Issues
Tensions still running high in Tunisia
Four months after Tunisia’s revolution tensions are high as protestors fear the interim government may go back on its promise to help lead the country to democracy. On May 15 the popular reformist, who served briefly as interior minister...
Condoleezza Rice in the Maghreb: the underside of a round
In an interview to « El Khabar », Hasni Abidi, director of the Study and Research Center for the Arab and Mediterranean World (CERMAM) in Geneva, doesn’t rule out the possibility that the Secretary of State of the United States asks the Heads of states of the Maghreb to reopen their embassies in Iraq, like she did with their counterparts in the Middle East and the Gulf.
EU- Israel: A Special Partnership
European Neighbourhood Policy Since 2004, the European Union developed what they called the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), which gives special privileges to about 15 EU neighbouring countries regarding their relationship with the EU on an economical and political level. The...
The Union for the Mediteranean: a new French offensive
The Union for the Mediterranean (UPM) was launched on July 13, 2008 in Paris. The concept of a partnership between European and Mediterranean countries is not a new one. In 1995, the European countries had launched the ‘Barcelona Process’. The UPM restores the same spirit as Barcelona, but with a few changes and modifications.
Hormuz: a Strategic Chokepoint
If the Persian Gulf is the energetically heart of our world, then the Strait of Hormuz is its Aorta. The Gulf Countries hold 61.1% of the world’s proven reserves and 40% of the world’s gas reserves. 30% of the petroleum produced comes from the region as well as 12% of the world’s gas production. Ghawar is the biggest super giant oil field in the World, and it is located in Saudi Arabia and the South Pars/Asalouyeh is the largest natural gas field, shared by Iran and Qatar. The Persian Gulf plays a dominating role in the international energy arena.
