Foreign Policy Digest Editors

Articles

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Sunni-Shiite Tensions Flare in Egypt-Hizbullah Dispute

Abdel-Magid Mohammed has had a busy two weeks. On April 8th, Mohammed, who is Egypt’s public prosecutor, announced he and his staff were interrogating fifty operatives detained on Egyptian soil for allegedly spying for Hizbullah and conspiring to destabilize the Egyptian state. As details of the operatives’ intent emerged, and the number charged with spying for Hizbullah narrowed from fifty to nine, the flames of political discord between Arab powers were fanned. Though the arrests occurred months before, their public revelation now has heightened tensions between Shiite Hizbullah, its patron Shiite state Iran, and Sunni Egypt.

April 24, 2009
Foreign Policy Digest Editors
Religion - April 2009

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The Future of Saudi Oil

The Middle Eastern economy has thrived on oil profits since the 20th century, with six Middle Eastern states making the list of the world’s top 15 oil exporters. As oil prices soared to $147 a barrel in July, Saudi Arabia stood by a June pronouncement to increase output above its average production rate for the remainder of 2008. The move by the House of Saud was the product of many forces—Saudi Arabia’s geopolitical interests, diplomatic pressure from developed countries with diminishing reserves, and security concerns regarding Iranian profits from inflated oil prices. The announcement was approved by Abdallah bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, who has served as King and Prime Minister since 2005.

September 1, 2008
Foreign Policy Digest Editors
Global Need for Energy - September 2008