Topic: North Africa
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Hezbollah 101: Who is the militant group, and what does it want?
The Shiite militant group and political party is a player not just in Lebanon, where it is based, but across the broader Middle East. It remains a staunch opponent of Israel, which it fought to a standstill in 2006, and a close ally of Iran and Syria – despite both regimes' crackdowns on citizens Hezbollah purports to champion.
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Briefing
Five things to know about Freedom House's latest global rankings
A look at the 2012 Freedom House ranking of 197 countries according to their relative freedom.
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Briefing
Top 3 reasons why Al Qaeda is more dangerous than ever
On the one-year anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death, defense analysts say that there are plenty of reasons to think that a resurgence of the perniciously resourceful Al Qaeda is not out of the question.
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In Pictures: Unusual military hats
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'Nakba Day' protests: What regional leaders said
Protests erupted on Israel’s borders and throughout East Jerusalem and the West Bank on Sunday as Palestinians marked the 63rd anniversary of Israel’s independence, which they refer to as the “nakba,” or catastrophe. Here is a roundup of notable statements:
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The Monitor's View: Egypt's big lesson in democracy
Egypt adopted a postrevolutionary constitution this week. But the Arab nation has only begun to understand that democracy isn't only majority rule.
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Hillary Clinton recovering from fall, working from home
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has canceled work-related trips as well as a planned appearance before Congress to testify on the Benghazi attack. Clinton is working from home after she fainted last week.
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Family of journalist Austin Tice struggles with silence on kidnapping
Austin Tice was kidnapped near Damascus in August. His family went to Beirut recently in hopes of extending their reach into Syria and finding out more about who might be holding him.
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On Europe's foreign agenda: how to handle Israel
The future of Israeli-European relations will be on the agenda when European Union foreign ministers meet today to broach the subject of Israel.
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Greece seen as most corrupt European nation, survey says
Transparency International ranks Greece, along with other European countries racked by the financial crisis, poorly in its 2012 Corruption Perceptions Index.
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Terrorism & Security
And the most corrupt nation this year is.... (+video)It's a tie between Afghanistan, North Korea, and Somalia. Elsewhere, bankrupt Greece, one-party China, and various 'Arab Spring' nations stand out in Transparency International's annual rankings.
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Egypt freedoms in balance during constitutional showdown
Egyptian protesters swamped the presidential palace in Cairo today, angry at a draft constitution favored by President Morsi that many fear will limit freedoms.
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Europe's big powers unify to push against Israel settlement plans (+video)
Observers are struck by the degree to which the UK, France, and others in Europe have acted together to criticize Israel's plans to expand settlements.
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Fuel subsidies get scrutiny at Doha talks
Nations spend more than $500 billion to keep fossil fuel prices low, which is popular with voters but harms the climate. Removing fossil-fuel subsidies would lower carbon emissions by more than 10 percent by 2050, the OECD calculates.
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Cover Story
Global water crisis: too little, too much, or lack of a plan?The global water crisis – caused by drought, flood, and climate change – is less about supply than it is about recognizing water's true value, using it efficiently, and planning for a different future, say experts.
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In Egypt and Tunisia, Salafis move from prisons to parliaments
After the Arab Spring uprisings, it's inevitable that Salafis will help steer the evolution of North Africa's new governments. The challenge is to make sure they do so peacefully.
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The Daily Reckoning
Is there such a thing as too much energy?Government moves energy from the future to the past, Bonner writes, from what will be to what used to be, and finally, to what will be no more.
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Focus
Islamists silence the musicians who guide rural MaliFor centuries, griots have directed ceremonies, smoothed over disputes, and served as repositories of history and genealogy. Now in northern Mali they are out of a job.
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Focus
Will Mali be Africa's Afghanistan?Mali was hit by two successive shocks to its system this year – with the north seized by rebels and a coup in the capital – leaving its government fragile and the international community mulling intervention.
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Energy Voices
US energy: What's oil production got to do with national security?National security and foreign policy planners can make some reasonable assumptions about what the American energy revolution and oil boom could mean for US interests, Rogers writes.
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David Petraeus affair: Congress still wants him to testify, as questions grow
David Petraeus will not appear before Congress this week about the attack in Benghazi, Libya. But as more revelations come out about his affair, lawmakers say they still want to hear from him at some point.
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Progress Watch
Poland takes top honors for 'most improved' in cutting red tapeIt's getting easier to do business in many countries, according to a World Bank report, with Eastern Europe and Central Asia making significant strides this year.
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As Europe scrimps, budget airline Ryanair soars
Europeans may be tightening their belts, but they're still flying Ryanair, whose profits were up in the first half of 2012. And the airline is eying expansion in Eastern Europe, Africa, and even the US.
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Bahrain bomb attacks kill two migrant workers
Activists and government officials blame each other as the government has stepped up efforts to quell an uprising that has crippled the economy.
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Egypt's new Coptic pope faces charged political scene
Amid rampant complaints of discrimination against Coptic Christians in Egypt, Pope Tawadros II becomes the 118th Coptic leader.
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NATO members need to step up, says UK defense minister
Philip Hammond said today that Europe needs to take greater responsibility for its own security and be ready to act abroad. But NATO will have to become more efficient first, he warned.
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Terrorism & Security
Bahrain bans public demonstrations as protest movement rises againAn uptick in clashes between Bahrain's pro-democracy protesters and the government prompted Bahrain to take its most extreme steps to quash dissent since the uprising began in 2011.
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Benghazi terrorist attack follows Obama on the campaign trail
The terrorist attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, continues to follow President Obama as he faces an extremely close reelection bid and the expected onslaught of Hurricane Sandy.
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Spain loses title as Moroccans' land of opportunity
Moroccans seeking economic opportunity used to flock to Spain, but with its economy tanking, Spain has less and less to offer them.
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Anxious Turks suspect US plot is behind Syria's implosion
Locals in eastern Turkey, bearing the brunt of the fallout from Turkey's involvement in Syria, believe Ankara is merely a pawn in US plans to foment conflict in the region.
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