Author: Admin
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March 2020
Overview. As if Iran’s people needed further bad news after an appalling January, the arrival of Covid-19, its rapid spread and a number of fatalities probably signal worse economic news to come. The Iranian rial fell further in response to the outbreak and FATF’s decisions to re-impose countermeasures after the latest reform deadline passed without…
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March 2020
Overview. February saw the death of former President Mubarak launch a three-day period of official mourning. Tributes were paid, speeches were made, and the inevitable comparisons between the Mubarak and President Sisi have been everywhere. Mubarak had nothing close to the charisma of Sisi despite his long time in office but, like the incumbent, he…
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February 2020
Overview. Pakistan wisely chose to remain neutral regards the confrontation between the US and Iran. Major terrorist incidents in KP and Balochistan Provinces and series of isolated terrorist attacks in the border regions featured during the month. Politically there was no major agitation against government. An FATF plenary on 16th February will be important for…
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February 2020
Overview. Politically, January was dominated by the Dhaka mayoral election campaigning. The World Bank has projected 7.2% GDP growth for Bangladesh in FY 2019-20, while remittances hit record highs amid taka devaluation and government moves to provide incentives. Dhaka Mayor Elections. Awami League mayoral candidates were unofficially declared elected in the Dhaka North City Corporation…
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February 2020
Overview. Iranian resistance to the US campaign of Maximum Pressure through deniable actions and regional proxies attracted little military response in 2019 from the US. That ended this month. Iranian national morale, national unity and faith in the Islamic Revolutionary regime is at rock bottom after the death of its feted Quds Force commander and…
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February 2020
Overview. The new year crept in without the much-expected bang. Egypt’s security services were on high alert in January as they prepared to protect the Coptic Christian population from attacks as they celebrated Coptic Christmas. They were also deployed to police anticipated protests to mark the Arab Spring anniversary. Neither threat materialised and the nation…
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January 2020
Overview. The last month 2019 proved testing for Pakistan on several fronts. There was a slight increase in terrorist activity by previously quiet organisations, coupled with various threat alerts issued by the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA). The Special Court’s death sentence verdict against ex-President Pervez Musharaf and subsequent concerns shown by the armed forces…
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January 2020
Overview. The 21st triennial council of the ruling Awami League was held this month, with the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurating the event and reiterating her desire to build a hunger and poverty-free Bangladesh. UNESCAP forecast Bangladesh’s exports to rise by more than 9% in value and 6% in volume in 2020.…… Read the rest
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January 2020
Overview. Another high-octane month on both geopolitical and domestic fronts for Iran: JCPOA parties meet in Vienna and narrowly avoided striking a deathblow to the nuclear deal; Iran and the US agreed to a prisoner swap; and, speculation surrounds a visit to Japan by President Rouhani. Domestically, Rouhani presents a resistance budget to the Majlis…
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January 2020
Overview. There are many positives in Egypt as it gets set to start what looks to be the beginning of a very positive decade for the nation’s coffers. After years of post-Arab Spring economic woes Egypt finally seems to be getting its act together. The numbers are there to prove it.…… Read the rest