Μπορεί ο οίκος των Σαούντ να επιβιώσει του ISIS;

Στρατιώτες από την αντιτρομοκρατική μονάδα των ειδικών δυνάμεων της Σαουδικής Αραβίας, στις 17 Μαΐου του 2009. FAHAD SHADEED / REUTERS

Υπάρχει κάτι γνώριμο αναφορικά με την τρέχουσα τρομοκρατική εκστρατεία του Ισλαμικού Κράτους (επίσης γνωστού ως ISIS) στην Σαουδική Αραβία. Στην πραγματικότητα, παρουσιάζει τρομερές ομοιότητες με εκείνη της αλ Κάιντα πριν από 12 χρόνια. Τότε, ο οίκος των Σαούντ απέκρουσε με επιτυχία τους τζιχαντιστές εχθρούς του. Αυτήν την φορά, όμως, ο εχθρός είναι πιο ανθεκτικός και πολυμήχανος, ενώ τα περιφερειακά χαρτιά φαίνεται να μαζεύονται εναντίον του Βασιλείου. Το Ριάντ θα χρειαστεί προνοητικότητα, πολιτική δεινότητα και, πάνω απ’ όλα, ενδοσκόπηση για να επαναλάβει την προηγούμενη επιτυχία του.

Has Asia entered into a currency war?

With interest rates being cut by Central Banks all across Asia, many have predicted a looming currency war in the region. Has Asia already entered a currency war? And if not, what will be its tipping point?

The stage seems to be set for a full-blown currency war in Asia as Central Banks across the region are weighing their options in reaction to an overall weak global economy.

Solar Space Race Already Underway

Has space-based solar power just had a breakthrough moment?

Alternative Energy News reports that on March 12th, 2015 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) successfully conducted a ground demonstration test of “wireless power transmission.” In the test, MHI successfully transmitted 10 KW of electricity via microwave to a receiver 500 meters away. This test also confirmed that advanced control technology could direct the microwave beam to stay on target. Will this success pique other countries’ interest?

Tartus, the Mother of Martyrs

Tartus is Syria's second largest port city, overshadowed only by Latakia. Located on the country's coastal plain, both sit within the Alawite minority's geographic core. Originally known as the "Nusayris," the Alawites became established along the Mediterranean coast under the Shiite Hamdanid dynasty. With the fall of this dynasty, however, they became an embattled minority, persecuted by Christian crusaders, the Sunni Mamluk Sultanate and the Ottoman Empire in turn.

The French colonial regime favored the Alawites in order to balance power against the majority Sunnis and their Ottoman backers. Following independence, this privileged position made the Alawites a target of reprisals from the new government. By the 1960s, however, the Alawites had regained influence because of their presence in the military and their support for the Baathist movement. In 1971, after a tumultuous period of coups and counter-coups, Defense Minister Hafez al Assad gained control of the government. The Alawite general remained in power until 2000 and was succeeded by his son, Bashar al Assad.

Greece has nothing to lose by saying no to creditors

So here we are. Alexis Tsipras has been told to take it or leave it. What should he do?

The Greek prime minister does not face elections until January 2019. Any course of action he decides on now would have to bear fruit in three years or less.

First, contrast the two extreme scenarios: accept the creditors’ final offer or leave the eurozone. By accepting the offer, he would have to agree to a fiscal adjustment of 1.7 per cent of gross domestic product within six months.