Author: Admin
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October 2020
Overview. Again, predictably, the Trump Administration failed to garner any credible support at the Security Council to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran (‘snapback’). Despite unilaterally insisting that member states are now obliged to enforce them, few will, representing a major diplomatic failure. While maximum pressure is not a diplomatic success, it continues to contribute (along…
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September 2020
Overview. Internationally, President’s Sisi position is that of a ruler of the region and a far-sighted visionary who aims to develop his nation and drag it into the 21st century. At home his people are apathetic to him at best and outspokenly opposed to him at worst. Egypt will continue to dominate world headlines as…
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September 2020
Overview. After an apparent decrease in C19 cases lockdown has been lifted nationwide, and a new micro-lockdown strategy will be applied as outbreaks manifest. In comparison to last month the security situation was much calmer, and the security forces conducted number of successful intelligence-based raids. Public & Government Response to C19.…… Read the rest
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September 2020
Overview. There are potential signs that the government is suppressing the opposition. On the economic front, Bangladesh’s GDP growth in the past fiscal year has been 5.24%, according to provisional estimates by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics and export earnings have rebounded slightly after falling consecutively for six months. Alleged Suppression of Opposition.…… Read the…
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September 2020
Overview. Not unsurprisingly, the US failed to win significant support for maintaining the UN conventional arms embargo against Iran (ending the embargo is envisaged in the 2015 JCPOA). Trump will now pursue sanctions snapback, which will further pit US allies against it and see Iran try to occupy the moral & diplomatic high ground.…… Read…
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August 2020
Overview. President Sisi addressed his people on the 68th anniversary of the July 1952 Revolution, stressing that “time has demonstrated the nobility of the goals of the revolution.” He said that he would do what was necessary to protect Egypt’s “historical rights and assets” if needed.…… Read the rest
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August 2020
Overview. The intensity of terrorist attacks especially in KPK, Balochistan and areas bordering Afghanistan is increasing. The National Counter Terrorism Authorities (NACTA) issued several threat alerts indicating possible terrorist attacks in during August in the cities of Peshawar, Karachi and Rawalpindi. In order to prevent spread of C19 during Eid (31 July-02 Aug 2020), the…
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August 2020
Overview. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the government will reveal the irregularities that have been occurring in the country’s health sector. Economic losses as a result of C19 might have reached USD 21 billion in the just concluded fiscal year. Bangladesh Bank has created a loan fund for the July wages of export-oriented sector…
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July 2020
Overview. Iran’s C19 reopening appeared to be premature as authorities walked back easing of restrictions in some areas. A US-Iran prisoner swap briefly excites ideas of first steps to talks, but this appears highly unlikely. Iran will make mask-wearing mandatory in certain areas and allow virus-hit provinces to re-impose restrictions.…… Read the rest
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August 2020
Overview. Another terrible month for Iran as the regime struggles to manage a sharp deterioration in the value of the rial and spike in inflation. These twin factors will hamstring economic recovery and hopes for job creation as the C19 pandemic continues to weigh heavily on the economy, exacerbating structural weaknesses and straining state finances.………