LEBANON BATTLES ISLAMIST MILITANTS
In early August, militant Islamists—including members from both the Nusra Front and the Islamic State—seized control of Arsal, a border town located on the Lebanese side of the Lebanese-Syrian border. They controlled the town for five days, during which time the militants captured and killed civilians, police officers, and soldiers. Saudi King Abdullah granted $1 billion to bolster the Lebanese army and the UN condoned a response by the Lebanese military but urged it to stay out of Syria. Sunni clerics eventually negotiated a ceasefire—which was constantly breached—and the militants eventually pulled out of Arsal, taking hostages with them. The conflict started when the Lebanese army arrested a Syrian man who, according the army, confessed to being part of the al-Qaeda affiliate the Nusra front. (Al Jazeera August 5th, 2014; Reuters August 6, 2014; Reuters August 7, 2014).
SISI PLANS TO EXPAND SUEZ CANAL
In an attempt to stimulate Egypt’s struggling economy, Egyptian President Sisi announced a plan to spend $4 billion to expand the Suez Canal. For security reasons the project will be run by the army, and the intention is to build a new Suez Canal running next to the existing, 145-year-old canal. Egyptians have talked about expanding the Suez Canal for years in hopes of attracting more traffic and revenue. The Suez Canal currently generates $5 billion dollars revenue annually for the Egyptian government and experts estimate that by 2023 it could rise to $13.5 billion with the planned expansion. Officials have stated that the $4 billion project will be completed within the next five years; however Sisi would like the project finished within a year. (Reuters August 5, 2014).
TURKEY CRACKS DOWN ON POLICE
Last month Turkey detained more than 100 police officers for allegedly spying on government officials—including Prime Minister Erodgan—and in early August they arrested another 25 for allegedly using illegal wiretaps. Of the original 100 officers only 31 officers will go to trial for wiretapping and forging documents. This investigation has been pushed by Prime Minister Erdogan, who recently won re-election and argues that police corruption amounts to a coup against him. (Al Jazeera August 5, 2014).
MILITIAS BATTLE OVER BENGHAZI
On July 30, Ansar al-Sharia, a militant Islamist group in Libya, announced they had seized Benghazi, declaring it an “Islamic emirate.” However, renegade General Hafter, who has been leading a self-proclaimed war against Islamists, denied these claims. According to Haftar the government still controls Benghazi, but reports suggest Islamist militants had in fact seized control of the Special Forces headquarters for Libya’s army. Two thousand Libyan citizens protested in the streets on August 1 against both Islamist militias and the renegade militias fighting them. Libyan tribal elders have sought, thus far unsuccessfully, to act as mediators to negotiate ceasefires. (Al Arabiya July 31, 2014; Reuters August 1, 2014).