Posts From Madeleine Moreau

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Middle East/North Africa Technology and infrastructure

How strong are the Middle East’s cybersecurity networks?

The Middle East is responsible for a significant share of the world’s energy resources and is also one of the fastest growing regions for personal internet and mobile phone use.

Economics Middle East/North Africa

Turkish lira or Syrian pound? Currency debate sparks divide in Northern Syria

Opposition groups in Syria’s North are opting to use the Turkish lira over the Syrian pound to take advantage of a more stable currency, while also deliberately seeking to devalue

Middle East/North Africa Politics

Anti-trash protests reveal fragility of Lebanese state

Recent demonstrations in downtown Beirut turned violent last week after security forces used water cannons and tear gas against protesters who are calling for an end to the country’s trash

Middle East/North Africa Politics

Russia-Iran weapons sale a deal of mutual opportunity

The Kremlin’s decision last week to lift a ban on the sale of the S-300 air-defense missile system to Iran has sparked widespread political backlash from those who fear Iran’s growing

Middle East/North Africa Natural resources and energy

$10 billion Russia-Jordan nuclear deal promises dividends

Last week, Jordan signed a $10 billion dollar deal with Russia to build the country’s first nuclear power plant. For an energy-strapped nation as Jordan, the project is an important investment

Economics Middle East/North Africa

Egypt Economic Development Conference ignores underlying issues

The Egypt Economic Development Conference this past weekend drew 1,700 investors and government leaders from 90 countries to Egypt’s resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh. The conference brought Egypt’s struggling economy

Middle East/North Africa Natural resources and energy

Environmental protests challenge Algeria fracking

Algeria is home to world’s third largest shale deposits behind China and Afghanistan. If exploited, shale gas could provide an important boost to its energy exports. A new project to

Economics Middle East/North Africa

Middle East sees rise of start-up incubators

The impressive start-up culture in the Middle East has led to the development of myriad seed investment companies looking to support young entrepreneurs. These companies provide startups with greater access

Finance Middle East/North Africa

Halt of remittances threatens stability in Somalia

Increasing pressure on U.S. banks has led to a complete halt of remittance payments from Somali immigrants to family and friends back home. The decision puts banks in a frustrating

Middle East/North Africa Natural resources and energy

Lebanon oil and gas offshore exploration mired in risk

Estimates show that Lebanon has significant offshore energy reserves, including more than 120 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. International firms have lined up to begin exploration into these energy fields,