Russian action in Syria will intensify war in Egypt

Egypt, being in a very difficult geopolitical position, may be the next victim of the Syrian war. The Egyptian army has beens truggling with Islamic terrorists on the Sinai Peninsula for a long time, with he Libyan branch of Islamic State causing problems in the western part of the country. Unfortunately for President Abd al-Fattah as-Sisi, with Russian raids in Syria, Islamic militants are now moving to Libya through Sinai.

Egypt did not want to get involved in the war in Syria or in Iraq, directly or indirectly, trying not to spoil the relations with Saudi Arabia. Egypt shared with Bashar al-Assad the common aim, which is to fight the Islamic insurgency. In fact, the nation is waging a war in the north of Sinai against militant groups loyal to the Islamic State. The worst is yet to come, though. Continue reading →

Plans by U.S. to capture Islamic State’s capital already go awry

Fifty tons of ammunition air-dropped by the U.S. military last week and intended for Arab groups has instead been claimed by the overall command of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units, or YPG, which is fighting alongside Arab units but overwhelmingly dominates their uneasy alliance. Source: The Washington Post

Coalition: Next phase in Syrian campaign against ISIS to start soon

The U.S.-led military coalition against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) expects to begin a “new phase” in the near future in Syria, led by rebel groups it is supporting, according the coalition’s spokesman on Wednesday. “The next phase is about to start here sometime in the near future,”. Source: The Hill

Assad in surprise visit to Moscow

Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad has visited Moscow on his first overseas trip since the civil war broke out in his country in 2011. It mark a new stage in Russia’s efforts to roll out a diplomatic plan alongside its military intervention in Syria. Source: BBC

European Oil Companies Steal a March on U.S. Peers in Iran

European oil companies are in fierce competition for the best oil and gas fields in Iran, while U.S. energy firms watch from the sidelines. Iran is looking for help to ramp up its oil-and-gas industry after sanctions shaved more than one million barrels off its average daily production. Source: WSJ

OPEC Brings Oil Price War Home in Pursuit of Asia’s Cash

Suppliers from the OPEC have long moved in lockstep, raising or lowering prices in tandem. Now, Kuwait is undercutting Saudi Arabia by the most on record and Iraq is also selling its oil more cheaply than the group’s biggest member. Qatar is pricing cargoes at the biggest discount. Source: Bloomberg

Russia to supply equipment for Mistral helicopter carriers to be purchased by Egypt

“Egypt will apparently – I only guess – will sign a contract with Russia on further equipping the Mistrals – both the ships and helicopters, and will make a significant contribution to the fight against international terrorism,” said the Russian presidential administration chief. Source: TASS