Syria ceasefire hinges on genuine dialogue: Steinmeier
The future of the ceasefire in Syria hinges on a genuine dialogue advancing the political process in the war-ravaged country, German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier warned [27 February 2016]. Speaking to Welt on Sonntag newspaper on 27 February, Steinmeier said, “Thousands of Syrians were still sceptical when they emerged from the protection of the bunkers and ruins last night. For the first time in many years, they...
Saudi Arabia borrows more as fiscal, security problems multiply
Saudi Arabia is borrowing more from international markets to meet fiscal shortfalls caused by the halving of the crude oil price, additional unbudgeted expenses prosecuting the war on Yemen and enhanced security needs. In July the kingdom issued its first sovereign bonds since 2007 to raise about $4 billion from local banks. It’s also been dipping into sovereign fund reserves and now plans to raise another $27 billion, a figure...
Germany sees ISIS menacing ‘entire’ MENA region
ISIS has become an existential threat to Iraq and the entire Middle East region, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said (13 August 2014). He made the comment in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung on the attacks by the so-called ‘Islamic State’ terrorist group in Iraq (12 August): “ISIS has become an existential threat to Iraq and the entire Middle East region,” Steinmeier said. “To us in...