EGYPTIAN MP PROPOSES "ISLAMIC" PUNISHMENTS
A member of the Egyptian parliament from the ultra-conservative Al-Nour Party has proposed a law that would institute Islamic penalties for certain crimes, such as murder, theft, and murder in the course of robbery. The proposed Islamic punishments for these crimes include execution for murder, the amputation of an arm and a leg from opposite sides of the body for robbery, and execution or crucifixion for murder during the course of a robbery. The law is currently being discussed in the People’s Assembly Proposals and Complaints Committee, while a representative of the Justice Ministry has criticized the law, stating that many of its provisions are already included in existing laws. (Egypt Independent, March 14, 2012)
INCREASING RUSSIAN WEAPONS EXPORTS TO SYRIA
A recent report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute published a detailed record of increases in Syrian arms imports in the past several years, focusing on heavy weapons such as aircraft, missiles, and artillery. According to the annual report, Syria increased its imports of weapons by 580% in the period from 2007-2011, when compared with 2002-2006. Of the arms imports from the 2007-2011 time period, Russia provided 72% of all weaponry, including anti-ship missiles and air defenses -- weapons platforms that can be used to deter and combat international intervention. Russia has continued to provide weapons even after other countries imposed arms embargoes on the Syrian regime following Syria’s crackdown on an internal uprising. While the report does not give specifics on all the weapons platforms, although observers have noted that in late 2011, as the Syrian uprisings became more violent, Russia signed a deal with Syria to provide 36 light combat aircraft. (CBC News, March 19, 2012)
RESUMPTION OF U.S.-YEMEN COUNTERTERRORISM TRAINING CAUSES STIR
After a series of extensive negotiations between Yemeni and U.S. government officials, the United States will resume a U.S. training program designed to bolster Yemen’s counterterrorism capabilities. The U.S. training mission temporarily halted operations last May as political instability in Yemen grew. As part of a diplomatic solution to the crisis that transferred power from former President Saleh to his vice president, the Yemeni government stated it would overhaul its military, which is currently dominated by many of Saleh’s relatives. Many in Yemen fear that these relatives could use their positions to maintain their influence in a post-Saleh administration. The U.S. training mission conflicts with this overhaul of the military because it requires the immediate employment of Yemen’s intelligence and counterterrorism units, leaving Saleh’s relatives in place. Many Yemenis point to this deal as evidence that the United States views counterterrorism cooperation as more important than democracy. Despite these popular sentiments, the new president of Yemen, President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi, has called for enhancing the U.S. Yemeni-counterterrorism relationship. (The Wall Street Journal, March 6, 2012)
TURKEY'S NEW CYBER SECURITY STRATEGY FOR 2013
Turkish Transportation and Security Minister Binali Yıldırım recently announced that Turkey is aiming to complete and enact its new cyber-security strategy by 2013. The minister stated that a coordinating group in his ministry will soon write a strategic plan with Turkey’s Scientific and Technological Research Council and then draft a Cyber-Security Strategy for 2013.Turkey has suffered from an increasing number of cyber-attacks recently and is moving to increase its cyber-protection assets. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, in which Turkey is a member, has pointed out that cyber-attacks present a growing danger to global security. Minister Yıldırım noted that previous Turkish government attempts to increase cyber security were very successful in substantially reducing spam emails sent from Turkey. (Hurriyet Daily News, March 2, 2012)
INDEPENDENCE FOR EASTERN LIBYA?
A conference of militia and tribal leaders from Libya’s eastern region recently declared autonomy from the central Libyan government. The conference leaders stated that the “newly independent” eastern region will have its own parliament, capital, police force, and courts. Matters such as oil distribution, the national army, and foreign policy would be left to the decision-making of the central government. The bold move was opposed by the interim Libyan government, the National Transitional Council, which fears that granting such autonomy could mark the beginning of the breakup of Libya. However, the declaration highlights the weakness of the National Transitional Council, which plans to hold elections in June to create a 200-member assembly to form a government with a prime minister and write a constitution. Eastern tribal and militia leaders have rejected these elections because the east would only be allocated 60 seats as opposed to the West’s 100. They fear that the less populous east, which was marginalized under the rule of Gaddafi, will be marginalized in the new government as well. The influence of the conference’s declaration will depend on the ability of the leaders of the conference to mobilize the popular support for their plan in the east. (The Telegraph, March 6, 2012)