgrades of Egypt’s Suez Canal may yield long-term benefits for Egypt in the form of increased trade. However, significant political and economic risks remain in the short-term that

Middle East/North Africa Security

Libya’s troubled future

Despite the recent success of UN mediation efforts, an end to Libya’s civil war remains unlikely for now. Recent unification talks have raised the prospect of ending the civil war

Middle East/North Africa Security

The impact of the independence of Kurdistan

In this second of two articles on Kurdistan, GRI examines the likely repercussions of an independent Iraqi Kurdistan. The previous article made the case that this is a good time

Middle East/North Africa Politics

Why the timing is ideal for Iraq’s Kurds to declare independence

In this first of two related articles, GRI examines why it is a good time for the Iraqi Kurdish population to declare independence. The next article will examine the regional

Middle East/North Africa Security

Will Turkey and Saudi Arabia intervene in Syria?

Over the past several weeks, Turkey and Saudi Arabia have repeatedly discussed intervening in the Syrian conflict. Is this sort of intervention likely? In recent days, the possibility of Saudi

Middle East/North Africa Security

Is partitioning Syria a viable option?

US Secretary of State John Kerry recently said that partitioning Syria may be a possibility. In this debate series, GRI asked whether Syria would remain united. Jacob Purcell presents why,

Middle East/North Africa Security

Will U.S spying hurt ties with Israel?

Will the recent leaks of the Anarchist surveillance program cause further stress for already tense relations between Washington and Israel? On Friday, January 29th, the online journal The Intercept and