360 Articles
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By Naim AmeurWhile there are hopeful signs of recovery, Tunisia's economy remains volatile. A potential political conflict could have a negative impact on the country's stability. The Tunisian revolution against the former regime in January 2011 sparked a series of popular movements in the region. The transitional process towards democracy in Tunisia has achieved acceptable results. The members of the new National Constituent Assembly (NCA) were elected in generally free and fair elections on October 23, 2011. Their main mission is to draft a new constitution within one year. The Islamic party Al-Nahdha won the majority of seats in the NCA, and has led a coalition government, called “...
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360° Analysis / Politics / Tunisia / Middle East / AfricaAs Tunisia attempts to make its way towards reform, the country struggles to define the role of Islam in the state and society. Background Tunisia gained independence in 1956 after 75 years as a French Protectorate. Demands for freedom date back to the beginning of the 20th century but the country had to wait until Habib Bourguiba, leader of the nationalist Neo-Destour Party, led Tunisia to independence. After years of imprisonment, Bourguiba became Tunisia’s first president after the monarchy was abolished in 1957. In his pursuit of transforming Tunisia into a modern and secular state, Bourguiba introduced the Personal Status Code, based on a 'modernist' interpretation of...
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360° Analysis / Egypt / Morsi / Muslim Brotherhood / Politics / Middle East / AfricaBy Iman BibarsAs political unrest increases in Egypt, Iman Bibars gives a personal account of recent events. Open any international newspaper of late and you will read a misleading, watered-down version of the truth. "Muslim Brotherhood supporters clash with protestors, Morsi’s backers and rivals battle in streets of Cairo, Egypt descends further into political turmoil – these are all spins on what is really happening here." The truth is uglier and more unsettling. This is not about two factions battling each other. This is about a well organized and devious militant militia, with members that carry pictures of al-Qaida and Bin Laden, who recently went to disrupt a peaceful protest...
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360° Analysis / China / economic boom / Foreign Direct Investemnt / Indonesia / Philippines / Finance & Economics / AsiaForeign direct investments (FDI) have helped boosting the economies of many states in Asia. At the same time, this can have a negative effect on local businesses who may experience lower sales and slower growth rates. FDIs have long been a staple source of income for many nations in Asia. In Southeast Asia, FDIs are particularly important in stimulating economic growth, as they capitalize on human and material resources to manufacture goods for local consumption or for export. These FDIs, as the currency of multinational companies, may also increase employment rates in particular industries. However, most FDI seeks to penetrate Asian markets specifically for the purpose of capturing market...
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360° Analysis / Egypt / Israel / Morsi / Politics / Middle East / AfricaBy Mina MonirEl-Baradei’s recent interview with Der Spiegel has caused heated debates among Egyptians regarding the Holocaust. Mina Monir argues that the West and Israel should prepare themselves for a new political scenario in a nation that was once the largest Western ally in the Middle East. As Egypt sinks deeper into political instability, the question over the historicity of the Holocaust was recently brought to the fore in a strange yet unsurprising manner. In an interview with the German magazine Der Spiegel, the former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammed El-Baradei expressed his deep concerns. These were namely regarding the radical...
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By Trevor CohenChina may have limited cultural appeal in Latin America, but its economic ideology has gained credibility over the US model. Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro curse the evils of US imperialism and extravagance, but still enjoy baseball as a pastime. While they find their economic models much more in line with that of the Chinese, they are much closer culturally to the capitalists of the United States. Despite government efforts, China has had little success in exporting its popular culture. While Chinese history and philosophy might be highly respected worldwide, these cultural elements are old and cold in the modern age. Nor do they possess mass entertainment value or showcase...
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360° Analysis / Egypt / Morsi / Muslim Brotherhood / Politics / Middle East / AfricaThe political unrest in Egypt over President Morsi's decree has significantly polarized the country even further. Egypt, as an abstract concept, is often associated with the ancient, and with riddles. So here is an ancient riddle to ask of Egypt: does objectivity exist? Perhaps we can make the following points without much controversy. Egypt had a revolution against a military dictatorship in January-February of 2011. This military dictatorship stacked Egypt’s judiciary, army, state security services, and professional associations with loyalists, making up what political scientists refer to as the “deep state.” The army, under the auspices of the Supreme Council of the...
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360° Analysis / Egypt / Morsi / Muslim Brotherhood / Politics / Middle East / AfricaBy Omar FarahatThe widespread protests triggered by Morsi's recent decisions are symptomatic of profound distrust that characterizes the relationship between different segments of Egyptian society. On November 22 2012, Mohammed Morsi issued a constitutional declaration that he described as “revolutionary”, granting the constitutional assembly additional time to complete the drafting job, prohibiting the dissolution of the one remaining branch of parliament, and granting his own immunity from judicial scrutiny. Minutes later, protesters stormed into Tahrir Square and other public places in Egypt, and several of the Muslim Brotherhood’s headquarters were attacked. Major courts...
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China’s rising power is not the cause of declining US influence in South America and the implications of China’s increasing presence on the continent will affect each country differently. Thirty years ago, developing countries in Asia, Africa and South America contributed far less to the global economy when compared with the US and Western Europe. Over the last 20 years, the economic rise of China has catalyzed a monumental shift in global trade flows. Because China lacks sufficient natural resources within its own borders, it has turned to the resource rich regions of the developing world to satisfy growing demand among its 1.3bn citizens. South America has...